Dual-unit paving system

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of pavement slabs and artificial stone or stone flagstones for laying pavements, and especially such stones that give a resulting pavement with a random and natural appearance.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Artificial cover plates made of concrete are well known for laying pavements or covering wall surfaces in residential or commercial buildings, for example, defining the surface of passageways or patios. Such stones are preferably relatively inexpensive in execution, in contrast to natural die-cut paving slabs, but the resulting pattern is often repetitive or has what is called in this field an unnatural "linear effect". A great effort has been made to design artificial cover modules that provide a more natural look while maintaining the ease of manufacturing. It should be mentioned that the expression "covering module",

[0003] In the past, attempts have been made to develop sets of artificial stones containing stones of various shapes used in combination with each other for laying a pavement. In these cases, the natural random appearance is obtained by combining artificial stones of various shapes. The big disadvantage of these kits, however, is that they often become a real puzzle in the case of laying and correct joining of stones by the user. Another disadvantage is that currently existing systems are limited in the possible types of installations. Most systems allow the modules to be installed either according to the rotational or linear mosaic principle, but only a few offer the option of installing rotary or linear modules (by "running link" or "stacking").

[0004] There is a need in the market for larger artificial stones because they tend to give a more natural and aesthetic appearance. Larger artificial stones also offer better coverage by the module. However, the disadvantage of larger stones is that they are also generally heavier.

[0005] Applicant is known from US Patent No. 7,637,688, disclosing a building module made of basic elements that are rotatable self-mosaic. Since all construction modules are based on a basic element, the pavements made of such modules tend to have a clear pattern.

[0006] The Applicant is also known from US Pat. No. D602173. This pattern shows two modules that can be paired into a hexagonal shape. Although the pairs connected in pairs allow for a pavement with a rotational mosaic, they do not allow the modules to be assembled in stacking configurations and running links.

[0007] Also in WO 2006/045192 A1 discloses a system of artificial stone flagstones for covering a surface.

[0008] Thus, there is now a need for a pavement system that offers a naturally random appearance, while being easy to fabricate at a reasonable cost and easy to assemble for a person without appropriate experience in both linear and rotational mosaics.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In view of the above, there is a need for a flagpole system comprising modules for use in combination with other surface coating modules with a natural random appearance which, thanks to its design and elements, will be able to overcome some of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0010] According to the present invention, a two-part pavement plate system for covering a surface is provided. The system contains pairs of first and second units. In each pair, the first unit has a lower contact surface with the ground and a visible upper surface and side walls extending from the bottom surface. The side walls of the first unit contain the upper side, bottom side, left side and right side.

[0011] The second unit has a lower contact surface with the ground and a visible upper surface and side walls extending from the bottom surface. The side walls of the other unit contain the upper side, bottom side, left side and right side.

[0012] The underside of the first unit has a non-linear, irregular contour that matches the contour of the upper side of the second unit to form a hexagonal combination. The hexagonal set-up formed by units A and B has six non-linear sides. This hexagonal combination allows the creation of rotational mosaics.

The left side and the right side of the second unit have nonlinear, irregular contours matching at least respective parts of the perimeter of the right and left sides of the first unit.

The outline of the bottom side of the first unit includes a contour of the upper side of the first unit and the outline of the upper side of the second unit includes a contour of the lower side of the second unit to form line sets. [0015] The first and second units forming the pavement plate system can be mounted either with rotational mosaic or with linear mosaic.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first and second units of the pair are formed by dividing the respective hexagonal shape along an irregular distribution line extending directly from the first vertex to a position close to the fourth vertex.

[0017] In an embodiment, the dividing line separating the first and second units comprises a segment that is parallel and substantially similar to the contour of the side extending between the second and third tops of the module. The distribution line can be obtained by performing a linear transposition of the upper segment of the first unit. The first unit includes a second and a third vertex and an upper portion having a contour corresponding to the separation line. The second unit comprises a fifth and a sixth vertex and a lower portion having a contour corresponding to the separation line.

[0018] In an embodiment, for each pavement plate module, the first side is concave and the second one is convex.

[0019] In an embodiment, the distribution line extends from the position between the first and the sixth vertices, closer to the first apex, to the location between the fourth and fifth vertices, closer to the fourth vertex of the hexagonal assembly.

[0020] In an embodiment, each first and second unit of the pavement plate module comprises upper and lower sides, the second part being shaped such that after positioning over the first unit, the upper and lower side of the second unit contacts the upper and lower side of the first unit.

[0021] In an embodiment, the first and second unit have respectively a top surface, the top surface comprising at least two patterns of a stone flagstone, patterns of the first unit

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V12438PL00 / KK are different from the designs of the second unit. Preferably, the patterns are separated by deep joints.

