FR2574380A1 - Device for storing mobile trays and method of using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing mobile trays and method of using the device. The device is characterised in that it is constituted by a superimposition of twinned brackets (2, 2', 3, 3', 4, 4') which are stepped in pairs, the brackets of a same pair being of complementary shape, bearing surfaces 11, 11' provided on the tray 6 allowing the said tray to be received such that it is supported on two twinned brackets, and each pair of brackets is separated from the adjacent lower and/or upper pair by a distance greater than the overall height of a tray and of its stand in its maximum retracted position. Application to the fitting-out of a premises with variable voluminal structure.

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for implementing this method, with a view to ensuring the storage of mobile trays. variable and adjustable heights.

Such trays, consisting of a generally flat and normally horizontal platform, are mounted on legs provided with rolling means allowing the movement of the assembly, the legs also making it possible to adjust the height of the platform. higher than the load-bearing soil.

The legs can be of various types and for example consist of telescopic legs or of articulated parallelograms, or of crosses in X.

In particular, the mobile platforms can be made up of modular platforms as described in French patent 76 29515 to which reference is made here more specifically.

The movable, adjustable and height-adjustable trays are used in industry, particularly in the context of the construction of large machines (aeronautical construction); these platforms are also used to form mobile stands to arrange a covered or outdoor space intended to receive the public during an event or a show; in this case the trays constitute mobile steps.

There are three systems of movable stands a) The first, known as "passable" 2 require mounting and dismounting trays on more or less high feet; they are characterized by the widest fantasy of implementation but often the most expensive due to the large part left to the imagination of users.

b) The second, called telescopic bleachers ", slide into each other thanks to the appropriate arrangement of their feet; the essential advantage of these telescopic bleachers, also called nesting bleachers" or "bleacher bleachers" or "bleachers" retractable ", is to be able to store very easily; their movement between their storage position and their active position is made by a "FORWARD - REAR" movement.

c) The third system consists of mechanically transforming a flat modular floor into steps by setting the 'elements in motion from the bottom up; these movable floors are in particular of the type described in the previously cited French patent No. 76 29515.

With the evolution of techniques, but also of customer demand, the three systems are experiencing substantial improvements, all of which consist in making the product more effective a) Quality of the materials used b) Integration of functions: incorporation of seats or accessories (railings, intermediate steps) c) Motorization of movements, allowing quick and easy implementation, using manual intervention as little as possible.

All this development has so far failed to overcome the basic conceptual flaws in each of the systems - The "passable" stands are the system suitable for occasional large outdoor events
The cost of the installation is justified by the exceptional nature of it and by the low value of the basic equipment (floors, trestles and a lot of handling).

- The "retractable" stands have, for events in covered rooms, made it possible to correct the defect of the first ones by replacing the long and tedious times of installation by a rapid implementation consisting of "pulling" or "pushing" drawers.

The limits of this system remain however a) - need for a vertical support plane, to exert a horizontal force (traction / pressure) b) - fixity of the slope (chosen once and for all during manufacture) c) - the organization of these terraces by "blocks" makes it difficult to design multipurpose places, modifiable at will.

In the final analysis, the essential advantage of this system consists in the simplicity of the "pull / push" concept, making it possible to quickly recover the surface on which they are installed in the open position. But they are never anything but bleachers, which cannot be used for anything else.

- The "mobile1" stands of the lifting type, usable outside or inside, allow an unequaled versatility of use and architecture.

Conceived as mobile, multifunctional modular elements, they can be moved at will and folded back in the low position. These floors constitute the evolutionary floor, which in turn is located at a higher height compared to the reference floor of the room. This defect can be compensated by the integration of these floors in a pit. They are both bleachers, for the installation of spectators but can also equip the stage. It is possible to compose, from these mobile platforms, curves, either in plan or in section.

The very idea of this adaptation limits for the moment the wider dissemination of this material. Indeed, the comparison between the so-called "drawer" system and the movable floors relates essentially to the "quality" and the nature of the residual soil available when the steps are no longer necessary.

