GB2302347A - Paving slab supports - Google Patents

Abstract

A support 10 used to space raised paving units (not shown) from an underlying surface and from each other for drainage purposes comprises an underside which rests on the underlying surface, a top side for supporting one or more of the paving units and substantially planar spacing fins 26 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the top side between a pair of the paving units to space them by a predetermined distance. The spacing fins 26 may be connected to the remainder of support 10 by frangible webs 30, allowing them to be removable from the projecting location to permit a paving unit to overlie that location. Alternatively the fins 26 may be hinged in the support 10 by a flexible web (Figs. 5 and 6) or removably located in sockets in the support (Figs. 7-9).

Description

PAVING SLAB SUPPORTS This invention relates to supports used to space raised paving slabs or the like from an underlying surface and from each other for drainage purposes.

One such support consists of a body part formed as a circular ring to be placed flat on the underlying surface and divided into quadrants by equispaced, upstanding fins. The fins are designed to pass between adjacent edges of four paving slabs supported on the ring, so as to space those edges apart by a predetermined small distance, the slabs being spaced above the underlying surface by the height of the ring. Water, for example rainfall, can pass through the resulting cracks between neighbouring slabs into the space beneath, from where it may be drained by a concealed but otherwise conventional gutter or drainage system.

To enable the support rings to be used at the edges of the paved area, they incorporate lines of weakness at each fin enabling the different quadrants to be broken apart, different radially inner or radially outer parts of the fin being carried by each separable part of the ring. A half ring is used to support a straight edge of the paving adjacent to a wall for example. A single quadrant may be used at an internal corner between two walls, and three quadrants at an external corner.

The load imposed upon a support through a given paving slab is transmitted to the underlying surface over the entire contact area between the support and that surface.

Therefore, where part-rings are used at paving edges and corners, even though the number of slabs supported is less than the four slabs carried by a complete ring, higher pressures may be applied to the support surface as a result of loads imposed upon the paving than at locations where complete rings are used. Also, due to the reduced number and sizes of fins present on part-rings, intermittent loads arising from passing traffic can cause them to migrate out of position, leading to even higher pressures at the support surface and, in extreme cases, loss of support for some slabs. Where the support surface is a waterproof membrane such as a roof covering, high applied pressure can lead to punctures and leakage.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or overcome some or all of the foregoing problems. Accordingly the invention provides a support for raised paving units, comprising an underside which in use rests on a support surface, a top side which in use supports one or more of the paving units, and a location at which a substantially planar spacing fin may be received to project substantially perpendicularly from the top side between a pair of the paving units to space them by a predetermined distance, the spacing fin being removable from the projecting location to permit a paving unit to overlie that location. Thus when required (for example when the support is to be used at a paving edge or corner) the spacing fin can in effect or actuality be dispensed with by removal from the projecting position.The support may comprise up to four such locations, at each of which a spacing fin may be present or dispensed with, so that the support may be used between two, three or four paving units, or may be completely covered by a single paving unit, as desired. For this purpose the locations are preferably arranged in the support so that the fins, when present, are aligned in pairs along two intersecting axes. To support and space four paving units, all four fins are utilised. To support and space two paving units, one pair of fins are dispensed with and where the support is to be completely covered by a single paving unit, all four fins are dispensed with. With three paving units, one or two fins may be dispensed with depending upon the particular application, as further explained below.

The or each location may comprise a socket for removably receiving the or each respective fin. Alternatively, the or each fin may be hinged to the support (for example by a flexible web) at the or each respective location, so as to be movable between the projecting position and a folded position in which it lies at or below the top side of the support.

As a yet further alternative, the or each fin may be attached to the support at the or each respective location by a frangible connection. To ensure that the fins are held rigidly in the projecting position, each connection is preferably made between opposite sides of the fin at its base and adjacent parts of the support. The or each location may lie above a void in the support, whereby a sharp blow to the top of any of the fins may be used to break the connection and push the fin into the void.

The invention and its preferred features may be further understood from the following description of illustrative embodiments, made with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred support according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a section on line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line III III of Fig. 1 showing a spacer fin and its connection to the support; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional views showing an alternative form of spacer fin with a hinged connection, Fig.

6 being a view on arrow A in Fig. 5; Figs. 7-9 are enlarged views of a socket in a yet further embodiment of support and a spacer fin received therein; Fig. 7 being a plan view of the fin and socket and Figs. 8 and 9 sectional views taken on lines VIII-VIII and IX-IX in Fig. 7 respectively; Figs. 10 and 11 show in top plan view and elevation respectively a height adjustment shim for use with the support of the present invention; Fig. 12 illustrates schematically one example of a paving arrangement utilising supports embodying the invention; Fig. 12a details an alternative slab and support configuration; and Fig. 12b details a support arrangement for three complete slabs adjacent to an external corner.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a paving support 10 which is circular in plan. For rigidity, the support 10 comprises a peripheral wall 12, a downwardly-open inner concentric channel 14, downwardly-open radial channels 16 connecting the inner channel 14 and the wall 12 and radial webs 18 also connecting the inner channel 14 and the wall 12.

