FR2823025A1 - Equipment for coating a cable with an external protective layer, comprises portable equipment on wheels which carries means of receiving cable and band and then folding and fixing band around cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable coating equipment (100) receives previously laid out cable (59) and band (17) on a roller ramp (103) which is adjustable by a jack (135) about a pivot (105). After passing through the roller ramp the band is folded around the cable by two additional rollers (115,116) in V formation and a profiled tray (113) and then fixed (118) in place. The completed cable is directed into the required position by a guide (121) An Independent claim is also included for the method of coating the cable with a protective band

Description

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 The present invention relates to a device for coating an elongated object with at least one external protective layer, a method for coating an elongated object with at least one external protective layer, and a cable unwinding vehicle or the like, a system for guide for the unwinding of a cable or the like, a flexible tape unwinding vehicle or the like and a container for implementing the method.

lourd et trop encombrant, notamment lorsqu'il s'agit de petits chantiers ne demandant que quelques centaines de mètres de câbles. Par ailleurs, l'opération de chargement de nouvelles réserves sur le dispositif est longue et délicate à mettre en oeuvre. French patent 2 766 634 discloses a device and a method for coating an elongated object, intended to be buried in the ground, with a protective layer in the form of a flexible strip. The device comprises a movable longitudinal support structure carrying a reserve of said object to be coated, a reserve of a flexible strip, a folding system capable of gradually folding a flexible strip around said elongated object, and a fixing system capable of fixing said strip folded around said elongated object to form said protective layer. The reserves consist of drums around which the elongated object and the flexible band are surrounded. During the movement of the device, the elongated object and the strip unwind, pass through the folding system, then into the fixing system, and the product obtained at the outlet of said fixing system is deposited on the ground. This can then be deposited in the bottom of a trench which will later be filled. This device is in particular used for coating flexible electric cables, used for high and medium voltage lines, with a strip of composite material comprising a particulate charge, such as the material described in patent EP 0 758 810. Cables coated with a protective layer made of such a material can be deposited in a trench without using a protective sand bed. In such an application, the device is loaded with two reserves that can weigh several tonnes each, which requires providing a sufficiently large and resistant supporting structure, difficult to move and guide on the ground along a route. Such a device, which can weigh from 6 to 10 tonnes, proves to be too

heavy and too bulky, especially when it comes to small construction sites requiring only a few hundred meters of cable. Furthermore, the operation of loading new reserves onto the device is long and delicate to implement.

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A first object of the present invention is to provide a device for overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

 The device according to the invention, for coating an elongated object with at least one external protective layer in the form of a strip, said object being intended to be buried in the ground, said device comprising a movable longitudinal support structure and carrying a system of folding capable of gradually folding a flexible strip around said elongated object, and a fastening system capable of fixing said folded strip around said elongated object to form said protective layer, is characterized in that said supporting structure carries lifting means capable of lift the strip and the elongated object previously arranged longitudinally on the ground, gradually when moving the support structure.

 According to one feature, the lifting means comprise a ramp capable of being arranged obliquely with respect to the ground so that its free end is positioned close to the ground surface during the displacement of the longitudinal supporting structure.

 Advantageously, said ramp is pivotally mounted on said structure around a transverse pivot axis and comprises at least one rolling means at its free end, having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said pivot axis and capable of coming to bear. against the ground.

 According to one embodiment, the ramp comprises two longitudinal arms carrying between them a set of free transverse rollers in rotation on which are intended to come to roll the strip and the elongated object, each longitudinal arm carrying a wheel at its free end, said wheel forming part of the rolling means.

 Advantageously, the device comprises a jack system making it possible to pivot said ramp around its pivot axis between an active position in which its rolling means is in contact with the ground and passive positions in which the rolling means are separated from the ground .

 According to another particularity, the carrying structure carries positioning means capable of gradually positioning one with respect to the other the elongated object and the strip having just been lifted,

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 before passing through said folding system and then into the fastening system, said systems being spaced longitudinally on said support structure downstream of said lifting means and positioning means, and guide means capable of guiding the strip and the elongated object leaving the fixing system, in the form of an elongated object coated with a protective layer constituted by said strip, for gradually depositing on the ground said elongated object coated with a protective layer.

 Advantageously, the positioning means comprise at least two rollers whose axes of rotation are arranged in a V.

 A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for coating an elongated object with at least one external protective layer in the form of a strip, said object being intended to be buried in the ground. The method according to the invention, comprising a step of folding a flexible strip around said elongated object and a step of fixing said folded strip around said elongated object to form said protective layer, is characterized in that it successively comprises : - a step of placing the strip longitudinally on the ground, - a step of placing the elongated object longitudinally on the ground, - a step of progressive, simultaneous lifting of the strip and the object elongated and relative positioning of one with respect to the other, - said folding step, - said fixing step, - a step consisting in depositing on the ground the strip and the elongated object in the form of a elongated object coated with a protective layer constituted by said strip.

 Advantageously, said step of placing on the ground consists in depositing the strip from a container and then putting on the strip having just been deposited the above-mentioned elongated object.

