connecting device

Abstract

Connecting device (1) for connecting at least two floating bodies (100) side by side, comprising: a linkage (2) having at least one rod (3); and a plurality of fastening means (4) which are arranged on the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2), and of which at least some of the plurality of fastening means (4) are provided so as to be displaceable axially along the axis (5) of the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) in a manner adapted to the respective geometry of the at least two floating bodies (100) in such a way that each floating body (100) can be clamped in a positionally stable manner between at least two fastening means (4) on the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2), wherein the linkage (2) has a plurality of rods (3), two of the plurality of rods (3) extending substantially parallel to one another and being enclosed in sections by a loop (101) of one of the at least two floating bodies (100), wherein the two rods (3) extending substantially parallel to one another can be mounted at a suitable distance from one another for tensioning the loop.

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting at least two floating bodies side by side.Stand-up padding (SUP), also called stand-up pads, is a water sport in which a sport person stands upright on a floatable board, the so-called stand-up pad board, and paddles with a lancing pad. For recreational transportation, stand-up paddle boards are becoming more and more popular as a waterport device. Up to now, the stand-up paddle boards have been used predominantly by a person on the water. For large volume stand-up paddle boards, the volume of a board may be sufficient to carry multiple people. The more weight a stand-up paddle board must carry and in particular the more persons are moving simultaneously on the stand-up paddle board, the more unstable the board is on the water. The prior art therefore also provides, for example, prior-up paddle boards which provide a large volume and a relatively wide contact surface in order to counteract this disadvantage.In the prior art, document US 5 501 169 A is known, which describes a bracket which allows to attach a plurality of accessories to a canu, wherein a rigid tubular beam extends over both shelves to establish a precise alignment reference and to transmit all combined force and moment loads from the accessory to both shelves. Furthermore, for example, DE 31 30 907 A1 describes a watercraft in the manner of a catamaran, wherein two surfboards are connected to one another in a dimensionally rigid manner parallel to one another and at a distance from one another by means of cross member and longitudinal member, wherein a mounting board for an outboard motor is provided on a rear cross member, wherein the cross members and the longitudinal members are selectively fastened to the surfboards, and wherein a covering is provided between the cross members and longitudinal members. EP 0 306 697 A1 describes an accessory set for connecting two surfboards to a sail vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,091 A describes a floating aerator with a working deck which increases the safety of the maintenance personnel.Furthermore, there are already solutions with which individual stand-up paddle boards can also be used as kajak, for example by means of a seat and a double paddle. It is common to the prior art that as a rule a single stand-up paddle board is used for water sports purposes, wherein most application variants are possible only for one person as intended.It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting device which enables new application variants in water sports.According to the invention, this object is achieved in each case by the subject matter of the independent claims.According to a first aspect of the invention, a connecting device for connecting at least two floating bodies, in particular at least two stand-up paddle boards, side by side is provided. The connecting device includes a linkage having at least one rod and a plurality of fasteners disposed on the at least one rod of the linkage. In addition, of the plurality of fastening means, at least some of the plurality of fastening means are provided so as to be displaceable axially along the axis of the at least one rod of the linkage, adapted to the respective geometry of the at least two floating bodies, in such a way that each floating body can be clamped between at least two fastening means on the at least one rod of the linkage in a positionally stable manner.An idea underlying the present invention is to provide a modular connection possibility for connecting a plurality of floating bodies to one another in such a way that a novel water sport device is produced therefrom. In this case, compact and simple handling of the present invention in the non-mounted state also plays a role, so that the connecting device can be easily transported or stowed in a space-saving manner.The linkage can accordingly preferably be made of light metals, in particular of aluminum, of plastics or of combinations thereof and of alloys or composite materials of the materials mentioned. However, the material selection for the linkage is not limited thereto and may also include metals or wood. Furthermore, the at least one rod of the linkage is not limited to a specific cross section, but the cross section of the at least one rod can be round, polygonal, oval or as a mixed shape thereof and also as desired as a solid profile, hollow profile or semi-open profile. For example, the at least one rod of the linkage can be designed as a MiniTec profile, as a Bosch profile or as a comparable profile.Furthermore, the at least one rod can have different cross sections in sections in order to have a specific cross section in predetermined sections which is compatible only with fastening means or other components designed for this specific cross section. In this way, the mounting of the plurality of fastening means or other components on the at least one rod of the linkage can be facilitated and, in particular, incorrect mounting arrangements can be reduced. For this purpose, the at least one rod can also have pictorial and / or textual dimensions which further support, for example, the symmetrical structure of the connecting device.The at least one rod of the linkage preferably extends substantially in its longitudinal axis or the axis of the at least one rod, wherein substantially means that even slight curvatures are permissible, which are defined up to a radius of