US3329426A

US3329426A - Diving board construction

Info

Publication number: US3329426A
Application number: US343074A
Authority: US
Inventors: John T Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-02-06
Filing date: 1964-02-06
Publication date: 1967-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1984-07-04

Description

July 4, 1967 .1. T. MARSHALL DIVING BOARD CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1964 J O C INVENTOR JOHN T- MARSHALL AGENT July 4, 1967 J. T. MARSHALL 3,329,426

DIVING BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 k i I (J J I I j- I O 1 L J 42 l- T' 43 44 i 0 o l 1/ I INVENTOR.

JOHN T- MARSHALL AGENT United States Patent 3,329,426 DIVING BOARD CONSTRUCTION John T. Marshall, 9306 Forest Hills Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33612 Filed Feb. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 343,074 5 Claims. (Cl. 272--66) The present invention relates to a diving board construction, and more particular-1y, to a new and novel diving board construction extremely simple in design, cheap in cost, and which will provide maximum utility to all users regardless of weight or size.

Diving boards heretofore employed have, in general, consisted of a straight board made of either metal or wood, which is bolted or otherwise secured at one end to a base or support member adjacent the edge of a swimming pool or other body of water. A cross member which functions as a fulcrum is in engagement with the undersurface thereof and supports the board between the attached end and the free end. To derive a spring from the board in the execution of a dive into a swimming pool or the like, the user strides down the board to the free end, jumps upwardly, and comes down into contact with the free end of the board, forcing the free end downwardly from the fulcrum point. The user is then carried or sprung upwardly into the air as the board returns upwardly to its normal position to execute the desired dive and enter the water.

Prior diving boards have been made in various grades and qualities. For example, in competitive diving, in which the divers execute intricate turns, twists, and the like while in the air, the diving boards employed are carefully made from special woods and the like and are quite expensive in cost as well as expensive to maintain in proper condition. Moreover, such expensive boards are designed and mounted for use for people generally in the same weight class in order to achieve the maximum spring derivable from the boards. As a result, such expensive boards would be impractical to use, not only from a cost standpoint, but from an operational standpoint at swimming pools, lakes, or the like where the users will range from lightweight children up to adults.

The diving boards generally employed, therefore, at the many private and public pools found in motels, homes, clubs, and like recreational areas, have been relatively cheap in cost and design and have been objectionable since the full and proper degree of spring from such boards is not achieved by all users. In a pool where the users will range from children to adults, it is impossible for a single board of prior design to impart the same degree of spring to all persons due to the wide variance in the weights of the users involved. For example, a diving board that would give the maximum degree of spring when used by an adult would give virtually no spring to a lightweight child due to his inability to materially flex the board. This use of a board designed primarily for adults also creates a hazard to a lightweight user in that the failure to obtain the expected spring can oftentimes throw the child off balance causing him to enter the water in an uncontrolled manner. Moreover, a spring board that is of sufficient flexibility to permit a child to obtain a maximum degree of spring is also undesirable to an adult since it results in a throwing of the adult to such an extent that he likewise will oftentimes lose his control during the dive. Furthermore, such a flexible board would be subject to possible breaking when used by a heavy person. Thus, the diving boards marketed for general use by the public heretofore have been on a compromise basis in which the boards impart a certain degree of spring to all users, but never provide the proper maximum degree of spring to any one group.

3,329,426 Patented July 4, 1967 "ice As a result, up to the present time there is not a diving board construction available that is simple in design, inexpensive in cost, assembly, and maintenance, and can be utilized fully to achieve the proper degree of spring regardless of the weight of the user.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention, in the elimination of the foregoing and related disadvantages, to provide a new and novel diving board construction.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that is inexpensive in cost, installation, and maintenance.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that can be utilized fully at the pools at all motels, clubs, private homes, and the like, regardless of the size thereof.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that will possess an extremely long life, regardless of the extent of use, and is virtually unbreakable.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that may be employed by any person safely and effectively, regardless of the age, weight, or diving ability of the user.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction which will impart the maximum degree of spring to all users, regardless of age or weight of such users.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that is completely safe to use without the possibility of harm regardless of the age, weight or diving ability of the user.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that will facilitate the attainment of diving skill more quickly and with less effort than with prior diving boards.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a diving board construction that is portable and can be moved from one area to another easily and quickly.

