SLOWING DOWN KARTS

DESCRIPTION

The object of the present invention is a pit lane for go-kart racetracks, having means adapted to improve the safety of the users in the entry, travel and exit steps of the vehicles from the lane of the same pit lane.

In the context of the karting tracks, it is known that one of the issues of greatest concern for the managers is that relating to safety related to the risks caused by the high speed of the kart in relatively confined and busy spaces.

Typically, the problem is partly solved by the installation of protection barriers for karts, delimiting the carriageway to absorb the shocks thereof and prevent the vehicles from leaving the racetrack: an example of guard-rails or similar crash barriers is illustrated in the prior patent US20110218047, regarding a multi-layer bumper, consisting of a substantially rigid support, a semi-flexible outer layer and an interposition buffer layer, made of compressible and resilient material.

Other systems, on the other hand, provide for the placement of special shock absorption equipment only in the most dangerous points of the racing circuit: for example, the prior document W02004083527 describes an apparatus for dampening the impact of a collision, comprising a support provided with one or more rotating members, each of which is filled with gas at a given pressure to absorb the impact forces of the impacting vehicle.

The safety problem is particularly amplified in the proximity of the pit lane, in view of the fact that in such zone, in addition to the parked karts, there may be racers waiting or operators intent on moving the vehicles: the users present in the pit lane are therefore highly exposed to the risk of a kart entering and travelling such lane at high speeds, with the related consequences in terms of physical damages to people and/or mechanical damages to the karts in the event of a collision.

Operator-automated and/or remotely activated control systems are already known in the sector, with the aim of limiting the speed of the karts in certain sections of the racetrack (typically in proximity of the curvilinear sections thereof): examples of such kind are provided for in the prior documents W02020/150793 and US2018/0001765, which describe means that mechanically or electronically reduce the power and/or speed of the kart motor, communicating with a special transponder associated with levers and gearboxes placed on the steering wheel or pedals of the vehicle.

However, such solutions have proved to be ineffective in ensuring safety inside the pit lane, as they essentially focus on the sections of the racetrack intended to kart racing. Furthermore, the remote activation negatively affects the driving sensations of the racer and his decision-making autonomy, with sudden interruptions of the power supplied by the internal combustion engine or by the electric motor of the kart.

The object of the present invention is to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, by providing a pit lane provided with means adapted to decrease the speed of the kart entering and travelling therein.

A further object is to provide a kart moving system in the pit lane, of simple implementation and having a high safety degree for the users.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which may be easily adapted to the pit lanes of the existing karting tracks.

These and other objects, which shall become clear hereinafter, are achieved with a pit lane equipped with means adapted to limit the entry and travel speed of the kart, according to the provisions of claim 1. Other objects may also be achieved by means of the additional features of the dependent claims.

The features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, in accordance with the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the annexed drawing tables, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a pit lane of a karting track, provided with the safety means according to the invention;

- Fig. 2 shows a side view of one of the two platforms laterally delimiting a pit lane according to the invention.

The features of a preferred variant of the invention are now described, using the references contained in the figures. It should be noted that the above figures, although schematic, reproduce the elements of the invention according to proportions among the spatial dimensions and orientations thereof that are compatible with a possible executive embodiment.

It should also be noted that any dimensional and spatial term (such as “lower”, “upper”, “inner”, “outer”, “front”, “rear” and the like) refers to the positions of the elements as shown in the annexed figures, without any limiting intent relative to the possible operating positions.

With reference to Fig. 1, PL indicates the pit lane of a karting track, in particular of an indoor karting track (but the teachings of the present invention are also indifferently applicable to an outdoor racetrack).

It is known that the zone defined as “pit lane PL” consists of one or more lanes L, external but in any case adjacent to the travel carriageway of the karts GK, in which the latter transit and park until their new entry in the track: in the pit lane PL said karts GK are also subjected to the conventional maintenance, recharging (in the case of electric powered karts) and filling activities thereof (in case of internal combustion engine karts).

For reasons of summary and clarity of the images, the pit lane PL of Fig. 1 comprises a single lane L intended to accommodate one or more karts GK, placed one after the other; however it is the practice that, at least in more recently designed karting tracks, the pit lane PL comprises several side-by-side lanes L, in order to accommodate and manage the parking and maintenance operations of a greater number of karts GK: it shall be therefore understood that what described below applies indifferently for pit lanes with a single lane L or with several parallel lanes L.

As per prior art, each lane L of the pit lane PL is laterally delimited by raised platforms P, conventionally represented by platforms of metallic material (typically aluminium), having both the function of spatially defining the longitudinal boundaries of the entrance/parking/exit lane L of the karts GK, and above all that of acting as a raised floor where the users (racers and operators) may transit and park without fear of being run over by moving karts GK.

