GB2463680A

GB2463680A - A draining paving block comprising a porous receptacle filled with aggregate

Info

Publication number: GB2463680A
Application number: GB0817254A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Parker
Original assignee: ABBEY PLASTICS AND TOOLING Ltd
Current assignee: ABBEY PLASTICS AND TOOLING Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-22
Filing date: 2008-09-22
Publication date: 2010-03-24
Also published as: GB0817254D0

Abstract

A tray 10 includes a water permeable base 20 and upwardly extending walls 12, 14, 16, 18. Also claimed is a method including filling this tray with particulate material to form a block and using it to pave a surface. The tray may drain via one or more holes 22 in the base, preferably in the form of a grill or grid. A block can be placed adjacent to identical drainage blocks and/or standard paving blocks. The filling material is preferably aggregate e.g. gravel. The tray may be injection moulded polypropylene and is similar in size to a standard paving block. The tray may have corner pillars 30 and/or dividers 24.

Description

A Method of Pavin2

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method of paving.

Background to the Invention

A problem with existing block paving and concrete driveways is that rainfall cannot permeate through into the ground and return to the water table. This causes drying out of the subsoil and thus increases the risk of subsidence.

Furthermore, sites that require block paving need council consent due to the additional pressure of water runoff into the sewer systems and the possibility of resultant flooding.

Additionally, when aggregate is put onto driveways, especially driveways that are not horizontal, the aggregate is displaced and congregates in particular areas making the driveway unsightly.

In its embodiments, this invention seeks to obviate one or more of these problems.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method of paving a surface. The method comprises providing a plurality of receptacles, each having a water-permeable base and positioning the receptacles contiguously on the surface. The receptacles are filled with a particulate material, whereby the particulate material is retained generally in the receptacles and water can drain through the particulate material and the base of each receptac'e.

The water-permeable base may be formed by a plurality of holes in the base of the receptacle, for example in the form of a grill or grid. The receptacle may be generally cuboid in shape. The receptacles may be substantially identical. The dimensions of the receptacles may correspond substantially to those of a standard paving block.

The method may further comprises placing standard paving blocks adjacent the receptacles on the surface. In this way the receptacles may fonn part of a surface paved in the traditional manner.

Preferably, the receptacle is provided with at least one divider between at least two of the walls of the receptacle to divide the compartment of the receptacle. The divider provides additional strength to the block, whilst also allowing the block to be more easily gripped for laying and extraction when replacing the block should it become discoloured, damaged or stained, for example by oil. Advantageously, the height of the divider is less than that of at least one of the upwardly extending walls of the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, the corners of the receptacle are provided with reinforcing pillars. The pillars provide further strength to reduce the likelihood of the receptacle being compromised when heavy loads are placed on the block.

Preferably, the receptacle comprises plastics material. Plastics materials are weather resistant, providing a reasonably long life span of the receptacles. Advantageously, the receptacle is injection moulded. Injection moulding is a cost effective method for producing products produced from plastics material. It is also a relatively quick process.

In a preferred construction, the receptacle comprises polypropylene. Polypropylene is a material that is cost effective, readily available and relatively easy to mould.

Furthermore, the receptacles may be constructed from recycled polypropylene.

The invention further extends to a paved surface comprising a plurality of receptacles in accordance with the present invention. The plurality of receptac'es may be tessellated to provide a secure and solid surface. Furthermore, the surface can be load bearing as soon as it is laid, without having to wait for materials, such as concrete to harden. However, the receptacles may be held in place using concrete, soil or any other suitable material between the blocks or around the perimeter of the blocks.

Preferably, the compartments of the receptacles are filled with aggregate, for example gravel. The aggregate makes the paved surface more aesthetically appealing. The aggregate may be chosen according to the purpose of the surface or the materials available at the time or construction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram showing a paving block according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram of a partial cross-section of the paving block of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 show a rectangular paving block 10 comprising two long upwardly extending walls 12 and 14, and two short upwardly extending walls 16 and 18 attached to a base 20, forming a compartment. The base 20 is provided with holes 22, in the form of a mesh, to allow water to pass through the paving block 10. At a position substantially half way along the long walls 12 and 14, a central divider 24 is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the long walls to divide the internal compartment of the block 10 into two sections 26 and 28. The corners of the paving block 10 and the joins between the divider 24 and the walls 12 and 14 are provided with reinforcing pillars 30.

In use, a plurality of paving blocks 10 are tessellated and laid in accordance with existing paving techniques. The blocks are then filled with an aggregate 32 to provide a paved surface which allows rainwater to permeate to the water table below. The aggregate may be, for example, shingle, shredded tyre, slate or bark, depending on the desired aesthetic effect and the materials available. The colour of the plastics material used to produce the paving bllock 10 may be matched or contrasted to the colour of the aggregate to be used.

The paving block 10 is of a standard paving block size; 200mm in length, 100mm in width and 50mm in depth. The block 10 is injection moulded from a plastics material, for example polypropylene. The central divider 24 may have a height of less than, equal to, or greater than the height of the walls 12, 14, 16, 18 Numerous other variations and modifications to the illustrated construction may occur to the reader familiar with the art without taking the device outside the scope of the present invention. For example, the paving block may be of another shape, for example, octagonal, hexagonal or trapezoidal, or the internal volume may be separated by more than a single divider. Alternatively, different sizes other than the standard paving block size of 200mm by 100mm by 50mm may be used. Additionally, a different plastics material may be used or a different moulding process.

In summary, a paving block comprises a base and least three or more upwardly extending walls which create a compartment. The base comprises at least one hole to allow drainage through the paving block. The invention extends to a surface comprising a plurality of paving blocks.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of paving a surface, the method comprising: providing a plurality of receptacles, each having a water-permeable base; positioning the receptacles contiguously on the surface; filling the receptacles with a particulate material, whereby the particulate material is retained generally in the receptacles and water can drain through the particulate material and the base of each receptacle.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle is formed from plastics material, in particular polypropylene.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receptacle is injection moulded.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water-permeable base is formed by a plurality of holes in the base of the receptacle, for example in the form of a grill or grid.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle is generally cuboid.
6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacles are substantially identical.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dimensions of the receptacles conespond substantially to those of a standard paving block.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising placing standard paving blocks adjacent the receptacles on the surface.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the particulate material is aggregate, for example gravel.
10. A receptacle adapted for use in the method of any preceding claim.