FR2995218A1 - Device for training rugby players in field, has left side-carriage, right side-carriage and central carriage individually connected to collective carriage, and control unit allowing independent adjustment of force of connection units - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a left side-carriage (6), a right side-carriage (7) and a central carriage (8) individually connected to a collective carriage (4) by a connecting unit (5) to confer a degree of freedom in a translation along an axis. A right pillar, a left pillar and a hooker for the respective carriages carry a support unit (45) that serves as a stop for a front row player. A control unit allows an independent adjustment of pushing forces of a first compressible connection part and a second compressible connection part (19) of the connecting unit.

Description

9952 18 1 Device for training rugby players in the melee sector. The invention relates to a device for training rugby players in the area of the scrum.

Traditionally for decades, the training of rugby players in the area of the melee is achieved by means of a device called "scrum yoke" or "battering ram" consisting, originally, in a frontal yoke secured to a frame designed to be ballasted, and thus constituting a totally passive opposition. io This basic concept is still used today, but, at the same time, the scrum yokes have, over the years, undergone numerous evolutions aimed at obtaining a dynamic melee yoke likely to best simulate the reality of a melee. . These developments have notably resulted in the development of two devices respectively described in patents FR2892941 and FR2956034 designed to confer on the frontal yoke a plurality of degrees of freedom, and thus able to simulate the movements of a melee. The present invention is also directed to an advanced melee yoke designed to simulate the movements of a melee, and its main objective is to provide a new melee yoke concept whose performance in terms of simulation capability and control of the work of the melee. players are very high. To this end, the invention aims at a device for training rugby players in the sector of the scrum comprising in combination: - a frame adapted to rest on the ground, - a first carriage, said collective carriage, - connecting means between the collective carriage and the frame, adapted to give said collective carriage a degree of freedom in translation 30 along an axis (x) at least substantially horizontal, said connecting means comprising compressible connecting means adapted to exercise an adjustable pushing force, - three independent carriages, called individual carriages, juxtaposed in parallel in the extension of the collective carriage, so as to form a central carriage and two lateral carriages respectively right and left, said individual carriages: - being individually connected to the collective carriage by connecting means adapted to give each individual carriage a degree of freedom in translation salt at least one axis (x ') parallel to the axis (x) of translation of the collective carriage, said connecting means comprising compressible connection means adapted to exert an adjustable pushing force, - carrying each means of support suitable for use as a stop for a first-line player, respectively right pillar for the left lateral carriage, left pillar for the right side carriage and hooker for the central carriage, - control means adapted to allow adjustment of independent of the thrust force of each of the compressible bonding means. Unlike all scrum yokes made to date, the device according to the invention therefore does not include a front yoke, but instead of this front yoke, three independent trolleys individually connected to a collective trolley: 20 - bearing each of the support means adapted to serve as a stop for a first-line player, - solicited individually by compressible means adapted to exert an adjustable pushing force. In addition, the collective carriage itself is biased by compressible means adapted to exert an adjustable pushing force. Such a design that differs significantly from that of the existing scrum yokes advantageously allows the simultaneous work of several players in synergy while allowing the individualization and control of the work of each player. Thus, by way of examples: an adjustment leading to exerting a strong thrust force on the individual carriages, and relative to this force, a low thrust force on the collective carriage, favors the exercises aimed at synchronizing the work of several players (first line or complete pack 35), - an adjustment leading to exerting a large thrust force on the collective carriage, and relative to this force, a low pushing force on the individual carriages, promotes the exercises concerning the individual work first-line players According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the compressible connection means comprise a jack associated with each of the carriages, collective and individual, and the control means are adapted to load each of said cylinders of way that it exerts an adjustable pushing force. In addition, each cylinder advantageously consists, according to the invention, in a single acting hydraulic cylinder. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting means between each individual carriage and the collective carriage comprise: - an articulation of the individual carriage about an axis (y) at least substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the axis (x) of translation of the collective carriage, adapted to allow said individual carriage to pivot so that its translation axis (x ') sweeps a predetermined angle on either side of the plane (x, y), 20 - and hinge locking means adapted to exert an adjustable locking force against the free pivoting of the individual carriage about the axis (y). This articulation thus provides a degree of freedom in rotation about an axis (y) to each individual carriage, and the locking means of this articulation make it possible to adjust the "stability" of the bearing means carried by each individual carriage. Thus, for example: a large locking force leads to blocking the rotation of the support means around the axis (y) and subjects the player to a force acting along an axis which can be horizontal, ascending or descending, A weak or almost zero blocking force leads to making the positioning of the support means relative to the plane (x, y) unstable and forces the player to exert efforts in order to stabilize the melee. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for blocking the articulation of each individual carriage 35 comprise a lever extending orthogonally with respect to the plane (x ', y), and two superposed cylinders extending in parallel. in the plane (x, y), symmetrically on both sides of said plane, and each coupled to the lever. According to this embodiment, a supply of the two cylinders adapted to exert a weak thrust force leads to an unstable behavior of the support means. On the other hand, a supply of the two cylinders adapted to exert a strong thrust force leads to stabilize the support means. In addition, in this second case, if the thrust forces are symmetrical, the player is subjected to a force acting along a horizontal axis On the other hand, if these thrust forces are asymmetrical, the player is subjected to a force exerting along an ascending or descending axis, depending on the cylinder exerting the largest thrust force. Furthermore, the support means of each individual carriage are, advantageously according to the invention, mounted free to rotate relative to said individual carriage about an axis (z ') perpendicular to the plane (x', y), d a predetermined angle delimited by two stops disposed symmetrically on either side of the axis (z '). This degree of freedom in additional rotation is intended to allow each player to direct the thrust exerted on his "opponent".

