Antonio Guidara

The present invention relates to a vertical support structure for the construction of reinforced concrete floors.

Nowadays, the techniques of current constructions, especially for the construction of demanding floors in terms of weight and height, have high costs for the complexity and for the quantity of elements necessary to equip the carpentry of the floors, all specific elements which cannot be reused except for the construction of the structures of other buildings, and therefore in the meantime must be stored for periods of non-use which could even be months or years in large warehouses or in indoor spaces.

As previously mentioned, the systems already on the market for supporting the weight of floors, especially those with non-standard capacity and heights, have high costs for purchase and storage and can be used exclusively for these specific uses.

For standard sized floors, however, a plurality of vertical support elements is used, typically adjustable in length, provided with base elements for resting on the ground and support elements of constituent elements of the floor, which support elements are placed at the top of the vertical support elements.

This solution is not suitable for floors of non-standard dimensions, for which the aforementioned dedicated structures are therefore included, with all the related technical problems.

Document EP1233122A2 discloses a fagade scaffolding comprising a plurality of removable portals and non-removable rectangular frames arranged transversely to the plane of the fagade and connected to each other by means of horizontal and diagonal bars, by means of safety coupling devices. The portals and frames directly support the passage platforms and support vertically adjustable brackets carrying other service platforms. The structure is not suitable for supporting a floor under construction. Document EP3202998A1 discloses a horizontal formwork comprising a support base and a plurality of formwork panels which are supported thereon. The support base comprises a plurality of base grids comprising four heads arranged at the vertices of the base grid, two main beams arranged parallel to each other, and two edge beams arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the main beams. Each base grid further comprises central beams arranged parallel to the edge beams and supported on the main beams. This structure requires only specific components and is therefore difficult to build, in addition to requiring laborious assembly.

Document EP2019177A2 discloses a removable horizontal support element of scaffolding resting boards. Such a horizontal element comprises a tubular body provided with end fixing means adapted to not interfere with the laying of the known metallic boards to form the walking surfaces of the scaffolding. This horizontal element is not adapted to support a floor under construction.

US4693449A discloses an adjustment structure of a shoring frame for accurately supporting and aligning the beam and slab shapes with respect to the vertical columns of a building. The structure is very complex and not suitable for supporting the beams for resting a floor under construction.

Document DE2949795A1 discloses a support structure for shoring formworks at different levels. This structure is not suitable for supporting a standard floor.

Therefore, there is currently a need which is not satisfied by the state of the art for a vertical support structure for the construction of floors, in particular for floors of larger size and capacity, which can largely use standard components commonly used in construction sites and a few small dedicated elements.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks related to the state of the art with a vertical support structure for the construction of floors, comprising one or more vertical support elements, one or more base elements for resting said support elements on the ground, and one or more support elements of constituent elements for the construction of the floor, which support elements are placed at the top of said vertical support elements, in which each said vertical support element is provided above with one or more connection pins and each support element forms the top end of the structure and consists of a beam element provided with at least two engagement bushings with said pins and having a surface above for resting wooden beams, on which wooden beans the floor will rest, the length of the beam element being such as to support at least four or more wooden beams.

Unlike all the known systems of the prior art, the invention allows to have a modular structure which is simple and easily mountable, removable and storable, which has a surface above for resting a plurality of beams according to the size and weight of the floors. The beams are not supported individually by specific forks, as occurs in some structures known in the prior art, but rest on a surface large enough to allow even two or more consecutive beams to rest on the same support in the longitudinal direction, side by side for at least a stretch.

The support element according to the present invention is to be installed on the top of vertical support elements for the construction of floors even with non-standard capacities and heights.

In an exemplary embodiment, at the opposite ends of the beam element two side elements are included which are adapted to laterally delimit the said resting surface of the wooden beams.

Such side elements perform a lateral retention of the wooden beams on which the floor is placed and at the same time can serve as an indicator of the positioning of the wooden beams with the correct spacings.

According to a first embodiment, the beam element consists of a truss comprising a crosspiece, a lower king post fixed below the crosspiece, and two diagonal yokes, each yoke being fixed at its opposite ends to the crosspiece and the king post, respectively. The truss offers high stability to the beam element, which can therefore support high weights without showing bending or deformation.

According to a second embodiment, the beam element comprises a trellis.

The trellis confers high resistance to deformations, ensuring a reduced weight.

In a first exemplary embodiment the beam element comprises a lower plate, an upper plate, which plates are connected to each other by one said single-row trellis.

In a second exemplary embodiment the beam element comprises a lower plate, an upper plate, which plates are connected to each other by a double-row trellis.

