Method and apparatus to prevent diver injury from hitting the springboard after commencement of the dive

Abstract

The invention's innovation in the field of safety of aquatic sport of springboard diving is a method and apparatus to diminish the risk of the athlete's injury caused by an accidental collision with the springboard after the take-off by timely activating a device that places a protective padding covering the top of the springboard.

1 . We claim an invention that serves the purpose of reducing the risk of injury to the body of the springboard diver as a result of an accidental collision with the springboard after commencement of the dive. 
     
     
         2 . We claim that the invention of  claim 1  fulfills its purpose by deploying a protective padding that fully or partially covers the springboard after commencement of the dive. 
     
     
         3 . We claim that the protective padding of  claim 2  is to have characteristics as to reduce the peak accelerations suffered by the body parts of the springboard diver arising from a potential accidental collision with the springboard. 
     
     
         4 . We claim that in the invention of  claim 1 , the deployment of the protective padding of  claim 2  occurs via application of mechanical force to the protective padding, which force is provided by means other than human muscle power. 
     
     
         5 . We claim that the deployment of the padding of  claim 2  by the invention of  claim 1  must occur after the diver's take off and before the possible accidental collision.