GB2290722A

GB2290722A - Gymnastics landing pit system

Info

Publication number: GB2290722A
Application number: GB9412976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henri Miceli
Original assignee: Gymnova SAS
Current assignee: Gymnova SAS
Priority date: 1994-06-28
Filing date: 1994-06-28
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Also published as: GB9412976D0

Abstract

A gymnastics landing pit system has a triangular (or other) shaped foam 12 which is placed between the foam mattress 5 and the suspension net 9, or onto the foam mattress 5. The suspension net 9 being fully suspended by elastic bands 8 and 8' attached to fixing hooks 7 and 7', the whole structure being covered by a stretch fabric cover 10. <IMAGE>

Description

GYMNASTICS LANDING PIT SYSTEM This invention relates to a Gymnastics landing pit system.

The gymnastics safety landing pit system consists of pits dug in the ground. The most common systems are fitted with a strong tight net on which is placed a foam mattress covered in a finishing fabric.

These systems have the drawback of slackening quickly and thus forming an unsightly hollow. This hollow increases the distance between the apparatus and the landing spot for the gymnast. This system has a trampoline effect, ie. a brusque rebound after the fall which is contradictory with the expected effect of a progressive cushioning of the fall and a reduced restitution of energy. The object of the invention is aimed to prevent all these drawbacks and is characterised by; the placing of a triangular foam shape or other foam shape between the supporting net and the foam landing mattress with the possibility of the foam shape to be placed on top of the foam landing mattress in between the stretch jersey cover.

The particular shape of this foam overcomes and compensates for the "hollow" created due to the slackening of the support net. By placing the triangular shaped foam directly on the support net provides an improved integration to the whole landing system.

In utilising the triangular (or other) shaped foam, permits a reduced tension of the support net, or any slight slackening which will extend the longevity of the tensioning components and will increase the comfort of the gymnasts landing. Utilising the combination of the 3 elements: additional thickness of foam, increased deflection on landing and reduced trampolining effect.

Figure.1 illustrates a cross-section of a traditional landing pit system with the addition of the foam 12 which concerns this invention.

Item 1 refers to the concrete structure of the landing pit. The air volume 2 is expelled via the direction of the arrows 3 by evacuation through the ventilation grills 4 when the gymnasts land on the safety landing mat 5 which is of low density foam. The foam blocks 6 and 6' are made of a higher density to provide additional protection over the concrete area. The fixing hooks 7 and 7' secured to the concrete allow for the attachment of elastic bands (sandows) 8 and 8' and the suspension net 9. The fire retardant stretch fabric cover 10 is fixed to the perimeter using a locking profile system 11 and covers the whole pit structure.

Figure No.2 illustrates some of the alternative shapes (non-restrictive) of the foam 12, triangular 13, concave 14, oval shaped 15, the preferred shape being 14.

Claims

1) This design permits the improvement of gymnastics landing pit systems, characterised by the use of an additional foam 12 having a triangular (or other) shaped foam, placed between the foam mattress 5 and the suspension net 9, or onto the foam mattress 5. The suspension net 9 being fully suspended by elastic bands 8 and 8' attached to fixing hooks 7 and 7'. The whole structure being covered by a stretched fabric cover 10.

2) The system is characterised by the use of additional foam of a certain thickness in the middle, tapering at the sides and along the full length of the landing area.

3)The system following claim 1 is characterised by the whole structure being protected by the use of a fire retardant stretch cover.