Portable Parking Lot

Abstract

A portable pavement system allowing for fast and easy installation of a pavement surface that incorporates individual pieces working together to create a solid, durable, adjustable, reusable, and removable platform for use as a parking or driveway facility, or other uses where such a surface possessing the special qualities described is advantageous.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a system for creating a parking lot, driveway, interior or exterior building flooring, or other surface that would benefit from large, reinforced, movable, and reusable concrete tiles that eliminate, or dramatically reduce the need for on-site pouring of concrete with the related expense of building traditional concrete forms, reinforcement systems, and reliance on the vagaries of weather and temperature conditions.

Related Art

Throughout the country, and indeed around the world, concrete is a common building material well suited to pavement, such as driveways and parking lots. A typical construction method for such structures requires preparing the surface, installing a form, or usually multiple forms, in steps, over days of work, to contain the edges of the concrete and to create an aesthetically pleasing finish. Also required is a network, or grid of reinforcing material, and some system for determining the final finished height of the poured surface.

Once the forms and reinforcing system has been installed, concrete can be delivered and poured, depending upon weather conditions. Rain, snow, exceedingly high or low temperatures all contribute to limitations on the ability to install typical concrete surfaces on a particular day. Likewise, the availability of a large working crew is another limitation, depending upon the size of the project. Finally, depending again on the size of the project and access to surrounding property, it may be necessary for installers to wait until a first section of concrete is dry and fully cured before continuing to another part of the project beyond the reach of the first section. Mud, buildings or other structures frequently interfere with, or limit the size of a working area until a solid surface is built out.

Historical experience with concrete surfaces has demonstrated typical installations to be highly problematic in terms of modification of almost any type. Should an end user need to add plumbing, electrical systems, landscaping or other modifications to an already installed concrete surface requires either considerable pre-planning, or removal of concrete by sawing, jack-hammering, digging, or some similar expensive, technically difficult, and, or time consuming method of removal. Moreover, additions to an already installed concrete surface require starting with the same methods described in [0003], above, with the understanding that completed concrete projects are generally in use for their intended purpose and additional will likely interfere substantially with on-going business, customers, or other operations.

Typically concrete installation also requires the availability and use of very expensive equipment and machinery that require precise scheduling and coordination. Failure in scheduling and coordination can find expensive work crews without material or, alternatively, time sensitive material hardening in trucks waiting for work crews to be prepared for delivery.

Some alternatives to typical concrete installations are in use in other countries and in some places in the United States. These alternatives include cobblestone, or other small (of a size that pieces can be carried and manipulated by one or two workers) paving stones made of unreinforced concrete or sometimes of natural stone materials. These can be suitable for light loads or heavier loads, but with heavier loads experience has demonstrated that these alternative surface products require considerable ground preparation, underlayment material, and are quite labor intensive when completed to a very high standard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention comprises a method and apparatus, through the use of concrete tiles pre-fabricated with a surrounding border of steel and reinforced internally in such a way that it resists cracking from loads placed on the tiles from day-to-day use, for quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively creating a driveway, parking lot, or other solid, robust concrete surface that can not only be installed by a small crew, is not subject to the limitations of weather or temperature (any more than such weather can be endured by the work crew), interferes to the smallest degree possible with surrounding operations, it can also be just as easily, quickly, and cost effectively modified to suit changing needs. All metal surfaces are hot-dip galvanized for a projected service life in excess of thirty (30) years.

Installation requires a minimum of equipment and none of the needed installation equipment is industry specific. That is to say, the needed equipment is widely available and can easily be rented, or may already be on hand.

The original design specification for these concrete tiles is six (6) feet square (approximately two {2} meters), with a thickness of four (4) inches, (approximately 100 mm), strengthened internally with concrete reinforcing bars of a suitable size. Other variants on the same portable pavement tile design can be created in smaller or larger sizes and thicknesses, depending upon the needs of the end user. The six feet square design is the standard and is intended to provide a parking space for one (1) full sized automobile or light truck ordinarily found in use in the United States with the use of only two tiles. A series of standard tiles lain end to end will quickly and easily create a driveway of any needed length or width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is, an isometric view showing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is, an x-ray view of the frame of the invention from a plan or top view prior to the addition of concrete filling material.

FIG. 3 is, an isometric view of the frame of the invention, less the concrete filling material, and featuring the two lifting fixtures used to locate and transport the invention.

