Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to a structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes of the type comprising a substantially St-Andrew's cross-shaped frame for the retaining means.

Structures for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes comprising a substantially St-Andrew's cross-shaped frame for the retaining means (such structures being also called "umbrella-like" structures) are known in the state of the art.

A structure of this type is described, for example, in document <CIT>.

In general, an "umbrella-like" structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes comprises a rigid frame consisting of a plurality of arms extending radially from a central point and lying substantially on the same plane, retaining means arranged on said frame and consisting, for example, of a metal netting and a central rod, which at a first end is connected to the frame at said central point from which the arms extend, and at a second end is anchored to the ground. Each frame arm can further be connected to the main rod by means of a metal tie-rod.

The main problem encountered when using structures of the type described above is that installation thereof is complex and takes relatively long time.

Indeed, it has to be considered that the surface over which the retaining means extend may have remarkable size, even in the order of <NUM> x <NUM>.

Accordingly, the bars forming the frame arms as well as the central rod have a significant size (and therefore also a remarkable weight).

It should also be considered that such structures usually have to be installed in locations that are difficult to access, such as at high altitudes, and on slopes with even steep inclines. Said locations may, moreover, be very distant from production sites.

Given their large size, structures of the type described above cannot be assembled at the production site and then transported (already assembled) to the installation site, which means that they must be assembled directly at or near the installation site.

Assembly at the installation site can often be time-consuming and labor-intensive and, more importantly, requires the presence of trained personnel on site.

In order to propose a solution for the problems set forth above, "umbrella-like" structures for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes have been developed, whose frame arms are rotatably connected to the central rod.

Thanks to this rotatable connection, the frame arms are movable from a first, rest configuration, in which they are folded and arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the central rod, to a second, operating configuration, in which they are deployed and arranged on a plane substantially perpendicular to the central rod.

In this way, the structure can be pre-assembled at the production site and can be stowed away and subsequently transported to the installation site with the frame arms in the first, rest configuration; once the installation site has been reached, the frame arms are brought to the second, operating configuration.

As a result, the operations to be carried out at the installation site are remarkably simplified. Examples of structures for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes having a construction of the type described above can be found in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

However, also the structures of this type are not free from drawbacks.

In particular, such structures cannot provide satisfactory resistance both to loads oriented perpendicularly to the retaining surface defined by the frame arms and to loads oriented on the plane of the retaining surface defined by the frame arms.

<CIT> discloses a structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of a slope, comprising a rigid frame, a retaining net mounted on said frame, and an anchoring rod, a first end of which is connected to said frame and a second, opposite end of which is intended to be immersed in the ground of the slope. The rigid frame comprises a pair of first frame arms and a pair of second frame arms, the retaining net being fixed to the first and second frame arms. The first frame arms are rigidly connected together to form a first frame element and the second frame arms are rigidly connected together to form a second frame element, the first frame element being pivotable relative to the second frame element.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the limitations of prior art by providing a structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes which combines the capability of pre-assembling the structure at the production site and high performance in terms of strength and resistance to the loads to which said structure is exposed, irrespective of the direction of said loads.

This and other objects are achieved with a structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes as claimed in the appended claims.

According to the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, the frame of the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes comprises a central beam provided with a seat for the anchoring rod, a first frame part comprising a first plate to which first frame arms are rigidly connected, and a second frame part comprising a second plate to which second frame arms are rigidly connected, the first plate of the first frame part and the second plate of the second frame part being connected to opposite sides of the central beam by means of respective hinges.

Advantageously, thanks to the construction according to the invention, the frame of the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes is moveable between a first, rest configuration, in which the first frame arms of the first frame part are folded against the second arms of the second frame part, to a second, operating configuration, in which (by rotating the first and/or second plate relative to the central beam) the first arms of the first frame part can be moved away from the second arms of the second frame part.

In other words, the frame of the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes according to the invention has a "book-like" construction, in which the first frame part and the second frame part can be opened or closed again.

Advantageously, in the rest configuration the first frame part and the second frame part are distanced from each other thanks to the presence of the central beam, so as to allow folding without damaging the retaining means.

