INSTALLATION AND PROCESS FOR MAKING PANELS

Abstract

Described are an installation (1) and a process for making panels (A), in particular panels (A) used for the construction of a building; including elements adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels; and elements for making from the body (B) of panel material panels (A) whose length (L) is selectively predetermined.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an installation and a process for making panels. More specifically, this invention relates to an installation and a process for making panels used for the construction of a building or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Panels used for building construction are well known. These prior art panels comprise a panel body, made in particular of expanded polystyrene associated with metal meshing or reinforcement. Production of these prior art panels involves making panel reinforcement mesh in sheets of predetermined length corresponding to the length of the polystyrene panel. This is done in a dedicated machine and the expanded polystyrene panel body and the sheets of reinforcement mesh are then assembled in a separate machine.

At the assembling machine, a sheet of reinforcement mesh is first placed on the machine work table, the expanded polystyrene panel body is laid on the sheet and another reinforcement sheet of mesh then laid over the expanded polystyrene panel body. This process not only requires an excessive amount of space but is also extremely labour-intensive and lengthy since all the components to be assembled are moved by hand.

According to the prior art, therefore, making panels of desired length and dimensions involves making metal meshing of the desired length on a specific machine and associating it with the corresponding polystyrene body of the desired length in a different machine. The entire process is thus lengthy and problematic for the personnel involved.

Further, according to the prior art, the length of the panel is determined by the length of the components used to make it and it is not possible to change it during processing. The result is a system that is limited in flexibility and unable to adapt to changed processing requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention therefore proposes a new solution as an alternative to the solutions known up to now and, more specifically, proposes to overcome one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks and/or problems and/or to meet one or more of the above mentioned requirements.

Accordingly, it is provided an installation for making panels, in particular panels used for the construction of a building; characterized in that it comprises means adapted for making a longitudinal body of material for panels; and in that it comprises means for making from the body of panel material panels whose length is selectively predetermined

Thus, panels of desired length can be made quickly and easily.

It is also provided a process for making panels, in particular panels used for the construction of a building; characterized in that it comprises making a longitudinal body of material for panels; and making from the body of panel material panels whose length is selectively predetermined.

Thus, panels of desired length can be made quickly and easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other innovative aspects of the invention are set out in the appended claims and its technical features and advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows of non-limiting example embodiments of it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this installation;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of this installation;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of the preferred embodiment of this installation;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of this installation;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a panel made by this installation;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the reel magazine for feeding the longitudinal wires for the reinforcement meshing;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus for feeding a main block of panel material;

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate the different steps of inserting the blocks between the reinforcement meshes;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus for feeding a main block of panel material, showing in particular the means for advancing the blocks themselves;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus for feeding a main block of panel material, showing in particular the means for advancing the blocks;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the zone where the metal meshes are joined to the bodies of expanded material;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the front of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for cutting the reinforcement means and the main portion of the panel;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the rear of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for cutting the reinforcement means and the main portion;

FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for cutting the reinforcement means and the main portion;

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for cutting the reinforcement means and the main portion;

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device for cutting the reinforcement means;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view from a different side to that of FIG. 18 of the preferred embodiment of the device for cutting the reinforcement means;

FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the preferred embodiment of the device for cutting the reinforcement means;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are schematic front views of the preferred embodiment of the device for cutting the reinforcement means in two different operating conditions;

FIG. 22 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of the device for cutting the reinforcement means;

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of the arm or lever which supports means for engaging the metal mesh and which is used in the preferred embodiment of the device for cutting the reinforcement means;

FIGS. 24 to 26 are perspective views of the device for cutting the reinforcement means showing the different steps of cutting and bending the longitudinal elements of the metal mesh;

FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for unloading a panel from the line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a preferred embodiment 1 of an installation for making panels A, in particular for making panels A used for the construction of a building or the like.

As may be inferred from FIG. 5, a panel A obtained through the present installation comprises a main panel element A1, made in particular of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, or expanded polystyrene, and reinforcement means A2, A3 which are associated with the panel body A1, in particular on the latter's longitudinal faces A02, A03, and which are in the form of respective metal meshes A2, A3.

More specifically, the reinforcement means A2, A3 have longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods A21, A31 and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods A22, A32, which are joined, or more specifically, welded, to the longitudinal wires or rods A21, A31 to form a metal mesh A2, A3 for reinforcing the panel.

Advantageously, according to the present installation, means for making a continuous body are provided, that is, a belt or strip B of panel material extending longitudinally.

The body or strip B of panel material is substantially equal in width and thickness to the panel A, is in the form of a longitudinally extended or continuous body and further comprises a main portion C of material, forming the main element A1 of the panel A and associated with at least one strip, and more specifically, associated with a first and a second strip D2, D3 forming the reinforcement means A2, A3 of the finished panel A.

The strips D2, D3 are associated with the panel strip C on the latter's large longitudinal faces.

The strips D2, D3 are also substantially equal in width to the respective panel.

More specifically, the main portion C of material for making the body of panel material is obtained from corresponding blocks of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, of predetermined length, labelled “L0” in FIG. 3.

In practice, the main portion C of the body B of panel material is obtained from corresponding separate predetermined blocks C1 of material.

Advantageously, means are provided for making panels A of selectively predetermined length L from the body B of panel material.

That way, it is possible to obtain panels A of desired or selected length from the body B of panel material.

In practice, using suitable control means, the operator can set the length L of the corresponding panel A that can be made from the body B of panel material.

In the body B of panel material, the blocks C1 of material, for forming the main strip C of the body, might be placed longitudinally side to side, in contact with each other, or longitudinally close to each other. Thus, when a block C1 is placed between the respective mesh strips D2, D3, its downstream end is in contact with or slightly spaced from the upstream end of the block C1 previously associated with the continuous meshes or strips D2, D3.

The blocks C1 are configured in such a way as to be aligned with each other to form the main strip or body C of panel material B thanks to the fact that they are associated or made integral with the long strips D2, D3 of reinforcement.

More specifically, as may be inferred from the drawings, the continuous meshes or longitudinal strips D2, D3 forming the panel reinforcement means are obtained by unwinding respective rolls of wire or rod to form corresponding upper and lower longitudinal strips, each comprising a respective plurality of parallel longitudinal elements E2, E3.

The upper longitudinal elements E2 and the lower longitudinal elements E3 are associated with, and more specifically joined or welded to, corresponding transversal bars to form longitudinally extended mesh strips D2, D3 which are vertically or perpendicularly spaced from each other.

More specifically, as illustrated, the present installation comprises, upstream to downstream , means 11 for supporting corresponding rolls or wire or rod constituting the magazine for feeding the longitudinal wires or rods E2, E3 which are made to pass, or are guided, through corresponding means 21 for detecting the longitudinal element being fed, and more specifically, for detecting a condition where the wire or rod is present or a condition where wire or rod feed has stopped, said detection means being located downstream of the magazine 11 and upstream of corresponding means 31 for making the longitudinal reinforcement strips D2, D3.

More specifically, the means 31 for making the longitudinal reinforcement strips D2, D3 position and join the transversal bars, in particular in the form of straightened wires or rods, to the longitudinal portions E2, E3, respectively.

Proceeding in upstream to downstream direction, there are corresponding means 12, in particular in the form of first and second means 22, 32 for alternately feeding corresponding blocks C1 or insulating or lightening material which, as stated, have a corresponding thickness and width and a corresponding length L0.

Downstream of the means 12 for inserting the longitudinally extended blocks C1 means 13 are provided for joining the reinforcement means or elongate strips D2, D3 to each other and to the corresponding blocks C1, said joining means using corresponding straightened lengths of metal wire which are inserted perpendicularly into the corresponding block C1 and joined at the respective metal meshes D2, D3, by corresponding welds, as will become clearer as this description continues.

Downstream of the joining means 13, means 33 are also provided for cutting or separating from the body B of panel material a corresponding panel A, the panel A being then unloaded from the line through corresponding means, which are labelled 14 in their entirety.

More in detail, as may also be inferred from FIG. 6, means are provided for feeding the longitudinal elements E2, E3 starting from corresponding material storage means in the form of corresponding rolls E0 of wire or rod constituting a corresponding longitudinal element of the panel reinforcement means.

The means 11 for storing the reinforcement means comprise corresponding supporting means 111, or housings, in the form of baskets, in particular baskets rotatable about a vertical axis and from which the rods or wires E2, E3 are pulled longitudinally.

The supporting means thus constitute housings 111 positioned in line with each other and, if necessary, at a slight angle to the longitudinal feed direction.

In practice, there are a first and a second layer or level 111′, 111″ of housings for storing respective rolls E0, the first and second layers being used to feed corresponding transversal arrays of longitudinal elements E2, E3 for respective reinforcement meshes D2, D3 which are vertically spaced from each other.

Each layer or level of the supporting means 111 comprises a first and a second row 111a, 111b of housings which are aligned with each other. Also provided, at the means 31 for making the metal meshes, are means which are designed to feed or pull the reinforcement means, in particular the first and second reinforcement means E2, E3, to be associated with the main panel element C, and which are designed to feed the reinforcement means in steps, where feed steps are alternated with dwell steps where corresponding operations are carried out to fix the transversal reinforcement elements to form the meshes

D2, D3, to insert the blocks C1 between the reinforcement means D2, D3, and to insert and weld the perpendicular joining elements between the meshes D2, D3 and the main block C made up of the sub-blocks C1 of the body B of panel material.

More specifically, the step of feeding the longitudinal elements E2, E3 and the corresponding meshes D2, D3 corresponds to the distance between the first and second stations of the joining means 13, as described in more detail below.

As may be inferred in particular from FIGS. 7 to 12, means, or an apparatus, are also provided for feeding the block C1 of material for making the main portion C of the body B of material for making the panels A.

Advantageously, first and second means 12, 12 are provided for feeding blocks C1 of material on opposite sides of the longitudinal feed line and which are, in particular, transversally aligned with each other, in order to insert the corresponding block C1 into a common receiving zone 121.

More specifically, the first and second means 12, 12 for feeding the blocks of material are designed to advance the respective blocks C1 to the feed line alternately.

That way, blocks C1 of material can be inserted in a particularly quick and efficient manner.

Advantageously, the respective means 12 for feeding the blocks C1 of material comprise means for inserting the respective block C1 transversally between opposite reinforcement means D2, D3, vertically spaced from each other to form a strip C of panel material B.

