U.S. patent application number 14/323026 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for illuminating hockey puck system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jamilla Kounellas. Invention is credited to Jamilla Kounellas.
Application Number | 20150011339 14/323026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52133191 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150011339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kounellas; Jamilla |
January 8, 2015 |
Illuminating Hockey Puck System
Abstract
An illuminating hockey puck and hockey goal monitoring system is
provided. The hockey puck comprises a standard size hockey puck
with an imbedded RF receiver, electrical circuit, and a power
source therein. The receiver functions in coordination with the
hockey goal monitoring system, which registers when the receiver
passes over its threshold to energize a light source either in the
puck or along the goal itself. The monitoring system comprises a
transmitter connected to an energized wire disposed within the goal
posts and over the threshold of the goal, whereby the proximity of
the receiver to the wire can be measured and the system registers
when the puck has entered the goal.
Inventors: |
Kounellas; Jamilla;
(Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kounellas; Jamilla |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52133191 |
Appl. No.: |
14/323026 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61842495 |
Jul 3, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/74 20200801;
A63B 2225/15 20130101; A63B 43/00 20130101; A63B 2102/24 20151001;
A63B 43/008 20130101; A63B 71/0605 20130101; A63B 67/14 20130101;
A63B 2225/54 20130101; A63B 63/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/471 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A63B 67/14 20060101 A63B067/14; A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00 |
Claims
1. A hockey puck system, comprising: a hockey puck having a radio
frequency receiver, a light source, a power supply, and a circuit
for determining signal strength; a hockey goal comprises a forward
frame having a first and second upright goal post and a cross bar
member, said first and second upright goal post and said cross bar
member forming an inverted U-shape and each having a hollow
interior; said hockey goal further comprising a radio frequency
transmitter comprising a power source, a signal generator, and an
elongated wire forming a closed loop; said elongated wire extending
through said hollow interior of said first and second upright goal
post, through said cross bar member, and between said first and
second upright goal post to form said closed loop; said radio
frequency receiver being configured to register an emitted signal
from said elongated wire, said emitted signal being generated from
said signal generator.
2. The hockey puck system, wherein said circuit is configured to
energize said light source when said radio frequency receiver
passes through said closed loop.
3. The hockey puck system, wherein said circuit further comprises a
timer circuit controlling the duration of said light source being
energized.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/842,495 filed on Jul. 3, 2013, entitled "High
Visibility Ice Hockey Puck." The above identified patent
application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to
provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to sports equipment and to
boundary monitoring systems therefor. More specifically, the
present invention relates to a hockey system that comprises a
hockey puck or ball with an imbedded RF receiver and a hockey goal
with a boundary monitoring system therein that can register when
the puck or ball has cross into the goal.
[0004] The sport of hockey is a fast-paced game played using hockey
sticks and a single ball or puck, which is passed between players
for the purpose of placing the ball or puck into a hockey goal. The
speed of the players and the small size of the puck make it
difficult for spectators and viewers to watch the game and
recognize the location of the puck during gameplay. Visual cues
from the players' movements are generally used to locate the puck,
however when in proximity to the goal locating the puck becomes
even more difficult. Moreover, determining when the puck has passed
over the threshold of the goal can sometimes be difficult if there
are several players around the goal.
[0005] When watching televised hockey games, locating the puck can
be particularly difficult for viewers at home to follow the puck.
Not only does this make it difficult to follow the game at times,
but it can also lead to an overall decreased interest in the
gameplay. Similarly, camera crews, referees, coaches, players, and
goalies may also lose sight of the puck, particularly when in close
proximity to the goal. This can be frustrating for all involved,
and is especially problematic for referees when calling scored
goals. The current methods for determining when a goal is scored
involves video replay. This technique is effective, but can be
hampered if the goalie or other players crowd the goal area and
block the field of view of the camera within the goal. This makes
determination of a scored goal impossible, particularly when many
players are scrambling and the goalie is covering the puck.
[0006] To alleviate these issues, the present invention
contemplates a hockey puck and an hockey goal monitoring system,
wherein a specialized puck and hockey goal system are used to
register when the puck has entered the goal. The hockey puck
comprises a puck or ball that includes an RF receiver, while the
hockey goal comprises an energized wire and transmitter, wherein
the receiver in the hockey puck is registered when passing over the
wire. This system is similar to an animal fence, yet tailored such
that the exact position of the puck relative to the goal line can
be measured to determine a scored goal. Once the puck has cross the
threshold of the goal, a light source on the puck or along the goal
is energized to alert fans, players, spectators, and referees of a
goal.
