U.S. patent application number 13/675901 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for fencing weapon point assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Leon Paul Equipment Company Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Leon Paul Equipment Company Limited. Invention is credited to Alex Paul.
Application Number | 20130130810 13/675901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45475384 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130130810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paul; Alex |
May 23, 2013 |
Fencing Weapon Point Assembly
Abstract
A fencing weapon point assembly (1, 6) for a fencing weapon such
as an epee, foil or sabre is provided. At least one of the
components of the weapon point assembly is made from a metal or
metal alloy having different density to steel. Weapon point
assemblies having lighter weight components provide for greater
control and thus precision of the weapon during combat. Whereas
weapon point assemblies having heavy components provide the blade
with a greater `whip` of the weapon point assembly.
Inventors: |
Paul; Alex; (St. Albans,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Leon Paul Equipment Company Limited; |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Leon Paul Equipment Company
Limited
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
45475384 |
Appl. No.: |
13/675901 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/47.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 13/02 20130101;
A63B 69/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/47.1 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/02 20060101
A63B069/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 18, 2011 |
GB |
GB 1119944.5 |
Claims
1. A weapon point assembly for a fencing weapon, comprising: at
least one component made of a metal or metal alloy having a
different density than steel.
2. The weapon point assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
component is selected from the group consisting of a weapon point
tip, a weapon point barrel, a weapon point base, and a combination
of these.
3. The weapon point assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one
component is made of a metal or metal alloy that is less dense than
steel.
4. The weapon point assembly of claim 3, wherein the less dense
metal or metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of
titanium, a titanium alloy, and a hardenable aluminium alloy.
5. The weapon point assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one
component is made of a metal or metal alloy that is more dense than
steel.
6. The weapon point assembly of claim 5, wherein the more dense
metal or metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of
tungsten and tungsten carbide.
7. A fencing weapon comprising: an end; a weapon point assembly
supported about the end, the weapon point assembly comprising at
least one component made of a metal or metal alloy having a
different density than steel.
8. The weapon point assembly of claim 2, further comprising an
insulator electrically isolating the weapon point tip and the
weapon point base.
9. The weapon point assembly of claim 2, further comprising a
spring configured to urge the weapon point barrel and the weapon
point tip to project from the weapon point base, wherein the weapon
point tip and the weapon point barrel are slidably supported in the
weapon point base.
10. The weapon point assembly of claim 2, further comprising
electromechanical means that registers and signals a movement of
the weapon point tip and the weapon point barrel into the weapon
point base.
11. The fencing weapon of claim 7, wherein the at least one
component is selected from the group consisting of a weapon point
tip, a weapon point barrel, a weapon point base, and a combination
of these.
12. The fencing weapon of claim 7, wherein said at least one
component is made of a metal or metal alloy that is less dense than
steel.
13. The fencing weapon of claim 12, wherein the less dense metal or
metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of titanium, a
titanium alloy, and a hardenable aluminium alloy.
14. The fencing weapon of claim 7, wherein said at least one
component is made of a metal or metal alloy that is more dense than
steel.
15. The fencing weapon of claim 14, wherein the more dense metal or
metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of tungsten and
tungsten carbide.
16. A method for forming a weapon point assembly for use with a
fencing weapon, the method comprising: configuring a weapon point
assembly to be supported about an end of a fencing weapon, the
weapon point assembly comprising: a weapon point base; a weapon
point barrel operable with the weapon point base; and a weapon
point tip operable with the weapon point base, forming at least one
of the weapon point base, the weapon point barrel and the weapon
point tip from a metal or metal alloy having a different density
than steel.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said forming comprises forming
at least one of the weapon point base, the weapon point barrel and
the weapon point tip from a metal or metal alloy having a density
greater than steel.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said forming comprises forming
at least one of the weapon point base, the weapon point barrel and
the weapon point tip from a metal or metal alloy having a density
less than steel.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing an
insulator electrically isolating the weapon point tip and the
weapon point base.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a spring
configured to urge the weapon point barrel and the weapon point tip
to project from the weapon point base, wherein the weapon point tip
and the weapon point barrel are slidably supported in the weapon
point base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to fencing weapons and in
particular the point assembly for the various fencing weapon types;
namely epee, foil and sabre.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The sport of fencing has developed over the years from sword
duelling, which in the past was used to settle disagreements
between parties. Typically parties involved in sword duelling would
know who the winner was as they would be the last person
standing.
