Security device for a technical layer

Abstract

A safety device for supporting technical floor load-bearing columns. The device is configured to be fixed to a floor slab and comprises a band having a length and a width, the band comprising a raised central zone (32), at least two end zones (35) located on a lower plane than the raised central zone (32). The device further comprises a half-column (34) fixed to the central zone so as to remain raised at the end zones. The half-column comprises an internal diameter (37) greater than the external diameter of each load-bearing column to which the device is applied. The invention also relates to a technical floor comprising load-bearing columns to which the device is applied.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a safety device applied to technical floors.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a safety device with anti-seismic function applied to a load-bearing column of a technical floor. BACKGROUND

[0003] Technical floors are known.

[0004] These floors are usually provided in office environments and are made by placing a plurality of load-bearing columns on the floor slabs of a building and by installing panels on the load-bearing columns, which once completed become the walking surface of the technical floor.

[0005] The walking surface thus formed is located at a predetermined distance from the floor slabs of the building so as to create a gap between the walking surface and the floor slabs, in which various necessary technical systems can be housed, thus guaranteeing the correct functioning of the environment in which they are located.

[0006] There are also known various standards, in particular of the static type, which define the load-bearing classes of the technical floors.

[0007] For example, in the case of floors, these classes can provide static operating loads ranging from a minimum of 200 kg to a maximum of 600 kg, centered on a predetermined surface, for example on a surface of 6.25 cm2, providing for a punching of 25*25 mm.

[0008] The dimensions of the technical floor are determined according to the static load-bearing class, preferably the load-bearing columns are simply placed on the floor slabs and usually comprise a noise- resistant mat made of plastic material, arranged to act as a load-bearing mat for the base of each load-bearing column.

[0009] In general, if it is provided that the dimensions of the technical floor must be designed to be able to withstand seismic phenomena and, therefore, to support both horizontal accelerations and vertical accelerations, the prior art provides for interventions on the technical floor to stabilize the load-bearing columns.

[0010] According to some solutions of the prior art, the base of the load-bearing columns is fixed to the floor slabs, for example by means of screws or glue, to counteract the vertical accelerations due to seismic phenomena.

[0011] However, this solution has the problem of eliminating the noise- reducing function of the plastic noise-resistant mat.

[0012] According to other solutions of the prior art, the upper part of the load-bearing columns is locked, for example by means of tie rods / supports, so as to counteract any horizontal accelerations due to earthquakes.

[0013] However, this solution has the problem of partially obstructing the gap formed between the walk surface and the floor of the technical floor, thus contrasting with the intrinsic characteristics of the technical floor, which is to form a gap between the walk surface and the floor to accommodate various technical systems.

[0014] According to the above solution of the prior art, it is also proposed to modify the material and thickness of the load-bearing column to counteract the seismic phenomenon.

[0015] For example, increasing the size of the load-bearing column to increase its thickness and support surface and to hook it more firmly to the floor.

[0016] In any case, the Applicant points out that the prior art does not effectively solve the problem of setting up technical floors that are both resistant to seismic phenomena and at the same time do not show the limitations and problems of the known techniques described above. SUMMARY

[0017] The aim of the present application is therefore to solve the problems of the known prior art.

[0018] This aim is achieved by a seismic safety device having the characteristics set out in the attached claims.

[0019] This aim is also achieved by a technical floor having the characteristics set out in the attached claims.

[0020] The claims are an integral part of the technical teaching provided according to the present application.

[0021] The following summary of the application is intended to provide a basic understanding of some aspects and features of the application.

[0022] This summary is neither intended nor should it be construed to cover all aspects of the application, and does not represent that there are no other elements that may fall within the scope of the present application, also not that the application is limited to the features described in this summary. Its sole purpose is to introduce some concepts of the application in a simplified form, as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0023] According to the characteristics of one preferred embodiment, the seismic safety device is configured to provide a bridge structure comprising a bridge-shaped band of a certain length and width, and a half column having a circular cross-section.

[0024] According to the characteristics of one preferred embodiment, the band comprises a central zone that is convex and two end zones that are the base of the band, the half column being fixed to the central zone so as to be convex like the end zones.

