Safety devices and methods for gymnastics and other activities

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting an individual from an unintended fall is provided. The apparatus includes: a retractable cover positioned where the individual is likely to fall and covering a safe area for the unintended fall; a sensor for detecting a likelihood of an occurrence of the unintended fall; and an actuation mechanism for removing the retractable cover to expose the safe area where the sensor detects the occurrence of the unintended fall is likely. The actuation mechanism can also remove the retractable cover to expose the safe area where an observer recognizes that an occurrence of the unintended fall is likely.

1 . An apparatus for protecting an individual from an unintended fall, the apparatus comprising: 
 a retractable cover positioned where the individual is likely to fall and covering a safe area for the unintended fall;    a sensor for detecting a likelihood of an occurrence of the unintended fall; and    an actuation mechanism for removing the retractable cover to expose the safe area where the sensor detects the occurrence of the unintended fall is likely.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the individual is a gymnast.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the safe area is a pit having a soft material disposed therein.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the soft material is foam.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a computer vision system.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable cover comprises two or more segments, each of which is movable to expose the safe area where the sensor detects the occurrence of the unintended fall is likely.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for protecting an individual from an unintended fall, the apparatus comprising: 
 a retractable cover positioned where the individual is likely to fall and covering a safe area for the unintended fall; and    an actuation mechanism for removing the retractable cover to expose the safe area where an observer recognizes that an occurrence of the unintended fall is likely.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the individual is a gymnast.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the safe area is a pit having a soft material disposed therein.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the soft material is foam.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the retractable cover comprises two or more segments, each of which is movable to expose the safe area where the sensor detects the occurrence of the unintended fall is likely.  
   
   
       12 . A method for protecting an individual from an unintended fall, the method comprising: 
 positioning a retractable cover where the individual is likely to fall and covering a safe area for the unintended fall;    detecting a likelihood of an occurrence of the unintended fall; and    removing the retractable cover to expose the safe area where the sensor detects the occurrence of the unintended fall is likely.