However, in the pit lanes of the prior art, the aforementioned safety problems remain in the event that a kart GK enters the pit lane PL at a high speed when the users are still in the lane L, either because the racer is inside the kart GK or is about to get on or off it, or because the operators are intent on vehicles’ maintenance and moving activities.

In fact, even in the most advanced karting tracks, i.e. those equipped with adequate speed control systems imposing the racer a forced deceleration in the proximity of the track exit, the karts GK generally enter the pit lane PL at a speed in the order of 20 km/h, however still sufficient to cause physical damages to the users (above all to the racers seated in the kart GK, who do not expect to be rear-ended by another vehicle in a lane intended for parking), but also material damages to the same vehicles.

The negative effects may be even more serious in case of pit lanes of less organised karting tracks, without any kart GK speed control system, in which the racer alone is responsible for braking and entering the pit lane at a reduced speed.

Typically, a lane L of a pit lane has a width of about 140 / 150 cm, while the raised platforms P which longitudinally delimit the lateral boundaries have a height of about 25 cm.

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems through a system which provides at least one of the following safety means, preferably but not necessarily in combination with each other:

- a first closing and slowdown mechanism for the karts GK entering the lane L of the pit lane PL;

- a second slowdown and moving mechanism for the karts GK in transit in the lane L of such pit lane PL;

- a third closing mechanism for the karts GK exiting the lane L of said pit lane PL.

According to the preferred variant of the invention, the pit lane PL simultaneously comprises all the three mechanisms listed above.

In accordance with a simplified variant of the invention, the pit lane PL comprises the aforementioned first and second mechanisms.

According to a minimal variant of the invention, the pit lane PL comprises only the second slowdown and moving mechanism.

The first closing and slowdown mechanism for the karts GK entering the lane L of the pit lane PL according to the invention comprises a pair of arms 1, each of which is positioned, one opposite the other and at the same height, on the inner vertical walls P.l of the two raised platforms P longitudinally delimiting the lane L of the pit lane PL.

As it is visible in Figs. 1 and 2, said pair of arms 1 is placed in substantial proximity of the initial section of such raised platforms P, i.e. at the entrance of the lane L of the pit lane PL.

Each arm 1 comprises:

- a distal end 1.1, hinged by rotation means to said inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P,

- and a free proximal end 1.2, equipped with a terminal made of polymeric material (e.g. rubber).

Each arm 1 is capable of taking two alternative positions, by rotating horizontally on the vertical axis of the rotation means with which said distal end 1.1 is hinged to the inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P, i.e.:

- a closing inert position, in which the proximal end 1.2 of each arm 1 takes a position parallel to the raised platform P, without invading the lane L of the pit lane PL,

- and an opening operating position, in which the proximal end 1.2 of each arm 1 rotates towards the inside of the lane L of the pit lane PL, with a rotation degree comprised between 30° and 60°, preferably 45°.

The distal end 1.1 of each arm 1 is hinged to the inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P at a height comprised between 10 and 20 cm, such that, when the arm 1 is in opening operating position, the proximal end 1.2 intercepts the hull C of the incoming kart GK, absorbing the impact thereof with its terminal made of polymeric material.

According to the preferred variant of the invention, when each arm 1 is in opening operating position, the proximal end 1.2 thereof extends into the lane L of the pit lane PL by about 30 cm with respect to the edge of the raised platform P.

Preferably, said arms 1 take the opening operating position by automated activation means, such as for example a photocell placed on the carriageway of the racing track which ascertains the passage of the kart GK and its approaching the entrance of the pit lane PL, or by remote activation with control means guided by the operators.

The return of said arms 1 to the closing inert position may equally take place by automated means, for example a timer or a second photocell (placed in lane L of the pit lane PL or in an intermediate section of the inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P), which ascertains that the kart GK has passed.

Alternatively said arms 1 may be moved from their closing inert position to their opening operating position and vice versa by manual systems, operated directly by the operators.

Field tests have shown that the first closing and slowdown mechanism for the karts GK entering the pit lane PL is capable of reducing the vehicle's speed by about 50%.

The second slowdown and moving mechanism for the karts GK in transit in the lane L of the pit lane PL according to the invention comprises a pair of rails 2, each of which is longitudinally placed on the inner vertical walls P.l of the two raised platforms P delimiting the lane L of such pit lane.

Preferably such rails 2 have a length substantially equal to the entire length of such raised platforms P, except for the initial sections of these, i.e. the entry and exit of the pit lane PL.

Each rail 2 comprises a plurality of wheels 2.1 made of polymeric material (for example rubber) or of metal covered by polymeric material.

Each wheel 2.1 is spaced from the next one by about 40 / 60 cm, preferably about 50 cm, and has a horizontal lying plane, rotating on its vertical axis.

As visible in Fig. 2, said rails 2 are placed at a height comprised between 10 and 20 cm, i.e. substantially the same height as the positioning of the arms 1.

The plurality of wheels 2.1 of the rails 2 are capable of rotating according to two modes:

- a free rotation, with said wheels 2.1 turning neutral around themselves when they intercept the hull C of the kart GK in transit in the pit lane PL, absorbing the impact and reducing the transit speed thereof,

- or a rotation guided by control means, with said wheels 2.1 turning clockwise or anti-clockwise, reducing the transit speed of the kart GK and/or making it slide forward or backward by gripping the hull C thereof in order to shift it in the desired position from the operators (for example in order to align said kart GK in the recharging or filling station or shift it to the forward positions for the return on track).

In this second rotation mode, said wheels 2.1 are preferably controlled by remote driving with control means guided by the operators.

Field tests have shown how the second slowdown and moving mechanism of the karts GK in transit in the pit lane PL is capable of reducing the vehicle speed by approximately a further 30% when combined with the previously described first closing and slowdown mechanism; if, on the other hand, such first mechanism is absent, said second slowdown and moving mechanism is able to reduce the speed of the kart GK in transit in the lane L of the pit lane by approximately 50%.

The third closing mechanism for the karts GK exiting the lane L of the pit lane PL according to the invention comprises means similar to those of the first closing and slowdown mechanism described above, i.e. a pair of arms 3, each of which is positioned, one opposite the other and at the same height, on the inner vertical walls P.l of the two raised platforms P longitudinally delimiting the lane L of such pit lane PL.

As visible in Figs. 1 and 2, said pair of arms 3 is located in substantial proximity of the final section of such raised platforms P, i.e. at the exit of the lane L of the pit lane PL.

Each arm 3 comprises:

- a distal end 3.1, hinged by rotation means to said inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P,

- and a free proximal end 3.2, equipped with a terminal made of polymeric material (e.g. rubber).

Each arm 3 is capable of taking two alternative positions, by rotating horizontally on the vertical axis of the rotation means with which said distal end 3.1 is hinged to the inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P, i.e.:

- a closing inert position, in which the proximal end 3.2 of each arm 3 takes a position parallel to the raised platform P, without invading the lane L of the pit lane PL,

- and an opening operating position, in which the proximal end 3.2 of each arm 3 rotates towards the inside of the lane L of the pit lane PL, with a rotation degree of about 90°.

The distal end 3.1 of each arm 3 is hinged to the inner vertical wall P.l of the raised platform P at a height comprised between 10 and 20 cm, such that, when the arm 3 is in the open operating position, the proximal end 3.2 intercepts the hull C of the kart GK, and prevents it from exiting the lane P of the pit lane PL towards the track.

According to the preferred variant of the invention, when each arm 3 is in opening operating position, the proximal end 3.2 thereof extends into the lane L of the pit lane PL by approximately 50 cm with respect to the edge of the raised platform P.

Preferably, said arms 3 take the opening operating position by automated activation means, such as for example a photocell placed in the lane L of the pit lane PL, or in the inner vertical wall P.1 of the raised platform P, or by remote activation with control means guided by the operators.

The return of said arms 3 to their closing inert position may equally take place by automated means, for example a timer or a second photocell (placed in front of the exit from the pit lane PL), which ascertains that the kart GK has passed and the return on track thereof.

Alternatively said arms 3 may be moved from their closing inert position to their opening operating position and vice versa by manual systems, operated directly by the operators.

From the above description, the advantages that may be achieved with the pit lane PL provided with the speed slowdown means of the kart GK according to the invention appear clear, the first whereof concerns the achievement of the objective of preventing the vehicle from entering at a high speed and causing damages to the users or to other karts GK present inside the lane L.

A further order of advantages lies in the possibility for the operators to move the karts GK in an automated and remote manner, without the need to enter the lane L of the pit lane PL.

It is clear that several variants to the pit lane PL having means according to the invention are possible, without departing from the novelty scopes of the inventive idea, as well as it is clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention the various components described above may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

For example, the pair of rails 2 having the plurality of wheels 2.1 of the second mechanism may be replaced by a plurality of wheels 2.1 directly positioned on the inner vertical wall P.1 of the raised platforms P, without the intermediate aid of the rails 2.