WO2009146525A1 - Apparatus for monitoring parameters relating to a skater - Google Patents

Apparatus for monitoring parameters relating to a skater Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009146525A1
WO2009146525A1 PCT/CA2009/000717 CA2009000717W WO2009146525A1 WO 2009146525 A1 WO2009146525 A1 WO 2009146525A1 CA 2009000717 W CA2009000717 W CA 2009000717W WO 2009146525 A1 WO2009146525 A1 WO 2009146525A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
skate
blade
skater
microprocessor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2009/000717
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tory Weber
Benoit Talbot
David Croteau
Pierre Harvey
Dhiren Master
Michael Chiasson
Original Assignee
Therma Blade Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Therma Blade Inc. filed Critical Therma Blade Inc.
Publication of WO2009146525A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009146525A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C1/00—Skates
    • A63C1/30—Skates with special blades
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C1/00—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people
    • G07C1/22—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people in connection with sports or games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/08—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs
    • A61B5/083—Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/1036—Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
    • A61B5/6895—Sport equipment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
    • A63B2024/0025—Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/24—Ice hockey
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/10—Positions
    • A63B2220/12—Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/20—Distances or displacements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/20—Distances or displacements
    • A63B2220/22—Stride length
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/30—Speed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/40—Acceleration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/50—Force related parameters
    • A63B2220/56—Pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/70—Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
    • A63B2220/72—Temperature
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/50—Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A63B2230/04—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
    • A63B2230/06—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations heartbeat rate only
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A63B2230/20—Measuring physiological parameters of the user blood composition characteristics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A63B2230/40—Measuring physiological parameters of the user respiratory characteristics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2244/00—Sports without balls
    • A63B2244/18—Skating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
    • A63C2203/18—Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
    • A63C2203/22—Radio waves emitting or receiving, e.g. remote control, RFID

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring parameters relating to a skater.
  • US Patent No: 3,1 19,921 (Czaja) issued November 2 nd 1962 discloses a resistant heating element attached as a folded resistance heating element wrapped over a top of the blade of a skate so as to apply heat along the side surfaces of the blade.
  • a battery is mounted in the open area above the blade underneath the connection of the blade to the boot.
  • Patches or bandages which are attached to the body of a person to be monitored are known which are arranged to transmit data obtained from the patient to a remote location. These can be used for measuring many different parameters of the person to be monitored including heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, ECG, skin conductance level. They can transmit wirelessly to a remote monitoring system. However many are intended to transmit only over small distances to medical monitoring devices which are relatively close. Other devices require another object to be carried on the person such as a watch-like structure which is sufficient in size to carry higher power transmitters.
  • an apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising: a skate blade; a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot; a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the skate blade holder; a microprocessor control unit; a receiver arranged to be mounted on the skate for receiving data and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit; wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack for insertion into the blade holder.
  • the skate includes a transmitter controlied by the microprocessor for transmitting the data to a remote location.
  • the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body.
  • the microprocessor is arranged to download the data when interrogated.
  • the microprocessor is mounted in one of the towers of the skate support with the battery.
  • a patch which is arranged to be mounted on the leg of the skater adjacent to but spaced from the skate.
  • the patch may be attached by adhesive.
  • the transmitter of the patch is arranged with only sufficient power to transmit to the skate.
  • the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the transmission receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack hockey blade holder that is water proof/ ice proof/ light/ shock proof/ vibration proof.
  • the transmission receiver may provide a polling circuit that polls other devices to receive the data therefrom on demand.
  • the transmission receiver may provide a booster amplifier circuit that takes the incoming data and can do one or more of the following:
  • the transmission receiver may provide a memory for storage of the data, either as temporary storage of the data in a storage buffer or as permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/processing device.
  • the transmission receiver may provide for transmission of the data either to another device by inserting a memory format card , or via a USB or micro USB device or wirelessly to a PC/ laptop or computing device or to a handheld device.
  • an apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a device to be worn or carried by the skater during skating; a microprocessor control unit; a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; and at least one sensor on the device arranged to capture motion of the skater.
  • the device can comprises a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising a skate blade and a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot, a helmet to be worn by the skater during skating, a stick to be carried by the skater during skating or other device to be carried or worn by the skater.
  • the electronics is contained in a hollow handle of the stick or in the case of a one piece hollow construction the electronics can be in the handle and/or in the blade section.
  • the purpose of the sensors is to capture various information that could be analyzed and transformed to provide one or more of the following data for a player:
  • GPS Position on the ice rink
  • an apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a sensor body including one or more transducers for monitoring one or more parameters of the bodily functions of the skater during skating and generating data relative thereto; a fastening system for fastening the sensor body onto the skater; a transmitter in the sensor body for transmitting the data wirelessly from the body; a device to be worn or carried by the skater during skating comprising: a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; a microprocessor control unit; and a transmission receiver arranged to be mounted on the device for receiving data and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit.
  • the device can comprises a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising a skate blade and a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot, a helmet to be worn by the skater during skating, a stick to be carried by the skater during skating or other device to be carried or worn by the skater,
  • the electronics is contained in a hollow handle of the stick or in the case of a one piece hollow construction the electronics can be in the handle and/or in the blade section.
  • the sensor body may comprise a skin patch, a breathing mask or a semipermanent probes that is implanted into the skin.
  • Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a heated skate blade according to the present invention showing the blade and mounting for attachment to a skate boot which is shown in outline only for convenience of illustration.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the boot omitted for convenience of illustration.
  • Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional of the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is an isometric view from one side of the skate blade member of the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is a top plan view the blade of Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is cross sectional view along the lines 6-6 of Figure 4.
  • Figure 7 is cross sectional view along the lines 7-7 of Figure 4.
  • Figure 8 is a side elevationa! view of the skate blade support wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack for insertion into the blade holder.
  • Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 8 with the battery pack inserted into place.
  • Figure 10 is a schematic front elevation of a sensing patch for attachment to a skater.
  • the skate blade assembly is of the conventional ice skate type having a skate blade member 2 having a metal skate blade 32 and a holder or support 3 to support the blade.
  • the holder has a hollow heel tower 4 and a hollow toe tower 5 each having a top flange 6, 6A around the peripheral edge of the tower which fastens to the skate boot by a series of holes 7 around the flange.
  • the skate blade assembly 1 is generally fastened through the sole plate flange holes 7 through matching holes in the sole of an ice skate boot (not shown) with mechanical fasteners (not shown).
  • the heel 4 and the toe 5 of the skate blade holder 3 generally are hollow.
  • a heating arrangement 8 in the form of a resistance heating member 100 is arranged to heat the skate blade 2 such that the heat reduces the coefficient of friction of the blade 2 on an ice surface.
  • the heating arrangement 8 has a heat control circuit board 9 mounted on the top edge of the blade and a battery 14 and battery control circuit board 14A in the hollow heel tower 4 of the holder 3.
  • the circuit has a thermistor 12 which controls the temperature of the blade by controlling current to the resistance heating member 100.
  • the blade temperature is maintained just above freezing at a temperature of the order of 2 to 10 degrees Celsius and preferably of the order of 4 to 6 degrees, in many cases where the player is off the ice for a short break as in regular shifts in a hockey game, the temperature of the box or other rest area is often sufficiently high that the heater is turned off during the break period off the ice and only turns back on when the player or skater is back on the ice for a sufficient period to cool the blade down to the temperature below the set temperature. This ensures that the heater is used only when required on the ice and the battery power is not wasted when the player is off the ice. This arrangement avoids the use of motion sensors or other timing devices to control the heat application.
  • an accelerometer that will detect motion to trigger the heating circuit.
  • the holder 3 defines an elongated bottom section 15 which extends along the full length of the holder and defines along a center thereof a slot 16 for receiving the blade.
  • the elongate member 15 is connected to the hollow towers 4 and 5 so that the towers converge downwardly and inwardly from the top flange 6, 6A toward the bottom elongate member 15.
  • the moulded body forming the holder is solid and this solid structure extends upwardly into the structure of the holder until the width expands sufficiently to allow the structure to be formed into the hollow towers 4 and 5 while providing sufficient strength within the holder body from the moulded plastics material.
  • the holder Between the hollow towers, the holder includes a U-shaped area 17 defining a top edge 18 which is the top edge of the solid part of the body on which the bottom member 15 is formed.
  • the top surface 18 curves upwardly at the forward end to form a wall 21 which is the rear wall of the front tower 5.
  • the top 18 at its rear curves upwardly to form an upward and forwardly extending portion 18B which forms the front wall of the rear tower 4.
  • the front tower 5 thus has a rear end at the rear end of the flange 6 which overlies the surface 18 and symmetrically a forward end of the flange 6A of the tower 4 also overlies the surface 18.
  • the front tower 5 has a front wall 21 which extends downwardly to a forward end 22 of the member 15.
