APPARATUS FOR GLIDING OVER A BODY OF FLOWING WATER

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for gliding over a body of flowing water, in particular for surfing, waterskiing, kiteboarding and/or wakeboarding, having a first buoyancy body. The apparatus is characterized by a second buoyancy body, which can be connected to the first buoyancy body by means of a cable, and by a pulley mechanism, which has the cable running through it and can be connected to a first stationary object, and therefore the first buoyancy body and the second buoyancy body, by means of the pulley mechanism with the cable running through it, can execute movements in substantially opposing directions on the body of flowing water.

Claims

1. An apparatus for gliding over a body of flowing water (10), in particular for surfing, water-skiing, kiteboarding and/or wakeboarding, having a first buoyancy body (20), characterized by a second buoyancy body (21), which can be connected to the first buoyancy body (20) by means of a cable (22), and a pulley mechanism (23-29), which can be run through by the cable (22) and connected to a first stationary object (13) such that the first buoyancy body (20) and the second buoyancy body (21) are able to carry out movements on the body of flowing water (10) with respect to one another in substantially opposing directions by means of the pulley mechanism (23-29) which is run through by the cable (22).

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulley mechanism (23-29) comprises: a first guide roller (23) which can be connected to the first stationary object (13) by means of a fastening means (23a), a second guide roller (24) which can be connected to the second buoyancy body (21) by means of a fastening means (24a) and a cable end fastening means (29) which can be connected to the first stationary object (13) or to a further stationary object (14;15) such that the cable (22) is able to run from the first buoyancy body (20) by means of the first guide roller (23) and by means of the second guide roller (24) to the cable end fastening means (29).

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulley mechanism (23-29) comprises: a first guide roller (23) which can be connected to the first stationary object (13) by means of a fastening means (23a), a second guide roller (24) which can be connected to the second buoyancy body (21) by means of a fastening means (24a), and a third guide roller (25) which can be connected to the first stationary object (13) or to a further stationary object (14; 15) by means of a fastening means (25a), and a cable end fastening means (29) which can be connected to the second buoyancy body (21) such that the cable (22) is able to run from the first buoyancy body (20) by means of the first guide roller (23), by means of the second guide roller (24) and by means of the third guide roller (25) to the cable end fastening means (29).

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pulley mechanism (23-29) additionally comprises: a third guide roller (25) which can be connected to the first stationary object (13) or to a further stationary object (14; 15) by means of a fastening means (25a), and a fourth guide roller (26) which can be connected to the second buoyancy body (21) by means of a fastening means (26a) such that the cable (22) is able to run from the first buoyancy body (20) by means of the first guide roller (23), by means of the second guide roller (24), by means of the third guide roller (25) and by means of the fourth guide roller (26) to the cable end fastening means (29).

5. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first guide roller (23) and the second guide roller (24) can be arranged spaced apart from one another in such a manner in the transverse direction (B) of the body of flowing water (10) that the movements in substantially opposing directions of the two buoyancy bodies (20, 21) with respect to one another are able to extend substantially parallel to one another.

6. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least two guide rollers (24, 26) or at least one guide roller (24; 26) and the cable end fastening means (29) can be connected to the second buoyancy body (21) by means of a common fastening means receiving means (27).

7. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least two guide rollers (23, 25) or at least one guide roller (23; 25) and the cable end fastening means (29) can be connected to a stationary object (13; 14; 15) by means of a common fastening means receiving means (28).

8. The apparatus for gliding over a body of flowing water (10), in particular for surfing, water-skiing, kiteboarding and/or wakeboarding, having a first buoyancy body (20), characterized in that the apparatus comprises a gearing unit (44) which can be connected to a first stationary object (13), wherein the first buoyancy body (20) can be connected to the gearing unit (44) by means of a first cable (40), wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a second buoyancy body (21) which can be connected to the gearing unit (44) by means of a second cable (43) such that the first buoyancy body (20) and the second buoyancy body (21) are able to carry out movements over the body of flowing water (10) with respect to one another in substantially opposing directions by means of the gearing unit (44) which is connected to the cables (40, 41).

9. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the second buoyancy body (21) comprises a resilient basic body (30).

