Method and accessory for parallel equidistant grouping of greased strands

Abstract

The present invention proposes a method and an accessory for the parallel equidistant grouping of greased strands, wherein the strands (2.1) are grouped by means of grouping accessories (3, 3'), which are positioned manually or by a machine (1), forming a bundle of strands (2), which in turn is wound and transported to the construction site for installation in accordance with markings (4) that are provided on the accessory (3, 3') or on one of the strands (2.1) and positioned to coincide with markings made on site or stipulated on a plan.

Description

METHOD AND ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention has application in the field of civil construction and, specifically, aims to protect a new process designed to facilitate the installation of greased strand cables, including the accessory used for this purpose. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of prestressed slabs represents a significant advancement in civil engineering, offering several structural and economic benefits. This type of slab is reinforced by prestressing strands, essential components that introduce compressive stresses into the concrete, increasing its load-bearing capacity and improving its durability. The strands allow for the construction of thinner and lighter slabs, reduce crack formation, decrease deflections, and enable the creation of larger spans without the need for intermediate supports.

[0003] To achieve these benefits, it is known that prestressing strands are assembled, according to the needs of each project, in sets of joined strands or individually, and may have different heights along their length, ensuring stability and safety to the structure.

[0004] In the process of assembling the cables, it is common for them and their supports to be sent individually to the construction sites. There, an operator manually groups them, forming cable bundles, preferably of up to four, according to the specific requirements of the project.

[0005] This work, besides being unproductive, demands a specialized workforce capable of interpreting the project and carrying out the assembly according to its specifications to ensure that the work proceeds as desired, thus making the process prone to human error, which can to have dangerous consequences.

[0006] In extreme cases, incorrect installation of the strand can lead to catastrophic slab failure, especially if it is significantly out of position and the slab is subjected to high loads.

[0007] To solve this and other problems related to the topic, the applicant Joaquim Antônio Caracas Nogueira, over the years of expertise in the field of civil construction, has developed inventions such as patent BR 102017013756-2, which presents a system and machine for marking greased strands for the construction of prestressed concrete structures.

[0008] The patent describes an automated system that marks the strands with specific information about the assembly of the strand cables according to the design, preventing errors in the positioning of the prestressing cable supports.

[0009] The patent resulted in improvements such as reduced assembly time, as well as decreased need for specialized labor, since the markings are positioned and elevated to aid in assembly.

[0010] Another patent, filed by the same applicant, is the American patent application US20210097213A1, which claims priority over the Brazilian application BR 102019020121-5. This application presents a construction system for assembling and verifying the assembly of greased cables in civil construction.

[0011] An improvement developed in relation to the patent filed in 2017, since even with the marking system, the verification of the assembly of a work was still carried out manually using measuring tapes or templates, constituting an inspection and release system that does not leave a physical or digital record of verification, again making it susceptible to human error.

[0012] In this regard, patent application BR 102019020121-5 describes a The assembly conference system, through specific equipment such as an image reader and project data verification system, and a distance meter that interprets different markings with computer codes, results in a computerized system for reading and verifying project data with the issuance of final reports.

[0013] In this way, the problems related to inspection and verification of the assembly, present in the previous patent, were overcome; however, an opportunity was perceived to implement improvements capable of further increasing the automation of the assembly process and reducing risks, time, and resources spent.

[0014] The applicant, upon learning of this possibility of further improving the process in which he has been working for several years, developed the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention reveals a METHOD AND ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS developed with the aim of implementing improvements related to the assembly process of prestressing strands, as demonstrated in patents BR 102017013756-2 and BR 102019020121-5.

[0016] The new assembly process focuses primarily on grouping the strands into bundles, which can vary up to four strands. Previously, this task was performed manually, on-site, by an operator, and although previous patents simplified the assembly through markings on the strands and data verification with computers, human action still played a significant role in the assembly process of the bundles designed by the engineers.

[0017] It is important to note that the limit for bundles of up to four strands is determined by the standard in force at the time this patent was filed. However, if this limit is revised during the patent's term, the number of strands per bundle may be adjusted accordingly. new permissions.

[0018] The present invention proposes an efficient organization and assembly of greased strands, allowing the cables to arrive at the construction site already pre-grouped and with assembly information printed on their grouping accessories or on the cables themselves, as developed in previous patents.

