Abstract:
A scoring system is disclosed which allows for safe, accurate scoring during simulated combat situations. The scoring system includes a simulated striking apparatus having a marking means to safely deliver an erasable marking agent when the striking apparatus contacts an opponent. The striking sections of the apparatus are buffered by a soft, resilient material to reduce the impact from a striking type blow. The scoring system further includes an eraser and a body covering allowing marks from the striking apparatus to be easily seen and readily erased.

Description:
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/208,525 entitled Simulated Combat Safety Sword/Knife, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 1, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to hand held simulated weapons such as those used in martial arts and fencing competitions, and more specifically to a scoring apparatus including a simulated edged weapon embodying a marking means that safely delivers an erasable marking agent when the weapon contacts an opponent allowing for the accurate counting of any points (hits) scored and further including a body covering allowing marks from said weapon to be easily seen and readily erased. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     For centuries, martial artists have trained and competed with non-projectile hand held weapons. Some examples of such weapons are swords, foils, daggers, nunchaku, bostaff, tonfa, kama, and escrima sticks. 
     In their original form these weapons are composed of harsh materials such as hard wood, metal and bone, even when sharp edges were dulled and points were blunted, martial artists still found it difficult to safely train and compete with these kinds of weapons without the possibility of serious injury. 
     The safety issue has been partially solved by several inventions having disclosed simulations of some of these weapons composed of kinder materials such as plastics, rubbers, and closed cell foam. However, while these inventions have provided safer versions of the aforementioned weapons, none have disclosed a simulated edged weapon that combines shock absorption with a retentive/dispersive cord storing a powder marking agent, which would allow for safe, reliable hit confirmation by delivering an erasable linear mark onto an opponent. 
     Originally, point (hit) confirmation was always subject to human error since a judge or judges were required to observe and record any points (hits) scored when one opponent&#39;s weapon made contact with another opponent&#39;s body (target area) during training or competition. Several inventions have taken various approaches to try to solve the problem of hit confirmation. For example, present systems provide scoring equipment for a sword contest/sport in which the scoring equipment is attached to a user&#39;s arms. The scoring equipment includes a mechanism that immobilizes a user&#39;s arm when a trigger-lever mechanism is hit by a striking weapon. While this system does provide reliable hit conformation it is very expensive to manufacture and not affordable to the average practitioner. 
     Another current system for hit confirmation includes an electrical fencing point devise attached to the end of a fencing blade. When the electrical fencing point device contacts an opponent&#39;s metallic vest to complete a circuit, an electrical scoring apparatus connected to the electrical fencing point device automatically registers a hit. However, the connecting wires necessary to operate this specific system tend to greatly restrict the mobility of the user and inadequately assess the accuracy of an opponent hit. 
     An old system from the early nineteen hundreds describes a fencing implement with a padded tip containing a powder dispensing device attached to the end of a staff. When the staff is thrust against an opponent, powder is expelled from a hole in the dispensing device. This system is susceptible to clogging of the powder dispenser and is designed only for thrusting and simulating puncture wounds. 
     Yet another system provides an apparatus for simulating a sharp edged weapon including a means for holding and applying ink onto an opponent upon a “hit.” The design of this apparatus suffers from several weaknesses. The instrument&#39;s design does not lend itself to the use of a powder marking agent nor does the invention suggest the use of a powder agent in lieu of ink. In particular, the application of the marking agent depends on capillary action to carry the liquid ink marking agent from the holding section to the application section. Additionally, this system makes no provision for any type of shock absorption for the recipient of the “hit.” 
     All the present inventions provide semi-adequate solutions for either shock absorption or hit confirmation. Nevertheless current simulated weapons and scoring apparatuses suffer from a number of disadvantages: Specifically, simulated weapons having a marking means but lacking any form of shock absorption for the sparers are very dangerous in a full contact competition. 
     Often, where ink is used as a marking agent, its marking consistency is unpredictable, and being liquid, it is vulnerable to drying out prematurely in hot or windy conditions. Moreover, simulated weapons having a marking means which uses a marking agent that is non-erasable can cause confusion when previous marks scored in a past event are still visible in a current event. 
     Simulated swords with padded striking sections that possess round core rods are limited in flexibility, and offer poor shock absorption when encased by a padded material because the round core rod does not provide equal support for the padded encasement. Therefore, most of any shock absorbing benefit from the padding is lost when the striking section meets with an impact. In addition, simulated swords that provide for only forward shock absorption or only for diagonal shock absorption limit what kinds of strikes a practitioner may perform. 
     Many present systems for scoring during simulated combat are very expensive and difficult to manufacture and maintain, while making no provision for readily erasing a mark. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the above-referenced shortcomings by teaching a system and method for attaching a retentive/dispersive cord using a powder marking agent onto a variety of simulated weapons. The system includes apparel constructed of material, which allows marks from a powdered agent to be easily seen and readily erased. 
     Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus with a sword embodiment having a padded striking section with a marking means that includes a powder retentive/dispersive cord attached to the striking section allowing a linear mark representing a cut to be safely dispensed upon an opponent. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus whose marking means includes a porous cotton cord allowing for maximum retention of a powdered marking agent providing multiple marks before requiring more powder. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus with a toy sword embodiment whose marking means includes a means for attaching a powder retentive/dispersive cord to a padded striking section which will allow the flexible cord to remain aligned and raised along the padded striking section even when subjected to repeated impacts. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus including a vest covered with a material that allows marks from a powdered marking agent to be easily and readily erased. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus with a sword embodiment whose striking section possesses a flat rectangular core attached perpendicular to the handle which gives superior flexibility when met with an impact and also provides equal support and maximum shock absorption when laminated or encased with a padded material. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus with a sword embodiment that possesses both forward and diagonal shock absorption while retaining lateral stiffness for parrying type actions. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus with a knife embodiment whose marking means includes a rigid blade section having a powder retentive/dispersive cord which can be stretched and secured across the blade section allowing the cord to be easily removed and replaced when worn. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a scoring apparatus that is affordable, easy to manufacture and maintain. 
     A further object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a simulated weapon with marking means including an erasable marking agent which can be used by police and military personnel in defensive training drills where only one of two opponents is armed with the simulated weapon while the other utilizes defensive techniques whose success or failure will be made evident by the marks or absence of marks on the defender. 
     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a careful consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawing, where: 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a simulated weapon according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a marking agent applicator according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1B containing a preferred marking agent according to the present invention being applied to the simulated weapon of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 1D is a perspective partial phantom view of a chest covering according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1E is a perspective view of an eraser according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1F is a perspective view of an opponent wearing the chest covering of FIG. 1D using the eraser of FIG. 1E to erase a mark made from a simulated weapon according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the handle section of the simulated weapon of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gripping section of the simulated weapon of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a core element according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a striking section according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a prior art striking section; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the striking section of FIG. 4B; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the simulated weapon of FIG. 1A showing its range of flexibility; 
     FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a powder retentive/dispersive material according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8B is an open view of a covering according to the present invention with the retentive/dispersive material of FIG. 8A attached; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the covering of FIG. 8B when stitched closed; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the covering of FIG. 9 when on the striking section of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective partial phantom view of the applicator of FIG. 1C; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toy embodiment according to the present invention with an alternate attachment method of the powder retentive/dispersive material of FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the powder retentive/dispersive material of FIG. 8A sewn to a strip of fabric; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the toy embodiment of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a side partial phantom view of an alternate embodiment of a simulated edged weapon with an alternate attachment method of the powder retentive/dispersive material FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the simulated edged weapon of FIG. 15 before attaching the powder retentive/dispersive material of FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of the blade section of the simulated edged weapon of FIG. 15 before attaching the powder retentive/dispersive material of FIG. 8A, and 
     FIG. 18 is a top view of the simulated edged weapon of FIG. 15 before attaching the powder retentive/dispersive material of FIG.  8 A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This detailed description of a particular preferred embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the concepts and specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent methods and systems do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     The present invention, indicated generally at FIG.  1 A through FIG. 1E, is a method of hit confirmation comprising a simulated edged weapon  18 , a marking agent applicator  20 , a body covering  22 A, and an eraser  24 . In use, marking agent applicator  20  directly applies chalk marking agent  20 A to retentive/dispersive material  26 , which is attached to striking section  28  of simulated weapon  18 . When one opponent, using simulated weapon  18 , strikes another opponent as shown in FIG. 1F, preferably wearing body-covering  22 A, marking agent  20 A is then dispersed onto body covering  22 A, thereby revealing a mark in the exact area of impact. Eraser  24  is then used to wipe away marking agent  20 A thereby eliminating any confusion from a past mark being mistaken for a mark from a current strike. 
     Simulated weapon  18 , as seen in FIG. 1A, comprises striking section  28  and a gripping section  30  being divided by a hand guard  32 . A chalk retentive/dispersive material  26  is attached to striking section  28 . 
     FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate a marking agent applicator  20 . According to the present invention, marking agent applicator  20  preferably applies chalk marking agent  20 A to retentive/dispersive material  26 , which is attached to striking section  28  of simulated weapon  18 . Marking agent applicator  20  is illustrated in more detail in FIG.  11  and further described in detail in the following paragraphs. 
     Body covering  22 A, as seen in FIG. 1D, is a chest covering which is attached to a user&#39;s body by the tying of straps  22 B to loops  22 C. A material preferably used in constructing body covering  22 A includes a heavy type of 100% nylon that provides the proper combination of mark absorption and erasability to permit marking agent  20 A to be readily erased after a hit from simulated weapon  18  has been confirmed. Other body coverings (not shown) such as, but not limited to, hand and forearm coverings may also be used. 
     Eraser  24 , as seen in FIG. 1E, is preferably a lamination of a sponge material and a felt material. In use, the sponge portion of eraser  24  is dampened lightly and used to wipe away any old marks from retentive/dispersive material  26  off of body covering  22 A. The felt portion is then used to dry any remaining dampness from body covering  22 A, thereby leaving body covering  22 A clean and ready to receive new marks. 
     While the simulated weapon of FIG. 1A is defined as a sword type weapon and uses chalk retentive/dispersive material  26  fashioned into a cord in order to disperse linear type marks, many other striking type weapons such as, but not limited to, nunchaku, bostaff, and escrima sticks, can make use of the aforementioned method of hit confirmation of the present invention by fashioning various shaped pieces of a chalk retentive/dispersive material such as but not limited to circles, ovals, and squares (not shown) and then attaching said pieces to their striking sections. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, in particular specific components of simulated weapon  18 . According to the present invention, gripping section  30  preferably comprises tang  34 A and tang slot  34 B where by two prong fork  34 C is made which accepts hand guard  32 A by placing fork  34 C through hand guard holes  32 B, guard  32 A is pushed forward to the end of slot  34 B. Hand guard stabilizer  38  is inserted into slot  34 B and held in place by screwing tang screws  40  into tang screw holes  42 . This assembly firmly holds guard  32 A in place. As seen in FIG. 1A, guard  32 A thickness steps down into a smaller circumference on its forward face. This allows  32 A to retain sufficient thickness for lateral stability while reducing its overall mass and weight. 
     With guard  32 A and stabilizer  38  in place, hand gripper  50  slips onto the rear of tang  34 A and is pushed up against guard  32 A. In an embodiment of the present invention, end cap  44  is held onto the rear of tang  34 A by screwing cap mount screw  46  through screw hole  48 . Alternatively, end cap  44  may be attached onto the rear of tang  34 A by other means such as welding, and the like. 
     Extending out at the forward end of gripping section  30  is spine  36 . As seen in FIG. 3, forward of guard  32 A is spine  36 . Directly below spine  36  is a slot, which makes connection joint  60 . Approximately half way back into joint  60 , the front bottom portion of gripping section  30  is cut away to preferably allow a means for joint connection to a striking section of a simulated sword. Joint connection means may include screws  62  to pass perpendicularly up into spine  36 . 
     Gripping section  30  can be, but is not limited to, being made from plastic, rubber, wood, metal or any combination thereof. Hand gripper  50  may be a one-piece sleeve made of one of the aforementioned materials. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, gripping section  30  is wrapped with a gripping tape. 
     Striking section  28 , as seen in FIG.  4 A and FIG. 4B, comprises rectangular core  52 , being a flat, elongated, flexible member preferably made from such matter as polycarbonate plastic composition, or the like. FIG. 4A illustrates core member  52  including a forward end raises sharply into blunted tip  54 . Rearward approximately two thirds of core  52  is raised rear radius  56 . Rear radius  56  adds strength to core  52  when flexing from a striking or thrusting type action. Rearward of raised radius  56  is connection plate  58 . 
     FIG. 4B illustrates a preferable construction of striking section  28  and the means for attaching striking section  28  to gripping section  30  (FIG.  3 ). Attached to the top and bottom of core member  52  is top padded strip  66  and bottom padded strip  68  to form striking section  28 . Strip  68  is thicker than strip  66  since it bears much of the burden of an impact from a striking type blow. Strips  66  and  68  can be, but are not limited to being made from closed cell foam or other type of soft, resilient material. A preferred method for attaching strips  66  and  68  to core member  52  is with a bonding agent, such as, but not limited to contact cement Connection plate  58  of core member  52  is inserted in join  60  of gripping section  30  to form simulated weapon  18 . In an embodiment of the present invention, core member  52  is attached to spine  36  by screws  62  through screw holes  64 . Other attachment means may be used. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a cross section of a Prior Art striking section and a cross sectional view of the present invention for the purpose of comparison. Prior art suggests a round core having evenly distributed padding surrounding the core. As shown, a thicker section of padding  68  can be attached to the striking section of the present invention having rectangular, flat core  52 , versus the round core of Prior Art. During an impact, flat core  52  more equally distributes the impact energy through the padding compared to the round core of Prior Art. 
     As seen in FIG. 7, core  52  preferably has a range of flexibility to bend during simulated combat. Core  52  preferably has a superior range of flexibility to provide maximum shock absorption during a striking or thrusting type action, yet remaining laterally stiff during a parrying type action. 
     Retentive/dispersive material  26 , as seen in FIG. 8A, is an elongated section of material fashioned into the form of a cord. Material  26  is preferably made from a cotton weave or other soft, porous material that is capable of retaining and dispersing a marking agent such as chalk agent  20 A. While retentive/dispersive material  26  is preferred, in an alternate embodiment, felt like material (not shown) could also be used with limited results. 
     As seen in FIG. 8B striker covering  70  is shown in an open view with material  26  preferably sewn onto the center portion of covering  70  by stitching  78 . 
     FIG. 9 shows material  26  attached to covering  70  being stitched closed in the form of a sock fashioned to fit the shape of striking section  28 . Covering  70  along with material  26  is slipped on and secured to the striking section  28  of the simulated weapon of FIG. 7 by screwing connection screws  74  through eyelets  72  and into connection screw holes  76  (FIG.  3 ). 
     Covering  70  provides a means for attaching material  26  to striking section  28  as seen best in the cross section view of FIG.  10 . The removable covering  70  also provides a means for replacing retentive/dispersive material  26  when worn. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, covering  70  is extended to encompass the entire simulated weapon and is not removable (not shown). Covering  70  can be, but is not limited to, being made of vinyl or nylon. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 15 through 18. As shown in FIG. 15, simulated weapon  84  is a non-shock absorbing embodiment comprising a handle and blade section divided by rim  88 . Retentive/dispersive material  26  is slipped through cord passageway  92  and preferably held in place by setscrew  94  threaded into hole  96 . 
     FIG. 16 illustrates rim  88  having rim hole  90  to which material  26  (FIG. 15) passes through hole  90 . In use, retentive/dispersive material  26  is tied off in a knot larger than hole  90  to anchor one end of retentive/dispersive material  26 . 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a cross section of a groove  86  that is located on the upper, distal portion of simulated weapon  84 . Retentive/dispersive material  26  lays in groove  86  passing up and over the tip portion of simulated weapon  84  (FIG.  15 ). Retentive/dispersive material  26  is then inserted through cord passageway  92  and locked down by setscrew  94  threading into hole  96 . Any excess portion of retentive/dispersive material  26  is cut away to be even with the top of simulated weapon  84 . Simulated weapon  84  can be, but is not limited to being made from a rubber or plastic composition. The main structural body of simulated weapon  84  is preferably milled or molded as a one-piece unit. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of simulated weapon  84 . Simulated weapon  84  includes rim  88 . Groove  86  permits retentive/dispersive material  26  to lie securely against simulated weapon  84 . Retentive/dispersive material  26  is inserted through passageway  92  and preferably held down securely by inserted threaded screw  94  through hole  96 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a marking agent applicator  20  comprised of applicator holder  98  and a threaded nipple with a hollow center holding stick chalk marking agent  20 A in a poised position. Applicator cap with center hole  100  is screwed down onto holder  98  thereby revealing the tip portion of agent  20 . In use, applicator  20  is firmly situated on cord retentive/dispersive material  26  by applicator cap groove  102 , and then applicator  20  is urged back and forth across material  26  (FIG. 1C) thereby charging retentive/dispersive material  26  with marking agent  20 A. While applicator  20  provides an effective guided method of charging retentive/dispersive material  26 , chalk marking agent  20 A can of course be used independently to recharge material  26 . Applicator  20  can be but is not limited to being made of a plastic composition or metal alloy. Applicator  20  is also adaptable to accept other marking agents, such as, but not limited to a colored wax stick. 
     While the aforementioned embodiments are designed primarily with adults in mind, we also anticipate the need for a toy version in order to satisfy the curiosity of younger enthusiasts. 
     An alternate method of attaching powder retentive/dispersive material  26  is shown in another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12 toy embodiment  104  comprises elongated shock absorbing member  106  with stabilizer strip  108  having retentive/dispersive material  26  sewn to its center parallel in relation to its length, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This assembly gives material  26  a foundation that provides stability when strip  108  is attached lengthwise to member  106  with a bonding agent such as but not limited to contact cement, thereby allowing retentive/dispersive material  26  to remain straight and raised, even when met with repeated impacts. 
     The forward end of strip  108  may be anchored to the angled tip portion of member  106  thru slit  110 . The rearward end of strip  108  may be anchored to the rear gripping portion of member  106  by a cloth tape  112  such as but not limited to athletic tape. Tape  112  also serves as a gripping surface. 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a cross section view of toy embodiment  104  showing a preferred shape of member  106  in the form of an octagon. Also shown is the attachment assembly of retentive/dispersive material  26  sewn to stabilizer strip  108  being bonded to shock absorbing member  106 . 
     Shock absorbing member  106  is preferably made of a compressive/resilient material such as but not limited to a closed cell foam extrusion or an elongated air bladder. Stabilizer strip  108  is preferably made of a lightweight synthetic fabric such as but not limited to nylon. 
     The present invention and the embodiments thereof provide a unique system and method of hit confirmation by incorporating the ultimate in safety, accuracy, efficiency, and affordability in order to solve the long standing problems that have plagued this field. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a simulated sword and vest, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.