Paving element

Abstract

A method and system for forming asphalt paving blocks for paving roadways, and the paving blocks used for paving roadways. The method comprises mixing asphalt in a stationary mixer, molding it into block-like paving elements, transporting the elements to a construction site and laying the elements to form a roadway. The system for forming the paving blocks comprises a molding press mounted on a trailer connected to a tractor, and storage shelves for storing pallets containing the molded paving elements. The paving elements are plastic-coated asphalt block-like elements. The paving elements have all the advantages of a traditional asphalt surface in terms of noise, but can be produced year-round and away from the construction site.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of paving the surface of roads, comprising: 
 mixing asphalt material in stationary asphalt mixing equipment;    molding the asphalt material into composite, blocklike layable surface paving elements;    transporting the paving elements to a laying site; and    laying the elements on the laying site to form a supporting, stone-like composite adapted to withstand vehicular traffic.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to    claim 1   , further comprising curing the paving elements by exposing the paving elements to driving wind during transport using lattice-like guard railing elements on a transport vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to    claim 2   , wherein the step of curing comprises placing the paving elements on pallets.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to    claim 2   , further comprising applying an anti-sticking agent to the paving elements to prevent the paving elements from gluing together.  
     
     
         5 . A system for producing surface paving elements from asphalt, comprising: 
 a trailer;    a tractor connected to the trailer for transporting the trailer; and    a molding press installed on the trailer, said molding press being connected to and operated by the drive of the tractor.    
     
     
         6 . The system according to    claim 5   , wherein the molding press is connected to the drive of the tractor via a hydraulic drive train.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to    claim 5   , wherein the areas of the trailer not occupied by the molding press are equipped for receiving pallet magazines.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to    claim 7   , further comprising a shelf system holding empty pallets installed on said trailer, from which individual pallets are automatically removed and transported to beneath the molding press.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to    claim 5   , further comprising a steel mold wetted with a lubricant, said mold adapted for lowering onto a pallet underneath said molding press and being filled with asphalt from above.  
     
     
         10 . The system according to    claim 9   , further comprising means for lifting the mold after filling with asphalt material so that paving elements are retained on the pallet.  
     
     
         11 . The system according to    claim 8   , further comprising means for transporting pallets containing asphalt elements from the molding press to a storage area adjacent the molding press having a shelf system, and stacking said pallets on said shelf system.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to    claim 5   , further comprising a separate vehicle with lattice-like guard railings for transporting asphalt-containing pallets.  
     
     
         13 . The system according to    claim 12   , further comprising a stacking and palletizing device mounted on said transport vehicle, and adapted to push the asphalt elements together in two horizontal directions, and stack and bandage the elements together.  
     
     
         14 . The system according to    claim 13   , wherein the stacking and palletizing device is hydraulically driven by the hydraulics of the transport vehicle.  
     
     
         15 . The system according to    claim 8   , wherein each pallet comprises a board having vertical supporting elements and indentations such that said vertical supporting elements engage indentations in another pallet arranged underneath to allow stacking of the pallets and to prevent the asphalt elements from being displaced during transport.  
     
     
         16 . The system according to    claim 15   , wherein the supporting elements are feet.  
     
     
         17 . The system according to    claim 15   , wherein the pallets have openings that accommodate insertion of the fork of a stacking apparatus.  
     
     
         18 . The system according to    claim 15   , wherein pallets are made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal and heat-resistant plastic.  
     
     
         19 . The system according to    claim 15   , wherein each pallet has indentations for receiving asphalt elements.  
     
     
         20 . A paving element for paving roadways, comprising a block-like element of asphalt material having a top side, a bottom side, and four lateral sides, said element being coated on all sides with an anti-sticking agent.  
     
     
         21 . The paving element according to    claim 20    wherein the anti-sticking agent is a foil.  
     
     
         22 . The paving element according to    claim 20    wherein the paving element is made at least in part from recycled material.  
     
     
         23 . The paving element according to    claim 22   , wherein a lower part of the element is made from recycled material, and is covered by new material.  
     
     
         24 . The paving element according to    claim 20   , wherein the asphalt material contains a rubber aggregate.  
     
     
         25 . The paving element according to    claim 20   , wherein the lateral sides of the element are covered in plastic.  
     
     
         26 . The paving element according to    claim 25   , wherein the plastic has a sound-absorbing structure.  
     
     
         27 . The paving element according to    claim 25   , wherein the plastic is foamed with open cells.  
     
     
         28 . The paving element according to    claim 25   , wherein the plastic is a production mold for forming the laying element and remains on the laying element at least around the lateral sides.  
     
     
         29 . The paving element according to    claim 25   , wherein the plastic is recycled material.