Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~03999~
-B KGROUND 0~ THE INVENTION
This invention relates to s-lab elei~en-ts for covering
the ground, particularly (though not exclusively) made of
concrete. For example they might be made of synthetic
plastics. Such ground covering elements are used in the
construction of traffic carrying surfaces, be it vehicular -
traffic or pedestrian traffic, for example roadways, squares,
footways, entrance drives and the like but if desired also
in the construction of other ground covering structures such as `- ~
10 embankments. -
Many ground covering elements are known having
properties that are satisfactory or even very good for
forming ground covering composite structures, for example
as regards resistance to breakage, interlocking ahd scope -
for laying different patterns. The criticism is howeversometimes encountered that the pattern of the joints in a
composite structure is not sufficiently stark or striking
and that an incidentally desired decorative effect is not
met or not fully met. This applies in particular if the
20 pattern formed by the joints includes interengagement -
which decoratlvely is discordant. Admittedly there are ~-
also ground covering elements having contours that are
more stark or striking in the composite structure, being
in particular rectilinear; these however either afford a
smaller choice of patterns they can form and/or they have
less advantageous properties in the laid composite structure.
Thus the problem with which the invention is `
concerned is to provide a ground covering slab element that
affords a good compromise between the wish for a good
decorative effect on the part of the composite structure,
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desirable characteristics in the laid structure and large
choice of laying patterns. The object of the invention is
to provide an improved slab element which at least in some
of its forms goes a good way to meeting that problem~ ~ `
SUMMARY 0~ THE I~VENTI0~
According to one~its aspects the invention provides
a ground covering slab element formed as a single piece, ;;
said element having a head portion and a stem portion meeting ~;
at a nOtional meeting surface, said element being delimited -
1~ by two opposite end faces of equal length joined by sides `
that form angled traces about a longitudinal axis common;;
-to said head and said stem, each said angled trace being -
formed by a succession of sides comprising at said head an
inclined side face inclined in one direction relati~ely to
said axis, a lateral side face extending lengthwise with
respect to said axis and another inclined side f`ace inclined
in the opposite direction with respect to said axis, and
comprising at said stem a lateral side face extending ,;~
lengthwise with respect to said axis, said lateral face of `;`
said stem being complementary to said lateral face of said
head, said end face of said head together wi-th said inclined
'.
sides of said head and said lateral faces of said head and ;`
said meeting surface describing a centrally symmetrical
octagon, and said meeting surface together with said end -
face of said stem and said lateral faces of said stem being
symmetrical about the centre of said stem. Said end ;~
face of said stem, said lateral faces of said stem and
said meeting surfaces toge-ther describe a square.
Alternatively said end face of said stem, the lateral faces ;
of sald stem and said meeting surface merge without
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discontinuity and describe a circle. A line may be drawn
along the slab element surface at the location of the
notional meeting surface for example in the form of a
dummy jointing gap. .
Such elements, in at least some forms, whilst of a ;.
shape which in the composite structure looks striking, have . .:.
no cross sectional constriction or seriously weakened cross . . .
section that is liable to rupture in the case of elements .
with square stems and none that are significant in the case
10 of elements with circular stems; the corners are at least ` .~:
right angles or obtuse leading to lessened risk of breakage; ... :.
there is a choice of several basically different laying ~
patterns; and there is an absence of cross joints such as .. :
would adversely affec-t the cross linking in the composite ::
structure.
The circular basic form of the stem, which is then
also present at the sides of the head, can produce a. ~
clamp like inter.engagement in the composite structure when : .
the stem of a slab element engages with the head of a ~
20 neighbouring elèment. . `
Optimum combination of starkness of joint pattern . . .
:, .... .
and choice of laying patterns is obtained if each of said .. ~ ..
end faces., said inclined sides and said lateral faces, is . .~ ;
rectilinear, and said head and said stem are mirror `;
symmetrical about said longitudinal axis. However even here
supplementary interengagement surfaces could be provided,
particularly at the inclined sides of the head, in the form.
of alternating projections and recesses. .
