GB2503739A

GB2503739A - Gabion containment apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2503739A
Application number: GB1212085.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenny John Scott
Original assignee: Hesco Bastion Ltd
Current assignee: Hesco Bastion Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-06
Filing date: 2012-07-06
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Also published as: GB201212085D0

Abstract

A gabion containment apparatus 80 for storing a folded multi-compartment gabion and from which the gabion 22 can be deployed, comprising: a base element, which may be an L-shaped bracket 82. The base element has a first member 84 and a second member 86 extending transversely from the first, each member extending along a side of the gabion. Also included is a retaining element 88, which may be a strap, coupled to the base element. The retaining element is releasably attached, for example by a frangible loop or ring 92, to the gabion. The retaining element is configured to extend from the base element, over a portion of the gabion, said at least one retaining element serving to attach the gabion to the base element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the base element when the gabion is deployed. There is also a palletised gabion which may be towed on the pallet as a sled.

Description

GABION CONTAINMENT APPARATUS

This invention relates to a gabion containment apparatus and in particular to improvements in and relating to storing and/or deploying gabions.

Gabions are generally structures of the type which comprise side wall panels, end panels and partition panels which connect the wall panels, and all the panels are usually rectangular and may be pivotally attached, connected together so that the structure can be moved between an expanded (or deployed) condition for use and a collapsed (or folded) condition for storage and transport. In the deployed condition, the structure is elongated and the panels define a row of cavities extending in the length direction of the structure, each cavity being defined by side panels and partition panels, apart from the end cavities which are defined by side panels, partition panels and end panels. These cavities can be filled with ballast or building materials so that the structure turns into a robust wall which can be used for defences for flooding, for military equipment and personnel, and for shoring of hillsides and river banks and the like, or simply as a property or other boundary. They can be used side-by-side, end-to-end or in superimposed relationship, depending upon the use to which they are to be put.

In the folded condition, the structure is basically flat and the partition and end panels lie in parallel planes, whilst the side panels of each side are folded one

I

relative to another in zig-zag or concertina fashion, so that the plan footprint of the collapsed structure is rectangular.

It is to be mentioned that when reference is made to "rectangular" herein, square, which is one form of rectangle, is specifically to be included.

An example of a structure of the type set forth is illustrated in European Patent No. 0 466 726 Bi in Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, and an accompanying description is also included in that Patent.

Gabions have been used throughout the world for many different uses, and often in situations where rapid deployment (to prevent flooding, or protect against hostile forces, for example) is necessary. One advantage of the pivotally attached, connected multi-compartmental gabions described in EP-B-0466726 is that they can be easily and quickly erected, and can be filled with readily available and inexpensive material, especially in those embodiments, as described in said European Patent, where the panels are of mesh and havra lining material of geo textile to prevent particles of the filling material from falling through the holes of the mesh. This mesh and lining material construction is the preferred form for the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this particular form.

Heretofore, gabions have been supplied on pallets and in stacks, often wrapped in shrink wrap plastics material. Whilst this has been satisfactory and will we believe continue to be satisfactory especially for smaller sizes of gabion, with the larger gabions, the removal of the shrink wrapping, the removal of the gabion from the pallet takes time, and in emergency situations, time is of the essence, and the more time which can be saved in erecting defence walls, the better.

WO 2008/081177 describes a gabion deployment system comprising a container for retaining a gabion in a folded configuration and from which the gabion can be deployed. Whilst this has been satisfactory and will we believe continue to be satisfactory, the container itself may be bulky and/or heavy and require a large amount of space in a storage facility and/or in a transport vehicle. Also, once the gabion has been deployed from the container, a user is left with an empty container which must be disposed of.

This invention seeks to achieve an improvement in this area, and to provide a means whereby the storage and/or transport of gabions can be achieved without the disadvantages of the present methods.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a gabion containment apparatus for storing a folded multi-compartment gabion and from which the gabion can be deployed, the containment apparatus comprising: a base element for supporting the folded multi-compartmental gabion, the base element comprising a first member configured to extend along at least a part of a first side of said folded multi-compartment gabion, and a second member, extending transversely from said first member, said second member configured to extend along at least a part of a second side of said folded multi-compartmental gabion; and at least one retaining element, coupled at a first end thereof to said base element, said at least one retaining element being releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, at least at one point of said at least one retaining element, by way of at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means, to a portion of a compartment of said folded multi-compartment gabion, said at least one retaining element configured to extend from said base element, over at least a portion of said folded multi-compartment gabion, said at least one retaining element serving to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the base element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the base element when the gabion is deployed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gabion of the type comprising: hingedly attached, connected sidewalls and cross-members such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means suitable for attaching, connecting or retentive engaging the gabion to at least one retaining element of a gabion containment apparatus as described above and hereinafter; wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the at least one retaining element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the at least one retaining element when the gabion is deployed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gabion deployment system comprising: a gabion containment apparatus, as described above and hereinafter, for retaining a gabion and a gabion of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected sidewalls and cross-members such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a palletised multi-compartmental gabion comprising pivotally connected side and end walls and at least one partition wall each having first and second ends defining respectively a top and a bottom of the palletised gabion, the gabion being mounted on its bottom on a pallet and secured thereto by means of a tether extending from the pallet over an end wall of the gabiori and across at least a portion of the top of the gabion and frangibly or releasably secured thereto.

