EP2996827A1

EP2996827A1 - Apparatus for and method of manufacturing metal cages for conical pillars

Info

Publication number: EP2996827A1
Application number: EP14732960.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simone Rupoli; Emilio Corsini
Original assignee: Schnell SpA
Current assignee: Schnell SpA
Priority date: 2013-05-17
Filing date: 2014-05-19
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: WO2014184787A1; WO2014184787A4

Abstract

The apparatus for making metal cages (2) for conical pillars, the cages being made by a series of longitudinal bars (3), arranged according to a predetermined circular geometrical shape about a longitudinal axis (A), and fixed through the fixing of at least one metal wire (4), wound in spiral on the same bars (3) through the combination of a rotation motion about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis (A) of the cage (2) being manufactured and a shifting motion, comprises a first support head (10) suitable to support respective further portions of the bars (3), a second support head (20) suitable to support respective further portions of the bars (3), a radial handling unit (30), suitable to carry out the controlled radial displacement of the supported bars (3), so as to allow the progressive positioning of the bars (3) according to a shape convergent towards the longitudinal axis (A) and therefore the manufacturing of the conical metal cage.

Description

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL CAGES FOR CONICAL PILLARS

Technical Field

[01 ] The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for manufacturing metal cages for conical pillars, suitable to be used for the reinforcement of pillars of reinforced concrete for building use, for being inserted in the ground or for supporting other elements such as cables, light bodies and the like.

Background Art

[02] It has been known that for manufacturing foundations poles, reinforced concrete pillars and the like, metal cages mainly of cylindrical shape are used, being made by a series of longitudinal iron bars at the outside of which a metal wire is wound in spiral on the same bars, according to a suitably predetermined pitch. The longitudinal bars are uniformly distributed according to a suitable geometrical shape, usually cylindrical; nonetheless, examples of poles and pillars of different shapes are known, for example asymmetric, elliptic, prismatic and the like.

[03] For manufacturing such metal cages, currently machines which allow to fix the spiral on the longitudinal bars predisposed according to the desired geometrical shape are used, either by welding or by binding. Patent EP0035477 discloses, for example, a machine for manufacturing cages by spiral winding comprising a drive flange and a revolving flange carried by a carriage which can move frontally to the drive head, both flanges being predisposed to support the longitudinal bars in predetermined positions. For shaping the cage, the bars are driven in rotation by the above mentioned flanges, while the metal wire, unwound from a lateral coil and fed in longitudinal motion, progressively winds in spiral about the same bars.

[04] In the machines of the cited type, it is required to produce metal cages of different size and shape according to the specific requirements. To such end, various solutions have been proposed for the support of the bars on the rotating members, through sleeves or journal boxes which substantially allow to arrange the bars in different positions and in particular at different radial distances with respect to the axis of the cage.

[05] However, known apparatuses do not allow to make in an easy way metal cages having a shape not cylindrical, in particular having conical shape, used for the reinforcement of conical pillars having circular cross-section or similar.

[06] In practice, for manufacturing such kind of reinforcement, manual proceedings or dedicated apparatuses are used, having a very complex structure.

[07] Hence, the manufacturing of such metal cages results to be less adjustable and very expensive.

Disclosure The task of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned problems, by devising an apparatus and a method which are able to manufacture in an easy way pillars of any shape, in particular either cylindrical or conical.

Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention that of providing an apparatus having a structure of simple construction, versatile and reliable use, as well as relative economic cost.

The cited scopes are attained, according to the present invention, by the apparatus for manufacturing foundations conical pillars according to claim 1 , as well as by the method according to claim 10.

The scope is attained by the apparatus according to the invention, because it comprises at least one first support head provided with support means for the bars, and at least one second support head, aligned with the above mentioned first support head, according to a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conical cage to be manufactured, carrying mobile support means for the bars, operated by a radial handling unit.

More precisely, the first support head and the second support head are both provided with units revolving or rotatable about the same longitudinal axis, fixed to the longitudinal bars or relatively to the longitudinal bars. Moreover, the first support head and the second support head are mobile relatively to one another in the above mentioned longitudinal direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conical cage to be manufactured and cooperate with unwinding and union means, for example through welding, for fixing a metal wire unwound from a coil and wound in spiral about the above mentioned bars, in order to manufacture a metal cage of conical shape.

More precisely, the second support head, which carries the cited radial handling unit, can carry as well the cited union means, of the metal wire with the longitudinal bars for example through welding. For example, the second support head carrying the radial handling unit can be fixed. In such case, the cage being manufactured is drawn by the first support head which, in this case, is mobile in a way both longitudinal and revolving relatively to the second fixed support head carrying also the cited union means. As an alternative, it is possible to provide the contrary, that is that the second support head carrying the welding means is mobile in a longitudinal and revolving motion and thus that the cage being manufactured is fixed.

The cited radial handling unit allows the radial displacement of the longitudinal bars, supported at respective portions of the first and of the second head, approaching or alternatively spacing them progressively in controlled way from the longitudinal axis of the conical cage to be manufactured, in suitable step relationship with the winding and fixing operations of the metal wire for the union of the same cage. The radial handling unit for the bars is therefore associated with the second support head and, more precisely, it comprises a support framework for the bars, carrying the above mentioned support means for the bars, mobile, indeed, in radial direction. Preferably, about the same support framework are associated the cited fixing means, being suitable to carry out the union of the bars with the metal wire wound in spiral about them.

For such scope, the above mentioned radial handling unit comprises as well an activation framework, for example having the shape of a crown coaxial with the cited support framework for the support sleeves of the bars, activation means of a differential rotation motion between the support framework and the activation framework and a kinematic chain suitable to produce the transformation of such differential rotation motion in a radial motion of the above mentioned mobile sleeves.

Therefore, the cited kinematic chain connects the support framework, the activation framework and the mobile support means for the longitudinal bars, so that the differential rotation motion between the activation framework and the support framework can be transformed in a correspondent radial displacement of the mobile support means of the longitudinal bars, progressively arranging these latter according to a configuration converging or diverging with respect to the above mentioned longitudinal axis, that is a conical configuration according to the geometrical parameters of the project.

