Exercise devices – For track or field sport – Starting block for runner
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-05-29
Donnelly, Jerome (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
For track or field sport
Starting block for runner
C073S379010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238319
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Starting blocks for runners are in widespread use in conjunction with field and track events,. These starting blocks include an elongated central channel member having a length of between 24″ and 30″. This channel member, for many starting blocks, has holes at each end; and pins or stakes are driven into the track through these holes to hold the channel member in place. For some starting blocks, a plurality of spikes extending from the bottom of the channel member are used to anchor the starting block assembly in the desired location, adjacent the starting line for an individual runner.
Known starting blocks also include foot pedals on each side of the central channel member. These foot pedals have a somewhat concave-shaped surface on them, extending upwardly at an angle from the portion adjacent the track. The foot pedals are mounted on opposite sides of the channel member in positions established by fixed incremental slots or holes. The foot pedals then are held in place by means of spring-loaded pins or other suitable mechanical devices. The location of the foot pedals along the length of the channel member thus is incrementally established in accordance with the pre-set distances between the slots or holes on each side of the channel member.
The center channel member of conventional starting blocks is approximately two inches wide; and the foot pedals then extend on opposite sides of the channel member. Thus, the foot pedal spacing is fixed by the width of the channel. The angular slope of the foot-engaging surface of the foot pedals, for some starting blocks, is adjustable in fixed increments. Typically, these adjustments are pre-set at three or four different angles, or may be in 10° increments, or some other fixed incremental angular spacing. If a runner found the most comfortable position to be something between the incremental settings available with a particular starting block, however, no provision for infinitely adjustable setting over a pre-established range is possible with these blocks.
In addition to the limitations mentioned above, the starting blocks known in the prior art are quite bulky and heavy. This makes them relatively difficult to transport from one location to another. Athletes, however, frequently practice and compete on different tracks, and necessarily need to carry their starting blocks with them from one location to another. Because of the bulk of standard starting blocks, this presents an addition annoying burden.
It is desirable to provide an inexpensive, lightweight, fully adjustable track starting block which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, and which is easy to use and simple to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a portable athletic starting block comprises two interconnected portions. The first of these is a foot pedal portion, which has a track-engaging end and an upper end. The second is a support plate portion, which has a track-engaging end and an upper end. The upper ends of both of the portions of the starting block are rotatably interconnected together by means of mating members on the upper ends, respectively, of the foot pedal portion and the support plate portion. This rotatable interconnection allows a predetermined rotational movement of the track-engaging ends of the two portions of the starting block toward and away from one another to adjust the angle of the foot pedal portion, with respect to a track surface. Track-engaging members then are applied to the track-engaging ends of the foot pedal portion and the support plate portion to hold the starting block in place on a track.
A pair of these starting blocks, which are independent of one another, are utilized; so that the relative fore and aft and side-to-side spacing of the blocks may be individually tailored to the particular athlete using the set of blocks.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2110214 (1971-09-01), None
patent: 2232894 (1991-01-01), None
Track & Field Equipment Catalogue; pp. 32 & 33.
BuddBlock, Inc.
Donnelly Jerome
Ptak LaValle D.
LandOfFree
Portable athletic starting block does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Portable athletic starting block, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Portable athletic starting block will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2513510