Training system and method for cuing a jumper on a jump over a crossbar

• US 10,363,472 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Joseph Richardson, Makenna Noel Bentley
• Original Assignee: James Joseph Richardson, Makenna Noel Bentley
• Inventors: Bentley, Makenna Noel, Richardson, James Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Xuan M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zaman, Sadaruz
• Application Number:
  US15/342,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20170050096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/081 High jumping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/02 High-jumping posts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

A training system for a jumper on a jump path over a crossbar predicts the jumper'"'"'s flight path and cues the jumper if the flight path is too close to the crossbar or to take action if the jumper is predicted to strike the crossbar. The system includes a sensor viewing the jumper from a direction paralleling the crossbar and producing data points representative of the lowest edge of the jumper in the vicinity of the crossbar. A computer receiving the data points is programmed to determine therefrom the jumper'"'"'s flight path, the jumper'"'"'s forward speed, the location of a jumper'"'"'s lower legs relative to the crossbar, an expected impact time of the lower legs with the crossbar, and a cuing time. A cuing device, such as a horn, cues the jumper to raise the lower legs so as to not impact the crossbar.

Claims

1. A training system for a jumper on a jump path over a crossbar comprising:

a sensor near the crossbar for sensing the jumper along a direction paralleling the crossbar and for producing a plurality of data points representative of the lowest edge of the jumper in the vicinity of the crossbar at a given time;

a computer coupled to said sensor for receiving the plurality of data points and programmed for calculating therefrom an extrapolated curved flight path for the sensed lowest edge of the jumper and for producing a cuing signal if the extrapolated flight path of the sensed lowest edge of the jumper reaches a predetermined minimum distance from the crossbar; and

a cuing device coupled to said computer for receiving the cuing signal and for cuing the jumper during the jump that the predetermined distance has been reached such that the jumper can react during the jump.

2. The training system of claim 1 wherein:

the extrapolated curved flight path for the sensed lowest edge of the jumper is a parabola.

3. The training system of claim 2 wherein:

the calculating includes weighting the data points by a distance factor relative to their distance from the crossbar, such that data points for distances farther from the crossbar are given less weight.

4. The training system of claim 3 wherein:

said computer is further programmed for repeated sampling of the received data points; and

the calculating includes weighting the data points by a time factor, such that data points farther back in time are given less weight.

5. The training system of claim 1 wherein:

said sensor includes;

first and second opposed panels on opposite sides of the jump path near the crossbar, said panels including;

an array of light transmitters;

each said transmitter for projecting a beam of light across the jump path; and

an array of light detectors;

each said detector corresponding to one said transmitter, each said detector for detecting the beam of light crossing the jump path from its corresponding said transmitter such that said array of detectors produces the plurality of data points representative of the lowest edge of the jumper at a given time.

6. The training system of claim 5 wherein:

the extrapolated flight path for the sensed lowest edge of the jumper is a parabola.

7. The training system of claim 6 wherein:

the calculating includes weighting the data points by a distance factor relative to their distance from the crossbar, such that data points for distances farther from the crossbar are given less weight.