Stacking bin system

Abstract

A stacking support (2) for bins (1), comprising a lower bin (3), an upper bin (4) held above the lower bin (3) by the support (2), said support (2) comprising, on the one hand, a fixed lower structure (11) configured to removably support said lower bin (3) on four feet (6) of the lower structure (11), and on the other hand, an upper structure (12) movable relative to the lower structure (11) and configured to removably support said upper bin (4), the system (1) further comprising a lifting mechanism configured to vertically raise the upper structure (12) relative to the lower structure (11) between a retracted position and a deployed position. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Stacked laundry baskets

[0001] The present invention relates to systems for storing bins, for example bins for storing and / or transporting laundry.

[0002] The present invention aims to constitute a system for stacking several bins which makes it possible to easily position or remove the bins for storage or transport, as well as to retract the structure to minimize its size when fewer bins are used. Previous techniques

[0003] Storage systems are known which allow a support for several bins to be created. However, the known systems do not allow for practical retraction of part of the structure when only one bin is used, in order to reduce its bulk. Statement of the invention

[0004] The invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a system for stacking bins capable of combining the advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability for its implementation, with a significant saving of space in the retracted position, modularity of the storage volume depending on the bins used or not, and such that if more space is required for storing the laundry, it is sufficient to unfold the laundry bin support system to access the lower bin, and, to save space, the bins can be folded up when they are not in use, which facilitates the possibility of sorting the laundry.

[0005] In view of the above, the invention relates to a system for stacking trays, comprising a support, a lower tray, an upper tray held above the lower tray by the support, said support comprising on the one hand a fixed lower structure configured to be able to removably carry said lower tray on four feet of the lower structure, and on the other hand an upper structure movable relative to the lower structure and configured to be able to removably carry said upper tray, the system further comprising a lifting mechanism configured to be able to vertically lift the upper structure relative to the lower structure between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0006] Preferably, the lower structure comprises four fixed vertical uprights connecting the four legs, a first horizontal frame which is fixed and which forms a rectangle with four fixed horizontal bars, said first horizontal frame being placed on the four fixed vertical uprights connecting the legs.

[0007] For example, the upper structure comprises a second horizontal frame which is movable vertically and which forms a rectangle composed of four horizontal bars- zontal.

[0008] Advantageously, the vertical lifting mechanism comprises a pair of lower cross-connecting rods and a pair of upper cross-connecting rods, the lower cross-connecting rods each being connected in rotation on the one hand to a horizontal lower cross-member of the lower frame and on the other hand to one of the upper cross-connecting rods via a pivot connection of the lifting mechanism, the upper cross-connecting rods each being connected in rotation on the one hand to one of the lower cross-connecting rods and on the other hand to the second horizontal frame.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the four fixed vertical uprights each comprise a hook configured for vertically holding the upper connecting rods in the deployed position of the upper structure.

[0010] In one embodiment, the upper tray and the lower tray each comprise edges adapted to allow said trays to be placed on the first horizontal frame and on the second horizontal frame.

[0011] Advantageously, the upper tray and the lower tray each have handles integrated into the continuity of the edges.

[0012] The system may further provide that in the retracted position of the upper structure, said upper structure is lowered to the lower structure by the lifting mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, each of the articulations between the lower connecting rods and the upper connecting rods comprises a connecting device with angular teeth and a wing nut coupled to said connecting device, configured to allow the lower and upper connecting rods to be guided in rotation and maintained in a relative angular position.

[0014] For example, the angular toothed connecting device comprises simple articulated joints and hooks, or, alternatively, Hirth teeth and a wing nut to lock everything in place.

[0015] The invention also relates to a system in which the four feet have rubber tips adapted to ensure a non-slip connection to the ground of the system. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The invention will be better understood from the detailed study of some embodiments taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0017] The invention will be better understood from a detailed study of an embodiment taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0018] [Fig.l] represents the system for stacking trays according to the invention, in front view, in the retracted state.

[0019] [Fig.2] represents the system of stacking trays according to the invention, in view before, in the deployed state.

[0020] [Fig.3] represents the support forming the supporting structure of the system, without the trays.