[0003] The sport of fencing has developed with the aim of rewarding
skilled swordsmanship without the need for actual bloodshed. Modern
fencing weapons are therefore provided with an electro-mechanical
system that monitors when a competitor has scored a `hit` on their
opponent.
[0004] An important element of the electro-mechanical system is the
weapon point assembly, which is attached to the end of the blade of
the weapon. Various designs of weapon point assembly exist, and the
manner in which they register when a `hit` is scored can also
vary.
[0005] By way of example, a weapon point assembly for an epee blade
comprises a base which is attachable to the end of a fencing
weapon, usually by way of a screw thread. Within the base is
provided a pair of electrical contacts each of which is connected
to a wire that runs down the blade of the weapon. The electrical
contacts are separated by a small gap, thereby providing an open
circuit.
[0006] A point tip is retained within a barrel which is in turn
slideably retained within the base in such a way that the tip
presents a face out of the end of the weapon point. A contact
closing means, usually in the form of a small spring, is provided
in association with the point tip so that when the point tip, and
thereby the barrel, is pushed in (as occurs when the face of the
tip hits a surface) the closing means bridges the gap between the
electrical contacts and closes the circuit.
[0007] The point tip, and thus the associated contact closing means
also, is urged away from the electrical contacts by a spring.
Depending on the type of fencing blade used the resistance of the
spring can vary.
[0008] Typically as it is the action of the point tip making
contact with the opponent's body that is crucial in registering a
`hit` the swordsman's ability to control the movement and placement
of the point tip can be vital.
[0009] One way in which weapon manufacturers have sought to improve
the control a swordsman has over the point tip has been to modify
the cross-section of the blade, thereby making the blade stiffer or
more flexible to control how the point moves when the weapon is
moved in quick movements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention seeks to provide improved weapon point
assemblies for use on the various types of fencing weapons.
Currently the main component parts of a weapon point assembly for
fencing weapon are made from plated mild steel or stainless
steel.
[0011] The present invention provides a weapon point assembly for a
fencing weapon, characterized in that at least one component of the
assembly is made of a metal or metal alloy having a different
density to steel.
[0012] Although the fencing weapon point assemblies that are
currently in use are not very heavy, the effect of their weight is
magnified because it is located at the end of the weapon, which is
a relatively long distance away from the weapon handle. The weapon
point assembly's weight can therefore make a significant difference
to the way a fencing weapon feels and performs for the athlete.
[0013] The main component parts of the weapon point assembly are
the weapon point tip, the weapon point barrel, and the weapon point
base. As these contribute to the majority of the mass of the weapon
point assembly it is these components that have the most noticeable
effect when they are replaced with equivalent components of
differing density.
[0014] By varying the density of the material used to make one or
more of the weapon point assembly component parts it is possible to
vary the weight of the assembly, which it has been found provide
additional benefits to the swordsman.
[0015] Preferably said at least one component may be made of a
metal or metal alloy that is less dense than steel. It has been
discovered that by reducing the density of the material used to
make the point tip of the fencing weapon it is possible to reduce
the weighting effect felt at the handle and thus improve the
performance of the weapon. In this way it is possible for to
provide a weapon which enables the swordsman to have greater
control over movement and placement of the weapon point
assembly.
[0016] Suitable materials for the lighter fencing weapon point
assembly may include titanium, titanium alloys, and all hardenable
aluminium alloys. Other suitable metals/alloys will be appreciated
upon consideration of, amongst other factors, their density
relative to steel.
[0017] Alternatively said at least one component may be made of a
metal or metal alloy that is more dense than steel. It has been
discovered that by increasing the density of the material used to
make the main components of the weapon point assembly of the
fencing weapon it is possible to increase the momentum that can be
generated at the weapon point assembly. In this way a swordsman can
generate a `whip` effect, very much akin to that achieved by an
angler during casting. This `whip` effect is considered a
particular effective tactic during duelling and as such is
advantageous.
