US20040176175A1

US20040176175A1 - Sporting equipment audible device

Info

Publication number: US20040176175A1
Application number: US10/801,737
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence Koncelik
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-28
Filing date: 2004-03-16
Publication date: 2004-09-09

Abstract

A sound or characteristics of a sound that a golf club makes when swung by a test golfer may be displayed on a monitor, recorded in memory, and may be used by the test golfer as an aid to improving his or her swing. The sound that the club makes during the swing is enhanced when a sound generation element is attached to the golf club. A processor may cause a graph of characteristics of test golfer sound waves to be displayed along with a graph of an ideal case of a golf club being swung in an ideal manner.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present patent application is a continuation in part of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/422,511, titled “Sporting Equipment Audible Device”, filed on Apr. 24, 2003, and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,215, titled “Sporting Equipment Audible Device”, filed on May 29, 2001, which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,370, on Feb. 17, 2004, and which was the parent application of Ser. No. 10/422,511, and the present application claims the priority of PCT patent application, International application No. PCT/US01/26686, titled “Sporting Equipment Audible Device” filed on Aug. 28, 2001.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment and more specifically to a device that can be selectively attached to some sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions.

The sound-generating device of the present invention is attached to hand held sporting equipment that travel through a sweeping motion, such as golf clubs and tennis racquets. By attachment of the sound-generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds during predetermined velocities of the sound-generating device.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses a device that attaches to sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions. The device is selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club and tennis racquet, that travels through a sweeping motion. By attachment of the sound-generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt increases in velocity. The device is comprised of a sound generation element and may include a means of attachment element.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a sound generation element comprised of a planar sheet of polyester film having an amount of adhesive along one side of said polyester film with a peelable protective element covering the adhesive. The device is fixed to the sporting equipment by removing the adhesive protective element and placing the device in contact with the sporting equipment. The device is wrapped around the sporting equipment with the adhesive element being a fixed to a part of the planar sheet of polyester. The adhesive does not come into contact with the sporting equipment. Thereby the device is free to rotate about the sporting equipment during use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device incorporates a means of attachment element. The means of attachment element provides for selective attachment and detachment of the sound generating device and is comprised of a snap-on collar or clip and alternately of lengths of material that can be twisted or tied around a portion of the sporting equipment. The means for attachment element can be lengths of suitable material, such as cord or wire reinforced cord, having the sound generation element fixedly positioned thereto with sufficient free end lengths that can pass around a selected point on the sporting equipment and tied or twisted as means for securing the sound generation element to the sporting equipment. As an alternate means of securing the sound-generating element to the sporting equipment, a clip is provided. The clip is a substantially cylindrical object having a slotted aperture formed by flexible divergent arms enclosing a throughbore whereby the clip can be pressed onto sporting equipment. The flexible divergent arms aid in the removal of the device from the sporting equipment.

An additional element is provided for the sound generation element in the form of a planar somewhat rigid pliant material such as paper or plastic. That can be attached permanently or semi-permanently by any means known with the art, such as adhesively. Using a means of attachment element, such as a clip, enables selective attachment and removal of the sound generation device.

The sound generation element has a clip mating member formed on one edge. The clip mating member Is inserted into a channel or aperture within the clip. The length of the sound generation element can be adjusted by wrapping said element around the clip mating member prior to insertion in the clip.