Preferably said inclined sides of said head are
30 each shorter than said end face of said head. This provides ~
balance of appearance with regard to the centre of gravity of :
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the slab element and makes for ease of manipulation on laying. -
Also h~re the ris~ of rupture;can be particularly-low since
the stem has a relatively large transverse dimension at the $
meeting surface. In an alternative construction however
5 said end face of said head, said lateral faces of said head, -
said inclined sides of said head and said meeting surface
together describe a regular octagon; this makes for a
particularly high degree of symmetry and decorative effect. -
But it would be possible to make the inclined sides longer -
10 than the lateral faces of the head -
`':'" '" ~ :
According to another of its aspects the invention `~
provides a composite ground covering structure consisting r.. ~,. . '''
of ground covering slab elements, said elements being laid
to form a continuous covering, each said element being formed
15 as a single piece, said element having a head portion and a
stem portion meeting at a notional meeting surface, said
element~being delimited by two opposite end faces of equal
length joined by sides that form angled traces about a
longitudinal axis common to said head and said stem, each l` ;
said angled trace being formed by a succession of sides
comprising at said head an inclined side face inclined in
one direction relatively to said axis, a lateral side face
ext~nding lengthwise with respect to said axis and another
inclined side face inclined in the opposite direction with
25 respect to said axis, and comprising at sald stem a lateral
side face extending lengthwise with respect to said axis, said
lateral face of said stem being complementary to said
lateral face of said head, said end face of said head
.. . ,; .: , . .
together with said inclined sides of said head and said
~0 lateral faces of said head and said meeting surface describing
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a centrally symmetrical octagon, and said meeting surface
together with said end face of said stem and said lateral
faces of said stem being symmetrical about the centre of said -
stem.
If decorative effect of the composite structure is
regarded as particularly important the element may comprise
differentiation means whereby said head is visually
differentiated from said stem, so that a composite structure
composed of identical said elements gives the appearance -
of consisting of non-identical elements. In addition
to the dummy Joints which are preferably provided at the --
location o~ the meeting sur~ace (which may constitute a
predetermined rupture zone although not necessarily provided
; for this purpose but rather to provide the illusion in the !
decora-tive effect of independently laid head and stem
.. ..
elements), visual differentiation may be produced by a
difference in height, surface texture (e.g. change over
to smooth or tailings concrete) and/or colouration. In
this way the elements can be used to produce the appearance
- 20 of two ground covering slab elements of different contour as
though laid independently in Roman pattern. In the ~oman
pattern octagonal elements are laid in conjunction with
,:,. . .
square elements. aompared to the latter, a composite
, structure laid with the elements embodying the invention ~`h`~
-. 25 exhibits at least e~uivalent or even better cross bonding ;~
¦ resulting from its peripheral shape which is non central and .
non rectangular. This applies also to slab elements m
which the head and stem are mirror-symmetrical with respect to `
the longitudinal axis and the end faces, inclined sides and
~0 lateral faces are all rectilinear; though devoid of -~
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engagement surfaces they can be laid in herringbone bond ~
pattern which is advantageous in that it makes for a ~- ;
particularly well interlocked composite structure and -
indeed consti-tutes a preferred form of laying elements ;
5 embodying the invention. ~ ~
Whether laid in herringbone pattern or in a -
different pattern, the surfaces of different element groups
may be visually different e.g. by being of different r,,,;, ' "
colouring. A particularly effective bond pattern can be `
formed by incorporating in said structure at least one
supplementing slab element, said at least one supplementing -~ ~
element having the same peripheral configuration as said ` -
stems of said elements. Such supplemental slab elements
may be conventional square building stones or rectangular
blocks, commonly available in commerce, preferably of a
visually different or contrasting surface appearance, to
mark a centre of a composite structure or a zone intended ;~
to be emphasised. ,
RIEF DESCRIP~ION OE mE DRAWI~G~
Fig. l is a plan view of a first ground covering slab
element,
Fig. 2 shows in plan an alternative second slab element, ~;;
Fig. 2a illustrates in top plan a composite structure
comprising ground covering elements according to ~ig. 2,
~ig. 2b depicts in top plan a composite structure
comprising ground covering elements according to ~ig. 2, having `; `
a supplementary square dummy joint in the centre of the head, i:
~igs 3 to 7 show composite structures comprising `
ground covering elements without the use of supplementlng ~ ~ .
