Abstract:
An illuminated climbing hold for mounting on a climbing wall, the illuminated climbing hold that consists of a body which has an exterior portion adapted to support a climber and a substantially planar mounting face adapted to engage the climbing wall, the body further consisting of an optional internal compartment and the body is made of transparent building material; an operational light source disposed inside the body, such as inside the compartment, and operational fastening means to attach the climbing hold to a climbing wall.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/134,158 filed Jul. 7, 2008 entitled LIGHT-UP ROCK-CLIMBING HOLD, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims any and all benefits to which it is entitled therefrom. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an improved climbing hold installed on artificial climbing walls and similar structures, and more particularly to an illuminated climbing hold and a system of mentioned climbing holds which illuminate climbing surface and a climbing route. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to rock-climbing on artificial walls or similar structures, specifically to climbing holds. The concept of the artificial climbing wall began in the United Kingdom. The first wall was created in 1964 at Leeds University by Don Robertson, a lecturer in Physical Education and founder of DR Climbing walls, by inserting pieces of rock into a corridor wall. The first commercial rock climbing wall was built in Sheffield, U.K. 
         [0004]    The simplest type of wall is of plywood construction, known colloquially in the climbing community as a “woody”, with a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw on holds. Bolt-on holds are fixed to a wall with iron bolts which are inserted through the climbing hold in question, which will have specific bolt points, and then fixed into pre-allocated screw-threaded holes in the wall. Screw-on holds, by contrast, are usually much smaller, owing on the nature of their fixing. These climbing holds are connected to the wall by two or more screws which may be screwed directly into the wall&#39;s surface. Other types of walls include slabs of granite, concrete sprayed on to a wire mesh, pre-made fiberglass panels, manufactured steel and aluminum panels and textured fiberglass walls. 
         [0005]    The material most used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled into it. Recently, manufactured steel and aluminum have also been used. The wall may have places to attach belay ropes, but may also be used to practice lead climbing or bouldering. Each hold contains a specially formed t-nut to allow modular hand holds to be screwed on to the wail. With manufactured steel or aluminum walls, an engineered industrial fastener is used to secure hand holds, The face of the multiplex board climbing surface is covered with textured products including concrete and/or polyurethane loaded with sand, In addition to the textured surface and hand holds, the wall may contain surface structures such as indentations (in cuts) and protrusions (bulges), or take the form of an overhang, under-hang or crack. Some grips are formed to mimic the conditions of outdoor rock, including some that are oversized and can have other grips bolted onto them. 
         [0006]    A climbing hold is a shaped grip that is usually attached to a climbing wall to provide a place to provide support and/or gripping place for climber&#39;s foot or hand. Climbing holds can be classified as footholds and handholds. Footholds can be in any variety of shapes, however they are usually quite small, providing just enough surface to place the toes on. They are sometimes referred to as “foot chips”, “jibs”, “nubbins”, “edges” or “nibs”. These holds are often of the screw on variety to allow for a lower profile. The majority of holds on a climbing wall are usually handholds. These provide much more gripping surface than footholds, but they often serve dual purpose of both hand and footholds as a climber progresses further up a wall. Handholds are further categorized by certain features that they contain into Jugs, Slopers, Pockets, Pinches, Crimps, Piggy backs etc. 
         [0007]    Typically, rock-climbing holds are made of resin material designed to imitate real rock. These holds are usually made in sets of the same color, designed to be mounted to a climbing surface in a vertical line to show a path or “route” to climb on the climbing surface. If one desires rock-climbing holds that are of different colors, one would have to mark particular holds with colored tape to establish a route. Climbing holds in the market today are available in different shapes, sizes and construction materials including resins, natural materials such as wood, rock, etc. There are colored climbing holds available that wall owners can installed them on their climbing wall for decoration purposes, as well as to indicate certain climbing routes. However, the installation is permanent and it is not easy and convenient to change the pattern of routes. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,954, entitled “Route Recording, Marking, and Scoring Apparatus for Sport Climbing Walls”, issued Mar. 31, 1998 to Strickler et al. teaches a system to record and identify routes created on artificial climbing structures. However, light source of &#39;954 patent is completely separated and independent from the climbing holds and is merely placed adjacent to conventional climbing holds. 
