GB2513357A

GB2513357A - Apparatus for detecting laps made by a swimmer

Info

Publication number: GB2513357A
Application number: GB1307383.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Warren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-24
Filing date: 2013-04-24
Publication date: 2014-10-29
Also published as: GB201307383D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a contact sensor, a means 11 for wearing the contact sensor on the tip of a finger of a swimmer 31, and an electronic device 14 in communication with the sensor. The electronic device counts the pool laps completed by recording the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side 32 of a swimming pool. Preferably the means 11 for wearing the sensor is a neoprene glove. The electronic device 14 may communicate with the sensor wirelessly and may communicate through wired or wireless means with an external device such as a computer 33. The swimmer may wear an earpiece 30 which is in wireless communication with the electronic device 14 to provide the swimmer with information regarding their performance. Preferably the device does not register a second activation of the pressure switch within 5 seconds of a first activation. This prevents double counting of lap ends.

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL !. .*. PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. 0B1307383.8 RTM Date:3 September 2013 The following terms are registered trade_marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Apparatus for detectin2 taps made by a swimmer The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for detecting laps made by a swimmer.

Swimmers often find it difficult to keep track of the number of lengths (or laps) they have swum. Usually, swimmers keep track of the number of lengths they have swum by counting these engths in their head. However, this is not particubrly accurate as it is easy for a swimmer to get distracted and forget to count one or more lengths. Mso, a swimmer may forget what number they have reached mid-way through their swim.

Devices that allow a swimmer to manually count taps by pressing a button are known. These devices are designed to be worn around the wrist of a swimmer like a watch. The swimmer must press a button on the watch at the end of each lap to increment a counter provided on the watch. However, such devices are awkward to use as pressing the button can interrupt the swimmer's rhythm. Furthermore, a swimmer can easily forget to press the button at the end of one or more laps.

The present invention is, therefore, directed to a device for more accurately recording the number of lengths swum by a swimmer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for detecting laps made by a swimmer, comprising a contact sensor; means for wearing the contact sensor on a finger of a swimmer such, in use, the contact sensor is provided at the tip of the finger, and an electronic device in communication with the sensor; wherein the electronic device is adapted to count and! or record the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side of a swimming pool.

The apparatus of the present invention allows for the number of engths swum by a user to be recorded in a more accurate manner. For example, when swimming in a pool, the swimmer swims towards the side (or edge) of the poo1. A swimmer will touch the side of the pool with their hand when they complete a length. With the apparatus of the present invention, when the user touches the side of the pool, the contact sensor wifi detect the contact between user's finger and the poolside. and the electronic device connected to the sensor will record this as a lap swum.

Alternatively, if the swimmer is swimming laps in an outdoor pond, there may be no accessible edge to touch at the end of each lap. However, there may alternatively be a fixed object such as a buoy in the pond. If the swimmer touches this buoy at the end of each lap, the electronic device can be used to record the number of laps swum.

The words lap and length are used interchangeably throughout the specification.

These terms are being used to refer to a set distance that a swimmer wishes to swim multiple times. For example, when mentioned in the context of a swimming pool, these terms usually refer to the distance from one edge of the pool to the opposite edge of the pool. However, alternatively, these terms may, for example, be referring to a circuit around the circumference of the pool or a pond.

The means for wearing the contact sensor may be a sheath wearable on the finger.

Preferably, however, the means for wearing the contact sensor is a glove.

PreferaNy, the contact sensor is provided on the middle finger of the g'ove. This is because the middle finger is the longest finger. However, alternatively, the contact sensor may be provided on another finger, for example the index finger or the ring finger. In further alternatives, contact sensors may be provided on two or more fingers, for example. the middle and the index fingers.

The electronic device may be provided on a watch or belt worn by the swimmer, or otherwise be worn by the swimmer. Alternatively, the electronic device may be provided on the means for wearing the contact sensor. For example, the electronic device may be provided on the main body of the glove, or on the wrist section of the glove. In such positions the electronic device should not obstruct the user when they are swimming. In further alternatives, the electronic device may be a lap counter positioned on the side of the

po& (for example).