elements,
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Figs 8 and 9 show composite structures comprising ground l-
covering elements incorporating at least one supplementing
element, and,
~ig. 10 is a plan view of an alternative ground
covering element, in one of the several possible bond
patterns. -
DESCRIPTIO~ OF PREFERRED EMBODIME~TS
Each of the two alternative ground covering slab
elements 10 shown in ~igs 1 and 2 has a head portion or head -
10 12 and a narrower shank portion or stem 16 made ln one piece ;
;~ with the head meeting the stem along a notional meeting ~ -
surface or connecting plane 14. The head 12 and the stem 16
are mirror-symmetrical relative to an imaginary common
longitudinal axis A shown in broken line. ~he head 12 provides
a first end face 18 and the stem 16 an opposite end face 20
, of the ground covering element 10. The end faces 18 and 20
!I have the same length, extend rectilinearly normal to the `;/,
~; axis A and, due to the mirror-symmetry relative to the axis A,
~ are bisected by the latter. The connecting plane 14 of the .
'~ 20 head and the stem extends parallel to the two end faces 18
., . ,.
and 20 and has the same length as the latter.~ ~ .~,
At both sides of the axis A, the extremities of
the two end faces 18 and 20 are joined by sides forming angled ;
, . . .
or polygonal traces. Adjacent each extremity of the end
face 18 of the head there follow in succession an inclined
side face or lateral face 22 inclined relative to the axis A,
i a lateral side face 24 parallel with the axis A, and
another inclined side face or lateral face 26 inclined in ~
the opposite sense relative to the axis A, these faces ~ ;
30 laterally delimiting the head 12. ~he inclined lateral -
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10399g4 ~
face 26 of the head and the end face 20 of the stem 16 are
,~ ,,." . . "
joined by a lateral side face 28, parallel to the axis A, of -
the stem 16. All these faces are rectilinear.
The polygonal trace connecting the two end faces 18 ¦
5 and 20 of the ground covering element 12 and describing the `
side of the ground covering element, thus comprises (one ~ `
after the other) the lateral faces 22, 24, 26 and 28. Since r:
.....
the stem 16 is dimensioned to be narrower than the head 12, the ~-
lateral face 28 parallel with the axis of the stem 16 is ; `
10 positioned to be nearer than the lateral face 24 parallel ;
to the axis of the head 12;`the 1ateral~face 28 of the stem ` ~ ~`
however is of the same length as the lateral face 24 of the ``;
head. ~G' ,' "`
The end face 18 of the head, its two lateral faces
22 inclined relative to the axis A, its two later faces 24
parallel with the axis, and its,two lateral faces 26 inclined in
-the oppositè,sense, relative to the axis A, describe together
with the connecting face 14 of the head 12 and the stem 16
an octagon which is centrally-symmetrical relative to the
centre Z. The centre Z is located on the axis A. Due to the
~ ,,~
symmetry described, the lengths of the ~aces of the head 12 -~ ~
are at most two in number. Identical with each other are, i `-
first of all, the end face 18 of the head, the two lateral
faces 24 thereof parallel to the àxis A, and also the connecting
;, ;
25 face 14 thereof with the stem. ~urthermore, the four ~
:,, , . ~
lateral faces 22 and 26 inclined relative to the axis A of the !1. ~,".'.~' '
head exhibit lengths which are identical with each other ~
but which can if desired differ from the first-mentioned -
faces. ` ~
~he embodiment of ~ig. 1 differs from the embodiment of ~ ;
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~3999~ `
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~ig. 2 with regard to the outer peripheral shape merely in
that in the case o~ the embo~iment of ~ig. 1 the lateral
faces 22 and 26 inclined relative to the axis A are shorter
than the end face 18 which is of the same length as the axis-
parallel lateral faces of the head,whereas in the case of
the embodiment of ~ig. 2 all the delimiting faces of the -
head are identical with each other, thereby describing a
regular octagon. The embodiment of ~ig. 1 exhibits preferred
dimensioning of the length of the inclined lateral faces 22 and ~ -
26 of the head relative to the end face 18 thereof, in the
ratio of 1:2.
In the case of both embodiments, the stem 16 describes a
square delimited by the end face 20 of the stem, the two
lateral faces 28 thereof and the connecting face 1~ of stem 16
' 15 and head 12.
In the case of these two embodiments, it is possible,
as shown with reference to ~ig. 1 by a broken, purely imaginary
line at the location of the connecting face 14 of head 12
- and stem -16, to provide a smooth, homogeneous transition
comprising head and stem, so that the connecting face 14
merely describes the imaginary face at which the material of - ~-
the head 12 and the material of the stem 16 cohere. Thus,
the head and the stem may be a common concrete shaped member,
whereby the connecting surface of head and stem is defined
solely due to the merging of the peripheral surface of the
head with that of the stem. -
However in the case of both embodiments as shown in
relation to the embodiment of ~ig. 2 (by a full line), the
connecting surface 1~ between the head 12 and the stem 16 may
be marked by a dummy joint which sets off, i.e. visually
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1039994 i;
differentiates the surface of the head 12 and of the stem 16
from each other, and in the composite s-tructure gives the
impression that the composite structure is laid not with
integral ground covering elements of a single shape
5 comprising head 12 and stem 16, but is laid with individual ~
octagonal and square elements separately from each other. -
With this arrangement, the dummy joints 14 may (but need not)
define a predetermined or desired rupture zone. ~urthermore,
instead of the dummy joints 14, some other visual surface
., .
10 differentiation of head and stem may be provided. ~ ~
The ground covering element of Figs 1 and 2 -
is shown merely in plan view. It will be understood that -
~ ...,: ..~ ,
it can be dimensioned in the vertical direction in known
manner, for example with a chamfer at the peripherally
' 15 extending upper edge, or even with vertical engagement.
` However vertical lateral faces are greatly preferred possibly
; ending in chamfer-like oblique surfaces.
Preferred is also the rectilinear configuration shown,
which in the case of lateral faces as described, then
results in having plane lateral faces. If limitations are
acceptable with regard to the choice of laying patterns
(described below), recesses can be provided in the periphery ,i;;
of the head at least at the lateral faces 22 and 26
inclined relative to the axis A, to provide for supplementary
25 engagement in the composite structure. --
~igs 3 to 7 show various composite structures made ~`
up of ground covering elements 10 of the basic construction
, . . .:
: described with reference to Figs 1 and 2. In all the --
composite structures if desired for the decorative effect,
each of the individual ground covering elements 10 may be
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1~39994 ~
prVided with a dummy joint at the connecting face 1~ of -
head and stem as in ~ig. 2. This would result, in the
case of all the different bond patterns described below, in
giving the impression illustrated in ~ig. 2a that a Roman
bond is made up on the one hand from octagonal gro~md
covering elements a and on the other hand from square -
ground covering elements b which, in the case of all the
composite structures, appear to be applied at the lateral
faces parallel or normal to the axis A, whereas the octagons
are located opposite each other only by abutment at the inciined :
lateral faces. In ~ig. 2a , it is no longer possible to
recognise which element b belongs, as stem 16, to which
elemen-t a as head 12 of the same ground covering element 10,
since the actual joints between different ground covering
elements 10 and the dummy joints in the case of the same
ground covering element have identica:L appearance, at least
at first glance. If, however, the inherent striking
impression of the ground covering element is adequate or if
the decorative effect is to be derived precisely from the
:,.
peripheral shape, then the vlsual differentiation between
head and stem can be dispensed with, bub for example
` different groups or rows of ground covering elements can
be made different in appearance, such as by colouring them
differently.
