Analyzing grip pressure of a bowler

• US 7,845,225 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Bowling Congress, Inc.
• Original Assignee: United States Bowling Congress, Inc.
• Inventors: Jaryszak, James E., Ridenour, Paul J., Stremmel, Neil B., Monce, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US12/360,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20090199636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 733/790.2, 702/138, 473/61
• US Class Current: 73/379.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2060/464 Means for indicating or measuring the pressure on the grip
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0046 for bowling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/148 Gloves for bowling and other ball games

Abstract

Systems and methods for measuring and analyzing the grip of a bowler. In some embodiments, a bowling grip pressure device includes a glove configured to leave the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb substantially exposed. Pressure sensors are attached to the substantially exposed fingers. At least one pressure sensor is permanently affixed to the glove. Methods are taught for analyzing a bowler'"'"'s performance. In some embodiments, the bowler performs a plurality of bowling motions. Pressures exerted on the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb are measured and recorded as a function of time. The bowler'"'"'s performance is evaluated based upon the recorded pressures as a function of time. Methods are also taught for using recorded grip pressure data to fit a bowler with a proper bowling ball.

Claims

1. A bowling grip pressure device comprising:

a glove including

a first finger sheath positioned to accept and cover a first finger,

a second finger opening positioned to accept and leave substantially exposed a second finger,

a third finger opening positioned to accept and leave substantially exposed

a third finger,

a fourth finger sheath positioned to accept and cover a fourth finger, and

a thumb opening positioned to accept and leave substantially exposed a thumb; and

a plurality of pressure sensors including

a first pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed second finger,

a second pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed third finger,

a third pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed thumb, and

at least one pressure sensor permanently affixed to the glove.

2. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, wherein

the first pressure sensor is configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed second finger between a second finger tip and a second distal interphalangeal joint when worn,

the second pressure sensor is configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed third finger between a third finger tip and a third distal interphalangeal joint when worn, and

the third pressure sensor is configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed thumb between a thumb tip and a thumb proximal interphalangeal joint when worn.

3. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor permanently affixed to the glove includes:

a fourth pressure sensor affixed to the first finger sheath and positioned so as to align between a first finger tip and a first distal interphalangeal joint when worn, and

a fifth pressure sensor affixed to the fourth finger sheath and positioned so as to align between a fourth finger tip and a fourth distal interphalangeal joint when worn.

4. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor permanently affixed to the glove includes:

a pressure sensor positioned so as to align with the metacarpophalangeal joint of at least one of the first finger, the second finger, the third finger, and the fourth finger when worn.

5. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor permanently affixed to the glove is positioned so as to align with a bowler'"'"'s palm when worn.

6. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to record pressure data from each of the plurality of pressure sensors as a function of time; and

a communication interface connecting the plurality of pressure sensors to the processor.

7. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 6, wherein the communication interface includes a wireless communication device.

8. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication device includes a radio frequency transmitter coupled to the plurality of pressure sensors and a radio frequency receiver coupled to the processor.

9. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 6, wherein the interface includes a serial communication cable.

10. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors further includes:

pressure sensor affixed to the first finger sheath and positioned so as to align between the first distal interphalangeal joint and a first proximal interphalangeal joint when worn,

a pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed second finger between the second distal interphalangeal joint and a second proximal interphalangeal joint when worn,

a pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed third finger between the third distal interphalangeal joint and a third proximal interphalangeal joint when worn, and

pressure sensor affixed to the fourth finger sheath and positioned so as to align between the fourth distal interphalangeal joint and a fourth proximal interphalangeal joint when worn.

11. The bowling grip pressure device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors further includes:

a pressure sensor affixed to the first finger sheath and positioned so as to align between the first proximal interphalangeal joint and a first metacarpophalangeal joint when worn,

a pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed second finger between the second proximal interphalangeal joint and a second metacarpophalangeal joint when worn,

a pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed third finger between the third proximal interphalangeal joint and a third metacarpophalangeal joint when worn,

a pressure sensor affixed to the fourth finger sheath and positioned so as to align between the fourth proximal interphalangeal joint and a fourth metacarpophalangeal joint when worn, and

a pressure sensor configured to be temporarily attached to the substantially exposed thumb between the thumb proximal interphalangeal joint and a thumb metacarpophalangeal joint when worn.

