WO2009022070A2

WO2009022070A2 - Watercraft which can be propelled by human power

Info

Publication number: WO2009022070A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/000940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yves Coffournic
Original assignee: Yves Coffournic
Priority date: 2007-06-28
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Also published as: FR2918035B1; EP2158123B1; US20100210158A1; EP2158123A2; FR2918035A1; WO2009022070A3

Abstract

The watercraft according to the invention comprises: an open rigid frame having a concavity, two rigid oblong floats (11, 12) respectively fastened at the two ends of the frame, extending transversely with respect to said frame, on either side thereof, so as to offer a user a grip for his hands, and seat means (7) serving to support a user positioned astride. The frame is tubular and provided in its lower part with at least one water access orifice (8, 9, 10) and in its upper part with at least one vent (E1, E2) enabling the frame to fill at least partially with water and act as a ballast.

Description

NAUTICAL ENGINE PROPULSIABLE BY THE HUMAN FORCE.

The present invention relates to a watercraft propellable by human force and can be applied to recreation, sports training or even rehabilitation, for both healthy people and disabled.

It more particularly relates to a watercraft of the type described in application WO 2006/114524 and which comprises:

- An open rigid frame of a curved shape having a concave portion for example U-shaped, lyre or omega - two rigid oblong floats respectively fixed to both ends of the frame, these two floats extending transversely relative to said frame , on both sides of it so as to allow a user to support his hands,

- Seating means may consist of a coating of a relatively flexible material which covers at least partially the bottom of the concave portion of the frame (U bottom), to serve as support for at least one user disposed astride in this part concave and pressing his hands on one of the floats so as to freely move his legs in the water and move with said craft. In the aforementioned patent application, the frame usually has a gutter-shaped portion for accommodating an inflatable element, so that the immersed part of the machine generally has a density lower than that of water. Therefore, when the user sits astride the bottom of the frame and floats in the water, the center of gravity of the floating assembly whose submerged portion is subject to buoyancy is raised relative to on the surface of the water, which reduces the stability of this set. Because of this reduction in stability, the movements exerted by the user may cause it to tilt. This problem arises with great acuteness in the case where the machine is used by disabled members of the lower limbs and during re-education sessions during which the patient must perform exercises that he has great difficulty in controlling.

Of course, the use of a ballast at the bottom of the frame can be a solution to this problem. However, this solution leads to considerably weigh down the machine and therefore to make it much more difficult handling it out of the water.

The invention therefore firstly aims to eliminate these disadvantages.

For this purpose, it proposes a machine of the aforesaid type provided with a tubular frame comprising in its lower part at least one water access orifice and, in its upper part, at least one air passage orifice or vent , provided so that when the machine is disposed in the water, the frame fills at least partially with water, the water contained inside the frame then playing the role of a ballast.

Optionally, the vent may be equipped with closure means so as to allow the user to control the amount of water inside the frame, in particular for the purpose of adjusting the position of the center of gravity of the floating assembly relative to the center of rotation of the frame.

This solution is useful in particular in the case where the frame is equipped with propulsion means of the machine using the rotational movements of the frame.

Advantageously, these propulsion means may consist of a flexible fin or fin attached to one of the two uprights of the frame, substantially mid-height thereof and extending outwardly of the frame, in a plane passing through a axis of rotation of the frame, in the vicinity of said cable.

According to other embodiments of the invention:

- The machine may comprise at least one rotatably mounted blade on the rear part of the frame (for example under the rear float), and at least one lever rotatably mounted on the front part of the frame, for example under the second float, transmission means being provided to obtain a flapping of the palm under the effect of the alternating tilting of the actuating lever.

- The machine may include two levers rotatably mounted on the front part of the frame and transmission means causing the flapping of the palm under the effect of the actuation of the two levers.

- The machine may include two flippers and two levers respectively mounted on the rear and front of the frame, each lever being coupled to a corresponding palm by an independent transmission means. - The aforesaid fins and the aforesaid levers are rotatably mounted on a rigid structure housed inside the tubular frame and engaging between the two half-shells of said frame so as to obtain a disconnectable attachment.