  • the rear tower 4 has a rear wall 23 which extends downwardly to a rear end 24 of the member 15.
  • the wall extending upwardly from the member 15 to the base of the towers includes side ribs which extend upwardly and rearwardly as indicated at 25 and 25A together with downwardly extending ribs 26 which connect from the inclined ribs 25 and 25A to the bottom end 15 to provide an attractive appearance.
  • the member 15 defines a slot 16 in its bottom surface with the slot 16 extending upwardly to an upper end 27 and defining two side walls 28 and 29 of the slot.
  • the slot extends only partly across the width of the member 15 so that two shoulders 30 and 31 are formed at the bottom of the member 15 on either side of the slot 16.
  • This slot provides a receptacle for the blade so that the blade may be inserted into this slot and pulled up into the slot to be held in fixed position on the bottom of the member 15 and held against side to side movement by engagement between the blade and the slot.
  • the blade 2 includes a steel blade portion 32 and an over-molded portion 33 of a plastics material.
  • the over-moulded portion is moulded onto the sides of the steel blade 32 and across the top edge of the steel blade 32 so as to form a structural member rigidly and permanently attached to the steel blade and extending out to each side of the steel blade.
  • the steel blade 32 engages into the over-molded plastics portion 33 so that it is held in place within that plastics portion.
  • the plastics portion 33 includes a projecting element 34 with sides 35 and 36 which engage into the slot 16.
  • the over-molded portion 33 inciudes top shoulders 37 and 38 which engage against the shoulders 30 and 31 of the bottom surface of the member 15.
  • the steel blade 32 includes a top edge 40 which has a complex shape for engagement into the over-molded plastics portion 33.
  • the steel blade 32 has a bottom edge 41 which forms the skate blade edge of a conventional shape with slightly upwardly curved front and rear portions 41 A and 41 B.
  • the complex upper edge 40 of the steel blade portion is shaped to define a series of hooks which engage into the over-molded plastics portion 33 to maintain permanent engagement therewith.
  • a front hook 42 at the forwardmost end of the steel blade and this is received just behind the front edge 43 of the over-molded plastics piece so that it is embedded in the plastics piece and acts to retain the blade within that plastics piece.
  • there is a rear hook 44 which engages into the plastics piece just in front of the rear edge 45 of the over-molded plastics piece.
  • the steel blade further includes upwardly projecting element 46 in the center section under the surface 18 which projects into the area at the heating element 8. Further upwardly projecting portions 50 at spaced positions along the length of the blade also provide further engagement into the plastics material.
  • the thermistor 12 is mounted on the circuit board 9 in contact with the blade 32.
  • the blade extends only a short distance into the plastics material. However at other locations along the blade, the blade extends through the moulded portion 33 to provide components projecting beyond the plastics portion. At the location of the resistance heating member 100, the top edge 46 of the blade is elevated relative to that at other locations to provide a portion along which the resistance heating member 100 can engage.
  • the steel blade includes a front engagement portion 55 which projects through the over-molded plastics portion 33 to provide an engagement hook member which extends into a receptacle 56 in the support.
  • the hook member 55 has a rear surface 57 which extends upwardly and rearwardiy so as to butt against a correspondingly inclined surface of the receptacle 56. It will be appreciated therefore that rearward pulling action on the blade member 2 wilt cause the inclined surfaces to pull the blade upwardly into the siot 16 so as to force the shoulders of the blade against the shoulders at the base of the member 15.
  • the rearward pulling action on the blade is provided by a rear mounting member 58 of the blade.
  • the rear mounting member 58 also projects upwardly through the over-molded plastics member 33 to provide an upwardly extending portion above that member.
  • the rear mounting 58 includes two arms 59 and 60 between which is mounted a nut 61 received in a cyiindrical bearing surface 62 allowing the nut to swivel about an axis at right angles to the axis of the nut.
  • the nut has a cylindrical outer surface which is contained within the cylindrical bearing surface 62 allowing this pivotal action to accommodate slight inaccuracies in the positioning of the blade relative to the holder.
  • the rear wall 23 of the rear tower 4 has a recessed hole 63 for receiving a screw 64.
  • the screw has a head which engages against a base of the recessed hole so that the screw can engage into the nut and by turning the screw the nut is pulled upwardly and rearwardly as the screw head butts against the shoulders on either side of the hole.
  • the turning of the screw 64 acts to pull the blade upwardly and rearwardly along the slot 16 so as to pull the rear part of the blade into the slot and so as to pull the blade rearwardly along the slot to force the front mounting portion 55 into the receptacle 56.
  • the blade can be mounted on the holder by releasing the screw and by removing the projecting portion of the moulded plastics portion 33 from the slot by pulling the blade downwardly.
  • the blade can be reinserted by simply inserting the blade approximately into its required position thus sliding the front member 55 into the receptacle 56 whereupon the screw and be inserted into the nut and the blade pulled up into place both longitudinally and upwardly.
  • the sides of the portion 33 within the slot are slightly tapered and the side walls of the slot itself are slightly tapered so as to provide a friction fit between the plastics parts as the blade is pulled upwardly.
  • the blade is pulled upwardly until the shoulders engage between the shoulders on the side of the plastics portion 33 and the shoulders at the base of the member 15.
  • the bottom edge 41 of the blade curves upwardly and forwardly at the front end 41 A and curves upwardly and rearwardly at the rear end 41 B.
  • the over-molded portion 33 similarly is curved upwardly at the forward end at 33A and is curved upwardly at the rearward end as indicated at 33B.
  • the bottom edge of the member 15 also curves upwardly and forwardly at the forward end indicated at 15A and upwardly and rearwardly at the rearward end indicated at 15B. in this way the blade and the over-moided portion 33 fit effectively into the slot 16 of the member 15 along the full length of the blade.
  • that part of the over-molded portion 33 which projects above the top edge of the blade 40 in the region of the front curved section 33A has the sides of the over-molded portion 33 castellated as indicated at 33C to provide a series of upstanding slots 33D in the sides.
  • the siots 33D are provided in each side of the over-molded portion and extend down to a depth between the slots approximately equal to the width the blade. These slots are thus formed in the plastic part above the top edge of the blade and extend downwardly to the top edge of the blade.
  • These castellated slots have been found to allow the mounting of the blade into the slot 16 in a manner which reduces vibration of the blade during vigorous stopping actions by the skater. They also add to the stiffness of the blade without adding too much weight.
  • the towers 4 and 5 are arranged to extend upwardly to a position to engage the bottom of a conventional skate boot. It will be appreciated that in practice the heated skate blade arrangement of the present invention can be constructed as a separate item for attachment to boots manufactured by skate manufacturers so that the heated skate itself can be supplied to a number of different manufactures for use with their skate boots.
  • the tower 5 at the front is of reduced height relative to the tower 4 at the rear.
  • the heel part of the boot is elevated above the toe part of the boot allowing the top flanges 6 and 6A to be attached directly to the bottom surface of the boot without the presence of a heel structure underneath the boot between the rear part of the boot and the top flange 6A.
  • the flange 6 surrounding the tower 5 is shaped so as to follow approximately the shape of the soie part of the boot and thus is slightly wider than the heel part of the boot at the flange 6A of the tower 4.
  • Each of the flanges includes a series of holes along the flanges on each side of the hollow tower and these holes are arranged to be fastened to the boot by rivets engaged through the flange from the underside and engaging into the receiving holes in the base of the boot.
  • the sole has four receiving holes along each side for receiving the four holes of the flange 6.
  • the rear part of the boot has three receiving holes on each side for receiving the rivets from the flange 6A.
  • the holes 7 in the front tower include some oblong holes or elongate holes
  • the holes 7 in the rear tower 4 include some obiong holes or elongate holes 7B on the rear flange 6A which are elongated in a direction front to rear direction which are the middle ones of tower 4). This allows adjustment of the position of the flange on the base of the boot so as to allow slight side to side and front to rear movement of the mount for the skate blade relative to the boot for improved alignment and ease of installation.
  • the resistance heating member 100 is formed by an elongate electrically conductive cylindrical wire 101 of constant cross section along which the current from the battery power source is conducted with a layer 102 of electrically insulating material applied onto an outside peripheral surface of the wire.
  • the wire is formed of a high resistance alloy so that the resistance is significantly greater than a comparable wire of copper so generate a significant heat output.
  • Typical heating wires of this type are available from isabellenhutte and are typically used for floor heating.
  • the wire has a thickness of 32 gauge, 150 mm long, which in conjunction with a battery voltage of 7.4V typical can produce a heat output of 7.4 watts which is suitable for applying the required heat to the skate blade.
  • the wire 101 extends in a substantially straight path along the side surfaces of the skate blade member and the wire is held against the side surfaces 103 and 104 of the blade 32 so that the layer 101 is held in direct contact with the surface of the blade to transfer heat thereto.
