EP3209836B1

EP3209836B1 - Device for forming binding elements

Info

Publication number: EP3209836B1
Application number: EP15804946.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dante Bruno Priuli; Simone Rupoli
Original assignee: Schnell SpA
Current assignee: Schnell SpA
Priority date: 2014-10-20
Filing date: 2015-10-20
Publication date: 2018-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-20
Also published as: WO2016063221A4; EP3209836A1; WO2016063221A1

Description

Technical field

The present invention regards a device for forming binding elements, in particular suitable for joining superimposed components of reinforced concrete reinforcements.

Prior art

Use of binding elements, for example metal wire-like material, for making frameworks or reinforced concrete reinforcement metal meshes, or protection meshes, fences suitable for use in various technical fields, is known.
Such binding elements, in particular, are for example intended to firmly join a pair of extended-shaped components at a respective crossing or joining area. The desired binding can be obtained in a simple manner or in a multi-wire fashion, depending on whether only one metal-like material or several wires wound around the same crossing are used.
The binding joining is for example used in the building industry, to join the various structural components forming the reinforcements.
In the specific field, binding is a particularly valued joining system in that, contrary to other kinds of joining systems, such as for example welding, it does not jeopardise the wholeness of the utilised reinforcement components, usually iron, in any manner whatsoever.
A problem observed, in particular in the reinforced cement building industry, lies in the fact that the bindings are mainly obtained by hand.
This fact does not fully meet the production needs of the industry, which instead requires quick execution times and high quality standards as concerns results obtained therewith.
Technical solutions for obtaining the forming of binding elements have been proposed previously.
For example, patent application n° WO 99/15286 A1 illustrates an apparatus for applying a clip-like element to a first tubular element and a second tubular element intersected to each other. The apparatus comprises a casing, a gripping area, an activation lever actuatable forward and backward, first means for feeding the clip-like elements in the casing, second means for moving the clip-like element outside the casing up to contact with the first tubular element, third means for deforming the shanks of the clip-like element around the aforementioned second tubular element, so as to couple the first and second element together.
Patent application n° WO 2013/103866 illustrates a binding tool, suitable for fixing a T-shaped binding element, comprising an upper horizontal portion that is transversal and integrally joined to a pair of shanks arranged at the lower part. The tool comprises a body provided with an activation member adapted to exert a downward force on the aforementioned transversal portion, and retractable forming arms, adapted to curve the lower shanks around fixed bar elements.
Patent n° US 2,455,557 illustrates a device for fixing U-shaped binding elements, conforming a hollow shape having a storage element at an outlet edge, adapted to perpendicularly receive a bar, for discharging a U-shaped element having spaced shanks astride the bar. The devices also comprises an arm mounted rotatably on the body and mobile means carried by the body to engage the shanks of the U-shaped element and bend them in a crossed fashion through the bar, as well as coupling means between the aforementioned arm and the mobile means for actuating the mobile means.
Patent n° US 5,881,452 illustrates a portable tool for applying metal clips for fixing the steel reinforcement elements used in concrete constructions. The tool comprises a framework, an anvil supported at one end by the framework, a blade assembly mobile along the framework towards the anvil, and a gripping area for handling and positioning the tool. The blade assembly has a U-shaped seat for containing the clip. The anvil has a pair of grooves for guiding the first and the second shank to be clipped around the reinforcement elements.
Lastly, patent JP H01 105869 illustrated a binding device according to the preamble of claim 1 comprising a storage element for containing U-shaped elements, a thrust plate that can be lifted using a driving member, for feeding the U-shaped elements over a pair of crossed superimposed bars. The device also comprises a pair of oscillatable bending arms, configured for the inward bending of the shanks of the U-shaped elements, and an underlying rotary table, provided with a plurality of insertion holes in proximity of a central area, to wind the end portions of the U-shaped wire-like elements.
However, the solutions proposed up to date do not fully meet the needs of the specific industry.
In particular, the proposed solutions are suitable for ideal use on site, while in the specific industry there is an ever-growing need for products entirely made in the forming sites, which are to be transported to the worksite after binding. Thus, this procedure requires maximum safety and reliability of the binding operations carried out, against the risk of detachment.
More precisely, the prior art solutions generally propose the application of an open binding element whose ends counter the opening solely using the elasticity the material can offer, hence not entirely safe.
As a matter of fact, it should be observed that the structures used in the specific industry, construction industry, may have considerable dimensions and weight. Thus, when such structures are moved, to be lifted or transported, there is a high risk of detachment of the bindings of the open type or poorly stretched bindings. This risk puts the safety of the workers involved in these operations seriously at risk.
Thus, welding joining means are used where possible. However, use of welding is not advisable at times, for example in order to avoid jeopardising the structural resistance of the structures to be obtained by welding, especially if manual, or due to the fact that welding may be superficial and thus not guarantee the required joining. In other cases, the specific use of welding as concerns this type of reinforcement may be prohibited by the laws in force, or structural elements of the weldable type may be banned from the market.
Thus, the importance of the robustness of the reinforcement structures assembled at the forming sites, using binding elements, is clear.
The specific industry currently requires that the structures be entirely made and assembled in sites far from the final sites of utilisation, thus they should be suitable to be lifted several times, transported, stored and moved to the laid at the worksite. In particular, such reinforcement structures are subjected to high dynamic stresses that may jeopardise stability thereof during transport.
Thus, the prior art solutions, in particular with open binding systems, do not fully meet the specific industry reliability and efficiency requirements.

