`
`French
`
`'
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[451 Date of Patent:
`
`4,888,271
`Nov. 28, 1989
`
`[54] SPORTS IMPACI‘ MEASURING
`APPARATUS
`[75] Inventor: Barry J. French, Bay Village, Ohio
`[73] Assignee: French Sportech Corporation, Bay
`-
`Village, Ohio
`[21] Appl. No.: 182,913
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 18, 1988
`
`4,216,403 8/1980 Krempl ............................. .. 310/328
`4,330,119 5/1982 Marshall, Jr.
`.... .. 272/ 76
`4,404,854 9/1983 Krempl . . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 73/730
`
`4,527,796 7/1985 Critelli . . . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 272/ 77
`4,534,557 8/1985 Carlin et al. ................... .. 273/1 GC
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Separating the Strong from the Flashy: Measuring the
`Power in Karate Techniques”, by Peter Fritsche and
`Sabastian Hoeher, pp. 51-53.
`
`[63]
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 785,969, Oct. 10, 1985,
`Pat. No. 4,761,005, and a continuation-in-part of Ser.
`No. 904,356, Sep. 8, 1986, Pat. No. 4,824,107.
`
`' Primary Examiner-Leo P. Picard '
`Assistant Examiner-Jessica Harrison
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-D. Peter Hochberg; Mark
`Kusner; Louis J. Weisz
`
`[51] 1111.014 ..................... .. A63B 67/00; A63B 69/00
`[52] US. 01. ............................... .. 273/1 cc; 273/1 E;
`272/76; 272/77
`[58] Field 6: Search .............. .. 273/1 GE, 1 cc, 1 F,
`273/1 E; 272/76, 77
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`'
`
`‘ ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A sports impact measuring apparatus for indicating at
`least one characteristic of an externally applied impact,
`comprising a'deformable, resilient support having a
`compressible impact region and expandable regions, a
`piezoelectric strip extending substantially around an
`expandable region, and an electronic indicator electri
`cally connected to the piezoelectric strip.
`
`4,194,401 3/1980 Claassen et a1. .................... .. 73/730
`4,208,048 6/1980 Winterbottom .................... .. 272/ 76
`
`24 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 1
`
`
`
`US. Patent Nov. 28, 1989
`
`Sheet 1 of2
`
`4,883,271
`
`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 2
`
`
`
`US. Patent Nov. 28, 1989
`
`Sheet 2 01'2
`
`4,883,271
`
`“-
`
`52
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`1'7‘; } / 5/50
`
`1
`
`I
`
`COUNTER 1e4
`\;
`I
`. 5 /
`TIME (5505.)
`
`FIG. IO
`
`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 3
`
`
`
`1
`
`SPORTS IIMPACI‘ MEASURING APPARATUS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. pa
`tent application Ser. No. 785,969, now U.S. Pat. No.
`4,761,005, ?led Oct.‘ 10, 1985, and also a continuation-in
`part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 904,356, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,107, ?led Sept. 8, 1986, which is also
`a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 785,969.
`
`25
`
`4,883,271
`2
`racy of the readout. This internal turbulence in the bag
`could be expected to be particularly problematic when
`the athlete strikes the bag rapidly and repeatedly. An
`other draw back of this system is that the sensor must be
`compatible with both air and water due to the likeli
`hood that water will reach the sensor.
`Another system for detecting and indicating the
`strength of an impact was described in the January 1979
`issue of Karate Magazine. This system uses a leather bag
`completely ?lled with water to a slight over pressure.
`The bag has an internal pressure transmitter. A signal
`from the internal pressure sensor is displayed at an ex
`ternal readout to provide the athlete with feedback. A
`problem that can be expected is that residual waves or
`vibrations inside the bag would produce extraneous
`signals which would adversely effect the sensor read
`ings, particularly when the bag is struck in rapid succes
`S1011.
`A shortcoming of all ?uid ?lled bags used particu
`larly by practitioners of the martial arts is the low com
`fort factor; that is, it doesn’t have the right “feel” as
`compared to foam-?lled bags and the like. Fluid ?lled
`bags are usually too resilient, and the user’s hands or
`feed rebound too quickly than most martial arts practi
`tioners would like.
