WO2012028249A1

WO2012028249A1 - Watercourse

Info

Publication number: WO2012028249A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/003963
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Roth
Original assignee: Uwe Roth
Priority date: 2010-08-31
Filing date: 2011-08-08
Publication date: 2012-03-08
Also published as: DE102010036009A1; DE102010036009B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a watercourse that comprises a plurality of strengthening elements (10) which are arranged on a body of water (30). The strengthening elements (10) have at least one fixing section (11) and a strengthening device (12) and are fixed to a supporting structure (1) in a replaceable manner by means of the at least one fixing section (11). At least one first section (1') of the supporting structure (1) extends over at least one section of a surface of the body of water (30). The strengthening devices extend downward from the first section (1') in a use arrangement of the strengthening elements (10). A strengthening device (12) of at least one first strengthening element (10) is in a first arrangement position of the following positions: arranged under the surface of the body of water, on the surface of the body of water, over the surface of the body of water, and combinations of the aforementioned positions, and a strengthening device (12) of at least one second strengthening element (10) is in a second arrangement position of the following positions: arranged under the surface of the body of water, on the surface of the body of water, over the surface of the body of water, and combinations of the aforementioned positions, said arrangement positions of the first and second strengthening element (10) being different.

Description

WATER COURSE

The following invention relates to a water course.

It is known to move in swimming pools or in free waters sporty other than by swimming; In addition - not least to increase the recreational value of swimming pools and bathing establishments - many facilities such as water slides, diving towers or counter current systems were created in swimming pools and bathing establishments, nets or gates for performing ball games in the water are known. Ways to test and train skill in the water, aside from the option to play ball, are unlikely unless complex water equipment such as water skis or wakeboards or similar devices are available. These require the presence of a generous water surface and thus can not be carried out in conventional swimming pools. Based on this prior art, it is desirable to provide facilities for enhancing the attractiveness of any type of swimming and bathing facilities, which would allow individual individuals, as well as groups, to practice their skill in the water for themselves or in competition or simply Exercise mobility exercises, the facilities should not interfere with conventional swimming operation.

This object is achieved by the water course with the features of claim 1. Further developments of the device are set forth in the subclaims. A water course according to the invention comprises several so-called upgrading elements, which are arranged on a body of water. As used herein, an "enhancement element" is understood to mean any element that can be used playfully or underwater, under water, on the surface of the water, or over the surface of the water; whether by climbing, swimming, swimming, balancing, by applying tensile and compressive forces or otherwise.

The retrofit elements used in accordance with the invention are subdivided into a fastening and a retrofit device, whereby the term "retrofit device" refers to the component of the retrofit element which is in the focus of the parcour user in order to solve the problem posed by the respective retrofit element At least a portion of the support structure is at least two meters above a surface of the surface of the water, and the retrofit devices of the retrofit elements, when placed in use, extend downwardly from this first section. According to the invention, it is envisaged that the training devices of the retrofit elements can be arranged below the water surface, on, or at the water surface, or above the water surface ter the water surface is or should extend from it, or whether it is dangling only in the air above the water surface or projecting from far below the water surface up into the air, determines the user or it results from the nature of the device.

A water course according to the invention is composed of several elements of refinement, of which at least one is arranged in a different arrangement position than the one or the other.

In order to advantageously design an interesting course, it will be advisable to arrange several elements of training so that about one or more training devices are below the water surface and to be completed by diving, or at least stopping air, under water, while other elements of the Water surface are arranged, or in the transition region from below the water surface to the air space above the water surface extend, such as ladder or other climbing elements, whereas a third group of the training elements begins at or above the water surface and extends vertically or inclined upwards. Thus, an inventive course can use the different levels of a body of water and thereby provide exciting and interesting diving, climbing, balancing and other dexterity tasks.

Such a water course can be designed so that the elements are manageable with increasing course length with increasing difficulty. Therefore, such a course can certainly be used for the delivery of competitions; especially if there are two identical courses parallel to each other on one body of water.

"Waters" is understood to mean any form of indoor or outdoor swimming pool, be it conventional or natural-pool type, but also coastal waters, inland waters, lakes, rivers, canals or reservoirs.