Designers and users sometimes have a tendency to want to find an original soil to which they could give specific properties defined by themselves according to the application project
For example, we sometimes want to find a smooth parquet floor, without joints, to be able to organize a dancing meeting or a ball, or, on the contrary, find the concrete slab to circulate heavy and dirty vehicles.

It therefore seems desirable to combine the advantages of the three systems - the fantasy of the first (customizable) - the simplicity of the second (bleachers) - the flexibility of the third (mobile platforms)
The present invention makes it possible to carry out this synthesis by a method making it possible to automatically store or unload a set of movable floors, so as to reduce or deploy an area in volume.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for the storage of trays such as movable floors or trays mounted on elevators, of the type consisting of a platform resting on the ground by means of supports or legs of heights variable between a position of total retraction (corresponding to a minimum height of the platform) and a position of total extension (corresponding to the maximum height of the platform) and the device is characterized in that it consists of a superimposition of paired consoles and stepped in pairs, the consoles of the same pair being spaced apart by a distance less than the distance separating two opposite edges of the plate, making it possible to receive said plate bearing on the two twin consoles, and each pair of consoles is separated from the neighboring pair, lower and / or upper, by a distance greater than the overall height of a tray and its base in the position of maximum retraction.

Preferably all the consoles form a rack in which two consoles belonging to the same pair are arranged at the same height and located in the same horizontal plane.

More preferably, the brackets are supported by two parallel vertical uprights, the two uprights supporting the brackets in staggered superposition, the brackets located opposite on the two uprights thus being matched.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the two supporting uprights of the consoles are arranged inside a storage room and near a flat vertical wall of said room, one side of the platforms, in the storage position. , abutting or in the immediate vicinity of said wall.

For example, the amounts are reported as a square on said wall.

According to a more particular embodiment of the consoles, the latter comprise a bearing surface receiving the edges of the platform coming to bear on said console, and provided in a shape and profile complementary to said edges.

According to another characteristic, the uprights and the consoles integral with said uprights are arranged with a spacing making it possible to receive all of the stepped platforms, and resting on the superimposed consoles, the rectangular platforms resting on the support consoles by two short sides of the platform.

According to yet a more particular form, the consoles are provided with a length less than the length of the side of the platform coming to bear on said console, so that the sides of the platform in support position on the console receiver, overflows on each side, thus allowing the legs to be folded back laterally relative to the ends of the corresponding console.

The invention also relates to a room equipped with a set of bleachers or movable floors consisting of platforms mounted on legs and the room includes a storage device in accordance with the preceding characteristics.

The invention also relates to a method for the storage and operation of mobile platforms or floors characterized by the succession of the following operations.

a) the height of the platform is adjusted on its base so as to bring said platform substantially to the height of the free and highest placed twin consoles.

b) engaging said platform by displacement according to its rolling means equipping the base, in the space separating said twin consoles, two support zones of the platform coming to engage a short distance above the receiving console.

c) the base is retracted by correspondingly lowering the plate until the latter rests by its support zones on the two brackets.

d) the base is continued to retract to its maximum retraction position, the base then being brought into the erasing position in the space separating two pairs of superimposed consoles.

e) the operation is continued with the following platform brought to a suitable height to come and take place and engage on the pair of consoles immediately below, followed by the retraction of the base with the support of the second platform on the pair of bottom brackets
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and which is given in connection with a particular embodiment presented in the appended drawings.

In the figures, the mobile platform is of the type described in the French patent previously cited; but it is understood that the invention may be used in connection with all kinds of platforms, movable floors or platforms and mounted on lifting devices, whatever the lifting system (retractable telescopic uprights, articulated parallelograms, supports in X foldable accordion etc ...).

Figure 1 shows a view of the storage rack, a platform being brought into the storage position.

2 shows the rack of Figure 1 in which the previous platform is in the support position on the corresponding brackets, the base being in the retraction position.

Figure 3 shows the establishment of the subsequent platform after maximum retraction of the previous platform.

Figure 4 shows the establishment of the platform of Figure 3 in the retraction position of the base of the latter.

FIG. 5 represents the rack fitted with all of the platforms that it is able to receive.

Figure 6 shows a side elevational view of a variant of the invention.