The at least one retaining element may be releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, by way of said at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means, at a plurality of spaced intervals to a portion of a respective plurality of individual compartments forming said folded multi-compartment gabion.

Elements of the base element and/or at least one retaining element are optionally manufactured of tough and/or strong and/or durable materials (e.g. metal or plastics).

Optionally, the base element may be configured to serve as a towable sled from which a multicompartmental gabion is deployable directly therefrom. Further optionally, the base element may comprise a nose portion located to form a front-end of said sled. The nose portion may be integral with the based element or removably attachable to said base element.

Optionally, the gabion containment apparatus may have dimensions such that it is readily transportable on a pallet, such as a pallet of dimensions 2 metres x 2.2 metres. Pallet types of other dimensions may be suitable, for example, a pallet having a height of 0.125m, a width of 0.91 5m, and a length of 2.2m.

Further optionally, an element of the gabion containment apparatus may comprise a pallet. The pallet may be arranged to form a base of the gabion containment apparatus and be configured to receive a multi-compartment gabion thereon. In such an optional arrangement, the base element may be securely attached to the pallet, e.g. by fixing a portion of the base element to the pallet using suitable connecting elements such as adhesive, screws, straps, bolts, etc. In such an arrangement, the multicompartmental gabion may be deployable directly from the pallet.

Optionally, the pallet may be configured to serve as a towable sled. Further optionally, the pallet may comprise a nose portion located to form a front-end of the sled. The nose portion may be integral with the pallet or removably attachable to the pallet.

The at least one retaining element may comprise an elongate member, and may optionally comprise for example, at least one of a bar, cable, rope or strap (such as a Velcro® strap) or any other suitable form of restraint. Parts of the gabion can be releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged to the elongate member. Further optionally, the retaining element may comprise a tether, which tether may be frangibly or releasably secured to the gabion sequentially at a plurality of locations. The retaining element may be frangibly or releasably secured directly or indirectly to the gabion. For example, at least one cooperative engagement element (which may serve as said at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means) may be located at each of the plurality of locations, the at least one cooperative engagement element being coupled to said gabion at the respective locations and arranged to frangibly or releasably engage the retaining element. Optionally, the respective locations may correspond to different compartments of the multi-compartmental gabion.

It is envisaged that, for example, when a multicompartmental gabion comprises five compartments, the folded gabion will be stored/transported in a gabion containment apparatus provided with four releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means. A first releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between first and second compartments of the gabion. A second releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between second and third compartments of the gabion. A third releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between third and fourth compartments of the gabion. A fourth releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between fourth and fifth compartments of the gabion.

In another optional arrangement, the multicompartmental gabion may comprise eight "units", wherein each unit comprises ten cells or compartments. End compartments of adjacent units may be coupled together using suitable coupling members. Thus, a multicompartmental gabion of eighty compartments may be created by coupling together the eight units in the manner described above. In such an arrangement, a releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be provided on each unit. The releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be located at any point of the unit but, in a particular optional arrangement, the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means are located on a side wall of the outermost cell of each unit.

Therefore, in this particular arrangement, there will be eight releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (i.e. the same as the number of units).

The releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between adjacent end compartments of adjacent units of the gabion.

In an optional modification of the above-described arrangement, each unit may comprise two sub-units, each of five cells or compartments. The sub-units may be coupled to each other to form a unit in the same manner as described above.

Thus, the multicompartmental gabion may be formed from sixteen five-cell sub-units. In this particular arrangement there may be a releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means provided for each unit (i.e. eight) or for each sub-unit (i.e. sixteen).

However, it should be emphasised that the above-described arrangements are by way of example only, and each releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a different part of the gabion than the side wall between adjacent compartments.

Also, greater or fewer releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may be provided as required.

Optionally, the base element may comprise an L-shaped member.

The at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means can be of any suitable type. It is anticipated that suitable releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may comprise, amongst others: * A folded gabion compartment edge section * A frangible loop or ring * A frangible part of the gabion * A deformable member * A helical member; * A releasable line; * A clip; * A frangible coupling on, or part of, said at least one retaining element; * A frangible portion of said at least one retaining element; and * A strap (e.g. Velcro®) for releasable connection with the at least one retaining element.

Where the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is frangible, a point of weakness, such as a notch or groove may be provided to encourage the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means to break at a predetermined position and/or load.

Any suitable type of clip may be used, such as a karabiner-type clip or a sprung-cam type clip.

Where the at least one retaining element comprises a strap of Velcro®, the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may also comprise straps of Velcro® arranged to engage with the Velcro® of the at least one retaining element. In the particular optional arrangement described above where the multicompartmental gabion comprises eight units, Velcro® strapping may form the at least one retaining element. Eight further Velcro® straps may form the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means, and each of the further eight Velcro® straps may be located at, for example, a side wall of the outermost cell of each unit.

The at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion or unit (e.g. a side-wall of an outermost compartment of each unit) to the at least one retaining element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the retaining means when the gabion is deployed. The at least one retaining element may be designed so that the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is provided by the gabion itself, or by ii a section thereof. In this sense the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is releasable in the sense that it is capable of being released from the retaining element. In other embodiments the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means may also or instead be releasable from the gabion itself.

The releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is preferably adapted to break (where it is frangible), disconnect (where it is a clip or Velcro®), or deform (where it is deformable) at a predetermined load, or to break or deform the retaining element of the gabion containment apparatus at a predetermined load. Optionally, the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is adapted to break and/or release a part of the gabion when loaded by an applied force (e.g. hand or machine-assisted pulling).

