The present invention relates a supporting structure for basement formwork.

Supporting systems for basement formwork currently are composed of elements that can be constituted by lattice-like frames, which are connected to the formwork by means of suitable accessories and are fixed to a horizontal base surface, typically made of concrete, such as a foundation or floor slab, by means of suitable tension members or anchoring elements.

This solution with frame-like supports is typically used for high casting heights, i.e., exceeding 3 m in height.

As an alternative, supporting systems for basement formwork can be constituted by structurally lighter and narrower elements, typically two tubular profiles having any cross-section, which are connected by a respective first end to a horizontal base surface, typically made of concrete, such as a foundation or floor slab, by means of adapted tension members or anchoring elements, in a common point, and by a second end respectively to an upper point and at lower point of the formwork.

Typically, a loadbearing vertical beam is applied to the formwork and the two tubular profiles are indeed connected to it, one in an upper point and the other in a lower point.

This solution is used typically for casting heights that are not excessively high, this solution having structurally a lower performance than the previous described one.

Currently known systems have drawbacks.

A first drawback is the need to resort, for operators in the field, to different types of formwork support, such as the ones described above, in relation to the structural performance that is required. This distinction entails the need, on the part of builders, to be equipped with differentiated systems, with the consequent cost increase, and the need to manage a wider range of components, with a higher expenditure of time and staff, since it is not possible to count on a single common support system.

A further drawback is constituted by the supporting structures composed of lattice-like frames; in fact, despite having a good performance, they are not easy to handle at the building site, since they are quite heavy and there is always in any case the need for a mechanical lifting means, and therefore the consequence is an increase in costs in order to be equipped with a lifting means and long assembly times due to the considerable weight of the individual elements.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure for basement formwork that has components that can be used as much as possible to assemble formwork for high casting heights and to assemble formwork for modest casting heights.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide further a supporting structure composed of elements that ensure simple and quick assembly, have a reduced weight and allow partial manual movement where possible without the constraint of mechanical movement, with the consequent advantage in terms of times for the execution of the assembly of the system and therefore of saving in related costs for the builder.

This aim, as well as this and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a supporting structure for basement formwork according to claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of three preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the supporting structure for basement formwork according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supporting structure according to the invention in a first embodiment thereof;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first component of a supporting structure according to the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second component of a supporting structure according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third component of a supporting structure according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth component of a supporting structure according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fifth component of a supporting structure according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a supporting structure according to the invention in a second embodiment;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an example of application of a supporting structure according to the invention in its first embodiment;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an example of application of a supporting structure according to the invention in its second embodiment;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third example of application of a supporting structure according to the invention in a third embodiment thereof.

With reference to the figures, a supporting structure for basement formwork is designated generally in its first embodiment by the reference numeral 10.

The supporting structure 10 comprises:

- a panel supporting post 11, which is adapted to be fixed and to support a formwork panel,

- a first bracket 12 for supporting the post 11,

- a first upper inclined prop 13, which is coupled by a first end 14 to the panel supporting post 11,

- a second lower inclined prop 15, which is coupled by a first end 16 to the panel supporting post 11 ,

a second coupling bracket 17 for the second ends, 18 and 19 respectively, of the first inclined prop 13 and of the second inclined prop 15.

The panel supporting post 11, clearly visible in Figure 6, is constituted for example by a pair of profiles 20 and 21, which are C-shaped or have another suitable shape and are connected by adapted connecting elements 23, for example metal plates, which are adapted to establish a distance between the C-shaped profiles 20 and 21 and create the space for the placement and coupling of the ends 14 and 16 of the inclined props 13 and 15.

The C-shaped profiles 20 and 21 are further conveniently perforated with a series of holes 24, which are spaced and aligned in the direction of extension of the post 11 and are designed to accommodate the fixing elements, such as screws and bolts, of the ends 14 and 16 of the inclined props 13 and 15.

The ends of the inclined props can thus be fixed each to a hole selectively among the plurality of holes 24 available, depending on the technical requirements.

The first bracket 12, for supporting the post 11 , clearly visible in Figure 3, is composed of an angular base profile 25, on the downward- directed side of which there are holes 26 that allow connection between the first bracket 12 and the corresponding fixed support, such as a foundation, or a floor slab, or another similar fixing surface; the first bracket 12 is therefore also for anchoring to the ground, anchoring to be understood as achievable with means of a per se known type.

The first bracket 12 comprises trapezoidal plates 27 which are arranged on the angular base element 25 so as to connect the internal faces of the angular element with a stiffening function.

In a position which is external to the base angular element 25, and fixed directly to its vertical outer face, a tubular profile 28 is connected which has a vertical axis in the configuration for use, has a quadrangular or similar cross- section, with transverse holes 29 adapted to create a connection with screws and bolts to the post 11 ; the tubular profile 28 is in fact shaped to arrange itself between the two C-shaped profiles 20 and 21 of the post 11 , as visible in Figure 1.

The first upper inclined prop 13 is constituted by a central profile 30, which is simply tubular or telescopic as shown in Figure 1 or has another cross-section depending on the technical requirements, at the ends of which respective connecting brackets 33 are fixed by means of corresponding flanges 31 and 32, one being shown in Figure 4 by way of example.

