U.S. patent application number 10/642567 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-29 for device for measuring an impact force applied to an object.
Invention is credited to Knox, Stefan.
Application Number | 20040082414 10/642567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9942602 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040082414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knox, Stefan |
April 29, 2004 |
Device for measuring an impact force applied to an object
Abstract
A measuring device comprising pressure measuring means adapted
to be fitted to a first sports implement and further adapted to
record the contact pressure between the first sporting implement
and a second sports implement in use, and means to communicate the
pressure calculated to the user.
Inventors: |
Knox, Stefan; (Northchapel,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul Grandinetti
Levy & Grandinetti
Suite 1108
1725 K Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20006-1423
US
|
Family ID: |
9942602 |
Appl. No.: |
10/642567 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/564 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/53 20130101;
G01P 3/12 20130101; G01P 7/00 20130101; A63B 71/143 20130101; A63B
2220/801 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/564 |
International
Class: |
A63B 059/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2002 |
GB |
A-0219317.5 |
Claims
1. A measuring device comprising pressure measuring means adapted
to be fitted to a first sports implement and further adapted to
record the contact pressure between the first sporting implement
and a second sports implement in use, and means to communicate the
pressure calculated to the user.
2. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1 in which the measuring
device is provided with processing means, which is provided with a
database of potential contact pressure recordings, in which each
potential contact pressure recording corresponds to a
pre-determined value on a scale, and when a contact pressure
recording is received in use, the corresponding pre-determined
value is communicated to the user.
3. A measuring device as claimed in claim 2 in which the
pre-determined value is a number on a scale from 0 to 100.
4. A measuring device as claimed in claim 2 in which the
pre-determined value is a speed on a speed scale which
substantially corresponds to the speed at which the second sports
implement was travelling before and/or after it impacted the
pressure measuring means.
5. A measuring device as claimed in claim 4 in which the first
sports implement is an object which is struck, and the second
sports implement is a striking object, and the speed at which the
second sports implement was travelling before it impacted the
pressure measuring means is calculated.
6. A measuring device as claimed in claim 5 in which the first
sports implement is a baseball glove, and the second sports
implement is a baseball.
7. A measuring device as claimed in claim 6 in which the pressure
measuring means is a transducer sensor.
8. A measuring device as claimed in claim 6 in which the pressure
measuring means is a layer of Quantum Tunnelling Composite
material.
9. A measuring device as claimed in claim 8 in which the device is
adapted to be fitted to a baseball glove and comprises a base
adapted to be seated in the palm of the glove at a location where a
ball is conventionally caught in use, and means to hold the base in
position, and in which the pressure measuring means is disposed on
the base, and in which the processing means and the means to
communicate the speed calculated are contained in a housing
disposed at the rear of the glove, and in which the means to
communicate the speed calculated is an LCD display.
10. A measuring device as claimed in claim 3 in which the first
sports implement is a striking object, and the second sports
implement is an object which is struck and the speed at which the
second sports implement was travelling after it impacted the
pressure measuring means is calculated.
11. A measuring device as claimed in claim 10 in which the first
sports object is a boot and the second sports object is a ball.
12. A measuring device as claimed in claim 11 in which the pressure
measuring means is a transducer sensor.
13. A measuring device as claimed in claim 11 in which the pressure
measuring means is a layer of Quantum Tunnelling Composite
material.
14. A measuring device as claimed in claim 13 in which the device
is adapted to be fitted to a soccer boot and comprises a base
adapted to be seated on the upper of the boot, a foot strap and a
heel strap, and in which the pressure measuring means is disposed
in an off-set position on the base, which substantially corresponds
to the point where a ball is traditionally struck by a boot, and in
which the processing means and the means to communicate the speed
calculated are contained in a housing disposed on a portion of the
heel strap adjacent the opposite side of the upper to that which
strikes the ball, and in which the means to communicate the speed
calculated is an LCD display.
15. A measuring device as claimed in claim 14 in which the foot
strap and the heel strap are secured to the base by pivot joints,
and the base can be disposed either way up, such that the device
can be arranged for fitting to a left or a right sided boot, and in
which the base is provided with a pattern which indicates the
position of the pressure measuring means.
16. A measuring device as claimed in claim 15 in which the means to
communicate the speed calculated is provided on a second base,
which is connected to the processing means by a remote signal, in
which the second base is a wrist worn device.
17. A measuring device as claimed in claim 10 in which the first
sports object is a bat and the second sports object is a ball.
18. A measuring device as claimed in claim 17 in which the pressure
measuring means is a layer of Quantum Tunnelling Composite
material.