Optionally, the base element is configured such that the apparatus can be stored and/or transported and/or a gabion deployed therefrom with the first member in a lowermost position, and/or such that the apparatus can be stored and/or transported and/or a gabion deployed therefrom with the second member in a lowermost position.

One or more embodiments of the invention are described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a prior art single unit gabion; Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a prior art multiple unit gabion in a folded configuration; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a prior art multiple unit gabion in a deployed configuration; Fig. 4 shows a schematic prior art container gabion deployment system of a first type; Figs. 5a, 5b and 5c, 6 and 7 show schematic prior art container gabion deployment systems according to a second type; Fig. 8 shows a schematic gabion containment apparatus according to the present invention; Figs. 9a to 9c show schematically a deployment of a gabion from the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the gabion containment apparatus of Fig. 8 mounted on a pallet; Fig. 1 la shows schematic gabion containment apparatus according to the present invention in a particular orientation for storage and/or transport and/or deployment; Figs. lib and lic show schematically a deployment of a gabion from the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 11 a; Figs. 12 to 16 show side views of releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means; and Fig. 17 illustrates a side view of a modification to the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 10.

Turning now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a prior art single unit gabion 10, which comprises a pair of spaced-apart end walls 12 that are hingedly 14 connected to side walls. The side walls comprise two panels each 16 and 18 that are hingedly connected to one another 20 as well as to the end walls 14. Alternative gabion designs suitable for use with the present invention comprise single-panel side walls. Side walls comprising more than two panels are also contemplated within the scope of the invention.

Each wall 12, 16 & 18 is constructed from a wire mesh. The hinge connections 14 & 20 are typically helical wire members that engage corresponding edge wires of adjacent walls 12, 16 & 18. The hinges 14 & 20 are sometimes separable from the walls 12, 16 & 18 (for which see our previous application G60424321.8). Different configurations are possible.

such as providing side walls constructed from substantially closed panels rather than mesh panels.

Turning now to Figs. 2 and 3, a prior art multiple-unit gabion is shown 22.

The construction is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, with side walls 16 & 18 and an end wall 12 constituting a repeat unit that can be added as many times as necessary to produce a gabion 22 of desired length.

The gabion 22 can be stored in a folded configuration (Fig. 2) and extended to a deployed configuration (Fig. 3) by applying a tensile force as indicated by Arrows A. Conversely, the gabion 22 can be folded by applying a compressive force in the opposite sense to Arrows A. Once deployed, a gabion can be filled with any suitable "fill" material (e.g. rocks, sand, earth, ice etc.) to produce a wall-type structure. Gabions generally have a liner (not shown) made of a sheet material to inhibit egress of filling material through the holes in the mesh.

In Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and ha a gabion 22 is represented by showing only a succession of end waIls 12 for clarity. The side walls are represented by dotted lines, which show that the end walls 12 are attached, connected to one another. In Figs. 9a to 9c, 11 b and 11 c, folded portions of a part-deployed gabion 22 are represented by showing only a succession of end waIls 12 for clarity. However, deployed portions of the part-deployed gabion 22 illustrated in Figs. 9a to 9c, lib and llc are represented showing end waIls 12, panels 16, 18 of side walls, and hinges 20.

One convenient way of transporting gabions 22 is in containers as illustrated by Fig. 4. A container 30 generally comprises a base 32, side and end walls 34 and a roof 36. The base 32 has apertures tabs 38 that engage with pins provided (in this case) on a lorry 42. The container 30 has eyelets 44 to enable it to be loaded onto and off the lorry 42 using a crane (not shown).

The gabion 22 is deployed by pulling on the first end wall 12' as indicated by Arrow B such that the gabion extends, usually in a unit-by-unit manner. The pull B can be effected by pulling on the end wall 12', holding the end wall 12' and driving the lorry in the direction indicated by Arrow C or a combination of both.

A major problem with transporting and deploying gabions 22 in this manner is that when the gabion 22 is to be deployed on inclined ground 46, there is a tendency for the gabion 22 to topple out of the container 30. Because the various parts of the gabion 22 are attached or connected to one another 48, once it has begun toppling, a large part, if not all of the gabion 22 is likely to spill out onto the ground behind the lorry 42. This can be extremely hazardous to persons nearby. A further problem is that the gabion 22 can become tangled or break, which can be inefficient, wasteful, and time-consuming to rectify.

Another known way of transporting gabions 22 in containers is illustrated in Figs. 5a to 5c, with known methods of deployment in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 5a, a container 30 is shown having a roof 36. From opposite ends of the underside of the roof 36 depend eyelets 37 to which a retaining means in the form of a retaining cable 50 is attached, connected by way of snap hooks 39.

End walls 12 of the gabion 22 are attached or connected to the retaining cable 50 by way of discontinuous rings 66.

The retaining cable 50 prevents the gabion 20 from spilling out of the container 30 without the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging rings 66 first being broken or deformed.

In Fig. 5b it can be seen that each end wall 12 is provided with a pair of attaching, connecting or retentive engaging rings 66 for attaching, connecting or retentive engaging to a pair of spaced-apart and substantially parallel retaining cables 50.

It is possible to provide non-parallel support cables 50 such that the gabion 22 becomes more difficult to slide therealong as it approaches the door of the container 30.

