SHEET METAL STRAIGHTENING DEVICE

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a drawing device (1) intended to carry at least one drawing tool adapted for straightening sheets, said device (1) comprising: - a plate (10), adapted to be removably fixed to a support surface (3), - a drawing column (2) configured to carry said drawing tool, said drawing column being integral with a first surface (11), referred to as the upper surface, of said plate (10), - elastic sealing means (4) extending over the periphery of a second surface (12), referred to as the lower surface, of said plate (10), said elastic sealing means (4) being configured, when using said device (1), to be arranged between the plate (10) and the support surface (3) to form an enclosed space (5), and - vacuum generation means, in fluidic communication with the enclosed space (5) at an orifice (13) of said plate (10),controlled and configured to generate a depression in said enclosed space (5) so as to fix said plate (10) to said support surface (3). According to this disclosure, said plate (10) further comprises, on its second surface (12), at least one bearing area (6) bringing said plate (10) into contact with said support surface (3). Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: SHEET METAL STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Disclosure domain

[0001] The field of disclosure is that of automotive body repair, and more particularly devices intended to straighten and reshape vehicle bodies that have been deformed following an impact or an accident, for example

[0002] More specifically, the disclosure relates to pulling devices or traction devices. Previous art

[0003] Manual straightening devices for repairing deformations in automobile bodies are known and comprise a substantially vertical post that can be pivotally mounted on a base, or plate, in contact with the ground. This plate has a sealing gasket, for example made of rubber, which extends around the entire periphery of the plate so as to create a closed and watertight space between the plate of the device and the ground on which it rests.

[0004] A pump, for example of the Venturi type, is connected to this enclosed space and draws air under the plate so as to create a vacuum allowing the plate to be held in position on the ground thanks to the pressure difference created by the pump.

[0005] According to this technique, the plate is substantially flat and the sealing gasket is glued to the periphery of the plate.

[0006] One drawback of this technique is that the seal wears out quickly and its positioning is not satisfactory. Indeed, during pulling, forces (particularly shear forces) are exerted on the seal, leading to its deformation and sometimes even its detachment from the plate, which is unsatisfactory.

[0007] Another drawback is that the seal must be replaced regularly to ensure the safe operation of the draw-off device. However, changing / replacing the seal is not easy because it is glued in place. Replacing the seal requires the use of tools and sometimes harmful chemicals to remove glue and sealant residue from the mounting plate before a new seal can be applied.

[0008] Furthermore, for the bonding to be effective, it is essential that the base plate be completely free of residue to ensure proper adhesion of the seal and a good seal of the enclosed space between the device's base plate and the floor on which it rests. Therefore, replacing a seal using the known technique is relatively difficult and time-consuming, which is also unsatisfactory. Disclosure Summary

[0009] The invention was conceived with these drawbacks of the prior art in mind. The invention relates more particularly to a pulling device, for example portable or mobile, intended to carry at least one pulling tool adapted for straightening sheet metal, said device comprising:

[0010] - a plate adapted to be removably fixed to a support surface,

[0011] - a drawing column configured to carry said drawing tool, said column of drawing being integral with a first surface, called the upper surface, of said plate,

[0012] - elastic sealing means extending over the periphery of a second surface, referred to as the lower surface, of said plate, said elastic sealing means being configured, when using said device, to be arranged between the plate and the support surface to form an enclosed space, and

[0013] - means for generating a vacuum, in fluidic communication with the enclosed space at the level of an orifice of said plate, controlled and configured to generate a vacuum in said enclosed space so as to fix said plate to said support surface.

[0014] According to this disclosure, said plate further includes, on its second surface, at least one bearing area bringing said plate into contact with said support surface.

[0015] Thus, the implementation of such a bearing zone prevents the forces generated on the plate during the use of the pulling device from being directly transmitted to the sealing elements. In this way, the bearing zone absorbs these forces to protect the sealing elements, thereby limiting their wear and increasing their lifespan.

[0016] According to a particular aspect, said plate has a substantially quadrilateral shape and in that said plate comprises four support zones arranged substantially at the four corners of said plate.

[0017] Thus, the implementation of four support zones, located at the four corners of the plate, ensures optimal absorption of the forces generated during the use of the device. In particular, shear forces are perfectly absorbed by this specific arrangement of the support zones. Furthermore, this arrangement ensures optimal stability of the plate on the support surface.

[0018] According to another particular aspect, said at least one bearing area is in the form of a pad made of an adhesive material.

[0019] Thus, the positioning of the plate on the support surface is improved and the risks of unwanted movement of the plate relative to the support surface during the use of the pulling device are limited, or even eliminated.

[0020] According to yet another particular aspect, said at least one bearing area is made of rubber, elastomer, polymer or thermoplastic.

