Paddle for watercraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a paddle for a watercraft comprising a handle (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 in order to be able to form – respectively disassemble – the paddle by association – respectively dissociation – of the blade (4) and of said segment, said paddle comprising geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) and complementary geometric means (24) formed on the segment (2), said geometric means being arranged to associate said segment on the blade (4) in the disassembled configuration. Figure 1a

Description

Title of the invention: Paddle for nautical craft

[0001] The invention relates to a paddle for a watercraft.

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

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

[0004] To facilitate their transport and storage, it is known to provide paddles that are partially removable and / or retractable, in particular so that they can be transported in or on a backpack. Such an arrangement proves to be particularly advantageous in the case of sporting activities combining nautical travel with land travel, such as for example packrafting.

[0005] Document US-2 566 023 provides a paddle whose handle has two segments each extending between an inner end and an outer end, a blade being reversibly associated on the outer end of a first segment, and the inner ends being equipped with a reversible association device, in order 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 dismantled into three parts - the two segments and the blade - which limits its size, and thus makes it easier to store and transport.

[0007] However, when disassembled, the different parts of the paddle become independent of each other, which does not allow them to be easily handled for transport and / or storage. In addition, when transported on a backpack, each of the three disassembled parts must be fixed to specific means of said bag, which is not satisfactory.

[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 dismantled into several parts when not in use, said paddle integrating specific means making it easier to handle and transport said dismantled parts.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a paddle for a watercraft comprising a handle having at least one segment extending between an internal end and an external end, a blade being reversibly associated on the external end of said segment in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade and of said segment, said paddle comprising geometric means formed on the blade and geometric means complementary formed on the segment, said geometric means being arranged to associate said segment on the blade in the disassembled configuration.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0011] [Fig.1a] and

[0012] [Fig.lb] represent a paddle according to the invention in the mounted configuration, respectively in front view ([Fig.la]) and in side view ([Fig.lb]);

[0013] [Fig.2] represents in front view the paddle of the preceding figures in the confi disassembled structure, with associated segments on the blade;

[0014] [Fig.3] represents in front view the blade of figures 1a, 1b and 2;

[0015] [Fig.4] schematically represents in partial cross-section a geo means metric of the blade of the previous figures;

[0016] [Fig.5a] and

[0017] [Fig.5b] represent the second segment of the paddle of the previous figures, res respectively in side view ([Fig.5a]) and in longitudinal section ([Fig.5b]);

[0018] [Fig.6] represents in side view the outer tube of the second segment of the figures previous;

[0019] [Fig.7] represents in perspective a clamping ring equipping the first and second segments of the previous figures;

[0020] [Fig.8] represents in side view the first segment of the paddle of the pre figures previous

[0021] [Fig.8a] and

[0022] [Fig.8b] showing in a similar view respectively the inner tube and the outer tube of said first segment;

[0023] [Fig.9a] and

[0024] [Fig.9b] represent in cross section respectively the inner tube and the tube exterior of one of the segments of the preceding figures, according to a first variant embodiment of the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 10] represents in cross-section one of the segments of the paddle of the figures previous, according to four variant embodiments of the invention (a, b, c and d).

[0026] In relation to these figures, a paddle for a watercraft is described below, in particular for practicing a water activity such as kayaking, rafting, and more particularly packrafting or stand up paddle.

[0027] The paddle comprises a handle 1 having at least one segment 2 extending between an internal end 2a and an external end 2b, a blade 4 being reversibly associated on the external end 2b of said segment.

[0028] In relation to the figures, the handle 1 has two segments 2, 3 which each extend between an internal end 2a, 3a and an external end 2b, 3b, a blade 4 being reversibly associated on the external end 2b of a first segment 2.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the external 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 when practicing his sporting activity.

[0030] Alternatively, the outer end 3b of the second segment 3 may be equipped with a second blade, in order to adapt the paddle to the practice of a nautical activity such as kayaking. Similarly, when the handle 1 only comprises one segment 2, a handle or a second blade may be associated on its inner end 2a.

[0031] 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 in the outer tube 6e, 7e.

[0032] In the figures, each segment 2, 3 has such a tubular structure with an inner tube 6i, 7i mounted in telescopic sliding in 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 stick 1.

[0033] In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken with reference to the axis along which the paddle extends (vertical in figures 1a and 1b), and are relative to a direction respectively parallel and perpendicular to this axis for the terms "longitudinal" and "radial", a positioning respectively close and distant from this axis for the terms "internal" and "external", a positioning respectively close and distant along this axis for the terms "internal" and "external".

[0034] Each tube 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e may be formed from a metallic material, in particular based on aluminum, or by molding a thermoplastic material, possibly reinforced with glass and / or carbon fibers.

[0035] In relation to the figures, the tubes 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e each have a sliding section of cylindrical geometry 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.

