FR2604141A1 - DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF THE FOOT OF A SAILBOARD OR THE LIKE - Google Patents

Abstract

DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF THE FOOT OF A SAILBOARD OR THE LIKE, INCLUDING AN EXTENDED GUIDING RAIL 6, RECESSED INTO BOARD 1 ACCORDING TO THE MEDIUM PLANE THEREOF, AND SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF ITS LENGTH, THIS RAIL RECEIVING A MOBILE 5 TROLLEY CONTAINED IN THE RAIL AND SUITABLE TO SLIDE ACCORDING TO ITS LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION, THE TROLLEY BEING PROVIDED WITH BALL JOINTS SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING THE MATTE AT ITS LOWER END TO AUTHORIZE ITS OWNERSHIP AND SOURCES OF SIDE USER GRE, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT INCLUDES A TROLLEY LOCKING ASSEMBLY, FORMED OF TWO SUPERIMPOSED RULES 7-8, OF WHICH THE FIRST 7 IS FIXED AND SOLIDARIZED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE RAIL ACCORDING TO THE LENGTH OF IT AND THE SECOND 8, MOBILE, IS LIKELY TO SLIDE WITH A LIMITED AMPLITUDE OF MOVEMENT ON THE FIRST ALONG AN INCLINED SUPPORT RANGE 9 BOTH SIDES IN RESPECT OF ONE AND THE OTHER RULES OF SUCH AS MOVEMENTFROM THE MOBILE RULE TO THE FIXED RULE DETERMINES A VARIATION IN THE HEIGHT OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Description

Device for adjusting the position of the foot of a windsurf mast

  The invention relates to a device making it possible, at the user's discretion, to adjust the position of the lower end of the mast of a windsurf board or the like which rests on the surface thereof, in order to in particular to move this mast at will in one direction

  generally longitudinal with respect to this surface.

  We know that the stability of a windsurf board as the search for the best efficiency for its maneuver

  or its speed increase essentially depend on the inci-

  dence in relation to the wind direction, of the supporting mast

  sailing and, first of all, the skill of the user

  sator to orient it to create vis-à-vis the board a couple allowing it to move on the surface of the water. However, depending on the strength of the wind, the state of

  the sea, the body of the user ... it is parti-

  particularly useful to be able to adjust the position of the lower end of the articulated mast relative to the longitudinal direction of the board and, if necessary, to be able to modify this position adjustment at will and extremely quickly, in particular without having do not disassemble or reassemble the parts attached to the board

  and to the mast to ensure the connection between these two elements.

  The present invention relates to an adjustment device which meets these requirements, in particular by allowing the user of the board, by a simple unlocking controlled at the foot of a temporary blocking member of the mast, to move the latter for the lead to occupy any position on a support rail embedded in the board

  and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof.

  To this end, the device considered, comprising an elongated guide rail, embedded in the board along the median plane of the latter and substantially in the middle of its length, this rail receiving a mobile carriage trapped

  in the rail and able to slide in its longitudinal direction

  nale, the carriage being provided with ball-joint means suitable for supporting the foot of the mast at its lower end to allow its orientation and its deflections around the vertical at the discretion of the user, is characterized in that it comprises a set of blocking of the carriage, formed by two superimposed rules, the first of which is fixed and

  secured to the bottom of the rail along the length of it

  ci and the second, mobile, is capable of sliding with a limited amplitude of movement on the first along a bearing surface inclined on both sides in contact respectively with one and the other rule so that the displacement of the mobile rule on the fixed rule determines a variation in the height of the assembly, the carriage normally immobilized against the rail by the rule

  mobile being released following the movement of the

  Ci in the direction which decreases the height of the set of

two rules.

  The device according to the invention thus allows by

  a simple action of moving the mobile rule over

  the rule fixed in the proper direction, an immediate release of the carriage carrying the foot of the mast, which the user can therefore at will move back or forth on the rail, thereby modifying the position of the mast according to the longitudinal dimension of the board, to adapt this position according to his wishes, in particular depending on the state of the body of water on which the board is moving, the direction of the wind, his own build, his sailing habits, etc. Of course, once this adjustment has been made, the controlled return of the movable rule to the initial position again blocks the carriage and the mast that it supports, without

  risk of subsequent modification not foreseen.

