Concrete paving stone and paving stone system for creating a surface covering in natural stone look that can be laid in a composite manner

Abstract

Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) for creating a surface covering (10) with a natural stone appearance that can be laid in a composite manner, comprising at least one concrete stone body (2) with at least one concrete stone upper side (2.1) and a concrete stone lower side (2.2) opposite said upper side and intended for resting on a bedding layer of a substructure, wherein the concrete stone body (2) has an amorphous cross-sectional shape and an outer edge (4) with an edge profile that, when viewed from above, resembles irregular, natural stone shapes, characterized in that the concrete stone body (2) has, on its concrete stone upper side (2.1), a flat central surface section (5) and an edge surface section (6) surrounding the central surface section (5) and extending towards the outer edge (4), wherein the edge surface section (6) is designed to slope downwards from the central surface section (5) towards the outer edge (4) in order to provide edge protection.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a concrete paving stone and to a paving stone system for creating a surface covering with a natural stone appearance that can be laid or laid in a composite manner. State of the art

[0002] Particularly in urban areas, large areas of the surface are designed as walkable or drivable traffic areas such as streets, paths, squares, or parking lots and are covered with surface coverings. Surface coverings are also very common in private applications when designing gardens and outdoor areas.

[0003] Surface coverings of this type are often created from shaped concrete blocks, particularly concrete paving stones, by laying them in a composite manner. For this purpose, the concrete paving stones are usually laid in a composite manner on a bedding layer of the subsoil, whereby joints with possibly varying joint widths are usually created between adjacent paving stones, which are then filled with suitable, usually sand-like or gravel-like jointing materials. Such surface coverings formed by paving are well known in the art.

[0004] When creating such surface coverings, the concrete paving stones of this type can be laid in various so-called laying patterns or laying bonds or paving bonds. In addition to stretcher or row bonds, curved or circular bonds or even random bonds are also known. When laying in rows in a row bond, the concrete paving stones are laid in several adjoining rows of stones, whereby the respective individual rows, in particular stone rows, can have different widths and can have different widths, namely different laying widths. The concrete paving stones laid in the respective individual rows of different widths therefore also have different laying widths - in particular depending on the respective width of the row.

[0005] For urban planning and general design reasons, a natural appearance is increasingly sought for surface coverings of this type, with a natural stone-like appearance being preferred. However, with the state-of-the-art concrete paving stones, which are traditionally manufactured as geometric shapes with a uniform, defined shape, creating a surface covering with a natural stone appearance proves to be rather difficult.

[0006] Concrete paving stones have therefore become known from the prior art in which, to ensure easy laying in a bond, at least one base body of the concrete paving stones is cuboid-shaped, and the concrete paving stones exhibit certain shape asymmetries only on a visible surface. For example, EP 1 553 249 A2 discloses a cuboid-shaped concrete paving stone in which the top surface of the stone is formed by a hood-like extension molded onto the cuboid-shaped base body. The hood-like extension also forms a rectangular or square slab section of low height in plan view, which is rotated about a central axis of the cuboid-shaped base body and arranged eccentrically to the underside of the stone, thereby enabling the creation of a surface covering with an irregular laying appearance.DE 10 2023 110 738 A1 also describes concrete paving stones with a cuboid base body, whereby the concrete stones have different contours on their upper side.

[0007] A disadvantage of the concrete paving stones known from the state of the art, which only deviate from the cuboid shape on the top side, is that they have only limited variation in terms of their shape, particularly their cross-sectional shape, making it difficult to further individualize the stone shapes as they appear in plan view. There is also the problem that with increasing changes in shape or with more varied shapes, the mechanical stability of the concrete paving stones decreases, particularly in their top-side contours, and the concrete paving stones are no longer adequately protected against mechanical stress. In particular, with the known concrete paving stones there is the problem that with increasing variance in shapes, particularly in cross-sectional shapes, laying the concrete paving stones in a bond becomes more difficult and certain, orderly laying patterns or laying bonds are no longer an option.Therefore, there is still a need for improved concrete paving stones to create a surface covering with a natural stone appearance. Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide concrete paving stones which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and which are protected against mechanical damage in the case of irregularly variable cross-sectional shapes and which can be laid in orderly laying patterns to form a surface covering despite the irregularly variable cross-sectional shapes.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by the concrete block according to independent claim 1 and also by the paving stone system according to claim 13. Furthermore, according to claim 17, a surface covering produced from the paving stone system is proposed. Further advantageous aspects, details, and embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0010] The present invention provides a concrete paving stone for creating a surface covering with a natural stone appearance that can be laid in a composite manner. The concrete paving stone has at least one concrete block body with at least one concrete block upper side and a concrete block lower side opposite said concrete block and intended for resting on a bedding layer of a substructure. The concrete block body has an amorphous cross-sectional shape and an outer edge with an irregular edge profile in plan view, which is modeled on natural stone shapes. The concrete block body has, on its concrete block upper side, a flat central surface section and an edge surface section surrounding the central surface section and extending towards the outer edge, wherein the edge surface section is designed to slope downwards from the central surface section to the outer edge to provide edge protection.

