Base or starter block with a support flange device for starting a swimming stroke on the back

Abstract

The base plate (20) is for mounting a starting block (1) on the ground, with a support rim device (10) for starting a backstroke swimming race. The support rim device (10) is at least partially integrated into the base plate (20), and the support rim device (10) includes an actuation assembly for placing a support rim (13) via at least one attachment element (11) in a resting position or in one of the positions selectable for a swimmer towards the rear of the base plate (20). The actuation assembly includes return means for pulling the attachment element (11) and pushing the support rim (13) towards the pool, or for pushing the attachment element (11) and pulling the support rim (13) towards the resting position outside the water.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a base plate for fixing the starting block to the ground with a support edge device for starting a backstroke swimming race. Background of the invention

[0002] For a swimming race, starting blocks are provided, arranged respectively at each race lane, often in a number of 10 lanes. Each swimming starting block is particularly adapted to the type of swimming race during a competition. The starting blocks are all arranged in a single line along one side of the pool. The swimmer takes support on an upper platform of the starting block for a front crawl, breaststroke or dolphin stroke. For these types of swimming, he can take support on a front part of the starting block, or also on an inclined push plane arranged towards the rear of the platform.

[0003] On the other hand, for a backstroke swimming race, each swimmer must first enter the water and position themselves near a contact plate used for the finish of a race. This contact plate is mounted against a vertical wall of the pool below the starting block. The swimmer can manually adjust for this type of backstroke race a device with a support edge so as to place their feet before the start on a support edge plate in the water. In addition, the starting block may further comprise on the front a horizontal bar and two vertical bars connected to the ends of the horizontal bar and fixed to the base of the starting block. This arrangement of bars forms a stirrup structure allowing the swimmer to grip with their hands while having taken support on the support edge plate with their feet to position themselves before the start of the race.

[0004] There figure 1represents precisely a starting block 1 with a support edge device 10 for a backstroke swimming race. The starting block or pad 1 comprises a platform 5 and an inclined plane 3 towards the rear of the platform 5, and a base 9 for fixing the starting block 1 to the ground at the edge of a swimming pool. The starting block 1 further comprises a bar-like structure 7 fixed to the base 9 or to the platform 5 on the base 9 of the starting block 1. The support edge device 10 comprises a support plate or edge 13, which is located in the water and connected at its ends by at least one or two flexible straps 11. The support edge device 10 further comprises an action means 12 of the strap(s) 11 of the support edge device on the starting block 1, for example placed on the platform 5 in front of the inclined plane 3. Before the competition, the swimmer can still manually adjust the position of the support edge 13 of the support edge device 10 in the water.

[0005] A disadvantage of such a support edge device 10 is that it must be placed and adjusted on a starting block 1, which causes additional mechanical manipulations when mounting each starting block 1. In addition, since a judge of a backstroke swimming competition must come and put away the support edge device 10, in particular remove the support edge from the water during the race, no means are provided to make this work easier for him, which is another disadvantage.

[0006] Patent application EP 3 669 953 A1 describes a swimming starting block, in particular for a backstroke swimming race. A foot support edge is connected by straps to a member for adjusting the position of the edge in the water. This adjustment member is a cylinder passing through two opposite side walls of the starting block and with a handling wheel at one end of the cylinder for winding the straps onto the cylinder in a resting position or for placing the edge in a position determined for the swimmer. However, this does not allow the correct position of the edge in the water to be precisely or easily adjusted for each swimmer and no other means are provided for storing the edge outside the water, which can be a disadvantage during a swimming race.Furthermore, since the support edge adjustment device is not integrated into the starting block, it must still be added before each race start, which complicates the adjustment of each starting block. Document AU2019250208 A1 describes a start assistance assembly to help a swimmer start on their back in a swimming pool. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned state of the art by proposing a support edge device which is integrated into a starting block or pad or into a base plate for fixing a starting block to the ground. In this way, the support edge device is quickly installed and easily adjusted to the correct position by the swimmer. In addition, no additional parts are required to perform a backstroke swimming competition.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a base plate for fixing a starting block, with a support rim device in the base plate for a backstroke swimming competition, which comprises the features defined in independent claim 1.

[0009] Particular embodiments of the base plate for fixing a starting block, with a support flange device are defined in dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0010] An advantage of the base plate is that the support edge device is at least partially integrated into the base plate to facilitate its use and storage without having to perform additional manipulations to secure it. In this way, the support edge device is quickly installed and easily adjusted by the competitor. Then, after the start and during the race, the judge(s) can store it quickly and easily.

