Device enabling persons, including handicapped persons to practise roller skating, skateboarding, ice skating, skiing, horse-riding and swimming, without falling or sinking
The invention concerns a device enabling able-bodied or handicapped persons to learn to practise roller skating, skateboarding, ice skating, skiing on snow or artificial track. The invention is characterized in that it comprises supports consisting of posts supporting the cross members beneath which are maintained rails whereon can move freely rolling wheeled carriages whereto are attached the straps secured to the harnesses, obstacles arranged or provided beneath the rails, seats provided each with two hollow pockets with inclined base enabling the persons to put on their skates and fix their strap to the harness, signalling strips arranged on the floor serving to guide visually impaired or blind persons, a device including a sensor triggering a sound signal whereof the tone is different depending on the type of the obstacle, carriages with inclined side panels retaining the straps secured to the fastening points of the harnesses.
Device allowing persons, even handicapped persons, to learn to practise roller skating, skateboarding, ice skating, skiing, horse riding and swimming without falling or sinking.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a device which allows persons to learn, easily and without any risk of falling, to roller skate, skateboard, ice skate, ski on snow or on artificial pistes and also to learn to swim without any risk of sinking.
Learning these disciplines often leads to falls, sometimes serious falls, in particular in the case of elderly people. Learning to swim often gives rise to the fear of sinking in people, in particular when they know that they are out of their depth.
The device according to the invention allows all these disadvantages to be overcome. Its use has the advantage that the user never falls or sinks and thus learns without being in a permanent state of fear. Consequently, the user will learn much more quickly and without any risk how to practise the chosen sport.
PRIOR ARTVarious means of ensuring the safety of persons when learning some sports already exist. In circus schools, pupils practising trick horse riding are provided with a harness which is provided with a ring. The supervisor holds a long cord which extends in a pulley which is located at height and at the centre of the track and the cord is secured to the ring of the harness. When the pupil is at risk of falling from the horse, the supervisor supports him and he is prevented from falling. Swimming instructors hold the pupil by means of a pole, at the end of which a cord is fitted which is attached to the harness of the pupil. In order to learn to ride a bicycle, the solution which has long been used consists in fitting a small wheel at each side of the rear wheel of the bicycle. At the start, the two small wheels touch the ground and, little by little, they are raised until the user moves without being supported on one or other of the small wheels.
The device according to the invention allows the pupil to be put completely at ease and to improve in complete safety until he completely masters the technique and the practice of the selected discipline.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe device according to the invention is depicted in a number of appended drawings which illustrate in detail the whole of the design of the device which is mainly composed of the following base elements:
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- carriers each comprising two posts which are positioned vertically and which support a cross-piece which is held on the posts. Each cross-piece is provided, in the lower portion, with a plurality of securing plates in order to hold the rails by means of locking flanges.
- Rails which are held under the cross-pieces by locking flanges, the profile of these rails allowing roller type carriages to be held and displaced.
- Horizontal struts which connect the posts at the top and bottom and which hold them in a vertical position.
- Cross-bracing bars which are intended to strengthen the installation of the device.
- Roller type carriages, to which the straps intended to support the persons are attached.
- Straps which are adjustable in terms of length and which are provided with a resilient upper portion, which is fixed to the roller type carriages, and a spring hook in the lower portion which is attached to the harness worn by the persons.
- Safety harnesses which are worn by the persons and which are provided with a ring which allows the end of the strap to be attached by the spring hook.
- Low seats which are provided at the front of the base with two hollow indentations which are inclined so that the user can lock his skates whilst getting up.
- Signalling strips which are fixed to the ground at each side of the axis of the tracks.
- Obstacles, such as platforms having inclined planes or steps or jumps or uneven surfaces.
- Systems for audible signalling which are intended to inform partially sighted or blind persons of the proximity and the configuration of an obstacle to be overcome.
The device according to the invention can comprise one or more rails, the length of the cross-pieces which hold the rails being longer or shorter.