[0011] The concrete paving stone according to the invention, which can also be synonymously referred to here as a concrete paving stone or simply as a paving stone, forms, with its amorphous cross-sectional shape of the concrete stone body, a paving stone made of concrete but resembling natural stone, which, with regard to its shape, deviates in particular from a regular geometry, namely from the regular shapes of defined geometric bodies. The term "amorphous cross-sectional shape" is to be understood here as meaning that the concrete paving stone has a cross-section that has an indeterminate shape or form.

[0012] In particular, the cross-sectional shape is free of regularly arranged corners, edges, or the like and also deviates from a circular or elliptical shape. In the present sense, the cross-section is to be understood as a section through the concrete block body running between the underside and the top side of the concrete block, with a cutting plane or cross-sectional area running essentially parallel to the underside or top of the concrete block. In the case of the concrete paving block in question, the entire concrete block body preferably has the amorphous cross-sectional shape, i.e., regardless of the height at which the cutting plane of the cross-section runs starting from the underside of the concrete block, the cross-sectional shape is amorphous. Each individual concrete paving block therefore forms a uniform body with an amorphous cross-sectional shape. However, the cross-sectional shapes of different concrete paving blocks can differ from one another.

[0013] The amorphous cross-sectional shape of the concrete block body and thus of the concrete paving stone can also be understood in this case as a pebble-like or pebble-shaped cross-sectional shape, whereby the concrete paving stone has the character of natural, in particular pebble-shaped, stones.

[0014] In keeping with the amorphous cross-sectional shape, the outer edge of this concrete paving stone, visible in a top view of the concrete stone's upper surface and encircling the concrete stone body on its upper side, is designed in such a way that the shape of this outer edge, namely the edge shape, is also irregular and is modeled on the natural stone-like edge shape of natural stones or stone shapes. The outer edge with the irregular edge shape can also be understood as the upper outer edge. The edge shape can also be referred to synonymously as a contour or outer contour, in particular as the upper outer contour or the upper stone contour.

[0015] The concrete paving stone according to the invention offers very particular advantages in that the edge surface section is designed as a surface section that slopes outwards relative to the flat central surface section to provide edge protection. In the flat central surface section, a surface of the concrete stone body is flat or planar, with a plane in which the surface of the central surface section runs extending essentially parallel to the underside of the concrete stone. In the edge surface section, the surface of the concrete stone body of the concrete paving stone is bevelled and / or rounded towards the edge, namely in the direction from a center of the concrete stone body to the outer edge. For example, the surface of the concrete stone body is drawn downwards over the sloping edge surface section in an edge region of approximately 25 mm towards the edge, for example by a total of 0.75 mm.

[0016] The expressions "outwards" or "from the centre outwards" and "towards the outer edge" or "from the centre to the outer edge" mean in the present sense in particular that a drop in the surface in the edge surface section runs in a direction radially outwards relative to a central vertical axis of the concrete paving stone, which central vertical axis extends essentially through a body or mass centre or through a body or mass centre of gravity and intersects the upper and lower sides of the concrete stone perpendicularly.

[0017] The edge surface section has, at least in sections, at least one predetermined gradient, with which it slopes from the inside to the outside, starting from a first height level of the central surface section to a second, lower height level at the outer edge. Advantageously, this makes the outer edge less exposed along the edge profile, thereby ensuring mechanical protection for the outer edge or for the edge profile. The concrete paving stone according to the invention is thus already equipped with edge protection during production, i.e., during its manufacture.

[0018] This edge protection, which is already provided for in the manufacturing process due to the specially designed edge surface section and is already present when the concrete paving stone is manufactured, counteracts in particular the chipping of concrete material, namely chipping and / or flaking, in the area of ​​the edge of the outer edge or at the edge of the upper side of the concrete stone.

[0019] Such spalling is often caused by mechanical pressure and occurs, for example, during the laying of concrete paving stones, when the concrete paving stones are aligned relative to one another by tapping with appropriate laying tools and / or by vibrating, positioned in the bedding layer, and incorporated there. However, mechanical pressure effects that can trigger spalling also occur when the concrete paving stones are laid in use, for example, when pressure is applied by walking or driving over a constructed surface covering. This can lead to localized pressure in the edge area due to the amorphous cross-sectional shape.

[0020] The edge protection provided by the edge surface section of the concrete paving stone according to the invention has a particularly advantageous effect in synergistic interaction with the amorphous cross-sectional shape and the irregular edge contour of the concrete paving stone. This is because, particularly due to the amorphous shape of the concrete paving stone, the individual concrete paving stones are exposed to such punctual pressure effects during installation and also in the installed, used state. Advantageously, the present edge protection can counteract such punctual pressure effects particularly effectively.

[0021] Since amorphous concrete paving stones, which are to be laid in a composite manner or are laid in a composite manner – unlike conventional, regularly shaped concrete paving stones – do not abut or adjoin one another flatly, but rather only at specific points, there are more likely to be punctual "contact points" or punctual contacts between individual concrete paving stones. Through these punctual "contact points" or contacts, the mechanical stress and strain during installation and use also act in a more punctual manner, and this also introduces particularly high pressure at specific points, which is significantly increased and typically leads to increased spalling.

