WO2019142223A1

WO2019142223A1 - System for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures

Info

Publication number: WO2019142223A1
Application number: PCT/IT2019/050010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno BASSORIZZI; Paolo Ferrari
Original assignee: Bassorizzi Bruno; Paolo Ferrari
Priority date: 2018-01-22
Filing date: 2019-01-18
Publication date: 2019-07-25
Also published as: IT201800001568A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures that comprises: hollow bodies movable or unmovable initially inserted inside each other and that; the external body being connected to a horizontal base or horizontal plane with fastening means; the internal and external bodies each one having holes along its own lateral surface; the most internal hollow body being closed at both ends; At least two and up to at most three cartridges for each hollow body, inserted inside the holes and containing an expanding foam; A mechanical or electromechanical activation system, for releasing the expanding foam; Cables that activate said cartridges in order to release the expanding foam. Once the activation system is activated, each internal hollow body runs along its own axis pushed from the expanding foam.

Description

SYSTEM FOR THE RISING AND THE OPPOSITION TO THE FALL OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL STRUCTURES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures, which intervenes in case of seismic event.

The present invention has the purpose of creating a compartment or space wide enough to allow a human being to survive in case of seismic event while the horizontal structure (for example slabs) and vertical structure of a building collapse.

In the present patent application, all the operating conditions indicated in the text should be considered as being preferred conditions even if not expressly declared.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "comprising" or "including" also comprises the term "consisting in" or "essentially consisting of".

For the purposes of the present invention, the definitions of the ranges always comprise the extremes, unless otherwise specified.

In case of seismic event, the building, which have been designed and realized not using the anti-seismic regulations can undergo damages, so that the vertical structures (walls), not being sufficiently resistant and/or sufficiently fastened to horizontal structures (slabs), cause the collapse of the horizontal structures on top of each others, reducing or eliminating the surviving space of people which stayed there. Applicant has thus designed a system, which has the aim to create a cavity between the horizontal structures and the vertical structures of a building (slabs and walls) to allow people to survive and an easier rescue of the survivors from rescue services . It is therefore an object of the present invention a system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures, which comprises:

o an external hollow body movable or unmovable that contains one or more internal hollow coaxial body movable, initially inserted inside each other and that are able to run along its own axis; said external body being connected to a horizontal base or horizontal plane with fastening means; said internal and external bodies each one having holes of identical diameter along its own lateral surface; the most internal hollow body being closed at both ends;

o at least two and up to at most three cartridges for each hollow body, which can make up for a possible malfunction of a cartridge, inserted inside the holes and containing an expanding foam;

o a mechanical or electromechanical activation system, that activates the cartridges of the most external hollow body in order to release the expanding foam;

o Cables that connect the cartridges of each internal hollow body to the base of the hollow body which contains it; said cables activate said cartridges in order to release the expanding foam;

said system characterized in that:

o each hollow internal body leans over the cartridges of the hollow body which contains it, and

o once the activation system is activated, each internal hollow body runs along its own axis pushed from the expanding foam, released by the cartridges over which the bodies lean.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will appear more evident from the following description and attached figures, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, which represent preferred embodiments of the present invention .

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, Figure 1 shows a system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures claimed and described, wherein the hollow bodies run vertically along its own axis, and the external hollow body is connected to a horizontal supporting surface.

Figure 2 shows the system of Figure 1 front view and side view, in mode of non-operation.

Figure 3 shows a further preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention that has all features of that represented in Figure 1, but it presents an additional mechanical body, which is visible in Figures 3B and 3C when the system is moving .

Figure 4 shows a particular activating mechanical system that activates the cartridges in case of earthquake.

Figure 5 describes headed plates, which can be placed on the walls of the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures.

Figure 6 shows a further preferred embodiment of the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures according to the present invention.

