FR3057281A1 - DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE GROWTH OF PARASITE VEGETABLE ROOTS IN SIDEWALK EDGES - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for limiting the growth of parasitic plant roots in a fissure of a joint, between a block (1) of curb and a curb covering layer (3), comprises a drain (500) of inhibition the progression of the roots, for lack of water.

Description

© Publication number: 3,057,281 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 17,01021 ® 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: 03.10.17. © Applicant (s): LE COMTE ERIC (30) Priority: 06.10.16 FR 1601455. @ Inventor (s): LE COMTE ERIC. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 13.04.18 Bulletin 18/15. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: The latter was not established on the date of publication of the request. (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): LE COMTE ERIC. related: ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): LE COMTE ERIC.

VX) DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE GROWTH OF ROOTS OF PARASITIC PLANTS ON THE SIDEWALKS.

(£ /) The device for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint, between a block (1) of the curb and a layer of pavement (3), comprises a drain (500 ) inhibition of root progression due to lack of water.

FR 3 057 281 - A1

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Device for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants 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 provide a form 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 sidewalk, 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 having a direction of longitudinal extension, characterized in that it comprises a drain device, inhibiting root growth, extending substantially in said direction of longitudinal extension.

The end of the growing roots thus leads to a certainly empty and therefore accessible, but completely dry, voting surface, which inhibits root growth.

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 your two waterproof elements above can come from a single block that 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 realization farm, the drain is closed by a channel of 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.

There are thus two brakes, namely tm said increased travel and a dry stop.

In an interesting embodiment, an upstream section of the joint is 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 seiril small bar can be fixed by gluing on a mouth of the joint or by inserting fixing lugs in an upper section of the joint, for example if the threshold bar has, at least in various sections, a profile in T, whose trunk constitutes such a leg of fîxatiôù.

In an advantageous embodiment, means are provided for connecting one said element to the other element.

In particular, the drain device can be arranged to have a shape allowing it to be hooked or glued or pinched on one of the two waterproof elements.

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

Advantageously, means are provided for guiding the roots towards a trap arranged, or arranged, to be subjected to drying by the drain.

Thus, the roots are guided to a volume unfit to feed the parasitic plant.

In such a case, provision may be made for a profile for fixing a lip of the guide means to a face, called rear, for example of formwork, of a first of the impermeable elements.

This avoids any circumvention of the guide means by the roots.

The profile advantageously forms a tripod, comprising a base or foot forming an elastically deformable arc, with two branches carrying two fangs respcctife of eXfféinité of ectbchāge with a zipped side of the head of the pWteie # impermeable and waterproof, and comprising a leg having an end of exercise of a pressing force towards said face, said rear, of the first of the impermeable elements.

The arch can thus adapt to the first elements, block of stone or concrete, of various thicknesses in cross section. In addition, an essential technical advantage is that the arch, placed against a lower face of the block, then exerts, on the leg, a restoring force parallel to this lower fece, and therefore perpendicular to said fecê, called rear, which s 'étâd dabS üfr plaïï perpendicular to that of the lower fece if the block is generally of rectangular section, which avoids any sliding of said bearing end of the leg on this rear face.

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 drain device is installed, inhibiting root growth, in an area of the joint.

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

Advantageously, the installed drain belongs to a meander.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an impermeable element for the roots intended for said drain device, for inhibiting the growth of the roots, for a curb, characterized by the fact that a root growth inhibition drain device, which is attached to a conventional sidewalk block.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of three advantageous embodiments and variants, 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 the scope of the application of the invention, which is explained in detail with reference to the following figures ,, shows, in cross section, a curb on the pavement side, with a block of concrete bordering sidewalk having a formwork face, an upper layer of asphalt of the sidewalk, serving as a joint with the latter,

- Figure 2 is an enlarged partial view of a variant of the example of Figure 1, in which a drain device comprises a channel, serving as a drain for evacuating rainwater, is incorporated in a meander of the joint .

- Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment, in which the meander of Figures 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. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of the drain device, forming a basket for the roots, FIG. 7 illustrates a variant of the device of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 illustrates another variant, FIG. 9 illustrates a variant of the case of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 illustrates a hook for fixing the drain device to a sidewalk edge block, and

- Figure 11 illustrates a tripod variant of the hook of Figure 10.

