ES2418754A1 - Connection system between concrete caissons (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The connection system between concrete drawers object of the invention comprises at least one box per drawer, at least one bolt for each box, at least one connecting element with at least two holes and at least one clamping piece for each bolt. The connecting element has the shape of a practically rectangular parallelepiped, with a section of said joining element practically square, with one side of said section smaller than the other three sides of the section, which gives the flexible connection element a wedge shape. The joining element comprises a reinforcement that cooperates to withstand the tensile and shear stresses to which the joining element is subjected. The box comprises a series of partitions that define at least one hole, when the boxes are facing each other, said partitions comprising at least one perforation. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Connection system between concrete drawers

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a connection system of lightened concrete floating elements, for those floating elements that with their union constitute a continuous floating structure, as an example of said structure we find a swell attenuating barrier or a boat mooring dock.

It is applicable in the construction of coastal defense systems against waves, in the creation of sheltered areas within the ports, as well as in the creation of mooring lines for boats.

Technical problem to solve and background of the invention

In the state of the art different systems are known for the realization of coastal defense systems against waves, or with elements of similar characteristics, zones are created, within the ports, protected against the waves of the sea and against the waves. Turbulence generated by the engines of large ships in transit said ships through the interior of the ports, these same elements are also used for the construction of mooring lines for boats.

The constituent elements of a floating structure for which the invention is designed, are lightweight lightened concrete elements that, joined together, form a snake-like structure. In the case of a wave attenuating barrier, the waves collide in the structure, thus dissipating the energy contained in the wave, and in the case of a mooring line they are used to connect the vessels to a stable point.

The connection systems currently used for joining the lightened concrete floating elements present a series of drawbacks, among which are:

-

they are very rigid elements,

-

they are pieces that require different connectors depending on the efforts they support,

-

they are elements that require the complete separation of the concrete elements to be exchanged.

Likewise, the constituent elements of the connection systems that are currently used suffer from corrosion because they are subjected to marine environments. The corrosion to which the constituent elements of the connection system are subjected ends up causing fatigue in said constituent elements, which reduces the useful life of said elements.

In the state of the art we find the document US 4,803,943 that shows a floating dock in which the connection between the different blocks that make up the dike is made through supports that allow a relative rotation movement with respect to a horizontal axis of a block on another, being rigid connections in any other axis.

The invention object of this specification discloses a connection system for floating concrete elements, which is flexible, avoids corrosion problems and adapts in a simple way to the different stresses suffered by the different structures where the system can be used. of connection object of the invention.

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a connection system for wave attenuation barriers that avoids

the problems of corrosion and lack of adaptability to different requests presented by the current systems of

Connection.

The connection system between concrete drawers object of the invention comprises at least one box in each drawer that is connected, at least one bolt per box, at least one connecting element with at least two holes, and at least one piece of clamping for each bolt.

The box is left embedded in the concrete floating drawer during the manufacture of the concrete floating drawer. The box comprises at least one side hole, so that said side hole is seen in the drawer once said drawer has been manufactured.

The end links and approximates the floating drawers with each other, the joining element is introduced into the boxes embedded in the drawers to be connected, fixing said joining element to the boxes by means of at least one bolt for each box, introducing the bolt by the side hole of the box and fixing the position of each bolt inside the box by means of a clamping piece.

The connecting element of the connection system between concrete drawers object of the invention is made of flexible material. Said flexible joint element comprises at least two holes.

The fixing of the flexible connecting element to the drawers is carried out by introducing at least one bolt through at least one side hole of the box and consequently of each drawer, and passing said bolt through at least one through hole of the element of flexible joint

The flexible connecting element of the connection system between concrete drawers object of the invention is in the form of a practically rectangular parallelepiped. The section of the connecting element is practically a square, one side of said section being smaller than the other three sides of the section, conferring the wedge-shaped flexible joining element.

The connecting element supports the compressive stresses in its entirety by the flexible material from which it is manufactured, while the tensile and shear stresses are supported up to a limited amount of effort by the flexible material and from that limit effort, a armor comprised inside the joint element helps to withstand the efforts to which the joint element is subjected.

The box of the connection system between concrete drawers object of the invention, comprises a series of partitions that delimit at least one gap, when the drawers face. In the aforementioned recess is the place where the flexible joint element is introduced.

The said partitions of the box comprise at least one perforation through which the bolt passes when it has been introduced into the box of the connection system of the invention.

