Abstract:
A fencing weapon or piece of sporting equipment includes a diffused indictor light visible through at least one aperture. For the sport of fencing the diffused indictor light can signal valid and invalid touches. Sports equipment benefits in particular from this diffused indictor light configuration to provide instantaneous feedback to the bearer of such equipment, their teammates and competitors, and viewers of play involving such equipment.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0001]    The modern sport of fencing is hundreds of years old. Historically, referees and bout directors awarded points (or touches—where one opponent&#39;s weapon blade or tip makes contact with the target area of the other opponent) by visually observing two opponents and determining whether a touch occurred and whether the fencer scoring the touch should be awarded a point based on existing rules. The object of saber fencing, based on cavalry fencing on horseback, is to score touches by contacting a blade or tip of a fencer&#39;s weapon with an opponent&#39;s target area (above that opponent&#39;s waist including his arms and head). The object of foil fencing is to score touches by contacting the tip of a fencer&#39;s weapon with an opponent&#39;s target area (the opponent&#39;s torso). The object of epee fencing, based on first-blood duels, is to score touches by contacting the tip of a fencer&#39;s weapon with an opponent&#39;s target area (any part of the opponent&#39;s body). Each form of modern sport of fencing is very rapid. Often actions, contacts, and target areas are difficult to visually see. Modern fencing weapons are so light that skilled fencers can manipulate them with extreme speed in flurries of action. This speed renders it difficult to determine when touches are scored. Even where several officials are employed to judge a match, visual identification of scoring maneuvers is difficult. Disagreement between officials often occurs, due to the inconsistency in the quality of perspective enjoyed by the various officials. Moreover, judgment by visual observation is a subjective criterion, and the acuity of vision may vary among officials, and even in the same official. 
         [0002]    In the 1970s electronic circuits were used to aid in awarding touches.  FIG. 1  depicts the current state of the art fencing scoring system. Each fencer X, Y holds a weapon  12 ,  14  which includes a blade  20  connected to a wire running down each fencer&#39;s sleeve (not shown) and connected behind each fencer to a reel wire  24 ,  26  affixed to a retractable reel  28 ,  30 . Each fencer X, Y wears a jacket  21 ,  22  which can be made of a conductive material, a mask  30  which can be made of conductive material, and a wire  31  connecting the mask to the jacket  21 . The terminal of the reel wire  24 ,  26  is also connected electrically to the fencer&#39;s jacket  21 ,  22 . Each reel  28 ,  30  is connected to an electrical scoring apparatus  10  that has indicators Wx, Cx, Wy, Cy which alternately illuminate to indicate a touch. If the weapon being fenced is saber, then when fencer Y in  FIG. 1  contacts fencer X with any portion of the blade  20  of weapon  14  on a conductive area of either jacket  22  or mask  33 , a circuit connects and indicator light Wy indicates fencer A scored a touch. A referee or director D will use this information and his or her visualization of the action to decide whether fender Y&#39;s touch should be awarded a point. When fencer X in  FIG. 1  contacts fencer Y with the blade  16  of saber  12  on fencer Y&#39;s conductive area of either jacket  22  or mask  33 , a circuit connects and indicator light Wx illuminates. Often both lights Wy and Wx will illuminate and a director or referee will need to determine to which fencer, if any, a touch should be awarded according to the rules of saber fencing. 
         [0003]    Foil fencing includes a similar configuration to the saber configuration of  FIG. 1 , except each fencer X, Y hold a foil and jackets  21 ,  22  have a conductive target area comprising the fencer&#39;s torso. A valid touch signal in foil includes the breaking of a first circuit and completing a second. A foil has a movable contact on its tip, which is depressed whenever the tip  16  touches an object, breaking the first electrical circuit. Each contestant wears a vest-like garment which covers the valid target portion of his body. The vest has a conductive surface, and is connected in a second circuit between the electrical scoring apparatus  10  and the opponent&#39;s foil. The movable contact on each foil is itself conductive. When the movable contact of one fencer&#39;s foil touches the opponent&#39;s conductive vest, the second electrical circuit is completed, and the first circuit is broken, producing a valid touch signal (thus illuminating respective indicator Wx or Wy). An invalid touch in foil is indicated merely by the breaking of the first circuit (thus illuminating respective indicator Cx, Cy), since in an invalid touch, the foil fails to contact the opponent&#39;s vest. 
