FR2623740A1 - Device for fixing an object to a table (bed) - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for fixing an object to a table (bed). According to the invention it comprises: - a base 6 one face 7 of which is provided with means 8 for fixing the said object 2 and the opposite face 9 of which is intended to come into contact with the said table (bed) 3; - a rotary member 10 housed in the said base 6 to which are connected means for locking the said base 6 onto the said table (bed) 3, the said rotary member 10 being subjected to the action of elastic means for returning the said member 10 into a first position for which the said locking means are inactive; and, - the said rotary member 10 additionally including actuating means 11 for making it turn counter to the action of the elastic return means, into a second position for which the said locking means are active. The invention applies particularly to fixing scientific appliances to working tables (beds).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for fixing an object to a table.

The device of the invention applies more particularly, although not exclusively, to the fixing of scientific apparatus or measuring instruments on work tables used in laboratories or in industry. It is obviously necessary to fix such devices with great precision. Furthermore, it must be possible to modify, in a simple, rapid and precise manner, the arrangement of said devices, depending on whether one is carrying out this or that experiment or according to the particular course of a given experiment, and, for this, to easily lock and unlock the devices for fixing said devices to said tables.

However, none of the various fixing devices envisaged so far has proved entirely satisfactory.

The object of the invention is to avoid the drawbacks of the fixing devices of the prior art, and -concerns a device making it possible to fix, with precision, speed and simplicity, in particular scientific or measurement apparatus, and to modify without difficulty the arrangement of these on a work table according to the requirements required for the implementation of various experiments or scientific work.

To this end, the device for fixing an object to a table is remarkable, according to the invention, in that it comprises - a base, one face of which is provided with means for fixing said object and the opposite face of which is intended to come into contact with said table, - a rotary member, housed in said base, to which are linked locking means of said base on said table, said rotary member being subjected to the action of elastic return means in a first position of said member for which said locking means are inactive, and, said rotary member further comprising actuation means for making it rotate, against the action of the elastic return means, towards a second position for which said locking means are active, thereby securing said base to said table and overcoming the action of said elastic return means.

Thus, by simple actuation of the rotary member, it is possible to lock and unlock the fixing device on the table, and this, without having in particular to use a tool specially adapted for this purpose.

Advantageously, said rotary member is able to rotate perpendicular to the plane of said table. In particular, said rotary member can rotate by approximately 90 degrees between said first and second positions.

In a first case, during its rotation, said rotary member does not move transversely relative to said table.

In a second case, during its rotation, said rotary member moves transversely relative to said table. In particular, in the latter case, said rotary member performs a helical movement.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said means for actuating said rotary member consist of at least one handle.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, said elastic return means consist of at least one tension spring, one end of which is fixed to said base, and the other end of which is fixed to said rotary member.

Advantageously, the face of said base intended to come into contact with said table has, on at least part of its surface, a sole made of non-slip material.

According to other characteristics of the invention, said means for locking said base on said table are either mechanical or magnetic.

In the first case, the device of the invention is particularly suitable for fixing an object to a table having grooves of inverted T cross section or the like, said means for locking said base on said table advantageously comprising at least one stud mounted at one end on said rotary member and comprising, at its other end, an oblong head intended to be introduced into said groove.

In particular, said oblong head has a surface for wedging said stud in said groove.

Furthermore, the face of said base intended to come into contact with said table may have means for positioning said device in said groove.

Advantageously, these positioning means comprise at least one pin of generally cylindrical shape, or of cross section corresponding to that of said groove.

According to another characteristic of this first case, said rotary means occupies approximately the entire interior volume of said base.

Advantageously, said rotary member consists of a disc, the periphery of which is provided with ridges.

In particular, said rotary member has an arcuate opening, the ends of which serve as stops for the end of the tension spring fixed to said base, said spring being housed in an annular groove provided in said rotary member.

In the second case, where the locking members are magnetic, the device of the invention is particularly suitable for fixing an object on a table having a magnetic surface, said rotary member advantageously being constituted by a screw cooperating with a corresponding tapping provided in said base.

