DUAL-UNIT PAVING SYSTEM

Abstract

A dual-unit paving system for covering a surface is provided. The system comprises pairs of first and second units. For each pair, the first and second unit have different respective shapes and sizes, and are configured to be matingly engageable for forming a hexagonal assembly having six, non-linear sides. The hexagonal assembly allows forming rotational tessellations. The first and second units are also shaped and configured to be matingly engageable so as to form horizontally aligned tessellations, and also vertically aligned tessellations.

Claims

1. A dual-unit paving system for covering a surface, the system comprising: a plurality of pairs, each pair comprising a first unit and a second unit, wherein for each pair: the first unit has a lower face for facing the ground, an exposed upper face, and sidewalls extending from the lower face, the sidewalls of the first unit including a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side; the second unit has a lower face for facing the ground, an exposed upper face, and sidewalls extending from the lower face, the sidewalls of the second unit including a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side, the second unit having a shape different from the shape of the first unit; and the bottom side of the first unit has a non-linear, irregular outline matingly engageable with the outline of the top side of the second unit for forming a hexagonal assembly having six non-linear sides, said hexagonal assembly allowing to form rotational tessellations.

2. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1 wherein the outline of the bottom side of the first unit comprises the outline of the top side of the first unit.

3. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1 wherein the outline of the top side of the second unit comprises the outline of the bottom side of the second unit.

4. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1 wherein the left side and the right side of the second unit have non-linear, irregular outlines matingly engageable to at least respective portions of outlines of the right side and left side of the first unit.

5. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1, wherein when the first unit and the second unit of a pair are facing one another to form the hexagonal assembly, adjacent sides of the hexagonal assembly are spaced apart by an angle of approximately 120.degrees.

6. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1, wherein when the first unit and the second unit of a pair are facing one another to form the hexagonal assembly, the six non-linear sides of the hexagonal assembly are congruent.

7. The dual-unit paving system according claim 1, wherein when the first unit and the second unit of a pair are facing one another to form the hexagonal assembly, two adjacent sides of the hexagonal assembly comprise a convex side and a concave side.

8. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1, wherein the exposed upper face of at least one of the first unit and the second unit comprises two or more different patterns.

9. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of pairs are divided into at least first and second groups; the upper faces of the first units of the first group differ from the upper faces of the first units of the second group, and the upper faces of the second units of the first group differ from the upper faces of the second units of the second group; thereby allowing a creation of four hexagonal assemblies, each assembly having a distinct upper face appearance.

10. A dual-unit paving system for covering a surface, the system comprising: a plurality of pairs, each pair comprising a first unit and a second unit, wherein for each pair: the first unit has a lower face for facing the ground, an exposed upper face, and sidewalls extending from the lower face, the sidewalls of the first unit including a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side; the second unit has a lower face for facing the ground, an exposed upper face, and sidewalls extending from the lower face, the sidewalls of the second unit including a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side, the second unit having a shape different from the shape of the first unit; the bottom side of the first unit has a non-linear, irregular outline matingly engageable with the outline of the top side of the second unit for forming a hexagonal assembly having six non-linear sides, said hexagonal assembly allowing to form rotational tessellations; and the left side and the right side of the second unit have non-linear, irregular outlines matingly engageable to at least respective portions of outlines of the right side and left side of the first unit, allowing to form horizontally aligned tessellations.

11. The dual unit paving system according to claim 10 wherein the outline of the bottom side of the first unit comprises the outline of the top side of the first unit.

12. The dual unit paving system according to claim 10 wherein the outline of the top side of the second unit comprises the outline of the bottom side of the second unit.

13. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 10, wherein the exposed upper face of at least one of the first unit and the second unit comprises two or more different patterns.

14. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 13, wherein the patterns are flagstone patterns.

15. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 14, wherein the exposed upper face of the first unit and the second unit each comprise at least two different flagstone patterns, the patterns of the first unit differing from the patterns of the second unit.

16. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 13, wherein the patterns are delimited by deep joints or by color.

17. A dual-unit paving system for covering a surface, the system comprising: a plurality of pairs, each pair comprising a first unit and a second unit, wherein for each pair: the first unit has a lower face for facing the ground, an exposed upper face, and sidewalls extending from the lower face, the sidewalls of the first unit including a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side; the second unit has a lower face for facing the ground, an exposed upper face, and sidewalls extending from the lower face, the sidewalls of the second unit including a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side, the second unit having a shape different from the shape of the first unit; the bottom side of the first unit has a non-linear, irregular outline matingly engageable with the outline of the top side of the second unit for forming a hexagonal assembly having six non-linear sides, said hexagonal assembly allowing to form rotational tessellations; and the outline of the bottom side of the first unit comprises the outline of the top side of the first unit, and the outline of the top side of the second unit comprises the outline of the bottom side of the second unit, allowing to form vertically aligned tessellations.

18. The dual-unit paving system according to claim 17 wherein: the plurality of pairs are divided into at least first and second groups; the upper faces of the first units of the first group differ from the upper faces of the first units of the second group, and the upper faces of the second units of the first group differ from the upper faces of the second units of the second group; thereby allowing a creation of four hexagonal assemblies, each assembly having a distinct upper face appearance.

19. A pavement formed by the rotational tessellation of several pairs of first and second unit as defined in claim 18, the rotational tessellation comprising several of the four hexagonal assemblies positioned according to three different angles of rotation, the pavement thereby comprising twelve different configurations of hexagonal assemblies.

20. A pavement formed by a linear tessellation of the plurality of pairs defined in claim 17, wherein the first unit and the second unit of each pair are placed side by side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual-unit paving system, according to an embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the first unit of the paving system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the second unit of the paving system of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the first and second units of the dual-unit paving system of FIG. 1, facing one another and forming a hexagonal assembly, according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A is a top view of the outline of the bottom side of the first unit or of the outline of the top side of the second unit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of the first and second units, placed side by side in first linear assembly. FIG. 4B is schematic top view of the first and second units, placed side by side in a second linear assembly.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of unit B being placed over unit A. FIG. 5A is a top view of unit A placed over unit B.

[0033] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic representations of the outer outline of the hexagonal assembly shown in FIG. 3.

[0034] FIG. 7A is a top view of two groups of pairs of units, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B is a top view of two groups of pairs of unit, according to another embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a top view of different configurations of hexagonal assemblies, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a top view of twelve different configurations of hexagonal assemblies.

[0037] FIG. 10A are top views of another pavement made of different hexagonal assemblies placed in different orientations and shown assembled according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10B is a top view of a pavement made from different hexagonal assemblies having the same orientation and shown assembled according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIGS. 11 to 14 are top views of pavements made of first and second units assembled in different linear assemblies, according to different embodiments of the invention.

[0039] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a pavement according to a stack bond configuration.

[0040] FIG. 14 shows a pavement according to a running bond configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. In order to preserve clarity, certain elements may not be identified in some figures if they are already identified in a previous figure.

[0042] It will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as lower, upper, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, side and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting or as implying a required orientation during use.

[0043] The dual-unit paving system advantageously allows the creation of different assemblies, according to linear or rotational tessellations. With only two different shapes of units, the system can provide the illusion of having been assembled randomly and created from natural flagstones. The present paving system also provides units which are as large as possible while remaining easy to install in different configurations. By tessellation it is meant a covering, tiling or paving of one or more shapes to cover a surface, without any substantial gaps between shapes.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a first unit A and a second unit B are shown. They form a pair of units

[0045] A, B of a dual-unit paving system 8, for covering a surface. The first unit A has a lower face 20 for facing the ground, an exposed upper face 21, and sidewalls extending from the lower face 20. The second unit B also has a lower face 23 for facing the ground, an exposed upper face 25 and sidewalls extending from the lower face 23.

[0046] Preferably, the upper exposed face 21, 25 of at least one of the first and second units A, B includes two or more different patterns 78i to 78iv and 80i, 80i, which are preferably flagstone patterns. The patterns are preferably all different, so as to increase the randomness aspect of pavements created with the dual-unit paving system. The flagstones patterns are preferably delimited by deep joints 82.

[0047] FIG. 2A is a top view of unit A. The sidewalls of unit A include a top side 12, a bottom side 14, a left side 16 and a right side 18. The terms top, bottom, left and right refer here to the orientation of the sides of unit as shown in FIG. 2, which also corresponds to the orientation of the sides when looking at the unit over its upper, exposed face, such as when the unit is placed on the ground and one is looking at the unit directly over it. The terms top, bottom, right and left are used to facilitate and simplify reference to the different sides of the unit, and they could be referred as first, second, third and fourth sides as well.

[0048] The outline of each side 12, 14, 16, 18 is made of several segments at angle from one another. The outline of the sides is non-linear and irregular. By irregular it is meant that the sides include several segments and split deviations. Toward the lower face of the unit, the sides are made of several flat surfaces. The junction of the upper exposed face 21 of the unit with the sides is chiselled, so as to imitate natural carved stone.

[0049] FIG. 2B is a top view of unit B. The sidewalls of unit B also include a top side 22, a bottom side 24, a left side 26 and a left side 28. The outline of each side is made of several angled segments. Similar to unit A, each side of unit B is made of several intersecting flat surfaces toward the lower face of the unit B and the junction of the sides with the upper exposed face 25 of the unit is chiselled. The different patterns can be colored and given a texture to imitate natural flagstones.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, and also to FIG. 3, the bottom side 14 of the first unit A has a non-linear, irregular outline matingly engageable with the outline of the top side 22 of the second unit B. By matingly engageable, it is meant that the units can be assembled or paired, so that sides will closely fit one another. When units A and B are assembled so as to face one another, as shown in FIG. 3, they form a hexagonal assembly 10 having six, non-linear sides. By hexagonal it is meant that the shape is reminiscent of a hexagon. The hexagonal assembly has an hexagon-based shape, with six sides and six angles.

[0051] Still referring to FIG. 3, in this particular embodiment of the second unit B, the outline of the top side 22 includes a portion which corresponds to a vertical translation of the outline of the bottom side 24. This feature is also present in unit A, for which the outline of the bottom side 14 includes a portion which corresponds to a vertical translation of the outline of the top side 12. It will also be appreciated that preferably, the outline of the top side 12 of the first unit A and adjacent segments 16i, 18i of the left and right sides 16, 18 correspond to a vertical translation of the outline of the bottom side 14 of the first unit A. By vertical translation it is meant that the translation is made substantially perpendicularly relative to the sides.

[0052] Still referring to FIG. 3 and also to FIG. 3A, the respective outlines of the top side 22 of the second unit B and of the bottom side 14 of the first unit A are preferably similar, and are referred to as a separation outline 52.

[0053] In this particular embodiment, the separation outline 52 includes two outer portions 54, 58 and one inner portion 56. This portion 56 has an outline similar to the bottom side 24 of the second unit B. Preferably, at least one of the outer and inner portions are formed by several non-linear segments, such as for portions 54 or 56 of the separation line. Still preferably, the separation line has two summits 60, 62 and a valley 64 between the two summits 60, 62. In this embodiment, summit 60 has a first segment and a second segments 66, 68 extending from it, the first segment 66 being a rotational image of the second segment 68. Similarly, summit 62 has first and second segments 70, 72 being rotational images of one another.

[0054] Still referring to FIG. 3, it is preferable that the units A and B have approximately the same height h. This height h is measured on unit A from the highest point on side 12 to the highest point of side 14. Similarly, the height h of unit B is measured from the highest point on side 22 to the highest point of side 24. Of course, the term highest is to be taken in the context of the Figures, and relates to a vertical or Y axis.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, as can be appreciated, the first and second units A and B are formed by dividing the hexagonal shape 10 in two different and distinct units A and B. The separation line 52 used for forming the units A, B is located approximately halfway between the highest point and the lowest point of the hexagonal assembly 10. The separation line 52 includes within its profile a portion of the perimeter of the hexagonal outline, transposed or translated linearly along a central axis of the assembly 10. It will also be noted that the inner portion 56 of the separation line 52 includes the outline of the sides of the hexagonal shape 10. The remaining portions 54, 58 of the separation line 52 also correspond to other sections of the outline of the hexagonal shape.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, two different linear assemblies 11 are shown. As can be appreciated, the left side 26 and the right side 28 of the second unit B have non-linear, irregular outlines matingly engageable to at least respective portions 50, 48 of the outlines of the right side 18 and left side 16 of the first unit A. For example, such linear assemblies 11 can be used to form pathways. In this case, the linear assemblies are oriented horizontally

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 4A, the outline of the bottom side 14 of the first unit A includes the outline of the top side 12 of the first unit A and the outline of the top side 22 of the second unit B includes the outline of the bottom side 24 of the second unit B. This allows the units to form linear assemblies along a vertical orientation as well. Units A can be stacked vertically, in a stack bond configuration, and so can units B.

[0058] In addition, the top side 12 of the first unit A is preferably substantially similar to the bottom side of 24 of the second unit B, so that hexagonal assemblies can be stacked vertically, such as shown in FIG. 10B.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the second unit B is shaped such that when laid over the first unit A, the top and bottom sides 22, 24 of the second unit B coincide with the top and bottom sides 12, 14 of the first unit A. In other words, when the second paving unit B is placed over the first paving unit A, it fits perfectly within the outline of the first unit A. Both top and bottom sides of units A and B coincide with one another. Unit B is smaller in size than unit A. In other words, the top surface of unit B is smaller than the top surface of unit A. The volume and weight of unit B are also smaller than the volume and weight of unit A.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, different aspects of the hexagonal assembly 10 formed by units A and B are shown. The outline of the hexagonal assembly 10 formed by units A and B has six sides 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46. They form three pairs of sides 30, 32 and 34. The hexagonal assembly 10 has first 1, second 2, third 3, fourth 4, fifth 5 and sixth 6 consecutive vertices, and the separation outline 52 preferably extends from near the first vertex 1 to near the fourth vertex 4. It will be also noted that each of the sides of the hexagonal assembly 10 is formed by several segments at angle from one another, and the outline of a side does not include any repetitive portion or segment. This feature allows creating pavements with a more random, irregular aspect.

[0061] Adjacent sides of the hexagonal assembly preferably spaced apart by an angle of approximately 120, and the six sides 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 are preferably congruent. By congruent, it is meant that the sides are superposable, so as to be coincident throughout.

[0062] When the first and second units A, B are facing one another to form the hexagonal assembly 10, two adjacent sides of the hexagonal assembly preferably comprise a convex side 36, 40, 44 and a concave side 38, 42, 46. This characteristic allows the assemblies to interlock with one another when forming a pavement by rotational tessellation of such assemblies, and thus results in a more stable installation.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, pairs of units A, B are preferably divided into first 84, 84 and second 86, 86 groups. In FIG. 7A, the upper faces 74 of the first unit Al differs from the upper face 88 of the first unit A2. Similarly, the upper face 76 of the second unit B1 differs from the upper face 90 of the second unit B2. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, the dual-unit paving system can include three or more groups of different pairs of units A, B. The number of different possible combinations PC is obtained by multiplying the number of first paving units (type A) by the number of second paving units (type B); and NbANbB=PC. Preferably, the surface area of the flagstone patterns of unit A is substantially similar to the surface area of either one of the exposed face of second unit B, or of one of the patterns of unit B.

[0064] Advantageously, the specific shape given to the units facilitates the clamping of the units, during the manufacturing of the units. During the manufacturing process, after unmolding and curing the units and prior to packaging them, the units must be clamped with large clamps and placed over pallets for wrapping. The specific configuration of the first and second units A and B allows to assemble them such that the space occupied by the units on the pallets is maximized, thus facilitating their handling.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, this characteristic of the dual-unit paving system allows creating four different hexagonal assemblies 10i, 10ii, 10iii, 10iv. Each assembly has a distinct upper face appearance.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 9, the four hexagonal assemblies 10i, 10ii, 10iii and 10iv can be positioned according to three different angles of rotation: 00, 120 and 240. The dual-unit system thereby allows the creation of twelve different configurations of hexagonal assemblies.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 10A, a pavement 92 obtained by a rotational tessellation of different hexagonal assemblies obtained with units A1, B1, A2 and B2 has a random aspect, without any repeating pattern. The rotational tessellation is obtained by tessellating several paired units A and B in different rotational orientations. In addition, the deep joints of the units A and B are located on their respective top faces so as to break the linear effect when the units are rotated. As shown in FIG. 10A, the combination of a rotational installation of the units, with the appropriate positioning of the deep joints, results in a more random and natural installation than the one presented in FIG. 10B. It is also more difficult to distinguish a linear pattern.

[0068] Of course, it is also possible to create a pavement 92 without rotating the units, and by assembling units A and B from the same or from different groups, as in FIG. 10B.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 14, other possible pavements formed by a linear tessellation of several pairs of first and second units A, B are shown. In these examples, the first and second units A, B of a pair are placed side by side. FIG. 11 is an example of a horizontally aligned tessellation.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, different pavements 94, 94 and 94 are made using a stack bond configuration. The pavements include at least two rows, where the first units A1 or A2 of the first row face the respective first units A2 or A1 of the second row. Similarly, units B1 or B2 are facing units B2 or B1. FIG. 13 is an example a vertically aligned tessellation.

[0071] In FIG. 14, the pavement 96 is made using a running bond configuration. A running bond pavement includes at least two rows (in this particular case, three rows are used) where the first units A1 or A2 of the first row face the respective second units B1 or B2 of the second row.

[0072] As can be appreciated, the paving units of the present system allow creating, when combined, large paving modules or assemblies, having a random and natural look. Such large paving assemblies yet remain easy to install, since they are subdivided into smaller sub-units A and B, and since the modules have a substantially similar outline. In addition, a single worker is generally able to lift and install the paving units. The result of combining the first and second paving units is larger looking stones having a random look which enables to loose the linear and hexagonal shape present in existing products. In addition, the specific perimeter or outline of each paving unit advantageously facilitates their clamping during the manufacturing process and allows maximization of the space occupied by the units on the pallets.

[0073] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.