Metal beam for a suspended structure and method for producing it

Abstract

Metal beam (10) for supporting one or more resting elements that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure to safely carry out work in a building construction. The beam (10) has its own longitudinal axis (X), which during use is horizontal, and comprises both two longitudinal elements (16, 17) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) and lying on a median plane (P) passing through the latter and perpendicular thereto, and also one or more intermediate elements (18) interposed between the two longitudinal elements (16, 17), attached to the latter and lying on the same median plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X).

Description

[0001] METAL BEAM FOR A SUSPENDED STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING IT

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention’s scope of application is that of suspended structures for carrying out any type of work whatsoever, for example maintenance, construction, or completion and installation of systems and services, on building constructions in general and on their elevated parts in particular. In the present description and the attached claims, the term “building construction” is understood in its broadest possible sense, which includes, without any limitation whatsoever, bridges, viaducts, overpasses, tunnels, underpasses, buildings and similar structures of any size whatsoever, even the largest currently in existence. While the term “elevated part” is understood as any surface whatsoever, even irregular, distant from the ground or a floor of any building construction whatsoever. In particular, the present invention concerns a beam for supporting resting elements that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure and a method for manufacturing the beam itself.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] To carry out maintenance work, or completion and installation of systems and services on, or in correspondence with, elevated parts, in the broadest sense, of building constructions as defined above, especially those of very large sizes, even of several thousand square meters, it is not always possible or cost-effective to assemble scaffolding that starts from the ground and reaches the proximity of the ceilings, or other elevated parts, on which intervention is desired or required. Consider, for example, beams or scaffolding for viaducts, which are sometimes even a few hundred meters above the ground, or for bridges with spans ranging from a few tens of meters to a few kilometers in length, or road or motorway structures, such as tunnels, where it is necessary to intervene on their elevated parts, possibly without interrupting, even temporarily, vehicular traffic, sometimes even for long periods of time, measurable in months or years.

[0006] In these cases, it is known to create suspended structures resting on, or attached to, the same building construction on which any given maintenance is to be carried out or completed with the installation, for example in the soffit part or in proximity to the ceiling, of systems and services. The same inventor of the present invention some years ago provided a temporary suspended structure, which comprised at least two reticular beams configured to support resting elements that defined a walkable surface.

[0007] The aforementioned known reticular beams, however, had the drawback of being cumbersome and very heavy, so they were difficult to handle, especially when creating suspended structures which are particularly difficult to assemble due to the conformity of the building constructions where they had to be installed.

[0008] Other beams of the state of the art, all having the aforementioned drawback, are disclosed in patent documents US 10,465,396 B2, NL 6910653 and US 2014 / 145062 A2.

[0009] There is therefore the need to perfect a beam for supporting resting elements that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0010] To do this, it is first necessary to resolve the technical problem of providing a beam that is not only robust, so as to support resting elements capable of safely bearing the loads per square meter required by current regulations, but which is at the same time sufficiently lightweight, compact, and easy to handle, even manually, allowing it to be easily moved by those responsible for using it without having to make excessive effort, thus avoiding any danger to their health, always operating in safe conditions even when, during the assembly of the suspended structure, having to temporarily and partly overhang from the suspended structure in order to carry out work on its lower part, such as for example attaching and anchoring a mandatory safety net.

[0011] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a beam for supporting the resting elements of a suspended structure, and to perfect a method for producing it, which is robust and reliable, but also relatively lightweight and easy to handle.

[0012] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a beam for supporting the resting elements of a suspended structure that can be easily couplable to other beams structurally identical to it, in order to create load-bearing beams of larger sizes to satisfy the different needs associated with the type of suspended structure to be installed and building construction on which to intervene.

[0013] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0016] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a metal beam for supporting one or more resting elements that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure to safely carry out work in a building construction comprises both two longitudinal elements parallel to a longitudinal axis of the beam itself, which during use is horizontal, and lying on a median plane passing through and perpendicular to the latter, and also one or more intermediate elements interposed between the two longitudinal elements, attached to the latter and lying on the median plane.

