Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
IMPROVEMENTS TO RACING RAIL BREAKAWAY POSTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/046884
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A break-away engagement arrangement between a pole and a ground engagement element is for supporting a racing rail is described. There is a ground engagement element wherein in use, the under surface is directed towards the ground and the upper surface is directed away from the ground also having at least one ground insertion prong. The upper surface of the ground engagement element has opposed projections which are adapted for engagement with a pole, wherein in use, a first of the two projections is located closer to the racing rail than the second of the two projections. A curvilinear pole arrangement has an elongate pole body and an attachable base, the upper end of the pole is adapted for rotatable attachment to a racing rail and the attachable base of the pole having a lower surface adapted for directed lateral sliding and longitudinal engagement with the upper surface of the body of the ground element for retention due to the overlap of correspondingly ramped surfaces against movement of the base of the pole in both the directions upward and towards the racing rail; and when a force is exerted on the pole body having a component of that force in a direction lateral of the body of the attachable base, the attachable base disengages with the ground engagement element about a pivot point external of the ground engagement element.

Inventors:
CAMPBELL GEORGE (AU)
FARGHER JOHN (AU)
JAENSCH PETER (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2018/000172
Publication Date:
March 14, 2019
Filing Date:
September 07, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
STERILINE RACING PTY LTD (AU)
International Classes:
A63K1/00; E01F15/02; E04H12/22; E04H17/14; E04H17/20
Foreign References:
AU2011101435A42011-12-08
GB2478864A2011-09-21
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MADDERNS (AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A break-away engagement arrangement between a pole and a ground engagement element for supporting a racing rail, the arrangement comprising:

i. a ground engagement element:

a. having an elongate body with an under surface and an upper surface, wherein in use, the under surface is directed towards the ground and the upper surface is directed away from the ground,

b. having at least one ground insertion prong depending from the under surface of the elongate body, and

c. having opposed projections, one projection rising from the upper surface of one end region of the body, and another projection rising from the other end region of the upper surface of the body, both of which are adapted for engagement with a pole, wherein in use, a first of the two projections is located closer to the racing rail than the second of the two projections; and

ii. a curvilinear pole arrangement having an elongate pole body and an attachable base, and an attachment arrangement adapted for fitment to the upper end of the pole body, in use, for rotatable attachment to a racing rail, the attachable base, comprising:

a. an elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted for directed lateral sliding and longitudinal engagement with the upper surface of the body of the ground element;

b. an attachment receptacle located between the upper surface and lower surface of the body adapted for fitment there through of the lower end of the elongate pole body, and

c. surfaces on the projections on upper surface, comprising:

1. a first arcuate ramped surface adapted,

a. for directed continuous sliding engagement with the correspondingly arcuate ramped surface of the projection facing the attachable base, being the projection located in use closest to the racing rail, and also adapted

b. for retention due to the overlap of the correspondingly ramped surfaces against movement of the base of the pole in both the directions upward and towards the racing rail; and

2. a second substantially planar ramped surface adapted

a. for directed sliding engagement with the correspondingly planar ramped surface of the projection facing the attachable base, being the projection located in use further from the racing rail than the second projection, and also adapted b. for retention against movement of the base of the pole in both the directions or upwards and away from the racing rail, wherein when a force is exerted on the pole body having a component of that force in a direction lateral of the first surface of the body of the attachable base, the second surface slidingly disengages with the projection located furthest from the racing rail such that the pole assembly begins to separate from the ground engagement element.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the engagement arrangement on the upper surface of the ground engagement element has depression located between the projections, and the pole body is hollow along at least a portion of the lower end of the pole, and the lower end of the pole has an opening into the hollow portion, the pole further includes a spigot located in the opening and is hollow at the lower end of the pole and extending external of the pole, the spigot having at least one wall defining an opening in the external end of the spigot, the engagement arrangement further including a biasing element adapted to partially fit within the depression in the ground engagement element, and also adapted to apply a biasing force on the external end of the spigot, and also sized to apply a biasing force to the attachable base, and further including a fixing to secure the biasing element to the external end of the spigot, such that the biasing force assists the engagement of the engagement arrangement of the ground engagement element to the attachable base of the curvilinear pole arrangement.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2 wherein there is a collar locatable over the pole body and over a top portion of the body of the attachable base, wherein an internal passage for the spigot has a shape which requires rotation of the spigot and attached pole to pass the spigot through the passage and once through the passage, rotation of the pole and attached spigot is fixed.

4. The arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the pole body and attached spigot is rotatable in the engagement arrangement and the attachable engagement element and the pole body are adpated to reduce engagement forces between the attachable engagement element and the ground engaging element as there is rotation of the pole body.

5. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the ground insertion element comprises a prong depending from the under surface of one end region of the body, and another prong depending from the other end region of the under surface of the body.

Description:
IMPROVEMENTS TO RACING RAIL BREAKAWAY POSTS

FIELD

[0001] The field is horse racing rail systems and breakaway posts that support them. BACKGROUND

[0002] Rails for horse racing are installed along the outside and inside of a racing track. The position of inside or outside racing rail may need to be changed, typically on non-race days, as the time to uninstall and re-install the typical kilometres of racing rail can take a considerable time.

[0003] Rails for horse racing are a specialised product as they are installed in a potentially dangerous environment. That environment includes horses weighing hundreds of kilograms (e.g. 500 kgs) and their jockeys are travelling at speeds of tens of kilometres per hour (e.g. 60 kph). That combination means that when the horses collide with a racing rail it must resist those forces and remain upright or at least not bend and present dangerous sharp edges or shapes to the horse or other horses that may follow.

[0004] A further requirement of the horse racing rail system is to minimise the potential for injury to both the horses and the jockey when they fall and slide below the racing rail and possibly into the post or posts supporting the rail.

[0005] Numerous mechanisms have been created to provide posts that break-away from the ground support structure or the rail structure so that the post is removed or partially removed or at least swung out of the way, as the horse or jockey passes below the rail.

[0006] However, the posts that support the racing rail also need to support against forces that are at right angles to the racing rail, such as when a horse glances or hits the racing rail during a race but keeps moving parallel to the direction of the racing rail. In those situations, the post resists the included forces at right angles to the racing rail direction and keeps the rail in place. Therefore, the horse is kept within the racing track area defined by the racing rail position about the track surface. Any post that provides a breakaway functionality must also provide a stable and suitably strong post to resist the forces to be expected in the horse racing environment without unnecessarily bending or breaking.

[0007] An example of a breakaway post mechanism includes, posts that have a frangible portion or zone, designed to break or bend easily when a horse or jockey glances or hits the post in a direction parallel with the racing rail. Since movement parralel to the racing rail is the most likely direction that the horse or jockey will travel when they fall during a race, the frangible post is designed to break when impacted and thus allow the horse or jockey to pass under the rail, or at least be minimally hindered or injured as they do.

[0008] Another example of a breakaway post mechanism is a post releasably engaged with a ground engagement element and rotatably connected to the racing rail or has a rotatable portion along the length of the pole, such that when a force is applied to the post in a direction parallel with the racing rail, the base of the post is rotated slightly and (breaks away) releases from engagement with the ground engagement element and the, then free, end of the post swings out of the way of the horse or jockey that applied the releasing force to the post.

[0009] This disclosure includes embodiments which exhibit of improvements to the immediately described breakaway post mechanisms, wherein the imporovement overcomes problems relating to the inconsistency of the force required to release the post from the anchored ground engagement element, instability of the ground engagement element over time, and untimely wear of the parts that engage between the post and the ground engagement element for posts that are part of a moveable post and rail arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS

[0010] In an aspect there is a break-away engagement arrangement between a pole and a ground engagement element for supporting a racing rail, the arrangement comprising: a ground engagement element: having an elongate body with an under surface and an upper surface, wherein in use, the under surface is directed towards the ground and the upper surface is directed away from the ground, having at least one ground insertion prong depending from the under surface of the elongate body, and having opposed projections, one projection rising from the upper surface of one end region of the body, and another projection rising from the other end region of the upper surface of the body, both of which are adapted for engagement with a pole, wherein in use, a first of the two projections is located closer to the racing rail than the second of the two projections; and a curvilinear pole arrangement having an elongate pole body and an attachable base, and an attachment arrangement adapted for fitment to the upper end of the pole body, in use, for rotatable attachment to a racing rail, the attachable base, comprising: an elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted for directed lateral sliding and longitudinal engagement with the upper surface of the body of the ground element; an attachment receptacle located between the upper surface and lower surface of the body adapted for fitment there through of the lower end of the elongate pole body, and surfaces on the projections on upper surface, comprising: a first arcuate ramped surface adapted, a) for directed continuous sliding engagement with the correspondingly arcuate ramped surface of the projection facing the attachable base, being the projection located in use closest to the racing rail, and also adapted b) for retention due to the overlap of the correspondingly ramped surfaces against movement of the base of the pole in both the directions upward and towards the racing rail; and a second substantially planar ramped surface adapted; a) for directed sliding engagement with the correspondingly planar ramped surface of the projection facing the attachable base, being the projection located in use further from the racing rail than the second projection, and also adapted; b) for retention against movement of the base of the pole in both the directions or upwards and away from the racing rail, wherein when a force is exerted on the pole body having a component of that force in a direction lateral of the first surface of the body of the attachable base, the second surface slidingly disengages with the projection located furthest from the racing rail such that the pole assembly begins to separate from the ground engagement element.

