Fixing device and worktable suitable for receiving said device.

Abstract

A fastening device for removably fixing an accessory on a work table (1) comprises: - a rod (310) having clamping means (4) adapted to bear against the table or the accessory; - a hooking element (32) linked to a second end (312) of the rod (310) opposite the first end (311), the hooking element (32) having at least one hook (320) projecting radially with respect to the axis of the rod (310), the rod (310) and the hooking element (32) being adapted to pass through an opening (2) of the table (1), the hooking element (32) being adapted to engage with the edge of the opening (2) after pivoting.The hook (320) comprises a first wing (3201) extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod (310) and a second wing (3202) projecting from the plane of the first wing (3201), the first wing (3201) being adapted to engage with the edge of the opening (2) and the second wing (3202) forming a stop against the opening (2) to limit the pivoting of the hooking element (32). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing device and work table suitable for receiving said device. technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for fixing accessories, such as stops or flanges, and a work table suitable for receiving said device, in particular a welding table. Previous technique

[0002] The welding technique often requires placing assembled parts together in a fixed relative position, before carrying out the weld which will fix this position.

[0003] A clamping system is known, comprising a welding table and clamping devices that can be removably attached to the welding table. For this purpose, the welding table has a plurality of cylindrical openings, and the clamping devices have a pin for passing through one of the openings. A clamping system is provided in the device, which causes balls to emerge and engage with the edge of the opening along the face opposite the face on which the device is installed.

[0004] Another fastening system comprising a welding table and fastening devices that can be removably attached to the welding table is also known from document FR 3 114 528 A1. The fastening device comprises a rod with attachment elements in the form of a crossbar passing through the rod. Each opening on the worktable has two extensions to allow the crossbar to pass through when the rod is inserted into the opening. Then, by rotating the rod a quarter turn, the crossbar engages with the rear face of the table. A nut screwed onto the rod allows the fastening device to be tightened onto the worktable.

[0005] Although this fastening system is much less expensive than the ball bearing system, its use is not always the most practical. Indeed, to secure the fastening device, the operator must orient the rod so that the crossbar is engaged along the opening, and maintain this orientation during tightening. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to provide a fastening system, a work table and a fastening device that are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to handle.

[0007] With these objectives in mind, the invention relates to a fastening device for removably fixing an accessory to a work table, the device comprising: - a rod having clamping means adapted to bear against the table or the accessory, the clamping means having an operating member at a first end of the rod; - a hooking element attached to a second end of the rod opposite the first end, the hooking element having at least one hook projecting radially from the axis of the rod, the rod and the hooking element being capable of passing through an opening in the table, the hooking element being capable of engaging with the edge of the opening after pivoting, the device being characterized in that: The hook has a first wing extending along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod and a second wing protruding from the plane of the first wing, the first wing being able to grip the edge of the opening and the second wing forming a stop against the opening to limit the pivoting of the hooking element.

[0008] Such a clamping device can be installed on a worktable by working from only one side of the table. Engagement is achieved by inserting the gripping element into the opening and then pivoting it, bringing the first wing to the rear of the table. The second wing acts as a stop, thus defining a gripping position without requiring any adjustment by the operator. The gripping position is therefore predetermined and secure. Similarly, when removing the clamping device, the second wing comes to a stop and prevents the pivoting of the locking element in the position where the device can be removed from the opening. Accessories that can be attached by the device include, for example, clamps, stops, cylindrical pins, vises, or toggle clamps.

[0009] According to one design, the fastening device comprises a body through which a hole passes, the rod being housed freely in the hole, bearing against a support face bordering the hole. The body allows the device to be manipulated and a clamping force to be transmitted either directly to the table or to an interposed accessory.

[0010] According to one design, the clamping means comprise a tapped hole in the attachment element and a thread at the second end, the rod being screwed into the tapped hole. The clamping means further comprise a head at the first end of the rod bearing against the bearing face at the edge of the hole. The rod and the head thus form a screw. Rotation of the rod drives the attachment element to the engagement position, and when the locking element is stopped by the second wing, rotation of the rod results in the clamping of the attachment element by screwing the rod into the tapped hole. The successive assembly phases the attachment and tightening of the element are carried out in the same movement.

[0011] According to an improvement, the second wing extends along a radial plane and has a rib at its end furthest from the axis of the rod. The rib helps to reinforce the mechanical cohesion between the first and second wings.

[0012] According to one design feature, the fastening element has two hooks arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the rod. Thus, the clamping forces on the fastening element result in a force along the axis of the rod, thereby preventing any overhang. It is possible to use fastening elements with more than two hooks, but this would have the disadvantage of creating openings with a greater number of notches, which would reduce the table's strength at the openings.

[0013] According to one constructive arrangement, the first wing has the shape of a sector centered on the axis of the rod.

[0014] According to one design feature, the clamping means are screw-in means, the second wing being located to the left of the first wing's sector when the screw-in means are on the right, and vice versa. Thus, when the screw-in means are operated to achieve clamping by rotation, the second wing allows the first wing to engage under the edge of the opening before stopping the rotation of the clamping element. By continuing the rotation of the screw-in means, the body is clamped against the table, bearing against the clamping element.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the body has an external cylindrical shape with the same axis as the bore. Thus, the body can serve as a stop against which elements to be assembled can be supported.

[0016] According to an improvement, the body has a shoulder on which a ring is removably mounted to bear against the worktable. The fastening device can thus be used for various applications. With the ring, it serves as a stop. Without the ring, any other accessory, such as a clamp, can be attached instead.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the device includes guiding means for guiding the body and the locking element in translation along the axis of the rod. Thus, the pivoting of the locking element can be achieved by pivoting the body. In the absence of guiding means, the pivoting of the locking element is achieved by pivoting the rod.

[0018] According to a design feature, the rod head is embedded in the body. This provides better protection for the head when the device is in place on the table and welding operations are carried out.

[0019] The invention also relates to a work table comprising at least one opening for the attachment of at least one accessory by a device as defined above, characterized in that the opening comprises a cylindrical part and a sector-shaped notch with the same center as the cylindrical part for the passage of each hook.

[0020] According to an improvement, the notch further includes a slot for the passage of a rib as defined above. Thus, pivoting the attachment element brings the second wing as close as possible to the edges of the opening.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the table comprises a plurality of openings aligned in at least one line. The operator can choose which opening is best suited to their work.

[0022] The invention also relates to a fastening system comprising a work table and a fastening device as defined above.

[0023] The invention also relates to a hooking element such as is included in a fastening device defined above. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description, the description referring to the accompanying drawings, among which: • [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a table conforming to a first embodiment of the invention; • [Fig.2] is a perspective view of an opening in the table of [Fig.1] • Fig. 3 is a more perspective view of a fastening system on the table of [Fig.1], in a position before assembly; • [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3] in an intermediate position during assembly; • [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.3] in a fixed position; • [Fig. 6] is a perspective view, a mounting element of the system the [Fig.3]; • [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the fastening system in the position of [Fig.4]; • [Fig.8] is a bottom view of the fastening system in the position of [Fig.4]; • [Fig.9] is a view similar to [Fig.8] in the position of [Fig.5]; • [Fig. 10] is a view similar to [Fig. 7] of a fastening system according to a second embodiment; • the [Fig.1 1] and a perspective view of a flange which can be fixed with the fixing system according to the invention. Detailed description

[0025] A welding worktable 1 is shown in [Fig. 1]. The worktable 1 has a base 10 on which extends a steel plate 11 bordered by four drop edges 12. The worktable 1 has an upper face 110, visible in [Fig. 1], and a lower face 111. Each plate 11 or drop edge 12 has a plurality of openings 2 aligned in at least two rows. The openings 2 are all identical and as shown in [Fig. 2]. Each opening 2 has a cylindrical part 20 and two sector-shaped notches 21 with the same center as the cylindrical part 20 for the passage of hooks 320. The notch 21 also has a notch 210 in the part furthest from the cylindrical part 20 along one of the edges of the sector 21. The openings 2 are for example made by laser cutting of a sheet of steel.

[0026] A first embodiment of a fastening device 3 according to the invention for removably fixing an accessory on the work table 1 is shown in figures 3 to 9. The device comprises: - a body 30 through which a hole 301 passes; - a screw 31 having a shank 310 housed in free rotation in the bore 301, the screw 31 having at a first end 311 clamping means 4 in the form of a head bearing against a bearing face 3030 bordering the bore 301, the clamping means 4 having an operating member 40; - a hooking element 32, as shown in [Fig.6], the clamping means 4 comprising screwing means having a tapped hole 41 of the hooking element 32 and a second threaded end 312 of the rod 310 opposite the first end 311.

[0027] The hooking element 32 has two hooks 320 projecting radially from the axis of the rod 310 and arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the rod 310. The rod 310 and the hooking element 32 are able to pass through one of the openings 2 of the table 1, the hooking element 32 being able to engage with the edge of the opening 2 after pivoting. The two hooks 320 are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the tapped hole 4L. Each hook 320 has a first wing 3201 extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod 310 and a second wing 3202 projecting from the plane of the first wing 3201. The first wing 3201 is adapted to engage with the edge of the opening 2. The second wing 3202 acts as a stop against the opening 2 to limit the pivoting of the hooking element 32. The second wing 3202 extends in a radial plane and has at its end furthest from the axis of the rod 310 a rib 3203. The first wing 3201 has the shape of a sector centered on the axis of the rod 310. The screwing means are on the right and the second wing 3202 is located to the left of the sector of the first wing 3201.

[0028] The body 30 has a cylindrical external shape with the same axis as the bore 301. It further comprises a shoulder 302 on which a ring 5 is removably mounted for bearing against the worktable 1. The body 30 has a counterbore 303 at the entrance of the bore 301 such that the head of the rod is recessed into the body 30. The bearing face 3030 is at the bottom of the counterbore 303.

