Impact Indication and Data Tracking Devices and Methods
Devices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club. One exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device can include a patch that can be attached to the face of a golf club and can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. The impact locations of previous strikes can be removed from the patch without the user having to do anything more than take another swing. In some embodiments, the device includes a yield-stress material that assist in displaying impact a most recent impact location without displaying previous impact locations. Other features that can allow patches to work in this fashion, as well as methods related to the same, are also provided. Further, disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder are also provided.
The present disclosure claims priority to both U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/798,144, entitled “Impact Indication Devices and Methods,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/798,320, entitled “Mobile Tracking Devices and Methods,” both of which were filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for indicating the location of a golf ball strike on a face of a golf club head.
BACKGROUNDThe game of golf is played by over 26 million people in the United States, and is expected to continue to grow in popularity through at least 2020. Internationally, the popularity of golf is even more rapidly on the rise, including in Europe (e.g., France, Germany, and Russia), Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, and in many South American countries. In fact, in 2016, golf will be part of the Olympics for only the third time in the Games' history, and the first time since 1904.
Anybody who has ever played golf or seen golf being played understands its very challenging nature. Duffers, amateurs, and professionals alike are all typically interested in finding ways to improve at the game, for instance by maximizing distance while maintaining accuracy. Golfers of all ability levels invest hundreds-of-thousands of dollars a year practicing and playing the game in an effort to improve. Likewise, golfers of all ability levels invest hundreds-of-thousands of dollars on lessons and various tools to help improve their games, including impact tape, club weights, hitting mats, hitting cages, swing speed radar devices, swing plane trainers, wrist braces, arm braces, stance correctors, folding clubs, buckets of balls at the driving range, and lessons from golf professionals.
One sure-fire way to be a better golfer is to hit the ball with the correct portion of the golf club head more consistently. Most golf club heads are designed such that balls struck by a certain portion of the head—typically near a center on a face of the head—will travel farther and straighter than balls struck by other portions of the head. This certain portion of the head is sometimes referred to as a club head's “sweet spot.” However, during the course of a swing, and directly thereafter, it is difficult for a golfer to know exactly which part of the face made contact with the ball, and thus whether the golfer hit any part of the sweet spot.
Although both sophisticated and simplistic tools exist for informing a golfer as to the portion of the club face on which the ball hit, they are deficient for a variety of reasons. Stage simulators represent one example of a sophisticated tool that allows a golfer to know the location of a ball strike. They require scheduled time, however, can be costly, and may require more than one visit. Additionally, depending on the technology, simulators may require wiring an individual or the use of videos and sensors surrounding the player to record the desired data parameters—variables that may be intimidating, detrimental, and/or cost prohibitive for many golfers of many skill levels.
More simplistic tools also suffer from a variety of deficiencies. For example, some devices mark each ball strike on the device, and thus as the number of strikes increase, it can be difficult to tell which strike was the most recent. Such devices have a very limited number of uses. While some devices exist that allow a location of a ball strike to be removed from the device prior to performing another ball strike, such devices typically require the user to manually “reset” or clear the device of the previous ball strike, for instance by wiping it off with his or her finger before performing another ball strike. In still other embodiments, the devices can require a user to mark a location of the ball strike with a writing utensil, such as a pen, after each swing. Still further, existing technologies designed to properly measure a golfer's swing are limited to obtrusive simulators, time consuming lessons, or expensive hardware with complicated software.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide devices and methods that allow a golfer to know a location of a ball strike after each swing, and which can record more ball strikes using a single device than existing devices. It is also desirable to provide devices and methods that allow a user to perform multiple strikes in a row and see the ball strikes for each swing without having that view impeded by previous ball strikes or having to perform extra steps such as wiping or marking the club face manually before performing the next ball strike. Still further, it is desirable to provide devices and methods that provide convenient, real-time feedback to the golfer so that the golfer can make adjustments to his or her swing in real-time.
SUMMARYDevices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club, or more particularly a patch attached thereto. In one exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device, the device can include a patch having a back surface that is removably and replaceably attachable to a face of a golf club and a ball-striking surface configured to visually display an impact location where the patch most recently struck a golf ball. The patch can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. Further, the patch can be configured to reset itself to no longer display the impact locations of previous strikes after the most recent strike occurs such that no action beyond swinging the golf club again is required by a user between strikes. In some embodiments, the next golf swing that makes contact with a ball can reset the device so that the previous ball strike is no longer visible. Further, in some embodiments, the patch can include a sensor disposed therein, which can be configured to measure data related to golf ball strikes made by the patch.
A variety of mechanism can be relied upon to display the impact location and remove old impact locations. In some embodiments the patch can include a yield-stress material disposed therein between ball-striking and back surfaces. The yield-stress material can be configured to be displaced in response to the most recent strike, and in turn can allow the impact location of the most recent strike to be known based on the location from which the material was displaced. Further, the displacement of the yield-stress material following a strike can display one or more indicia located on a top face of the back surface, which can provide feedback regarding the impact location from the most recent strike. In some embodiments the patch can be configured to reset itself by striking a golf ball. A reset patch is one in which old ball strikes are no longer visible on a face of the patch, or if they are visible, their presence is negligible with respect to the rest of the patch and a most recent ball strike if it exists.