[0017] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the height of the beam is smaller than that of the prior art, being advantageously comprised between 200 mm and 300 mm, and preferably it is of 250 mm; moreover, the sizes of two longitudinal elements and of the one or more intermediate elements are such as to allow the beam to support a load of up to 9.0 kN / m.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, wherein the suspended structure comprises a plurality of support elements which, during use, are substantially vertical and are spaced apart by a distance, or center distance, which is chosen as a function of the load that the beam has to support, and wherein the center distance is preferably a multiple of 0.5 m and is even more preferably l.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, 5.0 m, or 6.0 m, when the center distance is 1.0 m, the load is 9.0 kN / m; when the center distance is 1.5 m, the load is 6.0 kN / m; when the center distance is 2.0 m, the load is 4.5 kN / m; when the center distance is 2.5 m, the load is 3.6 kN / m; when the center distance is 3.0 m, the load is 3.0 kN / m; when the center distance is 4.0 m, the load is 2.2 kN / m; when the center distance is 5.0 m, the load is 1.8 kN / m; and when the center distance is 6.0 m, the load is 1.4 kN / m.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beam is made of aluminum, has a length of certain sizes which are a multiple of 0.5 m and are preferably 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, 5.0 m, 6.0 m, and at least a first longitudinal element of the above mentioned two longitudinal elements comprises, or consists of, a standard type tubular element for the scaffolding sector, preferably having an external diameter of 48.3 mm.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least a second longitudinal element of the above mentioned two longitudinal elements comprises, or consists of, a metal section bar having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with the two lateral flanks substantially parallel to the median plane, or another standard type tubular element for the scaffolding sector, preferably having an external diameter of 48.3 mm.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beam is of the reversible type and can be used both with the second longitudinal element positioned above, and also with the second longitudinal element positioned below, in order to respectively receive corresponding attachment elements of the resting elements, both when they are angled substantially at a right angle and also when they are curved.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, when the height of the beam is 250 mm and (a) the second longitudinal element has a substantially U- shaped cross-section, the weight of the beam, as a function of its length, is, respectively, 44.7 N when the latter is 1.0 m; 67.5 N when its length is 1.5 m; 90.4 N when its length is 2.0 m; 129.5 N when its length is 3.0 m; 185.1 N when its length is 4.0 m; 220.2 N when its length is 5.0 m; and 265.9 N when its length is 6.0 m, or (b) the two longitudinal elements each comprise a tubular element, the weight of the beam is, respectively, 38.6 N when its length is 1.0 m; 60.2 N when its length is 1.5 m; 81.9 N when its length is 2.0 m; 118.3 N when its length is 3.0 m; 161.6 N when its length is 4.0 m; 204.8 N when its length is 5.0 m; and 248.2 N when its length is 6.0 m.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the intermediate elements comprise both a plurality of metal tubular elements, which are equidistant from each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal elements, and have a length which varies as a function of the height of the beam and which is preferably between 100 mm and 200 mm, even more preferably 150 mm when the height of the beam is 250 mm, and also one or more metal plates each substantially having, when viewed laterally, the shape of an X and disposed at intervals between the tubular elements; moreover, the plurality of tubular elements and the one or more plates are welded to the longitudinal elements so as to be disposed on the median plane.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of the tubular elements has the same external diameter as the first longitudinal element, preferably 48.3 mm.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beam also comprises, at each of its ends, a connection element configured to couple to external connection means so that the beam can be coupled to another beam, at least in a longitudinal direction, with the longitudinal axes of the two beams coaxial to each other.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the connection element comprises, or consists of, a metal section bar with a rectangular section, preferably square, having a cavity configured to accommodate the external connection means, and it is welded at least to a corresponding end of the second longitudinal element and parallel thereto, so that it is both facing toward the first longitudinal element and also lying on the median plane.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing a metal beam to support one or more resting elements that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure to safely carry out work in a building construction, wherein the beam has its own longitudinal axis which during use is horizontal, comprises a first step in which two longitudinal elements parallel to the longitudinal axis and lying on a median plane passing through and perpendicular to the latter are prepared, and a second step in which one or more intermediate elements are interposed between the two longitudinal elements, attached to the latter and lying on the median plane; moreover, according to a new and original characteristic, the beam’s height is smaller than those of the prior art, being advantageously comprised between 200 mm and 300 mm, and it is preferably of 250 mm; moreover, the two longitudinal elements and the one or more intermediate elements have sizes such as to allow the beam to support a load of up to 9.0 kN / m. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0029] - fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beam according to the present invention that is part of a suspended structure, shown schematically during a step of creating the latter;

