Tool for holding objects with a smooth surface

Abstract

Tool for holding objects with a smooth surface. Tool (1) comprising a support (2) having two ends, a first suction cup (7) mounted and pivoting at one end of the support (2) and a second suction cup (9) mounted and pivoting at the other end of the support (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Tool for holding objects having a smooth surface

[0001] The present invention relates to the holding of objects having a smooth surface.

[0002] In the present application, the term “smooth surface” means any surface that is fairly smooth and airtight enough to be held in place by using a suction cup.

[0003] To hold objects with a smooth surface, for example a window, a mirror, a tile or the like, in an inherently unstable position, for example standing on their edge, it is common to use poles, for example wooden planks, wedged between the ground and the object to be held so that it does not fall. This solution is rudimentary and accidents causing the destruction or deterioration of the objects to be held are frequent.

[0004] There are dedicated tools such as props that are more reliable and solid than wooden planks. These props keep objects balanced, but can slip and no longer hold the object in position. In addition, on a construction site, activity around objects held in balance can cause contact that can cause objects to tip out of their balanced position and fall.

[0005] The present invention aims at a tool for maintaining the position of a smooth surface relative to another, more reliable and more universal.

[0006] The present invention relates to a tool comprising a prop having two ends, characterized in that it comprises a first suction cup, pivotally mounted at least relative to a first axis perpendicular to the prop, at one of the ends of the prop, and a second suction cup, pivotally mounted at least relative to a second axis parallel to the first axis, at the other end of the prop.

[0007] The prop is thus fixed on the one hand to the smooth surface of the object to be held and on the other hand to another smooth surface relative to which the object is to be held in position, for example to the ground. In the event of accidental contact, the object then remains in its equilibrium position and does not fall. Since the suction cups are pivoting, they can be applied to two smooth surfaces, regardless of their position relative to each other.

[0008] Preferably, the first suction cup is also pivotable relative to a second axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the stay, and the second suction cup is also pivotable relative to a second axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the stay. The suction cup is pivotable along two axes, thus facilitating the installation of the tool.

[0009] Preferably, the suction cups are pump suction cups, electric or manual. Fixing is thus ensured more simply by activating the pump once the suction cup placed on the desired smooth surface.

[0010] Preferably, each suction cup has a handle. The tool can thus be manipulated and the suction cup can be applied to a smooth surface by holding it by the handle. The handle is preferably mounted on the suction cup so as to be grasped by one hand, the corresponding arm of which extends in the longitudinal direction of the prop.

[0011] A push button, actuating the pump suction cup, can be mounted so that it can be actuated with the finger of one hand, in particular the thumb, while holding the handle of the suction cup, in particular with the other fingers. It is thus possible to apply the suction cup to a smooth surface and operate the pump of the suction cup with one hand.

[0012] Preferably, the stay is a telescopic stay. The telescopic stay may include a length adjustment system, which allows it to be lengthened or shortened so as to fix the suction cups over a greater range of distance from each other.

[0013] Preferably, the stay comprises a telescopic main part extended at each of its ends by a respective threaded rod, which on one side, engages in a thread of the main part, and is fixed to a respective threaded rod on the other side. By rotating the threaded rod, a finer adjustment of the length of the stay can be made, to, after having made a wider and faster adjustment with the length adjustment system, ensure the correct positioning of the suction cups on the respective smooth walls. It is also possible to rotate the suction cup and thus give it a larger installation field. When the suction cups are fixed on the smooth surfaces, the threaded rod therefore being fixed in rotation relative to the suction cup, a rotation action on the stay causes an increase in the distance between the two suction cups allowing the application of a holding force decided by the user and having a great fineness of adjustment.Beyond even a notion of holding objects, this operation responds in itself to an application where a holding force is necessary between the two objects. It should be noted that the application of a force is only possible with the prior art pad stay systems in a certain position where the plane of the pad is substantially perpendicular to an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the stay. Furthermore, this applied force is much weaker than according to the present invention due to the risk of slipping or detachment.

[0014] The pivoting of each of the suction cups as well as the freedom of rotation of the threaded rods thus allow the suction cups to be placed in any point in space at 360° on three axes in order to adapt to any position of the object to be held.

[0015] According to the invention, an object having at least one smooth surface can be held in position by placing one of the two suction cups on a smooth surface, for example a floor, then pivoting the prop relative to the fixed suction cup to bring the other of the two suction cups closer to the object to be held in position and placing suction cup the other of the two suction cups on the object to be held in position having at least one smooth surface, in particular on the at least one smooth surface of the object.

[0016] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0017] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of the tool;

[0018] [Fig.2] is an enlarged perspective view of a suction cup of the tool of [Fig.l]; and

[0019] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a plurality of tools according to the invention arranged between a ground and an object to be held in position.

[0020] The tool 1 comprises a telescopic prop 2 comprising an outer tube 2a and an inner tube 2b in which slots 3 are formed, the inner tube being free to translate in the longitudinal direction in the outer tube. The outer tube 2a comprises at a first end a length adjustment system 4 consisting of a casing 4a in which is pivotally mounted, relative to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the prop, a lug comprising a pivotally mounted lever 4b, the lug pivoting between a stable position in which it enters one of the slots 3 so as to block the inner tube 2b when the wheel 4b is in a first unpressed position, and a raised position, in which the lug does not block the translation of the inner tube 2b when the lever 4b is pivoted to press it towards the tube.The inner tube 2b has at a first end projecting from the first end of the outer tube, a thread in which a first threaded rod 5 engages. The outer tube 2a has at a second end, opposite the first end, a thread in which a second threaded rod 6 engages.

[0021] The tool comprises a first suction cup 7 with a pump comprising a vacuum dome 7a intended to be in contact with a smooth and airtight surface to form a closed airtight space. The first suction cup 7 comprises a longitudinal handle 7b from which projects laterally a push button 8 actuating a piston of a vacuum pump rarefying the air from the interior space of the suction cup 7. The first suction cup 7 comprises two cheeks 7c between which is arranged, perpendicular to the handle 7b, the first threaded rod 5, a holding bar passing through the first threaded rod 5 being fixed to each of the cheeks 7c, so as to fix the first pivoting suction cup 7, relative to an axis perpendicular to the stay, to the first threaded rod 5.

[0022] The tool comprises a second suction cup 9 with a pump identical to the first suction cup 7. The second suction cup 9 is pivotally mounted, relative to an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the first suction cup 7, to the second threaded rod 6 in the same way as the first suction cup 7 is mounted opposite the first threaded rod 5.

[0023] When the second suction cup 9 is placed on a floor, the pump is activated by the push button to suction it to the floor, then the prop 2 is tilted relative to the second suction cup 9, thanks to the pivoting attachment of the second rod 6 threaded to the second suction cup 9, to bring the first suction cup 7 closer to the object to be held in position, for example, as in [Fig. 3], a vertical pane of glass. The first suction cup 7 is then pivoted relative to the first threaded rod 5 along the axis perpendicular to the prop 2 to place the first suction cup 7 against the smooth surface of the object to be held before actuating the push button 8 to suction the first suction cup 7, as shown in [Fig. 3] for the two tools 1 on the left.

[0024] When the distance between the second suction cup 9, suctioned to the ground, and the smooth surface where it is desired to fix the first suction cup 7 is greater than the length of the outer tube 2a, the lever 4b is pressed and the inner tube 2b is moved in translation outwards to the desired length, then the lever 4b is released before the suction of the first suction cup 7 to the desired smooth surface, as shown in [Fig.3] for the two tools 1 on the right.

[0025] Once the two suction cups 7, 9 are suctioned to their respective smooth surface, the stay 2 is pivoted relative to each of the threaded rods 5, 6 to tighten the fixings as much as possible and avoid having any play.

[0026] According to another embodiment not shown in the figures, the suction cups 7, 9 can be suction cups with an electric pump.

[0027] Furthermore, according to another embodiment not shown in the figures, the length adjustment system consists of a casing receiving a wheel having a first direction of rotation translating the inner tube towards the outside of the outer tube, a second direction of rotation translating the inner tube towards the inside of the outer tube and a stable position in which it blocks the translation of the inner tube in the outer tube. An opening is provided in the casing from which a part of the wheel projects so as to allow a user to pivot it in the first direction or the second direction.

[0028] According to yet another embodiment not shown in the figures, the length adjustment system consists of a clamp arranged at one end of the outer tube, which in a first stable position, not pressed by a user, clamps the inner tube so as to block translation in the outer tube, and which in a second position, pressed by a user, releases the inner tube so as to allow translation in the outer tube.

Claims

Claims

1. Tool (1) comprising a prop (2) having two ends, characterized in that it comprises a first suction cup (7) mounted, pivoting relative to a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the prop (2), at one of the ends of the prop, and a second suction cup (9) mounted, pivoting relative to a second axis parallel to the first axis, at the other end of the prop.

2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the first suction cup (7) is also pivotable relative to a second axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the stay (2), and the second suction cup (9) is also pivotable relative to a second axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the stay (2).

3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction cups (7, 9) are pump suction cups.

4. Tool according to claim 3, characterized in that each suction cup (7,9) comprises a handle (7b) mounted so as to be grasped by one hand, the corresponding arm of which extends in the longitudinal direction of the prop (2).

5. Tool according to claim 4, characterized in that a push button (8), actuating the pump suction cup (7, 9), is mounted so as to be able to be actuated with the finger of one hand, in particular the thumb, while holding the handle (7b) of the suction cup, in particular with the other fingers.

6. Tool according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the suction cups, preferably both suction cups (7, 9), is / are one or more hand-pump suction cups.

7. Tool according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the suction cups, preferably both suction cups (7, 9), is / are one or more suction cups with an electric pump.

8. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the prop (2) is telescopic.

9. Tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the telescopic prop (2) comprises a length adjustment system (4).

10. Tool according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the prop (2) comprises a telescopic main part (2a, 2b) extended at each of its ends by a respective threaded rod (5, 6) which, on one side, engages in a thread of the main part, and is fixed to a respective threaded rod (5, 6) on the other side.

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