METAL STRUCTURE FOR BOATING STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal structure for boating structural supports.

[0002] In the nautical field, the expression "boating structural support" indicates the bearing understructure, to which the panelling of boats (for instance, boards) is fastened and which defines the inner compartments, including floors and ceilings.

[0003] In this connection, structures for boating structural supports including wooden parts manufactured by specialized carpenters, are available on the market.

[0004] The boating structural supports typically consist of a single reticular truss. The specialized carpenter builds this reticular truss in situ and specifically for the particular boat, taking into account the size variability of the compartments built in this manner, which are exposed to a marine climate, and the bending behaviour of the wood. However, wood is characterised by a flexural rigidity considerably lower than construction metals and therefore displays a behaviour which is extremely non uniform in the course of time due to atmospherical agents which impair the size uniformity thereof. The working precision may obviously not achieve the standards of metal alloys which however may not be worked in situ by craftsmen.

[0005] Known metal structures are shown in US-3265416, DE-2524795 and WO-2007/028839.

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to therefore provide a structure for boating structural supports having mechanical and logistical features which are better than current ones, i.e. increased lightness, rigidity, size uniformity, resistance and modularity.

[0007] In accordance with the invention, such an object is achieved by a metal structure for boating structural supports as disclosed in claim 1.

[0008] The modularity of the invention allows to use the same elements forming the structure both for bearing ceilings and for walls, thus reducing the storehouse stocks. Again in virtue of the modularity, assemblies may also be obtained by a single type of fastening element, typically a bolt displaying a predetermined size.

[0009] The idea of using extruded products made of metal alloys to build boating structural supports, specifically light aluminium alloys of the type suitable for marine use, allows, due to the high flexural rigidity, to reduce the weight of the metal boating structural supports as compared to wooden ones, the weight saving being equivalent to 30%. This of course reduces costs.

[0010] Further advantages of such a modular structure consist in the possibility to build composite structures up to 6 metres, with a planarity and a uniformity in the course of time which are significantly better as compared to traditional methods, also in virtue of the better tightness of the fastening elements even after many assemblies and disassemblies. The working precision allows tolerances of 2-3 mm over 6 metres.

[0011] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment thereof, shown by no way of limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a section;

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the section in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an axonometric view of an angle section;

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the angle section;

Figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a bolt which is not tightened and is engaged with the section;

Figure 6 shows a sectional view along line VI-VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the bolt rotated for the fastening to the section;

Figure 8 shows a sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows an axonometric view of a two-way bracket adapted to connect two sections;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the two-way bracket;

Figure 11 shows a plan view of the two-way bracket;

Figure 12 shows an axonometric view of a three-way bracket adapted to connect three sections;

Figure 13 shows a side view of the three-way bracket;

Figure 14 shows a plan view of the three-way bracket;

Figure 15 shows an axonometric view of an angle bracket adapted to connect two sections;

Figure 16 shows a top plan view of the angle bracket in Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows an axonometric view of a bracket for connecting sections to an outer structure; it is merely illustrative and does not limit the invention;

Figure 18 shows a top plan view of the bracket in Figure 17;

Figure 19 shows a sectional view of a three-way section;

Figure 20 shows a sectional view of a four-way or cross section.

[0012] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a component of the metal structure for boating structural supports may be noted, i.e. a section 6 which may preferably be obtained by extrusion. It includes a portion with a through-cavity 2 displaying a substantially rectangular section and two side portions or grooves with a substantially "C"-shaped section 3 integral therewith and positioned on two opposite sides of the rectangle of the portion 2.

[0013] Said "C"-shaped portions 3 each include an open cavity 5 and fins 4 for inserting and anchoring fastening elements.

[0014] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, another kind of section may be noted, i.e. an angle section 7. It features the portion with through-cavity 2 displaying a polygonal section provided with two "C"-shaped portions or grooves 3 integral therewith on two sides of the portion 2 which are reciprocally oriented at a 90° angle.

