Apparatus for monitoring and registering the location and intensity of impacts in sports

• US 20090235761A1
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jin Y. Song
• Original Assignee: Jin Y. Song
• Inventors: Song, Jin Y.
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.590
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

This invention relates to impact sports, and to articles of clothing and for detection systems used to monitor and registering the intensity, location and sources of impacts in contact sports such as boxing, martial arts, fencing, and so forth.

Claims

1. An article of equipment incorporating a detection system for monitoring and registering the intensity and location of impacts for players in contact sports, comprising:

a.) at least one electrically conductive wire providing a proximity sensor function, the said wire embedded as a mechanical layout in the equipment;

b.) an impact sensor connected to the conductive wire and embedded in the equipment, the impact sensor being adapted to generate an electrical signal based on the impact and location of an impact;

c.) magnet means mounted in an attacking gear of the player, the proximity sensor being adapted to detect the approaching presence of the magnet and to generate an electrical impulse proportional to the intensity and location of a subsequent impact;

d.) a transceiver connected to the conductive wire means;

e.) signal processor means connected to the transceiver, whereby changes in voltage as a result of changes in voltage due to changes in magnetic flux caused by proximity of the magnet to the impact sensor will determine the extent of impact and the location of an impact based on the mechanical layout of the embedded wire in the equipment; and

,

f.) output means for the signal processor, to provide a visual and/or audible display.

2. The article of equipment of claim 1, in which the equipment comprises an article of clothing and the impact sensor is one or both of an accelerometer or a piezo electric device.

3. The article of equipment of claim 1, in which the equipment comprises simulated weapons and practice targets and the impact sensor is one or both of an accelerometer or a piezo electric device.

4. The article of equipment of claim 1, in which the output means includes a bar graph, audible signal, blinking lights, display status and numerical display.

5. The article of equipment of claim 1, in which a battery driven sensor module is plugged into the conductive wire in the equipment, the battery terminal connecting to the signal processing means, and when the sensor module is unplugged from the equipment, the conductive wire functions as a power switch to turn off the signal processing means, thereby saving battery power.

6. The article of equipment of claim 1, in which the equipment is an article of clothing overlaid by a lightweight layer of protective clothing.

7. The article of equipment of claim 1, in which the output means is fed through multiple sensor channels to the signal processing means.

9. The equipment of claim 1, in which the equipment includes weight measurements, perimeter intrusion detection, and safety and securing fencing.

13. The electronic system of claim 1, in which the output means are fed through multiple sensor channels to the signal processor means.

8. A electronic system for registering the intensity and location of contact in a monitoring device, comprising:

a.) at least one electrically conductive wire providing a proximity sensor function, the said wire as a mechanical layout in the equipment;

b.) an impact sensor associated with the equipment, adapted to generate an electrical signal based on the impact and location of an impact;

c.) magnet means mounted on the equipment, the proximity sensor being adapted to detect the approaching movement of the magnet and to generate an electrical impulse proportional to the intensity and location of a subsequent impact;

d.) a transceiver connected to the conductive wire means;

e.) signal processor means connected to the transceiver, whereby changes in voltage as a result of changes in voltage due to changes in magnetic flux caused by proximity of the magnet to the impact sensor will determine the extent of location of an impact based on the mechanical layout of the conductive wire; and

,

f.) output means for the signal processor, to provide a visual and/or audible display.

10. The electronic system of claim 8, in which the impact sensor is one or both of an accelerometer, or a piezo electric device.

11. The electronic system of claim 8, in which the output means includes a bar graph, audible signal, blinking lights, display status and numerical display.

12. The electronic system of claim 8, in which a battery driven sensor module is plugged into the conductive wires, the battery terminal being connected to the signal processing means, and when the sensor module is unplugged, the conductive wire functions as a power switch, to disconnect the battery from the signal processing means, thereby saving power.