U.S. patent application number 10/263602 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for cushioned pole vault planting box.
Invention is credited to Farrell, William E., Foley, Peter M., Noble, Scott A., Wilson, Steven C..
Application Number | 20040067820 10/263602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32042029 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040067820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noble, Scott A. ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Cushioned pole vault planting box
Abstract
A pole vault planting box is cushioned to reduce and minimize
the risk of injury to pole vaulters. The planting box includes a
base pan which is mounted below ground level adjacent the runway,
and a sloped surface extending downwardly from the base surface to
a pole planting position adjacent the stop-board. Cushioning
components are positioned on the base surface and sloped surface of
the base pan. A top cover may be positioned over some or all of the
base pan to provide a cavity which may enclose cushioning
components.
Inventors: |
Noble, Scott A.; (Denver,
CO) ; Wilson, Steven C.; (Littleton, CO) ;
Farrell, William E.; (Englewood, CO) ; Foley, Peter
M.; (Castle Rock, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
3535 S. ASHLAND AVE.
CHICAGO
IL
60609
US
|
Family ID: |
32042029 |
Appl. No.: |
10/263602 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/018 |
International
Class: |
A63B 005/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pole vault planting box comprising: (a) a base pan having a
base surface, side walls around the base surface, and a sloped
surface that is sloped downwardly from the base surface; and (b) at
least one cushioning component positioned in the base pan.
2. The pole vault planting box of claim 1 further comprising a top
cover that is positionable over the base pan and the at least one
cushioning component.
3. The pole vault planting box of claim 1 wherein the base pan is
mounted adjacent a runway surface; and the base pan and the at
least one cushioning component are positioned below the runway
surface.
4. The pole vault planting box of claim 1 further comprising at
least one cushioning component positioned on the sloped surface of
the base pan.
5. The pole vault planting box of claim 1 further comprising at
least one cushioning component positioned on the base surface of
the base pan.
6. The pole vault planting box of claim 1 wherein the sloped
surface further comprises a first sloped surface and a second
sloped surface and a step between the first and the second sloped
surfaces.
7. The pole vault planting box of claim 6 wherein the at least one
cushioning component is positioned on the first sloped surface.
8. A planting box for pole vaulting comprising: a base pan
positionable below ground level adjacent a runway, the base pan
having a base surface, a sloped surface sloping downwardly from the
base surface; and a first replaceable cushioning component on the
sloped surface, and a second replaceable cushioning component on
the base surface, the first and second replaceable cushioning
components being below the ground level adjacent the runway.
9. The planting box of claim 8 further comprising a step on the
sloped surface.
10. The planting box of claim 9 wherein the first replaceable
cushioning component is on a part of the sloped surface between the
base surface and the step.
11. The planting box of claim 8 further comprising a top cover over
at least part of the base pan and over at least part of the first
and second replaceable cushioning components.
12. The planting box of claim 11 wherein the top cover is
positioned at ground level.
13. The planting box of claim 11 wherein the top cover is flexible
thermoplastic.
14. The planting box of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first
and second replaceable cushioning components is a twin sheet
structure having indentations extending between the sheets.
15. The planting box of claim 8 wherein the base pan is rigid.
16. A pole vault planting box comprising a base pan having a
cushioned base surface, and a sloped surface sloping down from the
base surface to a stop-board, at 4 least part of the sloped surface
being cushioned.
17. The pole vault planting box of claim 16 wherein the sloped
surface comprises a first sloped surface and a second sloped
surface, a step between the first and the second sloped surfaces,
the first sloped surface sloping down from the base surface to a
step and the second sloped surface sloping down from the step to
the stop-board.
18. The pole vault planting box of claim 16 wherein the cushioned
base surface is below ground level.
19. The pole vault planting box of claim 16 further comprising side
walls around the perimeter of the base surface.
20. The pole vault planting box of claim 16 further comprising a
top cover over the sloped and cushioned surface.
21. A pole vault planting box, comprising a base surface, a sloped
surface, and a top cover positioned over the base surface and
sloped surface to form a cavity therebetween.
22. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 wherein the cavity is
cushioned.
23. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 wherein at least part
of the top cover is positioned in contact with the sloped
surface.
24. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 wherein the sloped
surface has a step thereon.
25. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 wherein the top cover
is attached to at least part of the base surface.
26. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 further comprising side
walls around the perimeter of the base surface.
27. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 wherein the top cover
is flexible.
28. The pole vault planting box of claim 21 wherein the base
surface and sloped surface are positioned below ground level.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to equipment used for pole vaulting.
More specifically, the invention relates to planting boxes in which
the end of the pole is planted during vaulting.
[0002] A planting box, also referred to as a take-off box, is a
structure that is mounted in the ground at the end of a runway. The
planting box is sunk below the surface of the ground so that the
top surface of the planting box is level with the surface of the
runway. The planting box includes a sloped surface that slopes from
the runway level down to approximately 20 cm below the surface of
the runway. The length of the sloped surface of the planting box is
typically approximately 1 meter from the runway end to the pole
planting position, which is the deepest end of the planting box
adjoining the stop-board. At the runway end, the planting box is
typically approximately sixty cm in width, tapered down to
approximately 40 cm in width at the deepest end of the planting
box. When vaulting, the vaulter may place the end of the pole on
the sloped surface and the end slides down until reaching the pole
planting position. The planting box must be sufficiently rigid to
withstand the force from the end of pole striking the planting box,
and to support the weight of the vaulter during the vault.
Traditionally, planting boxes have been made of wood or steel. More
recently, planting boxes have been constructed of other rigid
materials such as welded sheet steel, stainless steel, sheet or
cast aluminum, and fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
[0003] Landing pit cushions used in pole vaulting typically are
provided with a cutout portion or notch in a forward edge portion
of the cushion structure to fit around three sides of the planting
box. The cutout portion or notch in the landing cushion may be
somewhat larger in width and length than the planting box, so that
the pole does not strike the sidewall of the notch in the cushion
and interfere with the performance of the vaulter. The notch of the
landing pit cushion may have inclined surfaces around the planting
box to minimize interference with the pole during vaulting, as
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,507.
[0004] During vaulting, there are numerous reasons why the pole
vaulter may have a false jump or for some reason lack sufficient
forward momentum to carry himself or herself over the planting box
to the landing pit cushion. For example, the vaulter's hand may
slip off the pole at or just after takeoff, or the vaulter's pole
may be too stiff. The vaulter may fall back on the track or in the
plant box area, instead of onto the landing pit. If the vaulter
falls on the planting box, he or she can become seriously injured.
Traumatic brain injuries have resulted to pole vaulters who fall on
the planting box.
[0005] During the period 1980 to 1998, an American Journal of
Sports Medicine study attributed 32 catastrophic injuries to pole
vaulters, resulting in brain or spinal cord damage or skull or
spinal fracture, and including 16 injuries ending in death. During
2002, several more deaths occurred to pole vaulters. Some athletic
organizations have encouraged or mandated helmet use by pole
vaulters. School districts in Pennsylvania, Texas and Minnesota
require pole vaulters to wear helmets. Legislation requiring helmet
use by pole vaulters has been introduced in New York. However, the
use of helmets also may increase hyperflexion neck injuries or back
injuries when the helmet hits the landing cushion.
[0006] Other efforts to reduce injuries to pole vaulters have
focused on expanding and modifying the landing pit cushion. In June
2002, the National Federation of High Schools Track and Field Rules
Committee passed several rule changes intended to reduce the risk
of injury in pole vaulting competition. For example, Rule 7-4-8
increases the size of the landing cushion. Under the new rule, the
landing cushion, measured beyond the vertical plane of the planting
box, should be a minimum of 19 feet 8 inches wide by 16 feet 5
inches deep, and should be made of material that will decelerate
the landing of the athlete. If the landing cushion is made up of
two or more sections, the landing surface must be covered with a
common pad that will extend over all sections. This minimizes the
risk of the seams becoming hazardous to vaulters. In addition, Rule
7-4-9 now states that front pads with a vertical cutout cannot be
more than 3 inches from the top of the back of the planting box. A
space of 14 inches was formerly permitted. Also, Rule 7-4-14 now
states that a minimum of 2 inches of foam padding, or box collar
must be used to pad any hard and unyielding surfaces, including
those between the planting box and all pads, and must be located
midway between the standards.
