Head movement sensor for golf practice

• US 5,524,894 A
• Filed: 11/23/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allan P. Shannon
• Original Assignee: Allan P. Shannon
• Inventors: Shannon, Allan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/344,081
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 273/35 R, 273/187.2, 273/190 R, 273/190 A, 33/366
• US Class Current: 473/209
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence

Abstract

A head movement sensor, which may be used for such things as golf practice, is adapted to be attached or carried on a person'"'"'s head. The device consists of a sensor which is mounted to the head and senses an initial position by means of a hollow tube carrying a conductive liquid with electrodes extending within the tube. The tube is shaped so that as the head is angularly displaced from the initial position to a displaced position, the liquid flows within the tube, changing the resistance between the electrodes. By measuring the change in resistance, an electrical signal can be derived. Sudden changes in angular displacement also produce an electrical signal. The electrical signals are processed to produce an audible indication.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring relative position of a person'"'"'s head, the device adapted to be carried on a person'"'"'s head, the device comprising in combination:

a sensor which includes;

a hollow, fluid impermeable conduit which contains a conductive liquid, the conduit being shaped so that the liquid flows through the conduit as the conduit is angularly displaced between an initial position and a displaced position; and

a pair of electrodes which extend into the conduit and are spaced apart, the liquid contacting the electrodes as the liquid flows within the conduit so that electrical current passes between the electrodes, the resistance between the electrodes changing in proportion to the degree of angular displacement between the initial position and the displaced position;

current responsive means coupled to the electrodes for producing an electrical signal related to the resistance between the two electrodes within the conduit; and

signal responsive means coupled to the current responsive means which produces an indication of the degree to which the head is angularly displaced from the initial position.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a signal adjuster coupled to the current responsive means for adjusting the electrical signal so that the indication is not provided when in the initial position.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a signal interrupter coupled to the current responsive means for adjusting the electrical signal so that the indication is not provided when the object is angularly displaced to a preselected displaced position.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the indication is audible.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the conduit is formed from a fluid impermeable, arcuate tubular member.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the conduit is formed from a substantially circular, fluid impermeable tubular member.

7. A device adapted to be carried on a person'"'"'s head for monitoring the position of the person'"'"'s head, comprising in combination:

a sensor which includes;

a hollow, fluid impermeable conduit which contains a conductive liquid, a portion of the conduit having a cross-sectional area which is less than the remainder of the conduit, the conduit being shaped so that the liquid flows through said portion as the conduit is angularly displaced between an initial position and a displaced position;

a fluid reservoir which is in fluid communication with said portion, the fluid reservoir containing an amount of the conductive liquid, the conductive liquid within the fluid reservoir moving from a first level to a second level in response to angular displacement between the initial and displaced positions; and

a pair of electrodes which are spaced apart and in contact with the conductive liquid so that electrical current passes between the electrodes, the current between the electrodes changing as the conductive liquid within the reservoir moves between the first and second levels;

current responsive means coupled to the electrodes which produces an electrical signal in response to the change in current flow between the electrodes; and

sensor responsive means coupled to the electrodes for providing an indication if the electrical signal is produced.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the indication is audible.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the conduit is an arcuate tubular member and said portion is a fluid constriction located within the tubular member which divides the tubular member into opposite arms; and

the fluid reservoir is formed from a length of fluid impermeable tubing which is in fluid communication with the fluid constriction.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the conduit is formed from a substantially circular, fluid impermeable tubular member having an upper half and a lower half with said portion being located in the lower half of the tubular member; and

the fluid reservoir is formed from a fluid impermeable, length of tubing which extends between the upper and lower halves of the tubular member and which is in fluid communication therewith.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein:

each arm of the conduit on either side of the fluid constriction has a cross-sectional area which is different in size from that of the other.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the fluid reservoir has a cross-sectional area that is less than said remainder of the conduit.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein:

each arm of the conduit on either side of the fluid constriction has a cross-sectional area which is different in size from that of the other; and

the fluid reservoir has a cross-sectional area that is less than that arm of the conduit having the greater cross-sectional area.

14. A device adapted to be carried on a person'"'"'s head for monitoring the position of the person'"'"'s head, comprising in combination:

a sensor which includes;

a hollow, fluid impermeable conduit which contains a conductive liquid, a portion of the conduit having a cross-sectional area which is less than the remainder of the conduit, the conduit being shaped so that the liquid flows through said portion as the head is angularly displaced between an initial position and a displaced position;

a fluid reservoir which is in fluid communication with said portion, the fluid reservoir containing an amount of the conductive liquid, the conductive liquid within the fluid reservoir moving from a first level to a second level when the flow rate of the liquid flowing through said portion reaches a selected value;

a first pair of electrodes which extend into the conduit and are spaced apart, the liquid contacting the electrodes as the liquid flows within the conduit so that a first electrical current passes between the electrodes;

a second pair of electrodes which are spaced apart and in contact with the conductive liquid so that a second electrical current flows between the second pair of electrodes, and wherein the current flowing between the second pair of electrodes changes as the conductive liquid within the reservoir moves between the first and second levels;

current responsive means coupled to the electrodes for producing a first electrical signal in response to current flowing between the first pair of electrodes, and a second electrical signal in response to changes in current flow between the second pair of electrodes; and

signal responsive means coupled to the current responsive means which selectively produces a first indication in response to the first electrical signal, and which produces a second indication in response to the second electrical signal.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the resistance between the first pair of electrodes changes in proportion to the degree of angular displacement between the initial and displaced positions;

the first electrical signal changes with changes in the resistance between the first pair of electrodes; and

the first indication varies with changes in the first electrical signal.

16. The device of claim 14, further comprising:

a signal interrupter coupled to the current responsive means for adjusting the first electrical signal so that the first indication is not provided by the signal responsive means when the sensor senses a preselected displaced position.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the conduit is formed from a substantially circular, fluid impermeable tubular member having an upper half and a lower half with said portion being located in the lower half of the tubular member; and

the fluid reservoir is formed from a fluid impermeable length of tubing which extends between the upper and lower halves of the tubular member and which is in fluid communication therewith.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the conduit is an arcuate tubular member and said portion is a fluid constriction located within the tubular member which divides the tubular member into opposite arms; and

each arm of the conduit has a cross-sectional area which is different in size from that of the other.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the fluid reservoir has a cross-sectional area that is less than said remainder of the conduit.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein:

the fluid reservoir has a cross-sectional area that is less than that arm of the conduit having the greater cross-sectional area.