JP2011512952A - Sporting goods that provide feedback - Google Patents

Abstract

A sports equipment such as a ball bat, which has a sensor disposed on or in the equipment body. The sensor detects vibration caused by an object impact on the tool. The detected vibration is used to determine impact quality, location, or other information about the impact. A visual or audible feedback element located on or in the device provides information regarding impact visually or audibly.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  When using sports equipment such as ball bats, hockey sticks or golf clubs, it is beneficial for the player to be able to obtain feedback that evaluates the player's performance. When a player swings a ball bat and hits a thrown ball, for example, it is generally beneficial for the player to know where the ball impact occurred on the bat. It is difficult for the player to determine this, however, because the player is concentrating on the speed of the swing and the moving ball.

  The player is unaware that he is always hitting the pitched ball with a part of the ball bat between the grip and the “sweet spot” of the bat torso, for example. Striking the ball with this part of the bat can give the right performance in some cases, but not the best performance. However, the player cannot make an optimal ball contact. As a result, the player cannot always make the swing adjustments necessary to hit the ball at or near the sweet spot on the bat trunk.

  Players often employ swing coaches or swing instructors that provide feedback regarding the quality and position of impact from ball bats or other sports equipment. Hiring such an instructor is expensive, but the presence of an instructor is necessary for players to get meaningful feedback. In addition, professional swing coaches or instructors often focus on the player's swing mechanism rather than the impact position on the bat or other impact object (which is difficult to determine with the naked eye).

  Exquisite computer programs and devices have also been developed to give players feedback on swing performance. This device is generally expensive and the player must go to a designated location to use the device. Thus, it is often difficult and often time consuming and / or expensive to obtain feedback regarding the player's swing performance.

  It is a sports equipment such as a ball bat, and a sensor arranged on the main body of the equipment is provided. The sensor detects vibration caused by object impact on the tool. The detected vibration is used to determine the quality or location of the impact, or other information about the impact. Visual and / or audible feedback elements on or within the device provide information about the impact visually and / or audibly.

  Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description below. The features described above can be used individually or simultaneously or in combination with only one or more of them.

  In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a perspective view of a ball bat having a visual display system, according to one embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tapered area of the ball bat shown in FIG. 1 with a portion removed to expose the components of the visual display system. It is a schematic side view of the ball bat showing the rough position of the node (node) and the anti-node (antinode) of the second vibration mode in the ball bat.

  Various embodiments of the invention are described below. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and feasible description of these embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced without these many details. Moreover, some known structures or functions are not shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily confusing the related description of the various embodiments.

  The terminology used in the following description is used in connection with a detailed description of a particular embodiment of the present invention, but is intended to be construed most broadly and reasonably. Although specific terms are emphasized below, any terms intended to be interpreted in any limited way are clearly and specifically defined in this detailed description.

  Where the context is limited, the word or words also have the word or words, respectively. Furthermore, the use of “or” in such a list, despite the limited expression of the word “or” in a list of two or more elements as meaning to exclude only one item from other elements Is interpreted as including any combination of (a) any element in the list, (b) all elements in the list, or (c) any element in the list.

  The feedback system described herein can be used with any suitable sports equipment or impact object. For example, a visual or audible feedback system can be provided on a ball bat, golf club, hockey stick, tennis racket, archery bow or other suitable device. For the sake of simplicity, the ball bat is used as the primary example throughout the detailed description of the specification. However, it should be understood that the feedback system described herein can be incorporated into any suitable sports equipment or impact object.

  In the following, as shown in FIG. 1, the details of the drawing will be described. The baseball or softball bat 10 is generally referred to herein as a “ball bat” or “bat”. 14 and a tapered portion 16 for coupling the grip portion 12 to the body portion 14. The free end of the grip 12 has a knob 18 or similar structure. The barrel 14 is preferably closed by a suitable cap 20 or plug. The interior of the bat 10 is preferably hollow so that the bat 10 can be relatively light, so that the ball player can generate sufficient bat speed when swinging the bat 10.

  Ball bat 10 may be a practice bat, a bat configured for use in an authorized league game, a toy bat, or other informal bat. Ball bat 10 can be formed of one or more fiber composites, metal, wood, plastic or other suitable material. The ball bat 10 can be a one-piece structure or can have two or more individual attachment pieces (eg, separate grip and barrel).

  In one embodiment, the ball bat 10 is provided with a visual display system 21. The visual display system 21 encapsulates, embeds, or accommodates in a housing 23 that is disposed and fixed around the ball bat 10. The housing 23 can be formed of molded plastic, rubber or other suitable material. The housing 23 can be located in the area of the taper 16, the grip 12, or any suitable ball bat 10. In an alternative embodiment, one or more components of the visual display system 21 can be encapsulated within the bat material itself, eg, one or more fiber composite layers of a ball bat. The visual display system 21 can also be attached to the ball bat 10 in any suitable manner as a further alternative.

  In one embodiment, the ball bat 10 has a recessed area and the housing 23 is placed or inserted into the recessed area after the body of the bat 10 is constructed. Thus, the visual display system 21 can be manufactured separately from the ball bat 10 and can be attached to the bat during the final stage of bat manufacture (or after manufacture is complete). After insertion, the radially outer surface of the housing 23 preferably has no or substantially no step relative to the radially outer surface of the longitudinally adjacent area of the ball bat 10, thereby providing a housing 23. And a relatively smooth transition between the longitudinally adjacent areas. In one embodiment, the recessed area has a depth and the housing 23 has a corresponding thickness, each sized between about 0.20 inches and 0.25 inches. The recessed area and housing 23 can of course be any other suitable dimension.

  In one embodiment, the housing 23 can be rubber or other elastic sleeve and can be pulled or slid up from the end of the grip of the ball bat 10 into the recessed area of the ball bat 10. As an alternative, the housing 23 is made of plastic or a similar material, provided with a circumferential opening and having two free ends facing each other. These free ends can be pulled away from each other, so that the housing 23 can be snapped or forced into place on the recessed area. The free ends are optionally provided with alignment tabs or other alignment elements so that a strong engagement occurs between the free ends after the housing 23 is inserted into the recessed area. The housing 23 can optionally be provided with a movable hinge or similar mechanism so that the free end can be separated into the open position. After positioning the housing 23 on the recessed area of the ball bat 10, the free ends are closed.

  The visual display system 21 is provided with one or more sensors 22. For ease of explanation, a single sensor 22 is described herein. The sensor 22 can be an accelerometer or similar device that detects the acceleration or velocity of the ball bat, a mode sensor trigger that detects vibrations in the ball bat, or any suitable sensing device. Additionally or alternatively, elements that sense impact, inertia or displacement can be used. The sensor 22 is electrically connected to the processor, preferably having a processor. The sensor 22 can be implemented, for example, in a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) processor device or chip.

  The sensor 22 detects vibration in the ball bat 10, for example, vibration generated when the bat 10 collides with the ball. The use of a sophisticated sensor 22, such as one or more MEMS sensors, can obtain additional or alternative measurement results, for example. The frequency of the hit, the maximum hit energy, the swing speed and other suitable parameters can be measured, for example, using one or more suitable sensing devices. For ease of explanation, vibration detection is mainly described herein.

  Based on the intensity of vibration, the sensor 22 determines where the impact on the ball bat 10 occurred. The displacement or vibration is substantially minimized at the first node of vibration in the ball bat 10, for example, the “sweet spot” of the body 14, and this sweet spot is generally at or near the hit center of the ball bat 10. It is. On the contrary, the displacement or vibration is generally maximum at the antinode (antinode) of vibration in the ball bat 10. When the ball impacts the bat 10 at a position away from the first vibration node, a portion of the incident energy of the ball generates a ball bat vibration mode. The second mode of vibration is particularly useful because the second mode of vibration exhibits a fundamental frequency range that matches the frequency that the batter feels directly (eg, approximately 600 Hz).

