Apparatus for assembling metal cages

Abstract

An apparatus tor assembling metal cages, formed by longitudinal rods and transversal stirrups, eases the carpenters ' work by allowing to select and place precisely the stirrups and the rods. Thanks to a frame consisting of fixed and movable members, the stirrups are locked in the desired position according to the selected format. A first lifting system allows to raise or lower the whole cage during the assembly phases, whereas a second system allows the independent motion of the longitudinal rods with respect to the stirrups, without interferences, The apparatus also facilitates the positioning in height of the cage, by favouring ties and welds to fix the components in the definitive position.

Description

[0001] Apparatus for assembling metal cages

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus to ease assembling metal cages, of the type used to implement structures made of reinforced concrete, such as beams and pillars .

[0004] The metal cage consists in a skeleton formed by longitudinal rods or arranged longitudinally to the structure in a position which can be angular, that is at a longitudinal corner of the structure, or lateral, that is at the lateral surfaces of the cage, and also longitudinal rods can be provided inside the cage itself .

[0005] The rods have a length usually equal to the height of the pillar in which they will be incorporated, and they are a load-bearing member of the structures made of concrete, and then they have a considerable weight .

[0006] The other essential component of a skeleton or metal cage is the stirrup, which constitutes the transversal member of the cage, and which is formed so as to follow the perimeter of the cage, for example with rectangular, circular or polygonal shape . The cages then have several stirrups, arranged at short distance from each other and connected to the longitudinal rods . Additional constituting members, such as U-bolts and forks, can be further provided, which are assembled to implement a cage which must have an extremely precise shape, consistent with that of the pillar or of the crossbeam which will be then implemented by adding concrete .

[0007] Considering the sizes of the structures made of reinforced concrete and the diameter of the structural members composing the cages, it results that they are extremely heavy and difficult to be assembled. Generally, cages having a standard format are assembled in workshop, in case using machines which perform automatically the motion of the rods and their welding to the stirrups, but frequently the cages have to be tailor-made, to obtain an architectural element not having a standardized format .

[0008] In particular, in these cases, the assembly of the cage is implemented near the installation site of the cage, that is in the building site . Such procedure requires the intervention of expert carpenters who, manually or with the help of small cranes, move and assembly the stirrups and the rods, the latter being often particularly heavy, by using transportable supports such as tripods and the like .

[0009] If, on one side, experience and practice of specialized carpenters allow to obtain cages suitable to the purpose, on the other side these procedures are complex, arduous, dangerous . Moreover, when it is necessary to produce several cages, each one with its specific sizes, the precision and repeatability in performing repeated assemblies may be lacking, with negative reflections on the quality of the final product .

[0010] Chinese patent application No . CN114260392A and the utility model in China No . CN212715972U relate a device for the prefabrication of cages made of steel bars, by implementing the monitoring of the distance between the steel bars in plane and vertical position, using a frame with suitable guides, but the device has no lifting systems to keep constant the bar insertion height .

[0011] Chinese patent No . CN113084046B relates to a flexible production line for preparing reinforcement cages, which has the purpose of assembling automatically the stirrup of longitudinal ribs . Chinese patent No . CN113770288B describes a device for forming pillars and beams made of reinforcement steel bars of the type that rotates the circular pillar-shaped cage .

[0012] Chinese patent No . CN110206323B relates to a system for forming reinforcement cages comprising a first assembly plate, a second assembly plate, a stirrup and a movable actuation device, to adjust the relative position of the first stirrup and of the second stirrup . Mechanisms are present to implement several lengths in a flexible way and with different sections, but no lifting mechanism, actuated during assembly, is mentioned.

[0013] South Korea patent No . KR1730989B1 relates to a workbench to arrange a cage of bars for manufacturing a prefabricated concrete structure, comprising: an L-shaped support wherein a plurality of frames have holes for bolts formed at predetermined interval - the frames are coupled vertically and horizontally; and a template coupled to a frame of the support with grooves formed at a predetermined interval to arrange the cages . Consequently, the present invention provides a variable workbench to arrange the cage networks by improving resistance and quality of the concrete by forming a constant interval for arranging the cage .

[0014] US patent application No . 2002 / 0157254 Al describes a method for forming reinforcement metal cages for reinforced concrete comprising a phase of distributing the stirrups inside specific placement and retaining means spaced apart longitudinally, the placement and retaining means being arranged to lock at least a part of the stirrups in erected position on a substantially vertical plane, a subsequent phase of placing the longitudinal rods on respective transversal arms interposed longitudinally between the means to position and retain the stirrups, a phase of mutual connection of the rods and of the stirrups, a phase of releasing the cage from the placement and retaining means, and a phase of relative motion in height between the transversal arms and the means for placing and retaining the stirrups so as to position mutually the rods and the stirrups at various heights, according to the design of the cage to be formed.

[0015] In the assembly apparatus, then, there is only one fixed member for supporting the stirrups and the height of the device for placing the stirrups or of the lifting system acting on the longitudinal rods can be modified, then without allowing to adapt the assembly apparatus to different types of stirrups, and at the same time allowing the fixing of the longitudinal rods to the stirrups by an operator at an optimum working height .

[0016] Japanese patent application No . JP 2022 122243 A, instead, describes an assembly apparatus comprising adjustable supporting members for the stirrups and a lifting device for the longitudinal rods . To lift the whole cage, additional lifting means is instead provided.

[0017] At last, Japanese patent application No . JP8197181A describes a device for implementing cages that is equipped with a load-bearing body movable on guides, and it is equipped with a load-bearing body movable on tracks . The respective load-bearing bodies are equipped with supporting rods, respectively, to be positioned with main bars on these rods . Again, lifting mechanisms actuated during assembly are not mentioned.

[0018] The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide an apparatus for assembling metal cages which allows to obviate the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the known art, by meeting the above-mentioned needs .

[0019] Such problem is solved by an apparatus for assembling metal cages as specified above and as defined in the enclosed claim 1 . Generally, the assembly apparatus according to the invention is devised to allow the iron worker carpenters to select the format of the stirrups and to place them in a prefixed position, with respect to each other, corresponding to their final positioning in the cage .

[0020] The apparatus further allows to place the longitudinal rods one at a time, inside the cage in position, and to move them with respect to the stirrups in groups, without this operation having to involve physical effort .

[0021] At last, once effected an even partial binding of rods and stirrups, the apparatus allows to place, even in height, additional rods, and it further allows to arrange the cage at various heights favouring to complete the bindings and in case the weldings required to lock the components of the cage in their destination position.

[0022] To this purpose, the apparatus comprises a device for placing the stirrups and the rods which comprises a frame in turn consisting of a plurality of fixed members and a plurality of movable members which cooperate with each other to determine a cage assembly cradle, or a defined shape space capable of receiving the stirrups in their destination position, and in which the longitudinal rods can be inserted from a free end of the positioning device .

[0023] The fixed members of the frame are useful to determine the position of the movable members thereon, to determine the width, the height and the length of the assembly cradle which will have to contain the whole cage, which in case could be shorter than the cradle itself .

[0024] To this purpose, the fixed members have positioning and fixing means which is configured to lock each movable member in its own predetermined position, and which in preferred embodiment versions of the invention provide holes of different type and function implemented on metal bars forming the fixed members and the movable members .

[0025] By selecting suitably the holes, it is possible to lock the movable members in a position which in particular is compliant with the format of the stirrups to be assembled.

[0026] The apparatus further comprises a first lifting system acting on the device for placing the stirrups, and then it is capable of lifting and lowering the whole cage in its assembly cradle .

[0027] A second lifting system is further provided which, instead of acting on the cradle, and then on the whole cage, does not interfere with the positioning device and then acts on the longitudinal rods only, in order to vary their position, and in particular their height, with respect to the stirrups, and it provides at the same time a support for the longitudinal rods before they are fixed to the stirrups, so as to be able to translate them, simultaneously in a certain number, in the destination position in which they are fixed and then in case welded to the stirrups .

[0028] The present invention will be described hereinafter according to some preferred embodiment examples, provided by way of example and not for limitative purposes with reference to the enclosed drawings wherein :

[0029] * figure 1 shows a top axonometric view of a first embodiment example of an apparatus for assembling a metal cage according to the present invention, containing a partially assembled cage;

[0030] * figure 2 shows a first side axonometric view of the apparatus of figure 1 ;

[0031] * figure 3 shows a rear elevation view of the apparatus of figure 1, which illustrates its motorization; * figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the apparatus of figure 1 ;

[0032] * figure 5 shows a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 1, at an end of the cage;

[0033] * figure 6 shows a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 1, at the junction of two sections of the device for placing the stirrups and the rods;

[0034] * figure 7 shows a second side axonometric view of the apparatus of figure 1 ;

[0035] * figure 8 shows a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 1 which illustrates the positioning of several stirrups of the cage;

[0036] * figure 9 shows a first perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 1 which illustrates positioning and fixing means of the device for placing the stirrups and the rods;

[0037] * figure 10 shows a second perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 1 which illustrates positioning and fixing means of the device for placing the stirrups and of the rods;

[0038] * figure 11 shows a top axonometric view of a second embodiment example of an apparatus for assembling a metal cage according to the present invention;

[0039] * figure 12 shows another axonometric view of the apparatus for the assembly of figure 11, from a different angulation from top;

[0040] * figure 13 shows another axonometric view of the apparatus for the assembly of figure 11, from bottom;

[0041] * figure 14 shows a perspective view of a first detail of the apparatus of figure 11 ; * figure 15 shows a perspective view of a second detail of the apparatus of figure 11, connected to the previous one;

[0042] * figure 16 shows a perspective view of a third detail of the apparatus of figure 11 ; and

[0043] * figure 17 shows a perspective view of a fourth detail of the apparatus of figure 11, connected to the previous one .

[0044] With reference to figures 1 to 10, a first example of an apparatus to ease assembling metal cages is designated as a whole with 100. Such apparatus is of the type used to assemble metal cages which are useful to implement structures made of reinforced concrete, such as crossbeams and pillars .

[0045] The metal cage consists in a skeleton, designated with C, formed by longitudinal rods, designated with R, which are arranged longitudinally to the structure in a position which can be angular, or at a longitudinal corner of the structure, or lateral, or at the lateral surfaces of the cage, and rods inside the cage itself can be also provided.

[0046] The other essential component of a metal cage is the stirrup, which defines the cage and which is formed to follow the perimeter thereof .

[0047] The stirrups, designated with S, usually have a rectangular or circular shape and are positioned at regular intervals along a pillar or a crossbeam as defined in the constructive drawings .

[0048] The apparatus 100 comprises a hard-shell base 1, on which all parts and services required to the operation of the apparatus are installed. The base 1 can have sizes compatible with the road transport and it can be provided with wheels or rollers to arrange it on construction site plane in the most appropriate position. The apparatus 100 comprises an assembly cradle of the cage C defined in a device for placing the stirrups S and the rods R; such device consists of several parts which sustain and contain the cage during its formation. The cage itself, which in this case has a rectangular section and it is rectilinear, is arranged in a horizontal position which extends between two ends .

[0049] The primary function of the assembly cradle is to offer to the carpenters working on the apparatus a space with defined shape, which can receive the stirrups S in their destination position, and in which it is possible to insert the longitudinal rods R from a free end of the positioning device .

[0050] In particular, as it can be observed in the figures, the stirrups S are positioned vertically in sequence, spaced apart with a constant spacing, forming a columnar structure which must be associated.

[0051] The extension of the cage C can correspond to that of the base 1 or it can be shorter and in this case it will be used a part of the cradle only.

[0052] The positioning device then consists of a frame which in turn is implemented by a plurality of fixed members and by a plurality of movable members cooperating to each other to determine the assembly cradle of the cage C .

[0053] The fixed members of the frame are used to determine the position of the movable members thereon, to determine in particular the width, the height of the assembly cradle, with a resting plane, side containments, and a series of feedback to position the stirrups S in correct position.

[0054] The fixed members are the parts of the frame which are not removable to adapt to the shape of the cage; they generally have positioning and fixing means which is configured to lock the movable members, which will be described hereinafter, in the position provided by the design.

[0055] Both the fixed members and the movable members are constituted by hollow metal bars, which can be profiled or obtained by bending a sheet, preferably made of iron or steel .

[0056] The fixed members of the frame then comprise a plurality of supporting transversal bars 2, which are spaced apart from each other to determine what that can be detected as cage section.

[0057] In each case, the cage C is not divided into sections but, in the assembly procedures, cage sections are identified which are supported by different fixed members . It is further meant that a simpler version of the apparatus 100 according to the invention can comprise one single section and the present description is not limited to the presence of several sections .

[0058] The expressions "transversal" and "longitudinal" are to be meant referred to the fact that the cage C is of the elongated type, in which a longitudinal direction and several transversal directions are identified.

[0059] In the present example, the transversal bars 2 are rectilinear and are arranged parallel to each other and at the same height, to form a supporting plane .

[0060] In the apparatus 100, a pair or a higher number of transversal bars 2 identifies a cage section; in the herein described case in which the section is identified by a pair of transversal bars 2, they perform a supporting function and each one is positioned at one of the two ends of the cage section, but intermediate transversal bars can be provided.

[0061] The herein described apparatus 100 represents a particular and not limiting case of apparatus consisting of two sections, each one with a pair of transversal bars 2 at the ends of each section. Generally, the apparatus for assembling metal cages can comprise one, two or even more than two aligned sections, according to a line which describes the profile of the cage C .

[0062] The frame movable members, instead, comprise first longitudinal bars, designated with 3, which are rested upon said transversal bars 2, and are locked thereon in a predetermined position, to form a resting plane of the cage . The first longitudinal bars 3 extend on a whole case section, that is, from one end transversal bar 2 to the other one .

[0063] In the present example, three longitudinal bars are 3 are provided: two placed outside, that is in a position near the corner of the cage C, that is at the corner of the stirrup S which usually is rounded; and one placed more internally to support the centre of the cage C, but it is meant that this selection is arbitrary. Generally, it is possible to point out that the preferred number of longitudinal bars can vary between two and four, also based upon the width of the cage .

[0064] The longitudinal bars 3 are wholly separable from the transversal bars 2 and can be selected in a set of longitudinal bars in different number and different length, based upon the length of the destination section.

[0065] The first longitudinal bars 3 comprise a plurality of recesses 4 for placing the stirrups S facing upwards, that is facing inside the assembly cradle .

[0066] In this example, such recesses are formed by U-shaped inserts fixed, for example welded, on the face of the longitudinal bars 3 facing upwards . The inserts are arranged in large number and densely, to cover the whole free surface of such face, also so that a recess could be formed between two adj acent U-shaped inserts .

[0067] The large number of recesses 4 allows to arrange the stirrups S with the desired spacing, obtained by counting the number of free recesses to be left between one stirrup and the other one on the resting plane of the cage .

[0068] The frame movable members also comprise a plurality of vertical uprights 6 thereto second longitudinal bars 7 are fixed .

[0069] The vertical uprights 6 ( figures 6 and 9) have a cylindrical load-bearing member 8, on the top thereof the second longitudinal bar 7 is fixed, by means of a bolt, and a fixing stake 9 extending on the lower side from the end of the load-bearing member 8 opposite the second longitudinal bar 7 .

[0070] Each longitudinal bar 7 is arranged to extend for the whole length of a cage section, and it has a vertical upright 6 at its own ends .

[0071] Thanks to the uprights 6, the second longitudinal bars can be positioned lateral to the cage C, by forming a side containment at a certain height with respect to the first longitudinal bars 3 and to the transversal bars 2, therewith the set formed by second bars and uprights is integral .

[0072] Even the second longitudinal bars 7 comprise a plurality of recesses 4 for placing the stirrups S facing laterally, that is facing inside the assembly cradle .

[0073] As for the first bars, the recesses 4 of the second bars 7 are formed by U-shaped inserts fixed, for example welded, to the face of the second longitudinal bars 7 facing laterally. The inserts are arranged in large number and densely, with an arrangement which is perfectly complementary to the U-shaped inserts of the first longitudinal bars 3.

[0074] In this way, a carpenter can arrange the metal components which form the stirrups S vertically, being able to exploit a resting plane offered by the recesses 4 on the first longitudinal bars 3, and at least a supporting point by exploiting a recess on one of the two second longitudinal bars 7, or both ( figure 8 ) .

[0075] The apparatus 100 for assembling metal cages comprises, in the positioning device, even positioning and fixing means which is useful to place the first and second longitudinal bars 3, 7 with respect to the transversal bars 2, or more generally to fix the movable members on the fixed members of the frame .

[0076] In this embodiment example, the positioning and fixing means generally comprises a plurality of holes formed on the faces of the transversal bars, holes which can be selected and used to engage and lock the above-mentioned stakes 6 or fixing pins of any nature, or fixing plugs or the like .

[0077] Still in this example, the positioning and fixing means comprises a plurality of first positioning holes 10 formed in the transversal bars 2, at its faces directed laterally and towards the centre of the respective section.

[0078] Moreover, each first longitudinal bar is equipped, at one lower face thereof, with movable locking pins 11, which can be manoeuvred thanks to a lever 12 in opposition to a spring 13; they can be used to constrain the first longitudinal bars 3 to the respective supporting transversal bars 2 .

[0079] The pins 11, then, are arranged and configured to be inserted in the first positioning holes 10 ( figures 6 and 10) . The positioning and fixing means further comprises a plurality of second positioning holes 14 which are formed on a resting surface of the transversal bars 2, that is on the face directed upwards . They are useful for fixing the stakes 9 thus locking the second longitudinal bars 7 : the selection of the second holes 14 then is useful to identify the width, on the resting plane offered by the first longitudinal bars 3, of the cage C; the number of second holes 14 and their spacing guarantees a wide selection of widths .

[0080] At last, the positioning and fixing means comprises a plurality of third positioning holes 15 which are formed along said stakes 9. They allow to lock the respective upright 6 so that it proj ects from the transversal bar 2 by a predetermined height . This locking can be obtained by inserting a plug 16 in a third suitably selected positioning hole 15.

[0081] Therefore, by suitably selecting the first, second and third holes, it is possible to lock the first and second longitudinal bars 3, 7 in a position which in particular is in conformity with the format of the stirrups S to be assembled in a cage, by selecting their distances on three axes perpendicular to each other .

[0082] The apparatus 100 comprises a first lifting system acting on the device for placing the stirrups, and then it is capable of lifting and lowering the whole cage C in its assembly cradle .

[0083] In the present example, the first lifting system acts in particular simultaneously on each pair of supporting transversal bars of each section.

[0084] The first lifting system comprises a plurality of first columns 20 which rise vertically from the hard-shell base 1 of the apparatus 100. Each first column 20 receives inside thereof a respective first linear actuator acting on at least a part of said movable members which sustain the weight of the metal cage, that is, in the present example, on the transversal bars 2.

[0085] The first linear actuator has a head 21 proj ecting from the casing 22 which forms the first column 20 ( figure 10) , and supports a respective transversal bar 2 with a T-like configuration, since in this example one single actuator is provided for each transversal bar 2, with a connection at the centre . However, it is meant that, for assembling particularly heavy cages, not only more than two transversal bars for each section can be provided, but even several lifting organs, such as two linear actuators, for each transversal bar .

[0086] In this example, the linear actuators are of oleodynamic type, and they are powered by a pump 31 arranged in a caisson 30 which is positioned on the hard-shell base 1 at an end thereof, which is opposite to the end in which the rods R are inserted in the cage C .

[0087] The caisson ( figure 3) further comprises a power supply 32, a control unit 33 and a remote control 34, connected by means of an extensible wire 35.

[0088] The function of the first lifting system is to determine its lifting of the cage C at any height required by the assembly procedures .

[0089] The apparatus 100 further comprises a second lifting system which, instead of acting on the cradle, that is on the device for placing the cage C, is arranged not to interfere with the motion of the positioning device, but it acts only on the longitudinal rods R, in order to vary their position, and in particular their height, with respect to the stirrups S, and by providing at the same time a support for the longitudinal rods R before they are fixed to the stirrups S, so as to be able to translate them, simultaneously in a certain number, in the destination position in which they are fixed and then in case welded to the stirrups S .

[0090] The second lifting system comprises, for each section, a pair of second columns 23 which rise vertically from the hard-shell base 1 of the apparatus 100. Each second column 23 receives, inside a respective casing, a respective second linear actuator acting on the longitudinal rods F.

[0091] The second linear actuators comprise a respective T-like lifting head 25 having a horizontal crossbeam 26 movable in vertical direction. As a whole, the crossbeams 26 of the second lifting system form a resting plane of the longitudinal rods R which can be translated in height, and which keeps substantially parallel to the above-mentioned resting plane of the cage determined by the movable members 3, 7 of the frame .

[0092] It will be noted that, in presence of any number of sections, the second lifting system comprises a second linear actuator in a respective second column arranged at each end of the formation cradle, but also, when the sections are two or more, at each section end.

[0093] In particular, in these cases and even in the present embodiment example, the second linear actuator, which extends vertically, will be arranged between a pair of first linear actuators, extending vertically too, which act on the adj acent ends of two consecutive sections of cage .

[0094] Therefore, the crossbeam 26 can move vertically passing in the spaces which are provided between the first longitudinal bars 7 in sequence and between the transversal bars 2 which act on two consecutive sections of cage on their adj acent ends, and thus it does not interfere with the device for placing the stirrups S arranged vertically. In particular, the crossbeams 26 inside the formation cradle could insert between the stirrups S at adj acent ends of two consecutive sections of cage .

[0095] Upon inserting between the stirrups S, the crossbeams of the second lifting system act without interfering with the formation device, thus being able to lift the longitudinal rods R which are inserted inside the stirrups S .

[0096] The horizontal crossbeams 26 of the second linear actuators comprise, on their top edge, respective idle sliding rollers 27 which receive as support the longitudinal rods and then form a distinct and movable resting plane, which can be exploited to facilitate the insertion of the rods R.

[0097] To this purpose, the sequence of the procedures required to assemble a cage C are the following ones :

[0098] a) arranging the formation device at a starting height, by using the first lifting system which arranges the longitudinal bars 2 at a height for inserting the stirrups S with respect to the base 1 ;

[0099] b) fixing to the transversal bars 2 the first and the second longitudinal bars 3, 7, by inserting the pins 11 of the first longitudinal bars 3 and the stakes 9 of the uprights 6 of the second longitudinal bars 7 in the respective first and second holes 10, 14, and afterwards the height of the second longitudinal bars is selected by inserting the plugs 16 in the third destination holes 15 : these positioning procedures are performed based upon the format of the stirrups S of the cage C;

[0100] c) inserting the stirrups S in the positioning device in vertical position and with the required spacing for the whole extension provided for the the cage C;

[0101] d) lifting the crossbeams 26 of the second linear actuator inside the stirrups S, and inserting a group of rods R by exploiting the support offered by the rollers 27 of the crossbeams 26;

[0102] e) once arranged a required number of rods R, lifting the latter as far as arranging them in contact with the upper side of the stirrups S;

[0103] f ) once lifted in the correct position, the rods can be arranged easily, by making them to slide horizontally, in their destination position, where they can be fixed temporarily to the stirrups S with wire ties;

[0104] g) this procedure is repeated for other groups of rods to be arranged at different heights with respect to the stirrups S;

[0105] h) in the two preceding phases, the cage which is being formed can be brought at a different height, by selecting the ideal one to implement the temporary fixing of the rods, as far as a maximum height in which the carpenters can act under the cage C, to fix the rods on the lower side of the stirrups S;

[0106] i) once all pre-fixing procedures are completed, the cage can be transferred elsewhere with a crane, or the rods R can be welded to the stirrups S with a welding procedure .

[0107] In the structure of the columns, at two adj acent section ends, it is provided that a second column 23 is comprised between two first columns 20 placed side by side, and wherein, at a terminal end of the cage C, a first and a second column 20, 23 are provided, placed side by side, so as to form a respective support upright structure rising vertically from a hard-shell base 1 of the apparatus 100.

[0108] It will be noted that, according to a variant, the hardshell base 2 of the apparatus 100 comprises one or more platforms therefrom respective support upright structures rise, wherein these platforms are movable relative to one another, inside the base 1 which then can be of extensible type, to obtain cages with variable length . The rollers 27 can have notches to ease the positioning of the longitudinal rods R.

[0109] With reference to figures 11 to 17, a second example of an apparatus to ease assembling metal cages is designated as a whole with 200. Such apparatus is wholly analogous to the previous one, even if it contains some variants which will be highlighted hereinafter, and it is useful to the assembly of the same type of already described metal cage, which is not reported in these figures .

[0110] The apparatus 200 comprises a hard-shell base 101, on which all parts and all services necessary to the operation of the apparatus are installed. It has a box-like structure with a flat base plate 151, bearing side walls 152, crossed supporting stringers 153, which contribute in supporting the weight that weighs on the flat plate 151, and a series of cross partitions 154 which divide the internal space of the base 101 into several parts, by providing support to a motorization system for the lifting devices which will be described hereinafter ( figure 13) .

[0111] Even this apparatus example comprises an assembly cradle of a cage which is defined in a device for placing the stirrups and the rods, which is then constituted by a frame which in turn is implemented by a plurality of fixed members and by a plurality of movable members cooperating with each other to determine the assembly cradle, and which are functionally equivalent to those described with reference to the first example .

[0112] The fixed members of the frame then comprise a plurality of supporting transversal bars 102 which are spaced apart from each other to determine what can be detected as cage section. They are rectilinear and are arranged parallel to each other, and at the same height, to form a supporting plane ( figure 11 ) . With reference to the above-described division into sections of the apparatus, even this version, still by way of example, consists of two sections, each one with a pair of transversal bars 102 at the ends of each section.

[0113] The frame movable members are formed by toothed laminar bars and comprise first longitudinal bars, designated with 103, which are rested upon said transversal bars 102, and are locked thereon in a predetermined position, to form a resting plane of the cage . The first longitudinal bars 103 extend on a whole cage section, that is, from one to the other end transversal bar 102.

[0114] In the present example, four longitudinal bars 103 are provided: two placed outside, that is in a position near the corner of the cage C, and two placed more internally to support the centre of the cage C, but, as explained previously, this selection is arbitrary.

[0115] In particular, the longitudinal bars 103 placed outside are fixed, and provide a locked reference for the construction of the cage . On the contrary, the longitudinal bars 103 placed inside, which can be present in a variable number, could be moved relative to each other and with respect to the longitudinal bars 103 placed outside, in an optimum configuration for the cage which is formed.

[0116] The first longitudinal bars 103 comprise a plurality of recesses for placing the stirrups, facing upwards, formed by the respective saw teeth having points and alternating depressions in invariable positions from a longitudinal bar to the other one .

[0117] The longitudinal bars 103 placed inside could have larger recesses, with the purpose of being able to receive two side-by-side rods instead of one .

[0118] The frame movable members also comprise a plurality of vertical uprights 106 formed by screw shafts, thereto second longitudinal bars 107 are fixed.

[0119] The vertical uprights 106 are inserted in a j ack 108 allowing to lift the second longitudinal bars 107 at different heights . The vertical uprights 106 are inserted in the j acks 108, in turn assembled on supporting stringers 109 which are movable in a transversal direction to bring closer or away the second longitudinal bars 107 ( figure 14 ) .

[0120] The j acks 108 are controlled by a connecting bar which can be actuated by a respective first service engine 155 for each section, which checks the position of the second longitudinal bars 107 through a kinematic chain, with said longitudinal bar, comprising respective j acks, capable of driving such position with extreme position, manually controllable by the operator, with which it is possible to set the height of the vertical and horizontal references of the second longitudinal bars 107.

[0121] Each longitudinal bar 107 extends for the whole length of a cage section and, thanks to the uprights 106, the second longitudinal bars 107 can be positioned lateral to the cage C, by forming a side containment at a certain height with respect to the first longitudinal bars 103 and to the transversal bars 102, therewith the set formed by second bars and uprights is integral .

[0122] Even the second longitudinal bars 107 comprise a plurality of recesses for placing the stirrups S facing laterally, that is facing inside the assembly cradle, formed by respective saw teeth having points and alternating depressions in invariable positions from a longitudinal bar to the other one, analogous to those of the first bars 103 .

[0123] In this way, a blacksmith carpenter can arrange the metal components forming the stirrups S vertically, being able to exploit a resting plane offered by the saw teeth on the first longitudinal bars 103, and at least a supporting point by exploiting a saw tooth on one of the two second longitudinal bars 107, or both of them, as in the preceding example .

[0124] The apparatus 200 comprises a first lifting system acting on the device for placing the stirrups, and it is then capable of lifting and lowering the whole cage C in its assembly cradle .

[0125] In the present example, the first lifting system acts in particular simultaneously on each pair of transversal supporting bars of each section.

[0126] The first lifting system comprises a plurality of first columns 120 which rise vertically from the hard-shell base 1 of the apparatus 200. Each first column 120 comprises a respective protective casing 122 which receives inside thereof a respective first linear actuator acting on at least a part of said movable members which sustain the weight of the metal cage, or, in the present example, on the transversal bars 102.

[0127] The first linear actuator has a countercolumn 121 protruding from the casing 122 which supports a respective transversal bar 102 with a T-like shape, since in this example one single actuator for each transversal bar 102 is provided, with a connection in the centre . However, it is meant that, for assembling particularly heavy cages, not only more than two transversal bars for each section can be provided, but even several lifting members, such as two linear actuators, for each transversal bar .

[0128] In this example, the linear actuators are of the type with chain kinematics, actuated to contrast the weight weighing on each countercolumn 121 by winding a respective chain 156, hooked to a lower end of the countercolumn 121 with a respective control pinion 157. In turn, it is driven by a second service engine 158, equipped with a gearmotor 172 connected to a drive shaft .

[0129] The function of the first lifting system is to determine the lifting of the cage C at any height required by the assembly procedures .

[0130] The apparatus 200, analogously to the preceding example, further comprises a second lifting system which, instead of acting on the cradle, or on the device for placing the cage C, is arranged not to interfere with the motion of the positioning device, but it acts only on the longitudinal rods R, in order to vary their position, and in particular their height, with respect to the stirrups S, and at the same time providing a support for the longitudinal rods R before they are fixed to the stirrups S, so as to be able to translate them, simultaneously in a certain number, in the destination position in which they are fixed and then in case welded to the stirrups S .

[0131] The second lifting system comprises, for each section, a pair of second countercolumns 123 which rise vertically in said casing 122 by implementing, inside a casing 122, a second linear actuator acting on the longitudinal rods R.

[0132] The operation of the second linear actuator is wholly analogous to that of the first linear actuator : it is of the type with chain kinematics, implemented to contrast the weight weighing on each countercolumn 123 by winding a respective chain 159, hooked to a lower end of the countercolumn 123 with a control pinion 160. In turn, it is driven by a third service engine 161 which can be controlled by a control panel .

[0133] The second linear actuators comprise a T-like lifting head 125 shaped like a horizontal crossbeam, movable in vertical direction. As a whole, the crossbeams of the second lifting system form a resting plane of the longitudinal rods R which can be translated in height, and which keeps substantially parallel to the above-mentioned resting plane of the cage determined by the movable members 103, 107 of the frame .

[0134] It will be noted that, in presence of any number of sections, the second lifting system comprises a second linear actuator in a respective second column arranged at each end of the forming cradle, but also, when the sections are two or more, at each section end.

[0135] In particular, in these cases and even in the present embodiment example, the second linear actuator, which extends vertically, will be arranged between a pair of first linear actuators, extended vertically too, which act on the adj acent ends of two consecutive sections of cage .

[0136] Therefore, the crossbeam of a T-like lifting head 125 can move vertically passing in the spaces which are provided between the first longitudinal bars 107 in sequence, and between the transversal bars 102 which act on two consecutive sections of cage on their adj acent ends, and thus it does not interfere with the device for placing the stirrups S arranged vertically. In particular, the T-like lifting heads 125 inside the forming cradle could insert between the stirrups S at adj acent ends of two consecutive sections of cage .

[0137] Upon inserting between the stirrups S, the crossbeams of the second lifting system act without interfering with the forming device, thus being able to lift the longitudinal rods R which are inserted inside the stirrups S .

[0138] The T-like lifting heads 125 of the second linear actuators comprise, on their top edge, sliding idle rollers 27 which sustain the longitudinal rods R and form a distinct and movable resting plane, which can be exploited to ease the insertion of the longitudinal rods R.

[0139] At one of its ends, the apparatus 200 comprises a positioning vertical plane 170 which constitutes the fixed reference for the end of the columnar structure to be assembled. It could be assembled on end uprights 171, in case capable of adjusting the height of the positioning plane 170.

[0140] It is meant that, among the variants, assembly apparatuses having features in common with the apparatus both according to the first example and according to the second example could be provided.

[0141] To the above-described assembly apparatus a person skilled in the art, with the purpose of satisfying additional and contingent needs, could introduce several additional modifications and variants, however all comprised within the protective scope of the present invention, as defined by the enclosed claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages (C) of the type formed by longitudinal rods (R) and transversal stirrups (S) , comprising:• a device for positioning the stirrups (S) comprising a frame consisting of a plurality of fixed members (2 ; 102 ) and movable members (3, 7 ; 103, 107 ) which define a cage assembly cradle, the fixed members having positioning and fixing means configured to lock each movable member in its own predetermined position, with respect to the fixed members, which is detected by the format of the stirrups (S) to be assembled;• a first lifting system acting on the device for placing the stirrups (S) , to lift and lower the cage (C) , in said assembly cradle, in its entirety, during the assembly thereof ; and• a second lifting system acting on the longitudinal rods (R) without interfering with said positioning device, to vary the position of the longitudinal rods (R) with respect to the stirrups (S) .

2. The apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages according to claim 1, wherein the fixed members of the frame comprise a plurality of transversal supporting bars (2 ; 102 ) , spaced apart from each other so as to determine a cage section, wherein the first lifting system acts on a pair of transversal supporting bars (2 ; 102 ) for each section .

3. The apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages according to claim 2, wherein a cage section comprises at least a pair of transversal supporting bars (2 ; 102 ) each one positioned at one of the two ends of the cage section, the apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages comprising one or more sections aligned for the formationof one single cage (C) extending for one or more sections .

4. The apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the frame movable members comprise first longitudinal bars (3; 103) which are rested upon said transversal supporting bars (2 ; 102 ) , and locked thereon in predetermined position, so as to form a resting plane of the cage (C) .

5. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to claim 4, wherein the positioning and fixing means comprises a plurality of first positioning holes ( 10) formed in the transversal bars (2 ) , and movable locking pins ( 11 ) , constrained to respective first longitudinal bars (3) , configured to be inserted in the first positioning holes ( 10) to lock the first longitudinal bars (3) to the transversal bars (2 ) .

6. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the positioning and fixing means comprises a plurality of second positioning holes ( 14 ) formed on a resting surface of the transversal bars (2 ) , facing upwards, wherein the frame movable members comprise a plurality of vertical uprights ( 6) thereto second longitudinal bars (7) are fixed, and wherein the vertical uprights have a fixing stake ( 9) configured to be inserted in said second holes, so that the second longitudinal bars (7 ) , sustained by the respective uprights ( 6) , are positioned at a predetermined height from the resting plane detected by the first longitudinal bars (3) so as to constitute a side containment wall of said assembly cradle .

7. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to claim 6, wherein the positioning and fixing means comprises a plurality of third positioning holes ( 15) formed along said stakes ( 9) , so as to lock the respective upright ( 6) proj ecting by a predeterminedheight from the transversal bar (2 ) by inserting a plug ( 16) in a third destination positioning hole ( 15) .

8. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each movable member comprises a plurality of recesses (4 ) for placing the stirrups (S) facing inside the assembly cradle .

9. The apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lifting system comprises a plurality of first columns (20; 120) which rise vertically from a hard-shell base ( 1 ; 101 ) of the apparatus ( 100; 200) , wherein each first column (20; 120) receives a respective first linear actuator acting on at least a part of said movable members which sustain the weight of the metal cage (C) , so as to determine the lifting thereof at any height required by the assembly procedures .

10. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second lifting system comprises at least two second columns (23) which rise vertically from a hard-shell base ( 1 ) of the apparatus ( 100) , wherein each second column (23) receives a respective second linear actuator acting on the longitudinal rods (R) , so as to determine the lifting thereof at any height required by the assembly procedures inside the stirrups (S) .

11. The apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages according to claim 10, wherein the second linear actuators comprise a respective T-like lifting head (25; 125) having a movable horizontal crossbeam (26) , the crossbeams (26) of the second lifting system form a resting plane of the longitudinal rods (R) which can be translated in height and which keeps substantially parallel to a resting plane of the cage (C) determined by the frame movable members .

12. The apparatus ( 100; 200) for assembling metal cages according to claims 3 and 11, wherein the second lifting system comprises a second linear actuator in a respective secondo column at each section end.

13. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to claim 12, wherein, at two adj acent section ends, a second column (23) is provided comprised between two first columns (20) placed side by side, and wherein, at a terminal end of the cage (C) , a first and a second side-by-side column (20, 23) are provided, so as to form a respective support upright structure which rise vertically from a hard-shell base ( 1 ) of the apparatus ( 100) .

14. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to claim 13, wherein said hard-shell base of the apparatus comprises one or more platforms therefrom respective support upright structures rise, said platforms being movable with respect to each other, to obtain cages with variable length.

15. The apparatus ( 100) for assembling metal cages according to claim 11, wherein the horizontal crossbeams of the second linear actuators comprise respective idle sliding rollers (27 ) which receive as support the longitudinal rods (R) .

16. The apparatus (200) for assembling metal cages according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear actuators are of the type with chain kinematics, actuated to contrast the weight resting on a respective countercolumn ( 121, 123) by winding a respective chain, hooked to a lower end of the countercolumn ( 121, 123) with a respective control pinion ( 157, 160 ) .

Images