System and method for athletic event lap counting

Abstract

Embodiments are described for assisting an athlete in counting laps on a repetitive course, and providing feedback to the athlete during the event regarding the number of laps that have been completed. In one embodiment, a mechanical or digital counter may be coupled to a runner, cyclist, cyclist's bicycle, or swimmer such that an input interface may be easily reached, and such that a feedback interface may be viewed during the event. In other embodiments, an input interface may be automated with wireless technologies, and the athlete may be provided with counting and/or timing feedback through a feedback interface coupled to the athlete that may be viewed during the event.

1 . A system for assisting an athlete with lap counting while riding a bicycle, comprising:
 a. a counter comprising a viewing interface and a lap advancement input interface, the viewing interface being configured to display for the athlete a representation related to a lap count as a result of inputs to the lap advancement interface by the athlete; and   b. a coupler configured to couple the counter to the bicycle such that the viewing interface is viewable by the athlete and the lap advancement input interface is available to be mechanically induced to advance the lap count using a portion of the athlete's body;   wherein the lap advancement input interface comprises an outer housing configured to substantially cover surfaces of the counter that face the athlete on the bicycle, the outer housing being pivotally coupled to the counter and configured to advance the lap count when pivoted relative to the counter under a load applied to the outer housing by the athlete.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the counter is a digital counter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the counter is a mechanical counter. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing interface comprises an electronic display. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the electronic display is an LCD display. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing interface is configured to display a numerical lap count. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing interface is configured to display a symbolic lap count. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the electronic display is configured to graphically display a transition from a previous lap count to a subsequent lap count. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a sound-emitting device configured to emit a transition sound while displaying the transition. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sound-emitting device configured to emit a sound upon advancement of the counter using the lap advancement input interface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sound is selected from the group consisting of: a beep sound, a bell sound, a cheering sound, a verbal enunciation of the lap count, a repeated predetermined sampled sound, and a sequential unrepeated sampled sound. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises a strap with a buckle. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises an elastomeric band. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the elastomeric band has a series of apertures defined in an elongate pattern to facilitate incremental tightening, the coupler further comprising a catch member configured to be positionable into one of the apertures to lock the coupler into a selected configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises a strap with a Velcro closure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises a mechanical clamp configured to be removably coupled to a structure of the bicycle. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the counter further comprises a switch configured to be mechanically triggered when the outer housing is pivoted relative to the counter under a load applied to the outer housing by the athlete. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is pivotally coupled to the counter with at least one pivot point located adjacent an end of the outer housing that is closest to a posterior end of the bicycle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises an aerodynamic shape. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the aerodynamic shape is selected from the group consisting of: a teardrop shape, a hemispherical shape, and an elliptoid shape. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing interface is visible through a translucent window formed in the outer housing.