Other and additional objects will become manifest from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Broadly stated, the diving board construction of the present invention comprises a top spring metal board member, a bottom board member integrally secured at one end to one end of said top board member and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom in reverse bend relationship, a plurality of metal spring portions integrally secured to said bottom board member and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in the direction of the undersurface of said top board member, said spring metal portions being vertically spaced with respect to one another to provide a plurality of vertically spaced bearing points for the top board member upon the downward movement thereof, and means for securing said bottom board member to a support.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in the carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

The present invention is illustrated, by way of exemple, in the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a diving board construction made in accordance with the present invention illustrating the association of the diving board with a jumping stand.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the diving board shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the diving board construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of a diving board apparatus made in accordance with the present invention in which the diving board is in one piece.

Reference is now to be had to the drawings, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, wherein a diving board apparatus made in accordance with the present invention and generally designated by reference numeral is shown. The diving board apparatus 10 may be made of any suitable metal possessing a degree of strength and rigidity and yet capable of being sufliciently resilient to be flexed without deformation thereof. A suitable metal found to meet these requirements is spring steel, although it is to be clearly understood that other metals meeting these requirements may be employed equally as well.

The diving board construction 10, as illustrated, comprises a top spring metal board member, generally designated by reference numeral 11, which functions as the main flexing or springing portion of the diving apparatus. The top spring metal board member 11, as illustrated, is inclined upwardly and includes five

metal strip members

12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of substantially the same length and width lying in side by side relationship to one another. The strip members 12-16 are held in tight side by side relationship with one another, to form the top board member 11 by a metal band 17 or like connecting member secured thereto by riveting, bolting, or the like, and extending therearound in encircling relationship therewith. As illustrated, the metal strips are five in number. However, it is to be clearly understood that any suitable number of strips may be employed. Five is the number preferred since this makes it possible, as will be described more fully hereinafter, to provide three separate fulcrum points. However, if more or less fulcrum points are desired, the number of strips may be increased or decreased accordingly. This construction results in a unitary top board member in which the strip members are held in fixed relationship to one another and will move as one. Secured to the top surface of the forward free end of the formed top board member 11 in any suitable manner is a mat 18 which provides the surface which a diver will engage when using the diving apparatus.

Each of the metal strips 12-16 at the end remote from the end receiving the mat 18 is reversely bent uniformly forming an arcuate end portion generally designated by reference numeral 19. Each of the metal strips 12-16 extend :downwardly and outwardly from the reversely bent arcuate end portion 19 forming a bottom or base member, generally designated by reference numeral 20, which lies in spaced substantially vertical alignment with the spring metal board member 11. The base member 20 functions to provide a bottom support for the top member 11 and will lie in angular relationship thereto. If desired, the base member 20' may be provided with a band such as hand 17 to positively insure the retention of the strips 12-16 in tight side by side engagement.

The end of each of the metal strips 12-16 remote from the reversely bent end portion 19 is bent upwardly and forwardly for a short distance to form a mounting member, generally designated by reference numeral 21, which will lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the support member to which the diving apparatus 10 Will be connected. The mounting member 21 is secured, as illustrated, to a support member S by means of bolts 22 passing through each of the strips 12-16 into the support member S. The support member S may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, metal, wood, concrete, or the like, and may be of any desired configuration or design. The support S, for example, may be permanently attached or detachably secured to the pool structure, or may be of concrete integrally formed with the pool during the formation of same. However, as will become apparent hereinafter, the support S may be part of the frame a diver will employ when using the diving construction 10 of the present invention. In such an event, the base of the frame receiving the support member S should be sufliciently heavy to insure rigidity for the entire assembly during the use of the diving construction 10. Alternatively, the base of the frame may be bolted or otherwise connected to the pool which will permit ready detachment of the frame therefrom when same is to be moved. The construction just described results in a spring metal diving board which extends upwardly in inclined relation to the normal horizontal plane of the swimming pool. The diving board is secured to a support by a bottom or base board member integrally formed therewith in a reverse bend relationship and which extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom and in vertical alignment with the diving board.

As illustrated, the diving board apparatus 10 is provided with three vertically spaced and horizontally staggered fulcrums or hearing points against which the top board member 11 will contact when the apparatus is being used. As hereinbefore indicated, the number of fulcrum points may, if desired, be greater or lesser in number. Three fulcrum points are preferred, since this, in general, will provide a maximum degree of spring for children, youths, and adults, as separate groups independent of one another. To provide the necessary fulcrum points, each of the metal strips 12-16 is bent upwardly and forwardly from the formed mounting member 21 in different angular relationship to one another in the direction of but stopping short of the undersurface of the formed top board member 11.

