Abstract:
A horse jump system and jump cup assembly defined by rotatable and releasable jump cups, wherein the system includes a pair of opposing posts having key hole tracks vertically disposed, at least one pair of rotatable jump cup assemblies for mounting to the pair of key hole tracks and at least one pole removably positionable in said jump cups. The jump cup assembly includes a jump cup support mount or coupling that is adapted for removably mounting to the key hole tracks and jump cup adapted for releasably and rotatably mounting to the coupling wherein the jump cup support coupling and jump cup have cooperating interlocking structure, namely an open-ended arcuate channel and corresponding tab that forms a snap fit with the channel. The jump cup is dislodged from the coupling when urged by a predetermined force having vertical and, or horizontal components.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/325,443, filed Sep. 27, 2001.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    N/A  
         COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
         [0003]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    This invention relates generally to horse jumps, and more particularly, to a horse jump system having a rotatable and releasable jump cup assembly, wherein the jump cup assembly is pivotally attachable to a vertical track, holds one end of a jump pole extending between the tracks and releases upon a predetermined force having vertical, horizontal and/or angular components for reduced risk of rider injury.  
           [0006]    2. Description of the Background Art  
           [0007]    Horse jumps are well known in the art and comprise opposing vertically disposed posts  2 , a pole bridging the posts  2  and opposing jump cup assemblies rigidly and releasably attached to the posts  2  for holding opposing ends of the pole. With reference to FIG. 1, jump cup assemblies known in the art comprise a jump cup mount  3  that is rigidly mounted to the post  2  and has a vertically disposed slot with an open bottom end for receiving and releasing a jump cup  4  when urged by a vertical force. Conventional jump cup mounts are suppose to release from the posts when a horse misses the jump in a manner that does not immediately knock the pole out of the jump cups. However, they do not always release and can become locked in the posts  2  when impacted with a force having a horizontal component. Horizontal forces can lock a jump cup mount  3  in a post  2  because conventional jump cup mounts  3  do not pivot or rotate when experiencing horizontal forces. Rather, they require a direct downward force or a force that is predominantly downward to dislodge the jump cup from its mount  3 . In addition, conventional jump cup assemblies are unnecessarily thick such that they extend outward from the post a distance that increases the potential cantilever forces it can experience. Moreover, conventional jump cup assemblies have a design that may be positioned upside down unbeknownst to the installer. These design characteristics increase the risk of injury to the rider and horse and damage to the jump cup assembly and/or jump, which increases the cost for riding and operating jumps. Accordingly, a horse jump system and jump cup assembly that releases across a wider bandwidth of angles so as to reduce the risk of injury to a rider and horse and damage to the jump and jump cup would be well received. The instant invention addresses this need by providing a jump system and jump cup assembly that rotates and releases more easily when realizing forces from a variety of angles.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In light of the foregoing, the instant invention comprises a horse jump system and jump cup assembly having a unique design that more efficiently and under a wider bandwidth of angular forces releases the jump cup assembly from the jump. The horse jump system comprises a pair of opposing posts having key hole tracks vertically disposed, at least one pair of rotatable jump cup assemblies for mounting to the pair of key hole tracks and at least one pole removably positionable in said jump cups. The keyhole tracks and pole generally comprise components known in the art, except with respect to modifications that accommodate the jump cup assemblies. The jump cup assembly comprises a jump cup support mount or coupling and jump cup adapted for mounting to the coupling. The jump cup support coupling and jump cup have cooperating interlocking structure, namely an open-ended arcuate channel and corresponding tab that forms a snap fit with the channel. In the preferred embodiment, the jump cup support coupling comprises a base, interlocking tab projecting from the base and key track mounting post projecting from the base. The post is terminated by a knob, which has a larger cross sectional area then the post. The jump cup generally comprises a substantially flat header having an interlocking channel and a crescent shaped flange or ledge. The ledge projects directly outward from the header. The jump cup may also comprise at least one support brace. The jump cup interlocking tab mates with the interlocking channel such that the jump cup suspends from the support coupling when assembled. The interlocking tab is notched for biasing inward when mating with the channel and breaking free therefrom. The posts comprise a track having a plurality of keyhole apertures on at least one side. The jump cup support coupling is attached to the keyhole track by inserting the coupling post and knob through the keyhole and urging the post downward into the keyhole slot. A jump pole is installed by setting each end in a corresponding jump cup such that the pole is level.  
