EP0182731B1 - Suspended-storage device with individual rocking juxtaposed boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

A suspended arrangement of juxtaposed individual tilting compartments, made of a plurality of shelving compartments, each placed onto a flat, rectangular or square panel articulated around an axle parallel to one of its longitudinal sides and in the vicinity of the latter, on two pieces fixedly mounted on two lateral ends of the panel, with means being provided to lock the panels in the horizontal position and to limit their opening in the downward direction essentially to the vertical, the panels are aligned side by side at very small distances, without any stationary structural elements being interposed between them in the direction of their orthogonal alignment with the tilting axles.

Description

The present invention relates to a suspended storage device consisting of individual tilting boxes juxtaposed so as to constitute an overall storage volume that can be composed at will and occupying all or part of the upper edge of a volume, of a living room. , office, and, in general, any closed volume.

The object of the invention is to propose a storage system that can be composed at will using individual boxes and adaptable to any configuration of volume to be fitted, in a particularly aesthetic manner and without first requiring a heavy reception structure such as '' a false ceiling or a mezzanine for example.

Document FR-A-1,301,258 already discloses a kitchen arrangement consisting of accommodating above an existing false ceiling various pieces of furniture by hanging or hanging on the upper face of a hatch hinged along 'an edge of an opening made for this purpose in the wall of said false ceiling.

The furniture elements are permanently fixed to said hatch, so that this system cannot be used for the storage of individual objects. It can only be implemented on condition that there is a false ceiling beforehand, or that one is built and, moreover, requires tedious and impractical work to be carried out since it is necessary to practice a opening in the wall of the false ceiling, where you want to carry out storage, and install axes of articulation of the hatch and means of locking and weight compensation, at the periphery of said opening and on the upper face of the false -ceiling.

In addition, in the embodiments shown in the above document, the plane of the hatch in the closed position is above said opening which clearly reveals the latter and is completely unsightly, however that the means locking (handle) necessarily protrude below the false ceiling which further adds to the unsightly.

The present invention starts from the general idea suggested in said document of using the upper part of a volume to store objects by accessing them by a tilting system by proposing a device avoiding the drawbacks mentioned above, offering a great diversity adaptation to all kinds of reception configurations, to all kinds of objects and allowing to occupy a maximum of space while preserving the aesthetics of the places.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a storage device suspended from juxtaposed tilting individual boxes each comprising a storage structure (1) arranged on the upper face of a flat panel (2) rectangular or square, articulated around an axis (3) parallel to one of the longitudinal sides and in the vicinity of the latter, weight compensation means and means for locking the panels in a horizontal position, characterized in that said panels (2) are aligned side by side rib following at least the direction orthogonal to the tilt axes, being parallel, without any fixed structural element interposed between them in the direction of alignment orthogonal to the tilt axes (3), the latter being carried by fixed angles or the like ( 6, 19) arranged on either side of each alignment of panels, at the two lateral ends thereof, and of length corresponding to that of said alignment, the underside of said angles or similar being level with the underside of said panels in the storage position, however that stop means (19a, 25a) are provided to limit the opening of the panels (2) down substantially to the vertical.

Such a device constitutes a multiple storage structure that can be composed at will since it can extend in two orthogonal directions to form, thanks to the single underside of the juxtaposed checkerboard panels, a practically continuous surface, in the raised position of the storage boxes, without protrusion or recess, constituting in itself a false ceiling that is both aesthetic and functional.

The fixed parts ensuring the articulation are for example removable parts fixed at will along angles-supports or the like, themselves fixed parallel to each other against the parallel vertical walls opposite between which the storage device must be mounted according to the invention, either suspended from an upper structure (ceiling, beams, etc.), or else suspended on one side of the alignment of the boxes and fixed against a wall on the other side of the boxes.

Between two of these support angles, the desired number of storage boxes can be aligned side by side and by providing three or more of these angles in parallel, the boxes can be aligned in two directions parallel to the sides of the panels of the boxes.

Preferably, between each panel is provided a small gap just necessary for the partial engagement of one hand to grip the longitudinal edge opposite to that in the vicinity of which the articulation of the panel takes place, with a view to maneuvering the box, a suitable locking / unlocking system being provided between each panel and said angle brackets. In this way, the aesthetics of the underside of the entire storage device is not affected by organs. protruding, the thin parallel slits distributed at intervals, in line with the partitions between the various panels, harmoniously breaking the smooth and continuous side of the surface and being able to receive, on the internal side, a flexible colored flap or not masking the openings without preventing passage from the hand.

