Device for removably assembling two parts of a watersport board

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (5) for removably assembling two parts (2A, 3A) of a watersports board (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a first piece, comprising a first mounting element, to allow the mounting of said first piece on a first part (2A) of the watersports board, and a first assembly element, to allow the assembly of the first part of the watersports board with a second part (3A) of the watersports board, - a second piece, comprising a second mounting element, to allow the mounting of said second piece on the second part of the watersports board, and a second assembly element, configured to cooperate with the first assembly element, to allow the removable assembly of the first and second parts (2A, 3A) of the watersports board, and - means for locking said first piece to said second piece, said locking means being movable between a locking position, in which they allow the first and second pieces to be held in the assembled position, and a release position, in which said first and second pieces can be separated from one another.

Description

Device for removable assembly of two parts of a water sports board Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the removable assembly of two or more parts of a water sports board, in particular a surfboard. Prior art

[0002] There is a detachable surfboard marketed by the company Nature Shapes. The system for attaching the two pieces is robust and allows for a very rigid assembly. However, using the board can cause some discomfort, as the metal bars stiffen the structure, which can limit the overall performance.

[0003] Furthermore, in the surfing world, the inflatable offering has exploded in recent years: kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, wingfoiling, etc. Many areas of activity have been significantly impacted. However, inflatable boards can lack rigidity, are generally quite heavy, and their profile is limited by inflatable technology. In addition, inflating the board on the beach requires real effort and is not very quick. In conclusion, the inflatable offering is not suitable for creating a high-performance water sports board, especially for surfing, and these models are reserved for beginner surfers.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a device for detachably joining two or more parts of a water sports board, in particular a surfboard, making it possible to provide a water sports board which can be quickly assembled and disassembled, to reduce the problems associated with transporting the board, while providing a board which performs well in use and which is inexpensive to produce.

[0005] These objectives, as well as others which will become more clearly apparent hereinafter, are achieved by means of a device for the removable assembly of two parts of a water sports board, the device comprising:- a first part, comprising a first mounting element, to enable the assembly of said first part on a first part of the water sports board, and a first assembly element, to enable the assembly of the first part of the water sports board with a second part of the water sports board,- a second part, comprising a second mounting element, to enable the assembly of said second part on the second part of the water sports board, and a second assembly element, configured to cooperate with the first assembly element, to enable the removable assembly of the first and second parts of the water sports board,and- means for locking said first part with said second part, said locking means being movable between a locking position, in which they allow the first and second parts to be held in the assembled position, and a release position, in which said first and second parts can be separated from each othercharacterized in that free edges of the first and second assembly elements each comprise a set of rectilinear and / or curvilinear portions, to improve the transmission of mechanical stresses, the free edges having the shape of a “W”.,

[0006] Preferably, the free edges of the first and second assembly elements each comprise a set of rectilinear and / or curvilinear portions, to improve the transmission of mechanical stresses.

[0007] Advantageously, the first assembly element comprises two grooves, and the second assembly element comprises two ribs, the spacing between the two grooves being greater than the thickness of each groove.

[0008] According to a preferred design, the corners of the W are rounded.

[0009] The first and second assembly elements may comprise a set of groove / rib pairs, to enable their assembly.

[0010] The locking means may comprise at least one rod capable of passing through said first and second parts.

[0011] The invention also provides a water sports board, characterized in that it comprises at least a first part, a second part, and a removable assembly device as described above, to allow the removable assembly of the first and second parts.

[0012] The first mounting element may be configured to be inserted and bonded into at least one recess machined in the first portion of the water sports board, said second mounting element being configured to be inserted and bonded into at least one recess machined in the second portion of the water sports board.

[0013] The water sports board can consist of three parts, and two assembly devices allowing the three parts to be assembled two by two.

[0014] The water sports board can be a surfboard.

