Mobile vehicle maintenance workshop

Abstract

Mobile vehicle maintenance workshop The invention relates to a mobile vehicle maintenance workshop (1), which comprises a base-floor (20), two side walls (21, 22) and a roof (25, 26), at least one of the side walls (21, 22) being hinged relative to the base-floor (20) to be movable between a raised position and a lowered position. According to the invention, the roof (25, 26) is hinged relative to at least one movable side wall (21, 22) to be movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, in which the roof (25, 26) forms at least one access ramp to the platform in the lowered position of said associated movable side wall (21, 22). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 8.

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile vehicle maintenance workshop

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of mechanical interventions, such as maintenance and repair, on all motorized vehicles in all locations.

[0002] The present invention relates to a workshop capable of being placed, in a mode of transport and in a mode of use, in particular a vehicle maintenance workshop of which at least one part is presented, in the mode of transport, in the general form of a container, for example with the dimensions of a standard ISO maritime container, capable of passing from a folded configuration for its transport to a deployed configuration for its use as a maintenance environment, and vice versa.

[0003] The workshop according to the present invention will find its application in particular, without being limited thereto, in the military field.

[0004] In the military field, many environments are known that can be transported in containers of standardized dimensions and that can be deployed from these containers. Such environments can be used as shelter, as an office, as a living space, as a field hospital, etc. In their folded configuration, these containers can be easily transported by any suitable mode of transport. When placed at their place of use, such containers can be opened and deployed in order to define a space larger than the volume of the container itself. For this, the container generally comprises movable walls.

[0005] For example, European patent EP2376351 B1 is known, which discloses a portable folding shelter comprising a rigid container, at least one of the side walls of which is pivotally mounted by hinges to pivot between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position. In said open horizontal position, the at least one side wall increases the floor area. Furthermore, the container comprises telescopic corner elements supporting the roof and capable of sliding between lowered and extended positions. In said extended position, the height of the container is increased. The side wall(s) are lowered and raised by means of a manual or electric winch attached to a fixed wall of the container, by winding or releasing a cable attached to the corners of the side wall(s).

[0006] However, in the deployed state, this container does not offer a work area compatible with the reception of a wheeled vehicle ranging from a light car to a heavy tank. In addition, this container requires the external installation of means dedicated to vehicle maintenance, such as, for example, lifting means.

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to propose a workshop which can, in the transport mode, be transported easily, for example like a standard container, and which can, in the use mode, offer a work platform compatible with the sizes of wheeled vehicles ranging from a light car to a tracked tank, in other words, offering sufficient space in height for access by a tank-type vehicle and sufficient ground surface for receiving a vehicle and circulation around it, while providing a stable and sound ground which prevents sinking and working on the ground. Another aim of the invention is to propose a mobile workshop equipped with all the equipment dedicated to the maintenance of vehicles and necessary for this maintenance.Yet another aim of the invention is to propose a method for installing such a workshop which makes it possible to avoid the need to install deployment means purely dedicated to the deployment of the movable walls, and therefore to obtain such a workshop easily and quickly.

[0008] The invention relates to a mobile vehicle maintenance workshop comprising a base-floor, two side walls and a roof, at least one of the side walls being articulated relative to the base-floor along their common edge to be movable between a raised position, in which it extends in a plane perpendicular to said base-floor, and a lowered position, in which it extends in the extension of said base-floor, in the plane of said base-floor, so as to constitute with the base-floor a platform, the workshop thus being able to be placed in a closed configuration, in which the two side walls extend in a plane perpendicular to said base-floor and the roof extends in a plane parallel to said base-floor, and in a deployed configuration, in which said at least one side wall is in the lowered position,the workshop being characterized by the fact that the roof is articulated relative to at least one movable side wall along their common edge to be movable between at least two positions, namely a folded position, in which it extends in a plane parallel to said base-floor in the raised position of said associated movable side wall, the workshop then being in the closed configuration, and an unfolded position, in which the roof forms at least one access ramp to the platform in the lowered position of said associated movable side wall, the workshop then being in the deployed configuration, the articulation between the roof and the at least one movable side wall allowing a pivoting of an angle greater than 90 degrees between the folded position and the unfolded position.

[0009] Thus, in the closed configuration of the workshop, the workshop retains a reduced footprint and is easy to move or transport. In the deployed configuration of the workshop, the movable wall(s) form an extension of the base-floor constituting a flat platform and the roof is able to occupy an inclined position relative to this flat platform in order to constitute an access ramp. Therefore, in this In the deployed configuration, the workshop provides a work surface large enough to accommodate a heavy tank-type vehicle, i.e. a vehicle with significant dimensions in height and width, and to work on it, safely for operators, and avoiding any work on the ground. In addition, such a workshop can be quickly installed and quickly converted between the closed configuration and the deployed configuration.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one movable side wall is hinged to the base-floor and the roof is hinged to the movable side wall(s).