Presentation of the invention

The task of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems, by providing a device for forming binding elements capable of allowing automatically obtaining the forming of binding clips.
Another object of the present invention consists in allowing positioning binding means or clips around elements to be joined by binding.
Within this task, another task of the present invention is to provide a device for forming binding elements that is safe, reliable and inexpensive.
A further object of the present invention consists in providing a device for forming binding elements that is flexible in use, in particular one that can be easily applied to materials with different cross sections, for binding structures of any type, such as reticular, with framework of any section, for example circular, polygonal.
The aforementioned objects are attained by a device for forming binding elements according to claim 1 and a method for forming binding elements according to claim 13.
The device for forming binding elements according to the invention comprises a support structure or framework, a forming unit carrying a forming member mobile with respect to the aforementioned framework between an inoperative position and an operative forming position, a unit for feeding binding elements adapted to be formed in suitable binding means by the forming member when it is activated in the operative forming position.
According to the invention, the forming device comprises a binding unit carried by the same support structure to cooperate with the aforementioned forming unit.
The binding unit comprises a tightening member, preferably of the gripper type, alternatingly moveable from an open configuration to a closed tightening configuration, rotatable and actuatable in rotation around the longitudinal axis thereof, for twisting respective tightened portions, in particular one against the other, of a binding element positioned in the binding area and formed by a forming unit.
Thus, the forming device according to the invention allows the efficient fixing of elements to be bound, by means of binding elements which are formed with a closed profile. More precisely, the closure of the profile is obtained by mutually twisting respective portions of the formed binding element around the elements to be bound, tightened by the binding unit.
In addition, the tightening of the aforementioned portions allows tensioning the binding, so as to guarantee safe and robust joining of the elements to be bound.
The closed profile of the binding element thus formed and twisted is capable of providing safe resistance against inadvertent opening, which is much safer with respect to open profile or non-tensioned solutions of the prior art.
Thus, the forming device according to the invention allows automatically and fully obtaining complex reinforcement structures, suitably fixing them to be subjected to any type of action, whether static or dynamic, in particular when transporting to the worksite.
In particular, due to the presence of the binding unit cooperating with the forming unit, the device according to the invention, contrary to prior art solutions, allows obtaining bindings that are safe for transporting large and/or considerably heavy metal structures in an automatic and repeatable fashion, without exposing the operators to risks.
According to the invention, the forming device comprises a guide unit, obtained by means of a slide or a guide carriage, provided with shaped rolling or sliding means, conformed to engage one of the elements to be bound, guiding the device in relative motion from one binding area to the subsequent one, in a quick and efficient manner.
Thus, the forming device, due to the presence of the guide unit, allows obtaining complex reinforcement structures in quick and efficient manner.
A peculiar aspect of the invention consists in the fact that the forming member comprises a forming element adapted to serve as a bending or calendering pin, for deforming a fed binding element, when the aforementioned forming member is in the aforementioned operative configuration or in motion through the aforementioned operative configuration.
The forming member may substantially deform the binding element being in motion through the aforementioned operative configuration, operating by bending, or remaining fixed relatively to the supplied element, which is supplied progressively.
In any case, the binding device prearranges the winding of the binding element by deforming it around the elements to be bound or joined.
According to a particular aspect, the device supplies at least one binding element on one side of the binding area, winds the same element around an element to be bound, returning an end portion of the binding element formed on the same side of the binding area from which it comes.
In other words, the binding device may also wind - even in a U-shaped fashion - any binding element around a first and a second element to be bound.
According to a particular aspect of the invention, the aforementioned forming motion is an oscillating motion, the forming member being hinged to the support structure of the device.
According to a further particular aspect, the forming device comprises a mobile positioning member, conforming a shaped reference portion, adapted to engage at least one of the elements to be bound, for locking said device.
The forming member and the positioning member may be mobile according to an approaching motion between a position spaced apart from said binding area and a position approached to the same area, at which said forming member is inserted into the binding area and said positioning member intercepts at least one element to be bound in the binding area, for positioning the same device with reference to the intercepted element to be bound.
According to a particular aspect, the aforementioned forming member is fork-shaped to allow the aforementioned insertion, each branch of the fork providing for a forming element.
The forming device according to the invention may be easily applied to different types of apparatus for obtaining the aforementioned reinforcements or different products, in which it is required to perform the binding at an area to be bound, for example the crossing of a longitudinal bar and a bracket or transversal spiral of a framework reinforcement being formed.
The device for forming the binding elements allows guaranteeing the stable reference of the operating units when forming the binding elements, for example, by means of a U-shaped element with deformed conformation, with the branches of the U-shape wound around the binding area and the curved portion arranged around an element to be bound.
However, the forming device may be equally used for forming any type of binding element, whether simple double or multi-wire in general.
The device according to the invention may be used for forming preformed binding elements, for example U-shaped or pieces of substantially rectilinear wire-like material, pre-cut, or supplied to the device and cut on site.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the invention shall be more apparent from the description of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the device for forming the binding elements according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, wherein:

figures 1 and 2 respectively show a perspective view of the forming device according to the invention, and a front view of a portion of the same device, in an initial operating step of application on a reinforcement framework.
figures 3 and 4 respectively show a lateral view and sectional view, according to the plane of line IV-IV indicated in figure 3, of the device in question in the same initial operating step;
figures 5 and 6 respectively show a perspective view of the same and a front view of a portion of the same device, in an operating step subsequent to the initial one illustrated in figures 1 to 4;
figures 7 and 8 respectively show a lateral view and sectional view, according to the plane of line VIII-VIII indicated in figure 7, of the device in question in the same initial operating step illustrated in figures 5 and 6;
figures 9 and 10 respectively show a perspective view of the device according to the invention and a front view of a portion of the same device, in an operating step subsequent to the initial one illustrated in figures 5 to 8;
figures 11 and 12 respectively show a lateral view and sectional view, according to the plane of line XIII-XIII indicated in figure 11, of the device in question in the same initial operating step illustrated in figures 9 and 10;
figures 13 and 14 respectively show a perspective view of the device according to the invention and a front view of a portion of the same device, in an operating step subsequent to the initial one illustrated in figures 9 to 12;
figures 15 and 16 respectively show a lateral view and sectional view, according to the plane of line XVI-XVI indicated in figure 15, of the device in question in the same initial operating step illustrated in figures 13 and 14;
figures 17 and 18 respectively show a perspective view of the device according to the invention and a front view of a portion of the same device, in an operating step subsequent to the initial one illustrated in figures 13 to 16;
figures 19 and 20 respectively show a lateral view and sectional view, according to the plane of line XX-XX indicated in figure 19, of the device in question in the same initial operating step illustrated in figures 17 and 18;
figures 21 and 22 respectively show a perspective view of the device according to the invention and a front view of a portion of the same device, in an operating step subsequent to the initial one illustrated in figures 17 to 20;
figures 23 and 24 respectively show a lateral view and sectional view, according to the plane of line XXIV-XXIV indicated in figure 19, of the device in question in the same operating step illustrated in figures 21 and 22;
figures 25 and 26 respectively show the forming device comprising a binding unit, in the subsequent binding operating steps;
figure 26a shows an enlarged detailed view, in partially sectional view, of a particular forming device illustrated in figure 26;
figure 27 shows a different embodiment of the binding unit used in the forming device;
figure 28 shows a detail of the forming device according to the invention applied to a prism-shaped framework;
figure 29 shows a binding element formed and bound around a pair of elements to be bound or bars by means of a forming device according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to the figures, the device for forming binding elements 2 according to the invention is indicated with 1.
The binding elements 2 may be constituted by pieces of metal wire-like material, covered or non-covered, already cut or cut on site, substantially rectilinear or with preformed shape, for example U-shaped.
The device 1 may be applied to an apparatus for obtaining various types of structures comprising superimposed elements 3, 4, to be bound at respective superimposition areas. For example, the device 1 may be applied to an apparatus for obtaining the reticular structures, for example of the type of the reinforcement frameworks for reinforced concrete, like in the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 28.
The frameworks to be obtained may be of any shape, for example cylindrical (see figures 1 to 27), prismatic (see figure 28), or shaped otherwise.
More precisely, the framework comprises transversal elements 3 to be joined to longitudinal elements 4 by binding. The transversal elements 3, in particular, may be provided by the spiral winding of a metal wire around a plurality of longitudinal elements 4, for example reinforcement bars. Alternatively, the transversal elements 3 may be constituted by single brackets arranged transversely around or in the longitudinal bars 4.
The device 1 for forming binding elements 2 comprises a support structure or framework 5, a forming unit 10 moveably constrained to the framework 5 and a feed unit 20, also constrained to the framework 5 for feeding the binding elements 2 to the forming unit 10 along a feed direction A.
The framework 5 conforms a structure, for example with crosspieces and uprights, to which the forming unit 10 and the feed unit 20 are constrained (see figure 1).
The forming unit 10 comprises a forming unit 11 (see figure 2), activated moveable according to a forming motion, alternatively between an inoperative configuration, at which the forming member 11 is spaced apart from the aforementioned feed direction A, and an operative forming configuration, at which or through which the aforementioned forming member 11 intercepts the feed direction A along which the binding elements 2 are fed, at least one at a time, performing the forming in binding means, for example clip means.