  • the wire 101 includes a first portion 105 along the first side surface 103 of the skate blade member and a second portion 106 along a second opposed side surface 104 of the skate blade member, both being arranged close to the top edge 40 but spaced slightly downwardly from the top edge.
  • the wire extends in a loop from a first electrical connection 108 on one side of the heating control circuit board 9 along the first side surface of the skate blade member, wraps around the end 46A of the raised section 46 of the blade 40 and returns along the second opposed side surface of the skate blade member to a second connection 109 on the other side of the heating control circuit board 9.
  • the circuit board 9 is located directly at the end of the raised portion 46 at the top of the blade at a location where the top edge 40 of the blade 32 is recessed downwardly as shown in Figure 7.
  • the over-molding 33 of plastics material is shaped in the molding to define a longitudinally extending groove 110 on each side with a base 111 of the groove at the surface of the metal skate blade.
  • the groove is formed between a bottom piece of the over-mold 33 and a top piece 112 which extends across on top of the blade over the top edge 40.
  • the top piece 112 and the remainder of the over- molding 33 are integrated at the end 46A of the raised portion 46 of the blade opposite the board 9 as indicated at 113 where the wire loops around the end 46A of the portion 46 cross the over-molding 33.
  • the groove has a width equal roughly to the diameter of the wire and the resistance heating member in the form of the wire is received in the groove at the base 1 11 in contact with the respective side surface of the blade.
  • the resistance heating member in the form of the wire 101 is compressed into the groove against the surface of the blade at the base by a deformable bead 115 of a resilient plastics material.
  • the deformable bead 115 of resilient material is compressed by insertion of the over-molding into the slot 16 of the support 15 so that the sides 28 and 29 of the slot apply pressure against an outwardly projecting portion of the bead to apply pressure on the deformable bead.
  • the resistance heating member in the form of the wire is compressed against the surface of the skate blade member at the base of the groove by the deformable bead, which is formed of a heat insulating resilient material of a hardness of for example 73 Shore A.
  • the resistance heating wire has one side in contact with the skate blade member and all other sides surrounded by heat insulating plastics material defined by the over-molding 33 and the bead 115.
  • a thermally conductive adhesive or filler can be located between the wire and the blade.
  • the battery power supply 14 includes a battery 71 and the battery control circuit board 14A located underneath the battery and including a conventional battery protection circuit which is part of the battery since the batteries are sold with this little circuit incorporated in the battery enclosure.
  • the battery control circuit 14A carries the components for controlling the supply of power from the battery including a low power indicator.
  • the battery 71 and the circuit board 14A are contained within an encapsulating material 116 to form an enclosed separate item which can be inserted into the hollow tower as an integral element to be contained therein.
  • the encapsulated battery power supply includes a pair of terminals 74 one of which can be seen in Figure 7 which extend downwardly from the battery side by side as spring wire contacts and which are arranged to be connected to the board 9 for communication of current from the battery power supply to the heat control circuit 9 carried on the blade.
  • the blade itself can be removed from the mounting and thus the terminals 74 comprise spring-finger type wires or fingers which engage onto fixed terminals on the circuit 9.
  • the terminals 74 comprise spring-finger type wires or fingers which engage onto fixed terminals on the circuit 9.
  • standard connectors can be used which require manual connection.
  • simple upward pressure of the board 9 onto the spring fingers 74 as the skate blade member is inserted into the support at the required location causes the engagement between the terminals 74 and the requisite terminal on the circuit 9.
  • the battery power supply further includes a further terminal 76 in the form of a spring finger which extends from one end of the battery control circuit board for engagement with a stud or rivet 77 carried in the tower as best shown in Figure 3 where the stud has a head 78 exposed at the rear wall 23 of the tower for engaging a charging system.
  • a charging system for the skate can therefore comprise components which have a first terminal for engagement with the blade 32 and a second terminal for engagement with the head 78 of the stud 77. This provides a connection to the battery power supply through the battery control circuit 14A.
  • the circuit board 9 is thus contained within the slot 16 above the shoulders 37 and 38 and is encapsulated in this area by a suitable low pressure molding material which engages over the board 9 on top of the high pressure structural over-molding 33.
  • the board 9 is also contained within the tower 4 of the support so that it is fully enclosed both by its own encapsulation and by the surrounding structure of the support.
  • the battery power supply 14 is contained within the rear tower 4 above the elongate member 15 of the support and within the enclosed tower 4.
  • the flange 6A is sealed to the underside of the skate boot with the battery power supply 14 in place.
  • the sealing action can be provided by a gasket which overlies the flange 6A to provide an effective sealing action to prevent the penetration of moisture from the ice or from the environment into the rear tower 4 and thus into the area of the battery power supply.
  • the rear tower 4 is fully enclosed and sealed without any openings for switches or connections since the tapered shoulder 33 seals with the base of the bottom support 15 when the screw 64 is tightened, apart from the stud 77 which is itself sealed into a hole in the rear wall 23 of the tower 4.
  • the manually operable switch arrangement for activating the power supply is defined by a pair of proximity switches 79 and 80 mounted on a flexible circuit board 83 the inside surface of the hollow rear tower 4 at sides of the tower at a position where the fingers and thumb of a user can reach around the rear wall 23 to squeeze together on respective side of the hollow rear tower to engage the areas of the tower at the proximity switches 79 and 80.
  • the use of two proximity switches one on each side prevents inadvertent operation of the switch actuating the power supply by contact with an extraneous item such as a puck or other elements such as an opponent's stick.
  • the actuation of the switch occurs only in the event that both proximity switches are activated simultaneously and are touched for a required period of time.
  • the microprocessor may be programmed that the sensors must be touched for a predetermined minimum period of time or in a pattern like a computer mouse double click, that is they may be touched for at least predetermined minimum period of time but not more than a predetermined maximum period of time then released for at least predetermined minimum period of time but not more than a predetermined maximum period of time and then touched for at least a predetermined period of time which is an extremely unlikely event unless controlled by the user reaching to the proximity switches by a finger and thumb.
  • Proximity switches avoids the penetration of the tower 4 so that there is no possibility for moisture penetration through openings at the switches.
  • Proximity switches are commonly available and utilize the electrical changes effected by bringing the finger or thumb into close proximity with the electrical component on the inside surface.
  • An indicator light or LED for indicating the activation of the power supply is visible on the exterior of the tower 4 and is provided at the location 81 visible on both sides of the blade indicated on Figure 2.
  • the LED itself is shown in Figure 3 as indicated at 82.
  • the plastics material forming the moulded skate support is made sufficiently thin that the illumination from the LED is visible on both sides through the plastics material without the necessity for a penetration of the LED itself through the plastics material.
  • the LED is located at a position just above the top edge of the blade 32 in the area just above the elongate support 15 and just behind the central heated area of the skate blade.
  • the LED may itself be located within the tower on one or other side adjacent the proximity switches 79 and 80.
  • the heating wire has both its ends protected against moisture by the over- molding low pressure encapsulating plastic material covering the board 9.
  • the wire is continuous and unbroken in its loop from the ends.
  • the heating element in the form of the wire or other resistance heating element, is compressed against the steel blade with the extrusion or bead compressed between it and the holder.
  • the battery 14 and electronics 14A are protected against moisture with plastic over-moulding.
  • plastic over-moulding As an alternative to the over-molding using low pressure molded plastics material it is also possible to use conventional potting materials.
  • the two proximity sensors are used to actuate the power to avoid inadvertent action. They have a pattern so that the player must hold his fingers there for a given amount of time (minimum X seconds, maximum Y seconds) so that it eliminates turning on or off accidentally.
  • the connections provided use the steel blade and a rivet to transfer the electricity from a charger to charge the battery.
  • the spring loaded contacts 74 act to transfer the electricity from the battery pack to the heating device. This allows us to easily change the blade when it has been sharpen too many times.
  • the spring loaded contact 77 acts to transfer the electricity from the battery to the rivet.
  • the mechanical features of the slotted holes 7A in the flanges, the tapered joint 16 between over-molded steel blade and the support or holder and the anti-vibration ribs 33C on the over-molded steel blade provide an effective mounting of the blade on the boot.
  • One embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention for monitoring the body functions of a skater to allow an ongoing analysis of the skater's condition is provided as part of the skate system described above and is shown in Figure 8, 9 and 10.
  • the patch includes a fastening system for fastening the sensor body onto the skin of the skater so that the sensor body is held on the skin for operation of the one or more transducers on the skin.
  • the fastening system may be provided simply by adhesive on one side of the patch or may be provided by straps 84 on either side of the patch or by both.
  • a low power transmitter in the sensor patch transmits data wirelessly from the patch using an integral antenna 87.
  • a battery 86 for providing power can be relatively small and light weight. In this way the patch can be minimum size and preferably held by minimum action such as the adhesive alone.