In addition, each individual carriage advantageously comprises, according to the invention, means for adjusting the position, along an axis (z ') perpendicular to the plane (x', y), bearing means carried by the said individual trolley, allowing to adjust the height of the latter according to the size of the player or the size of a future opponent.

Regarding the bearing means carried by each individual carriage, the latter consist, advantageously according to the invention, in a bust comprising a mannequin trunk extended by a mannequin head. The use of a bust, authorized by the design of the device according to the invention which comprises individualized support means, leads to complete the similarities of said device with a real pack. In addition, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bust of the left lateral carriage: - comprises a support member in the form of a left arm, - is rotatably mounted relative to said individual carriage about the axis ( x '), so as to allow a pivoting of said bust in the trigonometric direction from a position where the latter extends parallel to the plane (x', y), - is associated with elastic means arranged to exercise an effort to oppose its rotation.

This additional degree of freedom conferred on the bust simulating the left pillar of the opposing pack, associated with the presence of a support member in the form of an arm, allows the right pillar to exert an effort tending to "twist" its opponent to the right. against a resistance of the latter equivalent to setting the elastic means. In addition, the support arm is, advantageously according to the invention, articulated relative to the bust, about an axis parallel to the axis (x '), so as to position the arm at a height allowing a grip easy of the latter. The device according to the invention described above thus mainly comprises: for each first-line player, a bust carried by an independent carriage adapted for said bust presented with two degrees of freedom in rotation (or even three degrees of freedom in rotation for the left bust), and a degree of freedom in translation, 20 - a collective carriage having a degree of freedom in translation, to which the three individual carriages are connected, - jacks exerting an adjustable thrust force on each of the carriages collective and individual. Such a combination of means leads to providing a device whose performances in terms of the ability to simulate the movements of a scrum are very high and controlling the work of the front-line players. In addition, the device according to the invention is also; advantageously according to the invention, designed to control the work of the players. For this purpose this device advantageously comprises: measurement sensors adapted to deliver data representative of the compressive force exerted on the compressible connection means of each of the carriages; a measurement sensor adapted to deliver data representative of the force exerted on the elastic means arranged to oppose the rotation of the bust of the left lateral trolley, making it possible to evaluate whether the force exerted by the pillar is capable of "twisting" its opponent and of preventing transmission by the latter of the thrust force undergone. Moreover, in the same context, each bust is advantageously equipped with a measuring sensor adapted to deliver data representative of the force exerted on the area corresponding to the chest of said bust, to assess whether the exerted force by the player's head on the opponent's chest is likely to "deform" this opponent and prevent the transmission by the latter of the thrust force. In addition, the device according to the invention also advantageously comprises, for purposes of control and progression of the performances of the players, means of recording and recording training sessions, and means of synchronization. recordings with the results of the measuring sensors. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent by way of non-limiting example a preferred embodiment. In these drawings: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a driving device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of this driving device, FIG. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the individual carriages of this driver, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the skeleton forming the skeleton of the left side carriage bust. schematic perspective of the drive slide according to the invention equipped with its measuring and control means. The training device shown in the figures is a training device for rugby players in the melee sector, having very high performance in terms of simulation ability and control of the work of the players.

