FR2858801A1 - Inflatable floating platform for aquatic activities is made from polymer-coated fabric sections joined by strips of similar material - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform (1) is made from a number of sections (2) of twin-walled fabric coated with a polymer, joined together and with their edges sealed and impermeable to air and water. The joints are made by strips of fabric coated on both sides with the same polymer as the main sections and covering both their inner and outer edges. The platform (1) is made from a number of sections (2) of twin-walled fabric coated with a polymer, joined together and with their edges sealed and impermeable to air and water. The joints are made by strips of fabric coated on both sides with the same polymer as the main sections and covering both their inner and outer edges. The platform is rectangular or square in shape with internally-reinforced corners and peripheral inflatable tubes (19) attached to its edges by straps (21).

Description

2858801 1

  The present invention relates to an inflatable floating platform, particularly for aquatic activities.

  The invention also relates to an inflatable floating structure incorporating this platform, and their use for aquatic activities of games, sports, relaxation or shows.

  Despite the strong tourist presence on the coast and lakeside in France, there is a lack of floating structures allowing activities such as group sports, or fun group activities.

  Existing structures are mainly of three types: - either they have a rigid floor, wood, metal, or fiberglass, arranged on floating elements. In this case, they are heavy and bulky, non-folding and non-transportable (they must remain on the site throughout the summer season); - Or they consist of an assembly of PVC or rubber rolls, deflatable and foldable, but not conferring a perfect flatness, even if these rolls are covered with a single tarpaulin; - Or they are simply made of a PVC tarpaulin, very thick, connected to floating elements arranged at its periphery. Such a platform is also not rigid enough, nor flat, and can not stand people standing without deforming. In addition, even in double thickness, it is difficult to include or add thereto stiffening members, which are in particular foldable.

  One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the above platforms and to provide a large floating platform that is foldable and transportable, while at the same time being sufficiently rigid, flat and resistant to support the presence of several people simultaneously, moving and jumping, for example, during a team sport.

  This platform must obviously not include protruding elements, or metal, risking to hurt the users during their activities or during transport.

  Another object of the present invention is that this platform can be used both in lake environment, marine, and in a pool, that is to say that the materials that compose it are resistant to this particular environment (UV radiation, salt , microorganisms, detergents, chlorine, ...).

  These and other objectives are achieved by the platform according to the present invention, which is an inflatable floating platform for aquatic activities composed of several widths of double-walled fabric coated with polymer, joined together and closed around their periphery, of airtight and watertight manner, by means of junction elements and closure, planar, non-metallic.

  Preferably, the joining and closing elements are based on the same polymer as the coating of the double wall fabric; for example, these junction and closure elements consist of strips of fabric coated on both sides of said polymer.

  The double wall fabric (also called three-dimensional fabric) consists of two textile webs interconnected by multiple son of connection, regularly distributed. In existing fabrics, the length of these connecting son may be of value between 25 mm and 200 mm.

  The two textile plies are, on their outer surface, coated with a polymer giving them a seal and a certain rigidity. Thus this fabric forms a flat envelope, which can be inflated, the two walls being limited in their spacing by the connecting son.

  Such a double wall fabric makes it possible to obtain a perfectly flat surface with good rigidity, which can be modulated according to the inflation pressure. In addition, this surface allows players or users to bounce easily on a rigid lower surface (such as the ground), ensuring a cushioned landing after a jump on the water, the rebound effect is decreased and the instability of the floor monobloc confers a collective balance game where each user influences the unstable effect.

  This fabric is generally coated with a thermosetting polymer, for example PVC, polyurethane, or preferably of the family of synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber has few possibilities of assembly 2858801 3 different widths to build a large platform (at least 5 m wide and 9 m long), because it can not be welded.

  Thus, it is proposed according to the present invention that each of the joining elements is advantageously constituted by two strips which cover the lower and upper faces of the edges of the two adjacent widths and are fixed there by gluing.

  These planar connecting elements, thin, allow to assemble several widths, without causing protrusions that can hinder or injure users.

  In addition, the overlap of the edges inside and outside the envelope, reinforces the rigidity of the junction, and its airtightness (inside) and water (at the outside).

  As regards the peripheral closure, each closure element advantageously consists of an outer peripheral strip and two internal strips, which are fixed by gluing on the outer periphery of the widths.

