Device for compacting materials

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of road works, and more particularly relates to a device for compacting materials such as embankments or bituminous coatings.

[0002] To compact materials such as embankments or bituminous surfaces, for example to fill a pothole formed in a roadway, a manual rammer is conventionally used, comprising a handle at the end of which is fixed a plate forming a compacting body with an extreme compacting surface intended to come into contact with the materials to be compacted. The user holds the handle in a substantially vertical orientation with the compacting body at the lower end of the handle, and applies a vertical translational movement of the handle towards the ground to bring the extreme compacting surface of the compacting element into contact with the materials to be compacted.

[0003] Despite its low weight, a hand tamper is quite physically demanding for the user: repeated vibrations and shocks can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Furthermore, the quality of compaction varies greatly depending on the user, their physical strength and their level of fatigue.

[0004] Vibrating plates are also known, weighing between approximately 50 kg and 80 kg, comprising an on-board motor (usually thermal) used to cause oscillations in a horizontal plane (parallel to the ground) and / or in a vertical direction (perpendicular to the ground). A vibrating plate is generally bulky and heavy, to the point that operators regularly avoid using them so as not to have to carry them out of their truck or in.

[0005] Jackhammers are also known whose pick is replaced by a rod fitted at its free end with a plate forming a compacting body with a (lower) compacting surface, intended to come into contact with the materials to be compacted. Such a device remains heavy, and produces compactions of very random quality.

[0006] An alternative to the vibrating plate and the jackhammer equipped with a plate at its end, it is also known to use a vibrating rammer, such as that described in documents CN211922195U, WO2022 / 184668 and FR 2 901 816. These rammers have a dimensioning and weight equivalent to the vibrating plates. EXPOSE DE L'INVENTION

[0007] A problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a device for compacting materials such as embankments or bituminous coatings, which is inexpensive and easy to handle.

[0008] At the same time, the invention aims to provide an electric portable device for compacting materials which allows compaction with a more consistent working quality.

[0009] To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides a device for compacting materials such as embankments or bituminous coatings, comprising: a casing delimiting a compartment extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end and a distal end comprising an opening along an opening face, characterized in that it comprises: a compacting body, comprising a compacting surface intended to come into contact with the materials to be compacted, actuating means shaped so as to move the compacting body in a reciprocating movement between a retracted position, and a protruding position, in which the compacting body projects out of the cylindrical compartment of the casing, the distal end of the device is constituted by the casing and the compacting body, and the compacting body is arranged to slide longitudinally in the compartment of the casing.

[0010] According to one characteristic, the device comprises a bearing surface extending over at least part of the periphery of the opening in a first transverse plane, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0011] Such a device is easy to manufacture. The compacting body does not need to be very heavy to achieve satisfactory compaction quality.

[0012] The support surface provides support on the ground, which allows the device to be guided during operation, and which effectively limits the risks of very localized punching of the material to be compacted by excessive compaction in certain areas of the material to be compacted. The quality of work is therefore more consistent.

[0013] For good results, a support surface extending away from the periphery of the opening can be provided at a distance of at least 10 mm. Excellent results have been obtained with a distance of approximately 20 mm.

[0014] Advantageously, the bearing surface may comprise a sidewalk extending radially from at least part of the periphery of the casing and away from the longitudinal axis. The compacting surface may thus have a cross-section substantially complementary to the opening and the cross-section of the compartment, which limits the risk of penetration and accumulation of impurities in the cylindrical compartment of the casing.

[0015] Alternatively, however, it is possible to use a sidewalk extending radially from at least part of the periphery of the casing and in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0016] Advantageously, the sidewalk may have, on its outer periphery, a lower connection fillet. The lower connection fillet allows the user to slightly tilt the device relative to a vertical direction (defined by the Earth's gravity) without risking locally punching the material to be compacted along a sharp edge. And the fact of being able to tilt the device allows, under the effect of the hopping caused by the projection of the compacting body outside the cylindrical compartment of the casing, to make the device "slide" over the material to be compacted, which facilitates the handling of the device by the operator.

[0017] Preferably, the compaction surface may be flat.

[0018] Advantageously, the actuating means are configured to move the compacting body at a frequency of between 10 hertz and 25 hertz, preferably between 11 hertz and 15 hertz. It has been found that such an operating frequency allows relatively rapid and high-quality compaction. In particular, in the context of filling a pothole in a roadway with a bituminous coating, such a frequency effectively limits the risk of excessive compaction leading to separation ("settling") between the granular elements and the binder of the bituminous coating to be compacted.

[0019] In a first embodiment, the means for actuating the compacting body may comprise a connecting rod-crank system. Such a system is simple, efficient and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting rod may comprise a lengthwise compressible and damping section. The lengthwise compressible and damping section makes it possible to limit the stresses transmitted to the connecting rod axes and to the shaft of the engine operating said connecting rod-crank system.

