GB2574705A

GB2574705A - Formwork panel

Info

Publication number: GB2574705A
Application number: GB1905396.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Micheneau Patrick; Braud Thierry
Original assignee: Sateco SA
Current assignee: Sateco SA
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2019-04-16
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-16
Also published as: CH715329B1; CH715329A9; CH715329A2; LU101175B1; BE1026213A1; FR3080132B1; BE1026213B1; GB201905396D0; FR3080132A1; GB2574705B

Abstract

A formwork panel comprises a vertical wall 11 having front and rear forming faces F1, F2. The wall comprises at least one strut hole 9 and at least one guiding device 4 for a strut rod 5. The guiding device comprises a support bracket 42 which contacts a clamping nut 6 for locking the rod in place. The guiding device comprises a mechanism in the form of at least one control device 8 for adjusting the spacing of the support bracket with respect to the front forming face, aiding the release and locking of strut rods from formwork panels. The control device, such as a threaded screw, extends orthogonal to the bracket and comprises a proximal end configured to be rotated by a screw gun or similar. The guiding device may comprise a housing 41 mounted in the wall, and the control device may comprise a distal end 82 which rests against the housing. A pivot rod 43 may move the bracket between a first lock position where the support bracket extends parallel to the front face, and a second release position. Also claimed are methods of withdrawing and locking strut rods.

Description

FORMWORK PANEL COMPRISING A STRUT ROD GUIDING DEVICE

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to the field of construction formworks, and more particularly formwork panels.

In a known manner, a formwork panel comprises a vertical wall comprising a front forming face and a rear face opposite the front face, an upper platform allowing the circulation of at least one operator and an access ladder to the upper platform.

The vertical wall of the panel comprises a plurality of holes crossing it transversally in each of which a strut rod can be inserted. The use of strut rods allows adjusting the parallelism of forming faces of formwork panels facing each other, in order to ensure the consistent thickness of the construction formwork between the two formwork panels. A strut rod guiding device is normally fixed to the rear face of the vertical wall of the formwork panel in relation to each strut hole of the panel. A strut rod normally comprises a proximal end allowing it to be handled by an operator and a distal end with a thread to be for screwed in a complementary threaded part.

To adjust the parallelism between a first forming face of a first panel and a second forming face of a second panel, an operator enters a strut rod by its proximal end and inserts its distal end into a first guiding device of a first panel so that the strut rod fully enters the first strut hole of the first panel orthogonal to the first forming face. The operator then introduces the distal end of the strut rod into a strut hole of the second panel so that it is received and locked in place in the second guiding device of the second panel. The strut rod is tightened at its two ends by clamping nuts in the guiding devices so that the forming faces are spaced apart by a desired distance. In practice, each guiding device comprises a backing plate parallel to the front forming face where the clamping nut rests. In the locked position, the strut rod keeps the forming faces parallel between them.

When concrete in a paste state is put in the formwork (pouring concrete), the concrete exerts pushing forces on the forming faces which space the panels away from each other. The strut rods keep the forming faces still by absorbing the pressure of the concrete. The pressure of concrete creates mechanical tension for each panel between the clamping nut, the strut rod and the guiding device. After it has hardened and dried, concrete no longer exerts pressure on the forming faces of the panels. However, there is still mechanical tension between the clamping nut, the strut rod and the guiding device and it is difficult for an operator to remove the strut rod connecting the panels.

To remove a strut rod, an operator normally uses a wrench to apply a loosening torque to the clamping nut from the rear face of the first panel. Because of the mechanical tension, the clamping nut is firmly locked and the operator must apply a sufficient loosening torque. When the operator cannot loosen the clamping nut, they must add an accessory to lengthen the wrench, thus lengthening the lever arm of the wrench, so as to apply a stronger loosening torque. This implementation is particularly disadvantageous because it requires the operator to have an accessory extension. In addition, the duration of the strut rod withdrawal is increased which is detrimental. In extreme cases, when the use of an extension accessory does not loosen the clamping nut, the operator is forced to cut off the clamping nut to remove the strut rod and thus release the panels.

In order to eliminate this disadvantage, a strut rod guiding device comprising means for moving the support bracket in relation to the front forming face of the panel has been proposed by the Patent EP2604775B1 of the applicant. Thanks to the moving means, the tightening tension of the support bracket can be released, which facilitates the loosening of the clamping nut and therefore the withdrawal of the strut rod.