[0011] Preferably, the workshop further comprises at least one end portion, extending perpendicularly from the base-floor, at a respective end of the latter, as well as a single handling machine carried by the base-floor and fixed to the base-floor in the vicinity of an end wall, the handling machine being contained inside the volume of the workshop in the closed configuration, the handling machine being further configured to be able to intervene on a vehicle received on the platform in the deployed configuration of the workshop, and the workshop and the handling machine being further configured to allow the handling machine to also ensure the mobility of the workshop between said closed configuration and said deployed configuration.The above-mentioned configurations for the handling equipment and the workshop mainly consist of their dimensions and the positioning of the handling equipment on the base-floor, for example near an end wall.

[0012] Thus, a single machine is necessary to ensure both the movement of the mobile parts of the workshop and the handling associated with the maintenance of a vehicle. This results in a smaller footprint of the work surface in the deployed configuration, a saving of space in the closed configuration and a financial gain. In particular, such a machine avoids the provision of several assistance or force balancing devices for the articulation of the walls and the roof.

[0013] Preferably, the handling machine is a folding crane, a lateral space being formed between a movable side wall and the end wall located in the vicinity of the crane in the closed configuration of the workshop and an upper space being formed between the roof and the end wall located in the vicinity of the crane in the closed configuration of the workshop, said lateral and upper spaces allowing the deployment of the crane in the closed configuration of the workshop.

[0014] Advantageously, in order to ensure the safety of operators and equipment, the crane is a folding crane with automatic folding and deployment.

[0015] Preferably, the crane comprises a folding mast and a telescopic boom.

[0016] Advantageously, the folding mast comprises a mast foot articulated around a horizontal axis on a rotating chassis carried by a vertical pivot secured to the base- floor and a masthead articulated about a horizontal axis at the end of the mast foot, and the telescopic boom comprises a boom foot articulated about a horizontal axis at the end of the masthead and a boom tip slidably mounted in the boom foot, a first cylinder being articulated between the mast foot and the masthead and a second cylinder being articulated between the masthead and the boom foot.

[0017] Advantageously, a lifting member adapted to receive a sling from the crane, such as lifting rings, is provided at one or each non-articulated edge of a hinged part of the container.

[0018] Preferably, removable or folding complementary panels fill the lateral space and the upper space in the deployed configuration of the workshop, such that the edges perpendicular to the articulated edges are straight edges. The work surface thus obtained does not present a risk to the safety of the operators. It is emphasized here that said lateral space and said upper space will be limited to what is strictly necessary for the deployment of the handling equipment and any stabilizers.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the workshop comprises two end walls mounted fixed relative to the base-floor, two movable side walls articulated to the long sides of the base-floor and each capable of adopting said raised position or said lowered position, the roof being defined by two roof panels, each roof panel being articulated to the long side opposite the long side articulated to the base-floor of one of the movable side walls and being capable of adopting said folded position or said unfolded position.

[0020] Such a configuration makes it possible to obtain a platform, consisting of the base-floor and the two side walls in the lowered position, large enough to accommodate a large vehicle, and two access ramps to the platform, consisting of the two roof panels in the unfolded position, allowing the entry of a vehicle via one of the ramps and the exit of the vehicle via the other ramp.

[0021] In one variant, the workshop could have a single movable side wall and a single roof panel. In another variant, the workshop could have two movable side walls and a single roof panel.

[0022] Advantageously, the two roof panels are configured such that in the closed configuration of the workshop, an overlapping area is formed between the two roof panels.

[0023] Advantageously, for the or each roof panel, the face facing away from the ground in the deployed configuration of the workshop is inclined towards the ground. Thus, in the unfolded position, the or each roof panel is intended to form an inclined access ramp between the ground and the platform.

[0024] Preferably, in the lowered position, the movable side wall(s) are supported by leveling means arranged between the or each movable side wall and the ground in order to ensure that the lowered side wall(s) are kept cantilevered at the same height as the base-floor. Such leveling means make it possible to obtain a stable platform.

[0025] Advantageously, the leveling means are arranged in the region of the two articulated edges of the movable wall(s), namely the edge articulated to the base-floor and the edge articulated to the roof.

[0026] The leveling means may comprise added support plates, the leveling being obtained by stacking support plates.

[0027] As a variant, the leveling means may comprise attached support plates secured to telescopic jacks, in particular screw jacks. In another variant, the leveling means may comprise telescopic jacks, in particular screw jacks, carried by the or each movable side wall and housed in the thickness of the panel defining said wall, each jack being able to carry a retractable foot intended to come into contact with the ground. In these variants, leveling is obtained by adjusting the telescopic jacks.

[0028] In yet another variant, the leveling means may comprise hydraulic jacks housed in the thickness of the panel defining the or each movable side wall. In this variant, the leveling may be obtained automatically, possibly with leveling carried out by an operator and external means, such as for example a spirit level.

[0029] It is also emphasized that it will advantageously be possible to manually level the access ramps, for example using shims, in particular in order to extend the horizontal zone if necessary.

[0030] Preferably, the workshop contains, in the closed configuration, at least one piece of equipment dedicated to vehicle maintenance, which equipment is carried by the base-floor in the closed configuration of the workshop. The presence of on-board equipment makes it possible to transport both the structure and the material necessary for vehicle maintenance.

[0031] Advantageously, in the deployed configuration of the workshop, the platform and the access ramp(s) have two reinforced traffic lanes allowing the circulation of heavy vehicles, in particular up to 50 tonnes.

[0032] Preferably, for optimal use of the workshop and compliance with regulations on waste disposal, the workshop includes a means for storing used fluids housed in the thickness of a panel defining a movable side wall.

[0033] Preferably, the workshop comprises a means of supplying energy, in particular for the handling machine, housed at least partly in the thickness of a panel defining an end wall.

[0034] The means for storing used fluids may comprise at least one tank.

[0035] The energy supply means may comprise at least one battery as well as the electronics necessary for the operation of the workshop.

[0036] Preferably, the workshop, in the closed configuration, is in the general form of an ISO standard transport container, such as for example a twenty-foot long maritime container, High Cube or standard, in particular of ISO668 1CCC or ICC standard, the base-floor having corner pieces at its four corners. The workshop can thus be transported, in the closed configuration, like a conventional container

[0037] The workshop may then advantageously comprise a cradle, which comprises in particular two rails secured to a lower face of the base-floor and projecting from the latter at a first end of the rails, a two-armed bracket extending from said first ends of the rails, a gripping hook secured to the bracket, and two removal rollers, each located in the vicinity of a second end of a respective rail. The cradle may advantageously comply with the STANAG 2413 standard.

[0038] It would be possible, as a variant, to provide that the workshop is simply equipped, for example on the external face of an end wall, with a gripping axis of the type of that of the cradle to allow handling of the workshop, in the closed configuration, with the same means as those already commonly used for conventional containers.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the workshop comprises a rolling chassis of which a main part is lowered relative to two end parts carrying rolling means, the base-floor being fixed on said main part.

[0040] The rolling chassis could be of the type of that of a rolling trailer, the rolling means being able to be formed, at a first end part, by at least one axle and, at the second end part, by a swan neck for coupling to a motorized vehicle. In other words, the present invention could then be considered as being a rolling trailer equipped with a vehicle maintenance workshop.

[0041] Alternatively, the rolling chassis could be of the type of that of a motorized vehicle, thus comprising in particular the motor means, the cabin, etc. In other words, the present invention could then be considered as being a motorized vehicle, for example a truck, equipped with a vehicle maintenance workshop.

[0042] In both cases above, the workshop, in its closed configuration, can then be easily transported by a motorized vehicle. It is emphasized here that the presence of end walls is also optional.

[0043] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, a description made with reference to the attached drawings, drawings in which:

[0044] [Fig.l] represents a schematic perspective view of the maintenance workshop according to a first particular embodiment of the invention, in the closed configuration;

[0045] [Fig.2] represents a schematic longitudinal side view of the workshop of the [Fig.l], in the closed configuration;

[0046] [Fig.3] represents a schematic transverse side view, or front view, of the workshop of [Fig.l], in the closed configuration, the end walls and the cradle being omitted;

[0047] [Fig.4] illustrates a schematic cross-sectional side view of the workshop of [Fig.3], during of an installation stage, after deployment of the crane;

[0048] [Fig.5] corresponds to a stage subsequent to that of [Fig.4];

[0049] [Fig.6] shows the workshop of [Fig.3] in the deployed configuration;

[0050] [Fig.7] is a schematic top view of the workshop of [Fig.l], in the configuration deployed and in use;

[0051] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the workshop of [Fig.l], in the configuration deployed, showing the platform and access ramps;

[0052] [Fig.9] is a schematic side view of the maintenance workshop according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the process of extending the rolling chassis; and

[0053] [Fig. 10] is a schematic top view of the workshop of [Fig.9], in the deployed configuration.

[0054] The mobile vehicle maintenance workshop 1 V according to the invention is intended to be transported to a desired location, in particular close to operational areas, and to be deployed rapidly in order to accommodate any type of vehicle V, namely both a light car and a tracked tank, to enable maintenance operations to be carried out.

