GB2493776A

GB2493776A - Lattice for use in ground works

Info

Publication number: GB2493776A
Application number: GB1114320.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Doug Anderson; Philip Robinson; Ian Wood
Original assignee: R3 PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: R3 PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-19
Filing date: 2011-08-19
Publication date: 2013-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-19
Also published as: GB2493776B; GB201114320D0

Abstract

A lattice for ground reinforcement comprising an array of tubular elements 14 or a plurality of compartments linked by connecting walls 18 and having a periphery 16 comprising at least one projection 22 which engages or interlocks with a recess 20 on an adjacent lattice. The projection 22 is formed from one of the tubular elements and may be an arc greater than a semi circle. The projections and recesses may snap fit with one another to hold lattices together to form a grid. The elements or compartments may be used for receiving fill material such as stones, dirt, gravel etc. The walls not formed the periphery 16 of the lattice may be curved. The tubular elements 14 may have a lip 24 at their base to spread weight of a load that is on top of the lattice.

Description

Apparatus for use in ground works The present invention relates to apparatus for use in ground works. The invention further S relates to a grid made up of at least two of interconnected lattices for use in ground works.

It is known to use materials such as gravel, stones or earth to create pathways, roads, cycle paths. driveways and the like. The materials are usually packed down to create a ground surface suitable for use, but can be easily moved, deformed or eroded during use if left unconstrained.

It is known to constrain loose ground materials in grids or nets in order to inhibit movement and erosion. Such grids often comprise a series of supporting walls defining apertures into which material can be packed. It is known for the grids to be made up of a series of connected portions for ease of manufacture and transport. The grids are usually made of plastics or metal material. An example is known from US5443545.

There are problems with such existing grids. For example, connectors are required to interconnect multiple grids in an array. Current connectors can be costly and/or complicated to manufacture to a suitable tolerance, and may be time consuming to use correctly. Integral connectors obviate storage issues but are often susceptible to damage.

There is a need for an improved apparatus for use in ground reinforcement applications.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in ground works in accordance with claim 1.

Other aspects and preferred features of the invention will be readily apparent from the claims and following description of prefelTed embodiments made, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a lattice for use in ground works; Figure Ia is an enlarged view of a projection of the lattice of Figure 1;

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Figure lb is an enlarged view of a recess of the lattice of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lattice of Figure 1; and

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Figure 3 is a plan view of a grid comprising a plurality of lattices of the kind and configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2.

With reference to Figure 1, a lattice for use in ground works, such as in ground reinforcement, is indicated generally at 10. The lattice 10 includes an array 12 of tubular elements i4 and has an external periphery 16.

The tubular elements 14 are alTanged in rows and columns and are joined to one another by connecting walls 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting walls 18 not forming part of the periphery 16 are curved to provide a degree of resilience within the array (e.g. to accommodate flexure of the lattice in use). The connecting walls 18 forming part of the periphery 16 are straight. In the illustrated embodiment, each element 14 is associated with up to four connecting walls 18 joining it to any immediately adjacent elements 14 in the array, i.e. with the connecting walls 18 extending in a direction substantially 90° to one another.

The periphery 16 of the lattice 10 includes formations 20, 22 intended for interconnecting the lattice 10 with another lattice of the same kind and configuration. More particularly, the periphery 16 defines a series of recesses 20 and projections 22, configured so that a projection 22 on a first lattice 10 can mate with a recess 20 on a second lattice lO, for interconnecting the two lattices. The recesses 20 and projections 22 define engagement surfaces intended to nest, e.g. in a frictional fit, with opposing formations 20, 22 on a lattice of the same kind arid configuration.

As can be seen from Figure 1, part of the periphery 16 is defined by a plurality of the outermost tubular elements 14 in the array 12. More particularly, each projection 22 is defined by an outermost por ion of one of the tubular elements 14. Moreover, the recesses 20 in the periphery 16 correspond in shape to part of a tubular element 14 of the kind used in the array 12.

In this embodiment, the tubular elements 14 are cylindrical. Hence, the recesses 20 and projections 22 are part-circular. The internal diameter of the recesses 20 matches the external diameter of the projections 22. The use of cylindrical elements 14 provides excellent compressive strength benefits and allows each cylinder to function as a convenient aperture, e.g. for receiving a post or the like.

As can be seen, the lattice 10 is generally square, with the periphery 16 consisting of four sides extending generally at right angles to one another. Only two of sides of the periphery 16 include projections 22. The two sides with projections are connected to one another, and the two sides without any projections 22 are connected to one another. The array 12 is configured such that where a projection 22 is provided on one side of the attice 10, a recess is provided on an opposite side of the lattice 10 (with the respective projections 22 and recesses 20 in alignment with one another).

RefelTing now to Figures Ia and ib, each projection 22 has a radius which is the same as the radius of the other tubular elements 14 in the array 12, but defines an arc which is greater than 180 degrees. Moreover, the array 12 is configured with a plurality of the recesses 20 having a radius which corresponds to the radius of the tubular elements 14 in the array, but which each define an arc of more than 180 degrees. In effect, this means that the centre point of each of the tubular elements 14 (or the centre point for each arc at the periphery 16) is offset relative to the sides of the lattice 10 by distance X marked on Figures Ia and lb. This configuration has been found to produce a particularly effective interlocking effect for lattices of the same kind and configuration.

Each corner of the periphery I 6 defines a recess 23 formed from an arc which corresponds to a quarter of a tubular element 1 4 in the array.

