Device for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations

Abstract

Device for Protecting a Manufactured Product Against Seismic Vibrations. The invention relates to a device (1) for protecting a manufactured product from seismic vibrations, comprising an anchoring body (2) fixed to a structure and a support body (3) for supporting the manufactured product. Retaining elements (5) are simultaneously inserted into retaining seats (4a, 4b) formed in the anchoring and support bodies (2, 3), in order to lock the support body (3) to the anchoring body (2). The retaining elements (5) break when subjected to seismic vibration to allow the support body (3) to oscillate relative to the anchoring body (2). The retaining seats (4) of the anchoring body (2) and the support body (3) are through-seats, to allow the broken parts of the retaining elements (4a, 4b) to be extracted as a result of the seismic vibration. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for protecting a manufactured product—such as, for example, a machine or a piece of furniture—against seismic vibrations. In particular, the object of the present invention finds useful application in industrial areas located in zones of high seismic risk. Previous art

[0002] Devices for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations are known in the prior art.

[0003] For example, document EP 3 517 803 A1 presents a device comprising an upper plate, which acts as a support body to support a manufactured product, free to oscillate, in the presence of a seismic shock, relative to a corresponding lower plate, which acts as an anchor body to anchor itself to a structure, such as a floor.

[0004] The upper base is initially connected to the lower base by means of studs, which act as retaining elements inserted simultaneously into respective retaining seats in the lower and upper plates. These studs are configured to break and allow relative oscillation in the presence of a seismic shock, damped by elastic-type damping elements.

[0005] However, the applicant noted a limitation of the prior art device, namely the impossibility of removing the various parts of the stud, once broken, from their respective seats. Indeed, the part of the stud inserted into the seat of the upper base cannot be removed except by dismantling the entire device, which makes any reuse impossible.

[0006] Purpose of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a device for the protection of a manufactured product against seismic shocks, capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a device that allows for its quick and easy reuse.

[0009] These objectives and others will be substantially achieved by a device for the protection of a manufactured product against seismic vibrations according to the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a device for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations, characterized in that it comprises: - an anchoring body, configured to be placed on or anchored to a structure susceptible to seismic vibrations, - a support body, mounted on the anchoring body and configured to support a manufactured product, said anchoring bodies and support body having respective retaining seats, - retaining members, each retaining member comprising a rod at least partially inserted simultaneously into a respective retaining seat of the anchoring body and into a respective retaining seat of the support body, in which the retaining members are configured to lock the support body to the anchoring body in a locked position,in which each retaining seat of the anchor body is aligned along a retaining direction with a respective retaining seat of the support body, in which the retaining elements are configured to break when subjected to one or more seismic vibrations having an intensity exceeding a predetermined value, in which the support body, when the retaining elements are broken, is free to oscillate relative to the anchor body transversely to the retaining direction, - damping elements, interposed between the anchor body and the support body, said damping elements being configured to dampen the oscillations of the support body relative to the anchor body, in which the retaining seats of the anchor body and the support body are through holes, in which the stem of the retaining elements has a reduced cross-section portion, interposed between the anchor body and the support body,the retaining devices being configured to break at the level of said reduced cross-sectional area.

[0011] Optionally, the support body and / or the anchoring body has a main wall and a peripheral profile that surrounds the main wall, the retaining seats of the support body and / or the anchoring body being provided in said peripheral profile.

[0012] Optionally, the rod of each retaining member passes completely through the respective retaining seats.

[0013] Optionally, the device includes locking members configured to fix each retaining member to the respective retaining seats of the anchoring body and the support body.

[0014] Optionally, the locking members include a first thread on each retaining member, and preferably a second thread made inside the retaining seats of the anchoring body and / or the support body, or inside a nut.

[0015] Optionally, the device includes a handling body, interposed between the anchoring body and the support body, and configured to provide bearing support between the support body and the anchoring body and to allow their relative oscillation.

[0016] Optionally, the device includes an annular gap interposed between the anchoring body and the support body, the damping elements comprising elastically deformable elements arranged in said annular gap.

[0017] Optionally, the anchoring body and / or the support body are made of metallic material worked with a hyaluronic hardening treatment.

[0018] As with the prior art, the device comprises a support body, mounted on an anchoring body, with respective retaining seats.

[0019] The device also includes retaining elements configured to break when subjected to one or more seismic vibrations exceeding a predetermined intensity. When the retaining elements break, the support body is free to oscillate relative to the anchor body transversely to the restraint direction.

