EP0547962A1 - Machine for pile-pointing - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine for sharpening stakes includes: - two pairs of cutters (3, 4) which are offset in the longitudinal direction and can move along lines passing through the axis (5) of the stake (1) and converging on the said axis, - a framework (6) which comprises a table (8) for accommodating the end to be cut, and means for guiding the said cutters (3 and 4) along lines parallel to the faces to be cut. The cutters are driven by means of thrust cylinders (15) and a retraction device makes it possible to move the first set of cutters (3) away when it reaches the table (8) in order to allow the second set of cutters (4) to operate. The machine makes it possible to cut the four faces in the same single operation with high accuracy as to the squareness of the cut faces. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a machine for pointing piles.

The operation of trimming the end of a piece of wood so that it can be pushed into the ground can be done in different ways. These stakes or stakes can be cut using a kind of pencil sharpener to make a conical point. This type of cutting is quite practical to carry out, but it has the disadvantage of making the anchoring of the stake in the ground less effective.

We prefer to the conical point, a pyramidal point, that is to say a point comprising four flat faces which offer a better holding of the stake in the ground.

Machines for tacking the piles are described in particular in documents EP-A-66368 and FR-A-2 440 257. These machines simply cut a pair of opposite faces; the other two faces are cut in a second step, after the pile has been turned a quarter of a turn.

This pivoting operation lengthens the make-up time of a pile; it especially has the disadvantage of favoring a defect in squaring between the two pairs of cut faces.

The present invention provides a machine which has the advantage of cutting a pile very quickly and which above all allows this cutting to be carried out with great precision in terms of the squareness of the pairs of cut faces.

• - une table servant d'appui pour l'extrémité du pieu à tailler,
• - des moyens de guidage desdits couteaux en forme de coulisses solidaires du bâti et de coulisseaux porteurs desdits couteaux ; cette machine comporte plus particulièrement, deux paires de couteaux décalées longitudinalement et disposées dans des plans perpendiculaires : - un premier jeu de couteaux étant mobile dans un premier plan, - un second jeu de couteaux étant mobile dans un second plan perpendiculaire au premier plan et agissant après le premier jeu pour finir de tailler la pointe.

The machine according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, knives which are movable along lines passing through the axis of the pile to be cut and converging on said axis of the pile, and, on the other hand, a frame which gathers:

• - a table serving as a support for the end of the pile to be cut,
• - Means for guiding said knives in the form of slides secured to the frame and of slides carrying said knives; this machine more particularly comprises two pairs of knives offset longitudinally and arranged in perpendicular planes: - a first set of knives being movable in a first plane, - a second set of knives being movable in a second plane perpendicular to the foreground and acting after the first game to finish carving the tip.

This constructive arrangement provides perfect squaring of the cut faces and allows the four faces to be cut in a single operation. The first plane, that is to say the plane in which the first set of knives evolves, is either horizontal or vertical. The other plane, that is to say the plane in which the second game evolves, is, conversely, either vertical or horizontal.

According to a preferred arrangement of the invention, the machine comprises two motor sliders arranged in the same plane, horizontal for example, maneuvered by means of jacks integral with the frame and two sliders arranged in the vertical plane, maneuvered by means of connecting rods which are anchored on the motor slides. Still according to the invention, the slides are integral with the frame, at their rear end, that is to say opposite the knives, by means of a multi-position anchoring, so as to adjust the cutting angle and thickness of the pile tip; this anchoring comprises an axis parallel to the edge of the corresponding knife; these slides are also guided in translation, at the other end, in a plane perpendicular to said edge, passing through the axis of the pile; an elastic return member is interposed between each slide and said frame, to maintain the corresponding knife on its line of action.

According to another essential arrangement of the invention, the machine comprises means for retracting the first set of knives when the latter reach the table; these means consist of a ramp-shaped recess, arranged on the slides carrying said knives, which recess cooperates with a roller-shaped guide secured to the frame, forcing it to move laterally from the table.

