EP3797650B1 - Storage furniture with storage element and method of use - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to storage furniture.

It relates more specifically to storage furniture comprising a storage element configured to pick up an object placed on the floor without the user having to bend down.

Prior art

Storage units comprising one or more drawers integral with the unit and allowing the storage of objects are known. Storing objects in such drawers involves picking up the objects to be stored and placing them in the drawer.

However, if the objects are laid out on the floor, picking up and putting away these objects can be tedious, physically difficult or even impossible for the person carrying out this task. For a child in particular, this task can be boring and physically exhausting, particularly for the back muscles when the child repeatedly bends down to pick up the objects to be put away. For a person with a disability, this activity can be complicated to perform or impossible depending on the physical limitations imposed by their disability. This person could for example be unable to reach the ground by stooping or this action would require too much energy and could not be carried out several times at the risk of causing excessive fatigue or injury.

There is therefore a need to allow the storage of objects on the ground while avoiding the problems mentioned above.

The publication DE 20 2013 006941 U1 discloses a storage drawer, wherein two opposing side walls of the drawer rest on wheels. These wheels make it possible to move the drawer to position it, for example, under a bed. Due to the presence of wheels, the edges of the two side walls do not rest on the floor, and therefore the drawer is raised above the floor.

The present invention makes it possible to remedy the problems mentioned in the preceding chapter and relates to storage furniture. The invention also relates to a method of using such storage furniture.

Other advantageous features of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to storage furniture comprising a storage base comprising two first opposing side walls, a first rear wall, a first top wall defining the top of the base and an opening arranged on the front of the base, the base of storage being configured to be placed on a floor on edges of the first two opposite side walls. The storage furniture further comprises a storage element movable and dimensioned to be received in the opening arranged on the storage base, the storage element being made up of two second opposite side walls, a second rear wall, the second wall rear thus comprising two sides connected to the two second side walls and thus forming a space delimited by the two second side walls and the second rear wall, the storage element being configured so that edges of the second rear wall and of the two second rear walls opposite sides rest substantially on the ground and can slide inside the storage base in such a way that the second rear wall is positioned opposite the first rear wall, the space being empty down to the ground .

According to the invention, the storage base is configured to be placed on the ground on an edge of the first rear wall.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the storage element is further configured to pick up at least one object placed on the floor by moving the storage element on the floor in the direction of the object, the object being picked up in space and moved to the storage base by moving the storage element.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the width of the storage element is smaller than the width of the opening arranged on the storage base.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the storage base includes a locking mechanism configured to secure the storage element when it is in the storage base.

1. i. déplacer l'élément de rangement (6) en le glissant sur le sol vers un objet à ramasser et disposé sur le sol ;
2. ii. déplacer horizontalement l'élément de rangement en direction de l'objet afin de capter l'objet ;
3. iii. déplacer l'élément de rangement en direction de la base de stockage et insérer l'élément de rangement dans l'ouverture arrangée sur la base de stockage.

The invention further relates to a method of using storage furniture as described above, comprising the steps of:

1. i. moving the storage element (6) by sliding it on the floor towards an object to be picked up and placed on the floor;
2. ii. horizontally moving the storage element toward the object to pick up the object;
3. iii. moving the storage element towards the storage base and inserting the storage element into the opening arranged on the storage base.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, steps i and ii can be repeated if other objects are to be picked up.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the first step of the method is to remove the storage element from the opening arranged on the storage base.

Brief description of figures

• [Fig. 1] représente une vue de face de la base de stockage selon l'invention ;
• [Fig. 2] illustre une vue de côté de l'élément de rangement ne faisant pas partie de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 3] contient une vue de face du mobilier de rangement selon l'invention, lorsque l'élément de rangement est inséré dans la base de stockage ;
• [Fig. 4] représente une vue une vue de côté de l'élément de rangement ne faisant pas partie de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 5a] représente une vue de l'élément de rangement selon une variante ne faisant pas partie de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 5b] représente une vue de l'élément de rangement selon une variante différente de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 6] représente une vue du mobilier de rangement selon une variante de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 7] représente une vue du mobilier de rangement ne faisant pas partie de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 8] représente une vue du mobilier de rangement ne faisant pas partie de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 9] représente les étapes d'utilisation du mobilier de rangement selon l'invention ;
• [Fig. 10] représente les étapes d'utilisation du mobilier de rangement selon une variante de l'invention ; et
• [Fig. 11] représente les étapes d'utilisation du mobilier de rangement selon une variante différente de l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows from the embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] shows a front view of the storage base according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates a side view of the storage element not forming part of the invention;
• [ Fig. 3 ] contains a front view of the storage furniture according to the invention, when the storage element is inserted into the storage base;
• [ Fig. 4 ] shows a side view of the storage element not forming part of the invention;
• [ Fig. 5a ] shows a view of the storage element according to a variant not forming part of the invention;
• [ Fig. 5b ] shows a view of the storage element according to a different variant of the invention;
• [ Fig. 6 ] shows a view of the storage furniture according to a variant of the invention;
• [ Fig. 7 ] shows a view of the storage furniture not forming part of the invention;
• [ Fig. 8 ] shows a view of the storage furniture not forming part of the invention;
• [ Fig. 9 ] represents the stages of use of the storage furniture according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 10 ] represents the steps for using the storage furniture according to a variant of the invention; And
• [ Fig. 11 ] represents the steps for using the storage furniture according to a different variant of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

