EP3017916A1 - Suspension device for surfacing tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) comprises a frame (3) on which is mounted a suspension device (4) of the spring-loaded balancer type (23) comprising a flexible link (5) wound around an axis and whose free end is intended to be fixed on a surfacing tool (2). This flexible link (5) is intended to wind or unwind so as to follow the movements imposed on the surfacing tool (2) by the operator, without hindering them, while supporting the weight of the tool of surfacing (2). The frame (3) comprises two uprights (6) connected in their upper part by a horizontal crossbar (7). Each upright (6) comprises two concentric tubes (8, 9) and a vertical wheel (11) and a bracket (13) at their lower end, each bracket (13) extending at an angle less than or equal to at 90 ° to the uprights (6).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device intended to assist an operator in wearing a surfacing tool such as a sander, a rotary brush, a polisher, a grinder, a grinder, etc.

State of the art

Currently, when an operator uses a surfacing tool on a wall, he must carry the tool, press it against the wall to be surfaced and move it on the wall during the operation of the tool.

Such a tool is usually quite heavy, and its weight is further increased by the presence of an electric cable, and possibly a connecting pipe to a suction system.

This results in a great deal of difficulty for the operator, who gets tired quickly and is likely not to correctly position his tool against the wall to be surfaced because of the effort required to simply bring the tool to the correct height.

Description of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a device to relieve the weight of the tool carried by the operator to increase productivity by reducing the working time and by improving the quality of work.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a device for relieving the weight of a surfacing tool carried by an operator, characterized in that it comprises a frame on which is mounted a suspension member comprising a flexible link wrapped around an axis and whose free end is intended to be fixed to the surfacing tool, this flexible link being provided for winding or unwinding so as to follow the movements imposed on the tool surfacing by the operator, without hindering them, while supporting the weight of the surfacing tool. The operator is therefore relieved of the weight of the surfacing tool, and his work is greatly facilitated.

According to an exemplary implementation, the frame comprises two amounts connected in their upper part by a horizontal cross member. This framework thus delimits a large free space within which the operator can evolve unhindered, and it also allows to work on a large wall surface.

According to another example of implementation, the uprights each comprise two concentric tubes provided to slide in one another and whose overall height can be adjusted by means of a locking member. The device can thus easily be adapted to the working height required for the surfacing tool.

According to a further example of implementation, each amount comprises a vertical wheel at its lower end, these wheels being located in the same plane as that of the frame. These wheels allow to easily move the device laterally, especially so that the operator can continue his work on an area of the wall adjacent to the one he just finished.

According to an exemplary implementation, each amount comprises a handle mounted in a height-adjustable manner, which facilitates the introduction, movement and transport of the device.

According to another example of implementation, each upright also comprises a bracket at its lower end, this bracket extending at an angle less than or equal to 90 ° with respect to the uprights. These brackets allow the device to stand up and guarantee great stability.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, each upright is connected to the horizontal cross member via a connecting element provided to bear against a wall when the device is used against it. When the device bears against a wall, the support of the connecting elements against the wall allows additional stability for the device and allows also to bring the suspension member of the wall so that the surfacing tool is located in the immediate vicinity of the wall that it must work.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the suspension member is mounted on the horizontal crosspiece in a fixed manner in a central position with respect to the cross member, or in a sliding manner so as to be able to be moved laterally towards the cross member. an amount or another. The fixed variant of the suspension member is less expensive, but less advantageous than the sliding variant, which allows said suspension member to follow the lateral movements of the surfacing tool.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention for the sliding variant of the suspension member, the crossmember comprises two parallel rails extending between the connecting elements, and the suspension member is mounted on a carriage provided with casters in rolling support on the rails. The suspension member can thus slide easily along the sleeper.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the flexible link has at its free end a fastening mechanism provided for connecting simply, safely and quickly to the surfacing tool.

According to a further example of implementation of the invention, the suspension member is a spring balancer, whose design and reliability are particularly suitable for relieving the weight of the tool carried by the operator.

The present invention also has many other advantages. Indeed, the design and manufacture of the device are simplified, with a reduced cost since they implement a pair of identical amounts. The device is also removable, easy to set up, move and use. The device according to the invention is as well suited to the work of professionals on construction sites, as the work of individuals in their homes. The device according to the invention is intended to be used against a wall, but it is also stable enough to stand alone on its brackets.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif selon l'invention en appui vertical contre un mur et équipé d'un outil de surfaçage de type ponceuse rotative ; et
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif selon l'invention en appui contre un mur et en position couchée horizontalement sur le plateau d'un échafaudage.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in vertical support against a wall and equipped with a sanding tool rotary sander type; and
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention resting against a wall and lying horizontally on the platform of a scaffolding.

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

The structurally and functionally identical elements present in the figure, are assigned a same numerical or alphanumeric reference.

The device (1) according to the invention is designed to relieve the weight of a surfacing tool (2) carried by an operator.

By front face, we will hear the face of the device (1) according to the invention which is directed to the area to be worked.

The device comprises a frame (3) on which is mounted a suspension member (4) comprising a flexible link (5) wound around an axis and whose free end is intended to be fixed to the surfacing tool ( 2). This flexible link (5) is intended to wind or unwind so as to follow the movements imposed on the surfacing tool (2) by the operator, without hindering them, while supporting the weight of the tool of surfacing (2).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame (3) comprises two uprights (6) connected in their upper part by a crossbar (7) horizontal.

The uprights (6) preferably comprise two concentric tubes (8, 9) designed to slide in one another and whose overall height can be adjusted by means of a locking member (10).

At its lower end, each upright (6) preferably comprises a vertical wheel (11), especially adapted for roll on the ground. These rollers (11) are located in the same plane as that of the frame (3), which allows the device (1) to be moved easily and laterally.

For this purpose, the uprights (6) also comprise handles (12), these handles (12) are preferably mounted adjustably in height on the uprights (6).

Each upright (6) also comprises, at its lower end, a square (13), preferably foldable, and arranged substantially at an angle less than or equal to 90 ° to the uprights (6), and preferably less than 90 ° to allow the upper part of the device to be supported against a wall. The brackets (13) extend in directions parallel to those of the roller axes (11).

In use, when the device (1) according to the invention bears against a wall (14), the brackets (13) rest against the ground (15) so as to hold the frame (3) upright while the free ends of the brackets (13) are provided to come into contact with the wall (14).

The free ends of the brackets (13) preferably comprise a pad (16) on their underside, so that the brackets do not rest directly on the ground (15). These pads (16) can thus have an anti-wear and anti-slip nature.

The rollers (11) preferably have a height greater than that of the pads (16), so that when the device (1) is in a standing position resting on the brackets (13), it leans slightly towards the front in the direction of the free end of the brackets (13), and therefore towards the wall (14) when used in support against it.

Each upright (6) is connected to the crossmember (7) horizontally via a connecting element (17) provided to abut against the wall (14) when the device (1) is used against it .

For this purpose, in its upper part, each connecting element (17) preferably comprises a pad (18) on its front face, namely the face intended to bear against the wall, so that the connecting elements (17) do not press directly against the wall (14). These pads (18) may have a non-slip nature and have a contact surface provided to not damage the wall (14) when the device (1) bears against it.

The uprights (6) can be pivotally connected to the crossmember (7) or the connecting element (17) to be folded over said crossmember (7) when the device (1) is not used. The device (1) is thus compact and can be easily transported and stored.

The suspension member (4) is mounted on the crossbar (7) horizontally, for example fixedly, in a central position or offset from the crossbar (7), or slidably thereon so as to be able to be moved laterally towards an upright (6) or another.

On the figure 1 the suspension member (4) is slidable. According to this embodiment of the invention given by way of example only, the crossbar (7) comprises two parallel rails (19) extending between the connecting elements (17). The suspension member (4) is then mounted on a carriage (20) provided with rollers (21) resting on the rails (19).

The suspension member (4) comprises a flexible link (5) which is wound inside thereof. This flexible link (5) may be a cable, a chain, a rope or any other similar means. At its free end, the flexible link (5) comprises a fastening mechanism (22) provided for connecting it simply, safely and quickly to the surfacing tool (2). It can for example be a shackle or a carabiner.

When the operator uses the surfacing tool (2), the suspension member (4) is provided to carry it dynamically, in order to relieve the weight of the surfacing tool (2) for the operator . Such a suspension member (4) is provided to support said tool (2) so that when the operator releases the surfacing tool (2), it remains at the same height, without going down or up, and does not only goes up or down when the operator prints such a movement to the surfacing tool (2).

When the operator moves the surfacing tool (2), the suspension member (4), and in particular the flexible link is lengthened or shortened to follow the movements of the operator without disturbing them, while continuing to relieve the weight of the surfacing tool (2).

Thus, when the operator moves the surfacing tool (2) upwards, the suspension member (4) is provided for winding the flexible link (5), whereas when the operator moves the surfacing tool (2) down, the suspension member (4) is provided to unwind the flexible link (5).

When the operator moves the surfacing tool (2) laterally, the suspension member (4) can move in the same way in the case where it is slidably mounted on the crossbar (7). The fact that the suspension member (4) is slidably mounted on the crossbar (7) has the advantage of supporting the surfacing tool (2) always in a vertical manner. In other words, the suspension member (4) is always at the right of the surfacing tool (2) so that if the operator drops the tool (2), it does not swing .

In the case where the suspension member (4) is not sliding, it winds or unwinds the flexible link (5) as necessary to follow the movements of the surfacing tool (2). However, the operator remains vigilant and let go of the surfacing tool (2) always to the right of the suspension member (4), otherwise it just swinging may cause injury or damage to the wall to surfacing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension member (4) is a balancer, for example a spring balancer (23).

