US20240110340A1 - Tongue and Groove Interlocking Pavers - Google Patents

Abstract

Multilayered pavers comprise adjoining outer sections of male components that are adjacent to each other with opposite and adjacent outer sections that define female voids that comport to male sections of the pavers. The multiple layer or three layer approach allows for multiple points of contact and retention of the pavers. Slanted top and bottom sections of protrusions allow for ease of insertion of one paver into the other. A cambered perimeter edge of a top layer of the paver allows for ease of attachment to machinery sometimes used to transport each paver to a desired spot and for insertion into an adjacent paver.

Description

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE
• This application includes material which is subject or may be subject to copyright and/or trademark protection. The copyright and trademark owner(s) has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trademark rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention
• The invention generally relates to paver systems. More particularly, the invention relates to means and methods of creating tongue and groove interlocking paver systems using male and female blocks and various rebar configurations.
(2) Description of the Related Art
• The known related art fails to anticipate or disclose the principles of the present invention.
• In the related art, general paver systems are known, but fail to provide the interlocking tongue and groove systems of the disclosed embodiments.
• U.S. Design Patent D639454 issued to Thomassen on Jun. 7, 2011 discloses vertical tabs and vertical tab voids.
• U.S. Published Patent Application US 2014/0164525 published on Jun. 12, 2014 by Smith discloses singular layered wedges and wedge receptacles.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,052 issued on Jan. 9, 2007 to Weiss et al discloses a vertical puzzle system.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,106 issued on Sep. 16, 2008 to Altmann et al discloses a herringbone pattern of paver placement.
• The known prior art fails to provide a multilayered approach to paver construction and placement. The known prior art fails to provide slanted or canted layers or protrusions that assist in insertion, especially when the sub strain in not perfectly flat or when precise movement or control of a paver is difficult due to the weight of the paver.
• Thus, there is a need in the art for the presently disclosed embodiments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by presenting an unobvious and unique combination and configuration of methods and components to integrate tongue and groove connection components to create a toolless connection system. The disclosed pavers may be reused or otherwise reconfigured without harm to the pavers.
• The invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by using rebar or other construction pieces embedded in the disclosed male and female blocks.
• The disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the related art by providing a multi-layer system with alternating male and female parts along with canted or slanted edges or shelves to assist in placing the pavers together. The edge configurations of the disclosed pavers make them well suited to be secured by a paver mover system wherein the mover system is provided with cavities to secure a paver. The disclosed pavers overcome short falls in the art by providing male and female intersections and attachments on multiple layers of a paver and by proving canted or sloped ledges. The male and female components of a paver may be found on multiple layers of a paver and be adjacent to one another. Thus, one mold may be used, with the mold providing a first set of male and female layers on two adjacent sides that are kitty-corner or adjacent with a second set of male to female layers on an opposite the two opposite sides. Thus the disclosed embodiments achieve manufacturing efficiency.
• The use of three layers, canted or slanted ledges or protrusions and canted female voids and other features overcomes shortfalls in the related art by providing an interlocking system well suited for interconnectivity, leveling and stability as well as ease of installation or placement. The disclosed embodiments may be made from porous concrete and are thus recyclable and eco-friendly, helping to protect the environment. The disclosed embodiments may be made of relatively porous concrete allowing some water or rain to stay on the surface to evaporate while the remaining water may be absorbed or otherwise pass through the paver and into the ground below, avoiding excess run off problems that are common in urban areas. The disclosed embodiments are well suited for specialized and hydraulic machinery that comports to the male and female protrusions and voids to obtain a superior grip or purchase upon the pavers.
• These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 top and side perspective view of a multilayered paver
• FIG. 2 top and side perspective view of two multilayered pavers
• FIG. 3 top and side perspective view of a rectangle form used to make a multilayered paver
• FIG. 4 top and side perspective view of a square form used to make a multilayered paver
• FIG. 5 perspective view of a paver pickup tool used to lift or move a multilayered paver
• FIG. 6 perspective view of a paver lifting and moving system
• FIG. 7 top perspective view of multiple multilayered pavers
• FIG. 8A top and side perspective view of a multilayered paver
