SECURING FRAME FOR MOVABLE EQUIPMENT ON A PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A FRAME

Abstract

FIXING FRAME FOR FURNITURE EQUIPMENT IN A PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A FRAME The invention relates to a fixing frame for interior furniture equipment (30, 32) in a public transport vehicle comprising a passenger transport body mechanically connected to the running elements of said vehicle, said frame (100) comprising: a plurality of frame elements (10, 12, 14, 20); fixing means (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d; 12a, 12b, 12c; 14a, 14b, 14c; 20a) of each frame element (10, 12, 14) of said plurality of frame elements to said body of said transport vehicle; Mounting means (32a, 32b) for at least one piece of interior furniture (32) on at least one structural element of said plurality of structural elements. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ATTACHMENT FRAME FOR MOVABLE EQUIPMENT ON A PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A FRAME Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a fixing frame for interior furniture equipment of a passenger transport vehicle and a collective transport vehicle, such as a railway vehicle, equipped with such a frame. Technological background

[0002] The interior fittings of passenger transport vehicles, such as railway vehicles, are now fixed during the construction of the vehicle according to the needs of each company operating these vehicles.

[0003] Indeed, the interior furnishings of public transport vehicles, such as benches, seats, tables, luggage racks, etc., are attached directly to the vehicle body structure using fasteners such as inserts or bolts and nuts. Therefore, it is necessary to know in advance the layout of the interior furnishings intended by the vehicle operating company in order to plan, during the manufacturing of the vehicle body, the attachment points for the furnishings within the vehicle body.

[0004] In the railway sector, the term "diagram" refers to the organization of the vehicle's interior space and the arrangement of interior furnishings. The diagram therefore defines the distance between seats, the layout of tables (if applicable), luggage storage areas (if applicable), etc.

[0005] This diagram therefore defines the position of the fixing points for each piece of interior fittings. Once the body structure is finalized, each piece of fittings is individually fixed to its predefined fixing point directly on the body of the transport vehicle.

[0006] The major drawback of this interior equipment assembly technique is that it requires the pre-definition of the vehicle diagram. Once the diagram is defined, it is "frozen," and the body structure is manufactured to implement the intended diagram. In other words, the position of the equipment is fixed during the design phase for the vehicle's lifetime. Since the diagram and the vehicle's body structure are directly linked, this necessitates planning vehicle design involves fixing the diagrams very early and therefore taking risks on future needs.

[0007] However, it is not uncommon for the predefined diagram for a given operation to be incompatible with the future needs of other operations. Any modification of the interior equipment or its positions within the vehicle requires a modification of the existing attachment points if the defined points are no longer compatible with the new diagram.

[0008] If a new diagram is not compatible with the initial structure, it is necessary to modify the body structure to change the attachment points or create new, specific interfaces. Therefore, any adaptation during the vehicle's lifetime requires significant downtime and a complete requalification of the vehicle. This limits adaptation to needs, particularly due to the technical and economic impact of modifying the train. Furthermore, it generates very high costs.

[0009] The inventors therefore sought to propose an alternative solution allowing the diagram of a passenger transport vehicle (i.e. the interior layout of the vehicle) to be defined after the construction of the vehicle without heavy immobilization and not only during the design of the vehicle, as is the case today. Objectives of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to provide a solution for modifying the diagram of a passenger transport vehicle without structural modification of the vehicle body.

[0011] The invention aims in particular to provide a solution allowing modification of the diagram without modification of the predefined fixing points in the body of the transport vehicle.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide a solution enabling the fixing of interior fittings to be separated from the fixing points on the body structure of the transport vehicle.

[0013] The invention also aims to provide a public transport vehicle allowing for a modification of the arrangement of interior furniture equipment. Description of the invention

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to a fixing frame for interior furniture equipment in a public transport vehicle comprising a passenger transport body mechanically connected to the running elements of said vehicle.

