Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Opaque stonelike module – Nonrectangular cross-section
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-08-07
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Opaque stonelike module
Nonrectangular cross-section
C052S603000, C404S041000, C404S038000, C404S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269605
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stone structure assembly with a plurality of stones made in particular from concrete material and having the same height and upper and lower sides extending in parallel planes, as well as vertical side walls.
2. The Prior Art
A stone structure assembly formed by seven blocks is known (from DE design patent 84 05 128), which comprises rectangular and trapezoidal blocks. In the composite structure of said blocks it is possible to obtain a straight-line or a curved pattern of the laid blocks by lining up said blocks accordingly. If the blocks for the stone structure assembly are aligned in the form of an arc, joints are formed that become relatively wide toward the outer sides of the arc. Such joints make it more difficult to safely walk on such a composite structure. Furthermore, the blocks permit only few variations of the installed pattern. With another stone structure assembly, which is known as well (from DE design patent 90 13 003), the drawback of wide joints is avoided by exclusively employing trapezoidal blocks with equal legs of the trapezium. However, like the blocks of the first-mentioned stone structure assembly, said blocks have the drawback that they are spaced from each other in the installed pattern for forming joints, so that said blocks may get displaced. Such displacement results in an inharmonious pattern of the installed blocks and makes it difficult to drive on such a stone structure assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to create a stone structure assembly comprising blocks which can be laid free of displacement against each other, and which are suitable for forming uniform narrow spacing joints.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that thirteen blocks are arranged in the assembled composite structure, of which two blocks in the horizontal plane are shaped in the form of prisms having the same surface areas, and eleven blocks are shaped as trapezia with varying surface areas; and in that the blocks each are configured as single pieces each having a base section and a top section set back from the peripheral surface of the base section at least in certain areas.
The proposed number of blocks permits a variable pattern of the assembled structure, whereby in the installed composite structure, the base sections form abutting or supporting elements for adjacent blocks, such supporting elements being free of displacement—or being shiftable only to very minor degrees—and maintaining the top sections spaced from each other with permanent joint spacings. Supporting adjacent blocks by means of the base sections prevents displacement even under high loads and assures that uniform narrow joints are maintained with preferred widths of from 4 to 12 mm. The narrow joints so obtained permit safe walking on the installed set of blocks.
For forming the block assembly provision is made that the corner regions of the base and top sections are designed in the form of segments of a circle, and that said corner regions are disposed one on top of the other at least approximately equiaxed, and that the base section ends in the corner regions with segments of the side surfaces projecting beyond the top section. The roundings so obtained in the corner regions of the blocks prevent damage to said corner areas, for example damage caused due to squeezing between adjacent corner regions when the blocks are installed in the form of an arc, or when corner regions are subjected to uneven mechanical loads.
Furthermore, provision is made that the side surfaces of the base sections are substantially smooth-walled, and that the side surfaces of the top sections are irregularly corrugated with rounded deepenings and elevations. The result thereof is that the base sections safcly support each other flatly irrespectively of their inclination relative to one another, whereas the top sections have the appearance of broken natural stones.
For the purpose of intensifying the appearance of natural stone, irregularly corrugated, rounded deepenings and elevations are preferably formed in the top sides of the top sections, or provision is made for top sections with embossed top sides. Furthermore, it was found to be advantageous if the top sides of the top sections or the latter as a whole are formed by dyed concrete material.
Finally, provision is made that a straight-lined installation of the blocks is obtained in the composite structure by lining up blocks with prismatically identical surface areas with blocks with trapezoidally uneven shapes and congruent association of the slanted surfaces. However, it is possible also to create by means of the blocks an arc-shaped composite structure by setting blocks with prismatically identical surface areas against the slanted surfaces of an equilegged trapezoidal block, and by setting the parallel top and bottom surfaces of trapezoidal blocks against said slanted surfaces. Therefore, the set of blocks can be employed in many different ways, and it is variable within its individual types of application.
According to a preferred design of the set of blocks, the angle of inclination of the slanted surfaces of the trapezoidally unequal blocks versus the fictitious planes extending transversely from the parallel side surfaces of the blocks is selected between 1°44′ and 5°46′. It is understood that when the blocks are installed in the form of an arc, the angles of inclination become increasingly larger as the spacing from the center of the installed structure increases.
Furthermore, provision is made to design the blocks with a defined ratio of height between the top and the base sections. If was found that it is useful if the ratio of height between the top and base sections substantially amounts to 1:4 to 1:3. It is understood that other height ratios can be selected as well. For example, it is conceivable that the top section is designed with a lesser height and the base section with a correspondingly increased height.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5028167 (1991-07-01), Scheiwiller
patent: 84 05 128 (1984-04-01), None
patent: 87 15 158 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 90 13 003 (1990-11-01), None
Collard & Roe, PC.
Friedman Carl D.
Syres Christy M.
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