The device can comprise curved rails having larger or smaller radii and different lengths. These curved rails are held under the cross-pieces, in the same manner as the straight rails, with locking flanges. Whether the rails are straight or curved, the carriers remain identical. This device allows a winding circuit to be provided with straight lines, left-hand bends, right-hand bends and bends having larger or smaller radii. The installation of a device of this type is slightly similar to that of a racing circuit having a plurality of lanes for miniature remote-controlled cars.
The variable configuration of the device according to the invention allows each user (sports schools, amusement parks, rental companies, fairgrounds . . . ) to be able to install a device ranging from the smallest to the largest, that is to say, a simple straight line or a circular or oval circuit, or a large winding circuit.
The whole of the structure of the device according to the invention is preferably of light construction in order to be readily manoeuvrable and transportable. This light construction allows ease of assembly and disassembly, as in the case of scaffolds used in civil engineering or some carousels for fairgrounds.
The device according to the invention can be positioned directly on the inclined bottom of a swimming pool or on the uneven bottom of a body of water. In these cases, the posts of the carriers are configured so as to be adjustable in terms of length by any telescopic system with locking in the correct position.
The device according to the invention can be installed at the edge of a skating rink without being supported on the ice in order not to damage the ice. In this case, the carrier comprises only a single post and the cross-piece is self-supporting, the base of the post being securely bolted to anchoring pillars. The same principle can be used for an installation at the edge of a ski piste on snow or an artificial piste or at the edge of any body of water or at the edge of a swimming pool.
The device according to the invention can be equipped at the top and at the sides with a rigid or flexible protection means. This equipment can be partially or completely opaque or transparent in order to allow more or less light to pass through. The positioning of this protection has the effect of protecting the persons using the device against bad weather and also of being able to retain the heat emitted by the heating system. This protection equipment, whether rigid or flexible, opaque or transparent, is designed in a manner which is simple to produce and so that it can be assembled and disassembled easily by persons without any special qualifications in this respect.
A lighting system which is of any design and of any size can be installed along the circuit using the structure itself of the device according to the invention as a fixing support. This variant is particularly useful for uses of the device during night-time outside on a non-illuminated site.
A heating system which is of any design and of any size can be installed along the circuit in its closed version. This installation can use the structure itself of the device according to the invention as a fixing support. This variant is particularly useful for uses of the device during cold periods and outdoors.
The device according to the invention can be installed in the open air or inside large premises. In the latter case, the installation of the device is reduced to the simplest form thereof because it does not comprise any protection against bad weather, nor any lighting or heating systems. The device can be temporarily installed by simply being positioned on the ground or installed more fixedly by the base of the posts being fixed on anchoring pillars which are cemented in the ground. In both cases, the device is permanently able to be disassembled and recovered without any damage.
Various variants which allow the device according to the invention to be used are provided for, without, however, departing from the scope of the invention.
At some locations of the circuit and perpendicularly to a rail, there can be positioned a platform which has a given length and height and which comprises an inclined plane at the entrance and another at the exit. In this case, the rail located above the platform substantially conforms to the shape of the platform. In that manner, the pupil permanently remains safe when he passes the obstacle.
Another version consists in constructing the platform, not with two inclined planes, but instead with several identical steps at the entrance and at the exit. The length and the height of that stepped platform are substantially identical to the platform having inclined planes. Consequently, the rail located above is identical for one version or the other.
At some locations of the circuit and perpendicularly to a rail, there can be hollowed out an uneven portion having a length, depth and shape which are identical to the platform having inclined planes, when the platform is considered to be in the inverted state. This uneven portion can be configured with steps at the entrance and at the exit. In both of these cases, the rail located above that uneven portion is the same as that used in the two preceding versions, but it is mounted in an inverted state.
At some locations of the circuit and perpendicularly to a rail, there can be positioned a jump having a given length and height. In that case, the rail located above remains straight. However, the rail can conform to a given shape in accordance with the length and the height of the jump.
Still without exceeding the scope of the invention, it is possible to install on the circuit other types of obstacle under rails which can be straight or curved in accordance with the geometry of the obstacles.