Another example of mechanisms that can be relied upon to display the impact location and remove old impact locations are liquid crystal films. Liquid crystal films can be disposed between the ball-striking and back surfaces of the patch, and can be configured to change colors in response to the most recent strike to display the impact location of the most recent strike while no longer displaying the impact locations of the previous strikes.
In another exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device, the device includes a base layer and an exposure layer. The base layer can have one or more information-providing indicia on a display surface of the base layer. The exposure layer can be disposed over the display surface of the base layer. Further, the exposure layer can include a sealed chamber with a yield-stress material disposed therein. The exposure layer can be configured such that impact from an outside force at an impact location can displace the yield-stress material at the impact location to reveal the base layer. In some embodiments, a second impact from an outside force at a second impact location can again displace the yield-stress material, this time at the second impact location, to reveal the base layer. To the extent that the second impact location does not overlap with the first impact location, the yield-stress material can flow back to non-overlapping portions of the first impact location in the exposure layer.
Optionally, a cover layer can be disposed over the exposure layer, and can be substantially inelastic. Alternatively, the cover layer can have elastic properties allowing it to receive portions of yield-stress material displaced by an impact. Similar to the elastic reservoir, the elasticity of the cover layer in such embodiments can be configured such that the cover layer's elasticity can push the yield-stress material back into the exposure layer at a time after the impact occurs.
The yield-stress material can include a hydrogel. Further, a back surface of the base layer can comprise an adhesive, for instance to assist in attaching the device to a surface, such as a face of a golf club. The adhesive can be reusable such that the base layer can be adhered to and removed from a first surface and subsequently adhered to a second surface. In some embodiments, a sensor can be attached to either the base layer or the exposure layer, and can be configured to measure data related to impacts received by the device.
A volume of the yield-stress material disposed in the chamber of the exposure layer can be less than an approximate volume of the chamber. In such instances, the chamber can be vacuum-sealed. In some embodiments safety measures can be included to reduce the risk of damage resulting from failure of the device. One such example can include an inner membrane disposed in either the base layer or the exposure layer. The inner membrane can have a fluid disposed therein and can be configured to release the fluid into the respective base layer or exposure layer in which the inner membrane is disposed before the chamber of the exposure layer fails and releases the yield-stress material disposed in the chamber. The device, and more particularly the base layer, can be sized and attached to a face of a golf club.
In one exemplary method of tracking a location of impact on a golf club, the method can include swinging a golf club to hit golf balls twice. More particularly, the club can have a club head, and the head can include an indication tracking device attached to it. The indication tracking device can visually identify a location at which the club head strikes the golf ball during the first swing. Further, the indication tracking device can also visually identify a location at which the club head strikes the golf ball during a second swing, while also no longer visually identifying the location of the previous strike. During the course of carrying out the method, a user touches neither the club head nor the indication tracking device to reset the indication tracking device so that it visually identifies the location of a most recent strike while no longer visually identifying the location of the previous strike. In some embodiments, after the indication tracking device visually identifies a location at which the club head strikes the golf ball, it can be the step of swinging the golf club to hit a golf ball that can reset the indication tracking device so that it identifies the location of the most recent strike while no longer visually identifying the location of the previous strike.
Further, systems and methods are generally provided for recording and storing data and other information related to a golf swing. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for logging data related to a golf swing on a mobile device having a computer processor coupled to a receiver, a display, and memory can include receiving by the receiver one or more golf swing data parameters, storing the golf swing data in the memory, processing the one or more data parameters by the computer processor to calculate one or more displayable indications, and displaying the one or more displayable indications on the display. The one or more golf swing data parameters can be received from a sensor attached to a head of a golf club used to execute a golf swing.
In some embodiments, the one or more displayable indications can include a visual representation of the location of a ball strike on the head of the golf club. The location of the ball strike can also be visibly displayed on an impact indication device attached to the head of the golf club. The indication device can be configured to reset itself so a location of a most recent ball strike is displayed on the indication device and locations of previous ball strikes are not displayed on the indication device. For example, the indication device can include a yield-stress material configured to be displaced in response to the most recent ball strike to display the location of the ball strike and to no longer display the locations of previous ball strikes.
The one or more data parameters can include at least one of a swing plane of the golf club during the golf swing, a location of a ball strike on the head of the golf club, and a speed of the head of the golf club during the golf swing. In some embodiments, processing the one or more data parameters can include simulating a game of golf. In some other embodiments, processing the one or more data parameters can include providing instructional analysis about the golf swing. In still other embodiments, processing the one or more data parameters can include estimating a distance a golf ball would travel in response to the golf swing based on the one or more data parameters.
The method can also include wirelessly transmitting the one or more data parameters to a remote data storage location for access to the one or more data parameters by a computer. The data received by the receiver can be first transmitted to a transmitter in communication with the sensor, and the transmitter can send the one or more data parameters to the receiver. In some embodiments, the remote data storage location is a cloud-based storage system.