[0015] The invention also provides a kit of water sports boards, characterized in that it comprises a set of front parts of water sports boards, a set of central parts of water sports boards, a set of rear parts of water sports boards and a set of assembly devices as described above, said front, central and rear parts having corresponding profiles, the front, central and rear parts of water sports boards being able to be assembled together, by means of the assembly devices, according to several different configurations.

[0016] The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a water sports board comprising at least two removable parts, intended to be removably assembled by means of an assembly device comprising two parts, each of said two parts comprising a mounting element, intended to be fixed respectively on the parts of the water sports board, and an assembly element, to allow the removable assembly of the two parts of the water sports board, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of cutting a water sports board into at least two parts, - a step of machining each of said two parts of the water sports board, to form recesses, and - a step of gluing the mounting elements in each of the recesses machined in the two parts of the water sports board.

[0017] List of figures

[0018] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given as a simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures among which:is a perspective view of a surfboard according to one embodiment of the invention;is a perspective view of the surfboard in the disassembled position;is a schematic view of a surfboard kit;is a view of a first part of a device for assembling two parts of the surfboard;is a view of the part of the assembly with a second part of the assembly device;is a perspective view showing the free edges of the first and second parts;shows another embodiment of an assembly device;shows a guide allowing the cutting and machining of a surfboard to make it disassemblable; andshows a part of a surfboard after its machining and before the installation of an assembly device.Detailed description of embodiments of the inventionWater sports board.

[0019] Leset 2 represent a surfboard 1 comprising three parts 2, 3 and 4. The board 1 is for example formed, in a conventional manner, by a block of foam covered with resin or fiberglass.

[0020] The three parts 2, 3 and 4 are intended to be removably assembled by means of assembly devices 5, described in more detail below.

[0021] An objective of the invention is to obtain a board 1 that can fit into a large backpack, that can be assembled and disassembled quickly on the beach, that has a weight that corresponds to the weight of a conventional board, and that performs well in the waves when assembled. The weight of the board 1 is, for example, between 4 kg and 10 kg, preferably between 4 kg and 6 kg.

[0022] Another objective of the invention is to be able to transform a conventional board into a board that can be assembled and disassembled, by cutting the board and then using assembly devices 5.

[0023] The kit represents a kit of water sports boards, such as surfboards. The kit includes a set of front board sections, a set of center board sections, and a set of rear board sections. Each set includes one or more elements.

[0024] In the example shown in the, the kit includes two front parts 2A and 2B, two central parts 3A and 3B, and two rear parts 4A and 4B.

[0025] The front 2A, 2B, central 3A, 3B and rear 4A, 4B parts have corresponding profiles and are each equipped with a portion of an assembly device 5, so that they can be assembled together in several different configurations. This thus represents three surfboards 1A, 1B and 1C assembled from the kit comprising the six parts 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B.

[0026] "Matching profiles" are edge profiles of board parts that allow them to be compatible with each other, to be able to form the different configurations. In particular, the widths of all the front parts are preferably identical to each other to allow them to be mounted on the same central part. Similarly, the widths of all the rear parts are preferably identical to each other to allow them to be mounted on the same central part. A user can thus have a central part and several front and rear parts, in order to mount different boards according to his desire and / or the waves. Several central parts of different lengths can also be used, as long as the widths are the same. Removable assembly device

[0027] The 7 represent a removable assembly device 5 of two parts of a water sports board 1. The assembly device 5 is for example made of thermoplastic or resin. Below, the example of the two parts 2A and 3A is considered. The other assemblies are made in a similar manner.

[0028] The assembly device 5 comprises a first part 6, comprising a first mounting element 7, to allow the mounting of the first part 6 on the first part 2A of the board 1, and a first assembly element 8, to allow the assembly of the first part 2A with the second part 3A.

[0029] The assembly device 5 comprises a second part 9, comprising a second mounting element 10, to allow the mounting of the second part 9 on the second part 3A, and a second assembly element 11, configured to cooperate with the first assembly element 8, to allow the removable assembly of the first and second parts 2A and 3A.