[0007] In June 2002, the NCAA Men's and Women's Track and Field
Committee also proposed several rules changes intended to reduce
the risk of injury in the pole vault event. The committee voted to
increase the minimum pole vault landing pad measurement beyond the
plant box to 19 feet 8 inches wide by 16 feet 5 inches deep.
Additionally, the committee voted to make the front portion of the
landing pad the same width as the back portion. If the front
landing pad does not extend to the area immediately around the
vaulting box, a padded collar of 2 to 4 inches of uniform thickness
must cover the area behind and to the sides of the vaulting box
that is not protected by the landing pad. The collar padding must
not affect the bend of the pole.
[0008] Although these rules promote the use of additional padding
between the landing pit cushion and planting box, there remains a
risk of injury from falling or striking the planting box itself.
There is a need for a safer planting box that will reduce, prevent
or minimize injuries to pole vaulters. There also is a need for a
safer planting box that will not interfere with the performance of
pole vaulters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pole vault
planting box according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view, in cross-section, of a pole vault
planting box according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in cross-section, of a pole
vault planting box according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cushioning component for
use in a pole vault planting box according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The present invention provides a planting box for pole
vaulting which provides increases safety and reduced risk of injury
from falling on the planting box, but that will not interfere with
a vaulter's performance. The planting box may contain one or more
cushioning components that are positioned at and/or below the
surface level of the runway.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, planting box
10 includes base pan 11 in which cushioning components 12-19 are
positioned. In another embodiment of the invention, the planting
box includes a top cover 20 that provides a surface layer over the
base pan, with one or more cavities between the top cover and base
pan into which one or more cushioning components may be positioned.
In another embodiment of the invention, the planting box may be
cushioned at and/or below the runway surface except for a small
rigid area at and immediately adjacent the pole planting
position.
[0015] Base pan 11 may be made from rigid durable material such as
welded sheet steel, wood, rigid plastic, fiberglass-reinforced
plastic, or pre-cast concrete. The base pan may be mounted in the
ground at or near the end of the runway adjacent the pole vault
landing pit. The base pan is configured to position and contain one
or more cushioning components therein so that the cushioning
components are at or below the level of the runway. The base pan
may include side walls 21, 22 around the outer perimeter of base
surface 23. Sloped surface 24 in the base pan is sloped downwardly
from the base surface. Cushioning components 12, 13 may be
positioned on the sloped surface, as will be described in more
detail below. In this embodiment, the sloped surface is more than
one half of the total length of the planting box, and preferably at
least 500 mm in length.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, cushioning components
12, 13 are positioned on the sloped surface of the base pan, and
cushioning components 14-19 are positioned on the base surface of
the base pan. The base pan has sufficient depth and may be sunk in
the ground at a depth below ground level (i.e., runway level) so
that the cushioning components are at or below ground level. As
shown in FIG. 2, the base pan and cushioning components are at or
below ground level 29.
[0017] In one embodiment, two cushioning components 12, 13 may be
stacked on the first sloped surface. Similarly, two cushioning
components 16, 17 may be stacked on base surface 23 of the base
pan. Alternatively, a depth of only one cushioning component, or
multiple stacked cushioning components, may be provided in
accordance with the present invention. The depth, thickness, and
number of cushioning components may be varied, depending on the
depth of the base pan and the characteristics of the cushioning
components. In general, the thickness of the cushioning components
depends on the material used and cushioning desired. In another
embodiment of the invention, a single cushioning component may be
used to cover all regions or areas of the base surface and sloped
surface of the base pan. In other embodiments of the invention, the
cushioning components may vary in thickness and/or cushioning
material.
[0018] In one embodiment, each cushioning component has a thickness
of approximately 70 mm or 23/4 inches. As shown in FIG. 4, in one
embodiment of the invention, cushioning components each have a top
sheet 34 and a bottom sheet 35, with resilient hollow indentations
36 extending between the two surfaces. One example of such
cushioning components is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,962 assigned
to Skydex Technologies, Inc. The resilient indentations may be
generally hemispherical or hemiellipsoidal in shape. Several of the
advantages of this twin sheet cushioning material include its long
term durability, low cost, light weight and maximum cushioning per
thickness.