In some embodiments, the method can further include receiving by the receiver one or more additional data parameters, processing the one or more additional data parameters by the computer processor to calculate one or more additional displayable indications, and displaying the one or more additional displayable indications on the display. The one or more additional data parameters can be received from an accelerometer disposed on a glove being worn by a user swinging the golf club. The one or more additional displayable indications can include an amount of vibration resulting from the ball strike on the head of the golf club. The one or more additional data parameters can be wirelessly transmitted to a remote data storage location for access to the one or more additional data parameters by a computer.
One exemplary computer implemented method for logging data related to a golf swing can include recording one or more golf swing data parameters to a memory component and performing at least one of the following two numbered courses of action: (1)(a) processing the one or more data parameters; and (b) displaying information related to the one or more data parameters on a display device; and (2) transmitting the one or more data parameters to a remote data storage location for subsequent access of the one or more data parameters by a computer. The one or more golf swing data parameters can be received from a sensor attached to a head of a golf club used to execute a golf swing.
In some embodiments, the data received from the sensor can be first transmitted to a transmitter in communication with the sensor, and the transmitter can send the one or more data parameters to the memory component. The one or more golf swing data parameters can include at least one of a swing plane of the golf club during the golf swing, a location of impact on the head of the golf club by a golf ball, and speed of the club head during the golf swing. In instances in which a golf swing data parameter includes the location of impact on the head of the golf club by a golf ball, the location of the impact can be both recorded to the memory component and visibly displayed on an impact indication device attached to the head of the golf club. The impact indication device can be configured to reset itself so a location of a most recent impact is displayed on the indication device and locations of previous impacts can not be displayed on the indication device. For example, the indication device can include a yield-stress material configured to be displaced in response to the most recent image to display the location of the impact and to no longer display the locations of previous impacts.
In some embodiments, the method for logging data related to a golf swing can further include processing the one or more golf swing data parameters to simulate a golf game. In some other embodiments, processing the one or more golf swing data parameters to provide instructional analysis about the golf swing. In still other embodiments, the one or more golf swing data parameters can include estimating a distance a golf ball would travel in response to the golf swing based on the one or more data parameters.
The one or more golf swing data parameters received from the sensor can be transmitted wirelessly. Further, transmitting the one or more golf swing data parameters to a remote data storage location can include transmitting the data parameters wirelessly to a cloud-based storage system.
The computer implemented method for logging data related to a golf swing can further include recording one or more additional data parameters to a memory component and performing at least one of the following two numbered courses of action: (1)(a) processing the one or more additional data parameters; and (b) displaying information related to the one or more additional data parameters on the display device; and (2) transmitting the one or more data parameters to a remote data storage location for subsequent access of the one or more additional data parameters by a computer. The one or more additional data parameters can include an amount of vibration resulting from impact of the head of the golf club with a golf ball.
One exemplary embodiment of a system for tracking golf-related data can include an electronic sensor, a receiver, a memory component, and at least one of a processor and a transmitter. The electronic sensor can be configured to be attached to a face of a golf club. The receiver can be configured to receive data from the electronic sensor, the data being related to a golf swing. The memory component can be configured to record data received by the receiver. The processor can be for processing data and displaying information related to the data on a display device, and the transmitter can be for transmitting the data to a remote storage location for subsequent access of the data by a computer.
In some embodiments, the receiver and the memory component can be separately located, with the receiver being configured to transmit data to the memory component wirelessly. The system can also include an impact indication device configured to be attached to the face of the golf club and visually display a location of a strike of a golf ball by the face of the golf club. In some embodiments, the electronic sensor can be a component of the impact indication device. The impact indication device can be configured to reset itself so a location of a most recent strike can be displayed on the indication device and locations of previous strikes are not displayed on the indication device. For example, the indication device can include a yield-stress material configured to be displaced in response to the most recent strike to display the location of the strike and to no longer display the locations of previous strikes.
Transmitting the data to a remote storage location can include transmitting the data wirelessly to a cloud-based storage system. In some embodiments, the system can further include an accelerometer configured to be attached to a glove being worn by a user swinging the golf club, and configured to send data measured by the accelerometer to the receiver.
This invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Further, in the present disclosure, like-numbered components of the embodiments generally have similar features, unless specific properties of such like-numbered components are described herein and are understood by a person having skill in the art to be different from other like-numbered components. Still further, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed devices and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such devices and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape. Sizes and shapes of the impact indication devices, and components thereof, can depend at least on the configuration, size, and shape of an object with which they are used, e.g., a face on a head of a golf club.
The present disclosure generally relates to impact indication devices in the form of a patch that can be removably and replaceably attached to a face of a golf club. The patch includes a ball-striking surface that can visually display an impact or ball strike location where the patch, and thus the face of the golf club, most recently struck the ball. In exemplary embodiments, the patch displays a most recent ball strike location without displaying locations of previous ball strikes. This allows a user to more easily determine where the most recent ball strike occurred without having the display obscured by the display of earlier ball strikes. Further, the patch can be configured to “reset” itself to no longer display locations of a previous ball strike by the time or while the most recent ball strike occurs. As a result, no further actions beyond swinging the golf club again is required by the user between ball strikes.
