Swing monitoring device

• US 6,991,552 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Burke
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Burke
• Inventors: Burke, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harris, Chanda L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US10/133,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20020160848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 473/207, 473/212, 473/213, 473/221, 473223-224, 473233-234, 473256-258, 463/3
• US Class Current: 473/213
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source

Abstract

An overswing alerting mechanism/swing monitoring device that a user can wear, for example on the wrist, hand or arm, that can determine swing formation, and that can display and/or store the determined swing information. As an option, the device includes a visual and/or audible indicator for alerting the user to an improper swinging motion.

Claims

1. A swing monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a mechanism capable of determining swing information which includes an indicator of speed for each of a plurality of individual swings so as to provide a plularity of indicators;

a display capable of displaying at least a portion of said swing information;

means for causing sequential display of the indicators to be initiated; and

a wristwatch-type mounting for enabling said mechanism, said display, and the causing means to be coupled to a user'"'"'s wrist,

said mechanism being capable of obtaining an indication of swing speed independent of any switches and sensors external to said apparatus.

2. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.

3. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display.

4. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing at least a portion of said swing information.

5. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for causing a scrolling display of said indicators to be initiated.

6. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm for indicating an overswing condition and means for setting a speed at which said alarm is activated.

7. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism and said wristwatch-type mounting are integrated with traditional wristwatch functions.

8. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises at least one accelerometer and a processing unit.

9. A wristwatch having an integral swing monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a mechanism capable of determining swing information which includes an indicator of speed for each of a plurality of individual swings;

a display capable of displaying at least a portion of said swing information;

means for causing sequential display of the indicators to be initiated; and

a wristwatch-type mounting for enabling the wristwatch along with said mechanism, said display, and the causing means to be coupled to a user'"'"'s wrist;

said mechanism being capable of obtaining an indication of swing speed independent of any switches and sensors external to said apparatus.

10. A wristwatch according to claim 9, wherein said display is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.

11. A wristwatch according to claim 9, wherein said display is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display.

12. A wristwatch according to claim 9, further comprising a memory for storing at least a portion of said swing information.

13. A swing monitoring apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display displays the at least a portion of said swing information stored in said memory.

14. A wristwatch according to claim 13, further comprising means for causing a scrolling display of said indicators to be initiated.

15. A wristwatch according to claim 9, further comprising an alarm for indicating an overswing condition and means for setting a speed at which said alarm is activated.

16. A wristwatch according to claim 9, wherein said mechanism comprises at least one accelerometer and a processing unit.