System for Forming Ventilated Crawl Spaces or Interspaces or Elevated Platforms Composed by Dome-Shaped Formwork Elements Supported on Supporting Tubes Resting on a Foundation or on a Surface

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Italian Application No. 102024000015502 filed Jul. 5, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a system adapted to contain a concrete casting for the formation of ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms composed by dome-shaped formwork elements supported on supporting tubes resting on a foundation or on a surface, which can be used for example in the construction and renovation of civil and industrial buildings, tanks for collecting and accumulating runoff rainwater, septic tanks, buried channels, honeycomb concrete beds, cold rooms or freezer rooms, pools, raised platforms, railway platforms or footpaths, plazas and terraced urban furnishing elements.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays it is known to provide ventilated crawl spaces and ventilated floors of great height using formwork elements that are substantially dome-shaped and made of plastic material, which are supported by tubes made of plastic material which, filled with concrete, constitute the floor or the floor slab of the foundation floor.

In conventional systems, the following type of installation is substantially used: a foundation or a floor is prepared with weak-mix concrete, then the tubes are laid, and the tubes are provided at the base with a closing foot so as not to allow the concrete to flow out during the pouring; it is also known to associate spacers with the feet, in order to ensure the correct distance between the feet and therefore that the tubes are perpendicular.

Then the dome-shaped formwork elements are laid above the tubes and then the installer proceeds to pour the floor slab with the concrete, which first will fill the tubes, and then will form the floor slab.

The floor slab will have the desired thickness and will be reinforced with metal mesh according to the specifications of the designer.

An example of this implementation is illustrated in EP1092816B1 which relates to a formwork for containing a concrete casting, adapted to form the resting plane for a floor, roofing or the like of a building, such formwork being constituted by stool-shaped elements, molded out of plastic material, which are joined to each other by overlapping their side edges and with which tubular elements are associated downwardly, which are placed vertically on the ground so as to increase the height of the formwork.

An additional, stool-shaped element is placed as a spacer between the lower ends of the tubular elements.

However, in constructing ventilated crawl spaces and ventilated floors of great height, static problems are encountered in the structure if it is not possible to couple the upper floor slab perimetrically to a bracing structure, or if there are unusual load conditions which transmit horizontal forces to the vertical supports, or if the height of the system is particularly high, all circumstances that make it necessary to have a coupling at the base of the vertical support, so as to reduce the free inflexion height.

An additional problem is represented by possible differential subsidences on which the tubular element of the system rests, owing to an inadequate mechanical quality of the soil or owing to forces stressing narrow areas of the structure.

As a partial solution to such drawbacks, it is possible to anchor the reinforcement of the columns, i.e. use chemical adhesives to fix the reinforcement of the columns to the underlying weak-mix concrete by perforating the weak-mix concrete, filling the holes with chemical adhesive, and inserting the reinforcement bars of the columns into the holes filled with chemical adhesive.

However, this operation is very expensive and complicated to execute on-site.

SUMMARY

The aim of the present disclosure is to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks, by devising a system for providing ventilated crawl spaces, ventilated floors and elevated platforms in general, which is constituted by dome-shaped formwork elements which are connected to each other via overlapping of the respective side edges and with which tubular elements are associated downwardly which are arranged vertically on the ground, so as to increase their height above the ground, such system making it possible to obtain a nascent concrete structure, known as a trellis, a grid or a lattice, which offers excellent static characteristics over time.

Within this aim an object of the present disclosure is to obtain a system that is low cost.

Another object is to provide a system that is simple to execute on-site.

Another object is to provide a system that is rapid and easy to execute even by persons with no specific training.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) which comprise dome-shaped (3) formwork elements (2) supported on supporting tubes (8), characterized in that it comprises first and second interconnection means (10, 57), which communicate with each other, said first interconnection means (10) also communicating with the lower end (9) of said supporting tubes (8) so as to form a channeled receptacle (48), which rests on a foundation or on a surface (37) and is adapted to receive a concrete casting to form a beam for connection between said supporting tubes (8) and said first and second interconnection means (10, 57).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description of a particular, but not exclusive, aspect, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform;

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of a part of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the disclosure of the previous figure;

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the disclosure of the previous figure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4 with the partition inserted;

FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of the components in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a foot;

FIG. 9 is a first perspective view of the partition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the partition;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the partition;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the partition;

FIG. 13 is a view from above of the partition;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view from above of the foot;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are details of the previous figure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the foot with the partition inserted.

In the aspects illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform used in the system for providing ventilated crawl spaces, ventilated floors, interspaces and elevated platforms in general, for example in the construction and renovation of civil and industrial buildings, tanks for collecting and accumulating runoff rainwater, septic tanks, buried channels, honeycomb concrete beds, cold rooms or freezer rooms, pools, raised platforms, railway platforms or footpaths, plazas and terraced urban furnishing elements.

The ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 thus obtained comprises a plurality of formwork elements 2, disposable, dome-shaped, conventional, and arranged in several rows in a matrix arrangement and made with suitable and selected materials, such as for example plastic material, and which advantageously are quadrilateral in plan view and are dome-shaped.

Such formwork elements 2 are therefore generally formed by a dome 3 that extends laterally and downward with four legs 4.

The legs 4 form four side arches, the edges of which are contoured to form a recess which is open upward, in order to allow the coupling by overlapping of contiguous dome-shaped formwork elements 2.

Each one of the legs 4 can, at the lower end 5, be associated with the edge 6 of the upper end 7 of a supporting tube 8 which is arranged vertically, and this supporting tube 8, which is disposable, is preferably circular in cross-section.

An example of this implementation is given in EP1092816B1.

The ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 comprises first interconnection means, associable with the lower end 9 of the supporting tubes 8 and communicating with them, which are constituted by feet 10, which are each constituted by a hollow body 12 comprising a base 11, which is flat and communicates with first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, which are cylindrical in shape and are arranged in pairs diametrically with respect to each other and therefore in pairs in axial alignment with each other so as to have, in plan view, a cross-shaped pattern, the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d communicating with an overlying fifth duct 13.

The diameters of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are mutually identical, concrete being poured into them.

The fifth duct 13 can have a desired diameter, which may be the same as or different from that of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

The first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the fifth duct 13 have substantially the same length.

Advantageously the base 11 is connected to the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and to the fifth duct 13 by means of adapted reinforcement ribs 14, which act preferably in regions adjacent to the connections between the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the fifth duct 13.

First appendages 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d protrude radially from the base 11 for further support of a foundation or a resting surface 37 for the entire ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1.

Adapted first holes 24 are obtainable on such first appendages 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d for interconnection, by means of adapted screws or nails, to the foundation or surface 37.

Advantageously, a step 52 is provided, in a chosen point, on the inner lateral surface of the fifth duct 13 and acts as a support for the lower end 9, insertable therein, of one of the supporting tubes 8.

The first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d arranged in a cross-shaped pattern can be potentially closed, in particular at the side of the feet 10 that is not directly connected to other feet 10, as in the case of the feet 10 located on the outer perimeter of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1, by means of adapted partitions 21 which are constituted by an arced front wall 22, with a width and height greater than the diameter of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

A cylindrical ridge 53 protrudes from the concave surface of the front wall 22 of the partition 21 and has a smaller diameter than the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d so as to make it possible to achieve an optimal hermetic connection for the concrete that will be poured.

Advantageously, two teeth 54 protrude axially at the inner perimetric edge of each of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d that lies substantially at the overlying fifth duct 13, and have a chosen shape and are arranged diametrically with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 16.

The two teeth 54 have a first function, which is to act as a blocking element during the insertion of the second interconnection means at one of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

The partition 21 has, at the cylindrical ridge 53, two notches 55, which are provided diametrically with respect to each other and are arranged so that the teeth 54 can be accommodated therein once the partition 21 has been inserted in one of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

Advantageously, one or more elastically deformable claws 56 protrude from the concave surface of the front wall 22 of the partition 21, in a region below each of the notches 55, and have an axial extension such as to allow snap interconnection with the teeth 54, which have a second function, which is to obtain an optimum interconnection of the partitions with the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 comprises second interconnection means, associable with each foot 10, which are constituted by a tube 57 of such dimensions as to make it possible to mutually interconnect two of the feet 10 which are mutually adjacent.

It should be noted that the center distance created between two mutually contiguous feet 10 with which a tube 57 is associated is exactly the same as the center distance of the overlying formwork 2 supported by the supporting tubes 8 the lower ends 9 of which are interconnected with the feet 10.

In other words, the supporting tubes 8 are perfectly vertical.

Once the first and second interconnection means, constituted by the feet 10 and the tube 57, are installed, and thus when the lower ends 9 of the supporting tubes 8 are associated with the fifth ducts 13 of the feet 10 and the tubes 57 are associated with the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the feet 10, a channeled receptacle 48 is defined which communicates also with the various upper ends 7 of the supporting tubes 8 with which the dome-shaped formwork elements 2 are associated.

Each channeled receptacle 48 therefore extends within each supporting tube 8, each foot 10 and the tubes 57.

Thus, the tube 57 mutually connects two of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d arranged mutually adjacent and in mutual axial alignment, so as to define, together with the positioning of the supporting tubes 8 at the fifth ducts 13, the shape structure that allows, together with the coupling of the formwork elements 2 to the edge 6 of the upper end 7 of a supporting tube 8 and with the pouring of concrete, the formation of the concrete structure of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1.

In the condition in which a tube 57 is associated with one of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, as shown in FIG. 16, a clearance 58 can be defined between one end of the tube 57 and the teeth 54.

Such clearance 58 is obtained by cutting one of the ends of the tube 57 by the desired extent.

There are furthermore second holes 59, provided in the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d on the opposite side with respect to the base 11, which allow the installer to visualize the placement of the ends of the tubes 57 within the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

The method of assembly of the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform 1 is the following: initially the feet 10 are placed on the foundation or surface 37.

Subsequently a tube 57 is positioned between two adjacent feet 10, at at least two of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

Subsequently the duct, of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, that is not affected by the tube 57, is closed by means of a partition 21.

The partitions 21, where necessary, are inserted from above and from within the feet 10, where they are guided into the correct position for closing the desired duct of the first four ducts 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d by virtue of the shape of the front wall 22, which is arced, and by virtue of the presence of the teeth 54, the notches 55, and the claws 56.

Subsequently the supporting tubes 8 are positioned at the fifth ducts 13, which are directed upward, of the feet 10 on which the dome-shaped formwork elements 2 will be placed.

In the final step, the concrete is poured at the channeled receptacle 48 thus obtained.

For the pouring, a fluid concrete with inert materials of a suitable particle size distribution must be used, so that the channeled receptacles 48 are completely filled and as a consequence the connecting beams between the columns determined by the supporting tubes 8 are formed downwardly, resting on the foundation or surface 37.

Thus it has been found that the device 1 has achieved the intended aim and objects, a system having been obtained for providing ventilated crawl spaces and ventilated floors, which is constituted by dome-shaped formwork elements which are connected to each other via overlapping of the respective side edges and with which tubular elements are associated downwardly which are arranged vertically on the ground, so as to increase their height above the ground, such system making it possible to obtain a nascent concrete structure, known as a trellis, a grid or a lattice, which offers excellent static characteristics over time.

The connecting beam that is obtained in fact, by virtue of the channeled receptacle 48 which rests on the foundation or surface 37 and which also affects the supporting tubes 8, makes it possible to achieve excellent static characteristics over time.

The system thus provided is low cost and is simple to execute on-site.

The disclosure is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Naturally the materials used as well as the dimensions of the individual components of the disclosure may be more pertinent to specific requirements.

The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.