The present disclosure relates to a device and method for counting occurrences of vibrations in a stringed racquet.
It is known to keep track of a number of hits made with a racquet by using a hand held device such as a clicker or by a mental tally.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a racquet sport training device, including a housing with an exterior surface and an attachment portion arranged to engage a plurality of strings of a racquet such that the exterior surface is engaged with at least one string of the racquet The device includes a sensor assembly disposed within the housing and having: a vibration sensor engaged with the exterior surface; a computer electrically connected to the vibration sensor; and a user interface electrically connected to the computer. The vibration sensor is arranged to detect a vibration at the exterior surface. The computer is arranged to record each occurrence of the vibration.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method of accounting for impacts on a string of a racquet using a device including a housing with an exterior surface and an attachment portion, and a sensor assembly disposed within the housing and including a vibration sensor engaged with the exterior surface, a computer electrically connected to the vibration sensor, and a user interface electrically connected to the computer. The method includes: engaging a plurality of strings for the racquet with the attachment portion such that the exterior surface is engaged with at least one string of the racquet; detecting, using the vibration-sensing element, a vibration of the at least one string at the exterior surface; and recording, using the computer, each occurrence of the vibration.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a racquet sport training device, including a housing with an exterior surface having first and second walls facing in opposite directions and including first and second slots, respectively, arranged to receive a plurality of strings of a racquet such that the exterior surface is compressively engaged with the plurality of strings. The device includes a sensor assembly disposed within the housing and including: a vibration sensor engaged with the exterior surface; a computer electrically connected to the vibration-sensing element and including a memory element; and a user interface electrically connected to the computer and including a graphical display and an audio device. The vibration sensor is arranged to transmit a signal to the computer for each occurrence of a vibration at the exterior surface. The computer is arranged to: record each occurrence of the vibration above a threshold level; store a record of each occurrence of the vibration above the threshold level; and operate the user interface to transmit a graphical display or an audio signal regarding information related to each occurrence of the vibration above the threshold level. The information includes: a cumulative number of each occurrence of the vibration above the threshold level; a cumulative number of each occurrence of the vibration above the threshold level; or attainment of a predetermined number of each occurrence of the vibration above the threshold level.
Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.
Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure.
The vibration sensor, computer, and user interface can be any vibration sensor, computer, or user interface known in the art. The housing can be made of any material known in the art, for example, plastic or metal.
In an example embodiment, the strings S1 and S2 are oriented in a direction from handle H for the racquet to end E of the racquet opposite the handle. For example, strings S1 and S2 are the center main strings of a tennis racquet. However, it should be understood that other strings so oriented can be used to engage the device.
In an example embodiment, the computer is arranged to record each occurrence of the vibration only for a vibration above a threshold level. That is, in order to be recorded by the computer, the vibration must have a minimum amplitude. This arrangement prevents the recordation of spurious vibrations. For example, if the device is used to record each time a tennis ball is struck by the racquet, the threshold prevents vibrations associated with events such as jiggling or bouncing the racquet in the hand of the player from being recorded and incorrectly counted as ball strikes.
In an example embodiment, the exterior surface includes oppositely facing end walls 116 and 118 and the attachment portion includes slots 120 and 122 formed in end walls 116 and 118, respectively. Slots 120 and 122 are arranged to receive strings S. In an example embodiment, slots 120 and 122 are arranged to receive the plurality of strings in compressive engagement. For example, strings S1 and S2 apply force to the housing in directions D1 and D2, respectively. This compressive engagement aids in keeping the device engaged with the strings and can increase the responsiveness of the device to vibrations in the strings.
In an example embodiment, the computer is arranged to store, in the memory element, a record of each occurrence of the vibration. In an example embodiment, the computer is arranged to transmit, using the user interface, information regarding the occurrences of the vibration. In an example embodiment, the information includes a cumulative number of the occurrences of the vibration, a cumulative number of the occurrences of the vibration compared to a predetermined number, or attainment of a predetermined number of the occurrences of the vibration. Thus, the information can be regarding how many tennis balls have been hit, how many tennis balls have been hit compared to a predetermined number (for example, a number of hits desired for a training session), or when the predetermined number of hits has been reached.
In an example embodiment, the user interface includes audio device 124 and when the cumulative number of vibrations (hits) or the attainment of the predetermined number of vibrations (hits) is reached, the computer is arranged to operate the audio device to transmit an audible signal. In an example embodiment, the user interface includes screen 126 and the computer is arranged to operate the screen to display the cumulative number of the occurrences of the vibration (hits); the cumulative number of the occurrences of the vibration (hits) and the predetermined number; or the attainment of the predetermined number of vibrations (hits). In an example embodiment, other information such as time of day can be displayed on the screen.
In an example embodiment, the sensor assembly includes location sensor 128 for detecting when the attachment portion is engaged or disengaged with the plurality of strings and the user interface includes audio device 124. When the attachment portion is accidently or unintentionally disengaged from the plurality of strings, the audio device is arranged to transmit an audible signal. For example, if the device is unintentionally disengaged during use, the audible signal can be used to locate the device.
In an example embodiment, the housing includes side wall 130 connecting the end walls and the attachment portion includes slot 132 formed in the side wall. Slot 132 is arranged to receive a string, for example, string S3.
The following should be viewed in light of
In an example embodiment, device 100 includes reset button 142 and select button 144 for resetting operating modes and selecting operating modes, respectively. Device 100 can be powered by any means known in the art, for example, battery 146 or solar device 148.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.