GB2212046A

GB2212046A - Hollow plastics multi-way jump stand

Info

Publication number: GB2212046A
Application number: GB8726118A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Duncan Mcardle; Thomas Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-07
Filing date: 1987-11-07
Publication date: 1989-07-19
Also published as: WO1989004196A1; AU2616988A; GB8726118D0

Abstract

The shatterproof plastics jump stand is used to construct equestrian jumps. Poles or other obstacles are carried on the integral cups (5), or on separate cups (Fig. 3, Fig 4), sitting in slots or other openings formed in the several faces of the hollow, tapering, body of the stand. Bases (2, 6, 7, 8) are of several forms to suit underlying surfaces. The base (6) allows two stands to sit closely together to make a ''spread'' jump. Up to four jumps may be built radiating from each stand. Stands can be stacked one inside another when not in use.

Description

HOLLOW PLASTICS MULTI-WAY JUMP STAND This invention relates to movable equestrian jump stands as used in competition and in training or schooling the horse.

Movable show jumps are used in equestrian competitions; or in training the horse to jump as part of its schooling; or as recreation. In principle jump construction is such that poles or other obstacles are suspended between wings or stands upon open-topped cups so that the poles are free to fall during impact with the horse or rider. Against a background of greater awareness of safety precautions within the equestrian industry (in horse and rider training and in the use of protective headgear, body protectors and the like) jumps used in competitions are subject to specifications for construction by the British Show Jumping Association.

Traditionally jump stands have been strongly made of timber, nailed and bolted together to give a stable structure on broad feet, with usually one vertical member suitably drilled or slotted to take metal cups, adjustable for height. Metal stands exist constructed on a largely similar principle, and tubular metal cup-topped stands with a pointed base for driving into the ground, are also available. More recently hollow rectangular blocks of plastics material, with side and end grooves to support poles, have come on the market in the UK and Europe. Adjustable for height only by turning the various sides upwards, or by building one block upon another, they operate on a "knock down" principle: being light, upon impact with the horse the single block tends to fall over, or if a pile of blocks, to collapse.Instability on irregular surfaces, and time in rebuilding, are the main disadvantages.

These systems require in general, each fence to consist of a minimum of a pair of jump stands supporting poles. The" blocks "permit fences to be extended laterally, in the same plane, but there is no provision for fences to be extended radially from a single jump stand, to save on material and space. A major impediment to the development of such a multi-purpose stand is the inherent weight of timber; movable jumps should be readily portable, as different courses may be built on different areas.

Current jumps stands are normally provided with bolt-on broad feet for stability; without removal of these, stacking when not in use is difficult, as is transport in a vehicle. Timber and metal deteriorate if left outside in all weathers without preventive treatment; with non bio-degradable plastics this is not the case.

Despite strong construction, during the falls of both horse and rider which occur when riding, heavy impact will cause timber to splinter, and metal cups and stands to become an extreme hazard. The blocks are an improvement in this respect, but in practice are used in the role of schooling aids.

The requirement for a safe, portable, stackable, all-weather, multi-way jump stand to save on material and jumping area, lies behind the present invention. According to the present invention there is provided a hollow tapering jump stand of shatterproof, self-supporting plastics material; with flared, open-bottomed base or feet which may be provided with a hollow rim or moulding able to be filled with stabilising material or weights; the body provided with integral and/or removable cups to carry the ends of poles or obstacles in or on one or more of the upright faces or protuberances, at various heights from the ground. Poles may be disposed radially around the stand's vertical axis, supported in or on the various faces provided, to make one stand a part of up to four jumps.The construction allows one stand to be inserted inside another from the base, to allow stacking.The top of the body is formed into one or more cups,to support poles or obstacles.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example; refer to accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a three-sided specimen of the invention with triangular base formed into three feet, and the body slotted to receive separate cups to carry the ends of poles.

Figure 2 shows the above in elevation.

Figure 3 shows in perspective a plastics jump cup to suit any of the slots in the body, and shaped to support the ends of poles.

Figure 4 shows in perspective a plastics cup of similar function.

Figure 5 shows in perspective a three-sided specimen of the invention, the body formed of projecting vertical lobes cut away or moulded into rests or cups to carry the ends of poles; with arched triangular base shaped to provide three feet, and able to admit one foot of a similar base under the arched sides, thereby allowing two stands to be brought closely together.

Figure 6 shows an elevation of the invention to illustrate the previous description.

Figure 7 shows another elevation of the invention described in Fig. 5.

Figure 8 shows in perspective an example of the invention with circular foot, depressed at the rim.

Figure 9 shows an elevation of the preceding.

Figure 10 shows in perspective a four-sided version of the invention, with square base shaped into a foot at each corner.

Figure 11 shows an elevation of the preceding.

Figure 12 shows in perspective three jumps constructed with the use of four specimens of the invention.

Referring to the drawings jumps are constructed by setting the stands illustrated in the figures a suitable distance apart, with as many jump cups Fig.3, Fig.4 as desired set into slots 4. Poles or other obstacles are supported on the cups at whatever height is necessary. Cups 3 moulded into the body 1 allow poles to be supported on the top of the stand. Cups Fig.3, Fig.4 may be put into one or more faces of the stand to construct radial jumps at angles to the plane of the first poles, as in Fig. 12. Likewise, as in Fig.5, jump stands with integral cups 5 may be used to make single or multiple show jumps, as shown in Fig.12.

Claims

1. A hollow jump stand with upwardly tapering body and splayed open base, made from shatterproof, self-supporting plastics material, able to absorb impact then recover its original shape; provided with integral or removable cups to carry the ends of poles or other obstacles in or on one or more of the upright faces or protuberances of the body.

2. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1, the body with one or more faces, each face thus created provided with slots or other openings to carry one or more jump cups to support the ends of poles.

3. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1, whereof the body is disposed in vertical lobes each shaped to provide integral cups or supports at various heights.

4. A jump stand as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with a triangular base shaped to create a foot at each corner of the base.

5. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, provided with an arched triangular base forming three feet.

6. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, provided with a circular base, depressed at the rim.

7. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, provided with a rectangular base shaped to create a foot at each corner.

8. A jump stand as claimed in any preceding claim, with hollow moulding in or on the base, able to be filled with stabilising weights or material.

9. A jump stand as claimed in any preceding claim, whereof the top of the body is formed into one or more depressions or cups to support poles or obstacles.

10. A jump stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the various means for supporting poles are combined in one body, on any of the various bases or feet claimed in any preceding claim.

11. A jump stand as claimed in any preceding claim, of tapering construction so as to allow the stacking of one inside another.

12. A jump stand substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.