[0030] Mounting elements 7 and 10 may have rounded triangle shapes.

[0031] The thickness and depth of the triangle evolves to reduce weak areas on the board.

[0032] In addition, to increase the contact surface of the glue, and to make the part 6, 9 lighter, the mounting elements 7, 10 can be composed of a honeycomb structure.

[0033] Other shapes of mounting elements 7, 10 are possible. For example, the mounting elements 7, 10 may have the shape of one or more tabs intended to be inserted into the thickness of the board 1.

[0034] The free edges 8A and 11A of the first and second assembly elements 8 and 11 each comprise a set of rectilinear and / or curvilinear portions, to improve the transmission of mechanical stresses.

[0035] For example, if we define the free edge line as a mathematical function, it can be any type of sinusoidal function (step, triangle, cosine, etc.) over a period number between 1 and 5.

[0036] A sinusoidal signal (or function) is characterized by its maximum amplitude and its frequency. It can be written in the form:

[0037] f(t)=A sin(ω t+ φ )with:A: amplitude of the quantity, also called peak value, in the unit of the measured quantity,ω: pulsation of the quantity in rad s−1

[0038] T: The period of the signal T=2π / ωω t + φ: instantaneous phase in radφ: phase at the origin in radians (often fixed by experiment).

[0039] It is then possible to modify the parameters A and φ to change the shape. We also change the time parameter t in a certain interval to have a predefined number of cycles.

[0040] In the example shown in 6, the free edges 8A and 11A generally have the shape of a "W". This shape makes it possible to standardize the transmission of mechanical forces. Thus, the main stresses, in a direction perpendicular to the board, are well distributed, and the torsional stresses are also taken into account. The corners of the W can be rounded, in order to further improve the transmission of mechanical stresses by reducing the stress concentration zones.

[0041] In the example shown in the, the free edges 8A and 11A generally have the shape of a “U”.

[0042] The first and second assembly elements 8 and 11 comprise a set of groove / rib pairs 12, which cooperate to enable their assembly. The assembly elements 8 and 11 thus enable the board 1 to be quickly assembled and disassembled.

[0043] In the example shown in the, the assembly element 8 comprises two grooves 12, and the assembly element 11 comprises two ribs 13. The first part 6 is then a female part, and the second part 9 a male part.

[0044] The spacing between the two grooves 12 (and therefore between the two ribs 13) is preferably greater than the thickness of each groove 12, such that it cannot itself be seen as a groove. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the assembly device 5.

[0045] The assembly device 5 further comprises locking means (not visible) for locking the first part 6 with the second part 9. The locking means are movable between a locking position, in which they make it possible to hold the first and second parts 6 and 9 in the assembled position, and a release position, in which the first and second parts 6 and 9 can be separated from each other. The locking means comprise, for example, a metal rod capable of passing through the first and second parts 6 and 9, via circular orifices 6A and 9A. The metal rod may have the shape of an elongated "L".

[0046] Alternatively, the locking means may comprise two rods, inserted on either side of the parts 6 and 9. In this variant, the length of the rods may be less than the width of the parts 6 and 9.

[0047] The holes 6A and 9A are preferably arranged so that the fixing rod always remains in the plastic assembly device 5. The objective is to prevent any water from entering the foam of the board 1. Manufacturing method

[0048] The steps of a method for manufacturing a water sports board 1 comprising at least two removable parts 2A and 3A, intended to be assembled in a removable manner by means of an assembly device 5, are described below.

[0049] The manufacturing method comprises a step of cutting the board 1 into at least two parts 2A and 3A. The cutting is for example carried out using a guide 14 (), which is adapted to obtain a shape corresponding to the assembly device 5. Other solutions are possible for cutting the board, in particular the use of a template adapted to the board.

[0050] The manufacturing method comprises a step of machining each of the two parts 2A and 3A, to form one or more recesses 15 in each ().