[0036] Each outer tube 6e, 7e is equipped with a ring 9 for tightening the interface between said outer tube and the corresponding inner tube 6i, 7i, in order to block the sliding of said inner tube at the desired segment length 2, 3.

[0037] In relation to figures 6 and 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 tighten said outer tube on the corresponding inner tube 6i, 7i.

[0038] In particular, as shown in [Fig.7], the ring 9 has a longitudinal slot longitudinal 12 which is arranged radially opposite the notch 11, in order to allow tightening of the tubes 6i, 6e, 7i, 7e by simultaneous bringing together of the respective longitudinal edges of said slot and said notch when tightening the ring 9.

[0039] In the figures, the inner tube 6i of the first segment 2 has an external end 2b forming a base 13 in which the blade 4 is connected reversibly, in particular by means of a push-pin type connection.

[0040] In particular, the blade 4 comprises a propulsion body 14 which has an edge 14a on which is mounted a reversible association connector 15 on the external end 2b of the first segment 2, said connector being in the form of a sleeve projecting from said edge. According to one embodiment, in particular in relation to a handle 1 in a single segment 2, the connector 15 can form a tube section on which the external end 2a of said segment is reversibly associated.

[0041] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sleeve 15 is equipped with a pin 16 elastically stressed by a spring, and the first segment 2 comprises a radial orifice 17 formed on the external end 2b of its inner tube 6i (see [Fig.8a]), in which said pin is intended to engage elastically when inserting the sleeve 15 into said external end.

[0042] 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.

[0043] To reduce the size of the paddle when it is not in use, the segments 2, 3 are associated in a reversible manner, so that they can be disassembled from each other when storing said paddle.

[0044] To do this, the internal ends 2a, 3a of the segments 2, 3 are equipped with a reversible association device, in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade 4 and the segments 2, 3.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the segments 2, 3 are associated directly via their outer tubes 6e, 7e, which are reversibly connected to each other. Alternatively, the handle 1 may comprise at least one intermediate segment arranged between the segments 2, 3, the inner ends 2a, 2b of said segments being associated via said intermediate segment.

[0046] The reversible connection of the outer tubes 6e, 7e is achieved by means of 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 do this, the second segment 3 has a fixing orifice 19 formed radially on the inner end 3a of its outer tube 7e (see [Fig.6]), the sleeve 18 being fixed in said inner end by welding or screwing into the orifice 19.

[0047] The sleeve 18 is further equipped with a device 20 for reversibly associating the internal end 2a of the other external tube 6e, i.e. that of the first segment 2. In particular, this device is of the push-pin type, and the external tube 6e of the first segment 2 has on its internal end 2a a radial orifice 21 in which the pin 20 is intended to engage elastically when the sleeve 18 is inserted into said internal end (see [Fig.8b]).

[0048] In a variant not shown, the sleeve 18 can be associated with the outer tube 6e of the first segment 2, and the orifice 21 for receiving the push-pin device 20 can be formed on the outer tube 7e of the second segment 3.

[0049] 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 the disassembled configuration.

[0050] Thus, the invention provides for functionalizing the paddle to be able to hold its different parts 2, 3, 4 together once disassembled, which makes it easier to handle and transport them. In particular, the blade 4 and the segments 2, 3 then form a unitary assembly that the user can handle easily, in particular by being able to secure its transport on a backpack.

[0051] The propulsion body 14 of the blade 4 has a front face 4a and a rear face 4b, the geometric association means 23 being formed on at least one of said faces.

[0052] Advantageously, the propulsion body 14 and the geometric association means 23 are formed in one piece by molding a polymer material. The connector 15 may be made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum, and fixed by fitting and / or gluing in a housing provided for this purpose on an internal end of the peripheral edge 14a of the propulsion body 14.

[0053] In the figures, the geometric association means 23 are formed on the same face 4a of the propulsion body 14, for example the front face 4a, which makes them easier to locate for the user, who can thus assemble the segments 2, 3 to said blade in a particularly intuitive manner.

[0054] In relation to [Fig. 3], the propulsion body 14 has a longitudinal plane median P, the geometric means of association 23 being formed on either side of said plane to respectively associate a segment 2, 3.

[0055] 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 as a projection on the front face 4a and along the median plane P, as well as a connector mounting housing 15 which extends in longitudinal alignment with said edge.

[0056] The geometric means of association comprise 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] This arrangement makes it possible to associate the segments 2, 3 on the blade 4 parallel to the median edge 25 in the disassembled configuration, in particular by arranging each segment 2, 3 on either side of said edge, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0059] In relation to the figures, each groove 24 has a counter-cut geometry, the ribs 23 having a dovetail geometry to allow their longitudinal sliding in a groove 24 while preventing their radial withdrawal.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the geometric means for associating at least one segment 2, 3 on the blade 4 can be combined with another type of association means, in particular with a view to making the association conferred more reliable. According to one example, a magnet can be provided in combination with a geometric engagement of the groove 24 / rib 23 type which is arranged to limit the lateral movements of a segment 2, 3 associated on the blade 4.

