The present invention relates to a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel.

Usually, in order to perform vertical castings, formwork is used which comprises a plurality of predominantly vertically extended panels so as to form a shape within which the casting is performed.

The opposite panels of the formwork are usually connected and kept in position at a preset mutual distance by two or more tension members which extend between them.

Normally, the panels of the formwork comprise a perimetric profile which has through holes adapted for the insertion of one of these tension members.

In order to be able to fix the tension member to the panel, retention devices are used which are substantially constituted by threaded washers, also known as wing nuts, within which the tension member is screwed, said tension member being constituted in turn by a threaded bar usually made of steel.

These retention devices each have a threaded hole through which the tension member slides to a predefined extension.

In order to provide the formwork, the panels, which are generally modular, are coupled in a mirror-symmetrical manner and are fixed to each other by means of these tension members.

The tension members are in turn locked, by means of these retention devices, in contact with the external surface of the panels.

During the casting step, the concrete applies to the walls of the formwork, constituted by the panels, a thrust that is balanced by the tension members. The retention devices hinder the movement of the panels of the formwork along said tension members.

These known methods have some drawbacks.

Currently known retention devices usually have a shape and a threaded hole which are adapted to associate therewith:

- either a tension member with substantially cylindrical end portions,

- or a tension member with substantially frustum-shaped end portions.

Furthermore, currently commercially known tension members have different dimensions.

The retention devices are therefore usually dedicated to one type of tension member or the other.

This causes the disadvantage that a type of formwork that has a retention device suitable for tension members with cylindrical ends cannot be used for tension members with frustum-shaped ends and vice versa.

Depending on the type of tension member, it is therefore necessary to have available one retention device or the other.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the aspects indicated above.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel that can be used both with tension members having cylindrical ends and with tension members having frustum-shaped ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel that can be used with any type of tension member regardless of the size thereof. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel, characterized in that it comprises a first tubular body adapted to be inserted within a through hole provided on said profile of said formwork panel, said first body having a wider abutment portion arranged at one of its ends, said wider portion being adapted to be in contact with the surface of said formwork panel that is directed toward the outside of said formwork.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention, illustrated by way of non limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention, in a first embodiment, in a first application;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the application of Figure 1;

Figures 3a and 3b are two different views of a first component of the device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel, in its first embodiment;

Figure 4 is a view of a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention, in a second embodiment, in a second application;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the application of Figure 4;

Figures 6a and 6b are two different views of a first component of the device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention in the second embodiment;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel in the application of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a view of a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention, in a third embodiment, in a third application;

Figure 9 is an exploded view of the application of Figure 8;

Figure 10a is a perspective view of the device of Figure 8;

Figure 10b is an exploded view of the device of Figure 10a;

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 10a;

Figure 12 is a general view of a detail of the device of Figures 8 to

11;

Figure 13 is a view of a fourth embodiment of the device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention in a fourth application thereof;

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the application of Figure 13.

With reference to the figures, the device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

Considering Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7, the device 10 is inserted within a through hole, designated by the reference numeral 13 in Figure 2, on a profile 11 of a formwork panel for vertical castings, not shown in the figures.

In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 3b, the device 10 comprises a first tubular body 12.

The first tubular body 12 is preferably but not exclusively made of metallic material and is adapted to be inserted within the through hole 13 that is present on the profile 11 of the formwork panel.

The external circumference of the first tubular body 12 is substantially equal to the internal circumference of the hole 13 of the profile 11.

The first tubular body 12 is suitable for the insertion of a substantially cylindrical end of a tension member, not shown in the figures, within its through hole 16.

This first tubular body 12 has a wider abutment portion 14 arranged at one of its ends.

The hole 16 of the first body 12 has a frustum-like shape, with the section having the smallest circumference located at the end of the wider portion 14 directed toward the outside of the formwork.

The wider portion 14 is adapted to be in contact with the surface of the profile 11 of the formwork panel that is directed toward the outside of the formwork, in order to ensure retention between the panel and the tension member.

An interference is generated between the contour of the wider portion 14 and the edge of the hole 13 of the profile 11, which produces an interference and an association between the two.

This portion 14 has a D-shaped profile of the perimetric edge, the straight part of which is suitable for contact with a protrusion 15 of the profile 11 in order to hinder the rotation of the device 10 during the insertion/screwing of the tension member.

The portion 14 has a step-like shape, considering the direction of the axis of extension of the first body 12, as is evident from Figures 3a and 3b.

In a second embodiment, shown in Figures 4 to 7, the device 10 comprises a first tubular body 12, such as the one described above, and a second tubular body 17, which is adapted to be inserted at least partially in the first body 12.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second body 17 is fully inserted in the first body 12 and the two bodies, the first one 12 and the second one 17, have the same length.

The second body 17 tapers externally and has a frustum-shaped hole

18.

The second body 17 has two wider end portions 19a and 19b and a plurality of annular protrusions 20 between these two end portions 19a and 19b, which form the taper.

The second tubular body 17 is adapted for the insertion of a substantially frustum-shaped end of a tension member, not shown in the figures, within its through hole 18.

The second tubular body 17 is adapted for the insertion of a tension member with a frustum-shaped end that can be threaded or not.

The hole 18 of the second body 17 has a frustum-like shape, with the section having the smallest circumference located at the end of the wider portion 14 that is directed toward the outside of the formwork.

The second body 17 is preferably but not exclusively made of plastic material.

The second body 17 is inserted within the first body 12, associating itself with it stably.

