Pole vaulting device and method

Abstract

A pole vaulting device and method. The device includes a mat having a top side and an underside, a plurality of support poles positioned about the mat, with the plurality of support poles having a first end having a curved portion oriented in the direction of the mat, and a net having an outer periphery, and wherein the net's outer periphery is attached to the curved portion of the plurality of support poles. The pole vaulting device may further include a plurality of straps having a distal end attached to the underside of the mat and a proximal end attached to the net so that the net forms a bowl section.

1 . A pole vaulting device comprising: 
 a mat having a top side and an underside;    a plurality of support poles positioned about the mat, said plurality of support poles having a first end;    a net having an outer periphery, and wherein said net outer periphery is attached to said plurality of support poles;    a plurality of straps having a distal end attached to the underside of said mat, and a proximal end attached to said net so that the net forms a bowl section.    
   
   
       2 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a base frame having a longitudinal member and a latitudinal member, said mat being positioned on said base frame.    
   
   
       3 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 2  wherein said longitudinal member comprises: 
 a plurality of variable length beams.    
   
   
       4 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 3  wherein said latitudinal member comprises: 
 a plurality of variable length beams.    
   
   
       5 . The pole vaulting safety device of  claim 4  wherein said first end of said plurality of support poles has a curved portion, and wherein the curved portion is oriented in the direction of the mat.  
   
   
       6 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of support poles has a second end that is selectively attachable to the base frame.  
   
   
       7 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 attaching means for attaching the net to the top side of the mat.    
   
   
       8 . A pole vaulting device comprising: 
 a mat having a top side and an underside;    a plurality of support poles positioned about the mat, said plurality of support poles having a first end having a curved portion oriented in the direction of the mat;    a net having an outer periphery, and wherein said net outer periphery is attached to said curved portion of said plurality of support poles.    
   
   
       9 . The pole vaulting device further comprising: 
 a plurality of straps having a distal end attached to the underside of said mat, and a proximal end attached to said net so that the net forms a bowl section.    
   
   
       10 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 a base frame having longitudinal member and a latitudinal member, said mat being positioned on said base frame.    
   
   
       11 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 10  wherein said longitudinal member comprises: 
 a plurality of variable length beams.    
   
   
       12 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 11  wherein said latitudinal member comprises: 
 a plurality of variable length beams.    
   
   
       13 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of support poles has a second end that is selectively attachable to the base frame.  
   
   
       14 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a secondary strap attaching the net to the top side of the mat.    
   
   
       15 . The pole vaulting device of  claim 14  wherein said support poles are disposed within a stand that is operatively attached to said longitudinal members and said latitudinal members, said stand have a tubular sleeve for receiving the support pole.  
   
   
       16 . A method of distributing a force created by a pole vaulter's weight against a net, the method comprising: 
 providing a device, the device comprising: a mat positioned on a base frame; a plurality of support poles positioned about the mat; the net having an outer periphery, and wherein said net outer periphery is attached to said plurality of support poles; a plurality of straps having a distal end attached to an underside of said mat, and a proximal end attached to said net so that the net forms a bowl section having a first side, a second side and a third side;    landing the pole vaulter on the mat;    applying the force caused by the pole vaulter's weight against the first side of the net, said force being created by the pole vaulter bouncing from the mat and into the first side of the bowl section;    distributing the force, caused by the pole vaulter's weight, to the support poles;    distributing the force, caused by the pole vaulter's weight, to the plurality of straps;    distributing the force to the underside of the mat.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the support poles have a curved portion oriented in the direction of the mat, and wherein said curved portion of said support poles is attached to said outer periphery of said net.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the base frame has a variable length longitudinal beam.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the base frame has a variable length latitudinal beam.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the device further comprises a secondary strap attaching the net to a top side of the mat, and the step of distributing the force of the pole vaulter's weight to the underside of the mat further includes distributing the force caused by the pole vaulter's weight to the top side of the mat via the secondary strap.  
   
   
       21 . A device used for pole vaulting over a bar and onto a mat, the mat having a top side and an underside, the mat bordering a net having an outer periphery, said device comprising: 
 a plurality of support poles positioned about the mat, said plurality of support poles having a first end;    wherein the net outer periphery is attached to said plurality of support poles;    a plurality of straps having a distal end attached to the underside of the mat, and a proximal end attached to said net so that the net forms a bowl section;    a base frame having a longitudinal member and a latitudinal member, the mat being positioned on said base frame.    
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein said longitudinal member comprises: 
 a plurality of variable length beams.    
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein said latitudinal member comprises: 
 a plurality of variable length beams.    
   
   
       24 . The pole vaulting safety device of  claim 23  wherein said first end of said plurality of support poles has a curved portion, and wherein the curved portion is oriented in the direction of the mat.