NZ237325A - Athlete's performance monitored by line unwound from drum - Google Patents

Description

P.F.5 Code 1050 Fee $200 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 No. 237325 Dates 5 March 1991 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE MONITORING DEVICES WE RIKAN AEROMARINE LIMITED of corner Dunlop and Austin Streets, Napier, New Zealand, a New Zealand company, do hereby declare the invention for which WE pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 37?, 2 2 This invention relates to a linear physical performance monitoring device and in particular a device for monitoring the physical achievement such as acceleration and speed of swimmers, athletes, canoeists and racing 5 animals.

There is a need recognized in some sports for apparatus to monitor the physical output of competitors to assist in their training. A variety of mechanisms are known and 10 the present invention relates to a mechanism where a line is attached to the competitor and the exertion and speed of the competitor is translated through the line with the effects thereof monitored to provide the required readings.

An object of this invention is to provide a mechanism which will achieve accurate readings of some of such physical performance characteristics of a competitor. A further object is to provide such a mechanism that 20 incorporates an adjustable load to thus enable a competitors physical performance to be monitored under different loading conditions.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is 25 provided a linear physical performance monitoring device comprising a line adapted at a free end to be attached to a subject to be monitored and trained about an associated 237 :> 3 rotatable drum, formed with an exterior cylindrical surface, via a spooling device directing the line in a single layer helical path along the cylindrical surface of the drum with rotation of the drum, the line being 5 adapted to be uncoiled therefrom by the tractional action of the subject tensioning the line to cause rotation of the drum, drive means coupling the drum to variable loading means adaptable to resist such uncoiling rotation of the drum and means to register at least the rate of 10 uncoiling of the line from the drum.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a physical performance device as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the loading means 15 includes a D.C. electro-mechanical generating device.

According to a third aspect of this invention there is provided a physical performance device as described in either of the two preceding paragraphs wherein the 20 electro-mechanical generating device comprises a combination generator/motor unit adapted to be connected to a D.C.power source, the tractional force of the uncoiling line rotating the generator/motor unit in a generator mode and in a motor mode the generator/motor 25 unit being adapted to rotate the drum to wind in the line. 237825 ► 4 According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a linear physical performance monitoring device comprising a line adapted at a free end for attachment to a subject, a drum rotatably mounted on a frame and 5 incorporating an exterior cylindrical surface about which the line is stored by a spooling device mounted on the frame adjacent the drum and guiding the line to direct, with rotation of the drum, the line in a single layer helical path along the cylindrical surface of the drum, 10 rotational drive transmission means coupling the drum to variable loading means including a D.C. generator/motor, switching means enabling selection of either operational mode of the D.C. generator/motor including selection of the generator mode in association with uncoiling rotation 15 of the drum and means to register at least the r.p.m. of the uncoiling rotation of the drum, the arrangement providing that the tractional action of a subject tensions the line to uncoil the line from and rotate the drum and in turn the DC generator/motor and the switching 20 enabling the motor operation mode to be selected to wind in the line.

In further describing the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment 25 wherein: Fig 1 is a perspective view from above and toward a left side of the device, and 237,325 Fig 2 is a further perspective view from a forward to right side position and Fig 3 is a left hand side view with a cover depicted in phantom.

The preferred embodiment depicted is particularly-suitable for monitoring the physical performance of swimmers. As will be apparent from the following description the apparatus monitors a swimmers physical 10 performance characteristics such as exertion and speed over a linear course. Thus, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be similarly used for measuring other types of competitors monitoring their physical performance capabilities over a linear course as 15 appropriate for their assessments.

A line 3 is provided for attachment at a free end 3a in a suitable manner to a swimmer (not depicted) as will trail behind the swimmer during a swim test, for example, while 20 swimming a length of a swimming pool. Preferably line 3 is of minimal elasticity and weight to thus have negligible bearing on the competitors physical performance.

Line 3 is stored on a drum 5 rotatably supported on a frame 26, drum 5 having a cylindrical surface 5a and the action of the subject swimmer causes the drum 5 to rotate p Q 7o u l K J ^ 6 with the uncoiling of line 3 as the swimmer proceeds further away from the drum 5. As described in more detail hereinafter the coiling and uncoiling of the line 3 from the drum 5 is critical in maintaining the 5 integrity of the monitoring. To that end line 3 is fed to and from the drum 5 by a spooling device described below.

The rotation of the drum 5 achieved by the tractional 10 action of a swimmer is translated to an electrical device 6 which in turn is utilised to provide the required readings. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the readings may take a variety of forms such as analog or digital readouts and a variety of computer 15 readouts including storage of the information obtained for later review.

In the preferred embodiment the electrical device comprises a D.C. generator/motor 6 coupled by a suitable 20 drive train such as an endless toothed belt 7 coupled about toothed pulleys 8, 9 appropriately mounted to the drum 5 and genera tor /motor 6 respectively. Rotation of drum 5 thus also rotates the generator/motor 6 and the speed of rotation (the r.p.m.) of either the drum 5 or 25 the generator/motor 6 as well as the e.m.f. produced by the later are monitored for the required readings. To that end, preferably an infra-red light (see Fig 3) and 7 associated receiver or similar sensor means 10 are preferably provided to count the r.p.m. of the generator/motor 6 and in turn monitor the rate of uncoiling of line 3 and thus the speed of a subject 5 swimmer. For example, the gearing ratio between pulley 8 and pulley 9 provides that the uncoiling of 1 metre of line 3 from drum 5 rotates the generator/motor 6 thirteen (13) revolutions.

To that end preferably a counter disc 11 with cut outs 11a is appropriately mounted to rotate with the generator/motor 6 and intermittently intersect the beam of the sensor means 10. Preferably the output of the sensor means 10 is fed to a digital display 32 adapted to display the speed of the swimmer.

Alternatively/additionally the output can be fed to computing means (not depicted) such as via cable 31. Similarly the value of the e.m.f. produced can be monitored and fed, via cable 31, to the computing means.

The data can then be stored and/or utilised to, for example, plot a swimmers speed or the e.m.f. produced (which eguates with the thrust of the swimmer) against time to monitor the swimmers performance at different loadings.

In addition, preferably an e.m.f. storage device such as conventional chargeable D.C. battery 12 is appropriately 237325 connected to the generator/motor 6 as to be charged when the generator/motor 6 is operating in a generator mode. Appropriate switching 13 is provided to enable the generator/motor 6 to be operated as a motor for re-coil 5 of line 3 after a test run. Remote controls (not depicted) may be included to enable, for example, a swimmer at an end of a test run at an end of a pool distal of the apparatus, to activate the generator/motor 6 to the motor mode to re-coil the line 3 with or without 10 the swimmer attached.

Adjunct electrical circuitry and controls indicated generally at 30 are included to enable the electrical loading on the generator/motor 6 to be adjusted. To this 15 end the circuitry preferably includes several, say five, banks of resistors of different values which can be switched in or out to increase or decrease the loading as required from zero loading upward. This can be utilised to provide various loadings to a competitor so his 20 physical performance can be then monitored under various conditions to further assist training.

A spooling device is included to control the coiling onto and the uncoiling of line 3 from, in particular the 25 former, the drum 5. In a preferred embodiment only one layer of line 3 on the drum 5 is allowed for. This ensures that uncoiling of the line 3 from the drum 5 is 9 at a constant radius of rotation throughout a test run to thus maintain the same moment of force imparted to the drum 5 from the line 3.

To that end the spooling device controls the helical displacement of line 3 in being coiled onto and about the drum 5. Preferably, a suitable drive train such as tooth belt 14 and complementary pulleys 15 are provided between the drum 5 and a lay-shaft 16 disposed parallel to the 10 axis of rotation of drum 5. Lay-shaft 16 is preferably spaced adjacently forward of the surface 5a of the drum 5 by way of uprights 17 mounted to the frame 26, one adjacently forward at each side of the drum 5. The lay-shaft 16 is mounted to the uprights 17 such as by way of 15 suitable bearings at each end of the lay-shaft 16.

A screw-thread 18 is formed along lay-shaft 16 which engages with a carriage 19 mounted thereon. The carriage 19 incorporates or supports a pair of adjacently spaced 20 apart upright rods 20 between which line 3 travels. Preferably lay-shaft 16 is mounted adjacently lower than the axis of rotation of drum 5 with the rods 20 extending upwardly from carriage 19 to thus receive the line 3 adjacent the periphery of the drum 5.

Detent means are provided to prevent carriage 19 rotating with the lay-shaft 16 and thus as lay-shaft 16 is rotated 237825 carriage 19 is traversed therealong. To that end preferably the uprights 17 supporting lay-shaft 16 extend upwardly in conformity with rods 20 and a transversely extending elastic member 21 is carried between the two 5 uprights 17. In addition a pair of transverse bars 22 are provided, spaced one above the other on the uprights 17 substantially in alignment with an upper extremity of the drum 5. The rods 20 of the carriage 19 are disposed between the bars 22 and the drum 5 and the elastic member 10 21 is disposed between the rods 20 and drum 5. The line 3 extends between the section of the rods 20 aligning with the space between the transverse bars 22 which thereby provide upper and lower limits for the path of the line 3. The elastic member 21 biases the rods 20 15 against the transverse bars 22 which prevents the carriage 19 rotating with the lay-shaft 16 as the line 3 is uncoiled from the drum 5.

Preferably line 3 includes a detent, for example, a knot 20 23 therein, appropriately set back from the end 3a thereof to be attached to a subject. With recoil of the line 3 the detent knot 23 will contact the rods 20 deflecting them against the elastic element 21 with a corresponding part-rotation of carriage 19 about lay-25 shaft 16. This deflection or part-rotation of carriage 19 is utilised to operate a limit switch 24 to switch the generator/motor 6 off. Carriage 19 carries an arm 25 t 9 o T 11 disposed to contact switch 24, with deflection of carriage 19.

By providing the appropriate gearing between drum 5 and 5 lay-shaft 16 together with the appropriate pitch of the screw-thread 18 the helical path of the line 3 about the drum 5 is controlled to achieve the required single layer, the coils of the line 3 on the drum 5 being displaced laterally in conformity therewith.

Thus, in use as a swimmer tensions line 3 through the tractional action and speed generated by the swimmer the drum 5 is rotated and in turn an e.m.f. generated by the generator/motor 6. The resultant r.p.m. of the generator/motor 6 and the e.m.f. produced are monitored/utilised to achieve the required reading(s) and in addition battery 12 is charged. Following a test run the generator/motor 6 can be operated in the motor mode to recoil the line 3 with the spooling mechanism 20 operating to achieve the required single tiered coiling of the line 3 along the drum 5 in readiness for further use.

Preferably frame 26 is supported on ground wheels 27 at a 25 rear end and at a front end a retracted handle 28 is preferably provided. A cover 29 (see Fig 3) is preferably provided for protection. 237

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1 . A linear physical performance monitoring device comprising a line adapted at a free end to be attached to a subject to be monitored and trained about an associated rotatable drum, formed with an exterior cylindrical surface, via a spooling device directing the line in a single layer helical path along the cylindrical surface of the drum with rotation of the drum, the line being uncoilable therefrom by the tractional action of the subject tensioning the line to cause rotation of the drum, drive means coupling the drum to variable loading means adaptable to resist such uncoiling rotation of the drum and means to register at least the rate of uncoiling of the line from the drum.

2. A linear physical performance monitoring device t claimed in claim 1 wherein the loading means includes an electro-mechanical generating device. \ ^'/r&j/, ' ? * c -y;

3. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the electro-mechanical generating device comprises a combination D.C. generator/motor unit adapted to be connected to a chargeable D.C.power source, the uncoiling line rotating the generator/motor unit in a generator mode and in a motor mode the generator/motor unit being adapted to rotate the drum to wind in the line.;13;

4. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the power source is an e.m.f. (electro-motive force) storage device coupled to be charged by the generator/motor unit with appropriate rotation of the drum.;

5. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spooling device incorporates a screw-threaded lay-shaft disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and supporting a carriage directing the line to the drum, the lay-shaft being rotated by the drum to traverse the carriage along the drum, rotation of the carriage with the lay-shaft being restrained by biasing means acting in opposition to any tractional action of a subject tensioning the line.;

6. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in claim 5 including a line retraction limiting means mounted adjacent the lay-shaft to be activated by deflection of the carriage against the biasing means, a detent being incorporated in the line to contact and deflect the carriage with;OX\;14;237325;

7. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein a pair of uprights are mounted on a frame of the device to support the lay-shaft and to support thereabove substantially in alignment;5 with an upper extremity of the drum a pair of adjacently spaced apart transverse rods between which the line travels.;

8. A linear physical performance monitoring device as 10 claimed in claim 7 wherein the biasing means comprises an elastic member supported between the uprights and disposed between the drum and the rods.;

9. A linear physical performance monitoring device 15 comprising a line adapted at a free end for attachment to a subject, a drum rotatably mounted on a frame and incorporating an exterior cylindrical surface about which the line is stored by a spooling device mounted on the frame adjacent the drum and guiding the line to direct, 20 with rotation of the drum, the line in a single layer helical path along the cylindrical surface of the drum, rotational drive transmission means coupling the drum to variable loading means including a D.C. generator/motor, switching means enabling selection of either operational 25 mode of the D.C. generator/motor including selection of the generator mode in association with uncoiling rotation of the drum and means to register at least the r.p.m. of the uncoiling rotation of the drum, operation of the p.'.-;16 FE3 1394;f,:;15;237325;device providing that the tractional action of a subject tensions the line to uncoil the line from and rotate the drum and in turn the DC generator/motor and the switching means enabling the motor operation mode to be selected to 5 wind in the line.;

10. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the spooling device incorporates a pair of uprights mounted to the frame and;10 which rotatably support a screw-threaded lay-shaft at the ends thereof to dispose the shaft parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, a carriage carried on the lay-shaft and supporting line guide means directing the line to the drum, rotational drive means connecting the lay-shaft to 15 the drum to, with rotation of the drum, rotate the lay-shaft to traverse the carriage therealong and thus also along the drum, rotation of the carriage with the lay-;shaft being restrained by biasing means acting..--;P* cj opposition to any tractional action of a subject 20 tensioning the line. . - ^ '""n 1^34 J Hr " y

11. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the loading means includes an e.m.f. (electro motive force) storage 25 device coupled to be charged by the generator/motor unit.

12. A linear physical performance monitoring device as claimed in any one of the claims 9 to 11 inclusive 16 10 237325 including a line retraction limiting means mounted adjacent the lay-shaft to be activated by deflection of the carriage against the biasing means, a detent being incorporated in the line to contact and deflect the line guide means with retraction of the line.

13. A linear physical performance monitoring device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. RIKAN AEROMARINE LIMITED ROSS NEWNHAM 15