GB1598460A

GB1598460A - Edging members

Info

Publication number: GB1598460A
Application number: GB1544977A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FOY T; Marshall & Sons Ltd S
Current assignee: FOY T; Marshall & Sons Ltd S
Priority date: 1978-05-10
Filing date: 1978-05-10
Publication date: 1981-09-23

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO EDGING MEMBERS (71) We, S. MARSHALL & SONS LIMITED of Southowram, Halifax, in the county of York, a British Company, AND THOMAS ALEXANDER FOY of "Fir Way", 88 Woodland Drive, Anlabv, Hull in the county of York, formerly of 15 Dalesway, Kirk Ella, Hull, in the county of York, a British Subject do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to kerbstones and other edging members for roads, footpaths, paved areas or the like, (referred to hereinafter as "like edging members"), and to methods of laying them.

The invention provides a method of laying kerbstones or like edging members comprising laying at least two edging members adjacent to one another, each edging member having a recess therein, and inserting a tapered wedge into the recesses to grip each edging member and hence lock the two edging members together, preventing movement of each edging member away from the other.

The invention includes the combination of at least two kerbstones or like edging members, each member having a recess therein, and at least one tapered wedge arranged for insertion into the recesses to lock the two members together and thus prevent movement of each edging member away from the other.

It is preferred that the recesses are tapered to mate with the wedge.

Preferably the cross-section of the tapered wedge, in a plane at right angles to the direction in which the wedge tapers, is such that each end portion of the wedge has at least one section lying nearer to the end of the wedge than an adjacent narrower section of the wedge, thereby increasing the locking properties of the wedge.

It is preferred that the greater thickness sections are provided by ribs or flutes on at least one of the sloping faces of the wedge, the ribs or flutes being aligned with the direction of slope. The recesses may, if desired, be grooved to mate with the ribs or flutes, but this is not essential.

Preferably each recess is of a size to accommodate substantially one half of the wedge, and is open to the rear face of the edging member and to an end face of the edging member, such that when the two edging members are arranged end-to-end they co-operate to define a larger recess which will accommodate substantially the whole wedge, the mouth of the larger recess lying in the rear face of the edging members.

Alternatively the wedge may comprise two wedge-shaped portions interconnected by a bridging member, each recess being of a size to accommodate one of the wedgeshaped portions.

It is also preferred that each edging member has two recesses, one at each end of the edging member, for connection of the edging member to other edging members by the use of other wedges.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of two kerb stones joined together by one embodiment of method according to the invention, looking from the rear of the kerb stones; Figure 2 is a view of the joint between the kerb stones, to a greater scale and looking in the direction of arrow II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the wedge to the same scale as Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-section through two kerb stones joined together by a second embodiment of method according to the invention; Figure 6 is a plan view on line VI-VI of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a section on line VII-VII of Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows two kerb stones 10 and 11, laid end-to-end. In the conventional method of laying kerb stones and like edging members, they are laid out end-to-end to define the desired kerb or edging line, on a bed of concrete. To support the members while the concrete sets, it is usually necessary to provide haunching (i.e. a continuous buttress of concrete) along the rear face of the members.

The kerb stones shown in Figure 1 differ from conventional kerb stones in that there is a recess 12 at each end of each kerb stone, the recess opening in the end face and in the rear face of the kerb stone.

Where the two kerb stones shown in Figure 1 abut end-to-end, the two recesses 12 are in registration with one another and co-operate together to define a larger recess. A wedge 13 is hammered into this larger recess, thereby keying the kerb stones 10 and 11 together.

The joint between the kerb stones 10 and 11 is shown in greater detail, to a scale which is substantially full size, in Figures 2 and 3, and the wedge is shown in perspective in Figure 4. The two sloping faces 14 of the wedge each have a plurality of parallel flutes 1 thereon, the flutes running in the direction of slope. Each recess 12 is arranged to receive one half of the wedge and the sloping faces of each recess are grooved to receive the flutes. Each end portion of the wedge thus has a plurality of sections each lying nearer to the end of the wedge than an adjacent narrower section.

This reduces the likelihood of the wedge being able to pull out of the end faces of the kerb stones and hence increases the locking properties of the wedge.

The kerb stones are made of precast concrete and the slots 12 are formed during a pressing operation, using appropriately shaped press tools. The wedge 13 is moulded from high density polythene.

