FR3052080A1 - SWIMMING PLATE ON WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE FIXED THE DISTAL PART OF A USER'S ARM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a swimming plate having an upper wall (1) on which is fixed the distal portion of a user's arm and a lower propulsion wing, said plate being equipped with a holding device. on said distal portion, comprising a recess (8) formed therethrough and a member (5) movably mounted in said recess along an axis, said member having an interface (6) which is disposed above the wall ( 1), said interface being arranged to receive at least one finger of said user and comprising means arranged to ensure their retention on said interface, said member being equipped with an elastic constraint element of its displacement in a holding position of said at least one a finger between the means and the wall (1), the element being disposed between the wing and the member (5) and being reversibly compressible between an extended state of disposition of said member in a low position for maintaining said at least one finger, and a compressed state of disposition of said member in the high position of placing said at least one finger on the interface (6).

Description

The invention relates to a swimming pad having a lower propulsion wing and an upper wall on which the distal portion of an arm of a user is to be fixed.

When learning to swim or during advanced training, it is common to use a pair of swimming pads to increase the propulsive surface to improve the feeling of sliding on the water and to be able to correct the gestures and / or perform a specific bodybuilding of the upper limbs in the water.

Such platelets come in many shapes and sizes depending on the desired effect, extending under a distal portion of the user's arm, especially only under at least a portion of the hand and / or under the forearm. of the user, with a propulsion surface that is greater than that of said distal portion.

To ensure the positioning of the wafers during swimming, they are generally equipped with a device arranged to be able to reversibly maintain the distal portion of the arm against the upper wall of said wafer.

EP-0 844 901 discloses for example a palmar pad attached to the user's hand by means of interchangeable elastic links which are arranged to adjustably encircle the fingers and the wrist joint of the user respectively.

In particular, each elastic link comprises two free ends which are engaged respectively in an orifice passing through the wafer to form an upper encircling portion, each free end then being inserted into an adjacent orifice to allow said link to be maintained relative to the wafer.

However, the assembly of these links can be tedious by requiring a fitting insertion of said links in the orifices, the conferred setting is also unreliable relative to the risk of modification or loss of links during the use of the pads.

Document US Pat. No. 3,258,794 also discloses a swimming plate whose holding device comprises a recess formed through said plate and a rod sliding in said recess, said rod having a disc mounted on its upper end to ensure the restraint. axial fingers on it.

In particular, a rubber bushing surrounds the shank to allow adjustment of the height and / or inclination of the disk during finger placement. To do this, the user can in particular exert a manual support on the disc after placing the rod between his fingers.

However, this solution is not entirely satisfactory, in that the sleeve does not make reliable the retention of the fingers on the wafer during use, in particular following a force on the upper wall of the wafer that would tend to fingers spreads the disk of said wall and thus lose the adjustment made during the initial placement of said fingers. The invention aims to improve the prior art by providing a swimming pad whose device for holding the distal portion of the user's arm is easily adjustable to the morphology of the fingers of said user, while ensuring the reliability of said maintenance when using the wafer. For this purpose, the invention provides a swimming pad having an upper wall on which is intended to be fixed the distal portion of a user's arm and a lower propulsion wing, said pad being equipped with a maintaining on said distal portion, said device comprising a recess formed through said wafer and a member movably mounted in said recess along an axis, said member having an interface which is disposed above the upper wall, said interface being arranged to receiving at least one finger of said user and comprising means arranged to ensure the retention of said at least one finger on said interface, said member being equipped with an elastic constraint element of its displacement in a holding position of said at least one finger between the retaining means and the upper wall, said elastic stress element being arranged e between the lower wing and the member, said member being reversibly compressible between an extended state of disposition of said member in a low position for maintaining said at least one finger and a compressed state of disposition of said member in the up position of said at least one finger on the interface. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures which represent a swimming pad according to the invention, respectively in perspective view from above (FIG. 1), in plan view ( Figure 2a), in section along the plane C of Figure 2a (Figure 2b), in side view (Figure 3) and in front view (Figure 4).

