GB2438817A

GB2438817A - Soil anti-compaction system

Info

Publication number: GB2438817A
Application number: GB0611182A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dean Bowie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-07
Filing date: 2006-06-07
Publication date: 2007-12-12
Also published as: GB0611182D0

Abstract

A soil anti-compaction system comprises a multiplicity of modules, each comprising an areal distribution of tubular open ended substantially identical tubular cells 11 connected by bridging formations 13 which extend between adjacent said cells, the several cells forming an integral array with the top and bottom edges respectively, of the cells contained in parallel planes. Means enable a multiplicity of arrays each as aforesaid to be connected side by side to constitute a soil anti-compaction system of desired dimensions. Whilst serving to oppose compaction of the soil around the tree root system, under adventitious loads arising, for example, as a result of traffic liable to bear down on the soil at the site of the tree system, the conformation, as described and depicted in the specification, of the modules is such as not to inhibit, to any substantial extent, the ability of the root system to propagate.

Description

SOIL ANTI-COMPACTION SYSTEMS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to soil anti-compaction systems and is particularly concerned with anti-compaction modules for installation in soil and which, so installed, serve to alleviate or inhibit compaction of soil under adventitious loads. Modules as aforesaid are of value, notably, in contributing to the maintenance of a good tree growing environment, particularly in an urban setting where soil at the root structure of the tree is, in the absence of protection, liable to he subjected, from time to time, to traffic and other like loads.

SUMMARY OF FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A soil anti-compaction module in accordance with the invention comprises an areal distribution of tubular open ended substantially identical cells connected by bridging formations which extend between adjacent said cells, the several cells forming an integral array with the endmosi edges respectively, of the cells contained in parallel planes, and at corresponding ones of the ends of the several cells, the walls thereof each have a plurality of portal-form entrances distributed at intervals around said cell walls, each said portal-form entrance rising from corresponding ones of said endmost cell edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other characteristic features of soil anti-compaction devices in accordance with the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a soil anti-compaction module; Fig.2 shows a plan view from above of the module of Fig. 1; Fig.3 shows a side elevation of the module; Fig.4 shows a plan view of the module from beneath; Fig.5 shows a second side elevation of the module; and, l'ig.6 is a pictorial view of a tree pit incorporating, inter alia a multiplicity of modules each as depicted in Figs. I to 5.

A DESCRIPTION OF ChARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF AN EMBODTMENT OF THE

INVENTION

The soil anti-compaction module, being a moulding of a suitable plastic material, such, for examples, as polythene or polypropylene, comprises an areal distribution of tubular open ended substantially identical cells 11 connected by bridging wall formations 13 which extend between adjacent ones of said cells, the several cells ii, each of circular cylindrical cross-section, forming an integral array with the endmost edges A, B, respectively, of the cells contained in parallel planes.

As shown, at the bottom edges A of the several cells, the bridging wall formations 1 3 of the cells 11 each have a plurality of portal-fbrm entrances 15 distributed at intervals around the cell, each said portal-form entrance rising towards its lop end from said at least the bottom edges A of the endmost cell edges A,B. The bridging wall fbrmations 13 which are each integral with adjacent cells are of substantially less depth than the longitudinal dimension of the cells 11.

The ends of the tubular cells 11 have a compliance and are of a cross-sectional shape and dimensions such two modules, each as aforesaid, are adapted, when brought array face to opposite array face, to yield such as to enable the two modules to nest, end marginal wall portions I 7of' the tubular cells of one module being receivable within end marginal wall portions 1 9 of the other.

More particularly, to facilitate the uniting of two modules, each as module M, the marginal portion 17 at one end of each of the several cells of each of the modules has an external peripherally extensive first step formation 21, the marginal portion 19 at the other end of each of the modules M, being the end interrupted by said plurality of peripherally distributed portal-form entrances, the marginal portion at the other end of each of the cells of the device, having an internal peripherally-extensive second step formation (not shown) of size and disposition complementary to said First step formation 21.

