Abstract
A holding apparatus is provided by way of which a hydrofoil surface apparatus can be retracted and extended and/or folded, out of a rest and/or starting position into its operating position and/or out of the operating position into the rest and/or starting position. Such actuation can take place manually by way of a person operating the water sports device, with the advantage of simpler transportability of the water sports device. The water sports device can already be placed in water close to the bank or beach, and can be guided or moved from there in the direction of deeper water. As soon as sufficiently deep water is reached, the hydrofoil surface apparatus can be transferred via the holding apparatus into the operating position.
Claims
1. A water sports device comprising: a float; at least one hydrofoil surface apparatus; a holding apparatus having at least one first link (10), the holding apparatus fastening the float to the at least one hydrofoil surface apparatus; the hydrofoil surface apparatus having one or more hydrofoil surfaces, and the hydrofoil surface apparatus being transferrable via the holding apparatus into an operating position below the float, the float being transferrable in the operating position and during a forward movement on account of buoyancy brought about by way of the hydrofoil surface apparatus into a position which is spaced apart from the water surface, the hydrofoil surface apparatus is transferrable via the holding apparatus out of a rest and/or starting position into the operating position and/or out of the operating position into the rest and/or starting position, for which purpose the water sports device has a drive which is provided with an energy store.
2. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrofoil surface of the hydrofoil surface apparatus is arranged in the rest and/or starting position in a manner which is oriented at least approximately identically to the operating position.
3. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive of the holding apparatus is arranged completely in a recess of the float.
4. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding apparatus has at least one further link which is mounted at one end pivotably on or in the float and/or is arranged at the other end pivotably on the hydrofoil surface apparatus.
5. The water sports device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two links are attached in an articulated manner to a receptacle for the hydrofoil sur-face apparatuses or apparatus.
6. The water sports device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two links are arranged behind one another in the movement direction.
7. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one depth and/or proximity sensor which is connected to a control unit which is configured for controlling the drive.
8. The water sports device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to change the spacing of the hydrofoil surface apparatus from the float in a manner which is dependent on the spacing of the water sports device from the bottom and/or an obstacle.
9. The water sports device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sensor has at least one ultrasonic transducer.
10. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrofoil surface apparatus has at least two hydrofoil surfaces which, as viewed in the movement direction, extend away from a central vertical axis to the left and to the right.
11. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, as viewed in plan view, the float and/or the hydrofoil surface apparatus are/is of at least approximately delta-shaped configuration.
12. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fastening means which is arranged on the float.
13. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive is an electro-mechanical or electro-pneumatic drive.
14. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy store can be prestressed by means of a motor.
15. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive has a gear mechanism via which the motor of the drive is connected to the energy store.
16. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy store has at least one spring which is connected to a link of the holding apparatus, in such a way that its force can be used at least partially for orienting the link.
17. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy store can be prestressed in opposite directions by way of the motor and/or gear mechanism.
18. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, further including a propulsion apparatus which is provided for the propulsion of the water sports device and is configured at least partially as part of the hydrofoil surface apparatus or is arranged at least partially between the holding apparatus and the hydrofoil surface apparatus.
19. The water sports device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the propulsion apparatus comprises at least one impeller or propeller.
20. The water sports device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the impeller is arranged in a flow duct of a propulsion body, which flow duct is connected to the surrounding area via at least two openings.
21. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrofoil surface apparatus is configured for setting different angles of attack of at least one part of the one or more hydrofoil surfaces and/or of rudders of the hydrofoil surface apparatus.
22. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one movement state sensor for determining the spacing of the float and/or the hydrofoil surface apparatus from the water surface.
23. The water sports device as claimed in claim 1, further including a visual display unit.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views.
[0039] FIGS. 1a to 1h show different views of a first water sports device according to the invention both in the rest and/or starting position and in the operating position.
[0040] FIGS. 2a to 2d show different views of a second water sports device according to the invention both in the rest and/or starting position and in the operating position.
