EP3659771A1 - Portable tool for cutting slates - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a slate cutting tool comprising a transport system which keeps the system balanced during transport and allows it to be hoisted. The tool (100) comprises: • a cutting table (110) carrying a slot cutting (111) above which is arranged a guide rail (120), • a cutting carriage (130) slidably mounted along the guide rail (120) and provided with a cutting disc (133) , The cutting carriage (130) comprises a stop orifice (134) and the guide rail (120) comprises a blocking orifice (125) and a reversible fixing means (126) of a locking rod (190 ) in engagement with the locking orifice (125) and with the stop orifice (134), in the locking position, the locking orifice (125) being arranged so that in the locking position, the cutting carriage (130) is locked in the middle of the guide rail (120).

Description

The invention relates to a slate or plate cutting tool of similar material, in particular transportable and usable on a roof.

In the area of residential roofing, several materials can be used: zinc, tile or stone, such as slate. Other synthetic materials can be used to imitate the appearance of the previously mentioned materials. For example, mention may be made of fiber cement sheets as a material similar to slate.

In the field of slate roofing, there are many tools specific to this material and intended to cut the plates, to cut them according to a chosen curved shape, to drill them and to fix them.

In general, the roofer cuts the slate plates on the ground to the general dimension desired, then mounts them on the roof to be covered and cuts them more finely using pliers or special hammers. Then he pierces them (also called "punching") and fixes them with hooks on the roof battens. These are longitudinal battens, generally made of wood, fixed transversely to the frame (generally the rafters) of the roof and perpendicular to the slope of the roof.

Once the slates are laid, either the roofer detaches from the fall protection system and goes down from the roof to prepare new slates, or he is helped by an assistant who can mount new pre-cut slates to save time and avoid him to come off. In the latter case, the labor costs are much higher.

One of the best known slate or fiber cement cutting tools is the CA600 model from JOUANEL. This tool comprises a frame delimiting a cutting table carrying a cutting slot above which a guide rail is arranged. A carriage fitted with a cutting disc engaged in the slot and a pull handle is mounted sliding on the rail. A first end of the rail comprises a reversible retaining means (generally a ball screw) of the carriage and the other end comprises a shock absorption buffer at the end of the stroke.

The tool also includes a support table preferably provided with squaring stops. The support table is mounted coplanar with the cutting table to allow the support of part of the plate during cutting. It can be attached to the right or left of the cutting table depending on whether the operator is left or right handed.

The latter then places the plate to be cut on the cutting table and the support table. Then, he unlocks the retaining means and then pulls the cart towards him to cut the plate. Finally, it replaces the cart at the first end and locks it to prevent it from sliding on its own and injuring the user.

This tool is very heavy (over 22 kg) and cannot be carried on the roof by one person.

Cutting waste discharged through the slot falls directly on the ground which can be swept later.

To be moved, the tool comprises a grip handle fixed to the body of the tool in a plane perpendicular to the cutting plane. It also includes a device for locking the carriage at one end of the rail during transport to prevent the latter from rolling along the guide and creating a dangerous imbalance due to its weight while the user holds the handle in one or two hands.

To overcome these problems, a similar design tool has been proposed, much lighter, and intended to be mounted and used directly on the roof, called "Mini Cad" from the company DIMOS.

This tool includes a frame raised by toothed feet and a chute for collecting cutting waste surmounted by the cutting table carrying the cutting slot. The collection chute is necessary to prevent waste from damaging the roof. The tool also includes a guide rail, a cutting carriage, as well as a support table to be fixed to the right or left of the cutting table depending on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.

The spacing of the feet is chosen so that they can be inserted between two battens to keep the tool on the roof and prevent it from slipping. Once the surface near the user is covered with slate, the latter slightly raises the tool to disengage the teeth from the batten and slides the tool near a new area to be covered.

If this tool has the advantage of allowing slates to be cut on the roof, that is to say at the place of use of the slates, it still has many drawbacks.

The presence of the collecting chute between the cutting table and the feet makes the tool very unstable and the latter tilts systematically when the user leans on the support table. The tilting can be limited if the teeth of the feet bite strongly in the battens, but the latter is then damaged.

