GB2162071A

GB2162071A - Practice track

Info

Publication number: GB2162071A
Application number: GB08501559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Michael Potter Abbott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-01-22
Filing date: 1985-01-22
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: GB8501559D0; GB2162071B

Abstract

A practice track for a plurality of athletic events, comprises a synthetic surface layer having first side and second side boundaries 12, 14, which are substantially perpendicular to one another and defining a curved track portion extending between and being tangential to said first and second side boundaries. Additional track portions may be provided for the practising of various field events. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Practice track The present invention relates to a practice track for a variety of athletic events.

In international athletics, the surface on which the athletes perform is usually a high quality synthetic surface which has different feel characteristics to other types of surface such as grass or tarmacadam.

When athletes are training for events, it is desirable that they practice on the type of surface on which they intend to compete. However, the provision of good quality full sized synthetic running tracks for different events is costly. Additionally institutions such as schools or colleges apart from finding it difficult to finance the provision of full sized synthetic running tracks also only have a limited amount of space for accommodating a wide variety of sports activities and so are conscious of maximising the use of such limited space.

It is a generai aim of the present invention to provide a practice track which permits a plurality of different athletic events to be practiced thereon whilst occupying a minimum of space.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a practice track for a plurality of athletic events, the track comprising a synthetic surface layer having first side and second side boundaries which are substantially perpendicular to one another and defining a curved track portion extending between and being tangential to said first and second side boundaries.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of an athletic practice track according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the track of Figure 1 taken along line Il-Il.

The athletic practice track according to the present invention is generally shown at 10 and includes a first side boundary 12 and a second side boundary 14. Both side boundaries are linear and are arranged to be substantially 90 to one another. Because of this feature it is possible to site the practice track 10 in a corner of a playing field which is advantageous in that the practice track 10 then occupies a space which is not normally used and does not interfere with the use of the playing field for other sports activities.

The practice track 10 includes a curved track portion 20 which extends between and is tangential to both boundaries 12, 14. Preferably the curved track portion 20 carries line markings 21 which divide the track portion 20 into a plurality of running lanes, in the illustrated embodiment there are four running lanes.

Preferably, as illustrated, the curved track portion 20 merges into a straight track portion 25 at one end and a straight track portion 26 at the other end.

Relay track events with or without hurdles may be practiced on the straight and curved track portions to provide practice for changing of the baton.

Preferably, one of the straight portions, in the illustrated embodiment, track portion 25 is extended towards the juncture of the two boundaries 12, 14 in order to provide a straight running track suitable for practicing sprinting and hurdling. The extended straight track portion 25 can be of any desired overall length, said 60 or 100 metres.

The extended track portion 25 terminates at a landing area 28 such as a sand pit which enables the track portion 25 to be used as a running track for practicing long jump or triple and jump events. The provision of multiple lanes enables several athletes to practice these events side by side.

Advantageously an additional straight track lane 25a is provided adjacent the extended track portion 25 specifically for long jumping or triple jumping and carries appropriate boards 29.

The other straight track portion 26 is conveniently provided with a straight track portion extension 26a of single running lane width which extends toward the juncture between the boundaries 12, 14. The straight track extension 26a terminates at a landing area 20 so as to be suitable for practicing of pole vaulting.

A running track portion 40 for practicing javeling throwing is preferably provided which in part overlies the straight track portion 25. The track portion 40 is acutely angled relative to boundary 12 to provide an adequate throwing area 41 which safeguards against a contestant throwing a javelin outside the confines of boundary 12.

A high jump apparatus site 50 is preferably located on the inner side of the curved track portion.

Markings 52 are preferably provided for indicating permissible run-up boundaries for the high jump event.

Other throwing events, for example the discus or hammer may be practiced within the confines of the practice track 10 as illustrated schematically at 60 and 70 respectively.

The entire area within the boundary sides 12, 14 and 15 is preferably constructed to the same standards as an international standard track. As illustrated in Figure 2, the track has a stone foundation base 80 which is conveniently about 150 mm thick. Kerbs 81 are embedded in concrete beds 82 to define the side edges of the track. A layer of bituminus macadam 83 covers the foundation base 80 in between the kerbs 81 and this layer is in turn covered by a surface layer 85 formed from a suitable plastics material such as a porous polyurethane.

The layer of bituminus macadam 83 is typically about 60 mm thick and the surface layer 85 is typically about 12 mm thick. Both of these layers are preferably porous so as to provide adequate drainage.

1. A practice track for a plurality of athletic events, the track comprising a synthetic surface layer having first side and second side boundaries which are substantially perpendicular to one another and defining a curved track portion extending between and being tangential to said first and second side boundaries.