Cells at the four corners of each of the modules have, at predetermined positions around the upper marginal portions thereof male and female formations 23, 25, the arrangement on the several modules M of such male and female formations being such as to enable a multiplicity of modules M each as described and depicted aforesaid to be coupled together side by side to constitute a composite module comprising an extended array of cells 11.

Clearly, with the features previously referred to, firstly, enable a multiplicity of modules M to he coupled, side by side, such as to constitute a two dimensional structural array, and, secondly, to enable such extended arrays to be mated, stacked one above another, a soil anti-compaction system ol desired dimensions in three orthogonal axes may be provided.

An urban growing environment incorporating a three dimensional structural array is shown in Fig. 6.

The tree T is shown located with its root system within a tree pit 27 which is located closely adjacent to a hard surround 29. The tree stem 31 emerges from the tree pit 27 at a site overlaid with a protective cast iron pierced metal cover member 33. Support members 35 serve to stabilize the cover member 33. The soil anti-compaction system is composed, as may be seen, of a multiplicity of extended modular stacked arrays of cells 11, around the root ball 37, the upper surface of the stacked arrays of tubular cells being overlaid with coir matting 39. An irrigation arrangement comprising conduits 41, 43, respectively, offers means to ensure optimum supply of water to the root system of the tree during its growth from the initial planting of the tree throughout the growth of its root system. Around the root ball 37 the tree pit T is back filled with good quality growing soil (not shown).

Whilst serving to oppose compaction of the soil around the tree root system, under adventitious load arising for example as a result of traffic liable to bear down on the soil at the site of the tree system, the conformation, as described and depicted, of the cells Ii is such as not to inhibit, to any substantial extent, the ability of the root system to propagate in the favourable environment created by the three-dimensional structural array, the fibrous roots of the root system penetrating the modules of the soil anti-compaction system by way of inter alia, the portal entrances 1 5 of the several cells ii of the modules.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A soil anti-compaction module which comprises an areal distribution of tubular open ended substantially identical cells connected by bridging formations which extend between adjacent said cells, the several cells forming an integral array with the top and bottom edges respectively, of the cells contained in parallel planes.

2.A soil anti-compaction module as claimed in claim 1 in which at least the bottom edges of the several cells, each have a plurality of portal-form entrances distributed at intervals around the cell, each said portal-form entrance rising upwardly from at least said bottom cell edges.

3 A soil anti-compaction module as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which said bridging wall formations are each of substantially less depth than the longitudinal dimension of the cells.

4. A soil anti-compaction module as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the upper ends of the tubular cells have a compliance and are of a cross-sectional shape and dimensions such that the upper ends of the two modules, each as aforesaid, are adapted, when said modules are brought array face to opposite array face, to yield such as to enable the two modules to nest, end marginal wall portions of the tubular cells of one module being receivable within end marginal wall portions of the other.

5, A module a claimed in claim 4 in which, to facilitate the uniting of two devices, a marginal portion at the upper end of each of the several cells of the device has an external peripherally extensive first step formation, the marginal portion at the other end of each of the cells of the device, being the end interrupted by said plurality of peripherally distributed arch-form apertures, having a internal peripherally-extensive second step formation complementary to said first step formation.

6. A module as claimed in any preceding claim in which said cells are of uniform cross-section throughout their lengths.

7. A module as claimed in claim 6 in which said cells are of circular cylindrical form.

8. A module as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least certain ones of the cells have at predetermined positions around the edges thereol, male and female formations.

9. A combination comprising at least two modules each as claimed in any preceding claim, the modules being united edge to edge under mating engagement between male and lemale Formations of the individual devices.

10. A soil anti compaction system which comprises at least two combinations of modules each as claimed in any preceding claim, said combinations being disposed face to lace with marginal end portions of cells of the several devices of the opposed arrays received one within the other in accordance with claim 4.

11. A growing environment which comprises a tree located with its root system within a tree pit; and, within soil around the tree root system, a soil anti-compaction device as claimed in any preceding claim.

I
2. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.