 According to, - another characteristic of this second case, said screw has, at its lower end, a housing receiving said magnetic locking means.

Advantageously, a side face of said base has an elongated opening for the passage of said actuating handle of the rotary member, the ends of the elongated opening serving as stops for said handle in positions corresponding to said first and second positions respectively. of the rotary member.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the fixing device of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the device of Figure 1, the upper face of which has been removed, and the position of the rotary member of which is the position for which the locking means are inactive.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial view in cross section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partial view in cross section along the line V-V in FIG. 2.

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view along the line
VI-VI of figure 3.

 Figure 7 is a top view of the device of Figure 1, whose upper face has been removed, and whose position of the rotary member is that for which the locking means are active.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line Vili-Vili of FIG. 7.

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view along the line
IX-IX of figure 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the positioning means of the device.

Figure it is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the fixing device of the invention.

Figure 12 is a top view of the device of Figure 11, the upper face has been removed, and the position of the rotary member is that for which the locking means are inactive.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along line XIII-XIII of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a top view of the device of Figure 11, whose upper face has been removed, and whose position of the rotary member is that for which the locking means are active.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along line XV-XV of FIG. 14.

Figures 1 to 10 illustrate a first embodiment of the object fixing device on a table according to the invention.

In this case, the device 1 is intended for fixing an object 2, shown schematically in phantom in Figure 1, on a table 3t having grooves LI of cross section 5 in inverted T.

The device 1 comprises a base 6, the upper face 7 of which is provided with means 8 for fixing the object 2 and the lower face 9 of which is intended to come into contact with the table 3.

In the base 6, is housed a rotary member 10, produced in the form of a disc, the periphery of which is provided with ridges 11. The disc 10 can rotate around an axis 12 perpendicular to the plane of the table 3 (without displacement transverse to the table) being subjected to the action of a return spring 14. One end of the spring 14 is fixed at 15 to the underside 9 of the base 6 (figure h) and its other end is fixed disc 16 at disc 10 (Figure 5). Disc 10 occupies substantially the entire interior volume of base 6, windows 17 being provided in the lateral faces 18 of base 6 to allow the disc 10 to be controlled in rotation, either manually using the ridges 11, or using a handle (not shown), one end of which can fit in one of the bores 19 provided in the periphery of the disc 10.

Furthermore, the disc 10 has an annular groove 20 for receiving the return spring 14, an arcuate opening 21 being formed in the bottom of the groove 20. The ends 21a, 21b of the opening 21 serve as stops for the end 15 of the spring 14 fixed to the base 6, so as to thus define the possible angle of rotation of the disc 10, which can be, for example, equal to about 900.

In addition, on the disc 10, are mounted means for locking the base 6 on the table 3. With particular reference to FIG. 3, these mechanical locking means comprise a stud 22, the axis of rotation of which is coincident with the axis of rotation 12 of the disc 10, one end 23 of the stud 22 being made integral with the disc 10 by means of a ring 30 passing through an opening 31 provided in the underside 9 of the base 6, and l the other end of the stud 22 being shaped as an oblong head 24 intended to be introduced into the groove 4 of the table 3.

The head 24 has a wedging surface 25 of the stud 22 in the groove #, in the form of a pan whose inclination is exaggerated in FIG. 3, for reasons of clarity of the representation, and whose role will be explained by the following.

Furthermore, the lower face 9 of the base 6 has means for positioning 26 of the device 1 in the groove #, which make it possible to avoid the rotation of the base 6 when the disc 10 is actuated. As shown, these means 26 may consist of two pins 26a, 26b, which are arranged on either side of the ts 22, and which are either of generally cylindrical shape (FIG. 3), or of cross section corresponding to that of the groove 4 (FIG. 10).

In addition, the lower face 9 of the base 6 can be provided, on at least part of its surface, with a sole 27 made of anti-slip material.

The operation of this first embodiment of said fixing device according to the invention will now be described below.