In exemplary embodiments, the walls 18 and the elements 14 are of the same depth, which is may be substantially in the range 20mm to 60mm, more preferably substantially in the range 30mm and 50mm, e.g. substantially 40mm. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the walls 18 may have a lesser or greater depth than the elements 14.

As can be seen in Figure 2, a projecting lip 24 is formed at the base of each element 14 and wall 18. This helps to direct the user to the correct orientation for the lattice 10, and acts to spread bearing loads when the lattice 10 is in use (preventing the walls from having a pastry cutter' effect).

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It should be noted that the lip 24 does not project outwardly from the periphery 16 of the lattice 10, save around the recesses 20. In each recess 20 the lip 24 forms a ledge 28 onto which a projection 22 of a further lattice 10 of the same kind and configuration can be located. Accordingly, a correspondingly formed rebate is provided at the lower edge 30 of 1 0 each projection 22. The ledges 28 and lower edges 30 serve as complimentaiy surfaces configured to provide for correct alignment of the lattice tO with another lattice of the same kind and configuration, inhibiting relative vertical displacement between interconnected lattices.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the array 12 includes thirteen tubular elements 14, four of which define male projections 22 at the periphery. In alternative embodiments, different numbers of elements 14 may be included in the array 12. The array 12 may be rectangular, rhomboid, pentagonal or hexagonal in shape, or may be any other regular shape.

The lattice 10 is injection moulded. and may be produced wholly from waste/recycled plastics materials.

A number of reinforcing ribs 26 are provided, to reduce the risk of weak spots arising from the moulding process (e.g. at positions most distant from inlets for the moulding material).

Figure 3 shows four lattices 1 0 (e.g. of the same kind and configuration) connected to one another to form a grid 32. The recesses 20 and protrusions 22 of each of the lattices 10 are interlocked with one another, with the protrusions 22 in interference fit with the recesses 20.

Of course, any number of lattices 10 may be connected to one another in any suitable formation.

In use, the grid 32 is laid on a ground surface, with its base lowermost, and then filled with material such as gravel, stones or earth (not shown). The walls of the lattices 10 retain the fill

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material in place, inhibiting movement andlor erosion of the material. The material may be compacted within the grid 32, e.g. to form a solid substrate.

It can be seen that separate connectors are not required to securely connect multiple lattices together. The attices 10 can be manufactured at a standard size then adapted on site to suit a particular application. The resilient connecting walls 18 accommodate expansion and contraction of the grid 32 in use.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the recesses 20 and protrusions 22 may be of different shape, e.g. defining part of a regular polygon. Iii alternative embodiments (not shown), the tubular elements may be non-circu'ar, e.g. defining a square. diamond or other polygonal shape, wherein the periphery 16 of the lattice consists of a series of recesses and projections defined by pails of the non-circular elements, and is configured to interlock with a lattice of the same kind and configuration.

The lattice illustrated herein is suited for use in ground works, and defines a plurality of compartments (e.g. as defined by a plurality of the tubular elements in the array and/or by the spacing between the tubular elements in the array) for receiving till material such as soil and/or pea gravel. The periphery includes at least one projection and at least one recess configured for convenient interlocking with colTesponding formations with other lattices of the same kind and configuration.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A lattice for use in ground works comprising an array of tubular elements linked by connecting walls and having a periphery comprising at least one projecting formation S configured to interconnect with at least one corresponding recess formation of another lattice of the same kind and configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A lattice according to claim I comprising a plurality of projecting formations and a plurality of recess formations intended to mate with opposing formations on another lattice of the same kind and configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A lattice according to claim 2 wherein the formations are part-circular.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A lattice according to claim 3 wherein the projecting formations define an arc greater 1 5 than a semi-circle.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A lattice according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the recess formations detine an arc greater than a semi-circle.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A attice according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one of the projecting formations is defined by a part of one of the tubular elements in the array.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A lattice according to any of claims Ito 6 wherein the periphery incorporates parts of one or more of the tubular elements in the array.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A lattice according to claim 7 wherein the tubular element forming part of the periphery of the array defines said at least one projecting fonmation.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A lattice according to any preceding claim wherein the tubular elements are arranged in rows and columns relative to one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A lattice according to any preceding claim wherein the periphery has four sides, and wherein two of said sides include at least one projecting formation.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A lattice according to claim 10 wherein the other two of said four sides includes at least one recess formation for interconnection with a projecting formation on a lattice of the same kind arid configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A lattice according to any preceding claim wherein the tubular elements are cylindrical.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A lattice according to claim 12 wherein the or each projecting formation is part-circular and has a radius corresponding to the radius of the tubular elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A lattice according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting walls not forming part of the periphery of the lattice are curved.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A lattice according to any preceding dairn wherein the lattice defines a plurality of 1 5 compartments for receiving fill material, 16. A grid for use in ground works compnsing first and second lattices of a kind according to any preceding claim, wherein the lattices are connected to one another by interlocking of the respective projections and recesses.17. A grid according to claim 16 wherein the projections and recesses are configured to form a snap fit with one another.18. A lattice for use in ground works, the lattice defining a plurality of compartments for receiving fill material, and having a periphery which includes at least one projection and at least one recess configured for interlocking with corresponding formations on another lattice of the same kind and configuration.19. A lattice according to any preceding claim wherein the projections and recesses include complimentary surfaces configured to provide for correct alignment of the attice with another lattice of the same kind and configuration.20. A lattice and/or grid substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>