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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
JOINING AND FIXING SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2023/067634
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A Joining and fixing system for containment and separation edges, comprising a plurality of metal profiles (40) which are joined together at points and/or seams (1 ) and a plurality of brackets (50) made of metal sheet. Each of said metal profiles (40) has a folded longitudinal edge (41 ) and a metal angular structure with a vertical wall and a series of fins (44), arranged angularly with respect to said vertical wall and rested and/or inserted into the ground. Each bracket (50) has an angular structure with a vertical wall (2) and a base plate (43), which is arranged angularly with respect to said vertical wall (2), and the vertical wall (2) of said bracket (50) is inserted inside said folded longitudinal edge (41 ) and being fixed to said metal profiles (40) by means of clamping means (13) inserted in suitable openings (3) of said vertical wall (2) of the bracket (50). The bracket (50) is aligned with the folded longitudinal edge (41 ) by means of resting points corresponding to protruding teeth (4) provided on said vertical wall (2) of the bracket (50).

Inventors:
DALL'AGNOL GUIDO (IT)
CHIARI GILBERTO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IT2022/050269
Publication Date:
April 27, 2023
Filing Date:
October 06, 2022
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
TUTOR INT S R L (IT)
International Classes:
E01C19/50; A01G9/28; E01C7/00; E01C15/00; E04B5/17; E04G9/08
Domestic Patent References:
WO2019145986A12019-08-01
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BURCHIELLI, Riccardo et al. (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. Joining and fixing system for containment and separation edges, comprising a plurality of metal profiles (40) which are joined together at points and/or seams (1 ) and a plurality of brackets (50) made of metal sheet, wherein each of said metal profiles (40) has a folded longitudinal edge (41 ) and a metal angular structure with a vertical wall and a series of fins (44) which are arranged angularly with respect to said vertical wall and rested and/or inserted into the ground, characterized in that each bracket (50) has an angular structure with a vertical wall (2) and a base plate (43), which is arranged angularly with respect to said vertical wall (2), said vertical wall (2) of said bracket (50) being inserted inside said folded longitudinal edge (41 ) and being fixed to said metal profiles (40) by means of clamping means (13) inserted in suitable openings (3) of said vertical wall (2) of the bracket (50), said bracket (50) being aligned with said folded longitudinal edge (41 ) by means of resting points corresponding to protruding teeth (4) provided on said vertical wall (2) of the bracket (50).

2. Joining and fixing system as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said bracket (50) has two slits (5), made in correspondence with a fold of the angular structure, which are configured to allow the folding of external fins (42) of the vertical wall (2) of the bracket (50).

3. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base plate (43) has one or more notches (6), which are configured to generate curved or angled profiles (40) and edges (41 ).

4. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base plate (43) has a disk (7) with a shape of an interrupted circle, which is configured to activate an anchoring of said plate (43) on a support surface made of fresh concrete.

5. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base plate (43) has one or more shaped slots (8, 9) configured to house fixing plugs or blocking chemical elements or first pegs (14) which are inserted into the ground along an inclined or oblique direction with respect to the ground.

6. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system comprises a series of angular elements made of pressed and L-folded sheet metal or struts (16), which have a longitudinal fold and, at the ends, splits with first teeth (181 , 191 ) configured to fit inside respective slots (18, 45) obtained on said profiles (40) and second teeth (17) configured to fit into respective windows (171 ) made on said profiles (40) and on said fins (44).

7. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system comprises second pegs (15) arranged inclined with respect to the ground and inserted in said slots (18, 45) of said fins (44) and/or third pegs (151 ) arranged inclined with respect to the ground and inserted in suitable slots (45) of said vertical wall of said profiles (40).

8. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system comprises a flat plate or joining disc (23), which is inserted inside said folded longitudinal edge (41 ) and fixed to said vertical wall of said metal profiles (40) at junction points (1 ), wherein said joining disc (23) has two curved slots (31 ) which are specular and eccentric and placed on peripheral portions of said disc (23) and which have partially flat and partially inclined reliefs on their perimeter and related holes (46) where relative pawls (25) are inserted, said pawls (25) having a groove (29) inside which said vertical wall of the profile (40) and said plate or joint disc (23) are inserted.

9. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slots (31 ) have at least one side with deformable edges (27) and in that said groove (29) has an inclined wall, so as to create a conical flare (28) on an internal surface of one of said pawls (25), said conical flare (28) being configured so as to interfere with one of said edges (27).

10. Joining and fixing system as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in correspondence with a lateral end of two profiles (40) to be joined, a central flap (22) containing a curved slot (48) is obtained, said flap (22) being configured to keep said joining disc (23) in position and said curved slot (48) being configured to house an assembly pin which is engaged in a central hole (30) of said joining disc (23) while maintaining the axis (21 ) of said disc (23) in a fixed position for each mounting angle of the system.

Description:
JOINING AND FIXING FOR CONTAINMENT AND SEPARATION EDGES

The present invention relates to a jointing and fixing system for containment and separation edges.

More specifically, the invention relates to a jointing and fixing system for flat, curved, sloping borders with varying slopes or with blunt-edged corners for separating or containing soil, gravel, sand and/or topsoil (used particularly in professional gardening fields), for creating driveways and bike paths, and/or for creating curb or slab edges.

The system according to the invention makes an edges, which, in addition to serving as an aesthetic edge, can act as a containment for a fill of soil, sand, gravel and/or topsoil or for a resin or asphalt overlay or can act as a formwork for concrete pours.

For the construction of sidewalks, driveways, bike paths, and building edging in general, the use of wooden or metal formwork is normally required, or prefabricated curbs made of concrete, reconstructed stone, or natural stone are used; the function of the formwork is to create a kind of channel with two opposing containment dikes where the filling of layered materials takes place inside.

However, formwork of the traditional type should be placed and fixed orthogonally to the ground, and if there are variations in slopes or curves, the formwork should be cut and/or shaped and anchored with pegs or fixed with cement; furthermore, in cases where removable formwork made of wood or metal is used, the formwork should be disassembled and cleaned up after casting.

It can be deduced from this that the installation of the edges serving as formwork, as described above, requires, in structures of the known type, very lengthy operations for preparation and installation, with installation times that, considering that such structures run for several hundred meters or kilometers, also weigh considerably in the overall costs of construction and operation.

The general purpose of the present invention is, therefore, to obviate the drawbacks of the known art complained above and, in particular, to indicate a jointing and fixing system for containment and separation edges, which allows a considerable speed of installation compared to the traditional systems currently in use.

It is another purpose of the invention to indicate a jointing and fixing system for retaining and separating building Edges, which is safe, efficient and reliable and which can be achieved at low cost, compared with the known art.

These and other aims are achieved by a joining and fixing system for containment and separation edges, according to the attached claim 1. Further technical features of the joining and fixing system of the invention are set forth in the further dependent claims.

Advantageously, the system covered by the present invention can simultaneously fulfill the functions of a border and a formwork, carrying as its main advantage, compared with traditional concrete and stone curbs (which must first be fixed to the ground on a concrete base) or compared with known handcrafted welded or picket-bolted sheet metal structures, a significant speed of installation and relative low installation and operating costs.

In addition, the jointing and fixing system according to the invention allows for rapid installation both on prepared paths with earthworks and bottoms and in direct support on the ground, combining appropriate retaining and mulching sheets; if required, the system can also be fixed by means of expansion dowels to concrete slabs or with nails over asphalt.

Finally, all elements of the system can be produced with special steel having the characteristic that, with an initial oxidation (rusting), a homogeneous oxide surface is created, with a very slow degradation process, which protects the structure for the entire life of the product.

Other structural and functional features of the present invention and its advantages over the known art will become even clearer and more evident from an examination of the following description, referring to an illustrative and preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of the jointing and fixing system for containment and separation edges, which is the object of the present invention, and from the accompanying drawings, where: - Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a component of the jointing and fixing system for edges according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a second perspective view of the component referred to in figure 1 , mounted on a horizontal edge and equipped with stakes for functional locking of the system in the ground;

- figure 3 is a further perspective view of the component referred to in figure 1 , mounted on a curved or angled edge;

- figure 4 is a perspective and partial view of a first embodiment of the jointing and fixing system for edges, according to the present invention, in which a flat linear joint of two corner profiles is provided;

- figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of figure 4 made at a splice disk, according to the invention;

- figure 6 is a perspective and partial front view of another embodiment form of the jointing and fixing system for edges, according to the present invention;

- figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the jointing and fixing system of figure 6, according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures mentioned, the jointing and fixing system for edges, which is the object of the present invention, basically comprises a series of lateral metal profiles 40 (each of which has a folded upper longitudinal edge 41 ), which are joined together at seam points 1 , and a series of brackets 50, made of sheet metal (Figs. 1 , 2, 3).

Advantageously, the profiles 40 have an angular metal structure (fig. 4, 6, 7) with a vertical wall and a series of fins 44, angularly arranged and preferably perpendicular to the vertical wall, which are rested on and/or inserted into the ground; thus, a boundary and containment border for driveways or road bottoms is realized by creating an easy installation and simple ground fixing.

The seam points 1 constitute the areas where the joints of the folded edges 41 are placed, in order to optimally manage the compensation of linear thermal expansion of the edges 41 and realize the alignment of the profiles 40 to be joined.

In addition, each bracket 50 has the dual function of jointing and supporting and/or sustaining the profiles 40 and has an angular structure (with a vertical wall 2 and a base plate 43 preferably placed at 90° to each other) for positioning on the floor (Fig. 1 attached).

Specifically, the vertical wall 2 serves as the horizontal alignment of the edging and is inserted inside the folded upper edge 41 and attached to the profiles 40 (preferably at the seam points 1 , as shown in the attached Fig. 2) by calibrated tightening of one or more assemblies 13 including screw, washer and nut inserted in the suitable openings 3 of the vertical wall 2; frictional tightening on the openings 3 with ample clearance allows the movements generated by linear thermal expansion to be managed.

The folded upper edge 41 is aligned with the bracket 50 by means of the support points corresponding to two small teeth 4 obtained by a process of semi-translating the metal sheet, which, by protruding, act as a support point and vertical reference of the fold of the profiles 41 ; thus, a perfect alignment of the upper edge 41 is created, avoiding the presence of anti-aesthetic steps and of potential accident hazard.

Advantageously, bracket 50 has two slits 5 at the bend of the angular structure, which have the function of allowing the bending of external fins 42 of vertical wall 2 in order to follow a curved or otherwise angular edging (fig. 3 attached).

Advantageously, small holes 10 are also made on the vertical wall 2, which are used for a clamping of the wall 2 on the profile 40 by means of selfdrilling screws, in order to make applications of flat profiles 40 as edging, where the edging is not already drilled.

Advantageously, the base plate 43 also has one or more notches 6, which allow the edging to have room to maneuver to generate curved or angle 41 edge profiles (fig. 3 attached).

Still advantageously, a disc 7 in the shape of an interrupted circle is cut out on the base plate 43, which is useful in cases where the support surface consists of fresh concrete and needs anchoring; to activate anchoring, simply press down with a finger, bend disc 7 downward and sink it into the concrete (fig. 3).

Preferably, the base plate 43 has one or more shaped slots 8, 9, which allow attachment of the bracket 50 with expansion anchors or chemical blocking agent or by the use of pegs 14 inserted directly into the ground (fig. 2).

Specifically, the orientation of one pair of slots 8 allows the insertion of respective pegs 14, inclined with respect to the ground, in a position opposed to the forces generated by the pressure created by the fill material on the part of the edging, while another pair of slots 9 allows the insertion of respective pegs 14, also inclined with respect to the ground toward the center of bracket 50, so as to create undercutting zones in the ground that oppose any uplift stresses of the base plate 43 of bracket 50.

Adding also the presence of the inclined pegs 14 passing through the pair of slots 8 can be considered to form a kind of undercut in the ground (Fig. 2).

One or more lateral holes 1 1 are also advantageously made on the base plate 43 that serve as fastening means in the case of flat linear jointing of 90° angle profiles 40 by means of self-drilling locking screws.

In this way, a boundary and containment edging for driveways or road bottoms is made using a simple flat or angular metal structure and creating easy installation and ground fixing.

Despite the significant thickness of the sheet metal of bracket 50, it is also possible to reinforce and stiffen the vertical wall 2 to compensate for lateral thrusts due to fill materials and machinery for compacting and overlaying the pavement.

For this purpose, corner elements of stamped and "L"-bent sheet metal or struts 16 are advantageously used, which have a longitudinal fold apt to create a boxing to increase resistance to peak loads and, on the ends, splits to create respective teeth 181 , 191 , apt to engage in respective slots 18, 19 made on profile 40 and, in particular, on the side wall and fins 44 of profile 40 (Fig. 6).

There are also small teeth 17 near the edges of the inclined ends of the struts 16, which, when the strut 16 is fully assembled, fit into respective windows 171 made on the vertical wall of the profile 40 and on the fin 44, implementing a dual function, namely, that of realizing an anti-release lock to prevent the release of the teeth 181 , 191 from the slots 18, 19 and that of realizing a stop lock in aid of the stresses that must support the interlocking areas of the strut 16.

To complete the clamping of strut 16 and as an aid to unload the thrust forces that strut 16 has to withstand, the insertion of pegs 15 inclined with respect to the ground and inserted in slots 18 of fins 44 and/or pegs 151 , also inclined with respect to the ground and inserted in appropriate slots 45 of the vertical wall of profile 40 (fig. 6, 7), is advantageously provided to create a clamping base in the ground.

The inclination of the pegs 14, 15, 151 causes them to resist being pulled out of the ground.

In cases where the profiles 40 have a joint (fig. 4, 5, 6, 7), a flat joining plate 23, preferably shaped like a disc, inserted inside the folded upper edge 41 and placed on the vertical walls of the profiles 40 at their junction point 1 , is advantageously used.

Joining plate or disc 23 has two specular and eccentric curved slots 31 located on the periphery of disc 23 and small flat reliefs on the perimeter of slots 31 .

Slots 31 also have respective holes 46 for the insertion of two pawls 25.

The flat reliefs on the perimeter of slots 31 , beginning at hole 46 for insertion of the respective pawl 25 and for a first section, form inclined planes, which then continue flat to the end of slot 31 .

Each pawl 25 consists of a round having a groove 29, inside which a shim enters, with slight interference, composed of the summation of the plates of the vertical wall of the profile 40 and the joining plate or disc 23 (fig. 4, 5). The principle of clamping profiles 40 at their junction point 1 is based on an interference fit of the aforementioned plates that creates a calculated friction; the aim is to obtain a rubbing stress on the walls of groove 29 that is sufficient to keep disc 23 and the vertical wall of profile 40 packed together and still allow rotation of disc 23 to a desired position.

Thus, the structure so packed has a specific pressure suitable to ensure clamping and to avoid the possibility of disengagement even in the presence of vibration.

In view of the difficulty of maintaining the flatness of the splice disc 23 and given the variation in thickness tolerances of the plates involved, according to the present invention, it is contemplated to adapt the package of plates by means of drawing by plastic deformation of the edges 27 of one of the sides of the slots 31 ; this is accomplished by inclining the groove wall 29 and thus creating a conical flare 28 on the lower surface of the pawl 25 that interferes with the respective edge 27.

Functional interference is thus achieved, and the excess material on each edge 27 is also deformed with acceptable strain during rotation of the disc 23, always keeping the entire structure packed and ensuring constant friction suitable for preventing release.

When assembly is complete, the packed structure is comparable to the function of a nut-and-bolt assembly, with the difference that with a single rotation movement of the pawls 25 (which can be carried out by means of a lever and/or wrench) a correct positioning of the profiles 40 and their locking at two points corresponding to the position of the pawls 25 is performed.

Specifically, the locking procedure is that, once the joining disk 23 has been positioned below the folded upper edge 41 of profile 40, at the junction point 1 , it is sufficient to align hole 46 of a first slot 31 of disk 23 with a hole 47 drilled in the vertical wall of a first profile 40, then inserting the respective pawl 25 of slot 31 from the outside inward and rotating disk 3 slightly to engage said pawl 6; then, the second profile 40 is inserted by aligning holes 46, 47 of pawl 25 insertion, pawl 25 of the second slot 31 is inserted to create engagement, and a lever or key is inserted by first centering a central hole 30 of disk 23 and, by rotation, engaging pawls 25 within the perimeter of slots 31 .

In the case where a joint is to be made between two profiles 40 with variable angle pivoting (Fig. 7), according to the invention, it is possible to keep the disc 23 in an intermediate position to allow free rotation, but constrained on the axis 21 of the disc 23, without performing translations and incurring undesirable friction and/or snagging due to possible interference with the folds of the profiles 40.

To this end, a central fin 22 containing a curved slot 48 can be advantageously added to one side end of a profile 40 and at the sides of the profiles 40 to be joined, which is capable of holding the joining disk 23 in the correct position; the locking is achieved by means of a lever pin or assembly key, which is engaged in the central hole 30 of the joining disk 23 and enters the curved slot 48, thus keeping the axis 21 of the disk 23 in the correct position for each angle of assembly of the joining system and conferring the regular alignment and mechanical locking of the profiles 40 to the disk 23, by the simple rotation of the disk 23.

From the description given, the characteristics of the joining and fastening system for retaining and separating borders, particularly for driveways and bike paths, which is the object of the present invention are clear, as are its advantages.

In particular, they are represented by a significant speed of installation, together with high safety and reliability of the system, which also has low installation and operating costs compared to traditional products.

This is achieved thanks to the ingenious synthesis achieved by the joining system, which is reduced to a few essential details, such as two identical pawls and a disc, with which the functions of upper edge alignment, side wall alignment, and exact positioning of the heads of the two profiles to be joined are implemented; all of these functions are implemented, once two pawls are inserted, with a single rotational movement of the disc, while the locking function of the joint takes place during rotation and thanks to the friction created by the interference due to the meeting of the raised edges on the curved slots with the groove of the pawls (a system that allows the use of bolts and nuts for locking to be replaced).

Even more briefly, it is evident that with only two items (pawls and disc), all of the aforementioned joining functions are implemented, which solves most of the needs when there are variations in both uphill and downhill slopes of the path to be equipped.

Other features of the fastening system, which is the object of the present invention, relate to the "U-shaped" fold of the edge of the profiles, which, in addition to eliminating accident-hazardous edges, generates a retaining structure that hinders lateral bending by aligning the edges and creates a housing and guide compartment for the rotation of the splicing disk. In addition, at the base of the profiles, the stakes anchor the lower part of the profile to the ground and, thus, together with the base fins, reinforcement plates and tie rods placed between the side wall and the base plate, create an excellent locking of the entire structure. Other obvious advantages include a reduction in the number of parts to be assembled, a reduction in the cost of producing accessories, and a reduction in assembly time.

Finally, it is clear that numerous other variations can be made to the fastening and joining system in question, without departing from the principles of novelty inherent in the inventive idea as claimed in the appended claims, just as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes and sizes of the details illustrated may be any as required and the same may be substituted for others that are technically equivalent.