EP0174959A1 - Appareil de reglage de cadence - Google Patents

Appareil de reglage de cadence

Info

Publication number
EP0174959A1
EP0174959A1 EP85901296A EP85901296A EP0174959A1 EP 0174959 A1 EP0174959 A1 EP 0174959A1 EP 85901296 A EP85901296 A EP 85901296A EP 85901296 A EP85901296 A EP 85901296A EP 0174959 A1 EP0174959 A1 EP 0174959A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
indicating means
pacing apparatus
pool
actuation
operative
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85901296A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald Stanley Greves
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0174959A1 publication Critical patent/EP0174959A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/12—Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0686—Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/74—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/40—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
    • F21W2131/401—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use for swimming pools

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to pacing apparatus which in one aspect is particularly applicable for use in swimming training.
  • a clock having a large face or a digital clock is often employed and located in the vicinity of a swimming pool or training track so that the athlete or swimmer can personally monitor his or her progress.
  • This arrangement is not particularly satisfactory and does not allow constant monitoring without disrupting the training programme.
  • the present invention aims to overcome or alleviate at least some of the above disadvantages by providing pacing apparatus which enables a swimmer, athlete or other person to constantly monitor his or her rate of progress along a desired path such as along the length of a pool or around an athletics track.
  • the present invention also aims to provide apparatus for use in a training programme in which the pace of the athlete or swimmer in training can be varied or regulated to any desired extent either by the person in training or by a coach.
  • this invention resides broadly in pacing apparatus including a plurality of indicating means adapted to be located at spaced apart positions along a desired path; means for actuating each said indicating means to render said indicating means operative and control means associated with said actuating means and operable to cause said indicating means to be rendered operative in sequence along said desired path at a desired rate determined by the desired pace to be maintained.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the training apparatus of the present invention associated with a swimming pool
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one form of visual indicating means employed in the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the visual indicating means illustrated in
  • FIG. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate in perspective and sectional view the general layout of a controller for the training apparatus
  • Fig. 6 illustrates the key pad functions of the controller
  • Fig. 7 illustrates the switching network for the visual indicating means
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a circuit diagram of the controller for the apparatus.
  • the apparatus 10 includes a controller 12 associated with visual indicating means 13 which in this instance includes a sealed transparent or translucent flexible tubular member 14 which is located within the pool 11 to extend along the floor thereof as illustrated, or which alternatively is provided with a plurality of weights hanging therefrom so as to permit the buoyant tubular member 14 to be suspended at a desired depth within the pool 11.
  • the tubular member 14 extends the full length of the pool and is preferably located centrally within a normal swimming lane of the pool.
  • anchors (not shown)are provided at the ends of the tubular member 14 to maintain the member 14 fully stretched out for the pool length.
  • the member 14 may be attached to fittings located at opposite ends of the pool.
  • the tubular member 14 is sealed at one end by a plug 15 and at its opposite end by a plug 16 which is apertured at 17 to receive a flexible electrical supply cable 18 therethrough.
  • the flexible cable 18 passes through a sealing gland plug 19 which is operable to compress an 0-ring seal 20 between the end plug 16 and the cable 18 so as to ensure the interior of the tubular member 14 is fully sealed.
  • any convenient means may be used to seal the end plugs 15 and 16 to the tubular members such as by clamps or adhesives.
  • a plurality of light emitting devices 21 which in this instance comprise 12V IOW festoon lamps or bulbs.
  • the lamps 21 receive current through the wires 22 of the cable 1-8 and as shown the wires 22 are preferably tied off at each end on to anchors 23 fixed to the respective end plugs 15 and 16 to prevent the displacement of the lamps 21 from their fixed positions.
  • the controller 12 is operative to apply current sequentially to the respective lamps 21 so that the respective lamps are illuminated in turn and in sequence from one end of the pool 11 to the opposite end thereof and from the opposite end of the pool to the first end and so on at a desired rate so that a person say in swimming training can determine the pace required to keep up with the respectively lit lamps 21.
  • the controller 12 includes an outer casing 24 having mounted therein transformers 25 for supplying both current for the illumination of the lamps 21 and also for supplying a microprocessor board assembly 26 which is operable in conjunction with a key pad 27 mounted on an external face of the casing 22 to control the switching of the lamps 21.
  • the controller 12 also includes a liquid crystal display 28 to enable desired measurements to be presented as well as to enable the operator to enter certain commands into the microprocessor.
  • a start pad 32 on the pool blocks or coping at the starting end of the pool is also located within the casing 22 .
  • a touch pad is also located within the casing 22 .
  • Each pad includes a pressure responsive normally open switch which is closed when touched. In the case of the starting pad 32 the switch contacts open as soon as a swimmer leaves the starting blocks.
  • the microprocessor 35 on the microprocessor ' board 26 is software programmed to carry out the switching functions required under control of the key pad 27 which as shown in Fig. 6 is a 12 key telephone style key pad with each key having two functions, either functioning in accordance with the number printed on the key or exerting a control function as indicated.
  • the valve corresponding to the control function of that key is displayed. For example, if lap key 5 in Fig.
  • the value may then be changed by using the UP and DOWN keys (keys 3 and 9) whilst a new value may be entered by using the SET key
