FOLDING MAST AND SET COMPRISING A SURFBOARD, SAID FOLDING MAST AND A WATER WING

Abstract

The invention relates to a mast adapted for connecting a water wing to the inner surface of a surfboard, said mast comprising a first end, provided with first fixing means for fixing said mast to the lower surface of the surfboard, and a second end provided with second fixing means for fixing said mast using water. Abstract Figure: 1

Description

Title of the invention: FOLDING MAST AND ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A SURFBOARD, SAID FOLDING MAST AND A WATER WING Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand up paddle, wingsurfing and more generally all water sports using a board with the aid of a water wing or water sail (in English: foil or hydrofoil). This type of surfing is called "foil surfing" in English.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a foldable mast for attaching a water wing to a surfboard in order to practice foil surfing. State of the art

[0003] In the prior art, it is known to attach a water wing to a surfboard, such as a surfboard intended for foil surfing. The water wing is essentially in the shape of a glider comprising a first wing at the front of the water wing and a second wing at the rear of the water wing which functions as a stabilizer. The first wing is larger than the second wing, the two wings being connected by means of a connecting element essentially in the shape of a tube.

[0004] In use, the water wing is connected to the underside of the surfboard by means of a mast. The length of the mast determines the distance between the water sail and the underside of the surfboard.

[0005] The widest surface of the mast is oriented so as to minimize the water resistance effect when the mast is attached to the surfboard, and this, to avoid a limitation of the speed of the surfboard during its use. Thus, the direction of this surface of the mast is identical to the central longitudinal direction of the surfboard.

[0006] Finally, the mast comprises, at the end intended to be connected to the surfboard, a mounting plate. This mounting plate has a small thickness which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the surfboard. The dimension of this thickness must be as small as possible in order to limit the water resistance of the mast. However, the mounting plate must comprise a certain quantity of material to be sufficiently rigid. In order to make the mounting plate relatively thin while retaining a certain rigidity, the mounting plate is, for example, made of steel or aluminum or carbon.

[0007] In the state of the art, there are other types of fixing for fixing the mast to the board. Indeed, there is a system which is fitted into the board, said board then being provided with a slot.

[0008] A surfboard used for foil surfing is often moved by the user, for example from his home to the location where the surfboard can be used. In addition, users are required to move regularly from one location of use to another in order to always be able to use the surfboard in a location where the weather conditions are most optimal for foil surfing.

[0009] Due to the presence of the water wing on the surfboard, the surfboard is relatively bulky, which makes it difficult for the user to store and transport.

[0010] For this reason, when a user of a surfboard intended for foil surfing wishes to transport the surfboard easily, he is forced to dismantle the water wing present on the surfboard. To this end, the user dismantles the mounting plate fixed to the surfboard and very often also the rest of the water wing because even the assembly composed of the mast and the wing is quite bulky. Thus, he reduces the bulk of the surfboard and can easily transport the surfboard and the water wing separately. Then, at the beginning of a foil surfing session, the user must attach the water wing to the surfboard in order to be able to use the surfboard. At the end of the foil surfing session, the user must again dismantle the water wing to allow easy transport of the surfboard and the water wing.

[0011] However, the assembly and disassembly of a water wing as mentioned above represent relatively tedious and time-consuming actions. An additional problem is that the user cannot assemble and disassemble the water wing in a clean and suitable room. On the contrary, these actions must be carried out directly on the ground, for example the ground of a beach. Thus, elements, such as grains of sand, external to the surfboard, can therefore easily infiltrate between the different parts which constitute the surfboard provided with a water wing, which can lead to complications during the assembly of the water wing.

[0012] Furthermore, the fasteners for securing the mounting plate to the surfboard may be damaged by repeated mounting and dismounting of the mounting plate.

[0013] In addition, the user is forced to carry tools, such as a “Torx” key (registered trademark), which is restrictive, not suitable for the environment and can easily be lost, especially in the sand.

