Frame for a Basque pelota ball and ball comprising said frame

Abstract

Frame for a Basque pelota ball and ball comprising said frame. The invention relates to a frame for a Basque pelota ball shaped like the ball to be obtained. This frame (20) comprises: longitudinal stiffeners (24) more or less curved depending on their position in the frame (20), fasteners (28) connecting the longitudinal stiffeners (24) in pairs and made in one piece with the longitudinal stiffeners (24), the fasteners (28) being close enough to hold the longitudinal stiffeners in their given position while allowing for braiding. This solution makes it possible to hold the longitudinal stiffeners (24) at the beginning and during the braiding operation, which helps to simplify this braiding. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Frame for a Basque pelota ball and ball comprising said frame

[0001] The present application relates to a frame for a Basque pelota chistera and to a chistera comprising said frame.

[0002] A chistera used for playing Basque pelota extends in a longitudinal direction between first and second ends and includes a front zone (located at the first end) through which the ball exits, a rear zone (located at the second end) to which a user's hand is attached, and an intermediate zone, configured to receive the ball, which has a hollow shape with U-shaped cross sections.

[0003] According to a craft embodiment of the prior art, a chistera comprises a wooden frame made up of longitudinal wooden slats, independent of each other, and wicker straps woven around the longitudinal slats so as to connect them.

[0004] The longitudinal slats have curved profiles adapted to the curved shape of the intermediate zone of the chistera. Thus, the longitudinal slats located at the lateral edges of the chistera are less curved than the intermediate longitudinal slats, located between the lateral edges, which have a more pronounced curvature.

[0005] The manufacture of longitudinal slats requires considerable dexterity and expertise. In one embodiment, the longitudinal slats are made of chestnut or acacia wood. These species are chosen for their flexibility and strength. A manufacturing process for the longitudinal slats includes a step of selecting straight, knot-free pieces of wood, a step of cutting the longitudinal slats to a thickness of a few millimeters so that they can be bent without breaking, and steps of soaking, shaping, and drying to soften the longitudinal slats and bend them into the desired shape. These selection and shaping steps require considerable dexterity and expertise.

[0006] Prior to braiding, the longitudinal slats, independent of one another, must be held in a given position. The beginning of the braiding process proves to be a step that requires great dexterity and considerable expertise.

[0007] Consequently, chisteras are manufactured by a very small number of artisans, which limits the number of chisteras produced each year and increases the cost of these Lastly. This limited number of chisteras available leads to a restriction on the practice of this sport.

[0008] According to another disadvantage, the longitudinal slats are relatively fragile, which leads to an increased risk of damage to the chistera in case of impact.

[0009] Document FR2820646 proposes a chistera made of a single piece of plastic. Even though this solution simplifies the manufacture of the chistera and potentially allows for the industrialization of chistera production, in practice, these chisteras behave very differently from handcrafted chisteras.

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a frame for a Basque pelota chistera shaped like the chistera to be obtained and comprising longitudinal stiffeners which extend along a longitudinal direction and are distributed along a transverse direction, the longitudinal stiffeners being more or less curved depending on their position in the frame.

[0012] According to the invention, the reinforcement comprises fasteners connecting the longitudinal stiffeners in pairs and made in one piece with the longitudinal stiffeners, the fasteners being close enough to maintain the longitudinal stiffeners in their given position while allowing braiding.

[0013] This solution makes it possible to maintain the longitudinal stiffeners at the beginning and during the braiding operation, which helps to simplify this operation.

[0014] According to other features taken individually or in combination: a. at least some of the fasteners are configured to be broken, snapped or cut; b. each fastener has a cross-section of less than 10 mm2 so that it can be easily cut or a notch so that it can be easily broken or snapped; c. the frame is made of composite material or plastic and obtained by an additive manufacturing process or a molding process; d. The reinforcement is made in several parts and includes at least one connecting system configured to hold the different parts of the reinforcement together; e. at least one of the longitudinal stiffeners intended to be positioned at the lateral edges of the chistera is reinforced and includes at least one reinforcement which extends over at least part of the length of the reinforced longitudinal stiffener.

[0015] The invention also relates to a Basque pelota chistera comprising at least one frame according to one of the preceding characteristics as well as at least one braided strap on the frame.