[0011] In an aspect of the engagement arrangement the upper surface of the ground engagement element has depression located between the projections, and the pole body is hollow along at least a portion of the lower end of the pole, and the lower end of the pole has an opening into the hollow portion, the pole further includes a spigot located in the opening and hollow at the lower end of the pole and extending external of the pole, the spigot having at least one wall defining an opening in the external end of the spigot, the engagement arrangement further including a biasing element adapted to partially fit within the depression in the ground engagement element, and also adapted to apply a biasing force on the external end of the spigot, and also sized to apply a biasing force to the attachable base, and further including a fixing to secure the biasing element to the external end of the spigot, such that the biasing force assists the engagement of the engagement arrangement of the ground engagement element to the attachable base of the curvilinear pole arrangement.

[0012] In a further aspect of the engagement arrangement there is a collar locatable over the pole body and a top portion of the body of the attachable base, wherein an internal passage for the spigot has a shape which requires rotation of the spigot and attached pole to pass the spigot through the passage and once through the passage, rotation of the pole and attached spigot is fixed.

[0013] In a further aspect, wherein the pole body and attached spigot is rotatable in the engagement arrangement and the attachable engagement element and the pole body are adpated to reduce engagement forces between the attachable engagement element and the ground engaging element as there is rotation of the pole body.

[0014] In yet further aspect the ground insertion element the prong depends from the under surface of one end region of the body, and another prong depending from the other end region of the under surface of the body. [0015] Throughout this specification and the claims that follow unless the context requires otherwise, the words 'comprise' and 'include' and variations such as 'comprising' and 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0016] The reference to any background or prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such background or prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. Suggestions and descriptions of other embodiments may be included within the disclosure, but they may not be illustrated in the accompanying figures or features of the disclosure may be shown in the figures but not described in the specification.

[0017] The use of "e.g.," "etc.," "for instance," "in example," and "or" and grammatically related terms indicate non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of "optionally" and grammatically related terms means that the subsequently described element, event, feature, or circumstance may or may not be present or occur and that the description includes instances where said element, event, feature, or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0018] The use of "attached" refers to the fixed, releasable, or integrated association of two or more elements and parts. Thus, the term "attached" includes releasably attaching or fixedly attaching two or more elements and devices. The use of the term "diameter" refers to the length of a straight line passing from side to side through the centre or axis of a body, element, or feature, and does not impart any structural configuration on the body, element, or feature.

[0019] A detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the implementation of those embodiments. The scope of the disclosure is limited only by the appended claims, and the disclosures encompass numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. For example, numerous specific without some or all of these specific details. For clarity, technical material that is known in the respective technical fields has not been described in detail so that the present disclosure is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a racing rail support post and the ground engagement element supporting a portion of a racing rail;

[0021] Figure 2 depicts a top view of a longitudinal racing rail supported by three spaced support posts and ground engaging elements; [0022] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the parts of a curvilinear pole arrangement;

[0023] Figure 4 depicts an embodiment of the parts depicted in Figure 3 and the attached ground engagement element;

[0024] Figure 5 A depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in Figure 4 including partial cross- section of the base of the pole with the attachable base engaged with the ground engaging element including the biasing element;

[0025] Figure 5B depicts a larger representation of the partial cross-section depicted in Figure 5 A;

[0026] Figure 6 depicts a top perspective view of the ground engaging element;

[0027] Figure 7 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the attachable base of a curvilinear pole;

[0028] Figure 8 depicts a top view of the ground engaging element depicted in Figure 6;

[0029] Figure 8A depicts the lines of force involved in disengaging the attachable base from the ground engaging element;

[0030] Figure 9 depicts a top perspective view of the attachable base depicted in Figure 7;

[0031] Figure 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of the attachable base depicted in Figure 7;

[0032] Figure 11 depicts a perspective view of the curvilinear pole depicted in Figure 3;