Figure 7 shows the rack according to the variant of Figure 6 in front elevation.

Figure 8 shows the rack of Figures 6 and 7, seen in plan.

The device of the invention, considered according to FIGS. 1 to 5, consists of a rack formed by uprights 1 and 1 ′ supporting the consoles 2,2 ′, 3.3 ′, 4.4 ′, etc.

Preferably the uprights 1 and 1 'are arranged near a wall constituting a wall or a vertical partition delimiting the storage room. And the two uprights 1 and 1 'are mounted at right angles to the support wall 5.

The brackets 2,2 ′, etc. are themselves, for example, formed from metal profiles integral with the uprights 1.

But the consoles could also be formed of a plurality of punctual supports, for example 2 in number and allowing the support, on at least two points, of the platforms under the conditions described below.

The room is equipped with a set of platforms 6,7,8 ...

allowing the modification of the volume structure of the room, for example to constitute the mobile steps previously described.

In a manner known per se, in particular by the French patent cited above, the platforms can contain the accessories (seats, etc.) which allow the direct use of said platforms to constitute, for example, steps during their installation. in the room volume.

The implementation of the device and of the method according to the invention makes it possible to arrange in a limited space a set of mobile platforms during their period of non-use, thus leaving the interior volume and in particular the floor of the space completely free for banal uses, while allowing the redeployment of the platforms when the volume must be arranged accordingly, for example during a show or an event requiring the installation of bleachers for the comfort of the assistance and the vision of the show.

The platform restoring phase is described below.

According to Figure 1 we see that a platform is brought in front of the storage rack and its height is adjusted on its base, here consisting of two cylinders 9 and 9 'and the compass 10,10'.

The height of the platform-6 is adjusted so that its edges 11, 11 'corresponding to the two short sides come to a height slightly greater than the two free upper consoles 2.2'.

It is then possible using the rolling means 12,12 'which equip the platform (and which are provided orientable) to engage the platform 6 in the space separating the two uprights 1 and 1', the flat -form 6 always being in a slightly higher position relative to the consoles 2,2 ′, thus avoiding any friction and any resistance.

When the platform 6 is brought into good position, the legs are retracted by actuating the jacks 9 and 9 'as seen in Figure 2. So that at first the platform 6 is lowered according to the arrows
F1, F1 'of figure 1 until the edges il and 11' come to bear on the paired consoles 2 and 2 '
In a second step, the subsequent retraction of the base by maneuvering the jacks 10 and 10 'continues until the legs are completely erased, as seen in FIG. 3.

Preferably in the present case the length of the brackets is provided slightly less than the length of the two sides 11 and 11 'so that these sides protrude at each end of the corresponding console; and this allows the engagement of the ends of the legs in the erasing position on each side of the console.

It is understood that the operation can then be repeated with the subsequent platform 7 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, until the whole of the rack is completely filled as shown in FIG. 5.

It is clear that it is necessary to firstly set up the platform in the highest free position, so as to leave the lower volume of the rack available for setting up and maneuvering the platforms. following.

Indeed by setting up a first platform in the lower position, it is no longer possible to engage other platforms to occupy the upper positions.

The storage maneuver is carried out under the opposite conditions, each time releasing the platform located in the low pagus position (only this platform being moreover capable of being released by the maneuver of its base).

The platform in the lower position, for example the platform 13 (FIG. 5) can be brought into the support position on its base by expanding the latter until the base comes to bear on the ground and the movement is continued very slightly to "take off" the edges 11,11 'of the platform 13 relative to the support brackets 14,14'.

The platform 13 can then be translated to be released from the storage space and brought into the interior volume of the room where it can be put in place and incorporated into an assembly at a suitable height.

And if necessary, the next platform 13 'is in turn released by a similar maneuver and all the platforms, if necessary, up to the upper platform 6.

This produces an assembly allowing equipment and the definition of a volume space according to a perfectly flexible geometry as required.

The establishment of the platforms is carried out mechanically and by motorized means without requiring great needs. labor.

And conversely, once the event for which the volume layout has been completed has ended, the platforms can be brought back to their storage position in conditions of extreme simplicity, speed and economy of means.