The purpose of the sound generation device of the present invention is to provide means whereby a golfer may accurately determine whether he is accelerating the club at a proper point of the swing or during the wrong part of a swing or at the top of the back swing. If the golfer jerks the club back or hits from the top, the sound generation element will make a loud flutter sound at the point of incorrect acceleration. If the swing is correct, the sound generation element will only make the flutter sound at impact of the swing. The size of the flutter flag is inversely proportional to the speed at which is the flutter.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that can be attached to selective sporting equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that will interact with atmospheric air during a sweeping motion while attached to sporting equipment to generate sound.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that can be permanently or semi-permanently attached to sporting equipment.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that can be selectively attached and removed from sporting equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device having a sound generation element.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element that can be fixedly attached to sporting equipment by means of adhesive.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element that can be attached to sporting equipment by means of an attachment element.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device having a sound generation element and a means of attachment element.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device comprising a sound generation element formed from a semi-rigid planar material such as, paper, Mylar or nylon or other polyester film.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation attachment element for a sound generation element comprising lengths of suitable material such as cord or wire reinforced line that can be tied or twisted about sporting equipment as means of securement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment element for a sound generation element comprised of a cylindrical member having a slotted aperture that can be pressed on sporting equipment.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment element having cylindrical walls with opposing divergent arms forming a slotted aperture that can be pressed on sporting equipment.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element having a post fixedly attached to one edge of the sound generation element and forming an integral part therewith.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element having a post whereby the sound generation element can be inserted into an attachment element and selectively removed therefrom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element and an attachment element that form a sound generation device.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element that can be adjustably mounted to vary the length of said sound generation element.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a sound generating device having a sound generation element that can be permanently/semi-permanently attached to hand held sporting equipment that will generate a sound during an accelerated sweeping motion.

The sound generation element can be formed from a semi-rigid pliant material. The aforementioned sound generation elements can be selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment by means of an attachment element.

The attachment element can form an integral part of the sound generation element, such as length of suitable material bonded to the sound generation element that can be positioned to straddle a portion of the sporting equipment and tied or twisted forming closure and attachment to the sporting equipment.

Alternately the attachment element can be a clip that can be pressed onto selective sporting equipment.

In another embodiment, the sound or characteristics of the sound that a golf club makes when swung may be displayed on a sound wave monitor or any other type of monitor. The sound or characteristics of the sound may be recorded in memory. The visual display of the sound waves created by a golf club that is swung is a useful teaching aid for a golfer because it allows a test golfer to actually see the relative speed of the swing during different phases of the swing. A test golfer can then compare his or her own swing, with a known ideal swing speed graph and use that comparison to improve his or her own swing. The sound that the club makes during the swing is enhanced when a sound generation element, such as one of the sound generation elements in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, is attached to the golf club.

The present invention in one embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a memory, a receiver; and a processor. The processor receives data concerning test golfer sound waves received by the receiver. The test golfer sound waves typically are generated by the sound of a golf club being swung by a test golfer. The processor may cause characteristics of the test golfer sound waves to be recorded in the memory. The apparatus may further include a monitor or display. The processor may cause the monitor to display characteristics of the test golfer sound waves. The characteristics of the test golfer sound waves may be one or more amplitudes of the test golfer sound waves with respect to time. The characteristics of the test golfer sound waves recorded can be one or more amplitudes of the test golfer sound waves with respect to frequency.

The processor may cause a graph of characteristics of the test golfer sound waves to be displayed along with a graph of an ideal case of a golf club being swung in an ideal manner. The graph of the ideal case may be derived from ideal sound waves recorded from a golfer swinging a golf club in an ideal manner. The golf club may have a sound generation element located thereon. The sound generation element may contain an airfoil made of a semi-rigid material.

The present invention, in one or more embodiments, may also include a method comprising receiving data concerning test golfer sound waves, the test golfer sound waves generated by the sound of a golf club being swung by a test golfer, recording characteristics of the test golfer sound waves in a memory, and displaying characteristics of the test golfer sound waves.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. [0037]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention having an amount of adhesive on a portion thereof. [0038]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention wrapped around a golf club shaft. [0039]
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken from FIG. 3 as indicated. [0040]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention wrapped around a golf club shaft. [0041]
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken from FIG. 5 as indicated. [0042]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention. [0043]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sound generation device with an attachment clip. [0044]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sound generation element with an attachment clip. [0045]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sound generation element with an attachment clip. [0046]
FIG. 11 is a section view of the present invention attached to a golf club shaft by a retaining clip. [0047]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sound generation element wrapped around a golf shaft with a retaining clip. [0048]
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the present invention wrapped around a golf shaft with a retaining clip. [0049]
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sound generation device attached to means for ties. [0050]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention attached to a tennis racquet. [0051]
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention attached to a tennis racquet. [0052]
FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0053]
FIGS. 18A, 18B, [0054] 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F show sound signal diagrams which are used for describing the embodiment of FIG. 17 of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings. [0055]
[0056] 10 present invention
[0057] 12 sound generation element
[0058] 14 sound generation attachment element
[0059] 18 golf club
[0060] 20 golf club shaft
[0061] 22 wire reinforced line
[0062] 24 clip
[0063] 26 arm of clip
[0064] 28 aperture
[0065] 30 golfer
[0066] 32 point of back swing
[0067] 34 point of incorrect acceleration
[0068] 36 point of flutter sound
[0069] 38 tennis racquet
[0070] 40 adhesive material
[0071] 42 clip mating member
[0072] 44 slot
[0073] 46 post
[0074] 48 wall
[0075] 50 small clip
[0076] 52 hook and loop material

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. [0077]
Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of the [0078] present invention 10 disposed on a golf club 18 having a sound generation element attached thereto whereby a golfer 30 will cause the sound generation element to emit a sound by jerking the golf club 18 during the top of the back swing. If the golfer 30 jerks the golf club 18 back at the back swing point 32 or has incorrect acceleration at point 34, e.g., a flutter sound or other sound will be emitted at point 36.
Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a perspective view of the [0079] present invention 10 attached to the shaft 20 of a golf club. The sound generation element may be made of a stiff pliant material, such as paper or plastic or the like that is fixed to the golf club shaft 20 for the purpose of generating a sound under predetermined conditions during a sweeping motion of the golf club 18.
Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is a perspective view of the [0080] present invention 10 showing the sound generation element 12 having a partial layer of adhesive material 40 on one portion thereof. The adhesive material will bond the sound generation element 12 to, e.g., a golf club shaft 20, by being wrapped around the shaft 20.
Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the [0081] present invention 10 attached to shaft 20. The sound generation element 12 is wrapped around the shaft 20 and adhesively attached to itself. The sound generation element 12 encloses shaft 20 without being affixed thereto. Thereby the sound generation element 12 is able to freely rotate around shaft 20. During use of the present invention the sound generation 12 will rotate around shaft 20 lagging during a sweeping motion.
Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a perspective view of the [0082] present invention 10 showing the sound generation element 12 having a mating hook and loop material 52 on one end thereof. The hook and loop material is spaced apart so that a golf club shaft can be placed between said mating members whereupon said mating members will be engaged enclosing the golf club shaft therein. The sound generation element 12 having been releasably fixed to golf club shaft 20 has sufficient circumference to freely rotate about club shaft 20.
Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the [0083] present invention 10 attached to a shaft 20. The sound generation element 12 is wrapped around the shaft 20 and the mating hook and loop material 52 is attached to itself enclosing shaft 20 without being affixed thereto. Thereby the sound generation element 12 is able to freely rotate around shaft 20. During use of the present invention the sound generation 12 will rotate around shaft 20 lagging during a sweeping motion.
Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the [0084] present invention 10. The sound generation element 12 being of a semi-rigid pliant material is fixed to a post 46 which is attached to the means of attachment element being a clip 24. The clip 24 has a slotted aperture 44 in the wall 48 thereof wherethrough the post 46 of the sound generation element can be inserted and retained thereby. The clip 24 has a slotted aperture 28 formed by divergent arms 26 whereby the clip attachment element can be pressed onto sporting equipment. The divergent arms 26 provide means for easily dismounting the sound generation element from the sporting equipment.
Turning for FIG. 8, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the [0085] present invention 10 showing the sound generation element 12 wrapped around the post 46 a selective number of times whereby the length of the sound generation element 12 can be varied. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.
Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the [0086] present invention 10 showing the sound generation element 12 wherein the post 46 is inserted into a slotted aperture 44 within the wall of the means of attachment element 24. The means of attachment element 24 grips a portion of sporting equipment, such as a golf club. The means of attachment clip 24 can be rotated upon the sporting equipment through a predetermined number of degrees whereby the sound generation element 12 can be rotated to generate a sound through a sweeping motion in either of the back swing or fore swing of a golf club.
Turning to FIG. 10, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the [0087] present invention 10. The sound generation device is comprised of a sound generation element 12 being a length of semi-rigid pliant material fixedly attached to a post 46 which forms a sound generation attachment element mating member for insertion into a small clip 50 disposed on the back of the large clip 24 opposite to arms 26.
Turning to FIG. 11, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the [0088] present invention 10 attached to a sporting equipment shaft 20. The sound generation device is comprised of a sound generation element 12 having a length of semi-rigid pliant material fixedly attached to a post 46 which forms a sound generation attachment element mating member for insertion into a small clip 50 on the back of the large clip 24.
Turning to FIG. 12, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device partially mounted onto a [0089] sporting equipment shaft 20. The sound generation device is comprised of a sound generation element 12 and a mounting element 24. The sound generation element 12 can be wrapped around the sporting equipment shaft until a desired length of the sound generation element is exposed, whereupon the clip attachment element 24 is pressed onto the shaft 20 over the sound generation element movably fixedly positioning the sound generation element a desired length onto the sporting equipment shaft 20.
Turning to FIG. 13, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the [0090] present invention 10 attached to a shaft 20. The sound generation element 12 is wrapped around the shaft 20 until a desired length of sound generation element is exposed. The sound generation attachment element 24 holds the sound generation element 12 at the aforementioned selective positioning onto the sporting equipment shaft 20.