[0055] In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the workshop 1 is presented, in a closed configuration, in the general form of a transportable container 2, and comprises a single handling machine 3, leveling means 4, at least one piece of equipment 5 dedicated to the maintenance of vehicles V, a means of storing used fluids 6 and a means of supplying energy 7.

[0056] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, it can be seen that the workshop 1 is presented, in a closed configuration, in the general form of a hollow and rigid container 2 of parallelepiped shape. Referring to Figures 6 to 8, it can be seen that, in a ready-to-use state of workshop 1, workshop 1 is in a deployed configuration. Workshop 1 is therefore able to move from the closed configuration to the deployed configuration, and vice versa.

[0057] The workshop 1 has, in closed configuration, standard dimensions, namely dimensions meeting the international ISO standards for the transport and handling of containers, or dimensions approaching those of a container of standard dimensions. The workshop 1 comprises a base-floor 20, two side walls 21, 22, two end walls 23, 24 and a roof 25, 26. More particularly, in the preferred embodiment shown, the workshop 1 comprises a base-floor 20, two pivoting side walls 21, 22, two end walls 23, 24 fixed relative to the base-floor 20 and a roof 25, 26 in two pivoting parts. Alternatively, the workshop 1 could comprise a single pivoting side wall and / or a roof in a single pivoting part.

[0058] The base-floor 20 comprises a rectangular-shaped panel having a front longitudinal end 20a, a rear longitudinal end 20b, a left edge 20c and a right edge 20d. The left 20c and right 20d edges correspond to the long sides of the panel, the front 20a and rear 20b longitudinal ends correspond to the short sides of the panel. The panel has an internal face and an opposite external face.

[0059] Each end wall 23, 24 comprises a rectangular-shaped panel secured to a reinforcing frame 230, 240, the reinforcing frames 230, 240 being visible in [Fig. 8]. One of the end walls 23, called the front wall 23, is secured to the front longitudinal end 20a, while the other end wall 24, called the rear wall 24, is secured to the rear longitudinal end 20b. The front 23 and rear 24 walls are arranged opposite each other. Each frame 230, 240 has two vertical uprights connected at their upper end by an upper crosspiece. Each end wall 23, 24 has at its four corners, therefore at the upper and lower ends of the uprights, a standard corner element 8 and having standardized openings on all their visible faces, in particular for gripping by handling equipment. These corner elements 8, visible in [Fig. 8], are elements known per se.

[0060] Preferably, the workshop 1 is also equipped with a cradle 9 to facilitate its handling. The cradle 9 comprises two longitudinal rails 9a, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base-floor 2 and secured to the lower face of the latter. The rails 9a project from the base-floor 2 at a first end, from which extends a two-armed bracket 9b, which is located in the vicinity of an external face of the end wall 23, and which carries at its upper part a gripping hook 9c preferably conforming to the STANAG 2413 standard. The cradle 9 also comprises two depositing rollers 9d ([Fig.8]), each located in the vicinity of a second end of a respective rail 9a, the depositing rollers 9d being here carried in rotation directly by the base-floor 2. The cradle 9 makes it possible to place the workshop 1, in the closed configuration, on a means of transport (not shown), such as a container truck, then to place it on the ground for use.

[0061] Of course, this gripping hook 9c can be replaced by any other suitable anchoring and / or lifting means, such as for example in accordance with standards NF R17-107 and NF R17-108 for civil applications.

[0062] In the case of an electric motorization of the handling machine 3, the energy supply means 7 can be housed in the thickness of the panel of the front wall 23, as shown in [Fig. 2]. This means can comprise batteries and the electronics necessary for the operation of the handling machine 3.

[0063] Each side wall 21, 22 comprises a panel which is connected to an edge 20c, 20d of the base-floor 20 and is mounted to pivot about a hinge axis A1, A2 parallel to the common edge between the wall 21, 22 and the base-floor 20. This panel has two opposite large sides and two opposite small sides. The length of the large side corresponding to the edge connected to the base-floor 20 has the same length as each of the left 20c and right 20d edges to which it is connected. One of the two panels, in other words the panel of one of the two side walls 21, 22, for example, of the wall 21 connected to the left edge 20c of the base-floor 20, has an edge opposite the edge connected to the base-floor 20 of shorter length than that of the edge connected to the base-floor 20 and an edge corresponding to one of its short sides in the form of a step, so that a rectangular recessed area 21a is formed in a corner region of this panel.In the raised position of the side wall 21, this hollowed-out area 21a creates a vertical lateral space 210 between the end wall 23 adjacent to this hollowed-out area 21a and said side wall panel 21. The other panel has two short sides of the same length substantially equal to the length of each vertical upright and two long sides of the same length.

[0064] The large side, lower edge side, of each panel is pivotally coupled to the base-floor 20 by an articulation A1, A2 provided between each side wall 21, 22 and the base-floor 20 in order to pass from a raised and vertical position, perpendicular to the base-floor 20, to a lowered and horizontal position, coplanar with the base-floor 20. Thus, the two articulations A1, A2 each allow a rotation of the order of ninety degrees. In other words, each articulation A1, A2 is such that after a 90-degree pivoting of the panel outwards, its internal face is level with the internal face of the base-floor 20. Each articulation A1, A2 is, preferably, a hinged articulation. It should be emphasized that the movable side walls 21, 22 are connected to the base-floor 20 only by these joints A1, A2, no means of moving the movable walls 21, 22 connecting the movable walls 21, 22 to the base-floor 20.

[0065] Advantageously, in order to ensure waste disposal, the used fluid storage means 6 is housed in the thickness of the panel of one of the two side walls 21, 22, in particular the wall 21 connected to the left edge 20c of the base-floor 20 and having the hollowed-out area 21a, as shown in [Fig. 2]. This means 6 may comprise one or more storage tanks. These tanks may be placed centrally relative to the panel, considering the longitudinal direction of the panel. Access to this or these tanks may be provided on the internal face of the panel, which will therefore be part of the surface of the work platform in the deployed configuration, emptying being carried out by a plug located in the lower part of the tank when the workshop 1 is in the deployed configuration. Advantageously, the plug is accessible when the workshop 1, in the closed configuration, is located on a carrier vehicle.

[0066] [Fig. 5] shows the side wall 21 having the recessed area 21a placed in the lowered position. In this lowered position, it rests on leveling means 4. These means 4 are positioned or moved in the space formed between the ground and the side wall 21 when the internal face of the panel is located in the same plane as the internal face of the base-floor 20. Thus, these means 4 ensure the formation of a flat and therefore stable platform, which platform is formed by the internal face of the base-floor 20 and the internal face of each side wall 21, 22 in the lowered position. In the same way, as can be seen in [Fig.6], once the other side wall 22 is placed in the lowered position, it also rests on the leveling means 4. Preferably, each side wall 21, 22 is leveled by four leveling means 4 arranged at its four corners.Each leveling means 4 may be at least one added element and / or one element integrated into the panel. In the case of an added element, it may be several support plates stacked on top of each other and / or a support plate carrying a screw jack. The number of support plates to be stacked and / or the adjustment of the screw jack is then estimated by the operator using an external tool, such as a gauge or a laser level. In the case of an element integrated into the panel, it may be a screw jack housed in the thickness of the panel or a hydraulic jack housed in the thickness of the panel. In the case of hydraulic jacks, the stroke of the jacks is adjusted automatically by means of a system integrated into the container 2.

[0067] The roof 25, 26 is defined by first 25 and second 26 rectangular roof panels. Each roof panel 25, 26 is hinged to one of the side walls 21, 22 and is mounted to pivot about a hinge axis A3, A4 parallel to the common edge between the side wall 21, 22 and the roof panel 25, 26. Thus, each roof panel 25, 26 has a hinged edge, a free edge opposite the hinged edge, and two side edges. In cross-section, each roof panel 25, 26 here has a triangular section, in particular a right-angled triangular section. The right angle of this right-angled triangle is formed between the hinged edge and the face facing outwards in the folded position. The hypotenuse of this right-angled triangle is formed by the face facing the inside of the container 2 in the folded position. The length of the hinged edge is equal to the length of the free edge, which length corresponds to the length of the longitudinal edge connected to the roof panel 25 of the side wall 21 comprising the hollowed-out area. Thus, in the closed configuration of the container 2, an upper space 250, 260 is formed between the roof 25, 26 and the front end wall 23, over the entire width of the end wall 23.

[0068] In the closed configuration, the horizontal upper space 250, 260 and the vertical lateral space 210 together delimit a space sufficient to allow the deployment of the handling machine 3.

[0069] Each lateral edge has a length greater than half the width of each end wall 23, 24. Thus, in the closed configuration, one of the roof panels, in particular the first panel 25, covers the free edge region of the other roof panel, in particular the second roof panel 26. This overlapping zone ensures sealing in the closed configuration.

[0070] The articulation A3, A4 between each roof panel 25, 26 and the corresponding side wall 21, 22 may be a hinge-type articulation. This articulation A3, A4 allows a rotation of an angle greater than 90 degrees around the articulation axis A3, A4, which axis A3, A4 is parallel to the articulation axis A1, A2 between the base-floor 20 and each side wall 21, 22. In other words, a rotation greater than 90 degrees between the roof panel 25, 26 and the associated side wall 21, 22 is possible.

[0071] Thus, each roof panel 25, 26 is able to occupy a folded position, in which it extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall 21, 22, therefore substantially horizontally when the side wall 21, 22 is in the raised position, and an unfolded position, in which it extends at an angle greater than 180 degrees relative to the side wall 21, 22 in the lowered position, and inclined between the platform and the ground. In this unfolded position, each roof panel 25, 26 constitutes an access ramp to the platform, making it possible to facilitate access, namely entry and exit, of the vehicles V, as can be seen in [Fig. 8]. It will also be possible, if necessary, to manually level the access ramps, for example using shims.

[0072] Figures 7 and 8 show the two side walls 21, 22 placed in the lowered position and the two roof panels 25, 26 placed in the unfolded position. These positions define the deployed configuration of the workshop 1, in which panels removable complementary panels 10 are added to obtain a rectangular work area, in other words a platform 20, 21, 22 and ramps 25, 26 of the same length in the longitudinal direction of the base-floor 20. In particular, a complementary panel 10 fills the hollowed-out area 21a and two complementary panels 10 extend each of the two roof panels 25, 26, such that the edge of the platform and the ramps on the front wall side 23 is a straight edge. The upwardly facing face of each complementary panel 10 is flush with the upwardly facing face of the panel to which it is connected. Alternatively, one or each of the complementary panels 10 could be a folding panel, pivotally mounted relative to the edge of the panel to which it is connected, and capable of being folded against the panel which carries it. As can be seen in [Fig.8], other complementary panels 10 can be installed at the edge opposite the articulated edge of each roof panel 25, 26. Such an extension of the ramps could make it possible to reduce the inclination of the ramps and therefore facilitate the access of vehicles V to the platform. The complementary panels 10 can be fixed to the side walls 21, 22 and to the roof panels 25, 26 for example by screws and threads provided in the roof panels 25, 26 or even strapped to the base-floor 20.

[0073] As can be seen in the Figures, the workshop 1 comprises a single handling machine 3, such as a folding crane 3, both for the mobility of the mobile panels 21, 22, 25, 26 and for the maintenance and / or repair of the vehicles V. This crane 3 is carried by the base-floor 20 and secured to the internal face thereof, in the vicinity of the front longitudinal end 20a. The crane 3 is permanently installed on the base-floor 20. In the closed configuration, the crane 3 is located opposite the lateral space 210 and the upper space 250, 260.

[0074] For greater safety, it may be a crane 3 with automatic folding and deployment. In this case, as can be seen in [Fig. 8], the crane 3 comprises a folding mast 30 and a telescopic boom 31. The folding mast 30 comprises a mast foot 30a articulated about a horizontal axis on a rotating frame 32 carried by a vertical pivot secured to the base-floor 20 and a mast head 30b articulated about a horizontal axis at the end of the mast foot 30a, and the telescopic boom 31 comprises a boom foot articulated about a horizontal axis at the end of the mast head 30b and a boom tip slidably mounted in the boom foot, a first cylinder being articulated between the mast foot 30a and the mast head 30b and a second cylinder being articulated between the mast head 30b and the boom foot. For the mobility of the panels, the crane 3 comprises slings 33 connected to the boom tip.Each sling 33 is capable of being connected to a lifting member, for example lifting rings, provided at one or each free edge of a movable panel.

[0075] Each panel is sufficiently rigid to carry the equipment 5 dedicated to the maintenance of vehicles V and walk on it. As can be seen in [Fig.l], these equipment 5 are carried by the base-floor 20 in the closed configuration. As can be seen in [Fig.7], in the deployed configuration, these equipment 5 are placed at desired locations on the platform and the ramps. Thus, the workshop 1 according to the present invention contains all the means necessary for the maintenance of all types of motorized vehicles V.

[0076] In the deployed configuration of the workshop 1, the face of the platform and the access ramps intended to come into contact with the vehicles V has two reinforced traffic lanes 11 allowing the circulation of heavy vehicles, in particular up to 50 tonnes. As can be seen in [Fig.8], these strips 11 are parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the spacing between the rolling means of a heavy vehicle. Each strip 11 is continuous from the free edge of a ramp to the free edge of the opposite ramp, in a direction orthogonal to the articulation axes A1-A4. The surface not comprising the two reinforced strips 11 is designed to allow the circulation of a pallet truck with sufficient capacity to handle the equipment necessary for the repair of heavy vehicles.