[0014] In view of the aforementioned problems concerning surfboards provided with a water wing according to the prior art, an object of the invention is to provide a solution in order to avoid at least some of the aforementioned problems. Subject of the invention

[0015] The subject matter of the invention relates to a mast adapted for connecting a water wing to the lower surface of a surfboard, said mast comprising a first end provided with first fixing means for fixing said mast to the lower surface of the surfboard, and a second end provided with second fixing means for fixing said mast to the water wing, said mast comprising a first element provided with the first fixing means, a second element comprising a first end and a second end, said first element being connected to said second element in proximity to said first end of the second element, and a third element provided with the second fixing means for fixing the mast to the water wing, the third element being connected to said second element in proximity to said second end of the second element,the mast being foldable from a first position in which the mast is adapted to hold the water wing away from the lower surface of the surfboard in a position of use of said surfboard, to a second position in which the mast is adapted to hold the water wing close to the lower surface of the surfboard in a position of non-use of the surfboard.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first element and the third element of the mast are respectively connected to the second element of the mast by means of a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mast is provided with a first locking means for locking the mutual rotational position between the first element and the second element, said first locking means being rotatable from a first position for preventing rotation between the first element and the second element of the mast to a second position for allowing rotation between the first element and the second element, wherein the mast is provided with a second locking means for locking the mutual rotational position between the third element and the second element, the second locking means being movable from a first position for preventing rotation between the third element and the second element, to a second position for allowing rotation between the third element and the second element of the mast.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first locking means is connected to a first spring to allow the movement of the first locking means to the first position by means of said spring and the second locking means is connected to a second spring to allow movement of the second locking means to the first position by means of said spring.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second springs exert a restoring force on the first and second locking means respectively, so that the first and second locking means can be respectively moved to the second position by manually counteracting said restoring force.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first locking means is fixed to the first element of the mast, said first locking means comprising a tooth, the second element of the mast comprising a first recess adapted to receive the tooth of the first locking means in the first position of the first locking means and the second element comprising a second recess to receive said tooth of the first locking means in the second position of the first locking means.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second locking means is fixed to the third element of the mast, said second locking means comprising a tooth, the second element of the mast comprising a third recess adapted to receive said tooth of the second locking means in the first position of the second locking means and the second element comprising a fourth recess to receive said tooth of the second locking means in the second position of the second locking means.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second element of the mast comprises additional recesses allowing the first element, the second element and the third element to be fixed in respective additional angular positions.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second element is provided with a recess to form a handle.

[0024] According to a second embodiment, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a surfboard, a mast and a water wing, the mast comprising a first end and a second end, said mast being fixed at its first end to the lower surface of the surfboard and at its second end to the water wing. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The aim, object and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the figures in which:

[0026] [Fig.l] shows an assembly of a surfboard, a mounting plate, the mast and a water wing in an unfolded state of use, according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0027] [Fig.2] shows the assembly according to [Fig.l], in a folded and unused state, according to a embodiment of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.3] shows the mast adapted for attaching a water wing to a surfboard, according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0029] [Fig.4] shows, in a sectional view, a detail of a first element of the mast fixed to a second element of the mast, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.5] shows a detail of a first locking means for the mast, according to a embodiment of the invention;

[0031] [Fig.6] shows a detail of a second locking means for the mast, according to a embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0032] [Fig.l] shows a surfboard 10 specifically adapted for the practice of foil surfing. The surfboard 10 comprises an upper surface on which the user stands when practicing foil surfing and a lower surface intended to be in contact with the surface of the water in this same circumstance. A mast 20 is fixed on the lower face of the surfboard 10, at a first end 24 (shown in [Fig.3]) of the mast 20. This fixing is carried out using a mounting plate. A water wing 30 is fixed to the second end 25 (also shown in [Fig.3]) of the mast 20.

[0033] The water wing 30 comprises a first or front wing 31 and a second or rear wing. This rear wing functions as a stabilizer. As shown in [Fig.2], the front wing 31 and the rear wing 32 are connected to each other by means of a connecting body 33. The connecting body 33 of the water wing 30 is connected to the second end 25 (shown in [Fig.3]) of the mast 20.

[0034] In [Fig.l], the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30 is shown in a first position called the use position. In this use position, the mast 20 keeps the water wing 30 at a determined distance from the lower surface of the surfboard 10.

[0035] In use, the surfboard 10 is placed in an aquatic environment, such as the sea, and a portion of the volume of the surfboard 10 is located below the surface of the water. In this position, the mast 20 extends toward the bottom of the aquatic environment in a substantially vertical direction. The water wing 30 is oriented such that the direction of the connecting body 33 is substantially parallel to the direction of the surfboard 10.

