MOTION CAPTURE ELEMENT MOUNT

• US 20120120572A1
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• 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 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• 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 49/035 with easily dismountable parts, e.g. heads, shafts or grips
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/14 Coverings specially adapted for handles, e.g. sleeves or ribbons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/24 Weighted handles
• 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 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 : Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 : with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 : with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices

Abstract

Enablescoupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and golf club shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Claims

1. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap having a side portion;

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip; and

,

said shaft enclosure configured to non-permanently couple with said cap.

2. The apparatus claim 1 further comprising:

electrical components comprising a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

a wireless antenna; and

, wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said electrical components.

3. The system claim 2 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

4. The system claim 2 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed and wherein said weight element is configured to weigh an amount that minimizes a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

5. The system claim 1 wherein said equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, golf club, tennis racquet, weight training bar.

6. The system claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

7. The system claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery or wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery.

8. The system claim 1 further comprising:

a visual marker coupled with said cap.

9. The system claim 1 further comprising:

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number.

10. The system claim 1 wherein said cap and said shaft enclosure are configured to couple together with a plurality of coupling elements situated around said cap.

11. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a golf club shaft or grip of a golf club without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap having a side portion;

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact and said electronics package.

12. The system claim 11 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

13. The system claim 11 further comprising:

a weight element;

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed and wherein said weight element is configured to weigh an amount that minimizes a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

14. The system claim 11 further comprising:

a wireless antenna coupled with said cap and coupled with said electronics package.

15. The system claim 11 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

16. The system claim 11 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery or is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery.

17. The system claim 11 further comprising:

a visual marker coupled with said cap.

18. The system claim 11 wherein said cap and said shaft enclosure are configured to couple together with a plurality of coupling elements situated around said cap.

19. The system claim 11 further comprising:

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number.

20. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a golf club shaft or grip of a golf club without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap having a side portion;

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

an identifier;

a wireless antenna;

a visual marker coupled with said cap;

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact, said electronics package, and said identifier and wireless antenna and wherein said electrical components are removable from within said shaft enclosure and said cap to comply with sporting regulations.