FR3146453A3 - Bicycle storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

Title: Bicycle storage system The invention relates to a storage system 1 for bicycles comprising: • A fixed structure 11 comprising a cylindrical side wall 111 and comprising a door 112, • A carousel 12 mounted so as to be able to rotate in the fixed structure 11 about a vertical axis and comprising a plurality of partition walls 121 extending from the vertical axis and distributed about this axis, delimiting, in pairs, a storage space 2 for a bicycle, and • A device 13 for driving the carousel into a plurality of predetermined positions in each of which a storage space 2 is located facing the door 112 of the fixed structure 11, so that a storage space associated with an authorized user comes, upon request, to be located opposite the door to allow alternately storage or removal of a bicycle by the user in or from said storage space, respectively. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Bicycle storage system

This is about bicycle storage systems.

STATE OF THE ART

1. Soit des arceaux auxquels des vélos sont attachés et sont donc exposés à leur environnement, et donc aux dégradations ;
2. Soit des espaces sécurisés et/ou humanisés, avec des horaires d’ouverture limités, mettant à disposition des vélos ou des rangements pour vélos ;
3. Soit des systèmes de vélo partage ;
4. Soit avec des bornes qui laissent les vélos exposés à leur environnement et ne proposent qu’un seul modèle de vélo exploité par un seul opérateur.

Current bicycle storage systems are mostly:

1. Either hoops to which bicycles are attached and are therefore exposed to their environment, and therefore to damage;
2. Either secure and/or humanized spaces, with limited opening hours, providing bicycles or bicycle storage;
3. Either bike sharing systems;
4. Either with terminals that leave the bikes exposed to their environment and only offer one bike model operated by a single operator.

Other systems according to the prior art may take the form of a row of lockers, each having an access door, each locker being of dimensions enabling it to store at least one bicycle.

1. La nécessité d’avoir une porte d’accès à chaque casier, et
2. Son encombrement, et en particulier son emprise au sol.

Some of the problems with such storage systems include:

1. The need to have an access door to each locker, and
2. Its size, and in particular its footprint.

The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY

1. Une structure fixe comprenant une paroi latérale de forme sensiblement cylindrique et comportant une porte,
2. Un carrousel monté mobile en rotation dans la structure fixe autour d’un axe vertical, le carrousel comprenant une pluralité de parois de séparation s’étendant depuis l’axe vertical et réparties autour de cet axe en délimitant, par paire, un espace de rangement d’au moins un vélo, et
3. Un dispositif d’entraînement en rotation du carrousel et d’arrêt de la rotation du carrousel en une pluralité de positions prédéterminées dans chacune desquelles un espace de rangement déterminé est situé en vis-à-vis de la porte de la paroi latérale de la structure fixe.

To achieve this objective, according to one embodiment, a bicycle storage system is provided comprising:

1. A fixed structure comprising a side wall of substantially cylindrical shape and having a door,
2. A carousel mounted to rotate in the fixed structure about a vertical axis, the carousel comprising a plurality of partition walls extending from the vertical axis and distributed around this axis, delimiting, in pairs, a storage space for at least one bicycle, and
3. A device for driving the carousel into rotation and stopping the rotation of the carousel in a plurality of predetermined positions in each of which a specific storage space is located opposite the door of the side wall of the fixed structure.

In this way, in response to a request issued in this sense by an authorized user, a storage space associated with the authorized user comes to be located opposite the door of the side wall of the fixed structure to allow alternately storage or removal of a bicycle by the authorized user in or from said storage space, respectively.

Each storage space is thus delimited on the one hand by the interior walls of the carousel, on the other hand by the side wall of the fixed structure, so that each storage space is accessible from the outside of the storage system only when said storage space is located opposite the door that comprises the side wall of the fixed structure, and by opening said door. The storage system is secure at least in that opening the door requires the user to hold a “key” allowing the door to be opened. Therefore, access to all the storage spaces of the system is permitted, via the same door, to any person authorized to access them.

Furthermore, the size and footprint of the system are advantageously significantly reduced with a corresponding plurality of storage spaces relative to a storage system according to the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aims, objects, as well as the features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of one embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

There represents a partial perspective view of a storage system according to one embodiment of the invention.

There represents a partial side view of the embodiment illustrated in the .

