Patent Application
20250154784
The invention of the present application is related to an attaching structure for attaching a lane rope float installed in a swimming pool or the like to a rope, and a lane rope float set. In addition, the present invention also is also related to a float which can be attached to a rope configured for dividing a water surface or water (hereinafter collectively referred to as “water surface”) in a pool into lanes.
Various types of lane rope floats have been conventionally known. For example, a lane rope float disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a rope insertion hole, through which a rope is inserted into a central portion of the lane rope float, and a plurality of blades arranged around the rope insertion hole. Then, a plurality of lane rope floats are installed along the rope in a pool to divide each lane. The lane rope floats are in a state of floating on a water surface and swings in response to waves created by swimmers in each lane, whereby it attenuates and absorbs the waves, that is, it performs “wave attenuation”, thus making swimming easier.
However, there is a problem that the swimmer may turn back and changes swimming direction at an outer wall side of the lane, waves generated by the swimmer before turning back make swimming more difficult.
In addition, in a pool for competitive swimming, a plurality of lane ropes are provided to divide each lane for each swimmer, and many floats are attached to each rope (see Patent Literature 2). Regarding these floats, in order to attenuate and reduce the waves generated by swimmers traveling on the water surface (this phenomenon is hereinafter referred to as “wave attenuation”), there has been demands for improving the level of the wave attenuation functions recently.
In particular, in a swimming competition in which a large number of competitors participate, swimmers in the competition want to be able to participate in the swimming competition in a smooth situation without waves, avoiding be adversely affected by waves on the water surface which flow from another (adjacent) lanes.
In the case of Patent Literature 2, a float has an axial tube configured for inserting a rope formed at a center of the float, a plurality of blade plates extending outwardly are formed at the axial tube, and these blade plates divide the entire space in the float into a plurality of small spaces. A circumferential outer wall is formed at an outer edge of each blade plate for coupling adjacent blade plates to each other. The outer wall has an annular portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the pool water surface outside the float, while the annular portion forms a window hole capable of introducing waves transmitted from the pool water surface.
In the case of the above-described float, since the energy of the wave transmitted to the water in the window hole is consumed by the swing of the float etc., the wave caused by the swimmer is gradually dissipated. Inventors of the present application have researched extensively about the oscillation of the float. The inventors discover that there is a possibility of further improving wave attenuation through further improvements. The inventors completed the present invention after various trial and error experiments.
Thus, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides an attachment structure for a lane rope float that makes it easy for swimmers to swim and also easy to swim after turning back, as well as a lane rope float set. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved float which is capable of consuming energies of waves propagating on the water surface faster than that of the prior art by devising various structures in the float.
In order to solve the above problem, an attachment structure according to claim 1 of the invention of the present application is characterized that configured for attaching a plurality of lane rope floats to a rope, wherein the lane rope floats are attached to the rope by a tubular portion and are connectable to an outer wall of a pool to partition each lane, and the lane rope floats are made of a synthetic resin material, and wherein gaps between at least a part of the lane rope floats at a rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool are wider than gaps between at least a part of the lane rope floats arranged in a vicinity of a center of the pool.
According to the described features, at the rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool, wide gaps between the lane rope floats can make more waves escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turning back. On the other hand, due to the narrow gap between the lane rope floats in the vicinity of the center of the pool, the waves are difficult to escape to the adjacent lanes, and there is a moderate resistance feeling, and the swimmer can feel the weight of the water and easily pull while swimming.
Furthermore, a lane rope float set according to claim 2 of the present invention includes a plurality of lane rope floats attached to a rope via a tubular portion and connected to an outer wall of a pool to partition each lane, and the lane rope floats are made of a synthetic resin material, the lane rope float set comprises spacers arranged between the landed rope floats.
According to the above-described feature, at the rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool, since the gap between the lane rope floats can be widened by the spacers, more waves can escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turning back.
Furthermore, a lane rope float set according to claim 3 of the present invention includes the spacers arranged between the landed rope floats, such that gaps between at least a part of the lane rope floats at a rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool are wider than gaps between at least a part of the lane rope floats arranged in a vicinity of a center of the pool.
According to the above-described feature, at the rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool, since the gaps between the lane rope floats are widened by the spacers, more waves can escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turning back. On the other hand, due to the gaps between the lane rope floats in the vicinity of the center of the pool are narrow, the waves are difficult to escape to the adjacent lanes, and there is a moderate resistance feeling, and the swimmer can feel the weight of the water and easily pull while swimming.
Furthermore, An attachment structure according to claim 4 of the present invention is configured for attaching a plurality of lane rope floats to a rope, wherein the lane rope floats are attached to the rope via a tubular portion and connected to an outer wall of a pool to partition each lane, and the lane rope floats are made of a synthetic resin material, and wherein widths of at least a part of the lane rope floats arranged in the vicinity of a center of the pool are wider than widths of at least a part of the lane rope floats at a rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool.
According to the above-described feature, since the width of the lane rope float is wide in the vicinity of the center of the pool, the gaps between the lane rope floats is reduced, such that the waves are difficult to escape to the adjacent lanes, and there is a moderate resistance feeling, and the swimmer can feel the weight of the water and easily pull while swimming. On the other hand, since the width of the lane rope floats is narrow at the rope side connected to the outer wall of the pool, the gaps between the lane rope floats are increased, allowing more waves to escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that it can easily swim after the turning back.