The system presents numerous features that are in Figure 1 and comprises an additional mechanical body, different from that illustrated in Figure 3, as visible in Figure 6B when the system is moving. Moreover, said embodiment comprises an external hollow body movable connected to a horizontal support plate by means of a hinge ( j 5 , Figure 6A, 6B and 6C) .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant describes now in detail the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures object of the present patent application by referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures claimed and described comprises an external hollow body (a) movable or unmovable containing one or more internal hollow coaxial body movable (b, c) , initially inserted inside each other and that are able to run along its own axis. Preferably, the number of hollow bodies is higher or equal than 2 and lower or equal than 3.

The hollow bodies are cylindrical elements and can have preferably a cross section circular, or rectangular, or square shaped .

Each body has two cross-sectional areas or bases that both result opened in all hollow internal bodies save the most internal hollow body, wherein both bases are closed. This allows the expanding foam to enter in the hollow bodies, save the most internal body avoiding to add weight to the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures .

The cross-sectional area, which offers the best advantages in terms of performances and building construction is the square shaped because in the square shaped section it is easier to place the cartridges of expanding foam.

The cross-sectional area of the most external hollow body (a) is larger than the section of the all other bodies (b, c) ) ; the bodies have necessarily a decreasing cross-sectional area.

When the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures is not operating (Figure 1A, 3A and 6A) internal bodies are inserted inside each other.

The external body is connected to a horizontal base or horizontal plane (h) with suitable fastening means (k), as for example bolts. Preferably, fastening means are selected from a plate (g in Figure 1) or a hinge ( j 5 in Figure 6) .

Each internal and external bodies have holes of identical diameter positioned along its own lateral surface (d, e) ; anyway, the holes over the bodies have different diameter and a diameter decreasing starting from the most external hollow body.

The cartridges containing the expanding foam are inserted in the holes; the cartridges are in number equal to the number of holes. The expanding foam can be preferably a polyurethane.

Cartridges are at least two and up to at most three for each hollow body, which can make up for a possible malfunction of a cartridge .

Each hollow internal body leans over the cartridges of the hollow body that contains it. In Figures 1, 3 and 6 the hollow body (b) leans over the cartridges of the external hollow body (a) , which are inserted in the holes (d) , and in a similar way, the most internal body (c) leans over the cartridges of body (b) , which are inserted in the holes (e) .

Suitable cables connect the cartridges of each internal body (b, c) to the base of the hollow body that contains it.

When the system starts operating said cables activate said cartridges in order to release the expanding foam and make the internal bodies run along its own axis.

In particular, Figure 1 shows the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures described and claimed, wherein the fastening means of the external hollow body (a) is a plate (g) fastened to the horizontal support plane (h) .

Figure 1 illustrates the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures in three different steps: Figure 1A is the first step, Figure IB is the second step, and Figure 1C is the third step. The system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures is formed of three hollow bodies (a, b, c) of decreasing square-shaped section (Figure ID), coaxial and located in three different positions. Each hollow body has two holes (d, e) of equal diameter. Anyway, on the external body (a) the holes (d) have a larger diameter, on the second body (b) the holes (e) have a diameter lower than the holes (d) of the external body. A cartridge is inserted in each hole (not represented in the Figures) .

In Figure 1A the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures is not operating: the three hollow bodies are positioned inside each other. In this position, only the first body (a) is fastened by means of a plate (g) on a horizontal base or support plane (h) by means of suitable anchoring systems (k); the second body (b) leans over the cartridges of the first body, and in a similar way, the third body (c) leans over the cartridges of the second body.

The cartridges inserted in the holes (e) of the body (b) are connected to the plate (g) of the body (a) by means of the cables (o) . In Figure IB the second hollow body (b) has been raised by the expansion of the foam contained in the first two cartridges which are inside the holes (d) , actioned by the activation system. The cables (o) extend with the rising of the body. The extended cables (o) activate the cartridges contained in the holes (e) in order to release the expanding foam and raise the body (c) .

In the Figure 1C also the third hollow body (c) has been raised and the system has arrived to its maximum extension.

Figure 2 shows the system of Figure 1 front view and side view, in non-operating mode, wherein two inspection windows (i, 1) are visible. The inspection windows have the function of allowing the periodic servicing of the system, both for controlling the correct equipment of the activating system (mechanical or electromechanical), and for substituting the cartridges before their use deadline.

Figure 3 shows a further preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention. The system presents all the features of that represented in Figure 1, but it presents an additional mechanical body.

A structural element is welded over the most internal cylinder (c) , said element is described in more details in Figure 3D.

The structural element comprises a square slab (p) with a lateral surface (r) , welded over the upper surface of the most internal cylinder; and from one to four trapezoidal-shaped foils (q) having the same length, connected to the lateral surface (r) at one end. The slab (p) must have an area larger than the section of the external hollow body (a) .

Each foil (q) has a roller (v) positioned to the opposite end with respect to the lateral surface (which in the text is indicated as lower end) , which allows the foil (q) to run vertically on the external cylinder (a) .

Each foil (q) is connected to a beam (s) by means of a hinge (t) , and it is arranged under the floor level over a notched element (u) , as indicated in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. In Figure 3A the system is non-operating and the beams (s) are leaned under the floor level over a notched element (u) . In Figure 3E it is possible to see the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures in map view when it is not operating. As previously mentioned the beams (s) are positioned under the level of the horizontal base or horizontal support plane over a notched element or surface (u) , as indicated in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. When the system is non-operating (Figure 3A) the beams (s) are leaned under the floor level over a notched element (u) . During the seismic event, the activation mechanism activates the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures, releasing the expanding foam and raising the first internal hollow body (b) . During said movement the beams (s) are dragged along the notched surface (u) (whose aim is to prevent the beams to come back to the initial position) and proceed their run until the system described and claimed has reached its maximum extension. If the system were not able to reach it maximum extension, thanks to the notched surface (u) engaging the lowest end of the beam (s), it would prevent the system to come back to the initial position.

By dragging also the beams, the clamed and described system offers further space for surviving as the overhead deck would find sufficient resistance to the fall thanks to said beams. When the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures described in Figure 3 is operating and during the extension of the hollow bodies, the horizontal structures are raised or prevented to collapse, forming a vital space.

Figure 3B shows a system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures when the cylindrical body (b) is raised; Figure 3C shows a system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures wherein the three cylindrical bodies are in their maximum extension.

Figure 6 shows a preferred system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures, which has many features identical to those illustrated in Figure 1, but comprising an additional mechanical body, different from that shown in Figure 3.

In this embodiment, only two hollow and coaxial bodies with a square-shaped base are used, one internal (B) having a closed end (the one that does not lean to the cartridges and that is hinged on the mechanical body with the hinge jl), and one external (a) hinged by means of the hinge j 5 to the support plane h. Two cartridges only (d) containing an expanding foam are present .

Figure 6A shows an internal view of the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures when it is not operating.

In Figure 6A the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures is in position sub horizontal, it means that it leans on a support (w) whose function is to favor a preferential rotation direction when the system starts moving in case of earthquake.

The mechanical body consists of two structural elements: a hollow element (z) and a telescopic beam (y) . The hollow structural element (z) and the beam (y) are connected between them by means of a hinge ( j 3 ) .

The internal hollow cylinder (b) is hooked to said hollow structural element (z), initially horizontal, by means of a hinge (jl) fixed to the external base of the body (b) .

Said structural element (z) is connected to the support plane (h) at one end by means of a hinge (j2) .

The beam (y) is telescopic and connected to the support plane (h) by means of a hinge (j4) .

In rest conditions (Figure 6A and 6C) , the beam (y) is horizontal and leans to a support plane (h) .

The beam (y) internally has notches that, by means of a block system with springs (wl), prevents it to go back while the system gradually raises up.

Figure 6C shows an external view of the system for the rising and opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures when it is not operating. Figure 6B shows the system for the rising and opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures when it is operating. In case of earthquake the mobile external body (a) raises following the preferential direction of the support (w) . The activating system activates the cartridges releasing the expanding foam and raising the body (b) .

This movement causes a movement to the mechanical body, in particular raising the element (z) and the beam (y) , which becomes longer. Thanks to said mechanical body, the horizontal and vertical structures, which collapse during earthquake, keep suspended creating an empty space, which protects a being.

