DEVICE FOR PRE-CUTTING A COLUMN FOR A FLOOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for pre-cutting a column for a floor, an associated system for installing the pre-cutting device and a method for cutting a column for a floor.

[0002] Such a column is made by drilling or pushing back soil that one wishes either to consolidate in order to install a structure on slabs or foundations, such as for example a building, a bridge or even a wind turbine, or a motorway or railway embankment (we then speak of rigid inclusion), or to structure to insert a direct load transmission structure.

[0003] Once a recess, preferably vertical, has been created in the ground either by drilling or by pushing, the recess is filled with a material, such as concrete or mortar, possibly reinforced by a metal frame immersed in the vertical recess.

[0004] It is known that a column made in this way sometimes requires cutting back at a given level, possibly below the ground surface.

[0005] This level is called the level of the level.

[0006] The coppicing stage consists of topping the column of a portion which is flush with the ground surface, up to the level of the level.

[0007] The cutting back stage allows the column to be freed from the filling material, concrete or mortar, which may have been contaminated during the column construction stages and which is at a level in the column above the required level of the level.

[0008] For rigid inclusion type columns, the cutting stage is generally carried out by excavating the column head, when the filling material, concrete or mortar, is still fresh, using a hydraulic excavator, possibly equipped with a bucket or auger.

[0009] For a low level of levelling, as is the case for example when placing a load transfer mattress under slab or backfill above the column, a first operator removes the filling material with the hydraulic excavator, while a second operator visually checks the progressive drop in the level of the filling material in the column until the desired level of levelling is reached.

[0010] It should be noted that the execution of the coppicing on the one hand and, on the other hand, the visual control of the level of the level, are imprecise, which is not excessively prohibitive here due to the fact that a mattress is placed on the formed column.

[0011] For a column built under foundations, and for a level of course below the ground surface, at a depth, said to be shallow, less than one meter, a more precise level of course is required.

[0012] As in the previous case, a first operator removes the concrete or mortar, while a second operator controls the gradual lowering of the level of the filling material in the column.

[0013] However, in this case, a visual check is not sufficiently precise and a level measuring and control device, for example a laser type, is used, with a receiving cell installed on a target.

[0014] The measuring device is operated by the second operator who plunges a rod, for example, carrying the sight, into the column up to the surface of the fresh mortar or concrete. There, the second operator measures the level of the surface of the filling material and determines whether the desired level of leveling has been reached or whether further cutting is required.

[0015] This method provides an accuracy of around 5 to 10 centimeters. Such accuracy is sometimes not sufficient, and remains very dependent on the dexterity of the two operators.

[0016] For a level of level greater than one meter, or even one meter and fifty centimeters, the second operator is often unable to distinguish the surface of the filling material, and it is not uncommon for the second operator to plunge the rod carrying the sight into the fresh filling material, which obviously significantly distorts the level reached by the filling material.

[0017] The inaccuracy of the level of the level in these circumstances is not acceptable.

[0018] FR 2959957 A1 discloses an automatic process for cutting prestressed concrete beams and a machine for its implementation.

[0019] DE 102006022267 A1 discloses a method of manufacturing a concrete product using a cutting tool.

[0020] Furthermore, the coppicing step, carried out when the filling material is still fresh, cannot be applied in all circumstances.

[0021] This is particularly the case for sandy soil or for a level below that of a water table.

[0022] Then, the cutting back step risks widening the recess and damaging the column to be leveled as well as the adjacent columns.

[0023] Document CN104234038A describes a device for pre-cutting a column for a ground, comprising a pre-cutting means such as a geotextile membrane capable of being folded, said device further comprising a control member for deploying the pre-cutting means and a system for positioning said pre-cutting device.

[0024] The aim of the present invention is to at least partially remedy these drawbacks.

[0025] To this end, the invention relates to a device for pre-cutting a column for a floor as described in claim 1.

