Connecting connector intended to link together the first and second elements of a structure.

Abstract

Connecting connector (1) intended to link together first and second elements (2, 3) of a structure (100), the connector comprising a rod (10) having longitudinal fibers (11) extending over the entire length of the rod and a connecting material (12) linking these longitudinal fibers (11) together, the connector comprising at least one overmolded sleeve (13) around at least one longitudinal portion of the rod. The overmolded sleeve (13) has an external peripheral surface with external shapes (13x) distributed along the sleeve (13) and extending transversely with respect to the rod. The rod (10) has a plurality of external ridges (10x) against which the sleeve (13) is overmolded. These external ridges (10x) are distributed around the rod (10) and along the sleeve (13). These external ridges (10x) resist the movement of the sleeve (13) relative to the rod (10). (Figure from the summary: Fig. 4c)

Description

Title of the invention: Connecting connector intended to link together first and second elements of a structure.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of connecting connectors intended to link together first and second elements of a work, the work being for example a building or a work of art.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known to connect the first and second elements of a work together using reinforcement-type connectors in order to form a work, that is to say a construction for example a building or a work of art.

[0004] It is thus possible to link the walls of a wall together or walls together or a wall and a slab.

[0005] These first and second structural elements are generally molded one after the other and are generally made of concrete around reinforcement-type connectors to create a mechanical link between the first and second structural elements.

[0006] These reinforcements are of complex shapes and dimensions since they are generally adapted to the overall shapes and dimensions of the work to be obtained.

[0007] Moreover, these connecting connectors are generally made of steel and are susceptible to corrosion.

[0008] Over time, oxidation of the connectors can lead to bursting, cracking of the structural elements, which compromises the longevity of the structure.

[0009] To limit the risk of corrosion of the connectors, connectors have been proposed having a composite rod type stem, i.e. a stem having longitudinal fibers extending over the entire length of the stem and a bonding material linking these longitudinal fibers together.

[0010] This type of connecting connector generally includes at least one overmolded sleeve around at least one longitudinal portion of the rod to serve as a force distribution interface between the rod, which has a reduced external surface area, and the construction element in which the connector is anchored.

[0011] The sleeve forms a connecting interface between the rod and the construction element, this sleeve greatly improving the distribution of forces along the rod and the distribution of forces in the construction element.

[0012] It would be useful to develop a linking connector intended to link together first and second elements of a structure and exhibiting improved pull-out resistance.

[0013] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a linking connector solving at least some of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0015] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a connecting connector is proposed for linking together first and second elements of a structure, the connector comprising a rod, the rod comprising longitudinal fibers extending over the entire length of the rod and a connecting material linking these longitudinal fibers together, the connector comprising at least one sleeve overmolded around at least one longitudinal portion of the rod.

[0016] This link connector is essentially characterized in that: - the overmolded sleeve has an external peripheral surface with external shapes distributed along the sleeve and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the stem; and in that - the stem has a plurality of external reliefs against which the sleeve is overmolded, these external reliefs being distributed around the stem and along the sleeve, each of these external reliefs of the stem opposing any relative movement of the sleeve with respect to the stem.

[0017] The combination of the external shapes of the sleeve distributed along the sleeve with the plurality of external reliefs of the rod against which the sleeve is overmolded and which are also distributed around the rod and along the sleeve, allows for an increased capacity for transmitting forces between the rod and the construction element via the sleeve.

[0018] Indeed, the external shapes of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rod make it possible to form, all around the sleeve and along the sleeve, support areas to exert tensile forces along the longitudinal direction of the rod between the sleeve and the construction element.

[0019] The distribution, along the sleeve, of the forces exerted outside the overmolded sleeve and inside the overmolded sleeve helps to minimize the internal stresses in the sleeve, and helps to distribute the stresses at the interface between the rod and the sleeve.

[0020] The risk of destruction of the sleeve due to excessive internal stresses is thus minimized since the forces exerted on the sleeve, inside and outside the sleeve, are distributed around the rod and along the sleeve.

[0021] The risk of the rod being pulled away from the sleeve is drastically reduced by the presence of the ridges of the rod which are distributed along the sleeve and against which the sleeve is overmolded.

[0022] Preferably, said reliefs of the stem have respective heights greater than 1 tenth of a millimeter, preferably greater than 5 tenths of a millimeter.

[0023] For example, a given relief of the stem consisting of a grain of sand with a grain size of 1mm will have a height greater than 2 tenths of a millimeter if the grain of sand is embedded 0.8 tenths of a millimeter in the bonding material, the 2 tenths of a millimeter of height of the given relief corresponding to the height of the part of the grain of sand which is available to be put in contact with the material of the sleeve.

