Patent Application
20210170260
The present disclosure relates to a course marker, and especially to an arrangement and a method related to the marking of a course in water sports.
In water sports, the marking of a course has for a long time conventionally been done by marking by buoys. Especially in water sports like water skiing, the course is commonly marked using a metal wire anchored in the sea bottom at each end, and stretched to extend horizontally along the sea bottom. The wire connects a number of branches, that lead out to the sides to which buoys are anchored and thus form a zig-zag path for the water skier to follow at the surface. Another solution can be to anchor each buoy individually in the sea bottom. These solutions provide fixed courses, which prevents a flexible course in case of weather and wind. Further, since the course is fixed, the length and extension of the course cannot be varied.
Subsequently, after one finished “lap”, the boat must make a large turn far from the course in order to enter the course again, so that surge from the boat turning does not affect the surface in the track. This is time and fuel consuming.
Since the wires and buoys may be kept in the water permanently, they may need frequent maintenance. Also, permanent installations may be a problem for surrounding water traffic and the water environment, which leads to difficulties in getting permission to install them altogether.
There is thus a need to find a more flexible solution to provide for a water sports course.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved solution that alleviates the mentioned drawbacks with present devices. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a device and method to obtain an instant and temporary sports track on a water surface. The inventor has realized that this may be achieved by a device, a water track marker, ejecting a projectile, i.e. an object like e.g. a spherical ball like object to form a splash marking on a water surface. It is understood that a projectile of the kind can be any shape suitable. This splash mark may serve as a temporary marking for a sports track, and allow a performer such as a sportsman or a person that follows the track, to visually see and follow the temporary track. The water track marker may be usable in any event a temporary track need to be marked, and especially in the event of water ski events.
More particularly, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a water track marker for marking a sports track, such as a water ski track, on a water surface. The water track marker comprises at least a first marker ejector configured to eject marker projectiles towards the water for creating instant markings on the water surface upon impact with the water surface. This is an advantage because it provides for a flexible track which can be used anywhere. A common drawback with present solutions is that the sports tracks normally are placed on a fixed position, which means that the trach cannot be moved to the optimal position in a lake at the specific time, e.g. based on weather conditions, such as wind or if there for some other reason would be inappropriate to exercise the water sport at that particular place one day. With a flexible, instant and temporary water track, the track can be placed anywhere suitable at that time. Further, since fixed water tracks commonly are anchored to the sea bottom, they are not suitable at some lakes due to sensitive sea bottoms or other environmental reasons. Therefore, a temporary sports track which only creates markings on the water surface does not affect the sea bottom negatively. The sports man follows the instant track directly before the markings have disappeared.
According to an embodiment, the marker ejector may be configured to be arranged on a towing boat. The towing boat may be configured to tow a person, such as a water skier for running said sports track. This allows the sports track to be arranged just before the sports person is about to use the track. Thus, the marker ejector ejects a projectile that creates a splash marking. The splash marking lingers on the surface long enough for the sports person to see and follow the marking. In water skiing, the marking may correspond to a buoy which is rounded. The marker ejector then ejects a second marker projectile to the other side, and the sport person have time to see and steer towards the second marking.
According to an embodiment, the water track marker further comprises a control system for controlling ejecting timing, for the marker ejector to eject said marker projectiles. This is an advantage since the control unit may enable the marker projectiles to be ejected in the exact right time in order for the projectiles to impact the water surface and subsequently form a marking in a predetermined way. Thus, markings may form a pattern according to predetermined regimen, such as distance between markings.
According to an embodiment, the control system may comprise a speed sensor. The control system may be adapted to controlling the ejection of said marker projectiles based on a detected speed. Since the place impact of the marker of the projectiles to the surface is dependent on when the marker projectile is ejected, it is a great advantage to monitor the speed of the towing boat. The speed of the towing boat may thus be detected and subsequently the timing between ejections of the projectiles may be controlled. In that way the sports track may be formed in a predetermined way.
In one embodiment, the speed sensor may be a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. In other embodiments, the speed sensor may be coupled to the towing boat's speed sensor.