[0026] Thus, when the filling material is still fresh, the pre-cutting device according to the present invention is moved into the rest position of the pre-cutting means, along the column, and then put into the pre-cutting position.

[0027] The pre-cutting device left in position during the hardening of the filling material ensures pre-cutting of the column at the desired level due to the weakness that its presence induces during the hardening of the filling material in the column.

[0028] Once the filling material has solidified, it is sufficient to exert a slight mechanical action on the head of the column to produce a clean break at the level of the weakness induced by the pre-cutting device, then to extract the head of the column delimited by the solidified filling material up to the pre-cutting means remaining in the pre-cutting position.

[0029] In this way, the pre-cutting position being chosen at the desired level of the level, the level of the level is precisely achieved and the cutting process is facilitated by the pre-cutting of the column.

[0030] According to another characteristic of the invention, the membrane has the general shape of a disc or a half-disc in the deployed position.

[0031] According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a rigid structure for deploying the membrane from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0032] For this purpose, the invention also relates to a system for installing the pre-cutting device as described in claim 4.

[0033] According to another characteristic of the invention, the system comprises a means for driving the control member of the device.

[0034] According to another characteristic of the invention, the system comprises a support frame for the guide portion (33).

[0035] The invention also relates to a method of cutting a column for a floor comprising: a step of moving the pre-cutting device as described previously in the column in which a material intended to at least partially fill the column, called filling material, is at least partly in pasty form, the pre-cutting device being held in the rest position; a step of placing the pre-cutting device in the pre-cutting position at a given depth of the column by rotating the pre-cutting means from the rest position to the pre-cutting position; and once the filling material has solidified, a step of cutting back a portion of the column extending to the pre-cutting device.

[0036] According to another characteristic of the invention, during the step of moving the pre-cutting device, the pre-cutting device is guided in the column by a positioning system as described previously.

[0037] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: there figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pre-cutting device in a rest position; the figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the figure 1 in a pre-cut position; the figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a system for implementing the device of the figure 1 ; there figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the system of the figure 3 equipped with the device of the figure 1 ; THE Figures 5a to 5c illustrate a process for manufacturing a column for a floor. Pre-cutting device

[0038] As visible on the Figures 1 and 2, a device for pre-cutting a column for a floor, referenced 1, comprises a pre-cutting means 2 configured to be movable between a rest position and a pre-cutting position.

[0039] The pre-cutting means 2 comprises a membrane 3 capable of being folded back on itself in the rest position and of being deployed in the pre-cutting position.

[0040] As more particularly visible on the figure 2 , membrane 3 has the general shape of a disc.

[0041] The membrane 3 is made from a flexible material, such as plastic or textile, synthetic or natural, possibly recycled.

[0042] Preferably, the membrane 3 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the column.

[0043] The pre-cutting means 2 also comprises a rigid structure 4 for deploying the membrane 3 from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0044] As particularly visible at the figure 2 , the rigid structure 4 is a rigid frame comprising a set of bars 5, for example made of metal.

[0045] Each bar 5 forms a diameter on which the membrane 3 rests securely.

[0046] On the figure 2 , the pre-cutting means comprises three metal bars delimiting six sectors 6 of the membrane 3, two other sectors 6 being delimited by an angle of the device 1, as will be explained later.

[0047] Each bar 5 is configured to pivot by its middle 7 around a center 8 of the rigid structure 4 corresponding to the center of the deployed membrane 3.

[0048] Because the membrane 3 is integral with the bars 5, the pivoting of the bars 5 causes the sectors 6 to unfold or, on the contrary, to fold, like a double fan.

[0049] Thus, the rest position of the pre-cutting device 1 coincides with the folding position of the membrane 3, in which the metal bars 5 extend rectilinearly over each other.

[0050] And, in the pre-cutting position of the device 1, coinciding with the deployed position of the membrane 3, the metal bars 5 are at a distance from each other, so that the sectors 6 are stretched and the membrane 3 takes the shape of a disc.

[0051] The pre-cutting device 1 comprises a control member 9 for deploying the pre-cutting means 3.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the control member 9 is a rod secured by one of its ends 10 to the center 8 of the membrane 3 and to the middles 7 of the metal bars 5.

[0053] The rod 9 advantageously has a square section.

[0054] The rod 9 extends along an axis X substantially orthogonal to a plane P delimited by the metal bars 5.

[0055] The rod 9 is free to rotate around this axis X relative to the angle iron 12, and is driven in rotation around the axis X by a gripping device manipulated by an operator, as will be detailed below.

[0056] The metal bars 5 being secured by their centers 7 to the rod 9, the rotation of the rod 9 around the axis X controls the rotation of the metal bars 5 around the center 8.

[0057] The pre-cutting device 1 also comprises an element 12 configured to secure the pre-cutting means 2 to a system 30 for positioning the pre-cutting device 1.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, element 12 is an angle iron.

[0059] The angle iron 12 is a metal profile comprising two wings 13 and 14 arranged orthogonally to each other, so that the profile has an L-shaped section.

[0060] As visible on the figure 2 , the wing 13 of the angle iron 12 is arranged in the plane P in the deployed position.

[0061] The wing 13 is pierced with a recess 15 crossed by the control rod 9, which allows the control rod 9 to reach the centers 7 of the metal bars 5

[0062] The membrane 3 rests securely on the wing 13 of the angle iron 12.

[0063] The wing 14 is intended to cooperate with a slot in the system 30 for positioning the pre-cutting device 1, as will be detailed below.

[0064] Of course, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0065] In particular, according to a variant not illustrated, the device 1 comprises two membranes whose shape, in the deployed position, is a half-disc, the two membranes then being juxtaposed so as to form a complete disc in the pre-cutting position.

[0066] According to this variant, it is also possible not to equip the pre-cutting device with metal reinforcements.

[0067] In this case, each half-disc is wound in the rest position on two ends of an axis pivoting around the control rod 9.

[0068] This variant not shown has a lower manufacturing cost and carbon footprint.

[0069] It is noted that the rigid structure 4 and / or the angle iron 12 may be made of metal, but also made of a rigid non-metallic material, such as plastic for example.

[0070] It is noted that the invention is not limited to deployment of the membrane 3 by the rod 9 but other drive modes are of course applicable. Pre-cutting device installation system

[0071] As visible on the Figures 3 and 4 , the system 30 for positioning the pre-cutting device 1 comprises a guide portion 31 for a movement of the pre-cutting device 1 and a holding element 32 for the pre-cutting device 1 during its movement.

[0072] The guide portion 31 comprises a hollow outer tube 33 which allows the system 30 to be guided in the column filling material, as will be explained later.

[0073] The hollow outer tube 33 comprises an outer wall 34 provided with three centering devices 35 arranged substantially at 120° two by two.

[0074] The centering devices 35 allow the system 30 to be guided in the column, as will be explained below.

[0075] The hollow outer tube 33 is secured by one 36 of its ends 36, 37 to the holding element 32.

[0076] The outer tube 33 comprises on the wall 34 a receiving cell for a distance measuring device, preferably of the laser type, not illustrated, and the position of which can be adjusted along the outer tube.

[0077] As visible on the figure 4 , the holding element 32 is a parallelepiped 40 provided with a slot 39, and secured by one of its sides to the end 36 of the outer tube 33.

[0078] The slot 39 is configured to cooperate with the angle iron 12 of the pre-cutting device 1.

[0079] The slot 39 has a depth greater than a width of the flange 14 of the angle iron 12 and a spacing greater than a thickness of the flange 14 of the angle iron 12.

[0080] As visible on the figure 4, the pre-cutting device 1 is held in the rest position by the system 30, the wing 14 being inserted into the slot 39, the wing 13, the rigid structure 4 and the membrane 3, in the folded position, overhanging the slot 39.

