Rotating Dual Equestrian Jump Cup

Abstract

A jump cup for equestrian activities includes two curved plates for supporting the ends of two jump poles and two hinges that allow the two curved plates to rotate independently from each other and to a single pinned attachment point to a conventional jump standard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional wooden jump standard showing the placement of a conventional jump cup and jump pole.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional jump cup with a single concave plate affixed to the U shaped flange that is used to affix the jump cup assembly to a jump standard and supporting a single jump pole.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dual rotating jump cup invention.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the dual rotating jump cup invention. The three views represent the different angles that the dual jump cups can be independently positioned to hold two jump poles.

Dual Rotating Jump Cup with pin attachment drawing is a drawing showing the dimensions and detailed part drawings for the Dual Rotating Jump Cup assembly's components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A dual rotating jump cup assembly 30 according to Figure Three can hold a two jump poles and be affixed to a single jump standard. The jump cup 30 can be rotated to any variable angle from zero to 90 degrees. This allows the jump poles to have a variable spread for the horse to jump over. The dual rotating jump cup assembly consists of two concave plates 31, two jump cup backing plates 32, two jump cup hinges 33, and one U shaped flange 34 with a pair of alignment holes 35 which are used in conjunction with a pin to affix the dual rotating jump cup assembly to a single standard. FIG. 4 shows three typical positions of an infinite number of angles that the jump cups can be positioned to hold jump poles. When the dual jump cups are positioned at 90 degree or greater to the 180 degree setting, the jump poles and standards can be used as individual jumping fences or to create a barrier fence when creating a jump chute for free jumping of horses.

Construction Materials

The dual rotating jump cup assembly construction materials are to be made of steel or plastic such as polypropylene.

Alternate Pin Attachment Design

An alternate design to the pinned attachment design is a peg style design. The peg style consists of two pegs that are mounted to the flat back plate in lieu of the U shaped flange. The pegs are locked into slotted holes on the metal receiver flange used on the peg style jump standard. Reference: Dual Rotating Jump Cup with peg attachment drawing.

Definitions:

Horse Jumping Obstacles

Various obstacles are found in competitive sports involving Horse jumping. These include show jumping, hunter, and the cross-country phase of the equestrian discipline of eventing. The size and type of obstacles vary depending on the course and the level of the horse and rider, but all horses must successfully negotiate these obstacles in order to complete a competition. Fences used in hunter and eventing are generally made to look relatively rustic and natural.

In jumping competition, they are often brightly colored and creatively designed. In hunter and jumper competition, obstacles are constructed to fall down if struck by the horse. In eventing, they are built to be solid, though for safety, certain elements may be designed to break away if hit. (Ref. Wikipedia)

Jump Standard

Typically a 4″×4″ wooden column with support base with thru holes vertically spaced at a distance of 3″ on center. The holes provide way to attach a jump to the wooden standard.

Jump Cup

A formed metal assembly designed to have a curved cup to support a jump pole and an U shaped attachment plate so the assembly can be attached to a jump standard with a pin.

Jump Pole

A wooden pole approximately 12 feet long placed in the cradle of a jump cup on opposing two jump standards to form a horse jumping obstacle.

Free Jumping

Free jumping or loose jumping is the practice of jumping a horse without a rider. It is often conducted in a chute and is used most often to evaluate the jumping ability of horses too young to jump under saddle.[1] The correlations between free jumping and eventual success in show jumping competition have been the subject of several studies. Free jumping is used as a diagnostic tool by most warmblood breeding societies to evaluate jumping prowess in breeding stock. This practice is used to build a horse's confidence over jumps without a rider's interference, to evaluate a horses jumping ability, or to showcase a horse that is for sale. This training method is used in a variety of ways, both professionally and recreationally. Free jumping is also done competitively, primarily with younger horses that are not old enough for a rider or just beginning their jumping career. (Ref. Wikipedia)

Jump Chute

A jump chute consists of all the jumps in the line as well as a small stretch for entry and exit so the horse approaches and leaves the jumps straight. The width of the chute is the width of the poles for the jumps. The “walls” of the chutes usually consist of jumping poles at a height above the highest jump with additional poles underneath if there is a chance the horse will try to go under the poles. (Ref. Wikipedia)

