DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an anchoring device for structural profiles.

More particularly, the present Invention relates to an anchoring device for structural profiles used in the manufacture of prefabricated structures.

As is known, the anchoring inserts or devices are used for connecting structural elements used for the construction of prefabricated structures that define a building for civil or commercial/industrial use.

The anchoring devices, are subject to actions that derive mainly from loads that act in a horizontal direction (related to wind and/ or earthquake related stresses) and, for this reason, must be designed so as to be able to ensure the transmission of stresses while preventing subsidence or settlements not foreseen in the design stage ; this is particularly important in the presence of seismic type loads for which the understanding of the behaviour of the system in relation to the dynamic stresses is of considerable importance. According to the known and conventional design practice, the connections are to be calculated and realized taking into consideration the most severe load conditions (while complying with specific regulations for the sector) and taking into consideration the installation or assembly tolerances as well as construction tolerances, with the design solution that must take into account the resistance of the elements to be connected, but also the support or retention devices that are part of the fastening system, consider the thermal variations, the deformability of the structure and any slow phenomena.

Traditional fastening devices typically include a hollow profile, a connector and a frame, with the hollow profile and the frame that define inserts positioned before the casting in the prefabricated elements that must be connected to each other (for example, beams , panels, pillars, covering elements and the like).

The types of typical connections are many, such as, for example, a connection between a load - bearing element, and a supported element, a connection between a supported element and another supported element or, also, a connection for plants.

The application forms may, for example, relate to the connection of horizontal structural elements with a panel in which a profile that is parallel to the element to be fastened is embedded in the horizontal element and a profile having a vertical axis is inserted in the panel, this being so as to enable the adjustment of the panel in two directions; in this form of connection the connector is defined by a plate or bayonet that is typically knurled in order to prevent sliding and provided with a "hammer" end in order to allow for the insertion into the profile of the panel, and also, comprising a slot for the adjustment of the panel.

Other solutions may include profiles provided with feet protruding outward on the exterior of the profile or anchoring ties /clamps in the casting.

However, these known solutions have major drawbacks linked, for example, to the fact that in the case of anchoring structures defined as thin section prefabricated manufactured products such as, for example, "T"-shaped or 'T'-shaped beams or wing tiles, the conventional systems must be positioned on the main axis of the beam or, in any case, at portions of substantial thickness such as, for example, the arms or lateral portions or wings that are transversely arranged in relation to the central vertical portion which has a greater thickness /dimension, in order to allow embedding the peg or protruding foot or of the ties or anchors of the hollow profile; the connection, of the beam or tile element provided with the hollow profile with pegs or anchors, in relation to the vertical panel is then realized by means of the plate or bayonet fastened in relation to the hollow profile and with one end positioned opposite to that of the fastening in relation to the hollow profile which is provided with a "T'-shaped head to connect with the vertical panel.

However, in this form of connection the plate or bayonet has a certain length, considering the position of the hollow profile and, consequently, a considerable distance or arm is defined in relation to the vertical panel; this entails an increase in the bending moments and in the shear stresses for which containment, in compliance with the safety coefficients prescribed by the regulations, some accessory elements must be used at the vertical panel and, in any case, very precise structural calculations must be performed.

A further drawback of conventional systems is represented by the use of pegs or protruding elements or anchors which also entail an increase in shear stresses.

The object of the present invention is to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks.

Thus an object of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device for structural profiles used in the manufacture of prefabricated structures that may be adaptable to thin section prefabricated manufactured products and, therefore, to portions of reduced thickness of beams and/or wing shaped panel elements or the like while ensuring the compliance thereof with design and safety requirements as prescribed by sector regulations in force.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device which is simple in terms of construction.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device which is easy and quick to install in place and which does not necessitate the use of accessory reinforcing elements/components for reinforcement or for containing the stresses related to loads, or accessory elements/components for positioning relative to the strengthening reinforcement bars.

