Device providing assistance in the working of mechanical parts, including a guide track comprising multiple components

Abstract

A device providing assistance in working of mechanical components, such as pipes, including a flange including parts assembled together such that they can pivot to occupy a closed position in which they are joined to one another. A clamping device can be actuated when the flange is closed. The flange also includes supporting elements used to connect rails to the parts with limited relative movement therebetween. Adjacent end faces of the rails include corresponding surfaces that are shaped to co-operate and establish a connection as the flange moves into the closed position. Each connection: guides the end faces in relation to one another and into a working position in which the rails form a guide track for the tools, and assists in maintaining the position when the clamping device is actuated.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A device for assisting with working of mechanical parts, comprising:
 a flange including at least two parts joined together with an ability to move relative to one another in a common plane, up to a closed position of the flange in which the parts are joined together;   a locking device that can be actuated in the closed position of the flange to bring the parts into mutual abutment;   at least two rails;   a set of resilient supports by which each rail is connected to at least one respective part of the flange with limited scope for relative movement;   wherein adjacent end faces of the two rails includes mating surfaces forming a connection by positive locking, the connection being active in a vicinity of the closed position; and   each connection is configured to guide the adjacent end faces relative to one another in a movement relative to the parts, to a working position in which the rails form a guide path for one or more tools, to help keep these rails in mutual abutment, in the working position, when the locking device is actuated.   
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein the mating surfaces comprise two complementary surfaces coming into mutual abutment in the working position. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein each rail includes one or more guide surfaces and the connection comprises an arrangement configured to ensure continuity of the guide surfaces in the working position. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the arrangement comprises at least one tongue projecting from an end face of a rail and a groove provided in the adjacent end face of a neighbouring rail, the tongue and the groove both being of appropriate dimensions to fit into one another close to a position of closure of the flange. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the tongue includes a portion whose cross-section becomes progressively narrower towards its free end. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the arrangement comprises at least one stud projecting from an end face of a rail and at least one recess formed in the adjacent end face of a neighbouring rail, the stud and the recess both being of appropriate dimensions to fit into one another close to a position of closure of the flange. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the stud is at least partly hemispherical or cylindrical in configuration. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a set of resilient parts intercalated between the supports and their respective rails, in which the resilient parts are deformed on actuation of the locking device and are arranged so that this deformation generates a contact pressure between the end surfaces of the rails at a predefined minimum level. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the resilient parts are arranged so that displacement of the rails relative to the parts of the flange takes place, at least in the vicinity of the closed position, with deformation of at least some of the resilient parts. 
     
     
         23 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the resilient parts are configured to each work with shear forces when the locking device is actuated. 
     
     
         24 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein at least some of the resilient parts are in a form of a cylinder made of resilient material, and each cylinder is attached to one of the supports and to a rail and/or a part of the flange. 
     
     
         25 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein the flange is in a form of a flat crown. 
     
     
         26 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein the guide path is of annular configuration.