Press for clamping glued wooden blades for the simultaneous production of two longitudinal glued laminated timber elements

Abstract

Press for clamping glued wood strips for the simultaneous manufacture of two longitudinal glued laminated timber elements. The invention relates to a press (1) for clamping glued wood strips, which comprises a frame (2) defining a first receiving surface (220) for supporting a first layer of glued wood strips, and a support and clamping device (3) comprising support arms (5) pivoting about an axis of rotation (4) between an open position and a closed position in which they define a second receiving surface for supporting a second layer of glued wood strips. Each arm (5) carries at least one clamping member (6, 7) movable between a rest position and a clamping position in which a bearing face (60, 61) is able to press against the first and second layers for their simultaneous clamping.

Description

Title of the invention: Press for clamping glued wooden strips for the simultaneous manufacture of two longitudinal glued laminated timber elements

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the wood processing industry and, in particular, to the manufacture of longitudinal elements in glued laminated wood.

[0002] For the manufacture of longitudinal glued laminated timber elements, the sawn timber is first dried. After drying and initial planing, the boards are inspected and sorted according to wood quality. This sorting eliminates pieces or sections of pieces with significant defects. The boards are then glued end to end along their length to form large strips, which are then planed. The strips are then glued by applying glue to their faces. The strips must then be pressed. For this, several strips are clamped in a press until the gluing surfaces of the resulting elements harden under the pressure and the drying time of the glue.

[0003] The present invention relates to the pressing stage of glued wood strips and concerns a press allowing the clamping of two layers of glued wood strips for the simultaneous manufacture of at least two longitudinal glued laminated elements, in particular at least two glued laminated beams.

[0004] For clamping, a known technique consists of stacking the glued strips on a mobile frame made of metal brackets. There are vertical and horizontal frames, i.e., frames on which the strips are respectively placed horizontally one above the other or arranged vertically side by side. The frame is made of metal brackets. These are pre-welded onto rails and fixed to the floor so as to conform to the shape of the beam to be manufactured. The assembly is then held in place either by a hydraulic clamping system or by a system of threaded rods and stirrups. The hardening or polymerization time is influenced by the temperature. As a general rule, a drying time of eight hours under pressure is required when the workshop temperature is 20 degrees Celsius.

[0005] One example is the horizontal frame press with a hydraulic clamping system offered by the company Ledinek under the name Flexipress. This is a flat cold press for the production of glued laminated timber beams. For clamping, this press includes pressure pads that are actuated by hydraulic cylinders for horizontal clamping. This press allows the loading of several layers of wooden slats stacked one on top of the other. To do this, support crossbeams must be placed by hand between the layers.

[0006] However, manually positioning the support crossbeams is a lengthy and arduous task. Furthermore, this press can operate with a variable number of layers of glued wood strips, for example, more than two layers, while the dimensions of the pressure pads remain constant. When working with two or more layers, the overhang of the pressure pads relative to the layer(s) of wood strip(s), and therefore the applied pressure, is not controlled. Thus, with two or more layers, due to the risk of mechanical deformation of the pressure pads, a loss of pressure can occur, compromising the quality of the resulting parts.To solve the problems just described, the solution provided according to the present invention comprises a press for clamping two layers of glued wood strips for a given time and at a given pressure. This press includes means for obtaining reliable and uniform bonding and for presenting a robust and compact structure while requiring less labor. Furthermore, the robust structure and the specific positioning of said means allow for applying greater pressure to the two layers of glued wood strips, thus reducing the necessary drying time. The present invention therefore relates to a press for clamping glued wood strips intended for the manufacture of longitudinal glued laminated timber elements, such as beams. This press comprises: - a longitudinal frame defining a first flat receiving surface intended to support a first layer of glued wooden slats; and - a support and clamping device mounted on the frame, characterized in that the support and clamping device comprises a plurality of support arms spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the frame and capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame, between an open position allowing the first layer to be placed on the frame and a closed position in which the arms define, on the side opposite the frame, a second flat receiving surface arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the first receiving surface and intended to support a second layer of glued wood strips, each support arm carrying at least one clamping member movable relative to the arm between a rest position and a clamping position, in which a bearing face of at least one clamping member, perpendicular to the arm,is capable of pressing against the first and second layers for simultaneous tightening of the first and second layers.

[0007] The press according to the present invention therefore allows the simultaneous clamping of a maximum of two layers of glued wood strips. Furthermore, the multi-purpose press according to The invention eliminates the need for manual handling of individual support crossbeams for the second layer, thus reducing labor requirements. Furthermore, the integration of at least one clamping element on each pivoting support arm allows for a compact press structure.

[0008] Preferably, the frame comprises a plurality of crossbeams, extending parallel to each other in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the frame, which crossbeams are regularly spaced along the length of the frame. Thus, the spaces between the crossbeams allow the passage of a lifting tool for the glued laminated timber elements, in particular a lifting beam.

[0009] Preferably, the number of support arms is equal to the number of spaces between the cross members of the frame.

[0010] Preferably the support arms are regularly spaced along the length of the frame, each support arm being arranged in the plane defined between two successive cross members.

[0011] Preferably, for each clamping member, the bearing face comprises an upper bearing face and a lower bearing face extending in the same plane orthogonal to the arm and extending symmetrically on either side of the arm, the upper bearing face projecting from the second receiving surface of the arm and the lower bearing face projecting from the surface of the arm opposite the second receiving surface, each arm being configured and arranged so that in the closed position, the arm is centered in height with respect to the first and second layers.

[0012] In other words, considering the first and second layers to be identical, the surface of the arm opposite the second receiving surface is able to come into contact with the first layer of glued wood strips in the closed position. Such arrangements and configurations of the moving parts and arms allow for centered, and therefore uniform, clamping of two identical layers of glued wood strips.

[0013] Preferably, the first flat receiving surface is a horizontal surface and the second flat receiving surface is a horizontal surface in the closed position of the support arms. Thus, the press according to the invention allows horizontal clamping of two layers arranged in two superimposed stages, namely an upper stage and a lower stage.

[0014] Preferably, the support arms are capable of pivoting through an amplitude of at least 90 degrees to move from a vertical open position to a horizontal closed position.

[0015] Preferably, each arm carries a single clamping member, at the end of the arm opposite the axis of rotation, with stop members being provided on the longitudinal side of the frame located on the side of the axis of rotation of the arm, each clamping member comprising a jaw that moves in translation along the arm, the face of the jaw directed towards the axis of rotation side of the arm constituting the support face, and a clamping cylinder, one end of which is connected to the jaw and the other end of which is connected to the arm to allow movement of the jaw relative to the arm.

[0016] Preferably, the jaw is mounted to slide on the arm which carries it, the external profile of the arm being complementary to the internal profile of the jaw.

[0017] Preferably, the rod of the clamping cylinder is connected to the jaw and the body of the clamping cylinder is connected to the arm.

[0018] Preferably, the support and clamping device includes a plurality of tilting cylinders for pivoting the support arms between the open and closed positions, each tilting cylinder being articulated between the frame and a support arm.

[0019] Preferably, the body of the tilting cylinder is connected to the frame and the rod of the tilting cylinder is connected to the arm.

[0020] Advantageously, the same tilting cylinder allows the pivoting of several support arms, in particular two adjacent support arms, which arms are made to be rotationally fixed.

[0021] Preferably, the position of the rotation axis relative to the frame is adjustable, by means of adjustment means, along a vertical adjustment axis between a low position and a high position. It will be readily understood that such an adjustment makes it possible to take into account the height of the layers.

[0022] Advantageously, the adjustment means include vertical oblong mounting holes attached to the frame and through which the axis of rotation is inserted, and at least one adjustment member comprising a scissor structure connected to the axis of rotation and controlled by a control cylinder.

[0023] Advantageously, for increased safety, the adjustment means further comprise at least one locking element in the raised position of the rotation axis, which locking element includes, in particular, a trigger capable of moving horizontally, under the action of a locking cylinder, between an unlocked position in which the trigger is located outside an oblong mounting hole and a locked position in which the trigger protrudes into an oblong mounting hole and is located below the rotation axis in the raised position. Such locking means in the raised position ensure optimal safety both for press maintenance and when tilting the support arms with the rotation axis in the raised position.

