Abstract:
The equestrian jump pole support system is adopted for making solid jumps, knockdown jumps, or combinations. The system includes a lightweight, free standing, three sided, triangular upright, having mutual perpendicular, elongated opposing faces with one face having a plurality of circular cutout holes. The cutout holes have a volumetric size compatibly equivalent to the jump poles, permitting the poles to slide into the holes to make a solid jump. Additionally, a jump shelf, with bracket, having a volumetric size compatibly equivalent to the circular cutout holes, plug holes and provide an exterior two position support for balancing jump poles to make a knockdown jump. The free standing, triangular shape support with cutout holes and slide in jump shelf permit the system to secure a pole, or balance a pole, or the perform both functions at the same time at different heights, widths, and depths in several different styles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/271,098 filed, Feb. 24, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to a support for equestrian horse jump poles, specifically a support system that converts to different jump types. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     A jump for equestrian sports comprises generally one or more horizontally extending poles supported at each end. Horse jumps typically come in three general types; solid jumps, knockdown jumps, and combination jumps in several different styles. A solid jump is a three dimensional structure generally made with lumber or logs, nailed or screwed together in such a way that the jump is incapable of falling down or dislocated if a horse makes contact with it. A knockdown jump consists of one or more horizontally extended poles suspended and supported between two objects, such as a posts or empty barrels. The suspended poles will fall down, or dislocate when hit or run into by a jumping horse. A combination jump requires two conventional jump systems used in conjunction with each other. In other words; a solid jump with a horizontal pole suspended above by a different apparatus. In a combination jump one section will knock down if hit or run into by a jumping horse while the other section remains stationary or fixed. 
     Equine activities involving horse jumping, such as horse shows, eventing and stadium jumping, to name a few, use all three type of horse jumps. Solid jumps are used outdoors in fields and woods for cross-country, steeple chasing, point to points, hunter paces, fox hunting, and pleasure riding. Equine training activities called “schooling” also use all three types of horse jumps to teach a horse and/or rider how to jump and/or to prepare a horse and/or rider for the show season. The show season can be anytime an equine competition is presented. Statistically, 40,042 riders in the year 2001 rode in 280 recognized United States Combined Training Association horse events in nine different divisions and countless more rode in non-recognized events in preparation for moving up to these recognized levels. There are eleven or more different divisions in horse eventing. Each division requires the horse jumps to be a different height. Most horse trials offer at least three divisions per event. An observer or spectator who attends such horse trials will notice that there are several different styles of solid jumps scattered about the fields and woods. An observer would further notice that two or more of the same jump are built side by side at different heights to meet the requirements of a division. 
     In the winter where snow and ice are an issue, the cross-country courses are not used and solid jumps are too large and heavy to store or cover and are left in the fields or woods exposed to the elements. 
     Consequently, there exists an unsatisfied need for an adjustable light weight, durable, portable, weatherproof support, that can change jumps to different heights and depths within one unit. There is also a further need for a jump system that within one unit can change to different adjustable styles as well. It also became apparent in the search of prior art, that there exists an unsatisfied need for a support system that can serve as the real thing; in other words, serve to be a training jump as well as a show or event jump. For instance: two popular solid jumps used in horse jumping are chicken coops and roll tops. They look as their name implies and they are both solid jumps. The prior art cited, are training devices that will simulate a solid jump, but will not look like the actual product and are not used in horse shows or events. In horse jumping, visual familiarity is of key importance to the success or failure of making it over a jump obstacle safely, or at all. Practice jumps, while very helpful, do not fully prepare a horse and rider for the real thing. In searching, no prior art was found which would make a solid jump that could be used in an actual event or horse show. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,873 to Wong (May 9, 1989) permanently holds a pole in place so as not to be able to knock down if hit or run into by a jumping horse and therefore can not be used as a knockdown jump. U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,821 (Feb. 5, 1991) to Wong shows a continuation of his invention whereby a structure had been added to accommodate a knockdown pole suspended in a plane directly above a solid pole. The knockdown pole is adjustable, however the unit as a whole is limited to a vertical position only, offering no depth alternatives, which is necessary for training and use in cross-country events. U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,920 to Richards and Hamilton (Nov. 15, 1983) discloses a plastic block used to support a jump pole. Several blocks must be used to construct a horse jump and no construction using the block will make a solid jump. U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,093 (Oct. 19, 1999) to Vitt et al., shows a telescopic standard with a jump support capable of holding two poles at the same time, in part, for teaching a horse and rider how to jump a corner jump which is specifically designed to knock down when hit by a jumping horse, but is use for training only. 
     OTHER REFERENCES 
     Jump standards manufactured by JumpsUSA, www.jumpsUSA.com, Miscellaneous Selection January 2002 comprise a flat plastic board with holes. Coyote Run Equestrian Products, Box 7 Site 4 R.R. #2 Red Deer, Alberta CA T4N FE2 manufactures a jump standard which is a medium weight, cone shaped plastic body, with a round base, which incorporates plastic cups to support a knock down jump pole. Baker-Mac Ltd. 1988 www.jumpkin.demon.co.uk/ jumpkin.htm manufactures a jump standard similar to the product made by Coyote Run Equestrain Products. Thanet Show Jumps, www.thanetshowjumps.co.uk/plastic.htm manufactures a Combi Block to make knock down jumps. Cedar Cavaletti by HB DESIGN, Dover Saddlery catalogue page 119, 2000-2001, manufactures cedar vertical posts for holding a jump pole that will not knock down. 
     In conclusion, as far as I am aware, no free standing horse jump standard with or with out the use of a jump cup can convert a horse jump to different, heights, widths, depths, styles or types, quickly and easily, using ordinary horse jump poles. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention is directed to an equine support structure capable of making horse jumps of different heights, lengths, widths or styles, quickly and easily, within one unit, using ordinary horse jump poles. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Several objects and advantages of my convertible horse jump standard system with slide in jump shelf are: 
     (a) to provide a convertible jump standard made of light weight material, such as high impact plastic, that uses typical jump poles, which are common to all equine establishments involved in horse jumping, to create three general types of horse jumps; knockdown, solid and combinations, in a multitude of jump styles. 
     (b) to provide a jump standard that will allow the user to quickly and easily change to any one of the three general types within one unit with the use of the slide in jump shelves and ordinary horse jump poles. 
     (c) to provide a convertible jump standard with slide in jump shelves, whereby user can change the style, height, depth or width by simply adding or removing jump poles. All three types of horse jumps are used in eventing competitions and horse shows at various times and places during the event. Within one system, the convertible jump standard with slide in jump shelf can be adjusted to fulfill many horse show or eventing needs. 
     (d) to provide a convertible jump standard that is free standing so that the stability of the jump is not affected, nor relies upon any sized horizontal pole which it supports. Jump standard that needs to be held up by the horizontal pole it is supporting, will be flimsy and potentially unsafe especially if only one or two horizontal poles are being supported at a time. 
     (e) to provide a convertible jump standard that can easily be handled by one person. Generally it takes four (4) people to move a solid or combination jump. More often, once built the jumps are too heavy to move at all, many solid jumps are permanently attached to the ground. The added advantage of using jump poles to make solid or combination jump is that one person can move, assemble and disassemble the jump. Once the jump is no longer needed, the poles can convert to other uses such as: trotting poles or ground poles, or round pen poles or cavaletti poles. 
     (f) to provide a convertible jump standard, that can also be used to store jump poles by keeping them off the ground in an organized fashion with easy access. 
     (g) to provide a convertible jump standard system, while totally different in shape from conventional jump standards, is suitable for informal schooling, as well as formal riding competitions, such as horse shows and horse eventing. 
     (h) to provide a convertible jump standard system that reduces overhead. All solid jumps made with the convertible system can be moved to an indoor ring in the winter rather than remain outdoors unused exposed to the elements. Additionally, to compensate for size restrictions associated with a riding ring, one needs only to change the length of the jump poles to adjust the width of the jump, rather than having to build a new narrower solid jump for indoor use. 
     (i) to provide a convertible jump standard whereby flowers, brush or leaf garnish may be inserted into the confined spaces between the jump poles after the jump is assembled, to make a brush box or flower box look-a-like. Normally one would have to add a pre-made flower box, fill it with flowers or brush then add it to an existing horse jump to achieve the same look, at added costs. 
     (j) to provide a convertible jump standard capable of making a spread jump using one set of jump standards. Normally, spread jumps, those jumps that have both height and depth, have been made using two sets (total of 4) of typical jump standards. The convertible horse jump standard will make adjustable spread jumps within one set. 
     (k) to provide a convertible jump standard that will fit into most vehicles, including the back seat of a Chevi Cavalier. Jump poles are readily available in most riding establishments involved in horse jumping, however, jump standards are expensive and often borrowed. 
