EP4056756A1 - Module for filling cavity for honeycomb paving and honeycomb paving comprising such modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a module (1) for filling a cell of a slab, comprising a rigid body (4) intended to be mounted by force in the cell and having an upper face (4a) and a lower face. opposite support intended to be placed on the ground. The body (4) comprises rigid locking members (11) for force fitting in the cell and the free ends of which protrude from said upper face (4a), whereby, once the body (4) has been received in the cell, the module (1) is immobilized in position and at least one peripheral drainage opening is formed between the periphery of the module (1) and the cell so as to allow drainage of rainwater and/or or runoff. The present invention also relates to a paving provided with such modules (1).

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of floor coverings, and more particularly that of permeable floor coverings consisting of pavings formed from hollow core slabs.

Hollow core slabs are perforated slabs having one or more vertical cells, vertical cells also being able to be formed by arranging slabs adjacent to each other. They are generally made of concrete or plastic, but could just as well be made of other materials.

Generally, these slabs are grassed, filled with gravel or even sand.

Such slabs filled with gravel have the disadvantage of not being suitable for regularly frequented spaces. Indeed, the gravel is quickly moved.

Such slabs filled with sand have the disadvantage of settling. Indeed, sanded surfaces compact quickly.

Such grassed pavings, in particular made of concrete slabs, can be used for the parking of light vehicles, for the passage of emergency vehicles, for hiking trails, to develop camping areas, for the reinforcement of verges and banks, etc.

Generally, for the realization of such a grass paving, we place a mixture of earth / stones, then a fertile laying bed, and then we position the slabs honeycombed. The slabs are then filled in with soil and grass seed.

However, before authorizing traffic on this paving, it is advisable to wait until the grass has grown. In addition, the grassing being done in situ, this paving cannot be installed in all seasons.

To overcome this drawback, it is known to use pre-turfed slabs.

However, whether the sodding is done in situ or whether the slabs are pre-turfed, such paving requires maintenance of the lawn, in particular its mowing and watering. In addition, over time the earth will become more compact, reducing the ability to absorb rainwater and/or runoff and therefore limiting the drainage capacity of the paving.

In the case of use in a car park, it is also necessary to mark the boundaries of the parking spaces on the lawn. In addition, this type of paving is unstable and sensitive, in the long term, to punching or repeated passages of vehicle wheels.

It is known from the German utility model DE8716617 U1 to use a cell filling module which is in the form of a molded body made of a deformable material, for example rubber, flexible plastic or a mixture thereof. This module has an intermediate part intended to be received in the cell and having the dimensions of the cell or being oversized with respect to the latter, and an upper part intended to project above the side walls of the cell and to rest on these side walls, this projecting upper part allowing the module to be visible from a great distance. Furthermore, this module comprises locking members made of a deformable material and intended to be inserted into a recess formed in the wall of the cell.

It is also known from the international patent application WO 2020/240220 A1 to use a cell filling module which comprises an upper face and a lower bearing face, opposite the upper face and separated from the latter by an intermediate part. This module comprises flexible blocking members able to deform elastically and to bend upwards when the module is inserted into the cell.

The present invention thus aims to provide another alternative solution to the filling of the hollow core slabs with earth or any other lawn substrate, gravel or even sand, which solution makes it possible to obtain a paving which is suitable for the passage of light vehicles. , trucks, emergency vehicles, etc., which is easy to lay, is load-bearing for shoe heels, requires no watering, has no problem with salting, has strong drainage power and a large capacity for rising water during a storm.

As will be discussed below, the solution according to the present invention is not limited to the use of grass as a finishing decoration at the level of the cells.

Thus, the subject of the present invention is a cell filling module intended to be received in a vertical cell of a slab formed of cellular slabs placed on the ground, the module being characterized in that it is in the form a rigid body intended to be fitted by force and entirely received in the cell and having an upper face and a lower bearing face, opposite the upper face and separated from the latter by a intermediate part of the body whose cross section is smaller than the upper face, the support face being intended to be placed on the ground, so that a vertical force applied to the upper face of the body, and resulting in particular from 'a pedestrian walking on the module or a vehicle rolling on the module, is transmitted to the ground via the support face, without the body sinking further into the ground, the module thus making it possible to ensure continuity of lift on the exposed face of the slab, the body also comprising rigid blocking members for force-fitting the body in the cell, the blocking members being integral with the body and their free ends projecting laterally relative to the sides of the upper face of the body, whereby, once the body has been received in the cell, the module is immobilized in position and at least one peripheral drainage opening is formed between the periphery of the module and the lvéole so as to allow drainage of rainwater and / or runoff.

Because the module according to the present invention makes it possible to provide lift, since it will not sink into the ground when a vertical force is applied to it, the paving provided with such modules will be able to define a surface on which pedestrians will be able to walk and vehicles will be able to drive, in complete safety. However, it is emphasized that during force assembly, the module can be forced to sink slightly into the ground, for example in gravel, to a depth of 5 mm, for example. Force mounting will typically be done using a mallet.

The immobilization of the module in the cell by force mounting is particularly solid and it will not be possible to extract the module from the cell as long as the slab remains on the ground. This solution for immobilizing the module also makes it possible, while systematically ensuring solid immobilization, to take into account any slight variations in the dimensions of the cells, variations that are very often encountered due to the manufacturing processes of the concrete slabs. . Furthermore, thanks to these immobilization means, the module force-fitted in a cell formed by the junction of two adjacent slabs also makes it possible to stiffen the assembly of these two adjacent slabs, and therefore to improve the rigidity of the paving in his outfit.

Furthermore, the at least one peripheral drainage opening provides, at the level of each module, a strong capacity for draining rainwater and/or runoff.

Preferably, the upper face of the body has an undulating or jagged contour or having at least a hollow shape, such that said contour has peripheral drainage recesses. Such a configuration of the contour of the upper face of the body makes it possible both to maximize the peripheral drainage capacity and to minimize the risk of an object, such as a bank card, a key, a heel, becoming stuck between the module and the cell wall. This also improves the bearing capacity of the module.

The upper face of the body can be formed by the flat upper surface of a support plate and the support face of the body can be formed by the flat lower surface of a seat plate extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the support plate.

Preferably, the intermediate part of the body comprises a cross-sectional structure in the shape of a cross interposed between the support face and the face upper part of the body, if necessary between the seat and support plates. Such a cross structure is advantageous in that it allows, while maintaining a sufficiently rigid module, to define, inside the cell, an additional volume, between the branches of the cross and the walls of the cell, for rainwater and/or runoff. For example, in the event of heavy rain, this additional volume will serve as a reserve for water which cannot be absorbed quickly enough by the underlying soil, which makes it possible to considerably limit the risk of water remaining on the upper surface of the paving.

The cross structure and the seat and support plates are advantageously made in one piece, the body thus being in one piece.

According to a particular embodiment, the upper face of the body has a square outline, where appropriate the square outline has been wavy or serrated or provided with at least one recessed shape, and the module comprises four free ends of blocking, each free end being located at the level of the center of the side of the upper face with respect to which it protrudes. In this way, each free end halves the length of the opening between the side in question of the upper surface and the corresponding wall of the cell. Given the usual dimensions of the cells, this ensures that an object such as a bank card cannot fall between the module and the cell.

Preferably, the module comprises four blocking members each in the form of a finger, a first end of which constitutes the free end of the respective blocking member, and a second end of which is secured to a branch of the structure in cross of the body, the finger extending perpendicularly to the said branch and, preferably, being, if necessary, in contact with the support plate, the two branches of the cross structure each extending, for example, along a respective diagonal of the upper side of the body. Such a configuration of the body and of the blocking members makes it possible to obtain a particularly solid module, in particular with a view to force fitting in the cell.

According to the present invention, depending on the hardnesses of the material in which the slab is formed and of the material in which the blocking members are formed, the fitting by force can be obtained by removing material from the free ends of the blocking members or in the cell walls. In the case where the slab is made of a harder material than the blocking members, the free ends of the latter will advantageously be planable by the walls of the cell, namely made of a material allowing a thinning of the blocking members in the direction perpendicular to the cell wall. To this end, the body of the module according to the present invention can be made of plastic material, for example low density polyethylene (LDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). The module will thus be light, easy to handle and at low manufacturing cost, and the free ends of the blocking members will be planable by concrete slabs.

Of course, the body of the module can be made of any other material, such as metal, for example. In particular, the body may be made of a harder material than the concretes usually used for hollow core slabs, so that during force fitting the free ends of the blocking members are able to dig, even slightly, into the cell walls.

Furthermore, in the case where the slab is made of a relatively deformable material, for example plastic, the force mounting can be obtained by the deformation of the walls of the cell by the rigid locking members, the latter being made in a material harder than that of the slab.

Preferably, the free end of each blocking member is tapered and bevelled downwards, namely on the bearing face side, so as to present an edge extending in a plane which is both perpendicular to the upper face of the body and perpendicular to the side of the upper face relative to which the free end protrudes. Such a configuration of the edges of the free ends of the blocking members facilitates the planing of said free ends.

Preferably, the upper face of the body has a square outline, where appropriate the square outline has been wavy or jagged or provided with at least one hollowed-out shape, and the module further comprises positioning members integral with the intermediate part of the body and extending from the latter such that plumb with each corner region of the upper face of the body is the free end of a respective positioning member.

Thus, when the module is started to be introduced into the cell, the positioning devices will force the module to orient itself correctly and to center itself in the cell, without the operator having to position the module precisely, which makes it even easier to install the modules.

Can be provided, plumb with each corner region of the upper face of the body one or more positioning members spaced vertically from each other.

The positioning members may not project relative to the upper face of the body, or may project at least slightly.

The module according to the present invention may comprise a finishing element fixed to the upper face of the body, for example by gluing, sewing, welding or riveting.

In other words, a finishing element is attached to the body of the module. Preferably, the finishing element is a layer of synthetic turf covering the upper face of the body. The grass layer can have a thickness of between 15 mm and 20 mm and have, for example, a density of 18900 tufts/m ² .

Of course, other finishing elements could be provided, such as, for example, plate-type elements with a wooden or colored appearance, etc., or a bioluminescent or translucent finishing element with solar sensor and/or diode ( s) electroluminescent(s).

As a variant, the upper face of the body can directly integrate such finishes, such as for example a wood or colored appearance, which is in particular easy to achieve in the case of a body made of plastic material.

The present invention also relates to a slab formed of cellular slabs, in particular of concrete, placed on the ground, the slab comprising a plurality of vertical cells, characterized in that the cell filling modules as defined above are received in cells, the height of the body being less than or equal to the thickness of the slabs, so that the upper face of the body or, where applicable, the finishing element, is flush with the exposed face of the slab .

The slabs can be made of a harder material than the cell filler modules so that, when of the force fitting of said modules in the cells, at least some of the free ends of the blocking members undergo material removal by the walls of the cells.

Alternatively, the slabs are made of a material that is less hard than the cell filling modules so that, during the force fitting of said modules in the cells, at least some of the walls of the cells undergo material removal by the free ends blocking devices.

The module will thus be dimensioned according to the dimensions of the cell which it is intended to fill and, where applicable, also according to the properties of the material of the slab, in particular its hardness.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• [Fig. 1] est une vue en perspective, de dessus, du corps du module selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention ;
• [Fig. 2] est une vue en perspective, de dessous, du corps de la Figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 3] est une vue de dessus du corps de la Figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 4] est une vue de dessous du corps de la Figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 5] est une vue de côté du corps de la Figure 1, selon une première orientation du corps ;
• [Fig. 6] est une vue de côté du corps de la Figure 1, selon une seconde orientation du corps ;
• [Fig. 7] est une vue de côté, en coupe transversale, d'une partie d'un dallage selon le mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, au niveau d'une seule alvéole ; et [Fig. 8] est une vue de dessus du dallage de la Figure 7.

