FR2657529A2 - Improvement to safety areas for sports gymnastics (pits) and to the method of installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Hollowed-out pit device intended for gymnastics, for learning dangerous exercises, making it possible to receive gymnasts moving over gymnastics equipment (crossbar and stands) placed on the edge of or over the pit; it is composed in its upper part of a small-mesh knot-free net (1) stretched flush with the ground and held by (luggage) elastics (2) and pig-tail guides (3) fastened in the cut panel (side) of the concrete (4). A flexible foam (7) is placed directly over the net above the central part of the pit whilst the peripheral part is covered over with a harder foam (8). The assembly is covered over with a flexible fire-resistant fabric (11) which is stretched and clipped to the periphery in the groove of the female profiled section (10) via the male profiled section (12).

Description

The invention which is the subject of patent 86 07023 relates to a dug pit device, intended for high level gymnastics for learning perilous exercises, allowing the reception of gymnasts playing on gymnastic apparatus placed at the edge or at the above the pit, thereby reducing the risk during certain falls. The pit is composed in its upper part, at ground level, either of a covered mattress resting on a net, or of a tarpaulin, all covered with very soft, elastic, slippery fabric and classified fireproof. Straddling the mattress or tarpaulin, there is a waterproof peripheral flap fixed by sewing, welding or gluing or by a simple metal or plastic joint. The net is held by bungee cords or a spring system with safety rope, which are fixed around the pit at ground level using anchors.

The purpose of the additive is to further improve this device.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the elements constituting the pit and Figure 2 shows a section of the assembled elements.

A safety net (1) with a small mesh and no knot stretched by the bungee cord (2) hung on the pig tails (3) themselves fixed in the concrete comprising a cut at 45 degrees (4) this for a better mechanical resistance and in order to be able to obtain an attachment point corresponding perfectly to the level of the concrete (5).

The part (5) of the concrete has a slight drop relative to the part (6) of the concrete, this in order to facilitate assembly.

This drop in the thickness of the profile (about 2 cm) is however not compulsory.

The foam (7) with a low hardness index (flexible) and between 5 and 15 cm thick, is placed directly on the safety net, without an intermediate protective fabric, which has the effect of lightening the whole , and give increased flexibility to the gymnast. The fact of eliminating the intermediate canvas represents several advantages: saving of raw material, saving of time for the fitters, and saving of weight for the whole of the pit. The fact of lightening the surface of reception makes it possible to decrease the force of inertia at the time of the fall of the gymnast which involves a greater flexibility and increases the possibility of damping at the precise point of contact. Part (7) represents the gymnasts' useful reception area. As an indication and to give an image of the volumes of the device described, it can be considered that for a dug pit 3500 mm wide, the concrete edge (5) will measure 250 mm, the peripheral foam (8) will measure 500 mm (half - on concrete, half on bungee cords and pigtails) and the foam (7) covering the entire surface of the medium, will be 3000 mm wide.

The peripheral foam (8) of high hardness index (firm) and of the same thickness as the foam (7) is reinforced on the underside by a canvas (9) glued over about two thirds of the width, the unglued part being on the beveled side (only for 11 aesthetics of the whole) and slightly protruding.

This foam (8) will be glued or loose and placed astride the concrete part (5) and the pigtail and bungee cords part (approximately up to the point where the bungee cords meet the net) thus protecting the gymnast from hardness of the pigtail protruding and blocking the spaces that are free between the bungee cords.

The purpose of the fabric tab (9) projecting from the foam border (8) is, in the case where this said border (8) is not glued to the surface (5), of beech positioned below the female profile (10) when it is fixed to the ground by screwing, by "spiting", in order to be permanently secured.
This represents a considerable time saving for the installers.

The flexible and fire-rated canvas (11) covers all of the foam (7) and the peripheral edge (8) and will be slightly stretched and then permanently clipped into the groove of the female profile (10) by the male profile (12) .

Figure 3 shows the detail of the female (10) and male (12) sections made of semi-rigid material (plastic or composite material, or any other material).

The size of the notches and the robustness of the profile have been calculated so as to be able to wedge the fabric (11) between the notches of the male and female profiles; this clipping having a mechanical tensile strength equal to that of a conventional fixing such as screwing, joint cover, etc.

Claims (7)

1) Inground pit device intended for gymnastics for learning perilous exercises, allowing the reception of gymnasts playing on apparatus placed at the edge or above the pit and thereby reducing the risks during certain falls, characterized in that it comprises a small mesh safety net (1) stretched close to the ground by means of bungee cords (2) attached to pig tails (3) fixed in the concrete (5) in the part comprising a 45 degree cutaway (4). On this net, a flexible foam (7) is placed on the useful surface for receiving gymnasts and a foam (8) harder and of the same thickness as the foam (7) is placed and glued over the entire peripheral part of the pit. . The assembly is covered with a flexible fabric classified as fire which is clipped over the entire perimeter by male (12) and female (10) sections. 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a safety net (1) with a small mesh and without knot is stretched flush with the ground above the dug pit, and maintained by bungee cords and pig tails. 3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the upper part of the concrete (5) has a cutaway (4) at 45 degrees for easily positioning the net perfectly flush with the ground. 4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the flexible foam (7) is directly placed on the net (1) (removal of the intermediate fabric) and is therefore located above ground level. 5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the peripheral foam (8), harder than the central foam (7) and of the same thickness, is placed astride the concrete and the pig tails, which increases comfort and Security. 6) Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the peripheral foam (8) is reinforced on the underside by a fabric (9) glued on 2/3 of the foam and projecting under the bevelled side. 7) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a flexible and fire-rated fabric (11) covers all of the foam and is stretched and clipped around the entire periphery of the pit in the groove of the female profile (10) by the profile mfile (12).