[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0008] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
hockey puck tracking systems and specialized hockey goals. These
include devices that have been patented and published in patent
application publications. The following is a list of devices deemed
most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described
for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique
aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the
drawbacks existing in the prior art.
[0009] One such device in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,698
to Honey, which discloses an electromagnetic transmitting hockey
puck that includes a transmitter that projects electromagnetic
waves outside of the visible spectrum. The waves are receives by a
receiver and used to enhance the clarity of the hockey puck on a
television screen without changing the outward appearance thereof
for the player participants or fans. While providing a puck with a
transmitter, the Honey device fails to contemplate an RF receiver
used to track when the puck has cross the goal line, and further
fails to contemplate an illumination source on the puck that
energizes upon a given condition.
[0010] Another device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,846 to Craig, which
discloses a score-indicating hockey goal assembly having a
plurality of light sources disposed within the frame of the hockey
goal. The lamps energize when a signal is received from a
transmitter, which energizes the light sources to alert fans and
players of a goal. Similar to the Honey device, the Craig devices
fails to contemplate a system that tracks the puck location
relative to the goal interior and one that can determine when the
puck has entered the goal.
[0011] Overall, the present invention provides a new and improved
system for tracking the location of a hockey puck in reference to a
hockey goal, wherein an energized wire within the goal and an RF
receiver within the hockey puck are used to determine when a goal
is scored. Overall, it is submitted that the present invention is
substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and
consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an
improvement to existing hockey goal systems. In this regard the
instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of hockey puck and hockey goal systems now present in the
prior art, the present invention provides a new hockey puck and
hockey goal monitoring system that can be utilized for providing
convenience for the user when determining when a hockey puck has
passed over the threshold of the hockey goal.
[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved hockey puck system that has all of the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
hockey puck system that illuminates when the hockey puck crosses
the threshold of the hockey goal, thereby alerting players, fans,
and referees of the goal.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hockey puck system that can be used recreationally or in a
competitive environment, wherein either the hockey puck itself or
the goal illuminates when the hockey puck crosses the threshold of
the hockey goal.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
hockey puck system that utilizes a wireless RF signal to register
when the puck has crossed the threshold of the hockey goal.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hockey puck system that does not alter the regulation size or
weight of the hockey puck, and introduces minimal changes to the
hockey goal to implement the system.
[0018] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cross section view of an embodiment of the
hockey puck of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of the hockey goal of the
present invention with the system installed.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the hockey goal of the
present invention with the system installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the hockey puck system of the present
invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear
description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will
be discussed as used for determining whether the hockey puck has
crossed the threshold of the hockey goal and illuminating a light
source when the event has occurred. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic view of
the hockey puck 50 of the present invention. The hockey puck 50 is
one that includes an RF receiver 57 that receives radio signals
emitted from an energized wire installed along the threshold of the
hockey goal. The RF receiver is a small radio receiver or an RFID
tag that receives a specific radio frequency signal that the goal
system emits. The threshold of the hockey goal includes an
energized wire, wherein the relative location of the hockey puck
can be registered by the hockey puck circuit by way of signal
strength. When a given threshold is met and the calibrated signal
is registered by the puck circuit 56, an illumination source 55 is
energized to alert those involved of a scored goal. Generally the
calibrated signal will be one in which the signal strength received
by the RF receiver 57 reaches its zenith, whereby at this signal
strength the puck 50 has passed completely over the goal line and
into the hockey goal interior.
