ENCLOSURE AND MOUNT FOR MOTION CAPTURE ELEMENT

• US 20130095941A1
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: BENTLEY, Michael, KAPS, Ryan, BOSE, Bhaskar, SCARBO, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,622,361 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 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/00 Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis strings therefor A63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 : Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 : Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 : Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 11/00 : Accessories for skiing or snowboarding fittings on vehicles for carrying skis B60R9/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/22 : Radio waves emitting or receiving, e.g. remote control, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/24 : Processing or storing data, e.g. with electronic chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 : Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 : relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 : Electromagnetic shields
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 : Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings

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 shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Claims

1. A enclosure and mount for motion capture element comprising:

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment;

a cap coupled with said enclosure wherein said cap comprises a visual marker configured to enable motion capture visually.

2. The apparatus claim 1 wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment.

3. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip; and

,

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

4. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

an antenna coupled with an outer portion of said enclosure wherein said enclosure is an electromagnetic shield.

5. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

a shock puck configured to surround said enclosure and shield said enclosure from high G-forces.

6. The apparatus claim 1 wherein said mount is streamlined and configured to provide low wind or water drag.

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

8. The system claim 1 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

9. The system claim 1 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said 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.

10. The system claim 1 wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, helmet, skateboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, golf club, tennis racquet, weight training bar and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.

11. The system claim 1 further comprising:

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

12. The system 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.

13. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment;

a cap coupled with said enclosure wherein said cap comprises a visual marker configured to enable motion capture visually;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

,

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

14. The apparatus claim 13 wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment and wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, helmet, skateboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, golf club, tennis racquet, weight training bar and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.

15. The apparatus claim 13 further comprising:

an antenna coupled with an outer portion of said enclosure wherein said enclosure is an electromagnetic shield.

16. The apparatus claim 13 further comprising:

a shock puck configured to surround said enclosure and shield said enclosure from high G-forces.

17. The apparatus claim 13 wherein said mount is streamlined and configured to provide low wind or water drag.

18. The system claim 13 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

19. The system claim 13 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.

20. The system claim 13 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package and configured to identify said piece of equipment.

21. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap coupled with said enclosure wherein said cap comprises a visual marker configured to enable motion capture visually;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

an identifier coupled with said electronics package and configured to identify said piece of equipment;

an antenna coupled with said electronics package;

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

,

wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment baseball bat hockey stick lacrosse stick helmet skateboard ski snowboard surfboard golf club tennis racquet weight training bar and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.