FOLDABLE / DEPLOYABLE DEVICE FOR PASSENGER SEATS IN A TRANSPORT VEHICLE

Abstract

FOLDABLE / DEPLOYABLE DEVICE FOR PASSENGER SEATS IN A TRANSPORT VEHICLE The invention relates to a foldable / deployable device for passenger seats in a transport vehicle comprising: a first frame (1) and a second frame (2) comprising at least one foot (11, 12) and at least two uprights (3, 4, 5, 6) extending parallel to each other and connected by at least one lower profile (7, 9) and one upper profile (8, 10), a first flexible portion (13) and a second flexible portion (14) extending between lower and upper profiles and configured to form, in a deployed state, a first and a second luggage receiving surface (15, 16), a flap comprising a first leaf (22, 24) and a second leaf (21, 25) fixed to an upright by a pivot joint, so as to allow a movement of said first armature and second armature between said deployed state and at least one folded state.Figure for the abbreviation: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: FOLDABLE / DEPLOYABLE DEVICE FOR PASSENGER SEATS IN A TRANSPORT VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of luggage racks. The invention relates more particularly to a foldable / deployable device for seats, especially for passenger seats in a transport vehicle, for receiving luggage. Technological background

[0002] Passenger transport vehicles, such as railway vehicles, are equipped with seats forming seating positions and generally arranged in rows, each row comprising at least one seat, often one, two, or three seats, sometimes more. Luggage storage shelves of relatively shallow depth are often located high up along each exterior wall of the vehicle, above the seats positioned against the exterior walls. Some vehicles may also provide dedicated luggage spaces near the doors or between certain rows of seats. These spaces are particularly suitable for luggage or other bulkier items than those that can be placed under the seats or on the storage shelves located along the exterior walls.

[0003] During peak periods such as holiday departures or weekends, the number of passengers' luggage increases significantly, and the storage spaces provided inside the vehicles become insufficient. This can cause not only inconvenience for passengers but also a safety problem related to the congestion of passenger and staff circulation areas on board the railway vehicles. Storing luggage in areas not designated for this purpose can also cause damage or premature wear to other components.

[0004] To meet this occasional need for additional luggage storage space, a waterproof fabric cover has already been proposed, configured to cover a row of seats and to protect seats used occasionally for luggage.

[0005] While it does indeed prevent soiling and damage to the seat upholstery during luggage handling, such a solution remains unsuitable for luggage storage, as the luggage is not held securely enough and the space remains unsuitable for such use.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. Objectives of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a foldable / deployable device that is easy to handle and ergonomic, both for its installation and for access to the luggage it receives.

[0008] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a foldable / deployable device which is, in general, reliable and particularly robust.

[0009] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a foldable / deployable device that can be easily installed, removed and stored.

[0010] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a foldable / deployable device which has a very small footprint in its folded state, when not in use.

[0011] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a foldable / deployable device capable of supporting at least 40 kg, or even up to 100 kg of total load. Description of the invention

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a folding / deployable device for seats, in particular for passenger seats in a transport vehicle, each seat comprising a seat and a backrest equipped with a headrest, said folding / deployable device being configured to be able to be placed between at least two seats in two separate rows and being characterized in that it comprises:

[0013] - a first frame and a second frame, each frame comprising at at least two uprights extending substantially parallel to each other and connected to each other by at least one lower profile and by at least one upper profile, each frame further comprising at least one foot,

[0014] - a first flexible portion extending between a first end fixed to the lower profile of said first frame and a second end fixed to the lower profile of said second frame, said first flexible portion being configured to be able to form, in at least one deployed state of said device, at least one first baggage receiving surface,

[0015] - a second flexible portion extending between a first end fixed to the upper profile of said first frame and a second end fixed to the upper profile of said second frame, said second flexible portion being configured to be able to form, in the deployed state of said device, at least one second baggage receiving surface,

[0016] - at least two panels, each panel comprising:

[0017] * at least one first leaf extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, said first end of said first leaf being fixed to an upright of said first frame by a pivot joint,

[0018] • at least a second leaf extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, said first end of said second leaf being fixed to an upright of said second frame by a pivot joint, said second end of each first leaf being linked to said second end of said at least one second leaf of said shutter by a pivot joint,

[0019] - said first flexible portion, said second flexible portion and each flap being configured to allow movement of said first armature and said second armature relative to each other, between said deployed state and at least one folded state in which said first armature and said second armature are closer to each other than in said deployed state.

[0020] A foldable / deployable device according to the invention comprising two frames connected to each other by at least two flexible portions and at least two flaps configured as defined above not only provides, when desired, at least two distinct levels of luggage storage but also prevents passengers from sitting on said seats.

[0021] Advantageously and according to the invention, said at least two seats of said two separate rows are such that at least one first seat belongs to a first row and at least one second seat belongs to a second row, that is to say that the back of the second seat extends substantially mainly along a plane which is not coplanar to a principal plane in which the back of said first seat extends mainly.

[0022] Advantageously and according to the invention, in the deployed state of said device, said second baggage receiving surface extends substantially parallel to said first baggage receiving surface. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, in a deployed state of said device, said first receiving surface and said second baggage receiving surface extend substantially horizontally. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, in a deployed state of said device, said first receiving surface and said second baggage receiving surface extend substantially parallel to the principal plane in which the seat of said seats extends.

[0023] Advantageously and according to the invention, said first luggage receiving surface is configured so that, in a deployed state of said device, it can extend at least partially into contact with the seat of said first seat, that is to say, in particular, onto the seat of said first seat, the luggage that may be placed on said first luggage reception area which can then rest at least in part on the seat of said first seat.

[0024] Advantageously and according to the invention, said first armature extends substantially in a first plane and said second armature extends substantially in a second plane, said first plane being substantially parallel to said second plane.

[0025] Advantageously and according to the invention, each flexible portion can comprise a plurality of cables, chains or chains, ropes or cords, bands or even be formed from a single sheet of fabric.

[0026] Advantageously, according to the invention, said first flexible portion and said second flexible portion are each formed of at least one flexible material such as a textile material, rubber, leather, or PVC. Advantageously, according to the invention, each flexible material is selected from knitted materials, woven materials, or spun materials. In particular, said flexible material has limited elasticity so as to allow said baggage receiving surfaces to maintain a substantially identical position even when heavy baggage rests upon them.

[0027] Advantageously and according to the invention, said first flexible portion and said second flexible portion each comprise a plurality of strips formed of at least one flexible material, and in particular of at least one woven, spun or knitted textile material substantially non-stretchable.

[0028] In particular, in a deployed state of said device, said bands of said flexible portions are configured to be able to extend parallel to each other and to extend substantially in the same plane.

[0029] Advantageously and according to the invention, each first leaf is connected to said second leaf by a hinge forming said pivot joint between said second end of said first leaf and said second end of said second leaf of said shutter. Advantageously and according to the invention, said hinge is selected from the group consisting of pivot hinges, piano hinges, and pin hinges.

[0030] Advantageously and according to the invention, in at least one folded state of said device, each first leaf extends substantially parallel to said second leaf.

[0031] Advantageously and according to the invention, in at least one deployed state of said device, each first leaf extends substantially in the same plane as said second leaf of said shutter. Advantageously and according to the invention, in at least one deployed state of said device, each first leaf and each second leaf of said at least one shutter are configured to exhibit compressive resistance along a longitudinal direction of the leaves. The leaves are configured to be in a locked position in the deployed position of said folding / deployable device.

[0032] A folding / deployable device according to the invention may comprise one or more hinged panels connected by pivot joints. Advantageously, and according to the invention, said folding / deployable device comprises two panels. In particular, a first panel is preferably connected to the first two uprights of each frame (i.e., the first upright of the first frame and the first upright of the second frame), and a second panel is connected to the second two uprights of each frame (i.e., the second upright of the first frame and the second upright of the second frame). Thus, in the deployed state of said device, the two panels extend primarily along parallel planes.

[0033] Advantageously and according to the invention, each foot of each frame is configured to be able to rest in contact with the ground when said device is installed between two rows of seats.

[0034] Advantageously, and according to the invention, said folding / deployable device comprises two feet configured to rest in contact with the ground when said device is installed between two rows of seats. Each foot of each frame of said device transmits the forces related to the luggage load that can be supported by the folding / deployable device.

[0035] Advantageously and according to the invention, said folding / deployable device further comprises at least one stabilizing end piece disposed at the free end of each upright of said first frame and said second frame. Each stabilizing end piece can, for example, be configured to clip on one side onto the rear shell of the seats, and on the other side, rest against the armrests of the headrests of the seats and between them.

[0036] The invention also relates to a transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, equipped with at least one foldable / deployable device according to the invention.

[0037] The invention also relates to a foldable / deployable device and a railway vehicle equipped with such a device, characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0038] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which: • [Fig.1] represents a schematic perspective view of a foldable / deployable device according to the invention in the deployed state. • [Fig. 2] represents a schematic perspective view of a device foldable / deployable according to the invention in the folded state. • [Fig. 3] represents a schematic perspective view of a device foldable / deployable according to the invention in the deployed state installed between two rows of seats.

[0039] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a foldable / deployable device according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 1 illustrates a foldable / deployable device according to the invention in a deployed state. Figure 2 illustrates a foldable / deployable device according to the invention in a folded state.