[0019] The cushioning components for use in the pole vaulting box
of the present invention may comprise other materials that are
resilient in that they absorb one or more impacts and return to
their original shape, including but not limited to open or closed
cell foam, molded rubber structures, air bladders, gel
constructions, metal springs, or resilient loose material like
shredded rubber tires. Preferably, the cushioning components are
removable from the base pan so that they may be replaced without
removing or replacing the base pan.
[0020] In one embodiment, certain regions of the base pan at or
immediately adjacent the pole planting position 27 may not have
cushioning components, or may have thinner cushioning components,
positioned thereon. The surfaces of the base pan that lack
cushioning components or have thinner cushioning components
preferably are limited to those areas immediately adjacent the
planting position that require substantial or complete rigidity
during vaulting.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the base pan may include a
second sloped surface 26 without cushioning components or with
thinner cushioning components. Second sloped surface 26 may extend
between step 25, and pole planting position 27 adjoining stop-board
28. In this embodiment, the second sloped surface has a length of
approximately six inches from the step to the pole planting
position.
[0022] Similarly, stop board 28 and/or the region of stop board
below line 38 may not have cushioning components or may have
thinner cushioning components. Wall 37 and or the region of wall
below line 39 may also lack cushioning components or have thinner
cushioning components.
[0023] Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention, all
regions or surfaces of the base pan of the planting box may be
cushioned. Alternatively, the base pan of the planting box may have
only a single sloped surface without a step, and the single sloped
surface may be cushioned. In other embodiments of the invention,
the first and second sloped surfaces both may have cushioning
components of the same or different cushioning characteristics
positioned thereon.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the invention, a
top cover may be positioned over the base pan, and may cover the
cushioning components and/or regions of the base pan that lack
cushioning components. In general, the top cover may be over at
least part of the base pan to form a hollow enclosure with one or
more cavities into which cushioning components may be positioned.
The top cover may be affixed or secured to the base pan, or may
rest over the base pan without fixed securement. The top cover may
be constructed of a semi-rigid or flexible material that has low
surface friction so that the end of a pole can slide on it. The top
cover should support the weight of a standing or running vaulter,
and have sufficient toughness to minimize abrasion and denting from
track spikes, pole strikes, etc.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the top cover should
mate and fit snugly over cushioning components on surfaces of the
base pan, as well as surfaces of the base pan without cushioning
components. For example, the top cover may include surface 30 that
is generally level with the runway, to cover and fit snugly over
cushioning components 14-19. The top cover also may include surface
31 that covers and fit snugly over the cushioned and/or uncushioned
sloped section(s) of the planting box, surface 32 extending between
surfaces 30 and 31, and surface 33 covering the stop-board.
[0026] To fit snugly over the sloped surface of the base pan and
cushioning components thereon, surface 31 of the top cover should
be parallel to and have the same slope as the cushioning components
on the first sloped surface of the base pan, and also should be
parallel to and have the same slope as the second sloped surface of
the base pan. Accordingly, the top cover may provide a smooth
surface over the first cushioned sloped surface and the second
non-cushioned sloped surface, allowing the end of a pole to slide
down to the pole planting position adjacent the stop-board without
substantial deflection. The top cover should be flexible enough so
that it will deflect under the substantial load of a vaulter
falling on it, allowing the cushioning components under the top
cover to be compressed.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the top cover is a
one-piece structure that may be thermoformed from a resilient
thermoplastic, having a thickness of approximately {fraction (1/8)}
inch. Preferred materials include but are not limited to
polyethylene, particularly high molecular weight, polyurethane,
Acetal, or Nylon. The top cover may have drain holes and may be
replaceable. The top cover should be UV and moisture resistant, and
may have color molded into it. In another embodiment of the
invention, the top cover may be integral with one or more of the
cushioning components in the base pan. For example, cushioning
components may have a skin or cover thereon to protect the
cushioning components from the pole and or adverse elements.
[0028] While the present invention has been described with respect
to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will
appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is
intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and
variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present
invention.
* * * * *