Device for assisting the mounting of a building element, in particular for assisting the mounting of a roller shutter

Abstract

Device (1) for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element, comprising a telescopic mast (10), characterized in that it further comprises at least one arm (3) with a support function, the arm (3) being articulated to adopt either a position at right angles to the mast (10), called the support position, or a position parallel to the mast (10), called the stowed position, and the arm (3) being capable of being movable in translation along the mast and being locked in its support position. Such a device, in particular used in pairs, allows a single installer to mount a roller shutter completely independently.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element, in particular for assisting in the assembly of a roller shutter.

[0002] The invention will be more particularly described with regard to a device for assisting in the installation of a roller shutter, without however being limited thereto. It can be applied to any construction or renovation element of a shape, in particular longitudinal, to be temporarily supported in a horizontal plane.

[0003] Today, installing a roller shutter, blind, etc., requires two installers because the element is heavy and must be carried at arm's length.

[0004] The invention therefore aims to propose a device for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element intended to be positioned horizontally, which allows for the installation of said element, easy and safe, and can be implemented by a single person in complete autonomy. In addition, the device must advantageously be simple to operate, compact and easily transportable.

[0005] According to the invention, the device for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element, is in accordance with claim 1. The device which has a generally elongated shape to extend in height is more particularly intended to be arranged in a building wall opening, bearing by its two distal ends against the lower and upper surfaces of the wall opening, and to provide a support surface for the building element in a plane perpendicular (horizontal plane) to the general longitudinal direction of the device.

[0006] In particular, the device for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element, comprises a telescopic mast intended to be wedged by its two ends between two support surfaces, and at least one arm with a support function, intended to support said construction element, the arm being articulated to adopt either a position at right angles to the mast, called the support position, or a position parallel to the mast, called the stowed position, and the arm being capable of being movable in translation along the mast and of being locked in its support position. The right-angled arm is in particular arranged in a cantilever manner relative to the mast. The arm and its fixing system are designed to carry a maximum weight of in particular 25 kg. The arm can be movable in translation in its position at right angles to the mast (including when it supports an element).According to one characteristic, the device comprises a locking system capable of self-locking the arm in the support position when lowering (the locking system being capable of allowing the arm to rise in the support position by simple manual push on a part connecting said arm to the mast).

[0007] Thus, the device allows, thanks to the telescopic mast and its right-angled arm which is movable in translation along the mast, to position the arm at the desired height and to support the construction element in a horizontal position at this height. In addition, the arm in its stowed position when not in use of the device, is no longer transverse to the mast but parallel, providing a slender, unidirectional device to minimize its bulk. The telescopic aspect of the mast ensures a great height of use in its fully extended arrangement and also generates in its retracted position, a device hunched over itself, taking up little space.

[0008] In the remainder of the description, the term "height", the qualifiers "upper", "lower", "top" and "bottom" of a component of the device are used in the context of an installation of the device, relating to a vertical concept according to which the mast of the device extends.

[0009] When installing a roller shutter that has a certain length, the device will be used in pairs by spacing two devices, the two arms at right angles of the two masts then forming a support plane like a shelf or a console in order to carry the shutter ready to be fixed; the installer can be alone to place the shutter at the desired height on the support plane and finalize its fixing. In addition, the adjustment of the height of the arm by sliding the arm along the mast can be implemented while the arm is at right angles and carrying the building element such as the roller shutter. The operator does not tire since the building element is supported by the device(s), and the operator only has to raise or lower each of the arms independently to adjust the height, to the right or left of the element.

[0010] According to one feature, the arm in its square position is foldable against the mast. According to one feature, the arm is pivotally movable to move from a stowed position to the square position and vice versa.

[0011] According to one feature, the arm comprises a surface with a support function, which is flat, and preferably the support surface is opposite the mast in the stowed position. Advantageously, the arm has a width of the order of the thickness of the mast.

[0012] Advantageously, the support surface comprises a protective covering such as a plastic covering, in particular an elastomer covering, preferably the protective covering being removably coupled to the support surface, in particular by clipping. Preferably, the protective covering is movable along the support surface. The protective covering serves to protect the element to be installed. In addition, the elastomer material also prevents the element from slipping. The removability of the protective covering allows it to be changed if it is damaged. Preferably, the protective covering is rigid (so as not to sag when the building element rests on it) and has a groove cooperating with the thickness of the mast in the stowed position of the arm (which optimizes the space requirement).

[0013] According to one feature, the arm comprises a stop. The stop is intended to cooperate with the element to be carried to limit the risk of the element tipping over. Preferably, the stop is adjustable in linear position along the arm, and lockable in position, which makes it possible to adapt to the width of the element to lock it. Preferably, the stop is adjustable in angular position in a plane perpendicular to the arm when the arm is in the support position, the stop being lockable in position. In particular, the stop is lockable in position via a tightening wheel. Preferably, the stop cooperates for its attachment to the arm with a longitudinal slot arranged in a lateral face of the arm (face perpendicular to the support surface).

[0014] According to one feature, the arm comprises a means for attaching the arm to the mast in its stowed position. Advantageously, the stop has the function of a means for attaching the arm in the stowed position by cooperating by hooking with the mast, preferably the stop comprising a male shape cooperating with a female shape provided in an end piece secured to a distal end of the mast.

[0015] According to one feature, the device comprises an interface part which comprises a pivot axis around which the arm is arranged and can pivot, and which is capable of sliding along the mast.

[0016] According to one feature, the interface part comprises a locking system cooperating with the mast to lock the interface part in position on the mast and consequently lock the arm in position (at right angles). Preferably, the locking system is elastic return; the locking system is thus self-locking. Preferably, the locking system is designed so that the interface part can be manually pushed to raise it and raise the arm, and when the interface part is released, it automatically locks against the mast preventing its descent and the descent of the arm. The locking system must be actuated to lower the interface part in order to lower the arm at right angles and therefore lower the building element carried by the arm at right angles to the desired height; as soon as the locking system is released, the interface part is automatically locked.The elastic return provides immediate locking, which advantageously provides precise height adjustment, to the nearest millimeter. In addition, since the building element rests rather on two devices with the function of a console but with two arms independent of each other, the operator can carefully adjust the height of each arm independently and perfectly adjust the height of the element, to the right as to the left, and this without fatigue since he does not have to carry the element himself. In particular, the locking system comprises a flexible locking part and a return spring applied against the locking part, the locking part includes a through hole for the passage of the mast and is connected to the interface part by being inclined (or braced) relative to the mast and wedged against the mast in the rest position of the return spring, which prevents any sliding downwards of the interface part around the mast.By pressing the locking piece, it is positioned in a plane perfectly perpendicular to the mast so that it is no longer stuck against the mast, making it possible for the locking piece and the interface piece to slide around the mast. As soon as the user no longer presses on the locking piece, the return spring automatically causes the locking piece to return to its inclined and stuck position against the mast.

[0017] Advantageously, the interface piece provides a free space with the mast to form a grip handle.

[0018] According to one feature, the interface part includes an extension of oblique direction relative to the mast, so as to offset the arm in height relative to a so-called upper end of the mast. The oblique direction extension extends towards the opposite of the sliding locking system. The right-angled arm can then be arranged in a plane even higher than the mast, which may be of interest in certain installations for which the element to be mounted must be arranged outside and above the wall opening.

[0019] According to one feature, the mast which has two distal ends, comprises end pieces arranged at the distal ends, preferably the end pieces which have bearing faces intended for the application of the device in the wall opening, comprise one or more grooves on the bearing faces, the grooves being intended to cooperate with a ribbed profile of the wall opening. The end pieces are in a plastic coating to protect the bearing surfaces of a wall opening or the joinery. The end pieces with their grooved shapes are also intended to adapt to the shapes of joinery.

[0020] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least two aforementioned devices of the invention.

[0021] The invention also relates to a use of the aforementioned device of the invention for the high mounting of a building element, in particular a roller shutter, a blind or a box, in a wall opening or just above the wall opening.

[0022] The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are solely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which: there figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention for assisting in supporting and assembling a building element with its arm locked in the stowed position; figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of the figure 1 with its arm at right angles and in locked position; the figure 3 represents a perspective view of two devices of the figure 2 , the devices being installed in a building wall opening and providing, with their right-angled arms, a horizontal support plane intended to support a building element; figure 4 corresponds to a sectional view of a wall opening in which the device of the figure 2 , the device presenting its mast fully deployed in height; the figure 5 corresponds to the figure 4 with the right-angled arm arranged at the distal end of the mast, and even beyond the height of the mast to place a roller shutter box against the lintel of the wall opening; figure 6 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the right-angle arm of the device figure 2 and showing the stop in a certain position; the figure 7 corresponds to the figure 6 with the stop in another position; the figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of the device of the figure 1 , showing the arm stored and locked in position; the figure 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention.

[0023] The device 1 of the invention for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element, illustrated in the figures, is described here with regard to the assembly of a roller shutter 2 ( figure 5 ), without however being limited to it.

[0024] The device 1 comprises a generally elongate body 10 extending in a longitudinal direction and has, in the position of use, a support plane P perpendicular to the elongate body.

