Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a device for practicing water board sports. The device includes a water stream to artificially create a water flow on a support where the user can practice sports and one or more distributors which assist in controlling the created water flow according to the position or to motions on the support of the user or an object moving with the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a device and a method for artificially recreating the practice of a water board sport. 
         [0002]    From document U.S. Pat. No. 2,815,951 or DE-2837391, such a device is already known, where water stream means artificially create, on a support, a flow of water where the user can practice sport. Such a solution quickly reaches its limits. The conditions for making a figure more particularly in width and the practice types are limited. If an attempt is made to widen the practice area and thus the support of the water area, the energy consumption and the overall dimensions of the device increase, which are drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One aim of the invention is to provide a solution which makes it possible to increase the width of a practice area without necessarily increasing the consumption of energy to deliver the water flow(s). Another object is to provide a solution which enables varied movements and figures during the practice of the selected sport or sports. Another object is to provide a solution which makes it possible to make progress in this sport or sports without necessarily having to change the practice area. Another object is to provide a solution which reaches the whole or a part of the previous objects without necessarily increasing the overall dimension and thus the size of the device. Another object is to enable a varied practice of many water board sports more particularly water-skiing, wake-skating, wake-boarding, kite-surfing and surfing, which all require a board. A solution provided for the whole or a part of such aimed object is mentioned in claim  1 . Advantageously, water stream means and detection means make it possible for only a part of the support and thus of the practice area which can be watered by the water flow coming out of the water stream means to be watered so that the sportsman/woman can move thereon. As for the method imagined here to artificially obtain conditions for practicing a water board sport including water-skiing, wake-skating, wake-boarding, surfing or even kite-surfing using water stream means creating, on a support, at least a flow of water, whereon the user can practice said sport and make varied movements and figures, it is based on the control of the position of the created water flow or flows by the position or the motions on said support of the user or means moving with him or her. 
         [0004]    The variable (evolutionary) distribution of the created water flow or flows will be provided on the support. Preferably, several parameters such as speed, width and height of the created water flow or flows will vary by acting on the water stream means, thus enhancing the variety of movements and figures during the practice of the sport or sports as well as a progress in the quality of such practice. Advantageously and in addition, the position of such water flow or flows will be controlled by the detection of the position or of the motions on the support of the user or of the means moving with him or her. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will further appear in the following description and in the appended drawings, which are given as examples and where: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view from the outside of the device of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of the possible embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a lateral inner schematic view; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  ( FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ) shows successive operations of conditions in the same practice area; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a possible embodiment of two adjacent valves; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 7 and 8  ( FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c ,  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c ) show other operations according to two embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  illustrate a jumping area; 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  shows a solution for detecting the presence of the user at the end of the cable which he or she can hold; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13  showing two other possible positions of the detectors; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show an all or nothing operation making it possible to rotate the pump or pumps. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a sportsman  1  moving on a water flow  3  created by an device  5 . The device  5  includes water stream means  7  and position control means  11  to provide the distribution, on the support  9 , of the created water flow according to the position or the motions of the support, of the user and of the means moving with him or her such as a ski board  1   a  (refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) or the cable  2 . Hereinafter, “means moving with the user” will be read each time “board” will be mentioned or “cable  2 ”. Other mobile means could be used as position or motion reference. 
         [0017]    Favorably, such control means  11  include detection means such as  13   a   1 ,  13   a   2 ,  13   b   1 ,  13   b   2  ( FIGS. 2 ,  4 ) to detect the position or the motions of the user  1 , or of the board  1   a  during his or her motions on the support  9 , and consequently act on the water stream means  7 . The sportsman/woman  1  will then be able to move as he or she wants on a water plane, the position of which will follow his or her position or that of his or her board.  FIGS. 1 ,  2  such sportsman/woman holds a cable (or a rod)  2 , one end of which is fixed to a mast  4 , which here is fixed and positioned on the side where the water flow  3  comes from. Then he or she can move for example along the arc of circle  6  in  FIG. 2 . He or she stands facing the flow or sideways (turns) without leaving therewith. 
