Moldable material pole device

Abstract

A post assembly comprising a tubular plastic element, a post made of moldable material molded into said tubular plastic element, and an inner face of the tubular element intended to be in contact with the moldable material post, comprising at least one protruding relief element and / or one recessed relief element. Figure for abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Moldable material pole device

[0001] The present invention relates to posts made of moldable material, such as concrete, coated with a tube made of plastic material, in particular thermoplastic.

[0002] Such poles are commonly used in various applications, such as, but not limited to, lamppost bases, flagpoles or flagpoles, poster posts, lampposts, signposts or indicator poles, power line pylons, fence posts or posts, or candelabras. The use of plastic tubing, most often PVC, makes it possible to obtain slender poles and provides a protective coating against corrosion for improved safety and long-term durability of the concrete pole. The PVC tubing acts as a barrier between the concrete and external elements, such as water and chemicals, which could otherwise cause corrosion of the concrete and reduce its lifespan.

[0003] These poles are obtained by pouring concrete into a cylindrical or truncated conical plastic tube. The plastic tube can have a constant or variable cross-section (decreasing from the base to the top of the pole), and its interior is used as a mold. Methods and systems for hot-forming a tube with a variable cross-section from a tube with a constant cross-section made of thermoplastic material are known in the prior art. The concrete pole is most often reinforced with metal reinforcement. If necessary, a conduit (a hollow tube) can be provided inside the concrete pole to carry a power cable, for example.

[0004] The posts are then transported, often horizontally or slightly inclined to the horizontal, to the installation site to be vertically embedded in the ground or in a base. A load may be attached to the post. In its various applications, the post is located outdoors (or in the open air), exposed to weather conditions.

[0005] During all these phases, the integrity of the pole is constantly tested. Shocks during handling, accelerations / shocks during transport, vibrations, especially repeated ones, or expansion / contraction of the plastic tube can weaken, or even detach / break, or at least partially rupture, the bond between the concrete core and its plastic casing. The slightest break in the bond between the concrete core and the plastic tube can cause vibrations and noise, especially when the pole is supporting a load (such as a flag or a sign), thus amplifying this phenomenon. This results in premature wear that compromises the integrity of the pole.

[0006] It is known in the prior art to use a chemical bonding agent to promote the adhesion of concrete to the inner surface of the plastic tube. However, besides being expensive, this solution presents a number of risks, resulting, for example, from an insufficient quantity of the agent, inconsistent distribution of the agent in the concrete in contact with the inner surface of the plastic coating, a loss of the agent's effectiveness due to environmental factors (temperature or UV rays from the sun, for example) or the load borne by the pole. Furthermore, such a chemical bond may lack flexibility, making it brittle and sensitive to repetitive vibrations, and therefore prone to cracking.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to improve the lifespan of a moldable material post encased in a plastic tube.

[0009] For this purpose, it is proposed, firstly, a post device comprising a tubular plastic element, a post made of moldable material molded into said tubular plastic element, an inner face of the tubular element intended to be in contact with the post made of moldable material comprising at least one protruding relief element and / or one recessed relief element.

[0010] Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination: - the relief element comprises a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction; - the relief element includes at least one helical fillet; - said inner face comprises a first relief element and a second relief element which are not parallel; - the tubular element has a variable cross-section; - the tubular element is frustoconical in shape.

[0011] Secondly, a manufacturing process for the aforementioned post device is proposed, comprising a step of molding the post in moldable material in the tubular element, this process integrating a step of injection molding of the moldable material in the tubular element.

[0012] Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination: - the tubular element is held, during the injection molding stage, in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal; - the tubular element forms, during the injection molding stage, an angle with the horizontal of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees or substantially equal to 45 degrees; - the moldable material is injected from the bottom of the tubular element.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent and concrete upon reading the following description of embodiments, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] Figure [Fig.1] schematically illustrates in perspective a post device with a cut-out part according to various embodiments;

[0015] Figure [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in perspective a tubular element with a cut-out part according to various embodiments;

[0016] Figure [Fig.3] schematically illustrates steps in a manufacturing process for a post device according to various embodiments;

[0017] Figure [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a manufacturing step of a post device according to various embodiments.

[0018] With reference to [Fig. 1], a pole device 10 is shown comprising a tubular plastic element 1 wrapping or encasing a moldable (i.e., moldable) pole 2 molded into the tubular element 1. The pole device 10 extends between a first end or base intended to be fixed in the ground or, more generally, in a baseplate, and a second end or top intended to be free or to support a load (such as a flag, a lighting device, or a sign).

[0019] The tubular plastic element 1 is a hollow part forming a protective outer casing for the moldable material post 2. This tubular element 1, inside which the moldable material post 2 is molded, is, in particular, a tube made of thermoplastic material such as PVC, polypropylene, or polyethylene. In one embodiment, the tubular element 1 is preferably made of rigid PVC stabilized against ultraviolet radiation and chemical agents. In other words, the tubular element 1 includes, in one embodiment, fillers that stabilize it against light and are resistant to chemical agents. The outer surface of the tubular element 1 is preferably smooth and glossy for better weather resistance.

[0020] The tubular element 1 can have any suitable cross-section, such as a circular or polygonal section. In the example shown in the accompanying figures, the cross-section of the tubular element 1 is circular, but this embodiment is not limiting; other profiles with hexagonal or, more generally, polygonal cross-sections are also possible.

[0021] In one embodiment, the tubular element 1 is cylindrical in shape, in other words, of constant cross-section.

[0022] In another embodiment, the tubular element 1 is frustoconical in shape or, more generally, has a variable cross-section. The cross-section of the tubular element 1 can, in fact, vary along the length of the post device 10, for example, decreasing (or strictly decreasing) from an end with a larger cross-section to the base of the The post element 10 has a smaller cross-section end at the top. This shape of the tubular element 1 allows for more slender posts and provides them with greater stability.

[0023] The tubular plastic element 1 has an inner face 11 intended to be in contact with the post 2 made of a durable material. This inner face 11 comprises at least one relief element 12. A "relief element" is understood to mean a protruding relief element and / or a recessed relief element present on the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1. A recessed relief element 12 refers to any depression, concavity, indentation, groove, or channel present on the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1. A protruding relief element 12 refers to any elevation, convexity, or protrusion present on the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1. More generally, a protruding or recessed relief element 12 refers, in this context, to any local deformation where a portion of the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1 extends above or below the surrounding level of this inner face 11.A relief element 12 thus forms an exception (protruding or recessed) to the uniform character of the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1.

[0024] In one embodiment, the relief element 12 comprises a rib, a helical groove (a rib or protrusion that follows a spiral or helical path around the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 1, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]), a clamp, an indentation, a pattern, or a helical groove. A plurality of protruding relief elements 12 and / or a plurality of recessed relief elements 12 may be envisaged. A protruding relief element 12 advantageously avoids local thinning of the tubular element 1. A recessed relief element 12 advantageously saves material and thus reduces the weight and manufacturing cost of the tubular element 1.

[0025] In one embodiment, a relief element 12 comprises a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction (for example, a first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction of the tubular element 1). In another embodiment, the inner face 11 comprises at least one first relief element 12 and a second relief element 12 that intersect or, more generally, a first and second relief element 12 that are not parallel. The inner face 11 of the tubular element 1 is, in one embodiment, grooved or fluted, that is, decorated with inward / outward flutes. In another embodiment, the inner face 11 of the tubular element comprises a plurality of helical grooves or a plurality of ribs centered on the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 1.

[0026] The tubular element 1 can be obtained, for example, by extrusion or injection molding of thermoplastic materials. In one embodiment, the tubular element 1 comprises a rigid outer sleeve and a flexible inner sleeve having at least one raised element 12. In another embodiment, the tubular element 1 is formed of a rigid PVC outer sleeve and a plasticized PVC inner sleeve having raised elements 12 on its inner face, in particular helical threads.

[0027] The moldable material column 2 is, in one embodiment, made of concrete or any other similar material that can be molded into the tubular element 1. It should be noted that the term "concrete" here encompasses any material suitable for fulfilling the same function, namely a moldable material suitable for forming a column, such as heavyweight concrete, lightweight concrete with or without the addition of a bonding agent or fibrous material, or a moldable synthetic material. A predefined concrete mix of cement, fine sand, and water is preferably adapted for the production of reinforced concrete. For example, a concrete mix comprising one part cement, two to four parts fine sand, and one-third water may be used. A metal reinforcement 3 comprising longitudinal and / or transverse reinforcing wires advantageously reinforces the moldable material (reinforced concrete) column 2.

[0028] The moldable material is poured or injected into the tubular element 1 (serving as a mold) where it is left to harden (solidify) so as to form the post 2 from the moldable material. In one embodiment, a conduit 4 is provided in the post device 10. The latter can thus be solid or hollow.

[0029] A raised element 12 on the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1 advantageously increases the contact area between the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2. This results in an improved bond between the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2. A raised or recessed element 12 serves as a blocking or locking mechanism, giving a monolithic effect to the assembly formed by the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2.

[0030] A combination of protruding and recessed relief elements 12 on the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1 limits the relative movements between the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2, thereby reinforcing the monolithic appearance of the post assembly 10. Additionally, non-parallel relief elements 12, or relief elements 12 extending in at least two different directions, work together to limit the degrees of freedom of the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2 relative to each other. Advantageously, this results in a moldable material post 2 that is monolithically bonded to the tubular element 1.

[0031] The presence of raised or recessed relief elements 12 on the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1 advantageously prevents the propagation of any gaps or air pockets that might be formed between the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2.

[0032] A one-piece column device 10 advantageously prevents vibrations, formwork removal (even localized), and / or slippage of the tubular element 1 relative to the moldable material column 2 and vice versa. This results in reduced wear on the column device 10 and any noise that may be its source.

[0033] Referring to [Fig. 3], a method for manufacturing the post device 10 comprises, in one embodiment, a step of arranging a metal reinforcement 3 in the tubular element 1 substantially centered on the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 1. The tubular element 1 is, for example, of variable cross-section, in particular frustoconical, the inner face 11 of which has at least one raised or recessed relief element 12. Such a tubular element 1 is, in one embodiment, hot-formed from a tubular blank made of thermoplastic material (in particular, PVC) of constant cross-section having on its inner face 11 at least one relief element 12 such as a protrusion or a helical groove.

[0034] During a molding step 31 of the moldable material column 2 in the tubular element 1, a moldable material, in particular concrete, is injected into the tubular element 1. This injection (or compression) molding step 31 employs a pressure injection machine 40 for injecting the moldable material in a liquid state. As a result, the moldable material is tightly compacted and firmly in contact with the inner face 11 of the tubular element, including, in particular, the raised features 12. Once the moldable material has hardened in the tubular element 1 for a predetermined drying time, the result is, advantageously, a moldable material column 2 intimately bonded to the tubular element 1 so as to form a compact whole.

[0035] In an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 4], the tubular element 1 is held, during the injection molding step 31, at an angle to the horizontal. For example, the tubular element 1 forms an angle A with the horizontal of between 20 and 90 degrees, preferably between 30 and 60 degrees, or approximately 45 degrees. The injection is carried out from the lower end of the tubular element 1, that is, from the bottom of the tubular element 1. Such an injection ensures that the moldable material is firmly in contact with the inner face 11 of the tubular element 1, thus preventing any air pockets or gaps between the tubular element 1 and the moldable material post 2.

[0036] This results advantageously in a post device 10 conforming to the most demanding specifications in terms of integrity and rigidity.

Claims

Demands

1. Pole device (10) comprising a tubular plastic element (1), a moldable material pole (2) molded into said tubular plastic element (1), this pole device (10) being characterized in that an inner face (11) of the tubular element (1) intended to be in contact with the moldable material pole (2) comprises at least one protruding relief element (12) and / or a recessed relief element.

2. Post device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the relief element (12) comprises a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

3. Post device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relief element (12) comprises at least one helical thread.

4. Post device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner face (11) comprises a first relief element (12) and a second relief element (12) that are not parallel.

5. Pole device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular element (1) has a variable cross-section.

6. Pole device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular element (1) is frustoconical in shape.

7. A method for manufacturing the pole device (10) of any one of the preceding claims comprising a step of molding the pole (2) in moldable material into the tubular element (1), this method being characterized in that it comprises a molding step (31) by injection of the moldable material into the tubular element (1).

8. A manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tubular element (1) is held, during the injection molding step (31), in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal.

9. A manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tubular element (1) forms an angle with the horizontal of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees or substantially equal to 45 degrees.

10. Manufacturing method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the moldable material is injected from the bottom of the tubular element (1).

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