Space divider for a public rail transportation vehicle and associated public rail transportation vehicle

Abstract

A space divider (30), for a public rail transportation vehicle (10), comprises a roller blind (32), having a roll-up cover (34), a winding tube, to which a first extremity (34A) of the roll-up cover is attached and on which the roll-up cover can be rolled up, a frame (38), in which the winding tube is mounted, and an end bar (40), to which a second extremity (34B) of the roll-up cover is attached; and comprises at least one attachment hook (42), fixedly secured to the frame (38). The at least one attachment hook attaches the frame of the space divider to a first handrail (22B) of a public rail transportation vehicle (10), the first handrail extending vertically or horizontally, so as to allow the roll-up cover to be deployed horizontally or vertically from the first handrail to divide the interior of the vehicle in two volumes.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a space divider for a public rail transportation vehicle and a public rail transportation vehicle comprising such a space divider.

[0002] Public rail transportation vehicles are, for example, tramways, metros and passenger trains. These vehicles are intended for the transportation of passengers, whether in urban environments or over long distances, and usually comprise one or more coaches, also named wagons, carriages or cars, these terms being considered as equivalents in the present description.

[0003] Usually, a public rail transportation vehicle does not allow for the transportation of freight in its coaches in a secure manner. Coaches are commonly equipped with storage space for passenger's luggage, but such storage spaces are not suitable for transporting freight, as they are not separated from the passenger. Hence, the freight is accessible by the passenger, which not desirable.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a solution allowing safe transportation of freight in a public rail transportation vehicle, without the freight being accessible by the passengers.

[0005] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a space divider for a public rail transportation vehicle, comprising: a roller blind, having: ∘ a roll-up cover, having a first extremity and a second extremity, ∘ a winding tube, extending along a main axis, to which the first extremity of the roll-up cover is attached and on which the roll-up cover can be rolled up, ∘ a frame, in which the winding tube is mounted, and ∘ an end bar, extending parallel to the main axis and to which the second extremity of the roll-up cover is attached, at least one attachment hook, fixedly secured to the frame. The at least one attachment hook is configured to attach the frame of the space divider to a first handrail of a public rail transportation vehicle, the first handrail being configured to extend vertically or horizontally, so as to allow the roll-up cover to be deployed horizontally or vertically from the first handrail.

[0006] An advantage of the invention is that the space divider allows the public rail transportation vehicle to be divided in two distinct areas, or volumes, on both sides of the space divider: on a first side, passengers can conventionally enter and use the vehicle, and on a second side, freight can be stored in the vehicle while being kept at a distance from the passengers. In other words, the roll-up cover, once deployed, prevent the passengers to access the freight.

[0007] Another advantage of the invention is that the space divider can easily and quickly be installed in the public rail transportation vehicle by a single operator, as the at least one attachment hook allow for easily attaching the frame to the vehicle. Hence, the space divider can be installed only when needed, and can be removed from the vehicle when not in use.

[0008] Another advantage of the invention is that the space divider can be installed in public rail transportation vehicle without needing any adaptation of the vehicle, as the at least one attachment hook can easily be attached to any existing handrail of a vehicle.

[0009] According to advantageous aspects of the invention, the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to all possible combinations: The at least one attachment hook comprises a spacer portion, extending from the frame perpendicular to the main axis and away from the end bar, and a gripper portion, extending from the spacer portion and having a hook shape curved towards the frame. The gripper portion is configured to receive the first handrail so as to attach the frame to the first handrail. A length of the spacer portion, measured perpendicular to the main axis, is comprised between 35 mm and 75 mm, and an extremity of the gripper portion is spaced apart from the spacer portion, measured perpendicular to the main axis and perpendicular to the spacer portion, of at least 35 mm. The space divider comprises two attachment hooks. The roll-up cover is made in fabric. The roll-up cover is made in a transparent material or in a semi-transparent material. The space divider further comprises at least one holding element, fixedly secured to the end bar and configured to attach the end bar of the space divider to a second handrail of a public rail transportation vehicle, the second handrail being configured to extend parallel to the first handrail and vertically, so as to allow the roll-up cover to be deployed horizontally between the first handrail and the second handrail. The at least one holding element is a hook-a-loop fastener, a string or a hook.