[0016] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0017] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a chistera illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0018] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a chistera frame illustrating a mode of realization of the invention,

[0019] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a chistera frame illustrating another mode of the realization of the invention,

[0020] [Fig.4] is a cross-section of part of the reinforcement visible on [Fig.3] before a braiding step illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0021] [Fig.5] is a cross-section of the part of the reinforcement visible in [Fig.4] after a braiding step illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0022] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a chistera frame illustrating another mode of the realization of the invention,

[0023] [Fig.7] is a cross-section of part of the reinforcement visible on [Fig.6] before a braiding step illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0024] [Fig.8] is a cross-section of the part of the reinforcement visible on [Fig.7] after a braiding step illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig. 1], a chistera 10 used for playing Basque pelota extends along a longitudinal direction DL between first and second ends 10.1, 10.2 and along a transverse direction DT perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between left and right lateral edges 10.3, 10.4. This chistera 10 includes a front zone 12 (located at the first end 10.1) through which a ball exits during a throw, a rear zone 14 (located at the second end 10.2) at which a coupling system 16 with a user's hand is provided, and an intermediate zone 18 (located between the front and rear zones 12, 14) configured to receive a ball and having a hollow shape with U-shaped cross-sections.

[0026] The geometry of the chistera 10 and the coupling system 16 are not further detailed as they may be identical to those of the prior art.

[0027] The chistera 10 comprises at least one frame 20 shaped like the chistera to be obtained and at least one strap 22 (visible in Figures 5 and 8), also called a tourniquet, braided onto the frame 20. Generally, the chistera 10 comprises Several strips 22 are braided onto the frame 20. In one embodiment, the strip 22 is made of wicker. Of course, the invention is not limited to this material for the strip(s) 22.

[0028] The reinforcement 20 extends between the first and second ends 20.1, 20.2 located respectively at the first and second ends 10.1, 10.2 of the chistera 10. The reinforcement 20 comprises several longitudinal stiffeners 24 positioned in longitudinal planes and distributed from one lateral edge of the chistera to the other. The longitudinal stiffeners 24 are more or less curved depending on their position in the reinforcement 20 to follow the profile of the chistera 10.

[0029] These longitudinal stiffeners 24 do not all have the same width. The longitudinal stiffeners 24 have cross-sections substantially identical to the longitudinal slats of prior art chisteras. The longitudinal stiffeners 24 have a thickness of a few millimeters.

[0030] Each longitudinal stiffener 24 extends between the first and second ends. For at least one longitudinal stiffener 24, the first and second ends of the longitudinal stiffener 24 are respectively positioned at the first and second ends 20.1, 20.2 of the reinforcement 20.

[0031] According to an arrangement, at least one longitudinal stiffener 24 has a width (dimension taken along the transverse direction) which increases from the first end of the longitudinal stiffener 24 to an intermediate section and then decreases from the intermediate section to the second end of the longitudinal stiffener 24.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement 20 comprises at least one cross member 26 connecting the first or second ends of the longitudinal stiffeners 24. According to one arrangement, the reinforcement 20 comprises at least a first cross member 26 connecting the first ends of the longitudinal stiffeners 24 as well as a second cross member 26' connecting the second ends of the longitudinal stiffeners 24.

[0033] According to a particular feature of the invention, the reinforcement 20 comprises fasteners 28 connecting the longitudinal stiffeners 24 in pairs and formed as a single unit with the longitudinal stiffeners 24, the fasteners 28 being sufficiently close to maintain the longitudinal stiffeners 24 in their given position while allowing for braiding. The fasteners 28 are spaced along the longitudinal stiffeners 24 at intervals of between 1 and 10 cm. Preferably, the interval between the fasteners 28 is on the order of 2 to 3 cm.

[0034] According to one arrangement, all the longitudinal stiffeners 24 of the reinforcement 20 are connected in pairs by fasteners 28.

[0035] Each fastener 28 has a thickness less than or equal to that of the longitudinal stiffeners 24.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, all the fasteners 28 of a frame 20 have substantially identical cross-sections.

[0037] According to one feature of the invention, at least some of the fasteners 28 are configured to be broken, snapped, or cut with a sharp tool such as a knife. In a preferred configuration, all the fasteners 28 of a frame 20 are configured to be broken, snapped, or cut with a sharp tool such as a knife. Thus, the longitudinal stiffeners 24 are connected to each other before and during braiding, which greatly simplifies this operation. During braiding, these fasteners 28 are progressively broken, snapped, or cut. Thus, after braiding, the longitudinal stiffeners 24 are independent of each other, resulting in a chistera with characteristics very close to those of a prior art handcrafted chistera for playing Basque pelota.

[0038] According to an arrangement, each fastener 28 has a cross-section of less than 10 mm2 so that it can be easily cut or a notch so that it can be easily broken or snapped.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the frame 20 is made of composite material or plastic material and obtained by an additive manufacturing process, such as a three-dimensional printing process, or a molding process or any other manufacturing technique.

[0040] In the case of a three-dimensional printing process, the material is deposited by following trajectories essentially oriented along the longitudinal direction DL. This solution gives better mechanical properties to the longitudinal stiffeners 24.

[0041] According to a first variant shown in [Fig. 2], the reinforcement 20 is made in one piece. According to a second variant shown in Figures 3 and 6, the reinforcement 20 is made in several parts 30, 32 assembled together before the braiding operation. Making the reinforcement 20 in several parts 30, 32 simplifies the manufacturing process of the reinforcement 20.

[0042] In the presence of several parts 30, 32, the frame 20 includes at least one connecting system 34 configured to keep the different parts 30, 32 of the frame 20 assembled.

[0043] According to one embodiment, each of the first and second crossbeams 26, 26' comprises a first section 26.1, 26.1' integral with the first part 30 and a second section 26.2, 26.2' integral with the second part 32.

[0044] In one configuration, the connecting system 34 includes at least one screw and / or bolt 36 intended to connect the first and second sections 26.1, 26.2 of the first cross member 26. The connecting system 34 includes at least one stiffener The transverse member 38 has a housing 38.1 into which a portion of the second cross member 26' is accommodated. This housing 38.1 is sized to hold the first and second sections 30, 32 together. Additionally, the connecting system 34 includes at least two pins 40 passing through the transverse stiffener 38 and the first and second sections 30, 32 to hold them together.

[0045] According to an arrangement visible in Figures 7 and 8, the frame 20 comprises two lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2 positioned at the lateral edges 10.3, 10.4 of the chistera 10, the other longitudinal stiffeners 24 located between the two lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2 being called ribs. According to this arrangement, the longitudinal stiffeners 24, 24.1, 24.2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a median plane of symmetry PMS. In the presence of a frame 20 composed of first and second parts 30, 32, this median plane of symmetry PMS also corresponds to the plane of symmetry of the first and second parts 30, 32. The two lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2 are connected at the first end 10.1 of the chistera 10 so as to form an arch. According to one embodiment, the intermediate longitudinal stiffeners 24, called ribs, are located between the two lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2, have a slat-shaped cross-section. The lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2 have a substantially circular cross-section.

[0046] According to one embodiment, at least one of the lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2 is reinforced. According to another arrangement, both lateral longitudinal stiffeners 24.1, 24.2 are reinforced. Each reinforced lateral longitudinal stiffener 24.1, 24.2 comprises at least one reinforcement 42 extending over at least a portion of the length of the reinforced lateral longitudinal stiffener 24.1, 24.2. By way of example, the reinforcement 42 is metallic, such as stainless steel.

[0047] Each reinforcement 42 is curved so as to follow the curvature of the lateral longitudinal stiffener 24.1, 24.2 which it reinforces.

[0048] According to one arrangement, each reinforced lateral longitudinal stiffener 24.1, 24.2 positioned at the lateral edges 10.3, 10.4 of the chistera 10 includes a housing 44 for the reinforcement 42. This housing 44 is dimensioned to accommodate the reinforcement 42 without play. This reinforcement (or these reinforcements) limits the risk of damage to the chistera. The invention can be applied to different shapes and sizes of chisteras.

Claims

Demands

1. Frame for a Basque pelota chistera shaped like the chistera to be obtained, comprising longitudinal stiffeners (24) which extend along a longitudinal direction (DL) and are distributed along a transverse direction (DT), the longitudinal stiffeners (24) being more or less curved depending on their position in the frame (20); characterized in that the frame (20) comprises fasteners (28) connecting the longitudinal stiffeners (24) in pairs and made in one piece with the longitudinal stiffeners (24), the fasteners (28) being sufficiently close to maintain the longitudinal stiffeners in their given position while allowing braiding.

2. Reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that the fasteners (28) are spaced along the longitudinal stiffeners (24) at a pitch between 1 and 10 cm.

3. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the fasteners (28) are configured to be broken, ruptured or cut.

4. Reinforcement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that all the fasteners (28) of a reinforcement (20) are configured to be broken, ruptured or cut.

5. Reinforcement according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that each fastener (28) has a cross-section less than 10 mm2 so that it can be easily cut or a notch so that it can be easily broken or snapped.

6. Reinforcement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement (20) is made of composite material or plastic material and obtained by an additive manufacturing process or a molding process.

7. Reinforcement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement (20) is made in several parts (30, 32) and includes at least one linking system (34) configured to hold together the different parts (30, 32) of the reinforcement (20).

8. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the longitudinal stiffeners (24) intended to be positioned at the lateral edges (10.3, 10.4) of the chistera (10) is reinforced and includes at least one reinforcement (42) which extends over at least part of the length of the reinforced lateral longitudinal stiffener (24.1, 24.2).

9. Reinforcement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each reinforced lateral longitudinal stiffener (24.1, 24.2) includes a housing (44) for housing the reinforcement (42).

10. Basque pelota chistera comprising at least one frame (20) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one strap (22) braided onto the frame (20).