A web 20 spans the central region of the support 10 bounded by the inner channel 14. Between the inner channel 14, the peripheral wall 12 and each radial channel 16 lie web segments 22. The radial webs 18 cross the web segments 22 and are joined thereto at their bases. Together the web 20 and web segments 22 contact a support surface upon which the paving support is placed, and provide a large area over which imposed loads are distributed. Paving slabs (not shown) rest on the top side of the support 10 formed by the upper edges of wall 12 and webs 18, as well as the tops of channels 14 and 16.

To space apart the edges of up to four paving slabs on the support, each radial channel 16 is provided at a location 24 with a substantially planar fin 26 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the support 10 top surface. As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 each fin 26 has vertical ribs 28 connected at their lower ends to the edges of an aperture 32 in the top of each channel 16 by frangible bridges 30. As shown there are three ribs on each side of each fin and correspondingly a total of six bridges 30 per fin.

A sharp blow applied to the top of any of the fins will break the bridges 30, allowing the fin to drop through the aperture 32 into the void space of the radial channel 16.

The recessed portions of the support lying within the inner channel 14 and between the inner channel, wall 12, webs 18 and radial channels 16 are provided with drainage holes 34.

Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment in which no apertures 32 are provided in the radial channels 16 and the fins 26 are hinged to the radial webs 18 by thinner web portions 36. When not required, the fins 28 are hinged from their projecting position at location 24 through approximately 90 to lie beneath the top side of the support.

Figs. 7-9 show a yet further embodiment in which the fins 26 are removably received in sockets 38 depending into the radial channels 16.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a height adjustment shim, one or more of which may be stacked on the upper surface of inverted inner channel 14, held in place by lugs 42 which depend into the central circular recess of the support, above central web 20.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates a paved area 44 adjacent to a wall 46 having an internal corner 48 and two external corners 50, 52. At positions such as 54 the supports utilise all four fins 26 (not shown) to space apart the adjacent edges of the four paving slabs which they carry.

At straight edge locations 56 adjacent to the wall 46 two of the fins 26 are dispensed with and the remaining two support spacer fins are inserted between adjacent edges of the two paving slabs carried by each support. Paving slab 58 is trimmed to accommodate the external corner 50 of the wall 46 and supports 60 are utilised in a manner similar to the supports at straight edge locations 56. At corner 52 two paving slabs are trimmed diagonally to meet at line 62 along which they are spaced by two fins of a support 64, the other two fins of this support being dispensed with. At internal corner 48 a support 64 is totally covered by paving slab 66, all four fins being dispensed with.

Although Fig. 12 shows the slabs aligned in rows and columns, it is possible to stagger the slabs in adjacent rows or columns. In that case one fin 26 of each support away from the wall 46 will be dispensed with, and the remaining three fins engaged with the limbs of the T-configuration cracks arising between adjacent slabs (Fig. 12a).

Where it is desired to place three complete slabs around an external corner, a support arrangement as shown in Fig.

12b can be used, in which the supports 70 at straight edge locations and the supports 72 at the corner 68 both have two spacer fins dispensed with and the remaining pair of fins inserted between adjacent slabs.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. A support for raised paving units, comprising an underside which in use rests on a support surface, a top side which in use supports one or more of the paving units, and a location at which a substantially planar spacing fin may be received to project substantially perpendicularly from the top side between a pair of the paving units to space them by a predetermined distance, the spacing fin being removable from the projecting location to permit a paving unit to overlie that location.

2. A support as claimed in claim 1 supporting up to four paving units, comprising four said locations.

3. A support as claimed in claim 2 wherein the locations are arranged in the support so that the fins, where present, are aligned in pairs along two intersecting axes.

4. A support as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each location comprises a socket for removably receiving the or each respective fin.

5. A support as claimed in any of claims 1-3 wherein the or each fin is hinged to the support at the or each respective location, so as to be movable between the projecting position and a folded position in which it lies at or below the top side.

6. A support as claimed in claim 5 wherein the hinge comprises a flexible web.

7. A support as claimed in any of claims 1-3 wherein the or each fin is attached to the support at the or each respective location by a frangible connection.

8. A support as claimed in claim 7 wherein the or each connection is made between opposite sides of the fin at its base and adjacent parts of the support, whereby the or each fin is held rigidly in the projecting position.

9. A support as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the or each location lies above a void in the support, whereby a sharp blow to the top of any of the fins may be used to break the connection and push the fin into the void.

10. A support for raised paving units substantially as described with reference to or as shown in the drawings.