EP2246022B1 - Public transport vehicle provided with a means for ensuring the accessibility of wheelchair users - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has a lifting platform (18) located in a plane of a floor pan (7) of a cab interior (H) of a motor vehicle and at a level of a lower border of a lateral passage in lower position so as to authorize an access to the platform by a user in a wheel chair. Partition transversal elements (35) are extended from a lateral wall (6a) of a body (6). Faces opposite to the transversal elements are equipped with chairs (36) with foldable bases, where the bases in unfolded position are extended above the platform. A detachable barrier forming unit is provided between the elements.

Description

The present invention relates to a land vehicle for the public transport of passengers, for example of the bus or bus type, equipped with means to facilitate access to its passenger compartment for disabled wheelchair users.

People with reduced mobility generally have difficulty accessing the passenger compartment of public transport vehicles.

In some cases, it uses for this an inclined ramp which is interposed between the ground and the cabin floor.

But this is not always appropriate, especially when the cabin floor of the vehicle is placed relatively high above the ground; this is particularly the case of transport vehicles of the bus type, which comprise a luggage compartment formed under the cockpit floor.

In order to make possible the rise of wheelchair users, it is known to equip the chassis of these high passenger compartment vehicles, with a lifting platform that can be deployed horizontally and outside the vehicle, in front of the vehicle. a dedicated access door or not. In this external position, the platform is operable vertically to allow the ascent or descent of the user in a wheelchair, between the ground and a passage in the vehicle body for access to the cockpit floor.

In practice, the user is installed with his chair on the platform in the deployed position and low at ground level. This platform is then operated in the upper position, in the extension of the cockpit floor, to allow the movement of the chair and the access of the user to the interior of the vehicle.

When not in use, the platform must be folded so that there is minimal space in the vehicle.

However, the mechanical means adapted for the external deployment of such a lifting platform, and then for its maneuver height, are often complex and expensive.

This deployment of the platform also poses safety problems for the user who is at certain times in height outside the vehicle. This situation is, moreover, often embarrassing and uncomfortable for the user.

On the other hand, if the platform in the deployed position breaks down, the vehicle can no longer circulate because of its size.

In addition, the maneuvering operations of the platform between the deployed and folded positions, extend the rise and fall time of the wheelchair user.

To avoid such drawbacks, certain public transport vehicles, as described for example in the document US-A-4,804,308 , have a platform elevator which is located within the cockpit, and whose maneuver is provided vertically, on the height and facing a dedicated lateral passage, between a high end position and a low end position.

In this document U.S. 4,804,308 , to prevent access to the opening of the cabin floor when the associated lifting platform is operated in the low position, there is provided a fixed barrier arranged opposite and at a distance from the vehicle wall, the end edges of which cooperate with movable barriers extending to said vehicle wall and being placed on either side of the platform.

However, this space at the mobile platform can then be used only by wheelchair users, which reduces the capacity of the vehicle in the absence of such users.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the applicant has developed a new public transport vehicle structure, with means of access to wheelchair users that are simple, economical and secure design.

This vehicle structure also has the advantage of allowing reception at the height of the lift platform, both wheelchair users and users without a wheelchair.

The public transport vehicle according to the invention, of the coach or bus type, comprises a chassis carrying a defined compartment - by a body having a roof and a side wall belt, and - by a floor in height with respect to the ground, said cockpit floor being associated with at least one stair structure located opposite a door equipping a first lateral access passage to the passenger compartment, formed in one of said side walls of the body.

This vehicle is still equipped with means of access to the passenger compartment for wheelchair users, comprising - a second lateral passage, provided in one of the side walls and equipped with a dedicated door, and - a suitable lifting platform receiving said wheelchair, which platform is associated with said frame by means for its maneuvering at said second lateral passage.