A mechanical or electromechanical activation system activates the cartridges of the most external hollow body (a) in order to release the expanding foam; once activated the activation system, each internal body runs along its own axis pushed by the expanding foam released by the cartridges on which they lean against .

Figure 4 shows a particular mechanical activation system that activates the cartridges in case of earthquake.

Said system of mechanical activation is a structure formed by a truncated cone hollow body (1) in which the upper base has a diameter larger than the diameter of the lower base, having on the top of it a spherical cupola or a hemispherical body, which perfectly adheres to said truncated cone body, a hollow cylindrical body (11) on which the truncated con body is fixed; a portion of sphere (3) placed inside the truncated cone body, a harpoon mechanism (4), a spherical mass (5) placed inside said portion of sphere (3) .

The harpoon mechanism comprises two lateral supports, which an L-shaped plate (6) and a harpoon wheel (7) are hinged in different positions. A lever (9), preloaded by a spring (10), is orthogonal to its own rotation axis and connected to the harpoon wheel by means of the same axis or pivot.

The hollow truncated cone body (1) has an upper base with a diameter larger than the diameter of the lower base.

Inside the truncated cone body a portion of sphere (3) is placed, which is connected to the truncated cone body by means of vertical webs (12) , connected to the truncated cone body by means of vertical webs (12) .

A spherical mass (5) is placed inside said portion of sphere

(3) . Between the hollow truncated cone body (1) and the portion of sphere (3) a cavity is formed whose size is always larger than the diameter of the spherical mass (5), so that there is sufficient space to allow said mass passing through without difficulties .

The spherical cupola (2) acts so that the spherical mass (5) during its motion cannot come out in any way from the structure, and even if the hollow bodies of the system for the rising and opposition to the fall of the horizontal and vertical structures should, for some reasons ben, the spherical mass (5) would be directed internally the truncated-con body (1) activating the harpoon mechanism (4) . The cylindrical body (11) adheres to an L-shaped plate (6), which is engaged to the harpoon mechanism

(4) . The harpoon mechanism comprises two lateral supports, which an L-shaped plate (6) and a harpoon wheel (7) are hinged in different positions. A lever (9), preloaded by a spring (10), orthogonal to its own rotation axis, is connected to the harpoon wheel by means of the same axis or pivot. The harpoon wheel (7) has the function to load the mechanism, blocking the L-shaped plate (6), when the activation mechanism is not operating, so that, in case of earthquake, it can get started.

When the spherical mass (5) starts moving because of earthquake, said mass runs through the cavity and falls over the L-shaped plate (6), which rotates around its own rotation axis or pivot

(8) releasing the harpoon wheel (7) . Said harpoon wheel (7) rotates around its own axis causing the rotation of the lever

(9) and unloading the spring (10) . At one end of the lever (9), one or more cables (o) are connected, which free the caps that close the cartridges containing the expanding foam, and placed in the holes (d) of the most external body (a) .

The cartridges are connected to said harpoon mechanism by means of a cable that connects the lever (9) preloaded by a spring

(10) to the cap of the cartridge. When the lever (9) rotates, it draws the cable (o) that connects the cap of the cartridge. In this way, the cartridge opens and releases the foam. The foam pushes the first internal hollow body (b) . A second series of cables (o) connects the first hollow body (b) to a second series of cartridges (placed in the holes e) ) . During the rise of the first hollow body, about half of its stroke, the cable draws the cap of the cartridges and activates the foam of said containers. The foam newly activates the second hollow body (c) which starts raising activating the further cartridges possibly present by means of the cables, and so for all other hollow internal bodies up to reaching the maximum extension and then stop.

The system claimed and described can be used for forming a space between two structures, preferably horizontal and vertical.

The system claimed and described can be positioned on a horizontal structure of a part of a building, preferably close to the perimeter walls in order to have the minimum possible impact on the architectural building and can be placed in an easy way inside the existing buildings (schools, palaces) .