As illustrated, the first reinforcement means D2 pass over the insertion table 122 and the second reinforcement means D3 pass under the insertion table 122.

The means for transversally inserting the respective block comprise a table 122 for supporting the block C1, which extends from a zone laterally outside the feed line up to a central zone 121, at, or vertically aligned with, the reinforcement means D2, D3, the reinforcement means D2, D3 passing respectively over and under the central zone.

The transversal insertion means also comprise, for each of the feed means 12, 12, means for transversally moving the block C1. In practice, the block C1 is supported by the supporting table 122 and is moved transversally of the line by movement means which comprise pushing means in the form of a first and a second paddle 123, 123 which are designed to engage one side of the block C1 at opposite longitudinal ends of the block and which are movable from a withdrawn position to an advanced position where the block is inserted into the line, and vice versa. As illustrated, the first and second paddles are located at opposite longitudinal ends of the table 122.

The reference numeral 124 denotes means for containing the block C1 on the insertion table 122, which are in the form of corresponding paddles protruding vertically from the corresponding longitudinal and transversal edges of the table and which are fixed directly to the supporting structure of the table 122.

Means 125 are also provided for positioning a corresponding block C1 at the insertion table 122.

The positioning means 125 extend longitudinally of the respective insertion means and remain alongside the line.

More specifically, the positioning means 125, 125 of the first and second feed means 12, 12 extend longitudinally in opposite directions relative to the receiving zone 121. This makes it easier for personnel to access the line for resetting or maintenance operations when necessary.

The positioning means 125 are thus located alongside the line and comprise respective means 126 for longitudinally moving the block C1 from a rear loading zone to a forward positioning zone at the transversal insertion table.

The longitudinal movement means are, more specifically, in the form of a corresponding pusher 126 which is reciprocatingly movable between a rear position and a forward position of positioning the blocks, the pusher 126 being mounted on an upper frame 125a and extending downwardly to engage a block C1 at the top of a pile C1′ of blocks C1, which is gradually raised by a suitable step to present the next block C1, at a zone where the positioning means pick it up, that is, at a suitable height for the positioning means to engage and push the block C1 towards the receiving means 122. During the first part of the longitudinal sliding of the block C1, the block C1 rests on the pile C1′ of blocks under it. The pusher means 126 are thus movable from a rear position to a forward position and vice versa along a respective path longitudinal of the line.

The positioning means 125, 125 further comprise respective loading means in the form of means for lifting a pile C1′ of blocks in such a way as to position a block at the top of the pile at the pusher means for moving the block, in particular for longitudinally moving the block C1.

The pusher means 126 abut a respective longitudinal front, or rear, end of the block C1′ in such a way as to move it longitudinally to the transversal insertion zone.

At the feed means 12, means 126′ are also provided for longitudinally feeding the block C1 of material constituting the main strip C of panel material. The means 126′ for longitudinally feeding the block C1 are designed to feed the block C1, or strip C, in unison with the step by step feeding of the reinforcement means or strips D2 and D3, and by a feed step that corresponds to the distance between the joining means and between the reinforcement means E1, E2, as will become clearer as this description continues. In practice, the block C1, or strip C, is fed forward in steps of predetermined length alternated with dwell steps.

These means for longitudinally feeding the block C1, or strip C, of material comprise a longitudinally movable pusher 126′ designed to abut the back of and advance the respective block C1, or strip C.

The pusher 126′ is in the form of a respective, transversally extended paddle 126a, mounted on a corresponding perpendicular stem 126b, passing through a central slot F extending longitudinally between transversally opposite supporting tables 122, extending transversally and protruding laterally of the line for feeding the body B of panel material.

In practice, as may be well inferred from FIGS. 8 to 10, during a first step, illustrated in FIG. 8, feed means 12 provided on one side of the line move a block C1 transversally to insert it between opposite meshes D2, D3.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9, pusher means 126′ advance the block C1, forming the back of the main strip C of panel material until the insertion zone is clear. At the same time, the means 125 for positioning the feed means 12 located on the opposite side move a respective block C1 to the insertion table 122.

In a subsequent step, illustrated in FIG. 10, the feed means 12 located on the opposite side insert a corresponding block C1 into the receiving zone 121, where it will be picked up by the pusher means 126′ and advance until reaching the position where it protrudes from the receiving zone 121 and allows the opposite feed means 12 to insert another block C1 into the receiving zone.

During insertion of the block by the opposite feed means, the transversal pushers 123, 123 of the respective feed means 12 move in reverse back to the position suitable for receiving a corresponding block placed by the corresponding positioning means 125.

Obviously, it is understood that the strip C formed by the individual blocks C1, forms in the finished panel A the main body A1 of the panel of insulating or lightening material.

As illustrated, in particular in FIG. 13, means 13 are also provided for joining the first and second reinforcement means D2, D3 and for joining the reinforcement means D2, D3 and the main portion C of material.

As may be well inferred from FIG. 13, the joining means 13 comprise means 131 for inserting corresponding lengths or perpendicular elements, cut by wires or rods, fed from a corresponding magazine 23 located laterally of the line.

In practice, the insertion means 131 heat the tip of a respective length of metal wire, which is inserted through the plastic insulating or lightening material forming the main part of the panel, until it is positioned at the lower reinforcement means D3, where there are means 132, aligned with the bottom of the insertion means, for joining or welding the length of wire to the lower reinforcement means D3, the welding means being in the form of electrically conductive jaws, which can be opened and closed, in order to electrically weld the perpendicular elements or lengths to the lower metal mesh D3.

