EP0182923A1 - Appliance for practising aquatic sports - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Water sport apparatus comprising a water container (1) with a rising bottom surface (2), a closable delivery flow nozzle (3) along the lower edge of the bottom surface (2) from which the water is passed upwardly over the rising bottom surface (2) in a rushing flow, a return flow conduit (4) which carries the water flowing over the upper edge (8) of the bottom surface (2) back to the delivery flow nozzle (3) again and whose entrance is covered by a gate (14), a high-level container (5) which is arranged above the delivery flow nozzle (3), to accommodate the amount of water required for the starting operation, and a circulating pump (6) in the return flow conduit (4), characterised in that connected to the water container (1) at the side thereof which is opposite to the high-level container (5) is an additional pool (7), the capacity of which corresponds at least to the filling volume of the high-level container (5), wherein the upper edge (8) of the rising bottom surface (2) forms an overflow into the additional pool (7), from which the return flow conduit (4) starts.

Description

The invention relates to a water sports device with a water tank with a rising bottom surface, with a lockable inflow nozzle along the lower edge. the floor surface from which the water is directed upwards in a flowing flow via the rising floor surface, with a return line which leads the water flowing back over the upper edge back to the inlet nozzle and whose entrance is covered by a grating, with one above the inlet nozzle arranged high tank for receiving the amount of water required for the starting process, and with a circulating pump in the return line.

DE-C-17 03 746 (FIG. 5) describes a water sports device which is particularly suitable for practicing gliding sports, such as surfing, water skiing, etc.

In this water sports device, the water is directed upwards over the rising bottom of the water tank at a flow speed that is greater than the fundamental wave speed, whereby the opposing flow resistance of the athlete on the gliding device is at least partially compensated for by the weight component of the athlete on the gliding device, which is directed obliquely downwards and can be changed by shifting the center of gravity . Therefore, hands-free, longer-lasting practice of the sports is also possible. The water is preferably recirculated from a lower inflow nozzle via the rising floor surface upwards in a flowing flow and via a reflux line arranged under the container to the inflow nozzle. An essential feature is that when exiting the inflow high kinetic energy of the water is largely converted into potential energy during the shooting up, which can be reused thanks to the return line. To pump the water in the circuit, only a small amount of energy is required to the circulating pump, since this only has to cover the flow losses.

However, there are sometimes difficulties in the starting process, because if the breakdown of the water circuit is to be avoided, the circulating pump used in the return line may only begin to return the water when the entrance to the return line is sufficiently above the upper edge of the floor area overflowing amount of water flows. On the other hand, however, the acceleration of the water present in the reflux line by the circulating pump until the required flow rate is reached requires a certain amount of time, which is not available, since the upstream flow breaks down earlier.

Another water sports device containing this principle is described in EP-A-96 216. With unchanged energy supply, an increase in the angle of inclination of the rising floor area is achieved by sucking off water which has decelerated, particularly on the floor area due to friction, and which would cause the flow to collapse prematurely and / or accelerated by supplying water at an increased flow rate. In one embodiment of this device (Fig. 8) is an elevated tank that holds the amount of water required to start takes up, arranged on the side of the upper edge of the bottom surface, the water coming from the elevated tank via the return line to the inlet nozzle during the starting process. Here the circulation pump is activated before the opening of the inlet nozzle, so that the difficulties during the starting process are reduced, but here too there are various disadvantages which make it difficult to use in practice.

In both known water sports devices, the grille covering the entrance of the return line extends along the upper edge of the rising floor surface and is required for safety reasons. This grille prevents fallen water athletes and their sports equipment (surfboards, water skis etc.) from being sucked into the return line. It has been shown, however, that the exit of fallen water sports enthusiasts in the area of the grating and, above all, the removal of the water sports equipment is relatively difficult, so that external help usually has to be claimed. Furthermore, there is a risk that the water cycle will be disturbed so that the shooting current breaks down on the rising surface of the floor. For a new start of the facility, however, it is necessary to return the water above the rising floor area to the elevated tank after the inlet nozzle has been closed.

Another disadvantage of such water sports facilities is that they are only suitable for the sports described and are therefore to be created independently of existing or new swimming pools, for example in leisure facilities.

