U.S. patent application number 12/456240 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for gabion.
This patent application is currently assigned to BETAFENCE HOLDING nv. Invention is credited to Frederique Ivan Maurice Alois Eggermont.
Application Number | 20100024343 12/456240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39764844 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100024343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eggermont; Frederique Ivan Maurice
Alois |
February 4, 2010 |
Gabion
Abstract
The invention relates to a gabion module (1) having three metal
wire panels (2a, 2b) and to a gabion (3) having metal wire panels
(2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) connected to one another to form at least one
first compartment (4). The compartment (4) may be filled with a
filling material and may have a textile and/or a metal gauze (6)
fastened to the wire panels (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and extending at
least partly onto the outer circumference of the gabion (3) to form
second compartments (5). Second compartments (5) may be filled with
a filling material and is delimited by the textile and/or metal
gauze (6) and by wire panels (2, 2a, 2b, 2d). A gabion module (1)
and a gabion (3) of this type provide a gabion (3) which can be
erected more easily to be provided over the same area, requiring
less metal without forgoing sturdiness.
Inventors: |
Eggermont; Frederique Ivan Maurice
Alois; (Zwevegem, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John A. Parrish;Law Offices of John A. Parrish
Suite 300, Two Bala Plaza
Bala Cynwyd
PA
19004
US
|
Assignee: |
BETAFENCE HOLDING nv
Zwevegem
BE
|
Family ID: |
39764844 |
Appl. No.: |
12/456240 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/648.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 17/202 20130101;
E02D 29/0208 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/648.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/08 20060101
E04H012/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2008 |
EP |
EP08158716,4 |
Claims
1. Gabion module (1) comprising a plurality of metal wire panels
(2a, 2b) connected to one another, wherein module (1) comprises
three wire panels (2a, 2b), wherein an end of a first inner wire
panel (2a) and an end of a second inner wire panel (2a) are each
connected to an outer wire panel (2b), the ends of the first inner
wire panel (2a) and second inner wire panel (2a) being connected
within the surface of the outer wire panel (2b) 10 wherein and the
end of the second inner wire panel (2a) is connected to a center
part of the outer wire panel (2b).
2. Gabion module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end of the
first innerwire panel (2a) is connected to a center part of the
outer wire panel (2b).
3. Gabion module (1) according to claim 1 wherein the wire panels
(2a, 2b) are connected together to form a shape in the form of
mathematical symbol .pi..
4. Gabion module (1) according to claim 1 wherein the wire panels
(2a, 2b) are hingeably connected to one another.
5. Gabion module (1) according to claim 1 wherein the wire panels
(2a, 2b) are identical.
6. Gabion (3) comprising a plurality of metal wire panels (2, 2a,
2b, 2c, 2d) connected to one another to form at least one first
compartment (4), wherein the gabion (3) comprises a textile wherein
the textile is fastened to the metal wire panels (2, 2a, 2b, 2c,
2d) and extends at least partly onto the outer circumference of the
gabion (3) to form at least one second compartment (5) delimited by
the textile and by other hand wire panels (2,2a, 2b, 2d).
7. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the at least one wire
panel (2,2b) extends from the first compartment to form at least
one extending part(7), and the textile is fastened to the extending
part (7) to form the second compartment (5).
8. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the first compartment
(4) is delimited by four metal wire panels (2, 2a, 2b) of gabion
(3).
9. Gabion (3) according to claim 7 wherein the first compartment
(4) is delimited by two inner wire panels (2a) and by two outer
wire panels (2b) connected to opposite ends of the inner wire
panels (2a) whereby at least one end part of the outer wire panels
(2b) extends from the first compartment (4) to form an extending
part (7).
10. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the metal wire panels
(2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are hingeably connected to one another.
11. Gabion (3) according to claim 10 wherein the metal wire panels
(2a, 2b) are hingeably connected along hinge lines to enable the
panels to fold open in a zigzag-like manner from a closed position
of the gabion (3) to an open position of the gabion (3) whereby the
panels form successive first compartments (4).
12. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the metal wire panels
(2a, 2b) are connected to one another to form successive first
compartments (4) are placed in respect to one another in a zigzag
formation.
13. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the metal wire panels
(2, 2d) are connected on hinge lines (6) to enable the panels to
unfold in a concertina-like manner from a closed position of the
gabion (3) to an open position of the gabion (3) to form successive
first compartments (4), wherein metal wire panels (2, 2d) of first
compartments (4) are positioned adjacent one another and have in
common hinge line (6).
14. Gabion (3) according to claim 13 wherein the first compartments
(4) are each delimited by four metal wire panels (2) that form the
side panels of the compartments (4), and wherein at least one side
panel (2) of a first compartment (4) lies in the extension of a
side panel (2) of another adjacent first compartment (4).
15. Gabion (3) according to claim 14 wherein the at least one side
panel (2) of a first compartment (4) and the side panel (2) of the
adjacent first that lies in the extension pertain to the same metal
wire panel (2).
16. Gabion (3) according to claim 14 wherein gabion (3) comprises
inner hinge lines (9) to hingeably join side panels (2) of adjacent
first compartments (4) and also comprises outer hinge lines (10)
which hingeably connect to side panels (2) of the first compartment
(4), wherein the textile is at least partly fastened to the outer
hinge lines (10) of the gabion (3).
17. Gabion (3) according to claim 13 wherein gabion (3) comprises
at at least one end one an end compartment (11) that is delimited
by the textile and by side panels (2) of a first compartment (4)
positioned on the end of the gabion (3) and by wire panels (2d)
that are positioned in the extension of the side panels (2).
18. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the metal wire panels
(2a, 2b) are detachably connected to one another.
19. Gabion (3) according to claim 6 wherein the gabion (3)
comprises one or more gabion modules (1) according to claim 1.
20. Gabion (3) according to claim 19 wherein the gabion (3)
comprises a plurality of gabion modules (1), wherein opposite ends
of the connected ends of the inner wire panels (2a) of a first
gabion module (1) are connected to the outer wire panel (2b) of a
second gabion module (1) at the opposite side of the outer wire
panel (2b) where the inner wire panels (2a) of the second gabion
module (1) are connected, wherein the outer wire panels (2b) of the
first and second gabion modules (1) together with inner wire panels
(2a) of the first gabion module (1) forms a first compartment (4),
whereby at least at the side of the second inner wire panel (2a) an
end of the outer wire panel (2b) of the first gabion module (1)
extends from the first compartment (4) to form an extending part
(7).
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to European patent
application EP08158716,4 filed Jun. 20, 2008 and to European patent
application EP09157752.8 filed Sep. 4, 2009, the teachings of which
are incorporated by reference by their entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a gabion module that includes a
number of metal wire panels connected to one another, and to a
gabion that includes a number of metal wire panels connected to one
another to form at least one first compartment that may be filled
with stones and/or sand and/or soil an/or any other filling
material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The term "gabion" refers to baskets made of interconnected
metal wire panels which in the open position define a block form
which may be filled with stones and/or sand and/or soil and/or any
other filling material. When filled, these gabions form sturdy
blocks which can be used as building material. Gabions of this type
are used in a broad range of constructional applications in roads,
railways, rivers and canals, buildings, etc. as an embankment, dam,
bank protection, bedding and the like. They were designed to shore
up soil or other materials, in the event of opposing elemental
forces such as flood waters, erosion, avalanches, etc., and are
also used as free-standing walls, sound barriers, etc.
[0004] GB 845,863 describes a gabion which is constructed from
woven metal wire panels comprising a bottom panel and side panels,
the side panels being hingeably connected to the bottom panel. On
site, these gabions are brought from a closed position to an open
position in which they can be filled. For this purpose, the side
panels are rotated relative to the bottom panel until they stand
perpendicularly to the bottom panel and these side panels are
joined together.