FIG. 4 is, a view of one of the two lifting fixtures included in each example of the invention.

FIG. 5: Application view of invention collectively creating a parking facility in a strip shopping center.

FIG. 6: Application view of invention collectively creating a driveway/parking area in a residential setting.

REFERENCE LETTERING IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a: lifting fixture cover

FIG. 1b: lifting fixture tube

FIG. 1c: Channel frame exterior frame

FIG. 1d: Concrete filler material

FIG. 2a: Lifting fixture tube

FIG. 2b: Exterior channel frame

FIG. 2c: Reinforcing Bar, Rebar

FIG. 3 a: Lifting fixture, extended

FIG. 3 b: Lifting fixture, closed

FIG. 4 a: Chain for lifting fixture

FIG. 4 b: Lifting fixture tube

FIG. 4 c: Cover for lifting fixture

FIG. 4 d: Anchor for lifting fixture

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an isometric perspective view of the present invention in an assembled state. Each “concrete tile” as it is called, is a self contained, welded, concrete filled, pre-assembled item, ready to be used immediately. These are typically delivered to a work site where the ground has been prepared to receive them and are installed immediately using suitable heavy lifting equipment. Collectively, multiple examples of the invention work together to create a firm surface suitable for parking one or many heavy, medium or light duty vehicle or other machines, or to protect such equipment from exposure to a soft earthen surface or mud. Likewise, the invention serves to protect the earth underneath from excessive disturbance and, when the invention is removed, service to quickly and easily return the ground to its original state.

Key letter A, illustrates the extended position of the lifting fixture, which provides two identical locations for lifting and locating the invention for transport on flat-bed trailers, as an example, and for positioning the invention for permanent or temporary installation.

FIG. 2 illustrates the internal strength of the invention with the use of either ¾″ (three quarter inch) or 1″ (one inch) concrete reinforcing bars, key letter C. in FIG. 2, interlaced and interconnected by welding to the exterior channel, key letter B. in FIG. 2, and to one another. Likewise, the interconnected structure provides a locating position and mounting provision for the lifting fixture tubes, key letter A. in FIG. 2. With the addition of concrete, the finished product is strong yet portable and capable of withstanding at least the 3000 psi rating of typical concrete.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the lifting fixture feature of the invention, which includes a two inches inside diameter (2″) by four inches long (4″) steel locating tube, key letter B., which is welded to the structure as described in paragraph [0019], above. Lifting tubes are protected against concrete entry during the concrete step. A suitably sized and strengthened chain, key letter A. in FIG. 4, as well as an anchor, key letter D. in FIG. 4, and a cover, key letter C. in FIG. 4, are added, which provides a clean and unobstructed surface when in a closed position as shown in key letter B. in FIG. 3. All metal work is treated with a hot-dipped galvanizing process before both concrete is added and the internal components of the lifting fixture are assembled. The lifting fixture cover is, stainless steel, for weather resistance and durability.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conceptual application for the invention when used in suitable numbers creating a useful and attractive, yet removable and reusable parking facility in a strip shopping center—in this example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a conceptual application for the invention when used in suitable numbers creating a useful and attractive, yet removable and reusable driveway and parking facility in a residential setting.

These are only two examples of the application of the invention. It can be used in almost any location where a solid, stable, yet adjustable and removable parking or pavement solution is required.

Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but rather, as providing illustrations of the versatility of the invention. As an example, the invention could also be used on the interior of a commercial or industrial building creating a flooring surface that is not only sturdy, but adjustable and removable for maintenance or other needs. Such a variation would not materially alter the nature of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the claim, rather than any specific examples provided.

Claims

1. A portable pavement system designed to provide temporary, long term, or permanent surface for a parking lot or driveway that is removable, reusable, can be stored in a compact space, and can be reconfigured as the needs of the users change, or be removable altogether and relocated for a new use.

2. A portable pavement system, as recited in claim 1, using concrete-filled metal tiles incorporating at least two lifting fixtures per unit to allow for transport, locating, and relocating, as needed.

3. A portable pavement system, as recited in claim 1, incorporating a rigid steel frame with a durable exterior perimeter and an interlocking matrix of reinforcing material for strength and durability, the metal parts being further made durable by treatment with a hot-dipped zinc galvanizing process.