DEVICE FOR PRECUTTING A COLUMN FOR A FLOOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for precutting a column for a floor. Said device includes a precutting means configured so as to be movable between a rest position and a precutting position.

Description

[0001] The invention has for object a device for precutting a column for a floor, an associated system for setting up the device for precutting as well as a method of coppicing a column for a floor.

[0002] Such a column is carried out by drilling or backflow of a floor that is desired either to be consolidated in order to install therein a work on paving or foundations, such as for example a building, a bridge or a wind turbine, or a motorway or railroad backfill (this is then referred to as rigid inclusion), or to be structured in order to insert a direct load transfer structure.

[0003] Once a recess, preferably vertical, is created in the floor either by drilling, or by backflow, the recess is filled with a material, such as concrete or mortar, possibly reinforced with a metal frame plunged into the vertical recess.

[0004] It is known that a column carried out as such sometimes requires a coppicing at a given level, possibly under the surface of the floor.

[0005] This level is called the flat top level.

[0006] The step of coppicing consists of pollarding the column with a portion that is flush with the surface of the floor, to the flat top level.

[0007] The step of coppicing makes it possible to clear the column of the filling material, concrete or mortar, that may have been polluted during the steps of creating the column, which is at a level in the upper column at flat top level required.

[0008] For columns of the rigid inclusion type, the step of coppicing is generally carried out by earthwork of the head of the column, when the filling material, concrete or mortar, is still fresh, using a hydraulic excavator, possibly provided with a bucket or a bailer.

[0009] For a low flat top level, as is for example the case during the setting up above the column of a load transfer mattress under paving or backfill, a first operator removes the filling material with the hydraulic excavator, while a second operator visually inspects the progressive drop in the level of the filling material in the column until the desired flat top level is reached.

[0010] Note that the carrying out of the coppicing on the one hand and, on the other hand, visual, of the flat top level, are imprecise, which here is not excessively prohibitive due to the fact that a mattress is placed on the column formed.

[0011] For a column carried out under foundations, and for a flat top level under the floor surface, at a depth, referred to as low, less than one metre, the carrying out of a more precise flat top level is needed.

[0012] As in the preceding case, a first operator removes the concrete or the mortar, while a second operator controls the progressive drop in the level of the filling material in the column.

[0013] However, in this case, a visual inspection is not precise enough and use is made of an apparatus for measuring and for controlling the level for example of the laser type, of which a receptor cell is installed on a pattern.

[0014] The measurement apparatus is manipulated by the second operator who plunges a rod, for example, carrying the pattern, in the column to the surface of the fresh mortar or concrete. Here, the second operator measures the level of the surface of the filling material and determines if the flat top level desired has been reached or if it is necessary to continue the coppicing.

[0015] This embodiment provides a prevision of about 5 to 10 centimetres. Such a precision is sometimes not sufficient, and remains highly dependent on the dexterity of the two operators.

[0016] For a flat top level exceeding one metre, even one metre and fifty centimetres, the second operator often cannot manage to distinguish the surface of the filling material, and it is not rare that the second operator plunges the rod carrying the pattern into the fresh filling material, which of course largely distorts the level reached by the filling material.

[0017] The imprecision of the flat top level in these circumstances is not acceptable.

[0018] Moreover, the step of coppicing, carried out when the filling material is still fresh, cannot be applied in all circumstances.

[0019] In particular, this is the case for a sandy floor or for a flat top level that is less than that of a water table.

[0020] Then, the step of coppicing risks to widen the recess and damage the column to be levelled as well as the adjacent columns.

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to overcome these disadvantages at least partially.

[0022] To this effect, the invention has for object a device for precutting a column for a floor, comprising a precutting means configured so as to be movable between a rest position and a precutting position.

[0023] As such, when the filling material is still fresh, the device for precutting according to this invention is displaced in the rest position of the precutting means, along the column, then placed in the precutting position.

