FR2552469A1

FR2552469A1 - Improved collapsable habitation cell

Info

Publication number: FR2552469A1
Application number: FR8315454A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Paul Thomassian
Original assignee: LOISIRS PROMOTIONELLE
Current assignee: LOISIRS PROMOTIONELLE
Priority date: 1983-09-28
Filing date: 1983-09-28
Publication date: 1985-03-29
Also published as: FR2552469B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsable habitation cell which finds particular application in the field of leisure, in the guise of a caravan or camping-vehicle cell. It comprises a rectangular lower frame 1, four folding panels covered by a roof 9 and disposed in two pairs of opposite panels, each of these being articulated by means of its lower edge to the frame 1 and can tilt between an unfolded position, where it stands vertically, and a folded position, where it extends horizontally over the top of the frame. The lateral panels 4, 6 are manoeuvred, by tilting, by means of flexible cords 50a which, attached at points 53a of the roof 9, pass over the top of the upper edge 57 of the panels by bearing on it by means of pulleys 56a and are wound up onto the drum 66 of an actuating winch 67 which is common to the two panels 4, 6 and is mounted inside the frame 1.

Description

CELLULE D'HABITATION REPLIABLE PERFECTIONNEE
La présente invention se rapporte à une cellule d'habitation repliable trouvant application notamment dans le domaine des loisirs en tant que cellule de caravane ou de véhicule de camping (camping car), et comprenant un cadre inférieur rectangulaire dont les côtés sont formés de panneaux verticaux oblongs assemblés rigidement, et, surmontant ce cadre, quatre panneaux rabattables disposés en deux paires de panneaux opposés, chacun d'eux étant articulé par son bord inférieur au bord supérieur du panneau correspondant du cadre et pouvant basculer entre une position déployée où il se dresse verticalement dans le prolongement du panneau correspondant du cadre et une position repliée où il s'étend horizontalement sur le dessus du cadre, la cellule d'habitation comprenant en outre un toit coiffant les panneaux rabattables et supporté par ceux de l'une des paires lesquels se rabattent en position repliée par-dessus ceux de l'autre paire et les libèrent en position déployée.IMPROVED FOLDABLE HOUSING CELL
The present invention relates to a foldable living cell which finds application in particular in the field of leisure as a caravan or camping vehicle cell (camping car), and comprising a rectangular lower frame whose sides are formed of vertical panels oblong rigidly assembled, and, surmounting this frame, four folding panels arranged in two pairs of opposite panels, each of them being articulated by its lower edge to the upper edge of the corresponding panel of the frame and being able to tilt between a deployed position where it stands vertically in the extension of the corresponding panel of the frame and a folded position where it extends horizontally over the top of the frame, the living cell further comprising a roof covering the folding panels and supported by those of one of the pairs which fold down in the folded position over those of the other pair and release them in the deployed position.

Selon l'invention, dans une telle cellule d'habitation, chacun des panneaux de ladite autre paire, qui ne supportent pas le toit, est manoeuvré en basculement au moyen d'au moins un cordon souple qui, attaché en un point du toit sur son côté correspondant au panneau considéré, passe par-dessus le bord supérieur du panneau en y prenant appui en un point en regard dudit point d'attache, puis passe par un organe de guidage fixé au cadre sur son côté correspondant au panneau considéré, pour aller s'enrouler sur le tambour d'un treuil d'actionnement commun aux deux panneaux, monté à l'intérieur du cadre et équipé de préférence d'un moteur électrique. According to the invention, in such a living cell, each of the panels of said other pair, which do not support the roof, is maneuvered in tilting by means of at least one flexible cord which, attached to a point on the roof on its side corresponding to the panel considered, passes over the upper edge of the panel by bearing thereon at a point opposite said point of attachment, then passes through a guide member fixed to the frame on its side corresponding to the panel considered, for go and wind on the drum of an actuation winch common to the two panels, mounted inside the frame and preferably equipped with an electric motor.

Dans une forme d'exécution avantageuse, chaque organe de guidage est disposé à proximité d'un angle du cadre, le cordon correspondant l'atteignant en passant éventuellement sur des poulies de renvoi montées sur le panneau correspondant,-tandis que les organes de guidage relatifs aux deux panneaux se trouvent voisins des extrémités d'un même côté du cadre. Le treuil est alors de préférence disposé à proximité d'un angle du cadre, ou tambour constituant l'organe de guidage de chaque cordon de manoeuvre du panneau adjacent à cet angle. In an advantageous embodiment, each guide member is disposed near a corner of the frame, the corresponding cord reaching it possibly passing over deflection pulleys mounted on the corresponding panel, while the guide members relative to the two panels are located near the ends of the same side of the frame. The winch is then preferably disposed near an angle of the frame, or drum constituting the guide member of each operating cord of the panel adjacent to this angle.

Chaque organe de guidage autre que le tambour du treuil est avantageusement constitué par une poulie dont l'axe, tout comme celui dudit tambour, est parallèle à la direction des bords supérieurs des panneaux considérés. Each guide member other than the winch drum is advantageously constituted by a pulley whose axis, like that of said drum, is parallel to the direction of the upper edges of the panels considered.

Il est préférable en pratique que chaque panneau soit manoeuvré par plusieurs cordons, par exemple au nombre de trois, agissant en parallèle, leurs points d'attache au toit et leurs points d'appui sur le bord du panneau étant régulièrement répartis respectivement sur la longueur du côté du toit et sur celle dudit bord. It is preferable in practice for each panel to be operated by several cords, for example three in number, acting in parallel, their attachment points to the roof and their support points on the edge of the panel being regularly distributed respectively over the length. on the roof side and on that side.

Afin de faciliter le glissement de chaque cordon sur le bord supérieur du panneau correspondant, son appui peut s'y effectuer par l'intermédiaire d'une poulie fixée audit bord, d'axe parallèle à la direction de ce dernier. In order to facilitate the sliding of each bead on the upper edge of the corresponding panel, it can be pressed there by means of a pulley fixed to said edge, with an axis parallel to the direction of the latter.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre, en regard des dessins annexés, d'un exemple de réalisation non limitatif. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment.

La figure 1 représente schématiquement en perspective une cellule d'habitation pliable selon l'invention. Figure 1 shows schematically in perspective a foldable housing cell according to the invention.

Les figures 2 à li représentent des vues en coupe par un plan vertical de la cellule de la figure 1, ses panneaux latéraux se trouvant respectivement en position dressée, intermédiaire et couchée. La figure 3 est une coupe de l'objet de la figure 5 suivant la ligne III - III. Figures 2 to li show sectional views through a vertical plane of the cell of Figure 1, its side panels being respectively in the upright, intermediate and lying position. Figure 3 is a section of the object of Figure 5 along the line III - III.

La figure 5 est une coupe de l'objet de la figure 3 suivant la ligne V - V. Figure 5 is a section of the object of Figure 3 along the line V - V.

La cellule d'habitation repliable représentée à la figure 1 comprend un cadre inférieur 1 rectangulaire, offrant une certaine hauteur h et pourvu d'un fond 2 formant plancher (figure 4). Il est surmonté de quatre panneaux rigides 3, 4, 5, 6, savoir deux panneaux frontaux 3, 5 et deux panneaux latéraux 4, 6. Les panneaux frontaux 3, 5 sont articulés au bord supérieur des petits côtés du cadre 1 suivant des axes de pivotement respectifs Ai, BB et les panneaux latéraux 4, 6 sont articulés au bord supérieur des grands côtés du cadre 1: suivant des axes de pivotement respectifs
CC, DD.Ces panneaux, qui comportent des ouvertures 7, 8 servant de fenêtres, ainsi qu'une ouverture (non représentée) d'accès à l'intérieur de la cellule, sont surmontés d'un toit 9 qui coiffe leurs bords supérieurs. Ce toit est supporté par les panneaux frontaux 3, 5.The folding living cell shown in FIG. 1 comprises a rectangular lower frame 1, offering a certain height h and provided with a bottom 2 forming a floor (FIG. 4). It is surmounted by four rigid panels 3, 4, 5, 6, namely two front panels 3, 5 and two side panels 4, 6. The front panels 3, 5 are articulated at the upper edge of the short sides of the frame 1 along axes respective pivot points Ai, BB and the side panels 4, 6 are hinged to the upper edge of the long sides of the frame 1: along respective pivot axes
CC, DD. These panels, which have openings 7, 8 serving as windows, as well as an opening (not shown) for access to the interior of the cell, are surmounted by a roof 9 which covers their upper edges . This roof is supported by the front panels 3, 5.

En position repliée, les panneaux latéraux 4, 6 sont rabattus en situation horizontale où, juxtaposés bord à bord, ils recouvrent chacun la moitié de la surface du cadre 1 (figure 2). In the folded position, the side panels 4, 6 are folded down in a horizontal situation where, juxtaposed edge to edge, they each cover half the surface of the frame 1 (Figure 2).

Quant aux panneaux frontaux 3, 5, ils sont rabattus également horizontalement par-dessus les panneaux 4, 6, les axes de pivotement AA, BB des panneaux 3, 5 étant situés à un niveau légèrement plus haut que celui des axes de pivotement CC, DD des panneaux 4, 6. Dans cette situation, la cellule présente un encombrement minimal, favorable à son transport, tout en offrant dans la hauteur h de son cadre 1 un volume résiduel susceptible de contenir un ou plusieurs lits, un ou plusieurs coffres de rangement, etc, accessibles lorsque la cellule est en situation déployée (figure 4).As for the front panels 3, 5, they are also folded horizontally over the panels 4, 6, the pivot axes AA, BB of the panels 3, 5 being situated at a level slightly higher than that of the pivot axes CC, DD of panels 4, 6. In this situation, the cubicle has a minimum size, favorable for its transport, while offering in the height h of its frame 1 a residual volume capable of containing one or more beds, one or more chests of storage, etc, accessible when the cell is in the deployed situation (Figure 4).

Les panneaux frontaux 3, 5 sont mus en pivotement par tout mécanisme de manoeuvre approprié. Seul le mécanisme de manoeuvre des panneaux latéraux 4, 6 va maintenant être décrit en détail. The front panels 3, 5 are pivoted by any suitable operating mechanism. Only the operating mechanism of the side panels 4, 6 will now be described in detail.

Les panneaux frontaux 3, 5 supportent à eux seuls le toit 9 (par des galets de roulement 12 courant dans des glissières 14 que comporte latéralement le toit 9) et ctest lors de leur manoeuvre de déploiement que le toit vient prendre sa position haute représentée sur les figures. Les panneaux latéraux 4, 6 ne sont déployés qu'après déploiement des panneaux 3, 5. The front panels 3, 5 alone support the roof 9 (by running rollers 12 running in runners 14 which the roof 9 comprises laterally) and it is during their deployment maneuver that the roof comes to take its high position shown on the figures. The side panels 4, 6 are deployed only after deployment of the panels 3, 5.

Les panneaux 4, 6, articulés au cadre 1 par des charnières comportant une tige longitudinale 60, 61, qui coincide avec llaxe
CC, DD respectif, sont manoeuvrés chacun au moyen de trois cordons souples 50a, 50b, 50c, attachés au toit 9 en trois points 53a, 53b, 53c respectivement situés au milieu et aux extrémités de la glissière 14 qui équipe le toit 9 du côté correspondant (figure 5). Ces cordons passent sur des poulies d'appui respectives 56a, 56b, 56c fixées sur le bord supérieur 57 de chacun des panneaux 4, 6, en regard des points d'ancrage 53a, 53b, 53c, ces poulies ayant leur axe de rotation parallèle audit bord supérieur.Puis les cordons 50b, 50c passent sur des poulies de renvoi 59b, 63b, 59c, 63c montées sur le panneau 4, qui les amènent à rejoindre le cordon 50a adjacent au panneau frontal 3, les trois cordons se dirigeant en parallèle vers l'angle du cadre 1 voisin dudit panneau frontal et du panneau latéral 4, 6 considéré, où ils passent, dans le cas du panneau 4, sur une poulie triple 65 a,b,c qui les fait se diriger vers le tambour 66 d'un treuil 67 auquel aboutissent directement, sans autre-moyen de guidage, les cordons 50a, 50b, 50c de l'autre panneau latéral 6, le treuil 67 étant fixé au cadre 1 dans l'angle voisin à la fois des panneaux 3 et 6 (figures 2, 3 et 4).The panels 4, 6, articulated to the frame 1 by hinges comprising a longitudinal rod 60, 61, which coincides with the axis
CC, DD respectively, are each operated by means of three flexible cords 50a, 50b, 50c, attached to the roof 9 at three points 53a, 53b, 53c respectively located in the middle and at the ends of the slide 14 which equips the roof 9 on the side corresponding (Figure 5). These cords pass over respective support pulleys 56a, 56b, 56c fixed on the upper edge 57 of each of the panels 4, 6, opposite the anchor points 53a, 53b, 53c, these pulleys having their axis of rotation parallel said upper edge. Then the cords 50b, 50c pass over return pulleys 59b, 63b, 59c, 63c mounted on the panel 4, which cause them to join the cord 50a adjacent to the front panel 3, the three cords running in parallel. towards the angle of the frame 1 near said front panel and the side panel 4, 6 considered, where they pass, in the case of panel 4, on a triple pulley 65 a, b, c which makes them move towards the drum 66 of a winch 67 to which lead directly, without other guiding means, the cords 50a, 50b, 50c of the other side panel 6, the winch 67 being fixed to the frame 1 in the corner adjacent to both of the panels 3 and 6 (Figures 2, 3 and 4).

