Abstract:
A kit for combatants engaged in a martial arts competition, including a combat garment for generally covering the combatant, strike gear for covering at least portions of the combatants hands and feet, and strike coins for loosely adhering to portions of the combat garment. The combat garment includes a plurality of predetermined areas covered with first hook-and-loop fasteners. Each predetermined area corresponds with a predetermined strike zones. At least a portion of the strike gear is covered with second hook-and-loop fasteners and each respective strike coin is covered with third hook-and-loop fasteners adhesively matable with the first and second hook-and-loop fasteners.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority benefit to, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/304,294, filed on Nov. 23, 2011. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This specification relates to the facilitation of martial arts training and in particular to martial arts training devices and scoring devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The martial arts, such as karate, kung-fu, tae-kwon do, kick-boxing, boxing, and others, enjoy increasing popularity as physical sports and mental disciplines. Many of these martial arts are the present day successors of ancient forms of hand to hand combat. As such, the martial arts can require the development of split-second reflexes, requiring practitioners to perceive, analyze and react to a given situation rapidly. 
     Typically, martial arts are taught utilizing instruction and practice techniques that encourage competition and rivalry among the practitioners. Often, martial arts instructors employ full-contact contest formats and/or non-contact or light contact (controlled) sparring sessions as part of the training sessions. However, the speeds, skills, and movements involved can make scoring such contests or training sessions problematic. In short, scoring is predicated on the subjective evaluation of an exchange of techniques between the participants, either by the participants themselves, or by others. Dependence on subjective judgement in conjunction with the speed, skills and movements can result in improperly scored sessions, contests and/or rankings. Additionally, improper scoring and/or ranking can encourage excessive contact (by a participant attempting to forcefully “record” his strike unmistakably for the evaluator). 
     Similarly, the ranking of participants is also problematic. Many of the martial arts utilize an advancement system to acknowledge a practitioner&#39;s knowledge and skill in an art. For example, many forms of Karate utilize a belt color system where the color of a practitioner&#39;s belt denotes the practitioner&#39;s tested knowledge and skill in the art. However, such systems do not lend themselves to individually ranking practitioners against other practitioners of the same belt rank. Likewise, such ranking systems do not readily permit the identification of victories in past competition sessions. 
     Thus, there is a need for a means and method for improved scoring and ranking of participants in martial arts training and competitive matches. The present invention addresses this need. 
     SUMMARY 
     This specification describes technologies relating to a means and method of scoring and ranking martial arts practitioners. 
     In general, one innovative aspect of the novel technology presented in this specification is a game rules and scoring system for use in various styles of martial arts, including a garment partially covering a combatant and possessing a plurality of areas covered with easily detachable/reattachable fasteners, such as hook and loop type fasteners or the like, each of the areas corresponding to a strike location upon the combatant. The garment also includes strike gear, the strike gear likewise covered with like fasteners, and strike coins or flags, wherein each strike coin is covered with fasteners matable to the garment and strike gear fasteners. Each strike coin has an associated point value based upon a determined strike location of the combatant that the strike coin is affixed to. 
     In general, another innovative aspect of the novel technology presented in this specification is an outfit for combatants engaged in a martial competition comprising a garment consisting of a first gear, a second gear and strike coins, the first gear consisting of a resilient material and possessing a plurality of areas covered with hook and loop type fasteners, each of the hook and loop type fastener covered areas corresponding to a strike location upon a combatant equipped with the first gear, and the second gear covering strike elements of the combatant consisting of a resilient material and also substantially covered with hook and loop type fasteners, and the second gear covering the strike elements of the combatant and consisting of a resilient material substantially covered with hook and loop type fasteners, and the score coins consisting of a thin and resilient material and substantially covered with hook and loop type fasteners, and each strike coin being associated with a point value based upon a strike location of the combatant that the strike coin is proximate to, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the second gear are such that an adhesion between a strike coin and the second gear is stronger than an adhesion between the strike coin and the first gear. 
     In general, another aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of equipping each combatant in a martial arts training session or competition session with a first gear, the first gear covering at least one strike location, wherein a portion of the first gear is covered with a loop material for interlocking engagement with a score coin, further equipping each combatant with a second gear, the second gear covering at least one strike element, wherein a portion of the second gear is covered with a loop material for interlocking engagement with a score coin, and equipping at least one combatant with at least one score coin, the at least one score coin equipped such that the at least one score coin is interlockingly engaged with the first gear in close proximity of the at least one strike location, then running a combat session wherein each combatant participates in the combat session, and generating a score for each combatant primarily based upon a sum of score coins, each of the score coins interlockingly engaged with the second gear upon the combatant. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of strike gear, in accordance with one embodiment of the present novel technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a combat garment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present novel technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a strike coin, in accordance with one embodiment of the present novel technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the elements of  FIGS. 1-3  assembled in a kit, along with instructions. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a first embodiment of the present novel technology, the physical components of a martial arts game system  10 .  FIG. 1  is a plan view of strike gear  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the game system  10 . Strike gear  100  covers the strike target portions or elements of the body of a player or competitor—the target elements of the body that are used in striking or performing martial arts techniques.  FIG. 1  portrays the plan view of the top  115  and the palm side  117  of a left strike glove  110 , a side view of a strike booty  140 , a front view of a strike knee and shin guard  170 , and an elbow and forearm strike sleeve  190 . The right strike glove no is a mirror image of the left strike glove no and is not portrayed in  FIG. 1 . While only a single strike glove no, strike booty  140 , shin guard  170 , and an elbow and forearm strike sleeve  190  are shown, the typical implementation includes mirror image pairs of one or more of the strike coverings  110 ,  140 ,  170 ,  190 . 
     Strike gear  100  is typically formed of a resilient material and padded to enhance the safety to both the striking and receiving combatants or practitioners. In some implementations, the resilient material and padding are the same material. For example, some implementations utilize a durable foam rubber with the outer surface coated with a thin, protective covering of rubber. Other implementations utilize a resilient material that is sown to form the protective gear and to encapsulate the padding. In such implementations, the resilient material is preferably double stitched. However, other means of fastening such as fusing the resilient material, gluing the resilient material, form molding the resilient material, and the like can be utilized. The strike glove no may be a full glove, covering the entire hard, or a partial glove or band covering a portion of the hand. Likewise, the strike booty  140  may cover more or less of the foot. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the strike glove  110  is shown separate from the elbow and forearm strike sleeve  190  which serves to cover the combatant&#39;s forearm and elbow. However, some implementations have the strike glove  110  and the elbow and forearm strike sleeve  190  in one-piece. Similarly, while the strike booty  140  and the strike knee and shin guard  170  are drawn separately, some implementations also have the strike booty  140  and the strike knee and shin guard  170  in one piece. The strike gear  100  may also include strike wear  195  that may be worn or other body parts that may be used for striking such as the forehead, as practiced in different martial arts. 
     In some implementations, the strike glove  110  has multiple offensive strike areas  118 . The strike booty  140 , the elbow and forearm strike sleeve  190  and the strike knee and shin guard  170  also have multiple offensive strike areas  118 . It should be noted that the term strike area  118  is not limiting and that the martial arts training and scoring gear is also operable for non-strike contact-based martial arts techniques. 
     The multiple offensive strike areas  118  are covered with contact based fasteners  120 . Typically, the contact based fasteners  120  are repeatedly disengageably reengagable permitting the means of fastening  120  to be reused. The contact based fasteners  120  are such that upon contact with a strike coin, the strike coin securely attaches to the strike gear  100 . In some implementations, the contact based fasteners  120  are hook and loop type fasteners. In some implementations, the contact based fasteners  120  are composed of an elastomer, sufficiently sticky such that upon contact with a strike coin  300 , the strike coin  300  securely attaches to the strike gear  100 . In some other implementations, the contact based fasteners  120  are composed of magnets and magnetic substances such that upon contact with a strike coin  300 , the strike coin  300  securely attaches to the strike gear  100 . Notwithstanding the implementations, the strike coins  300  are more adhesive to the strike gear  100  than to the combat garment  200 . 
     However, different martial arts differ in the number and size of strike locations  118  upon the various parts of the body used to strike with. As such, some implementations have different strike locations  118  upon the strike gear  100 . Some implementations even cover the entire surface of the strike gear  100  with contact based fasteners  120 . This permits a strike coin  300  to affix to any portion of the strike gear  100 . 