To form the fulcrum point for children of lighter weight, the portion of the central strip 14 bent upwardly is of a length less than the length of the remaining

strips

12, 13, 15, and 16, and is bent upwardly at a greater angle to the horizontal than the remaining strips. The central strip 14 is centrally disposed beneath the top board member and has its free end curved outwardly and downwardly forming a hearing or fulcrum point A which will engage the center of the undersurface of the top board member 11 at a point rearwardly of the free end thereof when same is depressed downwardly. This arrangement of the central strip 14 forms the first fulcrum point which will be higher and spaced rearwardly from the free end of the top board member 11 for a distance greater than the remaining fulcrum points.

To form the second fulcrum point, the inside strips 13 and 15 are bent upwardly and outwardly identically, but at an angle with respect to the horizontal less than that of the central strip 14. The

strips

13 and 15 also are of a length greater than the central strip 14 but of lesser length than the remaining outside strips 12 and 16. The free ends of the inside strips 13 and 15 are bent downwardly and outwardly identically forming bearing or fulcrum points B laterally spaced from one another, and which will engage the undersurface of the top board member 11 when same is depressed on each side of the central portion thereof. The fulcrum points B lie below and forwardly of the fulcrum point A and function to provide the maximum degree of spring to persons of intermediate weight.

The third fulcrum point is formed by bending the outside strips upwardly and outwardly at an angle to the horizontal less than the angle of the inside strips 13 and 15. The

strips

12 and 16, as hereinbefore indicated, are also longer than the inside strips 13 and 15. The free ends of each of the outside strips 12 and 16 are bent downwardly and outwardly forming hearing or fulcrum points C which are laterally spaced from one another and will engage the undersurface of the top board member 11 on either side thereof when same is depressed fully. The fulcrum points C lie below and forwardly of the fulcrum points B and function to provide the maximum degree of spring to persons of heavier weight, such as adults.

As will be observed, the construction just described provides a metal spring board construction which possesses three fulcrum points which are spaced vertically with respect to one another as well as being spaced horizontally from one another to engage the undersurface of the top board member 11 at different points when same is depressed. For example, when the dividing board construction is used by a small child, the top board member 11 will be depressed only a short distance downwardly and will engage the fulcrum point A at a point rearwardly of the free end of the top board member 11 more remote than the other two fulcrum points. Similarly, when a person of intermediate weight employs the diving board, the top board member 11 will engage the fulcrum point A and the fulcrum points B, with the fulcrum points B engaging the undersurface of the board member 11 at points forwardly from the fulcrum point A toward the free end of the top board member 11. When a person of heavy weight employs the top board construction, the undersurface of the top board member 11 will engage the fulcrum points A and B, and then the fulcrum points C, with the fulcrum points C being nearer the forward free end of the top board member 11 than the other two points. This construction permits persons of all weights to achieve a maximum degree of spring, which has not been possible with diving board constructions heretofore.

To utilize the spring board construction 10, a platform frame construction, generally designated by reference numeral 25, is associated with the diving board construction in a manner best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, The platform frame may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, wood, metal, or the like. Similarly, as hereinbefore indicated, the diving board construction 10 may be secured to the frame 25 such that the frame 25 and the diving board construction 10 may be secured to the support S in the manner hereinbefore described, and the frame 25 merely associated with the support S in a non-secured relationship.

The platform frame 25 comprises a pair of front vertical corner posts 26 which are positioned on either side of the dividing board construction 10 and extend to a height above the top board member 11. The front corner posts 26 also are positioned rearwardly of the free end of the top board member 11 for a distance suflicient for a person jumping from the top of the top frame member to engage the mat 18 secured to the top surface of the top board member 11. A pair of rear vertical corner posts 27 are rearwardly positioned from the front corner posts 26 and provide a rectilinear frame configuration therewith. A top member 28 is secured by any suitable means, such as, for example, bolting, nailing, riveting, or the like, to the top free ends of each of the corner posts 26 and 27 and provides the platform from which a diver using the diving board apparatus 10 will jump. The bottom free ends of each of the corner posts 26 and 27 may be provided with bottom connecting members if desired to insure rigidity to the frame 25. The bottom connecting members will be needed in the event the support S is to be secured or connected to the frame construction to provide a unitary portable assembly. In this event, the support S may be secured by bolting or the like to each bottom support member connecting each front vertical member 26 with its corresponding rear vertical member 27. Alternatively, as hereinbefore indicated, the support member S may be positioned independently of the frame 25 in non-connected relationship.

