Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPOST SILO AND SET OF COMPONENTS
FOR ASSEMBLY INTO A COMPOST SILO
B~CKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a compost silo of assemblable,
similar and elongated prefabricated parts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Compost silos have been known for a long period of time.
For example, silos consisting of round timbers, notched at their
ends so that they may be assembled in the shape of a log cabin to
form a box, have been known. A disadvantage of such known compost
silos resides in the fact that the timbers are in-contact with
putrefactive bacteria which develop in the compost to effect the
desired decomposition. Thus, the timbers are themselves exposed
to rotting. Furthermore, the timoers cannot be stacked. Thus,
they re~uire a large volume of space during transportation; and,
therefore, large transport capacities must be available.
Compost silos consisting of assemblable, similar and
elongated prefabricated parts~ wherein the structural elements
consist of prefabricated concrete parts, are also known. Such
elements are resistant to putrefactive bac-teria. Because of
their heavy weight, however, handling by a single person is very
difficult. For the same reason, the transportation of such compost
silos is expensive.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to
provide a compost silo made of assemblable, similar and elonyated
prefabricated parts,whichare easily transported and assembled and,
further, which are resis-tant to putrefactive bacteria and the
effects of weather.
The object is attained in that the prefabricated parts,
which consist of a flat material, are provided with butt straps
and base and half elements. The base and half elements in their
terminal areas are equipped with grooves extending at right angles
to their longitudinal dimension. These grooves have a width that
is slightly greater than the material thickness of the prefabricated
parts and a depth that is equal to or smaller than one-quarter of
the width of a base element of the prefabricated part. Each
prefabricated part is provided at its ends with flanging or is
designed as an angle piece. The longitudinal dimension of the
flanging or leg of the angle piece is parallel to the groove.
In the course of the development of the prefabricated
parts according to the invention for the manufacture of a compost
silo, it was found that the use of flat sheet metal or the use of
synthetic plastic plates was the most favorable. In order to
provide these materials with sufficient mechanical strength against
buckling, the prefabrica-ted parts, which are cons-tructed of a
flat material, have -- as viewed in their transverse cross section --
a U-shaped profile. The lateral leg portions of this profile
extend in the longitudinal direction to the groove located in the
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terminal area of the prefabricated part. Thus, the lateral
leg portions have the same spatial direction, i.e., they extend
outwardly in the same direction, as the legs of the angle pieces.
Since the grooves in the terminal area of the prefabricated parts
are, in particular, exposed to considerable forces, the above-
mentioned flanging is provided, which may be in the form of
angle pieces. In this manner, the forces applied to the terminal
areas of the prefabricated parts by way of the grooves are
adequately absorbed.
In a further development of the invention, the distance
from a groove of a base or half element to the free leg of the
angle piece is equal to or slightly larger than the width of the
lateral leg portions of the ~-shape of the base of half elements.
Tnis measure makes it feasible to also use the base elements as
the cover of a compost silo. When so used, the -terminal pieces
of the cover parts overlap the la-teral legs of the ~-shapes. It
is thus possible merely to shift the cover elements along the
longitudinal extent of the ~ profiles in an advantageous manner
during use.
According to the invention, the half elements further
are of the same length and are of half the width of the base
elements. In both terminal areas of eacn hal~ element -there is a
groove. Each groove is aligned in and opens in the same direction
as the groove in the other terminal area of the same half element.
In a further development of the invention, the width of
the free leg of the angle piece is equal to or smaller than the
width of the free leg of the ~-shape. This measure assures good
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stackability of the base and half elements so that only small
transport capacities are required.
According to the invention, it is also possible to
extend the base and half elements in their .longitudinal directions
by the fitting -together of additional base and half elements in an
arbitrary manner. This is effected by means of a bu-tt strap having
an open angular C profile, with a length corresponding to the
width of the base element and a width equal to or slightly larger
than the double distance from a groove of a base element to the
leg of the angle piece in the same terminal area. In each of the
legs of tne C profile adjacent to the base surface, there are
grooves of the same dimensions as those of the grooves of the base
and half elements. One of the bounding edges of each of these
grooves in tne legs of the C profile simultaneously form the
bounding edge of the base surface from which the legs of the C
profile extend.
In order to also make possible the connection of base
elements at right angles to the longitudinal extension of the
base and half elements, the base surface of the outt strap is
provided with additional grooves at the location and in the direction
of its center line, tilese additional grooves having the same
dimensions as the grooves of the base and half elements.
The prefabrica-ted elements and the butt straps are
preferably constructed of a synthetic plastic material or of metal.
To partially restate and to elaborate upon the foregoing,
a set of components are provided for assembly into a compost silo.
The set includes a plurality of similar, elongated prefabricated
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parts adapted for interfit-ting assembly. These prefabricated
parts, whichareconstructed of a mater:ial having a certain thick-
ness, comprise a plurality of base elements and a plurality of
half elements. Each of the base elements has a width transverse
to its length. The base and half elements have yrooves in the
regions of their ends, these grooves extending at right angles to
the length of the elements. Each of the grooves has a depth
dimension also extending at right angles to the length of the
elements. Furthermore, each of the grooves has a width dimension,
taken transverse to the depth dimension, wihich is slightly larger
than the thickness of the material of the prefabricated parts. The
depth dimension of each of the grooves is equal to or smaller than
one-fourth of the width of the base elements. Each prefabricated
part has at each of its ends an angle part with a free leg extend-
ing therefrom. Each such angle part has a longitudinal dimension
transverse to the length of its associated prefabricated part.
This longitudinal dimension is parallel to the dep-th dimension of
the grooves.
The prefabricated parts are constructed of a flat
material having a U-shaped profile when viewed in a cross section
taken transverse to the length thereof. The U-shaped profile
defines a pair of lateral leg portions connected by a web portion.
The lateral leg portions of each prefabricated part extend
longitudinally along the prefabricated part from the groove at
one terminal end of the prefabricated part to the groove at the
other terminal end thereof. The free legs of the angle parts
extend outwardly in a direction away from the leg portion of each
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prefabricated part. The leg portions extend from the web portion
in the same direction as that in which the free legs extend.
Each of the lateral leg portions has a width taken
transverse to its length. The distance from each groove at one
end of each prefaDricated part to the flange at the same end
thereof is equal to or s]igh-tly larger than the width of the
lateral leg portions.
The free leg oE each of the angle pieces has a width
dimension taken transverse to the foregoing longitudinal dimension
of the angle piece and in a plane perpendicular to the web portion
of the associated prefabrica-ted part. This width dimension of
the free leg is equal to or smaller than the width of the lateral
legs.
The web portion of each prefabricated part is planar.
The aforementioned grooves open in directions transverse to the
length of each prefabricated part, which directions are taken in
the plane of the web portion of the prefabricated part. Each of
the half elements is of the same lengtn as that of the base element
and of a width which is one-halE that of the base elements. The
groove at one terminal end of each half element opens in the same
direction as the groove at tne other terminal end of the same half
element.
The grooves of each half element comprise a singlc groove
at one encl of -the half elcment and a single groove at the o-ther end
thereof. The grooves of each base element comprise a pair of
grooves at one terminal end of the base element and a pair of
grooves at the other terminal end thereof. ~ach such pair of grooves
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in the base element comprises grooves opening in opposite
directions.
Butt straps may be provided for coupling the prefabricated
parts together in end-to-end relationship. Each butt strap has a
center line which will be vertically disposed when the butt s-trap
is used. Each bu-tt strap has an open angular C-shaped profile when
viewed alongitscenter line. Each butt strap also has a length
dimension taken along its center line which corresponds to, i.e.,
is approximately equal to, the width of the base elements. The
buttstraps have a width dimension of their own, which width
dimension is taken transversely to the length dimension of the butt
straps. This width dimension of the butt straps is equal to or
slightly larger than double the distance from a groove of a base
element to the free leg of the nearest angle piece of that base
element. The C-shaped profile defines a base surface of the butt
strap and a pair of spaced legs extending from the base surface.
This base surface has a boundary. Each butt strap includes a
plurality of grooves therein of the same size and dimensions as
those of the grooves of the base and half elements. Each of the
grooves of the butt strap has a depth dimension extending parallel
to the center line. Additionally, each of the grooves of the butt
strap has a pair of bounding edges, one bounding edge of each
groove of said butt strap being coextensive with the boundary of
the base surface of the butt strap.
'l`he base surface of the butt strap is planar and the
foregoing center line oE the butt strap is located in the plane of
tne base surface. The butt strap includes additional grooves in
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the base surface which are aligned with and extend in the same
direction as the center line. These additional grooves are of
the same size and dimensions as those of the grooves of the base
and half elements.
As an alternative -to the U-shaped profile for the base
and half elemen-ts, these prefabricated parts may be constructed
of a flat metal having an L-shaped profile when viewed in a cross
section taken transverse to the length thereof. Of course, the
L-shaped profile defines a web portion and a single lateral leg
portion extending from the web portion.
To form a compost silo, the prefabricated parts are
coupled together in interfitting relationship to define a wall
which encloses a four-sided space for holding material -to be
composted. The wall includes pairs of the base elements, each
pair including base elements located in opposed, parallel, spaced
relationship with each other on opposite sides of the four-sided
space. The wall also includes pairs of half elements. Each pair
of half elements includes half elements located in opposed, parallel,
spaced relationship with each other on opposite sides of the four-
sided space. The base elements and half elements are verticallystacked in the direction of their widths in alternating fashion
such that, on a first side of the four-sided s`pace, a half element
is disposed above a lowermost base element and is followed by
another base element and the arrangement is repeated. On a second
side of each space, a base element is disposed above a lowermost
half element and is followed by another half element; and again,
the arrangement is repeated. On a third side, the same arrangement
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as used on the firs-t side is repeated. On a fourtn side, the
same arrangement as used on the second side is repeated. The
first and third sides are parallel and opposite to each other.
The second and fourth sides are parallel to and opposite each
other and a-t right angles to the first and third sides. The
grooves of the preEabricated parts interengage each other to lock
the parts together in assembled, interfi-tting relationship.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
The invention shall be explained hereinbelow in more
detail with the aid of the drawings in which:
FIGS. la to lc show a U-shaped prefabricated part as
the base element in a side elevation (Fig. la), in a top view
(Fig. lb), and in an end elevation (Fig. lc);
FIGS. 2a to 2c snow a U-shaped prefabricated part as a
half element in side elevation (Fig. 2a), in a top view (Fig. 2b),
and in an end elevation (Fig. 2c);
FIGS. 3a to 3c show an assembled compost silo in a front
elevational view (Fig. 3a), in a top view (Fig. 3b), and in a
partial side elevation (Fig. 3c);
FIGS. 4a and 4b show partial views of a compost silo
with cover in a Eront elevation (Fig. 4a) and in a top view (Fig.
4b);
FIGS. 5a to 5c show certain elements of the invention
in perspective, Figs. 5b and 5c, in particular, being partial
perspective views; and
FIG~ 6 shows a butt strap and three base elements in an
exploded perspective view.
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DETI~ILED DESCRIPTION
In the flgures, like elements are designated by like
reference symbols. The prefabricated parts shown in the individual
figures are constructed of a flat material, i.e., galvanized sheet
steel. Thus, Fig. 1, in the different representations of Figs. la,
lb and lc, shows a base element 1. That is, the base element is
shown in a side elevation, in a top view and in an end elevation,
respectively. The base element 1 is equipped in the area of its
ends 3 with an angle piece 5 having a free leg 6, which points in
the same direction as the leg portions 7 and 8 of the U-shape.
It will be seen that the leg portions 7, 8 of the U-shaped profile
extend perpendicularly from a web portion 9. The U-shaped profile
is, of course, the profile as viewed in transverse cross section.
Although Fig. lc is an end view, rather than cross section, the
U-shaped profile will be apparent therefrom. At the end of each
lateral leg 7 and 8, respectively, tnere are grooves 4. Grooves
4 have a width that is slightly larger than the material thickness
S of the prefabricated parts. It is thus possible to key the
different prefabricated parts together with each other.
The grooves also have a depth T, which is equal to or
smaller than a quarter of the width b of a base element 1 of the
prefabricated part. As may be seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the
longitudinal extend of the legs 6 of each angle piece is parallel
to the correspondinc3 groove 4.
It may further be clearly seen in the figures that the
lateral legs 7 and 8 of the U-shape extend only to the correspond-
ing groove 4 of the prefabricated part, so that the area of the
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angle piece 5 is not covered by a lateral leg.
Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c show in their different represen-t-
ations, which correspond respectively to those of Fig. 1, a half
element 2 having the same length and having one-half of the width
b of the base element 1. Half element 2 is provided in each
terminal area with a groove 4, each groove being aligned in and
opening in tne same direc-tion as the groove in the other terminal
area of the half element. The dimensions of the legs of the U-
shape and of the angle pieces and the grooves are otherwise the
same as those of the base element.
Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c show an assembled compost silo in a
front elevation (Fig. 3a), a top view (Fig. 3b) and a side elevation
(Fig. 3c). It may be seen therefrom that the interfitting
connections of the individual base elements are effected at offsets
of one-half of the widths of the base elements. In order to
equalize these differences in height, half-elements are used
alternatingly so that the base surface of the silo, and also the
cover surface, are in one plane.
Figs. 4a and 4b show that the base elements 1 may also
be used as cover elements to cover the compost silo. Thus, Fig.
4a shows a partial view of the assembled compost silo, wherein
the upper base element is arranged horizontally and serves as the
cover element. Fig. 4b is a top view, wherein three base elements
1 are arranged closely adjacent to each other. Because the
distance from a groove 4 of d base or half element 1 or 2 to the
free leg 6 of the angle piece 5 is equal to or slightly larger than
the width L of the lateral leg 7, 8 of the U-shape of tne base or
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half element 1 or 2, the base elements 1, when used as cover
elements in their longitudinal direction, cannot be displaced
laterally in any direction. This is for the reasons that they
are held firstly by the edges of the lateral legs 7 and 8 and
secondly by the legs 6 of the angle pieces. Nevertheless, the
base elements used as the cover are displaceable transversely to
their longitudinal direction in an advantageous manner. This
renders it possible, for example, during the shifting of -the
contents or the filling of the compost within the silo, not to
remove all of the cover elements, but to move them in a single
manner, so that all of the internal surface parts of the silo
are assessible in a simple fashion.
Figs. 5a, Sb and 5c show in their different represent-
ations, in an exploded and perspective style, the structure of a
compost silo. Two half elements 2 are always arranged opposing each
other. These half elements are connected by base elements 1, so
that the base surfaces of all of the elements are in the same plane.
Fig. 5b shows clearly that the addition of another base
element la by fitting it together with the element 1, causes a
difference in height between the lateral legs of the U shapes of
tne two base elements. Fig. 5c indicates how this difference in
height is then equalized by the arrangement of further half elements
2 at that end of the structure where elements are being added, so
that the upper closure of the compost silo again is one plane.
The deptns of the grooves are designed, when used in a
compost silo, so that, between the base and half elemen-ts, an
adequate slit is provided for the aeration of the compost silo.
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Naturally, for other applications, the grooves may be dimensioned
so that the lateral legs of the U profiles of elements placed
over each other fit tightly.
In -the case wherein the leng-th of the base and half
elements used are inadequate for the erection oE a compost silo
of the size desired, a butt strap may be used, which makes it
possible to extend -the base elements in their longitudinal direction.
This is shown in Fig. 6, wherein a butt strap 10 is shown with
different base elements. The butt strap 10 has an angular, C-
shaped profile, whereby the length of the butt strap corresponds
to the width b of a base element 1. The width of the butt strap is
equal to the double distance from a groove 4 of a base element 1
to the leg 6 of the angle piece 5 located in the same terminal area
3 as the groove. The width may also be slightly larger than the
double distance defined hereinabove. In the legs 12 and 13 of the
C-profile adjacent to the base surface 11, grooves 14 to 17 are
arranged. These grooves have the same dimensions as the grooves 4
of the base and half elements 1 and 2, respectively. These
grooves are adjacent to the base surface 11 of the butt strap.
The butt strap may be used further to arrange another
base element at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the
base elements for the purpose of transverse stabilization. For
this purpose, the base surface 11 of the butt strap 10 is provided
at the height and in the dircction of its center line 18 with
grooves 19 and 20, wnich again have the same dimensions as the
grooves 4 of the base and half elements ] and 2.
The compost silo according to the present invention results
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in a compact storage and shipping format so that the sale and
transportation of the prefabricated par-ts is less expensive. The
compost silo may be erected in minutes by uns]cilled labor without
tools and connecting elements. Butt straps are required only
when it is necessary to extend the base elements in the
longitudinal direction. Here again, no tools are needed. The
entire structure may be extended and covered by the same elements.
Thus, only in the case of an extension in the longitudinal
direction are additional elements in the form of simple butt
straps required.
The prefabricated parts according to the invention may
naturally be used for other structures, such as silos, protective
containers or the like.
By means of a slight modification of the prefabrlcated
parts, i.e., by providing in place of a U profile, a L-shape,
the elements may be used as boundaries for beds, such as garden
bends or landscape borders, which also provides a measure of
protection against various pest.s, for example, snails.
Another possible application is as tubs for large plants.
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