FR2777550A1 - Foldable storage and handling case especially for clothes - Google Patents

Abstract

The case (7) has a foldable structure attached to a carrying frame (4) with suspension hooks (5) and a mobile support to hold the structure in the folded condition. The suspension hooks allow the structure to rock, and be suspended in a folded position. This is in a direction that is perpendicular to the unfolded position in which various articles are stored inside the case.

Description

The present invention relates to the general technical field of

handling

  or the transport of articles in the general sense and, in particular, of clothing.

  The present invention relates more particularly to the field of loading.

  and the unloading of a vehicle in the general sense, containing clothing.

  In the preferred technical field above, there appears a well-known problem which is that of the transport of clothes from the place of their manufacture to their place of sale, generally via a regrouping site where the batches of clothes are formed from the different incoming lots. It turns out that the transport of clothing, which is generally done by truck, requires different operations

  tedious loading and unloading of vehicles.

  These handling operations are most often carried out manually. In an attempt to facilitate these handling operations, patent application FR 96 05 470 has proposed a handling installation comprising, in particular, different guide tracks fixed under the ceiling of the body of a vehicle. Each guide track consists of two rails mounted in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each guideway is intended to receive a series of mobile teams carrying the garments. Each mobile assembly comprises at least two carriages connected together by a structure comprising support bars, adjustable in height, on which hangers

  provided with clothes are intended to be hung.

  The installation also includes a fixed part mounted inside a handling and storage room. The fixed installation involves a guide track similar to the guide track fitted to vehicles. The vehicle guideway is intended to come into alignment with the guideway of the fixed installation, so that by means of connecting sections between the guideways of the fixed installation and the vehicle , mobile crews can

  be moved from the handling room in the vehicle, or vice versa.

  It appears that such an installation presents, compared to manual loading or unloading operations, an improvement insofar as it makes it possible to directly transfer a batch of clothes to hangers carried by a mobile equipment. The handling time is thus reduced compared to a manual operation. Likewise, the clothing remains intact insofar as it does not

  are no longer handled or touched by handling personnel.

  In addition, the installation according to request FR 96 OS 470 is designed to be foldable so as to occupy as small a volume as possible at the bottom of the vehicle, after unloading the clothes so as to release a maximum of

  volume usable for a new loading of a different type.

  In addition, it may be necessary to load into the same vehicle clothing or articles not conditioned on a hanger, but flat or cardboard. It is then necessary to use carts on which the articles packed flat or cardboard are stacked. The use of such carts effectively allows easy handling of flat or cardboard products. However, the use of trolleys leads to the presence within the same vehicle, of two different storage systems, which makes it more difficult to optimally use the storage space. In addition, the carts represent a certain bulk which becomes detrimental to the use of the storage and transport space of the vehicle after unloading the transported clothing. Indeed, the carriages have the same footprint loaded or empty, so that they neutralize a useful part of the transport volume of the vehicle which can then no longer be loaded so

optimal.

  It therefore appears the need to be able to have storage and handling means, for articles not conditioned on a hanger, the empty volume of which

  can be reduced compared to the loaded volume.

  To meet this need, American patent US 4,884,935 has proposed a foldable device for the transport and handling of various articles. This device includes a high load-bearing frame fixed to a carriage intended to be suspended from a monorail guideway. This device also includes a low frame connected to the high frame by straps defining sorts of uprights on which flexible or rigid shelves are adapted. Such a device can then receive on the shelves various articles of varying shape and volume. In addition, the suspension of the device on a trolley enables rapid loading between a fixed handling installation and a vehicle both having a guide track for the trolley. After unloading the vehicle and the storage and handling device, the latter can be folded up by means of fasteners which keep the low frame close to the high frame, the straps forming the uprights being folded between the two devices. The folded device remains suspended from the monorail of the vehicle so that the space below is accessible and can receive a load of a different type not requiring the use of

foldable devices.