[0020] The device also includes damping elements, interposed between the anchoring body and the support body, and configured to dampen the oscillations of the support body relative to the anchoring body.

[0021] In the device of the present invention, the retaining seats of the anchor body and the support body are through holes.

[0022] Advantages of the invention

[0023] The present invention provides a device for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations, suitable for reuse.

[0024] In particular, thanks to the through seats, the different parts of the rod of the retaining members can, following breakage, be easily removed from the aforementioned seats, thus allowing the insertion of other retaining members for subsequent use. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The advantages and technical characteristics will be largely clarified by the following detailed description of a device for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred, and therefore non-limiting, embodiment, in all the drawings on which:

[0026] - [Fig. 1] represents a cross-sectional side view of a device for the protection of a manufactured product against seismic vibrations according to the present invention,

[0027] - [Fig.2a] represents a perspective view of an anchoring body of the device of the [Fig.l],

[0028] - [Fig.2b] represents a cross-sectional side view of the anchor body of [Fig.2a],

[0029] - [Fig.3a] represents a perspective view of a support body of the device of the [Fig.l],

[0030] - [Fig.3b] represents a cross-sectional side view of the support body of [Fig.3a],

[0031] - [Fig.4] represents a front view of a retaining member of the device of the [Fig.1],

[0032] - [Fig.5a] represents a perspective view of a handling body of the device of the [Fig.l],

[0033] - [Fig. 5b] shows a cross-sectional side view of the handling body of the [Fig.5a], DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] As shown in [Fig.1], the numeric reference 1 indicates a device for the protection of a manufactured product against seismic vibrations.

[0035] As Figures 2a and 2b better illustrate, the device 1 comprises an anchoring body 2, configured to be anchored or supported on a structure susceptible to seismic vibrations. It should be clarified that the term "structure" refers not only to buildings, but to any type of construction, thus also extending to road construction – such as roads, bridges, and tunnels.

[0036] As can be seen in Figures 3a and 3b, the device 1 also includes a support body 3, mounted on the anchoring body 2 and configured to support a manufactured product (not shown in the accompanying figures), such as, for example, a machine for industrial applications, a piece of furniture, or any product resulting from a predetermined manufacturing process.

[0037] Preferably, the anchoring body 2 is configured to be fixed, for example, to the floor or ceiling of a structure, by means of holes 22, formed to be passed through by known fixing devices (not shown), such as dedicated screws and plugs.

[0038] For the sake of simplicity, the device 1 of the present invention will be considered in the following description as being oriented in space such that the anchoring body 2 is positioned below the support body 3 ([Fig. 1]), and thus anchored to the floor. It should be noted, however, that the device 1 can be oriented differently so that the anchoring body 2, when anchored to the ceiling, is positioned above the anchoring body 3.

[0039] In the embodiments of Figures 2a-3b, the anchor body 2 and the support body 3 have a plate shape with a circular plane. In other words, the anchor body 2 and the support body 3 have a substantially disc shape with an almost equivalent diameter D, so that, when superimposed, the surface area occupied by the anchor body 2 is the same as that occupied by the support body 3.

[0040] The anchor body 2 and the support body 3 have respective retaining seats 4a, 4b. Preferably, the retaining seats 4a, 4b of the anchor body 2 and the support body 3 are holes made perpendicular to the extension plane of support body 3 and anchor body 2.

[0041] The device 1 further includes retaining members 5, in which each retaining member 5 includes a rod 51 at least partially inserted simultaneously into a respective retaining seat 4a of the anchoring body 2 and into a respective retaining seat 4b of the support body 3.

[0042] In particular, the retaining members 5 are configured to lock the support body 3 to the anchor body 2 in a locking position, where each retaining seat 4a of the anchor body 2 is aligned, along a retaining direction ZZ, with a respective retaining seat 4b of the support body 3.

[0043] In other words, each retaining member 5 is shaped to engage along the retaining direction ZZ in the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b in order to establish a stable connection between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3 in a plane of movement (for example, a horizontal plane), transverse to the retaining direction ZZ.

[0044] It should be noted that the retaining elements are spaced transversely, preferably in a circumferential direction, with respect to the retaining direction ZZ. Therefore, each retaining element 5 is inserted into respective retaining seats 4a, 4b along its own retaining direction ZZ.