The connection system object of the invention joins two drawers, through at least one flexible connecting element, which in turn is fixed to a box that is embedded in each drawer to be joined through at least one bolt, which is it enters the box, and passes through the perforations of the box, and the holes of the joint element, preventing the exit of the flexible union element when said union element has been introduced into the box, specifically in the gap generated between two partitions when facing two drawers.

A connection system assembly procedure comprises the following steps

-

First, they are inserted into the connecting elements in one of the junction boxes of a first drawer, holding them with the introduction, by the side hole of the first drawer, of a bolt.

-

then, in one of every two of the facing corners of the drawers, a metallic end is introduced through one of the perforations of the partitions of a second drawer with which the first drawer will be facing, surrounding, said end, the bolt introduced in the first drawer,

-

the end is stretched facing the first and second drawers,

-

 with the tension of the cape the flexible joining elements are introduced in the second drawer,

-

once all the flexible joining elements have been introduced, and with the first and second drawers facing each other, the rest of the bolts are introduced, both in the first and second drawers,

-

on the final part of the bolts, the clamping parts are placed,

Description of the figures

In order to complete the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, a set of drawings in which with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the next:

Figure 1 shows a view of the connection system with the box embedded in the drawer and the rest of the elements of the connection system of the exploded invention, this figure corresponds to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connection system box of the invention, this figure corresponds to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is an elevation view of the sectioned flexible joint element.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a step of a method of mounting the connection system, in said figure only one connecting element has been represented for better visibility of the constituent elements of the connection system.

Description of an embodiment of the invention

First, a list of the numerical references used in the represented figures is provided:

1st.- first drawer,

1b.- second drawer,

2.- box,

3.- flexible joint element,

4th-upper bolt,

4b.- lower bolt,

5.- clamping piece,

6.- out,

7.- side holes,

8.- partition,

9.- blind hole,

10.- cover,

11.- recess,

12.- space,

13.- drilling,

14a.- upper holes,

14b.- lower holes,

15.- side face,

16.- front face,

17.- armor,

Next, a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is made, referring to the references of the figures.

As already indicated, Figure 1 represents an exploded view of the elements that constitute the connection system object of the invention, according to a first embodiment of said invention.

The connection system object of the invention is developed to be placed in the areas of the drawers that are in contact, when the lightened concrete elements are installed forming the floating continuous structure.

The elements that make up the connection system (observable in Figure 1) object of the invention are:

-

a box (2) that is left embedded in the drawer (1a, 1b) of lightened concrete,

-

flexible joining elements (3), of which a greater or lesser number of them will be necessary, depending on the efforts to which they will be subjected during the exploitation of the structure of which they are part. These joining elements

(3) flexible have at least four holes (14a, 14b),

-

bolts (4a, 4b), which are used to fix the flexible joining elements (3) to each box (2) and, consequently, to the drawers (1a, 1b),

-

fastening pieces (5), which fix the position of the bolts (4a, 4b) preventing the exit of said bolts (4a, 4b) from the housing (2) and with that output the detachment of the flexible joining elements ( 3) of the connection system, and

The number of flexible joining elements (3) used depends on the requests to which the structure will be subjected at the place of operation of said structure. The minimum number of flexible joining elements (3) that are used is one, when the connection between drawers (1a, 1b) is carried out only by one corner of each drawer (1a, 1b). Although the drawers (1a, 1b) can be joined by the two corners they have in common, so the union system would be configured by two flexible joint elements (3), one flexible joint element (3) for each pair of corners to join the drawers (1a, 1b). If the solicitations you have to resist the bonding element

(3) flexible are larger than those that a joint element (3) resists on its own, in each connection zone more than one flexible joint element (3) is placed.

The lightweight concrete drawers (1a, 1b) are an example of a concrete element where the connection system is installed, they have a rectangular longitudinal section, with a recess (11) at the longitudinal ends of the drawer (1a, 1b), so that the area of the drawer (1a, 1b) in which contact occurs between two adjacent drawers (1a, 1b), is a front face (16) of each drawer (1a, 1b). This form allows the lower area of the drawers (1a, 1b) to not be damaged, causing damage, in an area that is not intended for that function. In the mentioned front face (16) of the drawer (1a, 1b) is where the connection system object of the invention is placed.

