EP0389973B1 - Set of elements for the construction of a noise barrier covered with vegetation - Google Patents

Abstract

A set of elements for the construction of a self-supporting or free-standing noise barrier which can be planted with vegetation has a number of troughs (1) which are to be arranged above one another and can be planted with vegetation and the bottoms (6) of which have penetration openings for water, it being possible for the side walls of the troughs (1) to stand vertically or at an angle. On their end sides, the troughs (1) have bearing surfaces or guides (2), with which they fit between posts or columns (3) which can be anchored in the ground. In the bottom (6) of the troughs (1), there are anchored, as penetration openings, pipe pieces (7) which have a continuous opening directed into the next lower trough (1) and project upwards to part of the trough height as an overflow to form a catchment space, to be filled with water, for the trough and the vegetation therein. Therefore, before water can run out of such a trough (1) through the opening situated in the bottom (6) into the next lower trough, said trough is filled with reserve water to the height of the inlet opening in the pipe pieces (7). Furthermore, a collecting tray (9) for rain with at least one drain (11) in its bottom (10) can form an endpiece which can be positioned on the top trough, it being possible however for this collecting tray (9) itself also to be a trough (1). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a kit for producing a plantable, preferably self-supporting or free-standing noise barrier according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2.

Such a noise barrier is known from DE-A-33 41 140. The individual troughs have lateral openings for an approximately horizontally projecting pipe socket, which is fed from above by a vertical pipe, and for a horizontal pipe socket, which in turn is connected to a pipe leading downwards, both pipe sockets being at the same height lie. If the water in a trough has risen to the level of the pipe socket, it can drain to the next lower trough. Especially in the case of assembly inaccuracies, this can in some circumstances lead to the fact that such a drain to the next lower trough is disturbed or does not take place at all, namely if the entry into the drain pipe is arranged inclined approximately downwards. In addition, pipes running on the outside of the noise barrier are unsightly and require perforations on the side walls of the troughs, which must be correspondingly tight so that the liquid cannot escape on the outside of the pipe socket.

Due to the lateral arrangement of the back-up pipes, the collecting trough above the uppermost trough is also arranged laterally from it and has only a relatively small extent, so that it can only collect a correspondingly small amount of precipitation.

From DE-C-26 03 018 a kit is known in which troughs can be stacked one above the other, the width of which decreases from bottom to top, so that the upper containers have a lower capacity for soil and plants than the lower ones, so they may be lighter dry out.

Elaborate cross-sectional shapes are provided, in which practically three interior spaces of different heights lying side by side in the longitudinal direction of the trough are formed. The passage openings for the water are in the bottom of the troughs, so that they can easily be blocked by the filled soil, roots of the plants or larger bodies introduced with the soil like stones. In addition, an upper trough must be watered considerably so that a sufficient amount of water can get from it into the next lower trough.

When building a noise protection wall from such troughs of different widths, the dimensions of these troughs must be carefully observed, that is, wider and then narrower troughs must be placed on top of one another.

Another disadvantage of this and other known constructions with a larger foot width compared to the upper area of the noise barrier is the unfavorable distribution of precipitation on the wall surface and the lack of storage capacity. Thus, the installation of an irrigation system is usually necessary. The unfavorable distribution of precipitation leads to different growth results, whereby the higher parts of the wall can absorb more precipitation on the one hand, but on the other hand are exposed to faster drying out.

There is therefore the task of creating a kit of the generic type for the production of a plantable, freely erectable noise barrier, which can be irrigated as evenly and as far as possible by collected precipitation and in which the stratification of the individual troughs without taking into account any special dimensions in any Order can be made.

This object is achieved with the features of claims 1 or 2.

It is known that the noise protection effect itself is not so much a result of the vegetation, but is caused by the parts of the kit. Since the individual troughs can be supported by means of pillars, they can have a constant width, so that the otherwise usual helix angle is eliminated, which, with the same soundproofing effect, requires a greater height of the soundproofing wall.

Balanced growth conditions for plants in the wall can be achieved by a hydroponic method, the hydroponic method being known per se and can also be used in the local climate without plant failures due to frost. The plants grow in vessels in a predominantly sterile substrate equipped with nutrients, such as expanded clay or expanded slate, and obtain the necessary water from a storage space. This storage space is provided in the arrangement according to the invention of pipe sockets protruding from the trough bottom between the upper inlet opening in the pipe sockets and the bottom of the respective trough in a sufficient size.

The upper collecting trough can absorb so much precipitation due to its larger width and lead to the troughs underneath it and in their storage spaces, from which the water easily gets into the next deep trough when it is filled until it enters the pipe socket, that after filling up the entire wall there is sufficient moisture available for planting for a very long time stands.

If necessary, the entire noise barrier can simply be filled from above, as if it were a tank, because the water from the drip pan first reaches the upper trough, which fills up the storage space, then overflows through the pipe socket, thus reaching the next lower trough, which fills up the storage space etc. until all storage spaces are filled again.

Excess water can be discharged into the open from the lower trough or fed into a cistern from which the troughs could be fed further in extreme dry periods. The storage spaces in the troughs can, for example, make up 25 to 30% of the trough height.

Because the collecting trough serving as the upper end extends beyond the width of the troughs in its width, it can collect and absorb more rainwater and, on the other hand, the noise protection effect is improved, since a cantilevered part now better catches the incoming sound on the wall crown and can throw back.

The possibility provided according to claim 2, to provide supports that each keep the troughs in the position of use at a distance and support each other, ensures that the plants also have the lower lying troughs enough space without the soundproofing effect of the wall due to gaps between the troughs is reduced. At the same time, this creates the possibility specified in patent claim 1 of having at least one downward continuous drain hole which is approximately flush with the pipe socket of the trough arranged above in the use position, or at least partially accommodating the pipe socket protruding downwards in such a carrier. Pipelines located outside the noise barrier are thus avoided.

The upper collecting trough could also be planted. It should be mentioned that the troughs, including their storage space, can be filled with the substrate to be rooted, for example expanded clay or expanded slate, thereby increasing the storage capacity, a commercially available plastic drainage pipe as a displacement body, which fills with water and releases it again, could be inserted into the storage space.

The plants for planting can come from conventional container culture and can be inserted with their bales of soil into the substrate of the troughs, so that the planting can be carried out very easily and quickly and the noise barrier is completely planted practically immediately, without waiting for a growing period got to. The bales of earth should be kept moist by watering in the usual way until the roots can be supplied from the water supply in the storage space. It is also possible to plant prefabricated troughs prior to assembly and to assemble troughs that have already been rooted into a noise barrier.

The length of the collecting trough can correspond to that of the troughs and bearing surfaces or guides for form-fitting insertion between pillars can also be provided on the front sides of the collecting trough, whereby the lateral stability of the entire wall can be improved. The pillars for the front mounting of the troughs can namely be firmly anchored in the ground so that they can absorb forces directed transversely to the wall.

One possibility is that the troughs and / or the trough have at their end faces or front ends each a vertical rib or groove in the use position, into which a longitudinal groove or a rib of the pillar fits and can be inserted. Thus, the pillars can first be set and anchored and then the troughs can be inserted from above with their guides, advantageously no particular sequence has to be followed because the troughs can have a matching width - but not necessarily.

The pipe sockets forming the respective overflow in a trough can protrude from the bottom of the trough to at least a quarter of the trough height. This results in the desired, sufficiently large storage space for water below the upper end of the pipe socket in order to provide the hydroponic planting with the necessary moisture for a long time.

In order to ensure that the deep-lying troughs are supplied with fresh water even in the case of only shorter rains, the overhang of the pipe socket (s) inside the troughs can be greater the deeper the trough is located within the noise barrier. If there is only relatively little rain, the water in the upper trough will soon reach the inlet of the not so high neck and then drain into the next lower trough. It is expedient if the pipe socket is adjustable in height, so that the user can set the individual pipe socket, for example when setting up the noise barrier, in accordance with his wishes and the expected precipitation.

The entry into the pipe socket from above is expediently kept free, for example shielded by means of a hood or the like spaced apart from the pipe opening. This prevents any mineralized components of the substrate from closing the opening completely or partially in the course of time.

It is expedient if the plate-shaped supports have a length corresponding to the length of the troughs and are supported on the end walls of the troughs in the position of use. The end faces of the beams can fit into the grooves of the pillars and engage in the position of use or even have grooves in which the ribs of the pillars engage. This improves the strength of the composite of the entire noise barrier.

So that good noise protection is achieved, the plate-shaped supports can lie with their lower longitudinal edges in the position of use approximately at the level of the trough walls or protrude between the trough walls and in the position of use are in contact with the substrate filling the troughs.

It is also possible that the plate-shaped carrier in the use position between its lower longitudinal edge and the Trough bottom of the next lower trough have a spacing, at least in some areas, so that in the areas where there is no spacing, there may be additional support.

When constructing the noise protection wall, a trough, a carrier, another trough, etc., and finally a carrier and then the collecting trough can be arranged alternately. This structure is accelerated if the carrier (s) is / are connected in one piece to the collecting trough and / or the troughs.

The collecting trough can also have at least one upwardly projecting and downwardly open pipe socket in its base to form a plantable storage space. Thus, the collecting trough can also be used practically as a plantable trough or, conversely, a trough could form the collecting trough.

It should also be mentioned that the soundproofing effect can be improved in that the troughs and / or the supports have a sound-absorbing surface or coating.

• Figur 1 in teilweise aufgeschnittener oder abgebrochener Darstellung eine schaubildliche Schrägansicht einer aus Trögen, Trägern und einer Auffangmulde zwischen Pfeilern aufgebaute Lärmschutzwand,
• Figur 2 einen Querschnitt einer Lärmschutzwand gem. der Figur 1 und
• Figur 3 eine Draufsicht eines Teiles einer Lärmschutzwand, wobei angedeutet ist, daß sich in Längsrichtung der Wand unterschiedlich breite Tröge fortsetzen können, die unter Umständen im Bereich der Pfeiler auch gegeneinander verschwenkt sein können.

In the drawing, a kit according to the invention is shown as an embodiment of a composite soundproofing wall and explained in more detail below. It shows:

• FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away or broken-away representation of a diagonal view of a noise protection wall constructed from troughs, beams and a collecting trough between pillars,
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of a noise barrier. of Figure 1 and
• FIG. 3 shows a top view of part of a noise barrier, where it is indicated that troughs of different widths can continue in the longitudinal direction of the wall, which under certain circumstances can also be pivoted against one another in the area of the pillars.

A kit for producing a plantable, self-supporting or free-standing noise protection wall, as can be seen above all in FIGS. 1 and 2, consists of several troughs 1 of equal length and width, each of which has a vertical guide rib 2 on its end faces. The troughs 1 can be stacked one above the other between pillars 3 previously to be anchored in the ground, for example by foundations, by inserting them with the guide ribs 2 into corresponding longitudinal grooves 4 of the pillars 3. The troughs 1 are each kept at a distance from one another by a carrier 5. It is also received with its front ends in the longitudinal grooves 4 of the pillars 3.

In Figure 3 it is now indicated that the pillar 3, the ribs 2 and the troughs 1 and the carrier 5 can have the longitudinal grooves 4. At the same time, it can be seen that the ribs 2 and grooves 4 which engage on the troughs 1 and the pillars 3 can have a rounded or circular cross section, so that a certain mutual pivoting of these parts relative to one another is possible in the area of a pillar 3.

In the bottom 6 of the troughs 1, a plurality of pipe sockets 7 are cast in and let in, which serve to form a storage space for a hydroponic as water overflow and protrude 25% to 30% of the trough height above the trough bottom 6. The pipe socket 7 go through the trough bottom 6, where the underlying support 5 has corresponding flush, downward through holes 8, so that at the upper entrance in the pipe socket 7 overflowing water reaches the next lower trough.

On the upper trough 1, a collecting trough 9 for rainwater can be placed, which in the exemplary embodiment protrudes beyond the width of the troughs 1 and is likewise received by guide ribs 2 arranged on the end face in the longitudinal grooves 4 of the pillars 3, or in turn grooves for ribs located on the pillars 3 Can have 2.

The trough 9 has a plurality of water drains in its bottom 10 which, in the case of a plantable storage space to be formed, are also anchored in the trough bottom 10 as an upwardly projecting pipe socket 11. The distance to the trough 1 located below is not produced here by a plate-shaped carrier 5 as between the individual troughs 1, but by a wall web 12 which is formed on the underside of the collecting trough 9 and improves the strength of the trough 9. However, a separate plate-shaped carrier 5 could also be provided (FIG. 2), as conversely the carriers 5 could also be integrally formed on the troughs 1.

In Figure 1 it is clear that the plate-shaped or wall-shaped carrier 5, with which the troughs 1 are each spaced apart and supported against each other, are each mounted on the end walls of the troughs 1. As already mentioned, they fit with their short sides into the grooves 4 of the pillars 3 or, according to FIG. 3, may even have grooves 4 on possible widenings on the side, with which they grip ribs 2 on the pillars — likewise pivotable in the exemplary embodiment.

In Figure 2 it can be seen that the plate-shaped carrier 5 or the wall web 12 formed on the trough 9, which in turn has the function of such a carrier 5, with their lower longitudinal edges in the position of use are approximately at the level of the trough walls or possibly even protrude slightly between these trough walls and are in contact with the substrate to be filled in the troughs 1. The result is a wall that is completely closed in the transverse direction from bottom to top, but still has enough space for the plants inside the troughs.

The floor plans of the troughs 1 and also the collecting trough 9 are rectangular in the exemplary embodiment. The mutual pivotability shown in FIG. 3 is nevertheless possible due to the distance formed on the posts or pillars 3 in the longitudinal direction.

In Figure 2 it can still be seen that the entry into the pipe socket 7 and 11 is kept clear from above, in the exemplary embodiment is shielded by a hood 13 spaced from the pipe opening. This ensures even better that no substrate or earth or the like gets into the pipe socket 7 or 11 and hinders the passage of water.

It should also be mentioned that the overflow pipes or pipe sockets 7 and 11 can be adjusted in their height, so that the accumulation height in the troughs 1 and also in the collecting trough 9 could be adjusted as desired. The height adjustment could be realized, for example, by means of pipe sections which are telescopic in their longitudinal direction and have adjustment threads or the like. Adjustment means.

Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the protrusion of the pipe socket (s) 7 and 11 in the interior of the troughs 1 or the trough 9 can be different, this protrusion inside the troughs 1 being greater than in the collecting trough 9. No overhang would be required in the collecting trough if this not also - as indicated in Figure 2 - to be planted.

In the cross section of the noise barrier according to FIG. 2 it can also be seen that the supports 5 engage the trough floors 6 in a form-fitting manner, in the exemplary embodiment via a V-shaped profile, which on the one hand facilitates assembly and on the other hand prevents the formation of sound-conducting joints. Instead of the V-shape, which is worked into the top of the carrier, an inverted arrangement with an incision in the bottom and a corresponding projection on the top of the carrier could also be provided and, in addition, a rounded or U-shape could be used instead of the V-shape be provided.

The above-mentioned noise barrier has considerable advantages such as the small and constant construction width, the high life expectancy due to the construction material used and in particular the favorable distribution of precipitation (the upper areas of the wall which are most exposed to drying out are first supplied with water by the overflow principle when precipitation begins and the protruding trough can also achieve a certain shading effect) and water storage with the resulting better use of the natural rainfall. The amount of water available per meter of wall length can be significantly increased over the width of the upper trough compared to the natural water supply available according to the floor plan of the wall. Nevertheless, structurally very simple and mutually identical parts can be used, so that the manufacturing outlay can also be reduced as a result.

The kit for producing a plantable, self-supporting or free-standing noise barrier has several stackable troughs 1 to be arranged one above the other, the bottoms of which have 6 openings for water, the side walls of the Troughs 1 can stand vertically or at an angle. At their end faces the troughs 1 have bearing surfaces or guides 2, with which they fit between posts or pillars 3, which can be anchored in the ground. In the bottom 6 of the troughs 1, pipe connections 7 are anchored as passage openings, which have a continuous opening directed into the next lower trough 1 and as an overflow to form a storage space to be filled with water for the trough and the planting therein up to part of the trough height protrude upwards. Before water from such a trough 1 can run through the opening in the bottom 6 into the next lower trough, this trough is filled with reservoir water up to the level of the inlet opening in the pipe socket 7.
Furthermore, a collecting trough 9 for precipitation with at least one outlet 11 in its base 10 can form a closure which can be placed on the upper trough, but this collecting trough 9 itself can in turn be a trough 1.

