FR2550070A1 - Device for manoeuvring a movable piece in rotation between two extreme positions and item of furniture comprising such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for manoeuvring a movable piece 2 in rotation on a frame 4 comprises a manoeuvring piece 15 mounted pivotably on the movable piece 2 and by sliding means 17, sliding on the frame 4, having an active locking position in which it holds the movable piece 2 in one of its extreme positions; means 18 for holding the manoeuvring piece 15 in its active locking position; and control means 19 of the manoeuvring piece 15 enabling it to be moved away from its active locking position. The invention is applicable to an item of furniture.

Description

Device for operating a moving part in rotation
between two extreme positions and furniture comprising
such a device
The invention relates to a device for maneuvering a moving part, in rotation, on a frame between two extreme positions and a piece of furniture comprising such a device, in particular a folding box-seat.

There are already known maneuvering devices for folding furniture, such as tables or beds. These maneuvering devices are generally quite complex, so cumbersome, expensive, sometimes random operation. These known operating devices are not adapted to the particular case of a bench having a base, a seat portion, and a back portion being in the normal state of use respectively at least substantially horizontal and vertical.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks, by proposing a device for operating a part movable in rotation on a chassis between two extreme positions, comprising an actuator mounted pivotably on the moving part, and by means of slidable sliding means on the frame, having an active locking position; wherein it holds the moving part in one of its extreme positions; means for holding the operating chamber in its active locking position; and means for controlling the actuating piece to move it away from its active locking position.

The invention also relates to a piece of furniture comprising such a maneuvering device, such as a banquettecoffre folding, wherein the frame forms the fixed part of a chest and the moving part, the trunk lid constituting the folder, and the forming part seat.

According to other features of the invention, the operating device comprises means adapted to urge the moving part towards its other end position; means adapted to maintain the moving part in this other extreme position. The holding means are constituted by the profile of the sliding means comprising a relief, such as a hollow and means biasing the holding means in this hollow, constituted by the moving part itself, because of its own weight. The control means comprise a control member and a movable control part in particular monobloc and forming a lever.

In a folding seat-bench, according to the invention, the movable piece is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, between two extreme positions, substantially 900, with respect to one another.

The movable part may consist of two panels constituting the back portion and only part of the seat portion, the latter being hinged to another sliding panel at its other end on the frame.

The operating device according to the invention has the advantage of being simple to manufacture, requiring no spring or similar fragile member with time. This device takes advantage of the gravity to urge the moving part towards one of its extreme positions, and ensure the sliding and locking of the holding member.

The other features of the invention will result from the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a partial view, cut away from above of a foldable folding bench seat, according to the invention, in the folded state,
FIGS. 2 and 3 are two cross-sectional views of the foldable box-seat, according to the invention, respectively, in the folded state, and in the unfolded state,
FIGS. 4A to 4J are ten schematic side views of the maneuvering device, according to the invention, in ten successive positions of a cycle making it possible to pass from the folded state, represented in FIG. 4A to the unfolded state on FIG. 4E, passing through the intermediate steps illustrated in FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D, then returning to the folded state, passing through the intermediate states illustrated by FIGS. 4F, 4G, 4H, 41 and 4J.

An operating device 1, according to the invention, is intended for a part 2, rotatable about an axis 3, on a frame 4, between two extreme positions.

The operating device 1 is more particularly, but not exclusively, intended for a box seat, as is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and it is with reference to this particular application, it will be more specifically described.

In the bench-and-trunk application, the mobile part 2 comprises a panel 2a forming a cover and a back, and a panel 2b forming part of the seat. The two panels 2a, 2b are rigidly integral with one another, at least substantially plane and perpendicular to each other, and the axis 3 is located parallel to and in the vicinity of their common edge 5.

A panel 6, at least substantially plane, is articulated along its edge to the panel 2b, around an axis 7 parallel to the axis 3. The panel 6 forms, in combination with the panel 2b the seat part of the seat.

The panels 2a, 2b and 6 may be filled with cushions 8 rigidly attached to these panels by any appropriate means.

The frame 4 forms the fixed part of a box having a horizontal bottom 9, a front wall 10, a rear wall 11, and end side walls 12.

The walls 10, 11, 12 are at least substantially vertical. bottom 9 is preferably spaced apart from the ground on which the seat rest by feet 13.

The axis 3 is preferably located in the vicinity of the upper horizontal free edge of the rear wall 11.

Such a seat-box can be either in the folded state (Figure 2) or in the unfolded state (Figure 3).

In the folded state, the cover panel 2a is placed substantially horizontally and rests on the upper horizontal edge 14 of the front wall 10, and the corresponding coplanar edges of the side walls 12. In this folded state, the panel 2b is, at less substantially vertical, directed downwards and housed, inside the chassis 4 forming a chest, as it would appear, in detail later. The panel 6 is also housed in the frame 4. In the folded state, the cushions 8 are housed in the trunk, closed by the panel 2a forming a cover.

In the unfolded state (FIG. 3) the panel 2a is placed at least approximately vertically and then forms a backrest and the panels 2b and 6 are at least substantially horizontal and coplanar and constitute the seat part of the seat. The seat is maintained in the unfolded state, thanks to an operating part 15 forming part of the operating device 1, described later. The panel 6 then rests on the upper horizontal edge 14.

to move from the folded state to the unfolded state, the panel 2a is rotated around the axis 3, for example manually. To this end, it is possible to provide assistance members, such as jacks. The operating device 1 according to the invention is intended to move from the unfolded state to the folded state.

The operating device 1 therefore comprises the operating part 15, pivotally mounted on the moving part 2, about an axis 16, parallel to the axis 3.

By means of sliding means 17, the operating part 15 is moreover slidably mounted on the frame 4 in a direction orthogonal to the axis 3.

The operating part 15 has an active locking position (FIGS. 3 and 4E) in which it holds the moving part 2, one of its extreme positions in particular corresponding to the unfolded state.

The operating device 1 also comprises means 18 for holding the operating part 15 in its active locking position.

The operating device 1 finally comprises control means 19 of the operating part 15, to separate it from its active locking position.

The operating device 1 comprises means adapted to urge the moving part towards its corresponding end position, in the folded state, and means adapted to hold the moving part 2 in this position.

preferably, the operating part 15 is mounted, sliding, on the frame 4 with friction.

The operating part 15 can therefore be moved between two extreme positions, one of which is the active locking position, and the other, preferably, a braking position by means of locking means 20, exerting a clamping of the workpiece. maneuvering 15.

The operating member 15 is preferably in the form of a panel-óu of a rigid frame limited by an upper horizontal edge 21 where the axis 16 is located, and a lower horizontal edge 22, resting on the means of sliding 17, by simple gravity.

The sliding means 17 are thus constituted by at least one, for example two rails or slides, fixed to the bottom 9, orthonally to the axis 3, and on which slides the workpiece 15, by its edge 22.

so that the gravity positioning of the workpiece 15 is the easiest, it is more preferably weighted at its lower part. This combined, possibly with friction means to ensure the sliding friction, mentioned above.

The holding means 18 consist of the profile of the sliding means 17 having a relief 23, and means biasing the workpiece 15 against the relief 23. Preferably, the relief 23 is a recess, formed in the rails or rails 17 and the means for biasing the operating part 15 in this recess are constituted by the means adapted to urge the moving part 2 towards its extreme position corresponding to the folded state, in this case, the moving part 2 itself submissive at its own weight.

The control means 19 comprise a control member 24 and a control part 25 driven by the control member 24. Preferably, the control member 24 and the control part 25 form a one-piece assembly pivotally mounted on the frame 4 , in particular the bottom 9 around an axis 26, thus forming a lever. The control part 25 can thus be moved between two extreme positions, namely a horizontal sitting position where it is retracted from the recess 23 and an active position (FIG. 4F) where it protrudes from the recess 23, being placed between the bottom of the and the workpiece 15.

The control member 24 is, for example, in the form of a pedal placed under the bottom 9, in the vicinity of the front wall 10. The movement of this pedal is made possible by the separation of the bottom 9 with the ground.

preferably, the recess 23 is situated, at least substantially, in line with the axis 16 when the moving part 2 is in the position corresponding to the unfolded state, the operating part 15 then being placed vertically and acting holding leg of moving part 2.

In the case of the application to a folding trunk-bench, the axes 7 and 16 are merged or neighbors.

In this application, there is also one or more slides 27 on the inner face of the front wall 10, from its upper horizontal edge 14, on which rests the longitudinal free edge of the panel 6, opposite the axis 7 in such a way that in the folded state (FIGS. 2 and 4A), the panel 6 is inclined upwards and forwards, so as to be guided upward during the unfolding operation.

