Golf driver impact analyzer

• US 7,727,080 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lisa M. Fitzgerald
• Original Assignee: Lisa M. Fitzgerald
• Inventors: Fitzgerald, Lisa M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGESSE, NINI F
• Application Number:
  US12/360,598
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 473219-224, 473/226, 473/228, 473/229, 473/234, 473/257, 473/266, 473/269
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• 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

Abstract

A golf swing analyzer providing a learning tool for golfers to help improve golf backswing and club face angle consistency. To gage the club angle relative to swing path, a fence is placed and held on the shaft perpendicular to the club face. During a golf swing, an air flow along this fence is created by the swinging motion of the club. For a perfect square shot, the pressures are equal on both sides of the fence; otherwise, as the fence angle changes relative to air flow, one side compacts the air, creating a high-pressure area while at the same time the opposite side dams the air flow and creates a low-pressure area. A differential pressure transducer detects this pressure difference on each side of the fence. When the ball is struck, a microphone in the device detects the ball impact and a microprocessor interprets the fence position relative to air flow based on the pressure transducer output. A microprocessor-driven speaker outputs a unique audio tone at the moment of ball impact which indicates whether the club face angle was open, closed or square, relative to the swing path.

Claims

1. A golf club impact analyzer for a golf club having a shaft with a grip and a head with a striking face, said impact analyzer comprising:

a housing having a forwardly extending elongated generally planar fence defining a longitudinal intended line of flight, said housing being attachable to the golf club shaft just above the head of the golf club, said fence providing a visual alignment which, when aligned perpendicular to the striking face, corresponds to the intended line of flight;

said fence rigidly connected to said housing generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft when said housing is attached to the shaft;

right and left air pressure sensors connected to said housing on the right and left, respectively, side of, and forwardly facing in the same direction as, said fence, each of said air pressure sensors producing a signal proportionally responsive to movement of air flowing therepast during each swing of the golf club;

an electronic circuit within said housing receiving the signals from each of said air pressure sensors producing a sensorially perceivable signal relative to alignment or misalignment between said stationary member and the direction of golf club head swing at the moment of impact of the golf club head with a golf ball.

2. A golf club swinging guide for a golf club having a shaft with a grip and a head with a striking face, said guide comprising:

a housing having a forwardly extending elongated stationary generally planar fence, said fence being rigidly formed as a unit with said housing, said housing being attachable to the golf club shaft just above the head of the golf club;

said fence generally lying in a plane passing through the shaft and further providing a visual alignment which, when properly installed and aligned on the shaft, is oriented perpendicular to the striking face;

an electronic circuit held within said housing producing a sensorially perceivable output relative to alignment or misalignment between said fence and the direction of golf club swing at the moment of impact of the golf club head with a golf ball;

said circuit receiving an electrical signal from right and left closely spaced air pressure sensors, said right sensor being positioned in close proximity to a right side of said fence, said left sensor being positioned in close proximity to a left side of said fence, said sensors causing said circuit to activate a light or sound emitter in said housing which produces said output.