GB2293326A - Golf ball impact indication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides for golf ball impact indication apparatus comprising sensor means (18) associated with a region of a surface defining a face of a golf club head (14), said sensor means (18) being arranged to provide an electrical signal in response to the impact of said golf ball with the said region, visual indication means (20 - 24) being arranged to be driven by said electrical signal for indicating the impact of said golf ball with said region, and memory means for providing an indication of said impact by said visual indication means after said impact has occurred. <IMAGE>

Description

GOLF BALL IMPACT INDICATION APPARATUS The present invention relates to golf ball impact indication apparatus.

One of the problems faced when playing golf, particulary when the player is a novice or a player attempting to improve their game, is the degree of skill required to achieve impact between the sweet spot of the golf club and the golf ball so as to strike the golf ball in the most accurate and efficient manner possible. While continued practice can lead to an improvement in the percentage of shots taken by a player that involve the sweet spot of the golf club striking the ball, golf club apparatus is generally disadvantageously limited in that it does not provide for a readily identifiable indication of the impact of the sweet spot of the golf club face with the golf ball.

Some forms of golf clubs, for example the so-called "ping" putter have been provided which are arranged to resonate in a particular manner when impact with the golf ball is made via the sweet spot so as to provide an audible indication that impact with the sweet spot of the putter has been achieved. Also, some putters have been provided with a line-marking on an upper surface of the head, which marking indicates the location of the sweet spot. In use, it is then necessary for the player to ascertain whether the line marking was correctly positioned in line with an imaginary line passing through the centre of the golf ball at the time of impact between the putter head and the golf ball.Also, published Japanese patent document JP 64-5572 A discloses a putter having an electrical sensor for sensing the impact of a golf ball with a particular region on the face of said putter and a light emitting indicator means driven by an output signal from said sensor Such apparatus as described above is however disadvantageous in that it requires the player to pay particular attention at the time of impact of the golf club with the golf ball so as to identify the location on the face of the golf club head at which impact with the golf ball was made.Such a disadvantage is even more apparent if the known apparatus is incorporated into the golf club head for a driver or other non-putting golf club, since the speed of movement of the golf club head at the time of impact with the golf ball does not allow for the monitoring of the means providing for a visual indication of the location on the face of the golf club at which impact occurs with the golf ball. Also, such known apparatus is not generally suited to the impact forces that arise between the golf ball and the golf club head during the use of such non-putting golf clubs.

The present invention seeks to provide for golf ball impact indication apparatus that has advantageous over known impact indication apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided golf ball impact indication apparatus comprising sensor means associated with a region of a surface defining a face of a golf club head, said sensor means being arranged to provide an electrical signal in response to the impact of said golf ball with the said region, visual indication means being arranged to be driven by said electrical signal for indicating the impact of said golf ball with said region, and memory means for providing an indication of said impact by said visual indication means after said impact has occurred.

The invention is therefore particularly advantageous in providing for an accurate indication of the location on the face of the golf club head at which impact with a golf ball occurs and, in particular, which indication can be provided after the golf Shot has been played and when a player can readily concentrate on the output of the indication means.

The sensor means may advantageously comprise switch means arranged to control a signal derived from a power source for said apparatus. As such, the switch means can advantageously comprise movable contact members arranged to make and brake an electrical connection so as to provide said signal. The apparatus can therefore advantageously be driven by way of an on-board power source which, prior to said impact occurring, does not dissipate electrical energy and can therefore comprise an efficient and cost effective power source.

According to a particular advantage, said switch means comprises a membrane switch which can be readily incorporated into the face region of the golf club head.

Indeed, a face of said membrane switch can be arranged to form part of the face of said golf club head.

Such a membrane switch is also particularly advantageous in that, in view of its dimensions, it can be readily incorporated into face plate apparatus arranged to be attached to a normal golf club when an indication of the position of impact of the golf ball with the golf club is required.

Preferably, said membrane switch comprises a screenprinted membrane switch member. Advantageously, said membrane switch member comprises thin-film polymeric layers which can be sandwiched and bonded to form a membrane layer. In this manner, said polymeric layers can be printed with appropriate inks, for example silver loaded ink, so as to form appropriate circuit portions and contacts.