[0024] In the case where the given relief is constituted by a groove or a striation formed on the stem, the height of this given relief will correspond to the depth of the groove or striation available to be put in contact with the material of the overmolded sleeve.

[0025] Preferably, a given relief formed by a groove or a striation will be manufactured so as to have a height greater than 1 tenth of a millimeter, preferably greater than 5 tenths of a millimeter, preferably greater than 1 mm.

[0026] The sleeve can thus be securely anchored in a structural element, either directly or indirectly via a socket, as will be described below, and it can resist being pulled away from the structural element).

[0027] The connector according to the invention can be used to link together: - a first structural element such as a wall, slab, balcony, load-bearing column, load-bearing beam, precast wall panel, sandwich wall panel, building cladding panel, bridge deck, or you evening; and - a second structural element such as a wall or slab or balcony or load-bearing post or load-bearing beam or wall of a precast wall or wall of a sandwich wall or wall of a building cladding or bridge deck or you evening.

[0028] Preferably the work is a building but it could also be a work of art.

[0029] According to a first application, a plurality of connectors according to the invention can be integrated into a building's chaining system to connect them together: - the first and second structural elements of a building, such as load-bearing walls (the structure in this case being a building); or - a first structural element of the type load-bearing wall of a building with a second structural element of the type load-bearing slab or column or balcony or load-bearing beam (the structure here is a building).

[0030] According to a second application, a plurality of connectors according to the invention can be used to connect together the walls of the same building wall, which is a precast wall or a sandwich wall, these walls being able, where appropriate, to be kept apart from each other by means of this plurality of connectors according to the invention.

[0031] According to a third application, a plurality of connectors according to the invention can be used to connect a building cladding to a building wall and / or to a building post and / or to a building beam.

[0032] This variety of applications of the connector according to the invention is possible thanks to the ability of the connector according to the invention to transmit, via its sleeve, significant tensile forces as well as significant bending forces between the first and second elements that it connects to each other.

[0033] Indeed, significant tensile forces can be transmitted along the longitudinal direction of the rod because they can pass through the fibers of the rod which extend continuously from one end of the rod to the other, these fibers being linked together by the bonding material encompassing these fibers over the entire length of the rod.

[0034] Furthermore, the external reliefs of the rod against which the sleeve is overmolded form an interface between the rod and the sleeve which makes it possible to distribute the mechanical forces between the rod and the sleeve over a large area extending on the one hand all around the rod and on the other hand along the sleeve.

[0035] The combination of distributed reliefs and overmolding of the sleeve makes it possible to increase the capacity for transmitting forces between the rod and the sleeve.

[0036] The capacity to transmit forces between the connector and the structural element is much greater than that which would be allowed by a simple composite rod with a straight cylindrical section.

[0037] As indicated above, the sleeve makes it possible to increase the surface area of ​​force distribution from the connector to the structural element while having a strong adhesion between the sleeve and the rod.

[0038] The connecting connector according to the invention can be simply dimensioned to be adapted to the forces that one wishes to transmit between the structural elements.

[0039] Thus, the section and number of longitudinal fibers, the surface area and number of ridges of the stem in contact with the sleeve and the external shape of the sleeve can be adjusted.

[0040] The connecting link according to the invention is inexpensive to produce because the rod can be easily manufactured by pultrusion and because the overmolding of the sleeve can be easily carried out with inexpensive materials.

[0041] According to a particular embodiment of the connector according to the invention possibly combined with other embodiments, at least some of said external reliefs of the stem are made up of grains of sand.

[0042] This embodiment provides excellent adhesion between the sleeve and the stem while minimizing the thickness of these raised areas. This embodiment saves material and therefore reduces production costs. connector without compromising its mechanical strength.

[0043] According to another particular embodiment of the connector according to the invention possibly combined with other embodiments, at least some of said reliefs are constituted by annular grooves in the stem, these grooves being preferably made by machining the external surface of the stem.

[0044] This embodiment has the advantage of having, along the length of the sleeve, a succession of sleeve portions in mechanical contact in the succession of annular grooves.

[0045] The penetration depth of the sleeve portions into the grooves is here greater than the average height of a grain of sand.

[0046] Thus, annular grooves (which are distinct from each other), although more complex to produce than the deposition of sand grains, can be useful at least in some cases to increase the pull-out resistance forces of the sleeve vis-à-vis the rod.

