U.S. patent number 3,920,242 [Application Number 05/454,179] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-18 for electrical fencing scoring method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to John A. Overman, William E. Reith.
United States Patent |
3,920,242 |
Reith , et al. |
November 18, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Electrical fencing scoring method and apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus and method for electrically scoring fencing matches
is disclosed. The apparatus operates to produce visual and audible
scoring signals in response to valid and invalid touch signals
produced in response to execution of valid and invalid touches with
a fencing weapon. The apparatus can be conditioned to produce valid
and invalid scoring signals in foil competition, and valid scoring
signals in epee competition in which there are no invalid touches.
An indicator control circuit responds in accordance with occurrence
of the touch signals to actuate invalid and valid touch indicators.
The indicator control circuit includes a first delay circuit to
prevent actuation of the invalid touch indicator by spurious
signals having less than a predetermined duration, and a second
delay circuit to prevent actuation of the valid touch indicator by
noise signals having duration of less than a predetermined period.
An amplitude sensor in the indicator control circuit prevents
actuation of the valid touch indicator by signals of less than a
predetermined amplitude. The first delay circuit is convertible
from its function of preventing response to spurious invalid touch
signals to that of timing 40 millisecond time lapses after valid
touches in epee competition during which simultaneous valid touches
may be made.
Inventors: |
Reith; William E. (Cleveland
Heights, OH), Overman; John A. (Chagrin Falls, OH) |
Family
ID: |
23803617 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/454,179 |
Filed: |
March 25, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/47.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/02 (20060101); A63B 069/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/1E,1F ;272/57C |
Foreign Patent Documents
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127,932 |
|
Aug 1960 |
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SU |
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1,162,554 |
|
Sep 1958 |
|
FR |
|
81,004 |
|
Jun 1963 |
|
FR |
|
1,293,068 |
|
Apr 1962 |
|
FR |
|
1,148,004 |
|
Dec 1957 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Shapiro; Paul E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher &
Heinke Co.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical apparatus connectable to a power supply for
scoring a fencing match in response to touch signals indicating at
least one of valid and invalid touches executed with a fencing
weapon, said apparatus comprising:
a. an invalid touch indicator;
b. a valid touch indicator;
c. an indicator control circuit for actuating said valid and
invalid touch indicators in response to the occurrence of valid and
invalid touch signals, respectively, the indicator control circuit
comprising a first delay circuit for preventing actuation of said
invalid touch indicator in response to invalid touch signals of
less than a predetermined duration, to prevent actuating said
invalid touch indicator in response to spurious signals, not
actually representing invalid touches.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein
said predetermined duration is approximately 8 milliseconds.
3. An electrical apparatus for scoring a fencing match, in response
to at least one valid touch signal produced by execution of at
least one valid touch with a fencing weapon, said apparatus
comprising:
a. a valid touch indicator; and
b. An indicator control circuit connected to said valid touch
indicator for actuating said valid touch indicator in response to
the occurrence of a said valid touch signal, said indicator control
circuit comprising a second delay circuit connected to said valid
touch indicator for preventing the actuation of said valid touch
indicator in response to signals having a duration less than a
predetermined period to avoid actuation of the valid touch
indicator by noise signals not representing valid touches.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
said second delay circuit comprises a resistive and a capacitive
element connected in parallel.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said indicator control circuit
further comprises:
an amplitude sensor for preventing actuation of the valid touch
indicator by signals having less than a predetermined amplitude, to
prevent actuation of the valid touch indicator by noise signals not
representing valid touches.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the amplitude sensor
comprises a breakdown diode.
7. An electrical apparatus for scoring fencing matches in response
to first and second valid touch signals and invalid touch signals
produced by execution of first and second valid and invalid touches
with fencing weapons, said apparatus comprising:
a. an invalid touch indicator;
b. first and second valid touch indicators;
c. an indicator control circuit comprising:
i. first means for actuating said first valid touch indicator in
response to a first valid touch signal,
ii. second means for actuating said second valid touch indicator in
response to a second valid touch signal,
iii. a first delay circuit producing an output signal capable of
actuating the invalid touch indicator upon a predetemined time
lapse after the initiation of an input signal thereto;
iv. first control means for initiating said input signal to said
first delay circuit in response to selected first valid touch
signals, and
v. second control means for selectively directing said output of
said first delay circuit to disable said second means from
actuating said second valid touch indicator in response to said
second valid touch signals following said predetemined time
lapse.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:
converting means connected to said first delay circuit for changing
the magnitude of said time lapse between initiation of said input
signal and production of said output signal.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said changed predetermined
time lapse is approximately 40 milliseconds to enable scoring of
simultaneous valid touches in epee fencing competition.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
a. said first delay circuit comprises a series RC branch having a
time constant; and
b. said converting means comprises:
i. an additional resistive element, and
ii. electronic switching means for connecting the additional
resistive element in series with said series RC branch to change
its time constant.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to apparatus and method for electrically
scoring fencing matches.
The sport of fencing is the modern analogy to the ancient martial
art of dueling. As presently practiced, fencers wearing protective
garb contest with light-weight weapons, each attempting to score
points against the other by touching the other with his weapon. The
fencers tread on a mat, called a piste, which defines the permitted
boundary for the contest.
Two of the weapons used in fencing are the foil and the epee. In
foil competition, one fencer may score points against his opponent
only be touching him with the tip of his weapon in a target region
generally defined by the upper torso. Such touches are known as
"valid touches". No point may be awarded either fencer for touching
his opponent with the point of the foil other than on the permitted
target. In epee competition, the valid target is the entire body,
and a fencer scores points by touching his opponent anywhere with
the tip of the epee.
The fencer first accumulating five valid touches against his
opponent is declared the winner of the match.
The oldest method of scoring fencing matches is by visual
observation by officials, variously referred to as presidents,
judges and directors.
Modern fencing weapons are so light that skilled fencers can
manipulate them with extreme speed in flurries of action. This
speed renders it difficult to determine when touches are scored.
Even where several officials are employed to judge a match, visual
identification of scoring maneuvers is difficult. Disagreement
between officials often occurs, due to the inconsistency in the
quality of perspective enjoyed by the various officials. Moreover,
judgmment by visual observation is a subjective criterion, and the
acuity of vision may vary among officials, and even in the same
official.