• - Figure 1 représente schématiquement une vue de côté de deux caissons successifs d'un dispositif de rangement selon l'invention ;
• - Figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 11-11 du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• - Figure 3 est une vue en perspective de dessous d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention ;
• - Figure 4 est une vue en élévation latérale d'un mode de réalisation des moyens d'articulation, de compensation de poids et de verrouillage des caissons ;
• - Figure 5 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 4;
• - Figure 6 représente un mode de réalisation des moyens de verrouillage des caissons ;
• - Figure 7 représente une vue de dessus partielle d'une structure téléscopique de caissons ;
• - Figure 8 est une vue en coupe verticale de la structure de la figure 7, et
• - Figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'une autre structure téléscopique de caissons selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description of embodiments of the device of the invention, description given by way of example only and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of two successive boxes of a storage device according to the invention;
• - Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 11-11 of the device of Figure 1;
• - Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of a device according to the invention;
• - Figure 4 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the articulation means, weight compensation and locking of the boxes;
• - Figure 5 is a top view of the device of Figure 4;
• - Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the locking means of the boxes;
• - Figure 7 shows a partial top view of a telescopic box structure;
• - Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the structure of Figure 7, and
• - Figure 9 is a perspective view of another telescopic box structure according to the invention.

The device of the invention shown schematically in principle in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a series of individual storage units consisting of boxes or trays for receiving various objects designated by the general reference 1 and each arranged on the upper face of a rectangular or square plan 2 panel.

The bottom of the box 1 is constituted either by the panel 2 itself, or by a plate forming an integral part of the box. The side walls of the box can have variable shapes and dimensions. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3 there is provided a front wall 1a, vertical when the panel 2 is in the horizontal closed position (Figure 1) and which passes substantially into the horizontal position during the tilting of the box and then serves as support for objects stored like a shelf (Figure 3).

This wall 1a is flanked by two side walls 1 of generally trapezoidal shape and arranged parallel to the short sides of the panel 2 in the immediate vicinity of the latter.

A wall 1 c of reduced height completes the box 1.

The box 1 and the panel 2 are made of a suitable material such as wood, plastic, metal, etc. The constituent walls 1 to 1 of the box 1 can be solid or openwork or simply made up of simple bars or the like.

Each set 1-2 is articulated around an axis symbolized at 3, horizontal, parallel to the longitudinal sides of the boxes 1 and preferably located in the immediate vicinity of one of the longitudinal sides.

The various axes 3 for tilting the boxes 1 are parallel and horizontal and close enough that there is between two consecutive boxes 1 a gap 4 between the facing edges of the two panels 2 just sufficient, on the one hand, to allow free passage of the assembly 1-2 during its tilting down without hooking the edge of the adjacent panel 2 and, on the other hand, to allow the engagement at least partially of a hand to pull down the assembly 1-2.

The assembly 1-2 is provided laterally (FIG. 2) with two pins 5 defining said tilting axis 3 and received in two side pieces 6 provided with suitable receiving housings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, said parts 6 are common to the various storage boxes and constituted by two metal angles arranged horizontally and parallel on either side of the alignment of boxes 1.

The angles 6 are provided with place in place of housings allowing the journaling of the pins 5 of the various storage boxes.

The angles 6 are either suspended by lines suitable for an existing structure, a ceiling, beams, etc., or directly fixed against a vertical wall.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, two parallel alignments 7 and 8 of storage boxes are provided.

One (7) is attached to a wall 9 to which is fixed, by all appropriate means, one of the angles 6, the other angle 6 being suspended. The other alignment (8) uses this hanging angle and rests, on the other side, on another angle 6 suspended, for example by appropriate lines 10, from the ceiling 11 of the room, the angles 6 possibly also being embedded. in wall 12 perpendicular to walls 9 and 11.

Preferably, the pins 5 are engaged in receiving parts separate from the angles, removable and therefore capable of being positioned at will along the angles which are made of metal, wood, plastic and whose shapes and dimensions can vary. It can for example be simple slats or profiles of rectangular section on the upper face of which are fixed by any appropriate means said receiving parts. The latter also carry the weight compensation means such as gas compasses as symbolized at 13 in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, the gas compasses 13, the principle and operation of which are well known, are arranged on the sides of each box 1 and outside by being anchored, on the one hand, on the box at a point 14 located near the tilting axis 3, and, on the other hand, on the two angles 6 flanking the box at a point 15 relatively distant from the axis 3.

Said receiving parts also carry locking members of the panel 2 in a horizontal position cooperating with complementary members fixed on the panel 2.

Figures 4 and 5 which will be described later illustrate an embodiment of the device of the invention comprising such receiving parts on which is fixed all the means of articulation, weight compensation and locking of each box of storage.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the storage boxes can be aligned in two orthogonal directions so as to cover all or part of the ceiling 11 at will and as required, the undersides of the panels 1, in the raised position, defining a practically continuous horizontal planar surface so that the panels 2 themselves constitute a kind of false ceiling aesthetically masking a storage volume occupying almost the entire volume delimited between the ceiling 11 and the plane of the panels 2.