Advantageously, the support structure, on the first section of which the retrofit elements are mounted in the use arrangement, may further be provided with a second section which is suitably immediately adjacent to the first section and which is designed so that the retrofit elements are stowed thereon in a non-use arrangement can be.

This is advantageous in particular when the retrofittable elements according to the invention need not be transferred by hand from one to the other section, but rather when each retrofittable element is directly or indirectly fastened by means of the fastening section or by means of the fastening sections necessary for its suspension Is arranged movable by means of brackets. In this case, the fastening portion is in each case connected to a holder, and the holders are movably engaged with the first portion, or, if there is a second portion, also with this. Thus, advantageously, a holding structure over a portion of a swimming surface, such as a swimming pool, are arranged, wherein the first portion is located above the water surface, while the second portion is not located above the water surface, but at a suitable location next to it. By "section" it is meant that the entire water surface does not necessarily have to be equipped with the parcour elements, it is quite possible, for example in a pool measuring 15 m by 50 m, to cover the course by 5 m by 50 m Depending on the architectural conditions, the retaining structure must be present above at least this area.

Then, the retrofit elements, when placed in their use arrangement, can be moved across the water surface and secured in a suitable position.

If the retrofit elements or at least their lower sections represented by the devices are to be available for conventional use, then the retrofit elements can be pushed and removed from the section above the water surface to the remote section by simple movement or displacement be stowed. This ensures that the inventive water course of the original use, especially of bathing establishments is in any case not a hindrance.

Alternatively, the attachment portions may be adjustable in length; then it can be enough to just pull up the devices.

The first section or also the first and the second section of the holding structure can be provided by rods, rails, such as running rails, or by one or more tensioning cables. Particularly well-known rails, which can be configured as up or down open rail or hollow sections, with about an impeller or a carriage for movability in the top open

Rail profile of the retrofit elements can be used. alternatives Trolleys or drive elements can be used in the downwardly opening profile.

Other transport devices such as drivers, which embrace the rod or the profile, can be used. Such embodiments are known to the person skilled in the art in particular from production lines in vehicle production. Suitable devices for providing the holder and the method of the holders are known per se; Examples are disclosed, for example, in DE 693 14 287 T2 or DE 10 2004 061 990 A1. To spend the brackets on which the retrofit elements are held, in a simple and rapid manner to the desired position, they can be coupled with mechanical or electrical drive means. For this purpose, it is also advantageous if adjacent brackets are coupled together, so that a single drive is sufficient to move a plurality of connected in series, or successively connected by couplings brackets.

Further, locking means may be provided to lock the brackets at the desired position, respectively, so that they remain securely positioned when a person performs the training exercises. The holding structure may comprise a frame, which is stretched so that a desired number of first or possibly first and second sections can be clamped between the frame elements. In this construction, the design of the parallel course for the execution of competitions can be realized in a simple manner. Alternatively, support arms may be provided to illustrate the support structure, between which the first, or the first and second sections are arranged. The support arms may, for example, arranged on both sides of a rail element V-shaped up to a building ceiling or down to a pool bottom, pond bottom, seawater bottom or to the shore, to the swimming pool edge or similar extend.

Furthermore, the frame, which is connected to the support arms, attached to a surface spanning the surface of the water, at a wall surrounding the surface of the body, in a bottom of the water or in a surrounding soil surrounding the ground by means of appropriate fastening devices fixed or mobile be. Of course, the above also applies to the structure without frame: Even a structure that provides only the design with support arms, can be arranged stationary or mobile. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention can provide that the attachment portions are variable in length: Thus, on the one hand, different positions of the training device can be adjusted with respect to the water surface or the retrofit element can be pulled up by simply shortening the attachment portion and thus cleaned up. This is advantageous even when the fastening sections are fixed by means of brackets to first sections of the retaining structure, which are mounted directly on a building ceiling that is so high above the water surface that the upgrading elements, when raised, the intended original do not disturb the use of the water.

If the support structure is formed by or with a rope, so as to operate via a cable system of one or more equipment, the pulling up can be done easily in a known manner. It is possible in this case, both to manufacture at least a portion of the support structure and the attachment portion of a rope.

