U.S. patent application number 09/927434 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-07 for wall element, especially a palisade.
Invention is credited to Schmitz, Michael.
Application Number | 20020026763 09/927434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27220210 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020026763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schmitz, Michael |
March 7, 2002 |
Wall element, especially a palisade
Abstract
A wall component, in particular a palisade, has visible or wall
surfaces disposed on opposing sides, and intermediate end faces,
wherein a projecting head is formed on one of the end faces and a
receptacle is formed on the other end face. The head and the
receptacle engage with a receptacle and a head of a neighboring
wall component when forming a wall. The wall component is
characterized in that a depression is formed on a first visible or
wall surface which extends through the entire length of the wall
component. The peripheral surface of the head extends into the
depression and the opposing second visible or wall surface is
substantially flat and maps smoothly into the peripheral surface of
the head.
Inventors: |
Schmitz, Michael;
(Rheinmunster, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CAHN & SAMUELS LLP
2000 P STREET NW
SUITE 200
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
27220210 |
Appl. No.: |
09/927434 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09927434 |
Aug 13, 2001 |
|
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PCT/EP00/01059 |
Feb 10, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/605 ;
52/596 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 1/395 20130101;
E02D 2300/002 20130101; E04H 17/16 20130101; E02D 29/025 20130101;
E04B 2002/0213 20130101; E02D 2200/16 20130101; A01G 9/28 20180201;
E04B 2002/0263 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/605 ;
52/596 |
International
Class: |
E04C 002/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 1999 |
DE |
299 02 467.9 |
Jul 10, 1999 |
DE |
299 12 038.4 |
Sep 2, 1999 |
DE |
299 15 545.5 |
Claims
1. A palisade comprising visible or wall surfaces disposed on
opposing sides, and intermediate end faces wherein one of the end
faces has a projecting head and the other end face has a
receptacle, wherein the head and the receptacle engage with a
receptacle or head of a neighboring wall component when forming a
wall, wherein a depression is formed on one first visible or wall
surface which extends along the entire length of the wall
component, and the peripheral surface of the head extends into the
depression, wherein the opposing second visible or wall surface is
substantially flat and smoothly maps into the peripheral surface of
the head, wherein the first visible or wall surface has a convex
curved section extending from its end region proximate the
receptacle which continuously maps into the concave curved
depression which, in turn, continuously joins with the convex
curved peripheral surface of the head.
2. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the depression
is disposed substantially in the center of the first visible or
wall surface.
3. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the depression
has a groove bottom which extends substantially parallel to the
second visible or wall surface, and inclined side walls one of
which is part of the peripheral surface of the head.
4. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the depression
has a substantially concave cross-section.
5. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the surface of
the depression maps smoothly and continuously into the first
visible or wall surface and the peripheral surface of the head.
6. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral
surface of the head extends over an angular region of approximately
180.degree. to 225.degree..
7. The wall component according to claim 17 wherein the head has a
partially circular convex cross-section.
8. The wall component according to claim 7, wherein the second
visible or wall surface tangentially maps into the peripheral
surface of the head.
9. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the head has a
polygonal cross-section, in particular the shape of a regular
polygon.
10. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the head and
the receptacle are formed in the center of the respective end
face.
11. The wall component according to claims 1, wherein the
receptacle is a hollow cavity.
12. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle
comprises a partially circular concave cross-section.
13. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle
has a polygonal cross-section.
14. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle
extends through an angle of approximately 90.degree..
15. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein the visible or
wall surfaces are tapered towards the center of the wall component
in their end region proximate the receptacle, wherein the width of
the receptacle is less than the mutual separation between the
visible or wall surfaces.
16. The wall component according to claim 15, wherein the tapered
end regions curve into the visible or wall surfaces.
17. The wall component according to claim 15, wherein the tapered
end regions curve into the visible or wall surface.
18. The wall component according to claim 1, wherein it is made
from concrete.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation of PCT Application No.
PCT/EP00/01059 filed on Feb. 10, 2000.
[0002] The invention concerns a preferably rod-shaped call
component, in particular a palisade, with visible or wall surfaces
arranged on opposite sides, and intermediate end faces, wherein one
of the end faces is provided with a projecting head and the other
end face is provided with a receptacle, and wherein the head and
the receptacle engage with a receptacle or a head of a neighboring
wall component to form a wall.
