PIECE OF FURNITURE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a furniture assembly comprising a door that can be locked in a closed position and whose unlocking can be activated by touch, in particular by pressure. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture, in particular a refrigerated piece of furniture, comprising a furniture assembly according to the invention. The invention finally relates to a transport vehicle, preferably a railway vehicle, comprising a piece of furniture according to the invention.

[0002] Transport vehicles are generally equipped with furniture in which items, typically consumables intended for the comfort of users, are stored and / or preserved. The items are, for example, food or drinks.

[0003] Due to the multiple accelerations, braking, and tilting experienced by the vehicle, there is a significant risk of unwanted opening of furniture while the vehicle is moving. The unexpected opening of furniture is problematic for several reasons. First, the untimely opening of furniture doors is likely to cause stored items to spill from the furniture into the vehicle's passenger compartment. The products are thus thrown out of the furniture, risking being destroyed, damaged, or even deteriorated. Such products are then unusable or unsaleable. Furthermore, in the case of food, opening refrigerated furniture results in a break in the cold chain, rendering the food unfit for consumption.Finally, the unwanted opening of furniture presents a safety risk for people present near the furniture, users or flight personnel, who could be injured by the door opening suddenly and / or by the fall of stored items.

[0004] To prevent these problems, furniture doors are permanently electrically locked. This locking is typically achieved by one or more mechanical locks, usually two locks per door, whose activation / deactivation is electrically controlled.

[0005] In order for users, especially passengers, to be able to use the furniture, it is necessary to allow them to temporarily unlock each door separately in order to access the contents of the furniture. To do this, an unlocking device is integrated into each of the doors.

[0006] Currently, furniture doors are, for example, equipped with an unlocking device in the form of a push button located on the external surface of the door handle, facing the user.

[0007] DE 100 47 085 A describes a device for unlocking a trunk 2 of a motor vehicle that can be operated by a finger.

[0008] However, such devices are not entirely satisfactory, particularly from the point of view of their ergonomics and ease of use.

[0009] The door is opened by pressing the push button and simultaneously pulling the door outwards. Opening the door requires pressing the push button towards the furniture, then, while holding the push button down, pulling the door outwards so that it pivots on its axis. However, performing these two movements simultaneously and in opposite directions is not natural for users. Such manipulation can even be complicated for younger or older users.

[0010] One aim of the invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a piece of furniture comprising a door which is easier for users to unlock.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a piece of furniture according to claim 1.

[0012] According to particular embodiments, the piece of furniture includes one or more of the characteristics corresponding to claims 2 to 7.

[0013] The invention finally relates to a transport vehicle according to claim 8.

[0014] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, among which: there figure 1 is a schematic front view of a piece of furniture according to the invention, the figure 2 is a schematic sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the elevation axis of the handle of the piece of furniture shown in the figure 1 .

[0015] In reference to the figure 1 , a transport vehicle 10 according to the invention is described.

[0016] The transport vehicle 10 is represented schematically as a rectangle.

[0017] Preferably, the transport vehicle 10 is a railway vehicle.

[0018] Alternatively, the transport vehicle 10 is a naval or aeronautical vehicle.

[0019] The railway vehicle 10 typically comprises two head cars (not shown) and at least two intermediate cars (not shown) arranged one behind the other.

[0020] The transport vehicle 10 comprises at least one piece of furniture 100.

[0021] The piece of furniture 100 is for example located in the passenger compartment of the transport vehicle 10.

[0022] When the transport vehicle 10 is a railway vehicle, the furniture 100 is preferably located in one of the intermediate cars of the vehicle, more preferably in a bar car of the railway vehicle 10.

[0023] The piece of furniture 100 extends in a Z direction, intended to be vertical when the piece of furniture 100 is in the operating position.

[0024] In the remainder of the description, the expression “vertical direction Z” designates the direction Z, intended to be vertical when the piece of furniture 100 is in operation.

[0025] We also define a longitudinal direction X perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, as well as a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and to the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X, the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z together define an orthogonal reference frame.

[0026] The 100 piece of furniture includes: a box 110, and three sets 111a, 111b, 111c.

[0027] In the example shown, the piece of furniture 100 also comprises a lower part 120.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the cabinet 100 is a refrigerated cabinet. In this case, additional components such as a compressor, an evaporator, a fan, a refrigeration circuit or even a control-command device can be integrated into the lower part 120 of the cabinet 100. These components are well known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be described further in the remainder of the description.

[0029] The box 110 comprises two rectangular panels 122a, 122b parallel to each other and perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0030] The panels 122a, 122b are connected to two rectangular panels 124a, 124b parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

[0031] The panels 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b are connected to a front panel 126 and a rear panel (not shown) parallel to each other, the front panel 126 and the rear panel being perpendicular to the other four panels. The front panel 126 and the rear panel are thus perpendicular to the transverse direction Y.

[0032] The 110 box has a generally parallelepiped shape.

[0033] The panels 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b, 126 and the rear panel together define an internal volume 128 for receiving articles.

[0034] Preferably, the internal volume 128 is equipped with shelves 130, preferably adjustable in height, for storing the articles.

[0035] The front panel 126 defines three openings 132 allowing access to the internal volume 128. The number of openings 132 in the front panel 126 is not limited.

[0036] Alternatively, the front panel 126 includes a single opening 132 or a plurality of openings 132, for example at least four openings 132.

[0037] The openings 132 extend in the longitudinal direction X and the vertical direction Z.

[0038] In the example shown, the openings 132 have a rectangular shape. Openings 132 of various shapes may also be provided, for example circular.

[0039] In the example shown, the openings 132 have the same dimensions and are aligned next to each other in the longitudinal direction X. Alternatively, the openings 132 may have different dimensions from each other and / or be juxtaposed in the vertical direction Z and / or longitudinal direction X.

[0040] The sets 111a, 111b, 111c being analogous to each other, only the set 111a will be described below.

[0041] Set 111a includes: a door 112 mounted on the box 110, a handle 114, fixed on the door 112, a locking device 116, and an unlocking device 118, the locking device 116 and the unlocking device 118 being capable of retaining or releasing the door 112.

[0042] Each door 112 is mounted on the box 110, at the level of the front panel 126 so as to obstruct at least one of the openings 132.

[0043] Each door 112 is movable about an axis of rotation D1 parallel to the direction Z between a closed position, in which the door 112 obstructs at least openings 132 and an open position, in which it is possible to access the internal volume 128 through said opening 132.

[0044] Each door 112 is fixed to the box 110 by means of one or more hinges (not shown) arranged in the Z direction.

[0045] Advantageously, there are as many doors 112 as there are openings 132 so that, when all of the doors 112 are in the closed position, the internal volume 128 of the box 110 is closed.

[0046] Each door 112 has an interior surface (not shown) directed towards the internal volume 128 of the box 110, as well as an exterior surface 134 directed towards the exterior of the cabinet 100.

[0047] Each door 112 has a height H in the Z direction.

[0048] Each door 112 comprises a frame 136 and a central portion 138.

[0049] The central part 138 is glazed in order to allow the contents of the cabinet 100 to be observed when the door 112 is in the closed position.

[0050] A handle 114 is attached to the outer surface 134 of each of the doors 112.

[0051] Each of the handles 114 is fixed to the end of the door 112 opposite the axis of rotation D1 of the door 112, at the level of the frame 136.

[0052] Each of the handles 114 extends in the vertical direction Z. Preferably, each of the handles 114 extends over at least two-thirds of the height H of the door 112 in the vertical direction Z, preferably over the entire height H of the door 112.

[0053] Each of the handles 114 comprises an inner surface 140a facing the outer surface 134 of the door 112 and an outer surface 140b directed towards the outside of the cabinet 100.

[0054] The locking device 116 is electrically controlled and is movable between a locked configuration, in which it maintains at least one door 112 in the closed position, and an unlocked configuration, in which it releases said at least one door 112.

[0055] The locking device 116 consists of one or more mechanical locks 142, generally two locks 142 per door 112, the activation / deactivation of which is electrically controlled. The mechanical locks 142 are fixed on the interior surface (not shown) of the door 112.

[0056] In the example shown, each door 112 comprises two mechanical locks 142. One of the mechanical locks 142 is fixed to the upper part of the door 112 and the second mechanical lock is fixed to the lower part of the door 112. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it prevents the door 112 from twisting.

[0057] The unlocking device 118 will now be described with reference to the figure 2 .

[0058] The unlocking device 118 is electrically connected to the locking device 116, such that when the unlocking device 118 is actuated, it causes the locking device 116 to transition from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, thereby releasing the door 142 to which the unlocking device 116 is attached.

[0059] The unlocking device 118 is fixed on the internal surface 140a of the handle 114.

[0060] The unlocking device 118 comprises: a support 144, a flexible and electrically insulating sheath 146 comprising an internal surface 148, a first electrically conductive strip 150 fixed to the internal surface 148 of the sheath 146 and in which an electric current (not shown) flows, a second electrically conductive strip 152 fixed to the internal surface 148 of the sheath 146, opposite the first strip 150 and electrically connected to the locking device 116.

[0061] The sheath 146 is made of rubber. Alternatively, the sheath 146 is made of any flexible, electrically insulating material.

[0062] The first band 150 and the second band 152 are metallic.

[0063] The first band 150 and the second band 152 are movable relative to each other between a rest configuration (left part of the figure 2 ), in which the first strip 150 and the second strip 152 are spaced from each other in the transverse direction Y, and an active configuration (right part of the figure 2 ), occupied when the sheath 146 is compressed in the transverse direction Y, in which the first strip 150 is in electrical contact with the second strip 152.

[0064] When the unlocking device 118 is in the active configuration, the first strip 150 is adapted to transmit the electric current to the second strip 152 and then to the locking device 116. The reception by the locking device 116 of the electric current is adapted to cause it to pass from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, so as to the door 112.

[0065] The transition from the rest configuration A to the configuration B is intended to be initiated by actuating the unlocking device 118, for example by compressing the sheath 102 in the transverse direction Y.

