COILABLE BEAM

POUTRE ENROULABLE

English Abstract

Coilable beam formed by hinged modules, each of which has a rigid part under
compression and a flexible part under traction. The modules have one end that
serves as
a grip through the inside of which is passed a resistant and flexible element,
such as a
cable or chain. By modifying the length of the flexible element between the
grips (or
clamps) the geometric shape of the beam is modified. The beam can be rolled up
on the
flexible element since the rigid part of each module is joined by a hinge to
the
contiguous modules.

Claims

CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A coilable, modular, hinged beam of a variable length and geometry
comprised of a plurality of articulated modules, each module having a rigid
part under
compression and a flexible part under traction; modular coupling means for
pivotally
coupling each rigid part under compression to the rigid part of an adjacent
module and
each module having an end spaced from the rigid part that serves as a clamp
through
the inside of which is passed a resistant and flexible element.
2. A beam according to claim 1 characterised by each of the modular coupling
means comprising a plurality of projections at one end of a rigid part that
corresponds
to recesses in the corresponding opposite end on a same plane of an adjacent
rigid
part, forming an articulated coupling between modules.
3. A beam according to claim 2 characterised by the projections of each
articulation between two modules being aligned and held by a bolt that runs in
the
transversal direction of said projections through facing holes in said
projections.
4. A modular beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said
module coupling means comprises:
at least one protuberance at one end of the rigid compression part of a first
module;
and at least one recess at the other end of the compression part of a second
adjacent module;
and wherein the at least one protuberance at the end of the rigid compression
part of the first module fits closely in the recess at the end of the rigid
compression
part of the second module to form an articulated coupling.
5. A hinged beam according to claim 4, wherein the shape of said
protuberance is a part-cylinder.
6. A hinged beam according to claim 4, wherein the shape of said
protuberance is a part-sphere.

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7. A hinged beam according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said module coupling
means comprises:
at least one protuberance at one end of the rigid compression part of a first
module and at least one protuberance at the other end of the rigid compression
part of
a second module;
at least one transverse hole through at least one of said protuberances on
each
module; and
a pin that passes through at least one of said transverse holes in said
protuberances on each module.
8. A beam according to claim 1 characterised because by increasing or
decreasing the length of the flexible pipe and resistant elements between the
clamps
the geometric shapes of the beam can be modified in the longitudinal
direction.
9. A beam according to claim 1 characterised by a curve in the longitudinal
direction in which size and number of the modules is determined by the shape
and
length of the beam.
10. A beam according to claim 1 characterised because when the beam is not
in use it is rolled into a coil.
11. A beam according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in which each of said
modules is pyramid-like in shape, having an apex coupled to a generally
rectangular
base.
12. A beam according to claim 11 characterised by said hinges being located
at the ends of said generally rectangular base that are coupled to the
adjacent modules
and said clamp is located at said apex.
13. A beam according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised by said
flexible element being a cable.
14. A beam according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised by said
flexible element being a chain.

Description

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COILABLE BEAM
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is a coilable beam, which is modular,
hinged,
of variable geometry and length.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
As State of the Technique it can be indicated that a variety of beams are
known
that are differentiated by their constitution and use, it being their geometry
that defines
the use of each one of these beams.
None of the beams included in the State of the Technique has characteristics
like
those cited above and which are the principal characteristic of the beam of
the
invention, which are, being modular, hinged and of variable geometry and
length.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Each module of the beam of the invention has an upper part subjected to
compression forces, formed by the rigid part of the modules in the shape and
materials
most appropriate to resist the forces of compression. These materials may be,
among
others, iron, concrete, etc.
The lower part of each module of the beam is subjected to traction forces.
This part is formed by flexible elements resistant to traction forces, such as
cables, ropes, chains or similar.
The hinged joint of the rigid parts of adjacent modules, which are subjected
to
compression forces, can be formed by projections on the module that fit into
the
corresponding facing recess on the adjacent module, and vice versa. The
modules
remained joined because they are subjected to compression force and their join
is
guaranteed by the shape of the projections, for example, semi-cylindrical,
semi-
spherical.
The hinged joint on the rigid parts of the modules can also be made using
bolts,
which facilitates mounting in situ since this is a stable join.