         [0009]    Applicant submits that there is no rock climbing hold found in the marketplace that has an internal light source that illuminates the hold and surrounding climbing surface. 
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is an improved climbing hold that is self-illuminated. The present invention is made of transparent and/or translucent materials that provide comparable physical attributes that conventional climbing holds required. The light source of the self-illuminated climbing hold has a housing to accommodate a light source which can be multi-colored. A system of the self-illuminated climbing holds can be installed on the climbing wall and connected and programed according to owner&#39;s discretion. 
         [0011]    A system of the self-illuminated climbing holds can be installed on the climbing wall and connected and programed according to owner&#39;s discretion. The light source, possibly a multicolored LED, can illuminate the hold as well as the surrounding climbing surface. A series of self-illuminated climbing hods will be connected to each other and to a computer by electric wires. It will have the ability to illuminate (and change color) with other desired holds on a climbing surface by a computer program. One variation of the holds is a self contained unit. It will house its light source as well as its power source such as a battery. A chip within will allow for different modes of operation. It will be operated by a switch or a button. In an embodiment, internal sensors are activated by contact between a user&#39;s hand or foot, including optional modes of illumination depending upon length of time of contact, weight or force exerted upon the hold, etc. 
         [0012]    The application of the self contained unit will be on existing rock walls either in private residences or public climbing centers, gyms, other recreation facilities and portable walls. The linked variant will require a network including wiring, hubs, routers, transformers, ballasts, timers, etc, as desired, as well as a computer system and programming. additionally, the invention can be fitted to existing walls in climbing gyms, climbing centers and mobile wails. An embodiment of this invention would be suited to the implementation of a clear or semi-clear climbing wall, such that illuminated climbing holds can be visualize by person or machine from essentially any side or angle. 
         [0013]    One object and advantage of the present invention is to enhance entertainment values of climbing walls or similar structures. With the present invention, light shows on portable rock walls, cruise ships, climbing centers are viable. In any variation of color of light source and programming, the array of light-up rock climbing holds will provide a new and interesting visual impact for both day and night time climbs. 
         [0014]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is to highlight a preferred climbing route on a climbing wall. Climbers usually choose a route, which is a line of particular climbing holds, before embarking on the actual climb. Climbers sometimes need a spotter to direct them to a certain hold in that route during the climb as it is hard to spot a particular hold once they are on the wall. The present invention, with its self-illumination property, can help climbers to identify their next hold in the route, the past route taken, any preferred or optional routs for future moves, etc. 
         [0015]    Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide flexibility in changing routes on climbing walls. Rather than installing colored climbing holds or marking existing holds with colored tape, the hold can be illuminated manually or remotely, such as by computer or other mechanical or electrical switch. 
         [0016]    Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    All drawings are of one possible climbing hold&#39;s shape and configuration, other holds can differ in size, shape, material, color and/or finish. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a representative end view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention showing the connecting face  200 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a representative front view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a representative view of one embodiment of an electric circuit of illuminated rock climbing holds  200  of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
         [0024]    It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , illuminated rock climbing hold  100  consists of hold body  102 , an aperture  104 , and LED housing  106 . In one embodiment, hold body  102  is entirely or partially made of transparent and/or translucent materials. Construction materials of hold body  102  must provide the required physical strength and properties, such that the present invention  100  performs the identical functions of a conventional climbing hold, and yet has a visible light transmitting property. Construction materials include but not limited to clear cast plastic and possibly painted, or otherwise at least partially covered with flourescent paint. In one embodiment, hold body  102  will be molded to a desirable shape and size that can be functioned in the form of either a foothold or a handhold. Aperture  104  extends longitudinally throughout the entire hold body  102  to provide a clearance opening for bolt  112  for mounting to a climbing surface  122  on a climbing wall  120 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , LED housing  106  is an open compartment in the hold body  102  which has a main function to accommodate the light source  108  of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. In one embodiment, light source  108  further consists of a singularity or plurality of LEDs  130 , connecting wire  132 . LEDs  130  can be any type of preferably colored LED, or other type of electric light including but not limited to incandescent bulb, flourescent bulb, etc., that emits light with enough intensity, such that the emitted light is visible through the transparent/translucent hold body  102 . In one embodiment, when LED  130  is on, the entire hold body  102  is illuminated from the inside. Hence, making illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention visibly distinctive even in dark environment. LEDs  130  of each illuminated rock climbing hold  100  are connected to each other by connecting wire  132  to form a LED circuit  200  as best shown in  FIG. 5 . The LED circuit  200  is ultimately connected to the power source  504  (not shown). 
