Prop retrieval device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a prop retrieval device (1, 1'), which comprises a retainer (4, 4') including: - a longitudinal body (41, 41') with a first end that can be inserted into the tubular body (P1) of a prop (P) through a latch (2, 2') and through the hole (P21) in a plate (P2) of the prop (P), - two projections (42, 42') protruding from the perimeter of said longitudinal body (41, 41') in diametrically opposite directions, the distance between the ends of the projections (42, 42') being greater than the distance separating ramps (211, 211') of the latch (2, 2'), the projections (42, 42') being supported on respective ramps (211, 211') so that the position of the retainer (4, 4') in the vertical direction is linked to the longitudinal position of the latch (42, 42'), and - a head (43, 43') joined to the second end of the longitudinal body (41, 41') and provided with a support surface (431, 431') intended to support the load received by the prop (P).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] PROP RECOVERY

[0003] The present invention falls within the scope of props used in construction, specifically in devices that facilitate the dismantling and recovery of props after their use in ephemeral formwork structures.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Props are essential elements for supporting beams or formwork during the pouring and curing of concrete. However, the dismantling and retrieval of these elements often involve operations that increase working time, wear and tear on the components, and the physical effort required by the workers.

[0006] Various prop recovery mechanisms are known, such as those disclosed in documents EP1602791A2, ES2140280A1, ES2294874A1, and EP3835513A1. Existing prop recovery mechanisms are designed to modify the prop's height by sliding it between the telescopic tubes that make up the prop. Because the recovery mechanisms are located in the middle of the prop where the telescopic tubes meet, some of the impact energy is lost as elastic deformation of the prop. Furthermore, the recovery mechanisms are either integrated into the props or require adapted props, meaning they cannot be used on just any prop. Additionally, operating the recovery mechanism can be cumbersome if the prop is very tall.

[0007] In response to this problem, the present invention proposes an optimized recovery device design that facilitates its use on any strut, reduces the effort required, and ensures prolonged use of the struts.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a prop retriever intended for use on very common props of the type that include a tubular body and a plate at at least one end of the longitudinal body, the plate having an opening that is concentric to the tubular body.

[0010] The strut retriever of the present invention is provided with several components. A first component is a latch defined by a body comprising two longitudinal portions, which are parallel and joined together at their longitudinal ends. The inner parts of the longitudinal portions have respective symmetrical ramps that decrease in thickness along the longitudinal direction of the portions, from a thicker zone to a thinner zone intended to be closer to the plate. In particular, the latch is long enough so that at least one of its longitudinal ends protrudes beyond the plate by a portion equal to or greater than the length of the ramp, allowing an operator to displace the latch by striking the protruding longitudinal end.

[0011] Another component of the strut retriever is a support comprising fixing means configured to fix the support to the plate, a central hole, and guide means configured to guide and allow the latch to move only in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portions, especially when the latch receives an impact on a longitudinal end from an operator.

[0012] The present strut retriever is characterized in that it comprises a retainer that includes: a longitudinal body with a first end that is inserted into the tubular body of the strut through the space between the longitudinal portions of the latch, through the central hole of the support and through the hole of the plate, two projections that extend from the perimeter of said longitudinal body in diametrically opposite directions, the distance between both ends being greater than the separation between the ramps of the latch, the projections being supported on respective ramps so that the position of the retainer in the vertical direction is linked to the longitudinal position of the latch, and a head attached to the second end of the longitudinal body and provided with a bearing surface intended to support the load received by the strut,This occurs either by resting on the ground when the prop retriever is configured to be placed under the prop, or by receiving a beam from the formwork when the retriever is configured to be placed on top of the prop. In a loaded position of the prop retriever, the latch is displaced so that the retainer's protrusions rest on thicker sections of the ramps, so that the prop and retriever assembly is in its maximum extension configuration, capable of supporting the load transmitted by the formwork. In this loaded position, one end of the latch protrudes from the plate, specifically the end opposite the thicker sections. To facilitate prop retrieval once the formwork has sufficiently hardened, an operator only needs to strike this protruding end of the latch with a tool and displace it longitudinally.causing the retainer's protrusions to descend along the respective latch ramps, and the strut and recoil assembly to reduce its extension sufficiently so that the head's support surface is no longer under pressure and the strut can be removed without difficulty.