~ig. 2b shows a further development of the basic ~`
idea of ~ig. 2a, whereby optical surface differentia-tion is
~ provided in the case of identical ground covering elements,
; thereby producing, when laying the elements in the composite
structure, the optical impression of an apparent Roman bond ;
comprising non-identical elements, like the elements a and b
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1S)39994 ~;
of ~ig. 2a. In the composite structure of Fig. 2b, ¦~
ground covering elements 10 are laid which are further
developed relative to Fig. 2, in which in addition to the
rectilinear dummy joint between the head 12 and the stem 16, l -
a further dummy joint 12a is provided of the same area as the
stem 16 and concentric with the top surface of the head
12, some of the sides of the dummy joint 12a being arranged
parallel and some at right angles to the periphery of the
stem 16. Thereby, in the example illustrated, the illusion
is given of an externally octagonal ring component c having a
square recess,and supplement,ed partly at the sides as in the - :
case of element a of Fig. 2a and partly in the square
recess, by unlike elements b.
In the case of a possible variant (not illustrated),
also the elements b laterally adjacent the imaginary ring
component c and the elements apparently inserted in the
ring components c may have varying lateral length, and even
varying peripheral shape. With this example, the possibilities
for advantageous visual surface differentiation of identical -
ground covering elements 10 are not exhausted. A description
will now be given of the various alternative specific ~ ~
patterns for laying the ground covering elements 10 (as r i
distinct from the visually illusory effects), wherein the
visual surface differentiation possibilities according to `
Figs 2a and 2b are additionally possible.
The composite structure according to Fig. 3 shows
the simplest pattern of laying the elements 10a, iOb, 10c, etc.
which as regards the alignment of head and stem are all
identically oriented and follow one after the other in ~;
partially aligned rows designated by the suffixes a, b and c
,........ ,.,
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to reference numeral 10 of the ground covering element and ~i~
fur-thermore emphasised by framing in thicker line. In the
actual composite structure, of course, there is no visual
difference between the joints formed between the individual
rows and the joints between the stem of one and the head of
a following ground covering elements, unless it be desired
expressly to emphasise such a difference, for example by
arranging a chamfer only at one of these joint types.
~he embodiment of Fig. 5 differs from that of ~ig. ~
10 only in that the orientation axis of head and stem is .
rotated through 180 at each alternate row. ~hus, there
follows here one upon the other the rows of ground covering ;
elements 10 indicated by suffixes a, d and c, and in the case
of ~ig. 3 the rows distinguished by suffixes a and c have
the same orientation of head and stem, whereas in an interposed
row (here row d), this orientation is reversed, through `
180. ~hus, a row of one orientation here always follows a
row of a reverse orientation.
Whereas in the composite structures of ~igs 3 and 5, in each ~`
case a side of the head of a ground covering element fits
into the niche formed at the stem of the ground covering
element following in the next row, ~ig. 4 provides an
alternative in which it is not the side of the head but the
end-face thereof which fits into that niche. ;
Again, in the case of the composite structure of ~ig. 4,
two rows (designated a and c) of composite structure elements
are laid with the same orientation of head and stem. `~
.~ ~
Arranged between them are pairs of composite elements rotated ~
through 90 relatlve to the direction in which the rows a
and c extend, the elements of each pair being rotated in
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`` 1~)39994
opposite directions. The two elements following each other
. ~, , .
alternately in this intermediate row are identified by the
suffixes d and e. Here, the end faces of the stems of the - --
elements 10 having suffixes d and e are located adjacent
5 a lateral face, parallel to the axis A, of the elements 10 in -
the rows c and a respectively. In the composite structure of -
~ig. 4, a visually particularly desirable appearance can be
achieved if the elements of one row, for example the elements
of row a , are designed to be visually identical with the
elements e of adjacent rows and optically different relative
to the remaining elements d of adjacent rows, so that then a
continuous row is obtained having arms projecting like pins
on both sides, consisting of elements 10e whereof the end-faces ;-
are at the axis-parallel lateral faces of the heads of the
ground covering elements 10a.
further laying pattern which is preferred because
of the uniformity of appearance and good bonding properties,
is the herringbone bond of elements 1t) of ~ig. 6.
In this case, there is again alternating orientation
of ground covering elements 10 following one upon the other in
rows f, ~ and h. However, in contrast with the rows a and c
of ~igs 3 to 5, in this case the ground covering elements are ~
not aligned axially with each other but are arranged at an -
angle of 90 in such manner that the axis-parallel lateral
faces of the head are in each case loca-ted oppositely, on
one side of the axis, with the axis-parallel lateral face of
the stem of the ground covering element following in the same
row and on the other side of the end face of the stem of the
ground covering element following in the next row. With
this arrangement, the axes of the individual ground covering
,- .
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elements of successive rows are inclined alternately positively
or negatively with respect to the direction in which the rows
follow each other. `
Relative to this direction in which the rows follow
each other, the alignment of the stems o-f the rows f, ~ and h,
in the case of the herringbone structure of ~ig. 6, is always ;~
of like sense albeit alternately inclined through an angle of
45- -
~inally, Fig. 7 shows a variant devoid of such a ~;
preference direction with regard to a series of successive
floor covering elements.
In this case, there are in each particular instance
four ground covering elements 10i, 10i, 1Ok and 10l assembled
clockwise about a centre, and the composite structure
continues in such groups of four.
As in the case of the individual rows of ~igs 3 to 6,
here the individual groups are rendered visible by thickened :~
peripheral marking, but here again this group-wise
combination neednot necessarily be the result of the joint
system of the composite structure. However, here again the
elements assembled group-wise may be designed to provide for
visual differentiation, for example by colouration.
It will be seen that in the composite structure of
Fig. 7 all the possibilities for connecting composite
elements such as are shown in ~igs 3 to 6 are combined. Thus,
in groups following one after the other the elements 10i and 10l ~
of ~ig. 7 and also the elbments 1Oa of ~ig. 3 and the elements .-
10i and 101 and elements 10f in ~ig. 6 follow each o-ther;
`~ within each group, the elements 101 and li and also the
elements 10d and 10c in ~ig. 4, the elements 10i and 10k ~ ~
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1~3g994 '
and also the elements 10d and 10a in Fig. 4 and the elements ~;
10l and 1Ok and also the elements 1Oa and 1Od in Fig. 5 ;
follow each other.
Finally, Figs 8 and 9 show composite structures
5 wherein generally available square supplementing elements,
such as square slabs or paving stones, ~n additionally be
included in the composite structure. Such supplementing
stones 30 are clearly indicated relative to the composite s
elements 10 by hatching in Figs 8 and 9. However, their
10 surface appearance need not necessarily differ. However,
such different surface appearance lS frequently desired for `~
example for marking purposes. ` ;
In the case of the composite structure according to
Fig, 8, a single supplementing stone 30 constitutes a
..:
15 centre of the composite structure about which the composite
structure elements 10 are laid to form turns with predetermined ~l `
rotational clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. ~he
` individual turns are designated , _ and o. It will be ~:
.,,~
seen that in the case of the particular composite structure
20 illustrated, the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction of
stem alignment of the ground covering elements alternates in ;
:, , . . ,"
` - turn m relative to that of turn n, whereas the anticlockwise
or clockwise direction ~f turns n ahd o is identical. ~he
selection of anti-clockwise or clockwise direction can be !r`` `
freely chosen in each particular instance.
, In the case of the composite structure of Fig. 9, ; ~ ;
two partial composite structures according to Fig. 3, wherein ~i
three successive rows are again designated a, b and c and ;~ i~
exhibit opposite stem orientation (indicated by varying
30 suffixes 1 and 2) confront each other at the end faces,
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Supplementing stones 30 being interposed between the end faces
of confronting composite structure elements of the -two
partial composite structures according to Fig. 3. These
; supplementing stonss extend in two neighbouring lines, so
that each supplementing stone additionally passes into
abutment at the axis-parallel sides of ground covering elements
of neighbouring rows of the same partial composite structure.
Thereby, each line can be regarded as associated with one
partial composite structure. ;
- 10 Further details of the association of the individual
end faces and lateral faces of the composite structure
elements 10 in all the bonds shown according to Figs 3 -to 9
will readily be apparent to the person skilled in the art
1 .
from what is shown in Figs 3 to 9, to which reference is
expressly directed.
It is also self-evident that the bonds shown and
described can be continued in ldentical fashion in all
directions. 1
A corresponding choice of several laying pat-terns is
also possible in the case of the a~ternative ground covering
~. ,
: element shown in the composite structure of Fig. 10 and there
. . .
- emphasised by hatching~ That element has a circular stem 16
; and a wider octagonal head 12. In the embodiment shown, the
head and stem have a notional meeting surface along a~quarter-
` 25 periphery 14 of the stem, whereas the free stem periphery :
forms, as a continuous arc of a circle, the two lateral -
stem faces 28 and the end face 20; it will be seen from Fig. 10
~ . . .. ..
that the merging lateral and end faces 20 and 28 are distinguished
~, from each other in the composite structure in that they abut with -
different, adjacent ground covering elements. The end face; 20
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1~)39994 1 ~
of the stem 16 if transla-ted along the mirror-image axis A
of the ground covering element 10, conforms to the second
end face 18 thereof at the head 12, describing a quarter-
circle arc with the stem diameter; to the lateral faces 22, ~ -~
24 and 26 of the head 12 of the embodiments according to
there -
~igs 1 to 9,~here correspond lateral faces of identical ii~
numbering. With this arrangement, the lateral faces 22 A.:. ''' "
and 26 are of rectilinear design and are obliquely disposed ~ -
relative to the axis A at angles of 45 and to each other
at angles of 90. ~he circularly scooped out lateral
faces 24 extend lengthwise with respect to the axis A and ;l
are complementary to and of the same length as the end faces ,
18 and 20 of the ground covering element-, whereas the
,~
lateral faces 22 and 26 are shorter. So here the angled ;
trace extending from the end face 18 of the head to the
end face 20 of the stem, is made up partly of part circu~ar
; sections and partly of rectilinear sections. Supplementary
interengagement parts could be added to the basic forms
shown, as in the case of ~igs 1 to 9. ~he entire ground ,~
covering element is mirror-symmetrical relative to axis A -
and additionally the head l2 is centrally symmetrlcal relative ;
to its centre Z and the stem 16 is centrally symmetrical ~ - ~ ;
relative to the circle centre point (not shown). As regards ;
the posslble composlte structures illustrated in ~igs 8 and 9,
25 instead of the square supplementing stones 30, circular ~ `
ones would be used. ~ j ;
It is not essential that the arcuate ;~
connecting face 14, the end-face sides 18 and 20 of the -
ground covering element 10 and also the two lateral faces 24
,30 of the head 12 thereof should describe a quarter-circle arc
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of the stem:; it is for example also possible for the end-face
18, the two lateral faces 24 and the end face 20 to have a .
centre angle smaller than 90 or, alternatively, that the :-
said centre angle should also be somewhat greater than 90. ~`
In the former case, the centre angle may for example be 45,
so that the arc length of the arc formed by the said
lateral faces is an eighth of the full circle periphery and,
then, the chord of the connecting face 14 and also of the end
face 18 and of the lateral faces 24 of the head have the
same length as the lateral faces 22 and 26 of the head 12 .
and described therewith a uniform octagon.
Also in the case of the embodiment of ~ig. 10, the
head 12 and the stem 14 are expediently visually differentiated ::
from each other along the line 14 by a dummy joint or .
other known visual means that the head and the stem of the
ground covering element appear to be independent separate .
central-symmetrical laying elements.
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