19. A measuring device as claimed in claim 18 in which the device
is adapted to be fitted to a baseball bat, and comprises a sleeve
adapted to be seated on the body of the bat, in which the QTC is
carried by the sleeve, and in which the processing means and the
means to communicate the speed calculated are disposed at the base
of the bat, and in which the means to communicate the speed
calculated is an LCD display.
20. A measuring device as claimed in claim 19 in which the device
is provided with at least two modes, in which each mode uses a
different database, and in which the different databases correspond
to different ball types being struck in use.
21. A measuring device as claimed in claim 20 in which the device
is provided with at least two databases which correspond to
different parts of a ball being struck, and in which the processing
means is adapted to recognise from the pressure recording received
which part of the ball has been struck and to refer to the correct
database to calculate the speed.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for measuring an
impact force applied to an object, for use particularly, but not
exclusively, for calculating the speed of an object used in a
sports game.
[0002] Many sports are based on the movement of an object, most
commonly a ball. Recent technology has allowed the speed at which
these balls travel to be known. This provides an added interest for
both the players and the viewers, for example, the fastest serve in
Tennis, or the fastest pitch in Baseball.
[0003] The technology used to record the speed of a ball is based
on measurements taken as the ball passes through space, for example
with a known type of infrared or laser "speed gun". This kind of
technology is sophisticated and expensive, and is therefore not
available to the amateur enthusiast.
[0004] Further, this equipment may require a user who is not
participating in the game who can aim the device at the moving
ball.
[0005] The present invention is intended to provide an alternative
approach.
[0006] According to the present invention a measuring device
comprises pressure measuring means adapted to be fitted to a first
sports implement and further adapted to record the contact pressure
between the first sporting implement and a second sports implement
in use, and means to communicate the pressure calculated to the
user.
[0007] The measuring device may be further provided with processing
meanswhich is provided with means to derive a pre-determined value
on a scale from a contact pressure recording received in use, and
in which the pre-determined value is communicated to the user.
[0008] It will be appreciated that this means to derive a
pre-determined value on a scale could be a programmed equation.
However, in a preferred construction the means to derive a
pre-determined value is a database of potential contact pressure
recordings, in which each potential contact pressure recording
corresponds to a pre-determined value on the scale, and when a
contact pressure recording is received in use, the corresponding
pre-determined value is communicated to the user.
[0009] The pre-determined scale can be 0 to 100, in which the
lowest pressure recordable corresponds to 0 and the highest
pressure recordable corresponds to 100. With this arrangement a
score on the scale from 0 to 100 can be provided which corresponds
to the force with which the first sporting implement contacted the
second sporting implement.
[0010] However, in a preferred construction the pre-determined
value is a speed on a speed scale which substantially corresponds
to the speed at which the second sports implement was travelling
before and/or after is impacted the pressure measuring means.
[0011] In a first construction the first sports implement can be a
striking object, for example a soccer boot, a baseball bat, or
anything similar, and the second sports implement can be an object
which is struck, for example a soccer ball or a baseball. It will
be appreciated that with this arrangement it is the speed of the
ball after it was struck by the boot or the bat which is
communicated.
[0012] In an alternative construction the first sports implement
can be an object which is struck, for example a baseball glove, and
the second sports implement can be a striking object, for example a
baseball. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement it is
the speed of the ball upon impact with the glove which is
communicated.
[0013] The pressure measuring means can be any device which can
detect a change in pressure, for example a transducer sensor of a
known type, for example a strip of piezoelectric crystal, which is
adapted to provide an electrical signal to the processing means
when a physical pressure is created between the two sports
implements in use.
[0014] However, in an alternative construction a Quantum Tunnelling
Composite (QTC) manufactured by Peratech, of G3 Morton Park Way,
Dalington, County Durham, Great Britain, is used.
[0015] QTCs are electrically conductive composite solid state
materials which change from an insulator to conductor when
physically manipulated, and are used in switches, variable
resistance controls and sensors that respond to force, temperature
or volatile organic compounds.
[0016] Current can pass between conductor particles within the
composites that are not in physical contact by means of electron
tunnelling. The dependence of tunnelling current upon conductor
particles separation is exponential, therefore an enormous
resistance range can be controlled by relatively small changes in
separation.
[0017] Under pressure or mechanical deformation the resistance of a
QTC drops gradually over a range from greater than 10 exp(12) ohms
to less than one ohm (ie the QTC turns from an insulator to a
conductor). The electrical resistance changes smoothly and
controllably.
