US20110274488A1 - Paver for Porous Pavement - Google Patents

Abstract

A porous pavement system and a method of maintaining the porous pavement system are disclosed. A combination of porous and non-porous pavers are laid out to create a porous pavement. A receptacle or retainer for receiving a tool is in incorporated into the porous pavers, to facilitate lifting the pavers by means of the tool. A cradle may be used to hold multiple pavers.

Description

• This application claims priority from provisional application no. 61/184,034, filed on Jun. 4, 2009, and from provisional application no. 61/249,068, filed on Oct. 6, 2009. These two applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The invention relates to a porous paver. More particularly, the invention relates to a porous paver and a method of providing a porous pavement.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• It is known to use porous pavement to provide pavement that allows stormwater to infiltrate back into the ground naturally, rather than to run off. The porous pavement made with pavers typically includes a method of laying out non-porous pavers to provide a load-bearing pavement surface, with regularly dispersed void areas between the pavers. The non-porous pavers are typically concrete blocks, bricks, or reinforced plastic mats. The void areas are then filled with gravel, sand, or grass turf, which allow the stormwater to infiltrate into the ground.
• Porous pavers or pavement serve their function only if the water can actually pass through the paver or pavement at a minimum specified rate. Porous pavement is known. With time, however, the porosity is substantially diminished, because the porous material becomes clogged with sediment, debris, or other materials that prevent the stormwater from flowing through the pavement. The construction of porous pavement also requires attention to certain temperature parameters. For example, if the porous pavement is laid down and then subjected to freeze-thaw cycles before it is cured, the pavement will crack and crumble. The remedy for dogged or cracked porous pavement is to dig it up and replace it, a costly undertaking.
• What is needed, therefore, is a porous paving system that is readily cleanable, maintainable, or replaceable. What is further needed is such a system, the components of which can be manufactured under controlled conditions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention is a porous pavement stem that is based on a paver made of porous material, whereby a retrieval means is provided in the porous paver, so as to allow individual porous pavers to be removed from the pavement for cleaning, replenishing, or replacement, as needed. The invention also encompasses a paved surface that is made up of a combination of porous and non-porous pavers, and/or one that uses a hybrid paver.
• The hybrid paver is a bi-material paver block that provides the desired load-bearing properties of conventional non-porous pavers and the desired filtration properties of porous pavement for allowing passage of stormwater through the pavement into the ground. The hybrid paver according to the invention comprises an outer portion that is non-porous and an inner portion that is porous. In other words, the hybrid paver has a donut-like non-porous outer portion and a donut-hole-like porous inner portion. The outer portion includes the entire perimeter of the hybrid paver, is a structural wall around the porous inner portion, the structural wall having the necessary strength characteristics to provide the desired load-bearing strength of the pavement.
• The inner portion is constructed of a porous concrete that provides a specified filtration rate of water, typically stormwater. Additives may be mixed with the porous concrete to filter out specific pollutants. it may be desirable to be able to remove the inner portion from the outer portion for cleaning or replacement. For this reason, the hybrid paver may be constructed as a modular unit from which the inner portion may be readily removed or inserted, In this case, the inner portion is constructed as a cartridge or a modular piece that fits into a cavity in the outer portion. A means for inserting and retrieving the cartridge may be incorporated into the cartridge.
• The inner portion and outer portion are made according to conventional industry standards, such as, for example, ASTM standards, if the paver is made of concrete. Each portion of the paver provides the desired load-bearing capability, The inner portion may also be used as a stand-alone porous paver, that is, does not have to be inserted into an outer portion, but may instead be inserted into a cavity that is created by a particular layout configuration of other porous and non-porous pavers.
• The pavers used in the porous pavement system according to the invention may be any suitable shape and size. Thus, for example, pavers may be constructed as large slabs, as small regularly shaped blocks, or as decoratively shaped elements. Depending on the size and shape of the payers, the retrieval means may also be adapted to be coupled to a lifting means that is incorporated into a vehicle that is equipped with some type of hoisting or lifting mechanism, to assist in lifting the paver from the pavement surface or, in the case of large slab-like pavers, also to install the paver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements, The drawings are not drawn to scale.
• FIG. 1 is a top plane view of the hybrid paver according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hybrid paver ofFIG. 1, showing a grid-like cradle for a single paver.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the center vertical plane of the porous cartridge.
• FIG. 4 is an illustration of the retrieval means.
• FIG. 5 is a bottom plane view of the porous cartridge.
• FIG. 6 is an exploded view, illustrating the assembly of the retrieval insert and the use of a tool to remove the porous cartridge from the hybrid paver according to the invention.