Partially sighted or blind persons can use the device according to the invention and even overcome obstacles. In this case, a system having an electronic sensor and an audible signal is activated when the person passes in front of or below the system which is located at a specific distance from the start of the obstacle, this distance still being the same, whatever the obstacle and on all the circuits.
Depending on the type of obstacle positioned on the circuit, the audible signal emits a different sound which is clearly distinctive and which informs the partially sighted or blind person of the exact configuration of the obstacle.
This system having electronic sensors and an audible signal can be arranged directly on the ground or at a given height on a support or directly on the upper portion of the rail.
In order to allow partially sighted or blind persons to move whilst remaining perpendicular to the rail, two signalling strips are fixed to the ground, temporarily or permanently and by any suitable means allowing good securing, at one side and the other of the axis of the track and equidistant relative to that axis located perpendicularly to the rail. The two signalling strips are always parallel. The spacing between those two strips depends on the height at which the rail is located. These signalling strips are similar to those which are found at the edge of some roads and which have the effect of causing the wheel of a car which drives over the signalling strip to vibrate. Any other mechanical, electrical or electronic method which allows a vibration or other signal to be emitted in order to inform the person that his skate is deviating from the axis of the track can be installed. This or these same signalling system(s) can also be installed with the same spacing on the obstacles or uneven portions.
Some roller type carriages can be motorised. They are equipped with an electric motor which operates by means of a battery fixed to the carriage itself or which is directly supplied with electricity by the rail which is, in this case, consequently equipped in a manner conventional in the art. An electrical cable which starts from the carriage extends downwards as far as the level of the hands of the person and is provided with a small casing for manual controls. Use of this system is directed towards handicapped persons inter alia.
Another variant of the device according to the invention, still without departing from the scope of the invention, consists in allowing the pupil to learn acrobatic manoeuvres, and in particular forward or backward somersaults without any risk of falling and therefore without any apprehension. In that case, the pupil wears a new harness which is provided with two attachment points, one at each side, which are located above the centre of gravity of the person. Two straps of the same construction as that used in the case of a single strap, but being longer, are attached to the harness, each at one of the two attachment points of the harness. The upper portion of each strap is attached to a roller type carriage whose support plates are inclined. The two carriages are each installed on a different rail, those two rails having sufficient spacing to allow the pupil to move between the two straps. When this system is used by partially sighted or blind persons, the signalling strips are also installed at each side of the axis of the track.
USE OF THE INVENTIONThe device according to invention can be used to learn various sports or other disciplines.
During the first lessons, for example, in roller skating, the pupil adjusts his strap so that it remains slightly tensioned, the resilient portion in spite of this allowing a small amount of movement downwards and to the sides. In this manner, the pupil cannot fall in any event and he therefore feels completely safe. The more he masters the technique, the more he slackens the strap and, finally, he moves without being held, as if there were no strap, but in the event of a mistake, his fall is stopped half-way and, in this manner, he cannot injure himself, as would be the case without the device according to the invention being used.
In order to learn to ski on snow or on an artificial piste using the device according to the invention, the gain in terms of time will be substantial for the pupil. When a novice pupil falls, he often takes a long time to get up again and if his falls are regular, he spends only a very small amount of time, during his training course, in learning to ski. The same applies when learning to ice skate.
With regard to practising skateboarding, the user can install a cord, or any other connection means, which has an appropriate length in order not to interfere with him and one end of which is fixed to the skateboard and the other to a location, such as his belt or his safety harness. This cord can comprise a resilient portion. In this manner, when the user loses his footing on the skateboard, he can readily recover the board without being obliged to unhook his strap. The same principle is used by surfers.
With regard to learning to swim, the pupil is equipped with a harness which is reduced to its most simple form and which is constituted, for example, by a simple flexible mini-waistcoat which does not inhibit movement and on the back of which a ring is fixed which is intended to be able to be attached to the strap. However, this strap, which is similar to that used for roller skating, can comprise a resilient, more flexible portion.
The device according to the invention can also be used for learning equestrian sports. In this case, the horse follows the track located perpendicularly to the rail, and in place of the signalling strips small barriers, or other systems, are provided, obliging the horse to remain in the axis of the track, that is to say, under the rail, whatever the layout of the track. The rider wears a harness and is held on the rail by a strap, as in the case of learning to roller skate. The rail must be installed at a sufficient height for this type of use.
Another possibility for using the device according to the invention allows trick horse riding to be learnt without any risk of falling. In this case, the principle is the same as that already explained with regard to acrobatic manoeuvres made possible using two straps attached to the roller type carriages which each run on two different rails.
In order to allow the user to be positioned comfortably and without any risk, there is provided a low monobloc seat, of any construction, which is provided at the front of the base thereof with two hollow indentations which have an inclined bottom and which allow the user to sit down in order to put on his skates. The hollow indentations allow the skates to be positioned there in order to be able to stand up with the skates being prevented from moving. Consequently, the user can stand up in order to hook the spring hook of the strap in the ring of his harness without any risk of falling. The indentations are slightly longer than the largest existing skates. For improved immobilisation, the bottom of the hollow indentations is more or less inclined towards the front or towards the rear. Once upright and with his harness attached to the strap, the user can withdraw his skates from the hollow indentations and can begin to skate. At the start of the circuit and perpendicularly to each rail, a seat is positioned on the ground.
The device according to the invention, wholly or partially, can be judiciously used in a number of cases in which it is desirable to prevent persons from falling when learning given sports or during various training systems.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The structure of the device according to the invention can be produced with various materials, but it is preferable to construct it completely or partially from aluminium so that it can readily be handled during its production and during assembly and disassembly in situ. This lightness allows the size of packing cases and the costs of road, rail, sea or air transport to be reduced.
With reference to the drawings and as shown in
It will be appreciated that other embodiments and production methods are possible and can be envisaged whilst remaining within the reach of the person skilled in the art and without departing from the scope of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONThe device according to the invention is particularly intended for learning to roller skate, skateboard, ice skate, ski on snow and on artificial pistes, to swim and to ride a horse. The use of the device is directed, inter alia, towards sports schools, amusement parks, rental companies and fairgrounds.
The device according to the invention can be produced on a large-scale without any need for special machines.
This device is variable and the simplicity of its assembly allows it to be marketed as a progressive kit.
Claims
1. A device allowing able-bodied or handicapped persons to learn to practise roller skating, skateboarding, ice skating, skiing on snow and on artificial pistes, swimming and horse riding comprising:
- carriers each including at least one posts supporting a cross-pieces;
- at least one rails supported by the cross-pieces of the carriers;
- roller type carriages adapted to move freely and with a rolling action on the at least one rail;
- straps attached to the carriages;
- harnesses, connected to the straps;
- obstacles arranged or provided under the at least one rails;
- seats provided with two hollow indentations and having an inclined bottom, the seats allowing the persons to put on skates and to attach the straps to the harnesses;
- signalling strips arranged on the ground and serving to guide a partially sighted or blind persons; and
- a device comprising a sensor activating an audible signal having a tone that differs depending on the obstacles,
- the carriages having inclined plates holding the straps, the straps connected to attachment points of the harnesses.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the posts hold a self-supporting cross-piece.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the posts are telescopic and adapted for locking in a desired position.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the rails is curved.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the rails is curved to substantially conform to the shape of the obstacles.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the carriages include two portions assembled by bolts, the bolts allowing the carriage portions to be mounted directly on the rails.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the carriages are motorised and remote-controlled.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the straps comprise a resilient portion.
9. (canceled)
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein an audible signal is activated when a user passes at a given distance from each obstacle.
11. (canceled)
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the person uses two straps each connected to a carriage, the carriages running on a different assemblies of rails.
13. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 7, 2003
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: Michele Leblond (Partouru sur Odon)
Application Number: 10/530,145
International Classification: A63B 23/00 (20060101); A63B 22/00 (20060101);