[0019] Here, too, there is the option of printing on only one of the cables, guaranteeing a similar effect, since the cables are already bundled together.

[0020] The bundling accessory also has a design option where it is already configured to include lifting rods. This configuration eliminates the need to install the lifting accessory on-site, saving material and further optimizing the cable installation process.

[0021] The option of using the grouping accessory without lifting rods can be adopted in situations where the reinforcement density is high, making the installation of the accessory with lifting rods more difficult.

[0022] Through a machine responsible for picking up the cut cables and grouping them into bundles of strands and fixing them to the bundling accessories, with or without lifting rods, with the possibility of the necessary instructions already being printed on it, eliminating human labor, preventing errors and saving time.

[0023] Although the invention primarily proposes the use of specific machinery for assembling the strands and attaching them to the accessory, it is still possible for this task to be performed manually in the factory. However, this option reduces the efficiency of the process.

[0024] The bundling accessories secure and organize the cables according to their varying elevation and spacing to meet project needs, and mark positioning information. directly on the accessories themselves.

[0025] Among the improvements resulting from this new process is the procedural economy gained through its automation, reducing the time spent on assembly by concentrating most of the preparation and assembly process within the factory.

[0026] Because assembly and marking are carried out in the factory, in a controlled environment, another improvement we can observe is the efficiency and quality of the process as a whole, ensuring greater reliability and reducing the risks of structural problems resulting from installation failures.

[0027] Finally, an important aspect of the invention is the simplification of installations. By receiving bundles of wire ropes already grouped and with positioning instructions on their grouping accessories already attached, a "plug and play" operation is performed, requiring less specialization and optimizing time and human effort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 shows a close-up view of the bundle of strands fixed by the grouping accessory (3) and already installed on the lifting accessory (5), with its markings (4) present on the lifting accessory (5) and on one of its cables (2.1).

[0029] Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the cable bundle (2) already installed, demonstrating the grouping accessories (3) and the lifting accessories (5), each ensuring the correct lifting according to the project.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the bundle of strands (2) with grouping accessories (3) along its length.

[0031] Figure 4 shows a close-up view of the grouping accessory (3) securing the strands (2), demonstrating its surface (13) with the marking (4).

[0032] Figure 5 shows the old model, comprising only one strand (2.1) coiled for transport, to be assembled on site, next to the current model with the bundle of strands (2) already assembled using the grouping accessories (3).

[0033] Figure 6 shows the machine (1) for forming the bundle of cut strands (2) which, through the pulley (10), guides said bundle of strands (2) to the positioner (14) for fixing the grouping accessories (3 and / or 3'). After fixing, the bundle (2) goes to the structure (11) which rotates around the axis (12), winding said bundle (2) for its transport.

[0034] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the grouping accessory (3), demonstrating its semicircular cavities (6) present in the upper (7) and lower (8) portion of the accessory, as well as its serrated edge locks (9) present at both ends of the grouping accessory (3).

[0035] Figure 8 shows a close-up view of the bundle of strands (2) fixed by the grouping accessory (3') having lifting rods (5') eliminating the need for a separate lifting accessory (5).

[0036] Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the cable bundle (2) already installed, demonstrating the grouping accessories (3') with lifting rods (5') each ensuring the correct elevation according to the project.

[0037] Figure 10 shows a detailed view of the grouping accessory (3'), showing the marking (4) on its upper side, semicircular cavities (6') on its upper part with protrusions (15) at its ends for click-fit of the cables (2.1), inverted V-shaped lifting rods (5') and also showing a hook-shaped protrusion (16).

[0038] Figure 11 shows the model with the bundle of strands (2) already assembled using the grouping accessories (3') where it is possible to visualize that its lifting rods (5') are positioned inwards.

[0039] Figure 12 shows a concentrated cable strip configuration with the presence of four bundles of strands (2). In this configuration, the bundles (2) with the grouping accessories (3') are positioned at the ends of the concentrated cable strip and an iron rod (17) is supported on the protrusions (16) of the accessories (3'), allowing the placement of the central bundles (2) on top of the iron rod (17).

[0040] Figure 13 shows the lock (18) shaped like a handle with its ends having semicircular slots (19) with protrusions (20) for click-fit into the rod (17).

[0041] Figure 14 shows an optional configuration of the lock (18) which, in addition to having semicircular slots (19) with protrusions (20) for click-fit into the rod (17), also has separating teeth (21) in its lower region to accommodate the strands (2.1) between them. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The invention proposes a METHOD FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS where the strands (2.1) are grouped using grouping accessories (3, 3') that are placed manually or by machine (1), to form the bundle of strands (2) which in turn is wound and transported to the construction site for installation before the slab concreting process. This installation can preferably be done according to the markings (4) contained in the accessory (3, 3') or on one of the strands (2.1) that are positioned coincidentally with markings made on the construction site or indicated in the project.

[0043] The present invention further proposes an ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS wherein said grouping accessory (3) is divided into two portions (7 and 8) comprising semicircular cavities (6) for positioning the strands (2.1) and a joining element (9) for the closure of the two portions (7 and 8) and formation of the bundle of strands (2).

[0044] The bundling accessories (3) are preferably made of plastic or metal material, and are characterized by bundling two or more strands (2.1), having semicircular cavities (6) in their upper (7) and lower (8) portions, which accommodate the strands (2.1) to form the bundle (2). By means of serrated locks (9) the upper (7) and lower (8) portions of the bundling accessory (3) are fixed, keeping the strands (2.1) secured in the cavities (6).

[0045] The grouping accessories (3) may also have an external upper surface (13) for markings (4) containing information on their positioning according to the project.

[0046] The serrated locks (9) can be replaced by any other joining element (9). For example, they can be joined by pressure plugs, by screws, nails, by gluing, pressure between the two portions or any male-female type fitting configuration.

[0047] The present invention further proposes a second ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS wherein said grouping accessory (3') is preferably made of plastic, comprises marking (4) on its upper side, semicircular cavities (6') on its upper part with protrusions (15) at its ends for click-fit of the strands (2.1), lifting rods (5') in inverted V shape and also having a hook-shaped protrusion (16).

[0048] In this configuration, the accessory (3') replaces the use of the lifting accessories (5), since they already perform this function through the lifting rods (5') already included in said accessory (3').

[0049] Although the configuration shown in the images features an accessory (3') for grouping four strands (2.1), as well as the option without the lifting rods (5'), the accessory (3') can be configured to group the up to four strands (2.1). Today, there is a limit stipulated by technical standards for the grouping of up to four strands, but if, eventually, the standard is modified, there would be no impediment to the accessory (3') being configured to receive five or six strands (2.1) for example.

[0050] The rods (5') are preferably made of metal and may have plastic or anti-corrosion elements. In addition, their preferred shape is an inverted "V" to provide greater stability, but other shapes are also accepted, such as an inverted "T" for example.

[0051] The markings (4) on the grouping accessories (3, 3') may include numbers and even barcodes that contain information related to the correct location for the accessories (3, 3') to be positioned and even the height when the accessory (3') has the lifting rod (5'). This barcode can be accessed by specific software or even replaced by a QR code that can be read by any type of smartphone.

[0052] Although the hook-shaped protrusion (16) is an optional feature on the accessory (3'), without this feature it is not possible to arrive at the solution shown in figure 12.

[0053] As seen in figure 12, for cases where it is necessary to use more than two bundles of strands (2) in the same concentrated cable strip, the bundles (2) with the grouping accessories (3') with lifting rods (5') are positioned at the ends of the strip and an iron rod (17) is supported on the protrusions (16) of the accessories (3'), allowing the placement of the central bundles (2) on top of the iron rod (17).

[0054] In this situation, the central beams (2) are positioned at the same height determined by the lifting rods (5') present in the grouping accessories (3') and, to ensure the fixing of the central beams (2), optionally, a lock (18) with a handle shape is added with its ends having semicircular slots (19) with protrusions (20) for click-fitting onto the stem (17).

[0055] The use of the option with the use of rods (17) generates a saving of grouping accessories (3') with the lifting rods (5') and also results in greater stability to the set of beams (2), as it creates a portal.

[0056] The machine (1) is responsible for grouping the strands (2.1) into bundles (2) by means of a positioner (14) of the grouping accessories (3, 3'). The machine (1) forms the bundle of cut strands (2) which, by means of the pulley (10), guides said bundle of strands (2) to the positioner (14) for fixing the grouping accessories (3, 3'). After fixing, the bundle (2) goes to the structure (11) which rotates around the axis (12), winding said bundle (2) for its transport. The diameter adjustment can vary according to the length of the strands (2), in this way the bundle of grouped strands (2) assumes a cylindrical shape, and is ready to be sent to the construction site.

[0057] The positioner (14) secures the grouping accessories (3, 3') by pressing them against the strands (2.1). In the case of the grouping accessory (3') with the lifting rods (5'), the positioner (14) presses the accessory (3') directly against the strands (2.1) until they are positioned in the semicircular cavities (6'). For the grouping accessory (3), without said rods (5'), the strands (2.1) are positioned between the upper (7) and lower (8) portions of the accessory (3) and secured by the positioner (14) by pressing both portions until the joining elements (9) of the portions are fully connected.

[0058] The pulley (10), in addition to having the function of guiding the bundle of strands (2) to the positioner (14) and to the structure (11), can also identify the length of the bundle (2) and activate the positioner (14) to place the grouping accessory (3, 3') according to the pre-established length.

[0059] The bundling accessory (3, 3') can also be attached to the strands (2.1) for bundle formation (2) manually by a professional. trained at the factory, before the bundle (2) is rolled up and taken to the construction site.

[0060] Finally, the protection required for the method and accessory proposed in this patent is not limited exactly to the characteristics described in the descriptive report, but also includes equivalent means for obtaining the results.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) METHOD FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS comprising the grouping of strands (2.1) characterized by the fact that the strands (2.1) are grouped by means of grouping accessories (3, 3') which are placed manually or by a machine (1), to form the bundle of strands (2) which in turn is wound and transported to the site for its installation before the slab concreting process, this installation being carried out in accordance with markings (4), if any, contained in the accessory (3, 3') or in one of the strands (2.1) which are positioned coincidentally with markings (4) made on site or indicated in the project. 2) METHOD FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to claim 1 characterized in that the machine (1) which, through the pulley (10), guides said bundle of strands (2) to the positioner (14) for fixing the grouping accessories (3, 3') and, subsequently, bringing the bundle (2) to a structure (11) that rotates through an axis (12) with variable diameter adjustment according to the length of the bundle (2), so that said bundle (2) assumes a cylindrical shape to be sent to the work site. 3) METHOD FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to claim 2 characterized in that the pulley (10) identifies the length of the bundle (2) and activates the positioner (14) for the placement of the grouping accessory (3, 3') according to the pre-established length. 4) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS for carrying out the method described in any of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the grouping accessory (3) is divided into two portions (7 and 8) comprising semicircular cavities (6) for positioning the strands (2.1) and a joining element (9) for closing the two portions (7 and 8) and forming the bundle of strands (2). 5) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to claim 4, characterized in that the joining element (9) can be a serrated lock, pressure plug, screws and nuts, nails, glue or male-female fitting configurations. 6) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to any of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the grouping accessories (3) have an external upper surface (13) for markings (4) containing information on their positioning according to the design. 7) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS for carrying out the method described by any of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said accessory (3') comprises the marking (4) on its upper side, semicircular cavities (6') in its upper part with protrusions (15) at its ends for click-fit of the strands (2.1) and lifting rods (5'). 8) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to claim 7, characterized in that the lifting rod (5') has an inverted "V" or inverted "T" shape. 9) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the accessory (3') has hook-shaped protrusion (16) to support the iron rod (17), allowing the placement of bundles (2) on top of them. 10) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to claim 9, characterized in that the fixing of the bundles (2) on the rod (17) is carried out by a lock (18) in the shape of a handle with its ends having semicircular slots (19) with protrusions (20) for click fitting on the rod (17). 11) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to claim 10, characterized in that the lock (18) has teeth (21) to accommodate the strands (2.1) between them. 12) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to any of claims 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the markings (4) of the grouping accessories (3, 3') may include numbers and even barcodes that contain information related to the correct location for the accessories (3, 3') to be positioned and even the height when the accessory (3') has the lifting rod (5'). 13) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to any of claims 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 characterized in that the grouping accessory (3, 3') has up to four semicircular cavities (6, 6') for accommodating the strands (2.1). 14) ACCESSORY FOR EQUIDISTANT PARALLEL GROUPING OF GREASED STRANDS according to any one of claims 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 characterized in that the grouping accessory (3, 3') has up to six cavities (6, 6') semicircular accommodation of the strands (2.1).

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