Detachable pommel horse handles

Abstract

A detachable pommel for use on a gymnastics pommel horse comprises a base configured to attach in place of one of a standard set of pommels on a gymnastics pommel horse, and a U-shaped handle sized to match a standard pommel. The base includes a pair of upwardly exposed attachment points defined thereon in spaced orientation to one another that are the approximate width of a standard pommel. The handle terminates at either end in downwardly exposed complementary attachment points, where the complementary attachment points are aligned with the spaced attachment points on the base and configured to detach from 10 the base when impacted as by a gymnast's legs when the gymnast is swinging on the gymnastics pommel horse. This detachment helps mitigate any injury a gymnast might otherwise suffer from impacting upon a conventional, immovable pommel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detachable pommel for use on a gymnastics pommel horse comprising:
 a base configured to attach in place of one of a standard set of pommels on a gymnastics pommel horse, said base including a pair of upwardly exposed attachment points defined thereon in spaced orientation to one another the approximate width of a standard pommel; and   a U-shaped handle sized to match a standard pommel and terminating at either end in downwardly exposed complementary attachment points, said complementary attachment points aligned with said spaced attachment points on the base and configured to detachably affix thereon,   wherein the U-shaped handle is configured to easily detach from said base when impacted as by a gymnast's legs when the gymnast is swinging on the gymnastics pommel horse.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , where said base includes an aperture configured to receive a bolt therethrough for attachment of the base to the pommel horse. 
     
     
         3 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is elongated so that the base can be affixed to the pommel horse along a range of locations. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment points and the complementary attachment points are magnetic. 
     
     
         5 . The detachable pommel of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment points include 30 mm round magnets. 
     
     
         6 . The detachable pommel of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment points and the complementary attachment points are substantially circular. 
     
     
         7 . The detachable pommel of  claim 6 , wherein the base subtends an arc so that the upwardly exposed attachment points are angled with respect to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The detachable pommel of  claim 7 , wherein the complementary attachment points are coplanar with respective attachment points on the base to effect a snug attachment of the handle to the base. 
     
     
         9 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment points and the complementary attachment points include hook and loop material to effect an easily detachable coupling of the U-shaped handle to the base. 
     
     
         10 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped handle includes an outer foam coating. 
     
     
         11 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped handle is formed of rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The detachable pommel of  claim 1 , wherein the upwardly exposed attachment points are embedded within depressions formed on the base. 
     
     
         13 . A detachable pommel for use on a gymnastics pommel horse, comprising:
 a base configured to attach in place of one of a standard set of pommels on a gymnastics pommel horse;   a handle magnetically coupled to the base and configured to detach from said base when impacted as by a gymnast's legs when the gymnast is swinging on the gymnastics pommel horse.   
     
     
         14 . The detachable pommel of  claim 13 , where said base includes an elongated aperture positioned centrally on the base and perpendicular to a long axis of the base, said aperture configured to receive a bolt therethrough for attachment of the base to the pommel horse along a range of lateral locations so that a distance between a pair of pommels attached to the pommel horse can be adjusted to a desired distance apart. 
     
     
         15 . The detachable pommel of  claim 14 , wherein the aperture is sized with at least two widths along its length so as to accept bolts of different dimensions therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The detachable pommel of  claim 13 , wherein the handle includes an outer foam sleeve received around a rigid core. 
     
     
         17 . The detachable pommel of  claim 16 , further including:
 a pair of mounts at terminal ends of the handle sized to an approximate diameter of the outer foam sleeve; and   a magnet embedded within each of the pair of mounts.   
     
     
         18 . The detachable pommel of  claim 13 , wherein the base includes:
 a pair of depressions formed opposite terminal ends of the handle; and   a magnet embedded within each of the pair of depressions.   
     
     
         19 . The detachable pommel of  claim 13 , wherein the handle includes an outer foam sleeve received around a rigid core, the detachable pommel further including:
 a pair of mounts at terminal ends of the handle sized to an approximate diameter of the outer foam sleeve;   a round magnet embedded within each of the pair of mounts;   a pair of depressions formed within the base and opposite terminal ends of the handle; and   a magnet embedded within each of the pair of depressions and opposing the round magnet embedded within each of the pair of mounts.