Technical Field

The present invention relates to a piece of equipment for the laying of ceramic articles, particularly large-format tiles.

Background Art

In recent years, the use has gradually increased, to cover both floors and walls, of large-format ceramic tiles, e.g., of the 150x300 cm type or even larger.

These tiles, despite their strong aesthetic impact, are particularly difficult both to handle and lay.

It is in fact easy to appreciate just how difficult it is to handle these tiles which, besides being particularly cumbersome are also very heavy, inside installation environments, making them, e.g., pass through doors, overcome the architectural obstacles present or carrying them from one floor to another of a building.

The disproportion between the two main dimensions, length and width, compared to the third dimension, the thickness, makes them extremely fragile and therefore subject to easy breakages in case of knocks, localized pressures or other mechanical stress.

To date, these large-format tiles are handled and laid manually.

More in particular, each tile is carried by at least two people, who must logically move inside the environments, being careful to prevent the tile being knocked or chipped.

As will straight away be appreciated, the method of moving and laying large- format ceramic tiles has a number of drawbacks.

It first of all requires a large number of personnel and a lot of time, with consequently higher costs of installation.

In the case of big surface areas it is in fact necessary to involve a large number of operators in order to reduce installation times.

Furthermore, as has already been said above, the movement of these tiles is particularly complicated due to their dimensions and their weight, and frequent breakages occur or damage to the tiles themselves. Logically, this involves considerable economic expenditure, due to the high cost of each tile, as well as a lot of time, because of course a new tile has to be recovered which has to again be moved and laid.

Yet another drawback concerns the physical safety of the operators who actually do the movement and laying who, besides the physical stress due to the effort required to transport the tiles, could be hit by the fragments produced as a result of their accidental breakage. The breakage of these tiles does in fact cause the formation of a series of fragments, which are forcefully propelled into the surrounding space, with consequent risk for the safety of anyone in the vicinity. Also particularly difficult is the transport of the tiles from one floor to another, because the operators have to climb the stairs and handle the tiles in confined spaces all at the same time.

Not least of the drawbacks is that the laying of these tiles is particularly difficult because, generally speaking, it is not possible to release the tiles at the point of installation, but rather almost always they have to be rested on the floor and, afterwards, dragged as far as the required area.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a piece of equipment which allows significantly facilitating, with respect to the method used to date, the movement and laying operations of the ceramic articles, particularly large- format tiles.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to reduce both the staff and the time required for the movement and laying of this type of tile, thus also reducing the costs associated with these operations.

Another object of the present invention is to significantly reduce the risk of breakages or damage during movement and, consequently, the costs for their replacement.

Yet another object is to provide a piece of equipment which allows the staff to work in safer conditions, thus reducing the risk of accidents at work.

Not the last object of the present invention is to allow, or at least facilitate, the direct positioning of the tiles at the desired point of application, thereby reducing the manual effort required by the operators and the time needed for the final laying.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a piece of equipment for the movement and laying of ceramic articles, particularly large-format tiles, which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present equipment for the movement and laying of ceramic articles, particularly large-format tiles, having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a piece of equipment for the movement and laying of ceramic articles, particularly large-format tiles, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non- limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a piece of equipment according to the invention, in a first embodiment, in two configurations of use;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the equipment of Figure 1 in a third configuration of use;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the gripping means of the equipment of Figure 1 with the displacement means separated from the attachment body;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the equipment of Figure 1 with the displacement means separated from the attachment body in a fourth configuration of use;

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the equipment of Figure 4 in a fifth configuration of use;

Figure 6 is a section of the gripping means of the equipment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a first section of the displacement means of the equipment of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a second section of the displacement means of the equipment of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a detail of the gripping means of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the gripping means of Figure 6; Figure 11 is a side elevation view of a piece of equipment according to the invention, in a second embodiment, in two configurations of use;

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the gripping means of the equipment of Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a side elevation view of the gripping means of the equipment of Figure 11 with the displacement means separated from the attachment body. Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these illustrations, globally indicated with reference numeral 1 is a piece of equipment for the movement and laying of ceramic articles, particularly large-format tiles, e.g. of the 150x300 cm type or larger. According to the invention, the equipment 1 comprises a base frame 2, movement means 3 of the frame 2 on a support plane P, at least an articulated arm 4 associated with the frame 2 and gripping means 5 of at least a ceramic article M connected to the articulated arm 4. The gripping means 5 comprise at least a support element 6 of the ceramic article M.

The articulated arm 4 is movable relative to the frame 2 to allow for the laying of the article itself on at least a laying surface.

Advantageously, the equipment 1 comprises stabilization means 28, which are associated movable with the frame 2 between a home position and a work position to increase the stability of the frame itself. More in detail, the stabilization means 28 comprise a bar element 28a hinged to the frame 2 and movable between the home position and the work position by means of a fluid operated cylinder 28b. The bar element 28a is arranged substantially parallel to the support plane P in the work position, while it is raised relative to this in the home position.