[0041] FIGS. 3a to 3d show different views of a third water sports device according to the invention both in the rest and/or starting position and in the operating position.
[0042] FIGS. 4a to 4d show different views of a fourth water sports device according to the invention both in the rest and/or starting position and in the operating position.
[0043] FIGS. 5a to 5d show different views of a fifth water sports device according to the invention both in the rest and/or starting position and in the operating position.
[0044] FIGS. 6a and 6b show different views of a sixth water sports device according to the invention in the operating position.
[0045] FIGS. 7a to 7c show a seventh water sports device according to the invention in a perspective view.
[0046] FIGS. 8a and 8b show an eighth water sports device according to the invention in a perspective view.
[0047] FIGS. 9 to 12 show further exemplary embodiment according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The features explained in the following text of the exemplary embodiments according to the invention can also be a subject matter of the invention individually or in other combinations than those shown or described, but always in combination with the features of claim 1. If appropriate, functionally identical acting parts are provided with identical designations.
[0049] FIGS. 1a to 6a are different views of different water sports devices 2 according to the invention, and FIG. 6b is a partial, perspective illustration of the water sports device 2 according to FIG. 6a. With the exception of FIG. 6a, the figures which end with a show a perspective view of the respective water sports device 2 showing an upper side of the float 4 and, with the exception of FIG. 6B, the figures which end with b show a further perspective view of the respective water sports devices 2 showing a lower side of the float 4. The figures which end with c and d, and FIG. 6a, show side views of the respective water sports devices 2. FIGS. 1a and 1f show front views of the first water sports device 2, and FIGS. 1g and 1h show bottom views of the same water sports device 2. The figures which end with a and b, and FIGS. 1e, 1g and 6b, show the respective water sports device 2 in an operating position, and the figures which end with d, and FIGS. 1h and 1f, show the respective water sports devices 2 in a rest and/or starting position. With the exception of FIG. 6b, the figures which end with b show the respective water sports devices 2, while the latter are in an intermediate position between the operating position and the rest and/or starting position.
[0050] The different water sports devices 2 which are shown are configured as a foil-board. The water sports devices 2 in each case have a float 4 which is configured as a swimming board and is largely of coinciding form with a frontal fastening means 24 (cf. FIG. 1c). Moreover, the water sports devices 2 have a hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 which in turn comprises two hydrofoil surfaces 16 which are arranged on the two sides of a vertical longitudinal plane V (cf. FIG. 1g). The hydrofoil surface apparatuses 6 are fastened to the float 4 in each case by means of a holding apparatus 8, and are arranged thereon, in particular, movably relative to the float 4.
[0051] The holding apparatus 8 comprises at least one first link 10 which is configured for coupling the float 4 to the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6. The hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 can be transferred via the holding apparatus 8 from the rest and/or starting position into the operating position, in which the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 is arranged spaced apart further below the float. In the case of the water sports devices 2 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the transfer takes place by way of, in particular, a translational movement of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6, as a result of which the latter is preferably oriented in the operating position in the same way as in the rest and/or starting position.
[0052] In the case of intended use of the water sports device 2 in or on a body of water, the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 is situated below the water surface, whereas the float 4 is arranged at least partially above the water surface. During a forward movement in the movement direction 30 (FIG. 1c), the hydrofoil surfaces 16 bring about buoyancy, by way of which the float 4 is transferred into a position which is spaced apart from the water surface and which it is supported via the holding apparatus 8 on the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 which is still situated in the water.
[0053] The holding apparatus 8 has a drive 12, by way of which the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 can be transferred out of the rest and/or starting position into the operating position and/or out of the operating position into the rest and/or starting position. To this end, the drive 12 comprises an energy store. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention which are shown, the drive 12 is arranged in a recess of the float 4, and comprises an electro-mechanical or electro-pneumatic motor. By way of said motor, the energy store can be prestressed and/or potential energy can be introduced into it, which potential energy can be called up for moving the at least one first link 10 out of the energy store. Between the motor and the energy store, the drive 12 comprises a transmission gear mechanism, by way of which the torque which is to be generated by the motor for the introduction of kinetic energy into the energy store is lowered.
[0054] The first water sports device 2 according to the invention (FIGS. 1a to 1h) has a holding apparatus 8 with a first link 10 and a further link 11 which is positioned behind it in the movement direction. They configure a parallel guide for the transfer of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 from the operating position into the rest and/or starting position and back. In detail, the links 10, 11 are arranged such that they can be pivoted both relative to the float 4 and relative to the hydrofoil surface apparatuses 6 about pivot axes which are orthogonal with respect to the vertical longitudinal axis V, and have the same length. In detail, the links 10, 11 are arranged on a receptacle 14 of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6.
[0055] The second water sports device 2 according to the invention (FIGS. 2a to 2d) comprises a holding apparatus 8 with two first links 10 and two second links 11 which are arranged behind the first links 10 in the movement direction. The links 10, 11 are arranged at one end in an articulated manner on the float 4 or on the receptacle 14 for the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6, and are coupled at the other end in an articulated manner to the respective other first or further link 10, 11. As a result of this configuration of a knee joint, the links act as toggle levers, by way of which the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 can be transferred into the respective positions. In the case of a transfer, the two first links 10 and the two further links 11 are deflected, in particular, by the same angle, but with a different mathematical sign with respect to the float 4. In the case of both the first and the second water sports device 2, the device 12 is configured for pivoting the first link 10 which is arranged on the float 4.
[0056] The third water sports device 2 (cf. FIGS. 3a to 3d) has a holding apparatus 8 with in each case a first and a further link 10, 11 which are arranged so as to cross at least in the operating position in a side view according to FIG. 3c. In particular, the first link 10 is coupled to the second link 11 by means of a pivoting bearing (not shown). The two links 10, 11 are arranged pivotably at one end on the float 4 and at the other end on the receptacle 14, that end of the further link 11 which is arranged on the float 4 being arranged such that it can additionally be displaced relative to the float 4. As an alternative or in addition, the drive 12 serves for pivoting of the first link 10 in order to displace the further link 11.
[0057] The fourth water sports device 2 (FIGS. 4a to 4d) has a two-part holding apparatus 8, of which each part comprises four links 10, 11 and a split hydrofoil surface apparatus, the front and rear part of which in each case have a hydrofoil surface 16. The four links 10, 11 of the two parts in each case form a lever mechanism in the manner of a car jack, the links 10, 11 being pivoted about pivot axes which lies in the vertical longitudinal axis during the transfer. In one alternative embodiment, the holding apparatus 8 is configured in one piece in the manner of a car jack, the links 10, 11 of which can be pivoted about pivot axes which are orthogonal with respect to the vertical longitudinal plane, and that end of the holding apparatus 8 which faces away from the float 4 is preferably arranged on a receptacle 14 of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6.
[0058] The fifth water sports device 2 (FIGS. 5a to 5d) comprises a telescopic holding apparatus 8 with a plurality of first links 10 which are mounted inside one another and can be displaced with respect to one another. The first link 10 which faces away from the float 4 is arranged on a receptacle 14 of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6. As an alternative or in addition, the drive 12 serves for pivoting the first links 10 in order to telescope them.
[0059] The sixth water sports device 2 (FIGS. 6a and 6b) comprising a holding apparatus 8 which is configured as a parallel guide within each case two first links 10 and further links 11. In the side view according to FIG. 6a, the first links 10 and the further links 11 are arranged in each case behind one another. The links 10, 11 are arranged with their ends which face away from the float 4 on receptacles 14. The hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 has a propulsion device 18 which is arranged between the identical links 10, 11 for driving the water sports device 2 in the movement direction. The propulsion apparatus 18 comprises a propulsion body 22 which configures a flow duct with two openings 20, 21. During operation of the propulsion apparatus 18, water passes through the inlet opening 20 into the flow duct. An impeller 28 which is situated in said flow duct and is shown merely symbolically in FIG. 6b accelerates the water therein, which water leaves the flow duct through the outlet opening 21. The impeller 28 is of hubless and shaftless configuration, and is driven via a motor which is configured as an internal rotor. Respective housing wall parts 58 configure inlet openings 20 on two sides of the drive body.
