US20120314832A1 - System and method for athletic event lap counting - Google Patents

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA
• The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/495,805, filed Jun. 10, 2011. The foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to counting systems, and more specifically to technologies for counting laps and providing feedback to racers in athletic events.
BACKGROUND
• Events such as competitive or training running, cycling, or swimming events often involve more than one lap around a particular track our route. Triathlon, a sport that combines three such sports (swimming, cycling, running) may involve laps around more than one track—for example, laps in a swimming pool, laps around a cycling circuit, and laps around a running circuit. Most often, triathlon events are configured involve one or maybe two repetitive circuits (generally in the running and/or cycling events). Regardless, athletic events that involve circuit courses or laps generally require someone to keep track of the laps completed by each athlete. Generally this is the responsibility of the particular athlete, and a mistake in lap counting can mean the difference between disqualification and a desired result in the event. Referring toFIG. 1, a course circuit (2) is depicted that involves the athlete encountering many similar turns as he makes his way around (6) the track from the start/finish point (4), around the many turns, and back to the start/finish point (4) to complete each lap. If an event (say a race, or even just a simple training exercise) requires that the athlete complete multiple laps around the course (2), it may be difficult for the athlete to remember how many times he has crossed the start/finish line (4) each time he does so. To address this lap counting challenge, some athletes have created simple techniques of placing a particular number of small discrete portions of snack food on their bicycle to be eaten after each completed lap, so that when they run out of the discrete portions, they know they have completed the particular event and can move to the next (say to the run from the bike event in a triathlon). Other athletes have used counting devices. For example, referring toFIG. 2A, a hand-held mechanical counter (8) is shown, having a lap advancement interface (12) that may be depressed to advance the counter by one lap, a reset interface (10), and a feedback interface (14) to show the operator the lap count in numbers.FIG. 2B shows a digital version of a handheld counter (16) comprising a lap advancement interface button (20) and a digital feedback interface (18). Generally these types of handheld devices are used by bystanders because they are not as convenient for a racer to manipulate.FIG. 3A depicts a counting chip device (22) that is convenient for a racer, and which may be coupled to a racer's appendage with a cuff (24), as shown in situ inFIG. 3B. The challenge with such a configuration is that there is no feedback readily available to the racer as to what stage of the race he is in (i.e., how many laps he has completed). There is a need for more convenient lap counting technology that is well suited to athletic events such as cycling, running, swimming, or triathlon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a training or racing course.
• FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate hand held counting devices.
• FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an appendage-mountable counting device.
• FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate various coupling systems which may be utilized to mount or couple counting hardware to a racer or his bicycle.
• FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a counting system in accordance with the present invention.
• FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate embodiments of counting systems in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 7A illustrates a runner with various pieces of coupling hardware.
• FIG. 7B illustrates a cyclist with various pieces of coupling hardware.
• FIG. 8A illustrates one embodiment of a heads up display eyeglasses configuration.
• FIG. 8B illustrates another embodiment of a heads up display eyeglasses configuration.
• FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a central counting system configuration.
• FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 18 illustrates an olympic-style lap swimming pool.
• FIG. 19A illustrates a hand held swimming counter configuration.
• FIG. 19B illustrates a pool-deck-mounted counting configuration.
• FIG. 19C illustrates a pool-wall-mounted counting configuration.
• FIG. 19D illustrates a heads-up-display type swimming goggle configuration.
• FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention featuring a wireless transciever.
• FIG. 21 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 22 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 23 illustrates one embodiment of a counting configuration in accordance with the present invention, which is removably coupleable to a bicycle.
• FIGS. 24A-24E illustrate embodiments of counting configurations in accordance with the present invention, which are removably coupleable to a bicycle.
