FR2602980A1 - Highly rigid inflatable element for water sports and leisure pursuits - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is intended for contributing rigidity upon manufacture and for the improvement of inflatable objects produced from leaktight textile supports and whose principal application is that of inflatable boards. The inflatable boards consist principally: - of an upper envelope 9; - of a lower envelope 1; - of rigid and foldable "I" inner partitions 2; - an inflation valve 4, an overpressure valve 5 and a rigid fin 3 fastened onto the lower envelope; - of a left or right reversible foot strap 6, of a foot strap 8 and of a knee strap 7; - of an outer reed 11 on the periphery of the assembled lower and upper envelopes.

Description

DESCRIPTION
INFLATABLE ELEMENT WITH HIGH STIFFNESS
FOR WATER SPORTS AND LEISURE
The present invention relates to the manufacturing and improvements made to inflatable objects, made from textile supports made waterproof by coating the two faces, mainly by elastomers and plastomers, used in many applications, for example: windsurfing, surfboard, skurf board, boats, volumes, seat mattresses, etc ...

 These products use known raw materials from research and development in the textile industry.

These raw materials ensure and guarantee all problems
- of structure,
- resistance,
- stability,
- sealing,
- cold or hot welding,
- resistance to corrosive agents, or not,
- aging, etc ...

 The invention therefore essentially aims to remedy the drawbacks of "non-rigidity", without providing rigid removable devices, inflatable elements using the products and characteristics listed above.

 The object, in its first applications, is to have produced an element of parallelepiped shape with rounded ends, inflatable, allowing numerous changes in trajectories on water, whatever it is, drawn by a motor source, of low or of great power.

 This product has been specially studied to meet the needs and ambitions of a new sporting activity, "cocktail" between skiing and surfing.

 The realization of the inflatable board is obtained mainly by the making of two envelopes, glued to their periphery and an internal partitioning, in PVC fabric, with polyester core. These PVC fabrics, of indifferent colors, are used for their respective qualities in many applications, such as, boats, volumes, mattresses, seats, etc.

 The rigidity of the two envelopes, glued cold, is ensured by the installation of type'S partitions, according to IPN profile definition, along the length of the inflatable element and in the long thread of the fabric weft.

 A "shark" type fin under the rear part ensures and determines the trajectory.

 A specific inflation valve ensures the pressurization and its maintenance for the required effect.

 A safety valve makes it possible, under conditions of non-use and / or, exposure to heat sources, to guard against and overcome overpressures.

 The upper part, for this application, is equipped with axial flanges ensuring the support of the feet with the possibility of left or right inversion for the call foot, and a transverse strap in the case of use on the knees.

The materials used to make the inflatable board are mainly composite fabrics, the technical characteristics of which are as follows
- the upper and lower envelopes are made of fabric
PVC, for example in the SUPER STRONGAN category with polyester core.

 - the interior partitions are made of PVC fabric, for example in the SLOOP / 150 category with polyester core.

 - The inflation valve used, for example ABS, ensures effective pressurization due to its sufficient diameter and preferably about 25 mm. The sealed mounting of this valve is ensured by mechanical tightening of the casing between the base of the valve body. An internal membrane attached to the valve body maintains the pressurization.

 - the pressure relief valve used, ensures after inflation, stability of the element under pressure.

- the accessories of the application are for example:
a peripheral ring with the two envelopes assembled,
a "central" flange,
a reversible left or right call flange,
a cross strap,
The present manufacturing relates to the production of a rigid inflatable board, obtained from two envelopes and a particular non-removable and flexible internal partitioning, ensuring the effect obtained on the basis of PVC fabrics with polyester core.

Indeed, of all known products there are no inflatable elements whose rigidity is obtained by the simple fact of their intrinsic design with flexible materials such as PVC fabrics, for example without additional use of rigid elements removable and / or permanent re-pressure systems, for example
- for maintaining pressure, the use of inflation bottles with pressure drop detection,
- for rigidity, the use of removable rods, rods, brackets, plates, etc ... whose positioning can be achieved in double walls or other methods of attachment.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention according to
Figure 1, shows a bottom view of the inflatable board,
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the inflatable board,
Figure 3, shows in top view, the inflatable board,
Figure 4, shows in perspective view, the constitution of type "I" partitions,
FIG. 5 represents in cross section the board in the inflation phase,
Figure 6 shows in cross section the plank in the deflation phase,
According to Figures 1,2 and 3, the inflatable board consists mainly
- a lower casing (1) fitted on its rear part with a rigid "shark type" fin (3), an inflation valve (4) and a pressure relief valve (5).

 - an upper casing (9) fitted on its central part with a foot bridle (6), reversible left or right, a knee strap (7) and a foot bridle (8) on its rear part arranged in the median axis of the board.

- internal partitions type "I" (2)
- a peripheral ring (11) with the two envelopes assembled.

 The upper (9) and lower (1) envelopes are cut lengthwise from the long thread of the frame using templates which allow the partitions to be placed.

The two envelopes are assembled by a template whose profile of the curve of the bow is accentuated by approximately 5 times the final value obtained on the finished element after inflation. 4
The assembly of the two envelopes by gluing requires simultaneously
- the positioning and gluing of the partitions, five in number for example, but which may be in a smaller or larger quantity,

 - Positioning and bonding on the inner periphery of a hinge and an outer ring (11) taking their adhesion on the two envelopes and ensuring their maintenance and sealing.

 According to Figures 4,5 and 6, the type "I" partitions (2) not only ensure the rigidity of the inflated element but also allow it to be folded and rolled up for storage and / or transport.

In order to meet the criteria of rigidity, in the state of pressure, and foldable in the state of non-pressure, the partitions type "I" are produced in three parts assembled and glued cold. These three pieces constituting the partition are cut from the long wire of the frame and of equal length. However, these pieces are of different widths, namely
- a centerpiece (12), in the shape of a "U" with a width equal to 1 unit,
- two reinforcement hinges (13), in the shape of an "L", of width equal to t unit.

 These three parts (12 and 13) are, before installation in the volume, assembled by gluing in the direction of their length. They are assembled in opposition so that on the friend (12-2) of the "U" are placed adjacent and on either side of its center line (12-3) the two souls (13-2) "L" (13).

 This assembly is carried out so that the souls (13-2) of the "L" (13) completely cover the friend (12-2) of the "U" (12) and that the wings (13-1) of the "L" (13) are in the extension each of the wings (12-1) of the "U" (12).

 The assembly thus obtained achieves the type "I" partition, rigid from the assembly of the three parts, and foldable from the interruption on its length, given by the reinforcing hinges (core "L") on the friend of the " U ".

 Bonding of the "I" type partition on the upper (9) and lower (1) envelopes is ensured by the flaps or wings Q2-1 and 13-1) of the "U" and "L" parts forming the bulkhead and not used to date.

The assembly thus produced after stabilization of the internal assemblies is equipped with:
- on the lower envelope (1):. of a rigid "shark" type fin (3), removable or not, fixed in the center line and towards the rear which ensures the maintenance of the trajectory of the inflatable board,
.an inflation valve (4) which ensures effective pressurization due to its sufficient diameter and preferably about 25 mm. Its watertight mounting is ensured - by mechanical-tightening of the casing between the base of the valve body, of a circular ring with "wedge" effect and of a locking nut.

An internal membrane partially crimped to the double-walled valve body maintains the pressurization.

 (Maintaining pressure is obtained at the valve by the sealing of the membrane which results from the adhesion of the latter, on a crown large relative to the inflation diameter.

 .a pressure relief valve which ensures, after pressurization, the stability of the board.

 - on the upper casing (9): .a reversible foot flange (6) left or right, fixed by bases, for example three in number, one of which can be positioned in the median axis and at center of the board (10-1), the other two bases (10-2) on either side of the median axis and back with respect to the first base.