[0024] Preferably, the press further includes means for maintaining the support arms in a horizontal position in the closed position, which means for maintaining the horizontal position are bellows cylinders provided on the side of the longitudinal end of the frame opposite the axis of rotation of the arms.

[0025] In the case of first and second horizontal receiving surfaces, such retaining means ensure that, in the closed position of the support arms, the support arms remain horizontal without requiring significant power. This horizontal retention of the support arms prevents the rotation axis from jamming in the oblong mounting holes.

[0026] Preferably, the press further comprises a plurality of first bending dies arranged at the first receiving surface and connected to the axis of rotation by means of first connecting rods, and a plurality of second bending dies arranged at the second receiving surface and connected to the support arms on the axis of rotation side by means of second connecting rods, the first and second bending dies thus being movable relative to the frame. The presence of these bending dies allows for the clamping of both straight and curved elements with a predetermined radius.

[0027] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment thereof will be described below, by way of indication and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawing.

[0028] On this drawing:

[0029] [Fig. 1] is a global perspective view of the press according to the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] is a partial front perspective view of the press of [Fig. 1];

[0031] [Fig.3] is a rear view of a module of the press of [Fig.1];

[0032] [Fig.4] is a side view of a support arm carrying a movable clamping member;

[0033] [Fig.5] is a rear perspective view of the support arm of [Fig.4] and of the axis of rotation of the support arms;

[0034] [Fig.6] is a detailed perspective view showing a tilting cylinder;

[0035] [Fig.7] is a detailed, perspective view showing an adjustment device;

[0036] [Fig.8] is a side perspective view showing the adjustment means at the level of the locking mechanism in the raised position;

[0037] [Fig.9] is a side perspective view showing a means of holding in horizontal position of a support arm in the closed position;

[0038] [Fig. 10] is a detailed perspective view showing a first bending template;

[0039] [Fig. 11] is a detailed perspective view showing a second bending template;

[0040] [Fig. 12] is a partial front perspective view of the press according to the invention, showing the stage of laying the first layer of glued wooden strips;

[0041] [Fig. 13] is a side view of the press according to the invention, showing the closing step of the support arms; and

[0042] [Fig. 14] is a view analogous to that of [Fig. 13], showing the clamping step of two layers of glued wood strips.

[0043] The present invention relates to a press 1 for the simultaneous clamping of two layers Cl, C2 of glued wood strips for a given time and at a given pressure for the manufacture of glued laminated elements, such as beams.

[0044] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the press 1 according to the present invention mainly comprises a frame 2 and a support and clamping device 3.

[0045] The frame 2 is a longitudinal frame composed of several frame modules juxtaposed along the longitudinal direction X of the frame 2 and joined together, for example by means of profiles fixed by screwing.

[0046] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, each frame module comprises at least two parallel vertical stringers 20 extending along the longitudinal direction X of the frame 2, which stringers 20 support horizontal sheets 21 and vertical support cross members 22 extending transversely to the stringers 20. The stringers 20 are preferably U-shaped cross-section profiles.

[0047] Each sheet metal 21 is arranged between two support cross members 22 and is in contact with each of these two cross members 22.

[0048] Each support cross member 22 is in the form of a rectangular cross-section box having a front face, a rear face, an upper face 220, a lower face, and two side faces. The front face is vertically aligned with one of the longitudinal members 20. The lower face is horizontally aligned with the lower face of the sheets 21. The side faces are parallel to each other and lie in vertical planes. The upper face 220 is a flat face extending in a horizontal plane located above the plane of the sheets 21. The flat upper faces 220 of the support cross members 22 together form a horizontal bed defining a first receiving surface intended to receive and support a first layer Cl of glued wood strips (only one strip of the first layer Cl is shown in Figures 1 to 3 for clarity).

[0049] Thus, the first layer Cl can be arranged with the longitudinal axis of the blades following the longitudinal direction X of the frame 2 and with each blade located in a vertical plane.

