RACING GATE

Abstract

A race gate has a base and a start bar connected to the base, where the start bar has an elevated start position and a level finish position. A release mechanism interconnects the base and the start bar and retains the start bar in the start position. A controller governs the release mechanism. The controller may be programmable to measure a preset time period and a random time period.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the figures a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a race gate in a start position with a wireless signal.

FIG. 2 illustrates the race gate of FIG. 1 in finish position.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a race gate in a finish position with a mechanical signal.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a race gate in a finish position with a wired signal.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pair of race gates and the associated equipment required to start multiple racers.

Claims

1. A race gate comprising: a base;a start bar connected to said base, said start bar being movable between a start position and a finish position;a release mechanism interconnecting said base and said start bar and being adapted to releasably hold said start bar in said start position;a controller operatively associated with said release mechanism and adapted to control the release of said start bar after a random time period.

2. The race gate of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprising: a timer controlling the release of said start bar via said release mechanism;a receiver operatively associated with said timer; anda transmitter operatively associated with said receiver.

3. The race gate of claim 1 wherein said release mechanism comprising an arm interconnecting said base and said start bar.

4. The race gate of claim 1 wherein said start bar further comprising a peddle, said peddle being adapted to move said start bar from said finish position to said start position.

5. The race gate of claim 2 wherein said receiver further comprising: a first indicator that said receiver has received a signal from said transmitter; anda second indicator that said start bar will move from said start position to said finish position.

6. The race gate of claim 2 wherein said transmitter being operatively associated with said receiver through a signal; wherein said signal being communicated by a method being selected from the group consisting of: mechanically, by wire, wirelessly, or combinations thereof.

7. The race gate of claim 1 wherein said race gate being operatively associated with a plurality of said race gates.

8. The race gate of claim 7 wherein said race gate being operatively associated by a method being selected from the group consisting of: mechanically, by wire, wirelessly, or combinations thereof.

9. The race gates of claim 8 wherein one race gate being a master race gate; wherein said plurality of said race gates being slave race gates.

10. The race gate of claim 1 wherein said controller being adapted to control the release of said start bar after a preset time period and a random time period.

11. A race gate comprising: a base;a start bar connected to said base, said start bar being movable between a start position and a finish position;a release mechanism interconnecting said base and said start bar and being adapted to releasably hold said start bar in said start position;a receiver operatively associated with said release mechanism and adapted to control the release of said start bar;a wireless transmitter operatively associated with said receiver.

12. The race gate of claim 11 wherein said receiver further comprises a timer; said timer being operatively associated with said release mechanism and adapted to control the release of said start bar after a random time period.

13. The race gate of claim 11 wherein said release mechanism comprising an arm interconnecting said base and said start bar.

14. The race gate of claim 11 wherein said start bar further comprising a peddle, said peddle being adapted to move said start bar from said finish position to said start position.

15. The race gate of claim 12 wherein said receiver further comprising: a first indicator that said receiver has received a signal from said wireless transmitter; anda second indicator that said start bar will move from said start position to said finish position.

16. The race gate of claim 11 wherein said race gate being operatively associated with a plurality of said race gates.

17. The race gate of claim 16 wherein said race gate being operatively associated by a method being selected from the group consisting of: mechanically, by wire, wirelessly, or combinations thereof.

18. The race gates of claim 16 wherein one race gate being a master race gate; wherein said plurality of said race gates being slave race gates.

19. The race gate of claim 12 wherein said controller being adapted to control the release of said start bar after a preset time period and a random time period.

20. A race gate comprising: a base;a start bar connected to said base, said start bar being movable between a start position and a finish position;a release mechanism interconnecting said base and said start bar and being adapted to releasably hold said start bar in said start position;said release mechanism comprising an arm interconnecting said base and said start bar;a controller operatively associated with said release mechanism;said controller further comprising:a timer adapted to control the release of said start bar via said release mechanism after a preset time period and a random time period;a receiver operatively associated with said timer; anda wireless transmitter operatively associated with said receiver.