- The aforesaid transmission means may comprise disengageable connections for adjusting the stroke of the levers relative to the stroke of the fins.

- The frame of the machine may be equipped with a crutch and / or rolling means on the ground.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrammatic sections illustrating the principle of operation of the watercraft, in the normal flotation position (FIG. 1), in the pivoted position towards the front (FIG. 2) and in the rotated position towards the rear (Figure 3);

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the machine illustrated in Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 is a top view of the machine illustrated in Figure 4 in the assembled position;

Figures 6 and 7 are respectively side views (Figure 6) and from above (Figure 7) of an alternative embodiment of the machine according to the invention equipped with fins; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 9 is a schematic cross section of the frame of the machine shown in Figures 6 to 8, at the drive axes;

Figure 10 is a schematic cross section of the frame of the machine shown in Figures 6 to 9 at a set of return pulleys;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the drive mechanism of the fins of the machine illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10.

In this example, the watercraft comprises a rigid tubular frame having an inverted Ω shape which comprises a central portion 1 substantially circular open in its upper part and whose two ends are bent and extended by two respective wings 2, 3 which are extend outwardly coaxially relative to each other and which each carry a mortise assembly profile 4, 5.

These assembly profiles 4, 5 each comprise a vent E ₁ , E ₂ allowing communication of the interior volume of the tubular frame with the outside. These vents can be closed by a shutter Oi, O ₂ for example needle type. This tubular frame may be made of a light material such as a plastic material.

The central portion 1 of the tubular frame comprises in its lower part 6 an area covered by a flexible pad 7 in the form of a hemicylindrical shell for example of closed-cell expanded plastics material. This lining serves as a seat for a user 8 disposed astride the seat. The zone of the lower part 6 of the frame which is opposite to the lining 7 is provided with three water-passing orifices 8, 9, 10. These orifices 8, 9, 10 are intended to allow the filling of the tubular frame by means of water when it is at least partially immersed. This filling which is carried out by chasing the air contained by the wind Ei, E ₂ allows to obtain a "ballast" of the watercraft. The water level inside the frame can optionally be adjusted to suit the user through the shutters Oi, O ₂ equipping the wind.

On the assembly profiles 4, 5 are engaged two respective floats 11, 12 of oblong shape by means of assembly profiles 13, 14 (pins) complementary shapes to those of the assembly profiles 4, 5 (mortises ). These floats 11, 12 are in the form of curved rods substantially similar to handlebars.

Each of the floats 11, 12 is equipped with two handles 15, 16 respectively disposed on either side of its assembly profile 13, 14. Each handle 15, 16 is constituted by a right angle bent round which extends in the concavity of the circular form of the float 11, 12 between one of its ends and its central region.

Similarly, there are two additional handles 17, 18 each constituted by a C-shaped bent ring whose ends are fixed on the convex face of the float 11, 12, opposite a handle 15, 16 .

In this example, each of the floats 11, 12 is further provided at its two ends with two respective protuberances 19, 20 each provided with a through hole, for example a link.

Furthermore, the frame comprises in its central region, substantially at half height, two radial attachment studs 21, 22 on each of which can come engage and fix, removably, a flat fin 23 elastically deformable which extends in a plane (in principle horizontal) perpendicular to the general plane of the frame. In this example, the fin 23 has a cardioid shape.

The mounting of this fin 23 on the frame is effected by means of a yoke 24 in which is engaged one of the two tenons 21, 22. The two wings of the yoke and the tenon are each crossed by two bores arranged so that in the assembled position of the tenon 21, 22 in the yoke 24, there are two through passages in which can be engaged two fastening pins optionally secured to one another to one of their ends.

The operation of the machine previously described is then as follows:

When it is launched, the frame fills at least partially with water that enters through the holes and flushes a corresponding volume of air through the vents until it floats on the water thanks to the floats 11, 12, the central part 1 of the frame which is immersed then plays the role of a boat keel.

