FR2833240A1 - DEVICE FOR HANDLING A TRACTION WING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (10) for manoeuvering a traction wing (11) by a user (7) equipped with a harness (19), comprising a horizontal bar designed to be gripped by the user, called first bar, connected through each of its ends (13, 14) to a rope (15, 16) designed to be connected to one end corresponding to the trailing edge (17) of the wing, and means (18) for connecting the user's harness (20) to the leading edge (20) of the wing including a third rope (22). The device further comprises means (23) for locking and releasing the relative movement of the third rope with respect to the firs bar on a continuous travel.

Description

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DEVICE FOR HANDLING A TRACTION WING
The present invention relates to a device for operating a traction wing by a user provided with a harness, comprising a horizontal bar for gripping by the user, called the first bar, connected at each of its ends to a cord suitable for being connected to a corresponding end of the trailing edge of the wing, and means for connecting the user's harness to the leading edge of the wing comprising a third rope.

 It finds a particularly important although not exclusive application in the field of Kite Surf or Fly Surf wings for competition or learning.

 The Kite Surf, name which has no equivalent in French but which could be translated by Surfboard towed by a kite consists of a small surfboard with drift, a wing that is -to say of a piece for example of parachute canvas which in one embodiment is shaped under the pressure of the wind to develop a bearing surface, of a device for maneuvering the wing by means of ropes or ropes connected to a control bar held by the user and a harness, such as a dinghy trapeze harness, fitted at the level of the user's kidneys.

 The wing allows you to tow the surfboard on water or snow. When the wing is tilted up, the user and the board are projected upwards and can thus make jumps

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 spectacular of several meters, even tens of meters, before falling while hovering thanks to the wing then forming a parachute.

 It is thus possible to pull edges by jumping regularly with jumps of several tens of meters.

 Devices for maneuvering a kite surf kite are already known. They include two cords connecting the trailing edge of the wing to a bar held by the user and a third cord fixed to the ends of the leading edge of the wing via a V-shaped attachment.

 The distance between the leading edge and the harness is constant. On the other hand, by moving the bar, the pitch, or the incidence, of the wing and therefore its lift is varied, the user's arms being permanently stressed.

More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wing 1 exerts a lift force F, which is transmitted via the leading edges 2 and trailing edges 3, to the strings 4, 5 and 6 (respectively Fh, 1 / 2 Fb and 1/2 Fb.)
The force Fh is that which is exerted by the third rope 4 on the harness. In practice it can be estimated that the lift force F applies to a distance equal to 1 / Sth of the width of the wing starting from the leading edge (Figure 2).

 The force Fh exerted on the harness is therefore four times greater than Fb, the total force exerted on the bar.

 So we have: 4xFb = = Fh and F = Fb + Fh

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When the user slides on the water, the drag T of the wing is compensated by the resistance to drift of the board.

It is estimated that under these conditions, the lift is of the order of 50 kg with Fh = 40 kg Fb = 10 kg
During the execution of a jump obtained by a sudden nose up of the wing, this force will on the other hand suddenly reach respective values of the order of 160 kg and 40 kg.

 The effort required on the user's arms is then significant, which implies a physical condition and solid bodybuilding on the part of the practitioners.

 When pulling edges, the user also constantly compensates for the forces Fb / 2 by adjusting the lift by sliding the first bar along the third rope 4 fixed to the harness, without the possibility of resting.

 The aim of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks, in particular in that it provides an operating bar which responds better than those previously known to the requirements of practice, since it allows relief from the forces exerted on the arms of the user, in particular during the sudden nose-up of the kite in the event of a jump made by the user of the Kite Surf.

 To this end, the present invention provides a device for maneuvering a traction wing by a user provided with a harness comprising a horizontal bar for gripping by the user, called the first bar, connected at each of its ends to a rope. suitable for connection to a corresponding end of the trailing edge of the wing, and

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 means for connecting the user's harness to the leading edge of the wing comprising a third rope, characterized in that the device also comprises means for blocking and unblocking the relative movement of the third rope with respect to the first bar on a continuous race.

 In advantageous embodiments, recourse is had to one and / or the other of the following arrangements: - the third rope is fixed to the harness by a carabiner which can be released under tension; the locking means comprise a central clamp provided with two jaws, situated respectively on either side of the passage zone of the third rope and integral with the corresponding lateral portions of the bar; - the third bar is articulated in its center between the two jaws; - the third bar is flexible.

By flexible is meant a bar made of flexible and resistant material, capable of adopting under tension a small radius of curvature, for example between about 1 cm and about 20 cm for a bar 1 m long, for example of the order of 5 cm.

 - The locking means comprise a system with cleat (s) clamp (s) integral with the first bar; the blocking means comprise a second blocking bar, parallel and centered with respect to the first bar, the relative displacement of which relative to said first bar makes it possible to block or unblock the third rope relative to said first bar;

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 the locking and unlocking means are arranged to release the third rope in the position separated from the bars and to block it in the close position, and comprise elastic means for the relative spacing of the bars between them; the locking and unlocking means are arranged to release the third rope in the position close to the bars and to block it in the separated position; the device comprises a tube for passing the third rope through the first bar, or a removable piece rigidly fixed in said bar, said tube being integral with the second bar and being provided with stop means, the elastic means comprising a spring integral with said first bar and suitable for pushing said stop means; - the length of the second bar is shorter than that of the first; - The first bar is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical and the second bar is in the form of a cylinder portion or substantially in the form of a cylinder portion with an internal diameter substantially equal to or equal to the external diameter of the first bar, which it envelops at least partially ; - The device is arranged to keep the internal surface of the second bar at a non-zero distance from said first bar in the locked position.

 The invention also provides a Kite Surf comprising a device for maneuvering the wing as described above.

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 The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments given below by way of nonlimiting examples.

 - Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a traction wing used with a Kite Surf, of known type.

 - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the wing of Figure 1, showing the forces used.

 - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a Kite Surf comprising a wing and a device for maneuvering the wing by a user, according to an embodiment of the invention.

 Figures 4 and 5 are schematic side views of a device according to another embodiment of the invention illustrating its operation, respectively in the release position of the third rope, and in the locking position of the third rope.

 - Figure 6 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention.

 - Figures 7a and 7b show schematically, in front view and in section, the embodiment of Figure 6.

 - Figure 8 shows schematically another embodiment in section of a device according to the invention.

 - Figures 9 and 10 are schematic side views of a device according to another embodiment of the invention illustrating its operation.

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 - Figure 11 shows schematically another embodiment of the invention.

 FIG. 3 shows a user 7 using a Kite Surf 8 comprising a surfboard 9 and implementing a device 10 for operating a wing 11, according to an embodiment of the invention.

 The operating device 10 comprises a horizontal bar 12 for gripping by the user 7, called the first bar. The latter is connected to each of its ends 13,14, respectively to a cord or rope 15,16, each cord being itself connected on its other side to the ends of the trailing edge 17 of the wing 11.

 The device 10 also comprises means 18 for connecting the harness 19 of the user 7 to the ends of the leading edge 20 of the wing 11, via two V-shaped strands 21 connected to a third rope 22 itself connected to the harness 19.

 According to the invention, the device 10 includes means 23 for locking and unlocking the relative movement (arrow 24) of the third rope 22 relative to the first bar 12, on a continuous stroke.

 By continuous stroke is meant a stroke which can allow continuous (non-discrete) blocking, contrary for example to what a succession of spaced wedging positions could allow, such as the holes in a belt for example.

 The device 10 therefore allows the first bar 12 to be wedged anywhere on the course of the first portion of the third rope, called the front line, for example on a clearance of the order of 50 cm.

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 This therefore allows the blocking of the wing 11 relative to the first bar, over the entire length of the front line in undifferentiated positions. Thanks to this device, the floating rope F called large end, and appearing in broken lines in FIG. 3 intended to pitch up the wing at an angle chosen by the user during its adjustments is no longer necessary, which is a advantage.

 This large end, is indeed annoying, because it can remain involuntarily attached to the harness, which poses a safety problem and hinders the sale and use of Kite Surf with four strings, for beginners.

 In Figure 3 the third rope 22 is directly connected to the harness.

 It is provided at its end with a piece 25 for example of plastic or metal, fixed to a carabiner 26 releasable under tension, so as to allow a quick release of the user in the event that the wing becomes uncontrollable and risk of carrying the user in dangerous places, or after a fall of the wing in water.

 Advantageously, a wrist security system constituted by a bracelet 27 itself provided with a cable 28 connected by its other end to a portion of the rope 15 connected to the trailing edge of the wing, allows, by releasing the bar , to let pull on the wing which will vent.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 show a simplified embodiment, in section and in profile, of a device 29 for maneuvering a kite surf kite according to

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 the invention, in the unlocking position and in the locking position of the third rope.

 The device 29 comprises a first bar 30, a second bar 31, and means 32 for blocking said third rope 33.

 The first bar 30, when it is the only one to be actuated by the user, allows the third rope to slide freely.

 The second bar, meanwhile, allows the third rope to be locked when the user pulls on it.

 More specifically, in the embodiment more particularly described here, the second bar 31 is provided parallel and centered with respect to the first, but a little shorter in length than the first.

 Thus, a horizontal movement of the hands (not shown) inwards makes it possible to block the operating device or, on the contrary, to block, by a movement towards the outside.

 Indeed, when the hands are on the first bar 30, the assembly operates freely like a bar of known type.

 On the other hand, when the hands are on the second bar, the device provided with blocking means 32 blocks the third rope 33 in movement and makes it integral with the first bar.

 It becomes non-movable relative to the user's harness, which relieves the latter's arms which no longer have to support the traction due to the two cords attached to the trailing edge of the wing since it is then taken up, at least in part, by the harness, via the third rope 33.

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 The blocking and unblocking means 32, arranged here to release the third rope 33 in the position separated from the bars and to block it in the close position, comprise elastic means 34 for the relative spacing of the bars between them.

 More specifically, the blocking means 32 comprise two jamming cleats 35 or movable bars, facing one another, located on either side of the rope 33, mounted in rotation about an axis 36 perpendicular to the first bar and rigidly fixed to this second by means of support rods 37.

 The cam cleats 35 are arranged to move apart naturally when only the first bar 30 is pulled, due to a spring 38, for example with a coil, integral with the first bar and suitable for repelling abutment means 39 which are themselves integral of the second bar 31.

 There is shown in Figure 6, in longitudinal section, another embodiment of the device 40 according to the invention. It comprises a first bar 41, tubular, cylindrical, and a second bar 42 in the form of a portion of tubular cylinder, of internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the first bar, which it partially envelops.

 The first bar 41 is longer than the second bar 42, as shown in FIG. 7a which is a side view of the device 40 in FIG. 6.

 The third rope 43 passes, for its part, through a tube 44, itself crossing the first bar.

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 Two jamming cleats 45, known in themselves, for example in the form of clogs, are movable in rotation about axes 46 perpendicular to the first bar and integral with a piece 47 for example of stainless steel.

 The part 47 is in the form of a shell fixed to the first bar 41, for example by weld beads 48.

 The cleat catches 45 are adjustable in distance relative to each other by means 49 comprising respectively for each cleat a light 50 in which a pin 51 cooperates, which makes it possible to adjust the sensitivity of the blocking.

 A coil spring 52, placed in a housing 53 secured to the shell 47, pushes a piece, for example rectangular, perforated, allowing the third cord to pass, secured to the tube 44 and fixed on the other side of the first bar at 54 to the second bar 42 in the form of a cylindrical envelope.

 The materials used for the device according to the invention are intended to be unalterable with sea water, for example formed by stainless steel or composite materials.

 The stroke between the two bars is for example of the order of 10 mm, the sliding parts between them having clearances of the order of mm. The assembly is in the open air in order to evacuate water and sand which could block the device.

 We will now describe the operation of the device according to the embodiment of the invention more particularly described, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

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 In current navigation, the third rope 33 moves freely (Figure 4) relative to the two bars. The forces to which the user is subjected are on the one hand the force Fh applied to the harness and on the other hand the force Fb applied to the hands by the bar 30.

 When the hands take hold of the second bar 31 (cf. FIG. 5), the spring 36 is compressed by the part 39 integral with the second bar 31. The rods or cleats 35 then rotate around their respective axes 36 and self-tighten on the third rope 33 that they come to self-block by their ends in a very solid manner. The force Fb is then added to the force Fh which was previously only taken up by the arms of the user, to be this time taken up by the harness fixedly attached to the third rope 33.

 FIG. 8 shows a device 60 provided with a first bar 61, with a second bar 62 formed by two half-bars 63,64 situated on either side of the third rope 65, the two bar portions being by example separated from one another and fixed by means of sliding strips 66 between a separated position in which the blocking of two jamming cleats 67 are produced and a pushed position 68 in which the end portions of the bars 69 push the tabs 67 thereby releasing the third rope 65.

 Thus with such a device, the two push bars 63, 64 allow the third rope to be released from the jaws 67 or cleat cleats secured to the first bar 61 by

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 via an axis of rotation 71, perpendicular to said first bar and provided with return means known in themselves.

 The half-push bars are actuated with the hands by pressure towards the first bar 61 and make it possible to release the jaws 67. Such a type of operation resembles that corresponding to the shopping cart which is found in airports or in big box stores .

 Figures 9 and 10 give another embodiment of a bar 80 according to the invention, articulated at its center 81 via an axis or a ball joint known in itself 82, allowing free rotation towards the wing 83 and up to a stop position 84 preventing the bar from going beyond an aligned position when a pull is carried out by the hands at 85.

 The device comprises jaws 86 able to wedge the third rope 87 when the hands are relaxed and / or close to the center, and this due to the pulls Fb which are exerted on the ends 87,88 by the traction wing.

 By cons when pulls Fm are exerted by the hands on the bar towards the ends, the bar returns to an aligned position spreading the jaws 86, which allow the third cord 86 to be let loose, said first bar coming to lock in abutment, by through horizontal lateral stops 88, parallel to the bar.

 Another embodiment of a device 90 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 11, this time comprising a flexible bar 91 provided

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 in the middle of jaws 92 of cross section in the form of a trapezoid oblique, which compress the third cord 93 when the bar is released by simply being pulled by the wing at its ends 94.95 (position in dotted lines in the figure) or on the contrary which frees the rope when the bar is brought back into the aligned position by the user, due to its flexibility, the aligned position of the bar being obtained due to a balance between tensile forces by the wing and forces of against traction adjusted by the movement of the user's hands along the bar.

 As is obvious and as also follows from the above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments more particularly described. On the contrary, it embraces all of the variants, and in particular those where the blocking means are different.

Claims (14)

1. Device (10) for maneuvering a traction wing (11) by a user (7) provided with a harness (19), comprising a horizontal bar (12, 30, 41) for gripping by the user, said first bar, connected at each of its ends (13,14) to a cord (15,16) suitable for being connected to a corresponding end of the trailing edge (17) of the wing, and means (18) of connection of the user's harness to the leading edge (20) of the wing comprising a third cord (22,33, 43), characterized in that the device also comprises means (23,29, 40) for blocking and unblocking of the relative movement of the third rope with respect to the first bar on a continuous stroke.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third rope (22) is fixed to the harness (19) by a carabiner (26) releasable under tension.  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the blocking means comprise a cleat system (s) jammer (s) (35,45) integral with the first bar.  4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (29,40) comprise a second locking bar (31,42), parallel and centered with respect to the first bar (30,41 ), whose relative displacement relative to said first bar makes it possible to block or unblock the third rope (33,43) relative to said first bar. <Desc / Clms Page number 16>  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (29.40) for locking and unlocking are arranged to release the third rope in the position separated from the bars and to block it in the close position, and in that they comprise elastic means (34, 52.) for the relative spacing of the bars between them.  6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a tube (44) for passing the third cord (43) through the first bar (41), said tube being integral with the second bar (42) and being provided with stop means, and in that the elastic means comprise a spring (52) integral with said first bar and suitable for pushing said stop means.  7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking and unlocking means are arranged to release the third rope in the position close to the bars and to block it in the separated position.  8. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the length of the second bar is shorter than that of the first.  9. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first bar (41) is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical and the second bar (42) is in the form of a portion of a cylinder or substantially in the form of a portion of cylinder of internal diameter substantially equal to or equal to the external diameter of the first bar, which it envelops at least partially. <Desc / Clms Page number 17>  10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is arranged to keep the internal surface of the second bar at a non-zero distance from said first bar in the locked position.  11. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the locking means comprise a central clamp provided with two jaws (67,86, 92), located respectively on either side of the zone of passage of the third rope (65, 87, 93) and integral with the corresponding lateral portions of the first bar.  12. Device according to claim 11 characterized in that the first bar (80) is articulated in its center between the two jaws.  13. Device according to claim 11 characterized in that the first bar is flexible.  14. Kite Surf, characterized in that it comprises a device (10) for maneuvering the wing (11) according to any one of the preceding claims.