"NON- WELDED STRUCTURE FOR PRESSES, AS WELL AS METHOD

FOR THE ASSEMBLY THE SAME"

Designated inventors: Maurizio Barbanti

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention regards a non-welded structure for presses, in particular for producing ceramic products. The present invention also regards a method for assembling one such structure.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Presses for producing ceramic products are known, in particular large-format tiles, of so-called modular type, i.e. provided with a plurality of annular segments arranged parallel to each other along a same longitudinal symmetry axis, in a manner so as to delimit a work or pressing chamber intended to contain the power means for molding the products.

As is known, one such press type, in addition to providing the advantages associated with modularity - such as easy transport and the possibility to vary as required the overall size of the assembled press - must at the same time ensure high structural rigidity, in order to withstand the high pressing powers at play.

In order to maintain the high structural rigidity, the conventional presses are composed of a possibly high number of annular segments that are excessively heavy.

The assembly of such annular segments, which can occur in the workshop or directly at the production site, therefore requires considerable resources in terms of time and labor.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to improve the state of the art relative to the non-welded modular structures for presses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a non- welded structure for press that is lighter than the conventional presses, while maintaining a rigidity suitable for pressing requirements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a non-welded structure for press which comprises a limited number of components.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a non-welded structure for press that is easy to manufacture at competitive costs.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a non-welded structure for press which allows limiting the hyperstatic constraints of the structure itself.

Not least object of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling a non-welded structure for press, which is easy to implement.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a non-welded structure for press is provided according to claim 1.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a structure for press is provided, according to claim 17.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a non-welded structure for press, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the set of drawings in which:

figure 1 is a front view of a non-welded structure for press according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a side view of the structure for press of figure 1 , with parts in section, taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1 ; and

figure 3 illustrates a cross section view of the structure for press of Figures 1 and 2, taken along the line III-III of Figure 2.

In the enclosed drawings, equivalent parts or components were marked with the same reference numbers. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to the enclosed figures, it will be observed that a non-welded structure for press, according to the present invention, is generally indicated with the reference number 1 and comprises at least two annular bearing plates, indicated with reference numbers 2, 2", 2 ¹¹ ,..., 2 ^N , each of which delimiting a through seat 3. The through seat 3 is delimited by at least two opposite portions, in use one lower 4 and one upper 5, preferably but not necessarily substantially rectilinear.

The annular bearing plates 2, 2 2 ^N are arranged parallel to each other in use, preferably at a certain distance from each other, with the respective through seats 3 aligned along a same longitudinal symmetry axis (x-x) of the structure. The distance between the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N can be constant along the longitudinal symmetry axis (x-x) of the structure or lower in a central portion of the structure itself with respect to a front and/or rear portion thereof, so that in the central portion, intended in use to support the power means, the structure for press is more rigid and compact.

The structure for press according to the present invention further comprises a bed 6, supportable by the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N at the in use lower portions 4 of the through seats 3, as well as a head 7, that can be fixed, in any suitable manner, to the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N , at the in use upper portions 5 of the respective seats 3.

With one such configuration, the bed 6 and the head 7 delimit, together with the lateral portions of the through seats 3, a work chamber for housing the power means (not shown in the drawings) intended to carry out the pressing operations.

Advantageously, the structure for press according to the present invention comprises connection means 8 between consecutive annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N , so that, with the exception of a front annular bearing plate 2 and a rear annular bearing plate 2 ^N , each intermediate annular bearing plate (2 ¹ , 2 ^N" ') is, in use, connected to a preceding plate and to a following plate. For such purpose, in the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , ... , 2 ^N , engagement seats 9,9' are provided for the aforesaid connection means 8.

In particular, the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N comprise at least one pair of engagement seats 9,9' at an upper end in use of each annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N . In the illustrated embodiment, the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N comprise, still more in detail, two pairs of engagement seats 9, 9' respectively provided at both in use upper ends of each annular bearing plate 2, 2 ..., 2 ^N

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement seats 9,9' comprise, or are preferably constituted by, respective through holes.

Each engagement seat 9, 9' in each annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N is intended in use to receive the connection means 8, which will be described in more detail hereinbelow, in order to obtain the engagement with a preceding or following annular bearing plate 2, 2', ..., 2 ^N .

Advantageously, the engagement seats 9, 9' are obtained, in each annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N on opposite sides with respect to a longitudinal symmetry plane P of the structure, passing through the axis x-x and, with respect to a preceding or following annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N , aligned with each other along the same axes y-y, y'-y' parallel to such axis x-x.

