Swimming starting block front foot support

Abstract

A swimming starting block front foot support that can be provided in several configurations and can be strapped or otherwise removably secured to a conventional swim starting block or built into new starting blocks. The front foot support block allows the front foot to be in a substantially horizontal position, which reduces reaction time and increases stability during start, and allows the toes of the front foot to wrap around or otherwise contact a front curved portion of the front foot support, which allows the user to have more force when jumping/diving off the swim block and into an adjacent swimming pool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swim block for allowing a user to jump or dive into a swimming pool or other body of water from a vertical distance higher than the swimming pool, the swim block adapted to allow a user to jump or dive off the swim block with more force and distance when entering the pool, comprising:
 a base adapted for positioning on a surface near or adjacent to a portion of a perimeter area of the swimming pool, the base having an upper end; and   a swim platform having a bottom surface in contact with the upper end of the base such that the swim platform is positioned at a vertical distance higher than the swimming pool, the swim platform having an upper surface and a front portion, the front portion of the swim platform having curved or rounded shape and terminates into the upper surface;   wherein the base extends downward from the bottom surface of the swim platform and positions the swim platform above the swimming pool at the portion of the perimeter area of the swimming pool.   
     
     
         2 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein the upper surface is angled downward from the front portion of the swim platform to at least an intermediate portion defined between the front portion and a back portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         3 . The swim block of  claim 2  where the upper surface is angled down at an acute angle. 
     
     
         4 . The swim block of  claim 3  wherein an angle selected for the acute angle corresponds to an angle that the swim platform is positioned at with respect to ground adjacent to the portion of the perimeter area of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         5 . The swim block of  claim 3  wherein an angle selected for the acute angle allows the upper surface of the body member to be in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position with respect to ground adjacent to the portion of the perimeter area of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         6 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein the swim platform extending outward with respect to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The swim block of  claim 1  further comprising an anti-slip surface disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the swim platform. 
     
     
         8 . The swim block of  claim 7  further comprising an anti-slip surface disposed on at least a portion of the curved or rounded front portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         9 . The swim block of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of grooves or passageways in a portion of the upper surface of the swim platform and extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the upper surface of the swim platform. 
     
     
         10 . The swim block  claim 8  further comprising one or more grooves or passageways in the curved or rounded front portion of the swim platform extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the curved front portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         11 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein the swim platform having a width extending from a first side of the swim platform to an opposite second side of the swim platform, wherein the width of the swim platform enough to receive both feet of the swimmer. 
     
     
         12 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein the curved or rounded front portion of the swim platform is adapted to serve as a front foot support for the user of the swim block to allow the user to enter the swimming pool with more force and distance. 
     
     
         13 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein a back intermediate portion of the upper surface of the swim platform extends upward at an angle to form a rear foot support disposed closer to a back portion of the swim platform, the back portion located opposite to the front portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         14 . The swim block of  claim 1  where the portion of a perimeter area of the swimming pool is an end the swimming pool. 
     
     
         15 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein the base and swim platform are monolithically formed as a one-piece member, are constructed integral as a one-piece member or are permanently secured to each to form a one-piece swim block. 
     
     
         16 . A swim block for allowing a user to jump or dive into a swimming pool or other body of water from a vertical distance higher than the swimming pool, the swim block adapted to allow a user to jump or dive off the swim block with more force and distance when entering the pool, comprising:
 a base adapted for positioning on a surface near or adjacent to an end of the swimming pool, the base having an upper end; and   a swim platform having a bottom surface in contact with the upper end of the base such that the swim platform is positioned at a vertical distance higher than the swimming pool, the swim platform having an upper surface and a front portion, the front portion of the swim platform having curved or rounded shape and terminates into the upper surface;   wherein the base extends downward from the bottom surface of the swim platform and positions the swim platform above the swimming pool at the portion of the perimeter area of the swimming pool;   wherein the upper surface is angled downward at an acute angle from the front portion of the swim platform to at least an intermediate portion defined between the front portion and a back portion of the swim platform;   wherein the swim platform having a width extending from a first side of the swim platform to an opposite second side of the swim platform, wherein the width of the swim platform enough to receive both feet of the swimmer;   wherein the curved or rounded front portion of the swim platform is adapted to serve as a front foot support for the user of the swim block to allow the user to enter the swimming pool with more force and distance.   
     
     
         17 . The swim block of  claim 16  further comprising an anti-slip surface disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the swim platform and on at least a portion of the curved or rounded front portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         18 . The swim block of  claim 17  further comprising a plurality of grooves or passageways in the anti-slip portion of the upper surface of the swim platform and in the anti-slip portion of the curved or rounded portion of the swim portion; the plurality of grooves or passageways extending from a first side to an opposite second side of the upper surface or curved or rounded front portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         19 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein a back intermediate portion of the upper surface of the swim platform extends upward at an angle to form a rear foot support disposed closer to the back portion of the swim platform, the back portion located opposite to the front portion of the swim platform. 
     
     
         20 . The swim block of  claim 1  wherein the base and swim platform are monolithically formed as a one-piece member, are constructed integral as a one-piece member or are permanently secured to each to form a one-piece swim block.