EP1447496A2

EP1447496A2 - Reusable modular formwork and respective closing key for making columns with different sections

Info

Publication number: EP1447496A2
Application number: EP04002408A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Loris Pegoraro; Mirko Pegoraro
Original assignee: Geoplast SpA
Current assignee: Geoplast SpA
Priority date: 2003-02-13
Filing date: 2004-02-04
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-04
Also published as: EP1447496B1; EP1447496A3; SI1447496T1; ES2627554T3

Abstract

Reusable modular formwork for making columns and comprising a linear element (M), shaped as part of the perimeter of a column, made of plastic material and comprising at least one internal wall, smooth as the bottom of the formwork, not flat on the outside, with edge ribs (Mo) and intermediate ribs (Mn), and wherein the edges of the walls present coupling surfaces (Me) with corresponding modular formworks (M), so as to make up a section or closed portion of formwork.

The closing key (C) for said modular formworks (M) comprises a cylindrical body (C1) with at one end a handgrip (C2) perpendicular to said body (C1) and at the opposite end two or more radial ridges (C3), and wherein the diameter of said cylindrical body (C1) is equal to the diameter of the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formwork (M) and its length is greater than the thickness of two edge ribs (Mo), and wherein said radial ridges (C3) have preferably the form of a ring-shaped segment such as to pass through the grooves (Mf1) of the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formwork (M).