According to a third embodiment, the beam element consists of a girder. The girder preferably has an l-section.

The girder confers great resistance to deformation and is easy to find and therefore low cost.

According to a fourth embodiment, the beam element comprises a double trellis sized to support two beams in which the resting surface is presented by two scaffolding tubes.

In an exemplary embodiment, each said vertical support element consists of a metallic scaffolding frame, said frame comprising two uprights provided above said connection pins and joined together by at least one crosspiece.

The vertical support elements can therefore be normal metallic scaffolding frames. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that it is possible to use compliant or approved frames and/or structures with scaffolding tubes.

The presence of the lower bushings placed therebetween at a distance corresponding to the standard distance between the upper pins of a metal scaffolding frame allows the device to be easily inserted into the pins present at the top of the frames.

In a further embodiment each said vertical support element consists of a loading turret. According to an improvement, the loading turret consists of a pipe joint.

In a further embodiment each said vertical support element comprises vertically placed scaffolding tubes.

In the case of vertical support elements consisting of pipe joint loading turrets and/or scaffolding tubes, said connection pins are removable double pins.

In an embodiment at least two vertical extension elements of predetermined length are provided which can be positioned between said pins and said engagement bushings.

This makes it possible to compensate the height of the structure to reach that of the non-standard floor to be built when a metallic frame, or preferably several frames superimposed on each other, or the pipe joint loading turret or the scaffolding tube structure do not reach the height of the floor as per the design.

In an embodiment, said base elements consist of height-adjustable bases.

This enables even lower adjustment of the height of the metal frame or the pipe joint loading turret or the scaffolding tube structure within certain height limits offered by the adjustable bases. The adjustable bases are preferably standard of various sizes. The exact horizontal positioning of the bases and screws on which the scaffolding frames will rest can also be carried out with the help of the laser.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of said metal scaffolding frames and/or pipe joint loading turrets and or scaffolding tubes are provided side by side and fixed to each other by horizontal and/or oblique rods and/or tubes.

Thereby, the beam elements, once engaged on the upper part of the vertical support element or on any extensions and with the respective adjustable bases engaged at the base of the first frame, form individual vertical structures which are suitably connected and braced, by means of the use of rods or tubes, such as scaffolding tubes. Of course, the entire support structure must be sized as a function of the type of floors to be made.

Unlike the known systems of the prior art, therefore, the structure object of the present invention, once the floors have been completed, allows easy disassembly and reuse on site of typical construction site components such as scaffolding frames, pipe joint loading turrets, scaffolding tubes, clamps and bases, while the possible storage of the wooden beams will require little space. The components can also be used for wooden formwork reinforcements for the construction of reinforced concrete walls or for other uses.

It should be noted that the invention is well suited to every need without any type of problem, thus allowing the construction of even the most demanding floors with non-standard dimensions, weight and capacity.

The economic and technical advantages offered by this fast and flexible system are evident, which makes it possible to use materials commonly on the market and present in all construction sites, which can be used from the beginning of works to the end, such as, precisely, metal scaffolding frames, pipe joint loading turrets, scaffolding tubes, metal clamps and wooden beams. In practice, the materials used, as long as they are compatible for the specific use, as well as the dimensions and the contingent shapes, can be adjusted to design requirements. This system allows construction companies, once they have purchased the necessary number of trusses or joists, to use the equipment they normally own, and to buy only the possibly missing part which, in any case, once the reinforced concrete floors have been made, can be used for all other uses.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of some embodiments illustrated, by way of example only, in the attached drawings, in which : fig. 1 shows a complete module of each element necessary for the construction of the structure; fig. 2 shows a plurality of single-frame modules side by side and connected to each other for the construction of floors placed at standard heights; fig. 3 shows a plurality of double-frame modules side by side and connected to each other for the construction of floors placed at greater heights; fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional extension mode of the structure; figs. 5 and 6 show extensions of different sizes with engagement pins or threaded connection elements; fig. 7 shows a base adjustable in height; fig. 8 shows a truss; fig. 9 shows a single trellis beam element sized to support two wooden beams; fig. 10 shows a single trellis beam element sized to support three wooden beams; fig. 11 shows a double trellis beam element sized to support two wooden beams; fig. 12 shows a double trellis beam element sized to support three wooden beams; fig. 13 shows a double trellis beam element sized to support two beams in which the resting surface is presented by two scaffolding tubes; fig. 14 shows a double trellis beam element sized to support three beams in which the resting surface is presented by two scaffolding tubes; fig.15 shows a girder sized to support two wooden beams; fig. 16 shows a girder sized to support three wooden beams; fig. 17 shows a beam element consisting of a double trellis and sized to support four wooden beams; fig. 18 shows a beam element consisting of a single trellis and sized to support four wooden beams; fig. 19 shows a beam element consisting of a girder and sized to support four wooden beams; fig. 20 shows an embodiment in which the frames are replaced by scaffolding tubes; figs. 21 and 22 show two embodiments for supporting a walkable floor with beam elements or metallic scaffolding platforms; figs. 23 and 24 show two views of a structure with pipe joint loading turrets; figs. 25 and 26 show two embodiments of a structure with pipe joint loading turrets and longitudinally consecutive beams side by side for a shared support section on a beam element.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the vertical support structure for the construction of floors according to the present invention, in particular a single module thereof. Such a module comprises a vertical support element, which in this embodiment consists of a metallic scaffolding frame 5, adjustable base elements for resting the frame 5 on the ground, and a support element for the beams 7 of the floor or other constituent elements of the floor, which support element is placed at the top of the metallic scaffolding frame 5.

