GB2191796A

GB2191796A - Slab for covering ground

Info

Publication number: GB2191796A
Application number: GB08614740A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chong Yeo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-17
Filing date: 1986-06-17
Publication date: 1987-12-23
Also published as: GB8614740D0

Abstract

A precast concrete slab, for interlocking edge to edge with other similar slabs, comprises a square body (7), formed with parallel slots (8) and projecting hooks (12). A hook (12) of one slab is arranged to interlock with a slot (8) of an adjacent slab. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Slab for covering ground The invention relatestoa slabofthe kindwhichis arranged to be laid edge to edge with similar slabs to provide a ground covering for consolidation and/or protection of the ground. Such slabs are used, for example, to line water courses, to prevent erosion of cuttings and em bankments, to provide the surface of breakwaters, and to provide access roadsthrough loose sand dunes.

In accordance with the present invention such a slab, for interlocking edge to edge with similar slabs, comprises a substantially square slab body having two elongate slots each adjacent and parallel to a respective one of two opposite first edges ofthe body, and two ribs of hook-shaped cross section each projecting from a respective one ofthe other two opposite second edges of the body, whereby the slab may be interlocked with a similar slab by locating the slabs side by side with a first edge of one slab adjacent and parallel to a second edge ofthe other side with the rib projecting from that second edge engaging in the slot adjacent to that first edge.

Such slabs, which are typically made as precast concrete members, are readily laid on the surface of the ground and fitted together, for example by engaging a slotofone slab over an upwardly projecting hook of an adjacent slab. Provided that the hooks and slots do not engage closely, a degree of articulation may be provided between adjacent slabs, enabling a secure covering to be provided over unlevel ground and slopes ofchanging inclination. The articulation is improved if the inner surface of each of the hook shapes is arcuately concave and the outer edge of each of the slots is complementarily convex so that the interlock between two ofthe slabs provides a simple hinge effect.

The central portion of the slab body between the slots is preferably provided with at least one hole extending through the slab body. Two holes are preferred, spaced from one another in the direction parallel to the lengths of the slots. The or each hole is preferably flared in the direction which, in normal use, will be downwards.

The provision of the hole or holes leads to a number of advantages. First, it enables the slabs to sitfirmly on the ground to create a grip and to preventsliding. Second, the holes act as water drainage into or out ofthe ground. Third, grass or other plant life can grow up thorough the holes thus enhancing the consolidation and eventually camouflaging the existence of the slabs. Fourth, when used as breakwater coverings, wave energy is absorbed. Fifth, spikes, to secure the slabs to the ground, may be driven down through the holes.

An example of a slab constructed in accordance with the present invention is iliustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa top perspective view; Figure2 is a bottom perspectiveview; Figure 3 is a plan; Figure4is a side elevation; Figure5is an end elevation; and, Figure 6shows three slabs interlocked on the ground in use.

The illustrated slab is an integral precasting of concrete, consisting of one part cement, one part sand and three parts gravel, reinforced with polyproylene or other fibres. The slab has a square body 7 of side 500 mm. and a maximum thickness of 155 mm. The body is formed with two parallel slots 8, with convex outer edges 9. Beyond the ends of the sloths 8, part 10 of the underside of the body 7 is inclined upwardly and outwardly, to provide flow channels beneath an array of interlocked slabs.

In the middle of the body 7, two downwardly flared holes 11, each having a diameter of 50 mm. at its upper end and a diameter of 100 mm. at its lower end, are provided.

Projecting from each end of the body 7 is a respective hook 12, having an inner convex surface 13 complementary to that ofthe surface 9 of a slot 8.

The hooks 12 are shorter than the lengths of the slots 8, to avoid jamming when a number of slabs are interlocked edge to edge as shown in Figure 6.

1. A slab for interlocking edge to edge with similar slabs, the slab comprising a substantially square slab body having two elongate slots each adjacent and parallel to a respective one of two opposite first edges of the body, and two ribs of hook-shaped cross section each projecting from a respective one of the other two opposite second edges of the body, whereby the slab may be interlocked with a similar slab by locating the slabs side by side with a first edge of one slab adjacent and parallel to a second edge of the other siab with the rib projecting from that second edge engaging in the slot adjacent to that first edge.

2. A slab according to claim 1, in which the inner surface of each of the hook shapes is arcuately concave and the outer edge of each of the slots is complementarily convex so that the interlock between two of the slabs provides a hinge effect.

3. Aslabaccordingtoclaiml orclaim 2, in which the central portion of the slab body between the slots is provided with at least one hole extending though the slot body.

4. A slab according to claim 3, in which the or each hole is flared.

5. Aslab according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the slab is a concrete casting.

6. A slab according to claim 5, in which the concrete is fibre reinforced.

7. A precast concrete slab, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS 1. A slab for interlocking edge to edge with similar slabs, the slab comprising a substantially square slab body, which is arranged to be laid flat on the ground, and which has two elongate slots each adjacent and parallel to a respective one of two