[0077] The implementation of the workshop 1, to move from the closed configuration (Figures 1-3) to the deployed configuration (Figures 6-8), is simple and rapid. First of all, the crane 3 is deployed, possibly automatically. At the end of this deployment, the mast head 30b and the jib 31 are placed above the roof 25, 26 after passing through the lateral space 210 and the upper space 250, 260. It is then necessary to sling the roof 25, 26. For this, the slings 33 are connected at the two corners of the free edge of the first roof panel 25. The operator then actuates the lifting of the first roof panel 25, as shown in [Fig.4]. This first roof panel 25 and the associated first side wall 21 are moved, by rotational movements of the crane 3, as well as by the control of its jacks, until the first side wall 21 is placed on the ground, as shown in [Fig.5].The leveling means 4 are then installed and / or adjusted between the first side wall 21 in the lowered position and the ground, in order to obtain the desired stability. Then, the first roof panel 25 is in turn placed on the ground in order to constitute a first access ramp. These steps are then repeated for the second roof panel 26 and the associated second side wall 22. Once the side walls 21, 22 are in the lowered position and wedged by the leveling means 4 and the roof panels 25, 26 in the unfolded position, the additional panels 10 and the maintenance equipment 5 are installed. The workshop 1 is then ready to receive a vehicle V to be maintained and / or repaired, as shown schematically in [Fig.7].

[0078] Conversely, when it is desired to move the mobile workshop 1 to another site, the workshop 1 is brought to pass from the deployed configuration to the closed configuration by implementing the above steps in the reverse order. The workshop 1 in closed configuration, and containing the single handling machine 3 as well as all the equipment 5, the additional panels 10 and the leveling means 4, can be easily transported to the desired site.

[0079] Workshop 1 according to the first embodiment above is transportable in the manner of a conventional container.

[0080] If we now refer to Figures 9 and 10, we can see that the workshop 1 is shown there according to a second embodiment, which differs from that described above in that it does not include a cradle 9 and instead incorporates a rolling chassis 101. Thus, only the parts which differ from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0081] In the example illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the rolling chassis 101 is that of a trailer 100, for example of the conventional machine-carrying trailer type. The rolling chassis 101 comprises in particular a main part 101a, between two end parts, a first of which, 101b, carries two axles, and a second of which, 101c, is swan-necked for coupling to a motorized vehicle V, not forming part of the trailer 100. The axles and the swan-necked part form rolling means 101d, in that they allow the trailer 100 to be able to roll.

[0082] The main part 101a is lowered relative to the end parts 101b, 101c, so as to be close to the ground. The floor base 20 is mounted on the main part 101a and is fixed thereto, in a removable or non-removable manner, by any suitable means.

[0083] The base-floor 2a is in particular oriented such that the handling machine 3 is located on the first end part 101b side, and at least one end wall 23 will advantageously be provided which will extend from the base-floor 20, in the vicinity of said first end part 101b.

[0084] In the illustrated example, the rolling chassis 101 is telescopic, which is optional, and the main part 101a is slidably mounted on a guide rail 101e, the movement of the main part 101a being controlled by any suitable means, as is well known, such as for example by a rack system.

[0085] It is possible not to provide a second end wall, on the side of the second end portion 101c. However, it would also be possible to provide a second end wall mounted to rotate, for example by hinge, on the base-floor 20, so as to be able to lower it into the plane of the base-floor 20 in the deployed configuration of the workshop 1. Since the transport of the workshop 1 is here ensured by towing, the corner elements 8 are not useful and it is therefore possible not to provide a reinforcing frame 230, 240.

[0086] The first and second end portions 101b, 101c furthermore constitute additional support regions which make it possible to carry additional equipment 102, for example on the first end portion 101b, and to position there, for example on the second end portion 101c, the electrical, hydraulic and / or pneumatic equipment 103 required for the deployment and / or use of the workshop 1.

[0087] Workshop 1 is placed in the closed configuration or in the deployed configuration in the same manner as described previously.

[0088] In the closed configuration, illustrated in [Fig.9], the workshop 1 can be transported on the road by a motorized tractor vehicle, in the manner of a conventional trailer. In other words, the workshop according to the invention can be considered as being a rolling trailer equipped with a vehicle maintenance workshop.

[0089] In the deployed configuration, illustrated in [Fig. 10], the base-floor 20, the side walls 21, 22, the roof panels 25, 26 and the complementary panels form the working platform, which can here be supplemented again by additional removable panels 104 placed in the space created by the extension of the rolling chassis 101, as well as by additional panels 105 placed on both sides of the second end part 101b of the rolling chassis 101.

[0090] It will of course be possible to provide leveling means, manual or otherwise, for the work platform, such as manual wedges, stabilizing jacks, etc., for example carried by the rolling chassis 101.

[0091] It is understood that the particular embodiments which have just been described have been given for informational and non-limiting purposes, and that modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.

