Bicycle storage device, and railway car, such as a wagon, comprising a bicycle storage device of this type.

Abstract

The invention relates to a bicycle storage device arranged to hold a bicycle (20) in a substantially vertical position, as well as a railway car equipped with such a storage device. The invention consists in that the device comprises a vertical post (1) on which are mounted means (2, 3) for holding the bicycle (20) in a vertical position in a vertical plane. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Bicycle storage device, and railway car, such as a wagon, comprising a bicycle storage device of this type.

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle storage device and to a railway car, such as a wagon, comprising such a bicycle storage device. It also relates to a railway vehicle comprising such a car.

[0002] The field of the invention is the field of bicycle storage devices, in particular for outdoor installations, indoor installations in dedicated premises as well as in railway vehicles, such as trains or trams. State of the art

[0003] Currently, in railway vehicles, bicycle storage and hooking devices are of two types: vertical storage devices and horizontal storage devices.

[0004] A horizontal storage device allows the bicycle to be stored horizontally, with its longitudinal axis extended along a horizontal plane, generally with both wheels resting on the ground. Horizontal storage is most commonly used in bicycle parking facilities and in public transportation.

[0005] Such a device generally consists of supports fixed to a horizontal beam in parking lots, for example, a wall or a side panel of a railway carriage, forming guides to accommodate the front wheel of the bicycle. Such devices have the advantage of offering relatively easy bicycle placement for users. However, the floor space occupied and the resulting bulk are too large compared to the number of bicycles that can be efficiently stored. Systems have been proposed that aim to optimize space and are bicycle strap systems that secure bicycles side by side, but this then presents the problem of accessing the first installed bicycle when the subsequent ones are leaning against it.

[0006] In DE 10 2010 005 689, a device for securing the front wheel of a bicycle along the longitudinal wall of a railway carriage was proposed. This device comprises a fastening means on the upper part of the bicycle wheel. This fastening means is further pivotally mounted on a support so as to allow the bicycle to be positioned not perpendicular to the longitudinal wall, but at an angle of less than 90° to it. Such a device therefore occupies less space in the railway carriage, as the bicycle(s) thus secured are folded down along the longitudinal wall of the carriage. However, when several bicycles are Arranged in this way, adjacent to each other and folded against the wall, they are also folded at least partially on top of each other, which often requires handling one or more bikes when you want to retrieve the first row.

[0007] If the bikes are separated, maneuvering and access spaces must be provided for each bike independently, which further increases the need for floor space.

[0008] Vertical storage devices have the advantage of occupying less floor space. Thus, a vertical storage device (with the bicycle's longitudinal axis extending vertically) can consist of at least two elements arranged on a longitudinal wall of a railway carriage: a suspension means, such as a hook positioned high up that inserts into the bicycle's front wheel when its longitudinal axis is in a vertical position, and a wheel guide, positioned lower than the hook, to hold the rear wheel and prevent the bicycle from tipping over. The hook can also be fixed to the ceiling of the carriage.

[0009] A bicycle securing device is known from US-B-10,266,094. This device consists of a hook suspended from the ceiling of a railway car and a retaining device for the bicycle's rear wheel once it is suspended. This retaining device is retractable between a usable and a non-usable position and can advantageously be mounted on the underside of a folding seat, so that the device is usable when the folding seat is raised, or on a wall of the vehicle between two rows of seats extending perpendicularly to this wall, these two rows thus defining a vertical storage space. Such a storage device therefore allows a passenger to sit on the folding seat when there are no bicycles to store.

[0010] However, a vertical storage device of this type first requires positioning the bicycle perpendicular to the side wall of the train, as for horizontal storage, which is not ergonomic for the user because he has to rotate the bicycle in the passenger compartment, which is not always easy.

[0011] Thus, for vertical storage, the maneuvers are somewhat complex because the user boards the vehicle with their bicycle, must first turn 90° to enter the passenger compartment or the space reserved for bicycles, then turn another 90° to position themselves facing the bicycle rack, and finally lift the bicycle to attach it. Often, the last 90° turn and the lifting of the bicycle must be done simultaneously due to the limited space in train cars relative to the length of a bicycle.

[0012] This vertical position therefore optimizes space, typically twice as many bikes in vertical position as in horizontal position for the same length occupied, but requires setup maneuvers that are not always easy for the user to perform.