The collecting chute includes a bottom mounted to pivot vertically, so that to empty the chute, the tool must be tilted to the side and the bottom pivoted. It is then necessary to shake the open tool to remove the waste, but given its size and weight in this position, it is common for the user to drop it. Furthermore, it is common for the bottom of the chute to come off during transport, which empties the chute in an undesired location and risks injuring the user.

To be able to be transported on the roof, this tool comprises on the one hand a transport strap fixed to the frame and on the other hand a device for reversible blocking of the carriage at a first end of the rail to prevent the latter from rolling along the guide during movement. Thanks to the strap, the user can use both hands to climb on the roof.

However, the tool is in great imbalance due to the locking arrangement and the tool weighs heavily on the shoulder of the user during the climb on the roof. Because of this imbalance, the tool can not be hoisted on the roof with a rope, at the risk of damaging the tool and / or the house.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a slate cutting tool usable on a roof, light, practical, safe and economical.

By practice is meant that the tool must be able to be handled easily, without requiring significant effort.

By sure, we mean that the tool must be stable (no tilting or imbalance), both in use and in transport.

According to the invention, the tool comprises a very ergonomic transport system because it keeps the system balanced during transport and allows it to be hoisted without risk of imbalance.

• une table de découpe portant une fente de découpe au-dessus de laquelle est agencé un rail de guidage,
• un charriot de découpe monté coulissant le long du rail de guidage et muni d'un disque de découpe engagé dans la fente et d'une poignée de préhension.

Thus, the subject of the invention is a tool for cutting a slate plate or similar material comprising:

• a cutting table carrying a cutting slot above which a guide rail is arranged,
• a cutting carriage mounted sliding along the guide rail and provided with a cutting disc engaged in the slot and a grip handle.

According to the invention, the cutting carriage comprises a stop orifice and in that the guide rail comprises a blocking orifice and a reversible fixing means for a locking rod engaged with the blocking orifice and with the stop orifice, in the locked position, the blocking orifice being arranged so that in the locked position, the cutting carriage is locked in the middle of the guide rail.

• l'orifice d'arrêt peut être porté par une tête creuse fixée au charriot de découpe ;
• l'orifice de blocage peut être agencé sur un plan médian de l'outil passant par un milieu de rail de guidage ;
• le charriot de découpe peut comprendre un arbre de rotation du disque de découpe, cet arbre de rotation comprenant une extrémité munie d'une tête creuse portant l'orifice d'arrêt;
• le moyen de fixation réversible peut être un taraudage et la tige de verrouillage est une tige filetée ;
• le taraudage peut être porté par un insert métallique fixé au rail de guidage ;
• la tige de verrouillage peut être solidaire d'un moyen de contrainte élastique réversible qui maintient la tige en position de blocage ;
• la tige de verrouillage peut être également en prise avec un dispositif à cliquet permettant le blocage de la tige en position de verrouillage ; et/ou
• le charriot de découpe peut comprendre un second orifice d'arrêt et en ce que le rail de guidage comprend un second orifice de blocage et un second moyen de fixation réversible d'une seconde tige de verrouillage en prise avec le second orifice de blocage et le second orifice d'arrêt, en position de verrouillage, le second orifice de blocage étant agencé sur le même plan médian de l'outil que le premier orifice de blocage mais de manière opposée au premier orifice de blocage par rapport au charriot de découpe.

According to other embodiments:

• the stop orifice can be carried by a hollow head fixed to the cutting carriage;
• the blocking orifice can be arranged on a median plane of the tool passing through a middle of the guide rail;
• the cutting carriage can comprise a rotation shaft of the cutting disc, this rotation shaft comprising an end provided with a hollow head carrying the stop orifice;
• the reversible fixing means can be a thread and the locking rod is a threaded rod;
• the internal thread can be carried by a metal insert fixed to the guide rail;
• the locking rod can be secured to a reversible elastic constraint means which keeps the rod in the locked position;
• the locking rod can also be engaged with a ratchet device allowing the locking of the rod in the locking position; and or
• the cutting carriage may include a second stop orifice and in that the guide rail comprises a second blocking orifice and a second reversible fixing means for a second locking rod engaged with the second blocking orifice and the second stop orifice, in the locked position, the second blocking orifice being arranged on the same median plane of the tool as the first blocking orifice but opposite to the first blocking orifice relative to the cutting carriage.

