Patent Application
20130130870
This specification relates to the facilitation of martial arts training and in particular to martial arts training devices and scoring devices.
The martial arts such as karate, kung-fu, tae-kwon do, kick-boxing, boxing, and others, enjoy increasing popularity as physical sports and mental disciplines. Many of these martial arts are the present day successors to ancient forms of hand to hand combat. As such, the martial arts can require the development of split-second reflexes of a physical and a mental nature, enabling practitioners to perceive, analyze and react to a given situation rapidly.
Typically, martial arts are taught utilizing instruction and practice techniques that encourage competition and rivalry among the practitioners. Often, the martial arts instructors employ full-contact contest formats, or non-contact or light contact (controlled) sparring sessions as part of the training sessions. However, the speeds, skills, and movements involved can make scoring such contests or training sessions problematic. In short, scoring is predicated on the subjective evaluation of an exchange of techniques between the participants, either by the participants themselves, or by others. Dependence on subjective judgment in conjunction with the speed, skills and movements can result in improperly scored sessions, contests and/or rankings. Additionally, improper scoring and/or ranking can encourage excessive contact (by a participant attempting to forcefully “record” his strike unmistakably for the evaluator).
Similarly, the ranking of participants is also problematic. Many of the martial arts utilize an advancement system to acknowledge a practitioner's knowledge and skill in an art. For example, many forms of Karate utilize a belt color system where the color of a practitioner's belt denotes the practitioner's tested knowledge and skill in the art. However, such systems do not lend themselves to individually ranking practitioners against other practitioners. Likewise, such ranking systems do not readily permit the identification of victories in past competition sessions.
Thus, there is a need for a means and method for improved scoring and ranking of participants in martial arts. The present invention addresses this need.
This specification describes technologies relating to a means and method of scoring and ranking martial arts practitioners.
In general, one innovative aspect of the novel technology presented in this specification is a scoring system for use in various styles of martial arts, including a garment partially covering a combatant and possessing a plurality of areas covered with easily detachable/reattachable fasteners, such as hook and loop type fasteners or the like, each of the areas corresponding to a strike location upon the combatant. The garment also includes strike gear, the strike gear likewise covered with like fasteners, and strike coins, wherein each strike coin is covered with fasteners matable to the garment and strike gear fasteners. Each strike coin has an associated point value based upon a determined strike location of the combatant that the strike coin is affixed to.
In general, another innovative aspect of the novel technology presented in this specification is an outfit for combatants engaged in a martial competition comprising a garment consisting of a first gear, a second gear and strike coins, the first gear consisting of a resilient material and possessing a plurality of areas covered with hook and loop type fasteners, each of the hook and loop type fastener covered areas corresponding to a strike location upon a combatant equipped with the first gear, and the second gear covering strike elements of the combatant consisting of a resilient material and also substantially covered with hook and loop type fasteners, and the second gear covering the strike elements of the combatant and consisting of a resilient material substantially covered with hook and loop type fasteners, and the score coins consisting of a thin and resilient material and substantially covered with hook and loop type fasteners, and each strike coin being associated with a point value based upon a strike location of the combatant that the strike coin is proximate to, wherein the hook and loop fasteners on the second gear are such that an adhesion between a strike coin and the second gear is stronger than an adhesion between the strike coin and the first gear.
In general, another aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of equipping each combatant in a martial arts training session or competition session with a first gear, the first gear covering at least one strike location, wherein a portion of the first gear is covered with a loop material for interlocking engagement with a score coin, further equipping each combatant with a second gear, the second gear covering at least one strike element, wherein a portion of the second gear is covered with a loop material for interlocking engagement with a score coin, and equipping at least one combatant with at least one score coin, the at least one score coin equipped such that the at least one score coin is interlockingly engaged with the first gear in close proximity of the at least one strike location, then running a combat session wherein each combatant participates in the combat session, and generating a score for each combatant primarily based upon a sum of score coins, each of the score coins interlockingly engaged with the second gear upon the combatant.
The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Strike gear 100 is typically formed of a resilient material and padded to enhance the safety to both the striking and receiving combatants or practitioners. In some implementations, the resilient material and padding are the same material. For example, some implementations utilize a durable foam rubber with the outer surface coated with a thin, protective covering of rubber. Other implementations utilize a resilient material that is sown to form the protective gear and to encapsulate the padding. In such implementations, the resilient material is preferably double stitched. However, other means of fastening such as fusing the resilient material, gluing the resilient material, form molding the resilient material, and the like can be utilized. The strike glove 110 may be a full glove, covering the entire hard, or a partial glove or band covering a portion of the hand. Likewise, the strike booty 140 may cover more or less of the foot.