[0013] A storage device allowing for easier bicycle storage has been proposed in DE-A-41 19 403. A vertical post installed along a wall of the vehicle supports a system for holding the front wheel of a bicycle. Using a system of slides, pulleys, cables, and a pull handle, the support system is raised to a certain height so that the bicycle is in an intermediate oblique position between a horizontal and a vertical storage position. The bicycle, thus stored, can also be folded down against the wall. While such a device makes it easier to position the bicycle at an angle, it does not offer a sufficient saving of space.

[0014] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of existing devices by proposing a storage device for bicycles, simple to implement and use, particularly in transport vehicles such as trams or trains.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a railway car comprising a bicycle storage device according to the invention allowing for space saving.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a bicycle storage device that can also allow the storage and attachment of other urban mobility objects. Description of the invention

[0017] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the invention relates to a bicycle storage device arranged to maintain a bicycle in an essentially vertical position, characterized in that the device comprises a vertical post on which are mounted means for maintaining the bicycle in a vertical position in a vertical plane.

[0018] Thus advantageously, the device offers vertical storage that can be easily installed, and without this storage device taking up too much space, the footprint being limited to the space occupied by the vertical post and the bicycle it carries.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining means include suspension means positioned in the upper part of the upright and on which a wheel of a bicycle can be engaged, which then becomes suspended and extends essentially vertically, as well as locking means, positioned in the lower part of the upright, to lock the other wheel and retain said bicycle in the horizontal plane.

[0020] Preferably, these locking means form a retaining housing into which the wheel is inserted when the bicycle is in a vertical, suspended position.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage device has a flat surface defining a second vertical plane, preferably oblique or perpendicular to the first vertical plane in which a bicycle can lie. This second vertical plane can serve as a support for storing other objects. This second plane can also extend into a plane parallel to the first vertical plane in which the bicycle lies.

[0022] For this purpose, the vertical upright of the device has two uprights extending transversely in the same vertical plane, preferably parallel to each other, from the vertical upright to define between them the flat surface forming the second vertical plane.

[0023] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the storage device consists of a mast extending vertically from a base and on which are mounted, in the upper part of the mast, the suspension means and in the lower part of the mast the locking means.

[0024] One or more of these devices can therefore be installed in the streets, for example along buildings, or as parking lots in dedicated areas, for example near train stations, public buildings, offices, etc. Preferably, the base is fixed to the ground or sufficiently weighted to prevent any risk of the device tipping over when a bicycle is placed on it.

[0025] The device can also be installed in public or private premises and can then be fixed to both the floor and the ceiling so as to extend permanently in that room such as a bicycle garage, a private residential garage, etc., between the floor and the ceiling of the living space.

[0026] The mast advantageously allows for the installation of anti-theft devices on the bicycle to secure its storage.

[0027] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the upright of the storage device consists of a U-shaped upright, the central core of which extends vertically and the ends of the arms are intended to be fixed to a vertical surface such as a wall, partition, or wall.

[0028] In this embodiment, the storage device can further define between the arms of the U-shaped upright a surface, essentially flat over at least part or all of the height between the arms of the upright and forming the second vertical plane.

[0029] Furthermore, when the storage device according to the invention is installed near a vertical surface such as a wall or partition, the orientation of the retaining means relative to the surface allows the bicycle to be positioned in a vertical plane that can be chosen, for example, parallel, oblique, or perpendicular to that surface. Storage installations can then be proposed, for example, in a herringbone pattern in a bicycle parking area.

[0030] The invention also relates to a railway car comprising a passenger compartment and at least one bicycle storage device, disposed in said passenger compartment and arranged to hold a bicycle in an essentially vertical position, characterized in that the device comprises an upright which extends vertically in said passenger compartment on which are mounted means for holding the bicycle in a vertical position, in a vertical plane.

[0031] Advantageously, the bicycle storage device allows the bicycle to be kept in a primarily vertical position, thus limiting its footprint in the car's interior. Furthermore, when the storage device is not in use, the vertical support can serve as a grab bar for passengers in the car. Therefore, a car according to the invention offers a space that can be dedicated to bicycle storage while also providing space for passengers, even when the storage devices are in use, as they serve as grab bars for said passengers.

[0032] Preferably, the retaining means carried by the vertical post are oriented in the passenger compartment to position the bicycle in a vertical plane parallel, oblique or perpendicular to a side wall of said passenger compartment.

