FR2836033A1 - Artist's easel has vertical support column made up of telescopic sections connected by collar, vertical, disk-shaped adapter on second collar at top of the column carrying support for painting - Google Patents

Abstract

The artist's easel has a vertical support column made up of telescopic sections (1, 2). These are connected by a collar (4) with release button (5). A vertical, disk-shaped adapter (12) mounted on a second collar (3) at the top of the column carries the support (8, 10) for the painting.

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

 The present invention relates to a device which is designated by the term Ajustable Vertical column which is used to adjust in height the position of an organ or an object as in the case of a painter who needs to hold a surface. to work (the object) by means of a support (the organ) whose spatial position is often changed during the artist's activity thanks to the improved arrangement of the easel thus formed.

 In the current state of the art, the devices offered to painters are often ill suited to the variety of services they would like to have. This is particularly the case for field, course and workshop easels, the respective designs of which are too complicated or too simplified to be able to provide the expected services.

- les possibilités de rotation, basculement, élévation,... etc... What a painter generally wants is to be able to locate the surface to be painted in all possible positions in space and take advantage of certain advantages such as in particular: - the ease of maneuvering, - the lightness of equipment, - ease of operation,

- the possibilities of rotation, tilting, elevation, ... etc ...

- a reduced size and weight, - a price as reduced as possible, (of course ...).

 Almost all the easels available on the market are made of wood and have three or four feet. Under these conditions, it seems difficult to produce effective devices.

 The present invention makes it possible to solve the design difficulties of this equipment by the use of a metal column of small section with telescopic tubular elements solidly assembled and easy to maneuver which is supported vertically by a base such as a tripod, a base. tubular associated with a seat placed on the ground or any other means which could prove useful to constitute the base of an easel for painter, craftsmen or other users.

It may be objected that devices with telescopic tubular elements are in common use and would cover the field of technology, such as: -multiple cylinder jacks, - jack elevators, pulleys, ...

- the extension handles of various tools (cleaning of windows, paint rollers),

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 - the fishing rods, - the feet of a tripod, - a rack column on its support, - a mast of military antenna, - the arm of a lifting crane, - a foldable lighting mast,. .. etc ...

 However, upon examination, none of these devices can be used to render the services which are required as in the case of the present invention. For the simple reason that the associated accessories, the assembly elements and other provisions which constitute it are absolutely not present in the prior art for producing easels for perfected painters, as will be seen on reading the description which will to follow.

- sur un trépied pour le travail en extérieur, - sur une assise au sol pour le travail en intérieur et en groupe, - sur une solide assise à roulettes pour le travail en atelier. Bien entendu, le dispositif selon l'invention pourra être installé sur toutes autres embases qui se trouveraient bien adaptées à tel ou tel emploi sans pour autant sortir du cadre de la présente invention, comme par exemple une table. A first characteristic of the invention is the fact that the telescopic assembly is held vertically by a base adapted to the conditions of use of the field, course and workshop easel. In particular, it can be mounted:

- on a tripod for outdoor work, - on a ground floor for indoor and group work, - on a solid wheeled seat for workshop work. Of course, the device according to the invention can be installed on any other bases which would be well suited to this or that use without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as for example a table.

 In the case of the field or course easel, the same telescopic assembly can, indifferently, be installed on a tripod or on a base including a seat on the ground.

 In the case of the workshop easel much more powerful than the previous ones, the equipment only differs in its dimensions to support a surface to be painted which can easily reach several square meters and exceed ten kilograms.

 A second characteristic of the device is the fact that the telescopic tubular elements are assembled by external rings which provide both mechanical assembly, centering, guiding in movement, relative immobilization of the coaxial tubular elements, by easy handling. .

 A third characteristic of the device is the fact that said external rings are equipped with a clamping means accessible externally and laterally which allows

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 to adjust the tightening as required and in particular to increase it until the relative movement of the elements considered is stopped by increasing the friction forces, in any position of the stroke of the internal tubular element.

 The means used to obtain the centering / guiding / tightening / blocking have a particular characteristic: they do not cause any marks, scuffing, seizing on the surface of the tubular elements thus assembled.

 A fourth characteristic of the device is the fact that the above outer rings can be assembled or disassembled without the need to separate the tubular elements from each other.

 A fifth characteristic of the device is the fact that the only machining operation to be carried out on the tubular elements will consist in shaping a collar beaten on one end only to allow the corresponding outer ring to hang on to it firmly.

 A sixth characteristic of the device is the fact that it can be made integral with the head of a tripod by means of an external ring, similar to those already mentioned above, clamped simultaneously on a flange located in the lower part of the head and on the tubular element which has been engaged therein. To thus form the basis of the field easel.

 A seventh characteristic of the device is the fact that it can be introduced into an additional telescopic tubular element which, associated with a seat on the ground, will thus constitute the base of the easel of course, using the same telescopic assembly as for the easel of countryside.

 An eighth characteristic of the device is the fact that the tubular elements can be equipped at their upper end with a winch allowing the operation of the upper element more easily as in the case of heavy loads or large developments of the telescopic system. Thus constituted and fixed to a robust base placed on the ground, we then have what is the basis of a solid workshop easel.

 In the case of a telescopic system comprising more than two tubular elements, it may be advantageous to motorize each of the winches so as to carry out independent controls of each element, the telescopic column then having N tubular elements and N-1 winches.

 A ninth characteristic is the fact that the winch is equipped with two synchronized drums for lifting together and distinctly the internal tubular element. This arrangement makes it possible to ensure the safety of the maneuvers vis-à-vis the artist at work and the work in progress. It is indeed necessary to protect oneself against any incident of rupture of an element of the winch or of a false operation.

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 To complete the lifting device by winch, a self-locking ring for the descent is placed on the outer ring of the supporting tubular element, which is essential to immobilize the tubular element carried if the winch is not self-locking. In the case where the telescopic column would comprise N elements and N-1 winches, it would be advantageous to have N-1 self-locking devices as above, which would themselves be motorized.

 If the winch were self-locking, the above self-locking ring would still be installed for safety reasons in the event of heavy loads.

soutenir une surface à peindre, comme cela est d'ailleurs décrit dans la demande de Brevet d'Invention N00103452 du 14 mars 2001. A tenth characteristic of the device is the fact that the upper end of the last telescopic tubular element is provided with an external ring to receive a removable adapter which is thus securely fixed thereto. This adapter is designed to hold various accessories, such as a specific support, itself removable, which can thus be oriented and located in different positions. The specific support itself being adapted to

support a surface to be painted, as is moreover described in the patent application N00103452 of March 14, 2001.

Under these conditions, the painter can easily place the surface to be worked in all the positions that suit him during his activity.

 An eleventh characteristic of the invention is the fact that the field easel thus designed would be equipped with a specific folding support, the assembly thus defined being able to be folded back on itself to reduce its bulk.

 It is understood that it would not be departing from the scope of the present invention if one used partially or not, separately or not the means and arrangements above or below described to produce devices which would not be described or cited in this document.

campagne, de cours et d'atelier, qui mettent en oeuvre la colonne ajustable verticale. i
Les figures qui suivent, associées à la description, correspondent respectivement à, 1 Vue d'ensemble du chevalet de campagne, 2 Vue d'ensemble du chevalet de cours, 3 Vue d'ensemble du chevalet d'atelier, The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of the particular applications envisaged for the production of easels for painters of

campaign, course and workshop, which implement the vertical adjustable column. i
The figures which follow, associated with the description, correspond respectively to, 1 Overview of the field easel, 2 Overview of the course easel, 3 Overview of the workshop easel,

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

4 Cross-section view of the campaign model,
5 Sectional view of the course model,
6 Cutaway view of the workshop model
7 Sectional view of an external assembly ring,
8 Top view of an outer ring,
9 View of components of an outer ring, 10 ..... ditto
11 Side view of the protective lining of an outer ring,
12 View of the specific support for field or course easel,
13 ... same as 12 ... with the tripod, folded together,
14 View of a specific support variant for field easel,
15 ... ditto 14 ... with the tripod, folded together,
16 Cutaway view of the workshop easel winch,
17 Top view of the winch.

 Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 which illustrate an embodiment of the so-called field, course and workshop easels, it can be seen that the device known as an adjustable vertical column, with telescopic tubular elements (1, 2), is common to all three types of easels.

However, for the course and workshop easels, a complementary tubular element (6), short or long as the case may be, allows the assembly of the assembly (1,2) on a base on the ground constituted by (6) and (6bis). While, for the field easel, the assembly (1,2) is engaged in the head (14) of a tripod (15).

 The same figures illustrate the position of the specific supports (7,8, 10) or (7,8, 8ter) on the adapter (12) at the top of the telescopic assemblies.

 Figures 4,5, 6 show how the various components of the vertical adjustable column assembly are arranged in the three applications.