A variety of different innovative features are described herein that allow impact indication devices to achieve the aforementioned capabilities of visually displaying only a most recent ball strike and clearing previous ball strikes with no more than a swing of a golf club. These features can operate in different manners, yet each can be suitable for achieving one or more of the intended purposes.
Impact Indication DeviceOne exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device configured to both visually display only a most recent ball strike and be reset to clear previous ball strikes using no more than a swing of a golf club is illustrated in
While each layer is discussed with more particularity at least with respect to
The optional cover layer 50 can be adapted to have a variety of features and functions, but in the illustrated embodiment the cover layer 50 includes a generally inelastic membrane 52 configured to provide a rigidity that helps maintain a volume of the chamber 42 of the exposure layer 40 so that the yield-stress material 44 is displaced to expose a portion of the base layer 30 in response to a ball strike. In other embodiments, the exposure layer 40 can be configured to provide rigidity in lieu of a cover layer 50. The exposure layer 40 can have a sufficiently rigid surface such that the surface can help maintain a volume of the chamber 42 to allow the yield-stress material 44 contained therein to be displaced to expose a portion of the base layer 30 in response to a ball strike. As illustrated in
The cover layer 50″ can be disposed over the exposure layer 40″ and can be sealed to the base layer 30″ to help contain the exposure layer 40″ and the yield-stress material 44″ thereof. As shown, the cover layer 50″ is welded to the base layer 30″ by a welded ring 53″ disposed proximate edges of the base and cover layers 30″, 50″. As shown in
The base layer 30, shown in
A back, club head-facing side (not shown) of the base layer 30, which is opposed to the display surface 32, can include any adhesive or other similar material that is configured to allow the base layer 30 to attach to the face 12 of the club. In some exemplary embodiments, the adhesive can be a reusable adhesive, allowing the device 20 to be easily attached to and removed from the club face 12, and even reattached to the same or a different club face. The disclosures herein can be adapted for use on any type of club face, including irons, woods, fairway woods, wedges, and putters. A person skilled in the art will recognize a number of different adhesives that can be used for such a purpose, including, by way of non-limiting example, a polymer-based glue, as well as an amount of adhesive to apply to the back side of the base layer 30 to provide a secure attachment that has a negligible effect on the results of the golf swing.
A shape of the base layer 30 generally can depend, at least in part, on the size and shape of the club on which it is intended to be used and the size and shape of the other components of the device 20, including any other layers. Thus, although in the illustrated embodiment the base layer is substantially elliptical in shape, in other embodiments it can be circular, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, or a variety of other shapes. A size of the base layer 30 can also depend on the size and shape of the club on which it is intended to be used and the size and shape of the other components of the device 20, including any other layers. In the illustrated embodiment, a length L extending from a first vertex 30a to a second vertex 30b can be in the range of about 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) to about 8.0 centimeters (about 3 inches), and in one exemplary embodiment the length L is about 6.4 centimeters (about 2.5 inches), and a height H extending from a first co-vertex 30c to a second co-vertex 30d can be in the range of about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) to about 5.0 centimeters (about 2 inches), and in one exemplary embodiment the height H is about 3.2 centimeters (about 1.25 inches). A thickness of the base layer 30 can generally be as thin as possible to minimize any effect the layer 30 has on the strike of the golf ball. In some embodiments a thickness of the base layer 30 can be about 0.8 millimeters or less, and in one exemplary embodiment a thickness can be about 0.5 millimeters. The base layer 30 can be formed from any number of materials, but in some embodiments it can be made from a PET acrylic-backed film, while in other embodiments it can be a plasticized PVC sheet or various types of thermoplastics, such as urethanes, polyesters, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and santoprene.
One exemplary embodiment of an exposure layer 40 is illustrated in
As shown in
The exposure layer 40 can include a yield-stress material 44 disposed in the chamber 42. The yield-stress material 44 can generally be configured to be a semi-rigid solid when it is not under load, but readily flow under stress. The amount of load or stress required to cause the yield-stress material 44 to readily flow, i.e., the threshold load, can depend on a variety of factors, including the size and shape of the chamber 42 in which the material 44 is disposed, the properties of any components surrounding the chamber 42, the viscosity of the material 44, and the angle at which the load is applied to the material 44. In some embodiments, an approximately direct impact resulting from contact with a golf ball at approximately 48 kilometers per hour (about 30 miles per hour) or more can cause the yield-stress material 44 to flow away from the impact point. A person skilled in the art will understand how to manipulate the variables such as the size and shape if the chamber 42 and the viscosity of the material 44, among others, to achieve a desired threshold load. The desired threshold load is generally a load that will not be achieved by incidental contact with the device 20, but which will be achieved when a golf club is swung to make contact with a ball, even by an amateur or weaker player.
In the illustrated embodiment, a volume of the material 44 is less than a volume of the chamber 42. For example, in some embodiments the volume of the material 44 is in the range of about 80% to about 98% in comparison to the available volume of the chamber 42. In one exemplary embodiment, about 95% of the chamber 42's volume is filled with the yield-stress material 44. The amount of material 44 can end up being in the range of about 0.5 milliliters to about 4 milliliters, and in one exemplary embodiment is about 0.8 milliliters. Generally there should be enough material 44 in the chamber 42 that the base layer 30 is not visible when the material 44 in the exposure layer 40 has not been displaced. In some exemplary embodiments, air in the chamber 42 of the exposure layer 40 can be vacuumed out, thereby helping the device 20 to have the capability of resetting itself, as described in further detail herein.
The yield-stress material 44 can be any number of materials that are capable of being a semi-rigid solid under gentle or no load, but capable of readily flowing above a threshold load. Synthetic clays and hyrdrogels, which can both gel through a charge stabilization process, are two forms of materials that are useful in the device 20. In one exemplary embodiment, the yield stress material 44 can include Laponite XLG, which is a synthetic clay manufactured by Rockwood Additives Limited, Moorfield Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 OJU, United Kingdom. Various formulations of the yield-stress material can be used, but in one exemplary embodiment, 5% Laponite XLG synthetic clay is disposed in tap water, while in another exemplary embodiment 10% Laponite XLG synthetic clay is disposed in tap water. Such formulations can be generally transparent, and thus can be colored using any number of techniques known to those skilled in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the material 44 used in the device 20 is a blue color created by mixing a 5% titanium dioxide with trace amounts of carbon black and a few drops of blue food coloring.
In addition to being generally transparent, Laponite XLG synthetic clay can be an advantageous yield-stress material because it can generally have sharp yield-stress transitions and high-shear-rate viscosities, which allows the material 44 to readily flow in response to the threshold load and stabilize shortly thereafter. When it stabilizes, it can maintain the configuration that resulted from the threshold load, and thus the impact location causing the threshold load can be maintained. Generally, the material 44 selected can be temperature agnostic, although to the extent temperature does affect the threshold load of the material 44, a person skilled in the art can adjust parameters such as those previously mentioned to achieve the desired threshold load.
Cover LayerAn optional cover layer 50 of the device 20 is shown in
The cover layer 50 can be formed from any number of materials, but in some embodiments its generally inelastic membrane is made from polyvinyl acetate. In other embodiments it can be made from the same material as the base layer, such as a PET acrylic-backed film or a plasticized PVC sheet. In other embodiments it may be more desirable for the cover layer 50 to more easily withstand high velocities without splitting. In such embodiments, materials having more elasticity, and thus have better tensile resistance, may be used, including but not limited to thermoplastic rubbers, urethanes, polyesters, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and santoprene. Generally, the cover layer 50 is substantially transparent so that the base layer 30 and its indicia 34 can be easily visible through the cover layer 50 and the displaced exposure layer 40.
In some embodiments, the cover layer 50 can include one or more indicia formed thereon using techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as printing or stamping. For example, the indicia can be tailored to match particular types of golf club heads (e.g., irons, woods, fairway woods, wedges, putters) and/or particular brands of golf club heads (e.g., Callaway, Ping, Taylor Made, Nike) to help a user know precisely where the device 20 should be placed on the face 12 of the club 10 so that it properly aligns with the sweet spot of the club 10. In other embodiments, indicia formed on the cover layer 50 may provide feedback to a user regarding the location of a ball strike.
Impact Indication Device in UseFollowing a second ball strike, a second impact location 82 is formed. As shown by comparing
As shown in
With each strike of a golf ball, the cover layer 50 and exposure layer 40 can be displaced in a manner as described and illustrated herein. Although a ball strike impact is left formed in the device 20 leading into the next ball strike, the displacement of the cover layer 50 and the exposure layer 40 can have a negligible effect on the subsequent ball strike, particularly in view of the very thin nature of the device 20. Each time a ball strike occurs, that action alone can be enough to reset or essentially eliminate the mark left by the previous ball strike, except to the extent one ball strike overlaps with the other. As a result of these capabilities, a user can continue to swing the golf club, notice the impact location after each swing, make any desired adjustments to his or her swing, and then swing again without taking the time to manually remove the impact location mark from the device 20 or strain to determine which impact location mark was the most recent mark because the device 20 only displays the most recent impact location. In some embodiments, a device can be used for at least 20 swings, at least 80 swings, and possibly up to approximately 100 swings.
It may be desirable to build-in safety measures to the device 20 that cause some sort of failure in the device before wear-and-tear from using the device breaks the exposure layer 40 and causes the yield-stress material 44 to eject from the device 20. For example, the device 20 can be configured to gradually fail such that once the exposure layer 40 has sufficiently worn, any failure will be small and not lead to an undesirable explosion of fluid out of the device 20. Alternatively, the cover layer 50, or top, visible surface of the exposure layer 40 when no cover layer is included, can be configured to wear, e.g., scuff, after each use such that after a certain number of uses, it becomes difficult to see the exposed base layer 30 and indicia 34 through the cover layer 50. In still other embodiments, an inner membrane having a fluid formed therein can be disposed within the device, 20, for example within the chamber 42 of the exposure layer, and can be configured to fail prior to failure by the exposure layer 40. When the inner membrane fails, the fluid contained therein can seep into the exposure layer, or elsewhere in the patch, thereby notifying the user that the device 20 should be replaced. The inner membrane and fluid disposed therein can be configured such that they do not interfere with viewing until the inner membrane fails. In still further embodiments, a use tracking mechanism that begins one color and fades away as the device 20 is used can be included to help the user keep track of when it is time to replace the device 20. In still other embodiments, the device 20 can be configured to include a reservoir that is connected to the exposure layer 40, with a path therebetween configured to open only after the exposure layer 40 fails. Thus, if the exposure layer 40 fails, the material 44 can flow into the reservoir.