Independently of or in combination with the preceding tool, the invention also relates to a grip handle for a tool for cutting slate or similar material, the tool comprising a cutting carriage mounted sliding along a guide rail and provided with a cutting disc and a disc protection casing, the casing consisting of two covers each comprising at least three fixing lugs. According to the invention, the handle comprises two pull handles connected to each other by a common end, each handle also comprising a free end, the two free ends and the common end comprising a cap for fixing to the casing shaped to cover at least partially, in the fixing position, a fixing lug of the first cover and a fixing lug of the second cover, so that the two covers of the casing cannot move away from each other by fixing position.

• le capuchon de l'extrémité commune comprend un cavalier muni d'orifices destinés à recevoir un organe de fixation du cavalier sur un ergot de fixation du premier capot du carter et sur un ergot de fixation du deuxième capot du carter ; et/ou
• la poignée de préhension peut comprendre, en outre, une troisième anse de portage reliant les deux anses de tirage et agencée au-dessus de l'extrémité commune.

According to other embodiments:

• the cap of the common end comprises a jumper provided with holes intended to receive a member for fixing the jumper on a lug for fixing the first housing cover and on a lug for fixing the second housing cover; and or
• the gripping handle may further comprise a third carrying handle connecting the two pull handles and arranged above the common end.

• la figure 1, une vue schématique en perspective d'un outil de découpe selon l'invention en position de transport;
• la figure 2, une vue schématique en perspective d'un agrandissement partielle de l'outil de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3 et 4, des vues schématiques partielle en plan d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un système de verrouillage du charriot selon l'invention en position d'utilisation et en position de verrouillage ;
• les figures 5 et 6, des vues schématiques partielle en plan d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un système de verrouillage du charriot selon l'invention en position d'utilisation et en position de verrouillage ;
• la figure 7, une vue schématique en perspective de l'outil de la figure 1 partiellement éclatée au niveau de la poignée de préhension ;
• la figure 8, une vue schématique en perspective éclatée du charriot de découpe de l'outil de la figure 1 et de sa poignée de préhension ; et
• la figure 9, une vue schématique en perspective vue de dessous de la poignée de préhension selon l'invention.

Other characteristics of the invention will be set out in the detailed description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which respectively represent:

• the figure 1 , a schematic perspective view of a cutting tool according to the invention in the transport position;
• the figure 2 , a schematic perspective view of a partial enlargement of the tool of the figure 1 ;
• the figures 3 and 4 , partial schematic views in plan of a first embodiment of a system for locking the cart according to the invention in the use position and in the lock position;
• the Figures 5 and 6 , partial schematic views in plan of a second embodiment of a locking system of the cart according to the invention in the use position and in the locked position;
• the figure 7 , a schematic perspective view of the tool of the figure 1 partially exploded at the grip handle;
• the figure 8 , a schematic exploded perspective view of the cutting carriage of the tool of the figure 1 and its grip handle; and
• the figure 9 , a schematic perspective view seen from below of the grip handle according to the invention.

The figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a tool for cutting a slate plate, or similar material, according to the invention. The tool 100 is positioned between two battens A in the use position.

It comprises a cutting table 110 carrying a slot 111 above which a guide rail 120 is arranged. In this embodiment, the guide rail consists of two L-shaped profiles 121 (also called "angles") arranged facing each other and at a distance from each other to provide a passage for a cutting carriage 130 mounted to slide along the guide rail 120.

The cutting carriage 130 comprises a grip handle 131 fixed to a housing 132. The latter protects a cutting disc 133 engaged in the cutting slot 111 and rotatably mounted in the housing by a shaft 134.

The casing comprises bearings (not visible in the figure) arranged above and below the horizontal tracks 122 of the angles 121 of the guide rail.

The tool 100 according to the invention comprises a system for blocking the cutting carriage 130 which is particularly advantageous since it allows the tool to be transported by the handle of the carriage 130, without any imbalance and in complete safety.

To this end, the guide rail 120 comprises a locking hole 125 and a reversible fixing means 126 of a locking rod 190 in engagement with the locking hole 125. This locking rod 190 is intended to be inserted in taken with a stop orifice 134 carried by the cutting carriage 130 so that in the locked position, the cutting carriage is locked in the middle of the guide rail.

