WO1999032723A1

WO1999032723A1 - Paving brick

Info

Publication number: WO1999032723A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/027219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Abbrancati
Original assignee: Giuseppe Abbrancati
Priority date: 1997-12-22
Filing date: 1998-12-22
Publication date: 1999-07-01
Also published as: AU1937699A

Abstract

A paving stone (10) for use in the construction of stone floors, patios and the like, the stone consisting of a monolithic block being generally fish-like in shape having a head section (12) and a tail section (14). The head and tail sections are generally octagonal in shape and are separated by a v-shaped groove (16) provided in the surface of the stone. A bevel (40) is provided around the perimeter of the stone, the bevel being shaped-like one half of the v-shaped groove, so that when one stone is placed next to a neighboring stone the bevel of each stone acts together to form a v-shaped groove identical to the v-shaped groove contained in surface of the stone.

Description

TITLE: PAVING BRICK

The present invention relates to paving stones, and in particular to paving stones of the type used for construction of patios, stone floors and the like.

Numerous paving stones are available for use in the construction of patios, stone floors and the like. These conventional stones are usually designed such that they are to be installed in a particular direction relative to one another, i.e. side by side or end to end.

Conventional stones of this type are usually not designed so as to permit the installer great latitude in creating different arrangements and designs, but rather the shape of the stones themselves dictate the type and number of designs that can be created. This severely limits the creative input of the installer, and limits the types and number of designs that can be created using a single stone.

Furthermore, when conventional paving stones are installed an observer can easily distinguish one stone from another, creating a fragmented, heterogenous appearance. Such an arrangement detracts from any design created by the stones, and from the overall appearance.

It is therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a paving stone that can be used to create numerous types of floor designs and can be laid in various directions in the construction of a patio or floor. It is another object of the present invention to provide a paving stone that allows the installer to utilize his creative input in determining the floor design, rather than the stone itself dictating the design that is created.

It a further object of the present invention to provide a paving stone that when installed is indistinguishable from the adjacent stones, thereby creating a continuous, homogenous appearance.

These objects, together with other objects and advantages, will be apparent from the following disclosure of the present invention.

To achieve the foregoing and other objectives, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a paving stone that can be laid in numerous directions to construct floors of various designs is provided. The paving stone according to the present invention can be laid side by side, end to end, or end to side to create many designs. The floors created can be have innumerable patterns by varying the layout of the stones and ^' by varying the surface ornamentation of the exposed face of the stone. Thus, the type and number designs possible is only limited by the installer's imagination.

The paving stone according to the present invention has a body that is generally fish-like in shape, having a head section and a tail section separated by a v-shaped groove provided in the surface of the stone. Both the head and tail sections are generally octagonal is shape, each section having eight equal sides.

The head section has a front portion defined by two angled front walls and two proximal angled side walls. Additionally, the head section has a rear portion that is defined by the v- shaped groove and two opposed angled flank walls.

The tail section has a front portion defined by the v- shaped groove and the two opposed angled flank walls. Further, the tail section has a rear portion defined by two opposed distal side walls and two angled rear walls.

The unique shape of the stone allows one brick to be laid next to another in a end to end, side to side or end to side manner.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an alternated embodiment of the brick according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the brick according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the brick shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the brick shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a left side elevation view of the brick shown in

Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a right side elevation view of the brick shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of the brick shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a rear elevation view of the brick shown in Fig . 6 ;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of an assembly of bricks according to Fig. 2 illustrating the variety of combinations which can be formed with plural blocks and surface ornamentation; and

Figs. 10 through 12 are each plan views showing different layouts using the brick according to Fig. 1.

As seen in Fig. 2 through 8, the paving stone according to the present invention, generally depicted by the numeral 10, is a monolithic block of stone, cement or aggregate cementation material such as concrete held together by a resin binding material. The paving stone is generally fishlike in shape and comprises a head section 12 and a tail section 14 separated by a v-shaped grove 16.

The head section has a front portion defined by angled front walls 18 and 20 and opposed angled proximal side walls 22 and 24. The head section has a rear portion defined by flank walls 26, 28 and the v-shaped groove 16. As seen, the v-shaped groove 16 defines the rear edge of the head section, while at the same time defining the front edge of the tail section. As shown, the head section is generally octagonal in shape, having eight equal sides.