To obviate these problems, resort has been made to electrical
scoring apparatus having touch indicators. Such apparatus employs
touch sensing assemblies attached to the weapon tips, which produce
valid and invalid touch signals in response to which the apparatus
actuates the indicators.
Foil Scoring
A valid touch signal in foul includes the breaking of a first
circuit and completing a second. A foil has a movable contact on
its tip, which is depressed whenever the tip touches an object,
breaking the first electrical circuit.
Each contestant wears a vest-like garment which covers the valid
target portion of his body. The vest has a conductive surface, and
is connected in a second circuit between the electrical scoring
apparatus and the opponent's foil. The movable contact on each foil
is itself conductive. When the movable contact of one fencer's foil
touches the opponent's conductive vest, the second electrical
circuit is completed, and the first circuit is broken, producing a
valid touch signal.
An invalid touch in foil is indicated merely by the breaking of the
first circuit, since in an invalid touch, the foil fails to contact
the opponent's vest.
Epee Scoring
A touch signal in epee constitutes simply the making of one
circuit. The movable contact in the epee touch sensor assembly
completes the circuit on depression in the course of a touch.
Errant touches on the piste or on the opponent's weapon body are
not scored. Accordingly, if a fencer's epee tip touches the piste,
or his opponent'weapon, the electrical scoring apparatus disables
the scoring indicators, preventing the registration of a touch in
response to such errant touches.
The movable contact on the epee tip is condutive as in the case of
the foil. It is connected to a portion of the electrical scoring
apparatus which, if grounded, prevents actuation of the valid touch
indicators. The piste is grounded, as is the body of each weapon,
so that errant touches on the weapon body or the piste are not
counted as scores.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In electric scoring systems for fencing, lamps are commonly used as
indicators of the execution of valid and invalid (off target)
touches represented by the valid and invalid touch signals.
Generally, a while lamp indicates an off target or invalid touch,
and a colored lamp indicates a valid touch. One set of white and
colored lamps is connected to the scoring apparatus corresponding
to each fencer. When a touch is made, the appropriate color lamp is
actuated which corresponds to the touched fencer.
When any touch is made, and any scoring lamp is actuated, the
electrical scoring apparatus operates to stop the action by
preventing acutation of any further lamps after the lapse of a
predetermined time following the first actuation of a lamp.
Moreover, the actuation of any lamp indicative of a valid touch
immediately prevents the actuation of the invalid touch indicating
lamp in the same set of lamps.
Upon the actuation of any indicator lamp, the electrical scoring
equipment commonly provides for the actuation of a bell, buzzer or
other audio indicator device for a predetermined period after the
actuation of the lamp
A reset circuit is commonly provided so that the match officials
can deactuate all the lamps and reset the apparatus after any touch
has been noted, and it is desired to resume action.
In epee competition, if each fencer touches the other substantially
simultaneously, i.e., within 1/25th of a second (40 milliseconds) a
touch is scored against each fencer. Accordingly, modern electric
scoring equipment provides that when such substantially
simultaneous touches occur as represented by the occurrence of
first and second valid touch signals, a first valid touch indicator
lamp is lighted in response to the first signal, and a second valid
touch indicator is lighted in response to the second signal. Since
there are no off target body touches in epee, the white, or invalid
touch indicator lamps, are not used. Upon the expiration of 1/25th
second following an epee touch, no further valid touch indicator
lamps may be lighted.
While modern electrical scoring equipment for fencing matches has
improved substantially the ease and accuracy of scoring, the
performance and accuracy of such systems is sometimes adversely
affected by extraneous factors. In the course of a fencing match,
the weapons are moved about rapidly, and the fencers clash them
together frequently in countering opponents' attempted touches.
These conditions sometimes cause momentary depression of the
movable contacts on the touch sensor assemblies without there being
a touch. Generally such depressions are brief, and the signals they
produce of smaller amplitude than in the case of actual touches.
Such spruious signals, however, are prone to cause indication of
touches when in fact no touch has taken place.
In practically any electrical circuitry such as used in electric
scoring equipment for fencing matches, noise signals from various
sources are transmitted about the circuitry. Such noise signals can
result from RF energy in the region of the circuitry, unwanted
mutual inductive or electrical couplings among the various
components of the circuitry, or ambient electromagnetic energy
amanating from the power source. Such noise signals likewise
sometimes actuate a touch indicator, in instances in which not
touch in fact has occurred.
Early electrical scoring equipment has not been inordinately
sensitive to such spurious signals and noise. This earlier
equipment was generally made from vacuum tube circuits and
mechanical magnetic relays. The mechanical inertia and large
inductance of such relay equipment was sufficiently great that it
was not generally responsive to the brief duration or low amplitude
signals which characterize most noise and spuriour signals.
More recently, however, circuits for scoring fencing matches have
utilized solid state components with attendant advantages of light
weight, compactness and low power requirement. Due to the absence
of mechanical inertia and large coil inductances in the solid state
equipment, however, these newer circuits are much more sensitive to
brief and low amplitude signals than the previous relay
circuits.
It is desirable in electric scoring equipment for fencing that the
circuitry be sufficiently flexible in its operation to accommodate
scoring for both foil and epee. Epee competition, with its
requirement for scoring of simultaneous touches occurring within
1/25th of a second, commonly requires the provision of a separate
timing circuit to enable lockout of the valid touch indicators
following the lapse of 1/25th of a second after the actuation of
the first actuated valid touch indicator lamp. Such separate
circuits add to the cost and complexity of the apparatus.
Present electric fencing scoring equipment provides that all the
indicator lamps be reset to the actuated state upon the actuation
of a manual reset circuit. This requires repeated attention of an
official, which may be distracting and otherwise inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a method and apparatus for improved
electric scoring of fencing matches. The invention includes method
and apparatus for identifying noise and other spurious signals and
preventing actuation of touch indicators in response to such
signals. The invention eliminates the need for a separate delay
circuit for indicating simultaneous touches in epee competition by
employing portions of the circuitry in dual function.
The invention employs at least a valid and an invalid touch
indicator. An indicator control circuit actuates the indicators to
register touches, which are represented by the occurrence of valid
and invalid touch signals. The touch signals are produced by touch
sending assemblies on the fencing weapons.
According to one feature of a preferred embodiment, the indicator
control circuit includes a first delay circuit connected to the
invalid touch indicator. The first delay circuit provides for
actuation of the invalid touch indicator by only those invalid
touch signals having at least a predetermined duration. This
prevents actuation of the invalid touch indicator by momentary
operations of the touch sensing assemblies due to weapon motion and
clashing.
A preferred feature of such a first delay circuit provides that an
invalid touch signal must be at least eight milliseconds in
duration to cause actuation of the invalid touch indicator.
According to a feature of another preferred embodiment, a second
delay circuit is connected to the valid touch indicator to prevent
its actuation in response to noise signals having a duration of
less than a predetermined time period. Such preferred embodiment
additionally includes an amplitude sensor connected to the valid
touch indicator to prevent its actuation by signals such as noise
having an amplitude less than a predetermined minimum.
According to another preferred feature, the apparatus of the
invention includes circuitry for converting the function of the
first delay circuit connected to the invalid touch indicator to
timing for determining the occurrence of simultaneous touches in
epee competition. Circuitry is provided to impress an input to the
first delay in response to selected valid touch signals and to
redirect the output of the first delay circuit from the invalid
touch indicator to disable a second means for actuating the second
valid touch indicator in response to second valid touch signals,
should they occur. Converting circuitry is also provided for
changing the time constant of the first delay circuit to disable
the second means 1/25th of a second after the first valid touch is
indicated.
Other features and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective viow of a fencing match scored by the
apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of electrical scoring
apparatus embodying this invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrical apparatus embodying
this invention;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a touch sensing assembly for use
on the tip of a foil, showing parts of the touch sensing assembly
in cross-section;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a touch sensing assembly for use
on an epee, showing portions of the touch sensing in
cross-section.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An apparatus 10 for scoring fencing matches is shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 depicts the apparatus in use in a match between the fencers
X and Y, officiated by a director D. The fencers hold the weapons
12 and 14 and each attempts to score points by touching his
opponent with his weapon tip.
The apparatus 10 indicates touches made by the fencers with the
tips of their weapons in the course of the match. The apparatus 10
indicates both valid and invalid touches, in foil and epee
competition, by actuating the appropriate one or more of the
indicators Wx, Cx, Cy and Wy.
The apparatus 10 scores touches in response to the occurrence of
touch signals. The touch signals are produced by the touch sensor
assemblies 16 and 20 mounted on the tips of the weapons 12 and 14,
respectively, in cooperation with two similar conductive surfaced
vests 21 and 22, worn respectively by the fencers X and Y.
The touch signals are directed to the apparatus 10 by way of the
electrical cables 24 and 26 which are connected to the vests and
touch sensor assemblies of the repective fencers. The cables are
respectively connected to the reels 28 and 30, which feed out cable
resiliently in response to moderate tension to accommodate the
fencers' movement without tangling the cables.
The apparatus 10 is adapted for scoring both foil and epee
competition. In foil competition, two kinds of touch signals can be
produced. A valid touch signal occurs when one fencer touches the
other on the vest with the tip of his weapon. An invalid touch
signal occurs when one fencer touches the other with the tip of his
weapon on a part of his opponent's body other than that covered by
the vest.
In epee competition, on vests are worn, and only valid touch
signals are produced. These are produced by the touch sensor
assemblies adapted for epee.
The apparatus 10 indicates touches by actuating the indicators Wx,
Cx, Wy and Cy, as shown in FIG. 1. Actuation of either of the
indicators Wx and Cx indicates a touch by the fencer Y against the
fencer X, while actuation of the indicators Cy and Wy indicate a
touch by the fencer X against the fencer Y. Preferably the
indicators are lamps, with the indicators Wx and Wy being white
lamps, the lighting of which indicates invalid touches, and the
indicators Cx and Cy being colored lamps the lighting of which
indicates valid touches.
FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the apparatus 10. The
apparatus 10 includes the indicator control circuit 36 connected to
actuate the touch indicators Wx and Cx in response to touch signals
from the touch sensor assembly 20, and the indicator control
circuit 40 connected to actuate the touch indicators Cy and Wy in
response to touch signals from the touch sensor assembly 16. A
power source 42 supplies power for operating the indicator control
circuits 36 and 40 and associated components of the apparatus
10.
The indicator control circuit 36 actuates the indicator Wx in
response to the receipt of an invalid touch signal from the touch
sensor assembly 20, and is responsive to the receipt of a valid
touch signal from the touch sensor assembly 20 to actuate the
indicator Cx. Similarly, the indicator control circuit 40 responds
to invalid touch signals from the touch sensor assembly 16 to
actuate the indicator Wy and to valid touch signals to actuate the
indicator Cy.
The indicator control circuits 36 and 40 are preferably identical
in construction, and only the operation of the indicator control
circuit 36 is further discussed in detail, the operation of the
indicator control circuit 40 being analogous with respect to the
touch indicators Cy and Wy.
The indicator control circuit 36, in response to actuation of the
valid touch indicator Cx, substantially instantaneously locks out
and prevents actuation of the invalid touch indicator Wx.
The indicator control circuit 36 is prevented from actuating the
indicator Wx in response to invalid touch signals having less than
a predetermined duration. This feature prevents spurious signals of
brief duration not actually representing invalid touches from
actuating the indicator Wx. The indicator control circuit 36,
moreover, actuates the valid touch indicator Cx only in response to
valid touch signals having a duration greater than a predetermined
time period. This feature prevents actuation of the indicator Cx by
noise signals having brief duration which may arise in the
circuitry of the apparatus 10.
The indicator control circuit 36 is profoundly adjustable to lock
out the valid touch indicator Cy in response to the lapse of 40
milliseconds following actuation of the valid touch indicator Cx.
Preferably this adjustment of the indicator control circuit 36 is
selectively performed in instances in which the apparatus 10 is
used to score epee matches, to allow for determination of
simultaneous touches.
