EP1338753B1 - Clamping device for adjusting the displacement between two tubes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fastener for adjusting the sliding between two tubes, and relates more particularly to a fastener used in a stabilization device of a ladder to the right of a blind wall or a facade of a dwelling, a tree, or a pole (see for example US-A-5,511,632).

It aims more particularly to allow a safe intervention of users on a scale, possibly telescopic, resting on a support, and not having anchor points. It is a question of avoiding the displacement of the scale on its support when this one is loaded by a maintenance at height of the scale, while guaranteeing a lateral stabilization of this one.

The known devices of the prior art performing the maintenance of a possibly telescopic scale, consist essentially of the installation of non-skid pads, in particular rubber, at the top and at the base, the lateral amounts constituting the scale. These non-skid pads, to improve the contact with the support, may have a beveled surface so that the bearing surface is no longer a generator but a plane.

In addition, some of the scales of the prior art comprise at least one stabilization system articulated on one of the bars of the ladder and which rests on the support constituted by a wall for example.

This solution partially solves the problem of displacement mentioned above, without taking into account the lateral maintenance.

It is also possible that the ladder rests on uneven ground that does not offer coplanar support to each of the uprights, and despite the possible presence of a stabilization system or skids, the stability of the ladder is taken into account. default.

Conventionally, users are used to remedy this situation by ensuring the ladder using a rope that traps each of the lateral uprights and another fulcrum, which can be for example a support on which rests the scale.

In using a ladder to the right of a facade, the security of the ladder by a rope is no longer possible.

The present invention therefore aims at overcoming the disadvantages of the foregoing devices, by proposing the use of a fastener in a device which ensures the lateral maintenance of the ladder, whatever the flatness of the support and whatever the nature of the vertical support surface (façade wall, pole, etc ...), this device also for distributing or moving the fulcrum of the scale, when used on a fragile support.

For this purpose, the fastener according to the invention, used to adjust the sliding between two tubes forming telescopic masts (4, 5), is characterized in that on one of the masts (4, 5) there is a base (36) with two projecting lugs (37, 38), placed on one side and other of the mast (4, 5), this base being provided with an orifice (39) supporting an axis (40) coaxial with a cam (41).

The rotation of the cam (41) around the axis (40) allows the peripheral portion (42) of the cam (41) to come tangent to the outer wall of one of the poles (4, 5).

This member is advantageously usable on a securing device for a ladder, possibly telescopic, comprising at least two masts, one end of which encloses by a means of cooperation one of the upper bars of the ladder, the other end resting on the ground in a laterally spaced position relative to the lateral uprights of said ladder. Such a device is more specifically characterized in that it is provided with a crossing point comprising a connecting member forming a slider, guided in translation by means of rollers interconnecting two flanges enclosing one of the masts, the slider being further provided with a support formed of two legs, the latter being hinged to allow its pivoting in a direction perpendicular to the translation axis of the slider, to ensure the approximation of a clevis articulated on the one of the legs of the support around the other mast.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe et en élévation latérale illustrant un système de blocage à came entre deux tubes formant l'un ou l'autre des mâts ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe et en élévation frontale de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail du système à came ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe et en élévation latérale d'un dispositif de mise en sécurité d'une échelle, utilisant le système de blocage de l'invention;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe et en élévation frontale de la figure 4.
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe et en détail du dispositif de connexion entre les béquilles télescopiques équipant une échelle ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe et en détail illustrant le dispositif de maintien des parties télescopiques d'une échelle.
• la figure 8 illustre un autre mode de réalisation d'un organe de solidarisation formant curseur le long de l'un ou l'autre des tubes des mâts télescopiques et d'un moyen de coopération ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe et en élévation latérale du moyen de coopération selon un autre mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective de ce moyen de coopération ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe et en élévation latérale, de l'organe de solidarisation formant curseur ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe et en élévation frontale du curseur.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character. In the figures:

• Figure 1 is a sectional and side elevational view illustrating a cam locking system between two tubes forming one or the other of the masts;
• Figure 2 is a sectional front elevational view of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a detail view of the cam system;
• Figure 4 is a sectional and side elevational view of a ladder securing device utilizing the locking system of the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a view in section and in front elevation of FIG. 4.
• Figure 6 is a sectional view in detail of the connection device between the telescopic stands fitted ladder;
• Figure 7 is a sectional and detailed view illustrating the device for holding the telescopic parts of a ladder.
• FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a securing member forming a slider along one or the other of the tubes of the telescopic poles and of a means of cooperation;
• Figure 9 is a sectional side elevational view of the cooperating means according to another embodiment;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of this cooperative means;
• Figure 11 is a sectional and side elevational view of the slider forming member;
• Figure 12 is a sectional and front elevational view of the slider.