[0025] Preferably, the half column is fixed to the central zone and the two end zones are configured to be fixed to the floor, for example by passing suitable bolts through the holes formed in the end zones.

[0026] In use, the safety device provides a bridge, wherein, depending on the type of installation of the load-bearing column (i.e. the technical floor), the half-stud surrounds the pipe or threaded rod with a certain margin greater than zero, and wherein only the end zone of the strap is fixed to the floor without interfering with the type of panel resting on the floor.

[0027] Preferably, depending on whether the base or head of the load-bearing column is located on the floor, the half-stud is sized with an internal diameter ranging from 1 to 4 mm greater than the external diameter of the pipe or threaded rod.

[0028] For example, depending on the type of installation, the half-stud has a thickness ranging from 1 to 4 mm and an internal diameter ranging from 15 to 30 mm, while respecting the above-mentioned specifications.

[0029] The raised central zone of the safety device has different sizes depending on the size of the panel resting on the floor in use.

[0030] Preferably, the raised central zone is made to protrude 1-6 mm with respect to the height / thickness of the panel fixed to the floor in use.

[0031] Preferably, the end zone of the safety device has dimensions suitable for fixing the end zone to the floor.

[0032] Preferably, the end zone of the safety device comprises dimensions suitable for allowing the end zone to be fixed to the floor.

[0033] Preferably, the half-stud of the safety device is made so as not to hinder the insertion of the threaded rod into the pipe.

[0034] Preferably, according to the technical floor commonly found on the market, in which the base rests on the floor, the half-stud has a height from the floor of between about 50-300 mm.

[0035] In the case of reference to the technical floor in which the head of the load-bearing column rests on the floor, preferably, the half-stud has a height from the floor of between about 50-100 mm.

[0036] Preferably, the technical floor comprises load-bearing columns on which, according to the present application, the anti-seismic safety device is applied, providing for the position of each safety device such that the strap of each safety device is at 45° to one side of the panel and at 180° to the strap of the adjacent safety device, in order to better counteract the seismic phenomenon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] These and other characteristics and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein parts having the same or similar function and structure are identified with the same or similar reference numbers:

[0038] Figure 1A sectional side view of a load-bearing column of a technical floor is shown, to which a safety device according to the present application is applied.

[0039] Figure 2a and Figure 2b A sectional side view and a plan view, respectively, of a safety device according to the present application are shown. Furthermore

[0040] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A side view and a partial plan view, respectively, of a technical floor made by applying a safety device according to the present application are shown.

[0041] Best mode for carrying out the present application

[0042] With reference to Figure 1 which shows a load-bearing column 9 of a technical floor 5, to which a seismic safety device 10 made according to the present application is applied.

[0043] For the sake of completeness, the load-bearing column 9 disclosed here is of the known type and comprises a base plate 11 configured to rest on a floor slab 12, and a tube 14 having a circular cross section, which projects from the base plate 11 by a predetermined length.

[0044] The base plate 11 and the tube 14 form a base 19 of the load-bearing column 9.

[0045] The load-bearing column 9 further comprises a threaded tie rod 25, which is configured to slide inside the tube 14, and a nut 15, which is configured to limit the sliding of the threaded tie rod inside the tube 14 in a known manner, so as to define the height of the load-bearing column.

[0046] The threaded tie rod 25 is connected at one end to a tie rod plate 21, which is configured to support one or more panels 6 of the technical floor 5.

[0047] The threaded tie rod 25 and the tie rod plate 21 form a head 20 of the load-bearing column 9.

[0048] In use, the nut 15 cooperates with the tube 14 of the base 19 to fix the height of the load-bearing column, and therefore the height of the panels 6 of the technical floor 5 with respect to the floor slab 12.

[0049] Preferably, it is also provided that, in the technical floor, adjacent load-bearing columns 9, in particular the respective tie rod plates 21, are connected by means of a crosspiece 7, which is screwed, for example by means of self-tapping screws 8, to the adjacent tie rod plates.

[0050] According to a known variant, it is also provided that the load-bearing column 9 is mounted in an inverted vertical orientation, so that, in use, the head 20 rests on the floor slab 12 and the base 19 supports one or more panels 6 of the technical floor 5.

