FR2813274A1 - Light trailer casing for transport of sail boards comprises base section and cover forming enclosure and suspension canvases for boards - Google Patents

Abstract

The casing comprises a base section (2) and a cover (5) which define a storage enclosure. Above the base section are suspension canvases (9) for surf boards (10) which are attached to the inner surface of the cover by self-fastening bands. An Independent claim is included for a trailer including such a casing.

Description

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Light trailer box, trailer comprising such a box, use of such a box or of such a trailer for the transport of windsurfers The invention relates to the technical field of light trailers coupled to cars.

The invention relates more particularly to trailers allowing the storage and transport of sporting articles such as - boards for gliding (for example skis, snowboards, monoskis, water skis, windsurfers); - windsurfing rigging; - wings of flying machines (for example hang-glider wings or ultra-light motorized U.L.M. wings); - oars, kayaks, canoes, or any other objects, particularly bulky or slender, whose shapes and dimensions can be chosen according to climatic conditions and / or the capacities and knowledge of their users.

It is known, for example, that windsurfers must adapt their rigging according to their physical and technical capacities, faced with variable climatic conditions. Windsurfers sometimes have to change rigs several times in a single day, which is long and tedious.

When a family, an airy center or any other community wishes to take several people to a place of practice of sports such as skiing, windsurfing, surfing, hang gliding, a large quantity of equipment should be brought, to take into account the climatic hazards and differences in the technical and physical level of people.

To overcome this difficulty, the equipment is most often rented or stored on site.

The rental on site is often not satisfactory, the equipment not always being adapted to the tastes and capacities of the people, in particular during periods of strong tourist influx, the choice of the material being more restricted in these periods.

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 Examples of storage systems for sports equipment of the type under consideration can be found in the European patent applications published under the numbers 140 733, 104 968, 098 785, 081 417, 037 345, as well as in the French patent applications published under the numbers 2 604 423, 2 560 020, 2 558 623, 2 554 155, 2 551 485, 2 539 790, 2 537 194, 2 529 608, 2 517 850, 2 499 016, 2 484 950.

Storing equipment on site is not a completely satisfactory solution, in particular for the following two reasons - to limit the risk of theft or damage, surveillance must be ensured; - the storage of equipment in one or a few places limits the practice of these sports in the vicinity of these places for keeping equipment.

A fairly large number of practitioners of such sports therefore choose to transport their equipment, despite the fact that the means of transport known to date do not best meet the needs of these practitioners.

These means of transport do not, in most cases, allow a large number of materials to be carried, and do not guarantee a high level of security against theft or damage to the materials transported.

Regarding the small number of materials that can be carried by conventional transport systems known to date, reference may be made to the following documents, in the case of windsurfers - international patent application published under number 92/09453 ; - European patent applications published under the numbers 128 088, 103 924, 085 964; - patent applications in France published under the numbers 2 688 458, 2 687 363, 2 648 621, 2 679 182, 2 624 808, 2 611 620, 2 609 434, 2 559 116, 2 548 604, 2 546 830, 2,541,952, 2,495,554, 2,494,646, 2,487,897, 2,481,209, 2,449,558, 2,391,879.

There are known modules for transporting sailboards, formed by the trellis assembly of sleepers, side members and stiffeners, these modules allowing the transport of several boards. Reference may be made, for example, to the following documents FR-A-2,545,795, 2,545,794. These transport modules do not protect the boards from theft and damage.

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 With regard to the level of safety reached by the transport systems known to date, reference may be made, as regards windsurfing boards, to patent applications in France published under the numbers 2 632 754 2 617 894, 2,566,824, 2,556,671, 2,462,617, 2,442,062, 2,435,267, 2,432,599, as well as in document WA-99/01636.

A first object of the invention is to provide a light and compact trailer structure, allowing the transport of a large number of materials, this trailer being particularly suitable for the transport and storage of bulky or slender objects such as for example boards sliding, the installation and removal of objects contained in the trailer being fast, so as to reduce dead time, that is to say the time during which users must change equipment.

Thus, for example, the times for changing the windsurfing rigs are reduced.

