Swimming starting block

Abstract

A swimming starting block including a push-off plate for supporting feet of a swimmer during a start, and a sensor connected to the push-off plate which detects at least changes in pressure on the push-off plate induced by the swimmer. The sensor includes a substantially elongated conductor for electromagnetic signals, connected at a first circumferential side to the push-off plate and at an opposite second circumferential side to a sensor-support plate arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the push-off plate. The push-off plate moves with respect to the sensor-support plate, in response to pressure changes induced by the swimmer, to induce a disturbance into electromagnetic signals sent through the conductor. The elongated conductor can be connected to a signal source for transmitting the electromagnetic signals through the conductor. The conductor can be connected to a signal detector, wherein the signal detector detects disturbances in the electromagnetic signal.

1 . A swimming starting block comprising a push-off plate for supporting at least feet of a swimmer during a start, as well as a sensor device which is connected to the push-off plate and which serves to detect at least changes in pressure on the push-off plate induced by the swimmer, wherein the sensor device comprises a substantially elongated conductor for electromagnetic signals, which is connected with a first circumferential side to the push-off plate and with a second circumferential side, situated substantially opposite the first circumferential side, to a sensor-support plate arranged at a distance from the push-off plate and extending substantially parallel thereto, wherein the push-off plate, in operation, is movable with respect to the sensor-support plate, under the influence of pressure changes induced by the swimmer, to induce a disturbance into electromagnetic signals sent through the conductor, wherein the elongated conductor can be connected, at an end thereof, to a signal source for transmitting the electromagnetic signals through the conductor, and wherein the conductor can be connected, with a second end situated opposite the first end, to a signal detector, wherein the signal detector is arranged to detect disturbances in the electromagnetic signal. 
     
     
         2 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductor is direction-sensitive. 
     
     
         3 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor device is provided in a mat, preferably a rubber mat, which is arranged between the push-off plate and the sensor support plate. 
     
     
         4 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises a plurality of individual, elongated conductors for electromagnetic signals, which are each connected to a signal source and a signal detector. 
     
     
         5 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 4 , comprising a number, preferably four, individual, elongated conductors, which are provided between the sensor support plate and the push-off plate according to a regular pattern. 
     
     
         6 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one additional push-off plate and one additional sensor support plate, wherein the device also comprises an additional elongated conductor, with additional signal source and additional signal detector, arranged between the additional push-off plate and the additional sensor support plate. 
     
     
         7 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 1 , comprising a support block on which the sensor support plate is provided, said support block being manufactured substantially from a composite material. 
     
     
         8 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 1 , comprising a display device which is connected to the swimming starting block. 
     
     
         9 . A swimming starting block according to  claim 8 , wherein the display device is connected to the signal detector.