[0042] The foldable / deployable device shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a first frame 1 and a second frame 2. The first frame 1 comprises two uprights 3, 4 extending substantially parallel to each other and connected to each other by a lower profile 7 and by an upper profile 8. The second frame 2 comprises two uprights 5, 6 extending substantially parallel to each other and connected to each other by a lower profile 9 and by at least one upper profile 10.

[0043] Each reinforcement further comprises at least one foot 11, 12. The foot 11 of the first reinforcement 1 extends from a shoulder 19 connected to a longitudinal end of the lower profile 7. The foot 12 of the second reinforcement 2 extends from a shoulder 20 connected to a longitudinal end of the lower profile 9.

[0044] The foldable / deployable device shown in figures 1 to 3 also includes a first flexible portion 13 and a second flexible portion 14 extending respectively between the lower profiles 7 and 9 and the upper profiles 8 and 10 of the first reinforcement 1 and the second reinforcement 2.

[0045] Each flexible portion 13, 14 allows the formation, in at least one deployed state of said device, of a first baggage receiving surface 15 and a second baggage receiving surface 16. In the deployed state of said device, the second receiving surface 16 extends substantially parallel to the first baggage receiving surface 15. The first flexible portion 13 and the second flexible portion 14 each comprise a plurality of strips 17, 18 formed of at least one woven material, in particular a substantially non-stretch fabric. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, each fabric strip has the same width and the same length. The first flexible portion 13 and the second flexible portion 14 illustrated herein each comprise six fabric strips.

[0046] As can be seen in [Fig.3], in the deployed state of the device, the first baggage reception surface 15 is the one located closest to the seat of the row 31 seats and can be partially in contact with the seat of the row 31 seats.

[0047] The ends of the strips 17, 18 of the first flexible portion 13 and of the second flexible portion 14 can be fixed to the lower profiles 7, 9 and to the profiles upper 8, 10 of the first reinforcement 1 and of the second reinforcement 2 by all types of fixing devices such as by pinching or wedging between two edges of the profile or by wrapping around the profiles and sewing the distal end of the strip onto the strip folded over itself by forming a loop around the profile.

[0048] Thus, the bands 17, 18 allow the frames 1 and 2 to be brought closer together in order to limit the bulk of the folding / deployable device when it is necessary to free up the seats in row 31 and / or when it is no longer necessary to have additional storage space for luggage or any other object. As can be seen in [Fig. 2], in the folded state, the bands 17, 18 of the folding / deployable device are folded into a V-shape, suspended by their longitudinal ends from the lower profiles 7, 9 and the upper profiles 8, 10 of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, without hindering the handling of the device for folding or deploying it.

[0049] The folding / deployable device shown in Figures 1 to 3 also comprises two flaps, each consisting of two hinged leaves 21, 22, 24, 25. Each first leaf 22, 24 has one end fixed to a post 3, 4 of the first frame 1 by a pivot joint, and each second leaf 21, 25 has one end fixed to a post 5, 6 of the second frame 2 by a pivot joint. The other end of each first leaf is connected to the other end of the second leaf of the flap in question by a pivot joint formed, for example, by a piano hinge 23, 26.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, the shutter leaves 21, 22, 24, 25 are rectangular panels of identical dimensions. When the device is folded, the three pivot joints of each shutter allow the hinge 23, 26 to move towards the space located under the second flexible section 14, between the first flexible section 13 and the second flexible section 14 in the deployed state of the device. In order not to hinder the folding of the shutter leaves 21, 22, 24, 25, which here have a length greater than half the distance separating the uprights 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 of the frames 1, 2, the shutters are vertically offset from one another and are therefore not positioned exactly opposite each other in the deployed state of the device.

[0051] In the deployed state of the device, each first flap 22, 24 extends substantially in the same plane as the second flap 21, 25 of the flap, forming a flat flap configured to remain in a flat and locked position so as to ensure that the device remains in the deployed position and supports the mass of the luggage it is likely to receive (corresponding to the deployed state shown in Figures 1 and 3). The flaps of each flap can be held in the unfolded position (180°) either by means of an additional part (not shown, for example including a latch) fixed to one of the flaps and allowing at least in part of a rotation of the latter, either by spontaneous locking of the two leaves of the shutter in the deployed position.

[0052] Such a device can be partially installed above passenger seats in a transport vehicle. Figure 3 illustrates a folding / deployable device according to the invention in a deployed state, installed between two rows 30, 31 of two seats each. A first row 30 of seats comprises two seats, each including a seat 32 and a backrest 33 with a headrest 34 at its upper part. The seat and backrest of each seat are connected to each other and optionally hinged to allow adjustment of the opening angle between them. A second row 31 of seats also comprises two seats, each including a seat 39 and a backrest with a headrest 40 at its upper part.