Turning to FIG. 14, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device comprised of a [0091] sound generation element 12 and a sound generation attachment means forming an integral part therewith. The sound generation device, as shown, is a semi-rigid planar pliant material fixed to multiple lengths of a suitable tying or twisting material, such as cord or wire reinforced cord 22. The sporting equipment is encircled by the opposing lengths of the tie material 22 positioned at each distal end. The lengths of line 22 are then tied or twisted around the portion of sporting equipment. This configuration enables the sound generation element 12 to be attached to irregular objects such as a tennis racquet. It also provides for selective attachment as need be.
Turning to FIG. 15, shown therein is a perspective view of the [0092] present invention 10 attached to a tennis racquet 38. The sound generation device 10 is comprised of a sound generation element detachably attached to the tennis racquet 38 by means of ties 22 forming an integral part of the sound generation element. The sound generation device will emit a sound during an accelerated jerky sweeping motion of the tennis racquet 38 as opposed to a smooth sweeping motion.
Turning to FIG. 16, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention comprising a [0093] sound generation element 12 and a means of attachment element 22. The sound generation element is comprised of a semi-rigid pliant material attached to the rim of a tennis racquet 38 by ties 22.
FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of an [0094] apparatus 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 includes a sound wave monitor of display 102, a processor 104, a memory 106, an interative device 108, and a receiver/transducer 110. The processor 104 is electrically connected to the sound wave monitor 102, the memory 106, the interactive device 108, and the receiver/transducer 110 by communications lines 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d, respectively.
FIGS. 18A, 18B, [0095] 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F show sound signal diagrams 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250, respectively, which are used for describing the embodiment of FIG. 17 of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18A-F, the receiver/[0096] transducer 110 receives sound waves. These sound waves may be made by a person swinging the golf club 18 of FIG. 1 causing the sound generation element 12 to flutter. The receiver/transducer 110 may change the sound waves into an electrical signal and supply the electrical signal via communications line 104 b to the processor 104. The processor 104 may cause the sound wave monitor 102 to display characteristics of the sound wave or waves made by the person swinging the golf club 18. The processor 104 may also store characteristcs of the sound waves made by the swinging golf club 18 into memory 106. The interative device 108, which may be, for example, a computer mouse and/or a computer keyboard may be used to tell the processor 104 whether to store characteristics of the sound waves in memory 106 or whether to display them on monitor 102, and the manner in which the sound waves are displayed or stored.
The sound waves made by the swinging of the [0097] golf club 18 may have, as an example for description purposes only, the characteristics shown by FIG. 18A. FIG. 18A shows the amplitude (amp.) of the sound wave or waves plotted against time (t). The time t=0 represents the start of the swinging of the golf club 18 and the time t=t1 represents the end of the swinging of the golf club 18. The curve 201 shows the amplitude of the sound wave or waves generated by the golf club 18 with respect to time. The curve 201 is for description purposes only and does not represent actual results. The sound signal diagram 200 may be displayed on the monitor 102.
The sound waves made by the swinging of the [0098] golf club 18 may have, as an example for description purposes only, the characteristics shown by FIG. 18B. FIG. 18B shows the amplitude (amp.) of the sound wave or waves plotted against frequency (ω). The curve 211 shows the amplitude or magnitude of various frequencies for the sound wave or waves generated by the golf club 18. The curve 211 is for description purposes only and does not represent actual results. The sound signal diagram 210 may be displayed on the monitor 102.
The [0099] monitor 102 may also display an ideal sound wave diagram 220. The ideal sound wave diagram 220 may have, as an example for description purposes only, the characteristics shown by FIG. 18C. FIG. 18C shows an ideal or expected amplitude (amp.) of a sound wave or waves when the golf club 18 is swung in an ideal manner, plotted against time (t). The time t=0 represents the start of the swinging of the golf club 18 and the time t=t1 represents the end of the swinging of the golf club 18. The curve 221 shows the ideal or expected amplitude of the sound wave or waves expected to be generated by the golf club 18 with respect to time. The curve 221 is for description purposes only and does not represent real expected results. The sound signal diagram 221 may be displayed on the monitor 102.
The [0100] monitor 102 may also display an ideal sound wave diagram 230. The ideal sound wave diagram 230 may have, as an example for description purposes only, the characteristics shown by FIG. 18D. FIG. 18D shows an ideal or expected amplitude (amp.) of a sound wave or waves when the golf club 18 is swung in an ideal manner, plotted against frequency. The curve 231 shows the ideal or expected amplitude of the sound wave or waves expected to be generated by the golf club 18 with respect to frequency. The curve 231 is for description purposes only and does not represent real expected results. The sound signal diagram 231 may be displayed on the monitor 102.
FIG. 18E shows that the [0101] curve 201 for an actual golfer swinging may be displayed along with the ideal curve 221 on the monitor 102. FIG. 18F shows that the curve 211 for the actual golfer swinging may be displayed along with the ideal curve 231.
Again, curves [0102] 201, 211, 221, and 231 are used for description purposes only and do not necessarily represent any actual or anticipated results.

