Obstacle assembly for bikes, skateboards and rollerblades

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/059,510, filed Jan. 29, 2002, now abandoned.

[0003] This invention relates to obstacle apparatus for use by bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers. It relates especially to obstacle assemblies incorporating launch ramps, grind rails and the like.

[0004] Various devices are in widespread use today to enable bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers to perform various acrobatic and aerial feats. Among the most prevalent of these are the ramp which launches these individuals into the air and the elevated grind rail along which they may roll before dropping back to the ground. These different devices are usually separate stand-alone items that are not assembled in any particular way. Therefore taken together, these prior devices are large and unwieldy. Moreover, they are not portable and they take up a relatively large amount of shipping and storage space.

[0005] Also, most prior obstacle devices of this general type can only be used in one way to perform one specific function, e.g. as a launch ramp or a grind rail. It would be desirable therefore, to be able to provide a single assembly that can be used in a variety of different ways to achieve different objectives.

[0006] Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an obstacle assembly for skateboarders, rollerbladers and bikers which can be organized in different ways to achieve a variety of different objectives.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of this type, which, in its disassembled form, occupies a minimum amount of space.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide such an obstacle assembly whose components can readily be assembled without any special tools.

[0009] Still another object of the invention is to provide components for an obstacle assembly which are rugged and reliable yet can be manufactured in quantity at minimum cost.

[0010] Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.

[0011] The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

[0012] Briefly, the assembly incorporating the invention comprises at least one ramp for launching a bicycle, skateboard or rollerblade rider into the air. The assembly may also include a second similar ramp and a bridge or bridging member for releasably connecting the elevated ends of the two ramps in-line so as to produce an in-line obstacle over which riders may roll. The assembly may also include a grind rail which may be releasably attached to the elevated end of one or both of the ramps so that the ramp/rail assembly may be used by skateboarders to perform various acrobatic feats. As we shall see, the components of the assembly are rugged and reliably yet they can be made in quantity at minimum cost. Furthermore, because of their unique designs, they may be shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space.

[0013] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanied drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away showing obstacle apparatus according to the invention organized as an in-line ramp/bridge assembly;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view showing elements of the assembly forming a ramp-up grind rail;

[0016] FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the ramp component of the FIGS. 1 and 2 assembly;

[0017] FIG. 3B is a front elevational view thereof;

[0018] FIG. 3C is a side elevational view with parts broken away thereof;

[0019] FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the bridge component of the FIG. 1 assembly;

[0020] FIG. 4B is a side elevational view thereof;

[0021] FIG. 4C is a front elevational view thereof;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view on a larger scale showing the components of the FIGS. 1 and 2 assembly stacked for shipping and storage;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the obstacle assembly;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded view showing components of the FIG. 6 assembly in more detail, and

[0025] FIGS. 8A and 8B are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the mode of connecting the components of the FIG. 6 assembly.

[0026] Refer to FIG. 1 of the drawings which shows an inclined ramp indicated generally at 10. The upper end of ramp 10 may be connected by a bridge or bridging member 12 to the upper end of a similar, but backward facing, ramp 14 to form an assembly constituting an in-line obstacle which may be traversed by bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers. The assembly preferably also includes a grind rail shown generally at 16 in FIG. 2, one end of which may be connected to the elevated end of one of the ramps, e.g. ramp 10, to add variety to the overall obstacle assembly. Since ramps 10 and 14 are substantially identical, we will only describe ramp 10 in detail.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, ramp 10 is a generally rectangular molded plastic is structure including a pair of mirror-image, generally triangular side walls 10a,10ahaving upper edges connected by a generally rectangular top wall 10band rear edges connected by a faceted rear wall 10c.More particularly, rear wall 10chas an upper facet or surface 10c₁which descends from the apexes of side walls 10a,10aat an angle of about 45° to form a ledge 17 and a lower facet or surface 10c₂which extends at a steeper angle from facet 10c₁to the lower edges of side walls 10a,10a.As best seen in FIG. 3A, facet 10c₁has a generally trapezoidal shape, while facet 10c₂is more or less rectangular with a length corresponding more or less to the smaller length of facet 10c₁. Also, the ramp side walls 10a,10aare splayed out to some extent adjacent to the rear end of the ramp. Resultantly, as viewed from above, the rear corners of the ramp are beveled as shown at 10d,10d.

