Seated wakeboard device with suspension

Abstract

A seated wakeboard suspension system comprising a support frame (2) for a seat (1) mounted on a fixed frame (9) attached to the board (13) by means of a two-link (4, 5) linkage and a movable frame (3) forming a deformable quadrilateral (14). The links (4, 5) are articulated at their upper ends to the movable frame (3) and at their lower ends to the fixed frame (9). The deformation of the quadrilateral (14) generates, without unbalancing the user, a significant vertical displacement at their center of gravity and almost no horizontal displacement. A shock-absorbing element (8) is articulated on the rear link (5) and on an intermediate point of a three-point link (7), itself articulated at its base to the fixed frame (9). A two-point link (6) connects the rear link (5) to the top of the three-point link (7) to make the suspension progressive. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: [Fig 1].

Description

Title of the invention: Seated wakeboarding device with suspension Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of wakeboarding, a water sport that consists of gliding on the water and performing acrobatic maneuvers on a board. The person practicing wakeboarding is towed by a cable ski lift or a motorboat by means of a tow bar. The invention relates to a suspension device for a wakeboard chair, enabling seated wakeboarding, particularly for people with disabilities. The device comprises: a. A support frame for a seat mounted on a frame fixed to the wakeboard by means of a linkage and movable frame kinematics forming a deformable quadrilateral. b. A damping element mounted between two kinematics acting on the progressiveness of the suspension. State of the art

[0002] Current seated wakeboard chair suspension systems feature a pendulum-type kinematic mechanism composed of two chassis parts: the seat support chassis is fixed at one end to a pivot point at the front of the chassis attached to the wakeboard, and at the other end to a shock-absorbing element at the rear. Since the pivot point of the chassis attached to the wakeboard is fixed and located at the front of the seat, the user's body is only cushioned at the rear during an impact. The pendulum kinematic mechanism does not cushion the front of the body during an impact and destabilizes the user by causing them to tip backward.

[0003] Adjustments to the seat support frame allow the wheelchair to be adapted to users of different heights. However, changing the seat support frame adjustment alters the pendulum kinematics. Thus, the trajectory of the rearward damping tilt and the progressiveness of the damping vary depending on the setting chosen by each user. Object of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is the realization of a suspension device for a wakeboard chair, composed of three chassis parts, allowing shocks to be absorbed at the center of gravity of the body, while keeping the feet on the board.

[0005] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the seat support frame is integral with a movable frame, that the upper ends of two connecting rods are articulated on the movable frame, that the lower ends of the two connecting rods are articulated on the frame fixed to the board. The movable frame, the fixed frame and the two connecting rods form a deformable quadrilateral. This kinematic allows for a significant vertical movement of the user at the level of their center of gravity in relation to an almost zero horizontal movement, so as not to unbalance the user backwards.

[0006] The fixed frame is articulated on a front base attached to the board and on a rear base. The rear base slides on a rail attached to the board, which limits the transmission of forces from the deformation of the board to the chair.

[0007] A plurality of holes on the seat support frame and on the mobile frame allows height and angle adjustment of the seat for each user according to their size and improves production management in the factory. The device according to the invention is thus characterized in that the seat support adjustment is made on the moving chassis, thereby making this adjustment independent of the kinematics. The user's movement under the effect of an impact and the progressiveness of the suspension remain the same regardless of the user's size.

[0008] The device according to the invention is also characterized in that the front end of the shock-absorbing element is articulated on the rear connecting rod of the deformable quadrilateral, and that the rear end of the shock-absorbing element is linked by a two-connecting rod kinematic system: a first connecting rod with three points of articulation articulated at its base on the fixed chassis, articulated at an intermediate point on the shock-absorbing element, and articulated at its apex on a second connecting rod. This second connecting rod is articulated at its other end on the rear connecting rod of the deformable quadrilateral. The two-link kinematics located at the rear of the shock absorber allows for progressive suspension. Thus, the shock absorber's travel is greater at the end of an impact than at the beginning, for the same vertical movement of the user's center of gravity. The damping ratio, that is, the movement of the user's center of gravity divided by the shock absorber's travel, decreases as the user's center of gravity moves during an impact.

