AU2020200841A1

AU2020200841A1 - Comfort device with reduced space requirement, especially for a passenger in a public transport vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2020200841A1
Application number: AU2020200841A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Antonio Da Costa; Denis Miglianico
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Current assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Priority date: 2019-02-11
Filing date: 2020-02-06
Publication date: 2020-08-27
Also published as: EP3693211A1; FR3092553A1; FR3092553B1

Abstract

Comfort device with reduced space requirement, especially for a passenger in a public transport vehicle The comfort device includes a vertical support wall and a seat comprising a seat bottom (22) coupled to the support wall by a pivot link (24). The seat bottom (22) is movable around the pivot link (24) between a substantially vertical folded position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. The seat bottom (22) includes a moving part (44) translatable in a longitudinal direction (X) between a base position and an extended position. The seat bottom (22) includes lockable nonreturn means (56, 58) of the moving seat bottom part (44), allowing the translational movement of the moving seat bottom part (44) in a first movement direction going from the base position toward the extended position and prohibiting the translational movement of the moving seat bottom part (44) in a second movement direction opposite the first when the nonreturn means (56, 58) are locked. Figure for abstract: Figure 2 2/2 2264 62 50 56 58 44 52 55 24,-^ 66 9 54 42 46 48 60 55 FIG.2.

Description

2/2

62 2264

50 56 58 44

52 55

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66 9 54 42 46

48 60

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FIG.2.

Australian Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARDPATENT

Invention Title Comfort device with reduced space requirement, especially for a passenger in a public transport vehicle

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

1a

The present invention relates to a comfort device for a user, in particular for a passenger of a public transport vehicle, and more specifically of a railway vehicle. Already known in the state of the art, in particular according to FR 3,040,030, is a comfort device for a user, in particular a passenger of a public transport vehicle, and more specifically of a railway vehicle, including a vertical support wall and a seat comprising a seat bottom coupled to the support wall by means of a pivot link, wherein the seat bottom is movable around the pivot link between a substantially vertical folded position and a substantially horizontal deployed position, the seat bottom being coupled to the pivot link by sliding means, such that the seat bottom in the deployed position is translatable in a longitudinal direction between a base position close to the support wall, and an extended position far away from the support wall. Such comfort devices are for example configured to equip public transport vehicles with a high passenger density, these comfort devices being compact in the longitudinal direction. The invention in particular aims to improve the comfort of such a device. To that end, the invention in particular relates to a comfort device for a user, in particular a passenger of a public transport vehicle, and more specifically a railway vehicle, including a vertical support wall and a seat comprising a seat bottom coupled to the support wall by means of a pivot link, the seat bottom being movable around the pivot link between a substantially vertical folded position and a substantially horizontal deployed position, the seat bottom including a moving part coupled to the pivot link via sliding means, such that the moving part of the seat bottom in the deployed position is translatable in a longitudinal direction between a base position close to the support wall, and an extended position far away from the support wall, characterized in that the seat bottom includes lockable nonreturn means of the moving seat bottom part, allowing the translational movement of the moving seat bottom part in a first movement direction going from the base position toward the extended position and prohibiting the translational movement of the moving seat bottom part in a second movement direction opposite the first when the nonreturn means arelocked.

Owing to the locking means, the seat bottom is more stable, and does not move backward in an untimely manner, in particular in case of acceleration of the vehicle. A comfort device according to the invention may further include one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combinations:

- The seat bottom includes a structural part bearing the pivot link, and the moving seat bottom part includes: a support plate coupled to the structural part via sliding means, and an upper seat bottom panel, configured to accommodate the user, the upper seat bottom panel being movable relative to the support plate, between a first usage position and a second position, the locking of the nonreturn means being indexed on the position of the upper seat bottom panel relative to the support plate, the nonreturn means being locked when the upper seat bottom panel is in the first position, and unlocked when the upper seat bottom panel is in the second position. - The nonreturn means include at least one rack borne by the structural part, and at least one complementary notched freewheel borne by the upper seat bottom panel, each notched freewheel cooperating with the corresponding rack when the upper seat bottom panel is in the first position, and being disengaged from this rack when the upper seat bottom panel is in the second position. - The comfort device includes first resilient return means for returning the upper seat bottom panel toward its second position, arranged between the upper seat bottom panel and the support plate. - The cover device includes means for transmitting longitudinal forces between the upper seat bottom panel and the support plate, for example including at least one blade extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end secured to the support plate and a second end secured to the upper seat bottom panel. - The cover device includes means for blocking the seat bottom in the deployed position, comprising a push-piece borne by the support wall, and a rod borne by the moving part, the rod cooperating with the push-piece when the moving part is in the base position, and being separated from the push-piece when the moving part is in the extended position, the seat bottom being blocked in the deployed position when the rod is moved away from the push-piece. - The comfort device includes second resilient return means for returning the moving part toward the base position. - The cover device includes a second wall extending across from the first wall and bearing a folding tray, the second wall having a height lower than that of the first wall. - The seat includes a headrest, the second wall extending heightwise to beneath the headrest. The invention also relates to a public transport vehicle, characterized in that it includes a comfort device as previously disclosed. The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the appended figures, in which:

- [Fig 1] figure 1 is a schematic side view of a comfort device according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention; - [Fig 2] figure 2 is a partially transparent perspective view of a detail of the comfort device of figure 1. Figure 1 shows a comfort device 10 for a user, for example for a passenger of a public transport vehicle, for example a railway vehicle. Such a comfort device 10 is configured to be arranged in a room of the public transport vehicle, in order to accommodate a user in particular wishing to have a work area. The comfort device 10 includes a first vertical wall 14, and preferably a second vertical wall 16, such that the first 14 and second 16 vertical walls are arranged across from one another, and delimit a receiving space 18 for the user between them. Advantageously, the first 14 and second 16 walls do not extend up to the ceiling of the room. More specifically, the first wall 14 preferably has a height greater than the size of a user, for example a height of between 1m80 and 2 m. Conversely, the second wall 16 preferably has a height smaller than the size of a user, for example a height of less than 1m50, in order to offer a clear view to the user. Advantageously, at least one of the first 14 and second 16 vertical walls is movable relative to the other, such that the spacing between these first 14 and second 16 vertical walls can vary, moving these first 14 and second 16 vertical walls closer to or further from one another. To that end, at least one of the first 14 and second 16 vertical walls is mounted moving on a horizontal guideway 20. Preferably, the two vertical walls 14, 16 are mounted moving on this same horizontal guideway 20, or in a variant, each on a separate guideway. Advantageously, the comfort device 10 includes blocking means able to immobilize the first 14 and/or the second 16 vertical wall in a chosen position on the corresponding guideway. Such blocking means can be of any conceivable type. For example, the blocking means include retractable pins borne by the corresponding vertical wall 14, 16, able to cooperate with notches arranged on the guideway 20. The first vertical wall 14 includes a seat 21 comprising a folding seat bottom 22. The folding seat bottom 22 is coupled by a pivot link 24 to this first vertical wall 14. Optionally, the folding seat bottom 22 is coupled by this pivot link to a guide member 26 movable along a vertical guideway link 28. Thus, the seat bottom 22 can be moved vertically in order to adapt to the size of the user. The pivot link 24 allows the pivoting of the seat bottom 22 between a position [sic] between a substantially vertical folded position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. The pivot link 24 is resilient, resiliently returning the seat bottom 22 toward its folded position. The seat 20 also includes a backrest 30, for example vertically movable independently of the seat bottom 22. The vertical separation between the backrest 30 and the seat bottom 22 can thus be adjusted by the user, to adapt to his size and the position he wishes to adopt. Advantageously, the seat 20 also includes a headrest 32 that is vertically movable independently of the seat bottom 22, and independently of the backrest 30. The relative positions of the headrest 32, the backrest 30 and the seat bottom 22 can therefore be adjusted by the user, to adapt to his size and the position he wishes to adopt. In one preferred embodiment, the first wall 14 extends heightwise to above the highest position of the headrest 32. Furthermore, the second wall 16 extends heightwise to below the lowest position of the headrest 32. The second vertical wall 16 for example includes a folding tray 40, preferably vertically movable. The tray 40 is configured to receive an accessory of the user, for example a laptop computer, a digital tablet, a book, etc. The seat bottom 22 is shown in more detail in figure 2. In this figure 2, the seat bottom 22 is shown in the deployed, substantially horizontal position. The seat bottom 22 includes at least a structural part 42 bearing the pivot link 24, and a moving part 44 coupled to the structural part 42 by sliding means 46 defined in a longitudinal direction X. Thus, the moving part 44 of the seat bottom 22 in the deployed position is translatable in the longitudinal direction between a base position close to the first support wall 14, and an extended position at a distance from the first support wall 14. The sliding means 46 for example include at least one ball guideway, for example two ball guideways. The seat bottom 22 includes lockable nonreturn means 48 of the moving part 44, allowing the translational movement of the moving part 44 in a first movement direction going from the base position toward the extended position and prohibiting the translational movement of the seat bottom in a second movement direction opposite the first when the nonreturn means 48 are locked. The moving part 44 includes a support plate 50 coupled to the structural part 42 via the sliding means 46. The moving part 44 also includes an upper seat bottom panel 52, configured to accommodate the user, the upper seat bottom panel 52 being movable relative to the support plate 50, between a first usage position and a second position. The upper seat bottom panel 52 is for example configured to bear a padded covering to receive the user. The locking of the nonreturn means 48 is indexed on the position of the upper seat bottom panel 52 relative to the support plate 50. More specifically, the nonreturn means 48 are locked when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in the first position, and unlocked when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in the second position. The first position of the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in a low position, which corresponds to the position in which the upper seat bottom panel 52 is found when the user is seated on it. The second position of the upper seat bottom panel 52 is a high position, in which the upper seat bottom panel 52 is at least partially separated from the support plate in a vertical direction. This high position corresponds to the position of the upper seat bottom panel 52 when no one is seated on it. The seat bottom 22 including first resilient return means 54 for returning the upper seat bottom panel 52 toward its second position, the first resilient means 54 being arranged between the upper seat bottom panel 52 and the support plate 50. For example, the resilient means 54 include resilient studs interposed between the upper seat bottom panel 52 and the support plate 50, pinched between the upper seat bottom panel 52 and the support plate 50 when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in its first position. The upper seat bottom panel 52 includes rims 55 cooperating with complementary edges of the support plate 50 in order to limit the separation between the upper seat bottom panel 52 and the support plate 50, and thus to define the second position. The nonreturn means 48 include at least one rack 56 (for example two) borne by the structural part 42, and at least one complementary notched freewheel 58 (for example two) borne by the upper seat bottom panel 52. Each notched freewheel 58 cooperates with the corresponding rack 56 when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in the first position, and is disengaged from the corresponding rack 56 when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in the second position. It will be recalled that a freewheel is a wheel that is only able to rotate around its own axis in one rotation direction. Thus, when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in its first position, that is to say, the user is seated on it, the moving part 44 can move in translation, in the longitudinal direction, in the first sense, each freewheel 58 being oriented to rotate freely, while meshing with the corresponding rack 56. Conversely, the rotation of each freewheel 48 being blocked in the other sense, it is not possible to move the movable part 44 in the second sense when each freewheel 48 is engaged in the corresponding rack 56, that is to say, when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in the first position.

Furthermore, when the upper seat bottom panel 52 is in its second position, each freewheel 58, borne by this upper seat bottom panel 52, is disengaged from the corresponding rack 56. As a result, the moving part 44 can move freely in translation in the longitudinal direction X, in the first or second sense. The moving part 44 also includes means 60 for transmitting longitudinal forces between the upper seat bottom panel 52 and the support plate 50. These transmission means 60 for example include at least one blade (for example four blades) extending in the longitudinal direction X between a first end secured to the support plate 50 and a second end secured to the upper seat bottom panel 52. Each blade is vertically flexible, so as to allow the vertical movement of the upper seat bottom panel 52 relative to the support plate 50. Conversely, each blade has little to no longitudinal extensibility to make it possible to transmit a longitudinal force between the upper seat bottom panel 52 and the support plate 50. Advantageously, the seat bottom 22 includes second resilient return means 62 for returning the moving part 44 toward the base position. These second return means 62 are for example arranged between the structural part 42 and the moving part 44. Thus, when the user leaves the seat, the upper seat bottom plate 52 enters its second position by the effect of the first return means 54, such that the freewheels 58 disengage from the racks 56, freeing the movements of the moving part 44. The moving part 44 is then returned toward its base position by the second return means 62. Preferably, the seat bottom 22 includes means for blocking the seat bottom in the deployed position, comprising a push-piece 64 borne by the support wall 14, and a rod 66 borne by the moving part 44, and more specifically by the support plate 50. The rod 66 extends across from the push-piece 64, so as to cooperate with the push-piece 64 when the moving part 44 is in the base position, and to be separated from the push-piece 64 when the moving part 44 is in the extended position. The seat bottom 22 is blocked in the deployed position when the rod 66 is separated from the push-piece 64, and freed when the push piece 64 is actuated by the rod 66. Thus, the seat bottom 22 stays in the deployed position as long as the moving part 44 has not returned to its base position. This makes it possible to ensure proper repositioning of the moving part 44 before folding the seat bottom 22. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A comfort device for a user, in particular a passenger of a public transport vehicle, and more specifically a railway vehicle, including a vertical support wall and a seat comprising a seat bottom coupled to the support wall by means of a pivot link, the seat bottom being movable around the pivot link between a folded position and a deployed position, the seat bottom including a moving part coupled to the pivot link via sliding means, such that the moving part of the seat bottom in the deployed position is translatable in a longitudinal direction between a base position close to the support wall, and an extended position far away from the support wall, wherein the seat bottom includes lockable nonreturn means of the moving seat bottom part, allowing the translational movement of the moving seat bottom part in a first movement direction going from the base position toward the extended position and prohibiting the translational movement of the moving seat bottom part in a second movement direction opposite the first when the nonreturn means are locked.

2. The comfort device according to claim 1, wherein the seat bottom includes a structural part bearing the pivot link, and the moving seat bottom part includes: - a support plate coupled to the structural part via sliding means, and - an upper seat bottom panel, configured to accommodate the user, the upper seat bottom panel being movable relative to the support plate, between a first usage position and a second position, the locking of the nonreturn means being indexed on the position of the upper seat bottom panel relative to the support plate, the nonreturn means being locked when the upper seat bottom panel is in the first position, and unlocked when the upper seat bottom panel is in the second position.

3. The comfort device according to claim 2, wherein the nonreturn means include at least one rack borne by the structural part, and at least one complementary notched freewheel borne by the upper seat bottom panel, each notched freewheel cooperating with the corresponding rack when the upper seat bottom panel is in the first position, and being disengaged from this rack when the upper seat bottom panel is in the second position.

4. The comfort device according to claim 3, including first resilient return means for returning the upper seat bottom panel toward its second position, arranged between the upper seat bottom panel and the support plate.

5. The comfort device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, including means for transmitting longitudinal forces between the upper seat bottom panel and the support plate, for example including at least one blade extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end secured to the support plate and a second end secured to the upper seat bottom panel.

6. The comfort device according to any one of the preceding claims, including means for blocking the seat bottom in the deployed position, comprising a push-piece borne by the support wall, and a rod borne by the moving part, the rod cooperating with the push piece when the moving part is in the base position, and being separated from the push piece when the moving part is in the extended position, the seat bottom being blocked in the deployed position when the rod is moved away from the push-piece.

7. The comfort device according to any one of the preceding claims, including second resilient return means for returning the moving part toward the base position.

8. The comfort device according to any one of the preceding claims, including a second wall extending across from the first wall and bearing a folding tray, the second wall having a height lower than that of the first wall.

9. The comfort device according to claim 8, wherein the seat includes a headrest, the second wall extending heightwise to beneath the headrest.

10. A public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a comfort device according to any one of the preceding claims.