Fencing weapon including indicator integrated in guard

Abstract

A fencing weapon includes an integrated indicator portion in the guard. The indicator portion can be a light or array of lights to signal valid and invalid touches. The sport of fencing benefits in particular from weapons with this indicator configuration.

1 . A fencing weapon comprising:
 a blade portion;   a handle; and   a guard portion, wherein said guard portion further comprises an integrated indicator device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein integrated indicator device further comprises at least one indicator light. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated indicator device further comprises an array of indicator lights. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indicator light further comprises an input which receives a signal from an electrical scoring apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said electrical scoring apparatus is contained within said fencing weapon. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said electrical scoring apparatus is located remotely from the fencing weapon. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one indicator light further comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one indicator device is recessed below an outer surface of said guard portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a grounding substance covers said at least one indicator device such that contacting it with an opponent's weapon or weapon tip will not register a valid touch. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fencing weapon further comprises a power source for providing power to said integrated indicator device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fencing weapon further comprises a counter for outputting a count of indicator signals and a memory for storing said count. 
     
     
         12 . The device of claim  17 , wherein the integrated indicator device further comprises a display for displaying said count. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said fencing weapon further comprises a wireless communication device for receiving at least one indicator signal from at least one other device.