Wearable score-keeping device for swordplay games

Abstract

A wearable score-keeping device to reliably record successful strikes in games of mock swordplay is provided. In one embodiment, a player ( 111 ) wears a breastplate device ( 110 ) that houses a target module ( 114 ). Contacting the strike zone ( 116 ) of the target module ( 114 ) of the opposing player with a sword device ( 112 ) is each player's objective. When contact is made with the strike zone, an impact switch ( 216 ) relays that information to a circuit board ( 220 ), which is programmed according to game rules chosen by the players ( 111 ). The circuit board then instructs one or more signaling devices ( 118, 218 ) to alert the players ( 111 ) to any landed strikes and so keeps score.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable score-keeping device, comprising:
 a. an impact sensing switch of sufficient size to provide a reasonable target strike zone for an opposing amateur swordfighter engaged in swordplay, wherein said switch is activated when the opposing swordfighter makes contact with said strike zone with a sword device, and   b. means for signaling said contact with the strike zone to the players engaged in said swordplay so as to communicate score-related information arriving from said switch, and   c. a wearable accessory that is worn on the body of said player or players that houses said impact sensing switch and said means for signaling contact with the strike zone.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch is a spring loaded switch that is activated when depressed by contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises two conductive layers that are spread through said wearable accessory that is activated by contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch is an inertial sensor or vibration sensor calibrated to detect contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch and said means of signaling are combined into a single analogue element such as a balloon that is popped or a shape that is deformed by said contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said means of signal is a light or multiple lights that communicates by flashing or changing colors said contact from said sword strike to said players. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said means of signal is a speaker or sound producing device that communicates said contact from said sword strike to said players. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable accessory is a breastplate worn on the chest or back of said players. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable accessory is a pad worn on the arms or legs of said players. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch is of sufficient size to constitute said wearable accessory and provide said housing for said means of signaling without requiring further housing itself. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said sword device is a hand or gloved hand of said player. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 1 , wherein said sword device is a thrown projectile. 
     
     
         13 . A wearable score-keeping device, comprising:
 a. an impact sensing switch of sufficient size to provide a reasonable target strike zone for an opposing amateur swordfighter engaged in swordplay, wherein said switch is activated when the opposing swordfighter makes contact with said strike zone with a sword device, and   b. means for signaling said contact with the strike zone to the players engaged in said swordplay so as to communicate score-related information arriving from said switch, and   c. means for storing and processing said score-related information, wherein said signals to said players accord to programmed settings dictated by game rules chosen by said players, and   d. a wearable accessory that is worn on the body of said player or players that houses said impact sensing switch and said means for signaling contact with the strike zone.   
     
     
         14 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said means for storing and processing said score-related information according to programmed settings is a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said switch is a spring loaded switch that is activated when depressed by contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         16 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said switch comprises two conductive layers that are spread through said wearable accessory that is activated by contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         17 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said switch is an inertial sensor or vibration sensor calibrated to detect contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said switch and said means of signaling are combined into a single analogue element such as a balloon that is popped or a shape that is deformed by said contact from said sword strike. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said means of signal is a light or multiple lights that communicates by flashing or changing colors said contact from said sword strike to said players. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said means of signal is a speaker or sound producing device that communicates said contact from said sword strike to said players. 
     
     
         21 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said wearable accessory is a breastplate worn on the chest or back of said players. 
     
     
         22 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said wearable accessory is a pad worn on the arms or legs of said players. 
     
     
         23 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said switch is of sufficient size to constitute said wearable accessory and provide said housing for said means of signaling without requiring further housing itself. 
     
     
         24 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said sword device is a hand or gloved hand of said player. 
     
     
         25 . The wearable score-keeping device of  claim 13 , wherein said sword device is a thrown projectile.