SensorsIn some embodiments, one or more sensors can be associated with an impact indication device. The sensor(s) can have a variety of configurations and generally be adapted to measure any number of parameters, including but not limited to a contact pressure and a location of a ball strike. In one exemplary embodiment, illustrated in
The sensor 90 can also be configured to make other determinations, such as a force of impact, for instance by using an elastomeric support. As illustrated, a contact zone 17 that results from the impact of a golf ball 16 is where the isolated short circuits can make the desired determinations. The sensor 90 can be disposed on any layer of an impact determination device, and can even be disposed separately on a face or head of a golf club. In one exemplary embodiment, such as the device 20, the sensor can be disposed on a back side of the cover layer 50. A person skilled in the art will understand various other types and configurations of sensor(s) that can be adapted for use with the impact indication devices disclosed herein.
Methods of ManufactureAny number of methods of manufacturing known to those skilled in the art can be adapted to manufacture impact indication devices disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, which begins at
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In still other embodiments the exposure layer can be formed using various thermoform methods known to those skilled in the art. In still other embodiments, the entire device can be manufactured using a conveyor system. For example, a welder can be used to create seals as described, with needles for accessing the cavity already disposed therein. The part can then move on the belt to a fill station, where the yield-stress material can be added into the cavity through the needles. The part can subsequently move to a location where the adhesive backing can be attached and a location where the needles can be removed and openings in which they were disposed sealed, and finally the part can be moved to a die cutter for final formation of the product. A person having skill in the art would understand how other steps, including those known to those skilled in the art and those disclosed herein, can be included in such a system without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.
Another exemplary method for forming an impact indication device is illustrated in
Another way in which impact indication devices can visually display only a most recent ball strike and clear previous ball strikes with no more than a swing of a golf club can be by using a porous or deformable substrate. As shown in
When the substrate 244 is fully compressed, for instance when a ball 16 impacts the face 10 via the cover 250 and drives the cover 250 and substrate 244 approximately in a direction T as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the impact of a ball can actually drive fluid into a porous substrate, thereby identifying the location of impact by the addition of color to that location. After the ball strike is complete, the fluid can dissipate from the location and spread more evenly through the exposure layer. In this embodiment, the resulting indication of a ball strike can be a fuller, more robust color due a color fluid being driven in to the impact location.
After the strike is complete, as shown in
In still another embodiment in which an impact indication device is adapted to both visually display only a most recent ball strike and clear previous ball strikes with no more than a swing of a golf club, the device can include liquid crystal films. More particularly, as shown in
More particularly, the liquid crystal films 444 work by induced orientation in semi-rigid molecules. This orientation imposes a characteristics length on the self-organized structure contained in the exposure layer 440 that selectively passes specific wavelengths of light. The microstructure of the liquid crystal films can help provide the desired contrast. In one exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal films are thermochromic liquid crystals, which can use the chiral nematic, sometimes referred to as cholesteric, nature of the self-assembled structures to create an optically active material that is sensitive to temperature. Thermochromic liquid crystals can be made that are either temperature sensitive, i.e., color varies with temperature, or temperature insensitive, i.e., shear-sensitive, which can have a sharp, single color transition. The color changes can be thin-film effects and in bulk the materials can tend to appear iridescent, rather than nomochromatic. In temperature insensitive materials, the transition can be more marked as a “clearing point” where the liquid crystal transitions from a strong reflecting cholesteric phase to a transparent, isotopic phase.
Mobile Impact RecorderIn some instances, an affordable, convenient, and user-friendly mobile technology can be used in conjunction with the impact indication devices provided for herein, or with other impact indication devices known to those skilled in the art, to capture and record where the club face impacts the ball. More broadly, a mobile impact recorder can be provided for recording any number of parameters of a golf swing, and can be used independent of or in conjunction with an impact indication device.
In some exemplary embodiments of a mobile impact recorder, it can be used to capture specific information about the swing and impact of the club face on a struck golf ball. The information can be captured by an accelerometer designed for that purpose, or a number of other components configured to capture such information. A sensor can be designed to record a variety of data parameters, including but not limited to a swing plane, location of impact, angle of impact, and club head speed through. Such parameters can be recorded using a variety of techniques, but in one instance they are detected through vibrations caused by the impact using an accelerometer combined with a sensor and Wi-Fi technology. The parameters can then be used to project a distance and direction of the ball flight, among other results. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor can be configured to transmit data to a custom receiver, for example, via Bluetooth, conveniently placed on the golf club, golf bag, or other nearby location. The custom receiver can transmit data onto the user's respective smartphone and/or tablet apps in real time. Data can be stored in the cloud for further analysis by the individual golfer or can be shared with a golf instructor. Data can be saved, shared or deleted by each individual user at anytime. A person skilled in the art will recognize a variety of other embodiments that can achieve these same functions related to recording, transmitting, sharing, processing, and using data, including but not limited allowing the smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device capable of receiving and transmitting information to communicate with the sensor to receive data directly from the sensor and/or transmit data to a remote storage location, such a cloud-based storage system.
Both the accelerometer and the sensor can be placed in a variety of locations on the club, including but not limited to the locations provided for above for the sensor 90, or even on a glove worn by a player. Other data gathering components can also be used to gather additional data parameters to be recorded, transmitted, shared, processed, and/or used for data analysis, evaluation, the simulation of a golf game, etc. In some instances, the components can be electronically based, like the sensor. In one exemplary embodiment, illustrated in
The accelerometer may also be attached to the shaft of the club in various locations, behind the club head, and on the butt-end of the shaft. The accelerometer can be configured to absorb and record vibrations that result from a ball strike. The impact of the golf club contacting the ball can send vibrations through the golf club and to these various locations, including the gloved hand. The vibration information can then be analyzed using algorithms to project the results discussed herein. As shown, the accelerometer 1020 is substantially rectangular in shape, although any number of other shapes can be used, including but not limited to a round accelerometer. In exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer 1020 is substantially unobtrusive so as not to negatively impact a user's golf swing. In some embodiments the accelerometer 1020 can have an adhesive formed on a back-side thereof to allow the accelerometer 1020 to be attached to the glove 1010. The adhesive can have properties allowing it to be removable and replaceable such that the accelerometer 1020 can be selectively attached and removed from the glove 1010 and selectively attached and removed from other gloves. In other embodiments the accelerometer can be attached to various locations on the club as described herein and known to those skilled in the art. A person skilled in the art would recognize exemplary adhesives that can be used in this manner. In some other embodiments the accelerometer 1020 can be pre-coupled to the glove 1010 such that a user receives the glove 1010 with the accelerometer 1020 already attached to or even embedded in it. In still other embodiments, the accelerometer 1020 can be attached to other structures, including but not limited to impact indicators provided for herein or otherwise known to those skilled in the art and the golf club, for instance on the face, head, shaft, or handle of the club, in either a removable/replaceable manner or in a more permanent manner.
The introductory data recording and transmitting product can be specifically designed to capture and record a variety of data parameters, including but not limited to swing plane, location of impact, club head speed and estimate the distance a ball travels after each swing. A person skilled in the art will recognize a number of different ways these data parameters can be used, and a number of other ways in which other data parameters related to the impact location and swing can be recorded and used by a computer program or mobile application. By way of non-limiting examples, information can be shared with a golf instructor to better an individual's game, as competition between two individuals, record a great swing or round, reference previous sessions, convert information into a virtual game etc.
Use and data gathered from this introductory product can establish the foundation upon which to enhance future hardware and software updates.
A person skilled in the art will recognize a variety of different computer-based technologies that can be used to carry out disclosures contained herein. For example, the devices, systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented using one or more computer systems, such as the exemplary embodiment of a computer system 1100 shown in
As shown, the computer system 1100 can include one or more processors 1102 which can control the operation of the computer system 1100. The processor(s) 1102 can include any type of microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU), including programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors and/or any one of a variety of proprietary or commercially available single or multi-processor systems. The computer system 1100 can also include one or more memories 1104, which can provide temporary storage for code to be executed by the processor(s) 1102 or for data acquired from one or more users, storage devices, and/or databases. The memory 1104 can include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, one or more varieties of random access memory (RAM) (e.g., static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), or synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)), and/or a combination of memory technologies.
The various elements of the computer system 1100 can be coupled to a bus system 1112. The illustrated bus system 1112 is an abstraction that represents any one or more separate physical busses, communication lines/interfaces, and/or multi-drop or point-to-point connections, connected by appropriate bridges, adapters, and/or controllers. The computer system 1100 can also include one or more network interface(s) 1106, one or more input/output (IO) interface(s) 108, and one or more storage device(s) 1110.
The network interface(s) 1106 can enable the computer system 1100 to communicate with remote devices (e.g., other computer systems) over a network, and can be, for example, remote desktop connection interfaces, Ethernet adapters, and/or other local area network (LAN) adapters. The IO interface(s) 1108 can include one or more interface components to connect the computer system 1100 with other electronic equipment. For example, the IO interface(s) 1108 can include high speed data ports, such as USB ports, 1394 ports, etc. Additionally, the computer system 1100 can be accessible to a human user, and thus the IO interface(s) 1108 can include displays, speakers, keyboards, pointing devices, and/or various other video, audio, or alphanumeric interfaces. The storage device(s) 1110 can include any conventional medium for storing data in a non-volatile and/or non-transient manner. The storage device(s) 1110 can thus hold data and/or instructions in a persistent state (i.e., the value is retained despite interruption of power to the computer system 1100). The storage device(s) 1110 can include one or more hard disk drives, flash drives, USB drives, optical drives, various media cards, and/or any combination thereof and can be directly connected to the computer system 1100 or remotely connected thereto, such as over a network. The elements illustrated in
Although an exemplary computer system is depicted and described herein, it will be appreciated that this is for sake of generality and convenience. In other embodiments, the computer system may differ in architecture and operation from that shown and described here.