In this prior art arrangement, gabion 22 may have been factory-assembled, provided with attaching, connecting or retentive engaging rings 66 and folded.

One or more support cables 50 are threaded through the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging rings 66 and clip fasteners 39 attached, connected or retentively engaged to ends of the cable or cables 50. The gabion 22 is then loaded into a container 30 and the clip fasteners 39 attached, connected or retentively engaged to roof eyelets 37.

In Fig. Sc, the container 30 has a retaining means 50 disposed on the underside of the roof 36. The retaining means comprises an attachment 52 to which a retaining cable 54 is attached, connected or retentively engaged. An extendible/retractable attachment 56 is attached, connected or retentively engaged to the other end of the retaining cable 54. The extendible/retractable attachment 56 comprises a support bar 58 that is slidably engageable with a sheath 60. An end-stop 62 is provided to prevent the support bar from sliding beyond a desired extent. The support bar 58 depends from the sheath 60 and has an undulation 64 therein to inhibit movement of the gabion 22 therealong.

Associated with each end wall 12 of the gabion 22 is a releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 66 that connects respective end walls 12 of the gabion 22 to either the retaining cable 54 or the support bar 58. The height of the retaining cable 54 and support bar 58 is such that the majority of the weight of the gabion 22 is supported by the floor of the container. is

In use, as illustrated by Fig. 6, the door of the container 30 is opened and the first end wall 12' of the gabion 22 pulled in the direction indicated by Arrow D. The support bar 58 slides beyond the periphery 68 of the container 30 such that a part of the gabion 22 is suspended beyond the periphery 68. The support bar 58 is prevented from disengaging the sheath 60 by virtue of the end-stop 62.

The releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 66 can be configured to disconnect 66' under the weight of a part of the gabion or to disconnect when an additional force E is applied thereto. Thus, the gabion 22 can be deployed unit-by-unit by a user (not shown) by first pulling a desired number of units out D, then pulling down E to release a desired number of units of the gabion 22. If the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 66 are configured to disconnect under just the weight of the gabion 22, then the user need only pull the first unit out D and the rest will follow if the lorry 42 is advanced F. Fig. 7 shows how the gabion neither deploys nor spills out of the container 30 when the lorry 42 is on inclined ground 46. The releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 66 are configured to support the weight of the gabion 22 thereby preventing it from spilling out unless an additional force E is applied. Furthermore, the undulation 64 in the support bar 58 limits the number of gabion units that advance beyond the periphery of the container 30, thereby limiting the load on the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 66 to prevent additional forces E from being applied thereto.

A problem with storing and/or transporting gabions 22 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5a to 5c, 6 and 7 is that the container 30 adds to the weight and size of the material to be stored/transported when the gabions 22 are in a folded configuration. Also, once a gabion 22 has been deployed from container 30, a user is left with an empty container 30 with which the user may need to dispose.

Various versions of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11 of the drawings.

A gabion containment apparatus 80 according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 8.

The gabion containment apparatus 80 comprises a bracket 82 upon which the gabion 22 is located. The bracket 82 comprises a first plate 84 which comprises a member extending beneath the gabion 22 to support the gabion during storage/transport/deployment. A second plate 86, comprising a member extending transversely from an end of the first plate 84 is arranged to support an end of the gabion 22. The first and second plates 84, 86 are arranged in an L-shape configuration to form bracket 82.

In the illustrated arrangement, first and second plates 84, 86 comprise elongate members. However, this need not be the case, and the first and second plates 84, 86 may comprise wider or narrower members as appropriate.

A retaining element comprising a retaining strap 88 is coupled, by way of coupling element 90, to a portion of second plate 86 (e.g. an end of second plate 86 remote from the region where second plate 86 joins first plate 84). In the illustrated arrangement, the retaining strap 88 extends upwardly from the end of second plate 86, over a top end-edge 91 of the gabion 22, and across a top surface of gabion 22.

The retaining strap 88 is releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged to the top surface of gabion 22 at least at one point along the length of the strap. In the illustrated arrangement of Fig. 8, the retaining strap 88 is releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged to the top surface of gabion 22 at four points along its length by releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 respectively. In a particular arrangement, releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 releasably attach, connect or retentively engage the retaining strap 88 to, for example, respective end walls of a cell/compartment of each unit forming the multiple-unit gabion 22. In optional arrangements, each unit comprises ten cells/compartments. However, in other, optional, arrangements, the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 may releasably attach, connect or retentively engage the retaining strap 88 to any suitable portion of a cell/compartment of each unit forming the multiple-unit gabion 22.

In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 8, the retaining strap 88 extends over a portion of the top surface of gabion 22 only. However, in an optional arrangement, the retaining strap 88 may extend over the entire top surface of gabion 22 and, optionally, may extend over another top end-edge 93 of gabion 22 (opposite top end-edge 91) and extend downwardly therefrom to be coupled to an end of first plate 84 remote from the point it meets second plate 86.

The retaining strap 88 and the bracket 82 serve, in combination, to prevent the gabion 22 from spilling, falling, or being inadvertently deployed from bracket 82 without the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (hereinafter engaging means" for brevity) 92, 94, 96, 98 first being broken, deformed, disconnected or released from engagement with the retaining element.

In an optional arrangement, the retaining strap 88 comprises a Velcro® strap and each of the engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 comprise Velcro® straps coupled at one end thereof to parts of the gabion, and arranged for engagement with the retaining strap 88.

