U.S. patent application number 13/505069 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for procedure for making transitable paved surfaces and paved surface thus obtainable.
This patent application is currently assigned to CERAMICANDA S.R.L. Invention is credited to Roberto Caroli.
Application Number | 20120275859 13/505069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42212265 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120275859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caroli; Roberto |
November 1, 2012 |
PROCEDURE FOR MAKING TRANSITABLE PAVED SURFACES AND PAVED SURFACE
THUS OBTAINABLE
Abstract
Process for making transitable paved surfaces includes the
following phases: supplying at least a supporting frame (2),
supplying at least a ceramic product (11) having at least a visible
face (11a) and at least an installation face (11b), fitting of the
ceramic product (11) to the frame (2) with the visible face (11a)
turned outwards and the installation face (11b) turned towards the
frame itself, the latter having retention elements (6) of the
ceramic product and being shaped so as to make accessible at least
a part of the installation face (11b), spreading an adhesive
material (12) on an installation surface (P), positioning the frame
(2) on the adhesive material (12) so that the adhesive material
itself reaches the installation face (11b), the adhesive material
(12) being suitable for reciprocally solidarizing the ceramic
product (11) to the frame (2) and the latter to the installation
surface (P).
Inventors: |
Caroli; Roberto;
(Casalgrande (RE) frazione Veggia, IT) |
Assignee: |
CERAMICANDA S.R.L
Casalgrande (RE) frazione Veggia
IT
|
Family ID: |
42212265 |
Appl. No.: |
13/505069 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
November 2, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT10/00440 |
371 Date: |
July 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/22 ; 404/31;
404/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 5/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/22 ; 404/75;
404/31 |
International
Class: |
E01C 7/00 20060101
E01C007/00; E01C 17/00 20060101 E01C017/00; E01C 3/00 20060101
E01C003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2009 |
IT |
MO2009A000265 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. Process for making transitable paved surfaces, comprising the
following phases of: supplying at least a supporting frame (2);
supplying at least a ceramic product (11) having at least a visible
face (11a) and at least an installation face (11b); fitting said
ceramic product (11) to said frame (2) with said visible face (11a)
turned outwards and said installation face (11b) turned towards the
frame itself, the latter having retention means (6) of said ceramic
product and being shaped so as to make accessible at least a part
of said installation face (11b); spreading an adhesive material
(12) on an installation surface (P); positioning said frame (2) on
said adhesive material (12) so that the adhesive material itself
reaches said installation face (11b), said adhesive material (12)
being suitable for reciprocally solidarizing said ceramic product
(11) to said frame (2) and the latter to said installation surface
(P).
16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the fitting of said
ceramic product (11) to said frame (2) can be performed before or
after the positioning of said frame (2) on said adhesive material
(12).
17. The process according to claim 15, further comprising applying
an anti-slip paint on said visible face (11a).
18. The process according to claim 15, wherein said frame (2) has
one or more openings (13) accessing said installation face (11b),
said adhesive material (12) being suitable for passing through said
openings (13) to reach said installation face (11b).
19. The process according to claim 15, further comprising applying
at least an element that can be lit up (14) on the visible face
(11a) of said ceramic product (11).
20. The process according to claim 15, further comprising supplying
a plurality of said frames (2) and wherein said fitting phase
envisages the arrangement of said frames (2) according to a
predefined pattern.
21. The process according to claim 15, comprising supplying a
plurality of said frames (2) and providing a reciprocal connection
phase of said frames (2).
22. The process according to claim 21, wherein said connection is
performed before the positioning of said frames (2) on said
adhesive material (12).
23. Transitable paved surface (1), comprising: a plurality of
supporting frames (2) arranged one alongside the other on an
installation surface (P); a plurality of ceramic products (11),
having a respective visible face (11a) and a respective
installation face (11b), each of which is fitted to a relative
supporting frame (2) with said visible face (11a) turned outwards
and with said installation face (11b) turned towards the frame
itself, said frames (2) comprising retention means (6) of the
relative ceramic product (11); means of solidarization (12) of said
ceramic products (11) to the relative supporting frames (2) and of
the latter to said installation surface (P).
24. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said means of
solidarization (12) are of the adhesive material type.
25. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said frames (2)
comprise a plurality of openings (13) accessing the installation
face (11b) of the relative ceramic product (11) and by the fact
that said means of solidarization (12) pass through said openings
(13).
26. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said retention
means (6) are elastically yielding to allow the snap of said
ceramic products (11).
27. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said frames (2)
are interlinked to each other.
28. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein at least one of
said ceramic products (11) comprises at least an element that can
be lit up (14) facing the relative visible face (11a).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a procedure for making
transitable paved surfaces and paved surface thus obtainable.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally speaking, transitable paved surfaces such as
pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, cycling tracks and in general
all transit areas or areas which are subject to heavy-duty transit
are made of asphalt.
[0003] More in particular, after creating the foundation of the
asphalt paved surface, this, or at least a part of it, is then
coloured in order to distinguish it from the surrounding areas.
[0004] This procedure is in fact generally performed for making
pedestrian crossings or speed bumps, or in those situations wherein
the need arises to clearly identify a certain transitable or
transit area.
[0005] This method for making paved surfaces does however have
drawbacks.
[0006] In fact, the paved surfaces made this way, tend to quickly
lose their colour as a result of being transited on.
[0007] It therefore follows that the paved surfaces made using this
method require repainting at periodical intervals in order to
restore the desired colour.
[0008] The repainting of road, pedestrian or similar surfaces is
therefore costly due to periodical maintenance jobs as well as
inconvenient for users due to the temporary interruption of traffic
in the area involved.
[0009] As an alternative to making asphalt paved surfaces, ceramic
tiles are generally used.
[0010] The ceramic tiles are therefore installed according to a
desired design on the road surface and secured to the latter by
means of cement, concrete or the like.
[0011] This known method for making transitable paved surfaces,
though it permits maintaining the colour of the asphalt for much
longer, also has its drawbacks.
[0012] The paved surfaces made this way in fact are not suitable
for use in areas subject to heavy traffic.
[0013] In fact, the ceramic tiles thus installed on the road
surface have a limited load resistance and therefore tend to break
when subjected to heavy load conditions, such as the transit of
cars, trucks, etc . . .
[0014] This drawback restricts their applicability only to limited
and reduced types of areas. In fact, if the paved surfaces in
ceramic material were also to be used in areas subject to
motor-vehicle traffic, the broken tiles would have to be
periodically replaced, with consequent high expenditure of economic
resources and considerable inconvenience for the users.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a
procedure for making transitable paved surfaces which allows to
overcome the drawbacks of the background art.
[0016] In particular, the procedure according to the invention
intends making a paved surface with a considerably longer life
compared to paved surfaces of known type, and which therefore
requires a small number of maintenance jobs, and which at the same
time has a broad field of application.
[0017] One object of the present invention is therefore to allow
the transit of any type of motor vehicle and other vehicles on the
paved surface thus obtained, without this causing any breakage or
damage whatsoever, and at the same time avoid the maintenance jobs
required to restore the colour.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
procedure that is easy and fast to implement.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
procedure which allows achieving any colour and geometric/artistic
combination.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to make a paved
surface with low environmental impact and which, at the same time,
is long lasting.
[0021] Not the last object of the present invention is to provide a
procedure that allows obtaining a paved surface which is resistant
to heat fluctuations.
[0022] The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present
procedure for making transitable paved surfaces, characterised by
the fact that it comprises the following phases of: [0023] supply
of at least a supporting frame; [0024] supply of at least a ceramic
product having at least a visible face and at least an installation
face; [0025] fitting of said ceramic product to said frame with
said visible face turned outwards and said installation face turned
towards the frame itself, the latter having retention means of said
ceramic product and being shaped so as to make accessible at least
a part of said installation face; [0026] spreading of an adhesive
material on an installation surface; [0027] positioning of said
frame on said adhesive material so that the adhesive material
itself reaches said installation face, said adhesive material being
suitable for reciprocally solidarizing said ceramic product to said
frame and the latter to said installation surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will become more evident from the description of a
preferred, but not sole, embodiment of a procedure for making
transitable paved surfaces, in particular for making pedestrian
crossings and street furniture in general, illustrated purely as an
example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a paved surface according
to the invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the fitting phase of
a ceramic product to the relative supporting frame;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the positioning
phase of the supporting frame, with the ceramic product fitted, on
an adhesive material;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a section of the paved surface of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of a supporting frame;
[0034] FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of a ceramic product fitted to
the supporting frame of FIG. 5;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a section view along the track plane VII-VII of
FIG. 6.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0036] With particular reference to such figures, globally
indicated by reference number 1 is a transitable paved surface
according to the invention.
[0037] The paved surface 1 comprises a plurality of supporting
frames 2 arranged one alongside the other on an installation
surface P.
[0038] Preferably, the frames 2 are interlinked by means of
relative connection means not shown in the illustrations.
