METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS TO CUSTOM FIT GOLF CLUBS

• US 20090131189A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Cottam, Roger J., Swartz, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,444,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0636 3D visualisation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• 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 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• 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 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

Embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems to custom fit golf clubs are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

generating a three-dimensional swing display associated with a swing at a ball with a golf club by the individual based on the shot characteristic information, the three-dimensional swing display being one of a plurality of displays to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs,

wherein the three-dimensional swing display comprises a path indicative of an attack angle associated with the swing, and a band indicative of a range of reference attack angles.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving the shot characteristic information comprises receiving at least one of information associated with at least one of an attack angle, or information associated with at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with the swing.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the three-dimensional swing display comprises generating at least one of one or more arrows indicative of a direction of rotation associated with the ball, a swing path associated with the swing, a club face indicator associated with a club face of the club head, a club head associated with the golf club of the swing, or a shaft associated with the golf club of the swing.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising monitoring movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with the golf club.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising translating movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with a golf club.

6. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising comparing two or more attack angles of a plurality of swings.

7. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising generating the band to indicate a range of reference attack angles from +5 degrees to −

5 degrees.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a swing analyzer to generate a three-dimensional swing display associated with a swing at a ball with a golf club by individual based on the shot characteristic information, the three-dimensional swing display being one of a plurality of displays to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs,

wherein the three-dimensional swing display comprises a path indicative of an attack angle associated with the swing, and a band indicative of a range of reference attack angles.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the shot characteristic information comprises at least one of information associated with an attack angle associated with the swing, or information associated with movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with the golf club.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the three-dimensional swing display comprises at least one of one or more arrows indicative of a direction of rotation associated with the ball, a swing path associated with the swing, a club face indicator associated with a club face of the club head, a club head associated with the golf club of the swing, or a shaft associated with the golf club of the swing.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the swing analyzer is configured to translate movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with a golf club.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the swing analyzer is configured to compare two or more attack angles of a plurality of swings.

13. An article of manufacture including content, which when accessed, causes a machine to:

receive shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

generate a three-dimensional swing display associated with a swing at a ball with a golf club by individual based on the shot characteristic information, the three-dimensional swing display being one of a plurality of displays to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs,

wherein the three-dimensional swing display comprises a path indicative of an attack angle associated with the swing, and a band indicative of a range of reference attack angles.

14. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to receive at least one of information associated with an attack angle associated with the swing, or information associated with at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with the swing.

15. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate at least one of an attack-angle reference band, one or more arrows indicative of a direction of rotation associated with the ball, a swing path associated with the swing, a club face indicator associated with a club face of the club head, a club head associated with the golf club of the swing, or a shaft associated with the golf club of the swing.

16. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to monitor movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with a golf club.

17. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to translate movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with a golf club.

18. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to compare two or more attack angles of a plurality of swings.

19. A system comprising:

a tracking device to measure one or more characteristics associated with a shot of a golf ball with a particular golf club; and

a processing device operatively coupled to the tracking device to generate a three-dimensional swing display associated with a swing at a ball with a golf club by individual based on the shot characteristic information, the three-dimensional swing display being one of a plurality of displays to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs,

wherein the three-dimensional swing display comprises a path indicative of an attack angle associated with the swing, and a band indicative of a range of reference attack angles.

20. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the processing device is configured to receive at least one of information associated with an attack angle associated with the swing, or information associated with at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with the swing.

21. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the processing device is configured to generate at least one of one or more arrows indicative of a direction of rotation associated with the ball, a swing path associated with the swing, a club face indicator associated with a club face of the club head, a club head associated with the golf club of the swing, or a shaft associated with the golf club of the swing.

22. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the tracking device is configured to monitor movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with a golf club.

23. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the processing device is configured to translate movement of at least one of a club head or a shaft associated with a golf club.

24. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the processing device is configured to compare two or more attack angles of a plurality of swings.