  Therefore, it is generally preferable to arrange the sensor 22 at or near the antinode (antinode) of the second mode of vibration, and the antinode generally occurs at or near the tapered portion of the ball bat 10. To do. FIG. 3 shows a deformation curve characteristic of a general ball bat in the second mode of vibration. The point at which the dotted lines intersect indicates the position of the primary vibration node in the second mode related to vibration in the ball bat 10. The peak of the dotted line or the position farthest from the node is an approximate position in the longitudinal direction with respect to the antinode (antinode) of the second mode in the vibration of the ball bat 10. In a preferred embodiment, sensor 22 is placed at or near this location.

  The sensor 22 is electrically connected to a light assembly 26, a liquid crystal display ("LCD") or other visual display device on or within (or separate) the housing 23, preferably by one or more wires or metal strips 25. Connecting. The sensor 22 alternatively wirelessly connects to the optical assembly 26 by any suitable wireless connection technology. The light assembly 26 comprises a light device electrically connected to one or more LEDs (light emitting diodes), lamps, bulbs or other suitable sensors 22. The light assembly 26 is preferably covered by a transparent (or translucent) strip 29 or enclosed in a transparent (or translucent) casing through which an observer can view the LEDs. In one embodiment, the entire housing 23 can be transparent or translucent.

  In one embodiment, a plurality of LEDs 27 or other light sources are disposed around the periphery of the tapered portion 16, grip portion 12 or barrel portion 14 (preferably away from the sweet spot) of the ball bat 10. Additionally or alternatively, the LED 27 can be placed in a transparent or translucent cap 20 or knob 18 on the ball bat 10. In one embodiment, the LED 27 is placed within the taper 16, cap 20 and knob 18 (or on the grip 12) and simultaneously or triggered in a predetermined sequence to provide feedback regarding impact on the ball bat 10. To. This is described in detail below.

  Each LED 27 is preferably enabled to light in various colors or intensities. Alternatively, a given LED 27 can be lit with one or more colors or luminosities, while other LEDs 27 can be lit with one or more different colors or luminosities. In this way, different qualities or characteristics of impact on the ball bat 10 can be displayed by using different colors or luminosities of the light sources or different lighting sequences.

  The sensor 22 is preferably electrically connected to a power source, such as one or more batteries. The power source may alternatively be a piezoelectric strip biased by deformation in the ball bat 10, or any other suitable power source. Battery 24 may be a standard AAA battery or any other suitable size battery. The battery 24 provides power to the sensor 22 and then operates the light assembly 26, as described in detail below. The battery is preferably removable from the access door or panel 28 and can be replaced after the battery runs out. Access panel 28 is mounted in place on housing 23 by screws 30, pins, latches or other suitable mechanism. Panels 28 are connected by hinges or are completely removable.

  In one embodiment, if the sensor 22 detects little or no vibration in the ball bat 10 after impacting the ball, for example, the sensor 22 is a color indicating that a “good contact” or high quality impact has occurred. A signal is sent to light one or more LEDs 27 (eg green). Conversely, if the sensor 22 detects a large vibration after hitting the ball, one or more LEDs 27 should be lit in a color (eg, red) indicating that a “bad contact” or low quality impact has occurred. Send a signal.

  As used herein, the “quality” of an impact is the amount of vibration caused by the impact (having a low frequency when high quality) or the distance of the impact location from the sweet spot (a large distance when low quality) Represent any other useful feedback regarding impact. In one embodiment, the magnitude of vibration displacement, velocity, and acceleration caused by impact at various anti-nodes (antinodes) can be calibrated to the impact at the nodes. This information is used to determine the approximate distance from the sweet spot (or other node) that will subsequently impact the ball bat 10.

