SECTION BAR FOR FRAME OF WALLS

The present invention relates to a section bar usable in making a frame for walls as well as a frame structure including this section bar.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a section bar, which can be used for making a frame for walls as well as a frame structure comprising such a section bar.

STATE OF THE ART

In the prefabricated building market, it is known to obtain a modular structure on which infill panels can be applied to define vertical walls.

These structures imply using vertical elements, such as uprights, operatively associated with horizontal reinforcement elements, such as oblique or horizontal crosspieces in order to obtain a support frame.

In general, the individual elements that make up this support frame can be metal section bars with a cross section that can be of different configurations and whose concavity, once laid, is oriented inwards.

The transverse and oblique elements are fixed to the vertical uprights with their ends inserted into the recess of the profile of a corresponding upright or horizontal crosspiece. The ends of the oblique crosspieces are then fixed by riveting with one rivet only to the uprights or horizontal crosspieces, which they engage by overlapping.

In general, the ends of the oblique crosspieces are cut according to a plane orthogonal to the direction of extension of the crosspieces themselves.

This technical solution for fixing of an upright and an end of an oblique or horizontal crosspiece by means of a single fixing point on each side determines some drawbacks.

The international application published under number WO2019123388A1 describes a frame structure for walls comprising a first element and a second element operably associable with each other, with the first element and the second element comprising a respective central wall and two opposite side walls delimiting at least one longitudinal recess.

This structure is made up of metal section bars connected to each other, which, due to their design, have one possible constraint position only. This determines that the frame structure has little versatility.

Furthermore, if the frame itself is to be used for other purposes, the configuration of the section bars making up the frame limits its functionality.

There is a need in the field of a frame structure with a high versatility of construction and high functionality as well as able to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks as part of a solution that is easy to be used and practical to be implemented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to improve the state of the art concerning the section bars that can be used in the production of a frame for walls.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a section bar that can be used in the construction of a frame for walls capable of ensuring high versatility in the obtainment step of the frame.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a section bar that can be used for obtaining a frame for walls capable of ensuring more functionality of employment when used for obtaining a frame for walls.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a section bar that can be used in the construction of a frame for walls capable of ensuring high resistance should the frame be used to support huge amount of weight or horizontal thrusts in its respective plane.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a section bar is provided which can be used for the construction of a frame according to the present application.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to fix section bars to each other with a connection providing suitable connection means according to the loads acting on the members.

The present application refers to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, identical parts or components are indicated by the same reference numbers.

Moreover, with particular reference toFIGS.1,4,6and8, the length of the section bar would clearly be much greater than that illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a section bar according to the present invention which can be used for the construction of a frame is indicated as a whole with the reference number1.

This section bar1comprises at least one main wall2and at least two side walls3,4.

As regards the at least one main wall2, it can comprise one or more longitudinal reinforcement ribs5and/or delimit one or more first through openings or constraint through openings7useful for the possible engagement of one or more objects in the section bar1or for the possible constraint of the section bar1itself to a partition or wall.

By way of non-limiting example, the longitudinal reinforcement ribs5can have a trapezoidal or prismatic extension with a height between about 3 mm and about 5 mm, for example about 3.8 mm, and a width between about 8 mm and about 10 mm, for example 8.75 mm.

As regards the at least two side walls3,4, they each comprise at least a first segment8,9which departs from a respective first end of the main wall2in a direction which can be transverse or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main lying or extension of the main wall2, so that the first segments8,9of the at least two side walls3,4define a substantially U-shaped configuration with the main wall2.

Clearly, the two side walls3,4could define a U-shaped configuration with the main wall2even if they do not extend in a direction orthogonal to the lying plane of the main wall2, but inclined with respect to it, for example so as to define an angle between 60° and 120°.

