Description The invention relates to a device for supporting the backstroke start of a swimmer in a swimming-pool, according to the preamble of claim 1 .

Currently a swim start block is provided with a raised edge to aid or improve swimmers forward stroke start. After multiple attempts the backstroke start didn't change. The swimmer still needs to place his or her feet against the wall and jump in an unnatural angle from an often slippery wall.

Patent publication NL 7702220 discloses a device for supporting the feet of the swimmer during the backstroke start. The device comprises a triangular support structure, removably positioned at the edge of the swimming pool, wherein the triangular support for the feet itself is positioned underneath the waterline. After a start, the triangular support needs to be removed manually.

One problem associated with devices for supporting the backstroke start, is that after the start the fixture described in existing ideas needs to be removed to permit a normal finish or turn of the simmer.

Another problem is that a touchpad used for timing systems is present on the same wall. Positioning of the backstroke starting device on or near the touchpad, may lead to instability problems, possible damage to the touchpad, and influences on the time system. Also safety is a big issue for the need to remove any volume sticking out of the touchpad.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved device for supporting the backstroke start of a swimmer in a swimming-pool, which eliminates or alleviates at least one of these drawbacks.

To this end, the invention provides a device of the aforementioned kind, which is characterised in that the supporting means are provided with inflating means for positioning said supporting means at an angle relative to the edge of the swimming pool. The inflating means may be conveniently used to swiftly and accurately position the supporting means in the desired angle, which may be an angle that the swimmer desires. Furthermore, it is possible to swiftly and accurately transfer the supporting means from a starting position, in which the supporting means may be used by the swimmer, towards a folded position, in which the starting means do not hinder a normal finish or turn of the swimmer. The inflating means may conveniently be used to transfer the supporting means between said positions, without any person coming close to the edge of the swimming pool. In other words, the inflating means permit a remote operation of the device.

Preferably, the inflating means comprise a pressure bag filled with air or liquid, which provides a simple, reliable and fast way of changing the angle. Preferably, the pressure bag is shaped such that it is substantially flat when all air / liquid is removed. Advantage is that when the bag is completely flat, hindering of the finish / turn of the swimmer is minimized. Additional advantage is that it enables a fail safe design, since the device may be arranged to only stick out when pressure is applied.

In one embodiment, the pressure bags are arranged such that, when pressure is removed from the pressure bag, the supporting means edge are at virtually no angle with respect to the edge of the swimming pool.

Preferably, the angle is in between 30 and 40 degrees. In this state the system is optimally placed for a powerful and optimal backstroke start. Other angles are conceivable as well.

In one embodiment, triangular supports are positioned in between the supporting means and the edge of the swimming pool, which supports are arranged for fixating said supporting means at said angle. This allows a more rigid / stiff construction, which allows more accurate measurements of the force and/or pressure, and furthermore it allows for accurate measurements and/or control of the starting angle.

The pressure bag are in an embodiment provided with means for measuring the pressure in the pressure bags. It was found that the pressure bag allows easy measurement of forces exerted on the supporting means, by simply measuring the pressure of the air or liquid. By providing tubes connected to the pressure bag, it is possible to remotely measure the forces of the air or liquid inside pressure bag, such that no electronic systems need to be close to the edge of the swimming pool.

It is further possible that the supporting means are provided with sensors for measuring the swimmer's forces exerted on the supporting means. In top sports training facility Innosport lab Tongelreep Eindhoven, the professional swimmers and coaches need specialized training aids and measurement equipment to improve the performance of the swimmer. One of the areas of interest is the backstroke start. On the one hand there is a need for mechanical training aids like start fixtures to improve the swimmers technique and performance, on the other hand there is a need for measurement feedback on force, direction, and efficiency. By integrating sensors on the device, the above mentioned needs are met.

In an embodiment, the device is provided with registering means for registering a swimmer's touch. Preferably, the registering means are situated directly against the edge of the swimming pool. In the applicant's role as specialist in making custom solutions we create dedicated measurement and training aids for Innosport lab Tongelreep. During the development of the backstroke training aids and measurement equipment we discovered that we were able to create the perfect Backstroke starting fixture in combination with a touchpad and integrated measurement sensors. The inflating means ensure that a flat touchpad may be obtained, such that the device is within the FI NA regulations.

