RO129296B1 - Paddle device attachable to floating boards - Google Patents

Description

Any person has the right to formulate, in writing and with reasons, OSIM, a request for the revocation of the invention patent, within 6 months from the publication of the mention of the decision granting it

RO 129296 Β1

The invention refers to the creation of a system made up of an attachable device (mountable and removable) provided with two double paddles, designed to diversify the actuation mode and increase the rowing efficiency from the standing position when the athlete located on a paddleboard (or surfboard) is oriented in the forward direction. The attachment and two twin paddles can also be used in conjunction with a windsurfboard, or any other lightweight paddle-powered floating craft.

The technical field to which the invention refers is that of recreational sailing equipment such as paddleboard, surfboard, windsurfboard, boats, etc.

A variety of rowing systems and paddles with different shapes and functionalities are known. in the classic way rowing with increased efficiency is associated with the traction action from the sitting position, and mainly corresponds to the orientation of the athlete with his back to the sliding direction. various improvements have been formulated over time either to increase the efficiency of the athlete's action, or to favor paddling in the sliding direction, or to create paddles with improved hydrodynamic characteristics; among these we mention, rowing in the direction of travel, in patent FR 2878504 (B1) a device for rowing is presented which has a support fixed on the edge of the boat (canoe) provided with a rail on which the joint of the oar slides. The oar arm is thus divided into two movable segments, intermediated by the interposed joint, which allows the oar blade and the end of the arm to act in the same direction. Thus, when the athlete pulls on the end of the oar arm, the boat moves forward.

The disadvantage of this solution is that rowing is done only by traction and the system is not easily attached (mountable - removable) to a simple paddleboard or surfboard type boat. Also, there is no version that favors standing rowing.

US Patent 4,889,508 (A) describes a rowing system for forward-facing rowing, consisting of an interlocking gear-driven device which induces the reverse action of rowing, and which is combined with a support fixing that device on the boat. The device is to create a system of levers that reverses the action of the paddle arm around the pivot made by the mechanism. By operating the rowing device, the boat moved forward, and against the direction of the athlete's pull.

The disadvantage of this invention is that the system cannot be easily attached to a floating paddleboard body and does not allow the choice of rowing mode (forward or backward). It also does not favor rowing from the feet.

in the same category of solutions, which allow the rower to be oriented towards the sliding direction, we also mention the following patents: NL 9400943 (A), GB 2233946 (A), WO 2005115833 (A3), and respectively US 7070470 (B2).

Rowing systems with good performance:

Although some of the already mentioned patents also concern the aspect of increasing rowing efficiency, we continue to highlight solutions dedicated to this aspect. Thus, in publication US 8419487 (B2) there is presented a rowing system mounted in the side walls of the boat, and which includes an inwardly located rowing arm that pivots in relation to the support of the system. Externally, the system includes two flexible vanes (fins) that pivot in relation to the same support. during rowing, the athlete-actuated inner arms can pivot through a 180-degree arc, thereby generating movement of the flexible, 180-degree-rotating paddles in opposite directions.

The obvious disadvantage of this solution lies in the permanent mounting of the system in the walls of the boat, and thus not being able to be simply and directly applied to a paddleboard type body.

RO 129296 Β1

US publication 7708610 (B1) discloses an improved rowing system which aligns 1 main rowing arm with a secondary parallel arm, these being connected via a pivot joint to a handle arm. The movement of the assembly allows the oar to be maneuvered as needed while the position of the handle arm is maintained perpendicular to the axis of the boat at all times of rowing. This solution increases the efficiency of rowing 5 by the fact that the actuation of the oar is done over a greater length of movement of the athlete's arms, combined with the fact that the arms act equally in exerting the necessary effort. 7

The disadvantage of this solution also consists in the non-removable assembly of the system to the structure of the boat. Additionally, the system requires a single 9 two-arm paddle to be actuated simultaneously and always on the same side, and is therefore inapplicable to propelling a paddleboard (which requires paddling on both sides of it). System 11 cannot be implemented as such in standing rowing.

Another category of solutions aims to increase rowing efficiency by creating oars 13 with improved hydrodynamic shapes.

