SA Sport 5161 User manual

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1
September 21, 2009
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Orillia, Ontario USA 76119
Canada L3V 6H9
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5161 – Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 2
Thank you for purchasing the SA Sport “Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” from our
line of Gymnastics Equipment. We appreciate your business and value you as a customer!
You have purchased an outstanding set of Parallel Bars. This apparatus is manufactured of the finest
materials and has been thoroughly inspected before leaving our plant. We are sure you will be pleased
with the product’s quality, durability and performance.
All Bars are pre-assembled before leaving our plant to ensure Uprights are properly fitted to the Base
and Rails are correctly aligned and of equal lengths. Bars are then disassembled for shipping.
All Bars are guaranteed for one year from date of purchase against faulty manufacturing and defective
materials. Rails are guaranteed for one year from date of invoice. Damage or breakage, which in the
opinion of SA Sport is caused by misuse or mishandling, is not covered by warranty
Please read carefully the following instructions before assembling and using your new equipment.
The exclamation mark symbol, when seen in this booklet, is used to indicate warnings
or items that require special attention during the use or assembly of the apparatus.
Only qualified persons should undertake assembly, installation and adjustment of this
equipment. At no time should children or other unqualified persons undertake the
assembly, installation or adjustment of this equipment.
For assembly and set-up instructions of Competition Parallel Bars, please read and follow all
instructions in Section I of this booklet as they apply to your particular piece of equipment.
For Height & Width Adjustment of Competition Parallel Bars, please read and follow all instructions
in Section II of this booklet as they apply to your particular piece of equipment.
For Spare Parts for Competition Parallel Bars, refer to Section III of this booklet as they apply to
your particular piece of equipment.
For assembly and operation instructions of Parallel Bars Transporter, please read and follow all
instructions in Section IV of this booklet as they apply to your particular piece of equipment.
Be sure to read and follow all Safety Instructions in Section V of this booklet before attempting to use
the apparatus!

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 3
SECTION I
Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars - Assembly
Before you begin Assembly
Please read all instructions carefully before attempting to assemble your Parallel Bars.
Use caution when handling the base of the Parallel Bars - it is very heavy!
You will require at least six (6) persons to assemble these Bars. Do not attempt assembly with fewer
Persons. It cannot be done safely!
Under no circumstances should children be permitted to assemble or adjust Parallel Bars. Only
qualified adults, coaches or supervisory staff should undertake these operations.
Please pay particular attention to the “Cautions” outlined throughout the assembly operation. They are
emphasized for your safety!
Assembly Checklist
You will have received five (5) shipping cartons. The following components should be identified
before assembly.
Carton 1 – (1) Base unit
Carton 2 – (2) Uprights Tubes, including hardware
Carton 3 – (2) Uprights Tubes, including hardware
Carton 4 – (1) Rail attached to Rail Bracket, pivot and Goose Neck Adjusting Shaft
Carton 5 – (1) Rail attached to Rail Bracket, pivot and Goose Neck Adjusting Shaft
One of the cartons will contain a Hardware Package of (12) Flat Head Screws, for Upright attachment
to base, (4) Upright Locking Handles, (1) 5/16” Allen Key and (1) 1/4” Allen Key
Please note that a Transporter is not included in the purchase price of your Parallel Bars
and must be purchased separately. We recommend purchasing the Transporter to
facilitate easy movement of your Bars.
Upright Attachment to Base
(Figure A)
1. Using at least six (6) persons, unpack the base and move it to the location where you will use it.
Position the base so that it is on level stable flooring.
Caution: It is extremely important that the Base be completely stable during the assembly
process. Do not have the transporter engaged on the Base during the assembly
process; it is not stable! The Base unit is extremely heavy. Serious injury may
result if it is allowed to fall on the floor.
2. Next, open the two upright base cartons. One of the cartons will be marked as containing the
hardware Bag.

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3. You will see that each Upright Tube is numbered from 1 to 4, as is each of the four groups of holes
ensuring that the 3 holes in the base of the Uprights are lined up with the holes in the Base unit.
Caution: Ensure that all T-Handles are positioned to the outside of the Bars, away from
the inside working area between the Uprights.
4. Insert the Flat Head Screws through the base plate and screw them into the corresponding Base
Unit holes. Using the 5/16” Allen key, tighten the 3 Flat Head Screws evenly. Do not turn the
upright leveling screws unless upright angle adjustment is required. The leveling screws may
contact the base unit surface creating a small gap even when all 3 Flat head bolts are completely
tight; this is normal.
5. Use a level on two sides of the Upright, as shown in Figure A. The Upright must be vertical in both
directions. If necessary, the upright angle can be adjusted (in the direction of the length) by using the
installed Upright leveling screws. To do this, first loosen the 3 Flat head screws. Next, using the
Upright Leveling Screw
Base Plate

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 5
supplied 1/4" Allen key, turn both leveling screws evenly in the required direction until the upright is
completely vertical. Both leveling screws should be contacting the base unit surface before continuing.
Re-tighten the 3 flat head base bolts evenly. A gap between the base plate and base unit surface is
normal after adjusting upright angle.
6. If the upright is not vertical side to side, completely tighten one flat head screw before the other to pull it
in the required direction.
7. Repeat Steps 4, 5 & 6 for all remaining Flat Head Screws.
8. Double-check that all the Flat Head Screws have been securely tightened.
Periodically verify that the uprights are securely fastened to the base using an Allen Key.
Rail / Adjusting Shafts Attachment to Upright Tubes
(Figure A & B)
1. Install a T-Handle in each upright tube so that the V-notch (Figure B) faces towards the centre of
the upright tube & the T-handle faces away from the inside working area between the Uprights of
the Parallel bars
2. Ensure the locking T-handle is fully opened, V-notch spread apart, by turning T-Handle counter
clockwise.
WARNING: Be aware of the potential pinch hazard where the adjusting tube and upright tube
meet when they are slid together.

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 6
3. Next, open the 2 cartons that contain the rails and pivot mounted adjusting shafts. Use caution
when opening the cartons so that the wood veneer is not damaged when a knife is used to open the
carton.
4. You will see that each rail pivot is identified with a number 1 to 4; these numbers correspond to the
numbers marked on the Uprights and the base.
5. Match the corresponding number on the rail pivot to the upright tube and, using 2 people, proceed
to install the adjusting shaft into the Upright tube as explained in the next step.
6. While supporting the rail assembly by the rail at each end, carefully guide and slide the adjusting
tube into each of the Upright tubes at the same time. Maintain the adjusting tube square and
perpendicular to the upright at all times.
7. Ensure the locking T-handle is fully open and lower the rails down until they reach the safety lock.
8. Rotate the Safety Lock until it lines up with the holes in the adjusting shaft.
9. With one hand holding the rail, pull the Safety Locking knob. Lower each side a little at a time.
When the rail is not parallel to the floor, resistance will be felt. Release the safety lock once the
desired height is obtained and pull up or down on the rail until the locking pin engages.
Note: You May have to rotate the Safety Lock until it lines up with the holes in the
adjusting shaft in order for the Lock Pin to engage with a Hole in the Adjusting
shaft.
10. Tighten the T-handle on each Upright!