In order to move from the first, rest configuration to the second, operating configuration, both the first plate and the second plate are rotated around the respective hinge.

Preferably, the first plate and the second plate can be rotated around the respective hinge by an angle of about <NUM>°, whereby in the first, rest configuration the first frame arms of the first frame part can be folded against the second frame arms of the second frame part, and in the second, operating configuration the first frame arms of the first frame part and the second frame arms lie on a same plane defining the plane of the retaining means of the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes.

Preferably, the first plate of the first frame part has first engagement means for engaging with the central beam and said central beam has second engagement means suitable to cooperate with said first engagement means when the first frame part is in the second, operating configuration. Similarly, the second plate of the second frame part has third engagement means for engaging with the central beam, and said central beam has fourth engagement means suitable to cooperate with said third engagement means when the second frame part is in the second, operating configuration.

Said engagement means may preferably be interlocking engagement means.

Therefore, in the first, rest configuration and upon moving from the first, rest configuration to the second, operating configuration, the connection between the first frame part and the central beam as well as the connection between the second frame part and the central beam is provided by the hinges. In the second, operating configuration, instead, the connection between the first frame part and the central beam as well as the connection between the second frame part and the central beam is provided by the interlocking engagement means, and the hinges play no structural role.

Thanks to the construction described above, the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes according to the invention can be assembled at the production site and transported in said assembled condition to the place where it is to be installed, with the first arms of the first frame part and the second arms of the second frame part in the first, rest configuration.

On the other hand, thanks to the fact that the first frame part and the second frame part are per se entirely rigid, single-piece structures, the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes according to the invention, once installed, has high strength and provides high resistance to loads, irrespective of how such loads are oriented.

In particular, the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes according to the invention offers high resistance both to loads oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the retaining means and to loads oriented in the direction of the plane of said retaining means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame of the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes further comprises a plurality of tie-rods, equal in number to the number of the arms of the frame, said tie-rods being connected at a first end to a respective first frame arm of the first frame part or to a respective second frame arm of the second frame part, and are connectable, at the opposite end, to the anchoring rod. Preferably, said tie-rods are made as rigid tubes or rigid bars. This solution is more reliable than the use of ropes, because the length and deformation of ropes cannot be determined accurately at the designing stage. Instead, thanks to the use of rigid tubes or rigid bars in the making of the tie-rods, the theoretical static scheme, even when hyperstatic, will coincide with the actual scheme.

In addition, tie-rods made as rigid elements provide greater assurance of durability, as the tie-rods can be subjected to high pressures during installation.

In particular, in the case of application to the construction of road embankments, proper embankment construction requires high compaction of the backfill soil, this resulting in considerable local pressures: in the case of tie-rods made with ropes, these pressures could cause damage to the ropes themselves, a risk that is averted by using rigid elements to make the tie-rods.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame of the structure for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes may further comprise, besides the anchoring rod, a plurality of additional anchoring members, which at a first end are fixed to a respective first frame arm of the first frame part or to a respective second frame arm of the second frame part and at the opposite end are immersed in the ground.

Preferably, said additional anchoring members are made as rigid tubes or rigid bars. In this case, too, thanks to the use of rigid elements for the making of the additional anchoring members, the theoretical static scheme, even when hyperstatic, will coincide with the actual scheme.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become evident from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:.

<FIG> show different configurations of a structure <NUM> for the stabilization and/or consolidation of slopes.

For each of said configurations, the structure is shown from two different viewpoints located on opposite sides of the surface on which the retaining means of the structure <NUM> lie.

In a manner known per se, the structure comprises a rigid frame <NUM>, suitable for carrying the retaining means and centrally connected to a first end of an anchoring rod <NUM>, whose second, opposite end is intended to be immersed in the ground.

Said retaining means (not shown) may consist of one or more nettings, for example a set of overlying nettings different in mesh size.

Alternatively, said retaining means might consist of one or more grids (for example, electro-welded grids), for example a set of overlying grids different in mesh size.

According to the invention, the frame <NUM> of the structure <NUM> comprises:.

wherein said first plate 9a of said first frame part 3a and said second plate 9b of said second frame part 3b are connected to said central beam 3c, on opposite sides of said central beam, by means of respective hinges 13a, 13b.