Patent RO 117249 presents an oar for normal advance, in the direction of observation 15 of the oarsman of a boat with traction achieved by muscular force. The oar presented consists of a cylindrical body with a handle, at one end and a triangular part at the opposite end 17, having a rectangular blade fixed to the body of the oar by a shaft that allows, through the construction of the oar, a 90° rotation of the front blade on its triangular side. The minimum angle is 19 when pushing the oar, and the maximum angle when pulling it, as a result of water entering between the two parts and opening the oar in the towing position. The system is fixed to the edge of a boat by a ring collar with mobility.

The disadvantage of this invention is that although the paddle has novel mechanical features, they are not included in a configuration freely attachable to a paddleboard.

in the same category the publication US 2009004935 (A1) presents an oar provided with 25 fins at the bottom of the oar blade and an opening immediately above it, which improves the pressure force at the time of rowing, and implicitly increases rowing efficiency. Although 27 it provides an improvement that is simple to incorporate, the disadvantage of this invention is that it does not have an improved lever system to facilitate paddling in the context of a 29 paddleboard using two paddles simultaneously.

Similarly, the document US 2010104448 (A1) presents a restrictive profile associated with the edge of an oar, or with the profile of a helix (propeller), which interacts with the fluid medium. The arched profile of the oar contains a U-shaped or horseshoe edge applied to the two opposite faces 33 of the oar, which improves the hydrodynamic profile of the oar, establishing maximum resistance (corresponding to a minimization of fluid loss), which increases the efficiency of 35 rowing. The disadvantage associated with this invention resides in the relatively small volume of fluid displaced at the time of rowing (not showing a way to increase this volume) and also the fact that no additional levers are applied to increase the efficiency of the transmission of the rower's effort at the time of rowing. 39

Document FR 2577512 A describes an equipment adapted to a board, which allows it to move on the water with the help of oars. The equipment consists of a frame 41 made of stainless steel or aluminum pipes, solidarized by the board with two straps, each stretched by a fastener. On the frame are mounted symmetrically, in a mirror, two supports that can be folded inwards 43 and provided with pivoting forks on the axis, (gen rings) in which one oar is mounted, held in position by a cleat. 45

Document DE 102012106672 A1 discloses a paddling device adapted in a variant to a wave board. The device consists of a height-adjustable lojeron, hinged 47 at both ends. The lower part is articulated with a sole, fixed to the board, and at the other end by a long, double oar, with which you row from your feet, a device used to make the rowing action more efficient.

RO 129296 Β1

As a conclusion, we highlight the fact that the inventions known up to now deal with increasing the rowing efficiency, improving the characteristics of the oars, rowing in the sliding direction, but without solving issues related to:

- easy attachment (mountable-dismountable) of the rowing system to a paddleboard, surfboard or windsurfboard;

- the freedom to change the rowing method (pulling or pushing), at your choice, during navigation;

- the possibility of rowing from the feet using levers that can be attached to the system;

- improving rowing efficiency through a rowing configuration that simultaneously aims to combine mechanical and hydrodynamic characteristics, and which allows the displacement of an increased volume of water by rowing.

The technical problem that the invention solves consists in creating a system with a device that can be easily attached to a paddleboard (surfboard) type boat, combined with increasing the rowing efficiency, which allows rowing in one of two complementary ways, traction or push, from the position standing, when the athlete is facing the direction of the slide.

The proposed solution solves the technical problem by creating this system with an attachable device A, provided with two double oars B1, B2, which makes it possible to act according to preference - either by pulling or by pushing on the tail of the oars - specific to the mounting method of the two oars B1 , B2 and the appropriate use of the support rings 4 specially provided.

The system features two identical paddles B1, B2, with new hydrodynamic characteristics, and is configured to allow the paddles to be actuated from a standing position (in traction or push mode), giving the glider-oriented athlete a wider range of physical exercise . Each paddle B1, B2 presents a configuration with two curved and solidly connected bodies (double paddle), which generates profiles with increased resistance to movement through the water, which displaces more fluid, favoring paddling efficiency.

The attachment device A - consisting of rods, springs and rings - is intended to establish a set of levers by which the oars are loosely attached to the corresponding support rings and can be handled by the athlete in relation to the fulcrum of the resulting lever. The support point is located either at the height (at the top of a stick centrally located in relation to the board, and placed at the level of the athlete's head), or laterally (at the ends of some supporting arcs). Thus the system can be used in the two desired ways (traction, push) with a yield suitable for the chosen lever. The fixing method of device A is suitable for attaching it to boards (paddleboard, surfboard, windsurfboard) of various sizes and shapes.

Push rowing requires fixing the oars in the 4 lateral support rings and positioning the athlete's body slightly inclined forward. The increased length of the oar tail (which determines the arm of the force from the lever formed), requires a lower actuation force, and additionally, the force of the legs and the contribution of the athlete's weight to the movement lead to the improvement of the rowing efficiency.

Rowing by traction involves fixing the oars in the upper 4 support rings and positioning the athlete's body slightly on the back. The formed lever system (albeit with less efficiency than when pushing - since in this case the force arm is shorter) is supplemented by the natural control of the oars by traction, associated with an increased force corresponding to the natural pulling position (backwards), at to which is added the force of the legs, and respectively the contribution of the athlete's weight to the movement. Additionally, the paddle has a longer path through the water. These cumulative aspects lead to increased utilization efficiency.

RO 129296 Β1

The free paddle, used without the device, offers a better power transmission efficiency to the athlete, due to the ability of the paddle to engage a larger volume of water, combined with better control of its gliding through the water at the time of paddling. 3

The proposed invention has the following advantages:

- the attachment of the lever system to the floating body causes a substantial increase 5 in the efficiency of the athlete's action on the oar, especially compared to the free rowing (arms only) currently practiced for paddleboarding; 7

- the longer levers formed, to which is added the weight of the body in actuation and the possibility of moving the body during paddling lead to the additional increase in the yield for paddling in the forward direction, and thus considerably increase the performance of displacement by paddleboarding; 11

- the double paddle has new hydrodynamic characteristics, with advanced properties resulting from:13

- the curvature of the primary body that determines linear gliding through the water, without unwanted zig-zags; 15

- the primary body and the secondary body of the paddle being reinforced by a rib, an integrated connector and a connecting lamella thus form a solid body that displaces an increased volume 17 of water, but which is relatively easy to handle;

- the curvature of the secondary body (with a spoon-like appearance) gives additional resistance 19 to immersion when the oar is inserted into the water, which makes paddling easier;21

- the curvature of the secondary body and the fact that it is provided with a central slot causes the oar to slide more linearly through the water;23

- the longer tail favors the formation of a better lever, thus achieving an increased energy conversion efficiency of the athlete to generate the gliding movement 25 on the water;

- the easy displacement of a larger volume of water in relation to the relatively low weight 27 of the oar and the profile comparable to a standard oar, induces an increase in the maneuverability of the boat used; 29

- the increased stability of the oar when gliding through the water, resulting from the action of the water currents induced by the configuration of the oar (the shape and position of the two curved bodies, with rib 31 and the related slot).

Other advantages of the invention are: 33

- the possibility of using the presented device with any type of standard oars;

- the possibility of using the double oar on any other type of boat, without its use necessarily being conditioned by the attachment of the device.

An example of practical implementation is presented below in relation to the following 37 figures which represent:

- fig. 1, device with two double paddles attachable to floating paddleboards, 39 overview;

- fig. 2, attachable device A with paddles B1, B2 inserted through the support rings, in the 41 push position Pi respectively in the pull position Pf':

a) - general view, from the front; 43

b) - top view;

c) - rear view; 45

d) - side view;

- fig. 3, attachment A shown without oars, top view, with details: 1 - vertical pole 47; 2 - support spring; 3 - fixing support; 4 - support rings (s) = upper and (I) = lateral; 5 - velcro strap; 6 - fixing screw; 49

RO 129296 Β1

- fig. 4, double paddle Β1, B2 with details:

a) - overview;

b) - coaxial view from below;

c) - coaxial top view;

d) - side view;

e) - rear view;

f) - front view;

g) - double oar detail;

- curved primary body; 8 - curved secondary body; 9 - central rib; 10 - tail; 11 - integrated connector; 12 - connecting lamella; 13 - secondary body slot;

- fig. 5, double paddle B1, B2, detail view, black and white presentation:

a) - partial face;

b) - partially lateral;

- fig. 6, device with two double paddles attached to floating paddleboards, overview, color presentation.

in a first embodiment according to the claimed invention, the realized system includes the attachable device A - made up of a relatively rigid tubular structure provided with support rings 4, 4' - which can be mounted on the board (paddleboard) by means of a fixing support 3 and to which the two identical double paddles Β1, B2 are attached in the desired position.

The attachment device A has in its composition the vertical rod 1 curved backwards to make the traction more efficient, the support spring 2 composed of two symmetrical curved segments, the fixing support 3 with three rounded protuberances by which it is fixed to the board (paddleboard), and an arched shape what is molded on the surface of the plate. The support rings 4' are located two at the tip of the rod 1 - and these fix the paddles for traction actuation, respectively two 4 at the ends of the support spring 2 - and which fix the paddles for push actuation. The velcro strap 5 and a central screw 6 secure the device to the board. The attachable device A can also be made of non-tubular structures, of various materials (metal, rigid plastic, carbon fiber, synthetic fibers), and the fixing to the plate can also be done by multiple screws, clamps, rings or buckles.

The double oar Β1, B2 is composed of the curved primary body 7 with the central rib 9, the curved secondary body 8 with the slot 13, solidly joined together by the robustness elements represented by the integrated connector 11 and the connecting lamella 12; the tail 10 is a rigid, light and closed (preferably air-filled) tubular element of significant length, which is inserted directly into the tubular space of the central rib 9.

The curved primary body 7 has the shape of a hyperbolic paraboloid and the role of directing the water flow towards its lateral edges, symmetrical to the axis of the central rib 9.

The curved secondary body 8 has a specific curvature similar to a spoon, and takes the water currents coming from the curved primary body 7 so that part of the water volume passes through the slot 13a of the secondary body 8 and the other part flows symmetrically over the side edges. This flow of water around the double oar forms symmetrical eddy currents that brake the passage through the water but at the same time reduce its zig-zag movement, and by summing the action of the two curved bodies it is possible to engage a larger volume of water.

The central rib 9 has the role of increasing the robustness of the body and allowing the tail 10 to be attached by screwing or by simply forcing and riveting.

The curved primary body 7 and the curved secondary body 8 being joined in the upper part by the integrated connector 11 and towards the top by the connecting lamella 12 form a compact body without insufficiently increasing the weight of the oar.

RO 129296 Β1

Claims 1

Claims (4)

1. Device with paddles attachable to floating boards, consisting of an attachable device (A) 3 consisting of a relatively rigid tubular structure provided with some support rings (4, 4') and a support (3) for fixing on the floating board of the paddleboard type, characterized by the fact that the attachable device (A) is made up of the vertical rod (1) curved backwards joined with a support spring (2) composed of two symmetrical curved segments, solidarized 7 on the support (3) fastening, which has some rounded protuberances by which it is fixed on the plate and an arched shape that molds to the surface of the plate and is fixed with a velcro strap (5) and a central 9 screw (6), and the two rings (4 or 4') of the support have attached, in the desired position, two identical double oars (B1 and B2). 11 2. Device with oars, according to claim 1, characterized in that the support rings (4') are placed two at the tip of the rod (1) for fixing the oars (Β1, B2) for traction movement and two rings (4) of support are located at the top of each symmetrically curved segment of the support spring (2), for fixing the paddles (B1, B2), in the case of 15 displacement by pushing. 3. Device with oars, according to claim 1, characterized in that each oar (B1 or B2) is composed of two bodies, a curved primary body (7) provided with a central rib (9) into which it is inserted by screwing or riveting a tubular tail (10), 19 rigid and filled with air and a secondary body (8) with a specific curvature of a spoon and provided with a slot (13), the two bodies, primary (7) and secondary (8) being solidly joined together 21 by an integrated connector (11) and a connecting lamella (12). 4. Device with paddles, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a constructive variant, the attachable device (A) is made of non-tubular structures, of different materials, such as metal, rigid plastic, carbon fiber, fibers synthetic, and the fixing of 25 to the plate by means of the support (3) is done with multiple screws, or clamps, or rings or buckles. 27