  • the patch is used with the skate as described above where the skate is worn by the skater and is modified to provide a transmission receiver 90 mounted on the power pack 91 to be inserted into the skate blade holder at a suitable protected location for receiving the data transmitted by the patch and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit 92 of the battery pack.
  • the receiver can comprise simply an antenna molded into or as part of the housing of the battery pack of the skate holder and this communicates the data received though a cable to a processing component of the circuit board which extracts the data and communicates it to the microprocessor 92.
  • the power pack 91 as shown in Figures 8 and 9 is inserted into a hole in the front face of the rear tower 4 with a front face of the pack forming a closure at the front face of the tower to ensure a water tight fit.
  • the pack can snap into place using a tab 98 which is released by a push button 99 when the pack is required to be released.
  • the pack carries connectors which frictional engage suitable conductors on the inside of the tower 4 to connect to the various components described above.
  • the skate includes a transmitter 94 controlled by the microprocessor 92 powered by the battery 93 for transmitting the data to a remote location where there is a central control unit for accessing the data and analyzing the data.
  • the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body.
  • the system acts merely to use the higher power available in the battery pack 91 and more volume available in the skate blade holder to provide a higher power transmitter at the skate to send on the data received from the patch to a central processor.
  • the microprocessor is arranged to store the data as it is received in a memory chip 95 and to download the data when interrogated. This mode may be used during training where real time data is not required and subsequent analysis is more effective.
  • the microprocessor selected to carry out the functions is mounted in one of the towers of the skate support with the battery 93.
  • the patch is arranged to be mounted on the leg of the skater adjacent to but spaced from the skate. This is very close and allows very low power transmissions with only sufficient power to transmit to the skate.
  • the arrangement can monitor the physiological conditions of the player via all kinds of sensors as described hereinafter.
  • the device is designed to measure various physical parameters with sensors 96 that are self contained in the holder or preferably in the battery pack 91 in the holder.
  • a data receiving device that is contained in the holder or part of the battery pack, that receives data that is transmitted wireless or by wire.
  • a booster amplifier circuit that takes the incoming data and can do one or more of the following:
  • Permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/ processing device, in either Flash memory, SD / Mini-SD or Micro SD format or other memory device.
  • the purpose of the on skate sensors is to capture various information that can be analyzed and transformed to provide the following data for a player:
  • GPS Position on the ice rink
  • a device which detects and monitor the proximity between the skate and the puck.
  • Timing circuit which is set on and off by the accelerometer detecting motion.
  • the input of the sensors is fed to the microprocessor as explained above for transmission or storage as proposed.
  • the physiological sensors on the players body can measure: Heart rate
  • the arrangement uses skin patches, breathing masks, semi-permanent probes that will be implanted into the skin etc.
  • the data is sent to the microprocessor as explained above.

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Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring body functions of a skater has an adhesive patch or other sensor carried on the body carrying a series of transducers and a low power transmitter for transmitting the data wirelessly from the patch to a receiver carried on the skate, helmet, stick or other device to be carried or worn by the skater. In addition the device can include acceleration or other similar monitors. The battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack for insertion into the blade holder.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MONITORING PARAMETERS RELATING TO A SKATER
The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring parameters relating to a skater.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Common ice skates used in skating have an elongate blade which is arranged to slide along the ice surface. Attempts to minimise the friction between the blade and the ice using the application of heat to the blade are shown in a number of prior US patents as follows:
US Patent No: 3,1 19,921 (Czaja) issued November 2nd 1962 discloses a resistant heating element attached as a folded resistance heating element wrapped over a top of the blade of a skate so as to apply heat along the side surfaces of the blade. A battery is mounted in the open area above the blade underneath the connection of the blade to the boot.
US Patent No: 3,866,927 (Tvengsberg) issued February 18th 1975 discloses a similar arrangement where the blade is mounted in a molded holder extending from the blade to the sole of the boot. The blade may be optionally heated in which case a resistance heating element is applied apparently along the side of the blade although this is not adequately described.
US Patent No: 5,441,305 (Tabar) issued August 15th 1995 discloses a heating system primarily for skis which appears to be speculative in nature and includes a number of different arrangements which could be used. In Figures 6 and 7 is shown the heating of a skate blade where a resistance heating wire is apparently buried inside the structure of the skate blade itself. No detail is provided as to how this might be manufactured. All of the above patents therefore show resistance heating elements but in each case the structure is clearly speculative and no detail is provided. No product of this type has been commercially available.
US Patents 6,669,209 issued December 30th 2003, 6,817,618 issued
November 16th 2004 and 6,988,735 issued January 24th 2006 ail by Furzer and all assigned to the present assignee disclose various arrangements of heated skate blade where a battery is located in a tower of the skate support attached to the skate boot and supplies power to a heating device on the blade. In this case the heating element is in the form of a transistor which is fed with current in a mode so that the transistor generates heat with the transistor communicating that heat to a side of the blade or through a separate insert of high thermal conductivity.
This application relates to the subject matter disclosed and claimed in co- pending applications Serial No: 1 1/851 ,681 entitled HEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR ICE SKATE BLADES (corresponding to Canadian Application No: 2,601 ,259) filed September 7th 2007; Serial No: 11/780,577 entitled HEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR ICE SKATE BLADES (corresponding to Canadian Application No: 2,609,371) and Serial No: 11/780,580 entitled MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR ICE SKATE BLADES (corresponding to Canadian Application No: 2,605,934) all filed 20th July 2007 by the same applicants and assigned to the same assignees, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The above US Patent 6,817,618 issued November 16th 2004 by Furzer and Weber and assigned to the present assignee discloses a heated skate blade where a battery is located in a tower of the skate support attached to the skate boot and supplies power to a heating device on the blade. In particular this patent discloses that the skate blade assembly has an integrated heart rate sensor used to sense the heart rate of the skater. The heart rate sensor is connected to the microprocessor in the skate which controls the heating system which is arranged to store the heart rate data in the electronic memory. The patent further discloses a radio frequency transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting electronic digital or analog data intermittently or continuously collected from the skate electronics or sensors.
Patches or bandages which are attached to the body of a person to be monitored are known which are arranged to transmit data obtained from the patient to a remote location. These can be used for measuring many different parameters of the person to be monitored including heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, ECG, skin conductance level. They can transmit wirelessly to a remote monitoring system. However many are intended to transmit only over small distances to medical monitoring devices which are relatively close. Other devices require another object to be carried on the person such as a watch-like structure which is sufficient in size to carry higher power transmitters. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for monitoring parameters relating to a skater.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising: a skate blade; a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot; a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the skate blade holder; a microprocessor control unit; a receiver arranged to be mounted on the skate for receiving data and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit; wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack for insertion into the blade holder.
Preferably the skate includes a transmitter controlied by the microprocessor for transmitting the data to a remote location.
Preferably the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body.
Preferably the microprocessor is arranged to download the data when interrogated. Preferably the microprocessor is mounted in one of the towers of the skate support with the battery.
There may be provided a patch which is arranged to be mounted on the leg of the skater adjacent to but spaced from the skate.
The patch may be attached by adhesive. Preferably the transmitter of the patch is arranged with only sufficient power to transmit to the skate.
Preferably the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the transmission receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack hockey blade holder that is water proof/ ice proof/ light/ shock proof/ vibration proof. The transmission receiver may provide a polling circuit that polls other devices to receive the data therefrom on demand.
The transmission receiver may provide a booster amplifier circuit that takes the incoming data and can do one or more of the following:
Cleans the incoming signal through digital filtering;
Amplifies the signal;
Analysis of the data; Integrating the data using a digital integrating circuit;
Other data processing for example digital sampling, Fourier transform etc.
The transmission receiver may provide a memory for storage of the data, either as temporary storage of the data in a storage buffer or as permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/processing device. As an alternative, the transmission receiver may provide for transmission of the data either to another device by inserting a memory format card , or via a USB or micro USB device or wirelessly to a PC/ laptop or computing device or to a handheld device.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a device to be worn or carried by the skater during skating; a microprocessor control unit; a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; and at least one sensor on the device arranged to capture motion of the skater. The device can comprises a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising a skate blade and a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot, a helmet to be worn by the skater during skating, a stick to be carried by the skater during skating or other device to be carried or worn by the skater.
In the case of the stick, the electronics is contained in a hollow handle of the stick or in the case of a one piece hollow construction the electronics can be in the handle and/or in the blade section.
Preferably the purpose of the sensors is to capture various information that could be analyzed and transformed to provide one or more of the following data for a player:
Maximum speed Average speed
Acceleration
Position on the ice rink ("GPS") Time on the ice (ice time)
Distance traveled
Number of strides
Stride length Frequency of stride
Time spent skating backwards vs forward skating
G forces on turning and/or stopping
Number of right turns vs no of left turns
Right breaking vs left breaking Number of breaks
Time with the puck (a device can be provided which allows the proximity between the skate and the puck to be detected and monitored). in accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a sensor body including one or more transducers for monitoring one or more parameters of the bodily functions of the skater during skating and generating data relative thereto; a fastening system for fastening the sensor body onto the skater; a transmitter in the sensor body for transmitting the data wirelessly from the body; a device to be worn or carried by the skater during skating comprising: a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; a microprocessor control unit; and a transmission receiver arranged to be mounted on the device for receiving data and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit.
The device can comprises a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising a skate blade and a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot, a helmet to be worn by the skater during skating, a stick to be carried by the skater during skating or other device to be carried or worn by the skater, In the case of the stick, the electronics is contained in a hollow handle of the stick or in the case of a one piece hollow construction the electronics can be in the handle and/or in the blade section. For example the sensors/ measure one or more of the following:
Heart rate
VO2 max
CO2 in breathing Stress
Lactic acid
Number of breaths
The sensor body may comprise a skin patch, a breathing mask or a semipermanent probes that is implanted into the skin. BRiEF DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a heated skate blade according to the present invention showing the blade and mounting for attachment to a skate boot which is shown in outline only for convenience of illustration.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the boot omitted for convenience of illustration.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional of the embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an isometric view from one side of the skate blade member of the embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a top plan view the blade of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is cross sectional view along the lines 6-6 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is cross sectional view along the lines 7-7 of Figure 4.
Figure 8 is a side elevationa! view of the skate blade support wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack for insertion into the blade holder.
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 8 with the battery pack inserted into place.
Figure 10 is a schematic front elevation of a sensing patch for attachment to a skater.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The above Figures 1 to 7 and the following description are taken from the above US and Canadian applications filed September 7th to show the general construction of a skate which can be used in the present invention.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated an ice skate blade assembly 1. The skate blade assembly is of the conventional ice skate type having a skate blade member 2 having a metal skate blade 32 and a holder or support 3 to support the blade. The holder has a hollow heel tower 4 and a hollow toe tower 5 each having a top flange 6, 6A around the peripheral edge of the tower which fastens to the skate boot by a series of holes 7 around the flange.
The skate blade assembly 1 is generally fastened through the sole plate flange holes 7 through matching holes in the sole of an ice skate boot (not shown) with mechanical fasteners (not shown). The heel 4 and the toe 5 of the skate blade holder 3 generally are hollow.
A heating arrangement 8 in the form of a resistance heating member 100 is arranged to heat the skate blade 2 such that the heat reduces the coefficient of friction of the blade 2 on an ice surface. The heating arrangement 8 has a heat control circuit board 9 mounted on the top edge of the blade and a battery 14 and battery control circuit board 14A in the hollow heel tower 4 of the holder 3.
The circuit has a thermistor 12 which controls the temperature of the blade by controlling current to the resistance heating member 100. In practice the blade temperature is maintained just above freezing at a temperature of the order of 2 to 10 degrees Celsius and preferably of the order of 4 to 6 degrees, in many cases where the player is off the ice for a short break as in regular shifts in a hockey game, the temperature of the box or other rest area is often sufficiently high that the heater is turned off during the break period off the ice and only turns back on when the player or skater is back on the ice for a sufficient period to cool the blade down to the temperature below the set temperature. This ensures that the heater is used only when required on the ice and the battery power is not wasted when the player is off the ice. This arrangement avoids the use of motion sensors or other timing devices to control the heat application.
As an alternative, there can be provided an accelerometer that will detect motion to trigger the heating circuit.
The holder 3 defines an elongated bottom section 15 which extends along the full length of the holder and defines along a center thereof a slot 16 for receiving the blade. The elongate member 15 is connected to the hollow towers 4 and 5 so that the towers converge downwardly and inwardly from the top flange 6, 6A toward the bottom elongate member 15. At the bottom member 15, the moulded body forming the holder is solid and this solid structure extends upwardly into the structure of the holder until the width expands sufficiently to allow the structure to be formed into the hollow towers 4 and 5 while providing sufficient strength within the holder body from the moulded plastics material.
Between the hollow towers, the holder includes a U-shaped area 17 defining a top edge 18 which is the top edge of the solid part of the body on which the bottom member 15 is formed. The top surface 18 curves upwardly at the forward end to form a wall 21 which is the rear wall of the front tower 5. Similarly the top 18 at its rear curves upwardly to form an upward and forwardly extending portion 18B which forms the front wall of the rear tower 4. The front tower 5 thus has a rear end at the rear end of the flange 6 which overlies the surface 18 and symmetrically a forward end of the flange 6A of the tower 4 also overlies the surface 18. The front tower 5 has a front wall 21 which extends downwardly to a forward end 22 of the member 15. The rear tower 4 has a rear wall 23 which extends downwardly to a rear end 24 of the member 15. The wall extending upwardly from the member 15 to the base of the towers includes side ribs which extend upwardly and rearwardly as indicated at 25 and 25A together with downwardly extending ribs 26 which connect from the inclined ribs 25 and 25A to the bottom end 15 to provide an attractive appearance.
As best shown in the cross sectional views of Figures 6 and 7, the member 15 defines a slot 16 in its bottom surface with the slot 16 extending upwardly to an upper end 27 and defining two side walls 28 and 29 of the slot. The slot extends only partly across the width of the member 15 so that two shoulders 30 and 31 are formed at the bottom of the member 15 on either side of the slot 16. This slot provides a receptacle for the blade so that the blade may be inserted into this slot and pulled up into the slot to be held in fixed position on the bottom of the member 15 and held against side to side movement by engagement between the blade and the slot.
The blade 2 includes a steel blade portion 32 and an over-molded portion 33 of a plastics material. The over-moulded portion is moulded onto the sides of the steel blade 32 and across the top edge of the steel blade 32 so as to form a structural member rigidly and permanently attached to the steel blade and extending out to each side of the steel blade. Thus as shown for example in Figure 7, the steel blade 32 engages into the over-molded plastics portion 33 so that it is held in place within that plastics portion. The plastics portion 33 includes a projecting element 34 with sides 35 and 36 which engage into the slot 16. The over-molded portion 33 inciudes top shoulders 37 and 38 which engage against the shoulders 30 and 31 of the bottom surface of the member 15.
As best shown in Figure 3, the steel blade 32 includes a top edge 40 which has a complex shape for engagement into the over-molded plastics portion 33. The steel blade 32 has a bottom edge 41 which forms the skate blade edge of a conventional shape with slightly upwardly curved front and rear portions 41 A and 41 B. The complex upper edge 40 of the steel blade portion is shaped to define a series of hooks which engage into the over-molded plastics portion 33 to maintain permanent engagement therewith. Thus there is a front hook 42 at the forwardmost end of the steel blade and this is received just behind the front edge 43 of the over-molded plastics piece so that it is embedded in the plastics piece and acts to retain the blade within that plastics piece. Similarly there is a rear hook 44 which engages into the plastics piece just in front of the rear edge 45 of the over-molded plastics piece.
The steel blade further includes upwardly projecting element 46 in the center section under the surface 18 which projects into the area at the heating element 8. Further upwardly projecting portions 50 at spaced positions along the length of the blade also provide further engagement into the plastics material. The thermistor 12 is mounted on the circuit board 9 in contact with the blade 32.
Thus at some locations as shown in Figure 7 for example, the blade extends only a short distance into the plastics material. However at other locations along the blade, the blade extends through the moulded portion 33 to provide components projecting beyond the plastics portion. At the location of the resistance heating member 100, the top edge 46 of the blade is elevated relative to that at other locations to provide a portion along which the resistance heating member 100 can engage.
Thus as best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the steel blade includes a front engagement portion 55 which projects through the over-molded plastics portion 33 to provide an engagement hook member which extends into a receptacle 56 in the support. The hook member 55 has a rear surface 57 which extends upwardly and rearwardiy so as to butt against a correspondingly inclined surface of the receptacle 56. It will be appreciated therefore that rearward pulling action on the blade member 2 wilt cause the inclined surfaces to pull the blade upwardly into the siot 16 so as to force the shoulders of the blade against the shoulders at the base of the member 15.
The rearward pulling action on the blade is provided by a rear mounting member 58 of the blade. The rear mounting member 58 also projects upwardly through the over-molded plastics member 33 to provide an upwardly extending portion above that member. The rear mounting 58 includes two arms 59 and 60 between which is mounted a nut 61 received in a cyiindrical bearing surface 62 allowing the nut to swivel about an axis at right angles to the axis of the nut. Thus the nut has a cylindrical outer surface which is contained within the cylindrical bearing surface 62 allowing this pivotal action to accommodate slight inaccuracies in the positioning of the blade relative to the holder. The rear wall 23 of the rear tower 4 has a recessed hole 63 for receiving a screw 64. The screw has a head which engages against a base of the recessed hole so that the screw can engage into the nut and by turning the screw the nut is pulled upwardly and rearwardly as the screw head butts against the shoulders on either side of the hole. Thus the turning of the screw 64 acts to pull the blade upwardly and rearwardly along the slot 16 so as to pull the rear part of the blade into the slot and so as to pull the blade rearwardly along the slot to force the front mounting portion 55 into the receptacle 56.
