U.S. patent application number 13/500231 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for drainage body.
Invention is credited to James Canney, Thomas Dau, Timo Elias, Prasanna Kumar, Arne Meincke.
Application Number | 20120255624 13/500231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43705515 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120255624 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Canney; James ; et
al. |
October 11, 2012 |
DRAINAGE BODY
Abstract
A drainage body is disclosed which comprises at least two
substantially identically shaped surface units, that is a base unit
and a substantially identically shaped top unit, which are
combinable with one another in an installation spacing by way of
spacers. It is proposed to form the surface units to be
substantially interlockingly stackable in such a manner that the
installation spacing of the surface units is considerably larger
than their spacing in the stacked condition, whereby the spacers
essentially have, for example, a frusto-conical or frusto-pyramid
shape with a circumscribed cross-sectional area which becomes
smaller as its distance from the surface units increases. As an
alternative to this, it may be provided that the spacers are
disposed in such a manner on the surface units that the base units
and the top units are layable so as to be overlapping one another
in the manner of a masonry bond. As a result this creates high
stability with simultaneous space-saving storability and
transportability.
Inventors: |
Canney; James;
(Bedfordshire, GB) ; Dau; Thomas; (Morel, DE)
; Elias; Timo; (Taunusstein, DE) ; Kumar;
Prasanna; (Bangalore/Karnataka, IN) ; Meincke;
Arne; (Osdorf, DE) |
Family ID: |
43705515 |
Appl. No.: |
13/500231 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 5, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/064795 |
371 Date: |
June 26, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/315.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 11/005 20130101;
Y10T 137/598 20150401; E03F 1/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/315.01 |
International
Class: |
F16K 43/00 20060101
F16K043/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 5, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 048 309.8 |
Nov 4, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 044 412.2 |
Claims
1. Drainage body, comprising at least two substantially identically
shaped surface units, that is a base unit and a substantially
identically shaped top unit, which are combinable with one another
in an installation spacing (DE) by way of spacers, characterized in
that the spacers are disposed in such a manner on the surface units
that the base units and the top units are layable so as to be
overlapping one another in the manner of a masonry bond.
2. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
spacers essentially have, for example, a frusto-conical or
frusto-pyramid shape with a circumscribed cross-sectional area
which becomes smaller as its distance from the surface units
increases.
3. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
spacers are formed as hollow bodies and are molded integrally with
the surface units.
4. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
surface units are interlockingly stackable in a similarly oriented
manner and preferably without offset such that the installation
spacing (DE) of the surface units is considerably larger than their
spacing (D.sub.S) from one another in the stacked condition.
5. Drainage body according to claim 2, characterized in that the
spacers and/or the surface units have plug/socket fastening
sections distributed in such a way that fastening sections, which
are each complementary to one another, interlock in the installed
condition.
6. Drainage body according to claim 5, characterized in that
fastening sections, which are each complementary to one another,
are disposed on a surface unit in such a manner that the following
rules are applicable: a) The arrangement of fastening sections each
identically formed on one half of the surface unit is laterally
reversed in respect of a diagonal of this half of the surface unit;
b) The arrangement of the fastening sections is mirrored in respect
of a first area bisector of the surface unit; c) In respect of a
second area bisector of the surface unit, the arrangement of the
fastening sections is inverted such that in each case the other
fastening section is located in a mirrored position.
7. Drainage body according to claim 5, characterized in that the
fixing sections have locking devices for mutual interlocking of the
spacers and/or for interlocking of the spacers with the surface
units in the installed condition.
8. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
surface units have breakaway sections for the formation of
inspection openings and that load distribution elements are
provided for placing on the inspection opening and for supporting
the cover.
9. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
spacers have stiffening portions, in particular stiffening
corrugations on their circumferential surfaces for stiffening
against bending and buckling.
10. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
side walls are provided and designed such that they are attachable
to the base units and to the top units to combine with each
other.
11. Drainage body according to claim 10, characterized in that the
side walls have side wall supports which, after joining the side
walls to the base units and to the top units, are engaged
preferably at their ends with the spacers to support the side
walls.
12. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized in that the
surface units have in particular joining devices on the margins for
horizontal and/or vertical joining to other surface units and/or
for attaching side walls.
13. Drainage body according to claim 1, characterized by cover
elements for covering openings in the surface units in the region
of the spacers.
14. Drainage body, comprising a plurality of substantially
identically shaped surface units, that is base units and
substantially identically shaped top units, in particular drainage
bodies according to claim 1, characterized in that the base units
and the top units are joined together so as to be overlapping one
another in the manner of a masonry bond.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a drainage body according to the
preamble of claim 1.
[0002] It should be mentioned at this point that the invention also
relates to a drainage unit that comprises a plurality of such
drainage bodies and in addition to further structures associated
herewith.
[0003] The sealing of surfaces significantly impairs the
groundwater balance. In addition to this, the surface and
groundwater runoff must be diverted and fed to sewage treatment
plants. Seepage structures, which are comprised of such drainage
elements, are constructed to counteract this problem. Such drainage
elements are disclosed, for example, in the following printed
documents: DE 20 2005 010 090 U1; DE 202 21 567 U1; DE 10 2005 056
131 A1; EP 162 60 640 B1; DE 43 04 609 A1, EP 0 787 865131; EP 09
43 737 B1; EP 1 416 099 B1; DE 697 00 174 T2; DE 299 24 050 U1; EP
1 469 133 A2; EP 1 887 145 A1; EP 1 452 653 B1. These known
drainage elements or seepage systems are only stable to a limited
extent. Moreover, there exists a considerable problem with regard
to transport and storage, as on the one hand the drainage units
should have a reservoir volume that is as large as possible but on
the other hand it is precisely this that increases the storage and
stacking volume.
[0004] DE 201 05 694 U1 discloses a water reservoir and retention
system that is constructed from perforated bowls with side walls
extending in a frusto-pyramid shape. This ensures good
stackability. However, the disclosed system is then and only then
suitable to take higher loads if the individual elements are
relatively small. Moreover, it is not possible to construct units
that conduct water from a plurality of such water reservoir
boxes.
[0005] From EP 0 612 888 A1 discloses the use of specific moulds or
casting equipment for the construction of water drainage systems.
However, the method described therein is expensive and complex.
[0006] The object of the invention is to develop a drainage body
according to EP 1 452 653 B1 to the effect that a high level of
stability is assured.
[0007] This object is achieved by a drainage body according to
claim 1.
[0008] In particular, this object is achieved by a drainage body
having at least two substantially identically shaped surface units,
that is a base unit and a substantially identically shaped top
unit, which are combinable with one another an installation spacing
by way of spacers, whereby the spacers are disposed on the surface
units in such a manner that the base units and the top units can be
laid overlapping one another in the manner of a masonry bond.
[0009] This special moulding of the spacers ensures that the
surface units stand considerably more stably on top of one another.
As a result, not only is it possible for higher loads to be
absorbed from the surface but it is also possible to construct
seepage systems that are still stable and which (temporarily) store
a larger volume of water.
[0010] Preferably, the spacers essentially have, for example, a
frusto-conical or frusto-pyramid shape with a circumscribed
cross-sectional area which becomes smaller as its distance from the
surface units increases.
[0011] It is particularly advantageous if a plurality of surface
units are interlockingly stackable. Moreover, due to the formation
of the surface units in such a manner that base and top consist of
identical components, storage and transport is in turn improved and
the effort involved in manufacture is reduced.
[0012] The spacers are preferably formed as hollow bodies having an
internal cross-section that is congruent with the external
cross-section in such a way that the spacers are insertable inside
one another when stacking. Thus when stacked the spacers do not sit
adjacent to one another but rather inside one another such that
larger groups of surface units form stable packages. Preferably,
the spacers are formed as hollow bodies and are moulded integrally
with the surface units.
[0013] The spacers preferably have plug/socket fastening sections
distributed in such a manner that they engage in one another in the
installed condition. This brings about a further increase in the
stability of surface units stacked on top of one another. In this
case, the surface units are interlockingly stackable in such a
manner that the installation spacing of the surface units is
considerably larger than their spacing in the stacked condition.
Alternatively, the one, e.g. the socket fastening sections, may
also be provided in the surface units while the other fastening
sections are located on the spacers.
[0014] The spacers preferably have locking devices for mutual
interlocking of the spacers with one another or for interlocking of
the spacers with the surface units in the installed condition. As a
result, one each of a base and an associated top already form
stable units which can thus be constructed into larger "double
bases".
[0015] The surface units preferably also have breakaway sections
for the formation of inspection openings, whereby preferably load
distribution elements are provided in the inspection opening for
fitting and supporting an inspection cover. In this way even major
seepage systems can be cleaned from time to time in such a manner
that the sludges and fine materials which prevent seepage can be
flushed out and extracted by means of suction.
[0016] The spacers clue to their conical shape already have a very
high stability in respect of bending and buckling. Preferably,
stiffening portions are attached to the spacers on their
circumferential surfaces, however, which further increase
stability. In particular, the outer surfaces are provided with
corrugations which run parallel to the longitudinal axes of the
spacers. As a whole, wave-like surface units are created similar to
a "pudding mould". A significant increase in the stability of the
spacers is thereby achieved in a simple manner, particularly in
relation to shearing forces.
