Shaft selection aiding apparatus for selecting optimum shaft for a golfer

• US 5,821,417 A
• Filed: 06/14/1996
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
• Inventors: Saito, Takeshi, Noguchi, Shuichi, Naruo, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Oda, Christine K.
• Application Number:
  US08/656,336
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 73/12.01, 73/65.03, 73/649, 73/379.01, 73/49, 73/492, 73/488, 273/77 A, 273/77 R, 273/183 D, 273/186 A, 273/186 R, 273/186 C, 482/112, 482/118, 482/902, 473/233, 473/223, 473/287, 473/289
• US Class Current: 73/491
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 53/00 Golf clubs
• 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: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A high speed camera takes an image in the vicinity of a ball 3 and a club head 12, while a high speed camera 5 takes an image in the vicinity of the top of the swing of a golfer 1, and the images are recorded in a high speed video tape recorder 6. The recorded images are reproduced, swing time, a swing speed and a head speed are detected using a personal computer 15, and a shaft with an optimum flex for the golfer is selected based on the swing time, the swing speed, the swing time and the head speed, or the swing speed and the head speed.

Claims

1. A shaft selection apparatus for selecting a golf club shaft having an optimum flex for a golfer, comprising:

a selecting unit having a housing attached to the shaft of the golf club, and a strain measurement device within the housing for measuring the amount of strain or deflection of the shaft; and

a display unit visibly located on the housing and coupled to the strain measurement device for displaying a numerical value representing the amount of strain or deflection detected by the strain measurement device as the golfer swings the golf club; and

a speed detecting unit for detecting the speed of the head of said golf club immediately before impact with a golf ball,

whereby the golfer is enabled to identify a club having an optimum flex based on the numerically displayed value and the detected speed of the club head.

2. A method for selecting a golf club suitable to the swing of a particular golfer, comprising:

swinging, by the particular golfer, a club having affixed thereto a selection unit having a housing enclosing a strain measurement device for measuring a strain or deflection amount of the club as the golfer swings the golf club to the top of a swing;

visibly displaying at the housing a numerical value representing the maximum amount of strain or deflection detected by the strain measurement device during the swing;

measuring the speed of the head of said golf club immediately before impact with a golf ball; and

selecting a club suitable to the particular golfer based at least on the numerically displayed value and the measured speed of the club head.