[0051] The safety device 10 (Figure 1 、 Figure 2a 、 Figure 2b 、 Figure 3a 、 Figure 3b ) is configured to form a bridge structure and comprises a strap 31 having a length and a width, shaped as a bridge, and half-columns 34 having a circular cross-section.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment, the strap 31 comprises a raised central zone 32, two end zones 35 which act as a base for the strap and are positioned on a lower plane than the central zone.

[0053] The half-columns 34 are fixed to the central zone so as to protrude above the end zones.

[0054] The height / thickness of the central zone 32 and of the half-columns 34 is the same as the height / thickness of the slabs 11 or 21 placed on the floor in use.

[0055] Preferably, the half-columns 34 are fixed to the central zone 32 at the barycentric position and the two end zones 35 are configured to be fixed to the floor 12, for example by means of suitable bolts 46 passing through respective holes 36 obtained in the end zones 35.

[0056] According to the type of installation of the technical floor, the central zone 32 of the strap 31 is longer than the expected diameter of the slabs 11 or 21 of the base 19 or head 20 of the load-bearing column 9 so as not to interfere with the slabs themselves in use.

[0057] In use, the safety device 10 provides a bridge in which, according to the type of installation of the load-bearing column 9, the half-columns 34 surround the tube 14 or threaded rod 25 and the end zones 35 of the strap 31 are fixed to the floor 12 without interfering with the type of slabs 11 or 21 placed on the floor 12.

[0058] According to the preferred embodiment, the strap 31 of the safety device 10 has a thickness between 1 and 4 mm, the dimensions of which vary according to the dimensions of the load-bearing column 9 provided for the construction of the technical floor 5.

[0059] According to the case in which the base 19 or head 20 of the load-bearing column 9 rests on the floor, preferably the dimensions of the half-columns are determined so as to comprise an internal diameter 37 which is 1-4 mm larger than the external diameter of the tube 14 or threaded rod 25.

[0060] For example, according to the type of installation, the half-columns 34 are made with a thickness between 1 and 4 mm and an internal diameter between 15 and 30 mm, but still complying with the above indications.

[0061] According to the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the raised central zone 32 of the safety device 10 are variable according to the dimensions of the slabs 11 or 21 fixed on the floor 12 in use.

[0062] Preferably, the central zone 32 is made 1-40 mm larger than the diameter of the panel placed on the floor 12 in use.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the end zone 35 of the safety device 10 is sized to allow the end zone to be fixed to the floor 12.

[0064] Preferably, the end zone is made with a length and a width in the range of 20-50 mm.

[0065] According to a preferred embodiment, the half-column 34 of the safety device 10 is made in such a way as not to hinder the insertion of the threaded tie rod 25 into the tube 14.

[0066] Preferably, with reference to a technical floor commonly found on the market, in which the base 19 of the load-bearing column 9 rests on the floor 12, the half-column 34 has a height from the floor of about 50-300 mm.

[0067] If the head 20 of the load-bearing column 9 rests on the floor 12, preferably the half-column 34 has a height from the floor of about 50-100 mm.

[0068] For example, with a panel 6 of the technical floor having a thickness of 30 mm, a base 19 of the load-bearing column 9 having a height of 250 mm, a head 20 having a height of 120 mm, and an arrangement in which the tie rod plate 21 of the head 20 is placed at a height, for example, a walking surface is provided at a height of 270-370 mm from the floor.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the safety device is made of steel, carbon or synthetic resin, and the half-column 34 is fixed to the band 31, for example, by welding, riveting, crimping or other compatible processes.

[0070] In summary, the seismic safety device 10 is configured to ensure greater stability of the load-bearing column 9 projecting from the technical floor 5 when subjected to seismic action.

[0071] In fact, the seismic safety device 10 is shaped to have two or more end zones 35 in contact with the floor 12, preferably comprising two or more holes 36 which facilitate fastening to the same floor.

[0072] Furthermore, the seismic safety device comprises a raised central zone 32 so as not to have points of contact with the base plate 11 or the tie rod plate 21 of the load-bearing column 9, depending on the type of technical floor.

