GB2388187A

GB2388187A - Optical height measurement usable for high jump athletes and pole vaulters

Info

Publication number: GB2388187A
Application number: GB0200114A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Stanley Glover; Sarah Jayne Glover
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-04
Filing date: 2002-01-04
Publication date: 2003-11-05
Also published as: GB0200114D0

Abstract

The apparatus (10) measures vertical height of a signal interruption comprising a transmission means (22), for transmitting a light signal and a receiver means (24), such as IR receiver arranged to receive the signal whereby physical interruption of the signal enables a calculation means (28) to calculate the vertical height of the interruption. This may be from the ground level or a height cleared off the pole level by an athlete performing a high jump or pole vault. The apparatus may comprise a first and a second supports (18, 20) between which a bar (16) is supported. The transmission (22) means may be located adjacent to the first support (18), and be movably mounted to this support. The receiver (24) may be located adjacent to the second support (20), and be movably mounted to this support. The transmission means may comprise of a single transmitter or a plurality of transmitters. It may also be arranged to transmit a planar signal which may extend vertically upwards. The apparatus may comprise a display means(30) to show measured heights.

Description

1 2388187

Measurement Apparatus Field of the Invention

5 The present invention relates to measurement apparatus, an assembly comprising measurement apparatus and a method of measuring.

Background of the Invention

In athletics and in particular the high jump, a bar is supported at a specific height in order for the high jumper to attempt to jump over the bar without the bar falling off the support. If successful, the high jumper 5 is given a cleared height equal to that of the height of the bar. However, the high jumper may actually have cleared a greater height by clearing the bar by a distance. The next height that the high jumper will attempt will be a few centimetres above the previous 20 height of the pole. This height may actually have been cleared on a previous jump. Accordingly, the high jumper may have to waste energy jumping a height that they have previously jumped in the competition. Furthermore, records such as personal bests or competition or world 25 records may not accurately reflect the actual height jumped. Finally, other athletes, for example decathletes or heptathletes may not actually gain the correct number of points for the actual height jumped which may be crucial. It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether

referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, 5 there is provided measurement apparatus for measuring the vertical height of a signal interruption comprising transmission means for transmitting a signal and receiver means arranged to receive the signal whereby physical interruption of the signal enables calculation means to lo calculate the vertical height of the interruption.

Preferably, the interruption is caused by an athlete.

Preferably, the athlete is performing a high jump or may be performing a pole vault.

Preferably, the calculation means calculates the vertical height from the ground of the interruption.

Preferably, the calculation means calculates the JO vertical height cleared by the athlete Preferably, the apparatus comprises a first support and a second support. Preferably, a bar extends between the first support and the second support. Preferably, the 25 first support is arranged, in use, to be spaced from the second support by approximately 4 metres. The bar may be slightly less than metres in length.

Preferably, the transmission means is located adjacent 30 to the first support. Preferably, the receiver means is located adjacent to the second support.

The transmission means may be movably and preferably slidably mounted to the first support by mounting means.

The receiver means may be movably and preferably 5 slidably mounted to the second support by mounting means.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises a bracket.

The mounting means may comprise a sleeve adapted to extend around the periphery of the first or second support. The lo mounting means may comprise a support portion arranged, in use, to support a longitudinal end of a bar extending between the first support and the second support. The mounting means may comprise engagement means spaced from the sleeve in order to retain an upper part of the 5 transmission means and/or the receiver means to the first and/or second support.

Preferably, the signal comprises an infrared signal.

20 Preferably, the transmission means comprises a single transmitter. Preferably, the transmission means is arranged to transmit a planar signal. Preferably, the planar signal extends vertically upwards and may extend vertically upwards by greater than 5cm and preferably by 25 greater than lOcm and more preferably by approximately 20cm. The planar signal may extend vertically upward by less than 50cm and preferably by less than 30cm. The width of the plant signal may be approximately 3cm. The planar signal preferably extends from the first support to 30 the second support. The planar signal preferably extends from the transmission means to the receiver means.

The transmission means may comprise a plurality of transmitters and more preferably a plurality of infrared transmitters. The transmitters may be spaced vertically.

Preferably, the transmission means comprises more than 10 5 transmitters and preferably less than 30. Preferably, the transmission means comprises approximately 20 transmitters. Preferably, the transmitters are arranged to transmit signals such that each transmitter transmits a signal for centimetre heights i.e. a first transmitter for lo lam, a second transmitter for 2cm, a third transmitter for 3cm and so forth.

Preferably, the receiver means comprises a plurality of receivers or sensors and more preferably a plurality of 5 infrared receivers. Preferably, the receivers are disposed vertically by lam relative to each other. The receiver means may comprise more than 10 receiver and preferably less than 30 receivers and more preferably comprises approximately 20 receivers.

