Felt storage device for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage device (100), comprising a base (120) surrounded by a plurality of walls (110). Such a storage device is formed by folding a felt pattern comprising the base and the walls, articulated by means of a plurality of fold lines, the storage device also comprising holding means for securing two walls or one wall and a base in a so-called folded configuration, and in that the storage device also comprises a cover articulated relative to a wall of the storage device by means of a fold line, of the so-called reinforced articulation type, formed by a plurality of parallel elongate recesses. figure for the abstract: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Felt storage device for a vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the interior design of a vehicle.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a felt storage device for a vehicle.

[0003] The invention finds applications in particular for forming a felt storage space, such as an armrest, fixed or removable, a bag or any other accessory included in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Storage techniques for a vehicle are known from the prior art, covered with felt, a material commonly used for its acoustic qualities contributing to the soundproofing of a vehicle interior.

[0005] However, the techniques of the prior art are generally in the form of a rigid part, generally made of plastic covered with felt, or of thermoformed felt incorporating plastic fibers, taking up a significant amount of storage space when they are not installed inside a passenger compartment, consequently inducing a significant transport and storage cost.

[0006] In order to overcome these drawbacks, foldable storage techniques have been developed in the prior art so that their storage is reduced. However, these techniques are generally formed of a rigid base framed by flexible fabric walls, which is not very suitable for supporting a weight of one or several tens of kilograms, as may be the case for example for an armrest. In addition, the material used for the flexible walls can hardly be made of felt which is not as flexible as a fabric.

[0007] None of the current systems can simultaneously meet all the required needs, namely to propose a felt storage technique allowing a passenger compartment to be fitted out, which can be transported, stored in a reduced space, while providing conditions of sufficient rigidity to allow a weight of one or several tens of kilograms to be supported, and having sufficient solidity to withstand frequent stresses. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a storage device, comprising a base surrounded of a plurality of walls.

[0010] Such a storage device is for example an armrest, a storage box or a bag.

[0011] The storage device according to the invention is formed by folding a felt pattern comprising the bottom and the walls, articulated by means of a plurality of folding lines, the storage device also comprising holding means making it possible to secure two walls or a wall and a bottom in a so-called folded configuration.

[0012] Advantageously, the storage device also comprises a cover hinged relative to a wall of the storage device by means of a folding line, of the so-called reinforced hinge type, formed by a plurality of parallel elongate recesses.

[0013] The cover allows the internal space of the storage device to be covered in its folded configuration.

[0014] Thanks to the particular configuration of the so-called hinge fold line of the cover, a very significant improvement in the strength of this reinforced hinge, formed by a multitude of folds thanks to the presence of the elongated recesses, has been observed. The risk of tearing is therefore reduced compared to a conventional hinge with a single fold line which requires a greater depth in the thickness of the felt compared to the depth of each recess to allow a similar folding.

[0015] It should be emphasized that the hinge fold line of the cover is subject to a lot of stress in a passenger compartment, particularly in the context of an armrest-type storage device where the cover has to be lifted regularly to access the storage space inside the armrest.

[0016] In addition, the hinge fold line of the cover provides a more rounded fold resulting in lower stress on the felt, thus contributing to the strength of the hinge over time.

[0017] In particular embodiments of the invention, the depth of the elongated recesses is less than two-thirds of the thickness of the pattern, preferably less than half of the thickness of the pattern.

[0018] Thus, the risk of tearing of the felt at the hinge fold line of the cover is reduced.

[0019] In particular embodiments of the invention, the rigidity of the cover is greater than that of a wall.

[0020] Thus, the cover contributes to supporting a load by distributing the weight of the load over the top of the storage device, without causing excessive deformation of the storage device.

[0021] In particular embodiments of the invention, the cover comprises so-called fallen edges covering all or part of the walls adjacent to the cover in the folded configuration.

[0022] Thus, the edges of the cover make it possible to stiffen the upper part of the adjacent walls, generally vertical, of the storage device. The deformation of the adjacent walls is consequently reduced, providing the storage device with better resistance to a load placed on the cover.

[0023] In particular embodiments of the invention, each fold line between the bottom and a wall is formed by a V-shaped notch.