Thus the blade can be mounted on the holder by releasing the screw and by removing the projecting portion of the moulded plastics portion 33 from the slot by pulling the blade downwardly. The blade can be reinserted by simply inserting the blade approximately into its required position thus sliding the front member 55 into the receptacle 56 whereupon the screw and be inserted into the nut and the blade pulled up into place both longitudinally and upwardly. As shown for example in Figure 7, the sides of the portion 33 within the slot are slightly tapered and the side walls of the slot itself are slightly tapered so as to provide a friction fit between the plastics parts as the blade is pulled upwardly. Thus the blade is pulled upwardly until the shoulders engage between the shoulders on the side of the plastics portion 33 and the shoulders at the base of the member 15. In this way a rigid mounting is provided by the engagement of the shoulders which prevent further upward movement and by the engagement of the tapered sides which prevent side to side slopping movement of the blade within the slot at the base of the member 15. In other words the top part of the moulded member 33 which engages into the sides of the slot provides a wedging action which resists side to side movement.
As best shown in Figure 2, the bottom edge 41 of the blade curves upwardly and forwardly at the front end 41 A and curves upwardly and rearwardly at the rear end 41 B. The over-molded portion 33 similarly is curved upwardly at the forward end at 33A and is curved upwardly at the rearward end as indicated at 33B. Also following the same curvature, the bottom edge of the member 15 also curves upwardly and forwardly at the forward end indicated at 15A and upwardly and rearwardly at the rearward end indicated at 15B. in this way the blade and the over-moided portion 33 fit effectively into the slot 16 of the member 15 along the full length of the blade.
As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, that part of the over-molded portion 33 which projects above the top edge of the blade 40 in the region of the front curved section 33A has the sides of the over-molded portion 33 castellated as indicated at 33C to provide a series of upstanding slots 33D in the sides. The siots 33D are provided in each side of the over-molded portion and extend down to a depth between the slots approximately equal to the width the blade. These slots are thus formed in the plastic part above the top edge of the blade and extend downwardly to the top edge of the blade. These castellated slots have been found to allow the mounting of the blade into the slot 16 in a manner which reduces vibration of the blade during vigorous stopping actions by the skater. They also add to the stiffness of the blade without adding too much weight.
Turning now to Figures 1 and 2, the towers 4 and 5 are arranged to extend upwardly to a position to engage the bottom of a conventional skate boot. It will be appreciated that in practice the heated skate blade arrangement of the present invention can be constructed as a separate item for attachment to boots manufactured by skate manufacturers so that the heated skate itself can be supplied to a number of different manufactures for use with their skate boots.
The tower 5 at the front is of reduced height relative to the tower 4 at the rear. Thus as is conventional the heel part of the boot is elevated above the toe part of the boot allowing the top flanges 6 and 6A to be attached directly to the bottom surface of the boot without the presence of a heel structure underneath the boot between the rear part of the boot and the top flange 6A.
The flange 6 surrounding the tower 5 is shaped so as to follow approximately the shape of the soie part of the boot and thus is slightly wider than the heel part of the boot at the flange 6A of the tower 4.
Each of the flanges includes a series of holes along the flanges on each side of the hollow tower and these holes are arranged to be fastened to the boot by rivets engaged through the flange from the underside and engaging into the receiving holes in the base of the boot.
Thus the sole has four receiving holes along each side for receiving the four holes of the flange 6. The rear part of the boot has three receiving holes on each side for receiving the rivets from the flange 6A. The holes 7 in the front tower include some oblong holes or elongate holes
7 A on the front flange 6 which are elongated in a direction side to side which are the third ones from the front of the tower 5. The holes 7 in the rear tower 4 include some obiong holes or elongate holes 7B on the rear flange 6A which are elongated in a direction front to rear direction which are the middle ones of tower 4). This allows adjustment of the position of the flange on the base of the boot so as to allow slight side to side and front to rear movement of the mount for the skate blade relative to the boot for improved alignment and ease of installation.
As best shown in Figure 4 and 6, the resistance heating member 100 is formed by an elongate electrically conductive cylindrical wire 101 of constant cross section along which the current from the battery power source is conducted with a layer 102 of electrically insulating material applied onto an outside peripheral surface of the wire. The wire is formed of a high resistance alloy so that the resistance is significantly greater than a comparable wire of copper so generate a significant heat output. Typical heating wires of this type are available from isabellenhutte and are typically used for floor heating. In a suitable example the wire has a thickness of 32 gauge, 150 mm long, which in conjunction with a battery voltage of 7.4V typical can produce a heat output of 7.4 watts which is suitable for applying the required heat to the skate blade.
The wire 101 extends in a substantially straight path along the side surfaces of the skate blade member and the wire is held against the side surfaces 103 and 104 of the blade 32 so that the layer 101 is held in direct contact with the surface of the blade to transfer heat thereto.
The wire 101 includes a first portion 105 along the first side surface 103 of the skate blade member and a second portion 106 along a second opposed side surface 104 of the skate blade member, both being arranged close to the top edge 40 but spaced slightly downwardly from the top edge. The wire extends in a loop from a first electrical connection 108 on one side of the heating control circuit board 9 along the first side surface of the skate blade member, wraps around the end 46A of the raised section 46 of the blade 40 and returns along the second opposed side surface of the skate blade member to a second connection 109 on the other side of the heating control circuit board 9. The circuit board 9 is located directly at the end of the raised portion 46 at the top of the blade at a location where the top edge 40 of the blade 32 is recessed downwardly as shown in Figure 7.
As best shown in Figures 4 and 6, the over-molding 33 of plastics material is shaped in the molding to define a longitudinally extending groove 110 on each side with a base 111 of the groove at the surface of the metal skate blade. The groove is formed between a bottom piece of the over-mold 33 and a top piece 112 which extends across on top of the blade over the top edge 40. The top piece 112 and the remainder of the over- molding 33 are integrated at the end 46A of the raised portion 46 of the blade opposite the board 9 as indicated at 113 where the wire loops around the end 46A of the portion 46 cross the over-molding 33.
The groove has a width equal roughly to the diameter of the wire and the resistance heating member in the form of the wire is received in the groove at the base 1 11 in contact with the respective side surface of the blade.
The resistance heating member in the form of the wire 101 is compressed into the groove against the surface of the blade at the base by a deformable bead 115 of a resilient plastics material. The deformable bead 115 of resilient material is compressed by insertion of the over-molding into the slot 16 of the support 15 so that the sides 28 and 29 of the slot apply pressure against an outwardly projecting portion of the bead to apply pressure on the deformable bead. In this way the resistance heating member in the form of the wire is compressed against the surface of the skate blade member at the base of the groove by the deformable bead, which is formed of a heat insulating resilient material of a hardness of for example 73 Shore A. in this way, the resistance heating wire has one side in contact with the skate blade member and all other sides surrounded by heat insulating plastics material defined by the over-molding 33 and the bead 115. A thermally conductive adhesive or filler can be located between the wire and the blade.
As an alternative to the provision of two wire portions along the side surfaces of the blade, there may be provided only a single wire in a single groove with that groove located at one side or on top of the blade
The battery power supply 14 includes a battery 71 and the battery control circuit board 14A located underneath the battery and including a conventional battery protection circuit which is part of the battery since the batteries are sold with this little circuit incorporated in the battery enclosure. The battery control circuit 14A carries the components for controlling the supply of power from the battery including a low power indicator. The battery 71 and the circuit board 14A are contained within an encapsulating material 116 to form an enclosed separate item which can be inserted into the hollow tower as an integral element to be contained therein. The encapsulated battery power supply includes a pair of terminals 74 one of which can be seen in Figure 7 which extend downwardly from the battery side by side as spring wire contacts and which are arranged to be connected to the board 9 for communication of current from the battery power supply to the heat control circuit 9 carried on the blade.
As previously described, the blade itself can be removed from the mounting and thus the terminals 74 comprise spring-finger type wires or fingers which engage onto fixed terminals on the circuit 9. Alternatively standard connectors can be used which require manual connection. Thus simple upward pressure of the board 9 onto the spring fingers 74 as the skate blade member is inserted into the support at the required location causes the engagement between the terminals 74 and the requisite terminal on the circuit 9. The battery power supply further includes a further terminal 76 in the form of a spring finger which extends from one end of the battery control circuit board for engagement with a stud or rivet 77 carried in the tower as best shown in Figure 3 where the stud has a head 78 exposed at the rear wall 23 of the tower for engaging a charging system.