[0045] The retaining elements 5 of the device 1 are also configured to break when subjected to one or more seismic vibrations having an intensity greater than a predetermined value.

[0046] In other words, seismic vibrations cause mechanical stresses which cause the retaining members 5 to break, thus eliminating the stress on the support body 3 in the locked position.

[0047] Preferably, as shown in [Fig.4], the retaining members 5 have a rod-like shape.

[0048] With further reference to [Fig.4], it should be noted that the stresses due to seismic vibrations cause the rod 51 of each retaining member 5 to break into a first part 51a, inserted into the respective retaining seat 4a of the anchoring body 2, and a second separate part 51b, inserted into the respective retaining seat 4b of the support body 3.

[0049] Consequently, when the retaining members 5 are broken (or fractured) as a result of such seismic vibrations, the support body 3 is free to oscillate relative to the anchoring body 2 along the aforementioned plane of movement, transverse, more preferably orthogonal, to the restraint direction ZZ.

[0050] Furthermore, the device 1 includes shock-absorbing elements 6, interposed between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3. These shock-absorbing elements 6 are configured to dampen the oscillations of the support body 3 relative to the anchoring body 2 following the seismic vibration which caused its displacement.

[0051] In the device 1 of the present invention, the retaining seats 4a of the anchoring body 2 and the retaining seats 4b of the support body 2 are through seats.

[0052] Advantageously, the retaining seats 4a and 4b, being through-holes, easily allow the recovery of the first and second parts 51a, 51b of the retaining elements 5, obtained following the breakage of the latter, thus avoiding the blocking of the first or second portion 51a, 51b in the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b. In this way, the reuse of the device 1 is possible.

[0053] According to one aspect, the support body 3 and / or the anchoring body 2 has a main wall 31, 21 and a peripheral profile 32 which surrounds the main wall 31, 21.

[0054] Preferably, the retaining seats 4a, 4b of the support body 3 and / or the anchoring body 2 are provided in said peripheral profile 32.

[0055] In the embodiment of figures 3a and 3b, the peripheral profile 32 of the support body 3 has a flange 34, extended radially with respect to the main wall 31, in which the retaining seats 4b of the support body 3 are made.

[0056] In addition, the peripheral profile 32 may include a side wall 33 linked to the main wall 31 and oriented transversely with respect to the latter.

[0057] Preferably, as shown in [Fig.3b], the flange 34 of the support body 3 is offset, along the retention direction ZZ, relative to the main wall 31 and is, even more preferably, connected to the latter via the side wall 33.

[0058] According to a preferred aspect, the rod 51 of each retaining member 5 passes entirely through the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b.

[0059] In other words, the rod 51 of each retaining member 5 has a predominant extension, of length L, oriented along the retaining direction ZZ when the rod is inserted into the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b. In other words, the length L is appropriately dimensioned to allow the rod 51 to completely pass through the respective seats 4a, 4b of the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3.

[0060] Preferably, the device 1 includes locking members 53 configured to fix each retaining member 5 to the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b of the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3.

[0061] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the locking members 53 include a first thread 53a made on the rod 51 of each retaining member 5.

[0062] Preferably, said first thread 53a is disposed at one end 5 of the rod 51 of each retaining member 5.

[0063] In the same embodiment, the locking members 53 include a second corresponding thread (not shown in the accompanying figures) which can be coupled to the first thread 53a mentioned above so as to constrain the position of each retaining member 5 inserted in the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b.

[0064] In other words, the locking members 53, preferably by means of the threaded connection, are configured to limit, preferably block, the movement of each retaining member 5 within the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b along the retaining direction ZZ.

[0065] In a first embodiment, the second thread of the locking members 53 is inserted into the seats 4a, 4b of the anchoring body 2 and / or the support body 3, in order to fix the retaining members 5 when they are inserted into the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b.

[0066] Taking as reference the embodiment of [Fig.4], it is possible to fix the position of each retaining member 5 inside the respective seats 4a, 4b by screwing the rod 51 so that the first thread 53a mates with the second thread.

[0067] In another embodiment, the rod 51 of each retaining member 5 may have a length L such that it passes completely through the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b and exits them. In other words, the rod 51 of the retaining members 5, in this embodiment, has a projecting portion, such as, for example, the end 51c, relative to the retaining seats 4a of the anchoring body 2 and / or the retaining seats 4b of the support body 3, along the retaining direction ZZ.