 A third object of the present invention is to provide a cable unwinding vehicle or the like, intended for use

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 of the step of placing said elongated object on the ground. The cable unwinding vehicle or the like according to the invention, comprising a chassis comprising two longitudinal elements connected together by at least one of their ends, said chassis comprising running wheels on the ground connected to each longitudinal element, said chassis being intended to carry freely in rotation a reel on which is wound said cable, is characterized in that it comprises a guide system mounted between the rear ends of said longitudinal elements and intended to guide transversely the laying of the cable on the ground during its progress made by advancing the vehicle.

 According to one embodiment, the two longitudinal elements are interconnected by their front ends and are extended by a drawbar intended to cooperate with a coupling of a towing vehicle, so that said chassis is open at the rear ends of said elements longitudinal, said guide system being movable relative to the rear ends to allow the passage of a drum between the two longitudinal elements, said chassis carrying a device for lifting and holding in the raised position of said drum.

 According to one feature, the guide system comprises: - two arms mounted by one of their ends at the rear ends of the longitudinal elements, - a worm screw mounted between said arms, said worm screw being able to be driven in rotation by a control means, a guide piece forming a nut screwed onto said screw between the two arms, so that the cable can be moved transversely by the guide piece when the worm is driven in rotation through of the control means.

 Advantageously, the nut carries two branches between which are mounted two rollers, having their axes of rotation substantially parallel to the worm and offset relative to each other to define a spacing between the two rollers intended to allow the passage of the cable unwound from the reel, one of the two rollers being slidably mounted on a transverse axis extending between the two arms.

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A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a guidance system for the unwinding of a cable or the like. The guide system according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises: - two arms intended to be mounted by one of their ends on a cable unwinding device or the like wound on a reel, on either side other of said reel, - an endless screw mounted between said arms, said screw being able to be driven in rotation by a control means, - a guide piece forming a nut mounted to screw onto said screw between the two arms, so that the cable can be moved transversely by the guide piece when the worm is rotated by means of control means.

 A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tape unwinding vehicle or the like placed in at least one container, intended for the implementation of the step of placing said tape on the ground.

définissant un espace utile destiné à recevoir ladite bande, la ridelle arrière étant montée pivotante sur ledit châssis, se caractérise par le fait que la ridelle arrière comprend un ensemble de rouleaux, montés en rotation sensiblement parallèlement à l'axe de pivotement de ladite ridelle arrière, destiné à faciliter le chargement des conteneurs lorsque la ridelle arrière est abaissée en position ouverte, et à guider le positionnement longitudinal de la bande sur le sol lorsque la ridelle arrière est relevée en position fermée verticale, par le passage de ladite bande entre deux rouleaux dudit ensemble. The flexible tape unwinding vehicle or the like according to the invention, comprising a chassis comprising at least two longitudinal elements connected by transverse elements, said chassis carrying running wheels on the ground connected to each longitudinal element, said chassis carrying at least one rear drop side and side drop sides

defining a useful space intended to receive said strip, the rear drop side being pivotally mounted on said chassis, is characterized in that the rear drop side comprises a set of rollers, mounted in rotation substantially parallel to the pivot axis of said rear drop side , intended to facilitate the loading of containers when the rear drop side is lowered into the open position, and to guide the longitudinal positioning of the strip on the ground when the rear drop side is raised in the closed vertical position, by the passage of said strip between two rollers of said set.

 According to one embodiment, the two longitudinal elements are extended by their front ends by a drawbar intended to cooperate with a coupling of a tractor vehicle.

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According to one feature, the chassis carries a set of rollers arranged transversely and longitudinally spaced, on es, on which the container is able to roll.

 Advantageously, the vehicle comprises a leaf pivotally mounted on the rear drop side, able to come against the ground surface when the rear drop side is in the open position and to lower the strip downwards at the exit of the rollers when the rear drop side is in the closed position. vertical.

 Advantageously, the chassis carries a transversely displaceable winch near the drawbar, intended for loading different containers transversely side by side.

 A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a flexible container, intended in particular to transport the aforementioned flexible strip. The container according to the invention, comprising a bottom wall and side walls made of textile, in particular based on polymer material, is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least two handling handles fixed on two opposite side walls intended for lifting of said container, each wall is formed of two layers of textile between which at least one removable rigid panel is inserted, the two layers being assembled by their peripheral edges while maintaining at least one opening to allow insertion and removal of the rigid panel.

 In another feature, the container has at least two compartments separated by an inner wall formed by a layer of textile or two layers of textile between which at least one removable rigid panel is inserted, the two layers being assembled by their peripheral edges. maintaining at least one opening to allow insertion and removal of the rigid panel.

 According to one feature, it comprises at least two substantially parallel handling straps externally fixed on two opposite side walls passing continuously against the outer surface of the bottom wall, the ends of said straps forming the aforementioned handling handles. Advantageously, the container comprises at least one reinforcing strap, fixed to each side wall provided with handling straps, substantially parallel to the bottom wall and between said handling straps.

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 According to another particular feature, the container comprises a flexible textile cover comprising a peripheral rim capable of coming against the external surface of the side walls, said container comprising a fastening system making it possible to attach said cover to the side walls.

 The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which will follow of particular presently preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended schematic drawing.