  According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the mobile rule cooperates at one of its ends with an elastic return mechanism of the rule in the position where the blocking assembly constituted by the two rules

immobilizes the carriage on the rail.

  Preferably and in an advantageous embodiment, the elastic mechanism comprises a connecting rod, with a raised edge provided at the end of the fixed rule, a support stop for the end of a return spring mounted around the rod and applied to its opposite end on a

  heel parallel to the stop, formed on the movable rule.

  Furthermore and according to another characteristic, the movable rule advantageously comprises in its contact face with the fixed rule according to their inclined bearing surface parallel and successive transverse notches capable of cooperating - with homologous notches formed in the face opposite the fixed rule, when moving

  the mobile rule over the fixed rule.

  To control this movement of the movable rule and according to the invention thus allowing the release of the carriage carrying the mast foot and authorizing the desired position adjustment thereof, the movable rule comprises, according to another particular characteristic, at its end opposite the elastic mechanism an open housing, cooperating with a finger engaged with play in this housing and actuated by a determined pedal by the pivoting of the resulting finger, the displacement of the movable rule against the elastic mechanism. The user can thus easily, when the board stops, but even if necessary during the use of the board, by pressing the pedal, cause the moving rule to move relative to the rule. fixed, releasing the carriage, the position of which can then be adjusted along the length of the rail, until the release of the pedal allows the return of the mobile rule to return to the initial position where it relaxes.

  again blocks the carriage and the mast it supports.

  Preferably, the rail receiving the carriage is made up

  killed by a metal section with a U-section, the ends of which constitute two re-entrant edges trapping the carriage inside the rail, these edges which extend substantially in the upper plane of the board having their sides facing one towards the other separated by a space in which

  is engaged and guided a central boss formed on the carriage.

  This comprises a body of parallelepiped shape, housed inside the rail and the upper face of which in contact with the re-entrant edges of the U-shaped section is held pressed under these edges by means of a spring which presses on the movable rule . Furthermore and according to another equally advantageous arrangement, the upper part of the movable rule and the lower face of the body of the carriage cooperate mutually according to a profile having two symmetrical inclined faces on either side of the median plane of the rail, which oblige the trolley to be centered in the profile allowing the evacuation of the rail.

  According to another characteristic, finally, the cha-

  riot has a blind housing receiving a tip secured by an axial screw of a support piece on which is articulated the end of the mast. After him

  having done a quarter turn, the nozzle is

  clicked into the housing by means of a hairpin spring mounted in a transverse slot made inside the carriage so that it overflows

  in the housing to lock the nozzle once it

  ci put in place by engagement in a dug groove

  in this nozzle, without preventing its subsequent removal

  due to a pull-out effort causing the erasure

spring in its slot.

  Other characteristics of a device for adjusting the position of an established windsurf mast

  according to the invention will still appear through

  to the following description of an example of realization

  tion, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a windsurfing board, provided with an adjustment device

according to the invention.

  - Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view

  nale on a larger scale of the device considered, illustrating the general characteristics of this device and the principles used for its operation. - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an even larger scale of an embodiment

  preferred device according to the invention.

  - Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view

  partial trolley and blocking rules

  this, entering into the implementation of the mode of execution

tion according to Figure 3.

  - Figure 5 is a top view with partial section-

  the parts shown in Figure 4.

  - Figures 6 and 7 respectively illustrate the spring mechanism and the control pedal implemented in the embodiment according to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 1 very schematically illustrates a windsurfing board 1, usually comprising a steerable mast 2 carrying a sail 3 and a transverse yard 4, allowing, in a well-known manner, a user to maneuver the craft while making the sail take hold of the steering

  wind, tilt and proper profile. At its extreme

  lower mast the mast 2 is secured to a device 5 carried by the board 1 and intended to allow, not only a movement of the ball joint of the mast in the vertical direction so that it can be thus oriented in the desired manner, but also and in accordance with the invention, a displacement of this mast with respect to the board, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the latter, in order to better adapt its operating characteristics and its maneuverability

  according to the morphology of the user and the conditions

  particular conditions of the water and wind at a given time.

  According to the invention, the device 5 as schematically-

  ment shown in Figure 2, mainly comprises a guide rail 6, elongated, embedded in the surface of the board 1 and extending thereon, according to its median plane, over the distance where it is precisely desired to be able to adjust the position of the mast. The rail 6 also comprises, disposed inside this rail, an assembly formed by two rules, respectively 7 and 8, the first rule 7 being fixed and secured to the rail 6 while the second rule 8 is movable with respect to -vis the first. The two rules are superimposed and applied one on the other according to a bearing surface 9 inclined to the horizontal so that the limited displacement of the movable rule

  8 on the fixed rule 7 according to their faces in material contact

  sant the range 9 causes a variation in the height of the assembly formed by the two superimposed rules, in particular

2 6 0 4 1 4 1

  between two extreme values determined by construct-

  tion, corresponding for one to a maximum height o, as shown in the Figure, the movable rule

  blocks by its upper face a carriage 10 mounted cou-

  smoothing on rail 6 and for the other at a height

  more reduced, o therefore the carriage is released,

  before sliding on the rail and allowing the

  placement of the lower end of mast 2, carried

by this cart.

  The relative displacement of the mobile rule 8

  on fixed rule 7 is carried out against a

  elastic mechanism 11, mounted at one end of the rail 6, but very schematically shown here, the principle of its operation however resulting obviously from the drawing given in Figure 2, the control of

  this displacement being carried out by a pedal 12 articulated

  abutment on rail 6 and mounted at the opposite end thereof. The pedal includes a declutching finger, which allows, after having raised the aforementioned finger, to put the pedal down to avoid inadvertent movement of the movable rule if

  you step on the pedal by accident.

  Of course, it must be considered that the

  particular realization of the various essential parts-

  the proposed device, in particular that of rules 7 and 8, the elastic mechanism 11 and the control pedal 12 can be envisaged in many ways which obviously fall within the scope of the present invention, these variants can be easily imagined by those skilled in the art by adapting the structure

  of these parts and how they cooperate mutually

  each individual case. Under these conditions, it goes without saying that the preferred example detailed below in relation to FIGS. 3 to 7 constitutes only one of these variants which could in turn undergo numerous modifications while remaining within

the limits of the invention.

  In Figure 3, the rail 6 of the device is shown in cross section. It is advantageously constituted by a U-shaped profile 13, in particular made of metal

  light and has a flat bottom 14 and two rounded edges

  trants, respectively 15 and 16 flush with the upper surface of the board 1. The profile 13 is embedded in the board, in particular during

  molding in the manufacture of the latter, usual-

  made of plastic material.

  The lower rule 7 is fixed against the bottom 14 of the profile 13 by means of screws 1.7, engaged in the housings

  18, preferably distributed along the length of the rule.

  In addition, it advantageously comprises a heel 19 retained by lugs 20 coming from manufacture with the

  profiled and under which this heel engages.

  The second rule * 8 is superimposed on the fixed rule 7 and arranged on it so as to be able to slide along the inclined bearing surface 9 provided between them. In addition, in order to limit the possible displacement of the rule 8 on the rule 7, provision is advantageously made on both and in their faces in contact of successive notches, parallel to each other, respectively 21 on the rule 7, 22 on the

  rule 8 (See Figures 4 and 6) suitable for mutual integration-

  two by two together to guide the relative movement of the rules.

  The movable rule 8 advantageously comprises on its face opposite to that carrying the notches 22, a projecting profile 23 symmetrical on either side of the median plane of the rail 6, this profile being designed to cooperate, in the blocking position of the carriage 10 with a complementary profile 24 provided in the underside of the carriage. This comprises a body of generally parallelepipedal shape and in its upper face a protruding boss 26 whose width corresponds substantially to the space which separates the sides of the edges 15 and 16 of the profile 13, thereby allowing guidance

  of the carriage in its movements along the rail 6.

  The body 25 dJ carriage 10 furthermore comprises a housing 27, open towards the outside and intended to receive an end piece 28. The latter is secured by an axial screw 29 of an external part 30, in the form of a diabolo (FIG. 4), constituting the support for the foot of the mast 2. A spacer 31, playing the role of a washer, is mounted between the diabolo and the end piece 28, projecting laterally over the top

edges 15 and 16 of the rails.

  When the movable rule 8 is moved on the fixed rule 7 by unlocking the carriage, there is created between the profiles 23 and 24 a clearance allowing free sliding

of. trolley on the rail.

  The washer 31 is angularly positioned on the end piece 28 by means of pins 32 carried by the body 25, these pins generally two in number being arranged on either side of the end piece 28 in the median plane of the rail and engaged , for a correct setting of the washer,

  in blind holes 33 made in the washer (Fig. 4).

  The end piece 28 is advantageously locked in its housing 27 by means of a pin spring 34 (Fig. 5), mounted in a transverse slot 35 provided in the body, a branch of this spring being provided for engaging

  in a groove 36 provided in the end piece 28 when the latter

  this is put in place on the carriage 10, while allowing, following a pulling force directed upwards, the extraction of this end piece and consequently of the part

supporting the foot of the mast.

  Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the elastic mechanism 11 and the control pedal 12 respectively. In Figure 6, we see in particular that the rule 7 fixed to the bottom 14 of the rail 6, has at its end a raised edge 37 in which is formed a milled orifice 38 adapted to receive the head 39 of a rod 40 threaded to its opposite end 41. The rod 40 is used in particular to immobilize with respect to the rule 7, therefore to maintain in a fixed position with respect to the rail 6, a stop piece 42 extended by a return 43 provided with a recess 44 receiving a nut screwed onto the threaded end 41 of the rod 40. A spiral spring 46 is mounted around the rod 40 and bears one side against the back 43 of the stop 42, and of the another against a heel 47 provided at the end of the movable rule 8, this heel extending substantially parallel to the return 43 of the stop 42, the latter being in the initial position adjusted by the nut 45 so as to adjust the compression

  of the spring 46 and the stiffness of the mechanism.

  Opposite the rail 6, the pedal system 12 (Fig. 7) comprises an open case 49 fixed to the rail by screws 50 and provided with a transverse axis 51 around which is

  articulated the body 52 of the actual pedal. The one-

  ci comprises a yoke 53 extended by a finger 54 engaged with play in an open housing 55 provided in a lug

  56 arranged at the end of the rule 8 and extending it.

  In the Figure, the pedal body 52 is shown in solid lines in the position o the rule 8, recalled by the elastic mechanism 11 ensures the blocking of the carriage with respect to the rail 6, the projecting range 23 of the rule being engaged in the corresponding recess 24 of the carriage body. On the other hand, in the position illustrated in phantom, the pedal is shown folded down, the finger 54 having pushed the tab 56 to the right and thus slides the rule 8 onto the fixed rule 7 by releasing the carriage which can, at will, be moved on the rail at the user's discretion. After stopping the carriage in the desired position, the movable rule 8 is returned to the initial position by the elastic mechanism, the pedal 52 being released

  and also returning to the raised position.

  This produces a device for adjusting the position of a sailboard mast foot of a very simple design and whose operation is particularly safe and effective, the unlocking of the carriage carrying the mast being only authorized following a commanded action. of the actuation pedal, the elastic mechanism being designed on the contrary to keep the carriage immobilized

  in the absence of operation of this pedal.