[0015] Said sections 6-7 further include centring notches 30, reinforcement thicknesses 31 and fastening teeth 32.

[0016] The sections 6 and 7 serve as a framework for the boating structural supports connected by the elements disclosed hereinafter.

[0017] With reference now to Figures from 5 to 8, an embodiment of the fastening elements, i.e. bolts 8, may be noted. The bolt 8 is provided with a rectangular plate head 9 where a shorter dimension 10 allows the insertion through the open portion 5 of the section 6-7, and a greater dimension 11 allows, by rotating the head 9, the axial locking of the bolt 8 between the fins 4 and the teeth 32, thus securing it by means of a nut 20. The teeth 32 are to avoid that, when hexagonal nuts are used, they may rotate while tightening. Common M8x40 TE bolts may be used besides this special type of bolt.

[0018] With reference to Figures 9 to 11, a two-way metal bracket 15 may be noted in Figure 9, the two-way bracket 15 being adapted to connect two sections 6 (but possibly also sections 7) substantially at a 90° angle.

[0019] With particular reference to Figures 10 and 11, the structural peculiarities of the two-way bracket 15 may be noted, including a flat, substantially right-triangular portion 12, provided with two fastening holes 13 and two locking tabs 14 folded with respect to the flat portion 12.

[0020] Each tab 14 is oriented at an angle such as to be engaged between the two fins 4 of the "C"-shaped portion 3, thus contributing together with the bolt 8 to lock the sections 6, 7.

[0021] It should be noted that the two fastening hole 13 - locking tab 14 pairs are positioned on the two catheti of the flat portion 12.

[0022] With reference now to Figures 12, 13 and 14, a three-way bracket 16 may be noted, which is adapted to join up to three sections 6 and/or angle sections 7, two elements of which are positioned one after the other and the third is at a 90° angle with respect thereto. For this purpose the three-way bracket 16 includes a flat, right-triangular portion 12 with three fastening holes 13 and three locking tabs 14 also folded with respect to the flat portion 12. As for the two-way bracket 15, each tab 14 is oriented at an angle such as to be engaged in the space defined by the two fins 4 of the "C"-shaped portion 3, thus contributing together with the bolt 8 to lock the sections 6, 7.

[0023] It should be noted that the two fastening hole 13 - locking tab 14 pairs are positioned one after the other on the hypotenuse of the substantially triangular flat portion 12, and define a right angle with the third fastening hole 13 - locking tab 14 pair, where the tab 14 is on the vertex of the triangle of the flat portion 12.

[0024] A further connecting element, as may be noted from Figures 15 and 16, consists of an angle bracket 17, which allows the connection between two sections 6 or 7, with the inner "C"-shaped portions of the angle defined by the sections 6-7. The angle bracket 17 includes a flat right-triangular portion 12, provided with two fins 18 positioned on the catheti of the flat section 12 and folded by a 90° angle with respect thereto, each provided with a fastening hole 13 and a locking tab 14 further folded by a 90° angle with respect to the respective fin for the engagement with the "C"-shaped portions of the corresponding sections 6 or 7.

[0025] A last connecting element may be noted in Figures 17 and 18, i.e. a single bracket 19 provided with a flat rectangular portion 12 with a further fastening hole 21 and a fin 18 integral at a 90° angle therewith, provided with a fastening hole 13 and two tabs 14 folded by a further 90° angle with respect to the fin 18 for the engagement with the "C"-shaped portion. Its function is to be constrained with bolts 8 to a section 6 or 7 by already disclosed methods and to provide, by means of the further fastening hole 21, another coupling point for further structures (for instance boards), as may be appreciated in Figure 17.

[0026] Advantageously, the brackets 15-17, 19 may be provided with further fastening holes 22.

[0027] Advantageously, the portions with through-cavity 2 may be more than one on a section 6 or 7.