A second object of the invention is to provide a trailer structure of the above type which is at the same time insensitive to climatic hazards, resistant to embezzlement and break-in attempts and adaptable to the transport of shaped objects and various dimensions.

For these purposes, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a trailer box for a motor vehicle, this box comprising a base section and a cover defining a storage enclosure, this box comprising means for holding in suspension, above said base section, slender objects such as in particular gliding boards.

The box has, according to various embodiments, the following characters, possibly combined - the means for holding in suspension are flexible fabrics forming, in the deployed state, receiving gutter for slender objects; - the flexible fabrics are fixed in a removable manner on the internal face of the hood, by removable fixing means such as self-fastening strips, for example Velcro; - The gutters defined by the flexible fabrics extend in a longitudinal direction of manual insertion / release of the slender objects through at least one transverse passage opening;

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 - The base section has a concavity of curvature substantially identical to that of a wishbone; - The hood is articulated around a longitudinal axis, the rear opening of the box being provided with a door with opening around a transverse axis; - the box is made of polymer material or a composite material with a polymer matrix.

The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a trailer for an automobile, comprising at least one box as shown above, this box being mounted on a chassis formed by rigid assembly of side members and crosspieces, this trailer being characterized in that the base section of the box is rigidly assembled on plates articulated around axes arranged longitudinally relative to the chassis, these plates being carried by support tubes assembled by sliding / clamping assembly with transverse adjustment on the cross members of the chassis.

The invention relates, according to a third aspect, to the use of a box or a trailer as presented above, for the storage of at least two rigs of sailboards in the pre-assembled position, the floats being placed suspended by said suspension holding means, above the pre-assembled rigging with the deployed sail, the rigging resting on the base section of the box by pressing on this base section of the wishbones and of the extreme upper part of the mast , the boom of the rigging being arranged in a substantially coaxial manner, inside the box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the following description of embodiments, which description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which - Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a trailer according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the trailer shown in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a detail view in cross section of a method of fixing a trailer body to a supporting frame; - Figure 4 is a top view of a supporting frame, capable of supporting a trailer box according to the invention, in one embodiment; FIG. 5 is a detailed view according to arrow V in FIG. 2.

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 The embodiments shown all relate to light trailers coupled to motor vehicles allowing the storage and transport of sailing sport articles, in particular windsurfing rigging.

It is understood, however, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art, that the invention may find its application to the transport of other sporting articles such as gliding boards (for example skis, snowboards, monoskis, water skis, speed-sail, fly-surf, jet-ski); wings of flying machines (for example hang glider wings or motorized ultralight wings); oars, kayaks, canoes, or any other object, particularly bulky or slender, whose shapes and dimensions can be chosen according to climatic conditions and / or the capacities and knowledge of their users.

The practice of sailing sports, especially by the sea, is often made random, due to the many parameters that condition it - wind intensity and more generally weather conditions; - tide times; - distance from the spot; - practitioner's availability.

So that when the right conditions are met, it is imperative that the windsurfers do not waste time, especially in mounting and dismantling of the rigging. However, it is not uncommon that, following sudden changes in wind intensity, the windsurfer is forced to change rigs several times per session.

The invention makes it possible to accelerate and facilitate the changes of rigging.

In the embodiment shown, the trailer box allows the transport of three mounted rigs and three floats.

As an indication, the trailer has, in certain embodiments, a weight not exceeding 499 kg and the following dimensions - length: up to 5.20 m, this length being suitable for transporting sails over 9 , 50m2; - width: up to 2.50 m, so as to avoid classification in exceptional convoys, while allowing the transport of any current model of wishbone;

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 - height: 0.60 m, this height being associated with the transport of three rigs and three floats.

A weight less than 499kg avoids the use of braking systems imposed by regulations on trailers of larger weights. It is understood that the dimensions and weights mentioned above are given for information only. Longer or higher box models (especially with floors) can be provided for transporting more rigging, for example for schools, clubs or associations.

The trailer body 1 has a base section 2 in the form of a trough or gutter, with a substantially constant radius of curvature. On either side of this base section 2, the box has two wings 3. The top free edge 4 of these vertical wings is folded horizontally towards the inside of the box.