[0021] Such materials are simple to implement and inexpensive while ensuring optimal grip and stress absorption. Furthermore, the lifespan of pads made from such materials is relatively long and well-suited to this application.

[0022] According to another particular aspect, said at least one support area is removably fixed on said second surface of said plate.

[0023] Thus, it is possible to replace the support areas quickly and easily, for example in the event of advanced wear or accidental damage to these means.

[0024] According to another particular aspect, said at least one bearing area is fixed by screwing. Such a fixing solution is simple and quick to implement.

[0025] According to a particular aspect, said plate includes at least one groove for receiving said elastic sealing means.

[0026] According to another particular aspect, said elastic sealing means are removably fixed in said at least one groove.

[0027] Here, removable means that the sealing means can be removed from the groove without damaging them, which is not the case with the prior art solution which consists of removing the bonded sealing gasket by any means, using tools and / or chemicals.

[0028] Thanks to the implementation of this groove, the sealing means can, for example, be forcefully secured by interlocking or embedding them in the groove. This allows for quick and easy replacement of the elastic sealing means, for example, in the event of advanced wear or accidental damage. Furthermore, this groove allows for the replacement of the elastic sealing means without the need for any tools or chemicals. The implementation of this groove also ensures optimal and reliable positioning of the elastic sealing means under the base plate to guarantee optimal operation of the device.

[0029] According to a particular aspect, said elastic sealing means take the form of a sealing gasket extending over the entire periphery of said second surface of said plate. Such a gasket is inexpensive and simple to implement.

[0030] According to another particular aspect, said sealing gasket is made of polymer, and more specifically of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (“EPDM”).

[0031] Such a material is inexpensive and provides optimal sealing of the enclosed space. Furthermore, the service life of a seal made from such a material is relatively long and suitable for such use. List of Figures

[0032] Disclosure, as well as the various advantages it presents, will be more evident. including, in light of the following description of an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, and the attached drawings, among which: - [Fig.l] is a partial schematic, side view of a drawing device according to the disclosure; - [Fig.2] is a bottom view of a plate of the device of [Fig.1]; - [Fig. 3] is a perspective and bottom view of the plate of [Fig. 2]; and - [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional and side view of the plate of [Fig.2]. Detailed description

[0033] The general principle of the invention is based on the implementation of at least one bearing area on the lower surface of the plate of a pulling device, such that the forces (particularly shear forces) generated during the use of the device are no longer applied to the sealing gasket (or any other sealing means used) but to the bearing area(s). Thus, the sealing gasket is no longer under stress during the use of the pulling device. The sealing gasket is then used solely for sealing and therefore allows the creation of a vacuum between the plate of the pulling device and the supporting surface (generally the floor). In this way, the service life of the sealing gasket is significantly extended.

[0034] Furthermore, since the sealing gasket is no longer subjected to the stresses generated during the use of the pulling device, a new solution for securing the sealing gasket can be implemented. This solution consists of creating a groove on the underside of the plate and securing the sealing gasket in this groove, all without the need for tools or chemicals. In this way, the installation and replacement of the sealing gasket are facilitated.

[0035] Figure 1 partially illustrates a pulling or traction device 1 intended for straightening sheet metal, for example in the automotive bodywork sector. Such a pulling device 1 is capable of carrying at least one pulling tool cooperating with one or more corresponding pulling elements fixed to the sheet metal to be straightened.

[0036] As illustrated, the pulling device 1 comprises a plate 10 adapted to be removably fixed to a support surface 3 (for example, the workshop floor). The pulling device 1 further comprises a pulling column 2 configured to support the pulling tool(s). The pulling column 2 is fixed to a first surface 11, referred to as the upper surface, of the plate 10. In the illustrated example, the pulling column 2 is fixed to the plate 10 via a support element 21 having a substantially L-shaped form, but other solutions are possible. The fixing of the pulling column 2 and the plate 10 to the support element 21 can, for example, be achieved by screwing or any other solution allowing to obtain a reliable fixing of the elements together.

[0037] The pulling device 1 can be portable, or mobile, so that it can be moved around a workshop, for example. In all cases, the plate 10 can be fixed to the support surface 3 by suction, that is to say by creating a depression, or in other words a vacuum, between the plate 10 and the support surface 3.

[0038] In this sense, and as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the plate 10 includes elastic sealing means 4 extending over the periphery of a second surface 12, referred to as the lower surface, of the plate 10. In this example, the elastic sealing means 4 are in the form of a sealing gasket. This sealing gasket 4 is configured, when using the pulling device 1, to be positioned between the plate 10 and the support surface 3 to form a sealed enclosed space 5.

[0039] Vacuum generation means (not illustrated) are connected in fluidic communication with the enclosed space 5 at the level of an orifice 13 provided in the plate 10. These vacuum generation means, in the form of an air pump, can be controlled so as to generate a vacuum in the enclosed space 5. Thus, the control of the vacuum generation means allows the user to fix the plate 10 to the support surface 3 when using the pulling device 1 and to release the plate 10 from the support surface 3 when the pulling device 1 needs to be moved, for example.

[0040] According to the invention, the lower surface 12 of the plate 10 comprises at least one bearing area 6 disposed within the enclosed space 5, that is, within the space delimited by the sealing gasket 4. Such a bearing area 6 is configured to come into contact with the support surface 3 so as to absorb the forces, in particular shear forces, which are generated when the pulling device 1 is in use. In this way, the sealing gasket 4 is no longer subjected to any mechanical stress and its sole role is to ensure the sealing of the enclosed space 5. Thus, the sealing gasket 4 is protected from any premature deterioration, which increases its capacity to maintain the vacuum and its service life. The implementation of support zones 6 also allows the application of a greater / higher tensile force than in prior art solutions since it is no longer the sealing joint 4 that undergoes these forces.Indeed, the bearing area(s) are configured to absorb much greater forces than a flexible seal 4.

[0041] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the plate 10 has a substantially rectangular shape. Support areas 6 are arranged at the four corners of the plate 10. Thus, the pulling device 1 comprises four support areas 6 which optimally absorb the forces exerted on the plate 10 during the use of the pulling device 1. Furthermore, the implementation of four support areas 6 arranged in this way ensures optimal balance and stability of the drawing device 1.

[0042] In unillustrated variations, it would be possible to implement more or fewer support zones 6 under the plate 10, without departing from the general principle of the invention. However, the implementation of four support zones 6 makes it possible to obtain an optimal compromise between force absorption and suction force to ensure effective positioning of the pulling device 1 during its use.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the bearing areas 6 are in the form of flexible pads, preferably made of flexible rubber. These pads 6 are substantially square or rectangular in shape and have high adhesion to ensure that the pulling device 1 remains in position on the support surface 3. Preferably, the shape of the pads 6 is selected to match the shape of the plate and / or the path of the sealing gasket 4 under the plate 10. Thus, in this example, the corners of the pads are rounded to match the path of the sealing gasket 4.

[0044] It should be noted that, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the pads 6 and the sealing gasket 4 are arranged in a tight / close manner, particularly at the angles / corners of the plate 10 in order to ensure optimal sealing of the enclosed space 5. This arrangement also ensures that it is the pads 6 that absorb the forces when using the pulling device 1.

[0045] The pads 6 must have sufficient dimensions to ensure optimal absorption of forces when using the device 1. These dimensions are also selected according to those of the plate 10 and / or the enclosed space 5 in order to ensure optimal fixing of the plate on the support surface 3.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the pads 6 are, in this example, removable so as to allow for their easy removal and / or replacement, for example in case of wear. In this example, each pad 6 comprises a cushion 61 cooperating with a support base 62 intended to be fixed to the lower surface 12 of the plate 10. More specifically, the plate 10 comprises recesses, or pockets, 121 for receiving the pads 6.

[0047] In this example, the support bases 62 are fixed to the plate 10 by fixing screws 63. It is understood that other removable fixing solutions can be envisaged without departing from the principle of the invention. It should be noted that in the example of [Fig. 3], the receiving pocket 121 also has a centering pin 122 cooperating with a corresponding centering slot 621 provided in the support base 62.

[0048] Preferably, the plate 10 of the draw device 1 comprises at least one groove 14 for receiving the sealing means 4. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the plate 10 comprises a single groove 14 extending over the entire length of the plate. rimhery of the lower surface 12 of the plate 10.

[0049] This groove 14 is configured to receive and retain the sealing gasket 4. To this end, the groove 14 has, in this example, a substantially square or rectangular cross-section, as illustrated in detail in the cross-sectional view of [Fig. 4]. The sealing gasket 4 has a correspondingly shaped cross-section.

[0050] Preferably, the sealing gasket 4 has dimensions larger than the groove 14 so that it is press-fitted or inserted into the groove 14. Thus, no tools or chemicals are required to install the sealing gasket 4 in the groove 4 and / or to remove it. More specifically, the sealing gasket 4 has a degree of flexibility or elasticity that allows it to compress during installation in the groove 14. Its subsequent natural expansion ensures optimal retention of the sealing gasket 4 in the groove 14. Removing the sealing gasket 4 remains simple, however, as it requires no tools or chemicals.