In substance, the apparatus according to the invention allows to make cages being conical in any desired manner, for a pre-established tract, as it occurs for the manufacturing of the joint connections or "tubular sockets" for concrete pipes, or for the whole longitudinal length, or even with different conical shapes along the same length. Such connection kinematic chain can comprise, according to the invention, a first kinematic couple, for the radial guide of the mobile support means for the bars, and at least one second kinematic couple, more precisely, of transformation of the relative rotation motion into a radial motion of the mobile support means, and thus for the supported longitudinal bars.

Preferably, the support framework and the actuation framework respectively shape a disc for the support of the support means for the bars and an activation crown, arranged coaxial, both rotatable about the above mentioned longitudinal axis of the metal cage being manufactured.

Preferably, the activation crown is housed substantially in the same support disc and is supported by it; therefore, it does not require a dedicated support structure.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the first kinematic couple is made, for each supported bar, through the sliding coupling of each support means of the bars, generally sleeve-shaped, into a slot of radial guide made on the support disc, in which each sleeve is inserted slidable. The second kinematic couple preferably comprises gears transmission means, in particular, an internal toothing shaped by the above mentioned activation crown, engaged, for each supported bar, that is for each support means or sleeve, with a respective pinion member carried rotatable by the support framework.

The above mentioned kinematic chain can comprise as well, for each longitudinal bar, an angular transmission couple, for example through a conical couple, suitable to transmit the rotation motion from the pinion engaged on the internal toothing to a rotatable screw member, radially oriented with respect to the central rotation axis of the activation crown. The kinematic chain continues with an end couple, for example helical, comprising the above mentioned screw member and a nut screw member fixed on a respective support sleeve for a longitudinal bar.

More in particular, the above mentioned screw member is operated in axial rotation by the pinion member of the cited second kinematic couple. The above mentioned axial rotation is then transformed in a radial shifting motion by the cited helical couple, thus creating a controlled radial displacement of the coupled nut screw member and thus of the sleeve which is fixed to it, slidable in the respective radial slot of the support disc.

By adjusting moment by moment in suitable way the angular speed gradient between the support framework and the activation framework according to the axial shift of the bars, due to the relative motion between the first and the second support head, it is possible to obtain conical cages of any size and shape.

The radial handling unit can be used also for manufacturing cylindrical cages, for prearranging in an easier way the bars at the working diameter. For such scope, the radial handling unit can be arranged also on further intermediate support heads, provided by the apparatus.

A feature of the apparatus is that of allowing to manufacture in an easy way conical cages, in which the reinforcement longitudinal bars are placed on a surface at least partially conical.

A specific feature of the apparatus is the fact that the activation means of the cited differential rotation motion can be arranged very advantageously, in fixed way on the fixed framework which carries the support framework and the activation framework.

To such purpose, the invention preferably provides that the support means for the bars of the first support head, preferably mobile in longitudinal shifting motion, carry out the dragging of the longitudinal bars.

On the second support head and on the remaining heads, instead, the bars slide through the respective support means.

In particular, the mobile sleeves can therefore radially shift to manufacture conical pillars having a specific shape and being able to be further oriented, for example by freely swinging of an angle sufficient to spontaneously adapt to the conical shape of the cage being manufactured.

As an alternative, it is also possible that the above mentioned journal boxes are rigidly constrained to the said kinematic chain, being arranged about the longitudinal rotation axis of the support head according to a cylindrical surface. Also in such case they allow to create the wished conical shape for the cage being manufactured, thanks to the fact that the bars can be oriented suitably according to the plays existing between the mechanical members and/or the own resilience of the bars. In other words, thanks to the ability of the mobile support means for the bars, of progressively varying the radial distance from the cited longitudinal axis, the bars can be progressively approached or spaced apart with respect to the same longitudinal axis, starting form an initial configuration of maximum or minimum radius, respectively at the locking performed by the journal boxes or support means of the first support head. Thanks to the relative shift of the first support head and of the second support head, the so engaged bars are progressively arranged according to the desired conical surface.

A feature of the invention is that it allows to obtain in a very easy way the radial motion of the support means for the bars, which is necessary for the manufacturing of the conical cages, thanks to the use of an activation member of rotatable kind, arranged in fixed way, thus considerably easing the building of the machine. Thanks to such activation and thanks to the kinematic transformation performed by the cited kinematic couples, set between the support framework of the bars and the activation framework, it is possible to obtain the desired radial displacement for all the longitudinal bars provided in the project. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide that the cited differential motion between the above mentioned support framework and the above mentioned activation framework is of substantially axial kind.

According to such solution, the cited kinematic chain connects the support framework, the activation framework and the mobile support means for the longitudinal bars, so that the above mentioned substantially axial relative motion is transformed in a correspondent radial displacement of the mobile support means for the longitudinal bars, thus arranging progressively these latter according to a configuration converging to the cited longitudinal axis, that is a conical configuration according to the geometrical parameters of the project. Such connection kinematic chain can comprise, according to the above mentioned embodiment, the first kinematic couple, of radial guide of the mobile support means for the bars, and the second kinematic couple, more precisely, of transformation of the cited substantially axial motion in a radial motion of the mobile support means, and therefore of the longitudinal supported bars. Preferably, the support framework and the activation framework shape coaxial crowns, both arranged about the above mentioned longitudinal axis of the cage being manufactured.

In such case, the cited activation means, being preferably an activation member of linear type, can be arranged at a peripheral portion of the said crowns and guided by suitable guide means, distributed peripherally at the above mentioned crowns.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the first kinematic couple is made, for each supported bar, through the sliding coupling of a rod for the connection of the respective mobile support means with a guide pipe, inside which the rod is slidable according to a radial direction. As an alternative, radial slots made on the same support framework can be used instead of the guide pipe; inside the radial slots the mobile support means for the bars are slidable, articulated to the above mentioned connection rod, or to similar connection means.