[0024] It is thus possible to have a clean edge, for example with an angle of ninety degrees between two consecutive walls or between a wall and a bottom. For this purpose, the sides of the notch can each be at forty-five degrees relative to the main plane of the pattern.

[0025] It should be emphasized that this type of notch is not suitable for a frequently stressed joint such as the lid joint, because the thickness remaining at the bottom of the notch is often too small to avoid unexpected tearing during a joint.

[0026] The V-notch is preferably used for folds only during folding / unfolding phases of the storage device.

[0027] In particular embodiments of the invention, the pattern comprises at least two contiguous walls having a fold line formed by a plurality of parallel elongate recesses.

[0028] The use of this type of folding lines makes it possible in particular to give a rounded shape to an articulated edge only during the folding / unfolding phases, in particular for aesthetic reasons.

[0029] In particular embodiments of the invention, the pattern comprises at least one tab articulated by a fold line with a wall, the tab allowing said wall to be held with another wall using a holding means such as self-gripping buckles, a snap button or a rivet.

[0030] Thus, the deployment of the storage device is easy to implement.

[0031] The self-gripping loops are for example of the Velcro strip type (registered trademark).

[0032] A snap fastener is generally composed of two complementary elements assembled together by exerting a pressure force.

[0033] In particular embodiments of the invention, the cover is a plastic part, independent of the pattern.

[0034] In particular embodiments of the invention, the cover is held to a tab of said pattern, said tab being articulated by a fold line of

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[0041] reinforced joint type. In particular embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the pattern is lined by the entirety of the cover. In particular embodiments of the invention, the pattern is formed from a thermoformable felt, incorporating the cover. Thus, the storage device is made of a single piece, therefore limiting the number of tools to be used during manufacturing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, in its folded configuration, in the form of an armrest; • [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a cover of the storage device of [Fig.l]; • [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a pattern of the storage device of the [Fig.l] in its unfolded configuration, i.e. flat; • [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a pattern of another example of a mode of production of a storage device according to the invention, in its unfolded configuration; • [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the storage device of [Fig.4], in its folded configuration, either in volume, in the form of an armrest; • [Fig.6] is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, in its folded configuration, in the form of a bag; • [Fig.7] is a schematic view of a pattern of the storage device of the [Fig.6] in its unfolded configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner. Please note, from now on, that the figures are not to scale. Example of a particular embodiment [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a non-limiting example of an embodiment of a storage device 100 according to the invention. The storage device 100 storage of generally parallelepiped shape here comprises four walls 110 surrounding a base 120 in order to form an interior space 130 accessible for storage and closed by a cover 140, the fallen edges 210 of which cover the upper part of the walls 110 in the folded configuration illustrated in [Fig.l]. This covering makes it possible to stiffen the storage device 100 in its folded configuration, thus contributing to the support of a load of the order of ten kilograms coming to be applied on top of the cover 140.

[0042] The cover 140 is here formed by a part illustrated in [Fig.2], which is distinct from the pattern 300 illustrated in [Fig.3], in which the walls 110 and the bottom 120 are included.

[0043] The pattern 300, formed for example in a piece of felt with a thickness of approximately five millimeters, comprises several parts articulated together by folding lines 310. The articulated parts correspond to the different faces of the storage device 100, including the walls 110 and the bottom 120. The articulated parts also correspond to tabs 320 making it possible to hold two walls 110 together or one wall 110 and the bottom 120, when the storage device 100 is deployed in volume in its folded configuration illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0044] Rivets 150 are used here to secure two parts of the pattern 300 in order to hold the two walls 110 together or the wall 110 and the bottom 120. Alternatively, a system of self-gripping loops, for example of the Velcro strip type (registered trademark), can be used to secure the two parts of the pattern 300 together.

[0045] More precisely, the pattern 300 illustrated in [Fig.3] comprises two side walls 110i articulated with the front wall 1102, the front wall 1102 being articulated with the bottom 120 which is itself articulated with the rear wall 1103. The cover 140 is connected to the rear wall 1103 by means of the tab 320i which is articulated on an edge of the rear wall 1103, edge opposite the articulation by the folding line 310A between the rear wall 1103 and the bottom 120.