The narrow slots (intervals 4) between panels 2 are regularly distributed over the surface of such a false ceiling and provides a certain aesthetic note. These slots are advantageously masked, for example, by a flexible flap 16 (FIG. 1) fixed on the upper face of each panel 2 along the longitudinal side close to the axis 3 and projecting over the edge opposite the neighboring panel 2. This flap 16 allows the free passage of the hand to grip the free edge of the panel 2 covered by said flap.

In FIG. 3 we have symbolized in dashed lines at 17, for example, archive boxes which rest, in the open position of the box, on the horizontal shelf 1 a and which are perfectly held inside the box as well in position only in the storage position.

In the case of the installation of the device of the invention in a corridor, the angles 6 are fixed directly on the walls opposite the corridor.

The lines 10 of the external angle 6 are of course masked by an added lateral strip indicated in dashed lines at 18 in FIG. 3.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of the means of articulation, weight compensation and locking of the storage boxes.

These means are grouped and carried, on each side of the box, by a metal part 19 in the form of a U-shaped angle iron of length slightly less than the width of the panel 2. These angle plates 19 are provided with holes allowing their fixing in any place the along fixed mounting and suspension elements of the boxes such as the angles 6 or other devices of wood, plastic etc ... ensuring the same function.

The angle iron 19 is provided in the vicinity of one of its ends with holes 20 for receiving one of the pins 5 of the box (1,2). At its other end, the angle iron 19 carries a part 21 for anchoring the end of the rod 22 of a gas compass 23. A screw and nut system 24 makes it possible to adjust the spacing of the end of the rod 22 opposite anchor 21.

The other end of the compass 23 is anchored on a yoke 25 fixed laterally to a fixing bracket 26 secured to the panel 2 next to and outside the box 1.

One of the flanks (25a) of the yoke 25 serves as an end stop for tilting stroke of the assembly 1,2 by coming into contact with the rim of the vertical internal wing 19a of the baffle 19 as illustrated in 25 'in Figure 4. In the closed position of the box the axis of the compass 23 (Figure 4) is clearly above the line connecting the pin 5 to the end of the rod 22. The compass 23 tends to bring towards the top the whole 1,2. By exerting a force F on the free edge of the panel 2 to tilt the latter down, the compass 23 is compressed. When the panel is almost vertical, the axis of the compass (dashed line 27) passes below the line joining the pin 5 at the end of the rod 22. The compass 23 then urges the assembly 1,2 downwards. The movement is stopped by the contact between the part 25a and the wing 19a and corresponds to the substantially vertical placing of the panel 2. The opening of the adjacent boxes is therefore in no way hindered.

The tension of the compass 23 is easily adjusted by the two systems 24 easily accessible in the open position of the box. This setting is a function of the weight of the objects stored and the maximum effort that you want to produce for the operation of the box.

For the sake of clarity, the means such as those illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 have not been shown on the open box of FIG. 3 and which are arranged in line with the end sides 1b.

The locking of the panel 2 in the closed position is advantageously ensured by two latches 28 fixed on the internal face of the two angles 19 flanking each box and actuated by two pins 29 fixed on the panel 2 on its lateral edges.

Figure 6 illustrates such a lock whose structure is particular. This lock consists of a fixed plate 30 provided with a cylindrical housing 31 in which a disc 32 freely rotates comprising two diametrically opposite notches 33 and three hemispherical recesses 34.

The notches 33 are capable of coming respectively opposite two guide grooves 35 formed in the plate 30, by rotation of the disc 32 in its housing.

The recesses 34 are likely, always by rotation of the disc, to come opposite a positioning ball 36 pressed by a spring 37 adjustable by a screw 38.

The disc 32 is held in the plate 30 by a cover plate of which the two notches (dashed 39) for passing the stud 29 have simply been shown in FIG. 6 to allow it to engage in one of the grooves 35, then the corresponding notch 33, when the latter is opposite said groove 35.

FIG. 6 illustrates the system in the locking position in which the stud 29 is held captive in a notch 33 offset by 90 _° relative to its associated groove 35.

Locking is ensured by the ball 36 in the central hollow 34. By pulling down on the stud to open the storage box, the disc 32 pivots by expelling the ball 36 against the spring, the tension of which determines the force to be exerted to open the box.

The notch 33 comes into alignment with its associated groove 35, the blocking in this position being ensured by the insertion of the ball 36 in the hollow 34 on the left which is in front of the ball.