Furthermore, an attachment structure according to claim 5 of the present invention is configured for attaching a plurality of lane rope floats to a rope, wherein the lane rope floats are attached to the rope via a tubular portion and connected to an outer wall of a pool to partition each lane, and the lane rope floats are made of a synthetic resin material, and wherein a transmission rate of at least a part of the lane rope floats at a rope side connected to an outer wall of the pool is 2% to 30% and is higher than a transmission rate of at least a part of the lane rope floats arranged in a vicinity of a center of the pool.
According to the above-described feature, in the vicinity of the center of the pool with low transmission rate, the waves are difficult to escape to the adjacent lanes, and there is a moderate resistance feeling, and the swimmer can feel the weight of the water and easily pull while swimming. On the other hand, at the rope side connected to the outside of the pool with high transmission rate, more waves can escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turning back. In particular, by setting the transmission rate to 2% to 30%, the gaps between lane rope floats can be widened, allowing more waves to escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turning back.
Furthermore, an attachment structure according to claim 6 of the present invention is configured for attaching a plurality of lane rope floats to a rope, wherein the lane rope floats are attached to the rope via a tubular portion and connected to an outer wall of a pool to partition each lane, and the lane rope floats are made of a synthetic resin material, and wherein a transmission rate of at least a part of the lane rope floats at a rope side connected to an outer wall of the pool is 3% to 7%.
According to the above-described feature, at the rope side connected to the outside of the pool with high transmission rate, the waves easily escape to adjacent lanes, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turning back. In particular, by setting the transmission rate to 3% to 7%, the gaps between lane rope floats can be widened, allowing more waves to escape to adjacent lanes, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after the turn.
Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means. That is, according to one means embodying the present invention, a lane rope float attached to a rope for dividing a water surface of a pool into lanes, the lane rope float comprising: a central attachment portion configured to allow the rope to be inserted into a center of the float, an outer wall portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool at an outer side wall surface and forming an opening capable of guiding the waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool into a space in the float; a plurality of blades configured for connecting the outer wall portion to the central attachment portion, the plurality of blades extending in a direction in which the rope extends so as to divide the space in the float into a plurality of spaces; and a connecting portion configured for connecting the plurality of blades to each other and comprising a water vent configured for discharging the waves guided into the space in the float via the opening, wherein in a case that a volume of an individual space partitioned at least by a pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the water vent associated with the individual space is defined as B1, a ratio of A1 and B1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than 1000:15 of a lower limit and not more than 1000:5 of an upper limit.
Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means. That is, according to one means embodying the present invention, a lane rope float attached to a rope for dividing a water surface of a pool into lanes, the lane rope float comprising: a central attachment portion configured to allow the rope to be inserted into a center of the float, an outer wall portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool at an outer side wall surface and forming an opening capable of guiding the waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool into a space in the float; a plurality of blades configured for connecting the outer wall portion to the central attachment portion and extending in a direction in which the rope extends so as to divide the space in the float into a plurality of spaces; and a connecting portion configured for connecting the plurality of blades to each other, the connecting portion comprising a water vent configured for discharging the waves introduced into the space in the float via the opening, and a guide portion configured for guiding the waves guided into the space in the float via the opening.
Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means. That is, according to one means embodying the present invention, a lane rope float attached to a rope for dividing a water surface of a pool into lanes, the lane rope float comprising: a central attachment portion configured to allow the rope to be inserted into a center of the float, an outer wall portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool at an outer side wall surface and forming an opening capable of guiding the waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool into a space in the float; a plurality of blades configured for connecting the outer wall portion to the central attachment portion and extending in a direction in which the rope extends so as to divide the space in the float into a plurality of spaces; and a connecting portion configured for connecting the plurality of blades to each other and comprising a water vent configured for discharging the waves introduced into the space in the float via the opening, wherein the lane rope float is attached to the rope by following way: at a connection portion which connects the outer wall portion and the blades, in a situation in which the blades are placed on the water surface, an wave preventing portion is arranged on one side of a portion which is cut in a direction perpendicular to the water surface and is in the direction in which the rope extends, and an ride-over portion is arranged on an opposite side, such that the wave preventing portion is located on a water surface side and the ride-over portion is located in the pool water.
According to the attachment structure of the lane rope float according to the present invention and the lane rope float set, the swimmer is easy to swim and is easy to swim after the turn. In addition, according to the lane rope float of the present invention, the energy of the wave passing through the water surface is generated early by the swimmer swimming in the pool lane, and the wave of the water surface can be calmed in a short time.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First,
In the present invention, the lane rope floats 100 are floats for competition and have a same shape. The lane rope float 100 includes a long tubular portion 110 disposed at a center of the lane rope float 100 and through which a rope R can be inserted, a plurality of blades 120 protruding from a side surface 111 of the tubular portion 110 and parallel with the rope R, and a wall surface portion 130 coupled to side end portions 121 of the blades 120 and encircling the blades 120. In addition, an outer periphery of the lane rope float 100 has a diameter of 110˜150 mm (millimeters). The reason why the diameter of the lane rope float 100 is set to 110˜150 mm (millimeters) is that the lane rope float 100 of the present invention exhibits a significant effect on the ease of swimming when turning back. Especially when used in speed competitions, the effect of the lane rope float 100 is great. The lane rope float 100 is thus to be adapted to competition rules (refer to the “Pool Recognized Rule”, public financing official, refer to Japanese Swimming Association 2018). In addition, in these competition rules, the diameter of the lane rope float (lane rope buoy) is specified to be 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less, and it is specified to be 150 mm for international pools. Therefore, the diameter of the lane rope float 100 is set to 110˜150 mm.
