EP0460331A1 - Element for forming slabs or kerbstones, in particular from concrete - Google Patents

Abstract

The element is characterised in that it is made from an injectable material which is shaped to delimit a hollow internal impression (1a) corresponding to the dimensions and shapes of the product to be obtained after casting the concrete, constituting a dead mould thereof. In order to allow stacking of the dead moulds and to solve the problem of drying the stacked products, the moulds comprise a peripheral edge (16) formed as a projection and vertical wings (1c). The wings (1c) are supported on the peripheral edge (16) of the mould situated below projecting from the bottom (1a), thus ensuring good circulation of air between the stacked elements. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to construction materials and more particularly the manufacture of slabs or copings used in particular for swimming pools.

Generally the slabs are obtained in the press from a concrete plant where a high manufacturing cost. In addition, to ensure good performance of the slab, which leaves the press while still being fresh, it is necessary to use very sophisticated means capable of compacting the concrete in a significant manner. The product obtained is therefore very heavy, which poses real problems for transport, considerably increasing costs.

As far as the production of concrete coping is concerned, most are executed entirely manually because it is very difficult, given the profile to be obtained, to use a press.

In addition, the slabs or copings obtained are quite fragile, so that at the time of their handling, storage, or transport, significant risks of scratches and crumbling may appear. Indeed, no means of protection is provided.

To overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed to produce slabs or copings by means of elements shaped to delimit an internal hollow imprint corresponding to the dimensions and shapes of the product to be obtained after pouring a concrete by constituting a lost mold. This state of the art can be illustrated by French Patent N ° 2,546,805.

However, the design of the mold for the production of coping elements as described in the aforementioned patent does not allow the stacking of several molds with concrete without risk of deterioration of the latter.

The invention is therefore set to remedy these drawbacks in a simple and effective manner.

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to avoid damaging the slabs or curbs when stacking the elements acting as molds. Such a problem is solved in that a peripheral edge is formed projecting from the hollow internal impression, in a horizontal plane, to constitute a support rim; external vertical wings are formed projecting from the periphery, under said peripheral rim, said wings being able to bear on the peripheral rim of another element arranged in superposition.

Advantageously, the problem posed is solved in that the vertical wings extend beyond the bottom of the element thus ensuring good air circulation between the stacked elements to solve the problem of drying the product.

Another problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of being able to produce a hanging drop directly at the time of the manufacture of the coping;

This problem is solved in that the element has, in a manner parallel to one of the edges of the hollow internal imprint, an insert capable of producing, after demolding, a hanging drop, in particular in the case of a coping.

According to another characteristic, the bottom of the volume is horizontal or inclined, the vertical wings being the same length so that the squared supporting rim remains in a horizontal plane.

Another problem which the invention proposes to solve is to obtain a coping, the various edges of which, in particular the edges situated beneath the said coping, are largely rounded to avoid any risk of snagging and possible injury. Such a problem is solved in that a part of the mold, in particular at the level of the opening of the hollow imprint, has, directly or in an attached manner, at least one flexible and profiled tongue situated at the level of the edges to present the rounded part considered.

The element according to the invention therefore acts as a lost mold by constituting a protective shell for the transport, storage and handling of the slabs or copings while avoiding, under these conditions, damaging the product. It also appears that immediately after the molding operation as such, it is possible to handle, store and / or transport the product, without having to wait for the latter to be completely dry.

The invention is set out below in more detail in the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the element according to the invention shaped for the manufacture of a coping.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 after pouring the concrete for the production of the coping.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the curb obtained.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shaped element for the production of a slab.

Figure 5 is a sectional view showing the stacking of several elements according to the invention.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the figures of the drawings.

The element according to the invention designated as a whole by (1) is shaped to delimit a hollow internal footprint (1a) corresponding to the dimensions and shapes of the slab with the coping to be obtained after pouring the concrete. Advantageously, the element (1) is obtained by injection of a plastic material and constitutes a lost mold.

As shown in particular in FIG. 1, a peripheral rim (1b) is formed projecting from the internal cavity (1a) to form a horizontal support rim. Under this rim (1b), are formed overflowing the periphery of the element (1), vertical wings (1c) capable of bearing on the peripheral rim of another superimposed element (Figure 5). Advantageously, the vertical wings (1c) project from the bottom of the element (1) so as to leave remaining, after stacking of several elements (1) (FIG. 5), a separation interval (e) to allow the free circulation of air to improve concrete drying.

The internal imprint (1a) of the element (1) is generally quadrangular in particular rectangular or square. The edges or edges of the imprint (1a) are rounded.

For the production of a coping, the lateral edges (1a1) and (1a2) of the imprint (1a) have a different thickness to correspond to the profile in section of said coping to be obtained. It therefore appears that the bottom of the imprint (1a) is inclined relative to the vertical wings (1c) which are of the same length so that the squared support rim remains in a horizontal plane (Figure 2). Obviously, in the case where we want to obtain a slab, the footprint (1a) is thick constant with a horizontal bottom relative to the support plane delimited by the vertical wings.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 1, and in the case of a coping in particular, the element (1) has, in a parallel manner to one of the edges of the recess (1a), an insert ( 2) in the form, for example, of a rod of cylindrical section capable of producing, after demolding, a hanging drop (G). The insert (2) is preferably mounted removably for demolding

The element (1) as defined by the characteristics of the invention makes it possible to produce slabs and copings in a particularly simple, rapid and efficient manner. For this, it suffices to pour, automatically or manually, inside the hollow cavity (1a), the necessary quantity of concrete (B). The element (1) thus furnished can be handled immediately with a view to its storage or transport, the slab or coping obtained being perfectly protected by said element (1). In addition, as indicated above, the vertical wings are supported during the vertical stacking of several elements on the horizontal peripheral rim (1b) thus avoiding any contact with the concrete which is not yet completely dry. The separation interval between each of the elements thus superimposed facilitates the drying of the slab or coping obtained.

According to another characteristic, provision is made to equip the element (1) at the level of the imprint (1a) with at least one profiled tongue (3) of flexible material in particular shaped to produce, after pouring the concrete (B) , a coping whose edge (s), located at the bottom face of said coping when in use, are largely rounded. This tongue is formed directly or in a manner related to the level of one of the external edges of the indentation (1a) (Figure 1).

Obviously, the element according to the invention can be executed in all dimensions.

• la simplicité et la rapidité de fabrication,
• la protection totale de la dalle ou margelle obtenue, pendant son stockage ou transport, compte tenu de l'élément (1) qui fait à la fois office de coquille de protection et de moule perdu,
• la possibilité de stocker et/ou transporter l'élément alors que le béton n'est pas encore sec, la qualité de la dalle ou margelle obtenue,
• la possibilité d'obtenir une margelle directement avec une goutte pendante,
• le poids réduit de la dalle ou margelle obtenue étant donné qu'il n'est plus nécessaire de fortement compacter le béton en vue de sa prise,
• le rebord périphérique d'appui peut également faire office de poignée de préhension pour la manipulation de l'élément garni de béton.

The advantages are apparent from the description. In particular, we emphasize and remember:

• simplicity and speed of manufacture,
• total protection of the slab or coping obtained, during its storage or transport, taking into account the element (1) which acts both as a protective shell and a lost mold,
• the possibility of storing and / or transporting the element while the concrete is not yet dry, the quality of the slab or coping obtained,
• the possibility of obtaining a coping directly with a hanging drop,
• the reduced weight of the slab or coping obtained since it is no longer necessary to strongly compact the concrete in order to set it,
• the peripheral support rim can also act as a grip handle for handling the element lined with concrete.

Claims (6)

Element for the production of concrete slabs and or copings executed in an injectable material shaped to delimit an internal hollow imprint (1a) corresponding to the dimensions and shapes of the product to be obtained after pouring the concrete by constituting a lost mold, characterized in that that a peripheral edge (1b) is formed projecting from the hollow internal imprint (1a), in a horizontal plane, to constitute a support rim; vertical external wings (1c) are formed projecting from the periphery, under said peripheral rim (1b), said wings being able to bear on the peripheral rim of another element placed in superposition. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical wings (1c) project from the bottom of the element. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that it has, in a parallel manner to one of the edges of the hollow internal impression (1a), an insert (2) capable of producing, after demolding, a drop hanging, especially in the case of a coping. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal hollow imprint (1a) is of generally quadrangular shape with rounded edges. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the volume is horizontal or inclined, the vertical wings being of the same length so that the squared supporting rim remains in a horizontal plane. Element according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the recessed impression (1a) has, near at least one of its external sides, a tongue (3) suitably profiled to produce, after demolding, one or more rounded edges.

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