• une position haute, dans laquelle ladite plateforme élévatrice s'étend dans le plan général du plancher d'habitacle de sorte à obturer une ouverture complémentaire ménagée dans ce plancher, ladite plateforme constituant alors une partie intégrante dudit plancher d'habitacle, et
• une position basse, dans laquelle cette plateforme se situe sous le plan général dudit plancher d'habitacle et au niveau de la bordure inférieure dudit second passage latéral, de sorte à autoriser l'accès à ladite plateforme élévatrice par l'usager en fauteuil roulant, au travers dudit second passage latéral, éventuellement au moyen d'une rampe extérieure d'accès.

The lifting platform is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the maneuvering means ensure its vertical displacement, on the height and opposite the second dedicated lateral passage, between two end-of-travel positions, namely:

• a high position, in which said lifting platform extends in the general plane of the cockpit floor so as to close off a complementary opening formed in this floor, said platform then constituting an integral part of said cockpit floor, and
• a low position, in which this platform is located under the general plane of said cockpit floor and at the lower edge of said second lateral passage, so as to allow access to said lifting platform by the wheelchair user, through said second lateral passage, possibly by means of an external access ramp.

The passenger compartment of this vehicle is further equipped with two transverse partitioning elements which extend from the side wall of the bodywork adjoining the lifting platform and which are located on either side of the opening in the floor. cockpit. At least one of these partitioning elements is equipped, at its vertical edge opposite the adjoining body sidewall, with at least one removable member capable of forming a barrier between said partitioning elements, in particular to prevent or at least limit access to the cockpit floor opening when the associated lift platform is operated in the down position. And the facing faces of said partitioning elements are, for at least one, equipped with at least one chair foldable seat, which sitting in the deployed position extends above the lifting platform.

• une position active, de sorte à s'étendre entre les bordures verticales libres des éléments de cloisonnement, notamment pour empêcher ou pour limiter l'accès à l'ouverture de plancher d'habitacle lorsque la plateforme élévatrice associée est manoeuvrée en position basse, et
• une position inactive, de sorte à libérer le passage entre les bordures verticales libres des éléments de cloisonnement, notamment pour autoriser l'accès à la plateforme élévatrice manoeuvrée en position haute.

By "removable" is meant in particular any organ able to be operated between:

• an active position, so as to extend between the free vertical edges of the partition elements, in particular to prevent or limit access to the passenger compartment floor opening when the associated lifting platform is operated in the low position, and
• an inactive position, so as to release the passage between the free vertical borders of the partitioning elements, in particular to allow access to the elevating platform operated in the up position.

Such a vehicle structure has the advantage of providing an optimal space for receiving a wheelchair user; and in the absence of such a user, this space can be used by passengers coming to settle on the folding chairs, provided at the transverse partitioning elements.

The presence of the means of reception of the wheelchair user therefore does not limit, or practically not, the capacity of reception of the vehicle.

In addition, the mobile platform acts as a lift built into the vehicle (so it is not here a mechanical subassembly added to the body). It allows in particular to bring the user directly to its location in the cabin, without it being necessary to walk in this cabin.

In the absence of a wheelchair user, the platform in the high position allows normal operation of the floor surface.

If the maneuvering means of the platform do not work, the vehicle does not run the immobilization risks encountered with the outdoor deployment platforms. On the other hand, the wheelchair passenger is safe inside the vehicle, during its ascent and descent. It is also transferred without being brought into an uncomfortable and stressful situation in height outside the vehicle.

The speed of setting up the user is further improved, the platform not performing indoor / outdoor movement.

According to a first embodiment, the removable barrier member or bodies are constituted by belts with a winder (advantageously a pair), located at a distance in height between them.

According to a second embodiment, the removable barrier member or bodies are constituted by at least one pivoting barrier equipping the free vertical edge of one of the partitioning elements.

