Hurdle
A hurdle includes at least two support structures and an at least approximately horizontal component therebetween. In addition, in at least one embodiment, a height adjustment device for the height of the transverse element above the ground is provided. Each support structure includes two legs, which are connected to each other at an angle in the area of the transverse element. The two legs are connected to each other by an adjustable retaining structure.
This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/CH2010/000158 which has an International filing date of Jun. 16, 2010, which designated the United States of America, and which claims priority to Swiss patent application number CH 1198/09 filed Jul. 31, 2009, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDAn embodiment of the invention generally relates to a hurdle.
BACKGROUNDA hurdle is known from numerous documents, such as the WO 91/12053 or the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,024,022 and/or 3,366,381. With hurdles of this type, different heights can be adjusted without having to provide or store hurdles of different sizes.
SUMMARYThe inventor recognized that disadvantage of known structures include:
- rods or pipes made of iron are extremely heavy materials;
- a specific hurdle would be required for each height;
- when exercising and/or training, anxiety of being injured on the hurdle always develops to a higher or lesser degree;
- the hurdles can damage the floor of an exercise room or gym and are therefore not used in this room or gym;
- hurdles cause a lot of noise when they topple over;
- hurdles cannot be adjusted to a lower height;
- hurdles are difficult to transport and hard to store because of the rigid construction.
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to adjustable hurdles. In at least one embodiment, if mention is made of a transverse component, this element can be embodied in an optionally form, for example as a pipe, profile or bar or the like. The aforementioned holding structure can be a telescoping pipe which, for example, is attached articulated between the legs but is preferably formed by scissor-type two crossbars. Of course, it can also take the form of a lattice grate.
At least one embodiment of the innovation concerns a training equipment for recreational and school sports, especially for training which permits jumping across the equipment without worry of getting injured. The equipment should be easy to transport and should fold up for storage. Additional advantages of embodiments include:
- it is ideal for jumping, coordination and conditioning training;
- the height is individually adjustable, starting at approximately 1 (one) cm;
- high quality materials are used, such as plastic, lightweight metal, wood or the like;
- the optimization of time, location and transport costs;
- the fast setup and breakdown.
In at least one embodiment, it is possible per se to connect the telescoping pipe and/or the crossbars articulated in such a way that they would be hard to move (high friction), thereby already securing the respectively adjusted angle with a frictional connection. However, in at least one embodiment, it is preferable and more reliable to provide per se an optional type of fastening device—e.g. a snap-in type fastening, with holes or with insertable pins or the like—which can simply be a clamping screw or brake discs.
The invention is explained in further detail in the following with the aid of an example embodiment shown in the drawings, showing:
As shown in particular in
It is understood that other types of fastening devices are possible as well, for example by providing catches or holes for inserting bolts on the aforementioned telescoping rod.
A fastening device can thus be embodied in the same way for the crossbars (5), or at the hinge point (2) for the connected legs 1, 1a for example with the aid of braking discs (10 and 11) in such a way that they are extremely hard to move (high friction) and such that the respectively adjusted angle is already frictionally secured.
To improve the stability of the hurdle on a smooth floor, for example the floor of an exercise room or a gym, it is advantageous if the underside of the legs (1) is respectively provided with a flexible covering (9), which can be made of felt but is preferably made of a rubber-elastic material that increases the friction. To improve the hold of a tarpaulin covering the device during the storage—as shown in Figure (1b)—such a coating (9) can also be provided on the top of the leg (1a) that is connected only via the joint (2) to the transverse component (3).
The legs (1, 1a) and/or the transverse component (3) preferably include pipes, in particular made of a lightweight material such as plastic, aluminum or lightweight metal. This has the advantage that the legs can be rendered more stable, if applicable, by filling them with a bulk material during the use, wherein the the bulk material can be removed for the transport.
Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A hurdle, comprising:
- at least two support structures, each of the at least two support structures including a joint;
- an approximately at least horizontal transverse component disposed between the at least two support structures; and
- a height adjustment device to adjust a height of the approximately at least horizontal transverse component, relative to a surface upon which the hurdle may be placed, the at least two support structures each respectively including two legs joined at an angle a region of the approximately at least horizontal transverse component the two legs being connected to each other via an adjustable holding structure, the approximately at least horizontal transverse component being integrally formed together with at least one of the two legs of each of the respective at least two support structures and the joint of each of the respective at least two support structures being embodied as hinge point.
2. The hurdle according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable holding structure for maintaining the respective straddling angle and wherein the adjustable holding structure is formed with at least two crossbars, one of the crossbars being hinged with one side to one of the legs and on another side to a different one of the at least two crossbars.
3. The hurdle according to claim 2, further comprising:
- a fastening device, to secure the respectively adjusted angle.
4. The hurdle according to claim 3, wherein the fastening device includes a fastening screw.
5. The hurdle according to claim 3, wherein the fastening device includes at least one braking disc.
6. The hurdle according claim 1, wherein at least one of the legs and the transverse component are embodied as pipes, profiles or bars and wherein at least some, from among the total number of pipes, profiles or bars, are made of a lightweight material.
7. The hurdle according to claim 6, wherein the lightweight material is plastic or a lightweight metal.
8. The hurdle according to claim 7, wherein the lightweight metal is aluminium.
9. The hurdle according to claim 2, further comprising:
- a fastening device, to secure the angle.
10. The hurdle according to claim 9, wherein the fastening device includes a fastening screw.
11. The hurdle according to claim 9, wherein the fastening device includes at least one braking disc.
12. The hurdle according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the legs and the transverse component are embodied as pipes, profiles or bars and wherein at least some, from among the total number of pipes, profiles or bars, are made of a lightweight material.
13. The hurdle according to claim 12, wherein the lightweight material is plastic or a lightweight metal.
14. The hurdle according to claim 13, wherein the lightweight metal is aluminum.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 16, 2010
Publication Date: May 24, 2012
Inventor: Vojislav Dodic-Portner (Munchwilen)
Application Number: 13/386,226
International Classification: A63B 5/02 (20060101);