Underground cellar
A cellar made of plastic and composite materials with extensions and reinforcing ribs addresses the cost and durability issues of traditional cellars, ensuring quick installation and effective protection against water pressure.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023008729
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-08-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing buried cellars are costly and time-consuming to construct, and they often fail to effectively protect their contents from underground water pressure and erosion.
A cellar made of plastic and/or composite materials with extensions and reinforcing ribs to counter Archimedes' thrust, ensuring quick installation and effective protection against water pressure.
The cellar provides rapid, cost-effective installation and robust protection against underground water pressure, maintaining the integrity of its contents.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Buried cellar
[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of underground cellars.
[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a cellar capable of being used as a funerary monument for funeral urns, or as a wine or vegetable cellar.
[0003] In the field of the invention, the creation of buried masonry cellars is known.
[0004] This type of cellar is long and expensive to build.
[0005] It is also known to create cellars of smaller dimensions which are at least partially prefabricated.
[0006] For example, in the specific field of funerary monuments, vaults can be made using cement slabs to define an enclosure protecting a coffin from the pressure of the earth.
[0007] According to another example, small vaults can be created to accommodate funeral urns.
[0008] Such cellars may comprise: - a base; - a peripheral wall extending from the bottom to an upper end delimiting an opening and intended to emerge from the surface of a ground in which the cellar is intended to be buried; - a cover to close the opening.
[0009] The construction of these cellars can also be considered long and costly, particularly in view of the capacity or not of these cellars to allow good preservation of their contents.
[0010] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.
[0011] More specifically, the invention aims to propose an underground cellar whose installation is quick and less expensive than what can be observed with other types of cellars according to the prior art.
[0012] The invention also aims to provide such a cellar which allows its contents to be effectively protected.
[0013] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a cellar intended to be buried in a pit comprising: - a bottom; - a peripheral wall extending from the bottom to an upper end delimiting an opening and intended to emerge from the surface of a ground in which the cellar is intended to be buried; - a cover to close the opening; characterized in that the bottom and the peripheral wall are made of a plastic and / or composite material and form a tank below the opening, and in that it comprises at least one extension projecting from the peripheral wall, close to the bottom or in the plane of the bottom, and having a support surface on which is intended to rest a backfill material for a pit made in the ground in which the tank is intended to be buried, the support surface(s) being sized to be able to oppose an Archimedes thrust exerted against the bottom of the tank.
[0014] The cellar according to the invention can be installed quickly, easily, and at a competitive cost compared to solutions according to the prior art.
[0015] Indeed, due to the nature of the material(s) constituting the peripheral wall and the bottom, the overall cost of installing the cellar is optimized.
[0016] Furthermore, thanks to the extension or extensions it is prevented that the formed tank is lifted by underground water under the effect of Archimedes' thrust, due to the low weight of the tank.
[0017] Advantageously, the tank is watertight.
[0018] In this way, the cellar effectively protects its contents.
[0019] By being watertight, the effects of Archimedes' thrust can be greater, nevertheless the extension(s) make it possible to counter this thrust.
[0020] According to a preferred design, the cellar comprises at least two extensions located on either side of the tank.
[0021] The underground maintenance of the cellar is then better ensured.
[0022] Preferably, the or at least one of the extensions takes the form of a plate.
[0023] Such an extension is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the peripheral wall comprises a plurality of panels, the extension or each extension being coupled to one of the panels by extending perpendicularly along this panel.
[0025] The cellar and its extension or extensions then take a simple form, allowing easy installation, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.
[0026] According to a preferred variant, at least a part of the peripheral wall, called reinforced part, has at least one lateral reinforcing rib intended to extend longitudinally parallel to the upper end of the peripheral wall, the lateral reinforcing rib being located on the outside of the tank, and having a upper support face on which a backfill material for a pit made in the ground in which the tank is intended to be buried is intended to rest.
[0027] The tank's ability to remain buried is thus reinforced.
[0028] According to an advantageous design, the extension, or at least one of the extensions, is coupled to a lateral reinforcing rib.
[0029] This or these extensions are thus coupled more easily, and robustly, to the peripheral wall.
[0030] Preferably, the reinforced part of the peripheral wall has at least two lateral reinforcing ribs, including: - a first, called intermediate rib, located between the upper end and the lower end of the peripheral wall, and - a second, called the low rib, located at the lower end of the peripheral wall, the low rib having a width measured perpendicular to the peripheral wall strictly greater than the width of the intermediate rib, preferably the low rib having a width measured perpendicular to the peripheral wall greater than or equal to twice the width of the intermediate rib.
[0031] This further enhances the tank's ability to remain buried.
[0032] Advantageously, the peripheral wall has at least one height reinforcing rib intended to extend longitudinally perpendicular to the upper end of the peripheral wall, the height reinforcing rib being located on the outside of the tank, and at least one extension has a positioning notch on the height reinforcing rib.
[0033] Coupling the extension to this part of the peripheral wall is thus facilitated. Correct positioning of the extension with respect to the peripheral wall is also better ensured.
[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, each panel forms one of the reinforced parts of the peripheral wall and comprises at least one reinforcing rib in height.
[0035] It is thus easier to adapt the tank to the environment in which it is intended to be buried, and in particular with regard to land more or less likely to be subject to rising groundwater. In the case where a land is very subject to rising groundwater, then the number of extensions coupled on the peripheral wall can be maximized.
[0036] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of different preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: • [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation seen from the side of a cellar according to the invention buried in a pit; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation from above of a cellar according to the invention, illustrating a tank, a sealing cover, and two extensions of the cellar; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation from below of a cellar according to the invention, illustrating the tank, and the two extensions of the cellar; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation from above of the cellar according to the invention, without these extensions; • [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective representation from above of a section of a peripheral wall participating in forming the tank of the cellar according to the invention; • [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation in perspective from above of an extension of the cellar according to the invention;
[0037] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a cellar 1 according to the invention is shown.
[0038] This cellar 1 is intended to be buried. More specifically, in [Fig.l], cellar 1 is shown buried in a pit 10. This corresponds to an installation of a cellar 1 according to the invention.
[0039] The cellar 1 comprises, according to the present embodiment: - a background 21; - a peripheral wall 22; - a cover 3 for closing an opening; - two extensions 4.
[0040] The peripheral wall 22 extends from the bottom 21 to an upper end which delimits the opening.
[0041] As illustrated by [Fig.l], the upper end of the peripheral wall 22 is intended to emerge from the surface of a ground 100 in which the cellar 1 is intended to be buried.
[0042] The opening allows access to the interior of the volume delimited by the peripheral wall 22.
[0043] The cover 3 for closing the opening covers this opening.
[0044] More precisely, the closure cover 3 is fitted onto the peripheral wall 22 to close the opening. This cover 3 can be removed to free access to the interior of the cellar 1.
[0045] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 4, the cover 3 has a square shape according to the present embodiment.
[0046] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the bottom 21 and the peripheral wall 22 are now described in more detail.
[0047] The bottom 21 and the peripheral wall 22 are made of a plastic and / or composite material.
[0048] For example, the bottom 21 and the peripheral wall 22 may be made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene (PE). Other plastic and / or composite materials are conceivable.
[0049] This bottom 21 and this peripheral wall 22 together form a tank 2 below the opening.
[0050] According to the present embodiment, the tank 2 takes the form of a cube. According to other conceivable embodiments, the tank 2 could take other forms, such as that of a non-cubic right block, that of a prism, or even that of a cylinder of revolution.
[0051] As described in more detail below, the tank 2 is sealed below the opening.
[0052] With reference to Figures 2 to 5, the peripheral wall 22 comprises a plurality of panels 221. As detailed below, each extension 4 is coupled to one of the panels 221 by extending perpendicularly along this panel 221.
[0053] A panel 221 comprises a main flat part 222, in particular of square shape according to the present embodiment.
[0054] According to the present embodiment, each panel 221 is reinforced by ribs. However, according to embodiments envisaged, only one of the panels 221, or only a portion of the panels 221 may be reinforced.
[0055] The or each reinforced panel 221 forms a reinforced part of the peripheral wall 22. In other words, the peripheral wall 22 has these ribs detailed below.
[0056] Each panel 221 comprises at least one lateral reinforcing rib 223 intended to extend longitudinally parallel to the upper end of the peripheral wall 22.
[0057] This lateral reinforcing rib 223 is located on the outside of the tank. The lateral reinforcing rib 223 has an upper support face 2230 on which a backfill material 101 of a pit 10 formed in the ground 100 in which the tank 2 is intended to be buried is intended to rest.
[0058] In this case, each panel 221 comprises: - a first lateral reinforcing rib 223, called intermediate rib 2231, located between the upper end and the lower end of the peripheral wall 22, and - a second lateral reinforcing rib 223, called the lower rib 2232, located at the lower end of the peripheral wall 22, and - a third lateral reinforcing rib 223, called upper rib 2233, located at the upper end of the peripheral wall 22.
[0059] These lateral reinforcing ribs 223 extend perpendicular to the main flat part 222 of the panel 221.
[0060] As can be seen in the figures, the lower rib 2232 has a width measured perpendicular to the peripheral wall 22, and in particular relative to the main flat part 222 of the panel 221 which carries the rib, which is strictly greater than the width of the intermediate rib 2231. According to the present embodiment, the lower rib 2232 has a width measured perpendicular to the peripheral wall 22 greater than or equal to twice the width of the intermediate rib 2231.
[0061] This increased width of the lower rib 2232 optimizes the reinforcement of the capacity of the tank 2 not to lift under the effect of water pressure exerted against the bottom 21.
[0062] In addition, each panel 221 comprises at least one height reinforcing rib 224 intended to extend longitudinally perpendicular to the upper end of the peripheral wall 22. This height reinforcing rib 224 is also located on the outside of the tank.
[0063] In this case, each panel 221 comprises: - a first height reinforcing rib 224, called left rib 2241, located on the left edge of the panel 221; - a second height reinforcing rib 224, called straight rib 2242, located on the right edge of the panel 221; - a third reinforcing rib in height 224, called central rib 2243, centered between the right edge and the left edge of the panel 221.
[0064] These height reinforcing ribs 224 reinforce the panel 221, but also the lateral reinforcing ribs 223 on which the backfill material 101 rests.
[0065] Each panel 221 also comprises: - two hooks 225, carried in this case by the left rib 2241; - two notches 226, complementary in assembly with the two hooks 225 of another panel 221, carried in this case along the right edge of the panel 221 on its main flat part 222.
[0066] The peripheral wall 22 is thus formed by four panels 221 assembled to each other thanks to the assembly of the hooks 225 in the notches 226.
[0067] In addition, welds or joints are made at the interface between two panels 221 in order to seal the connection made between the panels 221.
[0068] These panels 221, and the resulting peripheral wall 22, are coupled to the bottom 21 which is notably a single piece.
[0069] The coupling can for example be achieved using gluing, and / or welding, and / or mechanical coupling means such as bolting or riveting.
[0070] In addition, welds or joints are made at the interface between the peripheral wall 22 and the bottom 21 in order to seal the connection made between these two elements.
[0071] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, an extension 4 is now described.
[0072] According to the present embodiment, the cellar 1 comprises two extensions 4 located on either side of the tank 2.
[0073] These extensions 4 each take the form of a plate.
[0074] According to other embodiments, the cellar 1 may comprise only one extension 4, for example of annular shape designed to surround the tank, or the cellar 1 may comprise four extensions 4, one for each side. Other shapes for these extensions 4 may be envisaged.
[0075] Each extension 4 projects from the peripheral wall 22, close to the bottom 21 or in the plane of the bottom 21, as is the case in Figures 1 and 2.
[0076] As mentioned previously, the extensions 4 are coupled to lateral reinforcing ribs 223.
[0077] These lateral reinforcing ribs 223, by extending perpendicularly to the main flat parts 222 of the panels 221, facilitate the perpendicular positioning of the extensions 4 relative to the peripheral wall 22.
[0078] The extensions 4 are in particular coupled to the lower ribs 2232.
[0079] More precisely, the internal edge of each extension 4 rests over its entire length on the upper surface of the lower rib of a panel.
[0080] The greater width of the lower ribs 2232 facilitates and reinforces the coupling of the extension 4 on the peripheral wall 22.
[0081] In addition, each extension 4 has a positioning notch 41 on the height reinforcement rib 224. This positioning notch 41 is centered along the internal edge 42 of the extension 4 intended to be positioned against the peripheral wall 22.
[0082] The extensions 4 advantageously have a planar symmetry along a median plane extending parallel to the internal edge 42.
[0083] The extensions 4 thus have two positioning notches 4L
[0084] It is conceivable that the cellar 2 has two tanks 2 coupled to each other and spaced from each other by an extension 4 which would be coupled on each edge having a positioning notch 41 to one of the two tanks 2.
[0085] A repetition of this pattern can be produced and the cellar 2 can thus have a plurality of tanks 2, each tank 2 adjacent to another tank 2 being coupled to this other tank 2 by an extension 4.
[0086] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, each extension 4 has a support surface 40 on which a backfill material 101 of a pit 10 made in the ground 100 in which the tank 2 is intended to be buried is intended to rest.
[0087] These support surfaces 40 are dimensioned to be able to oppose an Archimedes thrust exerted against the bottom 21 of the tank 2.
[0088] Advantageously, and as shown, the extensions 4 have two series of slots 43 making it possible to adjust the dimensions of the extension 4 to be coupled to a panel 221, and to insert screws to bolt the extension 4 to the lower rib 2232 of the panel 221.
[0089] An installation of the cellar 1 is described below.
[0090] Firstly, a floor 100 must be excavated to the dimensions of the cellar 1 to form a pit 10, at the height of the tank 2, and at the perimeter of the cellar 1 (that of the tank 2 and the extension(s) 4), plus a margin to facilitate the insertion of the cellar 1.
[0091] In a second step, the tank 2 can be assembled if it is not already assembled, then the extension(s) 4 are coupled to the peripheral wall 22 which helps to form the tank 2.
[0092] In a third step, the tank 2 is lowered into the pit 10. It is then wedged and repositioned if necessary so that the opening of the tank 2 reaches the correct height relative to the surface of the finished ground 100.
[0093] A backfill material 101 can finally be placed all around the tank 2 in the pit 10. This backfill material 101 comes to bear against the extensions 4, but also against the lateral reinforcing ribs 223.
[0094] The opening of the tank 2 is located above the ground level 100 and can thus be easily closed using the cover 3 for closing the opening.
[0095] The cellar 1 previously described can advantageously be used as a funerary monument for urns.
[0096] Cellar 1 can also be used as a vegetable cellar 1, or used as a wine cellar 1.
Claims
Claims
1. Cellar (1) intended to be buried in a pit (10) comprising: - a bottom (21); - a peripheral wall (22) extending from the bottom (21) to an upper end delimiting an opening and being intended to emerge from the surface of a ground (100) in which the cellar (1) is intended to be buried; - a cover (3) for closing the opening; characterized in that the bottom (21) and the peripheral wall (22) are made of a plastic and / or composite material and form a tank (2) below the opening, and in that it comprises at least one extension (4) projecting from the peripheral wall (22), close to the bottom (21) or in the plane of the bottom (21), and having a bearing surface (40) on which is intended to rest a backfill material (101) of a pit (10) formed in the ground (100) in which the tank (2) is intended to be buried,the bearing surface(s) (40) being dimensioned to be capable of opposing an Archimedes thrust exerted against the bottom (21) of the tank (2), and in that the peripheral wall (22) has at least one height reinforcing rib (224) intended to extend longitudinally perpendicular to the upper end of the peripheral wall (22), the height reinforcing rib (224) being located on the outside of the tank (2), and in that at least one extension (4) has a positioning notch (41) on the height reinforcing rib (224).,
2. Cellar (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tank (2) is watertight.
3. Cellar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two extensions (4) located on either side of the tank (2).
4. Cellar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least one of the extensions (4) takes the form of a plate.
5. Cellar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the peripheral wall (22) comprises a plurality of panels (221), the or each extension (4) being coupled to one of the panels (221) by extending perpendicularly along this panel (221).
6. Cellar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a portion of the peripheral wall (22), called the reinforced portion, has at least one lateral reinforcing rib (223) intended to extend longitudinally parallel to the upper end of the peripheral wall (22), the lateral reinforcing rib (223) being located on the outside of the tank (2), and having an upper bearing face (2230) on which is intended to rest a backfill material (101) of a pit (10) formed in the ground (100) in which the tank (2) is intended to be buried.
7. Cellar (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the extension, or at least one of the extensions (4) is coupled to a lateral reinforcing rib (223).
8. Cellar (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the reinforced part of the peripheral wall (22) has at least two lateral reinforcing ribs (223), including: - a first, called the intermediate rib (2231), located between the upper end and the lower end of the peripheral wall (22), and - a second, called the lower rib (2232), located at the lower end of the peripheral wall (22), the lower rib (2232) having a width measured perpendicular to the peripheral wall (22) strictly greater than the width of the intermediate rib (2231), preferably the lower rib (2232) having a width measured perpendicular to the peripheral wall (22) greater than twice the width of the intermediate rib (2231).
9. Cellar (1) according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that each panel (221) forms one of the reinforced parts of the peripheral wall (22) and comprises at least one height reinforcing rib (224).