Description

The present patent concerns building construction equipment and in particular it concerns a new formwork for columns with a circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal and any other section.
Pre-shaped circular formworks in cement/concrete or in cardboard are currently used for making columns with a circular section.
Circular cement/concrete formworks are generally made of a cement or concrete tube with a suitable diameter, installed vertically, into which the reinforcement is inserted and the concrete is cast. The cement or concrete tube thus forms the outermost part of the finished column.
These circular concrete formworks present some drawbacks.
Only some diameters of concrete tube are available on the market, and so one is forced to make columns only with those diameters.
Concrete tubes are very heavy and thick, and their installation requires the use of cranes or of lifting machines.
Concrete tubes may crack or even break, both in transport and during installation.
Concrete tubes are very thick and this limits the positioning of the column reinforcement and forces users to make columns with a diameter larger than necessary.
Since the concrete tube forms the outermost part of the column, it requires subsequent surface finishing.
Cardboard circular formworks are composed of a cardboard tube with limited thickness, treated internally with detaching substances or varnishes, so as to prevent the concrete from sticking to the tube itself.
The cardboard tube is installed vertically, then the column reinforcement is positioned inside it and the concrete is cast.
These circular cardboard formworks present some drawbacks.
The cardboard tube has low structural rigidity, as a result the formwork made of cardboard tube must be stabilised with an external structure.
To remove the cardboard formwork, it is necessary to break it, with consequent waste of time.
At present, to make columns with square or rectangular section pre-shaped formworks in plate or wood are used.
These plate formworks are very heavy and thick and their installation requires the use of cranes or lifting machines or several workers.
Periodic maintenance against rust is required and, because of their weight, they are a constant risk for workers. They may also deteriorate, with risk of injury, aggravated by the presence of rust.
On account of their weight, moreover, they cannot have very large dimensions and their usable surface is therefore limited.
Reusable modular formworks are known, made of plastic material, for making concrete or reinforced concrete structures.
These elements are composed of flat walls, with various dimensions, which can be fitted together at right angles and are suitable mainly for making concrete structures with flat surfaces.
To make a square or rectangular column, at least four elements must be positioned and joined together, at right angles, with problems of alignment and perpendicularity.
To overcome the above inconvenient aspects, a new reusable modular plastic formwork has been designed and implemented, as well as the respective closing key, for making columns or pillars.
The aim of the new reusable modular formwork, and of the respective closing key, is to carry out reinforcements or formworks with a circular, square, rectangular, or any other section, which may be easily assembled and dismantled to adapt them to the various static and dimensional requirements.
Another aim of the new reusable modular formwork is to be light and stable, that is, with no need of further external support structures.
Another aim of the new reusable modular formwork is to be able to be used for various sizes of pillars with circular, elliptical, square or rectangular section, with simple applications of reduction inserts.
Another aim of the new reusable modular formwork is to allow rapid dismantling and storage of the reinforcement.
These and other direct and complementary aims are achieved through the implementation of the new reusable modular formwork for making columns with the respective closing key, comprising modular panels and one or more closing keys.
In the case of a circular column, said panel is semicircular and it is made of plastic, it has a smooth concave internal side and presents on the convex external side various stiffening ribs, both along its perimeter and equidistantly spaced on its wall.
On the perimeter ribbing there are holes for inserting and tightening the closing keys and possible seats, for example hollows, slots or holes, for passing straps.
Two or more modular formworks are coupled to form a circular portion, or a round angle, of reinforcement and they are fastened together by means of the closing keys inserted and turned in the aligned holes of said two coupled modular formworks. Several portions of reinforcement are stacked to obtain the reinforcement of the necessary height and fastened together by means of said closing keys.
Suitable inclined surfaces present on the ribbing of the modular formwork, in correspondence with the holes and/or on the radial ridges of the closing keys, prevent the involuntary rotation of the closing keys and the separation of the various modular formworks, allowing the formworks to be fixed together.
In the case of square columns, said L- or U-shaped panel or modular formwork, made of plastic, has the internal sides made of smooth walls as the bottom of the formwork and, on the external side, it presents various stiffening ribs, preferably equidistant, both along its perimeter and on the wall.
On the perimeter ribbing there are holes for inserting and tightening the closing keys and/or possible seats, for example hollows, slots or holes, for passing closing straps.
The closing keys are composed of a cylindrical body having at one end a handgrip, preferably at a right angle to said body, and at the opposite end two or more radial ridges, and they are preferably placed at regular intervals.
Two modular formworks are coupled in opposite positions to form a square or rectangular portion of reinforcement and they are fastened together by means of strapping, or preferably with the closing keys, inserted and turned in the aligned holes of said coupled modular formworks. Several portions of reinforcement are stacked to obtain the reinforcement of the necessary height and fastened together by means of said closing keys. Alternatively, two full-height composite half shells are tightened together, after being coupled around the reinforcing rods of the pillar.
