Mobile platform with a metal frame composed of elementary modules assembled together

Abstract

Mobile platform comprising a metal frame made up of assembled elementary modules. The invention relates to a mobile platform comprising a frame that includes at least one beam made up of several elementary modules (22) positioned end to end and assembled together. Each elementary module (22) has a frame formed by four U-shaped angles (24.1 to 24.3) and at least one oblique angle (24.5) to keep the frame square. A first angle (24.1) positioned on the lower part of one of the elementary modules (22) supports a wheel axle (32) on which a wheel (30) is mounted. The first angle (24.1) has a base (26) with an opening (34) to allow part of the wheel (30) to pass through. This solution simplifies logistics and allows the mobile platform to be assembled like flat-pack furniture, without the need for lifting equipment. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile platform comprising a metal frame composed of elementary modules assembled together

[0001] The present application relates to a mobile platform, such as a terrace for example, comprising a metal frame made up of elementary modules assembled together.

[0002] According to an example application shown in Figures 1 and 2, a mobile platform 10 is used as a cover for a basin 12 and configured to occupy a first position shown in [Fig. 1] in which the platform 10 covers the basin 12 and a second position shown in [Fig. 2] in which the platform 10 exposes the basin 12. The platform 10 includes wheels configured to roll on the ground, generally on rails 14 placed on either side of the basin 12.

[0003] The mobile platform 10 comprises a frame and a decking supported by the frame. The frame generally comprises several longitudinal and transverse beams assembled together to form a rigid structure. Two beams located at the edges of the mobile platform 10 support the wheels. The longitudinal and transverse beams may be made of metal or wood, and each is made in one piece.

[0004] According to one method, the framework is generally assembled in situ. Given their length and mass, the longitudinal and transverse beams can be difficult to handle and some of them require lifting equipment to be lifted.

[0005] Consequently, this type of frame is generally assembled by a professional and can hardly be assembled by a non-professional like flat-pack furniture.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a mobile platform comprising at least one beam which includes several elementary modules positioned end to end and assembled together, each elementary module comprising a frame formed by four U-shaped angles and at least one oblique angle to keep the frame square; a first angle positioned in the lower part of one of the elementary modules supporting a wheel axle on which a wheel is mounted, the first angle comprising a bottom provided with an opening to allow part of the wheel to pass through.

[0008] This solution allows the platform to be assembled in the manner of a flat-pack piece of furniture, without lifting equipment.

[0009] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0010] [Fig-1] is a top view of a platform, covering a basin, illustrating a method of implementation of the prior art,

[0011] [Fig.2] is a top view of the platform visible in [Fig.1], revealing the basin,

[0012] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a beam, supporting at least one wheel, illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0013] [Fig.4] is a section along plane PIV of the beam visible on [Fig.3],

[0014] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of a stirrup illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0015] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a wheel axle illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0016] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a plug for a wheel axle illustrating a method of implementation,

[0017] [Fig.8] is a top view of a plate cut and bent to form a stirrup visible in [Fig. 5],

[0018] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a U-shaped stiffener illustrating a mode of realization of the invention,

[0019] [Fig. 10] is a cross-section of part of an elementary module, a stirrup, a wheel axle and a U-shaped stiffener illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a mobile platform comprises a frame and a decking attached to the frame. The frame comprises several beams 20 assembled together to form a rigid structure. The decking can be made from wooden planks fixed to the frame.

[0021] According to one application, this mobile platform can be used to cover and uncover a pool. Of course, the invention is not limited to this application. Similarly, the decking might not be made of wood.

[0022] According to the invention, at least one beam 20, preferably each beam 20, comprises several elementary modules 22 positioned end to end and assembled together by bolting or riveting.

[0023] Each elementary module 22 is metallic and comprises an assembly, identical for all elementary modules 22, of five parts, each in the form of an angle bracket. Each elementary module 22 comprises first and second angle brackets. 24.1 and 24.2 are parallel to each other, positioned opposite each other and oriented along a first (horizontal) direction, as well as third and fourth angles 24.3 and 24.4, parallel to each other, positioned opposite each other and oriented along a second (vertical) direction perpendicular to the first direction; the first, second, third, and fourth angles 24.1 to 24.4 forming a frame. In addition, each elementary module 22 includes an oblique angle 24.5 connecting the first and second angles 24.1 and 24.2.

[0024] Each angle 24.1 to 24.5 has an approximately U-shaped cross-section and includes a base 26 and two lateral wings 28.1, 28.2. The free edges of the lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 can be bent towards each other.

[0025] The various angle brackets 24.1 to 24.5 are obtained by cutting thin metal strips (1 to 2 mm for example) according to the desired lengths of the angle brackets 24.1 to 24.5, bending these cut strips to obtain a U-shaped cross-section and then assembling the angle brackets 24.1 to 24.5 by welding, gluing, bolting or riveting.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the various angles 24.1 to 24.5 are made of lightweight steel coated with an ultra-resistant and recyclable zinc, aluminum, and magnesium alloy. This type of material makes it possible to obtain lightweight beams with long spans and a relatively low-profile frame.

[0027] According to one arrangement, the ends of the first and second angle brackets 24.1, 24.2 are positioned between the lateral flanges 28.1, 28.2 of the second and third angle brackets 24.3, 24.4. The ends of the oblique angle bracket 24.1 are positioned between the lateral flanges 28.1, 28.2 of the first and second angle brackets 24.1, 24.2. Of course, the invention is not limited to this method of assembling the angle brackets. Regardless of the embodiment, each elementary module 22 comprises a frame formed by four U-shaped angle brackets and at least one oblique angle bracket to maintain the frame in a square position. This embodiment makes it possible to obtain lightweight and very rigid elementary modules 22 which, once assembled, allow for the production of lightweight and rigid beams.

[0028] In one configuration, all the elementary modules 22 of the same frame have the same height (a distance corresponding approximately to the length of the third and fourth angle brackets 24.3, 24.4). To give an order of magnitude and without limitation, the elementary modules 22 have a height between 15 and 35 cm. In addition, all the elementary modules 22 of the same frame have the same length (a distance corresponding to the length of the first and second angle brackets 24.1, 24.2). Alternatively, the same frame comprises a limited number of different lengths, at most 3 to 4, for example.

[0029] To give an order of magnitude, the elementary modules 22 have a length between 40 and 120 cm. As an example, the elementary modules 22 are produced according to three references. The elementary modules 22 of the first reference have a length of 40 cm, those of the second reference have a length of 80 cm, and those of the third reference have a length of 120 cm.

[0030] Given the limited number of references for the elementary modules 22, the latter can be manufactured industrially, in large numbers and at low cost.

[0031] Furthermore, the elementary modules 22 can be grouped into batches on one or more pallets (1.20 m x 0.80 m), which helps to simplify transport and logistics. Finally, these elementary modules 22 each have a mass of less than 10 kg and can be handled without lifting equipment.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the elementary modules 22 are manufactured in a production unit which generates a large number of elementary modules 22 according to a small number of references.

[0033] According to one operating method, a process for manufacturing a platform includes a step of determining, from the dimensions of the platform, the number of beams 20 and for each of them its length and the references of the elementary modules 22 necessary to compose it and for each reference the number of elementary modules 22, a step of constituting a batch of elementary modules 22 according to the number of elementary modules 22 for each reference determined in the previous step, a step of delivering on site the previously constituted batch accompanied by an assembly plan then a step of assembling the platform by bolting together the different elementary modules 22 following the assembly plan.

[0034] This solution allows non-professionals to assemble the platform.

[0035] The platform includes at least one beam 20 having at least one wheel 30, attached to an elementary module 22, which has a part projecting from the lower face F22 of the elementary module 22.

[0036] In a known manner, the wheel 30 includes a hub 30.1 which has at least one bearing.

[0037] For each wheel 30, the beam 20 includes a wheel axle 32 supporting the wheel 30, the hub 30.1 of the wheel 30 being positioned around the wheel axle 32. According to one embodiment, the wheel axle 32 is mounted sliding in the hub 30.1 of the wheel 30.

[0038] The wheel 30 and its hub 30.1 are not described further as they are known to a person skilled in the art.

[0039] The wheel axle 32 extends between first and second ends 32.1, 32.2 fixed to the elementary module 22, and more particularly to its first angle bracket 24.1 positioned in the lower part of the elementary module 22. The bottom 26 of the first angle bracket 24.1 has an opening 34 (visible on the [Fig. 10]) to allow passage of part of the wheel 30.

[0040] Since each elementary module 22 is made from thin U-shaped angles, the lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle 24.1 are not sufficiently strong to ensure the transfer of forces between the wheel 30 and the elementary module 22.

[0041] Consequently, the elementary module 22 comprises a bracket 36, positioned between the lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle bracket 24.1, which has two lateral walls 38, 40 supporting the wheel axle 32 and a base 42 connecting the lateral walls 38, 40, the latter and the base 42 having a U-shaped cross-section. The base 42 includes a first opening 42.1 to allow the passage of at least part of the wheel 30. The lateral walls 38, 40 are spaced at a distance slightly greater than the width of the wheel 30, in particular its hub 30.1. Thus, the wheel 30 is substantially immobilized against translation along a direction parallel to the wheel axle 32 between the lateral walls 38, 40.