To provide access to the platform frame 25, a step construction, generally designated by reference numeral 30, is connected or otherwise associated to the top frame member 25. As illustrated, the step construction 30 is positioned to the rear of the platform frame 25. However, it is to be clearly understood that the step construction may be in the form of a ladder mounted on the side of the top frame member in detachable relationship, or may be made integral with the top frame member 25. In order to provide additional height from which a diver may drop onto the spring board construction 10 to achieve greater spring, auxiliary platforms are shown in broken lines on top of the top frame member 28 and designated generally by reference numeral 31. By the use of the auxiliary platforms 31, an older or more skillful diver can drop for a greater distance onto the top board member 11 and achieve much greater lift to execute more intricate dives.

In the operation of the diving board construction 10 of the present invention, the diver will mount the platform frame 25 by means of the step or ladder construction 30 and will move to the forward edge of the top frame member 28. The diver will then jump up and outwardly and drop onto the mat 18 secured to the forward free end of the top board member 11. Depending upon the weight of the diver, the top board member 11 will be forced downwardly bending initially from the reverse bend portion 19 until it engages one or more of the fulcrum points. For example, with a person of intermediate weight, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, the top board member 11 will engage the fulcrum point A and the fulcrum points B. With the downward movement and bending of the top board member 11, the bottom board member 20 and the reverse bend portion 19 will move downwardly with the bottom board member pivoting at the point of attachment of the bottom board member 20 to the support S. correspondingly, the forward free ends of the

strips

13, 14, and 15 forming fulcrum points A and B will be placed under tension when in engagement with the undersurface of the top board member 11. The top board member 11 will then move upwardly due to release of tension to return to its normal position, lifting the diver upwardly and forwardly into the air to considerable heights to execute the dive intended.

In the event a heavier person utilizes a diving board construction, the top board member 11 will engage all three fulcrum points A, B, and C, with the bottom member 20 being moved downwardly for a greater distance, and when the top board member 11 moves upwardly, the diver will be thrown to a maximum height to execute the desired dive. It is thus seen that the diving board construction of the present invention provides a diver, regardless of his weight or technical skill, a diving board construction which will elevate him to, a maximum height freely and easily, which has not been possible heretofore from a single diving construction.

Reference is now to be had to FIG. 4 wherein a modified form of the diving board apparatus made in accord ance with the present invention is shown. In this form of the invention, the diving board apparatus comprises a top board member, generally designated by reference numeral 35, which is in the form of .a single piece of spring metal rather than in a form of aplurality of strips, as shown in the form of the invention in FIG. 1. The top board member 35 is reversely bent forming a reverse bend portion 36 in a manner identical with the reverse bend portion 19 of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, with the exception that it is a unitary one-piece bend portion. A bottom board member 37 is integrally secured to the reverse bend portion 36 and extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom and in vertical alignment with the top board member 11 in a manner similar to the bottom 'board member 20 of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, with the exception that it is also in one-piece.

The forward free end of the bottom member 37 remote from the reverse bend portion 36 is secured to the support S by a plurality of bolts or the like in a manner similar to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3. The free end of the bottom board member 36 forwardly of the support S is integrally secured to five

metal strip members

40, 41, 42, 43, and 44. Each of these strip members 4044 is identical in angular arrangement, configuration,

and dimension with the strips 12-16 forming the fulcrum points A, B, and C in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, and will form likewise fulcrum points A, B, and C identical with those of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3. Alternatively, if desired, the strip members 4044 may be in non-integral relationship with the bottom board member 37.In such event, the

strip members

40 and 44 may be secured to the support S immediately forward of the bottom member 37. The advantage of themodified form of the invention is that it will enable the diving construction to be made in a form of a one-piece metal board member rather than a plurality of strips secured to one another. The operation of the modified form of the invention will be the same.

Whilelthere have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that come within the meaning and range, of equivalency of the claims are intended to be included therein.

