(12) United States Patent
`Lee et al.
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006224493Bl
`US 6,224,493 Bl
`May 1, 2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54)
`
`INSTRUMENTED GOLF CLUB SYSTEM ANO
`METHOD OF USE
`
`(75)
`
`lnveotors: Nathan J. Lee; J. Andrew Galloway;
`William Kelly Borsum, all of
`Escondido, CA (US)
`
`3,182,508
`3,270,564
`3,717,875
`3,788,647
`3,792,863
`3,806,131
`
`5/ 1965 Varju .
`9/ 1966 Evans .
`2/1973 Evans .
`1/ 1974 Evans .
`2/ 1974 Evans .
`4/1974 Evans .
`
`(73) As.5ignee: Callaway Golf Compa ny, Carlsbad,
`CA (US)
`
`(List continued oo next page.)
`
`( • ) Notice:
`
`Subject 10 any disclaimer, Lbe term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Primary Examiner-Valencia Martin-Wallace
`Assistant Examiner-Julie Kasick
`(74) Allom ey, Agent, or Firm-Michael A. Catania
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/310,835
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 12, 1999
`
`(51) Lnt. C l.7
`..................................................... A63B 69/36
`(52) U.S. C l . .......................... 473/223; 473/221; 473/226;
`473/233; 473/239; 473/257; 473/288
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 473/219, 221,
`473/222, 223, 225, 226, 231, 232, 233,
`239, 256, 257, 258, 288, 289, 290, 307,
`334, 407, 409; 463/3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,876,657
`
`9/ 1932 Fox .
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An instrumented golf club system having an instrumented
`golf club, an interface means and a computing means is
`disclosed bereio. The instrumented golf club includes a
`plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, ao angular rate
`sensor and an internal ring buffer memory for capturing data
`relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of
`transferring data Crom the instrumented golf club to the
`computing means for processing the data and presenting the
`data in a usefuJ and informative format. The data may be
`used to assist a golfer's swing, or to design an approp riate
`golf club for a specific type of golfer.
`
`16 Clajms, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`86
`
`10
`
`-""'
`
`16
`
`/
`
`126
`
`128
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 1
`
`

`
`US 6,224,493 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`• 3/1976 Hammond ........................ 273/186 A
`5/ 1978 Farmer.
`1/1979 Sullivan el al.
`• 8/1982 Baer cl al. ......................... 273/85 G
`7/1988 Cobb ct al. .
`12/1988 Dollar. Jr. et al. .
`4/1989 Landsman.
`5/1989 Kobayashi .
`5/ 1989 Steinberg .
`10/ 1989 Gastgeb et al. .
`2/ 1990 Plull.
`6/ 1990 Nobles, Jr ..
`7/ 1990 Allen.
`2/1991 Wilhel01.
`7/199! Pecker.
`5/1992 Nakayama el al. .
`7/1992 Marocco.
`2/ 1993 Hall, Jr ..
`5/1993 Gedney el al. .
`6/1993 McTeigue et al. .
`
`. 8/ 1993 Kobayash i ........................... 364/566
`
`7/1994 Ura.
`• 10/1994 Hackman ........................... 273n7 A
`3/1995 Blaak:man .
`5/ 1995 Abrams et al. .
`
`3,945,646
`4,088,324
`4, 136,387
`4,342,454
`4,759,219
`4,789,160
`4,822,042
`4,830,377
`4,834,376
`4,870,868
`4,898,389
`4,930,787
`4,940,236
`4,991,850
`5,031,909
`5,111,410
`5,131,660
`5,184,826
`5,209,483
`5,221,088
`5,233,544
`5,332,225
`5,351,952
`5,395,ll6
`5,419,563
`
`5,435,561
`5,441.269
`5,447,31.1
`5,472,205
`5,474,298
`5,482,283
`5,492,329
`5,616,832
`5,623,459
`5,638,300
`5,688, 183
`5,694,340
`5,707,298
`5,709,610
`5,779,555
`5,792,000
`5,792,001
`5,911,638
`5,916,040
`5,976,031
`6,003,368
`6,077,171
`6,079,612
`6,083,123
`
`7/ 1995
`8/1995
`
`. 9/ 1995
`
`12/1995
`12/1995
`• 1/1996
`2/1996
`4/1997
`• 4/1997
`6/1997
`J 1/ 1997
`12/1997
`1/1998
`1/1998
`• 7/ 1998
`8/1998
`8/ 1998
`• 6/ 1999
`• 6/1999
`• 11/ 1999
`• 6/2000
`• 6/2000
`
`. 12/1999
`. 7/2000
`
`Conley .