[0033] Preferably, the holding means include suspension means positioned in the upper part of the upright and on which a wheel of a bicycle can be engaged, which then becomes suspended and extends essentially vertically, as well as locking means, positioned in the lower part of the upright, to lock the other wheel and retain said bicycle in the horizontal plane.

[0034] Advantageously, these means of support therefore make it possible to keep the bicycle in a vertical position by suspension in the upper part and by locking in the lower part, thus preventing the suspended bicycle from swinging during the movement of the railway car.

[0035] Preferably, the support means can be mounted pivoting around the vertical post, in particular the locking means in the lower part so that they can be retracted when not in use and thus prevent users from injuring themselves on them when the vertical post is used as a support bar.

[0036] The means of support therefore make it possible to define a first vertical plane in which the bicycle extends and their orientation in relation to a wall of the habitable space, preferably the longitudinal side wall, makes it possible to define that this vertical storage plane can be parallel, perpendicular or oblique in relation to this wall.

[0037] The orientation of these support means relative to a wall of the car makes it possible to define the space occupied by the bicycle storage in relation to the available space in the passenger compartment. It is then possible to foresee a plurality of configurations. The installation of these storage devices in a car is straightforward. Furthermore, the vertical support serves as a convenient grab bar even when the storage device is in use, thus ensuring that the installation of these storage devices does not impede passenger transport.

[0038] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the storage device has a flat surface defining a second vertical plane, preferably oblique or perpendicular to the first vertical plane and, preferably also oblique or perpendicular to the side wall of the passenger compartment. This second vertical plane may also be parallel to the first vertical plane.

[0039] This second vertical plane can in particular serve as a support for the storage of other objects or to delimit between two storage devices a space also for storage, for example to accommodate bulky luggage.

[0040] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the upright of the storage device consists of a bar extending vertically between the floor and the ceiling of the passenger compartment. Suspension means are mounted on the upper part of the bar, and locking means are mounted on the lower part. The orientation of the retaining means then determines the orientation of the vertical plane in which the suspended bicycle extends, relative to a side wall, preferably a longitudinal wall, of the car. Vertical uprights aligned at a certain distance from the wall can thus be installed, with the retaining means, depending on their orientation, allowing bicycles to be suspended vertically perpendicularly, obliquely, or parallel to this wall. Furthermore, the uprights, whether used or not, can serve as retaining bars.

[0041] Alternatively, two uprights can extend transversely, preferably parallel to each other, from the vertical upright to the wall of the passenger compartment to define between them a flat surface forming the second vertical plane.

[0042] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the storage device is a U-shaped upright, the central web of which extends vertically into the passenger compartment and the ends of the arms are fixed to a side wall of the car. Advantageously, the storage device thus defines, between the parallel arms of the U-shaped upright, a surface that is essentially flat over at least part or all of the height between the arms of the upright and forms the second vertical plane.

[0043] The flat surface forming the second vertical plane can then support or retaining means to accommodate an urban mobility object such as a scooter. It is also possible to provide other support means. allowing, for example, the storage of skis, surfboards and other similar items. According to a preferred embodiment, these support means can be removably fixed to the flat surface so that they can be changed and adapted to seasonal needs (ski racks, surfboard racks on long-distance trains, for example) or to local needs (scooter racks for urban transport such as trams).

[0044] This flat surface can also be provided with a seat, in particular a folding seat, fixed to the flat surface.

[0045] Advantageously, the U-shaped upright can also be provided with its pivotally fixed arm ends attached to a side wall of the car, so that the storage unit can be folded down against the wall when not in use, thus freeing up space in the car. Furthermore, if the flat surface has a folding seat, this seat can then be easily used.

[0046] The invention also relates to a car comprising several storage devices according to the invention aligned along a side wall, in particular parallel to each other.

