TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a structural element that can be used for the construction of a building structure.

In particular, the present invention relates to a structural element that can be used for the construction of a beam.

BACKGROUND ART

In the construction of frames and supporting structures for building use, the use of structural elements configured as a beam, for example with a C-shaped section or similar, obtainable for example by a hot rolling process by continuous casting is known.

In general, a beam of the traditional type, thus formed, has a high mechanical strength but, on the other hand, is characterized by a high weight per unit of linear length.

In case of a C-shaped beam, as known, there is a first and a second wing, spaced and parallel to one another connected to the same end by a central core.

These portions have specific dimensional ratios and, in order to make beams with different dimensions, it is necessary to operate a complex set-up of the production line, which may lead to the interruption of the production cycle whenever it is necessary to change the product size to be formed.

Moreover, if the actual dimensions of the installation site wherein a traditional beam must be positioned differ from those of the project, due to incorrect tolerances, it is necessary to make a new beam of adequate dimensions, for example by removing from a beam not necessary portions. In this way, however, discards are generated that affects the costs of construction of the structure.

There is a need in the sector for the provision of a structural element for a solution which allows to optimize the exploitation of the mechanical strength of the material constituting the element itself and to reduce the overall weight by linear length of such a component.

There is also a need for the provision of a structural element capable of overcoming the drawbacks of traditional solutions, in the context of a practical construction, which can be produced in various dimensions without requiring expensive and complex set- up of the line of production.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is therefore to improve the background art regarding a structural element for the construction of a beam.

Within the scope of this purpose, an object of the present invention is to provide a structural element for providing a support element for the construction of a beam, which is of a practical and easy to use application.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structural element whose mechanical performances are optimized in relation to the amount of material that composes the structural element itself.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightened modular beam able to guarantee high mechanical performances.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular beam, of the lightened type, which is practical in terms of production and installation.

According to one aspect of the invention a structural element according to claim 1 is provided.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a structural element for the construction of a beam, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended drawings wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a structural element according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the section II plane of the structural element of figure 1;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a beam comprising a pair of structural elements according to the present invention;

figure 4 is a perspective view of a possible configuration which can receive a beam comprising a pair of structural elements according to the present invention;

figure 5 is a perspective view of a beam comprising a pair of structural elements according to the present invention;

figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further version of the structural element according to present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, the reference number 1 refers generally to a structural element which can be used for the construction of a beam.

The structural element 1 is made as a single body by folding or forming a sheet or a strip.

In particular, the structural element 1 has an elongated shape and comprises a substantially flat central portion or core 2, delimited between a first end 3 and a second end 4, a first side or wing 5 which departs from the first end 3 and a second side or second wing 6 which departs from the second end 4.

The first side 5 and the second side 6 are aligned parallel to each other and orthogonal to the central portion 2.

Preferably, the structural element 1 has a C-shaped or EG-shaped cross-section or similar (see figures 1 and 2), along which a longitudinal cavity 7 is delimited.

The structural element 1 can be configured as an elongated body.

According to a version of the present invention, the structural element 1 can be made by folding a metal sheet, for example a metal strip, so as to configure the central portion 2, the first side 5 and the second side 6.

By way of a non-limiting example, the metal material used to make the sheet or the strip may be either a light steel and an operating heavy steel according to specific requirements of use.

According to a further version of the present invention, the structural element 1 can be made by means of a sheet or a strip or the like made of composite material.

According to this embodiment, the composite material preferably can comprise fibre material of the type comprising at least some reinforcing fibres associated or embedded in a matrix.

The structural element 1 comprises a first stiffening rib 8 extending longitudinally along the first side 5 and a second stiffening rib 9 extending longitudinally along the second side 6.

According to a version of the present invention, the first rib 8 and the second rib 9 extend for the entire length respectively of the first side 5 and of the second side 6 and, therefore, for the entire length of the structural element 1.

The structural element 1 has a symmetric shape along a longitudinal symmetry plane.

In this regard, a median longitudinal symmetry plane 10 can be identified relative to the structural element 1.