[0015] The frame according to the invention comprises: - a plurality of reinforcement elements, - means of fixing each reinforcement element of said plurality of reinforcement elements to said body of said transport vehicle, - means of mounting at least one piece of interior furniture equipment on at least one structural element of said plurality of structural elements.

[0016] The invention thus makes it possible to separate the attachment of interior furniture from the attachment points on the vehicle body. To this end, the invention proposes using an additional structure designated by the terminology "furniture attachment frame" which is fixed to the vehicle body and it is this additional structure which receives and holds the furniture.

[0017] Thus, the diagram (the layout of the interior fittings) is independent of the technical constraints imposed by the vehicle body, which offers considerable freedom in positioning the interior fittings, even after the vehicle body has been manufactured. Indeed, this freedom of arrangement stems from the possibility of attaching the interior fittings to the mounting frame rather than directly to the vehicle body.

[0018] In other words, the means of fixing each reinforcement element of said plurality of reinforcement elements to the body of the transport vehicle can be distributed on the body according to a predetermined immutable organization, while the position and arrangement of the means of mounting the interior furniture equipment on the structural elements can be adapted according to needs, given that the latter are directly fixed to the fixing frame.

[0019] Thus, the body structure can be equipped with the same mounting frame while allowing for the inclusion of separate and / or differently distributed interior furnishings within the body. The invention enables a high degree of modularity in transport vehicles without multiplying the number of mounting points or rails on the vehicle body.

[0020] The invention thus departs from prior solutions by eliminating the direct attachment of the furniture equipment to the body structure and replacing it with indirect attachment via the frame, which is an additional internal structure fixed to the body. The fittings are therefore independent of the body's attachment points, unlike conventional solutions.

[0021] Furthermore, since the vehicle body includes a plurality of attachment points to which the reinforcement elements are fixed, it is possible to retain only one or more reinforcement elements depending on the requirements. The principle underlying the invention is to have a body structure equipped with a plurality of attachment points and to fix reinforcement elements to this body. The furniture is then mounted on the reinforcement elements fixed to the body of the transport vehicle. Two configuration parameters are therefore available. from the diagram: the choice of reinforcement elements to be fixed to the crate and the choice of furniture equipment mounted on the reinforcement elements fixed to the crate.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said plurality of reinforcement elements comprises at least one reinforcement arch - preferably a plurality of reinforcement arches - in the shape of an inverted U and said means of fixing each reinforcement arch comprise at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect a branch of the inverted U of the reinforcement arch and a side wall of said transport crate and at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect the central portion of the inverted U and the ceiling of said transport crate.

[0023] In other words, according to this advantageous embodiment, the reinforcement elements comprise at least one reinforcement arch connected to the vehicle body by fasteners that mechanically connect at least one arm of the inverted U of the reinforcement arch (preferably each arm) and the central part of the inverted U. Thus, the reinforcement arch conforms to the internal shape of the vehicle body and is securely fastened to the body by the fasteners. These fasteners are, for example, screw-nut type fasteners or any equivalent means. The shape of the inverted U allows the arch to be well integrated into the vehicle body, and is open and discreet.

[0024] Of course, according to other variants, at least one reinforcement element may be an arch having a shape other than an inverted U, such as an assembly of vertical and horizontal bars to form a square, an assembly of oblique bars to form a triangle, etc.

[0025] Thus, said plurality of reinforcement elements comprises at least one reinforcement arch - preferably a plurality of reinforcement arches - and said means of fixing each reinforcement arch comprise at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect a lateral portion of the reinforcement arch and a lateral wall of said transport crate and at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect a central portion of the reinforcement arch and the ceiling of the transport crate.

[0026] Alternatively or in combination, said plurality of reinforcement elements includes at least one vertical reinforcement bar - preferably a plurality of reinforcement bars - and said means of fixing each reinforcement bar include at least one fixing device configured to mechanically connect one end of this reinforcement bar to the ceiling or floor of said transport crate.

[0027] According to this variant, the reinforcement elements comprise at least one vertical bar connected to the casing by fastening devices arranged respectively and preferably at each end of the vertical bar.

