Furthermore, the present invention relates to a take-off block, an elongated frame, an adjustment device as well as uses of the starting block, the take-off block, the elongated frame and the adjustment device.

Background Art Starting blocks for athletic running are known in the prior art, which starting blocks comprises elements as set forth by way of introduction. The starting blocks are used in connection with for instance athletes lining up for the start in a 100,200 or 400 metre run.

In order to provide the best starting conditions for the athletes which are participating in the sprint the starting blocks can be individually adapted to each ath- lete having regard to for instance their physique, which leg they are using to take-off with, their running style etc.

In the known starting blocks this is carried out by placing the take-off blocks on the frame having a prede-

termined distance between them which is suitable for the individually athlete.

In order to obtain better and better time for the athletes on the short runs an extensive research is car- ried out especially in view of that every 1/100 second, which may be shorten of the final time is important.

Most of this research is concerned to how the take- off of the starting block in the start is optimised, how the running style of the athletes are optimised, the physical training of the athletes as well as the running shoe.

Especially, research have shown that several metres of the run, after start, are used by the athletes to ob- tain their optimal running style and thereby achieve their maximum running speed. As a consequence the athlete is using, after leaving the starting block, a great amount of force for rapidly obtaining the optimal running style, however, a large portion of the force is lost due to the large laterally movements of the athlete during the start.

Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to pro- vide a starting block which reduces the laterally move- ments of the athlete just after they have left the start- ing block.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a starting block which may be used in connection with training purposes for athletes.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present inven- tion to provide a take-off block which may be used in connection with sports using starting arrangements.

The above object, together with numerous other ob- jects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solu- tion in accordance with the present invention by the take-off surface is angular adjustable in a laterally di- rection in relation to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

Hereby is obtained that the athlete may achieve bet- ter results, i. e. times. Additionally, the starting as well as the running style may be essentially improved as the inventive starting block substantially completely or at least partly eliminates the large laterally movements of the athlete just after start.

By adjusting the angle of the take-off surface in a laterally direction in relation to the longitudinal axis of the frame it is further achieved that the first steps of the athlete, just after leaving the inventive starting block, will be near to the centre of the optimal running path and whereby the athlete is avoiding the laterally movements. Accordingly, the athlete may use substantially most of the force from the take-off to rapidly building up the maximum speed without loosing to much energy due to the laterally movements as the matter is with the prior starting blocks. Furthermore, the running style of the athlete is more aesthetic as the laterally movements is reduced.

Further preferred embodiments according to the in- vention are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention furthermore relates to a take-off block comprising a take-off surface. The take-off block

being characterised in that the take-off surface is angu- lar adjustable in a laterally direction.

In addition the invention relates to an elongated frame for a starting block, said frame having a longitu- dinal axis, which extends between a first end and a sec- ond end, said frame being adapted to be attached to a ground in both ends of the frame, said frame having a width. The elongated frame being characterised in that the width of frame is adjustable.

The invention also relates to an adjustment device for a take-off block comprising a take-off surface. The adjustment device being characterised in that, the ad- justment device is adapted to adjust an angle of the take-off surface in a laterally direction.

Finally, the invention relates to the use of the starting block, the take-off block, the elongated frame as well as the adjustment device.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention and its many advantages will be de- scribed in more detail below with reference to the accom- panying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of il- lustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view a starting block according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows in a side view the starting block of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows in a top view the starting block of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view a take-off block according to the invention seen from the side,

Fig. 5 shows in a perspective view the take-off block of Fig. 4 seen from the back, and Fig. 6 shows in a top view another embodiment of the starting block according to the invention.

All the figures are highly schematic and not neces- sarily to scale, and they show only parts which are nec- essary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view a starting block 1 according to the invention. The starting block 1 com- prises an elongated frame 2 having a longitudinal axis (not shown), which extends between a first end 3 and a second end 4 of the frame 2.

The frame 2 is adapted to be attached to a ground in both ends 3,4 of the frame 2. In the shown embodiment the frame 2 has mounted elements 5,6 having holes, wherein attachment means (not shown) are to be inserted into the ground and thereby fixate the frame 2. Said at- tachments means may for instance be pins or spikes.

