MOTION CAPTURE ELEMENT MOUNT

• US 20120052973A1
• Filed: 07/26/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: BENTLEY, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,033,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/223
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/685 for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications

Abstract

Enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, for example without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package in the mount, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and golf club shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Claims

1. A motion capture element mount comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap; and

,

said shaft enclosure configured to non-permanently couple with said cap.

2. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

a wireless antenna; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said electrical components.

3. The apparatus claim 2 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

4. The apparatus claim 2 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed and wherein said weight element is configured to weigh an amount that minimizes a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

5. The apparatus claim 1 wherein said equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, golf club, tennis racquet, weight training bar.

6. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

7. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery or wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery.

8. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

a visual marker coupled with said cap.

9. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number.

10. The apparatus claim 1 wherein said cap and said shaft enclosure are configured to couple together with a plurality of coupling elements situated around said cap.

11. A motion capture element mount comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a golf club shaft or grip of a golf club without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact and said electronics package.

12. The apparatus claim 11 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

13. The apparatus claim 11 further comprising:

a weight element;

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed and wherein said weight element is configured to weigh an amount that minimizes a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

14. The apparatus claim 11 further comprising:

a wireless antenna coupled with said cap and coupled with said electronics package.

15. The apparatus claim 11 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

16. The apparatus claim 11 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery or is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery.

17. The apparatus claim 11 further comprising:

a visual marker coupled with said cap.

18. The apparatus claim 11 wherein said cap and said shaft enclosure are configured to couple together with a plurality of coupling elements situated around said cap.

19. The apparatus claim 11 further comprising:

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number.

20. A motion capture element mount comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a golf club shaft or grip of a golf club without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

an identifier;

a wireless antenna;

a visual marker coupled with said cap;

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact, said electronics package, and said identifier and wireless antenna and wherein said electrical components are removable from within said shaft enclosure and said cap to comply with sporting regulations.