GB2448674A

GB2448674A - Target for indicating hits in fencing

Info

Publication number: GB2448674A
Application number: GB0606323A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denis Parton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2006-03-30
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-30
Also published as: GB0606323D0; GB2448674B

Abstract

A target for fencing or similar sport comprises a button or similar device which may be worn over or under the fencer's clothing. A hit detection means is included, connected to a display which shows by means of lights that a hit has been detected. The target may be touch sensitive and include a buzzer.

Description

( 2448674 Sword Targets This invention relates to a sword target device

or devices, and the targets can be detachable or non detachable.

Sword targets are well known in the sport or game of fencing with the target normally being the person who is fencing, and the sword may have a sensitive tip that activates when the sword comes into contact with the target. The activated tip of the sword records a score for the swordsman to observe. The score is usually recorded electronically and the electronic device usually provides a lit up scoreline to record each of the swordsmans score.

According to the present invention there is provided sword targets, with the targets being used when fencing, as in the sport or game of fencing. The sword targets are connected to various electrical relay apparatus so that when the target is struck by the sword the target itself lights up, or the material that the target is made from emits or transmitts light so that the swordsman can see visually when the target has been struck by his sword or her sword. The targets can be attached to the body of the swordsman, by resting or attaching to the swordsmans skin or the target devices can be attached to or rest on the clothing or drapes that the swordsman is wearing. The targets can be attached to the swordsman in any way that is considered suitable.

A specific embodiement of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which.

Figure 1, shows a perspective view of two swordsmen, who are fencing. The swordsmen on the right side of the picture is shown striking the opponents target with the tip of his sword. The targets are shown attached to the outer surfaces of the swordsmans clothing, but the targets can also be fitted to the underside of the swordsmans clothing, and would then be invisible to the swordsman. The targets can also be made from the material that is incorporated into the clothing that the swordsmen wear. The target mat 1 can also be touch sensitive so that the target activates and registers the sword coming into contact with the target material can be touch sensitive by using electrically charged and electrically sensitive to touch materials. The touch sensitive materials and components can be utilised in the sword or the body targets. Touch sensitive electrical currents can pass along a moist component or transmitted through water.

Figure 2, shows a frontal view or plan view of the sword target or targets as shown in Fig 1, and this view shows the central pressure button and the surrounding guideways and the chord or stitching that fastens the targets to the fencers or swordsmans tunic or vest.

Figure 3, shows a perspective view of the sword target or targets and this view shows the central pressure button and the surrounding guideways, and the chord or stitching that fastens the targets to the fencers or swordsmans tunic or vest.

Figure 4, shows the sword target attached to the torso of the swordsman by means of a harness, withe harness being attachable or can be placed over any garment or tunic that the swordsman would choose to wear.

Figure 5, shows the harness fastened in position on or onto the swordsmans back or rear torso.

Figure 6, shows a section view of the sword target assembly with the section taken through AA Fig 1.

Figure 7, shows an electrical circuit that can transmit an electrical current from the target to the electrical buzzer and the electricalscore display.

Figure 8, shows, multiple or multiples of target buttons with each button being sensitive to or can activate with pressure from the sword point, the buttons can also be assembled or fitted to the inside or underneath the swordsmans garments tunic, or other types of suit or clothing that he may wear.

Referring to the drawin9 Figure 1, shows two swordsmen, and each swswordsman of course has a sword, the swordsmen are 1, and the swords are 3. The swords are used to activate target or targets 2, and the targets become activated when the sword applies pressure to the target central button 8, when the button is activated a score is recorded, either on the target itself or on separate apparatus, with the apparatus being placed within the view of each swordsman, so that he or she can keep a check on the score.