As is evident in Figure 7, the annular protrusions 20 are adapted to generate an interlock/interference between the first body 12 and the second body 17.

If the tension member has substantially cylindrical ends, the device 10 is constituted only by the first body 12 and the method of use is the one shown in Figures 1 and 2.

If the tension member has substantially frustum- shaped ends, the device 10 is constituted by the association between the first body 12 and the second body 17, and the method of use is the one shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7.

Figures 8 to 12 show a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel, according to the invention, in a third embodiment.

The device, in its third embodiment, is designated generally by the reference numeral 110.

Considering Figures 8 and 9, the device 110 is inserted within a through hole, designated by the reference numeral 113 in Figure 9, on a profile 111 of a formwork panel, not shown in the figures.

The device 110 comprises:

- a first tubular body 112, adapted to be inserted in the hole 113,

- a second body 117 having a substantially toroidal profile inserted within the first tubular body 112.

The first tubular body 112 is preferably but not exclusively made of metallic material.

The outside circumference of the first tubular body 112 is substantially equal to the internal circumference of the hole 113 of the profile 111.

The first tubular body 112 is suitable for the insertion of an end of a tension member, not shown in the figures, within its through hole 116.

The hole 116 of the first body 112 has a frustum-like shape, with the section having the smaller circumference located proximate to the end 118.

By virtue of this frustum-like shape, it is possible to use various types of tension member both having a constant cross-section and having a variable cross-section along its extension, allowing the possibility to adapt to the various tension members that are commercially available.

This first tubular body 112 has a wider abutment portion 114, arranged at one of its ends 118, which protrudes from the profile 111, in the configuration for use of the device 110.

The wider portion 114 is adapted to be in contact with the surface of the profile 111 of the formwork panel that is directed toward the outside of the formwork, in order to ensure tightness between the panel and the tension member.

A geometric overlap is produced between the contour of the wider portion 114 and the rim of the hole 113 of the profile 111 which produces an interference and an association between the two.

This portion 114 has a D-shaped profile of the perimetric edge, the straight part of which is suitable for contact with a protrusion 115 of the profile 111, in order to hinder the rotation of the device 110 during the insertion/screwing of the tension member.

The portion 114 has a step-like shape, considering the direction of the axis of extension of the first body 112, as is evident from Figures 10a and 10b.

The second body 117 is made of plastic material and is suitable for the passage of at least part of the end of the tension member cited above within its through hole 119.

The through hole 119 of the second body 117 is coaxial to the hole 116 of the first body 112.

The plastic material of which the second body 117 is composed has such a structure that it can adapt the size and shape of the hole 119 to the size and shape of the tension member with minimum effort.

Such plastic material is for example polyester or rubber.

In this manner it is possible to use the device 110 regardless of the type of tension member used.

In particular, the second body 117 is arranged at/proximate to the end 118 of the first body 112 that protrudes from the profile 111 and therefore at the wider portion 114 of the first body 112.

The second body 117 has, in the following order, considering the axis of extension of its hole 119:

- a first substantially disk-like portion 120, adapted to be leveled uniformly with the end 18 of the first body 112,

- a second annular portion 121, with an outside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the first portion 120,

- a third annular portion 122, which in turn has:

- an outside diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of the second portion 121 and substantially equal to the outside diameter of the first portion 120,

- an inside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the second portion 121 and is such as to produce, with the perimetric wall of the hole 116, of the second body 112, a uniformly leveled surface.

The first body 112 has an annular seat 123 for accommodating the second portion 121 of the second body 117 proximate to its end 118.

When the second body 117 is inserted in the first body 112, it is associated stably with it, interlocking it with its second portion 121 in the annular seat 123.

Figures 13 and 14 show a fourth embodiment of a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a formwork panel according to the invention, designated generally by the reference numeral 210.

The device 210 is inserted within a through hole, designated by the reference numeral 213 in Figure 14, on a profile 211 of a formwork panel for vertical castings, not shown in the figures.

In a manner similar to the previously described embodiment, the device 210 comprises:

- a first tubular body 212, adapted to be inserted within the hole 213,

- a second body 217, having a substantially toroidal profile and inserted within the first tubular body 212.

The first tubular body 212 is preferably but not exclusively made of metallic material.

The external circumference of the first tubular body 212 is substantially equal to the internal circumference of the hole 213 of the profile 211. The first body 212 has a portion 214 having a narrower cross-section arranged at one of its ends 218, which protrudes from the profile 211 in the configuration for use of the device 210.

Such portion 214 having a narrower cross-section has a perimeter that is substantially equal to the perimeter of a hole of a panel, not shown in the figures, which is fixed to the profile 211 and is adapted to be crossed by the device 210.

This hole of the panel corresponds to the hole 213 of the profile 211.

In this manner, in the configuration for use, the device 210 protrudes through the hole of the panel with the portion 214 having a narrower cross- section and is kept within the profile 111 due to the interference between the edge of the first body 212 and the edge of the hole of the panel.

The inside of the first body 212 and the second body 217 are similar to those of the device described in the preceding embodiment.

The second body 217 is inserted in the first body 212 in a manner fully similar to what occurs for the first described embodiment of the device.

In this embodiment also, the use of the second body 217 in the first body 212 allows to use the device 210 with tension members of any shape and size.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel that can be used both with tension members having cylindrical ends and with tension members having frustum-shaped ends.

Moreover, the invention provides a device for the positioning and retention of a tension member within a profile of a vertical casting formwork panel that can be used with tension members of any size.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications no. 102019000005054 and no. 102020000001861, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.