In connection with these figures, there is described below a swimming pad used generally in pairs, each being carried by the distal portion of a user's arm for a work of improving the swimming technique and / or or of musculation of said arms.

In this description, the terms of positioning in space are in particular taken with reference to the position of the wafer in the figures. In particular, the terms "front", "back", "left" and "right" relate to a disposition respectively to the left, to the right, to the bottom and to the top in FIG. 2a. Moreover, the terms "axial" and "radial" are taken with reference to the axis A of displacement of the member of the holding device, and correspond to a direction respectively parallel and perpendicular to this axis A.

In particular, the wafer is arranged to extend under a distal portion of the arm, namely at least a portion of the hand and / or the forearm of the user. leaving the elbow joint free to allow proper swimming gestures.

The wafer comprises an upper wall 1 on which is intended to be fixed the distal portion of the arm, said wall may have a planar geometry or complementary to said distal portion to optimize ergonomics. Advantageously, the upper wall 1 is arranged to support indifferently the distal portion of the left arm or the right arm of the user.

In connection with the figures, the plate comprises a lower wing 2 propulsion which is arranged to improve the thrust in the water and allow an optimal feeling of sliding. In particular, the wing 2 extends at least under the upper wall 1 having greater dimensions than those of the distal portion fixed on said upper wall to increase its propulsion surface, said wing may also have an ergonomic shape promoting the swimming stability. Alternatively, there are known platelets smaller than the hand used to work the technique.

The wafer is preferably rigid for better support and is made in one piece, for example by injection molding of one or more thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene or elastomeric material (SEBS). Alternatively, the wafer may be relatively flexible, for example by being made with a mesh type textile layer which is stretched in a frame.

In the embodiment shown, the wafer has dimensions arranged to extend under the hand of the user. Alternatively, the wafer may in particular be arranged to extend only under the fingers of the user, depending on the type of exercises achievable with said wafer and / or the swimming level of the user.

The wafer may have several dimensions and / or geometries, in particular according to the shape and dimensions of the hand and / or the fingers, the age and / or the sex of the user. To do this, user categories can be predefined and, for each of them, standard dimensions can be determined for the wafer.

In relation with FIGS. 2b and 3, the upper wall 1 has front and rear spans 4 which are arranged to respectively receive the fingers and the palm of the user's hand resting on them, in particular being respectively concave and convex to marry said hand and optimize the comfort of use. In addition, the wing 2 has a surface formed under the upper wall 1 extending in particular under the front seats 3 and rear 4.

In particular, a transverse plane T is defined for the wafer, said wafer having a symmetry along a sagittal plane B perpendicular to said transverse plane T, in particular to promote an aligned positioning of the hand on said wafer.

To enable the distal portion to be maintained on the upper wall 1, the wafer is equipped with a device which comprises a recess 8 formed through it, in particular on the front seat 3, and a member 5 which is mounted movable in said recess along an axis A. The member 5 has an interface 6 disposed above the upper wall 1, said interface being arranged to receive at least one finger of the user and comprises means arranged to ensure the restraint in particular axial and radial of said at least one finger on it. In the embodiment shown, the interface 6 is arranged to allow its arrangement between two fingers of the user.

In particular, the axis A of displacement of the member 5 extends, in front view, in a direction perpendicular to the transverse plane T of the wafer and, in side view, forming an angle with said transverse plane, for example between 0 and 40 °. Furthermore, to ensure proper maintenance of the wafer on the hand of the user, the member 5 is mounted on said wafer so as to have the interface 6 between the major and the annular of said hand, particularly in being shifted to the left or to the right with respect to the sagittal plane B, according to the hand on which said plate is intended to be worn. Alternatively, the same plate can be used by arranging the interface 6 between the index and the middle finger for one hand or between the middle finger and the ring finger for the other hand.

