System for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms composed by dome-shaped formwork elements supported on supporting tubes resting on a foundation or on a surface

Abstract

A system for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) which comprise dome-shaped formwork elements (2) supported on supporting tubes (8); the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform (1) comprises first and second interconnection means (10, 57), which communicate with each other, the first interconnection means (10) also communicating with the lower end (9) of the supporting tubes (8) so as to form a channeled receptacle (48), which rests on a foundation or on a surface (37), such channeled receptacle (48) being adapted to receive a concrete casting to form a beam for connection between the supporting tubes (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system adapted to contain a concrete casting for the formation of ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms composed by dome-shaped formwork elements supported on supporting tubes resting on a foundation or on a surface, which can be used for example in the construction and renovation of civil and industrial buildings, tanks for collecting and accumulating runoff rainwater, septic tanks, buried channels, honeycomb concrete beds, cold rooms or freezer rooms, pools, raised platforms, railway platforms or footpaths, plazas and terraced urban furnishing elements.

[0002] Nowadays it is known to provide ventilated crawl spaces and ventilated floors of great height using formwork elements that are substantially dome-shaped and made of plastic material, which are supported by tubes made of plastic material which, filled with concrete, constitute the floor or the floor slab of the foundation floor.

[0003] In conventional systems, the following type of installation is substantially used: a foundation or a floor is prepared with weak-mix concrete, then the tubes are laid, and the tubes are provided at the base with a closing foot so as not to allow the concrete to flow out during the pouring; it is also known to associate spacers with the feet, in order to ensure the correct distance between the feet and therefore that the tubes are perpendicular.

[0004] Then the dome-shaped formwork elements are laid above the tubes and then the installer proceeds to pour the floor slab with the concrete, which first will fill the tubes, and then will form the floor slab.

[0005] The floor slab will have the desired thickness and will be reinforced with metal mesh according to the specifications of the designer.

[0006] An example of this implementation is illustrated in EP1092816B1 which relates to a formwork for containing a concrete casting, adapted to form the resting plane for a floor, roofing or the like of a building, such formwork being constituted by stool-shaped elements, molded out of plastic material, which are joined to each other by overlapping their side edges and with which tubular elements are associated downwardly, which are placed vertically on the ground so as to increase the height of the formwork.

[0007] An additional, stool-shaped element is placed as a spacer between the lower ends of the tubular elements.

[0008] However, in constructing ventilated crawl spaces and ventilated floors of great height, static problems are encountered in the structure if it is not possible to couple the upper floor slab perimetrically to a bracing structure, or if there are unusual load conditions which transmit horizontal forces to the vertical supports, or if the height of the system is particularly high, all circumstances that make it necessary to have a coupling at the base of the vertical support, so as to reduce the free inflexion height.

[0009] An additional problem is represented by possible differential subsidences on which the tubular element of the system rests, owing to an inadequate mechanical quality of the soil or owing to forces stressing narrow areas of the structure.

[0010] As a partial solution to such drawbacks, it is possible to anchor the reinforcement of the columns, i.e. use chemical adhesives to fix the reinforcement of the columns to the underlying weak-mix concrete by perforating the weak-mix concrete, filling the holes with chemical adhesive, and inserting the reinforcement bars of the columns into the holes filled with chemical adhesive.

[0011] However, this operation is very expensive and complicated to execute on-site.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks, by devising a system for providing ventilated crawl spaces, ventilated floors and elevated platforms in general, which is constituted by dome-shaped formwork elements which are connected to each other via overlapping of the respective side edges and with which tubular elements are associated downwardly which are arranged vertically on the ground, so as to increase their height above the ground, such system making it possible to obtain a nascent concrete structure, known as a trellis, a grid or a lattice, which offers excellent static characteristics over time.

[0013] Within this aim an object of the present invention is to obtain a system that is low cost.

[0014] Another object is to provide a system that is simple to execute on-site.

[0015] Another object is to provide a system that is rapid and easy to execute even by persons with no specific training.

[0016] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) which comprise dome-shaped (3) formwork elements (2) supported on supporting tubes (8), characterized in that it comprises first and second interconnection means (10, 57), which communicate with each other, said first interconnection means (10) also communicating with the lower end (9) of said supporting tubes (8) so as to form a channeled receptacle (48), which rests on a foundation or on a surface (37) and is adapted to receive a concrete casting to form a beam for connection between said supporting tubes (8) and said first and second interconnection means (10, 57).

