EP3860398B1 - Ergonomic storage unit - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a piece of furniture allowing any person to ergonomically access all of the contents of this piece of furniture without using heightening accessories. More specifically, the invention relates to a piece of furniture, each of the containers of which can be extracted from said piece of furniture and mechanically brought to a height allowing easy access to all of its contents by a user.

Prior art

The patent application WO2017/005991 A1 of the Applicant presents an ergonomic storage device intended to be installed over the entire height of a room or piece of furniture, in order to fully exploit the available space.

This device contains several drawers, which can be extracted from the structure of said device by a mechanism comprising at least one movable scale in the depth of said device, said one movable scale being located laterally in relation to the drawers.

This device makes it possible to extract each of the drawers from their side, and to bring them to a height different from their storage height. In doing so, said device makes it possible to improve access to containers which are normally difficult or not reachable by a user not equipped with a means of raising themselves (chair, stepladder, ladder, etc.).

The mechanism being located on the side of the drawer, the user can access the drawers more easily due to their width. This characteristic actually limits the useful depth of the drawers, and requires the production of a device having a large container width.

Also, a single mobile ladder cannot support significant loads. When said device has only one movable scale on one side of the drawers, it finds itself loaded in a cantilevered position. In this case, the admissible load in each of the drawers is less, so as not to damage the mechanism.

The document DE 297 01 227 U1 discloses a cabinet with movable drawers, said cabinet having horizontal and vertical controls for presenting selected drawers, which have couplings for engagement by vertical supports.

The technical problem that the invention aims to solve is to provide an ergonomic storage unit, allowing easy access to all of its contents by a user.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention proposes to solve this technical problem by an ergonomic storage unit comprising a mechanism designed to bring at least one retractable container into a position allowing easy access to all of its contents by a user, without limit of depth or of admissible load, by distributing the volume of said retractable container on either side of said mechanism.

The technical problem cited above is solved by an ergonomic storage unit according to claim 1.

The invention is characterized in that said mechanism is configured to support the weight of said retractable container by distributing it on either side of said mechanism in the width of said retractable container, thus providing, in an ergonomic position, lateral access to said retractable container .

The invention therefore proposes a new type of ergonomic furniture, according to which said at least one retractable container is distributed on either side of said mechanism. A first advantage of the invention compared to the prior art is to balance the load on either side of a single mechanism. A second advantage of the invention is to allow the user to access the retractable container through their sides and their width, therefore to eliminate the depth limit.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said retractable container is a storage box, which can itself be subdivided into several distinct storage spaces in her breast. For example, this retractable container can be a locker or a support specifically designed to accommodate products such as bottles, test tubes, tools, etc.

In this way, it is possible to bring a large quantity of content into an ergonomic position, which was not possible in the prior art.

• un premier élément composé de deux profilés : un premier profilé fixe par rapport audit meuble de rangement, et un second profilé monté coulissant sur ledit premier profilé selon la profondeur dudit meuble de rangement; et
• un second élément composé de deux autres profilés : un premier profilé fixe par rapport audit caisson, et un second profilé monté coulissant sur ledit premier profilé selon la hauteur dudit meuble de rangement ;
• une extrémité dudit premier profilé dudit second élément étant solidaire d'une extrémité dudit second profilé dudit premier élément.

For this embodiment of the invention, said mechanism corresponds to an arm fixed on the one hand on a fixed plane of said storage unit and on the other hand on said box, and comprising:

• a first element composed of two profiles: a first profile fixed relative to said storage unit, and a second profile mounted sliding on said first profile according to the depth of said storage unit; And
• a second element composed of two other profiles: a first profile fixed relative to said box, and a second profile mounted sliding on said first profile according to the height of said storage unit;
• one end of said first profile of said second element being integral with one end of said second profile of said first element.

For example, said mechanism is located at the rear of the box, thus giving the user complete freedom to access this box via its width and its sides. This constitutes an advantage compared to the prior art, according to which the retractable containers are accessible only through their width and possibly through one of their sides.

• une échelle mobile selon la profondeur dudit meuble; et
• une navette montée sur ladite échelle et mobile selon la hauteur de ladite échelle, ladite navette comportant des moyens de solidarisation audit au moins un contenant escamotable.