         [0027]    In one alternative embodiment, light source  108 ′ can be a singularity or plurality of LEDs  130  and a portable power source  504 ′ such as a button cell battery. The alternative embodiment of light source  108 ′ will then make illuminated rock climbing hold  100 ′ of the present invention self sufficient. The light source  108 ′ can be controlled by a simple on/off switch (not shown). 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a representative end view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention showing the connecting face  200 .  FIG. 3  is a representative front view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , planar mounting face  107  of hold body  102  engages a front surface  122  of climbing wall  120  by bolt  112  through aperture  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , optionally and preferably for outdoor installation, LED housing  106  is closed by LED housing lid  109 . LED housing lid  109  will help maintain the desirable position of light source  108  and the LED housing  106  a waterproofed environment. In one embodiment, wire opening  111  is a through hole on LED housing lid  109  for connecting wire  132  running through. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , since illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention is made of transparent and/or translucent materials, when LEDs  130  are on, the entire structure of the present invention  100  is lit and becomes visibly distinctive both in bright and dark environment. A variety of LEDs  130  such as different color combinations, flashing style, etc. can be used to make the present invention even more visibly distinctive. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric view of one embodiment of illuminated rock climbing hold  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , LED housing lid  109  is not necessary for indoor installation. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a representative view of one embodiment of a circuit of illuminated rock climbing holds  200  of the present invention. In one embodiment, circuit of illuminated rock climbing holds  200  consists of a plurality of illuminated rock climbing holds  100  installed at desirable locations of the climbing wall  120 , power source  504  and a computer  502 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , light source  108  of each participating illuminated rock climbing hold  100  are connected by connecting wire  132 . Such electronic or electrical interconnections may be in parallel, in series, fused or protected by circuit breakers, dampened, amplified, solid state or hard wired, etc. It is recommended that rock climbing hold  100 , connecting wire  132  and computer  502  are installed by trained professional for wires connected to appropriate connections, computer program customized, etc. Once installed, users can operate the entire circuit of illuminated rock climbing holds  200  of the present invention by remote, or via the computer  502 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, circuit of illuminated rock climbing holds  200  which consists of the light source  108  of each illuminated rock climbing holds  100 . Each light source  108  is connected by connecting wire  132 , ultimately connected to the computer  502  and power source  504 . In one embodiment, computer  504  has a means for electronically storing a sequence controlling the power source  504  to each connected illuminated rock climbing holds  100 , constituting a route and a means for providing electrical power via the power source  504  to said light source  132  associated with said sequence of the illuminated rock climbing holds  100  constituting the route. Users can light up certain routes with different color combination, visual effects depending on the type of LEDs  130  by changing the sequence program at the computer  502 . For example, users can choose one illuminated rock climbing holds  100  in a route to blink or change its color to indicate which illuminated rock climbing holds  100  will come next to a climber. Users could even indicate certain patterns, symbols, and even logos within the circuit of illuminated rock climbing holds  200  of the present invention by altering the sequence program at the computer  502 . This linked version has nearly limitless possibilities. 
         [0032]    It will be understood that the illuminated rock climbing holds  100  of the present invention can also be provided with a contact sensor mechanism, such as separately or in conjunction with the electric light bulb  130 . In an embodiment, internal or externally mounted contact sensors are activated by contact between a user&#39;s hand or foot, including optional modes of illumination depending upon length of time of contact, amount of weight or level of force exerted upon the hold  100 , etc. such contact sensors are well known in the prior art and can be incorporated into the design of the illuminated rock climbing holds  100  of the present invention. The contact sensors can be coupled to the electronics  200  including the electric lights  130  (as best shown in  FIG. 5 ) or can be independently installed. The contact sensors can cause illumination of one or more of the illuminated rock climbing holds  100 . The contact sensors can be any type of mechanical or electrical or electronic switch, membrane switch, contact switch, resistance or resistivity based, conductivity-based, optical, etc. 
         [0033]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0034]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.