MX2007010784A - Support device for reinforcing members in concrete structures. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device that is used to separate or space out metal structural elements for concrete in relation to one another or to the surface on which the concrete is to be cast, in order to obtain coverings or layers of concrete having a pre-defined thickness. The chair is preferably made from polypropylene and comprises two opposing vertical walls which are joined to one another by a third wall which is orthogonal to the other walls (supporting axis). The upper end of the opposing vertical walls comprises a semi-circular rabbet for receiving a metal structural element to be supported, while the lower part of each of the walls is divided into three legs, namely end legs which are defined by the vertical edges of the walls with a preferably-arch-shaped cavity therebetween and a third leg comprising a projection from the transverse wall. All of the walls are equipped with hollow arches at the lower ends thereof and, in some embodiments of the invention, preferably for parts taller than 2.5 inches, the transverse wall is also equipped with an upper hollow arch, said hollow arches enabling the free passage of aggregates to the concrete.

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR MEMBERS OF REINFORCEMENT IN CONCRETE STRUCTURES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to devices of the type commonly known as saddles, separators or supports of metallic reinforcing elements in reinforced concrete structures, whose function is to establish a separation or distancing between the structural elements themselves or between them and the surface of the formwork or of the surface on which the concrete or the surface of the concrete is going to be cast, obtaining the coatings or layers of concrete sought.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a wide variety of devices designed to support the steel reinforcements that will form the reinforcing structure of the concrete, which will be integrated into the concrete, and whose function is to separate and provide a predetermined distance (coatings or layers of concrete). ) to said structural elements with each other, or between them and the surface of the concrete or between them and the surface of the plates that make up the "mold" for the "casting" of the concrete, or the "falsework", or any other surface that contains the flow of concrete.

Some examples of such devices, "saddles", have been described in numerous patents, of which some examples are given below, whose teachings form part of the state of the art on which the development of the present invention is based: U.S. Patent No. 5,595,039 (Lowery, 1997) discloses a very simplified support device, of the type of a solid bar of circular section oriented vertically, with its upper end being free and shaped so that a rod rests crosswise on it , and the other end being adjusted to a broad support base of circular shape; the device is intended to support a transverse structural element and I allows maintaining a separation distance between said element and the surface on which the device is placed, said distance being equivalent to the total height of the device and therefore, the thickness of the device. the layer of covering; the structural element, therefore, has a single point of support in the device.

Similarly, the device described in US Pat. No. 4,682,461 (Sizemore, 1987) operates a saddle made up of molded plastic elements of different sizes, giving the shape of a letter "A" between them, with the posts placed in divergent form, with a reinforcing element that crosses at the top and another at the bottom. The element of smaller dimensions fits through the opening of the major element and fits in place perpendicular to the major element by means of specially designed recesses in the respective transverse members; in this case, the structural element that rests on the crosshead that is generated in the upper part of the device, also has only one point of support, although the device seems to offer a better balance by having four points of support.

In United States patent 6,089,522 (Haslem et al., 2000) and design patent 421,709 (Haslem et al, 2000) which refer to the same device, a tall saddle is described consisting of four vertical posts joined together by a band that runs approximately half of its height; at the upper end, union elements are seen between the diagonally opposed posts, forming a support surface for the structural elements to be supported. The sides have an "H" shape with their upper ends slightly closer than the lower ones, and the crosshead formed by the crossbars on the upper part has elements to position the structural element to be supported, so that it is oriented on one of the the diagonals, offering a whole line of contact between said structural element and the support device (saddle), however for the contact to be given over the entire line requires that the saddle be properly positioned so that the diagonal is collinear with the element structural, otherwise, the contact is restricted to only one point.

U.S. Patent 5,729,949 (Hartzheim, 1998) discloses a saddle used to support and space rebar meshes, characterized in that it has a hollow body of conical shape, a flat base that provides great stability, an opening that allows the concrete flow in and around the saddle, and preformed notches in the upper part, at two levels, to keep the bars in the desired position.

US design 334,133, meanwhile, illustrates a saddle having its curved upper end, shaped to receive a structural element of circular section; The saddle rests on four legs with very small contact areas and has a reinforcing ring in the vicinity of its base.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION In light of the limitations and problems presented by the developments hitherto proposed in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support element for a metal structure, of the type known as a saddle, with a structural design that allows achieve a large load capacity.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a saddle whose base is provided with lower extremities or legs whose distribution and shape ensure great stability of both the saddle itself and the metal structure it supports.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved saddle whose conformation ensures an optimal behavior with the concrete and its aggregates, allowing the passage of these and an optimal integration to the structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a saddle that offers two points of support or support for the steel; the saddle then, by behaving as a double separator I, offers advantages of stability with respect to those of the state of the art.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a saddle in which its structure is shaped and reinforced in such a way that between the two support points there is a load axis that allows it to achieve a greater load capacity, ensuring that the steel Reinforcement for the concrete is kept aligned on the load axis, a maximum resistance is obtained and it is ensured that the assembly will maintain its position. I Another object of the present invention is to provide a saddle in which the load area of the separator is greater than any separator with a fulcrum, having two longitudinally located support points, thus obtaining greater productivity by achieving better performance per square meter. I These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the light of the following description, which is accompanied by a series of Figures for the preferred embodiments of the invention, which should be understood to be elaborated for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. of the teachings of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The saddle according to the present invention has as its main function to serve as a support and separator of the steel reinforcement conventionally used to form concrete slabs. The saddle is formed by a single piece that includes a body with two upper ends and a plurality of supporting elements or elongated legs aligned in two rows parallel to each other on both sides of the main body, the legs properly constitute the body of the device and extend from the upper end in contact with the steel downwards, forming the base of the device that will be in contact with the surface of containment of concrete or formwork; the thickness of the concrete lining is then established by the length from the contact point to the lower end of the legs or bases, that is, by the height of the device.

Various alternatives can be had in the arrangement of the support elements of the saddle of the invention, the modalities illustrated in the present description being preferred., in which it should be noted that the legs of the saddles are preferably four-sided structures that are reduced towards the bottom, ending in a sharp figure with little contact surface, but that in cases where the load is appreciable, the legs have an essentially cross-shaped cross section, which gives a high resistance, and since with the same amount of material a greater resistance to deformation is achieved, it offers therefore greater resistance to the load; in all cases, the main body is formed by the two walls that form the sets of legs, which are joined by means of another wall transverse to the first two, in whose upper ends are formed recesses to receive the elongated elements of the metal structure to hold. These support recesses are essentially concave, semicircular, suitable to receive the profile of the steel structural elements, so that they offer the largest possible contact area between the body of the saddle and the metal structure.

In some of the highest forms of saddle, the intermediate wall assumes an "H" shape, and the arc holes allow the passage of aggregates of concrete through it, and additionally allow the support of structural elements oriented transversely, going through the recesses if desired. i Some advantages of the proposed device that will be evident to a person with knowledge in the area, include: It is a more resistant device, more stable, easy to install, and with higher performance per square meter, - its weight ratio in plastic vs. Load capacity is better, so it is more productive, since the preferred material for its manufacture is polypropylene, which offers high strength with low investment of material. besides separating, shimming or giving the reinforcing steel the projected or expected position, having six limbs or legs and two support points for the steel on the same axis, a great stability is obtained by staying in the position in which it is placed. Its structure ensures a high load capacity, its operation and behavior in the concrete are optimal, even with very thick aggregates and steels up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES I Figure 1 is a simple perspective view from a point above the upper plane of a first embodiment of the saddle of the invention, preferred for separation distances in the order of between 0.75 and 2.5 inches.

Figure 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the! saddle of the invention Figure 4 is a bottom plane view of the first embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top plane view of the first embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 6 is a simple perspective view of the saddle of the first embodiment of the invention, showing a diagram of the distribution of loads through | of the body of the saddle.

Figure 7 is a simple perspective view of the first embodiment of the saddle of the invention in its position of use with a loading element in place.

Figure 8 is a simple perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the saddle of the invention of the previous figures, from a point above the upper plane, in which the section of the legs shows a cross shape, suitable for supporting higher efforts.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the saddle of the invention, which corresponds to the preferred saddle for separation heights in the order of 3 and up to 4 inches.

Figure 10 is a simple perspective view of the second embodiment of the saddle of the invention of Figure 9, from a point below the lower plane.

Figure 11 is a front view of the second embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 12 is a side view of the second embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 13 is a simple perspective view of a third embodiment of the saddle of the invention that is preferred for separation heights of more than 4.5 inches.

Figure 14 is a simple perspective view from a point below the lower plane of the third embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 15 is a front view of the third embodiment of the saddle of the invention. ' Figure 16 is a side view of the third embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 17 is a top plane view of the third embodiment of the saddle of the invention.

Figure 18 is a bottom plane view of the third embodiment of the saddle of the invention, showing the detail of the cross section of the legs.

Figure 19 is a simple perspective view of the third embodiment of the saddle of the invention in its position of use with a loading element in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description will be referred to the accompanying drawings described above, which should be understood as illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and not limiting the scope of the inventive concept. The common elements in the Figures have the same numerical references in all of them.

The saddle, support or vertical plastic separator, subject of the present invention, is a device designed to uniformly fit or separate at different heights the reinforcing steel in the reinforced concrete structures, ensuring the position of the steel and the coatings of projected concrete, achieving a correct structural performance. Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, hereinafter referred to as "saddle" (100).