[0018] Suitable materials for the heavier fencing weapon point
assembly may include tungsten and tungsten carbide. Other suitable
metals/alloys will be appreciated upon consideration of, amongst
other factors, their density relative to steel.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention a fencing weapon
comprising the weapon point assembly of the present invention is
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows an epee point assembly for a fencing
weapon;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the epee point assembly of FIG. 1 in
cross-section along lines A-A; and
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a foil point assembly for a fencing weapon;
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the foil point assembly of FIG. 3 in
cross-section along lines A-A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The weapon point assembly of a fencing weapon can take a
number of different forms, which will be appreciated by the person
skilled in the art, and it is envisaged that the present invention
is generally applicable. However it order to explain the present
invention in more detail two examples of weapon point assemblies
are provided.
[0026] It is appreciated that, whilst the language used to refer to
the component parts of the weapon point assemblies may vary within
the technology field, the main component parts of the weapon point
assembly are known.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an epee weapon point assembly 1 whereas
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a foil weapon point assembly 6.
[0028] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body of the
weapon point assembly 1 is provided by the base 5. The base 5 can
be screwed on to the end of a fencing weapon by way of the internal
screw thread, although other suitable attachment means will be
appreciated.
[0029] The base 5, which is shown with a portion cut away for the
sake of clarity, receives the main components of the weapon point
assembly 1 in such a way that the end face of the point tip 2a
projects out of the end of the base 5.
[0030] The point tip 2 is mounted within the barrel 3, which is in
turn slideably mounted within the base 5. The weapon point tip 2
and the weapon point base 5 are electrically isolated from one
another by insulation means 4.
[0031] A spring (not shown) is provided within the base 5 to urge
the barrel 3 and the tip 2 to project from the base 5. When the tip
2 in pressed upon a surface (e.g. an opponent's body) the barrel
and tip can slide into the base 5. Once the point tip 3 is taken
off the surface the spring 5 ensures that the point tip 3 returns
to its original position. The resistance provided by the spring
ensures that a strike to an opponent must have a certain force
before a `hit` is registered.
[0032] As will be appreciated electromechanical means are also
provided within the weapon point assembly to translate any movement
of the tip and the barrel into the base as a `hit`.
[0033] Referring now to the foil point assembly 6 shown in FIGS. 3
and 4, it can be seen that the main body of the weapon point
assembly 6 is provided by a base 10. The base 10 can be screwed on
to the end of a fencing weapon by way of the internal screw thread,
although other suitable attachment means will be appreciated.
[0034] The base 10, which is shown with a portion cut away for the
sake of clarity, receives the main components of the weapon point
assembly 6 in such a way that the end face of the point tip 7a
projects out of the end of the base 10.
[0035] The point tip 7 is mounted within the barrel 8, which is in
turn slideably mounted within the base 10. The weapon point tip 7
and the weapon point base are electrically isolated from one
another by insulation means 9.
[0036] It will be understood that, as with the epee point assembly
1, the foil point assembly 6 comprises additional electromechanical
parts which enable it translate a contact at the point tip 7 in to
a `hit` signal. Such additional parts, the operation of which is
known in the art, will not be discussed in any detail here.
[0037] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, it is the tip 2, 7; the
barrel 3, 8; and the base 5, 10 which form the main components
parts of the weapon point assemblies 1, 6, not least in terms of
the mass they contribute to the total weight of the assembly.
[0038] It is therefore envisaged that varying the density of the
materials used to make these three main components will have the
greatest impact on the weight of the weapon point assembly. However
it is appreciated that other weapon point assembly designs may have
alternative component parts of relative mass. It is appreciated
that the replacement of those components with materials of
differing density to steel may also provide the benefits of the
present invention.
[0039] It is also envisaged that, in addition to the epee and foil
weapon point assemblies described herein, sabre weapon points may
also benefit from being made from alternative materials. It is
appreciated that, whilst sabre weapon points (e.g. "dummy points")
do not have the same component parts as the epee and foil weapon
point assemblies, varying the weight of the sabre weapon tip is
considered particularly desirable for the reasons also identified
above.
* * * * *