EP0170597B1 - Cornice for bridges - Google Patents

Description

• - le poids et le coût élevés ainsi que la mise en oeuvre difficile pour les éléments de corniche en béton;
• - le coût et les problèmes d'alignement et de pose des éléments de corniches en métal tel qu'acier ou aluminium, ainsi que, pour ces différents types de corniches, l'absence de possibilité de réglage altimétrique et planimétrique en cas de fléchissement ou désalignement ultérieur des éléments de corniches les uns par rapport aux autres.

The present invention relates to a cornice for a structure, such as a bridge, viaduct, walkway, retaining wall, etc. of the type formed from elements of cornices fixed end to end on the edge of the structure (see FR-A-2 146 634). This invention aims to eliminate the drawbacks presented by already known cornices, namely:

• - the high weight and cost as well as the difficult implementation for the concrete cornice elements;
• the cost and the problems of alignment and installation of the elements of metal cornices such as steel or aluminum, as well as, for these different types of cornices, the absence of possibility of altimetric and planimetric adjustment in the event of deflection or subsequent misalignment of the cornice elements with respect to each other.

This object is achieved in that, in the cornice according to the invention which is of the aforementioned type, each cornice element is formed in combination, on the one hand, by at least two consoles having substantially the same shape as the cornice and capable to be fixed at regular intervals to the edge of the structure at anchor points accessible from the walkable part of the structure and, on the other hand, by a sheet element, of length at least equal to the distance between two consoles, stretched on these consoles means being provided, on the one hand, to allow the attachment of the sheet element on each console and, on the other hand, to tension the sheet element on each console.

As the anchor points of the consoles are accessible from the walkable part of the structure, it is very easy to fix them on the structure, without having to resort to nacelles or cranes and then fix the sheet elements of the cornice on the consoles.

Similarly, when a cornice element is damaged, it is easy to replace only the sheet element covering the consoles or, as the case may be, one or more consoles.

Advantageously, each console has a “standard” anchoring part, a part which conforms substantially to the profile of the edge of the structure and a part which conforms substantially to the shape of the cornice.

The anchoring part is therefore common to all types of consoles, which makes it possible to lower the manufacturing costs of these.

The sheet elements are preferably polyester, or galvanized steel or prepainted aluminum; they are advantageously preformed to the final shape of the console.

Advantageously also, means are provided to allow the planimetric and altimetric adjustment of each console element, that is to say both in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane.

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un ensemble corniche caniveau en bordure d'ouvrage d'art;
• Figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une corniche selon l'invention;
• Figure 3 est à échelle agrandie, une vue de détail de figure 2 montrant le dispositif de tension;
• Figure 4 est une vue similaire à figure 3 montrant le détail de l'ancrage d'une console;
• Figure 5 est une vue similaire à figure 2d'une corniche selon une autre forme de réalisation;
• Figure 6 est, à échelle agrandie, une vue de détail de figure 5, montrant le dispositif de tension;
• Figure 7 est une vue similaire à figure 2 et figure 5 d'une autre forme de réalisation de corniche;
• Figure 8 est une vue similaire aux figures 2, 5 et 7 d'une autre forme de réalisation de la corniche avant mise en tension de l'élément en feuille;
• Figure 9 est une vue similaire à figure 8 après mise en tension de l'élément en feuille;
• Figure 10 est une vue en coupe selon X-X de fig. 9.

In any case, the invention will be well understood and other characteristics will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing by way of nonlimiting examples several forms of execution of this cornice:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a channel cornice assembly at the edge of a work of art;
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cornice according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is on an enlarged scale, a detail view of Figure 2 showing the tensioning device;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the detail of the anchoring of a console;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2d'une cornice according to another embodiment;
• Figure 6 is, on an enlarged scale, a detail view of Figure 5, showing the tensioning device;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 and Figure 5 of another embodiment of the cornice;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figures 2, 5 and 7 of another embodiment of the cornice before tensioning the sheet member;
• Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 after tensioning of the sheet member;
• Figure 10 is a sectional view along XX of FIG. 9.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cornice 1 formed of elements placed at the edge of the roadway 3 of a civil engineering structure 2. A gutter covered with a grating 5 ensures the evacuation of the water. A barrier 6 is mounted on the edge of the structure before the cornice 1 and serves as a safety barrier, the cornice 1 also has a flange 4 forming a retainer or footrest.