Each receiver may be arranged to receive a signal from a single corresponding transmitter.

Preferably, the calculation means detects the height 25 of the highest receiver which did not experience an interruption of the received signal in order to calculate the maximum cleared height.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises display means in 30 order to display the calculated height.

s Preferably, the apparatus comprises indicator means to indicate whether the transmission means is in communication with the receiver means.

5 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a first support, a second support and a bar arranged to be supported therebetween, the assembly comprising measurement apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the lo present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring the height of a signal interruption comprising transmitting a signal from 15 transmission means to receiving means and calculating the height of a physical interruption of at least a part of the signal.

Preferably, the method comprises calculating the 20 height of a jump of an athlete. Preferably, the method comprises calculating the height cleared by an athlete performing a high jump or a pole vault.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: 30 Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention ready for use.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the 5 present invention after use.

Figure 4 is an embodiment of display means for use in an embodiment of the present invention ready for use.

lo Figure 5 is an embodiment of display means for use in an embodiment of the present invention after use.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective front view of part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 7, a high jump assembly 10 comprises a first vertical support 12 and a second vertical support 14 having a horizontal high jump bar 16 extending therebetween. As with conventional high 25 jump assemblies the longitudinal ends of the high jump pole 16 are supported on support brackets 18, 20 slidably mounted on the first and second vertical supports 12, 14.

The first and second vertical supports are spaced from each other by 4 metres.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes measurement apparatus in order to determine the exact height that a high jumper actually jumps at the

location between the two vertical supports 12, 14.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic high jump measurer (EHJM).

5 The measurement apparatus comprises transmission means 22 or sender means located adjacent to a first vertical support 12 and receiver means 24 located adjacent to the other vertical support 14. The transmission means 22 transmits a signal 26 horizontally across to the receiver lo means 24 whereby the signal 26 is transmitted and received over an extended vertical distance. Accordingly, as the high jumper jumps and clears the high jump bar 16, the signal 26 will be broken or interrupted where the high jumper passes through the signal 26, assuming that the 15 high jumper does not also clear the upper extent of the signal 26.

Calculation means 28 connected to the receiver means 24 then calculates the lowest part of the signal 26 that 20 was not broken or interrupted by the high jumper at the location vertically above the high jump bar 16 in order to measure the actual height that the high jumper cleared.

The measurement apparatus includes display means 30 to display the actual cleared height to a user.

The transmission means 22 comprises an infrared transmitter and the receiver means 24 comprises an infrared receiver. The transmission means 22 may comprise a single infrared transmitter. The receiver means 24 may 30 comprise a number of individual infrared receivers vertically disposed. The receiver means 24 preferably comprises twenty lam sensors. Accordingly, the receiver

( means 24 is able to measure the height of an interruption of the signal to the nearest centimetre.

In a further embodiment, the transmitter means may 5 comprise 20 infrared transmitters and the receiver means may comprise 20 infrared receivers with each respective pair of infrared transmitter and infrared receiver being aligned to correspond with one centimetre steps such that the measurement apparatus is able to record the actual lo height jumped to the centimetre to a distance of 20 centimetres above the height of the high jump bar 16.

As shown in Figure 2, prior to use, the measurement apparatus is operated in order to create an invisible 5 signal blanket or planar signal area of infrared light extending from the transmission means 22 to the receiver means 24. The signal blanket extends upwardly for 20 centimetres from the high jump bar 16, for example the high jump bar 16 may be supported at 2 metres 10 20 centimetres and the signal blanket extends up to a height of 2 metres 30 centimetres. Accordingly, the planar signal area extends upwardly for 20cm, across the width for approximately 4 metres and has a depth of substantially 3cm.

The measurement apparatus may also comprise indicator means located adjacent to one of the vertical support poles 12, 14 in order to indicate that the receiver means 24 is receiving the transmitted signal 26 throughout the 30 vertical height and also demonstrates the maximum vertical position being detected. The indicator means may comprise a number of lights 32 which light up when the receiver means 24 is correctly receiving the signal 26, for example

the indicator means may comprise 20 indicating lights in order to correspond to each transmitter-receiver pair for each centimetre.

5 As the high jumper passes over the high jump bar 16, the high jumper will interrupt some of the blanket of infra red light. This is detected by the receiver means 24. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the high jumper may actually achieve a maximum height of 2 metres 21 0 centlmetres rather than the 2 metres 10 centimetres indicated by the high jump bar 16 remaining in position.

The vertical height of the greatest uninterrupted infrared signal is then taken as the actual height achieved. In addition, the indicator lights of those receivers which 15 detected an interruption will go out to visually indicate the height achieved or cleared.