In the variant shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the platforms 15, 15 'and 16, 16' are of the same general type as the platforms previously described, but here consist of long, parallelepipedic blocks.

And according to the variant shown in these figures, the consoles here consist of pins 18.18 ', 19.19' capable of coming to engage, when the platforms are brought together, in bores of sections and complementary lengths (with a clearance allowing the mutual sliding of the spindle in its housing provided on the platforms.

As seen in Figure 8 the pins 18 ', 18 "are mounted in pairs being located at the same height for the two pins constituting a pair, each pair of pins being assigned to the reception and support of a platform form.

According to a feature shown here, the pins 18 ', 18 "are pivotally mounted and in these conditions consist of erasable brackets when they are not in the position of use, that is to say when they do not support a flat -form returned to its storage position.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the erasure of the pins parallel to the wall 19 makes it possible to free up a whole space at the rear part of the steps deployed and this space can advantageously be allocated to constitute a passage gallery for monitoring, maintenance and the whereabouts of service personnel.

Each of the platforms 15,15 ', 16,16' therefore comprises a pair of housings 20,20 'provided with a spacing and dimensions making these housings complementary to the pins 18', 18 "(FIG. 8) and consequently allowing positioning-to-skewer of each platform on the consoles consisting of support pins 18 ', 18 ".

The establishment and release of the platforms on the supports here made up of pins operate under the same conditions as above.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6,7 and 8, the platform mounted on its base 21,21 'is brought opposite the support brackets, the housings 20 and 20' being positioned so as to allow the pins 18 'to penetrate, 18 "; and for this purpose the entry of the housings 20, 20 ′ is beveled or funnel-shaped to constitute a self-centering device.

In the return and delivery position to the rack as shown in FIGS. 6,7 and 8, the platform is therefore brought to a height which corresponds substantially to its storage position and it is therefore plugged into the support pins 18, 18 ", after which the legs' 21 and 23 are folded back according to the arrows in Figure 7 to be brought into the erasing position inside the box that constitutes the parallelepiped platform; in this case the legs are erased at the interior of the platform and the immediately lower platform can be inserted immediately below (with very little play) of the upper platform.

In the example shown in Figures 6,7 and 8 the platforms are thus stored substantially each at the height of its final position of use.

We see in particular in Figure 6 shown in dotted lines the active position of the platforms 15,15 ', 16 and 16'.

It can be seen that between the active position and the storage position the platforms have remained substantially at the same height.

It is thus particularly easy to identify the correct position of the platforms to form steps during the active position to form a volume space suitable for a show.

Indeed the platforms can be brought successively from their storage position on the rack (consisting of support pins), to their active position while remaining at the same height.

It therefore suffices to bring the legs into the deployment position until the base of the legs and the corresponding bearings touch the ground after which a slight clearance in height makes it possible to take off the spindle from its housing; the height positioning dB the platform which will constitute the tier is then obtained and it suffices to roll the platform to its position in the final volume, the height adjustment having been carried out here from the position of the platform in its storage position within the rack.

According to Figure 6, we see that the device of the invention can advantageously equip a performance hall.

The left part of the figure in fact comprises steps 24, 24 ′ which are fixed and which can include rows of seats; these steps in the upper position can for example constitute a balcony served by the passage 25 disposed overhanging dd the storage workshop formed by pins 17,17 ', 18,18 superimposed.

The passage 25 is delimited by the railing 26.

And the space located above passage 25 constitutes the storage rack for the 15.15 'and 16.16' tiered platforms.

This therefore makes it possible to use the right part of the hall either in the performance hall, the bleachers then being deployed as seen on the right part of the dotted figure, or by delivery to the racks of the platforms, in the bare hall. or assigned to any other use, the floor 27 then being cleared and free for all fittings.

And according to the invention, the movement of the platforms between their storage position and their final operational position in the case of use in a performance hall can be carried out using motorized means with a low labor force and without no difficulty in adjusting thanks to the automatic height adjustment of the removable steps, deduced from the positioning of the platforms on the support rack.

As seen in Figure 7 the bottom or the entire pan of the rear wall of the room can be provided with racks receiving platforms and which constitute in their storage position stacked columns; thus the volume space can be arranged over a large width, a width which is broken down into several rows of steps, each row being the result of the deployment of a platform column coming from a common storage rack.

And in the back of the room will therefore be as many racks as rows of stands, each rack receiving a row of mobile platforms constituting the stands in their deployed position.

Claims (11)

1 - Device for the storage of trays such as movable floors or trays mounted on elevators, of the type consisting of a platform resting on the ground by means of supports or legs of variable heights between a fully retracted position ( corresponding to a minimum height of the platform) and a fully extended position (corresponding to the maximum height of the platform), characterized in that it consists of an overlapping of twin consoles (2.2 ', 3.3', 4.4 ') and staggered in pairs, the consoles of the same pair being capable of receiving a plate bearing on the two twin consoles, and each pair of consoles is separated from the neighboring pair, lower and / or higher, by a distance greater than an overall height of a tray and its base in the maximum retraction position. 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that all of the consoles form a rack in which two consoles belonging to the same pair are arranged at the same height and located in the same horizontal plane. 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the brackets (2,2 ', 3,3') are supported by two uprights (1,1 ') parallel vertical, the two uprights supporting the brackets in layered superposition, the consoles located opposite on the two uprights thus being matched. 4 - Device according to one of claims 1,2 or 3, characterized in that the stepped set of consoles (2,2 ', 3,3') is arranged inside a storage room and at proximity of a vertical vertical wall (5) of said room, one side of the platforms, in the storage position, abutting or in the immediate vicinity of said wall. 5 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the platforms have a bearing surface on said console and said bearing surfaces and the brackets are provided in shape, profile and complementary dimensions. 6 - Device according to Itune of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rectangular platforms come to bear on the consoles by their two opposite small sides and the consoles (2,2 ', 3,3') are provided with a length less than the length of the short side of the platform coming to bear on said console, so that the short sides of the platform in the support position on the receiving console, protrude thereby allowing the folding of the elements of base (9,9J, 10, TO ") laterally with respect to the ends of the corresponding console. 7 - Device according to one of claims 1,2,3,4 or 5, characterized in that each console consists of a rod forming a pin 17,17 ', i8,18', 18 "and each platform has two bearing surfaces, each consisting of a complementary housing 20,20 'with clearance of the corresponding spindle, the storage and the rest of the platform in the rack consisting of spindles stepped in pairs being obtained by skewering the platform on a pair of receiver pins. 8 - Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the mouth of said housing 20,20 'is funnel-shaped to form a self-centering and guide wall for said pins. 9 - Device according to one of claims i to 8, characterized in that the consoles are erasable mounted in particular by pivoting between an active position to support the corresponding platform and an erased position clearing the interior space of the rack for deployment or the movement of the legs of the platform in the upper position. 10 - Room, characterized in that it is equipped with a set of movable floors consisting of platforms mounted on legs and the room includes a storage device according to one of claims 1 to 9. 11 - Method for storing and maneuvering a plurality of mobile platforms or floors by using the device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the succession of the following operations a) the height d is adjusted 'a first platform (6) on its base (9.9', 10.10 ') so as to bring said platform substantially up to the pair of consoled (2.2') free twins and the higher placed. b) engaging said platform (6) by displacement according to its rolling means (12,12 ') equipping the base, in the space separating said twin consoles, two bearing surfaces of the platform engaging short distance above the receiving console (2.2 '). c) the base is retracted (9.9 ', 10.10') by correspondingly lowering the plate (6) until the latter rests by its bearing surfaces on the two consoles (2 , 2 ').  J d) the base is retracted (9.9 ', 10.10') to its maximum retraction position, the base then being brought into the erasing position, in particular in the space separating two pairs of superimposed consoles (2.2 'and 3.3') or inside the platform itself. e) the operation is continued with the platform (7) then each of the following brought to a suitable height to come to take place and engage above the pa-ire of consoles (3.3 ′) immediately below, followed by the retraction of the base with the support of the second platform on the pair of lower consoles.