Support foot

Abstract

The invention relates to a ground support foot (1), extensible along a sliding axis (S) and comprising a first tubular body (10), a second tubular body (15), slidably associated with the first tubular body (10) and movable along the sliding axis (S), and a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the second tubular body (15) and a support element (115) comprising: a nut (25), adapted to be removably fixed to the first tubular body (10), and a screw (30), rotatably associated with the second tubular body (15) and adapted to mesh with the nut (25) such as to move the second tubular body (15) slidably between the first and second positions, wherein the nut (25) comprises: an annular body (251) comprising a threaded inner tubular surface (265) and an opposing outer tubular surface (275); and at least one protruding body (40), which derives radially from the outer tubular surface (275) of the nut (25) and is adapted to engage a seat made in the first tubular body (10) in order to prevent a relative translation of the nut (25) with respect to the first tubular body (10) along a direction parallel to the sliding axis (S); and at least one abutment body (50), which derives radially from the outer tubular surface (275) of the nut (25) and is angularly offset with respect to the protruding body (40), said abutment body (50) being provided with a contact surface (510) distal from the outer tubular surface (275) of the nut (25), which is adapted to be placed in abutment on the inner tubular surface (120) of the first tubular body (10).

Description

[0001] SUPPORT FOOT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a support foot.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a longitudinally extensible ground support foot for lifting, for example, structures or machinery.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] Ground support feet, which are generally used to lift objects, such as structures or machinery, vertically above the ground, are known. Therefore, in order to vary the height of these objects in relation to the ground, the support feet are usually extensible along a longitudinal direction, e.g. perpendicular to the ground on which they rest.

[0007] These support feet generally comprise a (first) lower tubular body, through which the support foot makes contact with the ground, e.g. by means of a support base or wheel, and a (second) upper tubular body, generally concentric and external to the lower one, which is generally attached to the object or machinery to be lifted at one of its longitudinal ends distal from the ground.

[0008] The upper tubular body is slidably associated with the lower one, so that it can be slidably moved with respect thereto along a sliding axis, i.e. substantially away from / towards the ground, e.g. by mechanical or hydraulic means.

[0009] Support feet of this type generally comprise an adjustment mechanism, configured to allow a user to make an adjustment of the vertical height of the upper tubular body with respect to the ground.

[0010] This adjustment can be carried out by moving, e.g. by manual operation of a crank, the upper tubular body slidably with respect to the lower tubular body.

[0011] This mechanism generally comprises a nut, which according to the prior art is fixed internally to the lower tubular body.

[0012] This nut is often fixed to the lower tubular body in a removable manner, i.e. it can substantially alternate between a first free configuration, in which it can be separated from the lower tubular body, e.g. in the event that it needs to be replaced, and a second locked configuration, in which the nut is fixed to the lower tubular body in such a way that it cannot be removed therefrom while the support foot is in use.

[0013] In other words, when the nut is in its second locked configuration, it is prevented from moving along the sliding axis of the support foot. The mechanism also includes a screw, which is rotatably associated with the upper tubular body (and constrained thereto in vertical sliding / shifting) and configured to engage with the nut so as to slidably move the upper tubular body between a maximum and a minimum vertical height from the ground along the sliding axis.

[0014] An inconvenience encountered with support feet of prior art lies in the fact that, due to the slight play left between the lower tubular body and the nut in order to allow the latter to alternate between its first and second configurations, the nut can sometimes move during use of the support foot due to the weight of the load it has to bear or due to the vibrations generated by the machinery with which the support foot is associated. Such a movement of the nut in relation to the lower tubular body, which generally occurs in a transverse direction (orthogonal) to the sliding axis S, can cause dangerous structural failure of the support foot and consequent damage to the object or machinery to be lifted and the support foot itself.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to make available a support foot capable of solving this problem of the prior art within the framework of a rational, low-cost solution.

[0016] Such object is achieved by the features of the invention reported in the independent claim. The dependent claims outline preferred and / or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

[0017] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention makes available a ground support foot, extensible along a sliding axis and comprising:

[0019] - a first tubular body, which extends along its own longitudinal axis between a first longitudinal end, at which a ground support element is arranged, and an opposite second axial end, wherein the first tubular body is provided with an inner tubular surface that delimits an inner cavity of the first tubular body and an opposing outer tubular surface,

[0020] - a second tubular body, slidably associated with the first tubular body and movable along the sliding axis between a first position, of maximum distance between the second tubular body and the ground support element, and a second position, of minimum distance between the second tubular body and the support element, and

[0021] - an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the second tubular body and the support element comprising: • a nut, adapted to be removably fixed to the first tubular body, and

[0022] • a screw, rotatably associated with the second tubular body and adapted to mesh with the nut so as to move the second tubular body slidably between the first position and the second position, wherein the nut comprises:

[0023] - an annular body comprising a threaded inner tubular surface and an opposing outer tubular surface,

[0024] - at least one protruding body, which derives radially from the outer tubular surface of the nut and is adapted to engage a seat made in the first tubular body in order to prevent relative translation of the nut with respect to the first tubular body along a direction parallel to the sliding axis, and

[0025] - at least one abutment body, which derives radially from the outer tubular surface of the nut and is angularly offset from the protruding body, said abutment body being provided with a contact surface distal from the outer tubular surface of the nut, which is adapted to be placed in abutment against the inner tubular surface of the first tubular body.

[0026] This solution makes available a support foot capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

[0027] In fact, the nut of the support foot is indeed removably associated with the first (lower) tubular body, but it is now provided with at least one abutment body, adapted to come into contact, by means of one of its contact surfaces, with the inner tubular surface of said tubular body.

[0028] By means of contact between (the contact surface of) the abutment body and the inner tubular surface of the first tubular body, it is thus possible to prevent a translatory movement of the nut in (at least) a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body, i.e. essentially to the sliding axis of the support foot.

[0029] Thanks to this technical feature, therefore, it is possible to reduce or eliminate any movements of the nut in relation to the first tubular body, thus making slight play between the two tolerable.

[0030] According to an aspect of the invention, the contact surface of the abutment body may be flat and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the annular body of the nut.

[0031] The design of the nut is therefore particularly compact, easy to make and functional for its intended purpose, as it is particularly capable of preventing translational movements in the direction orthogonal to the sliding axis of the support foot.

[0032] According to an alternative aspect of the invention, the contact surface of the abutment body may be flat and transverse to said longitudinal axis of the annular body of the nut.

[0033] This makes the nut particularly adaptable to lower tubular bodies of different sizes, as well as being able to prevent any translational movements in different directions transverse to the sliding axis of the support foot.

[0034] According to a similar aspect to the previous one, said contact surface can be angularly inclined with respect to the aforementioned central longitudinal axis of the nut by 6.5°.

[0035] This technical feature makes the nut adapted for use in both tubular bodies 3 mm thick and in tubular bodies 4 mm thick.

[0036] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the support foot can comprise a pair of said abutment bodies, angularly spaced apart from each other around the extension axis of the nut.

[0037] For example, said abutment bodies of the pair can be made in the nut in diametrically opposite positions to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0038] Thanks to this characteristic, it is possible to prevent a translation of the nut in two different directions transverse (orthogonal) to the sliding axis of the support foot, thus making the foot safer to use.

[0039] For example, again, the nut may also comprise a pair of protruding bodies, and each abutment body may be angularly equidistant from each protruding body of the nut.

[0040] The result is a nut with a simple design, easy to make and particularly functional for the purposes of the invention.

[0041] According to a further (preferred) aspect of the invention, the first tubular body may be provided with at least one groove, made at a longitudinal end of said first tubular body opposite to the support element, and said at least one abutment body may be adapted to be at least partially accommodated in said groove.

[0042] For example, the groove may derive from said longitudinal end to a base surface transverse (orthogonal) to the inner tubular surface and the outer tubular surface, and wherein the contact surface is adapted to come into contact with an intersecting edge between the inner tubular surface and said base surface.

[0043] Thanks to this feature, it is not strictly necessary to make two nuts of different sizes for two tubular bodies of different sizes, on the contrary, the nut can be used in a tubular body with a certain thickness and in a tubular body with a greater thickness and such a groove able to accommodate the excess thickness of the abutment body of the nut.

[0044] In particular, this first tubular body (equipped with this groove) can have a thickness of 4 mm.

[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of a non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures shown in the accompanying tables.

[0047] Figure 1 is a side view of a support foot according to the invention, in a minimum extension configuration thereof.

[0048] Figure 2 is a view of the support foot in Figure 1 , shown in an extended configuration thereof.

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the support foot in Figure 2, according to the section plane Ill-Ill.

[0050] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a nut of the support foot according to the invention.

[0051] Figure 5 is an upper plan view of the nut in Figure 4.

[0052] Figure 6 is a side view of the nut in Figure 4.

[0053] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the nut in Figure 5 according to the section plane VII-VII.

[0054] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a first tubular body and a nut of the support foot associated with said tubular body.

[0055] Figure 9 is a lateral view of the tubular body and nut in Figure 8.

[0056] Figure 10 is a lateral sectional view of the tubular body and the nut in Figure 8, according to the section plane X-X.

[0057] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a first tubular body provided with a groove and a nut of the support foot associated with said tubular body.

[0058] Figure 12 is a lateral view of the tubular body and nut in Figure 11 .

[0059] Figure 13 is a lateral sectional view of the tubular body and the nut in Figure 11 , according to the section plane XIII-XIII.

[0060] BEST MODE TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0061] With particular reference to the figures listed above, a ground support foot, which is generally used to lift objects, such as structures or machinery with which said support foot may be associated, has been referred to overall as 1 with respect to said ground with which the foot is designed to come into contact.

[0062] The support foot 1 has a first longitudinal (lower) end, by through it makes contact with the ground, and an opposite second longitudinal (upper) end, through which the support foot 1 is associated with the object to be lifted.

[0063] Therefore, in order to perform said lifting of such an object with respect to the ground, the support foot 1 is extensible, i.e. it is substantially designed to be able to extend along a longitudinal direction, e.g. (when in use) perpendicular to the ground itself.

[0064] In this sense, the support foot 1 comprises a first tubular body 10 and a second tubular body 15, which is slidably associated with the first one and movable along a sliding axis S with respect thereto, so that said extension of the support foot 1 and the consequent lifting or the object with respect to the ground can be performed.

[0065] In essence, said support foot 1 is extensible along the sliding axis S defined by the sliding of the second tubular body with respect to the first.

[0066] Consequently, the object to be lifted by means of the support foot can be associated with said second tubular body 15, e.g. rotatably associated or constrained with no residual degrees of freedom with respect thereto.

[0067] The first tubular body 10 of the support foot 1 makes available the aforementioned first longitudinal end 105 of the support foot 1.

[0068] In detail, the first tubular body 10 extends along a longitudinal axis (in use, parallel to the sliding axis S) between a first (lower) longitudinal end 105 thereof, preferably proximal to the ground when the support foot is in use, and a second (upper) longitudinal end 110 thereof, opposite to the first and distal from the ground when the support foot is in use.

[0069] At the first longitudinal end 105 of the first tubular body 10, a support element 115 is arranged on the ground, by means of which the first tubular body 10 (and the support foot 1 ) is able to come into contact with the ground.

[0070] Said ground support element 115 may for example be a support base, as seen in particular in Figures 1 -3, which makes available a contact surface facing (and designed to come into contact with) the ground when the support foot 1 is in use.

[0071] Said support base may be made as a single body with the first tubular body 10, i.e. it may substantially be derived from the first longitudinal end 105 without interruption therefrom, or it may be made as an independent body and fixed without residual degrees of freedom to said first longitudinal end 105. It is not excluded, for example, that the ground support 115 may be of a different type, for example, that it may be a support wheel, rotatably associated with said first longitudinal end 105 of the first tubular body 10, or a plurality of said wheels.

[0072] The first tubular body 10 has an inner tubular surface 120 and an outer tubular surface 125, which extend longitudinally between the first and second ends of the first tubular body 10, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body.

[0073] The inner tubular surface 120 defines an inner (longitudinal) cavity 130 of the first tubular body 10.

[0074] The first tubular body further comprises an annular surface 135, made available by the second longitudinal end, connecting the inner tubular surface 120 and the outer tubular surface, transverse (orthogonal) to both.

[0075] The first tubular body 10 may also have at least one slot 140, which is designed to accommodate at least one protruding body of a nut of the support foot 1 , as will be seen below.

[0076] In substance, said slot 140 makes available a seat adapted to be engaged by said protruding body of the nut, as will be better described later in this description.

[0077] Said slot 140 is made in the inner tubular surface 120 of the first tubular body 10.

[0078] For example, and preferably, as visible in the accompanying Figures 8 and 11 , said slot 140 may (preferably) be made in the first tubular body in a through manner, i.e. it extends between the inner tubular surface 120 and the outer tubular surface 125. In other words, preferably (but not necessarily), said slot has an opening made in the inner tubular surface 120 and a corresponding opening made in the outer tubular surface 125.

[0079] The first tubular body 10 may be provided with a plurality of said slots 140, for example (and preferably) a pair of them, made in the inner tubular surface 120 at positions angularly spaced apart from each other around the extension axis of the first tubular body 10, for example diametrically opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal extension axis thereof.

[0080] However, it is not excluded that, in embodiments of the invention not described or illustrated in the present description, the first tubular body 10 may be provided with a greater number of said slots 140, for example three of them, preferably (but not necessarily) angularly equidistant around the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10. Again, as can be seen in Figure 11 and in the sectional view of Figure 13, the first tubular body 10 may comprise (at least) one groove 145, distinct from (at least one) slot 140 and designed to accommodate an abutment body, as will be better described below.

[0081] In other words, said groove 145 may be designed to define a seat adapted to accommodate said abutment body.

[0082] Said groove 145 may be made at (or near) a longitudinal end of the first tubular body 10, for example and preferably opposite the support element 1 15, or at (or near) the second longitudinal end 110 thereof.

[0083] In other words, preferably, the groove 145, or the seat defined therein, may be derived from the annular surface 135 of the second longitudinal end 110 of the first tubular body 10, in a direction away from it, i.e. in the direction of the first longitudinal end 105, to a base surface 146, for example and preferably transverse (orthogonal) to the inner tubular surface 120 and the inner tubular surface 125 of the first tubular body 10, for example parallel to the annular surface 135.

[0084] The first tubular body 10 may be provided with a plurality of said grooves 145, for example a pair of them, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, made in the first tubular body 10 in positions angularly distant from each other around the extension axis of the first tubular body 10, for example diametrically opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal extension axis thereof.

[0085] It is also not excluded that, in embodiments of the invention not described or illustrated in the present description, the first tubular body 10 may be provided with a greater number of said grooves 145, for example three of them, preferably angularly equidistant from each other around the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10.

[0086] The first tubular body 10 may have a thickness, understood as the distance in the radial direction with respect to its longitudinal axis between the inner tubular surface 120 and the outer tubular surface 125, comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm, e.g. 3 mm.

[0087] If the first tubular body 10 is provided with (at least) one groove 145 as described above, the first tubular body 10 preferably (but not necessarily) has a thickness of 4 mm.

[0088] The first tubular body 10, as can be seen in the accompanying figures, preferably has a polygonal cross-section (with respect to its longitudinal axis, i.e. in use with respect to the sliding axis S).

[0089] In this sense, the inner tubular surface 120 and the outer tubular surface 125 have a corresponding polygonal cross-section, preferably both having the same conformation. For example, as can be seen in the accompanying figures, said surfaces both have a rectangular (square) cross-section, preferably rectangular (square) with rounded edges.

[0090] In substance, the first tubular body 10 may have an elongated tubular parallelepiped shape and comprise two pairs of planar (flat) walls adapted to define the inner tubular surface 120 and the outer tubular surface 125.

[0091] In detail, the first tubular body 10 may comprise a first wall and a second wall, mutually parallel, and a third wall and a fourth wall, mutually parallel and orthogonal to the first and second walls, and adapted to join them at opposite sides thereof.

[0092] In any case, it is not excluded that, in non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, the first tubular body 10 may be provided with a hollow cylindrical tubular shape.

[0093] In such a case, the first tubular body 10 has a cross-sectional area (at its longitudinal axis) having a substantially circular shape, and the inner tubular surface 120 and the outer tubular surface 125 thereof have in turn a corresponding circular cross-sectional area, i.e. they have a cylindrical shape extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 120 (i.e., in use, to the sliding axis S).

[0094] The second tubular body 15 makes the second longitudinal end of the support foot 1 available.

[0095] In detail, the second tubular body 15 in turn extends along a longitudinal axis (in use, parallel to the sliding axis S) between a first (lower) longitudinal end 155 thereof and a second (upper) longitudinal end 160 thereof, which makes available said second longitudinal end of the support foot 1 .

[0096] In other words, and as previously mentioned, through the second longitudinal end 160 thereof, the second tubular body 15 (i.e. the support foot 1 ) can be associated, e.g. hinged or fixed without residual degrees of freedom, to the object to be lifted.

[0097] In use, the first longitudinal end 155 of the second tubular body 15 is always proximal to the first longitudinal end 105 of the first tubular body 10 with respect to the second longitudinal end 160.

[0098] The second tubular body 15 is in turn provided with an inner cavity 165, within which, as will become clear later, the first tubular body 10 is adapted to slide.

[0099] The second tubular body 15 is also provided with an inner tubular surface 170, adapted to define said inner cavity, and an outer tubular surface 175, which extend longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second tubular body 15, parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0100] The second tubular body 15 also preferably has a polygonal cross-section (with respect to its own longitudinal axis, i.e. in use with respect to the sliding axis S), and consequently the inner tubular surface 170 and the outer tubular surface 175 may have a corresponding polygonal cross-section, preferably a corresponding cross-section between the two.

[0101] For example, such tubular surfaces may both have a substantially rectangular (square) cross-section and preferably rectangular (square) with rounded edges.

[0102] In other words, the second tubular body 15 may preferably have an elongated tubular parallelepiped shape and comprise two pairs of planar (flat) walls adapted to define the inner tubular surface 170 and the outer tubular surface 175.

[0103] In detail, the second tubular body 15 may comprise a first wall and a second wall, mutually parallel, and a third wall and a fourth wall, mutually parallel and orthogonal to the first and second walls, and adapted to join them at opposite sides thereof.

[0104] In any event, it is not excluded that, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the second tubular body 15 may be provided with a hollow cylindrical tubular shape, and that in this respect it may have a cross-section (with respect to the longitudinal axis, i.e. in use with respect to the sliding axis S) of a substantially circular shape.

[0105] In this case, the inner tubular surface 170 and the outer tubular surface 175 in turn have a corresponding circular cross-section, i.e. they have a cylindrical shape running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 120 (i.e., in use, to the sliding axis S).

[0106] In general, preferably, the second tubular body 15 has a shape, i.e. a cross-section, substantially conjugate to that of the first tubular body 10.

[0107] The second tubular body 15, in fact, is slidably associated with the first tubular body 10, externally thereto.

[0108] In detail, the first tubular body 10 is at least partially accommodated within the inner cavity 165 of the second tubular body 15.

[0109] In other words, (at least the second longitudinal end 110 of) the first tubular body 15 is inserted into the inner cavity 165 of the second tubular body 15 through an opening obtained at the first longitudinal end 155 of the second tubular body 15.

[0110] Preferably, the first tubular body 10 is inserted into the second tubular body 15 such that between the outer tubular surface 125 of the first tubular body 10 and the inner tubular surface 170 of the second tubular body 15 there is an extremely small clearance such that one body can slide with respect to the other.

[0111] In other words, preferably, the two tubular bodies are associated in such a way that the outer tubular surface 125 of the first tubular body 10 is slidably accommodated, substantially to size (i.e. with extremely reduced play), within the inner cavity 165 defined by the inner tubular surface of the second tubular body 15.

[0112] In substance, the first tubular body 10 and the second tubular body 15 can be connected to each other by means of a connection or prismatic joint, which defines the sliding axis S along which the support foot 1 can be extended.

[0113] The second tubular body 15 is slidably movable, with respect to said first tubular body 10, between a first position, of maximum distance between the second tubular body 15 and the support element 115 (i.e., in use, the ground itself), and a second position, of minimum distance between the second tubular body 15 and the support element 115.

[0114] In other words, the first tubular body 10 and the second tubular body 15 are mutually slidably movable along said sliding axis S such that the support foot 1 is extended along the sliding axis S.

[0115] When the second tubular body 15 is in its first position, the support foot 1 is in a maximum extension configuration and a minimal portion of the first tubular body 10 is accommodated within (the internal cavity 165 of) the second tubular body 15.

[0116] When the second tubular body 15 is in its second position, the support foot 1 is in a minimum extension configuration and a maximum portion of the first tubular body 10 is accommodated within (the internal cavity 165 of) the second tubular body 15. For example, in said second position, the first tubular body 10 is substantially entirely accommodated within (said cavity of) the second tubular body 15.

[0117] The support foot 1 further comprises a mechanism for adjusting 20 the distance between the second tubular body 15 and the support element 115 of the support foot 1 , by means of which the extension of the support foot 1 along said sliding axis S can be performed. By means of this mechanism 20 it is possible to adjust the mutual position of the first tubular body 10 and the second tubular body 15.

[0118] In other words, the adjustment mechanism 20 permits adjustment of the distance between the second tubular body 15, i.e. between the object to which the support foot 1 is fixed by means of said second tubular body 15, and the ground.

[0119] In other words, by means of said adjustment mechanism 20, it is possible to move (slidably along said sliding axis S) the second tubular body 15 between its first position and its second position, with respect to the first tubular body 10 (i.e. with respect to the ground).

[0120] Said adjustment mechanism 20 comprises a nut 25, which is provided with an annular body 251 extending along its own longitudinal axis, for example a central longitudinal axis A, (in use, parallel to the sliding axis S) between a first and second longitudinal end.

[0121] For example, at said longitudinal ends, the nut 25 comprises a first flat face 255 and a second flat face 260, respectively.

[0122] The nut 25, i.e., the annular body 251 , comprises a threaded inner tubular surface 265, substantially cylindrical in shape, which extends around said longitudinal axis of the nut 25 between the first and second longitudinal ends of the body, parallel to said axis.

[0123] The inner tubular surface 265 defines a through-hole, i.e. provided with a pair of openings at said longitudinal ends (of the body), i.e. made in the first flat face 255 and in the second flat face 260, of the nut 25.

[0124] For example, and preferably, the thread of the inner tubular surface 265 (i.e. of the through-hole) extends along the full longitudinal extension of said hole.

[0125] For simplicity of representation, the inner thread of the nut 25 is not shown in the cross- sectional view of Figure 3, but is nevertheless visible in some of the cross-sectional views of the nuts, particularly in Figures 7, 10 and 13.

[0126] In addition, the annular body 251 of the nut 25 comprises an outer tubular surface 275, which is opposite the inner tubular surface and which in turn extends parallel to said longitudinal extension axis of the nut 25, from its first to its second longitudinal end.

[0127] Said outer tubular surface 275 of the nut 25 may preferably have a substantially cylindrical cross-section (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nut 25, i.e. in use with respect to the sliding axis S).

[0128] However, it is not excluded that said outer tubular surface 275 may have a polygonal cross-section, for example that it may have a cross-section conjugate to the cross-section (of the inner tubular surface 120) of the first tubular body 10.

[0129] The nut 25 may comprise (at least) a portion that protrudes externally from the outer tubular surface 275, i.e. that is derived from it in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the nut 25.

[0130] In this sense, the nut 25 may comprise a disc-shaped body 280, made at the second longitudinal end, i.e. at the second flat face 260, thereof.

[0131] In other words, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, said disc-shaped body 280 can make the second longitudinal end and the second flat face 260 of the nut 25 available.

[0132] Said disc-shaped body 280 protrudes radially from the outer tubular surface 275 of the nut 25.

[0133] The disc-shaped body 280 may be provided with, i.e. may make available, a lower surface 285, flat and transverse (orthogonal) to the longitudinal axis of the nut, facing in the opposite direction to the second flat face 260 (i.e. facing the first longitudinal end) of the nut 25.

[0134] Said lower surface 285 is also preferably parallel to the second flat face 260 of the nut 25.

[0135] In addition, the disc-shaped body 280 may also comprise, i.e. may make available, a perimeter annular surface 290, connecting the second flat face 260 of the nut 25 and the lower surface 285, transverse (orthogonal) to both.

[0136] The nut 25 is adapted to be fixed to the first tubular body 10, e.g. and preferably at or near (i.e., at) the second longitudinal end 1 10 thereof.

[0137] When the nut 25 is fixed to the first tubular body 10, it is at least partially contained within the inner cavity 130 thereof.

[0138] When the nut 25 is fixed to the first tubular body 10, the longitudinal axis of the nut 25 is parallel (i.e. coaxial) to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10 itself.

[0139] Furthermore, when the nut 25 is fixed to, or at least partially inserted into, the first tubular body 10, the lower surface 285 of the disc-shaped body 280 preferably faces the annular surface 135 of the second longitudinal end of the first tubular body 10.

[0140] In particular, the lower surface 285 can either face said annular surface with reduced clearance with respect to it or be designed to enter into contact it when the nut is fixed to the first tubular body 10.

[0141] The nut 25 of the adjustment mechanism 20 is adapted to be fixed to the first tubular body 10 in a removable manner.

[0142] In this respect, the nut 25 is provided with (at least) a protruding body 40, which is designed to be inserted into the previously described slot 140, in order to perform said attachment of the nut 25 to the first tubular body 10.

[0143] In other words, the protruding body 40 is adapted to engage the seat made in the first tubular body 10 (by means of said slot 140) in order to prevent a relative translation of the nut 25 with respect to the first tubular body 10 along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, i.e. in use parallel to the sliding axis S.

[0144] The protruding body 40 is made as a single body with the nut 25, i.e. it derives radially, without interruption, from the outer tubular surface 275 thereof.

[0145] The protruding body 40 comprises (at least) an abutment surface 41 , transverse to the longitudinal axis of the nut 25, designed to come into contact with (a corresponding surface of) the slot 140, in order to prevent the aforementioned translation of the nut 25 with respect to the first tubular body 10 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first body.

[0146] For example, and preferably, the protruding body 40 comprises a pair of said abutment surfaces 41 , facing in opposite directions to each other and each designed to prevent translation of the nut 25 in a respective direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10, i.e. in use in any direction parallel to the sliding axis S.

[0147] The nut 25 may comprise a pair of said protruding bodies 40, made in the nut 25 in positions angularly spaced apart from each other around the extension axis of the nut 25, for example and preferably diametrically opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nut 25.

[0148] It cannot be ruled out that the nut 25 could be provided with a larger number of said protruding bodies 40, for example three of them. In any case, whatever the number of protruding bodies 40 with which the nut 25 is provided, they are (preferably but not necessarily) angularly equidistant from each other around the longitudinal axis of the nut 25.

[0149] Substantially, the nut 25 is designed in such a way that it can be alternated between a first configuration, in which it can be removed from the first tubular body 10 by (at least) a translation along an axis parallel to the sliding axis S, and a second configuration, in which it is prevented from moving along a direction parallel to said sliding axis S.

[0150] In the first configuration, said (at least one) protruding body 40 is not inserted into the slot 140, so that the abutment surface of said body 40 does not come into contact with (a surface of) the slot 140 and consequently does not prevent the translation of the nut relative to the first tubular body.

[0151] In the second configuration, the protruding body 40 of the nut is inserted into the slot 140 of the first tubular body 10, thus engaging the seat defined thereby, and the contact between the abutment surface 41 of the protruding body 40 and the slot 140 prevents the aforesaid sliding of the nut 25.

[0152] In order to switch the nut 25 between the first and the second configuration, preferably, once inserted in translation inside the first tubular body 10, it is moved in rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10, i.e. in use parallel to the sliding axis S, until the insertion of said (at least one) protruding body 40 into the respective slot 140.

[0153] The nut 25 further comprises (at least) an abutment body 50, which is distinct from, and angularly offset (about the longitudinal axis of the nut 25) with respect to, the protruding body 40.

[0154] The abutment body 50 is in turn made in a single body with the nut 25 and derives radially, without interruption, from the outer tubular surface 275 thereof.

[0155] The abutment body 50 is provided with a contact surface 510, which is distal to the outer tubular surface 275 of the nut 25.

[0156] When the nut 25 is in its second (locked) configuration, the contact surface 510 is adapted to be placed in abutment on the inner tubular surface 120 of the first tubular body 10.

[0157] In the case of a first tubular body 10 provided with a groove 145 as described above, i.e., as illustrated in Figures 11 -13, the abutment body 50 is (preferably) configured to be at least partially (e.g., only partially) accommodated within said groove 145 and the contact surface 510 is adapted to be placed in abutment on, i.e., to come into contact with, an intersection edge between the inner tubular surface 120 and the base surface 146 of said groove 145.

[0158] In other words, when the nut 25 is in its second (locked) configuration, the contact surface 510 is designed to prevent it from moving along a transverse axis (orthogonal) to the longitudinal axis of the nut 25.

[0159] As shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, the contact surface 510 is provided with a first end 511 close to a longitudinal end, e.g. to the first longitudinal end (i.e., in use, lower), of the nut 25 and a second end 512 close to an opposite longitudinal end, e.g. to the second longitudinal end (i.e., in use, upper), of the nut 25.

[0160] This contact surface 510, as can be seen in the accompanying figures, can be (partially or entirely) flat. In substance, the contact surface 510 can lie (partially or entirely) on a plane.

[0161] For example, the plane on which the contact surface 510 lies may be parallel to a longitudinal axis, i.e. for example the central longitudinal axis A, of the annular body 251 of the nut 25.

[0162] That is, for example, said plane can be parallel to a plane secant to the longitudinal axis, i.e. said central longitudinal axis A, (i.e. substantially a median plane) of the annular body 251 of the nut 25.

[0163] In substance, the first end 511 and the second end 512 of the contact surface 510 can both lie on said plane parallel to the plane secant to the longitudinal axis of the nut 25 (i.e. median).

[0164] In other words, the first and second longitudinal ends 511 ,512 of the contact surface 510 can be provided with equal distance in radial direction from the longitudinal axis, i.e. for example from the central longitudinal axis A, i.e. also from the outer tubular surface 275, of the nut.

[0165] Alternatively, as can be seen in the lateral view of Figure 6 and better appreciated in the sectional view of Figure 7, said plane may (preferably) be transverse to the longitudinal axis (of the annular body 251 ) of the nut 25.

[0166] In other words, the contact surface 510 can be inclined with respect to, i.e. transverse to, said longitudinal axis, i.e. said central longitudinal axis A, of the annular body 251 .

[0167] For example, such a plane on which the contact surface 510 itself lies, i.e. the contact surface 510 itself, can be angularly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis, i.e. for example to said central longitudinal axis A, of the annular body, i.e. for example to the aforementioned plane secant to the longitudinal axis of the nut 25 by 6.5°.

[0168] In substance, one of the first end 511 and the second end 512 of the contact surface 510 is distal from the outer tubular surface 275 of the nut 25 with respect to the other of the first end 511 and the second end 512.

[0169] For example, as can be appreciated in more detail in the cross-sectional view of Figure 7, the second (upper) end 512 of the abutment surface 510 has a greater distance from the longitudinal axis, i.e. the central longitudinal axis A, of the nut 25 with respect to the first (lower) end 511.

[0170] However, it is not excluded that, in embodiments not illustrated, the contact surface 510 may be (partially or entirely) curved, for example and preferably with concavity facing the outer tubular surface 275 of the nut 25 (i.e. in use with concavity opposite the inner tubular surface 120) of the first tubular body 10.

[0171] The nut 25 may comprise a pair of said abutment bodies 50, made in the nut 25 in positions angularly spaced apart from each other around the extension axis of the nut 25, for example and preferably diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central longitudinal axis A of the nut 25.

[0172] It cannot be ruled out that the nut 25 could be equipped with a larger number of said abutment bodies 50, for example three of them.

[0173] In general, whatever the number of abutment bodies 50 with which the nut 25 is equipped, they are (preferably but not necessarily) angularly equidistant from each other around the longitudinal axis of the nut 25.

[0174] Additionally, the abutment bodies 50 are (preferably but not necessarily) angularly equidistant from each protruding body 40 of the nut 25.

[0175] The adjustment mechanism also comprises a screw 30, which runs along a longitudinal axis between a first and second longitudinal end.

[0176] Said screw 30 has a threaded outer surface.

[0177] The screw 30 is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the through-hole of the nut 25 and is movable in translation within it along the sliding axis S defined by the inner cylindrical surface of the nut 25 itself.

[0178] The screw 30 is rotatably associated with the second tubular body 15 about the aforesaid longitudinal axis, for example and preferably through its second longitudinal end and at the second longitudinal end 160 thereof.

[0179] In this sense, the second tubular body 15 is associated in translation with said screw 30, such that a translation of the screw 30 along its longitudinal axis, i.e. along the sliding axis S, corresponds to a translation of the second tubular body 15 with respect to the first tubular body 10 between the first position and the second position.

[0180] In other words, the screw 30 is adapted to engage with (the threaded inner tubular surface 265 of) the nut 25 such that it moves the second tubular body between its first position (of maximum distance from the support element 115) and its second position (of minimum distance from the support element 115).

[0181] The operation of the support foot 1 according to the invention is as follows.

[0182] In the first step of assembling the support foot 1 , a first tubular body 10 is arranged as described above, made integrally with the ground support element 115, or to which it has been previously associated or fixed.

[0183] Then a nut 25 according to the invention is provided, i.e. equipped with (at least) a protruding body 40, e.g. of (at least) a pair thereof, and (at least) an abutment body 50, e.g. of (at least) a pair of them.

[0184] The nut 25 is moved in translation within the first tubular body 10, i.e. the internal cavity 130 defined by the internal tubular surface 120 thereof, through the end thereof opposite the ground support element 115 (i.e. essentially the second longitudinal end 110). For example, the nut 25 is moved in translation until (the lower surface 285 of) the discshaped body 280 makes contact with the annular surface 135 of the second longitudinal end of the first tubular body 10.

[0185] The nut 25 is then moved in rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10, i.e. it is moved from its first (free) configuration to its second (locked) configuration.

[0186] In other words, the nut 25 is moved in rotation about said axis until the protruding body 40, i.e. each protruding body 40, is inserted into a respective slot 140 of the first tubular body 10.

[0187] Therefore, when the nut 25 is in its second (locked) configuration, the contact between (an abutment surface of) the protruding body 40 and the slot 140 prevents the translation of the nut 25 along the longitudinal axis of the first tubular body 10.

[0188] As such, the nut 25 is fixed to the first tubular body 10.

[0189] Furthermore, in said second (locked) configuration, the abutment body 50 of the nut 25 in turn comes into direct contact with the first tubular body 10 of the support foot 1. In substance, the contact surface 510 of the abutment body 50 is placed in (direct) contact with (the inner tubular surface 120 of) the first tubular body 10.

[0190] In the case of a first tubular body 10 provided with a groove 145, the abutment body 50 is inserted at least partially into said groove 145, such that it comes into contact with the joining edge between the inner tubular surface 120 and the base surface 146 of said groove 145.

[0191] In this way, the abutment body 50 prevents a translation of the nut in a direction transverse to the extension axis of the first tubular body 10, i.e. in use to the sliding axis of the support foot 1 . The assembly of the support foot 1 is continued by associating the screw 30 of the adjustment mechanism 20 with the nut 25, i.e. by engaging the thread of the outer surface of the screw 30 with the inner tubular surface 265 of the nut 25 and thus defining the sliding axis S of the support foot 1 . The assembly of the support foot 1 is then concluded by coupling the second tubular body 15 to the first tubular body 10, i.e. by coupling said second tubular body 15 to the screw 30 in such a way that a translation of said screw 30 relative to the nut 25 corresponds to a translation of the second tubular body 15 with respect to the first tubular body 10 along the aforesaid sliding axis S. The invention thus conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0192] Moreover, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0193] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A ground support foot (1 ), extending along a sliding axis (S) and comprising:- a first tubular body (10), which extends along its own longitudinal axis between a first longitudinal end (105), at which a ground support element (115) is arranged, and an opposite second axial end, wherein the first tubular body (10) is provided with an inner tubular surface (120) that delimits an inner cavity (130) of the first tubular body (10) and an opposing outer tubular surface (125),- a second tubular body (15), slidably associated with the first tubular body (10) and movable along the sliding axis (S) between a first position, of maximum distance between the second tubular body (15) and the ground support element (115), and a second position, of minimum distance between the second tubular body (15) and the support element (115), and- an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the second tubular body (15) and the support element (115) comprising:• a nut (25), adapted to be removably fixed to the first tubular body (10), and• a screw (30), rotatably associated with the second tubular body (15) and adapted to mesh with the nut (25) so as to move the second tubular body (15) slidably between the first and the second position, wherein the nut (25) comprises:- an annular body (251 ) comprising a threaded inner tubular surface (265) and an opposing outer tubular surface (275),- at least one protruding body (40), which derives radially from the outer tubular surface (275) of the nut (25) and is adapted to engage a seat made in the first tubular body (10) in order to prevent relative translation of the nut (25) with respect to the first tubular body (10) along a direction parallel to the sliding axis (S), and- at least one abutment body (50), which derives radially from the outer tubular surface (275) of the nut (25) and is angularly offset from the protruding body (40), said abutment body (50) being provided with a contact surface (510) distal from the outer tubular surface (275) of the nut (25), which is adapted to be placed in abutment against the inner tubular surface (120) of the first tubular body (10).

2. The support foot (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the contact surface (510) of the abutment body (50) is flat and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the annular body (251 ) ofthe nut (25).

3. The support foot (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the contact surface (510) of the abutment body (50) is flat and inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the annular body (251 ) of the nut (25).

4. The support foot (1 ) according to preceding claim, wherein the contact surface (510) is angularly inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis of the nut (25) by 6.5°.

5. The support foot (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nut (25) comprises a pair of said abutment bodies (50), angularly spaced apart from each other around a longitudinal axis of the nut.

6. The support foot (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the nut (25) comprises a pair of said protruding bodies (40), and wherein each abutment body (50) is angularly equidistant from each protruding body (40) of the nut (25).

7. The support foot (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first tubular body (10) is provided with at least one groove (145), made at a longitudinal end of said first tubular body (10) opposite said support element (115), and wherein said at least one abutment body (50) is adapted to be at least partially accommodated in said groove (140).

8. The support foot (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the groove (145) is derived from said longitudinal end to a base surface (146) transverse to the inner tubular surface (120) and the outer tubular surface (125), and wherein the contact surface (510) is adapted to come into contact with an intersecting edge between the inner tubular surface (120) and said base surface (146).

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