[0081] Thus, the holding element 32 holds the pre-cutting device 1 in all directions except one direction allowing the pre-cutting device 1 to be released.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the angle iron 12 is held simply by friction, as will be explained further below.

[0083] The installation system 30 also includes an inner tube 41 concentric with the outer tube 33.

[0084] The inner tube 41 forms a means of driving the control member of the device.

[0085] The inner tube 41 extends into the outer tube 33 while being held by a stop (not shown) which limits any rotation of the inner tube 41 relative to the outer tube 33 to 180°.

[0086] The inner tube 41 comprises two ends 42, 43, arranged respectively opposite the end 37, 36 of the outer tube 33.

[0087] The end 42, intended to remain above the ground surface, is equipped with a gripping device 44, such as a crank.

[0088] The crank makes it possible to impart a rotational movement to the inner tube 41 and therefore a rotational movement to the control rod 9 relative to the outer tube 33 and consequently to the holding element 32 and to the angle iron 12.

[0089] The end 43 is a housing whose section is of the same shape as the section of the rod 9, advantageously square in shape, so that the end 43 receives the control rod 9 of the pre-cutting device.

[0090] It is noted that the weight of the system 30 can advantageously be adapted to the desired level of leveling, and in particular made heavier for a descent of the pre-cutting device 1 to high depths.

[0091] It is also possible for the outer tube to be grooved so as to form a rack, which makes it possible to control the descent of the system 30 even at great depths.

[0092] The rack is activated manually or using an electric or hydraulic motor, preferably mounted on a ball joint to adjust the verticality.

[0093] The entire system for installing device 1 and the rack is mounted on a chassis, and installed for example on mobile equipment such as a mini excavator or forklift.

[0094] It is also possible to provide the holding element with a locking mechanism, provided for example with a trigger, and configured to hold the angle iron 12 in the slot 39 in the rest position and to release the membrane once the device 1 is in place at the desired depth. Coppicing process

[0095] The invention also relates to a method of cutting a column for a floor.

[0096] Such a column is illustrated in Figures 5a to 5c .

[0097] The column 50 comprises a recess 51 made for example by drilling or pushing into a ground S and filled with a filling material, such as concrete or mortar, possibly reinforced by a metal frame immersed in the recess 51.

[0098] The invention can be applied in particular to a rigid inclusion type column which allows the reinforcement of the soil S, or to a load transmission column, possibly reinforced.

[0099] As illustrated in the Figure 5a , the cutting method comprises a step of moving the pre-cutting device 1 in the column 50 in which the filling material is at least partly in pasty form, the pre-cutting device being held in the rest position.

[0100] By pasty form it is meant that the filling material, such as concrete or mortar, has not yet acquired its final hardness, so that device 1 and system 3 can be moved into the filling material.

[0101] During this step, the pre-cutting device 1 is moved by inserting the positioning system 30 into the column 50, the pre-cutting device 1 being held by the angle iron 12 in the slot 39.

[0102] The positioning system 30 is immersed, preferably vertically, in the column 50.

[0103] The centerers 35 ensure that the positioning system 30 runs vertically in the column 50.

[0104] The friction exerted on the pre-cutting device 1 is sufficient to hold the wing 34 of the angle iron 12 in the slot 39.

[0105] The method comprises, illustrated in Figure 5b , a step of placing the pre-cutting device 1 in the pre-cutting position at a given depth of the column 50.

[0106] The depth reached is indicated by the distance measuring device, in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0107] The position of the pre-cutting device 1 at the desired depth in the column is checked using the laser level and the sight located on the outer tube.

[0108] This depth corresponds to a desired level of leveling, as will be explained.

[0109] During this step, once the desired depth has been reached and verified, an operator pivots the gripping device 44, which causes the control rod 9 to rotate and the membrane 3 to deploy from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0110] The method comprises a subsequent step of raising the positioning system 30, while the pre-cutting device 1 remains stationary due to the pressure exerted by the filling material on the deployed membrane 3.

[0111] Then the filling material is allowed to solidify.