This drive device comprises, firstly, a fixed frame welded type known per se, schematically in 1, adapted to rest and be fixed on the ground. This drive device comprises, secondly, a first carriage 4, said collective carriage, mounted free in translation relative to the frame 1 along a translation axis at least substantially horizontal (x), and connected, for this purpose, to said mounted by a single acting hydraulic cylinder 2 oriented on the translation axis (x), and by two parallel guide columns, such as 3, arranged symmetrically on either side of the cylinder 2. This collective carriage 4 is, in the example, of mechanically welded type and mainly comprises: - a horizontal cross member 4a perpendicular to the axis of translation (x) and focused on the latter, secured to the end of the cylinder rod 2 and on the columns 3, 15 - four longitudinal members of the same length parallel to the translation axis (x), consisting of two end members such as 4b extending in the extension of each of the ends of the cross member 4a, and in two intermediate spars such as 4c distributed along the length of said cross. These four longitudinal members 4b, 4c thus delimit three spaces, 20 in each of which extends, at the free ends of said longitudinal members opposite the cross member 4a, a hinge 5 adapted to support an individual trolley, respectively central trolley 8 and side trolleys. right 7 and left 6, disposed in the extension of the collective carriage 4 with: a degree of freedom in rotation about an axis (y) at least substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the translation axis (x) of the collective carriage 4, and a degree of freedom in translation along an axis (x ') perpendicular to the axis (y) and parallel to the axis (x) of translation of the collective carriage 4 in the neutral position of the articulated articulation 5 below. . Each articulation 5 consists of a profile, for example a square tube 9, extended, at each of its longitudinal ends, with a pivot 10 adapted to be rotatably mounted in a bearing formed in one of the longitudinal members 4b, 4c. , in order to allow the rotation of said square tube about an axis (y) at least substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the axis (x) of translation of the collective carriage 4.

In addition, each square tube 9 has, interposed between one of its longitudinal ends and the associated pivot 10, a lever 11-13 extending orthogonally to the plane (x ', y) symmetrically on either side of the latter. This lever consists of two parallel plates 11, 12 connected by spacers, including two spacers each disposed at one of the two longitudinal ends of the lever, consisting of a coupling finger 13 of said lever. The actuating means of each articulation 5 consist of two hydraulic cylinders 16, 17 superimposed extending parallel to the plane (x, y), symmetrically on either side of said plane, whose rod is coupled to one of the fingers coupling 13 of the lever 11, 12 associated with this articulation 5, and whose body is hinged on the collective carriage 4. Such cylinders 16, 17 can exert, against the free pivoting of the joint 5 an adjustable locking force between: a minimum force allowing the free pivoting of this articulation on an angular stroke of the order of 45 degrees on either side of the (x, y) plane, a maximum driving force total blockage of the joint 5.