- la figure 2 représente une vue de dessus d'un véhicule dérouleur de bande selon l'invention ; - la figure 3 représente une vue de côté du véhicule de la figure 2, en position de chargement pour charger un conteneur de la figure 1 dans lequel est placée une bande ; - la figure 4 représente une vue de côté du véhicule de la figure 2 chargé d'un conteneur, illustrant l'opération de déroulement de la bande sur le sol ; - la figure 5 est une vue de côté d'un véhicule dérouleur de câble suivant l'invention ;

- la figure 6 est une vue de côté du véhicule de la figure 5 ; - la figure 7 est une vue de côté d'un dispositif selon l'invention pour revêtir un objet allongé d'au moins une couche de protection externe, assemblé sur un engin motorisé ; - la figure 8 représente une vue de dessus du dispositif assemblé sur un engin motorisé de la figure 7 ;

- la figure 9 est une vue partielle de face du dispositif de la figure 7. In this drawing: - Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a container according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a top view of a tape unwinding vehicle according to the invention; - Figure 3 shows a side view of the vehicle of Figure 2, in the loading position to load a container of Figure 1 in which is placed a strip; - Figure 4 shows a side view of the vehicle of Figure 2 loaded with a container, illustrating the operation of unwinding the strip on the ground; - Figure 5 is a side view of a cable unwinding vehicle according to the invention;

- Figure 6 is a side view of the vehicle of Figure 5; - Figure 7 is a side view of a device according to the invention for coating an elongated object with at least one external protective layer, assembled on a motorized vehicle; - Figure 8 shows a top view of the device assembled on a motorized vehicle of Figure 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial front view of the device in FIG. 7.

 A detailed description of a container according to the invention will be made with reference to FIG. 1. The container 1, of substantially parallelepiped shape, comprises two small side walls 2, two large side walls 3 and a bottom wall 4, the upper edge 5 of the side walls 2,3 defining the opening 14 of the

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conteneur. Chaque paroi 2-4 est formée de deux couches textiles superposées, par exemple en matériau polymère, entre lesquelles sont ées, par exe e intercalés un ou plusieurs panneaux rigides 6-8. Les deux couches de chaque paroi latérale 2,3 sont assemblées par leurs bords périphériques, par exemple par une couture, à l'exception de leur bord périphérique supérieur formant le bord supérieur 5 des parois latérales, de manière à maintenir une ouverture entre les deux couches pour permettre l'insertion et le retrait de panneaux rigides 6,7. Les deux couches formant chaque grande paroi latérale 3 sont reliées entre elles suivant une ligne de jonction 9 verticale, s'étendant de leurs bords inférieurs à leurs bords supérieurs. Cette ligne de jonction 9 sépare l'espace entre les deux couches en deux logements sensiblement identiques, chaque logement étant apte à recevoir un panneau rigide 7.

container. Each wall 2-4 is formed of two superposed textile layers, for example of polymer material, between which are, for example, one or more rigid panels 6-8 interposed. The two layers of each side wall 2,3 are joined by their peripheral edges, for example by a seam, with the exception of their upper peripheral edge forming the upper edge 5 of the side walls, so as to maintain an opening between the two layers to allow insertion and removal of rigid panels 6,7. The two layers forming each large side wall 3 are interconnected along a vertical junction line 9, extending from their lower edges to their upper edges. This junction line 9 separates the space between the two layers into two substantially identical housings, each housing being able to receive a rigid panel 7.

The two layers forming the bottom wall 4 have two openings, arranged on the side of the small side walls, at the edges formed by the bottom wall 4 and the small side walls 2, to allow the insertion of two rigid panels 8. These last two layers may also have a junction line separating the bottom wall into two identical housings. It should be noted that in FIG. 1, the panels 6-8 are shown partially inserted between the textile layers forming the walls, each panel being able to be inserted completely between the textile layers. Rigid panels can be made of wood or plastic panels, possibly reinforced with angles. The two layers of a wall are assembled for example by seams, the junction line 9 being for example obtained by two adjacent parallel seams 9a, 9b. By way of example, the large side walls 3 and the bottom wall 4 can be obtained from two first superimposed layers, suitably sewn, and each small side wall 2 is formed from two superimposed layers, sewn to the above-mentioned first layers.

 Two handling straps 10, 11 are fixed parallel to one another, from one large side wall 3 to the other, passing continuously against the bottom wall 4. Each strap 10, 11 is sewn on all its length, against the outer surfaces of the large side walls 3 and the bottom wall 4. The ends of said

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sangles forment des anses de manutention lofa, lia destinées au soulèvement du conteneur. Le conteneur 1 comporte un couvercle 12 rectangulaire en matériau textile muni d'un rebord périphérique 12a sur lequel des sangles de fermeture 13 sont cousues. Pour fermer le conteneur, le couvercle 12 est disposé sur le bord supérieur 5 des parois latérales 2,3, le rebord périphérique 12a du couvercle venant contre les surfaces extérieures des parois latérales 2,3. Des sangles de renfort 15 relient les sangles de manutention 10, 11 à proximité de leurs extrémités 10a, lia. Ces sangles de renfort, disposées perpendiculairement aux sangles de manutention, sont fixées sur toute leur longueur contre la surface extérieure des grandes parois latérales 3, en laissant des passages pour les sangles de fermeture 13 du couvercle. Suivant la taille du conteneur et le type de matériau à transporter, il est bien entendu possible de prévoir plus de deux sangles de manutention reliées entre elles par différentes sangles de renfort.

straps form handling handles lofa, lia intended for lifting the container. The container 1 comprises a rectangular cover 12 made of textile material provided with a peripheral rim 12a on which closure straps 13 are sewn. To close the container, the cover 12 is arranged on the upper edge 5 of the side walls 2,3, the peripheral rim 12a of the cover coming against the external surfaces of the side walls 2,3. Reinforcement straps 15 connect the handling straps 10, 11 near their ends 10a, 11a. These reinforcement straps, arranged perpendicular to the handling straps, are fixed over their entire length against the outer surface of the large side walls 3, leaving passages for the closure straps 13 of the cover. Depending on the size of the container and the type of material to be transported, it is of course possible to provide more than two handling straps connected together by different reinforcement straps.

