FR3122974A1 - Clothing for the practice of a sport with electric keys - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to clothing for practicing a sport with electric keys comprising at least one target portion, characterized in that said target portion comprises an insulating knitted inner layer of at least one yarn of a synthetic fiber and a knitted outer layer of at least one high density polyethylene yarn, with a density at least equal to 0.94, and of a conductive yarn of which at least the outer surface is conductive, and in that the inner and outer layers are connected to each other by an intermediate layer. The present invention also relates to a combat outfit comprising such a garment, as well as a method of using such combat outfits. Abstract Figure: Figure #1

Description

Clothing for the practice of a sport with electric keys

The present invention is in the field of sports with electric keys, such as blade combat sports such as fencing. It relates more particularly to clothing for the practice of a sport with electric keys.

Current fencing outfits consist of a special jacket and short pants that reach the level of the practitioner's knee, called the fencer. These outfits must comply with safety standards standardized and approved by the International Fencing Federation, such as the EN13567 standard intended for international competitions. These standards correspond to criteria of resistance to dynamic and static perforation.

In addition, the practice of saber and foil requires the use of conductive blades. These come in the form of light breastplates implemented in a fabric made conductive by the weaving of a copper or stainless steel wire. These breastplates are worn over outfits. Foil breastplates cover only the shooter's trunk while saber breastplates cover the entire upper body, arms included. Blades represent a significant additional cost to the shooter or the club. In addition, they represent a discomfort for the shooter who must put on an additional layer resulting in an increase in the weight of his outfit.

In current fencing, electric wires called "body wires" made up of three-wire cables terminated by dedicated connectors connect the weapons, the shell, the tip and the conductive lamé (in the case of foil and sabre) to the furler in the back or to a wireless fencing laptop. The body yarn is placed between the outfit and the shooter's undershirt. An additional cable connects the conductive mask to the electric breastplate in the case of the saber. These cables, apart from the inconvenience caused, are a constant source of failure and very often delay competitions when the shooter has to be absent for several minutes to replace a defective cable. He must then undress in order to remove and replace it.

No solution without a reel has yet achieved a reliability compatible with international competition practice. And winder solutions impose very restrictive limits, linked to the need to have conductive tracks on the ground.

Wireless solutions offer communications by radio. Such communications are unreliable and can easily be jammed by malicious bystanders. In addition, transmission delays are not compatible with fencing times, which are supposed to allow a hit from the opponent for a short time, a few tens of ms, after a first hit. Such a short time cannot be accurately measured between two radio transmissions.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, the document FR2913181 proposes a fencing outfit that does not require the use of a cuirass or lamé, and makes it possible to dispense with both the reel and the radio transmission. However, this outfit does not make it possible to obtain satisfactory performance in terms of resistance to dynamic and static perforation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a garment for combat sports with electric hits having an increased resistance to dynamic and static perforation, while avoiding the use of a breastplate or a lamé.

Another object of the present invention is to provide clothing for the practice of a sport with electric keys making it possible to dispense with both the use of a winder and radio transmission.

The object of the present invention is to respond at least in part to the aforementioned objects by proposing a garment whose target portions comprise a conductive outer layer, for the detection of bites, and an insulating inner layer. To this end, it proposes clothing for the practice of a sport with electric keys comprising at least one target portion, characterized in that the said target portion comprises an insulating knitted inner layer of at least one yarn of a synthetic fiber and a knitted outer layer of at least one high density polyethylene yarn, with a density greater than 0.94, and a conductive yarn of which at least the outer surface is conductive, and in that the inner and outer layers are connected to each other by an intermediate layer.

Thanks to these arrangements, the hits made on the target portion can be detected thanks to the conductivity of the outer layer, the target portion being made of a light and comfortable and elastic textile (stretch). The use of a high-density polyethylene yarn gives very good results in terms of mechanical resistance to the piercing of the conductive layer.