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 7
SECTION II
Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars – Height & Width Adjustments
Height and Width Adjustment
Caution: Please note that it is essential that the rails be supported at all times during any
adjustment of height. When the T-Handle is loosened to adjust height and the
Safety Lock is disengaged, the Adjusting Shaft and Rail will drop down quickly.
Serious injury may result if the rail is not supported.
1. Loosen the T-handle on the adjusting shaft to be adjusted.
2. While supporting the rail, pull the Safety Lock out to release the adjusting shaft for up or down
movement.
Note: The Safety Lock must be pulled out to raise or lower the rail.
3. When the required height has been achieved, align safety lock with adjusting shaft holes and
release the safety knob and pull up or down on the rail until the locking pin engages. Ensure that it
is properly engaged in the adjusting shaft by exerting force downward on the rail.
Note: You May have to rotate the Safety Lock until it lines up with the holes in the
Adjusting Shaft in order for the Lock Pin to engage with a Hole in the Adjusting
shaft.
4. If required, to change the width between the rails of the Parallel Bars, rotate the Gooseneck below
the Pivot of the Adjusting Shaft, leaving the Safety lock fully engaged but loosening the T-
Handle.
Note: During width adjustment it may be necessary to loosen both T-handles on both ends of
the same rail to allow the Goosenecks to pivot freely
5. Lock the Adjusting Shaft by rotating the T-handle in a clockwise direction until tightened firmly.
WARNING: Never attempt to use this apparatus without locking the T-Handles.

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 8
SECTION III
Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars – Spare Parts
Spare Parts
Note: When exchanging the Safety Lock do not discard the spacer washer as this is not a
spare part and must be retained for re-installation with replacement Safety lock.
SECTION IV “Parallel Bars Transporter” – Assembly & Use
Assembly of Transporter
You will have received one shipping carton containing one (1) Handle Assembly and two (2) Carriers
complete with casters. You will require one (1) ¾” or one (1) adjustable wrench. One person can
assemble the transporter, but two are required to move a set of Parallel Bars.
1. Remove the Hex Head Cap Screws
from each Pivot arm.
2. Slide the Carriers onto the Pivot Arm.
3. Replace the washers and screws and
tighten securely.

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 9
Operation of Transporter
1. Place the assembled Transporter over the Base Unit of the Parallel Bars. Ensure that the Carriers
are positioned parallel with the Base Unit and that the Handle is lying on the Base Unit.
2. Slide the Hanger Brackets under each side of the Base Unit. Ensure that the Brackets are centered
within the length of the Base Unit.
3. Lift the Handle up and over until it reaches the other side.
Caution: The Handle will be somewhat difficult to move upwards as pressure is being
exerted. However, the Handle will fall quickly on the down side. Ensure that the
Handle is held firm and is controlled during the entire movement from one side to
the other. If it does fall, keep fingers well clear of the Handle and feet well clear of
the Base Unit.
Caution: The Parallel Bars are now elevated but not steady. It is essential that the Bars be
supported by one person on each end to ensure one side does not fall to the floor. If
it does fall, keep feet well clear of the Base Unit or serious injury will result to the
feet.
4. Supporting each end of the Bars, push them to the desired location. To lower, have one person
steady the Bars in position. The other person will lift the Handle. Remember, it will move fast on
the downside! Keep fingers well clear. As the Bars lower to the floor, keep feet well clear of the
Base.

“5161 - Performance Series Competition Parallel Bars” Instructions #8920002 Rev 1 Pg. 10
SECTION V SAFETY
Warning
Any activity involving motion or height creates the possibility of serious injury including
permanent paralysis and even death, from landing or falling on the neck, head, or other parts of
the body.
You assume a risk of serious injury in using this equipment. However, this risk can be reduced
by strictly following these rules at all times.
1. Use this equipment only under the supervision of a trained and qualified instructor.
2. This equipment must be used only when protected by proper matting as recommended by the
Federation of International Gymnasts (F.I.G.). If in doubt concerning proper matting, do not
use this equipment.
3. This equipment must be used with proper spotting equipment and qualified spotters suitable
to the activity or skill. Always consult an instructor.
4. Know your own limitations and the limitations of this equipment. Follow progressive learning
techniques and always consult an instructor.
5. Always inspect this equipment for proper stability before each use.
6. Always inspect this equipment for loose fittings and parts. Replace any worn, defective or
missing parts.
7. Always inspect this equipment for improper or unsafe installation. If in doubt, do not use this
equipment.