STARTING BLOCK
An adjustable swimmer's starting block includes a wedge shaped launch block that is movable between a stowed position and plural positions along a surface of a starting platform, providing adjustable positioning to the starting block for adaptation to different users and uses.
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This disclosure relates to swimming, and more particularly to an adjustable starting platform for swimming.
In competitive swimming, a starting platform is provided which the swimmer stands upon and launches to begin the competition. However, different age groups of swimmers are different sizes, and even within age groups, variations in the swimmer's heights can result in needing different positioning for the launch surface of the starting platform. A one size fits all kind of operation is not desirable for this reason. It would be helpful to have a starting platform with adjustability to accommodate a variety of ages and sizes of competitors allowing for a wider range of uses out of one device, rather than requiring changing to different size/configuration starting platforms for different events/ages/etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the disclosure herein, an adjustable starting platform includes a wedge member that is movable to provide a variable position of the wedge, for adjustment based on a particular swimmer or event needs. The wedge can further be positioned to be completely out of the way to provide a non-wedged starting platform as desired.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved staring platform that enables adjustment to conform to a particular use or user.
It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide an improved adjustment feature to a staring platform for swimming.
It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an improved swimmer's starting platform with a number of adjustment levels to adjust the overall effective length of the launch area of the platform.
The subject matter of the present gas block is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.
The system according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure comprises a starting platform with an adjustable wedge member that enables the wedge to be moved to different positions at a rearward portion of the starting platform launch surface. The wedge can be further moved to a position completely out of the way of the starting platform launch surface for occasions where use of a wedge is not desired.
Referring to
Positioned along left and right peripheral edges of the launch platform are adjustment slot members 20, 20′.
Near a lower edge of the adjustment slot member 20 is a wedge guide slot 30 which extends substantially the length of the member 20. The ends of the slot are closed. Wedge member 32 mounts to the starting platform by use of guide pins 34, 34′ which slidingly fit into slot 30 (and correspondingly guide pin 34′ which interacts with guide slot 30′ of adjustment slot member 20′ on the opposite side of the platform) and engage the wedge member to the platform, while allowing sliding translation of the wedge by movement of the guide pins 34, 34′ along the slots 30, 30′ along the direction of arrow 36. The closed ends of the slots 20, 20′ keep the wedge member engaged to the starting platform by while allowing translational movement of the wedge. Wedge member 32 is illustrated in a stowed position, with the adjustable wedge positioned in an out of the way configuration, in
Referring to
The upper face 40 is suitably 5.73 inches in front to back width, and the overall side to side length of the assembled wedge member is 25.56 inches.
When the wedge member 32 is assembled, pins 34, 34′ are positioned in a respective slot 30, 30′, providing a sliding engagement between the wedge member and the adjustment slot members 20, 20′, effectively securing the wedge member to the starting platform in an adjustable manner.
Referring again to
The configuration of the starting block in
Further top, front, side and rear views of the starting block in the configuration of
Accordingly, an improved starting block is provided with an adjustable launch area and angled launch wedge portion, while further allowing use without a launch wedge when so desired.
While a preferred embodiment of the present starting block has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A swimmer's starting block comprising:
- a positionable starting block member adapted for movement along a starting surface; and
- a securement member for securing the positionable starting block member in a desired position.
2. The swimmer's starting block according to claim 1, further comprising:
- said positionable starting block member comprises a wedge shaped portion.
3. The swimmer's starting block according to claim 1, wherein said securement member comprises:
- plural locking position members; and
- an engagement member for engagement with ones of said plural locking positions.
4. The swimmer's starting block according to claim 3, wherein said plural locking position members comprise slot members, and said engagement member is correspondingly receivable in ones of said slot members.
5. The swimmer's starting block according to claim 1, wherein said securement member comprises:
- first and second locking position members adapted for positioning on lateral sides of a starting platform; and
- an engagement member for engagement with ones of said plural locking positions.
6. The swimmer's starting block according to claim 5, wherein said first and second locking position members comprise slot members, and said engagement member comprises first and second engaging elements adapted to be correspondingly receivable in said slot members of said first and second locking position members.
7. A swimming starting platform, comprising:
- a launch surface; and
- a movable starting block member adapted for movably positioning on said launch surface for defining a starting block position.
8. The swimming starting platform according to claim 7, further comprising:
- a securement member for securing the movable starting block member in a desired position.
9. The swimming starting platform according to claim 7, wherein said movable starting block member comprises a wedge shaped portion.
10. The swimming starting platform according to claim 8, wherein said securement member comprises:
- plural locking position members; and
- an engagement member for engagement with ones of said plural locking positions.
11. The swimming starting platform according to claim 10, wherein said plural locking position members comprise slot members, and said engagement member is correspondingly receivable in ones of said slot members.
12. The swimming starting platform according to claim 8, wherein said securement member comprises:
- first and second locking position members adapted for positioning on lateral edges of the launch surface; and
- an engagement member for engagement with ones of said plural locking positions.
13. The swimming starting platform according to claim 12, wherein said first and second locking position members comprise slot members, and said engagement member comprises first and second engaging elements adapted to be correspondingly receivable in said slot members of said first and second locking position members.
14. The swimming starting platform according to claim 13, wherein said slot members are angled toward a launch direction.
15. The swimming starting platform according to claim 13, wherein said engagement member comprises first and second pins.
16. A method of providing a swimmer's starting platform, comprising:
- providing a launch surface; and
- providing an adjustably positionable launch block.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said providing an adjustably positionable launch block comprises,
- providing plural locking position members; and
- providing an engagement member for engagement with ones of said plural locking positions.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said providing plural locking position members comprises providing slot members, and said engagement member is correspondingly receivable in ones of said slot members.
19. The swimmer's starting block according to claim 1, wherein said positionable starting block is further movable to a position away from the starting surface.
20. The swimming starting platform according to claim 7, wherein said movable starting block member is further adapted for movably positioning away from said launch surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 23, 2012
Publication Date: Sep 26, 2013
Applicant: S.R. SMITH, LLC (Canby, OR)
Inventors: Mikhael Kaiel (Canby, OR), William Svendsen (Sherwood, OR)
Application Number: 13/428,272