EP2845987B1 - Step comprising a retractable shelf and a device for locking the shelf in retracted position - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of footboards.

A step comprises two mutually articulated planes which allow it to adopt an expanded configuration in which the planes are angularly spaced from each other and a folded configuration in which the planes are substantially parallel to each other, the Angular spacing limit being achieved by means of a compass stop mechanism. Each plan usually includes two amounts and one or more steps connecting the amounts. In the present application, the terms "step" and "stepladder" are synonymous, regardless of the number of steps.

A step can also be provided with accessories such as wheels to facilitate its movement in deployed configuration or a tablet to allow the user to put his tools, parts or other paint pots.

It is known from the document DE 3606793 (KRAUS-WERK GMBH) a step according to the preamble of claim 1, equipped with a shelf comprising a frame and a plate mounted on the frame, the tablet being mounted by jamming on the step at the junction of the rear plane with the front plane between a folded position and a working position.

A disadvantage of this step is not to secure the folded position of the work shelf, to the detriment of the safety of the user. Indeed, jolts or vibrations sufficiently intense enough to move the tablet, which may then switch unexpectedly to its working position.

A first objective is to provide a step with a properly lockable shelf in its retracted position.

A second objective is to provide a step with a shelf of robust design.

A third objective is to provide a step with a simple and safe use tablet.

A fourth objective is to propose an easily repairable step.

• un plan avant comprenant une paire de montants avant, une série de marches reliant les montants avant et une traverse située à une extrémité supérieure du plan avant et reliant également les deux montants avant ;
• un plan arrière comprenant une paire de montants arrière et au moins un barreau reliant les montants arrières, le plan arrière étant monté articulé par rapport à la traverse du plan avant, de sorte que le marchepied peut adopter une configuration repliée dans laquelle les plans avant et arrière sont sensiblement parallèles l'un à l'autre, et une configuration déployée dans laquelle les plans avant et arrière forment ensemble un angle aigu ;
• une tablette comprenant un cadre et un plateau rapporté sur le cadre, la tablette étant articulée par rapport à l'un des plans entre une position de repos dans laquelle la tablette est sensiblement parallèle audit plan, et une position d'utilisation dans laquelle la tablette est espacée angulairement dudit plan ;
• une butée de blocage en position d'utilisation de la tablette ;
• un dispositif de blocage en position escamotée de la tablette, qui comprend un crochet solidaire de la traverse et une languette élastique solidaire de la tablette, apte à venir en prise d'encliquetage avec le crochet en position escamotée de la tablette.

For this purpose, there is provided a step according to claim 1 comprising:

• a front plane comprising a pair of front posts, a series of steps connecting the front posts and a cross member at an upper end of the front plane and also connecting the two front posts;
• a rear plane comprising a pair of rear uprights and at least one bar connecting the rear uprights, the rear plane being articulated relative to the cross member of the front plane, so that the step can adopt a folded configuration in which the front planes and rear are substantially parallel to each other, and an expanded configuration in which the front and rear planes together form an acute angle;
• a shelf comprising a frame and a plate attached to the frame, the shelf being articulated with respect to one of the planes between a rest position in which the shelf is substantially parallel to said plane, and a position of use in which the shelf is angularly spaced from said plane;
• a stopper in the position of use of the tablet;
• a locking device in the retracted position of the shelf, which comprises a hook integral with the cross member and an elastic tongue integral with the shelf, adapted to engage latching engagement with the hook in the retracted position of the shelf.

The locking device in the retracted position of the tablet makes it possible to store or transport the step without the tablet unexpectedly tilts into the use position. This results in better ergonomics and better security for the user.

• la tablette est montée sur le plan arrière ;
• le crochet comprend une lame qui dépasse de la traverse, et une crête en saillie, apte à coopérer avec une ouverture pratiquée dans la languette élastique ;
• le crochet est venu de matière avec la traverse ;
• la butée de blocage de la tablette est formée par une fente pratiquée dans le barreau du plan arrière ;
• la tablette comprend un cadre à contour en U comprenant une base et des bras latéraux, et un plateau monté sur le cadre ;
• le plateau est monté de manière amovible sur le cadre ;
• le plateau est muni de glissières latérales dans lesquelles sont insérés les bras du cadre ;
• la languette élastique est rapportée sur la tablette ;
• la languette est réalisée en acier à ressort.

Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination:

• the tablet is mounted on the back plane;
• the hook comprises a blade which protrudes from the crossbar, and a projecting ridge adapted to cooperate with an opening made in the elastic tongue;
• the hook came from material with the cross;
• the stop block of the tablet is formed by a slot in the bar of the rear plane;
• the tablet includes a U-shaped frame including a base and side arms, and a frame-mounted tray;
• the tray is removably mounted on the frame;
• the tray is provided with lateral slides in which are inserted the arms of the frame;
• the elastic tongue is attached to the tablet;
• the tongue is made of spring steel.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective de dessus d'un marchepied équipé d'une tablette porte-outil montrée ici en position déployée ; en médaillons sont illustrés à échelle agrandie : à gauche, des éléments d'accrochage de la tablette en position escamotée ; à droite, une butée pour la tablette en position déployée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue éclatée en perspective de la tablette porte-outil ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail similaire au médaillon de droite de la figure 1, où la tablette est omise pour montrer la butée ;
• la figure 4 est une de détail en perspective du marchepied en position repliée avec la tablette porte-outil en position escamotée ; en médaillons sont illustrés à échelle agrandie : en haut, le mécanisme d'accrochage de la tablette en position escamotée ; en bas, les éléments de fixation du plateau de tablette sur son cadre.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the description of an embodiment, given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a step equipped with a tool-holder shelf shown here in the deployed position; in medallions are illustrated on an enlarged scale: on the left, elements of attachment of the tablet in retracted position; on the right, a stop for the tablet in the deployed position;
• the figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool-holder shelf;
• the figure 3 is a detail view similar to the medallion on the right of the figure 1 , where the tablet is omitted to show the stop;
• the figure 4 is a perspective detail of the step in the folded position with the tool holder in the retracted position; in medallions are illustrated on an enlarged scale: at the top, the mechanism of attachment of the tablet in retracted position; at the bottom, the fixing elements of the tabletop on its frame.

• un plan 2 avant ;
• un plan 3 arrière monté articulé par rapport au plan 2 avant de sorte que le marchepied 1 peut adopter une configuration repliée dans laquelle les plans 2, 3 sont sensiblement parallèles l'un à l'autre, et une configuration dépliée dans laquelle les plans 2, 3 forment ensemble un angle aigu ;
• un mécanisme 4 d'arrêt à compas pour limiter l'ouverture angulaire entre les plans 2, 3 avant et arrière ;
• une tablette 5 articulée par rapport à l'un des plans 2,3, en l'espèce le plan 3 arrière, entre une position escamotée dans laquelle la tablette 5 est sensiblement parallèle audit plan 3, et une position d'utilisation dans laquelle la tablette 5 est espacée angulairement du plan 3 arrière ;
• un dispositif de blocage en position escamotée de la tablette 5, et
• une butée 6 de blocage en position déployée (ou d'utilisation) de la tablette 5.

On the figure 1 is represented a step 1 comprising:

• a plan 2 before;
• mounted a background three articulated relative to the plane 2 forward so that the step 1 may adopt a folded configuration in which the planes 2, 3 are substantially parallel to each other, and an unfolded configuration in which the planes 2 , 3 together form an acute angle;
• a compass stop mechanism 4 for limiting the angular aperture between the front and rear planes 2 , 3 ;
• a tablet 5 articulated with respect to one of the planes 2 , 3 , in this case the rear plane 3 , between a retracted position in which the tablet 5 is substantially parallel to said plane 3 , and a use position in which the tablet 5 is spaced angularly from the rear plane 3 ;
• a locking device in the retracted position of the tablet 5 , and
• a stop 6 blocking deployed position (or use) of the tablet 5.

Plane 2 comprises a pair of front uprights 7 before, a series of steps 8 connecting the uprights 7 and a cross member 9 located at an upper end and also connecting the two uprights 7. The amounts 7 are in this case formed of metal profiles (for example aluminum or aluminum alloy) including U-shaped section and comprise, at a lower end, a non-slip pad.

The rear plane 3 is articulated, at an upper end, relative to the cross member 9 and comprises, meanwhile, a pair of rear uprights 10 and at least one bar 11 , 12 connecting the uprights 10. In the illustrated example, amounts rear 10 are, like before uprights 7, formed of metal profiles (e.g. aluminum or aluminum alloy), in particular U-shaped section and comprises at a lower end a non-slip pad.