According to an embodiment, the control system may be configured to only eject marker projectiles when the boat is travelling in a predetermined speed range, preferably when the sportsperson being towed is on his/her feet. The speed range may thus be between 40 kilometers per hour and 60 kilometers per hour. Slower or faster is possible as long as it is a comfortable speed to be towed at. By limiting the ability to eject marker projectiles, it may be secured that a projectile only is ejected when needed. A towing boat driving at low speed may mean that it is close to the shore, and also that the person being towed is not ready. Ejecting a projectile close to shore, and thus close to people and possibly an audience may cause injury. Therefore, it may be a safety feature to ensure ejection only at suitable speeds. It may be possible to vary the speed limit.
According to an embodiment, the control system may further comprise a mode selector comprising at least one preset mode. There may be a MANUAL mode. The manual mode may comprise manual elements such as manual ON/OFF switch. It is also possible that ejection is done manually. There may be one or more preset modes. The preset mode may comprise track data, such as: number of markings of the track, longitudinal distance between markings in relation to the extension of a mid-line of the track, transverse distance between a first marking and the mid-line or the second marking, perpendicularly to said mid line of the track. There may be more track data included in the mode, such as combinations thereof.
According to one embodiment, the mode selector comprises a manual mode and at least a first predetermined mode. The predetermined mode may comprise track data, such as number of markings of the track and/or longitudinal distance between markings in relation to the extension of the mid-line of the track and/or transverse distance between markings perpendicularly to said mid line (M) of the track.
In one embodiment the control system comprises at least a second preset mode, in which said number of markings are set to CONTINOUS. In that type of mode, the marker ejector may be configured to continuously eject marker projectiles until manual cancellation is done. This type of mode may be useful in the event of training. Normally, a competition track comprises a set number of markings, depending on the type of competition and possibly the age of the contestants. A training track may however be as long as needed and may thus be manually operated such that when the mode selector is switched on to continuous, the marker ejector continuously ejects marker projectiles until switched off, or the until the marker projectiles run out.
According to another embodiment, the marker ejector may comprise a ejector tube through which the marker projectiles may be ejected. The ejector tube may be configured to eject the marker projectile in a path so that the marker projectiles collides with the water surface at a predetermined impact point. Thus, the ejector tube may be formed so that the marker projectile assumes a predictable path towards the water surface. This is an advantage since a sports track normally may be arranged according to certain rules and standards.
According to an embodiment, the ejector tube may be configured to eject the projectile with a top spin. This means that the marker projectile may form a predetermined path towards the water surface. Hereby, the risk that the projectile bounces on the water surface may be reduced, since the impact angle relative the water will be steeper than a projectile without a top spin or with a backspin. Further, the instant marking on the water surface may be increased, i.e. the splash may be more distinct, if the projectile is spun in a top spin direction. A top spin is meant to be a spin where the lower portion of the projectile rotates back towards the ejector tube and the top portion rotates towards the impact point.
According to an embodiment, the ejector tube may comprise an exit portion. The exit portion may be bent upwards relative the opposite end of the ejector tube. The upward bend may be provided in order to obtain a travelling path for the marker projectile. The path may be depending on the amount of bend. A steep bend upwards may provide a different path than if the bend would be less steep.
According to an embodiment, the exit portion may comprise a friction lining on an inner wall of the exit portion. The friction lining may be arranged to be in contact with the ejector projectile during ejection. The friction lining in cooperation with said bent exit portion may enable a topspin on the ejector projectile and thereby leading the ejector projectile in a steeper impact towards the water. Hereby, also the ejector projectile may be prevented to bounce on the water surface. Further, a steep angle may provide a distinct splash and thereby form a clear visible marking on the water. This is an advantage since the shape of the exit portion may provide a predictable marking result, which is desired since a sports track commonly must comply with rules and standards.
According to an embodiment, the ejector tube may comprise a cover movable between a closed position in which the cover prevents a projectile to exit by mistake, and an open position in which exit of a projectile is allowed. This may be another safety feature, ensuring that a marker projectile does not accidently hit surrounding persons or objects. The cover may be movable either manually or automatically.
In one embodiment, the cover may be movable in response to the wind force. The wind force arises from the speed of the boat.