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Slab for covering ground The invention relatestoa slabofthe kindwhichis arranged to be laid edge to edge with similar slabs to provide a ground covering for consolidation and/or protection of the ground. Such slabs are used, for example, to line water courses, to prevent erosion of cuttings and em bankments, to provide the surface of breakwaters, and to provide access roadsthrough loose sand dunes. In accordance with the present invention such a slab, for interlocking edge to edge with similar slabs, comprises a substantially square slab body having two elongate slots each adjacent and parallel to a respective one of two opposite first edges ofthe body, and two ribs of hook-shaped cross section each projecting from a respective one ofthe other two opposite second edges of the body, whereby the slab may be interlocked with a similar slab by locating the slabs side by side with a first edge of one slab adjacent and parallel to a second edge ofthe other side with the rib projecting from that second edge engaging in the slot adjacent to that first edge. Such slabs, which are typically made as precast concrete members, are readily laid on the surface of the ground and fitted together, for example by engaging a slotofone slab over an upwardly projecting hook of an adjacent slab. Provided that the hooks and slots do not engage closely, a degree of articulation may be provided between adjacent slabs, enabling a secure covering to be provided over unlevel ground and slopes ofchanging inclination. The articulation is improved if the inner surface of each of the hook shapes is arcuately concave and the outer edge of each of the slots is complementarily convex so that the interlock between two ofthe slabs provides a simple hinge effect. The central portion of the slab body between the slots is preferably provided with at least one hole extending through the slab body. Two holes are preferred, spaced from one another in the direction parallel to the lengths of the slots. The or each hole is preferably flared in the direction which, in normal use, will be downwards. The provision of the hole or holes leads to a number of advantages. First, it enables the slabs to sitfirmly on the ground to create a grip and to preventsliding. Second, the holes act as water drainage into or out ofthe ground. Third, grass or other plant life can grow up thorough the holes thus enhancing the consolidation and eventually camouflaging the existence of the slabs. Fourth, when used as breakwater coverings, wave energy is absorbed. Fifth, spikes, to secure the slabs to the ground, may be driven down through the holes. An example of a slab constructed in accordance with the present invention is iliustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa top perspective view; Figure2 is a bottom perspectiveview; Figure 3 is a plan; Figure4is a side elevation; Figure5is an end elevation; and, Figure 6shows three slabs interlocked on the ground in use. The illustrated slab is an integral precasting of concrete, consisting of one part cement, one part sand and three parts gravel, reinforced with polyproylene or other fibres. The slab has a square body 7 of side 500 mm. and a maximum thickness of 155 mm. The body is formed with two parallel slots 8, with convex outer edges 9. Beyond the ends of the sloths 8, part 10 of the underside of the body 7 is inclined upwardly and outwardly, to provide flow channels beneath an array of interlocked slabs. In the middle of the body 7, two downwardly flared holes 11, each having a diameter of 50 mm. at its upper end and a diameter of 100 mm. at its lower end, are provided. Projecting from each end of the body 7 is a respective hook 12, having an inner convex surface 13 complementary to that ofthe surface 9 of a slot 8. The hooks 12 are shorter than the lengths of the slots 8, to avoid jamming when a number of slabs are interlocked edge to edge as shown in Figure 6. CLAIMS 1. A slab for interlocking edge to edge with similar slabs, the slab comprising a substantially square slab body having two elongate slots each adjacent and parallel to a respective one of two opposite first edges of the body, and two ribs of hook-shaped cross section each projecting from a respective one of the other two opposite second edges of the body, whereby the slab may be interlocked with a similar slab by locating the slabs side by side with a first edge of one slab adjacent and parallel to a second edge of the other siab with the rib projecting from that second edge engaging in the slot adjacent to that first edge. 2. A slab according to claim 1, in which the inner surface of each of the hook shapes is arcuately concave and the outer edge of each of the slots is complementarily convex so that the interlock between two of the slabs provides a hinge effect. 3. Aslabaccordingtoclaiml orclaim 2, in which the central portion of the slab body between the slots is provided with at least one hole extending though the slot body. 4. A slab according to claim 3, in which the or each hole is flared. 5. Aslab according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the slab is a concrete casting. 6. A slab according to claim 5, in which the concrete is fibre reinforced. 7. A precast concrete slab, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. CLAIMS

1. A slab for interlocking edge to edge with similar slabs, the slab comprising a substantially square slab body, which is arranged to be laid flat on the ground, and which has two elongate slots each adjacent and parallel to a respective one of two opposite first edges of the body, and two ribs of hook-shaped cross section each projecting upwardly from a respective one of the other two opposite second edges of the body, wherebythe slab maybe interlocked with a similar slab by locating the slabs side by side with a first edge of one slab adjacent and parallel to a second edge ofthe other slab with the rib projecting upwardly from that second edge engaging in the slot adjacentto thatfirst edge;; wherein a central portion of the slab body between the slots is provided with at least one hole extending though the slab body, the Oi each hole being downwardly flared.

2. Aslab according to claim i,in which the inner surface of each of the hook shapes is arcuately concave and the outer edge of each of the slots is complementarily convex so that the interlock between two of the slabs provides a hinge effect.

3. Aslabaccordingtoclaiml orclaim2,inwhich the or each hole is of circular cross section.

4. A slab according to claim 3, in which the slab body has a side of 500mm., and wherein the or each hole has, at its upper end, a diameter of 50mm., and, at its lower end, a diameter of 1 OOmm.

5. A slab according to any one of the preceding claims, in which there are two of the holes offset from one another in a direction parallel to the first edges of the body.

6. Aslab according to anyoneofthe preceding claims, in which the slab is a concrete casting.

7. A slab according to claim 6, in which the concrete is fibre reinforced.

8. A precastconcreta slab, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.