WO2002038224A1 - Device for propelling and/or retaining people - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for propelling and/or retaining people designed for amusement, sport or training wherein at least a cable (3, 4) or any other similar element is used with an elastic system (12) for propelling and/or retaining one or several users (1). More precisely, it concerns a device comprising means (19, 28) for adapting the return force of the cable (3, 4) according to the weight and/or strength of the user (1).

Description

 Propulsion and / or restraint device

The present invention relates to a device for propelling and / or restraining persons intended in particular for the field of entertainment, sport or training in which at least one cable or any other element of the same type is used with an elastic system to propel and / or retain one or more users.

It relates more precisely to a device which comprises means for adapting the return force of the cable according to the weight and / or the force of the user.

Elastic propulsion or restraint devices are known from the state of the art. There are for example devices, see in particular FR-A-2746028, US-A-5788606 or US-A-5221241, which include elastic cords one end of which is fixed to the user.

In other systems, see for example US-A-4410175 or US-A-5421783, the elastic cord is replaced by a spring and possibly a cable.

Whether using an elastic cord or a spring, the deterioration of the material is fairly rapid, hence the need to frequently replace the material. This problem is all the more accentuated when the device is installed outside and must undergo wear factors such as sunlight or bad weather.

The device described in international patent application WO 99/47221 relates to a propulsion and retaining means which comprises at least one cable, one end of which is fixed to the movable face of an elastic block in which there is a set of elastic elements, for example springs. The cable winds through a system of pulleys so that a small displacement of the movable face of the elastic block results in a large displacement of the end of the cable which is fixed to the user. Confining the elastic elements in the block makes it possible to protect the latter from external factors of cable wear such as sunlight or bad weather.

In order to take account of the characteristics of the user, in particular their weight, it is necessary to provide the device with a system for adjusting the return force of the elastic elements. In WO 99/47221, a system is used for this purpose which, prior to the use of the device, lengthens or decreases the length of the elastic elements, the system comprising either hydraulic jacks controlled by a computer, or a manual winch.

State of the art return force adjustment systems have certain drawbacks, however. Optimal adjustment can only be achieved by using a relatively complex and expensive system. Furthermore, the fact of varying the length of the elastic elements to adjust the weight does not allow the system to be adapted for very light or very heavy people. This problem is all the more present when the device operates using a propelling force which is generated by the user.

The object of the present invention overcomes in particular the aforementioned problems by offering an alternative to existing systems for adjusting the restoring force.

It relates more precisely to a propulsion and / or restraint device for persons comprising at least one cable or any other rigid element of the same type, one end of which is adapted to be fixed to at least one person, said cable passing through a part. mobile fixed to an elastic block, the other end of said cable being fixed to a winch or other lifting system or to said mobile part itself, said elastic block comprising several elastic elements of substantially longitudinal shape, one end of each of said elements elastic coming to be fixed on said movable part, the other end coming to be fixed on a stationary part of said elastic block, said cable snaking through a system so that a displacement of said movable part results in a much greater movement of the user, the device being characterized by the fact that it comprises means for varying the number of elastic elements which are fixed to said moving part.

The device according to the invention can be used as a mobile, fixed structure, indoors or outdoors. As non-limiting examples of use, there can be mentioned bungee jumping, "sling-shots" (catapults) trampolines where the user is attached to an elastic system which accompanies him in his movement , as well as for acrobatic sports training.

By elastic element, it is necessary to understand any element having an elasticity. It can therefore be, for example, an elastic cord or a spring.

Some nonlimiting examples of embodiment of the invention will be described below by means of the following figures:

Figure 1 illustrates a trampoline system Figure 2 represents an elastic block like the one illustrated in Figure 1 Figure 3 represents the block of Figure 2 seen from above in a 1st position Figure 4 represents the block of Figure 2 seen from above in a ^2nd position Figure 5 illustrates a first plate suitable for a heavy person 6 illustrates a second plate suitable for a light person Figure 7 shows the end of an elastic member Figure 8 shows the same element as in Figure 7 but seen from the front Figure 9 illustrates the upper part of an elastic element Figure 10 represents the lower part of an elastic block Figure 11 shows a section of the lower part of an elastic block FIG. 12 represents another embodiment of an elastic block

The device illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a trampoline (2) on which there is a user (1) connected to an elastic block (12) via two cables

(3,4), each cable (3,4) passing around a fixed pulley (5,6) before joining the other cable (4,3) in a common direction (7), the opposite end of each cable (3,4) being fixed to a lifting system (17), a winch for example, the latter being made integral with a frame (8). The elastic block (12), see also Figure 2, is also attached to the frame (8) which, in addition, comprises a set of pulleys (9,10) around which the cables (3,4) pass. The end of the two cables (3,4) located towards the user (1) can be attached to the user in different ways, for example by means of a system comprising a belt and carabiners. The elastic block (12) comprises a movable part (14) in its upper part and a stationary part (16) in its lower part, each part (14,16) being connected to the other by springs (13). A pulley system (10) is fixed to the moving part (14) by means of a fixing element (11) through which the cables (3,4) pass. As can be seen particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the movable part consists mainly of two superimposed plates (28,29), the lower plate (29) being further provided with a pivot (31) on which is fixed a lever (15). Each plate (28,29) comprises several orifices (19) intended to receive or pass the end (20) of the springs (13). The moving part (14) is designed so as to allow transverse movement of the upper plate (28) on the lower plate (29) by means of the lever (15) and of the pivot (31) which is housed in a slot ( 30) made in the upper plate (28). As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper plate (28) can comprise two kinds of orifices (19), a passage orifice (23) of substantially elliptical shape and a fixing orifice (21, 22) of shape similar to that of a door lock. In their upper part, the springs have a reduced diameter (see FIGS. 7 to 9) and receive a cylindrical element (24) which is screwed inside the spring (13), each cylindrical element (24) comprising in its center a rod-shaped element (26) provided with a disc (32) intended to pass through, possibly attach to, the upper plate (28) of the moving part (14). In its lower part (see Figures 10 and 11), the elastic block (12) consists of a stationary part (16, 18) essentially comprising a plate (16) and a pedal system (18), the plate ( 16) forming a base on which the lower end of the springs (13) are fixed. The mode of operation of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 will be described below.

Once attached to the end of the cables (3,4), the user can be raised thanks to the lifting system (17). The elevation height chosen must be sufficient to allow an oscillatory movement of the user (1), it depends in particular on the weight and the strength of the latter. To activate the device, the user (1) generates an oscillatory movement from bottom to top. As it moves downward, the moving part (14) of the elastic block (12) is driven upward, which results in an increase in the restoring force exerted by the springs (13) which are fixed to the upper plate (28) of the moving part (14). The upward movement of the user (1) is therefore amplified by the presence of the elastic block (12) and the pulley system (9,10) which, for a small movement of the moving part (14), induces a greater user movement (1).

Before putting the device into operation, to adapt the device according to the weight, possibly the force, of the user (1), a plate is chosen containing a determined number of fixing orifices (21, 22). Figure 5 illustrates a plate (28) for a 90 kg person while Figure 6 shows a plate (29) for a 20 kg person. The upper plate (28) is placed on the plate (29). At this stage, the upper end (20) of the springs (13) is not yet fixed to the upper plate (28) and is located thereon. Above each upper end of the spring (20) is either a passage orifice (23) or the passage zone (22) of a fixing orifice (21, 22). By means of the pedal system (18), the set of springs is then raised, the lever (15) is then actuated so as to transversely move the upper plate (28), which brings certain discs (32) of the elements into rod form (26) above the reduced area (21) of the fixing holes (21, 22). The pedal system is finally released, certain ends (20) of springs (13) then being fixed to the upper plate (28) of the moving part (14).

Once this fixing operation has been carried out, the device can be used. When a new user (1) of different weight, possibly of different strength, has to use the device, the upper plate (28) of the moving part is replaced by a plate containing a number of fixing holes (21, 22) adapted, that is to say a greater number if the second user is heavier or a lesser number if the second user is less heavy.

The change of plates (28) is carried out as follows: The pedal system (18) is activated thereby causing an upward movement of the set of springs (13), the lever (15) is then actuated, the plate (28) moved transversely, which has the effect of positioning only passage openings (23) or passage areas (22) below the discs (32) of the rod-shaped elements (26). The pedal system (18) is then deactivated, the ends (20) of the springs (13) being completely disconnected from the plate (28). Another plate is then introduced and its positioning is carried out as described above.

The material constituting the plates (28, 29) of the moving part (14) can be freely chosen provided that it is strong enough to withstand the stresses which are applied to it. By way of nonlimiting example, the upper plate (28) can be made of steel while the lower plate (29) is made of aluminum.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the elastic block (12) in which a stack of plates (27), the number and type of orifices of which are varied, is placed towards the lower part of the elastic block (12), set of levers (26), ie two levers (26) in FIG. 12, makes it possible to choose and move the plate which is intended to be fixed on certain lower ends of the springs (13). The operating mode of the displacement and of the fixing of the lower ends of the springs (13) is identical to that described with the block of FIG. 2, the block according to FIG. 12 further having the advantage of containing all the plates to be used and easily replace one plate with another. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the objects described in the figures. It is possible, for example, to place a stack of interchangeable plates towards the upper part of the elastic block (12), as an integral part of the moving part (14).

The invention is also not limited to trampolines as described above. It also includes any similar device generating vertical, horizontal or oblique movements of the user.

Likewise, can the device be designed for several people at the same time. In fact, the term "user" should also be understood to mean any object, for example a metal structure, inside which one or more people could take place.

Finally, it will be noted that the moving part (14) is not necessarily made up of a set of plates (28, 29) but of any object fulfilling the same function.

Claims

claims 1. A propulsion and / or restraint device for people comprising at least one cable (3,4) or any other rigid element of the same type, one end of which is adapted to be fixed to at least one person (1), said cable ( 3,4) passing through a moving part (14) fixed to an elastic block (12), the other end of said cable (3,4) being fixed to a winch (17) or other lifting system or to said part mobile (14), said elastic block (12) comprising several elastic elements (13) of substantially longitudinal shape, one end (20) of each of said elastic elements (13) being fixed on said mobile part (14), the other end coming to be fixed on a stationary part (16,18) of said elastic block (12), said cable (3,4) meandering through a pulley type system so that a displacement of said movable part (14) results in a much greater displacement of the user (1), the device being characterized by the fact that it comprises means (15, 28, 19) for varying the number of elastic elements (13) which are fixed to said movable part (14). 2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means (15,28,19) for varying the number of elastic elements (13) comprise a plate (28) provided with fixing means (21) and detachment (22) of at least one end (20) of said elastic elements ^' (13). 3. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing means (21) and detachment (22) consist of orifices made in the plate (28), the section of each of said orifices comprising at least one zone passage (22) allowing free movement through it from the end (20) of the element elastic (13) corresponding, at least one orifice (21, 22) further comprising a fixing zone (21), of section smaller than the passage zone (22), making it possible to fix the end (20) of the corresponding elastic element (13), said plate (28) being adapted to be moved so as to ensure the fixing or the release of the one or more ends (20) of the elastic elements (13). 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is designed to receive plates (28) which differ from each other by their number of fixing zones (21). Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of plates (28) forming a stack (27), each plate being able to move independently of the others to be fixed at certain ends of the elastic elements (13) . Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the plate or plates (28) form part of the stationary part (16,18). 7. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the plate or plates are part of the movable part (14). 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic elements (13) are springs. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each end (20) of the spring (13) has a smaller diameter than that of the remaining part of the spring, the reduced diameter zone retaining a cylindrical element (24) screwing into the spring (13), intended to receive means (26,32) allowing the ends to be fixed (20) springs (13) to their corresponding plates (28). 10. Elastic block (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at one end a stationary part (16,18) and at the other a movable part (14), elastic elements longitudinal (13) one end of which is fixed to the stationary part (16,18) and the other (20) of which can move freely through orifices (19) contained in the movable part (14), this the latter being able to move perpendicular to the direction of the elastic elements so as to fix the end (20) of certain elastic elements (13), the elastic block (12) being furthermore provided with a system (18) for moving the 'end (20) of certain elastic elements (13), prior to their attachment to the moving part (14). 11. Plate (28) used with the device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of orifices (19) which contain at least one passage area (22,23) allowing the free movement of the end (20) of the corresponding elastic elements (13), at least one orifice (19) being furthermore provided with a fixing zone (21) suitable for fixing the end (20) of the element elastic (13) corresponding.