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In some implementations, the strike glove 110 has multiple offensive strike areas 118. The strike booty 140, the elbow and forearm strike sleeve 190 and the strike knee and shin guard 170 also have multiple offensive strike areas 118. It should be noted that the term strike area 118 is not limiting and that the martial arts training and scoring gear is also operable for non-strike contact-based martial arts techniques.
The multiple offensive strike areas 118 are covered with contact based fasteners 120. Typically, the contact based fasteners 120 are repeatedly disengageably reengagable permitting the means of fastening 120 to be reused. The contact based fasteners 120 are such that upon contact with a strike coin, the strike coin securely attaches to the strike gear 100. In some implementations, the contact based fasteners 120 are hook and loop type fasteners. In some implementations, the contact based fasteners 120 are composed of an elastomer, sufficiently sticky such that upon contact with a strike coin 300, the strike coin 300 securely attaches to the strike gear 100. In some other implementations, the contact based fasteners 120 are composed of magnets and magnetic substances such that upon contact with a strike coin 300, the strike coin 300 securely attaches to the strike gear 100. Notwithstanding the implementations, the strike coins 300 are more adhesive to the strike gear 100 than to the combat garment 200.
However, different martial arts differ in the number and size of strike locations 118 upon the various parts of the body used to strike with. As such, some implementations have different strike locations 118 upon the strike gear 100. Some implementations even cover the entire surface of the strike gear 100 with contact based fasteners 120. This permits a strike coin 300 to affix to any portion of the strike gear 100.
In some implementations, one or more of the strike gear 100 may have attachment devices 125 with which the strike gear 100 is attached to a combatant. Typically, the attachment devices 125 are straps with hook and loop type fasteners placed upon the straps in such way such that the straps can be adjustably secured to the combatants. However, any suitable means to secure the strike gear 100 to a combatant can be used. For example, the strike booty 140, the elbow and forearm strike sleeve 190 and the strike knee and shin guard 170 can utilize an elastic sock style means of securing the respective piece of strike gear 100, with the elastic sock snuggly fitting over the respective body part to secure the respective piece of strike gear 100.
Similar to the strike gear 100, the combat garment 200 has multiple strike zones 220. Typically, the strike locations 220 correspond to vital strike areas of the human body. For example, strike locations 220 can include the knee, the temples of the head, the ears, the groin, various nerve and joint locations, and the like. However, some implementations have strike locations 220 that do not correspond to vital strike areas of the human body. Additionally, some implementations are such that any area of the combat garment 200 is considered a strike location 220. Note that not all strike locations 220 are equal. Some strike locations 220, typically because of the sensitivity of the corresponding location of the body, are considered more important than others. As will be explained below, each strike zone 220 can be associated with a point score, usually corresponding to the strike sensitivity of the corresponding location on the human body.
The strike zones 220 are covered with contact based fasteners 230. Typically, the contact based fasteners 220 are reattachably disengageable, permitting the means of fastening to be reused. The contact based fasteners 230 are such that upon contact with a strike coin 300, the strike coin 300 securely attaches to the combat garment 200. However, the contact based fasteners 230 differ from the contact based fasteners 120 in that a strike coin 300 will attach more securely to the contact based fasteners 120 than to the contact based fasteners 230. In other words, a strike coin 300 will adhere more strongly to strike gear 100 than to the combat garment 200.
However, some implementations do not utilize strike zones upon the combat garment 200. Instead, substantially all or the entire combat garment 200 can be covered with contact based fasteners 230. Substantially covering the entire garment 200 with contact based fasteners 230 enable free placement of the strike coins 300. Additionally, similar to the contact based fasteners 120, the contact based fasteners 230 can be composed of hook and loop type fasteners, magnetic and magnetic elements based fasteners, and/or elastomer based fasteners, or a combination of the three types of fasteners.
Additionally, the term “strike coin” should not be understood to be descriptive. Strike coins 300 can vary in shape. For example, in some implementations the strike coin 300 is square or rectangle in shape. In some implementations the strike coin 300 is circular in shape. In still other implementations, the strike coin 300 is star-like in shape. Furthermore, in some implementations the shape and possibly the size of the strike coin 300 are based upon the individual who owns the strike coin 300. For example, a novice practitioner might strike coins 300 that present a smaller target such as small and circular in shape while an experienced practitioner might have strike coins 300 that present a larger target such as large, star shaped strike coins 300.