According to the embodiment of the invention, said mechanism comprises:

• a movable ladder according to the depth of said piece of furniture; And
• a shuttle mounted on said ladder and movable according to the height of said ladder, said shuttle comprising means for securing to said at least one retractable container.

This mechanism makes it possible to grasp and move said at least one retractable container into said stored and ergonomic positions. This mechanism is distinguished from the prior art by the fact that the weight of said retractable container when it is attached to the shuttle, is distributed on either side of the ladder, thereby eliminating any door-to-door effect. false on said mechanism.

Advantageously, said at least one retractable container comprises at least one notch capable of cooperating with said securing means so as to secure said retractable container to said shuttle.

Advantageously, the movements of said ladder, the movements of said shuttle and the movements of said securing means are motorized.

The securing means advantageously allow the shuttle to attach to said at least one mobile container selected by the user in order to bring it from the stored position to the ergonomic position.

Advantageously, said at least one retractable container is composed of two drawers located on either side of said ladder and joined together by their bottoms.

• un rail sur lequel coulisse un poids ; et
• une poulie de renvoi disposée au-dessus de la hauteur maximale dudit au moins un contenant escamotable ; et
• une courroie reliée à la navette et au poids,

de sorte à contrebalancer la masse dudit contenant escamotable au cours de son déplacement vertical.Advantageously, said mechanism comprises a counterweight, said counterweight comprising:

• a rail on which a weight slides; And
• a return pulley arranged above the maximum height of said at least one retractable container; And
• a belt connected to the shuttle and the weight,

so as to counterbalance the mass of said retractable container during its vertical movement.

Alternatively, said at least one retractable container is composed of two drawers located on either side of said ladder (31), said two drawers being independent of each other, and said securing means (34) of said shuttle (32) being configured to extract either said two drawers simultaneously, or one of the two drawers.

In accordance with the invention, this last embodiment allows two drawers to be taken out, but offers an adaptability which finds an advantageous application when said at least one mobile container has a great depth, and is intended to contain only a small weight, as can be the case for pharmacy storage furniture.

Summary description of the figures

• Figure 1 : une vue en perspective d'un meuble de rangement ergonomique selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention dont ledit au moins un contenant escamotable correspond à un caisson de rangement, ledit caisson de rangement étant représenté en position rangée ;
• Figure 2 : une vue en perspective du meuble de rangement ergonomique de la figure 1, ledit caisson de rangement étant représenté dans une position intermédiaire, entre la position rangée et la position ergonomique ;
• Figure 3 : une vue en perspective du meuble de rangement ergonomique de la figure 1, ledit caisson de rangement étant représenté en position ergonomique ;
• Figure 4 : une vue en coupe sagittale du meuble de rangement ergonomique de la figure 1, ledit caisson de rangement étant représenté en position ergonomique ;
• Figure 5 : une vue en perspective d'un meuble de rangement ergonomique selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention, ledit au moins un contenant escamotable étant représenté en position rangée ;
• Figure 6 : une vue en perspective du meuble de rangement ergonomique de la figure 5, ledit au moins un contenant escamotable étant représenté dans une position intermédiaire, entre la position rangée et la position ergonomique ;
• Figure 7 : une vue en perspective du meuble de rangement ergonomique de la figure 5, ledit au moins un contenant escamotable étant représenté en position ergonomique ;
• Figure 8 : une vue en perspective du contenant escamotable de la figure 5 ;
• Figure 9 : une vue en perspective des éléments de maintien du contenant escamotable de la figure 5 ; et
• Figure 10 : une vue en perspective du mécanisme de déplacement du contenant escamotable de la figure 5 dans la position ergonomique.

The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which result from it will emerge clearly from the embodiment which follows, given for information but not limitation, in support of the appended figures in which the figures 1 to 10 represent:

• Figure 1 : a perspective view of an ergonomic storage unit according to a first embodiment of the invention of which said at least one retractable container corresponds to a storage box, said storage box being shown in the stowed position;
• Figure 2 : a perspective view of the ergonomic storage unit of the figure 1 , said storage box being represented in an intermediate position, between the stored position and the ergonomic position;
• Figure 3 : a perspective view of the ergonomic storage unit of the figure 1 , said storage box being shown in an ergonomic position;
• Figure 4 : a sagittal section view of the ergonomic storage unit of the figure 1 , said storage box being shown in an ergonomic position;
• Figure 5 : a perspective view of an ergonomic storage unit according to a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one retractable container being shown in the stored position;
• Figure 6 : a perspective view of the ergonomic storage unit of the Figure 5 , said at least one retractable container being represented in an intermediate position, between the stored position and the ergonomic position;
• Figure 7 : a perspective view of the ergonomic storage unit of the Figure 5 , said at least one retractable container being shown in an ergonomic position;
• Figure 8 : a perspective view of the retractable container of the Figure 5 ;
• Figure 9 : a perspective view of the elements holding the retractable container of the Figure 5 ; And
• Figure 10 : a perspective view of the movement mechanism of the retractable container of the Figure 5 in the ergonomic position.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention relates to an ergonomic storage unit 1a, 1b, containing at least one retractable container 100, 101, moved between two positions by a mechanism 11, 30 : a stored position and an ergonomic position.

In the remainder of the description, the ergonomic storage unit 1a, 1b will be described with reference to its height H, its depth P and its width L.

When the retractable container 100, 101 is in the stored position, as illustrated on the figures 1 And 5 , it is completely integrated into the depth P of said storage unit 1a, 1b. When this retractable container 100, 101 is in an ergonomic position, as illustrated on the figures 3 And 7 , it is positioned in front of the storage unit 1a, 1b at a height preferably between 800 and 900 mm. At this specific height, a user can easily access the contents of the retractable container 100, 101, even if the user has a disability or motor impairment, for example when the user is traveling in a wheelchair.

Thus, between the stored position and the ergonomic position, the retractable container 100, 101 is first moved according to the depth P of the storage unit 1a, 1b so that the entire volume of the retractable container 100, 101 exceeds the face front Fa of the storage unit 1a, 1b. Then, the retractable container 100, 101 is moved in the height H of the storage unit 1a, 1b so as to reach the desired ergonomic height, for example between 800 and 900 mm.

During this second movement, the retractable container 100, 101 can be moved upwards when the retractable container 100, 101 is previously positioned below the ergonomic height. On the contrary, the retractable container 100, 101 can be moved downwards when the retractable container 100, 101 is previously arranged above the ergonomic height.

The mechanism 11, 30 can be configured so as not to be able to extract the containers arranged at the ergonomic height. These containers can then be used conventionally by the user; for example the containers can correspond to drawers mounted on slides fixed on the side walls of the storage unit 1a, 1b.

There figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the ergonomic storage unit 1a comprises four drawers 102 superimposed at an ergonomic height and mounted on slides fixed on the side walls of the storage unit 1a.

The ergonomic height extends between the heights H1 and H2 of the storage unit 1a between which the user can easily access the drawers.

Above the height H2, the storage unit 1a comprises a retractable container corresponding to a storage box 100 extending over the entire depth P and the width L available between the walls of the ergonomic storage unit 1a.

The storage box 100 is movable between two positions, a stored position shown on figure 1 , according to which said storage box 100 is stored within said storage unit 1a, and an ergonomic position shown on the Figure 3 according to which said storage box 100 is located at the front of said storage unit 1a and at the ergonomic height. There figure 2 illustrates, for its part, an intermediate position between the row positions ( figure 1 ) and ergonomic ( Figure 3 ).

To move the storage box 100 between the stored and ergonomic positions, this embodiment proposes using a mechanism forming an arm 11 supporting the weight of said storage box 100.

• un premier élément 12a constitué de deux profilés rectilignes 13 et 14 ; et
• un second élément 12b également constitué de deux profilés rectilignes 16 et 17.

As illustrated on the Figure 4 , the arm 11 is made up of two elements:

• a first element 12a consisting of two rectilinear profiles 13 and 14; And
• a second element 12b also made up of two rectilinear profiles 16 and 17.

The first profile 13 of the first element 12a is in the form of a rail, the bottom of the groove of which is fixed on a fixed plane 15 of the storage unit 1a. More precisely, as illustrated in the Figure 4 , the rail is fixed by bolts or rivets to the upper wall 15 of the storage unit 1a. Alternatively, the storage unit 1a can open at its upper end onto the ceiling of a room and the rail can be directly fixed to this ceiling.

The second profile 14 of the first element 12a comprises an upper part 14a shaped to ensure the movements of the second profile 14 in the rail of the first profile 13. To do this, the second profile 14 comprises, for example, wheels or a ball slide . Under this upper part 14a, the second profile 14 comprises a lower part 14b fixed on the upper part 14a and intended to provide support for the storage box 100.

This lower part 14b is presented, for example, in the form of a plate extending towards the bottom of the storage unit 1a.

A front end 19 of this plate 14b is fixed with an upper end 18 of the first profile 16 of the second element 12b. This first profile 16 is in the form a rail whose upper end 18 is fixed on the plate 14b by bolts or rivets. This first profile 16 extends perpendicular to the length of the plate 14b, that is to say in the height H of the storage unit 1a.

A second profile 17 of the second element 12b, corresponding substantially to the shape of the second profile 14 of the first element 12a, is mounted in the rail of the first profile 16 so as to move the storage box 100 in the height H of the storage unit 1a . To do this, a plate 17b of the second profile 17 is fixed on a rear part of the storage box 100.

In fact, the storage box 100 is divided into two parts: a front part Pav used for storage and a rear part Par intended to provide support for the storage box 100 and also having some storage spaces located on each side of said box . The front part Pav has four levels subdivided by shelves up to a central partition 18. At the rear of the central partition 18, the storage box 100 has a groove 19 extending in the height of the storage box 100 from a rear face up to the central partition 18. The plate 17b of the second profile 17 is fixed on partitions 19a and 19b mounted on either side of the groove 19. Thus, the plate 17b can be secured with several bolts or several rivets arranged throughout the height of the storage box 100 so as to ensure a solid connection between the arm 11 and the storage box 100.

The arrangement of the connection between the arm 11 and the storage box 100 also makes it possible to place said arm 11 in the immediate vicinity of the center of gravity of said storage box 100. This particular arrangement has the advantage of limiting the torque forces created by the distance between the center of gravity of said storage box 100 and said arm 11.

Thus, the forces applied to the second element 12b are essentially tensile forces, which limits the risk of premature wear or deformation of the parts making up the arm 11.

To ensure a solid connection between the different parts of the arm 11, the two elements 12a and 12b are preferably made with metallic materials whose section is adapted to the weight of the storage box 100 and its maximum loading.

The movements of the two elements 12a, 12b allow the movements of the storage box 100. These movements can be ensured simply mechanically with a User-operated linkage. Preferably, these movements are motorized with gear motors coupled to each element 12a and 12b and controlled by a box placed within reach of the user at the ergonomic height or remotely controlled. For example, the motors can control the movement of toothed wheels mounted on the second profiles 14 and 17 and cooperating with racks provided in the rails of the first profiles 13 and 16. Alternatively, the movement of the elements 12a and 12b can be achieved by cylinders. In addition, the element 12a can be fixed to a bottom wall of the storage unit 1a by using a jack to move the first element 12a in the depth P.

In the example of figures 1 to 4 , the storage box 100 is arranged above the ergonomic height in the stowed position. Alternatively, a retractable storage box can also be provided below the ergonomic height H1 using a second element 12b configured to raise the storage box 100 between the stowed position and the ergonomic position.

In another example, the containers arranged below the ergonomic height H1 can correspond to an extension intended to adjust the height of the furniture, and therefore the ergonomic height, according to the size of the user. Containers placed below the ergonomic height H1 can also be removed to allow access to the depth of the furniture below the ergonomic height H1 , for example to facilitate access for the legs of a user in a wheelchair or for the hood of a car when the furniture is integrated into a garage.

There figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, according to which said storage unit 1b comprises several retractable containers 101 formed by the superposition of drawers 37, 38 connected in pairs. In the same way as the previous embodiment, said at least one retractable container 101 is configured to be moved between the stored position and the ergonomic position by a mechanism 30.

The retractable container 101, as illustrated on the figure 8 , consists of a bottom 21 intended to accommodate the contents of said retractable container 101. A groove 20 extends in the retractable container 101 from the front face Fa in the direction of the depth P of said storage unit 1b. This groove 20 separates said retractable container 101 into two separate drawers 37 and 38, and distributed on either side of said groove 20.

The retractable container 101 is delimited at the rear by the partition 22, concomitantly delimiting the volumes of the drawers 37 and 38. The retractable container 101 therefore has on the front face Fa of the storage unit 1b two front partitions 23a and 23b. Preferably, drawers 37 and 38 have identical volumes; in fact, in this specific case, the front partitions 23a and 23b will have the same dimensions.

In addition, the compartments 37 and 38 are closed by two parallel partitions 20a and 20b and located opposite each other, on either side of said groove 20. The drawers 37 and 38 are secured by a board 20c, of parallelepiped shape and extending along the length of said groove 20, two parallel sides of which are fixed on said two partitions 20a and 20b. A plate 33 is fixed by means of screws or rivets on said two partitions 20a and 20b, so that said plates are located facing each other inside said groove 20.

Each plate 33 has at least one notch 330. Preferably, the plate 33 is made of metallic material.

Said at least one retractable container 101 is movable between two positions, the stored position represented in Figure 5 and the ergonomic position represented in Figure 7 . There Figure 6 illustrates the retractable container 101 in the intermediate position.

• ➢ une échelle 31 ; et
• ➢ un support d'échelle supérieur 301; et
• ➢ un support d'échelle inférieur 302 ; et
• ➢ une navette 32.

The movements according to the height H and the depth P of said retractable container 101 are carried out via the mechanism 30. As illustrated on the figures 9 And 10 , said mechanism 30 is composed of several subassemblies:

• ➢ a scale 31 ; And
• ➢ an upper ladder support 301; And
• ➢ a lower ladder support 302 ; And
• ➢ a shuttle 32.

According to the invention, the ladder 31 is composed of two vertical uprights, a front upright 31a, and a rear upright 31b. These two amounts 31a, 31b are parallel, and made up of a profile of identical section, preferably parallelepiped. Said uprights 31a, 31b extend along the height H of said storage unit, between a lower wall Pi and an upper wall Ps, said lower walls Pi and upper walls Ps being illustrated on the Figure 5 .

As illustrated on the figures 9 And 10 , the uprights 31a, 31b are mounted opposite each other, in the same plane, according to the depth P of said storage unit 1b. They are separated by a distance E.

Said ladder 31 is secured to said storage unit 1b by a system of two ladder supports 301 and 302.

• un élément fixe 301a ; et
• un élément mobile 301b.

The upper ladder support 301 is mounted in the direction of the depth P of said storage unit, and is made up of two elements:

• a fixed element 301a ; And
• a mobile element 301b.

The fixed element 301a of said upper ladder support 301 is in the form of a rail whose groove is fixed on a fixed plane 15 of the storage unit 1b. More precisely, the rail is fixed by bolts or rivets on the upper wall 15 of the storage unit 1b. Alternatively, the storage unit 1b can open at its upper end onto the ceiling of a room and the rail can be directly fixed to this ceiling.

Said movable element 301b of said upper ladder support 301 comprises an upper part 301s shaped to ensure the movement of said movable element 301b in the rail of said fixed element 301a. To do this, said mobile element 301b comprises for example wheels or a ball slide. Under this upper part 301s, said movable element 301b comprises a lower part 301i fixed on the upper part 301s and intended to provide support for said ladder 31.

This lower part 301i is for example in the form of a plate extending towards the bottom of the storage unit 1b. A front end 310 of this plate is fixed with an upper end of the front upright 31a of said ladder 31. A rear end 311 of this plate is fixed with an upper end of the rear upright 31b of said ladder 31.

Preferably, the lower part 301i and said uprights 31a and 31b are joined by clinching, welding, or use of added elements such as bolts or rivets.

• un élément fixe 302a ; et
• un élément mobile 302b.

In the same way, the lower ladder support 302 is mounted in the direction of the depth P of said storage unit, and is made up of two elements:

• a fixed element 302a ; And
• a mobile element 302b.

The fixed element 302a of said lower ladder support 302 is in the form of a rail whose groove is fixed to the lower wall Pi of the storage unit 1b. More precisely, the rail is fixed by bolts or rivets to the lower wall Pi of the storage unit 1b. Alternatively, the storage unit 1b can open at its lower end onto the floor of a room and the rail can be directly fixed to this floor.

Said movable element 302b of said lower ladder support 302 comprises a lower part 302i shaped to ensure the movement of said movable element 302b in the rail of the first element 302a. To do this, said mobile element 302b comprises for example wheels or a ball slide. On this lower part 302i, said movable element 302b comprises an upper part 302s fixed on the lower part 302i and intended to provide support for said ladder 31.

