Sports swing impact speed indicator

• US 6,173,610 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1998
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gyrosports
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Pace
• Inventors: Pace, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN JR, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US09/221,277
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 734/91, 734/92, 734/93, 473/233, 473/453
• US Class Current: 73/493
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• 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: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A sports swing-impact-speed indicator (1) has a solid state accelerometer (20) which measures impact speed of swing of a sports swing-impact implement during an event-time window of an event-window timer (21) following a select swing-acceleration time. The accelerometer can be a miniature solid state unit with a ratio-metric voltage signal that is directly proportional to centripetal energy imparted by travel of the implement, such as a baseball bat (2), during the event-time window. A digital readout (10) has preferably Liquid Crystal Display that can be seen in bright-light-to-dusk visibility conditions. Singular readout and selectively automated control provide simplicity of use. The unit can be attached to a desired implement such as a baseball bat with a slip-on pliable sleeve (3) or other quick-fit device. Minuteness of electronic components permits use of a small stored-energy (18) and/or solar-powered battery (19) for power.

Claims

1. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator comprising:

a solid state accelerometer positioned in an indicator housing that is sized and shaped for attachment to a predetermined sports swing-impact implement with a detachable attachment;

a digital readout positioned on the indicator housing and having swing-speed-data communication from the solid state accelerometer;

an event-window timer with timed metering of swing speed of the sports swing-impact implement by the solid state accelerometer for communication of the swing-speed data from the solid state accelerometer to the digital readout;

the event-window timer being timed for the solid state accelerometer to meter the swing speed of the sports swing-impact implement at an event-window time for contact of the sports swing-impact implement with an item targeted for impact by the sports swing-impact implement after initiation of swinging of the sports swing-impact implement;

a source of electrical current attached to the indicator housing;

at least one control switch on the indicator housing in controllable communication of electrical current from the source of electrical current to the solid state accelerometer, to the event-window timer and to the digital readout; and

a data-hold timer in electrical communication with the digital readout for the digital readout to hold the swing-speed data a predetermined period of time before the control switch is switched off.

2. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the source of electrical current is a storage battery.

3. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the source of electricity is a solar generator.

4. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the digital readout is a liquid crystal display.

5. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the digital readout is a light-emitting diode.

6. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the predetermined sports swing-impact implement is a baseball bat.

7. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 6 wherein:

the detachable attachment is a pliable sleeve affixed to the indicator housing and having an inside periphery that is sized to fit onto an outside periphery of the baseball bat proximate a confluence of a handle and a major diameter of the baseball bat.

8. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 6 wherein:

the detachable attachment is a quick-release joint having a first portion of the quick-release joint on an end face of the baseball bat and a second portion of the quick-release joint on the indicator housing.

9. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the predetermined sports swing-impact implement is a golf club.

10. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 9 wherein:

the detachable attachment is a flexible sleeve affixed to the indicator housing and having an inside periphery that is sized to fit onto an outside periphery of the golf club proximate a confluence of a handle and a head of the golf club.

11. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 9 wherein:

the detachable attachment is a clip having an inside periphery that is sized to fit onto an outside periphery of the golf club proximate a confluence of a handle and a head of the golf club.

12. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the predetermined sports swing-impact implement is a tennis racket.

13. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 12 wherein:

the detachable attachment is a pliable line having a length that is sized to fit onto and to be fastened onto a desired portion of an outside periphery of the tennis racket.

14. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 12 wherein:

the detachable attachment is a clip having an inside periphery that is sizable to fit onto a desired portion of an outside periphery of the tennis racket.

15. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the digital readout has a data-hold timer;

the data-hold timer is configured and positioned in communication with the control switch to switch the control switch off for deactivation of the solid state accelerometer, the event-window timer and the digital readout following a predetermined period of time after non-use of the sports swing-impact-speed indicator for metering impact speed of the sports swing-impact implement.

16. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the control switch is a push-button switch.

17. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the event-window timer has an event-time adjuster with which the event-window time for contact of the sports swing-impact implement with the item targeted for impact after the initiation of swinging is adjustable.

18. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 1 wherein:

the control switch has an automatization timer; and

the automatization timer is configured and positioned in communication with the control switch to switch the control switch on for activation and off for s deactivation of the solid state accelerometer, the event-window timer and the digital readout repeatedly for a select continuance of usage of the sports swing-impact-speed indicator for metering impact speed of the sports swing-impact implement.

19. A sports swing-impact-speed indicator as described in claim 16 wherein:

the event-window timer has an event-time adjuster with which the event-window time for contact of the sports swing-impact implement with the item targeted for impact after the initiation of swinging is adjustable;

the control switch has an automatization timer;

the automatization timer is configured and positioned in communication with the control switch to switch the control switch on for activation and off for deactivation of the solid state accelerometer, the event-window timer and the digital readout repeatedly for a select continuance of use of the sports swing-impact-speed indicator for metering impact speed of the sports swing-impact implement; and

the automatization timer is configured and positioned in communication with the control switch to switch the control switch off for deactivation of the solid state accelerometer, the event-window timer and the digital readout following a predetermined period of time after non-use of the sports swing-impact-speed indicator for metering impact speed of the sports swing-impact implement.