Tool set for attaching a protective device under a vehicle and associated installation procedure

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of tools and methods for fixing components, particularly in the field of vehicle assembly and maintenance.

[0002] It is common to define vehicles with one or more plates or means of protection which are positioned and fixed under the vehicle.

[0003] When these plates or means of protection are heavy, such an operation becomes difficult to carry out, particularly when it is necessary to carry out such assemblies or disassemblies for vehicle maintenance.

[0004] US 5,372,353 A describes a tool suitable for positioning components below a vehicle and comprising a lifting means resting on the ground.

[0005] Document JP 2014 074304 A describes a removable tool comprising: at least four guide means produced in the form of rods each carrying a first threaded end and a second end; at least two operating means each comprising a support means and a screw / nut connection intended to allow, by rotation of the screw or nut, the progressive rise of the support means.

[0006] However, it is not always possible to have lifting equipment on site suitable for such an operation.

[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide a tool of simple and lightweight definition and allowing easy mounting or dismounting of plates or means of protection under a vehicle.

[0008] Thus, the invention relates to removable tools for assisting in the assembly and disassembly of a means of protection underneath a vehicle, which tools comprise: at least four guide means made in the form of rods each carrying a first threaded end intended to be fixed in a thread of the vehicle allowing the attachment of the protection means to the vehicle and a second end of each guide rod being intended to be positioned in one of the holes of the protection means which are intended to receive screws allowing the attachment of the protection means to the vehicle; at least two operating means each comprising a support means which is intended to be positioned under the protection means and a screw / nut connection intended to allow, by rotation of the screw or the nut, the progressive raising of the support means and the protection means to the vehicle to allow the attachment of the protection means; characterized in that it comprises two lifting assemblies each comprising: two smooth guide rods each comprising a first threaded end intended to be fixed by screwing into a thread of the vehicle allowing the attachment of the protection means to the vehicle; a connecting crosspiece connecting the two rods of the same lifting assembly; an operating means fixed to the crosspiece at an equal distance from the guide rods, operating means comprising a drive bar carrying a threaded external profile on which is engaged the support means which comprises a thread corresponding to this external profile, the threaded profile of the drive bar and the thread of the support means forming the screw / nut connection; an anti-friction stop interposed between the drive bar and the crosspiece.

[0009] According to one feature, the guide rods can be removably attached to the crosspiece.

[0010] The support means may have two holes, each hole receiving a guide rod.

[0011] Advantageously, the two lifting assemblies can be linked to each other by connecting bars so as to form a rectangular structure.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method of mounting a means of protection intended to be screwed underneath a vehicle, a method using tools according to one of the preceding characteristics and characterized by the following steps: the means of protection being positioned below the vehicle opposite the area of ​​the vehicle where it must be screwed, four guide rods are fixed below the vehicle, each bearing a first threaded end intended to be fixed in a thread of the vehicle allowing the means of protection to be fixed to the vehicle, a second end of each guide rod being positioned in one of the holes of the means of protection intended to receive fixing screws; the support means are positioned below the means of protection; the means of protection are brought closer to the vehicle by actuating the operating means; the means of protection are fixed by screws; the guide rods are removed by unscrewing them from the vehicle; the guide rods are replaced by screws for fixing the means of protection.

[0013] Preferably, the method also comprises the following steps: after having engaged the guide rods in the holes of the means of protection, two crosspieces are positioned parallel to each other, each crosspiece being positioned between two guide rods and carrying a drive bar, the support means being in abutment against the means of protection; stops are fixed on the ends of the guide rods, below each crosspiece; the drive bars are pivoted to bring the means of protection closer to the vehicle; after fixing the means of protection and before removing the guide rods, the stops are removed from the ends of the guide rods.

[0014] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of different embodiments, a description made with reference to the appended drawings and in which: [ Fig. 1a ] shows schematically in profile a vehicle with a plate positioned under the vehicle before its attachment; [ Fig. 1b ] shows a first step of the assembly method according to the invention; [ Fig. 1c ] shows a second step of the assembly method according to the invention; [ Fig. 1d ] shows a third step of the assembly method according to the invention; [ Fig. 1e ] shows a fourth step of the assembly method according to the invention; [ Fig. 1f ] shows a fifth step of the assembly method according to the invention; [ Fig. 1g ] shows a sixth step of the assembly method according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of a guide rod and its operating means according to an embodiment of a tool which is not part of the invention; [ Fig. 3 ] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the guide rod and the operating means of the figure 2 ; [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective view of a tool according to the invention; [ Fig. 5 ] is a front view of the tooling according to the invention; [ Fig. 6 ] is a side view of the tooling according to the invention; [ Fig. 7 ] is a top view of the tooling according to the invention; [ Fig. 8 ] is a partial sectional view showing the mechanism for pivoting the drive bar.

