Paving stone base surround for a structure

Abstract

 A paving stone base surround for a structure comprising a base body (20, 21) defining an opening (30), located within the base body and arranged to substantially correspond to the outer perimeter of a structure. The base body comprises two portions (20, 21) which can be mated together.

Description

[0001] This present invention relates to a paving system and protective base surround for a pole. In particular, the invention relates to a protective base surround for a pole such as a bollard or, for example a utility pole designed to support a light or telephone line or other apparatus. In addition, the invention may have usage with the surround for a base of a tree, garden furniture or for example a rotary clothes line or other apparatus located in the ground for example in a garden. The invention also relates to a paving system for paving surface areas for example in the region of a ground mounted sign.

[0002] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a paving stone base surround for a structure comprising a base body defining an opening located within the base body and arranged to substantially correspond to the outer perimeter of the structure. The structure may be a pole, post or other structure projecting from the ground surface.

[0003] Preferably the base surround is of sufficient strength and mass to allow a lawn mower to move over the base body, without significantly disturbing the position of the base.

[0004] In one form of the invention, the base surround is in the form of a single piece slab with a portion removed to suit various sizes and shapes of poles, posts and other protections.

[0005] In another form the base body comprises at least two portions which can be mated together.

[0006] Further preferably a first portion has a projection and the second portion has a recess for receiving the projection, to mate the two portions together.

[0007] The projection preferably comprises at least two dowels, and the recess comprises two recesses for receiving the dowels.

[0008] Preferably each portion has both a projection and a recess for engaging with a corresponding projection and recess of another portion.

[0009] The base body preferably has a reinforcing element.

[0010] The reinforcing element preferably comprises a strip of reinforcing material having an aperture corresponding to the region of the projections/recesses.

[0011] Preferably the reinforcing element has a front wall and a side wall each having an aperture corresponding to a projections and recesses of the base body.

[0012] The reinforcing element preferably comprises a strip of mild steel.

[0013] A paving system comprising a plurality of paving stone base surrounds as claimed in any one of the appended claims.

[0014] Preferably in use, the protective base surround will allow for the joint between the base surround and the pole, post or other projection to be readily sealed or grouted to create a sealed joint for preventing vegetation growth in the joint.

[0015] The protective base surround will have a particular application in the situation where it is desired to prevent vegetation from growing around the base of the pole or other structure and in particular will further facilitate the mowing of grass in the area of the pole, post etc.

[0016] The protective base surround will also provide an aesthetic finish to the base of a pole, post, etc. or other structure and may for example be provided in a suitable colour as desired, to complement the region in which it is located.

[0017] As discussed, the protective base surround may comprise a unitary structure or may be formed from two mating pieces or indeed may be formed from a plurality of mating or interengaging pieces to form a suitable or desired pattern or shape of base around the pole, post or other structure.

[0018] In a preferred form of the invention, the protective base surround may comprise a paving slab, or slab pieces and may be moulded for example from a concrete or other stone composite or indeed may be factory machined from a stone piece.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a paving system comprising a paving element and means for securing the paving element to an adjacent paving element.

[0020] Preferably, the paving element has at least one opening for receiving a projection extending from an adjacent paving element. The projection is preferably a rod.

[0021] Further preferably the rod comprises a metal bar which may be engaged through apertures in a number of adjacent paving elements.

[0022] The paving elements preferably have a number of apertures for receiving a corresponding number of rods.

