FR3069000A1 - ARCHE-TYPE SELF-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MOUNTING SUCH A STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-supporting structure of the "arch" type, characterized in that it comprises at least one span (4) provided with a first (41) and a second end (42), two rigid uprights ( 2, 2 ') each also provided with a first (23, 23') and a second end (24, 24 '), two feet (3, 3') each adapted to receive the first end of the uprights with fastening means, said uprights each comprising means capable of forming a sliding connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span, as well as lifting devices (50, 51) for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span along said amounts. The invention also relates to the mounting of such a structure.

Description

SELF-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF THE “ARCH” TYPE AND METHOD FOR

ASSEMBLY OF SUCH A STRUCTURE

The present invention relates to a self-supporting structure which can take the form of an arch. The invention also relates to a method of mounting such a structure.

For several decades now, arch-type structures have been key pieces in the field of event architecture. Indeed, these arches find their place in most of the events and demonstrations which go from the political meeting to the sports competitions through the constantly renewed animations of the shopping centers. These arches constitute more precisely the main supports of the communication decided for these events and these demonstrations.

Given the stakes and the scope of the communication professions in general, it has become necessary to make the modes of communication themselves more responsive, more agile and more flexible.

Thus, event structures must now be able to be set up (assembly and disassembly) very quickly. They must also be adaptable in order to be able to respond as completely as possible to the chosen modes of communication, while of course meeting the security standards in force.

In other words, they must be able to be optimally implemented at any type of event anytime and anywhere

Thus, the invention relates to a self-supporting structure of the "arch" type allowing rapid assembly and disassembly by a very small number of people.

More specifically, the invention relates to a self-supporting structure, in particular of the "arch" type, characterized in that it comprises at least one span provided with a first and a second end, two rigid uprights also each provided with a first and a second end, two feet each capable of accommodating the first end of the uprights with

- 2 fixing means, said uprights each comprising means capable of forming a slide connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span, as well as lifting devices for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span on along said amounts.

Optional, complementary or alternative features of the invention are set out below.

The lifting devices for actuating the displacement of the ends of the span along the uprights may include a winch and a pulley mechanism allowing the winding and unwinding of a cable retaining the ends of the span each mounted to slide along its respective amount.

The means of the uprights capable of forming a slide connection may consist of a groove made over almost the entire length of said uprights.

The means for fixing the feet capable of accommodating the first end of the uprights may include a hinge and locking means.

The feet capable of accommodating and fixing each the first end of the uprights can be ballasted.

The feet capable of accommodating and fixing each the first end of the uprights may include means for anchoring to the ground.

The feet capable of each accommodating the first end of the uprights may include adjustment means which make it possible to compensate for the differences in level and slope of the ground.

The uprights can consist of three to six parallelepiped and tubular armatures in mechanically welded aluminum, said armatures being able to be assembled then simply disassembled.

The structure may include a guying device to ensure the vertical maintenance of the uprights.

The span can be made up of four to eight tubular parallelepipedic frames in mechanically welded aluminum, said

- 3 frames that can be assembled and then simply disassembled.

The span can be a banner.

The uprights and the span may be coated at least in part with an envelope.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting a self-supporting structure of the “arch” type, said arch comprising at least one span provided with a first and a second end, two rigid uprights also each having a first and a second end, two feet each capable of accommodating the first end of the uprights with fixing means, said uprights each comprising means capable of forming a slide connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span, as well as lifting devices for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span along said uprights, characterized in that the method comprises:

A step of positioning the feet, in particular depending on the length of the span,

A step of fixing the first end of each upright on its foot,

A step of coupling each end of the span with its associated slide link,

A step of actuating the lifting devices so as to hoist the span vertically.

Optional, complementary or alternative characteristics of the invention are set out below.

The step of fixing the first end of each upright to its foot can include:

A substep for fixing the first end to a hinge provided on the foot,

An amount recovery sub-step,

A substep for locking the first end on the foot.

The step of coupling each end of the span with its

- 4 associated slide connection may include the insertion of a termination of the dovetail-shaped span in a groove formed over part of the length of the uprights.

The step of actuating the lifting devices can comprise, for each upright, the actuation of a winch for winding a cable circulating from said winch to the end of the span by passing through a pulley mechanism fixed at the level of the second end of the upright.

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of an assembly of a self-supporting arch according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 2 to 5 are detail views of the self-supporting arch according to various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 a view of a method of mounting the self-supporting arch according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 7A and 7B are each a view of a possible application of the self-supporting arch according to the invention.

FIG. 1 represents a self-supporting structure of the “arch” type. Freestanding means that the structure can stand upright in its assigned shape without adding any additional elements.

This structure comprises a span 4 provided with a first 41 and a second end 42, two rigid uprights 2, 2 'each also provided with a first 23, 23' and a second end 24, 24 '.

Of course, the structure could be extended with other uprights and other spans which would give it forms other than that of an arch.

The structure also includes two feet 3, 3 'capable of each accommodating the first end 23, 23' of the uprights 2, 2 'with fixing means.

The uprights 2, 2 'each comprise means capable of forming a sliding connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span.

Lifting devices 50, 51 are provided on each upright to

- 5 actuate the sliding of the ends of the span along said uprights.

Advantageously and by way of illustration as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lifting devices for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span along the uprights consist of a winch 50 and a pulley mechanism allowing the winding and unwinding of a cable 56 retaining the ends of the span each mounted to slide along its respective amount.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment using a compound pulley 51, comprising two groups 52, 53 fixed for the first to the second end 24, 24 'of the upright by means of a fastener 54 and fixed for the second to the end of the span in engagement with the sliding link of the upright, according to a fastener 55. This type of pulley makes it possible to reduce by half the efforts to lift the span.

Other configurations are possible with motion transmission mechanisms made up of two groups, one fixed, the other mobile, each containing an arbitrary number of pulleys, and a rope that connects them. These mechanisms also called "hoists" allow to multiply the force used to lift a heavy span.

The means for forming the slide connection consist of a groove 21 made over almost the entire length of the face of the upright 22, 22 'located on the side of the span. This groove 21 extends to the end 24, 24 'of the upright in order to guide the cable which descends along the face opposite to the face of the upright 21, 21' located on the side of the span, up to the winch 50.

Advantageously, the means for fixing the legs 3, 3 ′ capable of accommodating the first end 23, 23 ′ of the uprights comprise a hinge and locking means. The hinge makes it possible to fix the first end 23, 23 ′ of the uprights to its foot when the upright is in the horizontal position and to straighten the upright without it moving at ground level. The locking means make it possible to maintain the upright in the upright position once the latter is straightened on its foot.

In order to further stabilize the structure, it may be advantageous to

- 6 ballast the feet.

In order to stabilize the structure, it is also possible, as an alternative or else as a supplement, to add feet 3, 3 ′ to the ground anchoring means.

These anchoring means may be stakes to be inserted into loose soil or else keys when the ground is equipped with a suitable support.

As shown in FIG. 4, the feet 3, 3 ′ may also include adjustment means 30 which make it possible to compensate for the differences in level and slope of the ground.

The uprights are the result of an assembly of armatures of parallelepiped shape and made of aluminum tubes mechanically welded together.

These frames can be assembled and then disassembled simply, in the sense that they are nestable with each other. This makes it easier to transport and store the ark, and therefore the ark. The amounts are advantageously in three to six parts.

The vertical retention of the arch can be secured with a guying device, the guying being understood by any operation which consists in securing the uprights using elements (cables, ...) made integral with the uprights and fixed points outside the arch.

Just like for the uprights and in order to facilitate the transport and the storage of the arch, the span is constituted by the assembly of armatures of parallelepiped shape and formed by aluminum tubes mechanically welded between them.

These frames can be assembled and then disassembled simply, in the sense that they are nestable with each other.

The method of mounting the self-supporting structure of the "arch" type is made easy by the design of said arch. As shown in Figure 6, the mounting process does not require the intervention of a device other than a device to transport the disassembled arch and does not require the assistance of more than two or three people.

It is first of all necessary to convey to the site at least one span 4, two rigid uprights 2, 2 ', two feet 3, 3' capable of each accommodating the first end of the uprights with fixing means,

- 7 said uprights each comprising means capable of forming a sliding connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span, as well as lifting devices 50, 51 for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span along said amounts.

At first, it is necessary to assemble the reinforcements so as to form the uprights as well as the span. Each of these frames is relatively light since it weighs between 5 and 30 kg. Thus, the uprights and the span each represent masses between 15 and 60 kg.

Then, it is necessary to position the feet, in particular according to the length of the span, then fix the first end of each upright on its foot.

The fixing of each upright on its foot can be carried out by inserting the upright on its foot, the upright already being in a vertical position.

