FR2505223A1 - Table for cutting sheet metal - uses fixed lower and upper movable beam in pin jointed parallelogram to clamp sheet edge in path of cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

The table is for cutting sheet metal, using fixed and movable tubular beams to clamp the sheet (10) in the path of a carriage (14) mounted cutter (30). The lower fixed beam (11) forms the table and the upper beam (12) is capable of movement between active and retracted positions, the arrangement providing for the introduction and withdrawal of the sheet. A rail (13) traversed by the carriage also moves between active and retracted positions, the two beams being connected by pin-jointed links (18). The beams and links may form a pin-jointed parallelogram with the latter extending to incorporate handles (23). The rail is built onto the upper beam together with a flange (35) forming a line-guide.

Description

 The present invention relates generally to the cutting tables suitable for cutting any metal sheet, and in particular a zinc sheet, and more particularly relates to those of these cutting tables which are intended to be implemented on site by certain trades, and in particular by roofers.

 In general, such a cutting table, whether it is a table intended solely for cutting a sheet of metal, or whether it is a table suitable for assuming other functions, for example the folding and / or hemming of such a sheet of metal, comprises a lower bed base forming a table, which is fixed, an upper bed forming blank press, which is movable between a folded closed position, for which, with the lower bed base, it cooperates in maintaining the sheet of metal to be cut, by clamping it, and a deployed open position, for which, apart from the lower bed base, it allows the establishment and the removal of such a sheet, and a guide rail, which is suitable for guiding a cutting carriage.

 The present invention generally relates to such a cutting table, which, exclusively intended for cutting a metal sheet, is particularly simple, robust and safe, and very easy to handle.

 More specifically, it relates to a cutting table of the kind mentioned above, and characterized in that, according to a first aspect, the upper base is connected to the lower base by links which are each articulated to one and to the other of said bed bases.

 In practice, the upper bed thus forms with the lower bed and the links which connect it to a deformable parallelogram, and, preferably, at least one of said links comprises an extension forming an operating handle.

 It is therefore sufficient, to insert a sheet of metal to be cut between the upper base and the lower base, to pull on this operating handle, which very simply causes the separation of said upper base from said lower base suitable for such a insertion.

 Then, after this, it suffices to act in the opposite direction on the operating handle, to fold the upper box spring towards the lower bed base, and thus clamp between these bed bases the sheet of metal to be cut.

 The handling of the cutting table according to the invention is therefore particularly easy.

 In addition, its implementation is safe, because, by the very fact of the deformable parallelogram mounting of the upper base relative to the lower base, the movement of the cutting carriage, when it is made in the direction corresponding to the folding of the base upper in the direction of the lower bed base, is favorable to maintaining the clamping between said bed bases of the sheet to be cut.

 According to a second aspect, the cutting table according to the invention is further characterized in that the upper bed supports the guide rail.

 Preferably, in practice, this upper base and this guide rail jointly belong to the same section of tubular section.

 This results in a particularly economical and light embodiment, the same body advantageously assuming two functions.

 Preferably, the upper bed thus forming guide rail further carries longitudinally projecting a strip forming guide line.

 Such a line guide advantageously makes it possible to make up for the inevitable lateral dice between the guide rail and the actual cutting line followed by the cutting carriage along the latter, and therefore to immediately and permanently control that the cutting actually made by this cutting carriage is correct, this cutting being made according to the invention flush with the strip forming a line guide provided for this purpose.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cutting table according to the invention
Figure 2 is a different scale, a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1
Figure 3 is a different scale, with a cutaway, a partial elevational view, along the arrow
III of figure 1
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 and illustrates the implementation of the cutting table according to the invention.

 As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the cutting table according to the invention, which is intended for cutting any sheet of metal 10, and in particular a sheet of zinc, shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 1 and represented in solid lines in FIG. 4, comprises, overall, a lower bed base 11, forming a table, which is fixed, an upper bed base, forming a blank plate which, according to methods described in detail later, is movable relative to the lower bed base 11, and a guide rail 13, which, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is suitable for guiding a cutting carriage 14 along the bed bases 11, 12, and more precisely, along the front side of these.

 In the embodiment shown, the lower bed base 11, which constitutes the main framework of the cutting table according to the invention, is formed of a simple section of tubular section of rectangular section cut on demand to the desired length.

 Such a lower bed base can be attached to any support table.

 However, and as illustrated, it can be associated, at each of its ends, a base 15, in the form of A, which a spacer 16 connects to its lower part.

 Of course, the legs 15 which are thus equipped in this case the lower base 11 can be foldable, or removable, according to methods which are within the skill of the art and which, not being part of the present invention, do not will not be described in detail here.

 Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the lower base 11 has, at each of its ends, an angle 17, which, on the one hand, by one of its wings, closes off the end concerned, and which , on the other hand, projecting rearwardly forms a support for the other of its said wings.

 In general, the upper base 12 forming a blank press is movable between a deployed opening position, FIGS. 1 and 3, for which, apart from the lower base 11, it allows the sheet to be put in place and removed 10 to be cut, and a folded closed position, FIG. 4, for which, with the lower bed base 11, it cooperates in maintaining this sheet 10, by tightening the latter.