  The above devices do indeed allow the storage and handling of various items but have, however, certain drawbacks inherent in their design. Indeed, the devices according to US Pat. No. 4,884,935, while hanging from the vehicle monorail, do not allow, after folding, optimal use of the vehicle storage space, due, in particular, to the volume they occupy in the top of the vehicle. In addition, such foldable devices are not compatible with a storage system for clothes on hangers hanging from a

mobile equipment.

  The object of the invention therefore aims to solve these drawbacks by proposing a foldable device designed to store various articles, and to allow their rapid handling, offering means for ensuring rational storage of the device after folding while being compatible with storage systems

of clothes on hanger.

  To achieve this objective, the foldable device for the storage, handling and transport of various articles according to the invention is of the type comprising a foldable storage structure connected to a load-bearing structure equipped with means of suspension from a mobile assembly to ensure the suspension of the storage structure in a

  unfolded position, suitable for storing miscellaneous items and in a folded position.

  According to the invention, the device comprises tilting means to authorize a suspension of the storage structure in the folded position in an orientation substantially perpendicular to that of the unfolded position, adapted to the

storage of miscellaneous items.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the foldable device is characterized in that: - the carrying structure comprises at least two arms each equipped, as suspension means, with a hook or the like capable of cooperating with means of additional attachment of the mobile assembly, - and in that the storage structure is constituted by two half-racks adapted to the supporting structure by articulations forming the tilting means and allowing the half-racks to pivot between the unfolded position in which the half-racks together define a storage plane, and the folded position in which the half-racks are folded down

  perpendicular to the storage plane.

  Furthermore, the devices according to US Pat. No. 4,884,935 have an open structure, so that the articles stored therein are liable to be ejected therefrom.

when moving the vehicle.

  The invention also aims to eliminate this drawback by proposing a foldable device designed to store various articles, and to allow their rapid handling, while offering means to prevent them falling during transport and being compatible with storage systems for clothes on hanger. To achieve this objective and according to another characteristic of the invention, the folding device is characterized in that - the storage structure comprises: on the one hand, a low frame connected to the high frame forming the support structure, by a flexible structure which delimits between the high and low armatures, a closed storage volume accessible by at least one door, and, on the other hand, fixing means for keeping the high and low armatures close together in the folded position of the structure storage, - and the supporting structure, formed by the high frame comprises, as means of suspension and tilting, at least two hooks designed to allow the suspension of the storage structure, on the one hand, in the unfolded position adapted to the use of the storage volume and, on the other hand, in the folded position in a substantially orientation

  perpendicular to that of the unfolded position.

  It appeared that once loaded, the device according to the invention has a significant weight which urges the mobile assembly to which it is suspended, in particular, during movement of the vehicle, so that shocks are likely to occur between the load of several successive crews adapted on the same guideway which could then lead to damage to the articles and / or

clothes transported.

  The object of the invention also aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a mobile assembly for supporting, in particular, devices according to the invention, of the type comprising at least two carriages intended to be moved in a guide track of a transport and storage installation, the carriages being linked together by a suspended supporting structure formed by at least one bar

  for attaching the devices according to the invention.

  According to the invention, this mobile assembly is characterized in that each carriage is equipped with so-called high immobilization means, constituted by at least one spring locking pin intended to cooperate with a complementary light of the guide track to immobilize in translation of the mobile assembly, and in that it comprises remote maneuvering means of the high immobilization means for disengaging the locking pin of the complementary light and keeping it in the unlocked position, in order to allow a free movement of the moving crew on

along the guideway.

  The invention also relates to an installation for storing articles on hangers and devices according to the invention inside the storage and transport volume

  of a vehicle using a series of carrier crews according to the invention.

  Various other characteristics emerge from the description given below in

  reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples,

  embodiments and implementation of the subject of the invention.

  Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an example of storage inside a

  vehicle, carried out by means of foldable devices according to the invention.

  Fig. 2 is a transverse view taken substantially along lines II-II of

fig. 1.

  Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a

  foldable device according to the invention.

  Fig. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a method of storing the

  devices, according to the invention, in the folded position.

  Fig. 5 is an exploded view substantially similar to FIG. 3 showing a

  alternative embodiment of a foldable device according to the first embodiment.

  Fig. 6 is a schematic longitudinal view of an embodiment of an installation for loading and unloading a vehicle using

  mobile equipment and foldable devices according to the invention.

  Fig. 7 is a front view on a larger scale of a mobile assembly according to the invention. Fig. 8 is a side view taken substantially along lines VIII-VIII of

fig. 7.

  Figs. 9 and 10 are perspectives illustrating another embodiment

  of a foldable device according to the invention.

  Fig. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an example of storage of various products inside a vehicle by means of devices according to FIGS. 9

and 10.

  Fig. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing devices according to

  fig. 9 and 10 in the folded position and in the unfolded position.

  As shown more precisely in Figs. 1 to 3, the invention relates to a foldable device designated as a whole by the reference 1, and intended to be hung on a mobile assembly 2 and, for example, on a support bar 3 of this

crew 2.

  As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the foldable device for the storage, handling and transport of various articles in accordance with the invention comprises a support structure 4 fitted with suspension means 5 to the mobile assembly 2. According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the carrying structure 4 is constituted by a high frame equipped as suspension means, with two hooks allowing a hooking of

  the armature 4 to the bar 3 in a substantially balanced position.

  Preferably, the upper frame 4 is produced in the form of a substantially rectangular frame made of metal tube. According to the example illustrated, the frame 4 comprises two substantially identical half-frames 41, 42 of general U-shape, the branches of which are intended to come each to engage on a tubular segment 6 having a substantially circular cross section and bearing a hook 5. Given the shape of the segments 6, the hooks 5 are articulated on the upper frame 4 and can pivot along an axis parallel to one of the sides of said

high frame.

  The foldable device 1 also comprises a foldable storage structure 7.

  According to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the foldable storage structure comprises a low frame 8 is constituted by a tubular profile frame on which is adapted a blank of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as for example reconstituted wood or the like. Of course, the low frame 8 could be made in any suitable manner adapted to its function of stiffening or reinforcing the bottom of the device 1, as will emerge from the following

  from the description. Thus, the low frame 8 could consist of a grid

  metallic or independent rigid or semi-rigid whales.

  According to the example illustrated, the foldable structure 7 also comprises a flexible structure 10 which connects the high 4 and low 8 armatures and delimits between them a closed storage volume, accessible by at least one door 11. The flexible structure 10 is, of preferably but not necessarily, produced in the form of a substantially parallelepiped cover which has two access doors 11 arranged in two opposite lateral faces. Each door 11 is constituted by a flexible liftable panel of substantially rectangular shape linked to the cover by its upper side. The closure of each of the two opposite vertical sides of the door 11 is ensured by means of a zipper 12, fitted on the vertical edge of the door 11 and the opposite edge of the cover 10. The zippers 12 are arranged so that their opening is effected by an upward movement of their respective slides 13 in the direction of the

arrow fi.

  Finally, the lower side of the door 11 is provided with a closure system 14 which comprises, at each of its ends, near the bottom of the slides 12, means for setting up witnesses 15 of the opening, on the one hand, of the bottom closure system and, on the other hand, of the slides 12. The bottom closure system 14 can be made in any suitable manner and, for example, in the form of a fixed belt 16, in its middle, at the door 11 and intended to pass in jumpers 17 presented by a return of the cover 10 and each engaged in a buttonhole complementary to the door 11. The cooperation of the belt 16 and the jumpers 17 distributed along the edge lower thus prevents inadvertent or dishonest opening of the lower edge of the door 11. The means for setting the opening indicators can then be constituted by an eyelet, arranged at each end of the belt 16, a pte to receive the thread of a seal, forming the opening indicator 15, also engaged in an orifice of the slide 13 of the slide 12 opposite. Thus arranged, the witnesses 15 make it possible to ensure the non-opening, on the one hand, of the lower closure system 14 and, on the other hand, of the lateral slides 12. Of course, the witnesses 15 could be replaced by locking systems such as, for example, padlocks

combination or key.

  The cover 10 thus formed is intended to be adapted on the high frame 4 and has, for this purpose, at its roof, two buttonholes 20 for the passage of the hooks 5. Similarly, the cover 10 receives, at the opposite of the high frame 4,

  the low frame 8 which stiffens the bottom.

  The device according to the invention thus assembled can then be suspended from the bar 3 of the crew 2. In the unfolded position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the storage structure 7 has a configuration suitable for the storage of various articles. The doors 11 formed on two opposite faces, then allow quick and easy access to the internal storage volume of the device 1 for its loading or unloading. In addition, the opening indicators 15 make it possible to ensure that the content of the device 1 could not be altered during the time interval separating its filling and emptying. Finally, the closed nature of the device 1

  avoids any ejection of its contents during handling operations.

  Once emptied and taking into account the flexible nature of the structure 10, the device 1 and, more particularly its storage structure 7, can be folded by bringing the lower frame 7 closer to the upper frame 4. To this end, the storage structure has fixing means 21 for immobilizing the two frames in this relative position. According to the example illustrated, these fixing means 21 are constituted by a loop with two complementary elements, each respectively fixed substantially at the bottom and the roof of the cover 10. Preferably, the folding structure 7 has such means fixing at each door 11 or two opposite faces. When the two fastening means 21 are closed, the device 1 in its folded position presents a clearly marked bulk

  less than its unfolded volume, as appears comparatively from FIGS. 1 and 4.

  In addition, given their articulated nature, the hooks 5 form tilting means which allow the suspension of the folded storage structure in an orientation illustrated in FIG. 4, substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the unfolded position illustrated in FIG. 1. In fact, the articulation of one or other of the hooks 5 makes it possible to suspend the device 1, so that the high frame 4 has a substantially vertical orientation perpendicular to its first orientation in the unfolded position of the device, as illustrated in fig. 2. Thus, it is possible to have on the same bar more devices 1 folded than it can support in the unfolded position. As a purely indicative example, the upper bar 3 of the movable assembly 2, as illustrated in FIG. 2, can receive four devices 1, according to FIG. 1, unfolded, while it can receive 23 folded, as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, in the folded position of the device, the articulated nature of the hook 5 which is not suspended makes it possible to place the latter parallel to the plane of the high frame 4, so as to minimize the size or thickness of the device 1 folded. It therefore appears that the tilting means constituted by the hooks 5 advantageously allow storage

  particularly rational device according to the invention in the folded position.

  Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1 which differs from that illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the device has a double width. In order to ensure sufficient rigidity for the high frame 4, the latter then has, at its center, a third articulated hook 25 for its suspension from the bar 3. The cover 10 then has, at its roof, a buttonhole 26 for the passage of the hook 25. Similarly, the flexible structure 10 involves, at each door, a substantially central reinforcing strip 27 disposed between the ceiling and the bottom of the cover 10, so as to support this latest. Tape 27 then divides

  in two the opening of the door, when the latter is open.

  In the above examples, the flexible structure 10 is produced in the form of a cover, but it could just as easily be produced in any other form suited to its function. Thus, the flexible structure 10 could be constituted by

  a strip connecting the armatures, high 4 and low 8, and being fixed on the latter.

  Similarly, according to the examples illustrated, the device 1 has, in the unfolded position, a generally substantially parallelepipedal shape, but it could

  as well to present another form according to the nature of the articles to be transported.

  Similarly, in the above examples, the upper frame 4 is provided with two articulated hooks 5. However, only one of these hooks could be articulated and constitute the tilting means allowing the suspension of the high frame 4, d on the one hand, in a first position adapted to the use of the storage volume of the unfolded structure 7 and, on the other hand, in a second perpendicular position

  at the first, after folding the storage structure 7.

  According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the high frame 4 may also include two fixed non-articulated hooks, one of which is substantially central, allows the balanced suspension of the high frame in a horizontal position when the device is unfolded, while the other, disposed laterally, authorizes the suspension of the upper frame 4 in the second substantially vertical position after folding of the device 1. According to the invention, such a design of the fixed hooks 5 allows the orientation of the storage structure to be tilted between its unfolded position suitable for the storage of various articles and its folded position

  suitable for storing the device 1.

  As shown more precisely in Figs. 1 and 6, the invention also relates to the implementation of a series of mobile assemblies 2 intended to support on their bars 3 foldable devices 1, but also garments 29 generally placed on hangers 30, in the context of 'a transport and storage installation equipping, for example, the body 31 of a vehicle 32. Each movable assembly 2 comprises at least two carriages 33 intended to be moved in a guide track 35. As can be seen more clearly from FIGS . 7 and 8, the two carriages 33 are interconnected by a suspended structure 36 comprising, in particular, at least two poles or posts 37 mounted at a distance from each other and between which are intended to be mounted the bars 3 for supporting or attaching the devices 1. The bars 3 are mounted anyway

  suitable on the poles 37 which occupy a substantially vertical position.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, each movable assembly 2 comprises means 39 for adjusting the mounting level of at least one bar 3 along the poles 37. In the example illustrated in the drawings and in particular in FIG. 8, the support bars 3 are engaged at their ends, inside openings arranged superimposed along the poles 37 and in an identical pitch on the two poles, so that the bars extend substantially horizontally and superimposed. For example, each lumen has an opening of section at least equal to the cross section of the bars to allow the engagement of their ends. In addition, each light has an outline of

  prismatic section corresponding to a similar section formed on the bar.

  Each bar 3 is thus engaged by its terminal parts, in the openings located at the same level on the two poles allowing, then, by engagement of the prismatic sections of the bar in the complementary profiles of the light, to obtain a complete fixing of the bars between the poles 37. The support bars 3, which are removable, are thus fixedly mounted on the poles, while

  by having the ability to adjust their level along the poles 37.

  It should be noted that one of the bars 3 is mounted at the upper end of the poles 37 to be located near the guide track 35. Preferably, this upper bar 3 is permanently mounted on the poles 37, while that the other bar or bars 3 are intended to be positioned at levels determined according to the size of the clothes to be stored. Of course, the number of bars used is variable and the length of the poles depends on the available storage height. It is quite clear that the means 39 for adjusting the level of mounting of the bars along the poles can be produced in a different manner. Thus, it can be expected that each pole 37 has a slide in which the end portions of the bars are engaged. The positioning of the bars 3 at a given level can be achieved by introducing or placing them in openings in the

  poles, stops on which bear the support bars.

  According to an essential characteristic of the invention, each carriage 33 is equipped with means 40 of immobilization, said to be high, intended to cooperate with the guide track 35, so as to immobilize the movable assembly so that it does not get

  not move under the effect of the movement of the vehicle 32 during transport journeys.

  In addition, the high immobilization means 40 are provided with remote operating means 41 for unlocking the carriages 33 and keeping the immobilization means 40 at rest or disengaged, in order to allow a free movement of

  the moving part 2 along track 35.

  Preferably, the high immobilization means 40 are constituted on each of the carriages 33, by a spring locking pin, of axevertical, intended to come to engage in a complementary light 42 of the guideway 35 under

spring action 43.

  Likewise, preferably, the maneuvering means 41 consist, for each carriage 33, of a rod 44 fixed to the locking finger, disposed inside the pole 37 and provided at its end opposite to the locking finger. on the one hand, an operating member 45 extending outside of the pole 37 and, on the other hand, a locking groove 46 intended to cooperate with an indexing finger

  with spring 47 to maintain the locking finger in the disengaged position.

  When the immobilization of the moving assembly 2 is desired, the indexing finger 47 is actuated in the direction of the arrow f2 to release the rod and allow the upward movement of the locking finger under the effect of its spring , so as to authorize its engagement in the complementary light 42 of the track

guide.

