초록 ▼

A hurdle which may be readily converted between an erect/in-use state and a collapsed/readily storable state includes a crossbar having adjustable height, and the ability to be converted between a supporting state where one or more support legs maintain the hurdle in an erect position, and a folded

A hurdle which may be readily converted between an erect/in-use state and a collapsed/readily storable state includes a crossbar having adjustable height, and the ability to be converted between a supporting state where one or more support legs maintain the hurdle in an erect position, and a folded state wherein the support legs are folded within the plane of the hurdle so that it will not readily stand erect. Thus, the crossbar may be collapsed to a lowest-height position and the hurdle may be put in its folded state for easy transport and storage, or the support leg(s) may be unfolded to its supporting state and the crossbar may be raised to a desired height so that the hurdle is ready for use. A handle may also be provided for allowing easy collection and transport of multiple hurdles.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends; b. a first strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar; c. a second strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, the second

What is claimed is: 1. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends; b. a first strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar; c. a second strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, the second strut being spaced from the first strut; d. an at least substantially horizontal lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein (1) the support leg terminates in a collar rotatably fit about the first strut, (2) the collar is closely situated between a pair of stops radially protruding from the first strut, and (3) the support leg is movable about the axis of the first strut to move into and out of coplanar alignment with the first strut and the crossbar; e. an elastomeric ring extending about the first strut between the collar and one of the stops, whereby the elastomeric ring bears against the collar and resists rotation of the collar about the first strut. 2. The hurdle of claim 1 wherein the support leg is rotatable about the axis of the first strut. 3. The hurdle of claim 1 wherein each strut includes: a. first and second strut members adjacently situated in slidable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by sliding its strut members relative to each other, and b. locking means for locking the first and second strut members together at discretely spaced locations. 4. The hurdle of claim 3 wherein: a. the second strut member includes spaced indentations defined along its length, and b. the locking means includes a locking member elastically biased to extend from the first strut member into one of the indentations of the second strut member. 5. The hurdle of claim 4 wherein the locking member is elastically biased by an elastic band extending about the first strut member. 6. The hurdle of claim 5 wherein the elastic band is a helical spring extending about the first strut member. 7. The hurdle of claim 5 wherein the second strut member is telescopically situated within the first strut member. 8. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends; b. a first strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar; c. a second strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, the second strut being spaced from the first strut; d. an at least substantially horizontal lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein the support leg is movable about the axis of the first strut to move into and out of coplanar alignment with the first strut and the crossbar, wherein each strut includes: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in slidable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by sliding its strut members relative to each other, and wherein: i. the first strut member has a locking aperture, and ii. the second strut member includes spaced indentations defined along its length; (2) a locking member with a curved surface elastically biased to extend through the locking aperture in the first strut member and at least partially through one of the indentations of the second strut member, wherein the locking member is elastically biased by an elastic band at least partially encircling the first strut member, whereby the locking member defeatably maintains the first and second strut members together. 9. The hurdle of claim 8 wherein the elastic band is a helical spring. 10. The hurdle of claim 8 wherein the elastic band also extends about the second strut member. 11. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends, wherein the crossbar includes a handle aperture extending through the crossbar between the bar ends; b. a first strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar; c. a second strut descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, the second strut being spaced from the first strut; d. an at least substantially horizontal lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein the support leg is movable about the axis of the first strut to move into and out of coplanar alignment with the first strut and the crossbar; and e. a collection handle having a shaft sized to extend through the handle aperture, wherein the shaft of the collection handle further includes: (1) a first end sized such that it cannot extend through the handle aperture, and (2) a second end: i. ordinarily sized to extend through the handle aperture, and ii. reconfigurable to a size that cannot extend through the handle aperture. 12. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends; b. spaced first and second struts descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, each strut including: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in translatable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by translating its strut members relative to each other, and (2) a locking member elastically biased to extend from the first strut member and at least partially through the second strut member, wherein the locking member is elastically biased by an elastic band extending about the first strut member and through the locking member, whereby the locking member defeatably maintains the first and second strut members together; and c. a lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein the second strut member includes indentations defined therein into which the locking member extends, the indentations being spaced along its length. 13. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the first strut member includes a locking aperture defined therein through which the locking member extends. 14. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the elastic band is a helical spring. 15. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the elastic band also extends about the second strut member. 16. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the second strut member is telescopically situated within the first strut. 17. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the support leg is movable about the axis of the first strut to move into and out of coplanar alignment with the first strut and the crossbar. 18. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the support leg is movable with respect to the upper crossbar between: a. a folded state wherein the outer leg end is situated at least substantially within a plane common to the first and second struts, and b. a supporting state wherein the outer leg end is situated out of a plane common to the first and second struts. 19. The hurdle of claim 12 wherein the support leg is rotatable about the axis of the first strut. 20. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends; b. spaced first and second struts descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, each strut including: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in translatable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by translating its strut members relative to each other, and (2) a locking member elastically biased to extend from the first strut member and at least partially through the second strut member, whereby the locking member defeatably maintains the first and second strut members together; c. a lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein (1) the support leg terminates in a collar rotatably fit about the first strut, and (2) the collar is closely situated between a pair of stops radially protruding from the first strut; d. an elastomeric ring extending about the first strut between the collar and one of the stops, whereby the elastomeric ring bears against the collar and resists rotation of the collar about the first strut. 21. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends, wherein the crossbar includes a handle aperture extending through the crossbar between the bar ends; b. spaced first and second struts descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, each strut including: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in translatable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by translating its strut members relative to each other, and (2) a locking member elastically biased to extend from the first strut member and at least partially through the second strut member, whereby the locking member defeatably maintains the first and second strut members together; c. a lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut; and d. a collection handle having a shaft sized to extend through the handle aperture, wherein the shaft of the collection handle further includes: (1) a first end sized such that it cannot extend through the handle aperture, and (2) a second end: i. ordinarily sized to extend through the handle aperture, and ii. reconfigurable to a size that cannot extend through the handle aperture. 22. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends; b. spaced first and second struts descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, each strut including: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in slidable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by sliding its strut members relative to each other, and (2) locking means for locking the first and second strut members together at discretely spaced locations, c. an at least substantially horizontal lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein the lower support leg: (1) is movable about the axis of the first strut to move into and out of coplanar alignment with the first strut and the crossbar, and (2) terminates in a collar rotatably fit about the first strut, wherein the collar is closely situated between a pair of stops radially protruding from the first strut, d. an elastomeric ring extending about the first strut between the collar and one of the stops, whereby the elastomeric ring bears against the collar and resists rotation of the collar about the first strut. 23. The hurdle of claim 22 wherein the support leg is rotatable about the axis of the first strut. 24. The hurdle of claim 22 wherein: a. the second strut member includes indentations spaced along its length, and b. the locking means includes a locking member extending from the first strut member into one of the indentations on the first strut member. 25. The hurdle of claim 24 wherein: a. the locking member is elastically biased to extend from the first strut member into one of the indentations on the second strut member, and b. the locking member has a curved surface extending into this indentation. 26. The hurdle of claim 24 wherein the first strut member includes a locking aperture through which the locking member extends. 27. The hurdle of claim 26 wherein the locking member is elastically biased to extend through the locking aperture and into one of the indentations on the second strut member. 28. The hurdle of claim 27 wherein the locking member is elastically biased by an elastic band extending about the first strut member. 29. The hurdle of claim 28 wherein the elastic band also extends about the second strut member. 30. The hurdle of claim 28 wherein the elastic band is a helical spring. 31. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends, wherein the crossbar includes a handle aperture extending through the crossbar between the bar ends, b. spaced first and second struts descending at least substantially vertically from the crossbar, each strut including: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in slidable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by sliding its strut members relative to each other, and (2) locking means for locking the first and second strut members together at discretely spaced locations, c. an at least substantially horizontal lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut, wherein the lower support leg is movable about the axis of the first strut to move into and out of coplanar alignment with the first strut and the crossbar; and d. a collection handle having a shaft sized to extend through the handle aperture. 32. The hurdle of claim 31 wherein the shaft of the collection handle further includes: a. a first end sized such that it cannot extend through the handle aperture, and b. a second end: (1) ordinarily sized to extend through the handle aperture, and (2) reconfigurable to a size that cannot extend through the handle aperture. 33. A hurdle comprising: a. an at least substantially horizontal upper crossbar having opposing bar ends, wherein the crossbar includes a handle aperture extending through the crossbar between the bar ends; b. spaced first and second struts descending from the crossbar, wherein each strut includes: (1) first and second strut members adjacently situated in slidable relationship, whereby each strut may be raised and lowered by sliding its strut members relative to each other, and (2) a locking member which defeatably engages the first and second strut members together at discretely spaced locations along the length of the second strut; and and wherein: i. the second strut member includes indentations defined therein, the indentations being discretely spaced along the length of the second strut member, and ii. the locking member is elastically biased to extend from the first strut member into one of the indentations of the second strut member; c. a lower support leg extending from the first strut at or near the bottom of the first strut and terminating at an outer leg end, wherein the lower support leg is movable with respect to the upper crossbar between: (1) a folded state wherein the outer leg end is situated at least substantially within a plane common to the first and second struts, and (2) a supporting state wherein the outer leg end is situated out of a plane common to the first and second struts, and wherein an elastomeric member situated on the first strut bears against the support leg and resists motion of the support leg between the folded and supporting states; d. a collection handle having a shaft sized to extend through the handle aperture. 34. The hurdle of claim 33 wherein the shaft of the collection handle further includes: a. a first end sized such that it cannot fit through the handle aperture, and b. a second end movable into and out of coaxial relationship with the shaft. 35. The hurdle of claim 33 wherein the lower support leg is rotatable about the axis of the first strut. 36. The hurdle of claim 33 wherein the elastomeric member is an elastomeric ring extending about the first strut.