[0013] Thanks to the current configuration of the prop retriever, the props can be quickly released, reducing formwork dismantling time and the corresponding labor costs. In addition, the invention provides a robust and reliable system for handling props, improving both the lifespan of the formwork material and the safety of operators during formwork dismantling. It should be noted that striking the end of the prop is more efficient than striking it in the middle, as the latter experiences greater elastic deformation.

[0014] In one possible embodiment of the strut retriever, the support's guide means comprise two mutually symmetrical tabs with an L-shaped cross-section (specifically, an inverted L if the support is configured to be placed on top of the strut), which extend longitudinally in the direction of the latch's movement. The latch itself comprises sliding tabs located on the outer faces of the lateral ends, such that the latch's sliding tabs move longitudinally within the support's tabs.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, to allow the retainer to move vertically more abruptly toward the plate when the retrieval device is discharged, the central hole of the support and the ends of the ramps opposite the thicker sections comprise respective recesses configured to accommodate the retainer's protrusions, enabling them to pass through the latch and support to the plate. Preferably, the strut retrieval device includes stop means configured to limit the longitudinal displacement of the retainer within the strut and / or to limit the rotation of the retainer around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. In one possible implementation, the stop means comprise: two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves in the longitudinal body of the retainer and a pin housed in said longitudinal grooves and retained in two diametrically opposed holes in the tubular body of the strut.

[0016] In one embodiment where the strut retriever is positioned above the strut, the head's support surface comprises at least one interlocking projection configured to engage with a corresponding recess in a beam. In an alternative embodiment where the strut retriever is positioned below the strut, the head's support surface is simply a base configured to rest on the ground. This latter embodiment provides greater accessibility and ease of operation for the operator, as it is at ground level.

[0017] Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Figure 1.- This is an exploded view of a first example embodiment of the present strut retriever, which is configured to be placed on a strut, the latter also shown in the figure in sectioned form.

[0019] Figure 2.- This is a perspective view of the strut recovery device of Figure 1 in its loaded position.

[0020] Figure 3 (a).- It is an elevation view of the realization of the strut recovery device of figure 1 in its loading position.

[0021] Figure 3 (b).- It is a view of section AA of figure 3 (a).

[0022] Figure 4 (a).- It is an elevation view of the realization of the strut recovery device of figure 1 in its unloading position.

[0023] Figure 4 (b).- Is a view of section BB of figure 3 (a). Figure 5.- Is an exploded view from a top perspective of a second example embodiment of the present strut retriever, which is configured to be placed under a strut, the latter also shown in the figure in sectioned form.

[0024] Figure 6.- It is an exploded view from a lower perspective of the realization of figure 5.

[0025] Figure 7.- It is a perspective view of the realization of the strut retriever of figure 5.

[0026] Figure 8 (a).- It is an elevation view of the realization of the strut recovery device of figure 5 in its loading position.

[0027] Figure 8 (b).- It is a view of section CC of figure 8 (a).

[0028] Figure 9 (a).- It is an elevation view of the realization of the strut recovery device of figure 5 in its unloading position.

[0029] Figure 9 (b).- It is a view of section DD of figure 9 (a).

[0030] Description of preferred realizations

[0031] Figures 1 to 9 show examples of the embodiment of the strut recovery device (1, T) of the present invention.

[0032] A first embodiment of the recuperator (1), shown in Figures 1 to 4, is intended to be used on top of struts (P) comprising a tubular body (P1) and at least one plate (P2) located at the upper end of the tubular body (P1), said at least one plate (P2) having an opening (P21) that is concentric to said tubular body (P1).

[0033] As can be seen in Figure 1, this first embodiment of the retractor (1) is provided with: a latch (2) comprising two longitudinal portions (21), parallel to each other and joined at their longitudinal ends, the internal parts of the longitudinal portions (21) having respective ramps (211) symmetrical to each other, which decrease in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portions (21) from a respective area of ​​greater thickness (212) to an area of ​​lesser thickness, a support (3) comprising fastening means (31) in the form of screws and nuts configured to be fixed to the plate (P2) of the strut (P), a retainer (4) including: either a longitudinal body (41) provided with two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves (44), or two projections (42) that protrude from the perimeter of said longitudinal body (41) in diametrically opposite directions to each other,or a head (43) attached to the upper end of the longitudinal body (41) and provided with a bearing surface (431) intended to support a formwork beam, and a pin (5) housed in said longitudinal slots (44) while retained in two diametrically opposed holes (P12) in the tubular body (P1) of the strut (P), acting as stop means that limit the longitudinal displacement of the retainer (4) within the strut (P) and the rotation of the retainer (4) about the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (41).

