Paddle for locomotion using a water sports device

Abstract

The invention relates to a paddle (1) for locomotion using a water sports device, in particular a single-bladed paddle, comprising a paddle shaft (2), a paddle blade (4) provided at a first end (3) of the paddle shaft (2), and a buoyancy body (5), wherein the paddle blade (4) has a front face (6) and a rear face (7), and the front face (6) of the paddle blade (4) is the face on which the water pressure acts during the paddle stroke. The paddle is characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) is provided on the front face (6) of the paddle blade (4), and the buoyancy body (5) on the front face (6) of the paddle blade (4) has a face which faces away from the paddle shaft (2) and which is equipped with an impact surface (8) for pushing on the water during a paddle stroke, said impact surface extending at an angle α to the paddle blade (4).

Description

[0001] Paddle for moving with a water sports device

[0002] The invention relates to a paddle for propulsion with a water sports device, in particular a canoe paddle, with a paddle shaft, with a paddle blade arranged at a first end of the paddle shaft and with a buoyancy body, wherein the paddle blade has a front side and a back side, wherein the front side of the paddle blade is the side on which the water pressure acts during the paddling stroke.

[0003] The paddles in question are used primarily in the sport of stand-up paddling and are designed to allow an athlete standing on a paddleboard to propel themselves. A paddle typically consists of a paddle shaft and a blade attached to one end of the shaft. The blade itself has a front side—the side on which the water pressure acts during a paddle stroke—and a back side.

[0004] For the present invention, it is not relevant how the paddle shaft and the paddle blade are connected to each other, whether they are formed from one workpiece or assembled together, for example.

[0005] A paddle in question is known, for example, from US 2021 / 0276684 A1. The paddle has a paddle shaft and a paddle blade arranged at one end of the paddle shaft. Furthermore, the paddle has a buoyancy body detachably attached to the paddle shaft. The buoyancy body is arranged on the paddle shaft just above the transition to the paddle blade and is attached to the paddle shaft with a strap. During the paddling stroke, the buoyancy body is above the water surface. The buoyancy body serves to stabilize the athlete, particularly when retracting the paddle after a stroke. A disadvantage of the paddle known from the prior art is that the paddle's stability in the water is low.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is therefore to provide a paddle with which a simplified and increased forward movement can be achieved and which also creates increased stability during paddling.

[0007] According to the invention, the object is achieved primarily and essentially by arranging the buoyancy body on the front side of the paddle blade. Furthermore, a thrust surface for pushing off the water during a paddling stroke is formed on the front side of the paddle blade. The thrust surface extends at an angle α to the front side of the paddle blade, where angle α is defined as the angle between the thrust surface and the paddle blade. The thrust surface is formed on the side of the buoyancy body facing away from the paddle shaft.

[0008] According to the invention, it has been recognized that propulsion in water with a paddle can be significantly improved if the buoyancy body is arranged on the front of the paddle blade and, in addition, a striking surface is formed on the front of the paddle blade. The design of the paddle automatically leads to ideal guidance of the paddle in the water. An athlete grips the paddle at the end of the paddle shaft facing away from the paddle blade. At the beginning of the paddling movement, they hold the paddle almost vertically, i.e. essentially parallel to their upright body. When paddling, the athlete exerts a striking force on the paddle in the direction of the paddle shaft, whereby no or only a slight torque is exerted on the paddle by the athlete. The buoyancy body ensures that the paddle blade always stays close to the water surface.When the athlete pushes the paddle backward in the opposite direction of travel, the buoyancy generated by the buoyancy body ensures that the paddle is always positioned as flat as possible relative to the water surface, so that as much of the pushing force as possible is converted into a thrust force that moves the athlete in the direction of travel, and only a small portion of the pushing force pushes the paddle below the water surface. However, this force component is preferably large enough to push the pushing surface completely underwater, as this allows for maximum propulsion. Overall, this significantly improves the athlete's forward movement.

[0009] The buoyancy element also allows for a low-force retrieval of the paddle, as it keeps the paddle close to the water surface. Because the buoyancy element is mounted on the paddle blade, only a very small portion of the blade protrudes into the water during the retrieval movement.

[0010] In addition, the paddle blade is held in a defined position relative to the water by the buoyancy body, making it difficult for the paddle blade to accidentally tilt during the paddling movement.