As shown in Figure 4, the measurement apparatus comprises display means 30 in order to display the actual JO height to a user. The display means preferably comprises a hand held unit 32 having a display area 34 and input means 36. The hand-held unit 32 preferably also includes the aforementioned calculation means 23. The hand held unit 32 may be a remote control unit run off battery power 25 or may use mains power and have a wire flex extending from the hand-held unit 32 to receiver means 24. The input means enables the height of the high jump bar to be inputted into the hand held unit in order for the screen to then graphically display the vertical coverage of the 30 blanket of infrared i. e. from 2 metres 10 centimetres to 2 metres 30 centimetres. Once the high jump has been completed the display screen 34 displays the portion of the infrared blanket that has not been interrupted, as

shown in Figure 5. The display unit 32 can then be reset either for the next competitor or the height of the high jump bar 16 may be adjusted and re-entered into the display unit 32.

As shown in Figure 6, the transmitter means 22 may be mounted on the first support 12 for the high jump bar 16.

The transmitter means and receiver means 14 are mounted spaced from the longitudinal ends of the high jump bar 16 lo (for example by 2cm) so as not to interfere with the high jump bar and to prevent it from being dislodged. The lower end of the transmitter may be supported or mounted on the support bracket 18 for supporting one longitudinal end of the high jump bar 16. The support bracket 18 5 includes a sleeve 42 which encompasses the outer periphery of the first vertical support 12. The support bracket 18 also comprises locking means in order to lock the support bracket 18 relative to the first vertical support 12. The support bracket 18 is slidably mounted to the first 20 vertical support 12 in order to enable the high jump bar to be locked at different vertical heights. The support bracket 18 comprises a support portion 46 for supporting one longitudinal end of the high jump bar 16. The upper end of the transmission means 22 includes engagement means 25 44 in order to engage the first vertical support 12 at a location spaced from the support bracket 18. The engagement means 44 may comprise a sleeve extending around the first vertical support 12. This arrangement ensures that the transmitter means 22 remains vertical. In 30 addition, the transmitter means 22 is automatically moved when the support bracket 40 is moved. Accordingly, there is no requirement to re-calibrate the position of the transmitter means 22 relative to the high jump bar 16 each

time the high jump bar 16 is moved. Similarly, the receiver means 24 may be mounted to the second vertical support 14 on a support bracket 20 on the opposite side of the high jump assembly.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

which are open to public inspection with this lo specification, and the contents of all such papers and

documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and 5 drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

20 Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, 25 each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel 30 one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,

abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel

( combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claim"

1. Measurement apparatus for measuring the vertical height of a signal interruption comprising transmission 5 means for transmitting a signal and receiver means arranged to receive the signal whereby physical interruption of the signal enables calculation means to calculate the vertical height of the interruption.

lo 2. Measurement apparatus according to claim 1 in which the interruption is caused by an athlete.

3. Measurement apparatus according to claim 2 in which the athlete is performing a high jump or a pole vault.

4. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the calculation means calculates the vertical height from the ground of the interruption.

20 5. Measurement apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 when dependent upon claim 2 in which the calculation means calculates the vertical height cleared by the athlete.

25 6. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apparatus comprises a first support and a second support.

7. Measurement apparatus according to claim 6 in which a so bar extends between the first support and the second support.

8. Measurement apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the transmission means is located adjacent to the first support.

5 9. Measurement apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 in which the receiver means is located adjacent to the second support.

10. Measurement apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9 lo when dependent upon claim 8 in which the transmission means is movably mounted to the first support by mounting means. 11. Measurement apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10 15 when dependent upon claim 9 in which the receiver means is movably mounted to the second support by mounting means.

12. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the signal comprises an infrared signal.

13. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the transmission means comprises a single transmitter. 25 14. Measurement apparatus according to claim 13 in which the transmission means is arranged to transmit a planar signal. 15. Measurement apparatus according to claim 14 in which 30 the planar signal extends vertically upwards.

16. Measurement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in which the transmission means comprises a plurality of transmitters 5 17. Measurement apparatus according to claim 16 in which the transmitters are spaced vertically.

18. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the receiver means comprises a plurality of lo receivers.

19. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apparatus comprises display means in order to display the calculated height.

Be... 20. Measurement apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apparatus comprises indicator means to indicate whether the transmission means is in communication with the receiver means.

21. An assembly comprising a first support, a second support and a bar arranged to be supported therebetween, the assembly comprising measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim.

22. A method of measuring the height of a signal interruption comprising transmitting a signal from transmission means to receiving means and calculating the height of a physical interruption of at least a part of 30 the signal.

23. A method according to claim 22 in which the method comprises calculating the height of a jump of an athlete.

( 24. A method according to claim 23 in which the method comprises calculating the height cleared by an athlete performing a high jump or a pole vault.

5 25. Measurement apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.

26. An assembly substantially as herein described with lo reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings. 27. A method substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.