[0033] Figure 12 depicts a perspective exploded view of the curvilinear pole depicted in Figure 11 including a spigot and a top cap;

[0034] Figure 13 depicts a perspective view of an assembled curvilinear pole;

[0035] Figure 13A depicts a cross-sectional view of the spigot attached to the bottom end of the pole;

[0036] Figure 14A depicts a top perspective view of an embodiment of a collar;

[0037] Figure 14B depicts a bottom perspective view of the collar depicted in Figure 14A; [0038] Figure 14C depicts a cross-sectional view of the collar depicted in Figure 14A; [0039] Figure 14D depicts a top view of the collar depicted in Figure 14A;

[0040] Figure 15 depicts an exploded view of an alternative pole positioning mechanism showing the pole body, spigot, attachable base body, and alternative collar;

[0041] Figure 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of the alternative pole positioning mechanism of Figure 15 also including the biasing element;

[0042] Figure 17 depicts a perspective view of a pole attached to the attachable base with a collar;

[0043] Figure 18A depicts a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a racing rail attachment plate;

[0044] Figure 18B depicts a front perspective view of the racing rail attachment plate depicted in Figure 18 A;

[0045] Figure 19 depicts an alternative top of pole rotatable attachment arrangement;

[0046] Figure 20 depicts the parts of a further embodiment of the attachable base;

[0047] Figure 21 depicts a cross-sectional view of the assembled attachable base located in the ground engagement element;

[0048] Figure 22 depicts the parts of the further embodiment laid out ready for assembly; [0049] Figure 23 depicts a bottom perspective view of the spigot attached to the attachable base; and [0050] Figure 24 depicts a top perspective view of the spigot attached to the attachable base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0051] Horse racing rail systems vary greatly, and one subcategory consists of systems that include a breakaway pole. One such system is disclosed in WO2008031150 and although there are similarities in the arrangement disclosed in that document to what is disclosed herein, there are modifications and consequential improvements disclosed in this specification that permit the arrangement disclosed herein to function in a manner which fulfils the needs of race course managers while satisfying the safety concerns of jockeys and the owners of expensive racing horses.

[0052] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a racing rail associated support post 10 and the ground engagement element 12 supporting a portion of a racing rail 14 but which is shown not installed in the ground since the ground engagement element is fully exposed. The racing rail depicted is but a small portion of the rail which is located inward of the location at which the post is inserted into the ground so that the rail is effectively suspended at about 1300 mm to the top of the rail from the ground level as well as some 400mm inwards (depicted in Fig. 2) of the ground engagement element 12 at the base of the rising support pole 10.

[0053] Figure 2 depicts a top view of a longitudinal racing rail 14 supported by three spaced support posts 10 and ground engagement elements 12. This perspective illustrates the offset of the rail from the location of the base of the post, which is about 400 mm. The movement of horse and jockey in either direction (see the double headed arrow) about the track, means that glancing blows being either of the representative force lines 20, 22 or 24 to the racing rail, typically by the flanks of the horses, applies a force on the rail which transfers through nearby posts 10 to the respective ground engagment elements 12, since a constructed post and rail system spreads those forces along its length.

[0054] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the parts of a curvilinear pole arrangement, which include a rail fixing bracket 30, the curvilinear pole body 32, the attachable base 34 (also called a foot of the pole), a collar 35 located on the pole body 32, an end stop 36, a bias element 38, and a fixing screw 39.

[0055] Figure 4 depicts an embodiment of the assembled parts depicted in Figure 3 and an attached ground engagement element 12, showing that the bottom portion of the ground engagement element is inserted into the ground and the upper surface of the ground engagement element is above ground as is the attachable base 34 of the pole 32 (Fig. 3).

[0056] Figure 5 A depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in Figure 4 including a partial cross-section of the base of the curvilinear pole body 32 with the attachable base 34 engaged with the ground engagement element 12 showing some indicative dimensions, which are not meant to be limiting.

