Field of the invention Primarily, the invention relates to an arrangement in a supporting wall, especially used as a noise protecting wall.

The invention also relates to an arrangement in a growth mat, especially a growth mat rendering growth for grass and other vegetations used in connection with especially slopes, supporting walls and noise protecting walls.

Further, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a growth mat.

Summary of the invention

The invention gives instructions about an arrangement in a supporting wall, especially used as a noise protecting wall, and the arrangement according to the invention is character- ized by a plate-shaped body which at its upper portion is adapted for being supported against an upper portion of a correspondingly inclined mounted plate-shaped body.

Appropriately, the two plate-shaped bodies may be supported against each other in mounted position at top portions and thus in supporting position take the form of an opposite V.

Further features of this type of noise protecting wall is to the fact that two and two plate-shaped bodies in a simple and space-saving manner can be transported with their rear surfaces placed against each other and possibly with growth mat units mounted on the respective front surfaces, and with appropriately designed top portions these bodies grouped in pairs can simply and rationally be hoisted into position on a base, at the same time as chamfered top surfaces will come to rest against each other and provide the desired V-shape for said in pairs grouped pre-mounted bodies.

Besides, it is to be understood that the opposite V-shaped bodies can be placed or arranged in various manners, both as regards transportation, mounting, after-mounting as well as insertion into larger distances of supporting wall/noise protecting wall.

Further features of the arrangement is to the fact that the plate-shaped bodies at their lower portion is provided with a substantially outwardly protruding first bead which on the one hand serves as a mounting foot on a base, and which on the other hand serves as a lower abutment for one or more lower growth mat units, and that each plate-shaped body at its upper portion is provided with a second bead or studs which on the one hand defines an upper termination for one or more growth mat units and on the other hand defines a combined supporting and lifting means.

An appropriate growth mat unit may comprise a net structure which is adapted so as to serving as wrapping of cultivated humus, turf, cultivated soil or a mixture thereof, possibly mixed with appropriate waste, and which when finished packed defines a substantially self-supporting unit.

This involves that the net structure is designed such that the finished packed growth mat allows a favourable through- growing of vegetation from the packed cultivated humus/turf, that the packing and the quality of the humus/turf is dense enough for providing noise reduction, and that the packing is effected with a density which optimizes the properties of insulation against coldness/frost.

Such a growth mat will find general application in many relations, for example mounted against a plane or arched surface for reducing or protecting against noise or sound. Possibly, one or more finished growth mat units may be mounted as the outer layer of gabions which are erected or stacked onto each other, possibly comprising one or more windows.

Further, one or more growth mat units may constitute an outer growth layer of a slope, bank or supporting wall in the terrain, said growth mat units being included as a self- supporting layer, or being appropriately affixed to a subjacent or rearwardly arranged reinforced or non-rein¬ forced soil/supporting wall.

A method for manufacturing a growth mat of the present type will according to the invention involve that there are provided a net structure, that the net structure is adapted as a wrapping unit, and that the wrapping unit is filled with or embraces appropriate quantities of cultivated humus, turf, cultivated soil or a suitable mixture thereof, possibly together with appropriate waste, to a substantially self-supporting unit.

It is to be understood that the contents of the unit can be packed with a suitable compression, possibly with a further reinforcement, the degree of compression being tuned in relation to properties involving favourable growth of vegetation, noise reduction and insulation against cold¬ ness/frost.

Brief disclosure of the drawings

In the following the invention will be further disclosed with reference to the drawings illustrating various embodiments of the invention and how the invention can be reduced to practice.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a growth mat.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a growth mat.

Fig. 3 is a section through two plate-shaped bodies which are supported against each other, according to the inven-

tion, and carrying for example growth mats.

Fig. 4 is a cut-out of a perspective view illustrating a plurality of plate-shaped bodies according to the invention, which grouped in pairs are supported against each other and define for example a noise protecting wall, each of the bodies being arranged for possibly carrying growth mats.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating how two and two plate-shaped bodies which are to be implemented as a part of a supporting wall according to the invention, can be transported or stored in a space-saving manner.

Fig. 6 is a cut-out of a section through two plate-shaped bodies which are hoisted into position for constituting or being included in a noise protecting wall.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of noise protecting wall bodies, erected as an elongated noise protecting wall carrying growth mats or similar, and which otherwise is provided with top walls comprising windows.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate in perspective view and section, respectively, gabions comprising growth mats or similar.

Fig. 10 is a section through a slope, wherein a substantial¬ ly self-supporting growth mat is included as an outer layer arranged behind a soil reinforcement hoop.

Figures 11-16 illustrate schematically a mounting sequence for bringing forth a reinforced supporting wall, wherein are included substantially self-supporting growth mats.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a soil reinforcement hoop.

Fig. 18 illustrates a section through a finished supporting wall, wherein several stages of growth mats are included.

Fig. 19 illustrates a section through a finished slope in which a growth mat is included as an outer layer provided in front of a soil reinforcement hoop, i.e. a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 10.

Fig. 20 illustrates a section through a bank of earth, in which growth mats are included as an outer layer, said Figure illustrating the bank of earth just after mounting.

Fig. 21 is a section similarly to Fig. 21, but wherein the growth of vegetation has advanced.

Fig. 22 illustrates a section through a second example of a bank of earth, in which growth mats are included as an outer layer.

Fig. 23 illustrates a perspective cut-out of an inclined house roof, on which there are mounted growth mats.

Detailed description of embodiments

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a perspective view of a first embodiment of a growth mat which can be applied in connec¬ tion with the present invention, the growth mat as such being designated by reference numeral 1 , and this growth mat 1 substantially comprising a net structure 2 which is formed so as to serve as wrapping of cultivated humus, turf, cultivated soil or a mixture thereof and possibly mixed with suitable waste, as this is designated by reference numeral 3. After the wrapping unit or net structure 2 has been filled with appropriate quantities of cultivated humus 3, or said quantities of cultivated humus/soil have been packed by the net structure 2, the finished packed growth mat 1 appears as a self-supporting unit.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , the growth mat thereof is provided as a substantially six-sided box, the net structure comprising wires of appropriate material, for example synthetic fibres or monofibres, etc, the size of the

square net openings 4 being in the range of 5 x 5 mm - 12 - 12 mm. Besides, the dimensions of the box-shapes structure as illustrated in Fig. 1 , may comprise the following main dimensions, height 600 mm, width 500 mm and thickness 70 mm.

It is to be understood that the size of the net openings 4 and the dimensions of the growth mat can be adapted for various fields of application, and in Fig. 2 there is illustrated a second embodiment of a growth mat 1a having a substantially larger width, but having a lower height and for example the same thickness.

It is to be understood that the net structure 2 of the present growth mat 1, la is so designed that the finished packed and substantially self-supporting growth mat 1 , 1a allows for a favourable through-growing of vegetation from the wrapped cultivated humus/turf. Further, it is observed that the packing and the quality of the humus/turf and the other components of the growth mat is dense enough for rendering reduction of noise, the packing of the contents of the mat at the same time being effected such that the density renders an optimum property of insulation against coldness/frost.

Further, it is to be understood that the net structure can of course comprise other square shapes than what has been discussed previously, it being understood that diamond- shape, hexagonal-shape and other polygonal shapes may be contemplated.

In Fig. 3 which depicts a first embodiment of an arrangement in a supporting wall according to the invention, it is. illustrated how one or more finished growth mat units 1n have been mounted onto or being placed against one or more plane or arched surfaces, especially with the aim of reducing or protecting against noise or sound.

More specifically. Fig. 3 illustrates that the surface 5a and 5b, respectively, onto which one or more growth mat units 1n have been mounted or placed, constitutes the front surface of a plate-shaped body 6a and 6b, respectively, each of the plate-shaped bodies 6a, 6b at its upper portion 7a and 7b, respectively, being supported against an upper portion of the correspondingly inclined mounted plate-shaped body, such that the two plate-shaped bodies 6a and 6b can take a mounted position, as this is illustrated in Fig. 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3 said plate-shaped bodies 6a and 6b have substantially the same dimensions, and define in mounted, supporting position the form of an opposite V.

As appearing from Fig. 4 and also from Fig. 4 and also from Fig. 7, a plurality of such pairs of mutually supporting plate-shaped bodies may be arranged side by side for defining a noise protecting wall having desired dimension and extension.

In Figures 3 and 4 it further appears that each of the plate-shaped bodies 6a, 6b at its lower portion is provided with a substantially outwardly extending first bead, 8a and 8b, respectively, which on the one hand serves as a mounting foot for the bodies themselves against a base 9 , and which on the other hand serves as a lower abutment for one or more lower mounted growth mat units In or similar.

It further appears from Figures 3 and 4 that each plate- shaped body 6a, 6b at its upper portion is provided with studs, 10a and 10b, respectively, which on the one hand defines an upper termination for one or more growth mat units 1n, and which on the other hand constitutes a combined supporting and lifting means, it being indicated in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 that in the area of said studs 10a, 10b or upper portions 7a and 7b, respectively, there are provided loops or bolts 11 onto which a suitable hoisting wire 12 can

be hooked for mounting and possibly demounting of pairs of supporting plate-shaped bodies.

In Fig. 3 it is illustrated that on one of the plate- shaped bodies, here 6b, there are provided a holding grid 13 which prevents displacement or wrapping off of the growth mat unit 1n, which may be appropriate especially if the plate-shaped bodies 6a, 6b, etc, have mounted their growth mat units thereon in the production plant, which involves that the mounting and after-work on the site of application will be specifically time saving.

In Fig. 5 it is especially illustrated how two and two plate-shaped bodies 6a, 6b can be transported with their rear surfaces laying against each other and with growth mat units In mounted on the respective front surfaces, and in Fig. 6 it is illustrated how the bodies 6a, 6b arranged in pairs can be hoisted into position on the base 9, at the same time as chamfered top surfaces, 14a and 14, respective- ly, will rest against each other and provide the desired V- shape of said pairs of mounted bodies 6a, 6b.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a finished mounted noise protecting wall which comprises the previously plate-shaped bodies 6a, 6b, as well as further pairs of such bodies, there being on top of the pairs of mounted bodies being arranged a substantially vertical wall 15 having windows 16 appropri¬ ately arranged therein. Since said bodies 6a, 6b on each side carries more or less pre-mounted growth mats 1n, such a wall will after a relatively short period of growth appear as a green and overgrown noise protecting wall being in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

It is to be understood that the discussed plate-shaped bodies may be designed in a plurality of ways, especially as regards choice of material and the degree of pre-fabrication from the plant or plants of production.

For example, each of the bodies may be provided with a mat flake or a beard structure, which may create an affixing base for a later spraying of sprayable growth medium.

It is further to be understood that the choice of material as regards said bodies may comprise polyesterene with an appropriate stiffening sheet, glass fibre reinforced polyester, or various other types of formable or mouldable materials, comprising light weight concrete, or combinations thereof.

In Figures 8 and 9 there is illustrated a perspective view of and a section through, respectively, gabions 20, erected or stacked onto each other, the finished growth mat units 1n being mounted so as to define the outer layer of said gabions. In Fig. 8 there is illustrated an embodiment after just finished mounting, whereas Fig. 9 illustrates the noise protecting wall or ornamental wall after the growth media of the thereupon mounted growth mat units have had time to sprout and grow. Also in the embodiments according to

Figures 8 and 9 there are provided openings or windows 16 in the upper portion of the supporting/ornamental wall. Also here the individual parts included in the structure may be arranged mutually supporting.

In Fig. 10 there is on a larger scale illustrated a section through a slope, bank or supporting wall 21 in connection with a terrain which is to be reinforced, and wherein the growth mat units 1n of the previously mentioned type are to be included. By way of introduction it is to be understood that such growth mat units can in connection with special contours of the terrain, be included as a self-supporting layer, said growth mat units then being stacked from the foot of the slope and upwardly until the overall slope has been covered.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10 the self-supporting growth mat units In in question will be included as an outer

growth layer, but will be suitably affixed to soil rein¬ forcement hoops 22, and a perspective view of such a soil reinforcing hoop 22 is illustrated on another scale in Fig. 17.

In Figures 1 -16 there is diagrammatically illustrated a mounting sequence for the production of a supporting wall, wherein growth mat units 1n of substantially the self- supporting type are included, the previously discussed Fig. 10 here corresponding to Fig. 12.

In Fig. 11 it is shown how the base of the ground 9a has been levelled in area where the supporting wall is to be started, and the base 9a has to be prepared as regards compression and supporting property according to regulations in question and conditions on site. After the preparation of the ground 9a there is placed a steel grid form or a soil reinforcing hoop 22 on an appropriate location.

In Fig. 12 there is on the rear side of the soil reinforcing hoop 22 arranged a growth mat 1 , and this growth mat 1 can appropriately be affixed with clips to the inner side or the rear side of the angularly shaped soil reinforcement hoop 22.

A soil reinforcement web ("Ttele Ggrid") or ("Ttele Vvev") is rolled out onto the ground 9a in an area inside the soil reinforcement hoop 22 with its end portion 23a anchored by means of a steel or wood plug 24. The reinforcement web 23 is rolled out towards the growth mat 1 , upwardly there- along, and is folded temporarily over the top of the growth mat 1 and over the soil reinforcement hoop 22 with a suitable overhang 23b.

In Fig. 14 there is illustrated the rolled out reinforcement web and behind the growth mat 1 a friction soil has been put on layer by layer, preferably firstly onto the soil reinforcement or the reinforcement web 23 and thereafter

carefully up to the soil reinforcement hoop for clamping the growth mat 1, as this appears to the left of Fig. 14. Appropriately, there may be provided a layer by layer compression of maximum 35 cm, and careful compression may be effected adjacent the soil reinforcement hoop 22, for example within a distance of 1 m from the humus mat 1.

In Fig. 15 it is illustrated that the layers of friction soil 25, for example gravel, have reached to the upper edge of the growth mat 1 and the soil reinforcement 22, and at this height of the friction soil 25 the previously discussed overhang 23b of the reinforcement web can be folded rearwardly and inwardly on the top of the soil layer 25, for there to be anchored by means of a steel or wood plug 23.

When the first level or first floor has been finished, as this appears from Fig. 15, the start of the next level of filling in with soil may commence, and a new row of steel grid forms or soil reinforcement hoops 22n are then brought in position on top of the previous subjacent soil rein¬ forcement hoops 22, and through repeated work operations as discussed in connection with Figures 14 and 15 one will bring forth the result as illustrated in Fig. 16.

In Fig. 18 there is illustrated a finished built supporting wall, wherein are included 19 levels or rows of inclinedly arranged growth mat units 1n.

In Fig. 19 there is illustrated a section through a slope wherein a growth mat 1 is included as an outer layer of the slope, but here arranged on the front side of the soil reinforcement hoop 22, and then appropriately affixed thereto by means of suitable clips.

Besides, Fig. 19 corresponds to the previously discussed Fig. 13, and the further steps included in the mounting sequence for the production for the complete supporting wall will substantially be the same as discussed in connection

with the other Figures 14-16.

In Fig. 20 there is illustrated a section through a first example of a bank of earth, here designated by reference numeral 30, wherein a plurality of growth mat units In of substantially self-supporting type are included as an outer layer, there also in this connection being used soil reinforcement hoops 22, for example of the type as shown in Fig. 17.

In Fig. 20 there is illustrated a finished bank of earth just after the mounting thereof, whereas Fig. 21 illustrates a corresponding section, but wherein the growth of the vegetation is substantially advanced.

In Fig. 22 there is illustrated a second example of a bank of earth, here designated by 31 , wherein growth mat units 1n are included as an outer layer, said growth mat units 1n being attached by means of suitable soil reinforcement hoops 22, which in an appropriate manner are anchored in profiled stones 32 constituting a primary supporting wall for the bank of earth 31.

In Fig. 23 there is illustrated perspectively a cut-out of an inclined house roof 33, onto which there has been laid growth mat units In onto an appropriate waterproof and foul- resistant base. Due to the self-supporting property such a growth mat units 1n can be laid out on strongly inclined roofs, event without being attached in one or the other way onto the roof proper. Further, the self-supporting property entails that the units In may be laid out with a very good degree of coverage and without further surplus filling of covering soil, which involves a quick an time saving mounting.

For the production of such a growth mat which especially renders possibilities for growth of grass and other plants when used in connection with slopes, supporting walls and

noise protecting walls, but otherwise on any other base, there will in an appropriate method be provided a net structure so adapted that it constitutes a wrapping unit. This wrapping unit is filled with or appropriately made to embrace a corresponding quantity of cultivated humus, turf, cultivated soil or an appropriate mixture thereof, possibly together with suitable waste, for thus to bring forth a substantially self-supporting unit.

The contents of the unit is packed with such a compression and possibly provided with further reinforcement, so that the finished unit, aside from being self-supporting, also comprises properties including favourable growth of vegetation, reduction of noise and insulation against coldness/frost.

Finally, it is to be mentioned that such a growth mat can have such a net structure that the individual units easily can be hooked onto subjacent hook-shaped means, inter alia on such plate-shaped bodies as discussed previously.

Alternatively, along an inclined prepared base one can lay out conventional reinforcement iron which in appropriate places can be affixed to the base, and which at appropriate spots can be cut for the bending of hooks or prongs having suitable curvatures and directions in relation to the base plane. Onto such hooks and/or prongs there may be hooked such growth mats in an appropriate pattern to a finished outer growth surface.