Suitably, the stabilization means 28 also comprise a platform 28c associated with the frame 2 on the opposite side relative to the bar element 28a and this too movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In particular, in the lowered position, the platform 28c is adapted to receive weights, such as the operator him/herself, to balance the overhang of the articulated arm 4.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the support element 6 is provided with a plurality of suction-cups 7 adapted to contact the ceramic article M, as well as with one or more handles, not shown in detail in the illustrations, for the manual movement of same.

Preferably, the movement means 3 are of the motor-driven track type, adapted to allow the displacement of the frame 2 along any direction of the support plane P as well as to move along sloped surfaces or flights of stairs. Alternative embodiments of the movement means 3 cannot however be ruled out of a type different to the tracks and known to the technician in the sector, such as wheels or the like.

Suitably, the support element 6 has at least three degrees of freedom.

More in particular, the articulated arm 4 comprises a first arm 4a hinged to the frame 2 and on which acts a first fluid operated cylinder 8 having the body 8a hinged to the first arm itself and the piston 8b hinged to the frame 2 or vice versa, a second arm 4b hinged to the first arm 4a and on which acts a second fluid operated cylinder 9 having the body 9a hinged to the first arm itself and the piston 9b hinged to the second arm 4b or vice versa, where the second arm 4b is connected to the gripping means 5. A third fluid operated cylinder 10 is also provided having the body 10a hinged to the second arm 4b and the piston 10b hinged to the gripping means 5.

Advantageously, the support element 6 is movable in rotation around a first axis X relative to the articulated arm 4. More in detail, the support element 6 is movable in rotation around the first axis X relative to the second arm 4b.

The articulated arm 4 is in turn movable in rotation relative to the frame 2 around a second axis Y. As can be seen from the figures, the second axis Y is arranged substantially vertical.

Preferably, the support element 6 is also movable in translation along a first direction, identified in the illustrations by the double arrow 11 , relative to the articulated arm 4.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first axis X is transverse to the first direction 11.

The gripping means 5 then comprise displacement means 12 for displacing the support element 6 along the first direction 11.

The displacement means 12 comprise at least a fixed portion 12a, connected to the articulated arm 4, in particular to the second arm 4b, and at least a movable portion 12b, connected to the support element 6 and slidably associated with the fixed portion 12a along the first direction 11.

More in particular, the fixed portion 12a is mechanically connected, in a direct way or by interposition of other elements, to the articulated arm 4, and the movable portion 12b is in turn connected to the fixed portion 12a by interposition of actuator means 13.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuator means 13 comprise at least a double- acting cylinder interposed between the fixed portion 12a and the movable portion 12b, extending along the first direction 11.

The displacement means 12 are shown in detail in the figures 7 and 8.

In particular, the figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of the double-acting cylinder 13, from which it can be seen that the fixed portion 12a defines the body 13a of the cylinder and that the piston 13b, the rod of which protrudes from both the axial extremities of the body 13a and defines two chambers 14 inside it, is associated integral with the movable portion 12b.

The figure 8 shows guide means 15 for guiding the sliding of the piston 13b relative to the body 13a along the first direction 11. In detail, the guide means 15 comprise at least a bar 15a locked together with the movable portion 12b, which is inserted sliding inside a guide body 15b defined by the fixed portion 12a.

Suitably, the support element 6 is locked in translation together with the movable portion 12b along the first direction 11 and is movable in rotation relative to it around the first axis X.

Preferably, the movable portion 12b supports an outer cylindrical element 26 inside which an inner cylindrical element 27 locked together with the support element 6 is inserted revolving around the first axis X.

The equipment 1 also comprises removable locking means 16 of the angular position of the support element 6 relative to the movable portion 12b.

In the particular, yet not exclusive, embodiment shown in the figures, the locking means 16 comprise at least a through hole 16a defined on the lateral surface of the outer cylindrical element 26, and a plurality of through openings 16b, angularly spaced apart from one another, defined on the lateral surface of the inner cylindrical element 27, and at least a locking element 16c insertable in a removable manner inside of the hole 16a and of one of the openings 16b, as a result of their alignment, to prevent the relative movement of the cylindrical elements 26 and 27.

Suitably, the locking means 16 also comprise at least a release element 16d, of the type of a lever associated with the locking element 16c and manually operable, in contrast to elastic means 16e, to remove it from the relevant opening 16b in order to permit the rotation of the inner cylindrical element 27 relative to the outer cylindrical element 26.

Preferably, the gripping means 5 comprise an attachment body 17 associated with the articulated arm 4 and the support element 6 is associated in a removable manner with such attachment body 17. Between the support element 6 and the attachment body 17 is positioned a connecting element 18, which is designed to move the support element 6 relative to the attachment body itself. In particular, the displacement means 12 are locked together with the support element 6 in its displacement relative to the attachment body 17. The connecting element 18 is e.g. of the type of a flexible and winding cable.