In particular, each of the at least two side walls3,4includes a second segment10,11which extends from a respective first segment8,9, more particularly from one end of the latter distal from the main wall2. The second segment10,11is inclined relative to the first segment8,9in such a way that the second segments10,11have their respective free longitudinal or main or greatest ends10a,11a(i.e., extending along the longitudinal or main development axis of the section bar) at a first distance less than the second distance between the respective ends10b,11b, which are proximal or for constrain with or of continuation of the respective first segment8,9.

In practice, the free ends10a,11aof each second inclined segment10,11face the longitudinal centerline of the section bar1.

If desired, the second segments10,11are orthogonal to the first segments8,9and, if desired, substantially parallel to the main wall2.

The section bar1comprises two flanks1a,1bconsisting of the first segments8,9, two main sides1c,1d, one1cconsisting of the main wall2and the other1dwhich is defined by the second segments10,11spaced apart with each other, whereby the segment1dis in fact interrupted between the free ends10a,11a.

The other two front and rear faces1e,1fof the section bar1are in fact open and substantially U-shaped, each being defined by the respective free edge of the main wall2, by the first segments8,9and by a respective minor free edge of the second segments10,11which constitute the continuation of the free edge of the respective first segment8,9.

Thus, the section bar1has a height defined by the distance between the main wall2and the second segments10,11or in any case by the extension of the first segments8,9when passing from the main wall2to the second segments10,11, width defined by the distance between the two flanks1a,1band a length which extends along a main longitudinal axis in the direction from the front face1eto the rear face1f.

Preferably, the flanks1a,1bof the section bar1are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane substantially parallel to the two first segments8,9of the two side walls3,4and equidistant from them or to a plane orthogonal to the main wall2and equidistant from the first two segments8,9.

A section bar is preferably made in one piece, in a suitable material, such as a metallic material, if desired aluminum.

Preferably, the main wall2is flat. If desired, the main wall2has an extension in the direction of the width of the section bar of about 130-150 mm, if desired, about 140 mm.

Advantageously, the first segments8,9are flat. If desired, the first segments8,9have an extension in the direction of the height of the section bar of about 40-60 mm, if desired, between 45 and 55 mm or equal to about 50 mm.

If desired, the side walls3,4each define at least one raised portion12.

The raised portions12preferably have an extension in a plan view, which is circular or substantially circular, but in other versions of the invention they could also present different extension in a plan view, for example polygonal.

By way of non-limiting example, the raised portions12can have a diameter ranging between about 35 mm and about 45 mm, for example about 40 or 41 mm.

Preferably, at least a raised portion12is formed recessed in the first segment8,9of a respective side wall3,4so as to protrude with respect to the latter within the section bar1or in any case in the direction of approaching the other side wall4,3.

Alternatively, at least one raised portion12could protrude outwards from the respective first segment8,9of a respective side wall3,4, i.e. protruding in the direction of moving away from the other side wall4,3.

In this regard, at least a raised portion could be recessed or protruding outward by about 1-3 mm, if desired between 2 and 3 mm, for example about 2.75 mm with respect to the respective first segment8,9.

Clearly, all of the raised portions could be recessed or protruding or there could be a combination of these variants.

So far as the position of the raised portions12is concerned, they can for example be at a distance of between about 1 mm and about 30 mm, for example 10-20 mm, from a respective front face1eor rear face if of the section bar1.

Naturally, one or more raised portions12can be provided in a section bar1, for example two, three, four or more.

Preferably, for each raised portion12in a side wall3, a raised portion12is provided at the other side wall4at the same level or longitudinal extension of the section bar1and substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane substantially parallel to the two first segments8,9of the two side walls3,4and equidistant from them or to a plane orthogonal to the main wall2and equidistant from the two first segments8,9.

Basically, for each first raised portion12in a side wall3, a second raised portion12is preferably provided in the other side wall4substantially aligned to the first12in the direction from one flank1ato the other1borthogonally to the direction of main extension of the section bar1.

If desired, two raised portions12are provided, one for each side wall3,4, at or a distance ranging between about 1 mm and about 30 mm, for example 10-20 mm of both the front face and the rear face1e, if of profile1.