[0024] The device for precutting left in position during the hardening of the filling material provides a precutting of the column at the desired level due to the weakness that its presence induces during the hardening of the filling material in the column.

[0025] Once the filling material has solidified, it is sufficient to exert a slight mechanical action on the head of the column in order to create a clean break at the level of the weakness induced by the device for precutting, then to extract the column head delimited by the solidified filling material to the precutting means remaining in the precutting position.

[0026] In this way, as the precutting position is chosen at the flat top level desired, the flat top level is carried out precisely and the method of coppicing is facilitated by the precutting of the column.

[0027] According to another characteristic of the invention, the precutting means comprises at least one membrane able to be folded in the rest position and be deployed in the precutting position.

[0028] According to another characteristic of the invention, the membrane has the general shape of a disc or of a half-disc in the deployed position.

[0029] According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a rigid structure for deploying the membrane from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0030] According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a control member for deploying the precutting means.

[0031] According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises an element configured to fasten the precutting means to a system for setting in place the device for precutting.

[0032] The invention also has for object a system for setting into place the device for precutting such as described hereinabove, comprising a portion for guiding a displacement of the device for precutting and an element for maintaining the device for precutting during said displacement.

[0033] According to another characteristic of the invention, the element for maintaining comprises a slot configured to cooperate with the element for fastening the precutting means to the system for setting in place the device for precutting.

[0034] According to another characteristic of the invention, the system comprises a means for driving of the control member of the device.

[0035] According to another characteristic of the invention, the system comprises a support frame of the portion for guiding (33).

[0036] The invention also has for object a method of coppicing a column for a floor comprising:

[0037] a step of displacing the device for precutting such as described hereinabove in the column wherein a material intended to fill at least partially the column, referred to as filling material, is at least partially in a pasty form, with the device for precutting being maintained in the rest position;

[0038] a step of setting in place the device for precutting in the precutting position at a given depth of the column; and

[0039] once the filling material has solidified, a step of coppicing a portion of the column extending to the device for precutting.

[0040] According to another characteristic of the invention, during the step of displacement of the device for precutting, the device for precutting is guided in the column by a system for setting in place such as described hereinabove.

[0041] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention shall further appear when reading the following description. The latter is purely for the purposes of information and must be read with regards to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for precutting in a rest position;

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in a precutting position;

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a system of setting in place the device of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the system of the FIG. 3 provided with the device of the FIG. 1;

[0046] FIGS. 5a to 5c show a method for manufacturing a column for a floor.

DEVICE FOR PRECUTTING

[0047] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a device for precutting a column for a floor, referenced as 1, comprises a precutting means 2 configured so as to be movable between a rest position and a precutting position.

[0048] The precutting means 2 comprises a membrane 3 able to be folded back on itself in the rest position and to be deployed in the precutting position.

[0049] As can be seen particularly in FIG. 2, the membrane 3 has the general shape of a disc.

[0050] The membrane 3 is made from a flexible material, such as for example a plastic or a fabric, synthetic or natural, and may be recycled.

[0051] Preferably, the membrane 3 has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the volume.

[0052] The precutting means 2 also comprises a rigid structure 4 for deploying the membrane 3 from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0053] As can be seen particularly in FIG. 2, the rigid structure 4 is a rigid frame comprising a set of bars 5, for example made of metal.

[0054] Each bar 5 forms a diameter whereon the membrane 3 securely rests.

[0055] In FIG. 2, the precutting means comprises three metal bars that delimit six sectors 6 of the membrane 3, two other sectors 6 being delimited by an angle piece of the device 1, as shall be explained subsequently.

[0056] Each bar 5 is configured to pivot by its middle 7 about a centre 8 of the rigid structure 4 corresponding to the centre of the deployed membrane 3.

[0057] Due to the fact that the membrane 3 is integral with the bars 5, the pivoting of the bars 5 drives the deployment or on the contrary the folding back of the sectors 6, in the manner of a double flap.