The second kinematic couple is preferably made, for each supported bar, by a cam guide member, coupled with the above mentioned connection means, for working as a guide on a path preferably linear, converging to the above mentioned longitudinal axis, so as to transform the cited axial relative motion in a radial motion of the mobile support means. Such linear converging path can be made by means of a slot linearly extending or equivalent means, converging to the above mentioned longitudinal axis, along which the cited connection rod is articulated and mobile.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the activation framework of the radial handling unit can comprise, as an alternative, a central activation means, for example a central sleeve and a central axis coaxial to the above mentioned longitudinal axis, on which the central sleeve can be operated in slidable way by the above mentioned operation means, suitably prearranged.

In such case, the second kinematic couple of the previously mentioned kinematic chain can be made, for each longitudinal bar, through an articulation coupling between the respective connection rod, previously cited, and the central activation member.

By adjusting in suitable way the radial displacement gradient of the support mobile means according to the axial shift of the bars, due to the relative motion between the first and the second support head, it is possible to obtain conical cages of any shape and size.

For each embodiment according to the invention, it is possible to provide to activate the radial handling unit to produce a progressive decrease of the radial distance of the cited mobile support means for the bars from the longitudinal axis of the cage being formed, that is a convergence of the same bars.

In such case, it is advantageously possible to provide that the cited activation means for the above mentioned convergence are of braking type. The braking means are needed for controlling the hooping tightening action produced by the wire winding in spiral about the longitudinal bars, which tend to tighten radially.

[48] Sensor means of linear type can be as well associated with the braking means, the sensor means being suitable to perform such control action efficiently.

[49] Returning means of resilient kind can be used for the return of the mobile support means to the initial position of bigger diameter.

[50] In case the cited chain comprises, in particular, an end couple, of helical type, as previously said, the cited coupling has preferably a large pitch, to ease, by the effect of such braking means, a correspondent backing motion of progressive reduction of the diameter of the cage being shaped.

Description of Drawings

[51 ] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing metal cages for conical pillars, according to the invention, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

[52] figure 1 shows a schematic lateral view of the apparatus according to the invention;

[53] figures 2 and 3 show respectively a perspective front and rear view of a radial handling unit used in the apparatus according to the invention;

[54] figure 4 shows a magnified perspective view of a detail shown in figure 2;

[55] figures 5 and 6 show a lateral and perspective view, respectively, of a portion of the apparatus according to the invention;

[56] figure 7 shows a front perspective view of the apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention, in a starting step;

[57] figure 8 shows a magnified view of a detail of figure 7;

[58] figure 9 shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention, in the same working step shown in figure 7;

[59] figure 10 shows a magnified view of a detail of figure 9;

[60] figure 1 1 shows a front perspective view of the same apparatus, in a final working step;

[61 ] figures 12 and 13 show a magnified view of respective details of the apparatus shown in figure 1 1 ;

[62] figure 14 shows a perspective rear view of the apparatus according to the invention in the same working step shown in figure 1 1 ;

[63] figures 15 and 16 show a magnified view of respective details of the invention shown in figure 14;

[64] figures 17 and 18 show a schematic lateral view of the same apparatus in a starting and ending step respectively;

[65] figures 19 and 20 show a lateral schematic view of a detail of the same apparatus, in a starting and intermediate step respectively; figure 21 shows a perspective schematic view of a different further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

figures 22 and 23 show a perspective and detail view of such different further embodiment of the apparatus shown in figure 21 , in different operative steps;

figure 24 shows a detail of the same apparatus.

Best Mode

With particular reference to such figures, the apparatus for manufacturing metal cages 2, in particular for conical pillars, has been indicated in its entirety with 1 (see figure 1 ).

The apparatus 1 comprises a first support head 10 and a second support head 20, each being able to support respective portions of a plurality of bars 3.

More precisely, each metal cage 2 being shaped is obtained through the fixing of a metal wire 4 wound in spiral according to a pitch suitably established, around a plurality of bars 3 placed about a longitudinal central axis A, according to a pre-established transversal shape. In the particular case of metal cages 2 destined to create conical pillars, the above said transversal profile is circular, even though the apparatus according to the invention can be used for different profiles, for example square, rectangular, elliptical, having decreasing or increasing transversal cross-section, having one conical shape or more different conical shapes.

The first support head 10 and the second support head 20 are mobile relatively to one another in a longitudinal direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the metal cage 2 to be manufactured. Such longitudinal shifting motion can occur along longitudinal guides, for example by the use of revolving means predisposed on rails constrained to the ground, for simplicity not represented in figures. For example, the first head 10, which is operated mobile along the above said longitudinal direction, comprises a framework on which an activation unit is mounted, for the shifting of the first support head 10 along the above said longitudinal direction. As a further example, the second support head 20 is fixed. It can be obviously provided the contrary, or that both heads are longitudinally mobile, for manufacturing the metal cage 2. Moreover, one or more further heads can be provided for an intermediate support, having a support function or other functions.

One of the provided support heads, for example the first support head 10, can comprise a rotating unit 13 suitable to support the longitudinal bars 3 in the fixing positions for the shaping of the metal cage 2. Such rotating unit 13 is suitable to be operated in rotation by first activation means about the longitudinal axis A of the metal cage 2 being shaped, for bringing in rotation the longitudinal bars 3 during the creation of the same cage. In the same way, as an alternative, it is possible to provide that the working members described in the following be brought in rotation for the winding of the metal wire 4 and for the relative fixing to the bars 3, instead of the bars 3. The rotating unit 13 comprises a support structure, made for example through a member having the shape of a pierced disc or a cross journal, arranged on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A of the cage 3 being formed.

For example, it is possible to provide a cross journal member, comprising a plurality of crossbars arranged perpendicular to one another or in spokes, distributed about the rotation axis of the rotating unit 13, reciprocally coupled, in central position, through a junction crown. For example, the junction crown can shape an internal slot substantially annular, suitable for the fixing, in positions peripherally adjustable, of a plurality of fixing means, suitable to constrain respective clamping means 19, for example journal boxes, predisposed to receive and clamp, in known way, the longitudinal bars 3 suitably distributed in circular direction. The above mentioned fixing means can have radial slots, for allowing to adjust the radial positioning of the sleeves 19 for the insertion of the longitudinal bars 3.

The rotating unit 13 is then supported in rotating manner by the respective framework and can be operated in rotation by command of the above mentioned first activation means, about the longitudinal axis A.

The second support head 20 further comprises a framework, for example fixed to the ground, on which a winding unit for winding the metal wire 4 about the longitudinal bars 3 of the cage 2 being formed, is preferably provided in known way. Both units are not represented for simplicity in figures 1 to 6.

The second support head 20 further comprises a rotatable unit 30 of radial handling for the support means of the longitudinal bars 3, suitable, in particular but not only, for the manufacturing of metal cages 2 of conical shape (see figures 2 to 4).

The radial handling unit 30 comprises an activation framework 31 1 for example having a crown shape, associated with a support framework 322, for example disc-shaped, coupled with the support framework of the second support head 20, rotatable about the longitudinal axis A.

In practice, the radial handling unit 30 is suitable to enable the radial movement of support means 40 for the bars 3, carried by the support disc 322. Preferably, the mobile support means 40 have the shape of sleeves or journal boxes. The mobile sleeves 40 are thus suitable to be progressively displaced radially by the activation of the radial handling unit 30, during the cage manufacturing motion, in order to produce, by the combination of the two motions mentioned above, of rotation of the bars 3 about the longitudinal axis A and of longitudinal shifting due to the relative shifting motion between the heads 10, 20 along the same longitudinal axis, a conical cage. The said conical cage 2 has, consequently, a conical shape corresponding to the progressive variation of diameter, of reduction or increase, which is imposed to the mobile sleeves 40 by the said radial handling unit 30. More precisely, each mobile sleeve 40 is suitable to receive longitudinally sliding a respective portion of a longitudinal bar 3. It is necessary to consider that, during the shaping of the metal cage 2, at least a few longitudinal bars 3 result to be clamped preferably at an end portion at a journal box 19 constrained in fixed way to the rotating unit 13 and supported in sliding manner at a distal portion, by means of a mobile sleeve 40 which can be operated by the radial handling unit 30.

In the illustrated case, hence, the activation crown 31 1 and the support disc 322 are arranged parallel, as well as independently rotatable about the same longitudinal axis A. The support disc 322, which receives the rotation motion by the first activation means, carries mobile the cited support means 40 for the bars 3.

More in particular, the activation crown 31 1 is operated by second activation means, not represented for simplicity, according to a rotation motion about the same longitudinal axis A. In substance, then, the first activation means operate the bars 3 supported by the support disc 322 according to a first rotation motion about the longitudinal axis A, for winding the wire 4 in spiral about the same bars 3. The second activation means instead activate the activation crown 31 1 in a second rotation motion about the same longitudinal axis A, which can create a differential rotation motion between the support disc 322 and the activation crown 31 1 . Therefore, it is possible to operate the disc 322 and the crown 31 1 not synchronically, to generate a relative or differential rotation motion, consequently producing a radial displacement of the support means 40 carried mobile by the disc 322, as it is better described in the following.

In particular, the support disc 322 receives the cited first rotation motion by the above mentioned first activation means through first transmission means 323, for example made up of a tooth coupling. In the disclosed case, the first transmission means are in fact made up of a first external toothing 323 arranged peripherally to the support disc 322.

The activation crown 31 1 receives the cited second rotation motion by the second activation means through second transmission means 312, for example made up of a respective tooth coupling. In the disclosed case, the second transmission means 312 are made up in particular of a second external toothing 312 arranged peripherally to the activation crown 31 1 .

The mobile support means 40 for the bars 3 are anchored in mobile way, as it is better described in the following, to the support disc 322 through a kinematic chain 505, suitable to transform the above mentioned relative rotation motion in a determined radial displacement of the same support means 40, for the manufacturing of a conical cage having a determined conical shape.

The kinematic chain 505 comprises, for each mobile support means 40, a first kinematic couple 421 , for the radial guide of the same mobile support means 40, and at least a second kinematic couple 431 , for the transformation of the relative rotation motion into a radial shifting motion.

The first kinematic couple 421 is for example of cylindrical type. In such case, the support disc 322 can comprise a radial slot 422 suitable to receive sliding a respective support means 40 or journal box.

In the disclosed embodiment, the second kinematic couple 431 is of gear type and is connected to further kinematic couples, for the transformation, more generally, of a rotation motion into a shifting motion. For example, the second kinematic couple 431 can comprise an internal toothing 432 obtained on the internal rim of the activation crown 31 1 , and for each journal box 40, a pinion member 433 carried rotatable by the support disc 322 and engaged with the internal toothing 432. The second kinematic couple 431 transmits then the rotation motion from the pinion member 433 to a screw member 434 radially oriented on the support disc 322, for example through an angular transmission couple 435, preferably through a conical gear. The screw member 434 is thus rotatable about an axis radial with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The screw member 434 shapes a helical coupling with a nut screw member 436 fixed to a respective mobile journal box 40, for transforming the rotating motion transmitted by the pinion member 433 to the screw member 434 into a correspondent radial displacement with respect to the longitudinal axis A of each of the mobile support means 40 for the bars 3. For example, the nut screw member 436 can shape a sleeve, internally threaded, inside which the nut screw member 434 is inserted. The threaded sleeve 436 can be connected in fixed way with the respective journal box 40 through a connection element 437, for example having plate shape. The connection plate 437 is preferably arranged parallel to the plane of the support disc 322, and orthogonally carries the journal boxes 40 mobile inside the radial slots 422.

Very advantageously, the previously cited union means can be supported by the fixed framework of the second support head 20, at the side of the support disc 322. In such way, the disc 322 can act as a barrier for the components of the kinematic chain 505, preventing the material produced by the welding operations to reach and dirty the different kinematic couples involved. Such barrier contributes in preserving the correct functioning and the endurance of the radial handling unit 30.

The functioning of the apparatus according to the invention, in particular suitable for being used in the manufacturing of metal cages 2 for conical pillars, is easy to understand from the preceding description.

In a starting working step, the needed bars 3 are arranged, according to the project, for the manufacturing of a metal cage 2 having a pre-established conical shape. The bars 3 are inserted and clamped, at least partially, into the respective journal boxes 19 of the first support head 10. In particular, the ends of the bars 3 are constrained, through suitable clamping means, of known type, to the journal boxes 19 arranged on the support structure of the rotating member 13 of the first support head 10.