Suitable inclined surfaces present on the ribbing of the modular formwork, in correspondence with the holes and/or on the radial ridges of the closing keys, prevent the involuntary rotation of the closing keys and the separation of the various modular formworks, allowing the formworks to be fixed together.
There may also be flat or arched, or L- or U-shaped inserts to be introduced in the formwork to make square or rectangular pillars, with smaller dimensions, or circular pillars.
The characteristics of the new reusable modular formwork, of the respective closing key and of the inserts for making the reinforcements for square, rectangular or circular columns, will be better explained by the following description with reference to the drawings, enclosed purely as an example without limitation.
Figures 1, 2, 3 illustrate respectively two orthogonal views and an axonometric view of a modular formwork (M) for making circular columns.
The modular formwork (M) comprises a semicircular panel, made of plastic material, equipped on the convex external side (M2) with various stiffening ribs (Mn, Mo).
Said ribs (Mn, Mo) are evenly distributed all over the surface of the convex side (M2) of the modular formwork (M).
In particular, some ribs (Mo), later called edge ribs (Mo), are placed along the perimeter of the panel of the modular formwork (M) and have greater thickness and length.
These edge ribs (Mo) constitute a coupling surface with further modular formworks (M) coupled to make the circular shape, and others coupled in alignment and continuation.
On said edge ribs (Mo) there are two series of four holes (Mf), preferably having a circular shape with two or more grooves (Mf1) in diametrically opposite positions.
These holes (Mf) are set along the edge ribs (Mo) in such a way that, when the various modular formworks (M) are coupled or aligned, said holes (Mf) are perfectly aligned and regularly spaced.
The surface of the concave internal side (M1) of the new modular formwork is smooth and is preferably treated in such a way as to prevent the adhesion of concrete.
When two modular formworks (M) are coupled together, a length of tube and reinforcement is made, having the internal diameter equal to the bending diameter of the surface of the concave side (M1) of each modular formwork and having length equal to the height of each modular formwork (M).
Coupling together in sequence various modular formworks (M), coupled as a tube, a complete reinforcement is obtained with the desired internal diameter and with a height that is the multiple of the height of each individual modular formwork (M).
The various modular formworks (M) may be joined with cones, pins, wedges, pegs, straps or, preferably, with closing keys (C) as can be seen in figure 6.
Figures 4 and 5 show a side view and an axonometric view, respectively, of a closing key (C).
The closing key (C) is composed of a cylindrical body (C1) with, at one end, a handgrip (C2) and at the opposite end two or more radial ridges (C3).
The body (C1) of the closing key (C) has a generically cylindrical shape, with diameter equal to the diameter of the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formwork (M) and length greater than the thickness of two edge ribs (Mo). In particular said body (C1) has an end portion (C11), close to the handgrip (C2), with diameter greater than the rest of the body (C1).
At one end of the body (C1) is the handgrip (C2), that is, a portion at a right angle to the body (C1) which may also have ridges (C21) to ensure a good grip. At the opposite end of the body (C1) there are two or more radial ridges (C3), diametrically opposite and preferably having the form of a ring-shaped segment. These radial ridges (C3) have length and width such as to pass through the grooves (Mf1) of the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formwork (M) when the closing key (C) is inserted in said holes (Mf).
The stable union of the various coupled modular formworks (M) is accomplished by inserting said closing key (C) in the holes (Mf) in the coupled edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formworks (M), so that the radial ridges (C3) of said closing keys (C) pass through both the holes (Mf), and turning said closing keys (C) so that said radial ridges (C3) are not aligned with the grooves (Mf1) of said holes (Mf).
It is possible to arrange that said radial ridges (C3) and/or the surface of the edge ribs (Mo) in correspondence with the holes (Mf) are inclined so as to generate compression between the edge ribs (Mo) of the coupled modular formworks (M) when the closing key (C) is turned.
The closing keys (C) thus described allow either the union of two modular formworks (M) coupled to constitute a tube or the union of modular formworks (M) aligned to make the continuation or extension of each other simply by inserting each closing key (C) in the aligned holes (Mf) of the formworks (M) placed next to each other and turning it.
Lastly there are slots or holes (Fr) located as close as possible to the curved surface or the seats (Sr) for passing or positioning the straps.
The distance between the keys is preferably modular, while the distance between the end keys and the edge is preferably equal to half the module.
The reusable modular formwork (M) and the respective closing key (C) constituted as described above make it possible to rapidly obtain reinforcements for circular columns and offer considerable advantages as regards stability, duration and safety.
Figure 6 shows four formworks (M) assembled together and tightened with the keys (C).
Figures 7 and 8 respectively show two views at right angles of a modular formwork (M) for making square or rectangular columns.
The modular formwork (M) comprises a panel, made of plastic material, having L-shaped section with coupling surfaces (Me) inclined at 45° with respect to the planes (M1), for coupling with an identical modular formwork (M) as can be seen in figure 9a.
This formwork (M) has various stiffening ribs (Mn, Mo) on the external side (M2).
Said ribs (Mn, Mo) are distributed all over the surface of the external side (M2) of the modular formwork (M).
In particular some ribs (Mo), called edge ribs (Mo), are placed along the perimeter of the panel of the modular formwork (M) and are preferably thicker and longer.
These edge ribs (Mo) constitute a resting or coupling surface with further coupled or continuing modular formworks (M).