Once filled with water, the machine has optimum stability and becomes almost self-reinforcing.

The user then straddles the frame and sits astride the lining 7 in the position shown in Figure 1, by holding the handles 15, 16 of the float 12 in front.

From this position, the user can use two modes of propulsion. The first mode of propulsion is to bow forward in relation to the horizontal and to pedal like a cyclist or to beat legs like a swimmer. In this case, the fin 23 is not used.

The second mode of propulsion is to cause, by alternately tilting forwards and backwards and exerting a force on the handles 15, 16, a rotation of the frame in its plane about its axis of rotation R.

Figure 2 illustrates a position of the user tilted backwards. During the rotation of the frame to achieve this inclination, the fin elastically deforms upward by accumulating potential energy that it releases then returning to its original position by exerting a force of propulsion of the machine forward.

When tilting the user forward under the effect of the water resistance, the fin 23 deforms down to the position shown in Figure 3 and then returns to its initial position by exerting on the craft propulsive forward effort.

It is clear that this second mode of propulsion does very little, if any at all, intervene the legs so that it is particularly suitable for persons with disabilities of the lower limbs.

Of course, in the case where the vents E ₁ , E ₂ are equipped with shutters, the user can adjust the water level inside the frame so as to bring as close as possible the center of gravity of all user / machine, the center of rotation of the machine.

Furthermore, the rotation movement of the frame is amplified through a push / pull action on the handles 15, 16 by the user's hands, alternately upwards and downwards. This mode of propulsion therefore allows to work the arms of the user without, however, exclude a work of the legs (which can be adapted to the disability of the user).

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 11, the tubular frame 30 of the nautical craft 31 is made of two half-shells 32, 33 of C-shaped cross-section, assembled to one another at the their side edges, through screws 34 passing through chambered holes whose chambers are intended to receive the heads of the screws 34 and / or nuts.

The tubular frame 30 engages at its ends in cavities provided in the floats 35, 36, the locking being provided by a locking means such as for example one or more screws.

In a horizontal median plane, these floats 35, 36 have on one side a curved shape 37 which extends outwardly from the frame 30 and, on the opposite side to the previous one, a serrated shape 38. This serrated shape 38 comprises two notches 39, 40 respectively located on either side of a central portion 41 having the cavity 42 in which engages an end of the tubular frame 30 (Figure 7).

In a vertical plane perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane of symmetry of the frame 30, each float is in a slightly flattened oval shape (FIG. 6). In this example, the convex shape 37 has two indentations 39 ', 40' located in the extension of the indentations 39, 40.

The two floats 35, 36 have identical shapes and each further comprise through recesses 41, 42, 43, 44 vertically oriented which each delimit with the rim of the float a gripping handle 41 ', 42', 43 ', 44' . Like the embodiment previously described, the central portion of the tubular frame comprises an upper zone covered by a flexible liner 45 consisting of a shell having in an upright transverse plane an inverted U-shaped section.

In contrast to this lining 45, the tubular frame has at least one water passage orifice 46 intended to allow a filling of the frame when it is at least partially immersed.

Below the float 36, which is supposed to be the forward float, the tubular frame 30 comprises two coaxial through holes 47, 48 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the frame 30. These two bores 47, 48 are intended to ensure the passage of two respective coaxial drive shafts 49, 50 (FIG. 9).

These two drive shafts 49, 50 are rotatably mounted on a rigid structure 51 housed inside the frame 30.

The ends of these two axes 49, 50 which emerge from the frame 30 are integral with two respective actuating levers 52, 53 of bent shape.

These two levers 52, 53 are intended to be manually actuated by a user according to an alternating tilting movement between an anterior position in which they each engage each other in a corresponding recess 39, 40 of the float 36 at a posterior position. in which they are outside the indentations 39, 40.

The bent form of the levers 52, 53 is intended to extend as far as possible forward the end of the levers that serve as handles to the user.

This provides an ergonomic arrangement allowing the user to make the most of the strength of his arms. In this example, the end of each operating lever 52, 53 is provided with a knob 54, 55 of spherical shape, used as a hand grip.

Furthermore, under the float 35 (rear) situated opposite the front float 36, but at a height less than that of the bores 47, 48 (at approximately 2/3 of the frame height 30), the frame 30 comprises two coaxial holes oriented parallel to the holes 47, 48, which are intended to ensure the passage of two respective coaxial drive axes 56, 57 in a mounting similar to that shown in Figure 9.

These two drive shafts 56, 57 are rotatably mounted on the rigid structure 51 housed inside the frame 30.

On these two drive shafts are attached two respective fins 58, 59 having similar shapes to those fins that are usually used by swimmers, but without housing for the feet.

In this example, the attachment of the flippers on the drive shafts 56, 57 is performed by screwing, by means of fixing means allowing adjustment of the orientation of the flippers.

The two drive shafts 49, 50 - 56, 57 located on the same side of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the frame 30 are coupled to each other by a transmission mechanism of conventional type. In this example, this mechanism involves a transmission by cables and pulleys.

As illustrated in Figure 11, the rigid structure 51 comprises a P beam having a bent shape corresponding to the bent form of the frame 30, here a substantially trapezoidal shape open at the large base. This beam P carries, at each of the pairs of holes 47, 48, a transverse axis 60 which extends coaxially with the drilling torques 47, 48, on either side of the beam P. The ends of this axis 60 which protrude from either side of the beam P constitute trunnions on which engage two respective tubular drive shafts 49, 50 each carrying inside the frame 30 a double drum T1, T2 - T3, T4 on which are fixed and wind the ends of two cables C1, C2 - Cl ', C2'.

The tubular drive shafts 49, 50 - 56, 57 are secured at their ends which emerge from the frame 30 respectively to the actuating levers 52, 53 and the fins 58, 59 via a cylindrical hub 61 , 62 - 61 ', 62' for example of plastic.

Inside the frame 30, the two pairs of cables C1, C1-C2, C'2 (one pair per side of the beam P) are guided by two pairs of pairs of rollers PCl, PC2 respectively arranged at the level of angular region of the trapezoidal form of the beam P. FIG. 10 shows a pair of pairs of rollers PCl.

The rollers 65, 66 - 67, 68 of each pair of pairs of rollers PC1, PC2 are pivotally mounted about a transverse axis 70 passing through the beam P and extending on both sides thereof to constitute two pins.

Thanks to these arrangements, the tilting of a lever 52, 53 in one direction causes the rotation of a corresponding first drum T1, T2 and consequently the winding of one of the cables C1 of this drum T1, T2 and the unwinding of the second cable C2 of the drum T1, T2.

The winding of the first cable Cl generates on the second drum T3, T4 associated with the palm 58, 59, located on the same side, a running of this cable Cl with a rotation drive of the second drum T3, T4 and corresponding palm 58, 59. The second cable C2 then undergoes a winding on the second drum T3, T4 and unwinding on the first drum. Tilting in the opposite direction of the lever 52, 53 will cause an inverse action of the previous one with rotation in the opposite direction of the fin 58, 59.

With each rotation of the fin 58, 59, the machine will be propelled forward.

A similar process is performed on the other side of the beam P during the tilting of the second lever 52, it being understood that the two drive kinematics of the flippers 58, 59 are independent.

In this example, the flippers can be directly actuated by the user by means of straight levers 70, 71 equipped with handles directly fixed to the hub 61 ', 62' serving for fixing the fins 58, 59.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Thus, for example, the beam P may have at least partially the shape of a plate provided with fastening means engaging between the two half-shells 32, 33, all of this plate and its equipment (cables / axes / drums / rollers ...) constituting a cassette easily mountable or removable either to facilitate the maintenance of the machine or even to change its configuration.

Similarly, it is possible to provide a removable seat to replace the seal 45. This saddle can be specially designed for the disabled. In addition, the frame 30 may be equipped with a crutch and / or bearing means to ensure the stability of the machine on the ground and / or its possible movement on the ground.

