US20050176528A1

US20050176528A1 - Laser beam toy and more

Info

Publication number: US20050176528A1
Application number: US10/774,080
Authority: US
Inventors: Moti Shai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-09
Filing date: 2004-02-09
Publication date: 2005-08-11

Abstract

A system and method for providing a user safe and portable laser beam based device in fitness and recreational fields for individual and group activities in house and outside. The system enables the user full control over the frequency of the laser beam cycle, which is set to increase the difficulty of the activity, and ability to count number of successful laser beam cycles. Additional embodiments are: traffic signal control, vehicle safety system—stopping the car when it's getting less than predefined distance to the vehicle in front of it, to stop the public at the exact location with optional alarm system, to guide the public to follow laser marked path, to generate attraction to the event location.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of recreation and physical fitness, to a high tech. device that allows participants the activity like jumping “rope”, “limbo” game, “Tennis Laser”, or to play a table game of “interfere the beams” in the absence of other individuals if they so desire. The present invention, in it's other embodiments, relates to transportation safety related utilities, to a laser beam based device that allows controlling the traffic signal by using the laser beam sensors and allowing to estimate the distance to the vehicle in front of a user and transferring it to electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor movement that stops user's vehicle. Additional embodiment can be used to stop the public at the exact location, with optional alarm system. Another embodiment is to guide the public by showing laser path to be followed, which the direction can be changed by usage of mirrors in the corners at 45 degrees. Another embodiment can be used to attract attention to event locations, by shooting two rotating beam to the sky.
2. Description of the Related Art
The systems and the methods of the present invention are particularly useful for enabling users to play a group or individually Laser Beam based fitness or recreational games while having full control over the difficulty level as well the system is useful to control a traffic signal and safety feature in the car.
A variety of systems and methods have been developed over the years for providing alternatives to individuals for a group fitness and recreational activities which typically include robust to assemble and not easily portable devices that usually require to be connected to the electrical power, which limits the location of the device and introduce a safety issue to the participants. These systems usually include rotating and other mechanically moving parts which creates a serious safety issues, especially to young participants.
It would be desirable to provide a laser beam based portable device, which will be more efficient, and more enjoyable and will have increased usability, which can be readily assembled and disassembled with modular sections for enhanced expandability, and traffic and safety related features based on the laser beam sensors transferring the signals to electro-mechanically activated solenoids or mini-motors.
The system and the methods of the present invention are particularly useful for enabling safe, portable, efficient and effective and more enjoyable laser beam based activities, for groups and individuals, the system also useful for traffic and vehicles safety features where laser beam sensors are required.
Therefore, the present invention provides improved systems and methods for providing an efficient and effective laser beam based fitness and recreational activities as well as traffic and vehicle safety features. The inventions disclosed herein satisfy these and other needs, still further objects and advantages of these inventions will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved system and method for providing the user safe, practical, portable and very enjoyable Laser Beam based activities for groups and individuals that can be played in house and outside as well. In its other embodiments the system is used as traffic and vehicle safety control where laser beam sensors can be used.
More particularly, for example, in an embodiment of the present invention, a laser beam system is provided for enabling a user safe, portable and enjoyable laser beam activities for individuals and groups as well. In one embodiment, the system includes conventional laser beam device with built in control for manually changing the beam rotating cycle frequency and ability to count and reset the counter of the failing players (the once that beam hits during the activity). Further, the system includes telescopic vertical measurement poll manually adjustable to any height based on the required difficulty level of the activity. The system also includes a beeper that alerts the user on the start of the activity and the buzzer that alerts the user when he interfere the laser beam (can be defined as a failure in one type of activity or success in another, depend on the predefined rules of that activity). In the second embodiment, the system is placed inside the rotating stability based and by rotating the laser device the system provides different, but yet laser beam based, type of enjoyable fitness and recreation activity. The system with the rotating base can be placed on the ground, at the center of the players circle so the players can jump over the rotating laser beam. The second embodiment also can be elevated on top of the table so the players seating around the table must skip the first and interfere the second laser beam, when the beams is passing over their heads, by raising their hands.
In additional embodiments of the present invention laser beam based sensors can be used to control the traffic signal, more specifically changing the traffic signal by sensing existence of people waiting across the street, laser beam sensor can be used to estimate the distance between the vehicle in front and if the distance is below the predefined one then electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor will stop the car using existing breaks system.
The above objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, are described in greater details in the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing of illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of preferred embodiment of a Laser Beam Toy.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotating base which is used in second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of preferred embodiment inside the rotating base tilted and supported by the foldable legs attached to the rotating base.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment which is used to stop a car based on the distance of the vehicle in front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to an improved system and method for providing a user safe and portable laser beam based device in fitness and recreational fields for individuals and groups activities in house and outside, it even can be set as a seating activity, by placing the laser device on the table. The system doesn't have any mechanically rotating or moving parts and it doesn't require connection to electrical power. The system is easily assembled and moved from place to place to provide very enjoyable recreation activity. The system in its other embodiments is directed to an improved methods of laser beam sensors safety features, like changing the traffic signal by sensing and counting waiting people, stopping the car by sensing that the vehicle in front is less than predefined distance. The preferred and other embodiments of the improved system and method are fully and detailed illustrated and described in the following paragraphs.
