FR2731601A1 - Multi-purpose stool with lower retractable step and storage space for e.g. shoes or cleaning products - Google Patents

Abstract

The stool has a lower retractable step (4,5) which slides horizontally. When it is pulled out it uncovers a storage space (7). The top of the stool has an upper plate (1) which slides or pivots on hinges to uncover a storage space which can be a sliding drawer (6). The central internal space (23), between the lower step, the drawer and the sides of the stool, can hold storage baskets or a sliding shelf. The stool is preferably made in wood but it can be made in rigid plastics material.

Description

IHUBLI Kn; TI-usAGFs
The invention relates to the technical sector of household and / or office furniture.

 More particularly, the invention relates to a general type of furniture - not limiting - stepladder and / or stool, moreover offering storage spaces (or volumes).

 Stepladder stools are already known, the first step (or bottom step) of which is retracted by pivoting upwards and inside the device.

 Other devices of the same type are known.

 The furniture according to the invention has the originality a, incorporating storage spaces (or volumes).

 In particular, the invention comprises - in a preferred but non-limiting configuration - a sliding lower element whose movement forms a step ladder and discovers a storage space.

 The invention also comprises, in one of its versions, an upper element which can be either sliding like a drawer, or opening, or pivoting.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawing, in which
FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention,
- Figure 2 shows the cross section along AA,
- Figure 3 shows a version with use of the central volume,
- Figure 4 shows a possible embodiment of the movable elements.

 In the Figures, the same references have the same meanings.

 Figure 1 describes a piece of furniture (M) whose general configuration is that of a stool. This piece of furniture has two sides (11) and (121 vertical or substantially vertical, solid or perforated, like legs, possibly decorated or sculpted and possibly adapted to a style of furniture (rustic or other), allowing the seat and, in such a way preferred, a back (13), which can be closed, or partially open as shown in the drawing, as well as a top piece or tray (1).

 The assembly must be of design (dimensions, geometry, seat, strength of materials) making it suitable for supporting the weight of a person, unless it is intended for other uses not including this requirement.

 One of the original features of the invention resides in the lower sliding part (4,5) formed by a facade (5) and an upper plate (4). The front and the plate are arranged so that they can slide, by known means - lateral supports, grooves, rollers, known supports on ball bearings, anti-friction plates of Teflon type (TM) or the like - as shown in Figure 2. When using a step stool, the facade and the plate must be arranged and designed, like the furniture, to be able to support the weight of an adult, as well as the horizontal sliding / sliding supports.

In the preferred and nonlimiting version shown, this movement forms a lower step which transforms the piece of furniture into a two-step stepladder, but moreover discovers a storage space (7) of any design, for example of the fixed drawer type with full walls or airy, etc
The upper part can, in a preferred version, be movable around hinges - in known manner - as shown in Figure 4, and lift up. This movement then discovers a second storage space (8) of similar or different design to the space (7). Naturally, gripping means (lateral or front handles, central recess, etc.) are provided to facilitate the movement of this part, as well as possibly known means (hooks, sliding blocking means, grasshoppers, latches, etc.) blocking the part in the closed position (for example for transporting the furniture) or on the contrary open (blocking elements known as including a compass). As shown in Figure 2, a variant consists in producing the volume (8) in the form of a drawer, the plate (1) then possibly being fixed.

 According to another embodiment, the central volume (23) can be occupied by a conventional drawer, or one or more supports, for example for shoes, or one or more bins for household articles and similar applications.

 Such an arrangement is shown, without limitation, in Figure 3, where the central volume (23) is occupied by a sliding plate (24) and a basket (25).

 Naturally, - various combinations of means and storage volumes will be obvious to the skilled person, as well as the dimensions, depending on the job.

 The originality of the invention lies in the fact that it combines the advantage of many possible simultaneous uses, including the use of stepladder, while remaining simple to manufacture and therefore inexpensive and not requiring heavy investment, with the result of a piece of furniture that is both multipurpose, easily transportable, offering a large volume of storage space, robust and well integrated into any household or office environment, or craft.

 This piece of furniture, in its different versions which will appear to those skilled in the art, is therefore preferably intended for handicrafts and small businesses, which of course does not exclude mass production or mass production.

 A preferred material will be wood, but one can naturally envisage all the materials or combinations of materials, which will appear to a person skilled in the art depending on the intended uses, including tubular metallic materials.

 Rigid plastics can for example be envisaged, for example molded or else assembled in plates, or even decorative assemblies of wood / metal, wood / brushed metal, etc.

 The applications of such a furniture are multiple.

In addition to its stool / stepladder function, it can indeed be used for the storage and transport of tools, equipment and household or gardening products, bedside furniture and all domestic or artisanal or industrial uses (in the workshop for example ) analogues.

Claims (6)

 1. - Multi-purpose furniture, of the stool or stepladder type (M) comprising a lower step which can be climbed, characterized in that said lower step (4.5), when it is placed in position, discovers a storage space (7 ),  2. - Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower step (4,5) slides horizontally.  3. - Furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper step is formed of a plate (1) which by sliding, pivoting, rotation or similar movement, discovers a storage space (8).  4. - furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the space (8) is formed by a drawer.  5. - Furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the interior central volume (23) delimited by the sides <11, 12) of the furniture, the underside of the storage (8) and upper of the storage (7) is occupied by one or more spaces. or storage volumes (24, 25).  - Toolbox and gardening products - utensils and household products box - storage for shoes and cleaning products - bedside table and the like.  - toolbox and parts  6. - - Applications of the ruble according to any one of claims 1 to 5, stepladder-stool corm and