[0023] Alternatively, a paving element may have a rod embedded therein and projecting from the element, to engage with an opening in an adjacent paving element.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective base surround according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the protective base surround of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the protective base surround of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the invention of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side view of embodiment of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of protective base surround of Figure 4 showing the two-part construction;

Figure 8 illustrates the steps of locating the base surround of Figure 1 around a pole;

Figure 9 illustrates the steps of locating the base surround of Figure 7 around a pole;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a paving system according to the invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the paving system of Figure 10 in an assembled condition;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the paving system of Figure 11;

Figure 13a - 13e illustrates the steps of locating the paving system of Figure 10 in the region of a ground mounted sign;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a reinforcing element for use in the base surround of Figure 4; and

Figure 15 is a cut away view of the base surround of Figure 14 with the reinforcing element of Figure 14.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1-3 there is shown therein a first embodiment of the paving stone base surround 10 according to the invention. The protective base surround 10 comprises a body portion 11 having a central opening 12. The body portion 11 comprises a form of paving slab or paving stone with the central portion 12 removed. A slab may be formed in a mould such that the central portion is absent or alternatively, factory machined from a stone piece. The body portion 11 is of a sufficient strength and mass to allow for example a lawn mower to pass over it without disturbing its position when it is in situ in the ground. The central portion 12 accommodates an upright pole which may be rectangular in nature but even if the pole is cylindrical, the space left between the pole and an inner wall 13 defining the opening 11 may be readily sealed or grouted if necessary to create a sealed joint between the pole and the body portion to prevent vegetation growth in the joint. However, it is envisaged that the shape of the central portion 12 will correspond as closely as possible to the shape of the pole or post. The depth of the body portion 11 may be selected as desired, depending on the required position and use of the protective base surround. It is envisaged therefore that the weight or mass of the protective base surround 10 will be substantial and will therefore readily bed itself into the ground around a pole such that a lawn mower can readily pass over it without causing the base surround to move.

[0026] Referring now to Figures 4-7, there is shown therein a second embodiment of a paving stone base surround according to the invention. In this embodiment, the base surround comprises of a two-part construction having side portions 20, 21 which can be mated together to form a completed paving stone base surround 22 as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 7, the side portion 20 has a pair of projecting dowels 23 disposed in end face 24 and the end face 25 has a pair of apertures 26. Similarly, the side portion 21 has a pair of projecting dowels 27 which can engage in the apertures 26. The side portion 21 also has an end face 28 which has a pair of apertures not shown which are arranged to receive the dowels 23. A suitable adhesive material or other fixing liquid or paste may be coated onto the dowels 23 or injected into the apertures 26 to enable the side portions 20 and 21 to be rigidly mated together in situ.

[0027] As shown, the protective base surround 22 when completed is circular in shape and has an octagonal central opening 30 which may correspond with the shape of a pole or other structure around which it is to be engaged. The side portions 20 and 21 may comprise any suitable material but are preferably manufactured from a concrete or stone material to provide sufficient strength and mass to allow a mowing machine to travel over it without causing damage or disturbance to the base surround when it is located in situ around a pole or other structure.

[0028] Figure 8 illustrates the steps in locating the base surround of Figures 1-3 around a pole, the steps being remove a sod around the pole 30, place the base surround 10 in position and then grout the join between the pole 30 and the base surround.

[0029] Similarly Figure 9 illustrates the steps in locating the base surround of Figures 4-7 around a pole 31, the steps being remove a sod around the pole 31, join the side portions 20, 21 and drop the assembled base surround into position and then grout the join between the pole and the base surround.

[0030] The invention enables the provision of a solid, rigid and fairly heavy protective base surround which when in position around the base of a pole or other structure provides both a decorative feature in addition to preventing the growth of grass or other vegetation close to a pole, post or other ground projection.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, the base surround may be produced as previously discussed as a paving slab but having fracture lines or lines of weakness moulded into the slab to allow different shapes and sizes to be broken out from the slab to facilitate different shapes and sizes of poles or posts. Thus, a single product may be produced which will have application for different sizes or shapes of pole or post. For example, in some situations where the pole is on a slope surface, it might be desirable that the central portion is altered in a particular way to suit the particular location.

[0032] Referring now to Figures 10-13 there is shown therein a paving system 40 according to the invention. The paving system 40 comprises paving elements 41, 42 which are moulded brick or concrete slabs. Each element 41 has four circular apertures or channels 43 formed therein which extend through the length of the elements. The elements 42 each have four apertures or channels 44 corresponding to those in the elements 41. The elements 42 are substantially "U" shaped having a cut away section 45 which in the assembled state (Figure 11) forms a recess 46 for accommodating a pole or post 47 of a ground mounted sign 47. The channels or openings 43, 44 receive a rod 50 which in use secures the elements 41, 42 together. [It will be appreciated that the rods 50 could be embedded in some elements 41, 42 so that some elements may only have openings or alternatively some elements may have both openings and rods secured therein so that they will be of cooperating parts and will mate with other corresponding elements].

[0033] In the embodiment described the rods 50 are separate from the elements 41, 42. In Figure 11 the steps are illustrated to form a paved area or protective surround for the region of a ground mounted sign. The sign 48 is mounted on the ground surface by a pair of posts 47. First, the sod is removed 13(a) to form a recess 51. The elements 41 are located in the recess 51 13(b) and grouting is applied to the openings 43. Rods 50 are inserted into the openings/channels 43 of the elements 41. Grouting is applied to the openings in elements 42 which are then connected to the rods 50. The posts 47 are accommodated in the recesses 45 and final grouting is made around the posts 47.

[0034] Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, a reinforcing element 60 is provided in the form of a strip of mild steel. The element 60 has a front wall 61 and sidewalls 62 and the element generally corresponds to the shape of the side portions 20, 21. The front wall 61 has apertures 63 and the sidewall 62 has apertures 64. As shown in Figure 15, the apertures 63, 64 correspond to the locations of the dowels 23, 27 and the apertures 26 in the end faces 25, 28 of the side portions 20, 22 already described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 15, the dowels 23, 27 are embedded in the side portions 20, 21 such that they project into the side portions and through the apertures 63 such that the reinforcing element 60 structurally reinforces the side portions particularly in the region of the dowels 23, 27 and the recesses 23. Furthermore, the outermost dowel on each side portion 20, 21 also projects through the aperture 64 in the sidewall 62 of the reinforcing element. This provides additional reinforcing for the region.

[0035] The invention provides the advantage of overcoming a long-standing and troublesome problem with vegetation growing around poles and other ground structures which is aesthetically undesirable and which causes great difficulty in maintaining. Furthermore, the invention provides an advantage over conventional paving in so far as it is, or becomes after installation, a single piece and is therefore less likely to be disturbed when traversed by a lawnmover.

[0036] It will be appreciated that the paying stone base surround of any embodiment may include a reinforcing element embedded therein. The reinforcing element may comprise a metal bar or rod or other element.

Claims

1. A paving stone base surround (10) for a structure comprising a base body (20, 21) defining an opening (30), located within the base body and arranged to substantially correspond to the outer perimeter of a structure (31).

2. A paving stone base surround as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the base body comprises at least two portions (20, 21) which can be mated together.

3. A paving stone base surround as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a first portion (20) has a projection (23) and the second portion (21) has a recess for receiving the projection, to mate the two portions together.

4. A paving stone base surround as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the projection (23) comprises at least two dowels, and the recess comprises two recesses for receiving the dowels.

5. A paving stone base surround as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein each portion (20, 21) has both a projection (23) and a recess (26) for engaging with a corresponding projection (27) and recess of another portion.

6. A paving stone base surround as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base body has a reinforcing element (60).

7. A paving stone base surround as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the reinforcing element (60) comprises a strip of reinforcing material having an aperture (63) corresponding to the region of the projections/recesses.

8. A paving stone base surround as claimed in claim 7 wherein the reinforcing element has a front wall (61) and a side wall (62) each having an aperture (63, 64) corresponding to a projection and recesses of the base body.

9. A paving stone base surround as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the reinforcing element comprises a strip of mild steel.

10. A paving system comprising a plurality of paving stone base surrounds as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 9.

Drawing