[0011] The impact surface is implemented differently in various embodiments of the paddle according to the invention. In a first embodiment of the paddle according to the invention, the impact surface is formed by a shaped impact surface part. In a preferred embodiment, the shaped impact surface part is implemented as a separate component and connected to the paddle blade. In a first variant, the shaped impact surface part is permanently connected to the paddle blade. When reference is made here to a permanent connection, this means a connection that cannot be separated without the shaped impact surface part or the paddle blade being at least partially destroyed or damaged. In an alternative variant, the shaped impact surface part is detachably connected to the paddle blade. The connection can be implemented, for example, by a screw connection or a snap-in connection.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the butt surface molding is glued to the paddle blade with waterproof adhesive. In a further alternative or additional embodiment, the butt surface molding is glued to the paddle blade with at least one waterproof adhesive film. In one variant of this embodiment, the adhesive film is implemented as a single-sided adhesive film. In another variant of this embodiment, the adhesive film is implemented as a double-sided adhesive film, to which a further layer, preferably a plastic film, is then glued. In a further embodiment, a film, preferably a plastic film, is glued at least partially to the butt surface molding and the paddle blade with waterproof adhesive in order to thus connect the butt surface molding to the paddle blade.

[0013] The extent of the adhesive film or foil on the butt surface molding and the paddle blade varies in different designs. Preferably, the film – depending on the variant, this refers to the single-sided adhesive film, the double-sided adhesive film with an additional layer, or the film bonded with waterproof adhesive – is arranged at least on the side of the butt surface molding facing away from the paddle shaft and the part of the paddle blade adjacent thereto – the fore-paddle. The film preferably covers the entire side of the butt surface molding and / or the entire fore-paddle. In a further alternative or additional variant, a further film is arranged on the side of the butt surface molding facing the paddle shaft and the adjacent area of ​​the paddle blade. This preferably covers the entire side of the butt surface molding and / or the adjacent area of ​​the paddle blade.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the paddle according to the invention, the impact surface molding is formed integrally with the paddle blade, wherein integral means that the impact surface molding and the paddle blade are manufactured from one workpiece.

[0015] In the described embodiments, the buoyancy body is arranged on the side of the impact surface molding facing the paddle shaft, so that the water pressure presses on the impact surface molding during a paddle stroke.

[0016] A particularly preferred and alternative embodiment of the paddle according to the invention is characterized in that the buoyancy body forms the impact surface. This embodiment has the advantage of reducing the number of parts of the paddle. Furthermore, it makes it possible to reduce the weight of the paddle. In this variant, the buoyancy body must be sufficiently stable to withstand the water pressure exerted during the paddle stroke.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the impact surface is formed on the half of the paddle blade remote from the paddle shaft. The part of the paddle blade located on the side of the impact surface molding or the buoyancy body facing away from the paddle shaft is referred to as the fore paddle. The fore paddle is completely submerged in the water during the paddling movement. The fore paddle directs water toward the impact surface during the paddling stroke. It has proven advantageous for the stability of the paddling movement if the fore paddle makes up at least one-third of the paddle blade surface. More preferably, the angle α between the impact surface and the paddle blade is 90°.

[0018] In addition to the various embodiments of the impact surface, the invention also provides various embodiments for the formation of the buoyancy body.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the buoyancy body is designed as a separate component. In one preferred variant, the buoyancy body is detachably connected to the paddle blade. A detachable connection in this context is one that can be separated without damaging the paddle blade or the buoyancy body. A particular advantage of such a design is that the buoyancy body can be replaced without damaging the paddle blade. This is necessary, for example, if the buoyancy body itself is damaged.

[0020] The buoyancy body is attached to the paddle blade with fasteners. The invention provides various variants for attaching the buoyancy body to the paddle blade.

[0021] In a first variant, the buoyancy body is attached to the paddle blade by means of a locking connection. Corresponding locking elements are provided on the buoyancy body and the paddle blade.

[0022] In another variant, the buoyancy body is attached to the paddle blade using lacing elements. This can be done using straps or flexible lacing elements. In another variant, the buoyancy body is attached to the paddle blade using screw elements.

[0023] In another variant, the buoyancy body is glued to the paddle blade with waterproof adhesive.

[0024] In an alternative and particularly preferred embodiment of the paddle according to the invention, the buoyancy body is not formed as a separate component, but rather is formed integrally with the paddle blade. "Integral" here means that the buoyancy body and the paddle blade consist of a single, unassembled component. Alternatively, one embodiment provides for the buoyancy body to be realized as a separate component but permanently connected to the paddle blade. The method for producing the permanent connection depends on the materials used to make the paddle blade and the buoyancy body.