Switch means of the above-mentioned nature can prove particularly advantageous in that a rigid face plate can be incorporated thereon but which does not degrade the operation of the membrane switch. As such, a membrane switch with such a face plate can be used in association with a golf club head in a manner in which the face place forms part of the surface of the face of the golf club against which impact with the golf ball can occur. Even though the membrane switch is then provided with such an external rigid face plate, the sensitivity of the switch allows for the appropriate provision of the signal upon the impact of the golf ball with the switch and it is a particular advantage that the membrane can be provided with appropriate resilient properties so as to allow for repertive opening and closing of the switch during continued use of the golf club.

The present invention can also advantageously include sensor means in the form of signal generating sensor means.

Advantageously, said signal-generating sensor means can comprise piezo-electric sensor means which are arranged to generate said signal when said impact occurs.

Preferably said piezo-electric sensor means comprises at least one piezo-electric element located between electrically conductive foil portions. As such, a relatively thin piezo-electric sensor means can be provided which, as noted above with reference to the membrane switch, can have particular advantages when incorporated to a golf club head. In particular, said piezo-electric sensor can comprise a rigid front plate which, while allowing for appropriate activation of said piezo-electric element at the time of impact of the golf ball, also protects against the piezo-electric sensor becoming damaged by said impact. Thus, the front plate of said piezoelectric sensor can be readily incorporated as the, or part of a, face plate for a golf club head.

Further, electrical interface apparatus may advantageously be provided integral with said sensor means.

A particularly efficient and compact structure can therefore be achieved.

It will therefore be appreciated that the sensor means of the nature discussed above, can prove particularly advantageous in providing for the appropriate signal for driving the visual indication means whereas the mounting of an appropriately rigid face plate of the sensor means guards against said sensor means becoming damaged through said impact. A rigid face plate can also advantageously provide for true impact with the golf ball so that the distance and direction of travel of the golf ball after said impact is not disadvantageously affected by the provision of said sensor means.

Preferably, said sensor means is provided at a location corresponding to the sweet-spot of the golf club head. Further, a plurality of sensor means can advantageously be provided so as to provide an indication of whether or not impact occurred at the sweet spot or, if not, how far from the sweet spot impact actually occurred.

Advantageously, a plurality of sensor elements can be provided within a sensor member.

If appropriate, signal processing means can be provided so as to receive a signal provided by said sensor means and do provide an appropriate signal for driving said visual indication means.

Preferably said visual indication means comprises means arranged to be illuminated upon receiving said electrical signal. As such, said visual indication means may comprise light emitter means, and, in particular, light emitting diode means.

If a plurality of sensor means are provided, then a respective plurality of visual indication means can advantageously be provided so that each of said visual indication means relates to a respective one of said sensor means. Control electronics can advantageously be provided whereby if impact of the golf ball occurs in the region between two or more sensor means, the respective two or more visual indication means are arranged to be driven so as to provide an accurate indication of the location of said impact.

In a particular embodiment, a row of sensor means can be provided along at least part of the width of the surface defining a face of a golf club head and said plurality of visual indication means can advantageously be provided as a row of visual indication means provided along an upper surface of said apparatus.

If required, a plurality of rows of visual indication means and a plurality of columns of visual indication means can be provided so as to be associated with a respective plurality of columns and rows of regions of said surface defining said face of a golf club head.

Advantageously, said memory means comprises means for retaining a signal driving said visual indication means.

An advantageously compact and simple memory means can comprise capacitor means for storing a charge for driving said visual indication means. In particular, said memory means can advantageously comprise parallel-connected capacitor and resistor means.

In order to advantageously assist the adaptability of the present invention, and also to prevent unnecessary use of electrical power from the on-board power source, means can be provided for adjusting the length of the period after said impact has occurred for which said visual indication means provides said indication of said impact.

Alternatively, said memory means may advantageously comprise logic circuit means for driving said visual indication means after said impact has occurred.

Advantageously, switch means may be provided which can be manually operated by the user once impact with the golf ball has occurred so as to allow for the energising of said visual indication means in accordance with the driving signal and/or to allow for the de-energising of said visual indication means as required.

The present invention may advantageously be provided with audible indication means for indicating impact of the said region of a surface defining the face of a golf club head with a golf ball.

According to a particular advantageous aspect of the present invention, said apparatus is arranged for use with a driver or wood.

Further, said apparatus may be provided as a self contained unit for permanent or temporary mounting on a golf club head. Alternatively, said apparatus may comprise an integral part of a golf club head and so be housed therein. As mentioned previously, a particular advantage of the present invention is that said sensor means can be readily adapted to comprise a rigid face plate which can readily form the, or part of the, face of the golf club head. Such a rigid face plate protects the sensor means against damage by virtue of the impact with the golf ball and also serves to achieve a distance and direction of travel of the golf ball that would be expected with a normal golf club.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a golf club head embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the golf club head of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the golf club of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the electronic circuitry employed within the golf club of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of an impactposition sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the unit of Fig. 5 illustrated during mounting of the unit onto a golf club head; and Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of the unit of Fig.

5.

With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a golf club 10 having a shaft 12 with a golf club head 14 formed at one end thereof.

A golf club head 14 has a front face portion 16 which includes the outer surface of a membrane switch arrangement 18. Advantageously, the outer surface of the membrane switch arrangement 18 is provided as a metal plate, for example a steel, brass or aluminium plate or it may be provided as a plate of polycarbonate. Three light emitting diodes 20, 22, 24 are provided on the upper surface of the golf club head 14 and these are more clearly illustrated with reference to Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the golf club head of Fig. 1 and also shows a back plate 26 which can, as required, be removed from the golf club head 14 so as to allow access inside the body of the golf club head 14 for the purposes of battery replacement or maintenance.

Fig. 3, which is a rear elevational view of the golf club head 14 of Fig. 1 and clearly shows the relative dimensions of the back-plate 26 and the location of the battery 28 within the body of the golf club head 14.

Thus, as will be appreciated, a golf club head embodying the present invention has an appearance which mirrors that of a normal golf club head. Also, in view of the provision of a rigid outer plate surface for the membrane switch arrangement 18, the golf club 10 can be used in a manner, and to obtain results, similar to the manner of use, and with an expectation of similar results, to a normal golf club. Thus, the golf club 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 may advantageously comprise a wood or driver.

The impact force of the wood or driver on the golf ball advantageously does not damage the sensing arrangement housed within the golf club head 14 by virtue of the provision of the rigid face plate for the membrane switch arrangement 18.

As will be appreciated by reference to Fig. 4, the membrane switch arrangement 18 comprises three membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34. The membrane switch arrangement 18 has the advantage that it is flat and can be readily produced with a plurality of (in the illustrated example three) membrane switch elements and only minor impact pressure with the golf ball is required to close the switch so as to drive the appropriate one or more of the light emitting diodes 20, 22, 24. Such switches have components that exhibit only minimal movement so that operation is both simple and reliable. Also, since the membrane switch arrangement 18 can be provided in a flat manner, it will not disadvantageously deflect the ball in a random manner but rather in a manner that corresponds to the distance and direction that will be expected from use of a normal golf club.In the illustrated embodiment, one of the switch elements 32 is located at the sweet-spot of the golf club face 16 and the two other switch elements 30, 34 are located either side of switch element 32.

Thus, when viewing Fig. 4, the locations of the light emitting diodes 20, 22, 24 and the membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34 correspond to the position in which they would be found when viewing the golf club head 14 in the direction of Fig. 2.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1-3 is now described with reference to the circuit diagram of Fig. 4.

As can be seen in Fig. 4, the apparatus comprises a nine-volt DC source 28 which is connected to one of the contacts of each of the three membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34 forming the membrane switch arrangement 18. The other of the contacts of each of the membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34 is connected to respective memory devices 36, 38, 40 each of which comprise a resistor R1 and a capacitor C2 connected'in parallel and between ground and the line extending from the contact of said membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34. Each of the line connections to the contact of the membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34 is then connected to an input of a respective invertor 42, 44, 46, the inverting output of which is connected in series with a resistor R2 and an input to respective light emitting diodes 20, 22, 24. The light emitting diodes 20, 22, 24 are also connected to ground.

Operation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated with reference to Figs. 1-4 is now described assuming that impact is made with the sweet spot of the golf club head 14. When impact with the sweet spot occurs, the impact of the ball causes the membrane switch element 32 to close thereby closing a current path from the ninevolt battery 28. This causes the capacitor C1 which, in this example, comprises a 4.7 pF capacitor which is in parallel with a 1 MQ resistor R1. The closing of the membrane switch element 32 serves to charge the capacitor C1. As will be appreciated, the closing of the membrane switch element 32 also connects the nine-volt battery to the input pin of the inverter 44 which produces a low logic signal at the inverting output thereof.This low logic signal serves to draw current through the light emitting diode 22 and resistor R2, which resistor R2 can comprise a 1.2 KQ resistor. As will be appreciated, the closing of the membrane switch element 32 is achieved by the impact of the golf ball on the face of the golf club head 14 and so the membrane switch element 32 remains closed only while such impact occurs. Thus, immediately after the impact has occurred, i.e. when the golf ball has commenced its travel, the membrane switch element 32 opens thus removing the connection of the nine-volt battery 28 from the memory device 38 and invertor 44.However, it will be appreciated that the light emitting diode 22 remains illuminated since the capacitor C1 then discharges through the parallel connected resistor R1 and maintains a voltage at the input to the invertor 44 which in turn retains a logic low signal at the inverting output thereof. Thus, the light emitting diode 22 remains illuminated for as long as it takes the capacitor C1 to discharge through the parallel resistor R1 by an amount whereby the voltage input to the invertor 44 is insufficient to provide a logic low output thereof. This voltage value can be in the region of one third of the voltage of the power supply 28. Upon returning to a logic high output state, the invertor 44 causes the light emitting diode 22 to switch off.However, it will be appreciated that the memory device 38 is sufficient to retain the light emitting diode 22 in an illuminated state so that the player can observe which, if any, of the light emitting diodes is illuminated so as to provide an indication of the location on the face of the golf club head 14 of which impact with the golf ball occurs. The length of time for which the light emitting diode 22 remains illuminated can be altered by use of variable capacitor and or resistor means in the memory device 38.

Although Fig. 4 shows only three membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34, the accuracy with which the location of the impact with the golf ball can be indicated is enhanced since if such impact occurs between the membrane switch elements 30 and 32, both of the light emitting diodes 20, 22 will be illuminated. In this manner, the three light emitting diodes, 20, 22, 24 and the three membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34 can be arranged to indicate five different positions of impact between the surface of the golf club head 14 and the golf ball.

With regard to the embodiment of Fig. 4, it will be appreciated that battery life is advantageously prolonged since the power requirements of the circuitry are minimised when no impact with the golf ball has occurred.

Referring again to Figs. 1-3, it will be appreciated that the alignment of the three-light emitting diodes 20, 22, 24 with each of the three membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34 provides for ease of indication of the location of impact of the golf ball when the golf club is held by the handle located at the end of the shaft 12 remote from the golf club head 14 in the normal manner. The circuit of Fig. 4 is advantageously cushion-mounted within the golf club head 14 in a manner that prevents damage to the circuitry during use of the golf club.

Turning now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention wherein the impact indication apparatus comprises a self-contained unit 48 which can be mounted onto the face of a normal golf club 76 (see Fig. 6) when required for use.

The unit 48 comprises a front face 50 in which is mounted a membrane switch arrangement 54 comprising six membrane switch elements 56-66 positioned in three adjacent columns. Mounting bores 52 are provided through the unit 48 so as to provide for the mounting of the unit onto the face of a normal golf club 76 (Fig. 6).

The circuitry associated with the unit 48 is similar in nature to that illustrated in Fig. 4 with the exception that six separate membrane switch elements 56-66 are provided and six respective light emitting diodes 64-74 are provided on a another surface thereof as will be appreciated from Fig. 6. Fig. 6 also clearly shows how the unit 48 can be mounted on a golf club head 76 by way of screw means 78, 80 passing through the bores 52 in the unit 48 and into bores (not shown) extending into the golf club head 76. As before, either one, or a combination of two or more, of the light emitting diodes 65, 67, 69, 70, 72, 74 can be arranged to be illuminated so as to indicate the location of impact of the golf ball on the front face surface 50 of the unit 48.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view which illustrates the general location of the rear row of light emitting diodes 65, 67, 69, a printed circuit board 84 for receiving the electronic components associated with the apparatus, and a battery 86.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides for golf ball impact indication apparatus which can advantageously offer an accurate indication of the location at which impact of the golf ball on the face of the golf club head occurs and which indication can readily be observed by the user of golf club after playing the stroke. Particular advantages arise from the use of a membrane switch which has relatively shallow dimensions which are particularly suited to the use as golf ball impact indication means and which can readily provide for a mechanically stable and rigid face surface which is nevertheless useful for energising an appropriate one or more of the visual indication means. In particular, a membrane switch arrangement 18, 54 can comprise thin-film polymeric layers sandwiched and bonded together to form membrane layers in which the polymeric layers can be printed with silver-loaded ink so as to form the appropriate circuit path and contact members. A metal plate can advantageously be arranged to provide an outer surface of said membrane switch arrangement 18, 54 and the aforementioned silver-loaded ink pattern can be arranged so as to provide for the plurality of membrane switch elements 30, 32, 34; 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66.

