EP0214121B1 - Device for staging sporting game competitions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for carrying out athletic competitions according to the introductory part of claim 1.

A corresponding device has become known from US-A-775 309, which is a training device for performing pull-ups, with handles to be taken by the user being suspended at appropriate height on a scale and one with the chin when the pull-up position is reached actuatable trigger is provided for a bell, so that the performance provided by the respective competitor results from the own weight overcome and the number of pull-ups detected by the chimes.

Your own body weight should also be increased for a sports device according to US-A-1 861 012. This device has a pivoted platform with a stand for the user and a lever to be raised, which acts on the platform via a lever mechanism, so that it can be lifted with the help of the lever mentioned. A link which changes the ratio of the effective lever arms is built into the lever mechanism, so that the force to be used for lifting one's own body weight increases with increasing stroke position. Indicators are provided which gradually indicate the reaching of different stroke positions and thus the individual athletic performance.

US-A-4 262 901 relates to a strength training device with a bed for the user and height-adjustable supports for a dumbbell. A support group determines the starting position of the barbell. Additional requirements are intended to prevent the barbell from injuring or crushing the user if the strength fails. Indicators are not available.

US-A-4 425 797 relates to a weight training device with a cable pull that can be pulled out of a holding frame by means of a handle, preferably the so-called arm wrestling is to be imitated and accordingly an elbow pad is attached below the handle. The rope can be pulled out against springs. However, it is also possible to adjust a platform relative to a support pad by means of pulley blocks and deflection rollers and deformable bodies, e.g. B. beer cans to insert, which are deformed by the applied force. In addition, devices for measuring the cable pull applied and timer devices can be provided which indicate how long the competitor has applied the load.

From DE-A-3 023 039, an exercise device with a multi-part lifting weight guided on a column is known, the individual parts of this lifting weight being selectively connectable for setting different sizes of the weight to be lifted and handling for the weight adjustable according to the body height.

From US-A-1 507 505 it is known to use inflatable balloons as targets for competitions in which the marksmanship is important with a modified air rifle that shoots only with a plug or with a weight suspended in a manner similar to the so-called Russian bowling game which have to be hit in such a way that they hit and burst against fixedly attached ripping pins. According to a variant, corresponding ripping pins are attached to the weight of the pendulum.

In contrast, the invention relates to a device for carrying out competitions with a folkloric touch, which have the character of a strength sport, but are usually played as a game or for amusement.

In a measuring jug caulking competition it has so far been customary to place the filled measuring jugs on a counter or table. Each competitor grabs a measuring jug and has to lift it with a stretched arm up to eye level after a start signal and hold it at this height for as long as possible. Lifting above eye level and lowering too much is not permitted. A referee can monitor compliance with the rules. In practice, the rules are subject to individual interpretations by the participants and the arbitrator, so that wrong decisions about winners and losers often occur or are alleged. The same applies, by the way, to many other folkloric strength sports competitions, in which the time it takes to overcome a load in the prescribed posture of a part of the body is decisive.

The aim of the invention is to remedy this situation and to provide a device which takes into account the physical peculiarities, in particular size and arm length, of the participants, but otherwise ensures compliance with the same competitive conditions for each competitor and an objective recording of the services provided and the Ranking of participants in group competitions enabled.

The object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The weight can be a real beer mug, a dummy mug with a precisely defined weight, or another clearly defined weight, whereby according to another possibility the support itself is provided with a handle, which has the intended weight and from a locking position can be released so that it can then be held at the selected height by means of the handle.

Especially when using stopwatches, the device can be used for individual competitions. Usually, however, group betting should be based on the origin of the measure pitcher competitions for several participants are held simultaneously. For this purpose, training according to claim 2 is provided. Here too, in addition to a simple display, stopwatches can be provided which show how long the individual participants have fulfilled the competition conditions. In addition, maximum value memories can be provided, which show the records achieved on the device.

A simple adaptation of the device to different body dimensions is guaranteed by the features of claim 3.

Various mechanical limits, swivel levers, feeler levers, etc., but also electrical or electronic touch sensors or light barriers can be selected as sensors that respond to the adjustment of the weight from the permitted area of residence. It is also possible to provide stops which prevent the weight from being raised beyond a permissible height. Indicators or other acoustic or optical signaling devices can be actuated by the sensors. It is also possible to provide stopwatches which show how long the weight has been held within the approved stay area.

