Abstract:
Obstacle apparatus includes at least one ramp for launching a bicycle, skateboard or rollerblade rider into the air. The apparatus may also include a second similar ramp and a bridge 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 apparatus 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 and the like to perform various acrobatic feats. The apparatus components are rugged and reliable 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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/059,510, filed Jan. 29, 2002, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of this type, which, in its disassembled form, occupies a minimum amount of space. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide such an obstacle assembly whose components can readily be assembled without any special tools. 
     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. 
     Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter. 
     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. 
     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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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: 
     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; 
     FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view showing elements of the assembly forming a ramp-up grind rail; 
     FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the ramp component of the FIGS. 1 and 2 assembly; 
     FIG. 3B is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3C is a side elevational view with parts broken away thereof; 
     FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the bridge component of the FIG. 1 assembly; 
     FIG. 4B is a side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4C is a front elevational view thereof; 
     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; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the obstacle assembly; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded view showing components of the FIG. 6 assembly in more detail, and 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the mode of connecting the components of the FIG. 6 assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3A to  3 C, ramp  10  is a generally rectangular molded plastic is structure including a pair of mirror-image, generally triangular side walls  10   a,    10   a  having upper edges connected by a generally rectangular top wall  10   b  and rear edges connected by a faceted rear wall  10   c.  More particularly, rear wall  10   c  has an upper facet or surface  10   c   1  which descends from the apexes of side walls  10   a,    10   a  at an angle of about 45° to form a ledge  17  and a lower facet or surface  10   c   2  which extends at a steeper angle from facet  10   c   1  to the lower edges of side walls  10   a,    10   a.  As best seen in FIG. 3A, facet  10   c   1  has a generally trapezoidal shape, while facet  10   c   2  is more or less rectangular with a length corresponding more or less to the smaller length of facet  10   c   1 . Also, the ramp side walls  10   a,    10   a  are 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  10   d,    10   d.    
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3A a flange  22  extends out from the ramp side and rear walls, including bevels  10   d,    10   d,  as well as from the lower or leading edge of the ramp top wall  10   b.  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  10   b  is 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. 
     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  10   b  and the rear wall  10   c  of the ramp. These ribs are arranged in a rectangular grid which extends between the ramp side walls  10   a,    10   a  and between the ramp rear wall  10   c  and the leading edge of top wall  10   b.    
     For reasons that will become apparent, a plurality of transverse pockets or depressions are formed in the rear wall facet  10   c   1 , 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 . 
     The launch ramp  10  depicted in FIGS. 3A to  3 C 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  10   a,  in profile, has a slight concave curvature to optimize the lifting effect of the ramp. 
     Refer now to FIGS. 4A to  4 C 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  12   a  and a pair of mirror image side walls  12   b,    12   b  extending 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  12   a  to form a rectangular grid which extends between side walls  12   b,    12   b  and in between the front and rear edges of top wall  12   a.  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 . 
     More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 4C, the side walls  12   b,    12   b  of bridge  12  and opposite end segments  42   a  of the two front-to-back ribs  42  that are closest to each side wall  12   b  extend below the remainders of ribs  42 . Moreover as shown in FIG. 4B, the ends of those opposite end segments  42   a  are beveled at a shallower angle than the ends  42   b  of the other front-to-back ribs  42 , those other rib ends  42   b  having the same bevel angle as that of ledge  17  of the ramp  10  shown in FIG.  3 C. Thus, at the four corners of bridge  12 , the ends of the rib segments  42   a  combine 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. 
     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. 
     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  10   b.    
     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  51   a  and  51   b  which 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. 
     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  51   a,    51   b.  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 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, connector means  50  include a short leg  66  having one end connected to rail section  51   a  at a location therealong spaced a short distance from the free end of section  51   a  such 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  51   a.    
     The free end of rail section  51   a  is 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  10   b;  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. 
     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  42   a  correspond to the angle of the ramp top wall  10   b  and 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  10   b  and 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  10   b  of the upper ramp, fitting easily within the package P. Alternatively, the grind rail  16  may be sold separately from package P. 
     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. 
     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  80   a,  an inclined top wall  80   b  and a faceted rear wall  80   c  composed of a vertical upper facet or portion  80   c   1 , a more or less horizontal facet  80   c   2  defining a ledge  86  leading to a steeply inclined middle facet or portion  80   c   3  defining a ledge  86  and a vertical lower facet  80   c   4 . As best seen in FIG. 7, facets  80   c   2  and  80   c   3  define a generally trapezoidal shape, while facets  80   c   1  and  80   c   4  are more or less rectangular with lengths corresponding more or less to the larger and smaller collective lengths of facets  80   c   2 ,  80   c   3 , respectively. Each ramp  80  has a bottom flange and stiffening ribs similar to the ones described above in connection with ramps  10 ,  14 . 
     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  80   c   1  leaving a locking gap  92  between each hump and the facet  80   c   1 . Moreover, the inboard wall  88   a  of each hump  88  is oriented at an angle of about ±45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ramp and facet  80   c   1  for reasons that will become apparent. Still further, a notch  94  is formed in the rear wall facet  80   c   1  at the longitudinal axis of the ramp and a semi-cylindrical depression  96  extends from notch  94  rearwardly along ledge  86 . 
     Also for reasons that will become apparent, a pronounced lateral pocket or depression  98  is formed in facet  80   c3  adjacent 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 ). 
     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  82   a,  a pair of opposite side walls  82   b.  Bridge  82  is different in that it is provided with opposite end walls  82   c.  A rectilinear array of ribs  110  extends down from top wall  82   a  between the side and end walls. 
     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 . 
     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  82   c  of 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. 
     Also as best seen in FIG. 7, the bridge end walls  82   c  and ribs  11 O are configured to facilitate the attachment of bridge  82  to each ramp  80 . More particularly, each end wall  82   c  of the bridge is adapted to seat in the gaps  92  adjacent each ramp hump  88  and the bridge rib structure includes special diagonal ribs  110   a  adjacent 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  82   c  of bridge  82  is engaged to the adjacent ramp  80 , the diagonal ribs  110   a  engage the walls or surfaces  88   a  of humps  88  as shown in FIG.  8 B. Resultantly, due to the misalignment of walls  88   a  and ribs  110   a,  the ribs  110   a  are 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  110   a  when 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. 
     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. 
     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  82   c  can 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.  8 B. With wall  82   c  being retained by the humps  88 , this motion causes the tab  114  projecting from the bridge end wall  82   c  to resiliently engage the rear wall facet  80   c   1  of the opposing ramp  80 , perhaps deflecting that facet and/or end wall  82   c  in the process, until tab  114  reaches the notch  94  in facet  80   c   1 . 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  80   c  provides clearance for tab  114 . 
     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. 
     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. 
     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  80   c   1  inward until the tabs are released from their respective notches thereby allowing the ends of the ramps to separate due to their spring loaded assembly. 
     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. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the scribed herein.