GB2327585A

GB2327585A - Surface drainage construction

Info

Publication number: GB2327585A
Application number: GB9715651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Lodge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-25
Filing date: 1997-07-25
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-25
Also published as: GB9715651D0; GB2327585B

Abstract

The surface construction comprises drainage conduits 11a, 11b embedded in a base layer 16 of concrete or asphalt, each drainage conduit 11 having an opening 14 therein having a water permeable resiliently compressible means 19 disposed therein allowing water from a surface layer 25 to drain into the conduits while preventing any parts of the surface layer 25 to enter the conduit. A side wall 20 includes a water proof membrane 21 such that the side wall 20 and the base layer 16 comprise a container.

Description

Title: Surface Construction This invention relates to a surface construction and more particularly, but not exclusively to a surface construction providing a surface for an arena or similar for equestrian or sporting facilities.

It is desirable that such surface construction be robust but still provide an appropriate, drained, surface for its desired purpose. Preferably such a surface construction is easy to build and/or clean compared to previous known surfaces.

A surface construction where the water content of a surface layer is controllable is disclosed in prior British patent 2198322, but the surface construction requires an auxiliary container comprising a weir to regulate the water level. The drainage conduits are disposed within the surface layer above a concrete base, and so the surface layer cannot be completely drained of water. It also does not provide for expansion of the concrete base.

An object of the invention is to provide a new or improved surface construction.

According to a first aspect of the present invention I provide a surface construction comprising a base layer and a drainage system wherein the drainage system comprises one or more conduits embedded in the base layer, there being an opening connecting the interior of the or at least one conduit to the upper surface of the base layer and where a surface layer is disposed above the base layer such that water can drain from the surface layer into the drainage system.

The drainage system may permit of expansion of the base layer.

The opening may be disposed longitudinally of the or at least one conduit and resiliently compressible means may be disposed within the opening, the resiliently compressible means permitting water to pass from the surface layer to the conduit whilst preventing any part of the surface layer entering the conduit.

The surface layer may comprise a material comprising rubber fragments and/or other material such as turf, or any other permeable material.

The surface construction may be connected to storage means wherein water from the drainage system is retained.

A side wall may be provided upstanding from the base layer such that the base layer and the side wall form a container to retain water.

At least part of the side wall may comprise concrete or wood, and/or a water-resistant membrane or coating.

Where the side wall comprises a water resistant membrane, the opening connecting the interior of a conduit to the upper surface of the base layer may comprise an inner side disposed towards the interior of the container and an outer side disposed away from the interior of the container, and the water resistant membrane may be disposed adjacent to the outer side of the opening, the resiliently compressible means being disposed between the waterproof membrane and the inner side of the opening such that water within the container may pass through the resiliently compressible means into the conduit, but is prevented from exiting the container by virtue of the adjacent disposition of the water resistant membrane and the outer edge of the opening.

The resiliently compressible means may extend over at least the greater part of the height of the water resistant membrane.

The base layer may comprise concrete, or asphalt, or any other water resistant material.

Where the base layer comprises a non-water resistant material or it is desired to improve the water resistance of the base layer, the base layer may further comprise a water resistant membrane or coating.

The surface construction may further comprise means to control the level of water in the container, the means to control the water level comprising an outlet means in flow communication with the drainage system the outlet means having at its outer end a control section comprising an outlet, the height of the outlet being variable.

The control section may comprise a control conduit which is rotatable relative to the outlet means to adjust the height of the outlet and in particular which is rotatable to a selected one of a plurality of positions wherein in a first position, water is permitted to drain from the container and in a second position the level of water in the container is held at a desired level.

Where the control channel is rotatable, it may be further rotated to a position wherein water may be introduced into the container via the control conduit such that the water overflows the side wall of the container.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a receptacle comprising a container for holding water and means to control the level of water in the container wherein the means to control the water level comprises an outlet means in flow communication with the interior of the container, the outlet means having at its outer end a control conduit comprising an outlet, the height of the outlet being variable.

The control section may comprise a control conduit which is rotatable relative to the outlet means to adjust the height of the outlet, and in particular which is rotatable to a selected one of a plurality of positions wherein in a first position, water is permitted to drain from the container, and in a second position the level of water in the container is held at a desired level.

Where the control channel is rotatable it may be further rotated to a position wherein water may be introduced into the container via the control conduit such that the water overflows the side wall of the container.

According to a third aspect of the invention, I provide a method of providing a surface construction comprising forming a drainage system comprising at least one conduit on the ground, providing an opening in said conduit, casting a volume of concrete to form at least part of a base layer, wherein the drainage system defines at least part of the boundary of the volume and wherein when the base layer is complete, at least a part of the drainage system is embedded in the base layer.

The method may comprise at least one of the further step of providing a side wall upstanding from the base layer to form a container, and disposing a surface layer above the base.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a partially cutaway plan view of a surface construction according to the first aspect of the invention; FIGURE 2 shows a cross-section through a support means; FIGURE 3 shows a cross-section on line 3-3 of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is an alternative embodiment of part of the cross-section of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is an alternative embodiment of part of the cross-section of Figure 3; and FIGURE 6 is a cross-section of a water level control means.

Referring now to Figure 1, the surface construction 10 comprises a drainage system comprising conduits 11 linked in an inter-connected network as shown at 12. The conduits 11 may comprise edge conduits 1 lea disposed towards the periphery of the surface construction 10 and internal conduits lib.

When the surface construction is being formed, these conduits may be supported in a desired orientation by a support means 13 as shown in Figure 2.

The support means 13 comprises a holder 13a into which the conduit 11 is received, and a ground engaging base part 13b which is held in position by, for example, spikes 13c passing through the base and into the ground. Alternatively, other support means may be provided, or the conduits may be linked in a network and placed directly on the ground. In each alternative the conduits 11 are held such that an aperture 14 is disposed along the upper edge of each conduit. The conduits 11 may comprise conventional pipes and the aperture 14 may be formed before, during or after casting, or the conduit 11 may be purpose made. The support means 13 may also serve to connect two conduits 11 in end-to end relationship.

The network 12 of conduits 11 defines a plurality of volumes 15 into which concrete may be cast to form a base layer 16. The concrete is cast to a level 18 such that the uppermost part 17 of each conduit 11 projects above the surface 18 and hence the network 12 is embedded in the base layer 16. The conduits 11 may be joined in flow communication by suitable joints, or by appropriate casting of the concrete base layer, connections may be formed between the conduits in the base layer 16. Where it is desirable to provide a part of the base layer 16 outside the network 12, for example at 16a, shuttering may be used. As shown in Figure 3, a water permeable resiliently compressible means 19 is disposed within the aperture 14. The resiliently compressible means 19 may comprise for example a rot-proof matting material.

Any other suitable material may be used in the base layer, such as porous or non-porous asphalt. Where the base layer is not water-resistant, or it is desired to improve the water-resistance of the base layer, the base layer may further comprise a water resistant membrane.

A side wall 20 may be provided upstanding from the base layer 16.

The side wall 20 may comprise a waterproof membrane 21 with at least part of the resilient biasing means 19 extending over at least a majority of its height. The side wall may be disposed alongside, for example a soil verge 23, or may alternatively comprise a wall 24 comprising a timber or concrete or similar as shown in Figure 4. The waterproof membrane 21 extends into the interior of the conduit 1 lea and is disposed in sealing abutment with the edge 14a of the opening 14 in the upper part of the conduit 11. The side wall 20 and the base layer 16 hence comprise a container. Where the side wall comprises timber or concrete or similar, a water resistant coating may be provided.

A surface layer 25 may be provided above the base layer 16. The surface layer 25 may be any suitable material as desired, depending on the intended function of the surface construction. For example, the surface layer 25 may comprise a surface comprising rubber fragments for equestrian use, or a layer of soil and turf, or a suitable matting material or any other material as desired.

The surface layer may alternatively comprise a material bonded with oil or vaseline, especially for use in an arena.

The resiliently compressible means fills the opening 14 and thus permits water to enter the conduits 11 but prevents any part of the surface layer 25 from entering the conduit. The network 12 of conduits 11 also permits the concrete comprising the base layer to expand and thus acts as a network of expansion joints.

When it is desired to clean the surface, for example, after use by animals, water may be introduced into the drainage system such that the network 12 is filled with water and such that water is introduced into the surface layer 25.

As more water is introduced, the level of water within the container defined by the side walls 20 and the base layer 16 will rise and eventually will rise above the surface 25a of the surface layer 25. Any detritus will thus be lifted off the surface and can be removed by a suitable method, for example by skimming the surface of the water or by supplying further water such that it overflows the side wall 19 and carries the detritus with it. A suitable disinfectant or similar cleaning agents may be introduced into the washing water.

This is particularly useful where for example, the surface construction is used for a playground When at least part of the surface construction is disposed on a slope, those conduits 11 which extend transverse to the slope may comprise a further water resistant membrane 20 t as shown in Figure 5. In this case, the surface 25a of the surface layer 25 and the base layer 16 slope in the direction of the arrow 26 although the base layer 16 could be flat. A water resistant membrane 20 w is disposed within the conduit 11 in sealing abutment with the edge 14' of the opening 141 on the down slope side of the conduit 11. The waterproof membrane 20' extends over the greater part but not the whole of the height of the surface layer 25. This encourages water to enter the conduit 11 and drain away rather than running down the slope. When it is desirable to wash this surface as described above, the water resistant membrane also ensures that the washing water permeates the surface layer 25 without simply running away down the slope.

Water which drains from the surface layer 25 may be allowed to drain away, or may be sent to, for example, a sewerage system, or may be retained in a storage means for re-use or, if the water is contaminated, for segregation and eventual safe disposal.

A means for controlling the level of water in the container formed by the side wall 20 and base layer 16 is shown in Figure 6. A conduit 1 lea is connected to an outlet conduit 30. The outlet conduit 30 comprises a first section 30a and a control section 30b having an outlet 30c. In its first position shown in dashed outline, the control section 30b is orientated downwards such that the outlet 30c is below the level of the bottom of the conduit 1 la and so any water entering the drainage system and passing into conduit 1 la will be drained away.

When it is desirable for water to be retained within the surface layer 25 at a suitable level 31, the control section 30b can be rotated to a second position (not shown) wherein the outlet 30c is at the level 31. The level of water in the surface layer will remain at the same height as the outlet 30L; and any further water entering the surface layer 25 will cause the exit of water from the outlet 30c until the level of water in the layer returns to level 31.

If it is desired to increase the level of water such that the surface layer 25 may be cleaned, the control section 30b may be rotated to a generally upward orientation shown in solid outline. Water then may be introduced into the outlet 30c for example by a hose. Water will then enter the surface layer 25 via the conduit 11 and the other conduits making up the drainage system. The level of water in the surface layer will rise as water is introduced until it reaches a level above the surface 25a. Any floating detritus may now be removed either by skinning the surface of the water and/or by allowing the water to overflow the side wall 19.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A surface construction comprising a base layer and a drainage system wherein the drainage system comprises one or more conduits embedded in the base layer, there being an opening connecting the interior of the or at least one conduit to the upper surface of the base layer and where a surface layer is disposed above the base layer such that water can drain from the surface layer into the drainage system.

2. A surface construction according to Claim 1 wherein the drainage system permits of expansion of the base layer.

3. A surface construction according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the opening is disposed longitudinally of the or at least one conduit and resiliently compressible means are disposed within the opening, the resiliently compressible means permitting water to pass from the surface layer to the conduit whilst preventing any part of the surface layer entering the conduit.

4. A surface construction according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the surface layer comprises a material comprising rubber fragments.

5. A surface construction according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the surface layer comprises turf.

6. A surface construction according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the surface construction is connected to storage means wherein water from the drainage system is retained.

7. A surface construction according to any one of the preceding Clairns wherein a side wall is provided upstanding from the base layer such that the base layer and the side wall form a container to retain water.

8. A surface construction according to Claim 7 wherein at least part of the side wall comprises concrete or wood.

9. A surface construction according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein at least part of the side wall comprises a water resistant membrane.

10. A surface construction according to Claim 9 wherein the opening connecting the interior of a conduit to the upper surface of the base layer comprises an inner side disposed towards the interior of the container and an outer side disposed away from the interior of the container, wherein the water resistant membrane is disposed adjacent to the outer side of the opening and wherein the resiliently compressible means is disposed between the waterproof membrane and the inner side of the opening such that water within the container may pass through the resiliently compressible means into the conduit, but is prevented from exiting the container by virtue of the adjacent disposition of the water resistant membrane and the outer opening.

11. A surface construction according to Claim 10 wherein the resiliently compressible means extends over at least the greater part of the height of the water resistant membrane.

12. A surface construction according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the base layer comprises concrete or asphalt.

13. A surface construction according to any one of the preceding Clairns wherein the base layer comprises a water-resistant membrane or coating.

14. A surface construction according to Claim 7 or any one of Claims 8 to 12 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 7 wherein the surface construction comprises means to control the level of water in the container, the means to control the water level comprising an outlet means in flow communication with the drainage system, the outlet means having at its outer end a control section comprising an outlet, the height of the outlet being variable.

15. A surface construction according to Claim 14 wherein the control section comprises a control conduit which is rotatable relative to the outlet means to adjust the height of the outlet.

16. A surface construction according to Claim 15 wherein the control conduit is rotatable to a selected one of a plurality of positions wherein in a first position, water is permitted to drain from the container through the outlet and in a second position the level of water in the container is held at a desired level.

17. A surface construction according to Claim 16 wherein the control conduit is rotatable to a position wherein water may be introduced into the container via the control conduit, to a level such that the water overflows the side wall of the container.

18. A surface construction substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A receptacle comprising a container for holding water and means to control the level of water in the container wherein the means to control the water level comprises an outlet means in flow communication with the interior of the container, the outlet means having at its outer end a control section comprising an outlet, the height of the outlet being variable.

20. A receptacle according to Claim 19 wherein the control section comprises a control conduit which is rotatable relative to the outlet means to adjust the height of the outlet.

21. A receptacle according to Claim 20 wherein the control conduit is rotatable to a selected one of a plurality of positions wherein in a first position, water is permitted to drain from the container through the outlet, and in a second position the level of water in the container is held at a desired level.

22. A receptacle according to Claim 21 wherein the control conduit is rotatable to a position wherein water may be introduced into the container via the control conduit to a level such that the water overflows the side wall of the container.

23. A receptacle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of providing a surface construction comprising laying a drainage system comprising at least one conduit on the ground providing an opening in said conduit, casting a volume of concrete to form at least part of a base layer, wherein the drainage system defines at least part of the boundary of the volume and wherein when the base layer is complete, at least a part of the drainage system is embedded in the base layer.

25. A method of providing a surface construction according to Claim 24 comprising the further step of providing a side wall upstanding from the base layer to form a container.

26. A method of providing a surface construction according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 comprising disposing a surface layer above the base.

27. A method of providing a surface construction according to any one of Claims 23 to 26 comprising any feature of Claims 1 to 18.

28. A method of forming a surface construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

29. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.