[0036] In this position, a user can stand on the surfboard 10 and begin a foil surfing session.

[0037] When the surfboard 10 moves in the water, a volume of water flows along the water wing 30. Due to the shape of the large wing 31 and the shape of the small wing 32, this flow of water exerts an upward force on the water wing 30.

[0038] As the speed of the surfboard 10 increases in the water, the upward force created on the water wing 30 also increases. When the speed of the surfboard 10 in the water is sufficiently high, the upward force applied to the water wing 30 becomes large enough to lift the surfboard 10, with the user positioned on the surfboard 10, said surfboard 10 then being out of the water. Subsequently, the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30 moves in the water. Only the water wing 30 is in contact with the water. Since the entire volume of the surfboard 10 is no longer in contact with the water, then the friction forces with the water are relatively low. Therefore, the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30 can move more quickly on the surface of the water.Due to this higher speed and the increased maneuverability of the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30, the sensations felt by the user automatically increase, which makes the practice of foil surfing all the more enjoyable for the user.

[0039] According to the invention, the mast 20 is connected to the surfboard 10 and to the water wing 30, in order to avoid assembly and disassembly by the user. In order to allow easy transport and storage of the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30, the mast 20 is foldable. This means that the mast 20 is foldable from a first state called the unfolded state to a second state called the folded state. The mast 20 is shown in the unfolded state in Figures 1 and 3 and is shown in the folded state in [Fig.2],

[0040] To make the mast 20 foldable, the mast 20 comprises three elements. Thus, the mast 20 comprises a first element 21 which is connected to the surfboard 10, a second element 22 which acts as a central element and a third element 23 which is connected to the water wing 30. The three elements 21, 22 and 23 are connected to each other by rotation axes 26, 27. The details of the mast 20 are visible in [Fig. 3] and are described in detail below with reference to [Fig. 3].

[0041] [Fig. 2] shows the surfboard 10 according to [Fig. 1] with the mast 20 in the folded state. By using the first rotation axis 26 and the second rotation axis 27, respectively, the user can fold down both ends of the mast 20 such that the water wing 30 is extremely close to the bottom surface of the surfboard 10.

[0042] Comparing Figures 1 and 2, it is evident that the total volume of the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the water wing 30 and the mast 20 in the folded state, as shown in [Fig.2], is significantly reduced compared to the volume of the same assembly when the mast 20 is in the unfolded state as shown in [Fig.l].

[0043] The first element 21 and the third element 23 do not have an identical length, in order to allow the mast 20 to fold down and bring the water wing 30 as close as possible to the lower surface of the surfboard 10. The distance between the first end 24 of the mast 20 and the axis of rotation 26 is greater than the distance between the axis of rotation 27 and the second end 25 of the mast 20.

[0044] Furthermore, [Fig.2] shows that the mast 20 comprises a recess or opening 28. The opening 28 has a shape such that it can be used as a gripping means or handle for carrying the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30.

[0045] The specific operation of the mast 20 is explained below with reference to [Fig.3],

[0046] In [Fig. 3], the mast 20 is shown in the unfolded state. The first element 21, the second element 22 and the third element 23 represent a mast 20 of substantially elongated shape. The first, second and third elements 21, 22, 23 each have a central axis. [Fig. 3] shows that the three central axes of the first, second and third elements 21, 22 and 23 together form a central axis of the mast 20.

[0047] The second element 22 comprises a first end 121 near which the first element 21 is fixed, and a second end 122 near which the third element 23 is fixed.

[0048] [Fig. 3] shows that the first element 21 of the mast 20 is provided with a latch or locking means 4L. The latch 41 has a tooth 45 as shown in [Fig. 5]. The latch 41 is connected to the first element 21 via a rotation axis 51. In the position shown in [Fig. 3], the lower part 42 of the latch 41, facing outwards, is provided with a notch so that a user can easily locate the lower part 42 of the latch 41 which must be grasped to actuate the latch 4L.

[0049] [Fig. 3] further shows that the third element 23 of the mast 20 is also provided with a latch 43 or locking means. The latch 43 has a tooth 46 as shown in [Fig. 6]. The latch 43 is connected to the third element 23 by a rotation axis 53. In the position illustrated in [Fig. 3], the upper part 44 of the latch 43, facing outwards, is provided with a notch so that a user can easily locate the upper part 44 of the latch 43 which must be grasped to operate the latch 43.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the latches 41, 43 may have a visible color on their respective surface, said color being different from that of the rest of the mast 20, in order to facilitate the location, by the user, of the part of the latches 41, 43 which must be grasped to actuate said latches 41, 43.

[0051] The latches 41, 43 are held in the position shown in [Fig. 3] by means of a spring (not visible in the figures) in a first position called the locked position. When the latch 41 is in the first position, the tooth 45 of the latch 41 engages in a first recess of corresponding shape in the second element 22 of the mast 20. Similarly, when the latch 43 is in the first position, the tooth 46 of the latch 43 engages in a third recess of corresponding shape in the third element 23 of the mast 20.

[0052] When the latch 41 is in the position shown in [Fig. 3], a user can manually apply pressure to the lower part 42 of the latch 4L. Under the effect of this pressure, the upper part of the latch 41 rotates to the right until it reaches a second position for the latch 4L. In this second position of the latch 41, the tooth 45 of the latch 41 is released from said first recess formed correspondingly in the second element 22, which allows the mutual rotation of the first element 21 and the second element 22, relative to each other.

[0053] When the latch 41 is in its second position, the user can rotate the first element 21 relative to the second element 22 so that the direction of the first element 21 and the direction of the second element 22 of the mast 20 are as shown in [Fig.2].

[0054] During rotation of the first element 21 relative to the second element 22, when the central axis of the first element 21 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the second element 22, the tooth 45 engages in a second recess of the second element 22. The mutual position between the first element 21 and the second element 22 of the mast 20 is locked. This means that the first element 21 and the second element 22 can no longer rotate relative to each other.

[0055] The latch 43 of the third element 23 of the mast 20 operates according to an operation described below with reference to [Fig. 3] and similar to the operation of the latch 4L

[0056] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that, in the assembly illustrated in the figures for folding, the latch 43 must first be operated and then the latch 41 and vice versa for unfolding. Otherwise the water wing 30 collides with the lower surface of the board 10.

[0057] When the latch 43 is in the position shown in [Fig. 3], a user can manually apply pressure to the upper portion 44 of the latch 43. Under the effect of this pressure, the upper portion 44 of the latch 43 rotates to the left until reaching a second position for the latch 43. In this second position of the latch 43, the tooth 46 of the latch 43 is released from the third recess formed correspondingly in the second element 22, which allows the mutual rotation of the third element 23 and the second element 22, one relative to the other.

[0058] When the latch 43 is in its second position, the user can rotate the third element 23 relative to the second element 22 so that the direction of the third element 23 and the direction of the second element 22 of the mast 20 are as shown in [Fig.2].

[0059] During rotation of the third element 23 relative to the second element 22, when the central axis of the third element 23 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the second element 22, the tooth 46 engages in a fourth recess (not shown in [Fig. 3]) of the second element 22. The mutual position between the third element 23 and the second element 22 of the mast 20 is locked. This means that the third element 23 and the second element 22 can no longer rotate relative to each other.

[0060] Thus, when the first and second elements 21, 22 are in the locking position relative to each other, and the third and second elements 23, 22 are also in the locking position relative to each other, the structure of the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30 is as shown in [Fig. 2]. Such a structure obtained according to the present invention allows the user to easily transport the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing 30 as many times as desired without causing any damage to this assembly.

[0061] In addition, the structure thus obtained makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of the assembly formed by the surfboard 10, the mast 20 and the water wing, which allows the user to store this assembly without any difficulty.

[0062] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the second element 22 of the mast 20 could comprise additional recesses making it possible to receive respectively the tooth 45 of the latch 41 and the tooth 46 of the latch 43. These additional recesses would allow the first element 21, the second element 22 and the third element 23 of the mast 20 to be fixed in additional angular positions.

[0063] For example, from the relative position between the first element 21, the second element 22 and the third element 23 of the mast 20, as shown in [Fig.l], the third element 23 could be rotated in a clockwise direction to a position allowing to realize, with its central axis, a relative angle with the second element 22 of 45°. Simultaneously, the first element 21 could be rotated in an opposite direction (counterclockwise) to a position allowing to realize, with its central axis, a relative angle with the second element 22 of 45°. In such a position, the central axes of the first element 21 and the third element 23 extend in a parallel direction, but are offset by a determined distance. In this position, the water wing 30 extends in a direction essentially parallel to the central axis of the surfboard 10, but is positioned closer to the lower surface of the board 10, and this in comparison with its initial position, as shown in [Fig.l].

[0064] It is obvious that other angular positions between the elements 21, 22 and 23 can be obtained by means of additional recesses.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mast 20 is adapted to allow the dismantling of the elements 21, 22 and 23.

Claims

Claims

1. A mast (20) adapted to connect a water wing (30) to the underside surface of a surfboard (10), said mast (20) comprising a first end (24) provided with first attachment means for attaching said mast (20) to the underside surface of the surfboard, and a second end (25) provided with second attachment means for attaching said mast (20) to the water wing (30); said mast (20) comprising a first element (21) provided with first fixing means, a second element (22) comprising a first end (121) and a second end (122), said first element (21) being connected to said second element (22) in the vicinity of said first end (121) of the second element (22), and a third element (23) provided with second fixing means for fixing the mast (20) to the water wing (30), the third element (23) being connected to said second element (23) in the vicinity of said second end (122) of the second element (22), the mast (20) being foldable from a first position in which the mast (20) is adapted to keep the water wing (30) at a distance from the lower surface of the surfboard (10) in a position of use of said surfboard (10),to a second position in which the mast (20) is adapted to hold the water wing (30) close to the lower surface of the surfboard (10) in a non-use position of the surfboard (10), wherein the first element (21) and the third element (23) of the mast (20) are respectively connected to the second element (22) of the mast (20) by means of a first rotation axis (26) and a second rotation axis (27), the water wing (30) comprising a first wing (31) and a second wing (32) connected to each other by means of a connecting body (33), the mast (20) being adapted to connect the surfboard (10) to the connecting body (33) of the water wing (30).

2. A mast (20) according to claim 1, wherein the mast (20) is provided with a first locking means (41) for locking the mutual rotational position between the first member (21) and the second member (22), said first locking means (41) being rotatable from a first position to prevent rotation between the first element (21) and the second element (22) of the mast (20) to a second position to allow rotation between the first element (21) and the second element (22), wherein the mast (20) is provided with a second locking means (43) for locking the mutual rotational position between the third element (23) and the second element (22), the second locking means (43) being movable from a first position to prevent rotation between the third element (23) and the second element (22), to a second position to allow rotation between the third element (23) and the second element (22) of the mast (20).

3. A mast (20) according to claim 2, wherein the first locking means (41) is connected to a first spring to allow movement of the first locking means (41) to the first position by means of said spring and the second locking means (43) is connected to a second spring to allow movement of the second locking means (43) to the first position by means of said spring.

4. A mast (20) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second springs exert a restoring force on the first and second locking means (41, 43) respectively, such that the first and second locking means (41, 43) can be respectively moved to the second position by manually counteracting said restoring force.

5. Mast (20) according to one of claims 2 to 4, the first locking means (41) being fixed to the first element (21) of the mast (20), said first locking means (41) comprising a tooth (45), the second element (22) of the mast (20) comprising a first recess adapted to receive the tooth (45) of the first locking means (41) in the first position of the first locking means (41) and the second element (22) comprising a second recess to receive said tooth (45) of the first locking means (41) in the second position of the first locking means (41).

6. Mast (20) according to one of claims 2 to 5, the second locking means (43) being fixed to the third element (23) of the mast (20), said second locking means (43) comprising a tooth (46), the second element (22) of the mast (20) comprising a third recess adapted to receive said tooth (46) of the second means

7.

8.

9. locking means (43) in the first position of the second locking means (43) and the second element (22) comprising a fourth recess for receiving said tooth (46) of the second locking means (43) in the second position of the second locking means (43). Mast (2) according to claim 6, when the claim refers to claim 5, the second element (22) of the mast (20) comprising additional recesses allowing the first element (21), the second element (22) and the third element (23) to be fixed in respective additional angular positions. Mast (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second element (22) is provided with a recess (28) to form a handle. An assembly comprising a surfboard (10), a mast (20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, and a water wing (30), the mast (20) comprising a first end (24) and a second end (25), said mast (20) being fixed at its first end to the lower surface of the surfboard (10) and at its second end to the water wing (30).

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