[0018] Operating pressures can be extremely large or small ie from
the hardest hammer blow to the lightest touch, and the proportional
resistance range can be fully predetermined.
[0019] As a result a QTC can provide a very accurate measurement of
a contact pressure between two sporting implements, which allows an
accurate speed to be calculated.
[0020] In addition, QTC can be provided in granular form, which can
be put into or onto other surfaces or materials to impart its
electrical properties to that surface or material.
[0021] The processing means can be an electronic circuit
constructed from known materials and to a known formula. The
circuit can be programmable, so it can be provided with one or more
of the above described databases.
[0022] The communication means can be a visual display, which is
provided on the measuring device. The visual display can be a
liquid crystal display. In an alternative construction the
communication means can be an audio signal, for example a recording
of a voice speaking the speed recorded.
[0023] The communication means can also be provided on a second
base, connected to the processing means by a remote signal. In one
construction the communications means can be provided on a watch,
which can either display, or audibly communicate the speed
calculated once the remote signal is sent to it.
[0024] The processing means and/or the LCD can be provided on the
opposite side of the device to the pressure measuring means, and
therefore the opposite side of the sports implement to the side of
impact.
[0025] The invention can be performed in various ways but three
examples will now be described by way of example and with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the component parts of a
measuring device according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG.
1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 2
fitted to a football boot,;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second measuring device
according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 4
fitted to a baseball glove,
[0031] FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of the device shown in
FIG. 4 fitted to a baseball glove,
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of a section of the
second measuring device as shown in FIG. 4.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a side view of a third measuring device according
to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is an end view of the third measuring device as shown
in FIG. 8; and,
[0035] FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows the operational stages
of any of the devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.
[0036] In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 a measuring device 1 is adapted to be
fitted to a soccer boot 2. The device 1 comprises a transducer
sensor 3 which is adapted to record the contact pressure between
the soccer boot 2 and a soccer ball (not shown). an electronic
circuit board 4 adapted to calculate from the pressure recorded by
the transducer 3 the speed at which a soccer ball was travelling
after it was struck by the boot 2, and an LCD display 5 to display
the speed calculated.
[0037] The device 1 further comprises a base 6, a foot strap 7, a
heel strap 8, a housing 9 and a resilient outer cover 10. The
transducer 3 is secured to the base 6, and is provided with a cover
11. The outer cover 10 is secured on the base on top of the
transducer 6. The housing 9 comprises a base 12 and an outer cover
13. The circuit board 4, the LCD display 5 and a battery 14 are
contained within the housing 9. The base 12 is provided with an
opening 15 and a removable cover 16, though which the battery 14
can be removed and/or replaced. The housing 9 is secured to the
heel strap 8, and the heel strap 8 and the foot strap 7 are secured
to the base 6 by means of pivot joints 17 and 18.
[0038] The transducer 6 is disposed in an off-set position on the
base 6, which corresponds to the spot where a soccer ball is
traditionally struck by a soccer boot.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 the device 1 is fitted to a soccer boot 2
by placing the base 6 on the upper 19 of the boot 2, and placing
the foot strap 7 around the body 20 of the boot 2, and the heel
strap 8 around the heel 21 of the boot 2. The device 1 can be
provided with an operating switch (not shown) to turn it on.
[0040] In use the operator fits the device 1 to their soccer boot,
and switches it on. They then strike a soccer ball in the
traditional manner. As a result the transducer 3 is placed under a
contact pressure and a measurement is taken. This measurement is
sent to the electronic circuit board 4 via insulated wire 22 (as
shown in FIG. 1). The circuit board 4 is programmed with a database
of potential pressure measurements, which includes the speed figure
to be displayed when a particular pressure measurement is received,
and the result is then displayed on the LCD display 5. It will be
appreciated that the speed displayed will only be accurate if the
resilience of the ball corresponds to information about the ball
which has also been programmed into the circuit 4. It will be
further appreciated that the device 1 will only provide an accurate
reading if the ball is struck by the portion of the boot 2 adjacent
to the transducer 3.
[0041] To assist in the accurate use of the device 1 a pattern 23
is displayed on the outer cover 10 which shows where a ball should
be struck by the foot.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3 the housing 9 is on the opposite side of
the boot to the striking area 24. With this arrangement the housing
9 will not be damaged when the boot comes into contact with the
ball.
[0043] It will be appreciated that the above described device 1 can
be adapted to be used with any sporting implement which is used to
strike another sporting implement, without departing from the
invention.