Although only one retaining strap 88 is illustrated in Fig. 8, optionally1 multiple retaining straps may be provided in one or more of the above described configurations with respect to the gabion 22 and the bracket 82.

It is envisaged that the gabion containment apparatus 80 will be assembled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8 in a factory. To inhibit movement of the gabion 22 relative to the bracket 82 during transport (which may cause disengagement of at least one of the engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 from the retaining strap 88), further strapping may be provided around the gabion 22.

This further strapping may be conventional strapping, e.g. plastic strapping.

This further strapping can be removed prior to deployment steps. The gabion containment apparatus 80 may then be loaded onto a suitable transport vehicle for conveyance to a location at which it is to be deployed. The gabion 22 may be deployed from the folded state illustrated in Fig. 8 directly from the transport vehicle to a deployed configuration. Optionally, the gabion containment apparatus 80 may be unloaded from the transport vehicle and deployed from the gabion containment apparatus 80 located at ground level, or some other base level.

The gabion containment apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8 and described above may serve as a gabion packaging platform upon which a multicompartmental gabion may be packaged for storage and/or transport and also from which a multicompartmental gabion may be deployed.

Figs. 9a to 9c illustrate steps in a deployment process.

In Fig. 9a, a first end waIl 12' of the gabion 22 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow G. This causes at least one single unit gabion 10 of the gabion 22 to deploy from the gabion containment apparatus 80. Continued application of force in the direction indicated by arrow G causes further single unit gabions 10 of the gabion 22 to be deployed from the gabion containment apparatus 80 until a point is reached where the applied force is transferred through the deployed single unit gabions 10 to an outermost single unit gabion to which the retaining strap 88 is coupled via engaging means 98.

From that outermost single unit gabion, the applied force is transferred to the engaging means 98 itself The engaging means 98 is configured to disconnect 98' under continued application of force in the direction of arrow 0. This causes the outermost single unit gabion to which the retaining strap 88 is coupled to be released from the retaining strap 88 and allows deployment of that single unit gabion.

Continued application of force in the direction indicated by arrow G causes further engaging means 92, 94, 96 to disconnect 96' (Fig. 9b), 94', 92' (Fig. 9c) sequentially in the sequence 96, 94, 92 until the gabion 22 is free from the retaining strap 88 such that it can be pulled from the bracket 82 entirely (Fig. 9c). Thus, from the position illustrated in Fig. 9c, the gabion 22 is free to be fully deployed. This may be by continuing application of force indicated by arrow G to pull the gabion 22 free from the bracket 82 and/or may be by applying an additional force in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow G to pull the bracket 82 from beneath the folded/part-folded portion of the gabion 22.

In an optional deployment arrangement, the bracket 82 may be used as a "skid" from which the gabion 22 can be deployed from the folded configuration (Fig. 8), through the part-deployed configurations illustrated in Figs. 9a to 9c, to a fully deployed configuration.

In this optional deployment arrangement, at least one outermost (i.e. remote from second plate 86) single unit gabion of gabion 22 may be pulled to extend the at least one outermost single unit gabion to a fully deployed configuration.

Fill material may then be added to at least one cell/compartment of this single unit gabion. This serves to anchor an end of the gabion 22. A deployment force may then be applied in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow G in Figs. 9a to 9c to pull the bracket 82 away from the anchored end of the gabion 22. Such a force may be applied by attaching a coupling element such as a chain, rope, etc. between bracket 82 and a suitable towing vehicle and then advancing the vehicle in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow C. This serves to pull the bracket 82 and folded portion of gabion 22 away from the anchored end of the gabion 22. Release of the folded portion of gabion 22 from retaining strap 88 then occurs in a similar manner to that described in relation to Figs. 9a to 9c.

Fig. 10 illustrates a top-perspective view of the gabion containment apparatus situated on a pallet 100. This arrangement may allow for convenient movement of the gabion containment apparatus 80 by, for example, a fork-lift truck or pallet truck.

Optionally, the gabion 22 may be deployed directly from pallet 100 using one of the methods described above. In such an arrangement, the bracket may be attached to the pallet so that the pallet and bracket form an integral gabion packaging platform which may be suitable for the packaging, transport and deployment of multicompartmental gabions. In a particular arrangement, deployment may be achieved by coupling a towing vehicle to the pallet and/or the bracket using a coupling element such as a chain, rope, etc. and advancing the vehicle to apply force to the pallet and/or bracket. This serves to pull the pallet, bracket and folded portion of gabion away from the anchored end of the gabion.

In the illustrated arrangement, an upper surface of pallet 100 is provided with guide runners 102, 104 which are located adjacent edges of the pallet upper surface and which are configured to inhibit lateral movement of the gabion containment apparatus 80 relative to the pallet 100. These guide runners 102, 104 are optional features and may not be present in some arrangements.

An optional gabion containment apparatus 80 storage and/ar transport configuration is illustrated in Fig. 11 a and an optional deployment method from the storage and/or transport configuration is illustrated in Figs. 11 b and 11 a.

In the optional configuration illustrated in Fig. ha, the gabion containment apparatus 80 is oriented such that the second plate 86 forms the base of the gabion containment apparatus 80 in a normal orientation.