The forming member 11 may be activated moveable by a respective driving member 12, for example according to an oscillating motion, for forming the binding elements 2.
The forming member 11 may conform an arm or a lever, carrying a forming element 13, preferably in form of a roller, adapted to serve as bending or calendering pin, for abutting a binding element 2 when the forming member 11 is in the aforementioned operative configuration or in motion through such configuration.
The lever 11 is for example hinged at a pin 14 to the structure 5, so as to be oscillatable, according to the aforementioned forming detail.
Preferably, the lever 11 is L-shaped so as to carry the aforementioned roller 13 at an end portion, for example of the short section of the L-shaped element, so as to efficiently intercept, through a low oscillation magnitude, the binding element 2 to be formed, as better described hereinafter.
The forming member 11 is preferably associated with a positioning member 15, for example shaped to obtain a reference portion 16, preferably a shaped coupling portion, adapted to engage at least one of the elements to be bound, by locking the device 1 in the forming step. The positioning member 15 is substantially adapted to position the device 1 on the binding area, so as to allow forming the binding element 2 and correctly positioning the binding element 2' formed on the same area (see in particular figures 21, 22 and 24).
Preferably, the coupling portion 16 has a curved concave shape, adapted to efficiently receive and hold rods or longitudinal bars 4 coupling them.
The forming member 11, just like the positioning member 15, is further mobile according to an approaching motion, between a position spaced apart from said binding area and a position approached to the same area, at which said forming member 11 is inserted into the binding area and the positioning member 15 intercepts at least one element to be bound, in the binding area, for positioning the device 1 with reference to the intercepted element to be bound.
In particular, such approaching motion may occur according to linear path, or in a different manner. Such approaching motion may occur through only one actuator member or through respective independent actuator members.
In order to allow the aforementioned approaching motion, the forming member 1 may be shaped so as to be split with respect to a median plane, thus for example fork-shaped.
Basically, the lever 11 may be split into a pair of levers spaced from each other adapted for inserting an element to be bound, for example the transversal element along which the device 1 is positioned for operating the forming, following the aforementioned approach motion.
As described previously, each lever carries a forming roller 13 and thus it may respectively deform a respective branch of a binding element 2, for example U-shaped, as better described hereinafter.
More precisely, due to such motion, the forming member 11 is alternatingly mobile between the aforementioned position moved away from the binding area on which the binding element 2 should be formed, for example outside or alternatively inside the forming framework, and the approached position, at which the section of the lever 11 carrying the countering element 13 has entered the binding area, for example it is inside or, vice versa, outside the forming framework, prearranged for the subsequent forming motion.
In particular, in the case illustrated in the figures, at the aforementioned approached position, the positioning member 15 for example intercepts a longitudinal bar 4, coming from outside the framework, for the correct reference of the device 1.
In order to facilitate the guide and relative movement of the device 1 in the transversal or longitudinal direction, thus from one binding area to the adjacent one on the same element to be bound, for example on a bracket or on the wire spiral of the framework being formed, the device 1 also comprises a guide unit 30, made up of a slide or, preferably, by a carriage provided with revolving means 31, rotatably carried by a crosspiece 32 of the same structure 5 to engage the element subject of binding. In particular, the carriage 30 may have a pair of wheels 31 preferably with a shaped profile for an efficient guiding, adapted to roll on the metal wire 3 for guiding the device 1 with respect to the transversal direction.
The feeding unit 20 comprises a loading member 21 on which there are provided binding elements 2 to be formed, a feed channel 22 arranged along the feed direction A, to receive one or more binding elements 2 from the loading member 21, as well as pushing means 23 acting along the feed direction A to feed the binding area with the binding elements 2 to be formed, for example with an element to be bound at a time.
The loading device 21 preferably shapes a chute 24 on which the binding elements 2 are arranged in succession, awaiting to be loaded along the aforementioned feed channel 22.
The binding elements 2 may be loaded in the feed channel 22 one at a time or in a plurality, to perform the single or multi-wire binding.
In the illustrated case, the binding elements 2 are U-shaped and thus comprise a curved portion 2a, adjacent to a pair of branches 2b arranged adjacent to each other in a substantially parallel fashion. The chute 24 receives, resting thereon, the curved portion 2a of the aforementioned U-shaped, while the branches 2b descend dropping on the sides from the aforementioned curved portion 2a.