The frame 5 is preferably of the type commonly used in construction sites and comprises two uprights 50 spaced apart from each other and joined by a crosspiece 51 . The assembly of the uprights 50 and the crosspiece 51 is stiffened by diagonal corner tubes 52. The uprights 50 are provided with connection pins 53.

The dimensions of the metallic scaffolding frames 5 are normally the common ones on the market, width of 1080 mm by a height of 2000 mm. The frame 5 consists of tubular pieces with a diameter of 48 mm. If they are of different sizes and dimensions, the joist will also be built in the appropriate size and dimensions.

The base elements consist of bases 2, which are height-adjustable. In the examples in the figure, the adjustable metal bases 2 of 500 mm height commonly on the market are illustrated, to be inserted at the base of the frames 5 and which allow an extension from 0 to 300 mm. An embodiment of an adjustable base 2 is shown in figure 7. These bases 2 are normally on the market and are used to precisely adjust the height of the structure. Once the reinforced concrete of the floor has reached the necessary maturation, the bases 2 also intervene in the disassembly of the structure, since, by shortening them, the pressure exerted by the floor is removed and the wooden beams 7 can be removed first and all the other elements of the structure can be removed in a cascade.

The support element of the wooden beams 7 on which the floor will rest consists of a beam element 10 provided below with two bushings 1 engaged with the frame pins 53 or another vertical support element and having above a surface for resting 11 the wooden beams 7.

At the opposite ends of the beam element 10 two side elements 12 are included, adapted to laterally delimit the positioning of the wooden beams on said resting surface 11 , preferably consisting of plate elements fixed, for example by welding, to the body of the beam element 10.

The beams 7 supporting the floor are preferably wooden beams (bars or squares) and are the elements of the carpentry which rest directly on the beam element 10. The wooden beams can preferably have a length of 6 metres and a square base of 12 x 12 cm, they can be either spruce wood or laminated wood or other suitable material.

It is possible to include a pair of vertical extension elements 6 of predetermined length which can be positioned between the said pins 53 of the metallic scaffolding frame 5 or another vertical support element and the said engagement bushings 1 , shown in detail in figure 6. Such extension elements 6 are each provided at the top with a pin 60 connecting the bushings 1. Thereby, the beam element 10 can be alternatively coupled to the frame 5 by means of the pins 53 or to the extension elements 6 by means of the pins 60. It is possible to reverse bushings and pins ensuring the same coupling, i.e., to provide engagement bushings on the frame 5 or on the extension elements 6 and engagement pins placed below on the beam element 10. In the same way, it is possible to include extensions directly welded on the beam element so that it forms a single body to be joined on the frame. In this case there can be beam elements of different heights to be used according to design needs.

The structure is obtained by assembling a plurality of modules, positioning them at a predetermined distance from each other and fixing them to each other. This is visible in figure 2, where a plurality of metallic scaffolding frames 5 are illustrated side by side and fixed to each other by horizontal tubes 3. Alternatively or in combination, it is possible to include other fixing means such as horizontal or oblique rods or oblique tubes. Preferably the tubes 3 are reinforcement scaffolding tubes, used to stiffen the structure. The number of tubes 3 varies according to the design needs. The tubes 3 are fixed to the frames 5 or to each other by means of metal clamps 4, of the type used in construction sites. The function of the metal clamps 4, in addition to fixing the tubes 3 to the frames 5, is also to stiffen and ensure the stability necessary for the structure, being also positioned in the couplings between the elements forming the entire structure, i.e., between frame 5 and frame 5, between frame 5 and extension 6 and between frame 5 or extension 6 and beam element 10, etc.