Further, as will be described later, a gap X, between the lane rope floats 100 located at a rope R side connected to an outer wall 910 of a pool 900 shown in
Here, as illustrated in
Here, the swimming competition rules (refer to the “Swimming Competition Rules” public financing official, Japanese Swimming Association) stipulate that one rope R is provided for dividing adjacent lanes, and the diameter of the rope R is 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less. Therefore, assuming that the diameter of the rope R is 50 mm as the lower limit, the diameter of the float rope float 100 is set at 110 mm or more in the present invention. As a result, the height H1 of the gap X can be secured in a certain extent to prevent the height H1 from being too low, the wave can easily escape to the adjacent lanes, and the lane rope float 100 can withstand the waves by itself then rotate appropriately to ensure the wave absorbing performance. In addition, when the diameter of the rope R is 50 mm as the lower limit, if the diameter of the lane rope float 100 is set 50 mm of the lower limit or more and less than 110 mm as specified by the competition rules, the height H1 of the gap X will be too low.
A wall portion 130 between adjacent blade plates 120 is formed obliquely. Openings 140 are formed at opposite sides of the portion which is formed obliquely, so as to define cutout in the wall portion 130, and the waves advancing from the side enter the lane rope float 100 from the opening 140. Further, a protruding plate 150 parallel to the rope R protrudes from an inner surface of the blade 120. Since the waves flowing from the opening 140 collide against the protruding plate 150, turbulence is more easily generated in the lane rope float 100.
In addition, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Further, the entire float rope float 100 is integrally molded by injection molding a foaming synthetic resin material for floating on water, and polypropylene or polyethylene, etc. can be employed as the synthetic resin material. In addition, a soft material such as PE (polyethylene) or EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin) can be used as the synthetic resin material. In addition, the Lane rope floats 100 may entirely be blow molded from the synthetic resin material. In addition, the lane rope float 100 may be molded from an EVA resin colored with an inorganic pigment for suppressing color fading.
Next, the attachment structure for attaching the plurality of lane rope floats 100 to the rope R will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
By utilizing the spacer 800 which is separately formed with the lane rope float 100, the width L1 of the gap between the lane rope floats 100 can be easily changed by appropriately changing the width of the spacer 800. Further, when the spacer 800 is arranged and the lane rope float 100 is disposed, the spacer 800 is interposed between the lane rope floats 100 by outer end surfaces of the spacer 800 abutting against end surfaces (113C side) of the adjacent lane rope floats 100, so that the adjacent lane rope floats 100 do not directly contact with each other, it thus can prevent the lane rope floats 100 from be difficult to rotate what is caused by the lane rope floats 100 contacting with each other, or prevent the lane rope floats 100 from being worn out what is caused by the lane rope floats 100 contacting with each other and. In addition, the spacer 800 is preferably formed of a synthetic resin material having a higher hardness than the synthetic resin material constituting the lane rope float 100. Further, an inner side of the spacer 800 is harder and smoother than an inner side of the tubular portion 110 of the lane rope float 100, so that the lane rope float 100 can easily rotate and the tubular portion 110 of the lane rope float 100 is hardly scraped. Further, the spacer 800 may be formed of polyethylene, and even if the spacer 800 is made of the same raw material as the lane rope float 100, a surface hardness of the spacer 800 can be harder than that of the lane rope float 100. The lane rope float 100100 may be a foamed product molded by foam molding, or may be a non-foamed solid product molded by injection molding, the non-foamed solid product having a surface hardness harder than a blown product molded by blow molding. The spacer 800 is not limited to the embodiment shown in
Next, as illustrated in
In addition, regardless of the rope R side connected to the outer wall 910 of the pool 900 shown in
In addition, another part of the waves (refer to W2) enters the interior of the lane rope float 100 from the opening 140 sunken below the water surface W. Then, the waves entering the interior of the lane rope float 100 collide with the blades 120 or the protruding plates 150, by a force created at this time, the lane rope float 100 is shaken up and down, or the lane rope float 100 swings around the rope R as the center. As described above, the kinetic energy of the waves is consumed by being converted into the rotational energy of the lane rope float 100, and as a result, the waves are disappeared.
However, at the outer wall 910 side of the pool 900, the swimming direction is changed by performing a turn action, after the turn action, the swimmer hits the waves which is generated when the swimmer swims before the turn action, thus making it difficult to swim. Furthermore, regarding the large waves when the swimmer turns back, compared to using the lane rope float 100 to eliminate most of the waves, allowing a portion of the waves to escapes to an adjacent lane can more reduce the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface W, it will become easy to swim after the turn.