  In one embodiment, various colors or lighting sequences can be used to indicate the degree of impact quality. For example, use green light to display the impact of a sweet spot with little or no vibration; use yellow light to be relatively close to a sweet spot that produces greater vibration than the “green light impact” The impact of the orange light is used to display the impact away from the sweet spot that produces greater vibration than the “yellow light impact”, and the red light is used to display the impact from the “orange light impact”. Impacts farther away from the sweet spot that produces large vibrations (eg, non-nodes in or near the second mode of vibration) can be displayed. By displaying different colors or lighting sequences, additionally or alternatively, whether or not a collision (impact) has occurred between the sweet spot and the free end of the torso, or between the sweet spot and the ball bat It can be displayed whether or not it has occurred between the tapered portion. Any suitable combination of light indicators or lighting sequences can be used.

  In another embodiment, one or more pressure contact switches or sensors may additionally or alternatively be provided on or in the ball bat 10 to determine where the ball bat 10 has made an impact. The pressure contact switch is preferably connected to the light assembly 26 either electrically or wirelessly. In one embodiment, each pressure contact switch signals the light assembly 26 to illuminate one or more LEDs 27 in a color corresponding to the position of the pressure contact switch in response to an impact at or near the position of the pressure contact switch. Send. In this way, light of different colors or luminosities can be used to indicate the impact that occurs at or near the position of the pressure contact switch located at various positions.

  For example, if an impact occurs at or near the first pressure contact switch located at the sweet spot of the torso 14, the first pressure contact switch signals the light assembly 26 so that one or more LEDs 27 are illuminated in green. Send. If the impact occurs at or near the second pressure contact switch far away from the sweet spot, the second pressure contact switch conversely causes the light assembly 26 so that one or more LEDs 27 are illuminated in red. Send a signal. Similarly, pressure contact switches located at various bat positions send signals to illuminate one or more LEDs 27 in various colors or lighting sequences that indicate impact quality.

  The pressure contact switch can be encapsulated within a composite layer of a bat material, such as a fiber composite ball bat. As an alternative, pressure contact switches are embedded in separate covers or upper wraps, and these covers or upper wraps are secured to the exterior of any ball bat. For example, the pressure contact switch can be housed in a thin nylon or plastic cover having ends that are aligned by hook and loop material or by any other suitable connector. In this way, the cover can be easily removably attached to the ball bat and can be used for a plurality of ball bats.

  In another embodiment, an audible response element electrically connected to sensor 22 is used in addition to or alternatively to light assembly 26. An audible response element can optionally be provided in the housing 23. The audible response element can be a piezoelectric speaker or any other suitable audio device. The audible response element produces a first sound when an impact occurs at or near the sweet spot, and a different second sound when an impact occurs far from the sweet spot. Different desired numbers of sounds can be used to indicate different impact locations. Additionally or alternatively, the audible response element may cause a varying number of “beep” or other sounds to indicate different impact locations. Any other suitable audible response element or sound pattern can be used to display different impact locations.

  In another embodiment, visual display system 21 illuminates words or other visual elements that indicate the quality of impact on ball bat 10. The visual display system 21 illuminates a “nice hit” or a “poor hit” based on, for example, the impact position of the bat trunk 14 with respect to the sweet spot. This can be done by placing an LED 27 or other light source behind a transparent sheet having an opaque outline representing a suitable character or word, or any other suitable method. Any suitable word or other visual indication can be provided in the visual display.

  A visual feedback system operating generally as described above can be provided for other impact objects as well. For example, a visual feedback system can be provided on a golf club, hockey stick, archery bow or other suitable object.

  In a golf club, a sensor is embedded or fixed to a club head or a shaft in order to detect vibration in the club head caused by impact on the club head. Other swing or impact parameters can be additionally or alternatively measured as described above. A power source may be embedded or secured within the club head or shaft, and a light system or other visual display may be provided on the top surface of the club head or any other suitable location.

  In a hockey stick, a sensor is embedded or fixed in a blade or stick shaft in order to detect vibration in the blade caused by impact on the blade. Other swing or impact parameters can be additionally or alternatively measured as described above. A power source may be embedded or secured within the blade or stick shaft, and a light system or other visual display may be provided on the top surface of the blade or any other suitable location.