The loading member 21 is moveable according to a relative loading, preferably in the feed direction A of the elements to be bound 2.
More precisely, the loading member 21 is preferably carried by the same mobile structure carrying the forming member 11 and the positioning body 15, so as to be associated with the same previously described approaching motion.
Both in cases where such members are carried by the same structure and in the opposite case, the aforementioned loading motion allows the loading member 21 to be alternatingly positioned between a support position, at which the section for exit from the chute 24 is separated, in particular spaced in the loading direction, from the inlet section of the feed channel 22 and a loading position at which the section for exiting from the chute 24 is placed in communication, in particular faced to the inlet section, for example at the top part, in cases where the device 1 is arranged vertically, of the feed channel 22.
In this case, loading, the binding element 2 provided on the chute 24 in front of such inlet, moves - for example by dropping or through further means, for example magnetic means - from the supported preload station to a position of insertion into the feed channel 22.
The binding elements 2 inserted into the feed channel 22 are oriented for example so as to direct a free end portion or portions towards the outlet of the channel. In the illustrated case, for example, the two branches 2b of the U-shaped binding element 2 are directed towards the outlet and then positioned on opposite sides with respect to the same element to be bound 3, for example a bracket or spiral element.
The chute 24 preferably ends towards the inlet of the feed channel 22, where the pushing means 23 are adapted to intercept the loaded binding elements 2, to take them to the binding area. Thus, in the illustrated case, the pushing means 23 act pushing the curved portion 2a of the binding elements 2.
In order to guarantee that the insertion of the binding elements 2 is safe, the walls of the feed channel 22 may be magnetised.
The pushing means 23 which operate in the channel 22 may for example be activated by linear actuators of the fluid dynamic type, to take the inserted binding elements, one at a time or more than one at a time, from the inlet section to the outlet section along the feed direction A.
At the outlet section of the feed direction 22, the forming member 11 provided in the operative configuration, thus on the feed direction A, intercepts the end portions of the supplied binding elements 2, so as to carry out the deformation thereof.
The forming member 11 may deform such bending portions, if the element or forming body 15 is activated in a mobile fashion while the end portions remain fixed in the forming step. Basically, according to this forming method, the forming member 11 continues the oscillation beyond the feed direction A, serving as a bending pin. The bending carried out by the forming element 13 serving as a bending pin may occur around one of the elements to be bound, for example around the longitudinal bar 4, which serves as a central bending mandrel in this case, while the feed channel 22 may serve as a bending abutment.
Alternatively, the described bending operation carried out by the abutment element 13 may occur around guide shapes 17, suitably shaped at the outlet section of the feed channel 22 (see for example figure 4).
Alternatively, the forming member 11 may perform some sort of "calendering" of the intercepted end portions of the binding elements 2, remaining substantially fixed in the aforementioned operative configuration, while the aforementioned end portions are supplied along the feed direction A, progressively deforming for the deformation caused by the member 11.
The forming device 1 further comprises a joining device, in particular a binding unit 40 preferably provided on the same framework 5.
The binding unit 40 comprises a tightening member, preferably of the gripper type (see figures 25, 26, 26a, 27) or of different type, in any case adapted to hold respective portions of the formed binding element 2' to twist it around a respective winding axis.
For example, in the illustrated case the binding unit 40 is preferably adapted to intercept the free end portions of the branches 2b of the formed binding element 2', mutually twisting it around the longitudinal axis thereof. Thus, the transversal element 3 is firmly joined to the longitudinal element 4, which is tightened between the arched portion 2a and the end portion of the twisted branches 2b.
The insertion of the twisting portions may occur following the feed carried out by the pushing member 23 during the formation, thus for approaching the portions to be bound, or following the special movement, in the approaching direction, of the binding unit 40 towards the portions to be bound.
The binding unit 40 preferably comprises an external casing 41 provided with an insertion opening 42 and containing a gripper member 43, configured mobile in the casing 41 for receiving respective portions of the formed element to be bound 2' through the insertion opening 42.
Thus, the gripper member 43 is mobile, preferably in the casing 41, alternatingly between an open configuration and a closed configuration for tightening the portions of the formed binding element 2', preferably inserted through the opening 42.
