WO2021195739A1

WO2021195739A1 - Head movement feedback apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021195739A1
Application number: PCT/CA2021/000023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Lee FALKINER
Original assignee: Golf Ideas Designed Inc.
Priority date: 2020-04-01
Filing date: 2021-03-23
Publication date: 2021-10-07

Abstract

An apparatus for enabling a user to self-detect head motion is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated rod defining a depth axis. The apparatus further includes a base mounted on the rod, the base including a background having a reference region surrounded by a bounding region. The reference region is visibly contrasted with the bounding region. The apparatus further includes an occluder mounted on the rod, the occluder defining a foreground region visibly matched with the bounding region of the background. The foreground region of the occluder and the reference region of the background are concentrically aligned and spaced from one another along the depth axis.

Description

HEAD MOVEMENT FEEDBACK APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparatus for providing feedback to a user alerting the user to his or her own head motion, so that the user may develop the ability to keep his or her head substantially motionless while the user performs other intended actions. The apparatus of the present disclosure may be used, for example, to train a golfer to keep his or her head still during a golf swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] It is universally taught that keeping one’s head still throughout a golf swing is a prerequisite for a good golf swing. For most golfers, the first tip they receive is “keep your head down” or “keep your head still.” However, golfers are usually unaware of their own head movements as they execute a golf stroke. Even more advanced players may have subtle head movements during a golf swing that cause a golf shot to go awry. Head movement is very difficult for golfers to detect purely by “feel.”

[0003[ In the past, players have relied on a coach or instructor standing behind them holding a club against their right ear to prevent head movement (for right- handed golfers). Other devices include sticks mounted in the ground, mirrors, video cameras and playback, and the player’s own shadow. None of these devices accurately monitors head movement in all possible movement directions during the swing and gives instant visual feedback to the player. Moreover, many of these devices are bulky to transport, difficult to set up and use, and involve considerable expense. In the case of a coach or trainer, scheduling training time may be another limiting factor.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure provides an inexpensive head motion feedback apparatus which is easy to transport and use, and which instantly provides definitive feedback regarding head motion in any direction so that a user may easily self-detect head motion and develop muscle memory for keeping the head still during a golf swing.

[0005] The head movement feedback apparatus may generally comprise an elongated rod, a base mounted on the rod, and an occluder mounted on rod at a distance from base. The base may include a background having a reference region, and the occluder blocks out reference region from the user’s sightline when the user’s head is properly positioned. If the user moves his or her head, a portion of reference region will become visible to the user, thereby alerting the user to head motion and to the direction of the head motion. Thus, apparatus works in a manner similar to a celestial eclipse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

[0006] The nature and mode of operation of the present disclosure will now be more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a head movement feedback apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the feedback apparatus shown in Fig. 1 , looking along a depth axis of the feedback apparatus; [0009] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the feedback apparatus taken generally along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

[0010] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a base of the feedback apparatus;

[0011] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a background reference insert of the feedback apparatus; [0012] Figs. 6A and 6B are plan views of differently sized occluders of the feedback apparatus;

[0013] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating use of the feedback apparatus; [0014] Fig. 8A is a view showing how the feedback apparatus appears to a user prior to any head movement; [0015] Fig. 8B is a view showing how the feedback apparatus appears to a user upon head movement upward and to the right; and

[0016] Fig. 8C is a view showing how the feedback apparatus appears to a user upon head movement downward and to the left.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figs. 1 through 3 show a head movement feedback apparatus 10 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Feedback apparatus 10 enables a user to self-detect head motion, and may be used, for example, to train a golfer to keep his or her head still during a golf swing.

[0018] Feedback apparatus 10 may generally comprise an elongated rod 12 defining a depth axis 12A, a base 14 mounted on rod 12, and an occluder 16 mounted on rod 12 at a distance D from base 14. Base 14 may include a background 20 having a reference region 22, and occluder 16 blocks out reference region 22 from the user’s sightline when the user’s head is properly positioned. If the user moves his or her head, a portion of reference region 22 will become visible to the user, thereby alerting the user to head motion and to the direction of the head motion. Thus, apparatus 10 is an optical feedback device which works in a manner analogous to a celestial eclipse. [0019] Background 20 of base 14 may face in a direction normal to depth axis 12A and may have a bounding region 24 surrounding referenced region 22. The reference region 22 may be visibly contrasted with the bounding region 24. For example, reference region 22 may be white and bounding region 24 may be black, or vice versa. Of course, other schemes may be used to provide visible contrast between reference region 22 and bounding region 24, such as contrasting colors and/or patterns. The intent is to make reference region 22 clearly distinguishable from bounding region 24 in visual appearance. Reference region 22 may be coplanar with bounding region 24, however this is not an absolute requirement, and a slight offset in the direction of depth axis 12A may exist between the plane of reference region 22 and the plane of bounding region 22.

[0020] As demonstrated in the depicted embodiment, reference region 22 may be in the shape of a slightly oval ellipse (i.e. almost circular). However, other shapes may be used for reference region 22. As will be described below, the size and shape of reference region 22 is linked to the size and shape of occluder 16 for optical cooperation.

[0021] By way of non-limiting example, base 14 may be manufactured as a rectangular black plastic element 25 approximately 3.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches long by 0.125 inches thick defining bounding region 24, and a white plastic insert 27 defining reference region 22, wherein a recess 26 is molded in an upward face of rectangular element 25 for receiving insert 27. Aligned holes may be provided through the center of insert 27 and recess 26 for receiving a rubber grommet 30 for mounting on rod 12. Insert 27 may be press fitted into recess 26, and/or adhered to recess 26 using an adhesive. Alternatively, rectangular element 25 may be made without a recess, and reference region 22 may be defined by a sticker applied to the upward face of rectangular element 26.

[0022] Surface texturing may be used to enhance visible contrast between reference region 22 and bounding region 24. For example, where bounding region 24 is black or is a dark color, the surface of bounding region 24 may have a rough texture to diffusely reflect incident light, and the surface of reference region 22 may be relatively smooth for more coherent reflection of incident light.

[0023] Occluder 16 may be a plastic disc having a central hole for another rubber grommet 30 for mounting on rod 12. The upwardly facing surface of occluder 16 defines a foreground region 32 which may be visibly matched with bounding region 24 of background 20. For example, occluder 16 may be molded or formed from the same material used to make rectangular element 25 of base 14, and may have the same coloring and surface texturing. The intent of visibly matching foreground region 32 of occluder 16 with bounding region 24 of background 20 is to cause foreground region 32 and bounding region 24 to appear as a continuous (i.e. uninterrupted) region to a user viewing the regions substantially along depth axis 12 A.

[0024] As mentioned above, the size and shape of occluder 16 are chosen in coordination with the size and shape of reference region 22. By way of example, and without limiting the choice of sizes and shapes, reference region 22 may be an ellipse having a major axis 22A of 2.94 inches (length) and a minor axis 22B of 2.80 inches

(width), and occluder 16 may be a circular disc having a diameter of 2.83 inches so that foreground region 32 is slightly wider by not as long as reference region 22. The size of reference region 22 may take into consideration the interpupillary distance of an average person so that the width of reference region is not significantly less than or greater than the average interpupillary distance. Because the user’s eyes are at the same level, but the user has two eyes at different lateral locations (left and right), the length 22A of reference region 22 may be slightly greater than the width 22B to maintain approximately equal sensitivity to head movement in all directions.

[0025] In an aspect of the present disclosure, and as illustrated in Figs. 6A and

6B, apparatus 10 may comprise a plurality of interchangeable occluders 16 and 116 of different sizes for players at different skill levels. As will be understood from description below, the size of occluder 16, 116 determines the sensitivity of apparatus

10 to head movement for feedback purposes. With a larger diameter occluder 116, more movement of the user’s head is allowed before the user is provided with visual feedback of the head movement, whereas with a smaller diameter occluder 16, the user is provided with visual feedback even for relatively slight head movements.

Thus, a user may initially train using the larger diameter occluder 116, and then progress to using the smaller diameter occluder 16 as the his or her ability to keep the still improves. In keeping with the example dimensions above, larger occluder 116 may have a diameter of 2.85 inches, slightly larger than the 2.83-inch diameter of smaller occluder 16. While two differently sized occluders are shown for sake of illustration, more than two differently sized occluders may be provided for training.

[0026] Rod 12 may be a cylindrical dowel or shaft and may be on the order of 6 inches in length and 0.35 inches in diameter. Rod 12 may be, for example, an inexpensive wooden dowel. Base 14 and occluder 16 are slidably mounted on rod 12 and may be removed from rod 12 for compact shipping and transport. Rubber grommets 30 hold base 14 and occluder 16 at selected axial locations along rod 12 by friction. The axial distance D between occluder 16 and base 14 may be about 2.5 inches. Grommets 30 are installed at the center of reference region 22 on base 14 and at the center of foreground region 32 on occluder 16 so that reference region 22 and foreground region 32 are concentrically aligned. A distance C from a proximal edge 28 of base 14 to the center of reference region 22 may be about 3 inches. A distance B from the bottom end of rod 12 to base 14 is adjustable to set a desired angle of depth axis 12A relative to the ground in cooperation with proximal edge 28 of base 14 which also engages the ground. Thus, users of different heights may adjust apparatus 10 to different angles so that viewing is substantially along depth axis 12A.

[0027] Use of apparatus 10 is illustrated by Figs. 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C. As may be seen in Fig. 7, the user places apparatus 10 on the ground just beyond where the user would strike ball 2 so that background 20 and occluder 16 are viewed by the user essentially along depth axis 12A. Fig. 8 A shows the appearance of apparatus 10 to the user when the user’s head is motionless prior to execution of a golf swing. In Fig. 8A, foreground region 32 of occluder 16 blends with bounding region 24 of background 20 due to visual matching, and reference region 22 of background 20 is completely blocked from the user’s view. Fig. 8B shows the appearance of apparatus 10 when the user’s head has moved slightly up and to the user’s right. In Fig. 8B, an upper right portion of reference region 22 is visible to the user, immediately alerting the user to the fact that head motion has occurred, and also indicating to the user the direction of the head motion. Fig. 8C shows the appearance of apparatus 10 when the user’s head has moved slightly down and to the user’s left. In Fig. 8C, a lower left portion of reference region 22 is visible to the user, immediately alerting the user to the head motion and indicating to the user the direction of the head motion.

[0028] As will be appreciated, apparatus 10 may be used for all types of golf strokes, including putting, chipping, and full swing driving and fairway strokes. Apparatus 10 is effective in training and conditioning a user to control different muscles needed to keep the head still during a golf stroke. Apparatus 10 is inexpensive to manufacture and may be disassembled to fit in a golf bag.

[0029] While the disclosure has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the detailed description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to the particular forms set forth. The disclosure is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents of the described embodiments as may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for enabling a user to self-detect head motion, the apparatus comprising: an elongated rod defining a depth axis; a base mounted on the rod, the base including a background having a reference region surrounded by a bounding region, wherein the reference region is visibly contrasted with the bounding region; an occluder mounted on the rod, the occluder defining a foreground region visibly matched with the bounding region of the background; wherein the foreground region of the occluder and the reference region of the background are concentrically aligned and spaced from one another along the depth axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference region is an ellipse, and the occluder is circular.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the occluder is shorter than a major axis of the reference region, and the diameter of the occluder is longer than a minor axis of the reference region.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base and the occluder are slidably mounted on the rod.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base and the occluder are removable from the rod.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises: a primary member defining the bounding region; and a secondary member defining the reference region; wherein the secondary member is disposed on the primary member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the primary member comprises a recess, and the secondary member is received by the recess.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the secondary member is a sticker adhered to the primary member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference region and the bounding region are visibly contrasted by different surface texturing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reference region and the bounding region are visibly contrasted by different surface coloring.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reference region and the bounding region are visibly contrasted by different surface patterns.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base and the occluder each include a respective hole through which the rod extends, and the apparatus further comprises a first rubber grommet installed in the hole in base and a second rubber grommet installed in the hole in the occluder, whereby the base and the occluder are frictionally mounted on the rod by the first and second rubber grommets.

13. A method of self-detecting head motion of a user, comprising: A) providing an apparatus comprising: an elongated rod defining a depth axis; a base mounted on the rod, the base including a background having a reference region surrounded by a bounding region, wherein the reference region is visibly contrasted with the bounding region; an occluder mounted on the rod, the occluder defining a foreground region visibly matched with the bounding region of the background; wherein the foreground region of the occluder and the reference region of the background are concentrically aligned and spaced from one another along the depth axis;

B) directing a sightline of the user at the apparatus along the depth axis, such that the reference region is blocked by the occluder and is not visible to the user; and C) determining head motion of the user when the reference region becomes visible to the user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining head motion of the user comprises: determining a portion of the reference region visible to the user; and determining a direction of the head motion of the user based on the portion of the reference region visible to the user.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is provided on a ground surface such that a bottom end of the rod and a proximal end of the base engage the ground surface, and the method further comprises adjusting a distance between a bottom end of the rod and the base to selectively set an angle of the depth axis relative to the ground surface.