RUNNER HOLDER

Abstract

The invention relates to a runner holder divided into a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a first end of the runner holder and the second part comprising a second end of the runner holder, opposite the first end, the first part having a projection inserted into an inlet of the second part, which projection can slide into the entrance such that the length of the runner holder can be adjusted. The runner holder further comprises at least one pressure means situated at the first end and/or the second end.

Description

The present invention relates to supports for formworks. More particularly, the present invention relates to horizontal formwork beams supported on vertical struts, which are habitually known as runner-holder beams, main beams, primary beams or simply runner holder(s).

At present, different types of beams are known for the formation of formworks. However, a problem with the standard beams for formwork supports consists in the fact that they have a fixed and determined length. On many occasions, the length of the aforementioned beams does not coincide exactly with the required length between formworks. In view of this possibility, the operators usually cut other beams to join them to said standard beams, and ensure that support beams from wall to wall exist, without the existence of breaks or spaces between the formwork beams and the formwork itself. Another possibility consists of positioning the beams not consecutively, but adjacent to one another, such that their course overlaps. However, this increases the number of struts necessary to support the runner holders, and consequently decreases the space between struts, thus making the passage of the operators difficult or even preventing it.

An object of the present invention is to disclose a novel runner holder which provides a solution to the aforementioned problems.

For this purpose, the present invention discloses a runner holder according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

The present invention discloses a runner holder which is divided into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first end of the runner holder and the second portion having a second end of the runner holder, opposite the first end, the first portion having a projection which is inserted in a recess of the second portion, the projection being able to slide inside the recess. This sliding allows the length of the runner holder to be adjustable. In addition, the invention comprises a pressure means which is situated at the first and/or the second end.

The beam with a variable length according to the present invention has the advantage that the operator does not have to cut other beams to join them to the standard beam in order thus to obtain the particular length required. According to another aspect of the present invention, the telescopic beam or adjustable runner holder has pressure means at one end at least, and preferably at both ends. By this means, the runner holder can be adjusted in a fixed manner between two vertical structures, such as walls. A pressure means can be a resilient and deformable element which can store and discharge energy without undergoing permanent deformations when the (compression) forces or tension (pressure) to which said pressure means is subjected cease. The pressure means is designed to have its length reduced substantially when said pressure means is subjected to an axial (compression) force when the adjustable runner holder is put into the operating position, i.e. when said pressure means is situated between one wall and another or between one roof and another. A pressure means can be constituted by a bevelled cut at the ends of the runner holder which cut co-operates with a wedge in establishing the pressure on the horizontal structure or wall.

The adjustable runner holder according to the invention which has pressure means is particularly advantageous in monolithic structures. A monolithic structure is a type of structure in which a building or structure is built in a single block. The monolithic system permits a high speed of execution and construction assembly, with reduction of the workforce since the major construction costs are minimised as a result of the short execution times. Monolithic structures are habitually characterised by having small spans, generally up to 3 m. In architecture, engineering and building, the word span is generally used to designate the distance in horizontal projection which exists between the supports of a beam.

The present invention also has the advantage compared with standard beams that it can be reused in different monolithic designs, i.e. it can be used in different projects which have a different design with variations of the dimensions. The fact of having a range of values of length and not a single fixed and determined length means that it can be used in numerous projects and designs of monolithic structure.

A strut can be defined as a structural element with a transverse cross section which is very small compared with its adjustable height, which supports a horizontal formwork structure provisionally, habitually by means of the runner-holder beams.

In addition, the adjustable runner holder according to the present invention is particularly advantageous in monolithic structures since it makes it possible to use two struts in length per beam instead of the three struts used by the standard system, with the third corresponding to the portion of overlapping between runner holders with a fixed length. Thus, the present invention has the capacity to reduce the number of struts used in monolithic structures. The fact of using only two struts is especially advantageous since monolithic structures are habitually small, although it is true that the range of sizes can vary considerably. Typically, the length between walls (the span) is less than 3 m. This means that the space in the interior thereof is small, and consequently the space which the operators have to construct and assemble the building or structure is very limited. In addition, the operators have to carry out their work avoiding obstacles such as the different construction elements used, such as, for example, struts, boards, runner holders, tripods, etc., which make their work difficult. The fact of using the adjustable runner holder according to the present invention allows the operators to carry out their working activity inside a monolithic structure in better conditions.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure means comprises an oblique cut provided in the first and/or in the second end of the runner holder, in order to interpose a wedge between said oblique cut in the end of the runner holder and a vertical structure or wall. The wedge makes it possible to secure the adjustable runner holder easily, and in the same way remove said wedge when the formwork phase is finished and the runner holder is not required.

Preferably, the oblique cut of the second end of the adjustable runner holder has the same cutting angle as the pressure means, such that it is suitable for interposing a pressure means in the form of a wedge situated between the telescopic beam and a wall or a roof.

More preferably, said oblique cut forms an angle of between 85° and 45° with the longitudinal axis of the runner holder. More preferably, the oblique cut forms an angle of 80° with the longitudinal axis of the runner holder.

The pressure means could also comprise a resilient part in the form of a resilient stopper which is placed in the first end, in the second end, or in both, in a fixed manner or with a thread system. A threaded foot could also be used. The thread makes it possible to screw the foot so that said foot presses against the vertical structure or wall.

According to another aspect, the projection of the first portion has alignment of orifices, and the second portion has at least one conjugated orifice, such that it is possible to insert a stud through an orifice of the alignment of orifices of the first portion and through the conjugated orifice, for the purpose of fixing the position of the projection in the recess.

Preferably, the cross sections of the first portion and the second portion are equal. More preferably, the first portion and the second portion have a profile with a transverse cross section in the form of a “T”.

Thus, the present invention makes it possible to control the length of the beam within a range of values. The securing of the studs through the plurality of orifices is controlled discontinuously, whereas the pressure means makes it possible to regulate the length according to the present invention continuously. The discontinuous advance is controlled according to the location of the stud situated through an orifice of the alignment of orifices of the first portion . . . an orifice of the second portion. The continuous advance is controlled by means of the pressure means, which is preferably in the form of a wedge. More specifically, the continuous advance is controlled by means of the material and geometry thereof, i.e. the modulus of elasticity and the inclination of the wedge (the oblique cutting angle of the second end). The first portion and the second portion are coupled to one another telescopically. This coupling allows the first portion to be displaced in the recess of the second portion. Said displacement allows at least one orifice of the second portion to be aligned with at least one orifice of the plurality of orifices of the first portion. As a result of said alignment, the stud can pass through the aligned orifices, thus permitting securing between the first portion and the second portion, also known as telescopic coupling.

For better understanding, by way of non-limiting explanation, drawings of an embodiment of the adjustable runner holder which is the subject of the present invention are appended.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of an adjustable runner holder according to the present invention placed between two walls.

FIG. 2 corresponds to another view in perspective different from the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another view in perspective of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the adjustable runner holder embodiment shown in the previous figures.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of the embodiment in FIG. 3, in which the interior elements can be seen.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross section of the embodiment in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 to 3 show schematically an application of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 to 3, for reasons of clarity, the struts which would support the runner holder 1 are not shown. FIGS. 4 and 5 show in more detail the adjustable runner holder 1 in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The adjustable runner holder 1 has an exterior profile which is divided, such that a first portion 60 and a second portion 20 are defined. Preferably, the length of both the first and the second portion must be sufficient to be able to receive a head of the strut which is designed to support said portion.

The first portion 60 has a projection 10 which is inserted in a recess in the second portion 20. The projection 10 has a plurality of orifices 40 disposed in an aligned manner. The second portion 20 comprises at least one orifice 50, the location and dimensions of which are conjugated with the plurality of orifices 40 of the projection 10, such that an orifice 50 of the second portion 20 and an orifice of the projection of the first portion 10 can be aligned when the projection 10 is inserted in the second portion 20.

The orifices 40 and 50 are designed such that they permit the passage of a stud (not shown), for the purpose of fixing the relative position of the first portion 10 and the second portion 20. The stud is inserted simultaneously in an orifice 50 of the second portion 20, and in an orifice of the alignment of orifices 40 of the projection 10, thus determining the total length of the adjustable runner holder 1. In order to vary the total length of the adjustable runner holder 1, the user or operator firstly removes the stud by sliding said stud through a set of orifices of the plurality of orifices 40 and 50, and once the stud has been withdrawn, the first portion 60 is not secured (fixed), with the result that said first portion can slide in the interior of the second portion 20 in order to form a positive or negative extension of the adjustable runner holder 1, i.e. increasing or decreasing the total length of the adjustable runner holder 1. Finally, the user or operator inserts the stud once more through a new set of orifices of the plurality of orifices 40 and 50, thus obtaining a new securing configuration between the first portion 10 and the second portion 20.

In addition, the second portion 20 has a second end 30 of the adjustable runner holder 1 with a pressure means 70, which in this case is in the form of an oblique cut which makes it possible to interpose an element in the form of a wedge.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the wedge 2 is interposed between the adjustable runner holder 1 and a wall 4. Said wall 4 can be any other vertical structure, or structure with a vertical portion. In particular, the wedge 2 is interposed thanks to the oblique cut 30 of the second end of the adjustable runner holder 1. The pressure element provides a double advantage: firstly, it provides the adjustable runner holder 1 with the capacity to have an increase or decrease of continuous length, i.e. the capacity to have continuous, and not discontinuous, advance, such as that which the securing of the stud with the plurality of orifices 40 and 50 has. Secondly, the pressure means 2 facilitates the dismantling of the adjustable runner holder 1 when its use is not required.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a runner holder wherein elements which are the same as, or similar to, those previously indicated are identified with identical reference numerals, and will therefore not be described in depth. A difference of the embodiment in FIG. 6 compared with that in FIGS. 1 to 5 is that, in this case, the pressure means consists of a resilient part 70 situated at the free end of the second portion 70. The resilient part 70 is made for example of an elastomer material such as, for example, rubber, and can apply pressure to a wall by compression, sustaining resilient deformation, and thus regulating the length of the runner holder. Also, the combination of the discontinuous control by means of securing of the first portion 10 and the second portion 20, and the continuous control by means of the resilient part 70, makes it possible to regulate the length of the runner holder.

Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, these should not be considered to limit the invention, which will be defined by the broadest interpretation of the following claims.

Claims

1. A runner holder comprising:

a first portion,

a second portion, and

at least one pressure means which is situated at the first and/or the second end,

wherein the first portion has a first end of the runner holder and the second portion has a second end of the runner holder, opposite the first end,

the first portion has a projection which is inserted in a recess of the second portion, the projection being able to slide inside the recess, such that the length of the runner holder is adjustable.

2. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprises an oblique cut provided in the first and/or in the second end of the runner holder, in order to interpose a wedge between said oblique cut in the end of the runner holder and a vertical structure or wall.

3. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the oblique cut forms an angle of between 85° and 45° with the longitudinal axis of the runner holder.

4. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the oblique cut forms an angle of 80° with the longitudinal axis of the runner holder.

5. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprises a part in the form of a resilient stopper which is placed in the end by means of pressure, or with a thread system.

6. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the projection of the first portion has an alignment of orifices, and the second portion has at least one conjugated orifice, such that it is possible to insert a stud through an orifice of the alignment of orifices of the first portion and through the conjugated orifice, for the purpose of fixing the position of the projection in the recess.

7. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion have the same type of exterior profile.

8. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion have a profile with a transverse cross section in the form of a “T”.

9. The runner holder according to claim 7, wherein the exterior profile is made of a metal material.

10. The runner holder according to claim 1, wherein both the first and the second end comprise a pressure means.

11. The runner holder according to claim 8, wherein the exterior profile is made of a metal material.