[0005] The gabions as described in EP 0 466 726 and WO 2007/060476
were developed to simplify the erecting of gabions. These gabions
comprise a number of welded metal wire panels which are hingeably
connected to one another, so that they can be folded open in a
concertina-like manner from a closed position to an open position
in which they form side and end panels of a series of successive
compartments. These compartments are provided to be filled with
stones and/or sand and/or soil and/or any other filling
material.
[0006] U.S. 2005/0284080 discloses gabions made as a foldable
multi-cell structure, conformed by hinged welded wire panels lined
with knitted wire or expanded metal mesh, which together form cells
which are pivotally connected at their comers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gabion
module according to the invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the metal wire panels of an
embodiment of a gabion according to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gabion
according to the invention with textile;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gabion
according to the invention with metal gauze;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the metal wire panels of an
embodiment of stacked gabions according to the invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the metal wire panels of an
embodiment of a gabion according to the invention forming an obtuse
angle;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment of a gabion in FIG.
6, with textile and/or metal gauze;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the metal wire panels of an
embodiment of a gabion according to the invention forming an
oblique angle;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of a gabion in FIG.
8, with textile and/or metal gauze;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the metal wire panels of an
embodiment of a gabion according to the invention in zigzag
formation;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a top view of the embodiment of a gabion in FIG.
10, with textile and/or metal gauze;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the metal wire panels of an
embodiment of a gabion according to the invention that can be
folded open in a zigzag-like manner and into a folded position;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
gabion according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
gabion according to the invention as illustrated in FIG. 3 that is
provided with a textile;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
gabion according to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that
is provided with a textile and metal gauze; and
[0022] FIGS. 16 to 18 are top views of a gabion that show
schematically how a gabion according to the invention can be folded
open in a concertina-like manner from a closed position to an open
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The invention provides a gabion and a gabion module with
which such a gabion can be erected. The gabion as sturdy or even
sturdier than the gabions of the art and employs the same number of
metal wire panels or even less metal wire panels for a given area.
Also, additional functions such as being soundproof, having an
esthetical appearance, being sturdy, etc. can easily be
integrated.
[0024] The invention provides a gabion module that includes a
number of metal wire panels connected to one another. The module
can include three wire panels wherein one end of a first inner wire
panel and one end of a second inner wire panel are each connected
to an outer wire panel. The ends of the first and second inner wire
panels may be connected substantially within the surface of the
outer wire panel and substantially perpendicular to the outer wire
panel. The end of the second inner wire panel may be connected to a
center part of the outer wire panel.
[0025] The opposite ends of the connected ends of the inner wire
panels of a first such gabion module can be connected in known ways
to the outer wire panel of a second gabion module on the opposite
side of the side of the outer wire panel where the inner wire
panels of the second gabion module are connected. The outer wire
panels of the first and second gabion modules, together with the
inner wire panels of the first gabion module, form a first
compartment that may be filled with stones and/or sand and/or soil
and/or any other filling material. In this way, a gabion is
obtained with a plurality of the gabion modules. In this gabion, at
least at the side of the inner wire panel, one end of the outer
wire panel of the first gabion module extends from the first
compartment to form an extending part. The extending part provides
additional sturdiness. The gabion can, at least partly on its outer
circumference, be provided with a textile such as geotextile and/or
a metal gauze to form at least one second compartment. The second
compartment may be filled with stones and/or sand and/or soil
and/or any other filling material and is delimited by the textile
and/or metal gauze and by the wire panels. This can be done by
connecting the textile and/or metal gauze to the extending part and
also to another part of the gabion modules. The first and second
compartments can then be filled with different materials to provide
a gabion with desired functions.
