Light Emitting Sports Training and Game Play System and Method

Abstract

A system (10) for sports training or game play includes at least two light emitting devices (12) that are positionable at a selected spaced apart distance from one another. The light emitting devices (12) are coupled to a power source (40) and each having at least one electrically powered light source (16, 64, 66) that is powered by the power source (40). A controller (70, 80) remotely and selectively controls the activation and deactivation of the light source (16, 64, 66) of each light emitting device (12).

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for sports training or game play comprising:
 at least two light emitting devices that are selectively positionable at a selected spaced apart distance from one another, the light emitting devices being coupled to a power source and each having at least one electrically powered light source that is powered by the power source; and   a controller that remotely and selectively controls the activation and deactivation of the light source of each light emitting device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least two of the at least two light emitting devices has a light source that provides a visually distinguishable appearance from the other.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the controller is a wireless controller.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least two light emitting devices each have a base for engaging a support surface, and wherein each light source is configured as an elongated body that is coupled to and extends from the base.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the light source is an LED light source.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the light source includes a plurality of LED lights coupled to an elongated support member so that the LED lights are spaced along the length of the support member, and wherein the light source includes an elongated translucent cover that surrounds the LED lights and elongated support member.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least two of the at least two light emitting devices has a light source that is a different color from the other.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the controller is programmed so that activation of one light source causes deactivation of the other.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least two light emitting devices each have a base for engaging a support surface, and wherein the base has a stake member for staking the light emitting device into the ground or support media.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 there are at least three light emitting devices.   
     
     
         11 . A method of conducting sports training or game play comprising:
 providing at least two light emitting devices that are selectively positionable at different selected positions, the light emitting devices being coupled to a power source and each having at least one electrically powered light source that is powered by the power source;   providing a controller that remotely and selectively controls the activation and deactivation of the light source of each light emitting device;   positioning the at least two light emitting devices at selected spaced apart distances from one another;   using the controller remotely to selectively activating the light source of one of the light emitting devices while the light source of the other light emitting device is deactivated to indicate to a participant trainee or game player that a certain action is required; and then   activating the light source of the other light emitting device and deactivating the activated light source of said one of the light emitting devices to indicate to the participant trainee or game player that a different action is required.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 at least two of the at least two light emitting device has a light source that provides a visually distinguishable appearance from the other.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the controller is a wireless controller.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the at least two light emitting devices each have a base for engaging a support surface, and wherein each light source is configured as an elongated body that is coupled to and extends from the base.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the light source is an LED light source.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the light source includes a plurality of LED lights coupled to an elongated support member so that the LED lights are spaced along the length of the support member, and wherein the light source includes an elongated translucent cover that surrounds the LED lights and elongated support member.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 at least two of the at least two light emitting devices has a light source that is a different color from the other.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the controller is programmed so that activation of one light source causes deactivation of the other.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 there are at least three light emitting devices.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 there are a plurality of light emitting devices that are spaced apart and positioned to define a perimeter that surrounds the participant trainee or game player with the participant trainee or game player being located within the perimeter.