[0068] In particular, preferably, the first thread 53a of the locking members 53 is made on said protruding part of the rod 51.

[0069] In order to enable the threaded connection and thus secure each retaining member 5 in the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b, the locking members 53 may include a fastening element (not shown in the accompanying figures), such as a nut, in which the aforementioned second thread is formed. This element is then configured to engage with the first thread 53a of the stem 51 of each retaining member 5 once the latter are inserted into the respective retaining seats 4a, 4b.

[0070] In this way, advantageously, following a seismic vibration and the subsequent rupture of the retaining members 5, it is possible to extract the individual parts 51a, 51b of the rod 51 from their respective retaining seats 4a, 4b even more easily. Indeed, considering the anchoring body 2 arranged below relative to the support body 3, it is possible to remove the first part 5la of the rod 51 from each retaining element 5 of the retaining seat 4a of the anchoring body 2 under the effect of gravity since, the retaining seat 4a being through, the withdrawal along the direction of retention is facilitated.

[0071] In contrast, the second part 51b of each rod 51 of each retaining member 5 cannot be removed from the retaining seat 4b of the support body 3 by gravity because the presence of the anchoring body 2, located below, prevents the retrieval of the second part 51b of the rod 51. For this purpose, the retaining seat 4b, being also through-hole, allows the second part 51b of the rod 51 to be removed from above. In the preferred embodiment described above, the extraction of the second part 51b is facilitated by manually unscrewing the second part 51b, on which the first thread 53a is formed, from the fastening element or directly from the retaining seat 4b.

[0072] It should be noted that, contrary to the above, in other embodiments the locking members 53 can be placed in the first part 51a.

[0073] Preferably, the rod 51 of the retaining members 5 has a reduced cross-section portion 52, interposed between the anchor body 2 and the support body 3, at which point, in the presence of seismic vibration, the retaining members 5 are configured to break. Preferably, the reduced cross-section portion separates the first portion 51a from the second portion 51b of the rod 51.

[0074] Advantageously, the reduced cross-section portion 52 is designed to facilitate the breakage of the stem of each retaining member 5 and to break in the presence of a seismic vibration of a predetermined intensity. Therefore, the reduced cross-section portion 52 can have different dimensions and shapes to withstand different breaking loads due to seismic vibrations.

[0075] In other words, depending on the material used, the retaining members 5 are preferably provided with dimensions such that they can withstand the stresses occurring during the normal operation of the device 1 as a vibration damper, which could cause a rupture, at the level of said reduced section part 52, when a transverse stress appears with respect to their axial extension, i.e. along the restraint direction ZZ, greater than a predetermined intensity value, such as for example in the case of a telluric shock of wave type.

[0076] Preferably, the reduced section part 52 is arranged so as to be interposed between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3.

[0077] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the reduced section part 52 includes a tapered part.

[0078] The device 1 of the present invention preferably comprises a handling body 7, interposed between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3, and configured to provide a bearing support between the support body 3 and the anchoring body 2 and to allow their relative oscillation.

[0079] As can be seen in figures 5a and 5b, the handling body 7 has a cylindrical conformation with an axial extension parallel to the retention direction ZZ and a diameter D' smaller than the diameter D of the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3.

[0080] The handling body 7 preferably comprises a plurality of openings 71 intended to accommodate a respective plurality of ball bearings 8 configured to facilitate oscillatory movement between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3 when the retaining members 5 break under the effect of a seismic vibration.

[0081] Preferably, the handling body 7 has a hole 72 suitable for receiving fastening elements known for fixing the handling body 7 to the anchoring body 2. In other words, the handling body 7 is thus integral with the anchoring body 2. Preferably still, the ball bearings 8 are in sliding contact with the support body 3.

[0082] Indeed, as described previously, the presence of the retaining members 5 prevents any relative movement between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3. Following a seismic vibration, the rupture of the retaining members 5 at the reduced section part 52 allows the support body 3 to slide on the aforementioned ball bearings 8, thus oscillating relative to the anchoring body 2.

[0083] In other words, as shown in [Fig.1], the support body 3 is preferably raised relative to the anchoring body 2, because it preferably rests on the ball bearings 8, which facilitate the oscillation movement following the failure of the retaining members 5.

[0084] According to one aspect, the device 1 includes an annular gap 9 interposed between the anchoring body 2 and the support body 3, inside which the shock-absorbing elements 6 are preferably arranged.