[0073] The half-column 34 is fixed to the central zone of the seismic safety device, the task of which is to transmit the stability generated by the end zone 35 fixed to the floor to the tube 14 or the threaded tie rod 25, depending on the type of technical floor, and to enable the load-bearing column 9 to withstand horizontal and vertical seismic stresses.

[0074] In particular, the anti-seismic safety device 10 allows not to fix the load-bearing column 9 directly to the floor 12 and, by surrounding each column with a certain margin greater than zero, allows the load-bearing column 9 to have a minimum movement in the horizontal and vertical direction, to better cushion the seismic stresses.

[0075] In particular, for example, between the load-bearing column and the safety device, even in the vertical direction, a movement margin of 1-6 mm is foreseen.

[0076] The safety device 10 disclosed so far, as verified by the Applicant through experiments, allows the technical floor to overcome the horizontal and / or vertical accelerations due to seismic phenomena.

[0077] According to the building regulations of the technical floor 5 of the present embodiment, initially, the load-bearing column 9 ( Figure 3a and Figure 3b ), for example the base 19, is positioned on the floor in a known manner.

[0078] In particular, the base 19 of the load-bearing column 9 rests on the floor 12, preferably, a noise-resistant mat 18 is provided, which acts as a load-bearing mat for each bottom plate 11.

[0079] Preferably, the base 19 or the head 20 of the load-bearing column 9, i.e. the bottom plate 11 or the tie rod plate 21, is not fixed to the floor.

[0080] Furthermore, initially, according to the preferred embodiment, it is also foreseen that, for each load-bearing column, the safety device 10 is positioned so as to overlap the base 19 or the head 20 of each load-bearing column 9 and is fixed to the floor 12.

[0081] According to a possible variant, it is foreseen that the safety device 10 is not applied to all the load-bearing columns, but to at least 50% of the load-bearing columns used to build the technical floor, without thereby departing from the disclosed and protected scope.

[0082] Preferably, in order to better contrast the accelerations due to seismic phenomena, the strap 31 of the safety device 10 is at 45° with respect to the side of the panel 6 and at 180° with respect to the strap of the adjacent safety device.

[0083] Figure 3b The arrangement of the safety devices on a group of 9 panels (for example from "A" to "I") of the technical floor 5 is schematically shown, in which the safety devices are applied, for example, to all the load-bearing columns.

[0084] For example, in a subsequent phase, the head 20 is installed and adjusted to the desired height by means of the nuts 15, so as to bring the panel 6 to the desired height, thus bringing the technical floor to the desired height with respect to the floor 12.

[0085] At this stage, the heads 20 of the load-bearing columns 9 are preferably connected to each other by means of cross-pieces 7 which can be screwed by means of self-tapping screws 8 on the tie-rod plates 21 of the heads 20.

[0086] Once the above-mentioned stage has been completed, the panel 6 is positioned to complete the construction of the technical floor 5.

[0087] For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that if the heads 20 of the load-bearing columns 9 are fixed to the floor slab 12, the nuts 15 are screwed into the threaded tie-rods 25 only after the safety device 10 has been positioned and fixed to the floor slab 12 so as to overlap the heads 20 of the load-bearing columns 9.

[0088] The Applicant has carried out several tests on a test group comprising

[0089] four standard load-bearing columns 9, having a height of between 260 and 360 mm (about 90% of the height of the load-bearing columns used for the technical floor) ;

[0090] four safety devices consisting of half-columns, having a height from the floor slab of between 100 and 150 mm;

[0091] four cross-pieces 7, screwed to the heads of the load-bearing columns 9;

[0092] a panel 6 of 600*600 mm, installed on simple supports above the heads 20 and the cross-pieces 7, having a load of 630 kg uniformly distributed on the surface of the panel.

[0093] During the tests, in particular when a strong lateral thrust was applied, the system did not collapse.

[0094] In any case, the Applicant has verified experimentally that the seismic safety device 10 according to the present embodiment, in particular in the case of technical floors having a floor slab height of not more than 400 mm, allows the technical floor to easily overcome various seismic events without the need to use special materials or to intervene in a way that would compromise the intrinsic characteristics of the technical floor.

