Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a pump track, and particularly relates to a portable eco-friendly pump track with increased safety making it suitable for beginners as well as experienced users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pump tracks constitute specially prepared, small tracks, enabling riding a one-track vehicle (usually bicycle) and provides for comprehensive training. It is constructed from quick turns and moguls. It develops reflex, balance sense and condition of its users. Pump tracks are an incredibly flexible option for communities looking to bring excitement to riders of every age and skill level. Pump tracks are an eco-friendly, sustainable option for a community looking to build something significant for the future.
The modular track for riding inline skates is known from the French application document FR2757075. The track is made of horizontal surface, connected with modular, curved sections. The upper part of the ending section is covered with a bumper having cylindrical shape. The slope is connected to the platform by means of a safety barrier. The curved surfaces are supported by frames, created of vertical, horizontal and oblique rods. They are stiffened with triangular rods and connected with each other by means of assembly plates. The horizontal surface is supported by the rods placed underneath, and inclination can be changed by means of variable height feet.
Solution of track, especially intended for skateboard and made of individual modules, is known from the European application document EP0378725A1. In order to arrange a track for skateboarding, which can be constructed in open air and which is long-life, while simultaneously has perfect rolling properties, it is proposed to construct the skateboard track from individual modules, which comprise of precast concrete units, so that feature perfect rolling properties on their running side, while simultaneously produce lower noise level than the tracks known to date.
The solution of inline skates track, made of individual elements, is known from the European application EP0870523A1. The structure of the track is composed of multiple sections, which create hollow track with flat bottom and a number of ending sections, with which the structure obtains closed, semi-circular end. The hollow track is composed of concave sections, which have flat, horizontal platforms along elevation. The platforms serve starting or landing. Users may also move along the structure and along its semi-circular end. The concave sections are supported by struts. The structure can be supplemented with canopy.
The solution of inline skates track, made of individual elements, is known from the European application EP0796641A1. The inline skates track, containing at least one part with bent surface, whereas this part is composed of bent surface, which is supported mainly by curved strips, extending mainly in curvature direction of the bent plate.
The known tracks can be made of wood, concrete or also plastic, whereas, for example concrete can by poured out on-site of the track construction, or can be also made in form of modular components, produced outside the site and adequately selected, as required, which depends on terrain configuration or necessity of ensuring adequate construction of the track.
The recreation tracks known in the art, particularly the tracks made of concrete components, are distinguished with large weight, which entails high difficulties during their construction and also influences their cost. It is also important, that considering their geometry, known tracks do not provide optimum safety level for users.
The solution provided in WO 2021/254545A1 discloses a module for pump track wherein the module has the upper part intended for riding on it, constituting a non-ruled surface, and in the top view it has tetragon shape with one rounded side. The first side wall and the second sidewall create the base of the module, and the left front wall and opposite to it right front wall, are located between the first side wall and the second side wall. The left front wall and the right front wall form in the top view an acute angle, and the first side wall and the second sidewall form obtuse angles with the upper part.
However, none of the prior art provides a pump track that can ficiliate major changes in the direction of movement while ensuring safety of the rider and also allowing the rider to generate and maintain required vehicle speed.
Therefore, the present invention is aimed at providing a pump track that is portable and eco-friendly and that can also provide better experience to the riders by allowing them to change directions while maintaining speed and ensuring rider’ s safety. The pump track has safe dimensions making it suitable for beginners as well as experienced users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention discloses a pump track for riding a vehicle.
In some embodiments, the pump track comprising a plurality of rollers, at least a direction changing berm followed by a roller of the plurality of rollers, and at least a transition unit connecting the direction changing berm with one of the rollers of the plurality of rollers.
In some embodiments, each of the rollers of the plurality of rollers comprises one or more module.
In some embodiments, the direction changing berm is a curved depression.
In some embodiments, radius of curve of the direction changing berm is constant from start till exit of the direction changing berm.
In some embodiments, the direction changing berm has a banking angle of at least 60 degrees.
In some embodiments, the banking angle (a) is an angle of inclination of the depression about its longitudinal axis with respect to its horizontal axis.
In some embodiments, the direction changing berm has the banking angle (a) of 70 degrees.
In some embodiments, the direction changing berm comprises a plurality of identical pieces, each piece of the plurality of identical pieces configured to change the direction of rider by a predefined degree (a), and wherein sum of the predefined degree (a) of n identical pieces is equal to n*a.
In some embodiments, each of the direction changing berm includes a smooth curved surface, and wherein the smooth surface is a surface free from any hole, rut, bump, flat spot, low spot, or high spot.
In some embodiments, radius of the curved surface of the direction changing berm is constant from start till exit of the direction changing berm.
In some embodiments, each of the rollers of the plurality of rollers is made of two identical modules joined linearly one after the other, and wherein the sum of length of the two identical modules is roller wideness.
In some embodiments, the roller wideness is at least 10 feet and at most 12 feet, and wherein a ratio of the roller bulge height to the roller wideness is preferably 1:10.
In some embodiments, the pump track is made from one or more of recycled plastic sheets, fiber reinforced plastic, polypropylene, concrete and sustainable eco-friendly material.
In some embodiments, a module for use in construction of a pump track has a framework on which the module is arranged. In some embodiments, the module comprise an upper part on which riding is performed, constituting non-ruled curved surface, and a lower part creating a base for the upper part.
In some embodiments, the lower part comprises a base wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall extending from the base wall.
In some embodiments, the lower part further comprises a front wall and a back wall opposite to the front wall, the front wall and the back wall extending from the base wall at sides other than the sides from where the first side wall and the second side wall extend. In some embodiments, the curved surface of the upper part comprises at least an area of a depression and at least an area of a roller of the pump track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a pump track for riding a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2a and 2b illustrates an isometric view of a module comprised in a roller of the pumptrack for riding a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 2c and 2d illustrate an isometric view of a module with the upper surface comprised in a roller of the pumptrack for riding a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d illustrate a module profile, the module being comprised in a roller of the pumptrack for riding the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate isometric views of parts of the direction changing berm, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 illustrates a structure of a direction changing berm, according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of a transition unit connecting the direction changing berm with one of the rollers of the plurality of rollers, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 7a and 7b illustrate direction changing berm profile or dimensions with banking for a direction changing berm respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein would be contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.
The term “some” as used herein is to be understood as “none or one or more than one or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features. It does not in any way limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do not specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “must comprise” or “needs to include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there needs to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more elements are required.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments.
Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a pump track 100 for riding vehicles, and especially bicycles. A pump track 100 is a looped sequence of rollers 101 (elevations) and berms (depression 102) with swoopy, banned turns. This gives a thrilling experience to the ride.