Still according to the invention, means of the contactor type, arranged on the slide, cooperate with at least one stop arranged on the corresponding slide to trigger the return of the actuating cylinders, which means are associated with an operating pedal actuated by the operator.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the slides comprise at least two pairs of rollers to guide the corresponding slide, and the actuating cylinder is preferably housed inside the slide, between an axis integral with the latter arranged on the side knives and the axis of articulation of the slide on the frame.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the reception table for the tip of the pile to be cut has extensions extended laterally on the side of the first set of knives; these extensions retract automatically, at the same time as the first set of knives, as soon as they reach the level of said table.

The machine according to the invention preferably comprises anchoring means on a three-point type lifting system fitted on a tractor; it also includes a hydraulic unit connected to the power take-off of said tractor, for supplying the knife operating members.

• - les figures 1 et 2 représentent l'extrémité d'un pieu à pointe pyramidale, vu de côté et vu en bout, respectivement ;
• - la figure 3 illustre, au moyen d'un schéma fonctionnel, la machine à appointer selon l'invention ;
• - la figure 4 représente, de façon partielle, vus de dessus, le bâti et la coulisse et coulisseau de l'un des couteaux moteurs ;
• - la figure 5 est une vue en coupe de la figure 4, selon 5-5 ;
• - la figure 6 est une vue en coupe de la figure 4, selon 6-6 ;
• - la figure 7 est une vue en coupe de la figure 4, selon 7-7.
• - la figure 8 représente un système de rallonges, lesquelles sont disposées de part et d'autre de la table d'accueil de la pointe à tailler.

The invention will be further detailed with the aid of the following description of an embodiment, and of the appended drawings, given for information only, and in which:

• - Figures 1 and 2 show the end of a pile with pyramidal point, seen from the side and seen from the end, respectively;
• - Figure 3 illustrates, by means of a functional diagram, the punching machine according to the invention;
• - Figure 4 shows, partially, seen from above, the frame and the slide and slide of one of the motor knives;
• - Figure 5 is a sectional view of Figure 4, along 5-5;
• - Figure 6 is a sectional view of Figure 4, along 6-6;
• - Figure 7 is a sectional view of Figure 4, along 7-7.
• - Figure 8 shows a system of extensions, which are arranged on either side of the reception table of the tip to be cut.

There is shown, Figures 1 and 2, the end of a pile 1 whose tip is cut according to the invention, according to a pyramid with four perfectly flat faces 2 offering good resistance in the ground. Two opposite faces form an angle of about 20 ° between them.

To make these four faces, as shown in FIG. 3, two pairs of knives 3 and 4 are used; the pair of knives 3 is offset longitudinally with respect to the pair of knives 4, and it is located forward to act first. The distance which longitudinally separates the two sets of knives 3 and 4 is relatively reduced so as to cause said games to act simultaneously during part of the cutting, in order to obtain perfect squaring of the faces 2 constituting the tip of the pile. These knives are in the form of blades. The blades of the knives 3 are vertical while the blades of the knives 4 are horizontal; they include a slight draft in a conventional manner.

The pair of knives 3 moves in a horizontal plane located on the axis 5 which corresponds to the general axis of the machine and to that of the pile 1. In this horizontal plane, each blade of the knives 3 moves along lines which converge on this axis 5; the angle between these lines is around 20 °.

The pair of knives 4 moves in a vertical plane which also passes through the axis 5 and the lines of movement of these knives 4 also converge towards the axis 5.

The machine making it possible to cut the pile consists of a general frame 6 which comprises connecting means 7 with the three-point hitch system of a tractor not shown. This frame 6 comprises on the one hand, means for wedging the end of the pile 1 to be cut, and, on the other hand, means for guiding the knives 3 and 4 along lines parallel to the faces to be cut. The wedging means consist of a table 8 which is centered on the axis 5.

The knives 3 are fixed in cantilever by heads 9, at the end of slides 10; these slides 10 are, in Figure 3, arranged in a horizontal plane passing through the axis 5 of the pile 1; they can be the same way in a vertical plane. These slides 10 converge at a point behind the table 8, on said axis 5. Each slide 10 is guided in a slide 11 which is connected to the frame 6. The slide 10 and the slide 11 have for example a square section which allows suitably guide the knives 3 while keeping them vertical and parallel to each other.