Naturally, raised portions12can be provided, also or alternatively to what has been indicated, at intermediate portions of the section bar1.

More specifically, at least one or each raised portion12, regardless of whether it protrudes towards the inside or the outside of the section bar1, is constituted by a section of a lowered wall12aor wall offset with respect to a section of the main wall8d,9dof the respective first segment with a connecting section12bbetween this section of lowered wall12aand the section of main wall8d,9d.

According to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the section of the lowered wall12ahas a circular or polygonal base, while the connecting section12bis tubular with a circular or polygonal section, if desired decreasing towards the respective section of the lowered wall12a.

In these raised portions12one or more second through openings13a,13bare delimited for the connection, by means of connective means14, if desired screws or bolts, of the section bar1with other components of a frame or frame structure15, such as for example other types of section bars or other shaped elements.

Advantageously, the one or more second through openings13a,13bare arranged in a symmetrically radial manner or distributed in a uniform way in the raised portions12or better in the respective section of the lowered wall12a.

With the expression “distributed in a uniform way” it is meant that the openings13a,13bare not concentrated in a position of the raised portion12, but they are distributed therein so as to have the greatest number of openings, with the distance between themselves not less than about 0.8 mm and about 1.2 mm, for example not less than about 1 mm.

In detail, it is possible to attribute radial symmetry to a plane figure when, for example, by defining the center of the polygonal or circular shape of the plan extension of the raised portions12as the center of radial symmetry of the starting flat figure, there is a clockwise rotation and/or counterclockwise different from 360° of the same around the center of radial symmetry, which allows to obtain another flat figure that perfectly overlaps the starting flat figure.

According to the variant of the invention shown inFIG.1, in each raised portion12and more particularly in the respective section of the lowered or staggered wall12a, five through openings for the connection13a,13bare delimited.

More specifically, in one or more raised portions12, an opening13ais formed substantially centrally in the respective raised portion12, while the other, if desired four, through openings13bfor the connection are aligned along a circumference enclosing the second opening13acentral and substantially with a center in the latter.

More particularly, according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the external through openings13bare arranged equally spaced apart from each other by a distance comprised between about 5 mm and about 6 mm, for example about 5.5 mm, and are then spaced with respect to the central through opening13aby a distance comprised between about 0.8 mm and about 1.2 mm, for example about 1 mm.

It will be understood how, in this particular arrangement, a clockwise and/or counterclockwise rotation, for example of 90°, with respect to the center of radial symmetry ensures obtaining a figure equal to the starting figure.

This particular arrangement of the through openings13a,13bensures to optimize the space inside the raised portions12and at the same time to obtain the best level of bearing capacity of the section bar1when connected with other components of the frame15.

Clearly, the second openings13a,13bcould also be in a different number to what is illustrated, although the number of the same would preferably increase or decrease as a function, respectively, of the increase or reduction of the width of the raised portion12and more in detail of the respective section of lowered or staggered wall12a.

Thus, for example, with a raised portion12or better with a section of lowered or staggered wall12aof larger dimensions, it would be possible to have six, seven or more second through openings, while still ensuring that the latter are distributed in a homogeneous manner and, for example, at a distance from each other of not less than about 0.8 mm and about 1.2 mm, for example about 1 mm.

If desired, there could be second through openings13a,13bdistributed along concentric circumferences, if desired with the center in the center of the respective raised portion12or of the respective section of lowered or staggered wall12a.

In fact, each through opening13a,13binside the raised portions12, when engaged by a respective connective means14increases the bearing capacity of the section bar1, but if a correct balance between the forces involved should be maintained, a distributed and non-concentrated arrangement of the through openings for the connection13a,13bis required.

The particular arrangement described above is capable of optimizing both the number and the position of the through openings13a,13bfor the connection with respect to the surface of the available raised portions12.

