Rider protection system

A protection system to prevent or minimize likelihood of injury to a rider at a racetrack if the jockey is thrown over the rail which surrounds the track. Usually the rail is supported by a curved post which extends upwardly from the ground and inwardly toward the track. A series of deflector panels are provided along the rail and are biased to generally horizontal position adjacent the rail by a coil spring device so that when a rider is thrown over the rail and contacts the deflector device the deflector then moves downwardly in response to the impact of the rider. The deflector then return to a generally horizontal position by the bias device after the rider has rolled off of the deflector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates, in general, to racetrack safty devices and 
more particularly relates to a deflector system for use with the rails on 
a racetrack. In general the rails of the track are generally supported 
posts which are embedded in the ground and curved inwardly toward the 
track. 
The danger encountered in connection with rail systems of this type is that 
a rider thrown over the rail may strike a supporting post and suffer 
severe injury. The prior art has recognized the potential for injury, and 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,443,002 and 4,635,905 Fontana deal with the problem in 
one regard by providing inwardly extending aprons around the rails. 
However, the aprons are secrued at their inner and outer edges so do not 
deflect on impact. Similar systems were known and installed at Santa Anita 
and Hollywood Park racecourse in California prior to the Fontana 
references. 
In cases of the prior art, however, the apron is secured on the inside and 
outside so in effect a "shelf" is formed. 
No prior art reference is known which teaches the benefits and advantages 
found in connection with devices in accordance with the present invention 
where a series of deflector panels are utilized. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a new, useful, and highly effective 
arrangement for minimization of the likelihood of injury to a jockey in 
the event the jockey is thrown from a horse and over a rail ajoining the 
track. 
As previously stated the danger in such an occurrence is that a jockey 
thrown over the rail will strike a curved post which holds the rail and 
thus suffers severe injury. 
The devices within the scope of the present invention recognize that it is 
desirable in providing an arrangement which allows flexure of the 
deflector device to cushion the impact relized by a jockey who is thrown 
over a rail from a horse. Accordingly, devices within the scope of the 
present invention provide edge interleaved deflector panels, which can be 
of any selected material of strength and reinforcement sufficient to 
accomplish the purposes for which the devices are intended. The delector 
planels are pivotable adjoined to the rail and a spring bias device is 
provided to maintain the deflectors in generally horizontal position. 
However, upon impact by a jockey the panel is free to move so that the end 
of the panel rotates toward thus, lessening the serverity of the impact 
and directing the jockey toward the ground. 
More particularly, devices within the scope of the present invention 
provide a protection system to prevent or minimize injury to a jockey at a 
racetrack when a jockey is thrown over the rail which surrounds the track 
and where the rail is supported by a curved post which extends upwardly 
from the ground and extends inwardly toward the track where a series of 
deflector panels are provided along the rail and are biased toward the 
rail by a coil spring device so that a rider thrown over the rail contacts 
the deflector device which then moves downwardly in response of the weight 
of the rider and where the deflector is then returned to a generally 
horizontal position by the bias device after the rider has rolled off of 
the reflector. 
Examples of devices within the scope of the present invention are 
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinafter but it 
will be understood that various other arrangements also within the scope 
of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art upon 
reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a segment of a rail with a deflector 
apron within the scope of the present invention. In FIG. 1 the rail 26, 
which can be supported above the track as described with reference to FIG. 
2 has apron panels 1 connected to one side as shown and described in 
detail hereinafter. 
In FIG. 1 the panels are shown to be located on the inside of the track but 
it will be understood that panels can be located on the side of the rails 
opposite the track. 
In the example shown in FIG. 1 the panels have been installed for 
protection where movement is in the direction shown by arrow A. In this 
regard the panel 1 shown has an overlap section 2 which overlaps the next 
panel so that if the rider impacts on the first panel, the first and 
second panels are deflected to break his fall and direct him to the 
ground. Without the overlap, or its equivalent, the first panel would 
defelct and guide the rider into the second panel. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a full view of a cross section if an example of a 
system is shown wherein a post 22 is shown imbeded in support material for 
example concrete 21. A curved portion 23 is provided for the post 22 to 
extend inwardly over the track 24. A rail 26, an example of which is 
described hereinafter, is provided atop the post 23 to deflect on impact 
as shown by dotted lines 1A and 1B. It will be understood, as is know in 
the art, that a series of posts are provided around the track and rail 26 
likewise extends generally continuously around the track. 
A deflector panel 1 is shown with the deflector panel 1 extending generally 
horizontally from the rail 26. However the panels can be disposed at 
various angles and inclination 1A or 1B as may be desirable depending upon 
the application and asthetics of the course. 
Any convenient width panel can be used but in any event the length should 
be sufficient to divert a jockey in a direction so that he does not 
contact any part of the posts 23. 
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the operational aspects of an 
example of a device within the scope of the present invention. As shown 
the rail 26 can be of any convenient description but is usually of 
extruded aluminum. 
In the arrangement shown the rail 26 has internal expansion ribs 32 and a 
cable tray 31 on either side of the inside of the rail. The cable tray is 
typically utilized to carry telemetery equipment. In the arrangement shown 
an aperture 33 has been provided in the side of the rail between the rib 
32 and the cable tray 31. A plate 34 is located to abut the inter surfaces 
of the rib and the cable tray. 
As also shown the deflector plate 1 has a down turned leg 11 with an 
aperture 12 which is also to adapted to receive a shaft 36 secured at one 
end by a nut 37. The shaft 36 extends through an aperture 12 and 33 of leg 
11 and rail 26 at an angle determined by the configuration of the rib 32 
and the cable tray 31. 
In the arrangement shown the cable tray and rail are utilized as a means 
for seating the spring bias device described hereinafter but it will be 
understood that other arrangements also within the scope of the present 
invention are contemplated and the particular aspects of the bias system 
shown are not by way of limitation. Any suitable bias system can be 
utilized within the scope of the present invention. 
Turning again to the illustrated bias system a washer 37 and nut 38 are 
provided on the opposite end of shaft 36 within rail 26 and compression 
spring 42 is provided between the washer 37 and the inner surface of the 
of the leg 11. Thus, by adjusting the nuts 37 or 38 the compression of 
spring 42 can be adjusted to determine the rest position of the deflector 
plates as shown in FIG. 2. 
A fulcrum 41 is defined between the end of the leg 11 and the outer surface 
of the rail 26. The deflector then pivots about this fulcrum point upon 
impact by a rider thus to cushion the impact and allow the rider to be 
directed toward the ground. 
In the arrangement shown the deflector plate 1 consists of an upper panel 
46 with a lower support 47 located at the overlap between adjacent panels. 
As previously described additional structual statability can be provided 
by support members 48 which can be located beneath the supports 47. It 
will be understood that support can be provided at each end of each panel. 
Additionally, each of the panels is independently deflectable but the 
panels can be interleaved as shown in FIG. 1 in order to prevent the 
depression of one panel and the rider being directed into the end of a 
subsequent panel. 
It will be understood that the foregoing are but a few arrangements within 
the scope of the present invention and that various other arrangements 
also within the scope of the present invention will occur to those skilled 
in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore.