WO1989004196A1

WO1989004196A1 - Multi-way equestrian show jump stand

Info

Publication number: WO1989004196A1
Application number: PCT/GB1988/000966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Duncan Mcardle; Thomas Anthony Baker
Original assignee: Thomas Duncan Mcardle; Thomas Anthony Baker
Priority date: 1987-11-07
Filing date: 1988-11-07
Publication date: 1989-05-18
Also published as: AU2616988A; GB8726118D0; GB2212046A

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

MULTT-WAY EOI IESTRIAN SHOW JT IMP STAND

The invention relates to movable equestrian show jump stands as used in competition and in training or schooling the horse, and comprises a multi-way jump stand - that is, one provided with means to construct jumps disposed radially around the stand's vertical axis.

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, show jumps, as distinct from cross-country jumps, are constructed such that poles or other obstacles are suspended between wings or stands upon some form of open-topped cup or depression. These obstacles arc thus free to fall during impact with the horse or rider.

Traditionally jump stands have been strongly made of timber, nailed and bolted together to give a stable structure on broad often demountable 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 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. 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, rather than as show jumps.

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.

The invention as claimed is intended to remedy these drawbacks. It solves the problems of weight, safety and durability associated with timber/ iron systems: the lack of stability and numbers of building units of plastic blocks; and the difficulty of adjustment of both systems. It remedies the difficulty of transport of stands by vehicle and in the hand, and allows a more speedy and compact construction of a course of show jumps.

The advantages offered by the invention are mainly as follows: -

- A course of show jumps may be built with fewer jump stands. After the first fence, which uses two stands, the present invention allows only one further stand to be used to construct subsequent fences from previous ones. From two to eight units are necessary with other timber or block systems, for every fence. - The present invention offers the advantage of stacking or nesting of one stand inside another, for storage or transport

- The present invention permits height adjustment to be carried out with one hand; two hands are necessary with timber systems; while in the case of plastic blocks, the whole block must be moved. - The advantages offered over specifically timber systems are two-fold: safety, due to the shock-absorbing, rounded plastic construction of stands and cups; and lightness.

- The advantage over specifically block systems is that the present invention is not subject to the instability of separate units piled one upon another to give height.

Versions of the invention are described below with reference to drawings which illustrate specific embodiments, in which : -

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the hollow, three-sided, tapering, jump stand of shatterproof plastics material with circular base 7. Figure 9 is a side view of the jump stand at reduced scale. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate perspective views of plastics jump cups designed to slot into suitable apertures in each face of the jump stand.

Figure 5 shows in perspective another version of the invention in which the hollow, three-sided, tapering body is formed into lobes in which are moulded integral cups 5; the three-sided arched base 6 formed into three feet. Figures 6 and 7 show side views of the same version of the invention.

Figure 1 shows, in perspective, an embodiment of the invention upon a three-sided base 2, formed into three feet. Figure 2 shows the same in reduced side view. Figure 10 shows a four-sided embodiment of the invention upon a four-sided base 8, formed into four feet. Figure 11 shows the same in side view.

Figure 12 shows four embodiments of the invention assembled into a small jump course, and illustrates the manner of building a multi-way show jump course, adjustable for height

Claims

αaims:

1. Jump stand provided with integral or movable means to construct jumps or obstacles disposed radially around its vertical axis.

2. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1 of hollow, tapering, plastics construction, the body with one or more faces or lobes, in or on which are provided integral or movable cups to cany the ends of poles or obstacles at various heights, disposed radially around the stand's vertical axis.

3. A jump stand as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, provided with a circular, or three-sided, or arched three-sided, or rectangular base, any of which bases may be shaped into feet.

4. 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.

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

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

7. A jump stand as claimed in any preceding Claim, provided with a hollow moulding in or on the base, able to be filled with stabilising material.

8. A jump stand substantially as described herein, conforming to these principles, with reference to Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.