[0053] Each seat in rows 30, 31 may also include a frame comprising a shell 35 and a leg 37, 38 connected to the floor and supporting a beam on which the seats rest. The shell 35 has an upper edge 36.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the folding / deployable device according to the invention is configured for rows of seats comprising two seats side by side and therefore extends at least partially above and opposite these two seats. There is nothing to prevent, for example, a folding / deployable device configured for rows of seats comprising three or more seats side by side.

[0055] The folding / deployable device according to the invention may further include stabilizing end pieces 27, 28, each disposed at a free end of the uprights 3, 4, 5, 6 of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2. Such end pieces can form wedges or stops against the headrests 34, 40, 41, in particular by bearing against the armrests of the seat headrests. In the embodiment shown, the stabilizing end pieces 27 oriented towards the backrest of the row 30 of seats have a notch that can be disposed on the upper edge 36 of the shell 35 of the seats of the first row 30 of seats, like a hook, so as to improve the stability of the device in the deployed state, as can be seen in [Fig. 3].Nothing prevents the provision of other secondary removable linking devices between the uprights 3, 4, 5, 6, or even the profiles 7, 8, 9, 10, and certain parts of the seats in the rows receiving the folding / deployable device according to the invention in order to further improve its stability.

[0056] A device according to the invention thus makes it possible in the case of a transport vehicle, such as a passenger car of railway rolling stock, comprising rows of two seats side by side, to have a storage space of at least six standard-sized suitcases for example.

[0057] Nothing prevents the installation of a device according to the invention between two rows of seats arranged back to back.

[0058] The dimensions of a device according to the invention can, of course, be modified and adapted according to the size of the seats and the number of seats per row of the transport vehicle concerned. Nothing also prevents the use of a folding / deployable device sized for a single seat width and the placement of several folding / deployable devices on adjacent seats.

Claims

1. Demands Folding / deployable device for seats, in particular for passenger seats in a transport vehicle, each seat comprising a seat and a backrest equipped with a headrest, said folding / deployable device being configured to be able to be placed between at least two seats in two separate rows and being characterized in that it comprises: - a first reinforcement (1) and a second reinforcement (2), each reinforcement comprising at least two uprights (3, 4, 5, 6) extending substantially parallel to each other and connected to each other by at least one lower profile (7, 9) and by at least one upper profile (8, 10), each reinforcement further comprising at least one foot (11, 12), - a first flexible portion (13) extending between a first end fixed to the lower profile (7) of said first frame (1) and a second end fixed to the lower profile (9) of said second frame (2), said first flexible portion (13) being configured to be able to form, in at least one deployed state of said device, at least a first baggage reception surface (15), - a second flexible portion (14) extending between a first end fixed to the upper profile (8) of said first frame (1) and a second end fixed to the upper profile (10) of said second frame (2), said second flexible portion (14) being configured to be able to form, in the deployed state of said device, at least a second baggage reception surface (16), - at least two sections, each section comprising: • at least one first leaf (22, 24) extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, said first end of said first leaf being fixed to an upright (3, 4) of said first frame (1) by a pivot joint, • at least one second leaf (21, 25) extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, said first end of said second leaf being fixed to an upright (5, 6) of said second frame (2) by a pivot joint, said second end of each first leaf being linked to said second end of said at least one second leaf of said shutter by a pivot joint, - said first flexible portion, said second flexible portion and each shutter being configured to allow a movement of said first frame (1) and said second frame (2) relative to each other, between said deployed state and at least one folded state in which said first frame and said second frame are closer to each other than in said deployed state.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the deployed state of said device, said second receiving surface (16) extends substantially parallel to said first baggage receiving surface (15).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first armature (1) extends substantially in a first plane and in that said second armature (2) extends substantially in a second plane, said first plane being substantially parallel to said second plane.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first flexible portion (13) and said second flexible portion (14) are each formed of at least one flexible material.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first flexible portion (13) and said second flexible portion (14) each comprise a plurality of strips (17, 18) formed of at least one flexible material.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each first leaf (22, 24) is linked to said second leaf (21, 25) by a hinge (23, 26) forming said pivot link between said second end of said first leaf and said second end of said second leaf of said shutter.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, in at least one folded state of said device, each first leaf (22, 24) extends substantially parallel to said second leaf (21, 25).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, in at least one deployed state of said device, each first leaf (22, 24) extends substantially in the same plane as said second leaf (21, 25) of said shutter.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two parts.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises at least one stabilizing tip (27, 28) disposed at the free end of each upright (3, 4, 5, 6) of said first reinforcement (1) and of said second reinforcement (2).

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