FR2891044A1 - Sample holder e.g. for motor vehicle component has adjustable upright support, arms and top panel to achieve required and reproducible orientation - Google Patents

Abstract

The sample holder (1) consists of an upright support (3) in two telescopic sections (30a, 30b) on feet (15), radial horizontal (7) and vertical (9) arms supporting a top panel (35). The arms are adjustable and marked with measurements to allow their positions to be reproduced, and the vertical arms are connected to the top panel by ball joints (31, 33a). A variant of the design can have a separate small top panel for each of the vertical arms.

Description

Sample carrier

  The invention relates to a sample holder for providing adjustable positioning in three dimensions of a sample.

  In practice, particularly in the automotive field, has been found a significant loss of time for the establishment of such as crates or paint plates, which may be in particular plastic or metal coated with paint.

  One can also be exposed to risks of variation of the positioning of the sample, and thus of errors on the results during a repetition of tests on the same sample or on several different samples, in particular if the tests are carried out by different users.

  In certain situations, restrictions have also been found on the possibilities of optimal positioning of parts or samples.

  Sample holders are already known comprising a support supporting at least one sample-carrying tray.

  An object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution for quickly repositioning, accurately and reproducibly, on one or more series of tests, independently of the user and, if possible, regardless of the part concerned.

  For this purpose, it is suggested: - that the aforesaid support be provided with: * a mast rising along an axis, * first arms individually connected to the mast, each lengthened in a first direction, 2891044 2 transversely to the axis of the mast, and having a variable length, adjustable relative to the mast, in this first direction, by releasably locking adjustment means, * second arms, erected and individually connected to the first arms, away from the mast, the positioning in height of each second arm being variable and adjustable by second releasably locking adjustment means, - and that the / each sample plate is removably attached to at least one of the second arms, to the upper end of it.

  Preferably, the sample holder will further comprise.

  angular orientation means provided in a complementary manner on the / each sample holder and on the / each second arm, towards said upper end, to adapt the angular orientation relative to the horizontal of the / of each door plate sample, in several directions, and means for locating the settings, to ensure their repeatability, these locating means comprising.

  É on the / each sample-carrying tray, first position-identifying elements with respect to at least two directions (x, y), according to the surface in which the plateau under consideration, É and / or on the first arms and / or on the links between the mast and said first arms, second elements for locating the length of the first arms, E and / or on the second arms and / or on the links between the first arms and the second arms, third elements for locating the length of the second arms or the height at which the / each sample plate (s), E at least one level marking element, is located for the angular orientation of the / of each plate, or worn sample, or first arms or second arms.

  Such apparatus will allow to tilt a part or sample in three dimensions, for viewing at different angles of incidence, reproducibly.

  For a first type of part, such as a paint plate, it is advisable to use a single sample plate attached to the top of each of the second arms.

  Alternatively, for example for larger pieces, or having tortured shapes, it is advisable to use several sample trays (s), in a number equal to that of the second arms, and individually adjustable.

  In a favorable embodiment, the angular orientation means, that is to say the means of inclination relative to the horizontal and the vertical, will comprise one or more ball joints.

  To ensure an easy solution to set up, stable and efficient, it is furthermore recommended to provide a number of first arms equal to three, arranged at 120 each other, each carrying a second arm and extending radially through report to the mast.

  In particular, for the appearance characterization of paint samples, it is proposed that at the location of an upper face, the / each sample plate (s) bears a hollow shape and that said first elements marking are inscribed on this upper surface, to locate (at least in X and Y) a location of any location located within the contour of this recessed shape, for example on a piece arranged in this hollow form .

  Again in order to facilitate manufacture, compactness and stability, it is further advised that the mast is telescopic and includes individually adjustable feet in height.

  To promote an efficient, easy and reproducible positioning of the or each sample piece, it is further provided that the or each plate has, on the upper face, streaks covered with a non-slip surface.

  In addition or alternatively, it is provided that the / each plate carries means for receiving an attached support, the / each support having an upper supporting or receiving surface for the sample concerned.

  Again, for a good identification of the settings, it is further advised that the / each plate carries several level means (x) (such as water levels) for the registration of an inclination, on several sides.

  In the more detailed description that follows and who

  In particular, reference is made to a preferred embodiment, the following figures are cited, which therefore refer to examples in which: FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a sample holder according to the invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged local view of FIG. 1; FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show details; FIGS. 6 and 7 show at different scales solutions with multiple trays; FIGS. 8 and 9 show a plateau. unique following two comparable achievements, and Figure 10 shows a plate provided with clamping jaws.

  As shown in Figure 1, the device 1 sample holder comprises a central mast 3 erected along an axis 3a, here a vertical axis. Towards its apex, the mast 3 carries a first fastening or connecting means 5 for attaching to this mast a series 7 of first arms carrying, at a distance from the mast 3 and individually, second arms 9, here three in number, 9a , 9b, 9c.