[0030] - fig. 2 is a lateral view of a beam of fig. 1;

[0031] - fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of fig. 2;

[0032] - fig. 4 is an enlarged scale, top view of a detail of the beam of fig. 2;

[0033] - fig. 5 is an enlarged scale, front view of the beam of fig. 2;

[0034] - fig. 6 is a front view similar to that of fig. 8, but with the beam of fig. 2 in a position of use rotated by 180°;

[0035] - fig. 7 is a front view of a beam according to the present invention in accordance with a second embodiment;

[0036] - fig. 8 is a perspective and exploded view of two beams of fig. 2 connectable by means of external connection means, in accordance with a first embodiment;

[0037] - fig. 9 is a perspective and exploded view of external connection means, in accordance with a second embodiment, for connecting together two beams of fig. 2;

[0038] - fig. 10 is a perspective and exploded view of external connection means, in accordance with a third embodiment, for connecting together two beams of fig. 2;

[0039] - fig. 11 is a perspective and exploded view of external connection means, in accordance with a fourth embodiment, for connecting together two beams of fig. 7;

[0040] - fig. 12 is a perspective view of a joining device, in accordance with a first embodiment, for coupling together two beams of fig. 2 side by side to each other;

[0041] - fig. 13 is a perspective view of two beams of fig. 2 coupled together, side by side to each other, using the joining device of fig. 12;

[0042] - fig. 14 is a front view of two beams of fig. 7 coupled together, side by side to each other, using the joining device of fig. 12;

[0043] - fig. 15 is a perspective view of a joining device, in accordance with a second embodiment, for coupling together, side by side to each other, two beams of fig. 2 or fig. 7;

[0044] - fig. 16 is a perspective view of two beams of fig. 2, the one above in the position of fig. 5 and the one below in the position of fig. 6, coupled together one on top of the other by means of the joining device of fig. 15;

[0045] - fig. 17 is a front view of the two beams of fig. 16 coupled together.

[0046] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example thereof, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0047] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

[0048] DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0049] With reference to fig. 1, a beam 10 according to the present invention is configured to support, normally together with other beams 10, resting elements 11 that define a walkable surface of a modular type suspended structure 12, in order to be able to safely carry out work on a building construction, and in particular on an elevated part thereof, as defined above.

[0050] Some embodiments provide that the beam 10 is connected to the elevated part of the building construction by means of support elements 13, with the function of tie rods, which for example can be as those described in the international patent application that the same Applicant has submitted at the same time as this application. The support elements 13, during use, are substantially vertical and are spaced apart by a distance, or center distance I, which is chosen as a function of the load that the beam 10 has to support.

[0051] The beam 10 (figs. 1 and from 5 to 7) is preferably made of metal and even more preferably aluminum, or alloys thereof, for example an aluminum alloy EN AW 6082 T6 with high mechanical characteristics, or alternatively of steel.

[0052] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the beam 10 (figs, from 2 to 7) has its own longitudinal axis X, which during use is horizontal, and comprises both two stringers, or longitudinal elements 16, 17, parallel to the latter and disposed on a median plane P (figs, from 5 to 7) passing through the longitudinal axis X and which during use is vertical, and also a plurality of uprights, or intermediate elements 18, interposed between the two longitudinal elements 16, 17, attached to the latter, for example by welding, and lying on the median plane P. The number of intermediate elements 18 varies, preferably from 3 to 21 , as a function of the length LU (fig. 2) of the beam 10, as explained in detail below.

[0053] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the height H (fig. 3) of the beam 10 is advantageously between 200 mm and 300 mm, and it is preferably 250 mm; however, the sizes of the two longitudinal elements 16, 17 and of the intermediate elements 18 are such as to allow the beam 10 to support a load of up to 9.0 kN / m.

[0054] It should be noted that the height H of the beam 10 is much smaller than that of similar beams of suspended structures of the state of the art, sometimes at least by 40%, therefore this allows the workers installing the suspended structure 12 to overhang considerably less, when they have to operate with their hands on the lower part of the latter.

[0055] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal element 16 (figs, from 2 to 7), or lower stringer, comprises or consists of a tubular metal element of a standard type for the scaffolding sector and has an external diameter D (fig. 5) which can preferably be 48.3 mm, whereas the second longitudinal element 17, or upper stringer, comprises or consists of a metal section bar having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with the two lateral flanks substantially parallel to the median plane P and defining a longitudinal cavity 19 between them which extends for the entire length LU of the beam 10. The width LA of the longitudinal cavity 19 is advantageously about 40 mm.

[0056] In addition, the first longitudinal element 16 (figs. 3 and 5), near each of its two ends, is provided with two transverse through holes 20, one parallel to the median plane P and one transverse to it.

[0057] There is a longitudinal slot 21 on the bottom of the longitudinal cavity 19 of the second longitudinal element 17, near each of its two ends (figs. 3 and 4). The function of the transverse through holes 20 and of the slots 21 is explained further below.

[0058] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the intermediate elements 18 (figs. 2 and 3) comprise, instead of iron rods disposed in a lattice pattern to form a lattice beam as in the state of the prior art, both a plurality of metal tubular elements 22, equidistant from each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal elements 16, 17, and relatively short, for example of a length varying between 100 mm and 200 mm, as a function of the height H of the beam 10 and which, for example, is 150 mm when the height H of the beam is 250 mm, and also one or more plates 23 also made of metal and disposed at intervals between the tubular elements 22. The tubular elements 22 and the plates 23 are welded to the longitudinal elements 16, 17 so as to be lying on the median plane P (figs. 5 and 6).

[0059] Advantageously, the tubular elements 22 have the same external diameter D as the first longitudinal element 16, so it is also preferably 48.3 mm.

[0060] Each plate 23 has a thickness of a few millimeters, for example about 5 mm and, when viewed laterally, has substantially the shape of an X.

[0061] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, one or more plates 23, for example the two close to the ends of the beam 19 (fig. 5), are shaped so that each one has a slit 24 (fig. 6) in correspondence with a slot 21 present in the second longitudinal element 17, so as to receive a possible clamping element of the resting element 11 insertable in the corresponding slot 21.

[0062] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the beam 10 has a length LU of certain standardized sizes, which in the example given here are a multiple of 0.5 m and are preferably 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, 5.0 m, 6.0 m, and the corresponding weight is very low, with the length being the same, compared to that of the metal beams of the state of the art. In fact, when the height H of the beam 10 is 250 mm and (a) the second longitudinal element has a substantially U- shaped cross-section, the weight of the beam 10, as a function of its length, is, respectively, 44.7 N when the latter is 1.0 m; 67.5 N when its length is 1.5 m; 90.4 N when its length is 2.0 m; 129.5 N when its length is 3.0 m; 185.1 N when its length is 4.0 m; 220.2 N when its length is 5.0 m; and 265.9 N when its length is 6.0 m, or (b) the two longitudinal elements each instead comprise a tubular element, the weight of the beam 10 is, respectively, 38.6 N when its length is 1.0 m; 60.2 N when its length is 1.5 m; 81.9 N when its length is 2.0 m; 118.3 N when its length is 3.0 m; 161.6 N when its length is 4.0 m; 204.8 N when its length is 5.0 m; and 248.2 N when its length is 6.0 m. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, on each end of the beam 10 there is a connection element 25 (figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6) configured to couple to external connection means 30 (figs, from 8 to 11) that are described below, so that the beam 10 can be coupled to another beam 10 at least in a longitudinal direction, with their longitudinal axes X coaxial to each other.

[0063] Some embodiments of the present invention provide that the connection element 25 comprises or consists of a metal section bar with a rectangular section, preferably square, about 100 mm long and having a cavity 26 configured to accommodate the external connection means 30, or a part thereof. The connection element 25 is welded at least to a corresponding end of the second longitudinal element 17 and parallel thereto, so that it is both facing toward the first longitudinal element 16 and also lying on the median plane P. Each connection element 25 is also provided with two through transverse holes 27 (figs. 3 and 5), one parallel to the median plane P and one transverse thereto.

[0064] Furthermore, the second longitudinal element 17, in correspondence with each through hole 27 parallel to the median plane P, is provided with a corresponding through hole 28 on the bottom of the longitudinal cavity 19.

[0065] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beam 10 according to the first embodiment described above is of the reversible type, that is, in order to create the suspended structure 10 it can be used by disposing the second longitudinal element 17 upward, as shown in figs, from 2 to 6, or downward, as shown in fig. 7, as a function of the type of attachment elements that the resting elements 11 that the beam 10 has to support are provided with. In fact, the resting elements 11 most widespread on the market, as is known to the people of skill in the art, can have attachment elements that form a right angle, or which are curved; therefore, advantageously, in the first case they can be inserted into the longitudinal cavity 19, while in the second case they can be attached onto the first longitudinal element 16.

[0066] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, shown schematically in fig. 7, the beam 10 instead comprises two first longitudinal elements 16, the same as each other, one or more intermediate elements 18, the same as those described above, but no second U-shaped longitudinal element 17.

[0067] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beam 10 is configured so that it can be simply and quickly connected and joined to another beam 10, structurally the same as it, although the two beams 10 can have different lengths LU, by means of the external connection means 30. In particular, the connection between two or more beams 10 can be realized both in a longitudinal direction, as depicted in fig. 8, and also by disposing the two beams 10 side by side to each other and / or one on top of the other, as depicted in figs. 13, 14 and 16, 17.

[0068] A) joining two beams 10 in a longitudinal direction

[0069] When the sizes of the suspended structure 12 are such as to require, at least longitudinally, two or more beams 10 to be aligned one after the other along the longitudinal axis X, the external connection means 30 depicted in figs, from 8 to 1 1 can be used.

[0070] The external connection means 30 can comprise connection dowels 31 and 32, and elastic pins 33, which can replace screws and nuts, making the connection simple and immediate both during assembly and also during disassembly, substantially without any tools. For example, the elastic pins 33 can be of the type described in the European patent application EP-0A-4,098,892 of the same inventor of the present invention.

[0071] The external connection means 30 allow to realize continuous beams, even hundreds of meters long, each consisting of two or more beams 10, with a perfect distribution of the load, and to obtain continuous and coplanar walkable surfaces of the resting elements 11.

[0072] In accordance with a first embodiment, shown schematically in fig. 8, the external connection means 30 comprise, for each join between two contiguous beams 10, a first connection dowel 31 , consisting for example of a tubular metal element about 440 mm long, configured to be inserted, on one side and on the other, respectively inside two first longitudinal elements 16 of two beams 10 to be joined. The first connection dowel 31 is provided with four transverse through holes 35 configured to be coaxial with the transverse through holes 20.

[0073] Furthermore, when the beams 10 are of the first embodiment described with reference to figs, from 2 to 6, the external connection means 30 also comprise a second connection dowel 32 consisting for example of a metal section bar about 190 mm long, having a square cross-section mating with the cavity 26 of the connection element 25 (figs. 3 and 4), and also provided with four transverse through holes 36 configured to be coaxial with the transverse through holes 27 of the connection elements 25. The second connection dowel 32 is configured to be inserted with its two ends into the corresponding cavities 26 of two opposing connection elements 25 of two beams 10 to be joined.

[0074] During use, in order to at least temporarily clamp two contiguous beams 10 with the external connection means 30, after the first connection dowel 31 has been inserted in the two first longitudinal elements 16 and the second connection dowel 32 has been inserted in the cavities 26 of the two corresponding connection elements 25, the elastic pins 33 are inserted both in the transverse through holes 20 and 35, which will be coaxial, in the transverse through holes 27 and 36, which will be coaxial, and also in the two through holes 28 (figs. 3 and 5) that are coaxial with two of the transverse through holes 27.

[0075] When, on the other hand, the beams 10 are of the second embodiment described with reference to fig. 7, the external connection means 30 only comprise two first connection dowels 31, the same as each other. This solution is not shown in the attached drawings, but is easily understood by a person of skill in the art.

[0076] The external connection means 30, in accordance with a second embodiment, shown schematically in fig. 9, are configured so that each of the two connection dowels 31 and 32 is divided into two first half-dowels 31 A, 3 IB and into two second half-dowels 32A, 32B, respectively, which are integral, on opposite sides, with a single metal plate 37 disposed transversely to them, so as to form a single connection unit. In this way, the personnel responsible for joining and / or disassembling the beams 10 is helped in the operation of inserting and / or extracting the connection dowels 31 and 32 and the corresponding elastic pins 33.

[0077] In accordance with a third embodiment, shown schematically in fig. 10, the external connection means 30 comprise, instead of a single metal plate 37, two metal plates 39 and 40, on each of which, on opposite sides, the two connection half-dowels 31 A, 32A and 3 IB, 32B, respectively, are attached. The two metal plates 39 and 40 are provided with through holes 41 , 42, respectively, which during use are parallel to the longitudinal axis X, the metal plates 39, 40 being configured to be coupled and joined together using bolts 43 after the four connection halfdowels 31 A, 3 IB and 32A, 32B have been inserted into the ends of the two beams 10 to be joined, and the eight elastic pins 33 have been inserted into the transverse through holes 20, 35 and 27, 28, 36, as previously described for the two connection dowels 31 and 32.

[0078] In accordance with a fourth embodiment, shown schematically in fig. 11, the external connection means 30 are similar to those of the third embodiment described above, with the only difference that the two half-dowels 32 A, 32B consist of cylindrical tubular elements, instead of metal section bars with a square cross-section, to connect two beams 10 of the second embodiment described with reference to fig. 7.

[0079] When the external connection means 30 are in accordance with the third and fourth embodiment described above, this also achieves the advantage that, if necessary, a beam 10 intermediate between two other beams 10 can be easily removed from the support structure 12. In fact, in this case, it will be sufficient to remove the bolts 43 in order to decouple from each other the two pairs of metal plates 39 and 40 disposed at the two ends of the beam 10 to be removed, so as to then be able to move the beam 10 away from the adjacent ones, for example by lifting or lowering it. Just as easily, the same beam 10 that has been removed from the support structure 12 can be put back into place with a simple reverse operation that is easily understood by a person of skill in the art.

[0080] B) joining two beams side by side to each other and / or on top of each other

[0081] In particular cases, in order to increase the load capacity of the resting elements 11 , or to solve the technical problem of being able to increase the distance between one point of suspension of the beams 10 and another, the external connection means 30 comprise a joining device 45 (figs, from 12 to 17) for doubling or quadrupling the beams 10. In this way, two or four beams 10 can work together, increasing the load capacity.

[0082] More in particular, the joining device 45 in accordance with a first embodiment, shown in figs. 12, 13 and 14, for joining two beams 10 side by side to each other and with the planes P parallel to each other, comprises a pair of parallel metal plates 46 (figs. 12 and 14), spaced apart so that there is a gap of about 20 mm between them and joined to form a single body.

[0083] On the outside of each of the two metal plates 46 there protrude, respectively: in the lower part a pair of C-shaped brackets 47 (only one pair is completely visible in fig. 17), configured to cooperate with two first longitudinal elements 16 of two beams 10 to be joined; and in the upper part a joint 49, similar to those of the prior art for joining two scaffolding tubes together. The two joints 49 are configured to be attached to two opposing tubular elements 22 of two beams 10 to be joined, regardless of how the latter are embodied (figs. 13 and 14). In this specific case, the radius of curvature of each cavity of the brackets 47 is mating with the external diameter D of the first longitudinal elements 16, and the internal diameters of the joints 49 are equal to the external diameter D.

[0084] The joining device 45, in accordance with a second embodiment, shown in figs. 15, 16 and 17, for joining two beams 10 one on top of the other, that is, with their planes P coplanar with each other (fig. 17), comprises a single metal plate 50, shaped so as to have on one flank, in a central zone thereof, two semi-cylindrical niches 51 (fig. 15) disposed one above the other and each having the radius of curvature mating with the external diameter D of the first longitudinal elements 16. The two niches 51 are configured to be coupled to two corresponding first longitudinal elements 16 (figs. 16 and 17) of the two beams 10 to be joined. In addition, the plate 50, in correspondence with its ends, is provided with two attachment jaws 52 (figs. 15 and 17), respectively one below and one above the two niches 51 , having the radius of curvature mating with the external diameter D of the two opposing tubular elements 22 of two beams 10 to be joined.

[0085] By using several joining devices 45 it is also possible to join together several beams 10, for example four, by placing side by side to each other two pairs of beams 10 already joined one on top of the other.

[0086] METHOD FOR MAKING THE BEAM 10

[0087] The present invention also concerns the method for making the beam 10 described above, which is new and original, and comprises a first step in which the two longitudinal elements 16, 17 are prepared so that they are parallel to the longitudinal axis and lie on a median plane passing through and perpendicular to the latter, and a second step in which one or more intermediate elements are interposed between the two longitudinal elements 16, 17, attached to the latter and lying on the same median plane, taking into account that the height H of the beam 10 has to be comprised between 200 mm and 300 mm, and preferably be 250 mm, and that the sizes of the two longitudinal elements 16, 17 and of the one or more intermediate elements 18 have to be such as to allow the same beam 10 to support a load of up to 9,0 kN / m.

[0088] We must clarify that, advantageously, the beam 10 is preferably made of aluminum and is of the reversible type, because it can be used to support resting elements 11 both with attachment for U-shaped cavities, and also with tube attachment, and is available in various lengths LU of up to 6.0 m, and is connectable with two dowels 31, 32, or semi-dowels 31 A, 3 IB and 32A, 32B and preferably eight elastic pins 33, which make the connection quick, safe and simple.

[0089] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts and / or steps may be made to the beam 10 and to the method for producing it as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0090] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of beams and / or methods for producing them, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0091] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Metal beam (10) for supporting one or more resting elements (11) that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure (12) to safely carry out work in a building construction, wherein said beam (10) has its own longitudinal axis (X), which during use is substantially horizontal, and comprises both two longitudinal elements (16, 17) parallel to said longitudinal axis (X) and lying on a median plane (P) passing through said longitudinal axis (X), and also one or more intermediate elements (18) interposed between said two longitudinal elements (16, 17), attached to the latter and lying on said median plane (P), characterized in that said beam (10) has a height (H) comprised between 200 mm and 300 mm, preferably of 250 mm, in that said intermediate elements (18) comprise both a plurality of tubular elements (22) equidistant from each other, perpendicular to said longitudinal elements (16, 17) and having a length which varies as a function of the height (H) of said beam (10) preferably between 100 mm and 200 mm, and which is substantially 150 mm when said height (H) is 250 mm, and also one or more plates (23) each substantially having, when viewed laterally, the shape of an X and disposed at intervals between said tubular elements (22), in that said plurality of tubular elements (22) and said one or more plates (23) are welded to said longitudinal elements (16, 17) so as to be disposed substantially on said median plane (P), whereby said beam (10) is able to support a load of up to 9.0 kN / m per linear meter of said longitudinal elements (16, 17).

2. Beam (10) as in claim 1, wherein said suspended structure (12) comprises a plurality of support elements (13) which, during use, are substantially vertical and are spaced apart by a distance, or center distance (I), which is chosen as a function of the load that said beam (10) has to support, and wherein said center distance (I) is preferably a multiple of 0.5 m and is even more preferably 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, 5.0 m, or 6.0 m, characterized in that: when said center distance (I) is 1.0 m, said load is 9.0 kN / m; when said center distance (I) is 1.5 m, said load is 6.0 kN / m; when said center distance (I) is 2.0 m, said load is 4.5 kN / m; when said center distance (I) is 2.5 m, said load is 3.6 kN / m; when said center distance (I) is 3.0 m, said load is 3.0 kN / m; when said center distance (I) is 4.0 m, said load is 2.2 kN / m; when said center distance (I) is 5.0 m, said load is 1.8 kN / m; and when said center distance (I) is 6.0 m, said load is 1.4 kN / m.