  • DELAY (key 4) provides a display of the delay between the indication of the start as sensed by the start pad 32 or alternatively by manual depression of a switch, say by a starter or coach, and the time the first lamp 21 in the tubular member comes on. This compensates for the fact that people dive faster than they swim and may be increased or decreased by keying in the required start delay. For example, if a 2.5 second start delay is required, the START DELAY key 4 is depressed and the keys 2 and 5 then depressed with the ENTER key to enter a 2.5 second delay so that the first lamp 21 will not be switched on until 2.5 seconds after a start is sensed.
  • TURN DELAY key 7 which when depressed results in a display of the time delay between touching the turn pad 33 at the end of the pool and resumption of the normal sequencing of the lights 21 in the opposite direction to compensate for loss of time in turning at the end of a lap.
  • the TURN DELAY timing may also of course be varied in accordance with the turning time exhibited by different swimmers.
  • the LAP key 2 is operative when depressed to provide a display of the current time which has elapsed since the lap has started.
  • the INCREMENT key 8 displays the time between actuation of respective lamps 21 in the sequence so as to indicate the rate of switching of the lamps 21.
  • the INCREMENT key can be replaced by a key which enables the required lap time to be entered into the-microprocessor to thereby set the rate of operation of the lamps 21 in an alternative manner.
  • the CANCEL key may be used with the SET key if an error is made so that the controller will return to the point before the set key was pressed.
  • the lamps 21 are connected in the manner shown in Fig. 7, with one looped common wire 36 to reduce losses and four "live" wires 37 each of which receives current in turn, four wires being provided to ensure that the wires and lamps 21 may fit within the tubular member 12.
  • each live wire is controlled by a respective thyristor 30 in this case a SCR which is actuated by the microprocessor 35.
  • the microprocessor comprises a 68705P3 type which contains an internal EPROM that stores the programme, an internal
  • PORT A the liquid crystal display 28
  • PORT B the liquid crystal display 28
  • PORT C the liquid crystal display 28
  • terminals PAO to PA3 output a BCD digit 'code to select which character to display.
  • a respective BCD to 7 segment decoder driver for the LCD each decoder in this case being a CD4056 type.
  • Terminals PA4 to PA6 select the digit position 1 to 5 in the LCD in which the character is to be displayed.
  • terminals PA4 to PA6 are connected to a 14514 6-16 decoder used as a 3 to 8 decoder.
  • Terminal PA7 selects the decimal point for a particular digit. Data is latched into the 4056 decoder drivers on the falling edge of the select line so selecting the non-existent digit.000 will latch the data.
  • terminals PBO to PB3 control the operation of the lamps 21 in sequence by causing the respective thyristors 30 to turn on.
  • one of the output terminals PBO to PB3 is active at any one time so as to turn one thyristor 30 on which applies drive current to a selected lamp or paralleled lamps 21.
  • the active terminal is low whilst the other three terminals are high and the respective terminals become low in sequence to cause sequencing of the lamps 21.
  • Terminal PB4 comprises an input connected to the touch pad 34 at the starting end of the pool and a low input into terminal PB4 is interpreted as touching of the touch pad 34 by the swimmer.
  • Terminal PB5 comprises an input connected to the touch pad 33 at the far end of the pool whilst terminal PB6 is connected to an input start switch either comprising the starting pad 32 or a manually "actuated switch, or both in parallel.
  • Terminals PCO to PC2 of PORT C comprise the inputs from the keyboard 27 which are used in conjunction with terminals PAO to PA3 to scan the keyboard 27.
  • the other connections to the microprocessor comprise pin 2 which is tied high to a 5 volt supply to prevent interrupts occurring, pin 7 whichis tied low to earth and ORed with an internal clock to provide timing, pin 28 which provides power for re-set via a luF capacitor located in parallel with an optional switch to ground for resetting.
  • Pins 4 and 5 are connected to a 3.2768 MHz crystal which allows 100 interrupts per second which is necessary for time keeping.
  • Pin 6 is used for programming the internal EPROM.
  • the LCD has a 30-40 Hz square wave for operation provided by the 555 clock whilst diodes and resistors prevent damage if two keys are pressed simultaneously.
  • the user may control the speed of sequencing of the lights to any desired degree as well as alter the speed of sequencing during the training programme.
  • use of the touch pads at the ends of the pool enables a record to be kept of the last lap time, as well as causing the sequency of the lamps to be reversed, whilst many other variations can be made to the training programme by entering different start delays, turn delays or rates required into the microprocessor.
  • transparent or translucent coloured bands may be located about or within the tubular member adjacent each lamp 21 so that when submerged in a swimming pool illumination of the lamps will be clear. Furthermore, if desired, magnifying substances may be associated with the lamps to increase the light brilliance.
  • the tubular member 21 is located in a submerged attitude within the pool. and if desired may be located in a recess in the floor of the pool.
  • a housing for the lamps 21 which is sealed from the water in the pool may be integrally formed during pool construction.
  • a plurality of discrete lamps may be moulded into the pool floor or wall during construction.
  • the tubular member 21 may also be mounted on the floating lane markers of the pool at the water level of the pool so that the swimmer can ascertain the desired pace to be maintained by turning his or her head to one side observing the lamps 21 during the normal breathing actions.
  • the tubular member 21 may be suspended over the swimming pool and extend from one end of the pool to the other.
  • the tubular member 21 is simply looped about the track to function in a similar manner as above.
  • lighting means for example semi-conductor light sources such as light emitting diodes, or alternatively, fibreoptic techniques, may be employed to provide the required light sequencing.
  • all the light emitting devices may be initially in an on attitude and switched off one after the other.
  • the present invention provides apparatus particularly suitable for use in training programmes where a desired pace is required to be maintained.
  • the apparatus of course may be operated without the need for a trainer, with. the user merely selecting the desired pace, selecting the required start and turn delays and simply following the lights to programmed so that the pace may be increased or reduced over later laps of a training schedule.

