Mechanical spreader

Abstract

A mechanical spreader along a spreading axis, characterized in that it comprises a support (1) and two spreading plates (2), each spreading plate (2) comprising at least one bevel (3), and in that it also comprises a central rod (4) able to slide in said support (1) between the two spreading plates (2), said central rod (4) comprising a plurality of bevels (5) having a profile complementary to the bevels (3) of said spreading plates (2), the bevels (5) of said central rod (4) being in contact with the bevels (3) of said spreading plates (2), said spreader also comprising return means able to exert a return force on the spreading plates (2), means for pushing the central rod (4) and means for immobilizing the spreading plates (2) in planes perpendicular to said spreading axis.

Claims

1. A mechanical spreader along a spreading axis (10), characterized in that it comprises a support (1) and two spreading plates (2), each spreading plate (2) comprising at least one bevel (3), and in that it also comprises a central rod (4) able to slide in said support (1) between the two spreading plates (2), said central rod (4) comprising a plurality of bevels (5) having a profile complementary to the bevels (3) of said spreading plates (2), the bevels (5) of said central rod (4) being in contact with the bevels (3) of said spreading plates (2), said spreader also comprising return means able to exert a return force on the spreading plates (2), means for actuating the translation of the central rod (4) and means for immobilizing the spreading plates (2) in planes perpendicular to said spreading axis.

2. The spreader according to claim 1, characterized in that each spreading plate (2) comprises at least two bevels (3).

3. The spreader according to claim 1, characterized in that said return means comprise springs connecting the two spreading plates (2), said springs traversing passages (6) machined in said support (1).

4. The spreader according to claim 1, characterized in that said support comprises a hollow head (7) comprising side openings (9), said spreading plates (2) being inserted into said side openings (9).

5. The spreader according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for immobilizing the spreading plates comprise protrusions (8) around said side openings (9).

6. The spreader according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow head (7) comprises a front opening (9) allowing the passage of said central rod (4).

7. The spreader according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for actuating the translation of the central rod (4) comprise a hydraulic jack system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) These aspects, as well as other aspects of the invention, will be clarified in the detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings of the figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view of the spreader according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a first sectional view of the spreader according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a second sectional view of the spreader according to the invention;

(5) The figures are not drawn to scale. Generally, similar elements are denoted by similar references in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 therefore shows one embodiment of the spreader according to the invention that can be used for example to straighten the longeron of a vehicle along a spreading axis 10. The spreader comprises a support 1 and two spreading plates 2. The support 1 comprises a hollow head 7 comprising side openings 9, said spreading plates 2 being inserted into said side openings 9. The support 1 also comprises a cylinder 11 in which the central rod and the means for actuating the translation thereof are located. The spreading plates 2 comprise removable layers 12 attached using fastening means 13. In this way, the initial spacing between the spreading plates can be adjusted based on dimensions of the longeron to be straightened. The spreader also comprises a front opening 9 allowing the passage of the central rod. The spreader further comprises protrusions 8 around said side openings 9 that serve as means for immobilizing the spreading plates 2 in planes perpendicular to said spreading axis 10. The spreading plates must in fact only be able to move in the direction of the spreading axis 10 and not be mobile in the other spatial directions.

(7) FIG. 2 shows a first sectional view of the spreader according to the invention. This view shows the bevels 5 of the central rod 4, as well as the passages 6 machined in the support 1 that are traversed by springs connecting the two spreading plates 2. These springs therefore serve as return means on the spreading plates so that they remain secured to the support.

(8) FIG. 3 shows another sectional view of the spreader according to the invention. In this view, one can see that the spreader is in the initial position, i.e., before spreading. The bevels 5 of the central rod 4 and the bevels of the spreading plates 2 are in fact completely in contact with one another. The spreading of the plates 2 will occur during the sliding of the central rod 4 toward the front opening 9 in the support 1. As the central rod 4 slides forward, the plates 2 will separate, while the contact area between the bevels 5 of the central rod 4 and the bevels 3 of the separating plates 2 will decrease. In this FIG. 3, the passages 6 are also clearly visible that are intended to receive the springs connecting the spreading plates to one another in order to exert a return force on the latter.

(9) It will appear obvious for one skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and described above. The invention comprises each of the new features and the combinations thereof. The presence of reference numbers cannot be considered limiting. The use of the term comprise may not in any manner preclude the presence of elements other than those that are mentioned. The use of the definite article a to introduce an element does not preclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. The present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and must not be considered limiting.