Abstract:
A device for withstanding mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of a corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to fortifications and static fenders. Gabions are introduced featuring several traits that make them especially suitable for field assembly and deployment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Prior art in the field divulge gabions formed each in the shape of a cage container that utilize fabrics to shut off spillage of earth used for filling the open top cage. US 2012/134,756 describes a system in which such cages filled with earth form superstructure made of a plurality of adjacent gabions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a device for withstanding mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of a corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of a gabion of the present invention, tilted aside to expose the bottom plate; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a schematic isometric view of a rectangular embodiment of the invention in which the not all corrugation are aligned alike; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a schematic isometric view of a circular embodiment of the present invention emphasizing a joiner strip; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is schematic isometric view of a slice of the wall of a circular embodiment, showing an overlap area of the two flanks of a pleated sheet and indicating how the overlap promotes closure of the gabion formed. 
       
    
    
       [0008]    The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Gabions in accordance with the invention are formed typically in situ using corrugated sheets of construction materials. In  FIG. 1  a gabion  10  in accordance with the invention is shown, not however in a deployed state, rather tilted to the side. As can be seen in, circular bottom plate  22 , typically laid on the ground, is surrounded by gabion wall  24  made of two equal sheets wrapped around over bottom plate  22 . The edges of the gabion wall  24 , which are perpendicular to bottom plate  22 , are held together by joiner strips  26  (only one seen). The bottom  28  of joiner strips  26  is bent toward bottom plate  22 . Gabion wall  24  is corrugated or pleated. In general the gabion in accordance with the present invention has a wall made of one or more sheets, curved and joint at the vertical flanks, forming a complete hollow enclosure, optionally having a bottom plate. The lumen of such a hollow enclosure stands vertically, allowing material to be poured into the lumen. 
       Gabion Configurations 
       [0010]    Several types of configurations are disclosed hereinafter. 
         [0011]    Example 1 is depicted schematically in  FIG. 2 . The configuration of gabion  10  is rectangular, having  4  walls joined together at their ends forming a hollow enclosure. Gabion walls  24 A are corrugated vertically, while gabion wall  24 B is corrugated horizontally. This merely demonstrates that both orientations of corrugation (vertical and horizontal) are available for the constructor. Corner joiner strip  26  is shown only at one corner. The walls are attached to the corner joiner strips by screws, rivets or the like,  34 . In some cases the rectangular configuration may be square. 
         [0012]    Example 2 is a preferred type of configuration, as described above in  FIG. 1 . The circular gabion  10  shown is easier to erect in situ, in the field or deployment site, using typically less joiners than the rectangular one. In such a case (circular configuration), corrugations (pleats) are vertically oriented, while horizontal orientation of corrugations is irrelevant. In  FIG. 3  another example is shown, emphasizing the joiner strip  26  of circular bastion and fastening elements  34 , connecting the gabion wall  24  to joiner strip  26 , only one of which is employed, because the wall  24  is made of one single sheet, folded to create a circular enclosure. Lumen  54  of the Gabion is evidently circular, to be filled with local material in the site of deployment such as sand and/or gravel. A bottom piece (see  22  in  FIG. 1 ) may be installed or the gabion may be placed on the ground without a bottom attached. 
         [0013]    Example 3 shows, in  FIG. 4 , how a circular gabion configuration including a one piece wall may be installed in the field. The corrugated sheet, only a piece of a slice  58  of which is shown, is made to curve forming a corrugated circle  60 . An overlap region  62  is formed, in which opposite end regions of the same sheet overlap. The overlap is made by the crew members who install the gabion, making sure that a ridge of a pleat is made to juxtapose a ridge of subtending part, and a recess to juxtapose a recess, as indicated by line  64 . Such adjusted overlap enables the closure of the wall to take place forming a strong attachment of the two flank regions of the wall. One or more joiner strips may be applied over an overlap region. To facilitate quick and convenient installment of such a gabion, screws, rivets, butterfly fasteners and the like can be used. 
         [0014]    Example 4 shows, in  FIG. 5 , how a circular gabion embodiment is formed into a two lobed formation  82 , made out of one or two corrugated sheets. One or more joiner strips  26  are used to join the two flanks of the corrugated sheet or two adjacent flanks of two different sheets together. In this configuration the joining strips also can be used to constrict the formation in the middle, to form a narrow neck, allowing some passage of material between the two lobes  84 . 
       Gabion Super-Configurations 
       [0015]    As in the prior art (such as WO 2011/012879 and EP 2317013 B1), gabions can be made to form super configurations, such that a plurality of gabions are arranged in a formation. This also relates to gabions manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Such arrangements, for example two or multistoried walls, horizontal structures and a combination thereof, can be employed effectively for a variety of reasons. For example, to block away rising water in the banks of a flooded river or sea, the gabion will need to be laid one next to the other without gaps, in one or more tiers. For blocking road traffic from reaching a certain place in which construction work is taking place, continuity of gabions is of less importance. To dwell on the issue of filling the distance between adjacent gabions, when they are noncontiguous, or to fill a gap in a row of gabions, other impediments to movement between the gabions can be applied. For example one or more chains can be attached at each end to a respective gabion, or a fence, or metal bars likewise. In general, the gabions, once being filled with sand, gravel, earth, cement or any suitable powder, pellets, aggregate, can be used as a basis for an additional layer set on top of the lower layer. Once the top layer is set up in place the individual gabions can be filled up, etc. 
       Gabion Wall Material 
       [0016]    Corrugated steel in the form of sheets are the preferred material for gabions of the invention, especially if years of service may be anticipated at the time of deployment. Corrugated steel may galvanized to withstand chemical attack, is completely immune to solar radiation and intrinsically sturdy mechanically. Corrugated plastic sheets are also available, but may be weaker and would suffer from solar radiation if used outside, especially in non-shaded sites. For the purpose of the present invention, the corrugated plastic sheet is required to have a certain flexibility so that it can be folded to a circular shape, typically along the pleats. In rectangular embodiments, the corrugated sheets need not be flexible. Corrugated cardboard can also be used for building gabions in accordance with the present invention, but they are likely to weather quickly because of the effect of rain, mist and fog, winds and such have on the longevity of the cardboard. In such gabions as there is more than one corrugated sheet, it may be possible to use sheets of different make up.