[0021] In a second embodiment, the means for actuating the compacting body may comprise: elastic return means, permanently returning the compacting body to its overhanging position, a rotating eccentric cam shaped to: a. during a first part of its rotation, move the compacting body from its overhanging position to its retracted position, b. during a second part of its rotation, release the compacting body and allow the elastic return means to freely return the compacting body to its overhanging position.

[0022] A device with such actuation means is also simple, efficient and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0023] Preferably, the casing has, on the periphery of the opening, at least one rectilinear section without a support surface. The absence of a support surface makes it possible to bring the compacting body as close as possible to a wall or a curb that the user would come along with the rectilinear section. This is even more particularly advantageous when the compacting surface has a cross-section substantially complementary to the opening and the cross-section of the cylindrical compartment: the compacting body strikes the material to be compacted almost at the foot of the wall or curb (it is only the thickness of the wall of the cylindrical compartment of the casing which causes an offset).

[0024] Advantageously, the compaction surface may have a cross-section formed by: a first rectilinear section and a second adjacent rectilinear section forming a right angle between them, a third rectilinear section, adjacent to the second rectilinear section and with which it forms an acute angle, a curved section connecting the first and third rectilinear sections.

[0025] Such a shape has proven very useful for compacting material in all locations.

[0026] Preferably, the acute angle may be between 50 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably between 60 degrees and 65 degrees.

[0027] Advantageously, the curved section can have a radius of curvature of between 80 mm and 120 mm.

[0028] Preferably, the casing is devoid of a bearing surface along the third rectilinear side. The user can thus bring the compacting body as close as possible to a wall or a border that the user would come along with the rectilinear section formed by the third rectilinear side.

[0029] Advantageously, the device may include gripping means, connected to the casing by means of a longitudinally compressible and damping connecting section. The connecting section thus dampens the vibrations transmitted to the user, in order to limit musculoskeletal disorders. DESCRIPTION SOMMAIRE DES DESSINS

[0030] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which: [ Fig.1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view and according to a first orientation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention; [ Fig.2 ] There figure 2 is a perspective view and according to a second orientation of the device of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.3 ] There figure 3 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the device of the figure 1 , wherein the compacting body is arranged in a retracted position; [ Fig.4 ] There figure 4 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the device of the figure 1 , in which the compacting body is arranged in an overhanging position; [ Fig.5 ] There figure 5 is a bottom view of the compacting element of the device of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.6 ] There figure 6 is a top view in section of the device of the figure 1 ; [ Fig.7 ] There figure 7 is a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the compacting body is arranged in an overhanging position; and [ Fig.8 ] There figure 8 is a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the compacting body is arranged in a retracted position. DESCRIPTION DES MODES DE REALISATION PREFERES

[0031] When identical reference numerals are used in several figures, embodiments or variations of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the figures, embodiments or variations.

[0032] On the figures 1 à 6 A first embodiment of device 1 according to the invention is illustrated, for compacting materials such as embankments or bituminous coatings. In these figures, a cover has been deliberately removed to leave the interior of device 1 visible.

[0033] This device 1 includes: a casing 2 delimiting a cylindrical compartment 3 extending in a longitudinal direction II between a proximal end 3a and a distal end 3b comprising an opening 4 along an opening face 5 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction II, a compacting body 6, comprising a compacting surface 7 intended to come into contact with the materials to be compacted, and arranged to slide longitudinally in the cylindrical compartment 3 of the casing 2, actuating means 8 shaped so as to move the compacting body 6 in an alternating movement between a retracted position ( figure 3 ), in which the compacting body 6 is entirely contained in the cylindrical compartment 3 of the casing 2, and an overhanging position ( figure 4 ), in which the compacting surface 7 of the compacting body 6 projects out of the cylindrical compartment 3 of the casing 2 by a predetermined projection d beyond the opening 4, a bearing surface 9 developing over at least part of the periphery of the opening 4 in a first transverse plane P4, fixed relative to the casing 2 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction II.

[0034] We observe more particularly on the figure 3 that the bearing surface 9 comprises a sidewalk 10 extending radially from at least part of the periphery of the casing 2 and away from the longitudinal axis II.

[0035] On its outer periphery, sidewalk 10 has a lower connecting fillet 10a.

[0036] The compacting surface 7 of the compacting body 6 is flat.

[0037] We see more particularly on the figure 5 that the compaction surface 7 has a cross-section formed by: a first rectilinear section 11a and a second rectilinear section 11b adjacent to each other forming an angle A1 which is a right angle, a third rectilinear section 11c, adjacent to the second rectilinear section 11b and with which it forms an angle A2 which is an acute angle, a curved section 11d connecting the first 11a and third 11c rectilinear sections.