• FIGS. 25A-25D illustrate embodiments of counting configurations in accordance with the present invention, which are removably coupleable to a bicycle.
SUMMARY
• One embodiment is directed to a system for assisting an athlete with lap counting while riding a bicycle, comprising: 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 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. The counter may be a digital counter. The counter may be a mechanical counter. The viewing interface may comprise an electronic display. The electronic display may be an LCD display. The viewing interface may be configured to display a numerical lap count. The viewing interface may be configured to display a symbolic lap count. The electronic display may be configured to graphically display a transition from a previous lap count to a subsequent lap count. The system further may comprise a sound-emitting device configured to emit a transition sound while displaying the transition. The system further may comprise a sound-emitting device configured to emit a sound upon advancement of the counter using the lap advancement input interface. The sound may be 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. The coupler may comprise a strap with a buckle. The coupler may comprise an elastomeric band. The elastomeric band may have a series of apertures defined in an elongate pattern to facilitate incremental tightening, and may further comprise a catch member configured to be positionable into one of the apertures to lock the coupler into a selected configuration. The coupler may comprise a strap with a Velcro closure. The coupler may comprise a mechanical clamp configured to be removably coupled to a structure of the bicycle. The counter further may comprise 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. The outer housing may be 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. The outer housing may comprise an aerodynamic shape. The aerodynamic shape may be selected from the group consisting of: a teardrop shape, a hemispherical shape, and an elliptoid shape. The viewing interface may be visible through a translucent window formed in the outer housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Counting devices may be coupled to a racer in various fashions. For example, referring toFIG. 4A, a belt (26) may be placed around a runner, cyclist, or swimmer's waist, and a device may be coupled to this belt (26). Referring toFIG. 4B, a device may be coupled to a cyclist's handlebar (30) or bicycle stem (32) in a similar manner that a cycling computer (28) is coupled to these platforms. Referring toFIGS. 4C and 4D, an attachable compartment (36), such as those available under the tradenames Bento Box® and Fuel Belt®, may be coupled to the tubes of a bike frame (34) using one or more sets of straps (38,40). Employing these and other coupling platforms, various counting system embodiments are described below.
• Referring toFIG. 5, in one embodiment, a counting console (44) is coupled to a belt (26) which may be removably coupled to a racer's waist. The depicted embodiment of the console (44) comprises a visible feedback interface (42) along with an easily accessible counting advancement interface (46). The advancement and counting interfaces may comprise portions of a mechanical counter or digital counter, either of which may be integrated into the console (44) which is coupled to the belt (26). Preferably the console is a small, inobtrusive, thin panel somewhat akin to a lightweight belt buckle (it is shown inFIG. 5 in a magnified state for illustration purposes).
• Referring toFIG. 6A, in another embodiment, a user interface console (50) comprising an advancement interface (such as a mechanical or digital button) and a feedback interface (such as a mechanical or digital number readout) may be coupled to the handlebar (30) or stem (32) of an athlete's bicycle (48) and advanced by the athlete upon completing each lap. Preferably any attachment features comprise non-slip fastening interfaces or materials to prevent relative motion between device housing and bicycle frame while the athlete is engaged in the event and/or trying to operate the device.FIG. 6B depicts another embodiment wherein the console (50) is coupled to the frame (34) of the bicycle (48).FIG. 6C depicts another embodiment wherein the console (50) is coupled to the frame (34) of the bicycle (48) using an attachment compartment (36), which may also feature some additional small spaces for storing energy bars, gels, electrolyte tablets, and the like for use during the athletic event.
• Referring toFIG. 7A, various coupling platforms provide opportunities for easily reachable and viewable counting advancement and feedback interfacing on a runner (52), including glasses (54), necklace type platforms (56), belts of various types (26), wristbands of various types (58), and shoes and related structures (60). Referring toFIG. 7B, with a cyclist, each of the aforementioned interfacing opportunities are available (for example, the cyclist also is shown wearing glasses and shoes; a belt, wristband, and/or necklace type platform also could be used by the cyclist), in addition to handlebar (30) and stem (32) type platforms, attachable compartment (36) platforms, and helmet/visor platforms (33). For example, referring toFIG. 8A, in one embodiment, a counting system may comprise a small digital pushbutton mounted upon a belt as a counting advancement interface, operatively coupled to a feedback interface comprising a heads-up-display glasses configuration (64), such as those available from Vuzix of Rochester, N.Y. Referring toFIG. 8B, in a similar embodiment, heads-up-display glasses comprising one or more OLED type displays (68) operatively integrated to a set of eyeglasses (66) adjacent an eye (70), as shown by Fraunhofer Research of Germany, may be utilized to show the racer how many laps have been completed.
• Referring toFIG. 9, any of the aforementioned feedback interface configurations may be utilized as integrated with a central counting/timing system (72) to provide feedback to an athlete. For example, a runner (52) or cyclist (62) wearing a conventional counting chip, as shown, for example, inFIG. 3B, may be given the added benefit of a feedback interface using any of the aforementioned feedback interface configurations that is operatively coupled (preferably wirelessly) to the central counting/timing system. In other words, in one embodiment, such a system comprises a counting chip removably coupled to the racer, along with a small transceiver device also removably coupled to the racer that is operatively coupled to a feedback interface such as a heads-up-display eyeglasses platform, such that each time the racer crosses the lap finish line and associated chip counting interface (76), the central counting/timing system wirelessly communicates a lap count advancement to the racer's transceiver, and this lap advancement is communicated to the racer in the form of a feedback interface data display (in this case through the heads-up-display eyeglasses platform).
• Referring toFIGS. 10-17, various configurations are illustrated in flowchart form.
• Referring toFIG. 10, in one embodiment, a mechanical counter is coupled to the racer is provided to the racer (78). The racer couples the device to this body, and during the event, he uses the advancement interface to manually advance the counting forward with each completed lap (80). He can glance at the feedback interface to gain knowledge of his lap counting status during the event (82).
• Referring toFIG. 11, an embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 10 is illustrated, with the exception that a digital counter is provided and utilized (84) as opposed to a conventional mechanical counter, as in the embodiment ofFIG. 10.
• Referring toFIG. 12, another embodiment is depicted wherein the advancement and feedback interfaces comprise separate modules, both coupleable to the racer. With both modules provided (86), the racer couples the feedback (88) and counter (90) interfaces to his body, and receives feedback through the feedback interface during the event (92).
• Referring toFIG. 13, another embodiment comprises providing a counting module coupleable to the racer that is at least transiently operatively coupled to an associated central counting system (i.e., by a wireless connection when the racer is close enough to a pertinent transceiver or transmitter) (94). The feedback (96) and counting module (98) devices are coupled to the racer, and the feedback interface provides feedback regarding lap counting during the event (100).
• Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, embodiments similar to those ofFIGS. 10 and 11 are illustrated, with the exception that the devices may be coupled to an athlete's bicycle. In the embodiment ofFIG. 14, a mechanical counter is provided that is coupleable to the bike (102). It is coupled to the bike (104), and the cyclist receives his lap counting feedback during the event (106). In the embodiment ofFIG. 15, a digital counter is provided (108).
• Referring toFIG. 16, a counter coupleable to the racer's body or bicycle is provided (110), as well as a feedback interface (112). These two modules are operatively coupled to each other, and to the racer (114,116), and during the event, the racer receives counting feedback.
• Referring toFIG. 17, a counting module operatively coupleable to a central counting system is provided (118), a feedback interface is provided (120), the racer couples each of these for in-race functionality (122,124), and receives lap count feedback during the race.
• Repetitive-lap swimming events present a related challenge. Referring toFIG. 18, a lap pathway (128) through one lane (130) of an olympic style pool (126) is illustrated.FIG. 19A shows a hand-held digital lap counter (19) which may be utilized to assist a swimmer in counting laps.FIG. 19B shows a pool-deck-mounted (136) counter (134) that may be utilized to assist a swimmer in counting laps.FIG. 19C shows a pool-wall-mounted (140) counter (138) that may be utilized to assist a swimmer in counting laps.FIG. 19D shows a swim goggle (142) featuring a heads-up-display (144) that may be utilized as a feedback interface to assist a swimmer in counting laps. The counter devices ofFIGS. 19A-19C are suboptimal in that they require the swimmer to do some activity besides maximize his swimming activity. Referring toFIG. 20, in one embodiment, an inventive solution employs configurations similar to those described above for running and cycling. A swimmer (146) in a pool (150) may use one or more of the aforementioned coupling platforms, such as a belt (26), wristband (58), or goggle (142—akin to glasses, but for submersion) for coupling an advancement and/or feedback interface into reachable position. In one embodiment, advancement may be manual, by depression of a pushbutton, etc that causes a related counting device to advance the count, and provide related feedback of the new count to the swimmer, such as through a heads-up-display goggle (142). In another embodiment, counting may be automated by a timing system that may comprise a wireless transceiver (148). Such a system may be configured to automatically advance lap count based upon detection of a chip or similar device coupled to a swimmer's ankle, wrist, necklace, belt, goggle, etc., and feed the count back to a goggle feedback interface operatively coupled (i.e., by wireless connection) to the counter/transceiver (148) device.
• Referring toFIG. 21, a counter with a counting input interface may be provided (152) along with a feedback interface (154). The swimmer may couple both to his body (156,158) and receive feedback during the swim subject to his manual advancement of the counting interface at the completion of each lap.
• Referring toFIG. 22, an embodiment is depicted wherein a counting module operatively coupleable (i.e., by wireless connectivity) to a separate counting system (for example, as shown inFIG. 20), is provided (160), a feedback interface is provided that may be coupled to the swimmer (162), the counting and feedback modules are coupled to the swimmer (164,166), and the swimmer receives feedback during the event.
• Referring toFIG. 23, an embodiment is depicted wherein a counter assembly is removably coupled to a bike frame (48) using a housing (168) which contains a counter (digital or mechanical, for example). The housing is removably coupled to the bicycle (48) with a velco® strap (172) fastener and contains one window to provide access to the input interface (46) of the counter, and another window to provide translucent access to the display interface (42) of the counter.
• Referring toFIG. 24A, another embodiment is depicted wherein a counter assembly (176) is removably coupled to a bicycle (48) using an elastomeric strap coupler (174). Referring toFIG. 24B, a close-up view of the assembly (176) is depicted. The assembly (176) comprises a base housing (192) coupled to the bicycle (48) with an elastomeric strap fastener (182) having a series of apertures (184) for tightening and fastening using a catch member such as a small rod, shaft, or the like, somewhat akin to the function of a belt buckle type fastener. An aerodynamic outer housing (186) is pivotally coupled to the base housing with a pivot joint (180) that allows the outer housing (186) to be rotated (178) relative to the base housing (192) and bicycle (48) to which it is coupled through a relatively small range of motion, depending upon the switching configuration below (refer toFIG. 24D, for example). The outer housing preferably has an aerodynamic shape, such as a teardrop shape, as shown, or an elliptoid or hemispherical shape. In this configuration, the counter advancement interface is motion of the outer housing (186) itself relative to the base housing (192). In other words, by virtue of the intercoupled switch below the outer housing, a manual depressing load upon the outer housing causes the outer housing to rotate (178) relative to the pivot joint (180), which operates a switch below to advance the lap count. This simple interface for advancing the lap count is highly advantageous because the athlete need only reach down and depress the outer housing—almost anywhere on the outer housing (i.e., as opposed to having to visually and physically focus on a particular button somewhere on the housing, as in the embodiment of FIG.23)—to advance the lap count. In the depicted embodiment, the pivot joint (180) is located toward the posterior of the bicycle to provide easy rotational motion (178) relative to the position of the hands of the athlete and allow the athlete to physically engage the counter (for example, gently with a quick motion of the fingers, or with more significant physical force with the open palm of his or her hand; either way, the design is configured to take input from motions typical of the kinds of motion that a cyclist would be comfortable making during a high-speed, high-energy race on a bicycle without the kind of distraction that may be required to focus on smaller buttons and input interfaces). In another embodiment the pivot joint may be located at the end of the counting assembly closest to the front of the bicycle. Referring toFIG. 24C, a top view shows that a viewing window (190; either comprised of translucent material, such as plastic or glass, or comprised of a simple cutout through the outer housing) is made in the outer housing (186) to provide visibility to the feedback or display interface (42), which may comprise an electronic display such as an liquid crystal (“LCD”), organic light emitting diode (“OLED”), or other type electronic display. An additional interface button (188) is shown, which may be configured to provide additional counter control functionality, such as a reset of the lap count after a long continuous hold on this button and/or reverse lap counting in the event that one too many advancements of the count are input. Lap counts may be displayed either numically or symbolically (i.e., three big dots, or 3 of some other graphical marker, representative of 3 laps counted, etc). In another embodiment, a mechanical counter with mechanical switch may be utilized rather than a digital/electronic configuration.
• Referring toFIGS. 24D and 24E, without the outer cover, the interior of the assembly shown inFIGS. 24A-C is depicted, with the digital counter (196), operatively coupled battery pack (194), operatively coupled sound emitting device (198; such as one or more audio speakers), and operatively coupled switch (200; such as a bubble type switch used often in electronic devices, such as in the buttons of a computer mouse). The sound emitting device (198) may be configured to emit sounds as controlled by a microcontroller, microprocessor, or other controller comprising the digital counter module (196). For example, in one embodiment, the sound emitting device (198) may be configured to emit a beep, bell, or other sound or group of sounds (such as a cheering sound, a verbal enunciation of the lap count, a repeated selected or sampled sound (i.e., make the same sound for each additional count), a nonrepeated selected or sampled sound (i.e., make a different sound for each additional count), etc) each time the outer housing (186) is depressed sufficiently to activate the switch (200). For example, in one embodiment, the sound emitting device (198) may be configured to emit the sampled sound of a child of the athlete counting down the laps to go, as in “Go Mom!3 more laps!” . . . “Go Mom! 2 more laps!” . . . “Go Mom! Last lap!”. For extra confirmation to the athlete that his or her attempt to advance the counting has succeeded, the system controller may be configured to emphasize a transition from a previous count to a new count either graphically (i.e., with a displayed showing of the previous number fading or transitioning to the next number; for example, “was 3 . . . now 2 laps to go”). In another embodiment, the sound emitting device (198) may be utilized to emit a sound known to the athlete (may be selectable by the athlete) to be a transition sound from one count to the next. In another embodiment, in the space occupied by the sound emitting device (198) in the depicted embodiment, or in some other space if the sound emitting device (198) is to be retained in the depicted position, two or more solar panels (i.e., photovoltaic cells) may be positioned to receive light through windows in the outer housing and charge the battery system based upon such light exposure.
• Referring toFIG. 25A, a bicycle is shown with various devices (206,208), including a cyclometer (28) with an input interface, attached to a handlebar (30). A counting input assembly (202) is shown coupled to the bicycle (48) and operatively coupled to the cyclometer (28) by a wire lead (204). This counting assembly (202) may comprise a simplified version of the assembly (176) shown inFIGS. 24A-E, for example, without the counter. In other words, the counting assembly ofFIG. 25A may comprise a base housing, outer housing, and internal switch as in the embodiment ofFIG. 24C, without the additional hardware, and with the addition of an electronic lead to interface with a remote (a few inches away in a different housing) controller to which it is operatively coupled, in the depicted case a remote cyclometer device (28), which may be used not only for its controller and power system, but also for its display (i.e., the display of the cyclometer may be utilized in at least one software mode to display the lap count; further the cyclometer may comprise a sound emitting device which may also be used similar to as described in reference toFIGS. 24A-E). With less hardware on board, the outer housing and base housing of the stripped down configuration (202) ofFIG. 25A may be smaller and more aerodynamic. The lead (204) may be fastened to the bicycle with zip ties, handlebar grip tape, or other fasteners. Referring toFIG. 25B, another embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 25A is depicted, with the switching assembly (202) coupled to the handlebar (30). Referring toFIG. 25C, another embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 25A is depicted, with the switching assembly (202) coupled to the end of the handlebar (30). In such embodiment, the switch may be incorporated as a low-profile element of the handlebar grip tape, or may be integrated as a low-profile element of a switching/braking rubberized hood commonly mounted upon the handlebar ends. The wire lead (204) may be passed underneath the handlebar tape to stay out of the way, and back to the cyclometer (28) as shown. Referring toFIG. 25D, an embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 25C is shown, with the exception that the wire lead (204) has been replaced with a wireless communication configuration, wherein a wireless transmitter (214) and wireless receiver (216), such as may be found on Bluetooth® enabled devices, may be utilized to pass signals without wires. In such an embodiment, the remote switching assembly (212) will have an embedded battery or other power supply, and the wireless cyclometer (210) will be similar to the version shown inFIG. 25C, for example, with the exception of the wireless communications infrastructure.
• Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein. Reference is made to these examples in a non-limiting sense. They are provided to illustrate more broadly applicable aspects of the invention. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s) to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, as will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that each of the individual variations described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present inventions. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of claims associated with this disclosure.
• The invention includes methods that may be performed using the subject systems and devices. The methods may comprise the act of providing such a suitable device. Such provision may be performed by the end user. In other words, the “providing” act merely requires the end user obtain, access, approach, position, set-up, activate, power-up or otherwise act to provide the requisite device in the subject method. Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as in the recited order of events.
• In addition, though the invention has been described in reference to several examples optionally incorporating various features, the invention is not to be limited to that which is described or indicated as contemplated with respect to each variation of the invention. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents (whether recited herein or not included for the sake of some brevity) may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, where a range of values is provided, it is understood that every intervening value, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention.
• Also, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that there are plural of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein and in claims associated hereto, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “said,” and “the” include plural referents unless the specifically stated otherwise. In other words, use of the articles allow for “at least one” of the subject item in the description above as well as claims associated with this disclosure. It is further noted that such claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.
• Without the use of such exclusive terminology, the term “comprising” in claims associated with this disclosure shall allow for the inclusion of any additional element--irrespective of whether a given number of elements are enumerated in such claims, or the addition of a feature could be regarded as transforming the nature of an element set forth in such claims. Except as specifically defined herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein are to be given as broad a commonly understood meaning as possible while maintaining claim validity.
• The breadth of the present invention is not to be limited to the examples provided and/or the subject specification, but rather only by the scope of claim language associated with this disclosure.

Claims (21)

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 ofclaim 1, wherein the counter is a digital counter.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the counter is a mechanical counter.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the viewing interface comprises an electronic display.

5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the electronic display is an LCD display.

6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the viewing interface is configured to display a numerical lap count.

7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the viewing interface is configured to display a symbolic lap count.

8. The system ofclaim 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 ofclaim 8, further comprising a sound-emitting device configured to emit a transition sound while displaying the transition.

10. The system ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a strap with a buckle.

13. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the coupler comprises an elastomeric band.

14. The system ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a strap with a Velcro closure.

16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a mechanical clamp configured to be removably coupled to a structure of the bicycle.

17. The system ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the outer housing comprises an aerodynamic shape.

20. The system ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the viewing interface is visible through a translucent window formed in the outer housing.

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