Braking and stabilising system

Abstract

The invention relates to a braking and stabilising system (1) for a carriage (100) that is movable relative to a support (200), which system comprises at least one stabilising member (300) for stabilisation relative to the support (200), at least one braking member (400) for braking the travel of the carriage (100) relative to the support (200), a first actuating member (500) co-operating with the one or more stabilising members (300) and a second actuating member (600) co-operating with the one or more braking members (400) and the first actuating member (500).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Braking and stabilization system

[0003] The invention relates to the field of braking and stabilization systems for trolleys, and in particular braking and stabilization systems for trolleys transporting medical equipment.

[0004] The modularity of operating rooms in hospitals involves the use of trolleys on which medical assistance devices for medical operations are mounted, including assistant robots.

[0005] These trolleys need to combine different opposing functions necessary for the smooth running of an operation as well as the anticipation of any eventuality. Thus, these trolleys need to be very stable during the operation to avoid any incident for the patient, where a displacement of a few millimeters, or even micrometers, for example due to an involuntary blow from a medical staff, can be harmful to him. Furthermore, the trolley must be able to be moved very quickly in case of emergency. These different functions are often difficult to combine since these trolleys are very heavy with several hundred kilos of materials transported.

[0006] Current trucks are equipped with braking and / or stabilization systems that do not allow them to optimally fulfill the two functions mentioned above.

[0007] Indeed, braking systems that operate on two or each of the wheels of a trolley are known from the state of the art. However, such systems are very poorly suited to emergency movement, as it is necessary to unlock the trolley wheel by wheel. They also do not provide sufficient stabilization of the trolley during a medical operation.

[0008] Also known are "dead man's brake" type braking systems whose function is to prevent the trolley wheels from rotating when the user is not activating the system. Thus, when the system is at rest, the trolleys are stationary and can be moved quickly if necessary by unlocking all the brakes, in particular by activating a handle. However, such a system also does not provide sufficient stabilization during a medical operation.

[0009] Stabilization systems are also known that involve the deployment of a stabilizing foot at several wheels, these feet lifting these wheels very slightly and thus stabilizing the trolley. The stabilization obtained meets the requirements of a medical operation, but this type of system is not at all suitable for emergency movement of the trolley since here again each foot must be individually stowed before the emergency movement can be carried out.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a braking and stabilization system that allows both sufficient stabilization during a medical operation and emergency movement even when stabilization is engaged.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a braking and stabilization system for a trolley movable relative to a support, the trolley comprising at least one wheel. The braking and stabilization system comprises: at least one stabilization member relative to the support and movable between a deployed position in contact with the support and a stored position at a distance from the support, at least one braking member for the travel of the trolley relative to the support, said at least one braking member being intended to cooperate with said at least one wheel of the trolley and being movable between a braking position and a position for releasing said at least one wheel of the trolley, a first actuating member cooperating with the stabilization member(s) and movable between a rest position and an actuating configuration,where the passage from the rest position to the actuated position causes the deployment of the stabilizing member(s) and where the passage from the actuated position to the rest position causes the storage of the stabilizing member(s), a second actuating member cooperating with the braking member(s) and movable between a rest position and a release position, where the passage from the rest position to the release position causes the braking member(s) to be in their release position and where the passage from the release position to the rest position brings the braking member(s) back into their braking position, where the second actuating member also cooperates with the first actuating member so that the passage from its rest position to its release position also causes the storage of the stabilizing member(s).

[0012] The braking and stabilization system according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to stow the stabilization member(s) when the braking system is deactivated, which makes it possible to carry out emergency movement even in the event of deployment of the stabilization member(s).

[0013] Furthermore, the system of the invention is advantageous in that it only involves mechanical cooperation between the actuating members and the braking / stabilizing members. There is therefore no need to supply electrical energy to motors or to management software. Thus, the risks of actuation problems are greatly reduced, and the durability and repairability of the system are increased.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second actuating member comprises a control member comprising a tilting member mounted movably by a pivot connection in a support between a rest position and a release position configured to cause, on the one hand, the braking member to move from its braking position to its release position and, on the other hand, the stabilizing member from its deployed position to its stowed position.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second actuating member comprises a lever configured to cause the first actuating member to move from its actuating position to its rest position.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second actuating member comprises: a holding member movable between a rest position and a holding position where it holds the second actuating member in its release position, and a locking member capable of being actuated by a user and configured to stabilize the holding member in its holding position when it is actuated by the user.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one stabilizing member comprises a foot mounted to move in translation along a first axis A1 in a frame between a deployed position in contact with the support and a stored position at a distance from the support.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first actuating member comprises a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod coupled together by a guide member, the first connecting rod cooperating with the frame of the stabilizing member by a first pivot connection and the second connecting rod cooperating with the foot of the stabilizing member by a second pivot connection.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a rail guiding the movement of the second connecting rod when the first actuating member passes between its different positions.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are configured so that the first pivot connection, the guide member and the second pivot connection are aligned with each other along a second axis A2 when the foot passes between its two positions and in that the guide member is arranged on a different side of the second axis A2 in each respective position of the foot.

[0021] The invention also relates to a trolley comprising at least one wheel and a braking and stabilization system as defined previously, where said at least one braking member of the braking and stabilization system cooperates with the at least one wheel.

[0022] The invention finally relates to a system for stabilizing a trolley relative to a support comprising at least one stabilizing member relative to the support and movable between a deployed position in contact with the support and a stored position at a distance from the support, and a first actuating member cooperating with the stabilizing member(s) and movable between a rest configuration and an actuating configuration, where the passage from the rest position to the actuating position causes the deployment of the stabilizing member(s) and where the passage from the actuating position to the rest position causes the storage of the stabilizing member(s), where the first actuating member is configured to have a tipping point when passing from the rest position to the actuating position and vice versa,the passage of said tipping point corresponds to a change in conformation of the first actuating member blocking the latter in the other position.,

[0023] According to one embodiment, the or at least one stabilizing member comprises a foot mounted movable in translation along a first axis A1 in a frame between a deployed position in contact with the support and a stored position at a distance from the support. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first actuating member comprises a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod coupled together by a guide member, the first connecting rod cooperating with the frame of the stabilizing member by a first pivot connection and the second connecting rod cooperating with the foot of the stabilizing member by a second pivot connection.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a rail guiding the movement of the second connecting rod when the first actuating member passes between its different positions.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are configured so that the first pivot connection, the guide member and the second pivot connection are aligned with each other along a second axis A2 when the foot passes between its two positions and so that the guide member is arranged on a different side of the second axis A2 in each respective position of the foot.

[0026] Brief description of the figures

[0027] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0028] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a braking and stabilization system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 represents an isometric view of a stabilizing member and a first actuating member of the braking and stabilizing system according to Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a set of views (A, B, C and D) of different positions of the stabilizing member and the first actuating member according to Figure 2 relative to a support. Figures 3A and 3C are side views and Figures 3B and 3D are sectional views along the axis AA shown in Figure 2. In Figures 3A and 3B, the stabilizing member is in a stowed position and the first actuating member in a rest position. In Figures 3C and 3D, the stabilizing member is in a deployed position and the first actuating member in an actuating position.

[0031] Figure 4 represents an isometric view of a lever of a second actuating member of the braking and stabilization system according to Figure 1. Figure 5 represents an isometric view of a control member of a second actuating member of the braking and stabilization system according to Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 6 represents a sectional view of the control member of Figure 5 along the axis BB represented in Figure 5.

[0033] Figure 7 represents two sectional views (A and B) of a stabilizing member of a second actuating member of the braking system according to Figure 1. In Figure 7A, the stabilizing member is in a rest position and in Figure 7B, the stabilizing member is in an activation position.

[0034] Figure 8 shows two sectional views (A and B) of the control member of Figure 5 comprising a tilting member where in Figure 8A the tilting member is in a rest position and in Figure 8B the tilting member is in a release position.

[0035] Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a trolley including the braking and stabilization system according to Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 10 is a detail view of Figure 9 showing the implementation of part of the braking and stabilization system in the trolley from which the casing has been removed.

[0037] Detailed description of the invention

[0038] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0039] In the present description, certain elements or parameters may be indexed, such as for example first actuating member or second actuating member etc. In this case it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements, parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such names can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. This indexing also does not imply an order in time. In the present description, front, rear, right, left, proximal, distal, above and below are understood to mean an orientation in space relative to the carriage in which the braking and stabilization system of the invention is intended to be mounted as well as to its direction of circulation.

[0040] We will first turn to Figure 1 which represents an isometric view of a braking and stabilization system 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The system 1 is intended to be installed in a mobile carriage 100 (represented in Figure 9) and acts on the movement of said carriage 100 relative to a support 200. The support 200 may in particular be the ground or any other element on which the carriage 100 circulates.

[0041] The system 1 comprises at least one stabilizing member 300 relative to the support 200, at least one braking member 400 for the movement of the carriage 100 relative to the support 200, a first actuating member 500 cooperating with said at least one stabilizing member 300 and a second actuating member 600 cooperating on the one hand with said at least one braking member 400 and on the other hand with said first actuating member 500.

[0042] The stabilizing member 300 and the braking member 400 are, in the invention, two elements distinct from one another.

[0043] Said at least one stabilizing member 300 and the first actuating member 500 form the stabilizing system 800 of the system 1. Said at least one braking member 400 and the second actuating member 600 form the braking system 900 of the system 1. Advantageously, the two systems 800, 900 cooperate with each other in the system 1 of the invention.

[0044] The braking means 400 cooperate in particular with one or more wheels of the trolley 100. Four wheels 101, 102 of the trolley 100 are thus represented in this figure 1. In the example represented, the two front wheels 101 each cooperate with a braking member 400 and the two rear wheels 102 each cooperate with a braking device 700 whose actuation and release are independent of the second actuation member 600. The braking device 700 is an integral part of the braking and stabilization system 1. According to an alternative, the two rear wheels 102 can also be devoid of any braking member or device 400, 700 or else each cooperate with a braking member 400 driven by the second actuation member. The braking member(s) 400 are in particular devoid of any notch mechanism, such as stop notches.Indeed, such mechanisms can cause play between two stable positions (two notches), reducing the stability of the trolley 100 in which the braking and stabilization system 1 is mounted. Such play can be harmful to a patient when the trolley 100 supports medical equipment requiring stability to the nearest micrometer during intervention on the patient. The braking member(s) can in particular be selected from the group comprising or consisting of drum brakes, disc brakes, pad brakes, band / belt brakes and shoe brakes.

