To date, several types of formworks useful in civil construction like building or the like are known. A type of formwork provides the use of wooden members to form a mould that will be replaced by a casting of a concrete material upon hardening of the latter. The main advantage of such a type of formwork lies in the use of wood, which, via a suitable shaping thereof, becomes apt to assume any required shape.

On the other hand, a disadvantage of such a wooden formwork lies in the fact that a material such as wood, which undergoes chemical and weather-related degradation over time, is used. This entails a relevant consumption of the wooden material, adversely affecting the renewability of this environmental resource. Another disadvantage thereof lies in the fact that any formwork thus assembled is meant for a dedicated use, and hence intrinsically not modular and/or recyclable.

Moreover, also preformed non-wooden monolithic modular formworks apt to be used in a continuous and recyclable manner are known.

A disadvantage of these latter formworks lies in the fact that merely standardised moulds, dedicated usewise, may be produced.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is that of overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages by providing a process for the assembling of modular formworks allowing to make wholly recyclable formworks of

any shape.

Another object of the present invention is that of providing a modular formwork implemented from a plurality of interchangeable members and having the possibility of being totally recyclable and of any shape.

Hence, according to the present invention a modular formwork characterised in that each module comprises: a plurality of members of elongated shape; a pair of guide members apt to house each end of said plurality of elongated members; first locking means for fastening said pair of guide members onto said plurality of elongated members; and second locking means for fastening said pair of guide members onto said plurality of elongated members,. is provided; the arrangement being such that each end of said plurality of elongated members is apt to engage into each of said pair of guide members, thereby making a formwork plane, and subsequently each guide member of said pair of guide members is apt to be fastened with respect to the elongated members by said first and second fastening means in a manner such as to form an assembled formwork module.

Moreover, the present invention provides a process for the assembling of a modular formwork comprising the steps of: arranging into a guide member one end of a plurality of elongated members in a parallel side by side relationship thereamong arranging a second guide member onto the opposite end of said plurality of elongated members; and arranging at least one fastening member of said pair of guide members on said plurality of elongated members, thus producing an individual formwork module.

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes, will be provided hereinafter,

making reference to the attached drawings, wherein : figure 1A is a partial perspective view of a guide member according to the present invention; figure 1B is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of a connecting member for the formwork of the present invention; figure 1C is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of a connecting member for the formwork of the present invention; figure 1D is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of the guide member according to the present invention; figure 2A is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of an elongated member for the formwork of the present invention; figure 2B is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of an elongated member for the formwork of the present invention; figure 2C is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment of an elongated member for the formwork of the present invention; figures 2D to 2K show further embodiments of respective elongated members for the formwork of the present invention; figures 3A to 3C are partial perspective views showing three embodiments of a member for the fastening of two guide members of two respective formwork modules, respectively; figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a fastening member of two guide members of an individual formwork module of the present invention; figure 5 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a member for the fastening of two guide members of two respective formwork modules for a corner arrangement thereof; figure 6A is a side elevation and partially sectional view of a first embodiment of the formwork

according to the present invention; figure 6B is a side elevation and partially sectional view of the casting carried out with the formwork of figure 6B; figure 6C is a front elevation view partially illustrating the formwork of figure 6A; figure 6D is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the formwork according to the present invention; figure 6E is a front elevation view of the formwork of figure 6D; figures 6F and 6G are partial and detailed top plan views of two portions of the formwork of figure 6D; figure 7A is a front elevation view partially illustrating an operation of the formwork of figure~ 6A according to the present invention; figure 7B is a sectional view of the operation of the formwork of the present invention, taken along line A-A of figure 7A; figure 7C is a sectional view of the operation of the formwork of the present invention taken along line B- B of figure 7A; figure 8A is a top plan view of a second operation of the formwork according to the present invention; figure 8B is a side elevation and partially sectional view of the operation of figure 8A; figure 8C is a front elevation and partially sectional view of the operation of figure 8A; figure 9A is a view of a first detail of the formwork of figure 8A ; figure 9B is a view of a second detail of the formwork of figure 8A; figure 9C is a view of a third detail of the formwork of figure 8A; figure 10 is a detailed front elevation and partially sectional view of the formwork of the operation of figure 8A; figure 11 is a detailed front elevation and

partially sectional view of an operation alternative to the formwork of figure 8A; figure 12 is an enlarged partially sectional view of a detail of the formwork of the operation of figure 8A; figure 13 is an enlarged partially sectional view of a further detail of the formwork of the operation of figure 8A; figure 14 is an enlarged partially sectional view of a second embodiment of the formwork according to an operation alternative to the formwork of figure 8A; and figure 15 is an enlarged detail of a casting portion made with the formwork of figure 8A.

