FR2749959A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY DELIVERING ELONGATE OBJECTS, ESPECIALLY UMBRELLAS, AND CORRESPONDING UMBRELLA - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the automatic dispensing of elongated objects, in particular umbrellas, and corresponding umbrella. A method of automatically dispensing elongated rigid objects having an irregular outer circumference and / or a non-constant cross section, in particular umbrellas, characterized in that it essentially consists in placing a plurality of elongated objects (1) in a store or a storage chamber (4), each of said elongated objects (1) being provided, at least near each of its longitudinal ends, with at least one end piece, ring or cylindrical ring (2, 2 ') whose external dimensions are greater than the external dimensions of all the cross sections of the elongated objects (1), then to deliver the latter, one by one, consecutively, each time, at a request from a user and, where appropriate, after acknowledgment of a predetermined amount.

Description

DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the field of the sale and distribution of products, more particularly the sale and automated distribution, and relates to a method and a device for automatically dispensing elongated objects, for example umbrellas, and an umbrella. corresponding. There are already various types of automatic object dispensing methods and devices having regular and constant forms, especially against payment, in which the objects to be distributed are

  stored compactly and in direct contact with each other.

  However, such storage is not possible for objects

  irregular shapes, including non-constant sections.

  It is then necessary, in order to ensure a reliable unitary distribution, to store these objects individually, which entails a significant loss of space and a limitation of the quantity stored, as well as a device for

  storage, covering and distribution of complex structure.

  This disadvantage is particularly noticeable for products or elongated objects, the automatic manipulation of which is, moreover, complex and

delicate to achieve.

  The present invention is intended in particular to mitigate

aforementioned drawbacks.

  For this purpose, the main object of the present invention is a method of automatically dispensing elongated rigid objects having an irregular outer periphery and / or a non-constant cross section, in particular umbrellas, characterized in that it consists essentially of disposing a plurality of elongated objects in a magazine or a storage chamber, each of said elongate objects being provided, at least near each of its longitudinal ends, with at least one end, ring or cylindrical ring whose external dimensions are greater than the external dimensions of all the cross-sections of the elongate objects, and then to deliver the latter, one by one, consecutively, each time, to a request from a user and, where appropriate,

  after payment of a predetermined amount.

  The subject of the invention is also an umbrella capable of being distributed by means of the aforementioned method, as well as a device for

  automatic distribution implementing this method.

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  The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which

  relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an umbrella according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a grip handle provided with a tip or ring according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a side elevation view in section of another end piece or ring according to the invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic side elevation and transparency views of an automatic dispensing device according to FIG. invention, in

  two different operating states.

  According to the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, the method of automatic dispensing of elongated rigid objects consists essentially in arranging a plurality of elongate objects 1 in a magazine or a storage chamber 4, each of said elongate objects i being provided, at least near each of its longitudinal ends, with at least one ferrule, ring or cylindrical ring 2, 2 'whose external dimensions are greater than the external dimensions of all the cross-sections of the objects 1, then to deliver these, one by one, consecutively, each time, to a request from a user and, if necessary, after acknowledgment

a predetermined amount.

  Thus, each elongated object 1 has at least two locations, locations or areas at which there are circumferences or perimeters

  known external (s) determined, identical for all elongated objects 1.

  In addition, when they are placed on a flat surface, they are

  necessarily rest at their ends or rings 2, 2 '.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the end pieces or rings 2, 2 'have circular outer circumferences, of identical diameters, and are provided with a flat outer surface 5, 5', whose axis of symmetry is

  confused with the longitudinal axis of the elongated object 1 on which they are fixed.

  This arrangement allows a displacement of the elongated object on a flat support surface by simple rolling and holding said object

parallel to said surface.

  As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, the end pieces or rings 2, 2 'are, for each elongate object 1, located at identical locations, such that said elongate objects 1 come into contact with each other. with each other at the outer surfaces 5, 5 'of their end pieces or rings 2, 2', especially in the case of a vertical stack centered

  said elongated objects 1 in a horizontal position.

  Thus, the relative positions of the elongate objects 1 between them can be easily determined and standardized manipulation be operated. According to a preferred embodiment, the elongate objects 1 consist of umbrellas, in the closed state, having a first end or ring 2 at the handle 6 and a second end or ring 2 'at the level of the end portion 7 'of the support rod 7, situated at the opposite end of

said gripping handle 6.

  The subject of the invention is also an umbrella with a handle or straight handle (e), which can be distributed by means of the aforementioned method, an umbrella characterized in that it comprises at least at the level of its handle or its gripping handle 6 and the end portion 7 'of the support rod 7 opposite the latter, a tip or a cylindrical ring 2, 2', the dimensions of which are such that the fictional cylinder C formed by leaning on and enclosing the outer circumferences of said tips or rings 2, 2 'contains the entire body of said umbrella 1 in the closed state, namely the support rod, the

  brooms, the cloth and said handle (Figure 1).