Figure 1 illustrates the scope of the application of the invention, which is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. FIG. 1, illustrating the first embodiment, represents, in vertical cross section, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction of longitudinal extension of the sidewalk, respectively horizontal or slightly sloping, a block 1 of the sidewalk edge on the curb side, here in concrete of substantially rectangular vertical shape, with a hidden fece 11, rear, generally vertical, serving as formwork fece for a layer of rubble 2, constituting the base of a sidewalk, and for an impermeable layer 3, here in asphalt , which covers the layer of rubble 2. The impermeable layer 3 has a lateral fece 32 in close contact, with an adaptation of shape exposed below, with a fece forming an upper joint strip 12 of the formwork fece 11, thus forming a seal 12, 32.

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 here has a meander 121, here extending over its entire height. The lateral face 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, front, 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 lateral fece 42, opposite, which serves as 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 one 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 face 14 of the block 1, by the lateral face 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 here has a meandering shape to which the lateral foil 32 of the impermeable layer 3 is closely adapted when the heated asphalt is poured. As a result, if a crack forms later, the length of the roots necessary 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 is even possible to provide branches along the meander 121, formed in block 1, to constitute a sort of labyrinth intended to exhaust the plant by an excessive proliferation 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, the upper seal strip 12, here referenced 220, having a said meander, here referenced 221, of particular shape. The meander 221 has, at the bottom, a lace-up path with sharp angles to hinder the progression of the roots, angles here substantially straight, with at least one bottom segment 225 substantially vertical limited by segments of upper edge 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 layer 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 fece 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 added profile, with a transverse profile in the form of a plate or with at least various sections. T-shaped whose trunk is then inserted into a vertical gap constituting an upstream section of the joint 12-32.

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 is added a second function, linked to the longitudinal extension of channel 227, relating to the feit that it serves as a channel, or drain, for evacuating rainwater, according to the direction of longitudinal extension of the sidewalk, substantially perpendicular to the plane of 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, or rainwater collection gutter entering the joint 12, 32, having, according to the present sectional view, a substantially horizontal bottom and edges, internal 228 and external 229, vertical or obliques. The evacuation of the water, flowing in said direction of longitudinal extension, takes place from place to place, for example to the connection between two adjacent blocks 1 at the end, or by outlets opening into the formwork face 11 As a result, channel 227 forms a drain with 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 ίο 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 substantially horizontal profiles, the whole of the channel 227 and the groove 223, with respective oriented profiles 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 attachment to block 1 can be carried out in any suitable manner, for example by hooking in the antlers 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 branch 223 and the channel 227, as illustrated here, the hooking edge 251 comprises an alternation (here not visible because extending in the direction of longitudinal extension, substantially perpendicular in the plane of Figure 2) hooking ends forming, in profile view, projected in the plane of Figure 2, a 260 V profile tilted clockwise by about 135 degrees here, including an upper branch 261 integrates there in 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 external edge 229, of the channel 227, the furthest from the edge upper 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 deformable elas tically towards each other, the retention in the clipping position being ensured by an elastic return force for spreading their ends.

As a variant, a bayonet-type fastening system is provided in translation in said direction of longitudinal extension, for which the groove 223 and / or the channel 227 has (s), preferably at regular intervals, of a on either side, a lateral widening making it possible to introduce therein, without effort, the end of the associated branch 261 or 262, the lateral widening continuing by a “buried” longitudinal groove, forming a volume of protuberance lateral, high or low, from the bottom 225 of the groove 223, or respectively left or right from the bottom of the channel 227, making it possible to capture the end, bent, of the branch 261 or 262 considered, forming a lug or skid 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 zone of the mesh 250 which carries the branches 261, 262.

It will be noted that the relative positions of the groove 223 and the channel 227 could be different, with, for example, an antler 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 that is the case.

