GABION

Abstract

A gabion for withstanding mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure, which is constructed without the need for stanchions. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of a corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fortifications and static fenders, in particular gabions that are especially suitable for field assembly and deployment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art in the field divulge gabions formed each in the shape of a cage container that utilize fabrics to shut off spillage of earth used for filling the open top cage. US 2012/134,756 describes a system in which such cages filled with earth form a superstructure made of a plurality of adjacent gabions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gabion designed to withstand mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of the corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material.

In some embodiments, the at least one corrugated sheet is foldable to produce an enclosure having a circular lumen. In some embodiments, the at least one corrugated sheet is foldable and/or arrange-able to produce a rectangular hollow enclosure. In some embodiments, the gabion further includes a bottom plate from which the at least one corrugated walls extend. In some embodiments, there are at least two corrugated walls and the corrugations are not similarly oriented whereby at least one of the walls has vertically oriented corrugations and at least one of the walls has horizontally oriented corrugations. In some embodiments, the gabion is assembled in a two-lobed formation, attached one to the other by the joiner strips at adjacent flanks of two different corrugated sheets of the two-lobed formation.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the gabion does not require a stanchion for its construct/assembly and to erect the gabion. Rather the structure and design of the gabion's walls in conjunction with wall connecting fastener(s), and which may further include a bottom, is sufficient to both construct/assembly and erect the gabion. The assembly without the requirement of a stanchion can be less expensive to manufacture and easier to erect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a gabion of the present invention, in a tiled position to expose a bottom plate thereof;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present gabion in a rectangular configuration in which not all corrugations thereof are similarly aligned;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present gabion in a circular configuration and showing a joiner strip thereof;

FIG. 4 is schematic perspective view of a slice of a wall of the embodiment of FIG. 3, showing an overlap area of two flanks of a pleated sheet thereof showing how the overlap promotes closure of the formed gabion; and

FIG. 5 is schematic line-drawing showing the assembly of circular gabions into a two lobed formation.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Gabions in accordance with the invention are formed typically in situ using corrugated sheets of construction materials. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a gabion 10 in a tilted to the side. As can be seen in, circular bottom plate 22, typically laid on the ground, is surrounded by gabion wall 24 made of two equal sheets wrapped around and extending upwardly from bottom plate 22. The edges of the gabion wall 24, which are perpendicular to bottom plate 22, are held together by joiner strips 26 (only one seen). joiner strip bottom 28 of joiner strips 26 is bent toward bottom plate 22. Gabion wall 24 is corrugated or pleated. In general the gabion in accordance with the present invention has a wall made of one or more sheets, curved and joint at the vertical flanks, forming a complete hollow enclosure, optionally having a bottom plate. The lumen of such a hollow enclosure stands vertically, allowing material to be poured into the lumen.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rectangularly configured gabion 10 having four walls joined together at their ends forming a hollow enclosure. Three gabion walls 24A are arranged so their corrugations are vertically oriented, while the corrugations of gabion wall 24B is horizontally arranged. This merely demonstrates that both orientations of corrugation (vertical and horizontal) are available for the constructor. Corner joiner strip 26 is shown only at one corner. The walls 24A, 24B are attached to the corner joiner strips 26 by fasteners 34 such as screws, rivets or the like. In some embodiments, the rectangular configuration may be square.

Reverting to FIG. 1, gabion 10 is shown in a circular configuration, which may prove easier to erect in situ, in the field or deployment site, typically requiring fewer joiner strips 26 than the rectangular configuration. In such a circular configuration, corrugations (pleats) are vertically oriented.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment emphasizing the joiner strip 26 of circular bastion and fasteners 34, connecting the gabion wall 24 to joiner strip 26, only one of which is employed, because the wall 24 is made of one single sheet, folded to create a circular enclosure. Lumen 54 of the gabion can be filled with material found at the deployment site such as sand and/or gravel. Bottom plate 22 (FIG. 1) may be installed (attached) or the gabion may be placed on the ground without the bottom plate.

