LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURE WITH AN INTERNAL WATER STORAGE COMPARTMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a load-bearing structure (10), in particular for supporting a roof (14) or solar panels, comprising at least one post (16) having at its lower end a foundation element (20) intended to anchor the post (16) in the ground (S), characterized in that each post (16) comprises: - an internal storage space (30) capable of storing a predetermined quantity of water, said internal storage space (30) extending at least partially into a lower section of the post (16) intended to be positioned below ground level (N) (S), referred to as the base section (28), - an upper inlet (34) intended to be connected to a rainwater collector (36) so as to allow the internal storage space (30) to be filled with rainwater. Figure for the abstract: [Fig.1]

Description

Title of the invention: Load-bearing structure with an internal water storage space. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a load-bearing structure such as is used to support the roof of a shelter or to support solar panels.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a load-bearing structure comprising at least one support post. Technical background

[0003] Load-bearing structures with supporting posts that support a roofing element are already known, forming a shelter from rain or sun. Such shelters may also include solar panels, or photovoltaic solar collector panels, so as to provide, in addition to shelter, a source of electrical energy.

[0004] This type of load-bearing structure, together with the roofing element, forms a relatively large mass and / or a relatively large cantilever, which necessitates anchoring to the ground by means of foundations. Constructing these foundations can consume a significant amount of material, for example, concrete. Furthermore, if the load-bearing structure and the roofing element must be able to withstand high winds, it is essential to ensure that these foundations are adequately sized to prevent any damage to or movement of the load-bearing structure.

[0005] There is therefore a need to improve existing load-bearing structures and facilitate their installation in diverse environments. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention proposes a load-bearing structure, in particular for supporting a roof or solar panels, comprising at least one post equipped at its lower end with a foundation element intended to anchor the post in the ground, characterized in that each post comprises: - an internal storage space capable of storing a predetermined quantity of water, said internal storage space extending at least in part into a lower section of the post intended to be positioned below ground level, referred to as the base section, - a top supply port designed to be connected to a rainwater collector so as to allow the internal storage space to be filled with rainwater.

[0007] According to other features of the invention:

[0008] - each post has a cavity and the interior storage space is an element reported which is installed in said cavity;

[0009] - the load-bearing structure comprises at least two posts whose interior spaces of storage units are connected by a connecting conduit;

[0010] - at least one post is equipped with at least one tap which is connected to the space internal storage and which allows water to be drawn;

[0011] - each foundation element comprises an anchoring element fixed to a plate of support, the support plate being fixed to the lower end of the associated post;

[0012] - each post has a drainage hole arranged under the hole upper supply so as to allow drainage of the water contained in the internal storage space when the water level exceeds an upper limit;

[0013] The invention also proposes a load-bearing structure assembly comprising at least one load-bearing structure according to the preceding characteristic, characterized in that it includes a tank intended to store a determined quantity of water, the tank being connected to the interior storage space of at least one post by a drain pipe which is connected to the drain outlet.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the load-bearing structure assembly, the tank is equipped with a pump which allows water contained in the tank to be transferred to the internal storage space through the discharge pipe.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment of the load-bearing structure assembly, the internal storage space is equipped with a low level sensor intended to trigger the operation of the pump when the water level in the internal storage space reaches the low level, the low level being located above the base section.

[0016] The invention also proposes a method for installing a load-bearing structure as described above, comprising the following steps: a) making a hole in the ground, b) positioning the post and its foundation element in the hole so that the base section of the post is below ground level, c) filling the interior storage space with water at least up to ground level.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the installation method, it includes a step in which the interior storage spaces of at least two posts are connected by installing a connecting conduit below ground level. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] is a longitudinal sectional view along plane II which represents a load-bearing structure assembly made in accordance with the teachings of the invention with a roof;

[0020] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along plane II-II which represents the entire load-bearing structure of [Fig.1] equipped with two posts. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a load-bearing structure assembly 10 which includes a load-bearing structure 12 supporting a roof 14.

[0023] The supporting structure 12 here comprises two vertical posts 16 which are spaced apart so as to allow a balanced distribution of the weight of the roof 14 on these two posts 16.

[0024] Of course, according to alternative embodiments, the load-bearing structure 12 could include a different number of posts 16 greater than two.

[0025] Each post 16 is planted in the ground S. More specifically, each post 16 is provided at its lower end 18 with a foundation element 20 which is intended to allow the anchoring of the post 16 in the ground S.

[0026] According to the embodiment shown, the foundation element 20 comprises, for example, an anchoring element 22 such as a pile which is supported by a support plate 24. The support plate 24, which extends along a transverse plane, is fixed to the lower end 18 of the post 16 so that the post 16 rests on the support plate 24, at a determined depth in the soil S.

[0027] Each post 16 therefore comprises an upper section, called the main section 26, which extends above level N of the ground S, and a lower section, called the foundation section 28, which extends below level N of the ground S.

[0028] Advantageously, each post 16 has an internal storage space 30, which extends at least partially into the base section 28, so as to be able to contain water. Each post 16 is designed so as to be able to retain a minimum quantity of water in the base section 28 to form ballast promoting the stability of the post 16.