There represents a partial top view of the embodiment illustrated in the .

There represents a partial perspective view of a drive device of the embodiment illustrated in the .

There represents a partial sectional view of the drive device illustrated in the mounted on the fixed structure of the storage system illustrated in the .

There represents a partial perspective view of the carousel of the storage system illustrated in the .

The drawings are given as examples and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily on the scale of practical applications. In particular, the drawings are not representative of reality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, optional features which may optionally be used in combination or alternatively are set out below:

According to one example, the drive device can be fixed to the fixed structure and the carousel can be rotatably mounted in the fixed structure via the drive device.

In another example, the carousel may include a central post from which the partition walls extend and whose axis is mounted vertically in the fixed structure.

According to the preceding example, the drive device may engage the carousel by both ends of the central post of the carousel and/or the drive device comprises a rigid frame extending from the central post of the carousel to engage a portion of the fixed structure which delimits the door.

In another example, the drive device may include a motor, preferably electric, configured to rotate the carousel about the vertical axis.

According to another example, the storage system may further comprise a device for indexing the rotation of the carousel about the vertical axis and the indexing device is configured to stop the rotation of the carousel only when the door provides access to one and only one storage space.

In another example, the storage system may include at least one upright bicycle lift in at least one storage, and preferably includes one upright bicycle lift in each storage.

According to another example, the storage system may include an electronic box for controlling the carousel and/or the door.

According to another example, the storage system may include an application interface for controlling the carousel and/or opening the door, from an electronic device of a user.

In another example, the sidewall of the fixed structure may include at least one of a metal mesh and wood cladding.

In another example, the system is specific and intended for at least one application chosen from parking, rental and sharing of mechanical or electric bicycles.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

As illustrated in the partial view of the , the preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a storage system 1 for bicycles.

1. une structure fixe 11,
2. un carrousel 12, et
3. un dispositif d’entraînement 13 en rotation du carrousel 13 dans la structure fixe 11.

This storage system 1 essentially includes:

1. a fixed structure 11,
2. a carousel 12, and
3. a drive device 13 for rotating the carousel 13 in the fixed structure 11.

The fixed structure 11 more particularly comprises a side wall 111 of substantially cylindrical shape and a door 112. The door 112 is the only access to the interior of the fixed structure 11 via the side wall 111. The remainder of the side wall 111 is effectively obstructed by at least one of a metal mesh and wooden cladding, not shown in the drawing. . For example, wooden cladding is made using battens.

Carousel 12, preferably as illustrated in the , is mounted mobile in rotation in the fixed structure 11 around a vertical axis. It comprises a plurality of partition walls 121 extending from the vertical axis and distributed around this axis by delimiting, in pairs, a storage space for at least one bicycle. Only the rigid metal structure of the carousel 12 is shown in the , to give a glimpse of how the carousel is arranged in the fixed structure 11. Note here that each side wall 121 can be materialized in the form of one or more boards, for example made of wood or metal, mounted in a frame extending radially from the central post 122 of the carousel 12. More particularly, the carousel 12 comprises a central post 122 from which the separation walls 121 extend and whose axis is mounted vertically in the fixed structure 11. The axis around which the carousel rotates is thus materialized by the central post 122.

The drive device 13 is configured to not only allow the carousel 12 to be rotated, but also to interrupt the rotation of the carousel 12 in a plurality of predetermined positions in each of which a determined storage space 2 is located opposite the door 112 of the side wall 111 of the fixed structure 11. To do this, the drive device 13 may comprise a motor, preferably electric, arranged for example under a roof of the storage system 1, or even on either side of the central post 122 of the carousel 12, as illustrated in FIG. . At each end of the central post 122 of the carousel 12, circular plates may be arranged, integrally with the central post 122 and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the carousel 12, comprising holes for a finger for indexing the rotation of the carousel 12 in the fixed structure 11, the indexing finger being functionally connected to the drive device 13 to allow in particular the stopping of the rotation of the carousel 12 when the latter has reached the one among the plurality of predetermined positions required by the user. As an alternative to the above, the drive device 13 could be purely mechanical and for example controlled by the user himself.

Detection stops and/or positioning detectors of the carousel 12 in the fixed structure 11 may also be provided to detect the bringing of the carousel into one of the precise positions among the plurality of predetermined positions already mentioned above. For example, the system 1 comprises as many positioning detectors of the carousel 12 as it comprises storage spaces 2. A corresponding set of contactors may be included by the system 1, in particular so that the door 112 can only be supplied with power if the carousel 12 is in one of said predetermined positions; this prevents the door from being unlocked while it does not provide full access to a single reserved storage space 2. More generally, the circular plates and/or the detection stops may constitute all or part of a device for indexing the rotation of the carousel 12 around the vertical axis.

In this way, in response to a request issued in this sense by an authorized user, a storage space 2 associated with the authorized user can come to be located opposite the door 112 to allow alternately storage or removal of a bicycle by the authorized user in or from said storage space 2, respectively.

As will become clear from reading the following description, the storage system 1 may consist in part of a mechanically welded assembly comprising electromechanical elements controlled by an automaton, potentially connected to a computer server, communicating with users via a Web or Smartphone application.

There illustrates a partial view of the drive device 13. The latter is fixed to the fixed structure 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. In this way, the carousel 12 can advantageously be mounted so as to be able to rotate in the fixed structure 11 via the drive device 13. Preferably, the carousel 12 is not mechanically welded to the drive device 13, but is instead removably mounted on the drive device 13, in particular so as to facilitate possible maintenance operations or the replacement of the carousel 12. For example, the carousel 12 is screwed onto the drive device 13.

We observe on the that the drive device 13 is composed in part of a rigid metal structure or rigid frame 131 which extends from top to bottom of the space delimited by the fixed structure 11, and this from the central axis until joining the door frame 112 (not shown in the , but still referenced). It is understood that the rigid frame 131 of the drive device 13 contributes to the robustness of the storage system 1 by consolidating the side wall 111 of the fixed structure 11 at the door 112. For example, the fixed structure 11 and the rigid frame 131 of the drive device 13 are mechanically welded together.

Note here that Figures 2 and 3 illustrate, according to a different view, the same constituent elements of the storage system 1 as those illustrated in the . Figures 2 and 3 also include dimensions, in millimeters, which give an example of the dimensioning of the storage system 1. Note that similar dimensions are also indicated on the which gives an example of dimensioning of the drive device 13, and more particularly of its rigid frame 131.

The storage system 1, according to the preferred embodiment described here, comprises about ten storage spaces 10 for bicycle(s). It is understood that the storage system can be sized so as to provide more storage spaces 10. To do this, the central post 122 of the carousel could for example extend over a diameter greater than that illustrated in the figures, so as to offer an increased circumference that can form the bottom of an increased plurality of storage spaces 10.

At least one vertical bicycle lift, such as the type known under the trade name SteadyRack® or any other system, can be arranged in each storage space 2, and more particularly in the back of each storage space 2. In this way, the user can very simply store his bicycle in his storage space 2 vertically, which makes it possible to limit the floor space taken up by the storage system 1. The system 1 comprising about ten storage spaces advantageously has a footprint alone of approximately 12 m², preferably approximately 9 m², only and a larger transverse dimension advantageously limited to approximately 3 m. Furthermore, the weight associated with the carousel 12 of such a storage system 1 can be substantially 450 kg and the weight associated with the fixed structure 11 and the drive device 13 can be substantially 750 kg. External dimensions of the storage system 1 are, for example, approximately 3.2 m by 3.2 m in terms of its transverse dimensions and a height approximately equal to 2.5 m.

One or more electronic control boxes for the carousel 12 and/or the door 112 may be included in the storage system 1. The electronic box is, for example, partly arranged under the roof of the fixed structure 11 and is functionally connected to the motor of the drive device 13 to control it and/or an electronic locking and unlocking device for the door 112 to control it. The electronic box may further include a human-machine interface, for example arranged on the door 112 or near it. This machine interface may be arranged to allow communication with an electronic device of a user, such as a Smartphone, and/or to allow payment for any service offered by the system 1 and required by the user.

The storage system 1 may, moreover, benefit from an application interface installed on an electronic device, for example a smartphone, of the user. The application interface may advantageously be configured to control, for example via the aforementioned electronic box, the rotation of the carousel 12 and/or alternately the opening and closing of the door 112. The storage system 1 thus makes it possible to prevent vandalism on the equipment it houses, while offering simplified accessibility to users via their Smartphones. The application interface is for example of the type developed by the company Kliteam®. It can allow the user to geolocate, reserve and pay for their storage space 2 within the storage system 1 according to the invention.