[0015] Referring to the figures 1a à 1g We will first describe the main steps of the method according to the invention allowing the assembly of a means of protection, which is here a simple protection plate.

[0016] These figures show a vehicle 1, which is here a wheeled vehicle 2, comprising two axles. The lower part of the body 3 of the vehicle 1 comprises a plate 4 (or simple crosspieces) which carry threads 5 which are intended to allow the fixing of a means of protection 6, which is here a protection plate 6. The fixing of the plate 6 will be done by screws 7 (see figures 1e à 1g ) which will be engaged in holes 8 of the protective plate 6, the head of the screws coming to bear against the plate 6 and the tightening of the screws 7 in the threads 5 ensuring the fixing of the plate 6.

[0017] The protective plate 6 is rectangular here. It has holes 8 regularly distributed over its entire perimeter. It is clear that other geometries of the protective means 6 would be possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The protective means 6 could thus have a bowl shape comprising a flat rectangular rim carrying the holes 8.

[0018] As seen in the figures, the protective plate 6 is positioned below the vehicle 1 and opposite the area of ​​the vehicle where it is to be screwed. The plate is placed on a transport pallet 9, for example made of wood. Positioning is done by sliding the pallet 9 on the ground.

[0019] As seen in the figures 1b et 1c , after relative positioning of the plate 6 and the vehicle 1, guide rods 10 are fixed below the vehicle 1, each of which carries a first threaded end 10a which is intended to be fixed in a thread 5 of the vehicle.

[0020] Here only two guide rods 10 are visible in the figures. To obtain a good distribution of the forces, there are in fact four guide rods 10, which are positioned at the level of the threads 5 which will be located in the vicinity of the tops of the plate 6 once it is fixed.

[0021] As seen on the figure 1b , each guide rod 10 was first introduced by its second end 10b into one of the holes 8 of the protective plate 6.

[0022] Advantageously, this introduction will be made before the relative positioning of the plate 6 and the vehicle 1 to avoid any mechanical interference between the vehicle and the rod 10 during this installation.

[0023] Alternatively, each rod 10 may be formed of two parts, fitted into each other with a rotation lock. It will then be easy to position a first part of the rod 10 in a hole 8 of the plate and then connect the second part of the rod to it.

[0024] As seen in the figure 1c , the guide rods 10 are then screwed into the threads 5 which correspond to the four holes 8 located at the tops of the plate, holes which will subsequently receive fixing screws.

[0025] Support means 11 and operating means 12 are then positioned below the protective plate 6.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the tooling, which is not part of the invention, and which is shown in figures 2 et 3 , the tool comprises four guide rods 10 which each comprise an external thread 13 onto which a nut 12 can be screwed which constitutes an operating means.

[0027] When the guide rods 10 are made in two parts, the thread 13 will be obtained by machining on the assembled rod 10 in order to ensure continuity of the thread when passing from one part to the other of the guide rod 10.

[0028] A support means 11 is interposed between the protection plate 6 and the nut 12 (see figure 3 ). This support means 11 is constituted by an anti-friction stop which is interposed between the nut 12 and the protection plate 6. In the embodiment shown in figure 3 , the anti-friction stop 11 is constituted by a needle stop 14. The needles 14 roll on an upper face 12a of the nut 12, and an elastic ring 15 axially secures the nut 12 and the stop 11 with sufficient play to allow rotation of the nut 12.

[0029] Thus the simultaneous rotation of the four nuts 12 will allow the progressive raising of the support means 11 and the protection plate 6 up to the vehicle 1 to allow the protection plate 6 to be fixed on the latter.

[0030] The external thread 13 of the guide rod 10 may have a pitch of at least 2 mm to reduce the rise time of the protection plate 6.

[0031] In practice, we will choose a step between 2 mm and 6 mm.

[0032] As seen in the figure 1d , rotating the nuts 12 allows the protective plate 6 to be brought closer to the vehicle.

[0033] On the figure 1e we see that, once the plate 6 is positioned, we can put in place the majority of the fixing screws 7 which connect the protection plate 6 to the vehicle 1.

[0034] After fixing these screws 7, the guide rods 10 are removed by unscrewing them from the vehicle ( figure 1f ).

[0035] We finally replace ( figure 1g ) the guide rods 10 by the last four fixing screws 7.

[0036] It can be seen that the method according to the invention allows easy and rapid assembly of a protective plate 6, even of significant weight.

[0037] The screws 7 are fixed securely and quickly, the rods 10 having ensured the guidance of the protective plate 6 during its installation, the relative positioning of the plate / vehicle is correct.

[0038] The process can be carried out in reverse to allow the disassembly and removal of the protective plate 6.

[0039] THE figures 4 à 7 show an embodiment of a tool according to the invention.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the tool comprises two lifting assemblies 16 which are connected to each other by two lateral connecting bars 17.

