EP0026721A1 - Stabiliser with buoyancy elements for a sail board - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stabiliser device for a sailboard, of the type formed by two removable lateral floats, comprising positioning means intended to provide angular blocking of the said floats (8-9, 30-31) relative to the sailboard (1), the said means being formed by: - at least one properly so called positioning member (10-11, 35-36-37-38), solidly fixed to each float (8-9, 30-31) intended to come: . on the one hand, opposite the edge (61) of the board (1), . and, on the other hand, into direct contact with at least part of a surface (60) of the said board (1), - and, by means of at least one tensioned attachment (14-15, 54-55) connected to the said members (10-11, 35-36-37-38), connecting the floats (8-9, 30-31) to each other by surrounding the board (1) over at least part of its cross-section. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a stabilizing device for windsurfing.

Windsurfing is currently a well-known sport that attracts many athletes who want to practice an aquatic sport using an inexpensive, light, easily transportable and easy-to-maintain machine.

• - d'une planche rigide proprement dite, formée d'une coque en matière plastique, notamment en polyéthylène contenant une mousse expansée, destinée à recevoir sur la face supérieure les pieds du pratiquant en station debout, et qui comporte une dérive centrale et un aileron de direction situés sous la planche (face inférieure),
• - d'un mât articulé à sa base et relié à .la planche d'une manière amovible par une liaison souple autorisant toutes les positions du mât par rapport à la planche, notamment grâce à une articulation type cardan ou demis_Dhère.
• - d'une voile reliée d'une part, au mât et d'autre part, à l'extrémité d'un wishbone ou barre de commande disposée sensiblement perpendiculairement au mât et qui est utlisée pour la manoeuvre de cette embarcation.

Basically, a windsurf board is essentially composed:

• - of a rigid board proper, formed of a plastic shell, in particular of polyethylene containing an expanded foam, intended to receive on the upper face the feet of the practitioner in standing position, and which comprises a central fin and a fin direction located under the board (lower face),
• - A mast articulated at its base and connected to the board in a removable manner by a flexible connection allowing all the positions of the mast relative to the board, in particular thanks to a cardan joint or half _D hère.
• - A sail connected on the one hand, to the mast and on the other hand, at the end of a wishbone or control bar arranged substantially perpendicular to the mast and which is used for the operation of this boat.

The operation of a windsurfing board is quite delicate because the balance must be ensured by the combination of the position of the athlete on the board and that of the sail that the athlete maneuvers while holding on to the control bar. that he tilts according to a technique very specific to this sport.

Indeed, the management of a windsurf board calls on techniques and reflexes completely different from those used on classic sailboats. Indeed, unlike these, the mast is mobile and the sail fixed relative to the latter and the assembly does not include means, such as rudder or rudder for steering it.

All these constraints make initiation to this sport very delicate, even for a person who has practiced classic sailing.

To evolve, the athlete in a more or less flexed standing position places his two feet on the same side of the board with respect to the longitudinal axis and holds the wishbone in both hands. To make a U-turn, it must pass on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the board.

In fact, the practitioner, especially if he is a beginner, is very embarrassed by the great instability of the board and, the great difficulty to overcome during this initiation is to maintain balance on this boat which has no fixed point and n 'has no stability in the lateral direction (or roll). This instability comes essentially from the very shape of the board, the total mobility of the mast and the element on which we are moving. As the practitioner has no fixed point, the slightest imbalance results immediately in a fall and therefore, the initiation is painful and tedious, because it is tiring and discouraging to have to constantly go back on the board.

• - la direction du vent,
• - comprendre la manoeuvre à effectuer (par exemple relever la voile ou l'incliner),
• - assurer la stabilité.

In addition, without balance, the sportsman cannot assimilate the elements of the pedagogical progression and therefore cannot carry out the elementary maneuvers to direct and maneuver his boat. In fact, to mount and then maneuver the windsurf board, you have to take into account essentially three factors which must be combined simultaneously

• - wind direction,
• - understand the maneuver to be carried out (for example raise the sail or tilt it),
• - ensure stability.

In this way, until the practitioner has ensured this balance, he will not be able to climb onto the board, maintain himself there and perform the maneuvers correctly.

The invention aims to ensure the balance of the plane che à voile to allow the practitioner to learn this sport without getting discouraged.