[0085] According to another aspect, as shown in [Fig. 1], the annular gap 9 surrounds the handling body 7. In the embodiment shown, the handling body 7 and the annular gap 9 are surrounded by the side wall 33 of the support body 3. In other cases, the handling body 7 and the annular gap 9 can be surrounded by a side wall (not shown) of the anchoring body 2. The side wall 33 and the handling body 7 thus limit the movement of the shock-absorbing elements 6 transversely to the restraint direction ZZ.

[0086] In other words, the annular gap 9 is identified by a space between the handling body 7 and the side wall 33 of the anchoring or support body 2, 3.

[0087] In other words, the handling body 7 has a diameter D' less than the diameter D of the side wall 33 of the anchoring body 2 or the support body 3.

[0088] In particular, preferably, the damping elements 6 comprise elastically deformable elements arranged in said annular gap 9.

[0089] In one embodiment, the damping elements 6 may include other elastically deformable elements (not shown in the accompanying figures), such as springs, interposed between the floor of the structure and the anchor body 2 along the restraint direction ZZ. In this way, advantageously, the component parallel to the restraint direction ZZ (for example, the vertical component) of the stresses due to seismic vibrations is subsequently reduced.

[0090] In one embodiment, the anchoring body 2 and / or the support body 3, more preferably both, are made of metallic material worked appropriately with a hyaluronic hardening treatment.

[0091] Indeed, the ball bearings 8, which are in contact with the support body 3 to allow its movement, can cause wear of the latter and, consequently, affect the proper functioning of the support body 3 once the retaining members 5 are broken.

[0092] Advantageously, thanks to the treatment described, the support body 3 and / or the anchoring body 2 have superior surface resistance properties to those made with untreated metals.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (1) for protecting a manufactured product against seismic vibrations, characterized in that it comprises: - an anchoring body (2), configured to be placed on or anchored to a structure susceptible to seismic vibrations, - a support body (3), mounted on the anchoring body (2) and configured to support a manufactured product, said anchoring bodies (2) and support bodies (3) having respective retaining seats (4a, 4b), - retaining members (5), each retaining member (5) comprising a rod (51) at least partially inserted simultaneously into a respective retaining seat (4a) of the anchoring body (2) and into a respective retaining seat (4b) of the support body (3), wherein the retaining members (5) are configured to lock the support body (3) to the anchoring body (2) in a locked position,in which each retaining seat (4a) of the anchor body (2) is aligned along a retaining direction (ZZ) with a respective retaining seat (4b) of the support body (3), in which the retaining members (5) are configured to break when subjected to one or more seismic vibrations having an intensity greater than a predetermined value, in which the support body (3), when the retaining members (5) are broken, is free to oscillate relative to the anchor body (2) transversely to the retaining direction (ZZ), - damping members (6), interposed between the anchor body (2) and the support body (3), said damping members (6) being configured to dampen the oscillations of the support body relative to the anchor body (2), in which the retaining seats (4a, 4b) of the anchor body (2) and the support body (3) are through holes,wherein the stem (51) of the retaining members (5) has a reduced cross-section portion (52) interposed between the anchoring body (2) and the support body (3), the retaining members (5) being configured to break at said reduced cross-section portion (52).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support body (3) and / or the anchoring body (2) has a wall main (31, 21) and a peripheral profile (32) which surrounds the main wall, the retaining seats (4a, 4b) of the support body and / or the anchoring body (2) being provided in said peripheral profile (32).

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the rod (51) of each retaining member (5) passes entirely through the respective retaining seats (4a, 4b).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises locking members (53) configured to fix each retaining member (5) to the respective retaining seats (4a, 4b) of the anchoring body (2) and the support body (3).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking members (53) comprise a first thread (53a) on each retaining member (5), and preferably a second thread made inside the retaining seats (4a, 4b) of the anchoring body (2) and / or the support body (3), or inside a nut.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a handling body (7), interposed between the anchoring body (2) and the support body (3), and configured to provide bearing support between the support body and the anchoring body (2) and to allow their relative oscillation.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an annular gap (9) interposed between the anchoring body (2) and the support body (3), the damping members (6) comprising elastically deformable elements arranged in said annular gap (9).

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the anchoring body (2) and / or the support body (3) are made of metallic material worked with a hyaluronic hardening treatment.

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