  The parts involved are simple, easy to machine and to assemble; however, it goes without saying that the elastic mechanism and the pedal could be designed and produced in a manner different from that more particularly described, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, instead of using a spring working under compression , it could be advantageous in other variants to provide a system working on the extension; similarly, the pivoting finger mechanism actuated by the pedal could be replaced by a rod and articulated movement return system. In the examples shown in the figures, the finger of the pedal is engaged, but the invention

  is not limited to this mode of representation and

  takes all the variants in which the finger of the pedal is raised, which makes the pedal inactive and makes it possible to avoid untimely movements

  of the mobile rule, after positioning it

ci in an appropriate position.

260414 1

Claims (7)

  1 - Device for adjusting the position of the foot of a windsurfing mast or the like, comprising an elongated guide rail (6), embedded in the board (1) along the median plane thereof and substantially in the middle of its length, this rail receiving a movable carriage (5) trapped in the rail and capable of sliding in its longitudinal direction, the carriage being provided with ball-joint means suitable for supporting the foot of the mast at its lower end to allow its orientation and its deflections around the vertical at the option of the user, characterized in that it comprises a carriage blocking assembly, formed by two superimposed rules (7-8), the first of which (7) is fixed and secured to the bottom of the rail along the length thereof and the second (8), mobile, is capable of sliding with a limited amplitude of movement on the first along an inclined bearing surface (9) of the two faces in contact respectively of the two rules so that q ue the movement of the movable rule on the fixed rule determines a variation in the height of the assembly, the carriage normally immobilized against the rail by the movable rule being released following the displacement of the latter in the direction which decreases the   height of the set of two rules.   2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable rule (8) cooperates at one of its ends with an elastic return mechanism (11) of the rule in the position o the blocking assembly constituted by   the two rules immobilize the carriage (5) on the rail (6).   3 - Device according to one of claims 1   or 2, characterized in that the elastic mechanism comprises a rod (40) integrating, with a raised edge (37) provided at the end of the fixed rule (7), a support stop (42) for the end of a return spring (46) mounted around the rod and applied at its opposite end to a heel   (47) parallel to the stop formed on the movable rule (8).   4 - Device according to one of claims 1   to 3, characterized in that the movable rule (8) comprises in its contact face with the fixed rule according to their inclined bearing surface (9) transverse notches (22) parallel and successive suitable for cooperating with __ homolo - gues (21) formed in l1 face opposite the fixed rule (7), during the displacement of the mobile rule on the fixed ruler.   - Device according to one of claims 1   4, characterized in that the movable rule (8) comprises at its end opposite the elastic mechanism an open housing (55), cooperating with a finger (54) engaged with play in this housing and actuated by a pedal (52) which determines by the pivoting of the resulting finger, the displacement of the movable rule (8) against the elastic mechanism (11). 6 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail (6) receiving the carriage (5) consists of a metal profile (13) with a U-section, the ends of which constitute two inside edges (15-16) trapping the carriage (5) inside the rail, these edges which extend substantially in the upper plane of the board having their sides directed towards each other separated by a space in which is engaged and guided a central boss (26 ) formed on the carriage (5).   7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized   in that the carriage (5) has a body of parallel shape   piped, housed inside the rail and the upper face of which   re in contact with the re-entrant edges of the U-shaped profile is kept pressed under these edges by means of a support washer (31) integral with the central boss (26) of the carriage   and spanning the top of the ra.il.   8 - Device according to any one of the claims   tions 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper part of the movable rule and the lower face of the carriage body (5) cooperate mutually according to a profile having two symmetrical inclined faces (23-24) on either side of the median plane of the rail (6).   9 - Device according to any one of the claims   tions 1 to 8, characterized in that the carriage (5) comprises a blind housing (27) receiving a tip (28) secured by an axial screw (29) of a support piece (30) on which the end is articulated of the mast. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the end piece (28) is snapped into the housing (27) by means of a pin spring 34 mounted in a transverse slot (35) formed inside the carriage (5 ) so that it overflows into the housing to block the end piece once it has been put into place by engagement in a groove (36) hollowed out in this end piece, without preventing its withdrawal following a tearing force causing   erasing the spring in its slot.