Abstract:
Ground covering element (2) having the basic shape of a square. On all four basic sides (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4), there is provided one engaging means (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4) each. Each of the engaging means is symmetric with respect to a central axis of symmetry (12). Opposite engaging means are mirror images of each other. Each engaging means is complementary with the engaging means on the two basic sides adjoining around the corner. On each of the four corner regions of the ground covering element, there is provided a protrusion (24) having substantially the shape of a rectangular, isosceles triangle or of an area element similar to this triangle with curved legs. By omission of the four protrusions (24), a ground covering element of the second type (42) is obtained which may be laid together with additional ground covering elements of the second type (42) or in combination with ground covering elements of the first type (2).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a construction kit made of concrete paving stones comprising substantially prismatic stone bodies of a uniform height and upright lateral surfaces. A plurality of stone paving stones (2) arranged in rows and having the same width in addition to the same or different lengths can be placed manually or placed by means of a machine with continuous or offset joints in said joint areas. A plurality of rows of paving stones that are arranged next to each other in a parallel position is used to form a rectangular or square packet that can be placed using a machine. The paving stones (2) have side surfaces (4) which have head pieces (2′) that are defined by a wavy line along part of their height and base pieces (2″) in sections, comprising domed areas (5) or projections jutting out laterally in relation to the head pieces (2′) extending along another part of their height. When the packets are assembled for placement in the vicinity of the end stones that make up a row of paving stones, they form a line of continuous joints or provide substantially winding-shaped joints (7) if so desired by replacing different sized end stones from adjacent packets that have been moved towards each other.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a covering material for covering a substrate such as ground, a floor, walls or the like, is described wherein the covering material includes a complex visual design. The steps include selecting the design, creating a plurality of adhesive-backed vinyl design sections corresponding to distinct predetermined areas of structure and color of the design and having a predetermined horizontal and vertical orientation and location within the design, marking the design sections to identify the predetermined color, orientation and location, selecting blank elements corresponding in color to the identified colors marked on the design sections, selecting a surface of each blank element to correspond to an upper design surface of a design element, fixing the design sections to the upper design surface of the appropriate corresponding color of blank element, cutting the blank elements to form design elements, wherein the upper design surface of each resulting design element has a plan form shape corresponding to the plan form shape of the affixed design section, preparing background elements having a void sufficient to accommodate the design elements; assembling the design elements into the void in an inter-engaging relationship in accordance with the identified orientations and locations marked on the affixed design sections, and removing the design sections from the design elements.
Abstract:
A slab element for covering a ground surface and the like, the linear, curvilinear, and circular-design surfaces produced by the slab elements, and a method of forming the design surfaces. The slab element comprises a rectangular slab element having a convex and a concave end adapted to interlock and be rotatable, with grout material therebetween, and the peripheral sides of the slab element entirely curvilinear.
Abstract:
A family of space frames formed from one or more parallel, planar layers, with each layer comprising a plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a spaced, non-periodic or periodic, planar array and a plurality of struts coupling adjacent nodes together. Each node has top and bottom surfaces of the same configuration and p side surfaces interconnecting the top and bottom surfaces or any suitable shape derived from this configuration. P is any odd number greater than three or any even number greater than four. Adjacent layers are coupled via interconnecting struts that are perpendicular to each layer or tilted relative to each layer. Successive layers are the same or different. The space frames can also define, locate, and map out tiled surfaces or block-filled volumes.
Abstract:
Dodecagonal stones and octagonal stones are used to produce a stone formation for the surface reinforcement of roads, public squares, walks and the like. On each stone, four oppositely disposed sides define two corners pointing towards the center of the stone.
Abstract:
A slab element for covering the ground is made e.g. of concrete and forms as a single piece. It has a head portion and a stem portion meeting at a notional meeting surface. The element is delimited by two opposite end faces of equal length joined by sides that form angled traces about a longitudinal axis common to the head at the stem, each said angled trace being formed by a succession of sides comprising at said head an inclined side face inclined in one direction relatively to the axis, a lateral side face extending lengthwise with respect to the axis and another inclined side face inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the axis, and comprising at the stem a lateral side face extending lengthwise with respect to the axis which is complementary to the lateral face of the head, the end face of the head together with its inclined sides and its lateral faces and the meeting surface describing a centrally symmetrical octagon, and the meeting surface together with the end face and lateral faces of the stem being symmetrical about the center of the stem. The head may describe a regular octagon. The stem may describe a square. But the stem may also describe a circle. The elements can be laid to form a composite ground covering structure, laid e.g. in herringbone bond pattern, and laid e.g. to include one or more supplementing slab elements of the same peripheral configuration as the stems of the elements.
Abstract:
A method of installing a porcelain tile installation for vehicular use is provided. The method can include covering a compacted aggregate surface with a tile bed composition; compacting the tile bed; installing a plurality of porcelain tiles and spacers on the compacted tile bed surface in a predetermined pattern, such that each respective porcelain tile includes a thickness of about 3 cm to about 5 cm; such that one or more spacers includes a base component positioned under adjacent tiles and a vertical component positioned between a sidewall of the adjacent tiles, such that the vertical component provides a joint defined by a spaced distance between the adjacent tiles; adding a polymeric sand composition to each respective joint to obtain a joint-filled porcelain tile surface; compacting the joint-filled porcelain tile surface with a compactor; and activating the polymeric sand composition to obtain the porcelain tile installation for vehicular use.
Abstract:
A paving element includes upper and lower surfaces and one or more drainage channels extending through the paving element between the upper and lower surfaces. The drainage channels include a substantially concave or cupule shaped upper portion, provided on the upper surface of the paving element, and a channel from the concave portion through to the lower surface of the bottom surface of the paving element. The drainage channels can be complete, when provided in the interior of the paving element, or partial, when provided along the sides or perimeter of the paving element. The partial channels are completed when the paving element is placed adjacent another paving element when forming a pavement. The drainage channels are adapted to facilitate the cleaning process of the channels.
Abstract:
A set of grass pavers for creating a paver arrangement is provided. Each grass pavers comprises intersecting longitudinal members and transverse members forming an inner opening for growing grass. Pairs of adjacent member extremities form partial openings configured to form complete openings when a 5 grass paver is assembled with adjacent grass pavers. The longitudinal members and/or the transverse members have recessed portion(s) having an upper face extending below the exposed top face of the unitary body. The recessed portions are hidden by grass when the grass paver is installed and in use in the paver arrangement. The grass paver have an overall surface area delimited by the 10 extremities of the longitudinal and transverse members, and a void surface area corresponding to a sum of the inner opening area and the partial opening areas. The void ratio, defined as the void surface area over the overall area, is greater than 50%.