Lattice-like supporting structure made of used skis

Abstract

The invention relates to a lattice-like supporting structure comprising two longitudinal members (L1, L2) spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by pairs of cross-shaped beams (C1-C5). Each beam comprises two skis extending opposite each other on either side of two crosspieces which are spaced apart along these skis, as well as two fixing means such as bolts each passing through a crosspiece and the two skis to clamp them. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Lattice-like supporting structure made from used skis Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a structural element formed from lattice beams, intended for example to constitute part of a framework supporting a roof. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] The invention relates to the manufacture of a so-called lattice-like supporting structure, i.e. formed from several beams arranged in a pattern similar to that of a lattice to provide appropriate mechanical strength.

[0003] Such a structure may be part of a framework supporting a roof, being supported by each of its ends on a load-bearing wall, and supporting a portion of the roof at its upper part.

[0004] Such structures can be manufactured by assembling wooden beams, by assembling mechanically welded metal beams, and they can also be manufactured from concrete.

[0005] Despite the optimization of manufacturing processes, it turns out that the cost of manufacturing such structures remains significant.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to provide a solution enabling such a structure to be manufactured at lower cost. Statement of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a lattice-like supporting structure comprising two longitudinal members spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by pairs of beams arranged in a cross, characterized in that each beam comprises two skis extending opposite each other on either side of two spacers which are spaced apart along these skis, as well as two fixing means such as bolts each passing through a spacer and the two skis to clamp them.

[0008] The invention thus makes it possible to create a very low-cost lattice structure since it incorporates used skis to form its beams, instead of using wooden or concrete beams that need to be manufactured specifically for the structure. The invention thus makes it possible to reuse used skis instead of throwing them away or attempting to recycle them, and it also makes it possible to use skis of different dimensions, so that it is adaptable to any stock of used skis so as to further reduce the manufacturing cost, both financial and environmental.

[0009] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, in which the fixing means are threaded rods with nuts or bolts.

[0010] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, in which each spar is formed of several beams connected by their ends, two connected beams comprising a common spacer with a fixing means passing through this spacer and four skis.

[0011] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, comprising an odd number of pairs of beams arranged in a cross.

[0012] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, comprising several pairs of beams arranged in a cross, and in which each pair of beams arranged in a cross comprises beams having an inclination relative to the side members which is all the higher the closer this pair of beams arranged in a cross is to one end of the side member.

[0013] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, in which the intersections of two pairs of beams arranged in consecutive crosses are spaced apart by a distance that is all the smaller the closer these two pairs of consecutive crosses are to one end of the spar.

[0014] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, comprising at least one additional beam connecting the intersection of a pair of beams arranged in a cross to a spar.

[0015] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, comprising reinforced beams, each reinforced beam comprising four skis arranged to comprise two skis on each side of the spacers.

[0016] The invention also relates to a structure thus defined, in which one of the side members comprises reinforced beams, and in which each pair of beams arranged in a cross contiguous to one side member end comprises a reinforced beam connected to the end of the lower side member. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of the structure according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] is a front view of the structure according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a pair of skis used for the structure according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a beam of the structure according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.5] is a partial view of the assembly of two ski ends with a spacer;

[0022] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a spar of the structure according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.7] is a partial view showing the assembly of four ski ends with a spacer;

[0024] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of a pair of beams arranged in a cross arrangement in accordance with the invention;

[0025] [Fig.9] is a partial view showing the connection of a pair of cross-arranged beams to a lower spar beam;

[0026] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a structure according to the invention having overlapping crosses;

[0027] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of a structure according to the invention having crosses spaced apart from each other;

[0028] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a structure according to the invention comprising an additional beam reinforcing its central portion;

[0029] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of a reinforced beam of the structure according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig. 14] is a perspective view of a structure according to the invention reinforced by doubling the skis of certain beams;

[0031] [Fig. 15] is a perspective view of a structure according to the invention in which the side members are wooden beams.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In Figures 1 and 2, a lattice-like supporting structure 1 comprises an upper spar L1, a lower spar L2, connected to each other by five pairs of beams arranged in a cross, identified by C1-C5, and by two lateral uprights M1 and M2.

[0034] The side members L1 and L2 are here rectilinear and parallel to each other, and each lateral upright is perpendicular to these side members, being located at one end of the structure, and having each of its ends connected to one end of a side member. The assembly formed by the two side members L1, L2 and the two lateral uprights M1, M2 thus delimits a rectangular arrangement.

[0035] This structure is obtained by the assembly of eighteen beams identified by P, which form its side members, as well as its lateral uprights M1, M2 and the crosses C1-C5, and which are here arranged to constitute a so-called Town lattice (as opposed to a so-called Pratt lattice arrangement). It is thus a triangulated structure in which the beams are essentially subjected to normal forces, that is to say tensile or compressive forces.

[0036] As visible in [Fig.l], this structure is suitable for constituting, for example, a part of a frame to support a roof, being intended to be supported on its two ends to carry a roof element at the level of its upper spar.

