US2193067A - Diving projector - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 1940.

E. F. HOPPES DIVING PROJECTOR Filed March 14, 1958 2 Sheets-.Sheet 1 ,li I I I'I'I'I'Jiii Hlllll/ |111. .l nl

A 'l i Il Wl E. F. HoPPEs DIVING PROJECTOR Filed Maron 14, 195s March l2, 1940.

2 snets-sneet 2 .FIB 8 Patented Mar. 12, 1940 pinten y eter rie Application March 14, 1938, Serial No. 195,713 v `7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a diving projector of the type which is generally known as a spring board; the invention relating u more particularly to a projector of this character which is constructed principally of metal.

The object of the invention is to provide a diving .projector which will be of simple and sturdy construction and economical in manufac-` ture.

lo In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan View of a diving projector embodying my improvements, the upper portion of the platform being partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same parts l5 broken away. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in top plan of the` Fig. l0 is a side elevation of portions of two mating batten members.

Referring to the drawings, I represents a series of longitudinally extending spaced apart flat spring metal bars forming a spring base, these bars in the present case being equally spaced. While the bars in thepresent case are shown in parallel relation and as equally spaced, they need not be necessarily so arranged. The upper edge of each of these bars has placed thereon a U- shaped bead 2 which is preferably made of rubber and fabric. The at barsare so arranged in the structure that their edges will be at the top, and bottom and their nat faces presented toward each other as shown best in Fig. '7. In other words, the height of the bars when installed is considerably greater thantheir width. This provides for a stronger and more resilient structure. The bars I are connected at intervals by battens, preferably cast metal, each of these battens being formed of two mating members 3 and 4 which are connected together by a series of bolts 5, the batten members being recessed as shown at to receive the heads and nuts of the bolts. The mating batten members are also provided with mating longitudinal groovesy 6 to receive the spring bars. As shown best in Figs. 6, 8 and l0, the combined depths of the mating grooves are less than the width of the spring bars so as to permit the mating members of the battens to be drawn tightly against the spring bars and clamp them in position.` The resilient beads 2 are in sections, with one section arranged between adjacent battens; in other words, the beads do not 5; extend through the battens, as shown in the figures. p

At the approach end of the apparatus the two outer springbars I are extended as shown at I' and these extensions carry a long supportingrod l0 l, each. end of which is reduced as shown at l' in Fig. 8,' the reduced portions extending through the extensions I and being threaded to receive Y nuts il to hold the rod in position on the extensions. This rod is for the purpose of carrying a roller 9 which is journalledupon the rod and which will be later referred to. The construction as thus far described is covered by a flexible covering I0 of any suitable ma-l terial. A material which has been found satisfactory for this covering is fabric-faced rubber. This covering forms a platform for'the divers to walk upon from the approach end to the diving end of the apparatus. The covering is securely fastened at the diving end of the apparatus by fiat headed bolts I I, two on each side of the covering, which pass through flat straps I2, a pair of which islocated on the upper edges of the spring bars and another pair I3 of which is located on the lower side of the spring bars, the bolts Il 30 passing through these strapsand receiving nuts M whereby the straps may be clamped rmly to the spring bars and thence firmly secure the covering in position at'the diving end of the apparatus. f

At the approach end of the apparatus there is `connected to the covering I0 in any suitable Way a pair of belts I 5 of any suitable flexible material, these belts I5 passing aboutthe roller 9 and being each connected by aplurality of coil springs 40 t6 with the ends of the spring bars I li These springs serve to keep the covering or platform I!) taut but permit it to yield `,when the bars I flex during diving. At an intermediate point of the apparatus there is provided a fulcrum II 45 of any suitable form such as a tube which is carried by any suitable supports (not shown) and at lthe approach end ofy the apparatus the steel bars are connected to a tubular member I8 by bolts I9 and this tubular member is carried by any suit- 50 able supports (not shown).

` r)The extreme approach end is preferably covered by a cover consisting of a top 20, sides 2I and a back 22. The top 2U standssubstantally flush with the covering or platform II). The sides of this cover have open notches 23 which are passed over the reduced ends l' of the rod l so as to be clamped by the nuts 8 against the extensions I. Each of the sides also has an open recess 24 which drops over the tubular member I8.

`Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a diving projector, a spring metal longitudinally-disposed base, an intermediate fulcrum for said base, means to secure one end of said base leaving the other end free, a llexible cover for said base, a roller adjacent one end of said base, flexible devices secured to said base and passing about said roller for attachment to said lexible cover, and coil springs connecting said devices to said base.

2. In a diving projector, a series vof ilat spring bars, said bars having space therebetween and arranged with their flat faces presented toward each other, attaching means for said bars at the approach end of, said projector, an intermediate ulcrurn for said bars, and a flexible covering for said bars forming a platform for divers.

, 3. In a diving projector, a series of spring bars, attaching means for said bars at the approach end of said projector, an intermediate fulcrum for said bars, a flexible covering for said bars forming a platform for divers, a roller at one end v.of 'said projector, flexible devices connected with said platform passing about said roller and connected to said flexible covering, springs for connecting said devices with said bars, and means for connecting the other end of said platform l With said bars.

4. In a diving projector, a series of spring bars,

attaching means for said bars at the approach end of said projector, an intermediate fulcrum for said bars, beads for the upper edges of, said bars, and a flexible covering for said bars forming a platform for divers.

l 5. In a .diving projector, a series of spring bars, battens connecting said bars at intervals, attaching means for said bars at the approach end of said projector, an intermediate fulcrum for said bars and a flexible covering for said bars forming a platform for divers. I`

6. In a diving projector, a series of spring bars, battens connecting said bars at intervals, attaching means for said bars at the approach end of said projector, an intermediate fulcrum for said bars, and a flexible covering for said 'oars forming a platform for divers, each of, said battens consisting of a pair of connected mating members slotted to receive said bars.

'7. In a diving projector, a spring metal longitudinally-extending base consisting of a series of ilat spring metal bars having space therebetween which when installed have their edges at the top and bottom and their ilat faces presented toward each other, means for connecting said bars at the diving end of said projector, attaching means for said bars at the approach end of said projector, an intermediate fulcrum for said bars, and a covering for said bars forming a plat- 30 form for divers.

EDWIN F. HOPPES.

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