[0028] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3A a flange 22 extends out from the ramp side and rear walls, including bevels 10d,10d,as well as from the lower or leading edge of the ramp top wall 10b.In other words, the flange extends all around the perimeter of the ramp at the lowermost edges thereof providing co-planar surface areas which are adapted to engage a support surface S (FIG. 1), usually the ground or pavement so that the ramp top wall 10bis oriented at a selected angle relative to surface S and so that the leading edge of the top wall is located very close to that surface as shown in FIG. 1. Through holes 24 may be provided in flange 22 at the corners for hanging the ramp from a wall hook or the like.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3C, in order to rigidify ramp 10, the ramp may be formed with a multiplicity of integral stiffening ribs 26 which extend down from the top wall 10band the rear wall 10cof the ramp. These ribs are arranged in a rectangular grid which extends between the ramp side walls 10a,10aand between the ramp rear wall 10cand the leading edge of top wall 10b.

[0030] For reasons that will become apparent, a plurality of transverse pockets or depressions are formed in the rear wall facet 10c₁, i.e. ledge 17. More particularly, a pair of relatively short, generally rectangular pockets 28, 28 are provided at the opposite ends of ledge 17 adjacent to the upper edge thereof. Pockets 28 extend in a line that is parallel to the upper edge of the ledge. Preferably for reasons that will become apparent, these pockets have a wedge-shaped or tapered cross-section. In other words, the open tops or mouths of these pockets are larger than the bottoms thereof. Located just below pockets 28, 28 in ledge 17 is a transverse rectangular pocket or depression 32 which is longer and deeper than pockets 28. Centered just above pocket 32 in ledge 17 is a small generally semi-cylindrical pocket 34 aligned with the longitudinal centerline or axis of ramp 10. Pockets 32 and 34 are used in to secure the grind rail 16 to the ramp as will be described in more detail later. Pocket 32 may also function as a carrying handle for ramp 10.

[0031] The launch ramp 10 depicted in FIGS. 3A to 3C constitutes a rugged weather resistant ramp structure which, when placed on support surface S enables a skateboarder, rollerblader or biker to propel himself up the ramp with a velocity such that the rider will be launched into the air as he leaves the elevated rear end of the ramp. Preferably, the ramp top wall 10a,in profile, has a slight concave curvature to optimize the lifting effect of the ramp.

[0032] Refer now to FIGS. 4A to 4C which show in detail the bridge 12 which is connected between the two ramps 10, 14 arranged back to back as shown in FIG. 1. Bridge 12 is also a molded plastic structure having a generally rectangular top wall 12aand a pair of mirror image side walls 12b,12bextending down from the top wall. Preferably bridge 12 has no front and rear walls per se. However, it does have a multiplicity of integral stiffening ribs 42 extending down from top wall 12ato form a rectangular grid which extends between side walls 12b,12band in between the front and rear edges of top wall 12a.Moreover, at the front and rear edges of bridge 12 at the opposite ends thereof, these ribs are shaped and dimensioned to form locking tabs shown generally at 44 which are adapted to plug into the sockets 28 of ramps 10 and 14.

[0033] More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 4C, the side walls 12b,12bof bridge 12 and opposite end segments 42aof the two front-to-back ribs 42 that are closest to each side wall 12bextend below the remainders of ribs 42. Moreover as shown in FIG. 4B, the ends of those opposite end segments 42aare beveled at a shallower angle than the ends 42bof the other front-to-back ribs 42, those other rib ends 42bhaving the same bevel angle as that of ledge 17 of the ramp 10 shown in FIG. 3C. Thus, at the four corners of bridge 12, the ends of the rib segments 42acombine to form the four locking tabs 44 which are shaped and dimensioned to plug into the pockets 28 of ramps 10, 14, the taper of tabs 44 corresponding to that of the pockets.

[0034] When bridge 12 is seated on the ledges 17, 17 of ramps 10 and 14 as shown in FIG. 1, it is securely locked in place so that skateboarders, rollerbladers and the like can ride up one ramp 10, travel across bridge 12, and ride down the other ramp 14 with little likelihood of the components of that assembly coming apart due to vibration, impacts and the like. The undersides of the ramp flanges 22 may be coated with a non-slip material such as rubber, plastic or the like to minimize unwanted sliding motion of the assembly components relative to a support surface S such as pavement.

[0035] As noted above, the assembly may also be organized to include a grind rail 16 which may accessed by a rider riding up one of the ramps 10, 14 onto one end of the grind rail. Grind rail 16 may be of more or less conventional construction, the only requirement being that the end of the rail adjacent to the associated ramp 10, 14 be fitted with connector means shown generally at 50 adapted to plug into at least one of the pockets in ramp 10 such that the end of the grind rail is level with the upper end of the ramp top wall 10b.

[0036] While the grind rail 16 may take different forms, the one illustrated in FIG. 2 is preferred. It includes an elongated tubular rail 51 composed of tube sections 51aand 51bwhich may be connected together by suitable means at a joint 52. The connection may be a telescoping connection, a collinear collar secured to the abutting ends of the rail sections or most preferably, the connection described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/991,811, filed Nov. 23, 2001, the contents which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] The illustrated connector means 50 is designed to plug into the pockets 32 and 34 of a ramp 10, 14. The rail 16 may be supported above the ground along its length by inverted T-shaped supports 58 whose legs may plug into sockets 62 welded or otherwise secured to the undersides of rail sections 51a,51b.The supports 58 may have different heights so that rail 51 is inclined as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the supports may all have the same height as the associate ramp 10, 14 in which case rail 51 will be supported horizontally. In a further variation, a connector means 50 may be provided at both ends is of rail 16 and the rail suspended between the two ramps 10, 14 in the same manner as bridge 12. In that event, the supports 58 may not be needed, depending upon the length of rail 51.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, connector means 50 include a short leg 66 having one end connected to rail section 51aat a location therealong spaced a short distance from the free end of section 51asuch that the leg is perpendicular to the rail section. The above connection may be permanent, i.e. a weld, or it may be a releasable socket-type connection described above. Secured to the opposite end of leg 66 is a foot 68 which extends out laterally on opposite sides of leg 66 and rail section 51a.

[0039] The free end of rail section 51ais adapted to seat in the pocket 34 of ramp 10, while the foot 68 seats in the ramp pocket 32 such that the end of rail section 51 is level with the upper edge of ramp top wall 10b;see FIG. 2. Thus, the assembly provides a smooth transition from ramp to rail. The engagement of the wide foot 68 in pocket 32 prevents rotation of rail 16 and maintains the alignment of the ramp and rail.

[0040] Refer now to FIG. 5 which illustrates how all of the components of the assembly are shaped and arranged so that they may be shipped and stored as a minimum size package P. More particularly, bridge 12 is dimensioned and tapered so that, when inverted, it can nest within the underside of a ramp 10, 14 as shown. In particular, the bevel angle of the ends of the bridge rib segments 42acorrespond to the angle of the ramp top wall 10band ledge 17, and the height of the bridge corresponds to the distance between the ramp flange 22 and the bottom of the ramp pocket 32. Also, the fact that each ramp 10, 14 has tapered side and rear walls enables each ramp to be nested within the other ramp such that the top wall 10band ledge 17 of the lower ramp nest against the undersides of the ramp ribs 26 and the pockets 28 of the upper ramp. Once the ramp and bridge components of the assembly are nested as shown in FIG. 5, the parts of the grind rail 16 may be positioned on the top wall 10bof the upper ramp, fitting easily within the package P. Alternatively, the grind rail 16 may be sold separately from package P.

[0041] Certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the ramps 10, 14 may be solid bodies and/or made wider than the bridge 12 and the pockets 32, 34 placed to one side of ledge 17 allowing both the bridge 12 and grind rail 16 to be suspended side by side between ramps 12 and 14. This gives riders the option of using either the bridge or the grind rail.

[0042] Refer now to FIG. 6 which illustrates a second embodiment of our obstacle assembly employing a pair of ramps 80 spaced back-to-back and supporting the opposite ends of a bridge 82. Bridge 82 may be of indeterminate length and may be supported at its mid-point by a vertical post 84 releasably connected at its upper end to the bridge, the opposite end of the post extending down to the same surface S that supports the ramps 80. Like ramp 10, each ramp 80 has a pair of opposite, generally triangular side walls 80a,an inclined top wall 80band a faceted rear wall 80ccomposed of a vertical upper facet or portion 80c₁, a more or less horizontal facet 80c₂defining a ledge 86 leading to a steeply inclined middle facet or portion 80c₃defining a ledge 86 and a vertical lower facet 80c₄. As best seen in FIG. 7, facets 80c₂and 80c₃define a generally trapezoidal shape, while facets 80c₁and 80c₄are more or less rectangular with lengths corresponding more or less to the larger and smaller collective lengths of facets 80c₂, 80c₃, respectively. Each ramp 80 has a bottom flange and stiffening ribs similar to the ones described above in connection with ramps 10, 14.

[0043] As best seen in FIG. 7, a pair of dove tail humps 88 extend up from ledge 86 in spaced relation to the rear wall facet 80c₁leaving a locking gap 92 between each hump and the facet 80c₁. Moreover, the inboard wall 88aof each hump 88 is oriented at an angle of about ±45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ramp and facet 80c₁for reasons that will become apparent. Still further, a notch 94 is formed in the rear wall facet 80c₁at the longitudinal axis of the ramp and a semi-cylindrical depression 96 extends from notch 94 rearwardly along ledge 86.