At a second station, spaced by a distance “d” corresponding to the feed step of the strip or body of panel material, the perpendicular elements, or lengths, are joined to the upper reinforcement means D2. In practice, means 133 are provided for joining, or welding, the length to the upper reinforcement means D2, the welding means being in the form of electrically conductive jaws, which can be opened and closed, in order to electrically weld the perpendicular elements or lengths to the upper metal mesh D2.

In particular, and advantageously, these means for making a respective panel from the body B of panel material are in the form of an apparatus, or means, for cutting the body B of material.

More specifically, means or an apparatus 33 are provided for cutting the body B of panel material transversally.

More specifically, as may be easily inferred from FIGS. 14 to 17, the cutting apparatus 33 comprises means, or devices 331, 332 adapted to cut the reinforcement means of the body B of panel material.

The cutting apparatus also comprises a means, or device, 333 adapted to cut the main portion C of lightening or insulating material of the body B of panel material. The means for cutting the reinforcement means are adapted to cut the longitudinal reinforcement strips D2, D3, and more specifically, they cut the longitudinal elements E2, E3 of the respective metal meshes D2, D3.

More specifically, the cutting means, or devices 331, 332, 333 are mounted on a metal frame 330.

More specifically, the means 333 for cutting the main portion C of the body of panel material is located downstream of the means 331, 332 for cutting the reinforcement means D2, D3.

More specifically, the means 333 for cutting the main portion C1 of the body of panel material is spaced from the means 331, 332 for cutting the reinforcement means D2, D3 by a predetermined distance corresponding to the length of the feed step of the body of panel material.

The length of the feed step also corresponds to the distance between a first and a second welding station of the joining means 13.

Means are also advantageously provided for laterally bending the longitudinal portions E2, E3 of the reinforcement means of the respective reinforcement strip D2, D3.

That way, it is possible to create a longitudinal space that allows the passage of the means 333 for cutting the main portion C1 of the body B of panel material. Moreover, this is done without causing swarf from the rod or wire to be scattered in the surrounding zone, which might hamper the process of cutting the main portion C1 and which would need to be removed by personnel, an awkward and time consuming task for personnel.

Advantageously, cutting means and bending means are provided which operate simultaneously on the longitudinal elements, or portions, of the reinforcement means D2, D3.

Advantageously, the means for cutting the body B of panel material are movable longitudinally.

More specifically, the means 331, 332 for cutting and/or bending the reinforcement means and the means 333 for cutting the main portion C of the body B of panel material are movable longitudinally.

The cutting means, as indicated by the arrow Ft in FIG. 17, are movable backwards and forwards longitudinally between an upstream position and a downstream position and cut the panel A during the longitudinal forward movement. As the panel material B advances, the main portion C of the strip of panel material B is cut.

More specifically, the means for cutting the body of panel material, in the form of means 331, 332 for cutting and/or bending the reinforcement means and means for cutting the main portion C of the body B of material, advance in unison with the body B of panel material.

It is thus possible to cut and bend the reinforcement means and transversally cut the main block or element C of the body B of panel material while the panel material B advances longitudinally.

In practice, means are provided for making an opening in the reinforcement means D2, D3 of the body B of panel material to allow the passage of the means for cutting the main portion C of the body B of material.

Further, the means for making an opening are, more specifically, as illustrated, means for bending the ends of the longitudinal portions E2, E3 of the reinforcement means by 90° relative to the corresponding parts or lengths of the same.

In practice, the means for bending the longitudinal elements of the reinforcement means are located upstream and, in particular, a little upstream, of the means for cutting the longitudinal reinforcement elements themselves.

In practice, first the continuity of the respective longitudinal reinforcement element, or rod, is interrupted by transversally cutting or dividing the rod or wire. Next, a portion of the rod or wire upstream of the cutting zone or point is bent laterally or transversally to form an angle substantially of 90° relative to the main part of the respective longitudinal reinforcement element.

As illustrated, the cutting means 33 also comprise a fixed base 330a in turn comprising supporting and sliding means for the body B of material which are in the form of corresponding guides or bars 330aa, 330aa, 330aa which extend longitudinally and parallel with each other.

The supporting frame of the cutting means 33 further comprises a movable means or slide 330b which mounts the respective cutting means 331, 332, 333, the slide 330bb eing movable on corresponding guide rails 330ab, 330ab which extend longitudinally and parallel with each other at the sides of the sliding rails 330aa for the body B of panel material.

In practice, means 330b are provided for mounting the cutting means 33, and more specifically, common means which mount the cutting means 331, 332, 333 and which are movable longitudinally on corresponding sliding guide means 330ab, 330ab.

More specifically, as illustrated, the slide 330b for mounting the cutting means comprises corresponding side posts 330ba, 330ba which are transversally spaced from each other by a distance such as to allow the passage of the body of panel material. The side posts 330ba are connected by corresponding upper and lower crossbars 330bb and 330bc.

More specifically, the lower crossbar 330bc constitutes means for engaging and sliding on top of the above mentioned guide means 330ab, 330ab.