[0047] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle, in particular of the train or tram type, comprising at least one railway car according to the invention as previously described. Description of the figures and methods of realization

[0048] Other advantages and features will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment, and the accompanying figures which represent:

[0049] [Fig.1] a schematic representation of a device for storing a bicycle in a railway car according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0050] [Fig.2A] a schematic representation of a top view of an upright according to [Fig.1] positioned relative to a longitudinal side wall of a car according to a first orientation of the retaining means;

[0051] [Fig.2B] a schematic representation of a top view of an installation of storage devices according to [Fig.2A] in a railway car;

[0052] [Fig.3A] a schematic representation of a top view of an upright according to [Fig.1] positioned relative to a longitudinal side wall of a car according to a second orientation of the retaining means;

[0053] [Fig.3B] a schematic representation of a top view of an installation of storage devices according to [Fig.3A] in a railway car;

[0054] [Fig.4A] a schematic representation of a top view of an upright according to [Fig.1] positioned relative to a longitudinal side wall of a car according to a third orientation of the retaining means;

[0055] [Fig.4B] a schematic representation of a top view of an installation of storage devices according to [Fig.4A] in a railway car;

[0056] [Fig. 5] a schematic representation of a side perspective view of a bicycle storage device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0057] [Fig.6] a schematic representation of a variant of the device of [Fig.5], seen in lateral perspective;

[0058] [Fig.7] a side perspective view of a car according to the invention; and

[0059] [Fig.8] a side perspective view of the car from [Fig.7] seen from the other side.

[0060] It is understood that the embodiments described below are in no way limiting. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, or with only a portion of the structural details if this portion is sufficient solely to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0061] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0062] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the bicycle storage device according to the invention comprises a vertical post 1, here consisting of a mast intended to extend between the floor PI and the ceiling P2 of a railway car. This mast 1 includes means for securing a bicycle 20, allowing for the vertical storage of said bicycle 20. Thus, the securing means consist of a suspension means such as a hook 2 that engages on the front wheel 21 of the bicycle 20 and is located in the upper part of the mast 1, on the ceiling P2 side. Locking means 3 for the rear wheel 22 are provided in the lower part of the mast 1, on the floor PI side.

[0063] The user lifts the front part of the bicycle 20 so that the front wheel 21 can be engaged on the hook 2. The bicycle 20, thus suspended in a vertical plane V1, is held with its rear wheel 22 engaged on the locking means 3 to prevent any horizontal swaying. The bicycle 20 thus extends from its front wheel 21 to its rear wheel 22 in a predominantly vertical plane VI, its longitudinal axis being vertical.

[0064] As can be seen in figures 2A, 3A and 4A, the orientation of the holding means 2, 3 with respect to a side wall of the railway car, here a longitudinal side wall PLL, in which the storage device is located allows the orientation of the vertical plane VI in which the bicycle 20 extends with respect to this wall PLL to be defined.

[0065] Thus, as can be seen in [Fig. 2A], the plane V1 can extend perpendicularly to the wall PLL. A railway car according to the invention may then comprise a plurality of masts 1 located along one or both walls PLL with the support means 2, 3 defining a vertical plane VI as shown in [Fig. 2B]. Furthermore, when the support means are not in use, the mast 1 can serve as a grab bar for passengers remaining standing in the car.

[0066] As can be seen in [Fig. 3B], the mast 1 is mounted with the support means 2, 3 defining a vertical plane V1 parallel to the longitudinal side wall PLL, thus resulting in a mounting in a railway car along each wall PLL as shown in [Fig. 3B]. Such a mounting of the masts 1 and orientation of the support means 2, 3 advantageously frees up the central space of the railway car to allow passenger movement even when all the storage structures are in use. Furthermore, when the storage devices are not in use, the mast 1 can serve as a grab bar for passengers remaining standing in the car.

[0067] In Figures 4A and 4B, the orientation of the support means 2, 3 of each mast 1 defines a vertical plane V1 oblique to the wall PLL. Such an oblique configuration is particularly advantageous for easy placement of the bicycles.

[0068] Figure 5 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of a storage device according to the invention. It shows a bicycle storage device comprising a U-shaped upright 10. This upright 10 is fixed at the ends of its arms 11 to the PLL wall of the car, while the central web 12 of the U extends vertically into the passenger compartment.

[0069] The vertical upright 12 provides means 2, 3 for securing a bicycle. These means consist of a hook 2 in the upper part of the upright 12 onto which the front wheel 21 of a bicycle 20 can be hooked, while in the lower part of the upright 12, there are means 3 for locking the rear wheel 22. The locking means may be formed of a sheet metal strip 31 which extends outward from the upright 12 and has a U-shape at its end 32, the rear wheel 22 being able to engage in the U to be locked therein.