 When using the container, the panels 6-8 are inserted entirely between the textile layers in order to obtain a container with rigid walls. After use, the panels are completely removed from the textile walls which can be folded, which makes it possible to limit the size of the container for its storage and transport. The use of two panels to stiffen the large side walls and the bottom wall advantageously makes it possible to limit the size of the rigid panels for their storage or transport. The total admissible load of a container according to the invention is between 500 and 3,000 kg. In the particular application described herein, the container is used to transport a strip of composite material intended to cover a set of cables, such as the composite material described in patent EP 0 758 810. By way of example, a container about 240 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 120 cm high, can hold 150 meters of a continuous strip of composite material, about 40 cm wide, 10 to 15 mm thickness and a weight of 5 to 10 kg / m. The continuous strip is deposited in the container in successive layers extending from one small side wall to the other. The rigid walls of the container facilitate the filling of the container with a continuous strip in successive layers and make it possible to protect the strip during its transport.

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 In an alternative embodiment, the interior volume of the container is separated into two or more compartments by means of interior walls formed by a layer of textile or two layers of textile between which a removable rigid panel is interposed. By way of example, the container comprises two compartments separated from each other by an inner wall arranged parallel to the small side walls 2 and assembled to the bottom wall 4 and to the large side walls 3 at the junction lines. above. The two layers of the inner wall are connected by their peripheral edges, with the exception of their upper peripheral edge, so as to maintain an opening between the two layers to allow the insertion and removal of a rigid panel.

 A flexible tape unwinding vehicle or the like according to the invention will now be described in detail, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In the present embodiment, the vehicle constitutes a trailer, intended to be towed by a towing vehicle. The vehicle 20 comprises a chassis 21 formed of two longitudinal tubular elements 22, mutually parallel, connected to each other by transverse tubular elements 23, for example 5 in number. The chassis carries two wheels 24 for rolling on the ground, each wheel being connected to a longitudinal element 22. The front ends 22a of the longitudinal elements are connected to front tubular elements 25, arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis (L1) of the chassis. The front ends 25a of the front elements are connected to each other and extend by a longitudinal arm 26 constituting a drawbar. The drawbar carries a fastening system 27 intended to cooperate with a coupling of a tractor vehicle. The chassis 21 comprises side panels 28, 29 and a rear panel 30, pivotally mounted on the chassis, the side and rear panels defining the useful space 54 of the vehicle intended to receive the load. In the application described herein, the load consists of containers 1 filled with continuous flexible strips 17 of composite material. The side panels 28, 29 are formed by a set of panels 37 mounted between vertical uprights. The chassis 21 carries two front uprights 31.32 and two rear uprights 33.34 arranged vertically near the front ends 22a and rear 22b of the elements, respectively.

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longitudinaux, ainsi que deux montants intermédiaires 35, 36 disposés entre les montants avant et arrière. Les montants arrière et er intermédiaire sont montés sur les éléments transversaux 23 et les montants avant sont montés sur les éléments avant 25. Chaque montant avant et arrière présente une gorge 31b, 32b, 33a, 34a s'étendant sur toute la hauteur du montant, et chaque montant intermédiaire présente une première gorge 35a, 36a disposée en vis-à-vis de celle 33a, 34a d'un montant arrière et une deuxième gorge 35b, 36b disposée en vis-àvis de celle 31b, 32b d'un montant avant. Des panneaux 37, par exemple au nombre de trois, sont montés à glissement entre les montants intermédiaires et les montants avant et arrière dans leurs gorges respectives. Le châssis porte en outre deux ridelles intermédiaires 38,39 parallèles aux ridelles latérales, séparant l'espace utile 54 en trois compartiments 40a-c de dimensions sensiblement identiques, chaque compartiment étant destiné à recevoir un conteneur.

longitudinal, as well as two intermediate uprights 35, 36 arranged between the front and rear uprights. The rear and intermediate uprights are mounted on the transverse elements 23 and the front uprights are mounted on the front elements 25. Each front and rear upright has a groove 31b, 32b, 33a, 34a extending over the entire height of the upright, and each intermediate upright has a first groove 35a, 36a disposed opposite that 33a, 34a of a rear upright and a second groove 35b, 36b arranged opposite that 31b, 32b of a front upright . Panels 37, for example three in number, are slidably mounted between the intermediate uprights and the front and rear uprights in their respective grooves. The chassis further carries two intermediate drop sides 38, 39 parallel to the lateral drop sides, dividing the useful space 54 into three compartments 40a-c of substantially identical dimensions, each compartment being intended to receive a container.

