GB2110545A

GB2110545A - Apparatus for monitoring the way in which a games projectile is struck

Info

Publication number: GB2110545A
Application number: GB08230178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mervyn Beverley Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-10-28
Filing date: 1982-10-22
Publication date: 1983-06-22
Also published as: GB2110545B

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an area simulating a playing area which is part of a golf course, a very short range radar device 8 or high speed video device 10 for detecting the golf ball and further means in the form of a projector 11 and screen 14 for providing a visual display of the golf ball as it is propelled. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for monitoring the way in which a games projectile is struck Technical Field of the Invention The invention relates to apparatus for monitoring the way in which a games projectile is struck.

Background Art In many games in which a games projectile is struck so that it is propelled away from the player, generally using an instrument such as a club as in golf or a bat as in cricket, the manner of striking the projectile for example a golf ball determines whether the stroke is "good" or "bad" in terms of the requirements of the particular game being played.

It is therefore generally necessary for a player to practice his or her shots. It is often time consuming and expensive to practice on a full sized golf course, where golf is the game to be practiced, so driving ranges have been developed where a player can practice at least the driving of a golf ball from a tee. However, there is no monitoring of the way in which the ball is actually addressed and struck, so that a player can merely consolidate what is an inherently bad shot or stroke.

Disclosure of the Invention It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for monitoring the way in which a games projectile is struck, comprising an area simulating a playing area, or part thereof, for playing a game, means for detecting the games projectile and further means associated with the first-mentioned means for providing a visual display of the games projectile at least as it is struck.

Using the invention it is possible for a player to monitor how he strikes a golf ball in each individual stroke, and to take steps to correct any errors and he can then watch the results of any alteration in his action by means of the visual display.

The further means may include an electrical or electronic means for recording the flight of the games projectile and a screen on which a flight record of the games projectile may be visually displayed. This system provides a relatively simple construction for providing a visual record of the projectile in flight.

The said means may comprise a short range radar device. Alternatively, the said means may comprise a high speed video device. The former device in which the radar is very short range radar, can detect the path and speed of the projectile, for example a golf ball, over the distance travelled from being struck to a point where it is captured for example by an absorbing net or material. The latter device, the high speed video device, can show the line, trajectory and curve of flight of the golf ball.

There may be a further high speed video device which views the games projectile and/or a player from a different angle to the angle from which it or they is or are viewed by the first-mentioned electrical or electronic means. This further device can be used to show the full swing of a club at the time of striking a golf ball, or to show the club face when it strikes the golf ball.

The area may simulate a golf fairway and there may be a tee at which a player may address and strike a games projectile such as a golf ball or simulated golf ball. This construction is of particular advantage where driving of a golf ball from a tee is being monitored.

The area may have lateral boundary walls which may comprise impact absorbing material and an end wall towards which a golf ball or simulated golf ball is to be projected. Such a construction is relatively simple and inexpensive and seek to obviate the ricocheting of golf balls around the area.

The end wall may comprise a screen which may simulate a fairway of a golf course and on which the electrical or electronic means may project the flight oF the golf ball or simulated golf bail. This construction allows the player to view his stroke and the result thereof simultaneously or immediateiy thereafter.

The apparatus may include spaced apart measuring points adapted to measure the time and/or distance the games projectile takes or covers on its projected course.

The apparatus may also include a device for visual display of a flight parameter of the games projected. Such a construction is relatively simple to provide and gives additional information about his shot or stroke, to the player.

The apparatus may be arranged in association with another similar apparatus to provide a plurality of games practice stations which may for example be arranged in substantially circular array. This enables several players to practice independently of one another, but simultaneously.

The area of the or each apparatus may have a gravity collection apparatus, for example a sloping floor, for returning games projectiles such as golf balls to or towards a user. This is a relatively simple construction which simplifies retrieval of a projected golf ball or simulated golf ball.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of a complex in which there are several apparatuses according to the invention associated with one another to provide a plurality of games practice stations one apparatus being shown in detail for clarity; and Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the complex showing the one apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, a complex 1 for practicing golf driving comprises a plurality of apparatus 2, 3... 9 arranged in a circular array or part circular about a centre or hub 4, the tees 5 of each apparatus 2 etc. being arranged around the hub 4 and golf balls being driven towards respective end walls 6 which comprise larger surfaces than the end walls 7 adjacent the respective tee 5.

As the apparatus are identical, the following description will be confined to the apparatus 2.

The apparatus 2 is covered and is for monitoring the way in which a games projectile, in this case a golf ball, is struck, and comprises an area simulating a playing area which in this case is part of a golf course, means in the form of very short range radar 8 or high speed video 10 for detecting the golf ball and further means in the form of a projector 11 for providing a visual display of the golf ball as it is propelled.

The apparatus has lateral boundary walls 1 3 which diverge away from the tee 5 and which each have an impact absorbing covering such as netting, as does the end walls 6 which comprises a screen 14, the netting being in front of the screen 14, as considered by the player 1 5.

The floor 1 6 is sloped towards the player 1 5 to provide a gravity collection arrangement whereby the balls once struck roll back towards the tee 5.

The tee 5 is on a raised part 17 of the floor 16.

The apparatus 2 includes a slide projector 1 8 for projecting an image of a fairway on the screen 14 (though a back projection system could be used for this). The radar or video device 8 or 10 is arranged behind the player 1 5 in the line of flight so that the ball is detected and monitored in its flight, and the video projector 11 projects the flight of the ball onto the screen 14 so that the signai picked up by the radar or video device is projected onto the screen for the player to see.

When a very short range radar device 8 is used, it can detect the path and speed of the golf ball over the distance travelled from the tee 5 to a point where the ball is captured by the absorbing netting, or material at end wall 6.

Since the degree and direction of rotation about the vertical axis effects the amount of 'draw' or 'fade' the small amount of horizontal curvature of the short flight can be measured rather than trying to count or detect the degree of rotation.

With the known performance of golf balls in flight the result of the measurements is computed by a computing or calculating device (not shown) and the achievement of each drive or stroke is visually indicated on the screen.

By dividing the projected fairway into a grid pattern the area which the ball would reach under ideal conditioning can be shown. As a further refinement, the performance of the ball can be modified by introducing variations in wind strength, and humidity. It is not expected to simulate these conditions on the tee but only to modify the ball performance by feeding additional information to the calculating device, this information being selected and known by the golfer prior to making the shot.

When using the second or alternative method involving the high speed video device 10, placed behind the tee 5 there is shown the line, trajectory and curve of flight for immediate playback on the screen previously showing the selected fairway.

The speed of flight is derived either from the time of travel from tee to back net by employing electro/mechanical switches at points A and B, or by the ball breaking two vertical light beam slits or by an acoustic switch at the point of contact relating to the ball breaking a light beam at a suitable distance from the tee location.

At the time of playback the speed information is also be projected onto the screen 14.

As a teaching aid a further or second sidemounted video camera 1 9 is placed to detect the full swing and/or the club face at the time of striking. Use of this in playback with the other information helps to explain faulty technique and assists in correction of errors.

The video projector 11 provides a siow motion and "pause" visual display of "on line" and "side' recordings from devices 10 and 1 9 respectively as required.

There is also a device 20 which provides a direct visual read out of trajectory speed, direction and rotation to assist in establishing where the ball would come to rest. Thus using the invention it is possible to provide a practice golf tee facility which does not require a full scale golf course or golf driving range, and is moreover covered, the only requirement in size being that there is enough room for a player of either hand to swing his club and be observed in person by an instructor. Thus a floor area of about 3.5 m x 3.5 m and headroom of about 3.5 m are adequate.

The tee should be wide enough to have the sighting and recording radar and video down the centre line of the apparatus. This would also provide sufficient room for an instructor to stand on the side opposite that taken up by the player.

Also, the side video 19 may be portable so that it can be placed adjacent either lateral wall 13 depending on the hand of the player. There could thus be a video camera mount on each side of the tee. Alternatively, some tees could be arranged solely for left handed players.

It will be understood that the apparatus may include a separate control room, not shown, situated for example above the hub 4, where an instructor or instructors may be present to help analyse the information provided by the radar 8 or video 10 and to give advice when called upon by a player 1 5. The advice could be given remotely via a public address system or closed circuit TV, possibly projected onto the screen 14, for a particular tee, or by actual attendance at a particular tee.

Although golf has been referred to, it will also be understood that other games such as tennis and squash, in particular the serve, can be monitored using apparatus embodying the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring the way in which a game projectile is struck, comprising an area simulating a playing area, or part thereof, for playing a game, means for detecting the games projectile and further means associated with the first-mentioned means for providing a visual display of the games projectile at least as it is struck.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the further means including an electrical or electronic means for recording the flight of the games projectile and a screen on which a flight record of the games projectile is visually displayed.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the electrical or electronic means is a short range radar device.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the electrical or electronic means is a high speed video device.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, in which there is a further high speed video device which views the games projectile and/or a player from a different angle to the angle from which it is viewed by the first-mentioned electrical or electronic means.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the area simulates a golf fairway and in which there is a tee at which a player addresses and strikes a games projectile comprising a golf ball or simulated golf ball.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the area has lateral boundary walls comprising impact absorbing material and an end wall towards which a golf ball or simulated golf ball is to be projected.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, in which the end wall comprises a screen which simulates a fairway of a golf course and on which the electrical or electronic means can project the flight of the golf ball or simulated golf ball.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including spaced apart measuring points adapted to measure the time and/or distance the games projectile takes or covers on its projected course.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a device for visual display of a flight parameter of the games projectile.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, arranged in association with another similar apparatus to provide a plurality of games practice stations.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, arranged with a plurality of similar apparatus in a substantially circular array of practice stations.

13. Apparatus according to either of Claims 11 or 12, in which the area of the or each apparatus has a gravity collection arrangement for returning games projectiles to or towards a user of the apparatus.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 12, the said arrangement comprising a sloping floor.

1 5. Apparatus for monitoring the way in which a games projectile is struck, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.