Furthermore, the water course according to the invention comprises exchangeable retrofit elements or devices. Thus, by changing the elements, the degree of difficulty of a water course can be changed or, in the case of the same level of difficulty, can be designed differently in an interesting way. The training equipment of the For example, mounting elements can be constructed as a network structure, a conductor structure, a tube structure, a combined net tube structure, as a platform, as a rod, as a rod, as a floating body, as a honeycomb structure, as a throwing element, as a ring element or as a plate with grip elements or as a combination be designed from one or more of the aforementioned devices.

These and other advantages are set forth by the following description with reference to the accompanying figures.

The reference to the figures in the description is intended to assist the same and facilitate understanding of the subject matter. Articles or parts of objects which are substantially the same or similar may be given the same reference numerals. The figures are merely schematic representations of embodiments of the invention. It shows:

1a is a side sectional view of a swimming pool with pool, the upgrade elements are positioned in non-use arrangement next to the pool,

1 b, a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 a, wherein the retrofit elements are moved over the water surface in use arrangement, FIG. 2 shows a side view of an arrangement of inventive elements in positions under the water surface, on the water surface and above the water surface,

3 is a perspective view of a parallel course,

4a shows a perspective arrangement of the water course with sunken in the ground support arms,

4b, a water course according to the invention in an open water arrangement, wherein the support arms are sunk in the water bottom, 5 shows a perspective view of a holding structure with a circular section that can be arranged above a water body,

Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view of two support structure pairs, which are formed from two respective V-shaped support arms and anchored to the ground.

The present invention relates to a water course, which is formed by many upgrading elements, which are arranged on a body of water. The retrofit elements have a fastening section and a retrofit device and are fastened exchangeably by means of the fastening section to a support structure.

Such exercises are shown in Figs. 1b to 6; FIGS. 1 a to 4 show platforms 12 which are arranged here on rigid attachment sections 1 as retrofitting devices. In principle, the fastening sections can also be non-rigid or flexible. Of course, an inventive device can be designed in many ways; it can form a network structure, a ladder structure or a tube structure; but also a combined net tube structure, it could be made of a rod, a rod or more of the aforementioned or as a float or have a honeycomb structure. Furthermore, the training device may comprise a throwing element such as a ball, or be formed by a ring member. Other devices and combination options are conceivable.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 1, according to the invention, at least one first section V, of the holding structure 1, extends over at least a portion of the surface of the swimming pool 30, which here represents a waters according to the invention.

It is located here far above the surface of the water, but can also be arranged quite lower over the water surface, so that about The support structure, especially if it is designed as a rope, can serve as a "railing" or holding aid for a course participant, for example a course design in the form of a suspension bridge, whereby the support structure can be formed by two or, depending on the form of the equipment, a rope such as a steel cable is formed, and wherein instead of the suspension bridge tread elements, the devices according to the invention extend downward.The elements may project differently far down and be designed completely different If the watercourse is a swimming pool, it is advantageous that the support structure be attached directly to the building ceiling or to the building sidewalls.The attachment to the ceiling 20 is shown approximately in Figs 1a and 2b, and Figs 2, 3 and 5. In a user arrangement, the training elements 10 are over the water surface, they are positioned in a portion 1 ', which is part of the support structure 1, as shown in FIGS. 1a, 2 and 6 by way of example.

In this case, the training devices 12 can be defined in different arrangement positions either below the surface of the water, on the surface of the water and above the surface of the water or, depending on their design, also in two or more arrangement positions; see Fig. 2. Elements such as the platforms shown in Figs. 1a to 2 may each be arranged so that they occupy exactly one of the aforementioned positions and are arranged either below, on or above the water surface, so that a person on the platforms to swim, climb it and then jump to the next platform.

If the fasteners are pivotally mounted, the person may even try to swing to the next platform. Other elements, such as ladder-shaped or tubular elements, which can be climbed from the bottom to the top, can also be located, for example, from just below the water surface to well above the water level. extending seroberfläche. A swimmer can climb up and, if he wishes, drop from above into the water or grab a nearby airborne next element to continue the course. The water course according to the invention is designed in such a way that in any case several of the three main arrangement positions are always occupied, for instance as shown in FIG. As indicated by arrow b, the attachment portions are height adjustable so that the aforementioned positions relative to the water-air interface can be adjusted. Arrow a indicates the traversability along section V.

In order that the upgrading elements 10, or the devices 12, do not interfere in a non-use arrangement, the holding structure may have a second section 1 ", as illustrated in FIG. 1b or FIG. 5: the section V directly adjoins section 1", which passes over the water surface lies. Thus, when the course is to be "cleared away", each of the retrofit elements 10 can be slid along the first section 1 'onto the second section 1 "where the elements can be stowed close together.

In order to be able to move the elements in a suitable manner, it is advantageous if the fastening sections are not simply cables looped over the retaining structure or the like (which would be possible in principle), but if a proper mounting 1 ', as in FIGS 1b indicated, is provided.

Such holders 1 1 and corresponding rail systems forming a holding structure 1 are known to the person skilled in the art in connection with rails and corresponding carriages and carriers, for example from motor vehicle production. The use of tensioning cables in combination with rollers running on the rope, which carry fastening sections, which in this case can be quite rope-shaped, are known to the person skilled in the art. In order that the holders 11 for moving or, respectively, the method of operation of the retrofittable elements can be actuated rapidly, they can be equipped with mechanical or electric drive means. Simple mechanical drive means may be pull ropes, which can be wound up and unrolled by hand on rollers, optionally equipped with corresponding spring elements. Electric drives are known in the art; Such electrical drives can be connected to the brackets such that adjacent, mutually coupled brackets can be operated at the same time. This is basically possible with mechanical drive means. In addition, the electric drive means may provide that individual ones of the brackets may be driven to move or readjust a position; accordingly control means must be provided.

The holding structure 1 itself can have more complex geometric shapes. The support structure 1 shown in Fig. 5 is in the form of a "question mark" with the arcuate portion positioned over the water surface and serving as the first portion V from which the retrofit members are placed in the desired placement position at, below or above the water surface whereas the straight section 1 ", which may extend approximately into a niche, provides the section in which the retrofit elements are stowed in a non-use arrangement. If fastening means are provided for attaching the structure to the ceiling at the top of the rail, trouble-free running of the retrofit elements can nevertheless be easily made possible by using approximately downwardly open rails / hollow profiles in which the carriages or carriages are freely movable.

The support structure 1 can in principle also consist of a simple, straight rail, which are arranged on support arms 2 on a ceiling, which may be present about a swimming pool, about. Also a wall mounting is possible. Such an embodiment may provide that the entire water course consists of a plurality of retaining structures. exists. This is indicated by way of example in Fig. 3: Two identical water courses are formed by the parallel arranged holding structures 1, at the respective first portions 1 'corresponding to each three elements 10 are arranged, the devices 12 extend to just below the water surface.

Such courses can be made arbitrarily complicated and encourage, for example, to carry out competitions. Depending on the length of the course, two people or teams can use the two parallel courses. The support structure may also include a frame such as shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. Such a frame can be useful both in the swimming pool, see Fig. 4a, as well as in the open water, see Fig. 4b: The frame used in Fig. 4a with four support arms 2, which are anchored to the bottom 31 adjacent to the pool 30, can be designed mobile and if necessary be positioned over the water surface 30, whereas about the frame shown in Fig. 4b be anchored about its support arms 2, for example by solid foundations 2 'permanently in the bottom of the lake 30 or pond, but also in marine shallow water can. The result is a permanently usable attraction, the design of which is ideal when the available water surface is sufficiently large.

A further alternative embodiment, in which the section 1 'on which the retrofit elements 10 are arranged, is provided by a tensioning cable is shown in FIG. There, the support arms 2 are also anchored on the edge of a swimming pool, the two support arms are joined to an inverted V (figuratively not seen), which is braced for static assurance each with clamping elements 2 '.

Advantageously, the attachment portions of the invention can be shown vertically adjustable elements, so that the arrangement of the training devices can be variably adjusted and the Par cours are set accordingly for smaller or taller people may or may be changed in difficulty.