The swimmers backstroke start and touchpad combination is seen as a means, like the current forward stroke start block, to improve performance and to make the swimming start more natural and optimal. Another benefit we see is the direct feedback to coach, swimmer and spectators.

Since a dual function is desired, namely starting block and touchpad functioning, the device is preferably arranged for a quick and easy transfer to a touch pad, after the backstroke start has taken place. The inflating means of the device allow for this quick and easy transfer.

Thus, in an embodiment, a very user friendly swimmers backstroke start fixture touch-pad combination is provided. It is a unique and fully optimized backstroke start fixture that in an embodiment seamlessly transfers to a full functional touchpad in combination with optional real-time feedback on dynamic forces and directional information. The touchpad is in this embodiment arranged and configured within the current FINA (world-wide Swimming sports organisation) specification on dimensions and in particular thickness of the pad, because it is flat.

Key features of an embodiment: The combination start fixture touchpad, the mechanical solutions to fit current regulations, unique mechanical, electrical system design, and unique sensor designs. Ease of use, no need to remove after start, fail safe design.

Backstroke starting block start fixture;

Swimmers touchpad;

- Pressure based force measurement and mechanical mechanism;

Force and directional measurement system for swimming start fixtures / block; - Touchpad backstroke start;

Pressure bag stiffeners.

It is possible that sensors are applied that measure in one or multiple directions and that have no mechanical limitations to the system design and implementation. Two directional mechanical fixing points with integrated sensors provide measurements of forces and give dynamic angular information related to these forces.

It is noted that the current invention is not limited to the use of inflating means in the form of pressure bags. The skilled person will understand that other means may be applied as well, without departing from the invention. Mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic means (or a combination thereof) may be used to obtain the same result, in the same way.

According to an aspect, therefore, the invention provides a device which is characterised in that said supporting means are provided with transfer means for positioning said supporting means at an angle relative to the edge of the swimming pool. The transfer means may comprise any suitable mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic means for positioning said supporting means at an angle relative to the edge of the swimming pool. It is noted that by using inflating means, such as a pressure bag, it is possible to provide a very compact construction, such that in a folded position a flat system is obtained.

Preferably, the transfer means are arranged for alternately positioning said supporting means at an angle relative to the edge of the swimming pool, and positioning said supporting means at virtually no angle with respect to the edge of the swimming pool.

The device may comprise a mechanical mechanism, such as triangular supports, as well as driving means for driving the transfer means to and from the starting position. Other variations of the device are conceivable as well. Particularly, any feature of the device using inflating means may be used in the device using the transfer means. The device according to the invention will next be explained by means of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a swim basin having a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a device according to a second embodiment, in a touch plate position;

Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 2 in the starting position;

Figure 4 and 5 show a third embodiment of the device, in side view and front view, respectively, in the starting position;

Figure 6 and 7 show the third embodiment of the device shown in Figure 4 and 5, in side view and front view, respectively, in the folded position;

Figure 8a and 8b show a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

In the following description, corresponding features are given the same reference sign, even though differences between the several embodiments exist.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It shows a side cross-sectional view of the swimming pool 101 , with on the left hand side of Fig. 1 the wall of the swimming pool 103, and on the right hand side the basin 105 itself. The wall 103 defines an edge 104 of the swimming pool 105. On this edge 104, a device 10 for supporting the backstroke start of a swimmer in a swimming-pool, more particularly for allowing the swimmer to use his/her feet 1 10 for pushing him/her away from the edge 104 of the swimming pool 103, is provided. The device 10 comprises supporting means 1 for providing a support 1 12 for the feet. Furthermore, the device comprises positioning means 1 14 for positioning said support 1 12 at the edge 104 of the swimming pool such that the backstroke swimmer is provided with a powerful support 1 12 at the start of a swimming race. According to the invention, the device is provided with transfer means 1 13 in the form of inflating means 1 13, preferably in the form of a pressure bag 1 13, for positioning said support 1 12 of the supporting means 1 at an angle relative to the edge of the swimming pool 104. Further details of the device 10 shown in Fig. 1 will be explained below.