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second buoyancy body (21) comprises a transverse stabilizing means (31) which is able to hold the resilient basic body (30) in the transverse direction (B) at a predefined minimum width (x).

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transverse stabilizing means (31) is arranged on the side of the second buoyancy body (21) facing the direction of flow (A) of the body of flowing water (10).

12. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the second buoyancy body (21) comprises at least one buoyancy element (32) which is arranged at a spacing from the side of the second buoyancy body (21) remote from the direction of flow (A) of the body of flowing water (10).

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second buoyancy body (21) comprises at least two buoyancy elements (32) which are arranged at a spacing from one another in the transverse direction (Q).

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the buoyancy element (32) or the buoyancy elements (32) is/are realized in such a manner in the direction of flow (A) of the body of flowing water (10) that it or they comprises/comprise as small a flow resistance as possible.

15. The apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the second buoyancy body (21) comprises a foot rest (33).

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the foot rest (33) is arranged on the side of the second buoyancy body (21) remote from the direction of flow (A) of the body of flowing water (10).

Description

[0057] A few exemplary embodiments and further advantages of the invention are explained below in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

[0058] FIG. 1a shows a schematic top view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water in a first state;

[0059] FIG. 1b shows the representation of FIG. 1a in a second state;

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water;

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water;

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water;

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of a fifth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water;

[0064] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of a sixth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water; and

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of a second buoyancy body of an apparatus according to the invention.

[0066] FIG. 1a shows a schematic top view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water 10 in a first state. FIG. 1b shows the representation in FIG. 1a in a second state.

[0067] The body of flowing water 10 is a river 10 which is defined on each side by a bank 11. The river 10 comprises a direction of flow A which is directed downwards in each case in FIGS. 1a to 6. The direction of flow A is aligned parallel to the banks 11, i.e. perpendicular to the transverse direction B or width B of the river 10. In the transverse direction B, the river 10 is spanned by a stationary structure 12 in the form of a bridge 12 such that the river 10 is able to flow under the bridge 12. The bridge comprises three stationary objects 13, 14, 15 in the form of bridge pillars 13, 14, 15 which, standing on the river bed, support the bridge 12.

[0068] The apparatus according to the invention for gliding such as, for example, surfing on a river 10, comprises in all embodiments a first buoyancy body 20 in the form of a surfboard 20, on which a surfer is able to practice river surfing. The surfboard 20 is connected by means of a, where possible, non-resilient cable 22 to a second buoyancy body 21 which is to be designated as sail 21 as it serves for generating propulsion for the surfboard 20, even when said sail 21 is controlled lying in the river 10 or partially submerged. A second person can be situated on the sail 21 in order to control the same, as will be described further below. In this case, the surfboard 20 and the sail 21 comprise, for example as a result of their shape, in each case as small an amount of the flow resistance as possible in the case of movements on the river 10. The flow resistance of the sail 21 with regard to the river can become maximum, however, when submerging into the water, see further below.

[0069] The connection between the respective cable end of the cable 22 and the surfboard 20 or rather the sail 21 can be produced in each case by a fixed connection, for example by means of a knot, a shackle or the like, but also as a result of the respective cable end of the cable 22 being held directly or by means of a handle in the hand of the respective person or being fixed per se. The cable 22 can also be connected to the sail 21 by means of at least one guide roller 24, as will be described further below. A cable end of the cable 22 is preferably provided with a handle which the surfer on the surfboard 20 is able to hold in his hands, and the other cable end of the cable 22 is fastened on the sail 21 (not shown) by means of a cable end fastening means 29 or rather the cable 22 passes the sail 21 by means of a guide roller 24 and is fastened by way of a cable end fastening means 29 on the second bridge pillar 14 (cf. FIGS. 1a, 1b).

[0070] Between the cable ends of the cable 22 or between the surfboard 20 and sail 21, the cable 22 runs through a pulley mechanism 23-29 which is fastened on the first bridge pillar 13. Said pulley mechanism 23-29 can in the simplest case only have one guide roller 23 which can be connected by means of a fastening means 23a to the bridge pillar 13 such that the cable end fastening means 29 can be connected to the sail 21 (not shown). In the everyday language of a pulley, said fastening means 23a of the first guide roller 23 provides the first pulley 23.

