ADJUSTABLE LUGGAGE RACKS AND SUITABLE VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a luggage rack for a vehicle, in particular for a railway vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising such a luggage rack.

[0003] It is common to equip passenger transport vehicles with luggage racks, designed to accommodate luggage that is too bulky to be stored under the seats.

[0004] These luggage racks are generally located in passenger cabins, for example near the access doors. They consist, for example, of several stacked support elements, sized to hold one or more standard pieces of luggage, for example of the type known as a luggage rack.

[0005] However, these luggage racks can still be improved. Indeed, it is sometimes impossible to install luggage of non-standard dimensions, particularly very long or very tall items, such as skis or interior decoration objects.

[0006] A vehicle luggage rack, for example, is known from document ES 2 433 114 A2. A vehicle shelf, for example, is known from document US 2013 / 307285.

[0007] Document WO 2015 / 112579 A1 discloses a luggage rack according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] One aim of the invention is therefore to provide a luggage rack that allows luggage of unusual dimensions to be stored, while maintaining the usual ergonomic and safety standards of passenger transport.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a luggage rack for a vehicle according to claim 1.

[0010] Such a luggage rack allows the heights of the support elements to be adapted to luggage of unusual dimensions, without unduly cluttering the space when it is not necessary.

[0011] According to particular embodiments, the luggage rack according to the invention has one or more of the characteristics of claims 2 to 7.

[0012] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, according to claim 8.

[0013] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic side view of a luggage rack according to the invention; and [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the luggage rack of the figure 1 .

[0014] A luggage rack 10 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention is shown on the figure 1 .

[0015] The luggage rack 10 is fitted to a vehicle 12, partially visible on the figure 1 .

[0016] The following description refers to a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y, and an elevation direction Z, as shown in the figures. The longitudinal direction X extends along the direction of travel of vehicle 12 during normal operation. The elevation direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and extends along the height of vehicle 12. The transverse direction Y is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the elevation direction Z and extends along the width of vehicle 12.

[0017] The terms "substantially parallel", "substantially along" and "substantially perpendicular" are understood respectively as "parallel", "along" and "perpendicular" with an angular error margin of less than or equal to 10°, preferably less than 5°.

[0018] The term "substantially equal" means "equal" with a margin of error less than or equal to 10% of the nominal value, preferably less than or equal to 5%.

[0019] Vehicle 12 is, for example, a railway vehicle, particularly a medium- or high-speed train, or an urban or suburban transport vehicle such as a tram or metro. Alternatively, vehicle 12 is a road transport vehicle, such as a coach or bus, or a maritime transport vehicle.

[0020] Vehicle 12 is intended to transport passengers, and includes at least one cabin 14 capable of accommodating passengers and their luggage.

[0021] Luggage rack 10 is specifically designed to support luggage whose dimensions do not allow it to be stored under the seats or in any luggage racks located above said seats.

[0022] The luggage rack 10 includes a load-bearing structure 16 and at least one support element 18, for example two support elements 18, each intended to support at least one piece of luggage 20.

[0023] The load-bearing structure 16 includes a plurality of receiving zones, to receive each support element 18 in a plurality of possible positions, the support element 18 being arranged, in each of the positions, at a respective different height h, measured along an elevation direction Z from a floor 21 of the vehicle 12.

[0024] The load-bearing structure 16 includes, for example, at least one upright 22 extending substantially along the elevation direction Z and at least one rack 24, preferably permanently fixed to a wall 25 of the vehicle 12.

[0025] For example, the load-bearing structure 16 includes two uprights 22 and a rack 24.

[0026] Alternatively, the load-bearing structure 16 includes two or more racks 24 extending parallel to each other along the wall 25, for example three racks 24.

[0027] Each upright 22 extends for example away from the wall 25, and has a plurality of locking holes 26 respectively spaced along the elevation direction Z, corresponding to the receiving positions of the or each support element 18.

[0028] Each rack 24 defines a plurality of housings 28 respectively spaced according to the elevation direction Z, corresponding to the receiving positions of each support element 18.

[0029] For example, the rack 24 comprises a plurality of bars 32 extending substantially along the longitudinal direction X, regularly spaced along the elevation direction Z, defining between them the housings 28.

[0030] Thus, the housings 28 and the blocking orifices 26 define the reception positions of the support elements 18 by the load-bearing structure 16, which are for example regularly spaced according to the elevation direction Z.

[0031] Each support element 18 includes a frame 34 which defines a respective extent plane P of the support element 18, as well as a carrying member 36 fixed to the frame 34 and supporting the baggage or luggage 20. The extent plane P is substantially orthogonal to the elevation direction Z.

[0032] Each support element 18 also includes at least one fixing device 30 for the support element 18 to the load-bearing structure 16, in particular suitable for fixing the support element 18 to the rack 24 in one of the positions.

[0033] The frame 34 is designed to allow the manipulation of the support element 18 and its attachment to the load-bearing structure 16.

[0034] Frame 34, for example, is formed by a metal tube bent to present a roughly rectangular shape.

[0035] The carrying member 36 is arranged to support the luggage 20 placed on the support element 18.

[0036] The carrying member 36 comprises, for example, a plurality of metal cross members 38 extending between opposite edges 40 of the frame, in two directions orthogonal to each other.

[0037] The carrying member 36 extends for example below the extent plane P of the frame, relative to the elevation direction Z, so as to form a receptacle for the luggage 20.

[0038] According to an unrepresented variant, the carrying member 36 extends in the extent plane P.

[0039] According to another variant, the crossbeams 38 of the carrying member 36 extend parallel to each other between the edges 40 of the frame 34, in a single direction.

[0040] According to another variant, the carrying member 36 does not include cross members 38 but at least one support strip stretched between two opposite edges 40 of the frame 34, in the extent plane P.

[0041] Each fastening member 30 is suitable for fixing the support element 18 to the rack in a position chosen from the plurality of positions of the support element 18.

[0042] Each fixing member 30 is a rod extending from the frame 34 parallel to the plane of extension P. The rod is adapted to be arranged in one of the housings 28 of the rack 24 so as to fix the support element 18 in one of the positions.

[0043] According to one embodiment, a distal end of the rod has a hook curved downwards in the elevation direction Z, arranged to prevent the rod from unintentionally exiting the housing 28.

[0044] Advantageously, the support element 18 includes, in addition to the fixing member(s) 30, at least one locking member 42, in particular one locking member 42 for each upright 22 of the load-bearing structure 16.

[0045] Each locking member 42 is designed to fix the support element 18 to one of the uprights 22 in one of the positions and to lock the support element 18 in that position.

[0046] Advantageously, each support element 18 comprises an even number of locking members 42 arranged coaxially in pairs on either side of the frame 34 and oriented oppositely to each other. This improves the attachment of the support elements 18 to the load-bearing structure 16.

[0047] Each locking member 42 includes, for example, a spring-loaded lock, comprising a rod 44 with an actuating part 46 and a spring 48.

[0048] The rod 44 is movable in translation in an orifice 50 through the frame 34 and the locking orifices 26 of the upright 22 opposite the orifice 50, between a locking position and an unlocking position.

[0049] In the locking position, the rod 44 is engaged through the frame 34 and the upright 22, so as to lock the support element 18 in its position.

[0050] In the unlocked position, the rod 44 is disengaged from at least one of the frame 34 and the upright 22, so as to leave the support element 18 free.

[0051] The spring 48 is arranged so as to force the rod 44 towards its locking position in the absence of external actuation, for example arranged compressed between the inner wall of the frame 34 in the vicinity of the orifice 50 and a shoulder of the rod 44.

[0052] Advantageously, the actuating part 46 of the locking member 42 can be manipulated with a bayonet key. The bayonet key is then required to unlock the locking member 42, that is, to move the locking member 42 to a position in which it does not impede the movement of the support element 18. This restricts the manipulation of the support element 18 to authorized operators equipped with the bayonet key, thus preventing incidents.

[0053] Advantageously, the supporting structure 16 is adapted to receive a variable number of support elements 18, the number of support elements being adjusted according to the height of the luggage 20 received on the luggage rack 10. This makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the luggage rack 10 and to improve its modularity.

[0054] The luggage rack 10 according to the invention thus allows for the storage of luggage with non-standard dimensions, particularly significant lengths, thanks to the adjustable height h of the support elements 18. The ability to completely disassemble the support elements 18 also reduces the overall size of the luggage rack 10 and further enhances its modularity. Finally, the luggage rack 10 is easy to use and robust, and its use can be secured, notably by means of the locking mechanism 42.

Claims

1. Luggage rack (10) for a vehicle (12), notably for a rail vehicle, comprising: - a load-bearing structure (16), - at least one support element (18) suitable for supporting at least one piece of luggage (20), the support element (18) comprising at least one member (30) for fastening to the load-bearing structure (16), the load-bearing structure (16) comprising a plurality of receiving zones, for receiving the at least one support element (18) in a plurality of possible positions, the support element (18) being arranged, in each of the positions, at a different respective height (h), measured according to an elevation direction (Z) substantially orthogonal to a plane (P) of extension of the support element (18), the load-bearing structure (16) comprising at least one rack (24) intended to be disposed along a wall (25) of the vehicle (12), the rack (24) being suitable for receiving the or each fastening member (30) of each support element (18), characterised in that each fastening member (30) is a rod and optionally carries a hook.

2. Luggage rack (10) according to claim 1, wherein each receiving zone comprises at least one housing (28) for receiving one of the fastening members (30) of each support element (18) in one of the positions.

3. Luggage rack (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positions are substantially regularly spaced apart according to the elevation direction (Z).

4. Luggage rack (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each support element (18) comprises at least one member (42) for locking the support element (18) in a position chosen from the plurality of positions.

5. Luggage rack (10) according to claim 4, wherein the or each locking member (42) includes a spring lock.

6. Luggage rack (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the or each locking member (42) comprises an actuation part (46) that can be manipulated with a bayonet key to unlock the locking member (42).

7. Luggage rack (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the load-bearing structure (16) comprises at least one post (22) comprising a plurality of locking holes (26), arranged to receive the or one of the locking members (42) of each support element (18).

8. Vehicle (12), notably a railway vehicle, comprising at least one car comprising a compartment (14) intended to receive passengers, the vehicle (12) comprising at least one luggage rack (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, disposed in the compartment (14).