On said edge ribs (Mo) there are holes (Mf), preferably having circular shape and provided with two or more grooves (Mf1) in diametrically opposite positions. These holes (Mf) are set along the edge ribs (Mo) at regular intervals and in such a way that, when the various modular formworks (M) are coupled or aligned, the corresponding holes (Mf) of identical coupled formworks (M) are perfectly aligned.
The distance between the last holes (Mf), along each edge rib (Mo), and the end of the rib (Mo) itself, is less, preferably half, than the distance between the other holes (Mf) along said rib (Mo) of the modular formwork (M).
Along the edge ribs (Mo) there may be seats, for example hollows, slots or holes (Rf), for passing closing straps.
The surface of the concave internal side (M1) of the new modular formwork (M) is smooth and is preferably treated in such a way as to prevent the adhesion of concrete.
It is possible to carry out modular formworks (M) having different dimensions, so as to make it possible to obtain square columns, for example 30x30, or 35x35, or 40x40, etc., or rectangular columns, for example 30x35, 35x45, 30x40, etc.
It is also possible to carry out modular formworks (M') having L-shaped section and the coupling surfaces (M'e) respectively one at a right angle to and one aligned with the corresponding side of the L-shaped section (figure 9b), or modular formworks (M") having U-shaped section and the coupling surfaces (M"e) at right angles to the two ends of the U-shaped section (figure 9c).
The modular formwork with orthogonal walls and L-shaped section may have both coupling surfaces (M'e) of each wall either at right angles or aligned with the corresponding wall of the L-shaped section for coupling with a respective modular formwork (M).
The union between the various modular formworks (M) may be accomplished with straps or, preferably, with the closing keys (C).
Figures 4 and 5 respectively show a side view and an axonometric view of a closing key (C).
There may also be flat, L- or U-shaped inserts, or inserts of other shapes, to be inserted inside the formwork (M) to make pillars with smaller dimensions, or circular pillars.
Figure 10 shows a cross section of an insert (X) with a generic U section, to be applied to the internal surface (M1) of a modular formwork (M), so as to allow columns with smaller dimensions to be obtained.
Said insert (X) presents, on its shorter sides (Xm), ridges (Xr) and holes or concave seats (Xo) such as to join two opposing inserts (X).
Figure 11 shows a cross section of an insert (Y) shaped like a panel, to be applied to the internal surface (M1) of a modular formwork (M), as can be seen in figure 12, so as to allow rectangular columns to be obtained using formworks (M) for square columns. In particular, for the application of said flat insert (Y) inside the modular formwork (M), spacers (D) may be used, suited to maintain said inserts (Y) correctly positioned in the internal concave surface (M1) of the modular formworks (M).
Figures 13 and 13a show a cross section of an insert (Z) having L-shaped section.
Said insert (Z) presents, on its sides (Zm) and/or on the end of its sides (Zm), ridges (Zr) and holes or concave seats (Zo) such as to join exactly two opposing inserts (Z).
It is possible for said insert (Z) to have one side (Z1) of its L-shaped section with different thickness with respect to the other side (Z2), as shown in figure 13a.
This L-shaped insert (Z), applied to the internal concave surface (M1) of the new modular formwork (M), makes it possible to obtain square columns with smaller dimensions or, if the insert has sides of different sizes, rectangular columns.
Figure 14 shows a cross section of an insert (E), applicable to the internal surface (M1) of a new modular formwork (M), suited to obtain columns with octagonal section.
Figure 15 shows a cross section of an insert (F) having an internal surface (F1) in the shape of an arc of a circle for making pillars with elliptical and circular section using the same square formwork (M).
Said insert (F) presents, at its ends, ridges (Fr) and holes or concave seats (Fo) such as to join exactly two opposing inserts (F).
It is possible for said insert (F) to have the internal surface (F1) with different section, for example elliptical, as illustrated in figure 15a, so as to be able to make elliptical columns.
Figure 16 shows a cross section of an insert (R), applicable to the internal surface (M1) of a new modular formwork (M), suited to allow columns having substantially rectangular or square section with rounded or bevelled corners to be carried out.
The reusable modular formwork (M) and the respective closing key (C) constituted as described above make it possible to carry out reinforcements for square, rectangular or circular columns, or columns of any other shape that can be contained, and they offer the considerable advantages illustrated.
The modular formworks (M) are light, impact-resistant, easily transported and easily assembled by simply inserting and turning the closing keys (C) in the coupled edge ribs (Mo).
The modular formworks (M) allow the rapid dismantling of the reinforcement, which can be carried out by simply turning and extracting the closing keys (C) that hold the modular formworks (M) together.
The reinforcements obtained with the modular formworks (M) and the closing keys (C) described above do not need specific external structures to maintain the alignment of the entire reinforcement since, thanks to the keys or the straps, said formworks are held together, obtaining a tubular structure that is very stable during casting.
The various inserts (I, X, Y, Z, F, R, E), applicable to the new modular formworks also make it possible to obtain columns with different shapes and dimensions with respect to those of the formwork (M), for example rectangular, circular or elliptical with sharp, rounded or bevelled corners, or columns having the same shape, but smaller dimensions.
In this way, with just one set of formworks (M) and some different internal inserts it is possible to make pillars with various shapes and dimensions.
Figure 17 shows a modular formwork (M) containing 2 inserts (I) for making reinforced concrete pillars with smaller diameter.
Figure 20 shows the insert (I) constituted of two semicircular panels (P), shown individually in figures 18 and 19, each having an arched wall (Ia) with ribs (In) behind it. Indicated with (Is) and (Ir) are the seats and ridges for the reciprocal coupling of two panels (P) which make up the insert (I), contained and held in the formworks (M).
Therefore, with reference to the above description and to the enclosed drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