More specifically, each of the means 331, 332 for cutting the respective upper and lower reinforcement means D2, D3 comprises, as may be well inferred from FIGS. 18 to 22, means 331a for engaging and cutting the respective longitudinal element of the reinforcement means and whose cutting action is performed in conjunction with respective opposing means 331b. Further, the means for bending the longitudinal elements E1 and E2 of the respective reinforcement means comprise means 331a for engaging the respective longitudinal elements and respective opposing means 331c.

The engagement means 331a and the opposing means 331b and/or 331c are movable relative to each other. More specifically, the engagement means 331a are movable transversally of the longitudinal feed direction and relative to the fixed opposing means 331b and/or 331c.

Advantageously, the engagement means 331a are interposed between the opposing means 331b and 331c for cutting and bending, respectively.

More specifically, are provided pluralities of engagement elements 331a and opposing elements 331b, 331c acting on respective longitudinal elements E2, E3 of the reinforcement means D2, D3.

The pluralities of engagement elements 331a and opposing elements 331b, 331c are aligned respectively with each other along a direction transversal to the longitudinal feed direction.

As may be clearly inferred from FIG. 23, each engagement element 331a comprises a respective engagement tooth 331 aa which extends perpendicularly.

As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the means 331a for engaging each longitudinal element of the reinforcement means are in the form of a perpendicular tooth comprising a lateral cutting edge 331at and a generally cylindrical surface 331 aa which extends longitudinally and which contacts and pushes the part E2′ of the longitudinal reinforcement element E2 to be bent.

The engagement means also comprise a transversal contact surface 331ab for pushing the part E2′ of the longitudinal reinforcement element E2 to be bent and which is connected to the longitudinal portion 331aa by a rounded edge 331ae.

As illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, after the cutting edge 331at has cut or broken the continuity of the longitudinal bar E2, the longitudinal surface 331a bends its end part E2′.

The end part E2′ then comes into contact with the transversal portion or transversal surface 331ab which bends the part E2′ so it makes an angle of 90° with the direction of longitudinal extension of the longitudinal wire or rod E2. As illustrated, a lateral protuberance 331ac forming a curved longitudinal surface 331ad for engaging the main part of the longitudinal element E2 extends from the surface 331ab of the engagement means.

As shown in FIG. 26, the longitudinal engagement surface 331ad is adapted to form, in conjunction with the transversal surface 331ab, a bent portion E2′ which substantially makes an angle of 90° with the main portion E2 of the longitudinal element.

The lateral tooth or protuberance 331ac extends at an angle substantially equal to 90° to the transversal bending surface 331ab.

In practice, provision is made of a first longitudinal engagement surface 331aa and a second longitudinal engagement surface 331ad which are transversally spaced by a distance corresponding to the length of the transversal engagement surface 331ab.

The respective opposing and cutting means 331b in turn comprise a respective tooth extending perpendicularly and constituting a respective edge 331ba for cutting the longitudinal reinforcement element E2. The respective cutting tooth 331b is presented by a respective block having a transversal surface 331bc adapted for guiding the transversal surface 331′a of the engagement element 331a opposite to it.

As illustrated, the bending tooth 331c is presented by a respective block 331c a having a corresponding transversal surface 331′ca for abuttingly guiding a corresponding transversal surface 331′a of the engagement means 331a.

As illustrated, the bending tooth 331c is offset from the surface 331′ca which guides the tooth 331a, that is to say, it is spaced longitudinally from the surface 331′ca by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the rod or wire E2, as may be well inferred from FIG. 26.

A plurality of protruding teeth is provided which constitute the engagement means 331a, the cutting means 331b and the opposing and bending means 331c.

In practice, the respective opposing teeth 331b and 331c form corresponding fixed transversal racks each bearing a corresponding plurality of perpendicular teeth 331b, 331c.

As illustrated, the means for cutting the wire or rod are located downstream of the bending means relative to the feed direction.

As may be inferred from FIGS. 24 to 26, the engagement means 331a, the opposing and cutting means 331b and the opposing and bending means 331c are movable relative to each other from a mutually spaced condition, illustrated in FIG. 24, for positioning the longitudinal elements of the reinforcement means between the engagement means 331a and the opposing and cutting means 331b and the opposing and bending means 331c, to a closed position, illustrated in FIG. 26, for cutting and bending the reinforcement means.

More specifically, the engagement means 331a are slidably movable between the opposing and cutting means 331b and the opposing and bending means 331c, which remain fixed.

In practice, the longitudinal element E2 is cut just before bending of the corresponding portion E2′ starts.

For the purpose, as may be clearly inferred from FIGS. 24 to 26, the cutting tooth 331b is transversally advanced relative to the opposing and bending tooth 331c in the direction of the engagement tooth 331a opposite it. In practice, the cutting teeth 331b and the bending teeth 331c are slightly offset so that the longitudinal element E2 is cut just before bending of the corresponding portion E2′ starts.

The cutting teeth 331b and the bending teeth 331c are longitudinally spaced by a distance corresponding to the width of the engagement means 331a.

In practice, the engagement means 331a comprise a respective surface 331aa for contacting the reinforcement means and facing laterally towards the contact surfaces of the opposing and cutting means 331b and of the opposing and bending means 331c.

As illustrated, the contact surface 331aa has a curved, generally cylindrical shape and the respective mutual contact surfaces of the engagement and opposing means extend in a generally vertical or perpendicular direction.