[0022] The concrete paving stone according to the invention solves this problem. The manufactured edge surface section of this concrete paving stone, with its outwardly sloping structure, is specifically tailored to the amorphous cross-sectional shape of the concrete stone body and the irregular edge contour of the outer edge. This creates particularly effective edge protection, which effectively counteracts such spalling phenomena, significantly reduces them, or even prevents them altogether. The outwardly sloping edge surface section of this concrete paving stone can also enhance its natural appearance or natural stone look.

[0023] In addition to edge protection to effectively reduce or prevent chipping during installation or when the concrete paving stone is in use, this concrete paving stone also protects the outer edge and edge contours during the manufacturing process and during transport, particularly when removing the concrete paving stones from a formwork used for production or when the concrete paving stones have to be packed or packed for transport on an industrial scale after production. If, for example, the concrete paving stones are stacked on top of each other, the outer edges of the concrete paving stones in one stack layer will not be damaged by the concrete paving stones in the stack layer above because the lower edges of the concrete paving stones in the upper stack layer do not come into contact with the upper outer edges of the concrete paving stones arranged below.not rest on them. In particular, this effectively protects the concrete paving stones in the area of ​​their outer edges against breakage, chipping, or the like, especially when several concrete paving stones are arranged together in so-called production or transport layers as a transport unit. Therefore, a further advantage can arise in this case from the fact that, after production, in the course of creating transportable assemblies or transport units, additional transport securing devices acting as transport protection, such as packaging material elements, can be largely reduced.

[0024] In other words, the sloping edge surface section on the surface of the concrete block body according to the invention creates a slight curvature, which advantageously results in an optical effect and at the same time a protective effect and, on the one hand, creates an optical impression of a natural or natural stone-like stone and, on the other hand, provides protection against mechanical damage in the edge area, whereby chipping in the edge area in particular can be avoided.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the edge surface section is frame-like and arranged circumferentially around the flat central surface section. The edge surface section, which is preferably continuous and completely circumferential, advantageously results in a likewise continuous and completely circumferential edge protection.

[0026] The edge surface section is preferably curved at least in sections and slopes downwards in particular via a rounding or curvature towards the outer edge. In this embodiment variant with a curvature, the edge surface section can have a first curvature in the direction from the central section to the outer edge. One or more further curvatures along the circumference can also be provided. Alternatively or additionally, the edge surface section forms, at least in sections, a bevel in the form of an inclined surface that slopes downwards towards the outer edge. In the present sense, this can also be understood as a bevel or chamfer. By selecting a corresponding rounding or curvature or bevel, a desired optical effect can be created or emphasized.

[0027] Most preferably, the edge surface section is faceted and has a plurality of facets, which are preferably arranged around the central surface section and adjoin one another. This allows the edge surface section to be adapted particularly well and precisely to the amorphous cross-sectional shape of the concrete block body and to the irregular edge contour, in particular to achieve effective edge protection evenly along the entire edge contour.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the flat central surface section occupies a surface portion of at least one-quarter and preferably at least one-third of the total surface area of ​​the concrete block's upper surface. Particularly preferably, the flat central surface section extends over at least half of the total surface area of ​​the concrete block's upper surface. This ensures, in particular, that a surface covering laid from a plurality of concrete paving stones provides a substantially flat, walkable or drivable surface.

[0029] The concrete block body in question has a maximum width, and the edge surface section has a section width, wherein the maximum width of the concrete block body corresponds to at least three times the section width of the edge surface section. The edge surface section can slope evenly, in particular continuously, across the entire section width toward the outer edge. The aforementioned section width of the edge surface section also contributes to a surface covering laid from a plurality of concrete paving blocks providing a substantially flat, walkable or drivable surface.

[0030] The concrete block body has a lateral circumferential surface extending from the concrete block top side to the concrete block bottom side, which completely surrounds the concrete block body and adjoins the concrete block top side and the concrete block bottom side in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation, i.e., at right angles or substantially right angles. Preferably, in the present concrete paving block, an offset is formed on the lateral circumferential surface, with an upper circumferential surface section adjoining the concrete block top side and a lower circumferential surface section adjoining the concrete block bottom side being arranged offset from one another.

[0031] In particular, the upper peripheral surface section is offset inward relative to the lower peripheral surface section. In a top-down direction, i.e., from the top of the concrete block to the bottom of the concrete block, a step is formed by the offset, so that the lower peripheral surface section protrudes outward beyond the upper peripheral surface section. According to the present invention, the peripheral surface of the concrete block body is therefore stepped. The offset in the peripheral surface and the recession of the upper peripheral surface section additionally support and further improve the edge protection effect of the concrete paving block in question.

[0032] The concrete block body has a center height measured in the flat center region and an outer height measured along the edge profile of the outer edge. The outer height is preferably between 97.5% and 99.5% of the center height. In particular, the outer height is preferably around 98.5% or 99.0% of the center height. The overall height drop on the upper side of the concrete block caused by the outwardly sloping edge surface section, from the inside to the outside, in particular the height difference between the center height and the outer height, thus preferably amounts to a maximum of approximately 2.5% of the center height of the concrete block body and is preferably in a range between 0.75% and 1% of the center height of the concrete block body. In a specific preferred embodiment, the concrete block body has, for example, a center height of 100 mm and an outer height of 99.25 mm or 99 mm. The drop in altitude here is 0.75% and 1% respectively.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the edge surface section has, at least in sections, at least a predetermined gradient with which the edge surface section slopes down toward the outer edge. The gradient of the edge surface section sloping from the inside to the outside toward the outer edge is preferably between 2% and 4%, and is particularly preferably a gradient of approximately 3%. This configuration not only ensures optimal edge protection but also enhances the natural stone appearance.

[0034] Preferably, the concrete block body has a selectable paving stone format, wherein the concrete paving stone is manufactured as a large-format concrete paving stone of a selected large stone format or as a small-format concrete paving stone of a selected small stone format.

[0035] The concrete block body is preferably multi-layered and comprises at least one first concrete block layer arranged on the top side of the concrete block, preferably designed as a facing concrete layer, and at least one second concrete block layer adjoining the first concrete block layer, preferably designed as a core concrete layer. Of course, in addition to the first and second concrete block layers, the concrete block body can comprise further concrete block layers, in particular, for example, a third concrete block layer arranged on the underside of the concrete block and designed to rest on the subsurface or on the bedding layer of a subsurface, which third concrete block layer preferably fulfills certain functions or properties, for example with regard to water permeability, compressive strength, and / or resistance to displacement.

[0036] The present invention also provides a paving stone system for creating a composite surface covering with a natural stone appearance. The paving stone system comprises a plurality of concrete paving stones as described above. The paving stone system comprises several small-format concrete paving stones in different small stone formats and several large-format concrete paving stones in different large stone formats. According to a particular aspect, the paving stone system comprises large-format concrete paving stones in a first large stone format having a first laying width, large-format concrete paving stones in a second large stone format having a second laying width, and large-format concrete paving stones in a third large stone format having a third laying width.The paving stone system also includes small-format paving stones in a first small stone format with a fourth installation width, as well as small-format paving stones in a second small stone format with a fifth installation width. The first installation width of the first large stone format corresponds to twice the fourth installation width of the first small stone format. Furthermore, the second installation width of the second large stone format corresponds to twice the fifth installation width of the second small stone format, and the third installation width of the third large stone format corresponds to the sum of the fourth and fifth installation widths of the first and second small stone formats.

[0037] The present paving stone system has the particular advantage that concrete paving stones of different stone formats can be combined to create a surface covering with a natural stone appearance and that the concrete paving stones manufactured with an amorphous cross-sectional shape can still be laid in a regular or semi-regular laying pattern or laying bond, in particular in a row bond.

[0038] This paving stone system thus clearly distinguishes itself from the state of the art. In conventional paving stone systems for creating natural stone-like surface coverings, if the paving stone systems are intended for row laying, they must adhere to regularly shaped concrete paving stones or concrete block bodies in order to withstand both the spatial requirements regarding laying widths and the mechanical stresses associated with row laying, particularly compressive stresses.

[0039] Due to the specific composition of the various amorphously shaped, small and large format concrete paving stones, which have effective edge protection due to their special design with the sloping edge surface section, the present paving stone system creates a possibility for laying amorphously shaped, natural stone-like concrete paving stones in rows.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the first laying width of the first large stone format is greater than the second laying width of the second large stone format and greater than the third laying width of the third large stone format. In particular, the third laying width of the third large stone format is greater than the second laying width of the second large stone format.

[0041] Furthermore, the fourth laying width of the first small stone format is preferably greater than the fifth laying width of the second small stone format.

[0042] Particularly advantageously, the first laying width of the first large stone format is larger by one value of a summand than the third laying width of the third large stone format and larger by twice the value of the summand than the second laying width of the second large stone format. In particular, the fourth laying width of the first small stone format is larger by the same value of the same summand than the fifth laying width of the second small stone format.

[0043] The present invention also provides a surface covering made from a paving stone system as described above. The concrete paving stones of the paving stone system are laid in a composite pattern, preferably in a row pattern, particularly in an irregular or random row pattern.

[0044] Further developments, advantages, and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their reference back to them. The content of the claims is also incorporated into the description. Short description of the drawings

[0045] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Fig. 1a shows a highly simplified and roughly schematic representation of an embodiment of a concrete paving stone in plan view; Fig. 1b shows a highly simplified and roughly schematic representation of another embodiment of a concrete paving stone in plan view; Fig. 1c shows a highly simplified and roughly schematic representation of another embodiment of a concrete paving stone in perspective view; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a longitudinal section through a section of the concrete paving stone of the Fig. 1b along the Fig. 1b indicated section line AA; Fig. 2a an enlarged section of the Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the concrete block top; Fig. 3 a highly simplified and only roughly schematic representation of a production line for large-format concrete paving stones in plan view; Fig. 4 a highly simplified and only roughly schematic representation of a production line for small-format concrete paving stones in plan view; Fig. 5 shows a simplified and only schematic sketch of a section of an embodiment of a surface covering in plan view and Fig. 6 shows a simplified and only schematic sketch of a section of another embodiment of a surface covering in plan view. Ways to implement the invention

[0046] Identical reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure.

