Foundation for greenhouses and the like
The invention relates to a foundation system for greenhouses, sheds and huts, comprising foundation piles and side panels made of concrete, which side panels can be mounted to the concrete piles.
Foundation systems of this type are frequently used. Usually, holes are dug on places where foundation piles are to be placed and a certain amount of fresh concrete is poured into the holes, after which the foundation piles are placed. When the concrete is set, the side panels are mounted to the foundation piles, usually screwed.
The disadvantage of the known systems is that the foundation piles and the side panels are so heavy that it is irresponsible to transport or to mount them manually. This disadvantage has become even more important since labour legislation forbids the manual handling of objects having more than a given weight.
The present invention substantially obviates this disadvantage and is characterised in that the foundation piles and the side panels are made of a polyester resin concrete. Polyester resin concrete is practically as heavy as traditional concrete, but it is much stronger, as a result of which the foundation piles and the side panels can be realised much more slender and with more details. In this way, the weight can be substantially reduced, which in turn makes it very well possible to manually place the inventive foundation.
An additional advantage is that polyester resin concrete cannot decay, which means that it has a substantially unlimited life span. Moreover, it is possible to add a
colour to the polyester resin concrete during production, which makes the product visually attractive without demanding periodical maintenance.
Another additional advantage is that polyester resin concrete cures very fast, for example within fifteen minutes, thanks to which an enormous production can be realised with only a few moulds. This in turn makes it possible to utilise relatively expensive and refined moulds, with which for example the length or another dimension of the foundation piles and the side panels can be chosen dependent upon a particular application.
A favourable embodiment according to another aspect of the invention uses even more exhaustive the superior properties of the used polyester resin concrete as compared to traditional concrete and is characterised in that the foundation piles each comprise a cavity, extending into a longitudinal direction. A slender and hollow foundation pile of this kind weights typically 35-40% of a traditionally made foundation pile. Preferably, the cavity is conical shaped, such that a core for making the cavity can be easily removed.
Another favourable embodiment of the inventive system, which also utilises the superior quality of polyester resin concrete, is characterised in that the side panels each comprise a cavity, extending into a longitudinal direction, which again reduces the necessary amount of material without leading to a loss in quality.
A favourable embodiment according to a further aspect of the invention s characterised in that the foundation piles are provided with integrated hook-shaped projections, made of polyester resin concrete and that the side panels are
provided with integrated ribs made of polyester resin concrete, which operationally extend in a substantially horizontal direction and which are shaped for mating with the hook-shaped projections.
Another favourable embodiment is characterised in that the foundation piles are provided with exactly two hook-shaped projections.
Another favourable embodiment is characterised in that a hook-shaped projection, which is operationally positioned below the other hook-shaped projection, is made more robust than this other hook-shaped projection. In this case, the lowest hook-shaped projection is preferably made such that it at least substantially carries the weight of the side panel, while the other hook-shaped projection prevents the side panel from turning away.
Another favourable embodiment is characterised in that a first extremity of a foundation pile, which is operationally positioned on top, is provided with a stud. These studs may simply be placed in the polyester resin during production of the poles and they form good and simple anchoring means for walls, glass walls or roof constructions that are to be mounted onto the foundation system.
Another favourable embodiment comprises means for securing a side panel, hanging on a foundation pile and is characterised in that a foundation pile is provided with a bush, embedded in the polyester resin 'concrete, provided with an internal thread and located near an operationally lowest positioned hook-shaped projection. To this bush, a simple hook-shaped clamp can be mounted, which prevents the side panel from moving upwards.
The invention also relates to a foundation pile as described as part of the inventive foundation system.
The invention also relates to a side panel as described as part of the inventive foundation system.
The invention will now be further explained with a reference to the following figures, in which;
Fig. 1A represents a possible embodiment of a foundation pile in front view; Fig. IB represents this embodiment of a foundation pile in side view; Fig. 1C represents this embodiment of a foundation pile in top view;
Fig. 2 represents a possible embodiment of a side panel in cross section; Fig. 3 represents a foundation pile with a side panel connected to it in side view.