For the placement of the connection system object of the invention, firstly, the box (2) is left embedded in the drawer (1a, 1b) of lightened concrete, subsequently placing the connecting elements (2) inside said box (2) (3) flexible. The box (2) is placed on a front face (16) of a first drawer (1a) of lightened concrete, that front face

(16) is the face that will be faced with another front face (16) of a second drawer (1b) of lightened concrete then placed in the structure that results from the junction of the drawers (1a, 1b). The box (2) (observable in Figure 2) comprises two side holes (7), which with the box embedded in the drawer (1a, 1b), appear on the side face (15) of the drawer (1a, 1b) of lightened concrete as two aligned side holes (7) one above the other used to insert the bolts (4a, 4b) through the side face (15) of the drawer (1a, 1b).

The box (2), comprises, in its interior, a series of partitions (8), so that, once two drawers (1a, 1b) of lightened concrete are faced, the partitions (8) are faced two by two, delimiting a space (12) in which a flexible connecting element (3) is housed. The partitions (8) also comprise aligned perforations (13) that maintain the alignment of the side holes (7) of the box (2).

The box (2) comprises a blind hole (9) following the last partition (8), which collects the final part of the bolt (4a, 4b) when the bolt is inserted into the box through the side holes (7) which appear on the side face (15) of the drawer (1a, 1b) and the perforations (13) of the partitions (8).

The flexible connecting elements (3) comprise, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, four holes (14a, 14b), two upper holes (14a) and two lower holes (14b), the upper holes (14a) being cylindrical in shape. and the lower holes (14b) in such a way that the width is greater than the height.

The flexible joining elements (3) are placed in the spaces (12) generated between the partitions (8) of the box (2). These flexible connecting elements (3) are fixed to the box (2) by introducing at least one bolt (4a, 4b) through the side hole (7) of the box (2), which appears on the side face ( 15) of the drawer (1a, 1b), said bolt (4a, 4b) crosses the side face (15) of the drawer (1a, 1b), the perforations (13) of the partitions (8) and the holes (14a, 14b ) of the flexible connecting elements (3). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each flexible connecting element (3) is attached to each drawer (1a, 1b) by two bolts (4a, 4b), a first upper bolt (4a) placed in an elevated position and a second lower bolt (4b) placed in a lower position with respect to the first upper bolt (4a) (this embodiment is seen in figure 1), the first upper bolt (4a) passes through the upper holes (14a) of the element flexible joint (3) and the second lower bolt (4b) passes through the lower holes (14b) of the flexible joint element (3).

To prevent the bolts (4a, 4b) from coming out once they are installed in the connection system, a clamping piece (5) is placed by inserting said clamping piece (5) into the blind hole (9) of the box (2) ), catching the mentioned clamping piece (5) the end of each bolt (4a, 4b) once it has passed through the last partition (8) included in the box (2) of the connection system.

The flexible connection elements (3) (observable in Figure 3) in the preferred embodiment of the invention are in the form of a practically rectangular parallelepiped, that is to say that the section of the flexible connection element (3) is a four-sided polygon, in which one side is smaller than the other three sides, giving the flexible wedge-shaped joint element (3).

The wedge shape of the flexible connecting elements (3) has a double function:

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on the one hand, it facilitates the introduction of the connecting elements (3) in the spaces (12) generated between partitions (8), and

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on the other hand, it allows relative rotations between drawers (1a, 1b) around the upper bolts (4a, 4b) without the flexible joining elements (3) supporting any effort, which contributes to improving the fatigue of the flexible material.

The relative rotation between drawers (1a, 1b) is possible because the lower holes (14b) of the flexible joining elements (3) have a shape such that the width is greater than the height, which allows movement into the lower bolts (4a, 4b).

The flexible connecting elements (3) support tensile, compression and shear or shear stresses. The compressive stresses are supported by the flexible material by itself. Both tensile and shear stress are initially supported by the flexible material itself. As the flexible material has a stress limit from which it breaks, the flexible joint element (3) comprises a reinforcement (17) inside which helps to withstand both tensile and shear stresses. In this way, by supporting the forces, the reinforcement together with the flexible material prevents the flexible material from reaching its breaking limit.

The flexible joining elements (3) are made of a material that resists weathering in marine environments without suffering degradation that reduces their resistant capacity. An example of this material is polychloroprene, Neoprene ® type, which constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention.

To facilitate the approach of the drawers (1a, 1b) to each other, in the assembly of the connection system, some ends (6) are used that link the opposite corners of the drawers (1a, 1b).