     (l) to provide a convertible jump standard that will stack and store easily in a minimal amount of space. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the convertible horse jump standard in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the slide-in jump shelf as it relates to FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a horse jump pole as it relates to FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a frontal view of a knockdown jump as seen by an approaching horse and rider; 
     FIG. 4A diagrammatically illustrate the removal of the jump pole to change the height; 
     FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a view of a solid jump as seen by a slightly angled approaching horse and rider; 
     FIG. 5A diagramatically illustrates the removal of two (2) jump poles to change the height; 
     FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a view of a combination jump as seen by a slightly angled approaching horse and rider; 
     FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a view of six jump standards stacked one upon another. 
     FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C, and  8 D depict several optional uses and features of the preferred embodiment of the invention as discussed below. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWING 
       11  jump standard 
       8 - 8   z ′ holes 
       10   a  front face 
       10   b  back face 
       9   a, b, c  sides 
       12  ridge 
       13  jump shelf 
       15  jump shelf face 
       14  jump shelf ledge 
       16   a ,  16   b  jump pole ends 
       17  jump pole 
       18  space (no jump pole) 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to a convertible horse jump standard system with slide in jump shelf. 
     FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a light weight, convertible horse jump standard  11  which includes an elongated perpendicular triangular shaped face  10   a  having a plurality of circular cutout holes  8 - 8   z ′ and an opposing perpendicular elongated triangular shape face  10   b , which is open. The sides  9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  are of substantial width and height to form a free standing, upright, triangular jump standard  11 . The elongated, upright triangular shape is best viewed in FIG.  1 . Ridge  12  runs circumferentially along the sides  9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  of the jump standard  11  and is best shown in connection with the standard  11  when stacked for storage FIG.  7 . In relation to the holes  8 - 8   z ′, jump pole  17  with jump pole ends  16   a  and  16   b  is volumetrically compatible to the circular jump holes  8 - 8   z ′. This is shown in connection with FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a slide in jump shelf  13 . The jump shelf  13  is volumetrically compatible to the circular holes  8 - 8   z ′. The jump shelf ledge  14  is attached to the jump shelf face  15  of the jump shelf  13 . Jump shelf ledge  14  has a high and low setting (see arrows). Insertions of the jump shelf  13  plugs the holes  8 - 8   z ′ and serves as a bracket whereby jump pole  17  balances when jump pole  17  is suspended horizontally between two jump standards  11 . This is shown in connection with FIGS. 4,  4 A and FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates popular jump pole  17  having two opposing jump pole ends  16   a  and  16   b . Jump pole  17  with jump pole end&#39;s  16   a  projected insertion into jump standard  11  at hole  8  and suspended horizontally over the ground with jump pole end&#39;s  16   b  projected insertion into hole  8  of an opposing jump standard  11  (not shown) to form a structure which a jumping horse can not knock down. Jump pole  17  inserted into different holes  8 - 8   z ′ change the height, multiple pole insertions change the height FIG.  5 A and width FIG.  6 . Jump pole  17  with jump pole end  16   b  balancing on the jump shelf ledge  14  of the inserted jump shelf  13  and suspended horizontally over the ground with jump pole end  16   b  balancing on the jump shelf ledge  14  of the inserted jump shelf  13  of an opposing jump standard  11 , form a structure which a jumping horse can knock down. Multiple use of jump shelf  13  in relation to multiple use of jump pole  17  is best shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 4A, FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates two jump standards  11  separated by jump poles  17  with jump pole ends  16   a  balancing on the jump shelf ledge  14  of the jump shelf  13  inserted into holes  8 ,  8   d ,  8   l  and  8   x  of one jump standard  11  and jump pole ends  16   b  resting on the jump shelf ledge  14  of the and jump shelf  13  inserted into the holes  8 ,  8   d ,  8 L and  8   x  of the opposing jump standard  11 . Jump pole  17  is horizontally supported and suspended between each jump shelf  13  insertion FIG.  4 . Jump shelf face  15  blocks the jump pole  17  from sliding into the jump standard  11  and therefore the user can be assured that the jump poles  17  will knock down if hit or run into by a jumping horse. Removal of the jump pole  17 , balancing on the jump shelf  13  inserted into hole  8 , will reduce the height of the structure as seen in FIG.  4 A. Removal of jump pole  17 , from jump shelf  13  inserted into hole  8   d , will further reduce the height of the structure (not shown). 
     FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates two jump standards  11  separated by jump pole  17  suspended and supported horizontally by insertion directly into holes  8 ,  8   a ,  8   c ,  8   f ,  8   j ,  8   o , and  8   u  of one jump standard  11  without the use of jump shelf  13 . This is repeated in holes  8 ,  8   b ,  8   e ,  8   i ,  8   n    8   t , and  8   z ′ of the opposing jump standard  11 . Properly positioned opposing jump standards  11 FIG. 4, FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 have different corresponding opposing holes  8 - 8   z ′, with the exception of holes  8 ,  8   d ,  8 L, and  8   x  which are positioned vertically in the center on both opposing jump standards  11 . Any jump pole  17  inserted directly into the holes  8 - 8   z ′ without the use of the jump shelf  13 , forms solid jumps. Solid jumps do not move or knock down when hit by a jumping horse. It is possible to fill all the holes  8 - 8   z ′ with jump poles  17  organized by length, circumference or color within easy access, when the user needs to organize a stack of jump poles  17 . This is partially shown in FIG. 5 wherein jump poles  17 , fill some of the holes  8 - 8   z′.    
     FIG.  6 . diagrammatically illustrates two opposing jump standards  11  utilizing the jump pole  17  in both a solid position and a knockdown position combined. Jump pole  17  is inserted into holes  8   d ,  8   g ,  8   k ,  8   p  and  8   v  of one jump standard  11 , suspended over the ground and inserted into corresponding holes of the opposing jump standard  11  forming the solid jump. Suspended over the solid jump is a jump pole  17 , which balances on the jump shelf ledge  14  of the jump shelf  13  which is inserted into the hole  8 , forming the knockdown pole and creating a combination jump. 
     The multiple holes  8 - 8   z ′ are positioned to allow for jump types and heights to change quickly. This is best shown by viewing FIGS. 4,  4 A, FIGS. 5,  5 A and FIG. 6 in relation to each other. 
     FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a different view of the convertible jump standard  11  with the open face  10   b  lying flat on the ground, with the side  9   b  in full view and with standards  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d ,  11   e , and  11   f  forming a secure stack one upon the other secured by ridge  12 . 
     Apart from its principle use, the convertible horse jump standard has other uses, such as a saddle rack to hold a single saddle with a storage area  25  underneath, shown in FIG. 8A, or for use for several saddles  40  shown in FIG.  8 B . The multiple saddle rack shown in FIG. 8B would be accomplished by taking a jump pole  17  and suspending it between the two jump standards  11  at hole  8 . In addition, by adding two more jump poles at holes  8   c  and  8   e  one can make a suitable drying rack for horse blankets, horse coolers and other horse garments  43  as shown in FIG.  8 C. The length of the suspended jump pole  17  determines the width of the rack and therefore, the rack can be used in any sized room or area. 
     The convertible horse jump standard  11  can be used as a sturdy, steady, bench upon which to sit. The convertible horse jump standard  11  can be used to build a continuous portable fence and used any place a conventional decorative post and rail fence would be used (not shown) A single jump standard  11  can also be hung upside down on wall hooks to store and organize leg wraps  42  and medications  41  as shown in FIG.  8 D. Because it is portable, the jump standard  11  can be taken to horse shows to provide a storage unit to hang on a stall door or wash stall. Inverted, the top is now a rack for medications, shampoos, and liniments with ample storage underneath for horse leg wraps, batting, bell boots, saddle pads and the likes. 
     Operation—FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  4 A,  5 ,  5 A,  6 ,  7   
     In operation one uses the convertible horse jump standard  11  with slide in jump shelve  13  in three different ways. The user can, when needed, build a solid adjustable jump (FIG.  5 ). The user can, when needed, convert the solid jump to a knockdown adjustable jump (FIG.  4 ). The user can, when needed, make an adjustable combination horse jump (FIG . 6 ). This invention relates to a free standing upright triangular shaped jump standard (FIG. 1) and the slide in jump shelf with ledge (FIG.  2 ). 
     The manner of using the convertible horse jump standard to make horse jumps is different to jump standards which are in present use. Namely, one can make a solid jump (FIG. 5) by inserting ordinary horse jump poles  17  into a multitude of different circular cutout holes  8 - 8   z ′ of the free standing, upright, triangular shape jump standard  11  to form different styles of solid jumps normally used at riding stables, horse shows and horse events. 
     In operation, to build a solid jump one needs two jump standards  11  and a supply of horse jump poles  17 , the number of jump poles  17  needed, depends upon the maximum height and depth the jump. The width is determined by the length of the jump poles  17 . Jump standards  11  are placed so that the opposing jump pole ends  16   a  and  16   b  of the jump poles  17  can slide approximately 6 inches into the cutout holes  8 - 8   z ′ on the front face  10   a  of the jump standard  11  the jump pole  17  is now suspended over the ground between the two jump standards  11 , forming a solid jump: The user can add to the height by inserting more poles  17  into the holes  8 - 8   z ′ in an ascending manner being careful not to leave a space between poles  17  where a horse could catch a hoof (FIG.  5 A). Solid jumps (FIG. 5) are used on a cross-country course, steeple chasing, fox hunting, point to points, eventing, and hunter paces. Separate solid jumps of different heights are often built next to each other to accommodate the different divisions or levels found in horse eventing, however use of the present invention would accommodate different divisions with the insertion of a jump pole  17 . 