In the initial or rest state, the disc 10 is subjected to the action of the return spring 14 so that the oblong head 24 of the locking stud 22 is in a position allowing its introduction into the groove 4 of the table 3 , that is to say a position for which the largest dimension of the oblong head is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the groove (Figures 3 and 6). The end 21b of the arcuate opening 21 is in abutment against the end 15 for fixing the spring 14 to the lower face 9 of the base 6 (FIG. 2).

When the positioning pins 26a and 26b, and the stud 22, are introduced into the groove 4 of the table 3, it is possible to act on the disk 10 so as to rotate it perpendicular to the plane of the table, without transverse movement of said disc, the pins 26a and 26b also preventing the rotation of the base 6.

In addition, the rotation of the disc 10 causes, through the ring 30, the rotation of the stud 22, and therefore the wedging of the inclined face 25 of the head 24 against the shoulder 32 of the groove 4 (Figures 8 and 9). This ensures the locking of the base 6 to the table 3 by overcoming the action of the return spring 14. In this locking position, the end 21a of the arcuate light 21 is in abutment against the end 15 of fixing from the spring 14 to the underside 9 of the base 6, thereby limiting the possible rotation of the disc 10 (Figure 7).

When it is desired to remove the device 1 from the table 3, it suffices to act, in the opposite direction, on the disc 10, so as to thus release the head 24 from the stud 22, from the shoulder 32 from the groove 4 Returning to the initial position is further facilitated by the action of the return spring 114.

Figures 11 to 15 illustrate a second embodiment of the object fixing device on a table according to the invention.

In this case, the device 101 is intended for fixing an object 102, shown diagrammatically in phantom in FIG. 11, on a table 103 having a magnetic surface 1014.

 The device 101 comprises a base 106, the upper face 107 of which is provided with means 108 for fixing the object 102, and the lower face 109 of which is intended to come into contact with the table 103.

In the base 106, is housed a rotary member 110 constituted by a screw, cooperating with a corresponding tapping 111 provided in the lower part of the base 106. The screw 110 can rotate around an axis 112 perpendicular to the plane of the table 103 (by moving transversely with respect to the table in a helical movement) while being subjected to the action of a return spring 1114. One end of the spring 114 is fixed at 115 to the base 106, and its other end is fixed at 116 with screw 110 (Figures 12 and 14). At its upper part 117, the screw 110 is provided with a handle 118, allowing the screw to be controlled in rotation, fixed to the screw by means of a ring 130.

A side face 119 of the base 106 has an elongated opening 120 for the passage of the handle 118. The ends 120a and 120b of the elongated opening 120 serve as stops for said handle 118, so as to thus define the angle of rotation possible of screw 110, which can be, for example, equal to about 900.

Furthermore, the lower part 121 of the screw 110 has a housing 122 receiving magnetic latching means 123, which comprise a magnet 124 in the form of a crown, mounted on a cylinder 125 fixed to the screw 110 by appropriate means 126 .

As shown for example in FIG. 13, the lower face 127 of the magnet 124 is at the level of the lower end face 128 of the screw 110.

In addition, the underside 109 of the base 106 may be provided with a sole 129 of anti-slip material.

The operation of this second embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention will be described below.

In the initial or rest state, the screw 110 is subjected to the action of the return spring 1114, so that the magnet 124, secured to the screw 110, is in the retracted position inside the base 106. Thus, when the device 101 is placed on the table 103, the space between the magnet 124 and the magnetic surface 104 of the table 103 is such that the magnetic action of the magnet vis-à-vis of the table is negligible (Figure 13).

Then, by actuation of the handle 118 against the restoring force of the spring 1114, the screw 110 can be rotated in a helical movement, thereby lowering the screw, and therefore the magnet 124, towards the magnetic surface 104 from table 103.

 Thus, when the magnet 124 is sufficiently close to, or even in contact with, the magnetic surface 104 of the table 103, the magnetic force of the latter ensures the fixing of the base 106 to the table 103, while overcoming the action of the return spring 114 (FIG. 15).