[0034] The support (3) comprises guide means consisting of two guide tabs (33) defined with an inverted L-shaped cross-section extending parallel to the longitudinal portions (21) of the latch (2) and configured to guide sliding tabs located on the outer faces of said longitudinal portions (21). This configuration of the support (3) retains the latch (2) and allows its displacement only in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portions (21). As can be seen in Figure 2, one of the longitudinal ends of the latch (2) protrudes from the plate (P2), allowing an operator to strike and displace it in this longitudinal direction.

[0035] The longitudinal body (41) of the retainer (4) is configured to be inserted at its lower end into the tubular body (P1) of the strut (P), either through the space between the two longitudinal portions (21) of the latch (2), through a central hole (32) in the support (3), or through the hole (P21) in the plate (P2). The protrusions (42) are configured to rest on ramps (211) of the latch (2). The position of the ramps (211) on which the protrusions (42) rest depends on the position of the latch (2). For example, in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the latch (2) is in the loaded position, where the protrusions (42) of the retainer (4) rest on thicker sections (212) of the ramps (211).In this loaded position, the strut (P) and the recoil spring (1) are in their maximum extension configuration, capable of supporting the load transmitted by the formwork. When the protruding end of the latch (2) is struck with a tool and displaced longitudinally, the protrusions (42) of the retainer (4) descend along the respective ramps (211) of the latch (21) towards the thinner area. In this embodiment, both the ends of the ramps (211) of the latch (2) and the central hole (32) of the support (3) include recesses (213, 34) configured to accommodate the protrusions (42) of the retainer (4), so that these can pass through the latch (2) and the support (3) to the plate (P2) when the latch (2) is fully displaced to its unloading position, as shown in Figure 4.

[0036] In this first embodiment, the bearing surface (431) of the retainer head (43) comprises two interlocking projections (432) configured to engage in respective housings located in a beam. In this unloaded position, the assembly of the strut (P) and the retractor (1) reduces its extension sufficiently so that the bearing surface (431) of the head is no longer pressed against the formwork and the interlocking projections (432) are released from their respective housings, allowing the strut (P) to be removed without difficulty.

[0037] A second embodiment of the recuperator (1') is shown in Figures 5 to 9. This embodiment is intended to be used under the strut (P'), which shall comprise a tubular body (P1') and at least one plate (P2') located at the lower end of the tubular body (P1), said at least one plate (P2') having an orifice (P2T) that is concentric to said tubular body (PT).

[0038] As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, this second embodiment of the retractor (1') is provided with: a latch (2') comprising two longitudinal portions (21'), parallel to each other and joined at their longitudinal ends, the internal parts of the longitudinal portions (2T) having respective ramps (21T) symmetrical to each other, which decrease in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portions (2T) from a respective thicker zone (212') to a thinner zone, a support (3') comprising fastening means (3T) in the form of screws and nuts configured to be fixed to the plate (P2') of the strut (P'), a retainer (4') including: either a longitudinal body (4T) provided with two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves (44'), or two projections (42') extending from the perimeter of said longitudinal body (4T) in diametrically opposite directions between Yeah,or a head (43') attached to the lower end of the longitudinal body (4T) and provided with a bearing surface (43T) intended to rest on the ground, and a pin (5') housed in said longitudinal grooves (44') while retained in two diametrically opposed holes (P12') in the tubular body (PT) of the strut (P'), acting as stop means that limit the longitudinal displacement of the retainer (4') within the strut (P') and the rotation of the retainer (4') around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (4T).

[0039] The support (3') comprises guide means consisting of two guide tabs (33') defined with an L-shaped section extending parallel to the longitudinal portions (2T) of the latch (2') and configured to longitudinally guide sliding tabs located on the outer faces of said longitudinal portions (21').

[0040] The longitudinal body (4T) of the retainer (4') is configured to be inserted at its upper end into the tubular body (PT) of the strut (P'), either through the space between the two longitudinal portions (2T) of the latch (2'), through a central hole (32') in the support (3'), or through the hole (P2T) in the plate (P2'). Simultaneously, the projections (42') are configured to contact ramps (211) of the latch (2'), specifically when the latch (2') is displaced into the load position, as explained below.

[0041] In Figure 8, the latch (2') is displaced to the load position, where the protrusions (42') of the retainer (4') support the thicker sections (212') of the ramps (21). In this load position, the strut (P') and the recovery mechanism (T) are fully extended, capable of supporting the load transmitted by the formwork. When the protruding end of the latch (2') is struck with a tool and displaced longitudinally, the assembly formed by the latch (2'), the support (3'), and the strut (P') descends because the protrusions now support the thinner sections of the ramps (21 T) of the latch (21').In addition, both the central hole (32, 32') of the support (3) and the end of the ramps (21 T) of the latch (2') comprise gaps (34', 213') through which the projections (42') of the retainer (4') fit, so that this assembly falls abruptly when the latch (2') reaches its unloading position, as shown in figure 9. By reducing its extension, the strut (P') is no longer pressed against the formwork, so that it can be removed without difficulty.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A strut retriever (1, 1') suitable for retrieving struts (P) of the type comprising a tubular body (P1) and a plate (P2) at at least one end of the tubular body (P1), said at least one plate (P2) having an opening (P21) that is concentric to said tubular body (P1), the retriever (1, 1') being provided with: a latch (2, 2') comprising two longitudinal portions (21, 21'), parallel to each other and joined at their longitudinal ends, the internal parts of the longitudinal portions (21, 2T) having respective ramps (211, 21T) symmetrical to each other, which decrease in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portions (21, 21') and towards the plate (P2) from a respective thicker zone (212, 212') to a zone of thinner, having the latch (2,2') a length sufficient so that at least one of its longitudinal ends protrudes from the plate (P2) by a portion equal to or greater than the length of the ramps (211, 21T), a support (3, 3') comprising fastening means (31, 3T) configured to be fixed to the plate (P2) of the strut (P), a central hole (32, 32'), and guide means configured to guide and allow displacement of the latch (2, 2') only in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal portions (21, 21'), characterized in that it comprises a retainer (4, 4') including: a longitudinal body (41, 41') with a first end that is retractable into the tubular body (P1) of the strut (P) through the space between the two longitudinal portions (21, 21') of the latch (2, 2'), through the central hole (32, 32') of the support (3, 3') and through the hole (P21) of the plate (P2), two projections (42,42') projecting from the perimeter of said longitudinal body (41, 41') in diametrically opposite directions, the distance between the ends of the projections (42, 42') being greater than the separation between the ramps (211, 21T) of the latch (2, 2'), the projections (42, 42') resting on ramps (211, 21T) such that the position of the retainer (4, 4') in the vertical direction is linked to the longitudinal position of the latch (42, 42'), and a head (43, 43') attached to the second end of the longitudinal body (41, 41') and provided with a bearing surface (431, 43T) intended to support the load received by the strut (P). 2.- Prop retriever (1, T) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide means of the support (3, 3') comprise two guide tabs (33, 33') symmetrical to each other and defined with an L-shaped section, which extend longitudinally in the direction of displacement of the latch (2, 2'), and the latch (2, 2') comprises sliding tabs located on the outer faces of the longitudinal portions (21, 21'), which are configured to move longitudinally inside said guide tabs (33, 33') of the support (3, 3'). 3.- Stabilizer (1, T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central hole (32, 32') of the support (3, 3') and the ends of the ramps (211, 21 T) opposite those of the thicker areas (212, 212') of the latch (2, 2') comprise respective hollows (34, 34', 213, 213') configured to accommodate the projections (42, 42') of the retainer (4, 4') and these can pass through the latch (2, 2') and the support (3, 3') to the plate (P2). 4.- Stabilizer (1, T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises stop means configured to limit the longitudinal displacement of the retainer (4, 4') through the interior of the strut (P) and / or limit the rotation of the retainer (4, 4') around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (41, 41'). 5.- Strut retractor (1, T) according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop means comprise: two longitudinal grooves (44, 44') defined diametrically opposite in the longitudinal body (41, 41') of the retainer (4, 4') and a pin (51, 5T) housed in said longitudinal grooves (44, 44') and retained in two diametrically opposite holes (P12) of the tubular body (P1) of the strut (P). 6.- Prop retriever (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (431) of the retainer head (43) comprises at least one fitting projection (432) configured to fit into a respective housing located in a beam. 7.- Prop retriever (T) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support surface (43T) of the retainer head (43') consists of a base configured to rest on the ground.

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