Corner Obstacle

Also called an apex, corner fences are in a triangular shape with the horse jumping over one corner of the triangle. They are similar to the “fan” jump seen in show-jumping. As the name suggests, the fence makes a “V” shape, which can have an angle up to 90 degrees. At novice levels, the fence is formed by two angled fences, open in the center while more advanced designs have a solid triangular cover. The corner is meant to be jumped on a line perpendicular to an imaginary bisecting line of the angle,[1] and as close to the narrow apex as possible while still far enough in on the jump that the horse knows he is supposed to go over it. If the rider aims too far toward the wider section of the obstacle, it may be too wide for the horse to clear it. This usually results in a stop or run out, although some of the braver horses might “bank” a solid corner fence (touching down on it before quickly jumping off). This is not desirable, as the horse is more likely to slip, catch a leg, or fall. If the rider aims too far toward the apex, it is very easy for the horse to run right past, especially if is unsure as to whether he is to jump the obstacle. Due to their relative difficulty, the corner is not seen at the lowest levels. The corner is a precision fence, requiring accurate riding and good training, with the horse straight and between the rider's aids. Due to the build of the fence, an uncommitted horse and rider pair may have a run-out at this type of obstacle. It is best that the rider use their aids to “block” the horse from running out to the side, with a strong contact to prevent the shoulders from popping, and a supporting leg. (Ref. Wikipedia)

Vertical Jump

Vertical (or upright)—a jump that consists of poles or planks placed one directly above another with no spread, or width, to jump. (Ref. Wikipedia)

Reference Information:

Reference: Dual Rotating Jump Cup with pin attachment drawing.

Reference: Dual Rotating Jump Cup with peg attachment drawing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,583 JUMP CUP ADAPTED TO BE MANIPULATED BY ONE HAND

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,093 EQUESTRIAN JUMP AND BRACKET FOR CREATING AN ANGULAR OBSTACLE

Horse jumping obstacles:

See Wikipedia Section 8—Corners http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_jumping_obstacles

Free Jumping Definition:

See Wikipedia—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_jumping

Claims

1. An equestrian jump cup attachable to an equestrian jump standard to support an equestrian jump pole, the equestrian jump cup comprising: a curved plate dimensioned to support an end of an equestrian jump pole;a mounting member attachable to the equestrian jump standard; anda hinge between the curved plate and the mounting member so that the curved plate is rotatable relative to the mounting member so that jump pole can be positioned at different angles relative to the jump standard.

2. The equestrian jump cup of claim 1 wherein two curved plates a positioned on opposite sides of the mounting member, each curved plate being attachable to the mounting member by a hinge so that the two curved plates can be independently rotatable relative to the mounting member so that two jump poles can be positioned at different angles relative to one jump standard.

3. The equestrian jump cup of claim 1 wherein the mounting member includes at least one opening for receipt of a pin, so that the jump cup can be pinned to the jump standard.

4. The equestrian jump cup of claim 3 wherein the mounting member comprises a U-shaped flange.

5. The equestrian jump cup of claim 1 wherein each curved plate comprises a concave member with an upwardly facing concave surface in which a jump standard is supportable.

6. The equestrian jump cup of claim 1 wherein the jump cup is rotatable through an angle of at least ninety degrees relative to the mounting member.

7. The equestrian jump cup of claim 1 wherein the hinge extends vertically parallel to the jump standard on which the jump cup is mountable.

8. The equestrian jump cup of claim 1 wherein the curved plate comprises a plastic member.

9. An equestrian jump corner obstacle comprising: two equestrian jump poles extending at acute angles relative to each other;a single corner jump standard with the two jump poles extending at acute angles away from the single corner jump standard;two end jump standards forming end supports for the two jump poles, the two end jump standards being positioned on opposite angled positions relative to the single corner jump standard;a jump cup mounted on the single corner jump standard, the jump cup comprising a mounting member with two curved plates hinged relative to the mounting member and supporting ends of the jump poles adjacent the single corner jump standard.

10. The equestrian jump corner obstacle of claim 9 wherein the mounting member is pinned relative to the single corner jump standard.

11. The equestrian jump corner obstacle of claim 9 wherein hinged jump cups are mounted on the two end jump standards to support ends of the two jump poles.

12. The equestrian jump corner obstacle of claim 9 wherein the curved plates comprise concave plates with concave surfaces facing upwardly to support an end of a jump pole.

13. The equestrian jump cup corner obstacle of claim 9 wherein hinges mounting the curved plates to the mounting members extend vertically parallel to the jump standard on which the jump cup is mountable.

14. An equestrian jump obstacle comprising: two equestrian jump poles;two end jump standards forming end supports for the two jump poles;a single inner jump standard with the two jump poles extending in opposite directions away from the from the single interior jump standard;a jump cup mounted on the single inner jump standard, the jump cup comprising a mounting member with two curved plates hinged relative to the mounting member and supporting ends of the jump poles adjacent the single corner jump standard so that the jump poles can extend away from the single inner jump standard and any angle up to one hundred eighty degrees, depending upon the relative positions of the two end jump standards.