When it is desired to remove the device 101 from the table 103, it suffices to act, in the opposite direction, on the handle 118 so as to move the screw 110, and therefore the magnet 124, away from the table, which inhibits the magnetic action of the magnet. The return of the handle 118 to the initial position is further facilitated by the action of the return spring 1114.

Claims (22)

1 - Device for fixing an object to a table, characterized in that it comprises - a base (6,106), one face (7,107) of which is provided with means (8,108) for fixing said object (2,102) and the opposite face of which (9,109) is intended to come into contact with said table (3,103), - a rotary member (10,110), housed in said base (6,106), to which are linked locking means (22,123) of said base (6,106) on said table (3,103), said rotary member (10,110) being subjected to the action of elastic return means (114,1114) in a first position of said member (10,110) for which said locking means (22,123) are inactive, and, - Said rotary member (10,110) further comprising actuation means (11,118) for rotating it, against the action of the elastic return means (14,114), towards a second position for which said means locking (22,123) are active, thereby ensuring the fixing of said base (6,106) to said table (3,103) and overcoming the action of said elastic return means (114, 1114). 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotary member (10,110) is adapted to rotate perpendicular to the plane of said table (3,103). 3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said rotary member (10,110) can rotate about 90 degrees between said first and second positions. 4 - Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that, during its rotation, said rotary member (10) does not move # this transversely relative to said table (3). 5 - Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that, during its rotation, said rotary member (110) moves transversely relative to said table (103). 6 - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that, during its rotation, said rotary member (110) performs a helical movement. 7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said actuating means of said rotary member are constituted by at least one handle (118). 8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said elastic return means consist of at least one tension spring (114,1114), one end of which (15,115) is fixed to said base ( 6.106), and the other end (16.116) of which is fixed to said rotary member (10.110). 9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the face (9,109) of said base (6,106) intended to come into contact with said table (3,103) present, on at least part of its surface , a sole made of anti-slip material (27,129). 10 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, carae.isé in that ballast locking means (22) of said base (6) on said table (3) are mechanical. 11 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said locking means (123) of said base (106) on said table (103) are magneti s. 12 - Device according to claim 10, for fixing an object on a table having grooves of inverted T cross section or the like, characterized in that said locking hub {ad (ef base (6) on said table (3) comprise at least one stud (22) mounted, at one end (23), on said rotary member (10) and comprising, at its other end, an oblong head (24) intended to be introduced into said groove (14 ). 13 - Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said oblong head (24) has a wedging surface (25) of said stud (22) in said groove (4). 14 - Device according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the face (9) of said base (6) intended to come into contact with said table (3) has positioning means (26) of said device in said groove (14). 15 - Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said positioning means comprise at least one pin (26a, 26b) of generally cylindrical shape. 16 - Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said positioning means comprise at least one pin (26a, 26b) of cross section corresponding to that of said groove. 17 - Device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that said rotary member (10) occupies approximately the entire interior volume of said base (6). 18 - Device according to claim 17, characterized in that said rotary member consists of a disc (10) whose periphery is provided with ridges (11). 19 - Device according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that said rotary member (10) has an arcuate lumen (21) whose ends (21a, 21b) serve as stops for the end (15) of the spring traction (114) fixed to said base (6), said spring (14) being housed in an annular groove (20) provided in said rotary member (10). 20 - Device according to claim 11, for fixing an object on a table having a magnetic surface, characterized in that said rotary member is constituted by a screw (110) cooperating with a corresponding thread (111) provided in said base (106).  21 - Device according to claim 20, characterized in that said screw (110) has, at its lower end (121), a housing (122) receiving said magnetic locking means (123). 22 - Device according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that a side face (119) of said base (106) has an elongated opening (120) for the passage of said handle (118) for actuating the rotary member (110), the ends (120a, 120b) of said elongated opening (120) serving as stops for said handle (118) in positions corresponding respectively to said first and second positions of the rotary member (110).