FR3084681A1 - ASSISTANCE DEVICE FOR PICKING UP OBJECTS ON THE GROUND - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for picking up objects from the ground, which comprises a mobile support (10) mounted on casters (20) to allow the relative movement of said device (100), said support (10) comprising in the front part (10a): a basket (12) open on the front and suitable for receiving objects; and guide means (13) configured to guide the objects and concentrate them in the bottom (12a) of said basket (12) during a forward movement of said device (100).

Description

ASSISTANCE DEVICE FOR PICKING UP OBJECTS ON THE GROUND

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to the field of assistance systems for picking up objects from the ground.

The present invention relates more particularly to the design of a device for assisting with the collection of objects of the toy type, for example, in order to reduce the arduousness of the work and limit the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (or MSDs) in persons in charge of the collection of ground objects.

By toy within the meaning of the present invention, it is necessary to understand in all the description which follows any object intended for the children whose main function is to allow the play. It will be understood here that the toys constitute more generally the whole of the objects placed at the disposal of children in a place and / or an establishment intended to supervise young children such as for example crèches, day nurseries, nursery schools, at nursery assistants or in play areas and / or children's leisure activities such as leisure parks, shopping centers or restaurants.

The present invention will thus find numerous advantageous applications in particular in nurseries and / or day-care centers by providing staff with a simple and easy-to-use tool allowing them to limit repetitive lowering movements by gathering toys on the ground in order to '' facilitate collection and thus improve working conditions.

The present invention will naturally find other advantageous applications, for example in nursery assistants who keep children at home or in nursery classes.

Today, all of the staff working in creches or drop-in centers, namely childcare assistants, early childhood educators, technical agents and / or agents ( e) s maintenance, are subjected at least once a day to a task of picking up toys from the ground.

This tedious and daily task can be particularly painful, long and difficult: at the end of the day, the toys are most often scattered on the ground over the entire surface of the play area.

The personnel in charge of picking up toys in this type of structure is then forced to bend down repeatedly to pick up all the toys one by one from the ground; generally, it is necessary to bend down every meter to pick up the toys that are within reach.

In addition to the arduousness of this task, we understand that picking up toys from the ground requires successive movements of bending and lowering which, over time, can be the cause of musculoskeletal disorders.

The Applicant notes for all of the above reasons a relatively high rate of absenteeism in this category of staff as well as restrictions on qualifications.

For these reasons, an ergonomic study was carried out by the Applicant to improve working conditions and in particular reduce the arduousness of the latter.

However, during this study, no effective system facilitating the work of collecting toys was identified.

Subject and summary of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the situation described above.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a solution for assisting with the collection of objects from the ground, the design of which is simple to manufacture (and therefore inexpensive) and which is handy, intuitive and easy to use. use for the personnel in charge of picking up objects from the ground.

The object of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a device for assisting in the collection of objects from the ground which comprises a mobile support mounted on casters to allow the relative movement of said device, for example in a play area to be stored a crèche or a day-care center.

Advantageously, the support comprising in the front part:

a basket open on the front and suitable for receiving objects; and guide means configured to guide the objects and concentrate them in the bottom of the basket when moving forwards of the device.

The person in charge of picking up objects on the ground can thus easily move the device thanks to the system of casters. It can direct the device towards the objects to be picked up and collect them in the reception area formed by the bottom of the basket; when moving the device forward, guiding objects in the basket is facilitated by the guide means which will naturally bring objects that are in the path of the device into the bottom of the basket.

When the whole area has been covered by the person with the device, the device can pick up all the objects gathered in the bottom of the basket by bending down only once.

Such a device is a precious tool for the people in charge of picking up objects; it has many advantages, including the fact of:

facilitate collection operations;

limit the risks of musculoskeletal disorders; and shorten the collection time.

The Applicant further submits that such a device makes it possible to compensate for the possible handicaps of a person who would be in charge of the pickup and who would not have the capacity to bend down several times. With such a device, it becomes possible to entrust the task of collection to people with such a form of disability.

Advantageously, the support comprises at the rear part a handle configured to push the device in order to drive the device in a forward movement.

The position of the handle on the back of the stand allows the device to be pushed forward, not pulled.

Such a design is desirable and allows the operator to view the objects to be picked up while moving around the area.

Advantageously, the handle is articulated on the support according to a ball joint in order to direct the device in a desired direction.

Such a design makes it possible to orient the device 360 ° in the room in order to direct it in the area towards the object or objects to be picked up.

Advantageously, the handle comprises telescopic means for adjusting the height of the handle.

It is thus possible to adjust the height of the handle according to the size of the operator.

Advantageously, the handle comprises, at the top, gripping handles to facilitate handling of the device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the support comprises a rigid panel extending substantially perpendicular to the ground.

In this mode, the ends are preferably substantially curved forward so that the central part of the panel forms the basket and the extreme parts curved forward form the guide means.

Preferably, the lower part of the panel is equipped over all or part of its length with a reinforcing element to avoid deformation of the panel.

Advantageously, the lower periphery of the panel is equipped over all or part of its length with a scraper facing downwards.

Such a scraper is preferably flexible and makes it possible to filter small objects.

Here, the scraper can for example take the form of a rubber seal or a brush seal.

Preferably, the panel is perforated over all or part of its surface. This allows the operator to control the items that are gathered in the bottom of the basket. We also observe that such a scraper prevents dust from accumulating in the bottom of the basket with the collected objects.

Advantageously, the extreme parts of the panel are lowered to a determined height to favor the passage of the extreme parts under the furniture.

By reducing the height of the ends of the panel, it is thus possible to collect objects under a piece of furniture.

Advantageously, the panel is provided over all or part of its upper periphery with a protective seal constituted at least partially in an absorbent material capable of absorbing shocks.

The presence of such a protective element thus avoids possible accidents caused for example when a child falls on the upper periphery of the panel.

In a particular embodiment, it is also possible to provide means for adjusting the height of the basket and guide means. We understand here that this is an adjustment of the height of the basket and the guide means relative to the ground.

These adjustment means can for example allow the height of the support to be adjusted relative to the wheels.

Preferably, the rollers used on the support are directional rollers of the eyeball type. Such casters avoid any risk with a child who could be trapped by a finger in the wheel for example.

The object of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to an assembly comprising:

- a device such as that described above; and

- a wall fixing system able to fix the device against the wall.

The object of the present invention relates, according to a third aspect, to the use of a device such as that described above for the collection of objects of the toy type in a crèche and / or a day-care center for children.

Thus, by its different functional and structural technical characteristics described above, the staff in charge of picking up objects from the ground has an easy-to-use mobile device which improves the pickup work by reducing the working time and limiting the risks of musculoskeletal disorders.

Brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3a-3b-3c annexed which illustrate an embodiment thereof devoid of any limiting nature and in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of the rear part of an aid for picking up objects according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of the front part of an aid for picking up objects according to the example of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c each schematically represent a front view, in profile and from above respectively of an aid for picking up objects according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment

An aid for picking up objects from the ground according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described in what follows with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3a-3b3c.

As a reminder, one of the objectives of the present invention is to design an aid for picking up objects which is simple to manufacture, easy and intuitive to use and which limits the risks of musculoskeletal disorders while reducing the arduous nature of the work. pickup.

This objective is achieved by the device 100 developed in the context of the present, an exemplary embodiment of which is described above.

The example described here relates to the collection of toys in a crèche or a daycare center. It will be understood here that this example is not limiting and that the invention will find other applications for the collection of toys and / or other objects in other situations and for other structures intended to receive children.

In the example described here, there is a pickup aid device 100 which includes a support 10 serving as a frame mounted on casters 20.

In this example, the rollers 20 are of the eyeball type in order to avoid accidental risks of pinching fingers for children.

In the example described here, each of the rollers 20 is mounted on the support 10 by means of a metal plate forming a bracket system 19 to ensure good robustness of the mechanical connection between the support 10 and the rollers 20 .

In the example described here, the support 10 comprises a rigid panel 11, preferably a panel at least partially made of aluminum.

In this example, the panel 11 is perforated. This is a trefoil aluminum sheet.

During the manufacturing process, this sheet 11 is bent at these ends 11b and 1c, for example by stamping.

Preferably, a reinforcing element 16 is provided in the lower part 1 Id of the panel 11 to avoid deformation of the latter over time. This reinforcing element 16 stiffens the structure thus bent.

There is then a panel 11 substantially U-shaped in top view (Figure 3c) having curved portions 11b and 11c forward.

This bending allows the front part 10a to be designed:

guide means 13 at the end portions 11b and 11c of the panel 11, and

a basket 12 serving as an area for receiving objects at the level of the central part 11a of the panel.

As illustrated in FIG. 3c, the branches of the U which are substantially flared therefore form the guide means 13 and the base of the U constitutes the basket 12. It is understood here that the basket 12 is oriented forward so as to receive the toys which are on the ground in the path of the device.

In the example described here and as illustrated in the figures, the panel 11 is substantially perpendicular to the ground so that by directing the device

100 towards the objects to be picked up the objects on the ground which are located on the path of the device 100, the operator in charge of picking up will drive these objects towards the bottom of the basket 12.

By traversing in this way the surface of the storage area, the operator can thus gather all the toys on the ground in the bottom of the basket. At the end of his journey, he will only have to bend down once to pick up all of these toys.

The design of such a device 100 considerably improves the conditions and the arduousness of the work of collecting objects from the ground in nurseries and day-care centers, which had never been proposed until now in the art. previous existing.

To improve the maneuverability of the device and the movements of the latter in the area to be stored, a handle 14 is provided at the rear part mounted on a ball joint on the central plate 19 supporting the rollers.

Such a directional handle 14 provided in the upper part 14a with gripping handles 15 allows the operator to position themselves in the rear part 10b of the support 10 and push the device 100 forward while viewing the toys on the ground in the area To be tidied.

In the example described here, a telescopic handle is provided to adjust the height thereof in order to adapt it to the size of the operator.

In the example described here, the panel 11 has on its lower periphery a scraper 17 oriented downwards. Such a scraper 17 may be of the broom type or of the rubber type. It allows small toys to be trained, and also prevents the accumulation of dust on toys, which is not acceptable from a sanitary and hygienic point of view.

In the example described here and as illustrated in particular in FIG. 3a, provision is made for the end portions 11b and 11c of the panel 11 to be slightly lowered and are sized to be suitable for passing under the furniture present in the area to be stored.

In this way, the guide means 13 can pass under a piece of furniture, a chair, a table or even a radiator and thus make it possible to collect toys in the basket 12 under these pieces of furniture.

Finally, in the example described here, it is intended to ensure the safety of children to equip the upper periphery llf of the panel 11 with a protective seal 18 made at least partially in an absorbent material capable of absorbing shocks such as by example a rubber seal.

It is thus possible to equip each of the nurseries and / or daycare centers with a device for assisting in the picking up of objects from the ground 100 as described above to facilitate the picking up operations of toys on the ground, these operations being usually long, tedious, painful and can be the cause of musculoskeletal disorders.

It is also possible to provide, near the play area, a wall fixing system capable of fixing the device against the wall. It may for example be a system of metal hooks mounted on a wooden plate and capable of receiving the handle 14 or the grips 15.

Obviously, it will be understood here that a person skilled in the art will be able to design other systems making it possible to fix the device to the wall.

Thus, the present invention provides all of the structures dedicated to early childhood with a device allowing the supervisory staff to easily pick up objects / toys from the ground: this simple tool taking the form of a broom greatly facilitates repetitive pickup objects on the ground, which further improves working conditions by reducing the arduousness of this task.

It then becomes possible for the communities and / or municipalities to equip such a device 100 in each of the crèches and / or drop-in day-care centers which they manage in order in particular to reduce certain gestures of their staff and to limit the risks. musculoskeletal disorders.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case this description does not have any limiting character with the object of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible inaccuracy or misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs put in brackets in the following claims are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims and the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (15)

1. Device (100) for picking up objects from the ground, which comprises a mobile support (10) mounted on casters (20) to allow the relative movement of said device (100), said support (10) partly comprising frontal (10a): - a basket (12) open on the front and suitable for receiving objects; and guide means (13) configured to guide the objects and concentrate them in the bottom (12a) of said basket (12) when moving forwards of said device (100). 2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said support (10) comprises in the rear part (10b) a handle (14) configured to push said device (100) in order to drive said device (100) in a displacement forward. 3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein said handle (14) is articulated on said support (10) according to a ball joint in order to direct said device (100) in a desired direction. 4. Device (100) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein said handle (14) comprises telescopic means for adjusting the height of said handle (14). 5. Device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said handle (14) comprises in the upper part (14a) grip handles (15) to facilitate the handling of said device (100). 6. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said support (10) comprises a rigid panel (11) extending substantially perpendicular to the ground and the ends of which are substantially curved forward so as to that the central part (11a) of said panel (11) forms the basket (12) and the extreme parts (11b, 11c) bent forward form the guide means (13). 7. Device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the lower part (lld) of said panel (11) is equipped over all or part of its length with a reinforcing element (16) to prevent deformation of said panel. 8. Device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lower periphery (lie) of said panel (11) is equipped over all or part of its length with a scraper (17) oriented downwards. 9. Device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the panel (11) is perforated on all or part of its surface. 10. Device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the end portions (11b, 11c) of said panel (11) are lowered to a determined height to promote the passage of said end portions (11b, 11c) under the furniture. 11. Device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein said panel (11) is provided on all or part of its upper periphery (1 If) with a protective seal (18) consisting at least partially in an absorbent material capable of absorbing shocks. 12. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises means for adjusting the height of the basket and means for guiding with respect to the ground. 13. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rollers (20) are directional rollers of the eyeball type. 14. Set including: - A device (100) for picking up objects from the ground according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and one - a wall fixing system capable of fixing said device against the wall. 15. Use of a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for the collection of objects of the toy type in a crèche and / or a day care center for children.