[0051] The groove 14 therefore eliminates the need to glue the sealing gasket 4 to the plate 10, unlike prior art solutions. This method of fixing the sealing gasket 4 in the groove 14 is also made possible by the implementation of the bearing zones 6, which absorb the forces during the use of the pulling device 1, instead of the sealing gasket 4 having to absorb these forces.

[0052] It is obviously understood that the thickness of the sealing gasket 4, the thickness of the pads 6 and the depth of the receiving pockets 121 are selected so that the pads 6 are in contact with the support surface 3 when the vacuum is made within the closed space 5 so that it is the pads 6 that absorb the shear forces rather than the sealing gasket 4.

[0053] It is also understood that the shape of the plate 10 may differ from the rectangular shape illustrated in this example. The plate 10 may have any other shape, and the bearing areas 6 may be arranged differently, as long as the advantages mentioned above in relation to these elements are maintained. For example, the plate 10 may have a quadrilateral shape and a bearing area at each corner / angle.

[0054] The plate 10 is preferably made of metal to ensure sufficient resistance to the stresses experienced during the use of the pulling device 1. In particular, the plate may be made of steel to limit manufacturing costs. Preferably, the plate 10 is made of aluminum, for example 5083 or 2017 aluminum, to limit the weight of the device 1 and thus facilitate its movement. In addition, the use of aluminum makes it easier to machine the hole 13 and the receiving pockets 121 of the pads 6, in particular.

[0055] The plate 10 has, for example, a length of approximately 60 cm and a width of approximately 40 cm. The surface area of ​​the enclosed space 5 located under the plate 10 between the sealing gasket 4 is, for example, approximately 0.181 m². It is understood that other dimensions can be considered, particularly depending on the needs and the pulling forces to be exerted, without departing from the general principle described above.

[0056] The sealing gasket 4 is preferably made of polymer, and more specifically of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (“EPDM”). Other materials that provide optimal sealing of the enclosed space 5 while allowing tool-free installation and removal of the sealing gasket 4 from the groove 14 may be considered without departing from the principle of the invention.

[0057] For example, the sealing gasket 4 has a thickness of between approximately 1 and 2 cm, and preferably 1.5 cm. Its width can, for example, be between 1.5 and 2.5 cm, and preferably 2 cm. Other dimensions can be considered, particularly depending on the dimensions of the plate, for example, without departing from the general principle described above.

[0058] The illustrated example shows a groove 14 having a square or rectangular shape. It is understood that other shapes can be considered as long as they allow for tool-free installation and removal of the sealing gasket 4 in the groove 14. The sealing gasket 4 can also have any shape that provides the aforementioned advantages.

[0059] The pads 6 are preferably made of rubber to ensure optimal grip and absorption of forces, particularly shear forces. Other materials, such as thermoplastics or elastomers, may be considered without departing from the principle of the invention.

[0060] Preferably, the pads 6 are made of TPE or TPR 65 Shore A. They may, for example, have a substantially square shape of 10 cm by 10 cm. Other dimensions and shapes may be considered without departing from the general principle described above.

Claims

Demands

1. A pulling device (1) for carrying at least one pulling tool adapted for straightening sheet metal, said device (1) comprising: - a plate (10), adapted to be removably fixed to a support surface (3), - a pulling column (2) configured to carry said pulling tool, said pulling column being integral with a first surface (11), referred to as the upper surface, of said plate (10), - elastic sealing means (4) extending over the periphery of a second surface (12), referred to as the lower surface, of said plate (10), said elastic sealing means (4) being configured, when using said device (1), to be arranged between the plate (10) and the support surface (3) to form an enclosed space (5), and - vacuum generation means, in fluidic communication with the enclosed space (5) at an orifice (13) of said plate (10),controlled and configured to generate a depression in said enclosed space (5) so as to fix said plate (10) to said support surface (3), characterized in that said plate (10) further comprises, on its second surface (12), at least one bearing area (6) bringing said plate (10) into contact with said support surface (3).

2. Pulling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate (10) has a substantially quadrilateral shape and in that said plate (10) comprises four support zones arranged substantially at the four corners of said plate (10).

3. Pulling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one support area (6) is in the form of a pad made of an adhesive material.

4. Pulling device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one support area (6) is made of rubber, elastomer, polymer or thermoplastic.

5. Pulling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one support area (6) is removably fixed on said second surface (12) of said plate (10).

6. Pulling device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one support area (6) is fixed by screwing.

7. A drawing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said plate (10) comprises at least one groove (14) of reception of said elastic sealing means (4).

8. Pulling device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said elastic sealing means (4) are removably fixed in said at least one groove (14).

9. Pulling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said elastic sealing means (4) are in the form of a sealing gasket extending over the entire periphery of said second surface (12) of said plate (10).

10. Pulling device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said sealing joint (4) is made of polymer, and more specifically of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (“EPDM”).

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