[0025] In one embodiment, the buoyancy body is made of a flexible material. This can be, for example, a flexible plastic in the form of a film, which is then preferably filled with air, or a waterproof fabric into which an additional air-filled bladder made of an airtight material is inserted.

[0026] In another embodiment, the buoyancy body is made of a rigid material. This can be, for example, a solid plastic that forms a hollow space filled with air, for example. In one variant, the buoyancy body is realized as a reusable plastic canister. This offers the advantage that the paddle can be manufactured in a resource-efficient manner by reusing plastic canisters already in circulation, such as gasoline canisters or similar canisters. In another alternative, the rigid material is realized as Styrofoam.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the buoyancy body is made of the same material as the paddle blade. This is particularly preferably a plastic.

[0028] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the buoyancy body is formed from at least two partial buoyancy bodies. In one variant, these are connected to one another. In an alternative variant, the partial buoyancy bodies are held together by the fastening means for attaching them to the paddle blade. In one variant, the partial buoyancy bodies are designed identically. In an alternative variant, the partial buoyancy bodies are implemented differently. For example, in one variant, the partial buoyancy bodies are made from beverage packaging - Tetra Paks. This design offers the advantage of a cost-effective and resource- and environmentally friendly implementation of a paddle, since materials already in circulation can be reused.

[0029] The arrangement and size of the buoyancy body relative to the paddle surface is particularly advantageous when the buoyancy body extends over at least half the surface of the front of the paddle blade. The buoyancy body is preferably arranged adjacent to the paddle shaft.

[0030] With regard to the width of the buoyancy body relative to the width of the paddle blade, it has proven advantageous if the width of the buoyancy body corresponds to at least 50% of the width of the paddle blade. A preferred embodiment is therefore characterized in that the width of the buoyancy body corresponds to at least 50% of the width of the paddle blade. Particularly preferably, the width of the buoyancy body corresponds to at least 90% of the width of the paddle blade. Most preferably, the width of the buoyancy body corresponds to the width of the paddle blade.

[0031] In detail, there are numerous possibilities for designing and developing the paddle according to the invention. Reference is made to the patent claims subordinate to the main claim as well as to the description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows

[0032] Fig. la is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a paddle,

[0033] Fig. 1b is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of a paddle,

[0034] Fig. 2a-d schematic representations of a paddle stroke in different snapshots,

[0035] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a paddle,

[0036] Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of a paddle,

[0037] Fig. 5a is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of a paddle with a flexible buoyancy body in a first state,

[0038] Fig. 5b is a schematic side view of the fourth embodiment of a paddle with a flexible buoyancy body in a second state and

[0039] Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a fifth embodiment of a paddle with a buoyancy body formed from several partial buoyancy bodies.

[0040] Fig. 1a shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a paddle 1. Fig. 1b shows the paddle 1 in a schematic front view. The paddle 1 has a paddle shaft 2 and a paddle blade 4 arranged at a first end 3 of the paddle shaft 2. The paddle 1 also has a buoyancy body 5. The paddle blade 4 has a front side 6, on which the water pressure acts during a paddling stroke, and a back side 7. The buoyancy body 5 is arranged on the front side 6 of the paddle blade 4. In addition, on the front side 6 of the paddle blade 4, on the side of the buoyancy body 5 facing away from the paddle shaft 2, there is formed a pushing surface 8 for pushing off from the water during a paddling stroke. The pushing surface 8 is arranged at an angle α to the paddle blade, which in this case is 90°. In the illustrated embodiment, a butt surface molding 9 is arranged on the front side 6 of the paddle blade 4, which forms the butt surface 8.The impact surface molded part 9 is implemented here as a separate component connected to the paddle blade. The buoyancy body 5 is solid and made of Styrofoam.

[0041] Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d show schematic representations of snapshots during a paddle stroke. Each shows an athlete 10 on a paddleboard 11, along with an enlarged view of the paddle 1 and its position relative to the water surface 12. Figs. 2b and 2c also show vectorial representations of the acting forces.

[0042] Fig. 2a shows the basic position of the athlete 10 on the paddleboard 11. The athlete 10 stands upright on the paddleboard 11 and holds the paddle 1 firmly by the paddle shaft 2, exerting no force on the paddle 1. The paddle 1 is submerged in the water at a small entry angle ß with the forepaddle 13, which is formed by the area of ​​the paddle blade 4 up to the impact surface 8. The buoyancy body 5 floats on the water surface 12 and thus keeps the paddle 1 above the forepaddle 13.

