WO2016102814A1

WO2016102814A1 - Aquatic game device

Info

Publication number: WO2016102814A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/053516
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathalie GONIMA
Original assignee: Decathlon
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2015-12-15
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: AU2015370806A1; CN107106914A; EP3237082A1; FR3030288B1; RU2017124901A; CN107106914B; RU2017124901A3; US20170368435A1; RU2719205C2; FR3030288A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an aquatic game device comprising a structure (1) having two ends (1a) which are each fitted with a base module (2), said structure being sufficiently deformable so as to allow the relative movement of said modules, the density of the modules (2) being designed to allow the immersion of said device in water with the modules (2) arranged such that they stand on a subaquatic surface, and the density of the structure (1) being designed so as to be able to suspend said structure in the water according to at least one game configuration.

Description

Aquatic game device

The invention relates to an aquatic game device comprising a structure having two ends each equipped with a base module.

It applies in particular to a game device which is intended to be immersed in a pool, particularly as part of an aquatic course of awakening and learning to swim. Aquatic adaptation exercises, diving techniques, submersible objects to be retrieved, or devices that create passages that encourage the practitioner to move in the water to work the immersion are commonly used. For example, aquatic play devices are known which can be positioned at the bottom of a pool by means of ballasting means, said devices having a passage structure, such as a hoop, which is kept in suspension in the water for to be able to be crossed. In particular, document US Pat. No. 5,141,441 describes an aquatic play device which has a polygonal passage structure formed by the association of rigid plastic tubes and connected to a weighted foot by means of a rope for its immersion retention. vertically, said foot being arranged to bear on the bottom of a pool with a flat geometry.

It is also known from FR-2,617,407 to reversibly associate weighted tubes by means of connectors to form a submerged tunnel in which a swimmer may pass, said connectors having different shapes in order to be able to modify the tunnel geometry.

However, such aquatic game devices are not entirely satisfactory in that they are bulky, especially for their storage, and / or difficult to handle, particularly requiring manual assembly operations to arrange them in game configuration.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular an aquatic game device which is arranged to be able to present at least one game configuration by means of a structure suspended in water, without requiring tedious manual operations. for its installation and / or storage. For this purpose, the invention proposes an aquatic play device comprising a structure having two ends each equipped with a base module, said structure having a deformability which is sufficient to allow the relative displacement of said modules, the density of the modules being arranged to allow immersion in the water of said device by arranging the modules supported on an underwater surface, the density of the structure being arranged to put said structure in suspension in the water according to at least one play configuration.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows an aquatic play device according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows in longitudinal section a base module of the water play device of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the base module of FIG. 2.

In connection with these figures, there is described below an aquatic game device, which is particularly intended to be immersed in a pool for use in exercises for adaptation to the aquatic environment or learning diving techniques.

In particular, the game device can be used in the context of an aquatic waking and / or learning to swim course, said course being able to include several gaming devices according to the invention, and possibly other devices or aquatic objects that can bring different tests for the swimmer. The game device comprises a structure 1 having an open geometry whose two ends 1a are each equipped with a base module 2 to ensure the positioning of the game device on an underwater surface during its use, especially on the bottom of 'swimming pool. To do this, the density of the modules 2 is arranged to allow immersion in the water of the game device by arranging said modules on the underwater surface. Preferably, the modules 2 have a similar density which is sufficiently greater than 1 to allow immersion of the gaming device.

Each base module 2 comprises a base 3 intended to bear on the underwater surface. According to the embodiment shown, the modules 2 have a conical geometry under which the base 3 extends. Advantageously, the base 3 has a rounded bearing surface 4, allowing in particular the tilting of the modules 2 in order to promote their keeping on the underwater surface in a defined game pattern.

In order to define a sufficient density for keeping the gaming device immersed, the modules 2 can be made from a material of adequate density. In a variant, each base module 2 may comprise a suitable quantity of ballast material. The base modules 2 can thus be arranged to be filled with a ballast material, for example sand and / or water. To do this, the modules 2 can each integrate a tank 5 for the ballast material. In relation to FIG. 2, the reservoir 5 is formed in the base 3 of the module 2, the bearing surface 4 having an orifice 6 for filling said reservoir with the ballast material. The modules 2 can each be made in one piece, in particular by rotational molding of an elastomeric material, in order to have an external geometry limiting the risk of injury in the event of accidental contact by the swimmer and / or a third party with a module 2. .

The structure 1 has a deformability which is sufficient to allow the relative displacement of the base modules 2, in particular by allowing an arrangement of said modules according to at least one configuration of use in the water in which said modules are separated, and at least one storage configuration out of the water in which said modules can be grouped to limit the size of the game device.

The density of the structure 1 is arranged to put said structure in suspension in the water according to at least one set configuration which corresponds to a configuration of use of the modules 2. Thus, by simple arrangement of the modules 2 of base resting on the bottom of the pool according to a given use configuration, the structure 1 is deployed in suspension in the water to present a game configuration.

Preferably, the structure 1 is arranged for, in play configuration, forming between the modules 2 an arch suspended in the water to define an underwater passage that the swimmer must cross by putting the head under water.