[0025] For the installation of a roller shutter, device 1 will be used in particular in pairs as shown in the figure 3 . Two devices 1 are arranged in a wall opening 20 by extending and being supported by their two opposite distal ends 1A and 1B between the support piece 21 and the lintel or the arch 22. The devices 1 extending vertically make it possible to configure the support plane P according to a horizontal arrangement to temporarily support the shutter 2 and arrange it at the desired height just below the lintel 22 or arrange it at the height of the lintel ( figure 5 ).

[0026] THE figures 1 à 8 illustrate a preferred example of embodiment of the device 1 in order to offset, if necessary, the support plane P sufficiently far from the elongated body 10 and above to support the shutter 2 completely outside the wall opening 20 and at the height of the lintel 22. The figure 9 illustrates a variant embodiment of device 1 which is simpler to manufacture but for which the support plane cannot be moved above the device.

[0027] The device 1 comprises a mast 10 constituting the elongated body and at least one arm 3 which is articulated to adopt either a position of use by being arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the mast ( figures 2 , 4 And 5 ), or a stowed position arranged parallel to the mast ( figures 1 And 8 ). In addition, the arm 3 is capable of being movable in translation along the mast 10 so as to adapt the height of the support plane P, and is lockable in the position of use at the desired height.

[0028] The size of the device 1 is minimized in the non-use position and in the stowed position of the arm 3: it has a length of around 1.3 m and thickness dimensions of around 10 cm by 15 cm. For its use, the device 1 can reach a length of around 2.3 m at the level of the deployed mast. The arm has a support surface of around 40 cm.

[0029] The mast 10 is telescopic to adapt to the height of the wall opening 20. The mast 10 comprises a first upright 11 and a second upright 12 housed in the first upright 11. By way of non-limiting example, it is the first upright 11 constituting the upper part of the mast 10 which is deployed relative to the second upright 12 of the lower part, the telescopic function for deploying and retracting the first upright 11 being obtained by a compression spring housed inside the first upright and bearing on the end of the second upright. A tightening wheel 13 accessible on one side of the first upright 11 makes it possible to lock the deployment length of said first upright to adjust the height of the mast 10.

[0030] The device 1 comprises an interface part 4 connecting the arm 3 to the mast 10 and ensuring the articulation of the arm 3 relative to the mast 10. The translational mobility of the arm 3 is ensured by the translational mobility of the interface part 4 along the mast 10. The interface part 4 also has the function of a locking system for the arm 3 in the position of use. For this purpose, the interface part 4 comprises a system 5 for locking in translation of said interface part 4 relative to the mast 10, generating a locking in particular in descent of the arm 3 relative to its position along the mast 10.

[0031] The interface part 4 comprises a part surrounding and mounted on the mast 10 while being coupled to the locking system 5, and a part comprising a pivot axis 6 for the articulation of the arm 3. The arm 3 described later is carried by the pivot axis 6.

[0032] In the example of the figures 1 à 8 , the interface part 4 comprises (more visibly on the figures 2 , 6 And 7 ) two parallel and opposite flanges 40 and 41 extending longitudinally to the mast 10. In the lower part and in the upper part, the flanges 40 and 41 are connected by two upper 42 and lower 43 opposite plates, perpendicular to the flanges. Each of the plates 42 and 43 is provided with a respective through hole 42', 43' for the passage of the mast 10. The plates 42 and 43 are perpendicular to the mast 10. A clearance exists between each of the holes 42', 43' and the mast 10 to allow the sliding of the part 4 along the mast 10. The locking system 5 is arranged in the lower part of the interface part 4. The locking system 5 is preferably a self-locking system in the descent of the interface part 4 and therefore of the arm 3, including the arm at right angles and supporting the shutter 2.

[0033] As a non-limiting example of the system 5 for locking the interface part 4 in translation by gravity, said system 5 comprises a locking part 50 such as in the form of a buttressed plate 50 surrounding the mast 10 and a return spring 51 sandwiched between the plate 50 and the lower plate 43 of the interface part 4. The plate 50 is provided with a hole 50' with clearance for the passage of the mast 10 and is buttressed so that in the rest position of the return spring 51, the plate 50 is not perfectly perpendicular to the mast 10 but is at an angle and presses against the mast to prevent the interface part 4 from sliding by gravity around the mast. The plate 50 is sufficiently flexible so that by pressing on it (which compresses the return spring 51), it is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the mast 10 to allow the interface part 4 to descend.As soon as it is necessary to block the downward sliding again, the operator only has to release the stress exerted on the plate 50 which then automatically returns, via the return spring 51, to its position at an angle relative to the mast 10.

