MODULES, RIDING SURFACE AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A RECREATIONAL TRACK

Abstract

Modules, riding surfaces and method for assembling a recreational track and tracks constructed therewith. Tracks, particularly a pump track, skate park, mountain bike or motocross track, can be constructed with a combination of interconnected or individual modules made of a supporting structure and a riding surface of various shapes and dimensions.

Claims

1. A module for constructing a recreational track for motorized or non motorized vehicles comprising: a metallic supporting structure, a fiber reinforced plastic riding surface, the riding surface being coated or covered with a hard gelcoat, rubber material, urethane, polyurethane, an acrylic polymer, or a lightweight concrete coating.

2. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the riding surface comprises a rigid outer skin defining a top surface and a bottom surface and a foam mat disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface.

3. A module as claimed in any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ridding surface is flat, angled or curved (single or multiple curvature).

4. A module as claimed in any one of claim 2 or 3, wherein the rigid outer skin is made of fiberglass.

5. A module as claimed in any one of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the foam core is made of a minimum of 5 mm thick thermoset or thermoplastic polymer having as density between 40 kg/m3 and 200 kg/m3).

6. A module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the polymer is a composite foam or polystyrene.

7. A riding surface for recreational modular tracks comprising a fiber reinforced outer skin defining a top surface and a bottom surface and a foam mat disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface.

8. A riding surface as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ridding surface is flat, angled or curved (single or multiple curvature).

9. A riding surface as claimed in any one of claim 7 or 8, wherein the rigid outer skin is made of fiberglass.

10. A riding surface as claimed in any one of claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the foam core is made of a minimum of 5 mm thick thermoset or thermoplastic polymer having as density between 40 kg/m3 and 200 kg/m3).

11. A riding surface as claimed in claim 10, wherein the polymer is a composite foam or polystyrene.

12. A riding surface as claimed in claim 7, wherein the riding surface is coated or covered with a hard gelcoat, rubber material, urethane, polyurethane, an acrylic polymer, or a lightweight concrete coating.

13. Method for assembling modules as claimed in claim 1 comprising the following steps: a) aligning two modules face-to-face (along the track length) or side-by-side (in the width direction), b) using winches to which are attached cables, straps, or ropes to move said modules such that they will be in contact with each other and be secured together to create a portion of said track; c) repeating steps a) and b) until the entire track is assembled.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of attaching a rubber block at the junction of two adjacent modules.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the block is attached on top of the two adjacent modules.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the block is attached between the two adjacent modules.

17. A recreational track for motorized or non motorized vehicles comprising a plurality of modules as claimed in in any one of claim 1, 2 or 5.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which different similar modules which may be assembled to form a series of whoops for a motocross track.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of part of the track shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a module shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 2B is a side view of the module shown in FIG. 2A.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of a part of a few of the modules shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a supporting metallic frame shown in FIG. 2 without the top surface.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a jump module connected to a landing module in accordance with the invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a side view of the modules shown in FIG. 5.

[0032] FIG. 7 is Detail A of the modules shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] FIG. 8 is Detail B of the modules shown in FIG. 5.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a composite sandwich construction (riding surface) for the track shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a compression joint for connecting two modules with rubber.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a view of an embodiment of a winch for assembling and connecting modules in different ways (track length and width direction).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

[0038] In one embodiment, each module can be up to 3 meters in width and 3 meters in length. However, other dimensions are also possible without departing from the invention.

[0039] As explained above and as shown in the FIGURES, each module is made with three components: [0040] A) a hybrid construction including a metallic supporting structure, preferably of aluminium, [0041] B) a fiber reinforced plastic ridding surface as shown in FIG. 9, [0042] C) the riding surface can be covered or coated with a hard gelcoat, rubber material, polyurethane, acrylic polymer or a lightweight concrete coating.

[0043] The riding surface can be flat, angled or curved (single or multiple curvature).

[0044] The riding surface preferably comprises a rigid outer skin defining a top surface and a bottom surface and a foam (composite, polystyrene, or the like) mat disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface.

[0045] The rigid outer skin may be made of fiberglass or other similar material.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 11. The modules can be connected in the track length direction using various devices such as alignment pins, locating plates, flanges, winches and tightening clamps or bolts.

[0047] The modules can also be connected in the track width direction, using various devices such as alignment pins, locating plates, flanges, winches and tightening clamps or bolts for making a wider track as show in FIG. 11.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the connection between two adjacent modules can also include a composite block at the riding surface, which is disposed between the two connected modules for example by using a male/female groove system, bolts, nuts or tightening clamps.

[0049] The composite block 5 connecting two modules can be made of rubber or simply assembled with bolts, nuts, alignment pins or tightening clamps.

[0050] As show in FIG. 10, when connecting two modules, a rubber joint is preferably inserted therebetween which is the compressed with bolts, nuts, alignment pins, tightening clamps or the like.

[0051] The connection between two modules can also be achieved without using rubber and only with bolts, nuts, alignment pins, tightening clamps, cables, straps and ropes tensioned using winches or other known devices.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9 the riding surface is made of structural composite materials (continuous fiber) making a sandwich construction including a minimum of two skins and one foam core. The skins can be made of a minimum of 0.5 mm thick Fiber Reinforced Plastic material (FRP), using glass, carbon or natural fibers (ex: flax or hemp fiber) with a thermoset or thermoplastic resin. Continuous fibers (unidirectional or woven roving) are preferably used for their high strength compared to short fibers. An infusion process is used for providing a higher fiber content rate (50% to 60% by weight) compared to an open mould process. The structural foam core is made of a minimum of 5 mm thick thermoset or thermoplastic polymer (density between 40 kg/m3 and 200 kg/m3).

[0053] The composite riding surface is coated with a coated with a gelcoat, rubber material, polyurethane, acrylic polymer or a lightweight concrete coating providing either a smooth and hard surface or a soft and rough surface.

[0054] The composite block making the connection between two modules, includes metallic inserts allowing a bolted attachment on each side. A composite block can also be used as an access ramp to the modules. The composite blocks are made of machined foam core giving the shape of the block, and a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) skin preferably having a minimum of 0.5 mm in thickness.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 10, a rubber compression joint of the composite riding surface is shown between two adjacent modules. Adjacent modules may be attached together using, but not limited to, bolts, nuts, alignment pins, tightening clamps cables, straps and ropes tensioned using winches or other known devices.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 11, the figure shows a possible location for the winches (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106) to which are respectively attached cables, straps or ropes (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206) via attachment points (221, 222, 223, 224, 225, and 226) to allow the positioning, alignment, and holding of the metallic modules for optional assembly using bolts, nuts, alignment pins, or tightening clamps. The use of winches allows the assembly of multiple modules face-to-face (along the track length) and/or side-by-side (in the width direction) to achieve all possible track configurations even without the use of bolts, nuts, alignment pins, or tightening clamps. To disassemble the track, the winches are disengaged and the respectively attached cables, straps or ropes can be rewound on the corresponding winch.

[0057] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.