Therefore, as illustrated in
The width of the lane rope float 100 at the rope R side connected to the outer wall 910 of the pool 900 is same as the width of the lane rope float 100 arranged in the vicinity of the center 920 of the pool 900, but the width L1 of the gap X between the lane rope floats 100 is wider than the width of the lane rope float 100 at the rope R side connected to the outer wall 910 of the pool 900, such that the lane rope float 100 can be more easily rotate and wave absorbing performance is more high. In addition, as illustrated in
In addition, the lane rope float set of the present invention includes the lane rope float 100 and the spacer 800, and the gap between the lane rope floats 100 at the rope R side connected to the outer wall 910 of the pool 900 can be widened by the spacer 800. As a result, at the rope R side connected to the outer wall 910 of the pool 900, the waves easily escape to the adjacent lanes from the wider gap between the lane rope floats 100, and the lane rope floats 100 themselves easily rotate, thereby ensuring the wave absorbing performance. According to this, the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface W is reduced, and it makes easier to swim after turning back. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the center 920 of the pool 900, since the gap between the lane rope floats 100 is more narrow, the waves are not easy to escape to the adjacent lanes, and there is the moderate resistance feeling, the swimmer can feel the weight of the water and easily pull while swimming.
In addition, when arranging the lane rope floats 100, the gap between the adjacent lane rope floats 100 is provided at 8% or more in the up and down direction from the center of the lane rope float 100, such that the gap between the lane rope floats 100 can be widened, more waves are allowed to escape to the adjacent lanes, and the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, such that the swimmer can easily swim after turning back. That is, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
More specifically, as illustrated in
Furthermore, at the rope R side connected to the outer wall 910 of the pool 900, the gap between the lane rope floats 100 can be widened by setting the transmission rate of the gap X between the lane rope floats 100 to be 2% to 30%, and more waves can escape to the adjacent lanes, and the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface can be reduced, so that the swimmer can easily swim after turning back. Further, if the transmission rate of the gap between the lane rope floats 100 is 2 to 10%, preferably 3 to 7%, more preferably 4 to 5%, the moderate amount of waves are stopped by the lane rope floats 100 so that a resistance feeling is generated, and the effect of the swimmer easily swimming after turning back can be achieved by the appropriate resistance (the weight of water).
In addition, the openings 140 between respective adjacent lane rope floats 100 are substantially parallelogram, they are configured in such a way that spanning the gap X between the lane rope floats 100. A portion of the opening between the adjacent lane rope floats 100 overlapping with the gap X is at least 0% to 10%, and more preferably 1% to 2%, such that the moderate amount of the waves entering from the opening 140 of the respective lane rope floats 100 can escape to the adjacent lanes, and the fluctuation or the disturbance of the water surface is reduced, and it becomes easy to swim for the swimmer after turning back. More specifically, the waves entering the opening 140 become turbulent and then are attenuated, and are further attenuated when passing through the gap X. In other words, when the area of a large opening 141 (refer to an opening of a substantially parallel quadrangle in
Among swimmers, Japanese top 10 swimmers called top-tip swimmers, or swimming game players capable of swimming a few seconds later than the Japanese note easily feel the resistance or weight of the water in the pool or the like through the skin, easily affecting the swimming competition results.
On the other hand, as illustrated in
Next, referring to
As illustrated in
Therefore, as illustrated in
More specifically, as illustrated in
Thus, as illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
Next, referring to
As illustrated in
Next, referring to
In the lane rope float 100C, an outer end 122C of a blade 120C in the vicinity of a tubular portion 110C is recessed more inward than the outer end 112C of the tubular portion 110C to form a recessed portion 125C. The outer end 122C of the blade 120C in the vicinity of the tubular portion 110C is recessed more inward than the outer end 113C of the tubular portion 110C to form a recessed portion 125C. By being recessed inward, a space in which the spacer 800C attached to the adjacent lane rope float abuts against the one outer end 112C or the other outer end 113C of the tubular portion 110 can be formed, the spacer 800C attached to the adjacent lane rope float engages on the outer end 122C of the blade 120C so as to prevent the spacer 800C from tilting, and it can configured to arrange the lane rope floats 100C in a regular arrangement.
In addition, both the one outer end 112C and the other outer end 113C of the tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C are disposed in a same plane with the outer end 122C of the blade 120C, but it is not limited thereto, and both the one outer end 112C and the other outer end 113C of the tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C may protrude beyond the outer end 122C of the blade plate 120C. Furthermore, the protrusion amounts may be the same or different.
