Racket assembly that warns of a fatigued string condition

• US 7,326,133 B1
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: In Young Choi
• Original Assignee: In Young Choi
• Inventors: Choi, In Young
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu; Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US11/244,851
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 473/524, 473/553, 735/70
• US Class Current: 473/553
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/03 characterised by throat sections, i.e. sections or elements between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 51/005 Devices for measuring the tension of strings for controlling the tension during stringing A63B51/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A racket assembly having a racket head that is supported by a handle. A string is strung across the racket head forming a string face. The string used in the string face is statistically likely to fail after the string face has been impacted a precalculated number of times. At least one sensor is provided for sensing when the racket head experiences a change in acceleration that exceeds a predetermined threshold level. A logic circuit creates a count corresponding to the number of times the sensor detects a change in acceleration in excess of the predetermined threshold level. An indicator is provided that creates an indication when the count approaches the precalculated number. In this manner, a person is warned when the string of the racket is statistically likely to fail.

Claims

1. A racket assembly comprising:

a handle;

a racket head supported by said handle;

a string strung across said racket head forming a string face, wherein said string is statistically likely to fail after said string face is impacted a precalculated number of times;

at least one sensor for detecting when said racket head experiences a change in acceleration that exceeds a predetermined threshold level;

a logic circuit that creates a count corresponding to the number of times said at least one sensor detects a change in acceleration in excess of said predetermined threshold level; and

an indicator that provides a plurality of visual indications that change as said count approaches said precalculated number.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said perceivable indication is a visual indication.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, further including a display for displaying said count.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, further including input controls for inputting said precalculated number.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of visual indicators includes lights of different colors.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said indicator provides an audible indication.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor and said indicator are contained in an electronic subassembly.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said electronic subassembly is selectively detachable from said racket assembly.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, further including a neck region between said handle and said racket head, wherein said electronic subassembly is disposed in said neck region.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, further including a reset control for selectively resetting said count to zero.

11. A method of indicating when the string of a racket is statistically likely to break, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a racket having a string face made from a string, wherein said string is statistically likely to fail after said string face is impacted a precalculated number of times;

providing at least one sensor that detects when the string face has incurred an impact;

providing a logic circuit that creates a count of the number of impacts incurred by the string face and compares that number to the precalculated number; and

providing an indication when said count approaches said precalculated number.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said indication is an audible indication.

13. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of displaying said count on a display.

14. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of inputting said precalculated number.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of providing an indication includes providing a plurality of visual indications that change as said count approaches said precalculated number.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes lights of different colors.

17. A racket assembly comprising:

a handle;

a racket head supported by said handle;

a string strung across said racket head forming a string face, wherein said string is statistically likely to fail after said string face is impacted a precalculated number of times;

at least one sensor for detecting when said racket head experiences a change in acceleration that exceeds a predetermined threshold level;

a logic circuit that creates a count corresponding to the number of times said at least one sensor detects a change in acceleration in excess of said predetermined threshold level;

an input control for inputting said precalculated number to said logic circuit; and

an indicator for providing a perceivable indication when said count approaches said precalculated number.