Figures 2 to 4 show a first embodiment of a cornice 7 according to the invention, this being placed on the edge of the deck 11 of a bridge. As shown in fig. 2, each cornice element is essentially formed by a sheet element 8 stretched over at least two consoles 9.

Each console 9 is anchored on the vertical edge 10 of the apron 11 of the point, in two T-shaped grooves, each groove being able to be constituted for example by a C-shaped profiled rail (12) put in place on the reinforcement before casting of the concrete of the deck 11, extending over a certain length (of the order of a few tens of centimeters), as shown in FIG. 4. These grooves 12 are easily accessible from the upper part of the deck 11 of the bridge.

Each console 9 comprises a vertical part 13 of small width, placed at the edge of the structure and a part 14 conforming to the shape of the cornice. A stiffener 15 is fixed between the two parts 13, 14 of the console and serves to maintain its shape at the console when the sheet element 8 is energized.

The vertical part 13 of the console is formed for example by a “standard” anchoring part 16 on which is fixed a part of variable shape and which can be adapted to the profile of the bridge deck, in this case (cf. fig. 2 ) this part of variable shape is formed by a vertical U-shaped profile 17.

The anchoring part 16 is constituted by a U-shaped profile provided with two longitudinal slots 18 (see fig. 4). The anchoring of this part 16 in each groove 12 is carried out using a screw 19 and three nuts 20, 21, 22, the screw being housed by its head inside the groove 12.

The nut 20 makes it possible to fix the screw 19 inside the groove 12 by tightening the head of the latter against the edges of the profile constituting this groove. Because each groove 12 extends over a certain length of the edge 10 of the structure, the console can be placed anywhere along the profile forming the groove 12.

The two nuts 21, 22 make it possible to fix the anchoring part 16 on the screw 19 at a variable distance from the edge 10 of the structure. Each console 9 can therefore be adjusted in a horizontal plane (planimetric adjustment) by moving the screw 191e along the horizontal groove 12 from the edge of the structure and / or by moving the console 9 on this screw 19 itself to the using nuts 21, 22. The longitudinal slots 18 also allow the height of the position of the anchoring part 16 to be adjusted relative to the groove 12.

A three-dimensional (altimetric and planimetric) adjustment of the position of the anchoring part 16 of each console and consequently of this console itself, relative to the edge 10 of the structure is therefore possible.

At the upper part of the anchoring part 16 of the console is fixed a tensioning device 24 with horizontal adjustment.

This tensioning device 24 is formed of two sheet metal plates 25, 26 each having a vertical face, respectively 27, 28 pierced with a hole for the passage of an adjustment screw 31 provided with a nut 32.

The sheet metal plate 25 is folded back so as to form an almost closed rectangular frame. It is welded by its horizontal face adjacent to its vertical face 27 on the upper part of the console part 16 and its other horizontal face serves as a support for the other console part 14 which is welded to it.

The sheet metal plate 26 has two horizontal wings 29, 30 extending on either side of its vertical face 28.

By tightening the screw 31, the sheet metal plate 26 is advanced or distant from the vertical face 27 of the sheet metal plate 25.

The console part 14 has at its lower end, at the level of the lower end of the console part 17, a flange 23 for the attachment of the sheet element 8.

The different parts of each console 9 are preferably made of galvanized steel, but they can obviously be made of a completely different material. They can be molded or be formed by profiles.

As all the brackets 9 are fixed at a certain distance from the edge 10 of the structure, this distance being of course adjustable, they are subjected to a continuous stream of air drying out any condensations and the risks of corrosion of these are , therefore, greatly reduced.

Preferably, the brackets are spaced between 6 to 8 cm from the concrete wall of the deck, to ensure good ventilation. This distance can be increased to allow, for example, the passage of a water drainage chute.

Each sheet element 8 is preferably made of laminated polyester reinforced with glass fabrics and dyed in the mass, this material being particularly advantageous since it is rot-proof, stable, incorrodible and light. It can also be formed by a thin sheet of galvanized steel or prepainted aluminum, or any other material, thin and light, stainless in the mass or having benefited from special treatments giving it great resistance to corrosion, but impossible to be produced under the same conditions on very thick materials, or even with a long extruded tape whose width corresponds to the external development of the consoles and which covers several consoles, which makes it possible to reduce the number of visible joints.