     In some implementations, one or more of the strike gear  100  may have attachment devices  125  with which the strike gear  100  is attached to a combatant. Typically, the attachment devices  125  are straps with hook and loop type fasteners placed upon the straps in such way such that the straps can be adjustably secured to the combatants. However, any suitable means to secure the strike gear  100  to a combatant can be used. For example, the strike booty  140 , the elbow and forearm strike sleeve  190  and the strike knee and shin guard  170  can utilize an elastic sock style means of securing the respective piece of strike gear  100 , with the elastic sock snuggly fitting over the respective body part to secure the respective piece of strike gear  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a combat garment  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present novel technology. While depicted as a protective head covering  240  and a pants  250  and tunic or shirt  260  like covering, examples of other implementations include the combat garment  200  being a one piece jumpsuit like design, a robe like design, a belted robe like design, a large shirt like design, and the like. Similar to the strike gear  100 , the combat garment  200  is typically composed of a resilient material. Example resilient materials for the combat garment  200  include heavy cloth and fiber clothing materials such as rip stop nylon, burlap, heavy cotton, and the like. Additionally, the head covering  240  may also be composed of a padded material. For example, the head covering  240  of some implementations utilize a durable foam rubber with the outer surface coated with a thin, protective covering of rubber. 
     Similar to the strike gear  100 , the combat garment  200  has multiple strike zones  220 . Typically, the strike locations  220  correspond to vital strike areas of the human body. For example, strike locations  220  can include the knee, the temples of the head, the ears, the groin, various nerve and joint locations, and the like. However, some implementations have strike locations  220  that do not correspond to vital strike areas of the human body. Additionally, some implementations are such that any area of the combat garment  200  is considered a strike location  220 . Note that not all strike locations  220  are equal. Some strike locations  220 , typically because of the sensitivity of the corresponding location of the body, are considered more important than others. As will be explained below, each strike zone  220  can be associated with a point score, usually corresponding to the strike sensitivity of the corresponding location on the human body. 
     The strike zones  220  are covered with contact based fasteners  230 . Typically, the contact based fasteners  220  are reattachably disengageable, permitting the means of fastening to be reused. The contact based fasteners  230  are such that upon contact with a strike coin  300 , the strike coin  300  securely attaches to the combat garment  200 . However, the contact based fasteners  230  differ from the contact based fasteners  120  in that a strike coin  300  will attach more securely to the contact based fasteners  120  than to the contact based fasteners  230 . In other words, a strike coin  300  will adhere more strongly to strike gear  100  than to the combat garment  200 . 
     However, some implementations do not utilize strike zones upon the combat garment  200 . Instead, substantially all or the entire combat garment  200  can be covered with contact based fasteners  230 . Substantially covering the entire garment  200  with contact based fasteners  230  enable free placement of the strike coins  300 . Additionally, similar to the contact based fasteners  120 , the contact based fasteners  230  can be composed of hook and loop type fasteners, magnetic and magnetic elements based fasteners, and/or elastomer based fasteners, or a combination of the three types of fasteners. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a strike coin or flag  300 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present novel technology. A strike coin  300  may also be known by the term score coin. The strike coin  300  is typically composed of a thin and resilient material. Some implementations also use a thin and resilient material that is also flexible. The size of the strike coin  300  may typically vary between one half inch and eight inches, and typically being between two to six inches, although the strike coins  300  may be sized larger or smaller, as desired. For example, in matches between two less experienced competitors, each competitor may wear larger strike coins  300 , which in matches between more experienced competitors, each competitor may wear smaller strike coins so as to require advanced skill to strike a smaller target  300 , wherein each competitor is of roughly equal skill. If a competitor is trying to hone his defensive skills, he may opt to wear larger coins  300 , while if he is trying to hone his offensive skills, he may opt for his opponent to wear smaller coins  300 . 
     Additionally, the term “strike coin” should not be understood to be overly restrictive. Strike coins  300  may vary in shape. For example, in some implementations the strike coin  300  is square or rectangle in shape. In some implementations the strike coin  300  is circular in shape. In still other implementations, the strike coin  300  is star-like in shape. Furthermore, in some implementations the shape and/or the size of the strike coin  300  are based upon the individual who owns the strike coin  300 . For example, a novice practitioner might wear strike coins  300  that present a smaller target such as small and circular in shape while a more experienced player might have strike coins  300  that present a larger target such as large, star shaped strike coins  300 . 
     The strike coin  300  is typically covered with a contact-based fastener  340  matable to the contact based fastener  120  and to the contact base fastener  220 . Typically, the contact-based fastener  340  matable to the contact based fastener  120  and to the contact base fastener  220  are repeatedly removably disengageable and reengageable, permitting the means of fastening to be reused. Similar to the contact based fasteners  120 , the contact-based fastener  340  can be composed of hook and loop type fasteners, magnetic and magnetic elements based fasteners, and/or elastomer based fasteners, or a combination of the three types of fasteners. In some implementations, the contact based fastener  340  of one side of the strike coin  300  forms a less secure attachment to a contact based fastener  120  or a contact based fastener  230  than the other side of the strike coin&#39;s  300  attachment to a contact based fastener  120  or a contact based fastener  230 . 
     In some implementations, the strike coin  300  is colored based upon the strike zone  220  that the strike coin  300  is associated with. For example, green strike coins  300  could be placed upon painful but non-lethal strike zones  220 , yellow strike coins  300  could be placed upon crippling strike zones  220 , and red strike coins  300  could be placed upon lethal strike zones  230 . Additionally, the strike coins  300  of some implementations also have an assigned point value  350 . Typically, the point value  350  is based upon the severity of the strike zones  220  that the strike coin  300  is associated with. For example, similar to the assigned coin color example, low point value strike coins  300  could be associated with and placed on painful but non-lethal strike zones  220 , higher value strike coins  300  could be associated with and placed on the crippling strike zones  220 , and high point strike coins  300  could be associated with and placed on lethal strike zones  230 . 
     The strike coins  300  of some implementations can also include additional information. The additional information can be a personal logo  360 , a registration symbol, an image, a number, or the like. Additionally, the personal logo  360  itself can be an image, a commercial logo, a registered professional name or mark, or the like. Typically, the personal logo  360  is registered with a nationally recognized entity. The nationally recognized entity ensures that strike coins  300  having the personal logo  360  are given to those who have rights to the personal logo  360 . However, in one method of use of the novel technology, such personal logo strike coins  300  can be lost through matches. 
     For example, a well-known martial artist registers his image as his personal logo  360 . Only that well-known martial artist can order additional strike coins  360  bearing his image. When the martial artist enters into competition, he can place his image bearing strike coins  300  on his combat garment  200 . His opponent can win the martial artist&#39;s strike coins  300  from the martial artist by landing successful strikes on the martial artist. Should his opponent be successful in acquiring the martial artist&#39;s strike coins  300  through a match, the opponent can proudly display the martial artist&#39;s strike coins  300  to others, possibly as a testament to the opponent&#39;s skill. 
     In general, the novel technology presented in this specification can be used to assist in the training of martial arts, the scoring of martial arts competitions, the evaluating of martial artists, the promoting of martial arts, and helps to decrease the likelihood for injury resulting from practicing or competing in martial arts. 
     Training in martial arts can take years, require great commitment from the practitioner, and require great levels of precision. Training in martial arts can be a frustrating experience even for the most experienced practitioner. The martial arts training and scoring gear  100 ,  200 ,  300  presented in this specification can assist in training a practitioner by visually and potentially selectively highlighting strike zones  220  and by providing performance feedback in real or near real time. 
     To assist with training, one or more practitioners are equipped with the martial arts training and scoring gear  100 ,  200 ,  300 . Strike coins  300  are accordingly placed upon the practitioners. Specific colored strike coins  300  can be used to highlight specific strike zones  220  should the practitioners desire to concentrate upon specific strike zones  220 . For example, a very bright red can be used to highlight the strike zones  220  associated with a specific martial arts move or strike that the practitioners desire to practice while other colors can be used for the other strike zones  220  upon the practitioners. The practitioners practice martial arts against each other for timed periods. At the end of each time period, the practitioners examine the strike coins  300  that they have taken from each other. Acquired strike coins  300  can optionally be put back upon the respective practitioner at the end of each timed period. Additionally, point values associated with the strike coins  300  can be recorded after each practice session, yielding a value that can be tracked to determine a practitioner&#39;s improvement in the art form. 
     To assist with the scoring of a martial arts competition, one or more of the practitioners are equipped with the martial arts training and scoring gear  100 ,  200 ,  300 . Strike coins  300  are accordingly placed upon the practitioners. Specific colored or marked strike coins  300  can be used to highlight forbidden or especially important strike zones  220 . Typically, the competition is broken up into combat sessions, where each combat session lasts a predetermined time length. Alternatively, competition can be temporarily stopped and each practitioner&#39;s acquired strike coins are evaluated for a score. Acquired strike coins  300  can optionally be put back upon the respective practitioner at the end of each timed period. At the end of the competition, each practitioner&#39;s scores are added yielding a competition score. Typically, the highest scoring practitioner is considered the winner. However similar to a golf handicap, values can be assigned to unequally skilled practitioners enabling competition to occur between the practitioners. 
     Additionally, it should be noted that there are other means of tallying up a practitioner&#39;s score in both training and in competition. For example, the strike coins  300  that a practitioner loses during training or competition can also be counted. As previously noted, each strike coin  300  can be associated with a specific strike zone  220 . Collectively, the values of won strike coins, lost strike coins, and specific won and lost strike coins enables the development of statistics serving to highlight a practitioner&#39;s martial arts performance. Furthermore, such statistics are descriptive permitting the statistical evaluation of a practitioner in terms of his preferred areas to strike, to defend and in what areas he is poor at defending. Such values can also be used to statistically model and predict the performance of practitioners. 
     In this game system  10 , it is not possible to score multiple hits to the same target area, such as by a player repeating a single well practiced attack move or by repeatedly exploiting an opponent&#39;s weakness. Such multiple hits can only capture a coin  300  once, and once captured, the coin  300  is no longer available for repeat scoring. 
     Also, use of the martial arts training and scoring gear  100 ,  200 ,  300  helps to reduce the chance of injury to practitioners. Unlike the subjective evaluation by a human martial arts judge or instructor, the above mentioned statistics are objective. By using the martial arts training and scoring gear  100 ,  200 ,  300 , there is no need to increase the force of a kick or punch during a competition or an instruction period to ensure that the human judge or instructor observes the kick or punch. With no need to increase the force of a kick or punch, the forces used during training or competition are likely to be lower and thus lowering the likelihood of injury to practitioners. 
     It should be understood that the presented novel technology also lends itself to assisting in self or audio or video based instruction. Learning a martial arts technique can require extensive practice, practice that may not be able to be performed in front of an instructor. The novel technology provides positive proof that contact was made. For example, a combat dummy can be equipped with the combat garment  200  presented novel technology. Kicks, strikes, moves, sweeps, and the like can be practiced against the combat dummy. Transfer of strike coins  300  between the combat dummy to the practicing individual would serve to provide nearly instant feedback indicating whether or not the proper location upon the combat dummy was made contact with. 
     Furthermore, use of the martial arts training and scoring gear  100 ,  200 ,  300  enables a verifiable form of promotion of martial arts practitioners. As previously stated, strike coins  300  can be marked with a personal logo  360 . Competition between martial arts practitioners can be modified such that the strike coins  300  won or lost by a practitioner remain won or lost. The strike coins  300  won by a practitioner can be examined to see who the practitioner has successfully struck in competition. 
     Additionally, won strike coins  300  can be worn in future competitions. Similar to trading card games where the participants risk cards that they have won in previous games, practitioners can risk won strike coins  300  by wearing their won strike coins  300  in further matches. Note that wearing won strike coins  300  effectively enables a practitioner to put his reputation on the line during a match by risking, to his competitor, the more valuable or prized strike coins  300  that he has won. 
     As another variant, participants can declare or randomly decide what strike zones  220  are to be valued before entering into practice or into competition. For example, one or more participants can declare that only strikes to certain strike zones  220  or strike zones  220  of a certain point value or color are to be considered for the participant&#39;s combat score. This can allow participants to more intensely focus their martial arts practice to specific strike zones. For example, a participant having trouble with strikes to the head could declare that only his strikes to his opponents head would count for the purpose of his score. That is, only his opponent&#39;s score coins  300  corresponding to the strike zones  220  of his opponent&#39;s head would count. Other strike coins  300  would not be counted. 
     While the above detailed description portrays the novel technology in a combat or martial arts light, the presented novel technology should be understood to be applicable to a wide range of activities that involve contact between two or more people. For example, interesting and challenging adaptations of physical games can be enabled through the use of this novel technology. For example, the game of tag can make use of this novel technology. In this example, the participants would be equipped with the gear discussed above. Rules for the game can be implemented for the game permitting only certain types (colors, point values, etc.) of strike coins  300  to be acquired at certain times. The winner of the game could be the individual with the greatest point value. 
     As another example, the novel technology presented in this specification could be used to assist in teaching competitive dance. Competitive dance activities often require specific moves with high degrees of interaction among the dance partners. Such moves require the specific placement of the partner&#39;s hands, arms, legs, feet and the like. The novel technology can be used to provide both feedback and proof of the specific placement of the partner&#39;s hands, arms, legs, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the various gloves  115 , booties  140 , guards  170 ,  190 , helmet  240 , garment  250 ,  260  and flags  300 , along with instructions for game play  400  memorializing the rules of combat as discussed above, may be included as a kit  10 . 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a sub combination. 
     Similarly, while actions are depicted in the drawings or specification as occurring in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such actions be performed in the particular order shown, or that all actions be performed, to achieve desirable results. 
     Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. 
     Additionally, the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that nigh-infinite departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.