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a particular, but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform; Figure 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of a part of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the invention of the previous figure; Figure 4 is a view from above of the invention of the previous figure; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 4 with the partition inserted; Figure 7 is an exploded side view of the components in Figure 2; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a foot; Figure 9 is a first perspective view of the partition; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the partition; Figure 11 is a front elevation view of the partition; Figure 12 is a rear view of the partition; Figure 13 is a view from above of the partition; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a view from above of the foot; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII of Figure 15; Figures 18 and 19 are details of the previous figure; Figure 20 is a perspective view of the foot with the partition inserted.

[0018] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0019] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform used in the system for providing ventilated crawl spaces, ventilated floors, interspaces and elevated platforms in general, for example in the construction and renovation of civil and industrial buildings, tanks for collecting and accumulating runoff rainwater, septic tanks, buried channels, honeycomb concrete beds, cold rooms or freezer rooms, pools, raised platforms, railway platforms or footpaths, plazas and terraced urban furnishing elements.

[0020] The ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 thus obtained comprises a plurality of formwork elements 2, disposable, dome-shaped, conventional, and arranged in several rows in a matrix arrangement and made with suitable and selected materials, such as for example plastic material, and which advantageously are quadrilateral in plan view and are dome-shaped.

[0021] Such formwork elements 2 are therefore generally formed by a dome 3 that extends laterally and downward with four legs 4.

[0022] The legs 4 form four side arches, the edges of which are contoured to form a recess which is open upward, in order to allow the coupling by overlapping of contiguous dome-shaped formwork elements 2.

[0023] Each one of the legs 4 can, at the lower end 5, be associated with the edge 6 of the upper end 7 of a supporting tube 8 which is arranged vertically, and this supporting tube 8, which is disposable, is preferably circular in cross-section.

[0024] An example of this implementation is given in EP1092816B1.

[0025] The ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 comprises first interconnection means, associable with the lower end 9 of the supporting tubes 8 and communicating with them, which are constituted by feet 10, which are each constituted by a hollow body 12 comprising a base 11, which is flat and communicates with first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, which are cylindrical in shape and are arranged in pairs diametrically with respect to each other and therefore in pairs in axial alignment with each other so as to have, in plan view, a cross-shaped pattern, the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d communicating with an overlying fifth duct 13.

[0026] The diameters of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are mutually identical, concrete being poured into them.

[0027] The fifth duct 13 can have a desired diameter, which may be the same as or different from that of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

[0028] The first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the fifth duct 13 have substantially the same length.

[0029] Advantageously the base 11 is connected to the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and to the fifth duct 13 by means of adapted reinforcement ribs 14, which act preferably in regions adjacent to the connections between the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the fifth duct 13.

[0030] First appendages 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d protrude radially from the base 11 for further support of a foundation or a resting surface 37 for the entire ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1.

[0031] Adapted first holes 24 are obtainable on such first appendages 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d for interconnection, by means of adapted screws or nails, to the foundation or surface 37.

[0032] Advantageously, a step 52 is provided, in a chosen point, on the inner lateral surface of the fifth duct 13 and acts as a support for the lower end 9, insertable therein, of one of the supporting tubes 8.

[0033] The first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d arranged in a cross-shaped pattern can be potentially closed, in particular at the side of the feet 10 that is not directly connected to other feet 10, as in the case of the feet 10 located on the outer perimeter of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1, by means of adapted partitions 21 which are constituted by an arced front wall 22, with a width and height greater than the diameter of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

[0034] A cylindrical ridge 53 protrudes from the concave surface of the front wall 22 of the partition 21 and has a smaller diameter than the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d so as to make it possible to achieve an optimal hermetic connection for the concrete that will be poured.

[0035] Advantageously, two teeth 54 protrude axially at the inner perimetric edge of each of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d that lies substantially at the overlying fifth duct 13, and have a chosen shape and are arranged diametrically with respect to each other, as shown in Figure 16.

[0036] The two teeth 54 have a first function, which is to act as a blocking element during the insertion of the second interconnection means at one of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

[0037] The partition 21 has, at the cylindrical ridge 53, two notches 55, which are provided diametrically with respect to each other and are arranged so that the teeth 54 can be accommodated therein once the partition 21 has been inserted in one of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

[0038] Advantageously, one or more elastically deformable claws 56 protrude from the concave surface of the front wall 22 of the partition 21, in a region below each of the notches 55, and have an axial extension such as to allow snap interconnection with the teeth 54, which have a second function, which is to obtain an optimum interconnection of the partitions with the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0039] The ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 comprises second interconnection means, associable with each foot 10, which are constituted by a tube 57 of such dimensions as to make it possible to mutually interconnect two of the feet 10 which are mutually adjacent.

[0040] It should be noted that the center distance created between two mutually contiguous feet 10 with which a tube 57 is associated is exactly the same as the center distance of the overlying formwork 2 supported by the supporting tubes 8 the lower ends 9 of which are interconnected with the feet 10.

