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.

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.

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.