[0044] In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 a measuring device 25 is adapted to be
fitted to a baseball glove 26.
[0045] The device 25 comprises a layer of Quantum Tunnelling
Composite (QTC), of the type manufactured by Peratech, of G3 Morton
Park Way, Dalington, County Durham. Great Britain (not visible in
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) which is adapted to record the contact pressure
between the glove 26 and a baseball ball (not shown), an electronic
circuit board (not visible) adapted to calculate from the pressure
recorded by the QTC the speed at which a ball was travelling before
it was caught by the glove 26, and an LCD display 27 to display the
speed calculated.
[0046] The device 25 operates in substantially the same way as
device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The device 25 comprises a base
28, upon which the layer of QTC is mounted, and covered by an outer
cover 29. A housing 30 is provided which contains the circuit
board, battery and LCD display 27 required to operate the
invention.
[0047] In use the device 25 is fitted to a glove 26 by means of
straps 31. The housing 30 is secured to the rear of the wrist
portion 32 of the straps 31. The user activates the device 25 by
means of switch 33, then catches a flying ball. The contact
pressure recorded by the layer of QTC is then sent to the circuit,
and a speed is calculated and displayed on the LDC display.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6 the housing 30 is on the opposite side of
the glove to the ball catching area, so it will not be damaged in
use.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 7 a layer of foam 34 is disposed between
the base 28 and the outer cover 29. QTC in granular form has been
applied to the foam 34, which acts as a carrier material, and
positive 35 and a negative 36 electrical points are in contact with
the foam 34. Therefore, when a ball (not shown) puts pressure on
the outer cover 29, the foam 34 is distorted between the outer
cover 29 and the glove 26, and a reading can be taken.
[0050] The device 25 can be altered without departing from the
spirit of the invention. In particular, in another embodiment (not
shown) the device is not provided with straps 31, rather it is
provided with internal resilient means adapted to bias the front
and rear portions of the device together, thereby to hold it in
placed on the web between the thumb and finger portions of a
glove.
[0051] In FIGS. 8 and 9, a baseball bat 40 is provided with a foam
sleeve 41, which carries a QTC in a similar manner to the foam 34
shown in FIG. 7. The bat 40 is also provided with a display 42 at
its inner end 43. As shown in FIG. 9 the display 42 comprises an
LCD 44, and an operation button 45 is also provided.
[0052] An electronic circuit (not shown) and a battery are provided
inside the bat, and are connected to the foam sleeve 41.
[0053] In use the bat is switched on by means of the button 45, and
the bat can be switched between three modes. In a first mode, which
is indicated by arrow 46 in the LCD 44, the bat is set for striking
a softball. In a second mode the LCD displays the highest speed
recorded, and in a third mode, the bat is set for striking a
baseball. The electronic circuit is programmed with two databases,
one with pressure recordings which correspond to a softball, and
one with pressure recordings corresponding to a baseball. Which
database is used depends on whether the first or the third mode is
set, and the result is then displayed on the LCD display 44. Due to
the nature of the QTC, an accurate pressure reading can be taken
regardless of where the bail is struck on the foam sleeve 41.
[0054] The bat 40 can be altered without departing from the spirit
of the invention. In particular, in an alternative embodiment (not
shown) the foam sleeve can be removed from the bat, and the
electronic circuit, the battery and the display can be provided in
a module, which can also be removed from the bat. Thus a device can
be provided which can be fitted to a conventional bat.
[0055] In a further alternative embodiment (not shown) a layer of
QTC is formed into a lattice formation, from which it can be
determined where on the layer a contact has been made. Therefore, a
device can be fitted to a boot, glove or bat and so on, which can
also provide information in relation to the location of a hit or
catch.
[0056] It will be appreciated that baseballs, and other balls, can
be provided with protruding elements, for example seams. Therefore,
different pressure readings can be recorded depending on whether a
smooth portion or a protruding portion of the ball is struck or
caught. Therefore, in a further alternative embodiment (not shown)
the electronic circuit can be provided with two or more databases
which correspond to different parts of a ball being struck, and can
be adapted to recognise from the pressure recordings received which
part of a ball has been struck, and to utilise the correct database
to calculate the speed.
[0057] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart which explains the basic
operation of any of the above described devices.
[0058] It will be appreciated that any of the above described
devices can be adapted to be used with any sporting implement which
is used to stop or catch another sporting implement, without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0059] Thus a device is provided which is cheap to manufacture and
to purchase, and which can be used to calculate the speed of
sporting implements without the need for a third party using a
separate measuring device.
* * * * *