As best seen in the enlarged view of <FIG>, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the hinges 13a, 13b are made as tubular hinge members pivotably connected to each other, for example by means of rotation pins.

However, said implementation should not be considered as limiting.

By way of example, <FIG> and <FIG> schematically show an embodiment variant in which said first plate 9a of said first frame part 3a and said second plate 9b of said second frame part 3b are connected to said central beam 3c on opposite sides of said central beam by means of respective hinges 23a, 23b and said hinges 23a, 23b are formed by comb-like plates articulated to each other.

In the shown embodiment, the first frame part 3a comprises two first frame arms 11a connected to a same face of the first plate 9a in such a way that their inclination with respect to said face of said first plate 9a can be varied.

For example, by inclining the two first frame arms in such a way that they diverge from each other and form each an angle of about <NUM>° with the face of the first plate 9a, the first frame part 3a takes an overall "V"-like shape, with the two first arms 11a forming an angle of <NUM>° with each other. However, the inclination of the first arms 11a can be changed according to specific needs.

Similarly, the second frame part 3b comprises two second frame arms 11b connected to a same face of the second plate 9b in such a way that their inclination with respect to said face of said second plate 9b can be varied.

For example, by inclining the two second frame arms in such a way that they diverge from each other and form each an angle of about <NUM>° with the face of the second plate 9b, the second frame part 3b takes an overall "V"-like shape, with the two second arms 11b forming an angle of <NUM>° with each other. However, the inclination of the second arms 11b can be changed according to specific needs.

The frame parts 3a, 3b can be brought to a first configuration or rest configuration (shown in <FIG>), in which the first arms 11a of the first frame part 3a are oriented parallel to and facing the second arms 11b of the second frame part 3b.

By rotating the first plate 9a of the first frame part 3a and the second plate 9b of the second frame part 3b around the respective hinges 13a, 13b (as indicated by arrows Fa and Fb in <FIG>), the first arms 11a of the first frame part 3a can gradually be moved away from the second arms 11b of the second frame part 3b.

When said first plate 9a of said first frame part 3a and said second plate 9b of said second frame part 3b are rotated around the respective hinges 13a, 13b by an angle of substantially <NUM>°, the frame parts 3a, 3b can be brought to a second configuration or operating configuration (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) in which the first arms 11a of the first frame part 3a lie on the same plane as the second arms 11b of the second frame part 3b and define together the two diagonal lines of a four-sided shape the center of which corresponds to the central beam 3c of the frame <NUM>.

The first plate 9a of the first frame part 3a has first engagement means, in particular first interlocking engagement means 12a, for engaging with the central beam 3c, and said central beam has second engagement means, in particular second interlocking engagement means 14a, suitable to cooperate with said first interlocking engagement means 12a, when the first frame part is in the second, operating configuration.

In the shown embodiment, the first interlocking engagement means 12a consist of pegs provided on the first plate of the first frame part and penetrating and engaging into corresponding holes that are provided on the central beam and form the second interlocking engagement means 14a, when the first frame part is in the second, operating configuration. Similarly, the second plate 9b of the second frame part 3b has third engagement means, in particular third interlocking engagement means 12b, for engaging with the central beam, and said central beam has fourth engagement means, in particular fourth interlocking engagement means (not visible in the Figures), suitable to cooperate with said third interlocking engagement means, when the second frame part is in the second, operating configuration.

In the shown embodiment, the third interlocking engagement means 12b consist of pegs provided on the second plate of the second frame part and penetrating and engaging into corresponding holes that are provided on the central beam and form the fourth interlocking engagement means, when the second frame part is in the second, operating configuration. In brief, the frame <NUM> of the structure <NUM> has a "book-like" construction, in which the two frame parts 3a, 3b can rotate around the central beam 3c to be brought close to each other ("by closing the book") or moved away from each other ("by opening the book").

The plane defined by the first and second frame arms 11a, 11b in the second configuration or operating configuration forms the retaining surface of the structure <NUM>, on which the retaining means lie.