[0043] Fig. 2b shows a pushing movement of the athlete 10, in which the athlete 10 immerses the paddle 1 at a small entry angle ß into the water. The athlete 10 exerts an impact force Fs on the water and pushes the buoyancy body 5 partially under water. The direction of movement of the paddle 1 is indicated by an arrow. As the buoyancy body 5 immerses itself in the water, a buoyancy force FA acts on the buoyancy body 5 and thus the paddle 1, which is directed against the force of gravity and corresponds in magnitude to the weight of the displaced water. In addition, the resistance of the water generates a thrust force Fv, which results in a forward movement of the athlete 10 on his paddleboard 11. The acting forces are shown in the vector representation.

[0044] Fig. 2c shows a pushing motion of the athlete 10, in which the athlete 10 immerses the paddle 1 into the water at a greater entry angle ß than in the pushing motion shown in Fig. 2b. The pushing force Fs exerted by the athlete 10 corresponds in magnitude to the pushing force Fs applied during the pushing motion shown in Fig. 2b. The paddle blade 4 is held near the water surface 12 by the buoyancy body 5. The position of the pushing surface 8 achieved in this way converts the greatest possible portion of the pushing force Fs applied by the athlete 10 into a thrust force Fv that moves the athlete 10 in the direction of forward movement.

[0045] Fig. 2d shows a snapshot after the end of the stroke. The athlete 10 no longer exerts a pushing force Fs on the water, but instead pulls the paddle 1 back, allowing them to subsequently return to the starting position shown in Fig. 2a. The buoyancy body 5 floats on the water surface 12 and essentially keeps the paddle 1 on the water surface during retraction. Tilting of the paddle blade 4 during retraction of the paddle 1 is prevented. Furthermore, the buoyancy body 5 ensures that only an extremely small amount of force is required from the athlete 10 for the retraction movement.

[0046] Further preferred embodiments of the paddle 1 are shown in the following figures. Fig. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the paddle 1 in which the buoyancy body 5 forms the impact surface 8. Such a design has the advantage that the paddle 1 is made from fewer components. In particular, the weight of the paddle 1 can be reduced. The impact surface 8 is realized in the half of the paddle blade 4 remote from the paddle shaft 1. Furthermore, the buoyancy body 5 - just as in Figs. 1a and 1b - is realized as a separate component and detachably connected to the paddle blade 4. In the embodiment shown, the buoyancy body 5 is connected to the paddle blade 4 on the side facing away from the paddle shaft 2 by means of a locking connection. For this purpose, interlocking locking elements 16, which are shown schematically, are arranged on the buoyancy body 5 and the paddle blade 4.On the side facing the paddle shaft 2, the buoyancy body 5 is connected to the paddle blade 4 by means of screw elements 18.

[0047] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b the buoyancy body 5 is attached to the paddle blade 4 by a lacing element 17, namely a belt.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a paddle 1 in a sectional view. The buoyancy body 5 is formed integrally with the paddle blade 4. In this case, the paddle blade 4 and the buoyancy body 5 are made of a plastic material. The buoyancy body 5 is rigid and also designed as a hollow body.

[0049] A further embodiment is shown in Fig. 5a and 5b. Fig. 5a shows the paddle 1 in a first state, Fig. 5b shows the paddle 1 in a second state. In the embodiment shown here, the buoyancy body 5 is made of a flexible material. The buoyancy body 5 is filled with a gas, preferably with air, in order to generate the necessary buoyancy. Fig. 5a shows the buoyancy body 5 partially filled, whereas Fig. 5b shows the buoyancy body 5 completely filled with air. The buoyancy body 5 is made of a plastic and is both watertight and airtight. Figs. 5a and 5b also show that the impact surface molded part 9 is made in one piece with the paddle blade 4 and not, as in Figs. 1a and 1b, as a separate component.