[0011] Another advantage of integrating the support flange device into the base plate is that the integrated support flange device is more aesthetically pleasing and safer than a non-integrated version of the support flange device. Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the base plate for a starting block with a support flange device will become more apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments illustrated by the drawings in which: there figure 1 represents a starting block with a support rim device according to the prior art, the figure 2 represents a first embodiment of a base plate for mounting the starting block, with the support flange device at least partially integrated into the base plate according to the invention, Detailed description of the invention

[0013] In the following description, the well-known elements of a base plate for a starting block, with a supporting edge device used for the start of a backstroke swimming competition, will be described only in a simplified manner.

[0014] There figure 2 represents a base plate 20 to be fixed to the ground at the edge of a swimming pool, and on which the starting block 1 is mounted and fixed. It is noted that the support edge device 10 can also be in a rest position with the support edge 13 arranged on an entry support of the base plate 20.

[0015] The support rim device 10 comprises in particular a support plate or rim 13, which, in a rest position, can be stored in a housing in the lower part of the base 9. The support plate or rim 13 is held from the inside or the outside of the base 9 of the starting block 1 by at least one attachment element 11 and preferably by attachment elements 11, for example two attachment elements fixed respectively to the two ends of the support plate or rim 13. This support plate or rim 13 can be made of a solid material, for example a plastic material. The attachment elements 11 are preferably flexible. They can be straps similar to the seat belts of a car, or a chain preferably made of non-metallic material, or various other flexible attachment means.

[0016] It may be envisaged within the base 9 to have the attachment element(s) 11 which are connected to return means of an actuating assembly of the support rim device. These return means may consist of either one or two elastic bands or one or two return springs, one end of each elastic band or spring being fixed, while the other end of each elastic band or spring is connected or fixed respectively to each attachment element 11. Mainly in a rest position, each elastic band or spring is tensioned with a certain return force. Each elastic band or spring is intended to push each attachment element 11 with a certain return force until the support rim 13 is placed in the water.

[0017] The actuation assembly of the bearing flange device 10 is mounted at least partly in the base plate shown in figure 2with a position adjustment disposed on a rear side of the base 9 of the base plate. Provision may also be made to have at least a portion of the actuating assembly secured to side and rear walls of the base 9 of the starting block.

[0018] After the start of the backstroke swimming race and during the race, the support edge device 10 can be stored or placed in a resting position by manual action of the judge(s). The manner of placing the support edge device 10 in a resting position. For the smooth running of the race, it is important to remove the support edge 13 from the water to avoid any disturbances or possible injuries or various inconveniences.

[0019] From the description which has just been given, several variants of the base plate for a starting block having a support rim device at least partially integrated in the starting block or in the base plate, can be produced without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Base plate (20) for mounting a starting block (1) to the ground, with a supporting ledge device (10) for a start of a backstroke race, characterised in that the supporting ledge device (10) is at least partially integrated into the base plate (20), in that the supporting ledge device (10) comprises an actuation assembly for placing a support ledge (13), via at least one fastening element (11), into a rest position or into one of the positions to be selected for a swimmer towards the rear of the base plate (20), and in that the actuation assembly comprises return means intended to pull the fastening element (11) and push the support ledge (13) towards the swimming pool, or to push the fastening element (11) and pull the support ledge (13) towards the rest position out of the water.

2. Base plate (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the supporting ledge device (10) is fully integrated inside the base plate in a rest position.

3. Base plate (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the supporting ledge device (10) comprises the support ledge (13) on which at least one foot of a swimmer can be supported before the start of a backstroke race, the support ledge (13) being held from within or from outside the base plate (20) by two fastening elements (11) respectively fixed to the two ends of the support ledge (13).

4. Base plate (20) according to claim 3, characterised in that in a rest position, the support ledge (13) is stowed on a fixture at the inlet of the base plate (20).

5. Base plate (20) according to claim 3, characterised in that the supporting ledge device (10) comprises two flexible fastening elements (11) in the form of straps respectively connected to the two ends of the support ledge (13) and to return means within the base plate at ends opposite the fixation to the support ledge (13).

6. Base plate (20) according to claim 5, characterised in that each of the straps (11) pass into a respective longitudinal box (14) of the actuation assembly, each box for passing one of the straps comprising an inlet opening (16) and an outlet opening for the strap having a shape that substantially complements the cross-section of the strap (11), the strap (11) being guided inside a groove (25) made in the box (14) and connected to one end of a spring (23) or of an elastic band acting as a return means, the other end whereof is fixed in an opposite position in the box (14) so as to prevent the strap (11) from becoming folded when it is pushed or pulled by the spring (23) or the elastic band.

7. Base plate (20) according to claim 5, characterised in that a rod (17) connected to the two ends of the straps (11) opposite the fixation to the support ledge (13) disposed in a rear position of the base plate (20) can be manually pulled so as to be placed within a positioning notch of an element (30) with positioning notches or on a hook (41) of a rest element (40).

8. Base plate (20) according to claim 7, characterised in that when not in the rest position, the straps (11) are intended to push the support ledge (13) towards the water under the action of the return spring (23) or elastic band in each box (14).

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