The opening 42 preferably has a flared edge towards the internal of the casing 41, to facilitate the insertion of the portions of the formed binding element 2', to be twisted.
The gripper member 43 can also be actuated in a rotary motion around the longitudinal axis thereof, preferably with respect to the casing 42, by interposing rolling means 44.
Due to the combination of the aforementioned tightening motion and rotary motion, the binding unit 40 of the forming device 1 is capable of obtaining formed and twisted elements to be bound 2" in a tightened fashion, around the elements to be bound 3, 4, as illustrated in figure 29. In the illustrated case, in particular, the curved portion 2a is positioned, at the end of the forming and binding operations, adherent around the elements to be bound 3, 4 in a tensioned version.
In addition, it can also be provided for that the binding unit 40 can intercept and tighten various portions of the formed binding element 2', not only the free ends, but also possibly the curved portion 2a, to obtain bindings of various types.
As a matter of fact, the forming of the binding element 2 may lead to various geometries of the formed binding elements 2'.
For example, in the case of preformed U-shaped elements, the formed binding element 2' may alternatively provide for that the same curved portion 2a be suitably positioned raised with respect to the same element to be joined, for example to allow the interception by the binding unit 40.
The operation of the device for forming binding elements according to the invention is clear from the description above.
In an initial operating step, a plurality of binding elements 2 are preloaded on the forming device 1. For example, a plurality of U-shaped preformed binding elements 2 may be arranged in an orderly succession on the chute 24 of the loading member 21.
The forming device 1 is positioned on the elements to be joined 3, 4 at the binding area, thus guiding the relative movement through the carriage 30, for example on the spiral element 3 (see figures 1 to 4).
Subsequently, the forming member 11 and positioning member 15 are activated according to the aforementioned approaching motion. Thus, the forming member 11 reaches in the binding area surpassing the element to be bound 3, while the positioning member 15 engages, with the coupling body 16, the other element to be bound 4, which - in the illustrated case for example - is a longitudinal bar. The positioning of the device 1 on the binding area is thus locked in an efficient and safe manner (see figures 5 to 8).
Subsequently, the supplier unit 20 supplies at least one binding element 2 through the feed channel 22, so as to be formed by the forming member 11. For this purpose, the loading member 21 is activated so as to take the binding element 2 positioned at the outlet section of the chute 24 in communication with the inlet section of the feed channel 22.
The insertion in the feed channel 22 may be facilitated by magnetic means acting in the channel 22.
The binding element 2 now reaches, due to the activation of the pushing member 23, the outlet section of the feed channel 22 (see figures 9 to 12).
The forming member 11, which carries the forming roller 13 faced to the end portion of the supplied binding element 2, is subsequently activated in the aforementioned forming motion, from the inoperative configuration, moved away from the feed direction A, to the operative configuration or through it, for forming the binding element 2.
Basically, the forming element 13 of the forming member 11 serves as a bending pin for bending or calendering the binding element 2 around the joining element 4, for example longitudinal (see figures 13 to 16).
The formed binding element 2' is thus treated by the binding unit 40, for twisting - for example but not exclusively, the free end portions around a respective axis (see figures 25, 26, 26a or 27). More precisely, the portions to be twisted are progressively inserted in the binding unit 40 during the forming process, or the binding device 40 is specially approached to such portions, to obtain the binding.
After completing the forming of the binding element 2 around the element to be joined 4 and completing the binding operation through the binding unit 40, the forming member 11 performs the return travel of the forming motion, returning to the inoperative configuration (see figures 17 to 20).
Subsequently, the forming member 11 and positioning member 15 are returned to the spaced apart position, exiting from the binding area.
The forming device 1 is then once again positioned, being guided by the carriage 30, along the element to be joined 3, for example the transversal spiral element of a reinforcement framework, to perform the forming of a new binding element at a new binding area.
In the meanwhile, the formed binding element 2" remains correctly wound, positioned and bound around the previously treated binding area (see figures 21 to 24).
Thus, the forming device according to the invention is suitable to obtain and arrange, as well as quickly and efficiently bind, any type of binding means - for example simple, double, crossed binding - on the binding area.
In the practical implementation of the invention, the used materials as well as the sizes may vary according to the needs.
Should the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included with the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and thus they shall not be deemed limiting the scope of the element identified by such reference signs by way of example.