In addition, the spacer 800C is made of synthetic resin material and has an approximately cylindrical shape, and being surrounded by an outer peripheral portion 801C, it has an inserting portion 820C having a through hole 810C, and the inserting portion 820C extends linearly across both end portions in a way that a metal wire is insertable therethrough. In addition, the inserting portion 820C is inserted into the tubular portion 110C and the spacer 800C is attached to the lane rope float 100C. The spacer 800C includes a protruding portion 830C on an end side of the inserting portion 820C, and the protruding 830c protrudes outwardly from the tubular portion 110C without inserting into the tubular portion 110C. An outer diameter of the protruding portion 830C may be larger than an outer diameter of the inserting portion 820C, and may be formed into a substantially T-shape in the side view. In addition, the construction of the spacer 800C is different from the spacer 800 shown in
Furthermore, by attaching the spacer 800C to the lane rope float 100C, it can prevent a shaft portion of the lane rope float 100C from being split when the lane rope float 100C is wound around a reel during storage. More specifically, as illustrated in
By the way of making a wall thickness of the inserting portion 820C of the spacer 800C be thinner than a wall thickness of the tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C, when the spacer 800C is attached to the lane rope float 100C, a step difference 108C between the inner surface 802C of the inserting portion 820C of the spacer 800C and the inner surface 114C of the tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C is small, such that the metal wire is not easily being caught. Further, in the tubular portion 110C, the inner diameter is partially increased at a portion where the inserting portion 820C of the spacer 800C is inserted, and a recessed portion 116C having a shape recessed from the inner surface 114C of the tubular portion 110C is formed. Therefore, when the inserting portion 820C of the spacer 800C is inserted into the recessed portion 116C, a step difference 108C between the inner surface 802C of the inserting portion 820C of the spacer 800C and the inner surface 114C of the tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C becomes smaller, and the metal wire is less likely to be caught. In addition, a step difference 109C between the inner surface 114C of the tubular portion 110C and the recessed portion 116C is larger than the step difference 108C.
In addition, in the case of stretching the rope, a position of the inner diameter of the lane rope float 100C in the vicinity of the center of the tubular portion 110C and the inner diameter of the spacer 800C at the time of installing the spacer 800C may be located on a straight line (a same plane), such that the rope is not easily hooked. Further, when the spacer 800C is attached to one outer end portion of the tubular portion 110C and the lane rope floats 100C are arranged and the rope is stretched, the rope hits against the inner surface of each spacer 800C. Since the rope hardly hits against the tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C, the lane rope float 100C is not easily broken. A construction of one outer end portion 112C side of the tubular portion 110C and a construction of the other outer end portion 113C side are bilaterally symmetrical. Moreover, in
Since both the lane rope float 100C and the spacer 800C are made of polyethylene, sorting is not required when they are discarded, and thus the recycling operation is easy.
The tubular portion 110C of the lane rope float 100C is provided in such a way that the diameter of the tubular portion 110C is increased from the center 117C to the outer end 118C. Therefore, it is easy to remove from the mold during molding. In addition, since it is configured that the diameter of the tubular portion 110C is increased from the center 117C toward the outer end 118C, the lane rope float 100C is hardly caught when the lane rope float 100C is being attached to the metal wire or the like, such that the workability is improved.
Next, a fifth embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As illustrated in
A plurality of blades 13 (six blades in this embodiment) extend from an outside of the tubular portion 12. More specifically, each blade 13 extends only a predetermined length in the direction of the arrow 11A and extends outwardly from the outer side of the tubular portion 12 by 60 degrees. Each of the blades 13 forms a connecting portion 14 configured for connecting with each other, and circumferential outer wall portions 15 for connecting the blades 13 to each other are formed at outer edges of the six blade plates 13. The outer wall portion 15, the adjacent connecting portion 14, a pair of adjacent blades 13, and the tubular portion 12 form small spaces (hereinafter referred to as “individual space” 16) that divide the entire space in the float 10 into six equal parts. The position at which the tubular portion 12 and the blade 13 are connected can be appropriately changed, and the blade 13 may be configured not to contact the outside of the tubular portion 12. In this case, the individual space 16 is defined by the adjacent pair of blades 13, the adjacent connecting portions 14 and the adjacent outer wall portions 15.
In addition, the outer wall portion 15 includes a stopping portion 17 configured for stopping the waves propagated from the water surface D1 of the pool outside the float 10, the stopping portion 17 defines an opening 18 which is configured for introducing the waves propagated from the water surface D1 of the pool into the individual space 16. More specifically, as illustrated in
Further, three water vents 19 are defined in the connecting portion 14 which connects the blades 13 and the outer wall portion 15, and these water vents 19 allow the wave introduced into the individual space 16 flow into the water. In this case, the water in the left individual space 16 flows into the right individual space 16, in addition, the water in the right individual space 16 flows into the left individual space 16. As a structure relating to the connecting portion 14 and the water vent 19, a width of the connecting portion 14 (that is, a width for stopping the water) and widths of a water pathways of the three water vents 19 can be appropriately set. That is, the ratio can be arbitrarily changed by fixing one of the widths of the connecting portion 14 and the widths of the water pathway of the three water vents 19 and changing the other one. For example, the water vent 19 has an opening of 20 to 60% preferably 25 to 50%, and more preferably 30 to 45% with respect to the connecting portion 14. If the water vent 19 is opened too much with respect to the connecting portion 14, the strength of the entire float may be reduced, and the float may be damaged or deformed in a packaged and wound state during storage. As a result, the inflow amount of water introduced into the individual space 16 can be adjusted to an appropriate inflow amount. As described above, by appropriately changing the width of the connecting portion 14 and the widths of the water pathways of the water vents 19, because the amount of water introduced into the individual space 16 is different, and the kinetic energy of the waves traveling through the water is different, the oscillation amount of the float 10 changes, and the degree of dissipation of the waves traveling on the water surface is changed. In addition, the width of the connecting portion 14 and the position and the shape of the water vent 19 may be appropriately changed other than those in this embodiment.
