Patent Publication Number: US-7900399-B2

Title: Portable start gate assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing or practicing, and more particularly to such a start gate assembly used for motocross or motorbike racing vehicles that allow the racer himself to practice start times without the assistance of a second person. 
     Motocross racing has become an increasingly popular sport in the United States after World War II and is extremely popular in Europe. Motocross has evolved from relatively flat, off-road races to hilly, dirty races filled with obstacles to provide a challenging environment for the driver and a test for the machine that they ride. Supercross races eventual started springing up to bring racing in urban and suburban areas that brought the concept of these outdoor races inside where artificial hills and obstacles could be added on a race track in a sports stadium. Given the popular fan base and the corporate sponsorship that supports these types of races, a lot of money can be made for a successful racer. 
     As racers clearly have to be competent drivers and have a strong command over their machine&#39;s performance, one of the most critical components to a racer&#39;s success is their ability to get a good jump out of the start gate. Due to the difficultly of the terrain and the windiness of the tracks, it can be extremely difficult for other racers to overtake their leaders during a race. These facts, combined with the narrowness of some courses, further strengthen the need to be the leader right out of the start gate to greatly improve the racer&#39;s chance of winning the race. 
     Today&#39;s motocross and supercross racers must practice start times to help increase their odds of being the leader in competitive races. However, in order to train to help better their racing start times, a racer is limited to using readily available track equipment and start gates. Current start gate designs are manual in nature and require a second party to be available to set and open the start gates. The manual start gates are attached together so that multiple racers can start at the same time. Someone must set the gates to a ready position by hand, although some designs use a latch or pedal. The ready position is secured by a locking mechanism that is of a constant height to ensure consistent start gate heights by all racers. A pull string is then used to collapse the start gates so that the racers might proceed forward unimpeded. The pull string is operated by a second party that stands on one of the sides of the manual start gate, thus requiring the need of an additional person besides the racer. 
     Another issue not addressed by current manual start gates is that it is impractical for an operator to take these manual start gates with them for practice because they are too large and bulky for transport. There are no known start gates that exist for backyard or alternative site practicing. Furthermore, a racer practicing with the manual start gates does not have an indicator to prompt the racer to anticipate the manual start gate dropping. 
     The start gate assembly might also be further modified to accommodate multi-racer usage so that several start gate assemblies might be placed together in a linear manner and used as one for racing. Current start gates for motocross racing are permanently attached together and are not easily taken apart for single user operations. It would be convenient and beneficial to have an automated operation start gate assembly that can be used by one racer, yet capable of fitting other start gate assemblies for multi-racer events. 
     Therefore, it is desired to have a start gate assembly for practice that can be easily operated by the racer while on a motorbike or other type of racing vehicle. Furthermore, it is desired that this start gate assembly has safety features that protect the start gate assembly itself and the race. An indication device is also desired that communicates to the racer that the start gate assembly is about to move to a go position. Additionally, the start gate assembly is desired to be light and transportable so that the start gate assembly can be easily moved from one location to another. It is also desired that a start gate assembly might be adaptable for use with multiple start gate assemblies such that several racers might utilize the start gate assembly for racing purposes. 
     Thus, there is a need for a start gate assembly capable of being used and operated solely by a racer without the assistance of a second person. Racers need the ability to practice their starting times away from the track to perfect their start times, thereby, making it necessary to have a start gate assembly that can be transported in the back of a vehicle. Moreover, there is a need for such a start gate assembly to be safe for operation to minimize the risk of harm to the racer or the start gate assembly itself. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-identified needs are addressed by the present start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing or practicing. One feature of the present invention is a moveable start gate frame that can be modified to resemble a barrier normally associated with racing start gates. The moveable start gate frame is pivotally attached to a foundation platform to erect itself to a ready position and allowed to fall to a go position. By giving the moveable start gate frame the ability to swing freely to a false start position when acted upon as a racer moves forward before the start gate assembly moves to a go position, injury to the racer and start gate assembly can be avoided. Therefore, the present invention is provided with an open ended lift lever to allow the moveable start gate assembly to freely swing to a false start position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a start switch that can be operated by a racer while he resides in or on his vehicle. The start switch is capable of sending an electrical signal to a control panel that in turn, directs a lift mechanism when to lift the start gate assembly to the ready position and when to move the start gate assembly to the go position. The control panel also activates an indicator to inform the racer when the start gate assembly is about to move to the go position. An additional feature of the present invention is that the start gate assembly is small and light enough to be easily transported by a minimal number of movers from one location to another location so that the start gate assembly can be used in various and multiple venues. 
     More specifically, a start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing on a ground surface is provided with a moveable start gate frame where the moveable start gate frame is pivotally attached to a foundation platform. A moving mechanism is additionally provided for placing the moveable start gate frame in a ready position so that forward movement of the racer is obstructed sufficiently for racing purposes. A control device is also provided that regulates the movement of the moveable start gate frame from the ready position to a go position relative to when a start switch is activated to initiate movement of the moving mechanism. 
     In another embodiment, a start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing on a ground surface is provided with a moveable start gate frame pivotally attached to a foundation platform wherein the foundation platform lies in a substantially planar relationship with the ground surface. A pneumatic lift device is employed for placing the moveable start gate frame in a ready position where the ready position is further defined as being of sufficient height to obstruct forward movement of the racer. The moveable start gate frame is placed at an acute angle relative to the ground surface when in the ready position such that the moveable start gate frame is moveable to a go position by gravity induced force. A control device is further provided to regulate the movement of the moveable start gate frame from the ready position to the go position. 
     In yet another embodiment, a start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing when racing on a ground surface is provided with a moveable start gate frame that is pivotally attached to a foundation platform. The start gate assembly is also provided with a pneumatic lift device for placing the moveable start gate frame in a ready position. A start switch activates a control device to initiate operation of the pneumatic lift device and further controls the activation of an at least one indicator light associated with the control device to communicate when, relative to triggering the start switch, that the moveable start gate frame will move to the go position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a start gate assembly that has a start switch, a pair of assembly covers removed from the ends to illustrate their shape, and at least one indicator. The number  4  points to a broken circle that is further represented in a close up view shown in detail in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 2   a  is a side perspective view of the start gate assembly in a ready position in relation to a motorbike and start switch. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a side perspective view of the start gate assembly in a go position. 
         FIG. 2   c  is a side perspective view of the start gate assembly in a false start position where the motorbike moves forward before the start gate assembly drops to the go position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the pivotal attachment point of a moveable start gate frame and an open ended lift lever. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a control device that consists of two timers activated by the start switch (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing on a ground surface is generally designated  10 . A moveable start gate frame  12  is provided that is preferably of an upside down “U” shape which is standard design for motocross racing start gates and is pivotally attached to a foundation platform  14 . The moveable start gate frame  12  is also sufficiently thin so as to limit its impedance of a racer when driven over by a motorbike or other racing vehicle, yet made of durable material such as steel to withstand deformation or damage when weight or impact forces are applied. The foundation platform  14  is sufficiently wide to accommodate the width of the moveable start gate frame  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the foundation platform is provided with a pair of equipment support ends  16  that support a set of driving parts  17  of the start gate assembly  10  which are used to run the moveable start gate frame  12 . In the most preferred embodiment, the pair of equipment support ends  16  also doubles as a means of hingedly attaching a start cover  18  to protect the set of driving parts  17  from damage and to provide an quick means of accessing the set of driving parts for maintenance and repair. Furthermore, the start covers  18  in conjunction with the moveable start gate frame  12  provide an imaginary start box for racers to position themselves when starting. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c , the moveable start gate frame  12  is moveable from a substantially 0 degree angle relative to a support plane X of the foundation platform  14  to a substantially 180 degree angle relative to the support plane X of the foundation platform  14 . A moving mechanism  20  is provided for placing the moveable start gate frame in a ready position  22  (as shown in  FIG. 2   a ) wherein the ready position  22  is of sufficient height to obstruct forward movement of the racer. The ready position  22  is further defined as an acute angle α such that the moveable start gate frame  12  is moveable to a go position  24  (as shown in  FIG. 2   b ) by gravity induced force. The go position  24  is further defined as a substantially 0 degree angle relative to the support plane X. The moveable start gate frame  12  is supported in the ready position  22  in a manner such that the moveable start gate frame  12  is freely moveable to a false start position  26  (as shown in  FIG. 2   c ) when the moveable start gate frame  12  is engaged before the moveable start gate frame  12  is moved to the go position  24 . The false start position  26  may also be further defined as a substantially 180 degree angle relative to the support plane X. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiment, a lift lever  28  is securely fastened to a rotation rod  30  to maneuver the moveable start gate frame  12  from the go position  24  to the ready position  22 . The lift lever  28  is extended behind a pivotally attached leg  32  of the moveable start gate frame  12  to lift the moveable start gate frame  12  rotationally. A receiving side  34  of the lift lever  28  is left open to allow the moveable start gate frame  12  to freely move forward rotationally to the false start position  26  in the event that the racer where to advance his vehicle forward before the moveable start gate frame  12  were to move to the go position  24 . In the most preferred embodiment, only one lift lever  28  is utilized, but it is contemplated that multiple lift levers  28  could be used to accommodate each attached leg  32  of the moveable start gate frame  12 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a  and  2   b , the moving mechanism  20  for placing the moveable start gate frame  12  in the ready position  22  is preferably provided by a pneumatic lift device  36 . However, it is contemplated that other lift devices may be employed such as a hydraulic piston, mechanical gears, or other device that may be automated. The pneumatic lift device  36  located underneath one of the start covers  18  and is provided with a pneumatic arm  38  set to a lift length  40  such that the moveable start gate frame  12  is consistently placed in the ready position  22 . The lift length  40  is further defined as the difference of the length of the pneumatic arm  38  when residing in the ready position  22  and the go position  24 . The pneumatic arm  38  is affixed to the rotation rod  30  by a driving lever  42  that rotates the rotation rod  30  when the pneumatic arm  38  is extended by the lift length  40 , thereby raising the moveable start gate frame  12  to the ready position  22 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 1 , the pneumatic lift device  36  is powered by an air supply source  44  that delivers sufficient air pressure to move the pneumatic arm  38  to the lift length  40 . In the most preferred embodiment, the air supply source  44  is an air compressor  46 ; however, pressurized air tanks and like air delivery systems may also be used. The pneumatic lift device  36  is fed air by the air compressor  46  which is positioned approximate to the pneumatic lift device  36  and is capable of delivering enough force from air pressure to raise the weight of the moveable start gate frame  12  from the go position  24  to the ready position  22 . 