[0047] According to another particular embodiment of the connector according to the invention possibly combined with other embodiments, said external forms distributed along the sleeve and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod are constituted by a male thread formed at the periphery of the sleeve.

[0048] Such a male thread is a strong, space-saving and inexpensive way of achieving the external shapes distributed along the sleeve.

[0049] The sleeve can then be screwed, preferably into a socket provided for this purpose, to allow its anchoring via the socket in the structural element.

[0050] As a result, the position of the sleeve and the rod are easily adjustable relative to the structural element while allowing reversibility of the sleeve anchoring.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the connector according to the invention also includes a connection socket intended to be at least partially placed in said first element of work in order to be anchored therein.

[0052] This socket has a passage having internal shapes complementary to said external shapes of the sleeve, the connector selectively adopting a disassembled configuration in which the socket and the sleeve are away from each other and an assembled configuration in which the sleeve is assembled in the passage of the socket.

[0053] The internal and external shapes are arranged so that the passage of the connector between the assembled and disassembled configurations is achieved by a displacement movement of the sleeve relative to the socket, combining at least one translational movement of the sleeve relative to the socket along the direction longitudinal movement of the rod and at least rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the bushing around the longitudinal direction of the rod.

[0054] Typically, the internal and external forms can form a bayonet fastening system in which the assembly of the sleeve in the socket is done first by a translational movement of the sleeve along the longitudinal direction of the rod and then by a rotational movement of the sleeve around the longitudinal direction of the rod.

[0055] This first embodiment has the advantage of allowing quick assembly of the sleeve in the socket, which speeds up the assembly.

[0056] However, this embodiment remains more cumbersome and less mechanically resistant than a screw and nut type assembly.

[0057] Alternatively, the internal and external forms can form a screw-nut type fastening system in which the assembly of the sleeve in the socket is done by a movement combining simultaneously the translation and rotation of the sleeve relative to the socket along the longitudinal direction of the rod.

[0058] This type of screw and nut assembly is less bulky and more mechanically resistant than the bayonet assembly, but it takes longer to implement (the screwing time is generally longer than the bayonet assembly).

[0059] In the preferred embodiment where the external forms distributed along the sleeve are constituted by a male thread, the internal passage of the sleeve then has a female thread complementary to said male thread, the rod being thus fixed in the sleeve by screwing the sleeve into the internal passage of the sleeve.

[0060] In a particular embodiment the male thread can be a quarter turn type thread which allows the assembly between the sleeve and the socket to be carried out by screwing following a quarter turn.

[0061] Optionally, said bonding material connecting the longitudinal fibers together is a thermoplastic polymer material that may contain polyamide resin.

[0062] Optionally, the sleeve is made of the same material as the bonding material connecting the longitudinal fibers together.

[0063] Optionally, the material constituting the sleeve is loaded with short fibers such as glass fibers.

[0064] Optionally, said longitudinal fibers are prestressed in tension along the longitudinal direction of the rod.

[0065] Optionally, said external forms distributed along the sleeve and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod are constituted by a male thread formed at the periphery of the sleeve.

[0066] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a connecting connector according to any one of the embodiments described or claimed herein request.

[0067] This process according to the invention comprises manufacturing the rod by pultrusion, the reliefs of the rod being constituted by grains of sand applied before cross-linking said bonding material connecting said longitudinal fibers together, the sleeve being overmolded against at least some of said grains of sand constituting said reliefs.

[0068] Optionally, according to this method, the sleeve is molded using a mold surrounding a part of the rod and having, during the molding of the sleeve, a first end of the mold coming into tight contact against a first circular groove of the rod to achieve a first seal all around the rod at the location of this first groove.

[0069] Optionally, according to this method, during the molding of the sleeve, a second end of the mold makes a tight contact against a second circular groove in the stem or a circular shoulder in the stem to create a second seal all around the stem at the location of this second groove or circular shoulder. Brief description of the drawings

[0070] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0071] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of equipment E0 enabling to manufacture connecting rods 10 by pultrusion, each rod 10 comprising longitudinal fibers 11 and a connecting material 12 linking the longitudinal fibers 11 together, the equipment E0 comprising means for forming external reliefs lOx all around the rod 10 by applying sand to the connecting material 12 before its crosslinking by heating via a furnace FT°;

[0072] [Fig. 2a] [Fig. 2a] is a view of a connecting connector 1 according to the invention, the The rod 10 has external reliefs lOx consisting of annular grooves of the rod 10 distinct from each other, the sleeve 13 overmolded around the rod and against these reliefs lOx having external forms 13x here constituted by a male thread;