[0038] The acute angle A2 is between 50 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably between 60 degrees and 65 degrees.

[0039] The curved section 11d has a radius of curvature R between 80 mm and 120 mm.

[0040] There figure 6 is a sectional view along a transverse plane P illustrated in the figure 4 . On this figure 6 , it is observed more particularly that the casing 2 is devoid of a bearing surface 9 along the third rectilinear side 11c. The sidewalk 10 is in fact interrupted all along the third rectilinear side 11c. The casing 2 thus has, on the periphery of the opening 4, at least one rectilinear section 2a devoid of a bearing surface 9.

[0041] Still on the figure 6 , it is observed that the compacting body 6 and the compacting surface 7 have a cross-section substantially complementary to the opening 4 and the cross-section of the cylindrical compartment 3.

[0042] On the figures 1 à 4 , we see that the actuating means 8 of the compacting body 6 comprise a connecting rod-crank system 12, comprising a connecting rod 13 and a crank 14.

[0043] The crank 14 consists of an eccentric flange rotated around a transverse axis II-II.

[0044] The actuation means 8 are embedded on the device 1, and further comprise: an electric motor 15, capable of driving the crank 14 in rotation around the transverse axis II-II, a storage battery 16, preferably rechargeable, making it possible to supply electricity to the electric motor 15, a switch (not visible) accessible by the user and shaped to selectively establish or interrupt the power supply to the electric motor 15 by the storage battery 16.

[0045] When the crank 14 is rotated by the electric motor 15 around the transverse direction II-II, the connecting rod 13 moves the compacting body 6 in the casing 2 in an alternating movement (forward then backward) between its retracted position ( figure 3 ) and its overtaking position ( figure 4 ), like a piston.

[0046] In practice, an overhang of 2 mm to 10 mm has provided good results in compacting a bituminous coating.

[0047] The actuating means 8 are configured to move the compacting body 6 at a frequency between 10 hertz and 25 hertz, preferably between 11 hertz and 15 hertz.

[0048] To limit the transmission of vibrations towards the transverse axis II-II and towards the user when the compacting body 6 strikes the ground (i.e. the material to be compacted), the connecting rod 13 comprises a section 13a which is compressible in length and damping. Here, the section 13a is constituted by a male part 130a and a female part 130b, fitted into one another and arranged to slide relative to one another, and between which is enclosed an elastically compressible helical spring 17.

[0049] Furthermore, as seen more particularly on the figures 1 And 2, the device 1 comprises gripping means 18, connected to the casing 2 by means of a longitudinally compressible and damping connecting section 19.

[0050] In practice, the connecting section 19 may have a form similar to that of the section 13a of the connecting rod 13, with a male part and a female part fitted into one another and arranged to slide relative to one another, and between which is enclosed an elastically compressible element (such as a helical spring or a silentbloc).

[0051] The gripping means 18 more particularly comprise a steering wheel 20 extending in a second transverse plane P20 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction II.

[0052] On the figures 7 And 8 a device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0053] In this, the actuating means 8 of the compacting body 6 comprise: elastic return means 21 (here a helical spring), permanently returning the compacting body 6 to its overhanging position ( figure 7 ), a rotating cam 22 (around the transverse axis II-II, according to the movement illustrated by the arrow 23) with an eccentric shaped to: a. during a first part of its rotation, move the compacting body 6 from its overshoot position ( figure 7 ) to its retracted position ( figure 8 ), b. during a second part of its rotation, release the compacting body 6 and allow the elastic return means 21 to freely return the compacting body 6 to its overshoot position.

[0054] To limit wear, during its rotation, the cam 22 rolls against a roller 24 freely rotating around a transverse axis III-III and coupled longitudinally to the compacting body 6. The roller 24 is thus driven in rotation according to the movement illustrated by the arrow 25.

[0055] Stop means 26 make it possible to define the overshoot position ( figure 7 ) by pressing on a transverse stop flange 27. The stop means 26 comprise a shock-absorbing section 28, here comprising a silentbloc 28a. The stop means 26 are arranged and dimensioned so that, in the overshoot position ( figure 7 ), a gap E is maintained between the roller 24 and the cam 22 to avoid shocks between the roller 24 and the cam 22.

[0056] When using the device 1 according to the invention to compact a material on the ground (for example to compact a bituminous material in order to fill a pothole), a user directs the opening 4 towards said material (therefore towards the ground), with the longitudinal direction substantially vertical.

[0057] The electric motor 15 is then started and drives the compacting body 6, thanks to the actuating means 8, in an alternating movement between its retracted positions ( figures 3 And 8 ) and overtaking ( figures 4 And 7 ). An alternating motion with a frequency between 11 hertz and 15 hertz has given excellent results.