Figure 1 illustrates a pump track 100 for riding a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. According to an embodiment, the pump track (100) may comprise a plurality of rollers (101), at least a direction changing berm (102) followed by a roller (101) of the plurality of rollers (101), and at least a transition unit (103) connecting the direction changing berm 102 with one of the rollers (101) of the plurality of rollers (101). Each of the rollers (101) of the plurality of rollers (101) may comprise one or more module (104). The direction changing berm (102) may be a curved depression, and radius of curve of the direction changing berm (102) may be constant from start (102a) till exit (102b) of the direction changing berm (102).
According to an embodiment, the shape and alignment of the direction changing berm 102 may depend on the requirement of the rider. For example, for changing the direction of the rider by 90 degrees, the direction changing berm 102 may be an arc shaped depression. In another example, for changing the direction of the rider by 180 degrees, the direction changing berm 102 may be a semicircular depression. Referring to Figure 1, the pump track 100 may comprise a semi-circular direction changing berm 102 for changing the direction of the rider by 180 degrees.
In an embodiment, the pump track 100 may comprise two direction changing berms 102 at opposite ends with rollers 101 positioned between the direction changing berms 102, thus forming and elliptical shaped pump track 100. In other embodiment, there may be several direction changing berms 102 at different locations in the pump track 100.
According to an embodiment, each of the rollers 101 of the plurality of rollers 101 may comprise one or more modules 104. Referring to Figure 1, each of the rollers 101 may be comprised of two modules 104, according to an embodiment of the invention. Each of the modules 104 in the rollers 101 may be placed one after the other.
Figure 2a and figure 2b illustrates an isometric view of a module 104 comprised in a roller of the pump track 100 for riding a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2a and 2b illustrates the module 104 without an upper surface 108. In other words, a framework of the module 104 is illustrated in the figures. Each of the module 104 may comprise an upper part and a lower part. The upper part may be the one on which riding is performed while the lower part may create a base for the upper part. For the purpose of rider movement, the upper part may have a non-ruled curved surface. The lower part may comprise a base wall 105 laid on the ground, and a first and a second side walls 106a, 106b extending from two opposite sides of the base wall 105. Further, the lower part may comprise a front wall 107a and a back wall 107b opposite to the front wall 107a. The front wall 107a and the back wall 107b may extend from the base wall 105 at sides other than the sides from where the first side wall 106a and the second side wall 106b extend. The base wall 105, first side wall 106a, second side wall 106b, front wall 107a and the back wall 107b of the module 104 may form a frame. An upper curved surface 108 may then be placed on the top of the frame. Figures 2c and 2d illustrate an isometric view of a module 104 with the upper surface 108 comprised in a roller 101 of the pump track 100 for riding a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d illustrate a module profile, according to an embodiment of the invention. The rollers 101 may be bulged by a certain height h that may be termed as bulge height h. The roller 101 may also be certainly long that may be termed as roller length. The roller length may be a sum of length of two consecutive modules 104 joined together to form a roller 101. According to an embodiment, the bulge height h to roller length ratio may be preferably 1:10. For determining, the length of the roller, distance between the center of two consecutive rollers 101 may also be calculated. In an exemplary embodiment, the bulge height h may be 1 feet and the roller wideness may be 10 feet. Said embodiment may be considered as an ideal embodiment.
Though there may be other embodiments as well. For example, the bulge height h may be 15 inches and roller length may be 12.5 feet. In another embodiment, the bulge height h may be 18 inches and roller length may be 15 feet. However, the bulge height h to roller length ratio is 1:10 in both the exemplary embodiments. The above embodiments may be suitable for maintaining moderate speed for the rider. However, if the rider is going very fast, maintaining the bulge height h to roller length ratio as 1:10, the bulge height h may be 2 feet and the roller length may be 20 feet. According to an embodiment, width of pump track 100 may be 1200 mm.
According to a preferred embodiment, the roller length may be at least 10 feet and at most 12 feet. If the roller length is made less than 10 feets, the rollers 101 might be close to each other, and the pump track 100 may be called a tight pump track 100 (as shown in Figure 2b). In said situation, though the rider may be allowed to generate speed easily, he might find it difficult to maintain the speed. The speed may be slowed down to keep balance or to cross other rollers 101 in the pump track 100. However, if the roller length is made more than 12 feets, the roller 101 may be far apart from each other, and the pump track 100 may be called a loose pump track 100 (as shown in Figure 2a). In said situation, though it would be easier to maintain the speed while moving from one roller to another, generating the speed would be a difficult task for the rider.
Further referring to Figure 1, there may be a plurality of parts joined together to form the direction changing berm 102. Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate isometric views of parts of the direction changing berm 102, according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to Fig. 4a, the pieces 110 of the direction changing berm 102 may comprise a depression forming a path for the rider to ride on. One of the pieces 110 in Fig. 4a may be joined to some other piece 110 while assembling the direction changing berm 102 of the pump track 100. The pieces 110 may be joined in a way to form a curved path with the radius of the curved surface being constant from start 102a till exit 102b of the direction changing berm 102. In other words, the radius of curve of the direction changing berm 102 may be constant from start 102a till exit 102b of the direction changing berm 102. The direction changing berm 102 may comprise a comprises a plurality of identical pieces 110, each piece 110 of the plurality of identical pieces 110 configured to change the direction of rider by a predefined degree (a), and wherein sum of the predefined degree (a) of n identical pieces 110 is equal to n*a.
Figure 5 illustrates a structure of a direction changing berm 102, according to an embodiment of the invention. In an exemplar embodiment, the direction changing berm 102 may be made of nine identical pieces 110. Each of the nine identical pieces 110 may be configured to change the direction of the rider by 20 degrees. Nine pieces 110 joined together may form a direction changing berm 102 configured to change the direction of the rider by 180 degrees. In other embodiment, the direction changing berm 102 may comprise three identical pieces 110, each configured to change the direction of the rider by 20 degrees. In that case, the direction changing berm 102 may be configured to change the direction of the rider by 60 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, three direction changing berms 102 (each configured to change the direction of the order by 60 degrees) may be positioned at 3 corners of a triangular pump track 100.
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of a transition unit 103 connecting the direction changing berm 102 with one of the rollers 101 of the plurality of rollers 101, according to an embodiment of the invention. There may be a transition unit 103 at the end of the roller before entering the direction changing berm 102. Further, there may another transition unit 103 at the end of the direction changing berm 102 and before entering the roller adjacent to the direction changing berm 102. The transition unit 103 is configured to lead the rider from the curved path to the straight path of the rollers 101 without losing speed and balance.
In an embodiment, the transition unit 103 may comprise two pieces 110. One of the pieces 110, i.e., first transition piece 110 may be placed next to an edge of the direction changing berm 102. Another piece 110, i.e., second transition piece 110 of the transition unit 103 may be placed next to the first transition piece 110. A straight roller 101 may start 102a from the end of the second transition unit 103.
Figure 7a and 7b illustrate direction changing berm 102 profile or dimensions with banking for a direction changing berm 102 respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention,
At the direction changing berm 102, the radius of the berm 102 and square of the speed of the rider determines how much Gravitational force of pull (Gs) is applied. In other words, Gs is directly proportional to the radius of the berm 102 and the speed of the rider. The Gs is to be balanced by the rider to avoid falling down of the vehicle. A beginner may balance 0.5Gs while a great rider may balance 1-2Gs and a more experienced rider may balance upto 3Gs. However, an optimum lean angle at the direction changing berm 102 may balance the Gs easily. The lean angle of the direction changing berm 102 is the angle of inclination or the banking angle.
According to an exemplary embodiment, with a radius being 10 feet, the data may be as follows:
Speed (mph) Gs Lean angle (degrees)
10 0.7 34
12.5 1.0 45
15 1.5 56
20 2.7 69

