It is known to produce a permeable paver made from aggregate bonded together, in situ, around plants and the like so as provide surface infiltration, into the soil and to protect the plants from surface soil compaction.

Further it is known to mould water permeable blocks pavers, however these suffer from edge embrittlement and spalling, and in some circumstances are brittle and lack structural strength and integrity, when used in driveways, paths, patios and car parks.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing, in one form, a water permeable paver comprising a rigid frame; aggregate material contained within the frame; and bonding material bonding the aggregate material and the frame together with interstices formed between the aggregate material to allow water to permeate therethrough.

Preferably the frames are made from plastics.

Preferably the pavers are preformed.

Preferably the frames have connection means to allow adjacent pavers to interlock to increase the structural integrity of the paved surface.

Preferably the frames have straight sides.

Preferably the frames have curved sides, which are complementary to a side of another paver.

Preferably the frames have an internal web structure to assist in supporting the aggregate material and to provide structural support to the paver.

In another embodiment the pavers can be formed in situ, wherein the frames are laid on site and the aggregate material and a bonding material introduced into each paver to set.

In another embodiment the frame is comprised of plastics.

The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a frame of one embodiment of a paver according to the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a paver filled with aggregate using the frame shown in figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a cutaway view of the frame shown in figure 2, showing the aggregate; Figure 4 illustrates another frame, suitable to form a paver according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 illustrates a paver according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, only partially filled with aggregate.

As mentioned previously the frame can be of any shape. However, as shown in figures 1 to 3, the frame (2) is square, and has sidewalls (3) having an internal longitudinal rib (4). Strengthening webs (5) connect across opposite walls (3) to provide structural integrity. The webs could be of any configuration to provide reinforcing for the paver, and could form a lattice to assist in supporting the aggregate (6). Additionally female connectors (7) can be provided on two adjacent sides (3) of the frame (2), with male connector (8) located on the other two sides (3), such that the male connectors (8) can slideably engage in the female connectors (7) of adjacent pavers to lock them together. Preferably, the frame is made from a unitary plastics moulding.

A suitable bonding material is mixed with the aggregate (6) to the hold the aggregate (6) within the frame (2), yet not fill the interstices between the aggregate particles such that water can flow through the interstices, making the paver (1) water permeable.

The bonding material can be of any suitable material such as cement, or adhesive and is preferably resilient and longwearing. The sidewalls (3) of the frame (2) provide protection for the edges of the paver, preventing spalling of the edges and providing additional structural strength.

A partially closed frame (11) is shown in figure 4, in which two perforated planar members (9) separated by spacer members (10). The perforations (11) of one planar member (9) are offset from the perforations (10) of the other planar member (9). A mixture of aggregate and a suitable bonding agent is introduced into the space between the planar members (10), where the bonding agent sets, securing the aggregate with the frame (8), while forming interstices between the aggregate particles, to form a paver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Similarly a frame such as shown in figure 5, could be used wherein the frame (11) is similar to that described with respect to figure 4, except that the spacer members (12) have are substantially thicker and are linked by curved

web members (13). Further the planar members (14) have an opening therein.

This frame (11) has recesses (15) located on the outer wall (16) of the frame (8), into which mate complementary projections located on other frames (11).

A mixture of aggregate and a suitable bonding agent is introduced into the space within the frame (11), where the bonding agent sets, securing the aggregate with the frame (11), while forming interstices between the aggregate particles, to form a paver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In another method of performing the present invention, the pavers can be formed in situ, wherein the frames are laid on site and the aggregate material and bonding a material introduced into each paver to set.

Thus the present invention provides a water permeable paver, which has a frame to protect the edges of the water permeable media and to provide structural stability and integrity for the pavers. Further the frame will assist producing pavers that have small areas and cross sections.

It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that alterations and modifications can be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.