EP3912898B1

EP3912898B1 - Outboard yacht pool

Info

Publication number: EP3912898B1
Application number: EP21161973.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Besenzoni
Original assignee: B FINANCIAL Srl
Current assignee: B FINANCIAL Srl
Priority date: 2020-05-18
Filing date: 2021-03-11
Publication date: 2023-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-11
Also published as: EP3912898A1

Description

This invention relates to an outboard yacht pool.
More specifically, the invention relates to a pool comprising a retractable structure integrated in the hull of a yacht.
Such a pool generically comprises an extendable frame consisting of a plurality of mobile and interconnected organs.
The frame is used to support and keep in tension one or more containment elements to be immersed in the water, for example a net or other equivalent elements, which act as walls for the pool and identify its volume.
The structure is designed to change from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and vice versa, by means of such extendable frame, to which the containment net is attached.
In the retracted configuration, the structure is housed in a suitably prepared space obtained inside or near the hull of a yacht.
In this way, when the structure is not in use, it acts as a retractable frame, which can be housed in such space prepared in the hull of the yacht, whether it is obtained either on the sides or at the stern thereof.
When operated, a movement system extends the frame of the structure along a substantially horizontal plane, moving it away from the hull and causing the structure to occupy a space that is outboard of the hull itself.
In this way, the extended structure acts as a support frame for the containment elements attached to it, creating a volume located entirely outboard of the hull of the vessel and immersed in the body of water where the vessel is located.
The extended structure is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the open water which the yacht is located in, and it is possible to attach or fasten the containment elements to it in various ways, which instead are mostly immersed in the water.
A preferred method of application - described below - for such a structure is to create a circumscribed and well-defined bathing space that remains at the disposal of the yacht occupants by keeping the containment elements extended by means of the structure itself.
Advantageously, appropriate weights can be fixed to the containment net to keep it taut and prevent it from folding on itself during use.
Although the method of use of the pool according to the invention described herein relates to its installation on the hull of boats or yachts, the same structure may also be installed near any anchoring surface or fixed element, for example walls of buildings, piers, etc. that are close to water, in marine or lake environments.
At present, similar solutions are known in terms of their function (e.g. patent applications CN1526605A or CN103410350B ), but they are essentially floating, self-contained and totally isolated structures and firstly need to be set up and properly secured to fixed anchor points near the shore or on the seabed.
They basically consist of frames comprising more or less rigid elements connected to each other, around which a net is stretched with a more or less dense mesh depending on requirements, thus delimiting a volume of water in which users can stay in relative safety.
There are many disadvantages associated with this type of structure, mainly related to the fact that their location remains almost fixed near the coast.
As is well known, water quality in such shallow areas may not always be satisfactory, to the detriment of the bathing quality for users.
In addition, such floating structures remain exposed to weather conditions and atmospheric agents of any kind and intensity, which can cause serious damage and require subsequent complex maintenance.
Alternatively, these structures can be supplied to yachts, which transport them out to sea, and whose crew must then manually set them up, attach them to the boat and manage them for the required time.
Finally, they must be retrieved and re-embarked for future use and returned to shore.
The options described so far are clearly not very versatile or practical; they are also difficult to prepare in a reasonably short time, and in most cases need to be transported to the shore for any maintenance that may be required.
The alternative to such floating structures are the traditional sea-facing gangways on board yachts and boats, or the usual fixed pools on the decks or in the yachts themselves.
However, gangways offer a very low level of safety, as bathing takes place in the open sea without any protection from foreign agents, such as for example jellyfish and other animals.
Swimming pools on the other hand, require frequent maintenance as they must meet stringent requirements in terms of water quality and safety of use.
In addition, they become unusable if a piece of equipment or system connected to them fails, they take up space to be installed on board the yacht and they are extremely expensive.
Finally, the experience and degree of enjoyment of users using a pool can hardly be considered comparable to swimming in the open sea.
The prior art also includes patent documents CN210391488U , CN210391489U , EP0253745A1 , FR2608124A1 , US10308320B1 , WO2008/138151A1 .
The aim of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks by means of an outboard yacht pool provided with a retractable frame capable of providing an improved, safer, more comfortable and more satisfying bathing experience.
A further aim of this invention is to provide an outboard pool which is easy to make and install on yachts, even those already in use.
Another aim of the invention is to provide an alternative that can be set up more easily and quickly than the floating pools of the background art.
In addition, the aim of the invention is to provide a pool for yachts that requires minimal maintenance and at the same time complies with the required safety regulations.
Finally, it is an aim of this invention to make an outboard pool that is economical to make and install on yachts by virtue of the advantages achieved.
These and other aims are achieved by an outboard yacht pool having the features described in attached independent claim 1; further details and advantages are set out in the subsequent dependent claims.
This invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example according to some of its preferred embodiments, with the aid of the attached figures, wherein:

Figures 1A-1C are perspective views of a first embodiment of the outboard pool not cover by the invention;
Figures 2A-2D are perspective views of a second embodiment of the outboard pool according to the invention;
Figures 3A-3D are perspective views of a third embodiment of the outboard pool according to the invention;
Figures 3E-3F are perspective views of detailed elements of the embodiment of Figures 3A-3D;
Figures 4A-4D are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the outboard pool not cover by the invention;
Figures 4E-4I are perspective views of detailed elements of the embodiment of Figures 4A-4D not cover by the invention.

With reference to Figures 1A-1C, a first embodiment of the outboard yacht pool not cover by the invention is depicted.
In particular, a quadrangular support structure 1 for a lower containment portion (not shown) of the pool is shown.
Such lower portion is intended to be attached to the structure 1 at the vertices and/or sides of the quadrilateral, and comprises at least one containment element, for example a net, to protect the users.
Such net should preferably have a mesh that allows the passage of water, but at the same time prevents the penetration of dangerous or undesirable external agents, such as for example jellyfish, algae, waste or other.
Such first embodiment of the pool not according to the invention is based on a structure 1 of the "elbow" type, which in itself is conventional and known, comprising a strut or arm 11.
The strut 11 is attached or otherwise fixable to the hull (not shown) of a yacht by suitable fastening means inserted in fastening plates or flanges 111 at its two ends 110.
A second lateral strut 12 and a drum 14 are also fixed at such ends 110.
The drum 14 is used to unwind and rewind the containment net and extends parallel to the first strut 11, along the wall of the hull of the yacht.
The rotation of the drum 14 is obtained by means of a motor 140 of any type as required, and preferably electric.
Each lateral strut 12 is fixed to one end 110 of the strut 11, preferably by means of a hinge 111; moreover, according to the aforementioned elbow structure, it has two articulated portions 120 rotatably joined in the centre of the strut 11 itself by respective hinges 125.
Also hinged at the other ends of such struts 12 is a second strut 13, also substantially parallel to the first strut 11, which closes the quadrilateral of the pool structure 1 according to the invention.
The lateral struts 12 can be extended in a perpendicular direction with respect to the first strut 11 by means of suitable moving organs, for example actuators 150 positioned at the hinges 15 and 115, thus creating the support which projects with respect to the yacht where the net delimiting the volume of water in the pool can be subsequently attached.
Figures 1B and 1C show two successive instants in time of the structure 1 in closing step and retracted configuration.
Advantageously, the structure 1 in retracted configuration can be housed in a relatively small space.
One of the advantages of such elbow configuration is the greater surface extension that can be obtained, the size of the structure 1 in retracted configuration being equal.
Such feature is taken on in the second embodiment of the pool according to the invention, which is depicted in Figures 2A-2D.
Such variant has a structure 2 in a so-called 'drawer' configuration.
It provides for a body 20 to be integrated in the hull of a yacht (not shown) and for it to delimit a recessed space or drawer 201 which houses the structure 2 itself in retracted configuration.
Lateral elements or arms 202 delimiting such recessed space 201 and arranged in a substantially perpendicular direction to the hull of the yacht each accommodate a sliding guide or rail 203.
Lateral arms or bars 21 defining the lateral boundaries of the structure 2 slide on such guides 203 moved by appropriate moving organs, for example a belt 204 and a motor 205.
A frontal bar or arm 22 is fixed to the lateral bars 21 in such a way as to close off the quadrilateral that acts as a support for an underlying lattice frame 23.
The frame 23 is intended to be immersed in water and to keep the net (not shown) of the pool under tension.
The frame 23 itself comprises two uprights 230, which are rotatably fixed at the vertices of the structure 2 furthest from the hull.
A first diagonal member 231 is hinged on each of the lower ends of such uprights 230.
Such diagonal member 231 is articulated, or at least foldable, at its centre by means of a hinge 240.