By utilising more kerb stones having the form shown in Figure 1, and a plurality of wedges 13, a continuous line of kerb stones may be built up on a concrete base and it has been found that the keying together of the kerb stones improves kerb alignment and kerb support while the concrete sets, thereby eliminating or reducing the need for haunching. The plastics wedges impart a degree of resilience to the kerb line, such that even if the kerb stones are moved slightly out of alignment before the concrete has set, they tend to spring back into the original position.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, there are shown two kerb stones 20 and 21, laid endto-end with a slight gap 22 therebetween.

There is a wedge-shaped recess in the form of a taperered slot in one end of the kerb stone 2-0 and there is similar slot 24 in the kerb stone 21. Each slot is in the end por tion of the associated kerb stone but the slot opens only in the upper face of the kerb stone and not in the end faces. The use of such slots simplifies the production process of the kerb stones since it is easier to form the slots by a pressing operation. It may be more difficult to press tapered slots which extend right to the end face of the kerb stones.

The kerb stones 20 and 21 are connected together by a connecting member which has two wedge-shaped portions 25 and 26 joined by a connecting member 27. Each wedge-shaped portion 25 and 26 joined by a connecting member 27. Each wedge-shaped portion 25 and 26 has parallel vertically extending flutes thereon. The connecting member, which is an integral plastics member, is hammered into position in a similar manner to the wedge 13, thereby keying the kerb stones 20 and 21 together.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example the shape and dimensions of the recesses 12, wedge 13, recess 23 and 24, wedge-shaped portions 25 and 26, and bridging member 27, may be varied as desired. It is not essential that the slots 12, 23 and 24 be formed during a pressing operation. They may for example be cut into the kerb stones after the kerb stones havebeen cast, or they may be formed during a vibratory moulding process, by using an appropriately shaped mould. The wedge 13 and the wedge-shaped portions shown in Figures 5 to 7 may be formed from plastics material other than polythene, or from other material such as rubber, wood, or soft metal.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method of laying kerb stones or like edging members comprising laying at least two edging members adjacent to one another, each edging member having a recess therein, and inserting a tapered wedge into the recesses to grip each edging member and hence lock the two edging members together, preventing movement of each edging member away from the other.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the recesses are tapered to mate with the wedge.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the cross-section of the tapered wedge, in a plane at right angles to the direction in which the wedge tapers, is such that each end portion of the wedge has at least one section lying nearer to the end of the wedge than an adjacent narrower section of the wedge, thereby increasing the locking properties of the wedge.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, in which the greater thickness sections are provided by ribs or flutes on at least one of the sloping faces of the wedge, the ribs or flutes being aligned with the direction of slope.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, in which the recesses are grooved to mate with

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. bed of concrete. To support the members while the concrete sets, it is usually necessary to provide haunching (i.e. a continuous buttress of concrete) along the rear face of the members. The kerb stones shown in Figure 1 differ from conventional kerb stones in that there is a recess 12 at each end of each kerb stone, the recess opening in the end face and in the rear face of the kerb stone. Where the two kerb stones shown in Figure 1 abut end-to-end, the two recesses 12 are in registration with one another and co-operate together to define a larger recess. A wedge 13 is hammered into this larger recess, thereby keying the kerb stones 10 and 11 together. The joint between the kerb stones 10 and 11 is shown in greater detail, to a scale which is substantially full size, in Figures 2 and 3, and the wedge is shown in perspective in Figure 4. The two sloping faces 14 of the wedge each have a plurality of parallel flutes 1 thereon, the flutes running in the direction of slope. Each recess 12 is arranged to receive one half of the wedge and the sloping faces of each recess are grooved to receive the flutes. Each end portion of the wedge thus has a plurality of sections each lying nearer to the end of the wedge than an adjacent narrower section. This reduces the likelihood of the wedge being able to pull out of the end faces of the kerb stones and hence increases the locking properties of the wedge. The kerb stones are made of precast concrete and the slots 12 are formed during a pressing operation, using appropriately shaped press tools. The wedge 13 is moulded from high density polythene. By utilising more kerb stones having the form shown in Figure 1, and a plurality of wedges 13, a continuous line of kerb stones may be built up on a concrete base and it has been found that the keying together of the kerb stones improves kerb alignment and kerb support while the concrete sets, thereby eliminating or reducing the need for haunching. The plastics wedges impart a degree of resilience to the kerb line, such that even if the kerb stones are moved slightly out of alignment before the concrete has set, they tend to spring back into the original position. Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, there are shown two kerb stones 20 and 21, laid endto-end with a slight gap 22 therebetween. There is a wedge-shaped recess in the form of a taperered slot in one end of the kerb stone 2-0 and there is similar slot 24 in the kerb stone 21. Each slot is in the end por tion of the associated kerb stone but the slot opens only in the upper face of the kerb stone and not in the end faces. The use of such slots simplifies the production process of the kerb stones since it is easier to form the slots by a pressing operation. It may be more difficult to press tapered slots which extend right to the end face of the kerb stones. The kerb stones 20 and 21 are connected together by a connecting member which has two wedge-shaped portions 25 and 26 joined by a connecting member 27. Each wedge-shaped portion 25 and 26 joined by a connecting member 27. Each wedge-shaped portion 25 and 26 has parallel vertically extending flutes thereon. The connecting member, which is an integral plastics member, is hammered into position in a similar manner to the wedge 13, thereby keying the kerb stones 20 and 21 together. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example the shape and dimensions of the recesses 12, wedge 13, recess 23 and 24, wedge-shaped portions 25 and 26, and bridging member 27, may be varied as desired. It is not essential that the slots 12, 23 and 24 be formed during a pressing operation. They may for example be cut into the kerb stones after the kerb stones havebeen cast, or they may be formed during a vibratory moulding process, by using an appropriately shaped mould. The wedge 13 and the wedge-shaped portions shown in Figures 5 to 7 may be formed from plastics material other than polythene, or from other material such as rubber, wood, or soft metal. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method of laying kerb stones or like edging members comprising laying at least two edging members adjacent to one another, each edging member having a recess therein, and inserting a tapered wedge into the recesses to grip each edging member and hence lock the two edging members together, preventing movement of each edging member away from the other.

the ribs or flutes.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each recess is of a size to accommodate substantially one half of the wedge and is open to the rear face of the edging member and to an end face of the edging member, the two edging members being arranged end-to-end to co-operate in defining a larger recess which is large enough to accommodate substantially the whole wedge, the mouth of the larger recess lying in the rear face of the edging members.

7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the wedge comprises two wedge-shaped portions interconnected by a bridging member, each recess being of a size to accommodate one of the wedgeshaped portions.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each edging member has two recesses, one at each end of the edging member, and other wedges are used to connect together a plurality of edging members end-to-end.

9. A method of laying kerb stones or like edging members, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figure 5 to 7, of the accompanying drawings.

10. A combination of at least two kerb stones or like edging members, each edging member having a recess therein, and at least one tapered wedge arranged for insertion into the recesses to grip each edging member and hence lock the two edging members together, preventing movement of each edging member away from the other.

11. The combination as claimed in Claim 10, in which the recesses are tapered to mate with the wedge.

12. The combination as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, in which the crosssection of the tapered wedge, in a plane at right angles to the direction in which the wedge tapers, is such that each end portion of the wedge has at least one section lying nearer to the end of the wedge than an adjacent narrower section of the wedge, therby increasing the locking properties of the wedge.

13. The combination as claimed in Claim 12, in which the greater thickness sections are provided by ribs or flutes on at least one of the sloping faces of the wedge, the ribs or flutes being aligned with the direction of slope.

14. The combination as claimed in Claim 13, in which the recesses are grooved to mate with the ribs or flutes.

15. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 14, in which each recess is of a size to accommodate substantially one half of the wedge, and is open to the rear face of the edging member and to an end face of the edging member, such that when the two edging members are arranged end-to-end they co-operate to define a larger recess which will accommodate substantially the whole wedge, the mouth of the larger recess lying in the rear face of the edging members.

16. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 14, in which the wedge comprises two wedge-shaped portions interconnected by a ridging member, each recess being of a size to accommodate one of the wedge-shaped portions.

17. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 16, in which each edging member has two recesses, one at each end of the edging member, for connection of the edging member to other edging members by the use of other wedges.

18. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 17, in which the wedge is made of high density polythene.

19. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 18, in which each edging member is made of precast concrete, the recess in each edging member being formed during a pressing operation.

20. The combination of at least two kerb stones or like edging members and at least one tapered wedge, constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 to 7, of the accompanying drawings.