As may be inferred from FIGS. 20 to 22, the cutting and bending means also comprise a respective actuator 334, and more specifically, a linear actuator in the form of a pneumatic cylinder with a movable stem.

The actuating means 334 comprise an actuating end 334′ which is movable transversally of the line and which is connected to the engagement means 331a in order to move them as required.

In practice, the movable stem of the pneumatic linear actuator 334 is movable in a direction parallel to the cutting and bending means between a first position, where the engagement means 333a and the opposing means 331b, 331c are spaced apart, and a second position, where the engagement means 331a and the opposing means 331b, 331c act in conjunction to cut and/or bend the metal rods E2, E3 of the reinforcement means.

The drive means comprise a respective linkage 335 which has a multiplying effect on the load provided by the drive actuator 334 and are located between the actuator and the engagement means 331a.

Advantageously, the drive actuator 334 is located substantially alongside the cutting and bending means, that is, alongside the engagement and opposing means 331a, 331b, 331c, the linkage extending perpendicularly to the actuators 334 and to the cutting and bending means, that is, perpendicularly to the engagement and opposing means 331a, 331b, 331c.

More specifically, as illustrated, the actuator 334 extends transversally and from the actuator 334 itself there extends a first perpendicular arm 335a which is connected to corresponding levers 335b which are in turn connected in freely rotatable manner to a large head 335′a of the arm 335a, the levers 335bb eing integral with corresponding short bars or arms 331′.

As illustrated, there is a plurality of short rods 331′, each having a respective end constituting a respective engagement tooth 331a and each connected at the other end to a common transversal drive bar 336.

The short arms 331′ are pivoted at the bottom to the fixed opposing and cutting means and opposing and bending means. The reference numeral 331″ in FIG. 23 denotes the hole into which is inserted the corresponding pin for the articulation of the opposing means.

The reference numeral 331′b denotes the hole into which is inserted the corresponding pin 331p for the articulation of the common transversal bar 336.

In practice, as may be inferred from FIGS. 21A and 21B, when the movable stem of the drive cylinder 334 is extended, the arm 335 drives the long levers 335b rotationally in the opposite angular direction, causing a corresponding movement, through the common transversal connecting bar 336, of the short arms 331′ , which are pivoted at the bottom between the cutting racks 331b and bending racks 331c and each of which presents or constitutes a corresponding engagement tooth 331a. That way, the longitudinal rods or wires E2, E3 are cut and bent.

The linkage 335 also comprises an arm 335a which extends from the drive means, or actuator, 334 and at least one corresponding lever 335b which is connected at one end to the arm 335a and which, at the end of it, opposite to the end connected to the arm 335a, is integral with and drives corresponding pivoted bars 331′ mounting or constituting respective engagement means 331a.

As may be clearly inferred from FIGS. 14 to 17, first and second cutting and bending means 331, 332 are provided which are vertically spaced from each other and which are designed to operate on corresponding reinforcement means E2, E3.

Further, as illustrated, the cutting means, and ore specifically, the upper cutting means 332 are movable perpendicularly to the body B of material between an open position where they are away from the body B of material and the latter is free to move, and a position where they are close to the body B of material in order to provide a corresponding cutting and/or bending.

More specifically, the upper cutting and bending means 331 are movable between a raised position where the body of material is free to move and a lower, cutting and bending position.

The cutting and/or bending means 331 are mounted on respective drive means for vertical movement and being in the form of belts 336′ trained around respective toothed wheels 337, 338 mounted on side posts 330ba and vertically spaced from each other.

The belts mounted on the side posts 330ba and 330ba are also transversally spaced and simultaneously driven by an electric motor 339 through a transversal connecting shaft 339a constituting transmission means between the respective crown, or toothed, wheels 337 of respective belts.

As illustrated, the electric motor 339 is mounted on a corresponding column 330ba on the outer side of it.

As illustrated, there are corresponding lateral or transversal protrusions 331s, 331s extending from the blocks that mount the cutting and bending racks, these extensions 331s being hooked, or anchored, through corresponding blocks 331r to the respective drive belts 336′.

Means are provided for feeding the body B of panel material, and more specifically for feeding the body B of material in steps. The feed steps have predetermined length, the length corresponding, more specifically, to the distance between the means for joining the perpendicular lengths or elements and/or between the means 331, 332 for cutting the reinforcement meshes and the means 333 for cutting the polystyrene.

The means 333 for cutting the main portion C1 of material are designed to cut the portion C of material transversally, as may be clearly inferred from FIG. 16, and comprise a corresponding heated cutting element, or wire, 333a, extending transversally and movable vertically, as shown by the double arrow in FIG. 16, between a raised position where it is away from the body of material B and a lowered cutting position, illustrated in FIG. 15.

As illustrated, the heated wire, is mounted on corresponding vertical bars 333b mounted on corresponding blocks 333c from which they extend downwardly, the blocks 333c being in turn mounted on vertical drive means in the form of belts 333d, which are in turn mounted on side posts 330ba, 330ba located next to the means for cutting the reinforcement means.

The belts 333d are trained around corresponding toothed wheels, which are vertically spaced from each other and which are rotationally driven by a corresponding electric motor 333e through a transversal transmission shaft extending between respective upper crown wheels or toothed wheels.

