INTERLOCKING PAVER

Abstract

An assembly of two or more adjacent rectangular pavers comprising a plurality of first joints, each first joint disposed between two adjacent pavers, each first joint having a first predetermined joint flow-through area, a plurality of second joints, each second joint disposed between two adjacent pavers, each second joint having a second predetermined joint flow-through area and wherein each paver has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls, each sidewall having a plurality of lugs.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to masonry blocks, and more specifically to an interlocking paver.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interlocking pavers are known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An assembly of two or more adjacent rectangular pavers comprising a plurality of first joints, each first joint disposed between two adjacent pavers, each first joint having a first predetermined joint flow-through area, a plurality of second joints, each second joint disposed between two adjacent pavers, each second joint having a second predetermined joint flow-through area and wherein each paver has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls, each sidewall having a plurality of lugs.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an interlocking paver system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of pavers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an interface between a permeable and impermeable paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of three interfaces between three permeable pavers, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an alternate view of the three interfaces between the three permeable pavers of FIG. 4, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an interface between a 4×12 paver and a 4×12P paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the spacers on the sides of an 8×8 paver and a 12×12 paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the spacers on the sides of an 8×8 paver and a 4×4 paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the spacers on the sides of the pavers, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an interlocking paver system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The pavers can be formed from masonry, concrete, plastic, aggregates or other suitable materials, such as by wet casting, dry casting, injection molding or in other suitable manners.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes two types of pavers, an impermeable paver (with no designation) and a permeable paver (with a P designation). As such, there is a 4×4 impermeable paver and a 4×4P permeable paver, a 4×8 impermeable paver and a 4×8P permeable paver, a 4×12 impermeable paver and a 4×12 permeable paver, an 8×8 impermeable paver and an 8×8 permeable paver, an 8×12 impermeable paver and an 8×12P permeable paver, an 8×16 impermeable paver and a 8×16P permeable paver, a 12×12 impermeable paver and a 12×12P permeable paver, a 12×16 impermeable paver and a 12×16P permeable paver and other suitable pavers shown in FIG. 1. The “impermeable” pavers are not truly “impermeable,” but are instead relatively “impermeable” when compared with the permeable pavers. Impermeability and permeability are provided by the bullet-shaped spacers on the sides of the pavers, where the “impermeable” pavers have spacers at every unit of measure, and the “permeable” pavers have spacers at less than every unit of measure. For example, the 4×4 pavers can be 4″ by 4″, 4 cm by 4 cm, or other suitable units of measure, where the “impermeable” pavers generally have N−1 spacers (where N is a unit of measure), and the “permeable” pavers have N/2 spacers that are arranged so that there are two spacers adjacent to each other and no more than two unit spaces without a spacer.

In one exemplary embodiment, the permeability can be associated with an effective joint flow-through area between two pavers, where the “impermeable” pavers have an “impermeable” joint with a lowest relative effective joint flow-through area, the “permeable” pavers have a “permeable” joint with a greatest relative effective joint flow-through area, and a “semi-permeable” joint can be formed between a “permeable” and an “impermeable” paver have an intermediate relative effective joint flow-through area. In another exemplary embodiment, the permeability can be associated with an effective mean spacing between two pavers, where the “impermeable” pavers have an “impermeable” joint with a lowest relative effective mean spacing, the “permeable” pavers have a “permeable” joint with a greatest relative effective mean spacing, and a “semi-permeable” joint can be formed between a “permeable” and an “impermeable” paver have an intermediate relative effective mean spacing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of pavers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 includes an 8×8P, an 8×12P and a 12×12P, where the interlocking between spacers is shown in the shadowed lines. The spacers are configured so as to interlock and prevent sliding, by using a spacing that ensures that no more than two unit spaces are adjacent to no more than two adjacent spacers. In this manner, the 8×8P paver interlocks with the 8×12P and 12×12P pavers as shown, so as to prevent the pavers from being able to slide laterally relative to each other.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an interface between a permeable and impermeable paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 shows an interface between a 4×8P and a 4×8, where the four spacers on the 4×8P interface with the seven spacers on the 4×8. In this manner, the space between the 4×8P and the 4×8 is more permeable than the space between two adjacent 4×8 pavers. In addition, these spaces may be filled with a filler material, such as a polymeric sand that binds and provides an additional water-tight barrier.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of three interfaces between three permeable pavers, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows a first interface between a first 8×12P paver and the 8×8P paver and a second interface between a second 8×12P and the 8×8P paver, where two of the four spacers on the 8×8P paver interlock with two of the spacers on each of the 8×112P paver. In this manner, the space between the 8×8P and the first 8×12P is more permeable than the space between two adjacent non-permeable pavers, and the 8×8P paver interlocks with each of the 8×12P pavers so as to prevent movement. Likewise, the six spacers on the first 8×12P paver interlock with the six spacers on the second 8×12P paver, so as to create a permeable space and also to prevent relative lateral movement.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an alternate view of the three interfaces between the three permeable pavers of FIG. 4, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an interface between a 4×12 paver and a 4×12P paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the six spacers of the 4×12P paver interlock with the 11 spacers of the 4×12 paver, so as to prevent lateral movement, but to allow some permeability between the two pavers.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the spacers on the sides of an 8×8 paver and a 12×12 paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the 8×8 paver has seven spacers on its side, and the 12×12 paver has 11 spacers on its side.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the spacers on the sides of an 8×8 paver and a 4×4 paver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the 8×8 paver has seven spacers on its side, and the 4×4 paver has 3 spacers on its side.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the spacers on the sides of the pavers, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Each spacer is roughly “bullet” shaped, with a straight hemispheric portion and a sloping end portion on one end, towards the “top” surface of the paver.

In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly of two or more adjacent rectangular pavers is provided that includes a joint width J therebetween, wherein all joints are offset by integer multiples of a base module X and wherein each paver has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls. Each sidewall is comprised sequentially of 1) a corner element having length X/4−J/2, 2) a lugged element having length X/4, 3) an integer multiple of a lugged element having length X/4, two unlugged elements, each having length X/4 and a lugged element having length X/4, 4) a lugged element having length X/4 and 5) a corner element having length X/4-J/2. The assembly can have lugs in the lugged elements that are offset clockwise by X/16 from the center of the lugged elements. The assembly can have lugs in the lugged elements that protrude by about 0.75*J to 0.95*J from the sidewall.

In another exemplary embodiment, an assembly of first and second adjacent rectangular pavers is provided that includes a joint width J therebetween, wherein all joints are offset by integer multiples of a base module X, and wherein the first paver has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls. Each sidewall can be comprised sequentially of 1) a corner element having length X/4-J/2, 2) a lugged element having length X/4 and 3) an integer multiple of a lugged element having length X/4, two unlugged elements, each having length X/4 and a lugged element having length X/4. Each sidewall can be further comprised sequentially of a lugged element having length X/4 and a corner element having length X/4-J/2. The second paver can have a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls, each sidewall being comprised sequentially of 1) a corner element having length X/4-J/2, 2) a lugged element having length X/4, 3) an integer multiple of four lugged elements, each having length X/4, 4) a lugged element having length X/4 and 5) a corner element having length X/4-J/2. The assembly can include lugs in the lugged elements that are offset clockwise by X/16 from the center of the lugged elements. The assembly can include lugs in the lugged elements that protrude by about 0.75*J to 0.95*J from the sidewall.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. For example, although exemplary 4×4, 4×8, 4×12, 4×16, 8×8, 8×12, 8×16, 12×12, 12×16, 4×4P, 4×8P, 4×12P, 4×16P, 8×8P, 8×12P, 8×16P, 12×12P, and 12×16P pavers are shown, other suitable dimensions are also or alternatively within the scope of the present disclosure. Likewise, any suitable arrangement of pavers is also contemplated, as long as the spacers of adjacent pavers interlock so as to prevent lateral movement between adjacent pavers.

Claims

1. An assembly of two or more adjacent rectangular pavers comprising: a plurality of first joints, each first joint disposed between two adjacent pavers, each first joint having a first predetermined joint flow-through area;a plurality of second joints, each second joint disposed between two adjacent pavers, each second joint having a second predetermined joint flow-through area;wherein each paver has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls, each sidewall having a plurality of lugs.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more sidewalls further comprises alternating lugs and spaces.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and one or more sidewall comprises two or more adjacent lugs.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and one or more sidewall comprises alternating lugs and spaces.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces comprises an element that occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and one or more lugs are offset clockwise by a predetermined amount from a center of each element.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lugged elements protrude from the sidewall.

7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a first paver wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and one or more sidewall comprises two or more adjacent lugs; anda second paver wherein one or more sidewall comprises alternating lugs and spaces.

8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a first paver wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and each sidewall comprises two or more adjacent lugs; anda second paver wherein each sidewall comprises alternating lugs and spaces.

9. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of first pavers wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and each sidewall comprises two or more adjacent lugs;a plurality of second pavers wherein each sidewall comprises alternating lugs and spaces; andwherein the first predetermined joint flow-through area is formed by two adjacent first pavers.

10. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of first pavers wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and each sidewall comprises two or more adjacent lugs;a plurality of second pavers wherein each sidewall comprises alternating lugs and spaces;wherein the first predetermined joint flow-through area is formed by two adjacent first pavers; andwherein the second predetermined joint flow-through area is formed by two adjacent second pavers.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of first pavers wherein each of the lugs and each of a plurality of spaces occupies a predetermined length of sidewall, and each sidewall comprises two or more adjacent lugs;a plurality of second pavers wherein each sidewall comprises alternating lugs and spaces;wherein the first predetermined joint flow-through area is formed by two adjacent first pavers;wherein the second predetermined joint flow-through area is formed by two adjacent second pavers; andwherein a third predetermined joint flow-through area is formed by one of the first pavers adjacent to one of the second pavers.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first predetermined joint flow-through area is less than the second predetermined joint flow-through area.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the first predetermined joint flow-through area is less than the second predetermined joint flow-through area and the third predetermined joint flow-through area is less than the second predetermined joint flow-through area and greater than the first predetermined joint flow-through area.

14. An assembly of a plurality of first pavers and a plurality of second rectangular pavers comprising: a joint width J between each pair of adjacent pavers;wherein each of a plurality of joints between each pair of adjacent pavers are offset by integer multiples of a base module X;wherein each of the first pavers has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls, each sidewall being comprised sequentially of:i. a corner element having length X/4-J/2;ii. a lugged element having length X/4; andiii. an integer multiple of: 1. a lugged element having length X/4;2. two unlugged elements, each having length X/4; and3. a lugged element having length X/4;iv. a lugged element having length X/4; andv. a corner element having length X/4-J/2.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein each of the second pavers has a perimeter comprised of four sidewalls, each sidewall being comprised sequentially of: i. a corner element having length X/4-J/2; andii. a lugged element having length X/4.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein each sidewall of the second paver further comprises iii. an integer multiple of four lugged elements, each having length X/4.

17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein each sidewall of the second paver further comprises iv. a lugged element having length X/4.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein each sidewall of the second paver further comprises v. a corner element having length X/4-J/2.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the lugs in the lugged elements are offset clockwise by X/16 from the center of the lugged elements.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the lugs in the lugged elements protrude by about 0.75*J to 0.95*J from the sidewall.