[0071] As in said arrangement, however, the two buoyancy bodies 20, 21 can only be moved directly one behind the other over the river 10 and could collide with one another, the cable 22 in the first embodiment of the present invention is guided by means of a second guide roller 24 which is connected by means of a fastening means 24a, i.e. a second pulley 24a, to the sail 21 (cf. FIGS. 1a, 1b). The cable end of the cable 22 is then fastened in a stationary manner on a second stationary object 14 in the form of a second bridge pillar 14. As a result of the sideways distance in the transverse direction B between the two bridge pillars 13, 14, the two guide rollers 23, 24 are also held sideways at a distance b from one another such that the two buoyancy bodies 20, 21 are able to carry out their relative movements parallel to one another.

[0072] Said pulley mechanism 23-29 can then be used for the purpose of allowing the surfboard 20 and the sail 21 to carry out movements over the river 10 with respect to one another in substantially opposing directions. To this end, the surfboard 20 with a surfer and the sail 21 with a controller float initially over the river 10. Surfboard 20 and sail 21 are connected together by the cable 22 by means of the first guide roller 23 and the second guide roller 24 in such a manner that both buoyancy bodies 20, 21 are only able to drift so far by the current A of the river 10 until the cable 22 has reached its maximum length. In said position, the two buoyancy bodies 20, 21 are held so as to be movable over the river 10 with respect to one another, one buoyancy body 20, 21 drifting further in the direction of flow A of the river 10 and the other buoyancy body 21, 20 being able to be pulled against the direction of flow A as a result of the connection by means of cable 22 and first guide roller 23, and vice versa.

[0073] Consequently, said pulley mechanism 23-29 enables movements of the two buoyancy bodies 20, 21 over the river 10 with respect to one another in substantially opposing directions.

[0074] Said pulley mechanism 23-29 can then be used for river surfing by both persons on the buoyancy bodies 20, 21 as follows:

[0075] From the previously described driving position of the two buoyancy bodies 20, 21, for example the surfer presses his surfboard 20 underwater in such a manner that the flow resistance of the surfboard 20 increases with regard to the current A of the river 10, whilst the controller of the sail 21 keeps the flow resistance thereof as small as possible. In this way, the surfboard 20 is pulled downriver by the current A and the sail 21 is pulled upriver in the opposite direction by means of the pulley mechanism 23-29.

[0076] If the surfboard 20 has now clearly drifted and is at a distance from the bridge 12 or if the sail 21 reaches the direct vicinity of the bridge 12 (first state, cf. FIG. 1a), the two controllers exchange their functions, i.e. the surfer stands on the surfboard 20 and thus minimizes the flow resistance thereof and the controller of the sail 21 presses it partially underwater and, as a result, maximizes the flow resistance thereof. As a result, the sail 21 is made to drift away by the current A of the river 10 and pulls the surfboard 20 in the opposite direction toward the bridge 12, i.e. against the direction of flow A of the river 10, until it reaches the direct vicinity of the bridge 12 (second state, cf. FIG. 1b). As a result, according to the invention, the relative speed of the surfboard 20 is increased with respect to the current A such that, as a result, where there is sufficient relative speed, river surfing on rivers 10 where the current A itself is not sufficient for this purpose can be made possible. The two controllers then once again change their functions so that both buoyancy bodies 20, 21 are able to be pulled against the direction of flow A of the river 10 in an alternating manner by means of the pulley mechanism 23-29.

[0077] Said type of river surfing is additionally effected as a team sport for the surfer and the controller of the sail 21, which can increase the enjoyment and the safety. The speed of the surfboard 20 can also be modified during the movement as a result of modifying the flow resistance of the sail 21 such that the surfer is able to carry out river surfing at a desired speed. In addition, the speed of the surfboard 20 can be modified slowly and in a controlled manner such that jerky movements of the surfboard 20 can be avoided.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water 10. This differs from the first embodiment in that a third guide roller 25 is fastened by means of a fastening means 25a in a stationary manner on a second bridge pillar 14 and the cable end fastening means 29 is fastened on the sail 21. As a result, the mechanical gear ratio between the surfboard 20 and the sail 21 is increased to the effect that the surfboard 20 is able to experience a greater speed than the sail 21. This can result in an improved surfing experience at a greater speed or rather in a longer surfing experience at the same speed.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water 10. This differs from the second embodiment in that a fourth guide roller 26 is fastened by means of a fastening means 26a also on the sail 21. The cable end fastening means 29 is fastened in a stationary manner on a third bridge pillar 15. As a result, the sideways distance b between the first guide roller 23 and the second guide roller 24 is increased or rather a sideways minimum distance is ensured, which helps to avoid collisions between the two buoyancy bodies 20, 21. In addition, the mechanical gear ratio is increased further by means of the fourth guide roller 26, which can increase the previously described advantages.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water 10. This corresponds substantially to the third embodiment, here the second guide roller 24 and the fourth guide roller 26 being connected to the sail 21 by means of a common fastening means receiving means 27. The two guide rollers 24, 26, in this case, are arranged fixedly on the fastening means receiving means 27, said fastening means receiving means, however, being fastenable and exchangeable in a simple and rapid manner on the sail 21 for example by means of a shackle. As a result, the apparatus can be assembled or disassembled in a simpler and quicker manner in order not to have to install said apparatus in a permanent manner on the river 10, which could block said river at least in part. In addition, different sails 21 can be exchanged for one another in a simple and rapid manner.

[0081] In addition, the third guide roller 25 and the cable end fastening means 29 are also connected in a stationary manner to the second bridge pillar 14 by means of a common fastening means receiving means 28. This has the previously described advantage of simple and rapid assembly and disassembly also for said elements 25, 29. In addition, several stationary fastenings 25, 29 are thus able to be arranged together on one bridge pillar 14, which can reduce the number of necessary bridge pillars 13, 14, 15.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of a fifth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water 10. This corresponds in principle to the fourth embodiment, here, as an example, the second guide roller 24 and the cable end fastening means 29 being arranged together on the fastening means receiving means 28 of the sail 21. In addition, here, the first guide roller 23 and the second guide roller are arranged together on the stationary fastening means receiving means 28 and are connected by means of said means to the first bridge pillar 13 such that the apparatus according to the invention is able to be operated in this way with only one bridge pillar 13.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of a sixth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention on a body of flowing water 10. In said embodiment, the conversion of the relative movement between the surfboard 20 and the sail 21 is achieved by means of a gearing unit 44 instead of by means of a pulley mechanism 23-29. To this end, the surfboard 20 is connected by means of a first cable 40 to a first cable winding device 42 in the form of a first cable winch 42. The sail 21 is connected by means of a second cable 41 to a second cable winding device 43 in the form of a second cable winch 43. The two cable winches 42, 43 are arranged on the gearing unit 44 located laterally opposite one another and are connected in each case by means of a first or second shaft 45, 46 to the gearing unit 44 so as to transmit power. The gearing unit 44 is connected to the first bridge pillar 13 by means of a fastening means 47. The two cable winches 42, 43 are at a sideways distance b with respect to one another or the two cables 40, 41 run parallel to one another for instance at a distance b.

[0084] As in the case of the previously described pulley mechanism 23-29, in the case of said embodiment the gearing unit 44 can also be used for the purpose of allowing the surfboard 20 and the sail 21 to carry out movements on the river 10 with respect to one another in substantially opposing directions. The gear ratio or reduction of the gearing unit 44 can be chosen in such a manner that a sufficiently high relative speed of the surfboard 20 with respect to the current A can also be achieved in said embodiment such that, as a result, river surfing on rivers 10 where the current A is itself not sufficient can be made possible.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of a second buoyancy body 21 of an apparatus according to the invention. The second buoyancy body 21, i.e. the sail 21, comprises a resilient basic body 30 which can consist of a flexible material such as, for example, a rubberized tarpaulin 30 or a piece of sailcloth 30.

[0086] On its front side which is the side of the sail 21 facing the direction of flow A of the river 10, i.e. pointing upriver, the tarpaulin 30 comprises a transverse stabilizing means 31 in the form of an aluminum tube 31 which can be sewn into a pocket of the tarpaulin 30. The aluminum carrier 31 holds the front side of the sail 21 tensioned sideways to the width x and forms as it were the nose of the sail 21.