These intermediate sides are also formed by a set of panels mounted between the front, rear and intermediate uprights as described above. Rollers 41 are mounted on the upper surface of the transverse elements 23, the axes of the rollers being substantially arranged transversely, substantially in the same plane. Each transverse element 23 carries three rollers 41, a roller disposed between the two intermediate boards 38, 39 and a roller between each intermediate board and the adjacent side board.

 The rear drop side 30 is formed by three independent parts 30a-c pivotally mounted around a same pivot axis (pal), each part being arranged in the extension of a compartment 40a-c. Each part comprises two longitudinal arms 42 pivotally mounted by one of their ends on the frame 21 and between which a set of rollers is mounted in rotation substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the arms. As illustrated in the figures, the arms carry a roller 43 disposed near the pivot axis (pal) of the arms and four rollers 44a-d spaced regularly from each other, one of which is positioned near the free ends 41a, 42a of the arms. Each part of the rear drop side is able to pivot by an angle of about 90, between a closed vertical position illustrated in FIG. 4, in which it is

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 arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal elements 22 and an open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the arms are positioned substantially in the same plane as the longitudinal elements, the axes of these rollers 43, 44a-d being substantially in the same plane as those of the axes of the rollers 41 carried by the transverse elements 23 of the chassis. A leaf 45 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 46 between the free ends of the arms of each part of the rear drop side. The pivot axis 46 of the leaf is mounted in grooves present on the arms 42 and can be kept locked in two extreme positions, on either side of the plane passing through the axes of rotation of the rollers 43,44a-d, a first position, illustrated in FIG. 3, in which said axis is close to the exterior surface of the arms, and a second position, illustrated in FIG. 4, in which said axis is close to the interior surface, the interior surfaces and outside of the arms being defined with respect to the useful volume 54 when the drop side is in the closed vertical position.

 The drawbar comprises a pivoting stand 47 capable of being lowered to maintain the vehicle in a so-called loading position, illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the chassis is inclined relative to the ground 16. The front elements 25 carry a support 48 comprising a transverse rail 48a on which a winch 49 is mounted. The winch is movable transversely on the rail, as represented by the arrow Tl, and can be locked in three different positions in which the winch is in alignment with one of the compartments 40a-c.

 This vehicle makes it possible to load, carry and arrange longitudinally on the ground a strip placed in a rigid container, such as that described with reference to FIG. 1. The part of the drop side, corresponding to the empty compartment 40a in which it is desired to load the container 1 filled with a continuous strip 17, is brought into the open position. The vehicle 20 is held in its loading position illustrated in FIG. 3 by lowering the stand 47. In this position, the leaf 45, locked in its second position, comes into contact with the ground by its free end 45a and is substantially positioned tangentially to the rollers 44a-d. The winch 49 is brought into alignment with the compartment 40a and its cable 50 provided at its

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 end of a hook is unwound from the drum 51. The container is hooked to the hook by one of its small side walls 2. When the winch 49 is actuated, namely the winding of the cable 50 around the drum 51 at by means of a crank 52 or a motor, the container 1 mounts on the leaf 45, then gradually rolls on the rollers 44a-d, 43 of the part of the drop side down and the rollers 41 positioned on the transverse elements. When the container is fully retracted into the compartment 40a, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the part of the drop side 42a is brought back from its open position to its closed position and is kept locked in this position by closing means (not shown). The cable hook can then be removed from the container, the container being retained by the part of the drop side blocked in the closed position. It is then possible to load another container into another compartment as described above, the side and intermediate side panels making it possible to separate and maintain the different containers in the compartments. After loading the containers 1, the stand 47 is brought back into a raised position and kept in this raised position by retaining means 53, as shown in FIG. 4, and the vehicle can be attached to a towing vehicle by the through its attachment system 27.

 To unroll longitudinally on the ground 16 the strip 17 from a container, the free end of the strip is passed between two rollers 44a-44d of the side panel closing the compartment in which the container is positioned, and is brought to the ground 16. The strip is for example passed between the roller 44a positioned near the free ends 42a of the arms and the adjacent roller 44b, the passage defined between these two rollers being positioned above the upper edge 5 of the container, when the latter is supported on the rollers 41 of the transverse elements 23. During the movement (Dl) of the vehicle, the strip unwinds progressively on the ground from the container, the two arms of the rear drop side and the two rollers carried by said arms to guide the course of the tape. During this unwinding operation, the leaf is in its first position and allows the strip to be folded down.

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 In the present embodiment, the vehicle constitutes a trailer intended to be towed by a tractor vehicle, but can of course constitute an autonomous self-propelled vehicle.

 A description of a cable unwinding vehicle or the like will now be given in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The unwinding vehicle makes it possible to unwind on the ground in particular a flexible cable, such as a flexible electric cable, a hose flexible for transporting fluid or a set of cables or pipes. In the particular application described herein, the vehicle is used to unwind a set of flexible electrical cables, consisting for example of three intertwined cables.

 In the present embodiment, the vehicle 60 constitutes a trailer intended to be towed by a tractor vehicle.

