Paver for Porous Pavement

Abstract

A porous pavement system and a method of maintaining the porous pavement system are disclosed. A combination of porous and non-porous pavers are laid out to create a porous pavement. A receptacle or retainer for receiving a tool is in incorporated into the porous pavers, to facilitate lifting the pavers by means of the tool. A cradle may be used to hold multiple pavers.

1 . A hybrid paver comprising:
 an non-porous outer paver having load-bearing properties suitable for pavement use; and   a porous inner paver constructed of a water-permeable material to allow water to filter through the porous paver into underlying substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid paver of  claim 1 , wherein the non-porous paver and the porous paver are separate components, and wherein the non-porous paver has an open center area for receiving the porous paver. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid paver of  claim 2 , further comprising a retrieval means that is provided in the porous paver so as to facilitate removal and insertion of the porous paver into the non-porous paver. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid paver of  claim 3 , wherein the retrieval means includes a lifting receptacle that is adapted to receive a tool for lifting the non-porous paver away from the porous paver. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid paver of  claim 4 , wherein the retrieval means includes a plurality of receptacles embedded into the porous paver. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid paver of  claim 1  further comprising a cradle having a lower support surface that supports the non-porous paver and the porous paver. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid paver of  claim 3 , wherein the cradle is a multi-paver cradle that has a lower support surface dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of hybrid pavers. 
     
     
         8 . A porous paver comprising:
 a paving element constructed of porous concrete, the paving element having a retrieval means that includes a receptacle that is incorporated into the paving element and that is adapted to receive a tool that is used for removing and inserting the paving element into place in a paved surface.   
     
     
         9 . The porous paver of  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle is a recess that is fitted with a cap, so as to provide a upper surface on the paving element in the area of the recess. 
     
     
         10 . A hybrid paved surface comprising:
 a porous paver constructed of porous concrete, the porous paver having a retrieval means that includes a receptacle that is incorporated into the porous paver and that is adapted to receive a tool for the purpose of removing and inserting the porous paver into place in a paved surface; and   a non-porous paver constructed of non-porous concrete,   wherein the porous paver and the non-porous paver are laid out adjacent one another, so as to form a pavement surface that has porous and non-porous surfaces.   
     
     
         11 . A porous pavement surface comprising:
 a porous paver constructed of porous concrete, the porous paver having a retrieval means that includes a receptacle that is incorporated into the porous paver and that is adapted to receive a tool for the purpose of removing and inserting the porous paver into place in a paved surface;   
     
     
         12 . A method of constructing and maintaining a porous pavement surface that includes a plurality of porous pavers and in which the porous pavers may be removed from the pavement surface for cleaning and/or replacement, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) laying out a porous pavement surface comprising a plurality of porous pavers; and   b) providing a retrieval means in the porous pavers, which enables the porous pavers to be removed from the pavement surface for cleaning and/or replacement.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the retrieval means includes lifting lugs that are incorporated into the porous pavers, the method further comprising the steps of:
 c) providing an attachment means that is couplable to the lifting lugs; and   d) providing hoisting equipment to lift the porous paver away from the pavement surface by means of the attachment means.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the porous pavement surface includes a combination of a plurality of porous pavers and a plurality of non-porous pavers.