A method of mounting the connection system, once the box (2) is embedded in the drawer (1a, 1b) of lightened concrete, to join a first drawer (1a) and a second drawer (1b) is as follows :

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First, all the flexible connecting elements (3) are placed in the first drawer (1a), and two bolts (4a, 4b) are introduced through the lateral holes (7) of the first drawer (1a). prevent flexible joining elements (3) from detaching from the box (2) of the first drawer (1a),

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prior to the placement of the bolts (4a, 4b), marine grease is applied to make insertion easier,

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next, a metallic end (6) is introduced through one of the perforations (13) of the partitions (8) of the second drawer (1b), with said end (6) surrounding one of the bolts (4a, 4b) introduced in the first drawer (1st). This operation is carried out in the four corners of the two drawers (1a, 1b) (this step is reflected in Figure 4, in which, for the sake of clarity of drawing, not all flexible joining elements (3) have been drawn),

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by tensioning the ends (6) the two drawers (1a, 1b) face, and the flexible joining elements (3) are inserted into the holes (12) of the box (2) of the second drawer (1b), so that the flexible joining elements (3) are inserted in the boxes (2) of the drawers (1a, 1b) to be joined,

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once the flexible connection elements (3) have been introduced in the second drawer (1b), the bolts (4a, 4b) are introduced in the second drawer (1b), so that the flexible connection elements (3) are connected to the drawers (1a, 1b), and the drawers (1a, 1b) joined together, through the aforementioned flexible joining elements (3),

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on the final part of the bolts (4a, 4b), the fastening parts (5) are placed, which prevent the bolts (4a, 4b) from leaving their position in the connection system,

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finally, if the connection system includes covers (10), said covers (10) are screwed covering the boxes (2), so that, once placed, a flat surface is obtained in the upper part of the drawers ( 1a, 1b).

The invention should not be limited to the particular embodiment described herein. Experts in the field can develop other embodiments in view of the description made here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (12)

1.- Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete characterized by comprising:

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at least one box (2) in each drawer (1a, 1b) that is connected, said box (2) comprising at least one side hole

(7)

-

 at least one bolt (4a, 4b), for each box (2)

-

 at least one connecting element (3) with at least two holes (14a, 14b),

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 at least one clamping piece (5) for each bolt (4a, 4b), and where, the box (2) is left embedded in the drawer (1a, 1b) floating concrete during the manufacture of said drawer (1a, 1b) being seen in the drawer (1a, 1b) the side hole (7) of the box (2), the connecting element (3) is introduced into the boxes (2) embedded in the drawers (1a, 1b) to be connected, fixing said connecting element (3) to the boxes (2) by means of at least one bolt (4a, 4b) for each box (2), introducing the bolt (4a, 4b) through the side hole (7) of the box (2), passing through at least one hole (14a, 14b) of the connecting element (3), and fixing the position of each bolt (4a, 4b) inside the box (2) by means of a clamping piece (5).

2. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to claim 1, characterized in that the box

(2)

 It comprises a series of partitions (8) that with the drawers (1a, 1b) facing each other, define at least one hole (12) where the flexible joint element (3) is introduced.

3. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the partitions (8) of the box (2) comprise at least one perforation (13) through which passes the bolt (4a, 4b) preventing the exit of the flexible joint element (3) when said joint element (3) has been introduced into the recess

(12)

 generated between two partitions (8) when facing two drawers (1a, 1b).

4. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (3) is made of flexible material. 5. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (3) comprises at least four holes (14a, 14b), two upper holes (14a) and two lower holes (14b), the upper holes (14a) having a cylindrical shape and the lower holes (14b) have a shape such that the width is greater than the height. 6. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section of the connecting element (3) is a four-sided polygon, one side of said section being smaller than the other three sides of the section, giving the connecting element (3) a flexible wedge shape. 7. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (3) comprises a reinforcement (17) inside. 8. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping piece (5) used in the fastening of the bolts (4a, 4b) is a pin (5) type R. 9. Connection system between drawers (1a, 1b) of concrete, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises covers (10) that cover the boxes (2) embedded in the drawers (1a, 1b). 10.-Assembly procedure of a connection system between concrete drawers characterized in that the union of a first drawer (1a) with a second drawer (1b) comprises the following steps:

-

firstly, the flexible connection elements (3) are placed in the first drawer (1a), introducing, by at least one side hole (7) of the first drawer (1a), at least one bolt (4a, 4b),

