WO2018154554A2 - Apparatus for arching bamboo canes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention consists of an apparatus that arches bamboo canes of any diameter in order to then be used in construction as structural elements, mainly in light constructions and furniture. It is made up of a pedestal with two overlapping tubes that are open at the ends thereof, with the ability to be flexed close to the separation between both tubes, which have the function of housing and preventing the slippage of the bamboo cane, while it is subjected to pulling by means of a tensioning mechanism coupled to the stand. A telescopic pole with a guide cylinder on the end thereof is located at the bending point of the cane in order to ultimately make the bamboo semi- arch.

Description

APPARATUS FOR ARCHING BAMBOO CANES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be included in the field of the wood industry, in particular, in the construction and rural infrastructure sectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for arching bamboo canes with the aim of making arches that will act as structures for different types of constructions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bamboo is known as "green steel" due to the great resistance it has to tensile and compressive stress. The main advantage it has over wood is rapid growth and versatility in the construction and furniture manufacturing industries. This species has longitudinal fibers that can be bent at different angles when it has been freshly harvested, based on the force applied and the bending point.

Once bent, the canes will be able to be used as structural elements for columns, beams and roof parts, among other uses. However, in order to perform the arching of the canes, an apparatus is needed that can curve it in a gradual and limited manner in order to not deteriorate the physical structure thereof and conserve the appearance.

There is an alternative, such as the invention US1461471 A of the inventor Frank H. Bancroft, published in 1923, which consists of an apparatus for bending short and thin pieces of wood in order to irregularly shape the curved or bent parts, used in the construction of different types of furniture such as chairs and tables.

The proposed invention has large differences when compared to the one registered by Bancroft, since the present invention is an apparatus for bending whole bamboo canes that are over 10 meters long and have base diameters of about 15 centimeters, while Bancroft's design is specialized for small pieces of wood for furniture. Furthermore, the apparatus that is proposed is large, robust for supporting large forces, easy to operate, has less parts and the design is completely different from the one presented by Bancroft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention consists of arching or bending bamboo canes to make bamboo semi-arches for construction. Two semi-arches assembled facing each other will make up a complete arch and an assembly of arches will act as a structure for different types of constructions, from houses to greenhouses.

Therefore, one aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for arching bamboo canes characterized in that it comprises:

• a stand as a base,

· an assembly of tubes made up of a first tube and a second tube, both open at the ends thereof, where the first tube is joined by one of the ends thereof to the stand and the second tube is arranged after the first tube, said tubes being configured to house the bamboo cane and prevent the slippage thereof while it is arched,

• a telescopic pole configured to bend the bamboo cane along the exposed portion of the cane located between the first and the second tube, wherein said pole comprises elements for joining to the stand and a rotating cylinder on the end of the pole opposite from the base thereof, which serves to flex the bamboo cane at a certain point,

• a tension assembly that connects the stand to the second tube, said tension assembly being configured to pull the bamboo cane and thus force the arching thereof.

The first and the second tube preferably have the ability to be flexed between each other, that is, they are rigid rubes on their own but are flexible between each other and will be able to be moved in different directions.

The stand is preferably made of metal.

In an ideal design of the invention, the elements for joining to the stand of the telescopic pole comprise a coupler and a ball joint.

In an ideal design of the invention, the tensioning assembly comprises:

- a joining ring that connects to three braces joined to the second tube with a main brace connected to the stand,

- a tensioning mechanism that pulls the main brace, said tensioning mechanism being provided with a tension meter.

The apparatus thus described enables bamboo canes of any diameter to be arched in order to then be used in the construction of structural elements, mainly in light constructions and furniture. Preferably, the apparatus thus described is used to bend whole bamboo canes that are over 10 meters long and have base diameters of about 15 centimeters.

The bamboo canes must be physiologically mature so that the apparatus may work efficiently, conserving the physical structure and appearance thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures represent the following by way of illustration and not limitation:

FIG. 1 . Shows a side view of the apparatus for arching bamboo canes of the present invention.

FIG. 2. Shows a top view of the apparatus for arching bamboo canes of the present invention.

FIG. 3. Shows a front view of the apparatus for arching bamboo canes of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided below, with the help of the attached figures 1 to 3 mentioned above (the figures are not to scale).

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the apparatus for arching a bamboo cane. The cane (2) is placed inside the tubes (1 and 3) and the telescopic pole (8) acts as a support at the bending point of the cane (2) together with the rotating guide cylinder (4). The pole (8) is connected by means of a coupler (13) to the stand (12) by means of a ball joint (14). The tension assembly comprises a ring (9) that connects the braces (5,6,7) joined to the upper tube (3) with the main brace (15) that is in turn pulled by the tensioning mechanism (1 1 ), the tension of which is registered in the tension meter (10), while the entire tension assembly is coupled to the stand (12).

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus showing the cane (2) which is introduced into the tubes (1 and 3), on the stand (12).

FIG. 3 is a front view that shows the metal tubes (1 and 3) that cover the cane (2), the rotating guide cylinder (4), the joining ring (9), the main brace (15), and the tensioning mechanism (1 1 ) with the tension meter (10); the entire system is supported by the stand (12).

Claims

1 . An apparatus for arching bamboo canes characterized in that it comprises:

• a stand as a base,

· an assembly of tubes made up of a first tube and a second tube, both open at the ends thereof, where the first tube is joined by one of the ends thereof to the stand and the second tube is arranged after the first tube, said tubes being configured to house the bamboo cane and prevent the slippage thereof while it is arched,

· a telescopic pole configured to bend the bamboo cane along the portion of the cane located between the first and the second tube, where said pole comprises elements for joining to the stand and a rotating cylinder on the end of the pole opposite from the base thereof, which serves as a bending point of the bamboo cane,

· a tension assembly that connects the stand to the second tube, said tension assembly being configured to pull the bamboo cane and thus force the arching thereof.

2. The apparatus for arching, according to claim 1 , wherein the elements for joining to the stand of the telescopic pole comprise a coupler and a ball joint.

3. The apparatus for arching, according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly comprises:

- a joining ring that connects to three braces joined to the second tube with a main brace connected to the stand,

- a tensioning mechanism that pulls the main brace, said tensioning mechanism being provided with a tension meter.