[0034] On the variant of the figure 9 , the interface part has a general U shape and comprises a core 40' and two opposite and facing wings, perpendicular to the core and corresponding to the plates 42 and 43 of the example of the other figures. The locking system 5 is the same.

[0035] Advantageously, the interface piece 4 surrounds the mast 10, leaving a free space 4' between it and the mast 10 ( figure 1 ) to allow the passage of the thickness of a hand. The interface part 4 can thus form a grip handle for carrying the device 1.

[0036] The arm 3 is articulated relative to the part 4 via the pivot axis 6. The pivot axis 6 is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the mast 10. It is integral with the interface part 4. The arm 3 has a proximal end 30 connected to the axis 6 and a free end 31. The arm 3 is carried by the pivot axis 6 and pivots around it. The arm 3 is rotatable between its two positions, the stowed position parallel to the mast 10 and the support position perpendicular to the mast 10.

[0037] In the stowed position, the arm 3 has its free end 31 which is arranged opposite the interface part 4 and preferably at one of the ends 1A of the mast 10. The arm 3 is able to be locked in the stowed position, as will be seen later. In the support position, the arm 3 has pivoted 90° relative to its stowed position and remains at right angles via a stop 60 ( figure 7 , figure 9 ) secured to the interface part 4.

[0038] On the figure 9 , the pivot axis 6 is carried by the wing or the upper plate 42; the arm 3 at the right angle is then positioned by its proximal end 30 against the mast 10 (or in the immediate vicinity). In the other figures, the arm 3 is offset relative to the mast 10, its proximal end 30 and the pivot axis 6 being at a distance from the mast 10, and preferably offset in height relative to the upper part of the interface part 4 surrounding the mast 10. This offset configuration makes it possible, as already stated, to raise the support plane P relative to the distal end 1A of the mast 10. The interface part 4 comprises in particular an extension 44 of oblique direction relative to the mast 10 and in the opposite direction to the lower part of the interface part 4 (or to the locking system 5).

[0039] The arm 3 preferably has a generally parallelepiped shape. The arm 3 comprises a support surface 32 and two opposite lateral faces 33 and 34 transverse to the support surface 32.

[0040] The support surface 32 is flat and facing the mast 10 in the stowed position (and therefore facing upwards in the position of use of the device 1). Preferably, the support surface 32 comprises a protective covering 32' such as made of elastomer to protect the shutter 2 to be supported. The protective covering 32' is in particular rigid. The protective covering 32' is preferably removably coupled to the support surface 32. The support surface 32 comprises, for example, a longitudinal slot 32" into which the protective covering 32' is capable of being clipped. The protective covering 32' does not necessarily extend over the entire length of the support surface but is adjustable in position relative to the length of the support surface, in particular by adapting its positioning along the slot 32". For example, the protective covering 32 on the figure 4 is not in the same position as on the figure 5 . In addition, the rigid covering 32' has in the illustrated example a groove 32A which is used to house the mast 10 ( figure 8 ) in the stowed position of arm 3, providing compact folding of the arm.

[0041] Advantageously, the arm 3 comprises a stop 35 intended to serve as a lateral stop relative to the building element 2 to be supported on the support surface 32. The stop 35 has a body that is rather flat in shape. The stop 35 is arranged along the arm 3 and is fixed to one of the lateral faces 33. Preferably, the stop 35 is adjustable in linear position relative to the longitudinal direction of the arm 3. For this purpose, the lateral face 33 of the arm comprises a longitudinal slot 36 in which the stop 35 can slide. The linear position of the stop 35 is for example locked by a tightening wheel 7. Preferably, the stop 35 is further capable of pivoting about an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the arm 3 and in a plane parallel to the lateral face 33. The stop 35 can thus take various angular positions relative to the plane P of the support surface 32, such as a perpendicular position ( figures 2 And 7), or a position inclined towards the mast at an acute angle relative to the support surface 32 ( figure 4 ) or even a position inclined towards the opposite of the mast 10 at an obtuse angle relative to the support surface 32 ( figure 6 ). The pivot axis of the stop 35 and its locking in angular position is also achieved by the tightening wheel 7. Preferably, to ensure the coupling of the stop 35 with the arm 3, the stop 35 comprises a lug 36' which projects relative to the general plane of the body of the stop and in the direction of the arm 3, and which is housed in the slot 36 ( figures 2 , 6 And 7 ). Furthermore, to lock the arm 3 in the stowed position, as described later, the stop 35 comprises, coplanar with the general body, a male shape 37 arranged at 90°. The male shape 37 also comprises the lug 36'.