This upper part 302s is for example in the form of a plate extending towards the top of the storage unit 1b. A front end 320 of this plate is fixed with a lower end of the first vertical upright 31a of said ladder 31. A rear end 321 of this plate is fixed with a lower end of the second vertical upright 31b of said ladder 31.

Preferably, the fixing elements between the upper part 302s and said amounts 31a and 31b are bolts or rivets.

In this configuration, the system consisting of said ladder supports 301, 302 therefore allows the ladder 31 to be moved according to the depth P of said storage unit 1b.

The movements of the ladder 31 can be manually operated by the user via a linkage system. Preferably, these movements are motorized with gear motors coupled to each element 301b and 302b and controlled by the box placed within reach of the user at the ergonomic height or remotely controlled. For example, the motors can control the movement of toothed wheels mounted on the mobile elements 301b and 302b, and cooperating with racks provided in the rails of the fixed elements 301a and 302a. Alternatively, the movement of the ladder supports 301 and 302 can be carried out by cylinders.

Shuttle 32, as illustrated on the Figure 9 , is made up of two plates 325, 326, these two plates being symmetrical with respect to the plane of said scale 31, and are mounted on either side of said scale 31. The length of each plate 325, 326 extends from the rear end of said first upright 31a, to the front end of said second upright 31b. Preferably, the height of each plate 325, 326 is equal to or greater than the height of said retractable container 101.

In the space between the two plates 325, 326 is occupied a securing means 34, fixed to said plates 325, 326 by rivets or screws.

Said securing means 34 cooperates with said notches 330 to fix said shuttle 32 to said retractable container 101. Preferably, said securing means 34 comprises a movable lug on the surface of each plate 325, 326. This movable lug is retractable in space E , and its shape is complementary to that of said notches 330.

Said movable pin is operated by the user by a linkage system, or is preferably moved by a gear motor controlled by the control box of said storage unit 1b.

Advantageously, according to another embodiment not shown, the plate 33 can comprise two fixed lugs perpendicular to said plate 33 and capable of being linked with a system of hooks. This hook system comprises, opposite each fixed lug, a hook located between the plate 33 and the movable shuttle 32. Said hook is rotatably mounted on an axis parallel to said at least one fixed lug and is able to attach to said at least a fixed lug on user command. Said hook can be controlled either manually by the user by means of a mechanical linkage system, or, preferably, via a gear motor located between the two plates 325, 326 and controlled by said control box of said storage unit 1b.

Alternatively, said system of hooks can be replaced by a system of sliding locks, comprising opposite each fixed lug between the plate 33 and the movable shuttle 32, a fork provided with a central groove directed along the depth P. In order to secure said shuttle to said retractable container 101, said fork moves according to the depth P of said piece of furniture 1b so as to grip said fixed lug. Each fork is actuated by a cam connected to a pinion rotated by a gear motor integrated into said shuttle 32 within space E. Advantageously, said gear motor is controlled by said control box of said storage unit 1b.

On the other hand, the shuttle 32 contains, in space E, means of movement such as at least one caster or a sliding shoe not shown, configured to roll on the internal faces 31ai and 32bi of said vertical uprights 31a and 31b. Preferably, the internal faces 31ai and 32bi are in the form of racks cooperating with said at least one caster.

The vertical movements of said shuttle 32 on said scale 31 are controlled by the user via a mechanical linkage system. Preferably, these movements are motorized with gear motors coupled to the casters R and controlled by the box placed within reach of the user at the ergonomic height or remotely controlled. Alternatively, these movements can be carried out by cylinders.

On the user's orders, the shuttle 32 is positioned opposite said retractable container 101 and is connected to it by means of the securing means 34. The ladder 31 is then translated in the direction of the depth P at the front of said storage unit 1b, then said shuttle 32 moves to the ergonomic height H1, so as to present said retractable container 101 at a comfortable position for the user.

There Figure 10 represents a view of a retractable container 101 linked to the shuttle 32, and positioned in an ergonomic position.

Advantageously, according to another embodiment not shown, said ergonomic storage unit 1a, 1b also comprises a counterweight comprising a rail on which a counterweight slides, a return pulley arranged above the maximum height of said at least one retractable container , and a belt connected to the shuttle 32 and to the counterweight, so as to counterbalance the weight of said storage box 100 or of said retractable container 101 during its movement according to the height H. This counterweight system advantageously makes it possible to limit, on the one hand, the energy consumption necessary for the movements of said shuttle 32 and, on the other hand, to increase the useful loading capacities in each retractable container 101.