2. A practice track according to Claim 1 wherein said surface layer defines a straight track portion

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Practice track The present invention relates to a practice track for a variety of athletic events. In international athletics, the surface on which the athletes perform is usually a high quality synthetic surface which has different feel characteristics to other types of surface such as grass or tarmacadam. When athletes are training for events, it is desirable that they practice on the type of surface on which they intend to compete. However, the provision of good quality full sized synthetic running tracks for different events is costly. Additionally institutions such as schools or colleges apart from finding it difficult to finance the provision of full sized synthetic running tracks also only have a limited amount of space for accommodating a wide variety of sports activities and so are conscious of maximising the use of such limited space. It is a generai aim of the present invention to provide a practice track which permits a plurality of different athletic events to be practiced thereon whilst occupying a minimum of space. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a practice track for a plurality of athletic events, the track comprising a synthetic surface layer having first side and second side boundaries which are substantially perpendicular to one another and defining a curved track portion extending between and being tangential to said first and second side boundaries. Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of an athletic practice track according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the track of Figure 1 taken along line Il-Il. The athletic practice track according to the present invention is generally shown at 10 and includes a first side boundary 12 and a second side boundary 14. Both side boundaries are linear and are arranged to be substantially 90 to one another. Because of this feature it is possible to site the practice track 10 in a corner of a playing field which is advantageous in that the practice track 10 then occupies a space which is not normally used and does not interfere with the use of the playing field for other sports activities. The practice track 10 includes a curved track portion 20 which extends between and is tangential to both boundaries 12, 14. Preferably the curved track portion 20 carries line markings 21 which divide the track portion 20 into a plurality of running lanes, in the illustrated embodiment there are four running lanes. Preferably, as illustrated, the curved track portion 20 merges into a straight track portion 25 at one end and a straight track portion 26 at the other end. Relay track events with or without hurdles may be practiced on the straight and curved track portions to provide practice for changing of the baton. Preferably, one of the straight portions, in the illustrated embodiment, track portion 25 is extended towards the juncture of the two boundaries 12, 14 in order to provide a straight running track suitable for practicing sprinting and hurdling. The extended straight track portion 25 can be of any desired overall length, said 60 or 100 metres. The extended track portion 25 terminates at a landing area 28 such as a sand pit which enables the track portion 25 to be used as a running track for practicing long jump or triple and jump events. The provision of multiple lanes enables several athletes to practice these events side by side. Advantageously an additional straight track lane 25a is provided adjacent the extended track portion 25 specifically for long jumping or triple jumping and carries appropriate boards 29. The other straight track portion 26 is conveniently provided with a straight track portion extension 26a of single running lane width which extends toward the juncture between the boundaries 12, 14. The straight track extension 26a terminates at a landing area 20 so as to be suitable for practicing of pole vaulting. A running track portion 40 for practicing javeling throwing is preferably provided which in part overlies the straight track portion 25. The track portion 40 is acutely angled relative to boundary 12 to provide an adequate throwing area 41 which safeguards against a contestant throwing a javelin outside the confines of boundary 12. A high jump apparatus site 50 is preferably located on the inner side of the curved track portion. Markings 52 are preferably provided for indicating permissible run-up boundaries for the high jump event. Other throwing events, for example the discus or hammer may be practiced within the confines of the practice track 10 as illustrated schematically at 60 and 70 respectively. The entire area within the boundary sides 12, 14 and 15 is preferably constructed to the same standards as an international standard track. As illustrated in Figure 2, the track has a stone foundation base 80 which is conveniently about 150 mm thick. Kerbs 81 are embedded in concrete beds 82 to define the side edges of the track. A layer of bituminus macadam 83 covers the foundation base 80 in between the kerbs 81 and this layer is in turn covered by a surface layer 85 formed from a suitable plastics material such as a porous polyurethane. The layer of bituminus macadam 83 is typically about 60 mm thick and the surface layer 85 is typically about 12 mm thick. Both of these layers are preferably porous so as to provide adequate drainage. CLAIMS

2. A practice track according to Claim 1 wherein said surface layer defines a straight track portion extending from one end of the curved track portion.

3. A practice track according to Claim 2 wherein said surface layer defines an extension to said straight track portion which extends towards the juncture between the first and second side boundaries.

4. A practice track according to Claim 3 wherein a landing area, such as a sand pit, is located near to the juncture between the first and second side boundaries.

5. A practice track according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said surface layer is extended inwardly of said straight track portion to define a running track for javelin throwing, said running track being acutely inclined relative to the adjacent side boundary.

6. A practice track according to any preceding claim wherein said surface layer extends inwardly of the curved track portion to a high jump apparatus.