With reference now to figure 1 A, the guide member forming a component of an individual formwork module of the present invention is shown. According to the invention, the guide member has a section main body 1 which is of elongated shape and with a substantially U- shaped cross section. At the end areas of the two section flanges, two longitudinal grooves 2 apt to receive the plurality of elongated members are formed, as it will be apparent hereinafter. Furthermore, always at the two ends of the body 1, fastening ports 3 for the assembling of the formwork module are formed (better illustrated hereinafter).

With reference to figure 1B, a first connecting member for guide members 1 of the formwork according to the present invention is shown. According to the invention, the connecting member is made of a section main body 4 having a Y-shaped cross section forming two areas 4a and 4b, at an angle therebetween and each apt to receive one guide member 1 respectively, as previously illustrated, thereby connecting two formwork modules (better illustrated hereinafter).

Likewise, and with reference to figure 1C, a second connecting member for guide members 1 of a formwork according to the present invention is illustrated. This second connecting member is made of a section main body 5

which has an H-shaped cross section, thus forming two areas 5a and 5b, each apt to receive one guide member 1 respectively, thereby connecting two formwork modules according to the present invention (better illustrated hereinafter).

With reference now to figure 1D, a second embodiment of the guide member forming a component of the individual formwork module of the present invention is shown.

Accordingly thereto, the guide member has a section main body 100 of elongated shape with a substantially double U-shaped cross section and a hollow internal area 400 formed at the central area of the section member.

Likewise the first embodiment of the guide member 1, at the end areas of the two section flanges two longitudinal grooves 200 are formed for the bearing of a respective plurality of elongated members, as it will be better illustrated hereinafter. Furthermore, at the two end portions of the body 100 respective fastening ports 300, apt to contain the fastening means for the assembling of two adjacent formwork modules, are formed (better illustrated hereinafter).

With reference now to figures 2A to 2C, three different embodiments of elongated member for a formwork module are shown. According to the present invention and with reference to figures 2A and 2B, the elongated member has a box-type main body 6 of rectangular cross section which is apt to engage to the grooves 2 of the guide member 1, thereby generating a fastening in a direction transversal to the elongated member 6, yet sliding into the slide 1. With reference to figure 2C, a third embodiment of the elongated member 6 having an U-shaped cross section is shown. As it will be apparent hereinafter, this type of elongated member 6 is apt to form the edge areas of an individual formwork module whenever a possible adjustment of the surface extension of the formwork module be required.

With reference to figures 2D to 2K, a plurality of

elongated members, complementary thereamong according to a second embodiment thereof, 61, 610, 62, 620 and 621, respectively, are shown in cross section. The configuration of the elongated members 61 allows a mutual co-operation thereamong, as well as with the respective complementary elongated members 62. The operation thereof will be apparent hereinafter.

With reference now to figures 3A to 3C, 4 and 5, three different embodiments of the fastening means of a formwork module are shown. As it will be apparent hereinafter and with reference to figures 3A-3C, the fastening means provides the use of a tubular rod 7 apt to engage to the fastening ports 3 of a respective pair of guide members 1 when arranged in a side by side or in a front spaced condition (better illustrated hereinafter). In particular, in an alternative embodiment of the rod 7 and as in figure 3C, the rod 7 is provided with ports 7a, apt to receive a further pin-shaped fastening member 10 and for the individual modules after the assembling (not in figure and better illustrated hereinafter).

According to figure 4, a second embodiment of a fastening rod having a body 8 of elongated and substantially plane shape and a rectangular cross section is shown. Also according to this embodiment, the bar 8 has ports 8a at the two end areas thereof, said ports being apt to engage to respective rods 7 for implementing the fastening means of an individual formwork module (better illustrated hereinafter).

With reference to figure 5, a third embodiment of a fastening bar of formwork module is shown. According to this embodiment, the bar has a plane L-shaped body 9 and a plurality of ports 9a formed thereon. The rod 9 is apt to form the fastening means of two individual formwork modules at an 90° angle and side by side therebetween.