According to a particular embodiment, the chassis of the vehicle further comprises a cargo structure, extending in a plane located at a distance and under the plane of the cockpit floor; in this case, the lifting platform is advantageously placed at the plane of said cargo structure when it is operated in the low position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the maneuvering means of the lifting platform comprise, on the one hand, vertical endless screws whose ends are mounted on rotational bearings carried by the frame, said endless screws being driven around their respective axes by means ensuring their synchronous rotation, and secondly, complementary nuts equipping said platform and cooperating with said worm.

The means for the synchronous rotation of the worms advantageously comprise, on the one hand, a toothed pulley equipping each of said screws on the side of one of their ends, and on the other hand, a single toothed belt associated with a motorization d drive and arranged to cooperate with each of said toothed pulleys.

According to an alternative embodiment, the maneuvering means of the lifting platform comprise a system of braces interposed between the frame and said platform, which system of braces is controlled by means of the type jack (s) of maneuvering associated with a hydraulic central.

The means of access for wheelchair users are advantageously arranged near the first lateral passage with stair structure; and the drive motor or the hydraulic unit is located directly below said stair structure.

On the other hand, the maneuvering means of the lifting platform are advantageously associated with high and low position sensors, for example electric end-of-stroke type.

According to other interesting features: - the cabin is equipped with means for anchoring the wheelchair in place on the lifting platform, when the latter is in the up position, and - the vehicle is equipped with a device for requesting stopping located in the cockpit, at the level of the lifting platform, and also a device for calling the driver, formed on the outer face of the door of the second lateral passage.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'une partie du véhicule de transport en commun selon une perspective orientée du côté de la face extérieure de sa carrosserie, montrant les moyens d'accès pour usagers en fauteuil roulant conformes à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 correspond à la partie de véhicule selon la figure 1, dans laquelle certains éléments de la carrosserie ne sont plus représentés pour faciliter la compréhension ;
• la figure 3 correspond à la partie de véhicule selon la figure 1, vu de dessus ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face de la partie de véhicule selon la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 correspond à la partie de véhicule selon la figure 1, dans laquelle les éléments de la carrosserie et le plancher d'habitacle ne sont pas représentés pour rendre visible les moyens de manoeuvre de la plateforme élévatrice ;
• la figure 6 correspond encore à la partie de véhicule de la figure 1, selon une perspective orientée côté intérieur du véhicule, de manière à montrer certains éléments constitutifs de l'habitacle ;
• la figure 7 est encore une vue d'une partie d'un véhicule de transport en commun selon une perspective orientée du côté de la face extérieure de sa carrosserie, montrant une variante des moyens d'accès pour usagers en fauteuil roulant conformes à l'invention, dans laquelle les moyens de manoeuvre de la plateforme sont du type parallélogramme déformable ;
• la figure 8 correspond à la partie de véhicule de la figure 7, selon une perspective orientée côté intérieur du véhicule, de manière à montrer une variante de certains éléments constitutifs de l'habitacle.

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of example, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a view of a part of the public transport vehicle from a perspective oriented on the side of the outer face of its body, showing the means of access for wheelchair users according to the invention;
• the figure 2 corresponds to the vehicle part according to the figure 1 , in which some parts of the bodywork are no longer represented to facilitate comprehension;
• the figure 3 corresponds to the vehicle part according to the figure 1 seen from above;
• the figure 4 is a front view of the vehicle part according to the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 corresponds to the vehicle part according to the figure 1 , in which the elements of the bodywork and the cockpit floor are not shown to make visible the operating means of the lifting platform;
• the figure 6 still corresponds to the vehicle part of the figure 1 , according to a perspective oriented on the inside of the vehicle, so as to show certain constituent elements of the passenger compartment;
• the figure 7 is still a view of a part of a public transport vehicle from a perspective oriented on the side of the outer face of its body, showing a variant of the wheelchair user access means according to the invention, in which means of maneuvering the platform are deformable parallelogram type;
• the figure 8 corresponds to the vehicle part of the figure 7 , in a perspective oriented interior side of the vehicle, so as to show a variant of certain components of the passenger compartment.

The structure represented on Figures 1 to 6 , corresponds to the part 1 of the transport vehicle equipped with means of access for users in a wheelchair.

The vehicle in question, for example a coach, has a conventional general structure: it comprises a chassis 2 (only part of this chassis is shown here) which is mounted on at least two axles.

The chassis 2, partially illustrated and in detail on the figure 5 , consists of a frame formed of a set of mechanically welded metal profiles.

• une structure support supérieure 2a, s'étendant dans un premier plan et destinée à recevoir le plancher d'habitacle, et
• une structure support inférieure 2b, s'étendant dans un second plan, situé à distance et sous le premier plan de la structure support supérieure 2a, pour délimiter avec ce dernier un volume inférieur constituant par exemple une soute à bagages S.

This frame of the frame 2 here forms two superimposed support structures:

• an upper support structure 2 has, extending in a first plane and adapted to receive the passenger compartment floor, and
• a lower support structure 2 b, extending in a second plane situated at a distance and below the first plane of the upper support structure 2 a, to delimit with the latter a lower volume constituting for example a bunker S luggage.

This frame 2 carries, in a conventional manner, a bodywork 6 comprising a roof and a sidewall belt. The latter is composed of a front wall (driver side), a rear wall (away from the driver) and two longitudinal walls 6a (only part of one of said longitudinal walls 6a is shown in drawings).

The frame 2 still carries the cabin floor 7 at its upper support structure 2a, in height relative to the ground.

The bodywork 6 and the floor 7 together define the passenger compartment H of the vehicle.

In a conventional manner, this cockpit H contains in particular a set of seats distributed appropriately on the surface of the cabin floor 7.

As can be seen on the figure 2 A staircase structure 8 is located at the cockpit floor 7, the thickness of the frame 2 (between its upper two supports structures and lower 2b). This staircase 8 still lies opposite a lateral passage 9 for passenger access, provided in one of the longitudinal walls 6 has body 6. This first side passage 9 is equipped with a door 10 dedicated component, in the closed position, an integral part of the bodywork 6 ( figure 1 ).

By "staircase" is meant a structure comprising both a single step and several successive steps.

This side access structure (steps 8, 9 and pass gate 10) may be provided at any place of the length of one of the longitudinal walls 6a, in particular its end side, its rear end and / or in the middle of its length.

The vehicle according to the invention is further equipped with means 15 to facilitate access to the passenger compartment H for wheelchair users, who access means 15 comprise a second lateral passage 16, equipped with a door of dedicated closure and constituting, in the closed position, an integral part of the bodywork 6.

The second side passage 16 is also formed in the longitudinal wall 6a of the body 6; it is here juxtaposed with the first lateral passage 9.

Alternatively, this second passage 16 may be provided at any location on one of the side walls of the bodywork 6.

This second passageway 16 is bounded by a square peripheral frame or at least approximately square, consisting of two vertical side edges 16a connected by two horizontal edges 16 b, one lower 16 b 1 and the other top 16 b 2 .

The lower edge 16 b 1 of this second passage 16 is here at or at least approximately at the level of the general plane of the cargo structure 2 b . The upper edge 16 b 2 extends above the cockpit floor 7 (and its associated upper support structure 2 a ), and below the upper edge of the first lateral passage 9. The second passage 16 s' thus extends on both sides of the cockpit floor 7 ( figure 4 ).

As an indication, this lateral passage 16 has a height of between 1400 and 1600 mm, and a width of between 1000 and 1300 mm.

The access means 15 according to the invention also comprise an elevator platform 18, forming an elevator, whose upper face is adapted to receive the wheelchair of the user.

The lifting platform 18 has here an outline of generally rectangular shape, delimited by two longitudinal edges 19a connected by two transverse edges 19b.

As shown in particular on Figures 1 to 3 , this lifting platform 18 is located in the vehicle cabin H, adjacent to the second passage 16.

It is more precisely in the vertical space of a complementary opening 20 formed in the cockpit floor 7.

This opening 20 is here generally U-shaped opening on the side of the longitudinal wall of body 6 has, at the second passage 16; it is bounded by a longitudinal edge 20a and two transverse edges 20 b, respectively of complementary longitudinal edges 19a and 19b transverse to the platform 18.

The lifting platform 18 and its receiving opening 20 have for example a width of between 700 and 800 mm and a length of between 1000 and 1500 mm.

This lifting platform 18 is still associated with the frame 2 by means 21 for its vertical maneuver in the passenger compartment H , the height and facing the second lateral passage 16; more specifically, the operation of the lifting platform 18 has here place through a vertical duct 2 c provided on the height of the frame 2 in the extension of the opening 20, closed at its periphery by a wall of sheath 2 d ( figure 1 ). These operating means 21 further ensure a displacement of the lifting platform 18 so that its general plane always remains parallel to itself.

• une position haute, dans laquelle elle s'étend dans le plan général du plancher d'habitacle 7 de sorte à obturer l'ouverture complémentaire 20, ladite plateforme 18 constituant alors une partie du plancher d'habitacle 7, et
• une position basse, dans laquelle elle se situe sous le plan général dudit plancher d'habitacle 7 et au niveau de la bordure inférieure 16b1 du second passage latéral 16, de sorte à autoriser son accès par l'usager en fauteuil roulant, au travers dudit second passage latéral 16.

In practice, this platform 18 is driven between two end positions:

• a high position, in which it extends in the general plane of the cockpit floor 7 so as to close the complementary opening 20, said platform 18 then constituting a part of the cabin floor 7, and
• a low position, in which it is located under the general plane of said cabin floor 7 and at the lower edge 16 b 1 of the second lateral passage 16, so as to allow access by the wheelchair user, to through said second lateral passage 16.

In this case, the lifting platform 18 in the low position is at the level of the cargo hold 2 b . The platform 18 is operated vertically over the height of the frame sheath 2 c.

A possible structure of the maneuvering means 21 is shown in detail on the figure 5 .

These means here consist of a group of four vertical screw 22 whose upper ends 22a and lower 22 b are mounted on rotational bearings 23 a and 23 b carried by the frame 2 (in this case by the support structures floor 2a and bunker 2 b).

These screws 22 each cooperate with a complementary nut 18 has a vertical axis, fitted to said lifting platform 18 at each of its corners.

These worm 22 are driven around their respective vertical axes by means ensuring their synchronous rotation. The corresponding means here consist, on the one hand, of a toothed pulley 24 equipping each of the worm 22 on the side of their lower end 22 b , and on the other hand, in a single toothed belt 25 driven by a toothed toothed pulley. (not visible) associated with a dedicated engine 26.

The toothed belt 25 is arranged to cooperate with each of the toothed pulleys 24 of the worm 22. It follows here for this a path of generally rectangular shape, seen from above, cooperating with an angular sector of each of the toothed pulleys 24; this belt 25 also performs a recess at the motor 26, to cooperate with the motorized toothed pulley.

Non-toothed "tensioner" pulleys 27 are distributed over the bunker structure 2b so as to optimally guide this toothed belt 25.

To define the upper and lower limit switches positions of the lifting platform 18, position sensors 30 are reported respectively on the floor structures 2 a and 2 b hold. For example, electric limit switches are used.

Electronic and / or computer means, equipping the vehicle, are associated with the engine 26 and the position sensors 30 so as to ensure appropriate management of the lifting platform 18. These means are further associated with an interface allowing the driver to pilot up and down this platform 18.

In addition, to save space and optimize the arrangement of the cargo hold S of the vehicle, the engine 26 is here housed under the staircase structure 8 of the passenger compartment H.

The figure 6 shows a number of elements of the cabin H , complementing the features of the access means 15 for the wheelchair user.

First, the platform 18 is advantageously equipped with means for locking and anchoring the associated wheelchair.

