US3676696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time measuring system for swimming competitions
Assignee: Omega Louis Brandt and Frere SA
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Filing: 1970-12-15
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A time measuring system for swimming competitions, wherein a plate is attached to the wall of the swimming pool and electrical control signals for a time counter are produced when the plate is touched by a competitor. The control signals are produced by contact-free transducers such as piezo-electric, electromagnetic or electrodynamic transducers of high sensitivity and reliability.
Inventors
- 👤 Francois J Leu
- 👤 Peter M Tosin
- 👤 Ernst Werner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:44
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F8/00; G04F8/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electromechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, said transducer having feeler means and said plate engaging without clearance between said feeler means and an elastic supporting portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electromechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, said transducer having feeler means and said plate engaging without clearance between said feeler means and an elastic supporting portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1, comprising at least one active transducer such as a piezo-electric, electromagnetic or electrodynamic transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electro-mechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, wherein said plate is substantially stiff and is supported by a plurality of supports, said transducers being inserted between said plate and portions of said supports at the outer side of said plate opposite said wall of the swimming pool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electro-mechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, wherein said plate is substantially stiff and is supported by a plurality of supports, said transducers being inserted between said plate and portions of said supports at the outer side of said plate opposite said wall of the swimming pool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said plate is movably supported at its lower end and movably engages between lateral supports nEar its upper end, a transducer being provided on each support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electromechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, said transducer having a feeler and said plate engaging without clearance between said feeler and an elastic supporting portion, wherein said elastic supporting portion is placed between said plate and the adjacent wall of the swimming pool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electromechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, said transducer having a feeler and said plate engaging without clearance between said feeler and an elastic supporting portion, wherein said elastic supporting portion is placed between said plate and the adjacent wall of the swimming pool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said plate removably engages into slots of supports with its lower edge and its side edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is accommodated in a casing sealed at one side by a membrane disposed between a feeler of said transducer and said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said timepiece has a control input having an operating threshold above the signal produced by static bias and waves in the swimming basin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electromechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, and a differentiating circuit in the transmitting canal for said signal and a control input in said time counter operable by the differentiated signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
A time measuring system for swimming competitions, comprising a plate to be attached to a wall of a swimming pool, means for producing an electric signal upon touching of said plate, a time counter adapted to be controlled by said signal, at least one contact-free electromechanical transducer operable for producing said electric signal upon touching of the plate, and a differentiating circuit in the transmitting canal for said signal and a control input in said time counter operable by the differentiated signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |