EP2356020B1 - Device for artificially recreate gliding watersport - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for artificially recreating the practice of a water sports gliding.

From US Patent 2815951 , US A 5454054 , US A5401117 or DE-2837391 already known such a device where water flow means artificially create, on a support, a flow of water where the user can practice his sport.

Such a solution quickly reaches its limits. The conditions of evolution, in particular in width, and the types of practice are limited. And if one seeks to expand the practice area, that of the support of the water layer, the energy consumption and the size of the device increase, which is a drawback.

An object of the invention is to propose a solution that makes it possible to increase the width of the practice area, without necessarily increasing the energy consumption to deliver the water flow.

Another aim is to propose a solution that allows evolutions and varied figures of style in the practice of the chosen sport (s).

Another goal is to propose a solution that allows progress in this sport (s), without necessarily changing the practice area.

Another goal is to propose a solution that achieves all or some of the above goals, without necessarily increasing the size, therefore the size, of the device.

Another aim is to satisfy a variety of water sports, especially water skiing, wake-skateboarding, wake-boarding, kite-surfing, surfing which is practiced on at least one board. .

A proposed solution to all or part of these aims is indicated in claim 1.

Favorably, water flow and detection means will allow only a portion of the support, and therefore the practice area, waterable by the flow of water out of the water flow means is sprayed with a water way allowing the practitioner to evolve there.

As for the process also imagined here to artificially obtain the conditions for practicing a water sport, including water skiing, wake-skateboarding, wake-boarding, surfing or even kite-surfing, using means flow of water creating, on a support, at least one stream of water on which the user can practice said sport by performing various evolutions and figures of style, it is based on enslaving the position of the / water flows created (s) at the position, or displacements, on said support, the user or mobile means with him.

This will ensure, on the support, a variable (evolutionary) distribution of the created water flow (s).

Preferably, several parameters will be varied among the speed, the width and the height of the water flow (s) created (s), by acting on the water flow means, thus favoring the variety of evolutions and shapes of water. style in the practice of sport (s), as well as a progression in the quality of this practice.

Favorably, and moreover, one will enslave the position of this / these flows of water by detecting the position, or the movements, on the support, of the user or mobile means with him.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below and in the accompanying drawings, given by way of examples, and in which the figure 1 is an external schematic perspective of the device of the invention, the figure 2 is a schematic view from above of a possible realization, the figure 3 is an inner schematic side view, the FIG. 4 (FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c ) shows successive states of operation in the same practice area, the figures 5 , 6 show a possible realization of two contiguous valves, the figures 7 , 8 ( Figures 7a, 7b, 7c ; 8a, 8b, 8c ) show other functions, following two possibilities, the figure 9 illustrates a jump zone, the figure 10 schematizes a solution to detect the presence of the user at the end of the cable that he can hold, the figures 11.12 , 13 show two other possible positioning of the detectors, and the figures 14.15 show an all-or-nothing operation to continue to rotate the pump (s).

We have shown figure 1 a practitioner 1 evolving on a stream of water 3 created by a device 5.

The device 5 comprises means 7 for the flow of water, and means 11 for servocontrol in position to ensure a distribution, on the support 9, of the flow of water created, depending on the position, or displacements on this support, the user or mobile means with him, such as his ski board 1a (see figures 1 , 2 , 3 ) or the cable 2.

Hereinafter, we will read "mobile means with the user" each time that is written "his board (evolution) 1a "or" cable 2 ". Other mobile means could serve as a reference position or displacement.

Favorably, these servo-control means 11 comprise detection means, such as 13a1, 13a2, 13b1, 13b2 ... ( figures 2 , 4 ) to detect the position, or displacements, of the user 1, or of his board 1a, during his / their displacements on the support 9, and to act accordingly on the water flow means 7.

The practitioner 1 will be able to evolve at will on a body of water whose position will evolve with his own or that of his board. Figures 1 , 2 this practitioner is attached to a cable (or a rope) 2, one end of which is fixed to a mast 4, here fixed, disposed on the side from which the stream of water 3 comes from. It can thus evolve for example according to the arc of circle 6 of the fig.2 . He stands facing the flow or side (bends ..), without leaving with him.

Given the geometry of the space at the location of the support 9 (typically a rectangle of width L and length l (see figures 1 , 2 ) and the preferred organization of the water flow means 7, the detection means such as 13a1, 13a2, 13b1, 13b2 ... will be favorably adapted to detect limit movements of the user or his board 1a, laterally with respect to the direction 15 of the flow of water on the support (see figures 1 , 2 , 4 ).

In the preferred version illustrated, we see in particular figure 5 that the water flow means 7 comprises water distribution means 17 adapted to form a series of water outlet mouths 17a, 17b through all or part of which the flow water passes to the (above) support 9 which is arranged horizontally (level).

The flow rate and the pressure of the water flow (s) expelled (s) by the mouths 17a, 17b ... concerned will be adapted to ensure the skier 1 the desired lift, sending under him a carpet of water at a speed and a variable thickness. Thus, the speed between the water and skier standards will be respected.

The water outlet mouths, such as 17a ..., are carried by a frame 19 enclosing a collector box 19a adapted to the circulation of the water ( figure 6 ). This box rises above the level of the support 9 (see figures 1 , 3 ) and extends here perpendicularly to the direction 15 of the water flows.

Mount 19 here carries the mast 4 which stands above it.

The means 7 of water flow favorably include, figure 2 , a line 21 of mobile hatches, such as 23a, 23b figure 5 connected to the servo means 11 and arranged facing the line of mouths that they cover or discover to control the water outlets to the support 9.

Thus, we will be able to open and close these mouths, such as 17a, 17b figure 5 , depending on the position or displacements of the user, or his board.

Each hatch of width L1 is controlled by the servo-control means 11, via a jack, such as 24a or 24b figure 6 . The cylinders are a priori moved vertically and piloted in all or nothing. Their stroke is guided on the sides by guiding elements (such as 26a, 26b) fixed on the frame 19.

Figure 6 still, we see an illustrated portion of the box 19a which here feeds the mouths 17a, 17b of preferably rectangular shape, thus delivering water in a substantially rectangular output flow.

Alternatively, it could have been provided that the front wall of the box 19a is doubled by a sliding partition provided with one or more mouths (openings) and moving along this wall by opening and closing in front of some of the mouths of the box, a water outlet coming into being each time a mouth of the box coincides with a mouth of the partition.

By using, in particular, one of these solutions for controlling the water outlets to the support 9, it will be ensured that the flow means 7 will generally comprise water distribution means adapted to form a series of outlets. mouths of water outlet through all or part of which the flow of water can pass to the support 9, these mouths being adapted to open and close under the control of the aforementioned detection means, such as 13a1, 13a2 , 13b1, 13b2 ....

The water flow means 7 will thus comprise means (17a, 17b ... 23a, 23b ... 25 ...) for modifying the height, the width and the speed of the water flow created on the support. 9.

The detection means will be favorably distributed in several places, along at least one line transverse to the direction 15 of each water flow created and along the areas of the support where these flows can be created.

Figure 2 it can be seen that the schematized detection means are arranged along two lines 27a, 27b parallel to each other and at the line 21 of the mouths of water outlet, therefore perpendicular to the general direction 15 of the water flow / streams generated on the practice support 9.

Starting in particular from the figure 2 it is understood that the detection means, such as 13a1, 13a2, 13b1, 13b2 ... include a series of beam detectors and that here the opening and closing of each mouth, such 17a, 17b, is controlled by a pair of these detectors disposed on either side of the mouth concerned, except towards the lateral ends of the support where the first and last mouths of the series are respectively controlled by first and last detectors of said series located towards these ends; here: 13a0 / 13b0 on the left and 13ai / 13bi on the right.

It is advised that the detection means comprise optical (beam) sensors.

These sensors may in particular be oriented in pairs to detect parallel to the direction 15 of each stream of water created on the support 9.

Referring again to the structure of the device 1, the support 9 will advantageously include a flexible underlying mat, 29.

Favorably, this carpet will be stretched by tensioning means 31, such as a weight pulling a flexible resistant fabric.

To prevent / limit water losses, it is further advised that downstream of the carpet, the / each flow of water created flows to a recovery circuit, through a net or mesh belt 33.

Figure 3 , this net is laid inclined in the manner of a protective rim. Its low edge is located at the rear limit of the support 9, its high edge is fixed at the location of the inflatable tubes 35 peripherally surrounding the device.

Thus, the support 9 and each layer of water 28 are surrounded by protective beads.

Below the level of the support 9, the box 19a and the net 33 extend a support structure 37 of the device containing means 39 for recirculation / recycling of water.

These means 39 comprise one or more ducts open upwards at the back, here under the net 33, to allow the flow of water 28 to flow therein, beyond the rear edge 9a of the support 9.

For example, since under the frame 19, one or more pumps 41 suck the water from the conduits and pressurized it back into the water supply box 19a of the mouths 17a, 17b ...

Anchoring means 43 can hold the entire device 1 on the ground.

Considered in its overall aspect, the solution of the invention makes it possible to reduce the height and the width of the flow of water to be supplied to guarantee the lift, quantities which size the flow rate. By the enslavement imagined via the detection system, only part of the total available water body (9), namely that around the user, is watered.

Moreover, the solution of the invention makes it possible to offer a practically limitless practice area for the same quantity of water dispensed; its size in width ( L , figures 1 , 2 ) is completely scalable. It also makes it possible to adapt the water mat 3 according to the level of the user; width, thickness and flow velocity are controlled.

With position detectors 13a0 ... 13ai; 13b0 ... 13bi so we will be able to continuously capture the position of the user (or his board), the control system 7, 11, 17 translating information sensors for mechanical actuators such 23a, 23b .. ., These allowing the displacement of the water stream 3 according to the detected position and therefore only watering the desired sliding area.

As indicated above, the detection system will therefore favorably include a set of optical lines each defined by a transceiver duo, such as 13a0, 13b0... 13a, 13bi. The detections are performed each time the user (or his board) cut an optical line. The signals addressed by these sensors control the hatches 23a ... via a programmable controller 45 belonging to the control means 11.

The space between two successive optical lines of emitters / receivers arranged on either side of a "waterable" practice area (space of width L4 where a flow of d water; figures 2 , 4 ).

Figure 4 , the width L4 of the stream created could be different (a priori lower) to the distance between two such successive optical lines.

In the illustrated example (where the only mouth 17a appears), when the user 1 is in the middle of such a door, the valve 17a / 23a is open and the water flows. When the user is out of the door hatch 23a closes and stops the flow on this area.

In the situation figure 4a the skier is on the right of the door, the valve is closed. In the situation figure 4b , the skier is in the middle of the door, the skier has been detected in the area, the valve is open and the area is watered. In the situation figure 4c , the skier is to the left of the door; the valve is closed again. Here, the distance between two optical lines is equal to the width (such as L4 ) of the slave water flow; a valve is placed in the middle of two optical lines here forming a door of width L4.

In the illustration of a possible complete system as FIG. 7 (FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c ), an optical line is actually formed by two pairs of adjacent sensor-receivers, such as 13a11, 13b11; 13a12, 13b12. This duo, forming two consecutive beams, makes it possible to know in which direction the user moves, that is to say on which side it is located with respect to the optical line and therefore between which optical doors it is present. Each valve (mouth-trap) is associated with two double optical lines forming together a detection door, except the two of each end which are associated with only one double line, this because the user can not exceed the ends. The optical gate of the valve 17a / 23a is formed by the double detector optical lines 13a11, 13b11; 13a12, 13b12 and 13a13, 13b13; 13a14, 13b14. The optical door of the mouth 17c is formed only by the double optical line Lo9, Lo10 since it has here been assumed that, skier to practice, three successive valves are always open and the other closed. The shaded area marks the localized water flow, the arrows the three open valves according to the practitioner's position.

As illustrated Figure 8 (Figures 8a, 8b, 8c ), another way to implement enslavement would be to open the hatches on each side and opposite (if necessary) of the last cut optical line.

Here, to a single cut optical line corresponds a configuration of opening and closing traps. Optical lines such Lo1, Lo3 are placed in the middle of each valve (mouth + hatch), except those of the ends. It can be seen that when the user has last cut the line Lo1, the first three traps to the right of the fig.8a are open (arrows) and the others closed. Similarly when the user has last cut the line Lo3 ( figure 8c ), the hatches 23a, 23b, 23c are open, the others closed.

In this solution, the opening and closing of each mouth are controlled by (at least) a detector activated by the cutting of its beam by the user or his board. Beams other than optical may be suitable.

Figure 1 , a series of individual flows of 3m wide ( L3 ), valves (mouth + trap) of 1m wide ( L4 ) and a surf zone with a total width of 15m ( L ) were imagined.

Alternatively, the device can be assigned different other detection systems, such as sensors falling the position of the rope 2 which moves with the user, or a corner sensor, for example positioned on the d anchoring rope 2 and raising its angle with respect to an original position. This indirectly gives the position of the user. It is also possible to detect the string using the same detection principle as the example of the optical line, thanks to a detection frame 100 through which the string passes and which includes several sensors 101a, 103a, 101b, 103b ... defining a series of lines 110, 112 ... detection, here vertical.

This solution is powerful and practical to install (cf. Figures 11 and 12 ).

Another solution is to detect the position of the board or the skis of the user. The sensors are placed in the carpet 9 of sensation and can use the servo-control principle via optical lines such as 121, 123 (cf. figure 13 ).

It would also be possible to directly detect the position of the user by a camera falling its coordinates in a defined space.

As a variant, the possibility of no longer using an automaton will still be noted. One can imagine sensors opening and closing directly the switches of an electrical circuit connected to the actuators of the hatches or equivalents.

Possibly (see figure 9 ), the device according to the invention could also include a structure 47 in elevation to define a jump surface on which the user could evolve.

Preferably, for the control of the quantities of water used and the safety and comfort of the user, it is advised that the device includes the following system, it being specified that it could be used alone, not necessarily in the context of the scope of the attached independent claim (s).

The following could therefore be subject to independent protection.

This is in particular additional detection means 49 connected to the servo means 11, for detect (and transmit to them data related to) the presence (or not) of the user at the end of the cable 2.

These servo-control means will then be suitable for controlling the water flow means 7 to adapt the presence of this water and / or its distribution on the support 9 as a function of the detection data transmitted by said additional detection means 49.

In case of zero voltage, the user can be detected as absent at the end of the chord 2. The new information translated by the controller will change the servo mode of the detection system described above.

Thus, via the water distribution means 25, it will be possible in particular at the beginning of the sliding session, to start propelling the water on the adapted area once the presence of the user detected at the end. cable 2.

If for example the user drops during a session, the device will then be able (depending on the programming retained servo means) for example either completely interrupt the flow, or significantly reduce, or distribute it differently, especially in away from the drop zone, no longer watering the area around the user.

A voltage sensor (traction) may in particular be suitable for detecting the tension in the cable. The figure 10 , schematize this.

Thus, the presence or absence of the user will be detected at the end of the cable 2 to which he is supposed to stand to practice, and the means will be controlled. flow 7 so that they supply, or not, water the support, accordingly.

The operation of the device can be likened to all or nothing: if the user is detected in a gliding situation, the servo propels the water flow 3 under it on the belt 9, depending on its position. If the user 1 is detected as non-slip, the water is no longer propelled on the carpet but directly sent to the tray 39a recovery (cf. Figures 14, 15 ). A suitable means, here a hatch 125, drops the water and prevents it from reaching the carpet. Thus, if the user falls, he drops the rope 2 and the device cuts off any water supply on the gliding mat 9, without interrupting the operation of the water pump 41. And the user is not embarrassed to to get up.