The invention provides storage furniture configured to pick up objects placed on the floor without the person having to bend down to pick them up.

This storage furniture comprises a storage base (1) intended to store the picked up objects as well as a mobile storage element (6) configured for picking up one or more objects placed on the floor and moving them to the storage base (1).

There figure 1 illustrates the storage base (1) according to the invention. The storage base (1) comprises two first opposite side walls (2a, 2b) defining the side edges of the base (1), a first rear wall (3) defining the rear edge of the base (1), a first wall upper (4) defining the upper edge of the base (1) and an opening (5) arranged on the front of the base (1).

The storage base (1) is configured to be placed on a floor on edges of the two first opposite side walls (2a, 2b).

The storage base (1) can be configured to be placed on the ground on an edge of the first rear wall (3).

The opening (5) can correspond to the entire front of the storage base (1). The storage base (1) may also comprise a first front wall defining the front of the base (1) and in which the opening (5) is arranged.

There picture 2 illustrates the storage element (6) according to the invention. The storage element (6) is movable and sized to be received in the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1).

The storage element (6) consists of two second opposite side walls (7a, 7b) defining the side edges of the element (6), a second rear wall (8) defining the rear of the element (6 ).

The second rear wall (8) thus comprises two sides connected to the two second side walls (7a, 7b) and forms a space (10) delimited by the two second side walls (7a, 7b) and the second rear wall (8).

The storage element is further configured so that edges of the second rear wall (8) and the two opposite second lower side walls (7a, 7b) rest substantially on the ground and can slide inside the base storage (1) in such a way that the second rear wall (8) is positioned opposite the first rear wall (3).

The storage element is further configured to pick up at least one object placed on the floor by moving the storage element (6) on the floor in the direction of the object, the object being picked up in space ( 10) and moved to the storage base (1) by moving the storage element (6).

The storage element (6) not forming part of the invention may comprise a second lower wall (9a) defining the bottom of the element (6) as illustrated in picture 2 .

The second bottom wall (9a) can be connected to the two second side walls (7a, 7b).

Furthermore, the second bottom wall (9a) can be connected to the second rear wall (8).

Thus, the second lower wall (9a) thus comprises three sides connected to the two second side walls (7a, 7b) and to the second rear wall (8) and thus comprises a 4th side without walls.

The storage element (6) is configured so that the second lower wall (9a) substantially rests on the floor and can slide inside the storage base (1) in such a way that the second rear wall (8 ) comes to position itself opposite the first rear wall (3).

The storage element (6) is further configured to pick up at least one object placed on the ground by moving the storage element (6) on the ground in the direction of the object, the object being captured in space (10).

There picture 3 illustrates the storage furniture when the storage element (6) and the storage base (1) is in a closed position. The storage element (6) is inserted into the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1) and allows the storage of the object or objects picked up by the storage element (6) in the base storage (1).

When the storage element (6) is inserted into the storage base (1), the second rear wall (8) of the storage element (6) can partly or completely close the opening (5) arranged on the front of the storage base (1).

The storage base (1) may further comprise a locking mechanism configured to secure the storage element (6) in the storage base (1) in the closed position. This can be done by magnets, a spring, roller or blade locking system, rods (metal, plastic, wood or other), or any other element making it possible to secure the storage element (6 ) in the storage base (1) in the closed position.

The storage furniture can be made of wood, plastic, metal or any other material allowing the construction of the storage furniture according to the invention.

In an example not forming part of the invention as illustrated in figure 4 , the storage element (6) also comprises a second upper wall (9b) defining the upper edge of the storage element (6).

The movement of the storage element (6) can be done by sliding the second lower wall directly on the ground. It should be noted that the second lower wall can also comprise means making it possible to reduce the friction forces between the ground and said wall. These means may comprise at least one wheel or skids made of plastic, Teflon, wood or any other material making it possible to reduce the friction forces between the ground and said wall.

The width (h) of the storage element can be smaller than the width (H) of the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1) in order to allow its insertion into the storage base (1) .

The second side walls (7a, 7b) and the second rear wall (8) of the storage element (6) can make it possible to maintain the object(s) picked up in the storage element (6) when this element is moved (6).

The second side walls (7a, 7b) can be of triangular geometry making it possible to give the storage element (6) a specific shape such as a pick-up or a construction machine bucket for example.

The second side walls (7a, 7b) can also be of square, rectangular or rounded geometry, or of any other shape making it possible to maintain the object(s) picked up in the space (10) of the storage element (6) during displacement of said element (6).

The second side walls (7a, 7b) can be arranged so as to each form substantially an angle of 90° with respect to the second rear wall (8).

There figure 5b illustrates the storage element (6) according to a variant of the invention in which the second side walls (7a, 7b) can be arranged so as to each form substantially an angle greater than 90° with respect to the second rear wall ( 8).

The second side walls (7a, 7b) can be arranged so as to each form substantially an angle of less than 90° with respect to the second rear wall (8).

The second side walls (7a, 7b) can furthermore be connected to the second rear wall (8) movably so that the angles of the second side walls (7a, 7b) with respect to the rear wall (8) can be changed .

When the second side walls (7a, 7b) are movably connected to the second rear wall (8), the width (h) of the storage element can be smaller than the width (H) of the opening ( 5) arranged on the storage base (1) in order to allow the insertion of the storage element into the storage base (1).

When the second side walls (7a, 7b) are movably connected to the second rear wall (8), the angles of the second side walls (7a, 7b) with respect to the rear wall (8) can be changed so as to that the width (h) of the storage element is smaller than the width (H) of the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1) in order to allow the insertion of the storage element in the storage base (1).

As shown in figure 6 , the storage furniture can be configured and sized so that its use is made possible for children of all ages in the storage of toys arranged on the floor.

The second rear wall (8) of the storage element (6) can comprise at least one handle, a crossbar, a cavity or any other means allowing a user to handle the storage element (6) more easily.

As shown in figure 7 which does not form part of the invention, a handle (11) can also be arranged on the second rear wall of the storage element (6) in order to facilitate the handling of the storage element by a person, like a broom or a shovel, for example.

The handle (11) can be of fixed length, or of variable length via a telescopic mechanism in order to allow handling of the storage element (6) by people of different sizes.

The handle (11) can also be removably arranged on the storage element (6).

The second rear wall (8) of the storage element (6) can include means allowing it to be attached to a wheelchair or any other technical mobility aid device intended for a person with a disability and requiring such means of assistance. This makes it possible to secure the storage element (6) to the mobility aid device and to facilitate the storage of objects on the ground for a person with a disability.

These means for attaching to a wheelchair or any other technical mobility aid can comprise hooks, a clamp attachment system or any other attachment device capable of attaching the storage element (6) to a technical assistance for mobility.

These attachment means allow, outside the scope of the invention, to attach the storage element (6) to a technical mobility aid device in a removable manner.

As shown in figure 8 which does not form part of the invention, the second rear wall (8) of the storage element (6) may further comprise means for attachment to a child's toy, for example a pedal vehicle, a scooter, a tricycle or other toy to facilitate the storage of objects placed on the ground and to make this task less tedious and more fun for the child.

These means for attaching to a child's toy may comprise hooks, a clip fastening system or any other fastening device capable of attaching the storage element (6) to a child's toy.

These attachment means allow, outside the scope of the invention, to attach the storage element (6) to a child's toy in a removable manner.

In another variant not forming part of the invention, the storage furniture is automated in order to carry out the storage of the objects arranged on the ground in an autonomous manner without the intervention of a human being.

The storage base (1) can be used as a fixed station making it possible to accommodate the storage element (6). The storage base can also be configured as a recharging base for the storage element (6).

Outside the scope of the invention, the storage element (6) may comprise moving means, for example wheels, a motor coupled to a transmission allowing the moving means to be set in motion, a battery making it possible to supply the energy required for the motor, at least one sensor configured to detect the toys placed on the ground and/or the obstacles or walls to be avoided.