[0046] The articulation between the tab 320i making it possible to hold the cover 140 to the rear wall 1103 by means of, for example, rivets 160 as illustrated in [Fig.l], is in the present non-limiting example of the invention implemented thanks to the fold line 310i, called the articulation line of the cover. The fold line 310i for articulation of the cover is here formed by three parallel elongate embossments 330, on the side of the inner face of the pattern 300 which is oriented towards the inner space 130 when the storage device 100 is in the folded configuration. The fold line 310i for articulation of the cover comprising a plurality of parallel elongate embossments 330 is of a type called reinforced articulation.

[0047] As illustrated in box A of [Fig.3] which is a partial sectional view of the pattern 300, the embossments 330 here form a hollow of square section, of depth of approximately two millimeters, i.e. less than half the thickness of the felt pattern 300. There therefore remains a thickness 335 of felt of approximately three millimeters of felt between the bottom of the embossing 330 and the other face of the pattern 300, corresponding to the outer face when the storage device 100 is in the folded configuration. The remaining thickness of three millimeters is here sufficient to allow good strength of the hinge folding line 310i of the cover which is regularly used to access the interior space 130 of the storage device 100.

[0048] The folding lines 3102 between the other tabs 3202 and the rear wall 1103 or the bottom 120, or between the bottom 120 and the rear wall 1103 or the front wall 1102 are here simply formed by V-shaped notches 340.

[0049] Box B of [Fig.3] illustrates a sectional view of a notch 340 forming a fold line 3102. The notch is here formed by sides at 45° relative to the main plane of the pattern, in order to allow a clean edge at a right angle to be produced in the folded configuration. The remaining thickness 345 being smaller than that of the hinge fold line 310i of the cover, the fold line 3102 is more fragile but to the extent that the fold line 3102 is little stressed over time, the risk of tearing remains low.

[0050] In order to be able to produce a rounded edge between the side walls 110i and the front wall 1102, the folding lines 3103 are here produced in a similar manner to the folding line 310i, according to the reinforced articulation type, by the formation of four elongated and parallel embossments 350 as illustrated in box C of [Fig.3].

[0051] It should be emphasized that the number, spacing and depth of the embossments are configured for a reinforced hinge type fold line depending on the desired radius of curvature.

[0052] To the extent that the folding lines 3103 are only stressed during the folding and bending phases, the embossments 350 can be replaced by one or more V-notches, without any particular risk of subsequent tearing, in order to meet a shape constraint of the storage device 100. Another example of a particular embodiment

[0053] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the storage device 500 according to the invention, here formed in the shape of a single piece, by a pattern 400 comprising fold lines as in the previous exemplary embodiment.

[0054] The main difference compared to the previous embodiment corresponds to the fact that the cover 420 is integrated into the pattern 400 illustrated in [Fig.4] which is formed in a thermoformable felt, in particular with the aim of reducing the number of manufacturing steps and in particular the number of tools used compared to a fa- construction of two separate pieces.

[0055] The other characteristics, in particular the hinge folding line 425 of the cover, which is of the reinforced hinge type, are here identical to the previous example embodiment.

[0056] Folding the pattern 400 allows the storage device 500 illustrated in [Fig.5] to be formed in its folded configuration, allowing the storage formed to be used in the interior space in a vehicle passenger compartment.

[0057] As with the previous exemplary embodiment, the storage device 500 may be held to a part of the passenger compartment by means of adjustable straps 510, which slide into notches 460 formed through the rear wall 470.

[0058] It should be emphasized that compared to the previous embodiment example, embodiment variants are here carried out on the cover 420 and on the side walls 430. These variants which can also be repeated in the previous embodiment example correspond to the formation of cup holders 440 on the cover 420 and to the formation of embossments 450 on the side walls 430. The embossments 450 make it possible in particular to play a role of animation and mechanical reinforcement of the side walls 430. Another example of a particular embodiment

[0059] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the storage device 600 according to the invention.