[0028] Preferably, at least one vertical reinforcing bar - preferably each vertical reinforcing bar - is mechanically connected to a reinforcing arch by bolting means or any equivalent means.

[0029] This advantageous variant allows for the formation of an internal mechanical skeleton within the transport body, onto which the interior furnishings are attached. The mechanical connections between the arches and the vertical bars allow for the uniform distribution of the various stresses.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said means of fixing said plurality of reinforcement elements extend along parallel lines arranged respectively on the side walls, the floor and / or the ceiling of said vehicle body.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the fastening means (such as fasteners, for example, screw-nut type means) for the reinforcement elements (such as arches and vertical bars) extend along parallel lines arranged respectively on the side walls of the crate, on the floor, and on the ceiling of the transport crate. In other words, and according to this embodiment, the fastening points on the transport crate follow these fastening lines. These are also the only areas that allow for the fastening of a reinforcement element. During the manufacture of the transport crate, threaded holes are therefore provided, for example, at regular intervals along these fastening lines of the crate, these threads being intended to receive the screws and nuts that allow the reinforcement elements to be mechanically connected to the transport crate.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one reinforcement element - preferably each reinforcement element - is hollow so as to allow the passage of electrical connection cable inside this reinforcement element.

[0033] This advantageous variant makes it possible, on the one hand, to lighten the frame elements and, on the other hand, to run cables inside the frame elements. These cables are intended, for example, to power USB ports, electrical outlets, lighting, or information screens mounted on the frame according to the invention and / or on the furniture equipment mounted on the frame according to the invention.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for mounting at least one piece of interior furniture on at least one structural element comprise at least one clamp configured to grip a portion of the structural element, said clamp further carrying a mechanical linking member to said furniture element.

[0035] In other words, and according to this embodiment, an interior furniture fitting is mounted on one or more structural elements by means of clamps configured to tighten an arch or a vertical bar by screwing. For example, the screws can be arranged on either side of the arch or vertical bar and connect The two elements forming the clamping device are mechanically joined, or the clamps can be passed through the arch or vertical bar. Other mounting methods can be considered, such as eccentric quick-release fasteners or quarter-turn fasteners. These mounting methods preferably incorporate connecting elements that allow for the mechanical connection of a piece of furniture to the corresponding structural element.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one reinforcement element is formed of at least one tube having a cross-section with a maximum diameter of 40 mm so as to be able to act as a grab bar for a passenger.

[0037] This advantageous variant allows each reinforcement element with a cross-sectional diameter of up to 40 mm to serve as an additional gripping means for a passenger. Thus, this reinforcement element not only allows one or more pieces of furniture to be attached to the vehicle body, but can also be grasped by a passenger, for example, while standing, to help them stabilize themselves during the movement of the transport vehicle.

[0038] According to a variant of the invention, the reinforcement arches have a 60x30mm section and the vertical bars have a maximum diameter section of 40mm.

[0039] The cross-section of the reinforcement elements can be square, round, etc.

[0040] The invention also relates to a public transport vehicle comprising a passenger transport body mechanically connected to the running elements of said vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a fixing frame for interior furniture equipment according to the invention forming a mechanical link interface between said furniture equipment and said body of said vehicle.

[0041] The advantages and technical effects of the frame according to the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the transport vehicle according to the invention. List of figures

[0042] 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 is a schematic perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention supporting a plurality of interior furniture fittings, • Figure [Fig. 2] is a schematic view of a transport vehicle body intended to receive a frame according to the invention, • Figure [Fig. 3] is a schematic view of the means for mounting interior furniture equipment onto a structural element of a frame according to one embodiment of the invention, • Figure 4 is a schematic view of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention bearing a first configuration of interior furniture equipment, • [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the framework of [Fig.4] supporting a second configuration of interior furniture equipment.

[0043] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0044] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0045] Identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0046] Fig. 1 illustrates a fixing frame for a plurality of interior furniture equipment such as benches and seats in a public transport vehicle such as a passenger train.