 .a central foot flange fixed by two bases (10-3), located in the median axis and towards the rear of the board, one behind the other, of an interval compatible with the length of the foot strap.

 .a side strap (7), cotton or synthetic fiber type "NYLON" for knee support in this use. This strap is fixed laterally by two bases (10-4) on the outer edge and behind, for example, the reversible foot strap (6).

 The bases (10) allowing the attachment of the flanges and the strap are integral with the upper casing and allow rapid fixing of the latter. These bases can be of any number and position, however judiciously distributed.

 The straps are mainly made of a PVC fabric envelope lined with foam (comfort, safety), held in place with a strap, cotton or synthetic fiber of the "NYLON" type by flexible fast-fixing type "VELCRO".

 The inflatable element with high rigidity according to the invention is particularly intended for the manufacturing and improvements made to inflatable objects, produced from waterproof textile supports used for their respective qualities in many applications such as, boards, boats, volumes, mattresses , seats etc ... and in the main areas of water sports and leisure activities.

Claims (7)

1) Inflatable element with high rigidity for water sports and leisure intended to bring rigidity to the manufacture and improvement of inflatable objects produced from waterproof textile supports in numerous applications such as inflatable boards, characterized in that ' it comprises  - a lower casing (1) fitted on its rear part with a rigid "shark" type fin (3), an inflation valve (4) and a pressure relief valve (5),  - an upper casing (9) fitted on its central part and in the center line with a reversible left or right foot flange (6) fixed by bases, (\ 0)  - a foot strap (8) on the rear part in the median axis and a knee strap (7) fixed transversely,  - rigid and foldable type "I" internal partitions (2), whose core (12-2) is provided with means allowing rigidity and folding along a longitudinal line and whose flaps or wings (12-1) are fixed by gluing respectively to the upper (9) and lower (1) envelopes. 2) Elements, according to claim -1-, characterized in that the partitions of type "I" (2) are constituted by the juxtaposition in the longest direction of a masterpiece (12) in the shape of "U" and of two reinforcement hinges (13) in the shape of an "L". These three pieces (12 and 13) are assembled by gluing so that the souls (13-2) of the "L" (13) completely cover the friend (12-2) of the "U" (12) and that the flaps or wings (13-1) of the "L" are in the extension, each of the wings (12-1) of the "U". The assembly thus obtained is rigid from the association of the "U" and the "L" and foldable from the interruption on the length, given by the hinges reinforcement in two parts on the friend of the "U'l . 3) Elements, according to claim 1 and 2, applicable to the production of an inflatable "surf" and "skurf" board, characterized in that it includes a raising of the front part, a rigid fin in the lower rear part ( 1), on the upper part (9) of the foot straps (6 and 8) and knee strap (7) held by bases (10) integral with the upper envelope (9). 4) Elements, according to claim - 3 - characterized in that the main bases (10-1, 10-3) are fixed in the median axis of the board vertically to a partition zone (2). The other bases being of any number and position, but judiciously arranged. 5) Elements, according to claims - 3 and 4 - characterized in that the leg flange reversible by combinations, for example, of three bases, one of which in the central part (10-1) on the median axis of the board and the two others (10-2) (or more) are arranged behind the first and symmetrically on either side of the median axis. The foot straps (6 and 8) are mainly made of a PVC fabric envelope lined with foam held in place with a cotton or synthetic fiber strap of the "NYLON" type by flexible fast-grip fasteners of the "VELCRO" type. 6) Elements, according to claim-l- characterized with regard to the internal partitioning whose ends allow a passage for inflation between the periphery of the lower and upper envelopes assembled. 7) Elements according to claim -1- characterized with regard to the inflation valve (4) which ensures effective pressurization. This pressure maintenance is obtained at the level of a double-walled valve whose adhesion results from the latter on a large crown proportional to the inflation diameter.