`Henwood.
`Viollaz el al. ....................... 273/ 173
`Bouton.
`Undsay.
`Wall .................................. 273/ 186.3
`Kronin.
`Nauck.
`Iwamura cl al. ....................... 369/32
`Johnson .
`Sabatino el al. .
`Kim.
`Chovanes.
`Ognjanovic .
`Nomura et al. ...................... 473/223
`Weber el al..
`Henwood.
`Parente el al. ....................... 473/338
`Umazume ............................ 473/317
`Johnson ............................... 473/300
`Naruo et al. ........................... 73/489
`Yoneyama . ... ... ............. ........ 473/291
`
`~~;d ·::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ;~~;~
`
`* cited by exami ner
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
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`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
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`US 6,224,493 B1
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`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 5
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
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`US 6,224,493 B1
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`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 6
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
`200
`
`START
`
`202
`
`OPEN SOFIWARE
`TO VERIFY PROGRAM
`
`YES
`
`PLACE GOLF CLUB
`IN INTERFACE CRADLE
`
`GREEN LIGHT IS
`ILLUMINATED ON
`INTERFACE CRADLE?
`
`‘'53
`OPEN TEST
`INTERFACE SCREEN
`
`SOFIIIINRE INDICATES
`GOLF CLUB III COMMUNICATION
`'II|TH CDILIPUITNO HENIS?
`
`YES
`
`INTIIALIZE GOLF CLUB
`SENSORS AND MEMORY
`
`OPEN AND VERIFY
`SENSORS SCREEN
`
`VERIFY DYNAMIC
`SENSORS OPERATION
`
`FIG.
`
`7A
`
`FIG. 7
`
`204
`
`RE—BOOT COMPUTER
`
`206
`
`206,
`
`212
`
`214
`
`~CHECI( NJCNIIEIIT OF PINS
`AND CONTACT POINTS
`_cHE(;I( common or
`BATTERIES
`-CYCLE PONER
`-CHECK FOR DIRT OR OIIIIMIION
`ON PINS OR CONTACT POINTS
`
`—CHECK CONDIIION OF
`BATTERIES
`-CHECK SERIAL PORT CONI-ECITON
`FROM INTERFACE CRADLE TO
`COMPUTER
`-CYCLE POWER
`
`275’
`
`220
`
`222
`
`224
`
`STRAIN GAUGE CHANNELS
`FUNCTIONING?
`YES
`
`VERIFY SENSORS ZEROES
`AND SHUNT CALIBRATION
`MANUAL SHAFT BENOING
`
`'§$5§fi‘qc'J'§EmLE§%5MD
`SW SW
`—CH{C|'I STRNN GAUGE
`CIRCUIT
`_{;H{gK gum“ gmgg
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
`230
`
`232
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`FUNCTIONING?
`
`YES
`
`VERIFY SENSORS ZEROES
`MANUALLY INVERT
`INTERFACE CRADLE
`
`2.34
`
`—CHECK ACCELEROIIIEIER
`CIRCUIT BOARD ON
`OSCILLOSCOPE
`
`355
`
`ANGULAR RATE CHANNEL
`FUNCTIONING?
`
`-CHECK WIRE LEADS AT
`SENSOR AND CIRCUIT
`BOARD
`
`VERIFY PROPER INITIAL
`VALUE
`IIANUALLY ROTATE INTERFACE
`CRADLE
`
`242
`
`244
`
`245
`
`CDLF CLUB REMOVED
`FROM INTERFACE CRADLE?
`
`BATTERIES REMOVED FROM YES -
`GOLF CLUB?
`G0 T0 205
`
`NU
`
`REMOVE CDLF CLUB FROM
`INTERFACE CRADLE
`
`HIT GOLF BALL
`
`243
`
`250
`
`ACCELEROMEIER EXCEEDS
`2509 THRESHOLD?