[0073] [Fig. 2b] [Fig. 2b] is a view of a connecting connector 1 according to the invention, the rod 10 has external reliefs lOx consisting of grains of sand arranged along and around the rod 10, the sleeve 13 being overmolded around the rod and against these reliefs lOx, the sleeve always having external forms 13x consisting of a male thread;

[0074] [Fig. 3a] [Fig. 3a] illustrates a bar, obtained by pultrusion using the equipment E0 of [Fig. 1], this bar comprising longitudinal fibers 11 and a material of link 12 connecting the longitudinal fibers 11 together and grains of sand to form external reliefs lOx all around and along the bar, cutting this bar into several longitudinal sections allowing to form several rods 10 of connector 1 according to the invention (this cutting of the bar is carried out using cutting means Cx);

[0075] [Fig.3b] [Fig.3b] illustrates a connector rod 10 according to the invention on which two grooves Gl, G2 were machined respectively intended to form smooth circular surfaces around the stem in order to allow a seal necessary for the molding of the sleeve between these grooves Gl, G2, these grooves are here formed by locally removing the reliefs lOx from the periphery of the stem 10 (in this case by removing grains of sand and penetrating slightly into the stem to create smooth cylindrical surfaces at the bottom of the grooves Gl, G2);

[0076] [Fig. 3c] [Fig. 3c] illustrates the rod 10 of [Fig. 3b] placed in a mold M, the ex the mold openings being respectively in annular seal against the grooves Gl and G2 to define an internal space in the sealed mold to form the sleeve;

[0077] [Fig.3d] [Fig.3d] illustrates the rod 10 and the mold M of [Fig.3c] after injection of the constituent material of the overmolded sleeve;

[0078] [Fig. 3e] [Fig. 3e] illustrates connector 1 according to the invention once removed from the mold M (thus figures 3a to 3e illustrate a succession of steps in the manufacturing process of a connector 1 according to the invention);

[0079] [Fig. 4a] [Fig. 4a] illustrates connector 1 according to the invention in a mode of lisation where it includes an IbO socket which is here directly anchored in a first element 2 of a structure 100 (element 2 is made of concrete and is molded around the IbO socket), the sleeve 13 is screwed into the socket to anchor the rod in the element 2 via the sleeve and the socket, the sleeve 13 has a collar 13a bearing against a terminal end of the socket which makes it possible to ensure the correct positioning / anchoring of the rod in the IbO socket;

[0080] [Fig.4b] [Fig.4b] illustrates connector 1 of [Fig.4a] after the molding second element 3 of the structure 100 all around a free portion of the rod 10 which is outside the socket IbO (this second element 3 of structure 100 is made of concrete and here comes into contact with an external face of the first element 2 of the structure, the connector 1 according to the invention linking these elements 2 and 3 together);

[0081] [Fig. 4c] [Fig. 4c] illustrates a variant of connector 1 according to the invention connecting between them first and second elements 2, 3 in molded concrete, this connector 1 having only difference compared to connector 1 of [Fig.4b] of having external reliefs lOx of the rod 10 which are formed by sand (the external reliefs lOx of the rod 10 illustrated in figures 4a and 4b are circular grooves). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0082] Fig. 1 illustrates equipment E0 enabling the manufacturing process of the link connector 1 according to the invention to be implemented.

[0083] This equipment E0 is arranged to manufacture the rod 10 by pultrusion.

[0084] For this purpose, the equipment includes: - a resin bath El containing a non-crosslinked bonding material 12, in this case a non-crosslinked resin for the manufacture of a polymer; - means for passing longitudinal fibers 11 to be joined together into the bath El in order to coat them with said bonding material 12 not yet crosslinked;

[0085] - a die E2 for the passage of the fibers 11 thus coated with the bonding material 12 not yet cross-linked, the die being arranged to compress the fibers 11 against each other and pre-form the rod so that it has a constant cross-section over its length, the fibers being compressed in the die to link them together by means of the bonding material 12, these fibers 11 and the material 12 exiting the die together form a bar cross-section to be cross-linked; - a means of applying sand E3 around the section of the bar not yet cross-linked (in this case, this means of application E3 includes a sand reserve S0 open towards a passage zone of the bar which must be cross-linked so as to distribute this sand on the bonding material 12 not yet cross-linked when the bar passes; - a furnace FT° having a through opening for the passage of the section of the bar not yet cross-linked, the bonding material which is here a thermosetting polymer being cross-linked under the effect of heat in the furnace, the grains of sand being thus subjected to this cross-linked bonding material 12 to form external reliefs lOx all around the bar and all along the bar; - a traction apparatus E4 of the cross-linked bar (also called a caterpillar) being arranged so as to exert continuous traction on a cross-linked portion of the bar to force the movement of the stretched fibers 11 through the die E2, through the sand application means E3 and through the furnace FT°.