* This configuration may be convenient to optimise space in a storage/transport facility and/or during storage/transport in a vehicle. A particular arrangement which may be employed to try to minimise empty space in a storage container is discussed later. As will be appreciated from Fig. 10, the footprint of an end of the gabion containment apparatus 80 is smaller than the footprint of the base of the gabion containment apparatus 80 in the orientation illustrated in Fig. 10. By orienting the gabion containment apparatus 80 on its end, the space required for the gabion containment apparatus during storage/transport may be reduced.

Further, in this configuration, the gabion 22 may become compressed under its own weight and so may not extend as far along first plate 84 as it does in the configuration illustrated in Fig. 10. This may allow additional single gabion units to be added to the gabion 22 on the gabion containment apparatus 80. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the capacity of the gabion containment apparatus may be increased to carry a gabion 22 comprising more single unit gabions using this configuration.

The gabion containment apparatus 80 illustrated in Fig. ha is similar to that described in relation to Figs. 8 to 10, and like reference numerals denote common features. The gabion containment apparatus 80 differs from the earlier described apparatus by way of a curved lip 106 at a remote end of first plate 84 which serves to assist deployment of the gabion 22 from the gabion containment apparatus 80 in this orientation.

An optional deployment method of the gabion 22 from the gabion containment apparatus 80 in this orientation is illustrated in Figs. llb and llc and occurs in a similar manner to that described above. It differs, however, in that 28.

outermost single unit gabions follow a curved path over curved lip 106 upon application of a force in a direction indicated by arrow H. Deployment continues from the state illustrated in Fig. 11 b to that illustrated in Fig. lie under continued application of the force in the direction indicated by arrow H. It may be the case that application of the force in the direction indicated by arrow H causes the gabion containment apparatus 82 to tip in the direction indicated by arrow L (see Fig. llc). In this case, then deployment may continue in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9c and described above in relation to that figure.

In an optional arrangement, the gabion containment apparatus may be stored and/or transported in the configuration illustrated in Fig. ha, i.e. with the second plate 86 in a lowermost position. However, deployment of the gabion from the gabion containment apparatus may be via the deployment steps illustrated in Figs. 9a to 9c, and as described above, i.e. with the first plate in a lowermost position.

Turning now to Figs. 12 to 16, various possible types of releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 are shown.

In Fig. 12, the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 comprises a metal ring 108 having a notch 110 therein. The notch is configured such that it causes the ring 108 to break when a predetermined hoop-stress therein is attained.

In Fig. 13, a metal ring 108 is shown having a discontinuity 112 therein. Upon application of a force, the ring 108 deforms and the discontinuity 112 enlarges (as indicated by the dotted line) causing the gabion to be released from the retaining strap 88.

In Fig. 14, the end wall 12 of the gabion 22 has a loop 114 formed integrally therewith through which the retaining strap 88 or the like can be threaded.

The loop 114 has a point of weakness 116 therein (in this case a notch) such that the loop 114 breaks under a predetermined load. The loop 114 could be formed integrally with any part of the gabion 22, such as a side wall 16, 18 or a hinge 14, 20. It is envisaged that such a feature would be provided on a portion of each single unit gabion of multi-compartment gabion 22.

Rg. 15 shows a releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 in the form of a camming member. An aperture 118 is provided in the body 120 thereof through which the retaining strap 88 can be threaded. Optionally, the means 92, 94, 96, 98 of this arrangement can be fixedly located at spaced intervals on the retaining strap 88.

A cam member 122 is provided that is pivotally mounted within the body 120 about a pivot 124. One side of the cam member 122 has a cut-out 126 for receiving a part 128 of a gabion 22. The part 128 of the gabion 22is retained by the corresponding cam member cut-out 126 and a cut-out 130 in the body 120. The cam member 122 is held in-situ by a sprung balI-bearing 132.

When an excessive load I is applied to the gabion 22, the cam member 122 rotates J and the sprung ball-bearing 132 is depressed K. The cam member 122 eventually over-centres, and the cam member cut-out 126 no longer coincides with the body cut-out 130 thereby releasing the part 128 of the gabion 22. The force I required to cause disconnection of the gabion from the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 can be configured by adjusting the compressive force applied by the sprung ball-bearing 132 to the cam member 122.

Fig. 16 illustrates an optional arrangement where a releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means 92, 94, 96, 98 is integral with the retaining strap 88.

The retaining strap 88 is formed with a plurality of hoops 140 through which parts 138 of gabion 22 pass. The hoops 140 have a frangible portion 142 therein which is configured such that it causes the hoop 142 to break when a predetermined hoop-stress is attained.

Optionally, the frangible portion 142 may comprise a notch and/or a discontinuity and/or a perforation in the material of retaining strap 88.

Further optionally, the frangible portion 142 need not be coincident with the hoops 140, but rather may be formed in portions of the retaining strap 88 between hoops 140.

In further optional arrangements, the means for releasably attaching, connecting or retentively engaging the retaining strap 88 to a part, or parts, of gabion 22 may comprise any other suitable type of clip. For example, a karabiner-type clip or a sprung-cam type clip may be used.

In yet further optional arrangements, the means for releasably attaching, connecting or retentively engaging the retaining strap 88 to a part, or parts, of gabion 22 may comprise any combination of one or more of the above-described releasably attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means.

Fig. 17 illustrates a side-view of a modification of the arrangement of Fig. 10.

