LOST FORMWORK BLOCK PROVIDED WITH INSULATION AND FOLDABLE LINK, AND CONNECTING DEVICE

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a connecting device (2) between two insulating panels (1a, 11a) with application in permanent formwork in civil construction, the device being foldable thus allowing both the separation between the two panels (1a, 1b) to receive the fluid structuring material, such as concrete, for the construction of walls, and which in folded position allows the contact between the two panels (1a, 1b), in order to facilitate their storage and transportation. The connecting device (2) has a central piece comprising arched hooks at its ends, and two ends (11a, 11b) each one including an elongated outer part inlaid in one of the panels in insulating material, and an inner part joined to the central piece, including a longitudinal axle (10) that pivots 90° between the two intended positions (13, 14).
The permanent formwork block including this device is produced as a single piece since the device can be placed in the mold wherein the isolating panels are injected.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001] Currently, there are several systems and methods for carrying out a permanent formworking with insulation by means of either harder and heavier materials such as wood, or lighter materials such as expanded polystyrene. Normally these systems consist of two opposite parallel panels connected by a mechanism, creating a formworking adapted to receive concrete or mortar, which in a hardened state result in a robust and insulated wall.

[0002] The systems known are produced in a single piece, which raises its volume, thus increasing its transportation costs as well as storage space. Other systems are consist of separate pieces wherein the panels are separate and later connected by an in situ mechanism thus increasing labor costs and time required for assembly. US5625989 discloses a formworking block comprising two panels in insulating material, wherein the panels are placed in a parallel spaced position, the position being kept by means of a linking element that is placed later. This linking element is placed only in situ, fitting in the existing recesses in both panels thus keeping them spaced and parallel to each other.

[0003] In the same way, US5065561 which describes a formworking block comprising two panels in insulating material, implies the in situ assembly of the linking element, compelling to an undesired time-consuming labor, which is not desirable. Another example of this type of solution providing a formworking block comprising two panels in insulating material and presenting the above disadvantages is disclosed in EP1061193.

[0004] In other systems the panels are produced separately, a device being placed which joins both panels and allows the panels to be kept together, reducing the volume, but on the other hand increases the production costs. US5657600 describes a formworking block comprising two panels in insulating material which are spaced in parallel to each other and connected by a linking device that is inlaid in both of them. This type of system, wherein the block is pre-assembled in factory, takes up unnecessary room during block storage and transportation.

[0005] There is a known system, described in CA2292865 that intends saving room in the transportation and storage of formworking blocks, creating a folding connection between the two plates thereof. This block has two panels in insulating material that are spaced and parallel to each other, each panel having a device inlaid which functions as an anchor. These anchors are coupled in a linking device that allows joining the two panels keeping spaced and parallel to each other. The coupling between the anchors and the linking device also allows the two panels to be folded, considerably reducing the room between the two panels. However, this type of system can be improved, since as it was described, the block is pre-assembled in factory, but in its manufacturing process the panels are merely connected after insulating material injection, turning it into a quite complex process. On the other hand, the linking element is quite fragile since when the block is in operation position, the coupling between the linking device and the anchors is in the most fragile position due to the traction it is subject to whilst concrete feeding.

[0006] Still the need for permanent formworking blocks in insulating material is present, wherein the blocks are easily manufactured, stored and transported at a low cost, simultaneously guaranteeing a high stress tolerance when the block is subject to concrete, which need is fulfilled by the present invention.

General description

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device that overcomes the inconveniences of presently known systems and methods for the production of permanent formworking blocks with insulation.

[0008] Another object is to provide a permanent formworking block with insulation that can be produced as an single piece, to avoid as handling as possible and to fulfill the first objective.

[0009] According to the present invention, the objects shall be achieved by means of a connecting device designed for connecting the two opposite walls of the block. This device is placed during block mass production resulting in a single piece, thus optimizing production and reducing production costs.

[0010] The connecting device has two ends, each one inlaid in each wall of the isolating panels, thus creating the coupling between both walls. The device has two axles, one next to a wall and the other next to the other wall, these axles allowing the two panels to be folded into the two desired positions: a position wherein the panels are in contact, eliminating the space between them, which enables reducing the block volume and making its storage and transportation easier, and a position wherein the panels are spaced and parallel to each other in order to fill up the blocks with concrete. The device operation is such that when a slight traction is applied, the two axles of the device perform a 90° angle movement thus allowing both desired positions.

[0011] The two axles of the device have a clip that allows them to have the two positions in memory, also allowing that when the block walls reach one of the desired positions, they are fixed, avoiding the panels to move freely.

