GB2382825A

GB2382825A - Concrete paving block

Info

Publication number: GB2382825A
Application number: GB0129261A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnathan Reginald Robinson
Original assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Current assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-07
Filing date: 2001-12-07
Publication date: 2003-06-11
Also published as: GB0129261D0

Abstract

A concrete paving block is substantially 270 mm by 135 mm, which enables an array of 3 by 9 blocks to be made in a mould of the same size as would conventionally be used to make an array of 4 by 12 blocks 200 mm by 100 mm.

Description

BUILDING COMPONENTS The invention relates to building components and particularly to building components which may be used, for example, for block paving.

Block paving components are traditionally manufactured in a size of 200 x 100 mm. In order to manufacture these components efficiently, a manufacturer attempts to gain the maximum number of components per cycle of a moulding machine. Typical machines manufacture 48 components per cycle so the overall dimensions of the 48 components grouped together are approximately 1200 x 800 mm. The mould itself may have dimensions nearer 1350 x 870 mm when taking into account the thickness of the mould wall.

We have now appreciated that it would be possible, using a substantially similar mould, and existing moulding machines, to manufacture larger components, but which would still nevertheless have the same length to width ratio as the conventional 200 x 100 mm components.

Accordingly, the invention provides a building component comprising a rectangular block, having length of substantially 270 mm and a width of substantially 135 mm.

The block may have a depth of from 25 to 140 mm, a particularly convenient depth being 50 mm.

The block may be of concrete.

The invention also provides a mould for manufacturing a plurality of blocks each as defined above, the mould being of a size to manufacture 27 blocks, in three parallel rows, each row comprising nine blocks.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a plurality of building components, each component comprising a rectangular block having a length of substantially 270 mm and a width of substantially 135 mm, the method comprising

moulding 27 blocks at a time, arranged in three parallel rows, each row comprising nine blocks.

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a conventional array of rectangular paving blocks, during manufacture; Figure 2 is a similar plan view of an array of paving blocks according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the blocks shown in Figure 2.

Conventional concrete paving blocks are manufactured in quantities of 48 per moulding machine cycle, in four rows, each row containing 12 blocks as shown in Figure 1. For reference purposes, one of the boxes is indicated by the reference number 10.

This requires a mould having overall internal dimensions of approximately 1200 x 800 mm.

It is important for the blocks to have a length to width ratio of 2: 1, so that, for example, when paving an area, two blocks can be butted side by side, with their ends butting against the side of an adjacent block.

It has always been assumed that in order to manufacture larger blocks, having the same length to width ratio, it would be necessary to use much larger moulds, and new moulding machines. The moulding machines are very expensive.

However, we have now appreciated that it is possible to manufacture blocks having dimensions of 270 x 135 mm, with only minor enlargement of the mould.

These novel blocks 11 would be manufactured in three rows, each row containing nine blocks, as shown in Figure 2.

One of the blocks is shown isometrically in detail in Figure 3. The upper edges of each block may be chamfered as shown at 12.

The block will commonly have a depth of 50mm. However, for some uses shallower blocks, for example having a depth of 25mm or 35mm, may be produced.

Other uses may require deeper blocks having dimensions of, for example, 60 mm or 65 mm. Other depths greater than 50 mm are possible, including, for example, 80 mm, 100 mm, 120 mm or 140 mm.

The blocks may be provided with side ribs 13 so that when blocks are placed side by side or end to end, they are spaced apart by a predetermined distance for receipt of grouting or the like.

The invention provides a 35% increase in length and width, and a 82% increase in plan size.

When laying paving, only 28.25 units per square metre will be required instead of 50 units.

With fewer blocks to lay, an installer will be able to construct more driveways in a given time. It is usually necessary to cut some of the blocks to fully pave the particular dimensions of a given area, but using larger blocks means that fewer individual cuts will have to be made. This means a further reduction in installation time and less wear on the splitting blade used to cut the blocks.

Furthermore, there will be fewer joints and therefore less grouting or jointing material will be required.

There is a trend towards the mechanical laying of concrete block pavers, rather than hand laying, and it will be easier to lay blocks mechanically using larger components.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A building component comprising a rectangular block, having a length of substantially 270 mm and a width of substantially 135 mm.
2. A building component as claimed in Claim 1, having a depth of from 25 to 140 mm.
3. A building component as claimed in Claim 2, having a depth of 50 mm.
4. A building component as claimed as claimed in any preceding claims, made of concrete.
5. A building component constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
6. A mould for manufacturing a building component as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the mould being of a size to manufacture 27 blocks, in three parallel rows, each row comprising nine blocks.
7. A mould for manufacturing a building component, constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
8. A method of manufacturing a plurality of building components, each component comprising a rectangular block having a length of substantially 270 mm and a width of substantially 135 mm, the method comprising moulding 27 blocks at a time, arranged in three parallel rows, each row comprising nine blocks.
9. A method of moulding a plurality of building components, substantially as described herein, with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.