To amuse the audience or the participants, one can choose a training according to claim 4 for the feeler. Such a design of the display device is simple and contributes to the amusement of the audience and the participants. In practical use, swinging the balloon around the cord can cause the balloon to burst at different extension lengths of the cord, so that the public then raises concerns about the objectivity of the measurement. Furthermore, the display device can only be used with self-floating balloons and it is therefore necessary to fill the balloons with a gas that is light in air shortly before the competition or during the competition.

In order to be able to maintain a balloon as a display device, for which light filling is no longer necessary, however, and in order to additionally increase the response accuracy of the device, an embodiment according to claim 5 is provided.

The air balloon can be set relatively precisely in its position relative to the tear-open pin aimed at it, an air balloon filled only with air being sufficient.

In an embodiment according to claim 5, the support, vertical guide and holder for the balloon are adjusted jointly to the respective eye level of the user. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the tear-open mandrel is actuated directly via the cord pull, that is to say it is moved. According to a variant, however, it is possible to actuate the tear-open mandrel via a launcher which can be provided with a tensionable spring or work with gas pressure. Here the cord pull can adjust a stop which, in a very specific pull-out position, which defines the limit of the permitted stay area for the weight, actuates a trigger for the launcher.

In an embodiment according to claim 7, the two contacts can be used to start and stop timekeeping, which then shows exactly how long the competitor has held the weight freely in the permitted stay area.

The tear-open mandrel can be designed as an arrow bolt and can carry a needle tip at its end aimed at the balloon. If you have your own launching device, you will store the arrow bolt along its entire adjustment path in the guides or provide safety devices that prevent the arrow bolt from leaving the device area.

The holder for the balloon can be designed according to claim 10.

In addition to taking into account the height and arm length of the competitors, you can also take into account the age, gender and / or weight of the individual participants through standardized specifications. Such a requirement can be met by weights of different weights for the participants of the individual classes. But you can also reduce the distance of the support from the stand compared to the extended arm length. For exact competitions, it is recommended to use dummy pitcher dummies with constant weight or to bring the pitcher to the same weight when filling on a scale.

Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the following description of the drawings.

• Fig. 1 ein einfaches Gerät in Rückansicht,
• Fig. 2 das Gerät nach Fig. 1 in Seitenansicht, wobei ein Wettbewerbsteilnehmer strichliert angedeutet wur de und
• Fig. 3 den Oberteil eines weiteren Gerätes schematisch in Seitenansicht.

The subject matter of the invention is illustrated in the drawing, for example. It shows

• 1 is a simple device in rear view,
• Fig. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in side view, a contestant has been indicated by dashed lines and
• Fig. 3 shows the top part of another device schematically in side view.

The device has a support frame with a base plate 1, rear uprights 2 and a front barrier 3, which serves as a space limitation for a participant 4 who takes up their position. 1 and 2 has three such stands. Each stand is assigned a column 5, which can be moved on the base plate 1 with rollers 6 and is guided between strips 8 provided with elongated holes 7, which are supported on the uprights 2 and on the barrier 3. Clamping screws with wing nuts 9 extend through the elongated holes 7 and the column 5. By tightening the wing nuts 9, each column 5 can be locked in the selected setting to the arm length of the respective participant 4.

1 and 2, the columns 5 form vertical guides, in which support brackets 10 are guided, which carry tables 12 that can be folded down to support the weight about axes 11. A lock, not shown, holds the folding tables 12 in the position shown, set at the participant's eye level. After releasing the lock, the respective table 12 folds down. Cable pulls can be provided to actuate the locking of the individual tables 12 together.

An adjustable slat 13 is attached above each table 12. To set the constant distance between the slat 13 and the table 12 in its locked support position, stops 14 shown in broken lines can be used. It is also possible to connect the slats 13 to the brackets 10 so that compliance with the prescribed distance is ensured.

A filled measuring jug 15 is placed on each table 12. The cord 16 of an air balloon 17 filled with a gas that is lighter than air is passed through an eyelet of the slat 13 and fastened to the handle 18 of the measuring jug 15. Around the eyelet, the slat 13 carries ripping pins 19 on the upper side.

The competition participants line up in front of the barrier 3 and take their measuring jug 15 on the handle 18. Now a trigger is actuated so that the tables 12 fold down together. In another embodiment, swivel tables are provided which are swiveled out together around the columns 5. The competitors now have the task of holding the respective measuring jug in the approved lounge area as long as possible. For example, one sees that the balloon 17, 20 cm hovers over the thorns 19. The crossbar 13 prevents the jug from being lifted too high. If the measuring jug 15 is pulled too close to the body by a participant or if the participant can no longer hold the measuring jug 15 in the permitted stay area, then the participant pulls the balloon 16 with the cord 16 towards the spikes 19, which pierce it, so that he bursts. This clearly defines the ranking of winners and losers in the competition.

In order to achieve greater accuracy and to clearly determine the sporting performance provided, an embodiment according to FIG. 3 is chosen which corresponds in its components provided with the same reference numerals to that according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the device according to FIG. 3, on the side facing the participant on the column 5, a longitudinal beam 20 is adjustable in height and lockable, for which purpose guide sleeves 21 and clamping screws 22 are provided in the exemplary embodiment. The longitudinal beam 20 carries one above the other the holder 10 for the table-side, bracket-like cantilevered support 12, which can be folded down around the hinge 11, with a base plate 23 for a measuring jug 15, a console 24 and, above this, a ring support 25 for the balloon 17. One on the longitudinal beam 20 Elongated hole 26 and locking screw 27 adjustable to different diameters of the balloon 17 arm 28 is provided with a ring holder 29 with a fastening piece 30 for the inflation mouthpiece 31 of the balloon 17 which can be suspended from below.

The console 24 contains a vertical guide 32 for an arrow bolt 33 aimed at the balloon 17, which carries a needle tip 35 on an upwardly projecting head part 34, which prevents it from falling through the guide 32, and on its end projecting out from the guide 32 a deflection roller 36 is provided. A cord 37 is fastened at one end 38 next to the guide 32 to the bracket 24 and is guided through the opening into a plate 41 via the guide roller 36 and two further guide rollers 39, 40 which are spaced apart from one another. An eyelet 42 attached below the plate 41 prevents the line 37 from being threaded back through the opening mentioned and fixes the starting position of the arrow bolt 33.

The measuring jug 15 is connected to the eyelet 42 and thus the cord 37 via a thread 43 inserted into its handle 18 and pulled through the eyelet 42.

In the competition, the participant also has the task of grasping the measuring jug 15 on the handle 18 and holding it in the approved lounge area, this lounge area being defined by the extension length of the cord 37. Once the participant has gripped the beer mug 15 on the handle 18, the support 12, which until then has been holding in the position shown, is removed via a trigger device, not shown, so that the support 12 folds down and the participant now releases the beer mug 15 must hold onto the handle 18. If the participant can no longer hold the measuring jug 15 in the permissible area of stay, the needle tip 35 hits the balloon 17 so that it bursts, which indicates the end of the individual competition.

A contact 44 is provided on the foldable support 12, which starts a timer device 45 when the support 12 is folded down. A stop 46 sits on the cord 37 between the two rollers 39, 40 and, in a predetermined pull-out position, actuates a second timer contact via a counter stop 47, via which the timer device 45 is stopped, so that the time for which the participant takes the measuring jug 15 has been recorded in the approved stay area, is detected and is displayed on a display device 48. The timekeeping device 45 and the display device 48 can be attached at any location. They were only hinted at in the block diagram.

In order to ensure that, in the case of balloons 17 of different sizes or differently sensitive to tearing, the time at which the balloon bursts is as close as possible to the end of the timekeeping or objectively to the moment coincides, in which the weight 15 leaves the permissible area of residence, the arrow bolt 33 can be formed similarly to a sword epee, in which the needle tip 35 is held in a position sunk into the head piece 34 by a rest and after releasing the rest via a trigger which is actuated, for example, by the stop 46 or a sensor attached to the outside of the arrow bolt 33, and can be extended from the head piece 34 by a spring. In this embodiment, it can happen that the head piece 34 already touches the balloon 17 before the needle tip 35 is triggered and thus the balloon 17 is destroyed. However, both the participant and the spectators retain the possibility of determining how close the weight 15 is to the limit of the permissible area of residence from the approach of the head piece 34 to the balloon 17.

Claims (11)

1. An implement for carrying out sporting game competitions in which the time is decisive for which a load imposed by a force on a part of the body of a competitor in a prescribed posture is overcome, comprising a boundary (1, 2, 3) for a station area on which the or each competitor (4) is allowed to stand, a weight (15), which is provided with a handle (18) and the position of which relative to the boundary of said station area is adjustable in dependence on the dimensions of the individual competitor, and an indicating device (17, 48), characterized in that a support (12) is provided for the weight, which particularly consists of a beer mug (15), said support is horizontally and vertically adjustable for adaptation to the individual dimensions of the body of the competitor (4), particularly to his arm length and the height of his shoulder or eyes, the weight (15) rests on said support in a stand-by position, the support (12) is adjustable from said stand-by position to a position in which the weight (15) is released so that the competitor can take over the weight in a prescribed posture of his body, and the weight (15) is adapted to be connected to a feeler (16, 17, 33, 37, 46), which responds to the exit of the weight (15) at least downwardly from a permissible space and upon its response actuates the indicating device (17, 18) and/or stops a timekeeping device (45), which has been started when the support (12) was adjusted to the position for releasing the weight (15).

2. An implement according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of stations are arranged one beside the other and the supports (12) are simultaneously adjustable by a release member to the position in which the associated weight (15) is released.

3. An implement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a bar or barrier (3) serving as a station area boundary is secured to a supporting frame (1), which constitutes a horizontal track, which extends transversely to the bar, a column (5) is adjustable along said track for adjusting the horizontal spacing of the column from the bar and is adapted to be fixed in position and carries a hinged or pivoted deck (12), which is adjustable to a selectable height and constitutes a support for the weight (15).

4. An implement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a balloon (17), which is adapted to be connected to the weight (15) by a string (16), serves as a feeler and guides are provided for the string so that when the weight (15) is disposed within the permissible space the

balloon (17) will float at a distance from tearing means (19) but after an adjustment of the weight (15) from the permissible space will engage said tearing means (19) so that the balloon will then burst.

5. An implement according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a balloon (17) which is adapted to be fixed in a holder (25 to 30) serves as an indicating device and the weight (15) carries by means of a string drive (37) a tearing spike (33), which is adjustable from a position of rest towards the balloon (17) and which when the weight (15) leaves the permissible space will engage the balloon (17) so that the latter bursts.

6. An implement according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (12) for the weight (15), which support is adapted to be swung down, a vertical track (24, 32) for the tearing spike (33), which is movable upwardly against the balloon, which vertical track is disposed over the support, and the holder (25) for the balloon (17), which holder is disposed over said tearing spike, are arranged one over the other and are adjustable in unison on a carrying frame (1), the tearing spike (33) is adjustable by a rope drive (37), which is trained around deflecting pulleys (36, 39, 40), an eyelet (43) is fixed to the end of the string (37), and a thread (43), which is adapted to be connected to the weight (15), is adapted to be hung into said eyelet (43).

7. An implement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a timekeeper contact (44) is connected to the support (12) and a stop (46) is mounted on the guided string (37) of the string drive and upon a pulling of the string (37) actuates a second timekeeper contact by means of a fixed counterstop (47) and/or a contact.

8. An implement according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the tearing spike (33) consists of an arrow bolt (33, 34) and at that end which is directed to the balloon (17) carries a needle point (35).

9. An implement according to claim 8, characterized in that the needle point (35) is held by detent means in a position in which the needle point is retracted in the end of the pointed bolt and when the detent means have been released by a release member (46, 47) the needle point is adapted to be extended from the end of the pointed bolt (34) by a spring.

10. An implement according to any of claims 5 to 9 characterized in that the holder (25 to 30) for the balloon (17) consists of an annular holder (39), through which the balloon (17) is insertable from below with an upwardly directed inflating mouthpiece (31), and a lower support (25) for the balloon (17) is additionally provided and leaves an opening through which the tearing spike (33) is adapted to move.

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