WO2018073498A1 - Play device intended for juggling - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a play device (10) intended for juggling, comprising upper branches (21), and lower branches (22), an upper linking part (31), and a lower linking part (32), the upper and lower linking parts (31, 32) being aligned along a main axis (X), and a peripheral armature (40), of annular shape arranged between the upper linking part (31) and the lower linking part (32) along the main axis (X), said upper branches (21) and lower branches (22) forming an external envelope delimiting an interior space of the play device (10) and being configured to deform in such a way that the device (10) passes from an initial shape to a bowed shape when a user bounces the play device (10) on his body, and from the bowed shape to the initial shape after the bounce.

Description

 Game device for juggling

The invention relates to a gaming device for juggling.

It is known from the prior art to provide game devices, especially for exercise or physical training. An example of such a device is described in patent FR 2 649 900 B1. The example described in this patent relates to a device whose manufacture is artisanal, difficult to reproduce by an unsuspecting user and eager to reproduce said device. On the other hand, the shape given to the object being random, exercise or physical training is not comparable when performed with two devices manufactured by different users. One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a gaming device for juggling, standard, whose industrial production is easy.

Thus, the invention relates to a gaming device for juggling, comprising first branches, said upper branches, and second branches, said lower branches, a first connecting portion, said upper link portion, and a second connecting portion , said lower link portion, the upper and lower link portions being aligned along an axis, said main axis, and a frame, said peripheral armature, annular or substantially annular formed between the upper link portion and the lower link portion along the major axis, the peripheral armature extending around orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the main axis, the upper limbs extending from the upper link portion to the peripheral armature, the lower limbs extending from the lower link portion to the peripheral reinforcement, said upper and lower branches forming an outer envelope delimiting an interior space of the gaming device and being configured to deform so that the device changes from an initial shape to a bent shape when a user bounces the game device on his body, and the form bent to the original shape after the rebound.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

 - The armature is formed of a lower rim and an upper rim parallel to one another, the device comprising a first part, said upper part, and a second part, said lower part, the part lower part comprising the lower connecting part, the lower branches and the lower flange, the upper part comprising the upper connecting part, the upper branches and the upper flange, the upper part and the lower part being configured to be assembled one to the other, by joining the lower rim and the upper rim,

 the outer envelope has a generally spherical or ovoid shape,

 the envelope has a flattened sphere shape,

the branches extend radially between one of said connecting portions and the peripheral reinforcement, said branches being spaced at a constant angle around the main axis of the device, the main axis is an axis of symmetry of the game device,

 the device of the invention further comprises a housing configured to receive an electronic beacon, said housing being positioned in the interior space of the device,

 the housing is held in position in the interior space of the device by a plurality of arms,

 - The housing is of planar shape and extends substantially in a plane perpendicular to the main axis and passing through the armature,

 the arms are configured to be held by the peripheral armature,

the device is configured to bend in such a way that the connecting parts approach each other without touching each other and without coming into contact with the housing positioned inside said device,

 - each of the connecting parts is intended to receive an information presentation,

 the device of the invention comprises a plurality of connection points at the level of the peripheral reinforcement, said connection points comprising glue points, welding points, in particular by ultrasound, and / or connecting rivets.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached schematic drawing: FIG. 1a is a view from below of an exemplary embodiment of a game device according to the invention,

 FIG. 1b is a front view of the same example as that illustrated in FIG.

 FIG. 1c is a sectional view according to the reference C-C of FIG. 1b,

 FIG. 1d is a sectional view according to the reference D-D of FIG. 1b,

 FIG. 1 e is a front view of an exemplary housing for an electronic beacon according to the invention,

 FIG. 2 is an isometric representation, in front view, of an exemplary embodiment of a device of the invention,

 - Figure 3 is also an isometric representation of the same embodiment as that shown in Figure 2, but the view is slightly inclined.

The invention relates to a game device 10 for juggling, comprising first branches, said upper branches 21, and second branches, said lower branches 22, a first connecting portion, said upper link portion 31, and a second portion link, said lower link portion 32, the upper link portion 31 and lower 32 being aligned along an axis, said main axis X. The main axis X is marked in Figures 1a, 1b and 1 e.