Each articulation 5 comprises, finally, a counterweight intended to counterbalance the weight of the individual carriage 6-8 extending cantilevered with respect to the tube 9. This counterweight consists of a bracket 14 whose lower end is secured at the level of the longitudinal end of the articulation 5 opposite the lever 11, 12, said stem being: - inclined substantially 45 degrees with respect to the plane (x, y) so as to rise above the collective carriage 4, - with, at its upper end, weights such as in the example consist of cylindrical disks. Each individual carriage 5-8 comprises, meanwhile, a plate 18 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (x ') connected to the joint 5 via: - a hydraulic cylinder 19 whose body is secured to the 5, and whose rod extends through an orifice 9a formed in the tube 9, and has an end coupled to the plate 18, - two parallel guide columns 20, 21 arranged symmetrically on both sides. Other of the jack 19. Each individual carriage 6-8 further comprises two lateral rails 22, 23 disposed on the face of the plate 18 opposite the jack 19 and extending along an axis orthogonal to the plane (x ', y). ), along which is slidably mounted a second plate 24 whose positioning along the slides 22, 23 is adjusted by means of a worm / crank system 25. Each individual carriage 6-8 also comprises a third plate 29 secured to a rotatably mounted shaft in bearings 50 fixed on the second plate 24, defining an axis of rotation (z ') orthogonal to the plane (x', y). In addition, two compressible stops 31, 32 are secured to the second plate 24 symmetrically on either side of the axis of rotation (z ') defined by the bearings 50, so as to limit to a few degrees the angle pivoting the third plate 29. This third plate 29 is the base of the bearing structure of the support means 26, 27, 28 consisting, for each individual carriage 6-8, a bust 45 having a manikin trunk 46 extended of a mannequin head 47, designed to serve as a stop for a first-line player, respectively right pillar for the left lateral carriage 6, left pillar for the right side carriage 7 and hooker for the central carriage 8. Concerning both side carriages 6, 7, this carrier structure is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the translation axis (x '), so as to allow pivoting of the bust 45 in the trigonometric direction from an initial position where this last extends parallel to the plane (x ', y). For this purpose, this carrier structure comprises: - an S-shaped plate 34 mounted on the third plate 29, via a hinge 33, 30 - a spring 35 extending between the end of the lower branch the plate 34 and the third plate 29, arranged to exert a force tending to oppose the pivoting of the bust 45, and a stop 36 of the end of the upper branch of the plate 34, secured to the third plate 29 to define the initial position of the bust 45.

This supporting structure further comprises a framework forming the skeleton of the bust 45, comprising a rod 38 fixed to the plate 34 so as to extend along the longitudinal axis (x '), on the free end of which is secured a plate 37 parallel to the plate 34, itself extended by a second rod 39 inclined downwardly relative to the rod 38, said rods and plate having dimensions adapted to form a skeleton able to be dressed with a trunk and a mannequin head. This supporting structure also comprises a support member having the longitudinal profile of the skeleton 40 of an arm, articulated on the plate 37, at the "shoulder" of said arm, about a parallel axis of rotation 41 to the axis (x '), so as to be able to pivot a few degrees in the trigonometric direction by compression of a compressible buffer 42 secured to the "shoulder" of said support member, abutting under a stop member 43 fixed on the plate 37.

Such a support member simulates the left arm 49 of the opposing left pillar and is primarily intended to allow the right pillar to ensure its grip. This support member also simulates the right arm 48 of the opposing right pillar, but it should be noted that the presence of this right support member 48 is optional.

With regard to the central carriage 8, the carrier structure is preferably directly secured to the third plate 29, and this carrier structure is devoid of support member in the form of arms. This drive device is also equipped with a hydraulic unit comprising a hydraulic motor adapted to load the various cylinders 2, 16, 17, 19 separately for the cylinders 2, 19 for moving the collective carriage 4 and individual carriages 6-8. This drive device is, in addition, as shown in FIG. 5, equipped with measurement sensors intended for monitoring both individual and collective performance, and consisting in particular of: measuring sensors such as C1, C2 adapted to deliver data representative of the compressive force exerted on the jack 2 of the collective carriage 4 and on each of the cylinders 19 of the individual carriages 6-8, - a measuring sensor C3 adapted to deliver data representative of the force exerted on the elastic means 35 arranged to oppose the rotation of the bust 45 of the left lateral carriage 6, measuring sensors C4 positioned on the "chest" of each bust 45, adapted to deliver data representative of the force exerted on this area by the player's head. In addition, this training device is also equipped with cameras consisting for example of a camera Cal positioned above the said device, a camera Ca2 of frontal images and two cameras Ca3 and Ca4 lateral shots. This training device is also equipped with a computer unit UC designed, on the one hand, to control the various cylinders 2, 16, 17, 19, and on the other hand, to collect all the data from different C1 -C4 sensors and Cal -Ca4 cameras, and in particular to synchronize the recordings with the results of the measurement sensors.

