US3912259A

US3912259A - Apparatus for timed events performed by cyclists

Info

Publication number: US3912259A
Application number: US453805A
Authority: US
Inventors: James Edward Manuel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-03-22
Filing date: 1974-03-22
Publication date: 1975-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-14
Also published as: DE2513132A1; JPS50136123A; GB1495338A; JPS5334536B2; CA1006139A

Abstract

Apparatus for use in timed events performed by cyclists, comprising a combination timing unit and primary course marker, and structure, typically a plurality of movable course markers, for defining a closed course based on the combination unit, the combination unit including a timing device and two actuators which extend laterally from the timing device in opposite directions, one actuator defining the start of the course for the event and being operative, in response to entry of a cycle onto the course, to initiate operation of the timing device, the other actuator defining the finish of the course and being operative, in response to departure of a cycle from the course, to stop the timing device, the movable markers or other coursedefining structure being adapted to be placed to define a course commencing at the one actuator and ending at the other.

Description

United States Patent [19] Manuel [451 Oct. 14, 1975 1 APPARATUS FOR TIIVIED EVENTS PERFORMED BY CYCLISTS 22 Filed: Mar. 22, 1974 211 Appl. No; 453,805

[52] US. Cl. 272/4; 116/63 P; 235/98 B;

273/86 R [51] Int. Cl. A63K l/OO; GO7C l/24; G09F 9/00 [58] Field of Search 272/4, 5; 273/86 R, 86 B;

46/1 K, 202, 204; 58/229, 39.5, 145 R, 145 A; 116/28 R, 63 P, 129 R; 161/18; 235/98 B, 99 A, 140, 144 MG; 404/6, 9

Primary Examiner-Richard J. Apley Assistant ExaminerR. T. Stouffer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Kaul ABSTRACT Apparatus for use in timed events performed by cyclists, comprising a combination timing unit and primary course marker, and structure, typically a plurality of movable course markers, for defining a closed course based on the combination unit, the combination unit including a timing device and two actuators which extend laterally from the timing device in opposite directions, one actuator defining the start of the course for the event and being operative, in response to entry of a cycle onto the course, to initiate operation of the timing device, the other actuator defining the finish of the course and being operative, in response to departure of a cycle from the course, to stop the timing device, the movable markers or other coursedefining structure being adapted to be placed to define a course commencing at the one actuator and ending at the other.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14,1975- Sheet1of4 3,912,259

US. Patent Oct.14,1975 Sheet20f4 3,912,259

M mm

APPARATUS FOR TIMED EVENTS PERFORMED BY CYCLISTS RELATED APPLICATIONS Subject matter disclosed herein is disclosed and claimed in my copending applications Ser. No. 453,804, Wheel-Actuated Event Signal, and Ser. No. 453,803, Course Marker for Cyclists Events, both filed concurrently herewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Apparatus of various kinds have long been proposed to aid in running events which are performed against time. Playground and like events are often timed with a hand-held stop watch. Races between horses, motor vehicles, etc., are timed by a variety of devices, ranging from simple trip-wire operated devices to complex photoelectric systems. In addition, it has been proposed to time wheeled vehicle events by means of a timer actuated by a squeeze tube extending across the course, as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,626,620, issued May 3, 1927, to C. E. Mentzer. Despite extensive activity'in this general field, however, there has been a continuing need for a simple and inexpensive apparatus which would make it possible for timed events, performed by persons riding bicycles, small motorbikes, and the like, to be run on a family, neighborhood or schoolyard basis, with the events being run over courses which can be set up and removed quickly and easily and which can be varied according to the age and skill of the competitors.

isfies the foregoing need and which can be marketed as a packaged unit at a price acceptable for use at, e.g., the family level.

Another object is to devise such an apparatus which makes it possible to establish a variety of interesting event courses in a relatively small space.

A further object is to provide an automatic timing device for cycle events which embodies two actuating means, one to respond to passage of a cycle commencing an event, the other to respond to passage of a cycle completing the event.

Yet another object is to provide an automatic timing device having inexpensive actuating means which, once manually set, will respond to the sequence of start and finish of the event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly considered, apparatus according to the invention comprises a combination unit, which serves both as an automatic event timer and as means for determining the start and finish of the course over which an event is to be performed, and course-defining means, typically a plurality of movable markers, which can be positioned to define a full course extending between the start and finish as determined by the combination unit. Typically, the combination unit comprises a frame, which can be in the nature of a housing, which supports a suitable clock means and from which actuator means projects laterally to define the start and finish locations, the actuator means being so constructed and arranged as to respond to entry of a cycle onto the course, for starting the clock means, and to respond to departure of the cycle from the course, for stopping the clock means. The movable course markers are typically pylons, or combinations of pylons and obstacles to be negotiated by the cyclist.