[0057] Figure 5B depicts a larger representation of the partial cross-section depicted in Figure 5A depicting all the parts described previously. The pole body 32 in this embodiment is hollow along at least a portion of the lower end of the pole body and the lower end of the pole body has an opening into the hollow portion into which a spigot 50 (also depicted in Figure 13 A) is located at the lower end of the pole body and which extends external of the pole body. The spigot is fixed in relation to the end of the pole body, and thus providing for fittment of the free end of the spigot into the attachment receptacle 73 (refer Figure 7) of the attachable base 34 which in turn is adapted for releaasable fitment to the grond engagement element 12. The spigot has at least one internal wall defining an opening 52 in the external end of the spigot once fitted to the pole body. In this embodiment, the opening is a bore suitable for the screwing in of a threaded fixing screw 39. There are other ways in which the end-stop 36 and bias element 38 can be fitted and fixed to the end of the spigot 50. Material for making spigot from (also called an axle because it rotates within the attachable body) is aluminium, and it can then be welded to the lower end of pole body.

[0058] The biasing element is adapted by way of the size and shape to partially fit within a depression 60 (depicted in detail in Figure 6) in the ground engagement element 12. The form of the biasing element is, in preference, a wave spring made of stainless steel but the form of the biasing element could be a disc of elastomeric material, e.g. rubber, neoprene, silicon, or a metal or plastic spring, etc. The biasing element is adapted to apply a biasing force (effectively an upward force) on the external free end of the spigot 50 and thus the attachable base 34 which thus more tightly engages with the engagement element 12, in particular with opposed projections 68 and 69 to be described n mor detail in relationg to Figures 6 and 7. The resulting force thus biasing the pole body, more specifically, the attachable base 34 into engagement with the ground engagement element 12. This biased engagement of these parts is an improvement over prior art engagement arrangements which have no such additional engagement force. The biasing element is arranged, as described, to apply a biasing force to the attachable base. The end-stop and the biasing element are fixed to the spigot with a fixing, in preference a threaded fixing screw 39, to secure the biasing element to the external free end of the spigot. The biasing force assists the engagement of the engagement arrangement of the ground engagement element to the attachable base of the curvilinear pole arrangement. In an embodiment the material of end-stop at the bottom of the pole is acetyl. In an embodiment, the material of the attachable base (also called a post foot) is Bulk Moulding Compound/Composite (BMC) composite in white or black which preferably has a strength 60MPa UTS.

[0059] Figure 5B also depicts a collar 35 locatable over the pole body 32 and over a portion of the body of the attachable base 36 which is used to fix the attachable base to the lower end of the curvilinear pole body. In an embodiment, the material of the collar is aluminium but may also be BMC, and fixing techniques are available such glue.

[0060] Figure 6 depicts a top perspective view of the ground engaging element 12. The ground engaging element 12 has an elongate body 62 with an under surface 64 and an upper surface 65 and in preference but not necessarily essential, two depending ground insertion members 67 and 66 (prongs). In use, the ground engaging element is inserted into the ground in preparation for the connection of the curvilinear pole arrangement 10. The pole arrangement includes an elongate pole body 32 and an attachable base 36, and a racing rail attachment arrangement (the bracket depicted in Figure 18B) adapted for fitment to the upper end of the pole body 32 and then fitment to the rear of the racing rail 14. When the ground engaging element is inserted into the ground the under surface 64 is directed towards the ground, and the upper surface 65 is directed away from the ground.

[0061] The forces involved in inserting the ground engaging element 12 vary depending on the density of the turf which will be well grassed and watered with good drainage to facilitate the best possible surface for a horse to race over. However, there are very different horse racing environments in the world and the track may be compacted soil, gravel covered soil, and the soil may have depths which vary fro track to track or even about the track preiphery, so the ground engaging element needs to be suitable for most possible ground conditions. Yet further, the ground engaging element needs to be tough as it is likely that track workers will use whatever tool is available to assist the insertion task, so as to reduce their physical labour input in the insertion process, so hammers and portable powered impaction tools will be used. This latter environmental use condition means that the material the ground engaging element is made from will need to survive those conditions, including being installed in the wet ground for long periods of time, left out of the ground during storage in less than ideal conditions. Thus in an embodiment, the material of the ground engagement element is ductile iron casting. It may also be machined steel, for example using a dovetail cutter to create the depression 60 and to create the scoring of the top surface 65 with grooves as shown in Figure 6. The finish applied to the element can be a low-gloss black primer which should provide for durability, including resistance to the effects of potentially corrosive environmental elements.