Advantageously, the two segments8,9are each provided with two free ends or edges8a,9aat least one of which is fully or partially curved (seeFIGS.4and5). Even more advantageously, at least one free end8a,9acomprises a main section having a substantially semicircular or curvilinear development so as to define a concavity facing inwards or towards the transverse centerline of the section bar1and/or in which at least one of the free ends8a,9acomprises a main middle section8b,9band two inclined or curved lateral sections8c,9cwith respect to the main middle section8b,9bso that these sections8b,9b,8c,9cform a concavity facing towards the inside or towards the transversal centerline of the section bar1or a convexity facing the outside of the section bar1.

In particular, each side wall3,4or better the first segment8,9of each side wall3,4is substantially polygonal, for example substantially square or rectangular with four ends, one of which is connected or rather extending from the main wall2, one opposite to the latter and from which the second inclined segment10,11and the other two forming the free ends or edges8a,9a, which are opposite to each other, depart.

In this case, one and preferably both free ends or edges8a,9aare as described above, and thus curved or with at least one curved section and therefore they are not straight and perpendicular to the other two ends. Alternatively, one free end or edge8a,9acould be straight and the other as indicated above.

Preferably, the length of the first segment8,9is greater than the length of the main wall2and of the second segment10,11at the respective free edge8a,9a, so that the latter actually protrudes with respect to the main wall2and the respective second segment10,11.

Advantageously, the two free edges8a,9aof the two first segment8,9at the same face1e, if of the section bar1are symmetrical to each other with respect to a middle plane substantially parallel to the two first segments8,9of the two side walls3,4and equidistant from them or to a plane orthogonal to the main wall2and equidistant from the first two segments8,9.

Basically, the two free edges8a,9acurved in whole or in part form a fork-like part with two prongs of a respective face1e, if of the section bar1.

As regards the position of the raised portions12relative to the free curved ends8a,9aor with at least one curved portion, they can for example be at a distance between about 1 mm and about 30 mm, for example 10-20 mm, from such free ends8a,9a.

This particular configuration of the free ends or edges8a,9atogether with the position of the raised portions12with respect to them allows, during the connection step of the section bar1with other components of the frame15, that it is possible to fix the section bar1in a series of operating positions (seeFIG.5) with respect to a shaped element16or to another section bar1, which operating positions are angularly displaced with respect to each other.

Actually, the curvature of the at least one free end8a,9aor of the inclined or curved lateral sections8c,9cwith respect to the main middle section8b,9ballows/permits the angular rotation of the section bar1with respect to an inclination zone, which it is clearly the connection point by means of the connective means14between the section bar1and another component or section bar of the frame15.

In this regard, with specific reference toFIG.5, a section bar1is shown in engagement with a shaped element16, if desired an upright or crosspiece of a frame structure15or also another section bar1, which shaped element16or section bar1defines a fitting zone FZ for a free end8a,9aof the section bar1. The fitting zone FZ can for example be defined by a U-shaped section of the shaped element16or of the section bar1.

In this case, the free end8a,9ais not brought into contact with the bottom of the fitting zone FZ defined by the shaped element16or better with the internal surface of the latter, but is at a distance from it, for example of about 0.5-2 mm and thanks to its configuration (of the free end8a,9a) it is possible to constrain the section bar1to the shaped element16in a plurality of angularly spaced operating positions.

For the connection of the section bar1to the shaped element16, for example, the connective means14can be used, if desired, screws or bolts. Thus, for example, both in the section bar1and in the shaped element16openings are formed to be aligned during the assembly process for the insertion of screws or bolts14into the so aligned openings.

Clearly, in this case, these openings13a,13bcould be obtained in a raised portion12of the section bar1and, if desired, of the shaped element16.

As regards this variant, this raised portion12would be clearly formed in one end of the section bar1to be inserted in the fitting zone FZ of the shaped element16.

If, on the other hand, the free edge8a,9awere straight and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal extension axis of the section bar1, then the corners of this edge would prevent or otherwise hinder this angular displacement. The expedient of providing such a protruding or fork-like edge8a,9anaturally increases the possibility of varying the constraint or anchoring position of the section bar1to another element of a frame structure.