The first rib 8 and the second rib 9 are configured specular to each other relative to the median longitudinal symmetry plane 10 (see figure 2).

The first rib 8 and the second rib 9 respectively identify a first recess 10 and a second recess 11 from opposite sides of the structural element 1.

The first recess 10 develops towards the inside of the structural element 1.

Likewise, the second recess 11 develops for the entire length of the structural element 1

According to a version of the present invention, not illustrated in the accompanying figures, the first rib 8, and consequently the second rib 9, can be delimited by a curved surface, preferably concave, protruding towards the longitudinal cavity 7 of the structural element 1.

According to a further version of the present invention, the first rib 8, and consequently the second rib 9, can be delimited by at least a first surface 13 and a second surface 14 mutually connected and tilted towards each other with opposed inclinations, in order to define a concavity.

According to a yet another version of the present invention, the first rib 8, and consequently the second rib 9, comprise a flat surface 15 interposed between the first surface 13 and the second surface 14 (see figure 2).

The flat surface 15 defines a bottom portion for the first rib 8, and for the second rib 9 (see figure 2).

The structural element 1 is made of a folded sheet or strip or more generally formed so as to comprise the central portion 2, the first side 3, the second side 4, the first rib 8 and the second rib 9.

The presence of a first rib 8 and of a second rib 9 along the structural element 1 serve as a double function, since they act as reinforcement for the structural element 1, and in particular respectively for the first side 5 and the second one side 6, in addition to providing portions for the mutual connection between a structural element 1 and a further structural element G, as better described in the following.

A beam 16 comprising a structural element 1 and a further structural element G is also an object of the present invention (see figure 3).

The structural element 1 and the further structural element G correspond to each other, having the same geometry and dimensions.

More in detail, the components of the further structural element G corresponding to those of the structural element 1 will be indicated with the same reference number to which an apex has been added.

The further structural element G, similarly to the structural element 1, comprises a central portion 2', a first side 5', a second side 6', delimiting between them a longitudinal groove 7', a first rib 8' and a second rib 9'.

The structural element 1 and the further structural element G are opposed to each other and mutually connected along the respective first sides 5, 5' and along the respective second sides 6, 6' so that the beam 16 is configured as a boxed or substantially boxed body (see figure 3).

With the structural element 1 and the further structural element G connected to each other to form the beam 16, the first side 5' and the second side 6' of the further structural element 1 are placed at least partially inside the second side 6 and the first side 5 respectively of the structural element 1.

More in detail, the structural element 1 and the further structural element G are connected to each other so that the first rib 8' and the second rib 9' of the further structural element G engage the second rib 9 and the first rib 8 respectively of the stmctural element 1.

As said, the structural element 1 and the further structural element G correspond to each other and have the same dimensions.

In fact, to connect the first structural element 1 and the further structural element G it is necessary to introduce the first side 5' and the second side 6' of the further structural element G into the longitudinal cavity 7 of the structural element 1, or viceversa.

For this purpose, the first side 5' and the second side 6' of the further structural element G can be deformed, mutually approaching them, so as to allow them to be inserted inside the longitudinal cavity 7 of the structural element 1.

As a result of an elastic return action, the first side 5' and the second side 6' once inserted inside the longitudinal cavity 7 move away from each other, interfering, respectively, with the inner side of the second side 6 and that of the first side 5 of the structural element 1.

The first side 5 and the second side 6 counteract the action promoted by the first side 5' and the second side 6' of the further structural element G, holding them therein and determining a stable connection between the structural element 1 and the further structural element G.

According to an optional embodiment, the structural element 1 and the further structural element G after being mutually engaged with each other can be further temporarily mutually constrained, by means of a removable connection, or in a permanent way, without any limitation.

By way of non-limiting example, a removable connection can be obtained by using mechanical connecting means, not illustrated in detail in the accompanying figures.

For example, it is possible to provide a riveted connection and/or a bolted connection and/or a nailing or similar along the first sides 5, 5' and the second sides 6, 6' according to methods known in the sector.

According to a further version of the present, the structural element 1 and the further structural element G can be connected to each other permanently by gluing or welding or in a similar way.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the structural element 1 and the further structural element G can be connected to each other so as to be mutually aligned or non-aligned along a longitudinal direction (see figure 4).

The beam 16 is in fact telescopic, since the first structural element 1 and the further structural element G can be mutually associated with different coupling positions so as to vary the overall length of the beam 16 itself.

The beam 16 according to the present invention can therefore have the opposite ends of the structural element 1 aligned with those of the further structural element G (see figure 3) or offset from each other (see figure 4).

In particular, the structural element 1 can be connected in a offset manner to the further structural element G along the longitudinal direction identified by the beam 16, so as to vary the overall length of the beam 16.

In fact, by coupling the structural element 1 to the further structural element G in a offset way along the longitudinal direction, it is possible to vary the overall length 17 of the beam 16, as to obtaining a beam 16 of greater length than the length 18 of the structural elements 1, G that compose it.

In particular, the overall length 17 of the beam 16 can be adjusted and adapted to the actual dimension of the installation site provided for the beam 16, in the event that this effective dimension is different from a theoretical design value.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the structural element 1 can comprise a plurality of through openings 19 extending through the first side 5 and or the second side 6 (see figures 5 and 6).

By way of example, the through openings 19 can be made along the sheet or strip prior to the folding/forming step, thus simplifying its construction.

Each of the through openings 19 is delimited along its entire perimeter by a raised edge 20 which protrudes externally or internally relative to the first side 5 or to the second side 6 (see figures 5 and 6).

The raised edge 20 is folded over itself acting as a stiffening element for the portion of the structural element 1 near the through opening 19.

According to a version of the present invention, the raised edge 20 of all the through openings 19 along the structural element 1 can protrude from the same side of the first side 5 or of the second side 6.

According to a further version of the present invention, some through openings 19 can have the respective raised edge 20 which protrudes outside the structural element 1 while other through openings 19' can have the respective raised edge 20' which protrudes inside of the longitudinal cavity 7.

In this case, according to a version of the present invention, the raised edge 20 of a first between the through openings 19 protrudes externally relative to the structural element 1 while the raised edge 20' of a further through opening 19' subsequent or prior to the first through opening 19 protrudes inside the structural element 1, along the longitudinal cavity 7.

With reference to the sectional view illustrated in figure 5, a first opening 19 presents the respective raised edge 20 which protrudes outside the structural element while a further through opening 19' subsequent to the first through opening 19 has the respective raised edge 20 which protrudes inside the longitudinal cavity 7.

According to this version, the raised edge 20, 20' of the through openings 19, 19' in succession to each other, protrudes alternately externally and internally relative to the structural element 1.

Such a distribution allows to balance the mechanical behaviour of the entire structural element 1.

However, it is intended that further versions are possible wherein the raised edge 20, 20' can alternatively protrude at least every two or more through openings 19, 19' in succession along the structural element 1 or according to any alternate or non-alternate distribution, according to specific needs of use, without any limitation.

Preferably, the through openings 19, 19' may be circular or elliptical shaped.

The through openings 19, 19' allow the passage of cables and utilities through the structural element 1, promoting a high flexibility of use.

In this regard, it is observed that the raised edge 20, 20' at each of the through openings 19, 19' promotes the sliding of a cable or an utility through the structural element 1, avoiding undesired jamming to occur due to the presence of a sharp or cutting edge. Similar considerations apply relative to the presence of a plurality of through openings 19 according to the above description along a further structural element G (see figure

5)·

A structural element 1 according to the present invention is configured as an extremely flexible and easy to store solution, as well as of a practical warehouse management.

The presence of reinforcement ribs 8, 8'; 9, 9' allows to obtain a structural element 1, 1' with high mechanical performances relative to the thickness of the material used for the construction of the structural element 1, 1' itself.

The above described structural element 1, G and beam 16 are susceptible to several modifications and variations within the scope of protection of the following claims.