Figure 3 illustrates the second embodiment, in which the meander of Figure 2 is replaced by a drain 300, functionally replacing the channel 227. Figure 3 is a view in the same cross section, but partial, of the drawing of the figure 1, where the modified elements are represented, the other elements retaining 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 flat here. 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 the roots reach it, since these will meet a completely dry volume. The drain 300 comprises a pipe forming here a gutter 301, homologous with the channel 227, 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, or a micro-perforated tube replaced it ^ to avoid its engorgement by debris from the crack. The veil 302 can be a canvas placed on anti-crushing arches placed, or even clipped, on the 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 impermeable layer 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 11 of the block 1 ef preferably, is fixed to it by any suitable means, for example gluing or clipping.

FIG. 4, homologous to b in FIG. 3, shows a first variant of the exemplary embodiment, in which the formwork 11 has a longitudinal groove 423 (see branch 223) for engaging the adjacent edge 301A of the gutter 301 therein, so that the rainwater flowing in the crack will drip above an almost 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 antler 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 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 11, on which will be fixed, for example glued, a profile, for example made 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 one installs a device with drain 227, 300, of inhibition of the growth of the roots, in an area of the joint.

The invention also 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 drain device 121 or 227 is developed. of the growth of the roots which are fixed to a conventional block of the curb, the following figures showing still other such devices adapted for such fixing.

FIG. 6, illustrating the third embodiment, is a cross-sectional view of a drain device, representing the hidden rear surface 11 of block 1, against which there is a drain 500, homologous to the drain 300, buried in the layer of rubble 2 covered by the impermeable layer 3. The drain 500 is surmounted by a first lip 501 functionally associated with a second lip 502, having respective neighboring edges 5011, 5021, separated by a gap 503, located at an area from the top of the drain 500, thereby forming, with the latter, a trap for catching the roots. If the drain wall 500 is only pierced with holes too narrow for the passage of the roots, the top of the drain 500 may have a longitudinal slit, as drawn, continuous or in the form of a series of lights, so then alternating with bridges which maintain the desired resistance to crushing of the drain 500.

The lips 501, 502 are made of a material impermeable to the roots, for example a strip of plastic material or of geotextile of sufficient thickness. The lips 501, 502 can therefore be permeable to liquids.

The lips 501, 502 thus serve as paravans whose funnel shape aims to orient the growth of the roots towards the drain 500. To facilitate such guidance of the roots, the neighboring edges 5011, 5021 here constitute lower edges of the lips 501, 502 , which thus present directions of global extension forming a "V". The first lip 501 is in close contact with the hidden face 11 to prevent roots from slipping there and therefore escaping from the trap. To do this, the first lip 501 here has a contact area 5012, here at an intermediate level, having an external, proximal, flat surface which is pressed against the hidden face 11, therefore in a vertical plane. In this example, the contact zone 5012 is continued upwards by an upper end zone 5013 inclined on the vertical to move away from the hidden face 11 and thus form therewith a "V" gutter in which liquid adhesive suitable for solidification can be poured, for example heated asphalt, which, in addition to the local contact at the level of the gutter, will also slightly flow on said external surface of the contact area 5012 for finally stick it to the hidden side 11. The contact area 5012 is continued here, downwards, by an appendix 5014 of the same type, optional, the function of which is explained with reference to FIGS. 10 and

11.

To increase the bonding surface as well as its resistance to tearing, the surface of the contact area 5012 can include reliefs of shape ensuring a fixing by mortise or equivalent with the glue which will be fixed there. To this end, grooves can each be provided, each having a decreasing width from the bottom of the groove to the contact surface with the hidden face 11, therefore at the dovetail, to form a mortise. The grooves may, however, have a substantially constant width, therefore with parallel sides but meandering, thus always having a surface area at least partially turned away from any direction of pulling force. The profile of a groove is that of a nut whose screw would be the adhesive material, or vice versa.

It can also be provided that the two parallel opposite flanks are planar, but then the various grooves have such flanks with mutually diverse inclinations for the various grooves, relative to the contact plane on the hidden fec 11, or even the latter grooves have non-parallel, straight or curved directions of extension, thus ensuring a type of assembly of the mortise or dovetail type.

