Adjustable point of impact indicating device

• US 5,080,362 A
• Filed: 05/01/1990
• Issued: 01/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neil Lillard
• Original Assignee: Neil Lillard
• Inventors: Lillard, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stoll, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/517,170
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 273/73 R, 273/29 R, 273/29 A, 273/26 R, 273/26 B, 273/183 R, 273/183 D, 273/184 R, 273/186 C, 340/566, 340/683, 200/61.45, 200/61.48, 200/61.49, 200/61.51
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• 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: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence

Abstract

An impact sensing device (16) is attached to a sporting implement to provide a visual indication of when the implement strikes a sporting object. The device (16) comprises a cylinder (22) containing a flexible wire (40) encircled by contacts (50 and 51). Upon impact between the sporting implement and the sporting object, the wire (40) flexes and oscillates to connect with the contacts (50 and 51). A circuit is closed and an indicator (18) is initiated by a power source (34). The sensitivity of the device (16) may be adjusted with first and second adjustments (24 and 26) to change the relationship between the wire (40) and the contact (50).

Claims

1. An adjustable impact indicating device for a sporting implement, comprising:

switch means for detecting an impact on an implement, said switch means comprising a length of a flexible conductor and adjustable contact means for making contact with the conductor and positioned substantially about said conductor, wherein said flexible conductor will flex to electrically contact said contact means in a range of sporting implement orientations upon an impact;

means responsive to said switch means for indicating the occurrence of said impact to a user; and

means for selectively adjusting the impact sensitivity of said switch means, including means for selectively adjusting the distance between said contact means and said flexible conductor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for indicating comprises a light source.

3. The device in claim 2, wherein said light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting further comprises:

means for sliding said contact means relative to said length of said conductor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said

contact means comprises at least two arcuate contact members, said contact members being selectively positionable closer to or further away from said flexible conductor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting comprises:

a shaped weight attached to an end of said conductor, wherein sensitivity varies according to the shape of said weight.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting comprises:

said contact having a preselected shape, wherein said conductor is spaced at various distances from said contact.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said preselected shape comprises an oval in cross-section.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a chamber enclosing said switch means, wherein the walls of said chamber are disposed to limit flexure of said flexible conductor after contact between said flexible conductor and said contact means.

11. The device of claim 1, further including means for mounting the device to a sporting implement.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said means for mounting comprises a bracket fixed to the device, said bracket adapted for removable attachment to an implement.

13. The device of claim 1, further including a power source integral with the device.

6. An adjustable impact indicating device for a sporting implement, comprising:

switch means for detecting an impact on the implement, said switch means comprising a length of a flexible conductor and contact means for making contact with the conductor and positioned at least partially about said conductor, wherein said conductor will flex upon an impact to electrically contact said contact means in multiple orientations of said sporting implement;

means responsive to said switch means for visually indicating the occurrence of said impact to a user;

means for sliding said contact means relative to said length of said flexible conductor; and

means for moving said contact means closer to or farther from said flexible conductor.

14. A sporting implement, impact indicating device, comprising:

switch means for detecting an impact on a sporting implement, said switch means comprising a length of a flexible conductor and a contact means for making contact with the conductor and adjustably positioned about a substantial portion of said conductor, wherein said conductor will flex to electrically contact said contact means in a substantial range of orientations of a sporting implement;

a light-emitting diode responsive to said switch means for indicating the time of said impact;

an integral power supply; and

a bracket for removably attaching the device to a sporting implement.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said power supply comprises a lithium battery.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said

flexible conductor is fixed at a first end and able to flex in an oscillating manner at a second end, wherein said conductor flexes in corresponding relation to an impact;

and

wherein said contact means is spaced apart from and substantially around said conductor for electrical interconnection to said conductor when said conductive flexes in response to an impact.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising means for adjusting sensitivity of said switch means.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said means for adjusting comprises:

first adjustment means for sliding said contact between said first end and said second end of said conductor; and

second adjustment means for moving said contact closer to or farther from said conductor.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein said means for adjusting comprises:

a shaped weight attached to said flexible conductor at said second end.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for removably attaching comprises a bracket.