Making reference now to figures 6A to 6C, a formwork made of several modules according to a first operation

for performing a casting apt to make a wall is shown. As is apparent from the figures, the formwork is made of a set of modules wherein each formwork module is made of a first ground-arranged guide member 1. Inside of the guide member, the end portion of a plurality of elongated members 6 is arranged in a parallel side by side and abutted manner, thus making a formwork plane. At the top opposite end portion of the plurality of elongated members 6 a second guide member 1 is arranged, apt to work as a capping frame of the formwork module. The arrangement thus assembled is fastened in position by inserting the fastening rods 7 into the ports 3 onto the guide members 1. Subsequently, onto each rod end 7 a respective rod 8 is inserted, thereby connecting a bottom guide member 1 to a respective top guide member 1, preventing the relative mutual sliding thereof and the sliding of the plurality of members 6. The rods 7, 8 are subsequently fastened when the fastening pins 10 are inserted into the ports 7a.

Moreover ; according to the second embodiment of the guide member of the present invention, the top guide member 1 may be replaced with the guide member 100, so that the grooves 200 of the latter engage to the plurality of members 6 at the first bottom U-shaped area, thereby forming a first module, and concomitantly having the member 100 itself form a second guide bearing for a second plurality of members 6 of a second module at the second U-shaped area thereof arranged at the top of the first module. With this arrangement two or more stacked modules may be made, apt to form an uninterrupted surface for a single casting.

Likewise the first embodiment of the guide member 1, for the fastening in position of the guide member 100 it is provided that the fastening rods 7 be respectively inserted into the ports 300 centrally formed at the end areas onto the member 100, to be subsequently fastened in the abovedisclosed manner.

To those skilled in the art it will be apparent that the formwork thus assembled is ready to receive a casting in its inside, ensuring a close fit and a near-endless reproducibility.

With reference now to figures 6D to 6G, a second embodiment of the formwork of the present invention is shown. For the sake of simplicity, likewise components will be indicated with the same numbers, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted as redundant.

According to such second embodiment it is provided that the formwork be made of a plurality of elongated panel section members 61, and so that the end of an elongated member cooperate with the end of an adjacent elongated member 61, performing an undercut connection apt to ensure the outward seal of the concrete during the casting (figure 6G).

At the end areas of the formwork the use of an elongated member 62, in each corner area respectively and apt to joint-cooperate with a member 61 and with a member 610, is provided, thereby attaining the side capping of the formwork and concomitantly the outward seal of the concrete during the casting (figure 6F).

With reference now to figures 7A to 7C, a specific operation of the formwork of the present invention is shown. More precisely, and As is apparent from the figures, according to the present invention it is possible to generate castings already internally provided with utilities like water, electricity etc.. This by virtue of the fact of providing that the individual utility and the related service piping may be secured onto the formwork, and, more precisely, onto the plurality of elongated members 6, prior to the casting.

Hence, after the casting the piping will be embodied therein, thereby remarkably reducing the implementation times and costs of the distribution system. Furthermore, according to another application of the present invention, die castings may be generated (figures 7B and

7C) by virtue of the pre-casting insertion of suitable lost cores (better illustrated hereinafter) and so that upon disassembling of the formwork the casting have a physical partition therein, thereby forming an acoustic and thermal insulation cavity therein.

With reference now to figures 8A to 8C, a further operation of the formwork of the present invention is illustrated.

According to the present invention, with the abovedescribed members modules apt to form a slab formwork may be formed. More precisely, and as it will be made apparent in the present detailed description, once the bearing and the non-bearing walls have been formed with the formworks of the present invention and as aboveillustrated, a complete slab may be assembled in a modular manner. In particular, the slab formwork is made of a frame made of a set of guide members 1 arranged at the entire slab circumference defined by the wall perimeter. The connection of each guide member 1 of the frame will be better illustrated hereinafter. Hence, according to the process of the present invention, the ends of a plurality of elongated members 6 are housed in each guide member in the abovedescribed manner. Thus, according to the shape of the required casting an uninterrupted shaped surface is made. Moreover, as abovedescribed and as it will be apparent hereinafter, the fastening means 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the guide members of the individual modules are provided.

With reference to figure 9A, the detail A'of figure 8A is illustrated. In particular, as a connecting member between a guide member 1 of a module and another guide member 1 of an adjacent, yet positioned at a 90° angle module, the member 4 is provided. The latter houses the respective ends of the guide members 1 into the areas 4a and 4b thereof.

Furthermore, and with reference to figure 9B, as a connecting member between a guide member 1 of a module

and another guide member 1 of an adjacent and parallel module, the member 5, which is apt to house respective parallelly arranged guide members 1 into the areas 5a and 5b thereof, is provided.

With reference to figure 9C, the detail C'of figure 8C is shown. According to the invention, due to the particular arrangement of the guide members 1 and to the fastening in position thereof at the slab-wall connection, a pair of guide members 1 arranged in a side by side relationship therebetween and fastened with the rods 7 is provided. Moreover, in order to form a wall- slab connecting surface the arrangement of a plurality of elongated members 6, parallel and longitudinal to the guide members 1, is provided. In this condition, for the fastening of the plurality of elongated members 6 the pin 10, inserted transversely to the elongated members 6 and to the guide member 1 is provided (better illustrated hereinafter). Furthermore, at the outermost guide member, the connecting member 4 apt to house in the areas 4a and 4b thereof respective elongated members 6, the latter ones apt to reinforce the slab formwork, is provided.

With reference to figures 10 and 11, an enlarged and detailed front elevation and partial view of two embodiments of slab and formwork thereof according to the present invention is illustrated. According to figure 10, the slab has stiffening beams thereof. The beams are made integral to the slab, providing the formwork to follow the contour of the casting, arranging the plurality of elongated members 6 in the aboveillustrated manner, and arranging at each slab beam a propping member or prop 11 apt to prop the formwork stiffening structures provided by the elongated members 6 in the guides 1 as well as the shaped formwork portion forming the casting of the beam itself.

Advantageously, it is provided that inside of the beam formwork a duct 12 be arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the beam, in order to have the

latter, upon casting and once embodied therein, form an intrabeam passage for the utilities (better illustrated hereinafter).

With reference to figure 12, a detailed and enlarged portion of the formwork of figure 8A at the wall-slab connecting portion thereof is illustrated. As is apparent from the figure, the arrangement of the guide members 1 forms a wall-slab connecting surface made of two elongated members 6 horizontally arranged and fastened with the pin 10. Moreover, the guide members 1 are fastened with the rod 7 and the pin 10 in the aboveillustrated manner. It has to be pointed out that, though not shown in the figure, the connecting members 4 or 5 are provided at a 90° angle between the elongated members 6 and at the top vertexes thereof for bearing the latter in this condition.

Figure 13 shows a variant embodiment of a wall-slab connection with the formwork of the present invention, and in which the wall was formed by die casting with the insertion of a lost core 13. In this case as well, the fastenings of the guide members 1 and the related elongated members 6 are carried out with rods 7 and pins 10 as aboveillustrated.

With reference now to figure 14, a variant embodiment of the formwork according to the present invention for forming a slab and made of the elongated members 61, 610, 62, 620, 621, respectively, is illustrated. More precisely, the use of a plurality of elongated members 61 for forming the horizontal surface of the formwork in the aboveillustrated manner and in lieu of the elongated members 6 is provided. Thus, an outward seal is provided to the concrete. Moreover, as is apparent from the figure, it is provided that at the corner areas the member 62, 620 and 621 be arranged in such a manner as to joint-engage with respective elongated members 61, concomitantly ensuring the seal during the casting. Moreover, as a sealing and connecting

member between the elongated members 61 and the guide members 1, it is provided that a respective member 610 engage at one end thereof into the guide member 1 and at the other end thereof into the complementary area of a member 620. On the other hand, the members 620 and 621 are propped by a prop 11 in the abovedescribed manner.

It has to be pointed out that according to such second embodiment of the elongated members 61, 610, 62, 620 and 621 a formwork of extremely easy assembling and disassembling can be made, by virtue of the possibility of fastening the portions of the elongated members 61, 610, 62, 620, 621 rather than blocking said portions with pins or the like, as in state of the art. Moreover, thus a formwork of remarkable outward seal may be made, providing the possibility of carrying out castings of high reliability even with particularly liquid concrete.

With reference now to figure 15, an enlarged detail of a portion of a slab beam casting made with the formwork of the present invention is illustrated. As is apparent in the figure, the beam has a duct 12 for the passage of the utilities embodied therein. The duct is formed with the pre-casting insertion of a core into the formwork, said core being then removed when the formwork is disassembled.

Moreover, according to the present invention, for the closure and the finishing of the slab, a plurality of panels 14, removably mounted between the perimetral walls and the beams with props 15 made integral to the casting, may be provided. The use of the closure panels 14 allows a dimming out of the utilities, which are advantageously ran below the slab and externally thereof, thereby facilitating the maintenance thereof and possible interventions thereon.