Platforms principally for use by swimmers

Abstract

Starting platform assemblies may be provided with swimming pools for competitive and/or recreational purposes. A starting platform assembly may include a frame supporting a starting platform. Starting platform assemblies may include various combinations of optional features such as but not limited to informational panels and displays, storage areas, side handles, backstroke bars, movable mounting steps, and/or wedge anchors.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A starting platform assembly for a swimming pool, the starting platform assembly comprising a platform and side handles, wherein at least a portion of the side handles extend at an angle in a range of approximately 65°-approximately 115° relative to a center axis of the platform. 
     
     
         2 . The starting platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the side handles are above a top surface of the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The starting platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the side handles extend outwards from sides of the platform. 
     
     
         4 . A starting platform assembly comprising a platform and side handles, wherein the side handles each include a parallel handle portion extending parallel to a center axis of the platform and a perpendicular handle portion extending at an angle in a range of approximately 65°-approximately 115° relative to the center axis of the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The starting platform assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the parallel handle portion and the perpendicular handle portion of each side handle is above a top surface of the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The starting platform assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a length of the parallel handle portion is different from a length of the perpendicular handle portion of each side handle. 
     
     
         7 . A side handle for a starting platform, the side handle comprising a base, a parallel handle portion, and a perpendicular handle portion, wherein the base is configured to connect the side handle to the starting platform such that the parallel handle portion extends parallel to a center axis of the starting platform and the perpendicular handle portion extends perpendicular to the center axis of the starting platform. 
     
     
         8 . A wedge anchor for a starting platform assembly, the wedge anchor comprising:
 an anchor body for receiving a portion of a frame of the starting platform assembly; and   anchor wings extending outwards from the anchor body.   
     
     
         9 . The wedge anchor of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor wings are provided at an end of the anchor body. 
     
     
         10 . The wedge anchor of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor wings are planar. 
     
     
         11 . The wedge anchor of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor wings comprise securing features for securing the anchor wings to rebar and/or for electrically bonding the wedge anchor. 
     
     
         12 . A starting platform assembly comprising the wedge anchor of  claim 8 , a frame, and a starting platform supported by the frame, wherein the frame is at least partially received in a receiving area of the anchor body of the wedge anchor. 
     
     
         13 . A backstroke bar for a starting platform, the backstroke bar comprising a first set of vertical handles and a second set of vertical handles, wherein the first set of vertical handles span a first distance, and wherein the second set of vertical handles span a second distance different from the first distance. 
     
     
         14 . The backstroke bar of  claim 13 , wherein the first set of vertical handles are upper vertical handles, wherein the second set of vertical handles are lower vertical handles, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         15 . The backstroke bar of  claim 13 , wherein the first set of vertical handles are upper vertical handles, wherein the second set of vertical handles are lower vertical handles, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. 
     
     
         16 . The backstroke bar of  claim 13 , further comprising a horizontal portion connecting the vertical handles. 
     
     
         17 . A backstroke bar for a starting platform, the backstroke bar comprising at least one upper vertical handle and at least one lower vertical handle, wherein the at least one upper vertical handle is not vertically aligned with the at least one lower vertical handle. 
     
     
         18 . The backstroke bar of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one upper handle comprises a first upper vertical handle and a second upper vertical handle, wherein the at least one lower vertical handle comprises a first lower vertical handle and a second lower vertical handle, wherein the upper vertical handles are not vertically aligned with the lower vertical handles. 
     
     
         19 . The backstroke bar of  claim 17 , further comprising a horizontal portion connecting the at least one upper vertical handle with the at least one lower vertical handle. 
     
     
         20 . The backstroke bar of  claim 17 , further comprising a grip on the at least one upper vertical handle and the at least one lower vertical handle.