[0009] The device according to the invention is also characterized in that the joints of the two connecting rods that link the rear of the shock absorber element to the fixed chassis and to the rear connecting rod of the deformable quadrilateral are made by ball joints. The shock absorber element is then subjected to compression only on its axis. The torsion of the fixed chassis under the effect of an impact is not transmitted to the shock absorber element. This solution ensures the reliability of the shock absorber element. Summary description of the drawings

[0010] The features will become clearer from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Fig.1] is a perspective representation of the seated wakeboard device with suspension according to the invention, the shock-absorbing element being in the relaxed state. [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view of the seated wakeboard device with suspension according to the invention, the shock-absorbing element being in the relaxed state. [Fig.3] is an identical view to [Fig.2], with the damping element in the compressed state. [Fig. 1], [Fig. 2], and [Fig. 3] illustrate the suspension mechanism of the seated wakeboard device, comprising a support frame (2) for a seat (1) mounted on a fixed frame (9) attached to the wakeboard (13) by means of a two-link kinematic system (4, 5) and a movable frame (3) forming a deformable quadrilateral (14).

[0011] The deformable quadrilateral (14) comprises a rear link (5) and a front link (4) articulated at their upper ends to the movable frame (3) and at their lower ends to the fixed frame (9).

[0012] The support frame (2) of a seat (1) is formed by an assembly of two parallel and identical flanges. The movable frame (3) is formed by an assembly of two parallel and identical flanges. The fixed frame (9) is formed by an assembly of two parallel and identical flanges.

[0013] The support frame (2) of a seat (1) is adjustable on the movable frame (3) by choosing the location of the connecting screws in a series of holes in the flanges.

[0014] The fixed chassis (3) is articulated on a front base (12) integral with the board (13) and on a rear base (10). The rear base (10) slides on a rail (11) integral with the board (13).

[0015] A shock-absorbing element (8) is articulated at one attachment point of the rear link (5). A two-point articulation link (6) is articulated at another attachment point of the rear link (5) by means of a ball joint. When the device is subjected to an impact, the rotation of the rear link (5) at its articulation on the fixed chassis (9) transmits the movement to the two-point articulation link (6) and to the shock-absorbing element (8) via a three-point articulation link (7). The three-point link (7) is articulated at its apex to the two-point link (6) and at its base to the fixed frame (9) by means of ball joints. The shock absorber (8) is articulated to the three-point link (7) at its midpoint. The shock absorber (8) is thus subjected to stress at both ends when the device is subjected to an impact. A two-point articulation link (6) is articulated at one end on the rear link (5) and at its other end to the top of the three-point articulation link (7). The rotational movement of the rear link (5) transmits the movement directly to the front end of the shock absorber element and to the rear end of the shock absorber element (8) via the two-point articulation link (6) and the three-point articulation link (7). Suspension mechanism comprising: a. A ball joint element at the articulated end of the two-point articulation link (6) on the rear link (5), b. A ball joint element at the articulated end of the two-point articulation link (6) on the top of the three-point articulation link (7), c. A ball joint element at the base of the three-point articulation link (7) articulated on the fixed chassis (9).

Claims

Demands

1. Suspension mechanism for a seated wakeboard device, comprising: • a) A support frame (2) for a seat (1) mounted on a fixed frame (9) attached to the wakeboard (13) by means of a two-link (4, 5) and movable frame (3) kinematic system forming a deformable quadrilateral (14). The rear link (5) and the front link (4) are articulated at their upper ends to the movable frame (3) and at their lower ends to the fixed frame (9). • b) A shock-absorbing element (8) articulated at its front end to the rear link (5) and articulated at its rear end to the midpoint of a three-point link (7). A two-point link (6) is articulated at one end to the rear link (5) and at its other end to the top of the three-point link (7). The three-point articulation link (7) is articulated at its base on the fixed chassis (9).Characterized in that, under the effect of a shock, the deformation of the quadrilateral (14) causes the rear link (5) to pivot on its articulation to the fixed chassis (9), and that the rotational movement of the rear link (5) refers on the one hand the movement directly to the front end of the shock-absorbing element and on the other hand to the rear end of the shock-absorbing element (8) by the two-point articulation link (6) and by the three-point articulation link (7).

2. Suspension mechanism according to claim 1 comprising: • a) A ball joint element at the articulated end of the two-point articulation link (6) on the rear link (5), • b) A ball joint element at the articulated end of the two-point articulation link (6) on the top of the three-point articulation link (7), • c) A ball joint element at the base of the three-point articulation link (7) articulated on the fixed chassis (9), Characterized in that the damping element (8) works only along its compression axis.