[0042] Each of the side walls 38, 40 includes a first or second orifice 38.1, 40.1 to accommodate the ends 32.1, 32.2 of the wheel axle 32. The first orifice 38.1 of the first side wall 38 has a diameter substantially equal to that of the first end 32.1 of the wheel axle 32 and the second orifice 40.1 of the second side wall 40 has a diameter substantially equal to that of the second end 32.2 of the wheel axle 32.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the wheel axle 32 is cylindrical and has an axle A32. This wheel axle 32 comprises a first section 44.1, which has a first diameter and extends from the first end 32.1, and a second section 44.2, which has a second diameter and extends from the first section 44.1 to the second end 32.2. The first diameter is substantially equal to that of the first opening 38.1 of the first side wall 38 and smaller than the second diameter, the latter being substantially equal to that of the hub bore 30.1 of the wheel 30 and the second opening 40.1 of the second side wall 40. According to this embodiment, the wheel axle 32 comprises a shoulder 44.3, connecting the first and second sections 44.1 and 44.2, substantially perpendicular to the axis A32 of the wheel axle 32. In operation, the shoulder 44.3 is configured to bear against the first side wall 38 of Stirrup 36. This shoulder 44.3 allows the wheel axle 32 to be immobilized in translation along a direction parallel to the wheel axle 32, in a . sense.

[0044] To give an order of magnitude, the first diameter is equal to 10 mm and the second diameter is equal to 15 mm.

[0045] According to one configuration, the first and second side walls 38, 40 are spaced at a distance less than that separating the first and second side wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle 24.1. Thus, when the stirrup 36 is positioned in the elementary module 22 between the first and second side wings 28.1, 28.2, the first and second side walls 38, 40 of the stirrup 36 are substantially parallel to the first and second side wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle 24.1 and spaced from the latter.

[0046] To keep its first and second lateral walls 38, 40 spaced apart from the first and second lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle bracket 24.1, the stirrup 36 comprises first and second lateral extensions 46.1, 46.2 extending respectively from the first and second lateral walls 38, 40, substantially perpendicular to them. Thus, the base 42, the first and second lateral walls 38, 40, and the first and second lateral extensions 46.1, 46.2 are made as a single unit and connected to each other in such a way that the stirrup 36 has an approximately omega-shaped cross-section.

[0047] According to one configuration, the elementary module 22 includes at least one fastening element 48 for connecting the bracket 36 and the first angle bracket 24.1. According to one arrangement, the base 42 of the bracket 36 is connected by fastening elements 48 to the bottom 26 of the first angle bracket 24.1. For this purpose, the base 42 includes a through hole 48.1 for each fastening element 48.

[0048] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.8], the stirrup 36 is made from a plate P cut to obtain the first light 42.1, the first and second orifices 38.1, 40.1 as well as the through holes 48.1 and then bent to form the omega cross section.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the second lateral wing 28.2 of the first angle bracket 24.1 includes a through hole 50 positioned at the wheel axle 32 when the bracket 36 is positioned in the first angle bracket 24.1 and the wheel axle 32 is supported by the bracket 36.

[0050] In addition, the elementary module 22 comprises a plug 52 having a cylindrical body 52.1 configured to fit into the through hole 50 and a head 52.2 in the form of a plate, to which the cylindrical body 52.1 is attached, pressed against the second lateral flange 28.2 of the first angle bracket 24.1 and connected to the latter by fastening elements 52.3. The cylindrical body 52.1 has a length determined so as to prevent the wheel axle 32 from moving in translation. In operation, the shoulder 44.3 bears against the first lateral wall 38 of the bracket 36 and the second end 32.2 of the support shaft 32 is in contact with the head 52.2 of the plug 52, as illustrated in [Fig. 10].

[0051] According to one embodiment, the elementary module 22 comprises a stiffener 54 interposed between the first angle 24.1 and the stirrup 36. This stiffener 54 comprises a U-shaped cross section positioned between the first and second lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle 24.1 and configured to fit the bottom 26 as well as the first and second lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle 24.1.

[0052] Thus, the U-shaped stiffener 54 comprises a bottom 56 pressed against the bottom 26 of the first angle 24.1 and the first and second wings 58.1, 58.2 pressed respectively against the first and second lateral wings 28.1, 28.2 of the first angle 24.1, as illustrated in [Fig. 10].

[0053] The base 56 of the U-shaped stiffener 54 includes a second opening 56.1 to allow the passage of at least part of the wheel 30. In operation, the opening 34 of the first angle bracket 24.1, the first and second openings 42.1, 56.1 coincide so as to allow the passage of at least part of the wheel 30. The base 56 of the U-shaped stiffener 54 also includes a through hole 48.2 for each fastening element 48 that passes through it.