[0037] Each beam P comprises a pair of used skis, such as the skis marked 2 and 3 in [Fig. 3], the tips of which, i.e. the curved front ends, are previously cut as illustrated in broken lines, so as to constitute substantially flat elements which can be geometrically similar to boards. A pair of used skis is a pair of skis considered no longer usable for skiing, intended to be thrown away or destroyed.

[0038] As shown schematically in [Fig.4], the two skis 2 and 3 are arranged opposite each other so that their soles face each other, while being on either side of two spacers E. These two spacers E are located at a distance from each other along the skis, one being at their front end and the other at their rear end. These spacers E are for example parallelepiped blocks of wood obtained by cutting a wooden beam.

[0039] The joining of two skis 2 and 3 to a spacer E is ensured with a fixing means B which passes through the spacer and the skis to grip them. As illustrated in [Fig.5], the assembly formed by the ends of the skis 2 and 3 as well as the spacer E are previously drilled, to be crossed by a threaded rod 4. Two washers 6 are then engaged at each end of the threaded rod 4 protruding from the external faces of the skis 2 and 3, after which two nuts 7 are screwed at each end of the rod 4, then tightened, so as to firmly grip the assembly. Thus, in the example of the figures, the fixing means B are threaded rods associated with washers and nuts, but bolts can also be used.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig.6], the spar L2 is formed of several beams, here three beams PI, P2 and P3, which are connected to each other by their ends. As visible in [Fig.7], the ends of two beams such as the connected beams PI and P2 share the same spacer E: the ends of the four skis forming these two beams extend on either side of the spacer E, and the threaded rod 4 passes through the spacer E as well as the four ski ends.

[0041] In the same way as in the example of [Fig.5], a pair of nuts and washers are used to clamp the assembly. Thus, and as visible in [Fig.6], the central beam P2 of the spar L2 shares its two crosspieces E with the beams PI and P3 to which it is connected by its ends. The other spar, namely the spar L1 is manufactured in the same way as the spar L2.

[0042] As indicated above, the two side members L1 and L2 are connected to each other by pairs of cross-shaped beams C1-C5. As can be seen in [Fig.8], the pair of cross-shaped beams C2 comprises two beams P4 and P5 of the same type as the beam P of [Fig.4], i.e. formed of two skis enclosing two spacers E located at their ends.

[0043] These two beams P4 and P5 are arranged in a cross, that is to say that they cross in their centers. Optionally, an additional spacer E (not shown) can be added at the level of the crossing of the four skis forming these two beams, and crossed by a fixing means according to an arrangement of the same type as that of [Fig.7]. The addition of such a central spacer makes it possible to increase the buckling resistance of structure 1.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig.9], the connection of the pair of beams arranged in a cross C2 to the beam PI of the lower spar L2 consists of placing the two spacers E of the lower ends of the beams P4 and P5 between the skis of the beam PI, and placing the lower ends of the skis of the beams P4 and P5 on either side of the skis of the beam PL

[0045] Once the assembly is positioned, an additional spacer and the two pairs of skis located on either side of it are drilled. A fixing means such as a threaded rod can then be engaged in the drilling to pass through the spacer and the two pairs of skis which surround it. The corresponding washers and nuts are then engaged at the ends of this threaded rod, before tightening the assembly to secure the end of the beam P4 to the beam PL

[0046] This assembly is thus of the same type as that of [Fig.7], and the same procedure is used with the spacer at the end of beam PI to secure the end of beam P5 to beam PL.

[0047] The same applies to the fixing of cross C1 to beam P1, and to the fixing of crosses C4 and C5 to beam P3. The fixing of the central cross C3 to beam P2 is ensured in a similar manner, but without adding spacers, using the spacers by which this beam P2 is connected to beams P1 and P3.

[0048] As will have been understood, the lower spar L2 is shown in [Fig.6] with only the spacers E ensuring the connection of the beams PI to P3 which constitute it, but the fixing of the crosses C1-C5 to this spar L2 results here in the addition of two other spacers.

[0049] The fixing of the crosses C1-C5 to the upper spar L1 is ensured in the same way. As visible in the figures, the spacers which are at the vertices of the rectangle delimited by the spars and the lateral uprights are clamped by two pairs of skis, and the others by three pairs according to an assembly of the same type as that of [Fig.7].

[0050] In the figures, the structure presented as an example of implementation of the invention is a rectangular structure, that is to say one whose upper and lower beams are rectilinear. But the invention applies to other forms of load-bearing structures, such as for example a roof ridge structure, in which the upper beam is formed of two rectilinear sections arranged according to a circumflex accent, the lower beam then remaining rectilinear. The upper beam can also have an arcuate shape.

[0051] Furthermore, in the example of the figures, the structure comprises five crosses, but the number of crosses is in practice conditioned by the dimensioning of the structure, that is to say the load that it must support.

[0052] Depending on the dimensioning, the crosses can be contiguous as in the example of figures 1 and 2, but they can also overlap as in the example of [Fig. 10] which has seven crosses whose ends partially overlap, to provide greater mechanical strength.

