CONTROL BAR FOR CONTROLLING A TRACTION UNIT

Abstract

The invention relates to a control bar for grip, traction and control of a traction unit which has the control means of the control device, steering, acceleration and possible elevation and descent integrated into the structure thereof, the control means able to be thumbwheels, push buttons, pressure sensors, a gyroscope, a joystick or any combination of the same, or electronic processing means that allow for voice recognition. It also has a control unit and another communications unit (either connected by wiring or wireless) as well as its own power supply integrated in the support structure or received from the traction unit.

Claims

1. A control bar for controlling a traction unit comprising a support structure, into which control means for a traction unit are integrated which control the steering, right/left and acceleration/deceleration of the traction unit.

2. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the previously mentioned control means, the control bar has means for controlling elevation and descent.

3. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the steering right/left, acceleration/deceleration comprise thumbwheels that protrude from the outer surface of the bar, two of them for controlling the steering (right and left) and a third for controlling acceleration or speed.

4. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the steering right/left, acceleration/deceleration comprise three push buttons, two of them for controlling the steering and a third, represented in the center, for accelerating or decelerating the traction unit.

5. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the steering right/left comprise a gyroscope

6. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 the means for controlling the steering right/left and acceleration/deceleration comprise pressure sensors.

7. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the steering right/left and acceleration/deceleration comprise a joystick.

8. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein inside the support structure of the controls for the unit is a control unit associated with a communications unit.

9. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 8, wherein the controls, the control unit and the communications unit are powered by a battery integrated in the support structure and able to be recharged by means of a recharging point.

10. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 8, wherein the controls, the control unit and the communication unit are powered by an external cable that comes from the traction unit.

11. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 8, wherein the communications unit is in charge of transmitting the instructions from the control bar to the traction unit by means of signal transmission cables, or wirelessly, using any of the known means, (radiofrequency, WiFi, bluetooth, etc.).

12. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the support structure of the control means is a single piece in the shape of an asymmetric triangle.

13. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 2 wherein the means for controlling the elevation and descent allow for a proportional action on the traction unit.

14. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the control bar is associated with a harness.

15. The control bar for controlling a traction unit according to claim 1 wherein the control means are electronic processing means that allow for voice recognition and through which the voice is recognized and which generates control commands of the traction unit.

16. An assembly of a traction unit and control bar according to the control bar of claim 1 in that the traction unit is controlled by means integrated in the control bar.

Description

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] As a complement to the present description, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following.

[0031] In FIG. 1 we can see a general representation of a control bar joined to a traction unit.

[0032] In FIG. 2 we can see a first embodiment of the control bar.

[0033] In FIG. 3 we can see a second possible embodiment of the controls.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of the controls associated with wireless transmission means for sending instructions.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a user provided with a control bar such as the one that is the object of the invention, assembled in association with a harness placed on the user.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0037] With reference to the figures, described below is a preferred embodiment of the invention proposed.

[0038] In FIG. 1 we can see a user attached and pulled by a traction unit (13), the user being attached to a control bar, which comprises a bar (1) or a single, integral piece (15), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] As was previously mentioned, the control bar comprises a support structure into which the controls for the traction unit are integrated. The support structure can be a bar (1), such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, or it can be an integral assembly of a single piece (15), such as that which is shown in FIG. 5.

[0040] The controls may be made up of several different types, and any of the known types or combinations thereof may be used.

[0041] In one possible embodiment, the may comprise thumbwheels (2) that protrude from the outer surface of the bar (1), which could have up to three wheels, two of which for the control of the steering (right and left) and a third for controlling acceleration or speed. Optionally, it may have a fourth wheel for controlling elevation or descent, which will have proportional controls such that using the previously programmed controls will produce a proportional elevation or descent of the traction unit.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the controls for the traction unit which, as can be seen, comprises three push buttons (9), two of which for controlling the steering and a third, shown in the center, for controlling the acceleration or deceleration of the traction unit.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows another alternative embodiment, wherein control of the steering of the traction unit is done by means of an integrated gyroscope (11), in this case in the bar (1) of the control bar, associated with any of the means that could be used for controlling acceleration, in this case being a pressure sensor (12).

[0044] FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment, wherein control of the steering and speed of the traction of the unit is done by means of a joystick (14), in this case shown mounted on the integral structure of the single piece, also able to be on the bar (1) of the control bar.

[0045] In all of the cases, within the support structure of the controls for the unit is a control unit (3) associated with a communications unit (6), both powered either externally by the traction unit or by a battery (4) integrated in the support structure and able to be recharged by means of a recharging point (5).

[0046] The communications unit (6) is in charge of transmitting the instructions from the control bar to the traction unit (13), which may be done by means of signal transmission cables (FIG. 2), or wirelessly (10), using any of the known means, (radiofrequency, WiFi, bluetooth, etc.).

[0047] FIG. 5 shows how the support structure of the controls for the traction unit (13) is a single integral piece, preferably in the shape of a slightly asymmetric triangle, such that it can be gripped with one hand and be controlled by a joystick (14) with the other hand.

[0048] Lastly, as was previously indicated, the control bar, object of the invention, can be used alone, in which case it provides a means for gripping, a point of traction and a means of control, or in combination with a harness arranged on the user, the harness being the means by which the traction is preferably transmitted to the user, the control bar being used for gripping and for controlling the traction unit.

[0049] As can be understood, the means used for controlling the steering, speed, elevation and descent may be any of the known means or combinations thereof, the same applying to the power supply of the control means and the transmission of the instructions from the control bar to the traction unit.

[0050] Having thus adequately described the nature of the present invention, as well as how to put it into practice, it must be noted that, within its essential nature, the invention may be carried out according to other embodiments differing in detail from that set out by way of example, which the protection sought would equally cover, provided that the fundamental principle thereof is not altered, changed or modified.