Reusable modular formwork for making columns, characterised in that it comprises an element with linear development (M), shaped as part of the perimeter of a column, in plastic material, comprising at least one internal wall, smooth as the bottom of the formwork, not flat on the outside, with edge ribs (Mo) and intermediate ribs (Mn), and wherein the edges of the walls present coupling surfaces (Me) with corresponding modular formworks (M), so as to make up a section or closed portion of formwork.
Reusable modular formwork for making circular columns according to claim 1, characterised in that the ribs (Mo) located along the edge of the panel of the modular element (M) have thickness and width such as to adhere to the edge ribs (Mo) of an identical coupled or aligned modular element (M).
Reusable modular formwork according to claims 1, 2, characterised in that it has holes (Mf) on the edge ribs (Mo), preferably circular in shape with two or more diametrically opposed grooves (Mf1), and wherein said holes (Mf) are located along the edge ribs (Mo) so that, when various modular elements (M) are coupled or aligned, said holes (Mf) in the various modular elements (M) are aligned.
Reusable modular formwork according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterised in that said walls are substantially at right angles to each other and present an L-shaped section, and wherein the coupling surfaces (Me) of said edges are inclined at 45° with respect to said walls, for coupling with an identical modular formwork (M).
Reusable modular formwork according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, characterised in that said walls are at right angles and present an L-shaped section, and wherein the surfaces of the coupling edges (M'e) of each wall are respectively one at right angle to and one aligned with the corresponding wall of the L-shaped section for coupling with an identical modular formwork (M').
Reusable modular formwork, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, characterised in that said walls at right angles present an L-shaped section, and wherein the surfaces of the coupling edges (M'e) of each wall are both either at right angles to or aligned with the corresponding wall of the L-shaped section for coupling with a reciprocal modular formwork (M').
Reusable modular formwork according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterised in that said walls at right angles present a C-shaped section, and wherein the surfaces of the coupling edges (M"e) of each wall are at right angles to the corresponding wall of the C-shaped section for coupling with an identical modular formwork (M").
Reusable modular formwork according to all the previous claims, characterised in that the ribs (Mo, Mn) are directed orthogonally to the coupling surfaces.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that the ribs (Mo) located along the edge of the modular formwork (M) have thickness and width such as to adhere to the edge ribs (Mo) of an identical coupled or aligned modular formwork (M).
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that it has holes or slots (Rf) on the ribs (Mo, Mn), suited to allow the closing straps to pass through them.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that it has seats or hollows on the ribs (Mo, Mn), suited to hold closing straps.
Insert for plastic formworks for concrete castings, characterised in that it comprises one or more panels (I) with a parallelepiped section with at least one smooth flat surface, suited to be inserted and held inside said modular formwork (M), adhering to its internal surface, to reduce the dimension of the column obtained.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that said panel (I) has at least one flat wall (Ia) with ribs (In) behind it.
Insert for formworks according to claims 12, 13, characterised in that it comprises two panels kept at a given distance from each other and adhering to the walls (M1) by means of spacers (D).
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that said panel (I) has seats (Is) or ridges (Ir) for coupling and blocking with other panels.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that said panel (I) has seats (Is) or ridges (Ir) for coupling and blocking with the formwork.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises two panels (I) at right angles to each other, with the same or with different thickness.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises three panels (I) at right angles to one another, with the same or with different thickness.
Insert for formworks according to claims 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, characterised in that the internal surfaces of said panels, that is, the surfaces in contact with the casting, are connected with rounded corner/s or with bevelled corner/s.
Insert for formworks according to claims 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, characterised in that the internal surface of said panels, that is, the surface in contact with the casting, is circular, elliptical or arched anyway.
Reusable modular formwork, according to any of the claims from 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises one or more inserts (F), applicable to the internal surface (M1) of the formwork (M), according to any of the claims from 12 to 21, to make concrete columns.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that said insert (E), applicable to the internal surface (M1) of the formwork (M) is suited to allow octagonal or hexagonal columns to be obtained.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that it is fastened to another similar formwork by means of a closing key according to claims 23 or 24.
Reusable modular formwork for making circular columns according to claim 1, characterised in that it is composed of a semicircular plastic panel with on the convex side (M2) internal ribs (Mn) and a stiffening edge (Mo).
Insert for formworks for casting concrete, characterised in that it comprises one or more panels (P) with circular section, suited to be applied adhering to the internal surface (M1) of a modular formwork (M), and wherein said panels, combined together, make up a round angle.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that said panel has at least one arched internal wall (Ia) with ribs (In) behind it.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that said panel has an internal wall that may be inscribed in a part of, or in a whole ellipse.
Insert for formworks according to the previous claims, characterised in that said panel has seats (Is) or ridges (Ir) for coupling and blocking with other panels.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises one or more inserts, applicable to the internal surface (M1) of the formwork (M) according to the previous claims, suited to allow circular or elliptical columns to be obtained.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that it has a smooth and/or treated concave surface (M1), so as to prevent the adhesion of concrete.
Reusable modular formwork according to the previous claims, characterised in that the external surface adjacent to the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) is inclined.
Closing key (C) for modular formworks (M) as in the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a cylindrical body (C1) with at one end a handgrip (C2) perpendicular to said body (C1) and at the opposite end two or more radial ridges (C3), and wherein the diameter of said cylindrical body (C1) is equal to the diameter of the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formwork (M) and its length is greater than the thickness of two edge ribs (Mo), and wherein said radial ridges (C3) have preferably the form of a ring-shaped segment such as to pass through the grooves (Mf1) of the holes (Mf) in the edge ribs (Mo) of the modular formwork (M).
Closing key according to claim 32, characterised in that it has inclined radial ridges (C3).