# US 5,342,141 A · Movable surface paving apparatus and method for using the same

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- Number: US 5,342,141 A
- Document ID: US5342141A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/028,985
- Filed: 1993-03-10
- Granted: 1994-08-30
- Earliest claimed: 1993-03-10
- Inventors: Darrell R. Close
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5342141A

## CPC

- E01C 5/001: {on prefabricated supporting structures or prefabricated foundation elements except coverings made of layers of similar elements}
- E01C 5/003: {characterised by material or composition used for beds or joints; characterised by the way of laying}
- E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H)

## Abstract

A surface paving apparatus (10) and a method for using the apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus is comprised of a mesh material (12) having parallel ribs (14) attached, laid upon a surface to be paved. A paving material (16) with grooves (24) cut into its underside is then placed upon the mesh material (12) such that the ribs (14) on the mesh material (12) frictionally engage the grooves (24) on the paving material (16). The frictional engagement between the grooves (24) and ribs (14) is stable enough to render the paving surface laterally immovable from any direction. The surface paving apparatus (10) can also be disassembled and moved, should this be desired.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for paving a surface, comprising:
(a) a flexible underlayment material;
(b) a plurality of ribs fastened to and extending upward from said underlayment material, wherein each of said ribs includes a rigid center, and wherein each of said ribs includes two longitudinal sides, each of said sides having a strip of frictional material fastened thereto; and
(c) a paving material having a plurality of grooves, wherein said grooves detachably receive said ribs and frictionally couple said paving material to said underlayment material.

### Claim 2

An apparatus for paving a surface, comprising:
(a) a flexible, porous, underlayment material;
(b) a plurality of ribs fastened to and extending upward from said underlayment material, wherein each of said ribs includes a rigid center, and wherein each of said ribs includes two longitudinal sides, each of said sides having a strip of frictional material fastened thereto; and
(c) a paving material having a plurality of grooves, wherein said grooves detachably receive said ribs and frictionally couple said paving material to said underlayment material.

### Claim 3

An apparatus for paving a surface, comprising:
(a) A flexible, non-porous, underlayment material for covering a surface to be pave;
(b) a plurality of ribs fastened to and extending upward from said underlayment material, wherein each of said ribs includes a rigid center, and wherein each of said ribs includes two longitudinal sides, each of said sides having a strip of frictional material fastened thereto; and
(c) a paving material having a plurality of grooves, wherein said grooves detachably receive said ribs and frictionally couple said paving material to said underlayment material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said frictional material is compressible.

### Claim 5

An apparatus for paving a surface, comprising:
(a) a flexible underlayment material;
(b) a plurality of compressible ribs fastened to and extending upward from said underlayment material; and
(c) a paving material having a plurality of grooves, wherein said grooves detachably receive and compress said ribs, and wherein said grooves frictionally couple said paving material to said underlayment material.

### Claim 6

An apparatus for paving a surface, comprising:
(a) A flexible, porous, underlayment material;
(b) a plurality of compressible ribs fastened to and extending upward from said underlayment material; and
(c) a paving material having a plurality of grooves, wherein said grooves detachably receive and compress said ribs, and wherein said grooves frictionally couple said paving material to said underlayment material.

### Claim 7

An apparatus for paving a surface, comprising:
(a) A flexible, non-porous, underlayment material for covering a surface to be paved;
(b) a plurality of compressible ribs fastened to and extending upward from said underlayment material; and
(c) a paving material having a plurality of grooves, wherein said grooves detachably receive and compress said ribs, and wherein said grooves frictionally couple said paving material to said underlayment material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, wherein said ribs are substantially elongate and oriented in a substantially parallel relation to each other.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, wherein said ribs are molded to said underlayment material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, wherein said ribs are laminated to aid underlayment material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, wherein said ribs are formed from a plastic material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, wherein said frictional material is vinyl.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, wherein said paving material comprises a plurality of paving blocks.