  When an unlocking of each carriage 33 is desired, it then suffices to exert a pressure on the operating member 45 downwards in the direction of the arrow f3 to release the blocking finger from the complementary light and to bring the groove locking 46 opposite the indexing finger 47 which engages therein under the effect of its spring. The indexing finger 47 thus locks the high immobilization means 40 in the unlocked position, so as to allow free

  movements of the moving element along the guideway 35.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, each pole 37 comprises a fixed part 37, integral with the carriage and a lower part 372 articulated on the fixed part 37 ,, around an axis 48 allowing the poles to be folded into a common plane which is that of extension of the support bars. The means 41 for maneuvering the high immobilization means 40 are then preferably arranged in the single fixed part 37, of pole, as shown in FIG. 8. The two poles 37 can then be kept folded, namely in a substantially horizontal position by means of a holding means (not shown) of any suitable nature. Such a holding means can be constituted, for example, by a strap. When the crew 2 is not in use, it is then possible to mount the bars 3 on the fixed part 37, the poles. In the folded position of the poles 37, the height of the mobile assembly 2 is limited to the height of the part

  upper fixed poles, while obtaining an easy storage of the bars 3.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, in order to limit the swaying movements during the journeys of the vehicle, each pole 37 is provided, substantially at its end opposite to the carriage 33, with low immobilization means 50 intended to cooperate with additional hooking members 51 of

  the transport and storage installation carried by the vehicle body 31.

  According to a preferred embodiment, these low immobilization means 50 consist of straps intended to come to cooperate with complementary fastening members formed by a fastening belt 51 adapted on

the body 31 of the vehicle.

  According to a preferred embodiment characteristic of a movable assembly according to the invention, each structure 36 is mounted articulated with respect to the carriages 33, along a substantially vertical axis 52. According to another preferred embodiment characteristic, each carriage 33 consists of 'A double duo of rollers 33, carried by a body 332 on which is articulated the axis 52 connected to the suspended structure 36. The axis 52 is preferably hollow to allow the passage of the finger maneuvering means 41 blocking which forms the means 40

high immobilization.

  As can be seen more precisely from FIGS. 7 and 8, each carriage 4 is engaged in a guide track 35 constituted by at least one guide rail 53 in the form of C. Each rail 53 thus comprises a core 53, from which extend, from both 'other, two branches 532 extended by returns 533 being established substantially in a plane parallel to that occupied by the core 531. As shown in the drawings, the rollers 33, roll on the returns 533 of the rail whose opening is directed downward to allow passage of the body 332 between the returns 533 and its connection to the support structure 36. In addition, the core 53 has a series of lights 42 distributed over the width of the rail 53, so at

  offer different locations for immobilizing mobile crews.

  According to an advantageous characteristic of implementation of the invention, each guide track 35 is constituted by at least two rails 53 adapted on the body 31 of the vehicle. In addition, the carriages 33 of each crew 2 are mounted in different rails, so that the support bars 3 extend transversely or perpendicularly to the general direction of the guideway 35 represented, for example, by the arrow f4 in fig. 6. Such an installation thus offers the advantage of optimizing the storage space for foldable devices and articles in a given volume, preferably delimited by the body 31 of a vehicle, as illustrated for example in FIGS. . 1 and 6. In this example, the rails 53 are fixed in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In addition, the rails 53 are fixed by any suitable means to the ceiling of the vehicle body, being preferably placed so that the poles 37 extend as close as possible to the side walls of the body. It should be noted that it is not to be excluded to equip each crew 2 with at least one additional carriage guided in an additional rail, to limit the risk of buckling of the bars 3 by limiting the spacing between the poles. The transverse positioning of the support bars 3 extending practically between the two opposite walls of the body, offers the advantage of allowing storage of the foldable devices over the entire width of the vehicle (FIG. 1). In addition, the possible adjustment of the level of the bars 3 makes it possible to optimize the volume occupied by the foldable devices or by the clothes in the vertical plane. Similarly, the adjustment of the bars 3 makes it possible to take into consideration the difference in height that may exist between the foldable devices according to the invention in the unfolded position and the same devices in the folded position and suspended by a single hook 5. Thus, then that it is possible to suspend, in the unfolded position, three superimposed rows of devices according to FIG. 5 on the same moving part 2, it can only be suspended from two superimposed rows, when the same devices are folded up and suspended in a vertical position. Furthermore, the use of high 40 and low 50 immobilization means makes it possible to minimize the risk of impact between the load of two successive moving parts and this, in particular, when they transport foldable devices 1 according to the invention, which have a relatively high gross weight. In addition, the series of lights presented by the rails 53 of the guideway 35 make it possible to adjust the spacing pitch between two successive crews and, consequently, to optimize, in the direction of the length of the vehicle, the volume useful busy in

  depending on width, size of clothes or foldable devices 1.