[0050] In all illustrations, the buoyancy body 5 extends over at least half the area of ​​the front side 6 of the paddle blade 4 and is also arranged adjacent to the paddle shaft 2. In the embodiments shown, the width bA of the buoyancy body 5 corresponds to at least half the width bp of the paddle blade 4. In Fig. 1a and 1b, the width bA of the buoyancy body 5 corresponds, for example, to over 90% of the width bp of the paddle blade 4, wherein in Fig. 4 the width bA of the buoyancy body 5 corresponds to the width bp of the paddle blade 4.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a paddle 1 in a schematic side view. In the paddle 1 shown here, the impact surface molded part 9 is connected to the paddle blade 4 by means of a double-sided adhesive film 19 and a further film 20 glued to this adhesive film 19. The adhesive film 19 and the further film 20 extend over the entire side of the impact surface molded part 9 facing away from the paddle shaft 2 as well as over the entire front paddle 13. Furthermore, the buoyancy body 5 in the present embodiment is formed from four partial buoyancy bodies 21. The partial buoyancy bodies 21 are made from beverage packaging - Tetra Paks. The partial buoyancy bodies 21 are glued to one another and to the paddle blade 4 with waterproof adhesive 22. In addition, the partial buoyancy bodies 21 are attached to the paddle blade 4 with lacing elements 17.In the illustrated embodiment, the width bA of the buoyancy body 5 is also wider than the width bp of the paddle blade 4. Reference numeral.

[0052] 1 paddle

[0053] 2 paddle shaft

[0054] 3 first end of the paddle shaft

[0055] 4 paddle blades

[0056] 5 buoyancy bodies

[0057] 6 Front of the paddle blade

[0058] 7 Back of the paddle blade

[0059] 8 Impact surface

[0060] 9 Butt surface molding

[0061] 10 athletes

[0062] 11 paddleboard

[0063] 12 Water surface

[0064] 13 fore paddles

[0065] 14 Separate component

[0066] 15 Fastening means

[0067] 16 locking elements

[0068] 17 lacing element

[0069] 18 screw elements

[0070] 19 adhesive film

[0071] 20 slides

[0072] 21 Partial buoyancy body a Angle between impact surface and paddle blade ß Entry angle of paddle in water

[0073] Fs impact force

[0074] FA buoyancy force

[0075] Fv thrust bA width of buoyancy body bp width of paddle blade

Claims

Patent claims 1. Paddle (1) for propulsion with a water sports device, in particular a canoe paddle, with a paddle shaft (2), with a paddle blade (4) arranged at a first end (3) of the paddle shaft (2), and with a buoyancy body (5), wherein the paddle blade (4) has a front side (6) and a back side (7), wherein the front side (6) of the paddle blade (4) is the side on which the water pressure acts during the paddling stroke, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) is arranged on the front side (6) of the paddle blade (4) and that furthermore, on the side of the buoyancy body (5) facing away from the paddle shaft (2), on the front side (6) of the paddle blade (4) there is formed a pushing surface (8) for pushing off from the water during a paddling stroke, which pushing surface extends at an angle α to the paddle blade (4).

2. Paddle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the impact surface (8) is formed by an impact surface molding (9), in particular that the impact surface molding (9) is formed integrally with the paddle blade (4).

3. Paddle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) forms the impact surface (8).

4. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the impact surface (8) is formed in the half of the paddle blade (4) remote from the paddle shaft (2).

5. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) is designed as a separate component (14), in particular that the buoyancy body (5) is detachably connected to the paddle blade (4), further in particular that the buoyancy body (5) is fastened to the paddle blade (4) by fastening means (15), wherein locking elements (16), lacing elements (17) or screw elements (18) are provided as fastening means (15).

6. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) is formed integrally with the paddle blade (4) or that the buoyancy body (5) is designed as a separate component (14) and is non-detachably connected to the paddle blade (4).

7. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) is made of a flexible material or is made of a rigid material, in particular that the buoyancy body (5) is made of the same material as the paddle blade (4), further in particular that the buoyancy body is designed from a plastic canister.

8. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) is designed from at least two partial buoyancy bodies (21), in particular that the partial buoyancy bodies are realized from beverage packaging.

9. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the buoyancy body (5) extends over at least half the surface of the front side (6) of the paddle blade (4), in particular that the buoyancy body (5) is arranged adjacent to the paddle shaft (2).

10. Paddle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the width (bA) of the buoyancy body (5) corresponds to at least 50% of the width (bp) of the paddle blade (4), preferably that the width (bA) of the buoyancy body (5) corresponds to at least 90% of the width (bp) of the paddle blade (4), particularly preferably that the width (bA) of the buoyancy body (5) corresponds to the width (bp) of the paddle blade (4) or that the width (bA) of the buoyancy body (5) is greater than the width (bp) of the paddle blade (4).

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