Abstract:
An adjustable swimmer&#39;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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to swimming, and more particularly to an adjustable starting platform for swimming. 
         [0002]    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&#39;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 INVENTION 
       [0003]    In 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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide an improved adjustment feature to a staring platform for swimming. 
         [0006]    It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an improved swimmer&#39;s starting platform with a number of adjustment levels to adjust the overall effective length of the launch area of the platform. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a starting platform with an adjustable starting wedge in a stowed position, with the adjustable wedge completely out of the way; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a partial side view of the starting platform of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the adjustment mechanism; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a view of the area inside circle B-B of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3-5  are top, side and end views of the wedge member; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of one end of the wedge member taken on circular line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a starting platform with adjustable starting wedge in a rearward most position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a starting platform with an adjustable starting wedge in a forward most position; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 9-12  are top, front, side and rear views of the starting block in the configuration of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the starting block in the configuration of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a starting platform with adjustable starting wedge, the platform  10  comprises a mounting support  12 , forward hand bars  14 , rear step portion  16  and upper launch platform  18 . In the illustrated configuration, the upper launch surface is substantially rectangular, and inclined toward a direction of a swimming pool, whereby a swimmer mounts the platform by use of the rear step portion, and launches into the pool from the launch platform  18 . For competition use, such as for swimming competitions with multiple swimming lanes, each lane having its own staring block, the lane number  50  may suitably be provided on the starting block in various locations. 
         [0019]    Positioned along left and right peripheral edges of the launch platform are adjustment slot members  20 ,  20 ′.  FIG. 2A  is a partial side view of the starting platform of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the adjustment slot member  20  in closer detail, while  FIG. 2B  is a view of the area inside circle B-B. The adjustment slot member is configured as an elongate member mounted to the side of launch platform  18 , extending from substantially near the rearmost end of the platform to a forward most position that is approximately between ½ and ⅓ of the length distance of the platform from the rear. The particular length of the adjustment slot member will depend on the particular variety of adjustment positions desired. Plural adjustment slots  22  are formed in the member  20  along the upper edge  24  thereof, with the slots having an open upper portion and forward angled configuration relative to the surface line  26  of the launch platform  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are 7 such adjustment slots, and the slots are regularly spaced. A preferred angle θ  28  of 80 degrees with respect to the platform surface is employed in the illustrated embodiment. Other numbers and spacing of slots and angle configurations may be employed. 
         [0020]    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  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5  and  FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of one end of the wedge member  32 , taken on circular line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 , the wedge member  32  comprises end cap portions  38 ,  38 ′, with an upper face  40  therebetween, defining a face angle θ  42 , suitably 30 degrees in a particular embodiment. Each end cap portion carries first guide pin  34 ,  34 ′ and second guide pins  46 ,  46 ′ positioned facing inwardly toward one another, the first guide pins being shorter than the second guide pins, for example, 0.38 and 0.5 inches length extending beyond the infer faces of the end cap portions in the illustrated embodiment. The centers of pins  34 ,  34 ′ are positioned 0.38 inches above the bottom edge of the end caps, 0.5 inches from the front face edge of the end caps, while the centers of pins  46  are 1 inch above the bottom edge of the end caps, 5.5 inches back from the front face edge of the end caps. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    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. 
         [0024]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the engagement of the pins  34 ,  34 ′ with the corresponding slots  20 ,  20 ′, enables sliding translation of the wedge member along the direction of arrow  44 , as well as rotational movement of the wedge member about the axis defined by the centers of the pins  34 ,  34 ′, as illustrated by arrow  48  in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0025]    The configuration of the starting block in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B is with the starting wedge in a stowed position, such that the platform  18  is usable in its full, un-wedged length. Considering now  FIGS. 7 and 8 , perspective views of the starting platform with adjustable starting wedge in a rearward most position and forward most position, the adjustment feature of the starting block may be understood. Starting with the wedge member in the configuration of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B, a user will move the wedge member from the rest position, swinging the wedge counterclockwise in the direction of arrow  48 , while sliding the wedge rearwardly along the direction of arrow  44 . Once the pins  34 ,  34 ′ have traveled to the rearmost position of slots  30 ,  30 ′, the wedge member  32  is then pivoted upwardly to be positioned above the top surface of upper launch platform  18 . Now the wedge member is translated forwardly in the direction of arrow  44  until the second guide pins  46 ,  46 ′ are positioned above a particular set of adjustment slots  22 ,  22 ′, whereupon the guide pins  46 ,  46 ′ are lowered into the slots  22 ,  22 ′, providing a secure position lock to the wedge, by the engagement of the pins  46 ,  46 ′ and slots  22 ,  22 ′ and the rearward angled configuration of the slots. By moving the wedge forwardly in the direction of arrow  44 ′ in  FIG. 8 , the wedge can be positioned more forwardly, to provide a starting platform with a shorter launch zone, than in the configuration of  FIG. 7 . Multiple adjustment positions are provided by the plural slots  22 ,  22 ′ and their spaced arrangement along slot members  20 ,  20 ′. 
         [0026]    Further top, front, side and rear views of the starting block in the configuration of  FIG. 7  are provided by  FIGS. 9-12  and in the configuration of  FIG. 1 , a top view by  FIG. 13 . 
         [0027]    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. 
         [0028]    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.