Preferably, these sheet elements 8 are preformed according to the final shape of the cornice.

Each sheet element 8 has a length at least equal to the distance between two adjacent consoles 9, increased by the width of a console. Thus each end of a sheet element bears on half of the exterior surface of a console, which ensures perfect exterior alignment of the various cornice elements without any vacuum effect between two adjacent elements, even if these are not not perfectly contiguous, due to the presence of a console under the two sheet elements 8 at their junction.

Each sheet element 8 has at each of its ends, high and low, a return at right angles respectively 33, 34 extending over its entire length. The returns 33, 34 have, in addition, an external projection 35, oriented downwards, serving to prevent the rising of the water by causing the formation of drops of water.

The consoles 9 being placed on the edge 10 of the structure, and adjusted to the appropriate position, the sheet elements 8 are hooked by their return 34 to the lower part 29 of these consoles 9 and by their return 33 to the horizontal wing 30 of the plate 26 of the tensioning device 24, this plate 26 being as far as possible from the vertical face 27 of the plate 25. By screwing the screw 31, the plate 26 is brought closer to the plate 25 by driving with it the sheet element 8 by its return 33, which causes the tension of this element 8 on the console 9 and forces it to conform to the shape thereof.

An insert 36 of the same shape as the returns 33, 34 is preferably housed inside these. This insert 36, which is preferably metallic, serves to stiffen the returns 33, 34 and to allow tensioning without risk of breakage at the level of the sheet element.

The mounting of the cornice according to the invention is therefore very easy to produce due to the lightness of the elements constituting it and in particular of the sheet element 8, and it can also be produced from the upper face and flowable from the structure because the grooves are accessible from this face as are the tensioning devices 24. Finally, it is possible to obtain perfect alignment of the cornice elements due to the possibility of three-dimensional adjustment of the consoles 9.

The cornice 7 obtained has a smooth and rigid wall, free from any visible bolts or screws and offering no risk of vibration.

It should also be noted that this cornice 7 can be installed after complete completion of the work of all trades, including sealing work and that it therefore does not risk being soiled by defilements or splashes. This cornice fulfills, moreover, a real role of finishing and embellishment since it can have any shape or any shade.

When the sheet elements are formed by extruded ribbons, these preferably have, on the inside, profiled grooves by means of which they can be fixed to the brackets.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cornice 37 similar to that of FIGS. 2 to 4, but having a shape with double concavity instead of a convex shape for the cornice 7.

In this case, each console 39 also has a vertical part 13 with an anchoring part 16, similar to those of the console 9 previously described, as well as a part 44 matching the shape of the cornice 37 and a device for horizontal tension 45 similar to tension device 24.

This time the sheet element of the cornice 37 is in two parts 46, 47, which can be of different shapes and colors.

Each part 46, 47 has at its upper and lower end respectively a return 48, 49 similar to the returns 33, 34 of the sheet element. A return is also formed at the other respectively lower 50 and upper 51 ends of these parts 46, 47 of the sheet element.

Each sheet element part 46, 47 has internally groove profiles 52 by means of which these sheet elements 46, 47 can be fixed, using screws and nuts 53, to the corresponding console part 44.

The mounting of the cornice is carried out in substantially the same way as above.

After the consoles 39 have been put in place, the sheet element part 47 is hooked by its return 49 to the console part 44 and is then fixed and stretched thereon by means of screws and nuts 53 and grooves 52.

The sheet element part 46 is then put in place, its return 50 overlapping that 51 of the other part, is fixed by means of screws and nuts 53 and grooves 52 on the console part 44, and stretched to the using the tensioning device 45.

Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a cornice 57 for receiving and covering a chute 58 for discharging water.

The edge 60 of the structure in this case has an overhang 61 at its upper part in which the grooves 12 for anchoring the cornice 57 are formed.