The target central button or pad 8, is shown in figsl, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. When 8, is pressed the button or pad 8, comes into contact with 9, fig 6, and the gap is then closed so that the two terminals 11 and 12 become activated and the circuit that will trigger of the electrical scoreboard and or the electrical buzzer which provides the swordsmen with audio means of knowing that he has hit the target with his sword. The contact component9 is shown in fig 6, and the contact terminals 11 and 12 are shown in fig 6 also. When the pads or components 11 and 12 are in contact an electrical circuit will be created and an electrical current will pass between terminals 11 and 12 as shown in fig 6 and fig 7, with fig 7 being the circuit diagram and scoreboard display.

The circuit diagram shows the power source 14, which is a battery, and power is drawn from the battery when the terminals 11 and 12 are closed, and the current then travels along wire l5fig 7, and reaches coil 17 which will then increase the electrical power, to activate terminals 18, which will in turn operate the visual scoreboard system 13 fig 7. 3.

The electrical power is also increased when passing through coil 16 fig 7. The scoreboard 13 fig 7, provides the information as to which targets are being hit, by showing different scores for different targets, for instance if a target worth I point the numerals will add I to the existing score that is already recorded, but if the swordsman hits a target that is worth say 5 points, then 5 will be added to the existing score, and the scoreboard can display numerals 0 to 9, which means that high scores can be recorded. Also letters can be displayed on the scoreboard so that when a target is hit a letter will be added to the scoreboard. If say 6 targets where positioned on the swordsman, then the object of the game could be to hit all six targets A,B,C,D,E,F to win the game. The scoreboard could of course show the numerals 1,2,3,4,5 and 6, once all the targets have been hit. 20, figs 2 and 3 show the chord or stitching that is used to attach the swOrd targets to the garments or tunic that is worn by the swordsmen. The targets can of course be attached to the swordsman by any suitable means, which can include adhesive. The targets can also be held in place by a harness 19, figs 4 and 5,and as can be seen the harness 19 is attached to the target 8.fig 8 and in turn the harness is placed over the torso of the swordsmen 1, with the harness straps 20 holding the target 2 fig 4 close to the body. The targets can be detachable or non detachable from the harness, and in turn the harness can be detachable or non detachable from the swordsmans torso. Fig 4,shows the harness fitted over the shoulder of the swordsman and the target is positioned on the front area of the swordsman, but the targets can also be positioned on the sides of the swordsmen, but of course there is no need to fit the targets to the backs of the svrdsmen. Fig 5 shows the back of the swordsman and the harness 19 is fastened by fasteners 21, and these fasteners can be buckles, hook and loop fasteners or any other means of fastening the harness to the swordsman can be utilised. Another way of playing the game or the sport can be to use subsequently sized targets, and this would mean that the sword targets would all be different sizes,which would include the smallest target, -and a second target that would be larger, and then a third target that would be larger than the second, followed by a fourth target that would be larger than the third, and a fifth target that would be larger than the fourth, and so on. The swordsmen could start of by hitting the large target first then each of the subsequent smaller targets until the smallest target has been hit. The targets can be positioned in any position on the swordsnians torso or on any other part of his or her body or anatomy, and the targets can be held to the body by belts, straps or any other suitable means. Fig 8,shows target buttons 22 and these buttons cover substantially the whole of the front of the swordsmans torso and they could also cover substantially most of the swordsmans sides, the buttons 22 are situated very close together so that a score will be registered wherever the sword strikes on the area covered by all the targets, the same multiple target arrangement can be fixed to the underside of the vest or garment or tunicand a compressive layer of material such as sponge can be placed between the buttons and the body of the swordsman, the compressive layer of material will fit close to the body of the swordsman so that when the targets arestruck there will be enough resistance behind the buttons or pads to allow the allow the force of the sword to depress button or pad 8, figs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. onto the opposing pad 9 fig six,and thus creating an electrical circuit which in turn will operate the scoreboard. The target buttons 22 in fig 8 can each or collectively record any score that is decided upon. Section BB fig 9 is taken across the torso of the swordsman on the right fig 1, and the section BB fig 9 shows a section of the body and the apparatus covering the body and this illustrates targets which are positioned under the outer garment or fencing suit of the swordsman or woman. Section BB fig 1, shows the skin of the swordsman23, and covering the skin is 24 which can be a light vest but pressing against the vest lightly is the compressive layer of sponge 25, and lightly pressing onto the sponge 25 are the targets 26, and covering the targets is the swordsmans suit or fencing clothes, and these components will enable the whole apparatus to fit snugly to the swordsmans body so that when pressure is applied to 27, the targets 26 will compress sufficiently against 25, which is the sponge, and in turn a resistant reactive force will be generated from the internal pressure 28 which is provided by the pressure inside the body which will allow the target buttons enough resistance when pressed to make a electrical circuit and register a score on the scoreboard.

