Patent ID: 7891231

Claim:
An article of equipment incorporating a detection system for monitoring and registering the intensity and location of impacts for players in contact sports, comprising: (a) at least one electrically conductive wire providing a proximity sensor function, the wire embedded as a mechanical layout in the equipment; (b) an impact sensor connected to the conductive wire and embedded in the equipment, the impact sensor being adapted to generate an electrical signal based on the impact and location of an impact, wherein the impact sensor is an accelerometer; (c) a magnet mounted in an attacking gear of the player, the proximity sensor being adapted to detect the approaching presence of the magnet and to generate an electrical impulse proportional to the intensity and location of a subsequent impact; (d) a transceiver connected to the conductive wire; (e) a signal processor connected to the transceiver, whereby changes in voltage as a result of changes in voltage due to changes in magnetic flux caused by proximity of the magnet to the impact sensor will determine the extent of impact and the location of an impact based on the mechanical layout of the embedded wire in the equipment; and, (f) an output signal from the signal processor, the output signal defines sufficient information to produce at least a visual display and/or an audible signal.