The stud 29 escapes from the plate 30 and the box opens, the movement being controlled by the two gas compasses.

The lock 28 has two notches 33 with the ancillary elements (34, 35) arranged symmetrically, which makes it possible to use a single and same model of lock to equip the two opposite sides of the same box without having means of fixing to different locations of the members 28 and 29 on their respective supports (1,19), depending on whether is on one side or the other of the box. On one side, it is one of the notches 33 which is used and, on the other side, it is the other, the two locks being strictly opposite one another.

According to an alternative embodiment, the boxes can be provided expandable so as to allow a more flexible adaptation to various configurations or various uses.

This is how the box part itself 1 can be removable and have a structure making it possible to modify the length of the box.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate such a structure.

The box is made up of two solid end panels 40, corresponding to the sides 1b of FIG. 1, connected by a telescopic structure formed by tubes 41 which interlock and slide into one another. The number, section, arrangement of the tubes 41 are of course variable. These comprise conventional means 42 (screw-needle for example) for mutual blocking in the desired position and also conventional fixing means 43 (lugs for example) on the internal face of a panel 2, otherwise similar to those in Figure 1.

The tubes 41 corresponding to side 1a of Figure 1 can be provided with a board 44 for example to have a continuous surface.

Such a telescopic structure can easily be adapted to various dimensions of panels 2.

FIG. 9 illustrates a more elaborate variant in which it is the 1-panel box assembly 2 which has a telescopic structure and therefore makes it possible to adapt to various intervals between two angle brackets such as 6.

To this end, the device comprises a central part 45 on which two lateral parts 46 can slide. The elements 45 and 46 each comprise a part forming a box (45a, 46a) and a part forming a panel (45b, 46b). The assembly is such that the structures of parts 46a and 46b are hollow and more or less cover the structures of parts 45a and 45b by sliding so as to adjust the length of the general panel (constituted by 45b and 46b) of the box to the dimension desired. Locking means are provided for locking said elements in the desired position. Of course the external ends of the elements 46b are provided like the panels 2 of the previous embodiments with means allowing the articulation, the weight compensation and the locking of the storage box.

Claims (9)

1. Hanging storage device with separate adjacent hanging boxes, each one forming a storage structure (1) disposed on the upper surface of a flat rectangular or square panel (2) which pivots around an axis (3) parallel to and in the vicinity of one of the longitudinal sides, a means of weight compensation and a means of fastening the panels in the horizontal position, characterized in that the said panels (2) are aligned side by side at least in the direction perpendicular to the pivotal axes and are positioned in parallel, without any fixed structural element being placed between them in the direction of alignment which is perpendicular to the pivotal axes (3), these being borne by two fixed angle iron bars (6, 19) or similar devices disposed on both sides of each row of panels and at the two side ends of these, the length of the angle iron bars corresponding to that of the said row, the lower surface of the said angle iron bars or similar being flush with the lower surface of the said panels in the storage position, and that means are provided (19a, 25a) for limiting the opening of the panels (2) when these are roughly vertical.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the said fixed angle from bars or similar devices are separate removable angle fron bars (19) which are shorter in length than the width of the panel and fixed as required along the supports which run along the length of the device and which are themselves either fixed on to the wall or suspended, the pivoting, weight compensation and fixing parts of the box (1 )-panel (2) assembly being arranged and mounted on the said separate angle iron bars (19).

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means of weight compensation is a gas stay (23) placed between the box (1) and the angle iron bars (6, 19) in such a way that when the panel is fully opened, the said stay reverses its compensation pressure and retains the panel in a vertical position, bearing against the angle iron bars (6, 19).

4. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for fastening the panels comprise two dog points (29) disposed at the two ends of the box, which fit into a notch (33) formed at the edge of a rotating disc (32) which can move under the action of the dog point concerned between two positions, one in which the dog point is released, and the other in which it is trapped in the said notch (33) under elastic retention by a bearing system (36) the pressure of which can be adjusted, the discs being borne by the said supports (6, 19),

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that each disc (32) includes two notches (33) which are diametrically opposed.

6. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each panel (2) includes manoeuvring means constituted by the longitudinal edge which is opposite to the pivotal axis (3), this edge being situated at a spacing from the facing edge of the adjacent panel, and gap thus formed being hidden by a flap (16).

7. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the box (1) is removable and formed from solid or open-work walls.

8. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the removable box is formed from a telescopic tubular structure (41) integral at its ends with panels (40).

9. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the box (1)-pane! (2) assembly is formed from a telescopic structure comprising a central part (45) on which slides, on each side, an end part (46), each of the said parts forming a part of the box (45a, 46a) and a part of the panel (45b, 46b).

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