Patent Application
20150053685
The present invention relates to a collapsible barrel and, more particularly, to a collapsible barrel that may be secured to the ground.
Currently, practice barrels are for use in training for equine barrel racing. However, practice barrels are heavy and hard to maneuver. Further, the practice barrels take up valuable storage space when not in use or during transportation. Further, when the barrels are hit by the horse, the barrels move out of position.
As can be seen, there is a need for a lightweight collapsible barrel that may be secured to the ground.
In one aspect of the present invention, a collapsible barrel comprises: a frame comprising at least one compressible wire; a sheath covering the frame forming a barrel shaped body comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall, wherein the top end forms an opening and wherein the bottom end comprises a bottom surface; and at least one eyelet sewn into the sheath at the bottom end of the barrel shaped body, wherein the at least one eyelet is configured to receive a stake, wherein the barrel shaped body is in a compressed form and an expanded form.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a collapsible barrel for use in training for equine barrel racing. The collapsible barrel may include a wire frame and a sheath covering that may form a barrel shaped body. The barrel shaped body may include a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end may include a bottom surface with at least one eyelet. Stakes may be driven into the eyelets to secure the collapsible barrel to the ground.
The present invention may include a collapsible barrel. The collapsible barrel may collapse on itself when not in use so that the barrel may take up less space during storage. Further, the present invention may include a unique bottom portion that is designed so that stakes may hold the barrel in place. This may eliminate the need for heavy objects, and therefore making the present invention easy to transport.
In certain embodiments, the bottom of the present invention may include a cross design or tabs as opposed to a solid bottom. The cross design of the device may make it easier to hang on a wall or to place on a shelf. In certain embodiments, the top cover of the barrel may be detachable and may include an attachment component such as a hook and loop fastener to hold the top in place. This may further facilitate easy access and storage. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a pouch attached inside of the barrel to store the stakes.
Referring to
The barrel shaped body 10 may be in a compressed form and an expanded form. In certain embodiments, the frame 16 may be biased in the expanded form. To convert the barrel shaped body 10 to the compressed form, a user may push the top end and the bottom end together, so that the top end is adjacent to the bottom end.
In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include retention straps 13 attached to at least one of the top end and the bottom end. As illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the bottom end of the barrel shaped body 10 may include at least one eyelet 21. The eyelet 21 may be embedded in the bottom surface 17 of the barrel shaped body 10. However, the eyelet 21 is not restricted to the bottom surface 17 and may be attached anywhere near the bottom end of the barrel shaped body 10. The eyelets 21 may receive a stake 22. Therefore, in the expanded form, a user may drive a stake 22 through the eyelet 21 and into the ground to secure the collapsible barrel to the ground. The present invention may further include strips of cloth 20 sewn to the bottom surface 17. The strips of cloth 20 may include the eyelets 21 and may add additional material to prevent damage. As illustrated in
The present invention may further include a top cover 11, 12 that may be secured to the top end of the barrel shaped body 10. The top cover 11, 12 may cover the top opening. In certain embodiments, the top cover 11 may include an elastic band lip to secure the top cover 11 to the top end of the barrel shaped body 10. In certain embodiments, the top cover 12 may include a hook and loop fastener. In such embodiments, the rim of the top opening may include a hook and loop fastener strip 15. Therefore, the top cover 12 may be secured to the hook and loop fastener strip 15.
In the expanded form, the collapsible barrel may be used during the training of equine barrel racing events. A user may drive the strakes 22 through the eyelets 21 and into the ground. This may secure the compressible barrel to the ground so that the barrels may retain their position when they are hit by the horse or during a strong gust of wind.
The collapsible barrel may be easily compressed into the compressed form. In the compressed form, a user may easily store the collapsible barrel in small spaces. To keep the components together, the collapsible barrel may further include a pocket 14. The pocket 14 may be sewn to the inside surface of the barrel shaped body 10. As illustrated in
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
