Method and system for preventing pole vault fall injuries background of the invention

Abstract

A method for preventing serious injuries to a person participating in a physical activity, such as pole-vaulting, which occurs at least partially over a hard surface. The method includes: detecting predetermined criteria indicative of a condition which requires deployment of the material into the deployed position; and moving a material from a retracted position to a deployed position upon detection of the predetermined criteria, wherein the material substantially does not impede the physical activity while in the retracted position and cushions the person from falling onto the hard surface while in the deployed position.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for preventing serious injuries to a person participating in a physical activity at least partially over a hard surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a material being movable between deployed and retracted positions wherein the material substantially does not impede the physical activity while in the retracted position and cushions the person from falling onto the hard surface while in the deployed positions    detection means for detecting predetermined criteria indicative of a condition which requires deployment of the material into the deployed position; and    deployment means for deploying the material over the hard surfaces upon detection of the predetermined criteria;    wherein the physical activity is pole-vaulting and the condition is a likelihood that the person will be injured by falling onto the hard surface; and    wherein the detection means comprises an input from a trained observer, wherein the input triggers deployment of the material from the retracted position into the deployed position.    
   
   
       13 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for preventing serious injuries to a person participating in a physical activity at least partially over a hard surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a material being movable between deployed and retracted positions wherein the material substantially does not impede the physical activity while in the retracted position and cushions the person from falling onto the hard surface while in the deployed position;    detection means for detecting predetermined criteria indicative of a condition which deployment of the material in to the deployed position; and    deployment means for deploying the material over the hard surfaces upon detection of the predetermined criteria;    wherein the physical activity is pole-vaulting and the condition is a likelihood that the person will be injured by falling onto the hard surface; and    wherein the detection means comprises a vision and computer recognition system for detecting the predetermined criteria.    
   
   
       16 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A vault box for use in pole-vaulting, the vault box comprising: 
 a cavity for insertion of a pole therein; and    a switch disposed in the cavity for detection of insertion of the pole in the cavity and for outputting a signal indicating the insertion of the pole.