Light emitter assembly

• US 4,148,096 A
• Filed: 09/12/1977
• Issued: 04/03/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Fonteneau, Norman O., Haas, Steven L., Moore, Randall W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US05/832,562
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 362/227, 362/249, 362/252, 362/800, 362/103, 362/102
• US Class Current: 362/249.14
• 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 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• 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 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An improved light emitter assembly for use in biomechanical electro-optical systems is disclosed. The device comprises a curved rigid or semi-rigid body to which at least three spaced light emitting diodes are affixed. The body is preferably cylindrical or hemispherical.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the generation of light in biomechanical electro-optical systems, said apparatus comprising at least three light emitting diodes affixed to the surface of a curved body, said light emitting diodes emitting light substantially only in the infrared region, said body having an effective radius of curvature of from about 1/8 inch to about 1 inch, said light emitting diodes being spaced on said curved surface, and at least two of said light emitting diodes being angularly spaced by at least about 120°

on said curved surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved body is a hemicylinder-like body and has an effective radius of curvature of from about 1/4 inch to about 3/8 inch.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there are at least six light emitting diodes on the surface of the hemicylinder-like body.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hemicylinder-like body is a hemicylinder.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hemicylinder-like body is a hemioctagon.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved body is a cylinder-like body and has an effective radius of curvature of from about 1/4 inch to about 3/8 inch.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein there are at least twelve light emitting diodes on the surface of the cylinder-like body.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cylinder-like body is a cylinder.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cylinder-like body is an octagon.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved body is a hemisphere-like body and has an effective radius of curvature of from about 1/4 inch to about 1/2 inch.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein there are at least eight light emitting diodes on the surface of the hemisphere-like body.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the hemisphere-like body is a hemisphere.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the hemisphere-like body is a hemipolyhedron.