[0017] Preferably, side walls are provided which are designed such
that they may be attached to combine with each other at the base
units and at the top units. Thus, structures completely enclosed
circumferentially up to water penetration openings may be formed
which can be installed as hollow bodies in the ground.
[0018] Especially advantageous is when the side walls have side
wall supports which become engaged with the spacers after joining
the side walls to the base units and to the top units to support
the side walls. Forces acting on the side walls are thereby passed
to the spacers so that a significant stiffening of the side walls
can be achieved via the spacers already present.
[0019] The surface units preferably have in particular joining
devices on the margins for horizontal and/or vertical joining to
other surface units and/or for attaching side walls. These joining
devices are preferably designed such that, for example, two surface
units may be placed on top of one another and joined to one another
so that it is possible to construct systems of any height.
Moreover, the surface units may be joined to one another
horizontally such that it is essentially possible to construct
surfaces of any size and any shape. Finally, walls may be inserted
on the margins such that overall large-volume hollow bodies are
created. The wall elements may also be used for stabilisation in
the vertical direction.
[0020] The joining devices are preferably formed in this case such
that the surface units have margins free from protrusions. This
ensures that said systems are constructed without gaps which
improves the stability of the systems.
[0021] The spacers may be provided as separate elements.
Preferably, however, the spacers are formed as hollow bodies and
are moulded integrally with the surface units. This measure opens
up a particularly cost-effective opportunity for manufacturing the
drainage bodies in plastic using manufacturing processes known per
se.
[0022] Preferably, a plurality of additional elements is provided
with which the drainage bodies may be constructed into drainage
systems. These include in particular cover elements that are
provided for covering openings in the surface units. These, for
example, are openings in the region of the supporting elements
formed as hollow bodies. That is to say, if the spacers formed as
hollow bodies have openings for allowing water that is intended to
seep away to pass through, then the cover elements provided for
them are also provided with openings such that the water that is
intended to seep away can also penetrate through these covers into
the surrounding soil.
[0023] It is then possible to construct individual, box-shaped
drainage bodies and to assemble these bodies into larger units via
the joining devices located on their margins. Increased stability,
however, arises in particular when the base and top units are
assembled in a bond in the manner of a masonry bond. For this the
spacers and/or the plug fastening sections and the socket fastening
sections are disposed in such a manner on the surface units that
the base units and the top units may be laid so as to be
overlapping one another. It is possible to lay the individual units
under an angle of 90.degree.. The advantages of such a manner of
laying correspond to those which are known from the construction of
masonry bonds. Such an arrangement arises in particular if the
following rules are observed; [0024] a) The arrangement of
fastening sections each identically formed on one half of the
surface unit is laterally reversed in respect of a diagonal of this
half of the surface unit; [0025] b) The arrangement of the
fastening sections is mirrored in respect of a first area bisector
of the surface unit; [0026] c) In respect of a second area bisector
of the surface unit, the arrangement of the fastening sections is
inverted such that in each case the other fastening section is
located in a mirrored position.
[0027] It emerges from the above that a drainage system is also
claimed which includes a plurality of drainage bodies of the type
described. This drainage system comprises base units which are
combined with top units so as to overlap one another in the manner
of a masonry bond.
[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained
subsequently in greater detail on the basis of drawings. The
drawings show:
[0029] FIG. 1 a view from above onto a surface unit in a view
corresponding to line I-I from FIG. 2,
[0030] FIG. 2 a section through the surface unit according to FIG.
1 along line II-II from FIG. 1,
[0031] FIG. 3 a view from below onto a surface unit according to
FIG. 1 in a view along line III-III from FIG. 2,
[0032] FIG. 4 a view from above onto a cover for covering an
opening as it is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,
[0033] FIG. 5 a partial view of a wall element,
[0034] FIG. 6 a view onto the surface unit according to FIGS. 1 to
3 in a view along line VI-VI from FIG. 1,
[0035] FIGS. 7 to 9 sectional views corresponding to FIG. 2 on to
two surface units in various conditions, that is to say stacked
(FIG. 7) in a condition shortly before assembly (FIG. 8) and in the
assembled condition (FIG. 9),
[0036] FIG. 10 an enlarged view of region X from FIG. 9,
[0037] FIG. 11 a diagrammatic illustration for the assembly of top
units on base units in a bonded manner,
[0038] FIG. 12 a view from above corresponding to that according to
FIG. 1 but on to a different embodiment of the invention,
[0039] FIG. 13 a lateral view of a load distribution element,
[0040] FIG. 14 a view from below according to FIG. 13 along line
XIV-XIV from FIG. 13.