In the embodiment of a structure shown in figure 2, it is possible to create a floor placed at a height of 3 metres.

As shown in figure 3, it is possible to create modules comprising two or more frames 5 superimposed on each other to reach the necessary heights as per the floor design. Such a superimposition is usual for making scaffolding for fagades, and the frames are suitably connected to each other, as mentioned above. In the case where the height of the floor is not a multiple of two metres, to ensure that the total height of the single module and therefore of the entire structure is that desired, the extension elements 6 of a length such as to allow the entire structure to reach the desired height are added to the top of the upper frames 5. The beam elements 10 are then positioned on such extension elements.

In the embodiment of a structure shown in figure 3, it is possible to create a floor placed at a height of 5 metres.

As is obvious to those skilled in the art, with this system it is possible to create floors placed even at great heights, for example with a structure consisting of the superimposition of six frames 5 it is possible to create floors placed at a height of 12 metres or more.

Figure 4 shows the structure in axonometry once completed. It is possible to include positioning the frames 5 at a smaller distance from each other with respect to what is shown in figure 4 to make larger floors.

Figure 5 shows extension elements 6 of different length. To reach the necessary height of the floors, such extension elements 6, of suitable length, can be added to the top of the head frame 5. Such extension elements 6 are preferably obtained by cutting the scaffolding tubes by the desired lengths, which lengths can for example vary from a minimum of 200 mm to a maximum of 1600 mm. A common pin of 140 mm height at the top of the extension elements allows easy engagement with the beam element 10. Three extension elements 6 of different length are shown in the figure, however it is possible to provide several extension elements 6 of different length, for example eight different lengths comprised in the dimensional values indicated above.

Figure 6 shows extension elements 6 of different length and provided with threaded connection elements, in particular upper threaded terminals 60. In this case, the bushings 10 of the beam elements 1 are similarly threaded internally to stably fix to the extension elements 6. Three extension elements 6 of different length are shown in the figure, however it is possible to provide several extension elements 6 of different length, for example eight different lengths comprised in the dimensional values indicated above.

Figure 7 shows a height-adjustable base, comprising a support base, a threaded vertical tube and a height-adjustable element provided with a nut bushing engaged at the base of the metallic scaffolding frames and rotatable thereon to be moved in height. The exact horizontal positioning of the bases can also be carried out by means of a laser.

Figures 8 to 19 show different embodiments of the beam element 10.

According to the embodiment of figure 8, the beam element 10 consists of a truss 80 comprising a crosspiece 800, a lower king post 801 fixed below the crosspiece 800, and two diagonal yokes 802, each yoke 802 being fixed at its opposite ends respectively to the crosspiece 800 and the king post 801.

The crosspiece 800 constitutes the horizontal element of the metal truss and preferably measures 1165 mm in length, 50 mm in width and 30 mm in thickness. The crosspiece 800 is the element which has the resting surface 11 , i.e., on which the wooden beams 7 of the carpentry rest, or any other type of element which the project envisages resting on the beam element 10. The lower king post 801 consists of a metal strut with dimensions 230 mm in length, 50 mm in width and 30 mm in thickness, welded to the centre of the crosspiece 800 in order to stiffen the entire truss. The yokes 802 constitute the tie rods of the truss, are made of metal and have dimensions of 468 mm in length, 30 mm in width and 10 mm in thickness.

The bushings 1 consist of metal tubular pieces which can have a minimum height from 145 mm and a diameter of 48 mm, inside which the pins 53 are inserted at the top of the metal frames 5 or the pins 60 of any extension elements 6.

The side elements 12 are made of metal and are 85 mm high, 50 mm wide and 5 mm thick. The function of these elements is to contain, in the right position, the wooden beams 7 of the carpentry to support the floor.

All the aforesaid dimensions can be varied according to the scope needed by the design.

The truss of figure 8 has a length such as to support two wooden beams 7 to support the floor in a position spaced apart from each other. However, it is possible to include a crosspiece 800 of length such as to support three wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

In the embodiments of figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, the beam element 10 comprises a trellis 81 .

In this case the beam element 10 comprises a lower plate and an upper plate and these plates are connected to each other by one said trellis. The upper plate has the resting surface 11 , while the lower plate is fixed to the bushings 1 which can optionally have a minimum height starting from 145 mm.