`>
`-
`Thus, there exists a need for athletic training appara
`tus which receives an impact from an athlete, and which
`provides an accurate indication of the velocity, force,
`frequency and/or energy of the impacts. There further
`exists a need for such an apparatus that is suitable for
`measuring fast and repeated blows. There further exists
`a need for an apparatus for measuring blows which is
`more reliable, less sensitive to changes and temperature,
`and more readily transportable than existing apparatus.
`
`30
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`This invention relates to training equipment for ath
`letes. Speci?cally, this invention relates to punching
`bags, body shields, punch mitts, sparring vests and other
`devices designed to be struck by boxers, practitioners of
`the martial arts and athletes involved with other contact
`sports, to build strength and speed. This invention re
`lates to the devices which provide the user with an
`indication of the force, velocity, energy and/or fre
`quency of impacts imparted to the device. The inven
`tion also ?nds applicability in various toys and games
`involving such indications of force, speed etc. for balls
`and other projectiles.
`BACKGROUND ART
`Training devices designed to be struck by an athlete’s
`hands or feet are well known in the prior art. A very
`few of these devices are adapted to provide the user
`with an indication of how effectively his or her blow
`has struck the device for providing the athlete with
`feedback on his or her performance to allow the user to
`improve his or her technique.
`A punching bag which provides feedback to the user
`concerning impact force is described in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,208,048. This device includes an air bladder mounted
`on the exterior of a punching bag. The air bladder is
`connected to a pressure gauge. When the athlete strikes
`the bladder, pressure inside the bladder rises. The pres
`sure rise is communicated to the athlete on the gauge.
`This device has several de?ciencies. First, it is difficult
`to maintain constant internal pressure in the bladder, as
`leakage can be expected due to repeated impacts over a
`period of time. In addition, the pressure in the bladder
`can vary with changes in ambient temperature, as well
`as with temperature changes that result from repeated
`impacts. Another problem is that conventional air pres
`sure gauges may not provide suf?ciently fast response
`to obtain a true indication of the force of the impact.
`Another device which provides an athlete feedback
`concerning impact force is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,330,119. This'patent also employs a bag in?ated with
`air and a pressure gauge readout. This device can be
`expected to have the same de?ciencies as the device
`shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,048. In fact, bags made
`according to the foregoing patent have been found to
`yield inaccurate readings due to temperature changes
`and air leakage from the bag.
`The athletic bag shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,796 is
`an in?atable bag holding pressurized air over a reser
`voir of water. A sensor detects the rise in air pressure
`and givs a readout proportional to the impact. The
`problem with systems of this type is that air pressure is
`subject to changes of temperature and repeated impacts
`tend to cause air leakage. Further, the presence of air in
`the bag would likely cause the water to “slush”, causing
`extraneous signals at the sensor which effect the accu
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`impact indicating sports apparatus that provides an
`accurate indication of the velocity, force, frequency,
`and/or energy of impacts.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro
`vide an impact indicating sports apparatus that provides
`accurate information during fast and repeated impacts
`over a generally large impact area.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro
`vide an impact indicating sports apparatus which is
`more reliable and provides more accurate information
`than existing devices.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro
`vide a ?uid-containing impact indicating apparatus that
`is less sensitive to temperature changes than existing .
`devices containing fluids.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro
`vide an impact indicating athletic training apparatus
`that is easier to take down, transport and set up than
`existing devices.
`Yet another object is to provide an impact measuring
`device which can be retro?tted on existing impact
`receiving products.
`‘
`Further objects of the present invention will be made
`apparent in the following description of the invention
`and the appended claims.
`The foregoing objects are accomplished according to
`the preferred embodiments by an athletic training appa
`ratus including a compressible container which com
`presses in a region of impact and expand elsewhere. The
`apparatus according to the various preferred embodi
`
`40
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`45
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`50
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`60
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`65
`
`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 4
`
`
`
`4,883,271
`3
`ments can be an elongated bag containing a ?uid, partic
`ulate matter, foam, rags or the like; a similarly ?lled
`body shield; or a punch mitt of similar construction.