In practice, the moving means are activated by an operator using a torque wrench which allows engagement with a mechanism, connected to a cam, extending parallel to the vertical wall in order to remove a strut rod. Although less so, it is still difficult. In addition, the operator must still lock the strut rod with a torque wrench, which presents the disadvantages previously mentioned. In fact, the cam is only designed to turn effortlessly from the lock position to the release position.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to eliminate any difficulties in locking or releasing a strut rod from a formwork panel.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates to a formwork panel comprising a vertical wall comprising a front forming face and a rear face opposite the front face, the vertical wall comprising at least one strut hole and at least one guiding device for guiding the strut rod through the strut rod hole, said guiding device comprising a support bracket configured to come inr contact with a clamping nut locking the strut rod in place in said strut rod hole, the guiding device comprising means for moving the support bracket in relation to the front forming face.

The invention is notable in that the moving means comprise at least one control device configured to adjust the spacing of the support bracket in relation to the front forming face, the control device comprising a proximal end, configured to be rotated by a screw gun or similar, extending orthogonal to the support bracket.

Thanks to the control device according to the invention, an operator can space the support bracket in a practical way using a screw gun or similar from the rear of the panel. In other words, the operator is in an ergonomic position to lock or release a strut rod. The lock and release are done without acting on the clamping nut. The difficulty is eliminated as the operator no longer needs to use a torque wrench.

Preferably, the support bracket comprises a threaded control port, the control device is in the form of a threaded screw mounted in the threaded control port. An engagement by screwing allows the position of the support bracket to be adjusted by modifying the direction of rotation of the control device to move the support bracket of the forming face closer or further away.

Preferably, the guiding device comprises a housing mounted in the vertical wall of the formwork panel and the control device comprises a distal end configured to rest against the housing in order to adjust the spacing of the support bracket. In this way, the housing forms a stop for the control device in order to adjust the position of the support bracket which is mobile.

According to an aspect of the invention, the support bracket is configured to tilt in relation to the front forming face, preferably at a tilt angle θ greater than 3°. A tilt is advantageous as it allows you to release the mechanical force gradually.

Preferably, the proximal end of the control device is in the form of a polygonal head, specifically a hexagonal head. Thus, the engagement of the proximal end with a screw gun or similar is optimal.

The support bracket preferably comprises, at a first end, a pivot connection so as to tilt the support bracket in relation to the front forming face. The support bracket is preferably connected to the housing according to a horizontal axis which is parallel to the forming face.

Even more preferably, the control device is mounted in a second end of the support bracket opposite the first end. In this way, the support bracket forms a lever arm that can be spaced by the control device with a reduced force.

According to another aspect of the invention, the moving means are configured to space the support bracket parallel to the front forming face of the panel.

The support bracket is preferably in the form of a flat plate and allows an effective planar contact with the clamping nut which secures its tightening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the moving means are configured to space the support bracket between:

a first lock position wherein the support bracket extends parallel to the front forming face of the formwork panel and at a predetermined locking distance of the front forming face and a second release position wherein the support bracket extends at least partially at a release distance less than said locking distance.

When bringing together the support bracket and the front forming face, the support bracket is spaced away from the clamping nut which reduces the mechanical tension between the nut and the support bracket. Reciprocally, moving them closer increases the mechanical tension between the nut and the support bracket.

The invention also relates to a method for withdrawing a strut rod mounted between two formwork panels facing each other, at least one formwork panel as previously presented, a clamping nut being in contact with the support bracket of the formwork panel for locking the strut rod in place, method comprising:

a step of engagement of the proximal end of the control device with a screw gun or similar and a step of rotation of the control device according to a first direction of rotation so as to space the support bracket away from the clamping nut in order to release the mechanical tension in the clamping nut.

Advantageously, mechanical tension on the support bracket is released prior to the withdrawal of the strut rod which accelerates the withdrawal. The use of a screw gun or similar in ergonomic conditions of use can eliminate any difficulty.

The support bracket is preferably tilted in relation to the front forming face of the panel so that the support bracket is spaced away from the clamping nut.

The invention also concerns a method for locking a strut rod mounted between two formwork panels facing each other, at least one formwork panel as previously presented, a clamping nut being spaced away from the support bracket of the formwork panel, method comprising:

a step of engagement of the proximal end of the control device with a screw gun or similar and a step of rotation of the control device according to a second direction of rotation so as to force the support bracket against the clamping nut in order to increase the mechanical tension in the clamping nut.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which will follow, given only as an example, and referring to the appended figures wherein:

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a formwork panel according to an embodiment of the invention with four strut guiding devices, figure 2 is a perspective view of a guiding device and a strut in the release position,

- figure 3 is a cross-section view of the guiding device and strut in the release position in figure 2,

- figure 4 is a perspective view of a guiding device and a strut in the lock position and

- figure 5 is a cross-section view of the guiding device and the strut in the lock position in figure 4.

