Fixing device used for mounting floating aquatic structures

Abstract

Fixing device for mounting floating aquatic structures, using a device itself made of flexible foam materials, characterized by: - ​​a connecting element (a) placed between two panels, having a four-blade helix shape (b, b', b'', b''') in its circumference, while its length is equal to the sides of the foam panels that it assembles;- at least two foam panels (c), which are intended to be fixed to each other by means of the connecting element (a), by means of a linear opening (d) formed in each panel taking the shape of half the circumference of the helix of the connecting element, in such a way that once the panels have been joined, the linear openings (d) formed in the two panels form a tunnel (e) exactly similar to the helix shape in its circumference of the connecting element (a), - an assembly method consisting in firstly joining the foam panels (c) at the place of their assembly, and then sliding the connecting element (a) laterally along its entire length so that it fills the entire tunnel formed by the joining of the panels. Figure for abstract [Fig. 3];

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing device used for mounting floating aquatic structures

[0001] The invention relates to a fixing device used for the assembly of floating aquatic structures made of flexible foam plates, intended to form play areas, according to a principle of panels placed end to end fixed either in the thickness of the latter, or perpendicular to each other, using a device itself made of flexible foam materials.

[0002] The state of the art: is characterized by a set of patents relating to technological solutions for fixing flexible foam plates which always use materials of categories different from those of the foam plates.

[0003] The present applicant had filed a patent published under No. 2944773 which related to a system of aquatic structures made from floating plates provided with holes which received assembly studs provided with caps adapted to rest on the surface of the plates and the body. The stud received complementary fixing means composed of a threaded rod and a threaded column for receiving and screwing the threaded rod under the cap of the assembly stud. At the other end of the rod, it ended with a hook intended to receive retention means represented in the patent by a tube which snaps into said hooks, thus making it possible to secure two flexible plates together.

[0004] The same applicant, on the basis of the previously cited patent, had filed a second patent (application FR1700183) relating to an assembly characterized in that it receives a plate in the lower part, this plate being perforated in several places for the purpose of anchoring a strap equipped with a connection and closing system.

[0005] These two devices had a major drawback in that the cap of the stud, although being of a shape to reduce accident risks, nevertheless protruded beyond the plates assembled together. Furthermore, if it was a question of fixing two panels end to end on their edges, it was essential to place the foam plates in a sandwich in such a way that the stud penetrated the thickness of these assembled plates. This constituted obstacles, since these panels are intended to constitute play areas on the surface of swimming pools, on which people circulate.

[0006] Furthermore, another device which has been the subject of a patent application by the present applicant under application number FRI800824, relating to a rigid dowel device, is characterized by: a thread contained in the housing intended to receive a metric pitch screw, and a screw pitch positioned on the device outside of the dowel. If this type of fixing was of interest in that the dowel no longer poses an apparent obstacle (since it is embedded in the panel), due to its length it was not intended to secure two panels together, whereas if this had been the case the panels would have had to be placed in a sandwich.

[0007] To overcome this disadvantage of sandwiched panels, several other solutions have been considered: - To satisfy a fixing of two panels end to end avoiding sandwich phenomena, the present applicant marketed a solution comprising the invention published under No. FR2944773. Indeed, according to a principle of at least two studs placed at the ends of each panel to be joined, and a symmetrical position of the studs on the panels to be assembled, the connection between the panels was carried out by strips retained in the studs. This solution avoided the phenomena of sandwiched panels, but did not make it possible to remedy the presence of the stud caps as relative obstacles, while this connection caused dimensional clearances which led to significant vertical movements on the surface of the moving water because the linked panels were not blocked between them, -To overcome this drawback, the Canadian company "Abysse Sport" has developed another solution marketed under the name "Ludi by Abysse"®. This solution consists of cutting the thickness of the panels at the ends to be connected, according to a "tenon / mortise" principle with one male side, and another female on the opposite side, in such a way that these joining panels are nested one inside the other. To ensure the fixing of the nested panels, to the cut parts, a bar penetrates laterally the assembled panels. This device therefore satisfies the triple constraint hitherto unsolved, to obtain: a connection without obstacle by the presence of studs or sandwiched panels, while the device blocks the panels and partially prevents deformation of the assembly once it is subjected to flotation.On the other hand, this device has other disadvantages that have not been encountered until now, the first being that the panels having dedicated sides (male or female) they restrict the implementation in a swimming pool basin, in particular in the case of junction of routes on at least three sides, while they require a direction of assembly.

[0008] It is for the purpose of remedying all of these drawbacks that the present invention is intended.

[0009] Presentation of the invention: The invention relates to a fixing device for the assembly of floating aquatic structures made of flexible foam plates, intended to form play areas, according to a principle of panels placed end to end fixed either in the thickness of the latter, or perpendicular to each other, using a device itself made of flexible foam materials.

[0010] This device is characterized by: - a connecting element (a) placed between two panels, connecting element made of foam with a density of at least 40 kg per cubic meter, having a four-blade helix shape (b, b', b”, b”') in its circumference, while its length is equal to the sides of the foam panels that it assembles; - at least two foam panels (c) composed of a density equal to the connecting element, which are intended to be fixed to each other by means of the connecting element (a), by means of a linear opening (d) formed in each panel taking the shape of half the circumference of the helix of the connecting element, in such a way that once the panels have been joined, the linear openings (d) formed in the two panels form a tunnel (e) exactly similar to the helix shape in its circumference of the connecting element (a), - an assembly method consisting firstly of joining the foam panels (c) at the location of their assembly, and then sliding the connecting element (a) laterally along its entire length so that it fills the entire tunnel formed by the joining of the panels.

[0011] More particularly at the position of the connecting element (a) in the tunnel (e) represented by the openings (d) in the panels (c) once the latter have been jointed, 0° and 180° being represented by the surfaces of the jointed panels, the four helices are distributed symmetrically in each panel in such a way that: - each panel can accommodate two propellers, - the propellers are placed symmetrically in each panel, the first panel having an opening suitable for receiving two propellers placed at 45° and 135°, the other panel suitable for receiving two propellers placed at 225° and 315°.

[0012] More particularly to the helical shape of the circumference of the connecting element (a), the four blades (b, b ', b”, b”') have a shape and a dimension similar in all points to each other, so as to homogenize the load recovery; while the end (f, f', f”, f”') of the blades has a greater width than their central parts (g, g', g”, g'”), the ratio between these widths being between: - for foams whose density is less than 20 kg, the width of the end of the blades (f, f', f”, f”') is at least between 2.5 and 3 times the width of the central parts (g, g', g”, g'”), - for foams with a density between 20 kg and 40 kg, the width of the blade ends (f, f', f”, f'”) is at least 2 to 2.5 times the width of the central parts (g, g', g”, g'”), - for foams with a density between 40 kg and 80 kg, the width of the blade ends (f, f', f”, f'”) is at least 1.5 to 2 times the width of the central parts (g, g', g”, g'”), - for foams with a density of more than 80 kg, the width of the blade ends (f, f', f”, f”') is at least 1.3 to 1.5 times the width of the central parts (g, g', g”, g'”); This feature aims to contribute to load recovery and prevent the panels from tearing off once they are subjected to the constraints of use in a swimming pool, in bending and traction.

[0013] The applications of this invention are numerous: - two panels can thus be assembled perpendicularly, the first in the surface represented by its length or its width, with a second placed in its thickness, - the panels can also be placed end to end, the linear openings (d) then being placed in the thickness of the panels. [fig.l] Connecting element [fig.2] Opening a panel [fig.3] Jointed panels

[0014] Glossary: a) connecting element b) pale c) foam panels d) openings e) tunnel f), f'), f”), f”') blade tips g)g')g”)g'”) central parts of the blades

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly of flexible foam plates for the assembly of floating aquatic structures intended to form play areas, according to a principle of panels placed end to end fixed either in the thickness of the latter, or perpendicular to each other, using a device itself made of flexible foam materials, characterized by: - a connecting element (a) placed between two panels, connecting element made of foam with a density of at least 40 kg per cubic meter, having a four-blade helix shape (b, b', b”, b”') in its circumference, while its length is equal to the sides of the foam panels which it assembles;- at least two foam panels (c) composed of a density equal to the connecting element, which are intended to be fixed to each other by means of the connecting element (a), by means of a linear opening (d) formed in each panel taking the shape of half the circumference of the helix of the connecting element, in such a way that once the panels have been joined, the linear openings (d) formed in the two panels form a tunnel (e) exactly similar to the helix shape in its circumference of the connecting element (a).;

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that each panel can receive two connecting elements (a) and in that the connecting elements are placed symmetrically in each panel.

3. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the four blades (b, b', b”, b”') have a shape and a dimension similar at all points between them, so as to homogenize the load recovery; while the end (f, f', f”, f”') of the blades has a larger width, between 2.5 and 3 times that of their central parts (g, g', g”, g”') for foams whose density is less than 20 kg per cubic meter.

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the four blades (b, b', b”, b”') have a shape and a dimension similar at all points between them, so as to homogenize the load recovery; while the end (f, f', f”, f”') of the blades has a larger width, between 2 and 2.5 times that of their central parts (g, g', g”, g”') for foams whose volumetric mass between 20Kg and 40Kg per cubic meter.

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the four blades (b, b', b”, b”') have a shape and a dimension similar at all points between them, so as to homogenize the load recovery; while the end (f, f', f”, f”') of the blades has a larger width, between 1.5 and 2 times that of their central parts (g, g', g”, g”') for foams whose density is between 40Kg and 80Kg per cubic meter.

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the four blades (b, b', b”, b”') have a shape and a dimension similar at all points between them, so as to homogenize the load recovery; while the end (f, f', f”, f”') of the blades has a larger width, between 1.3 and 1.5 times that of their central parts (g, g', g”, g”') for foams whose density is greater than 80 kg per cubic meter.

7. Method of mounting an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims consisting firstly in joining the foam panels (c) at the location of their assembly, and then sliding the connecting element (a) laterally along its entire length so that it fills the entire tunnel (e) formed by the joining of the panels.