GB2594690A

GB2594690A - Improvements in sports whistles

Info

Publication number: GB2594690A
Application number: GB2003177.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roden Nicola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-05
Filing date: 2020-03-05
Publication date: 2021-11-10
Also published as: GB202003177D0

Abstract

A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer comprises a whistle body 4 having a protruding mouth piece 1 mounted on diametrically opposed finger mounts 8 and 9, a push button 2 mounted on this has an internal timer microchip and when pressed activates a battery 6 powered vibration mechanism 5 after three seconds; the battery 6 powered vibration 5 mechanism is housed within a device housing 7 inside said whistle body 4. The delay of three seconds alerts the user to blow the whistle three seconds after pressing the button and acts as a timer within the rules of netball. The vibration mechanism 5 may include a coil assembly.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

NICOLA RODEN

FOR

IMPROVEMENTS IN SPORTS WHISTLES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sports whistles which are used by a referee or other game official during a sports activity to include; but not exclusively; netball.

Background

The use of sports whistles during sports and game activities such as netball and football, for example; is widely known and dates back to 1878.

The whistle is commonly a metal, plastic or similar material body with a hollow through which air is blown via the mouth and many contain a spherical ball or 'pea' to increase the volume of the whistle sound created.

During their use in sports games there is often a need to observe strict time rules or record events, sometimes of only a few seconds. An example of this is when in netball a person is only allowed to hold the ball for three seconds and then it must be released. The current method is for the umpire to count the three seconds and this is therefore quite unreliable as this will naturally vary because it is being manually counted. Therefore, patents have been cited which add these and other features to aid their use in sporting and related activities, as follows: This is shown in patent W02008104231 (BUSCAGLIA) discloses a whistle (2) comprising a recording means (3). There is also described a notification kit comprising said whistle (2), an information recording means and a chronometer or timer (20).

Patent KR20140012781 (KIM) discloses a whistle with sound and a timer function of a stopwatch at a time so as to minimize time errors that can be generated during a game. The present invention is characterized in that an inner sensor is operated by the movement of a vibration ball positioned in a combination part between the whistle and the stopwatch so as to start a timer of the stopwatch. The timer is influenced whenever a user blows the whistle according to 'whether a sensor disconnection & connection button is pressed or not. Before a reset button is pressed, a time record is not erased. Also, a tool is configured to lower the time errors between the whistle sound and the timer that can occur just before a game.

Patent CN2935278 (WANG) discloses an electronic timer whistle used for basketball game, which has solved problem at present that there should be two timers and two referees, resulting in inaccurate time. The device is characterized in simple structure, easy operation, which can combine timers and referees as one person, that means only one referee is needed to perform timing job, the structure is: an electronic timer whistle used for basketball game has whistle body, a radio signal transmitter is installed at the end of the said whistle body, which can cooperate with the receiver in the electronic timer during game.

Patent CN203013242 (DUAN) discloses a whistle with a timing apparatus and a luminous device. The whistle comprises a shell. A sound control timer is embedded in the shell. The sound control timer comprises a microphone and a power supply module. An output terminal of the microphone is connected with an input terminal of an amplifying and shaping circuit. The output terminal of the amplifying and shaping circuit is connected with an input terminal of a monostable trigger. A first output terminal of the monostable trigger is connected with the input terminal of a light emitting diode through a collector electrode of a triode. A second output terminal of the rnonostable trigger is connected with a first input terminal of a strobing gate circuit. A second input terminal of the strobing gate circuit is connected with the output terminal of a rnultivibrator. The output terminal of the strobing gate circuit is connected with the input terminal of a counter. The output terminal of the counter is connected with the input terminal of a decoder. The output terminal of the decoder is connected with the input terminal of a display screen. By using the whistle of the utility model, the whistle is sounded, and simultaneously timekeeping is started and light emitted so as to prompt an athlete so that an error caused by reaction time of a coach is avoided.

