FR3092603A1 - Device for protection against drowning, in particular for animals, use of this device and body of water comprising at least one such device - Google Patents

Abstract

This protection device (1), which is intended to be installed on a body of water, includes: a main platform (10), intended to rest on the surface of said body of water, this platform comprising means (14,16) for immobilization with respect to the bottom of the body of water, at least one rescue member or arm (30), intended to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the water, each rescue member comprising: means (68) for fixing to the platform at least one flotation element (60) at least one attachment element (40), allowing the support of the animal. This device therefore provides effective protection against drowning for small to medium-sized animals, while being able to adapt to water bodies of different surfaces. Figure 1.

Description

Protective device against drowning, in particular for animals, use of this device and body of water comprising at least one such device

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to protection against the risk of drowning.

It finds its application more particularly in the protection of animals, in particular of small or medium size. It can not only be pets, but also wild animals. By way of non-limiting examples, mention will be made in particular of rabbits, small dogs, hedgehogs, cats or even frogs.

The present invention is on the one hand intended for individuals, namely that it can be used in a swimming pool. On the other hand, it is also likely to be applied by certain professionals in the animal world. In this spirit, these include pet stores, zoos and even animal parks.

State of the art

When a small animal falls into a body of water, it is often difficult for it to get out. Indeed, bodies of water, such as swimming pools, are equipped with edges. However, access to these edges is in practice impossible for the animals, given that they are located at too high an altitude. Moreover, in the case where the bodies of water are provided with steps, the latter have a significant height, which makes their climbing difficult for these small animals.

In order to guarantee the safety of these animals, there are solutions using ramps or access ladders. The latter, which are often arranged in a single place, cannot fulfill their function in all circumstances. In particular, when the animal falls into the water at a great distance from these access ramps or ladders, there is a significant risk that it will drown before it can reach them.

In view of the foregoing, an objective of the present invention is to remedy, at least partially, the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which provides effective protection against drowning for small or medium-sized animals.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device, which can be adapted to bodies of water with different surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device, which has a relatively simple mechanical structure and, consequently, a reasonable cost price.

Objects of the invention

According to the invention, at least one of the above objectives is achieved by means of a protective device (1) against drowning, in particular for animals, this device being intended to be installed on a surface of water, this device comprising:

a main platform (10), intended to rest on the surface of said body of water, this platform comprising means (14,16) for immobilization relative to the bottom of the body of water,

at least one rescue member or arm (30), intended to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the water, each rescue member comprising:

means (68) for attachment to the platform

at least one flotation element (60)

at least one attachment element (40), able to allow support for the animal.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

- a flotation element is provided between two adjacent attachment elements.

- The device comprises means (12,68) for removable fixing of each rescue member on the platform.

- The device comprises means (50,66) for removable attachment between, on the one hand, each flotation element and, on the other hand, each attachment element adjacent to this flotation element.

- The device has a symmetrical shape seen from above, with respect to the platform, in particular an X shape equipped with four rescue devices (30A - 30D).

- The platform (10) and/or at least one attachment element (40) comprises at least one attachment zone (13, 44), formed in particular by roughnesses and/or reliefs.

- At least one flotation element is made in two parts capable of being joined together in a removable manner, said flotation element, preferably the flotation element opposite the platform, being advantageously filled with a material of ballast, such as sand or water.

These additional features can be implemented with the main object above, individually or in any technically compatible combinations.

The invention also relates to a use of a protection device above, in which the platform (10) is placed on the surface of the water and the characteristics of each rescue device (30) are chosen. , such that its free end is submerged below the surface (102) of the water.

According to an advantageous characteristic of this use, the characteristics of each rescue device (30) are chosen so that its free end (30') is submerged to a depth (P30) of between 2 and 20 cm, in particular between 5 and 10 centimeters.

Finally, the subject of the invention is a body of water (100), in particular a swimming pool for residential dwellings or a pool for zoos, pet shops or the like, this body of water comprising an interior volume for receiving water, a bottom and a peripheral perimeter (104) delimiting this interior volume, this body of water being provided with at least one protection device above.

Description of figures

The invention will be described below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

is a top view illustrating a drowning protection device according to the invention.

is a top view, illustrating on a larger scale a platform belonging to the device of Figure 1.

is a top view illustrating a flotation element belonging to the device of the preceding figures.

is a bottom view, illustrating a flotation element belonging to the device of the preceding figures.

is a front view illustrating the protective device according to the invention, once installed in a body of water.

is a top view, illustrating a body of water equipped with several protective devices according to the invention.

detailed description

FIG. 1 illustrates a protection device against drowning, which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1. This device firstly comprises a platform 10, called a refuge, from which extending rescue arms which will be described below. In the example illustrated, this platform 10 has the shape of a quadrilateral, in particular a square. However, as a variant, other arrangements can be provided, for example circular or oval, or even fancy arrangements such as a flower shape.

This platform is made as a piece of thin material, that is, its thickness is much less than its other two dimensions. By way of non-limiting examples, it is possible to provide that the dimensions L10 and l10, visible in FIG. 2, are typically between 10 cm and 1 meter. As an indication, one can in particular provide a square of 30 cm on each side, which corresponds approximately to the size of a small animal.

The constituent material of the platform can be of any suitable type. Advantageously, it is chosen in such a way as to be resistant to chemical products likely to be present in the body of water where the device in accordance with the invention is installed. Furthermore, this material is advantageously resistant to ultraviolet radiation, which allows it to retain its properties despite solar radiation. By way of non-limiting examples, such a material will for example be polypropylene or the like. We can choose a white platform, allowing better identification for the animals, or even a turquoise color likely to merge with the color of the water. Of course, this parameter is not limiting, i.e. other colors can be considered.

As shown in particular in Figure 2, the different sides of the platform are provided with fastening means 12, which are intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means fitted to the rescue arms. In the example illustrated, these fastening means are of the removable type, for example male or female snap fastener elements. The upper surface of the platform is equipped with a so-called hooking zone 13, formed for example by a structured zone of the material constituting the platform. This attachment zone makes it possible to prevent the sliding of an animal resting on this zone. To this end, it typically has reliefs and/or roughnesses.

As also shown in Figures 1 and 2, a rope 14 extends from the underside of the platform being fixed to a hook 15. This rope 14 and this platform 10 are mutually fixed, by all appropriate means. At its opposite end, the rope 14 is associated with a counterweight 16. The latter allows the platform to be immobilized, vis-à-vis the bottom of the body of water. The term immobilization does not mean, however, that the platform does not necessarily have any possibility of horizontal displacement, relative to this bottom. Nevertheless, this counterweight is chosen in such a way as to avoid any untimely movement of the platform, in particular due to water currents and wind. Preferably, the characteristics of the rope and the counterweight are chosen so as to give the platform a certain ease of floating.

Referring again to Figure 1, the device according to the invention comprises several so-called rescue members, each of which is made in the form of an elongated arm 30. In the example illustrated, there are four rescue arms 30A at 30D, each of which extends from a respective side of the platform. In this way, in top view, the device according to the invention generally has an X shape. Nevertheless, as a variant not shown, a different number of rescue arms can be provided. However, a symmetrical structure with respect to the central platform is preferred, for example an even number of arms extending on either side of this platform, so as to confer satisfactory stability on the device.

We will now describe in more detail the structure of one of the rescue arms, it being understood that the different arms of the device have a similar structure. Each rescue arm 30 comprises attachment elements 40, as well as flotation elements 60, provided alternately one behind the other. In the example illustrated, each arm comprises three attachment elements 40A to 40C. Of course, a different number of these attachment elements can be provided, advantageously between two and four.

In the example illustrated, each attachment element 40 has the shape of a quadrilateral, in particular a rectangle. However, as a variant, other arrangements can be provided. By way of non-limiting examples, it is possible to provide that the length L40 is close to the length of each side of the platform. Furthermore, it is possible to provide that the width l40 is between 10 and 20 cm, in particular close to 15 cm.

The attachment element 40 is formed by a piece of fabric, made of any suitable material. The upper surface of this element is provided with at least one attachment zone 44, formed by a so-called structured zone of the aforementioned fabric. This means that this gripping area is not smooth or, in other words, that it has reliefs and/or roughness preventing slippage. This configuration allows in particular the attachment of claws of an animal, on the piece of fabric. It is advantageous to choose the color of this attachment element, so that it can be easily spotted by an animal drowning. Such a preferential color may be adapted, depending on the type of animals targeted.

The rescue arm 30 further comprises several flotation elements 60, which are of identical structure. Some flotation elements 60B and 60C are intended to be inserted between two adjacent attachment elements. Furthermore, an additional flotation element 60A is provided, inserted between the platform and the neighboring attachment element. It is also possible to place another flotation element called terminal 60D, at the free end 30' of the rescue arm 30 which is opposite the platform.

The flotation element, cylindrical in shape, is made of a material such as polypropylene. This element, which is for example of hollow structure, is made in two parts referenced 62 and 64, which can be mutually secured in a removable manner, for example by screwing. In Figures 3 and 4 there is schematically illustrated a thread 63 cooperating with an internal thread 65, in order to create this connection by screwing. As a variant, the two parts 62 and 64 above can be joined together by other means, in particular by cooperation of shapes, in particular by interlocking.

