Scoring device for fighting sports

Abstract

A scoring device that can be worn by a participant during a fighting competition to indicate hits to a target area on the participant includes a base shirt and a chest pad. The chest pad is bonded to the base shirt and is made of an elastomeric material to absorb impact energy and thereby protect the participant's chest from opponent blows. A solid, elastomeric target is removably attached to the chest pad using a hook and loop fastening system. A sensor is embedded in the elastomeric target to produce an electrical signal when the target is hit. An indicator responsive to the electrical signal, such as a light or horn, is provided to notify the participants each time the target is hit. A counter can be connected to the sensor to register the number of times the target is hit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A scoring device for indicating hits to a predetermined target area on a participant in a fighting competition, said scoring device comprising: 
 a base shirt;    a chest pad made of an elastomeric material, said chest pad attached to said base shirt;    a target made of an elastomeric material for attachment to said chest pad;    a sensor for sensing hits to said target; and    an indicating means responsive to said sensor for indicating hits to said target.    
     
     
         2 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a hook and loop fastening system to removably attach said target to said chest pad.  
     
     
         3 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said base shirt comprises a front upper portion and a back portion and wherein said chest pad is formed with a front portion for attachment to said front upper portion of said base shirt and a rear portion for attachment to said back portion of said base shirt and wherein said target is attached to said front portion of said chest pad and said scoring device further comprises a rear target attached to said rear portion of said chest pad.  
     
     
         4 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said sensor is embedded in said target.  
     
     
         5 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said sensor comprises two conductors embedded in said target for contacting each other in response to a hit.  
     
     
         6 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said indicating means comprises a light.  
     
     
         7 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said indicating means comprises an LED readout.  
     
     
         8 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said indicating means produces an audible signal to indicate hits to said target.  
     
     
         9 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a counting means responsive to said sensor to count the number of hits to said target.  
     
     
         10 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said indicating means comprises a radio-frequency transmitter to transmit a signal in response to said sensor, a receiver to receive said signal, and an indicator to provide an indication in response to said receiver receiving said signal.  
     
     
         11 . A scoring device for indicating hits to a predetermined target area on a participant in a fighting competition, said scoring device comprising: 
 a target made of an elastomeric material for attachment to the participant to cover the predetermined target area;    a pad of elastomeric material for attachment to the participant to at least partially surround said target with said pad of elastomeric material;    a sensor for sensing hits to said target; and    an indicating means responsive to said sensor for indicating hits to said target.    
     
     
         12 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a hook and loop fastening system to removably attach said target to said pad.  
     
     
         13 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a base shirt attached to said pad.  
     
     
         14 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said sensor is embedded in said target.  
     
     
         15 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said indicating means produces a visually observable indication.  
     
     
         16 . A scoring device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said indicating means produces an audible indication.  
     
     
         17 . A method for scoring hits to a predetermined target area on a participant in a fighting competition, said method comprising the steps of: 
 attaching an elastomeric target and a sensor to a shirt, said sensor for changing states in response to a target hit;    positioning said shirt on said participant to locate said target over said predetermined target area; and    activating an indicator in response to a change of state of said sensor to indicate a hit to said target.    
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising the step of attaching a pad of elastomeric material to said shirt to at least partially surround said target with said pad of elastomeric material to protect the participant from injuries due to opponent mishits.  
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 18  wherein a hook and loop fastening system is used to removably attach said target to said pad.  
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising the step of embedding said sensor in said target.  
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising the step of electronically counting the number of hits over a predetermined period.