[0047] This fixing frame is formed of a plurality of reinforcement elements including reinforcement arches 10, 12, 14 and vertical reinforcement bars 20, 22. For clarity in the figures, only some arches and some vertical bars are referenced in the figures.

[0048] These reinforcement elements (arches and bars) can be formed from steel, aluminum, aluminum foam or composite material such as carbon fiber for example.

[0049] Preferably, the vertical bars are mechanically connected to the reinforcement arches by bolting elements not shown in the figures for clarity.

[0050] For example, the vertical bar 20 of [Fig.1] is mechanically connected to the arch 10 at the central portion of the arch 10.

[0051] Each reinforcement element is mechanically connected to the vehicle body by fastening means. By way of example, and as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the reinforcement arch 10 is connected to the vehicle body by fastening members 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d. Fastening member 10a connects the arch 10 to a side wall of the vehicle body, fastening member 10d connects the arch 10 to the opposite side wall, and fastening members 10b, 10c connect the arch 10 to the upper wall (the ceiling) of the transport vehicle body.

[0052] Of course, other arrangements of the fastening elements are possible. For example, these fastening elements can connect the reinforcement element to the floor and / or the ceiling and / or the side walls.

[0053] As another example, the vertical bar 20 is connected to the floor of the crate by a fixing member 20a.

[0054] These fastening elements can be of all types. For example, they may be screw-nut type means conforming to threaded holes provided in the body of the transport vehicle.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment and as shown in the figures and in particular in [Fig.2], the various fixing devices of the reinforcement elements on the body of the vehicle preferably extend over parallel lines 40a, 40b, 40c arranged respectively on the floor, the walls and the ceiling of the body of the transport vehicle.

[0056] The frame further includes means for mounting furniture equipment onto the frame. Thus, by way of example, as shown in [Fig. 1], the bench 32 is mounted on the vertical bars 20, 22 of the frame by the mounting means 32a, 32b.

[0057] Figure 3 illustrates an example of an embodiment of these mounting means 32a, 32b.

[0058] To the left of Figure 3 are shown mounting means for equipping a reinforcement arch 12 (of which only a portion is shown) with an oval cross-section. These mounting means comprise two plates 40, 42 shaped to the tube of the arch 12 so as to be able to clamp the tube of the arch 12. These two plates 40, 42 are then secured to each other by screws 42a, 42b. The plates 40, 42 are identical, but rotated relative to each other such that the screwing means of one of the plates engage with the threaded holes of the other plate and vice versa.

[0059] In particular, and as shown in [Fig. 3], the plate 42 includes bores 42c, 42d into which the screws 42a, 42b can be inserted to engage in threaded holes 40g, 40h provided in the plate 40. The plate 40 also includes bores identical to the bores 42c, 42d of the plate 42, but not visible in the figure because they are arranged behind the tube 12. These bores are also associated with screws not visible in the figure.

[0060] Furthermore, the plate 40 includes bores 40i, 40j in which screws 40e, 40f can be arranged to extend through the plate 40 and form means for attaching interior furniture by tightening a nut. In [Fig. 3], the mounting means are shown in assembled perspective (above) and exploded perspective (below). Once assembled, the screws 40e, 40f are ready to receive a nut for mounting equipment onto the corresponding frame element.

[0061] To the right of [Fig. 3] are shown mounting means for equipping a vertical bar 10 (of which only a portion is shown) whose cross-section is circular. These means consist of two identical plates associated with screwing means. Furthermore, and like the mounting means on the arch, each plate includes a bore intended to allow a screw to pass through for fixing interior furniture equipment.

[0062] Preferably, each tube of an armature element is hollow to allow the passage of an electrical power cable for dedicated equipment (electrical outlet, USB outlet, etc.).

[0063] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a fastening framework according to an embodiment of the invention comprising several reinforcement arches and several vertical reinforcement bars. The two reinforcement portions on the right of the figures are identical and formed from the same reinforcement arches and the same vertical bars. Each reinforcement element is fixed to the body of a passenger transport vehicle.