[0041] The lifting assemblies 16 and the connecting bars 17 are secured by means of axes 18 which are locked by elastic pins 19 ( figure 5 ) .

[0042] As seen on the figures 4 à 7 , each lifting assembly 16 comprises: two smooth guide rods 10 which comprise (as in the previous embodiment) a first end 10a which is threaded and which is intended to be fixed by screwing into a thread 5 of the vehicle; a connecting crosspiece 20 which is fixed by its ends to the connecting bars 17 so as to form a rectangular structure.

[0043] It can be seen that the guide rods 10 are inserted by their second ends 10b into the connecting crosspiece 20 which thus connects the two rods 10 of the same lifting assembly 16.

[0044] Each lifting assembly 16 also comprises an operating means 21 which is fixed to the crosspiece 20 at an equal distance from the guide rods 10.

[0045] This operating means comprises a drive bar 22, which is parallel to the guide rods 10, and which carries a threaded external profile 22a on which is engaged the support means 23 which here comprises a thread corresponding to this threaded external profile 22a.

[0046] The threaded profile 22a of the drive bar 22 and the tapping of the support means 23 thus form a screw / nut connection. The rotation of the drive bar 22 will cause the vertical translation of the support means 23 along the bar 22.

[0047] In order to be able to rotate relative to the crosspiece 20, the drive bar 22 is mounted to rotate freely in a pivot 24 ( figure 7 ) which is not shown in detail and its pivoting is controlled from a steering wheel 25 by a conventional type bevel gear angle transmission device (see the figure 8 ).

[0048] There figure 8 allows a more detailed view of the operating means 21 and the bevel gear angle transmission device.

[0049] It can thus be seen that the support 23 carries a nut 29 which is connected to the support 23 by screws 30. The lower part 22b of the drive bar 22 has a diameter smaller than that of the threaded part 22a and it receives a first bevel gear 31 which cooperates with a second bevel gear 32, which is perpendicular to it, and which is integral with an axle 33 on which the flywheel 25 is fixed.

[0050] The lower part 22b of the drive bar 22 is pivotally mounted on bearings 34a and 34b, made for example of brass or another anti-friction alloy. These bearings comprise a collar 35a or 35b which rests on the crosspiece 20.

[0051] The collar 35a of the upper bearing 34a receives axial support from a shoulder 36 of the drive bar 22. This collar 35b forms an anti-friction stop interposed between the drive bar 22 and the crosspiece 20. The role of this stop is to allow the pivoting of the drive bar 22 despite the significant axial forces to which it is subjected (due to the mass of the plate 6). Alternatively, the anti-friction stop may be a needle or ball thrust bearing.

[0052] Other bearings 37 ensure frictionless guidance between the axis 33 of the flywheel 25 and the crosspiece 20.

[0053] An elastic pin 38 is fixed transversely in the lower part 22b of the drive bar 22 and ensures axial locking thereof.

[0054] As seen on the figures 4 et 5 , the guide rods 10 are removably fixed to the crosspiece 20.

[0055] Thus the second end 10b of each guide rod 10 is introduced into a sleeve 26 of the crosspiece 20 and it is held in place by an elastic pin 27 which cooperates with a transverse hole of the guide rod 10.

[0056] We notice on these figures 4 et 5 that each guide rod 10 passes through the support means 23 through a bore 28. These bores extend over the entire thickness of the support means 23 and they each form a sleeve which slides on the guide rod 10 when the support means 23 is raised.

[0057] The guidance of the support medium is thus improved.

[0058] The implementation of this tool is close to that of the tool previously described.

[0059] First of all, the protective plate 6 is positioned underneath the vehicle, opposite the area of ​​the vehicle where it must be screwed.

[0060] Then, during a first step, the four guide rods 10 are fixed underneath the vehicle, each carrying a first threaded end 10a intended to be fixed in a thread 5 of the vehicle allowing the protection plate 6 to be fixed to the vehicle. A second end 10b of each guide rod 10 is previously positioned in one of the holes 8 of the protection plate 6 which is intended to receive a fixing screw.

[0061] The support means 23 are then positioned below the protective plate.

[0062] According to this embodiment of the tooling, the guide rods 10 are divided into two parts 10c and 10d ( figure 5) which are connected to each other for example by ball locks. Such an arrangement facilitates assembly. It is in fact easy to position the lower parts 10d of the rods 10 in the holes 8 of the protection plate 6 then in the holes 28 of the support means 23 and finally in the sleeves 26 of the crosspiece 20.

[0063] The guide rods 10 are connected to the crosspiece 20 by stops which are constituted here by the elastic pins 27. These pins 27 are positioned in transverse holes, on the ends of the guide rods 10, below each crosspiece 20.