Advantageously, the attachment means, i. e. pins or spikes, may be inserted into the ground with an angle in relation to the ground, said angle not being 90°. Hereby is obtained that the attachment means are forced further into the ground when the athletes are taking off from the starting block. A more secure fixation of the frame 2 is obtained wherein substantially all the force from the athletes taking off is being used to a forward force and said force not being lost in the movement of the frame 2.

In this embodiment the frame 2 is made of a profile having an U-shaped configuration, said profile preferably being of metal. In both vertically flanges of the U-

shaped profile slits 7 are arranged having a mutual spaced apart relationship along the elongated frame 2.

Said slits 7 is adapted to receive fastening means of take-off blocks 8,9 and furthermore enabling that the take-off blocks 8,9 may be individually adjusted along the frame 2.

According to an aspect of the invention, the slit (s) 7 may be arranged having an extension, said extension be- ing larger than the fastening means so that a movement between the frame 2 and the take-off block 8,9 may be possible. It is of high importance that the take-off blocks 8,9 during the taking off of the athlete always are securely fixated to the ground. Due to the larger ex- tension of the slit in relation to the fastening means a play is obtained wherein the frame 2 may move up and down in a vertical direction without influencing the position of the take-off blocks 8,9 on the ground. Thereby is ob- tained that after setting up the take-off blocks the ath- lete is sure that he/she always will have a secure fixa- tion of the take-off blocks 8,9.

The take-off blocks 8,9 will be further described below in connection with Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 2 shows in a side view the starting block 1 of Fig. 1. The starting block 1 is in this embodiment shown with a length L of approximately 850 mm, which is a stan- dard length in the art. Furthermore, the two take-off blocks 8,9 are shown displaced in relation to each other thereby enabling the sprinter to set up the starting block to his or hers preferred starting position as ex- plained in the introductory part.

The take-off blocks 8,9 comprise a take-off surface 10. In Fig. 2 it is furthermore shown that the take-off surfaces are angular adjustable in a vertical direction

in relation to the ground, i. e. the take-off surface may be sloped. This angular adjustment is indicated by a.

The take-off blocks 8,9 comprise adjustment means 11 adapted to adjust the angle a of the take-off surface 10 in relation to the ground. Said adjustment means 11 will be further described below in connection with Figs.

4 and 5.

Fig. 3 shows the starting block 1 of Fig. 1 seen from above. In this embodiment it is easily deduced that the take-off surfaces 10 of the take-off blocks 8,9 are angular adjustable in a laterally direction in relation to the longitudinal axis of the frame 2.

Advantageously, the take-off surfaces 10 are angled towards the longitudinal axis of the frame 2 so that the take-off surfaces 10 are turned against the frame 2.

According to the invention the take-off surfaces 10 may have an angle ß of 0-20°, preferably of 2-10° in rela- tion to the longitudinal axis of the frame 2.

Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view a take-off block 8 according to the invention seen from the side.

On the side of the take-off block 8 fastening means 12 is arranged. The fastening means 12 is in this embodi- ment shown as having an extension, i. e. a width. The ex- tension makes it possible to achieve a secure fixation of the starting block 8 in a transverse direction when ar- ranged on the frame. A screw 13 is furthermore arranged to engage with the slits of the frame whereby the start- ing block is secured in the longitudinal direction of the frame.

The take-off surface 10 comprises in this embodiment two surfaces 14,15 having an angle in relation to each other. Hereby is obtained that the take-off surface 10

may be adapted to the form and the anatomy of the foot of the athlete.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the take-off surface may comprise a resilient material, such as for instance rubber or synthetic materials, whereby a foot support surface, i. e. the take-off sur- face, is obtained having elastic or resilient properties.

Furthermore, a groove 16 is arranged in the side of take-off block 8. Said groove 16 being adapted to receive a tap 11 which enables the angular adjustment of the take-off surface 10 in the vertical direction. The ad- justment means 11 comprises a screw 17 which may be turned via the handle 18 so that the take-off surface 10 may be angled to fit a certain athlete.