[0095] In the preferred embodiment, the safety device comprises two end zones or feet fixed to the floor slab.

[0096] According to other embodiments, the safety device can comprise three or more feet fixed to the floor slab, without thereby departing from the scope disclosed and intended to be protected.

[0097] According to this variant, greater possibilities can be provided for fixing the safety device to the floor slab.

[0098] According to further embodiments, the device can be constituted by two half-shells which can be fixed to each other to form the device of the present invention, without thereby departing from the scope disclosed and intended to be protected.

[0099] This configuration of the safety device can be convenient if it is to be installed on a technical floor already installed and / or in use.

[0100] According to other embodiments, the safety device can be made as a preform or a molded piece and can include ribs or reinforcements and / or supports to improve its stability and lateral resistance during a seismic event, without thereby departing from the scope disclosed and claimed.

[0101] According to still further embodiments, the tubes of the safety device's load-bearing columns and half-columns can include a square, oval, rectangular, etc. shaped external cross-section, compatible with the functions described and without thereby departing from the scope disclosed and claimed.

[0102] Advantageously, according to the present embodiments, the load-bearing columns are not constrained to the floor slab and can freely slide vertically and horizontally within all the tolerances allowed by the safety device.

[0103] Giving the load-bearing columns longitudinal and lateral freedom allows the technical floor to better withstand the horizontal and vertical accelerations caused by an earthquake.

[0104] The technical floor has the following advantages:

[0105] The clearance of the technical floor is not obstructed;

[0106] The function of the noise-proof mat, if present, remains unchanged.

[0107] Of course, the above disclosure can have obvious variations and / or modifications in terms of size, shape, materials and components, as well as in the details of the structure and method of operation, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A seismic safety device for a load-bearing column (9) of a technical floor (5), the seismic safety device being configured for use on the load-bearing column (9), wherein the load-bearing column (9) comprises The base (19) includes a base plate (11) and a tube (14) extending from the base plate, and The head (20) includes a pull rod plate (21) and a threaded pull rod (25) connected to the pull rod plate. Nut (15), which is used to limit the sliding of the threaded tie rod (25) within the tube (14); Depending on the installation type of the technical layer, the base plate or the tie plate can be placed on the floor slab (12) during use; The safety device (10) is characterized in that it includes A strip (31) having a certain length and width, the strip (31) comprising A raised central area (32) At least two end regions (35) are located on the lower plane of the raised central region (32) and can be fixed to the floor slab (12) in use. A half-column (34) is contained within the central area of ​​the protrusion and extends from the central area of ​​the protrusion to connect with the end area; depending on the installation type of the technical layer, the inner diameter (37) of the half-column is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe (14) of the load-bearing column or the threaded tie rod (25), so that in use, the safety device (10) is fixed to the floor slab (12) through the at least two end areas (35) and surrounds the load-bearing column (9) through the half-column (34) with a certain margin greater than zero.

2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the semi-column is located at an off-center position in the central region (32) of the protrusion.

3. The safety device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter is 1-4 mm larger than the outer diameter of the load-bearing column to which the device is applicable.

4. The safety device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two end regions each include one or more holes (36) for fixing the safety device to the floor slab.

5. The safety device according to claim 4, wherein a certain vertical movement margin is left between the raised central area (32) and the base plate (11) or the tie rod plate (21).

6. The safety device according to claim 5, wherein the certain vertical movement margin is between 1 and 6 millimeters.

7. A technical layer comprising the safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one panel (6) and at least four load-bearing columns (9), wherein, depending on the type of the technical layer, the base plate or the tie plate is fixed to the floor slab in use.

8. The technical layer according to claim 7, wherein, depending on the type of the technical layer, the length of the raised central area (32) of the safety device is greater than the diameter of the base plate or the tie plate of each of the at least four load-bearing columns.

9. The technical layer according to claim 8, wherein the length is 1-40 mm larger than the diameter of the base plate or the tie plate.

10. The technical layer according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the strap (31) of each of the safety devices is at 45° to one side of at least one panel (6) and at 180° to the strap of the adjacent safety device.

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