In the example of figures 5 to 10 , said retractable container 101 is composed of two drawers 37, 38 located on either side of said ladder 31 and joined together by their bottoms 22.

Alternatively, said two drawers 37 and 38 of said retractable container 101 are independent of each other. In this case, said shuttle comprises two securing means 340 and 341 symmetrical with respect to the plane of the ladder, and fixed to the shuttle in space E. These two securing means 340 and 341 allow the user to connect all of said two drawers 37 and 38 to the shuttle, or alternatively one of them. Thus, the user can choose to take out all of the two drawers 37 and 38 in an ergonomic position, or only one of them.

The invention therefore relates to an ergonomic storage unit comprising a mechanism designed to bring at least one retractable container into an ergonomic position, without limit of depth or admissible load, by distributing the volume of said retractable container on either side of said mechanism. .

Claims (8)

1. Ergonomic storage furniture (1a, 1b) comprising:

   • at least one retractable container (100, 101); and

   • a mechanism (11, 30) configured to move said at least one retractable container (100, 101) between two positions:

   • a stored position in which said retractable container (100, 101) is stored within said storage furniture (1a, 1b); and

   • an ergonomic position in which said retractable container (100, 101) is positioned in front of said storage furniture (1a, 1b) and at a different height from the stored position, so that the retractable container (100, 101) is at a more accessible height compared to the stored position; characterized in that said mechanism (30) comprises:

   • a ladder (31), consisting of two vertical uprights, a front upright (31a), and a rear upright (31b), movable along the depth (P) of said furniture (1b) by means of an upper ladder support (301) and a lower ladder support (302); and

   • a shuttle (32), consisting of two symmetrical plates (325, 326) with respect to the plane of said ladder (31) and mounted on either side of said ladder (31) so that said shuttle (32) is movable along the height (H) of said ladder (31), said plates (325, 326) comprising means of securing (34) to said at least one retractable container (101); the length of each plate (325, 326) extending from the rear end of said first upright (31a) to the front end of said second upright (31b) so as to support the weight of said retractable container (100, 101) by distributing it on either side of said mechanism (11, 30) in the width (L) of said retractable container (100, 101), thus providing, in the ergonomic position, lateral access to said retractable container (100, 101).
2. Ergonomic storage furniture according to claim 1, wherein said retractable container corresponds to a storage box (100).
3. Ergonomic storage furniture according to claim 2, wherein said mechanism corresponds to an arm (11) fixed, on one hand, to a fixed plane (15) of said storage furniture (1a) and, on the other hand, to said box (100), said arm (11) comprising:

   • a first element (12a) composed of two profiles (13) and (14): a first profile (13) fixed relative to said storage furniture (1a), and a second profile (14) mounted sliding on said first profile (13) along the depth (P) of said storage furniture (1a); and

   • a second element (12b) composed of two other profiles (16) and (17): a first profile (17) fixed relative to said box (100), and a second profile (16) mounted sliding on said first profile (17) along the height (H) of said storage furniture (1a);

   • an end (18) of said first profile (16) of said second element (12b) being secured to an end (19) of said second profile (14) of said first element (12a).
4. Ergonomic storage furniture according to claim 1, wherein said at least one retractable container (101) comprises at least one notch (330) capable of cooperating with said means of securing (34) so as to secure said retractable container (101) to said shuttle (32).
5. Ergonomic storage furniture according to claim 4, wherein the movements of said ladder (31), the movements of said shuttle (32), and the movements of said means of securing (34) are motorized.
6. Ergonomic storage furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one retractable container (101) is composed of two drawers (37, 38) located on either side of said ladder (31) and joined by their bottoms.
7. Ergonomic storage furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one retractable container (101) is composed of two drawers located on either side of said ladder (31), said two drawers being independent of each other, and said means of securing (34) of said shuttle (32) being configured to extract either said two drawers simultaneously or one of the two drawers.
8. Ergonomic storage furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said mechanism (11, 30) comprises:

   • a counterweight comprising a rail on which a weight slides;

   • a deflection pulley positioned above the maximum height of said at least one retractable container (101); and

   • a belt connected to said shuttle (32) and to said weight so as to counterbalance the mass of said retractable container (101) during its vertical movements.

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