U.S. patent application number 10/365455 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-19 for pylon.
Invention is credited to Malina, George, Mohelsky, Michael.
Application Number | 20040159280 10/365455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32849631 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040159280 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mohelsky, Michael ; et
al. |
August 19, 2004 |
Pylon
Abstract
A pylon with a molded hollow tapered body having an inclined
side wall extending upwardly from a support base and molded steps
in the side wall defining alternating horizontal step surfaces and
vertical step surfaces. The body optionally includes a cap with a
central opening, a substantially square base tapering to a circular
conical cap, two orthogonal grooves in the cap, a rectangular
aperture above a horizontal step surface, and a keyhole aperture in
a vertical step surface.
Inventors: |
Mohelsky, Michael; (Toronto,
CA) ; Malina, George; (Etobicoke, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OGILVY RENAULT
1981 MCGILL COLLEGE AVENUE
SUITE 1600
MONTREAL
QC
H3A2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
32849631 |
Appl. No.: |
10/365455 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
116/63C |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/688 20160201;
A63B 71/03 20200801; E01F 9/654 20160201; A63C 19/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
116/063.00C |
International
Class: |
E01F 009/012 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A pylon comprising: a molded hollow tapered body having an
inclined side wall extending upwardly from a support base; and a
plurality of molded steps in the side wall defining alternating
horizontal step surfaces and vertical step surfaces.
2. A pylon according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a cap
with a central opening.
3. A pylon according to claim 1 wherein the body has a
substantially square base tapering to a circular conical cap.
4. A pylon according to claim 2 wherein the body includes a
rectangular groove in the cap.
5. A pylon according to claim 4 wherein with two orthogonal grooves
in the cap.
6. A pylon according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a
rectangular aperture above a horizontal step surface.
7. A pylon according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a keyhole
aperture in a vertical step surface.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a hollow stackable pylon,
preferably plastic molded, for use in assembling temporary
structures for sports activities, safety barriers, signs and the
like.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0002] Hockey teams, figure skaters, soccer teams, football team,
inline skaters, gyms at schools, playgrounds and recreational
street sport activities use for physical training and skill
development a variety of unsuitable prior art devices as jump sets
and marking devices thus limiting the scope of desired skill
development and exercise activities.
[0003] Most of these prior art structures are designed for single
purpose only. As a result other unsuitable and often cumbersome
devices and jumping structures are used as substitutes in an
attempt to achieve the desired mental and physical development.
Furthermore, due to this improvisation users can easily be injured
or discouraged to use it again, thus slowing down physical
development and training progress.
[0004] Further, pylons and other temporary structures are used to
delineate boundaries for construction activities, crowd control, to
create queues or control pedestrian access. Such structure must be
easily erected and disassembled, are preferably stackable for easy
transport, be lightweight, durable and low cost.
[0005] The variety of these single purpose non-conforming devices
and structures further complicate a need for portability,
transportation and storage requirements. The prior art devices do
not adequately address any real solution in providing a
multipurpose portable device applicable for a variety of indoor and
outdoor sporting training activities and physical skill development
at the same time.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,333,273 to Scanlon (issued Nov.
2, 1943) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,308 also to Scanlon (issued Dec.
24, 1957) disclose a safety road marker that consists of a cone
shaped body which is provided with an annular base having small
feet or pads. The only true singular purpose of this device is to
serve as warning beacon to oncoming traffic. The limited use of
this device is apparent due to the fact that it was not designed
for physical development and skill training. Although the device is
stackable it is not easily portable for most hockey teams or users
at large carry it in large bags difficult to transport and store.
Further limitation of Scanlon device occurs when other existing
structures are required during exercise or training practice.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,107,091 to Jenkins (issued Oct. 15, 1963)
discloses a miniature-type jumping stand that consists of two base
self-standing uprights having steps at different height levels that
support a displaceable horizontal cross-bar used for jumping over
by youngsters performing jumping skill activities. Although
portable, the Jenkins device is a very cumbersome structure
limiting its application to singular purpose only, therefore
entirely useless for contemporary indoor and outdoor use. Multiple
use of this device at the same time would further complicate its
transportation and storage.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,273 to Wise (issued Nov. 25, 1969)
discloses a rectangular cardboard panel supported in vertical plane
by a pair of support blocks. The subject device relates to a
structure intended for teaching children hurdling technique without
fear of injury. The subject invention has a very cumbersome and
fragile structure and its application is limited to a singular use,
namely track and field. When cardboard material is exposed to wet
weather conditions fast deterioration will occur. Hence the
application seriously limits durability, transportation and storage
of the device.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,799 to Carbonero (issued Apr. 27, 1993)
discloses a telescoping hurdle having as base a typical hollow
traffic cone having a top hole for receiving a vertical standard
into a cone. The cone is modified by placing an insert inside the
cone for stabilizing the standard. The insert is a solid
polyethylene foam member shaped to fit snugly in the cone. The
standard or pole could be telescopic for height adjustment to
support hurdle bars among other things. The subject device has too
many parts requiring assembly and very limited application. The
standard can easily turn around when the horizontal pipe is kicked
or touched by a hurdler. The entire structure appears to be loosely
fitted together and when abused it will easily collapse.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
multiple use stackable pylon that overcomes the disadvantages of
the prior art as noted above. Further objects of the invention will
be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description
of the invention below.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention provides a pylon with a molded hollow tapered
body having an inclined side wall extending upwardly from a support
base and molded steps in the side wall defining alternating
horizontal step surfaces and vertical step surfaces. The body
optionally includes a cap with a central opening, a substantially
square base tapering to a circular conical cap, two orthogonal
grooves in the cap, a rectangular aperture above a horizontal step
surface, and a keyhole aperture in a vertical step surface.