Par mise en service du treuil 67 dans le sens de l'enroulement des six cordons sur son tambour 66 alors que les panneaux latéraux 4, 6 sont couchés à plat sur le cadre 1 (figure 2), lesdits panneaux pivotent vers le haut autour de leurs tiges d'articulation 60, 61 (figure 3) du fait de la force d'appui des cordons mis sous tension mécanique sur les bords supérieurs 57 desdits panneaux par l'intermédiaire des poulies 56a, 56b, 56c. By commissioning the winch 67 in the direction of the winding of the six cords on its drum 66 while the side panels 4, 6 are lying flat on the frame 1 (Figure 2), said panels pivot upwards around their articulation rods 60, 61 (FIG. 3) due to the bearing force of the cords put under mechanical tension on the upper edges 57 of said panels by means of pulleys 56a, 56b, 56c.

Finalement, les panneaux 4, 6 viennent se dresser en position verticale (figure 4) et le déploiement de la cellule d'habitation est achevé. Le rabattement des panneaux 4, 6 est obtenu en mettant en rotation de sens inverse le tambour 66 du treuil. Dans chaque cas, la manoeuvre des panneaux 4, 6 steffectue aisément par simple alimentation du moteur électrique dont est équipé le treuil 67 commun aux six cordons.Finally, the panels 4, 6 come to stand in a vertical position (Figure 4) and the deployment of the living cell is completed. The folding of the panels 4, 6 is obtained by rotating the drum 66 of the winch in opposite directions. In each case, the operation of the panels 4, 6 is easily effected by simple supply of the electric motor with which the winch 67 is fitted, common to the six cords.

On voit sur les figures 2,3 et 4 que des liens élastiques 51 sont en outre prévus entre les panneaux 4,6 manoeuvrés par les cordons souples 50 et les panneaux 3,5 qui soutiennent le toit 9. It can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 that elastic links 51 are also provided between the panels 4,6 maneuvered by the flexible cords 50 and the panels 3,5 which support the roof 9.

La position des points d'attache de ces liens élastiques, situés dans la région des bords supérieurs respectifs 57 et 58 des panneaux 4,6 et des panneaux 3,5 et leurs longueurs sont choisies telles qu'ils soient tendus lorsque les panneaux 3,5 sont en position dressée et les panneaux 4,6 sont en position couchée, et exercent alors sur ces derniers panneaux une force dirigée vers le haut qui assiste l'action des cordons 50 au début de l'opération de déploiement (fig.2). De préférence, on prévoit une paire de liens élastiques 51 pour chaque panneau 4,6, situés respectivement au voisinage des panneaux 3 et 5, ces liens s'étendant sensiblement verticalement, comme représenté, lorsque les panneaux 4,6 sont en position repliée à plat.The position of the attachment points of these elastic links, located in the region of the respective upper edges 57 and 58 of the panels 4,6 and of the panels 3,5 and their lengths are chosen such that they are stretched when the panels 3, 5 are in the upright position and the panels 4,6 are in the supine position, and then exert on these latter panels an upwardly directed force which assists the action of the cords 50 at the start of the deployment operation (fig. 2) . Preferably, a pair of elastic links 51 is provided for each panel 4,6, situated respectively in the vicinity of the panels 3 and 5, these links extending substantially vertically, as shown, when the panels 4,6 are in the folded position at dish.

Il est avantageux que la position des points d'attache des liens élastiques 51 et leur longueur soient en outre telles qu'ils se trouvent également tendus lorsque les panneaux 4,6 sont en position dressée de manière à favoriser, par application de forces sensiblement horizontales dirigées vers l'intérieur, le déclenchement du mouvement de rabattement desdits panneaux (fig.4). Ici, le poids de ceux-ci n'est toutefois pas à vaincre, comme au début de leur déploiement (fig.2), de sorte que la tension des liens élastiques 51 peut etre nettement plus faible. It is advantageous that the position of the attachment points of the elastic links 51 and their length are also such that they are also stretched when the panels 4,6 are in the upright position so as to favor, by applying substantially horizontal forces directed inwards, the triggering of the folding movement of said panels (fig. 4). Here, the weight of these is not to be overcome, as at the beginning of their deployment (fig.2), so that the tension of the elastic links 51 can be significantly lower.

Claims

1. Foldable living unit, comprising a rectangular lower frame whose sides are formed of oblong vertical panels rigidly assembled, and, surmounting this frame, four folding panels arranged in two pairs of opposite panels, each of them being articulated by its edge lower than the upper edge of the corresponding panel of the frame and able to switch between a deployed position where it stands vertically in the extension of the corresponding panel of the frame and a folded position where it extends horizontally on top of the frame, the cell dwelling further comprising a roof covering the folding panels and supported by those of one of the pairs, which fold in the folded position over those of the other pair and release them in the deployed position, characterized in that each of the panels (4, 6) of this other pair, which do not support the roof (9), is maneuvered in tilting by means of at least one flexible cord (50) which, attached to a point (53) of the roof (9) on its side corresponding to the panel (4, 6) considered, passes over the upper edge (57) of the panel by taking support at a point opposite said point of attaches, then passes through a guide member (65) fixed to the frame (1) on its side corresponding to the panel (4, 6) considered, to be wound on the drum (66) of an actuation winch ( 67) common to the two panels (4, 6), mounted inside the frame (1).

2. Housing cell according to claim 1, characterized in that each guide member (65) is arranged near a corner of the frame (1), the cord (50) corresponding reaching it possibly passing over return pulleys (59, 63) mounted on the corresponding panel (4, 6), while the guide members relating to the two panels are located near the ends of the same side of the frame (1).

3. Housing cell according to claim 2, characterized in that the winch (67) is arranged near a corner of the frame (1) and that its drum (66) constitutes the guide member of each panel operating cord (50) (6) adjacent to this angle.

4. Housing cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each guide member (65) other than the drum (66) of the winch (67) is a pulley whose axis, all like that of said drum, is parallel to the direction of the upper edges (57) of the panels (4, 6).

5. Housing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each panel (4, 6) is operated by several cords (50a, b, c) acting in parallel, their attachment points (53 a, b, c) to the roof (9) and their points of support on the edge (57) of the panel being regularly distributed respectively over the length of the side of the roof (9) and that of said edge.

6. Housing cell according to claim 5, characterized in that the cords (50 a, b, c) for operating each panel (4, 6) are three in number.

7. Housing cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support of each cord (50) on the upper edge (57) of the corresponding panel (4, 6) is effected by by means of a pulley (56) fixed to said edge, (57) with an axis parallel to the direction of the latter.

8. Housing cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the winch (67) is equipped with an electric motor.

9. Housing cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that elastic links 51 are provided between the panels 4,6 operated by the flexible cords 50 and the panels 3,5 which support the roof 9, the position of the attachment points and the length of these elastic links being such that they are stretched when the panels 3.5 supporting the roof are in the upright position and the panels 4.6 maneuvered by the cords are in the lying position 7 and then exert on these latter panels an upwardly directed force which assists the action of the cords 50 at the start of the deployment operation.

10. Housing cell according to claim 9, characterized in that the position of the attachment points of the elastic links 51 and their length are chosen such that they are also stretched when the panels 4, 6 maneuvered by the cords 50 are in the upright position, so as to favor the initiation of the folding movement of said panels.