ATHLETIC TIMING DEVICE

• US 20190308085A1
• Filed: 04/05/2018
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul David Huch, Peter N. Hovland
• Original Assignee: Paul David Huch, Peter N. Hovland
• Inventors: Hovland, Peter N., Huch, Paul David
• Granted Patent: US 11,179,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/024 with screws or pins in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/03 the user being in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/60 Apparatus used in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 : with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 : Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/10 : for aquatic sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/487 : delivered by rotating magnets
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/50 : for measuring linear speed G01P3/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 10/00 : Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electric means

Abstract

A timing device is provided herein. The timing device includes a housing defining an aperture in a surface thereof. An elongated member is extendable from the housing. A wheel is attached to an interior surface of the housing. An encoder is operably coupled to the wheel and is configured to calculate a rotational velocity of the wheel. A controller is configured to calculate a linear velocity of the elongated member based on the rotational velocity of the wheel.

Claims

1. A timing device, comprising:

a housing defining an aperture in a surface thereof;

an elongated member extendable from the housing;

a wheel attached to an interior surface of the housing;

an encoder operably coupled to the wheel and configured to calculate a rotational velocity of the wheel; and

a controller configured to calculate a linear velocity of the elongated member based on the rotational velocity of the wheel.

2. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface disposed on the timing device.

3. The timing device of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more switches on the user interface and configured to control one or more features of the timing device.

4. The timing device of claim 2, further comprising:

a display within the user interface.

5. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a reel within the housing, wherein the elongated member is extended from a spool of the reel and returned to a position within the housing by winding around the spool.

6. The timing device of claim 5, further comprising:

a motor operably coupled with the reel and configured to rewind the elongated member around the reel upon initiation of the motor.

7. The timing device of claim 5, further comprising:

a clutch configured to disengage from the reel upon initiation of a clock.

8. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the clutch re-engages the reel once the elongated member is extended a predefined distance from the housing.

9. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more wireless communication transceivers operably coupled to the controller and configured to interact with an electronic device.

10. The timing device of claim 9, wherein the electronic device stores information about one or more users or a performance history of the user.

12. The timing device of claim 9, further comprising:

a bearing disposed within the aperture, the elongated member configured to extend and retract within a central bore of the bearing.

13. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication transceiver operably coupled to the controller and configured to interact with an electronic device.

14. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface disposed on the timing device, the user interface containing a switch or a display therein.

19. The timing device of claim 14, wherein the housing is configured to couple to a starting block.

20. The timing device of claim 14, further comprising:

a speaker, wherein a clock is initiated as the speaker produces an audible sound.

11. A timing device, comprising:

a housing having a first portion and a second portion separated by a divider, the first portion defining an aperture in the housing;

an elongated member extendable from the housing through the aperture;

a reel disposed within the first portion of the housing and configured to wind the elongated member therearound;

an encoder operably coupled with the reel and configured to calculate a rotational velocity of the elongated member as the elongated member is unwound from the reel; and

a controller disposed within the second portion and configured to calculate a linear velocity of the elongated member based on the rotational velocity of a wheel.

15. A timing device, comprising:

a housing having a plurality of side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface defining a compartment, the compartment having a first portion and a second portion separated by a divider;

an elongated member extendable from the housing through an aperture in the housing;

a reel disposed within the first portion of the housing, the elongated member wound around the reel; and

a controller operably coupled to the elongated member and configured to calculate a linear velocity at which the elongated member is extended from the housing.

16. The timing device of claim 15, further comprising:

a first wheel disposed within the first portion and configured to guide the elongated member through the aperture.

17. The timing device of claim 16, further comprising:

a second wheel disposed between the reel and the first wheel and configured to guide the elongated member, the first and second wheels having a groove through which the elongated member is guided.

18. The timing device of claim 15, further comprising:

a wireless communication transceiver operably coupled to the controller and configured to interact with an electronic device.