     In operation, for safety purposes, should there be a question regarding the ability of the horse or rider, the solid jump can be made into a partial knockdown jump, called a combination jump by choosing a jump pole  17  that is approximately a foot shorter, sliding the jump shelf  13  with jump shelf ledge  14  into the jump standard  11  in an appropriate hole  8 - 8   z ′ and balancing the shorter jump pole  17  on the jump shelf ledge  14 . (FIG.  6 ). The jump shelf face  15  of the jump shelf  13  prevents the jump pole  17  from entering the circular cutout hole  8 , and thus will knock down when hit or run into by a jumping horse (FIG.  6 ). Regarding the knock down jump pole  17 ; it should be placed directly over the solid section for maximum safety but may be several holes higher than the solid jump (FIG. 6) space  18 . 
     In operation the convertible horse jump standard  11  can always be used as a conventional jump standard. (FIG.  4 ). 
     In operation referring to a knockdown jump, as show in FIG. 4, jump shelves  13  are placed in some of the holes  8 - 8   z ′ to make a knockdown jump. Jump shelves  13  can be used in any of the holes  8 - 8   z ′ on the convertible jump standard  11  (not shown). All jump poles  17  used in a knockdown jump must balance on the inserted jump shelves  13 . All poles  17  must fall to the ground when hit or run into by a jumping horse. However, because of the triangular shape of the convertible jump standard  11 , it is now possible to make a three dimensional jump that will totally knock down, by sliding the jump shelves  13  in holes  8 ,  8   c ,  8   j ,  8   u ,  8   e    8   n    8   z ′ of one jump standard  11  and the proper corresponding holes  8 - 8   z ′ of the other jump standard  11 . Jump poles  17  are then suspended horizontally over the ground and placed on the jump shelf ledge  14  of the slide in jump shelf  13  in an inverted V shape, giving depth to the jump. This configuration can not be accomplished with conventional vertical jump standards. In operation should all the holes  8 - 8   z ′ be filled with poles  17 , the convertible jump standard  11  would become a jump pole storage unit (partially shown in FIG.  5 ). Jump poles generally weigh  12  or more pounds a piece and come in different colors, circumferences and lengths. Organizing poles with easy access by size, length or color is accomplished by removing or inserting jump poles  17  from the holes  8 - 8   z ′ of the jump standard  11  (FIG.  5 A). This also keeps the poles  17  from laying on the ground during storage and solves a safety issue as well. A loose stack of poles  17  can be dangerous. In most riding establishments, there are a number of jump poles  17  that are momentarily not in use: For instance, when a riding ring is being raked, when the riding ring is being use for dressage, when the riding ring is congested with group riding lessons, to name a few. During these incidences, which in may cases happen daily, jump poles  17  and jumps must be removed. The light weight convertible jump standard  11  can be removed easily and can be converted to a pole storage unit capable of holding poles  17  so that the poles will not roll over reducing the potential for injury. Further, the pole storage device mentioned above is more compact, taking up less space than a loose stack of jump poles  17 . 
     When not in operation FIG. 7 shows the space-saving, stacking ability of the convertible jump standard  11  with the assistance of ridge  12 . If the jump standards  11  are no longer needed as a jump, for instance, with the onset of winter in regions where there is snow and ice and no indoor riding ring is available, the convertible jump standard will stack to a compact, organized space saving pillar. 
     Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the convertible horse jump standard with slide in jump shelf, can be used to make solid jumps, knockdown jumps, combination jumps, and a horse jump poles and equipment storage unit. Further, applications are performed using common horse jump poles, thus making horse jumps easy and inexpensive to make, portable and light weight to move, and adjustable in both height and depth in many different styles. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, the convertible jump standard can come in different colors, can be made of wood or other materials, can be a different triangular shape, such as an isosceles triangle, can be larger or smaller, more holes can be added, or placed closer, or father apart, corners can be concave, feet can be added for extra stability, or the standard can be miniaturized for use as a toy for a child&#39;s equestrian doll house barn, with miniature horse figurines jumping in the paddock. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.