Timing device with shock sensor and corresponding activity system and method

Abstract

A timing device comprising a housing, a controller within the housing, and a shock sensor connected to the controller and within the housing. The controller receives a first signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a first shock or vibration. The controller receives a second signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a second shock or vibration. The controller starts a timer in response to receipt of the first signal. The controller stops the timer in response to receipt of the second signal.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A timing device comprising:
 a housing;   a controller within the housing; and   a shock sensor connected to the controller and within the housing;   wherein the controller receives a first signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a first shock or vibration;   wherein the controller receives a second signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a second shock or vibration;   wherein the controller starts a timer in response to receipt of the first signal; and   wherein the controller stops the timer in response to receipt of the second signal.   
     
     
         2 . The timing device of  claim 1 , wherein the timer is selectively operable in a count-up mode or a count-down mode. 
     
     
         3 . The timing device of  claim 2 , further comprising a timer mode selector connected to the controller for selecting whether the timer operates in the count-up mode or the countdown mode. 
     
     
         4 . The timing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display connected to the controller for displaying a time output from the timer. 
     
     
         5 . The timing device of  claim 1 , wherein the timing device is adapted to be selectively affixable to a lid of a storage tote. 
     
     
         6 . The timing device of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of mating surfaces adapted to be mated with cooperatively-shaped mating surface of the lid. 
     
     
         7 . An activity system comprising:
 a storage tote comprising:
 a main body having an open top end and defining a storage chamber; and 
 a lid selectively mountable to the open top end of the main body; and 
   a timing device selectively affixable to the lid, the timing device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a controller within the housing; and 
 a shock sensor connected to the controller and within the housing; 
 wherein the controller receives a first signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a first shock or vibration; wherein the controller receives a second signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a second shock or vibration; wherein the controller starts a timer in response to receipt of the first signal; and wherein the controller stops the timer in response to receipt of the second signal. 
   
     
     
         8 . The activity system of  claim 7 , wherein the timer is selectively operable in a count-up mode or a count-down mode. 
     
     
         9 . The activity system of  claim 8 , wherein the timing device further comprises a timer mode selector connected to the controller for selecting whether the timer operates in the count-up mode or the countdown mode. 
     
     
         10 . The activity system of  claim 7 , wherein the timing device further comprises a display connected to the controller for displaying a time output from the timer. 
     
     
         11 . The activity system of  claim 7 , wherein the timing device is selectively affixable to the lid via cooperatively-shaped mating surfaces of the housing and of the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The activity system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a plurality of obstacles selectively stored in the storage tote and selectively configurable in a plurality of different obstacle course arrangements when removed from the storage tote.   
     
     
         13 . A method of timing an activity comprising:
 (a) affixing a timing device to a lid of a storage tote, the timing device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a controller within the housing; and 
 a shock sensor connected to the controller and within the housing; 
 wherein the controller receives a first signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a first shock or vibration; wherein the controller receives a second signal from the shock sensor when the shock sensor detects a second shock or vibration; wherein the controller starts a timer in response to receipt of the first signal; and wherein the controller stops the timer in response to receipt of the second signal; 
   (b) hitting the lid of the storage tote to start the timer;   (c) performing an activity to be timed; and   (d) hitting the lid of the storage tote to stop the timer after completing the activity.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the timer is selectively operable in a count-up mode or a count-down mode; wherein the timing device further comprises a timer mode selector connected to the controller for selecting whether the timer operates in the count-up mode or the count-down mode; and wherein the method further comprises selecting the count-up mode or the count-down mode prior to hitting the lid of the storage tote to start the timer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the activity comprises running an obstacle course; and wherein the method further comprises arranging a plurality of selectively configurable obstacles into a desired obstacle course arrangement.