[0062] To assist insertion and stability the ground engaging element has, in one embodiment, a single depending ground insertion members/prong which can have a variety of shapes, each intended to permit ease of insertion, so they are likely to have a tapered shape narrower at the inserted end than the other end and likley shaped to be resistant to horizontal displacement in the ground in a direction at right angles to the racing rail, so as to resist the forces impinging on the ground engagement element from the attached pole body and rail, as well as to permit relatively easy extraction. In a preferred embodiment, there are two opposed ground insertion prongs, one prong depending from the under surface 64 of one end region of the body of the engagement element 12, and another prong depending from the other end region of the under surface 64 of the body. The two ground insertion prongs 66 and 67 are longer than they are wide and relatively thin and slightly tapered, being broader immediately below the under surface 64 to narrower at the free end inserted into the ground, but as described in respect of the material the ground engaging element is made of, the material is strong enuogh for purpose. The orientation of the two prongs as displayed is parallel with respect to each other. In an embodiment, not shown, the prongs can be planar, and in another embodiment, each prong can be curved, and in the embodiment depicted the prongs are concave, and they act together to increase the force to move an attached and in use curvilinear pole arrangement while it is supporting a racing rail. This feature accounts for part of the stability and resistance to the glancing forces that will impinge on the racing rail assembly by horses during the use of the track defined by the racing rails but which will also resist rotation in the situation when the curvilinear pole is forced to break-away from the ground engagement element.

[0063] The body of the ground engagement element 12 also has, in an embodiment, longitudinally opposed projections 68 and 69. One projection 68 rises from the upper surface of one end region of the body which is to be located closer to the installed racing rail. The other projection 69 rises from the other end region of the upper surface of the body which will be located further away from the racing rail. Both projections are adapted for engagement with a pole 32, when in use. An indicia is incorporated into the casting of the projection 68 (in this case a horse head symbol) to signify the track side of the ground engaging element to assist the installation personnel during the installation process.

[0064] Figure 7 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the attachable base 36. The preferred material of the base 36 will be different from the material of the elongate pole body 32. The attachable base, comprises, an elongate body 70 having an upper surface 71 and a lower surface 72 (not shown). The upper and lower surfaces of the body of the attachable base are interrupted by a wall or walls defining the pole attachment receptacle 73, adapted for fitment to the lower end of the elongate pole 32. The receptacle comprises an aperture of inner diameter to allow the outer diameter of the elongate pole body, in an embodiment, the spigot 50, in the region of its lower end, to be inserted therein with clearance to allow easy rotation of the pole body.

[0065] The attachable base 36 has, in this embodiment, at least three surfaces used to achieve the preferred functionality of the attachable base when working with the post body and ground engagement elements of the racing rail system.

[0066] The first of the three surfaces located on the body of the attachable base 34 is adapted for directed lateral sliding and longitudinal engagement with the upper surface 70 of the body of the ground engagement element 12 (refer to Figure 6). The lateral sliding of the first surface formed by the lower surface 64 of the attachable base adapts for directed lateral sliding which is sliding sideways relative to the longitudinal axis of the ground engagement element. Grooves depicted in Figures 12 and 8, are arcuate and allow the lateral movement that will primarily be rotational about the projection 68. There is also an adaption to the longitudinal engagement of the attachable base with the ground engagement element, in that the projections 68 and 69 are located to prevent the attachable base from moving along the longitudinal axis of the attachable base along the upper surface of the body of the ground engagement element. The grooves and associated ridges form a roughened surface which increases friction between the lower surface of the attachable base and the upper surface of the body of the ground engagement element.

[0067] The body of the attachable base 36 also has surfaces 68b and 69b on the ends of the body for slidable engagement with the projections 68 and 69 and their respective surfaces 68a and 69a.

[0068] The first surface of the attachable base is an arcuate ramped surface 68b (refer Figure 7). The surface 68b is located on end of the body of the attachable base, the surface 68b being adapted, for directed continuous sliding engagement with the correspondingly arcuate ramped surface 68a (refer to Figure 6) of the projection 68 being the projection located, in use, closest to the racing rail.

[0069] The surface 68b (refer to Figure 7) is also adapted for retention of the attachable base 36, due to the overlap of the correspondingly ramped surface 68a (refer Figure 6) against movement of the base of the pole when attached to the attachable base, in the direction upward and towards the racing rail. Thus the attachable base is prevented from moving upwards and thus out of the ground engagement element 12 when forces exerted on the pole body from the attached rail have a component which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body of the attachable base 36.

[0070] The body of the attachable base 36 also has a further slidably engaging surface on the end of the elongate attachable base. That surface is a substantially planar ramped surface 69b (refer to Figure 7), for sliding engagement with the correspondingly planar ramped surface 69a (refer to Figure 6) of the projection 68 being the projection located, in use, furthest from the racing rail.