The electronic device may increment a counter provided in the electronic device with every length swum. The counter can be reset to zero after the swimmer has stopped swimming. This could occur automatically, for example, after a set period of time, or at the request of the user. Alternatively, the electronic device may comprise a countdown timer that deducts the number of lengths swum from a total set before the user starts swimming.

The contact sensor may be a miniature push switch, or a miniature snap-action switch. If the contact sensor was one of these types of switches, the switch would be biased to return the sensor to its rest configuration after the swimmer had touched the object so that the sensor is ready to be activated again. Miniature switches are prefelTed as these are of a size that can be easily incorporated into the means for wearing the contact sensor (such as a glove).

Alternatively, the sensor may be any other type of sensor suitable for determining when the swimmer has touched the side of the pool. For example, the sensor may be a photodetector. In such an embodiment, the electronic device may be configured to record a lap swum when the light received by a detector decreases below a certain value. This is because when the user presses their finger against the side of the pool, this would reduce the amount of light received by the photodetector.

The contact sensor is configured so that the sensor is activated when the user touches the side of the pool with the finger to which the sensor is attached, but not when the hand of the swimmer comes into contact with the water during swimming.

Preferably, the contact sensor is provided in a waterproof housing. Alternatively, or additionally, the contact sensor is waterproof.

The electronic device may be in wireless communication with the contact sensor.

Alternatively, the electronic device may be in wired communication with the contact sensor.

The electronic device may be adapted to wirelessly communicate with an earpiece.

This allows real-time swimming information to be relayed to the swimmer, for example, the number of laps completed so far, so they can be kept updated on their progress.

The electronic device may also compute further information about the swimmer's progress, for example, the time taken to complete a lap, or the speed at which the lap was swum. This information could also be relayed to the swimmer via the earpiece.

The apparatus may further comprise additional sensors, for example. a pulse rate sensor. This information may also be recorded by the electronic device and could also be relayed to the swimmer in real-time via the earpiece.

The electronic device may also be adapted to wirelessly communicate with an external device. This would allow swimming information such as laps swum, average pulse rate to be downloaded from the electronic device to an external device, and for inputs from a plurality of swimmers to be processed during a race or training, for example.

The wireless communication may be a Bluetooth connection.

Alternativdy (or in addition), the electronic device may comprise a means for making a wired connection to an external device. For example, the electronic device may comprise a socket for receiving a wire connected to a computer. This socket must either be waterproof or adapted to be sealed by a waterproof cover so that the electronic device is not damaged when the apparatus is in use. Such a wired connection also enables swimming information to be downloaded from the electronic device to an external device.

The external device may be a computer. Alternatively, the external device may be a smart phone, tablet or other device.

Preferably, the electronic device does not record a second physical contact occurring within a predetermined period of a first physical contact. When swimming, the user may accidently touch the object (for example, the side of the pool) twice when they have just comp'eted a length. In these circumstances, it would be undesirable to record the second contact as a further length swam as this would lead to incorrect information being recorded.

The culTent men's world record for swimming 50m in a 25rn pooi is 20.30 seconds (swum by Roland Schoeman on 8 August 2009), i.e. just over 10 seconds on average for each length of the pooi. Therefore, the predetermined period is preferably less than 10 seconds.

Swimming pools vary in length. Standard swimming pools are either 50 m or 25 m long. However, it is possible to get different length pools, for example 20 m. 15 m or 10 m.

Therefore. preferably. the electronic device does not record a second physical contact occurring within 5 seconds of the first physical contact so that the apparatus is suitable for use in smaller pools. The predetermined period may even be less than 5 seconds, for example, 3 or2 seconds.

The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a second contact sensor and means for wearing the second contact sensor on a second finger of a swimmer, wherein, in use, the contact sensor is provided at the tip of the second finger, and wherein the electronic device is also in communication with the second contact sensor.

For example, the invention may comprise two gloves, wherein the first and second contact sensors are provided on different gloves. The electronic device may be provided externa'ly to both gloves, for example on a wrist watch worn by the swimmer.

Alternatively, the electronic device may be provided on one of the two gloves. When two gloves are used, the swimmer is able to touch the object with either hand to record a length or a lap.

Alternativdy, the apparatus may comprise multip'e contact sensors and means for weanng the multiple contact sensors on different fingers of a swimmer, wherein, in use, the multiple contact sensors are provided at the tips of the fingers, and wherein the electronic device is in communication with all of the multiple contact sensors contact sensor.