  In an archery bow, a sensor is embedded or fixed in the bow to detect the displacement energy caused by releasing the arrow. Embed or fix the power supply at any suitable location on the bow. A light system or other visual display is placed in the riser of the bow between the aim and the rim, in the transparent arrow guide, or in any other suitable location.

  Any of the embodiments described above can be used alone or in combination with each other. Although several embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (26)

For tools with feedback,
Impact objects,
A sensor disposed on or in the impact object for detecting vibration caused by impact on the impact object; and
A visual feedback element disposed on or in the impact object, the visual feedback element connected to the sensor for visually displaying information about the impact;
With tools.   The tool with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the information on impact includes information on quality of impact.   The tool with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the information on the impact includes information on a place where the impact is generated on the impact object.   2. The device with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the impact object is a ball bat having a grip portion connected to a trunk portion by a tapered portion.   5. The device with feedback according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is disposed on or in a tapered portion or a grip portion.   The tool with feedback according to claim 1, further comprising a power source connected to the sensor.   The device with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the visual feedback element comprises at least one LED.   8. The device with feedback according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a signal so that the LED is lit in a color corresponding to the quality of the impact.   8. A tool with feedback according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of LEDs are housed in a strip arranged at the periphery of the impact object.   The tool with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the sensor and the visual feedback element are arranged in a housing fixed to the impact object.   11. The feedback-equipped device according to claim 10, wherein the housing is disposed in a recessed region of the impact object, and the radially outer surface of the housing is substantially the same as the radially outer surface of the longitudinally adjacent region of the impact object. A tool that has no steps.   The tool with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the sensor and the visual feedback element are arranged in an overlap cover removably secured to the impact object.   The device with feedback according to claim 1, further comprising an audible response system on or within the impact object.   The tool with feedback according to claim 1, wherein the impact object is one of a golf club, a hockey stick, a tennis racket, and an archery bow. In the ball bat,
The grip part,
The torso,
A tapered portion connecting the grip portion to the trunk portion;
A feedback system disposed on or within at least one of the grip, the body and the taper, the feedback system comprising at least one visual response system and audible response system; bat.   16. The ball bat of claim 15, wherein the feedback system comprises a visual response system that visually displays a quality of impact on the ball bat.   16. The ball bat of claim 15, wherein the feedback system comprises an audible response system that audibly displays the quality of impact on the ball bat.   16. The ball bat according to claim 15, wherein the feedback system displays an approximate position of the impact object that has made an impact with respect to the sweet spot of the trunk. For tools with feedback,
Impact objects,
Means for detecting vibration caused by an impact on the impact object, the detection means disposed on or in the impact article;
Feedback means for providing at least one of visual feedback and audible feedback having information about the impact in relation to the detection means;
With tools.   20. The device with feedback according to claim 19, wherein the impact object is one of a ball bat, a golf club, a hockey stick, a tennis racket and an archery bow. For tools with feedback,
A housing configured to be secured to an object;
A sensor disposed in the housing to detect vibration;
A visual feedback element disposed on or within the housing, wherein the visual feedback element is connected to the sensor to visually display information related to the detected vibration;
Tool with.   The device with feedback according to claim 21, wherein the visual feedback element comprises at least one LED.   23. The device with feedback according to claim 22, wherein the sensor is configured to send a signal to light the LED in a color corresponding to the quality of impact on the object to which the housing is fixed.   The device with feedback according to claim 21, further comprising an audible response system within the housing. In a tool with feedback for fixing to an object,
Sleeve,
A sensor for detecting vibration in the sleeve;
A feedback element disposed on or within the sleeve, wherein the feedback element is connected to the sensor and displays information related to the detected vibration; and
With tools. For tools with feedback,
A housing;
A sensor for detecting vibration in the housing;
A power source disposed within the housing and connected to the sensor;
A plurality of LEDs arranged on or in the housing, the LEDs displaying information related to vibration detected by connecting to the sensor; and
A transparent strip or casing covering or enclosing a plurality of the LEDs attached to the housing;
With tools.

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