Paving system for mechanically paving with irregular paving stones

Abstract

Paving system for mechanically paving with irregular paving stones, the paving system comprising a pre-ordering part ( 3; 10 ) for pre-ordering a set of irregular paving stones in an ordered configuration suitable for laying and a transferring part ( 5; 11 ) for transferring the set of irregular paving stones in the ordered configuration onto a foundation bed ( 7 ). The pre-ordering part and/or the transferring part is provided with a plurality of auxiliary guide rails ( 2; 18 ) provided for being accommodated in oblong recesses which are provided in the bottom sides of the stones from one lateral side up to another lateral side for overcoming differences in the thickness of the stones. The auxiliary guide rails extend at regular distances from each other, chosen to correspond with the spacing between the recesses, and have a predetermined shape, chosen to be complementary to that of the recesses.

1 . A system comprising:
 a set of irregular paving stones, wherein oblong recesses are provided in bottom sides of the stones from one lateral side up to another lateral side for overcoming differences in the thickness of the stones; and   a paving system for mechanically paving with irregular paving stones, the paving system comprising a pre-ordering part ( 3 ;  10 ) for pre-ordering the set of irregular paving stones in an ordered configuration suitable for laying and a transferring part ( 5 ;  11 ) for transferring the set of irregular paving stones in the ordered configuration onto a foundation bed ( 7 ), wherein the pre-ordering part and/or the transferring part is provided with a plurality of auxiliary guide rails ( 2 ;  18 ) provided for being accommodated in the oblong recesses, the auxiliary guide rails extending at regular distances from each other, chosen to correspond with the spacing between the recesses, and having a predetermined shape, chosen to be complementary to that of the recesses.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-ordering part ( 3 ) comprises a flat support plane on which said auxiliary guide rails ( 2 ) are placed for supporting the set of irregular paving stones. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the transferring part comprises a gripping device ( 5 ) for picking up the set of irregular paving stones in ordered configuration from the flat support plane and placing them onto the foundation bed. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping device ( 5 ) comprises vacuum units ( 4 ) for gripping the set of irregular paving stones. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping device comprises a clamp for mechanically picking up the set of irregular paving stones. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the auxiliary guide rails ( 2 ) are removably placed on the flat support plane of the pre-ordering part and that the gripping device is provided for picking up the set of irregular paving stones along with the auxiliary guide rails. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the transferring part comprises further auxiliary guide rails forming extensions of the auxiliary guide rails of the pre-ordering part, said further auxiliary guide rails extending in slanting direction from the level of the pre-ordering part to the level of the foundation bed and forming a sliding surface for transferring the set of irregular paving stones in the ordered configuration to the foundation bed. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the auxiliary guide rails are removably placed on the flat support plane of the pre-ordering part and that the transferring part comprises a ferris wheel type construction driven by gravitation, said ferris wheel type construction comprising releasable gripping means for releasably gripping the auxiliary guide rails. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-ordering part ( 10 ) and the transferring part ( 11 ) are combined into a single paving device comprising a conveyor belt ( 10 ) onto which the irregular paving stones are pre-ordered upside down in said ordered configuration and a turning part ( 11 ) at an end ( 14 ) of said conveyor belt for turning around and placing said irregular paving stones in said ordered configuration on said foundation bed, said turning part ( 11 ) being provided with said auxiliary guide rails ( 18 ) for holding said irregular paving stones in said ordered configuration while being turned around. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said paving device comprises a feeding device ( 12 ) for feeding said auxiliary guide rails ( 18 ) to said turning part ( 11 ), said turning part being provided for placing said auxiliary guide rails on said foundation bed along with said irregular paving stones ( 1 ). 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , the paving system further comprising a positioning device ( 6 ;  13 ;  15 ) for aiding in the positioning of the irregular paving stones upon being laid on the foundation bed with respect to previously laid paving stones. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the positioning device is formed by a slat ( 6 ) with a predetermined thickness defining the width of a cross joint between the stones. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the positioning device is formed by a plurality of thin plates ( 13 ) which are provided for being moved through longitudinal joints between adjacent rows of already laid paving stones. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)