Form assembly for a jump pit

A form assembly and method is provided for use in making a jump pit having a cover. The form assembly comprises at least one frame member structured to form a ledge for receiving the cover and a removable form member removably secured to the frame member. The method comprises providing a frame member and removably securing a removable form member to the frame member.

BACKGROUND

Long jump/triple jump pits (“jump pits”) have been known and used in track and field for some time. The jump pit itself is typically a rectangular sand pit with a runway leading up to one of the short sides of the rectangle. The jump pit must hold sufficient quantities of sand to cushion an athlete's landing following a jump. The sand in the jump pit must be protected from ambient and environmental conditions and contingencies, such as weather elements and animals. The sand must be kept dry and clean to preserve its integrity and to protect the athletes, and it must be free of debris. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a jump pit with a perimeter containment wall that includes reasonably well-fitting cover that minimizes gaps where the cover contacts the containment wall of the jump pit. Such covers can be made of a variety of materials, including wood, fabric (such as a vinyl-coated mesh fabric) or metal, such as aluminum sheeting or panels.

There are a number of steps involved in building a custom form assembly for creating a jump pit, and there are many difficulties to overcome before achieving the end result of a sand pit of predetermined size that will receive a standard cover without gaps where the cover contacts the periphery of the jump pit. Most jump pits are created by digging a recess in the ground having dimensions slightly larger than the desired dimension of the jump pit, building a form assembly about the perimeter of the recess that is dimensioned so as to provide a perimeter containment wall in which the interior dimensions of the wall correspond to the desired exterior dimensions of the jump pit. The containment wall is typically formed of a moldable forming composition, such as a cementitious material (e.g., concrete), a polymer concrete or a similar material. The form will typically comprise interior and exterior frame members that are secured in place a predetermined distance apart from one another and that are structured to laterally contain the moldable forming composition used to form the wall while the moldable forming composition cures. The interior and exterior form members are commonly formed of wood. Rebar or other similar internal structural elements may be positioned between the interior and exterior form members to increase the structural strength of the wall. The interior and exterior form members may also be coupled together using metal wire or mechanical fasteners to prevent movement of one form member away from the other form member.

It is common to form a ledge along the upper, interior corner of the wall that is dimensioned to receive the cover. In one embodiment, the depth of the ledge corresponds approximately to the thickness of the cover and two (2) times the width of the ledge plus the width of the jump pit corresponds approximately to the width of the cover. The ledge is sometimes formed using an L-shaped channel, which, in one embodiment, is formed of aluminum.

One difficulty often encountered when building the form is positioning and securing each of the components correctly in place and maintaining such positioning when pouring the moldable forming composition into the form. As such, onsite forms result in jump pits of varying dimensions, due to slight variations in sizes of custom-built components, shifting of form assembly components during the pouring and curing of the moldable forming composition. In particular, it can be difficult to form the ledge so that the ledge is level around the entire perimeter. This difficulty arises in part due to problems associated with positioning and securing the L-shaped channel correctly in place and maintaining such positioning as the moldable forming composition is poured into the form, as the moldable forming composition has a tendency to urge the channel upwards and laterally away from the form. These variations, among other things, can result in a jump pit of uneven dimensions that requires fitting with a custom cover.

A further challenge to creating a jump pit using a custom built onsite assembly form is the difficulty in removing the form components after the moldable forming composition is poured and cured. This can be a labor intensive, time consuming process that can result in components being broken in order to dislodge them from the containment wall formed by the moldable forming composition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to form assembly for a jump pit and a method of making a jump pit. In one embodiment, there is provided a form assembly for use in making a jump pit having a cover. The form assembly comprises at least one frame member structured to form a ledge for receiving the cover; and a removable form member removably secured to the frame member. In another embodiment, the form assembly further comprises a first form member removably attached to the removable form member.

In one embodiment, a method for making a jump pit is provided comprising providing a frame member; and removably securing a removable form member to the frame member. In one embodiment, the method comprises attaching a first form member to the removable form member.

Regarding the drawings, like reference numbers refer to like structures throughout. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic in nature. Not all parts are always shown to scale. The drawings and photographs illustrate but a few specific embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a form assembly10for making a jump pit, the form assembly comprising at least one frame for receiving a cover in the finished pit and a first form member removably secured to the frame. In some embodiments, the form further comprises a second form member removably secured to the first form member.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular toFIG. 2, there is illustrated a form assembly10for making a jump pit32, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the form assembly10comprises a ledge forming component23and a first form member28and second form member40. As can be seen inFIG. 1A, the overall configuration of the jump pit form assembly10forms a rectangle. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the exterior perimeter of the rectangle is formed by and comprises the second form member40. The first form member28and second form member40can be formed of a variety materials, including wood, metal, plastic, etc., provided the materials have sufficient rigidity to contain the moldable forming composition when poured.

