AU2020200942A1

AU2020200942A1 - Comfort device, in particular for equipping a public transport vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2020200942A1
Application number: AU2020200942A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joffrey BARBA; Antonio Da Costa; Denis Miglianico
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Current assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Priority date: 2019-02-11
Filing date: 2020-02-10
Publication date: 2020-08-27
Also published as: ES2877066T3; FR3092536A1; EP3693225B8; EP3693225A1; FR3092536B1; EP3693225B1

Abstract

Comfort device, in particular for equipping a public transport vehicle Such a comfort device (10) comprises a folding tray (40), articulated around a first pivot link (42) between a folded position and a usage position, characterized in that the first pivot link (42) is formed by disengageable freewheels. Figure for abstract: Figure 3 3/5 z 10 Y 16 1A 18 14IA 14 16B 14B _________32 30 40 34 20 42 104 2 202 200 FIG.3

Description

3/5

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10 Y 16 1A 18 14IA 14

16B 14B

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42 104 2

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FIG.3

Australian Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARDPATENT

Invention Title Comfort device, in particular for equipping 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 configured to equip a public transportation vehicle, for example a rail vehicle, the comfort device comprising a folding tray, articulated around a first pivot link between a folded position and a usage position, the first pivot link being formed by disengageable freewheels. Such a comfort device is known from the state of the art of public transportation vehicles, in which the tray is movable only between a horizontal usage position and a folded position forming a 90° angle with the horizontal. However, such a device does not make it possible to adapt to all users. Indeed, each one has a different size, and therefore the arms and the eyes are not located at the same height in all users. Thus, a user wishing to read a book or view a portable electronic device using such a tray will quickly exhibit signs of discomfort, such as stiffness in the neck, if the latter is not adapted to his vision. One of the aims of the invention is to address the drawbacks disclosed above by providing a comfort device offering any user reading or viewing comfort for portable electronic devices during theirjourney. To that end, the invention relates to a comfort device for a user of the aforementioned type, wherein the tray further comprises a support embedded on the tray and articulated around a second pivot link between a retracted position and at least one inclined position when the tray is in the folded position, the support forming a desk for an accessory of the user. Such a comfort device further has the advantage of offering increased stability of the tray in the usage position and wear resistance relative to the comfort devices known from the state of the art. The comfort device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combinations: the tray in the usage position forms an angle of between 0° and 110 relative to the tray in the folded position; the embedded support has an edge for receiving a lower part of the accessory of the user; the tray extends in a longitudinal direction between an end connected to the first pivot link and a free end opposite the connected end, and wherein the second pivot link is articulated about a transverse axis of rotation in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the axis of rotation extending along the free end of the tray; the tray comprises an upper face configured to receive an accessory of the user and a lower face opposite the upper face, and wherein the embedded support in the retracted position extends between an end connected to the second pivot link and a free end opposite the connected end in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions on the side of the lower face of the tray; the embedded support in the inclined position forms an angle of between 0° and 60° with the tray in the folded position; the second pivot link includes friction elements. The invention also relates to a public transportation vehicle carriage comprising at least one comfort device according to the invention. According to one specific embodiment, the carriage has the following feature: each comfort device includes a first vertical support and a second vertical support, which are arranged across from one another, and delimiting a space between them for accommodating a passenger, and the first and second vertical supports are mounted on a horizontal guiding member. The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the drawings, in which: figure 1 is an axial cross-section of a public transportation vehicle carriage according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention; figure 2 and figure 3 show a comfort device equipping the carriage of figure 1, in two respective configurations; figure 4 is an exploded schematic view of the folding tray of the comfort device equipping the carriage of figure 1; and figure 5 is an exploded schematic view of the first pivot link of the comfort device equipping the carriage of figure 1. Figure 1 shows a public transportation vehicle carriage 1, and more specifically of a railway carriage. The carriage 1 includes a body 2 formed by two side walls 3, a floor 4 and a sealing 5. The carriage 1 includes a traveler room 6, extending in a longitudinal direction X. Such a room generally has a length of about 12 meters (m) to 15 m and a width of about 2.8 m to 3 m, the length being considered in the longitudinal direction X and the width in a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. It should be noted that the structure of the carriage 1 is conventional and known in itself. Such a carriage 1 for example has a length equal to about 17.3 meters. The room 6 is equipped with a plurality of comfort devices 10, each configured to accommodate a passenger 12. Such a comfort device 10 is shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3. All of the comfort devices 10 are preferably substantially identical. In other words, the room 6 is preferably devoid of a comfort device having a general structure different from that disclosed below. Each comfort device 10 includes a first vertical support 14 and a second vertical support 16, which are arranged across from one another, and delimiting a space 18 between them for accommodating the passenger 12. Advantageously, the distance between the first 14 and second 16 vertical supports is between 700 millimeters (mm) and 800 mm, for example equal to 750 mm. In this case, each of the first 14 and second 16 supports is fastened to the ground 4 of the room 6, and extends in a vertical direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions. Advantageously, the first 14 and second 16 vertical supports are each mounted on a horizontal guide member. This horizontal guide member is movable along slide links borne for example by the side walls 3. The first vertical support 14 has an inner face 14A, facing the accommodating space 18, and an outer face 14B facing the opposite direction. Likewise, the second vertical support 16 has an inner face 16A facing the accommodating space 18, and an outer face 16B facing the opposite direction. The first vertical support 14 includes, on the side of its inner face 14A, a seat 20 comprising a folding seat bottom 22. The seat 20 also includes a backrest 30, coupled to the first vertical support 14. Advantageously, the seat 20 also includes a headrest 32, optionally coupled to the first vertical support 14. Advantageously, the seat 20 also includes at least one armrest 34. The second vertical support 16 includes, on the side of its inner face 16A, a folding tray 40, coupled by a first pivot link 42 to the second vertical support 16. The first pivot link 42 allows the pivoting of the tray 40 between a folded tray position, as shown in figure 3, and a tray usage position, as shown in figure 2. In the usage position, the tray 40 extends in the longitudinal direction X. The tray 40 extends between an end 43 connected to the first pivot link 42 and a free end 44 opposite the connected and 43. The tray 40 for example comprises an upper face 45 configured to receive an accessory of the user, for example a laptop computer, a digital tablet, a book, etc., and a lower face 46 opposite the upper face 45. Each face 45, 46 is delimited in the transverse direction Y by a flank 47. The tray 40 for example has a length in the longitudinal direction X of between 200 mm and 350mm.