[0029] According to the embodiment shown, the interior storage space 30 extends substantially from the support plate 24 to an upper end 32 of the post 16.

[0030] The internal storage space 30 has a top supply port 34 which is connected to a rainwater collector 36 so as to allow the internal storage space 30 to be filled with rainwater.

[0031] The rainwater collector 36 is for example a gutter which collects rainwater when it runs off the roof 14.

[0032] According to the embodiment shown, the interior storage space 30 is in the form of an added element, for example a tank 38 formed of a casing made of plastic material such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the tank 38 being installed in a cavity 40 formed inside the post 16.

[0033] Other materials can be used to make the tank 38, for example polypropylene, fiberglass, recycled fibers, or others.

[0034] Each post 16 can for example have the shape of a tube with a round or square cross-section, or of another shape, which delimits the cavity 40.

[0035] According to the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.2], the internal storage spaces 30 of the two posts 16 which form the load-bearing structure 12 are connected by a connecting conduit 42. This connecting conduit 42 is arranged below level N of the ground S and connects to each of the internal storage spaces 30 through the associated base sections 28, near each support plate 24, therefore at the base of each post 16.

[0036] The connecting conduit 42 allows the two internal storage spaces 30 to communicate in order to balance the water levels in the two posts 16. Thus, if one of the posts 16 receives more water than the other post 16, the water can flow towards the less filled post 16 until the water levels are identical in the internal storage spaces 30.

[0037] Advantageously, each post 16 is here provided with a tap 44 which is connected to the internal storage space 30 and which allows water to be drawn from the internal storage space 30, for example to fill a container for watering plants, or for any other suitable use of collected rainwater.

[0038] The post 16 shown on the left in [Fig.2] here has a drainage orifice 46 which is arranged under the upper supply orifice 34 so as to allow drainage of the water contained in the internal storage space 30 when the water level exceeds an upper limit located at the level of the drainage orifice 46.

[0039] The load-bearing structure assembly 10 includes a cistern 48 designed to store a specific quantity of water. The cistern 48 is buried here, below ground level N, next to the load-bearing structure 12. It is connected to the internal storage space 30 of the post 16 located on the left in [Fig. 2], by a drain pipe 50 which is connected to the drain outlet 46.

[0040] Thus, when the water level in the storage spaces 30 exceeds the upper limit, located here at the level of the discharge orifice 46, the water can flow towards the cistern 48.

[0041] According to the advantageous embodiment shown in the figures, the tank 48 is equipped with a pump 52 which allows water contained in the tank 48 to be transferred to the internal storage spaces 30 through the discharge pipe 50. This makes it possible to maintain a minimum water level in the storage spaces 30 in order to guarantee the stability of the supporting structure 12.

[0042] One of the posts 16, here the one on the left in [Fig.2], is equipped with a low level sensor 54 and a high level sensor 56, both located below the discharge opening 46. These sensors 54, 56 are connected to the pump 52 so as to start and stop the operation of the pump 52 according to the water level in the internal storage space 30.

[0043] Thus, when the water level in the internal storage space 30 falls below the low level sensor 54, the pump 52 starts up so as to supply the internal storage space 30 with water from the tank 48. The water level rises in the internal storage space 30, equilibrating here with the water level in the other post 16, until it reaches the high level sensor 56.

[0044] When the water level reaches the high level sensor 56, the pump 52 stops.

[0045] It is noted that the load-bearing structure assembly 10 could be equipped only with the low level sensor 54. In this case, the pump 52 would be triggered for a predetermined time or for a predetermined quantity of water, so as to transfer enough water into the internal storage spaces 30 to ensure the stability of the supporting structure 12 and possibly to allow water to be distributed through the taps 44.

[0046] Preferably, the tank 48 is equipped with an outlet 58 which allows the overflow from the tank 48 to be evacuated.

[0047] The installation process for the supporting structure 12 is now described.

[0048] In a first step, a hole 60 is dug in the ground S for each post 16. This hole 60 is dimensioned to allow the positioning of the foundation element 20 and the base section 28.

[0049] In a second step, the post 16 is positioned in the hole 60 with its foundation element 20, so that the bearing section 28 is below the level N of the ground S.

[0050] It is possible, for example, to first drive the anchoring element 22 into the ground S, then to fix the support plate 24 onto the anchoring element 22, and then to fix the base of the post 16 onto the support plate 24.

[0051] It is also possible to place the foundation element 20 at the bottom of the hole 60 and then pour concrete into the hole 60.

[0052] Other techniques for constructing foundations can be used.

[0053] In a third step, the interior storage space 30 of each post 16 is filled with water at least up to level N of the ground S, and preferably up to above the low level sensor 54.

[0054] In a fourth step, the interior storage spaces 30 of the posts 16 are connected by installing the connecting conduit 42 below level N of the ground S and connecting it to each post 16 at the level of the base section 28.

[0055] One advantage of the load-bearing structure 12 proposed here is that it allows for undersizing of the foundation elements 20, or for simplifying the technical solutions for creating the foundations intended to fix the posts 16, since the water contained in the internal storage spaces 30, in particular in the base section 28, provides an additional weight, compared to the intrinsic weight of the posts 16, acting as ballast which reinforces the stability of the posts 16. The load-bearing structure 12 proposed here makes it possible, for example, to minimize the anchoring depth for the installation of the foundations.

