Cutting table and its deployment process

Abstract

A cutting table (1) comprising a frame (2) forming a work surface (3) and a base, said frame (2) having at least an L-shaped cross-section on two of its longitudinal sides (5), the base comprising legs (9) coupled by a pivot joint to the frame (2) for transitioning from a folded position, in which they extend at least partially within the perimeter defined by the frame (2), to an extended position supporting said frame (2). The vertical arm (8) of the L on the longitudinal sides (5) of the frame (2) is equipped with at least one handle (12) for gripping the frame (2), disposed at least partially within the thickness of the frame (2) to extend flush with or within the perimeter defined by the frame (2). The legs (9) are angled and, in the extended position, form an obtuse angle opening outwards from the frame (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Cutting table and method of deploying it

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting table, in particular for a construction site, and a method of deploying said table.

[0002] It relates in particular to a cutting table comprising a quadrangular frame forming a top and a base, said quadrangular frame having at least two of its so-called longitudinal sides a cross-section at least in an L with one of the so-called horizontal branches of the L forming a top and a so-called vertical branch delimiting at least part of the perimeter of the frame, the base comprising feet respectively coupled by a pivot connection to the vertical branch of a longitudinal side of the frame for the passage from a folded position in which they extend at least partially inside the perimeter defined by the frame to a deployed position of support of said frame, each foot coupled to a longitudinal side being connected by a connection axis to a foot coupled to the opposite longitudinal side.

[0003] Such a table is known as illustrated in particular by patent FR3107463. Such a cutting table is used on construction sites, in particular for cutting wooden plates or beams, in particular for the production of formwork. To allow easy transport and storage, users are looking for a cutting table whose frame dimensions can be reduced to contribute to the compactness of the table while allowing a significant height of the table and safe and easy folding or deployment of the table.

[0004] An aim of the invention is to propose a cutting table whose design allows a reduced dimension of the frame to contribute to the compactness of the table while allowing a significant height of the table and safe and easy folding or deployment of the cutting table.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a cutting table comprising a quadrangular frame forming a top and a base, said quadrangular frame having at least two of its so-called longitudinal sides a cross-section at least in an L shape with one of the so-called horizontal branches of the L forming a top and a so-called vertical branch delimiting at least part of the perimeter of the frame, the base comprising feet respectively coupled by a pivot connection to the vertical branch of a longitudinal side of the frame for the passage from a folded position in which they extend at least partially inside the perimeter defined by the frame to a deployed position supporting said frame, each foot coupled to a side longitudinal being connected by a connecting axis to a foot coupled to the opposite longitudinal side, characterized in that the vertical branch of the L of the longitudinal sides of the frame is equipped with at least one frame grip handle arranged at least partially in the thickness of the frame to extend flush with or inside the perimeter defined by the frame, and in that the feet are angled feet forming in the deployed position an obtuse angle open towards the outside of the frame.

[0006] The fact that the or each gripping handle of the frame equipping the vertical branch of the L of the longitudinal sides of the frame is arranged at least partially in the thickness of the frame to extend flush with or inside the perimeter defined by the frame, that is to say that the or each gripping handle of the frame does not extend projecting from the perimeter of the frame, allows easy positioning on the edge of the table. The positioning on the edge of the table is a stable positioning. This results in folding and unfolding of the table which are facilitated. As the legs are bent forming an obtuse angle open towards the outside of the frame, each leg forms an X with an opposite leg in the deployed position of the legs. This conformation of the legs allows, in the deployed position of the legs, increased stability of the table by positioning the support points on the ground of the legs outside the surface formed by the projection on the ground of the frame.This conformation of the feet also allows for easier accommodation of the feet in the thickness of the frame in the folded position and limits, or even avoids, the risk of trapping the operator's fingers at the ends of the feet. ( .

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the number of handles is at least equal to two per longitudinal side of the frame, the handles of one longitudinal side being axially offset along said longitudinal side. The operator can thus position his hands opposite one longitudinal side of the frame and simultaneously grasp the two handles of said longitudinal side.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one, preferably each, of the handles is formed by an opening, preferably oblong, in the vertical branch of the L of the associated longitudinal side of the frame. Ideally when this opening is oblong it extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the plane of the part of the frame forming the tray.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the table comprises, for each leg connected to another leg by a connecting axis, at least one locking member for said legs at least in the folded position, the or each locking member extending inside the perimeter delimited by the frame and comprising a finger equipped with a lock loaded by a spring returning the lock to the projecting position of one end of the finger, this locking member being carried by the frame and being configured to be inserted into a hole in the base at least in the folded position of the legs.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the table comprises, for each leg connected to another leg by a connecting shaft, at least one actuator to assist in moving said legs between the folded position and the deployed position, the or each actuator is coupled to the base by a first pivot and to the frame by a second pivot, and the first pivot extends on one side of the line passing through the second pivot and the pivot connection of the leg to the base in the folded position of the legs and on the other side of said line in the deployed position of the legs. This arrangement makes it possible to avoid untimely deployment of the legs while facilitating this deployment.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuator is a gas cylinder.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the so-called transverse sides of the frame is equipped with at least one, preferably at least two wheels extending at least partially outside the perimeter delimited by the frame to form rolling members of the table.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises intermediate crosspieces extending between two longitudinal sides of the frame and dividing the frame into a plurality of compartments, at least one of the intermediate crosspieces having a press pivotally mounted on said intermediate crosspiece.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, each foot is provided, at its ground support end, with a lateral projection forming an end-of-travel stop for said foot in the folded position of the foot by pressing said lateral projection on a part of the frame.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the folded position of the legs and in the state in which the frame is positioned horizontally on a horizontal flat surface with the top-forming part of the frame forming the top of the frame, the handles are spaced from the horizontal plane known as the ground support plane of the frame passing through the support points of the frame on the horizontal flat surface and are separated from said horizontal ground support plane at least by a free space extending under said handles. This results in ease of gripping the table without risk of injury.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handles extend at least partially between the tray-forming part of the frame and the plane, parallel to the tray, passing through the pivot connections of the legs to the frame.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the folded position of the legs, the legs pivotally coupled to the same longitudinal side of the frame are, at their end opposite that connected by a pivot connection to said longitudinal side of the frame, spaced apart from each other by a distance at least equal to 30 mm. Thanks to this configuration, a risk of fingers being trapped at the ends of the legs is avoided.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for deploying a cutting table, characterized in that the cutting table being in accordance with that described above, the method comprises, in the folded position of the legs and in the positioned state of the table resting on the ground by pressing on its top, at least one step of gripping one of the longitudinal sides called the first longitudinal side of the table by the handle(s) of said side for positioning in support on the opposite longitudinal side called the second longitudinal side of the table, a step of pivoting the legs for the passage from the folded position to the deployed position of the legs and a step of gripping the handle(s) of the first longitudinal side of the table for straightening the table to a position of support on the ground of the legs. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a cutting table in the folded position of the legs and in the positioned state of the frame horizontally resting on the ground by the part forming the table top of the frame during the step of gripping the table by an operator at the level of the handles of the table;

[0021] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a cutting table in the folded position feet and in the positioned state of the frame on the edge, the operator standing on the side of the frame forming the tray;

[0022] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of a cutting table in the folded position of the feet and the positioned state of the frame on its edge during the step of unlocking the feet associated with a detailed view of the locking;

[0023] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of a cutting table in position deployed legs and in the positioned state of the frame on its edge during the step of straightening the table by an operator for positioning the table on its legs, the operator standing on the side of the face of the frame opposite that forming the top;

[0024] [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of a cutting table resting on on the ground by its feet in the deployed position;

[0025] [Fig.6] represents in the form of three partial views partially in transparency the steps of deploying a foot;

[0026] [Fig.7] represents a partially transparent front view of a table of cutout in the folded position of the legs to illustrate the space left free between the free ends of the legs;

[0027] [Fig.8] represents a perspective view of a cutting table in the folded position of the feet and in the positioned state of the frame horizontally resting on the ground by the part of the frame opposite the part forming the top of the frame during the step of gripping the table by an operator at the level of the handles of the table.

[0028] As mentioned above, the cutting table 1, which is the subject of the invention, is more particularly intended to be used on a construction site to enable, in particular, the cutting of wood using a cutting tool, such as a circular saw. This cutting table 1 comprises a frame 2 forming a top 3 and a base 4.

[0029] In the examples shown, the frame 2 forming the plate 3 is a quadrangular frame, in particular rectangular. This quadrangular frame 2 comprises two parallel longitudinal sides 5 and two parallel transverse sides 6, the longitudinal sides and the transverse sides extending substantially at right angles to each other.

[0030] Each longitudinal side 5 has a cross-section at least in an L and comprises at least one L-shaped angle iron with one of the wings of the angle iron corresponding to the so-called horizontal branch 7 of the L and forming the table top, and another of the wings of the angle iron corresponding to the so-called vertical branch 8 of the L. This vertical branch 8 of the L delimits the perimeter of the frame at the level of the longitudinal sides 5 of the frame 2. In the configuration of use of the cutting table 1 with the frame 2 horizontal and the part forming the table top of the frame 2 facing the sky, the L is upside down.

[0031] Each transverse side 6 of the frame 2 may, in a similar manner, have a cross-section at least in an L shape and comprise at least one L-shaped angle iron with one of the wings of the angle iron corresponding to the so-called horizontal branch of the L and forming the table top and another of the wings of the angle iron corresponding to the so-called vertical branch of the L. This vertical branch delimits the perimeter of the frame 2 at the level of the transverse sides of the frame 2. The connection of the angles to each other may be carried out by cutting and folding part of the ends of said angles, as illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0032] In the examples shown, the frame 2 comprises intermediate crosspieces 19 extending between two longitudinal sides 5 of the frame 2. These intermediate crosspieces 19 divide the frame 2 into a plurality of compartments. For example, in [Fig.l], two intermediate crosspieces 19 are provided, each equipped with a press 20 pivotally mounted on said intermediate crosspiece 19 to extend in the plane of the frame 2 in the storage position of the cutting table 1 and in a vertical plane orthogonal to the part of the frame 2 forming the table top in the active position of the press.

[0033] The base 4 comprises, for its part, feet 9 mounted to pivot for moving from a folded position along the frame 2 in which they extend at least partially inside the perimeter defined by the frame 2 to a deployed position supporting the frame 2.

[0034] In the example shown, the base 4 comprises two pairs of feet 9. The feet of a pair are connected by a so-called horizontal connecting axis 11. Each foot 9 is coupled, by a pivot connection 10 with a pivot axis parallel to the plane of the top 3, to the branch vertical 8 of a longitudinal side 5 of the frame 2, for the passage from a folded position, in which it extends less partially inside the perimeter defined by the frame 2, to a deployed position of support of said frame 2.

[0035] Each pivot connection 10 is arranged near a corner of the frame 2. The pivot axes of the pivot connections 10 are parallel to each other. The connection axis 11 connects the feet 9 of a pair of feet with one of the feet 9 of the pair which is coupled to one longitudinal side 5 of the frame 2 and with the other of the feet 9 of the pair which is coupled to the other longitudinal side 5 of the frame 2.

[0036] Each foot 9 of a pair of feet is bent to form an obtuse angle open towards the outside of the frame at least in the deployed position of the feet 9, so that each foot of a pair of feet forms with a foot opposite the other pair of feet an X in the deployed position of the feet, as illustrated in [Fig.5]. Similarly, in the folded position, each foot 9 of a pair of feet is bent to form an obtuse angle open towards the outside of the frame.

