Inflatable device capable of gliding, in particular over water

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable device capable of acting as a glide medium for at least one person, which can in particular be used for bodyboard devices for gliding over water or snow. The device includes at least one first bag made of a flexible material, having a means for feeding a fluid therein and capable of being inflated by said fluid, at least one stabilization means connected to the first bag and capable of being arranged between or rigidly connected to the upper portion of the legs of a person, and means for positioning the hands, preferably arranged on the first bag. Thus, the proper stabilization of the device beneath the person during a gliding phase is ensured.

1 . An inflatable device capable of acting as glide medium, over water in particular, for at least one person, said device comprising at least one first bag in flexible material, said first bag having means for feeding a fluid therein and being capable of being inflated by said fluid, wherein it further comprises at least one stabilization means connected to said first bag and capable of being arranged between or secured to the upper portion of a person's legs, and means for positioning the hands preferably arranged on the first bag,
 so as to allow the stabilization of the device underneath the person during a gliding phase.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning means comprise means arranged in the vicinity of a central longitudinal axis of said device. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning means comprise two lateral means respectively arranged in the vicinity of two side ends of the first bag. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning means comprise hand grip means formed by deformation of the type of one or more hollows and/or humps and/or perforations in the material of the first bag. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning means comprise grasping means, in particular of strap or handle type. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization means comprise at least one second bag in flexible material and capable of being inflated with a fluid, for example by means of a valve, independently of the first bag. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization means comprise a rigid element. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization means are arranged opposite the fluid feed inlet means and in that the first bag in its inflated state extends by tapering from said fluid feed inlet means towards the stabilization means. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization means comprise a housing element capable of acting as housing to store the device in non-inflated position. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the housing element is capable of acting as closing means for the fluid feed inlet means of the first bag in inflated position. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the housing element comprises one or more shells or shell portions, such as semi-shells, preferably in plastic optionally connected to each other via a hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the two semi-shells are able to be closed over one another to form the housing for storing the device in the non-inflated position of the first bag. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the two semi-shells are able to be closed over each other around the first bag in inflated position to form means for closing the fluid feed inlet means of said first bag in said inflated position. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization means comprise an assembly comprising at least one strap able to be secured to the upper part of the person's legs, for example an assembly of harness type. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first bag is able to be partly rolled over from the fluid feed inlet means so as to close said fluid feed inlet means, and in that the device comprises blocking means capable of holding closed said fluid feed inlet means. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid feed inlet means are an opening having at least one edge provided with one or more strips in rigid or semi-rigid material, for example of polyethylene type. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first bag has a glide surface and a support surface for a person, preferably assembled by welding. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the material used for the first bag and/or the second bag is an impermeable material and/or a laminated fabric. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the overall shape of the first bag in inflated position is substantially triangular, the stabilization means being arranged at or in the vicinity of a first of the three corners of said first triangular bag so as to allow the positioning of the two shoulders of the person at or close to the two other corners respectively of said triangular bag and the positioning or securing of said stabilization means respectively between or to the upper portion of the legs of said person. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the stabilization means have a substantially triangular overall shape and are connected via one of their three corners to the first bag. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid feed inlet means are an opening of size capable of allowing the inflow of air into the first bag and the inflating thereof by mere movement of this said first bag held by the person at its said opening. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid feed inlet means are a main valve, preferably arranged in the vicinity of the connection between the first bag and the stabilization means. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first bag is provided with a secondary valve capable of allowing the adjustment of the inflation of said first bag after closing the fluid feed inlet means. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises securing means capable of securing said device with at least one second device according to  claim 1 .