WO2023062038A1

WO2023062038A1 - Paddle for a nautical craft

Info

Publication number: WO2023062038A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/078308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ugo FONTAINE; Mathieu King; Marie-Lorène BARTH
Original assignee: Decathlon
Priority date: 2021-10-14
Filing date: 2022-10-11
Publication date: 2023-04-20
Also published as: FR3128194A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a paddle for a nautical craft, comprising a shaft (1) having at least one segment (2) extending between an inner end (2a) and an outer end (2b), a blade (4) being reversibly connected to the outer end (2b) of the segment in order to be able to form, or demount, the paddle by connection, or disconnection, of the blade (4) and of the segment, the paddle comprising geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) and complementary geometric means (24) formed on the segment (2), the geometric means being designed to connect the segment to the paddle (4) in the demounted configuration.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: Paddle for nautical craft

The invention relates to a paddle for a watercraft.

It applies in particular to the practice of water sports, such as kayaking, rafting, packrafting, or stand up paddle.

Such paddles comprise a handle on one of the ends of which a blade is associated, the other end being able to be equipped with a handle or a second blade, depending on the type of activity and/or sport practiced (e )(s).

To facilitate their transport and their storage, it is known to provide paddles which are partially removable and/or retractable, in particular to be able to be transported in or on a backpack. Such an arrangement proves to be particularly advantageous in the case of sports activities combining nautical movements with land movements, such as for example packrafting.

Document US-2 566 023 provides a paddle, the handle of which has two segments each extending between an inner end and an outer end, a blade being reversibly associated with the outer end of a first segment, and the ends internal being equipped with a reversible association device, in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade and the segments.

Thus, when not in use, the paddle can be disassembled into three parts - the two segments and the blade -, which makes it possible to limit its size, and thus facilitate its storage and transport. However, when they are disassembled, the different parts of the paddle become independent of each other, which does not allow them to be easily handled with a view to transporting and/or storing them. In addition, during transport on a backpack, each of the three disassembled parts must be fixed on specific means of said bag, which is not satisfactory.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a paddle having a handle and at least one blade which can be dismantled into several parts when not in use, said paddle incorporating specific means making it possible to facilitate handling and the transport of said disassembled parts.

To this end, the invention proposes a paddle for a nautical craft comprising a handle having at least one segment extending between an internal end and an external end, a blade being associated in a reversible manner on the external end of said segment in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade and of said segment, said paddle comprising geometric means formed on the blade and complementary geometric means formed on the segment, said geometric means being arranged to associate said segment on the blade in disassembled configuration.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, made with reference to the appended figures, in which: [Fig.1a] and

[Fig.1 b] represent a paddle according to the invention in the mounted configuration, respectively in front view (FIG. 1a) and in side view (FIG. 1b);

[Fig.2] shows a front view of the paddle of the previous figures in the disassembled configuration, with the associated segments on the blade;

[Fig.3] shows in front view the blade of Figures 1a, 1b and 2;

[Fig.4] schematically shows in partial cross section a geometric means of the blade of the previous figures;

[Fig.5a] and [Fig.5b] represent the second segment of the paddle of the previous figures, respectively in side view (Figure 5a) and in longitudinal section (Figure 5b);

[Fig.6] shows in side view the outer tube of the second segment of the previous figures;

[Fig.7] shows in perspective a clamping ring fitted to the first and second segments of the preceding figures;

[Fig.8] shows in side view the first segment of the paddle of the previous figures

[Fig.8a] and

[Fig.8b] showing in a similar view respectively the inner tube and the outer tube of said first segment;

[Fig.9a] and

[Fig.9b] represent in cross section respectively the inner tube and the outer tube of one of the segments of the preceding figures, according to a first variant embodiment of the invention;

[Fig.10] shows in cross section one of the segments of the paddle of the preceding figures, according to four variant embodiments of the invention (a, b, c and d).

In connection with these figures, a paddle for a nautical craft is described below, in particular for the practice of a nautical activity such as kayaking, rafting, and more particularly packrafting or stand-up paddleboarding.

The paddle comprises a handle 1 having at least one segment 2 extending between an inner end 2a and an outer end 2b, a blade 4 being reversibly associated with the outer end 2b of said segment.

In relation to the figures, the handle 1 has two segments 2, 3 which each extend between an inner end 2a, 3a and an outer end 2b, 3b, a blade 4 being associated reversibly on the outer end 2b d a first segment 2. In the embodiment shown, the outer end 3b of the second segment 3 is equipped with a handle 5, in order to allow the user to manipulate the paddle by gripping said handle when practicing his sporting activity.

As a variant, the outer end 3b of the second segment 3 can be equipped with a second blade, in order to adapt the paddle to the practice of a nautical activity such as kayaking. Similarly, when the handle 1 comprises only a segment 2, a handle or a second blade can be associated on its internal end 2a.

At least one segment 2, 3 is formed of an outer tube 6e, 7e carrying the inner end 2a, 3a and an inner tube 6i, 7i carrying the outer end 2b, 3b, the inner tube 6i, 7i being mounted in telescopic sliding in the outer tube 6th, 7th.

In the figures, each segment 2, 3 has such a tubular structure with an inner tube 6i, 7i mounted in telescopic sliding in an outer tube 6th, 7th, which allows the user to independently adjust the respective longitudinal positions of blade 4 and handle 5 on handle 1.

In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken with reference to the axis along which the paddle extends (vertical in FIGS. 1a and 1b), and relate to a direction respectively parallel and perpendicular to this axis for the terms “longitudinal” and “radial”, a positioning respectively close to and far from this axis for the terms “interior” and “exterior”, a positioning respectively close and distant along this axis for the terms “internal” and “external ".

Each tube 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e can be formed from a metallic material, in particular based on aluminium, or by molding a thermoplastic material, optionally reinforced with glass and/or carbon fibers. In relation to the figures, the tubes 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e each have a sliding section of cylindrical geometry which is provided with a flat 8i, 8e to prevent the relative rotation of the tubes 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e. Thus, the relative rotation of the blade 4 and/or the handle 5 is prevented during the length adjustment of the corresponding segment 2, 3.

Each outer tube 6th, 7th is equipped with a ring 9 for clamping the interface between said outer tube and the corresponding inner tube 6i, 7i, in order to block the sliding of said inner tube at the desired segment length 2, 3.

In relation to FIGS. 6 and 8b, each outer tube 6e, 7e has a notch 11 extending longitudinally from its outer end, and around which the ring 9 is arranged to clamp said outer tube onto the inner tube 6i, 7i corresponding.

In particular, as shown in Figure 7, the ring 9 has a longitudinal slot 12 which is arranged radially opposite the notch 11, to allow clamping of the tubes 6i, 6th, 7i, 7th by simultaneous approximation of the longitudinal edges respective of said slot and of said notch when tightening the ring 9.

In the figures, the inner tube 6i of the first segment 2 has an outer end 2b forming a base 13 in which the blade 4 is connected reversibly, in particular by means of a push-pin type connection.

In particular, the blade 4 comprises a propulsion body 14 which has an edge 14a on which is mounted a connector 15 of reversible association on the outer end 2b of the first segment 2, said connector being in the form of a projecting sleeve of said edge. According to one embodiment, in particular in relation to a handle 1 in a single segment 2, the connector 15 can form a section of tube on which the outer end 2a of said segment is reversibly associated.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sleeve 15 is equipped with a pin 16 elastically constrained by a spring, and the first segment 2 comprises a radial orifice 17 formed on the outer end 2b of its inner tube 6i (see Figure 8a ), wherein said pin is intended to elastically engage upon insertion of the sleeve 15 into said outer end.

Furthermore, the inner tube 7i of the second segment 3 has an outer end 3b to which the handle 5 is irreversibly associated, for example by fitting said handle into said outer end.

To reduce the bulk of the paddle when it is not in use, the segments 2, 3 are combined in a reversible manner, so that they can be disassembled from each other when storing said paddle.

To do this, the internal ends 2a, 3a of the segments 2, 3 are equipped with a reversible association device, in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade 4 and of the segments 2 , 3.

In the embodiment shown, the segments 2, 3 are associated directly via their 6th, 7th outer tubes, which are reversibly connected to each other. Alternatively, the handle 1 may comprise at least one intermediate segment disposed between the segments 2, 3, the internal ends 2a, 2b of said segments being associated via said intermediate segment.

The reversible connection of the outer tubes 6th, 7th is made by means of a sleeve 18 which is fixed in the inner end 3a of one of the outer tubes 7th, for example that of the second segment 3 (FIGS. 5a, 5b ). To do this, the second segment 3 has a fixing hole 19 formed radially on the inner end 3a of its outer tube 7th (see figure 6), the sleeve 18 being fixed in said inner end by welding or screwing in the orifice 19.

The sleeve 18 is also equipped with a device 20 for reversibly associating the inner end 2a of the other outer tube 6e, that is to say that of the first segment 2. In particular, this device is of pin-push type, and the outer tube 6e of the first segment 2 has on its inner end 2a a radial orifice 21 in which the pin 20 is intended to engage elastically during the insertion of the sleeve 18 into said inner end (see Figure 8b).

In a variant not shown, the sleeve 18 can be associated with the 6th outer tube of the first segment 2, and the orifice 21 for receiving the pin-push device 20 can be formed on the 7th outer tube of the second segment 3.

The paddle further comprises geometric means 23 formed on the blade 4 and complementary geometric means 24 formed on each of the segments 2, 3, said geometric means being arranged to associate each of the segments 2, 3 on the blade 4 in the disassembled configuration.

Thus, the invention provides for functionalizing the paddle in order to be able to hold its different parts 2, 3, 4 together once disassembled, which makes it easier to handle and transport them. In particular, the blade 4 and the segments 2, 3 then form a unitary assembly that the user can handle easily, in particular by being able to secure its transport on a backpack.

The propulsion body 14 of the blade 4 has a front face 4a and a rear face 4b, the geometric association means 23 being formed on at least one of said faces.

Advantageously, the propulsion body 14 and the geometric association means 23 are formed in one piece by molding a polymer material. The connector 15 can be made of a metallic material, in particular of aluminium, and fixed by fitting and/or gluing in a housing provided for this purpose on an internal end of the peripheral edge 14a of the propulsion body 14.

In the figures, the geometric association means 23 are formed on the same face 4a of the propulsion body 14, for example the front face 4a, which makes them easier to locate for the user, who can thus assemble the segments 2, 3 to said blade in a particularly intuitive manner.

In relation to FIG. 3, the propulsion body 14 has a median longitudinal plane P, the geometric means of association 23 being formed on either side of said plane to respectively associate a segment 2, 3.

In the embodiment shown, the median plane P forms a plane of symmetry for the propulsion body 14. In particular, the propulsion body 14 has an edge 25 formed projecting from the front face 4a and along the median plane P , as well as a housing for mounting the connector 15 which extends in the longitudinal alignment of said edge.

The geometric association means comprise a rib 23 for the association of each of the segments 2, 3, by means of a complementary groove 24 formed on the periphery of said segment.

In relation to FIGS. 1a, 3, 5a and 8, the ribs 23 extend longitudinally and symmetrically on either side of the median plane P, and the grooves 24 each extend longitudinally on the outer tube 6th, 7th d a segment 2, 3.

This arrangement makes it possible to associate the segments 2, 3 on the blade 4 parallel to the median edge 25 in the disassembled configuration, in particular by arranging each segment 2, 3 on either side of said edge, as represented in FIG. . In relation to the figures, each groove 24 has an undercut geometry, the ribs 23 having a dovetail geometry to allow them to slide longitudinally in a groove 24 while preventing their radial shrinkage.

According to one embodiment, the geometric association means of at least one segment 2, 3 on the blade 4 can be combined with another type of association means, in particular with a view to making the conferred association more reliable. According to one example, a magnet can be provided in combination with a geometric engagement of the groove 24 / rib 23 type which is arranged to limit the lateral movements of a segment 2, 3 associated with the blade 4.