[0051] The guide 14 allows the depth to which the polystyrene must be dug to be controlled. The guide 14 can be used to guide a blade (not shown). This then cuts the polystyrene by sliding against the walls of the guide 14. The orientation of the wall of the guide 14 can also give the cutting angle.

[0052] In this way, the foam block is machined to the exact shape of the assembly device 5. This allows the position of the assembly device 5 to be finely adjusted without having to add additional material to fill any holes. This therefore has a double advantage: saving time and optimizing the weight of the board 1.

[0053] However, other technologies can be used to machine board 1, for example a robot arm or laser cutting.

[0054] The manufacturing method comprises a step of gluing the mounting elements 7 and 10 into each of the recesses 15. During this step, the first mounting element 7 is inserted and glued into at least one recess machined in the first part 2A, and the second mounting element 10 is inserted and glued into at least one recess machined in the second part 3A.

[0055] Once the bonding is complete, the process may include a sanding step to obtain a clean finish.

[0056] To compensate for slight offsets (related to cuts and inaccuracies in the initial manufacture of board 1), and to allow for sanding, it is preferable for the assembly device 5 to be slightly thicker than board 1. This difference in thickness is, for example, between 0.2mm and 5mm.

[0057] The manufacturing process can thus be implemented on any type of classic board 1, in order to transform it into a board that can be assembled and disassembled.

[0058] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples; it extends to other variants.

Claims

A removable assembly device (5) for two parts (2A, 3A) of a water sports board (1), the device comprising: - a first part (6), comprising a first mounting element (7), to allow the mounting of said first part on a first part (2A) of the water sports board, and a first assembly element (8), to allow the assembly of the first part of the water sports board with a second part (3A) of the water sports board, - a second part (9), comprising a second mounting element (10), to allow the mounting of said second part on the second part of the water sports board, and a second assembly element (11), configured to cooperate with the first assembly element (8), to allow the removable assembly of the first and second parts (2A, 3A) of the water sports board, and - means for locking said first part with said second part,said locking means being movable between a locking position, in which they allow the first and second parts to be held in the assembled position, and a release position, in which said first and second parts can be separated from each other, characterized in that free edges (8A, 11A) of the first and second assembly elements (8, 11) each comprise a set of rectilinear and / or curvilinear portions, to improve the transmission of mechanical stresses, the free edges (8A, 11A) having the shape of a "W"., Removable assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second assembly elements (8, 11) comprise a set of groove / rib pairs (12, 13), to allow their assembly. An assembly device according to claim 2, wherein the first assembly element (8) comprises two grooves (12), and the second assembly element (11) comprises two ribs (13), the spacing between the two grooves (12) being greater than the thickness of each groove (12). A removable assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the corners of the W are rounded. Removable assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said locking means comprise at least one rod capable of passing through said first and second parts (6, 9). Water sports board, characterized in that it comprises at least a first part (2A), a second part (3A), and a removable assembly device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, to allow the removable assembly of the first and second parts. A water sports board according to claim 6, wherein said first mounting element (7) is configured to be inserted and glued into at least one recess (15) machined in the first portion (2A) of the water sports board, said second mounting element (10) being configured to be inserted and glued into at least one recess (15) machined in the second portion (3A) of the water sports board. Water sports board according to claim 6 or 7, comprising three parts (2A, 3A, 4A), and two assembly devices (5) allowing the assembly of the three parts two by two. A water sports board according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the water sports board is a surfboard. Water sports board kit, characterized in that it comprises a set of front parts (2A, 2B) of water sports boards, a set of central parts (3A, 3B) of water sports boards, a set of rear parts (4A, 4B) of water sports boards and a set of assembly devices (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said front, central and rear parts having corresponding profiles, the front, central and rear parts of water sports boards being able to be assembled together, by means of the assembly devices, according to several different configurations.

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