[0045] Said at least one braking member 400 is movable between a braking position and a release position. In the braking position, it prevents the rotation of the wheel(s) 101 with which it is associated, so as to prevent the movement of the carriage 100. In the release position, the associated wheel(s) 101 are free to rotate and the carriage 100 can move freely.

[0046] The movement of said at least one braking member 400 between its different positions is carried out by the second actuating member 600. The second actuating member 600 is movable between a rest position where it actuates said at least one braking member 400 and a release position where it releases said at least one braking member 400 from the wheel(s) with which it is associated. Thus, the passage from the rest position to the release position drives the braking member(s) 400 into their release position, allowing the movement of the carriage 100. In the invention, the second actuating member 600 is actuated by default, so that the braking member(s) are actuated by default. Thus, maintaining the second actuating member 600 in its release position requires constant action by the user on the latter.The second actuating member 600 is therefore of the “dead man’s brake” type and therefore causes the carriage 100 to remain immobile if no action is taken on this member 600. When the user stops their action on the second member 600, this causes the transition from the release position to the rest position which returns the braking member(s) 400 to their braking position.

[0047] Furthermore, said at least one stabilizing member 300 is movable between a deployed position in contact with the support 200 and a stored position at a distance from the support 200. In its deployed position, said at least one stabilizing member will cause an elevation relative to the support 200 of one or more of the wheels 101, 102 of the trolley 100, and in particular of the wheels 102 arranged on the same side. It is this elevation of at least a portion of the wheels 101, 102 which is responsible for the increase in stability relative to the action of the braking members 400 alone. Alternatively to the elevation of the associated wheel(s), said at least one stabilizing member 300 can reduce the force exerted by the wheel(s) on the support 200 while maintaining the wheel(s) in contact with the support 200.

[0048] To ensure the reduction of force or the raising, said at least one stabilizing member 300 is advantageously arranged in the immediate vicinity of the associated wheel.

[0049] The mobility between the different positions of said at least one stabilizing member 300 is controlled by the first actuating member 500, and also by the second actuating member 600.

[0050] Said first actuating member 500 is movable between a rest position and an actuating position of said at least one stabilizing member 300. The passage from the rest position to the actuating position causes the deployment of the stabilizing member(s) 300. Conversely, the passage from the actuating position to the rest position causes the storage of the stabilizing member(s) 300.

[0051] In addition to its action on the braking member(s) 400, the second actuating member 600 therefore also has an action on the stabilizing member(s) 300. Indeed, the passage of the second actuating member 600 from its rest position to its release position will cause the return of said at least one stabilizing member 300 from its deployed position to its stowed position. Thus, by a single action performed on the second actuating member 600, the user unlocks both the braking member(s) and the stabilizing member(s), allowing very rapid movement of a trolley which would previously be stabilized on the ground, for example in the context of a surgical operation on a patient.

[0052] We will now turn to Figures 2 and 3B which will be read together and which represent detailed views of a stabilizing member 300 and a first actuating member 500. In the example shown, the stabilizing member 300 comprises a foot 301 intended to bear on the support 200. The foot 301 is mounted to move in translation in a frame 302 along a first axis A1 between a deployed position in contact with the support 200 and a stored position at a distance from this support 200.

[0053] In Figure 3B, the foot 301 is shown in its stowed position. It can be seen in this figure that the foot 301 may in particular comprise a base 310, in particular flared, for its support on the support 200, as shown. The base 310 may in particular comprise a head 318 for its support on the support 200 which has a ball joint connection with a body 319 of the base 310, so that the orientation of the head can adapt to the irregularities of the support 200. The base 310 may in particular comprise, in particular at its head 318, a coating or a layer of material with anti-slip properties in order to improve its friction with the support 200, and therefore the stability offered relative to the support 200.

[0054] The base 310 is in particular connected to the lower part of a body 311 of the foot, the latter sliding in the frame 302. The frame 302 may comprise a body 320 of elongated shape along the axis A1 with a lower opening 321 from which the base 310 of the foot protrudes. In particular, the body 311 of the foot has dimensions adapted to slide against the interior walls 322 of the elongated body 320.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the body 311 of the foot comprises a first reversible elastic member 312 pushing the base 310 out of the lower part of the body 311. The reversible elastic member 312 ensures in particular the force exerted by the stabilizing member 300 against the support 200. The displacement of the base 310 relative to the body 311 can be limited by cooperation of stops, and in particular by contact between shoulder and peripheral lip, as shown. Thus, a peripheral lip 313 of the base 310 can move along the axis A1 in a chamber 314 of the body 311, and its displacement is limited in the upper part by an upper shoulder, avoiding overcompression of the first reversible elastic member 312, and in the lower part by a lower shoulder of the chamber 314, preventing the base 310 from coming out of the body 311.This aspect of the invention is advantageous in that it makes it possible to compensate for irregularities in the support 200 via the sinking of the base 310 into the body 311 by compression of the first elastic member 312 during deployment of the stabilizing member 300. Such sinking is visible in FIG. 3D.

[0056] The foot 301 is in particular held in its stowed position by a second reversible elastic member 315. The second reversible elastic member 315 is in particular a helical spring, as shown. For this purpose, the second reversible elastic member 315 may in particular bear on the upper face of the frame 302 on one side and on the upper end of the body 311 on the other. The upper end of the body 311 may in particular be in the form of a rod 316 protruding through the upper part of the frame 302, as shown. Thus, in this embodiment, the lower part of the body 311 of the foot 301 in which the base 310 is housed is arranged inside the frame 302, and in particular inside the elongated body 320, and the upper part of the foot is arranged outside the frame 302.In particular, the second reversible elastic member 315 may be arranged around the portion of said rod 316 located outside the frame 302, as shown. In particular, the frame 302 may comprise a cap 323 closing the upper portion of the elongated body 320. The rod 316, emerging through said cap 323, may cooperate with the walls of an opening made in said cap 323, as shown. This cooperation contributes to the stability of the direction of the foot 301 relative to the axis A1 during its movements.

[0057] The first actuating member 500 may in particular be configured to have a tipping point when moving from the rest position to the actuating position and vice versa. The passage of said tipping point corresponds to a change in conformation of the first actuating member 500 locking the latter in the other position. In other words, the tipping point forms an unstable equilibrium point. On one side of the tipping point, the stabilizing member(s) 300 are naturally driven towards the rest position. On the other side of the tipping point, the stabilizing member(s) 300 are naturally driven towards the actuating position. In addition to a natural locking in one of the positions, the passage of this tipping point may correspond to haptic feedback for the user, warning them that the stabilizing member(s) 300 have been deployed or are removed from the support 200, as will be seen in detail later.

[0058] For this purpose, the first actuating member 500 may have one or more sets 501 of parts articulated together, each set 501 cooperating in particular with a stabilizing member 300. In particular, a set of parts 501 may comprise a cam cooperating with the or one of the stabilizing members. Said cam may in particular have an elliptical or semi-elliptical shape.

[0059] Alternatively, a set 501 of parts may in particular comprise a first connecting rod 502 and a second connecting rod 503 coupled together, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0060] The first connecting rod 502 cooperates in particular with the frame 302 of the stabilizing member 300, and the second connecting rod 503 cooperates in particular with the foot 301. The first connecting rod 502 is in particular articulated with the frame 302 via a first pivot connection 520, and the second connecting rod 503 is in particular articulated with the frame 302 via a second pivot connection 530. The first and second connecting rods 502, 503 may in particular cooperate with each other using a guide member 540. Said guide member 540 is in particular in the form of a third pivot connection. The first connecting rod 502 is in particular articulated with the upper part of the elongated body 320 of the frame 302 or with the cap 323 of the frame 302. In particular, said cap 323 may have larger dimensions than the upper part of the elongated body 320 so as to allow the cooperation zone between the first connecting rod 502 and the frame 302 to be offset beyond the periphery of the elongated body 320.This allows for greater amplitude movements, requiring less effort to move the first connecting rod 502.

[0061] The second connecting rod 503 may in particular cooperate with a finger 317 of the foot 301, said finger 317 extending in particular transversely from the body 311 of the foot 301. The frame 302 may in particular comprise a rail 324 in order to guide the movement of the stabilizing member 300 between its positions along the axis A1, and cooperating in particular with said finger 317. The rail 324 may comprise a stop member in the high position and a stop member in the low position of the movement of the stabilizing member 300 defining the stowed position and the deployed position of the latter, respectively.

[0062] Furthermore, the stabilizing member 300 can reach the stop member in the low position at the moment of passing the tipping point of the first actuating member 500. At this moment, the stabilizing member 300 can also be in contact with the support 200, but without having reached its deployed position. The continuity of the movement of the first actuating member 500 to reach the actuating position and lock the stabilizing member in its deployed position can then be allowed by the compression of the first reversible elastic member 312. This compression will require an increase in the force required for the movement of the first actuating member 500, so that passing the tipping point corresponds to haptic feedback for the user. He is thus warned that he has correctly deployed the stabilizing member.The same applies when the stabilizing member is returned via the first actuating member 500, where the decompression of the first reversible elastic member 312 will result in haptic feedback for the user, warning them that they have successfully removed the stabilizing member 300 from the support 200.

[0063] The rail 324 may in particular be formed by an opening 324 made in the elongated body 320 of the frame 302, as shown. Said opening 324 has in particular an oblong shape extending mainly along the axis A1. The finger 317 thus passes through the opening 324 to join the second connecting rod 503. The upper edge of the opening 324 may in particular correspond to the stop member in the high position, and the lower edge of the opening 324 may correspond to the stop member in the low position. Each connecting rod 502, 503 may comprise a respective stop 521, 531 against the frame 302 in order to participate in defining one of the positions of the stabilizing member 300. In particular, the stop 521 of the first connecting rod 502 may be in contact with the frame 302 in the stored position of the stabilizing member 300, in particular in contact with the rear face 325 of the elongated body 320.The stop 531 of the second connecting rod 503 may in particular be in contact with the frame 302 in the deployed position, in particular in contact with the front face 326 (visible in FIG. 2) of the elongated body 320.

