FR2858802A1 - 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. The sections are joined together by strips of fabric coated on both sides with the same polymer as the main sections, covering both their inner and outer edges and forming joints sealed and impermeable to air and water. The platform (1) is made from a number of sections (2) of twin-walled fabric coated with a polymer. The sections are joined together by strips of fabric coated on both sides with the same polymer as the main sections, covering both their inner and outer edges and forming joints sealed and impermeable to air and water. The platform is rectangular or square in shape with internally-reinforced corners and peripheral inflatable tubes (19) attached to its edges by straps (21) passing through handles fixed to the platform.

Description

The present invention relates to an inflatable floating platform,

  especially for aquatic activities.

  The invention also relates to an inflatable floating structure integrating this platform, and the use of the platform and the structure for aquatic activities of games, sports, relaxation or spectacles.

  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, 15 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 when the structure consists of a double thickness sheet, 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 harming 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, micro -organisms, detergents, chlorine, ...).

  These and other objectives are achieved by the platform according to the present invention, which is an inflatable floating platform, in particular for aquatic activities, composed of a juxtaposition of several widths of double-walled fabric coated with polymer, joined between they are closed on their periphery, by means of junction and closure elements respectively, planar, not of metal.

  Advantageously, the widths are joined together and closed on their periphery in an airtight and watertight manner, in order to remain inflated during the period of use. It is also possible, in the non-waterproof case, to consider a permanent inflation by means of a compressor, permanently compensating for air leakage.

  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 parallel textile webs interconnected by multiple transverse connecting son, regularly distributed. In existing fabrics, the length of these connecting son can be of value between 25 mm and 330 mm. In addition, each of the textile webs is, on its outer surface, coated with a polymer giving it a seal and a certain rigidity. Each textile web coated with said polymer constitutes a wall of this double wall fabric.

  Thus this fabric forms a flat envelope, which can be inflated by introducing air between the two walls.

  The inflation causes a separation of the two walls, limited by the internal connecting son, which, by putting in tension, maintain a constant distance between the two walls, thus preventing the bending of the envelope.

  Such a double wall fabric thus makes it possible, after inflation, to obtain a perfectly flat surface with good rigidity, which can be modulated according to the inflation pressure.

  This fabric is generally externally coated with a thermosetting polymer, for example PVC, polyurethane, or preferably a polymer of the synthetic rubber family.

  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. These strips are fixed by bonding or welding.

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

  In addition, the overlap of the edges inside and outside the envelope, reinforces the stiffness of the junction, and its airtightness and watertightness.

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

  According to a variant of the invention, the closure elements consist at least partially of a strip wider than the spacing between the two walls of a width, so as to form, during inflation, a flange exceeding, at less in its upper part, of said platform.

  The polymer coating the widths of double wall fabric, the joining and closure elements may be based on polychloroprene, polyurethane, or PVC.

  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 nitrile and / or neoprene-based glue, when the coating polymer is polychloroprene, or a polyurethane-based glue 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 of the material during welding.

  The joints here are thin and remain flexible. Their long-term behavior in the aquatic environment (fresh and marine waters, swimming pool waters) is particularly appreciated. Bonding is more suitable for repair operations (bonding a small insert) than welding.

  Several platforms according to the invention can be assembled together to form platforms of larger area, the assembly being achieved for example by means of self-gripping strips placed on the outer vertical faces ("slice") of the peripheral strips and / or by snap-fastening systems arranged in a plurality of suitable areas for joining the platforms to one another.

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

  Even if, as previously described, the platform itself is stable, the bead strengthens the stability on the water of the latter, and even more if it is filled with water. It is also an element of security and retention of the ball for team sports if its diameter is greater than the thickness of the platform. Such a bead can also form an interesting advertising surface.

  Said strand may be attached to the platform by any appropriate means, for example by means of straps, passing into handles or rings fixed to the platform or by means of self-gripping fasteners, or snap-fastening.

  Multiple tubes, for example of different sizes, can form for example steps, trampolines, slides ... or other media for the game or show.

  In order to prevent the users present on the platform from becoming wedged between the platform and the peripheral coil, in the interstitial spaces between the means for attaching the coil to said platform, it may be advantageous to cover this zone with protective skirt. Such a skirt may, for example, be fixed by welding or gluing, or by other means on the top (or near the top) of the peripheral bead and down to the upper face of the platform where it is held, for example by means of Velcro strips.