Suitably, the attachment body 17 is hinged to the second arm 4b, directly in the first embodiment and by means of an appendix 30 in the second embodiment, around an axis S.

In the first embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 5, the connecting element 18 is associated on one side with the fixed portion 12a and on the other side with the articulated arm 4, while in the second embodiment shown in Figure 11 the connecting element 18 is associated on one side with the attachment body 17 and on the other side with the fixed portion 12a. In the second embodiment, winding/unwinding means 31 are provided for winding/unwinding the connecting element 18 associated with the attachment body 17.

In the preferred embodiments shown in the illustrations, both the fixed portion 12a and the support element 6 have at least an anchoring element 19, e.g., of the type of a slot or a pin, for anchoring the flexible cable 18. This way, the operator can decide, depending on the specific requirements of the case, to connect the flexible cable 18 either to the fixed portion 12a or directly to the support element 6, thereby obtaining two different operating configurations, as shown in figures 4 and 5.

Advantageously, the gripping means 5 are movable in rotation relative to the articulated arm 4 around at least a further axis Z transverse to the first axis X. In the second embodiment shown in the Figures from 11 to 13, the attachment body 17 is associated movable in rotation relative to the articulated arm around a further axis Z. Suitably, the further axis Z is arranged transverse to the axis S. More in detail, actuation means 22 are provided for actuating the rotation of the attachment body 17 around a further axis Z. In the embodiment shown in the Figures from 11 to 13, the actuation means 22 comprise at least a piston 22a, which is supported in translation by the articulated arm 4, and a shaft 22b, which is kinematically connected to the piston 22a and is locked together with the attachment body 17. In particular, the translation of the piston 22a causes the rotation of the shaft 22b around the further axis Z. The kinematic coupling between the piston 22a and the shaft 22b is, e.g., of the piston-rack type.

By effect of the operation of the piston 22a, e.g. by means of the relative motor means, the attachment body 17 can therefore turn, in both directions, around the further axis Z of rotation.

The attachment body 17 is provided with positioning means 20 of the displacement means 12. More particularly, the positioning means 20 are of the type of a guiding device 20a adapted to receive a corresponding protrusion 20b defined on the fixed portion 12a.

Suitably, the equipment 1 is provided with winding means for winding the flexible cable 18, not visible in the figures.

The gripping means 5 also comprise fastening/release means 21 for fastening/releasing the displacement means 12 to/from the attachment body 17. More in detail, the fastening/release means 21 are of the type of a lever 21a, arranged on the fixed portion 12a, which is movable between a fastening position, in which it engages with a corresponding slot 21b defined on the attachment body 17 to prevent its reciprocal movement, and a release position, in which it is disengaged from the above slot to allow the movement of the displacement means 12 relative to the attachment body 17.

The operation of the present invention is the following.

Once the equipment 1 has moved closer to the ceramic article M to be moved, the articulated arm 4 operates in such a way as to bring the support element 6 to the article itself and, more in particular, so as to bring the suction-cups 7 into contact with it.

Subsequently, the articulated arm 4 is again moved to carry out the lifting of the ceramic article M.

Depending on the path to be followed, and therefore on the obstacles to be overcome, the operator intervenes on the articulated arm 4 and on the gripping means 5 so as to position the ceramic article M in the most suitable position. In particular, the operator can decide whether to maintain the ceramic article M in a parallel position relative to the support plane P, e.g., in the case of the support plane P corresponding to the laying plane, or in a vertical position, e.g., in the case of having to pass through confined spaces or doors.

In the case of the ceramic article M having to be transported from one floor to another, the operator can, once the equipment 1 has reached the floor of destination, release the displacement means 12 from the attachment body 17 in such a way as to lower the support element 6 down to the floor on which the article to be moved is located and, afterwards, rewind the flexible cable 18. In this operating condition, it is best to anchor the flexible cable 18 to the support element 6, in such a way that the latter takes, during lifting, a substantially vertical lying position.

The laying of the ceramic article M can then be performed by operating the articulated arm 4 until this is brought to the desired laying area, moving it, if necessary, both in translation along the first direction 11 and in rotation around the first axis X, or else releasing the displacement means 12 from the attachment body 17 and then manually moving the support element 6 by means of the flexible cable 18 until this is brought to the laying area.

It has in practice been ascertained how the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the equipment forming the subject of the present invention permits moving and laying the ceramic articles, such as large-format tiles, in an easy and practical way.

In particular, the equipment according to the invention permits mechanically moving the ceramic articles both thanks to the displacement of the frame and to the movement of the support element. By means of the movement of the articulated arm and by means of the displacement of the support element relative to the articulated arm itself, it is in fact possible to move the article along any direction in space, thereby making it possible to adjust its position at will and placing it in the position best suited to the path to be followed or the surface to be covered.