In Fig. 5 is the take-off block 8 shown from the back. In this embodiment the adjustment device 20 is adapted to adjust the angle of the take-off surface 10 in relation to the longitudinal axis of the frame. The ad- justment device 20 may comprise a screw 21 and a bolt 22 or the like. By turning the handle 23 the take-off block starts to pivot around a turning point 24 whereby the take-off surface is being angled, preferably against the frame.

In this embodiment the adjustment device 20 com- prises the screw 21 and the bolt 22, however, according to the invention the adjustment device may have other de- signs, which will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

However, it is of high importance that the adjust- ment of the angle ß of the take-off surface is carried out with the highest accuracy substantially without any play so that the athletes have the opportunities to set up the take-off blocks identically each time.

According to the invention the frame may further be attached to the ground substantially in between the ends of the frame. Hereby, a more rigid frame is provided which secures that the force the sprinter is using to take-off from the starting block is used for forward movement of the athlete and not for bending the frame.

This is especially important due to the fact that when using the inventive starting block wherein the take-off surface is angled a force will also be exerted on the frame in an angle away from the longitudinal axis of the frame, which force essentially may bend the frame.

Advantageously, the take-off block may be adjustable along the frame.

According to an aspect of the invention the frame 2 may have a width, said width being adjustable (not shown). Advantageously, this may be carried out by the frame 2 comprises an adjustment device (not shown) which is adapted to adjust the width of the frame 2.

The adjustment device may for instance comprise a screw and a bolt or the like.

Hereby it is obtained that the width of the frame may be adjusted to fit the individual athlete having re- gard to their anatomy so that the feet of the athletes in the starting block are placed near the centre of the op- timal running path.

According to another embodiment according to the in- vention an additional module 25 may be arranged between the frame 2 and the take-off block 8,9, said module 25 being adapted to adjust a distance dl, d2, d3 between the frame 2 and the take-off block 8,9 as shown in Fig. 6.

In this embodiment the distances dl, d2, d3 are taken be- tween the frame 2 and the opposite side of the take-off

block 8,9 facing away from the frame 2. The frame 2 is shown having a width w.

Advantageously, the module 25 may comprise a plural- ity of predetermined distances dl, d2, d3 as shown in Fig. 6. In this embodiment distance elements are arranged in connection with the fastening means of the take-off block 8,9, whereby the athlete may adjust the width of take-off block 8,9 in relation to the frame 2 so that the athlete's individual optimal starting position may be obtained.

In another embodiment (not shown) the module 25 may comprise adjustable means wherein the distance between the frame and the take-off blocks may be adjusted option- ally between two extreme points. The adjustable means could for instance be a screw and a bolt.

According to the invention the inventive starting block may be used in connection with starting procedures for sprints, such as 100,200 and 400 metres run. How- ever, the starting block may also be used in training purposes for other types of sport, wherein training of the legs, running style as well as speed are of high im- portance.

Thus, the starting block may be used to train as well as coach the user in obtaining an optimal as well as efficient running style by substantially avoiding or at least eliminating the laterally movements. By using the starting block the laterally movements of the user is es- sentially transferred to substantially forward movements, whereby the energy used is used to build up speed.

Advantageously, the inventive take-off block may be used for sports wherein starting arrangements are used such as running, swimming or the like or for sports wherein running is an essential part, such as for in-

stance football, rugby, baseball, handball, basketball, long jump, high jump, triple jump, athletics in general, gymnastic or the like.

The elongated frame may expedient be used for an starting block to be used in relation to athletic run- ning, such as sprints, or for training purposes in rela- tion to sports wherein running is an essential part.

Also, the adjustment device may advantageously be used for a starting block.

According to another aspect of the invention the in- ventive idea may advantageously be used in connection with bicycling due to the fact that large laterally move- ments of the bicycle as well as of the bicyclist are ma- jor disadvantages present in that sport also.

Although the invention above has been described in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.