[0086] The bar thus produced contains prestressed longitudinal tensile fibers 11 linked together by the cross-linked bonding material 12, and external reliefs lOx formed by sand grains fixed on the outer periphery of the bar.

[0087] The stem of connector 1 is obtained by cutting the bar into longitudinal sections. This cutting is carried out by cutting means Cx shown schematically in [Fig.3a].

[0088] An overmolded sleeve 13 is then formed around a longitudinal section of the rod 10 thus produced.

[0089] For this purpose, it is preferable to use a mold M which must allow the material constituting the sleeve to be injected under high pressure around the rod 10 and against the external reliefs lOx.

[0090] As illustrated in figures 3b and 3c, to allow sealing between the mold M and the rod 10, first and second circular grooves Gl, G2 can be formed around the rod 10.

[0091] As illustrated in [Fig.3c] and 3d, the mold M, which is in at least two parts, can then be closed around the rod 10 to define a sealed volume into which the constituent material of the overmold sleeve 13 is injected.

[0092] After demolding, as illustrated in [Fig.3e], a connecting connector 1 is obtained according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0093] In summary, the manufacturing process of this connector 1 according to the invention comprises manufacturing the rod 10 by pultrusion, the reliefs of the rod being constituted by sand grains S0 applied before crosslinking said bonding material 12 linking said longitudinal fibers 11 together, the sleeve 13 being overmolded against at least some of said sand grains S0 constituting said reliefs lOx.

[0094] According to this process, the sleeve 13 is molded using a mold M surrounding a part of the rod 10 and having, during the molding of the sleeve, a first end of the mold coming into tight contact against a first circular groove Gl of the rod 10 to achieve a first seal all around the rod at the location of this first groove Gl.

[0095] According to this manufacturing process of the connector 1, during the molding of the sleeve 13, a second end of the mold M comes into tight contact against a second circular groove G2 of the rod 10, or a circular shoulder of the rod 10, to achieve a second seal all around the rod at the location of this second groove G2 or this circular shoulder G2.

[0096] The sleeve is thus perfectly fixed around the stem thanks to the lOx relief.

[0097] Preferably, the mold M has a molding surface suitable for conforming the external peripheral surface of the sleeve so that it comprises external shapes 13x distributed along the sleeve 13 and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the stem.

[0098] These external forms 13x are useful for increasing the pull-out resistance of the sleeve 13 vis-à-vis the first element 2 of the structure 100 in which it is anchored either directly or indirectly via a connecting socket IbO.

[0099] As will be seen later, in certain embodiments illustrated in figures 2a, 4a, 4b the reliefs lOx of the stem of the connector 1 according to the invention, can be constituted by annular grooves of the stem.

[0100] Depending on the case, these lOx reliefs may consist of: - by annular grooves alone, without the presence of sand grains; or - by a combination of annular grooves and sand grains; or - solely by sand grains.

[0101] In the case where the reliefs lOx are exclusively made up of annular grooves, as in figures 2a, 4a, 4b, it will be possible to machine the reticulated rod (formed without application of sand).

[0102] We will now describe different embodiments of the connecting connector 1 according to the invention which is intended to link together first and second elements 2, 3 of a work 100.

[0103] As indicated above, connector 1 always includes: - at least one stem 10 comprising longitudinal fibers 11 extending over the entire length of the stem and a bonding material 12 linking these longitudinal fibers 11 together; - at least one overmolded sleeve 13 around at least one longitudinal portion of the rod 10, the overmolded sleeve 13 having an external peripheral surface having external shapes 13x distributed along the sleeve 13 and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod; and - the rod 10 having a plurality of external reliefs lOx against which the sleeve 13 is overmolded, these external reliefs lOx being distributed around the rod 10 and along the sleeve 13, each of these external reliefs lOx of the rod opposing any relative movement of the sleeve 13 with respect to the rod 10.

[0104] Preferably, the external reliefs lOx are distributed against a major part of the length of the sleeve 13, preferably over the entire length of the sleeve 13.

[0105] Preferably, these external reliefs lOx are also distributed over a major part of the length of the rod to increase the capacity for transmitting mechanical forces between the first and second structural elements via the rod (some of the external reliefs lOx being engaged in the overmolded sleeve while some others of these external reliefs lOx are intended to be in contact against the second structural element 3).

