WO2020058998A1 - Transformable tools-transporting system and related transformation method - Google Patents

Abstract

A system (1) is described, for transporting a plurality of tools designed for be transformable into at least one temporary workplace (2) adapted to enable performing a plurality of working jobs in the field of optical fibers through said workplace (2); the system (1) is equipped with: an external case, composed of a lower portion (3), and of an upper portion (5); at least one bearing element (4); two or more multi-function bars (6); and four or more supporting elements (8) arranged inside the upper portion (5) of the case during the transport of the system (1) by a user. A method for transforming such system is also described.

Description

TRANSFORMABLE TOOLS-TRANSPORTING SYSTEM AND RELATED TRANSFORMATION METHOD

The present invention refers to a system for transporting tools, transformable if needed into a temporary workplace, in the field of optical fiber workings.

Devices suitable for transporting tools and instruments are known in the art, such as those disclosed in documents CN105291079, CN203041025,

US4773535, CN106335037.

A working plane i salso known, as disclosed in document US20182220035, equipped with retractable legs, or also as disclosed in document US2018170667 arranged on an existing container, preferably with a big height and not adjustable, such as a bin for collecting waste, as shown in the figures of the above document, to allow a user to perform a working activity at an adequate height.

The field of telecommunications is one of the technical fields with the highest development rate. In particular, the application of optical technologies has contributed to such development, allowing to make structures capable of reaching high frequencies. The optical fibers with their intrinsic features of high band and of transport capability along wide distances, are the most widespread physical carrier and, certainly, the one on which the operators are more concentrated and the one with the highest search investments by the manufacturers .

Consequently, it is highly desirable to have an optimum management of such technologic evolution, in particular the step of making such telecommunication networks requires a high number of technical and highly specialized interventions in the territory.

It is clear that a system is not known, in particular in the field of working the optical fibers, where a field working is required, which can be easily transported and is adapted to contain therein a plurality of tools, adapted in case of need to be transformed into a workplace suitable for performing working jobs and simultaneously housing the related necessary tools.

Documents GB-A-2 398 755 and US-B1-6 318 713 disclose transporting systems according to the preamble of Claim 1.

Object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems by providing a system for transporting tools transformable into a temporary workplace .

Another object is providing a system for transporting tools transformable into a temporary workplace capable of allowing a user to safely perform working jobs in the field.

A further object of the present invention is providing a system for transporting tools which is compact, lightweight and manageable.

Another object of the present invention is providing a workplace which can be customized by the user.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from the following description, are obtained with a transformable tools-transporting system as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims .

It is intended that all enclosed claims are an integral part of the present description.

It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements, materials and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described, without departing from the scope of the invention, as contained in the enclosed claims.

The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show a three-dimensional view in vertical position of the system according to the present invention;

Figures 4 and 5 show a three-dimensional view of a workplace of the system according to the present invention;

Figures 6 and 7 show a top and side view of the lower portion of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view of the upper portion of the system according to the present invention; and

Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional view of an accessory of the workplace of the system according to the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a system 1 for transporting a plurality of tools according to the present invention is transformable, if needed, into a temporary workplace 2 adapted to guarantee efficiently performing a plurality of working jobs in the field of optical fibers, in particular junction, and/or bleed, and/or testing, by the user through the workplace 2.

Advantageously, the system 1 according to the present invention comprises:

an external case, composed of a lower portion 3, such as, for example, a half-case made of carbon fiber or other lightweight material, and of an upper portion 5, such as, for example, a half-case made of carbon fiber or other lightweight material, both adapted to simultaneously guarantee rigidity, lightweight and compactness to the system 1;

at least one bearing element 4, such as, for example, a working plane made of anodized aluminum or other similar one, adapted to enable performing, with stability and safety, the plurality of working jobs through the use of the workplace 2 by the user; two or more multi-function bars 6, composed of two profiles, preferably made of aluminum, adapted to delimit a recess suitable for placing and fastening the plurality of tools necessary for performing the working jobs when using the workplace 2 by the user. Such bars 6 are possibly equipped with a plurality of fastening means 18, such as, for example, screws, or screws with hammer head, or other similar ones, adapted to enable the installation of a plurality of accessories, enabling to customize the workplace 2 by the user; four or more supporting elements 8, such as, for example, tubular profiles made of carbon fiber or other similar one, preferably with a diameter of about 230 cm and a length of about 50 cm, arranged inside the upper portion 5 of the case during the transport of the system 1 by the user, and constrained to the upper portion 5 and to the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1 through a locking system, adapted to enable a mechanical coupling between the bearing element 4 and the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1, conferring stability to the workplace 2 when performing the working jobs by the user;

- possibly, a plurality of additional bearing elements 12, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, jointly connected laterally to the four or more supporting elements 8, adapted to provide the user with further bearing planes, enabling to perform working jobs, such as, for example, the junction operations which require a wider operating space, and enabling the user to work both in a standing position and in a sitting position, with consequent optimization of the intervention conditions guaranteeing stability and safety; and

two or more opening and closing means 9 of the system 1, such as, for example, hinges with adjustable lever-type closures, preferably made of stainless steel or other similar one, equipped with a first element arranged above and/or laterally along the lower portion 3 of the case, and with a secondo element arranged above and/or laterally along the upper portion 5 of the case.

Such opening and closing means 9 are possibly equipped with a fastening element, such as a safety eyelet, adapted to enable inserting a lock.

In particular, such opening and closing means 9 are adapted to connect the upper portion 5 of the case of the system 1 with the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1 during the transport of the system 1 by the user, and upon need are adapted to enable a separation between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1, during a step of transforming the system 1 in the workplace 2.

Moreover, the supporting elements 8 allow arranging the bearing element 4 preferably at a height of 90 cm, and the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1 is arranged lifted with respect to the ground, through two or more bearing means 13, preferably lifted by about 7 cm with respect to the ground, enabling a correct posture placement of the user, optimizing his performance of the working jobs in a standing position.

Advantageously, the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1 is equipped therein with dividing means adapted to create three or more areas aimed to house and protect the plurality of tools: the access to such areas is arranged through a plurality of doors.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first area 14a is adapted to house the electric components, possibly with visible multi-sockets 16; the second area 14b is equipped with three removable elements, such as, for example, boxes or other similar ones, adapted to house the optical components and the plurality of tools for working optical fibers, and of a room under the three removable elements adapted to house further components, such as, for example, straps, adapters, screws, etc.; the third area 14c is adapted to house a splicer and its accessories, such as, for example, cutter and power supply. Moreover, such areas are equipped with paddings and removable dividers adapted to enable customizing the system 1 by the user according to his use needs.

Finally, the system 1 for transporting tools further comprises :

at least one transporting element 7a, such as, for example a handle made of carbon fiber, or made of anodized aluminum or other similar one, arranged on the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1, adapted to enable moving the system 1 by the user on non-linear surfaces, such as, for example flight of steps, stairs, etc.;

at least one removable transporting element 7b, such as, for example, a removable handle made of carbon fiber or other similar one with a stroke preferably of 36 cm, arranged on the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1, adapted to enable moving the system 1 by the user;

two or more wheels 11, arranged below the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1, adapted to ensure a linear and reliable transport of the system 1 by the user; preferably, they are two wheels 11 made of polyurethane with a diameter of 200 mm, with a load capacity greater than 100 kg, equipped with revolving bearing with steel tapered rollers and polypropylene wheel rims;

- two or more bearing means 13, adapted to enable a horizontal positioning of the system 1 conferring greater stability to the workplace 2; a covering element 15 of the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1.

The system 1 can thereby assume a first configuration, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, adapted to contain therein the plurality of tools, and to transport them, and to assume a second configuration, as shown in Figures4 and 5, being transformed into the temporary workplace 2.

The invention further deals with a method for transforming the system 1 from the first configuration to the second configuration; such method comprises the steps of:

providing the system 1; activating the two or more opening and closing means 9 ;

separating the upper portion 5 from the lower portion 3 of the case of the system 1;

- inserting the upper and lower ends of each of the four or more supporting elements 8, respectively on the lower surface of the upper portion 5 and on the upper surface of the lower portion 3 ;

- providing and placing the plurality of tools on the multi-function bars 6;

activating the workplace 2; and

possibly placing the plurality of additional bearing elements 12.

Claims

1. System (1) for transporting a plurality of tools designed to be transformable into at least one temporary workplace (2) adapted to enable performing a plurality of working jobs in the field of optical fibers through said workplace (2) , said system (1) being equipped with:

an external case, composed of a lower portion (3) , and of an upper portion (5) ;

at least one bearing element (4) ;

two or more multi-function bars (6) ; and four or more supporting elements (8) arranged inside said upper portion (5) of said case during a transport of said system (1) by a user,

characterized in that said two or more multi function bars (6) are composed of two or more profiles adapted to delimit a recess adapted to place and fasten said plurality of tools, said two or more multi-function bars (6) being equipped with a plurality of fastening means (18) , adapted to enable an installation of a plurality of accessories, enabling a customization of said workplace (2) by said user; and

in that said lower portion (3) is equipped therein with a plurality of dividing means adapted to form three or more areas aimed to house and protect said plurality of tools, wherein the first area (14a) is adapted to house electric components, with visible multi -sockets (16) , the second area (14b) is equipped with removable elements adapted to house optical components and the plurality of tools for working optical fibers, and the third area (14c) is adapted to house a splicer and its accessories, in particular a cutter and a power supply.

2. System (2) according to the previous claim, characterized in that said system (1) further comprises :

two or more opening and closing means (9) of said system (1) , equipped with a first element arranged above and/or laterally along said lower portion (3) of said case and of a second element arranged above and/or laterally along said upper portion (5) of the case, adapted to connect said lower portion (3) with said upper portion (5) during said transport of said system (1) by said user, and to enable a separation of said upper portion (5) from said lower portion (3) during a step of transforming said system (1) into said workplace (2) ; at least one transporting element (7a) arranged on said lower portion (3) of said case of said system (1) ;

at least one removable transporting element (7b) , arranged on said lower portion (3) of said case of said system (1) ;

two or more wheels (11) , arranged below said lower portion (3) of said case of said system (1) ; two or more bearing means (13) , adapted to enable a horizontal positioning of said system (1) conferring greater stability to said workplace (2); and

a covering element (15) of said lower portion

(3) of said case of said system (1) .

3. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said four or more supporting elements (8) are constrained to said upper portion (5) and to said lower portion (3) of said case of said system (1) , through at least one locking system, enabling a mechanical coupling between said bearing element

(4) and said lower portion (3) , conferring stability to said workplace (2) when performing said plurality of working jobs by said user.

4. System (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said two or more opening and closing means (9) are equipped with at least one fastening element .

5. System (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said system (1) is adapted to assume a first configuration adapted to contain therein said plurality of tools and to transport said plurality of tools, and to assume a second configuration being transformed into said workplace (2) .

6. Method for transforming a system (1) according to any one of the previous claims from a first configuration to a second configuration, said method comprising the steps of :

providing said system (1) ;

- activating said two or more opening and closing means (9) ;

separating said upper portion (5) from said lower portion (3) of said case of said system (1) ; inserting said upper and lower ends of each of said four or more supporting elements (8) respectively on said lower surface of said upper portion (5) and on said upper surface of said lower portion (3) ;

providing and placing said plurality of tools on said two or more multi-function bars (6) ; activating said workplace (2) ; and

possibly placing said plurality of said additional bearing elements (12) .