Additionally, each hinge 240 engages a second diagonal member 232 at a first end thereof.
In this way, the diagonal members 231 and 232 lie, in a criss-cross or X-shaped configuration, essentially on the side faces of a parallelepiped that defines the volume of the pool.
A drum or roller 233, optionally also motorised, which facilitates unwinding the net and keeps it stretched out during use, is rotatably fixed at two of the lower vertices of such parallelepiped, i.e. the second ends of the diagonal members 232.
An additional drum or roller 234 is positioned at the opening of the recessed space or drawer 201.
Reinforcing bars 235 fixed to the uprights and/or the diagonal members may also be provided to give the frame 23 rigidity and stability with respect to the stresses of the fluid or users.
The frame 23 itself constitutes a mechanism through the described system of diagonal members, uprights and hinges, therefore provided with a degree of freedom and movement by means of, for example one or more actuators 250 attached between a fixed attachment point of the uprights 230 and a point of the uprights 230 themselves.
Figures 2B and 2C show the frame 23 actuated by the actuators 250 in two successive moments, during the closing step and in closed configuration.
The rollers 233 and 234 also prevent the net from becoming entangled in the frame when closing, thereby obstructing movement or even damaging the frame.
After closing (Figure 2C) is complete, the motor 205-belt 204 system slides the parallel bars 21 on the rails 203 and retracts the frame into the drawer 201.
This second embodiment just described advantageously makes it possible to minimise both the space occupied by the pool when not in use and to automate the extension and closure of the net.
With reference to Figures 3A-3D, a third embodiment of the outboard yacht pool according to the invention is depicted.
Specifically, Figure 3A shows the quadrilateral support structure 3 for an underlying net in a fully extended configuration.
The structure 3 has a first strut or arm 31 fixed to the hull (not shown) of a yacht at its ends 310, anchoring the ends 310 to the hull by suitable fastening means (not shown), for example screws.
A second lateral arm or strut 32 is rotatably fixed by means of a hinge 315 at each end 310 of the first strut 31.
Each strut 32 is rotated around the hinge 315 by an actuator 313.
In this way, the lateral struts 32 of the quadrilateral structure 4 can reversibly switch between an extended position, in which they are in use and are substantially perpendicular to the first strut 31 and projecting from the hull, and a retracted configuration, in which they are not in use and are substantially parallel to the strut 31, thus occupying a minimal volume.
The structure 4 is completed by a frontal strut or arm 33 parallel to the first strut 31, configured to slide along rails or guides 320 obtained on the inner faces of the lateral arms 32, positioned opposite to the same first strut 31.
Such strut 33 is moved by means of moving organs comprising one or more motors 350, preferably electric motors, and chains or belts 360, the configuration of which will be better described below.
The structure 3 also provides a drum 34 for unwinding and winding the net (not shown) of the outboard pool according to the invention.
In this case, the drum 34 is fixed to the first strut 31 and is rotated by an electric motor 340.
Figures 3B and 3C show two successive instants in which the structure 3 is brought into the retracted configuration.
Firstly (Fig. 3B), the strut 33 is dragged along the rails 320 of the lateral arms 32 by means of the chain 360-motor 350 system until it occupies a position parallel and adjacent to the first strut 31.
At this point, the actuators 313 rotate the lateral arms 32 around the hinges 313, folding them and also bringing them into a parallel and adjacent position to the first strut 31 and the arm 33 (Fig. 3C).
This advantageously minimises the space occupied by the quadrangular structure 4 when the pool is not in use.
Figure 3D figure shows a perspective view from below of the structure 4 in extended configuration to better highlight the position of the actuators 313 and the system of motors 350 and chains 360.
Specifically, references I and II identify two details that are better depicted in Figures 3E and 3F below.
Figures 3E and 3F show in detail the arrangement of the moving organs of the structure 4, which comprise in particular:

one or more motors 350;
a plurality of gear wheels or friction wheels, comprising at least one drive wheel 351 and one or more idler wheels 352, 353, 354, 355, 356;
at least one power drive member that engages said wheels, such as an articulated chain 360, a link chain or a belt.

Figure 3E shows the detail of the movement system of the structure 4 when it is in retracted position.
The chain 360 is held in position by engaging the idler wheels 352, 353, 355 and 356 in the vicinity of the motor 350 and the idler wheel 354 at the opposite end of the lateral arm 32.
A bracket 361, or other coupling element, is fixed integrally to both the chain 360 and the strut 33.
Starting from this configuration, the action of the actuator 313 first causes the lateral arm 32 to extend (Fig. 3B) by rotation around the hinges 315 and 316.
After both lateral arms 32 have opened, the one or more motors 350 rotates the drive wheel 351, in this case a gear wheel keyed to a shaft 371 directly connected to the motor 350 itself.
The chain 360 is consequently set in motion, dragging the bracket 361 and the sliding strut 33 along the rails 320 with it, bringing it to the opposite end of the lateral arms 32 (Fig. 3F).
Once the action of the motors 350 is complete, the strut 33 creates the fourth side of the quadrilateral of the structure 4, to which a net to be placed in the water can now be attached.
Such embodiment advantageously provides a structure provided with a more rigid and robust frame than the known technique, as it consists of bars, e.g. made of corrosion-resistant metal and/or composite material, which can be easily and automatically immersed or pulled out of the water for repair work.
In other preferred embodiments, the structure 3 is housed in a seat inside the hull of the yacht, rather than being mounted cantilevered on the hull itself, and can be moved in and out of the seat by means of conventional sliding guides or slides.
With reference now to Figures 4A-4D, different views of a fourth embodiment of the outboard pool not according to the invention are depicted.
In extended configuration, the structure 4 has a quadrilateral-shaped frame similar to the previous embodiments, comprising two articulated lateral arms 40 joined to a third frontal arm 43.
Each of the two lateral arms 40 is divided into a first portion 41 and a second portion 42, which are joined together by a hinge 415.
The quadrilateral structure 4 is completed by a fourth arm 44 which can be manually attached to each of the lateral arms 40 by means of pins 441 which can be inserted at its ends 440.
The containment net 50, which serves to delimit and protect the volume of water in the pool, can be manually attached to the structure 4 after it has been extended.
The extension of the structure 4 itself is achieved by sliding the lateral arms 40 inside special hollow profiles 410 conveniently integrated in the hull of the yacht.
In extended configuration, the structure 4 is positioned close to the open water; the inside of the frontal arm 43 and preferably the second portion 42 of each lateral arm 40 are hollow, so as to prevent them from being immersed in the fluid.
In addition or alternatively, other buoyancy measures may also be provided, for example the use of foam to prevent the flooding of the inner cavities, or the attachment of auxiliary floats.
The retracted configuration of the structure 4 is shown in Figure 4C, in which the lateral arms are fully retracted within the hollow profiles 410.
Figure 4D shows a cross-section side view of structure 4, where references III, IV and V identify detailed construction elements relating respectively to the joint existing between the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 of the lateral arms 40 and to the movement system of the same lateral arms 40.
In detail, Figures 4E and 4F are two different views of details III and V, relating respectively to the hinge 415 interposed between the two portions 41 and 42 and to the internal cavity of the outward facing profiles 410.
The hinge 415 allows the structure 4, and in particular the portions 42 and the frontal arm 43, to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis, emerging from the body of water and keeping the pool environment separate from the surrounding fluid.
In addition, the presence of the hinge joints 415 effectively prevents the frame section of the pool from transmitting unwanted mechanical torsional stresses to the rest of the structure, running the risk of damaging it.
Detail V on the other hand shows the sliding rails or guides 411 obtained in the hollow profiles 410, which are necessary for the translation of the lateral arms 40.
The actual moving organs are shown in Figures 4G-4I.
In particular, Figures 4G and 4H show the end of the hollow profile 410, which is recessed or otherwise integrated in the hull of the yacht, in the presence and absence of a cover.
A motor unit 450, for example of the electric type, is housed and fixed in the internal cavity of the profile 410 itself, and is used to move a belt 460 by means of a drive wheel 451.
One or more idler wheels 452 may be provided to keep the belt 450 under tension; other means equivalent to those described above, such as chains and gear wheels, may also be used.
The belt 460 develops in length inside the hollow profile 410 and is fixed solidly to a bracket 461 in turn connected to the lateral arm 40, and in particular to its first portion 41.
A guide 470 contains and directs the sliding of the belt 460 to an idler wheel 453, positioned at the end opposite to the hollow profile 410, shown in detail V of Figure 4I.
The movement of the belt 460 translates the bracket 361 accordingly, together with the lateral arm 40, bringing the structure 4 into extended configuration.
Advantageously, such fourth embodiment has an extremely compact, efficient design that is easy to install and operate.
In addition, an advantageous feature of the same embodiment is the ability to 'self-level' with respect to the open water.
Although it is typical of the fourth embodiment hereto described, such self-levelling function can also be advantageously adapted to the other embodiments, particularly the second (drawer) and third (fan) embodiments.
The mode of operation and structural features of these embodiments make it easy to implement a hinge joint similar to the one described in the lateral arms of the structures, thus improving their buoyancy.
It shall be understood that the invention may be modified and/or adapted by experts in the field without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

Outboard yacht pool, comprising
a retractable structure (3), substantially polygonal-shaped and intended to be fixed to a point of a yacht hull, and

a containment element (50) linked to said structure (3) and defining walls of said pool,

wherein said structure (3) comprises

at least a first element (31), configured for being fixed laterally to the hull of said yacht, and connected to a plurality of lateral arms (32) and a frontal arm (33), interconnected between them to create said polygon and configured for being moved by moving organs (313, 350),

wherein said structure (2) is configured to switch, by means of said moving organs (313, 350), between

a first retracted configuration, wherein said pool is not in use and said structure (3) is folded onto itself in a position adjacent to the hull of said yacht, and

a second extended configuration, wherein said structure (3) is projecting with respect to said hull and placed in proximity of the water surface, and wherein said containment element (50) is extended and submerged in water, and connected below said structure (3),

said plurality of lateral arms (32) being linked to said at least first element (31) by means of hinges (315), so that

when said structure (3) switches from said retracted configuration to said extended configuration, and vice versa,

each lateral arm (32) of said plurality of lateral arms (32) rotates around said hinges (315) by means of said moving organs (313), characterized in that sliding rails or guides (320) are provided on the plurality of lateral arms (32) , and in that the frontal arm (33) is configured for translating by means of said moving organs (350) along said sliding rails or guides (320), moving away from said first element (31) of said structure (3), following the rotation of said plurality of lateral arms (32), so as to confer to said structure (3) a polygonal shape.
Outboard yacht pool according to claim 1, characterized in that
said moving organs comprise

one or more motors,

a plurality of gear and/or friction wheels, of which at least one drive wheel (351) and one or more idler wheels (352, 353, 354, 355, 356),

at least a chain and/or belt (360) engaging said wheels (351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356) and developing along said lateral arms (32),

a bracket (361) linked to said chain and/or belt (360) and fixed to said frontal arm (33), so as to trail it along said sliding rails or guides (320) in order to bring said structure (3) in the extended configuration.
Outboard yacht pool, comprising
a retractable structure (2), substantially polygonal-shaped and intended to be fixed to a point of a yacht hull, and

a containment member (50) attached to said structure (2) and defining walls of said pool,

wherein said structure (2) comprises at least a first element (20), configured to be fixed laterally to the hull of said yacht, and connected to a plurality of lateral arms (21) and a front arm (22) integrally fixed to said plurality of lateral arms (21) to form said polygonal shape and configured for being moved by moving organs (205, 250),

wherein said structure (2) is configured to switch, by means of said moving organs (205, 250), between a first retracted configuration, in which said pool is not in use and said structure (2) is folded onto itself in a position adjacent to the hull of said yacht, and

a second extended configuration, wherein said structure (2) is projecting with respect to said hull and placed in proximity of the water surface, and wherein said containment element (50) is extended and submerged in water, and connected below said structure (2)

wherein the at least a first element (20) comprises sliding guides (203) to which said lateral arms (21) of the plurality of lateral arms (21) are connected and on which they are constrained to slide, so that,

when said structure (2) switches from said retracted configuration to said extended configuration, and vice versa,

each lateral arm (21) of the plurality of lateral arms (21) undergoes a translation with respect to said at least a first element (20) moving away from the hull of said yacht by means of said moving organs (205, 250),

characterized in that said retractable structure (2) comprises a lattice frame (23), intended for being submerged in water and for tensioning the containment element of the pool,

which includes two uprights (230),

a first diagonal member (231), rotatably connected to each inferior end of said uprights (230) and configured to swivel in correspondence of its centerline by means of a hinge (240), a second diagonal member (232), rotatably connected to each hinge (240) in correspondence of a first end,

a barrel or roller (233) rotatably fixed in correspondence of second ends of said second diagonal members (232).
Outboard yacht pool according to one or more of the claims 1-3, characterized in that said lateral arms (32; 21) comprise each
a first portion and

a second portion , rotatably connected each other by means of a hinge , and wherein

said frontal arm (33; 22) and said second portions are configured to float in proximity of the water surface when said structure (3; 2) is in the extended configuration and said pool is in use.
Outboard yacht pool according to one or more of the claims 1-4, characterized in that said structure comprises at least a barrel or roller (233, 234; 34) for the unwinding of said containment element (50) when said pool is in use, and on which said containment element (50) is winded when said pool is not in use.
Outboard yacht pool according to one or more of the claims 1-5, characterized in that said containment element (50) is movably connectable to said structure (2; 3), so as to being removed and disconnected from said structure (2; 3), when not in use.
Outboard yacht pool according to one or more of the claims 1-6, characterized in that said containment element (50) is a net for the protection from jellyfishes and/or other undesired elements.
Outboard yacht pool according to at least one of the claims 1-7, characterized in that, when said structure (2; 3) is in said retracted configuration and it is not in use, it is housed in a compartment provided in the sides or in the stern of said yacht.