The electronic control box and the application interface can together constitute an automaton that can be controlled at the request of an authorized user to allow access to a storage space 2.

The storage system 1 described above is specific and intended for at least one application chosen from parking, rental and sharing of mechanical or electric bicycles. It should however be noted that other applications of the storage system 1 according to its embodiment described above or according to variations of this embodiment are envisaged, and in particular applications for storing skis or surfboards, for providing parcels, clothing or other items, in particular with a length or height of between 1.5 and 2 m, and typically with a volume of between 0.5 and 3 m³.

The storage system 1 according to the present invention can, according to some of the characteristics described above, constitute a secure and connected shelter allowing both the individual securing of a user's bicycle in a storage space 2 and the provision of a fleet of bicycles for rental or bicycle sharing by several operators or operators.

The storage system 1 according to the present invention can also, according to some of the characteristics described above, make it possible to carry out the aforementioned services of securing and/or renting bicycles or bike sharing, in an integrated manner with other transport services, and in particular with public transport services (bus, train, carpooling station, etc.)

It is also envisaged that the storage system 2 may be accessible by an authorized third party, for example, for the purpose of carrying out maintenance work on a user's bicycle.

It should be noted that the storage system 1 according to the present invention can advantageously be integrated into an existing room. This room can form all or part of the side wall 111 of the fixed structure 11, or even the door 112 of the fixed structure 11. In particular, the storage system 1 according to the invention can be glued to existing prefabricated modules to add other functions, such as that of a bicycle shelter.

For example, the storage system 1 can be coupled to a renewable energy source, for example solar panels, wind turbines or hydro turbines. Thus, the storage system 1 can advantageously be energy autonomous.

Preferably, the storage system 1 is configured so that the time required for a user to access one of the storage spaces 2 is not more than 1.5 min.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described and extends to all embodiments covered by the invention.

Claims (10)

Storage system (1) for bicycles comprising:

• A fixed structure (11) comprising a side wall (111) of substantially cylindrical shape and comprising a door (112),
• A carousel (12) mounted so as to be rotatable in the fixed structure (11) about a vertical axis, the carousel (12) comprising a plurality of dividing walls (121) extending from the vertical axis and distributed about this axis, delimiting, in pairs, a storage space (2) for at least one bicycle, and
• A device (13) for driving the carousel into rotation and stopping the rotation of the carousel in a plurality of predetermined positions in each of which a determined storage space (2) is located opposite the door (112) of the side wall (111) of the fixed structure (11),
• such that, in response to a request issued to that effect by an authorized user, a storage space (2) associated with the authorized user comes to be located opposite the door (112) of the side wall (111) of the fixed structure (11) to allow alternately storage or removal of a bicycle by the authorized user in or from said storage space (2), respectively.

Storage system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the drive device (13) is fixed to the fixed structure (11) and the carousel (12) is mounted to be able to rotate in the fixed structure (11) via the drive device (13). Storage system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the carousel (12) comprises a central post (122) from which the partition walls (121) extend and the axis of which is mounted vertically in the fixed structure (11), and wherein the drive device (13) engages the carousel by the two ends of the central post (122) of the carousel (12). A storage system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the carousel (12) comprises a central post (122) from which the partition walls (121) extend and the axis of which is mounted vertically in the fixed structure (11), and wherein the drive device (13) comprises a rigid frame (131) extending from the central post (122) of the carousel to engage a portion of the fixed structure (11) which delimits the door (112). Storage system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device for indexing the rotation of the carousel (12) around the vertical axis and in which the indexing device is configured to stop the rotation of the carousel (12) only when the door (112) gives access to one and only one storage space (2). A storage system (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one vertical bicycle lift in at least one storage (2), and preferably comprising one vertical bicycle lift in each storage. Storage system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic box for controlling the carousel (12) and/or the door (112). Storage system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an application interface for controlling the carousel and/or opening the door, from an electronic device of a user. A storage system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the side wall (111) of the fixed structure (11) comprises at least one of a metal mesh and wooden cladding. Storage system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, suitable for and intended for at least one application chosen from parking, rental and sharing of mechanical or electric bicycles.