3. Beam (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is made of aluminum, has a length (LU) of certain sizes which are a multiple of 0.5 m and are preferably 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, 5.0 m, 6.0 m and in that at least a first longitudinal element (16) of said two longitudinal elements (16, 17) comprises, or consists of, a standard type tubular element for the scaffolding sector, preferably having an external diameter (D) of 48.3 mm.

4. Beam (10) as in claim 3, characterized in that at least a second longitudinal element (17) of said two longitudinal elements (16, 17) comprises, or consists of, a metal section bar having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with the two lateral flanks substantially parallel to said median plane (P), or another standard type tubular element for the scaffolding sector, preferably having an external diameter (D) of 48.3 mm.

5. Beam (10) as in claims 3 and 4, characterized in that it is of the reversible type and can be used both with said second longitudinal element (17) positioned above, and also with said second longitudinal element (17) positioned below, in order to respectively receive corresponding attachment elements of said resting elements (1 1), both when they are angled substantially at a right angle and also when they are curved.

6. Beam (10) as in claim 3 and 4, or 5, characterized in that, when the height (H) of said beam (10) is 250 mm and (a) said second longitudinal element (17) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the weight of said beam (10), as a function of said length (LU), is, respectively, 44.7 N when said length (LU) is 1.0 m; 67.5 N when said length (LU) is 1.5 m; 90.4 N when said length (LU) is 2.0 m; 129.5 N when said length (LU) is 3.0 m; 185.1 N when said length (LU) is 4.0 m; 220.2 N when said length (LU) is 5.0 m; and 265.9 N when said length (LU) is 6.0 m, or (b) said two longitudinal elements (16, 17) each comprise a tubular element, the weight of said beam (10) is, respectively, 38.6 N when said length (LU) is 1.0 m; 60.2 N when said length (LU) is 1.5 m; 81.9 N when said length (LU) is 2.0 m; 118.3 N when said length (LU) is 3.0 m; 161.6 N when said length (LU) is 4.0 m; 204.8 N when said length (LU) is 5.0 m; and 248.2 N when said length (LU) is 6.0 m.

7. Beam (10) as in claim 3, characterized in that each of said tubular elements (22) has the same external diameter (D) as said first longitudinal element (16),preferably 48.3 mm.

8. Beam (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it also comprises, at each of its ends, a connection element (25) configured to couple to external connection means so that said beam (10) can be coupled to another beam (10) at least in a longitudinal direction, with the longitudinal axes (X) of said beams (10) coaxial to each other.

9. Beam (10) as in claim 8, characterized in that said connection element (25) comprises, or consists of, a metal section bar with a rectangular section, preferably square, having a cavity (26) configured to accommodate said external connection means, and it is welded at least to a corresponding end of said second longitudinal element (17) and parallel thereto, so that it is both facing toward said first longitudinal element (16) and also lying on said median plane (P).

10. Method for producing a metal beam (10) to support one or more resting elements (11) that define a walkable surface of a suspended structure (12) to safely carry out work in a building construction, wherein said beam (10) has its own longitudinal axis (X) which, during use, is horizontal, and wherein said method comprises a first step in which two longitudinal elements (16, 17) parallel to said longitudinal axis (X) and lying on a median plane (P) passing through and perpendicular to the latter are prepared, and a second step in which one or more intermediate elements (18) are interposed between said two longitudinal elements (16, 17), attached to the latter and lying on said median plane (P), characterized in that said second step provides that said beam (10) has a height (H) comprised between 200 mm and 300 mm, preferably of 250 mm, that said intermediate elements (18) comprise both a plurality of tubular elements (22) equidistant from each other, perpendicular to said longitudinal elements (16, 17) and having a length which varies as a function of the height (H) of said beam (10) preferably between 100 mm and 200 mm, and which is substantially 150 mm when said height (H) is 250 mm, and also one or more plates (23) each substantially having, when viewed laterally, the shape of an X and disposed at intervals between said tubular elements(22), and that said plurality of tubular elements (22) and said one or more plates(23) are welded to said longitudinal elements (16, 17) so as to be disposed substantially on said median plane (P), whereby said beam (10) is able to support a load of up to 9.0 kN / m per linear meter of said longitudinal elements (16, 17).

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