The indicator control circuits 36 and 40 are each connected to a
stop action circuit 44. The stop action circuit is connected to a
comprehensive indicator lockout 46, an audio signal generator 50,
and a power control circuit 52. The comprehensive indicator lockout
46 is connected to each of the indicator control circuits 36 and
40.
Upon the actuation of any of the indicators Wx, Cx, Cy and Wy, the
stop action circuit 44 produces a stop action signal which actuates
the audio signal generator 50 to produce an audio signal indicating
that an indicator has been actuated and a touch has occurred. The
stop action circuit 44, after a predetermined time has elapsed
following the actuation of any of the indicators, directs a signal
to the comprehensive indicator lockout 46 which in turn operates on
the indicator control circuits to prevent the further actuation of
any indicators. During the time between the first actuation of an
indicator and the time at which the predetermined time period
lapses, additional indicators may be actuated.
At the time that the comprehensive indicator lockout 46 operates to
prevent further indicator actuation, the stop action circuit 44
deactuates the audio signal generator 50 to cease the audio
signal.
Upon the actuation of any indicator, the stop action circuit 44
also directs the stop action signal to the power control circuit
52. Upon the expiration of a predetermined time following receipt
of the stop action signal, the power control circuit 52 cuts off
the power directed to the indicator control circuits 36 and 40, and
thereby causes the deactuation of all the indicators which have
been actuated, resulting in a resetting of the apparatus 10 in
preparation for resumed action in a fencing match.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus 10 embodying this
invention.
The power source 42, provides power to the indicator control
circuits 36 and 40, and to the other components of the apparatus
10. The power source 42 is indicated by the box formed of dotted
lines in FIG. 3 and includes a plug 60 of conventional design for
connecting to a 120 volt 60 Hz. supply line, the power being
transmitted by way of the leads 62 and 64 to a transformer 66. The
transformer 66 reduces the voltage by a factor of 10, such that 12
volt 60 Hz. A.C. appears at the outputs 70 and 72 of the
transformer 66. This 12 volt A.C. power supply signal is converted
to D.C. by a full wave rectifier which includes diodes 74, 76, 80
and 82. Operation of the power source 42 establishes a 12 volt D.C.
signal appearing between the high voltage lead 84 and the low
voltage lead 86.
The apparatus 10 is designed for adaptation to battery power as
well. The components of the apparatus 10 are all designed to
operate satisfactorily when fed from a 12 volt D.C. source, a
readily available type of battery power.
It can be seen from FIG. 3 that power is fed to the components of
the indicator control circuit 36, indicated in FIG. 3 by the dotted
box bearing the same reference numeral, and to the indicator
control circuit 40, indicated by the dotted box in FIG. 3
designated by reference numeral 40. Ppwer is also applied to the
touch indicators Wx, Cx, Cy and Wy between the high voltage lead 84
and the low voltage lead 86.
The invalid and valid touch signals are input to the indicator
control circuits 36 and 40 by way of terminals A, B, C, and A', B',
and C', respectively, and represent the occurrence of valid and
invalid touches. In the absence of a touch, the teminal pairs B-C
and B'-C' are each conductively coupled, while the terminal pairs
A-B and A'-B' are open circuits.
With respect to the indicator control circuit 36, a valid touch
signal in foil includes breaking the circuit between the terminals
B-C and completing the circuit between the terminals B-A'. An
invalid touch signal in foil is represented by breaking of a
circuit between the terminals B-C. In epee, only valid touch
signals are used and these constitute breaking the circuit between
the terminals B-C and completing the circuit between the terminals
B-A.
The apparatus 10 is convertible for scoring either foil or epee
matches. This conversion is accomplished in the preferred
embodiment by, for example in the indicator control circuit 36,
changing the position of the switches 90, 92 and 94. As illustrated
in FIG. 3, the switches 90, 92 and 94 are disposed in the
appropriate positions indicated by solid lines for scoring foil
matches. The structure and operation of the apparatus 10 in the
scoring of foil matches will be discussed first.
The indicator control circuits 36 and 40 are preferably identical
in construction. Accordingly, only the operation of the indicator
control circuit 36 will be discussed in detail, the operation of
the indicator control circuit 40 being analogous to that of the
indicator control 36. The components of the indicator control
circuit 40 are indicated in FIG. 3 by primed reference numerals
which correspond to the reference numerals of the elements of the
indicator control circuit 36.
The indicator Wx is actuated by the indicator control circuit in
response to an invalid touch signal. The actuation of the invalid
touch indicator Wx is accomplihed by applying a positive voltage to
the gate of the SCR 100 (see FIG. 3) which causes the SCR 100 to
assume a conductive condition, allowing current to flow from the
high voltage lead 84 through the indicator Wx, the switch 90, and
the SCR 100, to the low voltage lead 86.
The SCR 100 is caused to assume a conductive state in response to
an output of a first delay circuit including a resistor 102, a
resistor 104a , a unijunction transistor 104, a capacitor 106 and a
resistor 110. The unijunction transistor 104 is normally in a
nonconductive state, there being a relatively low voltage at its
emitter. When a positive voltage is applied to the right-hand
terminal of the resistor 110, the voltage on the emitter of the
unijunction transformer 104 begins to rise at a rate which is a
function of the time constant of the RC series circuit represented
by the resistor 110 and the capacitor 106.
When the voltage on the emitter of the unijunction transformer 104
becomes sufficiently high, the unijunction transistor 104 begins to
conduct, and the voltage at the upper terminal of the resistor 102
rises. This imparts a positive voltage over lead 112 to the gate of
the SCR 100, causing the SCR 100 to fire and the indicator WX to be
actuated.
The values of the resistor 110 and the capacitor 106 of the first
delay circuit are preferably chosen such that the unijunction
transformer 104 will fire approximately 8 milliseconds after the
application of a positive voltage to the right-hand terminal of the
resistor 110.
