Patent Publication Number: US-2017368435-A1

Title: Aquatic game device

Description:
The present application is the US national phase of International Application No. PCT/FR2015/053516, filed Dec. 15, 2015, which claims priority to French Application No. 1463167, filed Dec. 22, 2014. The priority applications are PCT/FR2015/053516 and FR-463167, are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The invention relates to an aquatic game device comprising a structure having two ends which are each fitted with a base module. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It applies in particular to a game device that is intended to be immersed in a swimming pool, in particular in the framework of an aquatic course for discovering and learning swimming. 
     For adaptation exercises in the aquatic environment or for the learning of diving techniques, submersible objects to be recovered or devices that form passages that encourage the player to move about in the water in order to work on the immersion are commonly used. 
     Aquatic game devices are known for example that can be positioned at the bottom of a swimming pool by the intermediary of means of ballasting, said devices having a passage structure, such as a hoop, which is maintained in suspension in the water in order to be passed through. 
     In particular, document U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,441 describes an aquatic game device that has a polygonal passage structure formed by association of rigid plastic tubes and linked to a base ballasted by the intermediary of a cord for the maintaining thereof in immersion vertically, said base being designed to stand on the bottom of a swimming pool while having a flat geometry. 
     It is also known from document FR-2 617 407 to reversibly associate tubes ballasted by means of connectors in order to form an immersed tunnel through which a swimmer can pass, said connectors having different shapes in order to be able to modify the geometry of the tunnel. 
     However, such aquatic game devices are not entirely satisfactory in that they are bulky, in particular for the storage thereof, and/or difficult to handle, requiring in particular manual mounting operations in order to arrange them in game configuration. 
     The invention aims to improve prior art by proposing in particular an aquatic game device that is designed to be able to have at least one game configuration by means of a structure in suspension in the water, without requiring tedious manual operations in order to install and/or store it. 
     To this effect, the invention proposes an aquatic game device comprising a structure having two ends which are each fitted with a base module, said structure being sufficiently deformable so as to allow the relative movement of said modules, the density of the modules being designed to allow the immersion of said device in water by arranging the modules such that they stand on a subaquatic surface, the density of the structure being designed to place said structure in suspension in the water according to at least one game configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other particularities and advantages of the invention shall appear in the description that follows, given in reference to the annexed figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  diagrammatically shows an aquatic game device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows as a longitudinal cross-section a base module of the aquatic game device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the base module of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     In relation with these figures, an aquatic game device is described hereinbelow, which is in particular intended to be immersed in a swimming pool to be used in adaptation exercises in an aquatic environment or for learning diving techniques. 
     In particular, the game device can be used in the framework of an aquatic course for discovering and/or learning of swimming, said course being able to include several game devices according to the invention, as well as optionally other aquatic devices or objects that can provide different challenges for the swimmer. 
     The game device comprises a structure  1  that has an open geometry of which the two ends  1   a  are each fitted with a base module  2  in order to ensure the positioning of the game device on a subaquatic surface during the use thereof, in particular on the bottom of a swimming pool. 
     To do this, the density of the modules  2  is designed to allow the immersion in water of the game device by arranging said modules on the subaquatic surface. Preferentially, the modules  2  have a similar density that is sufficiently greater than 1 to allow for the immersion of the game device. 
     Each base module  2  comprises a base  3  intended to stand on a subaquatic surface. According to the embodiment shown, the modules  2  have a conical geometry under which the base  3  extends. Advantageously, the base  3  has a rounded bearing surface  4 , allowing in particular for the tipping of the modules  2  in order to favour the maintaining thereof on the subaquatic surface in a defined game configuration. 
     In order to define a density that is sufficient to maintain the game device in immersion, the modules  2  can be made from a material of suitable density. Alternatively, each base module  2  can comprise a suitable quantity of ballast material. The base modules  2  can as such be arranged to be able to be filled with a ballast material, for example sand and/or water. 
     To do this, the modules  2  can each integrate a reservoir  5  for the ballast material. In relation with  FIG. 2 , the reservoir  5  is formed in the base  3  of the module  2 , with the bearing surface  4  having an orifice  6  in order to allow for the filling of said reservoir with the ballast material. 
     The modules  2  can each be carried out in a single piece, in particular by rotomoulding of an elastomeric material, so as to have an exterior geometry that limits the risks of injury in case of accidental contact of the swimmer and/or a third party with a module  2 . 
     The structure  1  is sufficiently deformable so as to allow the relative movement of the base modules  2 , in particular by allowing for an arrangement of said modules according to at least one configuration of use in water wherein said modules are separated, and at least one storage configuration out of the water wherein said modules can be grouped together in order to limit the bulkiness of the game device. 
     The density of the structure  1  is designed to place said structure in suspension in the water according to at least one game configuration which corresponds to a configuration of use of the modules  2 . As such, by a simple arrangement of the base modules  2  standing on the bottom of the swimming pool according to a given configuration of use, the structure  1  is deployed in suspension in water in order to have a game configuration. 
     Preferentially, the structure  1  is designed to, in game configuration, form between the modules  2  an arch in suspension in the water in order to define a subaquatic passage that the swimmer must pass through by placing his head under water. 
     In particular, the modules  2  can be more or less separated and/or offset, inducing game configurations for the structure  1  that differ by the geometry of the passage. According to an embodiment, the structure  1  has a length between the modules  2  which is between 1 and 2 m in order to allow for the formation of at least one arch of sufficient size to allow for the passage of a swimmer. 
     In relation with figures, the structure  1  comprises at least one hollow tube which is made from a flexible material, in particular from a thermoplastic elastomer of the TPU type, with the quantity of air contained in said tube providing a density less than 1 for said structure. Alternatively, the structure  1  can be made from a material of sufficiently low density to allow for the suspension thereof in water, for example with a flexible polymer foam base. 
     The tube  1  is circular by having outer and inner diameters that favour the deformation thereof while still enclosing the quantity of air required to maintain it in suspension in water. In particular, the outer diameter can be about 12 mm and the inner diameter about 10 mm. 
     The ends  1   a  of the tube  1  are each associated with an upper portion of a base module  2 , making it possible in particular to enclose in a sealed manner the inner diameter and therefore to maintain the air contained in said tube during its putting into suspension in water. 
     In order to associate the structure  1  to the base modules  2 , it can be provided to fit each of said modules with an upper connector  7  for a connection with an end  1   a  of said structure. In relation with  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each connector comprises a rod  7  which is fastened in the base module  2  and to which is associated the end  1   a  of the structure  1 . 
     In particular, the rod  7  has a complementary shape which is fastened in an upper housing  9  of the module  2 . In the figures the rod  7  comprises a lower threaded portion  8  that is intended to be screwed into an upper housing  9  of the base module  2 , said housing being provided with a screw thread. The housing  9  can be formed directly in the base module  2 . 
     According to the embodiment shown, the module  2  has an upper cavity  10  wherein is fastened a sleeve  11  inside of which is formed the housing  9  for receiving the rod  7 . In particular, the sleeve  11  can be added in the cavity  10  for example by gluing or by overmoulding. 
     The housing  9  and/or the lower threaded portion  8  can be arranged in order to ensure an effort for retaining the rod  7  in the module  2 . In relation with  FIG. 2 , the housing  9  is slightly conical in order to increase the tightening of the rod  7  during the screwing. 
     As such, each module  2  can be mounted on an end  1   a  of the structure  1  in a manner wherein the user cannot remove it. Alternatively, the modules  2  can be reversibly connected to the structure  1  in order to allow in particular for their replacing or the dismounting of the game device. To this effect, a reduced torque can be provided in order to allow for the unscrewing of the rod  7 . 
     The lower threaded portion  8  is overmounted by a tip  12  which is protruding from the module  2  and has dimensions that allow for the mounting on it of one end  1   a  of the structure  1 . In the figures, the end  1   a  of the tube  1  is press fitted on the tip  12  which is equipped with a peripheral harpoon  13  intended to ensure the maintaining and the seal of said press fitting. 
     Furthermore, each connector  7  is fitted with a cover  14  for covering the connection with the end  1   a  of the structure  1 , said cover having in particular an aesthetic function by having a conical geometry that is complementary with that of the module  2 . In particular, the cover  14  has a bore  15  for mounting around the tube  1 , said bore being designed to receive the end  1   a  press fitted on the tip  12  in order to conceal them. 
     In order to reinforce the holding of the base modules  2  on the structure  1 , the cover  14  can also have a locking function of the connection of the end  1   a  of the structure  1  on the connector  7 . 
     In the figures, the rod  7  is provided with a central washer  16  arranged under the tip  12  and whereon the bore  15  is locked axially by clamping radially the end  1   a  on said tip. Moreover, the washer  16  and the bore  15  each have a complementary threading that allows for the locking by screwing of the cover  14  on the rod  7 .