[0042] Advantageously, the mast 10 comprises at its two opposite ends 1A and 1B respectively end pieces 8A and 8B. The end pieces 8A and 8B are in a protective coating, such as elastomer, so as not to damage the wall opening 20 when the device 1 is supported.

[0043] Preferably, the end pieces 8A and 8B comprise on their face facing away from the mast 10, face intended to serve as a support surface in the position of use of the device 1, at least one and preferably several grooves 80. The grooves 80 therefore extend horizontally in the position of use of the device 1. The grooves 80 extend perpendicular to the direction of the arm 3. Depending on the implementation in the wall opening, a groove 80 can be used to cooperate with the rebate of a window.

[0044] Furthermore, the end piece 8A which is arranged on the side of the arm 3 in its stowed position, comprises a means 81 for retaining the folded arm 3. For example, the end piece 8A comprises, as retaining means 81, a female shape ( figures 2 And 8 ) in which the male shape 37 of the stop 35 engages. To ensure retention, the stop 35 had to be turned parallel and opposite the lateral face 33 of the arm, parallel and against the slot 36.

[0045] The implementation of the device 1 is as follows. The operator vertically installs two devices 1 spaced apart in the wall opening 20 as illustrated in the figure 3and in the still stowed position of the arms 3; the installer has adjusted the deployment height of each telescopic mast 10 so that it is in compression support between the support surfaces 21 and 22 of the wall opening. Then, for each device 1, he slides the interface part 4 to remove the male retaining shape 37 from the female shape 81 of the upper end piece 8A. He continues the translation of the interface part 4 to arrange it at the desired height. To lower the interface part 4, he presses the plate 50 of the locking system 5. When the operator no longer presses the plate 50 of the locking system 5, the interface part 4 automatically locks around the mast 10. The operator tilts each of the arms 3 into their right-angled position.The assembly of the two devices 1 with the arms 3 spaced apart is then operational by providing a horizontal support plane P or a console to accommodate and support the building element 2 to be mounted at the wall opening. To adjust (to the millimeter) the height of the plane P both to the right and to the left, the operator can even when the arms 3 at right angles support the element 2 raise or lower the arms.

Claims

1. Device (1) for assisting in the temporary support and / or assembly of a building element, comprising a telescopic mast (10), characterized in that it further comprises at least one arm (3) with a support function, the arm (3) being articulated to adopt either a position at right angles to the mast (10), called the support position, or a position parallel to the mast (10), called the stowed position, and the arm (3) being capable of being movable in translation along the mast and being locked in its support position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm (3) is pivotable to move from a stowed position to the square position and vice versa.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the arm (3) comprises a support surface (32) which is planar, and preferably the support surface (32) is opposite the mast (10) in the stowed position.

4. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe support surface (32) comprises a protective coating (32') such as a plastic coating, in particular an elastomer, preferably the protective coating being removably coupled to the support surface.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm (3) comprises a means (37) for attaching the arm (3) to the mast (10) in its stowed position.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm (3) comprises a stop (35) intended to provide a stop for the building element.

7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stop (35) is adjustable in position along the arm (3) and / or is adjustable in angular position in a plane perpendicular to the arm (3) when the arm is in the support position, the stop (35) being lockable in position, in particular lockable via a tightening wheel (7).

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the stop (35) cooperates for its attachment to the arm (3) with a longitudinal slot (36) arranged in a lateral face (33) of the arm.

9. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the stop (35) has the function of a means of attaching the arm in the stowed position by cooperating by hooking with the mast (10), preferably the stop comprising a male shape (37) cooperating with a female shape (81) provided in an end piece (8A) secured to a distal end of the mast (10).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an interface part (4) which comprises a pivot axis (6) around which the arm (3) is arranged and can pivot, and which is able to slide along the mast (10).

11. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe interface part (4) comprises a locking system (5) cooperating with the mast (10) to lock the interface part (4) in position on the mast, preferably, the locking system (5) is self-locking when descending and has elastic return.

12. Device according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the interface part (4) comprises an extension (44') of oblique direction relative to the mast (10), so as to offset the arm in height relative to an end (1A) called the upper end of the mast.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mast (10) which has two distal ends (1A, 1B), comprises end pieces (8A, 8B) arranged at the distal ends (1A, 1B), preferably the end pieces (8A, 8B) which have bearing faces, comprise one or more grooves (80) on the bearing faces.

14. Assembly comprising at least two devices (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or use of the assembly according to claim 14, for the high mounting of a building element (2), in particular a roller shutter, a blind or a box, in a wall opening or just above the wall opening.

Images