[0060] FIGS. 7 and 8 show two further water sports devices 2 with alternative embodiments of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 or the hydrofoil surfaces 16. The hydrofoil surface apparatus 6 is arranged on the propulsion apparatus 18. In the variant according to FIG. 7, the individual hydrofoil surfaces are arranged in a pivotable manner directly on the propulsion apparatus 7. FIG. 7a shows the hydrofoil surfaces 16 in the neutral position. In FIG. 7b, the hydrofoil surfaces 16 are pivoted downward and at the same time the right-hand (in the movement direction of the water sports device 2) hydrofoil surfaces 16 are pivoted counter to the propulsion direction. FIG. 7c shows the hydrofoil surfaces in a transport position or rest position. A control unit of the water sports device 2 can actuate the individual hydrofoil surfaces 16 in such a way that automatic self-stabilization of the water sports device 2 in the water takes place and/or another desired movement state, for example a height of the float above the water surface, is achieved.
[0061] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the hydrofoil surface apparatus 6. Here, a front and a rear hydrofoil are arranged on the propulsion apparatus 18, which front and rear hydrofoil at least partially configure the hydrofoil surfaces 16. Pivotable tips or parts 16.1 of the hydrofoil surfaces 16 are arranged on said rigid hydrofoils in each case at the ends, which pivotable tips or parts can be pivoted into various positions. As a result, stabilization of the water sports device 2 can also be achieved by way of adjustment of the hydrofoil surfaces 16, merely the pivotably arranged tips of the hydrofoil surfaces 16 in FIG. 8. As an alternative or in addition, the hydrofoil surfaces 16 can also have rear (in the movement direction) adjustable parts in a similar manner to an elevator of an aircraft wing.
[0062] In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention, a plurality of capacitive sensors 36 for configuring a movement state sensor 32 are arranged along a link 10 of the holding apparatus 8 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Said capacitive sensors extend uniformly over a large part of the link 10 along its longitudinal extent and transmit corresponding data to a control unit which is preferably arranged in the float 4, in a manner which is dependent on whether they are arranged above or below a water surface 34 which is indicated in each case by way of dashed lines. As a result, a spacing of the float 4 from the water surface can be determined in said control unit, where-upon, in the case of undesired states, the control unit can adapt, for example, the thrust of the propulsion apparatus 50 which is integrated into the link 10 or an angular position of a hydrofoil surface 16.
[0063] The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 has, furthermore, a visual display unit 31 which is integrated into the float and shows the spacing of the float 4 from the water surface. The display unit 31 comprises a plurality of multicolor LED units 33 which are laminated in, with the result that the spacing from the water surface 34 can be shown via the number and/or wavelength of the illuminating LED units 33.
[0064] In the case of a further exemplary embodiment, a movement state sensor 32 is likewise arranged along a link 10 of the holding apparatus 8 (FIGS. 11 and 12). Said movement state sensor 32 extends over a large part of the link 10 along its longitudinal extent and is arranged both above and below the propulsion apparatus 50 which is integrated into the link 10. The movement state sensor 32 is configured as a capacitive sensor in the form of a sensor strip, and forwards different signals to the control unit in a manner which is dependent on the various dashed lines 34 which represent water surfaces. Said control unit can regulate, for example, the drive power or the angular position of the hydrofoil surfaces 16 on the basis of said sensor data.
[0065] Regardless of the illustrations of FIGS. 9 to 12 with links 10 which are arranged rigidly on the respective float 4, they can also be configured such that they can be varied in accordance with the claim between an operating position and a rest and/or starting position.