Claims (2)

CLAIMS1 / Device for training rugby players in the sector of the scrum characterized in that it comprises in combination: - a frame (1) adapted to rest on the ground, - a first carriage (4), said trolley collective, - connecting means between the collective carriage (4) and the frame (1), adapted to provide said collective carriage a degree of freedom in translation along an axis (x) at least substantially horizontal, said connecting means comprising compressible connection means (2) adapted to exert an adjustable thrust force, - three independent trolleys (6, 7, 8), said individual trolleys, juxtaposed in parallel in the extension of the collective carriage (4), so to form a central trolley (8) and two side trolleys respectively right (7) and left (6), said individual trolleys: 15 - being individually connected to the collective trolley (4) by connecting means (5) adapted to confer to each ue individual carriage (6, 7, 8) a degree of freedom in translation along at least one axis (x ') parallel to the axis (x) of translation of the collective carriage (4), said connecting means comprising means compressible connection links (19) adapted to exert an adjustable pushing force, - each carrying bearing means (45) adapted to serve as a stop for a first-line player, respectively a right pillar for the left-side carriage (6) , left abutment for the right side trolley (7) and hooker for the central trolley (8), 25 - control means adapted to enable independent adjustment of the thrust force of each of the compressible connection means (2, 19). 2 / A drive device according to claim 1 characterized in that the compressible connection means comprise, for each carriages, collective (4) and individual (6, 7, 8), a jack (2, 19), the control means being adapted to load each of said cylinders so as to exert an adjustable thrust force. 3 / A driving device according to claim 2 characterized in that each jack consists of a single acting hydraulic cylinder (2 , 19). 4 / A drive device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that it comprises measuring sensors (C1, C2) adapted to deliver data representative of the compressive force exerted on the compressible connection means (2, 19) of each of the carriages (4, 6, 7, 8). 5 / A drive device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the connecting means (5) between each individual carriage (6, 7, 8) and the collective carriage (4) comprise: - a joint ( 9, 10) of the individual carriage (6, 7, 8) about an axis (y) at least substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the axis (x) of translation of the collective carriage (4), able to allow said carriage individual to pivot so that its translation axis (x ') sweeps a predetermined angle on either side of the plane (x, y), - and locking means (11, 12, 16, 17) of the articulation (9, 10) adapted to exert an adjustable clamping force against the free pivoting of the individual carriage (6, 7, 8) about the axis (y). 6 / A drive device according to claim 5 characterized in that the means for locking the articulation (9, 10) of each individual carriage (6, 7, 8) comprise a lever (11, 12) extending orthogonally relative to the plane (x ', y), and two superimposed cylinders (16, 17) extending parallel to the plane (x, y), symmetrically on either side of said plane, and each coupled to the lever (11). , 12). 7 / A drive device according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the support means (45) of each individual carriage (6, 7, 8) are rotatably mounted relative to said individual carriage around an axis (z ') perpendicular to the plane (x', y), a predetermined angle delimited by two stops (31, 32) arranged symmetrically on either side of the axis (z '). 8 / Drive device according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that each individual carriage (6, 7, 8) comprises means (22-25) for adjusting the position, along an axis ( z ') perpendicular to the plane (x', y), support means (45) carried by said individual carriage 9 / Drive device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the support means carried by each individual carriage (6, 7, 8) consists of a bust (45) having a manikin trunk (46) extended from a manikin head (47). 10 / A drive device according to claim 9 characterized in that each bust (45) is equipped with a measuring sensor (C4) adapted to deliver data representative of the force exerted on the area corresponding to the chest of the said chest. 11 / A drive device according to one of io claims 9 or 10 characterized in that the bust (45) of the left lateral carriage (6): - comprises a support member (49) in the form of left arm, - is rotatably mounted relative to said individual carriage 15 about the axis (x '), so as to allow a pivoting of said bust in the trigonometric direction from a position where the latter extends parallel to the plane (x ', y), - is associated with resilient means (35) arranged to exert a force tending to oppose its rotation. 12 / A drive device according to claim 11 characterized in that the support arm (49) is articulated relative to the bust (45) about an axis parallel to the axis (x '). 13 / A drive device according to one of claims 11 or 12 characterized in that it comprises a measuring sensor 25 (C3) adapted to deliver data representative of the force exerted on the elastic means (35). 14 / A drive device according to one of claims 4, 10, or 13 taken alone or in combination characterized in that it comprises means for taking pictures (Cal -Ca4) and recording 30 (UC) of training sessions, and means for synchronizing the recordings with the results of the measurement sensors (C1-C4).