[0028] Advantageously, the "C"-shaped portions 3 may be more than two on a section 6 or 7 as shown in Figures 19-20 (three-way, four-way or cross section, with a "T"- or cross-shaped cavity).

[0029] Advantageously, the modular structure object of the present invention is made of an aluminium alloy suitable for nautical use such as EN 6060 T5.

Claims

1. A metal structure for boating structural supports, including a plurality of metal support sections (6, 7) preferably made of aluminium alloy, each of which comprises a portion with a through-cavity (2) having a closed polygonal cross-section and at least one edge portion with a substantially C-shaped cavity (5) formed by two connecting edges (3) extending from and integral with a side of said through-cavity portion, the metal structure further including metal brackets (15-17) for mechanically assembling said support sections (6, 7) to each other, each of said metal brackets (15-17) comprising a substantially right-triangular flat portion (12), at least two fastening holes (13) to fasten the metal support sections (6, 7) to the bracket (15-17), and at least two locking tabs (14), each of which is inserted between said connecting edges (3) of a respective metal support section (6, 7),
characterized in that
the connecting edges (3) of the at least one edge portion are formed by two parallel side walls, each one extending perpendicularly from a side of the through-cavity portion, said side walls terminating in a pair of fins (4) that extend perpendicularly from the respective sidewall towards each other and that define a groove there between, in that said flat portion (12) rests on the fins (4) of the edge portion of the support sections (6, 7) assembled together, and in that each locking tab (14) is inserted in a groove and engaged between a pair of fins (4) of the connecting edges (3) of a metal support section (6, 7).

2. A structure for boating structural supports according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two fastening holes (13) and locking tabs (14) are aligned two by two along the connecting edges (3) of the metal support sections (6, 7).

3. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes fastening bolts (8) each provided with a rectangular plate (9) inserted into the cavity (5) and axially locked against the internal surface of said fins (4) by the bolt (8).

4. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal brackets are two-way connecting brackets (15), each provided with two fastening holes (13) and two folded locking tabs (14), the two hole (13) - tab (14) pairs being positioned on the two catheti of the flat portions (12).

5. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the claims 1-3, characterised in that the metal brackets are three-way connecting brackets (16), each provided with three fastening holes (13) and three foldable locking tabs (14), two fastening hole (13) - locking tab (14) pairs being positioned one after the other on the hypotenuse of the flat portion (12) and the remaining fastening hole (13) - locking tab (14) pair being positioned at a 90° angle with respect to the first two pairs.

6. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the claims 1-3, characterised in that the metal brackets are angle connecting brackets (17), each provided with two fins (18) which rest on the fins (4) of the edge portions (3), positioned on the catheti of the flat portion (12) and folded at a 90° angle with respect to said flat portion (12), each provided with at least one fastening hole (13) and at least one locking tab (14), said tab (14) being further folded by a 90° angle with respect to the corresponding fin (18).

7. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal support sections (6, 7) include centring notches (30), reinforcement thicknesses (31) and locking teeth (32).

8. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal support sections (6, 7) include three-way and/or four-way sections.

9. A structure for boating structural supports according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal support sections (6, 7) are made of aluminium alloy and in that the aluminium alloy is the EN 6060 T5 alloy.