The tray 40 for example has a width in the transverse direction Y of between 300 mm and 450 mm. According to one example, the tray 40 is made from metal. For example, the tray 40 is made from aluminum or magnesium. According to another example, the tray 40 is made from composite material. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 4, the first pivot link 42 is articulated about a first transverse axis of rotation Al. The first axis of rotation is for example embodied by a rod 48. For example, the first pivot link 42 is mounted on fastening parts 49 of the tray 40 to the second vertical support 16. For example, the fastening parts 49 are mounted on a vertical guide member movable along a vertical slide link borne by the second vertical support 16, such that the height of the tray 40 can be adapted to the height of the user 12 and/or to the position he wishes to adopt. In the usage position, the tray 40 for example forms an angle of between 0° and 1100relative to the tray 40 in the folded position. The first pivot link 42 is formed by disengageable freewheels 50 shown in figures 4 and 5. Preferably, the tray 40 further includes a lever 52 for adjusting the incline of the tray 40. For example, the pivot link 42 is formed by two disengageable freewheels 50 each comprising a drum 54. Each drum 54 delimits, at its center, an orifice 56 for receiving the rod 48 around which the first pivot link 42 is articulated. Each drum 54 bears a flank 47 of the tray 40. The flanks 47 of the tray 40 are for example fastened to the tray 40 by screws 59. Each disengageable freewheel 50 includes, inside the drum 54, blocking elements 60. The rod 48 allows the simultaneous control of the blocking elements 60 for the disengagement. Each blocking element 60 embeds rollers 62. The blocking elements 60 are for example secured by a pin 63. There are for example two fastening parts 49 for fastening the tray 40 to the second vertical support 16, which are fastened on either side of the disengageable freewheels 50. The lever 52 is for example located on one side of the rod 48 outside a fastening part 49.

Each fastening part 49 for example embeds a blocking cam 64 of the rollers 62. The cams 64 make it possible to secure the tray 40 and stationary parts such as the fastening parts 49 during the release of the lever 52. The disengageable freewheels 50 for example comprise a return member 66 of the lever 52. The return member 66 of the lever 52 is for example a spring. The return member 66 of the lever 52 is for example held by a pin 68. For example, a second return member 72 allows uncoupling of the bearings of the rollers 62 on each side of the tray 40 along the transverse direction Y. The second return member 72 is for example a spring. Thus, the tray 40 can be inclined upon actuation of the lever 52 by the user. In this case, the tray 40 can assume any intermediate position between the folded tray position and the usage position. Once the incline adjustment is done, the release of the lever 52 causes the tray 40 to be blocked in the chosen position. It clearly appears that the position of the tray can be adapted to the size of the user 12 and the position he wishes to adopt, to grant him optimal comfort. In one preferred embodiment shown in figures 3 and 5, the tray 40 further comprises a support 100 embedded on the tray 40, the support 100 forming a desk for an accessory of the user, in particular a portable electronic device. The support 100 is articulated around a second pivot link 102 between a retracted position, as shown in figure 2, and at least one inclined position when the tray 40 is in the folded position, as shown in figure 3. Advantageously, the support 100 has an edge 104 for receiving a lower part of the accessory of the user. The second pivot link 102 is articulated about a second transverse axis of rotation A2, the second transverse axis of rotation A2 extending along the free end 44 of the tray 40. When the tray 40 is in the folded position, the support 100 in the retracted position extends between an end 106 connected to the second pivot link 102 and a free end 108 opposite the connected end 106 in the vertical direction Z of the side of the lower face 46 of the tray 40. The support 100 for example has a length in the longitudinal direction X of between 100 and 250 mm. The support 100 for example has a width in the transverse direction Y of between 150and 350mm.

The tray 40 for example has a recess 110 for receiving the connected end 106 of the support 100. For example, the second pivot link 102 includes friction elements such that the support 100 can only be tilted by applying a force to it exceeding a predefined friction force. Thus, the support 100 can be tilted by force from the user, but remains immobile when accessories are placed on this support 100. In this case, the support 100 can assume any intermediate position between the retracted support position and the inclined support position. For example, the support 100 in the inclined position forms an angle of between 0° and 60° with the tray in the folded position. The friction elements are for example friction hinges 112. There are for example two friction hinges 112 received on either side of the connected end 106 of the support 100 in receiving orifices 114 provided to that end in the tray 40. The friction hinges 112 are for example fastened to the support 100 on the one hand and to the tray 40 on the other hand by fastening screws 116. Advantageously, the friction hinges 112 are covered on two sides by hinge covers 118. It clearly appears that the position of the support 100 can be adapted to the size of the user 12 and the position he wishes to adopt, to grant him optimal comfort. In particular, the support 100 makes it possible to place a portable electronic device, for example a digital tablet or a mobile telephone, in a reading position at a height appropriate for ergonomic viewing standards (EN 894-2). Furthermore, the second vertical support 16 advantageously includes a foot rest 200, coupled by a third pivot link 202 to this second vertical support 16, for example via a second vertical guide member. This second guide member is movable along a slide link borne by the second vertical support 16. This third pivot link 202 allows the pivoting of the foot rest 200 between a retracted position and a deployed position. Preferably, blocking elements, of any conceivable type, are also provided to immobilize the foot rest 200 in a chosen vertical position. In order to arrange as many comfort devices 10 as possible in the room 6, the first vertical support 14 of at least one comfort device 10 is combined with the second vertical support 16 of another adjacent comfort device. In other words, the first vertical support 14 of at least one comfort device 10 forms the second vertical support 16 of the other adjacent comfort device.

The room 6 previously defined includes sixteen rows of comfort devices 10 aligned in the longitudinal direction X, each row comprising four comfort devices 10 aligned in the transverse direction Y. Each row includes two pairs of comfort devices 10 separated by a central aisle, the central aisle having a width, considered in the transverse direction Y, of between 475 and 525 mm, for example substantially equal to 505 mm. It should be noted that each comfort device has a width, considered in the transverse direction Y, of between 490 and 590 mm, for example substantially equal to 545 mm. It appears clearly that the carriage 1 according to the invention can include a large number of comfort devices 10, in particular sixty-four comfort devices 10 in the illustrated example, for a carriage 1 with a length approximately equal to 17.3 meters. The comfort devices 10 are further comfortable enough for this increased capacity to accommodate travelers not to substantially undermine their comfort. It will be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiment previously described, but could assume various additional alternatives. 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 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 configured to equip a public transportation vehicle, the comfort device comprising a folding tray, articulated around a first pivot link between a folded position and a usage position, the first pivot link being formed by disengageable freewheels, wherein the folding tray further comprises a support embedded on the folding tray and articulated around a second pivot link between a retracted position and at least one inclined position when the tray is in the folded position, the support forming a desk for an accessory of the user.

2. The comfort device according to claim 1, wherein the folding tray in the usage position forms an angle of between 0° and 110 relative to the folding tray in the folded position.

3. The comfort device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the embedded support has an edge for receiving a lower part of the accessory of the user.

4. The comfort device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the folding tray extends in a longitudinal directionbetween an end connected to the first pivot link and a free end opposite the connected end, and wherein the second pivot link is articulated about a transverse axis of rotation in a transverse directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the axis of rotation extending along the free end of the folding tray.

5. The comfort device according to claim 4, wherein the folding tray comprises an upper face configured to receive an accessory of the user and a lower face opposite the upper face, and wherein the embedded support in the retracted position extends between an end connected to the second pivot link and a free end opposite the connected end in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions on the side of the lower face of the tray.

6. The comfort device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the embedded support in the inclined position forms an angle of between 0° and 60° with the folding tray in the folded position.

7. The comfort according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second pivot link includes friction elements.

8. A public transportation vehicle carriage comprising at least one comfort device according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The public transportation vehicle carriage according to claim 8, wherein the each comfort device includes a first vertical support and a second vertical support, which are arranged across from one another, and delimiting a space between them for accommodating a passenger, and wherein the first and second vertical supports are mounted on a horizontal guiding member.

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