           [0009]    The jump cup assembly is designed to release the jump cup when vertical, horizontal and/or angular forces having horizontal and vertical components are realized by the jump cup. The jump cup is designed to at least partially rotate and release from the support coupling when impacted with sufficient force. The size of the interlocking tab relative to the interlocking channel dictates the amount of force required to dislodge the tab. The jump cup pivots to avoid locking while the support coupling remains attached to the track when the jump cup is dislodged. The jump cup&#39;s ability to pivot prevents the jump cup from locking and breaking.  
           [0010]    In accordance with the foregoing, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the jump cup assembly known in the prior art.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention illustrating the jump cup mounting coupling and jump cup.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the jump cup system of the instant invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention illustrating the jump cup mounting coupling and jump cup in mating engagement.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention, illustrating the jump cup detached from the jump cup mounting coupling.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention illustrating the jump cup detached from the jump cup mounting coupling.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention illustrating the jump cup detached from the jump cup mounting coupling.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the key hole track tower of the instant invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the jump cup assembly mounted to a key hole track tower in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention illustrating the jump cup support coupling and jump cup in mating engagement wherein the support coupling defines the channel, or female end, and the jump cup defines the interlocking tab, or male end.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the preferred jump cup support coupling of the instant invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative jump cup support coupling of the instant invention showing a base that hangs over a portion of the interlocking tab.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of alternative embodiment of the jump cup assembly of the instant invention illustrating an invertible jump cup that can be used for circular poles in a first orientation and for poles having at least one flat surface in a second orientation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    With reference to the drawings, FIGS.  2 - 13  depict the preferred and alternative embodiments of the instant invention, which is generally referenced by numeric character  10  or as a jump cup assembly or horse jump system. With reference to FIGS.  2 - 7 , the preferred embodiment of the instant invention  10  comprises a jump cup assembly  11 ,  20  defined by a jump cup  11  and jump cup support coupling  20  having a unique design for releasing the jump cup  11  from the jump system with less resistance than previously known. The horse jump system comprises a pair of opposing and vertically disposed key hole tracks  30 , as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, at least one pair of rotatable jump cup assemblies  11 ,  20  for mounting to the pair of key hole tracks  30  and at least one pole removably positionable in said jump cups  11 . The key hole tracks  30  and pole (not shown) generally comprise components known in the art, except with respect to modifications that accommodate the jump cup assemblies  11 ,  20 , which in combination define a new, useful and non-obvious system.  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS.  2 - 7 , the jump cup assembly  11 ,  20  comprises a jump cup  11  and jump cup support coupling  20 . The jump cup  11  generally comprises a substantially flat base  12  defining an interlocking channel  13  at its upper end, a crescent shaped flange  14  approximately perpendicular to and projecting outward from the base  12  and a pair of support braces  16 ,  18 . The interlocking channel  13  defines an opening  19  for receiving the corresponding interlocking tab  24  that depends from the support coupling  20 . The amount of force required to dislodge the interlocking tab  24  is dictated and controlled by the size of the interlocking channel  13  and opening  19  defined by the channel  13 . The narrower the opening  19  to the interlocking channel  13  the more force that is required to dislodge the jump cup  11  from the support coupling&#39;s interlocking tab  24 , as further explained below. The opening  19  may be adjusted to accommodate local standards and/or rules.  
         [0026]    The jump cup  11  is preferably a single composite piece but may comprise multiple molded pieces. For instance, the base  12  may include a back panel  12   e  joined to the rear of the base  12 , as shown in FIG. 7. The base  12  may include a plurality of extensions or wings for added structural integrity and support for the pole, such as an upper left wing  12   a , upper right wing  12   b , lower left wing  12   c  and lower right wing  12   d . The support braces  16 ,  18  also strengthen the jump cup  11  by bracing the crescent shaped flange  14 . With reference to FIG. 7, the rear surface of the base  12  may include a plurality of projecting retention tabs  15 , preferably one near each corner, to limit or control the amount of lateral or rotational movement of the jump cup support coupling  20  when the jump cup  11  is hit or otherwise caused to pivot.  
         [0027]    With reference to FIGS.  4  to  13 , the jump cup support coupling  20  comprises a header  22 , interlocking tab  24  having an upper narrowed section  23  bridging the lower end of the header  22  and the upper end of the tab  24 , and key track mounting post  27  and knob  28  assembly projecting outward from the rear face of the header  22 . The header  22  comprises a width and thickness that is comparable to that of the support cup base  12  and which provides adequate support for the interlocking tab  24  and mounting post assembly  27 ,  28 , as shown in FIGS.  2 - 7  and  11 . In an alternative embodiment, the header  22  may partially extend below the front surface of the interlocking tab  23 ,  24  to define lips or guards  38 ,  39 , that prevent improper set-up and unwanted dislodgement, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.  
         [0028]    The interlocking tab  24  depends downward from the header  22  and has a narrowed bridge section  23  joining it to the header  22 . The interlocking tab  24  mates with the jump cup interlocking channel  13  such that the jump cup  11  suspends from the tab  24  and support coupling  20  when assembled, as shown in FIG. 4. The diameter or width of the interlocking tab  24  is larger than the width of the jump cup channel opening  19 . The interlocking tab  24  defines a notch or mounting groove  26  from its center outward along a predetermined radial line, and preferably at approximately two hundred and seventy degrees (270°) for biasing when mating with or departing from the channel  13 . The groove  26  divides the lower hemisphere or half of the tab  24  into two biasing members, a left side  24   a  and a right side  24   b . As the width of the tab  24  is larger than the opening  19 , the amount of force required to dislodge the tab  24  is directly related to the tab width to opening  13  width ratio, wherein the force required to dislodge the jump cup  11  increases and decreases with the ratio. When the tab  24  is inserted into or dislodged from the channel  13 , the left side and right side biasing members  24   a ,  24   b  are urged closer together thus narrowing the tab  24  and allowing it to pass through the channel  19 .  
         [0029]    The interlocking coupling  20  includes a mounting post  27  terminated by a knob  28 , a portion of which depends below the post  27  to form a recession. The mounting post  27  projects outward from the rear surface of the header  22  and is substantially perpendicular thereto. The post  27  may comprise an integral component of the header  22  or an attached component. The knob  28  is joined as an integral piece or attached to the outside end of the post  27 . The recession defined between the knob  28  and header  22  reside within the key hole apertures of the posts  30  being used when the support coupling is mounted to a post. The knob  28  also prevents the support coupling  20  from being pulled directly outward.  
         [0030]    The key hole tracks  30  comprise towers or posts having a base  32 , side walls  34 , a rear wall  38  and a plurality of key hole apertures  36 . The apertures  36  are preferably defined in the front wall of the track  30 . The apertures  36  comprise a two tiered opening wherein the upper tier  36   a  is substantially circular and larger than the lower tier  36   b . The upper tier  36   a  should be large enough to receive the knob end  28  of the interlocking coupling  20 . The width of the lower tier  36   b  is smaller than the width or diameter of the knob  28 . Accordingly, the knob  28  can only be removed through the upper tier  36   a . A jump cup support coupling  20  is mounted to a post  30  by inserting the coupling post  27  and knob  28  through the key hole  36  and urging the post  27  downward into the key hole&#39;s lower tier  36   b . In the system of the invention  10 , at least two posts  30  are positioned a predetermined distance apart corresponding to the length of the pole and support couplings  20  are mounted to the posts  30  at corresponding heights that result in a level jump pole. A jump pole is installed by setting each end in a corresponding jump cup  11  such that the pole is level.  
         [0031]    With reference to FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment the invention comprises a modified jump cup  11 ′ and support coupling  20 ′. The jump cup  11 ′ has a base  12 ′ which defines a tab  24 ′ at its upper end, crescent shaped flange  14 ′ and support braces  16 ′,  18 ′. The tab  24 ′ defines a groove  26 ′ at approximately ninety degrees (90°) and a bridge  23 ′. The corresponding alternative support coupling  20 ′ comprises a header  22 ′ defining an interlocking channel  13 ′ at its lower end and post and knob assembly. The support coupling  22 ′ and jump cup  11 ′ are as described with reference to the preferred embodiment except that the support coupling  20 ′ defines the channel  13 ′ and the jump cup  11 ′ defines the interlocking tab  24 ′.  
         [0032]    In another alternative embodiment, the jump cup  11  defines a second channel  13  and opening  19  at the lower end of the base  12  and includes a second flange  17 . The second channel  13  and opening  19  are substantially the same as the first channel  13  and opening  19 . Unlike the crescent shaped flange  14 , the second flange  17  defines an upper flat surface  17   a  that is slightly recessed and two opposing side walls  17   b  and  17   c . The second flange  17  accommodates poles having a flat edge while the crescent shaped flange  14  accommodates round poles.  
         [0033]    The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.