`
`252
`
`RING BUFFER MEMORY
`CAPTURES GOLF SWI
`IN A DATA BLOCK
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
`SYSTEM ESTABIJSHES ADDRESS
`LOCATION, POINTERS, FOR
`DATA BLOCK
`
`POINTERS DICTATED av
`SECONDARY IIICROPROCESSOR
`
`259
`
`254
`
`TEST COMPLETED?
`
`NUMBER OF DATA
`BLOCKS : 8?
`
`NO
`
`GO TO 250
`
`‘CHECK ‘“°"”E“' “I “"5
`AND CONTACT POINTS
`-CHECK CONDITION OF BATTERIES
`—CHECi< FOR mm on OXIDATION
`on PINS on com mums
`
`INSERT GOLF CLUB INTO
`INTERFACE CRADLE
`
`GREEN LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED
`0“ INTERFACE CRADLE?
`
`YES
`
`DOWNLOAD DATA
`INTO COMPUTING MEANS
`
`EXAMINE SPREADSHEET
`FOR ANGMALIES
`
`DATA TRANSFER IS
`FREE OF ERRORS?
`
`YES
`
`273
`
`END
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
`QR,
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`Em.
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`NR,
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`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 10
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
`VERIFY sensor: OPERATION - |:|i_fi_|
`T
`
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`
`CURRENT VALUE
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`|_Er-{ABLE SHUNT
`
`QALIBRATE 030
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
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`FIG. 10
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 12
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
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`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 13
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
`
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`ZEPP 1006
`Page 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
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`ZEPP 1006
`Page 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 6,224,493 B1
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`ZEPP 1006
`Page 16
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`

`
`1
`INSTRUMENTED GOLF CLUB SYSTEM AND
`METHOD OF USE
`
`US 6,224,493 Bl
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`L Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to golf equipment and, more
`specifically, to an instrumented golf club system having the
`ability to make quantitative measurements of specific
`mechanical or physical properties of tbe golf club during a
`golf swing. Data descriptive of tbe measured properties is
`stored within a memory device provided in the instrumen ted
`golf club.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Various da ta measuring and collecting devices and metb-
`ods are used for analyzing a golf club during a golf swing.
`lo a similar manner, tbe effectiveness of a golf ball impact
`witb the golf club during the golf swing can be measured in
`terms of initial launch conditions. Sucb launch conditions
`include tbe initial velocity, launch angle, spin rate and spin
`axis of the golf ball. These launch conditions arc determined
`principally by the velocity of a club head at impact and the
`loft and angle of a club face relative to the intended
`trajectory of the golf ball's Hight. There are two general
`methods for analyzing tbe golf club during a golf swing:
`visual analysis and quantitative variable analysis.
`Tbe method of analyzing a golf club during a golf swing
`using visual analysis typically is conducted by a golf instruc-
`tor capable of visually discerning go! f swing variables, and
`suggesting corrections in the golfer's swing to provide
`improvement. However, not every golfer has ready access to
`professional golf instruction. The golfer also can diagnose
`certain swing faults using visual analysis methodology
`employing one or more cameras to record the golfer's swing
`and comparing it 10 a model swing. Using various camera 35
`angles and slow motion play back, the actual swing motion
`can be reviewed and altered in subsequent swings.
`On the other band, qua ntitative variable analysis employs
`sensors to directly measure various mechanical or physical
`properties of tbe golr club during the swing motion. Sensors, 40
`such as strain gauges or accelerome1ers, typically are
`allached lo the s haft or the golf club head. Data collected
`from these sensors then may be transferred to a signal
`processor via wires or radio waves, and can be presented in
`various graphical formats, including graphical and tabular 45
`charts. A significant drawback associated witb the use of
`wires in an instrumented golf club is tbat tbe wires can be
`very cumbersome, and can become obtrusive to the golfer
`wben tbe golfer attempts lo swing the golf club. Several
`different approaches lo analyzing a golf club or baseball bat 50
`during a baseball or golf swing using qua ntitative variable
`analysis are discussed in the patents listed below.
`For example, in U.S. Pai. No. 4,759,219, issued to Cobb
`et al., the specificatioa discloses a baseball bat with a
`self-contai ned measuring device and display. A spring 55
`potentiometer is used to measure centrifugal force, and an
`LED or LCD displays the measured force. However, this bat
`does not contain any data s1orage capability.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,544, issued to Kobayashi, discloses a
`golf club having multiple sensors, and a cable for transmit- 60
`ting data to a compute r for data processing. This arrange(cid:173)
`ment can accommodate up to 5 sensors in a cartridge located
`ia the handle region of tbe golf club.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,508, issued to Varju, discloses tbe use
`of a s trai n gauge in tbc bottom of a golf club, and a wire for 65
`connecting the sensor to a data processing means located
`separate from tbc golf club.
`
`2
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,340, issued to Kim, discloses the use
`of multiple sensors for measuring tbe acceleration of a golf
`club, and uses either a cable or radio transmissions to
`traasfer data Crom the sensors to an external data processing
`s means.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,850, issued to Wilhelm, discloses tbe
`use of a sensor for measuring the applied force of a golf
`swiag. The seasor data can be displayed on a wrist-mounted
`arrangement or be downloaded to a computer via cable or
`10 radio transmission.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,863, issued to Ev.ans, discloses the use
`of multiple sensors, including an accelerometer and s train
`gauges, to measure torque aod Hex. Data is transferred from
`the golf club to a data analysis station via FM radio signals,
`with each sensor having its own data transfer frequency.
`Thus, data transfer to an external memory device is a
`significant drawback. Tbe cumbersome nature of data trans(cid:173)
`fer via cables or wires affects the motion and foc i of a
`golfer's actual golf swing. In addition, w hile tbe use of radio
`transmissions is preferable to tbc use of wires or cables
`emanating from the golf club for transferring data, a tra ns(cid:173)
`mitter adds excessive weight. The effective range of these
`wireless instrumented golf clubs is limited by the low power
`used in such embodiments, and the accuracy of tbe radio
`transmitted data is subject to interference or noise from other
`sources of nearby radio transmissions.
`Furthermore, in conventional systems, the receiving
`equipment typically must be located in close proximity to
`the radio transmilier disposed in the golf club thereby
`restricting the flexibility and portability of using sucb sys-
`tems. Thus, it is desirable to provide an instrumeo ted golf
`club that approximates tbe weigbt, balance and feel of a
`golfer's own golf club, in order to ensure that Lbe data
`coUectcd from the instrumented golf club is applicable to the
`golfer's actual golf swing. It also cnay be desirable to
`provide additional sensors for measuring certain parameters
`of a golf swing Lbat bave previously not been available in
`instrumented golf clubs. It further cnay be desirable to
`provide an efficient means of memory storage within tbe
`instrumented golf club to enable internal da ta capture and
`storage un til the user is ready to download the data fo r
`further processing. It further may be desirable to provide
`data from tbc instrumented golf club for golf club design.
`
`30
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Tbe instrumented golf club system of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion comprises an internally powered a·nd instrumented golf
`club with multiple sensors to measure, s tore, and provide an
`external display of quantitative variables of a golf club
`during a golf swing. A distinctive feature of tbe instrumented
`golf club of the present invention is the use of a da ta storage
`memory device located within the instrumented golf club.
`Tbis eliminatc.s tbe need to use radio transmission hardware,
`data cables or wires lo transfer da ta lo an external data
`processing means. Tbis also allows a golfer to swing tbe
`instrumented golf club wit bout getting e ntangled in cables or
`wires, thus better allowing tbe golfer to replicate bis or ber
`natural golf swing.
`In a preferred embodiment, a loop memory device, or ring
`buffer memory device, is used to couLinuously store mea(cid:173)
`sured data. New data replaces older data in the ring buffer
`during eacb successive cycle. Tbe use of a ring buffer
`memory device is preferable for tbe creation of an instru(cid:173)
`mented golf club that is lightweight and free of cables or
`radio tra nsmitters. Using a liaear data capture approach, as
`taught by the prior art, would require extensive amounts of
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 17
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`US 6,224,493 Bl
`
`4
`A furlher object of the present invention is lo provide an
`instrumented golf club having similar weight and balance
`fealures to those of a standard golf club, ibereby allowing a
`golfer to take a more natural swing resulting in more useful
`feedback regarding the golfer's actual swing characteristics.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`instrumented golf club with an angular rate sensor to direclly
`measure rotation rate, thereby establishing the rotation rate
`data for itoy predetermined mounting location of the angular
`rate sensor.
`A furtber object of the present ioveot ioo is to provide an
`instrumented golf club system for analysis of a golfer's
`swing to develop an appropriate golf club for the golfer.
`Having briefly described the present invention, the above
`and further objects, fealures and advantages !hereof will be
`recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the
`following detailed descript.ioa of the imveation when taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`3
`memory, and would make it very difficult to provide such
`memory requjrements completely internal to an instru(cid:173)
`mented golf club. It is through the use of the ring buffer
`memory that one is able to efficiently capture the desired
`swing data of interest, such as impact with a golf ball, aod 5
`eliminate tbe need to provide internal memory to capture
`data unrelated to a golfer's swings.
`Furthermore, since the ring buffer memory captures only
`the desired swing data of interest, data for multiple swings
`can be stored in the memory device of the instrumented golf 10
`club of the present invention. This provides increased flex(cid:173)
`ibility and mobility to the user since the user is not required
`to stay witbio close physical proximity to tbe external data
`processing means.
`Incorporating an internal power source for tbe instru(cid:173)
`mented golf club of the present invention is preferred for 15
`providing the benefits of flexibility and mobility. Location of
`1he internal power source also can be used to provide a
`proper weight balance, or swing weight, for the instru(cid:173)
`mented golf club, thereby closely approximating tbe golfer's
`own golf club. Although the internal power source can be 20
`placed in various locations within tbe instrumented golf
`club, in a preferred embodiment, a battery tube and one or
`more batteries are located within a distal end region, or grip
`region, of the shaft. This location serves the dual purpose of
`balancing the weight of ihe instrumented golf club and 25
`providing ready access to the batteries fo r testing or replace(cid:173)
`ment.
`Furthermore, the rotation rate about a predefined coordi(cid:173)
`nate system of any desired point on or inside the instru(cid:173)
`mented golf club cao be measured directly by an angular rate 30
`sensor. Use of an angular rate sensor provides accurate data
`for measuring the specific rotation rate of an instrumented
`golf club. Ia the prior art, instrumented golf clubs used a
`combination of sensors to formulate an indirect measure(cid:173)
`roeot of rotation rate, which resul ted io iroprecise roeasure- 35
`meats. Thus, due to the importance of accurately measuring
`tbis particular swing variable, it is desirable to provide a
`means of capturing accurate angular rotation rate data.
`The instrumented golf club system of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion farther comprises an external data proces.<;iag means 40
`and an interface means to provide communication between
`the instrumented golf club and the external data processing
`means, or com puling means. Quantitative swing data cao be
`caplured, trart<>fcrrecl to the proces.siog means, and lhen
`presented in any number of graphical, 1abuJa r or other visual 45
`formats lo provide a golfer with roeaniogful feedback
`regarding the dynamics of a golf swing.
`lo addition, ihe instrumented golf club system of the
`present invention can be used as a design tool for golf clubs
`including investigation of such variables as club head 50
`geometry, shaft dynamics, structural material behavior and
`type and location of weigh ling materials. As ao exarople, Lhe
`effect of different club bead weighting locations can be
`measured for a wide range of golf swings to provide
`improved performance wilhin this range of swings.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an instrumen1ed golf club capable of measuring and
`storing dala within the inslrumented golf club without 1be
`use of ao intermediate conduit such as external daia transfer
`cables, wires or radio transmissions, thereby allowing 60
`greater flexibility and mobility lo a user of the instrumented
`golf club.
`It is anot her object of the present ioveotioo to provide an
`instrumented golf club having an internal power suppl y aod
`an internal data storage memory device, thereby allowing fo r 65
`tbe measuremenl and storage of data from multiple golf
`swings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF
`THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrumeoled golf club
`system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invent.ion comprising an instrumented golf club, an as.soci(cid:173)
`ated interface cradle and ao external compuling roeaos.
`FIG. 2 is a toe perspective view of an inslrumen1ed golf
`club head in accordance with an embodimenl of ihe present
`invention illustrating a predetermined XYZ coordjnale sys-
`tem .
`FIG. 2A is ao illustration of shaft bending planes of the
`instrumented golf club io accordance with ao embodiment of
`tbe present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of tbe instrumented
`golf club bead in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invent.ion.
`FIG. 4 is a view of a segment of tbe instrumented golf
`club, as defined by the area lV-lV in FIG. l , and shows 2
`orthogonally positioned strain gauge sensors on a fron t
`surface and 2 orthogonally positioned strai n gauge sensors
`in phantom on a back surface.
`FIG. 5 is a perspeclive cut-away view of ihe inslrumented
`golf club io accordance witb ao embodiment of the present
`invent.ion showing a plurality of circuit boards in tbe golf
`club head, and a cut-away view of the: grip region.
`FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the circuit
`boards of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 (7 A, 7B and 7C) shows a flow chart illustrating the
`operationa l steps o( the instrumented golf club system in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invenlion.
`FIG. 8 is a sample test interface screeo.
`FIG. 9 is a sarople sensor screen.
`FIG. 10 displays sample initial values for all sensors.
`FIG. ll displays sample sensor values during a typical
`55 golf swing and ball impact.
`FIG. 12 is a g raphical presentation of strain gauge sensor
`data recorded during a typical golf swing.
`FIG. 13 is a graphical prescntalion of acceleration sensor
`data recorded during a typical golf swing.
`FIG. 14 is a grapbjcal presenlatioo of aogular rate sensor
`data recorded during a 1ypical golf swing.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Like numbers are used tbrougbout tbe delailed description
`to designale corresponding partS o f 1be instrumenled golf
`club system of the present invention.
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1006
`Page 18
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`US 6,224,493 Bl
`
`5
`FIG. L illustrates an instrumented golf club system 2
`comprising an instrumented golf club 10, an interface c radle
`18 aod a computing or data processing means 28. The
`instrumented golf club 10 comprises a grip 12, a shaft 14, a
`club bead 16 and a plurality of sensors 62, 64, 66, 68, 98,
`102 104, U4, 126, 128 aod 130 (as showo in FIGS. 4 and
`5) and as further described below. Data measured by the
`sensors 62, 64, 66, 68, 98, 102, 104, 124, 126, 128 and 130
`is transferred from tbe instrumented golf club 10 to the
`computing means 28 via the interface cradle LS. A fi rst pin
`20 and a second pin 22 provide positive and negative
`external power to tbe instrumented golf club 10 to prevent
`depletion of the internal power supply (discussed in further
`detail below) in the instrumented golf club 10. A third pin 24
`provides a data path from lbe data processing means 28 to 15
`the instrumented golf club 10. A fourth pin 26 provides a
`data path from the instrumented golf club 10 to the data
`processing mea ns 28.
`In a preferred embodiment, tbe club head 16 is made of
`titanium and alone weighs a pproximately 157 grams, as 20
`compared to a standard weight club head that weighs
`between 195- 200 grams. Tbe club bead 16 of the present
`invention is preferably lighter in weight than standa rd club
`heads to compensate for the weight contribution of the
`circuitry and electronic elements a rranged inside the club 25
`bead 16. Thus, the club bead 16, when combined with the
`circujtry and electronic elements, should app roximate the
`weight of a s ta ndard club bead.
`FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of tbe club bead 16,
`comprising a top 30, a beet region 32, a face 34, a toe region 30
`36, a rear region 38 and a ribbon 40. A first contact point 42,
`a second contact point 44, a third contact point 46 and a
`fourth contact point 48 are located within the ribbon 40 in
`the toe region 36, and a re designed to interface with the pins
`20, 22, 24 and 26, respectively, of the interface cradle 18. A 35
`right-hand coordinate system is used, a nd is illustrated by
`the designa tion of the X, Y and Z axes in FIG. 2. 1'be X axis
`is oriented vertically (at address position) from a soleplate
`54 (as shown in FIG. 3) to the top 30 of Lhe club bead 16.
`The Y axis is o riented horizontally (at address position) from 40
`Lhe Loe region 36 to the heel region 32. The Z axis is oriented
`horizontally (at address position) from the face34 to tbe rear
`region 38.
`FIG. 2Ais ao illustration showing a first bending plane 49, 45
`and a secoocl bending plane 51, wherein, the central axis of
`the shaft 14 (not shown) defines the inte rsection line of the
`first beading plane 49, and the second beading plane 51. T he
`first bending plane 49 is aligned with the face 34 of the club
`head 16, and the second bending plane 51 is at a 90° angle,
`or orthogonal, to tbe first beading plane 49.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the club bead 16 has ao inlet 50
`leading to the interior of the club head 16. The club bead also
`has a bore 52 for receiving the shaft 14 (not shown), and the
`soleplate 54. T he soleplate 54 is seemed to the club head 16 55
`via a first screw 56, a second screw 58 and a third screw 60.
`FIG. 4 is a view of a segment of the instrumented golf
`club, as defined by the area JV- JV in FIG. 1, a nd shows a
`first strain gauge 62, a second strain gauge 64, a third strai n
`gauge 66 (in phantom) aod a fourth strain gauge 68 (in 60
`pbantom), all arranged at 90° intervals around the shaft 14.
`Ibe first strain gauge 62 contains a first wire 70, a second
`wire 72 and a tbird wire 74. The second strain gauge 64
`contains a fourth wire 76 (in phantom), and a fifth wire 78
`(in phan tom). 111e third s trai n gauge 66 (in phantom), 65
`contains a sixth wire 80 (in phantom) and the lirsL wi re 70
`from the first strain gauge 62. Tbe fourth strain gauge 68 (in
`
`6
`phantom), contains a seventh wire 82 (in phantom), an
`eighth wire 84 (in phantom) and the ft.fth wire 78 from the
`second strain gauge 64. The second strain gauge 64, in
`conjunction with the fourth strain gauge 68, act in unison lo
`s measure the flexure of tbe sbaft 14 in tbe first bending plane
`49 (as shown in FIG. 2 A). Similarly, tbe first strain gauge 62,
`in conjunction with tbe third strain gauge 66, act in unison
`to measure the flexure of the s haft 14 im the second bending
`plane 51, which is orthogonal to the first bending plane 49
`10 (as shown in FIG. 2A).
`FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-away view of the instrumented
`golf club 10, showing a cut-away view of the club head 16
`aod a cut-away view of the grip 12 region of the shaft 14.
`The shaft 14 bas an opening at a distal encl 86. A cap 88 is
`used to cover a battery tube 90 located wi thin the shaft 14.
`Ia a preferred embodin1eat, the ballery tube 90 contains a
`fi.rst battery 92, a second battery 94 and a third battery 96.
`The batteries 92, 94 and 96 provide irnternal power for the
`instrumented golf club 10.
`An angula r rate sensor 98 is located proximate the ballery
`tube 90, and provides a direct measurement of the rotation
`rate of the grip area of the shaft 14. la a preferred
`embodiment, the angular rate sensor 98 is manufactured by
`Crossbow l echnologies, Joe., of San Jose, Calif., model
`number CGX500Ml. Data measured by the angular rate
`sensor 98 is Lraasmitled lo a n internal memory dev ice of the
`club head 16 via an ARS (Angular Rate Sensor) wire 100.
`A fifth strain gauge 102 a nd a sixth s trai n gauge 104,
`located 180° apa rt on tbe shaft 14, arc s hown near tbe club
`head 16. The fifth strai n gauge 102 c-0ntaios a ninth wire
`106, a tenth wire 108 and an eleventh wire 110. The sixth
`strain gauge 104 coatains a twelfth wire 112 and the ninth
`wire 106. The ninth wire 106 is common to both the fifth
`strain gauge 102 and tbe sixth strain gauge 104. 1'be filth
`strain gauge 102, io coojunction with the sixth strain gauge
`104, act in uaison to measure the flexure of the shaft 14 in
`tbe first bending plane 49. Tile wires 72, 74 and 80 carry
`signals from the first s train gaug