Retractable step stool designed to be fitted to a piece of furniture, and furniture fitted with such a step stool

Abstract

The invention relates to a retractable step stool (22) which has at least one first step (24) and which is intended to be fitted to a piece of furniture (10), the step stool (22) being designed to be mounted movably longitudinally on said furniture (10) between a retracted position in the furniture (10) and an extended position in which said step (24) of the step stool (22) is arranged in projection in front of the front face (14) of the furniture (10), characterized in that it has a guardrail (40) which is articulated on the step stool (22) between a first position in which the guardrail (40) is retracted and a second position in which the guardrail (40) is deployed on a first longitudinal edge of said step (24), in order to limit the risk of accidental fall of the user from said step (24) by preventing untimely closure of the step stool (22). (Fig. 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Retractable step stool for use on furniture and furniture equipped with such a step stool Scope of the invention

[0001] This patent application relates to the field of steps; the object of the present invention relates more particularly to a retractable step for use in furniture such as kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Prior art

[0002] Young children are generally not tall enough to reach the sink fitted on top of a kitchen unit or bathroom unit.

[0003] Consequently, many families use a portable step stool which is stored in the kitchen or bathroom to allow children to access the sink.

[0004] This type of step stool poses a storage problem when not in use.

[0005] Indeed, when the step stool is not in use, it is generally left on the ground where it takes up space and obstructs traffic.

[0006] To overcome this problem, retractable footstools are known which are mounted movably on a piece of furniture between a retracted position in which the footstool is arranged inside a housing delimited by the furniture, and an extended position in which the footstool is arranged protruding in front of the front face of the furniture to allow access to the sink which equips the furniture, for example.

[0007] Such a retractable step is described and represented in document US20170370148.

[0008] Although the step stool described in document US20170370148 addresses the problem of its storage when not in use, it presents a lack of safety.

[0009] Indeed, according to document US20170370148, nothing is provided to prevent the risk of accidental falls of the user when standing on the footboard.

[0010] Furthermore, nothing is provided to prevent the step from closing unexpectedly when a user is on a step of the step. Description of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems mentioned above, by eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art cited.

[0012] To this end, the object of the present invention is to provide a retractable step stool which is equipped with a guardrail designed in particular to limit the risk of accidental falls by the user.

[0013] This objective, as well as others which will appear upon reading the following description, is achieved with a retractable step stool which includes at least one first step and which is intended to equip a piece of furniture, said furniture delimiting an internal housing which is arranged behind a transverse front face of the furniture and comprising a tray.

[0014] According to the invention, the step stool is designed to be mounted mobilously longitudinally on said furniture between a retracted position in which said step stool is arranged in said housing delimited by the furniture and an extended position in which said step stool is arranged in projection in front of the front face of the furniture so that said first step is able to accommodate a user, characterized in that it includes a guardrail which is articulated on the step stool between a first position, called retracted, in which the guardrail is retracted and a second position, called deployed, in which the guardrail is deployed on a first longitudinal edge of said step when the step stool is in its extended position, in order to limit the risk of accidental fall of the user from said step stool by preventing untimely closure of the step stool.

[0015] According to other optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0016] - the footstool includes a drawer-forming frame which is designed to be mounted sliding on the furniture and which supports said step, said frame being adapted to allow the step to slide between its retracted and extended positions. This feature contributes to a perfect integration of the step into the associated furniture;

[0017] - the guardrail includes a portion forming a stop which is intended to be in Longitudinal support on the front face of the furniture or on the edge of the tabletop when the guardrail is in its second deployed position, to prevent the step stool from closing unexpectedly from its extended to its retracted position. This feature ensures safe use of the step stool;

[0018] - the first step extends transversely from the first longitudinal edge up to a second longitudinal edge and the guardrail is mounted pivoting on said first longitudinal edge of the first step, between its first retracted position and its second deployed position;

[0019] - the guardrail is pressed against the first step when it occupies its first retracted position.

[0020] - the guardrail extends perpendicularly to the first step when it occupies its second deployed position;

[0021] - the step is equipped with a transverse front cladding panel which is provided to be flush with the front face of the furniture when the step stool is in its position retracted. This feature contributes to a perfect integration of the step stool into the associated furniture;

[0022] - the footstool includes a second step which forms a staircase with the first step so that the step-foot comprises successively, following a transverse direction, the second step, the first step and then the handrail.

[0023] The invention also relates to a piece of furniture equipped with a footstool of the type described above, the piece of furniture having a transverse front face which delimits an internal housing. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] is a perspective view which illustrates a piece of furniture equipped with a footstool in its retracted position, according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a perspective view illustrating the furniture equipped with the footstool the [Fig.l], with the step in the extended position and the guardrail in its first retracted position;

[0027] [Fig.3] is a perspective view illustrating the furniture equipped with the footstool [Fig.1], with the footboard in the extended position and the guardrail in its second deployed position.

[0028] In the description and claims, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse terminology will be adopted without limitation with reference to the L, V, T trihedron shown in the figures, considering that the furniture extends vertically from a horizontal floor.

[0029] Also, the expressions "superior", "inferior" will be used without limitation in reference to the upper and lower parts respectively of [Fig.1].

[0030] Throughout all these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs.

[0031] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0032] Figure [1] shows a kitchen unit 10 which includes a horizontal upper shelf 12 and a transverse front face 14.

[0033] The front face 14 of the furniture 10 extends vertically, that is to say perpendicularly to the ground 16.

[0034] The tray 12 includes a sink 18 and a tap 20.

[0035] Also, the furniture 10 is equipped with a retractable step 22 which is intended to facilitate access for a small person, such as a child, to the platform 12 of the furniture 10.