As with Fig. 10, Fig. 17 shows a gabion containment apparatus 80 situated on a pallet 100. This arrangement of gabion containment apparatus 80 and pallet may form an integral gabion packaging platform from which the gabion may be deployed directly. In such an arrangement, deployment may be achieved by coupling a towing vehicle to the pallet and/or the bracket using a coupling element such as a chain, rope, etc. and advancing the vehicle to apply force to the pallet and/or bracket. This serves to pull the pallet, bracket and folded portion of gabion away from an anchored end of the gabion in a direction indicated by arrow J. The pallet serves as a skid or sled which is effectively dragged across terrain as the vehicle is advanced.

In the illustrated arrangement, the pallet 100 is provided with a nose 101. The nose 101 is located at the towing end, or front end of the pallet (i.e. the end of pallet 100 which is at the front when the pallet is moved in the above-manner). An underside of the nose 101 is arranged to form a continuous surface with the underside of the pallet and extends at an angle and/or extends as a curve upwardly from a lower front edge of the pallet 100. This upwardly angled/curved surface is configured to allow the nose 101 to ride-up over obstacles in the path of the pallet 100 when it is being pulled over terrain. Thus, it may serve to ease the passage of the pallet 100 over terrain, particularly rough and/or uneven terrain.

The nose 101 optionally forms part of the pallet 100, i.e. it is integral with the pallet 100. In another optional arrangement, the nose 101 comprises a detachable element which can be fixedly attached to the pallet using any suitable fixing means and/or optionally by push-fitting the nose 101 onto an end of the pallet 100. In such an arrangement, the nose 101 may be attached to the pallet 100 prior to a gabion deployment process, and may be removed thereafter, e.g. for re-use with other pallets.

In yet another optional arrangement, the nose 101 forms part of the bracket 82, i.e. it is integral with the bracket 82. It is envisaged that the nose 101 would extend from the bracket 62 adjacent a region where the first plate 64 joins second plate 86. This arrangement may be convenient for the deployment arrangement discussed above in relation to Figs. 8 and 9a to 9c, i.e. where the bracket 62 may be used as a "skid" or sled from which the gabion 22 can be deployed from the folded configuration (Fig. 8), through the part-deployed configurations illustrated in Figs. 9a to 9c, to a fully deployed configuration.

Again, however, the nose 101 need not be integral with the bracket 82 and may, optionally, comprise a detachable element which can be fixedly attached to the appropriate part of the bracket 82 using any suitable fixing means and/or optionally by push-fitting the nose 101 onto a portion of the bracket 82.

In such an arrangement, the nose 101 may be attached to the bracket 82 prior to a gabion deployment process, and may be removed thereafter, e.g. for re-use with other brackets.

The nose 101 may be constructed from suitably rugged materials which can withstand buffeting and/or impacts with stones, rocks, tree-stumps, and other types of debris and/or vegetation which may be encountered when the pallet is pulled over terrain. In an optional arrangement, the nose 101 may be formed from steel plates.

In a particular optional arrangement, the nose 101 may comprise an elongate upper plate element. The upper plate element comprises four edges, with first and second side edges being opposite to each other, and leading and trailing edges being opposite to each other and extending transversely between said first and second side edges. First and second side plate elements may extend transversely downwards from first and second side edges respectively of the upper plate element. A bottom plate extends downwardly, at an angle and backwards from the leading edge. The bottom plate is arranged to form an underside of the nose 101. As noted above, the nose 101 may be located at an end of the pallet 100 by push-fitting the nose 101 onto the end of the pallet 100. In an optional arrangement, a rear plate may extend from the trailing edge transversely downwards toward an edge of the bottom plate remote from the leading edge. The nose 101 may be fixed to the end of the pallet 100 by fixing the rear plate to the end of the pallet 100 using suitable fixing means.

The nose 101 may also serve to protect the front end of the pallet 100 from damage which may be caused through buffeting and/or impacts with stones, rocks, tree-stumps, and other types of debris and/or vegetation which may be encountered when the pallet 100 is pulled over terrain. This may allow the pallet 100 to be re-used.

In a particular optional arrangement, a height of the multicompartmental gabion may be lm. It may be desirable to employ as a pallet forming part of the gabion containment apparatus, a pallet of the following dimensions: height 0.125m, width 0.915m, length 2.2m. With the multicompartmental gabion located upon the pallet, the overall height of the package is 1.125m. The width of the package is 0.915m and the length of the package is 2.2m. It may be convenient to use pallets of the above dimensions and multicompartmental gabions of the above height for the purposes of logistical efficiency. For example, paHets and multicompartmental gabions dimensioned as described may be selected to minimise empty space within a conventional shipping container when a number of packages are located within a conventional shipping container. A conventional shipping container (e.g. intermodal container) may have an internal width of around 2,4m and an internal height of 2.Sm. Different length containers are available. A package of the above-dimensions may be located within such a container so as to fit by extending lengthwise across the width of the container. With a first package located upon the floor of the container adjacent a rear wall of the container, a further package can be stacked upon the first package. Additional pairs of packages in the same configuration can be located in front of the first pair of packages from the rear of the container toward the doors of the container. It may be possible to fit ten packages of the above-dimensions in a standard 20 foot (6.lm) container.

Any references made herein to orientation (e.g. top, bottom, front and back) are made for the purposes of describing relative spatial arrangements of the features of the apparatus, and are not intended to be limiting in any sense.

