FR2954460A1 - L shaped supporting device for adjustable crib, has fixing units placed to fix proximal ends of rods at proximal ends of longerons, and comprising cylindrical female fixation surfaces that retain proximal ends of rods and longerons - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has rods (2, 3) extending along vertical direction (I-I) between distal ends (2b, 3b) and proximal ends (2a, 3a). Longerons (5, 6) extend parallel to each other along horizontal direction (II-II) among proximal ends (5a, 6a) and distal ends (5b, 6b) of the longerons. Fixing units (7) are placed to fix the proximal ends of the rods at the proximal ends of the longerons. Each fixing unit includes cylindrical female fixation surfaces that retain the proximal ends of the rods and longerons.

Description

The present invention relates to the storage of logs of wood, and more particularly relates to a support device for constituting an adjustable pyre.

The French document FR 2 612 757 describes an adjustable pyre comprising at least one retaining device in the general L-shaped bracket shape, comprising: two rods extending substantially in a first vertical direction between first and second distal ends and first and second proximal ends, - spacer means adapted to hold at a fixed distance from each other the rods parallel to each other, - two longitudinal members intended to rest on the ground, extending parallel to one another; to the other in a second so-called horizontal direction between third and fourth proximal ends and third and fourth distal ends; - fixing means for fixing the first and second proximal ends respectively to the third and fourth proximal ends. In this retaining device, the first and second proximal ends of the stems of the retaining device respectively comprise a curved section followed by an end section perpendicular to the first direction. The third and fourth proximal ends of the longitudinal members comprise an outer diameter reduction allowing interlocking cooperation in the perpendicular sections. The spacer means comprise crosspieces whose ends are cut and assembled at 90 ° by welding on the rods.

The realization of such a retaining device therefore requires at least one bending of the two rods, and a conformation of the third and fourth proximal ends of the side members, which proves long and expensive. The bending of the rods has the further disadvantage of stretching the rods by thinning their section in the bending zone. In FR 2 612 757, the rods are hollow tubes whose wall thickness is decreased in the bending zone. For good resistance rods at their bending, it is necessary to provide rods whose section, if any wall thickness, will be sufficient after bending. This implies that the rods have a section, if necessary a wall thickness, unnecessarily thick over most of their length. The stems are too expensive and too heavy to handle and transport.

In addition, the bending of the rods prevents compact storage of the support device disassembled: the packaging in which the support device is sold is necessarily thick, although not filled, for the housing of the end sections. perpendicular. This results in excessive storage costs, high transportation costs and lack of space in store shelves. And when the support device is no longer used by the end user, for example in the summer season, the bending of the rods prevents the compact storage of the disassembled support device. A first problem proposed by the present invention is to design a reliable and robust support device, the manufacture of which is simple and inexpensive, and which can be transported and stored with a small thickness. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide a retaining device which can be at least partially pre-assembled for transport and / or storage out of period of use, while having a low thickness. To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides an adjustable log support device, generally L-shaped bracket, comprising: - two rods extending in a first vertical direction between first and second distal ends and first and second proximal ends, - spacer means adapted to hold at a fixed distance from each other the parallel rods between them, - two longitudinal members intended to rest on the ground, extending parallel to each other in a second so-called horizontal direction between third and fourth proximal ends and third and fourth distal ends; securing means for securing the first and second proximal ends respectively to the third and fourth proximal ends; ; According to the invention, each of the attachment means is removable and comprises first and second substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces shaped to surround and respectively retain the proximal ends of the rods and spars. Such fastening means allow the use of rods and longitudinal members perfectly straight and constant section over their entire length. It is not necessary to perform any shaping rods and spars, which can thus be obtained directly and simply by flow in different lengths of bars or longitudinal tubes standard.

5638FDEP.doc 2954460 3 The absence of necking and / or bending makes it possible to use rods and spars made from smaller section bars or from hollow tubes with a smaller wall thickness, which reduces the cost of manufacturing materials and lightens the retaining device without impairing its strength.

The rods and spars being perfectly straight, the support device can be stored, stored or packaged in a compact manner, the thickness before mounting or once removed not exceeding the diameter of the rods and / or spars. This results in a saving of space, during storage, during transport, during the presentation for sale in a rack, and storage at 10 end user. Advantageously, provision may be made for the removable fastening means to comprise a connector in two parts, each of the connector parts comprising a first concave surface and a second concave surface with generatrices substantially perpendicular to one another, the connector parts cooperating in one position. assembly for forming the first and second substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces. Such fastening means provide a reliable arrangement of the rods perpendicular to the longitudinal members. The two-part configuration makes it possible to grip the rods and spars on both sides, which makes assembly / disassembly very easy for the end user. Advantageously, the connector portions may be pivotally hinged relative to each other by hinge means, preferably by detachable hinge means to permit separation of the two connector portions.

The hinge means facilitate the establishment of the fixing means by the user who must, with his two only hands, position and hold a spar, a rod and the connector parts of the fastening means. The hinge means thus allow the user to position the two connector portions on the rods and stringers by holding only one of the connector portions between his fingers. Preferably, on each connector portion, the first and second female attachment surfaces may be separated by a clamping zone. Advantageously, the clamping zone may comprise an orifice 35 passing through the thickness of the connector portion, of diameter adapted to receive the rod of a clamping screw. In this way, a single clamping means ensures the simultaneous connection of the connector to the corresponding rod and spar.

Advantageously, the first and / or second female attachment surfaces are provided with at least one protuberance, preferably ribs extending in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the generatrices of the first or second surface. female fixation.

When setting up the fastening means on the rods or spars, said at least one protrusion is sinking into the cylindrical outer surface of the rods or longitudinal members by slightly deforming it. The protuberance thus provides improved retention of the rod or spar in the first and / or second female attachment surface.

Alternatively or additionally, it can provide a corresponding slot or housing provided on the end of the rods or rails and adapted (e) for receiving and retaining said protuberance. In a first particular embodiment of a retaining device according to the invention, the spacer means may comprise at least two crosspieces connected at their ends to the rods by irremovable fastening means, said crosspieces being arranged one at a time. distance from each other by a distance greater than the length of the spars. In this first embodiment, the sleepers may for example be welded at their ends to the rods. The sleepers and rods thus form a subassembly to which all that remains is to fix / remove the rails to finish the construction / disassembly of the retaining device for its use / storage. The distance between the sleepers is sufficient to accommodate the longitudinal members in the plane of a frame defined by the rods and sleepers. The thickness of the support device before mounting or after disassembly will therefore be close to the outside diameter of those rods, rails or crosspieces having the largest outside diameter; the length of the retaining device before mounting or after disassembly will be close to the length of the rods; the depth of the support device before mounting or after disassembly will be close to the width of the frame defined by the rods and crosspieces. In a second particular embodiment of a support device according to the invention, the spacer means may comprise at least two sleepers connected at their ends to the rods by removable fixing means, preferably removable fastening means identical to those that connect the spars to the stems. In this second embodiment, the crossmembers may first be attached at their ends to the rods such that said crosspieces are arranged one away from the other by a distance greater than 10 feet. the length of the spars. The sleepers and rods thus form a subassembly to which it remains only to fix / remove the longitudinal members to finish the construction / disassembly of the support device for use / storage. The dimensions 5 (thickness, length and depth) of the retaining device before mounting or after disassembly will then be substantially identical to those of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the rods, sleepers and longitudinal members can be completely dismantled, both before assembly and after dismantling. The thickness of the support device before mounting or after disassembly will be close to the outer diameter of those rods, rails or crosspieces that have the largest outside diameter; the length of the retaining device before mounting or after disassembly will be close to the length of those of the rods, rails or sleepers having the greatest length. In the case where the longitudinal members and the crosspieces have lengths less than half the length of the rods, the depth of the retaining device before assembly or after disassembly will be close to the sum of the outside diameters of two rods, a crossbar and a spar, while the length will be close to the length of the rods, which allows to obtain a small footprint as possible.

The sleepers being connected at their ends to the rods by removable fastening means, it is avoided to have effector complicated cuts of the crosspieces for fixing them by welding rods. The fact of doing without welds avoids, in the case of rods and / or spars in hollow tubes, to unintentionally drill the tubes during the realization of the welds. The crosspieces 25 may therefore be, like the rods and spars, obtained from simple bars or longitudinal tubes standard cut into different lengths. Advantageously, the first and second substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces may have substantially equal internal diameters. The rods, the longitudinal members, and if necessary the crosspieces, can thus have the same external diameter and be obtained from the same simple bars or longitudinal standard tubes cut in different lengths. A pyre may be constituted using a single retaining device according to the invention, used in front of a vertical wall panel. The volume of the pyre is variable and easily adjustable by adjusting the distance between the wall and the retaining device. A pyre may also be formed using two retaining devices according to the invention, arranged face to face, the longitudinal members of each retaining device being directed towards the other retaining device. The volume of the pyre is variable and easily adjustable by adjusting the distance between the two props. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of realization of retaining device according to the invention in use position; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support device of Figure 1 10 in the transport position, storage or storage; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of retaining device according to the invention in the use position; FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the support device of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support device of FIG. 3 in a first transport, storage or storage position; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support device of FIG. 3 in a second transport, storage or storage position; Figure 7 is a perspective view of removable fastening means used in the props of Figures 1 to 6 in an open position; - Figure 8 is a perspective view of removable fastening means of Figure 7, in an assembly position; - Figure 9 is a side view of an adjustable pyre comprising two support device according to the invention; and FIG. 10 is a side view of an adjustable pyre comprising a single propping device according to the invention. In Figures 1 to 6 are illustrated two particular embodiments of retaining device 1 according to the invention. Each of these support devices 1 has a general L-shaped bracket shape and comprises: two rods 2 and 3 extending in a first vertical direction II between first and second distal ends 2b and 3b and first and second second proximal ends 2a and 3a, spacer means 4 adapted to hold at a fixed distance from each other the rods 2 and 3 parallel to each other, two longitudinal members 5 and 6 intended to rest on the ground , extending parallel to one another in a second horizontal direction II-II said horizontal between third and fourth proximal ends 5a and 6a and third and fourth distal ends 5b and 6b, - means 7 to secure the first and second proximal ends 2a and 3a respectively to the third and fourth proximal ends 5a and 6a. It is seen more particularly in Figures 7 and 8 that each of the fastening means 7 is removable. Each of the fastening means 7 comprises a first substantially cylindrical female fastening surface 8 and a second female fastening surface 9, shaped to surround and retain respectively the proximal ends 2a, 3a, 5a and 6a of the rods 2 and 3 and 5 and 6 more particularly. It is seen more particularly that the removable fastening means 7 comprise a connector 10 in two parts 10a and 10b, each of the connector parts 10a and 10b having a first concave surface 11 and a second concave surface 12 generators substantially perpendicular to each other. The connector portions 10a and 10b cooperate in an assembly position (FIG. 8) to form the first and second substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces 8 and 9. To facilitate the handling of the connector 10 and its positioning on the rods 2 and 3 or longitudinal members 5 and 6, the connector parts 10a and 10b are articulated to pivot relative to each other in a direction III IIIIII by hinge means 13. The connector parts 10a and 10b are thus movable between at least one open position (FIG. 7) and an assembly position (FIG. 8).

In the exemplary securing means 7 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hinge means 13 are detachable to allow separation of the two connector portions 10a and 10b. In more detail, the hinge means 13 comprise two male tabs 14a and 14b respectively extending from the connector parts 10a and 10b 10. The male tabs 14a and 14b are shaped to engage in corresponding female housings 15a and 15b carried by the parts 10a and 10b. 10b of connector 10. The number of male tabs 14a and 14b and female housings 15a and 15b may be different from that shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The male tabs 14a and 14b and the female housings 15a and 15b allow articulation of the connector portions 10a and 10b without the need for an additional piece. It is observed that the connector parts 10a and 10b are strictly identical and substitutable, which presents a considerable advantage in the management of the connector parts 10a and 10b to be included in the packaging of a connector device. retaining 1 according to the invention. Alternatively, inseparable hinge means 13 may be provided. It can be observed in FIGS. 7 and 8 that, on each connector portion 10a and 10b, the first female attachment surface 8 and the second female attachment surface 9 are separated by a clamping zone 16. In the example of the means 7, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamping zone 16 comprises an orifice 17 passing through the thickness of the connector portions 10a and 10b, of diameter adapted to receive the rod 18 of a clamping screw or 'A bolt. The tightening means constituted by the clamping screw or the bolt make it possible to keep the connector parts 10a and 10b in the assembled position in order to surround and retain respectively the proximal ends 2a, 3a, 5a and 6a of the rods 2 and 3 and rails 5 and 6. In the example of the fixing means 7 shown in Figures 7 and 8, the hinge means 13 and the clamping means constituted by a clamping screw or a bolt cooperate for better retention of Rods 2 and 3. Alternatively, two parts 10a and 10b can be satisfied with no hinge means 13 and provided with clamping means such as the clamping screw or the bolt. Other clamping means, different from a clamping screw or a bolt, can be used. For example, it is possible to use an elastic U-shaped clamping piece whose parallel branches are inserted into and to bear against the flats 19 carried by the connector parts 10a and 10b, and in the presence or in the absence. Hinge means 13. As seen more particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8, in order to better retain the proximal ends 2a, 3a, 5a and 6a of the rods 2 and 3 and the longitudinal members 5 and 6, the first surface of FIG. female fastener 8 is provided with protrusions, in this case ribs 20a and 20b extending in a transverse direction IV-IV substantially perpendicular to the generatrices of the first female fastening surface 8. Although this is not the case on the Figures 7 and 8, the second female attachment surface 9 may also be provided with one or more protuberances. In the first embodiment of retaining device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spacer means 4 comprise two crosspieces 21 and 22 connected at their ends to the rods 2 and 3 by fastening means. immovable, for example by welding. In this case, the crosspieces 21 and 22 are arranged one away from the other at a distance D greater than the length L of the longitudinal members 5 and 6.

In this way, before mounting (during storage and transport in particular) or after dismantling, the longitudinal members 5 and 6 can be arranged in the plane P defined by the rods 2 and 3 and the crosspieces 21 and 22 so that the retaining device 1 takes the least possible space, at least in thickness (Figure 2).

In the second embodiment of retaining device 1 illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, the spacer means 4 comprises two crosspieces 23 and 24 connected at their ends to the rods 2 and 3 by removable fastening means 70. In this case, the fastening means 70 are identical to the fastening means 7 which connect the longitudinal members 5 and 6 to the rods 2 and 3. Only one type of fastening means is thus handled and, in the case of fastening means 7 to connector 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, only the part of connector parts 10a and 10b which are identical to each other is handled. When packaging the support device 1 of Figure 3, it can be completely disassembled with the rods 2 and 3, the longitudinal members 5 and 6, the crosspieces 23 and 24 and the fastening means 7 and 70 disposed substantially identical to that shown in Figure 6, to minimize the volume of the package for a more compact storage. Alternatively, the retaining device 1 of Figure 3 may be packed with the rods 2 and 3, the longitudinal members 5 and 6, the crosspieces 23 and 24 and the fixing means 7 and 70 arranged as in Figure 5 where the rails 5 and 6 are arranged substantially in the plane P defined by the rods 2 and 3 and the crosspieces 23 and 24. The rods 2 and 3 and the crosspieces 23 and 24 thus form a subset which it is no longer necessary that to assemble the beams 5 and 6 to complete the mounting of the retaining device 1.

When the end user no longer uses the support device 1 (during the summer season for example), the latter may choose to disassemble it completely to store it as shown in FIG. 6, or not disassemble it only partially to store it as illustrated in Figure 5. In order to facilitate the management of materials, to reduce costs but also to facilitate the mounting of the retaining device 1, the fastening means 7 and 70 Figures 7 and 8 have first and second substantially cylindrical female fastening surfaces 8 and 9 having substantially equal inner diameters d1 and d2. The rods 2 and 3, the longitudinal members 5 and 6 and the crosspieces 21 and 22 or 23 and 24 can thus be obtained by flow in different lengths of a single bar or a single tube. To limit the weight of the support device 1, it is preferred to make the rods 2 and 3, the longitudinal members 5 and 6 and the crosspieces 21 and 22 or 23 and 24 from hollow tubes. Alternatively, for use for a large pyre, it may be preferred to manufacture the rods 2 and 3, the longitudinal members 5 and 6 and the crossbars 21 and 22 or 23 and 24 from solid bars, in order to increase their strength. mechanical.

In FIG. 9 is illustrated an adjustable pyre 25 made using two retaining devices 1 according to the invention, arranged face to face, the longitudinal members 5 and 6 of each retaining device 1 being directed towards the other device. 1 and the logs being stacked in the volume between the rods 2 and 3. The length L1 of the adjustable pyre 25 can easily be adjusted by varying the distance between the two props 1. Another type of pyre Adjustable 26 is illustrated in Figure 10. This adjustable pyre 26 is constructed between a retaining device 1 according to the invention and a vertical wall 27 of a wall. The rails 5 and 6 of the retaining device 1 are directed towards the vertical wall 27, and the logs are stacked in the volume between the vertical wall 27 and the rods 2 and 3. The length L2 of the adjustable pyre 26 can easily be adjusted by varying the distance separating the vertical wall 27 from the rods 2 and 3. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations contained in the field of claims below.

5638FDEP.doc

Claims (1)

CLAIMS1 û Supporting device (1) for adjustable firing (25, 26), generally L-shaped bracket, comprising: - two rods (2, 3) extending in a first direction (II) said vertical between first and second distal ends (2b, 3b) and first and second proximal ends (2a, 3a), - spacer means (4) adapted to hold at a fixed distance from each other the rods (2 , 3) parallel to each other, - two longerons (5, 6) intended to rest on the ground, extending parallel to each other in a second direction (II-II) said horizontal between third and fourth ends proximal (5a, 6a) and third and fourth distal ends (5b, 6b); securing means (7) for securing the first and second proximal ends (2a, 3a) respectively to the third and fourth proximal ends (5a, 6a), characterized in that each of the fastening means (7) is removable and comprises first (8) and second (9) substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces shaped to surround and respectively retain the proximal ends (2a, 3a, 5a, 6a) of the rods (2, 3) and spars (5 , 6). 2 û Support device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable fastening means (7) comprise a connector (10) in two parts (10a, 10b), each of the parts (10a, 10b) of connector Device (10) having a first concave surface (11) and a second concave surface (12) with generatrices substantially perpendicular to one another, the connector parts (10a, 10b) cooperating in an assembly position to form the first ( 8) and second (9) substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces. 3 - propping device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the connector parts (10a, 10b) (10) are hingedly pivoted relative to each other by hinge means (13). preferably by hinge means (13) detachable to allow separation of the two connector parts (10a, 10b) (10). 4 û Retaining device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that, on each portion (10a, 10b) of connector (10), the first (8) and second (9) fixing surfaces females are separated by a clamping zone (16). 5 - Retaining device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping zone (16) comprises an orifice (17) passing through the thickness of the connector portion (10a, 10b) (FIG. 10), of diameter adapted to receive the rod (18) of a clamping screw. 5 6 û Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first (8) and / or the second (9) female fastening surfaces are provided with at least one protrusion, preferably ribs (20a, 20b) extending in a transverse direction (IV-IV) substantially perpendicular to the generatrices of the first (8) or second (9) female attachment surface. 7 ¿propped device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spacer means (4) comprise at least two crosspieces (21, 22) connected at their ends to the rods (2, 3) by irremovable fastening means, said crosspieces (21, 22) being arranged one apart from the other by a distance (D) greater than the length (L) of the longitudinal members (5, 6) . 8 - propping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spacer means (4) comprise at least two crosspieces (23, 24) connected at their ends to the rods 20 (2). , 3) by removable fixing means (70), preferably removable fastening means (70) identical to those connecting the longitudinal members (5, 6) to the rods (2, 3). 9 - Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first (8) and second (9) substantially cylindrical female attachment surfaces have internal diameters (dl, d2) substantially equal. 10 - adjustable pyre (25) comprising two support devices (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the longitudinal members (5, 6) of each support device (1) being directed towards the other retaining device 30 (1).