• FIG. 8B top and side perspective view of a multilayered paver
• FIG. 9A top and side perspective view of a multilayered paver
• FIG. 9B top and side perspective view of a multilayered paver
• FIG. 10 top perspective view of two multilayered pavers
• FIG. 11 an expanded view of two multilayered pavers
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.
• Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.
• Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.
• The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.
• Any and all the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
• • 100 disclosed paver in general
  • 110 top surface of a top layer
  • 112 female void of the first layer, defined by a male 130 protrusion of the second layer an inset vertical surface of the first layer
  • 113 male surface or protrusion of the first layer
  • 118 canted or cambered edge surface of a top layer 110
  • 130 male protrusion of a second layer
  • 133 female indentation of a second layer the indention or void defined by a ledge of the first layer and ledge of a third layer
  • 135 ledge of a second layer, protruding under a first layer
  • 150 male protrusion of the third layer, may be used to help define a protrusion of the second layer
  • 152 female void of the third layer
  • 153 lower outer surface area of the third or lowermost layer
  • 155 horizontal surface of a protrusion of the third or lowermost layer
  • 157 slanted surface of a male protrusion on a third or lowermost layer
  • 200 mold or form used to create a paver
  • 212 board in form used to create a female void
  • 232 board in form used to support or create a male protrusion
  • 400 workpiece comporting to the configuration of a paver to maximize
  • 500 machinery used to move a paver
• FIG. 1 shows multiple layers of a disclosed paver.
• FIG. 2 shows two pavers disposed with each other, with the paver on the right having a male protrusion 133 disposed within a female void 132, the void defined by a protrusion section or surface 113 of the first layer.
• FIG. 3 is a rectangle form or long form with rebar disposed within. The boards or strips of wood at the perimeter help show the layers of male protrusions and female voids.
• FIG. 4 is a square form or short form with rebar disposed within. The boards or strips of wood at the perimeter help show the layers of male protrusions and female voids.
• FIG. 5 depicts a series of pavers having male protrusions in foreground and left side and female voids on the right side back side. The combination of square and rectangle pavers avoids long seams and help to stabilize a paver system.
• FIG. 6 depicts a tractor moving a hydraulic system attached to a paver claw piece that may use C clamps or other means to attach to a paver. The multi layered nature of the disclosed pavers provides extra areas of attachment.
• Referring to FIG. 7 , a short square paver is shown on the right side foreground and an intersecting long or rectangular paver is shown on the left side back ground. As to the short square paver a male protrusion 130 is exposed on the right, in the foreground the adjacent protrusion is intersecting or disposed into a void of the boarder piece. Referring to the long or rectangle paver, a male protrusion in disposed within a void of the square paver. This figure helps to show the symmetry male protrusions being adjacent and female voids being opposite the male voids but adjacent to each other.
• FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show greater detail of the multilayered features of the disclosed pavers.
• The multilayered nature of the disclosed embodiments has an advantage over the prior art in that if a middle paver breaks or becomes out of level due to differential earth movement, the middle paver may be cut away with a concrete saw and then pulled away from the other pavers by virtue of the sloped female voids. Thus the sloped female voids and/or sloped protrusions that define female voids allow for a measure of differential earth movement, ease in installation and ease in removal as the pavers have tolerances in their frictional attachment.
• The term “multilayered” may mean that the disclosed pavers comprise various features and geometry and described herein and/or as shown in the drawings. The use of multiple layers or multiple levels of protrusions and voids allows for multiple layers of frictional attachment to hold the pavers in place and sloped voids as discussed above to assist in both installation and deconstruction.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:

1. A multilayered paver comprising:

a) a first layer comprising a top surface having cambered edges;

b) two adjacent sides having male protrusions and two opposite and adjacent sides defining female voids;

c) the two sides having male protrusions comprising:

i) the first layer protruding past a second layer

ii) a third layer protruding past the second layer

d) the two sides having female voids, the first void defined by the top surface protruding past the second layer and the second void defined by the second layer protruding past a lower third layer.

2. The multilayered paver of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom surface of the third layer are slanted.

3. The multilayered paver of claim 2 wherein the surfaces defining the second void and slanted to comport with the top and bottom surface of the third layer.

4. The multilayered paver of claim 3 in the shape of a square.

5. The multilayered paver of claim 3 in the shape of a rectangle.

Images