12. A method of analyzing a bowler'"'"'s performance, the method comprising:

performing a plurality of bowling motions;

measuring a pressure exerted on each of a second finger, a third finger, and a thumb during each of the plurality of bowling motions;

recording the measured pressures as a function of time to create a measurement set for each of the plurality of bowling motions; and

evaluating the bowler'"'"'s performance based upon the recorded pressures as a function of time.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein performing a plurality of bowling motions includes performing ten throws of a bowling ball.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising measuring the pressure exerted on a first finger and a fourth finger during each of the plurality of bowling motions.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising correlating the measured pressures as a function of time to physical positions of the bowler during the bowling motion.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein correlating the measured pressures includes:

identifying a first period of relatively high pressure measurements as a position near the end of a bowler'"'"'s backswing; and

identifying a second period of relatively high pressure measurements as a position prior to releasing the bowling ball.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein evaluating the bowler'"'"'s performance includes:

detecting a first period of relatively high pressure measurements and a second period of relatively high pressure measurements in the measurement set for each of the plurality of bowling motions;

calculating an elapsed time between the first period of relatively high pressure measurements and the second period of relatively high pressure measurements for each of the plurality of bowling motions;

comparing the calculated elapsed times for each of the plurality of bowling motions; and

identifying a variation in elapsed time for at least one of the plurality of bowling motions.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein evaluating the bowler'"'"'s performance includes:

detecting a first period of relatively high pressure measurements in the measurement set for each of the plurality of bowling motions;

determining a maximum measured pressure in the first period of relatively high pressure measurements in the measurement set for each of the plurality of bowling motions for at least one of the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb;

comparing the maximum measured pressure in the first period of relatively high pressure measurements for each of the plurality of bowling motions; and

identifying a variation in maximum measured pressure for at least one of the plurality of bowling motions.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein evaluating the bowler'"'"'s performance includes:

detecting a second period of relatively high pressure measurements in the measurement set for each of the plurality of bowling motions;

determining a maximum measured pressure in the second period of relatively high pressure measurements in the measurement set for each of the plurality of bowling motions for at least one of the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb;

comparing the maximum measured pressure in the second period of relatively high pressure measurements in the measurement set for each for the plurality of bowling motions; and

identifying a variation in the maximum measured pressure in the measurement set for at least one of the plurality of bowling motions.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein evaluating the bowler'"'"'s performance includes:

identifying an increase or decrease in pressure amplitude that is not consistent with a curvilinear shape in the measurement set for at least one of the plurality of bowling motions.

21. A method of fitting a bowler with a bowling ball, the method comprising:

performing a first bowling motion with a first bowling ball;

measuring pressure exerted on each of a second finger, a third finger, and a thumb during the first bowling motion;

recording the measured pressures as a function of time to create a first set of measurements; and

evaluating a fit of the first bowling ball for the bowler based upon the recorded pressures as a function of time.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

performing a second bowling motion with a second bowling ball;

measuring a pressure exerted on each of the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb during the second bowling motion; and

recording the measured pressures as a function of time to create a second set of measurements,

wherein evaluating a fit of the first bowling ball includes comparing the first set of measurements as a function of time to the second set of measurements as a function of time.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second bowling ball is a different type of bowling ball with the same drilling as the first bowling ball.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second bowling ball is the same type of bowling ball with a different drilling than the first bowling ball.

25. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

repeating the bowling motion a first plurality of times with the first bowling ball;

measuring pressure exerted on each of the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb during each of the first plurality of times; and

recording the measured pressures as a function of time to create a first plurality of measurement sets, and

wherein evaluating a fit includes determining a consistency of bowler performance with the first ball by detecting deviations in pressure as a function of time between the first set of measurements and the first plurality of measurement sets.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising

repeating the bowling motion a second plurality of times with a second bowling ball;

measuring pressure exerted on each of the second finger, the third finger, and the thumb during each of the second plurality of times; and

recording the measured pressures as a function of time to create a second plurality of measurement sets, and

wherein evaluating a fit further includes

determining a consistency of bowler performance with the second ball by detecting deviations in pressure as a function of time between the second plurality of measurement sets, and

comparing the consistency of bowler performance with the first ball to the consistency of bowler performance with the second ball.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein evaluating a fit includes detecting an increase or decrease in pressure amplitude as a function of time in the first set of measurements that is not consistent with a curvilinear shape.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein evaluating a fit includes:

determining a maximum measured pressure for at least one of the first finger, the second finger, and the thumb; and

comparing the maximum measured pressure to a threshold value.