Rugby tackling training device

Abstract

The invention relates to a rugby tackling training device (1) comprising four branches (2) arranged so as to form a tetrapod-type structure, in which the branches (2) are made of self-supporting foam, said branches (2) being devoid of internal reinforcement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The field of invention is that of the design and manufacture of sports equipment.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a rugby tackling training device. State of the art

[0003] From the state of the art, the use of tackle bags for training rugby players in tackling is known.

[0004] Such bags need to be repositioned following a tackle, involving either an interruption of a training dynamic, or the mobilization of a teammate to carry the bag.

[0005] To overcome these drawbacks and allow a player to train independently and more dynamically, the applicant proposed, in patent document published under number FR3118887, a tackling training device with branches arranged to form a tetrapod-like structure. These branches extend from a core and are metallic, thus forming the frame of the training device. A protective material, for example foam, covers the branches.

[0006] During training, the tetrapod rests on the ground via three arms covered with protective material, while the fourth arm is oriented upwards and can be used for tackling practice. Should the device tip over, it will automatically return to a position with one arm pointing upwards to continue tackling training. No interruption of training or mobilization of a teammate is required.

[0007] However, such a system has drawbacks.

[0008] Indeed, the risk of injury to players on the internal frame is not negligible, and its manufacturing cost can be considered too high.

[0009] WO 2009 / 047527 A1 unveils a rugby tackling training device comprising four branches arranged to form a tetrapod-type structure, the four branches joining in a central part of the structure where each branch is coupled with the other branches, the whole structure being devoid of internal reinforcement. Technical problem

[0010] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a tetrapod-type tackling device that provides more safety for practitioners than the device described above.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide such a device which has a controlled manufacturing cost. Summary of the invention

[0013] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved through the invention which relates to a rugby tackling training device comprising four branches arranged to form a tetrapod-type structure, the four branches joining in a central part of the tetrapod-type structure where each branch is coupled with the other branches, the entire tetrapod-type structure being devoid of internal reinforcement, the four branches of the device being made of self-supporting foam, each branch having a three-sided pyramidal end by which the branch is coupled with the other branches, the branches being glued and / or welded to the other branches.

[0014] A self-supporting foam arm, without any internal reinforcement, allows a rugby player to practice tackling safely when held upwards. Because the arm is made entirely of foam, it has no hard internal elements that could cause injury upon contact when a player makes a tackle.

[0015] Furthermore, this branch or these branches feature a cost-reducing design compared to a design in which the branch would be formed from foam and a metal rod forming an internal frame within the foam.

[0016] Finally, this training device has a lower weight compared to the prior art training device with a complete internal frame.

[0017] Thanks to the four arms of the device made of self-supporting foam and without internal reinforcement, regardless of the position in which the device rests, the arm oriented upwards is a completely foam arm minimizing the risk of injury to a player making a tackle on it, and the other arms forming the base are also made of foam so they too will minimize the risk of injury to the player.

[0018] The design of each of the branches also helps to minimize the manufacturing costs of the device, and to reduce the weight of the training device.

[0019] Because the four branches meet in a central part of the tetrapod-type structure where each branch is coupled with the other branches, the central part of the device is formed by the joining of the branches, which constitutes a simple and economical architecture.

[0020] The pyramidal shape of the branch tips is easy to produce by cutting from a block of foam.

[0021] Thanks to the branches which are glued and / or welded to other branches, the manufacture of the device is thus easy and quick, while also being economical.

[0022] Finally, because the entire tetrapod-type structure lacks internal reinforcement, the structure does not contain any internal elements that could cause injury to a player using the device for training.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature, the device includes a cover over the branches.

[0024] This cover forms an interface between the players and the self-supporting foam of the arms. The cover thus protects the players from contact with the foam, while preventing degradation of the foam during use or handling of the device.

[0025] Advantageously, each branch is covered with a part of the cover coupled to the other parts of the cover covering the other branches.

[0026] In this way, the cover also tends to maintain the structural integrity of the entire tetrapod. Indeed, the coupling of the cover sections to other cover sections also helps to keep the tetrapod's branches coupled together.

[0027] According to a preferred design, the branch or branches made of self-supporting foam came from the material.

[0028] Each branch is thus made up of only one set of foam taking the shape of the branch.

[0029] According to a preferred characteristic, the self-supporting foam constituting the branch or branches has a density between 60 kg.m -3< and 150 kg.m -3< , preferably between 80 kg.m -3< and 120 kg.m -3< , typically 80 kg.m -3< , 100, or 120.

[0030] Between 60 kg.m -3< and 150 kg.m -3<, the self-supporting foam is suitable for the use of the device.

[0031] Between 80 kg.m -3< and 120 kg.m -3< , the density of the self-supporting foam is both high enough to withstand the shocks of training, and flexible enough to cushion these shocks and not cause injury to the players. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: there figure 1 is a partial schematic representation of a rugby tackling training device; the figure 2is a schematic representation of the geometry of three branches of the device, viewed from one side opposite which extends a fourth branch; the figure 3 is a partial schematic representation of a possible embodiment of a training device. Detailed description

[0033] With reference to the figure 1 , a rugby tackling training device 1 is shown.

[0034] This device 1 comprises four branches 2 arranged to form a tetrapod-type structure.

[0035] With reference to the figure 2 , each branch 2 extends along its own central axis 20, and the central axes 20 of each of the branches 2 intersect at a single central point 200.

[0036] Two central axes 20 intersect at an angle in a plane in which they are inscribed, the value of which is between 100° and 130°, preferably between 105° and 120°. The angles delimited by the branches 2 are equal or substantially equal, so that when three branches 2 rest on a plane surface, the fourth branch 2 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane surface.

[0037] According to the present embodiments of figures 1 to 3 , branches 2 have the same length.

[0038] As detailed below, in an embodiment that is not part of the invention, at least one of the branches 2 is made of self-supporting foam, and this branch 2 is devoid of internal reinforcement.

[0039] According to an embodiment not included in the invention, a single arm 2 is made of self-supporting foam and this arm 2 lacks internal reinforcement. In this case, this arm 2 can be clearly identified by a marking on the surface of the device 1 so that only this arm is used for rugby tackling training.

[0040] According to other embodiments which are not part of the invention, between two and three branches 2 are made of self-supporting foam and are without internal reinforcement.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, and according to the invention, the four branches 2 are made of self-supporting foam and are devoid of internal reinforcement.

[0042] The self-supporting foam constituting branch or branches 2 has a density between 60 kg.m -3< and 150 kg.m -3< , preferably between 80 kg.m -3< and 120 kg.m -3< , typically 80 kg.m -3< , 100 kg.m -3< , or 120 kg.m -3< .

[0043] This self-supporting foam is, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or an equivalent foam.

[0044] Preferably, the one or each branch 2 made of self-supporting foam came from the material.

[0045] Alternatively, the or at least one branch 2 is made up of a plurality of self-supporting foam parts coupled to each other.

[0046] A self-supporting foam arm (branch 2) is advantageously obtained by laser cutting a block of foam. This allows for a particularly precise cut, facilitating the assembly of the device.

[0047] According to the present embodiments of figures 1 to 3, branches 2 adopt a cylindrical shape, and more precisely a cylinder of revolution around their central axis 20.

[0048] With reference to the methods of implementation of figures 1 and 2 , the four branches 2 meet in a central part of the tetrapod-type structure where each branch 2 is coupled with the other branches 2.

[0049] For this purpose, each branch 2 has a pyramidal end with three sides by which the branch 2 is coupled with the other branches 2.

[0050] In these embodiments, branches 2 are glued and / or welded to other branches 2.

[0051] In the implementation of the figure 3 The structure, which is not part of the invention, further comprises a core 4 to which the branches 2 are coupled. In other words, the branches 2 are coupled to each other indirectly via the core 4.

[0052] Core 4 is preferably made of self-supporting foam and advantageously without internal reinforcement.

[0053] The self-supporting foam constituting the core 4 has a density between 60 kg.m -3< and 150 kg.m -3< , preferably between 80 kg.m -3< and 120 kg.m -3< , typically 80 kg.m -3< , 100 kg.m -3< , or 120 kg.m -3< .

[0054] This self-supporting foam is, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or an equivalent foam.

[0055] The branches 2 are thus glued and / or welded onto the core 4.

[0056] According to the present embodiment, the core 4 has a spherical shape on which flats 41 are provided where the branches 2 are to be coupled.

[0057] Common to the methods of implementation of figures 1 to 3The entire tetrapod-type structure lacks internal reinforcement. In other words, the structure does not include any rigid element designed to serve as a skeleton, such as a steel frame, within the volume defined by the perimeter of the self-supporting foam structure.

[0058] Advantageously, device 1 includes a cover covering the branches 2, and also the core 4 in the embodiment of the figure 3 .

[0059] The cover is made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane, or an equivalent material. This membrane is advantageously waterproof and may have, as an indication, a weight of around 680 gm- 2<.

[0060] According to a preferred feature, each branch 2 is covered with a part of the cover, and this part of the cover is coupled to the other parts of the cover covering the other branches 2. In other words, the parts of the cover each have a shape at least partially cylindrical of revolution, like the branches 2, and are positioned overlapping the branches 2. The parts of the cover are then coupled to the other parts of the cover at the level where they meet, i.e. at the level of the central part of the structure.

[0061] In the case of the implementation method of the figure 3 , a part of the cover in the shape of core 4 is positioned on core 4, and a junction is made between this part of the cover and those covering branches 2.

[0062] The coupling of the cover parts together is achieved by gluing or welding, and preferably by heat welding.

[0063] It is conceivable that the coupling of the cover parts together is achieved by sewing, or by removable connection such as, for example, self-gripping strips, or snap fasteners.

[0064] The cover provides a means of maintaining the structural integrity of the tetrapod-type structure, which is made of self-supporting foam.

[0065] The cover advantageously features handles on its surface to facilitate handling of the training device 1.

[0066] These handles are, for example, sewn onto the cover.

[0067] The cover may also have additional protective elements. These can be attached to the cover in a removable manner, for example using removable fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners or snap buttons.

[0068] As a guide, the device may have the following dimensions and weight: "Large" version with 2 branches measuring 93cm in length and 34cm in diameter, for a total weight of 23kg; "small" version with 2 branches measuring 83cm in length and 25cm in diameter, for a total weight of 12kg.

[0069] The drive device 1 described above has a lower weight than a tetrapod-type drive device with an internal frame according to the prior art. Furthermore, the drive device 1 according to the invention is a single unit and does not require assembly by the distributor or the user.

Claims

1. A rugby tackling training device (1) comprising four branches (2) arranged so as to form a tetrapod type structure, the four branches (2) joining together at a central part of the tetrapod type structure where each branch (2) is coupled with the other branches (2), the entire tetrapod type structure being devoid of an internal reinforcement, characterised in that the four branches (2) of the device (1) consist of self-supporting foam, each branch (2) having a three-sided pyramid-shaped end whereby the branch (2) is coupled with the other branches (2), the branches (2) being glued and / or welded to the other branches (2).

2. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a slipcover lining the branches (2).

3. The device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each branch (2) is lined with a slipcover part coupled with the other slipcover parts lining the other branches (2).

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the or each branch (2) consisting of self-supporting foam is made integrally in one-piece.

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the self-supporting foam forming the branch(es) (2) has a density between 60 kg.m-3 and 150 kg.m-3, preferably between 80 kg.m-3 and 120 kg.m-3, typically 80 kg.m-3, 100 kg.m-3, or 120 kg.m-3.

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