[0066] Preferably, the unlocking device 118 extends over the entire height H of the handle 114. In this way, the unlocking device 118 can be actuated at any point of the handle 114.

[0067] The operation of the piece of furniture 100 follows from its structure and will now be described.

[0068] Initially, the door 112 of the cabinet 100 is kept closed by the locking device 116 which is in the locked configuration.

[0069] A user wishing to access the contents of the cabinet 100 grasps the handle 114 by placing his fingers at the internal surface 140a of the handle 114, in particular on the sheath 146 of the unlocking device 118. The user then pulls on the handle 114 towards the outside of the cabinet 100 so as to turn the door 112 around its axis of rotation.

[0070] Due to the pulling force exerted by the user, the sheath 146 is compressed in the Y direction. The first strip 150 and the second strip 152 move towards each other until they come into contact so that the first strip 150 and the second strip 152 move from the rest configuration to the active configuration. The electric current flowing in the first strip 150 is then transmitted to the second strip 152 and then to the locking device 116 which, in response, moves from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. The door 112, then released, then begins to rotate about its axis of rotation in response to the pulling force exerted by the user. The door 112 then opens, thus giving the user access to the internal volume 128 of the cabinet 100.

[0071] When the user no longer needs to access the internal volume 128 of the cabinet 100, he pushes the door 112 against the cabinet 100 so as to obstruct the opening 132 and releases the handle 114. By releasing the handle 114, the user stops compressing the sheath 146 which then returns to its initial position. The first strip 150 and the second strip 152 move apart, thus causing the first strip 150 and the second strip 152 to switch from the active configuration to the rest configuration. The electric current flowing in the first strip 150 is then no longer transmitted to the locking device 116 which, in response, automatically switches to its locked configuration.

[0072] Thanks to the characteristics described above, the assembly 111a according to the invention makes it possible to significantly improve the ergonomics of the furniture by making it easier for the user to open it. A single movement by the user is enough to unlock the door and open it. In addition, the associated movement is natural for the user, since it simply consists of pulling the handle outwards.

[0073] The invention is also advantageous in that it is suitable for all persons, regardless of their height. Since the unlocking device extends over the entire height of the door, it can be operated by grasping the handle at any height.

[0074] The invention also allows the production of furniture with more refined aesthetics and design thanks to an unlocking device located on the internal part of the handle, and therefore invisible to the user.

Claims

1. A piece of furniture (100), in particular refrigerated, comprising: - a box (110) defining at least one opening (132), and - at least one assembly (111a), the assembly (111a) comprising: - a door (112) intended to be movable about an axis of rotation (D1), - a handle (114) attached on the door (112), said handle comprising an inner surface (140a) facing the door (112), - an electrically controlled locking device (116), movable between a locked configuration, in which the locking device (116) is suitable for retaining the door (112), and an unlocked configuration, in which the locking device (116) is suitable for releasing the door (112), - an unlocking device (118) able to be actuated by touch, by pressing, the unlocking device (118) being electrically connected to the locking device (116) and able, when the unlocking device (118) is actuated, to move the locking device (116) from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, the unlocking device (118) extending over the inner surface (140a) of the handle (114), the unlocking device comprising: - a flexible and electrically insulating sheath (146) comprising an inner surface (148), - a first electrically conductive strip (150) attached on the inner surface (148) of the sheath (146), the first strip (150) being intended to be supplied with an electric current, and - a second electrically conductive strip (152) attached on the inner surface (148) of the sheath (146), opposite the first electrically conductive strip (150), the second strip (152) being electrically connected to the locking device (116), the first strip (150) and the second strip (152) being movable relative to one another between an idle configuration, in which the first strip (150) and the second strip (152) are spaced apart from one another along a spacing direction (Y), and an active configuration, in which the first strip (150) is in electrical contact with the second strip (152) and the electric current is transmitted to the locking device (116), the first strip and the second strip being able to go from the idle configuration to the active configuration when the sheath (146) is compressed in the spacing direction (Y), the door (112) being mounted on the box (110) and being movable between a closed position in which said door (112) obstructs said at least one opening (132) and an open position.

2. The piece of furniture (100) according to claim 1, wherein when the first strip (150) and the second strip (152) are in the active configuration, the locking device is able to go from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

3. The piece of furniture (100) according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, wherein the sheath (146) is made from rubber.

4. The piece of furniture (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first strip (150) and the second strip (152) are metallic.

5. The piece of furniture (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle (114) extends along the end of the door (112) opposite the axis of rotation (D1).

6. The piece of furniture (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the door (112) has a height (H) along a direction (Z) parallel to the axis of rotation (D1) and intended to be vertical, and wherein the handle (114) extends over at least two thirds of the height (H), preferably over the entire height (H), of the door (112).

7. The piece of furniture (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner surface (140a) has a height (H1) along a direction (Z) parallel to the axis of rotation (D1), the unlocking direction (118) extending over the entire height (H1) of the inner surface (140a).

8. A transport vehicle (10) comprising at least one piece of furniture (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.