[0053] The crosses can also be spaced apart from each other, as in the example of [Fig.l 1] showing a structure with three crosses whose ends are spaced apart from each other along the side members to which they are fixed, to constitute a lighter structure having less mechanical strength which can be adapted to certain situations.

[0054] In this context, it is important to emphasize that mechanical simulations show that for comparable mass, a structure comprising an odd number of crosses, i.e. comprising a central cross, has better mechanical strength than a structure comprising an even number of crosses.

[0055] As regards the spacing of the crosses and their inclination, numerical simulations show on the one hand that the mechanical strength is increased when the distance separating the crosses increases from the lateral uprights towards the centre of the structure, and on the other hand that it also increases when the inclination of the crosses relative to the lower spar decreases from the lateral uprights towards the centre of the structure.

[0056] This is the case in the example of the figures: referring to [Fig.2], the distance dl separating the center of the cross C1 from the center of the cross C2 is less than the distance d2 separating the cross C2 from the cross C3. The same applies to the distances separating the crosses C3-C5, given that the structure is symmetrical with respect to a median plane which is normal to the side members L1 and L2 and located at mid-length thereof.

[0057] Similarly, referring to [Fig.2], the inclination of the beams of each cross decreases from the side uprights towards the centre of the structure. The inclination il of the beams of cross C1 relative to the lower beam L2 is greater than the inclination i2 of the beams of cross C2, which is greater than the inclination i3 of the beams of cross C3. The same applies to the inclinations of crosses C4-C5 given the symmetry of the structure relative to its median plane.

[0058] As regards increasing the mechanical strength of the structure, it is also possible to add additional beams connecting the centers of the crosses to the upper spar. This is the case in the example of [Fig.12], in which an additional beam P6 has been provided, which connects the center of the central cross C3 to the middle of the central beam of the upper spar LL. This beam P6 is also formed of two skis, a spacer E being added to the center of the cross, and another to the center of the upper spar Ll. The beam P6 can be formed from two skis, but it can also be a wooden beam.

[0059] The increase in the mechanical strength of the structure can also be obtained by reinforcing some of its constituent beams by constituting them, as in the example of [Fig.13], from two pairs of skis 2, 3, 2', 3' enclosing two spacers E, instead of a single pair.

[0060] In this context, numerical simulations show that it is appropriate to reinforce the beams of the upper spar L1, and the two beams of the end crosses, namely the crosses C1 and C5, which are connected to the ends of the lower spar L2. To this end, [Fig. 14] shows a structure of the same type as that of Figures 1 and 2, but in which the upper spar L1 only comprises doubled beams, and in which the beams marked P7 and P8 of the end crosses are also doubled.

[0061] Furthermore, in the examples of figures 1 to 10, the side members are formed from beams made of skis, but it is also possible as illustrated in [Fig. 15] to provide a structure in which the side members, identified by L1' and L2' are made of wood, and in which it is essentially the crosses which are formed from used skis.

[0062] As can be seen from the figures, taking into account in particular the inclinations of the cross beams which may differ from one another, the invention makes it possible to use skis of different lengths, which further facilitates the manufacture of a structure since it does not imply a draconian requirement with regard to the lengths of skis to be used.

Claims

Claims

1. A lattice-like supporting structure (1) comprising two longitudinal members (L1, L2) spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by pairs of cross-arranged beams (C1-C5), each beam (P, P1-P5) comprising at least two skis (2, 3) extending opposite each other on either side of two crosspieces (E) which are spaced apart along these skis (2, 3), as well as two fixing means (B) such as bolts each passing through a crosspiece (E) and the two skis (2, 3) to clamp them, this structure (1) comprising reinforced beams (P7, P8), each reinforced beam (P7, P8) comprising four skis arranged to comprise two skis on each side of the crosspieces (E).

2. Structure according to claim 1, in which the fixing means are threaded rods (4) with nuts (7) or bolts.

3. Structure according to claim 1, in which each spar (L1, L2) is formed of several beams (P1-P3) connected by their ends, two connected beams comprising a common spacer (E) with a fixing means (B) passing through this spacer (E) and four skis.

4. Structure according to claim 1, comprising an odd number of pairs of beams arranged in a cross (C1-C5).

5. A structure according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of pairs of cross-arranged beams (C1-C5), and wherein each pair of cross-arranged beams (C1-C5) comprises beams having an inclination (il-i3) relative to the side members (L1, L2) which is higher the closer this pair of cross-arranged beams (Cl-C5) is to a side member end.

6. Structure according to claim 1, in which the intersections of two pairs of beams arranged in a cross (C1-C5) are spaced apart by a distance (dl, d2) which is all the smaller the closer these two pairs of consecutive crosses are to a spar end.

7. Structure according to claim 1, comprising at least one additional beam (P6) connecting the intersection of a pair of cross-arranged beams (C3) to a spar (L1).

8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein one of the side members (L1, L2) comprises reinforced beams, and wherein each pair of cross-arranged beams (Cl, C5) adjacent to one end of a spar (Ll, L2) comprises a reinforced beam (P7, P8) connected to the end of the lower spar.

Images