In at least some embodiments, the frame member20has an “L”-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the frame member20is made of metal. In one embodiment, the metal frame member20is made of aluminum. However, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that other materials may be used that would still fall within the scope of the present invention. As illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 2, the ledge forming component23further comprises a removable form member22removably attached to the frame member20via one or more removable connectors24structured to extend through an aperture in the removable form member and to matingly engage an aperture in the second side20(b) of the frame member. In one embodiment, the removable connector24comprises a threaded screw that is structured to threadably engage a threaded aperture in the second side20(b) of the frame member20. The frame member20may be made of a variety of materials, including, without limitation, metal, wood or plastic. The frame member20is structured and dimensioned to receive a removable form member22. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the depth of the frame member20(i.e., the length of the first side20(a) of the frame member) corresponds approximately to the thickness of the cover60and two (2) times the width of the frame member20(i.e., the length of the second side20(b) of the frame member) plus the width of the jump pit corresponds approximately to the width of the cover.

The removable form member22may fill the area formed by the frame member20, as illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 2, or alternatively, the removable form member may fill only a portion of the area formed by the frame member. The removable form member22may be made of a variety of materials, including, without limitation, metal, wood or plastic. The removable form member22is preferably made of a material having a density and hardness such that a mechanical fastener (e.g., a nail or screw) can be inserted and held in place. In one embodiment, the removable form member22is made of wood. The second side20(b) of the frame member20forms a “ledge” when the removable form member22is detached from the frame member. The ledge supports the cover for the finished jump pit.

The removable form member22is removably secured or attached to the frame member20. As discussed above and illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 2, the removable form member22may be removably secured or attached to the frame member20using one or more removable connectors24. The removable connectors24can comprise any mechanical fastener that can be used to secure or attach the removable form member22to the frame member20and then can be removed or released so that the removable form member22can be detached from the frame member. Examples of suitable mechanical fasteners include, but are not limited to, nails, screws, bolts and staples. In some embodiments, the removable form member22is removably secured to the frame member20by at least one removable connector24, as can be seen inFIGS. 1A and 1B. The removable connector24will be placed at pre-determined or random intervals along the removable form member22, as can be seen inFIG. 1A, so that the removable form member is securely held during the pouring and curing of the moldable forming composition that will form the perimeter containment wall of the jump pit.

In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 2, the frame member20comprises one or more studs26extending therefrom. In one embodiment, the studs26have a shaft26(b) and a head26(a) and are structured to be encased within the moldable forming composition once it has cured to thereby anchor the frame member20to the perimeter containment wall of the jump pit. Each stud26can be formed integrally with the frame member22, can be attached to the frame member by welding or using an adhesive, or can comprise a threaded portion that threadably engages a threaded aperture in the frame member.

In another embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 3-10, the frame member20comprises one or more brackets50. Each bracket50can be formed integrally with the frame member22, can be attached to the frame member by welding or using an adhesive, or can be attached to the frame member using a mechanical fastener (e.g., screws, bolts, nails, etc.). For example, in one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the bracket50is attached to the frame member22via threaded screws54structured to be threadably engaged by threaded apertures in the frame member. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the bracket50defines an aperture50(a) structured to receive a reinforcement member52(e.g., rebar). The reinforcement member52can be secured to the bracket50by welding or using an adhesive or can be attached to the bracket using a mechanical fastener. For example, in one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 5-10, a threaded set screw56is structured to be threadably received within a threaded aperture in the bracket and to contact the reinforcement member52and urge it against the sidewall of the aperture50(a).

Referring toFIGS. 1B,2and9-10, in one embodiment of the present invention, a first form member28is removably secured to the removable form member22. The first form member28can be removably secured to the removable form member22using any mechanical fastener that can be used to secure or attach the first form member28to the removable form member22and then can be removed or released so that the first form member28can be detached from the removable form member22. Examples of suitable mechanical fasteners include, but are not limited to, nails, screws, bolts and staples. In one embodiment, the first form member28is removably secured to the removable form member22by at least one nail30, as illustrated inFIG. 1B.

Referring toFIG. 2, there is illustrated a cross-section of an embodiment of the completed forming assembly10, which includes the ledge forming component23, and the first form member28and second form member40. In one embodiment, the first form member28is secured to a stake46that is anchored into the ground. The first form member28can be secured to the stake46using any mechanical fastener48, which may include, but is not limited to, nails, screws, bolts and staples. Alternatively, the first form member28can be secured to the stake46using an adhesive, by welding, or by forming the two integrally together. According to one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the first form member28is removably secured to the stake46by at least one nail48. In the alternate embodiment of the ledge forming component23illustrated inFIGS. 3-10, the first form member28may be further supported by (or solely supported by) the reinforcement member52attached to the ledge forming component23, as discussed above.

In one embodiment, the second form member40is secured to a stake42that is anchored into the ground. The second form member40can be secured to the stake42using any mechanical fastener44, which may include, but is not limited to, nails, screws, bolts and staples. Alternatively, the second form member40can be secured to the stake42using an adhesive, by welding, or by forming the two integrally together. According to one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the second form member40is secured to the stake42by at least one nail44.

Referring toFIG. 2, it can be seen that the area50formed between the first form member28and the second form member40is the cavity or trench into which the moldable forming composition is poured. Thus, the area50becomes the perimeter containment wall of the jump pit after the moldable forming composition is poured and cured, and the form materials are removed.

The frame member20forms the top, interior perimeter of the perimeter containment wall of the jump pit. The interior of the jump pit32will be empty during the assembly of the jump pit form assembly and the pouring of the moldable forming composition to form the perimeter containment wall. After the moldable forming composition is poured and cured, the form assembly10is removed from the perimeter containment wall with the exception of the frame member22(and in the case of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 3-10, the reinforcement member(s)52). In this regard, the second form member40is removed from the exterior side of the containment wall by removing the stake(s)42from the ground and then moving the second form member away from the perimeter containment wall. The first form member28is removed from the interior side of the containment wall by removing the removable connector(s)24from the frame member22, then removing the stake(s)46from the ground, then moving the first form member and the removable form member away from the perimeter containment. Once the form assembly10has been removed, as discussed above, the interior of the jump pit32can be filled with sand.

The form assembly10for making a jump pit provided herein creates a jump pit having a perimeter containment wall with a ledge at its top, interior perimeter, the ledge formed by the frame member20. Once the jump pit has been completed and filled with sand, the ledge formed by the frame member20serves to accept a cover60for the jump pit, as illustrated inFIG. 11. Advantageously, because the form assembly10enables the frame member20to be efficiently incorporated into the frame assembly and consistently set in a level position, it is possible to utilize standard, mass-manufactured covers and to have the covers to be well-fitted upon the ledge.

FIGS. 3-8depict various views of sections of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3, a section of an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. Specifically, a section of a form assembly10, namely, the ledge forming component23, is shown which includes a portion of the frame member20, the removable form member22, and the removable connector24for removably securing the removable form member22to the frame member20. The embodiment shown inFIG. 3does not include the stud26, as shown inFIG. 1BandFIG. 2, but rather shows support for the frame member comprising a bracket50and reinforcement member52.

FIG. 4depicts another view of the same portion of the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3. As inFIG. 3, the frame member20, the removable form member22, the removable connector24, and the reinforcement member52are visible inFIG. 4. The bracket50is not visible due to the position of the ledge forming component23inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5depicts a top view of a portion of the exemplary embodiment of the ledge forming component23, as shown inFIG. 3. InFIG. 5, the top of the frame member20can be seen, as can the top of the removable form member22and the removable connector24. Also visible are the bracket50and the reinforcement member52supporting the frame member20.

FIG. 6depicts an end view of the exemplary embodiment of the ledge forming component23, as shown inFIG. 3. Visible inFIG. 6are the frame member20, the removable form member22, the bracket50and the reinforcement member52.

FIG. 7depicts a close-up view of the exemplary embodiment of the ledge forming component23, as shown inFIG. 3, focusing on the bracket50and the reinforcement member52. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the bracket50is held securely to the frame member20by two threaded screws54, while the reinforcement member52is held in place with respect to the bracket50by a set screw56.

FIG. 8shows a perspective-end view of the exemplary embodiment of the ledge forming component23, as shown inFIG. 3, with the view from below the frame member20. Visible inFIG. 8are the frame member20, the removable form member22, the bracket50, the reinforcement member52, and the set screw56. Also visible inFIG. 8are the removable connectors24that removably secure the removable form member22to the frame member20.