 In the case of the field easel, Figures 1 and 4, the head of the tripod (15) is pierced with a vertical passage to the diameter of the tubular element (1) which is engaged therein until the outer ring ( 4) come to rest on the upper face of the head. A second outer ring (16) is then engaged on the lower part of the element (1) to engage on a flange of the underside of the head and to be tightened firmly above it at the same time as on the element ( 1).

<Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 The telescopic assembly (1,2) is then perfectly secured to the head (14) and therefore to the tripod (15), while the loosening of the outer ring (4) by means of the button (5) will allow movement of the element (2) and thus choose the position of the objects carried by the system. The chosen position once acquired, the ring (4) is tightened.

 The adapter (12), intermediate between the telescopic assembly and the specific support (7,8, 10), gives the said support the freedoms necessary to be located in various positions around the three axes with which it is provided, at the same time that it is removable, as described in the patent application already cited under the? 0103452. The adapter is held on the end of the column by means of an external ring (3).

 The specific support (7,8,10) is described below.

 In the case of the course easel, Figures 2et5, the constituent elements are the same, except that the tripod (15) is replaced by a base consisting of a tubular element (6) made integral with a seat (6bis) by common means of use.

 The element (6) which receives the system (1,2) participates in the telescopic device which then becomes the system (1,2, 6). Indeed, in the case of the easel of course, it may be necessary to support larger surfaces to be painted than in the case of outdoor work, it is therefore necessary to be able to carry said surface higher. This is why the element (6) carries an external ring (17) which allows the positioning of the tubular element (1). As described for the field easel, the height adjustments are made by successively loosening the rings (4) and (17), ... etc. For the rest (adapter and specific support), we find the same provisions as for the field easel.

 In the case of the workshop easel, Figure 6 illustrates the arrangements adopted. In this case, there are provisions similar to those adopted for the realization of the easel of course, in that the telescopic column (1,2) is held by a tubular element (6) associated with the outer ring (17) and secured to a broadly dimensioned seat (6bis), to constitute a solid base, with the difference that the said tubular element (6) is shortened to approximately 20 centimeters and that a winching member (16bis) is installed on the upper end of the element (1) for operating the tubular element (2).

 Indeed, in this case, the dimensions of the surfaces to be painted are important and can exceed 2 meters and the weights: ten kilograms. This requires designing a robust structure for the telescopic column at the same time as it must be able to hoist the surface to be painted so that its lowest side is at least 80 centimeters above

<Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 of the ground. Of course and if necessary, larger surface dimensions to be painted can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 Thus, by way of nonlimiting indication, if the dimensions of the preceding telescopic tubular elements were close to 500 millimeters in length and 30 to 40 millimeters in diameter, in the case of the workshop easel, it will be necessary to provide for neighboring lengths from 1 meter and diameters from 50 to 60 millimeters.

 In such conditions, it is no longer possible to carry out the height adjustment maneuvers of the telescopic column manually. This is why the maneuver thereof is operated by means of the winch (16bis) installed at the top of the element (1), the description of which is given below.

 In the case of the workshop easel, Figures 3 and 6, as specified in patent application 0103452, there is an articulated adapter (12) associated with a specific support (7,8, 8ter) whose dimensions will be different from those previous, at the same time as said specific support will no longer be foldable. On the other hand and taking into account the variety of formats of the surfaces to be painted which it is necessary to plan to install on the specific support, this one is provided removable and built in several dimensions, easily interchangeable.

 As shown in FIG. 6, the tubular element (1) of the telescopic column is free from any apparatus or accessory over practically its entire height. It is therefore possible to associate by clamping auxiliaries such as trays, maids, ... facilitating the artist's work in the workshop.

 Figures 7,8 illustrate the way in which the external rings are made up, associating the telescopic tubular elements with one another and with the other elements of the trestles.

 Figure 7 is a sectional view of an outer ring combining two tubular elements.

 A clamp (21), in common use, with its head (22) provided with a screw (22bis) or any other progressive clamping means, is fitted with shims (20) in sufficient number distributed over its circumference by clipping. These shims are cut in a V at 90 to rest on the sides 45 of two pressure rings (18) and (19) which are therefore pushed onto the sides of the tubular elements with which the ring is associated. When the collar is tightened, the open rings (18) and (19) are both pushed against the walls of the two tubular elements and towards each other against the beaten collar of the external tubular element. Consequently, the position of the ring is fixed relative to the external element, the internal element is well centered coaxially with the external element and if the tightening is medium: the internal element

<Desc / Clms Page number 8>

 can slide or turn in the external one, finally, if the tightening is strong enough, the internal element is immobilized.

 Finally, the external ring according to the invention performs four functions, in relation to the progressive tightening of the collar of the ring: - stable self-positioning on the external element, - coaxial centering of the two associated elements, - relative sliding elements for position adjustment, - immobilization of the internal element relative to the external.

This by simple means, easy to install, without having to separate from each other the different elements of the telescopic column and without having to rotate one on the other the associated elements to obtain the blocking as in some others devices.

Another advantage to be specified, it is very low: less than 20 mm.

Finally, it should be noted that it does not cause seizures, scrapes, markings on the walls: the elements in contact with them being made of plastic material.

 In the case of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7,8, at the level of the head (22) of the collar (21) and for the case where a rack collar is used, there is a vacuum which is filled by the two half-pieces (23) of FIG. 10 which are cut to form a V at 90 and in circular shape. Once in place, they are joined by the screws (23bis).

 Figure 9 shows how the shims (20) are made.

Finally, to protect the outer ring and the associated elements, a lining (27) can be associated with it as illustrated in FIG. 11.

 Referring now to FIG. 12, here is described the specific support (7, 8, 10) installed by means of the adapter (12) on the telescopic column of FIGS. 1.2 and very particularly for equipping the easels campaign or course.

 By means of the slide (26), designed to be fixed to the adapter (12), a hollow half-bar called the median (7) is held. Two hollow bars (8) and (8bis) are connected to it perpendicularly by means of two hinges (24) and (24bis), themselves fixed to a slide (25) carried by the lower part of the middle half-bar. The two perpendicular bars each carrying a clamp (9) and (9bis), a surface to be painted can be pinched there. The middle half-bar (7) carries inside a sliding rod (10) provided with a clamp (11) to hold the surface to be painted in its upper part.

<Desc / Clms Page number 9>

 Of course, means of common use, which have not been shown, are provided to block the various accessories thus described with respect to each other. Under these conditions, the surface to be painted can be safely placed in all kinds of positions around the adapter (12).

 Finally, in the case of the field easel, it is thus possible to minimize the space requirement of the equipment by folding the tripod and the specific support into an assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 13, easy to put in a bag of transport.

 The specific support described above with reference to Figure 12, will advantageously be used to equip the easel of course which does not have heavy loads to support and whose size must often be reduced to facilitate its storage as in a room working together.

 In the case of the field easel, a specific variant of support can be envisaged as illustrated by FIG. 14 which comprises a plate (35) on which is fixed an arm (29) in the upper part, as well as two arms (28) and (28bis) held by the pins (36) and (36bis) in the lower part, which can be folded down on the arm (29). Each arm carries a rod pulled inward by a spring included in the arm, or more simply adjustable by means of a button of locking screw. Each rod being equipped with a means of fixing the surface to be painted on which it hangs, the surface to be painted is thus firmly held.

 FIG. 15 represents the field easel equipped with a specific support with arms as above in its folded position.

In the case of the workshop easel, it is not necessary to provide for the folding of the specific support, although this is possible. Its design is therefore simpler and will be clearly understood by referring to the application 0103452 already cited.

 It now remains, still in the case of the workshop easel, to describe the elevation system chosen in the context of the present invention for performing the operation of the telescopic column (1,2) by means of the winch (16bis) of Figure 6, the design details of which are illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 to which reference should be made.

 As illustrated, the "winch" member (16bis) is framed by the external rings (4) and (16) thus ensuring the function of securing the various elements together: the winch (16bis) and the tubular element (1) .

 Inside the housing (16bis), there are the following elements: a drum (37) wraps around itself a cable or a strip (38), as illustrated, which passes under the lower end of the tubular element (2) or it is securely stowed. In these conditions the maneuver

<Desc / Clms Page number 10>

 of the winch raises or lowers the telescopic element (2). However, symmetrically with respect to the tubular element (2), a second drum (37bis) is installed in the housing (16bis) in association with a strap (38bis) to ensure the same lifting and support function as the first assembly ( 37), (38). There are thus two lifting means which together provide the lifting function and at the same time the essential safety function taking into account the elevation height associated with the weight of the load. Indeed, the two drums, being synchronized by a link chain (39) associated with the two toothed wheels (40) and (40bis), or any other mechanical means, will work together in the same way and provide one for the other if one of them fails.

 Given that the diameter of the strip wound on the drums varies during the maneuver, the two rollers (41) and (41bis) have the task of fixing the relative position of the strip in the interval between the two tubular elements (l) and (2).