 According to the invention, and according to a first aspect of this, the upper base 12 is connected to the lower base 11 by links 18 which are each articulated to one and to the other of said bases.

 In the embodiment shown, two such rods 18 are provided, which are each disposed respectively at the ends of the box springs 11, 12 which they connect.

 They thus form with these bed bases 11, 12 a deformable parallelogram.

 In practice, each link 18 is directly articulated at 19 to the lower base 11, on the front face thereof, and it is articulated at 20 to a lug 21 which, integral with the upper base 12, extends the latter longitudinally at its corresponding end. .

 At least one of the bieIZettes-18 thus connecting the box springs 11, 12, comprises, beyond the corresponding tab 21, an extension 23 forming an operating handle.

 In the embodiment shown, only one of the rods 18 is thus provided with such an extension.

 According to the invention, and according to a second aspect thereof, the upper base 12 carries the guide rail 13.

 In the embodiment shown, the upper base 12 and the guide rail 13 jointly belong to the same section of tubular section suitably cut in length on demand.

 In the embodiment shown, the lower base 11 thus has a generally rectangular cross section, and the guide rail 13. forms longitudinally projecting upward a lip, which extends substantially flush with the front face of the base higher 12.

 The front face of this upper base 12 is itself substantially in the plane of that of the lower base 11.

 Preferably, and as shown, the upper base 12 is equipped, on its upper face, with a tensioner 24.

suitable for imparting to it longitudinally, at rest, a slight hanger capable of ensuring, in service, that its central zone, like its end zones, effectively cooperates in tightening with the lower bed base 11.

 In the embodiment shown, the tensioner 24 comprises, projecting upwards in the median zone of the upper base 12, a tensioner support 25, and, passed over this support 25, a cable 26 coupled, at each of its ends , at the corresponding end of this upper base 12, for example by a tab 27 suitably attached to it.

 The cutting carriage 14 is not part of the present invention, and well known in itself, it will not be described in detail here.

 It will suffice to recall that it comprises a body 28 on which are rotatably mounted, on parallel shafts 29, 29 ', two cutting blades 30, 30' suitable for cooperating in the cutting of the sheet 10 to be worked.

 The shaft 29 of the upper cutting blade 30 has an extension 31 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 32 provided with a groove 33 suitable for allowing engagement on the lip formed by the guide rail 13.

 In addition, on the lower part of the body 28 is rotatably mounted another roller 34 adapted to cooperate in abutment with the lower base 11, on the front face thereof.

 Preferably, and according to the invention, the upper base 12 carries longitudinally projecting a strip 35 forming line guide.

 This strip is of width adapted to the lateral offset existing between the front faces of the box springs 11, 12 and the cutting line defined by the cutting blades 30, 30 '.

 It therefore makes it possible to control it.

 In the embodiment shown, the strip 35 is formed by one of the wings of an angle iron 36 which, by the other of its wings 37, is suitably secured to the upper base 12, for example by welding.

 The upper base 12 being in the deployed open position, FIG. 3, the metal sheet 10 to be worked is inserted between the lower base 11 and the upper base 12, and it is adjusted there in position so that the mark which There has been traced for the cut to be carried out either flush with the strip 35 forming a line guide.

 Using the operating handle 23, the upper base 12 is then folded in the direction of the lower base 11, Figure 4, which ensures a forceful clamping of the sheet 10 to be cut.

 The carriage 14 is then implemented, and, preferably, its movement along the guide rail 13 is made in the direction corresponding to maintaining the folding of the upper base 12 in the direction of the lower base 11.

 The effort made to cut the sheet 10 thus advantageously contributes to the maintenance of the latter.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses any variant, in particular as regards the specific embodiment of the lower base and / or the upper base.

Claims (7)

 1. Cutting table for sheet metal, in particular zinc, of the type comprising, a lower bed base (11) forming a table, which is fixed, an upper bed (12) forming a blank press, which is movable between a folded position of closure, for which, with the lower bed base (11), it cooperates in maintaining the metal sheet (10) to be cut, by tightening the latter, and a deployed open position, for which spaced from the lower bed base ( 11), it allows the establishment and removal of such a sheet, and a guide rail (13), which is suitable for guiding a cutting carriage (14), characterized in that the upper base (12 ) is connected to the lower bed base (11) by connecting rods (18) which are each articulated to one and to the other of said bed bases (11, 12).  2. Cutting table according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper bed (12) forms with the lower bed (11) and the links (18) which connect it to the latter a deformable parallelogram.  3. Cutting table according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that at least one of the links (18) connecting the box springs (11, 12) has an extension forming an operating handle (23).  4. Cutting table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper base (12) carries longitudinally projecting a strip (35) forming guide line.  5. Cutting table according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper base (12) carries the guide rail (13).  6. Cutting table according to claim 5, characterized in that the lower base (12) and the guide rail (13) jointly belong to the same section of tubular section.  7. Cutting table according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower base (11) is a section of tubular section.