[0039] The frames 2 are generally arranged according to a
predefined pattern.
[0040] The paved surface 1 also comprises a plurality of
substantially plate-shaped ceramic products 11, having a relative
visible face 11a and a relative installation face 11b, each of
which is fitted to a relative frame 2 with the visible face 11a
turned outwards and with the installation face 11b turned towards
the frame itself.
[0041] The installation face 11b is therefore turned towards the
installation surface P.
[0042] Each frame 2 comprises retention means 6 for retaining the
relative ceramic product 11.
[0043] The paved surface 1 also comprises, means of solidarization
12 of the ceramic products 11 to the relative frames 2 and of the
latter to the installation surface P.
[0044] Advantageously, the means of solidarization 12 are of the
adhesive material type such as, e.g., cement, mortar and the
like.
[0045] Suitably, the frames 2 are shaped so as to make accessible
to the adhesive material 12 at least an area of the installation
face 11b of the relative ceramic products 11.
[0046] More in detail, each frame 2 has one or more openings 13
accessing the installation face 11b of the relative ceramic product
11 through which the means of solidarization 12 are inserted.
[0047] Preferably, at least one of the ceramic products 11
comprises at least an element that can be lit up 14, e.g., of the
type of a LED or the like, facing the relative visible face
11a.
[0048] Described below in greater detail is the conformation of the
frames 2 and their interaction with the relative ceramic products
11.
[0049] Suitably, the frame 2 defines at least a supporting surface
3 of the ceramic product 11.
[0050] More in particular, the frame 2 comprises at least a base
element 4,5 meant to be positioned on the adhesive material 12 and
defining the supporting surface 3.
[0051] Preferably, the base element 4,5 comprises a perimeter
element 4 which defines a closed profile and which has a lower face
4a and an upper face 4b opposite one another and meant, during use,
to be turned towards the installation surface P and outwards
respectively.
[0052] In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the closed
profile defined by the perimeter element 4 has a substantially
rectangular shape, meaning it has an elongated shape and has four
identical sides, two by two, and arranged facing one another.
[0053] More in detail, the perimeter element 4 is substantially
plate-shaped, i.e., its length and its width are prevalent, in
terms of extension, compared to its thickness, the latter defining
the lower face 4a and the upper face 4b.
[0054] The upper face 4b of the perimeter element 4 in point of
fact defines the supporting surface 3.
[0055] Advantageously, the base element 4,5 also comprises
stiffening means 5 for stiffening the perimeter element 4.
[0056] More in particular, the stiffening means 5 comprise one or
more stiffening elements 5a,5b,5c that cross the area delimited by
the perimeter element 4 and connect different areas of the
perimeter element itself each substantially facing the other.
[0057] In the preferred embodiments shown in the illustrations, the
stiffening elements 5a,5b,5c are distanced from one another and
delimit at least partially the openings 13. The openings 13 are
therefore substantially facing the installation face 11b of the
relative ceramic product 11.
[0058] In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the stiffening
elements 5a,5b,5c are composed of a pair of circular elements 5a
arranged in correspondence to the median area of the closed profile
defined by the perimeter element 4, of a plurality of longitudinal
elements 5b which have an extremity associated with the perimeter
element 4 and the opposite extremity associated with one of the
circular elements 5b, and of a connection element 5c placed between
the two circular elements 5a.
[0059] Different embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein
the stiffening elements are composed of one or more cross elements
arranged crossways to the longitudinal extension of the closed
profile defined by the perimeter element 4 so as to link together
the longer sides of the profile itself.
[0060] As already said above, each frame 2 comprises retention
means 6 for retaining the relative ceramic product 11.
[0061] Advantageously, the retention means 6 are elastically
yielding to allow the slotting in of the covering element
itself.
[0062] More in particular, the retention means 6 comprise one or
more retention elements which define respective locator stops 6a
suitable for preventing the movement of the relative ceramic
product 11 arranged resting on the supporting surface 3 along a
first direction, identified in the illustrations by the arrow 7.
Suitably, the ceramic product 11 also has one or more protrusions
15 defined in correspondence to its thickness and meant to engage
with the respective stops 6a. Alternatively, it is the visible face
11a that engages with the stops 6a.
[0063] The locator stops 6a are therefore suitable for preventing
the lifting of the ceramic product 11 off the frame 2 in a
substantially opposite direction to that of the fitting of the
covering element itself.
[0064] Suitably, the retention elements 6 are associated integral
with the base element 4,5. Preferably, the retention elements 6 and
the base element 4,5 are made in a single piece.