[93] Moreover, each bar 3 is inserted passing through the mobile sleeves 40 carried by the support disc 322 of the second support head 20. In the starting working step, the first head 10 and the second head 20 are approached one in front of the other.

[94] In the same starting step, the mobile sleeves 40 and the journal boxes 19 are arranged about the longitudinal axis A, substantially at the same radial distance.

[95] Moreover, the metal wire 4 to be fed to the apparatus through the unwinding unit for the unwinding from a respective coil, not represented, and the winding unit as well as the union unit for the fixing of the metal wire 4 fed and wound in spiral about the longitudinal bars 3, are arranged.

[96] Subsequently, the wire 4 is wound and fixed about the bars 3 dragged in rotation by the first activation means and in shifting motion along the axial direction A between the first support head 10 and the second support head 20. Such combined motion produces in controlled way the pitch of the winding spiral.

[97] At the same time, the second activation means are activated in suitable way, being suitable to adjust the relative rotation motion between the activation crown 31 1 and the support disc 322 of the second head 20, which the kinematic chain 505 is suitable to transform in a correspondent radial displacement of the mobile sleeves 40.

[98] As a matter of facts, according to the conical shape to be created for the cage, it is possible to get the measure of the radial displacement to impose to the mobile sleeves 40, according to the axial displacement of the first support head 10 with respect to the second support head 20. Therefore, it is possible to activate in controlled way the second activation means, according to the angular speed commanded by the first activation means, in order to obtain the desired radial displacement for the mobile sleeves 40 and therefore for the bars 3 supported by them, at will, in continued or discontinued manner.

[99] In such working step, hence, the wire 4 is wound in spiral in continued manner and fixed about the bars 3, which are progressively brought by the mobile sleeves 40 in a condition preferably of convergence to the longitudinal axis A (see in particular figures 5 and 6), but this is valid as well in the case of the manufacturing of a conical cage by performing the progressive spacing apart of the bars 3 with respect to the longitudinal axis A.

[100] Once the cage has been completed, it is then possible to remove it from the apparatus 1 , by freeing the bars 3, at their respective ends, from the sleeves 19 and from the mobile sleeves 40. [101 ] As it was said before, it is possible to provide as an alternative, but in an analogous way, that for shaping the cage 2 the cited working members are rotatable instead of the same cage 2.

[102] In figures 7 to 20, a different solution is disclosed, in which the first support head 10 comprises the rotating unit 13 suitable to support the longitudinal bars 3 at the fixing positions for the shaping of the metal cage 2. Such rotating unit 13 is suitable to be operated in rotation by a suitable motor member 14, about the longitudinal axis A of the metal cage 2 being formed, for bringing in rotation the longitudinal bars 3 during the shaping of the same cage. In an analogous way, it can be provided, as an alternative, that the working members described in the following, for winding the metal wire 4 and fixing it to the bars 3, are driven in rotation instead of the bars 3.

[103] The rotating unit 13 comprises a support structure 15, for example made up of a pierced disc or cross journal member, arranged on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A of the cage 2 being formed.

[104] In the case illustrated in the figures, a cross journal member 15 is provided comprising a plurality of crossbars 16 arranged perpendicular to one another or anyway angularly distributed about the rotation axis of the rotating unit 13, reciprocally coupled, in central position, through a junction crown 17. For example, the junction crown 17 can shape an internal slot substantially annular, suitable for the fixing in positions which can be peripherally adjusted, of a plurality of fixing means 18, suitable to constrain the respective clamping means 19, for example the cited journal boxes, destined to receive and clamp, in known way, the longitudinal bars 3 suitably distributed in circular direction. The fixing means 18 can be radially slotted for enabling to adjust the radial positioning of the sleeves 19 for insertion of the longitudinal bars 3.

[105] The rotating unit 13 is therefore supported by the framework 1 1 , and operable in rotation by command of the aforesaid activation member 14, about the longitudinal axis A.

[106] The second support head 20 shown in figures 7 to 20 comprises the framework 21 , for example fixed to the ground, on which preferably works, in known way, the unwinding unit 22 for the metal wire 4, as well as the union unit 23, for example for the union by means of welding of the metal wire 4 to the longitudinal bars 3 of the cage 2 being manufactured.

[107] The second support head 20 further comprises the cited unit, rotatable, of radial handling 30 for the support means of the longitudinal bars 3, suitable, in particular but not only, for manufacturing metal cages 2 of conical shape.

[108] The radial handling unit 30 comprises an activation framework 31 , for example crown- shaped, associated with a support framework 32, for example crown shaped as well, coupled with the framework 21 , rotatable about the longitudinal axis A. As it was previously said, it is possible to provide, as an alternative but in analogous way, that for shaping the cage 2 the working members 22, 23 are rotatable instead of the support framework 32 for the longitudinal bars 3.

[109] Therefore, in the illustrated case, the activation crown 31 and the support crown 32 are arranged parallel and concentric as well as rotatable about the same longitudinal axis A (see in particular figures 9, 10, 1 1 and 12).

[1 10] More in particular, the activation crown 31 and the support crown 32 are associated axially mobile according to a shifting motion substantially axial, of approaching or reciprocal spacing. The activation crown 31 and the support crown 32 are guided in such relative motion, substantially axial, by linear guide means 33 (figure 19). Such means of linear guide 33 can comprise a plurality of guide pins 34, orthogonally and peripherally fixed to the support crown 32 and inserted slidable inside correspondent sleeves of linear guide 35, arranged peripherally to the activation crown 31 .

[1 1 1 ] The support crown 32, carried rotatable inside a correspondent opening obtained in the framework 21 , is thus connected through means of linear guide 33 to the activation crown 31 . The above said relative motion of substantially axial shifting, in substance of reciprocal spacing or approaching of the activation crown 31 with respect to the support crown 32, is made through respective activation means, preferably by a single motor member 36, applied to the activation crown 31 , and relative transforming means or by means of linear activation means. Moreover, it is preferable that such means of linear activation 36 are applied to the activation crown 31 through revolving means 37 for guiding the rotation motion about the longitudinal axis A.

