Connection element and prefabricated panel

Abstract

A connection element (1) for a prefabricated panel (9) comprises: - a plate-like body (10) lying on an imaginary plane (A) along a main extension direction (Z) between a lower end (12) and an upper end (14); - a hooking system (2) comprising a first and a second lip (22, 24) and an abutment portion (26) which forms respective seats (42, 44) with said lips (22, 24). Said seats (42, 44) each extend along and about a respective seat axis (Y2, Y4), parallel to each other and to the imaginary plane (A), orthogonal to the main extension direction (Z), equally spaced apart from the imaginary plane (A) and both lying on a same imaginary mesh plane (R) orthogonal to the main extension direction (Z). A prefabricated panel (9) comprises such connection element.

Description

CONNECTION ELEMENT AND PREFABRICATED PANELDESCRIPTIONField of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection element for prefabricated wall panels , preferably made of concrete , preferably for " thermal break" type panels , and a prefabricated wall panel , preferably made of concrete , comprising said connection element .

[0002] The present invention generally applies to the prefabricated construction sector .

[0003] In the prefabricated construction sector, the use of so-called " thermal break" prefabricated panels is widespread, with the function of insulating and protecting facades .

[0004] The term thermal break panel refers to a panel composed of an overlapping of " sandwich" layers , preferably three . Generally, a first inner layer is made of concrete ( either solid or light-weight using panels made from an insulating material ) and constitutes the internal structural support portion of the panel . The intermediate layer, on the other hand, is made from a heat-insulating material and constitutes the actual " thermal break" . A third outermost layer has a coating function and is usually also made of concrete , which is preferably lighter .

[0005] The outer coating layer is connected to the inner structural layer by means of special connection elements adapted to allow the inner structural layer to also support the load of the outer coating layer, whilst at the same time keeping said layers independent in terms of thermal expansion . In other words , these elements must ensure the that the coating is supported by the inner layer and, in order to avoid damage to the panel due to phenomena such as buckling and cracks , must allow the coating layer to undergo thermal expansion that is di f ferent than that of the structural layer .

[0006] Said connection elements must consequently be designed to allow the thermal expansion of the external surface without this leading to the trans fer of deformation to the entire panel .

[0007] Clearly, at the same time , such elements must not generate thermal bridges between the three layers and must withstand all mechanical actions owing to supporting the external surface .

[0008] In the prior art , various types of connections for thermal break panels are known to be provided . Some systems , in order to allow adequate thermal expansion, provide for the presence of elastici zed metal connection elements , or connection pins made of thermoplastic material .

[0009] Such solutions inconveniently present some problems .

[0010] Metal connections are not in fact such to ensure the complete absence of thermal bridges between layers .

[0011] Furthermore , such systems discharge the weight of the coating layer, which is brought to bear on only a few points ( two or three for the entire panel ) , thereby inducing a considerable concentration of stresses . Such systems therefore require that the panel be suitably si zed in order to withstand such concentrated stresses , and that they therefore be of considerable thickness .

[0012] According to a further disadvantage , connection pins may have problems in coupling to the structural part of the panel .

[0013] Further solutions have therefore been studied that attempt to provide better compensation for thermal expansion and a considerable reduction in thermal bridges .

[0014] The European patent EP2342394 describes a connection element consisting of a rectangular plate having at the ends means for coupling to the layers of concrete and the metal reinforcement present within the support layer .

[0015] Disadvantageously, the connecting element described in such patent is characteri zed by various application limitations .

[0016] In fact , in order to keep the concrete layersanchored together, such element requires being stably anchored to reinforcement within both layers . Such a limit restricts the application thereof only to panel thicknesses that are compatible with the length of the element itsel f .

[0017] Furthermore , according to a further disadvantage , such a connection element , when arranged near the sides of the panel ( the most frequent case ) , may generate interference with any female grooves present on the sides of the production tracks that are used to create the coupling between two adj acent panels .

[0018] Inconveniently, moreover, such connection element does not allow for the use of meshes of di f ferent thicknesses , but has to be shaped and produced ad hoc according to the thickness of the reinforcement mesh whereto it is to be applied .

[0019] According to a further disadvantage , the connecting element described in the aforementioned patent is not suitable for being arranged in such a way that it is mirrored on both sides of the panel insofar as such application would generate even high mismatches or misalignments , to the detriment of the positioning thereof and constraining of the layers to the mesh . Solution of the invention

[0020] There therefore appears to be a signi ficant need toprovide a connection element capable of overcoming those drawbacks that are typical of the prior art .

[0021] In particular, the obj ect of the present invention is to provide a connection element which ensures a connection which is stable over time and strong and which does not create thermal bridges between the layers .

[0022] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide a connection element that may also be used for di f ferent panel thicknesses without having to restrict itsel f to the reinforcement of the panel support layer .

[0023] A still further obj ect is to promote the arrangement versatility of such element , ensuring optimal alignment of elements that are arranged in a mirrored manner .

[0024] A still further obj ect is to provide an easily applicable and safe connection element from the point of view of the ability to support the external surface .

[0025] Such requirement is satis fied by a connection element and by a prefabricated panel according to the attached independent claims . The claims dependent thereon describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention, comprising further advantageous features . Description of the drawings

[0026] The features and advantages of the connection element and of the prefabricated panel will be evident from the description below of some preferred exemplaryembodiments , given by way of non-limiting example , with reference to the accompanying figures , wherein :- Figure 1 shows a front view of a connection element in one embodiment of the present invention;Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a connection element in one embodiment of the present invention;- Figure 3 shows a side view of a connection element in one embodiment of the present invention;- Figure 4 shows a pair of connection elements anchored to a reinforcement mesh in one embodiment of the present invention;Figure 5 shows a plurality of connection elements anchored to a reinforcement mesh in one embodiment of the present invention;- Figure 6 shows a prefabricated panel in one embodiment of the present invention, partially broken down in order to show the layers thereof .Detailed description

[0027] With reference to the above figures , a connection element 1 has been indicated as a whole with the reference numeral 1 . The connection element 1 finds application in a prefabricated panel 9 , preferably a thermal break panel , of the type comprising an outer layer 92 and an inner layer 94 made of concrete , wherein at least the outer layer 92 comprises a reinforcementmesh 8 comprising bars 80 and an intermediate layer 96 made of thermally insulating material , interposed between said outer layer 92 and the inner layer 94 .

[0028] The connection element 1 comprises :

[0029] - a plate-like body 10 lying on an imaginary plane A mainly extending along a main extension direction Z between a lower end 12 and an upper end 14 ;

[0030] - a hooking system 2 proj ecting from the plate-like body 10 at the lower end 12 .

[0031] In the present discussion, the terms "upper" and " lower" are used for the sole purpose of defining a reference system speci fic to the connection element , but a person skilled in the art clearly and unambiguously understands that these terms are to be read in a manner entirely relative to the arrangement of the workpiece .

[0032] The hooking system comprises a first lip 22 and a second lip 24 extending in a mutually opposite direction with respect to the imaginary plane A, and at least one abutment portion 26 forming, with said first lip 22 and second lip 24 , a first seat 42 and a second seat 44 , respectively, each suitable for accommodating a bar 80 of a reinforcement mesh 8 of a prefabricated panel 9 of the aforementioned type .

[0033] The first seat 42 and the second seat 44 each identi fy and extend along and about a first seat axis Y2and a second seat axis Y4 , respectively . According to the invention, said first seat axis Y2 and said second seat axis Y4 are parallel to each other and to the imaginary plane A, orthogonal to the main extension direction Z , equally spaced apart from said imaginary plane A and both lie on a same imaginary mesh plane R orthogonal to the main extension direction Z .

[0034] Advantageously, this embodiment makes it possible to apply the connection element 1 to a bar both by inserting it into the first and second seats , both being mirrored in relation to the plate-like body .

[0035] This af fects the possibility of inserting a pair of connection elements on the same bar in a mirrored manner, avoiding any misalignments that would cause problems with the assembly of the panel and in particular the positioning of the insulating material usually used in the form of sheets .

[0036] That is to say, this feature allows a pair of elements to be applied to the same bar in a mutually mirrored manner, leaving them aligned with each other .

[0037] This configuration, precisely by virtue of the presence of the two seats aligned and identi fying the same mesh plane , with respect to the version of the connection element described in the European patent EP2342394 cited above , solves the problem of arrangingthe element on two sides of the panel . Such embodiment in fact allows the connection element to be arranged in a mirrored manner thereby avoiding the generation of also signi ficant mismatches or mi salignments and ensuring optimal restriction of the mesh to the layers .

[0038] In one embodiment , the first lip 22 and the second lip 24 extend symmetrically with respect to the imaginary plane A. The first lip 22 and the second lip 24 are preferably mirrored in relation to the imaginary plane .

[0039] In one embodiment , each seat 42 , 44 is delimited by a substantially curvilinear wall comprising a lip segment and an abutment segment , wherein the distance between the lip segment and the abutment segment gradually increases moving away from the imaginary plane A.

[0040] In other words , the seats 42 , 44 are flared outwards , i . e . , they define a cross section that is gradually wider moving away from the imaginary plane A.

[0041] Advantageously, such configuration allows the connection element to be applied to reinforcing meshes 8 having bars of di f ferent thicknesses , for example between 5 mm and 8 mm . Furthermore , advantageously, such feature makes the connection element suitable for use with meshes made of di f fering materials , for example metal , thermosetting resin, glass fiber .

[0042] In one embodiment , the hooking system 2 comprises asubstantially "C"-shaped end hook 20 , which identi fies a third seat 48 extending along and about a third seat axi s Y8 substantially belonging to the imaginary plane A, and wherein the abutment portion 26 is part of said end hook 20 . Even more preferably, the abutment portion is formed by an upper section of said end hook 20 .

[0043] Advantageously, such hook confers further versatility to the connection element , making it applicable also to panels with greater thicknesses than standard ones .

[0044] In a preferred embodiment , the first and second lip 22 , 24 proj ect from the plate-like body 10 from a same point of the lower end 12 .

[0045] In one advantageous embodiment , with reference to Figure 3 , the plate-like body 10 extends into the imaginary plane A with the shape of a parallelogram, i . e . , the proj ection thereof onto the imaginary plane is delimited by a first pair of opposite sides 101 , 102 parallel to each other and by a second pair of opposite sides 103 , 104 parallel to each other, wherein the second pair of opposite sides 103 , 104 is inclined with respect to the first pair of opposite sides 101 , 102 .

[0046] Advantageously, this feature makes the connection element stable even without having an auxiliary coupling portion at the top, insofar as the insertion of saidconnection element , due to the parallelogram shape thereof , into the concrete generates sub- frames by construction that hinder the removal thereof from the concrete layer . In other words , this feature optimi zes the anchoring of the connection element to the concrete .

[0047] According to a further advantage , such embodiment variant confers to the connection element the ability to also adapt to partitioned panels , having reinforcement meshes with dimensions that are di f ferent from those of standard ones . In such cases , in fact , it often occurs that those points where the bars 80 cross the auxiliary bars 81 result in being distant from the sides of the panel . The inclination of the connection element allows it to be applied in such a way that the upper end 14 intercepts those cross-pieces that are close to the edge and is able to perform the structural function thereof . This represents a considerable advantage over the prior art , in fact , linear and non-inclined connection systems are not suitable for being applied in such situations .

[0048] In one embodiment , with reference to Figures 1 or 2 , the plate-like body 10 is mainly of a first thickness S I in a minor direction X orthogonal to said imaginary plane A and has a second thickness S2 , which is larger than said first thickness S I in the minor direction X close to the lower end 12 .

[0049] The plate-like body 10 is preferably of a small thickness in the minor direction X, i . e . , it has a much smaller thickness than the other two extension dimensions .

[0050] Advantageously, between the first thickness S I and the second thickness S2 there is a step that facilitates panel assembly operations , making the level of concrete poured in relation to said step clear to an operator who is installing the connection element .

[0051] In one advantageous embodiment , with reference to Figure 3 , a "U"-shaped recess 7 is provided at the hooking system 2 , suitable for accommodating therein, by means of a bayonet insertion, an auxiliary bar 81 of the reinforcement mesh 8 , perpendicular to the bar 80 accommodating the first seat 42 and / or the second seat 44 .

[0052] Preferably, the connection element 1 also has an auxiliary hooking system 3 proj ecting from the plate-like body 10 at the upper end 14 and which is suitable for being coupled to an outer layer 94 of a prefabricated panel and / or to a bar 80 of a reinforcement mesh 8 of said outer layer 94 .

[0053] The hooking system 2 is preferably made in a single piece with the plate-shaped body 10 .

[0054] In a preferred embodiment , the connection element 1is manufactured of a plastic material , preferably Alkali- resistant thermosetting resin reinforced with fibers with a high transverse reinforcement content , preferably by pultrusion .

[0055] The obj ect of the present invention is also a prefabricated panel 9 comprising : an inner layer 94 and an outer layer 92 made of concrete , wherein at least the outer layer 92 comprises a reinforcement mesh 8 comprising bars 80 ;- an intermediate layer 96 made of a thermally insulating material , interposed between said outer layer 92 and said inner layer 94 ; at least one connection element 1 according to the present invention; wherein the connection element 1 is secured to the reinforcement mesh 8 by anchoring at least one bar 80 to the first seat 42 or the second seat 44 of the hooking system 2 .

[0056] Preferably, the prefabricated panel is a prefabricated wall panel , even more preferably it is a thermal break panel .

[0057] Innovatively, the present invention solves the typical drawbacks of connection systems for those prefabricated panels that are typical of the prior art .

[0058] Advantageously, the connection element of thepresent invention is versatile and allows two elements to be applied in a mirrored manner to the same bar thereby allowing them to be kept aligned and thereby improving the integrity of the entire system .

[0059] According to a further advantage , the connection element is strong and does not generate thermal bridges .

[0060] Advantageously, by virtue of the inclined "parallelogram" shape , the connection element is very capable of attaching itsel f to concrete thereby generating signi ficant sub- frames , and is therefore suitable for applications in panels wherein only one of the concrete layers is provided with a reinforcement mesh and the other is free .

[0061] According to an even further advantage , the inclination of the connection element makes it possible to also apply the device to panels that have female or male imprints due to the constraint between subsequent prefabricated panels thereby not generating interference with these grooves .

[0062] Advantageously, by virtue of the seats for the flared bars , the connection element is suitable for applications with di f ferent types of reinforcements , also of increasing diameters , and in particular for meshes with a common diameter of 5 mm or 8 mm .

[0063] Advantageously, the prefabricated panel is strongand compact , and has improved lightening, thereby allowing for the use of layers of reduced thickness due to the application of the connection element according to the present invention .

[0064] It is clear that , to the embodiments of the aforesaid connection element , a person skilled in the art , in order to meet speci fic needs , may make variations or substitutions to elements with functionally equivalent ones .

[0065] These variants are also contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims . Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connection element (1) for a prefabricated panel (9) , preferably a thermal break panel, said connection element (1) comprising:- a plate-like body (10) lying on an imaginary plane (A) mainly extending along a main extension direction (Z) between a lower end (12) and an upper end (14) ;- a hooking system (2) projecting from the plate-like body (10) at the lower end (12) and comprising a first lip (22) and a second lip (24) extending in a mutually opposite direction with respect to the imaginary plane (A) , and at least one abutment portion (26) forming, with said first lip (22) and second lip (24) , a first seat (42) and a second seat (44) , respectively, each suitable for accommodating a bar (80) of a reinforcement mesh (8) of a prefabricated panel (9) , and wherein the first seat (42) and the second seat (44) each identify and extend along and about a first seat axis (Y2) and a second seat axis (Y4) , respectively, characterized in that said first seat axis (Y2) and said second seat axis (Y4) are parallel to each other and to the imaginary plane (A) , orthogonal to the main extension direction (Z) , equally spaced apart from said imaginary plane (A) and both lie on a same imaginary mesh plane (R) orthogonal to the main extension direction (Z) .

2. Connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first lip (22) and the second lip (24) extend symmetrically to the imaginary plane (A) .

3. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each seat (42, 44) is delimited by a substantially curvilinear wall comprising a lip segment and an abutment segment, wherein the distance between the lip segment and the abutment segment gradually increases moving away from the imaginary plane (A) .

4. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hooking system (2) comprises a substantially "C"-shaped end hook (20) , which identifies a third seat (48) extending along and about a third seat axis (Y8) substantially belonging to the imaginary plane (A) , and wherein the abutment portion (26) is part of said end hook (20) .

5. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second lip (22, 24) project from the plate-like body (10) from a same point of the lower end (12) .

6. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate-like body (10) extends into the imaginary plane (A) with the shape of a parallelogram, i.e., the projection thereof onto theimaginary plane is delimited by a first pair of opposite sides (101, 102) parallel to each other and by a second pair of opposite sides (103, 104) parallel to each other, wherein the second pair of opposite sides (103, 104) is inclined with respect to the first pair of opposite sides (101, 102) .

7. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate-like body (10) is mainly of a first thickness (SI) , preferably a small thickness, in a minor direction (X) orthogonal to said imaginary plane (A) and has a second thickness (S2) , which is larger than said first thickness (SI) in the minor direction (X) close to the lower end (12) .

8. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a "U"-shaped recess (7) is provided at the hooking system (2) , suitable for accommodating therein, by means of a bayonet insertion, an auxiliary bar (81) of the reinforcement mesh (8) , perpendicular to the bar (80) accommodating the first seat (42) and / or the second seat (44) .

9. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an auxiliary hooking system (3) projecting from the plate-like body (10) at the upper end (14) and which is suitable for being coupled to an outer layer (94) of a prefabricated panel and / or to a bar(80) of a reinforcement mesh (8) of said outer layer (94) .

10. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hooking system (2) is made in a single piece with the plate-like body (10) .

11. Connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, manufactured of Alkali-resistant thermosetting resin reinforced with fibers with a high transverse reinforcement content, preferably by pultrusion .

12. A prefabricated panel (9) comprising:- an outer layer (92) and an inner layer (94) preferably made of concrete, wherein at least the outer layer (92) comprises a reinforcement mesh (8) comprising bars (80) ; an intermediate layer (96) made of a thermally insulating material, interposed between said outer layer (92) and said inner layer (94) ;- at least one connection element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the connection element (1) is secured to the reinforcement mesh (8) by anchoring at least one bar (80) to the first seat (42) or the second seat (44) of the hooking system (2) .

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