[0092] For example, the rolling chassis could be that of a motorized vehicle, the workshop according to the invention then being able to be considered as being a motorized vehicle, in particular of the truck type, equipped with a vehicle maintenance workshop.

Claims

1.

2. Claims Mobile vehicle (V) maintenance workshop (1) comprising a base-floor (20), two side walls (21, 22) and a roof (25, 26), at least one of the side walls (21, 22) being articulated relative to the base-floor (20) along their common edge to be movable between a raised position, in which it extends in a plane perpendicular to said base-floor (20), and a lowered position, in which it extends in the extension of said base-floor (20), in the plane of said base-floor (20), so as to constitute with the base-floor (20) a platform, the workshop (1) thus being able to be placed in a closed configuration, in which the two side walls (21, 22) extend in a plane perpendicular to said base-floor (20) and the roof (25, 26) extends in a plane parallel to said base-floor (20), and in a deployed configuration, in which said at least one side wall (21, 22) is in the lowered position,the workshop (1) being characterized in that the roof (25, 26) is articulated relative to at least one movable side wall (21, 22) along their common edge to be movable between at least two positions, namely a folded position, in which it extends in a plane parallel to said base-floor (20) in the raised position of said associated movable side wall (21, 22), the workshop (1) then being in the closed configuration, and an unfolded position, in which the roof (25, 26) forms at least one access ramp to the platform in the lowered position of said associated movable side wall (21, 22), the workshop (1) then being in the deployed configuration, the articulation (A3, A4) between the roof (25, 26) and the at least one movable side wall (21, 22) allowing a pivoting of an angle greater than 90 degrees between the folded position and the position unfolded., Workshop (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one end portion (23, 24), extending perpendicularly from the base-floor (20), at a respective end of the latter, as well as a single handling machine (3) carried by the base-floor (20) and fixed to the base-floor (20) in the vicinity of an end wall (23, 24), the handling machine (3) being contained inside the volume of the workshop (1) in a closed configuration, the handling machine (3) being in further configured to be able to intervene on a vehicle (V) received on the platform in the deployed configuration of the workshop (1), and the workshop (1) and the handling machine (3) being further configured to allow the handling machine (3) to also ensure the mobility of the workshop (1) between said closed configuration and said deployed configuration.

3. Workshop (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the handling machine (3) is a foldable crane (3), a lateral space (210) being formed between a movable lateral wall (21) and the end wall (23) located in the vicinity of the crane (3) in the closed configuration of the workshop (1) and an upper space (250, 260) being formed between the roof (25, 26) and the end wall (23) located in the vicinity of the crane (3) in the closed configuration of the workshop (1), said lateral (210) and upper (250, 260) spaces allowing the deployment of the crane (3) in the closed configuration of the workshop (1).

4. Workshop (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that complementary removable or foldable panels (10) fill the lateral space (210) and the upper space (250, 260) in the deployed configuration of the workshop (1), such that the edges perpendicular to the articulated edges are straight edges.

5. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises two end walls (23, 24) mounted fixed relative to the base-floor (20), two movable side walls (21, 22) articulated to the long sides of the base-floor (20) and each capable of adopting said raised position or said lowered position, the roof (25, 26) being defined by two roof panels (25, 26), each roof panel (25, 26) being articulated to the long side opposite the long side articulated to the base-floor (20) of one of the movable side walls (21, 22) and being capable of adopting said folded position or said unfolded position.

6. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in the lowered position, the movable side wall(s) (21, 22) are carried by leveling means (4) arranged between the or each movable side wall (21, 22) and the ground in order to ensure that the lowered side wall(s) (21, 22) are kept cantilevered at the same height as the base-floor (20).

7. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it contains, in the closed configuration, at least one piece of equipment (5) dedicated to the maintenance of vehicles (V), which piece of equipment (5) is carried by the base-floor (20) in the closed configuration of the workshop (1).

8. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a means for storing used fluids (6) housed in the thickness of a panel defining a movable side wall (21, 22).

9. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an energy supply means (7) housed at least partly in the thickness of a panel defining an end wall (23, 24).

10. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a cradle (9), which comprises in particular two rails (9a) integral with a lower face of the base-floor (2) and projecting from the latter at a first end of the rails (9a), a two-armed bracket (9b) extending from said first ends of the rails (9a), a gripping hook (9c) integral with the bracket (9b), and two depositing rollers (9d) each located in the vicinity of a second end of a respective rail (9a).

11. Workshop (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a rolling chassis (101) of which a main part (101a) is lowered relative to two end parts (101b, 101c) carrying rolling means (101b), the base-floor (2) being fixed on said main part (101a).

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