         [0004]    Epee fencing includes a similar configuration to the saber configuration of  FIG. 1 , except each fencer X, Y hold an epee and wear a jacket  21 ,  22  that need not include a conductive area. A touch signal in epee constitutes simply the making of one circuit. The movable contact in the epee touch sensor assembly completes the circuit on depression in the course of a touch. Errant touches on the piste  35  or on the opponent&#39;s weapon body are not scored. Accordingly, if a fencer&#39;s epee tip touches the piste  35 , or his opponent&#39;s weapon, the electrical scoring apparatus  10  disables the scoring indicators, preventing the registration of a touch in response to such errant touches. The movable contact on the epee tip is conductive as in the case of the foil. It is connected to a portion of the electrical scoring apparatus  10  which, if grounded, prevents actuation of the valid touch indicators. The piste  35  is grounded, as is the body of each weapon  12 ,  14 , so that errant touches on the weapon body or the piste  35  are not counted as scores. 
         [0005]    A problem associated with the state of the art fencing system is that electrical scoring apparatuses are often difficult to see for fencers and referees who must rapidly turn their attention from the fencing action to observe indicator lights on the apparatus. They can be confusing to spectators who have to associate one color light with each fencer and often are unsure which light represents which fencer. One way to combat this to include indicator lights in a fencer&#39;s mask. When a touch is scored, lights or LED arrays situated in a fencers mask illuminate based on control signals from electrical scoring apparatus  10 . Control signals can be sent wirelessly or via a wired connection. Illuminating masks are helpful in that they allow easy viewing when touches are scored by fencers, referees, and observers. However, they are often costly and may require after market electronics and batteries in order to function properly. Also, each fencer is only able to see the mask of the other which indicates a touch scored. They are unable to see the indicator contained in their own mask or may not have a mask that contains indicators. Thus they may have to look to an external scoring apparatus  10  to determine whether they also scored a touch which requires altering a field of view away from the fencing action. 
         [0006]    Alternatively an external device situated either on the fencers&#39; garments or connected to a socket on the underside of a fencer&#39;s weapon guard may emit a signal indicator such as a light or sound. These devices are often less costly, however, they are of limited use in that they can easily be misheard and do not offer a convenient vantage for fencers, referees, and observers. 
         [0007]    Further, many other sports could benefit from equipment having indicator feedback where presently the equipment for engaging in the play of the sport has none. Some examples of such equipment that include no indicator component include tennis rackets, golf clubs, baseball bats, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, etc. 
         [0008]    The invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a pattern of apertures in a piece of sporting equipment, for example a fencing weapon. The fencing weapon has a guard through which light emits from a diffusive substance that is illuminated by an indicator light or an array of lights. Such a light or array of lights which illuminate the diffusive substance visibly makes clear indication of which fencer made contact and can easily be observed in the course of action during a fencing match. 
         [0009]    The invention achieves this in a first aspect by a fencing weapon which includes a blade portion; a handle; and a guard portion having an integrated indicator device. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment the integrated indicator device further can be an indicator light and in another embodiment it can be an array of indicator lights. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the indicator light receives a signal from an electrical scoring apparatus and in other embodiments the electrical scoring apparatus is contained within the fencing weapon itself or is located remotely from the fencing weapon. 