When the tool is used, the reversible fixing means 126 maintains the locking rod 190 in the retracted position to allow the cutting carriage to slide freely along the guide rail 120. When the user has finished using the tool cutting device 100 according to the invention, it positions the cutting carriage 130 in the middle of the guide rail 120, then it actuates the reversible fixing means 126 so that the locking rod 190 is inserted in engagement with the first stop orifice 134 carried by the cutting carriage 130. It then locks the first fixing means 126 so that the locking rod 190 prevents any translation of the cutting carriage 130 along the guide rail 120.

In this locking position, the cutting carriage and the tool are stationary relative to each other and the user can grasp the assembly by the grip handle 131 and thus transport the tool. The central position of the carriage relative to the tool ensures a perfect balance of the assembly so that the transport of the tool is easy.

In a first embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 4 , the reversible fixing means 126 is a thread and the locking rod 190 is a threaded rod. Advantageously, the internal thread 126 can be carried by a metal insert 126a fixed to the guide rail (see figures 3 and 4 . This makes it possible to choose an insert having a greater mechanical resistance than that of the guide rail.

The figure 2 illustrates a partial enlargement of the figure 1 located on the locking system of the cutting carriage on the guide rail. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop orifice 134 is carried by a hollow head 134a fixed to the cutting carriage 130. More particularly, the cutting carriage 130 comprises a rotation shaft 135 of the cutting disc 133, this shaft of rotation 135 comprising an end provided with a hollow head 134a carrying the stop orifice 134.

The rotation shaft generally being in the middle of the cutting carriage 130, the blocking orifice 125 carried by the guide rail 120 is arranged on a median plane P of the tool 100 passing through the middle of the guide rail 120. In other words, as illustrated in figure 1 , the tool 100 having a length L, the blocking orifice 125 is arranged at a length L / 2 from the end of the tool.

On the figure 2 , the locking rod 190 is screwed into the thread of the blocking orifice 125 in order to be inserted into the stop orifice 134 of the cutting carriage 130.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated on the figures 1 to 4 , the blocking orifice 125 is located on a lateral wing 123 of one of the angles 121 constituting the guide rail 120.

The figure 3 schematically illustrates the position of use of the tool in which the locking rod 190 is retracted to leave the cutting carriage 130 slide freely along the guide rail as indicated by the arrow F1.

The figure 4 illustrates the locking position in which the locking rod 190 is inserted into the stop orifice 134 carried by a hollow head 134a fixed to the cutting carriage 130. In this position, the carriage 130 is blocked in translation as illustrated by the crossed arrow F2.

The Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the locking rod 190 and secured to a reversible elastic restraint means 191 which keeps the rod in the locked position. In this case, the locking rod is also engaged with a ratchet device (not illustrated for the sake of clarity) allowing the selective passage between the retracted position illustrated in the figure 5 and the locking position shown in the figure 6 .

In a complementary manner, the cutting carriage 130 may comprise a second stop orifice 134 and the guide rail 120 may comprise a second blocking orifice 125 arranged on the same median plane P of the tool as the first blocking orifice 125 , but opposite to the latter relative to the cutting carriage 130.

In this way, the cutting carriage 130 is blocked by its two lateral flanks on the guide rail 120.

The locking handle 131 according to the invention has a particularly advantageous structure, making it possible to combine the handling of the cutting carriage in use and the transport of the tool in the locking position.

The gripping handle according to the invention also makes it possible to lighten the cutting carriage since it provides a function of fixing the covers of the protective casing of the cutting disc.

Indeed, the cutting carriage is provided with a cutting disc which must be covered to avoid the projection of cutting waste which may injure the user. In order to allow a change of the cutting disc, the protective casing consists of two complementary covers which are fixed to each other.

According to the invention, each cover comprises at least three fixing lugs 135a - 135b. For the sake of economy of material and simplicity of design, the pins 135a - 135b are arranged at the edge of each cover so that when the covers 132a - 132b are one against the other, the fixing pins 135a - 135b are against each other, two by two, and preferably have a complementary shape, as illustrated in figure 8 .

