Golf club head comprising a piezoelectric sensor

• US 8,117,903 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2009
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Golden, Charles Edward, Gilbert, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roy, Punam
• Application Number:
  US12/401,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20090165530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/65.03
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining the kinematic characteristics of a golf club head are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one piezoelectric component selectively positioned within or upon a club head. The piezoelectric component is preferably positioned to the rear of the center of gravity, and near the midpoint of the face of the club head. During a golf club swing, the piezoelectric component determines the acceleration and deceleration of the golf club head. When the club head impacts an object such as a golf ball, the piezoelectric component is also operable to determine the velocity of the club head. It may also be desirable for the piezoelectric component to determine the magnitude of vibration during impact. In this manner, the piezoelectric component may function determine the efficiency of a golf club swing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the kinematics of a golf club head, comprising:

a golf club head defining an inner volume and having a face and a rear; and

a piezoelectric component selectively positioned rearward of a center of gravity of the golf club head and between a heel and a midpoint of the face of the golf club head.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric component is substantially aligned with a midpoint of the face of the golf club head.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the golf club head comprises an inner volume bounded by the face and the rear, and the piezoelectric component is coupled to the club head within the inner volume.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric device comprises an accelerometer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display operatively connected to the piezoelectric component and configured and dimensioned to be part of a surface of the golf club head.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor and a memory operatively connected to the piezoelectric component.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric component is selectively positioned on an external portion of the club head.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric component is operable to determine a velocity of the golf club head at impact with an object.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric component is operable to determine a magnitude of vibration generated during impact with an object.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric component is operable to measure an acceleration and a deceleration of the golf club head.

12. An apparatus for measuring the kinematics of a golf club head, comprising:

a golf club head defining an inner volume and having a face and a rear; and

at least two piezoelectric components selectively positioned within the inner volume of the golf club head;

a display operatively connected to at least one of the at least two piezoelectric components, wherein the display is configured and dimensioned to be a part of a surface of the golf club head; and

a power source operatively connected to the at least two piezoelectric components, wherein the power source shuts down after a predetermined period of time.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the at least two piezoelectric components is positioned between the midpoint of the face and a toe of the golf club head.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least two piezoelectric components are positioned rearward of a center of gravity of the club head.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least two piezoelectric components are positioned towards the rear of the golf club head and a first of the at least two piezoelectric components is positioned between a heel and a midpoint of the face of the golf club head.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a wireless transmitter.

17. A method for measuring the kinematic characteristics of a golf club swing, comprising:

selectively connecting at least one accelerometer to a golf club head; and

acquiring the kinematic characteristics of the golf club head during the golf club swing using the accelerometer;

wherein the at least one accelerometer is selectively positioned rearward of a center of gravity of the club head and between a toe and a midpoint of a face of the club head.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining a velocity of the club head during impact with an object.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining the acceleration and deceleration of the golf club head during a golf swing.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining a magnitude of vibration during impact with an object.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising comparing measured data with data stored in a memory to calculate an efficiency of the golf club swing.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying the kinematic characteristics of the golf club head.