Patent CN204485274 (WU) discloses a referee whistle for basketball games. The referee whistle for the basketball games comprises a control module, a wireless communication module, a time pause button, a one-point shot counting button, a two-point shot counting button and a three-point shot counting button, wherein the one-point shot counting button, the two-point shot counting button and the three-point shot counting button are in electric signal connection with the control module, and the wireless communication module is in electric signal connection with the control module. According to the referee whistie for the basketball games, and through the time pause button installed on the upper side and the lower side of a whistle air inlet channel in an occlusion mode, the control module controls the wireless communication module to send time terminal signals to a timer off-field; through the pressing of the one-point shot counting button, the two-point shot counting button and the three-point shot counting button which are installed outside the whistle, the control module controls the wireless communication module to send scoring signals of one score, two scores and three scores to a score indicator off-field.

Patent CN203706659 (GE, ..11, LU) where a finger-passing-type football referee whistle is disclosed. A referee needs a whistle and simultaneously also needs a timer. And with a progress of a technology, the referee needs an apparatus which can receive a wireless signal. The referee needs three sets of necessary equipment so that carrying is not convenient for the referee who needs running around the court and burden is heavy. The referee whistle of the utility model comprises a metal ring (1) with a gap. Two ends of the metal ring are provided with rubber outer sleeves (2). A central section of the metal ring is fixedly connected with a pedestal (3). The pedestal is connected with a flat seat (5) with a display screen (4). The flat seat is connected with the whistle (6). A soft anti-vibration pad is installed in the flat seat. A button cell, a wireless receiving apparatus and a control circuit board are arranged in the pedestal. The control circuit board is connected with a display screen. The wireless receiving apparatus is connected with the control circuit board. The utility model discloses the football referee whistle.

Patent PL2416312 (FOXCRAFT) discloses a whistle (100) for producing resonant frequencies comprising a body which includes a mouth piece having an inlet (114), and at least two sound chambers (164,166) to which inlet air is blown from the inlet (114). The whistle further includes air passageways (150,152) for communicating inlet air from the inlet (114) to the sound box and sound chambers. The body further includes at least two exhaust ports (160;162) in communication with the sound chambers for discharging air and sound. The two sound chambers (164,166) are dimensioned to create peak principal frequencies which interactively produce a pulsating sound having a periodic pulse frequency of less than 100 hertz. The whistle (100) preferably includes air intake ports for communicating additional port air into the sound box.

Patent CN207474062 (01(J) discloses an electron whistle on finger, casing front end are equipped with and gather the sound chamber; closely gather sound chamber rear end casing bilateral symmetry and are equipped with and indicate area mouthful, and the shell backend top surface is equipped with the broadcast button, gather sound chamber rear end casing front end top surface and are equipped with the redindigo plant of LED and explode the flashing light, and the shell backend bottom surface is equipped with LED power indicator and LED charge indicator respectively, and the casing side is equipped with the function respectively and selects to dial a section switch, and USB charging socket is equipped with circuit board, battery and bee calling organ respectively in the casing. The utility model discloses have function when continuous of charging, clear sound is loud and dears and the volume is up to 120 decibels, and its flexible operation convenient to use fixes electron whistle on finger on the forefinger, through the thumb press the broadcast button alright send required sound, antihygienic phenomenon appears when avoiding the mouth to blow, explode the flashing light and send sound and light warning simultaneously through selecting a group section switch selection 110 alarm whistle sound, red indigo plant, lithium on battery is to the power supply of the electron whistle, and USB charging socket can charge to the battery at any time, ensures electric quantity when its is continuous.

Patent CN2739759 (ZHU) discloses an electronic whistle which includes an emitting part and a receiving part. The emitting part is an emitting circuit with a switch and is used to emit the wireless signal. The receiving part includes a receiving circuit, a power control circuit, an oscillating circuit, a propelling circuit and a buzzer. The receiving circuit is used to receive the wireless signal caused by the emitting circuit and exports the signal to the power control circuit and makes the power control circuit supply the power for the oscillating circuit and the propelling circuit. The oscillating circuit is used to generate the low-frequency square wave signal and exports the low-frequency square wave signal to the propelling circuit. The propelling circuit generates the acoustic frequency oscillating signal with interchanged frequency to make the buzzer send out the whistle. The utility model uses the electronic whistle to replace the traditional whistle. The electronic whistle does not need to blow by the mouth, which solves the sanitary problem. The emitting and the receiving parts solve the problem that the electronic whistle with the prior art is inconvenient to use. The emitting part can be made into a small one and can be covered on the finger. So, the electronic whistle can really replace the whistle.

