SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATHLETIC COMPETITION SIGNALING

• US 20160114238A1
• Filed: 10/27/2015
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nicholas A. Santino Jr
• Original Assignee: Nicholas A. Santino Jr
• Inventors: Santino, Nicholas A. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 11,013,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/10 for aquatic sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63K 3/00 Equipment or accessories for racing or riding sports training equipment for animals A01K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63K 3/023 Starting-blocks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light

Abstract

In a competitive athletic event the disclosed signaling system provides for visually signaling of participants, for example, a lane specific visible indication to begin a race. A sequence of light colors is used to signal the start of a race, and is believed advantageous over an audible start signal, particularly for athletes who are hearing impaired.

Claims

1. An athletic competition signaling apparatus for the hearing impaired, comprising:

a translucent housing, said housing including an attachment component coupling the housing to a structure, and at least three independent signaling elements operatively associated with said housing,

wherein the three signaling elements produce a visual output viewable from a plurality of positions including both a starting position and a staging position.

2. The signaling apparatus according to claim 1, further including a remote control circuit to independently energize each of the signaling elements.

3. The signaling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of similarly configured housings are employed for a plurality of staging and starting positions in a competition.

4. The signaling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the athletes are swimmers and the signaling elements produces a visual output viewable from a plurality of starting positions, and where the plurality of housings are operatively associated with separate swim starting blocks and are employed to stage and start a swimming competition.

5. The signaling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each signaling element emits light of a distinct color.

6. The signaling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said translucent housing is viewable about the entire periphery of the housing to provide 360-degree visibility.

7. The signaling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the signaling elements designates one operation in staging and starting of an athletic competition.

8. An athletic competition signaling apparatus, comprising:

a translucent housing, said housing including an attachment component coupling the housing to a support structure, and a plurality of signaling elements operatively associated within said housing, wherein the signaling elements each produce a distinguishable visual output viewable from a plurality of positions including both a starting position and a staging position; and

control circuitry, associated with the signaling elements, said circuitry controlling the color and on/off state for the signaling elements.

9. The signaling apparatus according to claim 8 further including a source of power).

10. The signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said support structure includes a base with a battery that rests on a generally horizontal surface), and includes circuitry for receiving signals to control the signaling elements.

11. The signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said signaling elements include a ribbon of light-emitting diodes wrapped about a cylindrical core and inserted within a translucent outer tube, said tube including caps applied to the ends thereof to hold the light-emitting diodes inside and to isolate the light-emitting diodes from environmental exposure.)

12. The signaling apparatus according to claim 8 further including a wireless transmitter and receiver, the receiver being operatively connected to the signaling elements so as to produce a desired visual signal in response to a user depressing one or more buttons on the wireless transmitter.

13. An athletic competition signaling apparatus, comprising:

a base resting on a surface adjacent the starting position of an athletic competition, said base including a battery compartment therein for holding a battery, and an L-shaped attachment arm extending from said base;

a rod, adjustably attached to said attachment arm;

a translucent light housing, said light housing including a linear tape with a plurality of light emitting diodes of at least two different and individually activated colors sequentially spaced along the linear tape, said linear tape spirally wrapped about a core and inserted within a translucent hollow tube, said tube also including at least one end cap on an end thereof, and a second attachment component operatively attached between the light housing and a support structure such as the rod; and

control circuitry, operatively connected to said battery and the signaling elements, said circuitry controlling, in response to a plurality of external signals, the on/off state for the signaling elements;

wherein the light emitting diodes produce a visual output viewable from a plurality of different radial positions about the perimeter of the light housing.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said control circuitry includes a microprocessor for controlling the on/off state of the light-emitting diodes so as to produce a predefined sequence of states.