SWIMMING STARTING BLOCK FRONT FOOT SUPPORT

Abstract

A swimming starting block front foot support that can be provided in several configurations and can be strapped or otherwise removably secured to a conventional swim starting block or built into new starting blocks. The front foot support block allows the front foot to be in a substantially horizontal position, which reduces reaction time and increases stability during start, and allows the toes of the front foot to wrap around or otherwise contact a front curved portion of the front foot support, which allows the user to have more force when jumping/diving off the swim block and into an adjacent swimming pool.

Claims

1. A front foot starting block adapted for removable attachment to a swim block associated with a swimming pool to allow a user to have jump or dive off the swim block with more force and distance when entering the swimming pool, the swim block having a swim platform, the swim platform having an upper surface and a front side surface, comprising: a body member having an upper surface and a bottom surface and having a front end and back end, a front portion of the body member having a curved or rounded shape and terminating into the front end of the upper surface at a top end of the curved front portion, the body member having a lip member extending downward from a bottom end of the curved front portion with the lip member also extending below a front end of the bottom surface of the body member; wherein the body member is adapted for removable attachment to a swim block such that bottom surface of the body member contacts the upper surface of the swim platform and the lip member contacts the front side surface of the swim platform.

2. The front foot starting block of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface and the upper surface meet or are near to each other at the back end of the body member and the bottom surface angles downward towards the front end of the body member with respect to the position of the upper surface of the body member at an acute angle between the bottom surface and the upper surface of the body member.

3. The front foot starting block of claim 2 wherein an angle selected for the acute angle corresponds to angle that the swim platform is positioned at with respect to ground.

4. The front foot starting block of claim 2 wherein an angle selected for the acute angle allows the upper surface of the body member to be in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position with respect to ground when the body member is removably attached to the swim block.

5. The front foot starting block of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the body member is in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position with respect to ground when the body member is removably attached to the swim block.

6. The front foot starting block of claim 1 further comprising an anti-slip surface disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the body member.

7. The front foot starting block of claim 6 further comprising an anti-slip surface disposed on at least a portion of the curved front portion of the body member.

8. The front foot starting block of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of grooves or passageways in the upper surface of the body member and extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the upper surface of the body member.

9. The front foot starting block of claim 8 further comprising one or more grooves or passageways in the curved front portion of the body member extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the curved front portion of the body member.

10. The front foot starting block of claim 1 wherein the body member having a width extending from a first side of the body member to an opposite second side of the body member, wherein the width of the body member large enough to receive at least one foot of a swimmer.

11. The front foot starting block of claim 10 wherein the width of the body member large enough to receive both feet of the swimmer.

12. The front foot starting block of claim 1 wherein the body member further comprising a rear foot support having a contact surface beginning at the back end of the body member, the contact surface extending upward at an angle front the back end of the body member.

13. The front foot starting block of claim 1 wherein the body member having a passageway extending from a first side to an opposite second side adapted for receipt of a strap when removably securing the body member to the swim block.

14. A front foot starting block adapted for removable attachment to a swim block associated with a swimming pool to allow a user to have jump or dive off the swim block with more force and distance when entering the swimming pool, the swim block having a swim platform, the swim platform having an upper surface and a front side surface, comprising: a one-piece body member having an upper surface and a bottom surface and having a front end and back end, a front portion of the body member having a curved or rounded shape and terminating into the front end of the upper surface at a top end of the curved front portion, the body member having a lip member extending downward from a bottom end of the curved front portion with the lip member also extending below a front end of the bottom surface of the body member, the bottom surface and the upper surface meet or are near to each other at the back end of the body member and the bottom surface angles downward towards the front end of the body member with respect to the position of the upper surface of the body member at an acute angle between the bottom surface and the upper surface of the body member; wherein the body member is adapted for removable attachment to a swim block such that bottom surface of the body member contacts the upper surface of the swim platform and the lip member contacts the front side surface of the swim platform and the upper surface of the body member is in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position with respect to ground; wherein the body member having a width extending from a first side of the body member to an opposite second side of the body member, wherein the width of the body member large enough to receive at least one foot of a swimmer.

15. The front foot starting block of claim 14 further comprising an anti-slip surface disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the body member and on at least a portion of the curved front portion of the body member.

16. The front foot starting block of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of grooves or passageways in the upper surface of the body member and extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the upper surface of the body member and one or more grooves or passageways in the curved front portion of the body member extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the curved front portion of the body member.

17. The front foot starting block of claim 14 wherein the width of the body member large enough to receive both feet of the swimmer.