On the walls of the system claimed and described it is possible to install advertising and ornamental panels (for esthetic purposes), with optional assigned plaques as those illustrated in Figure 5 for example.

Claims

1. A system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures that comprises:

o A mechanical or electromechanical activation system, that activates the cartridges of the most external hollow body in order to release the expanding foam; o Cables that connect the cartridges of each internal hollow body to the base of the hollow body which contains it; said cables activate said cartridges in order to release the expanding foam;

Said system characterized in that:

o Once the activation system is activated, each internal hollow body runs along its own axis pushed from the expanding foam, released from the cartridges over which the bodies lean.

2. The system according to claim 1 which further comprises an additional mechanical body, said body including a structural element welded over the most internal cylinder (c) and four beams (s);

a) Said structural element comprising:

• A square slab (p) with a lateral surface (r) , welded over the upper surface of the most internal cylinder;

• From one to four trapezoidal-shaped foils (q) having the same length connected to the lateral surface (r) at one end; each foil having a roller (v) positioned to the opposite end with respect to the lateral surface, which allows the foil (q) to run vertically on the external cylinder (a) ; b) Said beams (s) being leaned under the floor level over a notched element (u) and connected each one to a foil by means of a hinge (t) ; said beams, during the seismic event, are dragged along the notched surface (u) and proceed their run until the system for the rising and the opposition to the fall of horizontal and vertical structures has reached its maximum extension.

3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an additional mechanical body and a support (w) over which said system leans and whose function is to favor a rotation preferential direction when the system starts moving in case of earthquake; said system wherein:

• The most internal hollow body (b) has a closed end which does not lean to the cartridges and it is hinged to a mechanical body ( j 1 ) ;

• The external hollow body (a) is hinged ( j 5 ) to a support plane (h) ;

• The mechanical body includes two structural elements, a hollow element (z) and a telescopic beam (y) , the hollow structural element (z) and the beam (y) being connected among them by means of a hinge ( j 3 ) ;

• The most internal hollow (b) is hooked to said hollow structural element (z), initially horizontal, by means of a hinge ( j 1 ) fixed the external base of the body (b) ;

• Said structural element (z) is connected to the support plane (h) at one end by means of a hinge ( j 2 ) ;

• The telescopic beam (y) is connected to the support plane (h) by means of a hinge ( j 4 ) ; the beam (y) having internally notches that, by means of a block system with springs (wl), prevents it to go back while the system gradually raises up.

4. The system according to claims from 1 to 3 wherein the number of hollow bodies is higher or equal to 2 and lower or equal to 3.

5. The system according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 3 wherein the hollow bodies have a cross section circular, or rectangular, or square shaped.

6. The system according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 5 wherein each body has at least two holes with identical diameter positioned along the lateral surface.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the holes over the bodies have different diameter and a diameter decreasing starting from the most external hollow body.

8. The system according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 7 wherein the expanding foam is a polyurethane.

9. The system according to anyone of claims from 1 to 8 wherein the mechanical activation system comprises:

o A structure that has a truncated cone hollow body (1) in which an upper base has a diameter larger than the diameter of the lower base, a spherical cupola or a hemispherical body being on the top of the truncated cone hollow body, which perfectly adheres to the upper base of said truncated cone body and fixed on a hollow cylindrical body (11);

o A portion of sphere (3) connected to the truncated cone body by means of vertical webs (12) placed inside the truncated cone body which forms a cavity whose size is always larger than the diameter of the spherical mass (5) ;

o A spherical mass (5) placed inside said portion of sphere (3) ;

o A harpoon mechanism which comprises two lateral supports, which an L-shaped plate (6) and a harpoon wheel (7) are hinged in different positions; a lever (9), preloaded by a spring (10), which is orthogonal to its own rotation axis and connected to the harpoon wheel by means of the same axis

o Cables that connect an end of the lever (9) to the stopper of the cartridges containing the expanding foam and connected to the holes (d) of the most external body (a) .

10. The system according to anyone of claims from 1 to 9 positioned on a horizontal structure of a part of a building or close to the perimeter walls.