As illustrated in
In the case of the above mentioned float 10, the stopping portion 17 stops the waves transmitted from the water surface D1 of the pool, which is outside the float 10, and reflects toward the outside of the float 10. On the other hand, when the waves transmitted from the outside of the float 10 are introduced into the individual space 16 through the opening 18, since the waves collide with the blade 13, the connecting portion 14, and the projecting plate 21, etc. in the individual space 16, the turbulence may be generated in the water in the individual space 16, and this turbulence causes the shake, rotation, displacement, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as “shake, etc.”) of the float 10 attached to the rope 11. Furthermore, the waves reflected by the collision against the blade 13 and the connecting portion 14, etc. are discharged from the opening 18 and the water vent 19 into the individual space 16 next to the shared connecting portion 14 and the water vent 19. As a result, the waves further generate the turbulence by hitting the blade 13, the protruding portion 20, the projecting plate 21, etc. in the adjacent individual space 16, and this turbulence causes the shake, rotation, displacement, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as “shake, etc.”) of the float 10 attached to the rope. The energy of the waves transmitted into the individual space 16 in this way causes the turbulence in the water within the individual space 16, and the energy generating this turbulence is consumed within the float 10, with the result the waves caused by the swimmer are dissipated by the shake, etc. of the float 10. In addition, the area of the opening 18 is 40% to 70%, preferably 50% to 60%, of the outer wall 15, and the stopping portion 17 is 30% to 60%, preferably 40% to 50%, of the outer wall portion 15. The waves are prone to turbulence then be consumed by the area of the opening 18 being larger than that of the stopping portion 17. Among the waves entering from the opening 18, the waves entering from the opening 18 and the waves bouncing against the blade 13 generate the turbulence and are then dissipated, and further, the turbulence is generated, and the waves are then dissipated at a rear surface side of the stopping portion 17. By making the area of the opening 18 be larger than that of the stopping portion 17, the amount of water increases, and the waves complicatedly generate the turbulence and are then dissipated.
Furthermore, at the connecting portion 14 including the protruding portion 20, the waves transmitted in the individual space 16 can be smoothly guided to the water vent 19, whereas assuming that the protruding portion 20 is not formed, there is a possibility that the waves transmitted in the individual space 16 cannot be smoothly guided to the water vent 19. Accordingly, the protruding portion 20 performs a function of guiding the waves introduced into the individual space 16 via the opening 18 to the water vent 19.
In addition, as shown in
In this case, a shape of an outer end of the wave preventing portion 22 and an outer end of the ride-over portion 23 substantially coincide with the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion 15, and the outer end of the ride-over portion 23 is substantially co-plane with the outer wall portion 15. Further, the thickness of the ride-over portion 23 may be set to be thinner than the thickness of the outer wall portion 15 from the viewpoint of weight reduction. The shapes, positions, sizes, thicknesses, etc. of the wave preventing portion 22 and the ride-over portion 23 are not limited to these, but can be changed appropriately. Further, the height of the wave preventing portion 22 which the waves pass over only needs to be lower than the height of the ride-over portion 23. When the float 10 is attached to the rope, and due to the tension of the rope, the wave preventing portion 22 of the float 10 may sink from of the water surface side DIA of the pool. However, even in this case, a same effect can be obtained.
As a result, in a situation that blade 13 is placed on the water surface D1, if the wave preventing portion 22 is positioned on the water surface side DIA and the ride-over portion 23 is positioned in the water DIB, when the waves transmitted from the outside of the float 10 are introduced into the individual space 16, it is easy for the waves to pass over the wave preventing portion 22, enter the individual space 16 and be reflected by the ride-over portion 23. By employing such a configuration, it is easy to shake, etc., the float 10 by the waves transmitted from the water surface D1 of the pool and out of the float 10. In addition, when a wall thickness of the ride-over portion 23 including the convex shape is increased, the strength of the entire float 10 is ensured, and the damage during operating of the float 10 is prevented. Here, in the individual spaces 16 which share the water vent 19 at the left and right side shown in
As described above, even if the wave preventing portion 22 of one float 10 (right side) becomes at the water D1B side and the ride-over portion 23 becomes at the water surface D1A side, and the wave preventing portion 22 of the float 10 on the opposite side (left side) becomes at the water surface D1A side and the ride-over portion 23 becomes at the water D1B side, such that it is easy for the waves transmitted from the water surface D1 of the pool and out of the float 10 to make the float 10 shake, etc., In the case where the above-described configuration is adopted, the waves can be quickly dissipated, and in order to quickly proceed the swimming competition, after a short wave attenuation time following a previous swimmer's competition, the next swimmer can start the competition.