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The latter system allows the complete mounting of the beam, joints, rigid part
and flexible part, in areas other than where it is used and its transport
coiled up like a
window blind, taking advantage of the flexible part being coilable.
Any type of curve can be obtained with the beam. The size and quantity of the
modules is determined by the shape and length of the beam that is required in
each case.
The beam can be used as a portico or a projecting beam. When used as a portico
its ends are supported on two pillars and the flexible part is placed on the
lower part,
which is the part subjected to traction. As a projection, one end of the beam
is held
appropriately, with the rigid part of the modules held in the lower part of
the beam
which is the part under compression.
Ease of transport, and the rapidity of mounting, adapting it to the desired
shape,
mean that the beam of the invention is very appropriate, particularly for:
-Construction of stands for fairs and exhibitions.
-Summer or periodic tents with attractive designs.
-Safety in tunnels in a case of emergency or during construction.
-Use for formwork with variable shapes.
-Military use for any type of rapid construction adapted to the land and where
access is difficult (hangars, bridges, camouflages, etc.).
If the beam is used in hangars, it allows the shaping beams of large hangars
to
adapt perfectly to the orography of the land. These structures, appropriately
covered
with camouflage canvas, make these locations appear like a part of the
terrain.
In the construction of tunnels, during the construction of an underground
railway,
railway, roads, etc. and in mining, it is necessary for safety reasons to
quickly reinforce
advances as they are made. In this work immediate needs arise in unforeseen
shapes,
and the use of traditional vertical beams is a bad solution because they
create a barner
that makes continuation of the work difficult, at least for a time.
In formwork, the use of the beam allows special or artistic shapes to be made.
The beam can also be used for formwork where traditional vertical pillars are
not
appropriate, for example when constructing bridges or in works where the
traffic of
persons or merchandise should not be obstructed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a side view of the beam applied or used as a portico.

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Figure 2 shows a side view of the beam used as a projecting beam.
Figure 3 shows a view of the beam coiled in a spiral position when not in use.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of part of the beam perfectly stretched out.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one of the modules of the beam shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 6 shows various views of a module, variation of the invention with
regard
to that shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 shows different views of a solid module as a variation of the
construction of the modules appearing in Figures S and 6.
Figure 8 shows a variation of the construction of the beam of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF HOW TO PUT THE
INVENTION INTO PRACTICE
The beam 1 is formed by hinged modules 2 that form a structure of variable
length and geometry.
Each of the modules 2 has a part with a rigid and/or solid structure 3 which
may
be variable in shape, for example, depending on whether the module is solid or
not.
The rigid and/or solid part of the structure 3 is subjected to compression
forces,
while the part subjected to traction are cables 4 that interconnect the
modules through
the clamps 5.
The modules 2 are joined together by projections 6 and recesses 7 that form a
male/female joint with concave-convex faces.
Another manner of joining the modules is by projections 8 that have a central
transversal hole 9 that, when the projections on two consecutive modules are
aligned, is
held by a bolt 10 that forms a turn axle.
Figures 1 and 2 represent different shapes of beam according to use. In Figure
1
the beam is used as a portico 11 between two pillars 12 or vertical support
structures.
In Figure 2 the beam is placed as a projecting beam 13.
In Figures l and 2 the position of the modules is inverted. That is, the
modules
of the beam in Figure 1 work with the upper end part under compression and the
lower
part under traction. However in the beam in Figure 2 the modules work with the
upper
part under traction and the lower under compression.

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Figure 3 shows the coiling which the beam can undergo for transport and/or
storage.
Figures 1 and 2 also show how the extended beam can take or achieve any type
of curve. The size of the modules and the quantity of the same is determined
by the
shape and length of the beam, according to the needs when in use.
Figure 8 shows the beam in which the flexible element 1 is formed by a chain
13.
The clamps S in this case have bolts 14.
The rigid part 3 of the module can be lowered for storage.
As seen in Fig. 5, module 2 is pyramid-like in shape, having an apex coupled
to a generally rectangular tease, Projections 8 are located at the ends of the
generally
rectangular base that are coupled to the adjacent rnodul~: and clamp 5 is
located at the
apex.
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Representative Drawing