[0087] Two buoyancy elements 32 are arranged spaced sideways parallel to one another beneath the tarpaulin 30 in order to bestow the necessary buoyancy on the nose of the sail 21 so that it is always able to remain on the surface of the water, in particular when the sail 21 is pulled against the current A of the river 10 by the surfboard 20. The buoyancy elements 32 can be, for example, air-filled plastics material containers. So that the tarpaulin 30 can nevertheless be pressed partially underwater by the controller, the rear region of the tarpaulin 30, which is remote from the direction of flow A of the river 10, i.e. pointing downriver, is free of the buoyancy elements 32.

[0088] The two buoyancy elements 32 are realized, in this case, in a stream-lined manner on their front side, i.e. facing the direction of flow A of the river 10, in order to reduce the flow resistance when the sail 21 is pulled upriver by the surfboard 20.

[0089] The tarpaulin 30 additionally comprises, on its rear side which is remote from the direction of flow A of the river 10, i.e. pointing downriver, a foot rest 33 which can be a second transverse stabilizing means 33 as described beforehand, but can also be openings 33 in the tarpaulin 30 or straps 33 on the tarpaulin 30 or in the tarpaulin 30. In all cases, the foot rest 33 serves for the purpose of giving the controller a hold on the tarpaulin 30 when he would like to press it into the water. To this end, the controller can lie down flat from above onto the tarpaulin 30, hold the front transverse stabilizing means 31 using his arms or support himself on said transverse stabilizing means, position his feet on or in the foot rest 33 and then press the rear part region of the tarpaulin 30 underwater using his body weight in order to adjust the flow resistance of the sail 21.

LIST OF REFERENCES (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0090] A Current/direction of flow of the body of flowing water 10 [0091] B Transverse direction/width of the body of flowing water 10 [0092] b Distance between first guide roller 23 and second guide roller 24 or between first cable winding device 43 and second cable winding device 44 or between first cable 40 and second cable 41 [0093] x Width or minimum width of the second buoyancy body 21 in the transverse direction B [0094] 10 Body of flowing water, river [0095] 11 Side delimitation of the body of flowing water 10, bank, embankment [0096] 12 Stationary structure, bridge [0097] 13 First stationary object, first bridge pillar [0098] 14 Second stationary object, second bridge pillar [0099] 14 Third stationary object, third bridge pillar [0100] 20 First buoyancy body, surfboard, waterski, kiteboard, wakeboard [0101] 21 Second buoyancy body, sail [0102] 22 Cable [0103] 23 First guide roller [0104] 23a Fastening means of the first guide roller 23 on the first stationary object 13, first pulley [0105] 24 Second guide roller [0106] 24a Fastening means of the second guide roller 24 on the second buoyancy body 21, second pulley [0107] 25 Third guide roller [0108] 25a Fastening means of the third guide roller 25 on the second stationary object 14, third pulley [0109] 26 Fourth guide roller [0110] 26a Fastening means of the fourth guide roller 26 on the second buoyancy body 21, fourth pulley [0111] 27 Common fastening means receiving means of the fastening means 24a of the second guide roller 24 and of the fastening means 26a of the fourth guide roller 26 or of the cable end fastening means 29 on the second buoyancy body 21 [0112] 28 Common fastening means receiving means of the fastening means 25a of the third guide roller 25 and the cable end fastening means 29 on the second stationary object 14 [0113] 29 Cable end fastening means on the second buoyancy body 21 or on the second/third stationary object 14,15 [0114] 30 Resilient basic body of the second buoyancy body 21 [0115] 31 Transverse stabilizing means of the second buoyancy body 21, aluminum carrier [0116] 32 Buoyancy element(s) of the second buoyancy body 21 [0117] 33 Foot rest of the second buoyancy body 21 [0118] 40 First cable [0119] 41 Second cable [0120] 42 First cable winding device or first cable winch for first cable 40 [0121] 43 Second cable winding device or second cable winch for second cable 41 [0122] 44 Gearing unit [0123] 45 First shaft or first shaft connection between first cable winding device 42 and gearing unit 44 [0124] 46 Second shaft or second shaft connection between second cable winding device 43 and gearing unit 44 [0125] 47 Fastening means of the gearing unit 44 on the first stationary object 13