[0070] Once the front wheel 21 of the bicycle 20 is engaged on the hook 2, and the rear wheel 22 is locked, the bicycle 20 extends in an essentially vertical plane VL

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, between the arms 11 of the upright 10 is placed a flat surface such as a panel 13 which can carry various accessories such as means of restraint 14 of other urban mobility objects such as scooters.

[0072] The upright 10 can be fixed to the PLL wall with its arms 11 extending perpendicularly to the PLL wall as can be seen in [Fig.5].

[0073] Alternatively, the upright 10 can be fixed so that the arms 11 extend obliquely with respect to the wall PLL. The upright 10 extends in a second vertical plane V2 oblique with respect to the wall PLL. The orientation of the retaining means 2, 3 also allows the orientation of the vertical plane VI of the bicycle 20 to be defined with respect to said wall PLL and with respect to the plane V2 of the upright 10, if applicable.

[0074] Figures 7 and 8 represent a car according to the invention in which the upright 10 of the storage device extends along an oblique vertical plane V2 relative to the wall PLL. This wall PLL has openings such as windows 5. The retaining means 2, 3 are oriented on the upright 10 so as to define a vertical plane VI for storing the bicycle 20. The vertical planes VI and V2 are perpendicular to each other and oblique to the wall PLL. As can be seen, the retaining means 2, 3 are set back from the center of the car's passenger compartment, thus avoiding protrusion in the passage of users. The storage device also includes retaining means 14 for a scooter.

[0075] The space between two storage devices can also be used for luggage storage.

[0076] Of course, the invention is not limited to the detailed examples above.

Claims

Demands

1. Bicycle storage device arranged to hold a bicycle (20) in an essentially vertical position, comprising a vertical post (1, 10) on which are mounted means for holding the bicycle (20) in a vertical position in a vertical plane (VI), characterized in that the storage device has a flat surface defining a second vertical plane (V2), preferably oblique or perpendicular to the first vertical plane (VI), allowing it to serve as a support for the storage of other objects.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining means comprise suspension means (2) positioned in the upper part of the upright (1) and on which a wheel (21) of the bicycle (20) can be engaged, which is then suspended and extends essentially vertically, as well as locking means (3), positioned in the lower part of the upright (1), to lock the other wheel (22) and retain said bicycle (20) in a horizontal plane.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the upright consists of a mast (1) extending vertically from a base and on which are mounted in the upper part of the mast (1), the suspension means (2) and in the lower part of the mast (1) the locking means (3).

4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the vertical upright (1) of the device has two uprights extending transversely in the same vertical plane from the vertical upright (1) to define between them the flat surface forming the second vertical plane (V2).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the upright consists of a U-shaped upright (10), the central core (12) of which extends vertically and the ends of the arms (11) are intended to be fixed to a vertical receiving surface such as a wall, partition, or wall.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the U-shaped arms of the upright (10) define between themselves a surface, essentially flat over at least part of the height, forming the second vertical plane (V2).

7. A railway car comprising a passenger compartment and at least one bicycle storage device located in said passenger compartment, and arranged to hold a bicycle (20) in an essentially vertical position, comprising an upright (1, 10) which extends vertically into said cabin and on which are mounted means for holding the bicycle in a vertical position, carried by the vertical upright oriented in the cabin to position the bicycle (20) in a vertical plane (VI) parallel, oblique or perpendicular to a side wall of said cabin, characterized in that the storage device comprises a flat surface forming a second vertical plane (V2), preferably oblique or perpendicular to the side wall of the cabin, and preferably oblique or perpendicular to the first vertical plane (VI) allowing to serve as a support for the storage of other objects.

8. Railway car according to claim 7, characterized in that the upright of the storage device consists of a mast (1) extending vertically between the floor and the ceiling of the passenger compartment.

9. Railway car according to claim 7, characterized in that the upright is a U-shaped upright (10), the central web (12) of which extends vertically into the passenger compartment and the ends of the arms (11) are fixed to a side wall of the passenger compartment.

10. A railway car according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the flat surface has at least one form of support, or restraint (14), for accommodating an urban mobility object such as a scooter.

11. Railway car according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the storage device comprises a seat, in particular a folding seat, fixed to the flat surface.

12. A railway car according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it comprises several storage devices aligned along the side wall, in particular parallel to each other.

13. Rail vehicle, in particular of the train, tram type, comprising at least one rail car according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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