In the same way, the knives 4 are mounted in cantilever by heads 12, at the end of slides 13. These slides 13 are located in the same vertical plane, in FIG. 3, passing through the axis 5. This plane is perpendicular to the plane of the slides 10. The slides 13 also converge towards a point located on the axis 5, behind the table 8. The slides 13 are guided in slides 14 connected to the frame 6. Again the section slides 13 and slides 14 is preferably square to guide the knives 4 while keeping them parallel to each other and perpendicular to the edges of the knives 3.

It is noted that the slides 10 are maneuvered by means of jacks 15. To simplify the figure, a single jack 15 has been shown, in the foreground. This jack 15 is anchored on the slide 10 and on the rear end of the slide 11.

The slides 13 are driven automatically by the slides 10, by means of connecting rods 16 interposed between the heads 9 and 12 which support the knives 3 and 4 respectively.

Note, Figure 3 and more precisely Figures 4 and 5, that the slides 11 and 14 are movable relative to the frame. These slides have in particular the ability to move laterally in their respective plan, that is to say horizontal for the slides 11 and vertical for the slides 14, so as to jump an obstacle automatically on the pile for example or, as detailed below, to deviate from table 8.

The slide 11 is articulated at its rear end on the frame 6, around an axis 17 which is parallel to the edge of the knives 3. The front end of the slide 11 is guided in translation in a slide 18, between two arms which are perpendicular to the edge of the knives 3, to allow movement of said slide 11 in the horizontal plane. In the same way, the slide 14 is articulated at its rear end, on the frame 6, by means of an axis 19 perpendicular to the axis 17. The front end of the slide 14 is guided in a slide 20, in arms perpendicular to those of the slide 18 to allow lateral movement in the vertical plane.

To vary the cutting angle of the piles, it is possible to provide a multi-position anchoring of the slides 11 and 13 on the frame 6, at the axes 17 and 19 respectively. This setting also allows to refine the tip of the stake more or less.

Elastic return members in the form of springs 21 mounted on supports 21 'are interposed at the front end of the slides 11 and 14, between the latter and the frame 6. These springs 21 tend to hold the knives in an elastic manner 3 and 4 in their working position while allowing retraction in the event of obstacles or the like.

The knives 3 constitute the first set which cuts two faces of the tip of the pile 1 and in particular, in FIG. 3, the two vertical faces This first set of knives 3 is arranged just in front of the second set of knives 4, which second game is responsible for cutting the other two faces of the tip of the pile 1.

When the knives 3 arrive at the table 8, they move apart laterally and automatically, on either side of the table 8 to allow the jacks 15 to continue their strokes and to ensure the progress of the second set of knives 4 to table 8, in order to cut the other two faces of the tip of the pile 1. To achieve this retraction of the first set of knives 3, the slides 11, which are each mounted in the slides formed by the arms 18, automatically move apart by means of a ramp 22 arranged on the slides 10 at the level of the heads 9, which ramps 22 cooperate with rollers 23 integral with the frame 6, arranged in yokes 24. These rollers 23 are centered on parallel axes at the edges of the knives 3 and are located at the same level as the table 8, on either side of the latter. The ramps 22 come into contact with the rollers 23 just when the edges of the knives 3 arrive on the table 8. The movement of the slides 10 causes, due to the ramp 22, a movement of separation of the knives 3, laterally, guided in the slides 18.

The knives 3 continue to run, on either side of the table 8, while the knives 4, positioned immediately behind, continue to cut the other two faces of the pile.

Note, Figure 3, a cradle 25 which allows to guide the pile 1 and support it upstream of the knives. This cradle is articulated at the lower part of the head 12 of the knife 4, in FIG. 3. This cradle 25 is connected to the head 12 by means of a return spring 26; it retracts automatically when the knives come into action, while remaining in contact with the pile. A roller 27 disposed at its upper part, around a horizontal axis, facilitates the insertion of the pile and the guiding of its end to be cut up to the table 8.

Knife operations are preferably controlled from a pedal 30 operated by the operator. This pedal 30 is associated with a limit switch 31 which is actuated by stops 32 and 33 arranged on one of the slides 10.

There is shown, Figure 4, in more detail, part of the frame 6 and the displacement means of one of the knives 3 which shape the vertical faces of the pile.

The frame 6 comprises a central beam 35, of square section, centered on the axis 5. At the rear end of this beam 35, there are two pairs of yokes 36 and 37 which are used respectively for anchoring the slides 11 and 14 by means of axes 17 and 19. As indicated above, this anchoring can be of the multi-position type to allow variation of the angle of the tip of the pile. The front end of the beam 35 comprises a transverse plate 38 on which the table 8 and the slides 18 and 20 are fixed.

Note, in Figure 7, the plate 38 secured to the end of the beam 35. This plate 38 is crossed by studs 39 arranged on either side of the beam 35, in a vertical plane; these studs 39 are integral with the table 8 and allow the latter to be adjusted relative to the plate 38. It is also noted, in FIG. 7, that the table 8 is guided at its upper and lower ends between plates 40.

The plate 38 also comprises the slides 18 and 20. These slides consist respectively of arms 41 and 42 arranged in horizontal and vertical planes. These arms 41 and 42 respectively enclose the slides 11 and 14 and allow movement of these slides in horizontal and vertical planes when in particular, the knives associated with these slides meet obstacles.

The slides 11 and 14 are substantially identical in terms of their structure. The slide 11, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is made up of two plates 43 which enclose the slide 10. These plates 43 can be connected together by reinforcement strips arranged laterally. They are fixed to the frame 6 by means of the axis 17 and the yoke 36. We note, at the front end of the plates 43, on the knife side, rollers 44, four in number in the figure, used for guide of the slide 10. These rollers are sandwiched between the two plates 43 and are guided on axes parallel to the axis 17. It is possible to provide additional rollers 44 ′ at the rear of the slides 11, 14 to improve the guide of the slides 10, 13, as shown in thin dashed lines, Figure 5.

In front of the arms 41, we see, in FIG. 4, the return spring 21 interposed between the slide 11 and a lug 21 'mounted on the yoke 24 which is integral with the plate 38 and which supports the roller 23.

A cylinder 15, disposed directly in the slide 10, is anchored at its rear part on the axis 17 and, at its front part, by means of an axis 45, on said slide 10. This cylinder 15 causes a displacement of the slide 10 in the slide 11, with a guide in the rollers 44.

When the knife 3 arrives at the table 8, the slider 10 retracts laterally, automatically, by means of the ramp 22 arranged at its end, and of the roller 23 which is secured to the frame 6 by means of a yoke 24.

The ramp 22, as soon as it comes into contact with the roller 23, causes a lateral displacement of the blade 3 and moves it away from the table 8. The movement of the blade 3 continues towards the plate 38, so as to leave advancing the second set of blades 4 which ends the cutting of the tip of the pile 1. The advancement of the second set of blades 4 is effected by means of connecting rods 16 which join the heads 9 and 12 of the knives 3 and 4 respectively.

Note, Figure 6, the shape of these heads 9 and 12. The head 9 is mounted at the end of the slide 10. It consists of two flat bars 46 which provide the connection between the blade 3 and the slide 10. These two flat irons 46 are spaced apart and in the form of a V from the slide 10. They thus allow the passage of the roller 23 and its support yoke 24 as well as the passage of the chips. We note, integral with the flat irons 46, the yokes 47 used for anchoring the connecting rods 16.

FIG. 8 shows additional means which make it possible to substantially increase the surface of the table 8 to accommodate the end of the pile. These means, which appear in Figure 3 in thin dashed lines, consist of extensions 48 arranged on either side of the table 8, in the plane which includes the first set of knives 3. Each extension 48 is for example in the form of prism, one face of which serves as a table portion, and the top of which, at the end of the other two faces, is articulated on an axis 49. This axis 49 is parallel to the edge of the knives 3, arranged on the side of the table 8 so as to allow passage for said knives 3.