The vehicle comprises a chassis 61 formed of two longitudinal tubular elements 62 parallel to one another, the front ends 62a of which are connected to tubular front elements 63 arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis (L2) of the chassis. The front ends of the front elements are connected to each other and extend by a longitudinal arm 64 constituting a drawbar. The drawbar 64 carries a fastening system 65 intended to cooperate with a coupling of a tractor vehicle. The chassis is open at the rear ends 62b of said longitudinal elements to allow the passage between the two longitudinal elements of a drum 66 on which is wound the cable assembly 59. The chassis 61 carries two wheels 67 for rolling on the ground 16, each wheel being connected to a longitudinal element 62. The drawbar 64 carries a support wheel 68 pivotally mounted adjustable in height by means of a crank system 69, and intended to keep the chassis substantially horizontal when the vehicle is is not attached to a towing vehicle. The chassis carries between the two longitudinal elements a device for lifting and holding a reel in the raised position. The device is formed of a tilting support cradle 69 comprising on the one hand two arms 70 in L connected by the end of one their branch, called first branch 71, by a cross-member, each arm in L being pivotally mounted at the junction of the two branches 71, 72 of said arm around an axis 97 on one of the longitudinal elements 62, and on the other hand, two arms of

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 support 74 connected to the two branches of the L-shaped arms. Each support arm 74 is connected by one of its ends to the first branch 71 and to the end 72a of the second branch 72, extending beyond said end. . The free ends 74a of the support arms are provided with an assembly means 75 intended to allow the assembly in rotation of the drum at said free ends of the support arms. By way of example, the ends of the arms have notches capable of receiving the pins 76 of the drum. When the pins are placed in the notches, holding pieces are assembled on the support arms to hold the pins in the notches. The cross member 73 is provided in its center with a hooking means 77, such as a ring, to allow the hooking of the hook of a winch 78 mounted between the two front elements, said winch being centered along the axis. longitudinal.

 Each longitudinal element 62 carries near its rear end 62a a rectangular foot 79 provided with a base 79a, mounted on a support 80, and intended to hold the chassis substantially horizontally during the lifting operation of the reel.

The feet are for example slidably mounted on supports, formed from a conduit fixed perpendicular to the longitudinal elements, and can be blocked at different heights. Each support comprises, for example, two drill holes facing each other, and the foot comprises a set of through holes, a pin 81 passing through two drill holes facing the support, and one of the holes in the foot makes it possible to block the foot. the desired height.

 The chassis comprises a guide system 82 assembled at the rear ends 62b of the longitudinal elements. The guide system comprises two arms 83 mounted at one of their ends at the rear ends 62b of the longitudinal elements, for example by means of bolts 84, substantially in the extension of the longitudinal elements. A worm 85 is mounted between the arms near their free ends 83b, and a guide piece 86 forming a nut is screwed on the worm between the two arms. The guide piece 86 comprises two support branches 87, formed by two triangular plates, between which are mounted two diabolo-shaped rollers, an upper roller 88 and a lower roller 89.

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Each branch 87 has a through hole, through which the endless screw passes. The screw mounting on the screw is carried out by means of a part 90 provided with a tapped hole which is integral with one of the two branches. The axes of rotation of the two rollers are substantially parallel to the worm and offset relative to each other to define a spacing 91 between the two rollers.

The lower roller 88 is mounted to slide on a transverse axis 98 extending between the two arms and fixed to said arms by means of two supports 93.

 The worm 85 extends beyond the longitudinal elements and one of its ends 85a cooperates with a control means 92 capable of driving said screw in rotation. The control means is for example constituted by a crank coaxially secured to the screw. There may also be provided a control means comprising an electric motor for electrically controlling the rotation of the worm.

 The loading of a drum on the vehicle and the unwinding of the cable is carried out as follows. Firstly, the guide system 82 is removed from the frame 61 to allow the passage of the drum 66 between the two longitudinal elements 62. The tilting support cradle 69 is brought into a low position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 5 , in which the support arms 74 are substantially horizontal, in order to allow the assembly of the reel resting on the ground, at the ends of said support arms. According to the assembly method described above, the ends 74a of the support arms are lowered below the pins 76 of the drum, then reassembled to insert the pins in notches of the support arms and a holding piece is then assembled on arms. The hook at the end of the winch cable 94 is hooked to the cross member, then the cable is wound around the winch drum 95 by means of a crank 96 or a motor, in order to pivot the tilting support cradle and bring it into a high position, shown in solid lines in Figure 5, in which the drum no longer rests on the ground. During this lifting operation, the chassis is supported on the feet 79, which have been lowered beforehand

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 and locked in a position shown in broken lines in which their base is against the ground.

 A device for coating an elongated object with at least one external protective layer in the form of a band will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. The device 100 according to the invention makes it possible to coat an elongated object d 'a protective layer, from an elongated object and a protective layer in the form of a strip which are previously arranged longitudinally on the ground, and in particular, in the embodiment of the device described in the presents, from a strip deposited on the ground and an elongated object deposited on said strip on the ground. The elongated object is for example constituted by a set of flexible electric cables interlaced 59 and the strip is a strip formed from the composite material described in patent EP 0 758 810. The strip has for example a width of 40 cm and a thickness from 10 to 15 mm.

 The device 100 comprises a longitudinal supporting structure 101 intended to be moved longitudinally above the ground in the direction of movement (D3). The supporting structure comprises two longitudinal elements 102 linked together by transverse elements (not visible). The supporting structure carries on its front part a ramp 103 intended to lift the strip 17 and the cable assembly 59 during movement (D3) of the device. The ramp 103 comprises two arms 104 pivotally mounted by one of their ends at the front ends 102a of the longitudinal elements, around a pivot axis 105 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L3) of the support structure. The arms 104 carry near their free ends wheels 106 mounted in rotation about an axis of rotation 107 substantially parallel to the pivot axis 105 and by which the ramp is intended to come to bear against the ground 16. When the wheels 106 are in contact with the ground, the ramp is inclined relative to the ground, the angle of inclination of the ramp relative to the ground being between 5 and 45, preferably between 10 and 40. Transverse rollers are mounted to rotate freely, parallel to the pivot axis 105, between the two arms 104, the rollers being offset longitudinally with respect to each other.

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 A first roller 108 is positioned near the free ends of the arms, its axis being aligned with the axis of the wheels, and three other identical rollers 109-111 regularly spaced from each other, with a diameter less than the first, are positioned between the first roller and pivot axis. The axes of rotation of these three rollers are arranged in the same plane, said plane being positioned below the axis of rotation of the first roller.

 A plate 112 is fixed to the free ends of the arms. The plate extends over the entire distance separating the two arms 104 and has a front edge 112a oriented towards the outside of concave shape.

This plate is for example covered with a Teflon coating to prevent any alteration of the strip during lifting. The supporting structure carries downstream of the ramp 103 a folding system 113 capable of gradually folding the flexible strip 17 around the set of cables 59, after its lifting by the ramp, to completely wrap it. The folding system is mounted between the two longitudinal elements 102 and is in the form of a gutter 117 with an evolving cross section, such as that described in patent FR 2 766 634 on page 9, lines 1-26.

 The device comprises positioning means 114 mounted on the support structure between the ramp and the folding system.

These positioning means comprise two rollers 115, 116 mounted between the longitudinal elements 101, the axes of rotation of which are arranged in a V perpendicular to the longitudinal elements, on either side of the longitudinal axis (L3). The axes of the rollers are mounted by their first ends to one of the longitudinal elements, and their second ends are connected at a point positioned below the first ends. The rollers are positioned near the entrance to the gutter 117 in order to ensure optimal transfer between the two. These V-shaped rollers guarantee proper positioning of the cable assembly 59 on the strip 17 which has just been lifted by centering the cable assembly on the strip, and making it possible to prepare and start folding the strip around of the cable assembly.

 Downstream of the folding system 113, the supporting structure carries a fixing system 118 capable of fixing said folded strip around

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 of the cable assembly. The fastening system, mounted between the longitudinal elements 102, consists of a spiraling or ribboning machine such as that described in the aforementioned French patent from page 9, line 27 to page 10, line 28 and whose operation and use are described from page 11 line 24 to page 13 line 3.

puisse venir en contact contre la bande, à proximité de l'un de ses bords longitudinaux. La roue à capteur est reliée à la rubanneuse afin de commander la vitesse de fonctionnement de la rubanneuse 118 en fonction de la vitesse d'avancement de la bande et de l'ensemble de câbles. The ramp comprises a wheel, equipped with a sensor capable of measuring its speed of rotation, and mounted in rotation at the end of an arm 120 around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said arm being mounted to pivot on one of the arms of the ramp, so that the wheel

can come into contact against the strip, near one of its longitudinal edges. The sensor wheel is connected to the banding machine in order to control the operating speed of the banding machine 118 as a function of the speed of advance of the strip and the set of cables.

 Guide means 121 are mounted between the two longitudinal elements 102, downstream of the fastening system 118, to guide the product obtained 122 at the outlet of the fastening system according to an appropriate curvature, namely the assembly of cables coated with a protective layer formed by said strip, in order to deposit it on the ground 16. These guide means comprise a pair of rollers, 123, 124 in the form of a diabolo, the axes of rotation of which are carried perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, one at above the other, by two supports 125 mounted on the longitudinal elements, and a curved circular gutter 126, mounted downstream of the pair of rollers on the support structure between the two longitudinal elements by means of support 127. The rollers and the gutter are substantially centered along the longitudinal axis (L3).

 In the present embodiment, the carrying structure is carried laterally by a motorized vehicle 130, equipped in particular with front wheels 131, rear steering wheels 132, a steering control 133 and a seat 134 for the driver. The conductor is placed relative to the device so that it has perfect visibility. Advantageously, the device can be worn laterally on one side or the other of the conductor. The use of rear steering wheels makes it possible to obtain precise guidance of the ramp relative to the strip and to the set of cables laid on the ground. A lifting arm 135 is

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 pivotally mounted by one of its ends on the motorized vehicle 130 around an axis arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support structure. The free end of the arm has an oblong slot 136 into which is inserted the end of the axis of rotation 107 of the wheels. A jack system carried by the motorized vehicle and acting on the lifting arm makes it possible to pivot said ramp around its pivot axis 105 to lower it into an active position in which the wheels are in contact with the ground, and lift it into a passive position, illustrated in broken lines in Figure 7, in which the wheels are spaced from the ground. The device can also be assembled on a motorized tracked vehicle of the motorcycle type, comprising a lateral bracket allowing the assembly of the device. Such a machine guarantees perfect visibility of the ramp for the driver.

