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[0001] The present invention pertains generally to sports equipment. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a scoring device that can be worn by participants during a fighting competition. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a scoring device for a martial arts competition that is capable of indicating or recording hits to a target area on a participant.
[0002] Referees are often used to score fighting sports including martial arts competitions. In many of these competitions, the referee awards points to participants for “clean hits” to target areas on the body such as the head, neck or chest. In some competitions, a referee must decide whether a hit to a padded area on an opponent would be fatal if it had occurred in the absence of padding. Generally, one point is given for each clean or “fatal” hit, and the referee must keep track of the number of points awarded to each participant. Unfortunately, there are several drawbacks associated with the use of referees to score fighting competitions. For one, the use of a human referee to score each “clean hit” is subjective. Stated another way, different referees may score the same hit differently. Another problem associated with the use of referees is that the referee may miss many of the hits due to the fast nature of the various fighting sports. Additionally, the referee may fail to register a hit due to the fact that the referee is not always positioned at an adequate vantage point to see each and every hit.
[0003] In addition to the inherent inaccuracy of referees, it is also generally expensive to use a referee. Although high-level competitions can often justify the expense of a referee, there are many other situations in which participants may wish to have a sparring or practice session scored without the expense and logistic effort that is required to find and use a qualified referee. Of course, the participants themselves could be used to score the contest, but the disadvantages associated with this type of scoring are obvious and many.
[0004] To mitigate some or all of the drawbacks associated with the use of referees, scoring devices can be used. In this regard, several factors must be considered when contemplating the use of a scoring target to measure hits in a fighting competition. Of utmost importance, of course, is the safety of the participants. Specific injuries that must be prevented include: injuries to the participant hitting the scoring target and injuries to the participant wearing the scoring target, to include injuries that may occur when a participant “misses” with a hit and strikes an area adjacent to the scoring target.
[0005] In addition to satisfying the various safety considerations, the scoring device must not interfere with the competition. With this in mind, a lightweight scoring device is generally desired. Furthermore, a desirable scoring device is a device that is capable of being positioned on the participant in a manner wherein the participant's range of motion is not restricted. Also, a desirable scoring device would have a target that is secured to the participant at a predetermined target area, such as the center of the participant's chest. Moreover, it is desirable to prevent movement of the scoring target from the predetermined target area to allow the opponent to predict the location of the target.
[0006] In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scoring device for a fighting competition that overcomes the subjective, non-uniform nature of referee scoring. Another object of the present invention is to provide a scoring device for a fighting competition that can be used without causing injuring to either participant. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a scoring device for a fighting competition that is capable of indicating or recording hits to a target area on a participant. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a scoring device for a fighting competition that does not hinder or interfere with the movements of the participants. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a scoring device that distinguishes between relatively light hits and those hits that would most likely be fatal if an unpadded opponent was subjected to the hit. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a scoring device for a fighting competition that is easy to use, relatively simple to manufacture and comparatively cost effective.
[0007] The present invention is directed to a scoring device that can be worn by a participant during a fighting competition to indicate or record hits to a target area on the participant. In accordance with the present invention, the scoring device includes a base shirt, a chest pad and a target. In functional overview, each participant wears a scoring device in place of a standard shirt during a competition, with the object of the competition being to hit the opposing participant's target. When the target is hit, an indicator that can include but is not limited to, a light or bell is temporarily activated. If desired, the hit can be recorded on a counter.
[0008] In greater structural detail, the scoring device preferably includes a sleeveless base shirt made of a relatively lightweight fabric. The shirt is preferably sleeveless to prevent the shirt from interfering with the participant's range of motion. Like a standard, sleeveless pullover shirt, the shirt for the present invention includes an opening for each arm and an opening for the participant's head and neck. As intended for the present invention, the shirt also includes a front portion having an upper front portion for covering the participant's chest, and may contain a lower portion for covering the participant's stomach. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the upper front portion of the shirt also covers the front of the participant's shoulders. Additionally, the shirt includes a back portion for covering the participant's back including the rear portion of the participant's shoulders. The shirt can be further characterized as having an inner surface that faces the participant's skin when the shirt is worn and an opposed outer surface.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, the chest pad is attached to the outer surface of the shirt to cover the upper front portion of the shirt. Preferably, the chest pad is made of an elastomeric material to absorb impact energy and thereby protect the participant's chest from opponent blows. Suitable elastomeric material for the chest pad can include, but is not limited to, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane foam and other materials known in the pertinent art that have shock attenuating properties similar to, or better than, natural rubber.
[0010] In greater structural detail, the chest pad is formed with an inner surface for contact with the shirt and an outer surface. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the chest pad is molded onto the shirt to thereby bond the chest pad to the shirt. Alternatively, a suitable adhesive can be used to bond the chest pad to the shirt. If desired, a texture can be formed in the outer surface of the chest plate to further promote the absorption of impact energy. Importantly, the chest pad is formed with an attachment area, free of surface texture, to allow the target to be attached to the chest pad. Preferably, the attachment area is located at the center of the chest pad. More specifically, with the chest pad attached to the base shirt, the attachment area is located approximately midway between the shirt openings that are provided for the participant's arms and directly below the hole that is provided for the participant's head and neck.
[0011] For the present invention, the target is attached to the chest pad at the attachment area. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hook and loop fastening system is used to removably attach the target to the chest pad. Use of the hook and loop fastening system accommodates a competition in which a point is awarded for successfully removing and capturing an opponent's target. In greater structural detail, the target is preferably shaped as a solid elliptical dome having an elliptical base and is made of an elastomeric material such as polyurethane foam. Typically, the elliptical base of the target will have a major axis and a minor axis that are approximately 4.5 and 3.0 inches respectively.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a sensor is embedded in the elastomeric target to produce an electrical signal when the target is hit. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the sensor includes two electrical contacts that are embedded in the elastomeric material and spaced apart at a predetermined distance. The contacts are each electrically connected to an electrical circuit that includes a battery and a radio-frequency transmitter. When the target is hit, the elastomeric material compresses and causes the contacts to touch each other and close the electrical circuit. This closing of the electrical circuit activates the transmitter causing the transmitter to broadcast a radio-frequency signal.
[0013] The scoring device can also include a remote receiver/indicator assembly that can include a receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal, an indicator, a power supply such as a battery and an electrical circuit. The remote receiver/indicator assembly can be positioned away from the participants, for example at ringside, and is configured to provide an indication in response to the receipt of a radio-frequency signal from the transmitter. Typical indicators for use in the present invention can include, but are not limited to, indicator light(s), audible indicators such as a bell or buzzer, LED readouts or any other type of indicator known in the pertinent art. If desired, a counter can be incorporated in the electrical circuit to register each indication and thereby count the number of target hits.
[0014] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
[0015]
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[0025]
[0026] Referring initially to
[0027] As best seen with reference to
[0028] With cross-reference to
[0029] As best seen with cross-reference to
[0030] Comparing
[0031] With reference now to
[0032] As best seen in
[0033] Referring now to
[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, a sensor/transmitter assembly
[0035] For this embodiment, a receiver/indicator assembly
[0036] It is contemplated by the present invention that two or more participants may be simultaneously using a scoring device in which case it will generally be necessary for the receiver/indicator assembly
[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in
[0038] While the particular Scoring Device for Fighting Sports as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.