According to the embodiments shown inFIGS.6to9, at least a second inclined segment10,11of the section bar1has two side parts or portions10c,11cspaced apart from each other so as to define a window W between the side parts or portions10c,11cand the corner8e,9edefined by the first segment8,9in the area between the two side sections or portions10c,11c.

With reference to the example ofFIG.6, the second inclined segment10,11also has a central portion10d,11d, which is bent towards the outside of the profile or away from the main wall2, so as to be substantially aligned with the respective first segment8,9. Basically, according to this variant, each second inclined segment10,11has a side section or portion10c,11corthogonal or transversal to the respective first segment8,9in the direction of the main extension axis of the section bar1, the central portion10d,11dsubstantially aligned with the respective first segment8,9or in any case with free ends at a distance from each other greater than the constraint or continuation end of the first segment8,9, and then another side section or portion10c,11c, which is orthogonal or transverse to the respective first segment8,9and preferably aligned/or to the first side section or portion10c,11c.

Each central portion10d,11dcan be obtained by cutting (at two suitably spaced cutting lines) and folding part of a second segment10,11or by directly folding part of the latter without a previous cutting step.

The folding of the central portion10d,11dmakes it possible not to remove or cut any amount of material from the section bar1and thus to keep the conditions of bearing capacity and stability of the same unchanged, making in any case the window W accessible for all its width.

Preferably, for a window W in a second segment10, a window W is provided which extends along the same longitudinal segment also in the other second segment11, that is to say that for a window W at a flank1a, in the other flank1ba window W is provided at the same level or longitudinal extension of the section bar1and substantially symmetrical with respect to a middle plane as indicated above.

Thanks to this expedient, between the thus aligned two windows W formed on the two flanks1a,1bof the section bar1an insertion zone IZ is defined in the section bar1or better in the respective U-shaped area defined by the main wall2with the two first segments8,9of the side walls3,4which is free or without a portion of second interception sections, which insertion zone IZ has a width equal to the distance between the two first segments8,9and therefore wider than the distance between the main free ends10a,11aof the side sections or portions10c,11cas well as length equal to the distance between the two side sections or portions10c,11cof a respective flank.

Moreover, owing to this precaution, it is possible to insert in a first section bar1or better in the U-shaped area between the main wall2and the first two segments8,9, a second section bar1or a shaped element16so as to carry a respective side or front or rear face abutting or in any case close to the internal face2a(internal to the respective U-shaped area of the section bar) of the main wall2and flush with or at a distance between 0.5 and 2 mm with the internal faces (internal to the respective U-shaped area of section bar) of the first segments8,9of the side walls3,4of the first section bar1.

This clearly ensures that it is possible to easily constrain profiles or shaped elements of a frame structure, since it is possible to bring respective connective means or raised portions in a proximal or close position.

In this regard, in fact, the openings for connection by means of the connecting means14of a first section bar are preferably on the respective first segments8,9, so that the presence of the windows W ensures to bring walls of another section bar or of a shaped element to be constrained to the first profile flush with or close to the first segments8,9bearing the openings for the connective means14.

Of course, even if it is desired to weld or constrain two components of the frame structure15not with screws or bolts, the expedient concerning the presence of windows W would ensuring bringing close or side by side the respective sections of walls to be constrained.

Clearly, one, two or more W windows can be provided in each second segment.

With reference instead toFIG.8, it illustrates a section bar similar to that ofFIG.6, but in which no central portion10d,11dis provided, so that part of the second inclined segment10,11is cut, if desired, after folding.

Both windows W present in the variants of the invention ofFIGS.6and8can be advantageously used, as described above, for the passage or insertion of any components inside the section bar1, for example electrical wiring or other electrical components of the frame15to which the section bar1can be connected or other section bars1or shaped elements.