In order that the manner in which the foregoing and other objects are achieved according to the invention can be understood in detail, particularly advantageous embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the original disclosure hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus according to the invention assembled for use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combined timing device and primary course marker according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally on line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable course marker according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan elevational view, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration, of a combined timing device and primary course marker according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views taken generally on lines 6-6 and 77, respectively, FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally on line 88, FIG. 5, and showing a clock device control member in the position occupied before a cyclist enters the course;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the clock device control member in its second position, allowing the clock device to operate; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally on line 1010, FIG. 9.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Considering first the diagram of FIG. 1, apparatus according to the invention broadly comprises a combined timing device and primary course marker, indicated generally at l, and a plurality of movable course markers 2. Unit 1 can comprise a support frame 3, which supports a suitable clock means as later described, and laterally projecting means 4 arranged both to define the start and finish of the course and to be actuated by passage of a cycle wheel to operate the clock means. Typically, the laterally projecting means 4 is in the form of two oppositely projecting bars or arms 4a and 4b, bar 4a defining the start of the course and bar 4b defining the finish of the course, with the two bars being interconnected and so arranged that when bar 4a is actuated (as by being pivoted downwardly from an initial raised position) by passage of a cycle entering the course, bar 4b is conditioned (as by being moved from a depressed position to a raised position) to be actuated by the cycle when it leaves the course, actuation of arm 4a serving to start the clock means, and actuation of arm 4b serving to stop the clock means.

The actuator means 4 can be of any type which, in addition to defining the start and finish of the course, responds to location and/or travel direction of a passing cycle to provide the desired control of the clock means. Thus, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-3 and FIGS. 5-10 are typical.

Movable course markers 2 can be of pylon form, with the marker shown in FIG. 4 being advantageous. In addition to the markers 2, the course can be defined in part' by movable obstacles 5 and 5a constructed according to the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 453,804.

THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 24 FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a combined timing device and start-finish marker, indicated generally at 1, adapted to employ a conventional stem-operated stop watch 6 as the clock means. Device 1 includes a dual ramp member 7 which is in the form of an elongated rectangle in top plan, a centrally disposed upwardly opening slot 8 extending longitudinally of the ramp member, and the top face of the member providing

flat ramp surfaces

9 and 10 which slant downwardly away from slot 8. At the midpoint of ramp surface 9, member 7 is provided with an upright pedestal 11 which is rectangular in top plan and so disposed that one side wall 12 thereof lies in the same plane as the adjacent side wall of slot 8. the flat top of pedestal 11 is provided with a circular recess 13 dimensioned to snugly em brace the stop watch 6, a notch 14 being provided to accommodate the stern of the watch. Recess 13 is so located relative to side wall 12 that, when watch 6 is placed in the recess with the stem of the watch projecting through notch 14, the head of the stem projects beyond side wall 12.

At the midpoint of slot 8, member 7 is formed with a fulcrum 15, FIG. 3, which extends across the slot at the bottom thereof. Fulcrum 15 presents a cylindrical surface the axis of which is parallel to the flat bottom of member 7 and at right angles to slot 8. Slot 8 accommodates an actuator, indicated generally at 16, in the form of a rigid integral unit comprising a central hub portion 17 having a downwardly opening arcuate notch slidably embracing fulcrum 15, as seen in FIG. 3. The actuator further includes identical

rigid arms

18 and 19 and a relatively short cam bar 20.

Arms

18, 19 and cam bar lie in a common flat plane and, in that plane,

arms

18 and 19 define an obtuse angle which is bisected by bar 20.

Arms

18 and 19 are of a thickness only slightly less than the width of slot 8, and each

arm

18, 19 has an effective length equal to one-half that of slot 8. Accordingly, when actuator 16 is inserted in slot 8 so that the notch in hub portion 17 engages fulcrum 15, the actuator can be pivoted between a first position (seen in FIGS. 2 and 3), in which arm 19 is housed in its half of slot 8 and arm 18 slants upwardly and outwardly from hub portion 17 to expose arm 18 above

ramp surfaces

9 and 10, and a second position, in which arm 18 is housed in its half of slot 8 and arm 19 slants upwardly and outwardly so as to be exposed above the ramp surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side of cam bar 20 which is directed toward pedestal 11 consists of two flat surfaces disposed at an angle to each other, these surfaces converging toward pedestal 11 so as to define a cam face, the apex of which is indicated at 21, FIG. 2. When actuator 16 is in one of its two extreme positions, with one of

arms

18, 19 nested in slot 8, cam bar 20 is out of engagement with the stem of stop watch 6. However, whenever actuator 16 is pivoted from one extreme position to the other, the cam face of bar 20 sweeps across the head of the stem of the stop watch 6, actuating the stem to start or stop the watch, as the case may be.

When device 1 is in place for use in a cyclists event, bar 18 defines the start line of the course and bar 19 defines the finish line. FIGS. 2 and 3 show device 1 in condition ready for use, arm 18 slanting upwardly and outwardly to be exposed above the ramp surfaces, while arm 19 is fully nested in its half of slot 8. When a cycle passes over the portions of

ramp surfaces

9, 10 which are adjacent to arm 18, as the cycle enters the course, the front wheel of the cycle forces arm 18 downwardly into slot 8, so that actuator 16 is pivoted as a whole about the axis defined by fulcrum 15. Cam bar 20 therefore sweeps across the head of the stem of stop watch 6, actuating the watch to commence timing. Simultaneously, arm '19 is pivoted upwardly above

ramp surfaces

9 and 10. When the cyclist completes the course by passing in the opposite direction over the portions of

ramp surfaces

9, 10 adjacent arm 19, the front wheel of the cycle depresses arm 19 fully into slot 8, so that actuator 16 is pivoted about fulcrum 15 in the opposite direction from that just described. Accordingly, cam bar 20 sweeps back across the head of the watch stem, stopping the watch. Simultaneously, arm 18 is again raised above the ramp surfaces, so that the device is ready to be actuated by entry of the next cyciist onto the course.

Movable course markers 2 can be constructed according to my copending application Ser. No. 453,803, and comprise a first flat support member 25 and a second fiat support member 26. Member 25 includes an intermediate portion 27 and lateral arms 28. Member 26 has intermediate portion 29 and lateral arms 30. Substantially identical in outline, the two support members are provided with central half-slots and, when assembled, are interfitted via the half-slots in the crossed configuration seen in FIG. 4, with

arms

28,30 constituting a base and

intermediate portions

27,29 projecting upwardly generally in pylon form. The intermediate portion 27 of member 25 is equipped with a sleeve 31 and socket 32 in mutual coaxial alignment, parallel to the center line of portion 27, to receive and retain the lower end portion of a standard 33. Standard 33 can be formed of stiff wire rod stock and the upper end portion thereof is bent to provide a horizontal ring 34 for support of a ball 35.

Members

25 and 26 can be of flat rigid polymeric stock in two distinctive colors, e.g., some members yellow and some orange, so that some of the course markers 2 will be yellow, to indicate that the cyclist must pass to the right of the marker, and some orange, to indicate that the cyclist must pass to the left of the marker. The standard 33 is removable so that, e.g., only the first two of the markers 2 are provided with standards, the others being without standards and therefore appearing as simple pylons. In the typical course shown in FIG. 1, the two markers 2 nearer device 1 are provided to require the cyclist to pass between the two markers, both going and coming, and stop to transfer ball 35 from one marker to the other.

THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 510

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate a combined timing device and primary course marker 40 which can be employed in the same general fashion as described for device 1 in courses set up, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. Device 40 comprises a housing 41 and two actuating

members

42,43 each projecting laterally from a different side of housing 41. Housing 41 encloses a conventional springdriven clockwork 44 and a control member, indicated generally at 45, to which actuating

members

42,43 are joined and which is disposed to start and stop the clockwork in response to movement of the actuating members from one position to another.

Housing 41 is molded from high impact polymeric material, typically polyethylene, and comprises a flat base plate 46 and a cover 47. Base plate 46 has a flat top surface interrupted only by two upstanding posi tioning lugs 48, FIGS. 5 and 6, which are spaced apart to accommodate the main frame plate 49 of clockwork 44. Cover 47 is generally cup-shaped and includes two flat

top wall portions

50 and 51 and an outer peripheral wall 52.

Top wall portions

50 and 51 are both flat and horizontal, portion 50 being circular in plan and portions 51 being rectangular. Portion 50 is located substantially below the plane of portion 51 and is connected to portion 51 and to the surrounding portion of wall 52 by a downwardly and inwardly slanting wall 53. In locations above lugs 48, wall portion 50 has two depending positioning lugs 54 engaged with the respective side edges of top frame plate 55 of the clockwork. Top wall portion 50 has a central opening which freely accommodates the winding stem 56 for the spiral driving spring of clockwork 44, stem 56 projecting upwardly above wall portion 50 and being bent at right angles to provide an end portion 57. A combined knob and pointer 58 has a slot into which end portion 57 is force-fit to secure the knob and pointer to stem 56. In a location spaced from stem 56 on the side thereof opposite wall portion 51, the wall portion 50 is provided with a first dependent hollow post 59 and a second such post 60. The clockwork 44 is secured to post 59 by a screw 61, FIG. 7, which passes through an opening in the end of frame plate 49. Base 46 is secured to cover 47 by a screw 62, and additional posts 60a, FIG. 5, are provided on two

flanges

63 and 64 which depend from cover 47 in locations spaced inwardly from side wall 52, the posts 60a cooperating with additional screws to complete attachment of the base to the cover.