  Similarly, various bands, fixed (for example by gluing or self-gripping systems) on the platform, can serve as fasteners for anchoring means, transport handles and many other accessories such as tobbogan , additional socks, hooking nets, inflatable poles, skirts, diving board, ladder access, for example.

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

  The platform alone, and the structure above can be advantageously used for games, sports, or entertainment, preferably aquatic, but it is quite possible to use them on the grass or the ground, for example. example as a bouncy paddling pool.

  This flat inflated platform, when placed on a rigid floor, allows players or users to bounce easily, or when placed on the water, to ensure a cushioned landing after a jump, the effect rebound being decreased.

  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 pools seaside, lakes and rivers: the material used allows rebounds (sports, acrobatics) without harming the stability of the whole. A double pitch of 2 x 12 x 4.2 m for example can simultaneously accommodate up to 16 players (accreditation Innovation Research Center and Sport Technology Transfer Leisure (CRITT)). In addition, its stability on the water allows it to support up to 150 kg / m2 excluding gaming activities.

  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 an example of means for fixing a pole 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 Figure 1 consists of an envelope formed of three widths 2 of 8 m long joined in the direction of the length at their selvedges and by a strip 7. Each of these widths 2 is three-dimensional fabric composed of two parallel polyester textile webs 3, connected by a multitude of transverse son polyester 4 and externally coated with a thermosetting polymer of the family of polychloroprene, PVC or polyurethane.

  As shown in section (not to scale) in FIG. 2, this fabric forms an envelope defined by a bottom wall 5, an upper wall 6 and a peripheral strip 7, the lower and upper walls being held together by the wires The joining 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 of the same polymer, about 10 cm wide and the same length as the widths. For example, these strips (10a and 10b, 11a and 11b) are fixed by gluing using a neoprene-type glue. However, before bonding the inner strips 10b and 1 lb, 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, which in this example is about 30 cm wide if the thickness e of the fabric is 20 cm, covering the zones 12 around the periphery of the envelope. 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 strengthen the attachment and sealing, cones 16 made by folding pellets 15 according to 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 under a pressure preferably between 0.15 bar and 0.4 bar, but can be inflated to 0.8 bar. An overpressure valve may also be present.

  To this platform 1 thus built is attached a peripheral coil 19 consisting of a tube about 70 cm in diameter and closed at its ends by gluing or welding.

  To form the inflatable structure 20 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, this flange 19 is attached to the platform 1 by a plurality of straps 21, passing through 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 for example by fixing pedestals 23 supporting flexible or rigid posts 24, via a connection to ball 25 (Figure 4).

  According to another variant, the posts can be adapted to the platform by fastening elements of the self-gripping type or clipped fastener on the bases.

  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. This structure is compact, collapsible, and weighing only 80 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 (14)

  1. Inflatable floating platform (1), in particular for aquatic activities, consisting of a juxtaposition of several widths (2) of double-walled fabric coated with polymer, joined together and closed around their periphery, by means of elements respectively of junction (10a, 10b; 11a, 11b) and closure (7), planar, not of metal.   2. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the widths (2) are joined together and closed on their periphery in an airtight and watertight manner.   3. Platform according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the junction elements (10a, 10b; 11a, 11b) and closing elements (7) are based on the same polymer as the coating of the fabric. double sided.   4. Platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements (10a, 10b; Il a, 1 lb) and closure (7) consist of strips of fabric coated on both sides, said polymer.   5. 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).   6. 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 on the outer periphery of the widths.   7. 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 closing (7) is base of polychloroprene, polyurethane, PVC or a mixture of these.   8. 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).   9. Platform according to claim 8, 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.   10. Platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure elements (7) consist at least partially of a strip wider than the spacing between the two walls of a width (2), so as to form, during inflation, a flange projecting, at least in its upper part, from said platform.   11. Inflatable floating structure (20), transportable, in particular for aquatic activities, characterized in that it comprises a floating floor consisting of at least one inflatable floating platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and to at least one flange (19) attached at least partially to the periphery of said platform (1).   12. Structure according to claim 11, characterized in that the coil is attached by means of straps (21) passing in handles fixed to the platform (1) or by means of self-gripping fasteners or snap-fastening.   13. Structure according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that various rubber bands attached to the platform (1) serve as attachments to accessories.   14. Use of the platform according to claims 1 to 10 or the structure according to claims 11 to 13 for activities of games, sports, relaxation or shows.