In these drawings:

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view, from above, of the body of the module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view, from below, of the body of the Figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 3 ] is a top view of the body of the Figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a bottom view of the body of the Figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 5 ] is a side view of the body of the Figure 1 , according to a first orientation of the body;
• [ Fig. 6 ] is a side view of the body of the Figure 1 , according to a second orientation of the body;
• [ Fig. 7 ] is a side view, in cross section, of a portion of a slab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, at the level of a single cell; and [ Fig. 8 ] is a top view of the tiling of the Picture 7 .

If we refer to the Figures 1 to 8 , it can be seen that the present invention relates to a module 1 for filling a cell intended to fill the space delimited by a cell 2 of a concrete slab of a slab 3 with cells.

The module 1 according to the particular embodiment of the present invention comprises a body 4 (shown in the Figures 1 to 8 ) and a finishing element 5 (shown schematically in the Picture 7 ) serving as a decoration for the cell and which is optional.

The function of the body 4 is to fill the space delimited by a cell 2 while ensuring continuity of bearing capacity and a drainage capacity of the slab, and optionally to support a finishing element 5. Alternatively, the body 4 can integrate a decorative finish.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 8 , the body 4 comprises a seat plate 6, an intermediate part 7, a support plate 8, peripheral drainage recesses 9a, positioning members 10 and locking members 11.

The body 4 is advantageously made of plastic, in particular low density polyethylene (LDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) from recycling. Thus, the body 4 is light and inexpensive to manufacture.

The body 4 is preferably formed in one piece. As a variant, the body 4 could be formed from several parts fixed together.

The support plate 8 has an upper surface defining the upper face 4a of the body 4, and an opposite lower surface by which the support plate 8 is secured to the intermediate part 7.

The support plate 8 has a substantially square shape. It should be noted that other forms are possible, depending on the shape of the cell 2 intended to receive the module 1, namely any polygonal or rounded shape.

The peripheral drainage recesses 9 are formed in the edge of the support plate 8. These drainage recesses 9a are intended to increase the dimensions of the peripheral drainage opening formed between the module 1 and the walls 2a of the cell 2.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the peripheral drainage depressions 9a are formed over the entire periphery of the support plate 8 and are thus constituted by an undulating contour of the support plate 8. Thus, each drainage depression 9a is separated of an adjacent hollow 9a on the same side of the support plate 8 by a convex part 9b. The number of undulations depends on the dimensions and shape of the support plate 8. In the embodiment shown, the support plate 8 has four drainage recesses 9a on each of its sides, ie sixteen drainage recesses 9a. The corrugations can have drainage depressions 9a of different depths. In particular, the undulations may have, on each side face of the square support plate 8, two adjacent deep drainage recesses 9a and two shallower drainage recesses 9a, the shallower drainage recesses 9a being in the vicinity of a corner of the tray 8 square.

As a variant, the wavy contour could be replaced by a contour having one or more hollow shapes.

The support plate 8 is supported by the intermediate part 7.

In the embodiment shown, the intermediate part 7 is a structure with cross-section in the form of a cross 7a.

This cross structure 7a comprises four plate parts 70 each forming a branch of the cross, namely each plate part 70 forms an angle of 90 degrees with the adjacent plate parts 70.

Each plate part 70 has two opposite side faces interconnected by a free edge 70a.

In the preferred embodiment, the cross structure 7a is arranged so that two plate parts 70 extending in the same first plane extend along one of the diagonals of the square support plate 8 and two plate parts 70 extending in the same second plane, perpendicular to the first plane, extend along the other diagonal of the support plate 8 square. Thus, the cross-shaped structure 7a makes it possible to stiffen the four corners of the support plate 8.

As a variant, one could also provide another orientation for the cross structure 7a, for example with each plate part 70 which is orthogonal to a respective side of the support plate 8 and centered with respect to said side.

This cross structure 7a also makes it possible to space the support plate 8 from the seat plate 6, by a desired distance and to transmit to the seat plate 6 the vertical forces applied on the support plate 8.

The cross-shaped structure 7a is dimensioned such that the support plate 8 completely covers the cross-shaped structure 7a and has its corners projecting beyond the free edges 70a of the arms of the cross.

It should be noted that the intermediate part 7 could take any suitable shape, for example a cubic or other shape, the cross-sectional surface of which would be smaller than the surface of the plate 8, so that the drainage depressions 9a formed in the support plate 8 are not blocked by a bottom.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body 4 is provided with positioning members 10 which make it possible to guide the module 1 during its introduction into a cell 2, and therefore to facilitate the installation of the module 1.

The positioning members 10 are carried by the cross-shaped structure 7a.

In particular, at least one positioning member 10 is secured to each plate part 70 forming the cross.

In the preferred embodiment shown, two positioning members 10 extend from the free edge 70a of each plate part 70. These positioning members 10 are in the form of rigid lugs or strips arranged along the free edge 70a of each plate part 70, with a spacing between the two tabs of the same plate part 70. The positioning members 10 extend in the same plane as the plate part 70 which carries them.

The positioning members 10, eight in number in the embodiment shown, extend to the free end of the corners of the square-shaped support plate 8. In other words, in top view ( Figure 3 ), the positioning members 10, which are in alignment with the corners of the support plate 8, are not visible.

Alternatively, the positioning members 10 could project slightly beyond the corners of the support plate 8. In this case, the length of the projecting part of the positioning members 10 is chosen so that, when the module 1 is inserted into a cell 2, a free space is created between the free end of the positioning member 10 and the side wall 2a of the cell 2. Thus, the positioning member 10 does not risk entering into contact with the wall 2a of the cell 2 and to be planed or damaged.

Advantageously, each positioning member 10 has its free end which is rounded.

The number of positioning members 10, in particular the number of positioning members 10 in each consecutive series of positioning members 10, may vary. Similarly, the spacing between the positioning members 10 of the same series may vary.

The seat plate 6 has a lower surface defining the lower support face 4b of the body 4, and an opposite upper face by which the seat plate 6 is secured to the cross structure 7a.

The seat plate 6 has a square shape. It should be noted that other shapes are possible, depending on the shape of the cell 2 intended to receive the module 1, namely any polygonal or rounded shape.

The seat plate 6 is here arranged such that the corners of the seat plate 6 have the same orientation as the corners of the support plate 8.

The surface area of the seat plate 6 is less than the surface area of the support plate 8. Thus, a space is left free between the edges of the seat plate 6 and the walls 2a of the cell 2 to allow evacuation of rainwater and/or runoff through the ground. In particular, the dimensions of the seat plate 6 correspond to the dimensions of the cross structure 7a. Thus, the plate parts 70 of the cross extend along the diagonals of the square seat plate 6 and the free edge 70a of the arms is aligned with the corners of the seat plate 6.

Each of the corners of the seat plate 6 can be cut at an angle, so as to avoid sharp corners.

The cross-shaped structure 7a is interposed between the support plate 8 and the seat plate 6. Thus, the seat plate 6 supports the weight of the entire module 1. In addition, the flat shape of the plate seat 6 prevents the module 1 from sinking when placed on soft ground.

The module 1 further comprises blocking members 11 allowing the automatic blocking of the module 1 in a cell 2 and preventing its tearing.

The locking members 11 are separate from the positioning members 10.

The locking members 11 can be carried by the support plate 8 and/or by the cross-shaped structure 7a and/or by the seat plate 6.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the body 4 comprises four locking members 11 carried by the support plate 8.

It should be noted that both the number of blocking members 11 and their positioning may vary.

The locking members 11 are rigid members, that is to say which are not capable of deforming.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the four rigid locking members 11 are integral with the lower surface of the support plate 8.

Each locking member 11 is in the form of an elongated profile or lug or a finger and provided with a free end whose edge 11a extends obliquely ( Figure 5 ).

In particular, each blocking member 11 has, at its free end region, the shape of an arrow when viewed from above and an edge 11a beveled downwards at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the plane of the support plate 8. The tip of the arrow-shaped region forms an angle of 60 degrees.

The locking members 11 are divided into two pairs of locking members 11. Each pair comprises two fingers 11 arranged in the extension of one another. The two pairs of fingers 11 are arranged parallel to the plane passing through one of the diagonals of the square-shaped support plate 8, and the two sections 11 of the same pair are located on either side of the plane passing through the other diagonal of the support plate 8. In other words, the four fingers 11 extend perpendicularly to two plate parts 70 of the cross structure 7 located in the same plane.

Each finger 11 extends from the plate part 70 of the cross structure 7a which is perpendicular to this finger 11 and protrudes beyond the periphery of the support plate 8. In particular, the end region free of each finger 11 protrudes beyond the contour of the support plate 8. The fingers 11 are positioned such that the protruding free end region is located substantially in the center of one side of the square support plate 8 . In this way, each of four sides of the support plate 8 is provided with a sharp locking projection.

The free edge 11a of each finger 11 and its pointed end, which is intended to come into contact with the wall 2a of a cell 2, makes it possible to create, at a minimum, friction between the module 1 and the wall 2a of the cell 2 so as to plane the blocking member 11 or dig into the wall 2a of the cell 2 during the force fitting of the module 1 in the cell 2.

In the preferred embodiment, a finishing element 5 is provided, which is carried by the body 4 and is intended to confer an aesthetic effect on the module 1. In other words, the finishing element 5 has a function of decoration.

The finishing element 5 is fixed to the upper face of the support plate 8, in particular by gluing, sewing, riveting, welding or any other appropriate means.

The finishing element 5 has a lower face, applied to the bearing face 4a of the body 4, and an opposite upper face intended to be visible.

The finishing element 5 is preferably a layer of synthetic turf. This layer of synthetic turf is in the form of a square slab, the dimensions of which correspond substantially to those of the support plate 8. In particular, the finishing element 5 is dimensioned so as to cover the support plate 8, to except for the peripheral drainage recesses 9a, in other words except for the corrugated region of the plate 8.

The synthetic turf may be a conventional synthetic turf, namely a green synthetic turf.

Alternatively, the synthetic turf may be a white synthetic turf. This variant is preferred in the case where module 1 is intended to allow the delimitation of parking spaces or to form the disabled logo.

Of course, the synthetic turf could be any other color.

Although the finishing element 5 shown in the Picture 7 either square in shape, the finishing element 5 could take any polygonal or rounded shape.

Furthermore, the finishing element 5 made of synthetic turf could be replaced by a finishing element 5 carrying another decoration, such as a decoration made of plastic material having a wood effect or available in various colors. The finishing element 5 could also incorporate a means of producing and emitting light, such as a bioluminescent plastic material or solar lighting.

As can be seen on the Figure 7 and 8 , the present invention also relates to a permeable paving comprising at least one module 1 as described above.

The paving 3 according to the present invention comprises cellular concrete slabs equipped with a plurality of cells 2 and a plurality of modules 1 mounted respectively in each of the cells 2.

On the Figure 7 and 8 , cell 2 is a square cell. However, hexagonal, round cells, etc. are also possible, the shape of the module 1 then being adapted to that of the cell 2 to be filled.

In the preferred embodiment shown, each cell 2 is defined by four side walls 2a, which side walls 2a extend perpendicular to the ground on which the slab is placed, namely vertically in the case of a horizontal ground. Each cell 2 therefore delimits an opening which passes through the slab.

As can be seen on the Picture 7 , the module 1 fills the cell 2 over the entire height of the cell 2. In particular, the visible upper face of the finishing element 5 comes substantially flush with the upper face of the hollow core slab 3. makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory decorative and aesthetic effect. In addition, such an alignment makes it possible to avoid wear of the finishing element 5. Indeed, if the finishing element 5 protrudes above the honeycomb slab 3, the repeated friction generated by the passage of people or vehicles could cause wear and damage to the finishing element 5. The underside of the seat plate 6 rests on the ground on which the slab is placed. The dimensions and the flat shape of this seat plate 6 make it possible to prevent the module 1 from sinking into the ground, in particular when the module 1 has to support a weight, for example that of a person circulating on the floor covering.

As can be seen on the Picture 8 , due to the presence of the positioning members 10 and the locking members 11, the module 1 is positioned substantially centered with respect to the walls 2a of the cell 2. In addition, the dimensions of the support plate 8 and of its wavy outline make it possible to create a peripheral drainage opening 12 between the module 1 and the side walls 2a of the cell 2. Thus, rainwater and/or runoff can flow between the module 1 and the walls 2a of the cell 2. The cell 2 having no bottom wall, the water flowing around the perimeter of the module 1 can easily infiltrate into the ground. Thus, although the material constituting the concrete slab is not permeable to water, the paving 3 according to the present invention constitutes a permeable floor covering.

As can be seen on the Figure 7 and 8 , the four rigid blocking members 11 make it possible to block the module 1 in the cell 2 here by planing the free edges 11a of the blocking members 11 by the walls 2a of the cells 2. Thus, the module 1 is force-fitted in the cell 2 and cannot be torn easily out of cell 2, nor move laterally inside cell 2.

The laying of such a floor covering is easy and quick. Indeed, after having prepared the ground, the slabs making up the paving 3 are placed on the ground, several slabs being able to be assembled to form a desired pattern. Finally, each cell 2 is filled by a module 1, the module 1 being introduced by its seat plate 6, guided into the cell 2 using the positioning members 10 and fixed in position by the locking members 11 .

For example, in the case of a cell 2 of square cross-section whose height (thickness of the slab) is 80 mm and whose width is 90 mm, the module 1 will preferably have the following dimensions: a height total (distance between the lower support face 4b and the upper face of the finishing element 5) of 85 mm (for a depression of 5 mm in the ground, for example gravel, during force fitting); a height of the body 4 of 65 mm; a height of the finishing element 5 of 20 mm; a square seat plate 6, for example 63 mm square and 2.5 mm thick; a square support plate 8 3 mm thick, having a distance of 83 mm between two opposite convex parts 9b, having a distance of 74 mm between two deep drainage recesses 9a opposites, ; locking members 11 3 or 4 mm thick and 5.4 mm wide; positioning members 10 16 mm long (distance between the free edge 70a and the free edge of the positioning member 10) and 5 mm high (in the longitudinal direction of the free edge 70a), with a spacing of 20 mm between two positioning members 10 of the same series.

In addition, each blocking member 11 is dimensioned such that the maximum distance between the free edges 11a of two opposite blocking members 11, namely projecting beyond opposite sides of the support plate 8, is 92 mm. . Each blocking member 11 therefore has a length of 4.5 mm projecting beyond an outline of the support plate 8. Thus, in the present embodiment where the slab is made of concrete and the body 4 of plastic , when the module 1 is positioned in a cell 2 90 mm wide, the edge 11a of each locking member 11 is planed by the corresponding wall 2a of the cell 2 (to a maximum depth of 1 mm on each side of the module 1), so as to block module 1 in compartment 2.

Thus, the paving according to the present invention constitutes a floor covering that does not require maintenance, frost resistant, ultraviolet resistant, decorative, self-locking, easy to lay, carrier for the heels than shoes, suitable for the passage of vehicles, usable quickly after laying, and with strong drainage power.

It is understood that the preferred embodiment which has just been described has been given by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications can be made without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

- Cell filling module (1) intended to be received in a vertical cell (2) of a slab (3) formed of cellular slabs placed on the ground, the module (1) being characterized in that it present in the form of a rigid body (4) intended to be fitted by force and entirely received in the cell (2) and having an upper face (4a) and a lower bearing face (4b), opposite the upper face (4a) and separated from the latter by an intermediate part (7) of the body (4) whose cross section is smaller than the upper face (4a), the support face (4b) being intended to be placed on the ground, so that a vertical force applied to the upper face (4a) of the body (4), and resulting in particular from a pedestrian walking on the module (1) or from a vehicle rolling on the module ( 1), is transmitted to the ground via the support face (4b), without the body (4) sinking further into the ground, the module (1) thus ensuring continuity bearing capacity of the exposed face of the paving (3), the body (4) further comprising rigid blocking members (11) for a force fitting of the body in the cell (2), the blocking members (11 ) being integral with the body (4) and their free ends projecting laterally relative to the sides of the upper face (4a) of the body (4), whereby, once the body (4) received in the cell (2 ), the module (1) is immobilized in position and at least one peripheral drainage opening (12) is formed between the periphery of the module (1) and the cell (2) so as to allow drainage of water from rain and/or runoff. - Module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper face (4a) of the body (4) has a wavy or jagged outline or having at least a hollowed shape, such that said outline has hollows of peripheral drainage (9a). - Module (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the upper face (4a) of the body (4) is formed by the flat upper surface of a support plate (8) and the bearing surface (4b) of the body (4) is formed by the flat lower surface of a seat plate (6) extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the support plate (8). - Module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the intermediate part (7) of the body (4) comprises a cross-sectional structure in the shape of a cross (7a) interposed between the face of support (4b) and the upper face (4a) of the body (4), where appropriate between the seat and support plates (6, 8). - Module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper face (4a) of the body (4) has a square outline, where appropriate the square outline has been wavy or serrated or provided with at least one recessed shape, and that the module (1) comprises four free ends of locking members (11), each free end being located at the level of the center of the side of the upper face (4a) with respect to which she protrudes. - Module (1) according to claim 5 when taken in dependence on claim 4, characterized in that the module (1) comprises four locking members (11) each in the form of a finger whose first end constitutes the free end of the respective blocking member (11), and of which a second end is integral with a branch (70) of the cross structure (7a) of the body (4), the finger extending perpendicular to said branch (70) and, preferably, being, where appropriate, in contact with the support plate (8), the two branches (70) of the cross structure (7a) each extending, for example, along a respective diagonal of the upper face (4a) of the body (4). - Module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the free end of each locking member (11) is tapered and bevelled downwards, namely on the bearing face side (4b), so as to present an edge (11a) extending in a plane which is both perpendicular to the upper face (4a) of the body (4) and perpendicular to the side of the upper face (4a) with respect at which the free end protrudes. - Module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper face (4a) of the body (4) has a square outline, where appropriate the square outline has been wavy or serrated or provided with at least one recessed shape, and that the module (1) further comprises positioning members (10) integral with the intermediate part (7) of the body (4) and extending from the latter in such so that plumb with each corner region of the upper face (4a) of the body (4) is located the free end of a respective positioning member (10). - Module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a finishing element (5) fixed to the upper face of the body (4), for example by gluing, sewing, welding or riveting, the finishing element (5) preferably being a layer of synthetic turf covering the upper face (4a) of the body (4). - Paving (3) formed of honeycomb slabs, in particular of concrete, placed on the ground, the paving (3) comprising a plurality of vertical cells (2), characterized in that modules (1) for filling cells such as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 are received in cells (2), the height of the body (4) being less than or equal to the thickness of the slabs, such that the upper face (4a) of the body (4) or, where appropriate the finishing element (5), is flush with the exposed face of the paving (3). - Paving (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that the slabs are made of a harder material than the cells filling modules (1) so that, during the force fitting of said modules (1) in the cells (2), at least some of the free ends of the locking members (11) undergo material removal by the walls (2a) of the cells (2). - Paving (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that the slabs are made of a material less hard than the modules (1) for filling the cell so that, during the force fitting of the said modules (1) in the cells, at least some of the walls (2a) of the cells (2) undergo material removal by the free ends of the locking members (11).

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