Comparing FIGS. 5 and 7, it will be seen that the length of clockwork 44 is at right angles to the lateral directions in which actuating

members

42 and 43 extend, and that

flanges

63, 64 extend parallel to the length of the clockwork. Actuating member 43 defines the starting line of the course, while member 42 defines the finish line. Accordingly, when employed in the typical manner shown in FIG. 1, and viewing the course in the starting direction, circular top wall portion 50 can be considered as being down course from wall portion Control member 45 comprises two

coaxial shaft portions

70 and 71 which are spaced apart axially and rigidly interconnected by a bridging portion 72. Portion 72 is offset laterally from the shaft portions and has its ends in overlapping relation with the corresponding ends of the shaft portions, as best seen in FIG. 5. The bridging portion is connected to the shaft portion by radial webs 73 the outermost ones of which, as seen in FIG. 7, have straight lower edges 73a.

Shaft portions

70 and 71 are right cylindrical.

Flanges

63 and 64 are provided with notches having

semicircular edges

74 and 75, respectively, so that the shaft portions are effectively bearinged between those edges and base 46, and control member 45 is thus supported for pivotal motion about the axis indicated by broken line A, FIG. 5.

Enlargements

76,77 are provided on

shaft portions

70 and 71, respectively, providing shoulders in locations to bear against the inner faces of

flanges

63 and 64, re-

spectively, so that member 45 is positively centered on housing 41.

Outer peripheral wall 52 is provided with notches which freely accommodate the respective shaft portions. Shaft portion projects beyond wall 52 and is rigidly joined to a radial arm portion 78. Shaft portion 71 also projects beyond wall 52 and is rigidly joined to a radial arm portion 79.

Arm portions

78 and 79 are provided with axial bores to accommodate the

inner end portions

42a and 43a, respectively, of the actuating members,

end portions

42a and 43a being bent at right angles to the main length of the respective actuating members. Considering FIG. 5, it will be seen that arm portion 79 projects from axis A in a down-course direction while arm portion 78 projects from axis A in an upcourse direction (viewing the course in the starting direction). Base plate 46 includes two

portions

46a and 46b, FIG. 5, which project beyond wall 52 and underlie arm portions 78 and79, respectively. Considering FIG. 6, it will be seen that, when member 45 is in a position such that arm portion 78 engages portion 46a, arm portion 79 then slants upwardly and down-course. Similarly, when arm portion 79 is in engagement with base plate portion 46b, arm portion 78 slants upwardly and up-course. Thus, with the included angle between

arm portions

78 and 79 being 150, member 45 is allowed two extreme pivotal positions, in one of which arm portion 78 is at 30 relative to portion 46a, in the other of which arm portion 79 is at 30 relative to portion 46b.

At their outer ends, actuating

members

42 and 43 are bent at right angles to provide

support arms

42b and 43b, respectively, the free ends of the support arms being provided with semi-circular recurved ends, as shown, the effective length of

support arms

42b and 43b being approximately equal to that of

arm portions

78 and 79. Support arm 42b and arm portion 78 lie in a common plane, and support arm 43b and arm portion 79 also lie in a common plane. When control member 45 is pivoted clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 7) to bring arm portion 78 into engagement with base portion 46a, both arm portion 79 and support arm 43b slant upwardly and downcourse, so that the main length of actuating member 43 is spaced a corresponding distance above the ground. With member 45 in that position, the front wheel of a cycle entering the course will engage and roll over member 43, pivoting member 45 in a direction (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 7) such that arm portion 79 is pivoted into engagement with base plate portion 46 b, and arm portion 78 is pivoted upwardly, with support arm 42b pivoting in like fashion, so that member 42 is spaced a corresponding distance above the ground. When the cycle leaves the course, the front wheel of the cycle will engage and roll over actuating member 42, pivoting member 45 in a direction (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 7) to return that member and

actuating members

42,43 to their initial or start position.

Clockwork 44 is of the conventional type in which a spiral drive spring is connected to stem 56, to be wound thereby and to turn the stem as the spring unwinds, the input gear of a speed multiplying gear chain being fixed to stem 56, and the output of the gear chain being an escapement wheel which is allowed to rotate only under the influence of a pawl lever 85, FIG. 5. Mounted to swing about an axis located at a, FIG. 5, which is at right angles to base 46, lever 85'projects away from the clockwork toward shaft portion 71.

When unimpeded, the lever has an angular excursion such as that shown in broken lines in FIG. 5. If positively held against movement, pawl lever 85 prevents the clockwork from operating to allow the drive spring to unwind.

At the inner end of shaft portion 71, webs 73 of member 45 project from bridging portion 72 completely across and beyond shaft portion 71 and are joined to a stop member 86. Member 86 extends parallel to axis A and is provided with an end flange 87 immediately adjacent the side of the clockwork. Considering FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, it will be apparent that when the combination of actuating

members

42,43 and control member 45 occupies the start position shown in FIGS. and 8, with arm portion 78 engaging base plate portion 460 so that actuating member 42 extends essentially in engagement with the ground, and with arm portion '79 slanting upwardly and down-course so that actuating member 43 is held above the ground ready to be forced downwardly by the front wheel of a cycle entering the course, flange 87 occupies a position in which the flange engages pawl lever 85 and stops the same at about the midpoint of its pivotal excursion. So long as pawl lever 85 is thus stopped by flange 87, the clockwork is prevented from operating to allow its spring to unwind. Accordingly, stem 56 remains stationary. However, when the combination of

members

42,43 and 45 is pivoted about axis A to bring arm portion 79 into engagement with base plate portion 46b as a result of a cycle entering the course, member 86 swings downwardly to the position seen in FIG. 9 so that flange 87 is brought to a position in which it is beyond the limit of the excursion of pawl lever 85. With control member 45 in that position, and with the pawl lever thus freed, clockwork 44 commences to operate to allow unwinding of its driving spring with resultant rotation of stem 56.

As seen in FIG. 5, top wall portion 50 of cover 47 is provided on its upper surface with a dial 90 with which combined knob and pointer 58 cooperates. Dial 90 can be calibrated in any suitable fashion. Thus, the dial can be calibrated in terms of points, as illustrated, or in terms of units of time. Advantageously, knob-andpointer 58 has a circular hub 91 from which pointer portion 92 projects radially, and the pointer portion is provided with a notch 93 on the lower side thereof to accommodate a geneva wheel 94 which is freely journalled on wall portion 50 in a position to be driven by a single drive tooth 95, FIG. 5, formed on the periphery of hub 91 in a position centered under pointer portion 92. With dial 90 calibrated from O to 100 points, for example, a second set of indicia ranging, e.g., from 100 points to 400 points, can be applied to the upper surface of wall portion 50 about the periphery of the geneva wheel, and the geneva wheel is provided with a pointer 96, FIG. 5, to cooperate with this second set of indicia. It will be understood that, at the start of the event, knob-and-pointer 58 is in a position to indicate 0 on the outer scale of dial 90, and pointer 96 of the geneva wheel points to the Start position on the second set of indicia. The single drive tooth 95 serves to index the geneva wheel through one step, e.g., from Start to 100, for each full revolution of knob-and-pointer 58. Thus, provision of the geneva mechanism provides an accummulated score for, e.g., a number of runs of a cycle through the complete course.

To assure that the combination of actuating

members

42,43 and control member 45 will remain in the Start" and Finish positions once actuated, control member 45 is equipped with a detent of the over-center spring type, indicated generally at 100 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10. As seen in FIG. 10, shaft portion 71 of control member 45 includes an integrally formed receptacle with a flat bottom wall 101 and upwardly and outwardly slanting walls 102, the receptacle being so arranged that bottom wall 191 is horizontal when control member 45 is midway between the Start and Finish positions. In a location centered above axis A, cover 47 is formed with a downwardly opening socket 103 having a centering pin 103a depending therethrough. The detent is completed by a helical spring 104 disposed in compression with one end engaged with wall 101 and the other end seated in socket 103. When control member 45 is turned counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 10) to bring arm portion 78 against base plate portion 46a and arm portion 79 to its upwardly and down-course slanting Start" position, the lower end of spring 104 is shifted off center to the left (as viewed in FIG. 10) and biases the control member, and therefore the actuating members, to the Start position. When the control member is turned in the opposite direction to cause arm portion 79 to engage base portion 46b and arm portion 78 to assume the upwardly and up-course slanting Finish position, the receptacle is moved to assume the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 10. The lower end of spring 104 is therefore shifted off center to the right (as viewed in FIG. 10), and the spring force therefore causes the combination of actuating members and control member to remain in the Finish position.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for use in timed events performed by cyclists, the combination of a combination timing device and primary course marker; and

course-defining means;

said combination timing device and primary course marker comprising, in combination a frame adapted to be supported on the surface over which a cyclists event is to be performed,

clock means for timing a timed event, said clock means being carried by said frame and having a control device movable between a first position, in which the clock means is held inactive, and a second position, in which the clock means is allowed to operate; and

actuator means projecting laterally from said frame and including a first actuator element means observable as a target to be traversed by the wheel of a cycle on entry of the cycle to the course, and

a second actuator element means observable as a target to be traversed by the wheel of a cycle on departure from the course, said first and second actuator element means being spaced apart in a direction extending transversely of said frame and constructed and arranged such that said control device is moved to its first position by said first actuator element means in response to said first actuator element means being traversed by a cycle wheel and said control device is then moved to said second position by said second actuator element means in response to said second actuator element means being traversed by a cycle wheel, whereby said actuator means provides activation and deactivation of said clock means through said first and second actuator element means thereof,

said course-defining means being adapted to be placed to define a closed course commencing with said first actuator element means of the combination timing device and primary course marker and ending with said second actuator element means. 2.,The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said first actuator element means projects from said frame in one direction;

said second actuator element means projects from said frame in the opposite direction; and

said actuator means further comprises a control member pivotally mounted on said frame and operatively arranged with respect to said control device of said clock means, said first actuator element means is connected to said control member to pivot the same in one direction when the first actuator element means is traversed by a wheel of a cycle entering the course; and

said second actuator element means is connected to said control member to pivot the same in the opposite direction when the first actuator element means is traversed by a wheel of a cycle departing the course. 3. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second actuator element means are mounted to pivot each about a horizontal axis between an inclined position, for engagement by the cycle wheel, and a depressed position, to which the actuator element means is moved by the cycle wheel.

4. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second actuator element means are part of a rigid bar pivoted to swing about an axis located adjacent said clock means and extending generally parallel to the paths of travel of the cycle on entering and departing the course, each of said first and second actuator element means slanting upwardly and away from said axis when in said inclined position. 5. The combination defined in claim 4, and further comprising ramp means including two portions each projecting from a different one of two opposed sides of said frame and each having an upwardly opening recess disposed to receive the corresponding one of said first and second actuator element means when the same is in its depressed position, said actuator element means slanting upwardly above said ramp means when in their inclined positions.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein each of said portions of said ramp means comprises two ramp surfaces each located on a different side of said recess and slanting downwardly therefrom;

said clock means is a stop watch;

said frame comprises a support portion defining a housing for accommodating and retaining the stop watch; and said rigid bar includes a hub portion including means engageable with the control device of the stop watch to start and stop the same in response to pivotal movement of the rigid bar.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said recesses for accommodating said actuator element means are portions of a continuous slot, and said hub portion of said rigid bar is accommodated in said slot;

said frame carries an upwardly exposed fulcrum disposed in said slot; and

said hub portion has a downwardly opening notch to engage over said fulcrum.

8. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second actuator element means are each mounted to pivot about an axis which is generally transverse to the respective directions of travel of the cycle on entering and departing from the course.

9. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said clock means comprises an escapement mechanism including a a movable regulating member in the form of a pawl lever which traverses a predetermined path during operation of the clock means;

said control device is a stop member mounted to swing between a first position, in which the stop member engages the pawl lever and prevents operation of the clock means, and a second position, in which the stop member is displaced from the predetermined path of the pawl lever and the clock means is allowed to operate;

said frame comprises a housing structure carrying said clock means, and each of said first and second actuator element means comprises one of a pair of actuator bars projecting laterally from a different side of said housing structure from the other of said pair of actuator bars, and shaft means joumalled on said housing structure and interconnecting said actuator bars for simultaneous pivotal movement about a common axis; said stop member being carried by said shaft means,

10. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said control device comprises two horizontal coaxial shaft portions spaced apart axially and each joumalled at a different side of said frame,

means rigidly interconnecting said shaft portions for simultaneous rotational movement, and a stop member fixed to one of said'shaft portions and including a portion spaced radially from the common axis of said shaft portions and arranged to swing between said first position and said second position as a result of rotational movement of said shaft portions; and said actuator means comprises two elongated rods each having both end portions bent to project from the main length of the rod in the same general direction, with the main body of the rod and said end portions lying in a common plane;

said rods each having one of said end portions fixed to and extending generally radially from the outer end of a different one of said shaft portions,

said rods extending laterally away from said frame in opposite directions,

said common plane of each elongated rod including the common axis of rotation of said shaft portions and being mutually divergent at an obtuse angle from the common plane of the other of said elongated rods, whereby, when said frame is placed on a surface over which a cyclists event is to be performed, the combination of said control device and said actuating means is allowed only limited movement between a first position, in whichv the plane occupied by one of said rods is substantially horizontal and the plane occupied by the other of said rods slants upwardly, and a second position, in

which the plane of said rod slants upwardly and that of said other rod is substantially horizontal.

11. The combination defined in claim 10, and further comprising detent means operatively connected to said control device to releasably retain the combination of said control device and said actuating means respectively in said first and second positions.

12. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said clock means comprises an escapement mechanism including a movable regulating member in the form of a pawl lever which traverses a predetermined path during operation of the clock means;

said control device is "a stop member mounted to swing between a first position, in which the stop member engages the pawl lever and prevents operation of the clock means, and a second position, in which the stop member is displaced from the predetermined path of the pawl lever and the clock means is allowed to operate;

said frame comprises a housing structure carrying said clock means; and

each of said first and second actuator element means comprises one of a pair of actuator bars projecting laterally from a different side of said housing structure from the other of said pair of actuator bars, and

means supporting said bars on said housing structure for simultaneous pivotal movement about a common axis which extends in a direction generally parallel to the intended directions of travel of cycles entering and departing the course,

said actuating bars lying in planes which includes said common axis and are mutually divergent, whereby when one of such planes is horizontal the other slants upwardly.

13. In an apparatus for use in timed events performed by cyclists, the combination of wheel-operated actuator means comprising a first actuator element including a course-entry treadle portion,

a second actuator element including a coursedeparture treadle portion,

means mounting each of said actuator elements for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the paths of travel of cycles performing the events and for interconnecting said actuator elements so that pivotal movement of one causes pivotal movement of the other, said treadle portions being spaced apart in the direction in which said axes extend; frame means; clock means carried by said frame means and including control means actuatable between a first condition, in which the clock means is allowed to run to time the event, and a second condition, in which the clock means is prevented from running; said first and second actuator elements being constructed and arranged to actuate said control means to said first condition in response to operation of said first actuator element and to said second condition in response to operation of said second actuator element, said treadle portion of said first actuator element initially slanting upwardly and in a down-course direction, so as to be observable by a cyclist as ready to be traversed by a wheel of the cycle on entry of the cycle into the course, traversal of said treadle portion of said first actuator element by a cycle wheel causing that treadle portion to pivot downwardly toward the surface over which the course is being performed, such pivotal movement causing the treadle portion of said second actuator element to swing to a position in which the same slants upwardly and away from the course and is observable by the cyclist as ready to be traversed by a wheel of the cycle on departing the course, traversal of said treadle portion of said second actuator element by a wheel of a cycle departing the course causing said treadle portion to pivot downwardly toward the course surface and such pivotal movement causing the treadle portion of the first actuator element to swing again to a position in which the same slants upwardly and away from the course surface in a down course direction.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for use in timed events performed by cyclists, the combination of a combination timing device and primary course marker; and course-defining means; said combination timing device and primary course marker comprising, in combination a frame adapted to be supported on the surface over which a cyclists'' event is to be performed, clock means for timing a timed event, said clock means being carried by said frame and havinG a control device movable between a first position, in which the clock means is held inactive, and a second position, in which the clock means is allowed to operate; and actuator means projecting laterally from said frame and including a first actuator element means observable as a target to be traversed by the wheel of a cycle on entry of the cycle to the course, and a second actuator element means observable as a target to be traversed by the wheel of a cycle on departure from the course, said first and second actuator element means being spaced apart in a direction extending transversely of said frame and constructed and arranged such that said control device is moved to its first position by said first actuator element means in response to said first actuator element means being traversed by a cycle wheel and said control device is then moved to said second position by said second actuator element means in response to said second actuator element means being traversed by a cycle wheel, whereby said actuator means provides activation and deactivation of said clock means through said first and second actuator element means thereof, said course-defining means being adapted to be placed to define a closed course commencing with said first actuator element means of the combination timing device and primary course marker and ending with said second actuator element means.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said first actuator element means projects from said frame in one direction; said second actuator element means projects from said frame in the opposite direction; and said actuator means further comprises a control member pivotally mounted on said frame and operatively arranged with respect to said control device of said clock means, said first actuator element means is connected to said control member to pivot the same in one direction when the first actuator element means is traversed by a wheel of a cycle entering the course; and said second actuator element means is connected to said control member to pivot the same in the opposite direction when the first actuator element means is traversed by a wheel of a cycle departing the course.

3. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second actuator element means are mounted to pivot each about a horizontal axis between an inclined position, for engagement by the cycle wheel, and a depressed position, to which the actuator element means is moved by the cycle wheel.

4. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second actuator element means are part of a rigid bar pivoted to swing about an axis located adjacent said clock means and extending generally parallel to the paths of travel of the cycle on entering and departing the course, each of said first and second actuator element means slanting upwardly and away from said axis when in said inclined position.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, and further comprising ramp means including two portions each projecting from a different one of two opposed sides of said frame and each having an upwardly opening recess disposed to receive the corresponding one of said first and second actuator element means when the same is in its depressed position, said actuator element means slanting upwardly above said ramp means when in their inclined positions.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein each of said portions of said ramp means comprises two ramp surfaces each located on a different side of said recess and slanting downwardly therefrom; said clock means is a stop watch; said frame comprises a support portion defining a housing for accommodating and retaining the stop watch; and said rigid bar includes a hub portion including means engageable with the control device of the stop watch to start and stop the same in response to pivotal movement of the rigid bar.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said recesses for accommodaTing said actuator element means are portions of a continuous slot, and said hub portion of said rigid bar is accommodated in said slot; said frame carries an upwardly exposed fulcrum disposed in said slot; and said hub portion has a downwardly opening notch to engage over said fulcrum.

9. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said clock means comprises an escapement mechanism including a a movable regulating member in the form of a pawl lever which traverses a predetermined path during operation of the clock means; said control device is a stop member mounted to swing between a first position, in which the stop member engages the pawl lever and prevents operation of the clock means, and a second position, in which the stop member is displaced from the predetermined path of the pawl lever and the clock means is allowed to operate; said frame comprises a housing structure carrying said clock means, and each of said first and second actuator element means comprises one of a pair of actuator bars projecting laterally from a different side of said housing structure from the other of said pair of actuator bars, and shaft means journalled on said housing structure and interconnecting said actuator bars for simultaneous pivotal movement about a common axis; said stop member being carried by said shaft means,

10. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said control device comprises two horizontal coaxial shaft portions spaced apart axially and each journalled at a different side of said frame, means rigidly interconnecting said shaft portions for simultaneous rotational movement, and a stop member fixed to one of said shaft portions and including a portion spaced radially from the common axis of said shaft portions and arranged to swing between said first position and said second position as a result of rotational movement of said shaft portions; and said actuator means comprises two elongated rods each having both end portions bent to project from the main length of the rod in the same general direction, with the main body of the rod and said end portions lying in a common plane; said rods each having one of said end portions fixed to and extending generally radially from the outer end of a different one of said shaft portions, said rods extending laterally away from said frame in opposite directions, said common plane of each elongated rod including the common axis of rotation of said shaft portions and being mutually divergent at an obtuse angle from the common plane of the other of said elongated rods, whereby, when said frame is placed on a surface over which a cyclists'' event is to be performed, the combination of said control device and said actuating means is allowed only limited movement between a first position, in which the plane occupied by one of said rods is substantially horizontal and the plane occupied by the other of said rods slants upwardly, and a second position, in which the plane of said rod slants upwardly and that of said other rod is substantially horizontal.

12. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said clock means comprises an escapement mechanism including a movable regulating member in the form of a pawl lever which traverses a predetermined path during operation of the clock means; said control device is a stop member mounted to swing between a first position, in which the stop member engages the pawl lever and prevents operatiOn of the clock means, and a second position, in which the stop member is displaced from the predetermined path of the pawl lever and the clock means is allowed to operate; said frame comprises a housing structure carrying said clock means; and each of said first and second actuator element means comprises one of a pair of actuator bars projecting laterally from a different side of said housing structure from the other of said pair of actuator bars, and means supporting said bars on said housing structure for simultaneous pivotal movement about a common axis which extends in a direction generally parallel to the intended directions of travel of cycles entering and departing the course, said actuating bars lying in planes which includes said common axis and are mutually divergent, whereby when one of such planes is horizontal the other slants upwardly.

13. In an apparatus for use in timed events performed by cyclists, the combination of wheel-operated actuator means comprising a first actuator element including a course-entry treadle portion, a second actuator element including a course-departure treadle portion, means mounting each of said actuator elements for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the paths of travel of cycles performing the events and for interconnecting said actuator elements so that pivotal movement of one causes pivotal movement of the other, said treadle portions being spaced apart in the direction in which said axes extend; frame means; clock means carried by said frame means and including control means actuatable between a first condition, in which the clock means is allowed to run to time the event, and a second condition, in which the clock means is prevented from running; said first and second actuator elements being constructed and arranged to actuate said control means to said first condition in response to operation of said first actuator element and to said second condition in response to operation of said second actuator element, said treadle portion of said first actuator element initially slanting upwardly and in a down-course direction, so as to be observable by a cyclist as ready to be traversed by a wheel of the cycle on entry of the cycle into the course, traversal of said treadle portion of said first actuator element by a cycle wheel causing that treadle portion to pivot downwardly toward the surface over which the course is being performed, such pivotal movement causing the treadle portion of said second actuator element to swing to a position in which the same slants upwardly and away from the course and is observable by the cyclist as ready to be traversed by a wheel of the cycle on departing the course, traversal of said treadle portion of said second actuator element by a wheel of a cycle departing the course causing said treadle portion to pivot downwardly toward the course surface and such pivotal movement causing the treadle portion of the first actuator element to swing again to a position in which the same slants upwardly and away from the course surface in a down course direction.