GB2358426A

GB2358426A - Paving template for laying paving in geometrical shapes

Info

Publication number: GB2358426A
Application number: GB0000622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roderick Walter Sterling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-13
Filing date: 2000-01-13
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Also published as: GB0000622D0

Abstract

A tray 1 has a bottom wall 2 containing drainage apertures 3 and an upstanding continuous side wall 4 for positioning paving elements laid within the tray. The tray is lined by a porous layer of fibrous matting and foamed plastic spacers may be provided for creating gaps in the paving.

Description

2358426 P935 Roderick Walter Sterling PAVING TEMPLATE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the laying of paving, particularly paving which is arranged in a geometric design.

BACKGROUND

The laying of paving to form geometrical shapes, even simple shapes such as a circle, is not easy without expert technical knowledge. The paving elements must all be laid in the correct position and it is necessary to achieve a uniform spacing between the elements if a satisfactory result is to be achieved. Usually this involves laying the paving elements in their rough positions prior to bedding on sand or mortar and then moving the elements around until a satisfactory result is achieved. Clearly this can be a very time-consuming operation. Furthermore, great care must be taken to ensure that the elements are all laid in exactly the same positions since small errors tend to be cumulative.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive way of laying 2 P934 paving in a desired geometrical shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a paving template having a bottom wall fol supporting a plurality of paving elements thereon arranged in a geometric design, and guide means upstanding from the bottom wall for positioning thel paving elements.

In a preferred form of the template the guide means is provided around the periphery of the bottom wall. There is preferably a single guide in the for of a continuous upstanding wall.

The bottom wall preferably contains at least one drainage aperture.

The template is preferably provided with a layer of porous material which covers the bottom wall. The porous material beds the paving elements o the bottom wall and allows water to pass through the drainage aperture orl apertures.

One or more spacers may be provided for location between the paving elements. The spacer or spacers may be in the form of a slab of lightweight material such as foamed plastic.

The invention also provides a method of laying paving to form a geometrical, shape, in which a plurality of paving elements are placed in a paving 3 P935 template as set forth above.

Any gaps between the paving elements are preferably grouted with sand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a tray for use as a paving template in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section through the tray on line 11-11, showing the tray filled with paving; Figure 3 is a plan view of the tray filled with paving as in Fig. 2; Fioure, 4 is a similar section to Fig. 2 but showing the paving laid in a different way; Figure 5 shows a side wall for a modified form of the tray; Figure 6 is a sectional detail of the side wall showing its method of assembly; and 4 Fiqure 7 is a vertical section through one edge of the modifie tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The paving template shown in Fig. 1 includes a circular tray 1 which may b formed of GRP, vacuum formed thermoplastic sheet etc. The tray has a circular bottom wall 2 which contains drainage apertures 3 distributed ove the bottom of the tray, and a short side wall 4 is upstanding perpendicularl around the periphery of the tray. The side way may have an outwardl extending strengthening flange 5 at its upper end (Fig. 2), although this may be omitted. The diameter of the tray is determined by the number of rings of paving to be laid and the size of the paving elements.

The area where the paving is to be laid is levelled and a shallow hole may be excavated to receive the tray, which may be bedded on sharp sand. The tray is lined by a layer of porous matting 6 of fibrous geotextile material, which is shaped to fit into the bottom of the tray. The paving elements are then laid onto the matting working from the outside inwards using the side wall 4 as a guide.

The tray may be filled with circles of paving elements P as shown in Fig. s 2 and 3. Some of the inner rings of paving may be omitted to leave the central area clear, or elements may be omitted randomly to form planting pockets. Lightweight spacers 7 formed from slabs of foamed polystyrene or other plastics may be provided to fill the gaps between the paving elements, P935 as shown in Fig. 4. The spacers are pre-shaped to ensure the correct positioning the paving elements. The thickness of the spacers is less than that of the paving elements so that the spacers are recessed below the paving. When all the paving has been laid the spacers can be left in situ and covered with a layer of gravel 8, or they may be removed. The gaps between the paving elements are grouted using sharp kiln-dried sand.

The paving can thus be laid quickly without pre-positioning or concreting. The elements are firmly bedded on the matting 6. Surface water can drain through the sand grout between the paving elements, through the matting 6 and out of the drainage apertures 3.

The bottom wall of the tray could carry guide markings to allow the user to remove part of bottom wall prior to laying, to create planting holes for example.

The trays can be provided in a range of shapes and sizes, e.g. to accept different numbers of paving rings and form different geometrical patterns.

Instead of being moulded in one piece the tray may, alternatively, be formed with separate bottom and side walls to allow distribution as a "flat-pack". Fig. 5 shows such a side wall 4a, which is a flexible strip having a series of spaced lugs 10 extending perpendicularly along one longitudinal edge, Opposite ends of the strip are have holes 11 so that when the strip is formed into a loop the ends can be joined by inserting plastic arrowhead rivets 12 through the holes, as shown in Fig. 6. The bottom wall 2 can then be dropped into the wall 4a to be supported on the inturned lugs 10, which is 6 P931 shown in Fig. 7.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is i claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein. 1, 7 P935

Claims

1.. A paving template having a bottom wall for supporting a plurality of paving elements thereon arranged in a geometric design, and guide means upstanding from the bottom wall for positioning such paving elements.

2. A paving template according to Claim 1, in which the guide means is positioned at the periphery of the bottom wall.

3. A paving template according to Claim 2, in which the guide means is forme d by a continuous side wall.

4. A paving template according to any preceding claim, in which the bottom wall contains at least one drainage aperture.

5. A paving template according to any preceding claim, including a layer of porous material which covers the bottom wall.

6. A paving template according to Claim 5, in which the porous layer is formed by a mat of a fibrous material.

7. A paving template according to any preceding claim, which includes one or more spacers for location between the paving elements.

8 P93, i 8. A paving template according to Claim 7, in which the or each I spacer is formed from a slab of lightweight foamed material.

9. A method of laying paving to form a geometrical shape, in which a plurality of paving elements are placed in a paving template according to any of Claims 1 to 8.

10. A method according to Claim 9, which includes grouting gaps between the paving elements with sand.

11. A paving template substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

12. A method of laying paving to form a geometrical shape substantially as described with reference to the drawings.