Advantageously, the ribs 23 and the grooves 24 have respectively identical geometries, which makes it possible to combine the segments 2, 3 indiscriminately on each of said ribs, and thus to facilitate the assembly of the parts 2, 3, 4 of the paddle in disassembled configuration.

The blade 4 further comprises symbols, for example in the form of double arrows 26, 27, which are formed on the propulsion body 14 to provide a visual indicator to the user on the direction of assembly and/or disassembly of the segments 2, 3 on said blade in disassembled configuration.

In the figures, the blade 4 has, arranged on either side of the median edge 25:

- two double association arrows 26, formed in the longitudinal alignment of respectively a rib 23, in particular opposite an edge of said rib through which the groove 24 of a segment 2, 3 must be introduced during its association on blade 4; And

- two double arrows of dissociation 27, in the opposite direction to that of the double arrows of association 26, each formed close to a lateral portion of the edge 14a of the blade 4, and adjacent to the other edge of the rib 23 corresponding. Thus, to associate a segment 2, 3 on the blade 4, the user places the groove 24 of said segment in the longitudinal alignment of a rib 23, then causes said segment to slide along said rib in the direction indicated by the double association arrow 26. In particular, the double association arrows 26 are arranged on the blade 4 so as to be covered by the segments 2, 3 when they are associated with said blade.

Similarly, when he wishes to mount the paddle, the user separates a segment 2, 3 from the blade 4 by sliding it in the direction of the adjacent double arrow 27, until its groove 24 is completely released from the rib. 23 corresponding. In relation to FIG. 2, the double dissociation arrows 27 are arranged on the blade 4 so as to remain permanently visible, even when segments 2, 3 are associated with said blade.

In relation to FIGS. 5a and 8, the groove 24 of each segment 2, 3 has a significant longitudinal dimension, in particular equal to at least 80% of the longitudinal dimension of the outer tube 6th, 7th. Thus, it facilitates the identification of the groove 24 by the user, and therefore its engagement on a rib 23 of the blade 4.

Advantageously, the segments 2, 3 and/or the blade 4 have means for limiting the sliding stroke until an optimum configuration for covering said segments on said blade. According to one embodiment, the rib 23 forms an angle with the median longitudinal plane P of the propulsion body 14 of the blade 4 so as to limit the sliding stroke by interference between the segment 2, 3 and said blade.

In particular, the segments 2, 3 each have a longitudinal dimension of between 90% and 110% of the longitudinal dimension of the blade 4, in order to limit their protrusion relative to said blade when they are associated with it.

In the embodiment shown, the clamping ring 9 of each segment 2, 3 comes into interference with the blade 4, in particular near the sleeve 15 for fixing to the first segment 2, at the end of the sliding stroke of the rib 23 in the groove 24.

Furthermore, each clamping ring 9 is immobilized in the geometric means of association 24 of the outer tube 6th, 7th corresponding, said geometric means being diametrically opposed to the notch 11 on the periphery of said outer tube.

To do this, as shown in Figure 7, the ring 9 has a lug 28 which is formed on its inner periphery being diametrically opposed to the clamping slot 12, said lug being immobilized in the association groove 24 of the outer tube 6th, 7th in a 2, 3 segment.

As shown in Figure 9b, each groove 24 can be formed in the periphery of a segment 2, 3, for example by machining in the case of segments 2, 3 based on metallic material. As a variant, in particular for segments 2, 3 made from carbon or glass fibers, a groove can be formed in an insert 29 which is attached to the periphery of a segment 2, 3, as shown in FIG. In particular, each groove 24 is formed in the 6th, 7th outer tube of a segment 2, 3 by being placed on its 8th rotation immobilization flat.

In embodiments a and b of FIG. 10, the 8th flat is formed directly on the periphery of the 6th, 7th outer tube, the insert 29 being fixed to said flat, in particular by gluing and/or by means of geometric fixing means. formed on the insert 29 and/or the periphery of said outer tube.

In particular, in embodiment a, the insert 29 has an inner longitudinal rib 30 intended to be fitted radially in a complementary groove 31 formed in the 8th flat of the 6th, 7th outer tube, said complementary groove defining an inner radial protrusion 32 which slides in a second complementary groove 33 formed in the flat 8i of the inner tube 6i, 7i. In embodiments c and d of FIG. 10, the outer tube 6th, 7th has a peripheral recess in which the insert 29 is fixed by gluing and/or by means of geometric fixing means formed on said insert and/or in said recess, the insert 29 further having an inner face on which is formed the 8th flat for immobilizing said outer tube in rotation. Advantageously, the material of the insert 29 can improve the sliding of the inner tube 6i, 7i in the outer tube 6th, 7th. In particular, in these figures, the insert 29 has two lateral grooves 34 which extend longitudinally, and in each of which a longitudinal edge 35 of the peripheral recess is fixed by fitting and/or by gluing.

Claims

1 . Paddle for watercraft comprising a handle (1) having at least one segment (2) extending between an inner end (2a) and an outer end (2b), a blade (4) being reversibly associated on the end (2b) of said segment in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade (4) and of said segment, said paddle being characterized in that it comprises geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) and complementary geometric means (24) formed on the segment (2), said geometric means being arranged to associate said segment on the blade (4) in the disassembled configuration.

2. Paddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (1) has two segments (2, 3) each extending between an inner end (2a, 3a) and an outer end (2b, 3b), the ends internal (2a, 3a) being equipped with a reversible association device (18, 20, 21) in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade (4) and of the segments (2 , 3), complementary geometric means (24) being formed on each of the segments (2, 3) being able to cooperate with the geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) to associate each of the segments (2, 3) on the blade (4) in the disassembled configuration.

3. Paddle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the blade (4) comprises a propulsion body (14) having a front face (4a) and a rear face (4b), the geometric means of association (23) being formed on at least one of said faces.

4. Paddle according to claim 3, characterized in that the propulsion body (14) and the geometric association means (23) are formed in one piece by molding a polymer material.

5. Paddle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the geometric association means comprise a rib (23) for the association of a segment (2, 3) by means of a complementary groove (24) formed on the periphery of said segment.

6. Paddle according to claim 5, characterized in that the groove (24) has an undercut geometry, the rib (23) having a dovetail geometry allowing its longitudinal sliding in the groove (24) preventing its radial shrinkage.

7. Paddle according to claim 6, characterized in that the segment (2, 3) and / or the blade (4) has means for limiting the sliding stroke until an optimal configuration of overlap of said segment on the blade (4).

8. Paddle according to claim 7, characterized in that the rib (23) forms an angle with a median longitudinal plane (P) of the blade (4) so as to limit the sliding stroke by interference between the segment (2, 3) and said blade.

9. Paddle according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the groove (24) is formed in the periphery of the segment (2, 3).

10. Paddle according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the segment (2, 3) is equipped with an insert (29) which is attached to its periphery, the groove (24) being formed in said insert.

11 . Paddle according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one segment (2, 3) is formed by an outer tube (6th, 7th) carrying the inner end (2a, 3a) and an inner tube (6i, 7i) carrying the outer end (2b, 3b), said inner tube being mounted for telescopic sliding in said outer tube on which the complementary geometric means (24) are formed. 15

12. Paddle according to claim 11, characterized in that the tubes (6i, 7i, 6e, 7e) each have a sliding section of cylindrical geometry which is provided with a flat (8i, 8e) preventing the relative rotation of said tubes .

13. Paddle according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the outer tube (6th, 7th) is equipped with a ring (9) for clamping the interface between the tubes (6i, 6th, 7i, 7e) in order to block the sliding of the inner tube (6i, 7i) at the desired segment length.

14. Paddle according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping ring

(9) is immobilized in the complementary geometric means (24) of the outer tube (6th, 7th).

15. Paddle according to one of claims 13 or 14 when it depends on claim 7, characterized in that the clamping ring (9) interferes with the blade (4) at the end of the sliding stroke of the rib (23) in the groove (24).