`A strip of piezoelectric material extends about the
`container away from the area of impact. A piezoelectric
`material varies an electrical potential as its length
`changes or as it is stressed. The piezoelectric strip is
`preferably attached directly to the surface of the con
`tainer and moves therewith. As explained hereinafter,
`the piezoelectric strip material employed in the pre
`ferred embodiments comprises a pair of thin metal ?lm
`conductors sandwiching a piezoelectric material. Leads
`are attached to the respective metal ?lm conductors to
`facilitate the connection of the piezoelectric strip to
`other electrical circuitry. The piezoelectric strip elec
`trodes are connected by an electric cable to an indicat
`ing device such as an oscilloscope or digital readout.
`The indicating devices shows how the electrical poten
`tial of the piezoelectric strip changes.
`-
`When an athlete strikes the container, the force
`causes the outer surface of the container to be com
`pressed in the area of the impact. This causes the re
`mainder of the container, including that portion about
`which the piezoelectric ?lm is wrapped, to expand
`which causes a change in the strip’s electrical potential.
`This change in electrical potential is transmitted to the
`indicating apparatus to yield an analog readout or to be
`processed to yield a digital readout. Depending on the
`type of the indicating apparatus used and how it is pro
`grammed, the athlete may receive immediate feedback
`concerning impacts on the bag. For example, the athlete
`may receive an indication of “hitting power” directly
`from the signal corresponding to the maximum elonga
`tion or stress of the piezoelectric strip. In addition or in
`the alternative, the analog signal could be differentiated
`to provide an indication of velocity, or integrated to
`provide an indication of energy imparted by the blow.
`
`30
`
`5
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`4
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Referring now to FIG. 1, an impact indicating ath
`letic training apparatus in the form of a heavy bag appa
`ratus is generally indicated by reference number 10. The
`apparatus includes a hitting bag 12 for receiving impacts
`from the hands, feet or body of an athlete. Bag 12 is
`suspended from its upper end by chains, ropes or cables
`14 which are attached to the bag. Chains 14 extend to a
`stationary support 16 overhead. A spring 17 can be
`interposed between chains 14 and support 16 to dampen
`secondary force waves resulting from impacts on the
`bag. In one preferred form, bag 12 .has a compressible
`foam ?lling and a dense core. As shown in FIG. 2, the
`filling can comprise a hollow foam cylinder 17 having a
`sand-?lled core 19. The foam should have high tear
`strength, and it should be compressible and resilient.
`Particularly suitable forms are white ether foams having
`density values of SL23 and SL65 from Stephenson and
`Lawyer Grand Rapids, Michigan. Various polyure~
`thane foams would also be suitable. The bag should
`have a resilient, durable covering 21 which serves as a
`container for the ?lling. It can be an impermeable bag
`made of nylon impregnated vinyl.
`In an alternate form of the embodiment of FIG. 1, bag
`12 is comprised of a resilient outer membrane layer 21
`and is fully ?lled with water or other incompressible
`?uid. Bag 12 then includes an inlet valve which can be
`selectively opened and closed to admit or discharge the
`?uid. The valve may be attached to a hose to ?ll the
`bag.
`In the preferred forms of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
`the bag is cylindrical in shape with a height of 36—45
`inches, an- outer diameter of 14-16 inches, and a circum
`ference of 36—45 inches. The bag may be of the type
`commercially available from Powair Corporation.
`Flexible transducer means 22 is mounted on bag 12.
`In the preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
`transducer means 22 is a strip of piezoelectric material
`which runs about the circumference of the bag below its
`upper end. As later explained, the piezoelectric strip is
`oriented to measure dimensional changes in the bag
`caused by impacts imparted by the athlete. The piezo
`electric flm used in the preferred forms of the invention
`is of the type sold by Pennwalt Corporation, Piezo Film
`Group. Applicant has found that it is desirable to lami
`nate the ?lm on both sides with a covering of 4-5 mil
`MYLAR material. This protects the ?lm from dirt and
`prevents damage from the impacts, especially from
`inadvertent direct blows to the transducer strip which
`may occur from time-to-time. The film is bonded to the
`surface of bag 12 using an adhesive material such as
`type 94/84 vinyl resistant tape produced by the 3M
`Company.
