FR2700810A3

FR2700810A3 - Tensioning member with variable tension controlled pneumatically and its applications

Info

Publication number: FR2700810A3
Application number: FR9300715A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Le Masson Yves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-26
Filing date: 1993-01-26
Publication date: 1994-07-29

Abstract

The member consists of a tubular mesh (1), the two opposite ends 1A, 1B of which are equipped with means (2, 3) allowing the member to be fastened, the said mesh containing an elastic flexible inflatable hermetic bag (4) so that inflation of the bag causes an increase in the cross section of the mesh and causes the ends of the member to move towards each other with a pulling effect. The member can be used especially as a helmet strap, sheet in sailing, and artificial muscle.

Description

L'invention concerne un organe de tension à tension variable, commandée pneumatiquement. The invention relates to a pneumatically controlled tensioning member with variable tension.

Les applications d'un tel tendeur sont nombreuses et il est utilisable notamment comme sangle, comme muscle artificiel, comme écoute de voile. The applications of such a tensioner are numerous and it can be used in particular as a strap, as an artificial muscle, as a veil sheet.

L'organe de l'invention est essentiellement constitué par une tresse tubulaire dont les extrémités sont munies de moyens de fixation et qui contient un sac étanche, gonflable, souple et élastique, en sorte que le gonflage du sac provoque une augmentation de la section droite de la tresse et un rapprochement des extrémités de l'organe avec effet de tension. The member of the invention essentially consists of a tubular braid, the ends of which are provided with fixing means and which contains a waterproof, inflatable, flexible and elastic bag, so that the inflation of the bag causes an increase in the cross section. of the braid and a bringing together of the ends of the organ with tensioning effect.

On décrira ci-après un exemple de réalisation de l'élément de l'invention en référence aux figures du dessin joint sur lesquels: - la fig. 1 est une élévation de l'organe à l'état non gonflé; - la fig. 2 est une perspective de l'organe à l'état non gonflé avec coupe transversale et arrachements; - la fig. 3 est une élévation de l'organe à l'état gonflé, et - la fig. 4 est une perspective de l'organe à l'état gonflé avec coupe transversale et arrachements. An embodiment of the element of the invention will be described below with reference to the figures of the attached drawing in which: - FIG. 1 is an elevation of the organ in the non-swollen state; - fig. 2 is a perspective of the organ in the non-inflated state with cross section and cutaway; - fig. 3 is an elevation of the organ in the swollen state, and - FIG. 4 is a perspective of the organ in the inflated state with cross section and cutaway.

L'organe représenté sur la fig. 1 est constitué d'une tresse tubulaire 1, dont les deux extrémités opposées 1A, 1B sont munies de moyens permettant la fixation de l'organe aux éléments qu'il doit relier les extrémités de l'organe ont toute structure voulue pour permettre de raccorder l'organe: pattes, oeillets, etc.... Par exemple, ces deux extrémités sont munies de pattes 2 et 3 qui servent à raccorder l'élément comme on raccorde une sangle. L'une des pattes sera par exemple, attachée à un casque et l'autre extrémité à un harnais ou rune des extrémités sera attachée à une voile et l'autre extrémité à un point d'amarrage. The organ shown in fig. 1 consists of a tubular braid 1, the two opposite ends 1A, 1B of which are provided with means allowing the attachment of the member to the elements which it must connect the ends of the member have any desired structure to allow connection the organ: lugs, eyelets, etc. For example, these two ends are provided with lugs 2 and 3 which serve to connect the element as a strap is connected. One of the legs will for example be attached to a helmet and the other end to a harness or rune of the ends will be attached to a sail and the other end to a mooring point.

A l'intérieur de la tresse tubulaire, l'organe comporte un sac 4, gonflable, étanche, souple et élastique. Inside the tubular braid, the member comprises a bag 4, inflatable, waterproof, flexible and elastic.

On a seulement représenté de façon schématique sur la fig. 1, une bouteille d'air comprimé 5, reliée par une canalisation 6 au sac 4, pour permettre le gonflage du sac et une soupape 7 permettant de mettre le sac à l'échappement. We have only shown schematically in FIG. 1, a compressed air bottle 5, connected by a pipe 6 to the bag 4, to allow the bag to be inflated and a valve 7 allowing the bag to be exhausted.

L'invention n'est pas limitée à un moyen particulier pour introduire ou évacuer l'air du sac. The invention is not limited to a particular means for introducing or removing air from the bag.

Sur les figures 2 et 4, on a coupé l'organe de tension par le plan F-F des flgs 1 et 3 et on a arraché la partie de l'organe qui est en avant de ce plan pour faire apparaître le sac 4. In FIGS. 2 and 4, the tension member has been cut by the plane F-F of lines 1 and 3 and the part of the member which is in front of this plane has been torn off to reveal the bag 4.

A l'état non pressurisé (fig. 1), les brins qui composent la tresse forment entre eux des angles d'environ 30 et la sangle se trouve alors à sa longueur maximale. In the non-pressurized state (fig. 1), the strands that make up the braid form between them angles of about 30 and the strap is then at its maximum length.

Sous l'effet du gonflage, le sac interne augmente de volume, La section droite de la tresse augmente jusqu'à ce que les brins de la tresse forment entre eux des angles de 900. La tresse est devenue plus large et plus courte et les extrémités 2 et 3 se sont rapprochées rune de l'autre avec un effet de traction qui peut être considérable. Under the effect of inflation, the internal bag increases in volume, The cross section of the braid increases until the strands of the braid form between them angles of 900. The braid has become wider and shorter and the ends 2 and 3 are close to each other with a pulling effect which can be considerable.

Lorsque l'organe de l'invention est utilisé comme sangle de masque, il soumet ainsi le masque à une traction importante pour plaquer le masque sur la tête. When the organ of the invention is used as a mask strap, it thus subjects the mask to significant traction in order to press the mask onto the head.

L'invention n'est pas limitée à un matériau particulier pour constituer la tresse ni à un matériau particulier pour constituer le sac. Par exemple, les brins de la tresse sont des brins en matériau de synthèse organique offrant une bonne résistance à la traction et le sac est en matériau élastomère. The invention is not limited to a particular material to constitute the braid or to a particular material to constitute the bag. For example, the strands of the braid are strands of organic synthetic material offering good tensile strength and the bag is of elastomeric material.

Claims

1. Pneumatically controlled variable tension tension member, essentially constituted by a tubular braid (1) the two opposite ends 1A, 1B of which are provided with means (2, 3) enabling the member to be fixed, said braid containing a bag (4) waterproof, inflatable, flexible and elastic, so that the inflation of the bag causes an increase in the cross section of the braid and a bringing together of the ends of the member with tension effect.

2. Tension member according to claim 1, characterized in that said bag (4) also has a tubular shape.

3. Tension member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ends (1A, 1B) of the braid are provided with tabs.

4. Application of a member according to one of claims 1 to 3, as helmet strap.

5. Application of a member according to one of claims 1 to 3, as a veil sheet.

6. Application of an organ according to one of claims 1 to 3, as artificial muscle.