Surface Treatment Device

Abstract

A device for the treatment of a surface, such as a flat and/or curved surface, the device including at least one surface treatment tool mounted onto a secondary motorized carriage capable of moving along a rail between two primary carriages that can move along tubes, preferably parallel, straight or curved. The primary carriages are mounted onto the rail, on the one hand, in such a way as to rotate around an axle that is orthogonal to the rail and, on the other hand, in such a way as to slide along the rail.

Claims

1. A surface treating device, said device comprising at least one surface treatment tool mounted on a secondary motorized carriage capable of moving along a rail between two primary carriages that can move along tubes, characterized in that the primary carriages are mounted on the rail in such a way as to rotate around an axle that is orthogonal to said rail and in such a way as to slide along said rail.

2. The surface treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that each primary carriage contains a roller mounted pivotally in relation to the axle integral with said primary carriage and extending within a longitudinal guide formed with the rail.

3. The surface treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary carriages are motorized and comprise drive mechanisms capable of resting on the tubes, and rolling along said tubes in order to move said primary carriages.

4. The surface treating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive mechanisms consist of a track extending between two sprockets.

5. The surface treating device according to claim 4, characterized in that the drive mechanisms contain at least one roller held against an inner wall of the track by a spring in order to tension the track.

6. The surface treating device according to claim 4, characterized in that each track has a flat inner wall and an outer wall with a concave cross-section in order to accommodate a diameter of the tube.

7. The surface treating device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the sprockets is driven in rotation by a motor.

8. The surface treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that each primary carriage consists of at least two boxes extending in parallel to one another and connected by a spacer, one of the boxes being hinged onto the rail and each box containing a drive mechanism, at least one of which is motorized.

9. The surface treating device according to o claim 1, characterized in that said tool consists of a hydroblasting head.

10. The surface treating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the hydroblasting head comprises a cylindrical housing within which extends a rotating nozzle with holes, said nozzle being fed with water under high pressure by way of a flexible pipe so as to form jets at the outlet of the holes.

11. The surface treating device according to claim 10, characterized in that the lower edge of the housing comprises a brush that ensures a seal when the hydroblasting head is pressed against the surface to be treated.

12. The surface treating device according to claim 10, characterized in that said hydroblasting head contains suction pipes connected to a suction source and leading into the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0038] Further advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of several alternative embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, of the surface treatment device according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of a motorized primary carriage of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective forward view of the motorized primary carriage of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0042] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the motorized primary carriage of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0043] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the motorized primary carriage of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0044] FIG. 6 is a side view of the motorized primary carriage of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0045] FIG. 7 is a cutaway top view of the motorized primary carriage of the surface treatment device according to the invention,

[0046] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the surface treatment device arranged diagonally for the treatment of surfaces that are difficult to access such as a staircase, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] For clarity, in the following description, the same elements have been designated with the same reference numerals in the various figures. Furthermore, the views are not necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, the device according to the invention is specifically intended for the removal of asbestos; however, it is quite obvious that the device according to the invention can find many applications in the treatment of surfaces containing toxic products without departing from the scope of the invention. In a non-limiting way, said toxic products may consist of lead (Pb), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are present in many products with many applications such as floor and ceiling coatings, wall coverings (paint, insulation, etc.), road surfaces, asphalt adhesives, vapor barriers, sealing materials, treatment plant walls, water tower walls, etc.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 1, the surface treatment device according to the invention consists of a tool (1) mounted onto a carriage (2) known as the secondary carriage, motorized, and capable of moving along a rail (3) between two carriages known as primary carriages (4), motorized, connected to said rail (3) and in contact with two tubes (22).

[0049] The tubes (22) extend, preferably, in parallel to each other and can be straight or curved to suit the surface to be treated. The section of the tubes (22) is preferably circular.

[0050] The secondary carriage (2) has a hydraulic motor (5) containing drive means, such as a roller or similar, engaging with the rail (3) in order to allow the movement of said secondary carriage (2) along the rail (3). In this specific embodiment, said rail (3) consists of a tube with cross-section profile in the shape of a hexagon; it is however obvious that the rail (3) can have any shape without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0051] Preferably, said tool (1) consists of a hydroblasting head. Said hydroblasting head consists of a housing (6) which is substantially cylindrical within which extends a rotating nozzle provided with holes. The nozzle is supplied by water under high pressure through a flexible pipe connected to a high pressure set, not shown in FIG. 1, thereby forming jets at the outlet of said holes. Advantageously, the lower edge of the housing (6) has a brush (7) that ensures a seal when the hydroblasting head is pressed against the surface to be treated. Moreover, said hydroblasting head contains suction pipes connected to a suction source, not shown in FIG. 1, and leading into the housing (6).

[0052] Said high pressure set feeding the hydroblasting head delivers a pressure of 600 to 3,000 bars with a water flow of 4 to 28 L/min. Said high pressure set may consist of a high pressure set marketed by RIVARD under the name AQUAJET.

[0053] It is clear that the high pressure set can consist of any high pressure set known to the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0054] Furthermore, said hydroblasting head may, for example, consist of a hydroblasting head marketed by HAMMELMANN under the name AQUABLAST-MORE, for example.

[0055] It is clear that the number of holes and their orientation will notably depend upon the pressure provided by the high pressure set and the nature of the surface to be treated, and that a person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in determining the number of holes and their orientations. In addition, it is clear that the tool (1) may consist of any hydroblasting head or any other tool such as a sander, a planer or similar, well-known to a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, each primary carriage (4) includes a roller (7) articulated around an axle (8) integral with said primary carriage (4). The roller (7) extends within a guide (9) of the rail (3) such as to allow for the sliding of the primary carriage (4) along the rail (3). Furthermore, each primary carriage (4) can be rotated in relation to the rail (3) carrying the tool, particularly around the axle (8). In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the roller (7) and the axle (8) are mounted onto the primary carriage (4) with the capacity of sliding along a rod (23) integral with the primary carriage (4), and oriented in parallel to the tubes (22). In this way, the primary carriage (4) can move in relation to the rail (3), for example in a plane transverse to said rail (3) along said rod (23).

[0057] From the foregoing, given that the primary carriages (4) are mounted so as to rotate in relation to the rail (3), and can be moved along it, said primary carriages (4) may move independently along the tubes (22) and be positioned at different heights. It follows, and with reference to FIG. 8, that the rail (3) carrying the tool may be arranged diagonally, particularly in order to treat areas that are difficult to access, such as surfaces beneath stairs, for example.

[0058] Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, each primary carriage (4) consists of two rectangular boxes (10) open on one of their sides, extending in parallel to the right of one other, and connected by spacer means (11). One of the boxes (10) carries the roller (7) capable of sliding within the guide (9) of the rail (9), and each box (10) contains drive means, at least one of which is motorized as will be detailed further on.

[0059] The drive means (11) consist, for example, of threaded rods (12), wherein a first end is hinged at one of the walls of the first box (10) and the other end is fitted with a knob (13) that is designed to rest on a bracket (14) integral with the second box (10). Said drive means consist of a track (15) extending between two sprockets (16), consisting, for example, of toothed cylindrical components, and are mounted such that they can freely rotate between the front and rear walls of said box (10). Moreover, said drive means contain, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, at least one roller (17) mounted on a spring (18) in order to tension the track (15). Preferably, each track (15) consists of a soft rubber or elastomer track and presents a flat inner wall and an outer wall of concave cross-section with a curvature radius that is roughly equal to the curvature radius of the tube (22). Moreover, one of the sprockets (16) is driven in rotation by a motor (19), preferably hydraulic, integral with the box (10).

[0060] Secondarily, each box (10) comprises a handle (20) to facilitate the spacing of the boxes (10) particularly for maintenance.

[0061] Moreover, the side walls of each box (10) have a semicircular notch (21) to allow for the passage of the tube (22) which extends between the two tracks (15) of the two boxes (10) forming the primary carriage (4). Said tracks (15) are supported on said tube (22) and the pressure of said tracks (15) on said tube (22) is adjusted by operating the spacer means (11). The movement of the tracks (15) along the tubes (22) is rapid and secure. The fact that the tracks (15) are always in contact with the tubes (22) and that the spacer means (11) allow for the adjustment of the pressure of said tracks (15) on the tubes (22) ensures the continuous, rapid and secure movement of the device according to the invention along the tubes (22), in particular removing the risk of sliding.

[0062] It should be noted that the hydraulic motors (5, 19) will be powered, preferably, by the high-pressure set that feeds the hydroblasting head that constitutes the tool (1) or by a second high-pressure set, with said motors (5, 19) being controlled remotely by any suitable means well known to those skilled in the art.

[0063] Thus, it is well understood that a worker can operate the device remotely in order to prevent the inhalation of any toxic products when the tool is in operation.

[0064] The device allows for the rapid removal of said products in complete safety for workers and the environment.

[0065] Lastly, it is clear that the examples that have just been given are only specific illustrations and by no means limiting as concerns the scope of the invention.