Therefore, the faster the rider may be driving, the greater the Gs, the greater the lean angle, and the taller/steeper the direction changing berm 102.
Further, referring to Fig. 4b, the direction changing berm 102 may have a banking angle of at least 60 degrees in an exemplary embodiment. The direction changing berms are not straight but are inclined at an angle. For example, the depression in the direction changing berms may have a slope from the outer boundary of the lane towards the inner boundary of the lane, lane being the circular path. In other words the angle of banking is an angle of inclination of the depression about its longitudinal axis with respect to its horizontal axis. The angle of banking may determine the steepness of the direction changing berm. The banking angle of the direction changing berm may be at least 60 degrees.
According to a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 4b, the banking angle of the direction changing berm may be 70 degrees.
In an embodiment, the surface of the direction changing berm may be a smooth surface, and wherein the smooth surface may be a surface free from any hole, rut, bump, flat spot, low spot, or high spot. As any flat spot on the surface may be a dead spot, it causes the rider to lose engagement, pump and fun in riding.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of the embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A pump track (100) for riding a vehicle,
said pump track (100) comprising:
a plurality of rollers (101);
at least a direction changing berm (102) followed by a roller (101) of the plurality of rollers (101); and
at least a transition unit (103) connecting the direction changing berm (102) with one of the rollers (101) of the plurality of rollers (101),
wherein each of the rollers (101) of the plurality of rollers (101) comprises one or more module (104),
wherein the direction changing berm (102) is a curved depression, and
wherein radius of curve of the direction changing berm (102) is constant from start (102a) till exit (102b) of the direction changing berm (102).

2. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction changing berm (102) has a banking angle (a) of at least 60 degrees, the banking angle (a) is an angle of inclination of the depression (102) about its longitudinal axis with respect to its horizontal axis.

3. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction changing berm (102) has the banking angle (a) of 70 degrees.

4. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction changing berm (102) comprises a plurality of identical pieces (110), each piece (110) of the plurality of identical pieces (110) configured to change the direction of rider by a predefined degree (a), and wherein sum of the predefined degree (a) of n identical pieces (110) is equal to n*a.

5. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the direction changing berm (102) includes a smooth curved surface, and wherein the smooth surface is a surface free from any hole, rut, bump, flat spot, low spot, or high spot.

6. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein radius of the curved surface of the direction changing berm (102) is constant from start (102a) till exit (102b) of the direction changing berm (102).

7. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the rollers (101) of the plurality of rollers (101) is made of two identical modules (104) joined linearly one after the other, and wherein the sum of length of the two identical modules (104) is roller wideness.

8. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the roller (101) wideness is at least 10 feet and at most 12 feet, and wherein a ratio of the roller bulge height (h) to the roller wideness is preferably 1:10.

9. The pump track (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump track (100) is made from one or more of recycled plastic sheets, fiber reinforced plastic, polypropylene, concrete and sustainable eco-friendly material.

10. A module (104) for use in construction of a pump track (100), having a framework on which the module (104) is arranged,
wherein the module (104) comprises:
an upper part on which riding is performed, constituting non-ruled curved surface; and
a lower part creating a base for the upper part,
wherein the lower part comprises a base wall (105), and a first side wall (106a) and a second side wall (106b) opposite to the first side wall (106a), the first side wall (106a) and the second side wall (106b) extending from the base wall (105),,
wherein the lower part further comprises a front wall (107a) and a back wall (107b) opposite to the front wall (107a), the front wall (107a) and the back wall (107b) extending from the base wall (105) at sides other than the sides from where the first side wall (106a) and the second side wall (106b) extend,
wherein the curved surface (108) of the upper part comprises at least an area of a depression (102) and at least an area of a roller (101) of the pump track (100).