18. The front foot starting block of claim 14 wherein the body member further comprising a rear foot support having a contact surface beginning at the back end of the body member, the contact surface extending upward at an angle front the back end of the body member.

19. The front foot starting block of claim 14 wherein the body member having a passageway extending from a first side to an opposite second side adapted for receipt of a strap when removably securing the body member to the swim block.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment for a novel front foot starting block removably secured to an existing swim/starting block/platform in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another embodiment for the novel front foot starting block removably secured to an existing swim/starting block/platform in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment for the novel front foot starting block removably secured to an existing swim/starting block/platform and also incorporated a back foot support ledge/surface in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the novel front foot starting block of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of the novel front foot starting block of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of the novel front foot starting block of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and showing a preferred contact position of the swimmer's/user's front foot with the novel front foot starting block in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment where the front foot support/starting block in built in and/or incorporated into a newly manufactured swim block/platform in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As seen in FIG. 1 a first non-limiting embodiment for a front foot support/starting block is shown and generally designated as front starting block 100. As seen, front starting block is shown secured to s conventional swim block 500 having a base or foundation 502 and a platform member 504 positioned on top of base 502. Platform member 504 can include an upper surface 510. A conventional rear foot starting block 520 is shown positioned towards the rear of platform member 504 and can having a ramp/sloped surface where the swimmer's rear foot rest against in the starting position. Without the front starting block 100 secured to swim block 500, in use the swimmer's front foot merely rests upon a front area of upper surface 510 and non-rounded straight edge is provided at the front end of platform 504. Front starting block 100 can be preferably secured to swim block 500 by a strap member 20, which can be provided with a conventional tightener/length adjuster to keep strap member 20 in a tight configuration to help prevent movement of front starting block 100 once positioned on upper surface 510. The disclosure is not considered limited to using a strap, and any conventional attachment/securement mechanism, now known or later developed, for keeping front starting block 100 in position on top of upper surface 510.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a second non-limiting embodiment for the front foot support/starting block and is generally designated as front starting block 100a. The primary difference between block 100 and block 100a is the width of the block's body. Front starting block 100 can be preferably provided with a width to accommodate a single foot of the swimmer. Therefore, the user positions block 100 at either the left front portion (where the swimmer's left foot will be the front foot) or at the right front portion (where the swimmer's right foot will be the front foot). With block 100a, the preferred width is sufficient to accommodate both feet of the swimmer, so once block 100a is secured to swim block 500 it can be used for either foot as the front foot. Though not limiting or required, in one embodiment the width of front starting block 100a can be the same is substantially the same as the width of swim platform 504. Preferably, though non-limiting, in one embodiment, front foot support/starting block 100 can be anywhere between about 50 cm to about 70 cm in width.

[0027] Front starting block 100a can be secured to swim block 500 similarly to as described above and below for front starting block 100. The below discussion for FIGS. 4-6 concerning front starting block 100 is also applicable to front starting block 100a and is incorporated by reference.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a third non-limiting embodiment for a combination front foot support and rear foot support starting block and is generally designated as combo starting block 200. Combo starting block 200 can be secured to swim block 500 similarly to as described above and below for front starting block 100 or starting block 100a. The below discussion for FIGS. 4-6 concerning front starting block 100 is also applicable to the front starting block portion of combo starting block 200 and is incorporated by reference.

[0029] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 front starting block 100 in a body member 102 having an upper surface 110, a bottom surface 111 a rounded/curved front portion 120 rounding downward from the front end of upper surface 110, and a lip or flange 122 extending downward from the bottom end of rounded/curved front portion 120. At least a portion of upper surface 110 and/or rounded portion 120 can be provided with an anti-slip/texture surface 112. In addition to or in lieu of surface 112, at least a portion of upper surface 110 and/or rounded portion 120 can be provided with cross grooves 140 preferably extending from one side of starting block body member 102 to the other opposite side of body member 102. Grooves 140 can provide an anti-slip benefit for starting block 100 and can allow water from the swimmer's foot to drain out and not accumulate on upper surface 110 and/or curved portion 120.

[0030] As best seen in FIG. 5, in a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, starting from the back end of starting block 100, bottom surface 111 extends downward at an angle with respect to the position/orientation of upper surface 110.

[0031] Though not limiting or required, conventional swim blocks 500 have platforms 504 that are angled downward with the lower point of platform 504 being in the front. The angle relationship between bottom surface 111 and upper surface 110 preferably can correspond to (i.e. is the same or virtually the same) or can be close to the angle of platform 504 such that when front starting block 100 is secured to swim block 500 upper surface 110 can be in a horizontal or at least a substantially horizontal position (See FIG. 6) with respect to the swimming pool.

[0032] Body member 102 can be provided with or define at least one aperture and in one non-limiting embodiment, body member 102 can be provided with an aperture/passageway 104 and an aperture/passageway 106. As seen in FIG. 1, securement strap 20 can be fed through aperture/passageway 104 when securing front starting block 100 to swim block 500, though other attachment mechanism can also be used and are considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[0033] To properly position front starting block 100 on platform 504 and to prevent front starting block 100 from being pulled or otherwise moved further inward, lip/flange 122 can be provided which contacts the front surface of platform 504 (i.e. acts as a stop member) when bottom surface 111 is resting upon the upper surface 510 of platform 520 (See FIG. 6). As also seen in FIG. 6, in use, the user's front foot 610 (excluding the toe portion 612 which can extend around curved portion 120) rest in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, with use of the disclosed novel front foot support/starting block 100 and the user's rear foot 620 is positioned angled given the angled foot contact surface of rear starting block 520.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates another non-limiting embodiment wherein the features of the front starting block and the rear starting block are incorporated into/built in to new platform 400 having a platform portion 404, front starting block portion 406 with rounded front edge and rear starting block portion 408 (i.e. they are all one piece). Platform 404 rest upon a base/foundation 402, similarly to swim block 500. The front starting block portion 406 can have similar characteristics and features as front starting blocks 100 or 100a or the front block portion of combo starting block 200 and rear starting block portion 406 can have similar characteristics and features as the rear block portion of combo starting block 200 and all are incorporated by reference into the description of new platform 400.

[0035] Though optional and not required, at least a portion of the foot contact surface of the back foot support portion of combo block 200 or newly manufactured swim block 400 can be provided with an anti-slip/textured surface.

[0036] The novel front and combo starting blocks can be constructed from any material and in certain non-limiting embodiments can be constructed from a plastic, metal, steel or stainless steel material.

[0037] The novel devices described above can provide for continuous upper-surface supports supporting the front leg, which can significantly assist a swim competitor in kick-off from the conventional swim block during a swim meet/competition/or during practice.

[0038] In one non-limiting embodiment for front foot starting block 100, front foot support/starting block can comprise a carrier structure/body member preferably fitting to the starting swim block of the swimming pool, with the body member having a single continuous upper surface support between the front edge and the rear edge, with a front curved portion extending downward from the front edge to provide for a progressive curve profile at the front of the body member for contact with the toes of the user's front foot. Preferably, the front curved portion and the upper surface are monolithically formed or constructed integral as a one-piece member (i.e. the upper surface and the front curve portion are continuous) so that a front edge for the upper surface is not actually visible in the final product. The body member can be designed so that the swimmer can easily fit the device to the surface of the platform of the starting block;

[0039] It should also be recognized that one or more suction cups or one part of a hook and loop fastening assembly can be provided on the bottom surface of devices 100, 100a or 200a as an alternative way of removably securing the devices to the swim block (the other part of the hook and loop assembly would be provided on the upper surface 510 of swim platform 504). Other conventional securement/attachment mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, tapes, can also be used and are considered within the scope of the disclosure. Additionally and also within the scope of the disclosure, for a permanent or more permanent securement of devices 100, 100a or 200a, an adhesive material/composition (i.e. glue, etc.) can be provided on at least a portion of the bottom surface and/or on a portion of the contact surface of the lip member which makes contact with one or more surface of swim platform 504 to adhere device 100, 100a or 200a to swim platform 504.

[0040] It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from their spirit and scope.

[0041] All components and parts of the novel front foot and combo blocks described herein and their locations, attachment or securement mechanisms, fastening mechanisms, dimensions, values, materials, shapes, etc. discussed above or shown in the drawings, if any, are merely by way of example and are not considered limiting and other component(s) and their locations, attachment or securement mechanisms, fastening mechanisms, dimensions, values, materials, shapes, etc. can be chosen and used and all are considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[0042] Unless feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) described in the specification or shown in the drawings for a claim element, claim step or claim term specifically appear in the claim with the claim element, claim step or claim term, then the inventor does not consider such feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) to be included for the claim element, claim step or claim term in the claim when and if the claim element, claim step or claim term is interpreted or construed. Similarly, with respect to any “means for” elements in the claims, the inventor considers such language to require only the minimal amount of features, components, steps, or parts from the specification to achieve the function of the “means for” language and not all of the features, components, steps or parts describe in the specification that are related to the function of the “means for” language.

[0043] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.

[0044] While the novel front foot and combo starting blocks have been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the disclosure, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the disclosure.