[0026] Preferably, the end of the first inner wire panel of a
gabion module according to the invention is connected to a center
part of the outer wire panel. Even more preferably, the wire panels
are connected so that in at least one position of the gabion module
the panels form a configuration in the shape of the mathematical
symbol .pi.. In a specific embodiment of a gabion module according
to the invention, the wire panels are hingeably and/or detachably
connected to one another. In another embodiment, the wire panels
are identical.
[0027] The invention further provides a gabion that includes a
number of metal wire panels connected to one another to form at
least one first compartment that may be filled with stones and/or
sand and/or soil and/or any other filling material. The gabion may
include a textile, such as a geotextile, and/or a metal gauze
fastened to the metal wire panels and that extends onto the outer
circumference of the gabion to form at least one second
compartment. The second compartment also may be filled with stones
and/or sand and/or soil and/or any other filling material and the
second compartment is delimited by the textile and/or metal gauze
and by the wire panels.
[0028] Preferably, the gabions will be filled with locally
available filling material such as locally available rocks or sand
or soil, etc. The first and the second compartments of the gabion
can be filled with the same material or different materials. Thus,
the first compartments can be filled with inexpensive filling
material to function as ballast, whereas the second compartment may
be filled with more expensive decorative material, soundproofing
material, etc. Thus, various materials can be added in such a way
that desired properties are obtained in the successive
compartments.
[0029] The metal wire panels of a gabion according to the invention
are preferably welded metal wire panels since sturdier gabions can
be obtained with welded metal wire panels than with wire panels
that employ a metal frame filled in with woven or knotted metal
gauzes.
[0030] A gabion according to the invention can include a textile
such as a geotextile. With such a textile, the gabion can be made
permeable to water while preventing seepage of solid particles
through the textile. As an alternative to textile such as where the
filling material into the gabions is larger than the mesh size of
the metal gauze, or where additional sturdiness of the second
compartments of the gabions is required, or where it is desired to
protect the textile from becoming torn or cut to pieces, a gabion
according to this invention may include a metal gauze in addition
to the textile.
[0031] Suitable metal gauze is preferably woven from metal wires
and offers the necessary flexibility to be folded up or rolled up,
and even more preferably is formed from a double-twisted woven
gauze. The metal gauze can also be configured as gauze knotted from
metal wires.
[0032] As an alternative to the metal gauze, it is possible to
provide, for example, a textile in which metal wires have been
woven, or a textile which is strengthened differently while
remaining sufficiently flexible to be able to be folded up or to be
able to be folded open together with the gabion.
[0033] The gabions form a better buffer to stem water than known
comparable gabions. When known gabions are damaged, a breach in a
compartment of the gabion means a breach in the gabion as a whole.
In the gabions according to the invention, however, second
compartments are provided so that in the event of a breach in one
compartment, then a following compartment may function as a buffer.
Thus, a breach in a compartment does not necessarily mean a breach
of the gabion as a whole.
[0034] In a specific embodiment of a gabion according to the
invention, at least one wire panel extends at least partly from the
first compartment to form at least one extending part. Textile
and/or metal gauze is fastened to the extending part to form the
second compartment. The first compartment is delimited by four
metal wire panels of the gabion.
[0035] The first compartment is preferably delimited by two inner
wire panels and by two outer wire panels that are connected to
opposite ends of the inner wire panels so that at least one end
part of the outer wire panels extends from the first compartment to
form an extending part.
[0036] Gabions as described herein that take up the same volume as
known comparable gabions require over the same length less metal to
achieve the same strength and stability. These gabions are even
sturdier than the known gabions, and thus the gabions of the
invention may be stacked higher than known gabions.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the metal wire panels are
hingeably connected to one another.
[0038] In a specific embodiment of a gabion with hingeably
connected metal wire panels, the wire panels are connected to one
another along hinge lines so that they can be folded open in a
zigzag-like manner from a closed position of the gabion to an open
position of the gabion to form successive first compartments.
[0039] In a still more preferred embodiment of a gabion according
to the invention, the textile and/or the metal gauze can be folded
open together with the metal wire panels from the open position of
the gabion to the closed position of the gabion and, conversely,
may be folded out from the closed position of the gabion to the
open position of the gabion.