Description of the drawings

[0012] Other characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the block in the desired position for using in a construction site;
• Figure 2 is a perspective of the block in the desired position for storage and transport purposes;
• Figure 3 is a plan view of the block in the desired position for using in a construction site;
• Figure 4 is a plan view of the block in the desired position for storage and transportation purpose;
• Figure 5 is a cross-section view of the linking device;
• Figure 6 is a detailed view of the linking device axle in operation position;
• Figure 7 is a detailed view of the linking device in the storage and transportation position;

Detailed description of the invention

[0013] Referring the drawings, and according to the present invention figure 1 shows the permanent formworking block with insulation and foldable coupling. The purpose of the block is to create a formworking to receive concrete or mortar, or any other structuring fluid material. The block consists of two insulating panels (1a, 1b) that could be made, for example, by expanded polystyrene. These panels are connected by a set of connecting devices (2). The connecting devices are made of plastic, composite or metal material, obtained by injection, such as polypropylene. The walls (1a), (1b) have relieves (4), (5), (6) and recesses (7), (8) at its ends that will allow the blocks to fit in each other.

[0014] The connecting device (2) allows the connection between the two panels, and has as main function assuring that the two panels are spaced and parallel to each other (Figure 1 and 3), so that the block can be applied in a wall construction, so as to later receive concrete or mortar. Another function of the connecting device is to make both panels fold down and eliminate the space between them (Figures 2 and 4), in order to reduce the volume taken up by the block and facilitate handling operations (Figure 3), reduce the required space for storage and transportation and thus reduce the final costs.

[0015] During the production process, the ends of the connecting device (11a), (11b) are inlaid in the panels' inner faces and they cooperate with the panel walls, forming together one single piece.

[0016] The factor allowing the connecting device (2) to impel both block walls to fold down and thus reduce the block's volume resides in the fact that the device has two axis (10) located next to the panels which enable a 90° rotation movement when a slight traction is applied, resulting in both panels joining together ant thus minimizing the block's volume.

[0017] The rotation axles (10) have at its ends a clip whose design allows a memory of both desired positions, a storage and transportation (13) position and a position for the application of the block under formworking for a wall construction (14). Said clip also allows attaching these two positions and thus avoid an unnecessary free rotation of the walls. These clips are placed at the upper top and at the bottom, each one being provided with stops so as to avoid the central part from moving beyond the required position.

[0018] The connecting device (2) might also present a claw-shaped design (12) which allows placing and attaching an iron structure in order to obtain reinforced concrete structures. To such purpose, the claws diameters should be between 8 and 12mm.

Claims

1. Connecting device (2) to join and allow folding two parallel panels (1a, 1b), both made of insulating material and used for permanent formwork after the injection of fluid structuring material, comprising:

a) a central piece(2) comprising arched hooks at its ends

b) two ends (11a,11b), each one including - an elongated outer part inlaid in one panel of insulated material.

- an inner part longitudinally connected to the central piece, including one longitudinal axel (10) which pivots 90°, between a first position (13), in which the central piece hooks have an opening perpendicularly oriented to the panels and a second position (14) on which, after the rotation movement, the central piece hooks attach the longitudinal axle, enabling that in the first position (13) both sides of the panels are folded and in contact for an easy transportation and on the second position (14) the panels are spaced in a parallel position, enabling a higher stress tolerance whilst fluid structuring material injection.

2. Device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each longitudinal axel (10) comprises 2 clips , one at the top and the other at the bottom, having each clip two position memories corresponding to the first (13) and second(14) positions and two stops to avoid an undesirable movement from the central piece.

3. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the central piece includes a design depicting one or more claws (12) with a diameter between 8 and 12mm, which allow laying and attaching iron rod bars.

4. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is conceived in injection material, such as plastic, composites or metal material.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it is made of Polypropylene.

6. Permanent formwork block with insulation characterized in that it consists of two insulated panels (1a, 1b) separated by a foldable device (2) according to claims 1 to 5.

7. Block according to claim 6, characterized in that both insulating panels (1a, 1b) are made of expanded Polystyrene.

8. Block according to claim 6, characterized in that it is obtained by injecting the insulating panels (1a, 1b) in a mould wherein the device (2) according to claims 1 to 5 has been previously placed, thus forming a single piece.

9. Block according to claim 6, characterized in that the insulating panels might include on the upper and bottom faces a set of holes (7, 8) and reliefs (5, 6), whose design allows the blocks to fit in each other in order to enable the construction of walls of different shapes and dimensions.

Drawing