It should be noted that the figures expose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

With reference to figure 1, a formwork panel B is represented according to an embodiment of the invention. The formwork panel B comprises a vertical wall 11 comprising a front forming face F1 and a rear face F2 opposite the front forming face F1. This front forming face F1 is configured to be placed internally in the formwork and to be in contact with the poured material.

In this example, the formwork panel B is defined in an orthogonal referential (X, Y, Z) in which the x-axis extends longitudinally from the front to the rear, the Y axis extends laterally from the left to the right and the Z axis extends vertically from the bottom to the top i.e., from a lower part towards an upper part.

As shown in figure 1, the formwork panel B comprises an upper platform 12 allowing the circulation of at least one operator, particularly while concrete is being poured. The formwork panel B comprises a guardrail 13 mounted on the upper platform 12 to prevent the operator from falling. The upper platform 12 has an entrance 14 in order to allow an operator access to the upper platform 12. Preferably, the upper platform 12 includes a hinged door to close the entrance 14 to prevent the operator from falling.

In this example, in reference to figure 1, the formwork panel B also comprises a stabilising ballast 2 connected to the upper platform 12 by stands in order to prevent the vertical panel B from tilting, particularly under the pressure of the wind. In this embodiment, the access ladder 3 acts as a stand but it goes without saying that separate ladder and stands 3 could be used. As shown in figure 1, the stabilising ballast 2 is mounted facing the rear face F2 and extends laterally along the Y axis. The stabilising ballast 2 is connected to the lower part of the vertical wall 11.

In this example, the vertical wall 11 of the panel B is perforated with four strut holes 9 extending perpendicular to the plane defined by the front forming face F1. Each strut hole 9 (Figures 3 and 5) is configured to receive a strut rod 5, allowing the parallelism of forming faces of the formwork panel B facing each other, to ensure the consistent thickness of the construction formwork between the two formwork panels B. The formwork panel B comprises four guiding devices 4 mounted on the rear face F2. Each guiding device 4 allows the strut rod 5 to be guided into a strut hole 9 of the formwork panel B.

In a known manner, in reference to figures 2 to 5, a strut rod 5 comes in the form of an elongated body 50 configured to extend orthogonal to the forming face F1 of the formwork panel B. Each strut rod 5 comprises a proximal end 51 allowing it to be handled by an operator and a distal end with a thread so that it can be screwed into an complementary threaded part. A clamping nut 6 is configured to be tightened at the proximal end 51 of the strut rod 5 to secure its position.

A guiding device 4 will now be presented in detail in reference to figures 2 to 5.

In this example, each guiding device 4 comprises a housing 41, which is mounted in the rear face F2 of the vertical wall 11, and a support bracket 42 on which the clamping nut 6 is configured to rest when it is screwed to the proximal end 51 of the strut rod 5. The support bracket 42 is connected to the housing 41 as will be explained further on.

In reference to figures 3 and 5, the housing 41 comprises a vertical wall 410 in which there is a hole aligned with the strut hole 9 of the forming face F1. In this example, the vertical wall 410 extends parallel to the forming face F1.

In this example, in reference to figure 2, the support bracket 42 is in the form of a backing plate that is planar and extends significantly vertically so that the clamping nut 6 is in planar contact with the support plate in lock position as shown in figure 5. The support bracket 42 comprises a guide opening 44 into which the strut rod 5 is configured to extend. In this example, the guide opening 44 is in the form of a sensibly vertical groove. To enable the lock, the strut rod 5 must be inserted into the lower part of the guide opening 44 in order to be aligned with the strut hole 9 of the forming face F1. In this example, the guiding device 4 comprises a protection mechanism 7 which is slidably mounted in the guide opening 44.

In the absence of a strut rod 5, the protection mechanism 7 is positioned in the lower part of the guide opening 44 because of gravity. This prevents the concrete escaping outside the formwork from the strut hole 9 while the concrete is being poured. When a strut rod 5 has to be inserted into the strut hole 9, it is sufficient for the operator to manually move the protection mechanism 7 into the upper part of the guide opening 44 in order to allow the strut rod 5 to be inserted into the lower part of the guide opening 44 as shown in figures 2 to 5.