In the embodiment shown, the two wings are substantially identical and vertical, the box having an overall plane of symmetry P placed midway between the two wings 3, the cover being substantially horizontal.

In other embodiments, not shown, the two wings are substantially vertical but of different heights, the cover being inclined relative to the horizontal, thus avoiding the stagnation of rainwater.

This box 1 is closed by a cover 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this cover 5 has an outer upper face 6 which is substantially horizontal. In other embodiments, not shown, this upper surface 6 is concave, with a concavity facing the base section 2.

It is understood that the external profile of the trailer (hood 5 and wings 3 in particular) may be of a shape different from that shown, this profile being adapted to the wishes of the designers as well as to the possible concern of a coefficient of penetration in the optimum air for the trailer.

In a first embodiment, the cover 5 is attached to the base of the box 1 and rests on the high edges 4 of the side wings 3. The maintenance of the cover on the base of the box can be ensured by snap-fastening, or alternatively screwing, bolting, riveting, bonding, or any other means chosen by a person skilled in the art, in particular depending on the materials used for the production of the cover and the base of the box.

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 In a second embodiment, the cover and the base of the box form a one-piece assembly.

In an advantageous implementation, the cover and the base of the box are made of polymer or composite material. By composite material is meant here a material comprising reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix. These fibers can be short and form felt or mat. These fibers can be long, and in particular woven. The fibers can be made from the following materials: glasses, aramids (for example Kevlar), carbon. The matrices can be based on thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, such as polyesters, phenolics, melamines, silicones, polyurethanes, epoxides.

The base of the box being for example polyester or polyurethane, the cover being polyester or polyurethane with fibrous reinforcement. This reinforcement can be made of short or long fibers, woven or non-woven.

For the manufacture of the composite trailer, molding forming can be used, this process comprising the following stages - impregnation of the fibrous reinforcement with resin; - installation of the fiber / resin mixture on a tool; - compaction; - polymerization; - mold release; - finish.

The molding can be carried out by contact, the mold being open, the fibrous reinforcing layers coated with resin (with hardening accelerator) being placed on the mold, the compaction eliminating the remaining air being carried out manually or with a roller. This contact molding technique is suitable for producing base section 2 and covers 5 of large dimensions, with rates of a few units per day and per mold.

The molding can be carried out by punch-die assembly, a counter-mold coming to close the mold, after the reinforcing-matrix mixture has been placed. The polymerization is obtained hot or cold. This process allows the production of small series, of the order of several tens of pieces per day.

Other techniques can be used: vacuum molding, resin injection molding (R.T.M. Resin Transfer Molding), molding by

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 prepreg injection, SMC (Sheet Molding Compound). Most of these techniques are used in the field of automobile bodywork and need not be described in detail here.

The opening of the box, in particular for the extraction of rigging and floats is carried out by the front and rear faces, in the embodiment shown.

In other embodiments, in addition to an opening towards the front or towards the rear, the box can be opened from above, the cover being articulated along a hinge or longitudinal articulation line. For example, this articulation line is longitudinal and arranged at mid-width, the user being able to open the cover on at least one of the right or left sides of the box, this opening being if necessary facilitated by the installation of at least one pneumatic cylinder. Where appropriate, a suspension bar, similar to those used for the hoods of motor vehicles, allows the hood to be kept in the open position.

As it appears in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the rear door 7 is formed by a single monobloc leaf mounted articulated around the cover 5 by a transverse upper hinge 8.

In other embodiments, not shown, this rear door is with two monobloc leaves or articulated in accordions.

In still other embodiments, this rear door is of the tilting type, its pivoting about a transverse axis leading to its raising towards the hood.

As a variant, this door is of the sectional sliding type with lateral movement, by winding an apron in blades articulated around lateral drums.

In another variant, this door is of the sectional sliding type with transverse movement, by winding an apron in blades articulated around transverse drums.

In another variant, this door is of the guillotine type, opening by vertical translation.

The opening of the rear door 7 allows easy access to the floats and rigging stored in the box.

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 The floats are in fact kept in suspension in a support 9 secured to the cover 5. In one embodiment, this support is a flexible canvas cover. This flexible fabric can be permanently fixed to the internal face of the cover 5.