In the embodiment shown, the recess comprises a slot 8 which extends on the wafer in a longitudinal plane C perpendicular to the transverse plane T. In addition, the member 5 extends in the plane C and is mounted movably in the slot 8 along an axis A contained in said plane C perpendicular to the transverse plane T.

In particular, the plane C extends parallel to the sagittal plane B while being shifted to the right with respect to said sagittal plane, so as to enable the wafer to be worn on the right hand of a user by arranging the interface 6 between the middle finger and the ring finger of the right hand or between the index finger and the middle finger of the left hand. In a variant not shown, the plane C can be shifted to the left with respect to the sagittal plane B, to allow the wafer to be worn on the left hand of a user by arranging the interface 6 between the middle finger and the ring of the left hand or between the index and middle finger of the right hand.

In addition, the member 5 is mounted in the slot 8 by defining an upper portion and a lower portion which are respectively disposed above the upper wall 1 and below the wing 2, said upper and lower portions respectively forming the interface 6 and a base 9 of the member 5. The interface 6 comprises two opposite lateral surfaces 10 which are radially spaced apart by an interdigital distance, said lateral surfaces being shaped so as to be able to receive respectively a side portion internal of a finger, in particular by pinching said fingers around the interface 6 during their placement on it.

Moreover, the retaining means comprise two radial bearing surfaces 7 which extend on either side of the interface 6, each of said radial bearing surfaces being shaped so as to bear respectively on an upper portion of a finger to ensure its axial retention. In particular, the member 5 has two radial fins 11 which extend on either side and from the upper end of the interface 6, each fin 11 having a radial lower surface 7 intended to bear respectively on an upper portion of a finger. In one embodiment, the radial fins 11 may not extend parallel to the upper wall 1 of the wafer.

Advantageously, the longitudinal plane C forms a plane of symmetry for the member 5. In particular, the radial fins 11 extend symmetrically on either side of the interface 6 while being integral with it, in particular by molding in one piece.

In the embodiment shown, each radial surface 7 has a geometry arranged to also ensure the radial retention of the fingers, in particular curved to be complementary to the upper finger portion on which it is intended to bear, to improve the radial retention of said finger on the interface 6 by marrying said upper portion.

In addition, each radial surface 7 extends respectively a lateral surface 10, in particular by being connected to said lateral surface by means of a curved fillet 12, in order to marry at best the portions of the finger intended to bear on each said staves. Furthermore, at least one lateral surface 10 and / or radial 7 may be provided with a comfort coating during the porting, in particular of flexible material, for example based on an elastomer. The member 5 is equipped with a resilient constraint member 13 for its displacement in a position for holding the fingers between the radial bearing surfaces 7 and the upper wall 1, said fingers being in particular gripped axially and radially between said upper wall and said radial bearings in said holding position. The element 13 of elastic stress can in particular be made of elastomeric material, for example rubber or silicone.

In particular, the element 13 of elastic stress is disposed between the lower wing 2 and the member 5, said element being reversibly compressible between an extended state of disposition of said member in a low position for holding the fingers, and a compressed state of provision of said member in the upper position of placement of said fingers on the interface 6.

Thus, when he puts on the plate, the user has only to exert a manual effort on the member 5 along the axis A to move it in the up position, in order to have sufficient space between the staves radial 7 and the upper wall 1 to be able to place his fingers on the interface 6. To do this, it can pull up the interface 6, in particular by gripping the fins 11, and / or push up the base 9 and / or the element 13.

During this movement, the element 13 of elastic stress is arranged in a compressed state, so that the user only has to release the member 5 to release said element, and thus allow the displacement of said member in the low position of holding the fingers by elastic return of said element to its extended state.

In the embodiment shown, the element 13 of elastic stress is attached to at least a portion of the base 9 of the member 5 and has an external dimension which is greater than that of the recess 8, so as not to pass through said recess and thus compress during movement of the member 5 in the high position. More specifically, the element 13 is shown fixed around the base 9. According to an embodiment not shown, the elastic stress member 13 may be formed in one piece with the member 5.

In particular, the element 13 of elastic stress is in upper support against the wing 2 and fixed in lower support against a lower end of the base 9, in particular by being overmolded or assembled to the base 9. In a variant, the element 13 of elastic stress can be overmolded or assembled to the lower wing 2 to be fixed to said wing and to the member 5.

In relation to FIG. 2b, the base 9 has a central axial imprint 14 and two lateral radial imprints 15 formed on its lower end, and in which the element 13 of elastic stress is anchored respectively axially and radially. Alternatively, the base 9 may have at least one cross-shaped lateral imprint in which the elastic stress member 13 is anchored.

Furthermore, the element 13 of elastic stress has at least one hole 16, in particular several holes 16 formed facing the lower end and / or the front and / or rear bearing surfaces of the base 9, in order to facilitate its deformation in compressed state and its elastic return in extended state.

Advantageously, possibly in addition to the holes 16, grooves, in particular two in number, may be formed inside the element 13 to draw its deformation in compression and thus prevent said element from becoming disconnected from the base 9.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2b, the member 5 comprises at least one stop 17 formed on the lower end of the interface 6, said abutment bearing on the upper wall 1 in order to define a nominal position of said member in the absence of fingers. In particular, the element 13 of elastic stress is arranged to be substantially unconstrained or slightly compressed in this nominal position, ensuring only the wedging of the member 5 on the wafer.

In addition, to make reliable the holding of the hand on the upper wall 1 during use of the wafer, the element 13 of elastic stress in the extended state can maintain a sufficient compression to exert a plating force of the fingers on the wall 1 in particular through the radial bearings 7. In particular, the member 5 can be arranged so that the stop 17 does not bear against the upper wall 1 when the fingers are held under the radial bearing surfaces 7.

The holding device may further comprise at least one strap 18a, 18b arranged to be able to maintain on the upper wall 1 a portion of the distal portion of the arm which extends behind the fingers of the user. In particular, when the wafer is intended to be worn on the entire hand of the user, the strap 18a, 18b can be arranged to hold the wrist of said user on the rear bearing surface 4 of the upper wall 1. According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one strap 18a, 18b is removable in order to use the wafer with or without it.

In relation to the figures, the holding device comprises two straps 18a, 18b which each have a lower end mounted respectively in a rear slot 19 of the wafer, said slots being formed on the rear bearing surface 4 being symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane B.

In particular, a first strap 18a has an upper end to which a control loop 20, for example of plastic or metal material, is associated by assembly or overmolding. According to one embodiment, the first strap 18a may be formed of an elastomer part which overmould a control loop 20 made of rigid plastic

Furthermore, the second strap 18b has a free end 21 which is slidably mounted in the adjustment loop 20, to allow, by traction of said free end, the adjustment of the length of the second strap and thus allow, whatever the user, an adequate plating of his wrist on the rear bearing surface 4 of the upper wall 1.

The straps 18a, 18b may be made of thermoplastic material or be in the form of resistant textile webs, for example nylon-based, their lower ends being fixed in the slots 19. The straps 18a, 18b can also be slidably mounted in the slots 19, in particular by having lower ends which are reversibly locked in said slots at the end of sliding.

Furthermore, the adjustment loop 20 can be self-locking, to allow a quick plating and loosening. In relation with the figures, in particular FIG. 2a, the adjustment loop 20 is formed in one piece by having a housing 22 defined between two longitudinal walls 23, an upper zipper 24 and a bottom wall 25 connecting said longitudinal walls transversely delimiting. said housing. The upper end of the first strap 18a is associated with the lower wall 25, the second strap 18b being mounted in the housing 22. In particular, the housing 22 is equipped with a central axis 26 around which the strap 18b is slidably mounted. , said strap being engaged in two mounting slots formed on either side of said central axis. The housing 22 is arranged to allow the sliding of the strap 18b in a plating direction by pulling its free end 21 and block the sliding in the opposite direction in the absence of said draw.

When the user wishes to finalize the fixing of the wafer on his hand, it is sufficient for him to pull the free end 21 towards the outside of the strap 18b to cause it to slide in the plating direction. Moreover, the lifting of the zipper 24 upwards allows to release the sliding in the opposite direction to be able to remove the wafer after use.

Claims (18)

Swimming plate having an upper wall (1) on which is fixed the distal portion of a user's arm and a lower propulsion wing (2), said plate being equipped with a holding device. on said distal portion, said device comprising a recess (8) formed through said wafer and a member (5) movably mounted in said recess along an axis (A), said member having an interface (6) which is arranged above the upper wall (1), said interface being arranged to receive at least one finger of said user and comprising means arranged to ensure the retention of said at least one finger on said interface, said member being equipped with an element (13) elastic constraint of its displacement in a holding position of said at least one finger between the retaining means (7) and the upper wall (1), said plate being characterized in that ledi t resilient stress element is disposed between the lower wing (2) and the member (5), said member being reversibly compressible between an extended state of disposition of said member in a low position for maintaining said at least one finger and a compressed state placing said member in the upper position of placing said at least one finger on the interface (6). Swimming plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis (A) of displacement of the member (5) extends, in front view, in a direction perpendicular to a transverse plane (T) of the wafer and, in side view, forming an angle with said transverse plane. 3. swimming pad according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the interface (6) comprises two opposite lateral surfaces (10) which are spaced radially from an interdigital distance allowing the arrangement of said interface between two fingers, the bearing surfaces (10) being shaped so as to be able to respectively support an internal lateral portion of a finger. Swimming plate according to claim 3, characterized in that the retaining means comprise two radial bearings (7) which extend on either side of the interface (6), each of said bearing surfaces being shaped so that to be able to bear respectively on an upper portion of a finger to ensure its axial retention. Swimming plate according to claim 4, characterized in that the radial bearings (7) extend from the upper end of the interface (6). 6. swimming pad according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the radial bearings (7) have a geometry arranged to also ensure the radial retention of the fingers. 7. Plate according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each of the radial bearings (7) extends respectively a lateral bearing (10). 8. Plate according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that at least one lateral (10) and / or radial (7) is provided with a comfort coating. Swimming plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the element (13) of elastic stress is attached to at least a base portion (9) of the member (5), said an element having an external dimension which is greater than that of the recess (8). 10. Swimming plate according to claim 9, characterized in that the element (13) of elastic stress is in upper support against the wing (2). 11. swimming pad according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the element (13) of elastic stress is overmolded or assembled to the base (9) and / or the lower wing (2). 12. swimming pad according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the base (9) has at least one cavity (14) in which the element (13) elastic stress is axially anchored. 13. swimming pad according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the element (13) of elastic stress is formed integrally with the member (5). 14. swimming pad according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the member (5) comprises at least one stop (17) which is supported on the upper wall (1) to define a position nominal of said member in the absence of finger, wherein the element (13) elastic stress is arranged to be substantially unconstrained or slightly compressed. Swimming pad according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that grooves are formed inside the element (13) to draw its deformation in compression. 16. Swimming pad according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the element (13) of elastic stress has at least one hole (16) to facilitate its deformation in the compressed state and its springback in extended state. 17. A swimming pad according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the holding device further comprises at least one strap (18a, 18b) arranged to be able to maintain on the upper wall (1) a portion of the distal portion of the arm that extends behind the fingers of the user. 18. swimming pad according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the member (5) is mounted on said wafer being shifted to the left or to the right relative to the sagittal plane B of said wafer .