As before, each cornice element is formed by a sheet element 62 stretched over two or more consoles 63 and each console 63 has a part that matches the shape of the edge of the structure, and in this case formed3 by a part anchor 16 and by a part 64 extending back from the previous one and along the lower edge of the structure, and a part 65 conforming to the shape of the cornice, and is anchored on the edge of the structure in the same way as described above with the possibility of altimetric and planimetric adjustment. A stiffener 66 is also provided between the two parts 16 and 65 of the console.

The portion 64 of the console is formed by a vertical column on which a chute support 67 is slidably mounted.

The chute 58 is, for example, polyester or any other rot-proof material. It is formed by elements of determined length placed and fixed on the supports 67, each chute element fitting into the previous one to ensure the flow of water. The trough supports 67 are adjusted in height, by sliding on the columns 64 so as to provide the slope necessary for the proper evacuation of the water.

The sheet element 62 is, as previously, fixed at its lower part to the end of the console and is then stretched over it using a vertical tensioning device 68.

This tensioning device 68 is shown in more detail in FIG. 6.

It is formed by an inner rim 69 of the console part 65 and by a plate 70 extending parallel to this rim 69 below the latter.

The rim 69 and the plate 70 are both pierced with a hole. Two nuts 76 are fixed on either side of the plate 70 coaxially with its hole.

A screw 7 is adapted to be screwed into the two nuts 76 and to exert a tension on the sheet element 62, the latter being provided as before with an insert 72 similar to the inserts 36. The hole in the plate 69 serves to guide the screw 71 during its screwing.

Once the installation of the cornice 57 is complete, a grating 73 is placed on a horizontal support 74 provided for this purpose at the upper part of each console 63.

The upper edge of the cornice can be provided with a projection extending well above the top of the structure, as shown in phantom at 75 in FIG. 5. This projection 75 forms a foot guard or a stopper preventing objects from falling at the bottom of the structure.

Similarly, the consoles may have an upward extension, as shown in phantom at 76 in FIG. 5, for attaching a security barrier or a railing.

Figures 8 to 10 show yet another embodiment of the cornice according to the invention, having an angular profile with several projections, and in which each cornice element 107 is formed of sheet elements 108 stretched on associated consoles 109 .

In this case, each console 109 is anchored to the vertical edge 10 of the deck 11 of the bridge, using reinforcements 110, provided with a threaded end, and nuts 111, one or more shims 112 that can be interposed between the edge 10 of the apron and the console 109 to modify the distance between the console 109 and the edge of the apron 11.

Of course, as before, each console 109 could also be anchored to the deck of the structure using a C-shaped rail embedded in it.

Each console 109 includes an anchoring part 116 and a part 114 matching the shape of the cornice.

The anchoring part 116 is, in this case, formed by a vertical U-shaped profile.

In a wing 117 of this U-shaped section are formed (as in the previous examples) two vertical slots (not shown in the drawing) in which the threaded ends of the reinforcements 110 can engage in order to anchor this part console on the edge 10 of the structure, while allowing a certain vertical clearance.

A return 123 is formed at each upper and lower end of each anchoring part 116 to allow the attachment of the sheet elements 108, these having, a return 133 at each of their upper and lower ends capable of engaging with the return 123 associated with the anchoring part 116.

The part 114 of each console 109 is also formed by a vertical U-shaped profile 119 on which are welded metal profiles 120 giving it the desired profile, in this case a very angular profile with two projections.

The two U-shaped profiles 116, 119 of the two parts respectively 116, 114 are connected together by their contiguous wings respectively 118, 121 by means of two threaded rods 125, passed through holes made in these wings 118, 121, each profile 116, 119 being locked on each threaded rod 125 by means of a set of nut-tale-nut respectively 126, 127. By acting on the nuts 126, 127 it is therefore possible to bring the two parts closer or further apart 116, 114 of each console.

The assembly of this cornice is also very simple. The brackets 109 are first put in place, their parts 114 and 116 being brought together as much as possible. Then each sheet element is hooked by its returns 133 on the console parts 123 as shown in FIG. 8.

It then suffices to move aside the console part 114 from the console part 116, in the direction of the arrows 130, by acting as appropriate on the nuts 126 or on the nuts 127, until the console part 114 come and stretch the sheet element 108, to perfect the attachment of the latter to the brackets 109, while retaining the desired shape.

