DEVICE FOR RETAINING MATERIALS

Abstract

The device for retaining materials, includes a retaining structure configured to retain materials; a fastening assembly intended to be fastened to an upstream anchoring point and configured to connect the retaining structure to the upstream anchoring point, the fastening assembly comprising a plurality of connecting elements, each connecting element being flexible and elongate, and comprising a first end portion connected to the retaining structure and a second end portion intended to be connected to the upstream anchoring point; and at least one holding element configured to hold the retaining structure in position and comprising a first end portion connected to the retaining structure and a second end portion intended to be connected to a downstream anchoring point disposed downstream of the retaining structure.

Claims

1. A device for retaining materials, including: a retaining structure configured to retain materials, a fastening assembly intended to be fastened to an upstream anchoring point disposed upstream of the retaining structure, the fastening assembly being configured to connect the retaining structure to the upstream anchoring point, the fastening assembly comprising a plurality of connecting elements, each connecting element being flexible and elongate, and comprising a first end portion connected to the retaining structure and a second end portion opposite to the respective first end portion and intended to be connected to the upstream anchoring point, the connecting elements being configured to form, in use, a pyramidal structure whose apex is oriented in the direction of the upstream anchoring point, and at least one holding element configured to hold the retaining structure in position, the at least one holding element comprising a first end portion connected to the retaining structure and a second end portion opposite to the respective first end portion and intended to be connected to a downstream anchoring point disposed downstream of the retaining structure.

2. The device for retaining materials according to claim 1, wherein the fastening assembly comprises an upstream fastening element intended to be fastened to the upstream anchoring point, each connecting element being configured to connect the retaining structure to the upstream fastening element.

3. The device for retaining materials according to claim 2, wherein the upstream fastening element is connected to the retaining structure only by the connecting elements.

4. The device for retaining materials according to claim 1, wherein the fastening assembly is devoid of any retaining bar arranged to retain the retaining structure and to connect the retaining structure to the upstream anchoring point.

5. The device for retaining materials according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holding element is flexible and elongate.

6. The device for retaining materials according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure comprises at least one retaining element configured to retain materials, and first and second support elements configured to support the at least one retaining element.

7. The device for retaining materials according to claim 6, wherein the first and second support elements extend substantially parallel to each other.

8. The device for retaining materials according to claim 6, wherein the retaining structure includes a plurality of retaining elements extending substantially parallel to each other.

9. The device for retaining materials according to claim 6, wherein the fastening assembly comprises first and second pairs of connecting elements, each connecting element of the first pair being connected to the first support element and each connecting element of the second pair being connected to the second support element.

10. The device for retaining materials according to claim 9, wherein each of the first and second support elements includes first and second fastening portions shifted with respect to each other, the connecting elements of the first pair being connected respectively to the first and second fastening portions (18, 19) provided on the first support element, the connecting elements of the second pair being connected respectively to the first and second fastening portions provided on the second support element.

11. The device for retaining materials according to claim 10, which comprises two holding elements, one being connected to the second fastening portion (19) provided on the first support element, the other being connected to the second fastening portion provided on the second support element.

12. The device for retaining materials according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure includes first and second bearing elements configured to bear on the ground.

13. The device for retaining materials according to claim 2, wherein the fastening assembly is devoid of any retaining bar arranged to retain the retaining structure and to connect the retaining structure to the upstream anchoring point.

14. The device for retaining materials according to claim 3, wherein the fastening assembly is devoid of any retaining bar arranged to retain the retaining structure and to connect the retaining structure to the upstream anchoring point.

15. The device for retaining materials according to claim 2, wherein the at least one holding element is flexible and elongate.

16. The device for retaining materials according to claim 3, wherein the at least one holding element is flexible and elongate.

17. The device for retaining materials according to claim 4, wherein the at least one holding element is flexible and elongate.

18. The device for retaining materials according to claim 14, wherein the at least one holding element is flexible and elongate.

19. The device for retaining materials according to claim 18, wherein the retaining structure comprises at least one retaining element configured to retain materials, and first and second support elements configured to support the at least one retaining element.

20. The device for retaining materials according to claim 19, wherein the first and second support elements extend substantially parallel to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Anyway, the invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, as non-limiting examples, several embodiments of this device for retaining materials.

[0064] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for retaining materials according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0065] FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged views of two details of the retaining device of FIG. 1.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a side view of the retaining device of FIG. 1 in the use position.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a top view of the retaining device of FIG. 1.

