Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-15
2002-01-29
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
C264S040100, C249S048000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06341453
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a method for propping structures with vertical walls, consisting of pre-fabricated boards which are disposed end to end. More specifically, it relates to propping by means of reinforcement pillars, which in particular assist vertical retention of the said walls, and anchorage of the latter on the ground. The invention also relates to the actual reinforcement pillars.
Pillars of this type, or more generally struts, have been used very commonly for a considerable period of time, in order to prop all kinds of vertical walls, since in many structures, final usage of the walls requires reinforcement of one of the sides of the wall, in order to balance correctly the forces which are present during normal use of the structure.
There therefore exist many possible configurations of struts, ranging from a simple inclined prop, to an X-shaped cross stay, and props which are reinforced by horizontal beams or by heavier buttresses. In fact, to a large extent, the shape, securing to the ground, material etc of the struts depends on their subsequent use, and on the associated stresses (nature of the ground, functions to be provided etc).
In particular, the anchorage to the ground can assume several distinct forms, i.e. it can consist of anchorage piles which are driven into the ground, by casting a body of concrete at the joining point with the ground etc. In some cases, the strut can even comprise a casing for casting concrete, which, after it has solidified, is an integral part of the structure itself of the said strut.
The technical possibilities are therefore many and varied. In the preferred example which will be used within the context of this description, i.e. the construction of pools in particular for swimming pools, it is apparent that the cross stays have firstly the function of preserving the verticality of the walls, despite the enormous pressure which is exerted by the water when the pool is filled.
The swimming pools in question are generally constructed by means of boards with an equivalent surface area, which are juxtaposed and secured to one another for example by being bolted, and are strengthened by means of reinforcement pillars which are often locked in their lower part by concrete bodies.
It will be appreciated that the struts are produced in a factory or workshop, then transported to the site for construction of the wall to be propped, for example at the location of a swimming pool to be built. As a result of their often complex shape, these struts are generally costly to produce and transport. In addition, the hollow or recessed parts which they have in most cases give rise to wasted space when they are transferred to the construction site, which contributes towards adding to the financial burden attributed to the transport.
In the conventional configurations, when the struts are installed, and in order to strengthen the structure satisfactorily, it is often desirable to install armouring which constitutes the framework of an upper peripheral strengthening anchorage unit. In fact, the struts which are usually used rarely have an upper part which can support the said peripheral anchorage unit. However, installation of armouring of this type is a complicated operation, which requires know-how and technical skill which can often only be carried out by professionals, and, which, it will be appreciated, is in general carried out in addition to installation of the props.
By means of the solution proposed according to the invention, the above-described problems and disadvantages are solved, or at least are significantly reduced. In fact, the objectives pursued in creation of the invention were firstly to simplify as far as possible the implementation of the method and production of its components, and secondly to reduce the costs systematically in all the stages.
Firstly, the invention relates to a method for propping a structure with vertical walls by means of reinforcement pillars, characterised in that it comprises the following steps;
securing flexible flat panels with a rectangular shape to the structure with vertical walls;
folding each flexible panel into an envelope with a cylindrical shape, and assembly of one of its two free ends to the other, by means of securing units;
assembly of means which make it possible to assure the stability of the said envelope;
checking the alignment and perpendicularity of the structure; and
filling with concrete each volume which has a cylindrical shape.
According to one possibility, assembly of the means for assuring the stability of the reinforcement pillar consists of putting into place at least two units to keep the wall perpendicular, by keeping a hollow tube which is split along its entire length secured onto the envelope, by sliding the units for securing of the free ends of the envelope inside the tube, as well as the said free edges which are drawn together inside the split in the tube.
Then, if necessary, the split tubes are driven in and/or levelled by being cut, such that their free end is at the level of the upper edge of the structure.
It will be noted immediately that the reinforcement pillars used by the method according to the invention require mainly only the following components:
a flexible flat panel with a rectangular shape;
retention units;
a hollow tube which is split along its entire length, and
concrete.
These components, the shape of which will be analysed in greater detail hereinafter, are generally flat, tubular, or, in the case of the concrete, derived from raw materials which can easily be transported (cement, sand), or are available on the site (water). Consequently, it is possible to optimise transport such as to reduce its cost as far as possible.
The production itself of these components is not costly, since machining of the flat panels is simple and reduced, and the tubes can easily be cut to the required length.
Finally, construction on the site does not cause any particular technical problems, and does not require any specialised know-how.
The invention thus proposes a method which is easy to implement, and is based on elements which are simple to produce and transport.
According to the invention, the structure with vertical walls can consist of pre-fabricated boards disposed end to end, which are erected by securing the superimposed vertical edges of the adjacent boards. The flat panels are then preferably secured at the joining point between each pair of adjacent boards.
The said securing of the flexible panels then completes the securing of the superimposed vertical edges of the adjacent boards in their area of overlapping, with initial partial securing of the boards taking place outside the said area, during erection of the structure.
Preferably, securing of the superimposed edges of the adjacent boards, and of the flexible panels to the said boards, takes place by means of bolting.
In fact, the flexible panels are secured to the structure with a vertical wall along a vertical line.
According to one possibility, each flexible panel is secured to the structure by means of bolts which are aligned at regular intervals, centrally relative to the said panel, with bolting also, as already stated, of the superimposed areas of the adjacent boards onto which the said flexible panel is secured.
This is the reason why it is sufficient initially to bolt onto the boards the ends of the superimposed areas which are not covered by the said panel.
According to one possible configuration, the units for keeping the wall perpendicular are tie bars formed from a straight rod which ends in a hook with a circular shape, and can contain the split tube.
This is another element which is very easy to produce, which has reduced dimensions, and is thus easy to transport.
In order to facilitate the assembly further, each retention tie bar is secured on the vertical securing line of the flexible panels to the boards which form the structure, in the vicinity of the said panel, and directly onto the board. It is for example secured to a threaded rod by means of a nut which is incorporated on
Abelman, Frayme & Schwab
Piscines Waterair
Stephan Beth A.
Varner Steve
LandOfFree
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