EP1613821B1

EP1613821B1 - Adjustment device for a foundation

Info

Publication number: EP1613821B1
Application number: EP04718781A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roland Johansson; Johnny Mattsson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: JOHANSSON, ROLAND; MATTSSON, JOHNNY
Priority date: 2003-03-11
Filing date: 2004-03-09
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-09
Also published as: ATE531876T1; DK1613821T3; SE0300639L; SE525062E5; EP1613821A1; SE525062C2; WO2004090265A1; SE0300639D0; NO20054155D0; PT1613821E; PL1613821T3; NO20054155L; NO336775B1; ES2375562T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustment device for a foundation (1) that is intended to be inserted into the ground, said adjustment device comprising two mounting plates (20, 23) that are located essentially opposite to each other, means (25, 26) for arranging the mounting plates (20, 23) at a certain mutual distance, means (12, 16) for fixing a first mounting plate (20) to the foundation (1), and that a second mounting plate (23) supports a pole (27) or the like. It is significant of the adjustment device according to the present invention that the fixing means comprises a lock bar (12) that is received in the foundation (1), a first bolt (16) that extends through a first hole (21) of the first mounting plate (20), and that the lock bar (12) is equipped with means (15) for force transmitting cooperation with the first bolt (16).

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustment device for a foundation that is intended to be inserted into the ground, said adjustment device comprising two mounting plates that are located essentially opposite to each other, means for arranging the mounting plates at a certain mutual distance, means for fixing a first mounting plate to the foundation, and that a second mounting plate supports a pole or the like, that the fixing means comprises a lock bar that is received in the foundation, a first bolt that extends through a first hole of the first mounting plate, and that the lock bar is equipped with means for force transmitting cooperation with the first bolt.

Prior Art

From DE 201 14229 U1 an adjustment device for a foundation is previously known, said device being intended to be inserted into the ground. The device comprises two mounting plates that are located opposite to each other, one mounting plate being fixed to anchoring means inserted into the ground. The device comprises means to arrange the mounting plates at a certain mutual distance.
From DE 201 18703 U1 is previously known an anchoring device that comprises a joint between a foundation and a mounting plate where the plate is fixed to the foundation by a lock bar arrangement.
From SE-B-458 461 a foundation for poles is previously known, said foundation having stabilising wings and being intended to be rammed into the ground. At the upper portion of the foundation a plate is provided, said plate having erected bolts. A pole/tube is intended to be connected to the foundation, and to that purpose the tube is connected to a plate that has holes for receiving the erected bolts. Thereby, it is made possible to mount the tube subsequently on the foundation by arranging the plates in close vicinity to each other and that the plates are fixed in that position by threading nuts on the bolts.
By a system on the market, FLEXIA STABIL^®, a ground anchoring by means of a wing foundation of galvanized steel is previously known. This system is unique since after the ramming of the foundation has it is possible to adjust the mounting plate in order to mount a pole of for instance an acoustic enclosure. In order to bring the poles of an acoustic enclosure or lighting columns in rectilinear arrangement it is necessary to have the possibility to adjust the position of the poles/columns. The structural principle of FLEXIA STABIL^® is based on that a mounting plate attached to the foundation is fixed by means of an eye bolt that is received on a shaft being part of the foundation. A drawback of this structure is that the necessary strength of the eye bolt brings about that the dimensions of the eye bolt increase to such a degree that a major part of the adjustment possibilities are lost. Besides, the manufacturing of the eye bolt by forging is an expensive process.

Objects and Feature of the Invention

A primary object of the present invention is to present an adjustment device of the type defined above, said adjustment device bringing about an essential reduction of costs compared to prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to improve the adjustment possibilities compared to prior art.
At least the primary object of the present invention is realised by means of an adjustment device that has been given the features of the appending independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below two embodiments of the invention will be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1: shows a perspective view of a foundation tube that is equipped with components being part of the adjustment device;
Figure 2: shows a perspective view of two components being part of the adjustment device;
Figure 3: shows a perspective view, more in detail, of the upper end of the foundation tube, a further component of the adjustment device also being shown;
Figure 4: shows a perspective view, more in detail, of the upper end of the foundation tube, the further component of figure 3 being in mounting state;
Figure 5: shows a perspective view, more in detail, of the upper end of the foundation tube according to figure 3, a further component of the adjustment device being shown;
Figure 6: shows a perspective view, more in detail, of the upper end of the foundation tube, the components shown in figure 5 being mounted in the foundation tube and displaced in direction of the arrow;
Figure 7: shows a perspective view, more in detail, of the upper end of the foundation tube, the components shown in figure 5 being mounted in the foundation tube and displaced in direction of the arrow;
Figure 8: shows a perspective view, more in detail, of the upper end of the foundation tube, a further component of the adjustment device being shown, said component being in the shape of a first mounting plate;
Figure 9: shows a perspective view of the first mounting plate and a second mounting plate arranged above said first mounting plate, a pole being attached to the second mounting plate, the mounting plates not being in assembled state;
Figure 10: shows a perspective view where a second mounting plate, with a pole, is mounted on top of the first mounting plate;
Figure 11: shows schematically an alternative embodiment of a portion of an adjustment device according to the present invention; and
Figure 12: shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention in the shape of a perspective view of the upper end of the foundation tube, the components of the adjustment device being mounted in the foundation tube.