As stated above, the terminals B and C are normally connected in
the absence of a touch. An invalid touch signal is represented by
the breaking of the circuit between the terminals B and C. Upon the
breaking of the circuit between the terminals B and C, the
potential at the right-hand terminal of the switch 92 rises, the
potential at that terminal being previously low because of the
voltage drop across a resistor 114 connected between the high
voltage lead 84 and the terminal B. This breaking of the circuit
between the terminals B and C furnishes a positive pulse to the
right-hand terminal of the resistor 110, which actuates the first
delay circuit. Upon the expiration of approximately 8 milliseconds
following the breaking of the circuit between the terminals B and
C, the SCR 100 is fired, actuating the invalid touch indicator
Wx.
This feature assures that the actuation of the invalid touch
indicator Wx will not take place in response to invalid touch
signals having a duration of less than approximately 8
milliseconds. The advantage of this is that spurious invalid tough
signals of briefer duration, generated by motion and clashing of
the weapons, but not representing actual invalid touches, will not
cause the invalid touch indicator Wx to indicate an invalid
touch.
The valid touch indicator lamp Cx associated with the indicator
control circuit 36 is actuated in response to a valid touch signal
by the application of a positive voltage to the gate of the SCR
120, in FIG. 3. Such a pulse is derived by the application of a
positive voltage to the left-hand terminal of the resistor 124. A
second delay circuit including the resistor 124. the capacitor 122,
and the resistor 126, is connected to the gate terminal of the SCR
120. The positive voltage on the gate of the SCR 120 is obtained by
the application of a positive voltage to the left-hand terminal of
the resistor 124. When such a pulse is applied, the SCR 120 is
fired after the lapse of a predetermined time period, the magnitude
of the predetermined period being a function of the time constant
established by the values of the resistors 124 and 126, and the
capacitor 122, which comprises a second delay circuit.
The positive voltage applied to the left-hand terminal of the
resistor 124 is derived from a positive voltage appearing at the
right-hand terminal of the switch 94. An amplitude sensor
comprising a breakdown diode 130 is interposed between the
right-hand terminal of the switch 94 and the resistor 124. Unless
the voltage appearing at the right-hand terminal of the switch 94
is above a predetermined minimum, no voltage will be transmitted to
the delay circuit and the SCR 120 will not fire.
The voltage pulse appearing at the switch 94 is directed there over
the lead 132 extending to the terminal A' of the indicator control
circuit 40. The voltage pulse is impressed on the lead 132 in
response to the occurrence of a valid touch signal.
A valid touch signal is represented by the completing of a circuit
between the terminal B and the terminal A', and by the breaking of
the circuit between the terminals B and C. The circuit between the
terminals B and A' is completed slightly previous to the breaking
of the circuit between B and C.
When the circuit between the terminals B and C is broken, the
potential of terminal B rises, as in the case of actuation of the
invalid touch indicator Wx, discussed above. Because the terminal B
is connected to the terminal A', a positive voltage is impressed
upon the lead 132, passing through the switch 94 to the breakdown
diode 130. If the voltage impressed on the lead 132 is greater than
the predetermined minimum breakdown voltage of the breakdown diode
130, a positive voltage will appear at the left-hand terminal of
the resistor 124, and actuate the second delay circuit, to fire the
SCR 120 a short time after the initiation of the positive signal to
the resistor 124.
The presence of the breakdown diode 130 assures that noise signals
having small amplitude will not trigger the valid touch indicator
Cx. The second delay circuit further assures that noise signals,
which are characteristically brief, will likewise not actuate the
valid touch indicator Cx.
Another function of the second delay curcuit is to enable the
actuation of the valid touch indicator Cx substantially
simultaneously, or slightly after, the breaking of the circuit
between the terminals B-C. Since the breaking of the circuit
between the terminals B-C occurs slightly after the completion of
the circuit between the terminals B-A' it is desirable to delay the
actuation of the valid touch indicator Cx until the voltage at the
terminal B has had an opportunity to build up, to a level greater
than the minimum breakdown voltage of the breakdown diode 130.
The actuation of the valid touch indicator Cx prevents the
subsequent actuation of the invalid touch indicator Wx, by means of
a lockout circuit including the lead 142 and the diode 140. Before
the actuation of the valid touch indicator Cx, the terminal 136 is
a relatively high potential. Upon actuation of the valid touch
indicator Cx, the potential at the terminal 136 drops to a
relatively low level, approximately that of the low voltage lead
86. This causes the grounding of the terminal B to the low voltage
lead 86 through the diode 140, the lead 142 and the SCR 120. When
the terminal B is so grounded, the potential of that terminal
cannot rise, and therefore it is not possible subsequently to apply
a positive voltage pulse to fire the SCR 100 to actuate the invalid
touch indicator Wx.
A stop action circuit is provided in the apparatus 10 to signal
when a touch is made and to limit further activity of the apparatus
after the first touch occurs. The stop action circuit includes a
timer generally indicated by the dotted box 44a in FIG. 3, and a
timer actuation circuit. The timer actuation circuit incudes a lead
150 extending from the bottom terminal of the indicator Wx to a bus
153 and having interposed therein a diode 152. The timer actuation
circuit further includes a lead 154 having a diode 156 and
extending between the lower terminal of the touch indicator Cx to
the bus 153.
The timer actuation circuit and the timer 44a operate conjunctively
to prohibit the actuation of any further touch indicators at aa
time following the first actuation of a touch indicator. This
function is performed by a comprehensive light lockout circuit
which includes an SCR 160, a lead 162 containing a diode 164, and a
lead 166 having interposed therein a diode 170.
The comprehensive light lockout circuit operates in response to the
application of a positive pulse to the gate of the SCR 160,
normally nonconductive, which renders the SCR 160 in a conductive
state. When the SCR 160 becomes conductive, the lead 162 is
effectively grounded to the low voltage lead 86. This grounding in
turn operates by way of the lead 166 and diode 170 to ground the
terminal B of the indicator control circuit 36 and by the lead 162
and the diode 164 to ground the terminal B' of the indicator
control circuit 40. The grounding of the terminals B and B' render
it impossible for a positive tending pulse applied to either of
these terminals to raise their potential appreciably, and thus
prevents the actuation of any further touch indicators.
The timer 44a, in response to a low voltage stop action signal,
generates and applies to the gate of the SCR 160 a positive pulse
at a given time following the receipt of the stop action signal.