In one embodiment, the cover may comprise a spring, and the cover may be movable by pushing the spring out of the exit path. The spring may be configured to be movable by the force of wind arising from the speed of the towing boat. Thus, the cover may be moved in order to allow the exit of a projectile when the boat has reached a predetermined speed and to prevent the exit of a projectile when the boat is static and moving too slow. The cover may spring back to its closed position once the boat slows down and the wind force decreases. Hence, accidental ejection of a projectile when the boat is not moving in a predetermined speed may be prevented by the cover.
According to one embodiment, the water track marker may further comprise a holder configured to be detachably arranged on a towing boat. This means that the water track marker may be arranged at optional places. Also, as a point of security, it may be possible to remove the holder and store it in a secure place along with the water track marker, in order to prevent theft or wear and tear.
In one embodiment the cover comprises a spring, and said cover is movable by pushing the spring out of the exit path, said spring being movable by the force of wind arising from the speed of the towing boat, in order to allow the exit of a projectile when the boat has reached a predetermined speed and to prevent the exit of a projectile when the boat is static and moving too slow.
According to one embodiment, the water track marker may further comprise a second marker ejector. The first marker ejector may be configured to eject marker projectiles towards a first side of the mid line of the track, and the second marker ejector may be configured to eject marker projectiles towards a second side of the mid line of the track. This may also be an advantage because having a first and a second marker ejector may allow them to be fixedly connected and steadily ejecting projectiles in one direction each. This may ensure that the ejected projectiles assume a steady path and not so sensitive to any movement of the marker ejector. Also, in this way, the boat may always be in the center of the track and thus the track may follow the mid line of the course of the boat at all times. It may be possible to create a straight sports track or a curved sports track. The markings may however be ejected in relation to the boat regardless of the boat's course.
In one embodiment, the marker ejector is configured to eject projectiles in a pattern. The pattern may be a zig-zag pattern, such as a slalom track. The sportsman may thus round one marking and then slide over to the other side and round another marking. At the same time, the marker ejector may eject new marker projectiles for the sportsman to round, and repeat this behavior until the whole track has been finished. In one embodiment, the pattern may correspond to a standard pattern for a water sports track, such as a waterski track. This may e.g. have a fixed longitudinal distance and transversal distance relative the travelling path of the boat. The pattern may also be such that the track has one or more subsequent markings on a first side, and then one or more markings on the second side. Thus, the track can be formed in any way suitable, having any number of markings on any of the first or second side. In that way, any pattern may be achieved.
In one embodiment, the marker projectiles may comprise an outer shield which is water soluble. The projectile may have an inner filling which is fluid. The marker projectile may be arranged to break upon impact with the water surface and cause a splash mark. The marker projectiles may be spherical. The marker projectiles may be of a type similar to paintball markers. The filling may be transparent. In that case, only the splash mark on the water surface may be visible. The filling may also be colored, in order to provide a color marking on the water surface. It is possible that the different available marker ejectors may be loaded with different colored projectiles. This may be an advantage if the sports track should contain markings to mark different aspects of the sports track.
According to a second aspect there is provided a method for marking an instant and temporary sports track, such as a water ski track, on a water surface using a water track marker which comprises a marker ejector, arranged on a towing boat, said method comprising the steps of ejecting a first marker projectile to a first side of said towing boat, ejecting a second marker projectile to a second side of said towing boat, so that said first and second marker projectiles marks a temporary sports track.
According to one embodiment, said track marker may comprise a control system for further carrying out the steps of determining a speed of a towing boat on which a marker ejector may be arranged. Based on said determined speed, the step of determining a time interval between the ejection of the first marked projectile and the second marker projectile.
According to another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of repeating the method so as to eject a plurality of first and second projectiles, for forming a zig-zag sports track on a water surface. In this way, a pattern may be formed, such as a slalom track, at which a sportsman rounds each marking, one at a time.
According to another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of enabling a mode selector which may comprise at least a first predetermined mode, comprising track data of a choice of track. The steps may comprise selecting a mode comprising the track data, ejecting the first and second projectiles according to the selected mode. The modes may comprise track data such as number of projectiles, distance between projectiles etc.
According to a third aspect there is provide a towing boat comprising a water track marker. The water track marker may be as previously discussed, and therefore also have corresponding advantages. Further, the boat may be equipped with an integrated water track marker, e.g. integrated in the boat hull or superstructure.
The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. In
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In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/082120 | 12/11/2017 | WO | 00 |