  The second arms 9 are raised, here substantially vertically, along an axis parallel to the central axis 3a, and can be arranged individually at a distance, such as d for the arm 9c, variable relative to the mast 3, and more specifically to its axis 3a.

  In the preferred embodiment, the mast 3 is telescopic and the first arms 7 are radial vis-à-vis the axis 3a, 120 to each other. But their angular gap could be adjustable by any means of articulation and releasable locking, such as a ball joint clamping.

  The lower barrel 30a of the mast is linked to its base with feet, such as here three feet 11a, 11b, 11c, defining a tripod linked to the mast 30a in a sliding and articulated manner.

  Thus, the device 1 has a support base whose mast 3 is the frame.

  Means 15 for individually adjusting the height of the stabilizing feet on the floor of the base can make it possible to promote the overall balance of the device. These may be screws 150 provided with ground pads.

  The connecting means 5 may consist of a short tube which is either fixedly mounted on the movable rod 30b of the mast 3, or slidably mounted along this mast. In this first case, releasable locking adjustment means 16 will make it possible to adjust the height H of the mast and therefore the plane 70 in which the first arms 7 which are here three in number, 7a, 7b, 7c, extend. Alternatively, one could provide a adjusting screw such as 19a Figure 3 to adapt the positioning level of the tube 5, so the arms 7, along the mast.

  In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the illustrated arm 7c is therefore elongate in a direction 17 (here horizontal) which is transverse to the axis 3a of the mast 3.

  To vary the distance d, this first arm 7c is telescopic and comprises two parts, 70a, 70b respectively connected to the mast and the corresponding second arm 9c by first and second connecting means 19, 21.

  This same solution can be found for the other 30 first arms 7 (7a, 7b).

  Screws such as 21a (Figure 2) can releasably adjust the height position of the second arms, such as 9a, 9c along the corresponding first arm.

  The length of first arms here 7a, 7b, 7c can be adjusted by a screw system, such as 23, with releasable locking.

  Figure 3 illustrates a graduated scale 25 for locating the length adjustment of the first arm, such as 7c, illustrated, and preferably on each arm, to ensure if necessary a repeatability of the settings.

  FIG. 4 shows that, for the adjustment in height, a light 27 through the connecting tube 29 which connects each second arm 9 - such as that 9a illustrated to the first arm (here 7a) of the group 7, allowing the sliding of this second arm (in this case its vertical displacement), makes it possible to visualize the graduation 28 of the setting and to reproduce it.

  Still in FIG. 4, a drive system 310, such as here a gear and rack device, replaces the screw solution 21a of FIG. 2 and allows the displacement of the second arm concerned along the corresponding first arm, this precisely and with a lock releasable at each notch.

  The second arms 9 are rods individually mounted sliding relative to the first arm 7 to which they are thus connected transversely to the axis of each first arm.

  At its apex, each second arm 9 and for example 30 the arm 9a carries a ball 31. Here it is a spherical head, monobloc with the rod.

  Each spherical head engages, in a removable manner, in a bearing 33a having a complementary hollow shape, here spherical, of, or one of, the sample holder (35), as shown in FIG. head 31 of the arm 9a.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 show one of the releasable locking means 37 enabling such a removable or removable attachment. Indeed, once the spherical head 31 received in the spherical bearing 33a, the width of the slot 39 is reduced by the bias of one of the screws 37 which will allow the locking of said head in the desired position by bringing the elements 35a and 35b.

  Other releasable locking means could be retained.

  From FIGS. 6 and 7, it is understood that, in another embodiment, there can be as many sample trays 35 as second arms 9. Each has a reduced surface compared to that of the door -sample common to all the second arms 9a, 9b, 9c illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9.

  In these Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9, the sample holder plate is triangular and comprises three releasably locking connection means each releasably receiving one of the ball joints 31 of the three second arms 9a, 9b, 9c.

  The locking of the sample-holder tray concerned, and thus its holding in position during the test to be carried out on the sample, takes place only after an angular adjustment which involves an adjustment at least longitudinally of the first 7 and / or seconds arm 9.

  In FIG. 8, holes 45 through the plate make it possible to fix either the selected sample or an intermediate support for this sample, such as that identified at 45a, 45b or 45c and shown on a small scale in FIG. this case, it is the tubular legs such as 49 which will engage in the holes where they will be held releasably by any suitable means of fixation (quarter turn, screws, etc.).

  The sample holder could also be declined in any geometric form capable of receiving the fastening systems, in line with the angular gaps fixed at the level of the first arms 7.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate locating elements 55 making it possible, on the upper face, to locate in two directions a location A on a sample piece 57 (FIG. 9).

  The piece 57 may be a paint sample plate.

  As shown in FIG. 10, this piece could be held by a jaw system 321, 323, 325 mounted pivoting and sliding, each in a slide, such as 327, 329, 331, respectively. It could also be housed in a recess 59 (FIG. 8) which is bordered by the registration elements 55, here two graduated lines, perpendicular, respectively parallel to one of the two adjacent sides of the rectangle defined by the recess 59. We will thus locate in x and y the location A. Other forms of recesses are possible, such as a star shape, with then preferably at least essentially identifying at least the directions of these branches.

  Levels, such as water levels 59 (FIG. 6), also make it possible to define the overall or even local inclination of the apparatus or of its members, for the quality of the test in progress, prepare or reproduce. They must be arranged on at least two faces (see also angular references 61).

  In the variant embodiment of FIG. 6, the illustrated sample plate belongs to a group of several plates, in number equal to that of the second arms 9.

  The base 65 of this plate is again made in the manner of an inverted U whose two elements 35a, 35b locally define between them the bearing 33a. These two elements can be clamped towards each other by screws such as 37, allowing a removable assembly on the complementary top of the corresponding second arm 9.

  Above the plate there is a succession of skids 71 parallel to each other, defining a ribbed upper surface and provided with a non-slip structure or coating, in the manner of slats parallel to each other adapted to receive the sample to be tested. or any appropriate intermediate part. The orifices 45 can appropriately place and fix if necessary the sample considered.

  On several faces of this sample plate, several level marking systems such as 59, 61 thus associate, for example, a water level with an angle reading system, to define or adjust at will the angular inclination. sample tray (s), or the sample itself.

  Of course, these level marking elements are preferably also existing on the other examples of plate (x) of the other figures.

Claims (11)

  1. Sample holder comprising a support (3, 15) supporting at least one sample plate (35), characterized in that: the support (3, 15) is provided with: * a mast (3) rising along an axis, * first arms (7; 7a, 7b, 7c) individually connected to the mast, each elongate in a first direction (17), transverse to the axis (3a) of the mast, and having a length ( d) variable, adjustable relative to the mast, in this first direction, by means (23) releasably locking adjustment, * second arms (9,9a, 9b, 9c), erected and individually connected to the first arms (7 7a, 7b, 7c), away from the mast, the height positioning of each second arm being variable and adjustable by second releasably locking second adjusting means (21a, 31), and the each The sample (35) is detachably attached to at least one of the second arms toward the upper end thereof.   2. Sample holder according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: angular orientation means (31,33a) provided in a complementary manner on the / each sample plate and on the / each second arm (9a, 9b, 9c) towards said upper end, to adapt the angular orientation to the horizontal of the / of each sample holder (35), in several directions, and * means (25,27 , 55,59,61) for setting the settings, to ensure their repeatability, these locating means comprising: É on the / each sample-carrying tray, first position-identifying elements (55) (A) relative to the at least two directions (x, y), depending on the area in which the plateau in question extends, E and / or on the first arms and / or on the links between the mast and said first arms, second locating elements (25). ) the length (d) of the first arms, E and / or on the second arms and / or on the between the first arms and the second arms, third elements (27,28) for locating the length of the second arms or the height at which the / each sample holder (s) is located, E at least one element level marking (59,61), for the angular orientation of the / each tray, or the sample carried, or the first 20 arms or second arms.   3. Sample holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sample plate (35) is unique and fixed to the top of each of the second arm (9a, 9b, 9c).   4. Sample holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sample trays (35) are multiple in number equal to that of the second arms (9a, 9b, 9c), and individually adjustable.   5. Sample holder according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 or 4 attached to this claim 2, characterized in that the angular orientation means comprise one or more ball joints (31).   6. Sample holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a number of first arms (7a, 7b, 7c) equal to three, arranged at 120 from each other, each carrying a second arm (9a, 9b, 9c) and extending radially with respect to the mast (3).   7. Sample holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mast (3) is adjustable in height and / or the height position of the first arms (7a, 7b, 7c), along the mast. , is adjustable via releasable locking adjustment means (16, 19a).   8. Sample holder according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 6 attached to this claim 2, characterized in that at the location of an upper face, the / each sample tray has a shape of hollow (59) and said first registration elements (55) are inscribed on this upper surface, for locating (at least in X and Y) a location of any location (A) situated within the contour of this shape recessed, for example on a part (57) disposed in this recessed form.   9. Sample holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mast is telescopic and comprises feet (lla, llb, llc) individually adjustable in height.   10. Sample holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for receiving the or each sample piece, the or each sample plate (35) has, on the upper face, streaks (71). ) covered with a non-slip surface.   11. Sample holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the / each sample plate carries a plurality of level means (61) for the identification of an inclination, such as water levels, on several faces.