FR2832640A1 - ELASTICITY ADJUSTABLE GYMNASTIC SPRINGBOARD FOR TRAINING AND COMPETITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The springboard consists of an upper panel (1) with a coating that demarcates the outline of its impact zone. The elasticity of the upper panel is varied by means of a curved inner panel (5) connected to a base (2) by a hinge (6), and a spring adjuster. The inner panel has an adjustable thrust bar (7) and upper rollers (8) interacting with the upper panel's under surface, and is made from a resin based composition material reinforced with fibres of carbon, glass or other material. It is adjusted by a rack and handwheel mechanism (9) or lever.

Description

inextensible external (40), by a flexible membrane (42) of separation.

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  ELASTICITY ADJUSTABLE GYMNASTIC SPRINGBOARD FOR

TRAINING AND COMPETITION

  The springboards for the practice of gymnastics are intended to improve the performance of gymnasts in the performance of acrobatic figures or in the

  crossing apparatus such as jumping horse or, more recently, jumping table.

  These springboards have dimensions determined by the International Gymnastics Federation, which are currently 1200 x 600 mm and 220 mm in height with a

  identical elasticity (which does not correspond to a gymnast of 30 or 80kg).

  All springboards adjustable in elasticity are not suitable because they are difficult to use.

  For example, removing or adding springs: this is long and tedious. There are faults which can weaken the impact zones (rupture of the plateau) or make the springboard not very homogeneous in flexibility. In addition, viewing the area

  effective impact is not materialized on the treroplin plateau.

  Our patent n 9102434 does not meet these drawbacks: the coating materializes the impact zone approved by the International Gymnastics Federation, this springboard cannot be intended for competition because it does not have the required dimensions and

  finally, the elasticity of the impact zone is not homogeneous.

  The object of the invention is to eliminate all these drawbacks in that the impact zone is homogeneous, and varies in elasticity thanks to 2 systems: a flexible curved plate adjustable very quickly in hardness and springs quickly interchangeable. These 2 systems can be complementary or

completely independent.

  Figure 1 shows the springboard in perspective: the top plate (1) which is covered with a flexible coating comprising a visual reference, the so-called "chassis" plate (2) with a hole (3), the curved plate (5 ), the hinges (6) of the curved plate (5), the adjustable support bar (7) of the curved plate (5), the bearings (8) between the plate (1) and the curved plate (5) , the adjustment system (9) and the retaining strap (10). The non-skid pads of the chassis (2) are not shown for

lighten the design.

  FIG. 2 is a top view of the springboard, it represents the two distinct zones of the platform (1): the zone A of dark color, ineffective part of the springboard, and

  zone B. most efficient and homogeneous part of the springboard.

  Figure 3 shows the springboard seen from the side. The support bar (7) of the curved plate (5) is shown in that it can be moved, for example, at point C, which will make the springboard flexible, or at point D, which will make the springboard harder. The dotted lines

  represent the springboard at maximum load.

  Figure 4 shows the springboard seen from above, without the plate (l) and the plate (5), with the slide system of the support bar (7), the 2 guides (11 and 11 ') so that there is no jamming, the quick adjustment lever (12) of the support bar (7). This lever is fixed at point (13) on the chassis (2). At point (14) is articulated the lever (12). This lever is telescopic so that nothing protrudes from the springboard and cannot injure the gymnast. Figure 4 also shows the holes (15) and their notches (16) in the

  chassis (2) which allow rapid positioning of the removable springs.

  Figure 5 shows, in section, the shapes and the removable springs (4) embedded.

  Figure 6 shows one of the removable springs seen from above with the plate (18).

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  The principle of the invention consists in that the effective impact area of the springboard is visually identifiable by the gymnast, is adjustable in hardness and homogeneous at all settings without weakening the springboard. The non-slip coating which covers the platform 1 of the springboard is made in 2 different colors: a color which delimits the ineffective part of the springboard (part A of Figure 2) and another color, to attract the eye

  on the effective and homogeneous area of the springboard (part B of figure 2).

  Curved plate system: The curved plate (5) is a plate with a strong spring effect, very rigid, resistant and highly deformable under stress, made of a composite material such as Sicral, fiberglass, carbon fiber or any other spring material

strong enough.

