A competition starting system utilizes a start-receiver to detect a venue starting sound and transmits a wireless signal to start signaling devices having a speaker to emit one or more lights and a lane start sound to indicate the start of the competition. This system may be used to enable hearing impaired competitors to see a start light at their lane in race competitions. A start-controller may have a number of buttons to initiate various lights and sounds from the start signaling devices and to place the start-receiver in a start mode. The buttons may correspond to ready, mark and start. The start-receiver may be programmed to detect a start sound, when in the start mode, from a venue sound device that is above a threshold decibel level and send instructions to the start signaling device to emit the start light.

The present invention provides for the inserted portion of the mount conduit to be cut at an acute angle, forming interface surfaces on two separated pieces. In its simplest form, the invention separated pieces are drawn together by a threaded shaft secured to but able to rotate structurally within the body of one of the separated pieces so that a threaded connection between the threaded shaft and the body of the other separated piece results in the separated pieces sliding across one another at the cut surfaces. As the two separated pieces are further urged to slide across their interface surfaces, an outside surface at a long side of one of the separated pieces is forced farther from an outside surface of a long side of the other separated piece, so that those long surfaces of the two separated pieces are forced against the inside walls of the receiving piece conduit.

An apparatus to quickly position a start assist device for backstroke swimmers and remove said start assist device once the apparatus detects or is signaled that the swimmer has left to prevent injuries and obstructions caused by the start assist device. A mechanical embodiment of such an apparatus and a motorized embodiment of such an apparatus with a data input system to position the start assist device according to the individual swimmers needs and means to signal the start event are disclosed.

An apparatus to quickly position a start assist device for backstroke swimmers and remove said start assist device once the apparatus detects or is signaled that the swimmer has left to prevent injuries and obstructions caused by the start assist device. A mechanical embodiment of such an apparatus and a motorized embodiment of such an apparatus with a data input system to position the start assist device according to the individual swimmers needs and means to signal the start event are disclosed.

A starting block lock having a clamp, top and bottom locking wedges, and a rod is provided. The clamp includes top and bottom portions each having an inside surface and a body between the top and bottom portions. The body includes a cylindrical bore extending on a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom locking wedges each include an outer surface, an inner surface, a side surface, and an aperture extending between and through the outer and inner surfaces. At least a portion of each of the side surfaces slidably contact the inside surface of the clamp. The rod extends through the apertures and the cylindrical bore and is configured rotate in a first direction to linearly displace the top and bottom locking wedges toward each other thereby providing an outward force against the inside surfaces of the clamp to expand the clamp.

A starting block lock having a clamp, top and bottom locking wedges, and a rod is provided. The clamp includes top and bottom portions each having an inside surface and a body between the top and bottom portions. The body includes a cylindrical bore extending on a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom locking wedges each include an outer surface, an inner surface, a side surface, and an aperture extending between and through the outer and inner surfaces. At least a portion of each of the side surfaces slidably contact the inside surface of the clamp. The rod extends through the apertures and the cylindrical bore and is configured rotate in a first direction to linearly displace the top and bottom locking wedges toward each other thereby providing an outward force against the inside surfaces of the clamp to expand the clamp.

When start control is initiated, the start control device operates in a first operating mode in which an upper limit value of an engine speed is limited to a first upper limit value (NErev1) that is lower than an upper limit value (NErev0) in a non-start control. When an elapsed period of time after a throttle opening has exceeded a predetermined opening in the first operating mode reaches a predetermined standby time, the start control device operates in a second operating mode in which the upper limit value of the engine speed is limited to a second upper limit value (NErev2) that is lower than the first upper limit value. The start control device transitions to an ordinary mode to thereby terminate the start control when a period of time of the second operating mode reaches a predetermined control period of time or a forced cancellation condition holds.

A BMX starting gate includes a frame with a gate opening; a slider bar attached to a bottom surface of the frame; a gate pivotally attached to the frame at a connection point such that the gate aligns with the gate opening; a linkage bar attached to the gate proximate to the connection point; a lever attached to the linkage bar distal from the gate, wherein both the linkage bar and the lever are slidably attached to the slider bar; a strike plate attached to the lever distal from the linkage bar; an electromagnet attached to the frame, wherein the electromagnet is positioned to releasably engage with the strike plate; and a spring connecting the gate to the slider bar. Activating the electromagnet causes the electromagnet to engage the strike plate and cause the gate to extend outwardly from the frame. Deactivating the electromagnet allows the spring to return the gate to a non-obstructing position.

A BMX starting gate includes a frame with a gate opening; a slider bar attached to a bottom surface of the frame; a gate pivotally attached to the frame at a connection point such that the gate aligns with the gate opening; a linkage bar attached to the gate proximate to the connection point; a lever attached to the linkage bar distal from the gate, wherein both the linkage bar and the lever are slidably attached to the slider bar; a strike plate attached to the lever distal from the linkage bar; an electromagnet attached to the frame, wherein the electromagnet is positioned to releasably engage with the strike plate; and a spring connecting the gate to the slider bar. Activating the electromagnet causes the electromagnet to engage the strike plate and cause the gate to extend outwardly from the frame. Deactivating the electromagnet allows the spring to return the gate to a non-obstructing position.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a starting block system for use with a swimming pool. A pedestal is designed to support a platform. A back plate is disposed along a rear edge of the platform and has a width dimension that is less than the width dimension of the platform. A slide mechanism is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the platform and is in communication with the back plate. The back plate is designed to slide laterally adjacent the rear edge of the platform.