[0112] Advantageously, the steps for setting up another pre-cutting device are reproduced for another column.

[0113] As illustrated in the Figure 5c , for example after 24 hours, the method also comprises, once the filling material has solidified, a step of cutting off a portion of the column 50 extending to the pre-cutting device 1.

[0114] During this step, an operator manipulates a shovel, for example, to top the portion 52 of the column 50 which is flush with the ground surface, up to the pre-cutting device 1, otherwise called the column head.

[0115] The membrane 3 in the deployed position ensures the pre-cutting of the column during the hardening of the filling material in the column 50. Thus, the shovel applies an impact at the head of the column, which has the effect of breaking the head 52 of the column clearly at the level of the pre-cutting device 1.

[0116] Thus, the extraction of portion 52 ensures that the level is reached.

[0117] The present invention has multiple advantages.

[0118] The level of the level marked by the device 1 and obtained by the cutting back method according to the present invention is precise and is in line in particular with the execution tolerances imposed by the ASIRI recommendations. The precision obtained is of the order of a centimeter.

[0119] The overall cost of the work is reduced due to the precision of the indication of the level of the level, which avoids any reworking of the levels after the work.

[0120] Furthermore, material and human resources are also reduced.

[0121] The material resources simply require a single-use device 1, simple to manufacture and position in the column, and a mobile system 30, immediately reusable for each column on the site, possibly removable to allow easy rinsing.

[0122] A single operator is sufficient to carry out the descent into column 50 of system 30 equipped with device 1.

[0123] Furthermore, one of the major advantages of the pre-cutting device 1 is that it allows the creation of precise levelings at depths greater than 1 meter, or even 1.5 meters, which are impossible to achieve for rigid inclusion type columns with the known state of the art, as already explained.

Claims

1. Device for precutting a column for a floor, comprising a precutting means (2) configured so as to be movable in rotation around an axis substantially orthogonal to the precutting means, between a rest position and a precutting position, wherein the precutting means (2) comprises a membrane (3) that can be folded in the rest position and be deployed in the precutting position, the device further comprising a control member (9) for the deployment of the precutting means, and an element (12) configured to fasten the precutting means (2) to a system (30) for setting in place the device for precutting, the system (30) for setting in place the device for precutting comprising a portion for guiding (33) a displacement of the device for precutting (2) and an element for maintaining (32) the device for precutting during said displacement and wherein the element for maintaining (32) comprises a slot (39) configured to cooperate with the element for fastening (12) the precutting means (2) to the system (30) for setting in place the device for precutting (1).

2. Device for precutting according to claim 1, wherein the membrane (3) has the general shape of a disc or a half-disc in the deployed position.

3. Device for precutting according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a rigid structure (4) for the deployment of the membrane (3) from the folded position to the deployed position.

4. System for setting in place a device for precutting according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a portion for guiding (33) a displacement of the device for precutting (2) and an element for maintaining (32) the device for precutting during said displacement and wherein the element for maintaining (32) comprises a slot (39) configured to cooperate with said element for fastening (12) the precutting means (2) to the system (30) for setting in place the device for precutting (1).

5. System according to claim 4, comprising a means for driving (44) the control member of the device for precutting according to one of claims 1 to 3.

6. System according to claim 4 or 5, comprising a support frame of the guiding portion (33).

7. Method of coppicing a column for a floor comprising: - a step of displacing the device for precutting according to one of claims 1 to 3 in the column wherein a material intended to fill at least partially the column, referred to as filling material, is at least partially in a pasty form, with the device for precutting being maintained in the rest position; - a step of setting in place the device for precutting in the precutting position at a given depth of the column by rotating the precutting means from the rest position to the precutting position; and - once the filling material is solidified, a step of coppicing a portion of the column extending to the device for precutting.

8. Method of coppicing according to claim 7, wherein, during the step of displacing the device for precutting, the device for precutting is guided in the column by a system for setting in place according to one of claims 4 to 6.