According to other characteristics:

• said conductive wire may comprise a core of plastic material, covered with a conductive material, which makes it possible to improve the mechanical characteristics of this wire,
• said plastic material may be a polyamide, which constitutes a simple and robust embodiment of the invention,
• said conductive material may be a metal, preferably silver, which constitutes a simple and robust embodiment of the invention,
• said at least one yarn of a synthetic fiber can be a polyester yarn, preferably with a count of between 400 and 600 dtex, which makes it possible to give it satisfactory tenacity, and in particular respecting the EN13567 standard,
• said garment can be a jacket, or pants, or a mask, which allows it to be adapted to any type of sport with electric keys,
• said garment may be a mask, and said mask may be a full-face type, configured to surround a user's head on the top, both sides and the back, and said mask has a closure, preferably a "zipper" closure (registered trademark), configured to allow the mask to be opened and closed to put it on or take it off, which simplifies the use of the mask, while also protecting the back of the head.

The present invention also relates to a combat outfit for sports with electric buttons comprising at least one garment according to the invention, a controller, a low-frequency transmitter and a low-frequency receiver.

Thanks to these provisions, hits can be detected directly by the combat gear, without the use of a metal track.

According to other characteristics:

• said combat outfit may include at least two garments according to the invention, and means of electrical connection between the conductive wires of said two garments, which makes it possible to adapt it to any type of sport with electric keys.

The present invention finally relates to a method for using at least two outfits according to the invention by two users, and comprising the following steps:

• where appropriate, detection of said key by said controller,
• emission of a low frequency signal by the transmitter of the first user,
• transmission of said low frequency signal via at least a first body wire electrically connecting said transmitter to an authorized surface,
• touch of an authorized surface of the first user on a target portion of the second user,
• transmission of said low-frequency signal to a conducting wire of the second user's outfit,
• transmission of said low frequency signal from said conductive wire to the receiver of the second user via at least one second body wire electrically connecting said conductive wire to said receiver,
• preferably, transmission by said controller of the second user of an order to switch on at least one light-emitting diode arranged on a mask of the outfit of the second user via at least one connecting wire electrically connecting said controller to said light emitting diode.

Thanks to these provisions, hits can be detected directly by the combat gear, without the use of a metal track.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended figures in which:

The is a cross-sectional view of a target portion of a garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The is an overview of a combat outfit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The garment according to the invention is intended to be worn by the practitioner of a sport with electric keys. This sport can for example be a sport with blades, such as fencing practiced with foil, epee or sabre. It can also be a punch or kick sport.

The garment has at least one target portion. According to the rules of the sport practiced, the target portion can be located on different parts of the practitioner's body. These are preferably the parts of the body on which a hit is considered valid and counted.

The target portion, a cross-sectional view of which is shown in , comprises an insulating inner layer 1, located inside the garment, and an outer conductive layer 2, located outside the garment.

The inner layer 1 is made by knitting at least one yarn of a synthetic fiber. The synthetic fiber is for example a polyester fiber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the knit of the inner layer comprises three polyester threads. A knit made of at least one polyester yarn makes it possible to obtain improved resistance to static or dynamic perforation. The at least one polyester yarn has a count preferably between 400 and 600 dtex. The polyester may be a high tenacity polyester.

The outer layer 2 is made by knitting a high density polyethylene (HDPE) yarn and a conductive yarn.

The high-density polyethylene thread confers very good characteristics on the outer layer 2. A high-performance polyethylene can preferably be used, for example with a density greater than 0.94, and a molar mass greater than 1,000,000 g. /mol, with even better characteristics.

The conductive wire has a conductive outer surface, for example made of metal. The metal can be silver, which makes it possible to obtain a very high conductivity while being robust. For example, a product of the brand X-Static (registered trademark) or Shieldex (registered trademark) is used.

The conductive wire may for example comprise a core in a plastic material, for example polyamide, covered with a conductive material forming the conductive outer surface.

The inner 1 and outer 2 layers are connected by an intermediate layer 3, made for example of a synthetic fiber yarn.

The target portion can be made on a double needle circular knitting machine. This makes it possible to produce a textile in double-sided construction by perfectly isolating the two sides of the product, here the inner 1 and outer 2 notches, in a definitively distinct manner.

The composition of the target portion makes it possible to provide protection satisfying the EN13567 standard, while having a perfectly conductive surface. For a practitioner equipped with an outfit made with the garment according to the invention, the detection of a touch amounts to detecting a touch on the outer layer 2 of the knit. It is therefore not necessary to practice the sport on a conductive track.

The garment according to the invention can, depending on the sport for which it is intended, be a jacket, trousers or a mask 4.