Ansprüche

1. Metallstruktur für Schiffsstrukturträger, mit mehreren Metallträgerabschnitten (6, 7), die vorzugsweise aus einer Aluminiumlegierung hergestellt sind und jeweils einen Hohlraumabschnitt (2), der einen durchgehenden Hohlraum (2) mit einem geschlossenen polygonalen Querschnitt aufweist, und mindestens einen Randabschnitt mit einem im Wesentlichen C-förmigen Hohlraum (5) aufweisen, der durch zwei Verbindungsabkantungen (3) gebildet wird, die sich von einer Seite des durchgehenden Hohlraumabschnitts erstrecken und damit integral ausgebildet sind, wobei die Metallstruktur ferner Metallwinkel (15 - 17) zum mechanischen Montieren der Trägerabschnitte (6, 7) aneinander aufweist, wobei jeder der Metallwinkel (15 - 17) einen im Wesentlichen in der Form eines rechtwinkligen Dreiecks ausgebildeten flachen Abschnitt (12), mindestens zwei Befestigungslöcher (13) zum Befestigen der Metallträgerabschnitte (6, 7) am Metallwinkel (15 - 17) und mindestens zwei Verriegelungslaschen (14) aufweist, die jeweils zwischen den Verbindungsabkantungen (3) eines jeweiligen Metallträgerabschnitts (6, 7) eingesetzt sind;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Verbindungsabkantungen (3) des mindestens einen Randabschnitts durch zwei parallele Seitenwände gebildet werden, die sich jeweils senkrecht von einer Seite des durchgehenden Hohlraums erstrecken, wobei die Seitenwände in einem Paar Stege (4) enden, die sich von den jeweiligen Seitenwänden senkrecht und zueinander hin erstrecken und eine Nut dazwischen definieren;
der flache Abschnitt (12) an den Stegen (4) des Randabschnitts der zusammengesetzten Trägerabschnitte (6, 7) anliegt; und
jede Verriegelungslasche (14) in eine Nut eingesetzt und zwischen einem Paar Stegen (4) der Verbindungsabkantungen (3) eines Metallträgerabschnitts (6, 7) in Eingriff steht.

2. Struktur nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mindestens zwei Befestigungslöcher (13) und Verriegelungslaschen (14) entlang der Verbindungsabkantungen (3) der Metallträgerabschnitte (6, 7) jeweils paarweise ausgerichtet sind.

3. Struktur nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Struktur Befestigungsbolzen (8) aufweist, die jeweils eine rechteckige Platte (9) aufweisen, die in den Hohlraum (5) eingesetzt und durch den Bolzen (8) axial gegen die Innenfläche der Stege (4) verblockt sind.

4. Struktur nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallwinkel Zweiwege-Verbindungswinkel (15) sind, die jeweils zwei Befestigungslöcher (13) und zwei umgefalzte Verriegelungslaschen (14) aufweisen, wobei die zwei Loch-Lasche-Paare der Befestigungslöcher (13) und der Verriegelungslaschen (14) auf den zwei Katheten der flachen Abschnitte (12) angeordnet sind.

5. Struktur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallwinkel Dreiwege-Verbindungswinkel (16) sind, die jeweils drei Befestigungslöcher (13) und drei umgefalzte Verriegelungslaschen (14) aufweisen, wobei zwei Loch-Lasche-Paare der Befestigungslöcher (13) und Verriegelungslaschen (14) auf der Hypotenuse des flachen Abschnitts (12) hintereinander angeordnet sind und das andere Loch-Lasche-Paar der Befestigungslöcher (13) und Verriegelungslaschen (14) unter einem 90°-Winkel bezüglich der ersten zwei Paare angeordnet ist.

6. Struktur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallwinkel Eckverbindungswinkel (17) sind, die jeweils zwei Stege (18) aufweisen, die an den Stegen (4) der Kantenabschnitte (3) anliegen, auf den Katheten des flachen Abschnitts (12) angeordnet und bezüglich des flachen Abschnitts unter einem 90°-Winkel gebogen sind, wobei jeder der Eckverbindungswinkel mindestens ein Befestigungsloch (13) und mindestens eine Verriegelungslasche (14) aufweist, wobei die Lasche (14) ferner bezüglich des entsprechenden Stegs (18) um einen 90°-Winkel gefalzt ist.

7. Struktur nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallträgerabschnitte (6, 7) Zentrierungsnuten (30), Dickenverstärkungsabschnitte (31) und Verriegelungszähne (32) aufweisen.

8. Struktur nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallträgerabschnitte (6, 7) Dreiwege- und/oder Vierwegeabschnitte aufweisen.