Still in reference to figures 2 to 5, the guide device 4, according to the invention, comprises means for moving the support bracket 42 in relation to the forming face F1 of the formwork panel B, particularly in relation to the vertical wall 410 of the housing 41. The moving means comprise, in this example, a pivot rod 43 configured to allow the support bracket 42 to tilt in relation to the vertical wall 410. As shown in figures 2 and 3, the pivot rod 43 forms a pivot connection between the upper part of the support bracket 42 and the housing 41 of the panel B to allow an angular displacement θ of the lower part of the support bracket 42. The pivot rod 43 is mounted at the upper end of the support bracket 42. The support bracket 42 can tilt in relation to the front forming face F1 of the formwork panel B to facilitate the loosening/tightening of the clamping nut 6 as will be explained further on. In this example, the support bracket 42 tilts between its lock position and its release position around 4 degrees.

The pivot connection is configured to only allow the lower part of the support bracket 42 to move towards the vertical wall 410.

To guide the movement of the support bracket 42 and go from a lock position to a release position, the means moving of the guiding device 4 also comprise a control device 8 configured to adjust the movement of the support bracket 42 in relation to the front forming face F1 of the formwork panel B. The control device 8 comprises a proximal end 81 configured to be rotated by a screw gun or similar.

The control device 8 is preferably in the form of a threaded screw which is mounted in a threaded control port 45 of the support bracket 42. The control device 8 comprises a distal end 82 configured to rest against the vertical wall 410 of the housing 41 in lock position. In other words, by screwing in or unscrewing the control device 8, the protruding length L1, L2 of the control device 8 is modified, and, therefore, the tilt angle θ of the support bracket 42 in relation to the vertical is also modified. The proximal end 81 of the control device 8 is preferably in the form of a polygonal head, specifically a hexagonal head.

The threaded control port 45 is positioned at a lower end of the support bracket 42 i.e., at an end opposite the pivot rod 43. This can effectively modify the tilt angle Θ of the support bracket 42 by a small movement in translation to the control device 8, which accelerates the tightening and release.

Unlike the prior art, the control device 8 extends orthogonal to the support bracket 42 i.e., fully orthogonal to the rear wall F2, which enables an operator to act on the guiding device 4 with a screw gun or similar to adjust the tilt angle θ of the support bracket 42 in order to release or lock a strut rod 5 without difficulty. An operator can advantageously be free from using a torque wrench to act on the guiding device 4.

In the prior art, the use of a cam only allowed the pressure of the strut rod 5 to be released, due to the shape of said cam. In addition, the control device of the cam extended parallel to the forming face F1, which prevented any tightening with a screw gun or similar, side access not being possible with a screw gun. A clamping nut 6 may not be tightened with a screw gun given that the proximal part 51 of the strut rod 5 forbids any access to the clamping nut 6. Thanks to the invention, the clamping nut 6 is locked/released indirectly.

Advantageously, the support bracket 42 is spaced away from the clamping nut 6, when the latter is locked, to significantly reduce the mechanical tension in the clamping nut 6, the strut rod 5 and the support bracket 42. In fact, by moving the support bracket 42, it no longer exerts mechanical force on the clamping nut 6. The clamping nut 6 can be unscrewed and the strut rod 5 removed easily, without excessive effort. Similarly, the support bracket 42 is moved closer to the clamping nut 6, when the latter is released, to tighten the clamping nut 6 with the strut rod 5 and the support bracket 42. The operator can advantageously perform all operations using a screw gun, ergonomically and without hassle.

The use of the guiding device 4 of a panel B according to the invention will now be presented to lock a strut rod 5.

In reference to figures 2 and 3, in the release position, the strut rod 5 extends into the guide opening 44 of the support bracket 42 and into the strut hole 9. Thanks to the pivot connection, the support bracket 42 is tilted in relation to the front forming face F1. The clamping nut 6 is spaced away from the support bracket 42 as shown in figure 3. The control device 8 is screwed into the control port 45 of the support bracket 42. Its distal end 82 extends in projection of a length L1 and is not in contact with the vertical wall 410 of the housing 41.

