Golf training aid apparatus

• US 20040106092A1
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trustroke Golf, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trustroke Golf, Inc.
• Inventors: Kempf, Dale, Korff, John J., Barton, Russell C., Galanis, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/643,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106092A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/252
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/02 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/362 electrical or electronic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention concerns a club for impacting an object. The club may have a club head having a club face. At least one microprocessor in communication with a plurality of infrared sources is also provided. There are also a plurality of infrared sensors, and indicators configurable in a configuration indicating proper club face alignment and a configuration indicating club face misalignment. The infrared sources are periodically pulsed by a microprocessor between an activated and deactivated state. The sensors are configured on the club head to receive infrared from the infrared sources and to generate a signal in response to the infrared received. The device may be used outside, even in the presence of sunlight. By filtering direct current, the false readings caused by sunlight may be reduced. Pulsing the infrared sources, e.g., at 2-6 kilohertz, also helps reduce the detrimental effects sunlight has on the operation of the device. The microprocessor is programmed to receive signals from the sensors when the infrared sources are activated. The microprocessor is programmed to activate the indicators in an aligned or misaligned configuration.

Claims

1. A golf club for impacting a golf ball comprising:

a club head having a club face with a plurality of infrared sources, a plurality of infrared sensors, and indicators configurable to indicate club face alignment;

said sensors configured on said club head to receive infrared signals from said infrared sources and to transmit signals in response to said infrared signals received;

a filter means for blocking direct current signals transmitted by said infrared sensors; and

processing means for receiving filtered signals from said infrared sensors, for determining the club face alignment based upon the signals received;

and for activating said indicators to indicate club face alignment.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said microprocessor is programmed to activate said indicators in an aligned or misaligned configuration for a predetermined period of time.

3. The device of claim 1 further including an impact sensor for generating a signal received by said microprocessor indicating club head impact.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said impact sensor is a sounder.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said infrared sources are pulsed at a rate of 2-6 kilohertz.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said filter means is a capacitor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said infrared sources are pulsed at a rate of 4 kilohertz.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said infrared sources are supplied additional power by a capacitor in communication with said infrared sources.

9. A golf club for impacting a golf ball comprising:

a club head having a club face with a plurality of infrared sources, a plurality of infrared sensors, and indicators to indicate club face alignment;

said infrared sources pulsed at a rate of 4 kilohertz;

said sensors configured on said club head to receive pulsed infrared signals from said infrared sources and to transmit signals in response to said pulsed infrared signals received;

filter means for blocking direct current signals transmitted by said infrared sensors;

processing means for receiving signals from said infrared sensors, for determining club face alignment and for activating said indicators to indicate club face alignment.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said filter means is a capacitor.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said processing means is a microprocessor.

12. A golf club for impacting a golf ball, comprising:

a club head having a club face with a plurality of infrared sources, a plurality of infrared sensors, and indicators configurable to indicate club face alignment;

said infrared sources pulsed at a rate of between 2-6 kilohertz;

said sensors configured on said club head to receiving pulsed infrared signals from said infrared sources and to transmit signals in response to said pulsed infrared signals received;

filter means for blocking direct current signals transmitted by said infrared sensors;

processing means for receiving signals from said infrared sensors, for determining club face alignment, and for activating said indicators to indicate club face alignment.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said filter means is a capacitor.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said processing means is a microprocessor.

15. A golf club for impacting a golf ball comprising:

a club head having a club face;

a plurality of infrared sources on the club face;

a first regulator for regulating the plurality of infrared sources;

a plurality of infrared sensors on the club face;

a second regulator for regulating the bias current of the plurality of infrared sensors;

a filter on at least one of said sensors for filtering received signals, said sensors being configured on said club head to receive infrared signals from said infrared sources;

a processor for receiving filtered signals from said infrared sensors for determining the club face alignment based upon the signals received; and

indicators configurable to indicate club face alignment activated by said processor.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said plurality of infrared sensors comprises phototransistors.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said regulator for the plurality of infrared sources comprises a voltage regulator for regulating the voltage applied to the plurality of infrared sources.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said regulator for regulating the plurality of infrared sensors comprises a current regulator for regulating the bias current through the plurality of infrared sensors.