The invention has now set itself the task of developing a water sports device of the type mentioned so that not only trouble-free start and Operation, but preferably also getting off the water sports enthusiasts, especially after a fall, and removing the sports equipment without difficulty. Furthermore, a possibility is to be found to design the water sports facility as an integrated component of a large pool in a leisure facility.

According to the invention, this is now achieved in that an additional basin is connected to the side of the water basin opposite the elevated basin, the capacity of which corresponds at least to the filling volume of the elevated basin, the upper edge of the rising floor area forming an overflow into the additional basin, from which the return line going out.

The formation of an additional basin on the side of the rising floor surface opposite the elevated tank now creates a sufficient water supply on this side of the water sports device in order to switch on the circulation pump in the reflux line before or at the latest when the inflow nozzle is opened, since water can be returned from this water supply until the water emerging from the elevated tank and the inflow nozzle has reached the overflow, so that the continuous water circulation is achieved undisturbed. A separate lock at the mouth of the reflux line into the elevated tank can be dispensed with if part of the water supply is first pumped into the elevated tank for the start of the flow and the inflow nozzle is only opened when a certain water level is reached. Since, in order to achieve this purpose, a certain water volume in the additional basin must not be undercut, but an upper limit does not immediately exist, the additional basin can be designed in any size and shape. This now makes it easy and easy to get out of the water sports facility To create outside the rising floor area in that the overflow is formed by a threshold, and in a first adjoining area of the additional basin a shallow water depth and an initially slightly inclined floor area is provided, the entrance of the return line being arranged in a more distant area of the additional basin in which the water depth is preferably greater.

In this first shallow area of the additional pool, in which the flow speed of the water is no longer too great, the water sports facility can be left without disturbing the flowing current along the rising surface of the ground and without the water sports enthusiasts and their sports equipment being sucked in the return line coming from the more distant area. The grille is advantageously provided as the vertical termination of this first shallow area.

When the flow of the water sports device starts, a start wave forms in the first area of the additional pool, which increases the water level in the additional pool. In the second area, in which a water depth suitable for swimming is preferably provided by lowering the floor, this water depth can also be maintained after the circulation pump has been stopped and the water remaining above the rising floor area has been emptied, if a backflow flap is arranged downstream of the grille. This backflow flap can now be arranged pivotable about a horizontal axis, so that it is opened by the water front arriving at the start of the flow, kept open by the subsequent overflow, and is closed again when the inlet nozzle is shut off and the circulation pump is shut off, which further increases the water level in the overflow distant area of the additional pool is preserved. The water can then be pumped out over the rising surface of the floor to allow the flow to start again.

Since the additional pool has no upper limit of its capacity, a further advantageous design of the water sports device can be derived from this. It is thus possible to design a large part of the return line as an open channel, which extends in any shape around the water tank with the rising floor area, and thus has its other end directly at the elevated tank, into which it is on the side opposite the inflow nozzle flows. A closed section of the return line, in which the circulating pump is inserted, is thus kept as short as possible in this mouth region. In the open channel, cross-sectional changes and suitable lines can be used to achieve various effects that increase the appeal of the entire system. For example, the flow rate can be increased by changes in cross-section (known from DE-A-22 22 594), whirlpools for children and adults and non-swimmer pools can be provided, etc., so that the water sports device according to the invention forms an integrated part of a large pool. The series connection of at least two water tanks with an increasing floor area is also possible, the area of the additional tank having the entrance of the return line representing the second elevated tank. poses.

If the open channel is formed in a longer line or if a section of increased flow velocity is to be installed, in order to be able to hold down the side walls in this section and to avoid focalization of the start wave, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the open channel be with a parallel swimming channel is provided, which is divided by a longitudinal partition, the first section of which has a height that can be submerged by the starting wave. The excess water caused by the start wave in this case flows over this longitudinal partition wall, which preferably separates the swimming channel from the non-swimmer pool, in a shorter way to the elevated tank.

The invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings, without being limited thereto.

• Fig.l bis 3 eine erste schematische Ausführung der Wassersporteinrichtung im Längsschnitt, wobei Fig.l die Einrichtung in Ruhestellung, Fig.2 nach dem Einschalten der Umwälzpumpe, und Fig.3 beim Strömungsstart zeigt,
• Fig.4 eine Draufsicht auf eine bevorzugte Ausführung einer Wassersporteinrichtung als Teil einer Freizeitanlage,
• Fig.5 einen Längsschnitt nach der Linie V-V der Fig.4,
• Fig.6 im Detail die Ausbildung des Gitters und der RUckstaubklappe im Vertikalschnitt,
• Fig.7 Gitter und Rückstauklappe im Horizontalschnitt, und
• Fig.8 eine schematische Darstellung zweier in Serie angeordneter Wassersporteinrichtungen als Teil einer Freizeitanlage ähnlich Fig.4.

Show it:

• 1 to 3 show a first schematic embodiment of the water sports device in longitudinal section, FIG. 1 showing the device in the rest position, FIG. 2 after the circulation pump has been switched on, and FIG. 3 at the start of flow,
• 4 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a water sports facility as part of a leisure facility,
• 5 shows a longitudinal section along the line VV of Figure 4,
• 6 shows in detail the design of the grille and the backflow damper in vertical section,
• Fig.7 grille and backflow flap in horizontal section, and
• 8 shows a schematic representation of two water sports facilities arranged in series as part of a leisure facility similar to FIG. 4.

The ^p in Fig.l to 3 in each case shown longitudinal section orteinrichtung water comprises a water tank 1, as shown in the aforementioned DE-C-17 03 746th The water tank 1, which has an obliquely upwardly extending, in particular concavely curved bottom surface 2, adjoins a high tank 5 with a lower outlet extending over the entire width. The outlet of the elevated tank 1 forms the inflow nozzle 3, which is arranged at the lower edge of the bottom surface 2. The The upper edge 8 of the bottom surface 2 forms an overflow 9 into an additional basin 7, the capacity of which corresponds at least to the filling volume of the tall container 5, but is preferably substantially larger. In a first area 10 of the additional basin 7, which directly adjoins the overflow 9, the depth of the additional basin 7 is very small, the bottom surface 12 initially falling slightly and then running horizontally. The end of the first region 10 forms a vertically arranged grille 14, on the downstream side of which a backflow flap 15 is arranged. The grid 14 divides the first area 10 from an area 11 further away from the overflow 9, in which the entrance 13 to a return line 4 is arranged, which in this exemplary embodiment is formed by a closed pipeline running below the water tank 1, which runs from below into the outlet area of the tall container 5 opens. A circulation pump 6 is inserted into the return line 4. In the rest position shown in FIG. 1, the backflow flap 15 receives the water in the region 11 at a higher level than in the region 10, from which it could partially flow back via the overflow 9 when the water container 1 is emptied by pumping devices (not shown). On the long sides, the water tank 1 is delimited by walls 16 ′, which end approximately at the seat height above the water level of the flowing flow, in order to enable easy entry and exit into the water tank 1. An outer pair of side walls 16 ″ delimits the water tank 1 and the additional pool 7 at a height above the level of the start shaft 17, the side walls 16 ′ being at least at the lowest point of that above the floor surface 2 when the device is stopped before the high tank 5 is filled The additional pool 7 is of course provided with a transverse wall at the end, since the area 11 of the additional pool 7 and the elevated tank 5 communicate via the return line 4, the water level in the Elevator 5 that in the area 11 of the additional basin 7, ie the elevator 5 is only partially filled.