[0054] The stirrup 36, the U-shaped stiffener 54 are stacked against the bottom 26 of the first angle 24.1 and connected to the latter by the same fixing elements 48.

[0055] The first and second wings 58.1, 58.2 of the U-shaped stiffener 54 have edges 60.1, 60.2 curved towards each other. In addition, the free edges of the first and second lateral extensions 46.1, 46.2 of the stirrup 36 are separated by a distance DI less than the distance D2 separating the curved edges 60.1, 60.2 of the U-shaped stiffener 54. Furthermore, the stirrup 36 has a height H1 (distance between the base 42 and the lateral extensions 46.1, 46.2) substantially equal to the height H2 separating the curved edges 60.1, 60.2 and the bottom 56 of the U-shaped stiffener 54. Thus, the U-shaped stiffener 54 forms a slide in which the stirrup 36 can slide.

[0056] As illustrated in [Fig.9], the second wing 58.2 of the U-shaped stiffener has a through hole 62 to allow passage of the plug 52 and / or the wheel axle 32.

[0057] According to a simplified embodiment, the elementary module 22 might not include a U-shaped stiffener 54 at the right of each wheel 30.

Claims

Demands

1. Mobile platform comprising a frame including beams (20) assembled together, at least one of the beams (20) including at least one wheel (30); characterized in that at least one beam (20) includes several elementary modules (22) positioned end to end and assembled together, each elementary module (22) including a frame formed by four U-shaped angles (24.1 to 24.4) and at least one oblique angle (24.5) to keep the frame square, a first angle (24.1) positioned in the lower part of one of the elementary modules (22) supporting a wheel axle (32) on which the wheel (30) is mounted, the first angle (24.1) including a bottom (26) provided with an opening (34) to allow part of the wheel (30) to pass through.

2. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the elementary module (22) supporting the wheel (30) comprises a bracket (36) positioned between the first and second lateral wings (28.1, 28.2) of the first angle bracket (24.1), in that the bracket (36) has two lateral walls (38, 40) supporting the wheel axle (32) substantially parallel to the first and second lateral wings (28.1, 28.2) of the first angle bracket (24.1), and a base (42) connecting the lateral walls (38, 40), the base (42) having a first opening (42.1) for allowing at least a portion of the wheel (30) to pass through, which coincides with the opening (34) of the first angle bracket (24.1), and in that the elementary module (22) comprises at least one fastening element (48) for connecting the bracket (36) and the first corner (24.1).

3. Platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wheel axle (32) extends between first and second ends (32.1, 32.2) and comprises a first section (44.1) having a first diameter and extending from the first end (32.1), a second section (44.2) having a second diameter greater than the first diameter and extending from the first section (44.1) to the second end (32.2), and a shoulder (44.3) connecting the first and second sections (44.1, 44.2), and in that the first and second side walls (38, 40) of the bracket (36) comprise respectively first and second openings (38.1, 40.1) which have diameters respectively equal to the first and second diameters.

4. Platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second lateral wing (28.2) of the first angle (24.1) comprises a through orifice (50) positioned at the wheel axle (32) and in that the elementary module (22) comprises a plug (52) which has a cylindrical body (52.1) configured to fit into the through orifice (50) and a head (52.2), to which is connected the cylindrical body (52.1), connected to the second lateral wing (28.2) of the first angle (24.1), the cylindrical body (52.1) having a determined length so as to immobilize in translation the wheel axle (32).

5. Platform according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the side walls (38, 40) are spaced respectively from the first and second side wings (28.1, 28.2) of the first angle (24.1) and in that the elementary module (24.1) comprises several fixing elements connecting the base (42) of the stirrup (36) and the bottom (26) of the first angle (24.1).

6. Platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stirrup (36) comprises first and second lateral extensions (46.1, 46.2) in the continuation respectively of the first and second lateral walls (38, 40), substantially perpendicular to the latter.

7. Platform according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the elementary module (22) comprises a stiffener (54) interposed between the first angle (24.1) and the stirrup (36).

8. Platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stiffener (54) comprises a U-shaped cross-section, positioned between the first and second lateral wings (28.1, 28.2) of the first angle (24.1), which has a bottom (56) pressed against the bottom (26) of the first angle (24.1) and first and second wings (58.1, 58.2) pressed respectively against the first and second lateral wings (28.1, 28.2) of the first angle (24.1), the bottom (56) of the U-shaped stiffener (54) having a second opening (56.1) to allow at least part of the wheel (30) to pass through.

9. Platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second wings (58.1, 58.2) of the U-shaped stiffener (54) have curved edges (60.1, 60.2) so that the U-shaped stiffener (54) forms a slide in which the stirrup (36) can slide.

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