FR3057280A1 - DEVICE FOR LIMITING ROOT GROWTH IN EDGE OF SIDEWALK - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for limiting the growth of parasitic plant roots in a crack of a joint (12, 32) between a curb block (1) and a sidewalk covering layer (3) comprises a inhibition (121) of root growth, such as a meander (121) or a root drain, the progress of which is respectively mechanically impeded and inhibited by lack of water.

Description

© Publication no .: 3 057280 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 01455 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © IntCI ⁸ : E 01 C 11/22 (2017.01), E 01 C 11/02, E 01 H 11/00

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 06.10.16. (© Priority: © Applicant (s): LE COMTE ERIC - FR. @ Inventor (s): LE COMTE ERIC. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 04/13/18 Bulletin 18/15. ©) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this booklet (© References to other related national documents: ® Holder (s): LE COMTE ERIC. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): LE COMTE ERIC.

? 4) DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE GROWTH OF ROOTS ON A SIDEWALK.

_ The device for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint (12, 32), between a block (1) of curb and a layer of pavement covering (3), comprises a device inhibiting (121) the growth of the roots, such as a meander (121) or a drain, roots whose progression is respectively hampered mechanically and inhibited by lack of water.

FR 3 057 280 - A1

Device for limiting the growth of roots at the curb

The present invention relates to the development of roots of parasitic plants in a gap between a sidewalk block or equivalent, made of compact material such as stone or concrete, and a layer of asphalt constituting an impermeable upper layer of sidewalk or pavement.

A sidewalk is formed by an embankment of earth and rubble limited, on the pavement side, by a vertical face of an edge constituted by a row of concrete or stone blocks, which thus offer an edge of formwork edge. A layer of impermeable material, usually asphalt, covers this backfill a few centimeters thick, so that its surface is level with the top of the border.

The asphalt, hot poured, came to stick against the formwork face, thus forming a joint aimed at preventing the penetration of roots of parasitic plants. However, the annual thermal cycles and possible ground movements of the embankment are likely to produce a crack in this joint, in which will accumulate dust and seeds of parasitic plants, the roots of which will sink until reaching the embankment whose nutrients will allow rapid development of the plant, especially since the crack will collect rainwater dripping on the asphalt.

The growth of the roots, in section and in length, will then respectively widen the crack and deform the embankment, thus causing a deterioration of the sidewalk with an exponential pace over time.

This type of problem can also arise at an opposite edge of the rub, bounded by a fence or building wall. It is the same between a first edge of a gutter slab and the sidewalk edge block or between a second edge of the gutter slab and a surface layer of the roadway, such as asphalt. A patio slab may also have a crack around the edge of a load-bearing wall. In general, this problem arises in any surface location, horizontal or inclined or even vertical, liable to crack at a joint or else in the mass of a layer of compact material.

The classic solutions are to destroy the parasitic plants by burning them with a gas jet or by spraying weedkiller on the affected areas.

However, it is difficult to burn the plants completely down to the roots. On the other hand, weed killers are not all effective against various parasitic plants and, moreover, their use is harmful to the environment. In addition, these operations must be renewed periodically.

The present invention presents another solution, aimed at reducing the acuity of this root penetration problem.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint between two elements impermeable to the roots, characterized in that it comprises a device for inhibiting growth roots.

Thus, even if the appearance of a crack cannot be avoided, the harmful effects indicated above are curbed or even blocked by inhibiting the growth of roots.

It will be noted that the solution according to the present invention was, a priori, unthinkable for the skilled person, since it was developed in opposition to the two prior arts mentioned at the beginning, which aim to energetically destroy the parasitic plants, then that the present invention aims to inhibit the proliferation of roots by "starving" the developing seeds, the roots of which, necessary for their survival, will only encounter a sterile medium in terms of nutrients. The plant will perish by exhaustion or, at the very least, vegetate.

The said elements being impermeable to the roots, such as for example massive blocks of concrete or stone, this requires the presence of a crack for the roots to propagate by bypass. Note that the two waterproof elements above can come from a single block which will have cracked. The inhibition device belongs to the field of mechanics, that is to say that it is not a chemical product.

In a first embodiment, the inhibition device comprises a meander of the joint.

The path from the end of the roots to pass through the thickness of material limiting the crack is thus increased, which slows their progression.