[0003] The vertical burying of palisades or posts in the ground or
the fining thereof in a different manner, one next to the other, to
form walls has been conventional for a long time. While the
palisades originally served as fortress walls, they are also used
today for designing gardens and outdoor areas, e.g., for elevated
garden beds, slope supports, terraces etc. The palisades are
usually made from wood or concrete and are anchored in the earth
with a concrete foundation. If the palisades are subjected to only
little loading, it may be sufficient to merely bury them in the
ground.
[0004] A wall formed from palisades, disposed one next to the
other, which can either stand freely or be filled up with earth, at
least on one side, is described below by way of example.
[0005] In previous times, logs were usually used for palisades
which therefore had a circular cross-section. Modern palisades are
mostly produced as prefabricated concrete parts, which permits
adjustment of the cross-sectional shape of the palisades to the
requirements. Such a palisade has visible or wall surfaces disposed
on two opposing sides which, when erected, and together with the
corresponding visible or wall surfaces of neighboring palisades,
form the surfaces of the wall. Each end of the visible or wall
surfaces of the palisade has an end face which extends
substantially perpendicular to the visible or wall surfaces. When
the palisades are disposed next to each other, neighboring
palisades are disposed such that their facing end faces abut.
[0006] The stability of each individual palisade is effected
through embedding in the ground. For a better absorption of
localized forces substantially perpendicular to the plane of the
wall, neighboring palisades have been conventionally connected or
engaged such that transverse loads which act on a palisade are
transferred to neighboring palisades and absorbed by them to
increase the stability of the wall.
[0007] The mutual engagement of neighboring palisades is usually
achieved by engagement elements disposed on the end faces of the
palisades. Both e.g. DE 297 15 696 U1 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,502,438
have proposed providing one end face with a centrally aligned head
which extends substantially over the entire width of the end face
and which has a partially circular convex shape and providing the
opposite end face with a receptacle having the shape of a partially
circular concave hollow cavity which also extends over the entire
width of the end face. Since the head can be disposed in different
positions within the receptacle, a joint, having a vertical joint
axis, is formed between neighboring palisades which permits bending
between neighboring palisades and formation of polygonally curved
walls.
[0008] It has, however, turned out that the range of possible
configurations of such conventional palisades is relatively
limited. They also have disadvantages with regard to appearance.
One reason therefor is that formation of a smooth continuous wall
surface is not possible due to the head projecting on the end face,
which is clearly offset on both sides with respect to the visible
or wall surfaces via waists. Subdivision of the palisade wall
surface into a body, a waist and a head produces a plurality of
recesses on the wall surface of a palisade giving the surface an
irregular appearance. Moreover, the edge for connection to base
plates is not straight due to the recesses in the foot region of
the palisade wall leading to gaps in the transitional region
between the wall and the base area which tend to get dirty and
which attract moss or weeds.
[0009] It is the underlying purpose of the invention to produce a
rod-shaped wall component of the above-mentioned type, in
particular in the form of a palisade, which eliminates the
above-mentioned problems and whose constructive design offers the
user many design possibilities for constructing a wall.
[0010] This object is achieved in accordance with the invention
with a wall component or a palisade comprising the features of
claim 1.
[0011] The inventive wall component is characterized in that its
two visible or wall surfaces have a different design. A first
visible or wall surface comprises a depression extending along the
entire length of the wall component, wherein the peripheral surface
of the head extends into the depression. In this fashion, the
peripheral surface of the head is enlarged by the amount extending
into the depression thereby permitting adjustment of the joint
formed by the head and a receptacle engaging therewith, over a
sufficiently large angular region.
[0012] The opposing second visible or wall surface is substantially
flat and gradually maps into the peripheral surface of the head,
without grooves, recesses or projections. If the head has a
continuously curved peripheral surface, the second visible or wall
surface preferably extends tangentially with respect to the
peripheral surface of the head. Since the second visible or wall
surface does not have a depression, the angular region over which
the joint can be adjusted is limited such that a continuous,
visually smooth wall surface can be formed on one side of a wall
composed of the inventive wall components which is not interrupted
by a plurality of recesses or projections. Moreover, the different
designs of the two visible or wall surfaces of the wall component
provide the user with considerably increased design possibilities
since different wall designs can be obtained in dependence on the
mutual orientation of neighboring wall components.