 The axis (42) of the drum (37) carries at each of its ends, extended outside the housing (16bis), the crank (43) and (43bis) which allow the operation. When the position of the telescopic column is satisfactory, the cranks are abandoned. Then, if the winch is not equipped with an automatic blocking, the tubular element (2) will descend more or less quickly depending on the state of tightening of the ring (4). This is why, an automatic locking device (44, 45, 46) is placed above the outer ring (4) which thus ensures the immobilization of the element (2) in the event that the winch is not not equipped with an automatic blocker and in any case to provide additional security vis-à-vis the artist and the work in progress. The part (44) of the above blocker being a means of manual release when it is necessary to lower the load carried by the telescopic column. On the way down, moreover, the device according to the invention can be easily operated by the sole means of the outer ring (4), the tightening of which is then more or less accentuated.

 It is obvious that the winch will preferably be provided with an internal reversible self-locking element.

 The vertical adjustable column with telescopic tubular elements may comprise N elements, each of which can receive a winch as above. Under these conditions, each of the winches will advantageously be motorized and likewise the associated self-locking devices.

 For the rest of the organs of the device thus described, the respective functions are sufficiently explicit and in common use to dispense with additional explanatory comments.

 As can be understood, with reference to the illustrative figures, the tubular elements constituting the telescopic column have been described as being circular.

<Desc / Clms Page number 11>

Cependant on ne sortirait pas du cadre de la présente invention si l'on venait à utiliser des éléments tubulaires à section carré ou rectangulaire. La seule modification étant alors de prévoir d'employer des segments circulaires pour remplacer les anneaux (18) et (19) des bagues externes.

However, it would not go beyond the scope of the present invention if one were to use tubular elements with square or rectangular section. The only modification then being to provide for the use of circular segments to replace the rings (18) and (19) of the outer rings.

Claims (11)

1 Device with telescopic tubular elements intended to support an object in space, characterized in that: the telescopic tubular elements (1,2, 6) are assembled by external rings (4,17); it is supported vertically and removably by a base (6,6bis); an outer ring (3) located at its end holds an adapter (12); to constitute together an adjustable vertical column capable of supporting a specific support holding an object in space such as for example a surface to be painted.  2 adjustable vertical column according to claim 1, characterized in that: the tubular elements (1,2, 6,) which compose it are associated with each other by externally arranged rings (4, 17), which comprise a means of external adjustment (5) for gradually adjusting the tightening of said rings and thus allowing said tubular elements to slide or to be immobilized relative to each other.  3 vertical adjustable column according to claims 1,2, characterized in that: the external assembly / tightening rings (4,16, 17,) consist of identical elements, such as: a clamp, V-shaped wedges 90 (20) which are clipped onto said collar and pressure rings (18) and (19).  4 adjustable vertical column, according to claims 1,2, 3, characterized in that: each tubular element (1,2, 6), which constitutes it, is shaped at its end in the form of a beaten collar, on which s support the pressure rings (18), (19), when tightening the ring.  5 adjustable vertical column according to claims 1,2, 3,4, characterized in that: it is associated with the head (14) of a tripod (15), serving as a base, by means of external rings (4) and (16) framing the said head, to form the base of a field easel.  6 adjustable vertical column according to claims 1,2, 3,4, characterized in that: the tubular element (1) is removably attached to a base (6), (6bis), to thereby form the basis of a course easel.  7 vertical adjustable column according to claims 1, 2,3, 4, characterized in that: <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  the tubular element (1) is equipped at its top with a winch (16 bis) held by external rings (4) and (16) which frame it, the said winch maneuvering the tubular element (2) by the by means of an identical synchronized double winching guaranteeing the safety of the maneuvers, to constitute together the base of a workshop easel.  8 vertical adjustable column according to claims 1,2, 3,4, 7, characterized in that: the column comprises N elements of which Nl are equipped with a winch (16bis), advantageously motorized, to constitute an adjustable mast at distance.  9 adjustable vertical column according to claims 1,5, 6, characterized in that: the end of the elementary tube (2) carries an outer ring (3) to hold a removable adapter (12) capable of supporting organs varied, as in particular a specific support (7,8, 10) holding a surface to be painted.  10 adjustable vertical column according to claims 1,5, 6,9, characterized in that: it is installed on a tripod (14,15) and provided with a specific support (7,8,10) foldable, l tripod / support assembly which can be folded back on itself.  11 Adjustable vertical column, according to claims 1,2, 3,4, 7,8, characterized in that: a self-locking device (44,45, 46) is located on the outer ring (4) associated with the element tubular (2) to constitute a security element. Such an auto-blocker can be motorized if it was associated with one or more motorized winches.