• FIG. 7 is a multi-paver cradle, showing keys for locating pavers.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a hybrid paved surface formed by an alternating layout of non-porous pavers and porous pavers.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a porous paved surface.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a retrieval means for large-slab porous pavers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
• FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the elements of ahybrid paver100 according to the invention, which comprises a non-porouspaver10, aporous paver20. Thenon-porous paver10 is constructed of a conventional non-porous concrete, which has the desired strength and compression properties for the intended use. As seen inFIG. 1, thenon-porous paver10 has an open center portion that receives theporous cartridge20. Theporous paver20 is constructed of a porous or pervious concrete or other porous material, according to established industry standards, and allows water, for example, stormwater, to pass through the paver at a given rate. For example, concrete made according to ASTM C941C94M is a pervious concrete made with aggregates coarse enough to allow water to pass through the concrete to the substrate below and strong enough to be traffic bearing. It is also possible to provide ahybrid paver100 wherein thenon-porous paver10 has a higher compression strength than that of theporous paver20, in which case the height dimension of theporous paver20 may be slightly less than that of the non-porouspaver10. Conventional porous paving material has a height dimension that is greater than that of a non-porous material that provides a corresponding compression strength. Using thehybrid paver100 according to the invention enables the implementation of a porous paving system in which the height dimension is determined by the strength characteristics of thenon-porous paver10, and thus, the use of a paver that is lower in height than would be expected with conventional porous paving material.
• In the embodiment shown in the figures, theporous paver20 is shown as a porous cartridge that is selectively insertable into and removable from the non-porouspaver10. Theporous paver20, being constructed according to industry standards, may also serve as a paver without thenon-porous paver10.
• FIGS. 3-6 illustrate details of a retrieval means30 that may be used to facilitate insertion and removal of theporous paver20 into thenon-porous paver10. Porous concrete may become plugged with debris that reduces or blocks the rate of filtration of water through it. The porous cartridge is provided with the retrieval means30, to facilitate removing theporous cartridge20 from thenon-porous paver10, for purposes of replacement, replenishing, or cleaning.FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the vertical plane shown inFIG. 1. A through-bore32 with a cross-groove34 is provided through theporous paver20 that is constructed to receive the retrieval means30, which, in the embodiment shown, includes abar38 assembled in asheath36. The retrieval means30 is inserted into theporous paver20 through the cross-groove34 in the bottom of the porous paver. A tool T shown inFIG. 6 may be inserted into theporous paver20 from the top face, such that the hook portion of the tool T engages thebar38. Theporous paver20 may then be lifted out of thenon-porous paver10.
• In the embodiment shown, the retrieval means30 is illustrated together with theporous paver20 and thenon-porous paver10. It is understood that theporous paver20 does not have to be used as a cartridge, but can be used as a stand-alone paver.
• In this embodiment, acradle40 is provided to hold thenon-porous paver10 and theporous paver20 together as a single unit. Thecradle40 facilitates handling and placement of the pavers. Thecradle40 may also serve to ensure proper spacing betweenpavers100 when they are laid out. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the cradle is a shallow rectangular container which is dimensioned to hold thenon-porous paver10 and theporous paver20. Ideally, thecradle40 has an open structure, to allow water to pass through it. Thecradle40 may have another construction, for ornamental or functional reasons. For example. the cradle may have a half-high wall that separates thenon-porous paver10 from theporous paver20 so as to create a space between the two elements, or may be constructed as a bottom flange that extends into the through-bore32 and connects to or is integrally formed with the retrieval means30. Thecradle40 thus supports thenon-porous paver10 around theporous paver20. The material used to construct thecradle40 is not considered within the scope of the invention. Any suitable material, with the required strength and rigidity properties to support thenon-porous paver10 and theporous paver20 may be used.
• FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of thecradle40, a multi-paver cradle. Thecradle40 has a bottom support and is large enough to receive and support a plurality of pavers. The bottom may be constructed as a grid, as described above, or in some other manner, so as to allow water to pass through it relatively unhindered, and the perimeter may be provided with a lip that hinders a translational motion of the pavers. In the embodiment shown, thecradle40 is dimensioned to accommodate fourhybrid pavers100, the dashed lines indicating the locations of fourhybrid pavers100A-100D. This is by way of illustration only. It is understood, however, that, depending on the size and shape of the pavers, and the type of equipment used to handle themulti-paver cradle40, a number ofpavers100 other than4 may be assembled on the cradle. Aguide42 may be provided on thecradle40 to aid in holding thehybrid pavers100 in place. Theguide42 may be a key or ridge; the bottom surfaces of theinner pavers20 and theouter pavers10 would then have a corresponding groove or slot. An advantage of themulti-paver cradle40 is that it greatly enhances