Patent CN2241911 (SHOUVVEN) discloses a whistle with a finger ring, which is convenient and practical. A finger ring worn on a finger is arranged at the back lower part of the tail part of the existing whistle; and the finger ring is in an open ring with a gap or a closed ring structure; the finger is in an integral forming with the whistle or a weld connection structure; normally, the whistle is directly worn on the finger through the finger ring, and the whistle incapability of leaving the hand is achieved; holding a pen is not influenced, and the hand gesture is also not influenced.

Patent CN2658895 (SHI) discloses a sounding device, consists of a mouthpiece 5, a body 6 and a sounding orifice 2. It is characterized in that at the bottom of the body 6, a ring; consisting of a sem i-iunar notch 7 and a finger band 4; is provided. The utility model might be tied with the finger that empowers the convenience of employing the whistle which is perfect for judges, coaches and PE teachers.

The prior art therefore shows that there is a need for a more effective sports whistle which is able to confirm a timing period to the umpire or referee without them having to remove the whistle away from the face to view a time.

The present invention aims to provide an improved sports whistle which has a built in vibration mechanism which tells the person the time period is complete and to blow the whistle and does not have to look at an image or clock by moving the whistle away from the mouth, therefore.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided a vibrating sports whistle with a second timer for use; but not exclusively, for netball. The whistle has a body which has a mouth piece into which air is blown by putting the whistle onto the users mouth. The whistle body is mounted onto a pair of finger mounts to enable the whistle to be worn on the fingers in the known way, these curve to provide a suitable profile to wrap around said fingers when in use, to ensure they remain in place.

The sports whistle disclosed has a three second timer located inside a push button using a micro-chip, which delays the power from the battery to the vibration mechanism until three seconds have passed, after three seconds the switch is instructed by the timer to send power from the battery to the vibration mechanism. Once the vibration mechanism vibrates the whistle body, the user knows it is time to blow the whistle as the allowed occupancy of the ball for three seconds has passed, in line with the rules of the game.

The button is mounted to the mouth piece facing side of the whistle body, as shown in Figure 1 and is positioned to be pressed by the user's thumb, while the whistle remains to the lips. From the push button are connectors and a negative and positive wire loop which passes to the device compartment into which a button cell lithium battery is inserted from the bottom to contact with the vibration mechanism via a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) & connectors inside the housing for the vibration mechanism and the battery, as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, the button cell lithium battery is seated under the vibration mechanism within the device housing and the battery connects to the vibration mechanism via shown connectors, providing power to the vibration mechanism when the timer switch instructs the PCB and therefore the vibration mechanism to vibrate, by connecting said power thereto. To the underside of the whistle body, between the two curved finger mounts, is provided an opening; into which the battery is inserted with the battery positioned horizontally, as shown in Figure 2. The opening is threaded on a slightly protruding circular rim to enable a small correspondingly threaded cap to be tightened to hold the inserted battery in place. The battery fitting is further aided via way of internally mounted sprung edge clips, which compress slightly as the battery is inserted and release the battery when it is removed.

To the interior of the vibration mechanism is a basic ensemble of parts which provide a sufficient vibration action to be felt clearly through the body of said whistle. Within the case is a semi-circular section which has a centrally located bearing which is mounted onto the short vertical shaft of the base section. The coil assembly for the mechanism is located on the semi-circular section and is opposed to a counter weight to the rear, as shown in Figure 3.

The base is derived of a magnet body with the brush located centrally around the vertical shaft, within a countersunk centre area.

Also located within said countersunk centre area is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) which is made with photolithographic technology. This provides the mechanism with an alternative way of making micro flexible foil circuits by laminating very thin (0,07 mm) copper strips in between two layers. Connectors are provided to control the vibrating mechanism and connect the battery directly to it.

Located to the rim of the base and around its edge is a bracket which is shaped to interlock with the lower edge of the case, as shown. These connect together by inserting them onto each other and rotating.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vibrating sports whistle with a second timer which has all the advantages of the prior art sports whistles and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new vibrating sports whistle with a second timer which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed, It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vibrating sports whistle with a second timer which is of durable and reirable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vibrating sports whistle with a second timer which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vibrating sports whistle with a second timer which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention,

Brief description of fioures

Figure 1 shows a dimensional view of the vibrating sports whistle with a second timer.

Figure 2 shows a dimensional view of the interior timing and vibrating mechanism of the vibrating sports whistle with a second timer.

Figure 3 shows a dimensional view of the interior parts of the vibration mechanism.

Detailed description of figures

A typical embodiment of the vibrating sports whistle with a second timer is shown in Figure 1. It comprises the whistle body 4 which is a shaped form having a protruding mouth piece 1 with means to hold the whistle onto the users fingers provided by two concave diametrically opposed finger mounts 8 and 9.

A push button 2 is located to the finger mount 8 at its upper area for ease of use while the whistle is still in the user's mouth or also near to their mouth. The timer microchip is located underneath said push button 2 and connects to the vibration mechanism 5 and battery 6 via positive and negative wire loop 3 passing though the whistle finger mount and body internally.

The vibration mechanism and battery 6 are housed inside device housing 7, as shown.

The vibration and timing mechanism as shown in Figure 2 is multipartite and has a vibration mechanism 5A inside which the vibration components are kept. A pair of connectors 10 are located to the underside corner of the vibration mechanism 5A, said connectors 10 link the vibration mechanism 5A to its power source which is the battery 6A and push button 2A, with timer microchip 25, via connectors 12 and PCB 26. Positive and negative wire loop 3A connects to said button 6A and timer 25 via connectors 15.

Battery 6A is housed within device housing 7A to be held in place by sprung edge clips 11 and 13. Once inserted inside the device housing 7A the battery is held securely inside by a threaded cap 14 onto a protruding circular rim 27 to the underside of the device housing 7A thereto.

Figure 3 shows the multipartite components of the said vibration mechanism 5A which houses a semi-circular section 28 onto which the coil assembly's 19 are mounted with a counter weight 17 opposed to their rear, as shown.

On this assembly the bearing 18 is centrally located with a through hole to engage with a vertically presented short shaft 21 located centrally of the base 29. The body of the base 29 is magnetic 20 with a centrally located brush 22 and FPC (flexible printed circuit), bracket 24 enables attachment to the lid 30 due to a corresponding tightening bracket on the lid 30 and the base 29.

Ail said components in Figure 3 are housed inside lid 30 and base 29 when they are closed together, this provides the vibrating mechanism which is triggered by the pressing of said push button on the outer body of the whistle as aforementioned and described herein.

I I

The timer of three seconds is described to be used in conjunction with a rule set out in the game of netball as previously noted. The ability for the whistle to remain in place at the mouth during this brief operation is made possible by the alert for the end of the timed period being in the form of a vibration, which enables the user to feei the end of the timed three seconds, rather than having to move the whistie away from the mouth to observe a screen or to check the end of the time period as noted in cited patent documents.

Claims

Claims 1) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer comprising; a whistle body having a protruding mouth piece mounted on diametrically opposed finger mounts, a push button has an internal timer microchip which is connected to a battery powered vibration mechanism within a base and lid which is located within a device housing inside said whistle body, with holding and removal means for the battery provided, together describing a device.
2) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer further comprising a positive and negative wire loop.
3) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer further comprising at least four connectors.
4) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer further comprising a printed circuit board.
5) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 1 wherein said battery is held inside a device housing by sprung edge clips.
6) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 5 wherein said battery is further held in place by way of a threaded cap onto a protruding circular rim.
7) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 6 wherein said battery is located underneath said vibration mechanism and connected to it using connectors.
8) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 7 wherein said vibration mechanism has an internal semi-circular section with two coil assembly's.
9) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 8 wherein said semi-circular section has a counter weight.
10) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 9 wherein said semi-circular section has a centrally located bearing with a through hole.
11) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 9 wherein said centrally located bearings through hole engages with a short shaft vertically presented from a countersunk centre area in a base below.
12) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 11 wherein said base is magnetic with a centrally located brush.
13) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 12 wherein the centrally located brush is provided in the countersunk centre area of a base with a flexible printed circuit.
14) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to claim 13 wherein said base and a lid both have a bracket for the tightening of said brackets together on the lid and the base 15) A vibrating sports whistle with a second timer according to any preceding claim; including a push button with timing microchip which is pressed to time three seconds and then vibrate a mechanism via a printed circuit board within the whistle body.