The grip 131 according to the invention comprises two pull handles 131a - 131b connected to each other by a common end 131c, each pull handle 131a - 131b also comprising a free end 131d. The two free ends 131d and the common end 131c comprise a cap, respectively 131d1 and 131c1, for fixing to the casing. These caps are shaped to cover, at least partially, in the fixing position, a fixing lug 135a of the first cover 132a of the housing 132 and a fixing lug 135b of the second cover 132b of the housing 132. In this way, the two covers 132a - 132b of the housing cannot deviate from each other in the position of use.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 7 to 9 , the cover of the common end 131c comprises a jumper 131c1 provided with holes 131c2 intended to receive a member for fixing the jumper on a fixing lug 135a of the first cover 132a and on a fixing lug 135b of the second cover 132b. This fixing member can be a screw, a nut, or a pin. The grip handle according to the invention also comprises a third carrying handle 131e connecting the two pulling handles 131a and 131b, and arranged above the common end 131c. In this way, the carrying handle is located in the middle of the cutting carriage, so that when this the latter is in the locked position in the middle of the tool, the user carries the tool substantially above its center of gravity. Thus, the load distribution is optimized and the transport of the tool is balanced while being very safe.

The handle according to the invention therefore combines the function of carrying the tool and fixing the casing covers. It therefore makes it possible to limit the weight of the tool equipped with such a handle, while ensuring the carrying and pulling function of the cart to cut the slates.

The tool according to the invention thus combines the blocking function of the cutting carriage with the tool carrying function.

Claims (12)

Tool for cutting (100) a slate plate or similar material comprising: A cutting table (110) carrying a cutting slot (111) above which a guide rail (120) is arranged, A cutting carriage (130) slidably mounted along the guide rail (120) and provided with a cutting disc (133) engaged in the slot and a grip handle (131), characterized in that the cutting carriage (130) comprises a stop orifice (134) and in that the guide rail (120) comprises a blocking orifice (125) and a reversible fixing means (126) of a locking rod (190) engaged with the blocking orifice (125) and with the stop orifice (134), in the locked position, the blocking orifice (125) being arranged such that in the locked position, the cutting carriage (130) is locked in the middle of the guide rail (120). Cutting tool according to claim 1, in which the stop orifice (134) is carried by a hollow head (134a) fixed to the cutting carriage (130). Cutting tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking orifice (125) is arranged on a median plane (P) of the tool passing through a middle of the guide rail (120). Cutting tool according to claim 1 to 3, in which the cutting carriage (130) comprises a rotation shaft (135) of the cutting disc (133), this rotation shaft (135) comprising an end provided with a head hollow (134a) carrying the stop orifice (134). Cutting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reversible fixing means (126) is a thread and the locking rod (190) is a threaded rod. Cutting tool according to claim 5, in which the internal thread (126) is carried by a metal insert (126a) fixed to the guide rail. Cutting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the locking rod (190) is integral with a reversible elastic restraint means (191) which keeps the rod in the locked position. A cutting tool according to claim 7, wherein the locking rod is also engaged with a ratchet device for locking the rod in the locked position. Cutting tool according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the cutting carriage (130) comprises a second stop orifice (134) and in that the guide rail (120) comprises a second blocking orifice (125) and a second reversible fixing means (126) of a second locking rod (190) in engagement with the second locking orifice (125) and the second stop orifice (134), in the locking position, the second blocking orifice (125) being arranged on the same median plane (P) of the tool (100) as the first blocking orifice (125) but opposite to the first blocking orifice relative to the cutting carriage. Grip handle (131) for a cutting tool (100) of slate plate or similar material, the tool comprising a cutting carriage (130) slidably mounted along a guide rail (120) and provided with '' a cutting disc (133) and a casing (132) for protecting the disc (133), the casing (132) consisting of two covers (132a-132b) each comprising at least three fixing lugs (135a- 135b),
characterized in that it comprises two pulling handles (131a-131b) connected to each other by a common end (131c), each handle (131a-131b) also comprising a free end (131d), the two free ends (131d) and the common end (131c) comprising a cap (131c1-131d1) for fixing to the casing shaped to cover at least partially, in the fixing position, a lug fixing (135a) of the first cover (132a) and a fixing lug (135b) of the second cover (132b), so that the two covers (132a-132b) of the housing cannot move apart from one of the other in the fixing position. Gripping handle according to claim 10, in which the cap of the common end comprises a jumper provided with holes intended to receive a member for fixing the jumper on a lug for fixing the first housing cover and on a lug for fixing the second housing cover. Gripping handle according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a third carrying handle (131e) connecting the two pulling handles (131a-131bet arranged above the common end.

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