[0021] [Fig.4] represents one of the fixing hooks for holding in the deployed position. Detailed description of the figures

[0022] [Fig.l] illustrates the system for stacking trays 1 of the invention, in front view, in the retracted state.

[0023] The tray stacking system 1 comprises a support 2, a lower tray 3, and an upper tray 4 held above the lower tray 3 by the support 2.

[0024] Of course, the same system can be multiplied with more than two tanks, in particular three tanks, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] The support 2 comprises a lower structure 11 which is fixed and configured to be able to removably carry said lower tray 3 on four feet 6 of the lower structure 11.

[0026] The support 2 further comprises an upper structure 12 movable relative to the lower structure 11.

[0027] The upper structure 12 is configured to be able to removably carry the upper tray 4, i.e. to carry it when the user places it on said upper structure 12, or to remove it when he no longer wishes to place it on said upper structure.

[0028] Unlike the known systems of the prior art, the system 1 further comprises a lifting mechanism configured to be able to vertically lift the upper structure 12 relative to the lower structure 11 between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0029] Thus, a system is produced in which two laundry bins can be stacked, as illustrated in [Fig.2], allowing the user to add several levels of bins to save space.

[0030] The bins can be detached to make washing and sorting laundry easier.

[0031] The trays 3,4 are for example made of plastic, so as to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0032] They may include openings 15, which contributes to lightening the trays 3, 4, to improving the ventilation of the laundry in the trays 3, 4, and reduces the quantity of plastic material used for their manufacture, and therefore their cost price.

[0033] In addition, the 3,4 trays can be personalized thanks to the edges which allow them to be placed in the horizontal frames, a slight inclination allowing them to fit together and be interchangeable, for quick and easy storage.

[0034] The trays 3,4 may have straight and parallel edges as illustrated, or have some of the edges inclined and / or of varying sizes, which may allow for example easier access to one side of a tray.

[0035] Similarly, the upper opening of the trays 3,4 can be round, straight, beveled, curved, etc.

[0036] They are for example injection molded in rigid plastic.

[0037] Preferably, the lower structure 11 comprises four fixed vertical uprights 7 connecting the four feet 6, a first horizontal frame which is fixed and which forms a rectangle with four fixed horizontal bars 19, said first horizontal frame being placed on the four fixed vertical uprights 7 connecting the feet 6.

[0038] A system 1 is thus formed such that by folding the frames onto each other, the empty containers fit together.

[0039] For example, the upper structure 12 comprises a second horizontal frame which is movable along the vertical and which forms a rectangle composed of four horizontal bars 20.

[0040] The structure 2 is for example composed of metal bars and plastic joints, and such that the four connecting rods are articulated independently of each other so that the frames can be unfolded or folded empty or with the trays 3, 4.

[0041] Advantageously, the vertical lifting mechanism comprises a pair of lower crossed connecting rods 5 and a pair of upper crossed connecting rods 10, the lower crossed connecting rods 5 being each connected in rotation on the one hand to a horizontal lower cross member 18 of the lower frame 11 and on the other hand to one of the upper crossed connecting rods 10 via a pivot connection 8 of the lifting mechanism, the upper crossed connecting rods 10 being each connected in rotation on the one hand to one of the lower crossed connecting rods 5 and on the other hand to the second horizontal frame.

[0042] The lower crossed connecting rods 5 are for example linked in rotation to the horizontal lower crosspiece 18 of the lower frame 11 via pivot connections 9 placed outside the fixed vertical uprights 7 and higher than the feet 6, as illustrated by [Fig.3].

[0043] The pivot connections 9 can alternatively be placed between the fixed vertical uprights 7 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0044] Similarly, the upper cross rods 10 are each rotationally connected to the second horizontal frame, for example via upper pivot links 16, which may be between the four horizontal bars 20 forming the second horizontal frame which forms a rectangle.

[0045] As illustrated by [Fig.4], the four fixed vertical uprights 7 may each comprise a hook 17 configured for vertically holding the upper connecting rods 10 in the deployed position of the upper structure 12.

[0046] Thus, four hooks distributed at the level of each fixed vertical upright 7 secure the upper horizontal frame in the deployed position, the laundry bins 3, 4 being easy to install in a superimposed position, providing the upper bin 4 at arm's height for a standing user.

