Golf swing analyzer

• US 5,114,150 A
• Filed: 05/08/1991
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yukinobu Matsumura
• Original Assignee: Yukinobu Matsumura
• Inventors: Matsumura, Yukinobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Application Number:
  US07/700,302
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 273/183 R, 273/183 A, 273/183 D, 273/184 R, 273/185 R, 273/185 A, 273/186 R, 273/186 A, 273/186 B, 273/186 C, 273/186 D, 273/195 R, 434/252
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/30 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/66 using electric or magnetic means G01P3/80 takes precedence; measuring short time intervals G04F8/00, G04F10/00

Abstract

A golf swing analyzer having two sensors which are adapted to sense the swing of a golf club, wherein analysis is made by detecting crossing points of the output signal waveforms at which the waveforms intersect a reference potential level plus and minus a predetermined value. The golf swing analyzer takes accurate measurement of the speed and/or direction of the swing without being affected by a noise.

Claims

1. A golf swing analyzer comprising

a permanent magnet attached to the head of a golf club;

two magnetic sensors spaced apart from each other horizontally and in parallel relationship with an ideal swing direction of the golf club;

first detecting means for receiving outputs signals from said two sensors for detecting whether the output signals are larger or smaller than a reference potential level Vo plus a predetermined value;

second detecting means adapted to receive output signals from said two sensors for detecting whether the output signals are larger or smaller than a reference potential level Vo minus said predetermined value;

first counter adapted to receive pulse signals response to the detected output signals that are equal to "Vo+said predetermined value" level in order to measure at time interval T1 indicative of the swing motion of the golf club between the two sensors;

second counter adapted to receive pulse signals responsive to the detected output signals that are equal to "Vo-said predetermined value" level in order to measure a time interval T2 indicative of the swing motion of the golf club between the two sensors; and

a calculating means comprised of a central processing unit for calculating the swing speed of the golf club and the deviation of the swing direction of the golf club from its desired direction based on T1 and T2,

wherein the swing speed is calculated by said calculating means by dividing a distance between the first and second sensors by (T1+T2)/2 and wherein the deviation is calculated by the difference between T1 and T2.

2. A golf swing analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the two sensors is not shorter than 3 cm and not longer than 12 cm.

3. A golf swing analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises:

a comparing means for comparing T1 and T2 to find the deviation of the swing of the golf club from its desired and regular direction.

4. A golf swing analyzer according to claim 3, wherein two sensors are provided and wherein the distance between the sensors is not shorter than 3 cm and not longer than 12 cm.