In an interesting embodiment, the meander comprises an upstream section arranged to receive means for fixing a threshold bar.

The threshold bar can thus cover a crack in the joint between the two elements impermeable to the roots. The threshold bar can be fixed by gluing to a mouth of the joint or by inserting the fixing lugs in an upper section of the joint, for example if the threshold bar has a T-profile, the trunk of which forms a such a mounting bracket.

In a second embodiment, the inhibition device comprises a drain.

The end of the growing roots thus results in a volume which is certainly empty and therefore accessible, but completely dry, which inhibits the growth of the roots.

In a preferred embodiment, said drain is formed by a meander channel.

There are thus two brakes, namely a so-called increased path and a dry stop.

In an advantageous embodiment, one of the two impermeable elements comprises means for fixing means of connection to the other element.

Thus, the appearance of a crack is delayed or even inhibited.

The invention also relates to a method for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint between two elements impermeable to the roots, characterized in that a device for inhibiting the growth of the roots is installed. roots in an area of the joint.

The installation zone of the inhibition device is chosen according to the particular type of device that will have been chosen, that is to say that it can be located along the path that the joint is supposed to close or else directly upstream or downstream of this route.

The inhibition device chosen to be installed is for example a meander and / or a drain.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an impermeable element for the roots intended for the device for limiting the growth of roots according to the invention, for a curb, characterized by the fact that a device is developed. inhibition of root growth, which is fixed to a conventional block of curb.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of two advantageous and alternative embodiments, as well as of the two methods according to the invention, with reference to the appended drawing, in which the figures are views of a sidewalk edge in vertical cross section:

- Figure 1, illustrating a first embodiment of the invention, shows a curb on the pavement side, with a concrete block of curb having a meander in the upper part of a formwork face of an upper layer sidewalk asphalt,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of a variant of the example in FIG. 1, in which the meander comprises a channel that can serve as a drain for draining rainwater,

- Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment, in which the meander of Figures 1 and 2 is replaced by a drain.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first variant of the embodiment of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 illustrates a second variant of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 represents, in vertical cross section, the first embodiment of the invention, with a block 1 of the sidewalk edge on the side of the roadside, here in concrete of substantially rectangular vertical shape, with a hidden face 11, generally vertical , serving as a formwork face for a layer of rubble 2, constituting the base of a sidewalk, and for a waterproof layer 3, here in asphalt, which covers the layer of rubble 2. The waterproof layer 3 has a lateral fece 32 in close contact, with a shape adaptation explained below, with a fece forming an upper seal strip

12 of the formwork 11.

The upper seal strip 12 "emerges" at an edge of an upper face 13 of the block 1, at which there is an upper fece 33 of the impermeable layer 3, and therefore also an upper edge of the fece lateral 32. The upper joint strip 12 has a meander 121, here extending over its entire height. The lateral layer 32 has a complementary meander obtained by fusion during the hot deposition of the asphalt from the impermeable layer 3.

The block 1 has, on the road side, a substantially vertical fece 14, essentially in the open air, here comprising an upper bevel 15, joining the upper face 13, conventionally intended to limit damage to tires. The block 1 is partially buried in the ground and rests there by a lower feces 16.

A channel plate 4, comprises a first lateral fece 44, abutting against a lower part of the vertical fece 14, and a second opposite lateral face 42, which serves as a shuttering shutter in contact with a lateral face 62 of a layer sealing 6, here in asphalt, covering a pavement embankment 5. An upper layer 63 of the sealing layer 6 is located at an edge adjacent to an upper face 43 of the channel plate 4, slightly raised on this side to ensure the desired channel function.

The problem of sealing against rainwater and seed deposits arises at the connections between an upper face of an element (1, 3, 4, 6) and a face of another element, namely in three places. ;

- the connection of the upper surfaces 13 and 33, by the faces 12 and 32,

the connection of the upper surface 43 with the fece 14 of the block 1, by the lateral fece 44, and

- the mutual connection of the upper surfaces 43 and 63 by the lateral faeces 42 and 62.

The solution is exposed here in the first of the three places, knowing that it can be extrapolated to the other two.

The upper joint strip 12 has a meandering shape to which the lateral lace 32 of the impermeable layer 3 is closely adapted when the heated asphalt is poured. As a result, if a crack subsequently forms, the length necessary for the roots to reach the rubble layer 2 is increased compared to the simple thickness of the impermeable layer 3, that is to say between an upper edge 123 , limiting the upper seal strip 12 and the upper face 13, and a lower edge 124 of the upper seal strip 12, located at an edge of a lower surface 34 of the impermeable layer 3, that is i.e. below which moisture and nutrients from the rubble layer 2 are accessible. It can even be provided for branching along the meander 121, formed in block 1, to constitute a kind of labyrinth intended to exhaust the plant by an excessive proberation of roots, such tuft growth taking place at the expense of the speed of growth of the longest roots.

Figure 2 is a partial view of the drawing of Figure 1, with however the variant that the upper seal strip 12, here referenced 220, has a said meander, here referenced 221. The meander 221 has, downwards, a lace-up path at sharp angles to hinder the progression of the roots, angles here substantially straight, with at least one bottom segment 225 substantially vertical bounded by upper edge segments 224 and lower 226, with substantially horizontal transverse profiles, which forms a groove 223 in the direction of extension substantially perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2 if the sidewalk extends substantially horizontally. The lateral face 32 of the impermeable layer 3, finally cast, therefore forms a complementary meander having a rib 323 housed in the groove 223.

Thus, in the event of subsequent separation, following a ground movement, between the block 1 and the impermeable layer 3, the rib 323 moves away from the bottom 225 of the groove 223 but the edges of the rib 323 and those of the groove 223 remain in contact as long as the recoil remains limited to the horizontal size of these elements (223, 323) thus sliding.

The upper edge 224 also constitutes a lower edge of a nose 222 of the meander 221, limited, in the upper part, by the edge, sidewalk side, of the upper lace 13, the nose 222 having an anterior fece, here vertical, opposite of the adjacent edge 32 of the impermeable layer 3, and constituting a section of the meander 221. As a variant with respect to the drawing in FIG. 2, the nose 222 can be provided longer than drawn and, in particular, extend beyond from the vertical plane of the formwork fece 11, thereby covering the impermeable layer 3 over its entire thickness, possibly with a beveled nose end 222 to prevent it from constituting a step liable to cause pedestrians to trip over.

In such a case, provision can be made for the level of the upper layer 33 of the impermeable layer 3 to reach only the level of the lower face (224) of the nose 222 so that the meander 221 begins with a substantially horizontal section. , or even with a lower fece (224) sloping upwards towards the rest of the block 1. The impermeable layer 3 thus presents, in section, a shape of a plate edge which thus opposes the penetration of runoff water and debris it carries.

In other words, with reference to FIG. 2, this amounts to lowering the level of the upper face 33 to substantially the level of the lower face of the nose 222 (so-called upper fece of the groove 223), the nose 222 retaining a limited length, as drawn, or being elongated as described above.

A threshold bar function is thus ensured, by means of the nose 222, here an integral part of the block 1, or, as a variant, by means of an attached profile, with a plate-shaped or T-shaped profile, the trunk is then inserted into a vertical gap constituting an upstream section of the meander 221.

In this example, the meander 221 has a channel 227 having a first function, identical to that of the groove 223, that is to say that its transverse profile as drawn, constitutes a hindrance to the progression of the roots. There may be added a second function, linked to the longitudinal extension of channel 227, relating to the fact that it can serve as a channel for discharging rainwater, in a direction of extension substantially perpendicular to the plane of the Figure 2, however, preferably with at least a certain slope on the horizontal to ensure the drying of its bottom. The channel 227 forms a branch having, according to the present sectional view, a substantially horizontal bottom and edges, internal 228 and external 229, vertical or oblique. The water is evacuated from place to place, for example to the connection between two adjacent blocks 1 at the end, or by outlets opening into the formwork 11. Therefore, the channel 227 forms a dry zone , which thus inhibits root growth.

To prevent the asphalt of the impermeable layer 3 from completely filling the channel 227, provision may be made beforehand for depositing a spacer device therein, in the channel 227, a free space extending in the direction of extension. of channel 227. It can, for example, be a rod of external diameter adapted to occupy the entire width of a bottom volume of channel 227, the poured asphalt then descending into channel 227 only up to at the level of the lateral contacts of the rod with the respective edges 228 and 229. The rod may be a drainage tube, pierced with orifices sufficiently small to initially avoid massive penetration of the molten asphalt. Such a tube, then metallic, will also serve as a radiator and locally solidify the molten asphalt, which will then stop flowing.

There may also be provided a bundle or bed of several rods, of smaller cross section and for example circular, constituting a layer almost impermeable with respect to molten asphalt, but of which voids between the circular sections form a plurality of mini drainage channels.

There may also be provided an inverted U-shaped profile, and, more generally, any profile having an upper surface which shields the passage of molten asphalt.

It will be noted that, the channel 227, with internal edges 228 and external 229 with development having a vertical component, unlike the edges 224 and 226, with horizontal profiles, the whole of the channel 227 and the groove 223, with respective profiles oriented differently , here by a quarter turn, constitutes a kind of mortise or dovetail assembly, which opposes any spacing between the block 1 and the impermeable layer 3.

For the same purpose, it is advantageous to provide, at the level of the upper joint strip 12, tentacles, such as rods, filaments or reinforcing mesh 250, one edge or end of which is fixed 251, is integral with block 1 and the rest of the length of which, in lateral extension at a distance from the block 1, is trapped in the impermeable layer 3, which is thus secured therein. Said connection to block 1 can be carried out in any suitable manner, for example by hooking in the groove 223 and / or the channel 227, for example by clipping if the channel 227 is of dovetail profile.

If it is planned to use both the groove 223 and the channel 227, as here illustrated, the hooking edge 251 comprises an alternation (here not visible because extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2 ) hooking ends forming, in profile view, projected in the plane of FIG. 2, a V-shaped profile 260 tilted clockwise by about 135 degrees here, of which an upper branch 261 fits into a portion of the rib 323 to bear on the upper edge 224 of the groove 223 and of which a lower branch 262 bears against the outer edge 229, of the channel 227, the most distant from the upper edge 224, The profile 260 in V is deformable so that, by a temporary bringing together, its two free ends can be clipped into the groove 223 and the channel 227. It suffices, for this purpose, that at least one of the branches 261, 262 is elastically deformable towards the other, keeping in. itionο clipping position being ensured by an elastic return force for spreading their ends.

As a variant, a bayonet-type attachment system with longitudinal translation is provided, for which the groove 223 and / or the channel 227 has (s), preferably at regular intervals, on one side or the other, a lateral widening making it possible to introduce, without effort, the end of the associated branch 261 or 262, the lateral widening continuing by a “buried” longitudinal branch, forming a volume of lateral projection, high or low, of the bottom 225 of the groove 223, or respectively left or right of the bottom of the channel 227, making it possible to capture the end, curved, of the branch 261 or 262 considered, forming a tab or pad sliding longitudinally.

As a variant, if the branches 261, 262 are insufficiently flexible, the assembly of the two branches 261, 262 has a capacity for deformation (mutual spacing of base areas of the two branches 261, 262) which allows translation of the one towards the other, with an elastic return in the spacing of clipping. In other words, the required elasticity is then ensured by the area of the mesh 250 which carries the branches 261,262.

It will be noted that the relative positions of the groove 223 and of the channel 227 could be different, with, for example, a groove 223, possibly additional, which would be at a level lower than that of the channel 227. The above description relating to the orientation of the V would be easy to transpose to adapt to these new positions.

In a dual way, it can be provided by clipping by pinching of a rib, with an enlarged top, provided in the meander 121.

Similarly, the outer edge 229 of the channel 227 can, by itself, serve as a retaining surface, the lower branch 262, preferably then substantially horizontal to resist any traction, ending in a descending hook, and the upper branch 261 can be omitted or only used to reinforce the impermeable layer in lateral traction 3.

The block 1 can also include reliefs, notches or wires or rings, for hanging the mesh 250. It can also be provided to integrate the edge 251 of the mesh 250 in the block 1 during the pouring of the latter into concrete, if this is the case.

Figure 3 illustrates the second embodiment, in which the meander of Figures 1 and 2 is replaced by a drain 300. Figure 3 is a view in the same cross section, but partial, of the drawing of Figure 1, where your elements modified are shown, your other elements keeping their reference number.

In this example, there is no need for the existence of a meander at the level of the upper joint strip 12, which is therefore here flat. It is however possible, as additional security, to provide such a meander. The root growth inhibition function is provided by the drain 300, which will act as a dissuasive buffer when roots reach it, since these will meet a completely dry volume. The drain 300 comprises a channel forming a gutter 301 under the possible crack location between the upper joint strip 12 and the edge 32 of the impermeable layer 3. In this example, a geotextile veil 302 covers the gutter 301 to prevent its engorgement by debris from the crack. The veil 302 can be a canvas placed on anti-crushing arches placed, or even clipped, on your opposite edges of the gutter 301, or even a sleeve adjusted to tightly surround the gutter 301 and thus remain taut despite the weight of asphalt. the waterproof check mark 3, and / or it can be provided to support it by a spacer placed on the bottom of the gutter 301, for example a longitudinal rod.

The drain 300 is here simply juxtaposed with the formwork face 11 of the block 1 and, preferably, is fixed to it by any suitable means, for example without bonding or clipping.

FIG. 4, homologous to FIG. 3, shows a first variant of the exemplary embodiment, in which the formwork face 11 has a longitudinal groove 423 (cf. groove 223) for engaging the adjacent edge 301A of the gutter 301 therein, so that the rainwater flowing in the crack will drip au3057280 above a quasi-central zone at the bottom of the gutter 301, and not at the limit of the edge considered 301A or even outside. Preferably, the groove 423 has an upper edge 424, with a transverse profile slightly inclined to the horizontal, ending, or as here constituted, by a lip 425 with a lower edge descending towards an end line 426 of the lip 425, so that the drops of water cannot rise, by capillary action and surface tension, along the upper edge 424.

FIG. 5, homologous to FIG. 4, illustrates a second variant of the exemplary embodiment, in which the groove 423 is omitted and the lip 425 is then replaced by a projecting lip 525 forming a sort of deflecting awning, which deflects the above runoff at a distance from the bottom of the upper joint strip 12 and of which a lip end line 526 overhangs a quasi-central zone of the gutter 301 and not its edge 301 A.

It will be noted that, in the various embodiments, the reliefs, projecting or recessed, relating to the formwork face 11, and in particular the upper joint strip 12, can be obtained by an appropriate adaptation of the profile of the block 1 , for example by a suitable mold if it is made of concrete, or by a suitable size if it is made of stone. However, to simplify manufacture, a conventional block 1 can be provided, therefore with a completely flat formwork face 11, on which will be fixed, for example glued, a profile, for example of plastic material, having the desired profile.

As indicated at the beginning, the invention also relates to a method for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint between two elements impermeable to the roots 1 and 3, or 1 and 4, or 4 and 6, remarkable process by the fact that a device 121, 221, 223, 227 for inhibiting root growth is installed in an area of the joint.

The inhibition device installed is a said meander 121 or 221 or 227 or a said drain 227 or 300.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an element impermeable to the roots such as block 1, for a curb, a method remarkable in that a so-called inhibition device 121 or 227 is developed that the 'is fixed to a conventional block of curb.

Claims (10)

1. Device for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint between two elements impermeable to the roots (1, 3; 1, 4; 4; 6), characterized in that it comprises a device inhibition (121, 221, 223, 227) of root growth. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the inhibiting device comprises a meander (121, 221, 227) of the joint. 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the meander (221) comprises an upstream section arranged to receive means for fixing a threshold bar (222). 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the inhibiting device comprises a drain (227, 300). 5. Device according to claims 2 and 4 taken in combination, wherein the drain is formed by a channel (227) of the meander. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one of the two impermeable elements (1) comprises means for fixing (223, 227) of connection means (250) to the other element (3 ) · 7. Method for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint between two elements impermeable to the roots (1,3; 1, 4; 4, 6), characterized in that a device for inhibiting (121, 221, 223, 227) the growth of roots in an area of the joint. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the inhibiting device installed is a meander (121, 221, 227). 9. Method according to one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the inhibiting device installed is a drain (227, 300). 10. A method of manufacturing an element impermeable to the roots (1) intended for the device of claim 1, for a sidewalk edge, characterized in that a device for inhibiting (121, 227) of the root growth, which is attached to a conventional block of curb. 1/2 123 121