  According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the end pieces or rings 2, 2 'have circular outer circumferences, of identical diameters, and are each provided with an outer circumferential surface 5, 5' which can constitute rotation and whose axis of symmetry is

  coincides with the longitudinal axis of the support rod 7 of the umbrella 1.

  The tip or ring 2 at least present at the handle or the handle 6 may, for example, be mounted on the latter, removably or unobtrusively, snap, snap fit, gluing, screwing or the like, and be located at the end of the shaft 6 proximal of the shaft

support 7.

  However, as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, the tip or the ring 2 present at the handle or the handle 6 can be advantageously located at the distal free end of the latter and be formed in one piece with it, for example by

  plastic injection molding.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, the tip or the ring 2 'present at the end portion 7' of the support rod 7, opposite to the handle 6, -4- is substantially in the form of a disc, fitted or fitted on said end portion 7 'at a central blind hole 8 and having, if appropriate, on its lateral face facing the gripping handle 6, a recess 8 'conforming to the convex or spherical curve of the top of the fabric 9 when the umbrella 1 is in the open state. The tip or ring 2 'can be fixed permanently on an umbrella 1, for example by gluing, or be fixed in a removable manner, to be detached after

distribution of said umbrella 1.

  Finally, the invention also relates to a distribution device 3

  automatic elongated objects, in particular umbrellas 1, as described above.

  above, implementing the aforementioned method and characterized in that it consists mainly, firstly, by a magazine or a storage chamber 4, which can contain a plurality of elongate objects 1 disposed horizontally and stacked substantially vertically and having a tapered lower portion 10 terminating in a lower discharge passage 11, on the other hand, by means 12, 13 for sequencing the extraction and individual transfer of the elongate objects 1, controlled by a unit 14 control and control, and finally by a receptacle 16 for receiving the elongated object 1 distributed, accessible, for the removal of the latter, by the user having requested the

distribution.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, represented in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the appended drawings, the lower part 10 of the magazine or of the storage chamber 4 consists of a profiled funnel, whose evacuation passage 11, which is substantially vertical or less sloping, has a width adapted to the external dimensions of the end pieces or rings 2, 2 'for a guided downward movement of an elongated object 1, such as an umbrella in the closed state, and opens above a surface support 17 located at a distance D from the ejection opening 11 'of said discharge passage 11 slightly greater than the diameter d of ferrules or rings 2, 2' and significantly less than twice the

  diameter d thereof, and extending to the receiving receptacle 16.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the sequencing and transfer means may consist, on the one hand, of a movable push and lock member 12 comprising a front portion 12 'intended to cooperate with an elongate object 1, such as an umbrella, present on the support surface 17, or with the rings or endpieces 2, 2 'thereof, for its transfer to the receiving receptacle 16 and can be moved between a retracted position in which the ejection opening 11 'of the evacuation passage 11 of the magazine or of the storage chamber 4 is released and an extended position in which it blocks said opening 11' of the evacuation passage 11, the displacement of said movable member 12 from the retracted position to the deployed position driving the umbrella 1 placed on the support surface 17 in the receiving receptacle 16, and on the other hand, a retractable retention member 13, for example under form of striker, ensuring, in cooperation with the movable member 12 for thrusting and locking, the holding of the umbrella 1 ejected and resting on the support surface 17, to the right of the opening 11 'of the evacuation passage 11, blocking so

  the exit of the umbrella 1 'next engaged in said passage 11.

  The movable member 12 may, for example, be in the form of a piston of substantially parallelepiped shape, actuated by a jack (pneumatic, hydraulic or electromagnetic), which can slide on the support surface 17 or sliding in guide rails side, and having an upper face or an upper plane element of size at least sufficient to close

  the ejection opening 11 'of the evacuation passage 11.

  In order to ensure displacement and evacuation of the elongate objects 1 present in the magazine 4 essentially under the action of gravity and without the intervention of any conveying or dispensing device, other than the mobile member 12, the surface support 17 is inclined towards the receptacle of

reception 17.

  In addition, the device 3 comprises, in the magazine 4, near the inlet 11 "of the discharge passage 11 of the funnel-shaped lower portion 10, a release member 18 for modifying the structure of the stack of umbrellas 1 in the store 4, especially at the level of said inlet 11 ", and to ensure a unitary introduction of the umbrellas 1 into said

evacuation passage 11.