[0060] The storage device 600, shown in the perspective view of [Fig.6] in its folded configuration, is in the present non-limiting example of the invention a bag intended to be inserted into a housing configured in a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0061] The storage device 600 of generally parallelepiped shape is formed by folding a felt pattern 700 illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0062] In the present example, the storage device 600 comprises a plastic cover 610, independent of the pattern 700, which doubles the upper face 620 of the storage device 600. The upper face 620 is articulated relative to the rear wall 630 by means of a hinge folding line 710 of the cover, of the reinforced hinge type, formed by a plurality of embossments 720, here three in number, visible in box A of [Fig.7] which is a sectional view of the pattern 700 at the level of the folding line 710.

[0063] A beveled flap 640 making it possible to partially cover the upper part of the front wall 650, is also articulated with the upper face 620 by means of a hinge folding line 730 of the cover, according to a reinforced hinge type, in a manner similar to the folding line 710.

[0064] It should indeed be emphasized that the two fold lines 710 and 730 are regular- heavily used to access the internal space of the storage device 600.

[0065] Notches 740 are formed on the side walls 660 in order to lace two tabs 670, hinged relative to the bottom 745. Flaps 750 with notches 760 opposite the notches 740 line the side walls 660. The lacing of the tabs 670 through the notches 740 and 760 makes it possible to maintain the side walls 660 with the front wall 650 and the rear wall 630 in the folded configuration.

[0066] The side walls 660 are here articulated relative to the rear wall 630, and the flaps 750 relative to the front wall 650. In an alternative embodiment, the side walls 660 are articulated relative to the front wall 650, and the flaps 750 relative to the rear wall 630.

[0067] The tabs 670 comprise in the present non-limiting example of the invention two fold lines 770 providing complementary articulations in order to give flexibility to the tabs 670 when lacing through the notches 740 and 760. The fold lines 770 can be produced on opposite faces of the pattern 700 to provide an articulation of the tab in the form of an S.

[0068] Advantageously, the fold lines 770 can be formed by parallel embossing in order to reduce the risks of tearing during lacing.

[0069] The other articulations 780, in particular between the front wall 650 and the flaps 750, between the wall 650 and the bottom 745, between the bottom 745 and the tabs 670, between the bottom 745 and the rear wall 630 and between the rear wall 630 and the side walls 660, being little stressed, can be simply made by making a V-shaped notch in the pattern 700.

[0070] The cover 610 is held to the upper face 620 by means of rivets 680 fitted into slots formed through the upper face and into slots in a reinforcing piece (not illustrated in [Fig.6]) placed on the inside of the storage device 600.

[0071] In variations of this exemplary embodiment, the cover is integrated into the pattern which is formed from a thermoformable felt.

[0072] The tabs 670 here comprise handles 690 at their free end in order to form handles for carrying the storage device 600.

Claims

Claims

1. Storage device (100; 500; 600), comprising a base (120; 745) surrounded by a plurality of walls (110; 430, 470; 630, 650, 660), characterized in that the storage device is formed by folding a felt pattern (300; 400; 700) comprising the base and the walls, articulated by means of a plurality of fold lines (310; 425; 710, 730, 770), the storage device also comprising holding means for securing two walls or a wall and a base in a so-called folded configuration, and in that the storage device also comprises a cover (140; 420; 610) articulated relative to a wall of the storage device by means of a fold line, of the so-called reinforced articulation type, formed by a plurality of parallel elongate recesses (330, 350; 720).

2. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the elongate recesses is less than two-thirds of the thickness of the pattern.

3. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the rigidity of the cover is greater than that of a wall.

4. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid comprises so-called fallen edges covering all or part of the walls adjacent to the lid in the folded configuration.

5. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each fold line between the bottom and a wall is formed by a V-shaped notch (340).

6. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pattern comprises at least two contiguous walls having a fold line formed by a plurality of parallel elongate recesses.

7. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the pattern comprises at least one tab articulated by a fold line with a wall, the tab allowing said wall to be held with another wall using a holding means such as self-gripping loops, a snap fastener or a rivet.

8. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the cover is a plastic part, independent of the boss.

9. A storage device according to claim 8, wherein the cover is held to a tab of said boss, said tab being hinged by a reinforced hinge type fold line.

10. A storage device according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the pattern is lined by the entirety of the lid.

11. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pattern is formed from a thermoformable felt, incorporating the cover.

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