[0047] The system 1 can be unfolded in just a few steps, and folded back just as easily, since once unfolded, it is sufficient to clip the lower crossed connecting rods 5 into their vertical position so that the assembly stands perfectly upright.

[0048] In one embodiment, the upper tray 4 and the lower tray 3 each comprise edges 13 adapted to allow said trays 3, 4 to be placed on the first horizontal frame and on the second horizontal frame.

[0049] Advantageously, the upper tray 4 and the lower tray 3 each have handles 14 integrated in the continuity of the edges 13.

[0050] For example, a handle 14 is provided on each side of each tray 3, 4, which makes it possible to easily remove the trays 3, 4 from their horizontal frame and to easily transport them.

[0051] The system 1 may further provide that in the retracted position of the upper structure 12, said upper structure 12 is lowered to the lower structure 11 by the lifting mechanism.

[0052] A system 1 is thus formed such that by folding the horizontal frames onto each other, the empty containers 3, 4 fit together.

[0053] Preferably, each of the articulations 8 between the lower connecting rods 5 and the upper connecting rods 10 comprises a connecting device with angular teeth and a wing nut coupled to said connecting device, configured to allow the lower 5 and upper 10 connecting rods to be guided in rotation and maintained in a relative angular position.

[0054] The invention also relates to a system in which the four feet 6 comprise rubber tips adapted to ensure a non-slip connection to the ground of the system 1.

[0055] The rubber coverings are in fact non-slip, which allows the feet 6 to keep the system 1 firmly in place relative to the ground.

Claims

Claims

1. System for stacking trays (1), comprising a support (2), a lower tray (3), an upper tray (4) held above the lower tray (3) by the support (2), said support (2) comprising on the one hand a lower structure (11) fixed and configured to be able to removably carry said lower tray (3) on four feet (6) of the lower structure (11), and on the other hand an upper structure (12) movable relative to the lower structure (11) and configured to be able to removably carry said upper tray (4), the system (1) further comprising a lifting mechanism configured to be able to vertically lift the upper structure (12) relative to the lower structure (11) between a retracted position and a deployed position.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lower structure (11) comprises four fixed vertical uprights (7) connecting the four legs (6), a first horizontal frame which is fixed and which forms a rectangle with four fixed horizontal bars (19), said first horizontal frame being placed on the four fixed vertical uprights (7) connecting the legs (6).

3. System (1) according to claim 2, in which the upper structure (12) comprises a second horizontal frame which is movable vertically and which forms a rectangle composed of four horizontal bars (20).

4. System (1) according to claim 3, wherein the vertical lifting mechanism comprises a pair of lower cross-rods (5) and a pair of upper cross-rods (10), the lower cross-rods (5) each being rotatably connected on the one hand to a horizontal lower cross-member (18) of the lower frame (11) and on the other hand to one of the upper cross-rods (10) via a pivot connection (8) of the lifting mechanism, the upper cross-rods (10) each being rotatably connected on the one hand to one of the lower cross-rods (5) and on the other hand to the second horizontal frame.

5. System (1) according to claim 4, in which the four fixed vertical uprights (7) each comprise a hook (17) configured for vertically holding the upper connecting rods (10) in the deployed position of the upper structure (12).

6. System (1) according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the upper tray (4) and the lower tray (3) each comprise edges (13) adapted to allow said trays (3, 4) to be placed on the first horizontal frame and on the second horizontal frame.

7. System (1) according to claim 6, in which the upper tray (4) and the lower tray (3) each comprise handles (14) integrated in the continuity of the edges (13).

8. System (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein in the retracted position of the upper structure (12), said upper structure (12) is lowered to the lower structure (11) by the lifting mechanism.

9. System (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, in which each of the articulations (8) between the lower connecting rods (5) and the upper connecting rods (10) comprises a connecting device with angular teeth and a wing nut coupled to said connecting device, configured to allow the lower (5) and upper (10) connecting rods to be guided in rotation and maintained in a relative angular position.

10. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the four feet (6) comprise rubber tips adapted to ensure a non-slip connection to the ground of the system (1).