Human movement and golf swing monitoring and training system

• US 6,261,189 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Accelerized Golf LLC
• Original Assignee: Delmar Bleckley, George Kelnhofer, Phillip Robert Saville
• Inventors: Bleckley, Delmar, Kelnhofer, George, Saville, Phillip Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US08/800,729
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 434/252, 473/219, 473/221, 473/220, 473/222, 473/224, 473/257, 473/261, 473/409, 473/151, 473/198, 473/199, 473/201, 473/202, 473/226, 473/223, 473/231, 473/266, 473/396, 473/397, 473/398, 473/402
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/367 Detection of balance between both feet, i.e. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• 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 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3667 Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet

Abstract

A technique for monitoring a golf swing, human movement in other sports, and other activities involving human movement and for teaching and reinforcing desired human movement. A golf swing is monitored for a golfer swinging a golf club through a tee area while standing on a platform housing a tee manipulation mechanism. Six or more infrared (IR) transmitters transmit respective IR beams along predetermined lines in close proximity to the tee area. Each predetermined line defines a portion of three-dimensional space critical to the optimization of the golf swing. Respective IR sensors receive the respective IR beams. Each pair of IR sensors provides a respective output signal indicative of improper club shaft or body positioning. This device is designed to monitor club shaft and body position and alert the golfer to undesirable positioning via audible buzzer, signal lights, and a golf ball removal system. If the three-dimensional area of optimization is violated, a triggering mechanism within the platform on which the golfer stands removes the golf ball from the path of the clubhead thereby not allowing the golfer to strike the golf ball. With the ability to monitor body positioning and the path of the club shaft and alert the person when inappropriate, ineffective movements are performed, desirable personal movement habits can be immediately reinforced maximizing the training effect.

Claims

1. A golf training device comprising:

a plurality of infrared transmitters wherein each transmitter transmits an infrared beam along a predetermined line and monitors a golf club or body position of a golfer;

a plurality of infrared sensors wherein each sensor receives an infrared beam from one of the infrared transmitters;

a plurality of status lights operatively connected to said sensors for indicating when the golfer'"'"'s body or golf club interrupts one of the infrared beams and moves out of a preferred space during execution of a golf club swing, and wherein each status light corresponds to a separate infrared beam; and

a tee manipulation device for removing a golf ball from an intended path of golf club swing when the golfer'"'"'s body or golf club interrupts one of the infrared beams.

2. The golf training device as in claim 1, further comprising an audible alarm for indicating when the golfer'"'"'s body or golf club interrupts one of the infrared beams and moves out of the preferred space during execution of a golf club swing.

3. The golf training device as in claim 2, wherein a control panel enables on and off control of the audible alarm.

4. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein each infrared beam can be adjusted so that the preferred space is made more or less restrictive.

5. The golf training device as in claim 1, further comprising a video camera for recording the position of the golfer'"'"'s body and golf club during execution of the golf club swing.

6. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of infrared transmitters comprises a first transmitter which transmits a first infrared beam along a predetermined line toward a golf tee area, and wherein the first infrared beam monitors the position of the golf club during a takeaway phase of the golf club swing.

7. The golf training device as in claim 6, wherein the plurality of infrared transmitters comprises a second transmitter which transmits a second infrared beam along a predetermined line behind the golfer, and wherein the second infrared beam monitors the position of the golf club at a top phase of the golf club swing.

8. The golf training device as in claim 7, wherein the plurality of infrared transmitters comprises a third transmitter which transmits a third infrared beam along a predetermined line beside the golfer, and wherein the third infrared beam monitors the position of the golf club during a downswing phase of the golf club swing.

9. The golf training device as in claim 8, wherein the third infrared beam monitors the position of the golf club during a middle portion of the downswing phase of the golf club swing.

10. The golf training device as in claim 8, wherein the plurality of infrared transmitters comprises a fourth transmitter which transmits a fourth infrared beam along a predetermined line toward the golf tee area, and wherein the fourth infrared beam monitors the position of the golf club during the downswing phase of the golf club swing.

11. The golf training device as in claim 10, wherein the fourth infrared beam monitors the golf club during a final portion of the downswing phase of the golf club swing.

12. The golf training device as in claim 10, wherein the first infrared beam and the fourth infrared beam form a three-dimensional channel of preferred space in which the golfer should position the golf club shaft during the takeaway and downswing phases of the golf club swing.

13. The golf training device as in claim 10, wherein the plurality of infrared transmitters comprises a fifth transmitter which transmits a fifth infrared beam along a predetermined line starting at approximately the golfer'"'"'s shoulder and aimed forward and downward, and wherein the fifth infrared beam monitors the position of the golfer'"'"'s body regarding any tendency to lean in a direction of intended ball flight during execution of the golf club swing.

14. The golf training device as in claim 13, wherein the plurality of infrared transmitters comprises a sixth transmitter which transmits a sixth infrared beam along a predetermined line starting at approximately the golfer'"'"'s hip and aimed forward and downward, and wherein the sixth infrared beam monitors the position of the golfer'"'"'s body regarding any tendency for the golfer'"'"'s hips to move in an opposite direction of the intended golf ball flight during execution of the golf club swing.

15. The golf training device as in claim 1, further comprising a control panel for enabling on and off control of the tee manipulation device, each status light, and each infrared transmitter.

16. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein the tee manipulation device removes the golf ball from the intended path of golf club swing by lowering a tee and golf ball resting on the tee.

17. The golf training device as in claim 16, wherein the tee manipulation device comprises:

a cam;

an electric motor;

a lever; and

a lever release, wherein interruption of one of the infrared beams by the golfer'"'"'s body or golf club activates the electric motor which rotates the cam and lever release causing the lever to pivot downward and lower the tee and golf ball.