[0056] Once the load-bearing structure assembly 10 is installed, rainwater is collected by the rainwater collector 36 and transferred to the interior storage spaces 30 through the upper supply port 34.

[0057] The water level in the internal storage spaces 30 may fall below the low-level sensor 54, for example, due to frequent water withdrawal from the taps 44, and / or due to insufficient rainfall. In this situation, the pump 52 is activated and raises the water levels in the internal storage spaces 30.

[0058] The water contained in the cistern 48 may be rainwater stored following heavy rainfall which caused the internal storage spaces 30 to overflow via the discharge opening 46 and the discharge pipe 50. If necessary, it is possible to partially fill the cistern 48 with water from an external source, in order to guarantee a minimum quantity of water in the cistern 48.

[0059] It is noted that the presence of the connecting conduit 42 between the posts 16 ensures a homogeneous water level between the posts 16.

[0060] We thus have a load-bearing structure 12 ballasted by rainwater with inter-post self-regulation guaranteeing a regular and permanent load on the posts 16.

[0061] The posts 16 can be made of galvanized steel, aluminum, or concrete. They can be round, with a diameter between 15 and 50 cm, or rectangular, with sides between 15 and 50 cm.

[0062] The foundations can be constructed using driven piles, screw piles, root piles, or concrete. The support plate 24 supports the posts 16 and serves as a support for the internal storage space 30.

[0063] The tank 38, when independent of the structure of the post 16, can be inserted into the cavity 40 during the installation phase of the supporting structure 12.

[0064] It is noted that the supporting structure 12 described above can be used to support a set of solar panels or different types of roofing.

[0065] It should be noted that the load-bearing structure assembly 10 according to the invention is particularly suitable for installation in a cemetery, a public park, or a parking area. This assembly provides water points and shelter from the sun's heat or rain. This load-bearing structure assembly 10 can also be installed on the coast where it may also be useful to have a water point, for example, for rinsing one's feet.

[0066] LEGEND

[0067] 10: assembly of load-bearing structure 12: Load-bearing structure 14: roof 16: post 18: lower end 20: foundation element 22: anchoring element 24: support plate 26: main section 28: section of the base 30: Interior storage space 32: upper end 34: upper feed port 36: Rainwater collector 38: reservoir 40: cavity 42: connecting conduit 44: tap 46: Drainage opening 48: cistern 50: Drainage pipe 52: pump 54: Low level sensor 56: High level sensor 58: outlet 60: hole N: ground level S: ground

Claims

Demands

1. Load-bearing structure (10), in particular for supporting a roof (14) or solar panels, comprising at least one post (16) having at its lower end a foundation element (20) intended to anchor the post (16) in the ground (S), characterized in that each post (16) comprises: - an internal storage space (30) capable of storing a predetermined quantity of water, said internal storage space (30) extending at least in part into a lower section of the post (16) intended to be positioned below the level (N) of the ground (S), said base section (28), - an upper supply orifice (34) intended to be connected to a rainwater collector (36) so as to allow the internal storage space (30) to be filled with rainwater.

2. Load-bearing structure (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each post (16) has a cavity (40) and in that the interior storage space (30) is an added element which is installed in said cavity (40).

3. Load-bearing structure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two posts (16) whose internal storage spaces (30) are connected by a connecting conduit (42).

4. Load-bearing structure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one post (16) is provided with at least one tap (44) which is connected to the internal storage space (30) and which allows water to be drawn.

5. Load-bearing structure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each foundation element (20) comprises an anchoring element (22) fixed to a support plate (24), the support plate (24) being fixed to the lower end of the associated post (16).

6. Load-bearing structure (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each post (16) has a drainage orifice (46) arranged below the upper supply orifice (34) so ​​as to allow water to be drained contained in the internal storage space (30) when the water level exceeds an upper limit.

7. A load-bearing structure assembly (10) comprising at least one load-bearing structure (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a tank (48) intended to store a determined quantity of water, the tank (48) being connected to the internal storage space (30) of at least one post (16) by a discharge pipe (50) which is connected to the discharge port (46).

8. A load-bearing structure assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tank (48) is equipped with a pump (52) which allows water contained in the tank (48) to be transferred to the internal storage space (30) through the discharge pipe (50).

9. A load-bearing structure assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal storage space (30) is equipped with a low level sensor (54) intended to trigger the operation of the pump (52) when the water level in the internal storage space (30) reaches the low level, the low level being located above the base section (28).

10. Method of installing a load-bearing structure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: a) making a hole (60) in the ground (S), b) positioning the post (16) and its foundation element (20) in the hole (60) so that the base section (28) of the post (16) is below the level (N) of the ground (S), c) filling the interior storage space (30) with water at least up to the level (N) of the ground (S).

11. Installation method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises a step in which the interior storage spaces (30) of at least two posts (16) are connected by installing a connecting conduit (42) below the level (N) of the ground (S).

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