Each one of the connecting brackets 33 is composed of a base plate 34 provided with slotted holes 35, which are adapted to be crossed by the threaded elements for connection to the end flanges 31 and 32 of the central profile 30 of the first prop 13.

The slotted holes 21 have this particular shape in order to compensate for any imprecisions caused by a less than perfectly even casting of the fixed supporting surfaces, i.e., the foundation or floor slab to which the first bracket 12 and the second bracket 17 are fixed, imprecisions which, if not corrected, would entail the impossibility to assemble the supporting structure; by virtue of the slotted holes 21, instead, plays are created between the elements of the structure which allow to tolerate some geometric imprecisions, which are to be expected in such cases.

A tubular profile 36 is connected at right angles to the base plate 34 and preferably in a central position with respect to it, has a rectangular or similar cross-section, and is provided with bevels 37, which are adapted to facilitate the adjustment of the connecting bracket 33 and of the elements that are connected thereto.

The tubular profile 36 also has a hole 38 in the upper part, suitable for the insertion of the screw required for connection between the connecting bracket 33 and the elements connected thereto.

A sleeve 39 for stiffening the tubular profile 36 at the local level can be located at the hole 38. The coupling of the first prop 13 respectively to the post 11 and to the second bracket 17 occurs by means of corresponding opposite connecting brackets 33.

The second lower inclined prop 15 is constituted by a tubular profile 41, at the ends of which there are holes 40 which are adapted for the passage of the screws for connection at one side to to the post 11 and at the other side to the second bracket 17.

The holes 40 are reinforced locally with an adapted sleeve 42.

All the ends of the tubular profile 41 are provided with bevels 43 to facilitate the adjustment of the element within the entirety of the system.

The second bracket 17, clearly visible in Figure 2, is composed of a horizontal base plate 45 with holes 46 adapted to provide appropriate elements, of a per se known type, for anchoring to a fixed support such as a foundation, a floor slab and the like.

Two contoured plates 47 and 48 are arranged parallel to each other at right angles to the horizontal base plate 45, and respective holes 49, 50 and 51 adapted for connection to the props 13 and 15 or to other components are provided thereon.

Stiffening plates 52 are arranged in a vertical position so as to be perpendicular to the horizontal base plate 45 and to the contoured plates 47 and 48.

The second bracket 17 also comprises a spacer plate 53 which is arranged between the contoured plates 47 and 48.

The post 11, the first bracket 12, the inclined props 13 and 15 and the second bracket 17 are connected, as described above, by virtue of threaded connection elements which are to be understood as being of a per se known type, for example of the screw and bolt type.

The first bracket 12 and the second bracket 17 are to be understood as being fixed to the ground, i.e., to an underlying foundation or to a floor slab and the like, by virtue of anchoring means which are to be understood as being per se known.

An application of a plurality of supporting structures 10, 10a and 10b according to the invention is shown in Figure 8, in which they cooperate to compose a formwork system for vertical castings 60 with horizontal panels 61, 62, 63; the supporting structure 10, and with it a similar formwork system 60, is particularly suitable for formwork having a modest height, example up to 3 m in height.

A second embodiment of a supporting structure according to the invention is shown in its essential part in Figure 7, where it is designated by the reference numeral 110.

The supporting structure 110 comprises a second bracket 117 and a third bracket 117a which is identical to the second bracket 117.

The second bracket 117 is connected to a first upper inclined prop 113 and is connected, by means of an adjustable tensioning element 170, to the third bracket 117a, which is arranged between the second bracket 117 and the first bracket 112, as shown in Figure 9.

The third bracket 117a is connected to the second inclined prop 115 and to a third inclined prop 115a, the latter being interposed between the first prop 113 and the second prop 115.

The props 113, 115 and 115a are to be understood as being connected by the opposite end to a post 111 which is similar to the post 11 of the first embodiment.

The adjustable tensioning element 170 belongs to the background art. By means of the supporting structure 110 it is possible to support a post 111 that is higher than the first embodiment, in order to increase the providable casting height.

In order to render the formwork system 160, exemplified in Figure 9, more rigid and structurally better performing, it is convenient to connect the props of a same supporting structure 110, 110a and 110b, for example with a connecting lattice 180, which is arranged so as to connect the first prop 113 to the third prop 115a.

In a third embodiment of the supporting structure according to the invention, designated by the reference numeral 210 in Figure 10, between the posts 211 and the vertical formwork panels 261 , 262, 263 there are horizontal beams 264, which are fixed to the posts and to the panels with adapted connection devices adapted to ensure the suitable overall and local strength of the formwork system 260, for a more uniform distribution of the pressure of the concrete on the supporting system for basement formwork.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, the invention provides a supporting structure for basement formwork provided by means of components which as much as possible can be used both to assemble formwork for high casting heights and to assemble formwork for modest casting heights, therefore flexible in use, to the full advantage of cost containment in terms of components and storage.

Moreover, the invention provides a supporting structure composed of elements that ensure simple and quick assembly, with a reduced weight with respect to known frame-like supporting structures, and allow partial manual movement, where possible, without the constraint of mechanical movement, with consequent advantage in terms of execution times of the assembly of the system and therefore in terms of saving related costs for the company.

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 further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the components and 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 Application no. 102016000036670 (UA2016A002459), 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.