[0040] The metal wire panels of gabions according to this invention
are preferably connected to one another to form successive first
compartments which are placed in respect to one another in a zigzag
formation. With such a zigzag formation, extra stability and sound
reduction is obtained.
[0041] In a further embodiment of a gabion that has hingeably
connected metal wire panels according to the invention, the metal
wire panels are connected to one another along hinge lines so that
they can be folded open in a concertina-like manner from a closed
position of the gabion to an open position of the gabion in which
the panels form successive first compartments and where metal wire
panels of first compartments that are adjacent to one another have
a common hinge line. In this way, a gabion according to invention
can be folded open in a scissor-like manner from a closed position
of the gabion to an open position of the gabion and, conversely
folded back from the open position to the closed position.
[0042] More specifically, the first compartments of such a gabion
are each delimited by four metal wire panels that form the side
panels of the first compartments. At least one side panel of a
first compartment lies in the extension of a side panel of a first
compartment positioned adjacent to it. Even more specifically, the
at least one side panel of a first compartment and the side panel
of a first compartment which is positioned adjacent to it that lies
in the extension can pertain to the same metal wire panel.
[0043] Gabions according to the invention preferably have inner
hinge lines that hingeably join together side panels of adjacent
first compartments. The outer hinge lines hingeably connect side
panels of the same first compartment and the textile and/or the
metal gauze is at least partly fastened to the outer hinge lines of
the gabion.
[0044] An even more specific embodiment of a gabion according to
the invention includes at at least one end, an end compartment that
is delimited by the textile and/or metal gauze, by a side panel of
a first compartment positioned on the end of the gabion and by a
wire panel positioned in the extension of the side panel. The end
compartment may be filled with stones and/or sand and/or soil
and/or any other filling material. The metal wire panels are
preferably detachably connected to one another.
[0045] A particular embodiment of a gabion according to the
invention has one or more gabion modules as described above. This
embodiment preferably has two or more such gabion modules where the
opposite ends of the connected ends of the inner wire panels of a
first gabion module are connected to the outer wire panel of a
second gabion module at the opposite side of the side of the outer
wire panel where the inner wire panels of the second gabion module
are connected. The outer wire panels of this first and second
gabion module, together with the inner wire panels of the first
gabion module, form a first compartment where at least at the side
of the second inner wire panel, an end of the outer wire panel of
the first gabion module extends from the first compartment to form
an extending part.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] The invention will now be described in greater depth based
on the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of a
gabion module and gabions according to this invention. The purpose
of this description is to give illustrative examples and to
indicate further advantages and special features of embodiments of
a gabion module and gabions according to the invention, and should
not be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of application of
the invention or of the patent rights requested in the claims. This
detailed description employs reference numerals to refer to the
appended drawings.
[0047] An embodiment of a gabion module (1) according to the
invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes three identical wire
panels (2a, 2b). One end of a first inner wire panel (2a) and one
end of a second inner wire panel (2a) are each connected to a
center part of outer wire panel (2b). Wire panels (2a, 2b) are
hingeably and detachably connected to each other by helical rods.
These panels could equally be fastened to each other with the aid
of other fastening methods. The first and second inner wire panels
(2a) are connected within the surface of the outer wire panel (2b)
and are perpendicular to the outer wire panel (2b). Together, wire
panels (2a, 2b) can be configured in the form of the mathematical
symbol ".pi.".