[0047] The Fig. 1a to 1c show purely by way of example in highly simplified schematic drawings respective embodiments of the concrete paving stone 1 according to the invention in plan view ( Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b) and in a perspective view ( Fig. 1c). The concrete paving stone 1 is preferably in the form of a surface element that can be laid in a composite manner to create a surface covering 10 (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6). In the present case, a concrete paving stone 1, which can also be referred to synonymously as a concrete stone or paving stone, is understood to mean elements that are essentially identical in construction but differ in size and format and that can be used in a conventional manner to create a surface covering by laying them in a bond, in particular a walkable and / or driveable concrete paving stone.

[0048] The concrete paving stone 1 comprises a concrete block body 2 with at least one flat concrete block underside 2.2 and an essentially flat concrete block upper side 2.1 opposite said underside, which preferably forms the walking surface or driveable surface or traffic area. The concrete block body 2 can be constructed in multiple layers and have at least one first concrete block layer arranged on the concrete block upper side 2.1, preferably designed as a facing concrete layer, and at least one second concrete block layer adjoining the first concrete block layer, preferably designed as a core concrete layer. Particularly preferably, the concrete block body 2 can comprise further concrete block layers, for example a third concrete block layer arranged on the concrete block underside 2.2, which can be, for example, a functional layer, preferably with a function for adjusting water permeability.

[0049] As can be seen from the perspective view of the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1c, the concrete block body 2 or the concrete paving block 1 has a central vertical axis MHA, which extends perpendicularly or approximately perpendicularly to the concrete block upper and lower surfaces 2.1, 2.2. In the case of multi-layered concrete paving blocks 1, the respective concrete block layers adjoin one another in the direction of the central vertical axis MHA.

[0050] The concrete block body 2 of the present concrete paving block 1 has an amorphous cross-sectional shape, wherein an outer edge 4 of the concrete block body 2 or of the concrete paving block 1 is formed with an edge profile that is irregular in plan view. In the present case, this means that the outer edge 4 forming an outer, upper edge of the concrete paving block 1 follows a profile that deviates from a regular geometric shape and is modeled on a natural stone-like edge profile or an edge profile of natural stone shapes. The concrete block body 2 further has a lateral peripheral surface 3 extending from the upper side 2.1 of the concrete block to the lower side 2.2 of the concrete block, the surface of which also has an irregular profile due to the amorphous cross-sectional shape of the concrete block body 2 and the irregular edge profile of the outer edge 4.

[0051] With its amorphous cross-sectional shape, the concrete paving stone 1 has a maximum width Bmax and a maximum length Lmax. The width and length dimensions of the concrete paving stone 1, in particular the maximum width Bmax and the maximum length Lmax, are determined by the dimensions of an imaginary rectangle that accommodates the area of ​​the concrete paving stone 1. Fig. 1b the width and length dimensions with the maximum width Bmax and the maximum length Lmax are indicated by corresponding dimensions.

[0052] On its concrete block upper side 2.1, the concrete block body 2 has a flat central surface section 5 and an edge surface section 6 surrounding it and extending from it to the outer edge 4. The central surface section 5 and the edge surface section 6 together form an upper surface of the concrete block body 2 on its concrete block upper side 2.1.

[0053] The edge surface section 6 is designed to slope downwards toward the outer edge 4 in a direction from the inside out, i.e., toward the edge. Thus, the upper surface of the concrete paving stone 1 is drawn downwards toward the edge. In the examples shown, the edge surface section 6 is designed like a frame and is arranged circumferentially around the flat central surface section 5. The edge surface section 6 has a section width Ba, which in the examples shown corresponds to a maximum of one-third of the maximum width Bmax of the concrete block body 2.

[0054] Out of Fig. 2, which is a schematic representation of a sectional view of a Fig. 1b through the concrete paving stone 1 in the area of ​​the edge surface section 6, it can be seen that the edge surface section 6 of the example shown forms, at least in sections, a bevel in the form of an inclined surface sloping towards the outer edge 4. The upper surface, starting from a plane central area 5 of the concrete stone body 2 (in the sectional view of Fig. 2 on the side of the indicated side facing away from the outer edge 4, to an outer height Ha of the concrete block body 2 measured along the edge of the outer edge 4.

[0055] This sloping bevel, which in particular has a predetermined gradient, results in a height difference d measurable along the outer edge 4 between the central height Hm and the outer height Ha. In the concrete example of the Fig. 2, the value for the center height Hm is approximately 80 mm and the value for the outer height Ha is approximately 79.25 mm, i.e., the total height difference d is 0.75 mm. For the section width Ba of the edge surface section 6 applicable in the specific example (cf. Fig. 1b) of 25 mm, the gradient is therefore about 3%.

[0056] In the Fig. 2, an offset 7 is formed on the lateral circumferential surface 3 of the concrete block body 2, via which an upper circumferential surface section 3a of the lateral circumferential surface 3 adjoining the concrete block upper side 2.1 jumps back inwards compared to a lower circumferential surface section 3b adjoining the concrete block underside 2.2, in the specific example of Fig. 2 by an offset depth t of approximately 0.5 mm. Fig. 2a shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the offset 7 with indicated offset depth t. The offset 7 can, as in the example shown, be designed as an obliquely running offset 7, but can also be realized by an angular or beveled or rounded step, shoulder or the like.

[0057] With reference also to the Fig. 3 to 6, it is described in more detail below that the concrete block body 2 of the present concrete paving block 1 has a selectable paving block format and is manufactured as a large-format concrete paving block 1a of a selected large stone format GF1, GF2, GF3 or as a small-format concrete paving block 1b of a selected small stone format KF1, KF2.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, several large-format concrete paving stones 1a in a production layer 8 after their production by means of a method for forming the concrete paving stones 1 using appropriate formwork or formwork molds. The large-format concrete paving stones 1a shown as examples are manufactured together as a production layer 8 by means of the manufacturing method, with large-format concrete paving stones 1a of a first large-format stone GF1, a second large-format stone GF2, and a third large-format stone GF3 being contained in the production layer 8.

[0059] The various large stone formats GF1, GF2, GF3 referred to here are differentiated in the present context in particular with regard to the maximum width Bmax of the concrete paving stones 1. It is understood that for different large stone formats GF1-GF3, in addition to the maximum width Bmax, the maximum length Lmax can also vary and therefore, for example, for a respective large stone format GF1-GF3 with a respective predetermined maximum width Bmax, sub-formats of different maximum lengths Lmax can exist. However, since the maximum length Lmax of the concrete paving stones 1 is less important in the context of the present invention, the focus below for the explanation of the invention will be on the maximum width Bmax.

[0060] For the sake of clarity and ease of understanding, Fig. 3 shows several rows i, ii, iii, iv and columns I, II, III, IV of production layer 8 to illustrate the diversity in terms of large stone formats GF1-GF3. For example, all large-format concrete paving stones 1a in row i have the first large stone format GF1 and a first maximum width Bmax', the large-format concrete paving stones 1a in row ii all have the second large stone format GF2 and a second maximum width Bmax", and the large-format concrete paving stones 1a in rows iii and iv all have the third large stone format GF3 and a third maximum width Bmax'''. The first maximum width Bmax' corresponds to a first laying width 11.1, the second maximum width Bmax'' corresponds to a second laying width 11.2, and the third maximum width Bmax''' corresponds to a third laying width 11.3.

[0061] The laying width 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 serves here as a measure of how much “width” of a subsoil to be paved is “occupied” by the respective concrete paving stone 1 when it is laid in a composite and is an expression for specifying the paving stone format, in particular the large stone formats GF1-GF3 and small stone formats KF1, KF2.

[0062] As this is also evident from the Fig. 3, the concrete paving stones 1a of columns I and III have a maximum length Lmax which is different from that of the concrete paving stones 1a of columns II and IV.

[0063] In a similar way to the Fig. 3 for the large-format concrete paving stones 1a, shows Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a production layer 9 comprising several small-format concrete paving stones 1b. The production layer 9 comprises small-format concrete paving stones 1b of a first small-format stone format KF1 and a second small-format stone format KF2. The various small-format stones KF1, KF2 referred to here are also differentiated in the present context, particularly with regard to the maximum width Bmax of the concrete paving stones 1. It is understood that even with different small-format stones KF1, KF2, in addition to the maximum width Bmax, the maximum length Lmax can also vary, and therefore, for example, sub-formats with different maximum lengths Lmax can also exist.

[0064] The production layer 9 of the small-format concrete paving stones 1b comprises eight rows i, i', ii, ii', iii, iii', iv, iv', whereby the small-format concrete paving stones 1b of the rows i', ii', iii', iv' have a first small stone format KF1 with a fourth laying width 11.4 and the small-format concrete paving stones 1b of the rows i, ii, iii, iv have a second small stone format KF2 with a fifth laying width 11.5. As is also the case with small-format concrete paving stones 1b from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the concrete paving stones 1b of the respective small stone formats KF1, KF2 have different maximum lengths Lmax.

[0065] In the examples shown, the first laying width 11.1 of the first large stone format GF1 is greater than the second and third laying widths 11.2, 11.3 of the second and third large stone formats GF2, GF3. Furthermore, the third laying width 11.3 of the third large stone format GF3 is greater than the second laying width 11.2 of the second large stone format GF2. It is true that the first laying width 11.1 is greater than the third laying width 11.3 by the value of a summand n, and this, in turn, is greater than the second laying width 11.2 by the same value of the same summand n. Consequently, the first laying width 11.1 is greater than the second laying width 11.2 by twice the value of the summand n.