[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a device for retaining materials according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0069] FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged views of two details of the retaining device of FIG. 6.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a top view of the retaining device of FIG. 6.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a device for retaining materials according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] FIGS. 1 to 5 represent a first embodiment of a retaining device 2 configured to retain solid materials, such as soil, snow and gravel.

[0073] The retaining device 2 comprises a retaining structure 3 with a rectangular general shape and extending substantially according to a retaining plane. According to the first embodiment, the retaining structure 3 comprises a plurality of retaining elements 4 extending substantially parallel to each other. The retaining elements 4 are associated in pairs, so that two retaining elements 4 of the same pair are disposed side by side, and each pair of retaining elements is located at a distance from an adjacent pair. For example, each retaining element 4 may be formed by a retaining beam which may in particular be made of wood.

[0074] The retaining structure 3 also comprises first and second support elements 5, 6 configured to support the retaining elements 4. According to the first embodiment, the first and second support elements 5, 6 extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the retaining elements 4, and each is formed by a support beam which may for example be metallic.

[0075] According to the first embodiment, each retaining element 4 comprises more particularly a first end portion 4a fastened on the first support element 5, and a second end portion 4b fastened on the second support element 6, and the first and second end portions 4a,4b of each retaining element 4 are fastened on the first and second support elements 5, 6 via fastening calipers 7 having a U-like general shape. To this end, each of the first and second support elements 5, 6 includes immobilizing legs 8 (shown more particularly in FIG. 2) distributed along the respective support element and each provided with a passage orifice 9, and each fastening caliper 7 includes a two lateral branches 11 configured to extend through a pair of passage orifices 9 provided on the respective support element. Advantageously, each lateral branch 11 is provided with a thread, and is configured to be immobilized on the respective immobilizing leg 8 using a fastening nut 12 capable of cooperating with the thread provided thereon.

[0076] As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the retaining structure 3 further comprises a first bearing element 13 and a second bearing element 14 disposed respectively on the first and second support elements 5, 6, and configured to bear on the ground. Each of the first and second bearing elements 13, 14 may be attached, for example in a removable manner, on the respective support element.

[0077] In addition, the retaining device 2 comprises a fastening assembly 15 intended to be fastened to an upstream anchoring point disposed upstream of the retaining structure 3, and configured to connect the retaining structure 3 to the upstream anchoring point. The fastening assembly 15 is disposed at the upstream side of the retaining structure 3.

[0078] More particularly, the fastening assembly 15 comprises an upstream fastening element 16 intended to be fastened to the upstream anchoring point, and a plurality of connecting elements 17 configured to connect the retaining structure 3 to the upstream fastening element 16. Advantageously, the fastening assembly 15 is devoid of any retaining bar arranged to retain the retaining structure 3 and to connect the retaining structure 3 to the upstream fastening element 16. Thus, the upstream fastening element 16 is connected to the retaining structure 3 only by the connecting elements 17. For example, the upstream fastening element 16 may delimit a retaining passage, and be formed in particular by a fastening shackle.

[0079] Each connecting element 17 is flexible and elongate, and comprises a first end portion 17a fastened to the retaining structure 3, and a second end portion 17b opposite to the respective first end portion and fastened to the upstream fastening element 16. According to the first embodiment, each connecting element 17 is formed by a metallic link cable, and each of the first and second end portions 17a, 17b of each connecting element 17 includes a fastening loop.

[0080] According to the first embodiment, the fastening assembly 15 comprises more specifically a first pair of connecting elements 17 whose first ends 17a are connected to the first support element 5 and a second pair of connecting elements 17 whose first ends 17a are connected to the second support element 6, and the connecting elements 17 are configured to form, under conditions of use, a pyramidal structure whose apex is oriented in the direction of the upstream fastening element 16.

[0081] According to the first embodiment, the first support element 5 includes a first fastening portion 18 and a second fastening portion 19 longitudinally shifted with respect to each other, and the second support element 6 includes a first fastening portion 21 and a second fastening portion 22 longitudinally shifted with respect to each other. The connecting elements 17 of the first pair are connected respectively to the first and second fastening portions 18, 19 provided on the first support element 5, and the connecting elements 17 of the second pair are connected respectively to the first and second fastening portions 21, 22 provided on the second support element 6. Advantageously, the first fastening portion 18 provided on the first support element 5 is disposed in the proximity of the first bearing element 13, and the first fastening portion 21 provided on the second support element 6 is disposed in the proximity of the second bearing element 14. In addition, the distance between the first and second fastening portions 18, 19 is advantageously substantially identical to the distance between the first and second fastening portions 21, 22.