[0064] Each connecting rod 502, 503 may be arranged opposite a single lateral face 327 of the frame 302 or opposite two opposite lateral faces 327 of the frame, as shown, in order to increase the robustness of the first actuating member 500. In this latter configuration, each connecting rod 502, 503 may in particular be formed by two connecting rods 502.1, 502.2, 503.1, 503.2 of identical shapes mirroring each other and connected together by a guide 522, 532 so as to follow the same movement around the frame 302. Each guide 522, 532 may correspond to each respective stop 521, 531. The foot 301 may also comprise two fingers 317 extending in opposite directions from the body 311, each cooperating with one of the connecting rods 503.1, 503.2 of the second connecting rod 503, and each passing through an opening forming a rail 324 arranged on one of the opposite lateral faces 327 of the frame 302, and in particular of the elongated body 320.

[0065] Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the first actuating member 500 comprises a drive member 511 between its positions, intended to be actuated by the user. Said drive member 511 is in particular in the form of a pedal. In the example shown, the system 1 comprises two stabilizing members 300 each actuated by a respective first actuating member 500, and the pedal 511 simultaneously drives the first two actuating members 500, in particular by means of a bridge-forming structure 560 between the two first connecting rods 503 of each first actuating member 500.

[0066] We will return to Figure 3, where the deployment kinetics of the stabilizing member 300 using the first actuating member 500 is shown in detail. In Figures 3A and 3B, the first actuating member 500 is shown in the rest position and the stabilizing member 300 in the stowed position. In Figures 3C and 3D, the first actuating member 500 is shown in the actuating position, and the stabilizing member in the deployed position. A structure 103 of the carriage 100 and a support 200 have also been shown in order to put into perspective the movement of the stabilizing member 300 relative to the latter. The different arrows in Figures 3A and 3C indicate the direction of rotation of the pivot links 520, 530, 540 as well as the direction of movement of the stabilizing member 300 along the axis A1.Also shown is a second axis A2 passing through the first pivot connection 520 and the second pivot connection 530. The axis A2 represents the zone of crossing of the tipping point for the first actuating member 500. More particularly, the tipping point can be defined as being the passage of the third pivot connection 540 through the second axis A2. Thus, it can be seen that in FIG. 3A, in the stowed position of the stabilizing member 300, the third pivot connection 540 is arranged on one side of the axis A2, while it is arranged on the other side in FIG. 3C, in the deployed position of the stabilizing member 300.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the travel of the third pivot connection 540 between its location in the rest position of the first actuating member 500 and the moment when it crosses the second axis A2 is longer than that from its location in the actuating position of the first actuating member 500 and the moment when it crosses the second axis A2. Thus, the placing in the deployed position of the stabilizing member 300 is late compared to the total travel of the third pivot 540, while the removal of the contact between the stabilizing member 300 and the support 200 is faster. On the one hand, this makes it possible to reduce the efforts required to obtain the movement of the stabilizing member 300 towards its deployed position. On the other hand, this leads to a rapid withdrawal of the contact between the stabilizing member 300 and support 200 which makes it possible to deal with an emergency movement of the carriage 100 in which the system 1 is mounted.

[0068] In Figures 3C and 3D, the contraction of the first and second reversible elastic members 312, 315 can be seen. In particular, the energy stored by the second reversible elastic member 315 during the deployment of the stabilizing member 300 makes it possible to facilitate and accelerate the return to the stowed position by the release of this energy when the tipping point has passed.

[0069] The return of the stabilizing member(s) 300 from their deployed position to their stowed position can be achieved by means of the drive member 511, or by the action of the second actuating member 600 on the first actuating member 500. The second actuating member 600 can in particular act on the second connecting rod 503, and more particularly on the stop 532. This actuation can be achieved directly via an actuating cable 630 of the second actuating member 600, or via a lever 660 of the second actuating member 600 in particular actuated by said cable 630. Said lever 660 is shown in figures 1, 4 and 10 which will be read together.

[0070] The lever 660 is rotatable between a rest position, where it exerts no action on the first actuating member 500, and a drive position where it returns the first actuating member 500 from its actuating position to its rest position. Said lever 660 is in particular arranged to cooperate with the second connecting rod 503 in the actuating position of the first actuating member 500. In particular, the lever 660 can be arranged to cooperate with the stop 532 of the second connecting rod 503. Thus, when it is activated, the lever 660 will push the stop 532 towards the stabilizing member 300, causing it to pivot around the second pivot connection 530, and returning the first actuating member 500 to its rest position. Said lever 660 is notably set in motion by the actuating cable 630.

[0071] The lever 660 can be mounted in a structure 670 with which it cooperates by a base 661 via one or two pivot links 662. The lever 660 comprises a head 663 which cooperates in particular with the actuating cable 630, and in particular with one end of a cable as shown in FIG. 4. Said actuating cable 630 passes in particular through the structure 670. Between the base 662 and the head 663 of the lever extends a body 664 at the level of which the stop 531 of the second connecting rod 503 can be housed in the actuating position of the first actuating member 500. As shown in this figure, the base 661 can extend from the body 664 and be in the form of two legs each articulating with the structure 670. The base 661, the head 663 and the body 664 thus form an open cage sized to receive the stop 531 of the second connecting rod 503.

[0072] The lever 660 is in particular held in its rest position, low position, by the action of a reversible elastic member 665, for example a helical spring. In particular, said reversible elastic member 665 acts on the head 663 of the lever, in particular via a support on the structure 670. When the reversible elastic member 665 is a helical spring, the latter can be arranged around the cable 630, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0073] Pulling on the cable 630 causes the reversible elastic member 665 to contract and the head 663 of the lever to tilt upwards around the base 661 towards the first actuating member 500, so as to push the stop 531 upwards. Releasing the cable 630 causes the head 663 to return to its rest position, facilitating the action of the reversible elastic member 665. The driving of the actuating cable 630 is notably carried out by a control member 601 of the second actuating member 600, which also actuates the braking member(s) 400.

[0074] We will now turn to Figures 5 and 6 which represent an embodiment of a control member 601. The control member 601 comprises in particular a tilting member 610 housed in a support 620 and articulated with the latter by a pivot connection 611.

[0075] The control member 601 is connected to the braking members 400 by one or more actuating cables 631 (Figures 1 and 8) and to the first actuating member 500 or to the lever(s) 660 by one or more actuating cables 630 (shown in Figure 8). It is the action or absence of action on the actuating cables 630, 631 by the control member 601 which will mobilize or demobilize the braking members 400 and demobilize the first actuating member. Said cables 630, 631 may in particular be protected in sheaths.

[0076] Attachment members 612 for the actuating cables 630 may be mounted on the tilting member 610. In particular, one of the ends of the actuating cables 630 may be fixed in a housing 613 of the tilting member 610. The body of the cables 630 may be arranged in grooves 614 made on the surface of the tilting member 610 in order to guide them in their winding and unwinding around the tilting member 610. The grooves 614 are in particular perpendicular to the axis of the pivot connection 611.

[0077] The support 620 comprises in particular side walls between which the tilting member 610 extends and with which the tilting member 610 is articulated. The support 620 also comprises a base 621 through which the actuating cables 630 pass to reach the tilting member 610. In particular, the support 620 comprises passages 622 forming guides within the base 621 for the passage of the actuating cables 630.

[0078] The tilting member 610 comprises two positions, a rest position and a release position, corresponding to the rest and release positions of the second actuating member 600. The tilting member 610 tilts in particular towards a rear wall 623 of the support 620 (Figures 8A and 8B). The actuating cables 630 are driven by the movement of the tilting member 610 from its rest position to its release position. Thus, the transition to the release position of the tilting member 601 will wind the cables 630 around the tilting member 610 in the direction of the tilting movement, causing them to be pulled. Conversely, the return to the rest position will unwind them, causing them to be released. The travel of the cables 630 during the tilting movements can be adapted by positioning them at radii of different dimensions from the tilting member 610, in particular using grooves 614 of different depths.In the example shown, the stroke of all cables 630 is the same.

[0079] Furthermore, the tilting member 610 may comprise at least a first stop.

[0080] 615 coming into contact with the rear wall 623 of the support 620 (Figure 8B). Furthermore, the tilting member 610 may also comprise at least one second stop

[0081] 616 (visible in figure 5) coming into contact with a front wall 624 of the support 620.

[0082] In order to drive the second actuating member 600 in movement from its rest position to its disengaged position, the latter may comprise a drive member 602, in particular fixed to the tilting member 610 of the control member 601. The drive member 602 is in particular in the form of a pedal, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting member 610 is held in its rest position, in particular against the front wall of the support 620, by the action of a reversible elastic member.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the invention, the tilting member 610 is held in its rest position by the action of the actuating cables 631 connected to the braking members 400. In particular, the braking members 400 are held in their braking position using reversible elastic members, which will pull the actuating cables 630 towards them. This driving of the actuating cables 631 will act on the tilting member 610 of the control member 601 and keep it in the rest position in the absence of higher inverse forces applied to the tilting member 610 by the user, in particular via the driving member 602.

[0085] The second actuating member 600 may further comprise a holding member 640 in order to hold it, and more particularly to hold the tilting member 610, in its disengaged position. The holding member 640 has a rest position and a holding position in which it prevents the tilting member 610 from returning from its disengaged position to its rest position. The holding member 640 may be in the form of at least one set of two connecting rods 641, 643 articulated together. In the example shown, two sets are present. A first connecting rod 641 is articulated to the support 620 via a lateral pivot connection 642 and a second connecting rod 643 is articulated to the tilting member 610 via a lateral pivot connection 644. The two connecting rods 641, 643 can also be articulated to each other via a central pivot connection 645.The two connecting rods 641, 643 have in particular an “L” shape with at each end a respective pivot connection 642, 644, 645.

[0086] In addition, the second actuating member 600 may comprise a stabilizing member or blocking member 650 of the holding member 640, shown in FIG. 7. The blocking member 650 has a rest position in which it has no action on the holding member 640, and an activation position in which it will stabilize the holding member 640 in the holding position. The locking member 650 may in particular comprise one or more handles 651 arranged in a housing 652 and at least one stabilizing cable 653 connected to the holding member 640. The handle(s) 651 may be articulated by a pivot connection 654 with the housing 652, driving or releasing the stabilizing cables 653. Each handle 651 may act on one or more sets of two connecting rods 641, 643 or all the handles 651 may act on the same set.In the housing 652 of a handle 651 there may also be present a reversible elastic member 655, in particular a helical spring, configured to drive the handle 651 inside the housing. This makes it possible to reduce the force required by the user to store the handle 651 in its housing 652.

[0087] The stabilizing cable(s) 653 are in particular attached to the holding member 640 at the central pivot connection 645 of the connecting rods 641, 643, and more particularly to the axis of the central pivot connection 645. This attachment may be direct or made by means of one or more connecting pieces 646 (visible in FIGS. 5 and 6). A connecting piece 646 may in particular form a bridge between several connecting rod assemblies 641, 643, as shown, allowing simultaneous stabilization of these assemblies. Several stabilizing cables 653 may be attached to the same connecting piece 646. The stabilizing cable(s) 653 may in particular pass through the base 621 of the support 620, and in particular pass through guides 625 made in this base 621 (visible in FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0088] The holding member 640 and the locking member 650 can be configured so that when the tilting member 610 is in its rest position, the stabilizing cable(s) 653 pull on the handle(s) 651 so as to make them come out of their housing 652, as shown in FIG. 7A. In this state, the handles are therefore accessible to a user. When the tilting member 610 is in its release position, the stabilizing cable(s) 653 are loose and the handle(s) can be easily stored in their housing by the user by pressing on them, making it possible to maintain the holding member 640 in its holding position, as shown in FIG. 7B. This stabilization thus allows the user to stop actuating the drive member 602 and to push the trolley 100 while keeping the handles 651 pressed down.

[0089] When the user stops pressing the handle(s) 651, the tension on the holding member 640 is then stopped. To the extent that the drive member 602 is not actuated, the tilting member 610 will automatically return to its rest position, driving the holding member 640 into its rest position, redeploying the handles 651 from their housing 652, and furthermore driving the braking member(s) to their braking position.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two connecting rods 641, 643 can be configured so that in the rest position of the tilting member 610, it is not possible to set them in motion using the locking member 650. Thus, an inadvertent activation of the locking members 650 by a user will not allow the tilting member to tilt towards its release position. An example of configuration is visible in Figures 8A and 8B. In these figures, one can see the position of the two connecting rods 641, 643 of an assembly as well as that of a stabilizing cable 653 connected to a locking member 650 (not visible) and to a connecting piece 646, on the one hand in the rest position of the tilting member (Figure 8A), and on the other hand in the release position of the tilting member (Figure 8B).

[0091] In Figure 8A, it can be seen that the position of the lateral pivot connection 644 of the second link 643 is close to that of the first link 641. Thus, the links 641, 643 form an acute angle between them at the central pivot connection 645. In particular, these two pivot connections 642, 644 are arranged on the same side relative to the cable 653. It is therefore understood that pulling on the cable 653 does not allow the lateral pivot connection 644 of the second link 643 to move towards the other side of the cable 653, but conversely will tend to bring it closer to that of the first link 641 and therefore to cause the stop 616 of the tilting member 610 to press against the front wall 624 of the support. Thus, activation of the locking member 650 in the rest position of the tilting member 610 does not cause the latter to move towards its release position, but maintains the latter in the rest position.

[0092] In Figure 8B, the lateral pivot connection 644 of the second connecting rod 643 has passed to the other side of the cable 653, by the tilting of the tilting member 610. Here, it is clearly understood that the pulling of the cable 653 will tend to separate the lateral pivot connections 642, 644 from the connecting rods 641, 643 and therefore tend to tilt the tilting member 610 towards its disengaged position. In particular, in the disengaged position of the tilting member 610, the connecting rods 641, 643 form between them at the central pivot connection 645 an obtuse angle of less than 180°. Indeed, in the case where this angle is equal to or greater than 180°, problems may arise with the rods 641, 643 returning to their original configuration when the locking member 650 is released, thereby causing problems with the tilting member 610 returning to its rest position.

[0093] Remaining in these figures 8A and 8B, we can also see the movement of a cable 631 connecting the control member 601 to a braking member 400 and of a cable 630 connecting the control member 601 to a stabilizing member 300. The passage of the tilting member 610 from its rest position to its disengaged position will drive said cables 630, 631 inside the support 620. Conversely, the passage of the tilting member 610 from its disengaged position to its rest position will cause the cables 630, 631 to exit the support 620. It is noted in parallel that the movement of the stabilizing 653 and actuation cables 630, 631 goes in the opposite direction during the different movements of the tilting member 610.

[0094] Finally, we will turn to Figures 9 and 10 which represent a trolley 100 in which the braking and stabilization system 1 is mounted, fixed in particular to the structure 103 of the trolley 100. We can see the two rear wheels 102 between which extend pedals 511 and 602 of the first and second actuating members respectively 500, 600. The system 1 here comprises two stabilization members 300 distributed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the trolley. The two stabilization members 300 are also arranged at the rear of the trolley 100, and participate in concert with the braking members 400 arranged at the front wheels 101 in the general stabilization of the trolley 100. The trolley 100 comprises at least one wheel, and in particular two, three or four wheels. The braking member(s) 400 cooperate with at least one of the wheels of the carriage 100, in particular at least one of the wheels 101 arranged at the front of the carriage 100.The stabilizing member(s) 300 (visible in FIG. 10) may be arranged in the carriage 100 to raise at least one of the wheels arranged at the rear of the carriage 100 relative to the support 200.

[0095] In the movement kinetics of the carriage 100, the carriage 100 being stationary, with or without deployment of the stabilizing members 300, the user can actuate with his foot the pedal 602 of the second actuating member 600, which will tilt the tilting member 610, release the braking members 400 and raise the stabilizing members 300 if necessary. The carriage 100 is then free to move relative to the support 200. The user can then release his foot by pressing with his hands on the handles 651 of the locking system 650 to hold the tilting member 610 in its release position while releasing the pedal 602, which will remain depressed by the action of the holding system 640. To stop the carriage 100 again, the user can simply release the handles 651, which will cause the tilting member 610 to return to its rest position.Pressing the pedal 511 will then deploy the stabilizing members 300 in order to stabilize the carriage 100 relative to the support 200.

Claims

Claims 1. Braking and stabilization system (1) for a trolley (100) movable relative to a support (200), the trolley (100) comprising at least one wheel (101, 102), said system (1) comprising: - at least one stabilizing member (300) relative to the support (200) and movable between a deployed position in contact with the support (200) and a stored position at a distance from the support (200), - at least one braking member (400) for the movement of the carriage (100) relative to the support (200), said at least one braking member (400) being intended to cooperate with said at least one wheel (101, 102) of the carriage (100) and being movable between a braking position and a release position of said at least one wheel (101, 102) of the carriage (100), - a first actuating member (500) cooperating with the stabilizing member(s) (300) and movable between a rest position and an actuating configuration, where the passage from the rest position to the actuating position causes the deployment of the stabilizing member(s) (300) and where the passage from the actuating position to the rest position causes the storage of the stabilizing member(s) (300), - a second actuating member (600) cooperating with the braking member(s) (400) and movable between a rest position and a release position, where the passage from the rest position to the release position drives the braking member(s) (400) into their release position and where the passage from the release position to the rest position returns the braking member(s) (400) to their braking position, where the second actuating member (600) also cooperates with the first actuating member (500) so that the passage from its rest position to its release position also drives the storage of the stabilizing member(s) (300).

2. Braking and stabilization system according to claim 1, in which the second actuating member (600) comprises a control member (601) comprising a tilting member (610) mounted movably by a pivot connection (611) in a support (620) between a rest position and a release position configured to cause on the one hand the passage of the braking member (400) from its braking position to its release position and on the other hand the stabilizing member (300) from its deployed position to its stowed position.

3. Braking and stabilization system (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second actuating member (600) comprises a lever (660) configured to cause the first actuating member (500) to move from its actuating position to its rest position.

4. Braking and stabilization system according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the second actuating member (600) comprises a set of actuating cables (630) for its cooperation with the braking member (400) and the first actuating member (500).

5. Braking and stabilization system according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the second actuating member (600) comprises - a holding member (640) movable between a rest position and a holding position where it holds the second actuating member (600) in its release position, and - a locking member (650) capable of being actuated by a user and configured to stabilize the holding member (640) in its holding position when it is actuated by the user.

6. Braking and stabilization system according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which said at least one stabilizing member (300) comprises a foot (301) mounted movable in translation along a first axis (A1) in a frame (302) between a deployed position in contact with the support (200) and a stored position at a distance from the support (200).

7. Braking and stabilization system according to claim 6, wherein the first actuating member (500) comprises a first connecting rod (502, 502.1, 502.2) and a second connecting rod (503, 503.1, 503.2) coupled together by a guide member (340), the first connecting rod (502, 502.1, 502.2) cooperating with the frame (302) of the stabilizing member (300) by a first pivot connection (520) and the second connecting rod (503, 503.1, 503.2) cooperating with the foot (301) of the stabilizing member (300) by a second pivot connection (530).

8. Braking and stabilization system according to claim 7, in which the frame (302) comprises a rail (324) guiding the movement of the second connecting rod (502, 502.1, 502.2) during the passage of the first actuating member (500) between its different positions.

9. Braking and stabilization system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the first connecting rod (502, 502.1, 502.2) and the second connecting rod (503, 503.1, 503.2) are configured so that the first pivot connection (520), the guide member (540) and the second pivot connection (530) are aligned with each other along a second axis (A2) when the foot (301) passes between its two positions and so that the guide member (540) is arranged on a different side of the second axis (A2) in each respective position of the foot (301).

10. Trolley (100) comprising at least one wheel (101, 102) and a braking and stabilization system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said at least one braking member (400) of the braking and stabilization system (1) cooperates with the at least one wheel (101, 102).

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