Gabion deployment platform

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gabion deployment platform for storing a folded multi-compartment gabion and from which the gabion can be deployed, the deployment platform comprising: a base element for supporting the folded multi-compartmental gabion, the base element comprising a first member configured to extend along at least a part of a first side of said folded multi-compartment gabion, and a second member, extending transversely from said first member, said second member configured to extend along at least a part of a second side of said folded multi-compartmental gabion; and at least one retaining element, coupled at a first end thereof to said base element, said at least one retaining element being releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, at least at one point of said at least one retaining element, by way of at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means, to a portion of a compartment of said folded multi-compartment gabion, said at least one retaining element configured to extend from said base element, over at least a portion of said folded multi-compartment gabion, said at least one retaining element serving to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the base element when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the base element when the gabion is deployed.

1 .- 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A gabion deployment platform ( 80 ) for storing a folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ) and from which the gabion can be deployed, the deployment platform ( 80 ) comprising:
 a base element ( 82 ) for supporting the folded multi-compartmental gabion ( 22 ), the base element ( 82 ) comprising a first member ( 84 ) configured to extend along at least a part of a first side of said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ), and a second member ( 86 ), extending transversely from said first member ( 84 ), said second member ( 86 ) configured to extend along at least a part of a second side of said folded multi-compartmental gabion ( 22 ); and   at least one retaining element ( 88 ), coupled at a first end thereof to said base element ( 82 ), said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) being releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, at least at one point of said at least one retaining element ( 88 ), by way of at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ), to a portion of a compartment of said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ), said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) configured to extend from said base element ( 82 ), over at least a portion of said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ), said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) serving to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion ( 22 ) to the base element ( 82 ) when the gabion ( 22 ) is folded but to release the gabion ( 22 ) from the base element ( 82 ) when the gabion ( 22 ) is deployed.   
     
     
         65 . A gabion deployment platform as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) is releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, by way of said at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ), at a plurality of spaced intervals to a portion of a respective plurality of individual compartments forming said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 );
 and/or optionally   wherein a first releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is situated to couple the at least one retaining element ( 88 ) to a side wall ( 16 ,  18 ) between first and second compartments of the gabion ( 22 ) or between first and second units ( 10 ) of the gabion ( 22 ), a second releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is situated to couple the at least one retaining element ( 88 ) to a side wall ( 16 ,  18 ) between second and third compartments of the gabion ( 22 ) or between second and third units ( 10 ) of the gabion ( 22 ), a third releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is situated to couple the at least one retaining element ( 88 ) to a side wall ( 16 ,  18 ) between third and fourth compartments of the gabion ( 22 ) or between third and fourth units ( 10 ) of the gabion ( 22 ), and an nth releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is situated to couple the at least one retaining element ( 88 ) to a side wall ( 16 ,  18 ) between nth and (n+1)th compartments of the gabion ( 22 ) or between nth and (n+1)th units ( 10 ) of the gabion ( 22 ).   
     
     
         66 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 64 , wherein an element of the gabion deployment platform ( 80 ) comprises a pallet ( 100 ), said pallet ( 100 ) arranged to form a base of said gabion deployment platform ( 80 ) and configured to receive a multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ) thereon;
 or optionally   wherein said base element ( 82 ) is securely attached to the pallet ( 100 ).   
     
     
         67 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 64 , wherein one of the base element ( 82 ), when dependent upon claim  1  or  2 , or pallet ( 100 ), when dependent upon claim  3 , is configured to serve as a towable sled from which a multicompartmental gabion ( 22 ) is deployable directly therefrom. 
     
     
         68 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 67 , wherein one, or both, of the base element ( 82 ) or pallet ( 100 ) comprises a nose portion ( 101 ) located to form a front-end of said sled;
 and optionally   wherein said nose portion ( 101 ) is integral with one, or both, of said base element ( 82 ) or pallet ( 100 );   or optionally   wherein said nose portion ( 101 ) is removably attachable to said base element ( 82 ).   
     
     
         69 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 64 , wherein said at least one retaining element comprises a strap ( 88 );
 and optionally   wherein the strap ( 88 ) is frangibly or releasably secured to the gabion ( 22 ) sequentially at a plurality of locations;   and optionally   wherein said at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is located at each of said plurality of locations, said at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) coupled to said gabion ( 22 ) at respective locations and arranged to frangibly or releasably engage said strap ( 88 );   and/or optionally   wherein the respective locations correspond to different compartments, cells or units ( 10 ) of the multi-compartmental gabion ( 22 ).   
     