Each bar 11 , 12 has a U-shaped profile and comprises a core 13 and two flanges 14 , 15 parallel to one another and bent substantially at right angles to the core 13 , namely a wing 14 front and rear wing 15. Fixing the bars 11 , 12 on the uprights 10 is by means of rivets 16 , enclosing a wing 14 , 15 and a part of a post 10.

According to an embodiment shown in the drawings, the rear plane 3 comprises three bars 11 , 12 , namely two lower bars 11 located near the lower end of the uprights 10 and an upper bar 12 , located near the upper end of the uprights 10 and the height of which the tablet 5 is hinged relative to the uprights 10 of the rear plane 3 .

This upper bar 12 has, in the vicinity of each upright 10 , a slot 17 which extends through the core 13 and a portion of the height of the wings 14 , 15 without reaching a lower edge thereof. As we shall see below, the bottom of the slot 17 forms the stop 6 of locking of the shelf 5 in position of use.

As we see on the figure 2 , the tablet 5 comprises a frame 18 and a plate 19 mounted on the frame 18 .

The frame 18 is for example made by folding or bending a metal profile or by assembling a plurality of metal section (e.g. of aluminum or aluminum alloy).

The frame 18 has a U-shaped contour and comprises a base 20 and two lateral arms 21 extending substantially perpendicular to the base 20 . The arms 21 have, at one end 22 free, a hole 23 for mounting the tablet 5 in rotation on the rear plane 3 of the step 1 , about a transverse axis 24 mounted between the uprights 10 inside the bar 12 superior. The axis 24 is fixed to the uprights 10 by screwing, so as to allow the disassembly of the tablet 5 , in particular to allow the replacement of the plate 19 (typically in case of damage).

According to an embodiment shown in the drawings, the plate 19 is made by molding or thermoforming a plastic material; it preferably comprises reserves 25 (blind or open) in which a user can for example introduce or put tools, parts, bucket or a pot of paint or glue. However, alternatively, the plate 19 can be reduced to a simple plate or a basin.

The plate 19 is provided with two lateral slides 26 to allow the assembly of the plate 19 to the frame 18 by insertion of the arms 21 into the slideways 26, as suggested by the broken dashed arrow of the figure 2 .

The final fixing of the plate 19 on the frame 18 is made by screwing by means of a bolt 27 which crosses together the base 20 and the plate 19 , and a nut 28 mounted tight on the bolt 27 by the inside of the plate 19 , as shown on the top medallion on the figure 4 .

To save time and facilitate the mounting of the plate 19 on the frame 18 by avoiding the use of a flat key for holding the nut 28 , the plate 19 is provided with a pair of partitions 29 between which the nut 28 is positioned, and which prevent the rotation thereof when the bolt 27 is screwed.

When the tablet 5 is in the deployed position (or position of use), the ends of the arms 21 are housed in the slots 17 and abut against the bottom 6 thereof, which maintains the tablet 5 in the use position, wherein the tablet 5 is substantially parallel to the ground on which the step 1 rests .

The passage of the tablet 5 from the use position to the retracted position is by simply tilting the tablet 5 about its axis 24 , in the folded position of the step 1 .

In the retracted position, the tablet 5 is then maintained substantially parallel to the rear plane 3 of the step 1 by means of the locking device which comprises, on the one hand, a hook 30 secured to the cross member 9 , and on the other hand a tongue 31 elastic integral with the tablet 5 .

The hook 30 could be an insert attached to the crosspiece 9 . Nevertheless, according to a preferred embodiment, the hook 30 is made of material (in this case molding) with the crossbar 9. As seen in the medallion above on the figure 1 , the hook 30 is provided with a blade 32 which protrudes from the cross member 9 downwards, with a free end in the form of a butt 33 , and a ridge 34 projecting on the butt 32 .

The tongue 31 is in this case in the form of a metal piece attached to the tablet 5 , mounted tightly between the plate 19 and the frame 18 . The tongue 31 is preferably made of steel, typically spring steel. Fixing the tongue 31 is provided by the bolt 27 for fixing the plate 19 to the frame 18 , as shown in FIG. figure 2 and on the top detail medallion on the figure 4 .