FIG. 4 shows how a circular gabion configuration including a one piece wall may be installed in the field. The corrugated sheet, only a piece of a slice 58 of which is shown, is made to curve forming a corrugated circle 60. An overlap region 62 is formed, in which opposite end regions of the same sheet overlap. The overlap is made by the installers who install the gabion, making sure that a ridge of a pleat is made to juxtapose a ridge of a subtending part, and a recess to juxtapose a recess, as indicated by line 64. Such adjusted overlap enables the closure of the wall to form a strong attachment of the two flank regions of the wall. One or more joiner strips 26 (FIGS. 1-3) may be applied over an overlap region. To facilitate quick and convenient installment of such a gabion, screws, rivets, butterfly fasteners and the like can be used.

FIG. 5 shows the assembly of a circular gabion into a two lobed formation 82, made out of one or two corrugated sheets. One or more joiner strips 26 are used to join together the two flanks of the corrugated sheet or two adjacent flanks of two different sheets. In this configuration, joiner strips 26 can also be used to constrict the formation in the middle, to form a narrow neck, allowing some passage of material between the two lobes 84.

As illustrated in WO 2011/012879 and EP 2317013, gabions can be made to form super configurations, wherein a plurality of gabions is arranged in a formation. This also relates to gabions manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Such arrangements, for example two or multistoried walls, horizontal structures and a combination thereof, can be employed effectively, and for a variety of reasons. For example, to block away rising water in the banks of a flooded river or sea, the gabions can be laid one next to the other without gaps, in one or more tiers. For blocking road traffic from reaching a certain location in which construction work is taking place, continuity of gabions is of less importance. To dwell on the issue of filling the distance between adjacent gabions, when they are noncontiguous, or to fill a gap in a row of gabions, other impediments to movement between the gabions can be applied. For example one or more chains can be attached at each end of respective gabions, or a fence, or metal bars likewise. In general, the gabions, after being filled with sand, gravel, earth, cement, or any suitable powder, pellets, aggregate, can be used as a basis for an additional layer set on top of the lower layer(s). Once the top layer is formed, the individual gabions can be filled up, etc.

Corrugated steel in the form of sheets are the preferred material for gabions of the invention, especially if years of service may be anticipated at the time of deployment. Corrugated steel may be galvanized to resist corrosion and solar radiation and is intrinsically sturdy mechanically. Corrugated plastic sheets may also be suitable in some applications, but may be weaker and may suffer from solar radiation if used outside, especially in non-shaded sites. For the purpose of the present invention, the corrugated plastic sheet is required to have a certain flexibility so that it can be folded to a circular shape, typically along the pleats. In rectangular embodiments, the corrugated sheets need not be flexible. Corrugated cardboard can also be used for building gabions in accordance with the present invention, but they are likely to weather quickly and limit the longevity or useful life of the gabion because of the effect of rain, mist, fog, winds and such. In gabions having more than one corrugated sheet, it may be possible to use sheets of different material.

Claims

1. A gabion for withstanding mechanical impact comprising: at least one corrugated sheet configured to form a hollow enclosure;at least one joiner strip for joining together two vertical flanks of the at least one corrugated sheet,wherein the gabion is configured to be constructible without the need for a stanchion.

2. The gabion of claim 1, wherein the at least one corrugated sheet is foldable to produce an enclosure having a circular lumen.

3. The gabion of claim 1, wherein the at least one corrugated sheet is foldable and/or arrange-able to produce a rectangular hollow enclosure.

4. The gabion of claim 1, further comprising a bottom plate from which the at least one corrugated walls extend.

5. The gabion of claim 1, wherein there are at least two corrugated walls and the corrugations are not similarly oriented whereby at least one of the walls has vertically oriented corrugations and at least one of the walls has horizontally oriented corrugations.

6. The gabion of claim 1, assembled in a two-lobed formation, attached one to the other by the joiner strips at adjacent flanks of two different corrugated sheets of the two-lobed formation.