[0066] Similarly, the fourth laying width 11.4 of the first micro-stone format KF1 is greater than the fifth laying width 11.5 of the second micro-stone format KF2, whereby the fourth laying width 11.4 is in turn greater than the fifth laying width 11.5 by the same value of the same summand n.

[0067] The large-format and small-format concrete paving stones 1a, 1b are dimensioned such that the first laying width 11.1 of the first large stone format GF1 corresponds to twice the fourth laying width 11.4 of the first small stone format KF1. Furthermore, the second laying width 11.2 of the second large stone format GF2 corresponds to twice the fifth laying width 11.5 of the second small stone format KF2, and the third laying width 11.3 of the third large stone format GF3 corresponds to the sum of the fourth and fifth laying widths 11.4, 11.5 of the first and second small stone formats KF1, KF2.

[0068] In this specific case, the laying widths 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3 of the large-format concrete paving stones 1a and the laying widths 11.4 and 11.5 of the small-format concrete paving stones 1b can, for example, in the exemplary production layers 8 and 9, have approximately the following values: 230 mm (first laying width 11.1), 180 mm (second laying width 11.2), 205 mm (third laying width 11.3), 115 mm (fourth laying width 11.4), and 90 mm (fifth laying width 11.5). The value or absolute value of the summand n in this specific case is 25 mm.

[0069] Several of the large-format and small-format concrete paving stones 1a, 1b described above together form a paving stone system for creating a surface covering 10 (cf. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6). The paving stone system comprises a variety of the large-format and small-format concrete paving stones 1a, 1b.

[0070] After their production, the large-format and small-format concrete paving stones 1a, 1b can also be combined in a modular manner for transport and / or storage or delivery, in particular into modules or system modules. Such a respective system module can, for example, be composed of two production layers 8, 9 of large-format and small-format concrete paving stones 1a, 1b. One or more such system modules, each comprising two production layers 8 of large-format concrete paving stones 1a and two production layers 9 of small-format concrete paving stones 1b, can then be used to create a surface covering 10 in the desired laying pattern.

[0071] The Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show a roughly schematic and highly simplified plan view of a surface covering 10 which is made from the present paving stone system.

[0072] The example of Fig. Figure 5 shows a surface covering 10 laid in rows, which is constructed from a system module of the present paving stone system, namely a system module with two production layers 8, 9 each of large and small-format concrete paving stones 1a, 1b. The rows in the row laying are largely regularly arranged, but contain irregularly arranged sections. The row bond is therefore referred to here as an irregular or random row bond.

[0073] Due to the special design of the concrete paving stones 1a, 1b of the present paving stone system, even with the amorphous cross-sectional shape or despite the amorphous cross-sectional shape of the concrete paving stones 1a, 1b, a row laying is possible to create the surface covering 10. In this way, a surface covering 10 with a natural stone character can be created from the paving stone system in particular by laying in rows.

[0074] As the Fig. 5, row laying is particularly possible and advantageous because the first laying width 11.1 of the first large stone format GF1 corresponds to twice the fourth laying width 11.4 of the first small stone format KF1, furthermore the second laying width 11.2 of the second large stone format GF2 corresponds to twice the fifth laying width 11.5 of the second small stone format KF2 and the third laying width 11.3 of the third large stone format GF3 corresponds to the sum of the fourth and fifth laying widths 11.4, 11.5 of the first and second small stone formats KF1, KF2.

[0075] The Fig. Figure 6 shows another example of a surface covering 10 made from the present paving stone system. The surface covering 10 according to Fig. 6 is laid in rows. List of reference symbols 1 concrete paving stone 1a large-format concrete paving stone 1b small-format concrete paving stone 2 concrete block bodies 2.1 Concrete block top 2.2 Concrete block underside 3 Circumferential surface 3a upper circumferential surface section 3b lower circumferential surface section 4 Outer edge 5 Mid-surface section 6 Edge surface section 7 Offset 8 Production location of large-format concrete paving stones 9 Production location of small-format concrete paving stones 10 Surface covering 11.1 - 11.5 first to fifth laying width Ba section width Bmax maximum width of the concrete paving stone d height difference GF1 - GF3 first to third large stone format Ha external height Hm center height KF1, KF2 first and second small stone format Lmax maximum length of the concrete paving stone MHA center vertical axis t offset depth QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 553 249 A2

[0006] DE 10 2023 110 738 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) for creating a surface covering (10) in natural stone look that can be laid in a composite manner, comprising at least one concrete block body (2) with at least one concrete block upper side (2.1) and a concrete block underside (2.2) opposite this and intended to be laid on a bedding layer of a subsurface, wherein the concrete block body (2) has an amorphous cross-sectional shape and an outer edge (4) with an edge profile that is modeled on irregular, natural stone shapes in plan view, characterized by that the concrete block body (2) has on its concrete block upper side (2.1) a flat central surface section (5) and an edge surface section (6) surrounding the central surface section (5) and extending towards the outer edge (4), wherein the edge surface section (6) is designed to slope downwards from the central surface section (5) towards the outer edge (4) in order to provide edge protection. [2] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized by that the edge surface section (6) is designed like a frame and is arranged circumferentially around the flat central surface section (5). [3] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the edge surface section (6) is curved at least in sections and / or that the edge surface section (6) forms at least in sections a bevel in the form of an inclined surface sloping from the central surface section (5) to the outer edge (4). [4] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the edge surface section (6) is facet-shaped and has a plurality of facets which are preferably arranged around the central surface section (5) and adjoin one another. [5] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the flat central surface section (5) occupies a surface portion of at least one quarter and preferably of at least one third of a total surface of the concrete block upper side (2.1), wherein the flat central surface section (5) particularly preferably extends over at least half of the total surface of the concrete block upper side (2.1). [6] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the concrete block body (2) has a maximum width (Bmax) and that the edge surface section (6) has a section width (Ba), wherein the maximum width (Bmax) of the concrete block body (2) corresponds to at least three times the section width (Ba) of the edge surface section (6). [7] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the concrete block body (2) has a lateral circumferential surface (3) extending from the concrete block upper side (2.1) to the concrete block lower side (2.2), wherein an offset (7) is formed on the lateral circumferential surface (3). [8] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to claim 6, characterized by that an upper circumferential surface section (3a) of the lateral circumferential surface (3) adjoining the upper side (2.1) of the concrete block springs back inwards via the offset (7) relative to a lower circumferential surface section (3b) adjoining the lower side (2.2) of the concrete block. [9] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the concrete block body (2) has a center height (Hm) measured in the flat center area and an outer height (Ha) measured along the edge of the outer edge (4), wherein the outer height (Ha) is between 97.5% and 99.5% of the center height (Hm), in particular around 98.5% or 99.0% of the center height (Hm). [10] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the edge surface section (6) has, at least in sections, at least one predetermined gradient with which the edge surface section (6) drops towards the outer edge (4), wherein the gradient of the edge surface section (6) dropping from the inside to the outside towards the outer edge (4) is preferably between 2% and 4% and is particularly preferably a gradient of around 3%. [11] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the concrete block body (2) has a selectable paving stone format, wherein the concrete paving stone (1) is manufactured as a large-format concrete paving stone (1a) of a selected large stone format (GF1, GF2, GF3) or as a small-format concrete paving stone (1b) of a selected small stone format (KF1, KF2). [12] Concrete paving stone (1, 1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the concrete block body (2) is designed in several layers and has at least one first concrete block layer arranged on the concrete block upper side (2.1), preferably designed as a facing concrete layer, and at least one second concrete block layer adjoining the first concrete block layer, preferably designed as a core concrete layer. [13] Paving stone system for creating a composite surface covering (10) with a natural stone appearance, comprising a plurality of concrete paving stones (1, 1a, 1b) according to the preceding claims 1 to 12, wherein the paving stone system comprises several small-format concrete paving stones (1b) in different small stone formats (KF1, KF2) and several large-format concrete paving stones (1a) in different large stone formats (GF1, GF2, GF3), characterized bythat the paving stone system (10) comprises large-format concrete paving stones (1a) in a first large stone format (GF1) having a first laying width (11.1), large-format concrete paving stones (1a) in a second large stone format (GF2) having a second laying width (11.2), and large-format concrete paving stones (1a) in a third large stone format (GF3) having a third laying width, that the paving stone system comprises small-format concrete paving stones (1b) in a first small stone format (KF1) having a fourth laying width (11.4), and small-format concrete paving stones (1b) in a second small stone format (KF2) having a fifth laying width (11.5), wherein the first laying width (11.1) of the first large stone format (GF1) corresponds to twice the fourth laying width (11.4) of the first small stone format (KF1), wherein the second laying width (11.2) of the second large stone format (GF2) is twice the fifth laying width (11.5) of the second small stone format (KF2) and the third laying width (11.3) of the third large stone format (GF3) corresponds to the sum of the fourth and fifth laying widths (11.4, 11.5) of the first and second small stone format (KF1, KF2). [14] Paving stone system according to claim 13, characterized by that the first laying width (11.1) of the first large stone format (GF1) is greater than the second laying width (11.2) of the second large stone format (GF2) and greater than the third laying width (11.3) of the third large stone format (GF3) and that in particular the third laying width (11.3) of the third large stone format (GF3) is greater than the second laying width (11.2) of the second large stone format (GF2). [15] Paving stone system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that the fourth laying width (11.4) of the first small stone format (KF1) is greater than the fifth laying width (11.5) of the second small stone format (KF2). [16] Paving stone system according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by that the first laying width (11.1) of the first large stone format (GF1) is greater by a value of a summand (n) than the third laying width (11.3) of the third large stone format (GF3) and is greater by twice the value of the summand (n) than the second laying width (11.2) of the second large stone format (GF2) and that in particular the fourth laying width (11.4) of the first small stone format (KF1) is greater by the value of the summand (n) than the fifth laying width (11.5) of the second small stone format (KF2). [17] Surface covering (10) made from a paving stone system according to claims 13 to 16, characterized by that the concrete paving stones (1, 1a, 1b) of the paving stone system are laid in a composite structure, preferably in a row structure, in particular in an irregular or random row structure.

Images