[0037] Because each leg is bent, the ground support points of the legs in the deployed position of said legs extend outside the surface delimited by the projection on the ground of the table frame. This results in increased stability of said table 1.

[0038] The table 1 comprises, for each leg 9 of a pair of legs, that is to say for each leg 9 connected to another leg 9 by a connecting pin 11, for a fixed mounting in pivoting movement of said legs 9, at least one actuator 15 presented, in the example of [Fig. 6], in the form of a gas cylinder. This actuator 15, which assists in the movement of the legs 9 of the pair of legs 9 between the folded position and the deployed position, is coupled to the base 4 by a first pivot 16 and to the frame 2 by a second pivot 17. The first pivot 16 extends on one side of the line passing through the second pivot 17 and the pivot connection 10 of the leg 9 to the base in the folded position of the legs 9 and on the other side of said line in the deployed position of the legs 9.

[0039] Thus, the operator must manually begin the operation of deploying or folding the legs before this operation is continued under the action of the actuator 15. This prevents untimely movement of the legs 9.

[0040] It should be noted that one actuator 15 or two actuators 15 per pair of feet may be provided indifferently, namely, in the latter case, one actuator per foot of said pair of feet.

[0041] The cutting table 1 comprises, for each pair of legs 9, at least one member 13 for locking said legs, at least in the folded position. The or each locking member 13 comprises a finger 131 equipped with a lock 132 loaded by a spring 133 returning the lock 132 to a position projecting from one end of the finger 131. This locking member is carried by the frame 2 and is configured to be inserted into a hole 14 of the base 4 in the folded position of the legs of the base. The detail of this locking member 13 is shown in [Fig.3].

[0042] This locking member 13 can, in addition, allow the feet to be locked in the deployed position by following the same operating pattern, that is to say by inserting the lock 132 loaded by a spring inside a hole in the base in the deployed position. Finally, each foot 9 is provided, at its ground support end, with a lateral projection 21 forming an end-of-travel stop for said foot 9 in the folded position of the foot 9 by pressing said lateral projection 21 on a part of the frame 2.

[0043] This lateral projection 21 can be formed by a simple bending of a part of the end of the leg 9. This leg 9 is here formed by a bent U-shaped profile. This profile can be formed in one or more sections. The U is open towards the outside of the table in the deployed position of the legs, as can be seen in [Fig.4].

[0044] In the folded position of the feet, the feet 9 pivotally coupled to the same longitudinal side 5 of the frame 2 are, at their end opposite that connected by a pivot connection 10 to said longitudinal side of the frame, spaced apart from each other by a distance at least equal to 30 mm. This space left free between the ends of the feet 9 is visible in [Fig.7]. This space left free makes it possible to avoid trapping the operator's fingers between said feet 9.

[0045] To allow easy handling of the table 1, the vertical branch 8 of the L of the longitudinal sides 5 of the frame 2 is equipped with at least one handle 12 for gripping the frame 2 arranged at least partially in the thickness of the frame 2 to extend flush with or inside the perimeter defined by the frame 2.

[0046] In other words, this handle 12 for gripping the frame 2 is arranged at least partially in the thickness of the frame 2 so as not to project outside the perimeter defined by the frame 2.

[0047] As illustrated for example in [Fig.8], each of the handles 12 is formed by an opening in the vertical branch 8 of the L of the associated longitudinal side 5 of the frame 2. This opening is a through opening, preferably elongated, in particular oblong with the longitudinal axis of the opening extending parallel to the tray-forming part of the frame 2.

[0048] The opening has one of these longitudinal edges wavy to facilitate the grip. Ideally, the number of handles 12 is at least equal to two per longitudinal side 5 of the frame 2. The handles 12 of a longitudinal side 5 are axially offset along the longitudinal side. The handles are aligned along a line parallel to the tray-shaped part 3 of the frame.

[0049] As can be seen in [Fig.8], in the folded position of the legs and in the state in which the frame 2 is positioned horizontally on a horizontal plane surface with the tray-forming part 3 of the frame 2 forming the top of the frame, the handles 12 are spaced from the plane horizontal plane said to be supporting the ground of the frame 2 passing through the support points of the frame 2 on the horizontal flat surface and are separated from said horizontal plane supporting the ground at least by a free space extending under said handles 12. This makes it easier to grip said handles regardless of how the table rests on the ground in the folded position of the legs 9.

[0050] The handles 12 extend at least partially, preferably completely, between the plate-forming part 3 of the frame 2 and the plane parallel to the plate 3 passing through the pivot connections 10 of the feet 9 to the frame 2.

[0051] As illustrated in [Fig.7], in the folded position of the legs 9, a part of the legs 9 extends between a plane parallel to the part forming the tray 3 of the frame 2 and passing through the handles 12 and the part forming the tray 3 of the frame 2.

[0052] Thus, the handles 12 can, in the folded position of the feet 9, be grasped by an operator without any discomfort being caused by the feet 9.

[0053] To complete the cutting table 1, one of the so-called transverse sides 6 of the frame 2 is equipped with at least one, preferably at least two wheels 18 extending at least partially outside the perimeter delimited by the frame 2 to form rolling members of the table 1.

[0054] The cutting table 1 can thus be moved on the ground by rolling in an inclined position with a downward slope from the transverse edge 6 of the table 1 without wheels towards the transverse edge of the table equipped with wheels 18.

[0055] In practice, the deployment of a cutting table is carried out as follows:

[0056] It is assumed that the legs 9 are in the folded position and that the cutting table 1 rests on the ground by pressing on its plate 3, as illustrated in [Fig.l], or with the part forming the plate 3 of the frame forming the top of the frame 2, as illustrated in [Fig.8]. The operator 22 is squatting in front of one of the longitudinal sides 5 of the frame 2. The operator 22 grasps one of the longitudinal sides 5 called the first longitudinal side of the table 1 by the handles 12 of said longitudinal side 5 for positioning the table 1 in support on the opposite longitudinal side 5 as illustrated by the passage from [Fig.l] to [Fig.2].

[0057] In this position, the feet can be unlocked by actuating the locking members 13, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. To do this, the operator 22 simply has to lean towards the locking member to actuate it manually. The operator 22 then pivots the feet 9 of the pair of feet that have just been unlocked to move them from the folded position to the deployed position of the feet 9.

[0058] During this maneuver, the operator 22 is assisted by the actuator(s) 15 equipping said pair of feet. The operator 22 proceeds in a similar manner with the other pair of feet 9.

[0059] Once the legs 9 are in the deployed position, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the operator 22 can proceed to a step of gripping the handles 12 of the first longitudinal side 5 of the table 1 to straighten the table 1 to a position of support on the ground of the legs 9, as illustrated by the passage from [Fig. 4] to [Fig. 5].

[0060] To do this, the operator 22 comes to position himself between the previously unfolded legs before grasping the handles 12 and carrying out the straightening operation. The cutting table 1 can now be used.

[0061] This design of the table allows the operator to safely and effortlessly deploy the table 1. Obviously, the folding of the cutting table 1 is carried out by the reverse operations.

Claims

Claims

1. Cutting table (1) comprising a quadrangular frame (2) forming a top (3) and a base (4), said quadrangular frame (2) having at least two of its so-called longitudinal sides (5) a cross-section at least in an L with one of the so-called horizontal branches (7) of the L forming a top and a so-called vertical branch (8) delimiting at least part of the perimeter of the frame (2), the base (4) comprising legs (9) respectively coupled by a pivot connection (10) to the vertical branch (8) of a longitudinal side (5) of the frame (2) for the passage from a folded position in which they extend at least partially inside the perimeter defined by the frame (2) to a deployed position of support of said frame (2), each leg (9) coupled to a longitudinal side (5) being connected by a connecting pin (11) to a leg (9) coupled to the opposite longitudinal side (5),characterized in that the vertical branch (8) of the L of the longitudinal sides (5) of the frame (2) is equipped with at least one handle (12) for gripping the frame (2) arranged at least partially in the thickness of the frame (2) to extend flush with or inside the perimeter defined by the frame (2), and in that the feet (9) are angled feet (9) forming in the deployed position an obtuse angle open towards the outside of the frame (2).,

2. Cutting table (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of handles (12) is at least equal to two per longitudinal side (5) of the frame (2), the handles (12) of one longitudinal side (5) being axially offset along said longitudinal side (5).

3. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one, preferably each, of the handles (12) is formed by an opening, preferably oblong, in the vertical branch (8) of the L of the associated longitudinal side (5) of the frame (2).

4. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the table (1) comprises, for each leg (9) connected to another leg (9) by a connecting pin (11), at least one member (13) for locking said legs (2) at least in the folded position, the or each locking member (13) extending inside the perimeter delimited by the frame (2) and comprising a finger (131) equipped with a lock (132) loaded by a spring (133) returning the lock (132) to the position projecting from one end of the finger (131), this locking member (13) being carried by the frame (2) and being configured to be inserted into a drilling (14) of the base (4) at least in the folded position of the feet (9).

5. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the table (1) comprises, for each leg (9) connected to another leg (9) by a connecting axis (11), at least one actuator (15) to assist in the movement of said legs (9) between the folded position and the deployed position, in that the or each actuator (15) is coupled to the base (4) by a first pivot (16) and to the frame (2) by a second pivot (17), and in that the first pivot (16) extends on one side of the line passing through the second pivot (17) and the pivot connection (10) of the leg (9) to the base (4) in the folded position of the legs (9) and on the other side of said line in the deployed position of the legs (9).

6. Cutting table (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuator (15) is a gas cylinder.

7. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one of the so-called transverse sides (6) of the frame (2) is equipped with at least one, preferably at least two wheels (18) extending at least partially outside the perimeter delimited by the frame (2) to form rolling members of the table (1).

8. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises intermediate crosspieces (19) extending between two longitudinal sides (5) of the frame (2) and dividing the frame (2) into a plurality of compartments, at least one of the intermediate crosspieces (19) having a press (20) pivotally mounted on said intermediate crosspiece (19).

9. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each leg (9) is provided, at its end resting on the ground, with a lateral projection (21) forming an end-of-travel stop for said leg (9) in the folded position of the leg (9) by pressing said lateral projection (21) on a part of the frame (2).

10. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the folded position of the legs (9) and in the positioned state of the frame (2) horizontally on a horizontal flat surface with the part forming a tray (3) of the frame (2) forming the top of the frame (2), the handles (12) are spaced from the horizontal plane known as the ground support plane of the frame (2) passing through the support points of the frame (2) on the horizontal flat surface and are separated from said horizontal ground support plane at least by a free space extending under said handles (12).

11. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the handles (12) extend at least partially between the tray-forming part (3) of the frame (2) and the plane, parallel to the tray (3), passing through the pivot connections (10) of the legs (9) to the frame (2).

12. Cutting table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in the folded position of the legs (9), the legs (9) pivotally coupled to the same longitudinal side (5) of the frame (2) are, at their end opposite that connected by a pivot connection (10) to said longitudinal side (5) of the frame (2), spaced from each other by a distance at least equal to 30 mm.

13. Method for deploying a cutting table (1), characterized in that the cutting table (1) being in accordance with one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprises, in the folded position of the legs (9) and in the positioned state of the table (1) resting on the ground by pressing on its plate (3), at least one step of gripping one of the longitudinal sides (5) called the first longitudinal side (5) of the table (1) by the handle(s) (12) of said side for positioning in support on the opposite longitudinal side (5) called the second longitudinal side of the table (1), a step of pivoting the legs (9) for the transition from the folded position to the deployed position of the legs (9) and a step of gripping the handle(s) (12) of the first longitudinal side (5) of the table (1) for straightening the table (1) to a position of support on the ground of the legs (9).

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