US2900187A

US2900187A - Starting block

Info

Publication number: US2900187A
Application number: US640151A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald J Hondorp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-02-14
Filing date: 1957-02-14
Publication date: 1959-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1976-08-18

Description

Aug; 18, 1959 D. J. HONDORP 2,900,187

STARTING BLOCK Filed Feb. 14, 1957 INVENTOR. DONA L D J. HONDOPF United States Patent STARTING BLOCK Donald J. Hondorp, Grand Rapids, Mich. Application February 14, 1957, Serial No. 640,151

4 Claims. (Cl. 272-59) This invention relates to a starting block device such as those used by contestants in a foot race on a track. Such starting devices afford good footing to the racer when he is set at the starting line.

Various types of starting devices or so-called starting blocks have been developed for this purpose. These previous blocks, although quite suitable for the purpose, have not been completely satisfactory. One of the primarydifiiculties is the adjustment of the block on the bar.

One of the objects of this invention is to construct a starting block that can be easily set in any desired position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a starting block that is simple in construction and of a relatively few parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a starting block having'a novel guide track means for guiding the blocks when adjusted so as to simplify and facilitate easier adjustment.

Other objects of my invention will become obvious upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein:

Fig. l discloses an oblique, side elevational view of the starting block.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of this starting block.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, cross sectional, front elevational view of the connection between one of the blocks and the support bar.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of one of the connections between the block and the support bar.

Briefly, this invention relates to a starting block for contestants in a foot race. The combination generally comprises a rectangular bar having an inverted U-shaped cross section formed by a web and depending side flanges. The web has two elongated slots running lengthwise thereof and parallel to the side flanges. A pair of blocks, one located on each of the side flanges, is provided with the sides of the blocks abutting the sides of the flanges. The block has a horizontal flange extending over the bar. This horizontal flange has a hole aligned with the slots for receiving a bolt to releasably lock the block on the bar.

In the preferred form of this invention, I provide two guide stops protruding downwardly from the horizontal flange and located on opposite sides of the opening. These stops protrude into the slots and thus guide the block on the bar. To provide even a better guiding means, I have provided a vertical flange extending downwardly from the end of the horizontal flange and protruding into a groove located between the two slots. Thus, the guide stops and the vertical flange provide an extremely stable sliding operation of the blocks.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally designates the starting block assembly which includes the bar and the blocks 20 on each side.

The bar 10 has a generally U-shaped cross section with solid ends tapered downwardly to provide an attachment through which the pins 30 extend for securing the 2,900,187 Patented Aug. 18, 1959 ice to bar 10 corresponds in contour to the contour of the,

side of the bar. The blocks have an integral horizontal flange 21 extending over the bar. A vertical flange portion 22 extends downwardly from the end of flange 21. The horizontal flange 21 also has the guide stops 23 (Fig. 4) extending downwardly into the slot 11. These two guide stops are located on opposite sides of the opening or hole 24 which also is aligned with the slot 11.

Assembly The parts are easily assembled. The flange 21 of the block 20 is of the proper size to fit over the bar with the vertical flange portion 22 extending downwardly into the groove 12. In this position, the opening 24 is aligned with the slots 11 and the guide stops 23 protrude into the slots 11. The bolt 50 extends through the opening 24 and the slot 11 and then secured in place by the wing nut 51.

When the block is to be utilized it is placed on the track immediately behind the starting line. The pins or nails 30 are pushed into the ground thus firmly anchoring the bars to the ground. Then the runner adjusts the block depending upon the particular spacing and location desired for his feet. Every runner, having once used this starting block, establishes the exact positions of the blocks by means of the indicia 13 located in the groove 12. For example, one runner, as shown, would set one block at 7 /2 and the other block at 16 /2. Once he establishes the desired setting, he makes the same setting each time he uses the block.

The blocks are easily adjusted by loosening the wing nut 51 and sliding the blocks to the proper indexed number. Then the wings are tightened locking the block on the bar 10. The structure of this invention makes the blocks easily adjustable. The horizontal flanges 21 do not overlap and therefore, either of the blocks can be moved in either direction the entire length of the bar. The vertical flange portion 22 and the guide stops 23 help to maintain the straight line movement of the block on the bar as it is being adjusted. The guide stops 23 also prevent the blocks from turning when the runner exerts a force on them. Therefore, the operation is very easy and the proper setting can be made in a relatively short time. The setting is facilitated by the handle 25 on the block which also provides one means for carrying the block from one place to the other. These handles facilitate pulling the unit from the track. This makes possible the welding of the nails to the unit and still provides easy removal of the unit from the track.

Having described my invention, it should become obvious that various alterations and modifications are possible in the broadest aspect in this invention. Therefore, such alterations and modifications are considered to be covered by this invention unless the appended claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combination comprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shaped cross-section formed by a web and depending side flanges; said web having elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to said side flanges; a pair of blocks one located on each of said side flanges; each of said blocks having a side abutting one of said side flanges and corresponding in shape thereto; a substantially horizontal flange extending from said side of said block above said web; said horizontal flange having an opening aligned with one of said slots; and releasable locking means extending through said aligned slot and opening.

2. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combination comprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shaped cross-section formed by a web and depending side flanges; said web having elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to said side flanges; a pair of blocks one located on each of said side flanges; each of said blocks having a side abutting one of said side flanges and corresponding in shape thereto; a substantially horizontal flange extending from said side of said block above said web; said horizontal flange having an opening aligned with one of said slots; guide stops protruding from said horizontal flange into said slot, said stops being located on opposite sides or said opening; and releasable locking means extending through said aligned slot and said opening.

3. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combination comprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shaped cross-section formed by a web and depending side flanges; said web having elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to said side flanges; said web having a groove between said slots; a pair of blocks one located on each of said side flanges; each of said blocks having a side abutting one of said side flanges and corresponding in shape thereto; a substantially horizontal flange extending from said side of said block above said web; said horizontal flange having an opening aligned with one of said slots; a vertical flange portion extending downwardly from said horizontal flange into said groove; and releasable locking means extending through said aligned slot and said opening.

4. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combination comprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shaped crosssection formed by a web and depending side flanges; said Web having elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to said side flanges; said web having a groove between said slots; a pair of blocks, one located on each of said side flanges, each of said blocks having a side abutting one of said side flanges and corresponding in shape thereto; a substantially horizontal flange extending from said side of said block above said web; a vertical flange portion extending downwardly from saidhorizontal flange into said groove; and releasable locking means extending through said aligned slot and said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 457,077 Dahl Aug. 4, 1891 1,785,968 Nicholson et al. Dec. 23, 1930 2,323,510 Arnett July 6, 1943 2,534,159 Brouwer et al. Dec. 12, 1 950 FOREIGN PATENTS 94,902 Sweden 1939 125,753 Australia 1947 959,628 France 1949