Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02776567 2012-04-03
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Drainage Body
Description
The invention relates to a drainage body according to the preamble of claim 1.
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.
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
Ul; DE 10 2005 056 131 Al; EP 1 260 640 Bl; DE 43 04 609 Al, EP 0 787 865 Bl;
EP 09
43 737 Bl; EP 1 416 099 Bl; DE 697 00 174T2; DE 299 24 050 Ul; EP 1 469 133
A2; EP 1
887 145 Al; EP 1 452 653 Bl. 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.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.
From EP 0 612 888 Al 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.
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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.
The present invention attempts to achieve this object by a drainage body
comprising: a plurality
of substantially identically shaped surface units including a plurality of
base units and a plurality
of substantially identically shaped top units which are combinable with each
other in an
installation spacing (DE) by way of spacers, wherein 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 a masonry bond, wherein the base units are shifted with respect
to and are
fixed to the top units for forming said drainage body, and wherein the spacers
are formed as
hollow bodies.
In particular, the present invention attempts to achieve this object 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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_
integrally with the surface units.
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.
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".
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.
The spacers due 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.
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
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completely enclosed circumferentially up to water penetration openings may be
formed
which can be installed as hollow bodies in the ground.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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 900. 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:
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.
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.
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Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained subsequently in
greater detail
on the basis of drawings. The drawings show:
Fig. 1 a view from above onto a surface unit in a view corresponding to
line I-1
from Fig. 2,
Fig. 2 a section through the surface unit according to Fig. 1 along line
II-II from
Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 a view from below onto a surface unit according to Fig. 1 in a
view along
line 111-11I from Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 a view from above onto a cover for covering an opening as it is
shown in
Figs. 1 to 3,
Fig. 5 a partial view of a wall element,
Fig. 6 a view onto the surface unit according to Figs. 1 to 3 in a view
along line
VI-VI from Fig. 1,
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),
Fig. 10 an enlarged view of region X from Fig. 9,
Fig. 11 a diagrammatic illustration for the assembly of top units on base
units in
a bonded manner,
Fig. 12 a view from above corresponding to that according to Fig. 1 but on
to a
different embodiment of the invention,
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Fig. 13 a lateral view of a load distribution element,
Fig. 14 a view from below according to Fig. 13 along line XIV-XIV from
Fig. 13.
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,
Figs. 16 to19 schematic illustrations of arrangements of plug and socket
fastening
sections.
Figs. 20 and 21 to perspective views of a further embodiment of the surface
units,
Fig. 22 a completed drainage body with two open side walls and
Fig. 23 a partially cut drainage body similar to that of fig. 22.
The same reference numerals are used in the following description for
identical parts
and parts acting in an identical manner.
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 und 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.
Moreover, spacers 20, 20' have congruent internal and external cross-sections
such that
they are insertable into one another.
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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.
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.
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.
Covers 35 (see Fig. 4) are provided so that openings 23, 23' (see Figs. 2 and
3) can be
sealed.
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 Ds 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'.
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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 DE is considerably larger than stacking
distance Ds.
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.
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).
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
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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.
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.
It emerges from the above that using surface units 10 presented here and their
spacers
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.
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.
Figs. 16 to 19 disclose various examples of how the "opposing" 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.
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
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bodies.
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.
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.
Furthermore, it can be seen from figs. 20 to 23 that the surface units 10 and
the side
walls 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
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.
=
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List of reference numbers
Surface unit
11 Base unit
12 Top unit
13 Breakaway section
Side wall
16 Marginal groove
17 Margin
18 Side wall support
20, 20' Spacer
21 Plug fastening section
22 Socket fastening section
23, 23' Opening
24 Toothing
Notch
26 Stiffening corrugation
Load distribution element
31 Pipe section
32 Supporting arm
34 Inspection opening
Cover
41 Retaining groove
42 Joining stud
43 Insertion hole
44 Insertion pin
DE Installation distance
Ds Stacking distance