Figure 2 shows a detailed side view of the device 10 of Fig. 1 in a so-called touchpad state. I n this state all pressure is removed from the pressure bag 1 13 such that it is in it's most flat state. The pressure bag 1 13 lies within a recess, in between a back wall 1 17 and the support 1 12. This connected start fixture 1 12 is thereby also retracted and fully in line with the rest of the touchpad 1 15. In this touchpad state the device 10 behaves as a fully functional touchpad using the touch sensors 2 on the back of the plate 1 15. These touch sensors 2 can be of the same type currently used in existing touchpads, or other sensors as well, as known to those skilled in the art. It can be seen in Fig. 2 that in the touch-pad state, no unsafe parts exist on the front of the system that could injure the swimmer.

Figure 3 shows the system in the backstroke start state. In this state the device 10 is optimally placed for a powerful and optimal backstroke start. The angle a is in the optimal range of 30 to 40 degrees. Other angles are conceivable as well, and the range can be adopted if needed.

A first addition to the basic design is applying force measurement to the design by means of pressure measurement inside the pressure bag 1 13. Because the pressure bag 1 13 is a closed volume it's very sensitive to external forces applied to the bag. A swimmer will apply up to 200kg of force to the bag 1 13 during the backstroke start. This will increase the pressure inside the pressure bag 1 13 which can be measured very accurate with a pressure sensor. If needed this pressure change can be measured remote from the pressure bag 1 13, for example inside tubes. If so no electronic parts are close to the water.

If for some reason the setup of design needs to be more rigid / stiff (more accurate measurements or the need for angular measurements) a second mechanical design is proposed, which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 shows a side view, and Fig. 5 shows a front view. In these Figs, two triangular shapes 6 are added next to the pressure bag 1 13. The triangular rigid / stiff shapes 6 are mounted in a way that they can hinge, in this case around hinges 61 , preferably only in one direction. The shapes are preferably mechanically limited in their movement. The pressure bag 1 13 or in an embodiment multiple pressure bags can now hinge the triangular shapes 6 in their most upright position placed under the moveable start fixture 1 12. By moving into this position the shapes 6 will place the start fixture 1 12 in exact the right angle and additionally they provide a very rigid / stiff support for that fixture 1 12. If the pressure is removed the triangular shapes 6 are drawn back, fully in their most flat positions making the whole system come back to its original touchpad shape (Figs. 6 and 7).

Optionally it is possible to add stabiliser pressure bags to further stiffen the design.

The application field of this invention is for sport swimming on all levels. All levels of swimming apply due to the ease of use of the system and relative low cost of the system, comparable with existing systems.

Fig. 8a and 8b show a perspective view of a device 10 according to the invention, wherein Fig. 8a shows the device in the starting position, and Fig. 8b shows the device in the folded position. The device 10 for supporting the backstroke start of a swimmer in a swimming-pool, more particularly for allowing the swimmer to use his/her feet for pushing him/her away from the edge of the swimming pool, comprises supporting means 1 for providing a support 1 12 for the feet. Furthermore, the device comprises positioning means 1 14 for positioning said support 1 12 at the edge of the swimming pool (not shown) such that the backstroke swimmer is provided with a powerful support 1 12 at the start of a swimming race. According to an aspect of the invention, the device is provided with transfer means 1 13 for positioning said support 1 12 of the supporting means 1 at an angle relative to the edge of the swimming pool. In this position, as shown in Fig. 8a, the support provides a powerful support for the feet. In the folded position (see Fig. 8b), the transfer means, such as a inflatable pressure bag 1 13, are taken up in the recess formed by an opening in the plate 1 15. It can be seen that the support 1 12, which is pivotally connected to the plate 1 15, covers the opening in the plate 1 15, and thus covers the recess. The support 1 12 is thus in line with the plate 1 15, and substantially no unsafe parts exist on the front of the system that could injure the swimmer.

The transfer means 1 13 in Fig. 8a and 8b may comprise an inflatable pressure bag, but also mechanical transfer means, such as a mechanical mechanism, may be used to perform the same function in a similar way. It will be understood by the skilled person that in general any transfer means for positioning the support at an angle, are conceivable, in any embodiment of the invention, which means are considered to be equivalent to the inflating means in the form of the pressure bags. The invention is not limited to the use of inflating means.

The plate 1 15 in Fig. 8a and 8b may be provided with touch sensors, as described above.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.