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EP-4737057-A1 - SELF-ADJUSTING UNIVERSAL SUPPORT TOOL

EP4737057A1EP 4737057 A1EP4737057 A1EP 4737057A1EP-4737057-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-adjusting universal support tool on which a piece (P) having an irregular surface (S) can be supported. The tool comprises: a set of flat stacked plates (2, 3, 4) with aligned holes (5) distributed across the surface thereof; a series of support shafts (6) inserted into all or some of the holes (5) of the plates (2, 3, 4), each support shaft (6) being able to slide independently in the respective hole (5) when the upper end of the shaft is pressed against the irregular surface (S) of the piece (P) to be supported; elastic means (7) associated with each support shaft (6); and interlocking means (8) that block the sliding movement of the support shafts (6) and keep them in the position adopted according to the shape of the surface (S) of the piece (P) against which they rest.

Inventors

  • TUBERT BORRAT, ALBERT
  • MARTINEZ LOPEZ, Jordi

Assignees

  • Tubert Borrat, Albert
  • Martinez Lopez, Jordi

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240626

Claims (13)

  1. A self-adjusting universal support tool on which a piece (P) having an irregular surface (S) can be supported, characterized by comprising: - a set of flat stacked plates (2, 3, 4) with aligned holes (5) distributed across the surface thereof, - a series of support shafts (6) inserted into all or some of the holes (5) of the plates (2, 3, 4), each support shaft (6) being able to slide independently in the respective hole (5) when the upper end of the shaft is pressed against the irregular surface (S) of the piece (P) to be supported, - elastic means (7) associated with each of the support shafts (6) such that they, in a resting position, keep the shafts in a lifted position with respect to the plates (2, 3, 4), and in a tension position, when the upper end of the support shafts (6) is pressed against the surface (S) of the piece (P), tend to bring the shafts to said lifted position, such that each shaft (6) is located in one position based on the shape of the surface (S), and - interlocking means (8) that block the sliding movement of the support shafts (6) and keep them in the position adopted according to the shape of the surface (S) of the piece (P) against which they rest.
  2. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a lower plate (2) with holes (5), a sliding intermediate plate (3) with interlocking means (8), and an upper plate (4) with holes (5).
  3. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the support shafts (6) have grooves (61) intercalated with protrusions (62) distributed along the length thereof, being suitable to be inserted through the holes (5) of the lower plate (2) and the upper plate (4) and the interlocking means (8) when the intermediate plate (3) is in a non-blocking position, whereas when said intermediate plate (3) is located, upon sliding, in a blocking position, the support shafts (6) are locked in said interlocking means (8), preventing the mobility thereof.
  4. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the sliding intermediate plate (3) is inserted between two side plates (9) which, by way of a guide, allow the longitudinal displacement of said plate (3) between same.
  5. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to claim 4, characterized in that , associated with the intermediate plate (3), there are provided means to enable coupling a grip handle (M) to facilitate the sliding movement of said intermediate plate (3).
  6. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the interlocking means (8) are actuated by means of sliding the intermediate plate (3).
  7. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic means (7) of the support shafts (6) consist of springs surrounding the lower end of said support shafts (6).
  8. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the upper end of the support shafts (6) they incorporate a damping element (17).
  9. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support shafts (6) are inserted into the holes (5) and the interlocking means (8) are inserted into bushings (18).
  10. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support shafts (6) are inserted into the plates (2, 3, 4) in a non-removable manner.
  11. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support shafts (6) are inserted into the panels (2, 3, 4) in a removable manner, such that their position and number may vary.
  12. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises lower fixing means (19) for coupling a lifting implement or apparatus.
  13. The self-adjusting universal support tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the plates has side prolongations provided with openings (21) projecting from along the perimeter with respect to the rest of the plates to facilitate securing the assembly of the tool (1) and the piece (P) to be moved.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION As expressed in the title of the present specification, the invention relates to a self-adjusting universal support tool which provides its intended function with advantages and features that are described in detail below. The object of the present invention relates to a support tool which, being made up essentially of a series of plates in which a plurality of moving support shafts which are self-adjustable through springs or other elastic means are incorporated, has the purpose of ensuring the support and securing of bulky and heavy pieces that require handling, for example, pieces of a car engine during mechanical repair operations such as the crankcase, the surface of which has an irregular shape, with said support being specially designed to facilitate its removal and subsequent placement in exactly the same position, preventing risks and overexertion. FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION The field of application of the present invention is comprised in the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of support instruments and tools, focusing particularly on the area of mechanical instruments and tools. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is known, in vehicle repair shops, but also in many other areas of mechanics, it is common to have to remove and move bulky and heavy pieces which must then be put back in the same position. A clear example of this is the engine crankcase. The problem is that these pieces often have a surface the configuration of which is not flat, but rather has multiple irregularities that prevent the use of a conventional resting support. This means that, when moving and, especially, when putting these pieces back in their corresponding place, the mechanic, operator, or worker who must carry out said operation needs the help and collaboration of others and, even so, there is a risk of having to make great efforts, as well as of the piece not being able to be put back in exactly the same position as it was originally, with the subsequent risk to workers' health and to the proper operation of the mechanical assembly. Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a tool which is specially designed for such function and which can furthermore be adapted to the shape of any piece, such that it is of universal use and is adapted to the shape of the piece, automatically adapting to the surface irregularities of the piece, gaining time and safety. Moreover and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be indicated that at least the applicants are unaware of the existence of any other self-adjusting universal support tool or any other similar application invention which presents technical, structural, and constitutive features identical or similar to those claimed herein. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The self-adjusting universal support tool proposed by the invention is configured as an optional solution for the aforementioned objectives, with the characterizing details that make it possible and distinguish it being suitably included in the final claims accompanying the present description. Specifically, as set forth above, the invention proposes a support tool having the purpose of ensuring the support and securing of bulky and heavy pieces, the surface of which has an irregular shape such as, for example, a vehicle gearbox, said support being specially designed to adapt to the shape of the piece, automatically adapting to same in order to facilitate and allow the safe performance of both removal and subsequent placement of the piece in exactly the same position, preventing risks and overexertion. To that end, and more specifically, the support tool is made up essentially of a series of plates arranged on top of one another by way of a sandwich and in which there is incorporated, inserted through holes provided to that end in said plates, a plurality of scattered and interchangeable support shafts, such that they are distributed at various points of the plates, with each of said support shafts being linked to elastic means, preferably a spring, that generates more or less tension upon pressing the upper end of the shafts when they are located in contact with the piece to be moved and the different support shafts are gradually supported on the irregular surface thereof, preferably by means of using a lifting apparatus, for example, a lifting shaft or carriage, in which the lower plate of the universal support tool will be fixed, with there being furthermore provided blocking means to fix the position of the support shafts once they are all in contact with the surface of the piece, such that they will be self-adjusted to different heights. In this way, the piece to be moved can be removed after securing it to the support tool by means of a tension belt, making the movement thereof to perform appropriate repair operations safe and comfortable and, subsequently, since it will not be moved from the support, it can be put back in the s