In one possible embodiment of the invention the panels 2b and 6 have widths, of the same order of magnitude, that is to say, that the axis 7 is placed in the middle part of the seat part constituted by panels 2b and 6 coplanar. In the unfolded state, the panels 2b and 6 are located substantially in the same plane as the upper horizontal edge 14.

The panel 6 protrudes frontally of the frame 4. The rails or slides 17 are pressed against the bottom 9, the operating part 15 at a height (spacing between the edges 21 and 22) equal to or close to the spacing between the edge 14 and the background 9.

Reference is now made to the operating diagram 4A to 4J. In the folded state (FIG. 4A), the panels 2a and 2b will respectively be substantially horizontal and vertical, as already indicated above. The panel 6 is inclined upwards and forwards, and the operating part 15 inclined forwards and downwards, resting on the middle part of the rails or slides 17. The control means 19 are inactive.

The unfolding operation, to move from the folded state to the unfolded state, is performed for example manually by acting on the lid 2a that is lifted, in accordance with the arrow F1 of Figure 4A. As indicated above, this maneuver can be facilitated by the presence of pistons.

The pivoting of the panels 2a and 2b, around the axis 3 causes the sliding of the free edge 28 on the rails 27, according to the arrow F2 (Figure 4B) towards the upper horizontal edge 14. The lower horizontal edge 22 of the workpiece maneuver 15 slides on the rails 17 to the front wall 10, according to the arrow F3 (Figure 4B).

The stroke of the edge 22 towards the front wall 10 in the direction of the arrow F3 continues until the piece 15 and the panel 2b are coplanar. Then, the continuation of the pivoting movement of the panel 2a in the direction of the arrow F1 causes the sliding of the lower edge 22 towards the rear wall 11, in the direction of the arrow F4 (FIG. 4C), that is to say that the lower edge 22 approaches the recess 23 and that the operating part 15 is gradually rectified to the vertical (Figure 4D). When the free edge 28 of the panel 6 reaches, after having slid on the slideways 27 the upper horizontal edge 14, the panel 6 slides on the edge 14 towards the front, and in its own plane, according to the arrow F5 (FIGS. 4D).

During this pivoting movement of the panel 2a towards the vertical, the axes 7 and 16 are moved upwards, according to the arrows F6 (FIGS. 4B, FIG. 4C, 4D).

The lower edge 22 of the operating part 15 then engages in the recess 23 and the operating part 15 is placed vertically, the assembly being in the unfolded state (FIG. 4E).

During all this unfolding operation, the control means 19 remained inactive and the control part 25 did not interfere with the operating part 15. Except for action on the control member 24, as will be seen, the together can remain, as long as necessary, in the unfolded state. The assembly constituted by the panels 2b and 6 can form a very solid support plane, since maintained at three points by the front and back walls 11 and the operating part 15.

Because of the hollow shape given to the relief 23, the operating part 15 is biased towards its active blocking position and any risk of inadvertent passage in the unfolded state is excluded.

To move to the unfolded state, it acts on the pedal 24, for example, by pressing on it with the foot, in the direction of the arrow F7, pointing downwards (Figure 4F). This causes upward movement (arrow F8, FIG. 4F) of the control part 25 at the location of the recess 23. As a result, the control member 25 raises the operating member 15 by its lower edge 22, in the direction of the arrow F8. In this situation, the control part 25 is inclined forwards and downwards, so that the lower edge 22 is driven to slide downwards, by gravity, in the direction of the arrow F9 (Figure-4F). forward, while being clear of the recess 23.

As a result, the lower edge 22 of the operating part 15 is placed on the rails or rails 17, but towards the front of the recess 23, whereas the part 15 is inclined towards the front and towards the bottom, while being subjected to the weight exerted by its mass and those of the panels 2a, 2b and 6. This has the consequence, the sliding of the edge 22 on the rails 17 forward in the direction of the arrow F10 (Figure 4G) the piece operating maneuver 15 leaving its vertical blocking position and no longer ensuring the maintenance of the panels 2a, 2b, 6 in the unfolded state. The movement continues, by the very fact of gravity (Figure 4H). The panel 2a pivots downwards (arrow 11 of FIG. 4H). The panel 6 slides on the upper horizontal edge 14 in its own plane and towards the rear, in the direction of the arrow
F12 and axes 7 and 16 points downwards in the direction of the arrow F13 (Figure 4H). When the panel 2b and the part 15 are coplanar, the lower edge 22 reaches its end sliding portion, and it can be expected that they then abut on a member such as a resilient drum to ensure a braking movement downhill of the panel 2a. From this extreme position, the lower edge 22 slides on the rails or rails 17 towards the rear, in the direction of the arrow F14 (FIG. 41).