To lock the strut rod 5, the operator moves the clamping nut 6 to bring it into contact with the support bracket 42. Then, the operator engages the screw gun with the proximal end 81 of the control device 8 and then activates the screw gun so that the distal end 82 increases its protruding length (length L2 on figure 5) so that the control device 8 comes in contact with the vertical wall 410 and increases the support tension. The support bracket 42 then extends vertically i.e., parallel to the front forming face F1. The support bracket 42 pivots to constrain the clamping nut 6, which locks the strut rod 5 in place, as shown in figures 4 and 5. It is easy for the operator to handle the screw gun since the control device 8 fully extends orthogonal to the forming face F1, the proximal end 81 being then easily accessible even with a screw gun. It is no longer necessary for the operator to apply a strong tightening torque to the clamping nut 6.

Once the concrete is poured into the formwork, the pressure of the concrete is exerted in a similar way to the prior art. Mechanical tension is created between the clamping nut 6, the strut rod 5 and the guiding device 4. After the concrete has hardened and dried, the concrete no longer exerts pressure on the forming face F1 of the formwork panel B. However, there is still mechanical tension between the clamping nut 6, the strut rod 5 and the guiding device 4. To remove the strut rod 5, the operator engages the screw gun with the proximal end 81 of the control device 8 again, and then activates the screw gun so that the distal end 82 of the control device 8 is spaced from the vertical wall 410 so that the support bracket 42 is tilted from the front forming face F1. The support bracket 42 pivots to space away from the clamping nut 6, which releases the strut rod 5.

Thanks to the invention, a strut rod 5 can be locked/released in a practically, ergonomically and without hassle.

Claims

1. Formwork panel (B) comprising a vertical wall (11) comprising a front forming face (F1) and a rear face (F2) opposite the front face (F1), the vertical wall (11) comprising at least one strut hole (9) and at least one guiding device (4) for guiding a strut rod (5) through the strut hole (9), said guiding device (4) comprising a support bracket (42) configured to come in contact with a clamping nut (6) locking the strut rod (5) in position in said strut hole (9), the guiding device (4) comprising means for moving the support bracket (42) in relation to the front forming face (F1), wherein the moving means comprise at least one control device (8) configured to adjust the spacing of the support bracket (42) in relation to the front forming face (F1), the control device (8) comprising a proximal end (81), configured to be rotated by a screw gun or similar, extending orthogonal to the support bracket (42).

2. Formwork panel (B) according to claim 1, wherein, the support bracket (42) comprising a threaded control port (45), the control device (8) is in the form of a threaded screw mounted in the threaded control port (45).

3. Formwork panel of (B) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the guiding device (4) comprising a housing (41) mounted in the vertical wall (11) of the formwork panel (B), the control device (8) comprises a distal end (82) configured to rest against the housing (41) in order to adjust the spacing of the support bracket (42).

4. Formwork panel (B) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support bracket (42) is configured to tilt in relation to the front forming face (F1), preferably at a tilt angle θ greater than 3°.

5. Formwork panel (B) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the proximal end (81) of the control device (8) is in the form of a polygonal head, specifically a hexagonal head.

6. Formwork panel (B) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support bracket (42) comprises, at a first end, a pivot connection so as to tilt the support bracket (42) in relation to the front forming face (F1).

7. Formwork panel (B) according to claim 6, wherein the control device (8) is mounted in a second end of the support bracket (42) opposite the first end.

8. Formwork panel (B) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein moving means are configured to move the support bracket (42) between:

a first lock position wherein the support bracket (42) extends parallel to the front forming face (F1) of the formwork panel (B) and at a predetermined locking distance of the front forming face and a second release position wherein the support bracket (42) extends at least partially at a release distance of less than said locking distance.

9. Method for withdrawing a strut rod (5) mounted between two formwork panels (B) facing each other, at least one formwork panel (B) being defined according to one of claims 1 to 8, a clamping nut (6) being in contact with the support bracket (42) of the formwork panel (B) to lock the strut rod (5) in place, method comprising:

a step of engagement of the proximal end (81) of the control device (8) with a screw gun or similar and a step of rotation of the control device (8) according to a first direction of rotation so as to move the support bracket (42) away from the clamping nut (6) in order to release the mechanical tension in the clamping nut (6).

10. Method for locking a strut rod (5) mounted between two formwork panels facing each other, at least one formwork panel (B) being defined according to one of claims 1 to 8, a clamping nut (6) being spaced away from the support bracket (42) of the formwork panel (B), method comprising:

a step of engagement of the proximal end (81) of the control device (8) with a screw gun or similar and a step of rotation of the control device (8) according to a second direction of rotation so as to force the support bracket (42) against the clamping nut (6) in order to increase the mechanical tension in the clamping nut (6).