Windshield installation and removal device

Abstract

TITLE. Device for installing and removing a vehicle windshield. The invention relates to a device for installing and removing (1) a vehicle windshield (2). This device (1) comprises, on the one hand, a base (4) intended to be immobilized relative to the vehicle (3), on the other hand, a telescopic arm (5) comprising a bar (50) and a sleeve (51) movable relative to the bar (50) between a folded and a deployed configuration of the telescopic arm (5), on the other hand, means for mounting (6) the telescopic arm (5) relative to the base (4) in an articulated manner, on the other hand, also, means for gripping a windshield (2) which equip the sleeve (51), and, on the other hand, also, means for immobilizing (8) the sleeve (51) relative to the bar (50).This device (1) is characterized in that the immobilizing means (8) are configured to ensure immobilization of the sleeve (51) relative to the bar (50) only in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm (5). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for installing and removing a windshield

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for installing and removing a windshield from a vehicle.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of transport and, more particularly, to the field of repair of transport vehicles, in particular the field of replacement of windscreens of transport vehicles.

[0003] Without being limited to it, the present invention will find a particularly suitable application when it comes to replacing the windshield of a motor vehicle, in particular a car or a van.

[0004] Devices for installing and removing a windshield are already known. Such a device includes a base designed to be immobilized relative to the vehicle. Such a device also includes a telescopic arm comprising a bar and a sleeve that is movable relative to the bar, between a retracted configuration of the telescopic arm in which the bar is retracted inside the sleeve and at least one extended configuration of the telescopic arm in which the bar is at least partially extended outside the sleeve. Such a device also includes mounting means configured for articulating the bar of the telescopic arm onto the base. Such a device also includes gripping means configured for grasping a windshield, which are fitted to the sleeve of the telescopic arm.

[0005] When replacing a windshield, the telescopic arm's deployment and retraction must present as little resistance as possible to facilitate handling of the device and the windshield. However, apart from windshield replacement, where there is little or no resistance to movement, the telescopic arm may retract and, especially, extend unexpectedly during handling of the device, which is undesirable as it could injure an operator or cause damage to the vehicle or its surroundings.

[0006] In order to remedy this drawback, a solution has been found in the form of immobilization means, which are included in the telescopic arm, and which are configured to immobilize the sheath relative to the bar.

[0007] Such immobilizing means take the form of at least one seal, which is positioned inside the telescopic arm and interposed between the bar and the sleeve. However, such immobilizing means have the disadvantage of providing braking throughout the entire extension and retraction stroke of the telescopic arm, which hinders handling of the device when replacing a windshield and is not appreciated by operators.

[0008] The present invention is intended to remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of prior art windshield installation and removal devices.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a device for installing and removing a windshield from a vehicle. This device comprises, on the one hand, a base intended to be immobilized relative to the vehicle, on the other hand, a telescopic arm which includes a bar and a sleeve which is movable relative to the bar, this between a folded configuration of the telescopic arm in which the bar is retracted inside the sleeve and at least one deployed configuration of the telescopic arm in which the bar is at least partially deployed outside the sleeve, on the other hand, mounting means which are configured to mount the telescopic arm relative to the base, in an articulated manner, on the other hand, gripping means, which are configured to grasp a windshield, and which equip the sleeve of the telescopic arm, and on the other hand, immobilization means which are configured to immobilize the sleeve relative to the bar.This device is characterized by the fact that the immobilizing means are configured to ensure immobilization of the sheath relative to the bar only in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm.

[0010] Another characteristic relates to the fact that the immobilizing means comprise, on the one hand, at least one magnetic element which is associated with the sleeve, respectively with the bar and / or the mounting means, and, on the other hand, at least one reactive element, which is at least partly made of a material which reacts with said at least one magnetic element, and which is associated with the bar and / or the mounting means, respectively with the sleeve.

[0011] Yet another characteristic relates to the fact that said at least one magnetic element comprises at least one magnet and / or said at least one reactive element comprises at least one ferrous metal.

[0012] An additional feature consists in that said at least one magnetic element and / or said at least one reactive element comprises at least one ring which has a central opening which is traversed by the bar.

[0013] Thus, the windshield installation and removal device according to the invention includes immobilization means configured to ensure immobilization of the sleeve relative to the bar only in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm. These features advantageously allow the telescopic arm to be maintained in its folded configuration, at least when the telescopic arm and the device are handled outside of a windshield replacement operation (particularly during the installation or removal of the device, and especially during the assembly or disassembly of the device), which avoids, advantageously This could lead to an unexpected and unwanted deployment of the telescopic arm. Conversely, these immobilization devices are configured to ensure the sheath is released from the bar, thus allowing its free movement relative to the bar, regardless of the telescopic arm's retracted configuration (and regardless of its deployed configuration), particularly during windshield handling. This greatly facilitates windshield replacement.

[0014] In this invention, the immobilization means comprise at least one magnetic element and at least one reactive element which make it possible to achieve such immobilization in a simple, efficient, permanent and inexpensive manner.

[0015] Furthermore, said at least one magnetic element and / or said at least one reactive element comprise at least one ring having a central opening through which the bar passes. These characteristics advantageously allow the use of simple, commercially available, easy-to-implement, and inexpensive parts, thus simplifying the manufacturing process of the device and reducing its manufacturing cost.

[0016] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the following description relating to embodiments which are given only by way of indicative and non-limiting examples.

[0017] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the drawings attached in the appendix, in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] represents a schematic and perspective view of a windshield installation and removal device according to the invention, in the deployed configuration of the telescopic arm.

[0019] [Fig.2] represents a schematic, perspective and partial view of the device Installation and removal of a windscreen illustrated [Fig.1], this in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm.

[0020] [Fig.3] represents a schematic and partial view of the telescopic arm illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, this in deployed configuration.

[0021] [Fig.4] represents a schematic and partial view of the telescopic arm illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, this in folded configuration.

[0022] With reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to the field of transport and, more particularly, to the field of repair of transport vehicles, in particular the field of replacement of windscreens of transport vehicles.

[0023] The invention relates, then, to a device for installing and removing 1 a windscreen 2 of a vehicle 3, more particularly a motor vehicle, in particular a car or a van.

[0024] In the following description and for reasons of simplification, such a laying and removal device 1 will be referred to as "device 1".

[0025] Such a device 1 includes a base 4 intended to be immobilized relative to the vehicle 3.

[0026] According to a first type of embodiment, such a base 4 can be positioned between a wheel of the vehicle 3 and the ground which makes it possible to immobilize this base 4 relative to the vehicle 3.

[0027] According to a second type of embodiment illustrated in the figures in the appendix, this base 4 can include at least one suction cup 40 which is configured to cooperate with a window of the vehicle 3, which also allows this base 4 to be immobilized in relation to this vehicle 3.

[0028] Such a device 1 also includes a telescopic arm 5 which has a bar 50 and a sleeve 51 which is movable relative to the bar 50, this being between, on the one hand, a folded configuration of the telescopic arm 5 (figures 2 and 4) in which the bar 50 is retracted inside the sleeve 51 and, on the other hand, at least one deployed configuration of the telescopic arm 5 (figures 1 and 3) in which the bar 50 is at least partly deployed outside the sleeve 51.

[0029] In this regard, it will be observed that this telescopic arm 5 extends along an extension axis while the sleeve 51, respectively the bar 50, is mobile in translation (more particularly in sliding) relative to the bar 50, respectively relative to the sleeve 51, this in a direction at least parallel to this extension axis.

[0030] As can be seen in the figures in the appendix, this sleeve 51 comprises, on the one hand, a tubular body 510 inside which the bar 50 extends and, on the other hand, a guide ring 511, which equips said tubular body 510 (more particularly which equips an end of this tubular body 510), which has a proximal end which has this sleeve 51, which is traversed by the bar 50, and which is configured to guide said bar 50.

[0031] Said device 1 further comprises mounting means 6 which are configured to mount the telescopic arm 5 relative to the base 4 (more particularly on the base 4), in an articulated manner, more particularly around at least one axis.

[0032] In fact, these mounting means 6 are, more particularly, configured to mount the bar 50 of this telescopic arm 5 relative to the base 4 (more particularly on the base 4), this in an articulated manner, more particularly around at least one axis.

[0033] Such mounting means 6 may comprise, on the one hand, a support 60 which is fixedly attached to the base 4, on the other hand, a rod 61 which is movable relative to the support 60, and also, on the other hand, means for rotating the rod 61 (more particularly of a proximal end of this rod 61) with respect to the support 60 (more particularly on the support 60), this in rotation around an axis, in particular perpendicular to an axis along which the rod 61 extends.

[0034] Such mounting means 6 may also include means for mounting in rotation 63 of the telescopic arm 5 (more particularly of the bar 50 of this telescopic arm 5) with respect to the rod 61 (more particularly with respect to a distal end, opposite to the proximal end, of this rod 65 and / or on this rod 61), this in rotation around an axis, in particular perpendicular to the axis along which the rod 61 extends.

[0035] The device 1 also includes gripping means 7, which are configured to grip a windscreen 2, and which equip the sleeve 51 of the telescopic arm 5, more particularly which equip the tubular body 510 that comprises this sleeve 51. Such gripping means 7 may include at least one suction cup 70 configured to cooperate with the windscreen 2.

[0036] Finally, the device 1 also includes immobilizing means 8 which are configured to immobilize the sheath 51 relative to the bar 50.

[0037] According to the invention, these immobilization means 8 are configured to ensure immobilization of the sleeve 51 relative to the bar 50, this only in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm 5.

[0038] On the contrary, these immobilization means 8 are then configured to ensure a release of the sleeve 51 from the bar 50 and to allow, thus, a free movement (more particularly by sliding) of this sleeve 51 from the bar 50, this outside the folded configuration of the telescopic arm 5 and regardless of the deployed configuration of this telescopic arm 5.

[0039] According to another feature, these immobilization means 8 are reversible and are configured, on the one hand, to ensure immobilization of the sleeve 51 relative to the bar 50, this for a deployment force of the telescopic arm 5 (aimed at deploying this telescopic arm 5) whose intensity is less than a determined value and, on the other hand, to ensure the release of the sleeve 51 relative to the bar 50, this for a deployment force of the telescopic arm 5 (aimed at deploying this telescopic arm 5) whose intensity is greater than this determined value.

[0040] In this regard, it will be observed that the determined value of the intensity of the deployment force is at least equal to the intensity of the weight of the sheath 51, or even at least equal to the cumulative intensity of the weight of the sheath 51 and the weight of the gripping means 7.

[0041] Such immobilization means 8 comprise, on the one hand, at least one magnetic element 80 and, on the other hand, at least one reactive element 81, which is at least partly made of a material which reacts with said at least one magnetic element 80 (more particularly to ensure the immobilization of the sleeve 51 relative to the bar 50, this only in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm 5).

[0042] According to a first embodiment, said at least one magnetic element 80 is associated with the bar 50 and / or the mounting means 6 while said at least one reactive element 81 is associated with the sleeve 51.

[0043] However, and according to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures in the appendix, said at least one magnetic element 80 is associated with the sleeve 51 while said at least one reactive element 81 is associated with the bar 50 and / or the mounting means 6.

[0044] According to another feature, said at least one magnetic element 80 comprises at least one magnet. In fact, said at least one magnetic element 80 is preferably constituted by at least one such magnet.

[0045] According to a particular feature, said at least one magnetic element 80 equips the sheath 51, more particularly a proximal end, which comprises this sheath 51, and which is oriented in the direction of the mounting means 6 and / or in the direction of said at least one reactive element 81.

[0046] As mentioned above, the sleeve 51 comprises a tubular body 510 and a guide ring 511, which equips said tubular body 510, and which comprises a proximal end which comprises this sleeve 51.

[0047] In this regard, it will be noted that this guide ring 511 is then interposed between the tubular body 510 and the magnetic element 80.

[0048] According to another feature, the tubular body 510 and / or the guide ring 511 is made of a non-magnetic material, in particular aluminium.

[0049] As regards said at least one reactive element 81, it comprises at least one ferrous metal. In fact, said at least one reactive element 81 is preferably made of at least one ferrous metal.

[0050] Alternatively, said at least one reactive element 81 may comprise (or even be made up of) at least one magnet of opposite polarity to that of said at least one magnet which comprises said at least one magnetic element 80.

[0051] Yet another characteristic relates to the fact that said at least one reactive element 81 is fitted to the bar 50 and / or the mounting means 6.

[0052] In this regard, it will be noted that, according to a preferred embodiment, said at least one reactive element 81 is equipped with a proximal end, which comprises the bar 50, and which is oriented in the direction of the mounting means 6 and / or which is attached (in particular fixedly) to these mounting means 6.

[0053] According to another feature, said at least one magnetic element 80 comprises at least one ring which has a central opening which is traversed by the bar 50. In fact, said at least one magnetic element 80 is preferably constituted by at least one such ring.

[0054] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, said at least one reactive element 81 comprises at least one ring which has a central opening which is traversed by the bar 50. In fact, said at least one reactive element 81 is preferably constituted by at least one such ring.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for installing and removing (1) a windshield (2) from a vehicle (3), this device (1) comprises, on the one hand, a base (4) intended to be immobilized relative to the vehicle (3), on the other hand, a telescopic arm (5) which includes a bar (50) and a sleeve (51) which is movable relative to the bar (50), this being between a retracted configuration of the telescopic arm (5) in which the bar (50) is retracted inside the sleeve (51) and at least one extended configuration of the telescopic arm (5) in which the bar (50) is at least partially extended outside the sleeve (51), furthermore, mounting means (6) which are configured to mount the telescopic arm (5) relative to the base (4), this in an articulated manner, furthermore, gripping means (7), which are configured to grasp a windshield (2), and which equip the sheath (51) of the telescopic arm (5) and, on the other hand also,immobilizing means (8) which are configured to immobilize the sleeve (51) relative to the bar (50), characterized in that the immobilizing means (8) are configured to ensure immobilization of the sleeve (51) relative to the bar (50) only in the folded configuration of the telescopic arm (5).

2. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the immobilization means (8) comprise, on the one hand, at least one magnetic element (80) which is associated with the sleeve (51), respectively with the bar (50) and / or the mounting means (6), and, on the other hand, at least one reactive element (81), which is at least partly made of a material which reacts with said at least one magnetic element (80), and which is associated with the bar (50) and / or the mounting means (60), respectively with the sleeve (51).

3. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one magnetic element (80) comprises at least one magnet.

4. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said at least one magnetic element (80) is fitted to a proximal end, which comprises the sleeve (51), and which is oriented towards the mounting means (6) and / or towards said at least one reactive element (81).

5. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said at least one reactive element (81) comprises at least one ferrous metal.

6. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said at least one reactive element (81) is fitted to the bar (50) and / or the mounting means (6).

7. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said at least one reactive element (81) is fitted to a proximal end, which comprises the bar (50), and which is oriented towards the mounting means (6) and / or which is integral with the mounting means (6).

8. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said at least one magnetic element (80) and / or said at least one reactive element (81) comprises at least one ring which has a central opening which is traversed by the bar (50).

9. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the sleeve (51) comprises, on the one hand, a tubular body (510) inside which the bar (50) extends and, on the other hand, a guide ring (511), which equips the tubular body (510), and which is interposed between the tubular body (510) and the magnetic element (80).

10. Device for installing and removing (1) a windscreen (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tubular body (510) and / or the guide ring (511) is made of a non-magnetic material, in particular aluminium.

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