Optics: measuring and testing – Range or remote distance finding – With photodetection
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-24
2004-03-30
Buczinski, Stephen C. (Department: 3662)
Optics: measuring and testing
Range or remote distance finding
With photodetection
C356S003010, C356S141100, C356S004080, C273S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06714284
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to measuring distances achieved by athletes competing in track and field events, and more particularly to a laser based system for accurately measuring throws in field events.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the sport of track and field, several of the field events are based on the distance that an athlete can throw an object. More specifically, in the javelin, the discuss, the shot put, and the hammer throw, the competitor that throws the object the farthest (with a legal throw) is considered the winner of that event. As used herein, the term thrown object will refer generically to the javelin, discuss, shot put and hammer. It will be understood, however, that while a device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention might be employed in measuring all of the events or any one of the individual events, it would not need to be utilized in connection with measuring all of the different events (or for that matter each of the throws in any one particular event) at any given competition or track meet.
Currently, the throws of each athlete, after being determined to be a legal throw, are physically measured with a tape measure. The measurement is based on the distance between the landing point of the thrown object and the edge of the throwing circle (or foul line of the javelin, etc.). In practice, the landing area may include pre-measured lines which are set at fixed distances from the edge of the throwing circle or foul line. If such pre-measured lines exist, then the measurement of the thrown object can occur from the landing point to the edge of a line. In practice, the line selected is the one which is: a) closest to the landing point of the thrown object and b) between the landing point and the area where the throw originated.
As will be appreciated, using such physical measurements introduces certain inaccuracies. For example, such inaccuracies may be due to improperly drawn pre-measured lines and/or improper offset (e.g., measurements which are not taken along the normal to the tangent—at the proper point on the pre-measured line). Also, the physical tape measure can be read improperly, can be kinked or otherwise not properly stretched between the two measurement points.
Based on the above, it will be appreciated that there exists a need for an improved apparatus and method for measuring distances in the sport of track and field. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art identified above.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for measuring distances in the thrown object events in the sport of track and field. A laser based measuring device is used in connection with a marker having a target area. The measuring device is placed at a point proximate where the competitor releases the thrown object. The marker is placed at the point where the thrown object lands. Assuming that the throw is a valid throw (e.g., the competitor does not foul, the throw lands within the legal landing area, etc.), then the present invention may rapidly acquire a highly accurate measurement.
One feature of the present invention is that the measuring device can be set up in a position offset from throwing circle and the landing area and be programmed to subtract the radius of the throwing circle in determining the distance of the throw.
Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for measuring distances in track events, the steps comprising: placing a marker at the point where a thrown object in the field event lands; pointing a target located on the marker toward a laser measuring device which positioned offset from the area where the throw originated; aligning the laser distance measuring device with the target; and determining the horizontal distance of the thrown object from the area where the throw originated.
According to other aspects of the invention, there is provided a method in accordance with the preceding paragraph and further comprising the step of calculating the distance from the center of curvature of a scratch line and subtracting the radius of the scratch line from the calculated horizontal distance to determine the distance from the scratch line to the landing point of the thrown object.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided, an apparatus for measuring distances in throwing events such as at track and field meets, the apparatus comprising: a marker, the marker having a target located thereon; a laser distance measuring device arranged and configured to be placed in a position offset from the area where the throw originated; wherein the laser distance measuring device may be aligned with the target and determine the length of the distance that an athlete throws a thrown object.
According to still other aspects of the invention, there is provided an apparatus in accordance with the preceding paragraph, wherein the measuring device calculates the distance the thrown object is thrown from the center of curvature of a scratch line and subtracts the radius of the scratch line from the calculated horizontal distance to determine the distance from the scratch line to the landing point of the thrown object.
While the invention will be described with respect to a preferred embodiment configuration and with respect to particular devices used therein, it will be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited by the components described herein. Also, while the particular type of laser measuring device is described in the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that such particular device is not to be construed in a limiting manner. Instead, the functionality of such device should be appreciated. These and other variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a more detailed description of the invention.
The advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. For a better understanding of the invention, however, reference should be had to the drawing which forms a part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
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patent: 4954837 (1990-09-01), Baird et al.
patent: 5742387 (1998-04-01), Ammann
patent: 6095928 (2000-08-01), Goszyk
patent: 6266628 (2001-07-01), Huep et al.
patent: 197 50 207 (1999-07-01), None
patent: 199 22 341 (2000-11-01), None
Hesch James K.
Norman Richard Grant
Buczinski Stephen C.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
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