A charging system for the skate can therefore comprise components which have a first terminal for engagement with the blade 32 and a second terminal for engagement with the head 78 of the stud 77. This provides a connection to the battery power supply through the battery control circuit 14A.
The circuit board 9 is thus contained within the slot 16 above the shoulders 37 and 38 and is encapsulated in this area by a suitable low pressure molding material which engages over the board 9 on top of the high pressure structural over-molding 33. The board 9 is also contained within the tower 4 of the support so that it is fully enclosed both by its own encapsulation and by the surrounding structure of the support. The battery power supply 14 is contained within the rear tower 4 above the elongate member 15 of the support and within the enclosed tower 4. The flange 6A is sealed to the underside of the skate boot with the battery power supply 14 in place. The sealing action can be provided by a gasket which overlies the flange 6A to provide an effective sealing action to prevent the penetration of moisture from the ice or from the environment into the rear tower 4 and thus into the area of the battery power supply. The rear tower 4 is fully enclosed and sealed without any openings for switches or connections since the tapered shoulder 33 seals with the base of the bottom support 15 when the screw 64 is tightened, apart from the stud 77 which is itself sealed into a hole in the rear wall 23 of the tower 4. In order to avoid unnecessary openings into the hollow rear tower 4, the manually operable switch arrangement for activating the power supply is defined by a pair of proximity switches 79 and 80 mounted on a flexible circuit board 83 the inside surface of the hollow rear tower 4 at sides of the tower at a position where the fingers and thumb of a user can reach around the rear wall 23 to squeeze together on respective side of the hollow rear tower to engage the areas of the tower at the proximity switches 79 and 80. The use of two proximity switches one on each side prevents inadvertent operation of the switch actuating the power supply by contact with an extraneous item such as a puck or other elements such as an opponent's stick. Thus the actuation of the switch occurs only in the event that both proximity switches are activated simultaneously and are touched for a required period of time. jfThus the microprocessor may be programmed that the sensors must be touched for a predetermined minimum period of time or in a pattern like a computer mouse double click, that is they may be touched for at least predetermined minimum period of time but not more than a predetermined maximum period of time then released for at least predetermined minimum period of time but not more than a predetermined maximum period of time and then touched for at least a predetermined period of time which is an extremely unlikely event unless controlled by the user reaching to the proximity switches by a finger and thumb.
The use of the proximity switches avoids the penetration of the tower 4 so that there is no possibility for moisture penetration through openings at the switches. Proximity switches are commonly available and utilize the electrical changes effected by bringing the finger or thumb into close proximity with the electrical component on the inside surface. An indicator light or LED for indicating the activation of the power supply is visible on the exterior of the tower 4 and is provided at the location 81 visible on both sides of the blade indicated on Figure 2. The LED itself is shown in Figure 3 as indicated at 82. At this location the plastics material forming the moulded skate support is made sufficiently thin that the illumination from the LED is visible on both sides through the plastics material without the necessity for a penetration of the LED itself through the plastics material. In the arrangement shown the LED is located at a position just above the top edge of the blade 32 in the area just above the elongate support 15 and just behind the central heated area of the skate blade. The LED may itself be located within the tower on one or other side adjacent the proximity switches 79 and 80. The arrangement described above provides a number of advantages as follows:
The heating wire has both its ends protected against moisture by the over- molding low pressure encapsulating plastic material covering the board 9. The wire is continuous and unbroken in its loop from the ends. The heating element, in the form of the wire or other resistance heating element, is compressed against the steel blade with the extrusion or bead compressed between it and the holder.
The battery 14 and electronics 14A are protected against moisture with plastic over-moulding. As an alternative to the over-molding using low pressure molded plastics material it is also possible to use conventional potting materials.
The two proximity sensors are used to actuate the power to avoid inadvertent action. They have a pattern so that the player must hold his fingers there for a given amount of time (minimum X seconds, maximum Y seconds) so that it eliminates turning on or off accidentally. The connections provided use the steel blade and a rivet to transfer the electricity from a charger to charge the battery.
The spring loaded contacts 74 act to transfer the electricity from the battery pack to the heating device. This allows us to easily change the blade when it has been sharpen too many times.
The spring loaded contact 77 acts to transfer the electricity from the battery to the rivet. The mechanical features of the slotted holes 7A in the flanges, the tapered joint 16 between over-molded steel blade and the support or holder and the anti-vibration ribs 33C on the over-molded steel blade provide an effective mounting of the blade on the boot.
One embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention for monitoring the body functions of a skater to allow an ongoing analysis of the skater's condition is provided as part of the skate system described above and is shown in Figure 8, 9 and 10.
This includes a sensor body in Figure 10 in the form of an adhesive patch 80 including one or more transducers 81 and 82 for monitoring one or more parameters of the bodily functions of the skater during skating and generating data relative thereto. These can be used for measuring many different parameters of the person to be monitored including heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, ECG, skin conductance level. This is intended for high level athletes in training or during a game situation to ensure that the skaters are maintained at their peak condition during a game. This is particularly applicable to hockey games where skaters can be sent on for shifts depending on their measured condition. The patch includes a fastening system for fastening the sensor body onto the skin of the skater so that the sensor body is held on the skin for operation of the one or more transducers on the skin. The fastening system may be provided simply by adhesive on one side of the patch or may be provided by straps 84 on either side of the patch or by both.
A low power transmitter in the sensor patch transmits data wirelessly from the patch using an integral antenna 87. As the transmitter and the transducers are small and low power, a battery 86 for providing power can be relatively small and light weight. In this way the patch can be minimum size and preferably held by minimum action such as the adhesive alone.
The patch is used with the skate as described above where the skate is worn by the skater and is modified to provide a transmission receiver 90 mounted on the power pack 91 to be inserted into the skate blade holder at a suitable protected location for receiving the data transmitted by the patch and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit 92 of the battery pack. The receiver can comprise simply an antenna molded into or as part of the housing of the battery pack of the skate holder and this communicates the data received though a cable to a processing component of the circuit board which extracts the data and communicates it to the microprocessor 92. The power pack 91 as shown in Figures 8 and 9 is inserted into a hole in the front face of the rear tower 4 with a front face of the pack forming a closure at the front face of the tower to ensure a water tight fit. The pack can snap into place using a tab 98 which is released by a push button 99 when the pack is required to be released. The pack carries connectors which frictional engage suitable conductors on the inside of the tower 4 to connect to the various components described above.
The skate includes a transmitter 94 controlled by the microprocessor 92 powered by the battery 93 for transmitting the data to a remote location where there is a central control unit for accessing the data and analyzing the data.
In one arrangement or mode of operation of the microprocessor, the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body. Thus the system acts merely to use the higher power available in the battery pack 91 and more volume available in the skate blade holder to provide a higher power transmitter at the skate to send on the data received from the patch to a central processor. In this arrangement there is little or no processing of the data at the skate. As a second mode of operation the microprocessor is arranged to store the data as it is received in a memory chip 95 and to download the data when interrogated. This mode may be used during training where real time data is not required and subsequent analysis is more effective.
In a further alternative there may be some data processing or compression at the skate and the processed data transmitted to the central location. These separate functions may be programmed into the skate or may be selectable by operation of external switches or software programmable using a USB or other connecting device to another computing device such as a laptop or desktop PC.
In one arrangement used, the microprocessor selected to carry out the functions is mounted in one of the towers of the skate support with the battery 93.
The patch is arranged to be mounted on the leg of the skater adjacent to but spaced from the skate. This is very close and allows very low power transmissions with only sufficient power to transmit to the skate.
The arrangement can monitor the physiological conditions of the player via all kinds of sensors as described hereinafter. In addition the device is designed to measure various physical parameters with sensors 96 that are self contained in the holder or preferably in the battery pack 91 in the holder.
Thus the arrangement provides a device which includes:
A data receiving device that is contained in the holder or part of the battery pack, that receives data that is transmitted wireless or by wire.
There can be continuous receipt of data or on demand, a polling circuit that polls other devices.
A booster amplifier circuit that takes the incoming data and can do one or more of the following:
Cleans the incoming signal through digital filtering.
Amplifies the cleaned signal. Analyze the data. integrate the data using a digital integrating circuit.
Other data processing ie digital sampling, Fourier transform etc.
Storage of the data.
Processes the data using a programmable DSP digital signal processing chip.
Temporary storage buffer.
Permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/ processing device, in either Flash memory, SD / Mini-SD or Micro SD format or other memory device.
Transmission of data either to another device by inserting a memory format card (SD/Mini/Micro SD) via a USB or micro USB device or wirelessly to a PC/ laptop or computing device or to a handheld device (such as blackberry).
All of this is placed into a hockey blade holder that is water proof/ ice proof/ light/ shock proof/ vibration proof.