Claims

Device for forming binding elements, said binding elements being intended for winding around a first element (3) and a second element (4) to be bound at one or more superimposition or binding areas, said device comprising a support structure (5), a unit (20) for feeding at least one binding element (2) at a time along a feed direction (A), a forming unit (10) bearing a forming member (11) mobile with respect to said structure (5) according to a forming motion at least between an inoperative configuration, at which said forming member (11) is spaced apart from said feed direction (A) and an operative forming configuration at which said forming member (11) intercepts said feed direction (A) to form said at least one binding member (2) around said first element (3) and said second element (4), wherein it comprises a binding unit (40) provided on said structure (5), configured for tightening respective portions of said formed binding element (2') against each other around said first element to be bound (3) and said second element to be bound (4), and for mutually twisting said tightened portions around a longitudinal axis of said binding unit (40); and characterized in that it comprises a guide unit (30) carried by said structure (5), obtained through a slide or carriage (31), and provided with guide means respectively sliding or rolling, shaped according to said first element (3) to be bound, for engaging said first element to be bound (3) and guiding the relative continuous displacement of said device (1) from one binding area to an adjacent binding area along said first engaged element to be bound (3).
Forming device according to claim 1, characterised in that said binding unit (40) comprises a gripper-like member (43) which can be alternatingly actuated between an open configuration and a closed configuration for tightening said respective portions of said formed binding element (2'), as well as a rotary motion around said longitudinal axis, to perform said twisting.
Forming device according to claim 2, characterised in that said binding unit (40) comprises an outer casing (41) containing said gripper-like member (43), provided with an opening (42) for inserting said respective portions of said formed binding element (2') to be twisted, said insertion opening (42) having an edge flared towards the internal of said casing (41), to facilitate said insertion.
Forming device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said forming member (11) comprises a forming element (13) adapted to serve as a bending or calendering pin, for deforming said at least one fed binding element (2), when said forming member (11) is in said operative configuration or in motion through said operative configuration.
Forming device according to claim 4, characterised in that said forming motion is an oscillating motion, said forming member (11) being hinged, at a pin (14), to said support structure (5).
Forming -device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises a mobile positioning member (15), forming a shaped reference portion (16), adapted to engage at least one of said elements to be bound (3, 4), for locking said device (1) on said binding area during the forming step, allowing the correct positioning of said at least one formed binding element (2') on said binding area.
Forming device according to claim 6, characterised in that said forming member (11) and said positioning member (15) are mobile according to an approaching motion, between a position spaced apart from said binding area and a position approached to the same area, at which said forming member (11) is inserted into the said binding area and said positioning member (15) intercepts at least one of said elements to be bound (3, 4), in the binding area, for positioning said device (1) with reference to said intercepted element to be bound (3, 4).
Forming device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said forming member (11) is split into a pair of levers spaced by a space adapted for the insertion of one of said elements to be bound (3, 4).