[0036] For this purpose, as can be seen in [Fig.3], the footstool 22 has a first upper step 24 and a second lower step 26 which are arranged in a staircase.

[0037] The first step 24 extends transversely from a first longitudinal edge 28 to a second longitudinal edge 30.

[0038] In addition, the footboard 22 includes a movable frame 32 which carries the first step 24 and the second step 26.

[0039] To visually integrate the step stool 22 into the furniture 10, the step stool 22 is equipped with a transverse front panel 34 which is attached to the frame 32.

[0040] This front panel 34 includes a gripping handle 36.

[0041] The chassis 32 forms a drawer, so that the footstool 22 is mounted to slide longitudinally on the furniture 10 between a retracted position illustrated in [Fig.1], and an extended position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0042] When the step 22 is in its retracted position, the front face 34 of the step 22 is flush with the front face 14 of the unit 10 and the steps 24, 26 of the step 22 are arranged in an internal housing 38 delimited by the unit 10.

[0043] The housing 38, visible in [Fig.3], is arranged behind the front face 14 of the unit 10, inside the unit 10 and directly above the sink 18.

[0044] Conversely, when the footstool 22 is in its extended position, the steps 24, 26 are arranged to protrude in front of the front face 14 of the furniture 10, so that the steps 24, 26 are able to accommodate a user.

[0045] According to the invention, the footboard 22 includes a guardrail 40 which has the shape of a plate, for example a plate made of plywood.

[0046] With reference to [Fig.3], the guardrail 40 is delimited by a first longitudinal edge 42, a second longitudinal edge 44 opposite, a third transverse edge 46 rear and a fourth transverse edge 48 front.

[0047] The first longitudinal edge 42 of the guardrail 40 is mounted freely in pivot on the second edge 30 of the first step 24 by means of a hinge 50.

[0048] Also, the third transverse edge 46 of the guardrail 40 forms an outgrowth which delimits a portion forming a stop 52.

[0049] The guardrail 40 is arranged so that the step 22 comprises successively, in a transverse direction, the second step 26, the first step 24 and then the guardrail 40.

[0050] More particularly, the guardrail 40 is pivotally mounted on the second longitudinal edge 30 of the first step 24 by means of the hinge 50 provided for this purpose, between a first position illustrated in [Fig.2] in which the guardrail 40 is retracted, and a second position illustrated in [Fig.3] in which the guardrail 40 is deployed on one side of the first step 24, in order to limit the risk of accidental fall of the user from the first step 24.

[0051] As can be seen in [Fig.2], in its first retracted position, the guardrail 40 is lying on the first step 24 to allow the footrest 22 to slide between its retracted position and its extended position.

[0052] With reference to [Fig.3], in its second deployed position, the guardrail 40 extends perpendicularly to the first step 24.

[0053] Also, the stop 52 of the guardrail 40 bears longitudinally on the edge of the platform 12, to prevent the step 22 from closing unexpectedly from its extended position to its retracted position. It is understood here that, in this example, the edge of the platform 12 is the most forward part of the unit; the edge of the platform is offset forward relative to the front of the unit.

[0054] Thus, the step 22 according to the invention allows a user to reach an elevated position in which he is standing, or even kneeling, on the first step 24, in a safe manner.

[0055] Indeed, the guardrail 40 makes it possible both to limit the risk of the user falling and to prevent the untimely closure of the frame 30 which carries the steps 24, 26 of the footboard 22.

[0056] Naturally, the invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0057] For example, the step stool 22 may have more or less than two steps.

Claims

Demands

1. A retractable step stool (22) comprising at least one first step (24) and intended to be fitted to a piece of furniture (10), said furniture (10) defining an internal compartment (38) arranged behind a transverse front face (14) of the furniture (10) and comprising a platform (12), the step stool (22) being designed to be mounted longitudinally on said furniture (10) between a retracted position in which said step (24) of the step stool (22) is arranged in said compartment (38) defined by the furniture (10) and an extended position in which said step (24) of the step stool (22) is arranged projecting in front of the front face (14) of the furniture (10) so that said first step (24) is able to accommodate a user,characterized in that it comprises a guardrail (40) which is hinged on the step (22) between a first position in which the guardrail (40) is retracted and a second position in which the guardrail (40) is deployed on a first longitudinal edge (42) of said step (24), in order to limit the risk of accidental fall of the user from said step (24) by preventing untimely closure of the step (22).

2. Retractable step (22) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a frame (32) forming a drawer which is designed to be mounted sliding on the furniture (10) and which carries said step (24), the frame (32) being adapted to allow the sliding of the step (22) between its retracted position and its extended position.

3. Retractable footstool (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guardrail (40) includes a stop portion (52) which is intended to bear longitudinally on the front face (14) of the furniture (10) or on the edge of the tabletop (12) when the guardrail (40) is in its second deployed position, to prevent the footstool (22) from its extended position from its retracted position from closing unintentionally.

4. Retractable step (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first step (24) extends transversely from the first longitudinal edge (42) to a second longitudinal edge (44) and the handrail (40) is pivotally mounted on said first longitudinal edge (42) of the first step (24), between its first retracted position and its second deployed position.

5. Retractable step (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guardrail (40) is lying on the first step (24) when it occupies its first retracted position.

6. Retractable step (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guardrail (40) extends perpendicularly to the first step (24) when it occupies its second deployed position.

7. Retractable step (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a transverse front panel (34) which is designed to be flush with the front face (14) of the furniture (10) when the step (22) is in its retracted position.

8. Retractable step (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second step (26) which forms a staircase with the first step (24) so ​​that the step (22) comprises successively, in a transverse direction, the second step (26), the first step (24) and then the handrail (40).

9. Furniture (10) equipped with a footstool (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the furniture (10) having a transverse front face (14) which delimits an internal housing (38).

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