Road structure – process – or apparatus – Pavement – Modules or blocks
Patent
1995-07-28
1997-11-11
Lisehora, James
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Pavement
Modules or blocks
525822, 411 46, 411 60, 403293, 403297, E01C 500, E04B 138, F16B 100
Patent
active
056856660
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for fastening a plurality of elements together and particularly relates to a device which can releasably fasten blocks or pavers together.
The elements, when fastened together, find applicability in preventing soil erosion, soil and sand stabilisation, revetments, road surfaces, stabilisation of embankments against erosion by water, sea walls and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
Known systems as described above generally comprise either individual elements joined together, or rolls or mats of flexible material. The disadvantage with rolls or mats is that they are generally lightweight in structure (to allow them to be transported and placed on site), and this makes them generally unsuitable for heavy duty applications, and especially for use in providing a load-bearing surface, such as a road surface.
For heavy duty applications, separate elements, such as pavers or blocks, are generally used which are connected together to prevent or minimise spreading of the blocks. To date however, there has not been a simple and efficient type of fastening device to fasten the blocks or pavers together. One fastening technique is to place the blocks on a friction mat, or on some form of backing which will prevent the blocks from separating. However, this arrangement is deficient in that it does not firmly lock the blocks together. Thus, these blocks can occasionally be lifted, especially by the action of a vehicle wheel. It is also known to bind blocks together with straps or bindings. This arrangement is also undesirable when used as a road surface as there is still too much movement between adjacent blocks.
For road pavers, there is generally a requirement for the pavers to have a generally flush top surface to provide a flat road surface for vehicles. This also generally requires that the edges between adjacent pavers are to be substantially flush with each other and are not to sag under load conditions. Again, this requirement makes straps and other forms of binding generally unsuitable.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed to provide a device which can releasably lock elements such as pavers and blocks together and which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages and/or provide the public with a useful choice.
In one form, the invention resides in a device for fastening a plurality of elements together, the elements having a bore extending therethrough between an upper surface and a lower surface, the device comprising a base plate adapted to be positioned below the lower surface of a said element, a plurality of projections extending from the base plate, one said projection being adapted to pass at least partially into the bore of one said element, and another said projection being adapted to pass at least partially into the bore of another element, and securing means to secure the device to the said elements.
The elements may comprise pavers, blocks and suitably comprise pavers. The pavers may include a plurality of bores extending therethrough. Each paver may include substantially planar upper and lower surfaces. Suitably, each of the pavers are of a similar thickness.
The base plate of the device may be sized to be extendible under a portion of the lower surface of a respective element. The base plate may be substantially planar and although it may comprise any type of configuration, is preferably substantially rectangular when viewed in plan. The base plate may have a degree of flexibility to prevent it from being cracked or broken upon application of a load to the elements. Thus, the base plate may be formed from a plastics material. Typically, the base plate has a length dimension of about 20 to 60 centimeters.
The projections may extend substantially at right angles relative to the base plate. The number of projections may vary depending upon the number of elements to be fastened together. Thus, the base plate may include four projections to fasten four elements together, two projections to fasten two elements together,
REFERENCES:
patent: 2082316 (1937-06-01), Williams
patent: 3456706 (1969-07-01), Ollis, Jr.
patent: 4293261 (1981-10-01), Frana
patent: 4430837 (1984-02-01), Kirschenbaum
patent: 4454699 (1984-06-01), Strobl
patent: 4568584 (1986-02-01), Holland
patent: 4571135 (1986-02-01), Martin
patent: 4577448 (1986-03-01), Huworth
patent: 4697294 (1987-10-01), Schafer
patent: 5103616 (1992-04-01), Nordberg
patent: 5403637 (1995-04-01), Pickard et al.
patent: 5433053 (1995-07-01), Tulloch
Charlton Robert Francis
Marshall Ronald James
Lisehora James
Pioneer Building Products (Qld) Pty. Ltd.
Viscount Plastics Pty. Ltd.
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