US2878018A - Hurdle - Google Patents

Description

1 C. FISCHER March 17, 1959 HURDLE Filed June 6, 1958 aver/s Haw/Eli ,4 TIOEIVE V HURDLE Curtis Fischer, Newton, Kans. Application June 6, 1958, Serial No. 740,278

3 Claims. (Cl. 272-59) This invention relates generally to athletic equipment and more particularly to a hurdle which can be used for running oif hurdling events requiring different height hurdles during a track meet.

As is well known, hurdle heights of thirty inches, thirtysix inches, thirty-nine inches and forty-two inches are normally required to accommodate both high school and college students. One of the major problems in running ofi varioushurdling events is the changing of hurdle heights. Another problem is the proper weighting of the hurdles to compensate for changes in height in order to obtain the required tip-over resistance for each height.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a single hurdle which has two different fixed heights, and which can be placed in one position for low hurdle events and in another position for high hurdle events, and which is so constructed that'it automatically provides different and proper tip-over resistances in each position, without any manual adjustmentor positioning of counterbalance weights. i

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a modified embodiment'of the above type hurdle which is also adjustable in height when placed in its high hurdle position, and can therefore serve as a thirty-six inch or forty-two inch or thirty-nine inch high hurdle, yet still provide a tip-over resistance which meets rule requirements for all threeheig'hts." I

Another importantobjectof the invention is to provide a hurdle which embodies gravity shifted weights which provide regulation tip-over resistance automatically when the hurdle is moved either into its high or its low hurdle positions. This makes for rapidity in setting up the hurdle for various hurdling events with a minimum of man power.

- 1 My invention will be more clearly understood when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are miniature side views illustrating a hurdle embodying my invention in its low and high hurdle positions respectively, with the weights shifted to difierent relative positions in each view;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a hurdle construction embodying this invention, the hurdle having two fixed heights and being shown in its low hurdle position;

Fig. 4 is a modified construction embodying the invention, this embodiment being capable of being varied in height when in its high hurdle position, the hurdle being shown in low hurdle position; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view illustrating one form of lock for locking the hurdle in a fixed height adjust ment.

As will be seen from Figs. 1 to 3, my hurdle is generally L-shaped in side elevation or cross-section, having a short leg portion designated as a whole by the numeral 10, and a long leg portion designated as a whole by the numeral 11. It may be positioned on its long leg portion as a base supporting the short leg portion in upright position, as shown in Fig. 1, or it may be positioned on its short United States Patent O v 2 leg portion as a base holding the long leg portion in upright position, as shown in Fig. 2.

As shown, the Fig. 3 embodiment comprises an open framework structure, which includes a pair of laterally spaced juxtaposed L-shaped side members 12 and 13, which respectively include long legs 14 and 15 and short legs 16 and 17. These side members are similarly positioned in spaced parallel planes, and are held rigidly in such positions by rigid transverse cross brace members 18, 19 and 20. Such cross bracing may take any desired form, such as X bracing. As shown, the cross brace members are parallel to each other. Member 18 has its opposite ends rigidly connected to the respective outer ends ofthe short legs 16 and 17. Cross member 19 has its opposite ends rigidly secured, as by bracing or welding to the respective side members near the points of juncture of the respective long and short legs. Cross bracemember 20 has its opposite ends rigidly secured as by braising or welding to the respective outer ends of the long legs 14 and 15.

Toprovide proper tip-over resistance, whether its long legs are used as a base, a pair of weight supporting rods 21 and 22 are angularly disposed across the juncture points of the long and short legs. One end of each rod is rigidly secured as by welding to a respective one of the shortlegs, near the outer ends thereof. The opposite end of each rod is secured to one of the long legs intermediate its ends.

Ball- type weights 23 and 24 are slidably mounted one 'oneach rod.

Wooden cross bars 25 and 26 are secured transversely across the respective outer ends of the long leg and short leg portions of the hurdle; Rivets or bolts 27 and 28 are used to secure the cross bars to the cross brace members 18 and 20, respectively. a

From the above description, and from an examination of Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that when the hurdle is positioned with its long leg portion 11 as a base, the short leg portion thereof (10) is held in an upright position. "It will also be seen that both the weights 23 and 24 automatically gravitate downward on their respective rods to the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 3. By using weights of proper size and by attaching the ends of the rods'21 and 22 at a proper distance from the point of juncture of the short and long legs, the weights will thus automatically provide the desired resistance to tilting or tip-over of the short leg portion of the hurdle. Y

- When the hurdle is changed to its Fig. 2 position the weights 23 and 24 gravitate in an opposite direction on the'rods-Zl and 22., By-locating the ends of the r'ods22 a proper distance outward from the point of juncture of the short and long legs the weights will provide a difierent but desired resistance to tip-over of the hurdle in its high hurdle position.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 it will be seen that the L-shaped side members 27 and 28 are made integral with the cross brace member 29. which connects the outer ends of the two short legs 30 and 31 of the side members. Cross 'brace member 32 is secured in the same relative position and in the same manner, as by welding or braising as cross brace member 19 in the Fig. 3 embodiment.

In this latter embodiment the cross brace member of the Fig. 3 embodiment (20) is eliminated. As a substitute a generally U-shaped cross brace member 33 is provided. The free ends of U-shaped brace member 33 are hollow or tubular and they telescopically receive the respective outer ends of the respective long legs 34 and 35 of the side members 27 and 28.

The cross bars 36 and 37 are mounted on the cross brace members 29 and 33, respectively, in the same manner as in the Fig. 3 embodiment. The rods 38 and 39 and--ft11e rod supporting Weights are mounted in :manner as described insconnectionwith the Fig.3 embodiment. It will be noted that the free tubular ends of the U-shaped cross brace member 33 are fitted with spring pressed lock'pins 42 and 43. When the cross brace member 33 and its bar .37 are-moved towardcr away from the :cross bracememberfll the lock pins 42;and 43 areiadapted to enter :holes 44 which are oppositelyv positioned in the long leg members 27tandl28 .of the two-side member. The pins thus serve to lock thecross brace member 33 in a desired height. adjustment.

' The details of construction of one type of:spring pressed lock pin are shown in Fig. 5. .A-cup shapedlhousing 45 is braised or welded. to the outer surface of the tubular cross brace-member 33. The lock pin 43 is movable longitudinally and centrally in the housing 45 with -its-.inner end passing through a suitably located hole .in the tube 33 .and aregistering hole in the long leg .28. .A spring 46 bears against one end of the housing and against a fixed-washer 47 carried by the pin 43, thus urging the pin inwardly with respect to the tube 33 on whichcit is mounted.

'IhePig. 4 embodiment of the invention is used inthe same manner as described in Fig. 3 embodiment. .It may be placed on its short leg portion as a base, supportingrthe long leg'portionin an upright position, or it may be placed on its long leg portion as .a base supporting the shortileg portion in an upright position. When .the short leg :portionis being used as a base the cross brace'member 33 may be raised or lowered to a desired heightsetting. The weights 40 and 41 serve to provide counterbalance resistance against tilting or tip-over of that portion of the hurdle which is being held upright.

Having described the invention with suflicient clarity to, enable those'familiar with this art to construct and use it, ,I'claim:

1....A two position combination high and low hurdle comprising: a pair of rigid substantially identical generally L-shaped side members each having :a :short leg and :a long leg, said members being similarly positioned in spaced parallel ,planes; rigid transverse cross brace members having their opposite ends connected to the respective side members to vform a rigid hurdle :stmcture .whichmay rest on its short leg portion as a base supporting the long leg portion upright, or which may .rest on its long leg portion as a base supporting the short leg por- :tion upright; two weight carrying rods, one ,for each side member, each rod having one end connected rigidly toa respective side member short leg near its'outer end, Jandcach rod having its opposite endconnected rigidly to a respective side member long .leg intermediate its ends; and a pair of substantially identical weights, one mounted to slide along each rod under the force of gravity,

whereby when the hurdle is supported on eitheritslong the-same leg or short leg portion as a'base, the weights automatically gravitate downward on their rods to the base portion and away from that portion in upright position, and provide counterbalance resistance against tilting or tip-over of said upright portion.

2. The hurdle structure described in claim 1 in which the cross brace members are three in number, one brace having its opposite ends connected to the respective side member short legs near their outer ends, a second brace member having its opposite endsconnected to the respective side long legs near their outer ends, and the third brace member *having' its opposite'ends connected to the respective side members near the points of juncture of the respective long and short legs.

3. A two position combination'high-and low hurdle comprising: an open frame work structure generally L- shaped in cross section and having a long leg portion and a short leg portion either of which it may rest on as a base, said structure including a pair of laterally spaced juxtaposed L-shaped side members; an integral transverse cross brace member connecting the outer ends of the respective short legs of said side members; a second transverse cross brace member having its opposite ends rigidly connected to the respective side members near the points of juncture of the respective short and long legs thereof; a third generally U-shaped transverse cross 'brace member, its free ends being tubular and telescopically receiving the outer ends of the respective long legs of said side members; means for locking said third brace member in selected positions on the longlegs of said side members; two weight carrying rods, one for each side member, each rod having one end connected rigidly to a respective side membershort leg near its outer end, and

each rod having its opposite end connected rigidly to a respective side member long leg intermediate its ends; and a pair of substantially identical weights, one mounted to slide along each rod under the force of gravity, whereby when the hurdle is supported on either its long leg or short leg portion asa base, the weights automatically gravitate downward on their rods to the base portion and away from that portion in upright position, and provide counterbalance resistance against tilting or tip-over of. said upright portion.

Great Britain Mar. '21, 1956

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