With reference in particular toFIGS.7and9, in the section bar1and in particular in the area between two windows W aligned along a direction from one side1ato the other1b, another section bar1or a shaped element16is inserted, if desired with openings for connecting the latter facing or aligning with the through openings13a,13bfor connecting the first section bar1or, as indicated above, without connection openings, in which case it would be necessary to apply glue or weld the walls of the two section bars or components of the frame structure, glue or welding thus constituting alternative connecting means to screws or bolts. Clearly, there could also be a variant in which the connection between components of the frame15is obtained either by means of screws or bolts, or by means of glue or welding.

In this regard, the insertion zone IZ defined between two windows W each aligned at a respective flank1a,1bcould be used as a fitting zone FZ for use as described above for the insertion and fixing of a section bar with a free end8a,9acurved in whole or in part (seeFIGS.4and5).

A section bar according to the present invention can be obtained with any suitable method, for example by molding or by extrusion or even for combinations of these processes.

With particular reference to the method of obtaining a section bar1according to the example of embodiment ofFIGS.6and8, it comprises as an initial step of obtaining a shaped element such as that shown in the version of the invention inFIG.1, providing or not the ribs5, the openings7and/or the raised portions12.

Subsequently, the step of folding a central section of at least a second segment10,11inclined so as to define a window W between two side parts or portions10c,11cof the second segment10,11and the corner8e,9edefined by the first segment8,9in the area between the two side parts or portions10c,11c.

This central section can then be folded until it is substantially aligned with the respective first segment8,9thus obtaining a section bar as illustrated inFIG.6or cut or removed so as to obtain the section ofFIG.8.

An object of the present invention is also a frame structure15comprising at least one section bar1constrained with another or other section bars1or with another or other shaped elements16by means of the connective means, such as for example screws or rivets14and/or with welding, gluing or other any suitable method.

In this case, if at least one free end8a,9ais provided in whole or in part curved, it is possible to constrain the section bar1to another section bar1or to a shaped element16in a plurality of operating positions, as shown inFIG.5.

In practice, in the connection of the section bar1with the other at least one shaped element or other section bars of the frame structure15, the free end8a,9aat least partially curved can be constrained in a plurality of angularly spaced operating positions, for example in an interval comprised between about 15° and about 120°, if desired between 450 and 90°. This makes the section bar1highly versatile, thus being able to be used in a variety of positions.

To this purpose, the section bar1with its free edge8a,9ais inserted into a fitting zone FZ of a shaped element16(if desired, of another section bar1) and then the relative position of the section bar1relative to the shaped element16is established to then fix these components by means of screws, glue, welding or other.

To carry out this step, if screws or bolts are used, then a preliminary insertion or connection step could be carried out without tightening the screws or bolts14, for example at openings13a,13bin the respective raised portions12after which, after having arranged the two components of the frame structure15in the desired reciprocal position, tighten the screws or bolts14.

However, it is also possible to initially tighten the screws or bolts14, and then, if necessary, unscrew them and, after suitable adaptations of the structure15, tighten them again.

Consequently, it is also possible to create a highly customizable frame structure15, since, thanks to the particular shaping of the free ends or edges8a,9a, it is possible to perform the angular displacements or inclinations described above, even after a first connection step.

Furthermore, the particular arrangement of the second through openings3a,3bin the respective raised portions12allows to optimize the bearing capacity and stability of the section bar1in the connection steps with the other or other shaped or sectioned elements of the frame structure15.

If in particular section bars1are provided and, if it is desired shaped elements16with raised portions12, then raised portions12of these components1,16should be in engagement with each other, that is to say that a raised portion of a first section bar1should be housed or house a raised portion of a shaped element or other section bar to which the first section bar1must be constrained; in this case the through openings of the raised portion12of the first section bar1should be clearly aligned with the through openings of the raised portion of the shaped element or the other section bar to then insert connecting screws or bolts in the thus aligned openings. This is repeated preferably for all the raised portions of all the section bars.

Clearly, how to engage raised portions of components to be constrained depends on whether such portions are recessed or protruding.

If windows W are then provided, this arrangement clearly guarantees a simpler and more effective bond between components of the frame structure15.

It has thus been seen that the present invention fully achieves the proposed objectives.

The section bar1thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.