Forming device, according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said feed unit (20) comprises a loading member (21), on which there are adapted to be provided said binding elements (2) to be formed, a feed channel (22) arranged along said feed direction (A), to receive one or more binding elements (2) from said loading member (21), as well as pushing means (23) acting along said feed direction (A) to feed said binding area with said at least one binding element (2) to be formed.
Forming device according to claim 9, characterised in that said loading member (21) conforms a chute (24) on which said binding elements (2) are adapted to be arranged in succession, awaiting to be loaded along said feed channel (22), through an inlet section.
Forming device according to claim 10, characterised in that said loading member (21) is mobile by a loading motion in said feed direction (A), alternatingly between a support position, at which said loading member (21) is separated from said feed channel (22) and a loading position, at which said loading member (21) is in communication with said inlet section of said feed channel (22).
Forming device according to claim 11, characterised in that said feed channel (22) conforms respective magnetic walls, to guarantee the insertion of said at least one fed bending element (12).
Method for forming a binding element (2) around a first element to be bound (3) and a second element to be bound (4) at at least one superimposition area of said first element to be bound (3) and said second element to be bound (4) or binding area, characterised in that it comprises the steps of:
a. providing a device (1) for forming said binding element (2) provided with a support structure (5), with a feed unit (20) of said binding element (2) along a feed direction (A), with a forming unit (10) carrying a forming member (11), mobile according to a forming motion between an inoperative configuration, at which said forming member (11) is spaced apart from said feed direction (A) and an operative forming configuration, at which said forming member (11) intercepts said feed direction (A), said forming member (11) being provided in said inoperative configuration, with a binding unit (40) provided on said structure (5), configured for tightening, against each other, respective portions of said formed binding element (2') around said first element to be bound (3) and said second element to be bound (4) and for mutually twisting said tightened portions around a longitudinal axis thereof and with a guide unit (30) carried by said structure (5), obtained through a slide or carriage (31) and provided with guide means respectively sliding or rolling, shaped according to said first element (3) to be bound, for engaging said first element to be bound (3) and guiding the relative continuous displacement of said device (1) from one binding area to an adjacent binding area along said first engaged element to be bound (3);

b. guiding said device (1) along said first element to be bound (3) and positioning the same on a said binding area by means of said guide unit (30);

c. feeding said binding element (2) on said binding area along said feed direction (A);

d. activating said forming member (11) from said inoperative configuration to said operative configuration, deforming said binding element (2) intercepted by said forming member (11) on said feed direction (A), so as to performing the forming thereof around said first element to be bound (3) and second element to be bound (4);

e. activating said binding unit (40) so as to tighten the respective portions of said formed binding element (2') to be twisted, to each other;

f. activating said binding unit (40) for the mutual twisting of said portions tightened around said longitudinal axis, thus said binding element (2") being securely wound and closed around said first element to be bound (3) and said second element to be bound (4) superimposed.