In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the drawing figures, and particularly in the preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, for example, a systems 10, 12 and 14 is provided for safe, efficient, portable and very enjoyable laser beam based fitness and recreational activities for individuals and groups while providing full control over the frequency of the laser beam cycles to increase the difficulty level of the activity, constituting a Laser Beam Toys. In its other embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a system 16 is provided to sense the distance to the vehicle in front and to activate electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor connected to car's breaks system and by that to stop the car.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, for example, the system 10 comprises the laser device body 20 with the built in counter 24 to display of successful jumps, beeper 28 which alerts on the start of the activity, buzzer 26 which goes off on laser beam hit. The system 10 further comprises activation switch 42 for single or multiple laser beams to be used in the provided activity, laser beam cycle frequency control 44, restart or reset the activity and the counter display push button 46, ON/OFF switch 45. The body 20 has built in space 36 for the conventional battery. The system 10 further includes telescopic vertical poll 30 which connected to the body 20 by the poll holder 34. Two slidable laser beam bases 22, which include the laser beam eye 32 that can be adjusted to any angle, are placed on the vertical poll 30. The wire 40 provides the connection between the electrical board and the laser beam angle adjustable eyes 32 through holes 38 in the body 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, in a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system 12 comprises a disk like rotating body 52 which is attached to the stability base 50. The disk body 52 has a built in cavity 54 to hold the laser beam system and rotating security bracket 56 to secure the laser beam system when it is inserted into the matching cavity 54.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, laser beam device, system 10, is placed inside the rotating base, system 12, its tilted and supported by multiple foldable legs 60.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, system 16 comprises the sensor control box 74, that include electronic board 76, wire 72 connecting electronic board 76 and the laser eye 70, wire 78 connecting electronic board 76 and electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor 82. Electro-mechanical solenoid or mini-motor 82 is attached to the vehicle by built in plate 80, screw 84, which is attached to the end of the solenoid 82, is provided to control the pressure on the breaks system.
Referring to FIG. 1, in a method for the use of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, for example, the system 10 enables a user to participate in a laser beam based fitness or recreational activities by shooting periodic laser beams. The system 10 has a manually operated ON/OFF switch 45, comfortably located on the top of the device body 20, activity restart push button 46 resets the activity to its initial state and digital counter 24, multiple laser eyes switch 42 defined how many laser ayes will be used in the activity, laser beam cycle frequency control 44, to adjust the difficulty level of the activity for increased challenge. The system 10 further includes built in electronic beeper 28 which alerts the participants on the start of the activity, so they can prepare them self to be ready, built in electronic buzzer 26 alerts the user when he interfere the laser beam.
The laser beam device body 20 has a build in battery place 36. Telescopic vertical measurement poll 30, which the high of can be vertically adjusted depends on the type of the activity, is attached to the body 20 by the poll holder 34. Laser beam bases 22, that include adjustable to any angle laser eyes 32, are located on the vertical poll 30 can be manually slidably adjusted to required height, based on the poll's 30 measurement marks. The wire 40 is connected between the battery and the laser beam bases through device body 20 holes 38.
Referring to FIG. 2, in a method for the use of a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system 12 provides a disk like rotating body 52 which is attached to the stability base 50. System 12 is used when the participants require rotating laser beam activity on the ground or elevated surface like a table or so. System 12 has a built in matching cavity 54 so the laser beam system 10 can be placed tightly into it and the rotating security bracket 56 to secure the laser device system 10 especially the rotating base 52 is tilted, best shown in FIG. 3. Rotating base 52 is electronically rotating, while the stability base 50 is not, about its horizontal axis and by that it rotates the laser beam devise.
Referring to FIG. 3, in a method for the use of another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system 14, which is tilted and supported by foldable legs 60, provides to mark the location of the event, by shooting two laser beams to the sky creating two circles while the source of it marks the location. Laser eyes can be adjusted to any angle and that can achieve different shapes and different diameters of the circles. System 14 is used as a recreational activity so the players must walk thru between two laser beams without interfering any of the laser beams.
Referring to FIG. 4, in a method for the use of another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system 16, is adjusted to predefined safety distance, so when laser eye 70, which is located at the front bumper, is sense that the distance to the front vehicle is less than safety distance the proper signal is sent to the electronic control board 76 and from that to the electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor 82, which in turn apply pressure on the breaks system and by that stopping the car. The system 16, can include multiple laser eyes, that each of them defined to the same or different sensing distance. Multiple laser eyes that defined to the same distance are used to be placed at the front of the car to cover wider area. Multiple laser eyes that defined to different distance can serve for different timing signals to the electro-mechanical solenoid or mini-motor 82 to apply the pressure to the breaks system at different time for smooth stopping of the car.
In view of the above, it is apparent that the system and method of the preferred embodiments of the present invention enhance substantially the practicality and effectiveness of enabling a user laser beam based fitness and recreational activity. The system and the method further enable difficulty level adjustability and successful laser beam digital counting. Another embodiment of the present invention presents laser beam based sensor is used for traffic signal control and in the vehicle as a safety feature.
While the present invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments identified herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An improved device, providing a user safe and portable laser beam based system, enabling the user sport and fitness activity inside the gym clubs and outside, while providing full control over the laser beam cycle frequency, activity reset control, difficulty level adjustment and digitally displaying laser beam successful cycles, al that without being physically connected to the electrical power, said device can be used by single individuals if so desired, said device comprising:

(a) a telescopic vertical poll;

(b) plural number of laser beam bases, manually slidable on the said poll, to exact required location;

(c) laser beam eyes, located inside the said laser beam bases;

(d) conventional means for connecting said laser eyes to the electronic board;

(e) conventional means for digitally displayed counter, to display successful laser beam cycles;

(f) conventional means for built in electronically based beeper, to mark the start of the activity;

(g) conventional means for built in electronically based buzzer, to alert the user when laser beam hits him;

(h) means for laser beam cycle frequency control;

(i) means for restarting the activity and the counter display of said device;

(j) means to activate one or all said laser beam eyes;

(k) means to turn on and off said device;

(l) means for holding said battery;

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said laser beams device is used for sporting events when the height measurements are required, by adjusting the laser eye to desired height.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said laser beams device is used for recreational activities, like “Limbo” or “Jumping Rope” games, by adjusting the laser eye to desired height.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said laser beams device is used to stop the public at the exact location with optional alarm set if anybody passes the laser line.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said laser beams device is used as a guiding path, for the public to follow the laser beam, mirrors, placed in the corners at 45 degrees, can be used to change the path direction by redirecting the laser beam.

6. An improved device, providing a user safe and portable laser beam based system, enabling the user recreation activity in-house and outside in the parks, while providing full control over the laser beam cycle frequency, activity reset control, difficulty level adjustment and digitally displaying laser beam successful cycles, al that without being physically connected to the electrical power, said device can be used by one or group of people, said device comprising:

(a) a telescopic vertical poll;

(c) laser beam eyes, located in the said laser beam bases;

(d) conventional means for connecting said laser eyes to the electronic board;

(h) means for laser beam cycle frequency control;

(i) means for resting the activity and the counter display of said device;

(j) means to activate one or two said laser beam eyes;

(k) means to turn on and off said device;

(l) means for holding said battery;

(m) means for rotating said device, generating rotating laser beams;

(n) means for place said device at the predefined angle;

(o) means for securing laser beam device when its inserted into said rotating deviece.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plural number of laser beam bases, are conventional bases, to hold said laser eyes, which can be rotated at any given angle.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said means for rotating said device, comprising an electronically powered rotating base, which horizontally rotates about its origin.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said rotating base, has a built conventional battery to provide electrical power to rotate said rotating base.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said rotating base, has a built in matching cavity for said laser beam device, so said laser device can be attached into said rotating base and by that creating rotating laser beams which can be used for recreational activity and for attraction of the public to the event location.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein said rotating base, has a stability plate, at the bottom, which remains steady during the rotation of said rotating base.

12. The device of claim 6 wherein said means for place said device at the angle, has two supporting foldable legs which place said rotating base at the predefined angle when these legs are opened.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein said laser device is inside said rotating base is generating, by rotating about it's origin, multiple laser beams shooting at the sky, creating large circles, to attract attention while the source of said laser beams represents the exact location of the event.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein said laser device is inside said rotating base is generating, by rotating about it's origin, can be used as seating around the table recreational game with predefined rules, for example the user need to skip the first said laser beam, but to catch the second one otherwise he fails.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein said laser device is inside said rotating base is generating, by rotating about its origin, can be used as outdoor recreational game for group of people organized in a circle to jump over said laser beam when said laser beam reaches their location.

16. The device of claim 10 wherein said laser device is inside said rotating base is generating, by rotating about its origin, can be used as outdoor recreational game for individuals or group of people not to touch both said laser beam, one from the top and another one from the bottom, so the user is fully aware that one of said laser beams can hit him at the head, so he should bent, and the other one at the legs area, so he should jump over said rotating laser beam.

17. An improved device, providing a user safe, portable and easily assembleable vehicle safety device, enabling the user to predefine the distance below which the breaks system in the car will be activated automatically stopping or slowing the speed of the car, violation of this predefined distance will be sensed by the laser based sensor, attached to the front bumper or the like, the signal will be passed to electronic board, located inside the car, and then to electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor which will active the breaks system in the car, said device comprising:

(a) plural number of laser beam eyes, attached to the front of the vehicle;

(b) electronic board to manage said laser eyes signals;

(c) electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor which connected to said electronic board and attached to the breaks system in the car;

(d) means to safely protect said electronic board;

(e) means for attaching said electromechanical solenoid or mini-motor to the car for stability purposes.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said plural number of laser beam eyes they can be predefined to act on the same distance to cover more area which is potentially can be accidental.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said plural number of laser beam eyes they can be predefined to act on different distance to smooth the pressure applied on the breaks system in the car.

20. The device of claim 17 can be used to control the traffic signal by sensing the amount of people waiting to cross the road.