[0048] Wire panels (2a, 2b) of the embodiments of gabions (3)
illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 12 are connected to one another to form a
least one first compartment (4) that is delimited by four metal
wire panels (2a, 2b) and which may be filled with stones and/or
sand and/or soil and/or any other filling material. These
embodiments are obtained by hingeably and detachably
interconnecting gabion modules (1) as illustrated in FIG. 1 by
helical rods and by hingeably and detachably connecting one or more
additional identical wire panels (2b) to the outer ends of the
interconnected gabion modules (1), also by using helical rods. To
interconnect these gabion modules (1) and to connect the additional
identical wire panels (2b) other connecting methods could equally
well be used. To interconnect the gabion modules (1), opposite ends
of the connected ends of inner wire panels (2a) of a first gabion
module (1) are connected to the outer wire panel (2b) of a second
gabion module (1) at the opposite side of the side of the outer
wire panel (2b) where the inner wire panels (2a) of the second
gabion module (1) are connected. The outer wire panels (2b) of the
first and second gabion module (1), together with the inner wire
panels (2a) of the first gabion modules (1), form a first
compartment (4). This is repeated for interconnecting additional
gabion modules (1) with the two interconnected gabion modules
(1).
[0049] At two opposite sides of the first compartments (4), one end
of the outer wire panels (2b) of the gabion modules (1) extend from
the first compartments (4) to form extending parts (7).
[0050] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 12, textile
and/or metal gauze (6) is connected to the extending parts (7). For
clarity reasons, the textile and/or metal gauze (6) is not shown in
all figures. The connections can be done with clamps, but could
equally well be done using other fastening methods. The textile
and/or metal gauze (6) extends at least partly onto the outer
circumference of gabion (3) to form at least one second compartment
(5). Second compartments (5) may be filled with stones and/or sand
and/or soil and/or any other filling material and are delimited by
the textile and/or metal gauze (6) and by hand wire panels (2a,
2b).
[0051] The embodiments of a gabion (3) as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to
4 has successive first compartments (4) which are built from five
interconnected gabion modules (1) as illustrated in FIG. 1, and by
connecting an additional identical wire panel (2b) at the free ends
of the inner wire panels (2a) of the last interconnected gabion
module (1).
[0052] In FIG. 3, a textile (6) such as a geotextile is attached to
extending parts (7) of the outer wire panels (2b). Textile (6)
extends at least partially onto the outer circumference of the
gabion (3) to make the gabion (3) permeable to water while
preventing seepage of solid particles through the textile (6).
[0053] In FIG. 4 a metal gauze (6) is attached to extending parts
(7) of the outer wire panels (2b). Metal gauze (6) offers
additional sturdiness to the second compartments (5). Metal gauze
(6) is woven or knotted from metal wires and offers the necessary
flexibility to fold open or to fold back up in a zigzag manner
together with gabion (3) as a whole.
[0054] Metal gauze (6) can also be attached to the gabion (3) of
FIG. 3 in addition to the textile (6) on the outside of the textile
(6). In that case it is less easy for the textile (6) to become
damaged since the metal gauze (6) prevents the textile (6) from
becoming easily torn out or cut to pieces.
[0055] As an alternative to the metal gauze (6), it is equally
possible to provide a textile (6) in which metal wires have been
woven or to provide a textile (6) which is strengthened differently
while remaining sufficiently flexible to be able to be folded up or
to be able to be folded open together with the gabion (3).
[0056] In FIG. 5 two gabions (3) as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 are
stacked by placing a second gabion (3) on top of a first gabion
(3). To obtain a gabion (3) as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, two
gabions (3) as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 are placed adjacent to
one another to form an obtuse angle, and are interconnected using a
corner wire panel (2c).
[0057] To obtain a gabion (3) as illustrated in FIG. 8 an 9, two
gabions (3) as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 are placed adjacent to
one another to form an oblique angle, and are interconnected using
helical rods (8). They could equally well be connected using other
connection methods.
[0058] The gabion (3) as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 is formed
in the same way as the gabions (3) illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, but
where successive first compartments (4) are placed in respect to
one another in a zigzag formation. With such a zigzag formation,
extra stability and sound reduction is obtained.
