U.S. patent number 3,749,344 [Application Number 05/188,204] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-31 for jump cup.
Invention is credited to Joseph M. Racina.
United States Patent |
3,749,344 |
Racina |
July 31, 1973 |
JUMP CUP
Abstract
A jump cup includes a semi-cylindrical member having, as an
integral portion, a bracket for engaging a support post and a pin
for entering a hole in the support post whereby the jump cup is
held securely in place. Two jump cups coupled to spaced-apart
support posts can support a cross bar between them, over which a
horse or a man can jump.
Inventors: |
Racina; Joseph M. (Middletown,
NJ) |
Family
ID: |
22692168 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/188,204 |
Filed: |
October 12, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/218.4;
248/251; 482/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63K
3/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63K
3/04 (20060101); A63K 3/00 (20060101); A63k
003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/221,243,257,223,125,225,251 ;272/59C ;211/176 ;256/65,67 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Allen; Edward C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A jump cup comprising
a first generally U-shaped member including a base and two
spaced-apart side walls for removably receiving a vertical post
between said side walls, the embracing of said post by said side
walls preventing said jump cup from twisting with respect to said
post,
said base of said first member including a front surface and a rear
surface,
a pin secured to said front surface of said base of said U-shaped
member and having an axis, said pin extending therefrom between
said side walls and substantially parallel to said side walls for
insertion horizontally into a hole in said post whereby said jump
cup is removaly secured to said post, and
a second support member secured to said first member and extending
away therefrom on the side thereof remote from said pin and
extending in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pin
extends, said second member being shaped so that a shelf-like
member can be supported thereon without rolling off laterally,
said second member including a generally semi-cylindrical curved
plate portion which is curved about an axis and supports said
shelf-like member, said curved plate having a front edge and a rear
edge, said rear edge being secured to the rear surface of said base
of said first member, said axis of said curved plate being parallel
to the axis of said pin.
2. The jump cup defined in claim 1 wherein said first U-shaped
member has a vertical axis about which its "U" shape is formed, and
said second member has a horizontal axis about which it is curved.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Jump cups which are used to support cross bars over which horses
jump generally comprise brackets for supporting the bar and a
bracket pin for securing each bracket to a fixed vertical support
post having a plurality of pin-receiving apertures. To adjust the
height of the cross bar requires manipulation of each bracket and
its pin, and it can be clearly seen that the pin can be dropped or
lost or, under some circumstances, it may be relatively difficult
to align and interconnect the bracket, the selected hole in the
vertical post, and the pin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the invention comprises a support bracket adapted to be
secured to an apertured post and having integral therewith means
for engaging the selected aperture in the post and securing the
bracket thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of apparatus utilizing the jump
cup of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the jump cup shown in FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the jump cup and one support post shown in
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A jump cup 10 embodying the invention is preferably made of metal
such as steel or the like and includes a curved plate 20, which may
be semi-cylindrical or the like, having a front end 30 and a rear
end 40, the plate 20 being considered to be oriented horizontally
for purposes of description. A bracket 50 is secured to the rear
end of the curved member, the bracket being generally U-shaped and
including two side walls 60 and 70 and a connecting wall 80. The
curved plate 20 is secured to the outer surface of the connecting
wall 80 of the bracket 50. Thus, the plate 20 extends in a
direction opposite to that in which the walls 60 and 70 extend from
wall 80.
The jump cup 10 is adapted to engage or to be coupled to a vertical
post 90 having a column of holes 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and,
to this end, the width of the wall 80 and the spacing between walls
60 and 70 is such that these walls engage the post to provide a
relatively tight fit therewith. Normally, two posts 90 are
provided, a jump cup 10 is coupled to each post, and the cups
support a jump cross bar 110 on the curved plates 20. Jump cup 10
carries a pin 120 suitably secured to the inner surface of the wall
80 between side walls 60 and 70 and extending rearwardly parallel
to and between the side walls. The pin 120 is of a size suitable
for insertion into and for forming a relatively tight fit with the
holes 100 in the vertical posts.
In the use of the apparatus of the invention, each jump cup 10 is
easily set in place by inserting the pin 120 into the desired hole
100 in the vertical post 90. Thus inserted, the U-shaped bracket 50
intimately engages or clamps to the post, with the wall 80 bearing
against one surface of the vertical post. With the two brackets set
in place on spaced-apart posts 90, the cross bar 110 can be set in
place. If it is desired to change the height of the cross bar, it
is a simple matter to hold the cross bar in one hand, reset each
jump cup with the other, and then reset the cross bar.
It can be readily seen that the primary advantage of the invention
is that it has no parts which can be lost and it can be easily
manipulated with one hand. It is also clear that the jump cup may
be used for horse jumping equipment and for hurdling in track
games, and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. In
addition, side walls 60 and 70 can be removed to permit the jump
cup to be secured to posts of various sizes.
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