As will be observed, the pairs of engagement seats 9, 9' are offset from each other both transversely and vertically in a same annular bearing plate 2, 21, 2 ^N . Such positioning of the engagement seats 9,9' can constitute the best compromise between the need to be able to easily access the same seats for carrying out operations of mounting, disassembly and maintenance, etc. of the connection means 8 of the annular bearing plates 2, 21, ... , 2 ^N and the need to arrange the connection means 8 themselves in an optimal manner in relation to the main force directions, and/or in any case in a manner so as to obtain an overall structure that is well balanced also from a stress standpoint.

The connection means 8, insertable in the respective engagement seats 9,9', are preferably configured as a sleeve, for the connection of removable type between two consecutive bearing plates 2, 21, 2 ^N . Such sleeve is engageable, in any suitable manner, between two through openings of two consecutive annular bearing plates 2, 21, 2 ^N , in which the through openings are aligned with each other along a same axis y-y or y'-y' (figures 2 and 3). The sleeve has size and configuration in cross section corresponding to the configuration of the cross section of the respective engagement seat, such to allow an engagement of removable but firm type between two annular consecutive bearing plates 2, 21, ..., 2 ^N .

At any rate, the connection means 8 can also comprise other removable engagement means of any suitable type, for example both insertable in the engagement seats 9,9', as indicated above, and directly engageable between two annular bearing plates consecutive 2, 21, 2 ^N , as long as they are rigidly connected to each other.

The structure for press according to the present invention comprises advantageously, between at least two annular bearing plates 2, 21, 2 ^N , at least one annular non-bearing plate 10, it too delimiting a through seat 3 with at least two opposite portions, in use one upper 5 and one lower 4, which can be arranged parallel between the two annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N with the respective through seat 3 aligned along the axis (x-x).

Each annular non-bearing plate 10 is at least restably supported by the head 7 or by the bed 6 of the structure.

According to a preferred embodiment, the opposite portions of the through seat 3 of the annular non-bearing plate 10 are preferably rectilinear or they have the same configuration of the same portions of the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N , so that each annular non-bearing plate 10 is connectable to the head 7 and to the bed 6 of the structure 1 , in a manner entirely analogous to that of the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , ... ,2 ^N .

In the example illustrated in the figures, each annular non-bearing plate 10 has polygonal external perimeter configuration. At any rate, it is understood that the annular non-bearing plate 10 can have any external perimeter configuration, e.g. circular or elliptical, as long as it does not interfere with the means 8 for connecting between two consecutive annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , ...,2 ^N . The internal perimeter configuration of each annular non-bearing plate 10 is such not to limit the work or pressing chamber and to allow the housing of the power means therein.

As will be understood, the annular non-bearing plates 10 perform a function of stiffening the structure for presses and, simultaneously, allow limiting overall the total weight of the structure, having limited size and weight with respect to the corresponding annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , ... ,2 ^N . At the same time, the connection means 8 provided for connecting between two consecutive annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , ...,2 ^N , contribute to the stiffening of the structure, tightly shutting the bearing plates together.

The non-welded structure for press according to the present invention can rest directly against the ground, for example on a suitable base or plate arranged if necessary, or it can comprise suitable support means 1 1 , as well as means 12 for fixing said support means 1 1 to the structure.

More particularly the support means 1 1 comprise at least one base 13, starting from which transverse walls 14, 15 rise upward that delimit a seat for housing at least one in use lower portion of a respective annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N .

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support means 1 1 support, on the lower part, each annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N at two ends of its in use lower side. At any rate, nothing prevents the base 13 of the support means 1 1 from extending transversely along the entire in use lower side of the respective annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , .... 2 ^N , or along sections of such side, so as to support it on the lower side, depending on the case, entirely or in sections.

According to a preferred variant of the structure for press, the transverse walls 14 and 15 comprise two respective flattened portions, arranged perpendicular to the axis x-x; in each portion, a through opening 16 is obtained. The through openings 16 of each transverse wall 14, 15 are aligned with each other at a same axis z-z substantially parallel to said axis x-x and in use intended to receive the fixing means 12. For such purpose, also in the annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , .... 2 ^N , supported by the support means 1 1 , at least one through opening 16 is obtained in which the means 12 are inserted.

The fixing means 12 comprise at least one pin constrainable in any suitable manner to the respective transverse walls 14 and 15. At any rate, it is understood that any other suitable removable fixing means can be implemented, such as calibrated screws, having for example a threaded shank at the transverse walls 14 and 15, and in such walls if necessary threaded through holes 16 are provided with the same thread pitch. Further any suitable removable fixing means can be provided, so long as they allow the firm engagement between the support means 1 1 and the respective annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , ..., 2 ^N .