[0025] The RF receiver is part of an analog circuit 56 that
includes a battery power source 58 and a light source 55. These
elements are imbedded within the puck interior and do not change
its shape or weight. The light source 55 projects through the upper
and lower surfaces or the sides of the puck such that it is visible
to a camera and to the naked eye when illuminated. The receiver 57
and associated circuitry 56 are adapted to receive a specific
frequency signal emitted from the hockey goal system, which is
emitted from a perimeter wire around the threshold of the goal. The
circuit 56 registers the signal strength thereof and is calibrated
to realize when the signal strength registers its peak and when
this correlates to the position of the puck being over the goal
line. Once the light source 55 is energized, it remains energized
for a period of time, whereby a timer circuit controls its
illumination. This prevents the light source from flashing for too
short of a period, and allows the light source 55 to reset after a
goal is scored without external controls.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown an illustrative
example of the hockey goal system of the present invention and the
energized wire 110 disposed within the structure of the goal and
across its threshold. Hockey goals generally include a frame
comprising a pair of upright goal posts 101, a crossbar member 102,
and rear frame members comprising an upper frame member 106, a
lower frame member 104 and rear upright member 105. The goal posts
101 and the crossbar member 102 form the threshold of the goal,
while the rear frame members support the goal netting 103 away from
the threshold to provide an open goal interior. The style and
sophistication of hockey goals varies with respect to the local
rules and the type of environment in which the goal is used. Most
hockey goals used for professional level competition also include a
movable camera within the goal to visually track the puck and to
view shots from a perspective within the goal interior.
[0027] The system of the present invention comprises an elongated
wire 110 that is energized by a transmitter 115. The transmitter is
a powered assembly that energizes the wire 110 such that the wire
emits a specific frequency radio signal therefrom. The wire 110 is
disposed within the interior of the goal along its threshold,
whereby the wire 110 forms a closed loop around the perimeter of
the goal opening. Specifically, the wire 110 is extends in a loop
that starts at the transmitter 115 location and terminates at the
transmitter 115 location after forming a loop about the threshold
of the goal. The wire 110 is routed through the cross bar member
102, down the goal posts 101 and across the threshold of the goal
along the ground surface and between the two goal posts 101. The
wire then extends through the opposing goal post 101, through the
cross bar member 102 and into the transmitter assembly 115 once
again.
[0028] The exposed wire is very thin gauged and is adapted to be
positioned flushly against the ground surface or embedded therein.
Its position relative to the goal line is inward within the goal
with respect thereto, such that the signal strength registered by
the hockey puck is created at the moment the entire puck has passed
over the goal line and the hockey puck can be considered a goal.
The hockey goal frame is substantially hollow, therefore the wire
can be suspended therein via guides 111, which positioned the wire
in a taught configuration through the interior of the goal frame
and prevent grounding against any metal components therein. The
guides 111 also facilitate the wire positioning centrally within
the hollow interior of the frame at bends and at the exit of the
wire along the goal line.
[0029] Referring specifically to FIG. 3, there is shown a
perspective view of the hockey goal of the present invention and an
illustrative view of the operation of the system. The hockey puck
50 comprises a standard ice hockey puck shape, or alternatively a
rounded hockey ball shape, wherein the puck includes an internal RF
receiver that can register the signal strength of the RF signal
being emitted from the imbedded wire 110 in the hockey goal. When
the signal strength reaches a predefined maximum, the puck 50
recognizes that it has passed over the threshold of the goal and
the puck registers a goal. Upon registering a goal, a light source
within the puck 50 illuminates, wherein the illumination is visible
through the sides 51 of the puck or along the upper 60 or lower 61
surfaces thereof.
[0030] The position of the wire 110 along the threshold of the goal
is important for the system to be properly functioning and such
that the exposed wire does not interfere with the natural motion of
the puck during gameplay. The position thereof is inward with
respect to the goal line, whereby the puck registers the highest
signal strength from the wire after passing over the goal line.
Furthermore, the wire 110 is either flush against the ground
surface or buried within the surface, whereby a slot can be created
through the ice across the mouth of the goal and the wire can be
burred therein and covered with ice or snow thereafter. This
ensures the physical presence of the wire will not interfere with
the puck if it is traveling over the goal line and along the ice
surface.
[0031] The present invention describes an illuminating hockey puck.
The device comprises a standard sized hockey puck without any
structural changes. Internally, the puck of the present invention
includes a light and a receiver. The receiver is synced with a
transmitter along the goal post. The receiver activates the
illumination source in the puck when the puck crosses the goal
line, causing the light inside the puck to illuminate. The present
invention ensures the accuracy of scored goals and eliminates the
need for instant replay, and also increases overall enjoyment for
hockey fans watching at the rink and at home.
[0032] In one further embodiment of the hockey puck, the puck
itself is a bright neon color that is more readily visible without
illuminating the light source. The flat sides of the puck may be a
bright neon color, while the rounded sides are black to
counterbalance the neon color for the players. Alternatively the
neon color may be disposed along the rounded sides while the flat
surfaces are a black rubber color.
[0033] It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown
and described in what is considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures
may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0034] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *