Flowerbed blocks and method for manufacturing flowerbed blocks

Abstract

The objective is to provide flowerbed blocks that offer improved assembly flexibility and enhanced versatility in appearance. [Solution] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is a thick plate-shaped flowerbed block X, comprising a pair of main surfaces 1 and a sub-surface 2 facing each other in the thickness direction, wherein one main surface 1 has a natural stone-like surface 11 over part or all of it, and a pair of sub-surfaces 2 provided between the pair of main surfaces 1 have connecting parts J that can connect multiple flowerbed blocks X together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flower bed block with improved freedom of assembly and enhanced versatility.

Background Art

[0002] Earth retaining materials used for horticulture such as flower beds preferably have a configuration that allows the floor area and shape to be freely determined according to the design, and the method of forming a wall by arranging blocks of a certain size is widely adopted. In addition, many such earth retaining materials are processed on the surface portion to provide design properties.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The exterior block described in Patent Literature 1 is configured such that a natural split surface appears on a block with an L-shaped cross section, and allows an exterior structure such as a flower bed to be formed by arranging the blocks in series. However, in this configuration, since the blocks have an orientation due to asymmetry, the outer side is fixed to be a natural split surface, and the gaps between the blocks need to be closely attached or filled, so the degree of freedom in assembly is not necessarily high.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a flower bed block with improved freedom of assembly and enhanced versatility in appearance.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is a thick plate-shaped flowerbed block comprising a pair of main surfaces and a secondary surface facing each other in the thickness direction, wherein one of the main surfaces has a natural stone-like portion over part or all of it, and the secondary surface provided between the pair of main surfaces has a connecting portion that can connect multiple of the flowerbed blocks together. This configuration allows for a flowerbed block that offers greater flexibility in assembly and enhanced versatility in appearance.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main surface facing the natural stone-like portion is a smoother, planar surface compared to the natural stone-like portion. This configuration allows users to choose between a flat or natural stone-like appearance for the flowerbed, improving versatility when creating a flowerbed.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main surface facing the natural stone-like portion has a narrow groove portion having a length in one direction, and a plurality of these narrow groove portions are arranged at predetermined intervals. This configuration makes the appearance of the planar main surface appear more artificial, emphasizing the difference in design between it and the natural stone-like section.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion has a projection and a receiving portion, wherein the projection includes an arc-shaped surface at its tip, and the receiving portion includes a concave curved surface having substantially the same curvature as the arc-shaped surface of the projection. This configuration allows flowerbed blocks to be connected at various angles.

[0010] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is a method for manufacturing a thick plate-shaped flowerbed block including a pair of main surfaces and a secondary surface facing each other in the thickness direction, comprising: a molding step of forming a joint in which two of the flowerbed blocks are integrally formed in one mold; and a dividing step of dividing the joint to form the main surfaces having a natural stone-like portion, wherein a connecting portion is integrally molded to the secondary surface in the molding step. This configuration allows for the manufacture of flowerbed blocks that offer greater flexibility in assembly and enhanced versatility in appearance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention, which solves the above problems, provides a flowerbed block that improves the degree of freedom in assembly and enhances the versatility in appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] These are a front view, a bottom view, and a rear view showing the configuration of a flowerbed block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration and assembly of a flowerbed block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of assembling a flowerbed block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram comparing the manufacturing process of a flowerbed block according to an embodiment of the present invention with that of the prior art. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of a flowerbed block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The flowerbed block X according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The description will detail the configuration of the embodiment, the method of implementation, and other embodiments in that order. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0014] ≪First Embodiment≫ As shown in Figure 1, the flowerbed block X according to this embodiment is a thick plate-shaped member comprising a main surface portion 1 and a secondary surface portion 2. In the following description, the "thickness direction," "height direction," and "length direction" refer to the directions shown in Figure 1.

[0015] Fig. 1(a) is a front view of a flower bed block X, Fig. 1(b) is a bottom view of the flower bed block X (the plan view is also substantially the same), and Fig. 1(c) is a rear view of the flower bed block X (the front view and the rear view may be reversed). As shown in Fig. 1(b), the main surface portions 1 are a set (a pair) of surfaces that oppose each other in the thickness direction and extend in the height direction and the length direction, and form an outer side surface and / or an inner side surface when forming a flower bed. Further, of the set of main surface portions 1, one has a natural stone texture portion 11, and the other is planar or includes a narrow groove portion 12.

[0016] The natural stone texture portion 11 is a region provided over part or all of one main surface portion 1, and is provided with irregular unevenness in the thickness direction. The natural stone texture portion 11 is preferably configured to be formed as a split surface. Such a configuration does not make a user feel intentional processing, and can impart design properties similar to natural objects.

[0017] The narrow groove portion 12 is provided on the other main surface portion 1 opposite to the main surface portion 1 having the natural stone texture portion 11. The main surface portion 1 having the narrow groove portion 12 is planar, and the narrow groove portion 12 is notched into a rectangular cross section with the plane as a reference and has a length in one direction. In the example shown in Fig. 1(c), the narrow groove portions 12 are configured to extend in the height direction, and a plurality of the narrow groove portions 12 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the length direction. In the example shown in Fig. 1(c), the intervals between the narrow groove portions 12 are equal intervals in the length direction, but other embodiments are also possible. Such a configuration can impart design properties as a processed artificial object.

[0018] In one flower bed block X, the natural stone texture portion 11 is provided on one main surface portion 1, and the narrow groove portion 12 is provided on the opposing main surface portion 1, whereby as shown in Fig. 2(a), the flower bed block X can be inverted around an axis in the height direction or the length direction to direct either the natural stone texture portion 11 or the narrow groove portion 12 to the outside of the flower bed. Accordingly, a user can select two types of design properties with only one type of flower bed block X, and the degree of freedom when forming a flower bed is improved.

[0019] The secondary face portions 2 are each face provided between a pair of primary face portions 1, as shown in Fig. 1, and connect the opposing pair of primary face portions 1 to each other. The secondary face portions 2 each include connecting face portions 21 provided at both ends in the length direction, and placement face portions 22 provided at both ends in the height direction.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the connecting face portions 21 are faces that connect the opposing pair of primary face portions 1 at both ends in the length direction, and form a connecting portion J that connects a plurality of flower bed blocks X, as shown in Fig. 2(b), Fig. 3(a), and Fig. 3(b). Further, each connecting face portion 21 is provided with a protruding portion 211 at one end in the length direction, and a receiving portion 212 at the other end. Such a configuration increases contact reliability when connecting a plurality of flower bed blocks X to each other, and prevents soil or the like from spilling out through gaps between the flower bed blocks X. In the following description, the protruding portion 211 and the receiving portion 212 are collectively referred to as the connecting portion J.

[0021] The protruding portion 211 is a portion provided on one connecting face portion 21, and has a curved surface that is arc-shaped in plan view on the distal end side in the length direction of the flower bed block X. Particularly, in the examples shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the protruding portion 211 has a shape based on a columnar shape extending in the height direction. The receiving portion 212 is provided on the opposite side of the protruding portion 211 in the length direction, and includes a concave curved surface having substantially the same curvature as the arc-shaped curved surface of the protruding portion 211. Particularly, in the examples shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the receiving portion 212 is a portion recessed in a shape based on a columnar shape congruent to the protruding portion 211. With such a configuration, as shown in Fig. 2(b), a plurality of flower bed blocks X can be connected at an angle, which improves the degree of freedom when forming a flower bed. Further, the diameter of the columnar shape is smaller than the distance between the opposing pair of primary face portions 1, so that it is not cut in a dividing step described later.

[0022] Preferably, the connecting face portion 21 is configured to taper in the length direction toward the protruding portion 211 or the receiving portion 212. With such a configuration, as shown in Fig. 2(b), when connecting a plurality of flower bed blocks X at an angle in an oblique direction, a space can be reserved to prevent interference between the primary face portions 1.

[0023] Preferably, each part of the connecting section J has a length in the thickness direction of the flowerbed block X that is shorter than the shortest distance between the pair of main surface sections 1. This configuration minimizes the area occupied by the connecting section J relative to the flowerbed block X, thus maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the flowerbed, and also simplifies the manufacturing process in the flowerbed block X manufacturing method described later.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the mounting surface 22 is the surface that connects the pair of opposing main surfaces 1 at both ends in the height direction, and forms the top and bottom surfaces when the flowerbed block X is placed on the ground or the like. Furthermore, it is preferable that both ends of the protrusions 211 and / or receiving parts 212 are on the same plane as the mounting surface 22. This configuration eliminates the gap in the height direction at the connection part J, unifies the overall height, and makes it easier to mold the flowerbed block X.

[0025] The present invention may have the following configurations. However, the following configurations are merely examples, and their presence or absence can be arbitrarily determined unless otherwise specified.

[0026] ≪Example of changes≫ The pair of main surfaces 1 may have one surface with a natural stone-like texture 11, while the other surface may not have a narrow groove 12 and may be processed to be a smoother, flatter surface compared to the natural stone-like texture 11. Such a configuration makes it easier to mold the flowerbed block X.

[0027] Regarding the arrangement of the narrow grooves 12, any arrangement is acceptable as long as the narrow grooves 12 are arranged in parallel, such as alternating wide and narrow spacings, or a regular arrangement. This configuration allows for variation in the appearance of the flowerbed block X or flowerbed, while simultaneously giving the user an artificial impression and achieving a design that differs from that of the natural stone-like section 11.

[0028] The following describes in detail the method of carrying out the present invention with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the method of carrying out the invention described below is merely an example, and is not limited to this method; the order of the steps may also be changed.

[0029] ≪Implementation Method≫ The user arranges the flowerbed blocks X on the ground (installation surface) with one mounting surface 22 facing downwards to form the boundary of the flowerbed. At this time, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the flowerbed blocks X are installed so that the protrusions 211 fit or engage with the receiving parts 212 of adjacent flowerbed blocks X.

[0030] When arranging flowerbed blocks X, users can connect adjacent flowerbed blocks X at an angle, as shown in Figure 2(b), to form flowerbeds of any shape.

[0031] In addition, when arranging the flowerbed blocks X, the user can choose to orient the main surface 1 with the natural stone-like portion 11 outwards from the flowerbed, or the main surface 1 with the narrow groove portion 12 outwards from the flowerbed, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Furthermore, the user can reverse the orientation of the flowerbed blocks X to change the appearance of the formed flowerbed, thereby alternating between the natural stone-like portion 11 and the narrow groove portion 12 as part of the flowerbed's appearance. The user can also create a flowerbed by mixing and arranging flowerbed blocks X with the natural stone-like portion 11 facing outwards and flowerbed blocks X with the narrow groove portion 12 facing outwards.

[0032] The manufacturing method of the flowerbed block X according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the manufacturing method shown below is just one example, and the actual manufacturing method is not limited to this, and the order of steps may also be changed.

[0033] ≪Manufacturing method≫ In this embodiment, the flowerbed block X is formed by pouring a building material that can flow and harden, such as cement containing aggregate, into a formwork F. However, as shown in Figure 4(b), a joint Y is formed by integrally molding two flowerbed blocks X (molding process). The formwork F is preferably configured as shown in Figure 4(b) by removing every other partition wall, rather than the conventional configuration shown in Figure 4(a) in which one flowerbed block X is molded individually. With this configuration, the thickness of the partition wall (formwork F) is molded as the joint C, making it easier to create the natural stone-like part 11 in a subsequent process.

[0034] In the aforementioned molding process, the connecting portion J (protrusion 211 and receiving portion 212) is integrally molded onto the portion that will become the secondary surface 2. This allows for the manufacture of the connecting portion J with a simple structure while ensuring the overall strength of the flowerbed block X. Furthermore, at this time, each part of the connecting portion J is molded to fit entirely within the thickness range of the flowerbed block X. This eliminates the need to divide the connecting portion J in the division process described later, making the manufacture of the flowerbed block X easier.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4(b), cement or the like is poured into the formwork F, and the molded joint Y is formed such that the main surfaces 1 on both sides are flat or have narrow grooves 12. At this time, the manufacturer properly cures the joint Y and allows the whole to harden to a suitable degree. After that, the manufacturer removes the joint Y from the formwork F just before it has completely hardened.

[0036] Next, the manufacturer, while checking the effectiveness of the joint Y, inserts blades from all four sides into the joint C, as shown in Figure 5(a), to divide one joint Y into two flowerbed blocks X (dividing process). The resulting cut surface has irregular irregularities, forming the natural stone-like section 11. The direction in which the blades are inserted is based on the pattern indicated by the white arrows in Figure 5(a), and the angle is gradually changed from there to make adjustments. The pressure applied when inserting the blades is also adjusted according to the degree of cracking of the joint Y. This minimizes the influence of individual differences and allows for the stable formation of flowerbed blocks X while maintaining a thick plate shape.

[0037] In the splitting process, the blades are inserted in four directions as indicated by the white arrows in Figure 5(a). However, the number of blades can be one or more, and the direction of insertion can also be arbitrarily determined. Preferably, the configuration of the blades is appropriately determined based on the size of the flowerbed block X and the physical properties of the material. When the blades are inserted in one direction, there are fewer moving parts during the splitting process, resulting in higher safety and lower cost in manufacturing the flowerbed blocks. On the other hand, with a configuration where blades are inserted from multiple directions, the blade pressure can be adjusted more flexibly to match the unevenness of the hardening state of the joint Y, allowing for smoother splitting. In particular, when blades are inserted from four directions, distortion in specific directions caused by the joint Y not being completely hardened can be suppressed during splitting, stabilizing the quality of the flowerbed block X.

[0038] In this splitting process, it is preferable to use a blade that is not excessively sharp when cutting into the joint C. This prevents the cement and aggregate from being cut in a flat plane, and allows for the formation of a cut surface that emphasizes the unevenness, that is, a natural stone-like section 11 that does not give the user the impression of intentional processing and has a design that resembles a natural object. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] X Flowerbed Blocks Y-joint 1 Main surface 11 Natural stone style section 12 Narrow groove 2 Minor surface part 21 Connection surface 211 Protrusion 212 Receiving section 22 Placement surface section C joint F formwork J connection

Claims

1. A thick, plate-shaped flowerbed block, It includes a pair of main surfaces and a secondary surface that are opposite each other in the thickness direction, One of the main surfaces has a natural stone-like portion over part or all of it. A flowerbed block in which the sub-surface portion provided between a pair of main surfaces has a connecting portion that allows multiple flowerbed blocks to be connected to each other.

2. The main surface facing the natural stone-like portion is a smoother, planar surface compared to the natural stone-like portion. The flowerbed block according to claim 1.

3. The main surface portion opposite to the natural stone-like portion has a narrow groove portion extending in one direction, The aforementioned narrow grooves are arranged in a plurality at predetermined intervals. The flowerbed block according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned connecting portion has a projection and a receiving portion, The aforementioned projection includes an arc-shaped surface at its tip. The receiving portion includes a concave curved surface having substantially the same curvature as the arc-shaped surface of the projection. The flowerbed block according to claim 1.

5. A method for manufacturing a thick plate-shaped flowerbed block, comprising a pair of main surfaces and a secondary surface facing each other in the thickness direction, A molding process in which two flowerbed blocks are integrally formed in one formwork, A division step of dividing the joined body to form the main surface portion having a natural stone-like portion, Includes, A manufacturing method wherein, in the molding process, the connecting portion is integrally molded to the secondary surface portion.

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