Outside the scope of the invention, the storage element (6) may further comprise a detector configured to monitor the space clutter (10) and trigger the return of the storage element (6) to the storage base (1) when the space (10) can no longer contain additional objects.

Outside the scope of the invention, the storage furniture may comprise locating devices arranged on the storage base (1) and on the storage element (6) making it possible to locate the storage base in space and the storage element and also allowing the storage element (6) to locate the storage base (1) when the storage element (6) must return to fit into the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1).

In this variant not forming part of the invention, the storage furniture comprises a programming device allowing the furniture to be started at a given time.

In order to pick up and then store one or more objects placed on the ground using the storage furniture according to the invention, various steps can be carried out by a user.

If the storage element is in the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1), the storage element (6) is first removed from the opening (5).

As depicted at figure 9 , the storage element (6) is first moved on the floor in the direction of the object placed on the floor and to be picked up. Once the storage element (6) is ready for the object to be picked up, a horizontal movement is carried out in the direction of the object. The object is then picked up in the space (10) delimited by the two second side walls (7a, 7b) and the second rear wall (8). The storage element (6) is then moved towards the storage base (1) in order to be inserted into the opening (5) arranged on the base and thus allowing the storage of the object or objects picked up.

As indicated at the figure 10 , if several objects are to be picked up, the storage element (6) is first moved on the ground in the direction of the first object placed on the ground and to be picked up. Once the storage element (6) is ready for the first object, a horizontal movement is performed in the direction of the first object. The object is then picked up in the space (10) delimited by the two second side walls (7a, 7b) and the second rear wall (8).

The storage element (6) is then moved to a second object and the steps described above are repeated until all the objects are picked up in the space (10) or the space (10) does not can no longer contain additional objects. The storage element (6) containing the collected objects is then moved towards the storage base (1) in order to be inserted into the opening (5) arranged on the base and thus allowing the storage of the collected objects.

As indicated at the figure 11 , if the storage element is in the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1), the storage element (6) is first removed from the opening (5) before the steps described above be carried out.

When outside the scope of the invention the storage element comprises a second lower wall (9a) defining a bottom of the storage element (6) and connected to the two second side walls (7a, 7b) and the second wall rear (8), the second lower wall (9a) is then inserted between the object and the ground and when the object is picked up in the space (10) of the storage element (6). It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

The invention as defined by the claims is obviously not limited to the examples illustrated in this application.

Claims (8)

1. Item of storage furniture comprising:

   a storage base (1) comprising two first opposite lateral walls (2a, 2b), a first rear wall (3), a first upper wall (4) defining the top of the base and an opening (5) arranged at the front of the base (1), the storage base (1) being configured to be put on the ground on edges of the two first opposite lateral walls (2a, 2b);

   a movable storage element (6) dimensioned to be received in the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1), the storage element (6) being made up of two second opposite lateral walls (7a, 7b), a second rear wall (8), the second rear wall (8) thus comprising two sides which are connected to the two second lateral walls (7a, 7b) and thus forming a space (10) delimited by the two second lateral walls (7a, 7b) and the second rear wall (8), the storage element (6) being configured such that edges of the second rear wall (8) and of the two second opposite lateral walls (7a, 7b) rest essentially on the ground and can slide inside the storage base (1) in such a way that the second rear wall (8) is positioned in the direction away from the first rear wall (3), the space (10) being empty down to the ground.
2. Item of storage furniture according to Claim 1, characterized in that the storage base (1) is configured to be put on the ground on an edge of the first rear wall (3) .
3. Item of storage furniture according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the storage element (6) is further configured to collect at least one object placed on the ground by movement of the storage element (6) over the ground in the direction of the object, the object being captured in the space (10) and moved as far as the storage base (1) by movement of the storage element (6).
4. Item of storage furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width (H) of the storage element (6) is smaller than the width (h) of the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1).
5. Item of storage furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage base (1) comprises a blocking mechanism configured to secure the storage element (6) when it is in the storage base (1) .
6. Method of use of an item of storage furniture according to Claim 1, comprising the steps of:

   i. moving the storage element (6) by sliding it over the ground towards an object to be collected which is disposed on the ground;

   ii. moving the storage element (6) horizontally in the direction of the object in order to capture the object;

   iii. moving the storage element (6) in the direction of the storage base (1) and inserting the storage element (6) into the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1) .
7. Method of use of an item of storage furniture according to Claim 6, characterized in that steps i and ii can be repeated if other objects are to be collected.
8. Method of use of an item of storage furniture according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the first step of the method is to remove the storage element (6) from the opening (5) arranged on the storage base (1).

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