`The ends of the strip of piezoelectric ?lm are adjacent
`each other and are connected to a two-conductor cable
`24. Cable 24 is connected to an indicating apparatus 26
`which in FIG. 1 can be a digital readout device or an
`analog readout device such as an oscilloscope. The
`apparatus provides on its screen 28 either a digital or an
`analog readout of the change in the electrical voltage
`potential of the piezoelectric strip. Further details of the
`indicating device are provided below.
`In operation, an athlete strikes bag 12 at a location
`away from the sensing means. The impact ,deforms
`resilient outer covering 21 of the bag and displaces the
`bag’s contents inside adjacent the place of contact. The
`
`35
`
`40
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an impact indicat
`ing athletic training apparatus in the form of a heavy
`bag according to an embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction
`of arrows 2—2 in FIG. 1 for a foam and sand-?lled
`device.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an impact indicating
`apparatus in the form of a body shield according to
`another embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a detail of a handle portion of the embodi
`ment shown in FIG. 3.
`'
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a foam insert for use
`in the embodiment in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an impact indicating
`apparatus in the form of a punch mitt according to
`another preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 7 is a front view of a liner for use in the punch
`mitt illustrated in FIG. 6.
`FIG. 8 is a side elevation taken in the direction of
`arrows 8-8 in FIG. 7 ._
`60
`FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a wave form produced
`by an impact on a container incorporated in embodi
`ments of the present invention, as indicated on the
`screen of an oscilloscope connected to the piezoelectric
`material which surrounds the container.
`FIG. 10 is a front view of a digital readout device for
`indicating values of measurements made by the respec
`tive embodiments of the invention.
`
`45
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`50
`
`55
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`65
`
`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 5
`
`
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`4,883,271
`6
`5
`displacement of the water causes a rapid dimensional
`the back of the shield for releasable engagement with a
`corresponding Velcro strip attached to the support.
`expansion of the circumference of the bag away from
`the place of impact.
`Referring next to FIGS. 6-8, a punch mitt 50 is
`The dimensional change in the circumference of the
`shown. Mitt 50 has an outer cover 52 of generally paral
`lelepiped con?guration, and is preferably made from
`bag results in a corresponding elongation of the piezo
`nylon impregnated vinyl to give it the desired ?exibility
`electric strip. The strip changes its electrical potential in
`and suppleness. It can be made from ?at panels which
`response to the dimensional change. This change in the
`electrical potential is transmitted as an electrical signal
`are stitched at the seams. A transducer strip 22", much
`through cable 24 to indicating apparatus 26 where it
`like strips 22 and 22-’ described previously and com
`posed of mylar laminated piezoelectric ?lm, is wrapped
`produces digital readout or a wave form on screen 28,
`depending on the nature of apparatus 26.
`around mitt cover 52 near the base portion thereof so as
`Another embodiment of the invention is shown in
`to be out of the normal hitting area of the mitt as dis
`FIG. 3. A body shield 30 is depicted for receiving blows
`cussed below. For a mitt of a preferred height of 11
`from the feet, hands or body of amartial arts practitio
`inches, a width of 8 inches and a thickness of 6 inches,
`the strip should be disposed about 1 inch from the base.
`ner. Body shield 30 has a generally parallelepiped con
`As in the preceding embodiments, strip 22" should have
`?guration, and includes a cover or container 32 of this
`con?guration for holding an appropriate ?ller. A pair of
`- ends which are close to each other and connected by
`electrical leads to provide a closed circuit. Leads 24 run
`handles 34 are secured on opposite sides of cover 32,
`which, as shown in FIG. 4, can be comprised of gripper
`from strip 2 " to electronic indicator 26 for effecting an
`tubes 36 disposed within webbing wraps 38. Wraps 38
`output on screen 28.