"Branches" are areas of discrete materials that define spaces between them. The branches 21, 22, taken together, define an overall envelope, with an internal space and an external space, without these spaces being delimited by a solid wall. The device of the invention also comprises an armature, said peripheral armature 40, of annular or substantially annular shape. The peripheral armature 40 extends around the main axis X and orthogonally or substantially orthogonal thereto. The peripheral armature 40 is arranged between the upper connecting portion 31 and the lower connecting portion 32 along the main axis X.

 The term "armature" means a peripheral rim on which the branches 21, 22 are supported.

 The upper branches 21 extend from the upper connecting portion 31 to the peripheral armature 40; the lower branches 22 extend from the lower connection portion 32 to the peripheral reinforcement 40.

Advantageously, the branches 21, 22 extend radially, with respect to the main axis X, between one of said connecting portions 31, 32 and the peripheral reinforcement 40. In particular, said branches 21, 22 are spaced from an angle constant around the main axis X of the device 10. Thus, in the example illustrated here, the device of the invention comprises 24 branches 21, 22 (see Figure 1 b) spaced from each other by a constant angle of the order of 15 degrees of angle. The number of branches 21, 22 is not limiting; it may be in the range [6; 36] without departing from the scope of the invention. The constant distance between the branches 21, 22 will then be in the range [10; 60] in terms of degrees of angle.

As mentioned above, said upper 21 and lower 22 branches form an outer envelope delimiting an interior space of the gaming device and are configured so that the device 10 changes from an initial shape to a folded shape when a user bounces the gaming device on his body, and the bent shape to the initial shape after rebound.

 In other words, the branches 21, 22 deform elastically, when a user bounces the game device on his body, before returning to their original form. In other words, said branches 21, 22 are made to allow the device to bend during contact with the body of a user before the device returns to its original shape, especially just after contact with the body of the user. 'an user. In other words, the branches 21, 22 are provided elastic to deform without breaking when in contact with the body of a user; branches 21, 22 being provided sufficiently elastic to allow the entire device to bounce after contact.

Thus, the game device of the invention is intended for juggling, including fun and educational juggling.

As can be seen in FIG. 1a, the armature 40 is formed of a lower rim 42 and an upper rim 41 parallel to one another.

 Indeed, it is possible to define, for the device, a first part, said upper part 1 1, and a second part, said lower part 12. Said two parts 1 1, 12 are separate parts before being assembled to form the device 10 of the invention.

The lower part 12 comprises the lower connecting part 32, the lower branches 22 and the lower flange 42, while the upper part 11 comprises the upper connecting part 31, the upper branches 21 and the upper flange 41. The upper parts 1 1 and lower 12 are advantageously designed to be assembled to each other by securing the lower flange 42 and the upper flange 41. In other words, the device of the invention comprises a plurality of connection points 50 at the level of the peripheral reinforcement 40, said connection points 50 possibly being glue points, soldering points, in particular by ultrasound, and / or connecting rivets 51 (see Figure 1 d). In other words, the connection points 50 allow the assembly of the upper parts 1 1 and lower 12 by discrete areas of contact between the upper flanges 41 and lower 42. Thus, with reference to FIGS. 1 a and / or 3, once assembled and held in position against each other, in particular by means of a recess connection which has no degree of freedom, the upper parts 1 1 and lower 12 of the gaming device 10 form a homogeneous assembly . More precisely, the upper and lower branches 22 are positioned in continuity, on either side of the frame 40, so as to give an illusion of a single branch which extends, from end to end, between the upper connecting part 31 and the lower link 32. In other words, each branch 21 is arranged opposite a branch 22. In other words, the upper parts 1 1 and lower 12 are secured so that the upper branches 21 and lower 22 join along a joint plane substantially orthogonal to the main axis X, said joint plane being detectable, especially to the touch, while being difficult to detect with the naked eye. In other words, the device 10 of the invention may appear molded in a single piece, on either side of this joint plane, while it is formed of two distinct parts 1 1, 12 which are joined together by points of connection 50. The example illustrated here represents a fastening of the upper parts 1 1 and lower 12 with rivets 51 evenly distributed around the main axis X (see in particular Figure 3). On the other hand, as is particularly visible in Figure 3, the outer casing of the device has a generally spherical or ovoid shape. More specifically, the envelope has a flattened sphere shape (also visible in Figure 1a), said sphere shape being flattened along the main axis X.