[0065] More in particular, the retention elements 6 are associated
with the perimeter element 4 in correspondence to two of its
opposite sides, corresponding to the longer sides in the embodiment
shown in the illustrations, in such a way as to protrude with
respect to its upper face 4b, i.e., so that the locator stops 6a
are arranged at a different height with respect to the supporting
surface 3.
[0066] Furthermore, the areas of the perimeter element 4 to which
are associated the retention elements 6 are protruding outwards
with respect to the remaining areas of the perimeter element
itself.
[0067] The closed profile defined by the perimeter element 4
therefore has, at least in correspondence to the sides on which are
arranged the retention elements 6, a plurality of protrusions,
defined by the areas having the retention elements 6, and a
plurality of recesses defined by the areas without the retention
elements 6.
[0068] Advantageously, each retention element 6 defines at least a
respective containment surface 6b suitable for preventing the
movement of the ceramic product 11 arranged resting on the
supporting surface 3 along at least a second direction indicated in
the illustrations by the arrows 8.
[0069] In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the first and
the second direction, 7 and 8 respectively, are substantially at
right angles the one to the other just like the stop 6a and the
containment surface 6b defined by each retention element 6.
[0070] Advantageously, the supporting surface 3, the locator stops
6a and the containment surfaces 6b substantially define a housing
seat for the covering element P.
[0071] Preferably, the retention elements 6 are substantially
hook-shaped.
[0072] More in detail, each of the retention elements 6 has a
substantially curvilinear outer surface 6c, suitable for
facilitating the deformation of the relative retention element 6
during the fitting of the ceramic product 11, and at least a
substantially flat inner surface, turned towards the support
surface 3 and defining the relative locator stop 6a.
[0073] Alternative embodiments of the retention elements 6,
different to those described and represented, cannot however be
ruled out.
[0074] In a particular embodiment of the type of that represented
in the FIGS. 6 and 7, the frame 2 also comprises locking means
suitable for preventing the movement of the ceramic product 11
arranged resting on the supporting surface 3 along a third
direction identified in the illustrations by the double arrow
9.
[0075] More in detail, the locking means comprise at least a
locking element 10 made in a single piece with the perimeter
element 4 and raised with respect to its upper face 4b, i.e.,
protruding with respect to the supporting surface 3.
[0076] Advantageously, the third direction 9 is arranged
substantially perpendicular to the second direction 8 and to the
first direction 7, and the locking element 10 is arranged in
correspondence to at least one of the sides of the closed profile
defined by the perimeter element 4 on which the retention elements
6 are not arranged, i.e., in correspondence to one or more of its
short sides. Suitably, the locking means can comprise one or more
locking elements 10 arranged along just one of the short sides of
the perimeter element 4, in such a way as to stop the sliding of
the covering element P along just one of the directions defined by
the double arrow 9, or arranged on both the short sides of the
perimeter element 4 opposite one another, so as to stop the sliding
of the covering element P with respect to the frame 2 along both
the directions defined by the double arrow 9.
[0077] In this case as well, the areas of the perimeter element 4
to which are associated the locking elements 10 are protruding
outwards with respect to the remaining areas of the perimeter
element itself.
[0078] In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the perimeter
element 4 has a plurality of protrusions and recesses, alternated
the one to the other, defined along all its sides.
[0079] As already said before, in an embodiment not shown in the
illustrations, the frames 2 also comprise removable connection
means for connecting with other supporting frames 2. More in
particular, such connection means comprise one or more connection
elements associated with the perimeter element 4, preferably made
in a single piece with this, and turned towards the outside of the
closed profile defined by the perimeter element itself. In point of
fact, the connection elements define a housing seat meant to
receive the perimeter element 4 of another supporting frame 2.
[0080] Each supporting frame 2 is advantageously made of plastic
material by moulding, e.g., of a plastic material comprising nylon
charged with glass fibre. Preferably, the material used to make the
frame 2 comprises, besides nylon charged with glass fibre, also a
percentage of variable recycled material, e.g., between 30% and
50%.
[0081] Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out that
foresee the use of different materials, such as metal materials,
such in any case to convey the elastic deformability to the
retention elements 6 needed for fitting the ceramic product 11.
[0082] The procedure is described below for the realization of a
transitable paved surface according to the invention.
[0083] The procedure according to the invention first of all
envisages the supply of at least a supporting frame 2 and of at
least a substantially plate-shaped ceramic product 11 with a
visible face 11a and an installation face 11b.