[1 12] In such solution, the radial handling unit 30, as in the previously described embodiments, is suitable to make radially mobile the mobile support means 40 of the bars, carried by the support crown 32 during the motion of manufacturing of the cage, in order to create a conical cage by the combination of the two previously cited motions of rotation of the bars about the longitudinal axis A and of longitudinal shifting due to shifting motion between the heads 10, 20 along the same longitudinal axis. Such conical cage 2 has consequently a conical shape corresponding to the progressive diameter variation, of reduction or increasing, imposed to the mobile sleeves 40 by the aforesaid radial handling unit 30.

[1 13] The radial handling unit 30 comprises as well the corresponding kinematic chain 50, suitable to transform the cited relative motion of substantially axial shifting of the framework or activation crown 31 with respect to the framework or support crown 32 into the aforesaid radial displacement motion of each mobile sleeve 40, for the manufacturing of a conical cage of determined conical shape (see in particular figures 19 and 20).

[1 14] In the illustrated case, such kinematic chain 50 is made up of a plurality of components, but further or different embodiments are as well possible for the same scope, as it is described in the following. [1 15] Hence, in the illustrated case, to the purpose of the cited kinematic transformation, each sleeve 40 is constrained to a connection member 41 through a first kinematic couple 42. Preferably, the connection member 41 is articulated to a portion, for example an end portion, of the respective mobile sleeve 40. The connection member 41 , for example having the shape of a rod, is guided in direction radial to the longitudinal axis A, through the first kinematic couple 42, made up for example of a guide pipe, in which the rod 41 is inserted sliding according to a radial sliding direction. The guide pipe 42 can be carried by the support crown 32, for example at its rear, thus resulting to be set between the activation crown 31 and the same support crown 32.

[1 16] As an alternative, it is possible to provide that the first kinematic couple 42 is made up of suitable radial openings obtained on the disc-shaped support framework 32.

[1 17] The connection rod 41 is further constrained, peripherally articulated, to a second kinematic couple 43, suitable to transform the axial shifting motion between the activation crown 31 and the support crown 32 into the radial displacement of the mobile sleeve 40, corresponding to the conical shape to be created for the cage 2, as it was previously said.

[1 18] For example, the second kinematic couple 43 can be made through cam means 44, preferably for each sleeve 40, for example shaping a stirrup carried integral with the activation crown 31 , having a guide path, for example a slot 45, suitable to receive slidable a pin 46 of articulation to the aforesaid connection rod 41 . As it is possible to see in particular in figure 19, the guide slot 45 can advantageously have an extension preferably rectilinear and converging towards the axis of the crowns 31 , 32, to progressively bring the respective mobile sleeve 40 towards a position being at a determined distance from the longitudinal axis A of the cage being formed, resulting by the progressive axial displacement between the first crown 31 and the second crown 32, commanded by the activation member 36 and guided by the linear guide means 33.

[1 19] The functioning of the apparatus according to such embodiment of the invention can be understood by the preceding description and is similar to the functioning previously described for the first disclosed solution.

[120] In a starting working step, the needed bars 3 are arranged, according to the project, for the manufacturing of a metal cage having a pre-established conical shape. The bars 3, for example in number of ten, as in the disclosed case, or in different number, are inserted and clamped into the respective journal boxes 19 of the first support head 10. In particular, the ends of the bars 3 are constrained, through suitable clamping means, of known type, to the journal boxes 19 arranged on the support structure 15 of the rotating member 13 of the first support head 10.

[121 ] Moreover, each bar 3 is inserted passing through the mobile sleeves 40 carried by the support crown 32 of the second support head 20. In the starting working step, the first head 10 and the second head 20 are approached one in front of the other (see in particular figures 7 and 18).

[122] In the same starting step the mobile sleeves 40 and the journal boxes 19 are arranged about the longitudinal axis A, substantially at the same radial distance.

[123] Moreover, the metal wire 4 to be fed to the apparatus through the unwinding unit 22 for the unwinding from a respective coil, not represented, and the union unit 23 for the fixing of the metal wire 4 fed and wound in spiral about the longitudinal bars 3, are arranged.

[124] Subsequently, in suitable step relationship according to the pitch to be created for the above said spiral, the unwinding unit 22, the union unit 23, the motor member 14 for the operation in rotation of the bars 3, and the activation member 12 are activated for performing at the same time the shifting relative motion along the axial direction A between the first support head 10 and the second support head 20. In practice, in the illustrated example, the first head 10, to which the ends of the bars 3 are constrained in fixed way, carries out the dragging of the same bars 3 and thus the axial sliding of these latter through the respective mobile sleeves 40 located on the second support head 20.

[125] At the same time, the second activation means 36 are activated in suitable way, being suitable to command the axial displacement between the activation crown 31 and the support crown 32 of the second head 20, which the kinematic chain 50 is suitable to transform in a correspondent radial displacement of the mobile sleeves 40.

[126] As a matter of facts, according to the conical shape to be created for the cage, it is possible to obtain the measure of the radial displacement to impose to the mobile sleeves 40, according to the axial displacement of the first support head 10 with respect to the second support head 20. Therefore, it is possible to activate in controlled way the activation member 36 of the linear guide means 33, in order to obtain the desired radial displacement for the mobile sleeves 40 and therefore for the bars 3 supported by them.

[127] Thanks to the articulation preferably set between the connection rod 41 and the respective mobile sleeve 40, the radial displacement of the same sleeve, by command of the activation means 36, allows as well a possible inclination of the same mobile sleeve 40, corresponding to the conical shape to make. In case such articulation is not provided, that is in case the connection rod 41 is constrained in rigid way to the mobile sleeve 40, the conical disposition of the bars 3 is anyway allowed thanks to the resilience of the metal wire of which the bars 3 are made and to the plays existing in the involved mechanical couplings. Such consideration is valid also for the journal boxes 19 carried by the first head 10.

[128] In such working step, thus, the wire 4 is wound in spiral in continued manner and fixed about the bars 3, which are progressively brought by the mobile sleeves 40 in a condition preferably of convergence to the longitudinal axis A (see in particular figures 1 1 , 14 and 18).