         [0018]    Considering space geometry at the place of the support  9  (typically a rectangle with a width L and a length I (refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) and the preferred organization of water stream means  7 , detection means such as  13   a   1 ,  13   a   2 ,  13   b   1 ,  13   b   2  will advantageously be adapted to the detection limit motions of the user or his or her board  1   a , sideways with respect to the direction  15  of the water flow on the support (refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ). In the illustrated preferred version, it can be seen more particularly in  FIG. 5  that the water stream means  7  include water distribution means  17  adapted to form a series of water outlets such as  17   a ,  17   b  through the whole or a part of which the water flow runs toward the (above the) support  9  which is positioned horizontally (flush). 
         [0019]    The rate and pressure of the water flow(s) projected by the outlets  17   a ,  17   b  will be adapted to provide the skiing sportsman/woman  1  the desired lift, by sending under him/her a layer of water at variable speed and thickness. Then, the speed between the reference water and rider will be complied with. The water outlets such as  17   a  etc., are carried by a frame  19  containing a collecting box  19   a  adapted to the circulation of water ( FIG. 6 ). Such box is positioned above the level of the support  9  (refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ) and here extends perpendicularly to the direction  15  of the water flows. 
         [0020]    The frame  19  here carries the mast  4  which stands thereabove. The water stream means  7  advantageously include  FIG. 2  a line  21  of mobile hatches, such as  23   a ,  23   b  in  FIG. 5 , connected to the control means  11  and positioned opposite the line of outlets that they cover or uncover in order to control the water flow towards the support  9 . Then, the outlets such as  17   a ,  17   b  in  FIG. 5  can be opened or closed according to the position or motions of the user or of his or her board  1   a.    
         [0021]    Each door with a width L 1  is controlled by the control means  11  through a cylinder such as  24   a  or  24   b  in  FIG. 6 . The cylinders will a priori be moved vertically and have a all or nothing operation. Their stroke is guided sideways by guiding elements (such as  26   a ,  26   b ) fixed on the frame  19 . Still in  FIG. 6 , a part of the box  19   a  which here supplies the outlets  17   a ,  17   b  having preferably a rectangular shape and delivering the water according to a substantially rectangular flow. 
         [0022]    According to an alternative solution, the front side of the box  19   a  can be lined by a sliding wall provided with one or several outlets (openings) and moving along such wall thus opening and closing on the front some of the box outlets, with water coming out each time an outlet of the box coincides with an outlet in the wall. Using, more particularly, one of such solutions for controlling the water outflow towards the support  9 , it can be guaranteed that the flow means  7  will generally include water distribution means  25  adapted to form a series of water outlets through the whole or a part of which the water stream can flow towards the support  9 , with the outlets being adapted to open and to close under the control of the above mentioned detection means  13   a   1 ,  13   a   2 ,  13   b   1 ,  13   b   2 . Water stream means  7  will thus include means ( 17   a ,  17   b ,  23   a ,  23   b ,  25 ) to modify the height, width and speed of the water flow created on the support  9 . 
         [0023]    Detection means will advantageously be distributed at several locations along at least one line transversal to the direction  15  of each created water flow and along the areas of the support where the flows can be created.  FIG. 2 , the schematized detection means are positioned along two lines  27   a ,  27   b  which are parallel together and to line  21  of the water outlets thus perpendicular to the general direction  15  of the water flow or flows generated on the practice support  9 . More particularly in  FIG. 2 , it can be understood that the detection means such as  13   a   1 ,  13   a   2 ,  13   b   1 ,  13   b   2  include a series of beam detectors and that here the opening and closing of each outlet such as  17   a ,  17   b  is controlled by a pair of such detectors positioned on either side of the concerned outlet, except towards the side ends of the support where the first and last outlets of the series are respectively controlled by the first and last detectors of such series located towards these ends; here:  13   a   0 / 13   b   0  on the left and  13   ai / 13   bi  on the right. It is advisable that the detections means include optical beam detectors. Such detectors can more particularly be oriented in pairs to detect parallel to the direction  15  of each water flow created on the support  9 . 
         [0024]    Considering again the structure of device  1 , the support  9  will advantageously include a flexible underlying mat  29 . Such mat will favorably be stretched by stretching means  31 , such as a weight pulling a flexible resistant fabric. To avoid/limit water loss, it is further advised that, downstream of the mat, the/each created water flow should flow towards a collecting circuit through a net or a grated mat  33 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3 , the net is positioned sloping like a protection edge. The bottom edge thereof is located at the rear limit of the support  9 , the upper edge is fixed where inflatable tubes  35  surround the device periphery. The support  9  and each water layer  28  are thus provided with protective tubes. 