As seen on the lower left medallion of the figure 1 , the tongue 31 is provided with an opening 35 which fulfills two functions: a first latching function of the crest 34 of the hook 30 in the retracted position of the shelf 5 ( figure 4 ); a second function of free passage of the bolt 27 for fixing the plate 19 (and the tongue 31 ) to the frame 18.

When the step 1 is in folded configuration, the user can fold the tablet 5 on the front plane 2 . Therefore, the tongue 31 slides elastically deforming against the peak 34 of the hook 30 , until the ratchet of the ridge 34 in the opening 35. In this position, illustrated in the medallion of the top on the figure 4 , the tablet 5 is held blocked by cooperation of the peak 34 and the tongue 31 .

The locking device is configured to automatically release the tablet 5 when the step 1 is deployed.

Indeed, the angular opening between the planes 2 , 3 front and rear is sufficient to clear the peak 34 of the opening 35. However, the tablet 5 does not fall unexpectedly in the use position, insofar as it remains inclined relative to the vertical in the rear plane 3 .

A flick of the user on the tablet 5 is then enough to tilt to its position of use, the tablet 5 (more precisely the arms 21 of the frame 18 ) abut against the bottom 6 of the slots 17 formed in the bar 12 superior.

The step 1 which has just been described provides several advantages.

First, the locking device keeps in the retracted position the shelf 5 when the step 1 is in the folded configuration, preventing the tablet 5 to switch unexpectedly in position of use, the benefit of the safety of operation of the step 1 as for the personnel than for the working environment.

Secondly, the mounting of the tablet 5 is simple and robust, thanks to its rotation axis 24 integral with the uprights 10 of the rear plane 3 . The holding in the use position thanks to the stops 6 formed by the slots 17 made in the upper bar 12 is particularly solid.

Thirdly, the locking of the tablet 5 in the retracted position is achieved simply and safely, thanks to the cooperation of the hook 30 with the flexible tongue 31 .

Fourthly, thanks to the removable assembly of the tablet 5 (both at the level of the axis 24 at the level of the plate 19 and the frame 18 ), it is easy to repair the tablet 5 , which is the component of the step 1 most likely to be damaged.

Claims (10)

1. Step ladder (1) comprising:

   - a front plane (2) comprising a pair of front stiles (7), a series of steps (8) connecting the front stiles (7) and a crosspiece (9) situated at an upper end of the front plane (2) and also connecting the two front stiles (7);

   - a rear plane (3) comprising a pair of rear stiles (10) and at least one rung (11, 12) connecting the rear stiles (10), the rear plane (3) being mounted in an articulated manner with respect to the crosspiece (9) of the front plane (2), with the result that the step ladder (1) can adopted a folded configuration in which the front and rear planes (2, 3) are substantially parallel to one another, and a deployed configuration in which the front and rear planes (2, 3) together form an acute angle;

   - a shelf (5) comprising a frame (18) and a plate (19) attached to the frame (18), the shelf (5) being articulated with respect to one of the planes (2, 3) between a rest position in which the shelf (5) is substantially parallel to the said plane (2, 3), and a use position in which the shelf is spaced angularly from the said plane (2, 3) ;

   - a device for locking the shelf (5) in the retracted position, and

   - a stop (6) for locking the shelf (5) in the use position,
   characterized in that the locking device comprises a hook (30) secured to the crosspiece (9) and an elastic tongue (31) secured to the shelf (5) and able to come into snap-fastening engagement with the hook (30) when the shelf (5) is in the retracted position.
2. Step ladder (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shelf (5) is mounted on the rear plane (3).
3. Step ladder (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the hook (30) comprises a blade (32) which protrudes from the crosspiece (9) and a projecting ridge (34) able to cooperate with an opening (35) made in the elastic tongue (31).
4. Step ladder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hook (30) is formed integrally with the crosspiece (9).
5. Step ladder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stop (6) for locking the shelf (5) is formed by a slot (17) made in the rung (11, 12) of the rear plane (3).
6. Step ladder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf (5) comprises a frame (18) with a U-shaped contour comprising a base (20) and lateral arms (21), and a plate (19) mounted on the frame (18).
7. Step ladder (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the plate (19) is mounted on the frame (18) in a removable manner.
8. Step ladder (1) according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterized in that the plate (19) is provided with lateral slideways (26) in which the arms (21) of the frame (18) are inserted.
9. Step ladder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic tongue (31) is attached to the shelf (5).
10. Step ladder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (31) is made of spring steel.

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