According to one embodiment of the invention for adjusting the sliding between two tubes forming telescopic poles 4, 5, a cam system shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is used.

Thus, in FIG. 1, there are shown two tubes 6, 7, produced from a metal or plastic profile, one of which is provided with a base 36 comprising two projecting lugs 37, 38, placed on the and other of tube 6 or 7.

This base 36 is provided with an orifice 39 supporting an axis 40 coaxial with a cam 41. The rotation of the cam 41 about the axis 40 allows the peripheral portion 42 of the cam 41 to come tangent to the outer wall of the cam. one of the tubes 6, 7.

By accentuating the rotational movement of the cam 41 about the axis 40, it causes a wedging of the surface 42 on the outer wall of the tube, resulting in immobilization.

This securing member is advantageously usable in a ladder securing device, for adjusting the sliding between two tubes 6 and 7 forming the telescopic masts. This is in particular a device, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, comprising a scale 1 metal, wood or fiber, possibly telescopic type and may have non-slip pads 2 to the end of the lateral uprights constituting the ladder of the non-skid pads. These scales are commonly used within the maintenance departments of organizations or companies supplying electricity or telephone, or in the building.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, it is reported at one of the last upper rungs of a ladder described above, a securing device 3 which ensures lateral support when the ladder is backed to the top of a facade or a telephone pole, electric, or a tree, thus avoiding its rotation.

The tubes 6, 7 forming the telescopic masts 4, 5 are provided with a plurality of orifices 8 passing radially through the tubes and uniformly distributed over the entire length of the tubes 6, 7.

In order to adjust the height of a telescopic mast 4, forming the securing device 3, the user slides two tubes 6, 7 into each other so as to position the respective orifices 8, the position chosen being locked by the passage of a fastener 9 through the orifices of the known type (pin).

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, one of the ends of each of the telescopic poles 4, 5 is provided with a means of cooperation with at least one of the upper bars of the ladder.

This cooperation means 10 is preferably made using a fork 12 attached, welded or nested, at one end of the tube 6, 7 forming the mast 4, 5 telescopic.

According to another embodiment of the cooperation means 10, shown in Figures 6 and 7, it comprises two claws 34, 35 forming hooks, the opening of each of them is placed head to tail on each side of the means cooperation 10,

Thus, when it is desired to lock the cooperation means 10 on one of the bars forming the ladder, it is sufficient to present the end of the mast supporting the means of cooperation so that the claws 34, 35 are parallel to the axis of the bar, then print a rotational movement of 90 ° to the mast so that each of the claws locks on both sides of the bar.

The rotation in one direction and in the other being limited by the presence of hooks placed head to tail.

Each of the forks 12 encloses a bar 11 in a position that allows a crossing of each of the telescopic masts 4, 5 forming the securing device 3.

At the point of intersection of the telescopic masts 4, 5, the user has a member 13 which links the masts to each other, this member 13 being produced using a carriage which avoids the rotation of the ladder in case lateral fall.

This connecting member 13 is made for example by means of a metal part stamped or welded conforming the carriage, substantially S-shaped, and which is provided with clamping members 14 and a ring.

The connecting member 13 also allows, when the ladder is backed to a pole or the facade of a building or house, thanks to the ring, to ensure the passage of a rope (not shown in the figures) which connects the upper parts of the ladder to the uprights of the lower part.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the connecting member 13 is shaped into a slider.

This comprises two flanges 15, 16, obtained by stamping a metal strip to form two tabs.

These tabs are interconnected by means of a plurality of rollers 17, in particular stainless steel, the latter also making it possible to space the flanges forming the slider by a distance substantially greater than the main dimension of the cross-section of the slats. tubes forming the telescopic masts 4, 5. For example, if these tubes are square cross section, this main dimension corresponds to the edge of the tube.

The flanges forming the slider 13 enclose one or other of the tubes 4, 5 forming one or the other of the telescopic masts, so as to slide freely along these tubes.

The rollers 17 provide both the proper guiding and positioning of the slider 13 along the tubes 4, 5 due to their dimensions (length) and their relative positioning with respect to the axis of the tube, in fact part and other tubes so as to frame them and limit the movements of the slider 13 only in a translation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes.

In addition, to improve the guiding and limit friction, these rollers 17 are mounted free to rotate on pins 18 whose ends are either riveted, welded or bolted to the walls of each of the flanges.