Claims (15)

1. Device (5) for practising a nautical board sport, including at least one from water skiing, wakeskating, wakeboarding, surfboarding or kitesurfing, the device (5) comprising water-flow means (7) for artificially creating, on a base (9), a flow of water (3, 28) on which the user (1) can practise said sport while making varied movements and style figures thereon, characterised in that it comprises position controlling means (11) comprising detection means (13a1, 13a2, 13b1, 13b2 ...) for detecting the position, or movements, of the user (1), or means (1a, 2) able to move with him during his said movements on the base (9), and acting accordingly on the water-flow means (7), so as to distribute the flow of water on the base (9), moving it thereon according to the position or movements on this base (9) of the user (1) or means able to move with him.
2. Device (5) according to claim 1, characterised in that the water-flow (7) and detection (13al, 13a2, 13b1, 13b2 ...) means are adapted so that, transversely to the direction (15) of flow of the water, only part of the base (9), and therefore of the practise zone, which can be swept by the flow of water emerging from the water-flow means (7), is swept in a way enabling the practitioner to move thereon.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means able to move with the user comprise a board (1a) on which the user moves.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the means able to move with the user comprise a cable (2) on which the user holds in order to practise said sport.
5. Device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water-flow means (7) comprise water-distribution means (17) suitable for forming a series of water-outlet orifices (17a, 17b) disposed in line transversely to the direction (15) of flow of the water, and through only part of which the flow of water (3, 28) passes towards the base (9).
6. Device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water-flow means (7) comprises water-distribution means (25) suitable for forming a series of water-outlet orifices (17a, 17b) through all or some of which the flow of water (3, 28) passes towards the base (9), these orifices (17a, 17b) being able to open and close under the control of said detection means (13a1, 13a2; 13b1, 13b2 ...), which are distributed at several points along at least one line transverse to the direction (15) of each flow of water (3, 28) created.
7. Device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that:

   - the detection means (13a1, 13a2; 13b1, 13b2 ...) comprise a series of detectors (13a11, 13b11; 13a12, 13b12; 13a13, 13b13; 13a14, 13b14) of the beam type, and

   - the opening and/or closing of each orifice (17a, 17b) are controlled:

   -- either by a pair of such detectors (13a11, 13b11; 13a12, 13b12; 13a13, 13b13; 13a14, 13b14) disposed on either side of said orifice (17a, 17b), except towards the lateral ends of the base (9) where the first and last orifices (17a, 17b) in the series are controlled respectively by first and last detectors (13a11, 13b11; 13a12, 13b12; 13a13, 13b13; 13a14, 13b14) in said series situated towards these ends,

   -- or by a detector (13a11, 13b11; 13a12, 13b12; 13a13, 13b13; 13a14, 13b14) activated by its beam being cut by the user (1), or said means able to move with him.
8. Device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (9) on which the user (1) moves and where the or each flow of water (3, 28) created defines a layer of water (28) is disposed roughly horizontally.
9. Device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, downstream of the practise base (9), the or each flow of water (3, 28) created flows towards a recovery circuit, through a net (33).
10. Device (5) according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises:

    - a cable (2) on which the user holds in order to practise said board sport,

    - additional detection means (49) connected to said position controlling means (11), to detect the presence or not of the user (1) at the end of this cable (2),

    - and these position controlling means (11) are able to control the water-flow means (7) to adapt the presence of water and/or the distribution thereof on the base (9) according to the detection data transmitted by said additional detection means (49).
11. Device (5) according to claim 10, characterised in that the additional detection means (49) comprise a tension sensor for detecting the tension in the cable (2).
12. Method for artificially obtaining conditions for the practise of a nautical board sport, including at least one from among water skiing, wakeskating, wakeboarding or surfboarding, using water-flow means (7) creating, on a base (9), at least one flow of water (3, 28) on which the user (1) can practise said sport by performing thereon varied movements and style figures, characterised in that the position of the flow or flows of water (3, 28) created depends on the position or movements on this base (9) of the user (1) or means able to move with him.
13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that the position of the flow or flows of water (3, 28) created is adjusted by detecting the position or movements on the base (9) of the user (1) or means (1a, 2 ...) able to move with him so as to distribute the flow of water on this base (9) while moving it thereon according to the detection made transversely to the direction (15) of flow of the water.
14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that detection means (13a1, 13a2, 13b1, 13b2, 49 ...) act on the water-flow means (7) so that only part of the base (9), and therefore of the practise zone, that can be swept by the flow of water emerging from these water-flow means (7) is swept in a way enabling the practitioner to move thereon.
15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the presence or not of the user (1) at the end of a cable (2) on which he is holding to practise said sport is detected, and the water-flow means (7) are controlled so that they supply water or not to said base (9) accordingl y.

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