BORDURES POUR PISTES D'ATHLETISME

KERB FOR TRACKS AND THE LIKE FOR LIGHT-ATHLETICS

Abrégé anglais

ABSTRACT
A kerb for running tracks or spring boards which is
resilient and therefore less damaging to athletes in the
event of a fall. The kerb comprises an extruded section
of resilient plastics material having a flat base and two
upright side walls spanned by an arch-like upper section.
A lateral flange in register with one of the side walls
assists location of the kerb against the lateral edge of
a track covering of synthetic material.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A kerb for tracks or spring boards for light athletics,
comprising an elongate section of resilient material having,
with reference to a normal upright orientation, a generally
tubular form with a flat base from the sides of which extend
two upright parallel side walls the upper edges of which
are connected by an arch-like portion, there being a
longitudinal flange extending downwardly from the said
base in register with one of the said side walls.
2. A kerb as defined in Claim 1, wherein the lower face
of the said flat base of the tubular body is provided with
a plurality of lingitudinal ridges or grooves whereby to
assist adhesion of the base to the surface of a track or spring
board.
3. A kerb as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular body
is provided with at least one transverse groove extending
across the said base from one side to the other thereof.

Description

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The present invention relates to kerbs which delimit
the lateral edges of running tracks and spring boards for
light athletics, in particular the present invention relates
to kerbs for running tracks of the type provided with a covering
layer of synthetic material.
Previously known kerbs for marking the lateral edyes
of running tracks have been made from cement in short
sections and these are difficult and expensive to lay,
needing to be bedded in sand or cement, and, moreover, being
hard and rigid they constitute a source of danger for the
athletes; even when covered with a rubber layer, as they
sometimes are, they are still hard enough to cause injury
in the event of a fall.
The object of this invention is to provide a kerb
for running tracks or spring boards, in which the above-
mentioned disadvantages are overcome.
According to the present invention there is provided
a kerb for tracks or spring boards for Iight athletics,
comprising an elongate section of resilient material having,
with reference to a normal upright orientation, a generally
tubular form with a flat base from the sides of which extend
two upright parallel side walls the upper edges of which are
connected by an arch-like portion, there being a longitudinal
flange extending downwardly from the said base in register
with one of the said side walls.
In using a kerb formed as an embodiment of the invention
on a running track covered with a layer of synthetic material
the flat base is secured by adhesive to the upper face of the
synthetic material layer, adjacent the edge thereof, and the
flange is secured by adhesive to the lateral edge of the
synthetic material layer.
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Various other features and advantages of this invention
will become apparent during the course of the following
particular description of a preferred embodiment, in which
reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, and which
is ;provided purely by way of non-restrictive example.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view, in section, of
a kerb formed as an embodiment of this invention; and
Figure 2 is a section view taken on the line II-II
of Figure 1.
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a covering
layer 1 of synthetic material such as one used for the covering
of a track or spring board for light athletics, the lateral
region 2 of which is provided with a kerb 3 formed as an
embodiment of the present invention. The kerb 3 comprises
an extruded section of resilient material, for example PVC,
but may alternatively be a natural or synthetic elastomeric
material. The section includes a generally tubular body 4
having a flat base 6 with two upright side walls 4 and a
curved upper portion 5 spanning the two,upright walls like
an arch. Extending below the base 6 is a flange 7 aligned with
one of the walls 4.
When using the kerb described above the flat base 6
rests on the upper surface of the lateral portion 2 of the
co~ering layer 1 and the flange 7 rests against the lateral
edge of the covering layer 1. The kerb 3 may be secured in
place by means of adhesive applied to the contacting surfaces
of the covering layer 1 and the kerb 3.
In order to improve the grip of the adhesive, the
lowerface 6a of the flat base 6 is formed with a plurality
of longitudinal ridges or grooves ~. The kerb 3 is also
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provided with at least one transverse groove 9 extending
across the base 6 from one side to the other, to serve
as a drainage outlet to allow water to run off the track or
spring board.
sam~o - 4