 It is interesting to note, in addition, that the main axis X is, here, an axis of symmetry of the game device 10.

The device of the invention 10 further comprises a housing 60 configured to receive an electronic beacon, said housing 60 being positioned in the interior space of the device. The term "electronic beacon" means an electronic unit configured to communicate with a device external to the game device 10, in particular by electronic waves, or by radio waves. The electronic unit is an embedded unit, which may include a transmitter, a battery, a data storage element, and any other electronic means for wireless communication between the gaming device and the outside.

Thus, the game device 10 constitutes a connected object.

It is interesting to note that the housing 60 is held in position in the interior space of the device by a plurality of arms 61, 62, 63, 64 (see FIGS. and 1 e). Thus, the housing 60 is integral with the game device 10; he follows his movement. In other words, the electronic tag that is housed therein has no degree of freedom with the game device 10 and can record the data relating to its displacement in a faithful manner.

In the example illustrated here, the housing 60 is of planar shape and extends substantially in a plane perpendicular to the main axis X which passes through the frame 40 (see Figures 1c and 1d). The size of the housing 60 is limited, in particular on either side of a plane, that defined by the armature 40 which is also substantially flat, in particular in the example illustrated here.

It is also interesting to note that the peripheral armature 40 is configured to hold the arms 61, 62, 63, 64. More specifically, the arms 61, 62, 63, 64 are configured to be held between the peripheral flanges 41, 42 of the two parts 1 1, 12 of the device of the invention 10. Thus, as is particularly visible in Figures 1 d and 1 e, said arms 61, 62, 63, 64 each have an end 61 ', 62', 63 ', 64' intended to be housed between the peripheral flanges 41, 42 and to be held there by a rivet 51 passing through the peripheral flanges 41, 42 and the end 61 ', 62', 63 ', 64' of said arm 61 , 62, 63, 64. In other words, in the example illustrated here, said ends 61 ', 62', 63 ', 64' are provided with a through hole which allows the riveting of each of the arms 61, 62, 63 , 64 at the peripheral edges 41, 42, while forming an assembly with the upper parts 1 1 and lower 12. Here, the arms 61, 62, 63, 64 are 4 in number without this figure being limiting. The number of arms may be in the range [2; 8] without departing from the scope of the invention.

 On the other hand, the arms 61, 62, 63, 64 are here regularly distributed around the main axis X to ensure optimum wear resistance. This regular distribution is not exhaustive.

As mentioned above, the rivets 51 are an example of non-limiting embodiment. It is also conceivable, in additional exemplary embodiments not illustrated herein, that the lower parts 1 1, upper 12 and the arms 61, 62, 63, 64 are glued together at the frame 40 of the device of the invention 10, or still clipped together.

On the other hand, the device 10 is configured to bend so that the connecting portions 31, 32 come closer to each other without touching and without coming into contact with the housing 60 positioned inside. said device 10, in particular during a contact with the body of a user. This makes it possible to give its rebound to the device of the invention 10, in particular because its elastic deformation is not limited by a housing 60 which would be oversized. An oversized housing could prevent the connecting portions 31, 32, opposite each other along the main axis X, from getting closer. The approximation of the connecting portions 31, 32 allows the device 10 to store kinetic energy which it then restores with a rebound; this rebound is allowed by the elasticity of the branches 21, 22 which re-deploy after an impact / which resume their initial position. In other words, the crushing of the structure formed by the device 10 is provided by the vacuum existing between the two lower parts 12 and upper 1 1 and especially, in that the housing 60 is provided flat so as not to fill the gap. interior space of the game device 10 counterproductively.

It is interesting to note that the upper link portion 31 - respectively lower 32 - will advantageously be made of material with the upper branches 21 - respectively upper 22 - and the upper peripheral edge 41 - respectively lower 42. "Material issue" ", An integral molding, or overmoulding of these elements between them. The selected material will be, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, or even polyethylene.

It is interesting to note, also, that each of the connecting parts 31, 32 is intended to receive an information presentation marked "I" in Figure 2, of the logo type or of the original identification type of the product.