[0029] During use, the device is initially separated from the table 1. As shown in [Fig. 3], the device is brought close to one of the openings 2 in the table 1 by aligning the hooks 320 of the latching element 32 with the notches 21 in the opening 2. Then, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, the ring 5 is brought into contact with the upper face 110 of the table 1. The latching element 32 passes through the opening 2 such that the first wings 3201 extend beyond the lower face 111 of the table 1, as shown in [Fig. 7]. The operating member 40, here a hexagonal recess, is used to turn the screw 31 in the tightening direction. The rotation of the screw 31 causes that of the hooking element 32 in such a way that the first wings 3201 come into contact with the edges of the opening 2, over the lower face until the second wings 3202 butt up in the opening 2, as shown in figures 5 and 9.By continuing the rotation of the screw 31, the fastening element 32 is tightened by placing the first wings 3201 against the lower face 111 and the body 30 against the upper face 110. Disassembly is achieved by turning the screw 31 in the opposite direction to loosen the screwing means.

[0030] Figure 11 shows a flange usable with a fastening device 3 according to the invention. The flange comprises a first, substantially flat arm and a second arm extending perpendicularly to the first arm. The first arm has an oblong slot. For fastening, the ring 5 is removed from the fastening device 3, and the flange, with the body 30', is inserted in place of the ring 5 into the slot, the axis of the bore 301 being perpendicular to the first arm. The clamping is then achieved by pressing the first arm against the worktable 1.

[0031] According to a second embodiment, as shown in cross-section in [Fig. 10], the fastening device 3' differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises guide means 6 for guiding the body 30' and the locking element in translation along the axis of the rod 310'. The guide means 6 are formed by two pins 61 which are housed on the one hand in two blind holes 62 of the body 30' according to a axis parallel to the axis of the drilling 301', and on the other hand in two holes 63 in the cylindrical part of the hooking element 32'.

[0032] When using the fastening device 3' according to the second embodiment, the engagement of the hooking element 32' is directly controlled by pivoting the body 30' around the drilling axis 301', the hooking element 32' pivoting directly with the body 30'. Tightening is then carried out with the screw 31.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described by way of example only. The screwing means could be made with a rod fixed to the attachment element 32 and a nut screwed onto the first end 311 of the rod. Other accessories can be attached by replacing the ring or by directly integrating the body.

Claims

Demands

1. Fixing device for removably fixing an accessory to a work table (1), the device comprising: - a rod (310) having clamping means (4) adapted to bear against the table or the accessory, the clamping means (4) having an operating member (40) at a first end (311) of the rod (310);- a hooking element (32) attached to a second end (312) of the rod (310) opposite the first end (311), the hooking element (32) having at least one hook (320) projecting radially from the axis of the rod (310), the rod (310) and the hooking element (32) being able to pass through an opening (2) in the table (1), the hooking element (32) being able to engage with the edge of the opening (2) after pivoting, the device being characterized in that: the hook (320) has a first wing (3201) extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod (310) and a second wing (3202) projecting from the plane of the first wing (3201), the first wing (3201) being able to engage with the edge of the opening (2) and the second wing (3202) forming a stop against the opening (2) to limit the pivoting of the attachment element (32).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a body (30) through which a hole (301) passes, the rod (310) being housed in free rotation in the hole (301), bearing against a bearing face (3030) bordering the hole (301).

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the clamping means (4) comprise a tapped hole (41) in the hooking element (32) and a thread at the second end (312), the rod (310) being screwed into the tapped hole (41), the clamping means (4) further comprising a head at the first end (311) of the rod (310) bearing on the bearing face (3030) at the edge of the bore (301).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second wing (3202) extends along a radial plane and has at its end furthest from the axis of the rod (310) a rib (3203).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hooking element (32) has two hooks (320) arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the rod (310).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first wing (3201) has the shape of a sector centered on the axis of the rod (310).

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the clamping means (4) are screwing means, the second wing (3202) being located to the left of the sector of the first wing (3201) when the screwing means are on the right, and vice versa.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (30) has an external cylindrical shape of the same axis as the bore (301).

9. Device according to claim 8, in which the body (30) has a shoulder (302) on which a ring (5) intended to bear against the work table (1) is removably housed.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises guiding means (6) for guiding the body (30') and the locking element in translation along the axis of the rod (310').

11. Device according to claim 2, wherein the head of the rod (310) is embedded in the body (30).

12. Work table comprising at least one opening (2) for the attachment of at least one accessory by a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (2) comprises a cylindrical part (20) and a sector-shaped notch (21) having the same center as the cylindrical part (20) for the passage of each hook (320).

13. Work table according to claim 12, wherein the notch (21) further comprises a notch (210) for the passage of a rib (3203) as defined in claim 3.

14. Work table, characterized in that it has a plurality of openings (2) aligned in at least one line.

15. Fixing system comprising a work table (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14 and a fixing device (3, 3') according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

16. Attachment element, characterized in that it is derived from a fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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