In an advantageous embodiment, this support is removably attached to the internal face of the cover, for example by means of Velcro type fastening strips. The cover 5 being articulated around a longitudinal hinge, the user may, according to his needs, have one, two, or more than two supports 9 in the trailer, depending on the number of floats to be stored.

More specifically, the unused canvas supports being stored, folded, in an ad-hoc housing of the trailer, the user can put the floats in place in the trailer as follows - choice of the number and type of support 9 desired, in a reserve internal to the trailer; - attachment of the selected supports on the internal face of the open cover 5; - closing of the cover 5, the flexible canvas supports deploying naturally; - insertion of the floats in the supports.

In the embodiment shown, each of the two supports is provided for the insertion of a float 10. Of course, the supports could be two or more than two housings, in particular superimposed.

The supports 9 can be used for the transport of windsurfing floats, as shown. It is understood however that these supports can be used for the transport of boards for gliding (for example skis, snowboards, monoskis, water skis, speed-sail, fly-surf, jet-ski); or even oars, kayaks, canoes, or any other slender object.

When the sailboards are transported in the trailer, the wishbones 11 are placed on the base section 2 of the box, the rigging (sail + wishbone) being in the mounted position, the masts 12 being inclined relative to the horizontal so to be supported on the base section 2 of the box, towards the rear of it. Several wishbones 11 a, 11 b, 11 c can be

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 arranged substantially coaxially, as shown in dashes in FIG. 1.

When a windsurfer wants to change rigs, he only has to take the one of his choice, stored pre-assembled, by pulling the desired rigging through the rear opening of the trailer.

The mounting of the box on a trailer chassis can be carried out by means of articulated metal plates 20 mounted on support tubes 21 substantially vertical, these support tubes 21 being fixed in an adjustable manner in the transverse direction, on the cradle tubes 22 of the chassis .

The base section 2 of the box rests, via an elastomeric seal 23 on the articulated plates 20. The fixing of the base section 2 on the plates can be obtained by screwing, bolting, riveting, or any other equivalent means.

The type of assembly which has just been described can be used for boxes of different widths, the base sections of which are possibly of different curvatures.

The chassis can be made of a metal alloy, in particular aluminum alloy, or of a composite material.

The trailer which has just been described offers many advantages. Lightweight, robust, it allows the storage and transport of sports equipment in pre-assembled position, in particular windsurfing boards.

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Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1, Trailer box for a motor vehicle, this box comprising a base section (2) and a cover (5) defining a storage enclosure, this box being characterized in that it comprises means for holding in suspension (9 ), above said base section (2), slender objects such as in particular gliding boards (10). 2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension holding means are flexible fabrics forming, in the deployed state, receiving gutter for slender objects. 3. Box according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible fabrics are removably fixed on the internal face of the cover (5), by removable fixing means such as self-hooking strips. 4. Box according to any one claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the gutters defined by the flexible fabrics extend in a longitudinal direction of insertion / manual release of slender objects through at least one transverse passage opening. 5. Box according to claim 4, characterized in that its base section (2) has a concavity of curvature substantially identical to that of a wishbone. 6. Box according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the cover (5) is articulated around a longitudinal axis, the rear opening of the box being provided with an opening door around a transverse axis. 7. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is made of polymeric material or of composite material with a polymer matrix. 8. Trailer for automobile, comprising at least one box as presented in any one of the preceding claims, this box being mounted on a chassis formed by rigid assembly of beams and crosspieces, this trailer being characterized in that the base section (2) of the box (1) is rigidly assembled on plates (20) articulated around axes arranged longitudinally with respect to the chassis, these plates (20) being carried by support tubes (21) assembled by sliding / tightening assembly. transverse adjustment on the crossmembers (22) of the chassis. <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  9. Use of a box or a trailer as presented in any one of claims 1 to 8, for the storage of at least two rigs of windsurfers in the pre-assembled position, the floats (10) being placed suspended by said suspension holding means (9), above the pre-assembled rigging with the deployed sail, the rigging resting on the base section (2) of the box (1) by pressing on this base section (2 ) wishbones (11) and the upper upper part of the mast. 10. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that the wishbones (11) of the rigging are arranged substantially coaxially, inside the box (1).