The fact of constituting this flotation element, from two separate mechanical parts, makes it possible to give it a satisfactory seal. Furthermore, advantageously, at least one flotation element can be ballasted with a suitable material, such as water or sand. Preferably at least the end flotation element 60D, namely the one opposite the platform 10, is ballasted by means of this material.

Each flotation element comprises first and second attachment means, referenced 66 and 68. The first attachment means are adapted to cooperate with complementary attachment means 50, fitted to the attachment element 40. This attachment is advantageously removable, for example by press stud. Furthermore, the second fixing means are able to cooperate either with the fixing means 12 of the platform, or with complementary fixing means equipping another attachment element. By way of a variant not shown, provision can be made to removably attach a hooking element directly to the platform, without using an intermediate flotation element 60A as in the figures.

The fact of providing a removable attachment between the various constituent elements of the protection device, in accordance with the invention, is advantageous. In fact, this firstly makes it possible to deliver these different elements to buyers in the form of a self-assembly kit, which makes it possible to limit the volume of packaging to be transported. Furthermore, with this removable attachment, the user can make arms 30 of variable length, by assembling a judicious number of elements 40 and 60. Consequently, these arms 30 can be adapted to the size of each body of water. .

The use of the device according to the invention is illustrated, with reference to FIG. else from this platform. In accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the rescue organs are semi-submerged. This means that the 30' free end of these lifesaving organs is located below the surface of the water. If the depth of this free end is denoted P30, as shown in FIG. 5, this depth is between 2 and 20 cm, in particular between 5 and 10 centimeters. As this same figure 5 also shows, the rescue device forms an angle of inclination A30 with the surface of the water, typically close to a few degrees.

Those skilled in the art will play with different parameters to access these values of depth and angle of inclination. These parameters are in particular the following: total length of the rescue device, number of floats, mass of each attachment element, mass and type of ballasting of the flotation element, etc.

The provision of partially submerged lifesaving devices is advantageous. Indeed, it is conceivable that an animal in the process of drowning experiences significant difficulties in rising to the surface of the water, given that it is subject to a panic likely to cause it to lose its physical means. In accordance with this advantageous characteristic of the invention, the animal does not have to rise to the surface of the water to be able to cling to the arm 30 located closest to it, since this arm is slightly submerged. Moreover, since the rescue device has a slight slope, it is convenient for the animal to progress towards the platform, where it is likely to find refuge.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, several devices in accordance with the invention 1A to 1D can be provided, in particular if the body of water has a large surface area. On the other hand, if the surface of the body of water is relatively small, a single device may be sufficient. The number of devices will therefore be chosen by those skilled in the art, depending on the total surface area of the body of water.

As shown in this same figure 6, the various protective devices are advantageously placed so that they cover the largest possible surface of the body of water. In particular, it is advantageous that no point of this surface is located at a significant distance from a rescue arm. Indeed, wherever the animal is, it will be close to a rescue arm so that it can grab hold of it easily. In this spirit, it will be possible to distribute and distribute the devices in accordance with the invention at different strategic locations, such as the middle and the side of the body of water, as well as near its periphery 104.

Claims (9)

Protective device (1) against drowning, in particular for animals, this device being intended to be installed on a body of water, this device comprising:
a main platform (10), intended to rest on the surface of said body of water, this platform comprising means (14,16) for immobilization relative to the bottom of the body of water,
at least one rescue member or arm (30), intended to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the water, each rescue member comprising:
means (68) for attachment to the platform
at least one flotation element (60)
at least one attachment element (40), able to allow support for the animal,
characterized in that this device further comprises means (50,66) for removable attachment between, on the one hand, each flotation element and, on the other hand, each attachment element adjacent to this flotation element. Protective device according to the preceding claim, in which a buoyancy element is provided between two adjacent attachment elements. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means (12,68) for removably fixing each rescue device on the platform. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, having a symmetrical shape seen from above, with respect to the platform, in particular an X shape equipped with four rescue members (30A - 30D). Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the platform (10) and/or at least one attachment element (40) comprises at least one attachment zone (13, 44), formed in particular by roughness and/or relief. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one flotation element is produced in two parts capable of being mutually secured in a removable manner, said flotation element, preferably the flotation element (60D) opposite the platform (10), being advantageously filled with a ballast material, such as sand or water. Use of a protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the platform (10) is placed on the surface of the water and the characteristics of each rescue device (30) are chosen, so that its free end is submerged below the surface (102) of the water. Use according to claim 7, in which the characteristics of each rescue member (30) are chosen so that its free end (30') is submerged to a depth (P30) of between 2 and 20 cm, in particular between 5 and 10 centimeters. Body of water (100), in particular a swimming pool for residential dwellings or a pool for zoos, pet shops or the like, this body of water comprising an interior volume for receiving water, a bottom and a peripheral periphery (104) delimiting this volume interior, this body of water being provided with at least one protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.