[0064] Each crosspiece 20 is thus linked to the two guide rods 10, themselves fixed to the vehicle 1.

[0065] To stiffen the tooling, the two crosspieces 20 are then connected by the connecting bars 17, the locking being ensured by the axes 18 and the pins 19.

[0066] Once the assembly is completed, the protective plate 6 is brought closer to the vehicle by actuating the operating means, that is to say by pivoting the drive bars 22 by acting on the steering wheels 25.

[0067] The two bars 22 will of course be pivoted in a coordinated manner. For this purpose it will be possible to install a motor acting on the two flywheels 25 simultaneously.

[0068] Once the protective plate 6 is in contact with the vehicle, it is fixed with screws 7. The guide rods 10 are then removed by unscrewing them from the vehicle. Finally, the guide rods 10 are replaced with screws 7 for fixing the protective plate.

[0069] Disassembly is facilitated by the presence of the pins 27. The latter form stops connecting the second ends 10b of the guide rods to the crosspiece 20. It is sufficient to remove the pins for the crosspiece 20 to be separated from the guide rods 10. The drive bar 22 is connected to the crosspiece 20 and it is removed at the same time.

[0070] This embodiment has the advantage over the previous one of requiring the movement of only two support means. The synchronization of the screwing is simplified. Furthermore, the guide rods 10 are brought closer to the drive bar 22 and the support means 23 are guided by the guide rods 20. This results in reliable movement with resistance to bending phenomena which may be caused by the weight of the plate 6.

Claims

1. - A removable set of tools to aid in assembly and disassembly of a protection means underneath a vehicle (1), the set of tools including: - at least four guide means (10) which are in the form of rods each having a first threaded end (10a) intended to be screwed into a threaded hole (5) of the vehicle, enabling the fastening of the protection means (6) to the vehicle, and a second end (10b) of each rod being intended to be positioned in one of the holes (8) of the protection means (6) that are intended to receive screws (7) for fastening the protection means (6) to the vehicle; - at least two maneuvering means (21) each including a support means (23) which is intended to be positioned underneath the protection means (6) and a screw / nut connection for progressively raising, by rotation of the screw or of the nut, the support means (23) and the protection means (6) up to the vehicle for enabling the fastening of the protection means (6); characterised in that it includes two lifting assemblies (16) each including: - two smooth guide rods (10) each including a first threaded end (10a) intended to be fixed by screwing into a threaded hole (5) of the vehicle, enabling the fastening of the protection means (6) to the vehicle; - a connecting crossbar (20) connecting the two rods (10) of the same lifting assembly (16); - a maneuvering means (21) fixed to the crossbar (20) at an equal distance from the guide rods (10), the maneuvering means including a drive bar (22) having a threaded external profile (22a) on which is engaged the support means (23) which includes a threaded hole corresponding to this external profile, the threaded profile (22a) of the drive bar and the threaded hole of the support means (23) forming the screw / nut connection; - an antifriction thrust bearing (35a) interposed between the drive bar (22) and the connecting crossbar (20).

2. - The set of tools according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide rods (10) are removably fixed to the crossbar (20).

3. - The set of tools according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the support means includes two holes (28), each hole receiving a guide rod (10).

4. - The set of tools according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the two lifting assemblies (16) are connected to each other by connecting bars (17) so as to form a rectangular structure.

5. - A method for mounting a protection means (6) intended to be screwed underneath a vehicle (1), the method involving a removable set of tools according to one of claims 1 to 4, the method being characterised by the following steps: - the protection means (6) having been positioned under the vehicle so as to face the area of the vehicle where it is to be screwed, fixing underneath the vehicle four guide rods (10), each having a first threaded end (10a) intended to be screwed into a threaded hole (5) of the vehicle, enabling the fastening of the protection means (6) to the vehicle, a second end (10b) of each guide rod being positioned in one of the holes (8) of the protection means (6) that are intended to receive fastening screws (7); - positioning the support means (23) underneath the protection means (6); - bringing the protection means (6) closer to the vehicle by actuating the maneuvering means (21); - fastening the protection means by screws (7); - removing the guide rods (10) by unscrewing them from the vehicle; - replacing the guide rods by screws (7) for fastening the protection means (6).

6. - The method for mounting a protection means according to claim 5, method in which: - after having engaged the guide rods (10) in the holes (8) of the protection means (6), positioning two crossbars (20) parallel to each other, each crossbar being positioned between two guide rods (10) and carrying a drive bar (22), the support means (23) being in abutment against the protection means (6); - fixing stops (27) on the ends of the guide rods (10), underneath each crossbar (20); - rotating the drive bars (22) so as to bring the protection means (6) closer to the vehicle; - after fastening the protection means (6) and before removing the guide rods (10), removing the stops (27) from the ends of the guide rods.