Abstract:
A non-lethal method of cock fighting includes providing each gamecock with a garment such as a vest or collar that at least partially covers the body of the gamecock and carries a sensor at a predetermined location on the garment and a signal transmission device. The signal transmission device generates a signal when the sensor is struck by a gamecock. The spurs of each gamecock are covered with a protective device to prevent the spurs from causing injury during the cock fight and their beaks are taped shut. A scoring apparatus is provided that is responsive to the signal and includes a visual display that displays a numerical score for each gamecock. The numerical score is based, at least in part, on the number strikes detected by the sensor being struck over a predetermine time period during the cock fight.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS &amp; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/363,721, entitled “Non-lethal Gamecock Sparing Match, Equipment &amp; Methods,” filed Mar. 5, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which in turn is a national phase application of PCT international application No. PCT/US01/27611, filed Sep. 6, 2001, entitled “Non-lethal Gamecock Sparing Match, Equipment &amp; Methods,” which in turn is based on provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60/231,252, entitled “Non-lethal Gamecock Sparing Match, Equipment &amp; Method,” filed Sep. 8, 2000. All of these related applications are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. 
     
    
     DEFINITIONS  
       [0002]     The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In many countries, and in some states within the United States, gamecock fighting is an accepted form of entertainment. The Latin and Asian cultures in particular enjoy and promote this form of entertainment. In many countries, and in many states of the United States, however, this form of entertainment is illegal, primarily because of the injury or death incurred by the gamecocks. In some situations the gamecocks have knife blades attached to their spurs, making their matches according to critics an even more of a lethal and brutal form of entertainment. This cultural clash of values can be resolved if a practical, non-lethal form of cock fighting is devised.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The main objectives of this invention are (1) to provide a non-lethal gamecock sparring match that avoids death and eliminates essentially any serious injury to the gamecocks, and (2) equipment, including an arena, scoring vest, and scoring apparatus, that facilitates wagering on the gamecock sparring match. (As used herein, “gamecock” includes any bird, male or female, which engages in fighting with another bird).  
         [0005]     This invention has several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to, providing (a) a game that lends itself to wagering with safe guards that prevent cheating, (b) providing protective equipment for the gamecocks, and, most importantly, (c) avoidance of a fatal injury to a gamecock during a match.  
         [0006]     The first feature of this invention is that it includes a device that detects strikes received by individual gamecocks during a cock fight. This device is a garment adapted to be worn by a gamecock that includes at least one sensor positioned at a predetermined location on the garment that is activated when struck by an opponent gamecock during the course of the cock fight. Preferably, the garment has a weight that is less than 10 ounces.  
         [0007]     The second feature is that the sensor generates a signal only when it is struck with a sufficiently high, predetermined force by an opponent gamecock. Thus, only blows of significant force are counted as scoring blows. The garment may have a plurality of sensors where at least some of the sensors correspond to different numerical scores. Individual sensors are located at different positions on the garment, preferably at least one sensor generating a higher numerical score than another sensor. One type of sensor includes a piezoelectric film sandwiched between a pair of resilient members.  
         [0008]     The third feature is that the garment carries a transmitter that transmits to a scoring apparatus a radio signal each time a sensor or sensors are struck by an opponent gamecock during the cock fight. There is a microprocessor carried by the garment that is programmed to generate digital signals corresponding to different numerical scores depending on which sensor is struck during the cock fight.  
         [0009]     The fourth feature is that the garment may be in the form of a vest worn on the torso of the gamecock or in the form of a collar worn around the neck of the gamecock. When a collar is used, typically a vest is also worn on the torso of the same gamecock and the vest includes the transmitter. In this case, the sensor carried by the collar is connected to this transmitter on the vest. Consequently, the transmitter transmits to the scoring apparatus a radio signal each time the sensor carried by the collar is struck with sufficient predetermined force during the cock fight.  
         [0010]     One embodiment of the vest form of the garment comprises a flexible, light weight sheet having at least one connector element, or more, that enables the sheet to be wrapped around a portion of the gamecock and fastened to hold the garment in position on the gamecock. There are openings in the sheet for each leg of the gamecock. Preferably, the connector element or elements are adjustable to allow the garment to be wrapped around gamecocks of different sizes. The connector element or elements facilitate attaching and detaching the garment to a gamecock.  
         [0011]     One embodiment of the collar form of the garment comprises a flexible, light weight tubular member adapted to be worn around the neck of the gamecock with the head of the gamecock protruding through an open end of tubular member. Thus, the head of the gamecock is not exposed or covered by the garment during the cock fight. The tubular member may have different configurations. It may simply be a knitted or other flexible, unitary tube structure that stretches and is thus easy to slip over the head of a gamecock. Or, it may be formed from a sheet member having opposed ends with a connector element or elements thereat. The open sheet member is wrapped around the neck of the gamecock and then the connector element or elements are coupled together, forming the tubular member. When the connector element or elements are uncoupled, the tubular member is opened up into the sheet member to facilitate removal of the garment from the neck of the gamecock. There is an electrical lead extending from the tubular member that is adapted to be connected to a transmitter carried by another garment worn by the same gamecock wearing the collar.  
         [0012]     The fifth feature is that this invention includes a cock fighting and scoring system used when a pair of gamecocks engages in a non-lethal cock fight. This cock fighting and scoring system includes a garment worn by each gamecock and a scoring apparatus. The garment includes at least one sensor that provides a signal when struck by an opponent gamecock. The garment for each gamecock at least partially covers the body of the gamecock. The scoring apparatus is responsive to the signals generated during the cock fight when the sensors on the garments are struck with sufficient predetermined force. Preferably, the scoring apparatus has a visual display that displays a numerical score for each gamecock. The visual display may be illuminated each time one gamecock strikes a sensor carried on the garment of the other gamecock, and an audible alarm may be include in the scoring apparatus that is activated each time one gamecock strikes a sensor carried on the garment its opponent gamecock. The numerical score is based, at least in part, on the number strikes detected by the sensors over a predetermine time period during the cock fight. Optionally, the scoring apparatus is disabled after a first predetermined time period and then enable after a second predetermined time period that is shorter than said first predetermined time period. In other words, the gamecock sparring match is conducted in rounds with rest periods between rounds. The first predetermined time period or round has a duration from about 10 to about 30 seconds and the second predetermined time period or rest period has a duration from about 10 to about 20 seconds.  
         [0013]     The sixth feature is that this invention includes an arena where a non-lethal gamecock sparring match is conducted in which a pair of gamecocks each wear a protective garment having at least one electronic sensor activated when struck by one of the gamecocks. The arena includes an area surrounded, at least partially, by a barrier that separates spectators from gamecocks engaged in the sparring match in this area. A scoring apparatus such as discussed above is positioned in view of spectators that responds when a sensor is struck by a gamecock to display a cumulative numerical score for each gamecock. The arena is equipped with an electronic wagering device to which the spectators have access to enable the spectators to wager on which gamecock will be the winner of the match based on their respective numerical scores.  
         [0014]     This invention also includes a non-lethal method of cock fighting comprising the steps of 
        (a) equipping each gamecock with a protective body garment such as discussed above including a sensor activated when struck by a gamecock during the cock fight, and     (b) providing a scoring apparatus such as discussed above that responds when a sensor is struck by a gamecock to display a cumulative numerical score for each gamecock.        
 
         [0017]     Preferably, this method includes a plurality of rounds having a predetermined time duration separated by rest periods having a predetermined time duration, the scoring apparatus being disable at the end of each round and enabled after each rest period. Preferably, in this method the gamecocks have their beaks taped in a manner to prevent injury and their claws trimmed in a manner to prevent injury. Preferably, in this method spur covers are worn by each gamecock that prevent the spurs of the gamecocks from causing injury during the cock fight. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0018]     The preferred embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious gamecock sparring match of this invention and related equipment and methods as shown in the accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only. This drawing includes the following figures (Figs.), with like numerals indicating like parts:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the gamecock sparring match of this invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of the arena where the gamecock sparring match of this invention is conducted.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a wagering device used in connection with the gamecock sparring match of this invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side view of two gamecocks ready to engage in a sparring match and equipped with the scoring vest of this invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the scoring vest of this invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a glove attached to each leg of the gamecocks to prevent injury by covering the spurs on the legs of these cocks.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the glove shown in  FIG. 6   
         [0026]      FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  are, respectively, left and right hand side elevational views of the gloves having their connectors attached to legs of the gamecocks.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an exploded side view of one of the sensors carried by the vest shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side view showing an assembly of the components of the sensor shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the scoreboard used in connection with the sparring match of this invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the head of one of the gamecocks.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is an electrical diagram illustrating the interaction between the scoring vests and transmission device on individual vests and the radio signal receiver.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the second embodiment of this invention showing two gamecocks ready to engage in a sparring match and equipped with the scoring vest of this invention shown in  FIG. 5  and the scoring collar of this invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the heads of the two gamecocks shown in  FIG. 14  wearing the scoring collar of this invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of one of the scoring collars shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the scoring collar shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of another embodiment of the scoring collar of this invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of the scoring collar shown in  FIG. 16  connected to the opened scoring vest shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [heading-0038]     First Embodiment  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the gamecock sparring match of this invention is conducted in an arena  10  where a pair of gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  engage in a non-lethal cock sparring match. This sparring match includes a series of rounds with rest periods between rounds. Younger gamecocks less than one year old, referred to as stags, engage in seven rounds. Gamecocks older than one year engage in twelve rounds. Preferably, each round has a duration of approximately 20 seconds, and the rounds are of equal duration. Nominally, the rest periods between rounds have a duration of 10 seconds, but circumstances may dictated rest periods of a longer duration when a referee determines that unusual circumstances require a delay.  
         [0040]     There are a number of different divisions such as, for example, heavy weight, light weight, and medium weight. The gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  are first weighed by the referee on a scale  14  in the arena  10  to determine their respective weights to confirm that they are in the same weight division. Each gamecock  12   a  and  12   b  wears a scoring vest  16 , which also serves to protect the gamecocks. These vest  12   a  and  12   b  cover the torsos of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b . The referee places a vest  16   a  and  16   b , respectively, on each gamecock  12   a  and  12   b  in a vesting room  18  in the arena  10 . The referee ensures that there is no tampering with the vest  16  to prevent cheating. Consequently, a fair match is insured by the referee.  
         [0041]     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , each vest  16   a  and  16   b  includes five sensors  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  connected to a transmitting device  20  (discussed herein subsequently in greater detail) that transmits a radio signal to an analog signal receiver  22 . The frequency of the radio signal will vary depending on which sensor  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  on which vest  16   a  or  16   b  is struck during the course of any given round. Each time a sensor  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  is struck, the gamecock making the strike will score. The score is dependent on which sensor is struck. The sensor  19   e  corresponds to 10 points; the sensors  19   c  and  19   d  correspond to 5 points; the sensors  19   a  and  19   b  correspond to 1 point. For example: If the gamecock  12   a  strikes the sensor  19   e  on the vest  16   b  of gamecock  12   b , the gamecock  12   a  scores 10 points. If gamecock  12   a  strikes the sensor  19   d  on the vest  16   b  of gamecock  12   b , the gamecock  12   a  scores 5 points. If gamecock  12   a  strikes the sensor  19   b  on the vest  16   b  of gamecock  12   b , the gamecock  12   a  scores 1 point.  
         [0042]     As best illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the frequency of the radio signal generated by the transmitting device  20  varies depending on what sensor on which vest  16  is struckRadio signals at the frequencies f 1  to f 5  correspond to strikes of the sensors  19   a  through  19   e  on the vest  16   a , and radio signals at the frequencies f 6  to f 10  correspond to strikes of the sensors  19   a  through  19   e  on the vest  16   b . Consequently, the analog signal receiver  22  is able to distinguish which sensor, sensor 19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , or  19   e , on which vest, vest  16   a  or  16   b , has been struck.  
         [0043]     The analog signal receiver  22  forwards the frequency information of the radio signal it receives from an individual sensor being struck to a personal computer  24 . The personal computer  24  processes this information, converting it into a digital signal corresponding to a numerical score that is displayed on an electronic scoreboard  26  appearing on a monitor  28  of the computer  24 . A number of monitors  28  are located throughout the arena  10  and positioned in view of spectators. As mentioned, the points scored for a strike or hit depends on which sensor is struck. The different points are displayed as numbers  29  on the electronic scoreboard  26 . For example: When the sensor  19   a  on the vest  16   a  is struck by the gamecock  12   b , an analog to digital converter  90  provides a digital signal to the microprocessor  42  which turns on the transmitting device  20  of the vest  16   a  to generate a radio signal at a frequency of f 1 . The radio signal at a frequency of f 1  is sent to the receiver  22 . The computer  24  is programmed to recognize a radio signal at a frequency of f 1  as a score of 1 point for gamecock  12   b  and activates the electronic scoreboard  26  accordingly. When the sensor  19   e  on the vest  16   b  is struck by the gamecock  12   a , an analog to digital converter  91  provides a digital signal to the microprocessor  42  which turns on the transmitting device  20  of the vest  16   b  to generate a radio signal at a frequency of f 10 . The radio signal at a frequency of f 10  is sent to the receiver  22 . The computer  24  again is programmed to recognize that the radio signal at the frequency of f 10  is a score of 5 points for gamecock  12   b  and activates the electronic scoreboard  26  accordingly.  
         [0044]     Preferably, the numerals  29  are illuminated each time a gamecock scores by striking a sensor on its opponent&#39;s vest. For example, the numbers  29  may be light emitting diodes that blink on and off. Optionally, an audile alarm  30  is also activated each time a gamecock scores by striking a sensor on its opponent&#39;s vest. Thus, a heighten sense of excitement is generated during the course of each round of the sparring match as each individual gamecock scores points by striking a sensor on his opponent&#39;s vest.  
         [0045]     A typical vest  16  worn by a gamecock is shown best in  FIG. 5 . It is made from a light-weight fabric material and the total weight of the vest  16  is typically 5 to 6 ounces. The vest  16  has a central triangular body portion  30  with connector segments  31 ,  32 , and  33  extending from each corner of the triangle body portion  30 . There is an opening  35 ,  36  and  37  also nearby each corner of the triangular body portion  30 . The openings  35  and  36 , respectively, allow the right and left leg of a gamecock to be extended there through and the opening  37  allows the neck of a gamecock to be extended there through. The five sensors  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  are positioned at predetermined locations so that the first sensor  19   a  is on the right back side of a gamecock, the second sensor  19   b  is on the left back side of a gamecock, the third sensor  19   c  is on the right side of a gamecock near the heart, the fourth sensor  19   d  is on left side of a gamecock near the heart, and the fifth sensor  19   e  is located centrally near the trachea of a gamecock. As discussed above, these sensors  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  have been assigned different numerical values.  
         [0046]     Mounted to each connector segment  31 ,  32 , and  33  are hook and fabric connectors  40 , made for example by the Velcro corporation, that facilitate securing the vest  16  when wrapped around the body of a gamecock as best depicted in  FIG. 4 , holding the vest in position until detached. Attached to the connector segment  33  is the transmitting device  20 , including an antenna  20   a . The transmitting device  20  is electrically connected to a microprocessor  42 . Both the transmitting device  20  and microprocessor  42  are powered by a battery  44  also attached to the connector segment  33 . The five sensors  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  are electrically connected to the microprocessor  42  and, as discussed above, the microprocessor of each vest  16   a  and  16   b  will indicate to the transmitting device  20  which sensor has been struck. Depending on which sensor has been struck, the transmitting device  20  transmits the radio signal at a given frequency different from the frequencies when the other sensors are struck. The transmitting device  20  on each vest  16   a  and  16   b  transmits radio signals identified by their frequency as coming from vest  16   a  or vest 16   b.    
         [0047]     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , each sensor 19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e  includes a piezoelectric film  72  sandwiched between a pair of deformable members  74  and  76 . These deformable members  74  and  76  may be made of a plastic foam material. When the member  74  facing outward is struck by one of the gamecocks  12   a  or  12   b , as the case may be, with a predetermined force, the pressure on the piezoelectric film  72  film produces a change in the output voltage of the sensor struck. This change in voltage, an analog signal, is detected by the microprocessor  42  which turns on the transmitting device  20  that generates a radio signal of a predetermined frequency corresponding to the sensor being struck on an individual vest  16   a  or  16   b . A signal will only be generated when the impact produces a change in output voltage for the piezoelectric film  72  of a certain magnitude, for example greater than certain voltage.  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the scoreboard  26  includes a clock  50  which times the rounds and display panels  52  and  54  respectively for round scores and cumulative scores. The clock is designed to send a stop signal to the computer  24  at the end of each timed rounded. The scoreboard  26  shows that the gamecock  12   a  wearing vest  16   a  (green colored) had in round  1 , three hits on sensor  19   e  of his opponent&#39;s vest  16   b , one hit on either sensor  19   c  or sensor  19   d  on his opponent&#39;s vest  16   b , and five hits on sensor  19   a  or  19   b  on his opponent&#39;s vest  16   b . This gives the gamecock  12   a  a total score of 40 points for round  1 . The scoreboard  26  shows that the gamecock  12   b  wearing the vest  16   b  (red colored) struck on his opponents vest  16   a  the sensor  19   e  twice, the sensors  19   c  or  19   d  six times, and the sensors  19   a  or  19   b  three times for a total score in round one of 53 points. Thus, the gamecock  12   a  wearing the red vest  16   a  won round one. The scoreboard  26  exhibits in individual display panels  52  the total score for each round for each gamecock  12   a  and  12   b . It also exhibits in individual displays  52  the cumulative scores for the entire match for each gamecock  12   a  and  12   b.    
         [0049]     In addition to the vest  16 , the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  also wear protective gloves  60  that are attached to their legs  13  and cover their spurs  12   c . These gloves  60  include a large spherical foam member  62  attached to, for example, a leather strap  64  with grommets  66  in it that allow the strap to be wound about the legs  13  of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . There is a cavity  68  in the spherical foam member  62  that receives an individual spur  12   c . In addition to the gloves  60 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , the beaks of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  are taped, for example, the upper beak  12   d  is covered with tape  70  and the claws  12   e  of the cocks  12   a  and  12   b  are trimmed. Consequently, there is little likelihood that the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  will seriously injure one another during the course of the sparring match.  
         [0050]     In accordance with this invention, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the arena  10  preferably comprises a circular wall  80  defining a ring  82  in which the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  engage in the sparring match. A handler for each game places his or her gamecock in one of two centrally positioned rectangular boxes  83   a  and  83   b  designated by lines  84  drawn on the floor  10   a  of the arena  10 . A referee is also present. The arena  10  preferably has a series of concentric rows of chairs  86 . Preferably, there is a wagering device  88  in front of each chair. As shown in  FIG. 3 , these wagering devices  88  each include a slot  90  that accepts a wagering card  92 . This wagering card  92  may be purchased before the match begins and allows a spectator to place bets using the pre-purchased amount on the wagering card. For example, a wagering card  92  may represent $10,000 worth of pre-purchased possible wagers. When the card is inserted into the slot  90 , one of a series of buttons  94  is pushed by the spectator/better. For example, if the spectator/better pushes the button  94   a  indicating a wager of $3000, this leaves $7,000 in value remaining on the wagering card. The spectator/better then pushes either the red button  94   b  designating a bet on gamecock  12   a  as the winner or green button  94   c  designating a bet on gamecock  12   b  as the winner. This can constitute a bet for a round or for the entire match. When the entry button  94   d  is pushed a ticket  96  is printed out confirming the amount of the wager and gamecock on which the wager has been placed. Another button  94   e  allows correction of a wager, and yet another button  94   f  allows cancellation of a wager.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0051]     The non-lethal gamecock sparring match of this invention allows the handlers of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  to conduct a sparring match without any significant risk of injury to the gamecocks. This is accomplished by taping the upper beak  12   d  of each cock, placing the gloves  60  on the spurs  12   c  of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b , trimming the claws  12   e  of the gamecocks, and protecting the gamecocks with the vest  16 . The referee places the vest  16  on each of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b  and ensures that the vests are not tampered with. After the referee weighs the gamecocks to make sure that they are equally matched, the handlers place the gamecocks in the center of the arena  10  within the rectangle boxes  83   a  and  83   b . An audible alarm (for example a ringing bell) is generated at the beginning of each round and the scoring apparatus is activated so that scores are automatically displayed on the scoreboard as each cock strikes a sensor carried by the vest  16  worn by its opponent. As soon as a round is over, the sensor is automatically deactivated in accordance with a stop signal that is transmitted to the computer  24 . The handlers restrain the gamecocks during the rest period between rounds, and then again place them in the rectangle boxes  83   a  and  83   b  for the next round. When the next round begins, the scoreboard  26  is automatically activated during the course of the round and is then again automatically disabled as soon as the time period for the round has expired. If for any reason one cock is totally outclassed and after a predetermined number of no or a minimal score is achieved, this gamecock will be declared a loser and the match goes by default to the other gamecock. The wagering device  88  will be automatically activated and deactivated as the rounds advance.  
         [heading-0052]     Second Embodiment  
         [0053]     The second embodiment of this invention depicted in  FIGS. 14 through 18  is similar to the first embodiment. The principal difference is the use of collars  100   a  and  100   b  respectively worn around the necks  12   f  of the gamecocks  12   a  and  12   b . Each of the collars  100   a  and  100   b  comprises a tube structure  102  having mounted thereto five sensors  103  through  107  ( FIG. 18 ). The sensors  103  through  107  are essentially the same as the sensors  19   a - 19   e  used with the vests  16   a  and  16   b  and they provide an electrical signal when struck with a sufficiently high predetermined force by an opponent gamecock. The signals from each sensor  103 - 107  corresponds to different numerical scores similar to the first embodiment. As best illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the sensors  103 - 107  are located at different positions on the tube structure  102 , preferably two on each side of the head  12   g  and/or neck  12   f  of the gamecock and one behind the comb  12   h  of the gamecock.  
         [0054]     Although the collars  100   a  and  100   b  may be used without a scoring vest, the preferred manner of using the collars is to connect electrically the sensors  103 - 107  to the transmitting device  20  attached to each of the vests  16   a  and  16   b , respectively, worn by each gamecock  12   a  and  12   b . If the collars are used alone, they would each include a transmitting device  20 . There are electrical leads  109  through  113 , respectively, extending from each sensor  103 - 107  on the collars  100   a  and  100   b . As shown in  FIG. 19 , these leads  109 - 113  are all connected to the transmitting device  20  attached to the vest  16   a  or  16   b  as the case may be.  
         [0055]     Straps  110 ,  111 , and  112  extend from the tube structure  102 . The strap  110  is connected near the one open end  102   a  of the tube structure  102  and the straps  111  and  112  are connected opposite each other near the other open end  102   b  of the tube structure. The strap  110  is positioned along side the base of the comb  12   h  on top of the head  12   g  with its outer end  110   a  secured to the upper beak  12   d  of the gamecock with the tape  70 . The straps  111  and  112  are attached to the vest  16   a  or  16   b  as the case may be of the gamecock wearing the collar  100   a  or  100   b  as the case may be. These straps  111  and  112  may have fasteners  116  at their ends to assist in holding these straps to a vest. For example, hook and fabric type fasteners may be used where a hook type fastener  116  grabs the fabric forming a vest.  
         [0056]     The tube structure  102  may be a unitary structure  121  that is pulled over the head  12   g  of a gamecock such as shown in  FIG. 17  or it may be a sheet  120  that is wrapped around the neck  12   f  of a gamecock as shown in  FIG. 18 . The unitary tube structure  121  is made for example by knitting yarn and it will stretch as it is pulled over the head  12   g  of a gamecock either to put the collar  110   a  on the gamecock or take it off. The sheet  120  has a series of aligned connectors  122  and  124  respectively on opposed sides  120   a  and  120   b  of the sheet. After wrapping the sheet  120  around the neck  12   f  of a gamecock, the connectors  122  and  124  are coupled together. To remove the sheet  120  from a gamecock, these connectors  122  and  124  are uncoupled. In both cases, the straps  110 ,  111 , and  112  are secured as discussed above.  
       SCOPE OF THE INVENTION  
       [0057]     The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention: