BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a soil conservation method. In particular, the present invention relates to a soil conservation method for conserving soil and water by means of accumulating rainwater. The present invention also relates to a soil conservation system or water accumulating system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The paving of a road or square consists of a concrete layer or an asphalt layer on top of the concrete layer. A channel is provided on each side of the paving for accumulating and draining rainwater. However, the paving is not permeable to water such that the rainwater falling on the paving is immediately drained and thus could not be used. People pump groundwater during water shortage period, which may cause collapse of ground and/or hazard to human.
FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates a conventional water accumulating system for accumulating water in the soil. A plurality of vertical water pipes 1′ are provided in the paving. Each water pipe 1′ extends through the concrete layer 2′ to the soil layer 3′ to guide water on the paving downward to the soil layer 3′. However, only part of rainwater falling on the paving can be guided to the soil layer 3′. In other words, most part of rainwater falling on the paving is drained via the channels on two sides of the paving. Further, the soil layer 3′ has a limited water absorbing speed such that the water pipes 1′ overflow easily. The soil conservation (or soil and water conservation) effect is poor. Further, the water pipes 1′ are exposed on the paving and thus apt to be blocked. Further, the water pipes 1′ adversely affect the appearance of the paving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a soil conservation method comprises producing a plurality of water accumulating units that are intercommunicated with one another, fixing the water accumulating units on a soil layer, and constructing paving and two channels on tops of the water accumulating units. The channels are located on two sides of the paving and communicated with at least one of the water accumulating units.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a soil conservation system comprises a plurality of water accumulating units fixed on a soil layer, the water accumulating units being intercommunicated with one another, and paving and two channels constructed on tops of the water accumulating units. The channels are located on two sides of the paving and communicated with at least one of the water accumulating units.
Rainwater falling on the paving is guided into the channels. The rainwater is then guided into and stored in the water accumulating units and then permeates into the soil layer.
Each of two outermost rows of water accumulating units is communicated with the associated channel by a tube having a mesh being mounted therein.
The water accumulating units are secured by a plurality of supporting members each comprising a vertical post, a plurality of upper supporting arms formed on an upper end of the vertical post, and a plurality of lower supporting arms formed on a lower end of the vertical post. Each upper supporting arm is located on top of an associated water accumulating unit. Each lower supporting arm is located to a bottom of the associated water accumulating unit.
The paving includes a concrete layer on tops of the water accumulating units. The paving may further include a plurality of reinforcing bars mounted on tops of the water accumulating units and bonded with the concrete layer. The paving may further include an asphalt layer on top of the concrete layer.
Each water accumulating unit includes a water receiving chamber having a bottom opening. In an embodiment of the invention, each water accumulating unit includes a plurality of waste tires stacked one another and tied together with at least one wire. A top cover is mounted on top of the uppermost one of the stacked waste tires.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a soil conservation method in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a water accumulating unit in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2A, illustrating attachment of a water tube to the water accumulating unit in FIG. 2A for guiding water into the water accumulating unit.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating connection of water accumulating units in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a plurality of water accumulating units in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the water accumulating system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view illustrating operation of the water accumulating system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of a modified embodiment of the water accumulating unit in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 7A, illustrating attachment of a water tube to the water accumulating unit in FIG. 7A for guiding water into the water accumulating unit.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the water accumulating unit in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the water accumulating unit in FIG. 7B.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional water accumulating system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a soil conservation method in accordance with the present invention comprises producing a plurality of water accumulating units (step 1), fixing the water accumulating units on a surface of a soil layer (step 2), and constructing paving and channels (step 3).
Referring to FIG. 2A, each water accumulating unit 11 includes a top cover 12 and defines a water receiving chamber 13 with a bottom opening 14. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the accumulating units 11 are placed on a surface of a soil layer 4 and connected to one another to form a matrix of water accumulating units. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a rigid supporting member 22 is provided for connecting the water accumulating units 11. In this embodiment, the rigid supporting member 22 includes a vertical post 221, upper supporting arms 222 extending from upper ends of the vertical post 221, and lower supporting arms 223 extending from bottom ends of the vertical posts 221. Four water accumulating units 11 are secured together, with each water accumulating unit 11 being sandwiched between an associated upper supporting arm 222 and an associated lower supporting arm 223. Further, the four water accumulating units 11 are tied together with a wire 23. Preferably, the wire 23 is fixed to the vertical post 221. The water accumulating units 11 are intercommunicated with water piping 21 that can be fixed to the water accumulating units 11 and/or the soil layer 4.
Referring to FIG. 5, the water accumulating system is placed above the soil layer 4, and a plurality of reinforcing bars 7 are mounted on top of the matrix of water accumulating units and rest on (and preferably secured to) the vertical supporting members 22. A concrete layer 8 is then provided on tops of the water accumulating units, with the concrete 81 being bonded with the reinforcing bars 7 and the supporting members 22. An asphalt layer 9 is then provided on top of the concrete layer 8, forming a road or square with paving 6. A water accumulating system or soil conservation system is thus provided. The number, size, and strength of the reinforcing bars 7 depend on the need of the road or square. The asphalt layer 9 can be omitted. Further, the reinforcing bars 7 and the supporting members 22 can be omitted if the road or square is for pedestrian use. It is noted that two outermost rows of water accumulating units 11 are located outside the paving. A channel 5 is constructed above each of the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11.
Referring to FIGS. 2B, 4, and 5, a water tube 15 is connected between each of the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11 and the associated channel 5. Each water tube 15 includes an upper end communicated with an associated channel 5 and a lower end communicated with the water receiving compartment 13 of an associated one of the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11. Thus, water in the channel 5 can be guided into the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11, which are communicated with other rows of water accumulating units 11 by the water piping 21. A mesh 16 is mounted in the upper end of each water tube 15 for filtering alien objects.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, when raining, the rainwater falling on the paving 6 is guided into the channels 5 by the slope of the paving 6. Then, the rainwater is guided into the water accumulating units 11 via the water tubes 5 and the piping 21. Next, the rainwater in the water accumulating units 11 permeates into the soil layer 4. Since the water accumulating units 11 occupy a relatively large area and located uniformly below the paving 6, a large amount of rainwater can be rapidly absorbed and guided into the soil layer 4, providing an excellent water and soil conservation effect while preventing flood. When the water conserving capacity of the soil layer 4 is full, the water accumulating units 11 may accumulate rainwater for future use. Thus, the soil layer 4 is supplied with the water accumulated in the water accumulating units 11 when the soil layer 4 becomes dry. Further, the water in the water accumulating units 11 can be acquired through use of a pump for other use.
The overall appearance of the paving 6 is not affected, as there is no hole exposed in the surface of the paving 6. The water inlets are located in the channels 5 and the water tubes 15 are supplied with meshes 16 to filter alien objects, preventing blockage of the water tubes 15. The supporting members 22, the reinforcing bars 7, and the concrete layer 8 provide reliable support for pedestrians and vehicles.
FIGS. 7A and 8A illustrate a modified embodiment of the water accumulating unit 11, wherein the water accumulating unit 11 includes a plurality of stacked tires 17 and a top cover 18 that are tied together with strings ore wires 19. The tires 17 can be waste tires or recycled tires. Similar to the above embodiment, a water tube 191 (see FIGS. 7B and 8B) is connected between each of the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11 and the associated channel 5. Each water tube 19 includes an upper end communicated with an associated channel 5 and a lower end communicated with the water receiving compartment 13 of an associated one of the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11. Thus, water in the channel 5 can be guided into the outermost rows of water accumulating units 11, which are communicated with other rows of water accumulating units 11 by the water piping 21. A mesh 192 is mounted in the upper end of each water tube 19 for filtering alien objects.
In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, the water accumulating units 11 using waste tires or recycled tires are environmentally friendly.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.
Patent Application
20060056922