The timer 44a includes a pnp transistor 172, a resistor 174, a
capacitor 176, and resistors 180 and 182 having interposed between
them a unijunction transistor 184. The emitter of the transistor
172 is provided with power from the high voltage lead 84.
the transistor 172 is normally in a nonconductive state, and is
rendered conductive by the application of the low voltage stop
action signal at its base. Upon the application of the low voltage,
the transistor 172 conducts, and the voltage at the upper terminal
of the capacitor 176 begins to rise at a rate which is a function
of the time constant established by the values of the resistor 174
and the capacitor 176. When the voltage at the upper terminal of
the capacitor 176 has reached a sufficient value, the unijunction
184 is fired, causing the base 2 terminal of the unijunction 184 to
go from a potential substantially equal to that of the low voltage
lead 86 to a higher potential which is a function of the ratio of
the resisitors 180 and 182. The ratio of these resistances is
appropriately selected such that when the unijunction 184 fires, a
positive pulse of sufficient magnitude will be applied to the gate
of the SCR 160 to fire that SCR, which in turn causes the grounding
of the lead 162 and of the terminals B and B'.
preferably, the values of the resistor 174 and capacitor 176 are
chosen such that the SCR 160 is fired by the timer 44a at a time
approximately two seconds after the application of the stop action
signal to the base of the transistor 172.
The stop action signal is a lowering at the potential applied to
the base of the transistor 172 by way of the bus 153. When none of
the touch indicators is actuated, the lower terminal of each is at
a relatively high potential, which maintains the bus 153 at a
correspondingly high potential. When any one or more of the touch
indicators is actuated, the potential at the lower terminal of each
actuated indicators drops to essentially that of the low voltage
lead 86, and this lowering of potential is transmitted to the bus
153. This lowering of potential represents the stop action signal
which, when applied to the base of the transistor 172, renders that
transistor conductive, actuating the timer 44a which, after a two
second interval following the occurrence of the stop action signal,
grounds out the terminals B and B' of the indicator control
circuits, preventing any further actuation of the touch
indicators.
The occurrence of the stop action signal also actuates the audio
signal generator 50 to produce an audio signal indicating that a
touch has occurred. The audio signal generator includes an audio
oscillator of known design comprising transistors 190 and 192, a
diode 194, and associated resistive and capacitive circuit elements
illustrated in FIG. 3. The audio signal generator also includes an
audio amplifier generally indicated at 196 in FIG. 3, having its
input connected to the audio oscillator and a loudspeaker 198
connected to the output of the audio amplifier.
The operability of the audio oscillator and the audio amplifier is
determined by the potential condition of the bus 153, which is in
turn altered by the occurrence of the stop action signal. When the
bus 153 is at a relatively high potential, its potential is
substantially equal to that of the high voltage lead 84 which
renders the audio signal generator inoperative due to an
insubstantial voltage drop across it. It is only when the potential
of the bus 153 is maintained at a relatively low level that power
can flow through the audio oscillator and audio amplifier in order
to actuate the loudspeaker to emit the audio signal for indication
of a touch. As discussed above, the actuation of any of the touch
indicators causes the potential of the bus 153 to drop to a
relatively low level, and therefore the occurrence of the stop
action signal immediately actuates the audio signal generator 50 to
produce the audio signal.
The cessation of the audio signal occurs in response to the firing
of the SCR 160 by the timer 44a after the expiration of the two
second period following the occurrence of the stop action signal.
When the SCR 160 is fired, the line 162 is effectively grounded
through the low voltage lead 86. The line 162 is connected to the
audio oscillator by a lead 200. The lead 200 is thereby grounded by
the firing of the SCR 160, which results in the substantially
immediate grounding out of the audio oscillator. This renders the
oscillator inoperative and causes the audio signal to stop.
The power control circuit 52 is triggered by the occurrence of the
stop action signal to cause the deactuation of all actuated touch
indicators after the lapse of a predetermined time interval
following the occurrence of the stop action signal. The deactuation
of the actuated touch indicators is accomplished by momentarily
opening a relay 202 interposed in the low voltage lead 86.
The relay 202 is series connected to a line 204 and to a switch 230
and an SCR 206. The opening of the relay 202 interrupts the circuit
of the apparatus 10 by opening the low voltage load 86. This causes
the low voltage line to assume a voltage which is substantially
equal to that of the high voltage line 84. This condition results
in the absence of any substantial potential across the components
of the apparatus 10, and results in the resetting of the components
to conditions such as prevailed before the actuation of any of the
indicators.
The relay 202 is normally biased in a closed position, and is
opened by the flow of current through the line 204, which is
supplied with a relatively high voltage by the high voltage line
84. Current is permitted to flow through the line 204 by the
application of a positive voltage to the gate of the SCR 206. The
positive pulse to the gate of the SCR 206 is supplied by a timing
circuit which includes a variable resistor 210, a resistor 212, and
a capacitor 214, connected in parallel with voltage dividing
resistors 216 and 220 and separated by a unijunction transistor
222. The positive pulse to the gate of the SCR 206 is provided by
firing the unijunction transistor 222, which results in a positive
voltage appearing on a lead 224 connected to the gate of the SCR
206.
The timing circuit for the power control circuit 52 is connected
between the lead 204, (supplied with a relatively high voltage by
the high voltage lead 84) and the bus 153. When, before the
occurrence of the stop action signal, the bus is at a relatively
high potential, no current flows through the timer circuit, and the
timer circuit is not operative. Upon the occurrence of the stop
action signal, and the grounding of the bus 153 to the low voltage
lead 86, the timer becomes operative by virtue of current flowing
through it between the lead 204 and the bus 153. The emitter
voltage of the unijunction transistor 222 rises in response to the
grounding of the bus 153 at a rate which is a function of the
values of the combined resistances of the variable resistor 210 and
the resistor 212, and the capacitance 214. When the emitter voltage
of the unijunction transistor 222 has risen sufficiently, the
unijunction fires, and a positive voltage appears at the lead 224,
firing the SCR 206, causing current to flow through the relay 202,
and through the SCR 206 by way of the switch 230.
A series connected capacitor 232 and a resistor 234 are coonnected
in parrallel around the relay 202 and the switch 230 in order to
provide a means for energy storage which serves to latch the relay
202 in an open position sufficiently long to effect deactuation of
the actuated indicators. Without this feature, the relay 202 would
be subject to chatter.
