Motion capture element mount

• US 9,028,337 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): GALKA, LAWRENCE STEFAN
• Application Number:
  US13/306,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20120120572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 473219-222, 473/316, 473/407
• US Class Current: 473/223
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• 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 49/035 with easily dismountable parts, e.g. heads, shafts or grips
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/14 Coverings specially adapted for handles, e.g. sleeves or ribbons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/24 Weighted handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• 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: A63C 17/01 : Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 : with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 : with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices

Abstract

Enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and golf club shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Claims

1. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

wherein said shaft enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced apart legs;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment;

wherein said attachment element is configured to be rotated to move said shaft enclosure and expander together by pulling said expander along an axis of said attachment element and allowing said shaft enclosure to radially expand, thus forcing said plurality of spaced apart legs to move in a direction orthogonal to said axis of said attachment element; and

,

wherein said expander comprises a protrusion that aligns in a slot formed by two spaced apart legs of said plurality of spaced apart legs, such that said expander is pulled along said axis of said attachment element without said expander rotating along said axis of said attachment element;

a cap having a side portion;

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip;

said shaft enclosure configured to non-permanently couple with said cap;

electrical components comprising at least an accelerometer or gyroscope or both;

at least one passive active visual marker coupled to said cap and comprises a plurality of positionally offset visual elements;

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements are arranged in a non-linear pattern, and,

wherein said at is one passive or active visual marker comprises a plurality of non-overlapping areas with a plurality of positionally offset dots, wherein the plurality of non-overlapping areas enable visual determination of a rotational orientation of the at least one passive or active marker from a point orthogonal to a plane that passes through the plurality of non-overlapping areas.

2. The apparatus claim 1 wherein said electrical components further comprise:

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

a wireless antenna.

3. The system claim 2 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

4. The system claim 1 wherein said equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, golf club, tennis racquet, weight training bar.

5. The system claim 2 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

6. The system claim 2 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery or wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery.

7. The system claim 1 further comprising:

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number.

8. The system claim 1 wherein said cap and said shaft enclosure are configured to couple together with a plurality of coupling elements situated around said cap.

9. The system claim 1 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed, wherein said weight element is of equal weight to said electrical components or of a weight with a minimal difference compared to said electrical components, to minimize a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

10. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

wherein said shaft enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced apart legs;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a golf club shaft or grip of a golf club without modification of said piece of equipment;

wherein said attachment element is configured to be rotated to move said shaft enclosure and expander together by pulling said expander along an axis of said attachment element and allowing said shaft enclosure to radially expand, thus forcing said plurality of spaced apart legs to move in a direction orthogonal to said axis of said attachment element; and

,

wherein said expander comprises a protrusion that aligns in a slot formed by two spaced apart legs of said plurality of spaced apart legs, such that said expander is pulled along said axis of said attachment element without said expander rotating along said axis of said attachment element;

a cap having a side portion;

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip;

electrical components comprising

at least an accelerometer or gyroscope or both;

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact and said electronics package;

at least one passive or active visual marker coupled to said cap and comprises a plurality of positionally offset visual elements;

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements are arranged in a non-linear pattern, and,

wherein said at least one passive or active visual marker comprises a plurality of non-overlapping areas with a plurality of positionally offset dots, wherein the plurality of non-overlapping areas enable visual determination of a rotational orientation of the at least one passive or active marker from a point orthogonal to a plane that passes through the plurality of non-overlapping areas.

11. The system claim 10 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

12. The system claim 10 further comprising:

a wireless antenna coupled with said cap and coupled with said electronics package.

13. The system claim 10 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

14. The system claim 10 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery or is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery.

15. The system claim 10 wherein said cap and said shaft enclosure are configured to couple together with a plurality of coupling elements situated around said cap.

16. The system claim 10 further comprising:

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number.

18. The system claim 10 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed, wherein said weight element is of equal weight to said electrical components or of a weight with a minimal difference compared to said electrical components, to minimize a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

17. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an expander;

a shaft enclosure configured to couple with said expander;

wherein said shaft enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced apart legs;

an attachment element configured to couple said expander with said shaft enclosure and non-permanently engage an inner portion of a golf club shaft or grip of a golf club without modification of said piece of equipment;

wherein said attachment element is configured to be rotated to move said shaft enclosure and expander together by pulling said expander along an axis of said attachment element and allowing said shaft enclosure to radially expand, thus forcing said plurality of spaced apart legs to move in a direction orthogonal to said axis of said attachment element; and

,

wherein said expander comprises a protrusion that aligns in a slot formed by two spaced apart legs of said plurality of spaced apart legs, such that said expander is pulled along said axis of said attachment element without said expander rotating along said axis of said attachment element;

a cap having a side portion;

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip;

electrical components comprising

at least an accelerometer or gyroscope or both;

a positive battery contact;

a insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

an identifier;

a wireless antenna;

a visual marker coupled with said cap comprising a plurality of positionally offset visual elements,

wherein said visual marker comprises at least one passive or active visual marker;

wherein said at least one passive or active visual marker comprises a plurality of non-overlapping areas with a plurality of positionally offset dots,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements are arranged in a non-linear pattern, and wherein the plurality of non-overlapping areas enable visual determination of a rotational orientation of the at least one passive or active marker from a point orthogonal to a plane that passes through the plurality of non-overlapping areas;

a display area coupled with said cap and configured to display a golf club number;

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact, said electronics package, and said identifier and wireless antenna and wherein said electrical components are removable from within said shaft enclosure and said cap to comply with sporting regulations;

a weight element; and

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed, wherein said weight element is substantially equal in weight to said at least one of said electrical components to minimize a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element to keep a total weight of said motion capture element mount of equal value before said at least one electrical components is removed and after said at least one of said electrical components is removed and replaced by said weight element.