Claims (19)

1. A set of elements for the construction of a preferably self-supporting or free-standing noise barrier suitable for covering with vegetation, including a plurality of troughs to be arranged one upon another which form a hydroponic planter and at their end faces have bearing surfaces or guides with which the troughs fit between and are thereby held by pillars, the troughs in each case being interconnected by conduits and each trough having an overflow to form a reservoir to be filled with substrate or the like and water for hydroponic planting or the like, and arranged above the uppermost trough there is a catch tray or the like for precipitation with at least one outlet in its base, characterized in that anchored in the base (6) of the troughs (1) there is in each case at least one pipe socket (7) which has an opening therethrough directed into the next lower trough (1) and as an overflow projects upwardly within the trough (1) up to part of the height of the trough, that the catch tray (9) forms a top adapted to be placed upon the upper trough (1) and that the catch tray (9) projects in its width beyond the width of the troughs (1).
2. A set of elements for the construction of a preferably self-supporting or free-standing noise barrier suitable for covering with vegetation, including a plurality of troughs to be arranged one upon another which form a hydroponic planter and at their end faces have bearing surfaces or guides with which the troughs fit between and are thereby held by pillars, the troughs in each case being interconnected by conduits and each trough having an overflow to form a reservoir to be filled with substrate or the like and water for hydroponic planting or the like, and arranged above the uppermost trough there is a catch tray or the like for precipitation with at least one outlet in its base, charcterized in that anchored in the base (6) of the troughs (1) there is in each case at least one pipe socket (7) which has an opening therethrough directed into the next lower trough (1), and as an overflow projects upwardly within the trough (1) up to part of the height of the trough, that the catch tray (9) forms a top adapted to be placed upon the upper trough (1) and that supports (5) are provided, said supports spacing and/or supporting the troughs (1) against one another in the position of use and having at least one outlet (8) downwardly therethrough which in the position of use is approximately in aligment with the pipe socket (7) of the trough (1) to be superposed or at least partly receiving the downwardly projecting pipe socket (7).
3. A set of elements as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the length of the catch tray (9) corresponds to that of the troughs (1) and that the end faces of the catch tray (9) are provided with bearing surfaces or guides (2) for being inserted with a form-fit between pillars (3).
4. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the troughs (1) and/or the catch tray (9) in each case have at their end faces or front ends a rib (2) or groove which is vertical in the position of use and which a longitudinal groove (4) or a rib of the pillar (3) fits and can be slid into.
5. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pipe sockets (7, 11) project upwardly from the base of the trough (1) or catch tray (9) to at least one fourth of the trough height.
6. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower the trough (1) is arranged inside the noise barrier, the greater is the projecting length of the pipe socket(s) (11) in the interior of the troughs (1) and/or that the projecting length of the pipe sockets (7) in the troughs (1) is greaterthan that of the pipe socket (11) in the catch tray (9).
7. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pipe sockets (7, 11) are adjustable in their height.
8. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the entrance to the pipe sockets (7, 11) is kept free from above, for example is covered by a cap (13) or the like spaced from the pipe opening.
9. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the supports (5) are plate-like or wall-like.
10. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the plate-like supports (5) are of a length corresponding to the length of the troughs (1) and in the position of use are supported on the end walls of the troughs (1).
11. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the supports (5) with their narrow ends fit and in the position of use engage with the grooves (4) of the pillars (3) or said supports themselves have grooves which ribs (2) of the pillars (3) fit and engage with.
12. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in the position of use the plate-like supports (5) are situated with their lower longitudinal edges approximately on a level with the upper edges of the trough walls or project between the trough walls and in the position of use are preferably in contact with the substrate filling the troughs (1).
13. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the position of use the supports (5) have a space, at least in areas, between their lower longitudinal edge and the base (6) of the trough.
14. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the support(s) (5) is/are integrally connected to the catch tray (9) and/or to the troughs (1).
15. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the supports (5) are applied with a form fit to the bases (6) of the troughs and/or to the base (10) of the tray (9), for example by way of a profiling, particularly one of V-shape.
16. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the catch tray (9) has in its base (10) at least one upwardly projecting and downwardly open pipe socket (11) to form a reservoir suitable for planting.
17. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the interlocking ribs (2) and grooves (4) on the troughs (1) and/or trays (9) and/or supports (5) and pillars (3) have a rounded cross section and permit the same to be swung or to be set at an angle to one another.
18. A set of elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a plastic drain pipe is placed in the reservoir of the troughs (1).
19. A set of elements as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the troughs (1) and/or the trays (9) and/or the supports (5) have a sound absorbent surface or coating and preferably consist of expanded clay concrete or the like.

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