I claim:

1. A diving board construction comprising metal strips in side by side relationship, said strips including a center strip, a pair of inner strips on each side of said center strip, and a pair of outer strips on each side of said inner strips, means retaining said metal strips in tight side by side engagement with one another forming a top board member, each of said strips being reversely bent and extending first downwardly and outwardly forming a rear bottom board member lying in vertical alignment with and extending downwardly and outwardly from said top board member, means adjacent the opposite end of said formed rear bottom board member for securing same to -a support, each of said strips extending upwardly and outwardly from the opposite end of the formed rear bottom board member in the direction of the undersurface of said top board member, the center strip being of a length less than the length of the other strips and at an angle to the horizontal greater than the other strips, the inner strip on either side of said middle strip being of a length less than the length of the remaining outer strips and at an angle to the horizontal greater, than that of the outer strips, the free. ends of the. center strip, the pair of inner strips and the pair of outer strips being bent outwardly and downwardly forming first, second, and third fulcrum points respectively, said first, second, and third fulcrum points being vertically and horizontally spaced from one another with said first fulcrum point being closer to the undersurface of said top board member and more remote from the free end thereof than the remaining fulcrum points, whereby the resiliency of the metal board and the strip members will impart the maximum degree of spring to all users.

2. A diving board construction comprising a metal top board member, a metal bottom board member integrally secured at one end to one end of said top boar-d member in reverse bend relationship therewith and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom and in vertical alignment therewith, a plurality of metal strips in association with the other end of said bottom board member and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in a direction away from said bottom board member and in the direction of the unde-rsurface of the forward free end of the top board member, certain of said strips being of a length less than and at an angle to the horizontal greater than other of said strips, the free ends of said strips being bent outwardly and downwardly forming a plurality of fulcrum points, each of said fulcrum points being vertically spaced and horizontally spaced from one another whereby the resiliency of the top board member and the strips will impart the maximum degree of spring to all users, and means for securing said bottom board member to a support adjacent its point of association with said strip means.

3. A diving boar-d construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said metal top board member and said metal bottom board member are in the form of a plurality of metal strips in side by side relation, and including means retaining said metal strips in tight side by side engagement with one another.

4. A diving board construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein the metal top member and the metal bottom member are in one piece, and said strips are integral with said bottom member.

5. A diving board construction in accordance with claim 2 which includes frame means associated with the bottom board member and the top board member, the top of said frame means being positioned above the said top board member to provide a platform for a diver to jump onto said top board member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,645,483 7/1953 Smith 27266 2,882,052 4/ 1959 Smith et al. 27266 2,918,281 12/1959 Towle 272-66 3,003,763 10/1961 Griflith et al. 27266 3,083,965 4/ 1963 Iewett 27266 3,166,315 1/1965 Jewett 27266 FOREIGN PATENTS 294,078 9/ 1916 Germany. 1,032,140 6/ 1958 Germany.

268,125 7/ 1950 Switzerland.

OTHER REFERENCES Product Engineering, July 11, 1960, page 81, Figs. 6 and 7.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

F. BARRY SHAY, A. W. KRAMER,

Assistant Examiners.

Claims

2. A DIVING BOARD CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A METAL TOP BOARD MEMBER, A METAL BOTTOM BOARD MEMBER INTEGRALLY SECURED AT ONE END TO ONE END OF SAID TOP BOARD MEMBER IN REVERSE BEND RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT THEREWITH, A PLURALITY OF METAL STRIPS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE OTHER END OF SAID BOTTOM BOARD MEMBER AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID BOTTOM BOARD MEMBER AND IN THE DIRECTION OF THE UNDERSURFACE OF THE FORWARD FREE END OF THE TOP BOARD MEMBER, CERTAIN OF SAID STRIPS BEING OF A LENGTH LESS THAN AND AT AN ANGLE TO THE HORIZONTAL GREATER THAN OTHER OF SAID STRIPS, THE FREE ENDS OF SAID STRIPS BEING BENT OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FORMING A PLURALITY OF FULCRUM POINTS, EACH OF SAID FULCRUM POINTS BEING VERTICALLY SPACED AND HORIZONTALLY SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER WHEREBY THE RESILIENCY OF THE TOP BOARD MEMBER AND THE STRIPS WILL IMPART THE MAXIMUM DEGREE OF SPRING TO ALL USERS, AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID BOTTOM BOARD MEMBER TO A SUPPORT ADJACENT ITS POINT OF ASSOCIATION WITH SAID STRIP MEANS.