[0022] In an embodiment, the two-part flagstones system comprises at least two groups of the first two units and two second units, as defined above. In this pavement plate system, the upper surface of the first unit differs from the upper surface of the first unit. Similarly, the upper surface of the second unit differs from the top surface of the other unit. Thus, the pavement board system allows the creation of four or more different pavement modules, each module having a different upper surface.

[0023] In an embodiment, the pavement plate system comprises a plurality of groups of modules in pairs. The first and second units of the pavement plate system can be installed linearly, by alternating the first and second modules.

[0024] The flag paving system according to the invention can advantageously be used to create patios, walkways, walkways or steps.

[0025] The invention is also very advantageous for the producer. The first and second units of the pavement plate system can be placed one facing the other or side by side thereby optimizing the pressing operation during the manufacturing process.

[0026] Preferably, the paving panel modules can be assembled and installed either by rotational mosaic or by linear mosaic with little or no "linear effect". Advantageously, thanks to a pavement plate system comprising two groups of first and second units as defined above, twelve different module configurations can be formed if the units are installed in accordance with the rotational mosaic principle. By using two different units to fit together and form a flagstone, a variety of patterns can be created, either by rotational or linear mosaic, in stack configurations or in continuous bonding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent after reading the further non-limiting description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are merely illustrative, with reference to the attached figures, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a two-piece pavement system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2A is a top view of the first pavement flag system unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2B is a plan view of the second pavement system unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the first and second units of the two-piece pavement pane system of Fig. 1 arranged side by side and forming a hexagonal assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3A is a plan view of the outline of the underside of the first unit or the outline of the upper side of the second unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4A is a schematic plan view of the first and second units arranged side by side in the first linear assembly.

Fig. 4B is a schematic plan view of the first and second units arranged next to each other in a second line bed.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the unit B placed on the unit A.

Fig. 5A is a top view A placed on the unit B.

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Figs. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of the outer hexagonal assembly shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7A shows a top view of two groups of unit pairs, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7B shows a top view of two groups of unit pairs, according to another embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of various hexagonal assemblies configurations according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a top view of twelve different configurations of hexagonal assemblies.

Fig. 10A is a plan view of another pavement made of other hexagonal assemblies arranged in inert orientations and shown as folded, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10B is a top view of a pavement made of other hexagonal assemblies having the same orientation and shown as complex, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 11 to 14 are plan views of pavements made of first and second units assembled into different line assemblies, according to various embodiments of the invention.

Figures 12 and 13 show a pavement according to a stacking configuration.

Fig. 14 shows a pavement according to a cross-connect configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0028] In the following description, similar reference numbers are assigned to similar functions in the drawing. For the sake of clarity, some elements may not be identified in some figures if they are identified in the previous figure.

[0029] It is contemplated that positioning descriptions such as "bottom", "top", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "side" and the like should, unless otherwise specified , be considered in the context of figures and should not be regarded as limiting or suggesting the required orientation during use. [0030] Preferably, the two-part pavement plate system allows the creation of different assemblies, according to linear or rotational mosaic. With only two different shapes of units, the system can provide the impression of random composition and the implementation of natural stone flagstones. The current pavement plate system also offers units that are as large as possible and at the same time remain easy to install in various configurations. By "mosaicking" is meant covering,

[0031] With reference to Figure 1, the first unit A and the second unit B are shown. They form a pair of units A and B of a two-piece pavement system 8 for covering the surface. The first unit A has a lower surface 20 in contact with the ground, a visible upper surface 21 and side walls extending from the lower surface 20. The second unit B also has a lower surface 23 in contact with the ground, a visible upper surface 25 and side walls extending from the bottom. Area 23

Preferably, the upper visible surface 21, 25 of at least one of the first and second units A, B comprises one or more formulas 78i to 78iv and 80i, 80i, which are preferably patterns of stone flagstones. Preferably, all patterns are different to increase the random aspect of pavements laid by a two-piece pavement system. Preferably, patterns of stone flagstones are separated by deep joints 82.

[0033] Fig. 2A is a plan view of unit A. The side walls of unit A include upper side 12, lower side 14, left side 16 and right side 18. Concepts "top", "bottom", "left" and "right" herein refer to the orientation of the sides of the unit as shown in Fig. 2, which also corresponds to the orientation of the sides when viewed on the unit

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V12438PL00 / KK from its upper, visible side, as when placing the unit on the surface and directly looking at it from above. The terms "up", "down", "left" and "right" are used to simplify and simplify the reference to different sides of the unit and they should also be referred to as "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" side.

[0034] The contour of each side 12, 14, 18, 18 is made of a series of segments placed at an angle to one another. The sides outline is non-linear and irregular. By "irregular" is meant that the sides contain a series of segments and divergence divisions. Towards the bottom surface of the unit, the sides are made of a number of flat surfaces. The combination of the upper, visible surface 21 of the module with the sides is chiseled to imitate the natural curvature of the stone.

[0035] Fig. 2B is a top view of the unit B. The side walls of the unit B comprise an upper side 22, a lower side 24, a left side 26 and a left side 28. The contour of each side is made of a series of segments arranged at an angle to each other. As for unit A, each side of unit B is made of a series of intersecting flat surfaces directed to the bottom surface of unit B and the joining of the sides of the upper, visible surface of the unit is chiselled. Different patterns can be colored and obtain a texture imitating natural stone flagstones.

With reference to Figs. 2A and 2B and Fig. 3, the bottom side 14 of the first unit A has a non-linear, irregular contour matching the upper side 22 of the second unit B. The term "conforming" is understood to mean that the units can be fuse or pair, so that the sides will fit together exactly. When the units A and B are aligned so as to make contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 3, they form a hexagonal assembly having six, non-linear sides. By "hexagonal" is meant a shape resembling a hexagon. The hexagonal assembly has a hexagonal shape, with six sides and six angles.

[0037] Still with reference to Fig. 3, in this particular embodiment of the second unit B, the outline of the upper side 22 comprises a portion that corresponds to the vertical translation of the contour of the lower side 24. This feature is also present in the unit A for which the outline of the lower side 14 includes a portion that corresponds to the vertical translation of the upper side contour 12. It should also be noted that preferably the upper side contour 12 of the first unit A and the adjacent segments 16i, 18i and the left and right 16, 18 correspond to the vertical translation of the bottom side 14 of the first unit A. By "vertical" translation is meant that the translation is performed substantially perpendicular to the sides.

[0038] Still with reference to Fig. 3 and also Fig. 3A, respective contours of the upper side 22 of the second unit B and the bottom side 14 of the first unit A are preferably similar and are referred to as the distribution outline 52. In this particular example The distribution contour 52 comprises two outer parts 54, 58 and an inner part 56. The part 56 has a contour similar to the lower side 24 of the second unit B. Preferably, at least one of the outer and inner parts is formed by a series of non-linear segments, such as parts 54 or 56 lines of separation. Still preferably, the separation line has two tops 60, 62 and a recess 64 between two vertices 60, 62. In this embodiment, the apex 60 has a first segment and second segments 66, 68 protruding therefrom,

[0040] Still with reference to Figure 3, it is preferred that the units A and B have approximately the same height h. The height h is measured per unit A from the point on the side 12 to the highest point on the side

14. Similarly, the height h of the unit B is measured from the highest point on the side 22 to the highest point

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V12438PL00 / KK on the side 24. Of course, the term "the highest" should be treated in the context of figures and refer to the vertical axis or the "Y" axis.

[0041] With reference to Figures 3 and 3A, as can be appreciated, the first second units A and B are formed by dividing the hexagonal shape into two different and differing units A and B. Separation line 52 for obtaining A, B units is approximately halfway between the highest point and the lowest point of the hexagonal assembly 10. The section line 52 includes in its profile a part of the hexagonal circumference, transposed or linearly moved along the center axis of the assembly 10. It should also be noted that the inner part 56 of the line 52 contains the sides of the hexagonal shape

10. The other parts 54, 58 of the line 52 also correspond to other sections of the hexagonal shape.

[0042] With reference to Figs. 4A and 4B, two different line sets 11 are shown. As can be appreciated, the left side 26 and the right side 28 of the second unit B have non-linear, irregular contours fitting at least to the respective parts 50, 48 of the circuits. right side 18 and left side 16 of first unit A. For example, such line sets 11 can be used to make a pavement. In this case, the linear assemblies are oriented horizontally.

With reference to Fig. 4A, the outline of the bottom side 14 of the first unit A includes a contour of the upper side 12 of the first unit A, and the outline of the upper side 22 of the second unit B includes a contour of the lower side 24 of the second unit B. This allows the units to create line sets also with vertical orientation. Units A can be stacked vertically, in stacking configuration, just like B units.

[0044] In addition, the upper side 12 of the first unit A is preferably substantially similar to the lower side 24 of the second unit B, so that the hexagonal arrangements can be set vertically, as shown in Fig. 10B.

[0045] With reference to Figures 5 and 5A, the second unit B is shaped such that when placed on the first unit A, the upper and lower sides 22, 24 of the second unit B contact the upper and lower sides 12, 14 of the first unit. A. In other words, when the second pavement unit B is placed above the first pavement unit A, it fits perfectly to the contour of the first unit A. Both the upper and lower sides of the units A and B are in contact with each other. Unit B has a smaller dimension than unit A. In other words, the upper surface of unit B is smaller than the upper surface of unit A. The volume and mass of unit B are also smaller than the volume and mass of unit A.