[0050] As can be seen in Figures 2, 7 and 8, near its rear face, each support cross member 22 has an oblong mounting hole 23 passing through the cross member 22 from one lateral face to the other. Each oblong hole 23 extends vertically, therefore perpendicularly to the plane of the first receiving surface 220. The oblong holes 23 of the various support cross members 22 are aligned so as to be able to receive the same horizontal axis of rotation 4. In the embodiment shown, each frame module comprises five support cross members 22 and therefore four sheets 21, and the frame 2 is composed of six frame modules.

[0051] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the support and clamping device 3 comprises a plurality of pivoting support arms 5, each carrying at least one movable clamping member 6, 7. In particular, for each frame module, the device 3 comprises four support arms 5 connected to each other by at least one profile, by screw connection, one profile 50 of which is fixed at the free distal ends of the support arms 5. The support arms 5 are pivotally mounted relative to the frame 2, about the horizontal axis of rotation 4, between an open position and a closed position.

[0052] The support arms 5 are regularly spaced from each other along the frame 2, with the axis of each support arm 5 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the frame 2, each support arm 5 extending transversely to the frame 2, from one longitudinal side to the other of the frame 2. The spacing between two consecutive support arms 5 is such that each arm 5 is opposite a sheet 21, therefore in a vertical plane located between the vertical planes of two consecutive support cross members 22.

[0053] If we refer more particularly to Figures 4 to 6, we can see that each support arm 5 comprises, in one piece, a beam part 51 and a connecting part 52.

[0054] The beam portion 51 is a hollow beam having a front wall, two opposing side walls, an upper wall 510, and a lower wall 511. Preferably, it has a rectangular cross-section, with all the walls being rectangular. The beam portion 51 is arranged above the first receiving surface 220. The front wall is located at the free distal end of the beam portion 51. The length of the beam portion 51 is such that, in the closed position of the support arms 5, the front wall lies beyond the longitudinal edge of the frame 2 opposite the axis of rotation 4. The side walls are perforated to allow translational movement of the movable jaw 6. For example, each side wall has three rectangular openings. The lower wall 511 has a flat lower face opposite and parallel to the flat upper face of the upper wall.The upper faces of the beam sections 51 of the support arms 5, in the closed position of the support arms 5, form a horizontal bed and together define a second receiving surface 510 intended to receive a second layer C2 of glued wood strips. In the closed position of the arms 5, the lower wall 511 of each beam section 51 is able to rest on the upper edge of the first layer Cl supported by the frame 2. Thus, in the closed position, the support arms 5 are configured to support a second layer C2 above the first layer Cl, such that each beam section 51 is centered with respect to the first Cl and second C2 layers. The internal space defined between the front, side, upper, and lower walls opens into the connecting section 52.

[0055] The connecting part 52 serves for the rotational mounting of the support arm 5 relative to the frame 2. The connecting part 52 comprises an upper front wall 520 formed at right angles with the upper wall 510 of the beam part 51, a lower front wall 521 formed at right angles with the lower wall 511 of the beam part 51, two side walls facing each other and in line with the side walls of the beam part 51, and opposite upper and lower walls. In the closed position, the upper front wall 520 extends above the beam part 51 and the lower front wall 521 extends below the beam part 51. In other words, in the closed position, the upper front walls 520 and lower front walls 521 protrude on either side of the beam part 51 in a vertical plane orthogonal to the axis of the beam part 51.The faces of these walls 520, 521 directed towards the first 220 and second 510 receiving surfaces then form abutment elements on the proximal end side of the beam part 51, against which the first Cl and second C2 layers are able to bear. In the vertical extension of the lateral walls are two plates, in which are provided two circular through holes 522 opposite each other, whose axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the frame 2. The axis of rotation 4 of the support arms 5 passes through the through holes 522 of the connecting parts 52. The axis of rotation 4 also passes through the oblong mounting holes 23 of the frame 2.