[0013] The wall component can be horizontally mounted rather than
vertically, in particular, for forming a wall for plants or an
embankment. Several wall components are thereby disposed on a base
surface, preferably with their end faces defining the receptacle
facing downwards, to thereby form a first layer, wherein they can
be disposed either directly next to one another or at a mutual
separation from one another. The receptacles of further wall
components are then disposed on the upwardly facing head sections
of the wall components of the first layer, thereby forming a second
layer. An orientation other than vertical can be effected through
adjustment of the joint formed between head and receptacle. As
usual in the construction of walls, the wall components of one
layer should be offset in the longitudinal direction with respect
to the wall components of the layer disposed below and/or above and
optionally be glued together or connected through mortar.
[0014] If there is a separation between the individual wall
components of a layer, a wall for plants or an embankment wall can
be easily provided with openings to permit plants to grow on the
wall.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the depression
is disposed substantially in the center of the first visible or
wall surface.
[0016] A possible embodiment provides that the depression has a
depression bottom extending substantially parallel to the second
visible or wall surface and side walls which extend at an
inclination thereto, of which one is part of the peripheral surface
of the head. The cross-section of the depression can be
substantially concave and map smoothly and continuously over into
the first visible or wall surface and the peripheral surface of the
head. For this reason, the first visible or wall surface does not
have any shoulders, corners or edges which is advantageous in that
high localized corner stresses are prevented in the wall component
and dirt cannot accumulate in the corners of the first visible or
wall surface. The wall component is therefore also easy to
clean.
[0017] A further embodiment provides that the head and the
receptacle are formed in the center of the respective end face,
wherein their width preferably corresponds to the mutual separation
between the two visible or wall surfaces. The heads can be larger
or smaller and, in particular, the receptacle can be smaller.
[0018] The peripheral surface of the head should extend over an
angular region of approximately 180.degree. to 225.degree.. The
head can have a partially circular, convex cross-section.
[0019] Alternatively, the head can have a polygonal cross-section,
in particular, in the shape of a regular polygon. In this case, the
smooth continuous transition between the second visible or wall
surface and the peripheral surface of the head is effected in that
either one of the peripheral partial surfaces of the head is part
of the second visible or wall surface or the peripheral surface of
the head joins the second visible or wall surface while forming a
bend. The head and receptacle can be disposed only in predetermined
relative positions, but have an improved, in particular
non-rotatable engagement. The partially circular embodiment of the
head and the receptacle permits continuous angular adjustment
between neighboring palisades.
[0020] The receptacle which is formed on the end face opposite the
head, has a shape which is complementary to that of the head. The
receptacle is preferably formed as a hollow cavity, which either
has a partially circular concave cross-section, or a polygonal
cross-section, corresponding to the configuration of the head. In a
preferred embodiment, the receptacle is defined by a border
extending through an angular region of approximately 45.degree. to
180.degree. and, in particular, through 90.degree..
[0021] A further development of the invention provides that the end
region of the visible or wall surfaces proximate the receptacle is
tapered towards the center of the palisade suc: that the width of
the receptacle is smaller than the mutual separation between the
visible and wall surfaces. This produces a sharp edge between the
receptacle and the respective visible or wall surfaces which
permits a collision-free immersion into the depression in an
extreme, bent orientation between two neighboring wall components.
In addition, the tapering at the end of the visible or wall
surfaces reduces the width of the receptacle such that neighboring
wall components can be adjusted over a larger angular region. To
prevent graduations or irregularities on . the visible or wall
surfaces of the wall component or to at least keep them small, the
tapered end regions map over into the respective visible or wall
surface in a smooth, e.g. continuously curved fashion.
[0022] The visible or wall surface preferably has a convexly curved
section extending from its tapered end region which continuously
maps into the concavely curved depression which, in turn, joins
with the convexly curved peripheral surface of the head. The
peripheral surface of the head changes smoothly and continuously
over into the second visible or wall surface, whose
receptacle-sided end smoothly maps into the tapered end region. In
this fashion, the surface of the wall component extending between
the two edges of the tapered end sections, i.e. the two visible or
wall surfaces and the headsided end face, is free of shoulders or
bends and travels in a steady, continuous smooth manner, thereby
preventing localized corner stresses and considerably reducing
accumulation of dirt.
[0023] As an alternative, the tapered end regions can map into the
visible or wall surface through formation of a small bend.
[0024] The wall component is usually made from concrete and has a
substantially constant cross-section throughout its length, wherein
it may or may not be armored depending on the loads which must be
accommodated.
[0025] If the construction height is correspondingly small, the
wall component can be alternatively used as a bordering stone for
forming the border of a lawn, vegetable garden, or flower patch. To
border a lawn or garden area, the circumference of at least one
partial region of the area is bordered with an edge formed of
stones disposed in a row defining a clear border. In case of a lawn
border, which is below described by way of example, the upper side
of the lawn border is substantially at the height of the lawn
surface to allow side wheels of a lawn mower to be moved along the
lawn border to facilitate cutting of the grass in the edge region
of the lawn.
[0026] The inventive bordering stone has a front surface, a rear
surface disposed on the opposite side, and intermediate end faces,
wherein one of the end faces has a projecting head and the other
end face has a receptacle, wherein the head and the receptacle
engage with a receptacle or a head of a neighboring bordering stone
when forming a lawn or patch border The bordering stone is
characterized in that the rear surface has a depression extending
over the entire height of the bordering stone and the peripheral
surface of the head extends into the depression. The front surface
is substantially flat and smoothly maps into the peripheral surface
of the head. This increases the peripheral surface of the head by
the amount projecting into the depression thereby permitting
adjustment of the joint, which is formed by the head and a
receptacle engaging therewith, over a sufficiently large angular
region, wherein a bend between neighboring bordering stones of
90.degree. can be effected. To obtain as continuous a flat surface
as possible on the front side of a lawn border facing the lawn
area, the front side of the bordering stone is substantially flat
and maps smoothly and continuously into the peripheral surface of
the head without the formation of grooves, recesses or
projections.
[0027] Further embodiments of the bordering stone can be extracted
from the above embodiments of a palisade which differ only in
overall height.
[0028] Further details and features of the invention can be
extracted from the following description of embodiments with
reference to the drawing.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a rod-shaped wall
component in accordance with a first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 2 shows two wall components according to FIG. 1 used as
palisades, in mutual engagement and straight alignment;
[0031] FIG. 3 shows different wall components according to FIG. 1
used as a palisade with mutual engagement thereby forming
angles;
[0032] FIG. 4 shows various wall components according to FIG. 1,
used in horizontal alignment for forming a wall for plants; and
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a rod-shaped wall
component according to a second embodiment.
[0034] A wall component shown in cross-section in FIG. 1 is made
from concrete and has a substantially uniform cross-section
throughout its length, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the
drawing. It has a first visible or wall surface 11 and, on the
opposing side, a second visible or wall surface 12 which is
substantially flat. Opposing end faces 13 and 14 extend between the
two visible or wall surfaces 11, 12 at their lateral ends.
[0035] The right end face 13 of FIG. 1 is formed as a head 15
having a partially circular cross-section whose center lies
approximately in the center of mutual separation between the two
visible or wall surfaces 11 and 12. In the embodiment shown, the
radius of the head 15 corresponds to substantially half the width
of the wail component i.e. half the separation between the two
visible or wall surfaces 11 and 12, wherein the head 15 and its
peripheral surface 15a map smoothly and substantially tangentially
into the flat second visible or wall surface.
[0036] The first visible or wall surface 11 has a substantially
central depression defining a depression bottom 17a extending
substantially parallel to the second visible or wall surface 11,
and with inclined side walls 17b and 17c, wherein the side wall 17c
is simultaneously part of the peripheral surface 15a of the head
15. The transitions between the side walls 17b and 17c and the
depression bottom 17a are rounded such that the depression 17 has a
concave cross-section which maps smoothly, and at one side,
monotonically into the peripheral surface 15a of the head. In this
fashion, the peripheral surface 15a of the head reaches into the
depression 17 and extends over an angular region of more than
180.degree., and of approximately 225.degree. in the embodiment
shown
[0037] The opposite end face 14 has a receptacle 16 formed as
hollow cavity whose radius of curvature corresponds to the radius
of the head 15 and whose concave peripheral surface extends over an
opening angle of approximately 90.degree..