[0046] With reference to Figs. 6A and 6B, various aspects of the hexagonal set 10 formed by the units A and B are shown. The outline of the hexagonal set 10 formed by the units A and B has six sides 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46. They form three pairs of sides 30, 32 and 34. The hexagonal junction 10 has a first 1, a second 2, a third 3, a fourth 4, a fifth 5 and a sixth six consecutive vertices, and the distribution 52 preferably extends from the vicinity of the first apex to the fourth 4 vertex. It should also be noted that each side of the hexagonal assembly 10 is formed by a series of segments arranged at an angle to each other and the side contour does not include any repetitive part or segment. This function allows creating pavements with a more random, irregular appearance.

[0047] The adjacent sides of the hexagonal assembly are preferably separated from each other at about an angle

120 °, and the six sides 36.38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 are preferably congruent. By "congruent" is meant that the sides can be overlapped so that they are completely compatible.

[0048] When the first and second units A, B are in contact with each other to form a hexagonal junction 10, two adjacent sides of the hexagonal junction preferably comprise a convex side 36, 40, 44 and a concave side 38, 42,

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46. ​​Such a feature allows the combinations to be interlocked when creating a pavement by rotational mosaic of such combinations and thus provides a more stable assembly.

[0049] With reference to Figures 7A and 7B, the pairs of units A and B are preferably divided into first 84, 84 'and second 86, 86' groups. In Fig. 7A, the upper surface 74 of the first unit A1 differs from the upper surface 88 of the first unit A2. Similarly, the upper surface 76 of the second unit B1 differs from the upper surface 90 of the second unit B2. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, a two-part pavement board system may comprise three or more groups of different pairs of A, B units. The number of possible different PC combinations is obtained by multiplying the first pavement units (type A) by the number of second pavement units (type B) ) and NbAx NbB = PC. preferably,

[0050] Preferably, the specific shape given to the units facilitates "clamping" of the unit during manufacture of the unit. During the manufacturing process after removing from the mold and hardening the unit and before packing it, the units must be compressed with large clamps and placed on pallets to wrap them. The specific configuration of the first and second units A and B makes it possible to combine them in such a way that the space occupied by the units on the pallets is maximized, thereby facilitating the manipulation thereof.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 8, such a feature of a two-part pavement plate system makes it possible to obtain four different hexagonal assemblies 10i, 10ii, 10iii, 10iv. Each set has a different top surface appearance.

[0052] With reference to Figure 9, the four hexagonal assemblies 10i, 10ii, 10iii and 10iv can be placed under three different rotation angles: 0 °, 120 ° and 240 °. Thus, the two-part system allows the creation of twelve different configurations of hexagonal assemblies.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 10A, the pavement 92 obtained by the spin-mosaic of various hexagonal assemblies obtained from units A1, B1, A2 and B2 has a random appearance, without repeating any pattern. Rotary mosaics are obtained by patching a series of pairs of units A and B in different rotational orientations. In addition, the deep joints of units A and B are placed on their respective upper surfaces so as to "break" the linear effect when the unit is rotated. As shown in Fig. 10A, the combination of assembling the rotary unit with the corresponding positioning of the deep joints results in a more random and natural installation than shown in Fig. 10B. It is also harder to distinguish a rope pattern.

[0054] Of course, it is also possible to create a pavement 92 'without rotating the unit and by combining the units A and B with the same or different groups as in Fig. 10B.

[0055] With reference to Figures 11 to 14, other possible sidewalks created by patching a series of pairs of the first and second units A, B are shown. On these examples, the first and second units A, B of the pair are placed side by side. Fig. 11 is an example of horizontally aligned mosaic.

[0056] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, different pavements 94, 94 'and 94 "were made using a stacking configuration. The walkways comprise at least two rows, where the first first order A1 or A2 units are in contact with the first second order A2 or A1 units, respectively. Similarly, B1 or B2 units are in contact with B2 or B1 units. Fig. 13 is an example of vertically aligned mosaics.

[0057] In Figure 14, the pavement is made using a cross-connect configuration. The pavement with the running joint comprises at least two rows (in this case, three rows are used), where the first first order A1 or A2 units are in contact with the respective second units B1 or B2.

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[0058] As can be seen, the pavement slabs of the presented system make it possible to create, after connection, large modules or pavement sets having a random and natural appearance. Such large pavement combinations are still easy to make because they are divided into smaller units A and B, and because the modules have a substantially similar contour. In addition, a single worker can generally lift and stack flagstones. The combination of the first and second flagstones results in larger looking stones with a random appearance that allows you to lose the linear or hexagonal shape visible on existing products. In addition, the specific perimeter or contour of each pavement plate preferably facilitates their clamping during the production process and allows maximization of the space occupied by the plates on the pallets.