[0071 ] The surface 69b (refer to Figure 7) is also adapted for retention of the attachable base 36, due to the overlap of the correspondingly ramped surface 68a (refer Figure 6) against movement of the base of the pole when attached to the attachable base, in the direction upward and towards the racing rail. Thus the attachable base is prevented from moving upwards and thus out of the ground engagement element 12 when forces exerted on the pole body from the attached rail have a component which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body of the attachable base 36.

[0072] When only when a force is exerted on the pole body having a component (that is not all of the force needs to be in that direction but at least a portion sufficient to disengage the assembly and element) in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis of the body of the attachable base 36, the surface 69b first slidingly disengages with the surface 69a of the projection 69 located furthest from the racing rail. After that, the pole assembly 10 begins to separate from the ground engagement element 11. The force having that same component will also cause the surface 68b of the attachable base to slide against the surface 68a of the projection 68 located closest to the racing rail. Eventually, the pole assembly 10 begins to completely separate from the ground engagement element 11. The force component is assisted by the bias force of the biasing element which is otherwise urging the attachable base against the ramped surfaces 68a and 68b which when one or more of them is no longer restrained assists the separation process.

[0073] Figure 8 depicts a top view of the ground engaging element depicted in Figure 7 also depicting the depression 70 into which the end stop 38 partly rests (refer to Figure 5B and the related description).

[0074] Figure 8A depicts the lines of force involved in disengaging the attachable base 36 from the ground engaging element 12. The impact force, say from a jockey colliding with the pole body 32 is shown by the arrow 80, and the breakaway arrangement responds to that force, in the following manner. First, recall that the retention of the attachable base 34 to the ground engagement element 12 is assisted by the bias element 38 and that attachment force is greater than if there were no such arrangement. To offset, this greater attachment force all the engagement surfaces 68a/68b and 69a/69b are sized and shaped to cause the reaction force 82 to result in rotation of the attachable base about a pivot point 84. The pivot point is designed to be close to the end of the ground engagement element, or beyond the body of the ground engagement element. As depicted in Figure 8A, the pivot point is located between the racing rail and the end of the ground engagement element nearest the racing rail. The location of the pivot point is largely determined by the radius of the curvature of the

corresponding arcuate ramped surfaces 68a/68b.

[0075] Figure 9 depicts a top perspective view of the attachable base 36 depicted in Figure 6;

[0076] Figure 10 depicts a cross-sectional view along a-a of the attachable base 36 depicted in Figure 9, noting the wall defining a passage between the upper and lower surfaces of the body of the attachable base defines an attachment receptacle 73, adapted for fitment to the lower end of the elongate pole body 32.

[0077] Figure 1 1 depicts a perspective view of the curvilinear pole 32 depicted in Figure 3. In an embodiment, the preferable material of the post is aluminium with white automotive grade paint or powder coating, is applied and keeps the pole light and durable. [0078] Figure 12 depicts a perspective exploded view of the curvilinear pole depicted in Figure 11 including a spigot 50 which can be welded to the pole body. There is shown at least one chamfered portionl24 along a portion of the free end of the spigot 50, but in a preferred embodiment, there are two chamfered portions on the spigot.

[0079] Figure 13 depicts a perspective view of an assembled curvilinear pole showing the spigot 50 installed at the end of the lower portion of the pole body 32 leaving exposed all or most of the visible chamfered portion of the spigot there being in this embodiment another chamfered portion diametrically opposite on the spigot. The end region of the spigot is adapted by its shape to pass through the non-circular opening in the inner wall of the collar 35 (refer to Figures 14B and 14D).

[0080] Figure 13A depicts a cross-sectional view across the diameter of the spigot 50 while attached to the lower portion of the pole body 32.

[0081] Figure 14A depicts a top perspective view of an embodiment of a collar 35. The collar has a substantially circular outer shape, and the lower part of the collar is internally sized (refer to Figure 14C) to fit over the upper end 90 (refer to Figure 10) of the attachment receptacle portion of the attachable base 36.

[0082] Figure 14B depicts a bottom perspective view of the collar depicted in Figure 14A, showing on one side the aperture 140 having a flat side 142.

[0083] Figure 14C depicts cross-sectional view across the diameter of the collar depicted in Figure 14A.

[0084] Figure 14D depicts a top view of the collar 35 depicted in Figures 14A to 14C showing two flat sides 142 and 144 of the aperture 140. Once the pole body is in a location above the collar, the spigot will only fit through the collar if the two chamfered regions 114 are aligned with the two flat sides of the spigot. That requires the installer to orientate the pole arrangement to align the top of the pole to be adjacent the rail or the complete opposite direction. Thus the fitting steps described simplify and speeds up the installation process.