It should be noted again that the lower branches 22 and upper 21 join at the level of the frame 40, slightly protruding from the lower flanges 42 and upper 41, in a radial direction from the frame 40, moving away the main axis X. This has the advantage of creating hung reliefs to optimize the juggle initiated by a user; said reliefs will be on the perimeter periphery of the device of the invention 10, in particular at the level of the joint plane substantially orthogonal to the main axis X. This joint plane is marked P on Figure 1b: it is the plane of the sheet on this figure 1 b. The plane P is also illustrated in FIGS. 1c and 3.

It should be noted, again, that the lower 12 and upper 1 1 parts will be substantially identical, or even identical, so as to facilitate the process leading to the manufacture of a device according to the invention. In other words, the lower 12 and upper 11 1 parts will be molded, without indexing, so as to form a game device 10 without having to distinguish the two parts 1 1, 12 at the time of assembly, in particular with the housing 60.

It should be noted, for information purposes, the following indicative values for the dimensions of the device of the invention 10:

 height h10 of the device 10 of the order of 70 mm (see FIG. 1 a);

 diameter d10 of the device 10 of the order of 130 mm (see FIG. 1 b);

 diameter d60 of the housing 60 of the order of 55 mm (see FIG. 1 e);

 - Wheelbase D60 arm on both sides of the housing 60 of the order of 120mm (see also Figure 1 e),

 - Height h60 housing 60, measured along the main axis X, of the order of 12mm (see Figure 1 c).

Claims

claims A game device (10) for juggling, comprising first branches, said upper branches (21), and second branches, said lower branches (22), a first connecting portion, said upper link portion (31), and a second connecting portion, said lower link portion (32), the upper and lower link portions (31, 32) being aligned along an axis, said main axis (X), and a frame, said peripheral armature Annular or substantially annular shape arranged between the upper link portion (31) and the lower link portion (32) along the major axis (X), the peripheral armature (40) extending about the main axis (X) and orthogonally or substantially orthogonal thereto, the upper limbs (21) extending from the upper link portion (31) to the peripheral armature (40), the lower legs (22) extending from the lower link portion (32) to the peripheral armature (40) , said upper (21) and lower branches (22) forming an outer envelope defining an interior space of the gaming device (10) and being configured to deform such that the device (10) changes from an initial shape to a bent shape when a user bounces the game device (10) on its body, and the shape bent to the initial shape after the rebound. A game device (10) according to the preceding claim wherein the armature (40) is formed of a lower flange (42) and an upper flange (41) parallel to each other, the device (10) ) comprising a first part, said upper part (1 1), and a second part, said lower part (12), the part lower portion (12) comprising the lower link portion (32), the lower legs (22) and the lower ledge (42), the upper portion (1 1) comprising the upper link portion (31), the upper legs (21). ) and the upper flange (41), the upper part (1 1) and the lower part (12) being configured to be assembled to one another, by joining the lower flange (41) and the upper flange (42). ). A game device (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the outer casing has a generally spherical or ovoid general shape. A game device (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope has a flattened sphere shape. Game device according to the preceding claim, wherein the branches (21, 22) extend radially between one of said connecting portions (31, 32) and the peripheral armature (40), said arms (21, 22) being spaced at a constant angle around the main axis (X) of the device (10). A game device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main axis (X) is an axis of symmetry of the game device (10). A game device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing (60) configured to receive a beacon electronics, said housing (60) being positioned in the interior space of the device (10). 8. Game device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing (60) is held in position in the interior of the device (10) by a plurality of arms (61, 62, 63, 64). 9. Game device (10) according to the preceding claim wherein the housing (60) is of planar shape and extends substantially in a plane perpendicular to the main axis (X) and passing through the armature (40). A game device (10) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the arms (61, 62, 63, 64) are configured to be held by the peripheral armature (40). A game device (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the device (10) is configured to fold so that the connecting portions (31, 32) come closer to one another. the other without touching and without coming into contact with the housing (60) positioned inside said device (10). 12. Game device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the connecting portions (31, 32) is intended to receive an information presentation (I). 3. A game device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of connection points (50) at the peripheral reinforcement, said connection points comprising glue points, solder points, especially by ultrasound, and / or connecting rivets (51).