The photograph shown in
When the ratio of A1 (the volume of the individual space 16) to B1 (the total area B1 of the water vents 19) is more than 1000:5 (more than an upper limit), it can be inferred that the attenuation amount of the waves transmitted in the individual space 16 is relatively small, and the attenuation of the waves in the individual space 16 is insufficient. In addition, when the ratio of A1 to B1 is less than 1000:15 (less than a lower limit), it can be inferred that the attenuation amount of the waves transmitted in the individual space 16 is relatively small and the attenuation of the waves in the individual space 16 is insufficient. It should be noted that, the so-called “the attenuation of the waves is insufficient”, as a judgment basis, refers to a situation in which the waves are not dissipated before a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute and 30 seconds) passes after the swimmer swam. On the other hand, the so-called “the situation in which the attenuation of the waves is sufficient” refers to a situation in which the waves are dissipated before the predetermined time (for example, 1 minute and 30 seconds) after the swimmer swam. As a result, it can be inferred that allowable values of the ratio of A1 to B1 which are not less than the lower limit (1000:15) and not more than the upper limit (1000:5) coincides with allowable values which are not less than a lower limit and not more than an upper limit based on a wave attenuation related basis (whether or not the predetermined time after the swimmer swam has elapsed). Further, when the ratio of A1 to B1 is within the allowable values which are not less than the lower limit and not more than the upper limit, it was found that the wave attenuation was sufficient. As a result, regarding the ratio of A1 to B1, etc., we found that there was a possibility that the wave attenuation would be improved by further verification, and various trial and error tests are performed. For example, in addition to the above-described one minute and 30 seconds (the wave attenuation related basis), the predetermined period of time after the swimmer swam may be set to a shorter predetermined time, for example, one minute and 20 seconds, the shorter the elapsed time after the swimmer swam, the higher the function of performing wave attenuation (wave attenuation performance). In addition, when the predetermined time after the swimmer swam is set to 1 minute and 20 seconds, if the ratio of A1 to B1 is within the allowable values which are not less than (1000:10) (not less than the lower limit) and not more than (1000:6) (not more than the upper limit), it is possible to notify that the wave attenuation is sufficient. In addition, as the wave attenuation related basis, another basis (official basis, internal basis, etc.) may be adopted except for the presence or absence of the predetermined time after the swimmer swam.
In addition, as a further examination for the situation of “the attenuation of the waves is insufficient” and the situation of “the attenuation amount of the waves is appropriate”, the following criteria were found. That is, as in the case of the above-described determination criterion, when the ratio of A1 (the volume of individual space 16) to C1 (the total area of the openings 18) is more than (1000:15) (more than an upper limit), it can be seen that the attenuation amount of the waves transmitted within the individual space 16 is relatively small and the attenuation of the waves in individual space 16 is not sufficient. When the ratio of A1 to C1 is less than (1000:25) (less than a lower limit), it can be seen that the attenuation amount of the waves transmitted within the individual space 16 is relatively small and the attenuation of the waves in individual space 16 is not sufficient. As a result, it can be seen that the allowable values of the ratio of A1 to C1, which are not less than the lower limit (1000:25) and not more than the upper limit (1000:15), coincides with the allowable values which are not less than the lower limit and not more than the upper limit based on the radio wave correlation basis (whether or not the predetermined time after the swimmer swam has elapsed). Further, when the ratio of A1 to C1 is within the allowable values which are not less than the lower limit and not more than the upper limit, it was found that the wave attenuation was sufficient. As a result, regarding the ratio of A1 to C1, etc., there was a possibility that the wave attenuation would be improved by further verification, and various trial and error tests are performed. For example, when the predetermined time after the swimmer swam was set to 1 minute 20 seconds (wave attenuation related basis), the ratio of A1 to C1 is found to be sufficient if the ratio of A1 to C1 is within the allowable values which are not less than 1000:23 (not less than a lower limit) and not more than 1000:17 (not more than an upper limit), it is possible to notify that the wave attenuation is sufficient. In addition, as the wave attenuation related basis, another basis (an official basis, an internal basis, etc.) may be adopted except for the presence or absence of the predetermined time after the swimmer swam. As described above, according to the float 10 of the present embodiment, the waves propagating on the water surface D1 can be eliminated in a short time by quickly consuming the energy of the waves on the water surface D1 generated by the swimmer who is swimming in the lane of the pool.
More specifically, as illustrated in photos in
A method of implementing the present invention will be described below. According to the appendices (a1), a lane rope float attached to a rope for dividing a pool water surface for a lane, comprising: a central attachment portion configured to allow the rope to be inserted into a center of the float, an outer wall portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool at an outer side wall surface and forming an opening capable of guiding the waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool into a space in the float; a plurality of blades configured for connecting the outer wall portion to the central attachment portion, the plurality of blades extending in a direction in which the rope extends so as to divide the space in the float into a plurality of spaces; and a connecting portion configured for connecting the plurality of blades to each other and comprising a water vent configured for discharging the waves guided into the space in the float via the opening, wherein in a case that a volume of an individual space partitioned at least by a pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the water vent associated with the individual space is defined as B1, a ratio of A1 and B1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than 1000:15 of a lower limit and not more than 1000:5 of an upper limit.
As appendices (a2), in the above appendices (a1), it is desirable that, in a case that the volume of the individual space partitioned at least by the pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the opening associated with the individual space is defined as C1, and a ratio of A1 to C1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than 1000:25 of a lower limit and not more than 1000:15 of an upper limit.