In practice the means 333 for cutting the main portion of material are mounted, together with the means 331, 332 for cutting the reinforcement means, on a common slider, or slide, which is longitudinally movable and driven backwards and forwards by corresponding drive means.

The slider is driven by corresponding drive means in the form of corresponding belts trained around corresponding toothed belts which are longitudinally spaced and driven by a corresponding electric motor that moves corresponding rear wheels through a corresponding transversal transmission shaft 333′e.

The means, or belts, for driving the movable drive means are housed in longitudinally extended cases, or boxes 330s which form, with the respective upper surface, supporting and slide means for the movable mounting means, or slider 330. The motor which drives the cutting means longitudinally is denoted by the reference numeral 340.

Means, or an apparatus 14, are provided for unloading the panel A from the line, and which, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 27, comprises means 141 for picking up the panel which are in the form of a gripper comprising lateral jaws adapted to engage opposite lateral edges of the panel A.

The pickup gripper 141 is movable vertically between a lowered pickup position and a raised position for transfer, and more specifically, for transfer in a transversal direction, in such a way as to transport the panel to a position at one side of the line where it is placed on a pile of panels, labelled A′ and where the lifting means lower the panel onto the panel at the top of the pile A′.

More specifically, the pickup means 141 are movable transversally between the central zone where the panel is picked up to a lateral zone where the panel is released.

More specifically, the pickup means 141 are movable transversally to a first and second lateral release zone on opposite transversal sides of the line.

More specifically, as illustrated, the pickup means 141 are mounted on a shaft 142, which is vertically movable relative to a support 142′, which is in turn slidably movable on corresponding guide means mounted on, or constituted by, a corresponding crossbeam 143.

The mounting beam 143 is mounted on corresponding side portal frames, each having uprights 144, 144 spaced longitudinally far enough from each other to allow the panel A to pass between them, that is to say to allow the pile A′ of panels to fit between them so that they can be easily picked up by a forklift truck, for example.

The uprights 144, 144 mount a corresponding crossbar 145 which supports one end of the crossbeam 143 substantially half way along the crossbar 145 itself.

In another embodiment not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the means for unloading the panel from the line might comprise, instead of a single crossbeam 143, a pair of crossbeams which are smaller in cross section and lighter in weight and which might be made longitudinally movable on the upper crossbar 145 of the respective side portal frames in such a way as to also allow longitudinal movement of the pickup means.

The installation described above implements a process for making panels A used for the construction of a building; the process advantageously comprising making a longitudinal body B of panel material and making from the body B of panel material panels A whose length L is selectively predetermined

As already stated, the body B of panel material comprises a main portion C of material constituting the main panel element A1, made preferably of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, associated with at least one strip, or part, and more specifically first and second parts, or strips D2, D3 constituting reinforcement means A2, A3 of the panel A.

The process more specifically comprises making a longitudinal body B of panel material and cutting the body B of material into panels A.

More specifically, the process involves cutting the main portion C of panel material and the reinforcement means D2, D3.

The length L of the panel A may be equal to or different from the length L0 of the component block but is normally different from the length L0 of the respective component block C1.

The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that several changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, described in depth above. In particular, one skilled in the art could easily imagine further embodiments of the invention comprising one or more of the features described herein. More particularly, the apparatus and/or devices of the installation described might also be used in different installations or independently of and separately from the other apparatuses and machines forming part of the installation. Moreover, it will be understood that all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1-82. (canceled)

83. An installation (1) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A1), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D2, D3) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A2, A3) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A2, A3) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A21, A31) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A22, A32), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A21, A31), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C1) of material of predetermined length (L0), wherein it comprises means for making from the body (B) of panel material panels (A) whose length (L) is selectively predetermined to obtain panels (A) of desired or selected length and that may be equal to or different from the length (L0) of the component block (C1).

84. An installation (1) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A1), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D2, D3) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A2, A3) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A2, A3) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A21, A31) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A22, A32), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A21, A31), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C1) of material of predetermined length (L0), and wherein it comprises means (33) for cutting the body (B) of panel material.

85. The installation according to claim 84, wherein it comprises means (331, 332) for cutting the reinforcement means of the body (B) of panel material and means (333) for cutting a main portion (C1), in particular of lightening or insulating material, of the body (B) of panel material.

86. The installation according to claim 85, wherein it comprises means for making an opening in the reinforcement means (D2, D3) of the body (B) of panel material to allow the passage of corresponding means for cutting a main portion (C1) of the body (B) of material, comprising means for bending longitudinal portions (E2, E3) of the reinforcement means of the body (B) of panel material.

87. The installation according to claim 84, wherein the respective cutting means (331, 332, 333) can move longitudinally.

88. The installation according to claim 87, wherein the respective cutting means (331, 332, 333) advance with the body (B) of panel material.

89. The installation according to claim 84, wherein it comprises means (331, 332) for cutting the respective reinforcement means and which comprise means (331a) for engaging the respective longitudinal element (E1, E2) of the reinforcement means, acting in conjunction with respective opposing means (331b).

90. The installation according to claim 89, wherein the means for bending the longitudinal elements (E1, E2) of the respective reinforcement means (D2, D3) comprise means (331a) for engaging the respective longitudinal element and respective opposing means (331c).