In order to start the water sports device that requires a flow that shoots upwards over the rising floor surface 2 in the water tank 1 for the practice of gliding sports such as surfing, water skiing, etc., the circulation pump 6 is initially activated, which comes from the area 11 of the additional pool 7 Sucks off water and fills the elevated tank 5, as shown in Fig.2. Initially, the inlet nozzle 3 remains closed until the required water level in the elevated tank 5 is reached. The area 11 of the additional basin still contains sufficient water, from which water can be withdrawn at least as long as there is no large drop in the level, until the water that shoots up through the bottom surface 2 re-enters the area 11 of the additional basin 7 from the inflow nozzle 3 that is now to open the water cycle continues continuously. 3 shows the situation in which the start wave 17 formed by the start of the flow has reached the first area 1C of the additional basin 7, in which water is therefore still drawn from the area 11 without replenishment, the elevated tank 5 again partially emptied. The starting wave 17, which widens in the direction of flow, will subsequently reach the grille 14 and open the backflow flap 15, so that the water enters area 11, with which the water cycle can begin. As soon as this has taken place, the water tank 1 can be used to practice the sliding sports. The glider enters via one of the lower side walls 16 'on which he initially sits and can leave the water tank 1 again via the opposite lower side wall 16 ". If the athlete falls or his skill is still too low, he will overflow 9 rinsed into the first area 10 of the additional basin 7, in which there is a noticeably reduced flow rate at a lower water depth. He can therefore get out of the water sports device laterally in this area without disturbing the shooting flow in the water tank 1 and recover his sports equipment, which is caught on the grille 14. A practiced or lying surfer can also go out over the overflow 9 and get out in the same way.

A top view of a preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. The water tank 1 is here part of a leisure facility with a swimming channel 31, a children's pool 32, a non-swimmer pool 33 and a swirl pool 34. As can be seen above all from FIG. 5, the elevated tank 5 is arranged on the left side of the water tank 1 in the drawing, whose outlet forms the inflow nozzle 3 to the rising bottom surface 2. The overflow 9 at the upper edge 8 of the rising floor surface 2 leads into the additional pool 7, which is divided by the grille 14 into the first area 10 adjoining the overflow 9, which is provided for the athletes' exit, and into the further area 11, from which the return line 4 starts. This is designed as an open channel and extends in any line around the water tank 1 again to the elevated tank 5 on the side opposite the feed line 3. The water circulation between the additional basin 7 and the inflow nozzle 3 necessary for the operation of the water sports device is utilized in various ways by the open channel. Cross-sectional changes in the swimming channel 31 thus result in different flow velocities, so that it is also possible to successfully swim against the current with, across and in places. The same applies to the vortex pool 34, the core 36 of which is liquid or can be fixed, a flap 35 being adjustable about a vertical axis at the entrance to the vortex pool 34, through which the water speed in the vortex pool 34 can be regulated. Between the non-swimmer pool 33 and the beginning of the swimming channel 31 there is a partition 37 which can be flooded by the starting shaft 17, so that the starting shaft 17 is dismantled and the starting process in the return channel is thus delayed. This leads to a temporary flow through the non-swimmer pool 33 (dashed arrows), which supplies water to the pump 6 over a short distance. As a result, the adjoining walls of the swimming channel 31 can be kept lower. The swimming channel 31 can also be very long because it absorbs less water during the starting process. The water in the children's pool 32 is driven by an exchange of impulses from the swimming channel, with a separation 39 which prevents the exchange of energy as little as possible. The non-swimmer pool 33 is separated from the swirl pool 34 by a rope 40 carried by a float. The end section of the open channel is covered by a walkable cover 38 and separated from the vortex pool 34 by a grid 41. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the circulation pump 6 is arranged in the transition between the end section of the return line and the elevated tank 5, the operation of the water sports device proceeding as described above.

In Figure 4, the grid 14 in the additional basin 7 is again associated with the mentioned backflow flap 15, which prevents the backflow of water from the open channel into the emptied water tank 1. If the channel is long and resistant, the water level 19 can lie below the floor in the overflow 9 when the device is at rest (dash-dotted lines in FIG. 5), so that the arrangement of a backflow flap 15 can also be dispensed with. The Grid 14 with backflow flap 15 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the situation corresponding to FIG. 2 being shown in the two areas 10, 11. The grid 14 consists of a number of vertical flat bars, on which a floating body 30 is loosely suspended, pointing towards the floor 11, which serves to protect the washed-up sports equipment. A hose 29 or the like is in the area of the grille 14 near the bottom. arranged, the cross-sectional shape, as shown in dashed lines, can be changed by a pressure medium. As a result, the resistance of the grating 14 during operation of the device can be varied continuously, as a result of which the position of the transition stage from shooting into normal flow in the first region 10 of the additional basin 7 can also be changed.