Claims

claims

1. Nautical craft propellable by human force comprising:

- a rigid frame (30) having a shape delimiting a concave portion, - two rigid oblong floats (11, 12) respectively fixed to both ends of the frame, these two floats (11, 12) extending transversely relative to said frame, on either side of it, so as to offer a user a grip or support for his hands, and

- Seating means (7) for supporting a user disposed astride said concave portion, characterized in that said frame is tubular and comprises in its lower part at least one water access port (8, 9 , 10) and in its upper part, at least one air passage opening or vent (Ei, E ₂ ) provided so that, when the machine is placed in the water, the frame fills at least partially water and that the water contained inside the frame plays the role of a ballast.

2. nautical machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid vent (E ₁ , E ₂ ) is equipped with closure means (O i, O ₂ ) so as to allow the user to control the amount of water inside the frame.

3. Finally nautical according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said frame is equipped with propulsion means exploiting the rotational movements of the frame.

4. Nautical machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the said propulsion means consist of a fin (23) or flexible fin, elastically deformable, fixed on one of the frame uprights, substantially at mid height thereof , this fin (23) extending outwardly of the frame.

5. nautical machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforesaid palm (23) extends in a plane passing through the axis of rotation (R) of the frame or in the vicinity of said axis.

6. Nautical craft according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the aforesaid palm (23) has a cardioid form.

7. Nautical craft according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the amounts of the aforesaid frame are provided with means for a disconnectable assembly of said palm (23).

8. Nautical craft according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central portion of the aforesaid frame comprises an area covered by a flexible pad (7) in the form of a semicylindrical shell serving as a seat.

9. Nautical craft according to claim 8, characterized in that said liner (7) is made of expanded plastics closed cell.

10. Nautical craft according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforesaid frame is made of a light material such as a plastic material.

11. nautical craft according to one of claims 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one palm mounted rotatably on the rear part of the frame (30) and at least one lever of 52, 53 rotatably mounted on the front portion of the frame (30) and transmission means for causing the flapping of the palm (58, 59) under the effect of a reciprocating movement of the drive lever (52, 53).

12. Nautical craft according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises two levers (52, 53) articulated on the front part of the frame (30), and in that the beats of the palm (58, 59) are caused by the alternative tilting of the two levers (52, 53).

13. nautical machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises two fins (58, 59) rotatably mounted on the rear part of the frame (30) and two actuating levers (52, 53) articulated under the part before said frame (30), each lever (52, 53) being coupled to a corresponding fin (58, 59) by independent transmission means.

14. Nautical craft according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the said transmission means are of type cables / drums and rollers.

15. nautical craft according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the aforesaid fins (58, 59) and the aforesaid levers (52, 53) are rotatably mounted on a rigid structure (51) housed inside the frame (30).

16. nautical engine according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an additional actuating lever (70, 71) integral with the aforesaid palm or said fins (58, 59).

17. Nautical craft according to claim 15, characterized in that the aforesaid rigid structure (51) further supports the aforesaid transmission means and is fixed to the frame by means of fixing disconnectable so as to mount and dismount said rigid structure (51) with its equipment in the manner of a cassette.

18. Nautical craft according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the tubular frame (30) is made of two half-shells (32, 33) assembled to one another at their side edges , and in that said rigid structure (51) engages between said side edges for attachment to the frame.

19. Nautical craft according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the said actuating levers (52, 53) have a bent shape and engage in notches (39, 40) provided in said floats.

20. nautical engine according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the transmission means comprise a disengageable connection for adjusting the stroke of the lever or levers (52, 53) relative to the stroke of the or fins (58, 59).

21. Nautical craft according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (30) is equipped with a folding crutch and / or rolling means to ensure the stability of the machine on the ground and / or its possible movements on the ground.

22. Nautical craft according to one of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that the ends of the frame (30) engage in cavities provided in the floats (35, 36).