91. The installation according to claim 90, wherein the engagement means (331a) and the opposing means (331b and/or 331c) are movable relative to each other, being the engagement means (331a) movable relative to fixed opposing means (331b and/or 331c).

92. The installation according to claim 90, wherein the engagement means (331a) are interposed between the respective opposing means (331b, 331c).

93. The installation according to claim 90, wherein it comprises a plurality of engagement elements (331a) and opposing elements (331b, 331c) for corresponding longitudinal elements (E2, E3) of the reinforcement means (D2, D3), the engagement means (331a) being in the form of a tooth with a lateral cutting edge (331at); the engagement means (331a) being in the form of a tooth with a longitudinal contact surface (331aa) for pushing the part (E2′) of the longitudinal reinforcement element (E2, E3) to be bent; the engagement means (331a) being in the form of a tooth with a transversal contact surface (331ab) for pushing the part (E2′) of the longitudinal reinforcement element (E2, E3) to be bent; the engagement means (331a) being in the form of a tooth from which there extends a lateral protuberance (331ac) forming a corresponding engagement surface (331ad) for the main part of the longitudinal element (E2); the opposing and cutting means (331b) comprising a respective tooth extending perpendicularly and acting in conjunction with a cutting edge (331at) of the engagement means; the opposing and bending means comprising a respective tooth (331c) extending perpendicularly and longitudinally spaced from a corresponding transversal bending surface (331ab) of the engagement means (331a).

94. The installation according to claim 90, wherein the engagement means (331a) are slidable between the opposing and cutting means (331b) and the opposing and bending means (331c).

95. The installation according to claim 90, wherein it comprises drive means for moving the engagement means (331a) relative to the respective opposing means (331b, 331c); the drive means comprising a respective actuator (334); the drive means comprising a linkage (335) for connection to the movable engagement means (331a); the actuator (334) being positioned substantially alongside the engagement and opposing means; the linkage (335) extending perpendicularly to the engagement and opposing means; the linkage (335) comprising an arm (335a) which extends from the actuator (334) and at least one corresponding lever (335b) connected to the arm (335a) and which is integral with and actuates corresponding pivoted rods (331′) mounting the engagement means (331a).

96. The installation according to claim 85, wherein it comprises first and second means (331, 332), which are vertically spaced from each other, for cutting and/or bending respective reinforcement means (D1, D2).

97. The installation according to claim 85, wherein the cutting and/or bending means (331) are movable perpendicularly to the body (B) of panel material between a position away from and a position close to the body (B) of panel material in order to perform the cutting and/or bending operation.

98. The installation according to claim 85, wherein the means (333) for cutting the main portion (C1) of panel material (B) comprise a transversally extending heated wire cutting element.

99. The installation according to claim 85, wherein the means (333) for cutting the main portion (C1) of panel material (B) are movable between a position away from the body of panel material and a cutting position.

100. The installation according to claim 85, wherein the means (333) for cutting the main portion of material are mounted, together with the means (331, 332) for cutting the reinforcement means, on a single, longitudinally movable slider.

101. An installation (1) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A1), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D2, D3) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A2, A3) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A2, A3) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A21, A31) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A22, A32), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A21, A31), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C1) of material of predetermined length (L0), and wherein it comprises means (12) for feeding the blocks of material (C1); wherein it comprises first and second means (12, 12) for feeding the blocks of material (C1).

102. The installation according to claim 101, wherein the first and second means (12, 12) for feeding the blocks of material are located on opposite sides of the feed line.

103. The installation according to claim 102, wherein the first and second means (12, 12) for feeding the blocks of material are located on opposite sides of the line that feeds the body and are transversally aligned with each other.

104. The installation according to claim 101, wherein the first and second means (12, 12) for feeding the blocks of material are designed to feed respective blocks (C1) alternately.

105. The installation according to claim 101, wherein the means (12) for feeding the blocks of material (C1) comprise means for inserting the respective block transversally between opposite reinforcement means (D2, D3).

106. An installation (1) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A1), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D2, D3) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A2, A3) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A2, A3) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A21, A31) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A22, A32), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A21, A31), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C1) of material of predetermined length (L0), and wherein it comprises means (14) for unloading the panels (A); wherein the means (14) for unloading the panels (A) comprise means (141) for picking up the panels; wherein the pickup means (141) are mounted on a respective crossbeam (143) in turn mounted on a portal frame having uprights (144, 144) spaced far enough from each other to allow the panel (A) to pass between them.

107. The installation according to claim 106, wherein the pickup means (141) are movable between a zone where the panel is picked up and a zone where the panel is transferred; wherein the pickup means (141) are movable between a zone where the panel is picked up and first and second zones where the panel is transferred, said zones being, in particular, situated on opposite sides of the line.

108. An installation (1) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A1), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D2, D3) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A2, A3) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A2, A3) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A21, A31) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A22, A32), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A21, A31), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C1) of material of predetermined length (L0), and wherein it comprises means (13) for joining the first and second reinforcement means (D2, D3) to each other and for joining the reinforcement means (D1, D2) to the main portion of material (C1), the joining means (13) comprise a first and a second joining station (131, 132; 133) longitudinally spaced by a predetermined distance (d), the length of the step by which the body (B) of material is fed corresponds to the predetermined distance (d) between the first and second stations (131, 132; 133) of the joining means.