[0059] FIG. 12 shows a gabion (3) according to this invention
wherein the metal wire panels (2a, 2b) are hingeably connected to
one another along hinge lines. The panels can be folded open in a
zigzag-like manner from a closed position of the gabion (3) to an
open position of the gabion (3) to form successive first
compartments (4). The panels also may be folded back in an inverse
zigzag-like manner to a closed position. FIG. 12 is a perspective
view of the metal wire panels (2a, 2b) of a gabion (3) in a folded
position.
[0060] Gabion (3) as illustrated in FIG. 13 includes first
compartments (4) that are each delimited by four metal wire panels
(2, 2d). Metal wire panels (2, 2d) are hingeably connected to one
another with the aid of helical rods along hinge lines (9) so that
gabion (3) can be folded open in a scissor-like manner from a
closed position to the illustrated open position to form the first
compartments (4). These first compartments (4) may be filled with
stones and/or sand and/or soil and/or any other filling material.
First compartments (4) positioned adjacent to one another have one
hinge line (9) in common. The hinge lines (9) could equally well be
produced in a different manner other than with the aid of helical
rods. Hinge lines 9 could for example be produced by fastening the
wire panels (2, 2d) to one another with the aid of clamps that
allow hinging of the wire panels (2, 2d) relative to one another,
or with the aid of resilient elements which are attached between
the respective wire panels (2, 2d), etc.
[0061] The gabion (3) illustrated in FIG. 14 is the same gabion (3)
as in FIG. 13 which is provided with a textile (6) to make the
gabion (3) permeable to water while preventing seepage of solid
particles through the geotextile. The aforementioned hinge lines
(9), which have in common first compartments (4) positioned
adjacent one another, are the inner hinge lines (9) of gabion (3).
Furthermore, the gabion has outer hinge lines (10) which hingeably
connect side panels (2) of a first compartment (4). Textile (6) is
fastened to the outer hinge lines (10) with the aid of clamps.
Textile (6) could equally be fastened to the wire panels with the
aid of other fastening methods. Owing to the textile (6), the
gabion (3) includes in its illustrated open position second
compartments (5) which are delimited by the textile (6) and by
other hand wire panels (2) of two first compartments (4) positioned
next to each other. These second compartments (5) may be filled
with stones and/or sand and/or soil and/or any other filling
material. Furthermore, illustrated gabion (3) has end compartments
(11) which are delimited by textile (6) and by panels (2) of first
compartments (4) which are positioned on the end of the gabion (3)
and by wire panels (2d) which are positioned in the extension of
side panels (2). End compartments (11) may be filled with stones
and/or sand and/or soil and/or any other filling material. End
compartments (11) of this type are however not necessary to obtain
a gabion (1) according to the invention. The textile (6) is
provided so that it can be folded open or can be folded back up in
a concertina-like manner together with gabion (3) as a whole.
[0062] FIG. 15 shows a gabion (3) like that of FIG. 14 but
additionally provided with a metal gauze (6) on the outside of
gabion (3). Metal gauze (6) offers additional sturdiness to the
second compartments (5). Also, as a result of the fact that the
metal gauze (6) is attached to the outside of textile (6), it is
less easy for textile (6) to be damaged since metal gauze (6)
prevents textile (6) from becoming easily torn or cut to pieces.
Metal gauze (6) is woven or knotted from metal wires and offers the
necessary flexibility to be able to fold open or to be able to fold
back up in a concertina-like manner with the gabion (3) as a
whole.
[0063] As an alternative to metal gauze (6), it is equally possible
to provide for example a textile (6) in which metal wires have been
woven, or to provide a textile (6) which is strengthened
differently while remaining sufficiently flexible to be able to be
folded up or to be able to be folded open together with the gabion
(3).
[0064] FIGS. 16 to 18 are views from above that show schematically
how a gabion (3), such as that in FIGS. 14 and 15, can be folded
open in a concertina-like manner from a closed position (not shown)
to the open position shown in FIG. 18. The metal wire panels (2,
2d) of this gabion (3) fold in this case in a scissor-like manner
relative to one another.
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