[0041] FIG. 15 a view from above onto a group of surface units
according to FIG. 12 that have been assembled into a base unit and
a group of such surface units that have been assembled into a top
unit and may be flipped over onto the base unit,
[0042] FIGS. 16 to 19 schematic illustrations of arrangements of
plug and socket fastening sections.
[0043] FIGS. 20 and 21 to perspective views of a further embodiment
of the surface units,
[0044] FIG. 22 a completed drainage body with two open side walls
and
[0045] FIG. 23 a partially cut drainage body similar to that of
FIG. 22.
[0046] The same reference numerals are used in the following
description for identical parts and parts acting in an identical
manner.
[0047] The surface unit Illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 is so to speak
a "minimum element", which, as surface unit 10, has a grid
structure projecting from which frusto-conical spacers 20, 20' are
provided. These spacers 20, 20' have differently shaped end
sections. Spacer 20 has a plug end section 21 and spacer 20' a
socket end section 22. In this case, these end sections are
dimensioned such that a plug end section 21 is insertable into
socket end section 22 so as to fit.
[0048] Moreover, spacers 20, 20' have congruent internal and
external cross-sections such that they are insertable into one
another.
[0049] Moreover, surface units 10 have margins 17 which are
continuously moulded in such a manner that on placing surface units
10 next to one another they lie adjacently substantially without a
gap.
[0050] in order to combine adjacently positioned surface units 10
with one another, retaining grooves 41 are provided in the marginal
regions of the surface units into which joining studs 42 (see FIG.
3) are insertable. A joining stud 42 thus sits in two retaining
grooves 41 that are adjacent to one another when two adjacent
surface units 10 are in the assembled condition. So that it is also
possible to place two surface units 10 on top of one another
(whereby spacers 20 then project in opposing directions), further
joining studs 42 (not shown in the Figures) are illustrated, having
only half the cross-section of a joining stud 42 illustrated here,
such that the joining stud does not then protrude beyond margin 17
of surface units 10 lying on top of one another. If two such groups
of surface units 10, which are lying on top of one another, are to
be joined to one another on all sides, then joining studs are
provided for this purpose having twice the height of those joining
studs which are used merely for "horizontal joining" of surface
units 10.
[0051] So as to be able to attach side walls 15 (see FIG. 5),
surface units 10 have marginal grooves 16 on one hand and insertion
pins 44 on the other, which are insertable in insertion holes 43 of
side walls 15. In this case, the margins of side walls 15 are
moulded in such a way, that side wall 15 does not project beyond
margin 17 of surface unit 10 when a side wall 15 is joined to a
surface unit 10.
[0052] Covers 35 (see FIG. 4) are provided so that openings 23, 23'
(see FIGS. 2 and 3) can be sealed.
[0053] The surface units illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6 are
presented again in section as schematic diagrams in FIGS. 7 to 10
(similar to FIG. 2). In this case, FIG. 7 illustrates two surface
units 10 inserted into one another. Height D.sub.S thus arising,
that is to say the stacking height, is only slightly greater
relatively than the height of a single surface unit plus the height
of spacers 20, 20'.
[0054] In order to attach two surface units 10 to one another to
form a drainage body, one surface unit 10 is turned relative to the
other surface unit 10 such that the arrangement illustrated in FIG.
8 is created. Thus in this case, a spacer 20, having a plug end
section 21 on its upper margin, opposes a spacer 20', having a
socket end section 22. These end sections may--as illustrated in
FIG. 9--be inserted into one another such that then surface units
10 form a base unit 11 on the one hand and a top unit 12 on the
other. Here, teeth 24 on the one hand and notches 25 on the other
are provided in plug end sections 21 and socket end sections 22,
which--as illustrated in FIG. 10--interlock such that base unit 11
is joined to top unit 12 by way of spacers 20, 20'. Thus two
surface units 10, when joined to one another by way of spacers 20
and interlocking devices 24, 25, already form stable bodies, the
stability of which is guaranteed in all directions. In this case,
installation distance D.sub.E is considerably larger than stacking
distance D.sub.S.
[0055] FIG. 11 illustrates how the various surface units may be
assembled in the manner of a bond. It is apparent from this diagram
that top units 12 are installed on base units 11 in an offset
manner such that the arrangement of three surface units 10, 10',
10'' illustrated on the right in FIG. 11 is joined into a single
body, which (extending to the left in FIG. 11) can be continued
indefinitely. This contributes to a significant increase in the
stability of such an overall arrangement.