Figure 1, 1, are the swordsmen, fig 1, 2, are the body targets or sword targets, fig 1, 3 are the swordsmens swords that are used to strike the targets, fig 1, 4, the ground mat, used to prevent the swordsmen from slipping when fencing, fig 1, 5, is the swordsmens clothes, fig 1, 6, is the swordsmans belt or scabbard, fig 1, 7, is the swordsmans legs fig 1, 8, are the target pads or buttons that depress when struck with the sword. Fig 2, 5, are the swordsmans do clothes, fig 2, 8, are the target pads or buttons, fig 2, 15 is the electrical circuit wire, fig 2, 16, is an electrical crcuit wire also, fig 2, 20, is chord or stitching used to fasten the target to the clothes of the fencer, fig 2, 29 is the outer flange of the target which holds the chord or stitching, fig 2, 30 is an edge guide to allow the sword tip to enter the target area more easily fig 2. 31 is the guide edge to lead the sword directly onto the target button or pad fig 2 32 is the gap between the target button and target frame, the gap allows the button or pad to slide freely. Fig 3, 8, is a target pad, fig 3, 20 is chord or stitching.

2, can be made from plastic and metal, 3 can be steel, 4, can be rubber, 5 can be woven cloth, 6, can be cloth 7, can be cloth, 8, can be plastic or metal, 9, can be plastic or metal, 10, can be the atmosphere, 11 can be made from copper, 12, can be copper, 13, can be copper, 14 can be copper, 15, can be copper, 16, can be copper, 17 can be copper, 18 can be copper, 13 can be plastic, glas metal, 19 can be leather, 20 can be leather, 21 can be plastic or metal, 22, can be plastic or metal, 23 is human skin, 24 is cloth, 25 is sponge, 26 is plastic, 27, is cloth, 28 is the inner body organs 29 is plastic 30, is plastic, 31 is plastic 32, is atmosphere 33, is atmosphere. 5.

All the components 2 to 33, can be made from any suitable elements or suitable material other than already stipulated material.

The size of the target buttons is approx 5inches diameter, but of course they can be any diameter that is considered suitable.

The harness is of course human body size.

The components mentioned in this patent can be made to any design that may be thought suitable for the component purpose, which of course means that all the components are not restricted to the existing or designs mentioned in this patent.

The targets or sword targets can comprise of individual groups of targets with the groups being seperately spaced, or the targets ca can be individual single targets, the targets could also be in adjacently joined positions so that the targets cover substantially the whole of the designated areas, The single targets already illustrated could have multiple targets within the existing circular frame, and the targets can be arranged into any format or game pattern. The targets can be of any shape or suitable size. The targets in the drawings are circular. The power supply source are batteries but the supply can be mains supply and a transformer can be used instead of a battery.

When the power supply is mains a relay cable can be attached to the swordsman or swordsmans apparatus or target apparatus and of course connected to a mains socket supply or other connection. When batteries are used the batteries and electrical circuit can be contained within the targets, but also when using batteries a relay cable can be taken from the targets to a separate scoreboard which can be seen by the swordsmen. The electrical scoreboard provides an electrically lighted display which on existing fencing equipment is usually the colour that is determined by the brightness of the light, which is usually white or shades of yellow but the lit up scoreboard can be any other colour such as pink, purple, green, red, blue, turqois, brown amber, or any colour at all. Each of the two players can select a colour which can be linked to his or her score on the scoreboard. The electrical currents used on this apparatus can be AC or DC or any other current.