The saddle (100) works like a double saddle since it has two points of support (110) and (110 ') of the steel on a same axis (115), which results in a greater resistance and better stability, achieving with accuracy the Projected concrete coatings.

The device (100) has a series of advantages with respect to the devices described in the prior art, the clearest advantages are to offer a greater load capacity and a higher performance, as well as to reduce structural failures due to poor positioning of the steel and to avoid variations in the projected concrete coatings, which are its two basic functions.

Being manufactured from plastic materials, basically polypropylene due to the low costs, properties, availability and knowledge of the associated processes, although it could be manufactured in a similar way with other plastic resins using the same technique of injection molding, it is sought avoid the use of waste materials that cause a reduction in the useful life of the steel due to its contamination and corrosion.

The performance and performance per square meter of the proposed device is better than those of other accessories used for the same functions, resulting in lower costs. | Returning to Figure 1, the complete structure of the illustrated saddle can be appreciated, incorporating the teachings of the present invention.

The saddle (100) has a main body formed by two vertical walls parallel to each other (101) and (101 '), joined by a transverse wall (130) and a horizontal reinforcement surface (120). The vertical walls (101) and (101 ') are constructed by joining a plurality of vertical elements I or legs (140) and (140') extending from the base of the saddle (100) to their upper ends ( 110) and (110 '); the walls, in all the illustrated modes, have an essentially polygonal shape, preferably hexagonal, with their upper and lower sides being parallel to each other and horizontal with respect to the floor when the chair is in the position of use; the angle of the vertical inclined sides depends on the height of the metal structure with respect to the floor, as well as the desired width of the saddle as a whole, widening it to provide greater stability in the case of heavy structures, width and height keep a proportional relationship, in the range of from 30 to 60% to not alter its stability. All the illustrated modes differ from each other basically by the heights and by the arrangement of the angles of said walls, as will be seen in the following Figures and description. In the first illustrated embodiment, the inclined sides near the base of the walls (101) and (101 ') are essentially vertical. I At the upper end of the vertical walls (101) and (101 ') there are semicircular recesses (110) and (110') intended to receive and accommodate an elongated element of the metal structure to be supported. The two semicircular recesses are aligned with each other so that a steel structural element can rest on both recesses, as shown in Figure 7. In its lower part, the vertical walls (101) and (101 ') have a hollow arc (125) which properly defines the plurality of! legs of the saddle, it being preferred that these walls form two pairs of legs aligned with each other, starting from the lower inclined sides of said vertical walls (101) and (101 ').

The vertical walls (101) and (101 ') are kept equidistant and aligned with each other, by a third junction wall (130) located transversely to the other two and aligned with the plane joining the axes of symmetry of those. The geometry of this third wall (130) is similar to that of the other two (101) and (101 '), since its external inclined sides form the central leg of the plurality of legs (140) and (140'); Like the other vertical walls, the wall (130) shows an arch (135) at its lower end of a height similar to the arches of the other walls, although the width is proportional to the height.

At the upper end, the wall (130) can show different configurations, depending on | the total height of the saddle, as shown in the relevant Figures; in the embodiment described, and due to the low height of the device as a whole, the wall (130) presents a straight edge that joins the low points of the recesses (110) and (110 ') and even projects beyond of the walls (101) and (101 '), as seen in Figure 2; this allows the supported structural element to have a full line of contact, and the presence of this wall does not prevent the aggregates of the concrete from being adequately accommodated due to the presence of other holes (122) and (124) on the horizontal reinforcement surface (120).

Figures 2 and 3 show front and side views (with respect to the wall (130)) where the geometrical configurations of the walls (101), (101 ') and (130) are better appreciated, as well as the concavities and arcs of the walls. same.

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the saddle (100) in which it is possible to appreciate the shape of the cross section of the "legs" (140) and (140 ') (although not shown this numeral, note that the figure is symmetric), being practically quadrangular and solid.

Figure 5 is a top view of the saddle (100), schematically illustrating the changes in width of the vertical walls and the contact areas between the saddle (100) and the elements of the metal structures to be supported, in the semicircular recesses of the upper ends (110), (110 '), and the concavity of the transverse wall (130) (shown in shades degraded to give an idea of the curvature).

Figure 6 aims to show how the configuration of the saddle of the present invention distributes the load stresses from the contact points in the semicircular recesses (110) and (110 ') through the load axis (115), towards the walls (101), (101 ') and (130), and finally the points of contact of the legs (140) and (140') with the reference surface, possibly the formwork.

Figure 7 shows a saddle (100) of the invention according to the embodiment just described, carrying a structural element of the type of a steel rod, for example, of round section, which rests on the recesses (110) and ( 110 ') and on the upper edge of the wall (130) which coincides with the load axis (115); note that the semicircular recesses (110) and (110 ') although they have a shape similar to the section of the structural element, do not necessarily have to be adjusted to the periphery thereof, and it is sufficient for the weight of said structural element to be concentrated in the points of contact destined for it in the semicircular recesses, achieving the distribution of efforts illustrated in Figure 6.