Furthermore, the training devices can be designed interchangeable, so that the course can always be varied. The degree of difficulty of the course can also be changed by exchanging the training devices accordingly.

If the course according to the invention designed as a competition course, so may be provided at its input and its output in each case a light barrier, so that the time required to complete the course, can be measured in a simple manner. An adventure course can provide for example, five to seven upgrading elements on a course of about 25 meters. It should be noted that, depending on the complexity of the retrofit elements, they may be attached to the support structure with multiple attachment portions and corresponding brackets. If the device according to the invention is to be kept mobile or at least degradable, the support arms can be anchored, for example, to steel plates which are already provided in the floor. This variant is shown in FIG. 4a. The system can then be constructed by placing the brackets 2 on their anchorage 2 'and stably connecting them together at the free ends, such as by using a frame member. Then, the rail 1 ', which forms the first portion V, can be attached to the frame for receiving the retrofitting devices.

To tenter the support arms for safety reasons, fillable water weights may be provided (not shown figuratively). This makes it possible that the entire system remains mobile and can be used for special events or as a tourist attraction in various waters, such as outdoor pools. Suitably, the water course in its entirety is designed so that the assembly and disassembly can be done by a small group of technicians with about two to four people in about one day, it is also advantageous if the entire material can be accommodated on a single truck.

Claims

Water course comprising a plurality of training elements (10) arranged on a body of water (30),

characterized in that

the retrofit elements (10) have at least one attachment section (11) and an equipment (12) and are exchangeably secured to a support structure (1) by means of at least one attachment section (11),

wherein at least a first portion (1 ') of the support structure (1) extends over at least a portion of a surface of the body of water (30), and wherein in a use arrangement of the retrofit members (10) the retrofit devices (12) extend from the first portion (1 ') extend down and

a retrofit device (12) of at least one first retrofit element (10) in a first arrangement position from the positions: below the surface of the water, on the surface of the water, above the surface of the water and combinations of the aforementioned positions and

a retrofit device (12) of at least one second retrofit element (10) is arranged in a second arrangement position from the positions: below the surface of the water, on the surface of the water, above the surface of the water and combinations of the aforementioned positions,

wherein the arrangement positions of the first and second working members (10) are different.

Water course according to claim 1, characterized in that the first section (1 ') extends into at least a second section (1 ") of the support structure (1) on which the retrofit elements (0) are arranged in a non-use arrangement.

3. Water course according to claim 1,

characterized in that the upgrading element (10) is movably arranged by means of the attachment section (11) or the attachment sections (11) along the support structure (1) directly or by means of holders (11 '),

wherein the attachment portion (11) is connected to the support (11 ') and the support (11') to the first portion (1 ') or to the first portion (1') and the second portion (1 ") of the support structure

(1) is movably engaged.

Water course according to at least one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that

the first section (1 ') or the first section (1') and the second section (1 ") of the support structure (1) is provided by a rod, a rail, in particular a running rail or a tensioning cable of claims 2 to 4,

characterized in that

the brackets (11 ') are coupled to mechanical or electrical drive means for providing movability. 6. Water course according to at least one of claims 2 to 5,

characterized in that

adjacent brackets (11 ') are coupled together.

7. Wasserparcours according to at least one of claims 2 to 6,

characterized in that

the support structure (1)

- a frame and / or

Supporting arms (2) on which the first or the first and the second sections (1, 1 ") are arranged,

and wherein the support arms (2) or the frame, with the support arms

(2) is connected,

- On a the surface of the body of water (30) spanning ceiling (20)

on a wall surrounding the surface of the body of water (30),

- In a bottom (31) of the water body (30) or

- in a ground surrounding the body of water (30)

fixed by a fastening device or mobile attached.

8. Water course according to at least one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that

the attachment portion (1 1) is variable in length.

9. Water course according to at least one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that

the retrofit device (12) arranged on the attachment section (11) is exchangeable.

10. Water course according to claim 5,

characterized in that

the retrofit device (12) of the retrofit elements (10) comprises a network structure, a conductor structure, a tube structure, a net tube structure, a platform, a rod, a rod, a floating body, a honeycomb structure, a throwing element, a ring element or a combination one or more of the foregoing.