[0106] According to the embodiments of connector 1 illustrated in figures 2b, 3e, 4c, at least some of said reliefs lOx are made up of grains of sand.

[0107] According to the embodiments of connector 1 illustrated in figures 2a, 4a, 4b, at least some of said external reliefs lOx are constituted by annular grooves of the stem, in this case machined annular grooves.

[0108] Here, the annular grooves have the same symmetrical V-shaped section but they could have different shapes from each other and take any other shape favorable to improving the pull-out resistance of the rod with respect to the overmolded sleeve.

[0109] Ideally, the depth of the annular grooves should be such that these grooves remain at a distance from the longitudinal fibers 11 so as not to cut them.

[0110] Preferably, the longitudinal portion of the stem around which the sleeve 13 is overmolded extends over less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, of the total length of the stem, this longitudinal portion being proximal to a first terminal end 10a of the stem 10 and distal to a second end 10b of the stem 10.

[0111] The longitudinal portion of the rod around which the sleeve 13 is overmolded extends preferably exclusively between the first end 10a of the rod and a limit located at a distance from the first end 10a of the rod which is at most 30%, preferably at most 15%, of the total length of the rod.

[0112] Thus, the sleeve 13 can in some cases extend around the first end 10a of the rod or extend at a distance from this first end 10a so that there is a part of the proximal rod of the first terminal end of the rod that is bare, i.e. not covered by the overmolded sleeve 13 (as is the case in Figures 2a, 2b, 3e, 4a, 4b).

[0113] As indicated above and illustrated in figures 2a, 2b, 3b to 4c, the rod 10 may also include a first circular groove G1 of the rod which extends between the sleeve 13 and one of the terminal ends 10b of the rod 10 which is furthest from said first groove Gl.

[0114] In this case, this first groove Gl is located between the sleeve 13 and the second end 10b of the rod.

[0115] This first groove Gl is useful during the molding of the sleeve 13 to achieve a seal all around the rod, at the location of the first circular groove Gl, between the rod and a first end of the mold M in which the sleeve 13 is molded.

[0116] As the first end of the mold M comes into contact with the first groove Gl, it prevents leakage of the material injected into the mold M while opposing the sliding of the rod relative to the mold M (the first end of the mold M is here in axial contact against at least one of the lateral edges of the first circular groove Gl).

[0117] In this way the sleeve can be precisely positioned along the stem.

[0118] Preferably, the stem has a second circular groove G2 of the stem or a circular shoulder G2 of the stem extending between the sleeve 13 and the other of the terminal ends 10a of the stem.

[0119] In this case, this second groove G2 is located between the sleeve 13 and the first end 10a of the rod.

[0120] As can be seen in the figures, this second groove G2 can have the shape of a circular shoulder G2 at the first terminal end of the stem.

[0121] This second groove G2 is useful during the molding of the sleeve 13 to achieve a seal all around the rod, at the location of the second circular groove G2, between the rod and a second end of the mold M in which the sleeve 13 is molded.

[0122] As the second end of the mold M comes into contact with the second groove G2 (here in the form of a shoulder G2), it prevents leakage of the material injected into the mold M while preventing the rod 10 from sliding relative to the mold M.

[0123] As illustrated in figures 3c and 3d, the second end of the mold M can be axially butted against at least one of the lateral edges of the second circular groove G2 or against the lateral edge of the shoulder G2.

[0124] When the mold M is pressurized by injecting the molded material, the rod 10 is held fixedly in the mold because the groove G1 and the groove or shoulder G2 are respectively in tight mechanical contact with the ends of the mold M.

[0125] As indicated above, the rod 10 can be formed from a bar manufactured by pultrusion, the bar being cut (with a cutting means Cx schematically shown in [Fig.3a]) to define the respective terminal ends 10a, 10b of the rod.

[0126] The rod or bar can be machined, for example by turning, to form the first groove G1 and optionally the second groove G2 in the shape of a shoulder G2.

[0127] This manufacturing process is particularly economical to implement.

[0128] In the embodiment where the external reliefs lOx of the rod are formed by machining a series of annular grooves in the rod, the machining operation of the series of annular grooves can be carried out before or after cutting the bar (by the cutting means Cx) and before or after making the first groove G1 and said possible second groove G2.

[0129] Preferably, the longitudinal fibers 11 are chosen from glass or carbon or boron fibers.

[0130] These materials have the advantage of having high mechanical tensile strength while exhibiting a low coefficient of thermal conductivity compared to steel, which is generally used to manufacture connecting connectors.

