Baseball pitch speed measurement and strike zone detection devices

• US 20040239915A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Regan, James Robert Anderson
• Original Assignee: Charles Regan, James Robert Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, James R., Regan, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 6,985,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/28
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/008 Devices for measuring or verifying ball characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/00 Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds G01P5/00 - G01P11/00 take precedence; direction and speed indication G01P13/045; counting mechanisms G06M
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/68 using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light G01P3/80 takes precedence ; by reflection of waves G01S17/58

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for detecting the speed and/or location of a moving object within a target area are disclosed. A pitch speed measurement and strike zone detection apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a support frame configured to support a pair of reflective surfaces on either side of a target area. A light source and receiver configured to direct a light beam back and forth between the reflective surfaces can be used to form a light curtain that detects when an object passes through a particular location within the target area Multiple light sources and receivers may be employed to measure the speed of the object, and to determine whether the object passes through a particular strike zone. The device may include an adjustment mechanism and self-alignment laser to reposition the reflective surfaces, as necessary.

Claims

1. Apparatus for determining the speed of a moving object, comprising:

at least two reflective surfaces spaced apart from each other on either side of a target area;

first optical means for generating a first light curtain at a proximal region of the target area;

second optical means for generating a second light curtain at a distal region of the target area; and

calculating means for determining the velocity of the moving object as the object passes between the first and second light curtains.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said at least two reflective surfaces comprises a mirror.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second optical means comprises a light source and a receiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said light source is a laser.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said receiver is a photosensitive detector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support frame coupled to said at least two reflective surfaces.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support frame includes a base structure and a plurality of vertical uprights.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further including a mounting post for releasably connecting the base structure to the plurality of vertical uprights.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a self-alignment laser and one or more photosensitive detectors configured to measure the alignment of said at least two reflective surfaces.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting said at least two reflective surfaces.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for adjusting, respectively, the horizontal and vertical alignment of said at least two opposing reflective surfaces.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for detecting whether the moving object passes through a strike zone within the target area.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for detecting whether the moving object passes through a strike zone includes a third and fourth light source each optically coupled to a receiver.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said third and fourth light sources are configured to measure the location of the object within the strike zone.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said calculating means comprises a programmable computer.

16. Apparatus for determining the speed of a moving object, comprising:

a pair of reflective surfaces spaced apart from each other on either side of a target area;

a first light source and receiver forming a first light curtain at a proximal region of the target area;

a second light source and receiver forming a second light curtain at a distal region of the target area; and

calculating means for determining the velocity of the moving object as the object passes between the first and second light curtains.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said at least two reflective surfaces comprises a mirror.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second light sources includes a laser.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second receivers is a photosensitive detector.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a support frame coupled to said pair of reflective surfaces.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, further including a self-alignment laser and one or more photosensitive detectors configured to measure the alignment of said pair of reflective surfaces.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting said pair of reflective surfaces.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for adjusting, respectively, the horizontal and vertical alignment of said at least two opposing reflective surfaces.

26. The apparatus of claim 16, further including means for detecting whether the moving object passes through a strike zone within the target area.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for detecting whether the moving object passes through a strike zone includes a third and fourth light source each optically coupled to a receiver.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said third and fourth light sources are configured to measure the location of the object within the strike zone.

29. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said calculating means comprises a programmable computer.

21. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the support frame includes a base structure and a plurality of vertical uprights.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a mounting post for releasably connecting the base structure to the plurality of vertical uprights.

30. Apparatus for determining the speed of a moving object, comprising:

a pair of reflective surfaces spaced apart from each other on either side of a target area;

a first laser source and photosensitive detector forming a first light curtain at a proximal region of the target area;

a second laser source and photosensitive detector forming a second light curtain at a distal region of the target area; and

calculating means for determining the velocity of the moving object as the object passes between the first and second light curtains.

31. Apparatus for determining the speed of a moving object, comprising:

a pair of reflective surfaces spaced apart from each other on either side of a target area;

a support frame coupled to said pair of reflective surfaces, the support frame including a base structure and a plurality of vertical uprights;

a first light source and receiver forming a first light curtain at a proximal region of the target area;

a second light source and receiver forming a second light curtain at a distal region of the target area;

calculating means for determining the velocity of the moving object as the object passes between the first and second light curtains.

32. Apparatus for determining the speed and location of a moving object, comprising:

at least two reflective surfaces spaced apart from each other on either side of a target area;

first optical means for generating a first light curtain at a proximal region of the target area;

second optical means for generating a second light curtain at a distal region of the target area;

third optical means for detecting whether the moving object passes through a strike zone within the target area; and

calculating means for determining the velocity and location of the moving object as the object passes between the first and second light curtains.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said third optical means for detecting whether the moving object passes through a strike zone includes a third and fourth light source each optically coupled to a receiver.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said third and fourth light sources are configured to measure the location of the object within the strike zone.

35. A method of determining the speed of a moving object, comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of reflective surfaces spaced apart from each other on either side of a target area defining a proximal region and a distal region;

forming a first light curtain between the reflective surfaces at the proximal region of said target area;

forming a second light curtain between the reflective surfaces at the distal region of said target area;

measuring the differential time required for the moving object to trigger the first and second light curtains; and

calculating the speed of the moving object.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of forming a first light curtain comprises:

providing a first light source and receiver coupled to one of the reflective surfaces;

directing a light beam at an angle towards the opposite reflective surface; and

collecting the light beam with the first receiver.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of forming a second light curtain comprises:

providing a second light source and receiver coupled to one of the reflective surfaces;

directing a light beam at an angle towards the opposite reflective surface; and

collecting the light beam with the second receiver.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of calculating the speed of the moving object comprises the step of dividing the differential time required to trigger the first and second light curtains by a value representing the distance between the first and second light curtains.

39. A method of determining the location of a moving object within a strike zone, comprising the steps of:

providing a first light source and receiver defining a vertical boundary within a target area;

providing a second light source and receiver defining a horizontal boundary within a target area;

emitting a first light beam from the first light source back and forth between a first set of reflective surfaces to form a first light curtain;

emitting a second light beam from the second light source back and forth between a second set of reflective surfaces to form a second light curtain;

determining whether the moving object passes through the strike zone by measuring whether the thrown object triggers the first or second light curtains.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first and second light sources are configured geometrically to provide a measure of position within the target area.