[0038] The two visible or wall surfaces 11 and 12 are tapered in
their end regions 11a, 12a proximate the receptacle 16 through
continuous curvature of the visible or wall surfaces 11 and 12
towards the center of the palisade 10 such that the width of the
receptacle 16 is slightly less, e.g. by 10%, than the mutual
separation between the visible or wall surfaces 11 and 12. The
corner region between the respective visible or wall surface 11 and
12 and the concave peripheral surface of the receptacle 16 defines
a sharp edge. The first visible or wall surface 11 therefore has a
section 11b of convexly curved cross-section starting from its
tapered end region 11a, which continuously maps into the concavely
curved depression 17 which, in turn, joins with the convexly curved
peripheral surface 15a of the head. The continuously convexly
curved peripheral surface of the head maps smoothly and
continuously into the second visible or wall surface 12 which, in
turn, changes smoothly over, in a continuously curved fashion, into
the tapered end region 12a on its receptacle-sided end.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows that several wall components 10, serving as
palisades, are disposed next to one another to form a palisade
wall, wherein the head of a palisade engages in the receptacle of
the neighboring palisade and the facing end faces of the
neighboring palisades abut, thereby forming a substantially flat
surface on the front side which is only interrupted by the tapering
of the end regions 11a, 12a.
[0040] Since the receptacle 16 only extends through an angular
region of approximately 90.degree., whereas the head 15 has a
peripheral surface extending through a region of approximately
225.degree., neighboring palisades can be disposed in any
orientation with respect to one another, throughout an angular
range of approximately 135.degree., wherein each head lies in a
receptacle. In this fashion, bends between neighboring palisades
can be realized over a large angular region. FIG. 3 shows two
possible bends between two neighboring palisades. The upper
palisade 10' shows the position of maximum bend in which the sharp
corner formed between the visible or wall surface 12 and the
receptacle 16 is disposed in the depression 17 of the other
palisade 10. The further bent palisade 10" is disposed in the other
extreme position in which the corner lies between the first visible
or wall surface 11 and the receptacle 16 at the transition region
between the peripheral surface of the head 15 and the first visible
or wall surface 11 of the other palisade 10.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows a section of a wall for plants or an embankment
which consists of several wall components 10 disposed in vertical
orientation. In the embodiment shown, three wall components 10 are
disposed on a base surface with their end faces having the
receptacle facing downward, thereby forming a first layer. The wall
components 10 are oriented in their longitudinal direction and are
disposed to define a residual gap 18. The receptacles of several
wall components are disposed on the upwardly facing head sections
of the wall components 10 of the first layers thereby forming a
second layer, wherein the wall components 10 of the second layer
bridge the gaps 18 between the wall components 10 of the first
layer thereby defining intermediate gaps 18'. The two layers must
not be disposed exactly vertically, since adjustment of the joint
formed between the head of the wall components of the first layer
and the receptacle of the wall components of the second layer
permits mutual angular adjustment or tilting of the layers. This
embodiment shows a further wall component 10 of a third layer which
again bridges the gap 18' between neighboring wall components of
the second layer. In this fashion, a wall for plants or an
embankment is formed with openings or gaps 18,18' which can either
have a vertical orientation or be polygonally curved through
adjustment of the joints between the individual layers of the wall
components.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a cross-section of
the wall component which only differs from the configuration of
FIG. 1 in that the depression 19 has a different shape. The bottom
17a of that depression 19 extends substantially parallel to the
second visible and wall surface 12 and, on the side facing the
receptacle 16, joins with a side wall 17b to define a bend. The
side wall 17b and the second visible or wall surface 12 form a
corner.
[0043] The other side wall 17c is also part of the peripheral
surface 15a of the head 15 and is convexly curved in correspondence
thereto.
* * * * *