In particular, the modules 2 may be more or less spaced apart and / or offset, inducing game configurations for the structure 1 which differ in the geometry of the passage. According to one embodiment, the structure 1 has a length between the modules 2 which is between 1 and 2 m to allow the formation of at least one arch of sufficient size to allow the passage of a swimmer. In relation with the figures, the structure 1 comprises at least one hollow tube which is made of a flexible material, in particular from a thermoplastic elastomer of TPU type, the quantity of air contained in said tube providing a density less than 1 for said structure. Alternatively, the structure 1 may be made of a material of sufficiently low density to allow its suspension in water, for example based on a flexible polymer foam.

The tube 1 is circular with outside and inside diameters favoring its deformation while containing the amount of air necessary for its maintenance in suspension in water. In particular, the outer diameter may be of the order of 12 mm and the internal diameter of the order of 10 mm.

The ends 1a of the tube 1 are each associated with an upper part of a base module 2, in particular allowing the internal diameter to be closed in a sealed manner and thus to maintain the air contained in the said tube during its suspension in the water.

To associate the structure 1 to the base modules 2, provision can be made to equip each of said modules with an upper connector 7 connecting with an end 1 a of said structure. In relation with FIGS. 2 and 3, each connector comprises a rod 7 which is fixed in the base module 2 and to which the end 1a of the structure 1 is associated.

In particular, the rod 7 has a complementary shape which is fixed in an upper housing 9 of the module 2. In the figures the rod 7 comprises a threaded lower portion 8 which is intended to be screwed into an upper housing 9 of the base module 2 said housing being provided with a thread. The housing 9 can be formed directly in the module 2 base. According to the embodiment shown, the module 2 has an upper cavity 10 in which is fixed a sleeve January 1 inside which is formed the receiving housing 9 of the rod 7. In particular, the sleeve 1 1 can be reported in the cavity 10 for example by gluing or overmolding. The housing 9 and / or the threaded lower portion 8 can be arranged to ensure a retention force of the rod 7 in the module 2. In connection with Figure 2, the housing 9 is slightly conical in order to increase the clamping of the rod 7 during screwing.

Thus, each module 2 can be mounted on an end 1a of the structure 1 in a manner that can not be dismantled by the user. As a variant, the modules 2 can be reversibly connected to the structure 1 to allow in particular their replacement or the dismounting of the gaming device. For this purpose, a reduced torque can be provided to allow the rod 7 to be unscrewed.

The threaded lower portion 8 is surmounted by a tip 12 which protrudes from the module 2 and has dimensions for mounting on it an end 1a of the structure 1. In the figures, the end 1a of the tube 1 is fitted on the tip 12 which is provided with a peripheral harpoon 13 for maintaining and sealing said fitting.

In addition, each connector 7 is equipped with a cover 14 covering the connection with the end 1a of the structure 1, said cover having in particular an aesthetic function by having a conical geometry complementary to that of the module 2. In particular , the cover 14 has a bore 15 for mounting around the tube 1, said bore being arranged to receive the end 1 fitted on the tip 12 to hide them.

To reinforce the hold of the base modules 2 on the structure 1, the cover 14 may also have a connection locking function of the end 1a of the structure 1 on the connector 7. In the figures, the rod 7 is provided a central washer 16 disposed under the nozzle 12 and on which the bore 15 is locked axially by radially clamping the end 1a on said tip. By the way, the puck 16 and the bore 15 each have a complementary thread allowing locking by screwing of the cover 14 on the rod 7.

Claims

1. An aquatic game device comprising a structure (1) having two ends (1 a) each equipped with a module (2) base, said structure having a deformability which is sufficient to allow the relative movement of said modules, said device being characterized in that the density of the modules (2) is arranged to allow immersion in the water of said device by arranging the modules (2) resting on an underwater surface, the density of the structure (1) being arranged to put said structure suspended in the water according to at least one game configuration.

2. Aquatic game device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (1) is arranged for, in play configuration, forming between the modules (2) an arch suspended in water.

3. Aquatic game device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the structure (1) has a length of between 1 and 2 m.

4. Aquatic game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the structure comprises at least one hollow tube (1) which is made of a flexible material.

5. Aquatic game device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a module (2) base comprises a base (3) intended to bear against the underwater surface.

6. Aquatic game device according to claim 5, characterized in that the base (3) has a bearing surface (4) rounded.

7. Aquatic game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a module (2) base comprises a quantity of ballast material which is adapted to define its density.

8. Aquatic game device according to claim 7, characterized in that the module (2) incorporates a reservoir (5) for the ballast material.

9. Aquatic game device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a module (2) base is equipped with an upper connector (7) connecting with one end (1 a) of the structure (1).

10. Aquatic game device according to claim 9, characterized in that the connector comprises a rod (7) fixed in the module (2) of base, said rod having a projection (12) projecting on which the end (1a ) of the structure (1) is mounted.

1 1. Aquatic game device according to claim 10, characterized in that the rod (7) has a complementary shape which is fixed in an upper housing (9) of the module (2).

12. Aquatic game device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the housing (9) is formed in a sleeve (1 1) which is fixed in the module (2).

13. Aquatic game device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the connector (7) is equipped with a cover (14) covering the connection with the end (1 a) of the structure (1).

14. Aquatic game device according to claim 13, characterized in that the cover (14) is arranged to provide a connection locking function with the end (1a) of the structure (1).