As a variant, the fixing of the first lip 501 to the hidden face 11 can be carried out by providing that the hidden fec 11 includes, originally or created by the user by means of an abrasive disc, a longitudinal groove with rising edges in oblique towards its bottom, therefore not forming a gutter, in which the upper end 5013 will be crimped, then shaped, contrary to the drawing, with an extension direction partially oriented towards the hidden fec 11, to be finally there inserted.

The second lip 502, which aims at the same goal, extending as far as possible in the rubble layer 2 and / or the impermeable layer 3, thus presents an extension direction which is not very inclined on the horizontal, with a zone upper edge 5022 distal to the hidden fecal 11. To prevent any local lateral drift of the rubble layer 3 away from the block 1, which would cause a said crack at the edge of the hidden fecal 11, the second lip 502 has roughness 5023 located here in the upper edge zone 5022, thereby ensuring a hooking. The lips 501, 502 are preferably mutually connected, directly or by an intermediate element, so that the second lip 502 is also held in place by the block 1. If they are made of plastic, it can be provided that their adjacent edges 5011, 5021 comprise mutual hooking elements, such as shims or cards. Provision may also be made for the lips 501, 502 to be a one-piece assembly, consisting of a single plate or strip having two flaps (501, 502) framing an alignment of lights constituting the gap 503 between the neighboring edges 5011, 5021.

The interstice 503 is preferably obstructed by a strip of geotextile veil 504 blocking the passage of rubble but sufficiently "porous", that is to say of restricted thickness and suitable texture, to allow the penetration of the roots in the drain 500, which itself has, in the upper part, a longitudinal series of lights or a slot 505 for this purpose. The roots thus captured will tend to develop in the volume of drain 500, therefore in an area devoid of moisture and nutrients.

The drain 500 is here surrounded by a geotextile sheath 510, the strip 504 of which may possibly constitute an integrated upper part, unlike the drawing.

FIG. 7 represents a variant of the embodiment of the drain device of FIG. 6, the elements 500A, 501A, 501 ΙΑ, 5012A 5013A 502A, 5021A 5022A 5023A 503A showing the reference number of their counterpart, followed by the suffix " AT ". In this case, the drain 500 and the lips 501, 502 are replaced by a monobloc profile, comprising the drain 500A here of substantially square cross section, which has a proximal edge, relative to the hidden feces 11, continuing with a standing alone up to form the first lip 501A. It will be noted that this proximal edge is not necessarily straight as shown, but that it could have any profile, such as for example the rounding of the proximal part of the drain 500 followed by the first lip 501, which would then be fixed there. or formed in one piece with it, the zone 5012A providing the desired function of contact with the hidden feces 11.

The drain 500A has a distal part, relative to the hidden feces 11, having a “T” section, with a side wall forming the trunk of the “T” and an upper wall, of which a proximal branch constitutes an upper wall of the drain 500A, with a free end 5021A opposite a zone 5011A homologous with the edge 5011, delimiting the gap 503A. The interstice 503A can be constituted by a longitudinal series of lights, that is to say that the so-called free end 5021A can comprise, between each successive two lights, a respective bridge connecting it locally in one piece to the edge 5011A opposite. The "T" has an opposite, distal branch, constituting the second lip 502A. The above bridges thus provide a connection for attaching the second lip 502A to the hidden face 11, by means of the first lip 501A and therefore maintaining the roughness 5023A for retaining the rubble layer 2 in position.

As a variant, it can be provided that the drain 500A only serves as a strip or fixing profile on the block 1, for an attached drain which would be inserted into the space, of here substantially square section, located under the proximal bar of the " T ". The inserted drain can be raised by being carried by spacers, for example a layer of embossed plastic material, with corrugations or cells forming reliefs on the opposite fece, to avoid blockage of moisture, by surface tension, between the bottom of the drain 500A and the bottom of the attached drain. It can also be provided that the above profile (500A) is reduced to a longitudinal succession of collars, or the like, for fixing the attached drain.

FIG. 8 is a simplified sketch showing a simplified embodiment, in which a drain 800 is surrounded by a geotextile veil 810 of which a first edge is fixed, for example by a first longitudinal bonding 861, on a top region of the drain 800. The veil 810 first extends in a partially distal direction and downwards, in a winding of 1/4 turn, around the drain 800, then comes back in a partially proximal direction under the drain 800 in an additional winding. 1/2 turn. The veil 810 is then bonded, by a second longitudinal bonding 862 on an external zone of the winding, to the hidden face 11. A third, intermediate bonding, 863 joins the proximal edge of the drain 800 to the second bonding 862, thus through them, fix the drain 800 to the hidden feces 11.

Said coating by the veil 810 continues with an additional winding of 1/4 turn by means of a strip of the veil 810 deviating from the hidden feces 11, from the second bonding 862, to first substantially finish the round. complete sheathing of the drain 800, passing over it, and then extending to a second, distal edge, to constitute a second lip 802, homologous with the second lip 502. An upper part 801 of the hidden feces 11, above the second bond 862, constitutes a counterpart of the first lip 501. The veil 810 comprises, at the starting point of the second lip 802, after the second bond 862, a longitudinal series of lights 803 serving as said gap for the passage of roots. These can then enter the drain 800 through a so-called interstice, here referenced 803 A which was formed there in the proximal upper quarter, not covered by the initial 3/4 of the veil 810 mentioned above.

It can however be provided that the second lip 802 is, in passing, fixed, by a fourth bonding 864, on the top of the drain 800, and that the gap 803A of the drain 800 is omitted. In such a case, and the wall of the drain 800 being provided impenetrable to the roots, the latter, crossing the second lip 802 by the gap 803, penetrate into another type of trap, in the form of a band in a circular arc, limited, radially internal side, by the drain 800, and, radially external side, by the veil 810 which then forms a sheath completely surrounding the drain 800, with the two longitudinal collages 861 and 864 in the upper part of the drain 800. The roots are not seen offered that substantially a space 820 in a quarter of an arc of a circle situated opposite the proximal upper quarter of the drain 800, between the third bonding 863 and the fourth bonding 864, therefore a perfectly drained volume.

FIG. 9 illustrates a variant of the embodiment of the drainage device of FIG. 8, variant in which the part of the veil 810 going from the first edge, comprising the first bonding 861, until reaching the second bonding 862 has been omitted . Thus, the second lip, here referenced 802A partially remains and, at its distal end, the veil 810, here referenced 810A, is folded back on itself and then return to the drain 800 and surround it in one direction or in the other. The explanations relating to the other elements, such as the gaps, exposed with regard to FIG. 8 remain valid. On the hidden face 11, a bonding 906 of the return part of the veil 810A can be provided, surrounding the drain 800, so that the roots crossing the desired gap are in a basket formed by the veil 810A folded over it -same, with its two (almost) end edges 862, 906 and sealed on the hidden side 11.

FIG. 10 represents an arch 150 used to press the first lip 501 on the hidden face 11, without the need for gluing. The hoop 150 has a generally L-shaped profile, with a lower wing or leg 151 connected to an upper wing or leg 152 by an elbow 153.

The foot 151, disposed under the underside 16 of the block 1, not yet buried, has, in this example, an end hook 1511 turned upward to grip a lower edge area of the front vertical face 14 of the block 1 and thus facilitate the maintenance of the arch 150 in the desired position. The length of the foot 151 is greater than the width of the block 1, between the vertical bars 11 and 14, so that the leg 152 can extend substantially vertically opposite the hidden face 11, at a distance from the latter, with a free end 1521 relatively close to the hidden fece 11. When the block 1 is placed on the ground, the foot 151 is pressed all the way against the underside 16 of the block 1, so that the arch 150 pivots around the hook 1511, which folds the upper end 1521 of the leg 150 towards the hidden feces 11. Such hoops 150, distributed longitudinally along the various blocks 1 thus make it possible to press the first lip 501 against the hidden feces 11.

If any drain element occupies a certain volume opposite the hidden feces 11, the foot 151 can be provided with increased length and the top of the leg 152 then presents, in a more accentuated manner, a shape folded towards the hidden feces 11 , or else the upper end 1521 rests on this element, which itself 15 thus ensures the desired plating against the hidden feces 11.

Thus, as mentioned with reference to FIG. 6, provision can be made for the first lip 501 to form substantially an inverted "Y", the upper contact branch 5012 continuing vertically downwards through the contact appendage 5014, easily accessible from below, forming a second branch of the "Y", the first branch of which ends at edge 5011. It is therefore this appendix

5014 which is then pressed, by the upper end 1521 of the leg 152, on the hidden fece 11.

FIG. 11 illustrates, in view from below, a tripod variant 150A of the arch 150, in which the leg 151 is split, forked, to form a sort of arch comprising two branches 151 A, 15IB connected to the elbow 153. L at least one is flexible elastically, or else the area of the foot connecting them in the elbow 153 is flexible elastically or allows relative pivoting between the two branches 151A and 15 IB. In the absence of constraint, the distance between a line passing through the two hooks 1511A and 1511B at the end of the branches 151A 151B and a parallel line crossing through the elbow 153 is slightly less than the thickness of the block 1, between the vertical faces 11 and 14 limiting the lower fece 16.

Therefore, it is necessary to bend the arch formed by the branches 15 IA and 15 IB, that is to say to cock it by pulling back the leg 152, with the elbow 153, more to the deviation of the front face 14 until the leg 152 can be folded back facing the hidden fec 11 and thus ensures the exposed pinching function. When cocking, at least one of the hooks 1511A, 1511B constitutes a shoe which slides over the lower edge region of the front feces 14, to approach the other hook 1511B, 1511 A. Once the arc thus armed, the upper end 1521 of the stirrup or arch 150A thus formed remains in the pressed position against, or biased towards, the hidden fec 11.

As a variant, to avoid the hazards of a seizure blocking the sliding of the hooks 1511A 1511B, the user, having turned the block 1, manually brings the hooks 1511A, 151 IB together, which represents a feçon dual arming the bow, and then places the tripod 150A in the desired position as soon as the leg 152 has moved back enough, the elasticity of the bow ensuring the maintenance in the coupling position.

The advantage of the arc 15 IA, 15IB is to allow adaptation to blocks 1 of various thicknesses. In addition, the restoring force of the arc 15 IA, 15 IB is parallel to the lower fece 16, horizontal in the functional position, that is to say is perpendicular to the vertical plane of the hidden face 11. Therefore , the upper end 1521 of the leg 152 likewise has a restoring force perpendicular to the hidden plate 11, thus excluding any risk of decoupling by sliding.

Claims (10)

1. Device for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint (12, 32) between two elements impermeable to the roots (1, 3; 1, 4; 4; 6) having a direction of extension longitudinal, characterized in that it comprises a drain device (227, 300, 500, 500A, 800), for inhibiting the growth of the roots, extending substantially in said direction of longitudinal extension. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the drain is formed by a channel (227) of a meander of the joint. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein an upstream section of the seal (12, 32) is arranged to receive means for fixing a threshold bar (222). 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising means (250; 501, 5012, 502, 5023; 500A, 501A, 502A, 5023A) for connecting a said element (1) to the other element (3). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising means (501, 502; 501A, 502A; 801, 802) for guiding the roots towards a trap (500, 500A, 800, 820) arranged to be subjected to draining by the drain (500; 500A; 800). 6. Device according to claim 5, comprising a profile (150; 150A) for fixing a lip (501; 501 A) of the guide means to a plate (11) of a first (1) of the impermeable elements. 7. Device according to claim 6, in which the profile (150A) forms a tripod, comprising an elastically deformable arc, with two branches (15IA, 15IB) carrying two respective end hooks (1511A, 1511B) for hooking to a edge region of the first (1) impermeable element, and comprising a leg (152) having an end (1521) for exerting a pressing force towards said face (11) of the first (1) of impermeable elements . 8. Method for limiting the growth of roots of parasitic plants in a crack in a joint between two elements impermeable to 5 roots (1, 3; 1, 4; 4, 6), characterized in that a drain device (227, 300, 500, 500A, 800) is installed, for inhibiting the growth of the roots, in an area of the joint. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the installed drain belongs to a meander (221, 227). 10. Method for manufacturing a root impermeable element (1) intended for the device of claim 1, for a curb, characterized in that a drain device (227, 300; 500, 501, 502; 500A, 501A, 502A) for inhibiting root growth, which is fixed to a conventional block (1) for the curb. 123 121