 The method and operation of the device 100 according to the invention will now be described in detail.

 The strip 17 is deposited longitudinally on the ground, by means of the strip unwinder vehicle 20 as described above. Then the cable assembly 59 is deposited on the strip via the cable unwinder vehicle 60 as described above. The manually controlled guide piece 86 allows the cable assembly to be precisely deposited on the strip.

 The ramp 103 is brought into its active position, the wheels in contact with the ground 16. In this position, the outer edge 112a of the plate 112 is disposed just above the surface of the ground 16. The device 100 is moved parallel to the strip and the cable assembly. The strip and the cable assembly are gradually raised during the movement (D3) of the device, then pass over the V-shaped rollers, in the gutter 113 to progressively wrap the cable assembly with the strip then, in the fixing system , pass between and against the rollers 123,124 then in the gutter 126 to be deposited on the ground. The device lifts the strip and the cable assembly and deposits them on the ground without moving them longitudinally.

 The set of cables coated with its protective layer represented by the reference 122, can be laid on the ground along the

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dans le brevet français précité en référence à une figure 12. Il est préférable de déposer l'ensemble de câbles sur la bande afin d'éviter toute détérioration de l'ensemble de câbles. Toutefois, suivant la nature du sol, il peut être prévu un dispositif comprenant une rampe et des moyens de positionnement permettant de soulever une bande et un ensemble de câbles disposés préalablement sur le sol l'un à côté de l'autre, et de positionner l'ensemble de câbles sur la bande. trench, next to it, the coated cable assembly then being moved manually or by any means in the trench. The coated cable assembly can also be laid on the ground before the trench is made. In the latter case, it is possible to use a motorized vehicle carrying at the rear a cutting wheel, which digs a trench and simultaneously positions the cable assembly in the bottom of the trench. Such a machine is succinctly described in the aforementioned French patent with reference to a figure 13. The coated cable deposited on the ground can also be recovered on a reel which is then carried by a motorized machine, able to dig a trench and simultaneously to place coated cable assembly, such as that described

in the aforementioned French patent with reference to a figure 12. It is preferable to deposit the cable assembly on the strip in order to avoid any deterioration of the cable assembly. However, depending on the nature of the ground, a device may be provided comprising a ramp and positioning means making it possible to lift a strip and a set of cables previously arranged on the ground one next to the other, and to position the set of cables on the tape.

 Although the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention

Claims (9)

 CLAIMS 1. Device (100) for coating an elongated object (59) with at least one external protective layer in the form of a strip, said object being intended to be buried in the ground, said device comprising a longitudinal support structure (101) displaceable and carrying a folding system (113) capable of gradually folding a flexible strip (17) around said elongated object, and a fixing system (118) capable of fixing said folded strip around said elongated object to form said protective layer, characterized in that said support structure carries lifting means (103) capable of lifting the strip and the elongated object previously arranged longitudinally on the ground, gradually during the movement of the support structure.  2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting means comprise a ramp (103) able to be arranged obliquely to the ground (16) so that its free end is positioned close of the ground surface during movement (D3) of the longitudinal support structure (101).  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said ramp (103) is pivotally mounted on said structure around a transverse pivot axis (105) and comprises at least one rolling means (106) at its free end, having an axis of rotation (107) substantially parallel to said pivot axis and capable of coming to bear against the ground.  4. Device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the ramp (103) comprises two longitudinal arms (104) carrying between them a set of transverse rollers (108-111) free in rotation on which are intended to come rolling the strip (17) and the elongated object (59), each longitudinal arm carrying a wheel (106) at its free end, said wheel forming part of the rolling means.  5. Device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a jack system (135) making it possible to pivot said ramp around its pivot axis (105) between an active position in which its rolling means (106) is in contact with the ground and passive positions in which the rolling means is spaced from the ground. <Desc / Clms Page number 23>  6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal supporting structure (101) carries positioning means (114) capable of gradually positioning one object relative to the other. elongated (59) and the strip (17) having just been lifted, before their passage through said folding system (113) then in the fixing system (118), said systems being spaced apart longitudinally on said support structure downstream of said means lifting device (103) and positioning means, and guide means (121) capable of guiding the strip and the elongated object leaving the fastening system, in the form of an elongated object coated with a protective layer consisting by said strip, for gradually depositing on the ground said elongated object coated with a protective layer (122).  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning means (114) comprise at least two rollers (115,116) whose axes of rotation are arranged in a V.  8. Method for coating an elongated object (59) with at least one external protective layer in the form of a strip, said object being intended to be buried in the ground, comprising a step of folding a flexible strip (17) around of said elongated object and a step of fixing said folded strip around said elongated object to form said protective layer, characterized in that it successively comprises: - a step of placing the strip longitudinally on the ground, - a step placing the elongated object on the ground, longitudinally, - a step of progressive, simultaneous lifting of the strip and the elongated object and relative positioning of one relative to the other, - said step folding,

 - Said fixing step, - a step consisting in depositing on the ground the strip and the elongated object in the form of an elongated object coated with a protective layer constituted by said strip.  9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said step of placing the strip on the ground consists in depositing said <Desc / Clms Page number 24>  strip from a container and the step of placing the elongated object on the ground consists in depositing said elongated object on the strip which has just been deposited.