[0056] As can be better seen in Figures 3 and 6, the pivoting of the support arms 5 between the open and closed positions is achieved by pivoting around the horizontal axis of rotation 4 by means of tilting cylinders 8. The same tilting cylinder 8 can be used for the pivoting of several support arms 5. For example, there can be two tilting cylinders 8 for each module of four support arms 5. The tilting cylinder 8 is, preferably, a hydraulic cylinder. Each tilting cylinder 8 comprises a rod 80 connected to a support arm 5 and a body 81 connected to the frame 2. In particular, the free end of the rod 80 is articulated to a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation 4 and fixed to the connecting part 52 in the vicinity of the upper wall of the connecting part 52. The free end of the body 81 is articulated to a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation 4 and fixed to a vertical longitudinal member 20 of the frame 2.Thus, the tilting cylinders 8 extend to the rear of the press 1. It will be understood that the rear of the press 1 corresponds to the side opposite the opening of the arms 5.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, each support arm 5 carries a single clamping member 6, 7. Each clamping member 6, 7 is mounted to move in translation relative to the support arm 5 that carries it, between a rest position, in which the clamping member 6, 7 is not in contact with the first C1 and second C2 layers, and a clamping position, in which the clamping member 6, 7 compresses the first Cl and second C2 layers between a bearing face 60, 61 of the clamping member 6, 7 and the facing faces 520, 521 of the connecting part 52 of the arm 5.

[0058] As can be better seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5, each clamping member 6, 7 comprises a jaw 6 movable under the action of a clamping cylinder 7. The jaw 6 is in the form of a body provided with a through passage and having the bearing face 60, 61. The through passage is formed through the bearing face 60, 61 and is centered with respect to it. Thus, the bearing face 60, 61 is formed of an identical upper bearing face 60 and a lower bearing face 61 directed towards the connecting part 52. In other words, the upper bearing faces 60 and lower bearing faces 61 are symmetrical with respect to the center of the jaw 6. The lower bearing faces 61 and upper bearing faces 60 are able to bear against the first Cl and second C2 layers respectively, in the clamping position of the clamping member 6, 7 and in the closed position of the arms 5.The through passage has a rectangular profile complementary to the rectangular section of the beam part 51. Thus, the jaw 6 is mounted to slide along the beam part 51, the beam part 51 passing through the jaw 6 in a vertically centered manner.

[0059] The clamping cylinder 7 is preferably a hydraulic cylinder. The clamping cylinder 7 comprises a body 70 connected to the arm 5 and a rod 71 connected to the jaw 6 to allow movement of the jaw 6 relative to the arm 5 by sliding the jaw 6 around the beam portion 51. More specifically, the free end of the rod 71 is articulated to a horizontal axis, parallel to the axis of rotation 4 and centered vertically with respect to the through-hole, which is integral with the jaw 6. The free end of the body 70 is articulated to a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation 4 and integral with the connecting portion 52. Thus, the clamping cylinder 7 is supported by the support arm 5 and extends inside the hollow arm 5, along the beam portion 51. The clamping cylinder 7 is more powerful than the tilting cylinder 8 and allows the application of a precise clamping force, for example, on the order of 40 tons. pressure by cylinder 7.

[0060] Advantageously, the press 1 further includes means 9 for maintaining the support arms 5 in a horizontal position when closed. These means 9 assist in positioning the arms 5 horizontally when closed. If the arms 5 were not horizontal, there would be a risk of the rotation axis 4 of the arms 5 jamming in the oblong mounting holes 23, particularly when the arms 5 are tilted to the open position. In the embodiment shown, these means 9 are bellows cylinders. The press 1 has two bellows cylinders 9 for each frame module, i.e., twelve bellows cylinders 9 for the press 1 shown. As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the bellows cylinders 9 are arranged on the frame 2 so as to be able to align with the jaws 6 when closed. arms 5. each bellows cylinder 9 is fixed to the frame 2 in the space between two consecutive support cross members 22.