the structural stability of a paving system and facilitates handling and installation. Thecradle40 may be handled as a single unit, in which case, fourpavers100 can be moved, handled, or installed as a single unit. Thecradle40 with thepavers100A-100D provides much greater stability when installed as a paving system, because the weight of a multi-paver unit provides much greater resistance to tipping. For example, a load applied to a corner of a paver that is individually placed in the paving system may result in the paver tipping. A load applied to a corner of a paver that is assembled on a multi-paver cradle will be much less likely to result in tipping, because of the total weight and the distribution of weight across a much greater area. Also, a shifting of a paver within a paving layout is much less likely, because of the constraint of the cradle, For example, a force applied laterally to one paver is less likely to shift the paver, because it is constrained within the cradle and keyed in position.
• In the embodiments described herein, thenon-porous paver10 and theporous paver20 are constructed of concrete. It is understood, however, that other suitable materials may be used, for the non-porous paver, for the porous paver, for both. Also, the non-porous paver and the porous paver may be made of different materials. Thus, it is possible to make the non-porous paver of brick or a manufactured stone, and the porous paver of pervious or porous concrete, or any suitable porous material, such as recycled glass, tires, asphalt, and combinations of material.
• Thehybrid paver100 has been illustrated as a two-component paver. It is considered within the scope of this invention to also provide thepaver100 as a unitary paving block having an outernon-porous paver portion10 and an innerporous paver portion20.
• The shape of thepavers100 is irrelevant. Arectangular hybrid paver100 is shown in the drawings herein, but it is understood that any suitable shape, whether the shape be chosen for ornamental or functional reasons, may be used.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a hybrid paved surface200 according to the invention comprising thenon-porous paver10 and theporous paver20. The hybrid paved surface200 is created by laying thepavers10 and20 in an alternating pattern. The particular shape of thepavers10 and20 shown here is for illustration purposes only. In the embodiment shown, a conventional paver has four recesses formed about its perimeter. Four adjacent pavers together form an approximatelycircular opening210. Theporous paver20 is placed in thisopening210. Theporous paver20 includes the retrieval means30 described above. The particular shape of thepavers10 is not relevant to the invention. For example, rectangular orsquare pavers10 may be laid out in a configuration that creates anspace210 into which theporous paver20 is inserted.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a porous pavement surface hat is not necessarily a hybrid surface, as described above, but instead. may be made up primarily ofporous pavers20. The embodiment shown uses large-slabporous pavers20, Such large-slab pavers are heavy and difficult to handle. Being porous, it is also possible or desirable, that suchporous pavers20 be cleaned or replaced. Depending on the size of the paver, one paver may be too heavy to handle manually.FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the retrieval means30, one that is well suited for manipulating, i.e., retrieving, lilting or lowering large,heavy pavers20. Reference is made in the following description toporous pavers20, but it is understood, that is possible to providenon-porous pavers10 with the same retrieval means30, and any description of the retrieval means30 with reference toporous pavers20 shall also apply tonon-porous pavers10. One or more lifting receptacles or lifting lugs31 are embedded into thepaver20. The number and the location of the lugs31 depends on the size and shape of thepavers20. Four lifting lugs may be provided in a large rectangular paver; three or two or only one lug may be provided in smaller pavers. The lifting lugs31 are constructed so as to be able to support the weight of the paver and withstand downward forces and are devices that are ideally countersunk into the pavers. The area around the countersink is capped with some suitable closure means39, so as to provide a closed upper surface on the paver. There are many possible and acceptable constructions for the lifting lugs31. For example, the receptacle31 may be a threaded insert that is embedded in the paver, or may be a keyed opening that will receive and constrain some tool or device that is inserted into the opening. Alifting mechanism33 for lifting the pavers is couplable with the one or more lifting receptacles or lugs31. One embodiment of thelifting mechanism33 is shown only schematically inFIG. 9. It is understood that various types and configurations of lifting devices maybe used. One such suitable lifting mechanism is a hook suspended from a cable that is couplable with an attachment means37 and that is operated by means of some conventional equipment that is typically used to lift heavy items in the construction industry, such as a tractor, or front-end loader, or a vehicle with a hoisting capability. The attachment means37 may be specially constructed for a particular type of paver with a particular configuration of lifting lugs, such as the spider-like device shown inFIG. 9. Thespider37 has at least the number oflegs37′ that corresponds to the number of lugs31. Eachleg37′ is attached to a corresponding one of the lifting lugs31. Alternatively, the attachment means37 may be a set of cables, each cable connectible at one end to a lifting lug and at the other end to the lifting mechanism.
• It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction of the hybrid paver and/or the porous paved surface may be contemplated by one skilled in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A hybrid paver comprising:

an non-porous outer paver having load-bearing properties suitable for pavement use; and

a porous inner paver constructed of a water-permeable material to allow water to filter through the porous paver into underlying substrate.

2. The hybrid paver ofclaim 1, wherein the non-porous paver and the porous paver are separate components, and wherein the non-porous paver has an open center area for receiving the porous paver.

3. The hybrid paver ofclaim 2, further comprising a retrieval means that is provided in the porous paver so as to facilitate removal and insertion of the porous paver into the non-porous paver.

4. The hybrid paver ofclaim 3, wherein the retrieval means includes a lifting receptacle that is adapted to receive a tool for lifting the non-porous paver away from the porous paver.

5. The hybrid paver ofclaim 4, wherein the retrieval means includes a plurality of receptacles embedded into the porous paver.

6. The hybrid paver ofclaim 1 further comprising a cradle having a lower support surface that supports the non-porous paver and the porous paver.

7. The hybrid paver ofclaim 3, wherein the cradle is a multi-paver cradle that has a lower support surface dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of hybrid pavers.

8. A porous paver comprising:

a paving element constructed of porous concrete, the paving element having a retrieval means that includes a receptacle that is incorporated into the paving element and that is adapted to receive a tool that is used for removing and inserting the paving element into place in a paved surface.

9. The porous paver ofclaim 8, wherein the receptacle is a recess that is fitted with a cap, so as to provide a upper surface on the paving element in the area of the recess.

10. A hybrid paved surface comprising:

a porous paver constructed of porous concrete, the porous paver having a retrieval means that includes a receptacle that is incorporated into the porous paver and that is adapted to receive a tool for the purpose of removing and inserting the porous paver into place in a paved surface; and

a non-porous paver constructed of non-porous concrete,

wherein the porous paver and the non-porous paver are laid out adjacent one another, so as to form a pavement surface that has porous and non-porous surfaces.

11. A porous pavement surface comprising:

a porous paver constructed of porous concrete, the porous paver having a retrieval means that includes a receptacle that is incorporated into the porous paver and that is adapted to receive a tool for the purpose of removing and inserting the porous paver into place in a paved surface;

12. A method of constructing and maintaining a porous pavement surface that includes a plurality of porous pavers and in which the porous pavers may be removed from the pavement surface for cleaning and/or replacement, the method comprising the steps of:

a) laying out a porous pavement surface comprising a plurality of porous pavers; and

b) providing a retrieval means in the porous pavers, which enables the porous pavers to be removed from the pavement surface for cleaning and/or replacement.

13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the retrieval means includes lifting lugs that are incorporated into the porous pavers, the method further comprising the steps of:

c) providing an attachment means that is couplable to the lifting lugs; and

d) providing hoisting equipment to lift the porous paver away from the pavement surface by means of the attachment means.

14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the porous pavement surface includes a combination of a plurality of porous pavers and a plurality of non-porous pavers.

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