Golf swing analysis apparatus and method

• US 20070232405A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Halleck
• Original Assignee: Michael Halleck
• Inventors: Halleck, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/807,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232405A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for user analysis of his or her golf swing during use of an associated golf club. The apparatus includes first and second spaced display elements positioned so that they appear to a user of the club similarly located relative to the golf club head face, each providing a light emanation (active or passive) during a golf stroke that is or appears to be consistent. A light emitting display, such as a plurality of light emitting elements, is positioned between the first and second elements, and a control unit is associated with the light emitting display for activating and deactivating the display thereby providing several short intervals of light emission during the golf stroke. The apparatus may be integrated into a golf club or a separate unit releasably attachable to a club.

Claims

1. Apparatus integrated with or attachable to a golf club having a head with a ball striking face, said apparatus for aiding a golfer in golf stroke improvement, said apparatus comprising:

first and second spaced display elements providing at least an apparently consistent spaced light emanations during the golf stroke;

an elongated light emitting display extending between said first and second spaced display elements, said first and second spaced display elements and said elongated light emitting display arranged to establish a linear row substantially parallel to the associated golf club head face; and

control means operatively associated at least with said elongated light emitting display for activating and deactivating said elongated light emitting display to provide short intervals of light emission from said elongated light emitting display during the golf stroke;

whereby a user sees a ladder-like persistence display during the user'"'"'s golf stroke, said elongated light emitting display establishing apparent bars of light extending between apparent rows of light at each end thereof established by the apparently consistent emanation of light from each of said first and second spaced display elements, defects in golf stroke indicated by distortion of said persistence display.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated light emitting display comprises a plurality of light emitting elements positioned so that each appears substantially equidistant from the associated golf club head face.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a second set of light emitting elements selectively positioned relative to said plurality of light emitting elements, said control means operatively associated with said second set of light emitting elements for activating and deactivating said second set of light emitting elements to provide several short intervals of activation of said second set light emitting elements during the golf stroke, said short intervals of activation of said second set of light emitting elements being timewise offset a selected amount relative to said short intervals of light emission from said elongated light emitting display to aid the user in achieving a preferred head speed during the stroke.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second spaced display elements are operatively associated with said control means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second display elements are passive light emanating elements.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means includes a microprocessor and driver connected with said elongated light emitting display.

7. Apparatus attachable to an associated golf club having a shaft and a head with a ball striking face, said apparatus for aiding a golfer in golf stroke improvement, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a longer portion and a pivot mount, said longer portion having a length similar to length of the golf club head face;

a mounting clamp having said housing pivotably associated therewith at said pivot, said clamp releasably mountable at the golf club shaft of the associated golf club so that said longer portion of said housing is substantially parallel to the golf club head face, said housing being pivotable at said pivot for selective presentation of said longer portion relative to a user;

a row of at least three light emitting elements positioned along said longer portion of said housing so that said row is substantially parallel to said golf club head face when said mounting clamp is mounted at the shaft of the associated golf club; and

a controller mounted in said housing and operatively associated with said light emitting elements for activating and deactivating said light emitting elements to provide several short activated intervals from said light emitting elements during a golf stroke;

whereby the user sees a persistence display during the user'"'"'s golf stroke, said light emitting elements establishing apparent bars of light parallel to the golf club head face, defects in golf stroke indicated by distortion of position of said bars.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a shock absorber is positioned at said mounting clamp for location adjacent to the golf club shaft.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising first and second outer elements positioned at said longer portion of said housing, one on each side of said light emitting elements, and operatively associated with said controller so that apparently consistent rows of light emission at each side of said apparent bars of light are established during the golf stroke.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said controller has selection means associated therewith for variation of activated/deactivated interval ratio of said light emitting elements, said selection means and said controller configured for selective variation of activated/deactivated interval ratio in a range between about 1/2 to at least about 1/35.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said controller includes a microprocessor and wherein said selection means comprises programming at said microprocessor, said apparatus further comprising an accelerometer operatively associated with said controller to detect club head acceleration, said selection means varying said activated/deactivated interval ratio of said light emitting elements responsive to club head acceleration information from said accelerometer.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a velocity switch operatively associated with said controller for sensing use of the golf club and activating said controller in response thereto, and a light intensity sensor operatively associated with said controller for sensing ambient light conditions, said controller configured to adjust light output from said light emitting elements responsive thereto.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said controller includes a microprocessor, said apparatus further comprising means operatively associated with said controller to detect club head acceleration, speed, direction, angle and impact force information, said information stored at said microprocessor.

14. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a muscle stimulation unit trigger operatively associated with said controller.

15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a center one of said light emitting elements includes an elongated fiber optic light emitting source.

16. A method for providing a ladder-like persistence display during the golfer'"'"'s stroke of a golf club having a shaft and a head with a ball striking face to thereby aid in analysis and improvement of the stroke, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing, during a golf stroke, apparent bars of light parallel to the golf club head face using an elongated light emitting display integrated with or attachable adjacent to the golf club head; and

establishing, during the golf stroke, apparent rows of light, one at each end of said apparent bars of light and extending in direction of golf club head travel, using first and second spaced light emanating elements integrated with or attachable adjacent to the golf club head;

whereby defects in golf stroke are indicated by distortion of said persistence display.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of establishing apparent bars of light includes providing several short intervals of light emission from said elongated light emitting display.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing several short intervals of light emission comprises activating and deactivating light emission from a plurality of sources arranged linearly at said light emitting display.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said method further comprises the step of selecting period and frequency of said short intervals.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of selecting period and frequency of said short intervals includes the step of detecting club head acceleration and varying said period and said frequency of said intervals responsive to club head speed.