[0010] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a public rail transportation vehicle, comprising a space divider as described here above and a first handrail. The first handrail extends horizontally or vertically and the frame of the roller blind of the space divider is attached to the first handrail through the at least one attachment hook.

[0011] This public rail transportation vehicle induces the same advantages as the space divider mentioned here above.

[0012] Advantageously, the space divider further comprises at least one holding element, fixedly secured to the end bar, the public rail transportation vehicle further comprises a second handrail, extending parallel to the first handrail and vertically, the end bar of the roller blind of the space divider is attached to the second handrail through the holding element and the roll-up cover is deployed horizontally between the first handrail and the second handrail.

[0013] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly upon reading the following description of an exemplary space divider and an exemplary public rail transportation vehicle, provided solely as an example and made in reference to the appended drawings, in which: [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a public rail transportation vehicle according to the invention. [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the public rail transportation vehicle of Figure 1, from another angle, equipped with a space divider according to the invention. [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the public rail transportation vehicle of Figure 2, from another angle, equipped with the space divider. [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a top view of an attachment hook of the space divider of Figures 2 and 3.

[0014] A public rail transportation vehicle 10 is shown in Figure 1. The public rail transportation vehicle 10 is a rail vehicle, which is therefore designated to circulate on rails. Examples of such rail vehicles include metros, trains and tramways / trams.

[0015] In the following description, the public rail transportation vehicle 10 is also referred to as the "vehicle 10".

[0016] The vehicle 10 comprises a longitudinal axis X, extending parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle, a transversal axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, and a vertical axis Z, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to the transversal axis Y.

[0017] As the vehicle 10 is intended to transport passengers, it preferably comprises seats 12. In the example of Figure 1, only two seats 12 are shown.

[0018] The vehicle 10 also comprises a wall 14, along which the seats 12 are located, a ceiling 16 and a floor 18. The wall 14 extends perpendicular to the transversal axis Y, the ceiling 16 and the floor 18 extend perpendicular to the vertical axis Z. The vehicle 10 comprises doors. In figure 1, only a double door 20, located in the wall 14, is visible.

[0019] Furthermore, in the example the vehicle 10 also comprises another wall, not visible, extending parallel to the wall 14, and another door, not visible, located in said wall so as to be parallel to the door 14, i.e. aligned along the transversal axis X.

[0020] In addition, in the example, the vehicle 10 also comprises another seat 12, visible in Figure 2 and aligned with seats 12 visible in Figure 1, along the longitudinal axis X, i.e. located on the same side of the door 14.

[0021] The vehicle 10 comprises several handrails, or grab poles. In Figure 1, two vertical handrails, noted respectively 22A and 22B, are visible. Handrails 22A and 22B are extending parallel to the vertical axis Z, on either side of door 20, and are fixed to the wall 14. More precisely, in the example, handrails 22A and 22B are fixed respectively in a pillar 24A and a pillar 24B, fixed to the wall 14 and extending parallel to the vertical axis Z.

[0022] Furthermore, two horizontal handrails, noted respectively 22D and 22E, are also visible in Figure 1. Handrails 22D and 22E are extending parallel to the transversal axis Y, on either side of door 20, and are fixed to the ceiling 16.

[0023] Figure 1 is seen from the inside of the vehicle 10, facing the door 20, i.e. along the transversal axis Y, with a perspective effect.

[0024] Figure 2 is also seen from the inside of the vehicle 10, but along the longitudinal axis X, with no perspective effect. In Figure 2, pillar 24B and handrail 22B are visible on the left of the Figure, while another pillar 24C and another handrail 22C are visible on the right of the Figure. Pillar 24C and handrail 22C are extending parallel to the vertical axis Z. Hence, pillars 24B and 24C are aligned along the longitudinal axis X and handrails 22B and 22C are aligned along the longitudinal axis X. In Figure 2, door 20, pillar 24A and handrail 22A are located in front of pillar 22B, along the longitudinal axis X, and are therefore not represented for the clarity of the figure.