[0056] The surface unit illustrated in FIG. 12 in a view from above
similar to that according to FIG. 1 differs from the surface unit
previously described in that it is not a "minimum surface unit" but
is rather constructed from a total of four such surface units
(formed integrally).
[0057] Moreover, a series of breakaway sections 13 is provided in
surface unit 10 according to FIGS. 12 to 14 which, although covered
by way of grids like remaining surface unit 10, can nevertheless be
broken away from the surrounding material. Such openings are used
as inspection accesses to the interior of the drainage bodies. Once
such drainage bodies are installed in the ground, that is to say
are covered with a layer of soil, load elements 30 are provided
which may be placed on such breakaway sections 13 that have been
broken out. These load distribution elements 30 have a pipe section
31 that may be cut to size, which may be sealed at its top end by
means of a conventional (cast) cover (not illustrated) such that an
inspection opening 34 is formed after removal of the cover. At the
bottom end of load distribution element 30 support arms 32 are
provided, which are used to transmit forces acting on the top end
(or on the cover positioned on it) to surface unit 10 over as wide
an area as possible.
[0058] It should be pointed out at this point that the details
described previously, such as, for example, joining devices 41 and
43, should also be present in the embodiment according to FIGS. 12
to 14 but are not illustrated for reasons of simplifying the
drawing.
[0059] It emerges from the above that using surface units 10
presented here and their spacers 20 it is possible to create any
number of spaces and channels that are only terminated on their
external contours by side walls 15 (see FIG. 5). If one wants to
increase the stability of the bodies thus created, then side walls
may also be attached inside them.
[0060] FIG. 15 shows an assembly of a plurality of surface units
according to FIG. 12. Illustrated on the left-hand side of FIG. 15
is a base unit 11, on the right is a top unit 12. If one flips top
unit 12 over on to base unit 11 such that plug fastening sections
21 insert into socket fastening sections 22, a drainage body is
created which by means of assembly in the manner of a bond is
extremely stable per se even without additional bonding of base
unit 11 and top unit 12 forming surface units 10.
[0061] FIGS. 16 to 19 disclose various examples of how the
"apposing" fastening devices, that is to say plug fastening devices
21 and socket fastening devices 22, are to be disposed so that on
the one hand the surface units can form both base units and also
top units and on the other hand assembly can be carried out in the
manner of a bond.
[0062] In the following, a further embodiment of the invention is
described in more detail on the basis of FIGS. 20 to 23. In these
drawings, individual surface units, respectively, drainage bodies
are shown which are assembled from individual surface units. From
the preceding explanations it follows, however, that such
individual elements can be integrated in a manner of a bond with
other individual elements to larger drainage bodies.
[0063] The surface units, respectively, drainage bodies according
to FIGS. 20 to 23 differ from the preceding embodiments, first of
all, in that the spacers do not have a smooth surface but are
provided with corrugations 26, respectively, wave-shaped
circumferential surfaces. Thereby, significantly increased
stability results in particular against transverse loads and
against buckling, respectively, bending.
[0064] The side walls have side wall supports 18, which in the
assembled state (see FIGS. 22 and 23), produce a support of the
side walls 15 at the spacers. Reference is also made to FIGS. 8 and
9 which show in principle how such a support functions. Through
this construction, a significant increase in the stability of the
drainage body and an increase in the resilience is ensured against
lateral loads.
[0065] Furthermore, it can be seen from FIGS. 20 to 23 that the
surface units 10 and the side wails 15 are constructed as honeycomb
structures and thereby offer good water permeability, on the one
hand, and a high stability, on the other hand. The surface units 10
and the side walls 15, finally, have breakaway sections 13, already
described above, through which pipe connections can be carried out
or inspection openings can be created.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0066] 10 Surface unit [0067] 11 Base unit [0068] 12 Top unit
[0069] 13 Breakaway section [0070] 15 Side wall [0071] 16 Marginal
groove [0072] 17 Margin [0073] 18 Side wall support [0074] 20, 20'
Spacer [0075] 21 Plug fastening section [0076] 22 Socket fastening
section [0077] 23, 23' Opening [0078] 24 Toothing [0079] 25 Notch
[0080] 26 Stiffening corrugation [0081] 30 Load distribution
element [0082] 31 Pipe section [0083] 32 Supporting arm [0084] 34
Inspection opening [0085] 35 Cover [0086] 41 Retaining groove
[0087] 42 Joining stud [0088] 43 Insertion hole [0089] 44 Insertion
pin [0090] D.sub.E Installation distance [0091] D.sub.S Stacking
distance
* * * * *