FR2825030A1 - Interior arrangement of inflatable sporting shock absorber comprises openwork flexible partitions, allowing passage of air, retaining ends of casing walls - Google Patents

Abstract

The inflatable sporting equipment (100) is composed of openwork partitions (200) allowing the passage of air and holding the casing shape by retaining the ends (210,220) of its walls.

Description

nied.

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  INTERIOR LAYOUT OF INFLATABLE SPORTS MATERIAL AND

  MATERIALS ADOPTING SUCH A LAYOUT

  FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment of the type provided for the absorption of shocks or falls in fields as varied as those of gymnastics, climbing or horse riding and relates more particularly to adaptations. ensuring in the best

  conditions the functions of said equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

  There exists in the prior art a plurality

  sports equipment capable of absorbing shocks.

  Thus, for example, there are floor mats capable of supporting the acrobatics of a gymnast and of cushioning the jacks due to acrobatics. Likewise, there are thicker mattresses capable of absorbing larger shocks such as those occurring in

  high jump or pole vault disciplines.

  It appears that the solutions hitherto used in the field of shock absorption have been limited to improving the capacities of existing carpets by changing their material or by proposing

minor internal adjustments.

  However, this type of equipment hitherto used, is particularly heavy and bulky which makes it

difficult to transport.

  Another area in which shock absorption due to falls is particularly important is the equestrian area, which takes great care when starting the training of future riders. The currently existing solution consists in starting to learn horse riding in spaces which are not only enclosed but also covered with sand likely to absorb a possible fall. One solution would also be to place floor mats

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  on each side of the horse trotting path, but this kind of installation would be particularly bulky and long

to set up and move.

  In another field, there are also inflatable leisure structures capable of serving as a support for children's games or of enabling amphibious activity for their owner, such as mattresses or inflatable boats. The advantage of inflatable structures lies in part in their ability to occupy, when they are not used and therefore filled with air, a very small volume compared to their volume of use. However, existing inflatables are not currently able to properly meet the needs of a sports application. Thus, for example, existing equipment has a shape and an elasticity which can evolve according to the volume of air which they contain. However, it is quite obvious that this type of parameters must be controlled when using the inflatable material in sports application such as that of "tumblingn requiring an elastic track. Another disadvantage is that there is simply no structure inflatable capable of meeting the need for damping in certain sporting activities requiring a specific volume form of damping, such as for example that necessarily present in a gymnastic receiving pit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  On the basis of this fact, the applicant has carried out research in the field of inflatable structures and envelopes in order to propose an alternative to

  existing carpets and mattresses for shock absorption.

  This research led to the design and production of an interior layout of inflatable damping sports equipment to obviate

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  to the aforementioned disadvantages by setting up an inflatable structure for each damping means existing in the prior art and to lay down volumes and external forms of damping much more suitable for apperation. One of the problems that the plaintiff proposes to solve is also to provide an inflatable structure whose shape is not likely to evolve according to the air recession or according to the shock distribution and well capable of absorbing the falls of their user. . On the other hand, the inflatable material used must in certain cases only cushion, but not offer a stiffness which would allow the

falling person, reLondir.

  According to the invention, the interior arrangement of the inflatable envelope of an inflatable sports material consists of partitions which today allow the passage of air and now shape the envelope by retaining

  their ends the arois of the latter1Are.

  2Q The presence of internal partitions guarantees the maintenance of the shape of the inflatable structure. Thus, it is not the only external walls which define the shape and the relief of the inflatable structure but indeed the internal partitions which, retaining the walls together, guarantee rigidity and maintenance of the relief. This characteristic therefore provides a solution to the difficulty of obtaining an elasticity or caacitity structure.

damping of stable shocks.

  In addition, the characteristic relating to the presence of perforated partitions is any area where the air would not pass through the compartmentalization of the inflatable envelope. The replacement of a solid structure or form of pile of carpets with an inflatable volume structure does not follow clearly from the prior art in that the use of such structures: -

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  in good conditions requires adaptations, namely the installation of an internal and perforated partitioning to stabilize the volumes offered by the inflatable envelope and guarantee the elasticity characteristics of such a structure whatever the place

from the fall.

  Likewise, the applicant has turned to an inflatable material permanently communicating with an inflation means. Thus, the inflatable envelope does not require the criteria of total sealing and

  allows controlled passage of air.

  The compartmentalization of the inflatable envelope has the other advantage of offering inflatable envelopes which are particularly suitable and dedicated to specific applications o, until today, no structure

inflatable had not been used.

  Thus, thanks to the intrinsic characteristics of the interior arrangement of the invention, the Applicant has imagined the following structures: equestrian riding school - climbing wall mattress, - horse riding bib, jumper mattress for pole vaulting, - jumper mattress for high jump, - gymnastics landing pit, - acrobatic track,

- etc ...

  The fundamental concepts of the invention having just been exposed above in their most basic form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the

  description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings,

  giving by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of an internal arrangement of an inflatable structure and of inflatable materials adopting such an arrangement

internal according to the invention.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

  Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a riding school adopting the interior arrangement of the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view partially exploded of an embodiment of a boot guard adopting the interior arrangement of the invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional and perspective view of an embodiment of an interior arrangement of an inflatable structure according to the invention, FIG. 3a is a schematic side view in section of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3a FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a pole vault mat adopting the interior arrangement in accordance with the invention, Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a high jump mat adopting the interior arrangement according to the invention, Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment on of a receiving pit mat adopting an interior arrangement according to the invention, FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an acrobatics mat adopting

  an interior arrangement according to the invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

  As illustrated in the drawings of Figures 3 and 3a, the interior arrangement of an inflatable envelope referenced 100 as a whole is remarkable in that it consists of perforated partitions 200 allowing the passage of air and now in forms the envelope E by retaining at their ends 210 and 220 the walls 110 of

the latter.

  As illustrated, said walls 200 include orifices 230 allowing the passage of the air introduced into

said envelope 100.

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  According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the internal envelope is of the type of that in constant communication with an inflation means which ensures the maintenance of the pressure inside the envelope. This characteristic not only guarantees the maintenance of the damping and elasticity characteristics of the sports material constituted by said envelope but also authorizes the manufacture of an envelope which does not require perfect sealing at

therefore looks less expensive.

  As illustrated, these partitions 200 define the outer folds of the envelope 100. The use of partitions further provides great rigidity and solidity of the

inflatable.

  According to a preferred embodiment, said partitions 200 are made of housing material of approximately 90

grams per square meter.

  Likewise, according to a particularly advantageous characteristic for the storage of such an envelope, said partitions 200 are flexible. Thus, when the envelope 100 and its walls 110 are subjected to a pressure, the non-elastic partitions 200 contribute to the maintenance of a fixed external shape whatever the said pressure. Conversely, when the envelope 100 is no longer under pressure, the flexibility of the partition 200 allows the envelope to be compacted so that storage

is not a disadvantage.

  Thus, the presence of partitions 200 makes it possible to meet the requirements of intensive use with sustainability of the parameters of shape and pressure of the damping means such as those defined in gymnastics while avoiding the problem of the storage volume in

offering an inflatable envelope.

  According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, this inflatable material comprises externally at the level of the folds defined by the connection points

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  of said partitions 200, an auxiliary wall 120 in order to smooth the angle formed by said fold and better distribute the shocks in this zone. Thus, in the almost parallelepipedal embodiment of the envelope 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a, the ends 210 and 220 of the internal walls 200 define folds on the external walls 110, said folds increasing with the increase in volume of air stored. The presence of auxiliary walls 120 has the advantage of protecting said folds often corresponding to seams, of reducing the difference in level of the outer walls 110 and

  optimize amortization in these areas.

  The various particularly advantageous characteristics of this interior arrangement have enabled the applicant to envisage a plurality of inflatable materials of the type of those adopting said arrangement,. nterleur. Thus, the drawing of FIG. 2 illustrates a particularly advantageous embodiment of a boot guard adopting the interior arrangement described above, consisting of an envelope 100 closed by the wall referenced P along which it is fixed. and compartmentalized by partitions 200 projecting perpendicularly to said wall P. said compartments communicating with each other through their orifices 230 so as to form a damping volume along said wall P. We understand all the advantages of such an inflatable structure while this type of equipment was

previously made of wood.

  FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an envelope having the external shape of a gymnastic track. Thus, according to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the internal arrangement of the partitions and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope 100 form a volume corresponding to that of an acrobatic track of

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  gymnastic. According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, this type of inflatable material has the other specificity that it consists of an envelope 100 comprising non-perforated partitions so as to suppress the displacements of the air volumes present at the level of the contact areas. Indeed, the gymnastic tracks which are inflatable structures of large dimensions must be able to propose on a part of their surface a uniform elasticity. On the volume of the inflatable structure corresponding to the contact zone, the stored air is retained so that the shocks do not cause a change in the elastic characteristics. Also, the inflatable structure has a mixed interior arrangement where the volume located below the contact area is sealed and where the volume located around the contact area consists of perforated internal walls. The internal arrangement of the partitions and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope then allow a distribution of air under greater pressure in the area of active contact with the user and less pressure in the

periphery of this area.

  According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the internal arrangement of the partitions and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope 100 form a volume corresponding to that of a gymnastic receiving pit. According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the internal arrangement of the partitions and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope 100 form a volume corresponding to that of an equestrian carousel. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 presents an inflatable material, the internal arrangement of the partitions and the external arrangement of the walls of

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  the envelope 100 forms a volume corresponding to that of a jumping reception mattress, the prfornd-shaped arch, in the form of elements intended for the interlocking of the referenced P-heads. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it rooses a unique volume for the whole structure of the jump jumping competition while the corresponding sports materials of the prior art talent constituted by a juxtaposition of their mattresses susceptible to

move away from each other.

  The ode of ral1sat10n 111ustrd the figure 5 presents an inflatable material of external forms particularly suited to the a11cat10n lauelle 11 is intended, the jump in skipper and that adopts the form

general of a parallel.

  Another embodiment, 11lustr in FIG. 8, of an inflatable material combining the absence of a specific structure in a conventional mattress is remarkable in that the internal arrangement of the partitions and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope 100 form a frame. at the vid duguel center are laced the to11es and elements

  blast1ues nécessaires 1'1nstallat10n d'un trapoline.

  Indeed, until today either the tramoline was not protected or talented mattresses available around the roof in order to prevent any accident. The concept10n and the realization of the use of perforated partitions in the invention of a specific inflatable structure makes it possible to better protect this type of activity and outgoing materials. One understands that the interior layout and the inflatable materials adopting it, which have just been above described and represented, were for a disclosure rather than an 11m. Of course, various arrangements, modifications and aml10rat10ns will be able to follow the example above, without departing from the framework of 11nvent10n as defined in

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the claims.

  A1ns1 for example, Mans nne alicaL10n another age sporL1ve, in the mode of realization10n illustrated in figure 9, the internal disosit10n of the partitions and the outside arrangement of the Carols of the envelope 100 torment with corresponding volume celu1 of a path pror10ce1f with a parL1e central lined with two handrails

  to set up the work of r66ducat10n.

Claims (10)

  1. Interior arrangement of an inflatable sports equipment (100) communicating permanently with an inflation means, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it consists of openwork partitions (200) allowing the passage of air and now in shape envelope (100) retaining at their ends (210 and 220), the walls of the latter. 2. Interior arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said partitions (200) are made of light material of about 90 grams per square meter. 3. Interior arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said partitions (200) are Flexible.   4. Inflatable material of the type adopting the interior arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it consists of an envelope (100) closed by the wall (P) along which it is fixed and compartmentalized by partitions (200) projecting perpendicular to said wall (P), said compartments communicating with each other through their orifices (230) so as to form a volume   damping along said wall (P).   5. Inflatable material of the type adopting the interior arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the internal arrangement of the partitions (200) and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope (100) form a volume corresponding to that   an acrobatic gymnastics track.   6. Inflatable material of the type adopting the interior arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the internal arrangement of the partitions (200) and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope (100) form a volume corresponding to that   a gymnastics receiving pit. 12 - 2825030   7. Inflatable material of the type of cell adopting the layout according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the internal walls (200) and the external device of the walls of the space (100) form a corresponding volume a 4 quarter meal.   8. Inflatable material according to revenJ1cat10n 7, FEATURES BY THE FA1I THAT the internal arrangement of the partitions (200) and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope (100) authorize an air distribution under a large press at the level of the contact area acL1f with the user and lesser in the 1ph61e of cetLe zone.   9. Inflatable material of the tye of the one adopting the layout 1nt41eur according to the claim 1, CHARACTERS BY THE FA1T THAT the internal arrangement of the partitions (200) and the external arrangement of the arois of the envelope (100) form a frame in the empty center from which the required sheets and Alastic elements are laced O the installation of a trampoline.   10. Inflatable material of the type of celu1 adopting the layout 1nt41eur according to claim 1, CHARACTERISED BY THE FA1I THAT the internal arrangement of the partitions (200) and the external arrangement of the walls of the envelope (100) form a corresponding volume '' a high-quality, jumping-up jumping mattress with empties for hugging birds. SPOx LEISURE CR * ATION BY PROCURAI1ON