These means are conventional in themselves, and consist for example of a set of straps, hooks and reels.

The passenger compartment H is further equipped with two partitioning members 35, advantageously fixed, each of which extend from the longitudinal body wall 6 is attached to the platform 18.

These partitioning elements 35 extend parallel to each other; they are located on either side of the passenger compartment floor opening 20, in the extension each of one of its transverse edges 20 b .

The facing faces of these partitioning elements 35 are each equipped with two folding-seat seats 36. The seats in the deployed position of these seats 36 extend here above the lifting platform 18.

In addition, the free vertical edges 35a of the two partitioning members 35 are provided with detachable connecting members 37 which are capable of forming a removable barrier between said two partition members 35.

This barrier device 37 is constituted here by a pair of belts with reels, located at a distance from each other in height.

This device 37 is primarily intended to prevent access from the passenger compartment H , to the floor opening 20, when the lifting platform 18 is operated in the low position.

• une position déroulée (figure 6), de sorte à s'étendre entre les bordures verticales libres 35a des éléments de cloisonnement 35, approximativement dans le prolongement de la bordure longitudinale 20a de l'ouverture 20 ménagée dans l'habitacle 7, et
• une position enroulée (non représentée), escamotés sur leurs enrouleurs respectifs.

In practice, these belts 37 are maneuverable between:

• an unrolled position ( figure 6 ) So as to extend between the free vertical edges 35 are partitioning members 35, approximately in the extension of the longitudinal edge 20a of the opening 20 formed in the passenger compartment 7, and
• a wound position (not shown), retracted on their respective reels.

• en position déroulée active, d'empêcher ou de limiter l'accès à l'ouverture du plancher d'habitacle 20, et
• en position enroulée inactive, d'autoriser l'accès à la plateforme 18 en position haute, pour l'utilisation du ou des fauteuils à assise repliable 36.

These belts 37 thus constitute a member forming a removable barrier, which allows:

• in the active unwinding position, to prevent or limit access to the opening of the cabin floor 20, and
• in idle wound position, to allow access to the platform 18 in the up position, for the use of the folding seat or chairs 36.

On the figure 6 , Still notices the presence of a handrail 38 along the inner side of the body wall 6a, which is equipped with a device 38 of a stop request to the driver.

In operation, the driver of the vehicle 1 is warned that a wheelchair user wishes to board.

The user can use for this purpose a calling device driver 17a provided on the outer face of the door 17 of the second lateral passage 16.

The driver then places the barrier device 37 between the partition elements 35, he / she controls the lifting platform 18 towards its low position and it opens the door 17.

A ramp 40 can be put in place opposite the passage 16, to facilitate access to the elevating platform 18 in the low position.

This access ramp 40 may be of the manually removable type; the driver is then responsible for mounting / dismounting platform 40. Alternatively, this access ramp 40 may be of the automatic deployment type.

The wheelchair user thus accesses the elevating platform 18 while driving on the access ramp 40 and then passing through the passage 16.

Once the user's chair is in position on the platform 18, the lifting ramp 40 can be removed and the door 17 closed. The driver then pilot the elevator platform 18 to ensure its return to the high position. The user on the platform 18 passes vertically through the floor opening 20.

The platform 18 then comes to be positioned in the general plane of the floor of the passenger compartment 7 so as to close its complementary opening 20; it then constitutes an integral part of the cabin floor 7.

The user is then properly installed directly in the passenger compartment H of the vehicle, between the two partitioning elements 35. It does not need to move to another location.

The driver finishes the operations by anchoring the wheelchair on the platform, by activating the appropriate means.

Inverse operations are implemented to allow the wheelchair user to exit the vehicle (he warns for this the driver by means of the stop request device 38 a ).

In essence, it is sufficient for the driver to maneuver the lifting platform 18 to its lower position; then he opens the door 17 and sets up the ramp 40 so as to allow the exit by simply rolling the chair.