curvature of at least approximately 50 m.The at least some of the plurality of fastening means are axially displaceable along the axis of the at least one rod, in that the at least some of the plurality of fastening means either surround the at least one rod in sections depending on the rod profile or engage in the rod profile, for example using undercuts. In this case, the plurality of fastening means can furthermore be designed to be lockable on the at least one rod in accordance with the rod profile, such that, if required, the at least some of the plurality of fastening means are axially fixed.Stable in position in the sense of the present invention means that the at least two floating bodies substantially maintain their position relative to one another, in particular their distance from one another and their orientation relative to one another, and can only occur slight elastic deformations or deviations with respect to the connecting device, even under the action of forces and / or moments.Advantageous embodiments and refinements emerge from the dependent claims which refer back to the independent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.According to one embodiment of the connecting device, retaining clips for positively and / or non-positively clamping around the respective floating body are provided on some of the plurality of fastening means. Thus, the respective floating bodies can be clamped more easily in the connecting device, wherein in addition a greater variety of geometries of the floating bodies can be clamped.According to a further development of the connecting device, the retaining clips are substantially curved and / or obliquely designed and pivotable about a transverse axis of the at least one rod of the linkage. In this way, the retaining clips can be better adapted to the contour of the floating bodies and consequently the positional stability of the at least two floating bodies in the clamped state with the connecting device can be optimized.According to a further embodiment, at least two of the plurality of fastening means have a bridging beam connecting the at least two of the plurality of fastening means for enclosing the respective floating body in a positively locking and force-locking manner. In this way, the respective floating body can be clamped in the connecting device in a particularly positionally stable manner, since at least two of the plurality of fastening means are coupled to one another and the load on the at least two of the plurality of fastening means can therefore be additionally supported via the bridging beam by the clamping.According to a further development, the bridging beam is coupled to the at least two of the plurality of fastening means in such a way that the linkage, in cooperation with the at least two of the plurality of fastening means and the bridging beam, encloses one of the at least two floating bodies in an axis. Thus, a higher clamping effect can be achieved via a larger contact surface between the fastening means, the bridging beam, the linkage and the floating bodies. In addition, the risk of the floating body slipping out of the jamming is reduced by completely enclosing the floating body in an axis.According to a further embodiment, the plurality of fastening means in the contact region to the at least two floating bodies comprise materials for mechanically protecting the at least two floating bodies from damage, preferably foam, plastic or textiles, are at least sectionally curved or round, that is to say configured free of edges, and / or comprise insert elements for mechanically protecting the at least two floating bodies from damage, preferably made of foam, plastic or textiles. Thus, the wear or the damage of the at least two floating bodies can be reduced, which does not reduce the value of the at least two floating bodies or prevents the floating bodies from being destroyed.According to a further embodiment, the at least one rod of the linkage has an external thread at least in sections, in particular in the region of the ends of the at least one rod of the linkage or in the region of the ends and the center of the at least one rod of the linkage. In this way, the application can be facilitated for a user, since threaded connections are generally known and are relatively easy and safe to handle.According to a further development, some of the plurality of fastening means have a clamping cone and a union nut, wherein the union nut has a conical internal thread complementary to the external thread of the at least one rod of the linkage in such a way that the clamping cone can be clamped between itself and the at least one rod of the linkage by means of the union nut in order to fix these fastening means axially relative to the at least one rod of the linkage. Thus, the some of the plurality of fasteners can be axially fixed in the portion of the external thread with little material outlay and continuously relative to the at least one rod. In this case, the clamping cone and the union nut can be used reversibly and can be fixed to the at least one rod or released from the at least one rod without further aids.According to a further embodiment, the at least one rod of the linkage has a toothing at least in sections, in particular in the region of the ends of the at least one rod of the linkage or in the region of the ends and the center of the at least one rod of the linkage. In this way, the toothing can be formed with asymmetrical tooth flanks in each case in a predetermined direction of the axis of the at least one rod, with the result that the toothing has a steeper tooth flank in the predetermined direction and is therefore more load-bearing than counter to the predetermined direction.According to a further development, some of the plurality of fastening means have at least one engagement tooth for axially fixing the fastening means to the at least one rod of the linkage, wherein the at least one engagement tooth can be mounted on a lever pivotably mounted by means of a restoring spring in engagement with the toothing of the at least one rod of the linkage. Thus, the some of the plurality of fastening means can be axially fixed in the section of the toothing with little force exertion and a purely translatory movement of these fastening means relative to the at least one rod.According to the invention, the linkage has a plurality of rods, in particular 2 to 12 rods, and particularly preferably two, three, four, six, eight or twelve rods. In this way, the positional stability of the at least two floating bodies with respect to the connecting device can be increased with an increasing number of rods.According to a further development, the plurality of rods, in particular the two, three, four, six, eight or twelve rods of the linkage, are each connected to one another via a plug connection, such as a spring knob clamp, a bayonet connection or the like, via a clamping connection or via a screw connection, such as a pinch screw connection or the like, for varying their longitudinal extent, adapted to the geometries of the at least two floating bodies. Thus, the at least two floating bodies can in each case be clamped into the plurality of rods of the linkage in a mutually independent manner before the plurality of rods, which in each case clamp one of the at least two floating bodies, can subsequently be connected to one another. This can simplify the mounting process on land, for example, as a result of which the at least two floating bodies can be handled more easily and, in particular, can be carried to water.According to the invention, two of the plurality of rods, in particular the two, three, four, six, eight or twelve rods of the linkage, extend substantially parallel to one another and are surrounded in sections by a loop of one of the at least two floating bodies, wherein the two rods extending substantially parallel to one another can be mounted at a suitable distance from one another for tensioning the loop. The at least two floating bodies can thus be fixed in their distance from the at least one rod of the linkage. This can reduce the risk of the floating body slipping out of the jamming.According to a further embodiment, the at least one rod of the linkage has a tensioning device for tensioning a loop of one of the at least two floating bodies. The at least two floating bodies can thus be fixed in their distance from the at least one rod of the linkage. This can reduce the risk of the floating body slipping out of the jamming.According to a further embodiment, the connecting device further comprises at least one connecting element which is designed to detachably fasten an add-on component, such as a base plate, a seat, a table, a ladder, a rudder, an outboard motor or the like, to the linkage for modular expansion of the connecting device. It is thus possible to fasten various attachment components to one another and / or to the linkage by uniformly formed connecting elements.According to a further development of the connecting device, the at least one connecting element is designed as a tilting eccentric lever for pressing conical segments apart in through-holes, and the linkage has through-holes with a complementary hole diameter. In this way, for fastening the add-on component to the linkage, it only needs access to a connection point from one side, since the tilting eccentric lever can be introduced from the same fastening side of the connection point and locked. The add-on component can thus also be fastened at connection points which are difficult to reach.According to a further development of the connecting device, the at least one connecting element is designed as a clip for pressing the clip onto the linkage in order to couple the add-on component to the linkage in a positive-locking and / or non-positive-locking manner, and / or as a socket for plugging on the linkage, wherein the linkage has a spring knob clamp for positive-locking connection of the linkage to the add-on component. In this way, the attachment component can be fastened to the linkage independently of the cross section of the at least one rod, as long as the diameter or the edge length of the cross section lies in a region which can be enclosed by the clip.According to a second aspect of the invention, a system is provided with two floating bodies (100), in particular with two stand-up paddle boards, particularly preferably with two inflatable stand-up paddle boards, and a connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.According to a further aspect of the invention, a connecting method for connecting at least two floating bodies, in particular two stand-up paddle boards, side by side is provided. The connecting method comprises the steps a) providing at least two floating bodies and a connecting device comprising:a linkage comprising at least one rod; anda plurality of fastening means, which are arranged on the at least one rod of the linkage and of which at least some of the plurality of fastening means are provided so as to be displaceable axially along the axis of the at least one rod of the linkage, in a manner adapted to the respective geometry of the at least two floating bodies, in such a way that each floating body can be clamped in a positionally stable manner between at least two fastening means on the at least one rod of the linkage;In particular, a connecting device according to the invention; b) arranging the plurality of fastening means on the at least one rod of the linkage; c) adapting at least some of the plurality of fastening means to the respective geometry of the at least two floating bodies; d) clamping a first of the at least two floating bodies between at least two fastening means, in particular between half of the plurality of fastening means, on the at least one rod of the linkage; e) repeating steps c) and d) for each further one of the at least two floating bodies.According to an embodiment of the connecting method, the method further comprises the step f) detachably connecting at least two of the at least one rod of the linkage for varying their longitudinal extension adapted to the geometries of the at least two floating bodies by a plug connection, such as a spring knob clamp, a bayonet connection or the like, or by a screw connection, such as a press-fit screw connection or the like.The above embodiments and developments can be combined with one another as desired, if appropriate. Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also comprise combinations of features of the invention described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments, which combinations are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.The present invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures of the drawings. Of the figures, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a connecting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a connecting device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a connecting device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D are schematic front views of a respective plurality of fastening means in the longitudinal direction of floating bodies according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 5 shows a schematic detailed view of a fastening means with an engagement tooth according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4D ; FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C are schematic side views of a respective linkage having a plurality of rods which can be connected to one another via a plug connection (FIG. 6A ), a screw connection (FIG. 6B ) or a clamping connection (FIG. 6C ), according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; FIGS. 7A, 7B show a schematic view of a connecting element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the connecting element is in an unlocked state in FIG. 7A and in a locked state in FIG. 7B ; FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D are respectively a schematic front view and a schematic side view of a connecting element according to further embodiments of the invention; FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of a connecting device in use as a pedal boat with a water wheel according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of a connecting device in use as a pedal boat according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 with further attachment components; FIG. 11 shows a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a connecting device in use as a pedal boat with a ship's propeller according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of a connecting device in use as a motorboat according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 13 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of a connecting device in use as a sailboat according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and identically acting elements, features and components-unless stated to the contrary-are each provided with the same reference symbols.Although specific embodiments and refinements are illustrated and described herein, a person skilled in the art will prefer that a multiplicity of alternative and / or similar embodiments can replace the specific embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover, in general, all modifications or alterations of the specific embodiments described herein.The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the mentioned advantages result with reference to the drawings. The drawings are to be understood merely as schematic drawings and the elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another. Directional terminology such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "over", "under", "horizontal", "vertical", "front", "rear" and similar information are used merely for illustrative purposes and are not used to limit generality to specific configurations as shown in the figures.FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a connecting device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting device 1 comprises a linkage 2 with a rod 3 and four fastening means 4. the connecting device 1 connects two floating bodies 100 next to one another, wherein the two floating bodies are illustrated by way of example in the form of two stand-up paddle boards 100. The two stand-up paddle boards 100 are preferably clamped in a positionally stable manner by the connecting device 1 in their central region or at their widest points, that is to say approximately at the height of loops 101 of the stand-up paddle boards 100.The four fastening means 4 are arranged on the rod 3 of the linkage 2. Furthermore, at least two of the four fastening means 4 are provided so as to be displaceable axially along the axis 5 of the rod 3 of the linkage 2 in a manner adapted to the respective geometry of the two stand-up paddle boards 100 in such a way that each stand-up paddle board 100 can be clamped between two fastening means 4 on the rod 3 of the linkage 2 in a positionally stable manner. The axial displaceability of the fastening means 4 is illustrated by means of double arrows in FIG. 1. Alternatively, three of the four or all four fastening means 4 can also be provided so as to be axially displaceable.FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a connecting device 1 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the connecting device 1 comprises a linkage 2 with six rods 3 and twelve fastening means 4. the connecting device 1 connects two floating bodies 100 next to one another, wherein the two floating bodies are illustrated by way of example in the form of two stand-up paddle boards 100.Two fastening means 4 are preferably arranged on each of the six rods 3 of the linkage 2. Two of the six rods 3 of the linkage 2 are each connected to one another via a plug-in connection for varying their longitudinal extent, adapted to the geometries of the two stand-up paddle boards 100. The six rods 3 either have identical lengths, as in this exemplary embodiment, or can have different lengths.In this case, two rods 3 of the linkage 2 on at least one of the stand-up paddle boards 100 can extend substantially parallel to one another and be surrounded in sections by a loop 101 of one of the at least two stand-up paddle boards 100. In FIG. 2, the rods 3 of the linkage 2 are arranged by way of example such that in each case two rods 3 are surrounded by the loops 101 of the two stand-up paddle boards 100. Furthermore, the two rods 3 extending substantially parallel to one another are mounted in the central region of the stand-up paddle boards 100 in a suitably spaced-apart manner for tensioning the loop 101. The other two of the six rods 3 are mounted in a front portion of the stand-up paddle boards 100.Furthermore, at least six of the twelve fastening means 4 are provided so as to be displaceable axially along the axis 5 of the respective rod 3 of the linkage 2 in a manner adapted to the respective geometry of the two stand-up paddle boards 100 in such a way that each stand-up paddle board 100 can be clamped between two fastening means 4 on the rod 3 of the linkage 2 in a positionally stable manner. The axial displaceability of the fastening means 4 is illustrated by means of double arrows, wherein, for reasons of clarity, not every axially displaceable fastening means 4 has been assigned a double arrow. Alternatively, more than six of the twelve fastening means 4 can also be provided so as to be axially displaceable.The twelve fastening means 4 can furthermore have retaining clips 40 for firmly and / or force-locking clamping around the respective stand-up paddle board 100. In this case, the retaining clips 40 can be substantially curved and can be pivotable about a transverse axis of the rod 3. The retaining clips 40 are preferably bent such that their shape corresponds substantially to the shape of the stand-up paddle board 100 in the respective contact region. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining clips 40 can be substantially obliquely formed and can be pivotable about a transverse axis of the rod 3. The pivotability of the holding clips 40 is illustrated by means of arc-shaped double arrows in FIG. 2, wherein, for reasons of clarity, not every pivotable holding clip 40 has been assigned an arc-shaped double arrow. Alternatively, more than the illustrated retaining clips 40 can also be provided such that they can be pivoted about a transverse axis of the rod 3.FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a connecting device 1 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the connecting device 1 comprises a linkage 2 with six rods 3 and eight fastening means 4.Three of the six rods 3 of the linkage 2 are each connected to one another via a screw connection for varying their longitudinal extent adapted to the geometries of the two stand-up paddle boards 100. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the six rods 3 have different lengths, wherein the respective middle of the three rods 3 connected to one another is formed shorter than the two outer ones of the three rods 3 connected to one another. The two outer ones of the three rods 3 connected to one another are formed in particular longer than the stand-up paddle boards 100 at their widest point. Optionally, the rods 3 can have identical lengths, provided that three of the rods 3 are formed to be longer in total than twice the width of the widest point of the stand-up paddle board 100.Furthermore, two of the eight fastening means 4 can each have a bridging beam 44 connecting the two fastening means 4 for enclosing the respective stand-up paddle board 100 in a positive and non-positive manner. The bridging beams 44 are fastened, for example, to undersides of the fastening means 4 via a screw or clamping connection. Alternatively, the bridging beams 44 can be designed to be variable in their longitudinal extent in order to be adaptable to the geometry of the stand-up paddle board 100.Furthermore, in FIG. 3, two of the six rods 3 of the linkage 2 have a tensioning device 6 for tensioning a loop 101 of the respective stand-up paddle board 100.FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show schematic front views of a respective plurality of fastening means 4 in the longitudinal direction of floating bodies 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.In FIG. 4A, the rod 3 of the linkage 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the plurality of fastening means 4 has an external thread at least in sections. The external thread can also be provided only in the region of the ends of the rod 3 of the linkage 2 if the fastening means 4 are not axially displaceable in the middle of the rod 3. Optionally, the external thread can be provided in the region of the ends and the center of the rod 3 of the linkage 2, such that all the fastening means 4 can be axially displaced along the rod 3.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4A, the fastening means 4 have, for example, a clamping cone 42 and a union nut 43 or a clamping fitting. The union nut 43 can have a conical internal thread complementary to the external thread of the rod 3 of the linkage 2 in such a way that the clamping cone 42 can be clamped between itself and the rod 3 of the linkage 2 by means of the union nut 43 in order to fix the fastening means 4 axially relative to the rod 3 of the linkage 2. The cap nut 43 has a larger internal threaded concentric hole on one side and a slightly smaller concentric hole on the opposite side, which is approximately equal to the diameter of the rod 3. Starting from the smaller opening, the inner diameter of the internal thread widens conically as far as the diameter of the larger opening. The clamping cone 42 is furthermore designed to be able to be clamped between the rod 3 and the union nut 43 when, when the union nut 43 is tightened, its conical internal thread slides onto the clamping cone 42 and squeezes in the clamping cone 42. For this purpose, the clamping cone 42 is preferably made of a soft material, in particular of silicone, plastic, rubber or a comparable material.In FIG. 4B, the fastening means 4 receive insert elements 41 in the contact region to the two floating bodies 100 shown for the mechanical protection of the two floating bodies 100 against damage. The insert elements 41 are preferably made of foam, plastic or textiles. In addition, the insert elements 41 are in particular substantially adapted to the geometry of the floating bodies 100, wherein one or more insert elements 41 can be accommodated in each fastening means 4. Alternatively, the fastening means 4 in the contact region to the two float bodies 100 shown comprise materials for mechanically protecting the at least two float bodies 100 from damage, preferably foam, plastic or textiles.FIG. 4C illustrates the fastening means 4 in combination with the bridging beam 44 from FIG. 3 In this case, FIG. 4C illustrates in particular that the bridging beam 44 can be coupled to the at least two of the plurality of fastening means 4 in such a way that the linkage 2 encloses the floating body 100 in an axis in cooperation with the fastening means 4 and the bridging beam 44.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4D, the rod 3 of the linkage 2 has a toothing at least in sections. The toothing can also be provided only in the region of the ends of the rod 3 of the linkage 2 if the fastening means 4 are not axially displaceable in the middle of the rod 3. Optionally, the toothing can be provided in the region of the ends and the center of the rod 3 of the linkage 2, such that all the fastening means 4 can be axially displaced along the rod 3. For displacing or releasing the fastening means 4 relative to the rod 3, the plurality of fastening means 4 can have a lever 46.FIG. 5 shows a schematic detailed view of a fastening means 4 with an engagement tooth 45 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4D.In addition to the features of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4D, the fastening means 4, as shown in FIG. 5, can have an engagement tooth 45 for axially fixing the fastening means 4 to the rod 3 of the linkage 2. Optionally, the fastening means 4 can also have a plurality of engagement teeth 45. The engagement tooth 45 can preferably be mounted on the lever 46 in engagement with the toothing of the rod 3 of the linkage 2. Furthermore, the lever 46 can be pivotably mounted on the fastening means 4 by means of a restoring spring.FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show schematic side views of a respective linkage 2 with a plurality of rods 3, which can be connected to one another via a plug connection (FIG. 6A ), a screw connection (FIG. 6B ) or a clamping connection (FIG. 6C ), according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.In FIG. 6A, the plug connection is illustrated in particular as a spring knob clamp 61. A first of the rods 3 to be connected has a hollow profile at least in an end region of the first rod 3 and a bore in the jacket of the first rod 3 in this end region. A second of the rods 3 to be connected has outer dimensions complementary to inner dimensions of the hollow profile in an end region of the second rod 3 and a spring knob 64. The dimensions and positions of the bore and the spring knob 64 are preferably matched to one another in relation to the respective rods 3, such that the spring knob 64 latches in the bore when the first and the second rod 3 are pushed into one another. Thus, the rods 3 of the linkage 2 can be positioned exactly by means of the spring knob clamp 61 and can also be released again quickly. Alternatively, the plug connection can also be designed as a bayonet connection or the like.FIG. 6B shows, by way of example, a screw connection which is designed as a press-fit screw connection 63. A first of the rods 3 to be connected preferably has a clamping cone 42 in its end region. A second of the rods 3 to be connected preferably has a union nut 43 in its end region. Furthermore, the clamping cone 42 and the union nut 43 are, for example, firmly connected to the respective rod 3 so that the first and the second rod 3 in the connected state are not possible to move relative to one another. For further explanation of the press-fit screw connection 64, reference is made to the description with respect to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4A. In addition, similar screw connections are also possible, by means of which the longitudinal extent of the rods 3 of the rod assembly 2 can be variably adapted to the geometries of the floating bodies 100.Optionally, a first and a second rod 3 can also be connected to one another via a clamping connection 62, as FIG. 6C illustrates. Particularly preferably, the clamping connection 62 is designed as a telescopic rod, wherein the first and the second rod 3 are fixed in a known manner by rotating the rods 3 relative to one another or by closing a bracket on the first or the second rod 3, the first rod 3 being fixed in relation to the second rod 3.FIGS. 7A and 7B show a schematic view of a connecting element 7 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the connecting element 7 is in an unlocked state in FIG. 7A and in a locked state in FIG. 7B.The at least one connecting element 7 can be configured to detachably fasten an attachment component 8, such as a base plate, a seat, a table, a ladder, a rudder, an outboard motor or the like, to the linkage 2 for modular expansion of the connecting device 1. The at least one connecting element 7 is preferably designed as a tilting eccentric lever 7. The tilting eccentric lever 7 has, for example, a cone 72, which is connected via a cylindrical shank to a lever element 71 of the tilting eccentric lever 7 and widens in cross section from a proximal end toward a distal end. Furthermore, the tilting eccentric lever 7 has essentially conical or essentially circularly arranged segments 73 around the handle and the cone 72, wherein the segments 73 are pivotably mounted.In order to be able to fasten the attachment component 8 to the linkage 2, the attachment component 8 can have, in particular, through-bores or recesses. Accordingly, the linkage 2 can also have, in particular, through-bores with a complementary bore diameter. As FIG. 7A illustrates, the attachment component 8 and the linkage 2 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the respective through-bores lie one above the other and the tilting eccentric lever 7 can be introduced into the through-bores from at least one side.In the locked state, the cone 72 presses the segments 73 apart by displacing the cone 72 by folding over the lever element 71, so that the tilting eccentric lever 7, in particular in a force-fit manner, is locked in the through-bores, as is illustrated in FIG. 7B.FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D show respectively a schematic front view and a schematic side view of a connecting element 7 according to further embodiments of the invention.In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the connecting element 7 is designed as a clip 7 by way of example. The clip 7 can be pressable onto the linkage 2, wherein the clip 7 is produced in particular from a soft material, in particular from silicone, plastic, rubber or comparable material. The connecting element 7 can furthermore be configured to detachably fasten an attachment component 8, such as a base plate, a seat, a table, a ladder, a rudder, an outboard motor or the like, to the linkage 2 for modular expansion of the connecting device 1. Optionally, the attachment component 8 can have one or more clips 7 in order to couple the attachment component 8 to the linkage 2 in a positive and / or non-positive manner.FIG. 8B shows in particular a clip 7 with a locking mechanism 74. the locking mechanism 74 is preferably pivotably mounted on the clip 7. By pivoting the locking mechanism 74, a latch provided in the clip 7 can close an interruption of the clip 7 in the circumferential direction of the linkage 2, so that the linkage 2 is now completely surrounded by the clip 7 and the latch.Alternatively or additionally, the connecting element 7, as depicted in FIG. 8C, can be designed, for example, as a socket 7 for plugging on the linkage 2. The linkage 2 preferably has a spring knob clamp according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6A. The socket 7 can be integrated in the add-on component 8 or can be mounted on it. The linkage 2 is designed to be insertable into the socket 7 and thus to connect the add-on component 8 to the linkage 2 in a positive-locking manner. In particular, a plurality of rods 3 can be inserted into the socket 7 from different sides.In addition, the connecting element 7 can also have a clamping cone 42 and a union nut 43 similar to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4A. In this case, the clamping cone 42 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8D also has a positioning pin 47. On the basis of the positioning pin 47, which can be introduced into a recess of a clip 7 or the add-on component 8, the clamping cone 42 can be fixed radially with respect to the clip 7 or the add-on component 8 or the linkage 2.FIGS. 9 to 13 show different uses of a connecting device 1 in combination with two stand-up paddle boards 100 for one or more persons, wherein exemplary attachment components 8 are illustrated.FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of a connecting device 1 in use as a pedal boat with a waterwheel 87 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.The connecting device 1 preferably has four rods 3, wherein two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a central region of the stand-up paddle boards 100 and the remaining two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a front and rear region of the stand-up paddle boards 100, respectively. The connecting device 1 may further include, for example, attachment components 8 such as two floor panels 81, two seats 82, a rudder 85, and the waterwheel 87. The mentioned add-on components 8 are detachably fastened to the linkage 2, in particular by means of at least one of the connecting elements 7 presented in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C or 8D. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment components 8 are fastened to one another or are supported mutually.The two floor plates 81 may be separately attached to the rods 3 of the linkage 2. Optionally, the two floor panels 81 can be hingedly connected together. In addition, the two floor plates 81 may have recesses, reinforcements and / or a roughened surface finish. The two seats 82 may be formed from one or more components and optionally may additionally include upholstery, armrests, and / or backrests. Furthermore, the stand-up paddle boards 100 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 are designed as inflatable stand-up paddle boards 100.FIG. 10 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of a connecting device 1 in use as a pedal boat according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 with further attachment components 8.The connecting device 1 can further comprise further attachment components 8, such as a table 83, a ladder 84 and a sun screen 89.FIG. 11 shows a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a connecting device 1 in use as a pedal boat with a ship bolt 88 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.The connecting device 1 preferably has four rods 3, wherein two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a central region of the stand-up paddle boards 100 and the remaining two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a front and rear region of the stand-up paddle boards 100, respectively. The connecting device 1 can also have, for example, add-on components 8, such as two base plates 81, two seats 82, a rudder 85 and the ship's propeller 88. The mentioned add-on components 8 are detachably fastened to the linkage 2, in particular by means of at least one of the connecting elements 7 presented in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C or 8D. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment components 8 are fastened to one another or are supported mutually.FIG. 12 shows a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a connecting device 1 in use as a motorboat according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.The connecting device 1 preferably has four rods 3, wherein two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a central region of the stand-up paddle boards 100 and the remaining two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a front and rear region of the stand-up paddle boards 100, respectively. The connection device 1 may further include, for example, mounted components 8 such as two floor panels 81, two seats 82, and an outboard motor 86. The mentioned add-on components 8 are detachably fastened to the linkage 2, in particular by means of at least one of the connecting elements 7 presented in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C or 8D. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment components 8 are fastened to one another or are supported mutually.The outboard motor 87 is pivotably fastened to the linkage 2 or to one of the two floor plates 81, so that the motorboat can be controlled by pivoting the outboard motor 87.FIG. 13 shows a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a connecting device 1 in use as a sailboat according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.The connecting device 1 preferably has four rods 3, wherein two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a central region of the stand-up paddle boards 100 and the remaining two of the four rods 3 are arranged in a front and rear region of the stand-up paddle boards 100, respectively. The connecting device 1 can furthermore have, for example, attachment components 8, such as two base plates 81, a rudder 85 and a sail 80. The mentioned add-on components 8 are detachably fastened to the linkage 2, in particular by means of at least one of the connecting elements 7 presented in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C or 8D. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment components 8 are fastened to one another or are supported mutually.In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been summarized to improve stringency of the representation in one or more examples. However, it should be understood that the above description is merely illustrative, not restrictive in nature. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be immediately and immediately apparent to those skilled in the art from the knowledge of the art in view of the above description.The exemplary embodiments were selected and described in order to be able to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and their possible applications in practice. This enables those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with respect to the intended purpose of use. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral language terminology for the corresponding terms "comprising". Furthermore, a use of the terms "a", "an" and "an" is not intended to exclude a plurality of features and components described in this way in principle.List of reference characters1 Connecting device 2 Linkage 3 Rod 4 Fastening means 5 Axle 6 Bracing device 7 Connecting element 8 Add-on component 40 Retaining clips 41 Insert elements 42 Clamping cone 43 Union nut 44 Bridging beam 45 Engagement tooth 46 Lever 61 Spring knob clip 62 Clamping connection 63 Compression connection 64 Spring knob 71 Lever element 72 Cone 73 Segments 74 Closure mechanism 80 Sail 81 Base plate 82 Seat 83 Table 84 Ladder 85 Rudder 86 Outboard motor 87 Waterwheel 88 Ship's screw 89 Sun protection 100 Floating body 101 Loop

Claims

Connecting device (1) for connecting at least two floating bodies (100) side by side, having: a rod assembly (2) which has at least one rod (3); and a plurality of fastening means (4) which are arranged on the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) and of which at least some of the plurality of fastening means (4) are provided so as to be displaceable axially along the axis (5) of the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) in a manner adapted to the respective geometry of the at least two floating bodies (100) in such a way that each floating body (100) can be clamped between at least two fastening means (4) on the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) in a positionally stable manner, wherein the linkage (2) has a plurality of rods (3), wherein two of the plurality of rods (3) extend substantially parallel to one another and are surrounded in sections by a loop (101) of one of the at least two floating bodies (100), wherein the two rods (3) extending substantially parallel to one another can be mounted spaced apart from one another to a suitable extent for tensioning the loop.Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein on some of the plurality of fastening means (4) there are provided retaining clips (40) for positively and / or non-positively clamping around the respective floating body (100).Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the retaining clips (40) are substantially curved and / or inclined and are pivotable about a transverse axis of the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2).Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the plurality of fastening means (4) have a bridging beam (44), which connects the at least two of the plurality of fastening means (4), for enclosing the respective floating body (100) in a positively locking and force-locking manner.The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the bridging beam (44) is coupled to the at least two of the plurality of fastening means (4) such that the linkage (2) in cooperation with the at least two of the plurality of fastening means (4) and the bridging beam (44) encloses one of the at least two floating bodies (100) in an axis.The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of fastening means (4) in the contact region to the at least two floating bodies (100) comprise materials for mechanically protecting the at least two floating bodies (100) from damage, preferably foam, plastic or textiles, are designed to be bent at least in sections and / or receive insert elements (41) for mechanically protecting the at least two floating bodies (100) from damage.Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) has an external thread at least in sections.Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein some of the plurality of fastening means (4) comprise a clamping cone (42) and a union nut (43), wherein the union nut (43) comprises a conical internal thread complementary to the external thread of the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) such that the clamping cone (42) is clampable between itself and the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) by means of the union nut (43) in order to fix these fastening means (4) axially relative to the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2).Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) has a toothing at least in sections.Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein some of the plurality of fastening means (4) comprise at least one engagement tooth (45) for axially fixing the fastening means (4) to the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2), wherein the at least one engagement tooth (45) is storable on a lever (46) pivotably supported by means of a restoring spring in engagement with the toothing of the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2).Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the linkage (2) has 2 to 12 rods (3).Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of rods (3) are each connected to one another via a plug connection, such as a spring knob clamp (51), a bayonet connection or the like, via a clamping connection (52) or via a screw connection, such as a crimp screw connection (53) or the like, for varying their longitudinal extension, adapted to the geometries of the at least two floating bodies (100).Device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein two, three, four, six, eight or twelve rods (3) of the linkage (2) extend substantially parallel to one another and are surrounded in sections by a loop (101) of one of the at least two floating bodies (100), wherein the two rods (3) extending substantially parallel to one another can be mounted spaced apart from one another by a suitable distance for tensioning the loop.The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one rod (3) of the linkage (2) has a tensioning device (6) for tensioning a loop (101) of one of the at least two floating bodies (100).Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one connecting element (7) which is designed to detachably fasten an attachment component (8) to the linkage (2) for modular expansion of the connecting device (1).Device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the at least one connecting element (7) is designed as a tilting eccentric lever for pressing conical segments (73) apart into through-bores and the linkage (2) has through-bores with a complementary bore diameter.Device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the at least one connecting element (7) is designed as a clip for pressing the clip onto the linkage (2) in order to couple the attachment component (8) to the linkage (2) in a positive and / or non-positive manner, and / or as a socket for plugging on the linkage (2), wherein the linkage (2) has a spring knob clamp for positive connection of the linkage (2) to the attachment component (8).A system comprising two floats (100) and a connecting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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