Preferably, the variable resistor 210, the resistor 212, and the
capacitor 214 are selected such that the relay 202 is opened and
the indicators deactuated after the lapse of a period variable from
two to seven seconds following the occurrence of the stop action
signal, depending on the value setting of the variable resistor
210.
Provision is also made for control of the resetting function by
manual means, independently of the timer, if desired. This is
provided by a lead 240 extending from the lower terminal of the
relay 202 to the low voltage lead 86, having interposed therein a
manual reset switch 242. For such manually controlled resetting,
the contact of the switch 230 is moved from the "auto" to the
"manual" position, as shown in FIG. 3. This places the relay 202
under sole control of the manual reset switch 242. When the manual
reset switch 242, normally opened, is depressed, the relay 202,
normally closed, is opened for as long as the reset switch 242 is
depressed. In this way manual resetting of the apparatus 10 may be
accomplished.
The discussion of the apparatus 10 has thus far been concerned with
its operation in the configuration for scoring foil competition.
The following discussion relates to adjustment and operation of the
apparatus 10 for scoring epee competition.
In epee competition the apparatus 10 actuates the valid touch
indicators Cx and Cy in response to the occurrence of valid touch
signals. The invalid touch indicators Wx and Wy are not used in
epee competition.
Preparatory to utilizing the present apparatus for epee scoring,
each of the switches 90, 92 and 94 in the indicator control circuit
36 are adjusted to the positions shown by the dotted lines in FIG.
3.
The actuation of a valid touch indicator Cx in epee competition, as
in foil competition, is accomplished by applying a positive voltage
to the gate of the SCR 120. This positive voltage is applied by way
of the left-hand terminal of the switch 94, as opposed to the
right-hand terminal of the switch in foil scoring. This requires
that the switch 94 be moved to its left-hand position for epee
competition, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3.
The positive voltage pulse at the left-hand terminal of the switch
94 is provided in response to the occurrence of a valid touch
signal at the terminals A, B, C. In epee competition, the valid
touch signal constitutes the breaking of the circuit between the
terminals B-C, and the making of the circuit between the terminals
B-A. Another delay circuit, including resistors 250 and 252, and a
capacitor 254, is connected to the left-hand terminal of the switch
94. When the B-C terminal circuit is broken, the potential of
terminal B rises, and when the B-A terminal circuit is completed, a
positive voltage is applied to the delay circuit including the
resistors 250, 252 and the capacitor 254. Following the delay
imposed by the resistors 250, 252 and the capacitor 254, the
positive voltage is applied to the breakdown diode 130, after which
the SCR 120 is fired in the manner as in the case of foil
competition described above.
Providion is made for preventing actuation of second valid touch
indicator Cy after the lapse of 1/25th of a second (40
milliseconds) following the actuation of the valid touch indicator
Cx. The components of the first delay circuit including the
unijunction transistor 104, the resistors 102 and 110, and the
capacitor 106 are used to accomplish this purpose. This is in
addition to the function of these elements in preventing the
actuation of the invalid touch indicator Wx by invalid touch
signals less than 8 milliseconds in duration, as has been explained
above.
To accomplish this dual function, the output of the first delay
appearing at the top of the SCR 100 at point 113 is redirected from
the invalid touch indicator Wx to means for disabling the actuating
circuitry of the second valid touch indicator Cy. The time constant
of the first delay is changed by connection of additional circuitry
thereto to provide for indication of the 40 millisecond time lapse
during which simultaneous touches may be made in epee. The first
delay is actuated through the additional circuitry to produce its
output in response to actuation of the valid touch indicator
Cx.
The value of the voltage at the point 113 selectively controls
disabling of the valid touch indicator Cy. The output 113 is
connected by a line 270 to the terminal B'. When the voltage of the
output at the upper teminal of the SCR 100 drops, in response to
the firing of the SCR 100, the terminal B' is grounded and the
valid touch indicator Cy can no longer be actuated. Firing of the
SCR 100 is accomplished by operation of the first delay.
The time constant of the first delay circuit is increased by
addition of circuitry to its RC timing branch. A resistor 260,
connectable in series with the RC branch of the first delay
including resistor 110 and the capacitor 106, is connected at its
upper terminal to the collector of a transistor 262. The time
constant change is accomplished by electronically switching the
resistor 260 into series with the resistor 110 and the capacitor
106.
This is done by appropriate control of the transistor 262. When the
valid touch indicator Cx is not actuated, the terminal 136 is at a
relatively high potential, which potential is transmitted through
the lead 142 to the base of transistor 262, rendering that
transistor conductive. In its conductive state, power applied to
the collector terminal of the transistor 262 proceeds virtually
unimpeded to the emitter terminal of the transistor 262, and the
upper terminal of the resistor 260 is effectively grounded to the
low voltage lead 86. In this condition, virtually no electrical
potential is applied across the RC branch represented by the
resistors 260 and 110, and the capacitor 106, and the first delay
circuit is not actuated.
When the circuit between the terminals B-C is broken, the potential
at the terminal B rises, and this rising potential is applied by
way of the closing of the B-A terminal circuit to actuate the valid
touch indicator Cx. When the valid touch indicator Cx is actuated,
the terminal 136 drops to a relatively low potential, which is
transmitted to the base of the transistor 262, rendering that
transistor nonconductive. When the transistor 262 becomes
nonconductive, power from the high voltage line 84 is diverted
through the RC branch of the delay circuit, including through the
resistor 260. The delay circuit then operates in a fashion similar
to that in which it operates in foil competition, (except with a
different time constant) producing an output on lead 112 as a
result of the firing of the unijunction transistor 104 after a
predetermined time.
Preferably, for epee competition, the value of the resistor 260 is
chosen such that the resistor 260 in combination with the resistor
110 and the capacitor 106 will yield a time constant for the RC
branch which results in the firing of the unijunction transistor
104 approximately 40 milliseconds following the actuation of the
valid touch indicator Cx.
FIG. 4 shows in detail a typical touch sensor assembly 16 for a
foil. The touch sensor assembly 16 generates valid and invalid
touch signals in accordance with touches executed with the foil.