The slider forming the connecting member 13 comprises at one of its ends, at each of its flanges, a pivot point 19, in particular located at an ear zone 20, which allows the pivoting a support 21 in a direction perpendicular to the translation axis of the slider 13.

This support 21 is substantially shaped in a square formed of two parts 22, 23, one of them is located in the extension of the axis of the tubes 4, 5, the other 22 being perpendicular thereto.

This last part 22 is provided with an orifice 24 cooperating at a threaded rod 25.

The other end 26 of the rod 25 cooperates at an orifice formed in a base 27 pivotally mounted between the two flanges 15, 16 of the slider 13.

This assembly 22, 24, 25, 26, 27 acts in the manner of a screw nut system, the threaded rod 25 moving within the orifice made in the base 27 in order to be able, depending on the stroke, allow angular displacement of the support 21 about its hinge axis 19 made between the two flanges 15, 16.

The kinematics for locking the fastening member 13 on the tubes 4, 5 is described in Figures 8 and 9.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the fastening member 13 comprises at the level of the support 21 a holding means 28 with one of the tubes forming one of the masts 4, 5.

This holding means 28 mainly comprises a U-shaped locking yoke 29. This yoke 29 is articulated by conventional means at the end of one of the legs 23 constituting the support 21.

Advantageously, the parts 30, 31 protruding at the clevis 29 hinged are of different lengths and particularly the lower portion 31 is longer than the upper portion 30 so as to allow when the slider 13 is approached to one of the tubes 4, 5, the self-positioning of the yoke 29 around the section of the tube, the upper part fading during the translation of the slider 13 and due to the angular offset of the support 23.

As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, is interposed between the base 27 and the lug 22 of the support 21, an elastically deformable member of the spring type 32 which facilitates the opening or the angular pivoting of the support 21 in order to clear the yoke 29 of the tube 4 or 5 initially held to release the stroke of the slider 13.

In addition, provision is made to have at the free end of the rod 25 a pin 33, perpendicular to the axis of the rod, so as to provide a means for transmitting a torque, in one direction or another, to the threaded rod through an outer member (not shown in the figures), the cane type.

This stud 33 may be replaced in particular by any other equivalent coupling means, of the type splines, thrust ball ...

Advantageously, the telescopic masts 4, 5 have a length greater than that corresponding to the height of the carriage relative to the ground, in order to force the user to position the lower end of the telescopic masts on the ground in a configuration that departs laterally from the base of the lateral the ladder so as to provide lateral stability to the assembly.

The ladder thus installed can also be equipped with a lifeline type "MASPIN", from the top to the ground, on which an anti-fall device slides freely as long as no solicitation transmitted by the individual who is connected does not intervene.

In addition, the lateral uprights of the ladder, alternatively, are equipped with cleats which provide in the lower part additional security thanks to a rope that secures, through these cleats, the ladder to the support.

If the scale is not ensured by the rope passing through the ring and the lower stops, it can be done by placing the pin shown in Figure 4.

The cane which transmits the torque to the threaded rod 25 of the slider 13 and which also allows the latter to be conveyed along the tube, this operation can be performed by the user directly from the ground, without having to go up to the scale in a security concern, is positioned at rest between the two masts and cooperates particularly in the cam systems.

Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment more specifically described above with reference to the accompanying drawings; it encompasses all the variants of the protection being determined by the content of the claims.

Claims (4)

1. Stabilizing element used in order to control the sliding between two internal (7) and external (6) tubes forming telescopic poles (4,5), characterized in that there is placed, at the end of the external tube (6) in which the internal tube (7) slides, a base (36) comprising two projecting lugs (37, 38), each placed on either side of the pole (4, 5), this base (36) being equipped with two holes (39) which are each drilled in one of the lugs (37, 38) respectively, supporting a shaft (40) coaxial with an eccentric cam (41), the cam defining a cam surface (42) which is off-centre with respect to the shaft (40), a rotation of the cam (41) around the shaft (40) making the cam surface (42) tangential to an external wall of the internal tube (7), through reaction on the external tube (6), so that the cam surface (42) is wedged and immobilized on the external wall of the internal tube (7).
2. Stabilizing element according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a support element bearing on the tube (6), while its cam surface is held by the tube (7).
3. A stabilizing element according to claim 1 or 2, in which the lower end of the tube (6) is bevelled, so that the stabilizing element is arranged approximately perpendicular to the tubes.
4. Stabilizing element according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cam (41) is equipped with a lever for driving it in rotation.

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