In this way, the sheet elements 108 are stretched on the brackets 109 not by a traction exerted on one of their ends as in the case of the preceding examples, but by a pressure exerted uniformly over their entire length (in cross section) at using a part 109 matching their shape, which allows any angular profile to be produced.

As it goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments shown here by way of nonlimiting examples, but embraces, on the contrary, all the embodiments using similar or equivalent means. Thus, for example, the consoles can have a completely different shape than those represented here, be in several elements or in several colors.

Claims (13)

1. A cornice for an architectural structure such as a bridge, viaduct, supporting wall, etc. of the type formed by cornice units fixed end-to-end along the edge of the structure, characterized in that each cornice unit (7, 37, 57, 107) is formed in combination of firstly at least two frameworks (9, 39, 63, 109) having approximately the same shape as the cornice and suitable to be fixed at regular intervals along the edge (10, 60) of the structure into anchorage points (12) that are accessible from the roadway portion of the structure, and secondly a sheet unit (8, 46, 47, 62, 108) of length at least equal to the distance between two frameworks (9, 39, 63, 109) drawn tightly over these frameworks, means being provided firstly to enable the sheet unit (8, 46, 47, 62, 108) to be hooked-on to each framework (9, 39, 63, 109) and secondly to draw the sheet unit tightly over each framework.

2. A cornice according to claim 1, characterized in that each framework (9, 39, 63, 109) offers a «standard» anchorage component, a component (17, 64) approximately corresponding to the profile of the edge (10) of the structure and a component (14, 65, 114) that approximately corresponds to the shape of the cornice.

3. A cornice according to claim 2, characterized in that each anchorage component (16, 116) of the framework is formed by a vertical profile provided with at least one longitudinal slot (18) extending in the vertical direction, and that at least one horizontal groove (12) is provided along the edge (10) of the structure, each groove (12) being suitable to receive the head of a bolt (19) passing through the longitudinal slot (18) of the anchorage component, and in that nuts (20, 21, 22) are provided in order to fix the bolt (19) in the groove (12) at the edge of the structure and to fix the anchorage component (16) of the framework on to this bolt (19).

4. A cornice according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each unit (8, 46, 47, 62, 108) possesses a return (33, 34; 48, 49; 133) at at least one of its upper and lower extremities, extending along the full length of the unit and suitable to hook it on the upper and lower extremities of each framework (9, 39, 63, 109).

5. A cornice according to claim 4, characterized in that an insert (36, 72) is mounted in the interior of the returns (33, 34; 48, 49) of each sheet unit.

6. A cornice according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that to submit each unit (8, 46, 47, 62) to tension a bolt (31,71) is provided at the upper end of each framework (9, 39, 63), which by screwing down is capable of acting on the return (33, 48) of the upper extremity of each sheet unit (8, 46, 62) so as to stretch the latter over the framework.

7. A cornice for an architectural structure according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the frameworks (109) over which the sheet units (108) are stretched possesses an anchorage component (116) suitable to be fixed to the edge (10) of the structure, and a component (114) that approximately matches the shape of the cornice, and in that means (125, 126, 127) are provided to move this profiled component (114) further away from, or bring it close to, the anchorage component (116).

8. A cornice for an architectural structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the two components (116, 114) of each framework (109) are connected together by means of at least one threaded rod on which each of these components if fixed by means of a system of adjusting nuts (126, 127) respectively.

9. A cornice according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the anchoring component (116) of each framework (109) and the edge (10) of the structure is controllable by means of distance pieces (112).

10. A cornice according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that when the cornice possesses a concave portion (46, 47) or the sheet unit is formed by an extruded strip, the fixation of this sheet unit (46, 47) to each framework (39) is obtained by means of at least one groove (52) running on the internal face of this unit and suitable to receive the head of a bolt (53) fitting it to the framework (39) by means of a nut.

11. A cornice according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each sheet unit (8, 46, 62, 108) is of laminated polyester reinforced with glass matting and bulk coloured.

12. A cornice according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each sheet unit (8, 46, 47, 62, 108) is formed from a thin sheet of galvanized steel or pre-painted aluminium.

13. A cornice according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sheet unit (8, 46, 47, 62, 108) is pre-formed to the final shape of the cornice.

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