PERMEABLE PAVING SYSTEM
A paving block system is provided that includes a plurality of paving blocks arranged together to form a surface. Each paving block includes a recess located on a side surface and the paving blocks are arranged so that each recess abuts another recess so as to form drainage holes in the surface. The drainage holes have a top opening and a bottom opening and the bottom opening is larger in area than the top opening.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/444,619 filed Feb. 18, 2011, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a permeable paving system for capturing and disposing storm-water runoff. More specifically, the invention relates to paving blocks for a permeable paving system for capturing and disposing storm-water runoff.
BACKGROUNDPaving blocks are frequently used as ground covering elements in landscaping and outdoor construction. They are widely used today in residential, commercial, and municipal applications that include walkways, patios, plazas, sidewalks, decks, parking lots, streets and the like. Paving blocks are generally stone or brick or are extruded or molded into various shapes using concrete or clay. As such, the paving blocks themselves are impervious to liquid such as rain water.
In a typical application, the paving blocks are arranged with their side surfaces in contact with each other, resulting in a substantially closed surface. More often, adjacent paving blocks are held together in place with a bonding material placed in the interface between adjacent side surfaces. The bonding material is also often impervious to liquids. As such, liquids falling on the blocks are not able to penetrate through the interfaces between the blocks. This results in either puddles forming over the blocks or a runoff of the liquid towards the edges of the paved area. This can be problematic in times where the amount of rain water runoff increases during a storm or heavy rainfall.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have paving blocks that help reduce the amount of liquid runoff and minimize the amount of puddling. It is also desirable to provide paving blocks that can be installed to provide an aesthetically pleasant pattern or design.
SUMMARYSome embodiments provide for a paving block. The paving block includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The side surface also includes a recess extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The recess has a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the bottom opening is larger in area than the top opening. In some cases, the bottom opening has a width that is larger than a width of the top opening, for example a width that is at least 2 times larger than the top opening width. The recess can also include a section that extends inwardly into the paving block. In certain cases, the side surface includes more than one recess and each recess has a length “x” and the side surface has a length that is an integer multiple of the length “x.” In some cases, the integer multiple is selected from the group consisting of “3x,” “6x,” “9x” and “12x.” For example, the side surface can include two, three, four or more recesses each having a length “x” and the recesses can be spaced apart by a length “2x.”
Some embodiments provide a paving block system that includes a plurality of the paving blocks arranged together to form a surface. The plurality of paving blocks are arranged so that each recess abuts another recess so as to form drainage holes in the surface. The drainage holes have a top opening and a bottom opening and the bottom opening is larger in area than the top opening. In some cases, the bottom opening has a greater width than the bottom opening. In certain cases, the top opening has a dimension represented by the formula “x” by “w1” and the bottom opening has a dimension represented by the formula “x” by “w2”, wherein “x” is the length of the recess, “w1” is the width of the top opening and “w2” is the width of the bottom opening, wherein “w2” is greater than “w1”. For example, w2 can be twice the width of w1.
While multiple embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed, still other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description includes only illustrative embodiments of the invention wherein like elements are referenced by like numeral. It should be clearly understood that there is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the invention in any form or manner to that described herein. As such, all alternative embodiments of the invention are considered as falling within the spirit, scope and intent of the disclosure.
In general, the paving block 200 is similar to paving block 100 with the primary difference being in the area and shape of the top (and bottom) surfaces and in the total number of recesses. In other words, the paving block 100 is a square shape whereas the paving block 200 is a rectangular shape. Also, the paving block 100 has a single recess on each side surface 104, 106, 108, 110 whereas the paving block 200 has a single recess on each side surface 206, 210 and two recesses on each side surface 204, 208. The height (or thickness) of paving blocks 100 and 200 are essentially equal, although this is not required. However, it is advantageous to have paving blocks of equal heights, so that they can be used together to create a flat surface or mosaic. The recesses 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 are also substantially identical to one another. Additionally, the recesses 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 are substantially identical to the recesses 112, 114, 116, 118 in paving block 100, although this is not required. It is advantageous to have paving blocks with substantially identical recesses, so that they can be abutted together to form symmetric drainage holes, as will be later described.
In the illustrated embodiment, opposing side surfaces 120, 122 do not have any section that extends inwardly. Rather, the side surfaces 120, 122 are substantially vertical and parallel to each other. However, the back surface 124 has a surface that inclines inwardly towards the paving block. Specifically, the back surface 124 includes a substantially vertical surface 126 extending a height “h1” below top surface 102 and an inclining surface 128 extending a height “h2” below the substantially vertical surface 126. Also, the height “h2” of the inclining surface 128 is larger than the height “h1” of the substantially vertical surface 126, although this is not required. In alternate embodiments, substantially the entire back surface 124 extends inwardly as it extends from the top surface 102 to the bottom surface. However, the substantially vertical surface 126 is advantageous because it provides more structural integrity to the intersection of the top surface 102 and the back surface 124 of the recess. In other words, the surface 126 makes it more difficult for the intersection to chip or otherwise break as the paving block is subjected to wear and tear.
The recess 112 has a top opening 52 and a bottom opening 54, wherein the bottom opening 54 has a larger area than the top opening 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 112 has a rectangular shape with rectangular dimensions. The recess has a length “x,” the top opening 52 has a width “w1” and the bottom opening 54 has a width “w2.” In other words, the top opening 52 and bottom opening 54 have the same length “x” but have different widths “w1,” “w2,” wherein the width “w2” is greater than the width “w1.” In certain cases, the width “w2” is two times or more the width “w1.” Of course, the top opening 52 and bottom opening 54 can have different lengths in other embodiments. Likewise, the recess 112 can have shapes other than a rectangular shape, such as semi-circular shape. A variety of designs are within the scope of the invention so long as the bottom opening 54 has a larger area than the top opening 52. Surfaces that incline, stairstep or otherwise extend inward are provided to cause the bottom opening 54 to have a larger area than the top opening 52.
Referring back to
The specific formulas of paving blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 will now be described. As shown in
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In an exemplarily dimensioned embodiment, such as that illustrated in
In
In cases where a channel is included, the channel preferably runs into one or more recesses on the paving block. This way, water can be collected by the channel and directed towards one or more recesses, thereby helping to direct water off of the paving block. Different embodiments and additional single or multiple shapes and/or designs and/or channels are considered as within the scope and spirit of the instant invention. Furthermore, while the designs and channels are illustrated as having a uniform depth below the top surface of the paving blocks, they can instead have non-uniform depths. For instance, the paving blocks can include channels of non-uniform depths that gradually slopes in depth towards their respective recesses so as to guide the flow of liquids into the drainage holes. The channels improve the drainage and permeability of the paving system by directing and enhancing the flow of liquid towards the drainage holes. Further, while the top surfaces of the paving blocks are generally envisioned as being “flat”, i.e., with no curvature, the paving blocks can instead have convex shaped top surfaces that generally and gradually slope towards their respective side surfaces and/or towards their recesses.
In use, any combination of a plurality of paving blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can be positioned adjacent to one another with abutting recesses.
In the illustrated embodiment, the drainage holes 50 have a rectangular shape and the top opening 52 has the dimensions “x” by two-“w1” and the bottom opening 54 has the dimensions “x” by two-“w2.” In certain cases, w2 is at least two times w1. As such, the paving blocks provide a relatively smaller top opening to permit the entry of water into the drainage hole (without overly impacting the integrity of the surface formed by the multiple pavers) and then provide a relatively larger bottom opening to increase the surface area of the exposed ground through which liquid flowing into the chambers can be absorbed or dissipated.
Additionally, while the recesses and the drainage holes formed thereby are substantially rectangular in shape, several alternate geometric shapes and sizes are considered as within the scope and spirit of the instant invention. For instance, the recesses can be semi-circular so as to form circular drainage holes. Also, the shapes of the top and the corresponding bottom openings need not match. For instance, while the illustrated embodiments show both openings 52, 54 having a rectangular shape, the top opening 52 could be rectangular and the corresponding bottom opening could be oval 54. In such a case, if the area of the oval opening (bottom) is larger than the area of the rectangular opening (top), the pavers provide a relatively larger surface of the exposed ground to facilitate absorption or even pooling of the liquid flowing through the corresponding top opening. A variety of different designs are contemplated so long as the bottom opening 54 has a larger area than the top opening 52.
The paving blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can be arranged according to any desired combination.
Finally, paving blocks having an inverse embodiment are also within the scope of the invention. Throughout this description, several embodiments of paving blocks are described as having one or more recesses in a side surface so that the side surfaces include recess and recess-free sections. For each of these embodiments, it is possible to inverse the recess and recess-free sections. For example,
Various modifications and additions may be made to the exemplary embodiments presented hereinabove without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. For example, while the disclosed embodiments refer to particular features, the scope of the instant invention is considered to also include embodiments having different combinations of features different from and/or in addition to those described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as falling within the scope and intent of the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A paving block comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface;
- a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the side surface comprises a recess extending from the top surface to the bottom surface;
- wherein the recess has a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the bottom opening is larger in area than the top opening.
2. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the bottom opening has a width that is larger than a width of the top opening.
3. The paving block of claim 2 wherein the bottom opening width is at least 2 times larger than the top opening width.
4. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the recess comprises a section that extends inwardly into the paving block.
5. The paving block of claim 4 wherein the entire recess continuously extends inwardly from the top surface to the bottom surface.
6. The paving block of claim 4 wherein the recess comprises a back surface, wherein the back surface comprises a top section and a bottom section, wherein the top section is substantially vertical and the bottom section extends inwardly into the paving block.
7. The paving block of claim 6 wherein the top section has a height and the bottom section has a height, wherein the bottom section height is larger than the top section height.
8. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the paving block is a parallelepiped having four side surfaces and each of the four side surfaces comprises a recess.
9. The paving block of claim 8 wherein each recess is substantially identical.
10. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the recess has a length “x” and the side surface has a length that is an integer multiple of the length “x.”
11. The paving block of claim 10 wherein the integer multiple is selected from the group consisting of “3x,” “6x,” “9x” and “12x.”
12. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the side surface comprises two recesses each having a length “x” and the two recesses are spaced apart by a length “2x.”
13. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the side surface comprises three recesses each having a length “x” and the three recesses are spaced apart by a length “2x.”
14. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the side surface comprises four recesses each having a length “x” and the four recesses are spaced apart by a length “2x.”
15. The paving block of claim 1 wherein the top surface comprises a channel that extends into the recess.
16. A paving block system, comprising:
- a plurality of paving blocks arranged together to form a surface;
- wherein each paving block in the plurality of paving blocks comprises a recess located on a side surface;
- wherein the plurality of paving blocks are arranged so that each recess abuts another recess so as to form drainage holes in the surface;
- wherein the drainage holes have a top opening and a bottom opening and the bottom opening is larger in area than the top opening.
17. The paving system of claim 16 wherein the bottom opening has a greater width than the bottom opening.
18. The paving system of claim 17 wherein the top opening has a dimension represented by the formula “x” by “w1” and the bottom opening has a dimension represented by the formula “x” by “w2”, wherein “x” is the length of the recess, “w1” is the width of the top opening and “w2” is the width of the bottom opening, wherein “w2” is greater than “w1”.
19. The paving system of claim 18 wherein w2 is twice the width of w1.
20. The paving system of claim 16 wherein the recess comprises a section that extends inwardly into the paving block.
21. The paving system of claim 20 wherein the recess comprises a back surface, wherein the back surface comprises a top section and a bottom section, wherein the top section is substantially vertical and the bottom section extends inwardly into the paving block.
22. The paving system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of paving blocks comprise recesses that are substantially identical.
23. The paving system of claim 14 wherein the recess has a length “x” and the side surface has a length that is an integer multiple of the length “x.”
24. The paving system of claim 23 wherein the integer multiple is selected from the group consisting of “3x,” “6x,” “9x” and “12x.”
25. The paving system of claim 16 wherein the side surface comprises two recesses each having a length “x” and the two recesses are spaced apart by a length “2x.”
26. The paving system of claim 16 wherein the side surface comprises three recesses each having a length “x” and the three recesses are spaced apart by a length “2x.”
27. The paving system of claim 16 wherein the side surface comprises four recesses each having a length “x” and the four recesses are spaced apart by a length “2x.”
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 7, 2011
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2012
Applicant: STUDIO5051, LLC (Minneapolis, MN)
Inventor: Howard Merriam (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 13/226,866
International Classification: E01C 5/00 (20060101);