Force feedback starting blocks

Abstract

A force feedback starting block and system for using it. The technology includes starting blocks with sensors for pressure, a step sensor for determining where the runner's first step out of the starting blocks occurs, a laser ruler, and a beam break for determining when a runner crosses a finish line. Timing and pressure information is displayed on a computer display.

1 . A force detecting starting block comprising:
 at least one starting block configured for attachment to a starting block rail;   a force sensor attached to said starting block for measuring force applied to said starting block by a runner's foot during push off;   a timing module for noting a time that a race started;   a computation module operationally connected to said force sensor for relating force data with time, to report at measurements of force and time; and   a display to report the results of force measurements.   
     
     
         2 . A force detecting starting block comprising:
 at least one starting block configured for attachment to a starting block rail;   a force sensor connected to said starting block for measuring force applied to said starting block by a runner's foot, with a computation module connected to said force sensor for relating force data with time, to report at least one of duration of force applied, maximum force applied, or total force applied; and   a display to report the results of force measurements.   
     
     
         3 . The force detecting starting block of  claim 1  which further comprises a left and a right starting block, and in which said computation module is configured to relate force data with time data to report at least one of duration of force applied for left and right blocks, maximum force applied on the left and right blocks, or total force applied for left and right blocks. 
     
     
         4 . The force detecting starting block of  claim 1  which further comprises a timing mechanism, with said force sensor connected to a microprocessor;
 said microprocessor configured for analyzing data from said force sensor; 
 a display showing said force data; and 
 an electrical power source. 
 
     
     
         5 . The starting block of  claim 1  wherein said display is an electronic device wirelessly connected to said starting block. 
     
     
         6 . The starting block of  claim 1  which further comprises a base plate to which is attached an angle adjuster, with a foot pedal attached to said base plate and with said foot pedal adjustable in angle by choosing an angle determining notch on said angle adjuster. 
     
     
         7 . The starting block of  claim 3  which further comprises a starting block rail for temporary attachment to a running track and for attachment of a left and right starting block. 
     
     
         8 . The starting block of  claim 1  which further comprises a laser ruler for determining a position of a runner after said runner has left the starting blocks. 
     
     
         9 . The starting block of  claim 1  which further comprise a computer adjacent said starting blocks, which is in wireless communication with a portable computer device, with said portable computer device comprising a display for showing force and time information. 
     
     
         10 . A starting block system which comprises at least one starting block configured for attachment to a starting block rail;
 a force sensor attached to said starting block for measuring force applied to said starting block by a runner's foot;   a timing module for noting a time that a race started;   a computation module operationally connected to said force sensor for relating force data with time, to report at measurements of force and time;   a display to report the results of force measurements;   a step sensor for measuring the location of a runner's first contact with the track after starting from the blocks,   
     
     
         11 . The starting block system of  claim 10  in which said step sensor is a pad comprised of embedded wires which indicate said first step when a runner steps on said pad. 
     
     
         12 . The starting block system of  claim 10  in which said step sensor senses said first step by use of at least one of a light beam, a laser beam, or an infrared beam. 
     
     
         13 . The starting block system of  claim 10  which further comprises a beam break is positionable a selected distance from said starting blocks, and which signals said computation module when a runner crosses a line representing a finish line. 
     
     
         14 . The starting block system of  claim 10  which further comprises a starting speaker, for signaling to the runner the start of a race. 
     
     
         15 . The starting block of  claim 14  further comprising a motion detector for determining when the user has become set on the blocks by the runner being motionless, and configured to activate said starting speaker. 
     
     
         16 . The starting block of  claim 8  which further comprises a finish line module which is positionable a selected distance from the starting blocks, and which is configured to measure the time from the start signal of  claim 8 , to the time the runner crosses the finish line. 
     
     
         17 . A starting block system which comprises at least one starting block configured for attachment to a starting block rail;
 a force sensor attached to said starting block for measuring force applied to said starting block by a runner's foot;   a timing module for noting a time that a race started;   a computation module operationally connected to said force sensor for relating force data with time, to report at measurements of force and time;   a display to report the results of force measurements;   a step sensor for measuring the location of a runner's first contact with the track after starting from the blocks, said step sensor a pad comprised of embedded wires which indicate said first step when a runner steps on said pad;   a beam break which is positionable a selected distance from said starting blocks, and which signals said computation module when a runner crosses a line representing a finish line.   
     
     
         18 . The starting block system of  claim 17  in which said step sensor senses said first step by use of at least one of a light beam, a laser beam, or an infrared beam. 
     
     
         19 . The starting block system of  claim 17  which further comprises a starting speaker, for signaling to the runner the start of a race. 
     
     
         20 . The starting block of  claim 17  further comprising a motion detector for determining when the user has become set on the blocks by the runner being motionless, and configured to activate said starting speaker. 
     
     
         21 . The starting block of  claim 8  which further comprises a finish line module which is positionable a selected distance from the starting blocks, and which is configured to measure the time from the start signal of  claim 8 , to the time the runner crosses a finish line.