         [0026]    A structure  37  extends under the support  9 , box  19   a  and net  33  level for supporting the device containing the water recirculation/recycling means  39 . Such means  39  include one or several conduits opening upwards at the back, here under the net  33 , to enable the water flow  28  to flow therein beyond the rear edge  9   a  of the support  9 . For example, one or several pumps  41  suck water from the pipes and discharge it under pressure into the box  19   a  supplying the outlets such as  17   a ,  17   b  with water, from under the frame  19 . Anchoring means  43  can hold the whole device  1  on the ground. 
         [0027]    Considering the global aspect thereof, the solution of the invention makes it possible to reduce the height and the width of the water flow to be supplied to guarantee the lift, a measure regulating the flow. Through the control imagined via the detection system, only a part of the total available water plane  9 , i.e. around the user, is watered. In addition, the solution of the invention makes it possible to obtain an almost limitless practising area for the same quantity of water flowing; the size and width (L,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) thereof are totally adaptable. It also makes it possible to adapt the water layer  3  to the user&#39;s level; width, thickness and velocity of the flow are controlled. 
         [0028]    Thanks to the position detectors  13   a   0 ,  13   ai ,  13   b   0 ,  13   bi , the position of the user or of his or her board will then be continuously detected by the control system  7 ,  11 ,  17  which translate information from the sensors for the mechanic actuators such as  23   a ,  23   b , with the latter enabling the movement of the water flow  3  according to the detected position and thus watering only the desired practising area. As mentioned above, the detection system will thus advantageously include a set of optical lines, each one defined by an emitter-receptor pair, such as  13   a   0 ,  13   b   0 ,  13   ai ,  13   bi . Detections are performed each time the user (or his or her board) cuts an optical line. The signals sent by the sensors control the hatches  23   a  through a programmable automaton  45  belonging to the control means  11 . 
         [0029]    Hereinunder, the space situated between two successive optical lines of emitters/receivers positioned on either side of a practice area which can be watered (width space L 4  where water can flow (cf.  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ), will be called a door. In  FIG. 4 , the width L 4  of the created flow could be different from (a priori lower than) the distance between two such successive optical lines. In the illustrated example (where the only outlet  17   a  is shown), when the user  1  is positioned in the middle of such a door, the valve  17   a / 23   a  is open and water flows. When the user is out of the space the door  23   a  closes and stops the flow on the whole area. 
         [0030]    In the situation shown in  FIG. 4   a  the rider is on the right of the door and the valve is closed. In the situation shown in  FIG. 4   b , the rider is in the middle of the door and the rider has been detected in the area, the valve is open and the area is watered. In the situation shown in  FIG. 4   c , the rider is on the left of the door; the valve is closed again. Here, the distance between two optical lines is equal to the width (such as L 4 ) of the controlled water flow; a valve is positioned in the middle of two optical lines, here forming a door with a width L 4 . 
         [0031]    In the illustration of the possible complete system like  FIG. 7  ( FIGS. 7   a,    7   b ,  7   c ) an optical line is formed by two pairs of adjacent emitters-receivers, such as  13   a   11 ,  13   b   11 ,  13   a   12 ,  13   b   12 . This pair which forms two consecutive beams makes it possible to know in which direction the user is moving, i.e. on which side he or she is located with respect to the optical line and thus between what optical doors he or she is standing. Each valve (outlet-hatch) is associated with two double optical lines, which form together a detection door, except for the two on each side which are associated with only one double line, because the user cannot go beyond the ends. The optical door of valve  17   a / 23   a  is formed by the double detector optical lines  13   a   11 ,  13   b   11 ;  13   a   12 ,  13   b   12  and  13   a   13 ,  13   b   13 ;  13   a   14 ,  13   b   14 . The optical door of the outlet  17   c  is formed by the double optical line Lo 9 , Lo 10  only since it has been assumed here that, with a rider practising, three successive valves are always open and the other ones are closed. The grey area shows the localised water flow and the arrows show the three open valves according to the user&#39;s position. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8  ( FIGS. 8   a,    8   b ,  8   c ), another way to set control would consist in opening the hatches on each side and on the opposite side (if need be) of the last cut optical line. Here, a configuration of opening and closing of hatches corresponds to a single cut optical line. The optical lines such as Lo 1 , Lo 3  are positioned in the middle of each valve (outlet+hatch), except for those at the ends. It can be seen that, when the user last cut the line Lo 1 , the first three hatches on the right of  FIG. 8   a  are open (arrows) and the other ones are closed. Similarly, when the user last cut the line Lo 3  ( FIG. 8   c ) the hatches  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c  are open and the other ones are closed. 
         [0033]    In this solution, the opening and closing of each outlet is thus controlled by at least one detector activated by the user or his or her board cutting the beam. Beams, which are not optical beams, could also be used. In  FIG. 1 , a series of individual flows 3 m in width (L 3 ), valves (outlet+trap) 1 m wide (L 4 ), and a surfing area with a total width of 15 m (L) have been imagined. 
         [0034]    As an alternative solution, the device can be given various other detection systems like detectors measuring the position of the rope  2 , which is moved with the user, or an angle detector, for example positioned on the anchoring point of the rope  2  and measuring the angle thereof with respect to the original position. Then, the position of the user is indirectly obtained. It is also possible to detect the rope using the same detection principle as in the exemplary optical line, thanks to a detection frame  100  through which the rope goes and which includes several detectors, such as  101   a ,  103   a ,  101   b ,  103   b , defining a series of detection lines  110 ,  112 , here vertical ones. 
         [0035]    Such a solution is efficient and practical and can be easily installed (cf.  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). Another solution consists in detecting the position of the user&#39;s board or skis. The detectors are positioned in the practising mat  9  and can use the same control principle via optical lines, such as  121 ,  123  (cf.  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0036]    It is also possible to directly detect the user&#39;s position using a camera measuring its position in a definite space. As an alternative solution, it can also be noted that it is possible not to use an automaton. Sensors directly opening and closing the switches of an electric circuit connected to the cylinders of the hatches or equivalents can also be imagined. 
         [0037]    Possibly (refer to  FIG. 9 ), the device according to the invention can also include a raised structure  47  to define a jumping surface on which the user could move. Preferably, for controlling the quantity of water used and the security and comfort of the user, the device should include the following system, it being understood that the latter could be used alone, not necessarily within the scope of the appended independent claim or claims. 
         [0038]    What is mentioned hereunder could thus be the subject of an independent protection. This more particularly relates to additional detection means  49  connected to the control means  11  to detect (and transmit thereto data related to) the presence or the absence of the user at the end of the cable  2 . Such control means will then be adapted for controlling the water stream means  7  to adapt the presence of water and/or the distribution thereof on the support  9  according to the detection data transmitted by said additional detection means  49 . 
         [0039]    If there is no tension, the user can be ‘detected’ as absent at the end of the rope  2 . New information translated by the automaton will make it possible to modify the detection system control mode described above. Thus, using the water distribution means  25 , it will be possible, at the beginning of the sports session, to start projecting water onto the area only when the presence of the user has been detected at the end of the cable  2 . 
         [0040]    If, for example, the user falls during the session, the device will then be able (according to the programme selected for the control means) for example either to stop the flow or to significantly reduce it, or to distribute it differently, more particularly away from the location of the fall, then no longer watering the area around the user. A tension sensor will then be more particularly adapted to detect tension in the cable.  FIG. 10  is a diagram thereof. Thus, the presence or the absence of the user will be detected at the end of the cable  2 , which he or she is supposed to hold and the flow means  7  will then be controlled, so that they can supply, or not, the support with water, accordingly. 
         [0041]    The device operation can be compared to all or none operation: if the user is detected as riding, the control starts the water flow under him/her, on the mat  9 , according to his/her position. If the user is detected as not riding, water is no longer projected onto the mat, but it is directly sent to the collecting tank  39   a  (see  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ). Suitable means, here a hatch  125 , collects water and prevents it to reach the mat. Thus, if the user falls, he/she drops the rope  2  and the device stops any incoming water on the riding mat  9 , without stopping the operation of the water pump  41 . And the user can easily stand up.