The purpose of the on skate sensors is to capture various information that can be analyzed and transformed to provide the following data for a player:
Maximum speed
Average speed Acceleration
Position on the ice rink ("GPS")
Time on the ice (ice time)
Distance traveled Number of strides
Stride length
Frequency of stride
Time spent skating backwards v forward skating
No of right turns v no of left turns Right breaking v left breaking
G forces on turning and/or stopping
No of breaks
Time with the puck. For this purpose, a device can be provided which detects and monitor the proximity between the skate and the puck. There are multiple accelerometers that are configured along different axes that wil! capture the information, these accelerometers are placed in different locations along the holder or on the battery pack.
There is a timing circuit which is set on and off by the accelerometer detecting motion. There can be various temperature sensors to detect temperature of the blade.
There can be pressure sensors on the heel of the holder to detect other forms of movement.
The can be provided various sensors that are placed around the hockey rink, from which various telemetry readings can be taken to detect and pinpoint the position of the player.
The input of the sensors is fed to the microprocessor as explained above for transmission or storage as proposed.
The physiological sensors on the players body can measure: Heart rate
VO2 max
CO2 in breathing Stress
Lactic acid
Number of breaths
The arrangement uses skin patches, breathing masks, semi-permanent probes that will be implanted into the skin etc. The data is sent to the microprocessor as explained above.

Claims

CLAiMS:
1. Apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a skate to be carried or worn by the skater during skating comprising: a skate biade; a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot; a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; a microprocessor control unit; a receiver arranged to be mounted on the device for receiving data and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit; wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack for insertion into the device.
2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the skate includes a transmitter controlled by the microprocessor for transmitting the data to a remote location.
3. The apparatus according to 1 or 2 wherein the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body.
4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the microprocessor is arranged to download the data when interrogated.
5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the microprocessor is mounted in one of the towers of the skate support with the battery.
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein there is provided a patch which is arranged to be mounted on the leg of the skater.
7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the patch is attached by adhesive or hook and loop fastening material.
8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the transmitter of the patch is arranged with only sufficient power to transmit to the device.
9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the transmission receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack hockey blade holder that is water proof/ ice proof/ light/ shock proof/ vibration proof.
10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the transmission receiver provides a polling circuit that polls other devices to receive the data therefrom on demand.
11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the transmission receiver provides a processing circuit that takes the incoming data and can do one or more of the following:
Cleans the incoming signal through digital filtering; Amplifies the signal;
Analysis of the data;
Integrating the data using a digital integrating circuit; Other data processing for example digital sampling, Fourier transform etc.
12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the transmission receiver provides a memory for storage of the data, either as temporary storage of the data in a storage buffer or as permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/processing device.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the transmission receiver provides for transmission of the data either to another device by inserting a memory format card, or via a USB or micro USB device or wirelessly to a PC/ laptop or computing device or to a handheld device.
14. Apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a device to be worn or carried by the skater during skating; a microprocessor control unit; a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; and at least one sensor on the device arranged to capture motion of the skater.
15. The apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the device comprises a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising a skate blade and a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot.
16. The apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein there is provided at least one temperature sensor to detect temperature of the blade.
17. The apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein there is provided at least one pressure sensor on the heel of the holder to detect other forms of movement.
18. The apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the device comprises a helmet to be worn by the skater during skating.
19. The apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the device comprises a stick to be carried by the skater during skating.
20. The apparatus according to Ciaim 17 wherein the electronics is contained in a hollow handle of the stick.
21. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 20 wherein the sensor comprises multiple accelerometers that will be configured along different axes.
22. The apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein the accelerometers are placed in different locations along the holder or on the battery pack.
23. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 22 wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the transmission receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack that will capture the information.
24. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 23 wherein there is provided a timing circuit.
25. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 24 wherein there are provided various sensors that are placed around the hockey rink, from which various telemetry readings could be taken to detect and pin-point the position of the player.
26. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 25 wherein there is provided a transmission receiver arranged to be mounted on the device for receiving the data transmitted by the sensor and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit.
27. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 26 wherein the transmission receiver provides a memory for storage of the data, either as temporary storage of the data in a storage buffer or as permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/processing device.
28. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 27 wherein the transmission receiver provides for transmission of the data either to another device by inserting a memory format card, or via a USB or micro USB device or wirelessly to a PC/ laptop or computing device or to a handheld device.
29. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 28 wherein the includes a transmitter controlled by the microprocessor for transmitting the data to a remote location.
30. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 25 wherein the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body.
31. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 30 wherein the microprocessor is arranged to download the data when interrogated.
32. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 to 31 wherein the purpose of the sensors is to capture various information that could be analyzed and transformed to provide one or more of the following data for a player:
Maximum speed
Average speed
Acceleration Position on the ice rink ("GPS")
Time on the ice (ice time)
Distance traveled
Number of strides
Stride length Frequency of stride
Time spent skating backwards vs forward skating
Number of right turns vs no of left turns
Right breaking vs left breaking
Number of breaks Time with the puck (a device can be provided which allows the proximity between the skate and the puck to be detected and monitored).
G forces on turning and/or stopping
33. Apparatus for monitoring a skater comprising: a sensor body including one or more transducers for monitoring one or more parameters of the bodily functions of the skater during skating and generating data relative thereto; a fastening system for fastening the sensor body onto the skater; a transmitter in the sensor body for transmitting the data wirelessly from the body; a device to be worn or carried by the skater during skating comprising: a battery power source arranged to be mounted on the device; a microprocessor control unit; and a transmission receiver arranged to be mounted on the device for receiving data and for communicating the data to the microprocessor control unit.
34. The apparatus according to Claim 33 wherein the device comprises a skate to be worn by the skater during skating comprising a skate biade and a skate blade holder for mounting the skate blade on a skate boot.
35. The apparatus according to Claim 33 wherein the device comprises a helmet to be worn by the skater during skating.
36. The apparatus according to Claim 33 wherein the device comprises a stick to be carried by the skater during skating.
37. The apparatus according to Claim 36 wherein the electronics is contained in a hollow handle of the stick.
38. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 37 wherein the device includes a transmitter controlled by the microprocessor for transmitting the data to a remote location.
39. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 38 wherein the microprocessor is arranged to transmit the data as a continuing stream as it is received from the sensor body.
40. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 39 wherein the microprocessor is arranged to download the data when interrogated.
41. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 40 wherein there is provided a patch which is arranged to be mounted on the leg of the skater.
42. The apparatus according to Claim 41 wherein the patch is attached by adhesive.
43. The apparatus according to Claim 41 or 42 wherein the transmitter of the patch is arranged with only sufficient power to transmit to the skate.
44. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 43 wherein the battery power source, the microprocessor control unit and the transmission receiver are contained in a holder as part of a battery pack hockey blade holder that is water proof/ ice proof/ light/ shock proof/ vibration proof.
45. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 44 wherein the transmission receiver provides a polling circuit that polls other devices to receive the data therefrom on demand.
46. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 45 wherein the transmission receiver provides booster amplifier circuit that takes the incoming data and can do one or more of the following:
Cleans the incoming signal through digital filtering; Amplifies the signal;
Analysis of the data;
Integrating the data using a digital integrating circuit;
Other data processing for example digital sampling, Fourier transform etc.
47 The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 46 wherein the transmission receiver provides a memory for storage of the data, either as temporary storage of the data in a storage buffer or as permanent storage for later transfer to another storage/processing device.
48. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 47 wherein the transmission receiver provides for transmission of the data either to another device by inserting a memory format card, or via a USB or micro USB device or wirelessly to a PC/ laptop or computing device or to a handheld device.
49. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 48 wherein the sensors/ measure one or more of the following:
Heart rate VO2 max
CO2 in breathing
Stress
Lactic acid
Number of breaths
50. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 49 wherein the sensor body comprises a skin patch.
51. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 49 wherein the sensor body comprises a breathing mask.
52. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 49 wherein the sensor body comprises a semi-permanent probe that is implanted into the skin.
PCT/CA2009/000717 2008-06-02 2009-06-01 Apparatus for monitoring parameters relating to a skater WO2009146525A1 (en)

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US5792208P 2008-06-02 2008-06-02
US61/057,922 2008-06-02
US8556708P 2008-08-01 2008-08-01
US60/085,567 2008-08-01

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110166821A1 (en) * 2010-01-04 2011-07-07 Kim Jack T B System and method for analysis of ice skating motion
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US20110166821A1 (en) * 2010-01-04 2011-07-07 Kim Jack T B System and method for analysis of ice skating motion
WO2018210357A1 (en) 2017-05-16 2018-11-22 Univerzita Karlova, Fakulta Telesne Vychovy A Sportu Ice-skating measuring apparatus
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WO2018227269A1 (en) * 2017-06-12 2018-12-20 Scorched Ice Inc. System and apparatus for performance monitoring
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