Game ball support device and piezoelectric ball motion detector

• US 5,054,785 A
• Filed: 12/18/1990
• Issued: 10/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gobush, William, Days, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/629,437
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 273/186 R, 273/186 B, 273/186 C, 273/183 A, 273/213, 273/183 R, 273/183 C, 273/183 E, 273/33, 273/195 R, 273/184 R, 273/185 R, 273/185 A , 273/185 B, 273/185 C, 273/185 D, 273/201, 354/120
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• 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 57/10 Golf tees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf 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

A piezoelectric motion detector is disclosed. The device is particularly suitable for use in analyzing a golf ball when hit from a golf tee. A piezoelectric film is affixed to the bottom of a tee having a base. A signal generated by the piezoelectric film is amplified and is used, for example, to open a camera shutter and initiate a sequence of light flashes.

Claims

1. In a flexible golf tee for holding a golf ball to be struck having a tee portion and a base portion, the improvement comprising a piezoelectric film in contact with said base portion in a condition in which it will produce a voltage upon the striking of said golf ball.

2. The golf tee of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric film is affixed to the base of the golf tee.

3. The golf tee of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric film has leads which extend from the inside and outside of said film and the outside lead is the electrical ground.

4. A device for holding a game ball to be launched by the striking thereof with a game implement, said device having a place thereon for said game ball to rest and said device having a piezoelectric switch attached thereto in a condition in which it will produce a voltage upon the striking of said game ball with said game implement.