[0061] With particular reference to [Fig. 9], it can be seen that each means 9 comprises a table fixed by screws to the front longitudinal member 20 of the frame 2, and supporting a horizontal support plate 90 also fixed by screws to this table. The support plate 90 extends into the space defined between two support cross members 22. A horizontal pivot axis 91 extending along the longitudinal direction X of the frame 2 is fixed to the support plate 90, near its rear end. A movable slide 92 is mounted to rotate about this pivot axis 91. A bellows 93 is installed between the support plate 90 and the movable slide 92, near the end of the slide 92 opposite the pivot axis 91. The slide 92 is actuated by the bellows 93. Preferably, the bellows cylinder 9 is a double-fold bellows cylinder.Bellows cylinders 9 are less powerful than tilting cylinders 8 and clamping cylinders 7; for example, a force of approximately 1.6 tonnes may be sufficient.

[0062] Advantageously, the press 1 further comprises means for adjusting the position of the rotation axis 4 of the arms 5 relative to the frame 2, by translating the rotation axis 4 along a vertical direction, between a lower position and a higher position. In the lower position, the rotation axis 4 is located at the lower end of the oblong mounting holes 23, and in the higher position, the rotation axis 4 is located at the upper end of the oblong mounting holes 23. Such adjustment means thus make it possible to adjust the height of the support arms 5 to accommodate the height of the layers C1, C2.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8, the adjustment means comprise adjustment members 40, 41 and locking members 42, 43 in the raised position. The number of adjustment members 40, 41 is less than the number of support arms 5. For example, the press 1 comprises one adjustment member 40, 41 per module. An adjustment member 40, 41 comprises a scissor structure 40 controlled by a control cylinder 4L. It will, for example, be possible to provide a second scissor structure 40, controlled by said control cylinder 4L.

[0064] The scissor structure 40 comprises two pairs 400, 401 of scissor arms facing each other in the transverse direction of the frame 2. The scissor arms of each pair 400, 401 are crossed and connected by a central pivot axis 402 at the central area of ​​the scissor structure 40. The upper and lower ends of each scissor arm are connected, respectively, to the upper and lower ends of the opposite scissor arm by upper pivot axes 403 and lower pivot axes 404. The lower pivot axes 404 are fixed to the frame 2. The upper pivot axes 403 are fixed to a plate 405. carrying a bore receiving the axis of rotation 4. The control cylinder 41 is connected to the scissor structure 40 in such a way as to allow the structure 40 to rise, and therefore the axis of rotation 4 to move to the high position, or conversely the structure 40 to descend, and therefore the axis of rotation 4 to move to the low position.

[0065] The number of locking elements 42, 43 in the raised position can be three per module. Each locking element 42, 43 comprises a trigger 42 movable in horizontal translation between an unlocked position and a locked position, under the action of a locking cylinder 43, in particular a pneumatic cylinder. The locking cylinder 43 comprises a body integral with a side wall of a support cross member 22 and a rod connected to the trigger 42. The trigger 42 is in the form of a vertical plate located in a plane parallel to the side wall of the support cross member 22. In the unlocked position, the trigger 42 is located outside the corresponding oblong mounting hole 23 and therefore does not impede the descent of the rotation axis 4 along the oblong hole 23.In the locked position, the trigger 42 is pushed by the locking cylinder 43 so as to protrude into the oblong hole 23, at the center of the oblong hole 23, and to be positioned under the rotation axis 4, thus holding it in the raised position. Advantageously, the trigger 42 has a notch shaped to complement a portion of the rotation axis 4, so as to receive the rotation axis 4 at the notch. When the trigger 42 is inserted under the rotation axis 4 in the raised position, maintenance operations can be carried out safely. This locked position also prevents a pressure buildup during the tilting of the support arms 5, as the tilting cylinders 8 produce greater forces than the control cylinders 41 of the scissor structures 40.

[0066] The press 1 as described above is adapted for manufacturing straight laminated timber elements. Advantageously, the press 1 according to the present invention further comprises means enabling it to be versatile and adapted for manufacturing both straight and curved elements. Such means include bending dies 10, 11. More particularly, with reference to Figures 2, 10 and 11, it can be seen that these means comprise first bending dies 10 arranged at the first receiving surface 220 and second bending dies 11 arranged at the second receiving surface 510. These dies 10, 11 thus constitute stop elements along the longitudinal side of the frame 2 located on the side of the axis of rotation 4 of the arms 5.