  The polymer coating the widths of double wall fabric, the joining and closure elements may be based on polychloroprene, polyurethane, or PVC; for reasons of resistance to aging and abrasion, it is preferably based on polychloroprene.

  The assembly and closure system according to the invention makes it possible to build double wall fabric platforms of all sizes and shapes.

  When the platform is rectangular or square, it has internal reinforcing elements at the corners of the peripheral strip. Preferably, these reinforcing elements are pellets in which is formed a radial slot, the two adjacent sectors of the slot being placed on one another by gluing to form a cone.

  The bonding of the various elements indicated above is advantageously carried out using a glue based on nitrile and / or neoprene, when the coating polymer is polychloroprene, or a glue based on polyurethane when said polymer is PVC or polyurethane. Bonding has sealing advantages over a weld that can induce local stiffness of the materials, some porosity and fragility of the weld bead, and the surrounding area caused by the migration of certain molecules or ions. material during welding.

  The joints here are thin and remain flexible. Their long-term behavior in the aquatic environment (freshwater, marine, pool water) is particularly appreciated.

  In addition, the bonding is advantageously carried out at ambient temperature and does not require the use of a thermal or high frequency welding material. In addition, the repair of such a material is easier by gluing (of a small insert) than by welding.

  The present invention also relates to an inflatable floating structure, transportable, for aquatic activities, comprising a floating floor consisting of the inflatable floating platform according to the invention, and at least one peripheral bead, inflatable or filled with water, attached to said platform.

  Even if the platform itself is stable, the peripheral ring reinforces the water stability of the latter, and even more if it is filled with water. It is also a safety element and retention of the ball for collective sport if its diameter is greater than the thickness of the platform. It can be attached to the platform by any appropriate means, for example by means of straps, passing in handles glued to the platform. The straps and the handles may advantageously be rubber.

  Multiple tubes, for example of different sizes, can form for example steps, trampolines; toboggans ... or other supports for the game or show.

  Similarly, various rubber bands, glued to the platform, can serve as anchors for anchoring means, carrying handles and many other accessories such as slide, additional strands, hooking nets, inflatable poles, skirts, diving board, access ladder, for example.

  The anchoring means may be for example rings connected to buoys, dead bodies, fasteners to the edge of a pool, tensioned cables.

  2858801 5 The platform alone, and the structure above can be advantageously used for activities of games, sports, or shows, preferably aquatic, but it is quite possible to use them on the grass or the ground in the form of a bouncy paddling pool.

  The stability, rigidity and resistance performance of the platform according to the invention make it particularly suitable for creating racquet or balloon playing fields (volleyball, tennis ball, basketball, etc.), fighting games, gliding games. , balance and acrobatics, or shows on the seaside, lakes and rivers: the material used allows rebounds (sports, acrobatics) without harming the stability of the whole. A field of 4.2 x 9 m for example can receive several players simultaneously, for example 6 to 8.

  In addition, poles, such as support poles play nets, can be easily adapted to the platform, their base can be fixed by gluing, and the post assembled on this base by means of a ball joint.

  The structure is easily transportable (reduced weight and compactness after folding) and can be installed in minutes (deployment, inflation, installation of accessories, launching of the structure and anchoring).

  The invention will be better understood from the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing in perspective a platform according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a partial section along A.A. of the platform of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in perspective an exemplary embodiment of a structure according to the invention including the platform of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a means of fixing a post on the platform of FIG. 1; FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams indicating an example of folding of a reinforcing element.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a platform 1 shown in FIG. 1 consists of an envelope formed of three widths 2 of length 2858801 6 8 m joined in the direction of the length at their edges and by 7. Each of these widths 2 is made of three-dimensional fabric composed of two polyester fabrics 3 connected by a multitude of polyester yarns 4 and coated with a thermosetting polymer of the family of rubber, polychloroprene or hypalon (colored). . This material is sold by Pennel Industries under the trademark ORCA, in widths of 1.40 m wide.