As appendices (a3), in the above appendices (a1 or a2), it is preferable that the connecting portion further comprises a guide portion configured for guiding the waves introduced into the space in the float via the opening.
As appendices (a4), in the above appendices (a3), it is preferable that the guide portion comprises a projecting portion projecting in the direction in which the rope extends.
As appendices (a5), in the above appendices (a4), it is preferable that the guide portion comprises a tapered surface at a part of the guide portion, and the tapered surface is configured for guiding the waves in the space to the water vent.
As appendices (a6), in the above appendices (a5), it is preferable that the lane rope float is attached to the rope by a following way: at the connection portion connecting the outer wall portion and the blades, in a situation when the blades are placed on a water surface, an wave preventing portion is arranged on one side of a portion which is cut in a direction perpendicular to the water surface and is in the direction in which the rope extends, and an ride-over portion is arranged at an opposite side, such that the wave preventing portion is located on a water surface side of the pool and the ride-over portion is located in the pool water.
According to the appendices (b1), a lane rope float attached to a rope for dividing a pool water surface for a lane, comprising: a central attachment portion configured to allow the rope to be inserted into a center of the float, an outer wall portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool at an outer side wall surface and forming an opening capable of guiding the waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool into a space in the float; a plurality of blades configured for connecting the outer wall portion to the central attachment portion and extending in a direction in which the rope extends so as to divide the space in the float into a plurality of spaces; and a connecting portion configured for connecting the plurality of blades to each other, the connecting portion comprising a water vent configured for discharging the waves introduced into the space in the float via the opening, and a guide portion configured for guiding the waves guided into the space in the float via the opening.
As appendices (b2), in the above appendices (b1), it is preferable that the guide portion comprises a projecting portion projecting in the direction in which the rope extends. As appendices (b3), in the above appendices (b2), it is preferable that the guide portion comprises a tapered surface at a part of the guide portion, and the tapered surface is configured for guiding the waves in the space to the water vent.
As appendices (b4), in the above appendices (b3), it is preferable that, in a case that a volume of an individual space partitioned at least by a pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the water vent associated with the individual space is defined as B1, a ratio of A1 and B1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than a of 1000:15 and not more than an upper limit of 1000:5. As appendices (b5), in the above appendices (b4), it is preferable that, in a case that the volume of the individual space partitioned at least by the pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the opening associated with the individual space is defined as C1, and a ratio of A1 to C1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than 1000:25 of a lower limit and not more than 1000:15 of an upper limit.
According to the appendices (c1), a lane rope float attached to a rope for dividing a pool water surface for a lane, comprising: a central attachment portion configured to allow the rope to be inserted into a center of the float, an outer wall portion configured for stopping waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool at an outer side wall surface and forming an opening capable of guiding the waves transmitted from the water surface of the pool into a space in the float; a plurality of blades configured for connecting the outer wall portion to the central attachment portion and extending in a direction in which the rope extends so as to divide the space in the float into a plurality of spaces; and a connecting portion configured for connecting the plurality of blades to each other and comprising a water vent configured for discharging the waves introduced into the space in the float via the opening, wherein the lane rope float is attached to the rope by following way: at a connection portion which connects the outer wall portion and the blades, in a situation in which the blades are placed on the water surface, an wave preventing portion is arranged on one side of a portion which is cut in a direction perpendicular to the water surface and is in the direction in which the rope extends, and an ride-over portion is arranged on an opposite side, such that the wave preventing portion is located on a water surface side and the ride-over portion is located in the pool water.
As appendices (c2), in the above appendices (c1), it is preferable that the connecting portion further comprises a guide portion configured for guiding the waves introduced into the space in the float via the opening.
As appendices (c3), in the above appendices (c2), it is preferable that the guide portion comprises a projecting portion projecting in the direction in which the rope extends.
As appendices (c4), in the above appendices (c3), it is preferable that the guide portion comprises a tapered surface at a part of the guide portion, and the tapered surface is configured for guiding the waves in the space to the water vent.
As appendices (c5), in the above appendices (c4), it is preferable that, in a case that a volume of an individual space partitioned at least by a pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the water vent associated with the individual space is defined as B1, a ratio of A1 and B1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than 1000:15 of a lower limit and not more than 1000:5 of an upper limit. As appendices (c6), in the above appendices (c5), it is preferable that, in a case that the volume of the individual space partitioned at least by the pair of adjacent blades, the outer wall portion adjacent to the blades, and the connecting portion adjacent to the blades is defined as A1, and an area of the opening associated with the individual space is defined as C1, and a ratio of A1 to C1 is set to an allowable value which is not less than 1000:25 of a lower limit and not more than 1000:15 of an upper limit.
In addition, the attachment structure for attaching a plurality of lane rope floats to the rope, the lane rope float set, and the lane rope float are not limited to the above embodiment, and various deformations and combinations are included in the scope of the claim.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-113704 | Jul 2022 | JP | national |
| 2023-007621 | Jan 2023 | JP | national |
| 2023-056844 | Mar 2023 | JP | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2023/024850 | Jul 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19019889 | US |