As will be observed, in some cases, the fixing means 12 can be of type such to not require the obtainment of through openings in the support means 1 1 , nor in the respective annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , ..., 2 ^N .

The support means 1 1 of the structure for press according to the present invention can also comprise adjustment means, for example a plurality of adjusting screws 17, intended to adjust the position of the structure for press in a manner such that it rests uniformly on the ground. Each adjusting screw 17 is provided passing through a respective base 13 of the support means 1 1 , screwable-unscrewable in a respective housing seat 18 obtained if necessary therein. The in use lower end of each adjusting screw is intended to rest against the ground or base or plate on which the structure for press is mounted. Preferably, for each base 13 of the support means 1 1 , as seen in figure 2, two adjusting screws 17 are provided in respective housing seats 18 obtained on opposite sides with respect to the housing seat for the in use lower portion of a respective annular bearing plate 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N . Each screw 17 is screwable-unscrewable in the respective seat 18 in a known manner by means of a respective adjusting nut 19.

With one such configuration, the man skilled in the art will easily understand that it is possible, once the structure for press has been assembled, to adjust the position thereof by means of the adjusting screws 17 and the adjusting nuts 19 and, once the desired position has been reached, constrain the structure to the ground or base or plate on which it rests, by means of welding of each base 13 to such ground or base or plate.

As will be easily understood, the above-described non-welded structure for press 1 can be easily and quickly assembled.

The assembly first of all provides for arranging the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N side-by-side and preferably at a certain distance from each other, with the respective through seats 3 aligned along the same longitudinal symmetry axis x-x. The annular bearing plates 2, 2 2 ^N can be supported, as stated above, directly on the ground, or mounted on respective support means 1 1.

Subsequently, it is provided to fix the head 7 to all or some annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N , so that the head 7 is firmly connected thereto. It is also provided to fix the bed 6 of the structure 1 to all or some annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N . The method for assembling the structure for press provides, before or after the step of connecting the head 7 and the bed 6, for constraining together two consecutive annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N by means of the above-described connection means 8, in a manner such that, with the exception of a front annular bearing plate 2 and a rear annular bearing plate 2 ^N , each intermediate annular bearing plate (2 ¹ , 2 ^N" ') is connected in use to a preceding plate and a following plate.

If the structure for press according to the present invention comprises at least one annular non-bearing plate 10, the method provides for arranging at least one annular non-bearing plate 10 between at least one annular bearing plate 2, 2 2 ^N and the next - before the step of constraining together the consecutive pairs of annular bearing plates 2, 2 ^[ , 2 ^N , with the connection means 8, and before fixing the bed 6 or the head 7. In this case, the annular bearing plates 2, 2 ¹ , 2 ^N will be arranged parallel to each other at a certain distance, sufficient for the insertion between them of at least one or more annular non-bearing plates 10. Hence, the step of fixing the bed 6 and the head 7 to the structure 1 also comprises in this case the step of fixing the head 7 and the bed 6 to all or some annular non-bearing plates 10, so that the head 7 and the bed are firmly connected thereto.

Therefore, it will be understood that the above-described non-welded structure for press solves the outlined technical problems. It allows obtaining a non- welded structure for press that is easily transportable, since it is light and disassemblable, easily mountable since it is in any case provided with a limited number of components. In addition, the structure for press according to the invention has, given the same size, lower weight with respect to the conventional structures of presses only provided with bearing plates. The means 8 for connecting between two consecutive annular bearing plates 2, 2 ^[ , 2 ^N also make the structure for press, overall, very rigid and suitably meeting the pressing requirements.

In particular, the non-welded structure for press 1 according to the present invention has particularly easy assembly since only some of the annular plates that compose it are bearing, i.e. only some of these require fixing to the ground.

For example, in the represented embodiment, over a total of fifteen annular plates that constitute the structure 1 , only eight are bearing, while the remaining are constituted by annular non-bearing plates 10 which are simply constrained to the others by means of the connection means 8.

As will be understood, this solution allows considerably limiting the assembly times with respect to the structures of conventional type.

This however does not at all come to the detriment of the behavior of the structure in operation, since the annular non-bearing plates 10 contribute to conferring the necessary rigidity and strength to the structure during the execution of the product pressing cycles.

Another considerable advantage that derives from the complete absence of welding between the annular plates constituting the structure of the press consists of the fact that the annular plates themselves can thus be made of non-weldable materials, i.e. for example steels of higher quality than the weldable ones used in the conventional-type presses for large-format ceramic products.

The above-described structure for presses as well as its assembly method are susceptible of numerous modifications and variants within the protective scope of the following claims.