Portable starting block assembly

Abstract

A starting block apparatus comprising a first generally tubular-shaped member, a second generally tubular-shaped member slidingly engaged within a radially disposed channel extending through the first member, a first generally C-shaped sleeve secured to a pin extending out of and slidingly engaged within an axially disposed slot in the first member, a generally tubular, T-shaped coupler having a lower leg removably secured over the outer end of the second member, a second generally C-shaped sleeve removably secured along the length of the upper portion of the coupler, and a pair of foot platforms having an outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot and an opposite inner surface structured for mating engagement with the first and second sleeves. A plurality of removable spikes are positioned at spaced apart locations along the first and second members, to maintain the apparatus in a stationary position on the track or ground.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A starting block apparatus comprising: 
 a first tubular-shaped member having a first longitudinal axis and a channel extending therethrough in generally perpendicular relation to said first longitudinal axis;    a second tubular-shaped member having a second longitudinal axis, said second member being removably positioned within said channel and slidingly engaged therein so that said first member may slide along said second longitudinal axis of said second member;    a first foot platform having means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member;    a second foot platform mounted to an end of said second member so that said first and second foot platforms are similarly oriented; and    means for securing said first and second members to a surface.    
     
     
         2 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first foot platform includes a first outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot, said first outer surface being disposed in a plane in generally parallel relation to said first longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         3 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second foot platform includes a second outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot, said second outer surface being disposed in a plane in generally perpendicular relation to said second longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         4 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member comprises a first sleeve having an outer surface structured for attachment to said first foot platform and an opposite inner surface structured to be seated over said first member in generally overlying relation thereto.  
     
     
         5 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein said means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member further comprises a pin slidingly disposed within a slot extending along a portion of said first longitudinal axis, said pin being structured to mate with a correspondingly shaped hole in said first sleeve.  
     
     
         6 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a generally tubular, T-shaped coupler and a second sleeve, said coupler having a lower leg structured for mating engagement with said end of said second member and an upper portion having a longitudinal axis in generally perpendicular relation to said second longitudinal axis of said second member, said second sleeve having an outer surface structured for attachment to said second foot platform and an opposite inner surface structured to be seated over said upper portion of said coupler in generally overlying relation thereto.  
     
     
         7 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said means for securing said first and second members to a surface comprises a plurality of spikes positioned at spaced apart locations along said first longitudinal axis of said first member and said second longitudinal axis of said second member.  
     
     
         8 . A starting block apparatus comprising: 
 a first tubular-shaped member having a first longitudinal axis and a channel extending therethrough in generally perpendicular relation to said first longitudinal axis;    a second tubular-shaped member having a second longitudinal axis, said second member being removably positioned within said channel and slidingly engaged therein so that said first member may slide along said second longitudinal axis of said second member;    a first foot platform having means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member;    a first sleeve having an outer surface structured for attachment to said first foot platform and an opposite inner surface structured to be seated over said first member in generally overlying relation thereto so that said first foot platform may slide along said first longitudinal axis of said first member;    a second foot platform mounted to an end of said second member so that said first and second foot platforms are similarly oriented; and    means for securing said first and second members to a surface.    
     
     
         9 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 8  further comprising a pin slidingly disposed within a slot extending along a portion of said first longitudinal axis, said pin being structured to mate with a correspondingly shaped hole in said first sleeve.  
     
     
         10 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 8  further comprising a generally tubular, T-shaped coupler and a second sleeve, said coupler having a lower leg structured for mating engagement with said end of said second member and an upper portion having a longitudinal axis in generally perpendicular relation to said second longitudinal axis of said second member, said second sleeve having an outer surface structured for attachment to said second foot platform and an opposite inner surface structured to be seated over said upper portion of said coupler in generally overlying relation thereto.  
     
     
         11 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said means for securing said first and second members to a surface comprises a plurality of spikes positioned at spaced apart locations along said first longitudinal axis of said first member and said second longitudinal axis of said second member.  
     
     
         12 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said first foot platform includes a first outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot, said first outer surface being disposed in a plane in generally parallel relation to said first longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         13 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said second foot platform includes a second outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot, said second outer surface being disposed in a plane in generally perpendicular relation to said second longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         14 . A starting block apparatus comprising: 
 a first tubular-shaped member having a first longitudinal axis and a channel extending therethrough in generally perpendicular relation to said first longitudinal axis;    a second tubular-shaped member having a second longitudinal axis, said second member being removably positioned within said channel and slidingly engaged therein so that said first member may slide along said second longitudinal axis of said second member;    a first foot platform having means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member, said first foot platform including a first outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot, said first outer surface being disposed in a plane in generally parallel relation to said first longitudinal axis;    a second foot platform mounted to an end of said second member so that said first and second foot platforms are similarly oriented, said second foot platform including a second outer surface structured for engagement with a runner's foot, said second outer surface being disposed in a plane in generally perpendicular relation to said second longitudinal axis; and    means for securing said first and second members to a surface.    
     
     
         15 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein said means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member comprises a first sleeve having an outer surface structured for attachment to said first foot platform and an opposite inner surface structured to be seated over said first member in generally overlying relation thereto.  
     
     
         16 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 15  wherein said means for sliding said first foot platform along said first longitudinal axis of said first member further comprises a pin slidingly disposed within a slot extending along a portion of said first longitudinal axis, said pin being structured to mate with a correspondingly shaped hole in said first sleeve.  
     
     
         17 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 14  further comprising a generally tubular, T-shaped coupler and a second sleeve, said coupler having a lower leg structured for mating engagement with said end of said second member and an upper portion having a longitudinal axis in generally perpendicular relation to said second longitudinal axis of said second member, said second sleeve having an outer surface structured for attachment to said second foot platform and an opposite inner surface structured to be seated over said upper portion of said coupler in generally overlying relation thereto.  
     
     
         18 . A starting block apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein said means for securing said first and second members to a surface comprises a plurality of spikes positioned at spaced apart locations along said first longitudinal axis of said first member and said second longitudinal axis of said second member.