Detailed Description of preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The foundation 1 shown in figure 1 has at its upper end a number of components being part of the adjustment device according to the described embodiment. Thus, in said adjustment device two reinforcement elements 3 are included, said elements 3 being arranged diametrically in relation to a tube 5 included in the foundation 1. The reinforcement elements 3 are generally shaped in conformity with the tube 5 and welded thereto. The reinforcement elements 3 are mutually connected by means of two rod-shaped connecting elements 7 that are welded to the reinforcement elements 3. In the area of the upper end of the tube 5 two generally rectangular, first openings 9 are provided, said openings 9 being arranged diametrically in relation to the tube 5. In each reinforcement element 3 a generally rectangular, second opening 10 is also provided, said opening 10 preferably having the same dimensions as the first openings 9. As is evident from figure 1 the openings 9 and 10 are located opposite to each other, i.e. they define together a common opening.
The foundation 1 has also two wings 11 that are diametrically arranged on the tube 5. The wings 11 are preferably welded to the tube 5.
In figure 2 further components that are included in the adjustment device according to the present invention are shown. In the shown embodiment a lock bar 12 consists of two longitudinal plates 13, preferably out of steel, that between themselves receive two plate-shaped spacing elements 14 that preferably also are out of steel. In the shown embodiment the longitudinal plates 13 are parallel and preferably connected to the spacing elements 14 by means of welding. At its lower end in figure 2 the lock bar 12 is equipped with a first nut 15 that preferably is fixed to the lock bar 12 by means of welding.
A first bolt 16 is also part of the adjustment device according to the present invention, said first bolt 16 comprising a shaft 17 and a head 18 at one end of the shaft 17. At the end of the shaft 17 facing away from the head 18 the shaft 17 is equipped with an external thread 19, see also figure 5. The external thread 19 is intended to cooperate with the first nut 15, this will be described more in detail below. In figure 2 the first bolt 16 is threaded in the first nut 15.
In figures 3-5 it is shown how the lock bar 12 and the first bolt 16 are intended to be mounted in the foundation 1. In connection therewith the lock bar 12, see figure 3, is pushed into one opening 9/10, the height of said at least one opening 9/10 is sufficient to allow also the first nut 15 to pass through the opening 9/10 together with the lock bar 12.
In figure 5 it is shown how the lock bar 12 is intended to cooperate with the first bolt 16. In connection therewith the first bolt 16 is displaced in direction of the arrow P1 and the external thread 19 is brought into engagement with the first nut 15, this preferably being effected by rotation of the first bolt 16. The connection between the first bolt 16 and the lock bar 12 is normally created when a first mounting plate 20, see for instance figure 8, is provided at the free end of the foundation 1. However, in figures 5-7 the first mounting plate 20 is deleted for reasons of clarity.
As is evident from figures 6 and 7 the lock bar 12 may be displaced in its longitudinal direction in the openings 9/10, see the arrows P2 and P3. This displacement has a limitation when the first bolt 16 contacts the inner side of the tube 5. This limitation guarantees that the lock bar 12 is not displaced out of the openings 9/10. In figures 6 and 7 the lock bar 12 has been brought to assume its operative position, i.e. the lock bar 12 assumes a generally elevated position in the diametrically provided openings 9/10 in the tube 5. This position of the lock bar 12 is not assumed until the first mounting plate 20 is mounted.
In figure 8 the corresponding position of the lock bar 12 as in figure 7 is shown, however a first mounting plate 20 is provided at the free end of the foundation 1, said first mounting plate 20 contacting the rod-shaped connecting elements 7. The first bolt 16 is received in a first hole 21 with oval cross section in the first mounting plate 20 and with its external thread 19 in engagement with the first nut 15. The oval first hole 21 enables the first mounting plate 20 to be displaced relative to the foundation 1 in the direction of the double arrow P4, i.e. in two opposite directions. The displacement in the directions of the double arrow P4 of the mounting plate 20 is however restricted to the length of the oval first hole 21. It is also evident from figure 8 that the first mounting plate 20 is equipped with a number of second holes 22 in the area of its corners. In the shown embodiment the first mounting plate 20 has a square shape.
Thus, it could be stated that the first mounting plate 20 may be displaced relative to the foundation 1 both in the longitudinal direction of the lock bar 12, by having the lock bar 12 displacable relative to the foundation 1, and also transverse to the longitudinal direction of the lock bar 12 due to the existence of the oval hole 21 in the first mounting plate 20. Further, the first mounting plate 20 may be rotated around the bolt 16. The adjustment possibilities of the first mounting plate 20 relative to the foundation 1 are thus extremely good.
The function is the following of the above described part of the adjustment device according to the preset invention. When the foundation 1 has been rammed into the ground, this may for instance be effected by means of a hydraulic hammer (not shown), the lock bar 12, the first mounting plate 20 and the bolt 16 are attached to the free end of the foundation 1 in the manner described above. When the first mounting plate 20 is adjusted to correct position it is fixed relative to the foundation 1 by tightening the first bolt 16. In connection therewith the lock bar 12, by cooperation between the external thread 19 of the first box 16 and the first nut 15, will be urged upwards until contact is established against the upper limiting edges of the openings 9/10. The first mounting plate 20 will contact the rod-shaped connecting elements 7 and it is suitable to make sure that these are located at a somewhat higher level than the free end of the tube 5. Thereby, the risk is eliminated that the first mounting plate 20 is tilting due to lack of synchronisation of its contact points.