The strike coin 300 is covered with a contact-based fastener 340 matable to the contact based fastener 120 and to the contact base fastener 220. Typically, the contact-based fastener 340 matable to the contact based fastener 120 and to the contact base fastener 220 are repeatedly removably disengageable and reengable, permitting the means of fastening to be reused. Similar to the contact based fasteners 120, the contact-based fastener 340 can be composed of hook and loop type fasteners, magnetic and magnetic elements based fasteners, and/or elastomer based fasteners, or a combination of the three types of fasteners. In some implementations, the contact based fastener 340 of one side of the strike coin 300 forms a less secure attachment to a contact based fastener 120 or a contact based fastener 230 than the other side of the strike coin's 300 attachment to a contact based fastener 120 or a contact based fastener 230.
In some implementations, the strike coin 300 is colored based upon the strike zone 220 that the strike coin 300 is associated with. For example, green strike coins 300 could be placed upon painful but non-lethal strike zones 220, yellow strike coins 300 could be placed upon crippling strike zones 220, and red strike coins 300 could be placed upon lethal strike zones 230. Additionally, the strike coins 300 of some implementations also have an assigned point value. 350. Typically, the point value 350 is based upon the severity of the strike zones 220 that the strike coin 300 is associated with. For example, similar to the assigned coin color example, low point value strike coins 300 could be associated with and placed on painful but non-lethal strike zones 220, higher value strike coins 300 could be associated with and placed on the crippling strike zones 220, and high point strike coins 300 could be associated with and placed on lethal strike zones 230.
The strike coins 300 of some implementations can also include additional information. The additional information can be a personal logo 360, a registration symbol, an image, a number, or the like. Additionally, the personal logo 360 itself can be an image, a commercial logo, a registered professional name or mark, or the like. Typically, the personal logo 360 is registered with a nationally recognized entity. The nationally recognized entity ensures that strike coins 300 having the personal logo 360 are given to those who have rights to the personal logo 360. However, in one method of use of the novel technology, such personal logo strike coins 300 can be lost through matches.
For example, a well-known martial artist registers his image as his personal logo 360. Only that well-known martial artist can order additional strike coins 360 bearing his image. When the martial artist enters into competition, he can place his image bearing strike coins 300 on his combat garment 200. His opponent can win the martial artist's strike coins 300 from the martial artist by landing successful strikes on the martial artist. Should his opponent be successful in acquiring the martial artist's strike coins 300 through a match, the opponent can proudly display the martial artist's strike coins 300 to others, possibly as a testament to the opponent's skill.
In general, the novel technology presented in this specification can be used to assist in the training of martial arts, the scoring of martial arts competitions, the evaluating of martial artists, the promoting of martial arts, and helps to decrease the likelihood for injury resulting from practicing or competing in martial arts.
Training in martial arts can take years, require great commitment from the practitioner, and require great levels of precision. Training in martial arts can be a frustrating experience even for the most experienced practitioner. The martial arts training and scoring gear 100, 200, 300 presented in this specification can assist in training a practitioner by visually and potentially selectively highlighting strike zones 220 and by providing performance feedback in real or near real time.
To assist with training, one or more practitioners are equipped with the martial arts training and scoring gear 100, 200, 300. Strike coins 300 are accordingly placed upon the practitioners. Specific colored strike coins 300 can be used to highlight specific strike zones 220 should the practitioners desire to concentrate upon specific strike zones 220. For example, a very bright red can be used to highlight the strike zones 220 associated with a specific martial arts move or strike that the practitioners desire to practice while other colors can be used for the other strike zones 220 upon the practitioners. The practitioners practice martial arts against each other for timed periods. At the end of each time period, the practitioners examine the strike coins 300 that they have taken from each other. Acquired strike coins 300 can optionally be put back upon the respective practitioner at the end of each timed period. Additionally, point values associated with the strike coins 300 can be recorded after each practice session, yielding a value that can be tracked to determine a practitioner's improvement in the art form.
To assist with the scoring of a martial arts competition, one or more of the practitioners are equipped with the martial arts training and scoring gear 100, 200, 300. Strike coins 300 are accordingly placed upon the practitioners. Specific colored or marked strike coins 300 can be used to highlight forbidden or especially important strike zones 220. Typically, the competition is broken up into combat sessions, where each combat session lasts a predetermined time length. Alternatively, competition can be temporarily stopped and each practitioner's acquired strike coins are evaluated for a score. Acquired strike coins 300 can optionally be put back upon the respective practitioner at the end of each timed period. At the end of the competition, each practitioner's scores are added yielding a competition score. Typically, the highest scoring practitioner is considered the winner. However similar to a golf handicap, values can be assigned to unequally skilled practitioners enabling competition to occur between the practitioners.
Additionally, it should be noted that there are other means of tallying up a practitioner's score in both training and in competition. For example, the strike coins 300 that a practitioner loses during training or competition can also be counted. As previously noted, each strike coin 300 can be associated with a specific strike zone 220. Collectively, the values of won strike coins, lost strike coins, and specific won and lost strike coins enables the development of statistics serving to highlight a practitioner's martial arts performance. Furthermore, such statistics are descriptive permitting the statistical evaluation of a practitioner in terms of his preferred areas to strike, to defend and in what areas he is poor at defending. Such values can also be used to statistically model and predict the performance of practitioners.
Also, use of the martial arts training and scoring gear 100, 200, 300 helps to reduce the chance of injury to practitioners. Unlike the subjective evaluation by a human martial arts judge or instructor, the above mentioned statistics are objective. By using the martial arts training and scoring gear, there is no need to increase the force of a kick or punch during a competition or an instruction period to ensure that the human judge or instructor observes the kick or punch. With no need to increase the force of a kick or punch, the forces used during training or competition are likely to be lower and thus lowering the likelihood of injury to practitioners.
It should be understood that the presented novel technology also lends itself to assisting in self or audio or video based instruction. Learning a martial arts technique can require extensive practice, practice that may not be able to be performed in front of an instructor. The novel technology provides positive proof that contact was made. For example, a combat dummy can be equipped with the combat garment 200 presented novel technology. Kicks, strikes, moves, sweeps, and the like can be practiced against the combat dummy. Transfer of strike coins 300 between the combat dummy to the practicing individual would serve to provide nearly instant feedback indicating whether or not the proper location upon the combat dummy was made contact with.
Furthermore, use of the martial arts training and scoring gear 100, 200, 300 enables a verifiable form of promotion of martial arts practitioners. As previously stated, strike coins 300 can be marked with a personal logo 360. Competition between martial arts practitioners can be modified such that the strike coins 300 won or lost by a practitioner remain won or lost. The strike coins 300 won by a practitioner can be examined to see who the practitioner has successfully struck in competition.
Additionally, won strike coins 300 can be worn in future competitions. Similar to trading card games where the participants risk cards that they have won in previous games, practitioners can risk won strike coins 300 by wearing their won strike coins 300 in further matches. Note that wearing won strike coins 300 effectively enables a practitioner to put his reputation on the line during a match by risking, to his competitor, the strike coins 300 that he has won.
As another variant, participants can declare or randomly decide what strike zones 220 are to be valued before entering into practice or into competition. For example, one or more participants can declare that only strikes to certain strike zones 220 or strike zones 220 of a certain point value or color are to be considered for the participant's combat score. This can allow participants to more intensely focus their martial arts practice to specific strike zones. For example, a participant having trouble with strikes to the head could declare that only his strikes to his opponents head would count for the purpose of his score. That is, only his opponent's score coins 300 corresponding to the strike zones 220 of his opponent's head would count. Other strike coins 300 would not be counted.
While the above detailed description portrays the novel technology in a combat or martial arts light, the presented novel technology should be understood to be applicable to a wide range of activities that involve contact between two or more people. For example, interesting and challenging adaptations of physical games can be enabled through the use of this novel technology. For example, the game of tag can make use of this novel technology. In this example, the participants would be equipped with the gear discussed above. Rules for the game can be implemented for the game permitting only certain types (colors, point values, etc.) of strike coins 300 to be acquired at certain times. The winner of the game could be the individual with the greatest point value.
As another example, the novel technology presented in this specification could be used to assist in teaching competitive dance. Competitive dance activities often require specific moves with high degrees of interaction among the dance partners. Such moves require the specific placement of the partner's hands, arms, legs, feet and the like. The novel technology can be used to provide both feedback and proof of the specific placement of the partner's hands, arms, legs, and the like.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Similarly, while actions are depicted in the drawings or specification as occurring in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such actions be performed in the particular order shown, or that all actions be performed, to achieve desirable results.
Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.
Additionally, the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