  This last arrangement makes it possible to prevent the blocking of the entrance of the evacuation passage 11, resulting from the simultaneous arrival and frontage of two

  elongate objects 1 at the entrance of said passage 11.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the movable member 12, the retention member 13 and the release member 18 may have a profiled structure extending over the entire width of the device of distribution 1, that is to say over the entire length of

elongated objects 1.

  However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in order to reduce the cost of the device 1 and the intensity of the actuating forces necessary for the operation of the organs 12, 13 and 18, it can be - 6- provided that a pushing and locking member 12, a retention member 13 and a release member 18 are present at each plane containing end pieces or rings 2, 2 ', the various members 12, 13 and 18 of the same type being actuated synchronously or rigidly connected to each other for common actuation. In the case of this second embodiment, it suffices that the members 12, 13 and 18 have a width substantially equivalent to or slightly greater than the planar outer circumferential surfaces 5, 5 'of the

end pieces or rings 2, 2 '.

  The operation of the automatic dispensing device 3 will now be described, in the following, more precisely with reference to the

  Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

  The various elongated objects 1, for example umbrellas, are stacked in the magazine 4 by being arranged horizontally and by bearing on each other, and on the side walls of the magazine 4 and its bottom portion 10 in the form of a funnel , through their tips or

rings 2, 2 '.

  Upon loading said umbrellas, several of these (ie the first to be introduced) engage automatically, under the action of gravity, in the exhaust passage 11, the lower umbrella 1 being blocked

  in said passage 11 resting on the upper face of the movable member 12.

  When, at the request of a user, and, where appropriate, after payment of a determined amount at an automatic payment unit (for example of the type known as "coin mechanism"), the mobile member 12 retracts into its retracted position (FIG. 4), said lower umbrella 1 falls, under the action of gravity, onto the support surface 17, being held in position by the retention member 13, on one side, and by the front portion 12 'of the movable member 12, on the other side, said umbrella 1 thus preventing, because of its mere presence to the right of the ejection opening 11', the exit of the

  umbrella 1 'next in the passage 11.

  Simultaneously with the previous action, the release member 18 is actuated (pivoted in the up position) so as to avoid jamming at the entrance to the passage 11, due to the possible presence of two umbrellas 1 of

  front at the entrance of said passage.

  In the next operating phase, the movable member 12 is moved towards the receiving receptacle 16, which has the effect of transferring the umbrella 1, present on the support surface 17, in said receptacle, the body -7- retention 13 being retracted by a corresponding actuation or under the effect of the thrust force applied by the movable member 12 on the umbrella 1 (the retention member can in this case be biased in the upright position under the action of a

spring for example).

  In addition, during this pushing phase of the umbrella 1 towards the receptacle 16, the movable blocking member 12 closes progressively, during

  the evacuation of said umbrella 1, the ejection opening 11 '.

  In order to guarantee, at this time, the non-ejection of the umbrella 1 'following, the front portion 12' of the movable member 12 has a projecting upper portion that can be easily introduced between the end pieces or rings 2, 2 'of the umbrella 1 and the end pieces or rings 2, 2 'of the umbrella 1' during the movement of said umbrella 1 out of the support surface portion 17 facing

at the ejection opening 11 '.

  At the end of this second operating phase, the umbrella 1 is found at the receiving receptacle 16 and the movable member 12, in position

  deployed, completely closes again the ejection opening 11 '(Figure 5).

  This position of the movable member 12, which in fact corresponds to its rest position, makes it possible, on the one hand, to prevent any possible theft of an umbrella 1 with the hand or with the aid of a tool or any instrument and, on the other hand, to avoid any risk of injury to the hand of an

in the device 3.

  In this deployed position of the mobile member 12, the apparatus 3 can remain waiting for a new distribution request from a user, who

  will trigger a new operational cycle as described above.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without leaving the domain of

protection of the invention.

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Claims (13)