Claims

CLAIMSA gabion containment apparatus for storing a folded multi-compartment gabion and from which the gabion can be deployed, the containment apparatus comprising: a base element for supporting the folded multi-compartmental gabion, the base element comprising a first member configured to extend along at least a part of a first side of said folded multi-compartment gabion, and a second member, extending transversely from said first member, said second member configured to extend along at least a part of a second side of said folded multi-compartmental gabion; and at least one retaining element, coupled at a first end thereof to said base element, said at least one retaining element being releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, at least at one point of said at least one retaining element, by way of at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means, to a portion of a compartment of said folded multi-compartment gabion, said at least one retaining element configured to extend from said base element, over at least a portion of said folded multi-compartment gabion, said at least one retaining element serving to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the base element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the base element when the gabion is deployed.
2. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one retaining element is releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, by way of said at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means, at a plurality of spaced intervals to a portion of a respective plurality of individual compartments forming said folded multi-compartment gabion.
3. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein a first releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between first and second compartments of the gabion or between first and second units of the gabion, a second releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between second and third compartments of the gabion or between second and third units of the gabion, a third releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between third and fourth compartments of the gabion or between third and fourth units of the gabion, and an nth releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is situated to couple the at least one retaining element to a side wall between nth and (n+1)th compartments of the gabion or between nth and (n+1)th units of the gabion.
4 A gabion containment apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element is configured to serve as a towable sled from which a multicompartmental gabion is deployable directly therefrom.
A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the base element comprises a nose portion located to form a front-end of said sled.
6 A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said nose portion is integral with said base element.
7. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said nose portion is removably attachable to said base element.
8. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one retaining element comprises a strap.
9. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base element comprises an L-shaped member.
10. A gabion containment apparatus as claim in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is one of the group comprising: a folded gabion compartment edge section; a frangible loop; a frangible ring; a frangible part of the gabion; a deformable member; a helical member; a clip; a frangible coupling on, or part of, said at least one retaining element; a frangible portion of said at least one retaining element; a strap for releasable connection with said at least one retaining element.
11. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the loop, frangible ring, frangible part of the gabion, frangible coupling on said at least one retaining element, or frangible portion of said at least one retaining element has a point of weakness to encourage the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means to break at a predetermined position and/or load.
12. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clip is a karabiner-type clip or a sprung-cam type clip.
13. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is adapted to release at a predetermined load.
14. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the predetermined load corresponds substantially with a towing force applied to the gabion.
15. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is formed integrally with the gabion.
16. A gabion containment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base element is configured such that the apparatus can be stored and/or transported and/or a gabion deployed therefrom with the first member in a lowermost position, and/or such that the apparatus can be stored and/or transported and/or a gabion deployed therefrom with the second member in a lowermost position.
17. A gabion containment apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an element of the gabion containment apparatus comprises a paflet, said pallet arranged to form a base of said gabion containment apparatus and configured to receive a multi-compartment gabion thereon.
18. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said base element is securely attached to the pallet.
19. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said pallet is configured for deployment of the multicompartmental gabion directly therefrom.
20. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pallet is configured to serve as a towable sled.
21. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 20. wherein the pallet comprises a nose portion located to form a front-end of said sled.
22. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said nose portion is integral with said pallet.
23. A gabion containment apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said nose portion is removably attachable to said pallet.
24. A gabion of the type comprising: hingedly attached, connected sidewalls and cross-members such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means suitable for attaching, connecting or retentive engaging the gabion to at least one retaining element of a gabion containment apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the at least one retaining element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the at least one retaining element when the gabion is deployed.
25. A gabion deployment system comprising: a gabion containment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23 for retaining a gabion and a gabion of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected sidewalls and cross-members such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use.
26. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion comprising pivotally connected side and end walls and at least one partition wall each having first and second ends defining respectively a top and a bottom of the palletised gabion, the gabion being mounted on its bottom on a pallet and secured thereto by means of a tether extending from the pallet over an end wall of the gabion and across at least a portion of the top of the gabion and frangibly or releasably secured thereto.
27. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion comprising pivotally connected side and end walls and at least one partition wall, each of said walls having first and second edges defining respectively a top edge and a bottom edge, the gabion being mounted on its bottom edges on a pallet and secured thereto by means of a tether extending from the pallet over an end wall of the gabion and across at least a portion of the top edges of the gabion and frangibly or releasably secured thereto.
28. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to Claim 26 or 27, wherein the tether is frangibly or releasably secured to the gabion sequentially at a plurality of locations.
29. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to Claim 28, wherein at least one cooperative engagement element is located at each of said plurality of locations, said at least one cooperative engagement element coupled to said gabion at respective locations and arranged to frangibly or releasably engage said tether.
30. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein the respective locations correspond to different compartments of the multi-compartmental gabion.
31. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to any one of Claims 27 to 30, wherein the pallet is configured to serve as a towable sled.
32. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to claim 31, wherein the pallet comprises a nose portion located to form a front-end of said sled.
33. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to claim 32, wherein said nose portion is integral with said pallet.
34. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion according to claim 32, wherein said nose portion is removably attachable to said pallet.
35. A gabion containment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in, any one or more of Figs. 8, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10, ha, ilb, lie, and 12 to i7 of the accompanying drawings.
36. A gabion deployment system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in, any one or more of Figs. 8, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10, Ii a, 11 b, lie, and 12 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.
37. A palletised multi-compartmental gabion substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in, any one or more of Figs. 8, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10, ha, llb, lic, and 12 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.