Method and system for preventing pole vault fall injuries

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7244216.html

Method and system for preventing pole vault fall injuries
Document Type and Number:
United States Patent 7244216
Link to this page:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7244216.html
Abstract:
A method for preventing serious injuries to a person participating in a physical activity, such as pole-vaulting, which occurs at least partially over a hard surface. The method includes: detecting predetermined criteria indicative of a condition which requires deployment of the material into the deployed position; and moving a material from a retracted position to a deployed position upon detection of the predetermined criteria, wherein the material substantially does not impede the physical activity while in the retracted position and cushions the person from falling onto the hard surface while in the deployed position.

[master]

For any one wanting to see this in more detail, I have created a pdf document from images avaiable on the USPTO web site. It is available from my website with this link. US_patent_7244216.pdf

I haven't read it completely yet, but from the drawings it appears to be rather complex.

- master