Device for connecting the structural elements of ribs and reticular structures

Abstract

A device for connecting the structural elements, in particular elements of ribs used to support and to consolidate an excavation, reticular structures and similar, comprises at least a first housing ( 4; 44; 403; 411 ) having a cavity ( 14; 414; 144 ) and capable of being associated with a first structural element ( 2; 20; 200; 121 ), at least one connection body ( 5; 56; 511 ) having at least one insertion portion ( 119; 58; 591 ) for insertion in the said cavity ( 14; 414; 144 ) of the said first housing ( 4; 44; 403; 411 ) and capable of being associated with a second structural element ( 3; 30; 131 ), and locking means ( 11, 12, 13, 15, 17; 60, 61, 62, 63, 47; 621, 623, 653 ) for locking the said insertion portion ( 119; 58; 591 ) of the said connection body ( 5; 56; 511 ) inside the said cavity ( 14; 414; 144 ). The housing may be arranged in a cup-shaped element and may be linked in a revolving/hinging manner with the connection body.

1 . A device for connecting structural elements, in particular elements of ribs, reticular structures and similar, comprising at least a first housing having a cavity and capable of being associated with a first structural element, at least one connection body having at least one insertion portion for insertion in the said cavity of the said housing and capable of being associated with a second structural element, and means for locking the said insertion portion of the said connection body inside the said cavity. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said locking means comprise at least one pin cooperating with elastic means and capable of being inserted into a hole made in a side wall of the said cavity of the said first housing, the said pin and the said elastic means being arranged on the said insertion portion of the said connection body. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the said insertion portion of the said connection body has at least one cavity and at least one hole made in a side wall of the said cavity, the said pin being inserted into the said hole and the said elastic means being arranged inside the said cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said locking means comprise at least a first groove made on an internal wall of the said housing, at least a second groove made on an external wall of the said insertion portion and at least one elastic ring arranged in the said first groove or in the said second groove. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said insertion portion is essentially countershaped with respect to the said cavity of the said first housing. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said cavity of the said first housing has an essentially truncated cone shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least a second housing with at least one cavity and capable of being associated with the said second structural element, the said connection body comprising a fixing portion capable of being arranged and fixed inside the said cavity of the said second housing. 
     
     
         8 . The devices according to  claim 7 , wherein the said cavity of the said first housing and the said cavity of the said second housing have essentially the same form. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the said insertion portion and the said fixing portion of the said connection body have essentially the same form. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said first housing and/or the said second housing is/are arranged in a cup-shaped element, the said cup element having a side wall for fixing to a respective structural element. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the said first housing and the said connection body are connected rotatably to each other, preferably by means of at least one hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation, comprising at least a first rib structural element and a second rib structural element, wherein it comprises at least one connecting device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation, comprising at least a first rib structural element and at least a second rib structural element, the said first rib structural element and the said second rib structural element being connected by connecting means, wherein the said connecting means comprise at least one engaging connection element associated with the said first rib structural element and cooperating with elastic means, the said engaging connection element being movable between a first unlocking position and a second locking position with respect to the said second rib structural element. 
     
     
         14 . The rib according to  claim 12 , wherein the said first rib structural element and the said second rib structural element are connected rotatably to each other, preferably by means of at least one hinge, so as to move from a first position in which  1  the said rib structural elements are essentially folded one on the other to a second position in which they are arranged so as to form at least one essentially continuous portion of rib. 
     
     
         15 . A method for installing a rib according to  claim 12 , comprising the following phases:
 transporting the rib into the excavation with the structural elements essentially folded one on to the other according to the said first position;   moving the structural elements of the rib to form an essentially continuous portion of rib according to the said second position;   positioning the structural elements of the rib inside the excavation.