GB2214544A

GB2214544A - Grating for use in block paved areas

Info

Publication number: GB2214544A
Application number: GB8801081A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Haydn Williams
Original assignee: Frederick Jones & Son
Current assignee: Frederick Jones & Son
Priority date: 1988-01-19
Filing date: 1988-01-19
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-19
Also published as: GB8801081D0; GB2214544B

Abstract

A grating for use in block paved areas comprises a framework (10) including a number of cradles (12, 12', 12''), each one of which is provided for supporting one or more of the blocks of the paved area. A drainage gap (14, 14') is provided between adjacent cradles (12, 12'; 12', 12'') and said framework (10) is provided with means (16, 16') for supporting the cradles (12, 12', 12'') above and spaced from a surface on which the framework is, in use, supported. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION GRATING FOR USE IN BLOCK PAVED AREAS.

The present invention relates to a grating for use in block paved areas.

In particular, the present invention relates to a grating which in use in a block paved area, provides an even supporting surface for pedestrians and/or vehicles whilst also allowing for the drainage of water from the paved area. Known gratings of this type are usually all metal grids or gratings which are cast or prefabricated and which are located in desired positions or extend for some considerable distances, through paved areas. Such grids or gratings are readily visible and thus detract from the general aesthetics of the paved area. Spaced apart paving blocks can also provide access to drainage channels.

However, such spaced apart paving blocks are fixed in position during construction of the paved area and thus prevent access to the drainage channels for, for example cleaning.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a grating for use in paved areas, which grating does not detract from the general aesthetic appeal of the paved area, and is easily removable and replaceable as and when required.

According to the present invention there is provided a grating for use in block paved areas, the grating comprising a framework including a number of cradles each one of which is provided for supporting at least one of the blocks of the paved area, a drainage gap being provided between two adjacent cradles and said framework being provided with means for supporting the cradles above and spaced from a surface on which the framework is, in use, supported.

Preferably the dimensions of each cradle are such that they receive, as a snug fit, one or more of the paving blocks to be used in the surrounding paved area. Advantageously these are standard dimension paving blocks. The bottom of each cradle may be solid and the blocks may be located on a mortar bed to hold the blocks in position, or alternatively the cradles may have outlets to allow for the drainage of water therefrom.

In one embodiment of the present invention the framework is elongate and the cradles extend transversely with a drainage gap provided between each pair of adjacent cradles. However, in an alternative embodiment where the framework is likewise elongate, the cradles extend along the framework as do the drainage channels, the number of drainage channels between cradles depending upon the number and arrangement of the cradles.

Preferably an outer casing is also provided in which one or more frameworks may be located as a snug fit, said means on the framework for supporting the cradles advantageously abutting against part of said outer casing. Such an outer casing is, during construction of the paved area, located in position over a drainage channel so that the framework or frameworks can be simply and accurately located in the outer casing and removed therefrom, as and when desired.

The present invention thus provides for the simple removal and replacement of sections of paved area incorporating drainage gaps, which sections blend with the surrounding paved area and thus do not detract from the general aesthetic appeal of the paved area.

The invention will now be further described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a grating constructed according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the grate of Fig. 1, with two blocks contained in each cradle; Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the line A-A in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a housing used in conjunction with the grating of Fig.

1; Fig. 5 is a cross-section along the line B-B of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a grating for use in block paved areas, the grating comprising an elongate framework 10 including three adjacent cradles 12,12', 12'' which extend transversely of the framework and parallel to each other. Each adjacent pair of cradles is separated by a drainage gap 14,14' which allows for the passage of water between the cradles and into the region below the cradles when the grating is in use in a paved area. Each cradle is formed from a single steel sheet 11,11',11", and comprises a bottom wall integral with two side walls. The three parallel cradles 12,12,'12" are of equal length and are closed at each end by a common rectangular elongate frame member 16,16' which is, for example, welded to the cradle ends.The frame members 16,16' are of equal dimensions and extend below the bottom of the cradles 12,12',12" so that they form means which support the cradles clear of the surface on which the framework is located. This clearance allows for the passage of water that has drained through the drainage gaps 14,14', under the cradles 12,12',12".

Fig. 2 is a view from directly above the framework 10 of Fig. 1, with blocks 18 disposed in each of the cradles. The blocks 18 advantageously lie on a bed of sand though alternatively they can be cemented in place so as to secure the blocks in the cradles 12,12',12". The relationship between the drainage gaps 14,14' and the channel formed under the cradles 12,12',12" is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 which is a cross-section along the line A-A of Fig. 1.

The framework 10, shown in Figs. 1 to 3, may be placed in the ground in a stepped channel and may be located so that it abuts similar frameworks which, when supporting paving blocks 18, combine to blend aesthetically with a larger surrounding paved area made from similar blocks. The abutment of adjacent frameworks 10 is such that the channels provided under the cradles of each framework are contiguous, and thus allow for the efficient drainage of water.

Each framework may alternatively be supported in an outer rectangular casing 20, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The casing 20 has four sides 22,24,26,28, the dimensions of the inner region of the casing 20, having dimensions which allow for the snug fit of the framework 10 therein. Two opposing sides 24,28 have inwardly depending flanges 32,32' extending from the bottom edges thereof, which flanges 32,32' provide support for the elongate frame members 16,16' of the framework 10. The two remaining opposite sides 22,26 of the rectangular casing 20 have outwardly depending flanges 30,30' which are provided for securing the casing 20 in the surrounding region of the paved area in which it is located. The flanges 30,30' may also be used to secure adjacent casings which, together with their respective frameworks and paving blocks, are located so as to form a large paved area.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 6, the difference from the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, residing in the cradles 34 extending longitudinally of the elongate framework 36. A single drainage gap 38 is formed between the two cradles 34. Advantageously the cradles 34 are inclined towards each other to facilitate transfer of water across the upper surface of the blocks in the cradles 34, and into the drainage gap 38. Such frameworks can be laid in juxtaposition to each other, end to end, to thus provide an elongate drainage gap.

Further, with a very long framework, the cradles can be divided into sections by transverse plates. In a modified form any number of parallel drainage gaps can be provided in a framework, the number of gaps being dependent upon the number of spaced-apart cradles.

By designing the cradles of the above embodiments to support standard bricks, this can lead to a reduction in the cost of the paving area.

Each grating constructed according to the present invention and incorporating the selected blocks to aesthetically match the surrounding paved area may easily be removed and replaced as required and the potential for damaging the paving during such removal and replacement is reduced. The paved grating sections may therefore be removed and replaced without degrading the quality of the paving surface and drainage channels thereof, and without therefore affecting the general aesthetic appeal of the whole paved area.

Claims

1. A grating for use in block paved areas, the grating comprising a framework including a number of cradles each one of which is provided for supporting at least one of the blocks of the paved area, a drainage gap being provided between two adjacent cradles and said framework being provided with means for supporting the cradles above and spaced from a surface on which the framework is, in use, supported.

2. A grating as claimed in claim 1, in which the framework is elongate and the cradles extend transversely with a drainage gap provided between each pair of adjacent cradles.

3. A grating as claimed in claim 1, in which the framework is elongate, the cradles extending along the framework with a drainage gap between adjacent cradles.

4. A grating as claimed in claim 3, in which two cradles are provided, the cradles being angled towards each other in the vertical plane.

5. A grating as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the cradles are divided into sections by transverse sections.

6. A grating as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which one or more blocks is located in each cradle to thus fill each cradle and, in use, to form a paved floor area with a drainage gap

7. A grating as claimed in claim 6, in which the blocks are laid on a sand or mortar bed in each cradle.

8. A grating as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which each cradle is formed by a rectangular sheet of metal bent into a U-shape with planar members extending transversely to a number of parallel cradles, attached one to each end of said cradles.

9. A grating as claimed in claim 8, in which said planar members extend beyond the base of each U-shaped cradle to form said means for supporting the cradles.

10. A grating as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which drainage holes are provided in each cradle.

11. A grating as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the framework is located in a supporting, complimentary, casing.

12. A grating for use in a block paved area, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illusterated in the accompanying drawings.