In the case where said garment is a mask 4, as shown in , the mask 4 is preferably of the integral type, that is to say it surrounds the head of the user on the top, on the sides and on the back. Provision can then be made for the mask 4 to include a closure 5 configured to allow the mask to be opened and closed to put it on or take it off. The closure 5 is preferably a “Zipper” (registered trademark) closure, which has the advantage of being easy to use and robust. The closure 5 is for example located on the side of the mask 4, along a grid 6. The back of the mask 4 can comprise a plastic protection part of the ABS type (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and a foam for the shock absorption.

A battle dress, illustrated in , can be achieved by grouping at least one garment according to the invention, a controller 7, a low frequency transmitter 8 and a low frequency receiver 9. The controller 7, the transmitter 8 and the receiver 9 can be grouped together in a device 10. When using combat gear, the device 10 can for example be placed in a rear trouser pocket.

In the present application, the expression low frequency designates a frequency comprised between 50 and 300 kHz, typically of the order of 100 kHz. Such a frequency allows signal transfer by simple contact between two conductive parts.

The ground of the device 10 can be connected to the soles of the practitioner's feet by two ground wires 11 each integrated into a trouser leg. On the side of the device 10, the ends of the two ground wires 11 can be connected together and end with a connection means such as a banana plug, which can be connected to the device 10. On the side of the feet, the ground wires 11 can be sewn to a first conductive Velcro 12 at each end and the connection to the feet can be made using socks comprising a second conductive Velcro 13 connected to a conductive fabric sewn into the sock and in contact with the soles. The ground wires 11 thus lead inside the socks to touch the soles of the feet, so that the mass of the human body constitutes the earth.

The transmitter 8 is preferably electrically connected to an authorized conductive surface 14 forming the keys, for example via a first body wire 15. Depending on the sport, the authorized surface 14 varies. The authorized surface 14 is that with which blows can be struck, for example the point for epee and foil, or the point and the whole of the blade for sabre; it can be a part of a glove and/or a slipper for sports for which the blows can be carried out by the fist or the foot.

The receiver 9 is preferably electrically connected to at least one conductive wire of the outer layer 2, for example via a second body wire 16.

Thus during a touch of a first practitioner on the target portion of a second practitioner, a low frequency signal can be emitted by the transmitter 8, and travel the first body wire 15 to the authorized conductive surface 14 of the first practitioner. Being a low frequency signal, the signal will be transmitted well to the conductive wire of the target portion of the second practitioner. The signal then travels through the second body wire 16, to reach the receiver 9 of the second practitioner.

The controller 7 of the second practitioner, having the information of a detected hit, can process this data in various ways in order to transmit it to the practitioners and/or to a referee. The controller 7 can for example transmit an order to a display means, or even to a sound emitting means. In a preferred embodiment, the outfit comprises a helmet 4 comprising at least one light-emitting diode 17 and a connection wire 18 electrically connecting the controller 7 and the light-emitting diode 17. Upon detection of a key, the controller 7 can then issue an ignition order to the light-emitting diode 17.

The different elements of combat clothing comprising target portions can be linked together by conductive Velcro. Thus, it is sufficient for only one of the elements to be electrically connected to the receiver 9 by the second body wire 16, the other elements being connected indirectly to the receiver 9 via the conductive Velcro. For example in the embodiment of the , the jacket is connected directly to the transmitter 9, by the body wire 16. The pants and the jacket are connected by a third conductive Velcro 19, placed on the pants side, and a fourth conductive Velcro 20, placed on the jacket side, and the jacket and the helmet are connected by a fifth conductive Velcro 21, placed on the jacket side, and a sixth conductive Velcro 22, placed on the helmet side 4.

The first body wire 15 and second body wire 16 can be connected to each other at their end on the casing side 10. Thus only one connection is necessary to the casing 10 for the two body wires 15, 16. The connection of the body wires 15 , 16 to the housing 10 can for example be made by a three-pin plug. The first body wire 15 can then be connected to the authorized surface 14 via a two-pin plug, for example a hilt plug located on a sword, and the second body wire 16 can be connected for example to a jacket via a crocodile clip.

Depending on the sport practiced, the controller 7 can discriminate against certain hits which should not be counted, for example a second hit performed in a short time interval after a first hit. The controller can then simply ignore the detection of such keys.

The combat outfit may include at least two garments according to the invention. It is then possible to arrange an electrical connection means between the conductive wires of their respective target portions. Thus it is not necessary to directly connect each conductive wire to the receiver 9.

