SHATTER PROOF ENCLOSURE AND MOUNT FOR A MOTION CAPTURE ELEMENT

• US 20160151666A1
• Filed: 02/08/2016
• Published: 06/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael, KAPS, Ryan, Bose, Bhaskar, Martin, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 9,643,049 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• 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 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/00 : Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis strings therefor A63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 : Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 : Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 : Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 : Caps; Ferrules
• 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 69/0093 : for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• 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 11/00 : Accessories for skiing or snowboarding fittings on vehicles for carrying skis B60R9/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/22 : Radio waves emitting or receiving, e.g. remote control, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/24 : Processing or storing data, e.g. with electronic chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/00 : Gyroscopes; Turn-sensitive devices using vibrating masses; Turn-sensitive devices without moving masses; Measuring angular rate using gyroscopic effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 : Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 : relating to the receiver frond end

Abstract

A shatter proof enclosure and mount for a motion capture element that couples to equipment, where the enclosure and optionally the mount is shatter proof or shatter resistant. Exposed areas of the enclosure or mount or both that are subject to impact may be covered with a protective layer that prevents fragments of the enclosure or internal components from exiting the layer, even in the event of an impact. For example, the protective layer may incorporate flexible materials such as silicone rubber. Alternatively, the protective layer may be rigid but effectively unbreakable, using materials such as polycarbonate. The protective layer may also include a mesh that prevents internal components from existing the enclosure.

Claims

1. A system comprising a shatter proof enclosure and mount for a motion capture element comprising

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor with internal components;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment;

a protective layer integrated into said enclosure or surrounding said enclosure and configured to maintain integrity of said protective layer when said enclosure receives an impact;

prevent fragments of said enclosure and fragments of said motion capture sensor from exiting said protective layer after said enclosure receives said impact.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said protective layer comprises an elastomer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said elastomer is silicone rubber.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said protective layer comprises a mesh.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said protective layer comprises a shatter resistant material.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said shatter resistant material is acrylic or polycarbonate.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an antenna coupled with an outer portion of said enclosure wherein said enclosure is an electromagnetic shield.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said mount is streamlined and configured to provide low wind or water drag.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal components comprise a positive battery contact;

an insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

,

a wireless antenna.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said internal components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said enclosure is further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said internal 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 internal components that is removed and said weight element.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, helmet, skateboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, golf club, tennis racquet, or weight training bar, and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said internal components associated with a golf club number.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said internal components 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.