In the absence of a wheelchair user, the platform 18 is held in the up position. Passengers can settle in vis-à-vis on the armchairs 36, that in unfolding their respective seats. Removable connecting members 37 are retracted (or deactivated) to allow access to chairs 36.

The structure represented on Figures 7 and 8 shows a variant of the vehicle part 1 described above in relation to the Figures 1 to 6 .

On these Figures 7 and 8 , there is a chassis 2 comprising - an upper support structure 2 has receiving the floor of the passenger compartment 7, and a lower support structure 2b delimiting the lower part of the luggage compartment S.

The chassis 2 carries the body 6, here shown with only part of one of its longitudinal walls 6a. The two lateral passages 9 and 16 are formed in this longitudinal wall 6 a , next to each other, and are each equipped with a door 10 and 17.

Means 15 for wheelchair user access are similar to those described above in relation to the Figures 1 to 6 : There is mainly a lifting platform 18 operated vertically in the passenger compartment and facing the second access passage 16.

As can be seen on the figure 7 these means 15 are distinguished from the previous embodiment by the structure of the operating means 21 of the platform 18, which here consist of a system of braces 41 (deformable parallelogram or compass) interposed between the frame 2 (in particular its structure cargo hold 2 b ) and said lifting platform 18.

This system of braces 41 is driven by at least one hydraulic cylinder 42 suitably mounted, and connected to a hydraulic unit 43; the latter is preferably located under the stair structure facing the first access passage 9 (as shown in FIG. figure 8 ).

In practice, the platform 18 is operated in a manner identical to that described above in relation to the Figures 1 to 6 .

On the figure 8 , we can see a variant for the interior of the passenger compartment H around the platform 18, compared to that described above in relation to the figure 6 .

There are two partition members 35 which each extend from the longitudinal body wall 6 is attached to the platform 18.

The face of one of the partition members 35 has two folding seat chairs 36. The free vertical edge 35 to the other partition member 35 is equipped with a swing gate 37 to block the passage to floor opening 7.

• une position déployée (figure 8), de sorte à s'étendre entre les bordures verticales libres 35a des éléments de cloisonnement 35, approximativement dans le prolongement de la bordure longitudinale 20a de l'ouverture 20 ménagée dans l'habitacle 7, et
• une position repliée (non représentée) de sorte à s'étendre contre la face de l'élément de cloisonnement 35 associé, en regard des fauteuils à assise repliable 36.

This barrier 37 is, in practice, pivotally operable between:

• a deployed position ( figure 8 ) So as to extend between the free vertical edges 35 are partitioning members 35, approximately in the extension of the longitudinal edge 20a of the opening 20 formed in the passenger compartment 7, and
• a folded position (not shown) so as to extend against the face of the associated partitioning element 35, facing the foldable seat chairs 36.

• en position active, d'empêcher ou au moins de limiter l'accès à l'ouverture du plancher d'habitacle 20, et
• en position inactive, d'autoriser l'accès à la plateforme 18 et aux fauteuils à assise repliable 36.

Again, this barrier 37 constitutes a member forming a removable barrier, which allows:

• in the active position, to prevent or at least limit access to the opening of the cabin floor 20, and
• in the inactive position, to allow access to the platform 18 and the foldable seats 36.

Claims (10)

1. A terrestrial vehicle for public transport of passengers, for example of the coach or city bus type, wherein in said vehicle comprises a frame (C) carrying a passenger compartment (H) delimited - by a body (6) comprising a roof and a belt of lateral walls (6a), and - by a floor (7) high up with respect to the around, said compartment floor (7) in with at least one staircase structure (8) implanted facing a door (10) equipping a first lateral passageway (9) for access to said passenger compartment (H), and arranged in one said lateral body walls (6a), wherein said vehicle is with means (15) for access to the passenger compartment (H) for a traveler in a wheelchair, comprising - a second lateral passageway (16) for access to the compartment (H), arranged in one of said lateral walls (6a) and with a dedicated door (17), and - an elevating platform (18) capable of receiving said wheelchair, associated with said frame (C) through means (21) for the operation thereof at said second lateral passageway (16),
   wherein said elevating platform (18) is located in said vehicle compartment (H), and said operating means (21) ensure the vertical moving of said elevating platform (18), over the height of and facing said second lateral passageway (16), two travel stop positions:

   - a high position, in which said elevating platform (18) extends in the general plane of said passenger compartment floor (7), so as to close a complementary opening (20) arranged in this passenger compartment floor (7), said platform (18) then constituting an integral part of said compartment floor (7), and

   - a low position, in which said elevating platform (18) is located under the general plane of said compartment floor (7) and at the lower edge (16b1) of said second lateral passageway (16), so as to allow the access to said elevating platform (18) by the traveler in a wheelchair, through said second lateral passageway (16),

   wherein said compartment (H) is with two partitioning transverse elements (35) that extend from the lateral wall (6a) of body (6) adjacent to the elevating platform (18) and that are implanted on either side of the opening (20) arranged in the passenger compartment floor (7), at least one of said partitioning elements (35) being equipped, at its vertical edge (35a) at the opposite of the lateral wall (6a) of adjacent body (6), with at least one member (37) capable of forming a barrier between said partitioning elements (35), in particular to prevent or at least limit the access to the passenger compartment floor opening (20) when the associated elevating platform (1) is operated to the low position,
   characterized in that the faces facing said partitioning elements (35) are, for at least one of them, equiped with at least one folding seat (36), wherein said seat, in its unfolded position, extends above the elevating platform (18), and in that the barrier member(s) (37) are of the mobile type.
2. A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable barrier members (37) consist of belts with a retractor, vertically spaced from each other.
3. A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable barrier members (37) consist of at least one pivoting barrier, equipping the free vertical edge (35a) of one of the partitioning elements (35).
4. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frame (C) also comprises a luggage compartment structure (2b), extending in a plane located remote from and under the plane of the compartment floor (7), and in that the elevating platform (18) comes at the level of the plane of said luggage compartment structure (2b) it is operated to the low position.
5. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operating means (21) of the elevating platform (18) comprise, on the one hand, vertical worms (22) whose ends (22a, 22b) are mounted on journal bearings (23) carried by the frame (C), said worms (22) being driven around their respective axes by means (24, 25) ensuring the synchronous rotation thereof, and on the other hand, complementary nuts (18a) equipping said elevating platform (18) and coming into cooperation with said worms (22).
6. A vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for the synchronous rotation of the worms comprise, on the one hand, a toothed pulley (24) equipping each of the worms (22) on the side of on of their ends (22b), and on the other hand, a single toothed belt (25), associated with a driving motor (26) and arranged to cooperate with each of said toothed pulleys (24).
7. A vehicle according to any on of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operating means (21) of the elevating platform (18) comprise a cross-bar system (41) interposed between the frame (2) and the elevating platform (18), wherein said cross-bar system (41) is driven by means (42) of the operating cylinder(s) type, associated with a hydraulic unit (43).
8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the means (15) for the access of a traveler in a wheelchair are arranged near the first lateral passageway (9) with a staircase structure (8), and in that the driving motor (26) or the hydraulic unit (43) is implanted directly under said staircase structure (8).
9. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is equipped with a stop request device (38a) located in the passenger compartment, at the elevating platform (18), and a driver call device (17a) arranged on the outer face of the door (17) of the second lateral passageway (16).
10. A vehicle according to any on of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second passageway (16) is delimited by a square or at least approximately square peripheral framing, comprising a lower edge (16b1) located at the level, or at least approximately at the level, of the general plane if the luggage compartment structure (2b), and an upper edge (16b2), extending above the passenger compartment floor (7), wherein said lateral passageway (16) has a height comprised between 1400 et 1600 mm, and a width comprised between 1000 et 1300 mm.

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