In an alternative of the first embodiment that has been shown in the previous figures, illustrated in! Figure 8, the The walls of the legs have been reinforced to give a cross section in cross, which allows greater stresses on the set of the saddle. This practice of including ribs or reinforcement panels is applied to the basic structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 when the saddle of the invention is employed in suitable modalities at greater distances and loads, as illustrated in the figures and description that follow.

Figures 9 and 10 show a top and bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the saddle of the invention, denoted by (300), which is the preferred embodiment for distances in the order of from 3 to 4 inches. This embodiment has the same fundamental characteristics of the modality described first, having two vertical walls (301) and (301 ') of basically hexagonal shape, with semicircular recesses (310) and (310') on the upper edges intended for housing the structural steel elements, hollow arches (325) that form the legs (340), (340 '), and in which the lower sloping walls are practically vertical.

Figures 13 and 14 again illustrate the use of reinforcements to the basic model of Figures 9 to 12, for offer a greater distance, of the order of 4.5 inches and more; In this modality, the vertical sides | of the device are made of straighter and vertical profiles and reinforcing elements are added to the sides of said walls, in the form of triangular supports that stiffen the entire structure without excessively increasing the mass of plastic used.

In the preferred embodiments for distances greater than 3 inches, shown in Figures 9 to 19, the connecting wall (330), (430) has a recess (336), (436) that extends downward to a similar shape to an "H", although it is appreciated that both holes, upper (336), (436) and lower i (335), (435) have their inner sides inclined, tapering in the directions up and down respectively. This pronounced concavity allows the admission of concrete aggregates, and in some cases elements of the metallic structure that are transverse to the elements that could be supported on the recesses. (310), (310 '), (410), (410') of the vertical walls (301), (301 '), (401) and (401').

Returning to the embodiment of Figures 13 and following, Figure 15 shows a front view of the saddle (400) where the removal of material from the arches becomes evident. upper (436) and lower (435) of the wall (430), which serve mainly to allow the passage of the aggregates to the concrete; the piece (400) in its totality offers little volume of displacement of concrete by the multiple hollows and the slenderness of its constituent elements that nevertheless by the predominant pyramidal form in all of them, grant a high rigidity and stability ali set.

Figure 18 is a bottom view of the saddle (400) in which it is possible to appreciate the shape of the cross section of the "legs" (440) and (440 '), which are cross-shaped, since it provides a large stability and greater load capacity to the set, as already mentioned above.

Figure 17 is included here to make evident the pyramidal elements that are directed upwards, until finishing off in the semicircular recesses (410) and (410 ') that receive the structural element to be supported.

Finally, Figure 19 shows the saddle (400) of the preferred embodiment for important loads and heights greater than 4 inches, in its position of use with a structural element placed in place.

The description that has been made of some of the preferred embodiments I of the present invention makes it clear that modifications can be made to the geometric configuration of the device, but that, however, such modifications can be evident to a person with average knowledge in the art. subject matter, it will be understood that they fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS Once the invention is described, what is considered novel and therefore its property is claimed, is:

1. A device for separating or distancing metal structural elements for concrete, from each other or between it and the surface of the formwork or from the surface on which the concrete or concrete is to be cast, of the type known as "saddle", characterized in that is formed by two opposite vertical walls and joined together by a third wall orthogonal to the first; each of the opposite vertical walls have at their upper end a semicircular recess shaped to receive a metallic structural element to be supported, and in its lower part, each of the walls is divided into three legs being those of the ends defined by the vertical edges of the walls and a hole preferably in arc between them and the third being the projection of the transverse wall.

2. A saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the three walls have hollow arcs at their lower ends, the gaps allow the free passage of aggregates to the concrete.

3. A saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably for pieces of heights greater than 2.5 inches, the transverse wall also has an upper hollow arc and is intended to allow free passage of concrete aggregates or, where appropriate, of transverse structural elements.

4. A saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the points of contact between the exposed surface of the upper semicircular recesses and the metallic structural element to be supported are aligned, so that they offer at least two support points on a single load axis.

5. A saddle according to claim 4, characterized in that the load of the structural element is distributed through the load axis towards the vertical walls of the saddle and finally concentrates on the contact surfaces of the legs of each vertical wall.

A saddle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs of the vertical walls preferably have a solid section of essentially quadrangular area, when said saddle has a height of up to 4 inches.

7. A saddle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs of the vertical walls preferably have a solid section of essentially cross-shaped area, when said saddle has a height of more than 4 inches or will bear important loads.

8. A saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material, preferably of polypropylene.