Fig. 1A represents a possible embodiment of a foundation pile in front view 1, which is made of polyester resin concrete and which has a hollow core, represented by dotted lines. In this embodiment the foundation pile 1 has a length of 1,2 and a width of 0,14 m but if desired, the length and the width may be chosen otherwise, dependent upon the application. Near the top, the foundation pile 1 is provided with a first hook-shaped projection 2 and about 0,45 m below the top, foundation pile 1 is provided with a second hook-shaped projection 3, which hook-shaped projections are integral parts of the 'actual pile and are also made of polyester resin concrete. On top, foundation pile 1 is closed and in the polyester resin concrete a stud 4 is inserted, to which a superstructure, placed on top of the foundation, can be fixed. Moreover, in foundation pile
1 a bush 5 is anchored, provided with an internal thread, just above second hook-shaped projection 3.
Fig. IB represents this embodiment of a foundation pile in side view, with first hook-shaped projection 2, second hook-shaped projection 3, stud 4 and bush 5. Operationally, the foundation piles 1 are placed in a row in holes in the ground, in which holes fresh concrete is poured previously. Moreover, the foundation piles are placed such that all hook-shaped projections point to one side, into a direction perpendicular to a direction of the row. To the hook-shaped projections side panels can be hung, after which the foundation is in fact ready.
Fig. IC represents this embodiment of a foundation pile in top view, with first hook-shaped projection 2 and stud 4.
Fig. 2 represents a possible embodiment of a side panel 6 in cross section, which side panel has in this embodiment a height of 0,45 m and a length of 2,0 m. Dependent upon the application, the length may be chosen otherwise if desired, up to a length of for example 2,5 , without the weight becoming too high. Side panel 6 is provided with a first rib 7 and a second rib 8, which ribs extend over substantially the entire length of side panel 6 and which are shaped such as to match the de hook-shaped projections 2,3 of the foundation piles. In this way, the side panels can easily be hung to the foundation piles, independent of the distance between the foundation piles and without using means of attachment. Moreover, the ends of the side panels 6 are provided with vertically extending recesses, as such well known in the art, into which finally a profiled joint can be placed. In order to keep the weight of side panel 6 as low as possible, a longitudinally extending recessed section is
provided, into which lagging material 9 can be placed if desired. Also the hollow cores of in foundation piles 1 may be filled with lagging material if desired.
Fig. 3 represents in side view a foundation pile 1 with first hook-shaped projection 2 and second hook-shaped projection 3 , onto which a side panel 6 is hung with the aid of first rib 1 and second rib 8. In order to prevent side panel 6 from being removed, a hook-shaped clamp 10 made of metal is screwed onto bush 5 with a bolt. On top of the foundation system a construction, not shown here, can be placed and fixed with the aid of studs 4. As second hook-shaped projection 3 carries at least substantially the entire weight of side panel 6, it is preferably made more robust than the first hook-shaped projection 2 .
The production of a foundation pile and of a side panel takes place, as usual in the art, in a split mould, which is preferably placed onto vibrating table during filling. Into the mould a mixture of sand, gravel and freshly mixed polyester resin is poured. The mould for the foundation pole is preferably positioned horizontally, with a filling opening above second hook-shaped projection 3. Before the mould is filled the stud 4 and bush 5 are placed, just as a core for obtaining the cavity. For centring the core, one may advantageously make use of stud 4, which may protrude into a centrally located hole in the core. The length of the mould can be selected by adjusting the position of an end plate of the mould, for selecting a length of the foundation pile to be produced. During the curing of the mixture, the temperature is measured and as soon as it starts to rise, the core is carefully pulled out and the split mould is opened. For side panel 6 also a split mould, placed onto a vibrating table is filled. For selecting a length, an end plate in the mould can be adjusted. After
removing the mould, a plate 9 of a lagging material, for example polyurethane foam, can be placed into the recessed section made for that purpose.