Figure 9 shows a beam element 10 comprising a single-row trellis and having a length such as to support two wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figure 10 shows a beam element 10 comprising a single-row trellis and having a length such as to support three wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figure 11 shows a beam element 10 comprising a double-row trellis and having a length such as to support two wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figure 12 shows a beam element 10 comprising a double-row trellis and having a length such as to support three wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figures 13 and 14 show beam elements 10 comprising a doublerow trellis respectively of shorter and longer length, in which the resting surface 11 is presented by two scaffolding tubes placed above the trellis and side by side with each other. In figure 13 the length is such as to support two wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other, while in figure 14 the length is such as to support three wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

In the embodiments of figures 15 and 16, the beam element 10 consists of a girder 82, preferably an l-prof ile girder.

Figure 15 shows a beam element 10 consisting of a girder 82 having a length such as to support two wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figure 16 shows a beam element 10 consisting of a girder 82 having a length such as to support three wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figure 17 shows a beam element 10 consisting of a double trellis and sized to support four wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other. Figure 18 shows a beam element 10 consisting of a single trellis and sized to support four wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

Figure 19 shows a beam element consisting of a girder and sized to support four wooden beams 7 supporting the floor in a position spaced apart from each other.

All the models of the beam element shown have been sized and adapted to metal frames which are currently mainly on the market but can be sized and adapted to frames and/or components possibly with different sizes and capacities.

The sizing of the components of the structure, as well as their arrangement and their mutual fixing, can be varied and validated by structural calculations according to design requirements.

In the embodiment of figure 20, the frames 5 are replaced by scaffolding tubes 3 placed upright. In particular, two scaffolding tubes 3 are placed vertically and are connected above the extensions 6 and below the bases 2. It is possible to fix the vertical tubes directly to the beam elements 10 by means of appropriate pins, in particular removable double pins 68. It is also possible to stack a plurality of vertical tubes 3 to reach the height required by the design. Therefore, the structure is braced by horizontal tubes 3 as illustrated in the previous figures, by means of clamps 4.

In the embodiment of the structure shown in figures 21 and 22, the use of the invention can be used not only for the construction of reinforced concrete floors, but also for the formation of flat floor surfaces such as lofts or mezzanines of any size, for monumental renovations, restorations of frescoed ceilings at heights outside the norm where it is not possible to use normal scaffolding, for example vaults above the aisles of churches to be restored, etc.

These mezzanines can be made using metallic scaffolding platforms 9 commonly on the market, which will be fixed to the upper part of the beam element 10. Advantageously, the upper part of the beam element is provided with a scaffolding tube 100 placed horizontally, on which the arcuate coupling flaps of the metal platforms 9 rest. The beam element 10 can be a trellis, as shown in figure 21 , or any of the embodiments described above. The beam element 10 can be of such a size as to be fixed to two frames 5, as illustrated in figure 21 , or it can be of such a size as to be fixed to only one frame 5, as illustrated for the truss of figure 22. In the latter case, the adjacent trusses are constrained to each other by appropriate fixing means.

Alternatively, the mezzanine can be made with the use of wooden beams 7 to support a boarding above, which can be formed by standard scaffolding boards or multi-layered panels, elements commonly on the market.

Once the work is finished and the mezzanine has been dismantled, all the elements can be reused for normal construction work.

Figures 23 and 24 show two views of a structure in which the vertical support elements are pipe joint loading turrets 77. Also in this case, the connection between the top of the pipe joints of the pipe joint loading turrets 77 and the beam element 10 can be made by means of removable double pins 68 and/or extension elements 6.

Figures 25 and 26 show two configurations of the structure with pipe joint loading turrets 77. In figure 25 each beam element 10 carries two beams 7, while in figure 26 each beam element 10 carries three beams 7. In the latter case, the loading turrets are brought closer to each other in an orthogonal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the beams 7, so as to ensure a substantially constant distance between the beams 7, in particular also between beams 7 resting on two neighbouring beam elements 10.

As can be seen from figures 25 and 26, the beams 7 which are longitudinally consecutive with each other are side by side by a shared section resting on a same beam element 10, by virtue of the fact that the beam element has a surface for resting which can accommodate four or more beams 7, for example, in the embodiment of figure 26, this specific system is necessary for the construction of floors or structures of nonnormal dimensions and weight. It is evident for those skilled in the art that, depending on the required capacity, the dimensions of the beam element can be adjusted.

From the foregoing, it is therefore evident that the invention is not limited to the embodiments just described and illustrated by way of non- limiting examples, but may be varied and modified, as a whole and in individual details, especially constructively, according to the specific needs and conveniences of production and use, within the scope of the technical and functional equivalents, without abandoning the guiding principle set forth above and subsequently claimed.