As an alternative, the switch means 18, 54 can be provided as piezo-electric switch means having at least one piezo-electric element located between electrically conductive foil portions and, again, having a sufficiently rigid front plate for providing part of the face of the golf club head. A plurality of piezo-electric elements can be mounted within the switch means so as to correspond to the position of the three membrane switch elements 20, 22, 24 of Figs. 1-4 or the six membrane switch elements 56-66 of Figs. 5-7.

Particular advantages arise from the use of piezoelectric switch elements in that such elements do not experience the problems associated with contact bounce since the movement of two members into contact is not required for operation of such a piezo-electric element.

Also, while a piezo-electric element generates an electrical signal, rather than relies on controlling the passage of a current from an additional power source, a DC power source and, if appropriate, additional control circuitry can be provided so that the output from the piezo-electric element serves to control an electronic switch which, in turn, controls the passage of current from a DC power supply to the visual indication means. Memory means 36, 38, 40 similar to that illustrated in Fig. 4 can of course be incorporated into apparatus employing piezoelectric components and the general structure of the circuitry is similar to that in Fig. 4. However, the switches 30, 32, 34 as shown in Fig. 4 can then comprise switch means arranged to be controlled by the output from three piezo-electric switch elements respectively.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the above mentioned embodiments. For example, the sensor means can be incorporated into any appropriate golf club and any required number of switch elements and corresponding light emitting diodes can be provided, primarily depending upon the accuracy required for the indication of the location of impact. Also, any appropriate form of sensor means can be provided that is sensitive enough to function when associated with a rigid outer face plate layer.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention can be provided within the scope of the present application.

Claims (23)

1. Golf ball impact indication apparatus comprising sensor means associated with a region of a surface defining a face of a golf club head, said sensor means being arranged to provide an electrical signal in response to the impact of said golf ball with the said region, visual indication means being arranged to be driven by said electrical signal for indicating the impact of said golf ball with said region, and memory means for providing an indication of said impact by said visual indication means after said impact has occurred.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises switch means arranged to control a signal derived from a power source for said apparatus.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said switch means comprises movable contact members arranged to make and break an electrical connection so as to provide said signal.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein said switch means comprises a membrane switch.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a face of said membrane switch is arranged to form part of the face of said golf club head.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein said membrane switch comprises a screen-printed membrane switch member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said membrane switch member comprises thin-film polymeric layers sandwiched and bonded to form a membrane layer.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein a rigid face plate is incorporated onto said membrane switch for impact with said golf ball.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises signal generating sensor means.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said signalgenerating sensor means comprises piezo-electric sensor means arranged to generate said signal when said impact occurs.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said piezoelectric sensor means comprises at least one piezo-electric element located between electrically conductive foil portions.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein said piezo-electric sensor means includes a rigid front plate for impact with said golf ball.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of sensor means is provided so as to provide an indication of whether or not impact occurred at the club's sweet spot.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein signal processing means is provided so as to receive a signal from said sensor means and to provide an appropriate signal for driving said visual indication means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said visual indication means comprises means arranged to be illuminated upon receiving said electrical signal.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of visual indication means is provided.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein control means is provided for allowing for the simultaneous operation of at least two of said plurality of visual indication means.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said memory means comprises capacitor means for storing a charge for driving said visual indication means.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein said memory means comprises logic circuit means.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and including means for adjusting the length of the period after said impact has occurred for which said visual indication means provides said indication of said impact.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having switch means arranged to be manually operated by the user once impact with the golf ball has occurred so as to allow for energising of said visual indication means.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and provided with audible indication means for indicating impact of the said region of a surface defining the face of a golf club head with a golf ball.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and provided as a self contained unit for permanent or temporary mounting on a golf club head.