• - soit elles sont trop lourdes et trop compliquées,
• - soit surtout, elles nécessitent ou de modifier la forme des coques, ou de prévoir dans les coques des systèmes d'amarrage qui d'une part, compliquent sérieusement la fabrication des planches et, d'autre part, sont dangereux lors de l'emploi.

It has been known for a very long time to give stability to watercraft such as rescue channels, pedal boats, catamarans, by placing on each side of these floats possibly removable or liftable. Such solutions have been described for example in American patents 2,451,781-3,321,784 - 3,797,435 and 4,075,965. However, these solutions cannot be validly used on windsurfers because:

• - either they are too heavy and too complicated,
• - or above all, they require or modify the shape of the hulls, or to provide in the hulls mooring systems which on the one hand, seriously complicate the manufacture of the boards and, on the other hand, are dangerous during the employment.

In this way, these solutions cannot be validly used.

• - soient faciles à mettre en place,
• - soient adaptables à n'importe quel type de planche à voile,
• - ne nécessitent l'adjonction d'aucune structure particulière sur la planche elle-même, de sorte que lorsque le pratiquant s'est familiarisé avec les manoeuvres, il peut continuer à pratiquer ce sport avec la même planche, simplement après avoir enlevé le système stabili_- sateur,
• - restent parfaitement en place lors de la pratique de ce sport, c'est-à-dire n'ait plus tendance à rouler autour de la tranche de la planche, ce qui est d'autant plus difficile que pour certaines planches cette tranche est très pointue.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It relates to a stabilizer of the type in question, that is to say formed from two removable lateral floats which:

• - are easy to set up,
• - be adaptable to any type of windsurfing,
• - do not require the addition of any particular structure on the board itself, so that when the practitioner has become familiar with the maneuvers, he can continue to practice this sport with the same board, simply after removing the system stabili _- sateur,
• - remain perfectly in place during the practice of this sport, that is to say, no longer tends to roll around the edge of the board, which is all the more difficult since for certain boards this edge is very sharp.

• - au moins un organe de positionnement proprement dit solidaire de chaque flotteur destiné à venir :
  • . d'une part, en regard de la tranche de la planche,
  • . et, d'autre part, directement au contact de partie au moins d'une face de cette planche,
• - et par au moins une attache sous tension, connectée auxdits organes de positionnement reliant les flotteurs entre eux en entourant la planche sur partie au moins de sa section transversale.

To do this, this stabilizing device, which com me already said consists of two removable lateral floats, is characterized in that each removable lateral float has positioning means on the board intended to ensure an angular blocking of said floats, said means being constituted by:

• - at least one positioning member proper, integral with each float intended to come:
  • . on the one hand, facing the edge of the board,
  • . and, on the other hand, directly in contact with part at least of one face of this board,
• - And by at least one tensioned fastener, connected to said positioning members connecting the floats together by surrounding the board on at least part of its cross section.

In a first embodiment, the raised part integral with the float is rigid and has either the shape of a U or L angle.

In a second embodiment, the raised part secured to the float is semi-rigid and follows the shape of the edge of the board and is secured to the float by straps or other flexible connecting members.

Likewise, this raised part can be semi-rigid, or even flexible. The strap itself then has a rigid L-shaped part intended to come into contact with at least one of the two main faces of the board and preferably the underside.

• - deux goussets latéraux parallèles soudés au flotteur, ouverts à leurs deux extrémités,
• - de tiges rigides enfilées dans lesdits goussets et sur lesquelles sont fixées les extrémités des sangles.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for positioning on the board consist of:

• - two parallel side gussets welded to the float, open at their two ends,
• - rigid rods threaded into said gussets and on which the ends of the straps are fixed.

• - les flotteurs sont en matière plastique souple (feuille de PVC ou tissu enduit de PVC) soudée, et gon- fiables, ce qui après usage donne un volume réduit, donc une plus grande facilité pour le transport et le stockage ;
• - les tiges rigides, qui éventuellement ont reçu un traitement approprié pour résister à l'eau, traversent les goussets dans des lumières, de manière à recevoir l'extrémité des sangles ;
• - les sangles sont en matières textiles d'usage courant pour la fabrication de ces produits, notamment en nylon.

Advantageously:

• - the floats are made of flexible plastic (PVC sheet or PVC-coated fabric) welded, and inflated reliable, which after use gives a reduced volume, therefore greater ease of transport and storage;
• - the rigid rods, which have possibly received an appropriate treatment to resist water, pass through the gussets in openings, so as to receive the end of the straps;
• - The straps are made of textile materials in common use for the manufacture of these products, in particular nylon.

• La figure 1 représente une vue perspective sommaire d'une planche à voile équipée d'un stabilisateur conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 montre, vue de dessus, un exemple de réalisation d'un flotteur.
• Les figures 3 à 8 représentent respectivement en coupe (figures 3, 5, 6 et 8) ou en vue perspective sommaire (figures 4 et 7) différents modes de fonctionnement de ces flotteurs sur une planche à voile avec attache rigide ou semi_-rigide.
• La figure 9 est une explication sommaire du processus de fonctionnement du dispositif stabilisateur selon l'invention.
• La figure 10 montre en perspective sommaire une planche à voile équipée de deux dispositifs stabilisateurs.
• La figure 11 est une représentation perspective d'un dispositif préféré conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 12 est une représentation en coupe longitudinale d'un flotteur de la figure 11, alors que la figure 13 est une représentation en coupe transversale.
• La figure 14 représente une tige destinée à être insérée dans les goussets 35-36 de la figure 13.
• La figure 15 représente un renfort du gousset de la figure 12.
• La figure 16 est une vue perspective sommaire du système d'attache préféré conforme à l'invention.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following exemplary embodiments given by way of indication and without limitation in support of the appended figures.

• FIG. 1 represents a summary perspective view of a windsurf board equipped with a stabilizer according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows, top view, an embodiment of a float.
• Figures 3 to 8 show respectively in section (Figures 3, 5, 6 and 8) or in summary perspective view (Figures 4 and 7) different modes of operation of these floats on a windsurfing board with rigid or semi _- rigid attachment.
• Figure 9 is a summary explanation of the operating process of the stabilizing device according to the invention.
• Figure 10 shows in summary perspective a windsurf board equipped with two stabilizing devices.
• Figure 11 is a perspective representation of a preferred device according to the invention.
• Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional representation of a float of Figure 11, while Figure 13 is a cross-sectional representation.
• FIG. 14 represents a rod intended to be inserted into the gussets 35-36 of FIG. 13.
• FIG. 15 represents a reinforcement of the gusset of FIG. 12.
• Figure 16 is a summary perspective view of the preferred fastening system according to the invention.

Finally, Figure 17 is a summary perspective view showing the device according to the invention in place on a windsurfing board.

• - d'une planche proprement dite 1, formée d'une coque par exemple en polyéthylène, contenant une mousse expansée,sous laquelle est fixée une dérive centrale 5 et un aileron 6 ;
• - d'un mât 2 qui porte la voile 3 et le wishbone 4 (ou organe de commande) perpendiculaire au mât 2 ; ce mât 2 est relié à la planche 1 par une articulation 7 du type cardan ou autre demi-sphère, autorisant le déplacement du mât 2 dans plusieurs directions ;
• - de deux flotteurs latéraux amovibles respectivement 8 et 9 placés sensiblement au milieu de la longueur de la planche 1, par exemple à hauteur de la dérive 5.

Referring to Figure 1, a windsurf board consists essentially of:

• - of a board proper 1, formed of a shell for example of polyethylene, containing an expanded foam, under which is fixed a central fin 5 and a fin 6;
• - a mast 2 which carries the sail 3 and the wishbone 4 (or control member) perpendicular to the mast 2; this mast 2 is connected to the board 1 by a hinge 7 of the gimbal or other hemisphere type, allowing the movement of the mast 2 in several directions;
• - two removable lateral floats 8 and 9 respectively placed substantially in the middle of the length of the board 1, for example at the height of the fin 5.

Each float can have a varied shape or section. As already said, it is preferably inflatable, flexible and substantially-cylindrical.

According to a first embodiment, this float 8 is in the form of an inflatable circular rod rounded at its ends comprising fasteners 10 and 11 secured to the float 8 in which are formed openings 12 and 13 through which the straps pass respectively 14 and 15. These straps 14 and 15 in braided nylon are intended to be tightened firmly around the board while connecting the removable lateral floats 8 and 9 together, while the legs respectively 10 a or 10 b (see FIG. 3) fasteners ensure the angular connection and are supported on a part of the beginning of at least one of the two main faces of the windsurf board 1.

When the practitioner, whose weight is represented by the arrow P1, evolves in windsurfing (see Figure 9), he puts his two feet 16 on the same side of the board. If there were no lateral floats 8, the board 1 would tend to want to rotate substantially around its longitudinal axis in the direction indicated by the arrow F. On the other hand, if we put a float 8, under the effect Archimedes' thrust, this float 8 receives by sinking from the water a vertical thrust P2 directed upwards which opposes the tilting of the board 1. These two forces _- these P ₁ and P ₂ are in opposite directions. For simplicity, we neglect the weight of the board and the rigging as well as the buoyancy specific to the board. It is therefore essential that the floats 8 and 9 are perfectly locked angularly in rotation on the board 1 by the fasteners 10 and 11, otherwise the floats 8 and 9 would rise above the level of the board 1 and would therefore be totally ineffective.

To improve the holding of the floats 8 and 9 (see FIG. 5), rigid L-shaped angles, 17 and 18 can be provided, arranged on the strap 14 to ensure angular blocking of the float 8 relative to the board 1 , while allowing the tightening of this strap 14.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 6, the float 8 has a pocket 19 in which is housed a positive stop 20 in the form of L intended to prevent the float 8 from escaping upwards under the water push effect. FIG. 7 briefly shows in perspective such a stop 20, the blade 21 of which penetrates as already said into the pocket 19. It is noted that the base 21 of this stop 20 rests on the underside 60 of the board 1 so as to avoid 8 floats to spin around the board.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the positioning member is formed by an intermediate piece 22 (for example made of ductile metal) which closely follows the shape of the edge 61 of the board 1 and which is held firmly on this board by the strap 14. This intermediate piece 22 is connected firmly to the float 8 by flexible fasteners 23 or the like which block the float 8 relative to 22.

We can improve the stability of the whole by pairing two stabilizing devices, for example by placing one at the front, the other at the rear, which will further facilitate the learning of this sport. It is specified in this regard that the crossed straps 24-25 play the same role as the previous straps 14 and 15 (Figure 10); Similarly, it can be noted that the crossing of the straps at the level of the mast foot of the board can reinforce the positional locking from the floats on the board.

• - de deux flotteurs gonflables amovibles 30 et 31, ayant sensiblement la forme d'un boudin cylindrique arrondi à ses deux extrémités en feuille de PVC coloré, par exemple de 50/100 ème de millimètre d'épaisseur ; cette feuille est soudée selon une ligne de soudure 32 ou 33 par haute fréquence ; 34 désigne l'orifice de gonflage, par exemple à la bouche
• - de quatre goussets souples parallèles, respectivement 35-36,et 37-38 soudés latéralement en 39-40 et 41-42 au boudin 30, également en feuille de PVC coloré ;
• - de quatre tringles 43-44 (pour la commodité du dessin et afin de ne pas le-surcharger inutilement, on a représenté seulement deux tringles, étant entendu qu'il y a une tringle par gousset} rigides, dont la forme particulière est représentée à la figure 14 ; ces tringles ou tiges cylindriques en métal se caractérisent par deux déformations en forme de U arrondiés 45 et 46 positionnées exactement à une distance appropriée correspondant à la distance L (voir figures 12 et 14) entre deux parties 47 et 48 ayant chacune deux lumières 49 et 50, ménagées dans chaque gousset 35 à 38 et dont la résistance à la déchirure est améliorée par un renfort 51.

Figures 11 to 17 show a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, the stabilizer is composed (see figure 11)

• - two removable inflatable floats 30 and 31, having substantially the shape of a cylindrical rod rounded at its two ends in sheet of colored PVC, for example 50/100 th of a millimeter thick; this sheet is welded along a welding line 32 or 33 by high frequency; 34 designates the inflation opening, for example at the mouth
• - four parallel flexible gussets, respectively 35-36, and 37-38 welded laterally at 39-40 and 41-42 to the flange 30, also made of colored PVC sheet;
• - four rods 43-44 (for the convenience of the drawing and in order not to overload it unnecessarily, only two rods have been shown, it being understood that there is one rod per rigid gusset}, the particular shape of which is shown in Figure 14; these metal rods or cylindrical rods are characterized by two rounded U-shaped deformations 45 and 46 positioned exactly at an appropriate distance corresponding to the distance L (see Figures 12 and 14) between two parts 47 and 48 having each two slots 49 and 50, formed in each pocket 35 to 38 and whose tear resistance is improved by a reinforcement 51.