-

then, in the four corners of the drawers (1a, 1b) facing each other, in each pair of facing corners, one end (6) is introduced through one of the perforations (13) of the partitions (8) of the second drawer (1b ) with which the first drawer (1a) will be facing surrounding, said end (6) the bolt (4a, 4b) introduced in the first drawer (1a), and the ends (6) are tensioned

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the tensioning of the ends (6) causes the drawers (1a, 1b) to face each other and the joining elements (3) that were fixed to the first drawer (1a) also to be introduced into the second drawer (1b)

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once the flexible connecting elements (3) have been introduced into the second drawer, at least one bolt (4a, 4b) is inserted into the second drawer (1b),

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 in the blind holes (9) and, on the final part of the bolts (4a, 4b), the clamping pieces (5) are placed,

11.-Assembly procedure of a connection system between concrete drawers, according to claim 10, characterized in that the union of a first drawer (1a) with a second drawer (1b) comprises a last step:

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place the covers (10) covering the boxes (2), so that a flat surface is obtained on top of the drawers (1a, 1b).

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201230171 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 07.02.2012 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: E02B3 / 06 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

GB 791578 A (LOUIS RAYMOND JOURNET) 05.03.1958, 1-4.7-9

pages 1-4; figures.

TO

5,6,10.11

TO

US 3091203 A (USAB ERNEST M) 28.05.1963, 1-11

column 1, line 8 - column 11, line 21; figures.

TO

US 4453488 A (WATCHORN ERNEST W) 12.06.1984, 1-11

Figures & Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN 1984-164526.

TO

US 2009 21854 A1 (RYTAND DAVID H et al.) 03.09.2009, 1-11

Figures & Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN 2009-N18787.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 05.07.2013

Examiner M. B. Castañón Chicharro Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201230171 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) E02B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201230171 Date of Written Opinion: 05.07.2013 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-11 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 5, 6, 10 and 11 1-4 and 7-9 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201230171  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

GB 791578 A (LOUIS RAYMOND JOURNET) 05.03.1958

D02

US 3091203 A (USAB ERNEST M) 05/28/1963

D03

US 2009 21854 A1 (RYTAND DAVID H et al.) 03.09.2009

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulation of execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The technical object of the invention is a connection system between concrete drawers. The inventor intends to offer an alternative to existing systems that are rigid, require the complete separation of drawers to be exchanged and suffer corrosion. The inventor proposes a connection system between floating drawers comprising a box embedded in the drawer during the manufacture, which houses the connecting element between them, being fixed by at least one bolt per drawer, being the union element of flexible material resistant to corrosion. The request consists of 11 claims, 1 and 10 being independent and the rest dependent. The first claim includes the essential technical characteristics of the invention. Claims 2, 3 and 4, refer to the delimitation of the hole that houses the connecting element, the fixing and constitution of this respectively. Claim 5 refers to the shape of the bolt entry holes. Claim 6 refers to the shape of the connecting element. Claim 7 refers to the internal reinforcement of the drawer. Claim 8 refers to the bolt fixing pin. Claim 9 refers to the lids of the boxes. Claims 10 and 11 refer to the Assembly procedure of the connection system. Of the documents cited in the State of the Art Report, it is considered the closest to the invention, the document GB791578 (D01). D01 discloses a connection system between floating drawers comprising a recess that can be made during manufacturing (See Fig. 2) in each drawer that is connected, the box comprising two side holes (See Fig. 2) by where the threaded bolts (26) for securing the connecting element (25) of flexible material are inserted. The differences between D01 and the 1st claim are: -D01 does not disclose a box embedded in the drawer but a box made in it. However, they are equivalent solutions. -D01 does not disclose the presence of bolt clamp. However, its use is of general knowledge in the State of the Art. (See D03, fig. 5, pos. 80) Claims 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 are disclosed in D01. Claim 7 is not disclosed in D01. However, the use of reinforcements for the purpose of increase resistance (See D02, pos. 118) Claims 5, 6, 10 and 11 are not disclosed in D01. No document cited in the State of the Art Report questions either in an isolated or combined way the novelty and inventive activity of claims 5, 6, 10 and 11. Conclusion: - Claims 1-4 and 7-9, are new but lack inventive activity. (Art. 6 and 8 of Patent Law 11/1986) - Claims 5, 6, 10 and 11 are new and have inventive activity. (Art. 6 and 8 of Patent Law 11/1986) State of the Art Report Page 4/4