     
         70 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 64 , wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is one of the group comprising: a folded gabion compartment edge section; a frangible loop ( 114 ); a frangible ring ( 108 ); a frangible part of the gabion; a deformable member;
 a helical member; a clip; a frangible coupling ( 140 ) on, or part of, said at least one retaining element ( 88 ); a frangible portion ( 142 ) of said at least one retaining element ( 88 ); a strap for releasable connection with said at least one retaining element ( 88 );   and optionally   wherein the loop ( 114 ), frangible ring ( 108 ), frangible part of the gabion, frangible coupling ( 140 ) on said at least one retaining element ( 88 ), or frangible portion ( 142 ) of said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) has a point of weakness to encourage the attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) to break at a predetermined position and/or load.   
     
     
         71 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 64 , wherein the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is adapted to release at a predetermined load;
 and optionally   wherein the predetermined load corresponds substantially with a towing force applied to the gabion ( 22 ) or deployment platform ( 80 ).   
     
     
         72 . A gabion deployment platform according to  claim 64 , wherein the releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is formed integrally with the gabion ( 22 );
 and/or optionally   wherein said base element ( 82 ) is configured such that the apparatus can be stored and/or transported and/or a gabion ( 22 ) deployed therefrom with the first member ( 84 ) in a lowermost position, and/or such that the apparatus can be stored and/or transported and/or a gabion ( 22 ) deployed therefrom with the second member ( 86 ) in a lowermost position.   
     
     
         73 . A gabion ( 22 ) of the type comprising: hingedly or pivotally attached, connected sidewalls ( 16 ,  18 ) and cross-members or partitions ( 12 ) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) suitable for attaching, connecting or retentive engaging the gabion ( 22 ) to at least one retaining element ( 88 ) of a gabion deployment platform ( 80 ) according to any one of the preceding claims;
 wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion ( 22 ) to the at least one retaining element ( 88 ) when the gabion ( 22 ) is folded but to release the gabion ( 22 ) from the at least one retaining element ( 88 ) when the gabion ( 22 ) is deployed.   
     
     
         74 . A gabion according to  claim 73 , comprising opposed side walls ( 16 ,  18 ) which comprise a plurality of side wall elements connected together at spaced intervals by a plurality of partition walls ( 12 ) such that spaces between neighbouring pairs of partition walls ( 12 ) define, together with the side walls ( 16 ,  18 ), individual compartments of the gabion ( 22 ), adjacent side ( 16 ,  18 ) and partition walls ( 12 ) being connected to one another by pivotal connections enabling the gabion ( 22 ) to be folded between fully flattened and deployed configurations, wherein at least one of the pivotal connections is a releasable connection which when released allows a side wall element to open with respect to the gabion ( 22 ) to allow access from the side of the gabion ( 22 ) to any contents of the gabion compartments;
 and optionally   wherein the releasable connection comprises a hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) associated with an edge of each adjacent wall to be connected;   and/or optionally   wherein the pivotal interconnection between connected walls and/or wall elements ( 12 ,  16 ,  18 ) is achieved by providing interconnected walls and/or wall elements with a row of apertures along an interconnection edge thereof and by providing a coil member helically threaded through a plurality of apertures along the interconnection edge;   and optionally   wherein a single coil member is helically threaded through the connection edge apertures of two or more neighbouring walls, wall sections and/or wall elements ( 12 ,  16 ,  18 ) to achieve pivotal interconnection therebetween.   
     
     
         75 . A gabion according to  claim 74 , wherein the or each releasable connection comprises a releasable locking member releasably securing the hinge members ( 14 ,  20 ) of each pivotal connection to one another;
 and/or optionally   wherein release of the locking member allows a first neighbouring side wall element to be disconnected from a second neighbouring side wall element;   and/or optionally   wherein release of the locking member allows the first side wall element to move pivotally, by means of its pivotal connection with an opposite neighbouring side wall element, with respect to the compartment of the gabion ( 22 ) bounded by the first neighbouring side wall element to open said compartment through the side wall of the gabion ( 22 ) and allow access to any contents of said compartment;   and/or optionally   wherein the pivotal connections allow the gabion ( 22 ) to fold concertina-wise for storage or transport;   and optionally   wherein the pivotal connections cause adjacent walls of the gabion ( 22 ) to fold about a plurality of pivot axes;   and optionally   wherein the pivot axes are spaced apart to enable adjacent walls to lie face-to-face when the gabion ( 22 ) is in a folded configuration.   
     
     
         76 . A gabion according to  claim 74 , wherein the pivotal interconnection between connected side wall elements is releasable and is achieved by providing the interconnected side wall elements with a row of apertures along an interconnection edge thereof and by providing a first coil member helically threaded through a plurality of apertures along the interconnection edge of a first side wall element, a second coil member helically threaded through a plurality of apertures along the interconnection edge of a second side wall element, connected to the first side wall element along the interconnection edge, and a releasable locking member threaded through overlapped first and second coil members;
 and/or optionally   wherein each side wall section comprises a single side wall element;   and optionally   wherein the releasable interconnection between neighbouring side wall elements is located between neighbouring side wall sections;   and optionally   wherein the releasable interconnection between neighbouring side wall elements and the partition wall ( 12 ) marking the boundary between corresponding neighbouring side wall sections is openable to allow the first neighbouring side wall element to be released both from the second neighbouring side wall element and from the partition wall ( 12 ).   
     
     
         77 . A gabion according to claim  14 , wherein each side wall section comprises a plurality of side wall elements;
 and optionally   wherein the releasable interconnection is provided between neighbouring side wall elements of a given side wall section.   
     
     
         78 . A gabion according to  claim 74 , wherein the releasable interconnection between at least a plurality of neighbouring side wall elements is provided by a hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) therebetween, and a releasable locking member cooperating with the hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) releasably to secure the connection;
 and optionally   wherein the releasable interconnection between each neighbouring side wall element is provided by a hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) therebetween, and a releasable locking member cooperating with the hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) releasably to secure the connection;   and/or optionally   wherein a first hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) is provided on the first side wall element and a second hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ) is provided on the second neighbouring side wall element;   and optionally   wherein the releasable locking member cooperates with both first and second hinge members ( 14 ,  20 ) releasably to secure the connection.   
     
     
         79 . A gabion according to  claim 75 , wherein the releasable locking member comprises means for engaging, cooperating or interfering with at least one of the hinge members ( 14 ,  20 ) or with the associated side ( 16 ,  18 ) or partition wall ( 12 ), and/or wherein means are provided for securing the releasable locking member to at least one of the hinge members ( 14 ,  20 ) or to the associated side ( 16 ,  18 ) or partition wall ( 12 ) to make it more difficult to release the releasable locking member; and optionally wherein the engaging or interfering means resistively engages, cooperates or interferes with said at least one of the hinge members ( 14 ,  20 ) or with said associated side ( 16 ,  18 ) or partition wall ( 12 ) when the releasable locking member is released;
 and/or optionally   wherein the releasable connection is achieved by providing each adjacent wall to be connected with a row of apertures along an interconnection edge thereof and by providing a coil member helically threaded through a plurality of apertures along the interconnection edge of each wall to define the hinge member ( 14 ,  20 ), and a releasable locking member threaded through overlapped coil members;   and/or optionally   wherein the releasable locking member has a proximal end and a distal end and the engaging or interfering means is located: at or near the proximal end; or at or near the distal end;   and optionally   wherein the walls have a proximal edge corresponding to the proximal end of the releasable locking member, the gabion ( 22 ) further comprising a flexible material on an edge or surface of at least one of the adjacent walls to be connected;   and optionally   wherein a portion of the flexible material is folded over the proximal edge of the wall and fastenably secured to the wall to define a loop of material along at least a portion of the proximal edge of the wall;   and optionally   wherein the engaging or interfering means comprises a laterally extending protrusion which engages, cooperates or interferes with the loop of material;   and optionally   wherein said portion of material is folded over and conceals said laterally extending protrusion when forming said loop.   
     
     
         80 . A gabion deployment system comprising: a gabion deployment platform for retaining a gabion; and a gabion as claimed in  claim 74 ,
 wherein the gabion deployment platform comprises a gabion deployment platform ( 80 ) for storing a folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ) and from which the gabion can be deployed, the deployment platform ( 80 ) comprising:   a base element ( 82 ) for supporting the folded multi-compartmental gabion ( 22 ), the base element ( 82 ) comprising a first member ( 84 ) configured to extend along at least a part of a first side of said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ), and a second member ( 86 ), extending transversely from said first member ( 84 ), said second member ( 86 ) configured to extend along at least a part of a second side of said folded multi-compartmental gabion ( 22 ); and   at least one retaining element ( 88 ), coupled at a first end thereof to said base element ( 82 ), said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) being releasably attached, connected or retentively engaged, at least at one point of said at least one retaining element ( 88 ), by way of at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means ( 92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ), to a portion of a compartment of said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ), said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) configured to extend from said base element ( 82 ), over at least a portion of said folded multi-compartment gabion ( 22 ), said at least one retaining element ( 88 ) serving to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion ( 22 ) to the base element ( 82 ) when the gabion ( 22 ) is folded but to release the gabion ( 22 ) from the base element ( 82 ) when the gabion ( 22 ) is deployed.