Abstract

Appareil de réglage de cadence (10) à utiliser en premier lieu dans des piscines (11), comportant un boîtier (13) allongé, scellé et transparent, dans lequel sont placées une pluralité de lampes (21) qui sont éclairées en séquence d'une extrémité d'une piscine (11) à l'autre, si bien qu'un nageur peut voir les lampes (21) et maintenir la cadence de nage désirée en conformité avec la vitesse d'éclairage des lampes respectives (21).
EP85901296A 1984-03-01 1985-03-01 Appareil de reglage de cadence Withdrawn EP0174959A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU386384 1984-03-01
AU3863/84 1984-03-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0174959A1 true EP0174959A1 (fr) 1986-03-26

Family

ID=3694335

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85901296A Withdrawn EP0174959A1 (fr) 1984-03-01 1985-03-01 Appareil de reglage de cadence

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0174959A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1985003881A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2623723B1 (fr) * 1987-12-01 1991-07-26 Barani Didier Indicateur d'allure destine aux sportifs
GB8806239D0 (en) * 1988-03-16 1988-04-13 Pelydryn Ltd Curb for athletics track
GB2217483A (en) * 1988-03-22 1989-10-25 David Sanger Metronomic visual device
GB2293677A (en) * 1994-09-27 1996-04-03 Remo Tambaro Pace checking apparatus
US6960086B2 (en) * 2002-11-05 2005-11-01 Jean-François Bergeron Swim training apparatus and method
WO2008022356A1 (fr) * 2006-08-18 2008-02-21 Gruff Distribution Cc Dispositif de réglage d'allure pour athlètes
IT1399260B1 (it) 2009-04-20 2013-04-11 Buresta Sistema di segnalazione luminosa
FR2949071B1 (fr) * 2009-08-11 2012-09-28 Laurent Ducourtioux Dispositif lumineux mobile a cheminement programmable
GB2503679A (en) * 2012-07-03 2014-01-08 Byron James Douglas Goodsir A programmable visual training aid for swimmers
US9067121B1 (en) * 2012-10-02 2015-06-30 Donald G Beard Swim pacing device
GB2537174A (en) * 2015-04-10 2016-10-12 Aqualevo (Malta) Ltd Improvements in and relating to a swimming pool system
US10758804B2 (en) * 2017-12-18 2020-09-01 Pace Light, LLC Swimmer pacing apparatus
RO135148A2 (ro) * 2020-02-24 2021-08-30 Universitatea " Ştefan Cel Mare " Din Suceava Echipament pentru învăţarea întoarcerii în lecţiile de înot

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2557167A (en) * 1951-06-19 Position indicator system for race
JPS5918069B2 (ja) * 1976-09-01 1984-04-25 セイコーインスツルメンツ株式会社 水泳用ペ−ス・メ−カ
JPS5349478A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-05-04 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd Swimming pacemaker
JPS589387B2 (ja) * 1976-12-08 1983-02-21 セイコーインスツルメンツ株式会社 多人数用水泳ペ−スメ−カ
JPS5485777A (en) * 1977-12-20 1979-07-07 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd Pacemaker for swimming
US4215277A (en) * 1979-02-09 1980-07-29 Robert I. Weiner Sequencing light controller
GB2078116B (en) * 1980-06-21 1984-06-13 Bradford Derek Thomas Speed pacing aid for swimmers

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8503881A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1985003881A1 (fr) 1985-09-12

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