Device for instructing downswing in golf swing

• US 8,342,978 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2010
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kunihiro Tamura
• Original Assignee: Kunihiro Tamura
• Inventors: Tamura, Kunihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US12/657,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 473/219
• US Class Current: 473/212
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0095 for volley-ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

A start timing instructing device includes a sensor attachable to the body of a player to detect changes in angle and/or acceleration associated with a backswing movement of the player. A variable resistor sets a start timing associated with a predetermined angle and/or acceleration data and has a volume by which the set start timing is adjustable. A microprocessor calculates an angle and/or acceleration data of the backswing movement based on the detected angle and/or acceleration and generates a start timing instruction if the calculated angle and/or acceleration data meet the angle and/or acceleration data which have been set and adjusted through the variable resistor and the volume. The microprocessor controls a stimulator attached to the body of the player to generate a vibration, sound or electric stimulation upon receiving the start timing instruction so as to inform the player of the body start timing for the downswing.

Claims

1. A start timing instructing device for informing a player of a body start timing for downswing in a golf swing, the device comprising:

a sensor attachable to a wrist or a waist of the player and configured to detect changes in angle and acceleration associated with a backswing movement of the player;

a microprocessor configured to (i) set and adjust a predetermined start timing associated with a predetermined angle and acceleration data, (ii) identify a top position of the backswing movement based on the angle and acceleration data detected by the sensor, and (iii) generate a start timing instruction based on comparison between the predetermined angle and acceleration data and the detected angle and acceleration data; and

a stimulator attachable to the player and configured to generate a vibration, sound or electric stimulation upon receiving the start timing instruction from the microprocessor to inform the player of the body start timing for the downswing,

wherein the predetermined start timing is adjustable with the microprocessor so as to instruct the player to start the body movement toward the downswing at a timing immediately before the detected backswing movement reaches at the identified top position, and

wherein the microprocessor is configured to execute the following computer program list (A), (B) or (C);

(A) computer program list for a control using an angular velocity sensor

Angular Velocity Sensor of lower limbs attached file

2. The downswing start timing instructing device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an angle velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angle and acceleration sensor.

3. The downswing start timing instructing device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a wristwatch-type device attachable to the wrist of the player, and wherein the wristwatch-type device has at least one of an angle velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angle and acceleration sensor.

4. The downswing start timing instructing device according to claim 1, wherein the stimulator is a vibrator attachable to a thigh of the player to stimulate the thigh with the vibration so as to instruct the player to start the body movement from the lower body of the player.

5. The downswing start timing instructing device according to claim 1, wherein the stimulator receives the start timing instruction from the microprocessor via a wireless communication between the stimulator and the microprocessor.

6. A method of informing a player of a body start timing for downswing in a golf swing, the method comprising:

attaching a sensor to a wrist or a waist of the player to detect changes in angle and acceleration associated with a backswing movement of the player;

setting a predetermined start timing associated with a predetermined angle and acceleration data with microprocessor;

by the microprocessor, identifying a top position of the backswing movement based on the angle and acceleration data detected by the sensor;

by the microprocessor, generating a start timing instruction based on comparison between the predetermined angle and acceleration data and the detected angle and acceleration data;

attaching a stimulator to the player;

by the microprocessor, controlling the stimulator to generate a vibration, sound or electric stimulation upon receiving the start timing instruction to inform the player of the body start timing for the downswing, and

adjusting the predetermined start timing so as to instruct the player to start the body movement toward the downswing at a timing immediately before the detected backswing movement reaches at the identified top position,

wherein the method comprises executing the following computer program list (A), (B) or (C);

(A) computer program list for a control using an angular velocity sensor

Angular Velocity Sensor of lower limbs attached file

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an angle velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angle and acceleration sensor and wherein the sensor is attached to the player.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is attached to the wrist of the player.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the stimulator is attached to a thigh of the player to stimulate the thigh with the vibration so as to start the body movement from the lower body of the player.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the start timing instruction is sent to the stimulator via a wireless communication.