Seamless Pole Vault Pit Foam Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pole vault pit constructions pose a significant risk of injury due to seams between blocks, particularly at the far end of the pit recess, where the pole can engage and cause accidents.
Innovation Solution
A pole vault pit construction featuring multiple resilient foam blocks secured in a unitary manner, with a front cutout section and contiguous rear landing section, where the blocks have tapered surfaces forming a continuous, seamless inner end and are connected using buckles and hook-and-loop fastener strips to prevent seam-related injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple foam blocks are used to construct the pole vault pit, then the pit can be assembled in modular sections, but seams are created between blocks that pose injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple foam blocks into a unified structure by eliminating seams between them. The blocks are designed with complementary shapes and secured together to form a continuous, seamless surface that prevents pole engagement at joint locations, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of seams while maintaining modular construction benefits
2Reliability
If foam blocks are secured together to form a unitary structure, then seam-related injuries are prevented, but the construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pole vault pit into multiple foam blocks that can be independently manufactured and then secured together using specific fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and transport while the securing mechanisms ensure reliable connection that prevents seam-related injuries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary securing elements such as straps, clips, or interlocking features that mediate between adjacent foam blocks. These intermediaries ensure reliable connection and eliminate gaps or seams that could cause injuries, while the design of these intermediaries aims to minimize overall construction complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The seamless construction reduces the risk of injury by eliminating the potential for the pole to engage with seams, providing a safer landing surface for athletes.
Implementation Method 1
the blocks have a lower surface and an upper surface, adjacent ones of the foam blocks being secured together
Implementation Method 2
multiple resilient foam blocks
Data Source
AI summary
A pole vault pit construction that is formed of multiple resilient foam blocks that are secured in a unitary manner and wherein thee construction is comprised of a front cutout section defining a recess for receiving a pole engager, said front cutout section having an open front end and an inner end, and a contiguous rear landing section. The plurality of foam blocks of the front cutout section include at least one pair of opposed position blocks each having a tapered surface commencing from the upper surface downwardly to the lower surface and in a direction toward the opposed position block so that a cross-section of the recess is essentially trapezoidal. The rear landing section includes at least a center foam block having an uninterrupted tapered surface commencing from the upper surface downwardly to the lower surface and in a direction toward the open front end of the recess.