[129] Once the cage has been completed, it is then possible to remove it from the apparatus 1 , by freeing the bars 3, at their respective ends, from the sleeves 19 and from the mobile sleeves 40.

[130] According to a different further embodiment, schematically shown in figures 21 to 24, it is possible to provide that the activation framework 310 shapes central guide means, for example a sleeve or a central sliding member, arranged slidable on a central guide axis 330 coaxial to the longitudinal axis A. The central sleeve 310 is suitable to be activated in a way similar to what has been previously described, according to a relative motion of axial shifting, with respect to the support framework 320 for the bars 3, indicated by the arrow B in figure 21 .

[131 ] In a way completely similar to what has been previously described, such relative motion of axial shifting is suitable to be transformed by the kinematic chain 500 in a radial motion controlled by the mobile sleeves 40, through the activation of dedicated means, such as motor or advantageously braking means.

[132] In the case of the use of braking means associated with the central sleeve, it is possible to take advantage of the hooping action applied by the wire 4 wound in spiral about the longitudinal bars 3, to guide the progressive reduction of the radial distance of the same bars 3 from the longitudinal axis A. Control sensor means can be associated with such control braking means.

[133] As it is possible to see in figure 22, one or more auxiliary supports 210 can be coupled with the central guide axis 330, for example radially shaped, suitable to support the free portions of the bars 3, in the forming step of the cage 2.

[134] To such purpose, the first kinematic couple 420 of the kinematic chain 500 is made up of a plurality of radial openings made on the disc-shaped support framework 320. Therefore, the mobile sleeves 40 radially slide inside respective radial openings 420. As in the previously described embodiment, the mobile sleeves 40 are articulated to a connection rod 410 with the central sleeve 310 guided by the central axis 330. In such case, the second kinematic chain 430 of the kinematic chain 500, for the transformation of the axial motion of the central sleeve 310 in radial motions of the mobile sleeves 40 is thus obtained only through the articulation of the connection rod 410 with the same central sleeve 310.

[135] The axial displacement of the central sleeve 310 along the axial direction B is thus suitable to produce the displacement of each mobile sleeve 40 along a respective radial direction C. [136] The functioning of such different further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is completely analogous to what has been disclosed for the preceding embodiment.

[137] In practice, the embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.

[138] Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.

Claims

1 . Apparatus for manufacturing metal cages (2) for conical pillars, said cages (2) being made up of a series of longitudinal bars (3), arranged according to a pre-established geometrical shape about a longitudinal axis (A), and fixed through the fixing of at least one metal wire (4), spirally wound on the same bars (3) through the combination of a rotation motion about an axis coinciding with said longitudinal axis (A) of the cage (2) being formed and a shifting motion relatively to said bars (3), comprising at least one first support head (10) provided with a support structure (13) suitable to support respective portions of said bars (3), at least one second support head (20) provided with a support framework (322), carrying support means (40) for said bars (3), said first support head (10) and said second support head (20) being mobile relatively to one another along said longitudinal axis (A) of said cage (2) to be manufactured, for producing said shifting motion, first activation means being provided for activating said support framework (322) in said rotation motion about said longitudinal axis (A), said apparatus being characterized in that said second support head (20) comprises a radial handling unit (30) for said bars (3), suitable to allow the progressive displacement of said bars (3) radially to said longitudinal axis (A), said radial handling unit (30) comprising an activation framework (31 1 ) rotatable about the said longitudinal axis (A), second activation means suitable to activate said activation framework (31 1 ) in a second rotation motion independently from said activation framework (322), in order to produce a relative or differential rotation motion, and a kinematic chain (505) of connection between said support means (40), said activation framework (31 1 ) and said support framework (322) for the transformation of said relative rotation motion in a radial motion with respect to said longitudinal axis (A) of said support means (40) for said bars (3).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connection kinematic chain (505) comprises, for each support means (40) radially mobile according to said relative rotation motion, a first kinematic couple (421 ), for the radial guide of said mobile support means (40), and at least one second kinematic chain (431 ), for the transformation of said relative rotation motion into said radial motion.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said support framework (322) shapes a support disc carrying radially mobile support means (40) and said activation framework (31 1 ) shapes an activation crown parallel to said support disc (322).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises first transmission means (323) for transmitting said rotation motion from said first motor means to said support disc (322), said first transmission means comprising an external toothing made peripherally to said support disc (322).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises second transmission means (312) for transmitting said second rotation motion from said second activation means to said activation crown (31 1 ), said second transmission means (312) comprising an external toothing preferably made by said activation crown (31 1 ).

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said first kinematic chain (421 ) comprises for each support means (40) a radial guide slot (422) obtained on said support disc (322), at which said support means (40) for the bars (3) is inserted mobile.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said second kinematic couple (431 ) comprises an internal toothing (432) shaped by said activation crown (31 1 ) and, for each said mobile support means (40), a pinion member (433) carried rotatable by said support disc (322) and engaged with said internal toothing (432) and in that said second kinematic chain (431 ) in connected with a screw member (434) through an angular transmission couple (435), said screw member (434) being rotatable according to a radial axis with respect to said longitudinal axis (A), and coupled with a nut screw member (435) integral with said mobile support means (40), for transforming said rotation motion of said screw member (434) into said motion radial with respect to said longitudinal axis (A) of each of said mobile support means (40) for said bars (3).

8. Apparatus according to one of the claims 3 to 7, characterized in that such activation crown (31 1 ) is substantially housed internally to and supported by said support disc (322).

9. Radial handling unit (30) suitable to be applied at least to one support head (20) of an apparatus for manufacturing metal cages for the reinforcement of conical pillars, comprising an activation framework (31 1 ) and a support framework (322) arranged parallel and coaxial to a longitudinal axis (A), such support framework (322) being suitable to be driven in rotation by first activation means about said longitudinal axis (A), second activation means suitable to drive in rotation said activation framework (31 1 ) about said longitudinal axis (A), in order to produce a relative or differential rotation motion between said support framework (322) and said activation framework (31 1 ), support means (40) for longitudinal bars (3) of said cage (2) carried by said support framework (322), and a kinematic chain (505) of connection of said support means (40) with said activation framework (31 1 ) and with said support framework (322), for the transformation of said relative rotation motion in a radial motion of said mobile support means (40) for said supported bars (3), in order to allow the progressive positioning of said bars (3) according to a conical shape with respect to said longitudinal axis (A), for manufacturing a said conical metal cage (2).