[0061] Advantageously, the ribs 23 and the grooves 24 have respectively identical geometries, which makes it possible to associate the segments 2, 3 indifferently on each of said ribs, and thus to facilitate the assembly of the parts 2, 3, 4 of the paddle in the disassembled configuration.

[0062] The blade 4 further comprises 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 the segments 2, 3 on said blade in the disassembled configuration.

[0063] In the figures, the blade 4 has, arranged on either side of the median edge 25: - two double association arrows 26, formed in the longitudinal alignment of a rib 23 respectively, in particular opposite an edge of said rib through which the groove 24 of a segment 2, 3 must be introduced during its association on 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.

[0064] Thus, to associate a segment 2, 3 on the blade 4, the user places the groove 24 of said segment in longitudinal alignment with a rib 23, then slides said segment along said rib in the direction indicated by the double arrow. association 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.

[0065] Similarly, when the user wishes to mount the paddle, he dissociates 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 freed from the corresponding rib 23. In relation to [Fig.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.

[0066] 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. This makes it easier for the user to locate the groove 24, and therefore to engage it on a rib 23 of the blade 4.

[0067] Advantageously, the segments 2, 3 and / or the blade 4 have means for limiting the sliding travel up to an optimal configuration of overlap of said segments on said blade. According to one embodiment, the rib 23 forms an angle with the median longitudinal plane P of the propulsion body 14 of the blade 4 so as to limit the sliding travel by interference between the segment 2, 3 and said blade.

[0068] In particular, the segments 2, 3 each have a longitudinal dimension of between 90% and 110% of the longitudinal dimension of the blade 4, in order to limit their protrusion relative to said blade when they are associated with it.

[0069] In the embodiment shown, the clamping ring 9 of each segment 2, 3 interferes with the blade 4, in particular near the sleeve 15 for fixing to the first segment 2, at the end of the sliding stroke of the rib 23 in the groove 24.

[0070] Furthermore, each clamping ring 9 is immobilized in the geometric association means 24 of the corresponding outer tube 6e, 7e, said geometric means being diametrically opposite the notch 11 on the periphery of said outer tube.

[0071] To do this, as shown in [Fig.7], the ring 9 has a lug 28 which is formed on its inner periphery while being diametrically opposite the clamping slot 12, said lug being immobilized in the association groove 24 of the outer tube 6e, 7e of a segment 2, 3.

[0072] As shown in [Fig.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 based on metallic material. As a variant, in particular for segments 2, 3 made from carbon or glass fibers, a groove can be formed in an insert 29 which is reported on the periphery of a segment 2, 3, as shown in [Fig. 10]. In particular, each groove 24 is formed in the outer tube 6th, 7th of a segment 2, 3 by being arranged on its flat 8th for immobilizing in rotation.

[0073] In embodiments a and b of [Fig. 10], the flat 8e is formed directly on the periphery of the outer tube 6e, 7e, the insert 29 being fixed to 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.

[0074] In particular, in embodiment a, the insert 29 has an internal longitudinal rib 30 intended to be embedded radially 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.

[0075] In embodiments c and d of [Fig.10], the outer tube 6e, 7e has a peripheral recess in which the insert 29 is fixed by gluing and / or by means of geometric fixing means formed on said insert and / or in said recess, the insert 29 also having an inner face on which the flat 8e for immobilizing said outer tube in rotation is formed. Advantageously, the material of the insert 29 can make it possible to improve the sliding of the inner tube 6i, 7i in the outer tube 6e, 7e.

[0076] 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

Claims

1. Paddle for a nautical vessel comprising a handle (1) having at least one segment (2) extending between an internal end (2a) and an external end (2b), a blade (4) being reversibly associated on the external end (2b) of said segment in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade (4) and of said segment, said paddle being characterized 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 arranged to associate said segment on the blade (4) in the disassembled configuration.

2. Paddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (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 association device (18, 20, 21) in order to be able to form - respectively disassemble - the paddle by association - respectively dissociation - of the blade (4) and the segments (2, 3), complementary geometric means (24) being formed on each of the segments (2, 3) being able to cooperate with the geometric means (23) formed on the blade (4) to associate each of the segments (2, 3) on the blade (4) in the disassembled configuration.

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

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

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

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

7. Paddle according to claim 6, characterized in that the segment (2, 3) and / or the blade (4) has means for limiting the sliding travel until an optimal configuration of covering of said segment on the blade (4).

8. Paddle according to claim 7, characterized in that the rib (23) forms an angle with a median longitudinal 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 one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the groove (24) is formed in the periphery of the segment (2, 3).

10. Paddle according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized 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 one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that 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), said inner tube being mounted in telescopic sliding in said outer tube on which the complementary geometric means (24) are formed.

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

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

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

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

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