[0085] Figure 15 depicts an exploded view of an alternative pole positioning mechanism showing the pole body, spigot, attachable base body, and alternative collar. The pole body 32 is provided with a profiled end 150, wherein the otherwise planar annular end wall (in end view) of the hollow pole is provided with a shape that acts as a cam. The cam shape in this embodiment is in the form of a depending curved formation 152. [0086] The cam has at least two functions, the first being to locate the pole body 32 into an orientation which places the upper portion of the pole body near the racing rail 14. This first function is assisted by the orientation of the body of the attachable base 36 in the appropriate direction, which in turn is a result of the attachment of the body of the attachable base into the ground engagement element 12 in the appropriate orientation. If all the described elements are appropriately orientated, then the cam interacts with a complementarily shaped top surface 154 of the attachable base. That top surface has a lip 156 standing proud of the top region of the attachable base having a curved cut-tout portion 158, wherein the cam can reside when the spigot 50 extending from the pole body and pole body are inserted and rotated in the supporting attachable base.

[0087] The cam has a second function being to allow rotation of the pole body 32 and the integral spigot 50 which carries the end stop 38 and bias element 38. By rotating the spigot, the end stop is raised against the further compressed bias element to thus raise the bottom surface of the end stop from engagement with the ground engaging element 12. Thus, the bias is acted against to reduce the engagement force between the attachable base and the ground engaging element which thus lessens the disengagement force during disassembly of the attachable base 36 from the ground engaging element 12 and thus greatly lessens wear of both the attachable base and the ground engaging element. This lessening of the wear is an advantage since these parts are engaged and disengaged every time the racing rail needs to be moved.

[0088] Figure 16 depicts a cross-sectional view across the diameter of the alternative pole positioning mechanism also including the biasing element 38.

[0089] Figure 17 depicts a perspective view of the pole attached to the attachable base with a collar 35 which is in this embodiment is a v-ring made of rubber but may also be a composite or a combination of metal and rubber.

[0090] Figure 18A depicts a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a racing rail attachment plate 150, and in an embodiment, the preferred material of racing rail bracket is stainless steel.

[0091] Figure 18B depicts a front perspective view of the racing rail attachment plate 180 depicted in Figure 18A at least one of the holes 182 is used to feed through the exposed threaded self-clinching stud, and an M10 hex head nyloc nut is used to fix the top end of the pole body 32 to the attachment plate 180. Once that is done, the plate can be attached by any convenient manner to the racing rail. In an embodiment only, fixing screws are drilled through at least one of the elongate holes 184 into the internal region of the base formation of the racing rail 14. [0092] Figure 19 depicts an alternative top of pole rotatable attachment arrangement, wherein the top cap of the pole body 32 supports a wave washer 190 and spring pin 192. The spring pin has two arms 194 supported by a pin 199. The orientation of the arms, in fitted use, is any angle other than horizontal with respect to the ground. Figure 19 also depicts an alternative racing rail attachment plate 196 (the fixing arrangement to the racing rail 14 is not shown but could comprise one or more fasteners). The attachment plate has a slot and at least one hole 198, but preferably three, holes which overlay the slot. The aperture in the attachement plate is arranged so that the pin and the arms are aligned with the slot and one of the holes while the longitudinal axis of the pole body is at an angle to the vertical and then rotated to the vertical so that both pins lie behind the attachment plate and are not alinged with the slot. When the pole body 32 and attachable base 34 are released from the ground engaging element 12, the top end of the pole body is rotatable with respect to the racing rail as a consequence of the describe attachement arrangement.

[0093] Figure 20 depicts the parts of a further embodiment of the attachable base comprising two different diameter nitrile O-rings 202 and 204; an engageable base element (foot) 206; a stainless steel washer 208; a wave spring 210; an acetal post end 212; an aluminium spacer 214; and a metal screw 216.

[0094] Figure 21 depicts a cross-sectional view of the assembled attachable base located in the ground engagement element.

[0095] Figure 22 depicts the parts of the further embodiment laid out ready for assembly.

[0096] Figure 23 depicts a bottom perspective view of the spigot attached to the attachable base.

[0097] Figure 24 depicts a top perspective view of the spigot attached to the attachable base.

[0098] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the aspects disclosed. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the aspects disclosed. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the aspects disclosed.