For the purposes of this discussion, the touch sensor assembly 16
shall be considered to be connected to the terminals A, B, C of the
indicator control circuit 36.
The sensor assembly 16 is mounted on the tip of a foil. A hollow
blade 300 of a foil is shown in FIG. 4, having a threaded portion
302 at its outer end. A sleeve 304, generally enclosing the other
components of the sensor assembly 16 is threadedly engaged with the
threaded portion 302 of the blade 300. Both the sleeve 304 and the
blade 300 are made of a conductive material.
A plunger 306 is mounded for slidable movement within the sleeve
304. The plunger 306 fits generally slidably into a collar 310
mounted inside and concentric with the sleeve 304, for motion in
the direction of the arrows 307. The collar 310 is supported by
conduction elements 311 stationarily with respect to the sleeve
304.
A spring 314 is mounted between the blade 300 and the plunger 306
in order to resiliently bias the plunger 306 toward an outwardly
extending position with respect to the sleeve 304. The plunger 306
has a conductive base member 316 conductively connected to the
plunger. The extent of permitted outward movement of the plunger is
limited by the engagement of the outer portion of the base member
316 with the collar 310.
Electrical connections among the various components of the touch
sensor assembly generate the invalid and valid touch signals. The
collar 310 is electrically insulated from the plunger 306. An
insulating coating 320, preferably made of a plastic material,
extends about the plunder 306. When the plunger is in its outermost
position collar 310 is electrically connected to the base member
316.
When the plunger 306 is in tis outermost position, it is also
electrically connected to the sleeve 304, and to the blade 300 by
way of the conductive members 311.
The plunger 306 and its base member 316 are electrically coupled to
the spring 314, which in turn is electrically connected to a lead
324. The lead 324 is connected to the terminal B of the indicator
control circuit 36, by conventional electrical coupling means, (not
shown). The blade 300 is electrically connected to the terminal C
of the indicator control circuit 36 by way of further conventional
electrical coupling structure (not shown).
When the plunger 306 is in its outer most permitted position, the
terminals B and C of the indicator control circuit 36 are
electrically connected together. The circuit between the terminals
B and C is completed through the lead 324, the spring 314, the base
member 316, the collar 310, the conductive elements 311, the sleeve
304, and the blade 300. This condition endures as long as the
plunger 306 is in its outermost permitted position of movement.
When the plunger 306 is depressed, as in the instance of a touch
against any object, such as in the case of an invalid touch against
an opposing fencer, the electrical connection between the collar
310 and the base member 316 is broken, interrupting the circuit
between the terminals B and C. The interruption of the circuit
between B and C represents an invalid touch signal, produced in
response to the execution of an invalid touch with the foil of
which the blade 300 is a part.
The depression of the plunger 306 against a conductive surface
connected to the terminal A' of the indicator control circuit 40
generates a valid touch signal. When the plunger 306 is depressed
by contact with a conductive surface connected to the terminal A',
the circuit between the terminals B and C is interrupted, in the
manner described above with respect to the generation of an invalid
touch signal. Additionally, the circuit extending between the
terminals B and A' becomes completed, by way of contact of the
conductive plunger 306 with the conductive surface of the vest of
the opposing fencer, (which as described above, is connected to the
terminal A' of the indicator control circuit 40) and by way of the
spring 314.
FIG. 5 shows a touch sensor assembly for use in connection with the
epee. The touch sensor assembly generates valid touch signals in
response to the execution of valid touches with the epee on the
body of the opposing fencer.
The components of the touch sensor assembly are generally mounted
within a sleeve 330 which is attached to a blade portion 332 of an
epee by means of threaded engagement with the threaded portion 334
of the blade portion 332. The sensor assembly includes a plunger
336, an annular member 338, a contact 340 on one end of the plunger
336, a spring 342, and a pair of terminals designated 344 and
346.
The valid touch signals are derived by motion of the plunger 336
within the sleeve 330 resultant on touches made by the plunger 336
against the opposing fencer. Depression of the plunger 336 results
in the completion of the circuit between the terminals A and B of
the indicator control circuit 36.
The plunger 336 slides movably within the sleeve 330 by engagement
with the annular member 338 mounted concentrically within the
sleeve 300. The contact 340 is aligned across the terminals 344 and
346. The spring 342 is interposed between the contact 340 and the
terminals 344 and 346, and serves to maintain the plunger and the
contact 340 in a normally extended position from the sleeve 330.
Upon depression of the plunger 336 such as by way of a touch,
plunger 336 moves inwardly and to the left as shown in FIG. 5, and
closes the contact 340 across the terminals 344 and 346, completing
the circuit therebetween. The contact 344 is connected to the
terminal A of the indicator control circuit 36 by way of a lead
350. The terminal 346 is connected to the terminal B of the
indicator control circuit 36 by a lead 352.
As has been explained above, a valid touch signal in epee
competition is represented by the completion of the circuit
extending between the terminals A and B of the indicator control
circuit 36, with the circuit between the terminals B-C being
open.
When an errant touch is made in epee against a surface which is not
a part of the opposing fencer's body, the touch sensor assembly
renders the indicator control circuit inoperative to indicate a
valid touch. This is done by grounding out the terminal B of the
indicator control circuit whenever the conductive plunger 336 is
touched against such a surface, and by defining such off target
surfaces by grounding them.
When the plunger 336 is depressed against such a grounded surface,
not only is the circuit between the leads 350 and 352 completed,
completing the circuit extending between the terminals B and A of
the indicator control circuit, but a circuit is also made between
the low voltage lead 86 (terminal C) of FIG. 3, and the terminal B
of the indicator control circuit. This serves to ground out both
terminals A and B, and render impossible the actuation of the valid
touch indicator Cx in response to such a touch.
Preferably, the piste is grounded to define an offtarget surface.
Likewise, the body of the epee, including the blade 332, the sleeve
330, and the bell portion (not shown) is grounded to the low
voltage lead 86, so that depression of the plunger 336 against the
piste or the body of the opponent's weapon will likewise prevent
actuation of a valid touch indicator in response to such a
contact.
* * * * *