This application related to and claims the benefit and priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2017/058340 filed Apr. 7, 2017, which claims the benefit and priority to European Application No. EP16382164.8, filed Apr. 12, 2016.
The present invention relates to horizontal formwork systems, particularly to modular horizontal formwork systems, and to a safety method for installing formwork panels in a horizontal formwork system.
Horizontal formwork systems comprising longitudinal beams, transverse beams, formwork panels that are arranged on the longitudinal and/or transverse beams and vertical supports or struts supporting the horizontal beams, transverse beams and formwork panels are known.
For example, WO2007/003364A1 discloses a modular horizontal formwork comprising a plurality of grid elements. Each grid element comprises a plurality of longitudinal beams and at least one transverse beam that can be assembled on the vertical supports. Each basic grid element further comprises two primary beams arranged parallel to one another, each end of said primary beams being supported in one of the heads, and two corner beams arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the primary beams, each end of said corner beams being supported in one of the heads. The primary beams comprise supports for panels on which formwork panels are arranged.
FR2944821A1 discloses a formwork system comprising primary beams and secondary beams extending between the primary beams, said secondary beams supporting the formwork panels. Before assembling the formwork panels, the operator assembles a provisional and detachable protective base in the gaps in which the formwork panels will later be arranged for fall prevention.
One aspect relates to a horizontal formwork system comprising longitudinal beams arranged in a longitudinal direction, and safety means protecting operators against falling when installing formwork panels, and comprising a safety structure which is arranged parallel to the formwork panels. The safety structure is arranged in a plane that is below said formwork panels, at least partially covering a gap existing immediately after the last assembled formwork panel.
The safety means comprise displacement means for moving the safety structure in the longitudinal direction, which allow the operator to move said safety structure as the operator places the formwork panel and to cover at least partially the gap immediately after the last assembled formwork panel.
A horizontal formwork system with optimized safety means is thereby obtained, since it is not necessary to place a safety structure under all the formwork panels, but rather the safety structure gradually moves as the panels are put in place. Furthermore, the safety means can be actuated by the operator from up above, i.e., when the operator is on the formwork panel, and from down below, when the operator is supported on the ground.
Another aspect relates to a safety method for installing formwork panels in a horizontal formwork system that may comprise the following steps:
Both the horizontal formwork system and the safety method for the installation allow assembling said systems more quickly and more efficiently.
These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and the detailed description.
In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the horizontal formwork system comprises longitudinal beams 3 connected longitudinally to each other through first heads, transverse beams 4 connected longitudinally to each other through second heads, said transverse beams 4 being connected transversely to the corresponding longitudinal beam 3 through the corresponding second head and struts 5 attached to the corresponding longitudinal beam 3.
According to some embodiments, the horizontal formwork system 1 is a modular horizontal formwork system comprising at least two rows, each one comprising at least two beams 3 aligned longitudinally and coupled by the corresponding head 30, transverse beams 4 being arranged between the rows, the struts 5 resting on the ground.
In other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the formwork panels 2 can be arranged such that they are supported on the transverse beams 4 or on the longitudinal beams 3 and the transverse beams 4. Furthermore, in other embodiments not shown in the drawings, instead of struts 5, the horizontal formwork system 1 can comprise scaffolds, shoring or other structures supporting the formwork panels 2 and longitudinal and transverse beams.
The modular horizontal formwork system 1 comprises safety means 6 movable in a longitudinal direction preventing operators from falling off the formwork panels 2 as they are assembling said formwork panels 2.
For understanding this description, longitudinal direction will be considered the direction parallel to the longitudinal beams 3, corresponding with the direction in which the operator assembles the formwork panels 2. The direction in which said panels are assembled, hereinafter forward movement direction, is indicated with an “X” in FIGS. 1, 2, 13 and 14. There can be embodiments in which the operator firstly assembles the formwork panels 2 in a transversal direction forming a row, afterwards assembles the formwork panels 2 in a transversal direction forming a second row, and so on until the end of the longitudinal beams 3. In such a case, the direction in which the operator assembles the formwork panels 2, in particular the rows of formwork panels 2 is also longitudinal.
The safety means 6 comprise a safety structure 7 including a mesh 8 and a support 9 for said mesh 8, and displacement means 10 for moving the safety structure 7. The support 9 is preferably metallic, and the mesh 8 is preferably metallic or fabric-based. In other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the safety structure 7 can include a plurality of supports each of which supports a specific mesh, the supports being arranged such that they are attached to one another, forming the safety structure 7.