         [0012]    Indicator lights can be light emitting diodes and can be recessed below an outer surface of said guard portion to prevent that contacting it with an opponent&#39;s weapon or weapon tip will register a valid touch. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the fencing weapon includes a power source for providing power to the integrated indicator device. In another embodiment, the fencing weapon comprises a counter for outputting a count of indicator signals and a memory for storing the count. The integrated indicator device can include a display for displaying the count. The fencing weapon can also include a wireless communication device for receiving at least one indicator signal from at least one other device. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a prior art fencing system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a first view of a fencing weapon according to the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a second view in the plane of line A-A from  FIG. 2  of a foil or epee according to the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate configuration of the foil or epee in  FIG. 3  according to the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a second view in the plane of line A-A from  FIG. 2  of a saber according to the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts a tennis racket according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a golf club according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 2  depicts a fencing weapon from the view of the weapon blade extending out of the plane of  FIG. 2  toward the observer. In the present example,  FIG. 2  depicts a weapon  12 . Weapon  12  includes a blade  16 , a handle (not shown), and a guard  46 . Blade  16  is conductive, frequently made of steel or any other metal or metal alloy known to one of skill in the art. Blade  16  can also be made from plastic or foam or any other substance, especially when configured for use as practice weapons, or as toys. Guard  46  is made of an opaque substance such as metal or plastic or any other substance known in the art. Guard  46  contains a pattern of individual apertures  47 . Apertures  47  allow visible light to pass through guard such that emitted light beneath the apertures  47  will be visible to one observing guard  46  from its front surface (i.e., the portion of guard  46  on the same side as blade  16 ). 
         [0022]    Guard  46  can be electrically grounded or otherwise undetectable when contacted by an opponent&#39;s weapon. Apertures  47  can be small enough to prevent false connections from being detected by an opponent&#39;s weapon tip or blade. Additionally, apertures  47  can be filled wholly or in part with a substance that will be sense-invisible to an opponent&#39;s weapon but still allow transmission of visible light. An example of such a substance is wire mesh. Guard  46  can contain a single aperture  47  or any number of apertures  47 . Apertures  47  can be configured in any pattern, for example, in a pattern which optimizes visibility transmitted light while maintaining the sense-invisibility of guard  46  to an opponent&#39;s weapon. Additionally apertures  47  can be configured in a pattern unique to a particular fencer to further allow for personalization and to prevent confusion between weapons. Apertures  47  can extend to the edge of guard  46  and partial apertures such as aperture  48  can also extend to the edge of guard  46 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts a foil or epee  12  along plane A-A in  FIG. 2 . Foil or epee  12  contains blade portion  20  and tip portion  16  which, when depressed on an opponent&#39;s target area causes a signal to be sent to at least one indicator light  55 . Guard  46  is held in place between blade  20  and handle  61  by affixing mechanism  60 . Affixing mechanism  60  can be, for example, a screw terminal of blade portion  20  which screws into a socket within handle  61 . When indicator light  55  illuminates it produces light which diffusion layer  51  diffuses such that it is visible through at least aperture  47 . Diffusion layer  51  can also be configured to diffuse light from indicator light  55  through multiple apertures, i.e.,  47  and  49 . Diffusion layer  51  can be composed of, for example, a translucent plastic material or any other material known in the art which allows for diffusion or other transmission of visible light. Alternatively indicator lights  55 ,  56 , and  57  are individually addressable different colored light emitting diodes (LEDs) and can be configured in an array to deliver a variety of colors of visible light when activated. Further, a second array of LEDs  58  can also be individually addressed such that when activated, a first color can be produced by the array of indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  and a second color can be produced by array  58 . Diffusion layer  51  can also be configured or composed of materials which allow array  58  to deliver a first color of visible light to aperture  49  and indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  can deliver a second color of visible light to aperture  47  and/or  48 . 
         [0024]    Indicator control mechanism  62  connects to indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  and array  58  by an electrical/signaling connection  63 . Indicator control mechanism  62  can include a power source for providing power over electrical/signaling connection  63 . Alternatively indicator control mechanism  62  can be powered by connector  64  connected to wire  65  which draws power and/or receives signal information from a source external to foil or epee  12 . When indicator control mechanism  62  either generates a signal or relays a signal from connector  64 , it provides power to at least one of indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  and array  58 . Indicator control mechanism  62  can also provide a signal containing control information which directs at least one of indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57 , and array  58  to emit light, at a particular brightness, color, frequency, and illumination time. Alternatively indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  can be situated within an LED package (not shown), such as a semiconductor package with a control driver and color programming included. 
         [0025]    Indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57 , array  58 , diffusion layer  51 , and indicator control mechanism  62  components are protected from damage by covered  53 . Cover  53  can be formed of a pad made from a material which is substantially malleable to protect the aforementioned components. Alternatively, cover  53  can be formed from a packaging material which substantially encapsulates the aforementioned components or completely envelops them, such as a hard plastic material so that indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57 , array  58 , diffusion layer  51 , indicator control mechanism  62  and diffusion layer  51  form a single package. Further, diffusion layer can include a reflective surface disposed oppose guard  46  which aids in reflecting light from at least one indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  and array  58  toward at least one of apertures  47 ,  48 , and  49 .  FIG. 4  depicts a configuration of foil or epee  12  as in  FIG. 3 , except that raised portion  71  of diffusion layer  51  extends at least partially into aperture  49  to allow guard  46 , aperture  49  and raised portion  71  of diffusion layer  51  to have a substantially planar surface. This may further be useful to prevent ridges from apertures from causing damage to an opponent&#39;s weapon or for causing contacts to fail to ground properly on guard  46 . It may further allow better visibility of diffused light emitted beyond guard  46 . Alternatively, raised portion  71  may be composed of a different material than diffusion layer  51 . The material may be selected to permits the transmittance of at least some visible light from diffusion layer  51  and at least partially fill aperture  49  to, for example, better protect diffusion layer  51  from impact, allow conductance across guard  46  for grounding purposes, or to magnify or enhance diffused light from diffusion layer  51 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  depicts a saber  12  along plane A-A in  FIG. 2 . Saber  12  contains blade portion  20  which, when contacting on an opponent&#39;s target area causes a signal to be sent to at least one indicator light  55 . Guard  46  includes a parabolic extension portion which protects a fencer&#39;s hand along the distance of handle  61 . Guard  46  in a saber configuration of  FIG. 5  can include an aperture  81  at a location along the extension portion and diffusion layer  51  can extend such that light from array  58  or indicator lights  55 ,  56 ,  57  may be visible through aperture  81 . 
         [0027]    The examples in  FIGS. 2-5  can be applied to other sporting equipment as well, including, for example tennis rackets, baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, etc. Such a piece of sporting equipment will have the same at least one aperture, light diffusing portion, and integrated illumination device as in the guard  46  in  FIG. 3  and can contain an array composed of multiple apertures in a portion as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Such lights can provide integrated indicator light feedback to a competitor, an opponent, a teammate, or a spectator to allow for better scoring, training, game play, visibility, and appreciation of the sport.  FIG. 6  depicts a tennis racket  600  with a handle  601 , a racket frame  602 , and strings  603 . Racket frame  602  includes apertures  49  with diffusion portions  51  for diffusing illumination from an integrated indicator illumination device (not shown) which can be, for example, contained within racket frame  602  or handle  601 . Alternatively, strings  603  can be diffusion portions  51  such that integrated indicator illumination device can cause strings  603  to diffuse and light so that strings  603  provide indication of an event such as topspin, swing speed, ball contact with a particular portion of racket  600 , etc. The invention of  FIG. 6  an also apply to squash rackets, racketball rackets, table tennis paddles, badminton rackets, etc. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  depicts a golf club  700  having a handle portion  701 , a shaft  702 , and a club head  703  for striking a golf ball (i.e., effectuating portion). Shaft  702  can contain apertures  49  containing diffusion portions  51  such that integrated indicator illumination device (not shown) provides indication of an event such as topspin, swing speed, ball contact with a particular portion of club head  703 , etc. The invention of  FIG. 7  can also apply to hockey sticks, baseball bats and other sporting equipment used for striking a target. 
         [0029]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.