A composite structural element

Abstract

A composite structural member for constructions such as, in particular, parapets or protection elements that serve to prevent people, animals or objects falling off a balcony or terrace or out of a window and in any case from any elevated place to a place located at a lower level, comprising a body that extends, like a flat wall, in an essentially vertical direction up to a predetermined height starting from a horizontal base plane characterised by the fact that the said composite structural member comprises a multilayer structure consisting of at least a first external layer formed of slabs or tiles (4) which are fitted, glued integrally therewith, on one side of at least one sheet of tempered glass A second layer of slabs or tiles (5) are laid fastened integrally to the internal layer of the sheet or multiple sheets of glass.

Description

[0001] A COMPOSITE STRUCTURAL ELEMENT DESCRIPTION

[0002] The invention relates to a composite structural element for constructions. Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention finds its preferred use in the construction industry in countless applications, including as protective parapets that serve to prevent people, animals, or objects from falling off a balcony or terrace, or from any elevated place to a place located at a lower level, in addition to shelters, garden tables, stairs, and windowsills.

[0003] For example, parapets or balustrades can be classified into various types, for example, based on: the materials from which they are made (natural or artificial stone, metal); the construction techniques (masonry; reinforced or non-reinforced concrete); the shape (for example, it must not allow objects which are larger than a predetermined size to pass through it (the limit is normally 10 cm).

[0004] Parapets or balustrades are anchored, at the bottom thereof, to the supporting surface and can be equipped with a handrail at the top thereof, which, as in the case of some types of parapets, can form part of the loadbearing structure together with the uprights.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to enable the design and construction of a new type of parapet using slabs or tiles, particularly ceramic tiles, which allows individual parapets to be coordinated with the aesthetic characteristics of the building walls on top of which the parapets are arranged.

[0006] A further object of the invention is to enable the use of products in the form of slabs or tiles that are readily available on the market.

[0007] These and further objects and advantages are achieved by the present invention, which concerns a parapet as described herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and as set out in the claims. Further features of the invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the annexed figures, in which:

[0008] - Figure 1 shows a schematic front view;

[0009] - Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view taken according to plane line l-l in Figure 1 ;

[0010] - Figure 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, detail A in Figure 2.

[0011] The appended figures show a preferred embodiment of a parapet or protective element 1 used to prevent people, animals, or objects from falling off a balcony or terrace, or from a window, or in any case from an elevated place comprising a base plane to a place located at a lower level.

[0012] The parapet 1 comprises a body that extends extends, like a flat wall, in an essentially vertical direction up to a predetermined height (normally 1 metre) starting from a horizontal base surface 2 to which the base thereof is stably anchored.

[0013] The parapet has a composite, layered, sandwich-type structure comprising a first outer layer made of slabs, sheets, or tiles 4, which are joined together by an interposed multilayer structure comprising at least one glass sheet 3. On the sides of the said single glass sheet or multiple glass sheets, a second (internal) layer is positioned integrally thereto, made of similar slabs or tiles 4. The slabs or tiles 4 are made of ceramic (therefore artificial) materials, but can also be made of natural stone materials.

[0014] The slabs or tiles 4 are glued to the said layer or layers of glass, as are the slabs or tiles 4 on the opposite sides of the glass sheet or sheets.

[0015] At least part of the edges of the said layered structure is inserted into and retained within a longitudinal cavity or channel formed between the two parallel mutually-facing internal surfaces of the two stems of a U-section profile 10. The U-section profile is also stably glued to the edges of the layered structure and constitutes a significant part of the metal load-bearing structure of the parapet 1.

[0016] Furthermore, at least part of the outward-facing surfaces of the U-section profile covering the upper side of the said layered structure are designed to serve directly as a handrail or to allow the installation thereupon of a handrail. The parapet therefore has a composite, layered, sandwich-type structure comprising a first outer layer made of slabs, sheets, or tiles 4 which are solidly glued - with one or more sheets of glass 3 interposed - to a second, internal layer in an opposite position, formed of similar ceramic slabs or tiles 4.

[0017] The slabs or tiles 4 are made of ceramic (therefore artificial) materials, but can also be made of natural stone materials.

[0018] The slabs or tiles 4 are glued to the said layer or layers of glass, as are the slabs or tiles 4 opposite the said layer.

[0019] At least part of the edges of the said layered structure is inserted into and retained within a longitudinal cavity or channel formed between the two parallel mutually-facing internal surfaces of the two opposite stems of a U-section profile 10.

[0020] The U-section profile is also stably glued to the edges of the layered structure and constitutes a significant part of the metal load-bearing structure of the parapet 1 together with the sheet or multiple sheets of glass 3.

[0021] Furthermore, the upper part is specifically machined to house a handrail if necessary.

[0022] The invention offers the advantage of allowing the creation of a relatively lightweight parapet which is easily installed and suitable to be prepared and (pre)fabricated prior to installation. In the embodiment illustrated, the glass sheet or sheets have a thickness of between 3 and 20 mm; the ceramic slabs or tiles 4 feature the thicknesses commonly available in the market.

[0023] Other embodiments are feasible for numerous construction applications for architectural elements and items of furniture including shelters, stairs, window sills, counters, tables, etc. using the composite layered structure according to the invention (composed essentially of the integral union of an external layer of tiles or slabs 4) integrally with a central layer composed of one or more glass sheets 3, onto the inner side of which another internal layer of slabs or tiles 4 (made of a ceramic or artificial or natural material) can be fitted, wherein the various layers are placed one beside the other in a mutually facing fashion with the interpositioning (interlayering) of a sheet of ionoplastic adhesive material, for example of the type called Sentry Gias®.)

Claims

CLAIMS1) A composite structural member for constructions such as, in particular, parapets or protection elements that serve to prevent people, animals or objects falling off a balcony or terrace or out of a window and in any case from any elevated place to a place located at a lower level, comprising a body that extends, like a flat wall, in an essentially vertical direction up to a predetermined height starting from a horizontal base plane characterised by the fact the said composite structural member comprises a multilayer structure consisting of at least a first external layer formed of slabs, sheets, or tiles (4) which are fitted, glued integrally therewith, on one side of at least overlaid sheet of glass, there being a second layer of sheets or tiles.2) A composite structural member for constructions according to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that a second layer of sheets or tiles (4) is envisaged which are fitted, fastened integrally therewith, on the opposite inner side of the said glass sheet (5).3) A composite structural member for constructions according to Claims 1 or 2 characterised by the fact that at least part of the edges of the said multilayer structure is comprised and retained within a longitudinal hollow frame between the two parallel surfaces of the two opposite stems of a bisection profile (10).4) A composite structural member for constructions according to Claim 3 characterised by the fact that the sheets or tiles (4) of the said first layer are glued together and bound integrally to said overlaid sheet of glass (3) with the interposition of a resistant adhesive layer or sheet (5) of ionoplastic material as the sheets or tiles (4) are envisaged fitted integrally therewith onto the opposite side of the said glass (3) through the interposition of anotherresistant adhesive layer or sheet (5) of ionoplastic material of the type called Sentry Gias®, or by means of epoxy or polyurethane resins.5) A composite structural member for constructions according to Claim 3 characterised by the fact that at least part of the outward-facing surfaces of said ll-bar covering the upper side of the said layer are designed to perform the function of a handrail.

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