[0067] Each first bending jig 10 ([Fig. 10]) comprises a first jig body 100 defining a flat surface directed towards a first receiving surface 220, in particular a rectangular flat surface. A first lever 101 has an upper end connected to the first body of gauge 100, substantially at mid-height of the first body 100, and a lower end connected to the axis of rotation 4 of the arms 5, in particular mounted around the axis of rotation 4. A rear end of the first lever 101, opposite the upper and lower ends, has a first handle 102. Two first connecting rods 103 or pivot arms, facing each other, are also articulated by pivot joints between the first body of gauge 100, at the lower part of this body 100, and the axis of rotation 4 of the arms 5.

[0068] Each second bending jig 11 ([Fig. 11]) comprises a second jig body 110 defining a flat surface, analogous to the flat surface defined by the first jig body 100, directed towards a second receiving surface 510. Two second connecting rods 111 are articulated between the second jig body 110 and the connecting portion 52 of the arm 5. Each second connecting rod 111 is in the form of a right-angled triangular structure having three axes at each vertex of the right triangle. The two axes at the vertices connected by the shorter side of the triangle are connected to the second body 110. The axis formed between the hypotenuse and the longer side of the triangle is received in a guide groove 523 provided in the side wall of the connecting portion 52, near the upper wall. This guide groove 523 is a groove angled downwards and towards the rear of the arm 5, in the shape of an arc of a circle.A handle 112 is attached to one of the second connecting rods 111. A second lever 113 is attached to the other of the second connecting rods 111, and has a handle 114 at its free rear end.

[0069] A press 1 consisting of six modules can, for example, be sized to allow the clamping of two identical elements, each having a length between 3 and 15 meters, a width between 130 and 220 centimeters, and a height between 11 and 25 centimeters. It is understood that the number of modules can vary, depending on the dimensions of the elements to be manufactured. Similarly, the number of support cross members 22 and support arms 5 per module can be modified. If the press 1 includes bending jigs 10 and 11, it can be used for bonding straight longitudinal elements or longitudinal elements with a slight camber, with a radius of curvature, for example, of approximately 480 mm.

[0070] In use, as can be seen in [Fig. 12], the first layer Cl of glued strips is first placed on the first receiving surface 220 of the frame 2. For this, the support arms 5 are initially placed in the open position, namely a raised position at a distance from the first receiving surface 220. The bending templates 10, 11 are also adjusted to the required position according to the desired longitudinal element. Once the first layer Cl is correctly positioned, the support arms 5 are moved to the closed horizontal position. For this, the tilting cylinders 8 are actuated. Once the arms 5 are close From the first layer Cl, pressure is released on both sides of each tilting cylinder 8, until each support arm 5 rests on the first layer Cl, with the help of the scissor structures 40 and the bellows cylinders 9, as shown in Figures 9 and 13. If necessary, the height of the support arms 5 is readjusted by vertical translational displacement of the rotation axis 4 in the oblong mounting holes 23 via the adjusting members 40, 41. Then, the second layer C2 of glued blades is placed on the second receiving surface 510 defined by the support arms 5.

[0071] In a manner known per se, at this stage, a plate compactor (not shown) is brought over the second layer C2 in order to vertically press the bonding areas and thus ensure the horizontal alignment of the blades. As the plate compactor advances, the clamping cylinders 7 are actuated in order to move the movable jaws 6 to their clamping position, in which the bearing face 60, 61 of the jaws 6 comes into contact with the first C1 and second C2 layers simultaneously, as shown in [Fig. 14].

[0072] The jaws 6 are held in the clamping position for the time required for the glue to dry, for example a period of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes maximum.

[0073] Once the bond has set, the clamping cylinders 7 are released from their hydraulic pressure and then actuated to move the jaws 6 to their rest position, after which the second layer C2 is removed. The support arms 5 can then be returned to their initial open position by the tilting cylinders 8. Before the tilting cylinders 8 are actuated, the bellows cylinders 9 are actuated to ensure correct horizontal positioning of the support arms 5.

[0074] Finally, the first layer Cl can be removed from the press 1. This gives two longitudinal elements in glued laminated wood with optimal bonding.

[0075] It is understood that the particular embodiment just described has been given by way of example and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

1.