[0012] The invention provides the user with a pylon that is light
weight, relatively flexible, durable, able to return to its
original shape, stackable, user friendly, easy to transport and
store with adjustable carrying handle.
[0013] Possible uses include a variety of year around indoor and
outdoor physical activities, skill development and recreational
activities including ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating,
track and field, soccer drills, gym drills, inline skating obstacle
courses and variety of recreational and competitive and skill
oriented games.
[0014] Preferably the pylon is a hollow square like conical dome
body provided with a peripherally supporting base edge and apex,
having each side equipped with extruded multiple steps serving as
seats accommodating horizontal and vertical attachments at
different levels. Step seats may be equipped with a hole designed
to receive a vertical bar or stabilizer insert supporting a variety
of attachments or a vertical wall may be equipped with a keyhole
designed to receive a sliding in lockable insert being further
locked into an oppositely standing device.
[0015] The pylon has each side further equipped with holes located
at the foot of each step. These holes are mutually in line with the
opposite side wall holes intended for displaceable horizontal
cross-bar and other inserts to be applied right through the
body.
[0016] The pylon body has an apex grooved with rectangular cross
slots accommodating a horizontal cross-bar and a centrally located
rectangular hole accommodating a vertical bar or a removable
stabilizer insert supporting a variety of attachments and turrets
adjustable and carrying handle.
[0017] The rectangular hole in the apex allows for insertion of a
removable adjustable carrying handle for easy stacking,
transportation and storage of varying number of units.
[0018] The pylon is easily fabricated of a brightly colored molded
plastic, ideally light in weight for portability.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In order that the invention may be readily understood, two
embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in
the accompanying drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
pylon invention showing a hollow tapered body with inclined side
walks and support base and molded steps on the side wall with
lateral rectangular openings and a grooved cap at the top.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of the pylon shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a like perspective view showing four pylons in a
stack secured together with a removable carrying handle.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows details of the handle removed from the stack of
pylons.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention including
key hole openings in the vertical step surface and circular
openings in the horizontal step surfaces for attachment of various
brackets or supports.
[0025] FIGS. 6 through 9 show details of brackets that can be
inserted in the key hole openings.
[0026] FIGS. 10 and 11 show details of the post that can be
inserted in circular openings in the horizontal step surfaces.
[0027] FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show details of a post that can be
inserted into the central opening in the cap and retained from
rotation in the orthogonal grooves in the cap.
[0028] Further details of the invention and its advantages will be
apparent from the detailed description included below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective and top views of a first
embodiment of the invention as a pylon molded with a hollow tapered
body having an inclined side wall 2 extending upwardly from the
generally square base 3 with rounded corner edges. The base 3
includes a flat peripheral rim 12 providing a support surface and
for reinforcing the bottom edge. The rim 12 includes rectangular
cut outs 13 that may be used for securing with strapping or a
removable belt extending through the cut outs 13 and grooves 9 of
the cap 8 of the body of the pylon. The cap 8 preferably includes a
central opening 7 for insertion of the handle or mounting
attachments such as a light or a sign post.
[0030] A plurality of molded steps 4 in the side wall 2 define
alternating horizontal step surfaces 5 and vertical step surfaces
6. Rectangular apertures 10 above the horizontal step surfaces 5
permit insertion through the pylon of the standard lumber sizes to
form a fence or barrier between adjacent pylons for example. The
horizontal step surface 5 provides further support for supporting
beam barriers, posts or other attachments. As indicated in FIG. 5,
the vertical step surface 6 can include key hole apertures 11 for
attachment of brackets or other connectors to secure
attachments.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be apparent that a
stack of pylons 1 can be secured together with a caring handle 14
that includes a shaft 15 and rotatable point 16 extending through
the rectangular opening 7 in the cap 8 of each of the stacked
pylons 1. A sliding clamp 17 engages ratchet groove 18 to compress
the stack of pylons 1 and secure them together.
[0032] FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show details of brackets 19 with studs
20 that can be asserted in the key hole openings 11 to mount
various posts, signs or members to the pylon 1.
[0033] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a pipe 21 that may be inserted through
circular openings shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5 that are formed
within the horizontal step surfaces 5 of the pylon 1. The pipe 21
can support sign posts or serve as a reinforcement bracket to
secure various attachments to adjacent pylons. In a like manner
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show a pipe 21 that can be inserted in the cap
8 through the central opening 7 to centrally secure a light, sign
post or mount various attachments into the cap 8.
[0034] Although the above description relates to a specific
preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventors, it
will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes
mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described
herein.
* * * * *