[0058] As such, the rest position of the device for precutting 1 coincides with the folded back position of the membrane 3, wherein the metal bars 5 extend in a straight manner one on the other.

[0059] And, in the precutting position of the device 1, which coincides with the deployed position of the membrane 3, the metal bars 5 are at a distance one from the other, in such a way that the sectors 6 are tight and the membrane 3 takes the shape of a disc.

[0060] The device for precutting 1 comprises a control member 9 for the deployment of the precutting means 3.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, the control member 9 is a rod integral by one of its ends 10 with the centre 8 of the membrane 3 and with the middles 7 of the metal bars 5.

[0062] The rod 9 advantageously has a square section.

[0063] The rod 9 extends along an axis X that is substantially orthogonal to a plane P delimited by the metal bars 5.

[0064] The rod 9 is free to rotate about this axis X with respect to the angle piece 12, and is driven in rotation about the axis X by a grasping device manipulated by an operator, as shall be explained in detail hereinafter.

[0065] As the metal bars 5 are integral by the middles 7 with the rod 9, the rotation of the rod 9 about the axis X controls the rotation of the metal bars 5 about the centre 8.

[0066] The device for precutting 1 also comprises an element 12 configured to fasten the precutting means 2 to a system 30 for setting in place the device for precutting 1.

[0067] In the embodiment shown, the element 12 is an angle piece.

[0068] The angle piece 12 is a metal profile comprising two wings 13 and 14 arranged orthogonally with respect to one another, in such a way that the profile has a section in the shape of an L.

[0069] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the wing 13 of the angle piece 12 is arranged ion the plane P in deployed position.

[0070] The wing 13 is pierced with a recess 15 passed through by the control rod 9, which allows the control rod 9 to reach the middles 7 of the metal bars 5

[0071] The membrane 3 rests securely on the wing 13 of the angle piece 12.

[0072] The wing 14 is intended to cooperate with a slot of the system 30 for setting in place the device for precutting 1, as shall be explained in more detail hereinafter.

[0073] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0074] In particular, according to an alternative not shown, the device 1 comprises two membranes of which the shape, in deployed position, is a half-disc, with the two membranes then being juxtaposed in such a way as to form a complete disc in the precutting position.

[0075] According to this alternative, it is also possible to not provide the device for precutting with metal frames.

[0076] In this case, each half-disc is would in the rest position over two ends of an axis pivoting about the control rod 9.

[0077] This alternative not shown has a lower production cost and carbon footprint.

[0078] Note that the rigid structure 4 and/or the angle piece 12 can be made from metal, but also be comprised of a non-metal rigid material, such as a plastic for example.

[0079] Note that the invention is not limited to a deployment of the membrane 3 by the rod 9 but other modes for driving can of course be applied.

System for Setting in Place the Device for Precutting

[0080] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the system 30 for setting in place the device for precutting 1 comprises a guiding portion 31 of a displacement of the device for precutting 1 and an element for maintaining 32 the device for precutting 1 during the displacement thereof.

[0081] The portion for guiding 31 comprises a hollow outer tube 33 that allows for the guiding of the system 30 in the filling material of the column, as shall be explained hereinbelow.

[0082] The hollow outer tube 33 comprises an outer wall 34 provided with three centring devices 35 arranged substantially at 120.degree. two-by-two.

[0083] The centring devices 35 allow for a guiding of the system 30 in the column, as shall be explained hereinafter.

[0084] The hollow outer tube 33 is integral via one 36 of its ends 36, 37, with the element for maintaining 32.

[0085] The outer tube 33 comprises on the wall 34 a receptor cell of an apparatus for measuring distance, more preferably of the laser type, not shown, and of which the position can be adjusted along the outer tube.

[0086] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the element for maintaining 32 is a parallelepiped 40 provided with a slot 39, and integral via one of its sides with the end 36 of the outer tube 33.

[0087] The slot 39 is configured to cooperate with the angle piece 12 of the device for precutting 1.

[0088] The slot 39 has a depth that is greater than a width of the wing 14 of the angle piece 12 and a separation that is greater than a thickness of the wing 14 of the angle piece 12.

[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the device for precutting 1 is maintained in the rest position by the system 30, with the wing 14 being inserted into the slot 39, the wing 13, the rigid structure 4 and the membrane 3, in folded back position, overhanging the slot 39.

[0090] As such, the element of maintaining 32 maintains the device for precutting 1 in all directions except for a direction that makes it possible to release the device for precutting 1.

[0091] In the embodiment shown, the angle piece 12 is maintained simply via friction, as shall be explained hereinbelow later.

[0092] The system 30 for setting in place also comprises an inner tube 41 that is concentric to the outer tube 33.

[0093] The inner tube 41 forms a means for driving the control member of the device.

[0094] The inner tube 41 extends into the outer tube 33 by being maintained by an abutment not shown that limits any rotation of the inner tube 41 in relation to the outer tube 33 to 180.degree..

[0095] The inner tube 41 comprises two ends 42, 43, arranged respectively with regards to the end 37, 36 of the outer tube 33.

[0096] The end 42, intended to remain above the surface of the floor, is provided with a grasping device 44, such as a crank handle.

[0097] The crank handle makes it possible to impress a rotation movement of the inner tube 41 and therefore a movement of rotation of the control rod 9 in relation to the outer tube 33 and consequently to the element for maintaining 32 and to the angle piece 12.

[0098] The end 43 is a housing of which one section is of the same shape as the section of the rod 9, advantageously with a square shape, in such a way that the end 43 receives the control rod 9 of the device for precutting.

[0099] Note that the weight of the system 30 can advantageously be adapted to the flat top level desired, and in particular made heavier for a lowering of the device for precutting 1 to deep depths.

[0100] It is also possible that the outer tube be splined in such a way as to form a rack, which makes it possible to control the lowering of the system 30 including to deep depths.

[0101] The rack is activated manually or using an electric or hydraulic motor, more preferably mounted on a ball joint in order to adjust the verticality.

[0102] The entire system for setting in place of the device 1 and of the rack is mounted on a frame, and installed for example on a mobile piece of equipment of the mini excavator or forklift truck type.

[0103] It is also possible to provide the element for maintaining with a locking mechanism, provided with for example a trigger, and configured to maintain the angle piece 12 in the slot 39 in the rest position and to release the membrane once the device 1 is set in place at the desired depth.

Method of Coppicing

[0104] The invention also has for object a method of coppicing a column for a floor.

[0105] Such a column is shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c.

[0106] The column 50 comprises a recess 51 carried out for example by drilling or backflow in a floor S and filled with a filling material, such as concrete or mortar, possible reinforced with a metal frame plunged into the recess 51.

[0107] The invention can in particular be applied to a column of the rigid inclusion type which allows for the reinforcement of the floor S, or to a load transfer column, which may be reinforced.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 5a, the method of coppicing comprises a step of displacement of the device for precutting 1 in the column 50 wherein the filling material, is at least partially in a pasty form, with the device for precutting being maintained in the rest position.

[0109] The term pasty form means that the filling material, such as concrete or mortar, has not yet acquired its final hardness, in such a way that the device 1 and the system 3 can be displaced in the filling material.

[0110] During this step, the device for precutting 1 is displaced via the insertion of the system for setting in place 30 in the column 50, with the device for precutting 1 being maintained by the angle piece 12 in the slot 39.

[0111] The system for setting in place 30 is plunged, more preferably vertically, into the column 50.

[0112] The centring devices 35 ensure that the system for setting in place 30 is directed vertically in the column 50.

[0113] The friction exerted on the device for precutting 1 is sufficient for maintaining the wing 34 of the angle piece 12 in the slot 39.

[0114] The method comprises, shown in FIG. 5b, a step of setting in place the device for precutting 1 in the precutting position at a given depth of the column 50.

[0115] The depth reached is indicated by the apparatus for measuring distance, in a way known to those skilled in the art.

[0116] The position of the device for precutting 1 at the desired depth in the column is checked using the laser level and the pattern arranged on the outer tube.

[0117] This depth corresponds to a desired flat top level, as shall be explained.

[0118] During this step, once the desired depth has been reached and checked, an operator pivots the grasping device 44, which generates the rotation of the control rod 9 and the deployment of the membrane 3 from the folded back position to the deployed position.

[0119] The method comprises a later step of raising the system for setting in place 30, while the device for precutting 1 remains immobile due to the pressure exerted by the filling material on the membrane 3 deployed.

[0120] Then, the filling material is allowed to solidify.

[0121] Advantageously, the steps for setting in place another device for precutting for another column are reproduced.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 5c, for example after 24 hours, the method also comprises, once the solidified filling material, a step of coppicing a portion of the column 50 extending to the device for precutting 1.

[0123] During this step, an operator manipulates an excavator, for example, in order to pollard the portion 52 of the column 50 that is flush with the surface of the floor, to the device for precutting 1, also called the column head

[0124] The membrane 3 in deployed position provides the precutting of the column during the hardening of the filling material in the column 50. As such, the excavator applies an impact at the column head, which has for effect to cleanly break the column head 52 on the device for precutting 1.

[0125] As such, the extraction of the portion 52 ensures that the flat top level is reached.

[0126] This invention has multiple advantages.

[0127] The flat top level marked by the device 1 and obtained by the method of coppicing according to this invention is precise and is in line with the execution tolerances imposed by the ASIRI recommendations. The precision obtained is of about a centimetre.

[0128] The global cost of the works is reduced due to the precision of the indication of the flat top level, which avoids any reworking of the flat tops after the work site.

[0129] Moreover, the material and human resources are also reduced.

[0130] The material resources require simply a single-use device 1 that is easy to manufacture and set into position in the column, and a mobile system 30, that can be reused immediately for each column of the work site, which may be able to be removed in order to allow for easy rinsing.

[0131] A single operator is sufficient to proceed with the lowering in the column 50 of the system 30 provided with the device 1.

[0132] In addition, one of the major interests in the device for precutting 1 is to allow for the carrying out of precise flat tops at depths exceeding 1 metre, even 1.5 metre, which are impossible to carry out for columns of the rigid inclusion type with known prior art, as has already been explained.

Claims

1. A device for precutting a column for a floor, comprising a precutting means configured so as to be movable between a rest position and a precutting position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the precutting means comprises a membrane that can be folded in the rest position and be deployed in the precutting position.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the membrane has the general shape of a disc or a half-disc in the deployed position.

4. The device of claim 2, comprising a rigid structure for the deployment of the membrane from the folded position to the deployed position.

5. The device of claim 4, comprising a control member for the deployment of the precutting means.

6. The device of claim 5, comprising an element configured to fasten the precutting means to a system for setting in place the device for precutting.

7. A system for setting in place a device for precutting, comprising a portion for guiding a displacement of the device for precutting and an element for maintaining the device for precutting during said displacement.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the element for maintaining comprises a slot configured to cooperate with the element for fastening the precutting means to the system for setting in place the device for precutting.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising a means for driving the control member of the device for precutting.

10. The system of claim 9, comprising a support frame of the guiding portion.

11. A method of coppicing a column for a floor comprising: a step of displacing the device for precutting the column wherein a material intended to fill at least partially the column, referred to as filling material, is at least partially in a pasty form, with the device for precutting being maintained in the rest position; a step of setting in place the device for precutting in the precutting position at a given depth of the column; and once the filling material is solidified, a step of coppicing a portion of the column extending to the device for precutting.

12. The copiccing method of claim 11, wherein, during the step of displacing the device for precutting, the device for precutting is guided in the column by a system for setting in place.