[0082] The retaining device 2 further comprises a retaining assembly 23 intended to be fastened to a downstream anchoring point disposed downstream of the retaining structure 3, and configured to hold the retaining structure 3 in position. The retaining assembly 23 is disposed at the downstream side of the retaining structure 3. More particularly, the retaining assembly 23 comprises a downstream fastening element 24 intended to be fastened to the upstream anchoring point, and a plurality of holding elements 25 configured to connect the retaining structure 3 to the downstream fastening element 24 and to hold the retaining structure 3 in position.

[0083] Each holding element 25 is flexible and elongate, and comprises a first end portion 25a fastened to the retaining structure 3, and a second end portion 25b opposite to the respective first end portion and fastened to the downstream fastening element 24. According to the first embodiment, each holding element 25 is formed by a metallic holding cable, and each of the first and second end portions 25a, 25b of each holding element 25 includes a holding loop.

[0084] According to the first embodiment, the retaining assembly 23 comprises two holding elements 25, the first end portion 25a of one of the holding elements 25 being connected to the second fastening portion 19 provided on the first support element 5, and the first end portion 25a of the other one of the holding elements 25 being connected to the second fastening portion 22 provided on the second support element 6.

[0085] According to the first embodiment, the first fastening portion 18 includes a fastening leg 26 equipped with a fastening member 27 on which is fastened the first end portion 17a of the respective connecting element 17, and the second fastening portion 19 includes a first fastening leg 28 equipped with a fastening member 29 on which is fastened the first end portion 17a of the respective connecting element 17, and a second fastening leg 31 equipped with a fastening member 32 on which is fastened the first end portion 25a of the respective holding element 25. Similarly, the first fastening portion 21 includes a fastening leg 33 equipped with a fastening member 34 on which is fastened the first end portion 17a of the respective connecting element 17, and the second fastening portion 22 includes a first fastening leg 35 equipped with a fastening member 36 on which is fastened the first end portion 17a of the respective connecting element 17, and a second fastening leg 37 equipped with a fastening member 38 on which is fastened the first end portion 25a of the respective holding element 25.

[0086] For example, each fastening member 27, 29, 34, 36 may be pivotally mounted on the respective fastening leg about a pivot axis, and delimit a retaining passage receiving the first end portion 17a of the respective connecting element 17. Similarly, each fastening member 32, 38 may for example be pivotally mounted on the respective fastening leg about a pivot axis, and delimit a retaining passage receiving the first end portion 25a of the respective holding element 25. For example, each fastening member 27, 29, 32, 34, 36, 38 may be formed by a fastening shackle.

[0087] FIGS. 6 to 9 represent a retaining device 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the retaining structure 3 further comprises a first reinforcing element 41 configured to connect the first fastening portion 18 provided on the first support element 5 to the second fastening portion 22 provided on the second support element 6, and a second reinforcing element 42 configured to connect the second fastening portion 19 provided on the first support element 5 to the first fastening portion 21 provided on the second support element 6. Advantageously, each of the first and second reinforcing elements 41, 42 is flexible and elongate. Each of the first and second reinforcing elements 41, 42 may be formed by a reinforcing cable, for example metallic.

[0088] The retaining device 2 according to the second embodiment further differs from the first embodiment in that the first and second support elements 5, 6 respectively include first and second support beams made of wood, and in that the first and second fastening portions 18, 19, 21, 22 are metallic and attached on the wood-made support beams.

[0089] The retaining device 2 according to the second embodiment of the invention also differs from the first embodiment in that the retaining elements 4 are fastened by screwing on the first and second support elements 5, 6.

[0090] FIG. 10 represents a retaining device 2 according to a third embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the retaining structure 3 comprises a retaining net 43 instead of the retaining elements 4, and in that the first and second support elements 5, 6 are interlaced and form a cross, and in that the holding assembly 23 includes one single holding element 25 whose first end portion 25a is connected at the level of the cross area of the first and second support elements 5, 6.

[0091] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this retaining device, described hereinabove as examples, but it comprises, on the contrary, all variants thereof.