[0044] Also for reasons that will become apparent, a pronounced lateral pocket or depression 98 is formed in facet 80_c3adjacent the lower edge thereof and a vertical groove 102 is present in the forward wall of pocket 98 opposite the end of groove 96. Pocket 98 is adapted to receive the foot 68 of leg 66 that supports the upper end of the grind rail 16 shown in FIG. 2, with the groove 102 providing clearance for leg 66 and a securing pin (not shown) if that leg is releasably connected to the grind rail by way of a socket 62 (FIG. 2).

[0045] Still referring to FIG. 7, bridge 82 is similar to bridge 12 in that it is a molded plastic structure having a generally rectilinear top wall 82a,a pair of opposite side walls 82b.Bridge 82 is different in that it is provided with opposite end walls 82c.A rectilinear array of ribs 110 extends down from top wall 82abetween the side and end walls.

[0046] Preferably, a depending socket 112 is formed in the middle of bridge 82 for releasably receiving the upper end of the post 84 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] In order to releasably secure each end of bridge 82 to the adjacent ramp 80, a tab 114 projects out from the center of each end wall 82cof the bridge, only one such tab 114 being shown in the drawings. When attaching bridge 82 to ramps 80, each tab 114 is adapted to snap into the notch 94 of the adjacent ramp 80 as will be described shortly.

[0048] Also as best seen in FIG. 7, the bridge end walls 82cand ribs 11O are configured to facilitate the attachment of bridge 82 to each ramp 80. More particularly, each end wall 82cof the bridge is adapted to seat in the gaps 92 adjacent each ramp hump 88 and the bridge rib structure includes special diagonal ribs 110aadjacent the corners of bridge 82 which are oriented at an angle slightly less than 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bridge so that when the end wall 82cof bridge 82 is engaged to the adjacent ramp 80, the diagonal ribs 110aengage the walls or surfaces 88aof humps 88 as shown in FIG. 8B. Resultantly, due to the misalignment of walls 88aand ribs 110a,the ribs 110aare flexed to some extent so that the end of each bridge 82 resiliently engages the adjacent ramps so that there is no play between the bridge and the ramps when they are pressed together as will be described presently. Since the parts of the obstacle assembly are spring loaded by hump 88/ribs 110awhen engaged, there is minimal play between these parts so that they function as a single unit. Resultantly, there is no creaking or shattering noise when bikers or skate-boarders ride up and over the assembly.

[0049] When ramps 80 and bridge 82 are separated from one another, they may be nested one within the other in the manner shown in FIG. 5 so that they can be packaged, shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, in order to connect an end of bridge 82 to the adjacent ramp 80, the bridge is tilted with respect to the ramp as shown in FIG. 8A so that the bridge end wall 82ccan be engaged or hooked in the locking gaps 92 in front of the raised humps 88 and then the bridge 82 is lifted up so that it is substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. 8B. With wall 82cbeing retained by the humps 88, this motion causes the tab 114 projecting from the bridge end wall 82cto resiliently engage the rear wall facet 80c₁of the opposing ramp 80, perhaps deflecting that facet and/or end wall 82cin the process, until tab 114 reaches the notch 94 in facet 80c₁. When the tab is moved opposite the notch, the tab snaps into the notch thereby locking that end of bridge 82 to the adjacent ramp 80, while the end of the bridge is resiliently seated against the ramp humps as described above. As the tab snaps into place in the notch, an audible clicking sound is emitted which signals that the bridge is locked to the ramp. The depression 96 in rear wall 80cprovides clearance for tab 114.

[0051] Because the ramp and bridge components are spring loaded when locked together as aforesaid, there is essentially no play between the assembled components and the components function as a unit as long as the locking tab 114 of the bridge is engaged in the notch 94 of the ramp.

[0052] When the bridge 82 is connected at both ends to ramps 80, 80 as shown in FIG. 6 and the post 84 is installed in the bridge socket 112 as shown there, the assembly will function as a unit allowing bikers, skate boarders, rollerbladers and the like to ride up one ramp 80 along bridge 82 and down the other ramp 80. Due to their unique mode of attachment, the components will not become separated even if there is appreciable vibration of the parts while the assembly is in use.

[0053] When it becomes necessary to separate the bridge from the ramps, this may be done by tilting the ramps downward with respect to the bridge with enough force to cause tabs 114 to deflect the corresponding ramp facets 80c₁inward until the tabs are released from their respective notches thereby allowing the ends of the ramps to separate due to their spring loaded assembly.

[0054] It will thus been seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained. Also, the invention apparatus may include obvious variations. For example, the bridge 82 may have corners configured to connect to an additional pair of back-to-back ramps 80 extending from the sides of the bridge forming two orthogonal paths over bridge 82 along which riders may travel in criss-cross fashion. Therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0055] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the scribed herein.