Furthermore, the safety structure 7 is arranged parallel to the formwork panels 2 in a plane that is below said formwork panels 2, at least partially covering a gap 31 existing immediately after the last assembled formwork panel 2, as shown in
The displacement means 10 for moving the safety structure 7 comprises guided elements 11; 11′; 11″ fixed to the safety structure 7 and guides 12; 12′; 12″ coupled to the longitudinal beams 3, shown in
The guided elements 11; 11′; 11″ are arranged, respectively, such that they are fixed to the support 9 of the safety structure 7, in the longitudinal direction of the formwork system 1. According to one embodiment the support 9 includes first and second spaced apart longitudinal supports that are arranged parallel to one another. In turn, the guides 12; 12′; 12″ are arranged, respectively, such that they are coupled to the longitudinal beams 3 in the longitudinal direction of the formwork system 1. Particularly, in the embodiments shown in
In the embodiments shows in the figures, the guides 12; 12′; 12″ are attached to the corresponding longitudinal beam 3. In other embodiments not shown, said guides can be coupled to the corresponding longitudinal beam 3 through the corresponding heads, the guides being integrated in the corresponding head.
For safety reasons, the width d1 of the safety structure 7 is larger than the distance L1 between the guides 12; 12″ arranged facing one another, as shown in
In the first embodiment, shown in
To enable assembling and disassembling the safety structure 7 in the horizontal formwork system 1 shown in
In turn, the displacement means 10 comprise supports 13 which are arranged such that they are fixed to the bottom of the corresponding longitudinal beams 3, each guide 12 being arranged such that it is pivotally coupled to the corresponding support 13 between a working position shown in
In the first embodiment, shown in
In other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the safety structure 7, particularly the support 9 of the safety structure 7, can be a flexible or folding structure, and said safety structure 7 can even be telescopic, which would allow assembling and disassembling the safety structure without the guides 12 having to be able to pivot.
In a second embodiment shown in
In the third embodiment, shown in
The second cavity 51 and the third cavity 52 are open cavities. The second cavity 51 is delimitated by a first surface 53 substantially horizontal, limiting the upwards vertical displacement of the safety structure 7 once the guided element 11″ is housed in said cavity 51, and by a second surface 54 substantially vertical, limiting the horizontal displacement of the safety structure 7. Analogously, the third cavity 52 is delimitated by the corresponding first surface 53 and second surface 54.
In turn, the horizontal formwork system 1 comprises blocking means 20; 20′ for blocking the displacement means 10; 10′ for moving the safety structure 7 in the longitudinal direction, said blocking means 20; 20′. Said blocking means 20; 20′ furthermore allow the movement of the safety structure 7 in the direction opposite the forward movement direction X.
In the first embodiment shown in
The blocking means 20 comprise a first part 21 and a second part 22, both parts 21 and 22 being coupled to the safety structure 7 and pivotally coupled to one another. When the blocking means 20 is not acting (non-blocking position shown in
As shown in
In the third embodiment, the blocking means 20′, shown in
Another aspect relates to a safety method for installing formwork panels in the horizontal formwork system 1 may comprise the following steps:
At least part of the safety structure 7 is arranged under the last assembled formwork panel 2 when it covers the gap 31 immediately after the last assembled formwork panel 2, i.e., part of the safety structure 7 overlaps with at least the last installed formwork panel.
The operator moves the safety structure 7 in the longitudinal direction along the rows comprising at least two beams 3 aligned longitudinally and coupled by the corresponding head 30 without disassembling the safety structure 7 from the corresponding beams 3.
The operator moves the safety structure 7 in the longitudinal direction to the blocking position, in which blocking means 20; 20′ block the longitudinal displacement of said safety structure 7. In the first embodiment, when the safety structure 7 is in the block position, the blocking means is arranged such that it is coupled to at least one corresponding guided element 11 of the safety structure 7, the blocking means 20 being partially housed in the gap 43 and abutting against the guide 12, blocking the movement of the safety structure 7. In the third embodiment, when the projection 46 of the safety structure 7 abuts against the stop 47 of the corresponding guide 12″, the safety structure 7 stops, its longitudinal displacement being blocked. In such a case, in order to unblock it, the operator must elevate the safety structure 7 till the projection 46 overcomes the stop 47 of the guide 12″.
In addition, in the first embodiment, in order to assemble the safety structure 7 on the respective longitudinal beams 3, the safety structure 7 pushes the guides 12 upwards, making them pivot upwards with respect to the corresponding longitudinal beams 3, as shown in
In the event that it is necessary to disassemble the safety structure 7, for example to release a column, the operator must move the safety structure 7 upwards from one of its ends by releasing the guided element 11 arranged at said end of the safety structure 7 from the corresponding guide 12, until it vertically surpasses said corresponding guide 12. In parallel, the guided element 11 arranged at the other end of the safety structure 7 remains housed in the corresponding guide 12. Then the operator must push the guide 12 upwards to the assembly/disassembly position in which the operator may lower the safety structure 7, pivoting it with respect to the guided element 11 which remains housed in the guide 12.
In the second embodiment the safety structure 7 is coupled longitudinally to the corresponding longitudinal beams 3, housing the respective guides 12 inside the respective guided elements 11′ fixed to the safety structure 7.
Finally, in the third embodiment, to enable assembling and disassembling the safety structure 7 in the horizontal formwork system 1 shown in
The following clauses disclose in an unlimited way embodiments of horizontal formwork systems and methods of assembling the same.
Clause 1: A horizontal formwork system comprising longitudinal beams (3) arranged in a longitudinal direction, and safety means (6) protecting operators against falling when installing formwork panels (2), said safety means (6) comprising a safety structure (7) which is arranged parallel to the formwork panels (2), characterized in that the safety structure (7) is arranged in a plane that is below said formwork panels (2), at least partially covering a gap (31) existing immediately after the last assembled formwork panel (2), and in that the safety means (6) comprise displacement means (10) for moving the safety structure (7) in the longitudinal direction (X), which allow the operator to move said safety structure (7) as the operator places the formwork panels (2) and to cover at least partially the gap (31) immediately after the last assembled formwork panel (2).
Clause 2: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 1, wherein the displacement means (10) comprise at least one guide (12; 12′; 12″) coupled to the corresponding longitudinal beam (3) in the longitudinal direction, and at least one guided element (11; 11′; 11″) fixed to the safety structure (7) in the longitudinal direction, the guide (12; 12′; 12″) and the guided element (11; 11′; 11″) being arranged such that they are connected in a sliding manner.
Clause 3: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 2, comprising at least two rows arranged parallel, each row comprising at least two beams (3) coupled longitudinally by a corresponding head (30), the corresponding guide (12; 12′; 12″) of each longitudinal beam (3) being arranged such that it is coupled to each longitudinal beam (3) and the safety structure (7) includes two guided elements (11; 11′; 11″), each of which is arranged such that it is fixed at one end of the safety structure (7), both guided elements (11; 11′; 11″) being arranged parallel to one another, the safety structure (7) being displaceable along the rows.
Clause 4: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 3, wherein the width (d1) of the safety structure (7) is larger than the distance (L1) between the two guides (12; 12″) arranged facing one another.
Clause 5: The horizontal formwork system according to any of clauses 2 to 4, wherein the guide (12; 12″) includes a profile in which a profile of the respective guided element (11; 11″) is arranged such that it is partially housed therein, the profile of the guided element (11; 11″) sliding along the profile of the guide (12; 12″) when the operator pushes the support structure (7).
Clause 6: The horizontal formwork system according to any of clauses 2 to 4, wherein the guide (12′) includes at least one rolling element which is arranged such that it is housed in a profile of the respective guided element (11′), the profile of the guided element (11′) sliding with respect to the rolling element of the guide (12′) when the operator pushes the support structure (7).
Clause 7: The horizontal formwork system according to any of clauses 2 to 5, wherein the displacement means (10) comprise at least one support (13) which is arranged such that it is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal beam (3), the respective guide (12) being arranged such that it is pivotally coupled to the corresponding support (13) between a working position and an assembly/disassembly position.
Clause 8: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 7, wherein the displacement means (10) comprise at least one coupling (14) coupled to the support (13) and comprising, at one end, a support surface (18) on which the guide (12) is arranged such that it is supported thereon and, at the other end, a stop (17) abutting against the support (13) in the working position, keeping the guide (12) in a horizontal position.
Clause 9: The horizontal formwork system according to any of clauses 2 to 5, wherein the displacement means (10) comprise a plurality of guides (12″) each coupled to a bottom (3b) of each longitudinal beam (3), the guides (12″) being discrete elements arranged along the corresponding longitudinal beam (3).
Clause 10: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 9, wherein each guide (12″) comprises a first cavity (50) in which the longitudinal beam (3) is partially housed, the guide (12″) being coupled to the longitudinal beam (3), and a second cavity (51) in which the corresponding guided element (11″) is partially housed, said guided element (11″) resting on the corresponding guide (12″), the second cavity (51) being delimitated by a first surface (53) substantially horizontal, limiting the upwards vertical displacement of the safety structure (7), and by a second surface (54) substantially vertical, limiting the horizontal displacement of the safety structure (7).
Clause 11: The horizontal formwork system according to any of clauses 2 to 8, comprising blocking means (20) for blocking the safety structure (7), arranged such that they are coupled to the guided element (11), blocking the movement of the safety structure (7) when said blocking means (20) go through a transition zone (42) of the horizontal formwork system (1), said transition zone (42) being a zone including a gap (43) between two consecutively arranged longitudinal beams (3), the blocking means (20) being arranged such that they are at least partially housed in said gap (43), abutting against the corresponding guide (12) arranged after the gap (43).
Clause 12: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 11, wherein the blocking means (20) include at least one part (21) pivotally coupled to the safety structure (7), pivoting from a working position in which it is in contact with the corresponding guide (12), to a blocking position in which the part (21) abuts against the guide (12) arranged after the gap (43), preventing the forward movement of the safety structure (7).
Clause 13: The horizontal formwork system according to clause 12, wherein the part (21) includes a releasing element (24) which, when actuated by the operator, forces the part (21) to pivot until it no longer abuts against the guide (12) arranged after the gap (43) and allows the forward movement of the safety structure (7).
Clause 14: The horizontal formwork system according to any of clauses 9 to 11, comprising blocking means (20′) for blocking the safety structure (7) which include at least a support (45) attached to the safety structure (6) and a stop (47) included in at least one guide (12″), the support (45) including a projection (46) in a transversal direction configured to abut against the stop (47) blocking the displacement of the safety structure (7) in the longitudinal direction (X) in the blocking position.
Clause 15: A safety method for installing formwork panels (2) in a horizontal formwork system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
Clause 16: The safety method according to clause 15, wherein the safety structure (7) is movable continuously in the longitudinal direction (X) along at least two longitudinal beams (3) coupled to each other, without disassembling the safety structure (7).
Clause 17: The safety method according to clauses 15 or 16, wherein for connecting the safety structure (7) to the corresponding longitudinal beam (3), when the operator assembles the safety structure (7) from down below, said safety structure (7) pushes the guides (12) upwards, making them pivot in the longitudinal direction with respect to the corresponding longitudinal beam (3) through couplings (14) which couple each guide (12) to the corresponding longitudinal beam (3), until being positioned in an assembly/disassembly position, the guides (12) returning to a working position once the safety structure (7) vertically surpasses the guides (12) and the guided elements (11) are arranged such that they are partially housed respectively in the respective guides (12).
Clause 18: The safety method according to any of clauses 15 to 17, wherein the operator moves the safety structure (7) in the longitudinal direction to a blocking position, in which blocking means (20), arranged such that they are coupled to at least one corresponding guided element (11) of the safety structure (7), reach a transition zone (42) of the horizontal formwork system (1) including a gap (43) between the consecutively arranged guides (12), the blocking means (20) being partially housed in the gap (43) and abutting against the guide (12), blocking the movement of the safety structure (7).
Clause 20: The safety method according to any of clauses 15 to 17, wherein the operator moves the safety structure (7) in the longitudinal direction (X) until a blocking position, in which the safety structure (7) is blocked by abutting against a stop (47) included in at least one guide (12) arranged in each longitudinal beam (3).
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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16382164 | Apr 2016 | EP | regional |
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6161648 | Rexroad | Dec 2000 | A |
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20050144886 | Holawe | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050167198 | Pelletier | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20070094962 | Schwoerer | May 2007 | A1 |
20090090060 | Borra | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090212195 | Arocena Bergareche | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20190085571 | Schneider | Mar 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2995750 | Mar 2016 | EP |
2229867 | Apr 2005 | ES |
2944821 | Oct 2010 | FR |
2007003364 | Jan 2007 | WO |
Entry |
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International Search Report and Written Opinion in corresponding International Application No. PCT/EP2017/058340, dated May 8, 2017. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190063086 A1 | Feb 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP2017/058340 | Apr 2017 | US |
Child | 16158799 | US |