2. Demands A press (1) for clamping glued wooden strips intended for the manufacture of longitudinal glued laminated timber elements, such as beams, which press (1) comprises: - a longitudinal frame (2) defining a first flat receiving surface (220) intended to support a first layer (Cl) of glued wooden strips; and - a support and clamping device (3) mounted on the frame (2), characterized in that the support and clamping device (3) comprises a plurality of support arms (5) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (X) of the frame (2) and capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis of rotation (4) parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) of the frame (2), between an open position allowing the first layer (C1) to be deposited on the frame (2) and a closed position in which the arms (5) define, on the side opposite the frame (2), a second flat receiving surface (510) arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the first receiving surface (220) and intended to support a second layer (C2) of glued wood strips, each support arm (5) carrying at least one clamping member (6, 7) movable relative to the arm (5) between a rest position and a clamping position, in which a bearing face (60, 61) of at least one clamping element (6,7), perpendicular to the arm (5), is able to press against the first (Cl) and second (C2) layers for the simultaneous clamping of the first (Cl) and second (C2) layers. Press (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each clamping member (6, 7), the bearing face (60, 61) comprises an upper bearing face (60) and a lower bearing face (61) extending in the same plane orthogonal to the arm (5) and extending symmetrically on either side of the arm (5), the upper bearing face (60) projecting from the second receiving surface (510) of the arm (5) and the lower bearing face (61) projecting from the surface of the arm (5) opposite the second receiving surface (510), each arm (5) being configured and arranged so that in the closed position, the arm (5) is centered in height with respect to the first (C1) and second (C2) layers.

3. Press (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first flat receiving surface (220) is a horizontal surface and the second flat receiving surface (510) is a horizontal surface in the closed position of the support arms (5).

4. Press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each arm (5) carries a single clamping member (6, 7), at the end of the arm (5) opposite the axis of rotation (4), stop members (520, 521; 10; 11) being provided on the longitudinal side of the frame (2) located on the side of the axis of rotation (4) of the arm (5), each clamping member (6, 7) comprising a jaw (6) movable in translation along the arm (5), the face of the jaw (6) directed towards the side axis of rotation (4) of the arm (5) constituting the bearing face (60, 61), and a clamping cylinder (7) one end of which is connected to the jaw (6) and the other end of which is connected to the arm (5) to allow the movement of the jaw (6) relative to the arm (5).

5. Press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support and clamping device (3) comprises a plurality of tilting cylinders (8) for pivoting the support arms (5) between the open and closed positions, each tilting cylinder (8) being articulated between the frame (2) and a support arm (5).

6. Press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the position of the axis of rotation (4) relative to the frame (2) is adjustable, by means of adjustment means, along a vertical adjustment axis, between a low position and a high position.

7. Press (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the adjustment means comprise vertical oblong mounting holes (23) integral with the frame (2) and through which the axis of rotation (4) extends, and at least one adjustment member (40, 41) comprising a scissor structure (40) connected to the axis of rotation (4) and controlled by a control cylinder (41).

8. Press (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the adjustment means further comprise at least one locking member (42, 43) in the upper position of the axis of rotation (4), which locking member (42, 43) comprises in particular a trigger (42) capable of moving in horizontal translation, under the action of a cylinder locking (43), between an unlocked position in which the trigger (42) is outside an oblong mounting hole (23) and a locked position in which the trigger (42) protrudes into an oblong mounting hole (23) and is below the axis of rotation (4) placed in the high position.

9. Press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises means for maintaining the support arms (5) in a horizontal position in the closed position, which means for maintaining the horizontal position are bellows cylinders (9) provided on the side of the longitudinal end of the frame (2) opposite the axis of rotation (4) of the arms (5).

10. Press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of first bending dies (10) arranged at the level of the first receiving surface (220) and connected to the axis of rotation (4) by means of first connecting rods (103), and a plurality of second bending dies (11) arranged at the level of the second receiving surface (510) and connected to the support arms (5) on the axis of rotation (4) side by means of second connecting rods (111), the first and second bending dies (10, 11) being thus movable relative to the frame (2).

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