[0131] Preferably, the bonding material 12 linking the longitudinal fibers 11 together is a thermosetting polymer material.

[0132] The bonding material 12 could be a thermoplastic material, however, it is preferable to use a thermosetting material which allows the coating, the bonding of the sand grains before its passage through the oven FT°.

[0133] Thus, when heated in the oven, the thermosetting material solidifies around the grains of sand which are thus permanently fixed to the rest of the rod.

[0134] If the bonding material was a thermoplastic, its passage through the oven would instead lead to its softening, consequently inducing a risk of uncontrolled deformation of the rod.

[0135] For this reason, a thermosetting polymer type bonding material is preferred.

[0136] Preferably, the bonding material 12 linking these longitudinal fibers 11 together is selected from a thermosetting polymer based on epoxy resin or phenolic resin, or polyester resin, or vinyl ester VE resin, or urethane resin, or polyimide resin, or a thermoplastic polymer such as polyamide PA resin.

[0137] When the bonding material connecting these longitudinal fibers is a polyamide PA polymer, this bonding material is by definition thermoplastic and not thermosetting. Such a polyamide is, for example, PA 6-6.

[0138] Preferably, the sleeve 13 is made of the same material as the bonding material 12 connecting these longitudinal fibers 11 together.

[0139] The fact that the material of the sleeve 13 is identical to the bonding material 12 is a factor improving the mechanical cohesion between the sleeve 13 and the rod 10.

[0140] By identical material, it is understood that these materials contain the same polymer material which is favorable to the fusion between these materials.

[0141] Preferably, the material constituting the sleeve is loaded with short fibers to increase the mechanical strength of the sleeve.

[0142] By short fiber we mean fibers having less than 3 centimeters in length.

[0143] Preferably, these short fibers are glass fibers, but they could can also be made of carbon or boron fibers or any mixture of these short fibers.

[0144] In some embodiments, the sleeve 13 can be made of a thermoplastic material while the bonding material 12 linking these longitudinal fibers 11 together can be a thermosetting material.

[0145] According to this particular embodiment, during the molding of the sleeve 13, the already solidified rod 10 can be heated without generating a risk of deformation of the rod because the fiber bonding material is a thermosetting material.

[0146] As indicated above with reference to the manufacturing process of the connector according to the invention, said longitudinal fibers 11 are preferably prestressed in tension along the longitudinal direction of the rod.

[0147] This makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the connector according to the invention.

[0148] As illustrated in the embodiments shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 3c to 4c, the external forms of the sleeve 13, which are distributed along the sleeve 13 and extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod, are preferably constituted by a male thread formed at the periphery of the sleeve 13.

[0149] This male thread extends preferentially over a major part of the length of the sleeve 13.

[0150] This male thread is preferably produced during the molding of the sleeve thanks to complementary thread shapes present inside the mold M.

[0151] However, in a non-preferred manner (because this would complicate the manufacturing process of the connector and increase the manufacturing cost), this male thread could be produced by machining the external surface of the sleeve 13 (by turning) or by a counter-form applied around the already molded sleeve to deform it (this counter-form can be heated to, for example, melt the constituent material of the sleeve, which would then be a thermoplastic material).

[0152] As illustrated in Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, the connector 1 according to the invention may also include an IbO connection socket intended to be at least partially placed in said first structural element 2 for anchoring therein.

[0153] This socket has first and second terminal ends respectively wide and narrow, the wide end being intended to be anchored deep into the first structural element 2 which is made of concrete overmolded around this wide end while the narrow end of the socket is intended to be placed to open onto an external face of this first structural element 2.

[0154] The wide end can thus be securely fixed in the structural element to distribute the forces of its removal over a large volume of material of the structural element.

[0155] This IbO socket has an Ibl passage having internal shapes complementary to said external shapes 13x of the sleeve 13, the connector selectively adopting: - a disassembled configuration in which the IbO socket and the sleeve 13 are separated from each other; and - an assembled configuration in which the sleeve is assembled in the passage of the socket.

[0156] The internal shapes of the IbO socket and external shapes of the sleeve 13 are arranged so that the passage of the connector between the assembled configuration and the disassembled configuration is achieved by a displacement movement of the sleeve 13 relative to the IbO socket combining at least a translational movement of the sleeve 13 relative to the IbO socket along the longitudinal direction of the rod 10 and at least a rotational movement of the sleeve 13 relative to the IbO socket around the longitudinal direction of the rod 10.