  As shown more precisely in fig. 1, the installation according to the invention offers the advantage of allowing easy loading and / or unloading of clothing, by making it possible to bring directly to the rear part of the vehicle 25,

mobile crews 2.

  Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the foldable device 1

according to the invention.

  According to this other form, the carrying structure 4 comprises at least two arms 55 provided, as a suspension means, each at a so-called high end with a hook or the like 56 able to cooperate with means complementary to the movable assembly 2 Preferably, the hook 56 is produced in the form

  of a kind of post able to be engaged in the receiving lights of the bars 3.

  In accordance with an alternative embodiment not shown, the hooks 56 are

  shaped to allow a suspension of the device 1 on the support bar 3.

  According to the example illustrated and preferably, the arms 55 are connected at their lower end by a cross member 57. The storage structure 7 of the device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 is constituted by two half-racks or half-shelves 58 which are adapted to the supporting structure 5 by tilting means 59. Preferably, these tilting means 59 are constituted by pivot joints comprising, for example, each, on the one hand, a sleeve fixed to the support structure 7 and,

  according to the example, at the crosspiece 57 and, on the other hand, an axis integral with a half

  rack 58. The tilting means 59 are then designed so that the half

  trays 58 are movable between a first unfolded position, in which they define a storage plane P, as illustrated in FIG. 9, and a second folded position in which the half-racks are folded against the arms 55 and occupy a position substantially perpendicular to the plane P, as shown in FIG. 10. In order to immobilize the half-racks in the unfolded position, the device 1 can

  involve stops at the joints or any other appropriate means.

  Likewise, the device 1 according to this other embodiment preferably has closing means for keeping it in the folded position, such means being able to be produced in any suitable manner, such as for example by

  a link closed by means of a loop.

  Furthermore, the carrying structure 4 of the device 1 according to this other embodiment, could be made up in any other suitable manner than that presented above, to ensure folding, towards one another, of the half-racks of so as to give them a substantially vertical orientation in the folded position, while in the unfolded position, they define a substantially horizontal storage plane. As illustrated in fig. 11, the device 1 thus formed and suspended from a mobile assembly, is able, in the unfolded position, to receive various articles packaged in cardboard, for example. According to the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the mobile assembly 2 can support two foldable devices according to the invention. In order to ensure that the articles are immobilized on the unfolded half-racks 58, it is possible to surround the half-racks 58 and the articles together with adhesive tape or

heat shrink bands.

  After unloading, the folding of the devices involves a tilting of the half-racks 58 forming the storage structure and allows rational storage of the empty devices 1, due to their small size in the folded position compared to their size in the unfolded position, such as can be seen from fig. 12. In addition, the foldable devices 1 according to the invention have the advantage of being able to be suspended from mobile equipment 2 which can also receive clothes on hangers. Thus, it is possible, by implementing the objects of the invention, to adapt the storage infrastructure inside a vehicle

  depending on the nature and conditioning of the load to be transported.

  The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown, since various

  modifications can be made without departing from its scope.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:   1 - Foldable device for the storage, handling and transport of various articles, of the type comprising a foldable storage structure (7) connected to a support structure (4) equipped with suspension means (5, 56) to a crew mobile (2) for suspending the storage structure (7) in an unfolded position, suitable for storing various articles and in a folded position, characterized in that it comprises tilting means (5, 59) for authorize a suspension of the storage structure in the folded position in an orientation substantially perpendicular to that of the unfolded position, adapted to the storage of miscellaneous items.   2 - Foldable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting structure (4) comprises at least two arms (55) each equipped, as suspension means, with a hook or the like (56) capable of cooperating with additional attachment means for the moving element, - and in that the storage structure is constituted by two half-racks adapted to the carrying structure by articulations forming the tilting means and allowing the half-racks to pivot between the unfolded position in which the half-racks together define a storage plane, and the folded position in which the half-racks are folded perpendicular to the plane of storage.   3 - Foldable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage structure comprises: on the one hand, a low frame (8) connected to the high frame (4) forming the support structure, by a flexible structure (10 ), which delimits between the upper (4) and lower (8) frames, a closed storage volume accessible by at least one door (11), and, on the other hand, fixing means (21) to keep the armatures, high (4) and low (8) in the folded position of the storage structure, characterized in that: - and the supporting structure, formed by the high armature (4), comprises, as suspension means and tilting, at least two hooks (5) designed to allow the suspension of the storage structure, on the one hand, in the unfolded position suitable for the use of the storage volume and, on the other hand, in the folded position   in an orientation substantially perpendicular to that of the unfolded position.   4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper frame (4) comprises at least one hook (5) articulated so as to be able to ensure the   suspension of said frame both in the first and in the second positions.   - Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the frames, high (4) and low (8), and the flexible structure (10) connecting them give the device a substantially parallelepiped shape with two access doors (11 ) spared in two opposite sides.   6 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the   flexible structure (10) is produced in the form of a cover which is adapted to   the high frame (4) and the bottom of which is stiffened by the low frame (8).   7 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that each   access door (11) consists of a flexible liftable panel closed on two vertical sides opposite by a zipper (12) whose opening direction is directed upwards.   8 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each door (11) is equipped with a closure system (14) on its lower side, the system being provided, at each of its two ends, means for placing in place of opening indicators, on the one hand, of the lower closure system (14) and, on the other   part, side rails (12).   9 - Mobile equipment to support devices according to one of   claims 1 to 8, of the type comprising at least two carriages (33) intended to be   moved in a guide track (35) of a transport and storage installation, the carriages being interconnected by a supporting structure (36) suspended and formed by at least one device attachment bar, characterized in that each carriage (33) is equipped with high immobilization means (40) constituted by at least one spring locking pin intended to cooperate with a complementary light (42) of the guide track (35) for immobilizing in translation the moving assembly, and means (41) for remote maneuvering to disengage the locking pin of the complementary light (42) and keep it in the disengaged position, in order to allow the movement of the crew   movable along the guideway (35).   - Movable assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the carrying structure (36) comprises at least two poles (37) distant from each other and between which at least two support bars (3) are mounted, and means (39) for adjusting the mounting level of at least one of the bars (3) along the poles (37), and in that the means (41) for operating the immobilization means (40) are arranged inside each of the poles (37) and have   an operating member (45) extending outside the pole.   11il - Movable equipment according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that each pole (37) has, opposite the carriages (33), means (50) of low immobilization intended to cooperate with hooking members complementary (51) of   the transport and storage installation.   12 - Movable assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that each pole (37) has a fixed part (371) integral with the carriage (33) and a lower part (372) articulated on the fixed part (371) and in that the means (41) for operating the high immobilization means (40) are arranged in the part fixed (370) of the pole.   13 - Movable assembly according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that   the low immobilization means (50) consist of straps intended to cooperate with a fastening belt (51) adapted to the installation fitted the body of a vehicle.   14 - Installation for storing foldable devices (1) according to one of   claims 1 to 8, as well as articles, in particular, clothing inside   of the body of a vehicle, using a series of mobile carrier systems (2)   according to one of claims 9 to 13, suspended and movable on at least one   guide track (35) and each comprising at least two carriages (33) interconnected   them by a suspended structure (36) comprising at least one support bar (3), characterized in that each guide track (35) has lights (42) capable of cooperating with the means (40) for immobilizing the upper   carriages (33) constituting the mobile carrying equipment (2).   - Installation according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises fastening members (51) adapted to the body of the vehicle and able to cooperate with means (50) of low immobilization presented by the mobile carriers (2 ).