The disclosures provided for herein related to an impact indication device and a mobile impact recorder are practice tools designed to help golfers from beginners to the professionals track and better their swings. The various embodiments of and disclosures pertaining to an impact indication device provided for herein or otherwise derivable therefrom can be used on their own, without a mobile impact recorder. Likewise, the various embodiments of and disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder provided for herein or otherwise derivable therefrom can be used on their own, without an impact indication device. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the unique integration of a visual and mobile component can work together to provide golfers with a personalized simulator experience, regardless of their ability.
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. Additionally, although the present disclosure primarily discusses the impact indication device with respect to being used in conjunction with a golf club, the device and related disclosures can be easily adapted for use in a variety of other fields in which the indication of a location of impact, and the ability for the indication device to reset itself, may be desirable. Examples of such fields include but are not limited to other sports (e.g., baseball, hockey, lacrosse, tennis), aerospace, military, law enforcement, children's toys, games, hobbies, and strength testing. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Claims
1. An impact indication device, comprising:
- a base layer having one or more information-providing indicia on a display surface thereof;
- an exposure layer disposed over the display surface of the base layer, the exposure layer having a sealed chamber with a yield-stress material disposed therein, and the exposure layer being configured such that impact from an outside force at an impact location displaces the yield-stress material at the impact location to reveal the base layer.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein a second impact from an outside force at a second impact location displaces the yield-stress material at the second impact location to reveal the base layer, and to the extent the second impact location does not overlap with the first impact location, the yield-stress material flows back to non-overlapping portions of the first impact location in the exposure layer.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover layer disposed over the exposure layer, the cover layer being substantially inelastic.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the yield-stress material comprises a hydrogel.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein a back surface of the base layer comprises an adhesive.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is reusable such that the base layer can be adhered to and removed from a first surface and subsequently adhered to a second surface.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor attached to one of the base layer and the exposure layer and configured to measure and transmit data related to impacts received by the device.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein a volume of the yield-stress material disposed in the chamber is less than an approximate volume of the chamber, and the chamber is vacuum-sealed.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an inner membrane disposed in either the base layer or the exposure layer, the inner membrane having a fluid disposed therein and being configured to fail to release the fluid disposed therein into the respective base layer or exposure layer in which the inner member is disposed before the chamber of the exposure layer fails and releases the yield-stress material disposed therein.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the base layer is sized to be attached to a face of a golf club.
11. An impact indication device, comprising:
- a patch having a back surface that is removably and replaceably attachable to a face of a golf club and a ball-striking surface configured to visually display an impact location where the patch most recently struck a golf ball;
- wherein the patch displays the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes, and
- wherein the patch is configured to reset itself to no longer display the impact locations of previous strikes after the most recent strike occurs such that no action beyond swinging the golf club again is required by a user between strikes.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the patch further comprises a yield-stress material disposed therein between the ball-striking and back surfaces, the yield-stress material being configured to be displaced in response to the most recent strike to display the impact location of the most recent strike and to no longer display the impact locations of the previous strikes.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein displacement of the yield-stress material following a strike displays one or more indicia located on a top face of the back surface to provide feedback regarding the impact location from the most recent strike.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein the patch resets itself by striking a golf ball.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein the patch further comprises a plurality of liquid crystal films disposed therein between the ball-striking and back surfaces, the liquid crystal films being configured to change colors in response to the most recent strike to display the impact location of the most recent strike and to no longer display the impact locations of the previous strikes.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein the patch further comprises a sensor disposed therein and configured to measure data related to golf ball strikes made by the patch.
17. A method of tracking a location of impact on a golf club, comprising:
- swinging a golf club having a club head to hit a golf ball with the club head, the head having an indication tracking device adhered thereto, and the indication tracking device visually identifying a location at which the club head strikes the golf ball; and
- swinging the golf club to hit a golf ball with the club head, the indication tracking device visually identifying a location at which the club head strikes the golf ball while no longer visually identifying the location of the previous strike,
- wherein a user touches neither the club head nor the indication tracking device to reset the indication tracking device so that it visually identifies the location of a most recent strike while no longer visually identifying the location of the previous strike.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein after the indication tracking device visually identifies a location at which the club head strikes the golf ball, the step of swinging the golf club to hit a golf ball with the club head resets the indication tracking device so that it visually identifies the location of the most recent strike while no longer visually identifying the location of the previous strike.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: SANWOOD LLC (Henderson, NV)
Inventors: Eric Sanchez (Santa Barbara, CA), Robert Woods (Henderson, NV), Gavin Braithwaite (Boston, MA), Stephen Spiegelberg (Boston, MA)
Application Number: 14/206,866
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);