[0157] Preferably, the first and second elements 2, 3 of work 100 are respectively molded one after the other.

[0158] Work 100 can thus be manufactured: - by positioning the IbO sleeve in a mold M for molding the first element 2 so that the IbO sleeve is anchored in the first molded element with the internal passage Ibl of the sleeve opening towards the outside of the first molded element; then - by fixing the rod 10 opposite the IbO socket thus anchored in the first element 2 previously molded by inserting and fixing the sleeve 13 into the IbO socket (here by screwing the sleeve 13 into the socket passage); then - by molding the second element 3 of work 100 all around a part of the stem 10 located outside the first element of work 2.

[0159] This facilitates the manufacture of the work 100 since the first and second elements 2, 3 can be molded one after the other, the first element of the work being able to be molded without having to position the connecting rod.

[0160] The manufacture of the first element of the work is thus greatly facilitated by the absence of a rod during the molding of the first element 2.

[0161] However, the connector according to the invention also makes it possible to significantly improve the quality of the mechanical connection between the first and second structural elements because: - The IbO sleeve provides a pull-out resistance capacity that is far superior to the pull-out resistance capacity of a simple connecting rod; because - the pull-out resistance of the stem is improved by the combination of the rib reliefs lOx of the stem and the external shapes 13x of the sleeve (in this case, the male thread); because - a major part of the rod's length is anchored in the second element 3 (which increases the rod's pull-out resistance to the second structural element); and because - in the mode where the rod has sand over a major part of its length, including between the sleeve 13 and the second terminal end 10b of rod 10, these reliefs lOx drastically increase the pull-out resistance capacity of the rod vis-à-vis the second molded element 3 of the structure 100.

[0162] Of course several connectors 1 according to the invention can be used together to connect the first and second elements of the work, the work thus comprising a plurality of connectors 1 according to the invention individually anchored in the first and second elements 2, 3.

[0163] The connecting rod made up of the particular fibers and the polymer material for bonding the fibers is thus essentially composite, which gives it a thermal conductivity lower than that of steel.

[0164] This is particularly interesting in all applications where one wishes limit the transmission of heat between the elements of the structure.

[0165] In addition, this composite material has the advantage over steel of not corroding over time, which allows the structure to have a lifespan of 100.

[0166] The invention is not limited to the examples described above and encompasses any variant falling within the scope defined by the claims.

[0167] In particular, although the application of the sand is preferentially carried out by bringing the sand into contact with the bonding material 12 which has not yet been crosslinked, it is also conceivable that the sand may be glued after crosslinking of this bonding material.

[0168] In this case, the sand can be glued either by means of an adhesive applied to the rod after cross-linking of the bonding material, the sand being either mixed with this adhesive or brought into contact with this adhesive by pouring or projecting the sand onto the glued rod.

[0169] In the non-preferred case where the bonding material is a thermoplastic, one could also consider applying hot sand against the bonding material to soften it and embed the sand grains in it.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of manufacturing a connecting connector (1) for joining together first and second elements (2, 3) of a structure (100), the connector comprising a rod (10), the rod comprising longitudinal fibers (11) extending over the entire length of the rod and a bonding material (12) connecting these longitudinal fibers (11) together, the connector comprising at least one overmolded sleeve (13) around at least one longitudinal portion of the rod, the overmolded sleeve (13) comprising an external peripheral surface having external forms (13x) distributed along the sleeve (13) and extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod, the rod (10) comprising a plurality of external reliefs (lOx) against which the sleeve (13) is overmolded, these external reliefs (lOx) being distributed around the rod (10) and along the sleeve (13),each of these external reliefs (lOx) of the stem opposing any relative displacement of the sleeve (13) with respect to the stem (10), the process being characterized in that it comprises the manufacture of the stem (10) by pultrusion, the reliefs of the stem being constituted by grains of sand applied before cross-linking of said bonding material (12) connecting said longitudinal fibers together, the sleeve (13) being overmolded against at least some of said grains of sand constituting said reliefs.

2. A method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (13) is molded using a mold (M) surrounding a part of the rod (10) and having, during the molding of the sleeve, a first end of the mold coming into tight contact against a first circular groove (Gl) of the rod (10) to achieve a first seal all around the rod at the location of this first groove (Gl).

3. A method of manufacturing a connector according to claim 2, wherein during the molding of the sleeve (13), a second end of the mold (M) comes into tight contact against a second circular groove (G2) of the rod (10) or a circular shoulder of the rod (10) to achieve a second seal all around the rod at the location of this second groove (G2) or this circular shoulder.

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