FIGS. 9 and 10show an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the ledge forming component23and a first form member28.FIG. 9shows an end view with both the removable form member22and the first form member28visible according to one embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the removable form member22and the first form member28are made of wood. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that the removable form member22and the first form member28may be made of other materials and still fall within the scope of the invention. Also visible inFIG. 9are the frame member20, the bracket50, the reinforcement member52, and the set screw56.

FIG. 10shows an end view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention from an angle. Visible inFIG. 10are the frame member20, the removable form member22, the first form member28, the bracket50, the reinforcement member52, and the screws54and set screw56.

As can be understood from at leastFIGS. 2,9and10, pouring a moldable forming composition into the form of the present invention results in a sand pit which has a perimeter containment wall with a ledge for receiving a cover for the jump pit. In one embodiment, the frame member20has a first side20(a) and a second side20(b) as noted inFIG. 10. The second side20(b) is the surface which forms the ledge on which a cover60can rest or be received. As noted above, the frame member20is made of a material with a hard surface that can withstand the pressure of the moldable forming composition that will form the perimeter containment wall of the jump pit. In one embodiment, the frame member20is made of metal. In one embodiment, the frame member20is made of aluminum.

The second side20(b) of the frame member20therefore forms a relatively flat, level surface on which a standard cover60may be received. This is an improvement over previous jump pits for which covers had to be custom made in certain instances due to the variations in size and surface area of each jump pit resulting from each individually-created form. Embodiments of the present invention create a jump pit with a perimeter containment wall for receiving a cover so that a standard cover may be designed, manufactured and provided for all jump pits made according to the present invention.

FIG. 11depicts an exemplary embodiment of the jump pit of the invention in which a ledge has been formed by the frame member20and a cover60is received onto the ledge20(b) for covering the jump pit. As is shown inFIG. 11, the cover extends beyond the ledge20(b) and out over the jump pit, the area of which is depicted as reference number32inFIG. 1A.

Covers for a sand pit formed by embodiments of the present invention can be constructed much as is already known in the art. The cover60may be a single unit, or may be comprised of segments of individual planks that can be laid over the jump pit end to end until the entire jump pit is covered. However, it is believed that the ledge for receiving the cover in the present invention, and the form assembly for forming the ledge, are a material improvement over the prior art. The use of the form assembly10of the present invention further enables the use of a standardized cover that will cover the sand pit and protect it from the environment, animals and other ambient conditions.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a form assembly and methods for constructing the form assembly and methods of making a jump pit. The ledge forming component23, and first form member28, and second form member40and other components of the form assembly may be provided in various forms and configurations. In one embodiment, the ledge forming component, and first and second form members are provided in sections to be assembled at the site where the jump pit is to be constructed. In other embodiments, the form assembly (or certain portions thereof, e.g., the ledge forming component23, the first form member28and stake46and/or the second form member40and the stake42) can be fully assembled and shipped to the jump-pit site, ready to be installed.

The dimensions of the jump pit will depend upon the applicable athletic rules/regulations to be complied with and may vary due to age and skill level of competitors. Generally speaking, a long jump/triple jump sand pit is a rectangle that is approximately ten (10) feet wide and about twenty-six (26) feet in length. In one embodiment, the jump pit is approximately twenty-six (26) feet long and nine and a half (9.5) feet in width.

In one embodiment, the frame member20is approximately three (3) inches high (the first side20(a)) by three (3) inches wide (the second side20(b)) and is approximately one half (½) inch thick. In one embodiment, the removable form member22is approximately two and a half (2.5) inches by two and a half (2.5) inches. This provides a ledge that is approximately two and a half (2.5) inches wide on which to place a cover60, as is depicted inFIG. 11.

Referring toFIG. 2, it can be seen that in one embodiment, the perimeter containment wall of the sand pit is approximately six (6) inches thick.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Additionally, comparative, quantitative terms such as “less” and “greater”, are intended to encompass the concept of equality, thus, “less” can mean not only “less” in the strictest mathematical sense, but also, “less than or equal to.”

It should also be pointed out that references may be made throughout this disclosure to figures and descriptions using terms such as “top”, “side”, “within”, “beside”, “on”, and other terms which imply a relative position of a structure, portion or view. These terms are used merely for convenience and refer only to the relative position of features as shown from the perspective of the reader. An element that is placed or disposed atop another element in the context of this disclosure can be functionally in the same place in an actual product but be beside or below the other element relative to an observer due to the orientation of a device or equipment. Any discussions which use these terms are meant to encompass various possibilities for orientation and placement.