Swimming Start Block Front Foot Support for Horizontal Kick-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swim starting blocks primarily support the rear foot, limiting the use of the swimmer's front foot muscles for kick-off, resulting in reduced jump distance and increased toe injuries due to concentrated force application.
Innovation Solution
A front foot support system that can be attached to existing starting blocks, providing a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface for the front foot, allowing full foot engagement and reducing pressure concentration, with features like grooves for water drainage and anti-slip surfaces to enhance stability and jump performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional starting blocks only support the rear foot, then the structure is simple, but the swimmer cannot effectively use front foot muscles for kick-off
Solution Approach 1:
The starting block is divided into two distinct support surfaces: a rear foot support ledge and a front foot support surface. This segmentation allows each foot to have its own optimized support structure, enabling independent muscle group engagement without complicating the overall device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The front foot support extends in a new spatial dimension forward from the rear foot support, creating a horizontal surface that projects over the water. This dimensional extension allows the swimmer to place the front foot in an optimal position for kick-off while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the front foot support area is small, then the starting block structure is simple, but pressure is concentrated on the toes causing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The front foot support surface features a curved, rounded leading edge instead of a sharp angle. This curvature distributes the swimmer's weight and force more evenly across the foot, particularly reducing concentration of pressure on the toes while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface area for the front foot is increased by extending the horizontal surface forward and providing adequate width. This parameter change reduces pressure density (force per unit area) on the toes, preventing injuries without significantly complicating the device.
3Ease of operation
If the front foot support surface is sloped like conventional blocks, then manufacturing is simple, but the swimmer cannot position the foot horizontally for optimal kick-off
Solution Approach 1:
The front foot support surface is designed with asymmetric angling relative to the block structure. The surface is angled to match the platform slope, but the leading edge is rounded and positioned to create a horizontal foot placement surface, optimizing biomechanics without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The front foot support extends further forward than minimally required, providing a larger horizontal surface area than strictly necessary. This excessive extension ensures optimal horizontal foot positioning and adequate support area, while the angling is kept simple to maintain ease of manufacture.
4Stability of the object's composition
If no water drainage features are provided, then the starting block structure is simple, but water accumulates on the support surface reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The front foot support surface incorporates drainage features such as grooves or porous texture that allow water to pass through or channel away from the support area. This maintains foot stability by preventing water accumulation while adding minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
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.