The battle dress may include a sword whose shell is a molded or printed ABS piece. Said guard socket can then be incorporated as a single piece in this part.

Two outfits according to the invention can be used by two practitioners according to a process comprising the following steps:

• touch of an authorized surface 14 of the first user on a target portion of the second user,
• where appropriate, detection of the hit by the controller 7. This detection is for example performed in the case of epee and foil. In these two disciplines, the authorized surface 14 is the tip of the blade, and can function as a push button thus acting as a means of detecting a touch. Other disciplines may or may not lend themselves to this detection step,
• transmission of a low frequency signal by the transmitter 8 of the first user. This transmission can be consecutive to a detection of a key, if there is a detection step as described above. In the absence of a detection step, the emission of the low frequency signal can be continuous, for example throughout a fight. One can for example provide a signal emitted a continuous when practicing the sword, for which the authorized surface 14 is the cutting edge and is not located at the tip of the blade,
• transmission of the low frequency signal via at least a first body wire 15 electrically connecting the transmitter 8 to the authorized surface 14, for example a blade 14,
• transmission of the low-frequency signal to a conducting wire of the second user's outfit,
• transmission of the low-frequency signal from the conductive wire to the receiver 9 of the second user via at least one second body wire 16 electrically connecting said conductive wire to said receiver 9,
• if applicable, validation or not of the key by the controller 7 of the second user,
• if the key is validated, transmission by the controller 7 of the second user of an ignition order to a display means. The display means can for example be at least one light-emitting diode 17 arranged on a mask 4 of the second user's outfit, and the order can be transmitted via at least one connection wire 18 electrically connecting said controller 7 to said light-emitting diode 17.

Although the description above is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting the scope of the invention, and modifications may be made, in particular by substitution of technical equivalents or by different combination of any or part of the characteristics developed above.

Claims (10)

Clothing for the practice of a sport with electric keys comprising at least one target portion, characterized in that the said target portion comprises an inner layer (1) made of knitted insulation of at least one yarn of a synthetic fiber and an outer layer (2) knitted with at least one high-density polyethylene yarn, with a density at least equal to 0.94, and a conductive yarn of which at least the outer surface is conductive, and in that the inner layers ( 1) and exterior (2) are interconnected by an intermediate layer (3). Clothing according to the preceding claim, in which the said conductive yarn comprises a core of plastic material, covered with a conductive material. Clothing according to the preceding claim, in which the said plastic material is a polyamide. Clothing according to one of Claims 2 or 3, in which the said conductive material is a metal, preferably silver. Clothing according to one of the preceding claims, in which the said at least one yarn of a synthetic fiber is a polyester yarn, preferably with a count of between 400 and 600 dtex. Clothing according to one of the preceding claims, in which said clothing is a jacket (4), or trousers, or a mask. Garment according to the preceding claim, wherein said garment is a mask (4), and said mask (4) is of the integral type, configured to surround a head of a user on the top, both sides and the back, and said mask comprises a closure (5), preferably a "Zipper" (registered trademark), configured to allow the mask (4) to be opened and closed to put it on or take it off. Combat clothing for sports with electric buttons comprising at least one garment according to one of Claims 1 to 7, a controller (7), a low-frequency transmitter (8) and a low-frequency receiver (9). Combat clothing for sports with electric buttons according to the preceding claim, comprising at least two garments according to one of Claims 1 to 7, and electrical connection means between the conductive wires of the said two garments. Method of using at least two outfits according to one of Claims 8 to 9 by two users, and comprising the following steps:

• touch of an authorized surface (14) of the first user on a target portion of the second user,
• where appropriate, detection of said key by said controller (7),
• transmission of a low frequency signal by the transmitter (8) of the first user,
• transmission of said low frequency signal via at least a first body wire (15) electrically connecting said transmitter (8) to an authorized surface (14),
• transmission of said low-frequency signal to a conducting wire of the second user's outfit,
• transmission of said low frequency signal from said conductive wire to the receiver (9) of the second user via at least one second body wire (16) electrically connecting said conductive wire to said receiver (9),
• preferably, emission by said controller (7) of the second user of an order to switch on at least one light-emitting diode (17) placed on a mask (4) of the outfit of the second user via at least at least one connection wire (18) electrically connecting said controller (7) to said light emitting diode.