[0025] Figure 3 is another view from the inside of the vehicle 10, looking at handrail 22B and pillar 24B in perspective.

[0026] The vehicle 10 comprises a space divider 30, which is visible on Figures 2 and 3 but is not shown in Figure 1.

[0027] The space divider 30 comprises a roller blind 32. The roller blind 32 comprises a roll-up cover 34, a winding tube 36, extending along a main axis Z36, a frame 38, in which the winding tube 36 is mounted, and an end bar 40, extending parallel to the main axis Z36. Furthermore, the roll-up cover 34 comprises a first extremity 34A, attached to the winding tube 36 so that it can be rolled up onto the winding tube 36, and a second extremity 34B, attached to the end bar 40. Hence, the winding tube 36 and the frame 38 are located on a first side of the roll-up cover 34 and the end bar 40 is located on a second side of the roll-up cover 34.

[0028] Preferably, the roller blind 32 further comprises a return spring, not shown, which tends to rotate the winding tube 36 so as to roll up the roll-up cover 34 onto the winding shaft 36.

[0029] In the example on Figures 2 and 3, the main axis Z36 is parallel to the vertical axis Z, so that the winding tube 36, the frame 38 and the end bar 40 extend parallel to the vertical axis Z. Furthermore, in the example, the roll-up cover 34 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, so that the winding tube 36 and the frame 38 are located on a first side of the roll-up cover 34, along the transversal axis Y, and the end bar 40 is located on a second side of the roll-up cover 34, along the transversal axis Y.

[0030] The space divider 30 also comprises at least one attachment hook 42, in the example two attachment hooks 42. The attachment hooks 42 are fixedly secured to the frame 38 of the roller blind 32. One of the two attachment hooks 42 is shown from the top in Figure 4.

[0031] Preferably, each attachment hook 42 comprises a spacer portion 44, extending from the frame 38 perpendicular to the main axis Z36 and away from the end bar 40, i.e. along the transversal axis Y in the example, and a gripper portion 46, extending from the spacer portion and having a hook shape curved towards the frame 38. In other words, the gripper portion 46 defines an inner volume V46, which is opened towards the frame 38. In the example, the inner volume V46 of the gripper portion 46 has a semi-circular shape. As an alternative, not shown, the inner volume V46 of the gripper portion 46 has another hook shape, for example an oblong shape.

[0032] In the example, a length L44 of the spacer portion 44, measured perpendicular to the main axis Z36, i.e. measured along the spacer portion 44, in the example along the transversal axis Y, is comprised between 35 mm and 75 mm, preferably equal to 65 mm.

[0033] In the example, an extremity 48 of the gripper portion 46 is spaced apart from the spacer portion 44, measured perpendicular to the main axis Z36 and perpendicular to the spacer portion, i.e. measured along the longitudinal axis X, of a distance D46 at least equal to 35 mm.

[0034] Advantageously, the space divider 30 also comprises at least one holding element 50, in the example only one holding element 50. The holding element 50 is fixedly secured to the end bar 40 of the roller blind 32. The holding element 50 extends from the end bar 40 away from the frame 38.

[0035] Preferably, the holding element 50 is a hook-and-loop fastener, having a first strip with hooks and a second strip with loops configured to be fastened together. As an alternative, the holding element 50 is a hook, for example, similar to the attachment hooks 42, or a string.

[0036] In the example of Figures 2 and 3, the roll-up cover 34 is extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X between the handrail 22B and the handrail 22C. In other words, the roll-up cover 34 is deployed horizontally between the handrails 22B and 22C. Hence, the roll-up cover 34 divide the interior of the vehicle 10 into two distinct spaces, i.e. a first volume V1 located on a first side of the roll-up cover 34, along the longitudinal axis X, and a second volume V2 located on a second side of the roll-up cover 34, along the longitudinal axis X.