[0041] In other words, the supporting tubes 8 are perfectly vertical.

[0042] Once the first and second interconnection means, constituted by the feet 10 and the tube 57, are installed, and thus when the lower ends 9 of the supporting tubes 8 are associated with the fifth ducts 13 of the feet 10 and the tubes 57 are associated with the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the feet 10, a channeled receptacle 48 is defined which communicates also with the various upper ends 7 of the supporting tubes 8 with which the dome-shaped formwork elements 2 are associated.

[0043] Each channeled receptacle 48 therefore extends within each supporting tube 8, each foot 10 and the tubes 57.

[0044] Thus, the tube 57 mutually connects two of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d arranged mutually adjacent and in mutual axial alignment, so as to define, together with the positioning of the supporting tubes 8 at the fifth ducts 13, the shape structure that allows, together with the coupling of the formwork elements 2 to the edge 6 of the upper end 7 of a supporting tube 8 and with the pouring of concrete, the formation of the concrete structure of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1.

[0045] In the condition in which a tube 57 is associated with one of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, as shown in Figure 16, a clearance 58 can be defined between one end of the tube 57 and the teeth 54.

[0046] Such clearance 58 is obtained by cutting one of the ends of the tube 57 by the desired extent.

[0047] There are furthermore second holes 59, provided in the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d on the opposite side with respect to the base 11, which allow the installer to visualize the placement of the ends of the tubes 57 within the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

[0048] The method of assembly of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 is the following: initially the feet 10 are placed on the foundation or surface 37.

[0049] Subsequently a tube 57 is positioned between two adjacent feet 10, at at least two of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

[0050] Subsequently the duct, of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, that is not affected by the tube 57, is closed by means of a partition 21.

[0051] The partitions 21, where necessary, are inserted from above and from within the feet 10, where they are guided into the correct position for closing the desired duct of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d by virtue of the shape of the front wall 22, which is arced, and by virtue of the presence of the teeth 54, the notches 55, and the claws 56.

[0052] Subsequently the supporting tubes 8 are positioned at the fifth ducts 13, which are directed upward, of the feet 10 on which the dome-shaped formwork elements 2 will be placed.

[0053] In the final step, the concrete is poured at the channeled receptacle 48 thus obtained.

[0054] For the pouring, a fluid concrete with inert materials of a suitable particle size distribution must be used, so that the channeled receptacles 48 are completely filled and as a consequence the connecting beams between the columns determined by the supporting tubes 8 are formed downwardly, resting on the foundation or surface 37.

[0055] Thus it has been found that the device 1 has achieved the intended aim and objects, a system having been obtained for providing ventilated crawl spaces and ventilated floors, which is constituted by dome-shaped formwork elements which are connected to each other via overlapping of the respective side edges and with which tubular elements are associated downwardly which are arranged vertically on the ground, so as to increase their height above the ground, such system making it possible to obtain a nascent concrete structure, known as a trellis, a grid or a lattice, which offers excellent static characteristics over time.

[0056] The connecting beam that is obtained in fact, by virtue of the channeled receptacle 48 which rests on the foundation or surface 37 and which also affects the supporting tubes 8, makes it possible to achieve excellent static characteristics over time.

[0057] The system thus provided is low cost and is simple to execute on-site.

[0058] The invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0059] Naturally the materials used as well as the dimensions of the individual components of the invention may be more pertinent to specific requirements.

[0060] The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.

[0061] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000015502 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0062] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A system for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) which comprise dome-shaped formwork elements (2) supported on supporting tubes (8), characterized in that it comprises first and second interconnection means (10, 57), which communicate with each other, said first interconnection means (10) also communicating with the lower end (9) of said supporting tubes (8) so as to form a channeled receptacle (48), which rests on a foundation or on a surface (37) and is adapted to receive a concrete casting to form a beam for connection between said supporting tubes (8) and said first and second interconnection means (10, 57).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first interconnection means, associable with the lower end (9) of said supporting tubes (8) and communicating with them, are constituted by feet (10), which are each constituted by a hollow body (12) comprising a base (11), which is flat and communicates with first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d), which are cylindrical in shape and are arranged in pairs diametrically with respect to each other and therefore in pairs in axial alignment with each other so as to have, in plan view, a cross-shaped pattern, said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) communicating with an overlying fifth duct (13), said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) being mutually identical and having substantially the same length, concrete being poured into them.

3. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center distance between two of said feet (10), interconnected with said tube (57), corresponds to the center distance between said formwork elements (2) and said corresponding supporting tubes (8) in which said lower ends (9) are interconnected with said feet (10).

4. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (11) is connected to said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) and to said fifth duct (13) by means of adapted reinforcement ribs (14), which substantially act in regions adjacent to the connections between said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) and said fifth duct (13), first appendages (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) protruding radially from said base (11) for further support of a foundation or a resting surface (37) for the entire ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform (1), first holes (24) being obtainable on said first appendages (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) for interconnection, by means of adapted screws or nails, to said foundation or surface (37).

5. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a step (52) is provided, in a chosen point, on the inner lateral surface of said fifth duct (13) and acts as a support for said lower end (9), insertable therein, of one of said supporting tubes (8).

6. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) arranged in a cross-shaped pattern can be closed selectively, in particular at the side of said feet (10) that is not directly connected to other feet (10), as in the case of said feet (10) located on the outer perimeter of said ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform (1), by means of partitions (21) which are constituted by an arced front wall (22), with a width and height greater than the diameter of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d).

7. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cylindrical ridge (53) protrudes from the concave surface of the front wall (22) of said partition (21) and has a smaller diameter than said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) so as to make it possible to achieve a hermetic connection for the concrete that will be poured.

8. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that two teeth (54) protrude axially at the inner perimetric edge of each of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) that lies substantially at said overlying fifth duct (13) and have a chosen shape and are arranged diametrically with respect to each other, said teeth (54) having a first function, which is to act as a blocking element during the insertion of said second interconnection means (57) at one of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d).

9. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said partition (21) has, at said cylindrical ridge (53), two notches (55), which are provided diametrically with respect to each other and are arranged so that said teeth (54) can be accommodated therein once said partition (21) has been inserted in one of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d).

10. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more elastically deformable claws (56) protrude from said concave surface of said front wall (22) of said partition (21), in a region below each of said notches (55), and have an axial extension such as to allow snap interconnection with said teeth (54), which have a second function, which is to obtain an interconnection of said partitions (21) with said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d).

11. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second interconnection means, associable with each of said feet (10), are constituted by a tube (57) of such dimensions as to make it possible to mutually interconnect two of said feet (10) which are mutually adjacent.

12. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that once said first and second interconnection means, constituted by said feet (10) and said tube (57), are installed, and thus when said lower ends (9) of said supporting tubes (8) are associated with said fifth ducts (13) of said feet (10) and said tubes (57) are associated with said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) of said feet (10), a channeled receptacle (48) is defined which communicates also with the upper ends (7) of said supporting tubes (8) with which said formwork elements (2) are associated, each of said channeled receptacles (48) extending within each of said supporting tubes (8) of each one of said feet (10) and of said tubes (57).

13. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tube (57) mutually connects two of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) arranged mutually adjacent and in mutual axial alignment, so as to define, together with the positioning of said supporting tubes (8) at said fifth ducts (13), the shape structure that allows, together with the coupling of said formwork elements (2) to the edge (6) of the upper end (7) of a supporting tube (8) and with the pouring of concrete, the formation of the concrete structure of said ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform (1), which comprises the formation of a beam for connection between said supporting tubes (8).

14. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the condition in which one of said tubes (57) is associated with one of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d), a clearance (58) is defined between one end of said tube (57) and said teeth (54), said clearance (58) being obtained by cutting one of said ends of said tube (57) by the desired extent.

15. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises second holes (59), provided in said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) on the opposite side with respect to said base (11), which allow the installer to visualize the placement of the ends of said tubes (57) arranged within said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d).

16. A method of assembling said ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - initially said feet (10) are placed on said foundation or surface (37), - one of said tubes (57) is positioned between two of said feet (10) which are adjacent, at at least two of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d), - the duct, of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d), that is not affected by one of said tubes (57) is closed by means of one of said partitions (21), - said partitions (21), where necessary, are inserted from above and from within said feet (10), where they are guided into the correct position for closing the desired duct of said first four ducts (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d) by the shape of said front wall (22), which is arced, and by the presence of said teeth (54) and by said notches (55) and by said claws (56), - said supporting tubes (8) are positioned at said fifth ducts (13), which are directed upward, of the feet 10 on which said dome-shaped formwork elements (2) will be placed, - the concrete is poured at said channeled receptacle (48) thus obtained.

17. Ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that they comprise first and second interconnection means (10, 57), which communicate with each other, said first interconnection means (10) also communicating with the lower end (9) of said supporting tubes (8) so as to form a channeled receptacle (48), which rests on a foundation or on a surface (37) and is adapted to receive a concrete casting to form a beam for connection between said supporting tubes (8) and said first and second interconnection means (10, 57).

18. Ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center distance between two of said feet (10), interconnected with said tube (57), corresponds to the center distance between said formwork elements (2) and said corresponding supporting tubes (8) in which said lower ends (9) are interconnected with said feet (10).

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