In his connection it should be pointed out that it is not necessary to have the first mounting plate 20 in horizontal position when it is finally mounted. This will be explained below. The situation that the first mounting plate 20 is not in horizontal position will for instance arise if the foundation 1 is inclined somewhat after it has been rammed into the ground.
In figure 9 a second mounting plate 23 is shown above the first mounting plate 20. As the evident from figure 9 the second mounting plate 23 supports a pole 27 or the like, e.g. a pole 27 that is part of an acoustic enclosure. Preferably, the pole 27 is attached to the second mounting plate 23 by means of welding. From figure 9 it is evident that the second mounting plate 23 is equipped with third holes 24 in the area of its corners. These third holes 24 have oval cross section.
In figure 10 it is shown how a second mounting plate 23 is assembled with the first mounting plate 20, said mounting plates 20, 23 being located at a certain distance from each other. The mounting of the mounting plates at a distance from each other have been achieved by having externally threaded second bolts 25 provided in the second and third holes 22, 24 of the mounting plates 20, 23, where one and the same bolt 25 extends through opposite to each other located second and third holes 22, 24 of the both mounting plates 20, 23. By mounting preferably four second nuts 26 on each second bolt 25 the mounting plates 20, 23 may be mounted at a desired mutual distance. In this connection it should be pointed out that for one and the same second bolt 25 second nuts 26 abut against both sides of the mounting plates 20, 23. Thereby, an extremely rigid anchoring of the mounting plates 20, 23 relative to each other is achieved. In order to facilitate the mounting on the second nuts 26 on the second bolts 25, said second bolts 25 preferably have no head.
In this connection it should be pointed out that the second holes 22 of the first mounting plate 20 and the third holes 24 of the second mounting plate 23 have a smallest diameter that is somewhat larger than the diameter of the second bolts 25. This enable the second bolts 25 to be somewhat inclined in the second and third holes 22 and 24 respectively. This is of extreme importance since it enable the both mounting plates 20 and 23 to be mounted in a position where the mounting plates 20 and 23 are not parallel to each other. As mentioned above it may occur that the first mounting plate 20 is not in a horizontal position when it is mounted at the free end of the foundation 1. In such a case it is of extreme importance that the second mounting plate 23 is mounted in a horizontal position, i.e. the mounting plates 20, 23 are not parallel to each other. In connection with such a mounting the second bolts 25 must be somewhat inclined in the second and third holes of the mounting plate 20 and 23.
The ovality of the third holes 24 also brings about that the second mounting plate 23 may be somewhat adjusted in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the lock bar 12, see figure 10.
The alternative embodiment of an adjustment device according to the present invention, shown in figure 11, is not complete. A solid lock bar 112, preferably out of steel, is received in the foundation 101, i.e. the lock bar extends through opposite openings in the tube 105, preferably out of steel, that is part of the foundation 101. The lock bar 112 has a through-going fourth hole 108, in which a first bolt 116 is received, said first bolt 116 preferably having an external thread 119 along its entire length. The first bolt 116 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the fourth hole 108, i.e. the first bolt 116 may run freely inside the fourth hole 108. As is evident from figure 11 the first bolt 116 is fixed relative to the lock bar 112 by means of a first nut 115 and a third nut 106, said nuts 115 and 106 being located at both sides of the lock bar 112. The portion of the first bolt 116 that projects above the upper end of the foundation 101 is intended to be received in the first hole 21 of the first mounting plate 20 that is not shown in figure 11. Said first mounting plate 20 is fixed at the end of the foundation 101 by having a fourth nut (not shown) mounted on the upper end of the first bolt 116. Then the second mounting plate 23 is mounted at a level above the first mounting plate 20 in a manner described in connection with the embodiment according to figures 1-10.
In the further alternative embodiment, shown in figure 12, of a foundation 201 according to the present invention the principal difference compared to the embodiment according to figures 1-10 is that the reinforcement element 203 has an extension along the lock bar 12, said lock bar 12 may be identical with the lock bar 12 according to figure 2. This means that the reinforcement element 203 is not equipped with holes for the passage of the lock bar 12, which could be an advantage. Of course the tube 5, which could be identical with the tube 5 in the embodiment described above, must be equipped with diametrically arranged holes 9 for the lock bar 12. The connecting elements 7 that connect the reinforcement elements 203 may have a corresponding design as in the embodiment described above. However, these connecting elements 7 extend transverse to the lock bar 12, this might in certain cases be advantageous in connection with carrying of loads that act on the foundation 201.

Feasible Modifications of the Invention

The above described foundation 1 is equipped with wings 11 that are intended to stabilise the foundation 1 when it is rammed into the ground. However, within the scope of the present invention it is feasible that the foundation 1 is designed in several alternative ways, especially as regards the portion of the foundation 1 that is below the ground surface. The present invention is related to the adjustment device that is provided on the portion of the foundation 1 that is above the ground surface.
The embodiments described above state that in principle all the elements being part of the adjustment device according to the present invention are manufactured from steel. However, alternative materials are feasible, especially for the future. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose plastic may be mentioned, said plastic possibly being reinforced.

Claims

Adjustment device for a foundation (1; 101; 201) that is intended to be inserted into the ground, said adjustment device comprising two mounting plates (20, 23) that are located essentially opposite to each other, means (25, 26) for arranging the mounting plates (20, 23) at a certain mutual distance, means (12, 16; 112, 116) for fixing a first mounting plate (20) to the foundation (1; 101; 201), and that a second mounting plate (23) supports a pole (27) or the like, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a lock bar (12; 112) that is received in the foundation (1; 101; 201), a first bolt (16; 116) that extends through a first hole (21) of the first mounting plate (20), and in that the lock bar (12; 112) is equipped with means (15; 115) for force transmitting cooperation with the first bolt (16; 116), in that the lock bar (12; 112) has a rectangular cross-section, and in that the lock bar (12; 112) is intended to be received in rectangular, diametrical openings (9) of a tube (5; 105) included in the foundation (1; 101; 201).
Adjustment device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the lock bar (12; 112) has an extension transverse to the longitudinal direction of the foundation (1; 101; 201).
Adjustment device according to claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that the lock bar (12; 112) is equipped with a first nut (15; 115) for a force transmitting cooperation with the first bolt (16; 116).
Adjustment device according to any of the previous claims,
characterised in that the lock bar (12) comprises two essentially parallel steel plates (13) and spacing means (14) between the steel plates (13).
Adjustment device according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that the lock bar (12) is received in diametrically arranged openings (9/10; 9) in the foundation (1; 201), and that the openings (9/10; 9) have an area that is larger than the cross section area of the lock bar (12).
Adjustment device according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that the first hole (21) of the first mounting plate (20) has oval cross section.
Adjustment device according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that the means for arranging the mounting plates (20, 23) at a certain mutual distance comprises a number of second holes (22) and third holes (24) of the mounting plates (20, 23), that the holes (22, 24) in operative position of the respective mounting plates (20, 23) are located essentially opposite to each other, second bolts (25) that extend through said second holes (22), and second nuts (26) that fix the mounting plates (20, 23) at a desired mutual distance.
Adjustment device according to claim 7,
characterized in that the second holes (22) has a somewhat larger diameter than the second bolts (25).