The backflow flap 15 is movably connected to the bottom and a seal 18 to the side wall 16 by means of a waterproof hinge 28, both the hinge 28 and the seal 18 each consisting of flexible film. The side seal 18 is fixed by means of a bar 20 "attached obliquely to the side wall 16", so that the backflow flap 15 folds down into the dash-dot position when the flow starts, and is pushed up again by a buoyancy body 39 when the water container 1 is emptied Access barrier referred to, which consists for example of individual vertical bars to which a cross bar 43 is attached as a handle.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, in which the return line 4 is again led through an open channel in any line to the elevated tank 5, two water tanks 1, 21 suitable for the practice of sliding sports are arranged in series. The first additional pool 7 is in turn divided by a grid 14 into two areas 10, 11 Splits. In the region 10 near the overflow, it is again possible to get out, and in this embodiment the region 11 remote from the overflow is formed by a second elevated tank 25 which is connected to the second water tank 21. This also has a rising bottom surface 22, via which the water shoots up from the inflow nozzle 23 and reaches the second additional basin 7, which is again divided into the exit area 10 and the area 11 removed from the overflow 9 by the grille 14 with a backflow flap 15, from which the channel begins. Backflow flaps 26 are connected to the grid 24 of the first additional basin 7 and are opened when the flow starts and are closed again by the water pumped back into the second elevated tank 25 when the second water tank 21 is emptied. The circulation pump 6 is arranged at the foot of the first elevated tank 5, and a connecting line 27 provided by a flap 44 is formed between the two elevated tanks 5, 25.

As a preparation for the start, when the inflow nozzles 3 and 23 are closed and the water tanks 1 and 21 are empty, both high tanks 5 and 25 are filled to the same height with water. Then the flap 44 is closed and the inflow nozzles 3 and 23 are opened in such a chronological order that when the start wave arrives from the water tank 1 the level in the elevated tank 25 is just below that of the start wave, as a result of which the backflow flaps 26 open.

The water sports device according to the invention allows easy installation of preferably gearless submersible submersible pumps 6 and the simultaneous practice of various water sports by numerous people.

Claims (8)

1. Water sports device with a water tank (1) with a rising floor area (2), with a lockable inflow nozzle (3) along the lower edge of the floor area (2), from which the water flows upwards via the rising floor area (2) is, with a reflux line (4), which leads the water flowing over the upper edge back to the inlet nozzle (3), and whose entrance is covered by a grille (14), with an elevated tank (5) arranged above the inlet nozzle (3) ) for receiving the amount of water required for the starting process, and with a circulating pump (6) in the return line (4), characterized in that an additional basin (7) is connected to the side of the water tank (1) opposite the elevated tank (5) is, the capacity of which corresponds at least to the filling volume of the tall container (5), the upper edge (8) of the rising bottom surface (2) forming an overflow into the additional basin (7), of which di e return line (4) goes out. 2. Water sports device according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow is formed by a threshold (9), and in a first exclusive area (10) of the additional pool (7) a shallow water depth and an initially slightly inclined floor surface (12) is provided , wherein the inlet (13) of the return line (4) is arranged in a further away area (11) of the additional basin (7), in which the water depth is preferably greater. 3. Water sports device according to claim 2, characterized in that the grille (14) as a downstream end of the first region (10) of the additional pool (7) is arranged. 4. Water sports device according to claim 3, characterized in that a backflow flap (15) is arranged downstream of the grille (14). 5. Water sports device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the return line (4) comprises an open channel which extends around the water tank (1) to the elevated tank (5). 6. Water sports device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the additional pool (7) comprises a second elevated tank (25) with an inflow nozzle (23) which is arranged at the lower edge of a second rising bottom surface (22). 7. Water sports device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the open channel is provided with a parallel swimming channel (31) which is divided by a longitudinal partition, the first section (37) of the starting shaft (17) has floodable height. 8. Water sports device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the water container (1) in the area of the rising floor surface (2) enabling entry and exit, flooded when the water sports device is at a standstill side walls (16 ') and above the level of Starting shaft (17) has outer side walls (16 ").

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