In fact, the extensions 48 are taken in a yoke in the supports 24 which support the rollers 23 serving to spread the slides 10.

The extensions 48 are retractable by pivoting about the axes 49 under the effect of connecting rods 50 interposed between said extensions and the slides 11. These connecting rods 50 are for example articulated on the axis of the roller 44 which serves as a guide for the slide 10. We FIG. 8 shows, in thin broken lines, the extension 48 in the retracted position, with the knife 3 interposed between said extension 48 and the table 8.

This table 48 makes it possible to significantly increase the bearing surface of the end of the pile 1, when the maximum pressure is exerted due to the action of the knives. When the tables 48 retract, the cutting force is already greatly reduced.

Note also, in Figure 4, that the frame 6 comprises a structure 51 which provides the connection between the central beam 35 and the members 7 used to hang the machine on the three-point hitch system of a tractor. This structure 51 also serves as a support for a hydraulic unit 52 which is connected to the power take-off of a tractor not shown; this central unit 52 serves to supply the actuating cylinders 15.

The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims have the sole purpose of facilitating the understanding of the latter and in no way limit their scope.

Claims (10)

1.- Machine for tacking the piles, of the type comprising, on the one hand, movable knives along lines passing through the axis (5) of the pile (1) and converging on said axis of the pile, and, on the other hand part, a frame which comprises a support table (8) receiving the end to be cut and means for guiding said knives in the form of slides integral with said frame and slides carrying the knives, characterized in that it comprises two pairs knives (3, 4) offset longitudinally and arranged in perpendicular planes: a first set of knives (3) movable in a first plane and a second set of knives (4) movable in a second plane, which first set acts before the second game to cut the stake. 2.- machine for adding piles according to claim 1, characterized in that each knife (3, 4) is mounted in cantilever by a head (9, 12) on the end of a slide (10 , 13). 3.- machine for adding piles according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two slides (10) arranged in the same plane, horizontal for example, each maneuvered by means of at least one jack (15) interposed between the slide (11) and said slide (10), and two slides (13) arranged in the vertical plane, maneuvered by means of rods (16), with patellar ends, anchored on said slides (10). 4.- machine for adding piles according to claim 3, characterized in that the slides (11, 14) are on the one hand integral, at their rear end, opposite the knives (3, 4), an axis (17, 19) parallel to the edge of the corresponding knife and anchored on the frame (6), and are on the other hand, guided in translation, at the other end, in a plane perpendicular to said edge, passing by the axis of the pile (1); an elastic return member (21) being interposed between said slide (11, 14) and the frame (6) to keep the knife (3, 4) on its normal line of action. 5.- machine for adding piles according to claim 4, characterized in that the anchoring of the slides (11, 14) on the frame (6) is of the multi-position type so as to vary the cutting angle in particular . 6. Machine for adding piles according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises lateral retraction means of the first set of knives (3) when it reaches the table (8), consisting of a ramp (22) arranged at the end of each slide (10), on the side of the knife, and a guide or roller (23) integral with the frame (6), forcing said slide to move apart. 7. A machine for adding piles according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises, on either side of the table (8), retractable extensions (48), serving to temporarily increase the surface area d support of the end of the pile to be cut. 8. A machine for adding piles according to claim 7, characterized in that the extensions (48) are articulated around axes (49) parallel to the edges of the retractable knives (3), and are taken in yoke in the supports ( 24) rollers (23); each extension (48) is connected to the slide (11) corresponding by means of connecting rods (50) so as to automatically move away from said table (8) at the same time as the knives (3) when the latter reach the table ( 8). 9.- machine for adding piles according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means in the form of a contactor (31), arranged on the slide (11), cooperating with at least one stop (32, 33) disposed on the slide (10), to trigger the return of the jacks (15) which operate the horizontal slides (11), which means are associated with an operating pedal (30) actuated by the operator. 10.- machine for adding piles according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises on its frame (6), anchoring means (7) on the lifting system three points of a tractor, and a hydraulic unit (52) for supplying the operating cylinders (15), connected to the power take-off of the tractor.

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