• - tout d'abord, une fois en place, lorsque l'on exerce une traction, au moment du montage sur la planche, sur les sangles 52 ou 53 (ou 54 et 55) elles répartissent les efforts sur les deux longueurs de soudure 39 et 40 ; donc en tirant sur une seule sangle, par exemple 52, au lieu d'appliquer l'effort seulement sur les largeur de la sangle 52, on appliquera cet effort sur la somme des longeurs des deux soudures 39-40, ce qui améliore considérablement la résistance à la déchirure ;
• - ensuite, en se déplaçant ou en pouvant jouer verticalement dans les lumières ₄₉ et 50, ces deux tringles 43 et 44 transmettent les efforts là ou ils doivent s'appliquer et permettent ainsi aux goussets souples 35 à 38 de s'adapter parfaitement au profil de la tranche de la planche 1 ; par voie de conséquence, cela évite que les flotteurs 30 et 31 ne se déplacent angulairement par rapport à la planche 1. Compte-tenu de cet excellent blocage, il n'y a pas de déplacement relatif des flotteurs par rapport à la planche et donc pas d'usure par frottement.

Rods 43 and 44 have two essential functions:

• - first of all, once in place, when a traction is exerted, when mounting on the board, on the straps 52 or 53 (or 54 and 55) they distribute the forces over the two weld lengths 39 and 40; so by pulling on a single strap, for example 52, instead of applying the force only over the width of the strap 52, this force will be applied to the sum of the lengths of the two welds 39-40, which considerably improves the tear resistance;
• - then, by moving or being able to play vertically in the lights ₄₉ and 50, these two rods 43 and 44 transmit the forces where they must be applied and thus allow the flexible gussets 35 to 38 to adapt perfectly to the profile the edge of plate 1; consequently, this prevents the floats 30 and 31 from moving angularly relative to the board 1. Given this excellent blocking, there is no relative movement of the floats relative to the board and therefore no wear by friction.

• - longeur des flotteurs : 80 cm,
• - diamètre des flotteurs: 18 cm,

on a procédé à des essais comparatifs sur la même planche à voile en plaçant dans le puits de dérive de celle-ci une potence que l'on charge avec un poids donné de 7,5 kg et que l'on déplace le long du bras horizontal de-cette potence. Sur la partie verticale de la potence, on place un cadran gradué en degrés afin de mesurer le déplacement angulaire autorisé et un fil à plomb. On constate que pour un angle donné, on peut mettre un poids de trois à cinq fois plus élevé lorsque l'on utilise le stabilisateur conforme à l'invention.With a preferred stabilizing device shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 having the following dimensions:

• - length of the floats: 80 cm,
• - diameter of the floats: 18 cm,

comparative tests were carried out on the same windsurf board by placing a jib crane in the centreboard well which is loaded with a given weight of 7.5 kg and which is moved along the arm horizontal from-this gallows. On the vertical part of the stem, a dial graduated in degrees is placed in order to measure the authorized angular displacement and a plumb line. It is noted that for a given angle, a weight of three to five times greater can be used when the stabilizer according to the invention is used.

• - on ajuste tout d'abord la longueur des sangles inférieures 54 et 55 à la largeur de la planche 1 ; pour ce faire, on peut se servir de la planche comme gabarit ou éventuellement, on peut retourner la planche dans l'eau ; pour ajuster cette longueur, il suffit de déplacer le passant 56 ou 57, étant précisé qu'une extrémité de la sangle 54 et 55 est solidaire du gousset 36, alors que la sangle 54 ou 55 forme une boucle autour de la tringle 44 de manière à ce que son extrémité soit solidaire du passant 56 et 57 à la manière d'une ceinture ;
• - puis on glisse les flotteurs 30 et 31 le long de la planche jusqu'à venir à hauteur de la dérive 5 ;
• - en utilisant les boucles d'extrémités 58 et 59, on serre alors seulement les sangles supérieures 52 et 53 en vérifiant que ces flotteurs 30 et 31 sont sensiblement dans le plan horizontal de la planche.

For the installation of the stabilizer which is the subject of the invention, the procedure is as follows:

• - First of all, the length of the lower straps 54 and 55 is adjusted to the width of the board 1; to do this, you can use the board as a template or possibly, you can turn the board over in the water; to adjust this length, simply move the loop 56 or 57, it being specified that one end of the strap 54 and 55 is integral with the gusset 36, while the strap 54 or 55 forms a loop around the rod 44 so that its end is secured to the passer 56 and 57 in the manner of a belt;
• - Then slide the floats 30 and 31 along the board until it comes up to the fin 5;
• - Using the end loops 58 and 59, then only the upper straps 52 and 53 are tightened, checking that these floats 30 and 31 are substantially in the horizontal plane of the board.

The floats (8, 9 or 30, 31) according to the invention are preferably constituted by inflatable elements for reasons of price, minimum bulk (at least when they are deflated), absence of danger in the event fall on them. They can nevertheless be produced in a different technique, such as extrusion blow molding or molding. They can be made of material with high buoyancy, such as polyurethane or polystyrene foams having an envelope providing the desired seal.

We do not depart from the scope of the invention by using floats of various shapes, different (oval for example or having non-parallel generators) or having shapes of different ends (conical instead of spherical). The strap used to maintain the assembly must present common qualities for this kind of application such as solidity, low sensitivity to sea water and to ultra-violet radiation. If more generally, each float is held simply by two parallel straps, it can also be held by a central strap or by more two straps. Similarly, in the case of a stabilizing system fixed by two straps, these can be crossed and use the fixed point constituted by the mast foot to further increase the locking effect.

• - l'augmentation très nette de la stabilité de la planche ainsi équipée, ce qui est particulièrement intéressant pour l'initiation, notamment dans les écoles de planches à voile et également pour l'apprentissage des diverses manoeuvres ;
• - la possibilité de s'adapter sur n'importe quel type de planche à voile et plus précisément de section ou de tranche très variées ;
• - la fixation sur la planche peut se faire très rapidement sans aucune modification de celle-ci ;
• - la possibilité d'être enlevé sans aucun problème, lorsque le pratiquant a acquis une technique suffisante ;
• - l'absence de gêne dans l'évolution de la planche à voile ou dans ses performances, notamment au stade où celle-ci est utilisée, c'est-à-dire dans l'initiation ;
• - son faible poids et son encombrement réduit ;
• - l'absence de danger pour le pratiquant en cas de chute ;
• - et en particulier, la possibilité de servir d'amortisseur ;
• - la grande simplicité de conception, donc de fabrication, donc de prix,
• - la possibilité pour les deux flotteurs de servir de bouée de secours, notamment pour un autre pratiquant en difficulté ;
• - la possibilité, après initiation, d'être utilisée par des pratiquants recherchant un certain confort dans les manoeuvres, sans toutefois que les performances notamment de vitesse soient trop fortement diminuées ;
• - la possibilité de permettre au futur pratiquant d'acquérir dès le début une planche performante, donc nettement instable, et de l'équiper ainsi pour l'initiation ; à l'heure actuelle, le pratiquant potentiel achète tout d'abord une planche à voile moins performante mais plus stable, afin de faciliter ses débuts sur l'eau, puis est obligé de la revendre pour en acheter une plus performante lorsqu'il a acquis une pratique satisfaisante ;
• - la possiblité d'avoir un parc de location de planches à voiles homogène que l'on loue à des pratiquants avertis ou à des pratiquants débutants ;
• - alors que l'initiation actuelle (sans stabilisateur) nécessite un plan d'eau très calme, l'utilisation du stabilisateur permet une initiation sur un plan d'eau non calme (fort clapot par exemple) ;
• - il permet aussi l'initiation avec une eau froide (puisque les chutes sont alors rares) ;
• - la possiblité de glisser dans l'un des goussets une pagaie, ce qui améliore la sécurité, le pratiquant pouvant alors toujours revenir à son point de départ ;
• - et enfin la possibilité d'être utilisé par tous (adultes, enfants).

The stabilizing device according to the invention has many advantages. We can cite :

• - The very marked increase in the stability of the board thus equipped, which is particularly interesting for initiation, especially in windsurfing schools and also for learning various maneuvers;
• - the possibility of adapting to any type of windsurfing and more precisely of very varied section or section;
• - The fixing on the board can be done very quickly without any modification of it;
• - the possibility of being removed without any problem, when the practitioner has acquired sufficient technique;
• - the absence of discomfort in the evolution of windsurfing or in its performance, especially at the stage where it is used, that is to say in the initiation;
• - its low weight and small footprint;
• - the absence of danger for the practitioner in the event of a fall;
• - and in particular, the possibility of serving as a shock absorber;
• - great simplicity of design, therefore of manufacture, therefore of price,
• - the possibility for the two floats to serve as a rescue buoy, in particular for another practitioner in difficulty;
• - The possibility, after initiation, of being used by practitioners looking for a certain comfort in the maneuvers, without however that the performances in particular of speed are too strongly diminished;
• - the possibility of allowing the future practitioner to acquire from the start a high-performance board, therefore markedly unstable, and to equip it for initiation; at present, the potential practitioner first buys a less efficient but more stable windsurf board, in order to facilitate his beginnings on the water, then is forced to resell it to buy a more efficient one when he has acquired a satisfactory practice;
• - the possibility of having a rental fleet of homogeneous sailboards that can be rented to experienced practitioners or to novice practitioners;
• - while the current initiation (without stabilizer) requires a very calm body of water, the use of the stabilizer allows initiation on a non-calm body of water (strong chop for example);
• - it also allows initiation with cold water (since falls are rare);
• - the possibility of sliding a paddle into one of the gussets, which improves safety, the practitioner can then always return to his starting point;
• - and finally the possibility of being used by all (adults, children).

Claims (8)

1 / Stabilizing device for windsurfing, of the type formed by two removable lateral floats, characterized in that it has positioning means intended to ensure angular locking of said floats (8-9, 30-31) relative to the windsurfing (1), said means being constituted by: - at least one positioning member proper (10-11, 35-36-37-38), integral with each float (8-9, 30-31) intended to come: . on the one hand, opposite the edge (61) of the board (1), . and, on the other hand, directly in contact with part of at least one face (60) of this board (1), - And by at least one fastener (14-15, 54-55) under tension, connected to said members (10-11, 35-36-37-38), connecting the floats (8-9, 30-31) to each other by surrounding the board (1) over at least part of its cross section. 2 / stabilizer according to claim 1 characterized in that the positioning member (17-18) is rigid and has the shape of a U or L angle. 3 / stabilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning member is formed by a rigid part (22) which matches the shape of the edge of the board (1) and which is connected to the float by flexible_linking members. 4 / stabilizer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the floats (8-9, 30-31) are flexible and inflatable. 5 / stabilizer according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that_the positioning member secured to the flexible float is formed by two flexible lateral gussets (35-38), welded to the floats, open at their ends and intended to enclose between them the edge of the board. 6 / Stabilizer according to claim 5, characterized in that rigid rods (43-44) are threaded into said gussets (35-38) and in that the ends of the fasteners under tension (14-15, 54-55) connecting the floats (8-9, 30-31) are fixed to said rods (43-44). 7 / stabilizer according to claim 5, characterized in that: each gusset (35-38) has on its longitudinal axis a pair of reinforcements (51) each having two parallel slots (49-50), - the rigid rods (43-44) threaded into the gussets stand out on these lights (49-50) at the place where the end of the straps (52-55) is placed, which slide on these rods (49-50) . 8 / Stabilizing device for windsurfing, of the type comprising two removable lateral floats, characterized in that: - each float (30-31) has the shape of an inflatable cylindrical rod tapered at its two ends, each float comprises two parallel parallel flexible gussets (35-36, 37-38), welded laterally to said float (30 or 31), each gusset (35-36, 37-38): . being open at both ends, . having on its longitudinal axis a pair of reinforcements (47, 48) each having two - slots (49, 50) parallel, . being intended to enclose between them the edge of the board 1, - rigid rods (43,44) are threaded inside each gusset (35-36, 37-38), said rods passing through said gussets by said slots (49, 50) at the place where the end of the tensioned straps (52, 53, 54, 55) which slide on these rods, said straps connecting under tension the floats (30, 31) between them and firmly surrounding the board 1 on at least part of its cross section.

Images