[0037] As visible in Figure 2, seats 12 are located on the second volume V2 of the vehicle 10 and are therefore behind the roll-up cover 34. Hence, the first volume V1 can be used to transport freight, or cargo, while the second volume V2 can accommodate passengers, the freight of the first volume V1 being kept at a distance from the passengers of the second volume V2 by the roll-up cover 34. The view point of Figure 2 is located in the first volume V1.

[0038] Practically speaking, to allow the roll-up cover 34 to be deployed horizontally between the handrails 22B and 22C, the frame 38 of the space divider 30 is attached to the handrail 22B with the attachment hooks 42. More precisely, in the example and to this end, the first handrail 22B is received in the gripper portion 46 of the attachment hooks 42, i.e. in the inner volume V46. In Figure 4, the first handrail 22B is represented to visualize how it is received in the inner volume V46 of the gripper portion 46. In addition, the end bar 40 of the space divider 30 is attached to the handrail 22C with the holding element 50. More precisely, to this end, the holding element 50, which is a hook-and-loop fastener in the example, is wrapped around the handrail 22C and fastened so as to prevent the end bar 40 to be moved away from the handrail 22C.

[0039] Preferably, the roll-up cover 34 is made in a transparent material, or in a semi-transparent material, so that viewing the first volume V1 from the second volume V2 through the roll-up cover 34 is possible, and vice versa. A transparent, or semi-transparent, roll-up cover 34 is advantageous, for example to allow an operator to monitor the freight transported in the first volume V1 from the second volume V2, allowing the operator to use the seats 12. For example, the roll-up cover 34 is a mesh.

[0040] Preferably, the roll-up cover 34 is made in fabric, ensuring the roll-up cover 34 is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, using fabric for the roll-up cover 34 allows displaying logos, advertising or other graphics onto the fabric. Advantageously, the fabric is chosen to be compliant with the standard EN 45545-2, so that the space divider 30 is useable in rail vehicles in compliance with said standard. For example, the roll-up cover 34 is made from a wide-weave fabric, such fabric also having the advantage of being semi-transparent.

[0041] In the example, to install the space divider 30, the attachment hooks 42 are first secured to the handrail 22B, so as to attach the frame 38 to the handrail 22B, then the roll-up cover 34 is deployed towards the handrail 22C, by pulling the end bar 40, then the holding element 50 is used to attach the end bar 40 to the handrail 22C, thus preventing the roll-up cover 34 from being rewound onto the winding tube 36, even when the roller blind 32 is equipped with a return spring.

[0042] To remove the space divider 30, the same operation is performed backwards.

[0043] The space divider 30 is particularly advantageous to divide the vehicle 10 in two spaces, i.e. the first volume V1 and the second volume V2, as it is particularly easy to deploy and remove. It can therefore be installed only when needed. In particular, the installation of the space divider 30 can be done in less than 10 seconds. Moreover, in case of emergency, the space divider 30 can easily be removed, or detached, to allow circulation between the first and second volumes V1, V2.

[0044] Furthermore, the space divider 30 is cheap to produce and therefore easily and widely useable.

[0045] In addition, the use of the attachment hooks 42 and of the holding element 50 is particularly advantageous, as it allow the space divider 30 to be attached to a wide variety of vehicles 10, which are generally always equipped with handrails, without requiring any modification of the vehicles, as the space divider 30 is simply attached to the handrails.

[0046] In a particularly advantageous manner, the space divider 30 can also be used vertically instead of horizontally, by deploying the roll-up cover 34 vertically from the ceiling 16, by attaching the frame 38 horizontally to a horizontal handrail, such as handrail 22D or handrail 22E, with the attachment hooks 42. When the space divider 30 is deployed vertically from the ceiling 16, the holding element 50 is not needed, as the weight of the roll-up cover 34 and of the end bar 40 is sufficient to prevent the roll-up cover 34 from being rewound onto the winding tube 36, even when the roller blind 32 is equipped with a return spring. Deploying the space divider 30 vertically can be advantageous, as it allow keeping the space divider attached to the horizontal handrail 22D or 22E even when the roll-up cover 34 is rewound onto the winding tube 36 with minimum disturbance to passengers of the vehicle 10.

