| Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing -> Monitor Keywords |
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Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencingRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, For Thrusting A Pointed Weapon (e.g., A Fencing Foil, Etc.) Or Simulation ThereofPreset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060211541, Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims benefit of our provisional application, No. 60/553,988 filed on Mar. 18, 2004. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The Sport of Fencing [0002] Fencing is a sport where two opponents face off and compete against one another using hand-held weapons or swords. Within the sport of fencing there are three distinct games defined by the type of sword or weapon used in the game. The three weapons, Foil (FIG. 2.1), Epee (FIG. 2.2) and Sabre (FIG. 2.3), differ physically and by how they are meant to be used in the sport and these differences along with rule sets specific to each weapon define the game. Governing Bodies [0003] The international sport of fencing is regulated by an organization called the Federation Internationale D'Escrime (FIE); a governing body based in Europe which sets forth rules by which the sport of fencing, all fencers and competitions must abide. In the United States there is a similar, but subordinate governing body which sets forth regulations for fencing in this country called the Unites States Fencing Association (USFA). The USFA, although independent of the FIE takes direction from the rules and regulations set forth by the FIE to aid in consistency in compliance in a global sense. Rules set forth by these organizations specify such aspects of the sport of fencing that include but are not limited to the physical size and shape of the equipment used in the sport, the material the equipment is comprised of, how points are awarded during a bout and much more. Scoring a Valid Touche [0004] During a bout (or single game between two fencers) points are scored by making contact between one competitor's weapon and his/her opponent's body. A valid contact by which a point is awarded to a fencer depends on several aspects of the game including but not limited to 1) how the contact is made 2) where the contact is made on the opponent's body. This valid area of potential contact (called "Valid Target Area") depends on which weapon is being used (or which game is being played). In the game of Sabre, a valid point (or touche) is scored when any part of the blade portion (FIG. 2.3.4) of the weapon comes in contact with the opponent's valid target area for this game. In the Foil and Epee games, the contact must occur in the appropriate valid target area for these games but must only be made by the small end (or point) (FIG. 2.1.5, FIG. 2.2.5) portion of the weapon in a "poking" manner. The Scoring System [0005] Today's currently produced fencing weapons incorporate electromechanical scoring mechanisms to aid in determining valid points or touches and the overall winner of a bout. In the foil and epee, a push-button with extending wires is incorporated at the far end of the weapon (FIG. 2.1.5, FIG. 2.2.5). The wires, attached internally to the workings of the push-button, extend from the base of the button and run down the length of the blade to the bell guard (FIG. 2.1.2, FIG. 2.2.2) area of the weapon. These wires end at a socket receptacle (FIG. 2.1.3, FIG. 2.2.3) inside the bell guard which is connected through a series of interconnects (FIG. 1.2) to a scoring machine (FIG. 1.3) during a competition. The first of such interconnects called a "body cord" is a device comprised of connecting plugs and wires and is worn under the protective clothing of a fencer from the hand of the weapon arm, through the sleeve, down the inside of the jacket and then out behind the fencer. The end of the body cord which is exposed at the end of the sleeve of the weapon arm is connected to the socket in the bell guard area of the weapon while the other end of the body cord is attached to a cable that is then connected to a scoring machine. This scoring machine is responsible for helping to determine such things as valid and non-valid hits and the timing of the touches (who hits who first). The indications the scoring machine provides in the form of lights and buzzers assist the Director (or referee) of the bout in determining the victor. The Tip Assembly [0006] With the point weapons, Foil and Epee, the push-button which is incorporated at the end of the weapon must be depressed against an opponent within the valid target area to score a valid touch. The push button at the end of the weapons is also referred to as a "tip assembly" (FIG. 3). These assemblies are comprised of a number of items including a barrel (FIG. 3.2) (a metallic or hard containment cylinder which houses all the following components); a contact cup (FIG. 3.3) (contact cup with metal contacts attached to wires extending down the length of the blade of the weapon and electrically connected to the body cord for score hit detection), a point (FIG. 3.1) (or button which travels axially within the barrel and which is the point of contact when scoring a touche), a compression spring (FIG. 3.4) (a traditional spring which provides resistance to scoring a touche), and two screws (FIG. 3.6) which retain the point and therefore other components within the barrel. [0007] When the point of the tip assembly is fully depressed within the assembly the metal contacts of the contact cup (FIG. 6.1) are electrically "shorted" together by the base of the point (or by a smaller "contact"spring). These contacts are connected to the wires (FIG. 6.2) that carry the "sense" signal (of the point which is now depressed) to and from the electrical scoring system. Since the base of the point (which the contact spring is attached to) is electrically connected to the scoring surface of the point, the scoring system is able to sense when a hit lands on a valid or non-valid target area. Hits that land on non-valid target areas will not be registered as a valid touche by the scoring machine. The Screws [0008] To retain the point (and subsequently all other tip assembly components) inside the barrel, opposing screws are inserted through slots, holes or apertures in the sides of the barrel (FIG. 3.6) and threaded into the point. The screws, when properly fitted (FIG. 13.4), extend out into the slots, holes or apertures of the barrel and allow the point to travel axially but do not allow the point to be removed from the tip assembly. These screws must be present in the tip assembly at the beginning of a bout to avoid subsequent penalties. However, over time these screws wear, work loose and fall out. [0009] The screws also enable the assembly to be serviced. Servicing the assembly may include but is not limited to making adjustments to the compression spring or contact spring/mechanism. These adjustments allow fencers to alter their tip assembly to be more or less sensitive, resulting in weapons operating at differing specifications. Compression Spring [0010] The compression spring ( FIG. 7.1) supplies resistance to depressing the point and establishes a preset amount of force necessary to score a valid touche. At the beginning of a bout, this tip assembly must support a specified amount of weight (750 g for Epee and 500 g for Foil) without triggering the scoring machine to sense a touche. However, over time this spring fatigues and falls out of compliance with the regulatory specification. Any fencer who presents a weapon that does not pass this test is subject to penalties. Contact Spring (mechanism) [0011] The contact mechanism (a conventional spring in the Epee) (FIG. 7.2) is used to set the amount of travel allowed before a valid touche can be scored. By threading this spring on or off of a post built into the point, the space between the end of the contact spring and the contacts in the contact cup can be enlarged or shortened. A larger space means the point must travel further within the barrel before striking the contacts and triggering a touche. This space between the contact mechanism and contact cup is measured at the beginning of each bout. If the weapon presented for testing does not pass the minimum spacing (shim test) requirement penalty points will be awarded. Contact Cup [0012] In common tip assemblies, the contact cup is seated within the barrel with the bottom of the barrel affixed beneath it (not shown). The wires from the contact cup extend down trough the bottom of the barrel and are typically glued into place in a trough of the blade. This configuration makes it impossible to remove the barrel from the blade without destroying or severing the wires which are glues below. When removing the barrel, a new contact cup and wire assembly must be purchased. Penalties [0013] At the beginning of each bout a fencer is required to present him/herself to the director. The director inspects various pieces of equipment for safety and regulatory compliance. Of the pieces of equipment, the director will devote a portion of time to the weapon the fencer will be using. This weapon must pass several visual and operational tests before the weapon is allowed on the piste (or fencing area). Continue reading about Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing... Full patent description for Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Walk-behind working machine Next Patent Application: Motion platform system and method of rotating a motion platform about plural axes Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Preset, non-serviceable tip assembly system for fencing patent info. 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