GB2232894A

GB2232894A - Starting block

Info

Publication number: GB2232894A
Application number: GB8911117A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Flockton; Kenneth Hudson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-16
Filing date: 1989-05-16
Publication date: 1991-01-02
Also published as: GB8911117D0

Abstract

A starting block (16) comprises a foot plate (24) which is adjustably inclinable by means of a bar (32) having a plurality of downwardly opening slots 34. One of the slots (34) can be selectably located on a further bar (36) which extends between opposite side walls (18, 20) of the starting block (16). A biassing spring 38 may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

A STARTING BLOCK The present invention relates to a starting block and more particularly to means for adjusting the inclination of the foot plate of the starting block.

The present invention provides a starting block comprising a foot plate which is adjustably inclinable by means of a first member having a pluralty of downwardly opening recesses and a second member on which the recesses can be selectably located.

The first member may comprise a bar connected to the foot plate and having the recesses spaced longitudinally thereof.

The starting block may comprise two spaced side walls and a base extending between the side walls, the second member being a rod extending between the side walls.

The foot plate may be rearwardly biased to assist positive location of the selected recess on the second member.

The resilient biasing may be provided by a helical spring connected between the footplate and the base of the starting block.

A starting block assembly comprising a beam and a pair of starting blocks as defined above, each starting block being fixed to a respective opposite side of the beam.

The beam may have a channel shaped cross-section and each side wall may be provided with a pluralty of upwardly opening slots, each starting block having at least one threadred member extending through a slot of the beam and tightening means for the threaded member to fix the starting block to the beam.

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a starting block assembly, Figure 2 shows a sectional view taken along line A-A of a starting block of the assembly shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows a rear view of the starting block shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a starting block assembly generally designated by numeral. The assembly comprises a beam 4 having a channel shaped cross-section having two side walls 6 provided with a series of upwardly open slots 8. The slots 8 are inclined rearwardly from their mouths. Fixed to each end of the beam is a plate 10, 12 provided with holes 14 for the reception of downwardly extending sipkes to enable the assembly to be fixed to the ground.

Mounted to each side wall of the beam 2 is a starting block 16.

Each starting block 16 comprises two spaced side walls 18, 20 and a base 22 extending between the side walls 18, 20.

At the forward end of the block 16 is disposed a foot plate 24 which is pivoted at its lower end by means of a bolt 26 which extends petween the front of the two side walls 18, 20 of the starting block.

The upper region of the foot plate 24 is provided with a pair of spaced flanges 28 in which is pivoted, by means of a pin 30, one end of a bar 32. The bar 32 is provided at its underside with four slots 34. Extending between each side wall 18, 20 of the starting block 16 is a bar 36.

The foot plate 24 can be set at the required inclination by locating the appropriate slot 34 on the bar 36. Connected between the foot plate 24 and the base 22 of the starting block 16 is a helical spring 38 which biases the foot plate 24 anti-clockwise as shown in Figure 2. The spring assists in retaining the slots 34 on the bar 36. Each starting block 16 in mounted to the beam 2 by means of a pair of bolts 40 which are fixed to the side wall 18 of the starting block 16 and extend through two of the slots 8 in the side wall 6 of the beam 2. Wing nuts 42 are threaded onto the bolts 40 to tighter the starting block against the beam 2.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A starting block comprising a foot plate which is adjustably inclinable by means of a first member having a pluralty of generally downwardly opening recesses and a second member on which the recesses can be selectably located.

2. A starting block as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a bar connected to the foot plate and having the recesses spaced longitudinally thereof.

3. A starting block as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising tow spaced side walls and a base extending between the side walls, the second member being a rod extending between the sidewalls.

4. A starting block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot plate is nearwardly resilently biased to assist positive location of the selected recess on the second member.

5. A starting block as claimed in claim 4, wherein the resilient biasing is provided by a helical spring conencted between the foot plate and the base of the starting block.

6. A starting block assembly comprising a beam and a pair of starting blocks as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, each starting block being releasably fixed to a respective side of the beam.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the beam has a channel shaped cross-section and each side wall is provided with a plurality of upwardly opening slots, each starting block having at least one threaded member extending through a slot of the beam and tightening means for the threaded member to fix the starting block to the beam.

8. A starting block substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A starting block assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.