PADDLE FOR A WATERCRAFT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a paddle for a nautical craft.

[0002] It applies in particular to the practice of water sports, such as kayaking, rafting, packrafting, or stand-up paddleboarding.

[0003] Such paddles include a shaft to one end of which a blade is attached, the other end being able to be fitted with a handle or a second blade, depending on the type of activity and / or sport practiced.

[0004] To facilitate transport and storage, it is common practice to design paddles that are partially collapsible and / or retractable, particularly for carrying in or on a backpack. Such a design proves especially advantageous for sporting activities combining water and land travel, such as packrafting. Documents GB 593442 A, US 2566023 A, AU 2016101019 A4, and US 10499623 B2 provide examples of paddles for watercraft.

[0005] US-2 566 023 provides for a paddle whose shaft 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 inner ends being equipped with a reversible association device, so as to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade and the segments.

[0006] Thus, when not in use, the paddle can be disassembled into three parts - the two segments and the blade - which limits its size, and thus facilitates its storage and transport.

[0007] However, when disassembled, the different parts of the paddle become independent of each other, making them difficult to handle for transport and / or storage. Furthermore, when transported in a backpack, each of the three disassembled parts must be secured to specific means within the backpack, which is unsatisfactory.

[0008] 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 disassembled into several parts when not in use, said paddle incorporating specific means to facilitate the handling and transport of said disassembled parts.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a paddle for a nautical craft comprising a shaft having at least one segment extending between an inner end and an outer end, a blade being reversibly associated on the outer end of said segment in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively disassembly - of the blade and 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.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [ Fig.1a ] And [ Fig.1b ] represent a paddle according to the invention in the mounted configuration, respectively in front view ( figure 1a ) and in side view ( figure 1b ) ; [ Fig.2 ] represents, in front view, the paddle from the previous figures in its disassembled configuration, with the associated segments on the blade; [ Fig.3 ] represents the front view of the blade of figures 1a , 1b et 2 ; Fig.4 ] schematically represents in partial cross-section a geometric means of the blade of the preceding figures; [ Fig.5a ] And [ Fig.5b ] represent the second segment of the paddle from the previous figures, respectively in lateral view ( figure 5a ) and in longitudinal section ( figure 5b ) ; [ Fig.6 ] represents, in lateral view, the outer tube of the second segment of the preceding figures; [ Fig.7 ] represents in perspective a clamping ring fitting the first and second segments of the preceding figures; [ Fig.8 ] represents in lateral view the first segment of the paddle from the previous figures [ Fig.8a ] And [ Fig.8b representing, according to 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 embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.10 ] represents in cross-section one of the segments of the paddle from the preceding figures, according to four variant embodiments of the invention (a, b, c and d).

[0011] In relation to these figures, a paddle for nautical craft is described below, particularly for the practice of a nautical activity such as kayaking, rafting, and more specifically packrafting or stand up paddle.

[0012] The paddle includes 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 associated on the outer end 2b of said segment.

[0013] 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 reversibly associated on the outer end 2b of a first segment 2.

[0014] 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 while practicing his sporting activity.

[0015] Alternatively, the outer end 3b of the second segment 3 can be fitted with a second blade, to adapt the paddle for use in water sports such as kayaking. Similarly, when the shaft 1 consists of only one segment 2, a handle or a second blade can be attached to its inner end 2a.

[0016] 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 within the outer tube 6e, 7e.

[0017] In the figures, each segment 2, 3 presents such a tubular structure with an inner tube 6i, 7i mounted in telescopic sliding within an outer tube 6e, 7e, which allows the user to independently adjust the respective longitudinal positions of the blade 4 and the handle 5 on the handle 1.

[0018] In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken with reference to the axis along which the paddle extends (vertical on the figures 1a And 1b ), and are related to a direction respectively parallel and perpendicular to this axis for the terms "longitudinal" and "radial", a positioning respectively close and far from this axis for the terms "interior" and "exterior", a positioning respectively close and far along this axis for the terms "internal" and "external".

[0019] Each 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e tube can be formed from a metallic material, particularly aluminum-based, or by molding from a thermoplastic material, possibly reinforced with glass and / or carbon fibers.

[0020] In relation to the figures, the tubes 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e each have a cylindrical sliding section 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.

[0021] Each outer tube 6e, 7e is equipped with a clamping ring 9 for the interface between said outer tube and the corresponding inner tube 6i, 7i, in order to lock the sliding of said inner tube at the desired segment length 2, 3.

[0022] In relation to figures 6 et 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 corresponding inner tube 6i, 7i.

[0023] In particular, as depicted on the figure 7 , the ring 9 has a longitudinal slot 12 which is arranged radially opposite the notch 11, in order to allow the tubes 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e to be clamped by the simultaneous approach of the respective longitudinal edges of said slot and said notch when tightening the ring 9.

[0024] 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 reversibly connected, in particular by means of a push-pin type connection.

[0025] In particular, the blade 4 comprises a propulsion body 14 which has an edge 14a on which is mounted a reversible connector 15 for attaching to the outer end 2b of the first segment 2, said connector being in the form of a sleeve projecting from said edge. In one embodiment, particularly in relation to a single-segment 2 shaft 1, the connector 15 may form a tube section to which the outer end 2a of said segment is reversibly attached.

[0026] As depicted on the figures 2 And 3 , the sleeve 15 is equipped with a pin 16 elastically constrained by a spring, and the first segment 2 includes a radial orifice 17 formed on the external end 2b of its inner tube 6i (see figure 8a ), in which said pin is intended to engage elastically when the sleeve 15 is inserted into said external end.

[0027] Furthermore, the inner tube 7i of the second segment 3 has an external end 3b to which the handle 5 is irreversibly associated, for example by fitting said handle into said external end.

[0028] To reduce the bulk of the paddle when not in use, segments 2, 3 are reversibly joined, so that they can be separated from each other when storing the paddle.

[0029] To do this, the inner ends 2a, 3a of segments 2, 3 are equipped with a reversible association device, so that the paddle can be formed - respectively disassembled - by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade 4 and segments 2, 3.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, segments 2 and 3 are directly connected via their outer tubes 6e and 7e, which are reversibly connected to each other. Alternatively, the handle 1 may include at least one intermediate segment disposed between segments 2 and 3, the inner ends 2a and 2b of said segments being connected via said intermediate segment.

[0031] The reversible connection of the outer tubes 6e, 7e is achieved via a sleeve 18 which is fixed in the inner end 3a of one of the outer tubes 7e, for example that of the second segment 3 ( figures 5a, 5b ). To achieve this, the second segment 3 has a fixing hole 19 formed radially on the inner end 3a of its outer tube 7e (see figure 6 ), the sleeve 18 being fixed in said inner end by welding or screwing into the orifice 19.

[0032] The sleeve 18 is further equipped with a reversible joining device 20 for the inner end 2a of the other outer tube 6e, i.e., that of the first segment 2. In particular, this device is of the push-pin type, and the outer tube 6e of the first segment 2 has on its inner end 2a a radial orifice 21 into which the pin 20 is intended to engage elastically when the sleeve 18 is inserted into said inner end (see figure 8b ).

[0033] In an alternative not shown, the sleeve 18 can be associated with the outer tube 6e of the first segment 2, and the receiving orifice 21 of the pin-push device 20 can be formed on the outer tube 7e of the second segment 3.

[0034] 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 disassembled configuration.

[0035] Thus, the invention provides a way to functionalize the paddle so that its different parts 2, 3, and 4 can be held together once disassembled, thereby facilitating handling and transport. In particular, blade 4 and segments 2 and 3 then form a single unit that the user can easily handle, notably by securing it to a backpack for transport.

[0036] The propulsion body 14 of the blade 4 has a front face 4a and a rear face 4b, the geometric means of association 23 being formed on at least one of said faces.

[0037] Advantageously, the propulsion body 14 and the geometric joining means 23 are formed as a single piece by molding a polymer material. The connector 15 can be made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum, and fixed by press-fitting and / or bonding in a recess provided for this purpose on an inner end of the peripheral edge 14a of the propulsion body 14.

[0038] In the figures, the geometric means of association 23 are formed on the same face 4a of the propulsion body 14, for example the front face 4a, which makes them easier to spot for the user, who can thus assemble the segments 2, 3 to said blade in a particularly intuitive way.

[0039] In relation to the figure 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 associate respectively a segment 2, 3.

[0040] 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 in projection on the front face 4a and along the median plane P, as well as a mounting housing for the connector 15 which extends in the longitudinal alignment of said edge.

[0041] The geometric means of association include 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.

[0042] In relation to figures 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 6e, 7e of a segment 2, 3.

[0043] This arrangement allows segments 2 and 3 to be joined on blade 4 parallel to the median edge 25 in the disassembled configuration, in particular by placing each segment 2 and 3 on either side of said edge, as shown in the figure 2 .

[0044] In relation to the figures, each groove 24 has an undercut geometry, the ribs 23 having a dovetail geometry to allow their longitudinal sliding in a groove 24 while preventing their radial withdrawal.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the geometric means for attaching at least one segment 2, 3 to the blade 4 can be combined with another type of attachment means, particularly to improve the reliability of the resulting attachment. For example, a magnet can be used in combination with a groove 24 / rib 23 type geometric engagement arranged to limit the lateral movement of a segment 2, 3 attached to the blade 4.

[0046] Advantageously, the ribs 23 and the grooves 24 have respectively identical geometries, which allows the segments 2, 3 to be associated indifferently on each of the said ribs, and thus facilitates the assembly of parts 2, 3, 4 of the paddle in disassembled configuration.

[0047] The blade 4 further includes 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 segments 2, 3 on said blade in disassembled configuration.

[0048] In the figures, blade 4 has the following features, 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 when it is associated with the blade 4; and two double dissociation arrows 27, in the opposite direction to that of the double association arrows 26, each formed near a lateral portion of the edge 14a of the blade 4, and adjacent to the other edge of the corresponding rib 23.

[0049] 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 slides said segment 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.

[0050] Similarly, when the user wishes to assemble the paddle, they detach 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 corresponding rib 23. In relation to the figure 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.

[0051] In relation to figures 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 6e, 7e. Thus, the groove 24 is easily located by the user, and therefore its engagement on a rib 23 of the blade 4.

[0052] Advantageously, segments 2, 3 and / or blade 4 have means for limiting the sliding stroke until an optimal overlap configuration of said segments is reached on said blade. In one embodiment, the rib 23 forms an angle with the median longitudinal plane P of the propulsion body 14 of blade 4 so as to limit the sliding stroke by interference between segment 2, 3 and said blade.

[0053] In particular, segments 2 and 3 each have a longitudinal dimension between 90% and 110% of the longitudinal dimension of blade 4, in order to limit their overhang relative to said blade when they are associated on it.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the clamping ring 9 of each segment 2, 3 interferes with the blade 4, particularly near the fixing sleeve 15 to the first segment 2, at the end of the sliding stroke of the rib 23 in the groove 24.

[0055] Furthermore, each clamping ring 9 is immobilized in the geometric means of association 24 of the corresponding outer tube 6e, 7e, said geometric means being diametrically opposed to the notch 11 on the periphery of said outer tube.

[0056] To do this, as shown on the figure 7 , the ring 9 has a lug 28 which is formed on its inner periphery being diametrically opposite to the clamping slot 12, said lug being immobilized in the association groove 24 of the outer tube 6e, 7e of a segment 2, 3.

[0057] As depicted on the 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 made of metallic material. Alternatively, particularly for segments 2, 3 made of 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 the figure 10 In particular, each groove 24 is formed in the outer tube 6e, 7e of a segment 2, 3 by being arranged on its flat 8e for rotational immobilization.

[0058] In realizations a and b of the figure 10 , the flat 8e is formed directly on the periphery of the outer tube 6e, 7e, the insert 29 being fixed on 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.

[0059] In particular, in embodiment a, the insert 29 has an internal longitudinal rib 30 intended to be radially embedded in a complementary groove 31 formed in the flat 8e of the outer tube 6e, 7e, said complementary groove defining an internal radial protrusion 32 which slides in a second complementary groove 33 formed in the flat 8i of the inner tube 6i, 7i.

[0060] In achievements c and d of the figure 10 The outer tube 6e, 7e has a peripheral recess in which the insert 29 is fixed by bonding and / or by geometric fastening means formed on said insert and / or in said recess. The insert 29 further has an inner face on which is formed the flat 8e for rotationally immobilizing said outer tube. Advantageously, the material of the insert 29 can improve the sliding of the inner tube 6i, 7i within the outer tube 6e, 7e.

[0061] 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 embedding and / or by gluing.

Claims

1. 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 said segment in order to be able to form - or demount - the paddle by connection - or disconnection - of the blade (4) and of said segment, said paddle being characterised 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 designed to connect said segment to the blade (4) in a demounted configuration.

2. Paddle according to claim 1, characterised in that the shaft (1) has two segments (2, 3) each extending between an inner end (2a, 3a) and an outer end (2b, 3b), the inner ends (2a, 3a) being equipped with a reversible connection device (18, 20, 21) in order to be able to form - respectively demount - the paddle by connection - respectively disconnection - of the blade (4) and of the segments (2, 3), complementary geometric means (24) being formed on each of the segments (2, 3) so as to be allowed to cooperate with the geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) in order to connect each of the segments (2, 3) to the blade (4) in a demounted configuration.

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

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

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

6. Paddle according to claim 5, characterised in that the groove (24) has an undercut geometry, the rib (23) having a dovetail geometry allowing it to slide longitudinally in the groove (24) while preventing its radial withdrawal.

7. Paddle according to claim 6, characterised in that the segment (2, 3) and / or the blade (4) has means for limiting the sliding travel to an optimal configuration wherein said segment overlaps the blade (4).

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

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

10. Paddle according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterised 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 of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one segment (2, 3) is formed of an external tube (6e, 7e) carrying the inner end (2a, 3a) and an internal tube (6i, 7i) carrying the outer end (2b, 3b), said internal tube being mounted in telescopic sliding fashion in said external tube on which the complementary geometric means (24) are formed.

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

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

14. Paddle according to claim 13, characterised in that the clamping ring (9) is immobilised in the complementary geometric means (24) of the external tube (6e, 7e).

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