Again, the invention may comprise two gloves, with the multiple contact sensors split between the two gloves.

lii embodiments of the invention with more than one contact sensor, the electronic device preferably does not record a second physical contact occurring within a predetermined period of a first physical contact, wherein the first and second physical are detected by different contact sensors. PreferaNy, the electronic device does not record a second physical contact occurring within 5 seconds of the first physical contact.

The means for wearing the contact sensor is preferably made of neoprene. The use of neoprene (also known as polychloropene) is preferred as it is flexible and waterproof According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a glove for detecting laps made by a swimmer comprising a contact sensor provided at the tip of a finger of the glove, and an electronic device provided on the glove, wherein the electronic device is in communication with the contact sensor, and wherein the electronic device is adapted to count and record the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side of a swimming pool.

The present invention will now by described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a second glove suitable for use with the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, Figure 5 shows a cross section of the middle finger of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, Figure 6 shows the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 in use in a swimrmng pool.

Figure I shows a first embodiment of an apparatus I for detecting laps made by a swimmer. The apparatus 1 comprises a contact sensor 2 on a means for wearing the contact sensor on a finger of a swimmer in the form of a sheath 3 wearable on the finger. The contact sensor is provided at the tip 3a of the sheath 3 so that, in use, the contact sensor is provided at the tip of the swimmer's finger. A means such as a strap (not shown) may be included to retain the sheath on a finger.

The apparatus I further comprises an electronic device in the form of a wrist watch 4. The watch 4 is in communication with the sensor 2. The watch 4 is adapted to count and record the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side of a swimming pool. The watch 4 has a display screen 5 for displaying the information it records to the user.

When the apparatus 1 is in use, a swimmer will wear the sheath 3 on their finger when swinmiing in a swimnñng pool, pond etc. When the swimmer reaches the end of a length, he/she will reach out to touch the edge of the pool with the finger covered by the sheath 3. In doing this, the swimmer will bring the contact sensor 2 into contact with the edge of the pool. The watch 4 is in wireless communication with the sensor 2 and will record this impact as a length swum.

If the swimmer was to then accidently touch the side of the pool again with the contact sensor 2 before they continued swimming, the watch 4 would not record this second physical contact as another length swum. This would apply to all impacts between the contact sensor 2 and the side of the pool that occurred within a predetermined period of time after the first physical contact, for example, 5 seconds of the first physical contact.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is an apparatus 10 comprising a glove 11 for use when swimming, the glove II comprises a contact sensor 12 on an end of the middle finger 13 of the glove, and an electronic device 14 connected to the sensor 12 for counting and recording the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side of a swimming pool. The electronic device 14 has a display screen 15 for displaying the information it records to the user.

In the embodiments shown in all of Figures 1,2 and 3, the contact sensor 2, l2is a miniature snap-action switch.

lii use, a swimmer will wear the glove 11 on one of their hands, for example, when they are swimming in a swimming pool. When the swimmer reaches the end of a length, he/she will reach out to touch the edge of the pool with their middle finger 13. In doing this, the swimmer will bring the contact sensor 12 into contact with the edge of the pool.

The electronic device 14 connected to the sensor 12 will record this impact as a length swum.

If the swimmer was to then accidently touch the side of the pool again with the contact sensor 12 before they continued swimming, the electronic device 14 would not record this second physical contact as another length swum. This would apply to all impacts between the contact sensor 12 and the side of the pool that occurred within a predetermined period of time after the first physical contact, for example, 5 seconds of the first physical contact.

lii the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the electronic device i4 is provided on the main body of the g'ove 11. The sensor 12 is in wireless communication with this dectronic device (i.e. the connection between the sensor 12 and the electronic device 14 is wireless).

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3. the electronic device i4 is provided on the wrist section of the glove II. In this embodiment, the glove II is provided with a strap 16 that can be fastened around the wrist of the user to hold the glove 11 securely in place.

Referring to Figure 3, the contact sensor 12 is connected via a wire 17 to the electronic device 14. The connection between the contact sensor 12 and the electronic device 14 must not restrict the movement of the glove II. In this embodiment, this is achieved by providing excess length in the wire 17 to allow the wire to be pulled into a more taught configuration when the hand of a user bends the glove 11.

