Curved Swimming Start Block Surface for Trip-Free Track Starts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current starting blocks for swimmers with a second surface for the back foot, known as a foot wedge, create trip hazards and space constraints in narrower lanes, and the gap between the wedge and the block surface does not adequately support the swimmer's foot, while being inflexible and only optimal for one body size.
Innovation Solution
A single continuous surface with increasing angles relative to the horizontal level, featuring a pliable forming block that adjusts to provide a curved surface for the back foot, reducing trip hazards and accommodating different swimmer sizes, with settings that can be quickly adjusted using mechanical means for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a foot wedge is added to increase the angle for the back foot, then the horizontal jump force is improved, but trip hazards are created and space constraints arise in narrower lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional wedge-shaped second surface with a curved surface that provides gradually increasing angles. This curved surface eliminates the abrupt edges and protruding geometry of the wedge that cause trip hazards, while still providing the necessary angle increase for generating horizontal jump force. The smooth curvature allows swimmers to mount from steps without tripping while maintaining effective push-off geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adjustable second surface that can be positioned at different distances from the leading edge of the starting block. This adjustability allows the surface to be optimized for different swimmer body sizes and preferences, while also allowing the block to be adapted to different lane widths. The dynamic repositioning capability eliminates the fixed trip hazard of traditional wedges while preserving the force-generating function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a moveable wedge is used to accommodate different body sizes, then adaptability is improved, but gaps between the wedge and block surface create poor foot support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic gap issue by using a curved surface design that maintains continuous contact with the swimmer's foot across the entire mounting area. The curved surface is shaped to conform to the foot's position, eliminating gaps that would otherwise exist between a rigid wedge and the block surface. This ensures reliable foot support while preserving adjustability for different body sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pliable or flexible second surface that can conform to the swimmer's foot and the block geometry. This flexible material eliminates gaps by adapting its shape to fill spaces, ensuring continuous and reliable foot support. The flexibility allows the surface to maintain contact during the mounting and push-off phases while still providing the necessary angular geometry for force generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the foot wedge is implemented, then adaptability to different swimmers is improved, but time-consuming adjustments reduce productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated positioning mechanisms. Motorized actuators or pneumatic systems can rapidly reposition the second surface to the optimal location for each swimmer based on pre-programmed parameters. This substitution of automated mechanical systems for manual adjustment dramatically reduces setup time while maintaining full adaptability to different swimmer body sizes and preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables rapid reconfiguration by allowing key parameters such as the distance of the second surface from the leading edge to be quickly changed through automated mechanisms. These parameter changes can be programmed in advance or adjusted rapidly during competitions, eliminating the time-consuming manual measurement and positioning that previously limited productivity. The system can store multiple swimmer profiles and automatically apply the appropriate parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the swimmer's start by eliminating trip hazards, supporting various body sizes, and allowing for quick adjustments during competitions, improving the horizontal force generation and meet management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of the starting block is pliable and a forming block underneath said pliable surface forms an upwardly curved surface on the starting platform
Implementation Method 2
a single continuous surface to present, within the constraints of the sanctioned block profile, a surface with continually increasing angles relative to the horizontal level
Implementation Method 3
most of the horizontal jump force of the back foot, which is desirable for a fast start, is created through friction of the back foot with the starting platform
Data Source
AI summary
A starting block for swimming equipped with a single curved surface to facilitate track starts while reducing the trip hazard of such a surface. This allows for safer mounting from rear and side steps and removes undesirable gaps in the top surface of the starting block. A pliable embodiment of said curved surface can modify the distance of the curvature from the leading edge of the starting block to adapt to different swimmer needs. An apparatus to obtain said distance for a given swimmer from a meet management system to modify the pliable embodiment for quick change during time-constrained events such as meets.