Further, the head section is defined by a first set of four equal obtuse angles, designated as angles "a" in Fig. 2 and a second set of four equal obtuse angles, designated as angles "b". Angle "a" should preferably measure 160°, while angle "b" measures 110°.

The tail section has a front portion defined by the v- shaped groove and flank walls 26 and 28. The tail section also has a rear portion defined by distal side walls 30 and 32 and rear walls 34 and 36. The shape of the tail section created is an irregular octagon, having eight equal sides.

Further, the tail section is defined by a set of obtuse angles, designated as angles "c" in Fig. 2. Also, the tail section is defined by a set of acute angles, designated as angles "d" in Fig. 2. Angle "c" should preferably measure

200°, while angle "d" measures 70°.

Angles "a", "b", "c" and "d" may modified as long as the following equations hold: c-ld=270°, b+d=180°, c-ta=360° and a+b=270°, and "a" is greater than 90° and less than 180°.

As seen in the figures, the paving stone is provided with a bevel 40 that runs around the perimeter exposed surface 42. The width of the bevel 40 should be one half the width of the v- shaped groove and have the same pitch as the walls of the v- shaped groove. In this manner, when the bevel of one block is placed in abutment with the bevel of another block the bevels act together to form groove that is identical to the groove contained in the surface of the brick. Thus, an observer can not distinguish between a v-shaped groove and two adjacent bevels. As shown in Fig. 9, when a plurality of blocks are laid using this arrangement an observer can not detect where one block terminates and the next begins. In this manner, the grooves and bevels act in conjunction to create a homogenous, fluid appearance with one stone flowing seamlessly into the next.

Exposed surface 42 of the stone may be manufactured in solid colors or patterns. The installer may then select his preferred surface ornamentation in creating the desired floor design. In this manner, the installer can create innumerable patterns and designs using a single shaped stone.

As seen in Fig. 9, the paving stone according to the present invention may be laid side to side, end to end or end to side in relation to the adjacent stone. Specifically, the surface formed by front walls 18 and 20 of one stone may be inserted in the cavities formed by flank wall 28 and distal side wall 30, rear walls 34 and 36 or flank wall 26 and distal side wall 32 of an adjacent stone. Alternatively, one stone may be laid next to another in an offset fashion by aligning side wall 24 with the side wall 30 of the adjacent stone. In this manner, the stones can be laid side by side with the head section of one stone adjacent to the tail section of the neighboring stone.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. This second embodiment is identical in all respects to the previously described embodiment except for the omission of the groove and bevel. This second embodiment may be used when a perfectly planar surface is desired. As shown in Figs. 10 through 12, the stone according to the second embodiment may also be laid in a sided to side, end to side or end to end arrangement. Thus, the installer can create any of the layouts depicted shown in Figs. 10 through 12, plus many additional ones not here shown.

As seen from the foregoing, a paving stone has been provided that allows the installer to create multiple designs and layouts using a single stone. Further, the stone disclosed above permits the installer to lay the stone in multiple directions, i.e. side to side, end to side or end to end, thereby permitting the installer to utilize his creativity in the construction of the floor. In addition, the stone according to the present invention, once installed is indistinguishable from a neighboring stone, thereby creating a homogeneous, fluid appearance.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. A paving stone comprising a monolithic block of stone having a pair of angled front walls, two opposed proximal side walls, two opposed distal side walls, two opposed flank walls interconnecting said proximal and distal side walls and a pair of angled rear walls.

2. A paving stone comprising a monolithic block of stone, having a head section, a tail section, an exposed surface having a v-shaped groove therein separating said head and tail sections and a bevel about the perimeter of said exposed surface.

3. The paving stone according to Claim 2, wherein said head section comprises a pair of front walls, a first pair of opposed side walls a second pair of opposed angled side walls and a rear edge defined by said v-shaped groove.

3. The paving stone according to Claim 3, wherein said tail section comprises a front edge defined by said v-shaped groove, a first pair of opposed side walls, a second pair of opposed side walls and a pair of rear walls.

4. The paving stone according to Claim 2, wherein said exposed face is provided with surface ornamentation.

5. The paving stone according to Claim 2, wherein said block is constructed from cement.

6. The paving stone according to claim 2, wherein said block is constructed from aggregate cementations material held together by a resin binding material.