All the components that are needed to form the sword targets 1, to 33 can be made mainly from plastic or metal but any other suitable material or elements can be used. The target buttons shown in fig 8, 22, can be on the outside of the swordsmans clothing or on the inside or underneath the swordsmans clothing.

All the components I to 33 can be detachable or non detachable, they can be detachable or non detachable to their partnering or corresponding components I to 33 or they can be detachable or non detachable to the swordsman or the swordsmans clothing. The targets can be placed anywhere on the swordsmans body, but, they would normally be fixed to the front and side of the swordsmans torso. The targets can all be the same size, or they could all be different sizes, or the targets could include some of the same size and some different from the same sized ones, for instance if there was six targets, two could be the same size and the remaining targets could all be different from each other and different from the two that are the same, so the targets can be a combination of any sizes. The targets that light up when struck by the sword can provide a good game because the swordsman can see which targets he has hit and these could be considered dead or non scorable, until all the targets are lit, and when all the targets are lit the game is finished. To determine which swordsman is which using external apparatus or apparatus that is connected to the swordsman, a display can be utilised and each player can be represented by a coloured light, a letter, a number or by any other means.

Touch sensitive targets can be used which include electrical wires and terminals inside the targets or on the outside of the targets, and to activate these the top of the sword can be used which can be moist or contain water or other fluid that would complete the electrical circuit in the targets, when the sword tip comes into contact with the targets, the sword tip can also be electrified if need be. Fig 7, 34 shows an electrical circuit that could be used in the targets and includes two terminals 35 and 37 and wire coils 36 and 37.

When the moist tip of the sword comes into contact with terminals 35 and 37 the circuit is completed and can trigger off the electrical apparatus necessary to operate the scoreboard lighting, and score information or just the electrical apparatus within the targets can be triggered. The components 34, 35, 36 and 37 fig 7, may or may not be connected to the circuit diagram previously mentioned in this patent. The components 34 to 37 can be made from copper or any other suitable elements or material. The thickness of the sword targets can vary from.01 mm up to any thickness suitable. To fasten the targets to the harness or or to fasten the targets to the clothing of the swordsman detachable and non detachable fastenings can be used, and the fastenings can be hook and loop fasteners, buckles, chord, stiching, adhesive and any other suitable elements or materials. To fasten the harness to the swordsmans body, hook and loop fastenings buckles, chord, stiching, adhesive and any other suitable elements or materials or fastenings can be used, and providing a detachable or non detachable harness that holds the targets in place.

Claims

Claims 1.) Sword targets as used in the game or sport of fencing, the

targets being attachable and detachable to the swordsmans body, and attachable and detachable or non detachable from the swordsmans clothing, the targets can be of any design and made from any suitable material, and can be fixed to the swordsmans body or clothing by any

suitable means.
2.) Sword targets as in claim 1, wherein the targets can be positioned or fixed over or underneath the swordsmans clothing by utilising a harness arrangement or the targets can be stitched into position on the swordsmans clothing,
3.) Sword targets as in claim 1, that include hit detection means, and scoring means, thus providing a scoreboard or electronic scoreboard display, and the targets light up and emitt and transmitt light into the atmosphere enabling the swordsmen to visually see the targets, or scoreboard, display,
4.) Sword Targets as in claim 1, that comprise of one or several target buttons used for hit detection and can be positioned over or under the swordsmans clothing, the button return mechanism can be a spring, or compressible matl can be utilised, or any other suitable hit detection mechanism can be incorporated and made from any suitable material, and designed in any suitable fashion,
5.) Sword targets as in claim 1, that incorporate touch sensitive targets and include an electric buzzer mechanism,
6.) The electrical source for the electronic targets can be batteries or any other source.