  1. A method of automatically dispensing elongated rigid objects having an irregular outer periphery and / or a non-constant cross-section, in particular umbrellas, characterized in that it consists essentially in arranging a plurality of elongate objects (1) in a store or a storage chamber (4), each of said elongated objects (1) being provided, at least near each of its longitudinal ends, with at least one end, ring or cylindrical ring (2, 2 ') whose external dimensions are greater than the external dimensions of all the cross-sections of the elongate objects (1), and then to deliver the latter one by one, consecutively, each time, at a request from a user and, where appropriate, after acknowledgment a predetermined amount. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the end pieces or rings (2, 2 ') have circular outer circumferences, of identical diameters, and are provided with a flat outer surface (5, 5'), of which axis of symmetry coincides with the longitudinal axis of the elongated object (1) on which they are fixed.   3. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that the end pieces or rings (2, 2 ') are, for each elongated object (1), located at identical locations, such that said elongate objects (1) come into contact with one another at the outer surfaces (5, 5 ') of their end pieces or rings (2, 2'), in particular in the case of a   vertically stacking said elongated objects (1) in a horizontal position.   4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the elongate objects (1) consist of umbrellas, in the closed state, having a first end or ring (2) at the grip (6) and a second end or ring (2 ') at the end portion (7 ') of the support rod (7), situated opposite the said handle of gripping (6).   5. Umbrella with handle or straight grip (e), which may be dispensed through the method according to any one of   1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least at the level of its   gripping handle (6) and the end portion (7 ') of the support rod (7) opposite the latter, a tip or a cylindrical ring (2, 2'), the dimensions of which are such that the cylinder fictitious (C) formed based on and -9- enclosing the outer circumferences of said tips or rings (2, 2 ') contains   the entire body of said umbrella (1) in the closed state.   6. Umbrella according to claim 5, characterized in that the end pieces or rings (2, 2 ') have circular outer circumferences of identical diameters and are each provided with an outer circumferential surface (5, 5') plane, which may constitute rolling surfaces and whose axis of   symmetry is confused with the axis of the support rod (7) of the umbrella (1).   Umbrella according to any one of claims 5 and 6,   characterized in that the tip or ring (2) present at the handle or handle (6) is located at the distal free end thereof   last and is formed in one piece with this one.   8. Umbrella according to any one of claims 5 and 6,   characterized in that the tip or ring (2 ') present at the end portion (7') of the support rod (7), opposite the grip handle (6), is substantially under the shape of a disc, fitted or fitted on said end portion (7 ') at a central blind hole (8) and having, if appropriate, on its lateral face turned towards the handle (6). ), a recess (8 ') conforming to the convex or spherical curve of the top of the   canvas (9) when the umbrella (1) is in the open state.   9. Device for automatic dispensing of elongated objects,   in particular umbrellas according to any one of claims 5 to 8,   the method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized   in that it mainly consists, on the one hand, of a magazine or a storage chamber (4), which can contain a plurality of elongated objects (1) arranged horizontally and stacked substantially vertically, and having a tapered lower part (10) ending with a lower discharge passage (11), on the other hand, by means (12, 13) for sequencing the extraction and individual transfer of the elongate objects (1), controlled by a unit (14) of control and control, and finally by a receptacle (16) for receiving the elongated object (1) distributed, accessible for the removal of the latter, by the user having requested the distribution.   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower part (10) of the store or the storage chamber (4) consists of a profiled funnel, the discharge passage (11), substantially vertical or at least sloping, has a width adapted to the external dimensions of the end pieces or rings (2, 2 ') for a guided downward movement of an elongate object (1), such as an umbrella in the closed state, and opens above a support surface (17) located at a distance (D) from the ejection opening (11 ') of said discharge passage (11) slightly greater than the diameter (d) of the end pieces or rings (2, 2 ') and clearly less than twice the diameter (d) of these,   and extending to the receiving receptacle (16).   11. Device according to any one of claims 9 and 10,   characterized in that the sequencing and transfer means consist, on the one hand, of a movable pushing and locking member (12) having a front part (12 ') intended to cooperate with an elongated object (1), such as an umbrella, present on the support surface (17), or with the rings or end pieces (2, 2 ') thereof, for transfer to the receiving receptacle (16) and movable between retracted position in which the ejection opening (11 ') of the discharge passage (11) of the magazine or the storage chamber (4) is released and an extended position in which it blocks said opening (11') of the exhaust passage (11), moving said movable member (12) from the retracted position to the extended position causing the umbrella (1) placed on the support surface (17) to move into the receiving receptacle (16), and, on the other hand, a retractable retention member (13), for example under me of keeper, ensuring, in cooperation with the movable member (12) pushing and locking, the holding of the umbrella (1) ejected and resting on the support surface (17) to the right of the opening (11 ') of the evacuation passage (11), thus blocking the exit of the   umbrella (1 ') next engaged in said passage (11).   12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11,   characterized in that the support surface (17) is inclined towards the receiving receptacle (17) and in that it comprises, near the inlet (11 ") of the discharge passage (11) of the part funnel-shaped lower part (10), a release member (18) for modifying the structure of the umbrella stack (1) in the magazine (4), especially at said inlet (11 "), and to ensure a unitary introduction of umbrellas (1) into said passage evacuation (11).   Device according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that   that a pushing and locking member (12), a retention member (13) and a release member (18) are present at each plane containing end pieces or rings (2, 2 '), the different members (12, 13 and 18) of the same type being actuated synchronously or rigidly connected to one another in order to common actuation.