  The bearings (8) at the end of the plate (5) are under the middle of the springboard impact zone and are used to limit wear, friction and not to brake the

  descent from plateau 1 during the gymnast's jump although they have a small displacement.

  That is to say that the total displacement of the bearings 8 under the plate 1 is approximately 30 mm from a no-load position to a maximum load position (the impact of the gymnast's jump) of approximately 2500 kg maximum represented dashed in Figure 3: the small displacement does not alter the homogeneity of the impact area. The hinge (6) is used to give the degrees of freedom of the blade (5) so

to use all its flexibility.

  The adjustable support bar (7) of the plate (5) is a generator (round metal tube) moving using rails (11 and 11 '- Figure 4) in the hole (3) of the chassis ( 2). This displacement from point C to point D (Figure 3) softened or hardened the end of the blade

  at the bearings 8, so the impact area of the springboard.

  The support bar (7) can be moved by a rack (9 - fig. 1) of the pool diving board type but flat so that it takes up little space, or by a telescopic lever (12 - fig. 4). ), or any other system such as a pedal allowing

quick adjustment.

  The hole (3) of the frame (2) is used to guide the support bar (7) but also to fully house the curved plate (5) during a violent impact (dotted lines in Figure 3). Therefore, it increases the depth of penetration of the plate (1) therefore the effectiveness of the springboard. Interchangeable spring system: the principle consists in removing or adding springs or changing the type of springs with great ease. The frame (2) can include a multitude of oblong holes in order to adjust the number and

  the location of the process springs in relation to the size of the gymnast.

  To add a spring, simply place it in an oblong hole on the frame (2), compress it slightly against the plate (1) and rotate it 1/4 turn with the

  manipulation bar (17) in order to lock the plate (18) in the notches (16).

  The holes (15) and the notches (16) can have different shapes (triangular,

  rectangular, or any other shape other than circular).

  The combination of these 2 systems, adjustable curved plate and interchangeable springs, allows to have a springboard which adapts very quickly and very

  easily to different gymnast sizes (from 30 to 80 I (g).

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Claims (7)

  1-Springboard adjustable in elasticity intended for training and competition characterized in that the plate (1) above incorporates a coating with two zones (A and B) of contrasting colors making it possible to visually distinguish the zone from impact (B), in that the latter is homogeneous, and varies in hardness by 2 distinct systems; one is a curved plate (5) of material with a strong spring effect such as sicral, fiberglass, carbon or any other composite material, fixed to the frame (2) at its lower end by a hinge (6) and support by bearings (8) at its upper end under the middle of the impact zone of the plate (1), an area which varies rapidly in hardness by adjusting the adjustable support bar (7) from one position to the other (C, D) by actuating a wheel rack (9) or a lever (12) or any other system such as a pedal, guided by the rails (11 and 11 ') in the hole (3) of the chassis (2), the latter being wider than the curved plate (5) in order to accommodate it, during maximum impact; and of a rapid system of adding or removing springs (4) of metal or of another material by positioning them from below the frame (2) by pressing then rotation through the oblong holes (15), the plate ( 18) springs fits in the notches (16).   2-According to claim 1, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is characterized in that the coating incorporates two zones (A and B) of contrasting colors. 3-According to claim 1, - the springboard adjustable in elasticity is characterized in that it comprises a curved plate (5) of material with strong spring effect   such as sicral, fiberglass, carbon articulated on the frame (2) by the hinge (6).   4-According to claims 1, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is   characterized in that the upper end of the curved plate (5) is under the middle of the impact zone of the plate (1).   -According to claim 1, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is characterized in that the support bar (7) is rapidly variable from point C to point D by actuation of a wheel rack (9) or d '' a lever (12) or any   other system such as a pedal for quick adjustment.   6-According to claim 1, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is characterized in that the hole (3) of the frame (2) is slightly wider than the plate   curved (5), the latter being housed in the hole (3) at maximum impact. 4 2832640   7- According to claim 1, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is characterized in that the curved plate (5) is guided by the rails (11 and 11 ') in the hole (3) in the frame (2).   8- According to claims 1, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is   characterized in that the springs comprise plates (18) to be placed through the oblong holes (15) in the frame (2).   9- According to claim 1 and 8, the springboard adjustable in elasticity is