[0047] As an alternative, not shown, the roller blind 32 is motorized, allowing easy deployment of the roll-up cover 34. A motorized roller blind 32 is particularly advantageous when the space divider 30 is used vertically, i.e. when the roll-up cover 34 is deployed vertically from the ceiling 16, as it ensures that there is no risk for the roll-up cover to be accidently rewound onto the winding tube 36.

[0048] The features of the embodiment and variants considered in this description can be combined to generate new embodiments of the invention, in the framework of the appended set of claims.

Claims

1. Space divider (30), for a public rail transportation vehicle (10), comprising: - a roller blind (32), having: ∘ a roll-up cover (34), having a first extremity (34A) and a second extremity (34B), ∘ a winding tube (36), extending along a main axis (Z36), to which the first extremity (34A) of the roll-up cover (34) is attached and on which the roll-up cover (34) can be rolled up, ∘ a frame (38), in which the winding tube (36) is mounted, and ∘ an end bar (40), extending parallel to the main axis (Z36) and to which the second extremity (34B) of the roll-up cover (34) is attached, - at least one attachment hook (42), fixedly secured to the frame (38), wherein the at least one attachment hook (42) is configured to attach the frame (38) of the space divider (30) to a first handrail (22B) of a public rail transportation vehicle (10), the first handrail (22B) being configured to extend vertically or horizontally, so as to allow the roll-up cover (34) to be deployed horizontally or vertically from the first handrail (22B).

2. Space divider (30) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment hook (42) comprises: - a spacer portion (44), extending from the frame (38) perpendicular to the main axis (Z36) and away from the end bar (40), and - a gripper portion (46), extending from the spacer portion (44) and having a hook shape curved towards the frame (38), wherein the gripper portion (46) is configured to receive the first handrail (22B) so as to attach the frame (38) to the first handrail (22B).

3. Space divider (30) according to claim 2, wherein a length (L44) of the spacer portion (44), measured perpendicular to the main axis (Z36), is comprised between 35 mm and 75 mm, and wherein an extremity (48) of the gripper portion (46) is spaced apart from the spacer portion (44), measured perpendicular to the main axis (Z36) and perpendicular to the spacer portion (44), of at least 35 mm.

4. Space divider (30) according to any one of claims 1-3, comprising two attachment hooks (42).

5. Space divider (30) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the roll-up cover (34) is made in fabric.

6. Space divider (30) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the roll-up cover (34) is made in a transparent material or in a semi-transparent material.

7. Space divider (30) according to any one of claims 1-6, further comprising at least one holding element (50), fixedly secured to the end bar (40) and configured to attach the end bar (40) of the space divider (30) to a second handrail (22C) of a public rail transportation vehicle (10), the second handrail (22C) being configured to extend parallel to the first handrail (22B) and vertically, so as to allow the roll-up cover (34) to be deployed horizontally between the first handrail (22B) and the second handrail (22C).

8. Space divider (30) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one holding element (50) is a hook-a-loop fastener, a string or a hook.

9. Public rail transportation vehicle (10), comprising a space divider (30) according to any one of claims 1-8 and a first handrail (22B), wherein the first handrail (22B) extends horizontally or vertically and wherein the frame (38) of the roller blind (32) of the space divider (30) is attached to the first handrail (22B) through the at least one attachment hook (42).

10. Public rail transportation vehicle (10) according to claim 9, the space divider (30) further being according to any one of claims 7-8, wherein the public rail transportation vehicle (10) further comprises a second handrail (22C), extending parallel to the first handrail (22B) and vertically, wherein the end bar (40) of the roller blind (32) of the space divider (30) is attached to the second handrail (22C) through the holding element (50) and wherein the roll-up cover (34) is deployed horizontally between the first handrail (22B) and the second handrail (22C).

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