Yet another object of the present invention is to make available to users an anchoring device for structural profiles used in the manufacture of prefabricated structures suitable to ensure a high level of reliability and durability over time and which, moreover, can be easily and economically produced.

These and other objects are achieved by the innovation which presents the characteristic features of claim 1.

According to the innovation an anchoring device is provided for structural profiles used in the manufacture of prefabricated structures for building use comprising of a metal profile defined by a tubular element that is longitudinally developed and open so as to define an internal compartment and two or more profile portions that are coupled and rigidly constrained on the exterior of said metal profile.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

The constructional and functional characteristic features of the anchoring device for structural profiles used in the manufacture of prefabricated structures of the present invention can be better understood from the detailed description that follows in which reference is made to the appended drawings which represent a preferred and non-limiting embodiment and in which:

Figure 1 schematically represents a front view of the anchoring device for structural profiles of the present invention;

Figure 2 represents a side view of the anchoring device of the invention;

Figure 3 represents a top view of the anchoring device of the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates an axonometric view of the anchoring device for structural profiles of the present invention in an assembly configuration for the installation in place;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a cross- sectional view of an application example of the anchoring device of the invention;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a cross - sectional view of a further application example of the anchoring device of the invention.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the anchoring device for structural profiles of the present invention, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 10, comprises a metal profile 12 defined by a longitudinally developed tubular element and, preferably, with a "C”-shaped section to define an internal compartment 12’ for housing components whose characteristic features and functions will be better described in the following description and two or more portions of a profile 14, preferably made of metal, arranged on the exterior of the metal profile 12 on the opposite side relative to the internal compartment 12’ of the same metal profile and fastened thereto by means of a weld or a known equivalent retaining means of rigid type.

The profile portions 14 (at least two), when fastened to the metal profile 12, are preferably spaced at an equal distance therebetween along the longitudinal extension of the metal profile itself.

The said profile portions 14 have a "U"-shaped contour in transverse cross - section and comprise two opposing portions 14 ^' and 14” that are parallel to each other, and a connecting portion 14’” between said two opposing portions 14’ and 14” which presents a cross - sectional development that is semicircular, triangular, planar or other geometrical development that is suitable for the purpose.

As previously indicated, the profile portion 14 is rigidly fastened on the exterior of the metal profile 12 and, in particular and with reference to the preferred embodiment that is shown in the figures, is coupled to the metal profile 12 with the internal surface of the oppositely positioned portions 14’ and 14” in contact with the external surface of the opposing external lateral edges of the metal profile 12 and stabilised by means of a weld 15 (a welding seam or spot welding).

The profile portion 14, coupled as described above to the metal profile 12, defines a further internal compartment 18 whose function will be better explained in the following description.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the profile portion 14 can be rigidly fastened to the metal profile by means of a structural adhesive or the like.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said profile portion 14 is fastened to the metal profile 12 at the level of the external surface of the bottom front of the metal profile opposite the internal compartment 12’.

In accordance with yet another alternative embodiment, the profile portion 14 may be made integrally as a single body with the metal profile 12, for example by means of moulding or in another known manner.

By way of yet another alternative, the profile portions 14 may be fastened to the profile 12 by means of punching or in another equivalent manner.

The height- ise development dimensions of the profile portion 14 are such that, when it is coupled to the metal profile 12, the overall height - wise dimension (denoted by "D" in Figure 1) of the assembly thus constituted is such as to be included within the thickness, for example, of the external wings of T - shaped beams or I - shaped beams or of the wing - shaped covering tile elements (whose dimensions are typically governed by sector- specific standards) and typically is not greater than 50 mm.

With reference to figure 4, it schematically represents an anchoring assembly 18 which comprises two anchoring devices 10 arranged with the directions of longitudinal development being perpendicular to each other for a coupling, respectively, with a vertical panel or a pillar, and with a wing - shaped tile element or beam to be anchored in relation to said panel as will be better explained here below.

The two anchoring devices are solidly connected to one another by means of a connector element 20 of a known type (therefore, not described in detail herein) having the function of enabling the connection between said two anchoring devices so as to be able to carry out the mounting of the wing - shaped tile element or of the beam or similar structural element in which a first anchoring device is embedded at a variable distance relative to a second anchoring device embedded in a load - bearing pillar or panel ; with the said connector element which, for example, comprises of a bracket 22, a plate 24 and a threaded connection 26, with the bracket 22, stabilised at the level of the end with a first anchoring device (by means of a coupling with the internal compartment 12 of the metal profile 12) and at the opposing end, stabilised with a second anchoring device by means of the threaded connection 26 which is inserted in the internal compartment 12’ of the metal profile 12 of the second anchoring device and which is rigidly secured to the bracket 22 by means of the plate 24 and a clamping nut 26'.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two examples of application of the anchoring device of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the case of a connection of a wing - shaped tile element (indicated by the reference numeral 30) in relation to a panel or pillar (indicated by the reference numeral 32) disposed orthogonally in relation to the wings of the said wing - shaped tile element 30, with a first anchoring device 10 embedded in the panel or pillar 32 and a second anchoring device 10 embedded in the wing - shaped tile element 30 and, in particular, embedded and completely contained within the thickness of a wing of the said tile element, with the said two anchoring devices joined to each other by the connector element 20 described above.

Figure 6 illustrates the connection between a panel or pillar 32 and a beam 34 with the connection that is made in a manner analogous with that described above with reference to the wing - shaped tile element and with the second anchoring device embedded within the thickness of the beam (for example within the thickness of the wings of a T - shaped beam or an I - shaped or double - T shaped beam). in both of the above described connection examples or in other types of known connections between panels or structural elements, the conformation of the anchoring device with the profile portion 14 which defines the further internai compartment 16 ailows for the through passage of steel bars of the reinforcement frame.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the advantages that are provided by the anchoring device for structurai profiies of the invention are evident.

The anchoring device for structural profiies of the present invention advantageously makes it possible to effectively provide an anchoring for structural profiies used in the manufacture of prefabricated structures at the level of the portions of reduced thickness of thin section prefabricated manufactured products such as, for example, beams and /or tile elements, that is to say, at the level of the wings of the said beams or tiles, with a consequent reduction in the arm of the forces (the distance "K" indicated in figure 6 which defines the distance between the median vertical axis of the anchoring device and the external face of the panel or pillar in relation to which the tile element or the beam is anchored) and, therefore, with a reduction in bending moments and shear stresses that act on the structures stabilised with the panels or pillars

A further advantage of the anchoring device of the invention is represented by the fact that it is simple in terms of construction and does not necessitate the use of accessory reinforcing elements /components for reinforcement or for containing the stresses related to the loads that act on the structures.

A further advantage of the anchoring device of the invention is represented by the fact that it is rested directly on the iron members, that is to say on the reinforcing bars that are already in an ideal position as required by the sector regulations and does not require spacers or similar accessory components and in this way defines a template that makes the positioning and subsequent anchoring of the prefabricated structures quicker and easier and, consequently, more economical.

Yet another advantage is represented by the fact that in the anchoring device of the invention the conformation of the portion of the profile which is weld -joined to the longitudinally developed metal profile defines an internai space which allows for the passage of the strengthening reinforcement bars and this entails greater ease for installing in place this anchoring device ; this internal space additionally also makes it possible to increase the load - bearing capacity by virtue of the possibility of inserting further bars in addition to the reinforcing bars.

Although the invention has been described above with particular reference to one embodiment thereof provided solely by way of non - limiting example, numerous modifications and variants thereof will be obviously apparent to a person skilled in the art in the light of the above description. The present invention, therefore, is intended to encompass all of the modifications and variants which fall within the scope of the claims that follow.