  As shown in section (not to scale) in Figure 2, this fabric forms an envelope defined by a bottom wall 5, an upper wall 6 and a peripheral strip 7. The junction of two adjacent widths, for example 2A and 2B is achieved by fixing, at each selvedge 8, 9, a pair of strips (10a and 10b, 11a and 1b) of fabric, coated on both sides with the same said polymer, by about 10 cm wide and the same length as the widths. These strips (10a and 10b, 11a and 1b) are fixed by gluing by means of a neoprene-type glue. However, before bonding the inner strips 10b and 1b, it is necessary to eliminate, on the bonding area, the connecting son 4.

  The peripheral closure of the envelope is effected by gluing the strip 7 approximately 30 cm wide if the thickness e of the fabric is 20 cm, covering the zones 12 around the envelope. Internal strips 13 and 14 glued on both the inner face of the strip and the inner periphery of the envelope reinforce this attachment. Indeed, the pressure of the inflation air of the envelope is pressed on these strips 13 and 14 devices and strengthen the seal.

  In the example presented here, the platform is rectangular in shape, which means that the peripheral strip 7 is bent at 90 in the corners of the structure.

  Again, to enhance the attachment and sealing, cones 16 made by folding rubber pellets 15 following the arrows as shown in Figures 5 and 6, are glued at the inner corners of the casing.

  Finally, an inflation valve 17 is provided for filling the air envelope at a pressure of preferably between 0.3 bar and 0.4 bar, but which can be between 0.25 and 1 bar.

  2858801 7 To this platform 1 thus built is attached a peripheral ring 19 consisting of a tube about 90 cm in diameter and closed at its ends by gluing (or welding, in the case of a PVC tube).

  To form the inflatable structure 20 according to the invention shown in Figure 3, the flange 19 is attached to the platform 1 by a plurality of straps 21, rubber, passing into handles (not shown) glued to the platform 1.

  The structure thus produced can serve as a playground, as shown in FIG. 3. A net 22 is adapted to the platform by fixing pedestals 23 supporting posts 24, by means of a ball joint 25 (FIG. ).

  It could also provide inflatable poles with a base attached to the platform 1.

  The exemplary embodiment of the invention presented above had three web widths of 1.40 x 8 m double wall fabric, which gives a structure with a peripheral coil of total dimensions 6 x 9.8 m and can accommodate six players simultaneously. This structure is compact, collapsible, and weighing only kg, it is easily transportable.

  It can be installed (unfolded, inflated, launched and stabilized) in less than 20 minutes.

  It is held in place on the water by rings 26 attached on the one hand to the platform and on the other hand to anchoring means 27 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3).

Claims (12)

  1. Inflatable floating platform (1), in particular for aquatic activities, composed of several widths (2) of double-walled fabric coated with polymer, joined to each other and closed around their periphery, in an airtight and airtight manner. water, by means of junction elements (10a, 10b; 11a, 11b) and closing elements (7) respectively, which are not metallic.   2. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the junction elements (10a, 10b; Il a, l lb) and closure (7) are based on the same polymer as the coating of the double wall fabric.   3. Platform according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting elements (10a, 10b; 11a, 11b) and closure (7) consist of strips of fabric coated on both sides of said polymer.   4. Platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the joining elements (10a, 10b; 11a, 1b) consists of two strips which cover the lower and upper faces of the edges of the two adjacent widths ( 2A, 2B) and are fixed therein by gluing.   5. Platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each closure element (7) consists of an outer peripheral strip and two internal strips (13, 14), fixed by gluing on the outer periphery of the widths.   6. Platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer coating the widths (2) of double wall fabric, the connecting elements (10a, 10b; 11a, 11b) and closure (7) is based on polychloroprene or polyurethane.   7. Platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is rectangular or square and has internal reinforcing elements (15) at the corners of the peripheral strip (7).   8. Platform according to claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcing elements (15) are pellets in which is formed a radial slot, the two adjacent sectors of the slot being placed on one another by gluing to form a cone.   2858801 9 9. inflatable structure (20) inflatable, transportable, especially for aquatic activities, characterized in that it comprises a floating floor consisting of the inflatable floating platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and at least one flange peripheral (19) attached to said platform (1).   10. Structure according to claim 9, characterized in that the coil is attached by means of straps (21) passing in handles glued to the platform (1).   11. Structure according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that various strips of rubber bonded to the platform (1) serve as fasteners for accessories.   12. Use of the platform according to claims 1 to 8 or the structure according to claims 9 to 11 for activities of games, sports, relaxation or shows.