If said retaining means consist of one or more nettings made of a flexible material, they can be fixed to the frame <NUM> permanently, and they can be moved from the first configuration, or rest configuration, to the second configuration, or operating configuration, together with the frame parts 3a, 3b.

If, instead, said retaining means consist of one or more grids made of a rigid material, they can be attached to the frame <NUM> in a removable manner, and they can be fixed to said frame once the frame has been brought to the second configuration or operating configuration.

It will be evident to the person skilled in the art that, in any case, the structure <NUM> according to the invention can be assembled at the production site and stowed away in the first configuration or rest configuration and subsequently transported to the installation site while being in said first configuration.

As shown in the Figures, the frame <NUM> may comprise supporting elements <NUM>, <NUM> for the retaining means of the structure <NUM>.

Said supporting elements include first supporting elements <NUM> extending between the free ends of the first and second frame arms 11a, 11b, i.e. along the perimeter of the retaining surface.

Said supporting elements may further include second supporting elements <NUM> extending between and connecting intermediate points of said first supporting elements <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, four second supporting elements <NUM> are provided, each of which connects the middle point of a first supporting element <NUM> to the middle point of an adjacent first supporting element <NUM>; however, it is clear that said second supporting elements could also be provided in different numbers and form a more complex supporting grid on the retaining surface.

The supporting elements <NUM>, <NUM> may be made as ropes.

Alternatively, as with the shown embodiment, said supporting elements <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed as rigid rods. In this case, as shown in the Figures, the first supporting elements <NUM> extending between a first frame arm 11a and a second frame arm 11b are provided with an articulated joint <NUM>, so that they can move from the first configuration or rest configuration to the second configuration or operating configuration together with the frame parts 3a, 3b. As shown in the Figures, preferably the frame <NUM> of the structure <NUM> further comprises tie-rods 21a, 21b, each of said tie-rods being connected at a first end to an intermediate point of a respective first or second frame arm 11a, 11b. The second, opposite end of the tie-rods 21a, 21b is connected to the anchoring rod <NUM>.

Preferably, said tie-rods 21a, 21b are made as rigid elements such as tubes or bars, whereby their length can be controlled more accurately than when ropes or cables are used.

As shown in the Figures, the frame <NUM> of the structure <NUM> may further comprise - in addition to the anchoring rod <NUM> - additional anchoring members <NUM>.

Said additional anchoring members <NUM> are fixed at a first end to connecting plates <NUM>, which in turn are fastened to first or second frame arms 11a, 11b of the frame <NUM> (preferably to those frame arms which, in use, are adjacent to the ground). The second opposite end of the additional anchoring members is intended to be immersed in the ground.

Said additional anchoring members <NUM>, too, are preferably made as rigid elements such as tubes or bars, whereby positioning thereof as well as deformations thereof during use can be controlled in an accurate manner.

The elements of the frame <NUM> as well as the anchoring rod <NUM> and the additional anchoring members <NUM> - if any - can possibly be subjected to treatments that increase its / their resistance to corrosion, such as, for example, hot-dip galvanizing, protective resin coating or the like.

It will be evident to the person skilled in art that the above detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is not at all to be understood in a limiting sense, and that several modifications and variations are possible without thereby departing from the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claim 1:
Structure (<NUM>) for the stabilization and/or consolidation of a slope, comprising a rigid frame (<NUM>), retaining means mounted on said frame, and an anchoring rod (<NUM>), a first end of which is connected to said frame and a second, opposite end of which is intended to be immersed in the ground of the slope, characterized in that said frame (<NUM>) comprises:
- a central beam (3c), provided with a seat (<NUM>) for said first end of said anchoring rod (<NUM>);
- a first frame part (3a), comprising a first plate (9a) and first frame arms (11a) connected to said first plate;
- a second frame part (3b), comprising a second plate (9b) and second frame arms (11b) connected to said second plate;
said first plate (9a) of said first frame part and said second plate (9b) of said second frame part being connected to said central beam (3c), on opposite sides thereof, by means of respective hinges (13a, 13b), so that they are movable from a first, rest configuration to a second, operating configuration by rotating around said hinges (13a, 13b; 23a, 23b).