Motocross portable starting gate

Abstract

A single position motocross starting gate having a pair of U-shaped members pivotally connected together at one end of each U-shape. A releasing mechanism having a normally extending pin is positioned on one of the U-shaped members to pivotally support in an interference relationship the other U-shaped member in a first angular position relative to the one U-shaped member. Releasing means such as a lanyard is connected to the releasing mechanism to slideably move the pin causing the other U-shaped member to drop and be in line with the one U-shaped member. When this happens, the rider on the motocross motorcycle can move forward over the two U-shaped members. Typically another individual other than the driver pulls the lanyard.

1 . A motocross motorcycle portable starting gate for providing a single motocross motorcycle a starting gate operation as that found in motocross races, the gate comprising: 
 a first U-shaped member having a pair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to a base member;    a second U-shaped member adapted to nestle within said first U-shaped member,  3 aid second U-shaped member having a pair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to a base member;    at least two hinge members each positioned at the extending ends of said first and second U-shaped members allowing said second U-shaped member to pivot relative to said first U-shaped member;    a releasable member positioned along at least one of the straight parallel sides of said first U-shaped member, said releasable member normally holding said second U-shaped member in a first pivot position wherein said second U-shaped member is spaced from said first U-shaped member; and    means for releasing said releasable member causing said second U-shaped member to pivot downward toward said first U-shaped member.    
   
   
       2 . A portable starting gate according to  claim 1  wherein said first U-shaped member has a plurality of holes along said straight parallel sides adapted to receive means for securing said first U-shaped member to the ground.  
   
   
       3 . A portable starting gate according to  claim 1  wherein the base member of said second U-shaped member is normally positioned parallel to and above the front axle of the front wheel of the motocross motorcycle preventing the front wheel from moving past said first pivot position prior to said releasable member being released.  
   
   
       4 . A portable starting gate according to  claim 1  wherein said releasable member is a solenoid with a normally extending plunger holding said second U-shaped member in said first pivot position.  
   
   
       5 . A portable starting gate according to  claim 4  additionally including a series circuit having a normally open switch in series between a power means and said solenoid, the actuation of said switch releases said second U-shaped member from said first pivot position.  
   
   
       6 . A portable starting gate according to  claim 1  wherein said releasable member comprises: 
 a base member having a bore extending therethrough;    said base member mounted to said one straight parallel side of said first U-shaped member;    a pin member slideably mounted in said bore and extending from both ends of said bore, said pin member having a stop member at one end;    a spring member surrounding said pin member and bearing against said base member and said stop member and operable to hold said pin member-in an interference relationship with said second U-shaped member in said first pivot position;    a lanyard secured to said pin member at the end opposite said stop member and operable to slideably move said pin member out of said interference relationship with said second U-shaped member causing said U-shaped member to be released from said first pivot position.    
   
   
       7 . A portable starting gate according to  claim 6  wherein said spring member is a compression spring.  
   
   
       8 . A method providing a single motocross motorcycle a starting gate operation as that found in motocross races, the method comprising the steps of: 
 securing a first U-shaped member having a pair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to a base member;    securing a second U-shaped member having a pair of substantially straight parallel sides secured to a base member;    nestling the second U-shaped member within the substantially straight parallel sides of the first U-shaped member in a first position;    hinging together the first and second U-shaped members at their extending ends;    allowing the second U-shaped member to pivot relative to the first U-shaped member;    securing the second U-shaped member to the ground;    positioning a releasable member along at least one of the straight parallel sides of the second U-shaped member, for normally holding the second U-shaped member in a first pivot position spaced from the ground and the first U-shaped member; and then    releasing the releasable member causing the first U-shaped member to pivot downward toward the ground and the second U-shaped member.    
   
   
       9 . A method for operating a portable starting gate according to  claim 8  wherein the step of releasing includes: 
 providing a base member having a bore extending therethrough;    mounting the base member to one straight parallel side of the second U-shaped member;    positioning a pin member slideably mounted in the bore and extending from both ends of the bore;    providing the pin member with a stop member at one end;    surrounding said pin member with a spring member bearing between the base member and the stop member holding the pin member in an interference relationship with the first U-shaped member in the first pivot position;    securing a lanyard to the pin member at the end opposite the stop member; and then    pulling on the lanyard for slideably moving the pin member out of the interference relationship with the first U-shaped member releasing it from the first pivot position.    
   
   
       10 . A method for operating a portable starting gate according to  claim 8  wherein the step of releasing includes: 
 providing a power source;    placing a solenoid having a reciprocating armature normally in an interference relationship with the first U-shaped member;    positioning the solenoid in circuit with the power source; and then    positioning a normally open switch member in electrical series with the power source and the solenoid so that upon actuation of the switch member power is supplied to the solenoid for slideably moving the armature from its normally interference relationship with the first U-shaped member releasing it from the first pivot position.