[0058] During compaction, the support surface 9 limits the risk of excessive sinking (punching) of the casing 2 and the compacting body 6 in certain localized places of the material to be compacted, and makes it possible to obtain after compaction an upper surface of the material having satisfactory flatness.

[0059] Also during compaction, the user can slightly tilt the longitudinal direction II relative to the vertical direction (defined by gravity) in order to gradually slide the device 1 over the material being compacted.

[0060] If the material to be compacted is in the immediate vicinity of an element forming a projection on the ground (wall, post, curb, etc.), the user can come into the immediate vicinity of this element forming a projection by coming alongside it (or around it) by means of the rectilinear section 2a of the casing 2 which has no support surface 9.

[0061] According to the illustrated embodiment, the compartment (3) of the casing (2) is cylindrical.

[0062] According to the illustrated embodiment, the retracted position corresponds to a position in which the compacting body (6) is entirely contained in the cylindrical compartment (3) of the casing (2).

[0063] According to an embodiment not illustrated, in the withdrawn position, a distal portion of the compacting body (6) projects outside the compartment (3).

[0064] It is understood by a distal portion of the compacting body (6) by a portion having a length advantageously between 1 and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 and 5 millimeters.

[0065] According to the preceding embodiment, the distal portion of the compacting body (6) projecting from the compartment (6) in the retracted position advantageously prevents damage to the distal end of the compartment (6) during the cyclical transition from the retracted position to the overshoot position.

[0066] It should be noted that according to the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion position, in which the compacting body (6) protrudes from the cylindrical compartment (3) of the casing (2) is produced according to a predetermined protrusion (d) beyond the opening (4).

[0067] According to one characteristic, the sidewalk (10) has, on its outer periphery, a lower connecting fillet (10a).

[0068] According to an additional characteristic, the gripping means (18) comprise a steering wheel (20) extending in a second transverse plane (P20) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (II).

[0069] According to one embodiment, the actuation means (8) are embedded on the device (1), and comprise: an electric motor (15), a storage battery (16), a switch accessible by the user and configured to selectively establish or interrupt the power supply of the electric motor (15) by the storage battery (16).

[0070] The device is, according to the invention, an autonomous portable electric tool, easily usable on all types of construction sites.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variations and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Portable electric device (1) for compacting materials such as embankments or bituminous coatings, comprising: - a casing (2) delimiting a compartment (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (I-I) between a proximal end (3a) and a distal end (3b) comprising an opening (4) along an opening face (5), - a compacting body (6) comprising a compacting surface (7) intended to come into contact with the materials to be compacted, - actuating means (8) shaped so as to move the compacting body (6) in an alternating movement between a retracted position, and a protruding position, in which the compacting body (6) projects out of the compartment (3) of the casing (2), characterized in that the distal end of the device (1) is constituted by the casing (2) and the compacting body (6) and in that the compacting body (6) is arranged longitudinally in the compartment (3) of the casing (2).

2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a bearing surface (9) developing over at least part of the periphery of the opening (4) in a first transverse plane (P4), substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (I-I).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the bearing surface (9) comprises a sidewalk (10) extending radially from at least part of the periphery of the casing (2) and away from the longitudinal axis (I-I).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compacting surface (7) has a cross-section substantially complementary to the opening (4) and the cross-section of the compartment (3).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compacting surface (7) is flat.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (8) are shaped to move the compacting body (6) at a frequency between 10 hertz and 25 hertz, preferably between 11 hertz and 15 hertz.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (8) of the compacting body (6) comprises a connecting rod-crank system (12).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting rod (13) comprises a section (13a) which is compressible in length and damping.

9. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating means (8) of the compacting body (6) comprise: - elastic return means (21), permanently returning the compacting body (6) to its protruding position, - a rotating eccentric cam (22) shaped for: a. during the first part of its rotation, move the compacting body (6) from its overshoot position to its withdrawal position, b. during a second part of its rotation, release the compacting body (6) and allow the elastic return means (21) to freely return the compacting body (6) to its overshoot position.

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (2) has, at the periphery of the opening (4), at least one rectilinear section (2a) without a bearing surface (9).

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compacting surface (7) has a cross-section formed by: - a first rectilinear section (11a) and a second rectilinear section (11b) adjacent to each other forming a right angle (A1), - a third rectilinear section (11c), adjacent to the second rectilinear section (11b) and with which it forms an acute angle (A2), - a curved section (11d) connecting the first (11a) and third (11c) rectilinear sections.

12. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the acute angle (A2) is between 50 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably between 60 degrees and 65 degrees.

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the curved section (11d) has a radius of curvature (R) of between 80 mm and 120 mm.

14. Device (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13 taken in their connection with claim 10, characterized in that the casing (2) is devoid of a bearing surface (9) along the third rectilinear section (11c).

15. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises gripping means (18), connected to the casing (2) by means of a longitudinally compressible and shock-absorbing connecting section (19).