     The air compressor  46  is powered by a power supply source  48 . Preferably, the power supply source  48  is a battery  50  for ease of mobility and the reduction of the need to find a fixed power supply source. The battery  50  employed in the preferred embodiment is a 12 volt battery that is connected electrically with the air compressor  46 . The air compressor  46  is fitted with a mounted compressor air regulator  52  that maintains the air pressure generated by the air compressor  46  between approximately 110 psi and 85 psi. When the air pressure falls below 85 psi as read by the mounted compressor air regulator  52 , the air compressor  46  is reactivated automatically to compress more air until the air pressure reaches approximately 110 psi, at which point the air compressor  46  switches off. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the power supply source  48  also powers a control device  54  that regulates the movement of the moveable start gate frame  12  from the ready position  22  to the go position  24 . In the preferred embodiment, an electrical control feed wire  56  is fed from the power supply source  48  through a wire control tube  58  affixed to a lower side  60  of the foundation platform  14  until it is fastened electrically to the control device  54 . The control device  54  houses a pair of timers indicated by a T 1  and T 2 , an air release timer  62  and an indicator timer  64 . 
     A start switch  66  is provided that activates the control device  54  to initiate the moving mechanism  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the start switch  66  is removeably and pivotally connected to the foundation platform  14  by a connection arm  67 . In this manner, the start switch  66  can swivel to a comfortable position close to the racer for easy accessibility while he is on the vehicle. However, it is appreciated that a remote start switch might also be used to activate the control device  54  for portability ease. The start switch  66  using the pivotally attached design uses the electrical control feed wire  56  to control the electrical signal that is given to the control device  54 . 
     The operation of a solenoid air release valve  70  is directed by the control device  54 . An air tube  71  transports air from the air compressor  46  to the solenoid air release valve  70 . The air tube  71  is preferably fed though the foundation platform  14  in a similar manner as the electrical control feed wire  56 , but on an electrical control wire opposing side  72 . The triggering of the start switch  66  initiates the air release timer  62  that simultaneously sends a signal to the solenoid air release valve  70  to allow air from the air compressor  46  to be fed into the pneumatic lift device  36  via a pneumatic tube feed line  73 . The solenoid air release valve  70  is placed between the pneumatic tube feed line  73  and the air tube  71  which lead up to the pneumatic lift device  36  to regulate air fed into and out of the pneumatic lift device  36 . 
     The air fed into the pneumatic lift device  36  creates sufficient air pressure to drive the pneumatic arm  38  the lift length  40  while bearing the weight of the moveable start gate frame  12  to place the moveable start gate frame  12  in the ready position  22 . A pneumatic air regulator  74  is preferably provided on the end of the pneumatic tube feed line  73  to prevent extensive air pressure from building up that might otherwise damage the pneumatic lift device  36 . The air release timer  62  is preset to a predetermined amount of time that the racer or user believes would be an adequate wait time from triggering the start switch  66  and starting a race or practice run. When the predetermined amount of time expires, air is then released out the solenoid air release valve  70  through a pair of exit baffles  76 . The pair of exit baffles  76  allow the pressure to be released rapidly from within the pneumatic lift device  36  and the pneumatic tube feed line  73  without causing much noise. When the air pressure is released from the pneumatic lift device  36 , the moveable start gate frame  12  falls to the go position  24  by gravity induced force. 
     The start gate assembly  10  may optionally be provided with an at least one indicator  78  associated with the control device  54  to communicate to the racer when the moveable start gate frame  12  will move. In the most preferred embodiment, the at least one indicator  78  is a light  80  that visually signals a ready time when the moveable start gate frame  12  is about to drop to the go position  24 . Preferably, two separate lights  80  are used, one on top of each opposing start cover  18 . The at least one indicator  78  may also be a sound or other sensory affect that signals to the racer that the moveable start gate frame  12  is about to drop to the go position  24 . 
     The at least one indicator  78  is operated in a similar fashion as the pneumatic lift device  36  when commanded by the control device  54 . When the racer or other user triggers the start switch  66 , the indicator timer  64  is initiated. The indicator timer  64  is preferably preset to a specified time purposely set to expire just a couple seconds before the air release timer  64 . In doing so, the indicator timer  64  sends an electrical signal to the at least one indicator  78  to set off the at least one indicator  78 . In the preferred embodiment, a pair of lights  80  light up to signal to the driver that the moveable start gate frame  12  is about to drop to the go position  24 . 
     While a particular embodiment of the present start gate assembly has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims. It is also contemplated that the described utility design herein may be modified to accommodate multiple start gate assemblies aligned side by side by an extension of the rotation rod  30  to support additional lift levers  28  to achieve substantially the same function of the single state gate assembly  10 .