[0084] Preferably, to make a paved surface 1, a plurality of frames
2 and of ceramic products 11 are supplied.
[0085] This procedure then envisages a fitting phase of each
ceramic product 11 to a relative frame 2 with the visible face 11a
turned towards the outside and the installation face 11b turned
towards the frame itself. The frames 2 are shaped so as to make
accessible at least an area of the installation face 11b of the
relative ceramic product 11. The frames 2 therefore leave uncovered
at least an area of the installation face 11b of the relative
ceramic product 11.
[0086] According to the invention, the procedure in question also
envisages a phase of spreading of an adhesive material 12 on an
installation surface P, e.g., the road surface, and the positioning
of each frame 2 on the adhesive material 12 in such a way that the
latter also reaches the installation face 11b of the relative
ceramic product 11 so as to solidarize the ceramic product itself
to the relative frame 2 and both to the installation surface P.
[0087] Advantageously, as described above, each frame 2 has one or
more openings 13 for allowing the adhesive material 12 to access
the installation face 11b. In the embodiments shown in the
illustrations, the openings 13 face the installation face 11b.
[0088] The fitting phase of the ceramic products 11 to the relative
frames 2 can be performed before or after the positioning of the
frames themselves on the adhesive material 12.
[0089] Preferably, this fitting phase is performed before
positioning the frames 2 on the adhesive material 12, in such a way
as to facilitate the positioning and the gripping of the adhesive
material itself on the installation face 11b of the relative
ceramic product 11.
[0090] More in detail, the fitting phase of each ceramic product 11
is performed by arranging it in correspondence to the relative
frame 2 and applying onto it a pressure such as to cause the
yielding of the retention elements 6.
[0091] In the embodiment of the frame 2 shown in the figures from 5
to 7 and described above, the retention elements 6 tend to widen
towards the outside of the closed profile, defined by the perimeter
element 4 and the ceramic product 11 slides on their outer surface
6c moving nearer to the supporting surface 3.
[0092] When the protrusions 15 defined on the thickness of the
ceramic product 11 arrive in correspondence to the locator stops
6a, the covering element itself slots into the housing seat defined
by the frame 2 and the retention elements 6 return to their
original idle configuration.
[0093] The ceramic product 11 thus fitted rests with its
installation face 11b on the supporting surface 3 and is blocked
with respect to the frame 2 in the first, in the second and in the
third direction 7, 8 and 9 by the stops 6a, by the retention
surfaces 6b and by the locking elements 10, respectively.
[0094] Because, as mentioned above, in the realization of a paved
surface 1, a plurality of frames 2 and of ceramic products 11 are
suitably used, the positioning phase of the frames 2, and therefore
also of the relative ceramic products 11, is generally performed
according to a predefined design that can be of geometric or
artistic type depending on the type of paved surface 1 to be
made.
[0095] In the particular embodiment wherein the frames 2 have
connection means, a reciprocal connection phase of the frames 2 is
also performed.
[0096] Such connection phase is preferably performed before the
positioning phase of the frames 2 on the adhesive material 12.
[0097] Advantageously, the procedure according to the invention
also comprises an application phase of an anti-slip paint on the
visible face 11a of the ceramic products 11. The application of
such anti-slip paint can be made before or after the positioning of
the frames 2 on the adhesive material 12.
[0098] Preferably, the procedure in question also comprises an
application phase of at least an element that can be lit up 14 on
the visible face 11a of at least a ceramic product 11.
[0099] Such application phase of an element that can be lit up 14
can be performed before applying the relative ceramic product 11 to
the corresponding frame 2 or following the solidification of the
adhesive material 12 and therefore with the ceramic product 11 and
the relative frame 2 already in position.
[0100] It has in fact been ascertained how the described invention
achieves the proposed objects and in particular the fact is
underlined that the procedure according to the invention allows
making a paved surface that does not require any maintenance and
which, at the same time, also withstands heavy loads and adapts to
any traffic condition.
[0101] In fact, the reciprocal solidarization of the ceramic
product to the relative frame considerably increases mechanical
resistance with respect to the individually considered ceramic
product.
[0102] Furthermore, the fact that the frame yields allows the paved
surface to also adapt itself to very high-stress load conditions
and which would cause the breakage of the ceramic product if this
were installed on its own.
[0103] Again, the paved surface obtained with the procedure forming
the subject of the present invention can be made easily and quickly
and allows considerably reducing the maintenance jobs aimed at
recovering the original colour and/or replacing any broken
products, considerably cutting total realization costs and reducing
the inconvenience factors for users compared to known
procedures.
* * * * *