The movement continues, the edge 28 of the panel 6 slipping on the rails 27. The panel 2a is folded on the frame 4, bringing the assembly, in the folded state.

Thus, and as is apparent from the foregoing description, the operator does not have to exert an action during the entire folding phase, but must only exert a punctual action at the very beginning of this phase to depress the pedal. 24, this single action sufficient to trigger the entire folding maneuver.

Claims (16)

 1.- Device for operating a moving part (2) in  rotation on a chassis (4) between two positions ex  tremes, applicable in particular to a piece of furniture, characterized  in that it comprises a maneuvering part ~ (15)  pivotally mounted on the moving part (2) and by  sliding means (17) sliding on the ch s-  sis (4), having an active blocking position in the  which she keeps the moving part (2) in one  of its extreme positions corresponding-unfolded state  holding means (18) for the workpiece  (15) in its active locking position; and means  control (19) of the operating part (15) allows  both to move it away from its active blocking position.  2.- Operating device according to claim (1) ca  characterized by the fact that it includes pro means  to urge the moving part (2) towards its other  extreme position corresponding to the folded state and  means for keeping the moving part (2) in  this extreme position.  3.- Maneuvering device according to any one of  claims (1) and (2) characterized in that  the operating part (15) is slidably mounted on  the chassis (4) with friction.  4.- Maneuvering device according to any one of  Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the  an operating part (15) is slidably mounted in  be 2 extreme positions whose active position of  blocking.  5.- Maneuvering device according to any one of  Claims 1 to 4 characterized by the fact that  the extreme position of the operating part (15) is  a braking position by means of blocking means  (2Q) exerting a tightening on the operating part (15).  6.- Maneuvering device according to any one of  Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the  holding means (18) are constituted by the profile  sliding means (17) comprising a relief  (23) and means urging the workpiece  (15) between the relief (23). 7.- Operating device according to claim 6 ca  characterized by the fact that the relief (23) is a hollow  and the means for soliciting the workpiece  (15) are constituted by the force of gravity exerted  on the workpiece (15) by its own weight  and that of the moving part (2).  laying in the unfolded state.  moving part (2) is in its extreme position corres  the axis (16) of the operating part (15), when the  hollow (23) is located at least substantially vertically  Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the  8 Maneuvering device according to any one of  9.- Maneuvering device according to any one of the re  Claims 1 to 8 characterized by the fact that  control yens (19) comprise a control member  (24) and a movable control part (25) driven  by the control member (24). 10. Maneuvering device according to claim 9  controlled by the fact that the control member (24) and  the control part (25) are monobloc and mounted pivo  by means of a lever, the control part (25) for  so be moved between two extreme positions,  either a passive position where it is retracted from the re  lief (23), and an active position where it is placed  between the relief (23) and the workpiece (15). 11.- Bench-seat characterized by the fact that it com  carries a maneuvering device (1) according to which  one of claims 1 to 10, the moving part (2)  being constituted by a panel (2a) forming a cover and  backrest and a panel (2b) forming a seat part. 12.- Bench seat according to claim 1l characterized  in that the operating part (15) is articulated  by its upper horizontal edge (21) at the free edge  of the panel (2b) around an axis (16). 13.- Bench-seat according to any one of the revendica  11 and 12, characterized by the fact that it  a panel (6) articulated by an axis (7) to the panel  (2b) on its free edge. 14.- Bench-seat according to any one of the revendica  11 to 13 characterized by the fact that the chassis  (4) has a bottom (9) e feet (13), the body  control (24) in the form of a  dale placed under the bottom (9) and in the vicinity of the  frontal king (10). 15.- Bench seat according to any one of the  11 to 14 characterized by the fact that the axis (7)  is located in the middle part of the panels (-2b) and  (6) co-planar, the panel (6) protruding, when the  seat is in the unfolded state of the face of the wall  front (10) and resting on the horizontal edge su  upper (14) thereof. 16.- Bench seat according to any one of the claims  11 to 15 characterized by the fact that  door on the inner face of its front wall (10) at  minus one slide (27) on which the  free edge (28) of the panel (6).