`Although liners such as ?exible and resilient foams or
`can be attached at their ends to' cover 32 by means of
`incompressible ?uids could be used as a ?ller for mitt
`leather reinforcing tabs 40 stitched around corners on
`opposite sides of cover 32. Cover 32 preferably contains
`50, an in?atable liner or bladder 54 which has an elasto
`meric composition is preferred for its ease of installa
`a foam insert 42 of the type shown in FIG. 5. Insert 42
`preferably is slightly larger than the inner dimensions of
`tion, ease of in?ation (with a common air pump) and
`comfort to one striking the mitt. Liner 54- should be
`cover 32, so that the insert overstuffs cover 32 and is
`under continuous compression when in the cover. For
`in?ated to over ?ll cover 52 as shown most clearly in
`example, cover 32 preferably has a height of 24 inches,
`FIG. 8. A preferred'pressure range is 0.8 to 1.5 psi, since
`a width of 14 inches and a depth of 5 inches; and insert
`higher pressures can cause the mitt ‘to be so hard as to
`42 has a height of 24 inches, a width of 15 inches and a
`cause pain to the user and lower pressures preclude an
`adequate rebound of a blow. Liner 54 should have a
`thickness of 6 inches. This assures a constant stress on
`conventional air inlet/discharge valve and cover 52 can
`the transducer or sensor as discussed below. The foam is
`preferably an open cell, light, resilient foam material
`have a zipper or the like to permit insertion of the liner.
`such as an appropriate white ether foam or a polyure
`A glove 56 is attached to the rear part of cover 52 as
`shown by dotted lines in FIG. 6. Glove 56 is generally
`thene foam as described earlier. Cover 32 preferably is
`constructed like the back portion of a baseball catcher’s
`made of a durable, ?exible material such as nylon im
`pregnated vinyl, and has had ori?ces 43 de?ned by
`mitt, and includes a ?exible outer panel having appro
`grommets 44 and/or perforations 46 for discharging air
`priate internal dividers to de?ne a thumb stall 58 and
`?nger stalls 60. Glove 56 and the ?nger stalls (dividers)
`when the shield is struck by a blow.
`A ?exible transducer 22' of the type identi?ed by
`is preferably made of the same material as cover 52, e.g.,
`40
`nylon impregnated vinyl, and the various components
`reference number 22 in FIG. 1 is disposed near an end of
`are held in place by stitching. The glove is located
`the body shield where it is unlikely to be struck by a
`blow. An appropriate distance for a shield having the
`above transducer means 22" to avoid any hindrance to
`the operation of the mitt.
`dimensions referred to above would be 6 inches from
`the top of the shield. Transducer 22' is preferably a
`In use, one person puts his or her hand in mitt 56 and
`mylar laminated piezoelectric strip secured to cover 32
`holds his arm outstretched to present a target to the
`by means of an appropriate adhesive as discussed above
`user. The user strikes mitt 50 above transducer means
`22" on the face of the mitt, and the values associated
`vwith reference to transducer means 22. Its ends are
`spaced slightly from each other and connected to a
`with the blow are displayed on screen'28. As discussed
`below, these values could include the force of the blow,
`two-conductor cable 24, which is in turn connected to
`the total energy transferred to the mitt over periods of
`an electronic indicator 26 having a screen 28.
`In use, while one person holds body shield 30 against
`time, the frequency at which blows are landed, etc.
`the body by means of handles 34, the user strikes the
`As in the other embodiments, as each blow is landed
`face of the shield somewhere below transducer 22'. The
`on mitt 50, the liner is compressed at the place of im
`pact, and a corresonding expansion of the liner occurs
`blow compresses the ?lling of cover 32 by an amount
`55
`elsewhere-including the space within transducer strip
`corresponding to the strength of the blow, and the ?ll
`ing expands elsewhere including in the space within
`22". The stress and~ distortion imparted to the trans
`transducer 22’. This expansion deforms the transducer
`ducer cause the generation of a voltage signal corre
`sponding to the value of the impact. This signal is trans
`and causes the latter to generate a voltage signal corre
`sponding to the amount of its deformation, and this
`mitted to indicator 26 where it is processed and its value
`signal causes a display re?ective of the value of the
`is displayed on screen 28.
`The piezoelectric-material referred to with respect to
`signal on screen 28'. Air driven away from the com
`pressed part of shield 30 causes a discharge of air
`the various embodiments described herein is preferably
`through ori?ces 43 and/or perforations 46. When the
`a polyvinylidene ?uoride (PVDF) ?lm, sandwiched
`between thin metallized layers of electrically conduc
`compressed material returns to its uncompressed state,
`air is drawn back into the contents. A smaller version of
`tive metal. This is the same material described in co
`pending US. patent application Ser. Nos. 785,969 ?led
`this embodiment can be attached to a wall or other
`Oct. 10, 1985 and 904,356 ?led Sept. 8, 1986, and incor
`support, such as by means of a Velcro strip attached to
`
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`65
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`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 6
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`4,883,271
`
`7
`porated herein by reference. This multi-layered material
`is marketed under the trademark KYNAR by Pennwalt
`Corporation, 900 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Penn
`sylvania. As used in the embodiments described herein,
`the piezoelectric ?lm is approximately 28 microns in
`thickness, and the opposed metallized layers are silver
`of about 0.1 microns in thickness.
`A wave form produced by typical impact is shown in
`FIG. 9 which illustrates an oscilloscope screen, which
`could constitute screen 28 on electronic indicators 26.
`The wave form starts at an initial point 70 which corre
`sponds with the athlete’s blow making contact with an
`impact measuring apparatus according to the invention.
`The wave form than rises upward with time to a peak 72
`which corresponds to the maximum displacement of the
`surface of the apparatus by the impact. Thereafter, the
`wave form falls with time in correspondence with the
`retraction of the athlete's hand or foot from the surface
`of the apparatus falling back to its original electrical
`potential at 74. Thereafter, the residual waves in the bag
`20
`caused by the impact create some anomalous signals or
`“noise” in the wave form 76. The noise rapidly dampens
`out. Thus, the device is able to provide accurate indica
`tion of impacts delivered in rapid succession. Applicant
`has found that sensing the impact on the surface of the
`bag in the circumferential direction particularly reduces
`the amount of “noise” and allows the apparatus to mea
`sure numerous impacts per second.
`A digital version of readout or indicator 26 is shown
`in FIG. 10, where it is generally indicated by reference
`30
`number 80. Thedigital systems can employ any of vari
`ous digital circuit designs. Such digital circuits can have
`means for converting analog signals generated by the
`piezoelectric strip into digital signals, with the ultimate
`displays being light emitting diodes or the like. Indica
`tor 80 includes a ?rst or force indicating screen 82 for
`indicating the value of the force of an impact applied to
`the impact receiving portion of the embodiment of the
`invention to which the piezoelectric device of indicator
`80 is connected. A counter 84 can be provided for indi
`cating the number of impacts rendered to the impact
`receiving portion. Circuitry can be provided for only
`indicating the umber of impacts which exceed a speci
`?ed threshold value, such as pounds of force, to avoid
`counting weak blows, glancing blows and noise. An
`45
`electronic ?lter can be used to preclude the transmission
`of signals having magnitudes below a certain threshold
`value, and means can be employed for changing that
`threshold to accommodate the strength and skill of the
`person using the apparatus. Means can be incorporated
`in indicator 80 for resetting force indicating screen 82
`and/or counter 84 after the occurrence of some event,
`such as the passing of a pre-determined amount of time
`after a blow without the detection of a'subsequent blow,
`or after the passing of a pre-determined period of time
`after the detection of a first blow.
`A clock 86 can be provided for indicating the amount
`of time during which the system has been in use in any
`session, or the amount of time which has transpired
`during a sequence of blows. The latter time value can be
`used to determine the rate at which blows having force
`magnitudes above a pre-determined level have been
`rendered. Again, means can be provided for resetting
`counter 86, and the resetting means can be manual or
`automatic.
`Various other useful information can be displayed on
`the readouts of device 80. For instance, the magnitudes
`of force signals rendered over a period of time can be
`
`8
`integrated to indicate the energy transmitted to the
`impact receiving apparatus. Values of velocity and
`power can be provided as well, as long as the system is
`provided with the necessary known values. Integrating
`this area can be accomplished by using conventional
`apparatus and may be provided as feedback to the ath
`lete as a digital readout. In other types of training, the
`velocity of the impact may be of most interest. Velocity
`may be determined by differentiating a portion of the
`wave form between points 70 and 72 in FIG. 9. Other
`impact characteristics can also be calculated depending
`on the parameter of interest.
`The indicating means may in some applications be
`combined or used in conjunction with a recording de
`vice. Thus, the athlete can review a series of impacts or
`blows after a workout session. The recording devices
`used in conjunction with the apparatus of the present
`invention may be' coordinated with a video recorder so
`that the athlete may review not only the impact of each
`blow, but also the technique that was used in delivering
`it. This provides the athlete with a further tool to ana
`lyze and develop technique.
`It can be noted that while the preferred form of the
`invention uses a piezoelectric ?lm strip for sensing the
`elongation of the bag, other types'of ?exible transduc
`ing devices may also be used successfully. For example,
`strain gauges such as large area strain gauges manufac
`tured by Omega Engineering, Inc. of Stamford, Con
`necticut could be employed in place of the piezoelectric
`device described above. It has been found that strain
`gauges of sufficient length to extend around the con
`tainer of the impact receiving device are not readily
`available, and it may be necessary to connect a number
`of such strain gauges together to extend around the
`container.
`Three embodiments of the invention have been de
`scribed above. As noted earlier, the invention is particu
`larly suited for obtaining information about blows ren
`dered by athletes. In addition to the bag, body shield
`and hitting mitt noted above, the invention can be em
`ployed in boxing gloves, football blocking and tackling
`dummies, targets at which balls and other projectiles
`are thrown, and the like. Furthermore the invention
`could be used for scoring purposes to indicate, for ex
`ample, both the landing of a blow and the force or other
`characteristics of the blow. The use of a piezoelectric
`?lm as the ?exible transducer makes possible a very
`durable product since there are few if any mechanical
`connections (such as linkages, screws, nuts and bolts,
`etc.). Furthermore, since piezoelectric ?lms are very
`sensitive and yield a linear response over a broad range
`of force inputs, accurate results are obtainable for im
`pacts varying from those of only a few pounds to im
`pacts of hundreds of pounds and more, without the need
`for costly detecting devices. The ?exible piezoelectric
`?lm strip preferred herein can be assembled on new
`products, and in addition can be retro?tted on existing
`sports equipment such as body shields, punching bags,
`etc. to enable the measure of various values associated
`with the impacts with the impacts.
`The invention has been described in detail, with par
`ticular emphasis on the preferred embodiments, but it
`should be understood that variations and modi?cations
`within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur
`to those skilled in the art to which the invention per
`tains.
`I claim:
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Yamaha Exhibit 1009 Page 7
`
`
`
`20
`
`4,883,271
`10
`1. Sports impact measuring apparatus for indicating
`14. A body shield according to claim 13 wherein said
`at least one characteristic of an externally applied im
`piezoelectric means is disposed near the upper edge
`pact, said apparatus comprising:
`portion of said shield, and said impact region is disposed
`below said upper edge portion.
`a deformable, resilient support for receiving impacts,
`said support being compressible at the region of the
`15. A body shield according to claim 13 wherein said
`impacts and expandable at parts of said support
`support includes a compressible material for rendereing
`away from the region of impact;
`said support resilient.
`'
`16. A body shield according to claim 13 and further
`?exible transducer means mounted on said support
`around said expandable part of said support for
`including handles on opposite sides of said shield.
`generating an electrical signal having at least one
`17. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said
`characteristic varying in accordance with to the
`apparatus comprises a hitting mitt having front and rear
`extent of the expansion of said expandable portion
`faces and outer edge portions, and said support includes
`in accordance with the value of said impact charac
`a container for holding a material for rendering said
`teristic; and
`container resilient and glove means attached to said rear
`indicating means connected to said transducer means
`face to enable a person to hold said mitt to present said
`for indicating at least one value of a characteristic
`front face as a target, said ?exible piezoelectric means
`of said electrical signal.
`being disposed near an outer edge portion and said
`impact region being disposed away from said piezoelec
`2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said
`?exible transducer means comprises ?exible piezoelec
`tric means.
`
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