[0064] On the other hand, the two figures are distinguished from each other by the furniture equipment carried by the two frames.

[0065] By way of example, [Fig.4] illustrates a frame whose portion on the right of the figure carries a three-seater bench 52, two benches 54, 56 arranged opposite each other and a single-seater seat 58.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates the same armature, the portion of which on the right of the figure bears the bench 52 with three seats, and a bench 53 with three seats and three single seats 58, 59, 60. Now the structure of the frame on this area of ​​the body is strictly identical on both figures.

[0067] In other words, the same frame allows for different interior layout configurations without requiring modification of the body structure. Different diagrams are possible without modifying the body structure.

[0068] The reader further understands that it is possible to modify the reinforcement, for example by removing certain reinforcement elements that are not necessary within the framework of the envisaged diagram. This is shown on the left side of Figures 4 and 5. The two reinforcements on the areas to the left of the box are not identical and differ from each other in the type, number, and arrangement of the reinforcement arches and vertical bars. The attachment points corresponding to the unused reinforcement elements on the box structure are then no longer used. On the other hand, it is understood that the box structure is identical in both figures.

Claims

Demands

1. Fixing frame for interior furniture equipment (30, 32) in a public transport vehicle comprising a passenger transport body mechanically connected to the running elements of said vehicle, said frame (100) comprising: • a plurality of frame elements (10, 12, 14, 20), • fixing means (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d; 12a, 12b, 12c; 14a, 14b, 14c; 20a) of each frame element (10, 12, 14) of said plurality of frame elements to said body of said transport vehicle, • mounting means (32a, 32b) of at least one interior furniture item (32) on at least one frame element of said plurality of frame elements.

2. Reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of reinforcement elements comprises at least one reinforcement arch (10, 12, 14) - preferably a plurality of reinforcement arches - and in that said means of fixing each reinforcement arch comprise at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect a lateral portion of the reinforcement arch and a lateral wall of said transport crate and at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect a central portion of the reinforcement arch and the ceiling of the transport crate.

3. Reinforcement according to claim 2, characterized in that said plurality of reinforcement elements comprises at least one reinforcement arch (10, 12, 14) - preferably a plurality of reinforcement arches - in the shape of an inverted U and in that said means of fixing each reinforcement arch (10, 12, 14) comprise at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect a branch of the inverted U of the reinforcement arch (10, 12, 14) and a side wall of said transport crate and at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect the central portion of the inverted U and the ceiling of the transport crate.

4. Reinforcement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said plurality of reinforcement elements comprises at least one vertical reinforcing bar (20) - preferably a plurality of reinforcing bars - and in that said means for fixing each reinforcing bar (20) comprise at least one fixing member configured to mechanically connect one end of this reinforcing bar to the ceiling or floor of said transport crate.

5. Reinforcement according to claims 3 and 4 taken together, characterized in that at least one vertical reinforcing bar (20) is mechanically connected to a reinforcing arch (10) by bolting means.

6. Reinforcement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said means of fixing said plurality of reinforcement elements extend along parallel lines (40a, 40b, 40c) arranged respectively on the side walls, the floor and / or the ceiling of said vehicle transport body.

7. Reinforcement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one reinforcement element - preferably each reinforcement element - is hollow so as to allow the passage of electrical connection cable inside that reinforcement element.

8. A frame according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said means for mounting at least one piece of interior furniture (32) on at least one frame element (20) comprise at least one clamp (40, 42) configured to grip a portion of the frame element, said clamp further carrying a mechanical connecting member (40e, 40f) to said furniture (32).

9. Reinforcement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one reinforcement element (12) is formed of at least one tube having a cross-section with a maximum diameter of 40 mm so as to be able to serve as a grab bar for a passenger.

10. A public transport vehicle comprising a passenger transport body mechanically connected to the running components of said vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a fixing frame for interior furniture equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9 forming a mechanical linking interface between said furniture equipment and said body of said vehicle.

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