In order to limit the number of people to one, it may be advantageous to fix the first end of each upright on its foot by means of a ball joint, the upright then being in the lying position. The sole operator must then raise the upright in a vertical position and fix it definitively on his foot. The raising of the amount can then advantageously be accomplished with hydraulic means such as a jack, and this, in order to alleviate the efforts of the sole contributor.

Then, we proceed to the coupling of each of the ends of the span with its associated sliding link on the upright.

Finally, the lifting devices can be actuated so as to hoist the span vertically. The step of actuating the lifting devices may consist, for each upright, of actuating a winch to wind a cable circulating from said winch to the end of the span, passing through a pulley mechanism fixed at the second end. the amount.

When the means for fixing the feet comprise a hinge and locking means, the step of fixing the first end of each upright on its foot comprises a sub-step of fixing the first end to a hinge formed on the foot, then a sub-step for adjusting the amount, and finally a sub-step for locking the

- 8 first end on the foot.

In order to secure the slide connection, the step of coupling each of the ends of the span with its associated slide connection may advantageously include the insertion of a termination of the span in the form of a dovetail in a groove formed on a part of the length of the uprights.

According to a first application shown in FIG. 7A, the span is rigid and like the uprights. The uprights and the span are coated at least in part with an envelope which can bear colors, a slogan, the name of a company or an event.

According to a second application represented in FIG. 7B, the span is a banner.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive of each other.

Claims (16)

1. Self-supporting structure, in particular of the "arch" type, characterized in that it comprises at least one span (4) provided with a first (41) and a second end (42), two rigid uprights (2, 2 ') each also provided with a first (23, 23') and a second end (24, 24 '), two feet (3, 3') capable of each accommodating the first end of the uprights with means of fixing, said uprights each comprising means capable of forming a sliding connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span, as well as lifting devices (50, 51) for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span the along said amounts. 2. Self-supporting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting devices for actuating the displacement of the ends of the span along the uprights comprise a winch (50) and a pulley mechanism (51) allowing the winding and the unwinding of a cable (56) retaining the ends of the span, each mounted to slide along its respective upright. 3. Self-supporting structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means of the uprights capable of forming a slide connection consist of a groove (21) produced over almost the entire length of said uprights. 4. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for fixing the legs (3, 3 ') capable of accommodating the first end of the uprights comprise a hinge and locking means. 5. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feet (3, 3 ') capable of accommodating and fixing each the first end of the uprights are ballasted. 6. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feet (3, 3 ') capable of accommodating and fixing each the first end of the uprights comprise means for anchoring to the ground. 7. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feet (3, 3 ') each capable of accommodating the first end of the uprights comprise adjustment means (30) which make it possible to compensate for differences in level and slope of the ground. 8. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the uprights consist of three to six parallelepiped tubular frames of mechanically welded aluminum, said frames can be assembled and then disassembled simply. 9. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a guying device for ensuring the vertical maintenance of the uprights. 10. Self-supporting structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the span consists of four to eight parallelepiped and tubular reinforcements in mechanically welded aluminum, said reinforcements being able to be assembled then simply disassembled. 11. Self-supporting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the span is a banner. 12. Self-supporting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the uprights and the span are coated at least in part with an envelope. 13. A method of mounting a self-supporting structure of the "arch" type, said arch comprising at least one span (4) provided with a first (41) and a second end (42), two rigid uprights (2, 2 ') each also provided with a first (23, 23') and a second end (24, 24 '), two feet (3, 3') capable of each accommodating the first end of the uprights with means of fixing, said uprights each comprising means capable of forming a sliding connection over a major portion of their length with each of the ends of the span, as well as lifting devices (50, 51) for actuating the sliding of the ends of the span the along said amounts, Characterized in that the process includes: A step of positioning the feet, in particular depending on the length of the span, A step of fixing the first end of each upright on its foot, A step of coupling each end of the span with its associated slide link, A step of actuating the lifting devices so as to hoist the span vertically. 14. A method of mounting a self-supporting structure according to the preceding claim characterized in that the step of fixing the first end of each upright on its foot comprises: A substep for fixing the first end to a hinge provided on the foot, An amount recovery sub-step, A substep for locking the first end on the foot. 15. A method of mounting a self-supporting structure according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the step of coupling each of the ends of the span with its associated slide connection comprises the insertion of a termination of the dovetail-shaped span in a groove made over part of the length of the uprights. 16. A method of mounting a self-supporting structure according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that step 5 step of actuating the lifting devices comprises for each amount the actuation of a winch to wind a cable running from said winch to the end of the span via a pulley mechanism fixed at the second end of the upright.