Connection device for structural elements, for example, ribs and reticular structures

Abstract

A connection device for structural elements of ribs and reticular structures comprises two connection members (3) which are fixed to two respective structural elements (S1, S2) and which are mutually movable from an unblocked connection configuration, in which the two structural elements (S1, S2) are free to move with respect to each other, to an unmovable blocked connection configuration, in which the two structural elements are blocked with respect to each other in a predetermined, unmovable position which is defined by a predetermined position of a blocking member. The connection device further comprises an electronic blocking detection device (22) which detects the positioning of the blocking member in the predetermined position and emits a signal that the blocking has taken place.

Description

[0001] CONNECTION DEVICE FOR STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS , FOR EXAMPLE , RIBS AND RETICULAR STRUCTURES

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a connection device for structural elements , in particular rib elements , reticular structures and the like . The present invention further relates to a rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation comprising connection means for the structural elements and a method for installing a support rib inside an excavation .

[0004] Technological background

[0005] In the field of support structures , it is known to use structural elements which are connected to each other in order to form the final form of the support structure itsel f . Such structural elements may have an open section, for example , with a C-shaped, double T-shaped or closed crosssection . In the case of closed sections , the structural elements are tubular and may have sections of any form, for example , circular, square , rectangular or triangular .

[0006] In order to support excavations , such as , for example , road or rail tunnels , it is known to use consolidation arches called ribs . In particular, a rib usually comprises a plurality of shaped structural elements which are made of steel and which are connected to each other in a vault-like configuration . Such elements are constituted by open profiles with an H-shaped, INP, C-shaped or double T-shaped crosssection and are fixedly j oined to each other by means of a connection element called a cross sti f fening bracket . In the maj ority of cases , the profiles are connected to each other in the region of the excavation to be consolidated after having been shaped in the carpentry workshop . After assembly, each rib is connected to the adj acent ones via connection chains , the ends of which are engaged with supports which are welded along the body of the profiles of the ribs . The space contained between two consecutive ribs and the wall of the excavation is consolidated usually via sprayed concrete ( spritz-beton / shotcrete ) .

[0007] In order to connect two structural elements to each other and to obtain the final form of the support structure , there are usually used a pair of connection plates which are intended to be connected to each other via bolts . A connection system is known from the document EP 2354447 which describes a support and consolidation rib of an excavation which is constituted by several structural elements which are connected to each other . In the known connection system, each first connection plate has portions which are welded to a respective structural element in the region of an end section . Each connection plate , usually of rectangular form, comprises two sets of holes for connecting bolts which fix the plates to each other, bringing about the connection between the structural elements so that the structural elements form a continuous structure which develops over the entire extent of the structure .

[0008] This known connection system has various disadvantages .

[0009] In order to bring about the connection, the structural elements have to be precisely positioned with respect to each other so as to align the holes of the plates in which to insert the bolts . This is di f ficult , particularly in the case of rather extensive structures , particularly vertical ones , or ones which have to take up final configurations with particular shapes , such as , for example , the ribs which have a vault-like configuration . Furthermore , the connection cannot be carried out automatically because the mutual positioning of the plates and the insertion of the bolts can be carried out only manually . Therefore , this connection requires a substantial expenditure of time .

[0010] Furthermore , this connection may be unstable i f , for example , the bolts are not fixed correctly . In particular, the instability of the connection may increase over time i f the tightness of the bolts is not checked periodically .

[0011] In order to overcome the above disadvantages , it is known to use an articulated connection device with an irreversible snap- fit connection . Such a connection device is described in WO 2015 / 186029 by the company Of ficine Maccaferri Italia S . r . l . This connection device for structural elements , in particular rib elements , reticular structures and the like , comprises a first housing with a cavity which is suitable for being associated with a first structural element . A connection member having at least one insertion portion in the cavity of the first housing is suitable for being associated with a second structural element . There are provided blocking means for the insertion portion of the connection member inside the cavity . The blocking means comprise a first channel which is formed in an internal wall of the housing and a second channel which is formed in an external wall of the insertion portion . A resilient ring is arranged in the first channel or in the second channel . When the insertion portion is inserted in the cavity of the first housing, the resilient ring is initially constricted inside the channel in which it is received, for example , the channel of the insertion portion, in order then to expand in the channel of the other element of the connection device , for example , the channel in the internal wall of the housing, when the two channels are aligned with each other . The expansion of the resilient ring engages both channels , irreversibly blocking the articulated connection device .

[0012] The above-mentioned connection device is particularly stable and ef fective . However, it is di f ficult to veri fy remotely whether the device has been correctly blocked in the irreversible position, that is to say, unmovably, of connection of the two structural elements . The lack of blocking of the connection device may be particularly risky for the solidity of the structure and the safety of persons , for example , when the connection device is used to block the two elements of a rib for tunnels and the like . In order to ensure without any doubt that the device is correctly blocked, it is therefore necessary to move close to it , something which is not always possible or which involves high risks for the safety of persons .

[0013] Statement of invention

[0014] An obj ect of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art , obtaining a rapid and secure connection between structural elements , particularly but not exclusively structural elements of ribs for supporting excavations and tunnels , with which it is possible to establish with certainty that the unmovable and irreversible blocking in a predetermined connection position has been carried out .

[0015] Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide an automatic connection which does not require manual intervention and with which it is possible to check the unmovable and irreversible blocking without any risks to the safety of persons . Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a connection between structural elements which provides information items about the unmovable and irreversible blocking being carried out in a simple and economical manner so as to be able to be used extensively in all the connection devices for structural elements , for example , all the ribs used in constructing an excavation, tunnel , etc .

[0016] These obj ects are achieved by means of a connection device for structural elements , in particular rib elements , reticular structures and the like , having the features indicated in the appended claims .

[0017] According to a first aspect , there is described a connection device for structural elements , such as , for example , ribs or reticular structures . The connection device comprises two connection members which are fixed to two respective structural elements . The connection members are j oined to each other in a mutually movable manner so as to move from an unblocked connection configuration, in which the two structural elements are free to move with respect to each other, to an unmovable blocked connection configuration, in which the two structural elements are blocked with respect to each other in a predetermined, irreversible position . This last position is defined by a predetermined position which is taken up by a blocking member . The connection device also comprises an electronic blocking detection device which is configured so as to detect the positioning of the blocking member in the above-mentioned predetermined position which is taken up when the blocking between the two connection members has taken place correctly . In this case , the electronic blocking detection device is configured so as to emit a signal , for example , an optical , acoustic, electrical , electromagnetic signal or signal of any other type , which indicates that the irreversible blocking of the blocking member has taken place . Advantageously, the two connection members can be articulated to each other .

[0018] This configuration allows remote veri fication of the blocking of the connection device ef fectively being carried out by an operator, who may, however, remain far from the installation zone of the rib or the reticular structure without any risk to his / her own safety .

[0019] According to a particular aspect , the blocking member may be a resilient ring . The resilient ring may insist , in the blocked position, into two facing channels . The channels may be constructed in the two connection members , respectively . The electronic blocking detection device may comprise a position sensor . The position sensor may be arranged in the region of at least one of the two channels so as to detect the presence of the resilient ring in the channel .

[0020] According to another particular aspect , the position sensor may be a linear movement transducer . Advantageously, the linear movement transducer may comprise an activation rod . With this configuration of the linear movement transducer, it is particularly convenient to configure the activation rod so that it can proj ect inside at least one of the above- mentioned channels in which the blocking member insists , for example , the above-mentioned resilient ring . In this manner, the resilient member - in particular the resilient ring - which is inserted in the channel can produce a thrust on the activation rod and consequently the activation of the linear movement transducer so as to emit the signal that blocking has taken place . According to another particular aspect , as mentioned above , the electronic blocking detection device may comprise a light and / or acoustic signaller which can be activated as a result of the irreversible blocking of the connection device in order to remotely transmit the above-mentioned signal , light signal and / or acoustic signal , that blocking has taken place .

[0021] According to another particular aspect , the electronic blocking detection device may comprise a power supply battery which is selectively connected by means of a power supply switch which is controlled by a selective activation member . The battery is normally disconnected so as to allow storage , including long-term storage , of the connection device . At the time of use , the battery may be connected for the necessary time to supply the connection device until the signalling that blocking has taken place . Preferably though in a nonlimiting manner, the selective activation member can be activated with vibration or shaking .

[0022] According to another particular aspect , the electronic blocking detection device may comprise a wireless transmission module for transmitting to a remote node the signal that irreversible blocking of the connection device has taken place . It is therefore possible to use an information system which is provided via software to collect and process the data from the various connection devices . In this regard, it may be advantageous for the transmission of the signal that blocking of the connection device has taken place to be accompanied by an identi fication code of the connection device itself together with a time stamp .

[0023] In this context , it is possible to provide a control and veri fication system for the correct deployment of a multiplicity of ribs and / or reticular structures , each of which comprises at least two structural elements which are j oined together by a connection device of the above-mentioned type . The control and veri fication system may comprise at least one data-collecting node which collects the signals that blocking has taken place which are emitted by a predetermined group of connection devices . The data- collecting node may advantageously be configured so as to associate each signal that blocking has taken place with a respective identi fication of a connection device which is stored beforehand . Furthermore , the data-collection node may be provided to signal the possible lack of reception of at least one of the signals that blocking has taken place from a respective connection device . It is thereby possible to have a general overview, for example , of the correct positioning and deployment of the support ribs along an entire excavation so as to control that they have all been correctly positioned, for example , in the case of use of automatic positioning systems for the ribs . The collection of these data can further act as certi fication of the correct deployment of the ribs along an entire excavation .

[0024] Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Additional features and advantages will become evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the appended drawings which are given merely by way of non-limiting example and in which :

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a step of installing a rib, the structural elements of which are provided with connection devices according to the invention;

[0027] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connection device for structural elements , in particular rib elements , reticular structures and the like , incorporating features of the present invention;

[0028] - Figure 3 is a cross-section of the device of Figure 2 in an open position of the device ;

[0029] - Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3 , in a closed position of the device ;

[0030] - Figure 5 is a diagram of the electronic device for checking that the device of Figure 2 is closed .

[0031] Detailed description

[0032] In the following embodiments , there are described features which allow the invention to be carried out . The features described can be combined with each other in various manners and are not necessarily limited to the precise embodiment to which the drawings and the relevant description refer . In other words , a person skilled in the art in the sector who reads the following description will know how to obtain the information items which are useful for knowing the way to carry out one or more of the features described by combining it with one or more of the other features described without the particular formulation of the description, the paragraphs , phrases or drawings constituting a limitation on the possibility of isolating one or more of the features described and illustrated in order to combine them with one or more of any of the other features described and illustrated .

[0033] Now with reference to Figures 1 to 4 , a connection device 1 for structural elements , in particular rib elements , reticular structures and the like comprises a receiving member 2 which is connected in an articulated manner to a connection member 3 via a hinge member 4 . The receiving member 2 and the connection member 3 can be fixed to two respective structural elements , respectively, for example , two structural elements S I , S2 , for example , two structural elements of a rib C for an excavation or tunnel G . There is defined in the receiving member 2 a cavity with an internal wall 6 , preferably with a substantially f rustoconical form . The internal wall 6 of the receiving member 2 has a circumferential channel 8 which is suitable for receiving an engaging element , preferably a resilient ring 10 , for bringing about the connection to the connection member 3 which is fixed to the other structural element of the rib C or the like .

[0034] The connection member 3 has an insertion portion 12 which is preferably of substantially f rustoconical form and / or preferably hollow . A channel 16 for the insertion of the resilient ring 10 is provided in the external wall 14 of the insertion portion 12 . As can be seen in the Figures , the resilient ring 10 can be premounted in the channel 16 of the insertion portion 12 and can be inserted in the channel 8 which is constructed in the internal wall of the housing 2 during the connection step . In a variant which is not illustrated, the resilient ring 10 can be premounted on the internal wall of the receiving member 2 and can be inserted in the channel 16 of the insertion portion 12 during the connection step .

[0035] A cavity 20 which opens in the region of the channel 8 is formed in the receiving member 2 . There is received in the cavity 20 a detection device 22 which is suitable for detecting the presence , in the channel 8 , of the resilient ring 10 when the connection device 1 , from the open configuration illustrated in Figure 3 , reaches the closed position illustrated in Figure 4 . I f , in the alternative embodiment mentioned above , it is desirable to premount the resilient ring in the channel 8 , it is possible to construct in the insertion portion 12 of the connection member 3 a similar cavity which opens in the region of the channel 16 and in which to receive the detection device 22 which is suitable in this case for detecting the presence in the channel 16 of the resilient ring 10 when the connection device reaches the closed position of Figure 3 .

[0036] The detection device 22 preferably comprises a linear movement transducer 24 , such as , for example , but in a nonlimiting manner, a microswitch, for example , of the type with a rod 26 which proj ects radially into the channel 8 and which is capable of closing an electric or electronic circuit when it is urged by the resilient ring 10 which occupies the channel 8 . In this case, the detection of the presence of the resilient ring 10 in the channel 8 is ensured and therefore the correct closure of the connection device 1 .

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates by way of example a diagram of the detection device 22 with the linear movement transducer 24 which is provided with the rod 26 . The detection device 22 is provided with a microprocessor 28 ( CPU) which detects a signal which is sent by the linear movement transducer 24 or by another sensor when the resilient ring 10 expands in the channel in which the rod 26 proj ects , pressing it . The microprocessor 28 controls a signalling device , for example , light signalling device , such as a LED 30 , which signals remotely at least the activation condition of the microswitch 24 corresponding to the correct positioning of the resilient ring 10 in both the channels and therefore the irreversibly blocked connection of the connection device 1 . Naturally, the signalling device may comprise an acoustic signaller additionally or alternatively to the light signalling device .

[0038] The detection device 22 is powered by a battery 32 which is normally disconnected by a switch 34 which remains open when the connection device is stored in order not to consume the battery, which preferably has a small capacity both in order to reduce the weight thereof and because the functionality of the device is limited to the step of installing the structural elements when the connection device is moved from the open configuration to the irreversibly blocked configuration . Preferably, a switch 34 which can be actuated by command or on request allows connection of the battery 32 to the microprocessor 28 only when the connection device 1 is about to be used . To this end, the switch 34 can be activated by a mechanism which is sensitive to the acceleration which is brought about , for example , by shaking the detection device 22 . Other systems for closing the switch 34 may comprise magnetic activation of a mechanical block . In the simplest case , the switch 34 is a tongue made of a non- conductive material which is interposed between a pole of the battery 32 and the relevant electric contact . By removing the tongue , the microprocessor 28 is supplied with power . Naturally, other selective power supply systems for the detection device 22 which allow activation only when the connection device 1 is about to be used can be constructed so as to use little energy and to allow the use of a battery with limited capacity .

[0039] Once the power supply of the detection device 22 is activated, the signalling device can also supply, in addition to indicating that blocking has taken place , other states of the connection device 1 , for example , using di f ferent colours and / or particular intermittences . For example , it is possible via the signalling device to remotely signal whether the detection device 22 is on and, in this case , whether the battery 32 is suf ficiently charged .

[0040] The microprocessor 28 can also control a wireless transmission module 36 , for example , a WiFi or BLE transmission module , or one of another similar type which, by means of an antenna 38 , transmits the data relating to the state of the connection device 1 to a remote device 42 by means of a direct point-to-point connection or a network, such as , for example , the Internet network 40 . It is thereby possible to control the ef fective blocking state of a number of connection devices 1 , for example , which are distributed over many ribs within an excavation . Furthermore , the transmission of the data can be used for historic recordal and the resultant certi fication that the blocking of the connection devices took place for a complex proj ect which comprises dozens or hundreds of connection devices 1 , such as , for example , for constructing support structures of tunnels which comprise a large number of ribs , each of which can be constructed with various structural elements which are articulated to each other by means of respective connection devices 1 . Naturally, in this case it is convenient that each connection device is identi fied by a unique identi fication code which is transmitted together with the signal that unmovable and irreversible blocking has taken place so as to identi fy each connection device in the overall works . The transmission may further also comprise a time stamp in order to provide information items about the date and time at which the blocking of the connection device correctly took place , this for purposes of historical documentation and possible certi fication .

[0041] Naturally, the remote device 42 may be of various types , for example , it may be a mobile device , as illustrated in Figure 5 by way of example , as well as a computer, a server, a server cluster, a system distributed in the cloud or any other reception and data-processing system of the type known in the data-processing sector . Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same , the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connection device for structural elements of ribs and / or reticular structures comprising two connection members (2, 3) which are fixed to two respective structural elements (SI, S2) and joined to each other in a mutually movable manner so as to move from an unblocked connection configuration, in which the two structural elements are free to move with respect to each other, to an unmovable blocked connection configuration, in which the two structural elements are blocked with respect to each other in a predetermined, irreversible position which is defined by a predetermined position of a blocking member (10) , comprising an electronic blocking detection device (22) which detects the positioning of the blocking member in the predetermined position and emits a signal that the blocking has taken place.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member (10) is a resilient ring which insists, in the blocked position, into two facing channels (8, 16) which are constructed in the two connection members (2, 3) , respectively, the electronic blocking detection device (22) comprising a position sensor which is arranged in the region of at least one of the two channels so as to detect the presence of the resilient ring in the channel.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the position sensor is a linear movement transducer (24) with an activation rod (26) which projects inside said at least one channel so that the insertion of the resilient ring (10) therein produces a push on the activation rod and the consequent activation of the linear movement transducer.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic blocking detection device (22)comprises a light and / or acoustic signaller (30) which is activated as a result of the irreversible blocking of the connection device in order to remotely transmit the signal, light signal and / or acoustic signal, that blocking has taken place .

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic blocking detection device (22) comprises a power supply battery (32) which is selectively connected by means of a power supply switch (34) which is controlled by a selective activation member.

6. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the selective activation member can be activated by vibration or shaking .

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic blocking detection device (22) comprises a wireless transmission module (36) for transmitting to a remote node the signal that irreversible blocking of the connection device has taken place.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the transmission of the signal that blocking of the connection device has taken place is accompanied by an identification code of the connection device itself together with a time stamp.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two connection members (2, 3) are articulated to each other.

10. A control and verification system for the correct deployment of a multiplicity of ribs and / or reticular structures, each of which comprises at least two structuralelements which are j oined together by a connection device according to any one of the preceding claims , comprising a data-collecting node which collects the signals that blocking has taken place which are emitted by a predetermined group of connection devices , the data-collecting node being configured so as to associate each signal that blocking has taken place with a respective identi fication of a connection device which is stored beforehand and to signal the possible lack of reception of at least one of the signals that blocking has taken place from a respective connection device .

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