Claims

I claim:

1. An apparatus comprising

a memory;

a receiver; and

a processor;

wherein the processor receives data concerning test golfer sound waves received by the receiver, the test golfer sound waves generated by the sound of a golf club being swung by a test golfer; and

wherein the processor causes characteristics of the test golfer sound waves to be recorded in the memory.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a monitor; and

wherein the processor causes the monitor to display characteristics of the test golfer sound waves.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the characteristics of the test golfer sound waves are one or more amplitudes of the test golfer sound waves with respect to time.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the characteristics of the test golfer sound waves recorded are one or more amplitudes of the test golfer sound waves with respect to frequency.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

the characteristics of the test golfer sound waves recorded are one or more amplitudes of the test golfer sound waves with respect to time.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the processor causes a graph of characteristics of the test golfer sound waves to be displayed along with a graph of an ideal case of a golf club being swung in an ideal manner.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein

the graph of the ideal case is derived from ideal sound waves recorded from a golfer swinging a golf club in a ideal manner.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a golf club having a sound generation element located thereon.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein

the sound generation element includes containing an airfoil made of a semi-rigid material.

11. A method comprising

receiving data concerning test golfer sound waves, the test golfer sound waves generated by the sound of a golf club being swung by a test golfer; and

recording characteristics of the test golfer sound waves in a memory.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising

displaying characteristics of the test golfer sound waves.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein

14. The method of claim 11 wherein

the characteristics of the test golfer sound waves are one or more amplitudes of the test golfer sound waves with respect to frequency.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein

16. The method of claim 12 wherein

17. The method of claim 11 wherein

18. The method of claim 17 wherein

19. The method of claim 11 wherein

the test golfer sound waves are derived from a test golfer swinging a golf club having a sound generation element located thereon.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein

the sound generation element includes an airfoil made of a semi-rigid material.