On the figure 1 , the surfacing tool (2) is represented in the form of a concentric sander (24) supplied with electricity by an electric cable (25) comprising a housing (26) equipped with a pair of handles (27) on its side faces and a rotating disk (28) on its front face. Of course, in the case where a surfacing tool (2) does not include a part to which the fixing mechanism (22) can be hooked, the skilled person will equip the surfacing tool (2) with a such part or provide another means of fixing the surfacing tool (2) to the flexible link (5) without departing from the scope of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the uprights (6) are removably attached to the connecting elements (17), which allows to dismantle the device (1) of the invention in three parts. Since the brackets are preferably foldable along the uprights (6) and the latter are in the form of concentric tubes (8, 9) can be retracted into one another, the three parts obtained thus have a small footprint.

In the preferred case where the device (1) of the invention is made of metal, for example steel, each of the three parts has a weight to be easily transported. In the folded position, the handle (12) of each of the uprights (6) can be advantageously used to transport them.

Similarly, the suspension member (4) may also include a handle for easily transporting the portion of the cross member horizontal (7), connecting elements (17) and the suspension member (4).

In order to perform surfacing work on a wall (14), the device (1) of the invention is placed against the wall (14), with the connecting elements (17) and the free ends of the brackets (13) positioned. resting against the wall (14). The surfacing tool (2) is then suspended inside the space formed by the frame (3) and can be freely manipulated by the operator to work the surface of the wall (14) delimited by said frame. When it wishes to work another part of the wall, the operator slightly pivots the device (1) towards him so as to distance the connecting elements (17) from the wall (14) and to lift the brackets (13) from the ground ( 15). He can then easily move it laterally by rolling it on the rollers (11).

Note that the length of the concentric tubes (8, 9) is provided so as to form uprights (6) to reach the highest parts of a wall (14). Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentric tubes (8, 9) each have a length of between 1m and 1m50.

Note also that the device (1) of the invention can be used without bearing against a wall because the brackets (13) provide sufficient stability by their support on the ground (15). In such a configuration, the device (1) of the invention can be used with a different tool, and not necessarily with a surfacing tool, such as a drill, a hammer drill, a spray nozzle, etc.

Finally, it is obvious that the present description is not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also includes other embodiments and / or implementations. Thus, a described technical feature may be replaced by an equivalent technical characteristic without departing from the scope of the present invention and the device of the invention may be used in a manner not described without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, as shown on the figure 2 , the device (1) of the invention can be used with a scaffold (29), which allows for example to treat high walls, such as facades.

The device (1) is then preferably coated on the trays (30) of one of the stages of the scaffold (29), with the connecting elements (17) being turned at 90 degrees so that the suspension device (4) and the horizontal cross member (7) are oriented as in standing use and that the suspension device (4) can slide horizontally on the horizontal crossbar (7).

For this purpose, the connecting elements (17) may have additional fixing means (31), for example in the form of insertion orifices, for the uprights (6), these additional fastening means (31) being located in the same vertical plane as the initial fastening means, but located at 90 degrees to them.

According to this variant of use of the device (1) of the invention, the handles (12) are mounted on the uprights (6) inclined towards the horizontal crossbar (7) so as to bear against the front edge of the tray (30) on which the device (1) is coated. This inclination of the handles (12) avoids any accidental movement of the device (1) of the invention when it is subject to a scaffold (29).

Claims (8)

Device (1) for relieving the weight of a surfacing tool (2) carried by an operator, characterized in that it comprises a frame (3) comprising two uprights (6) connected in their upper part by a cross member (7). ) horizontally on which is slidably mounted a suspension member (4) to be laterally movable towards a post (6) or another, said suspension member (4) having a flexible link (5) wound around an axis and whose free end is intended to be fixed to the surfacing tool (2), this flexible link (5) being provided for winding or unwinding so as to follow the movements imposed on the surfacing tool (2) by the operator, without hindering them, while supporting the weight of the surfacing tool (2). Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the struts (6) each comprise two concentric tubes (8, 9) provided to be slidable one within the other, and the overall height can be adjusted by means a locking member (10). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that each upright (6) comprises a wheel (11) vertical at its lower end, these wheels (11) being located in the same plane as that of the frame (3). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each upright (6) comprises a handle (12) mounted in a height-adjustable manner. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each upright (6) also comprises a bracket (13) at its lower end, this bracket (13) extending at a lower angle or equal to 90 ° to the uprights (6). Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each bracket (13) is foldable. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sleeper (7) comprises two rails (19) extending parallel between the uprights (6), and in that the suspension member (4) is mounted on a carriage (20) provided with rollers (21) bearing against rolling on the rails (19). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the suspension member (4) is a spring balancer (23).

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