10. Method of making metal cages for conical pillars, comprising the steps of

a. clamping at least part of a plurality of longitudinal bars (3) to a first support head (10) provided with support means (19) for the bars (3) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (A), arranging said longitudinal bars (3) according to a pre-established geometrical shape about said longitudinal axis (A);

b. constraining in longitudinal slidable way the said plurality of bars (3) to a second support head (20) provided with mobile support means (40) rotatable about said longitudinal axis (A), said first support head (10) and said second support head (20) being aligned along said longitudinal axis (A) of formation of said metal cage (2);

c. activating in a shifting relative motion along said longitudinal axis (A) said first support head (10) and said second support head (20) and simultaneously

d. driving in rotation said supported bars (3), about said longitudinal axis (A) and e. spirally winding and uniting a metal wire (4) about said longitudinal bars (3) dragged in said rotation motion and in said shifting motion by said first support head (10) and by said second support head (20);

f. in suitable step relationship, activating a radial handling unit (30) associated with a said support head (20), comprising an activation framework (31 1 ) and a support framework (322) parallel and coaxial to said longitudinal axis (A) and carrying said mobile support means (40), to produce a relative rotation motion about said longitudinal axis (A) between said activation framework (31 1 ) and said support framework (322), which produces a progressive radial displacement of said mobile support means (40), through a kinematic chain (505) of connection between said activation framework (31 1 ), said support framework (322) and said mobile support means (40), in order to bring said bars (3) supported by said mobile support means (40) in a correspondent conical configuration. Apparatus for manufacturing metal cages (2) for conical pillars, said cages (2) being made up of a series of longitudinal bars (3), arranged according to a pre-established circular geometrical shape about a longitudinal axis (A) and fixed by the fixing of at least one metal wire (4), spirally wound on the same bars (3) through the combination of a rotation motion about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis (A) of the cage (2) being processed and a shifting motion relatively to said bars (3), comprising a first support head (10) provided with a support structure (13) suitable to support respective portions of said bars (3), a second support head (20) provided with a support framework (32, 320), suitable to support respective further portions of said bars (3), said first support head (10) and said second support head (20) being mobile relatively to one another along said longitudinal axis (A) of said cage (2) to be manufactured, for producing said shifting motion, said support structure (15) and said support framework (32, 320) being suitable to carry out about said longitudinal axis (A) said relative rotation motion, an unwinding unit (22) and an union unit (23) cooperating with said first support head (10) and / or said second support head (20) for the union of said wire to said longitudinal bars (3), said apparatus being characterized in that said second support head (20) comprises a radial handling unit (30) for said bars (3), suitable to allow the progressive positioning of said bars (3) according to a shape converging to said longitudinal axis (A), said radial handling unit (30) comprising an activation framework (31 , 310) associated with said support framework (32, 320) of said bars (3), activation means (36) applied peripherally to said activation framework (31 , 310), for activating between said activation framework (31 , 310) and said support framework (32, 30) a relative motion of axial shifting along said longitudinal axis (A), mobile support means (40), for the bars (3), being carried by said support framework (32, 320), and a kinematic chain (50, 500) of connection of said mobile support means (40), said activation framework (31 , 310) and said support framework (32, 320), for the transformation of said relative motion of axial shifting in a radial motion with respect to said longitudinal axis (A) of said mobile support means (40) for said bars (3).

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that said kinematic chain (50, 500) of connection comprises, for each mobile support means (40) a first kinematic couple (42, 420), for the radial guide of said mobile support means (40), a second kinematic couple (43, 430), for the transformation of said relative axial motion in said radial motion, and a connection member (41 , 410) constrained to said mobile support means (40) and said activation framework (31 , 310).

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said first kinematic couple (42) is made up of a guide pipe constrained to said support framework (32) inside which said connection member (41 ), constrained to said mobile support means (40), is inserted slidable along a direction radial to said longitudinal axis (A).

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said second kinematic couple (43) comprises cam means constrained to said activation framework (31 ) and bearing a guide slot (45) converging in a motion substantially linear towards said longitudinal axis (A), said connection member (41 ) being articulated mobile along said guide slot.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that said connection member (41 ) is articulated to said mobile support means (40).

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said activation framework (310) comprises a central sleeve arranged slidable on a central axis (330) coaxial to said longitudinal axis (A) and connected to said support framework (320), said activation framework (310) being suitable to be operated according to said relative motion of substantially axial shifting (B), and said second kinematic couple (430) comprising the articulation of said connection members (410) constrained to said mobile support means (40) to said central sleeve (310).

17. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said activation means (36) or said second activation means are of braking type, suitable to control a hooping clamping action, exerted by said wire (4) spirally winding about said longitudinal bars (3), which tend to radially clamp.

18. Method of making metal cages for conical pillars, comprising the steps of

a. clamping a plurality of longitudinal bars (3) to a first support head (10) provided with support means (19) for the bars (3) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (A), arranging said longitudinal bars (3) according to a pre-established geometrical shape about said longitudinal axis;

d. driving in rotation said supported bars (3), about said longitudinal axis (A) and e. spirally unwinding and uniting a metal wire (4) about said longitudinal bars (3) dragged in said rotation motion and in said shifting motion by said first support head (10) and by said second support head (20);

f. in suitable step relationship, activating a radial handling unit (30) associated with one said support head (20), comprising an activation framework (31 , 310) and a support framework (32, 320) coaxial to said longitudinal axis (A) and carrying said mobile support means (40), to produce a relative motion of axial shifting between said activation framework (31 , 310) and said support framework (32, 320), which produces a progressive radial displacement of radial approaching of said mobile support means (40), through a kinematic chain (50, 500) of connection between said activation framework (31 , 310), said support framework (32, 320) and said mobile support means (40), in order to bring said bars (3) supported by said mobile support means (40) in a correspondent conical configuration.