9. Struktur nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallträgerabschnitte (6, 7) aus einer Aluminiumlegierung hergestellt sind, und dass die Aluminiumlegierung eine Legierung des Typs EN 6060 T5 ist.

Revendications

1. Structure de métal pour supports structuraux de bateaux, comprenant une pluralité de sections de support de métal (6, 7) constituées, de préférence, d'alliage d'aluminium, chacune comprenant une partie pourvue d'une cavité traversante (2) présentant une section transversale polygonale fermée et au moins une partie de bord pourvue d'une cavité sensiblement en forme de C (5) formée par deux bords de connexion (3) s'étendant depuis, et d'un seul tenant avec, un côté de ladite partie à cavité traversante, la structure de métal comprenant, en outre, des équerres de métal (15-17) pour assembler mécaniquement lesdites sections de support (6, 7) l'une à l'autre, chacune desdites équerres de métal (15-17) comprenant une partie plate sensiblement en forme de triangle rectangle (12), au moins deux trous de fixation (13) pour fixer les sections de support de métal (6, 7) à l'équerre (15-17), et au moins deux pattes de verrouillage (14), chacune étant insérée entre lesdits bords de connexion (3) d'une section de support de métal (6, 7) respective,
caractérisée
en ce que les bords de connexion (3) de l'au moins une partie de bord sont formés par deux parois latérales parallèles, chacune s'étendant perpendiculairement depuis un côté de la partie à cavité traversante, lesdites parois latérales se terminant en une paire d'ailettes (4) qui s'étendent perpendiculairement depuis la paroi latérale respective l'une vers l'autre et qui définissent une gorge entre elles,
en ce que ladite partie plate (12) repose sur les ailettes (4) de la partie de bord des sections de support (6, 7) assemblées,
et en ce que chaque patte de verrouillage (14) est insérée dans une gorge et engagée entre deux ailettes en une paire (4) des bords de connexion (3) d'une section de support de métal (6, 7) .

2. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdits au moins deux trous de fixation (13) et lesdites au moins deux pattes de verrouillage (14) sont alignés deux par deux le long des bords de connexion (3) des sections de support de métal (6, 7).

3. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des boulons de fixation (8), chacun doté d'une plaque rectangulaire (9) insérée dans la cavité (5) et verrouillée axialement contre la surface interne desdites ailettes (4) par le boulon (8).

4. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les équerres de métal sont des équerres de connexion à deux voies (15), dotées chacune de deux trous de fixation (13) et deux pattes de verrouillage pliées (14), les paires deux trous (13) et deux pattes (14) étant placées sur les deux cathètes des parties plates (12).

5. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que les équerres de métal sont des équerres de connexion à trois voies (16), chacune dotée de trois trous de fixation (13) et trois pattes de verrouillage (14) pliables, les paires deux trous de fixation (13) et deux pattes de verrouillage (14) étant placées l'une après l'autre sur l'hypoténuse de la partie plate (12) et la paire restante trou de fixation (13) et patte de verrouillage (14) étant placée à 90° par rapport aux deux premières paires.

6. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que les équerres de métal sont des équerres de connexion d'angle (17), chacune dotée de deux ailettes (18) qui reposent sur les ailettes (4) des parties de bord (3) placées sur les cathètes de la partie plate (12), chacune dotée d'au moins un trou de fixation (13) et d'au moins une patte de verrouillage (14), ladite patte (14) étant, en outre, pliée, sur un angle de 90° par rapport à l'ailette (18) correspondante.

7. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que les sections de support de métal (6, 7) comprennent des encoches de centrage (30), des épaisseurs de renforcement (31) et des dents de verrouillage (32).

8. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les sections de support de métal (6, 7) comprennent des sections à trois voies et/ou quatre voies

9. Structure pour supports structuraux de bateaux selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les sections de support de métal (6, 7) sont constituées d'alliage d'aluminium et en ce que l'alliage d'aluminium est l'alliage EN 6060 T5.

Drawing