Figure 4 shows the inside of the middle finger 13 of the glove II shown in Figure 3.

The contact sensor 12 is a miniature snap action switch (also known as a microswitch).

This sensor 12 is contained within a waterproof housing 18 provided at the end of the middle finger 13. The wire 17 connecting the sensor 12 to the electronic device 14 projects outside the waterproof housing 18. The contact sensor 12 may also be waterproof.

The sheath 3 of Figure 1 and the glove II of Figures 2 and 3 would preferably be made of neoprene.

The gloves shown in Figures 2 and 3 may be used individually. Alternatively, these embodiments of the glove may be adapted to be used with a second glove 21. An embodiment of a second glove 21 is shown in Figure 5. The second glove 21 also comprises a contact sensor 22 on an end of the midWe finger 23 of the glove. The electronic device 14 of the first glove ills connected to the contact sensors 12, 22 on both gloves ii, 21. Although the connection between the electronic device 14 and the sensor 12 provided on the same glove 11 may be a wired connection, the connection between the second contact sensor 22 and the dectronic device 14 must be wirdess.

lii use, the swimmer will touch the edge of the pool with one of their gloves II. 21 when they complete a length. This ength will be recorded. The swimmer may then touch the side of the pool again with the other glove II, 21. When this happens. the dectronic device 14 will not record the second physical contact as another length. This would apply to all impacts between a contact sensor 12, 22 on one of the gloves ii, 21 and the side of the pool that occurred within a predetermined period after the first physical contact, for example. 5 seconds of the first physical contact.

Referring to Figure 6, the electronic device 14 of the glove 11 is adapted to wirelessly communicate with an earpiece 30. In use, the earpiece 30 is worn by a swimmer 31. The swimmer 31 is informed of information regarding their swimming performance via the earpiece 30. For example, the swimmer 31 is told when they have touched the side of the pool 32.

The electronic device 14 of the glove 11 shown in Figure 6 is adapted to wirelessy communicate with an external device such as a computer 33. The wireless communication may be a Bluetooth connection. Additionally, the electronic device comprises a means for making a wired connection to the computer 33.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for detecting laps made by a swimmer comprising: -a contact sensor, -means for wearing the contact sensor on a finger of a swimmer such that, in use, the contact sensor is provided at the tip of the finger, and -an electronic device in communication with the sensor, wherein the electronic device is adapted to count and/ or record the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side ofa swimming pool.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means for wearing thc contact sensor is a sheath wearable on the finger.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claims 1, wherein the means for wearing the contact sensor is a glove.
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the contact sensor is provided on the middle finger of the glove.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the contact sensor is a miniature push switch.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any onc of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact sensor is a miniature snap-action switch.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the contact sensor is provided in a waterproof housing.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the contact sensor is waterproof
9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronic device is in wireless communication with the contact sensor.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronic device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with an earpicce.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronic device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein the wireless communication is a Bluetooth connection
13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, whercin thc electronic device comprises a means for making a wired connection to an external device.
14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein the external device is a computer.
15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronic device does not record a second physical contact occurring within a predetermined period of a first physical contact.
16. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second contact sensor and means for wearing the second contact sensor on a second finger of a swimmer, wherein, in use, the contact sensor is provided at the tip of the second finger, and wherein the electronic device is also in communication with the second contact sensor.
17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises multiple contact sensors and means for wearing the multiple contact sensors on different fingers of a swimmer, wherein, in use, the multiple contact sensors are provided at the tips the fingers, and wherein the electronic device is in communication with all of the multiple contact sensors contact sensor.
18. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein the electronic device does not record a second physical contact occurring within a predetermined period of a first physical contact, wherein the first and second physical are detected by different contact sensors.
19. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 or 18, wherein the predetermined period is 5 seconds.
20. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for wearing the contact sensor is made of neoprene.
21. A glove for detecting laps made by a swimmer comprising: -a contact sensor provided at thc tip of a fingcr of thc glove, and -an electronic device provided on the glove, wherein the electronic device is in communication with the contact sensor, and wherein the electronic device is adapted to count and record the number of times the sensor detects physical contact with a side of a swimming pool.
22. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.
23. A glove substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.