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  Golf simulator or measurement apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060128489Title: Golf simulator or measurement apparatus Abstract: The invention provides a simulator or measurement apparatus for use in a bail game where a ball is hit from a stationary position. The apparatus includes a bail (2), a connecting means (1), a base (48) and a measurement means. The ball (2) is connected by the connecting means (1) to the base (48). The connecting means (1) operates to provide a number of degrees of freedom to the movement of the ball (2), and is in a unique arrangement for each position of the bail. It operates to allow the bail (2), when struck by an object, to substantially replicate some or ail of the motion characteristics of an unconnected ball, over a distance sufficient to measure such motion characteristics. The measurement means measures motion characteristics of the connected ball (2) over the distance when such motion characteristics are substantially replicated. (end of abstract) Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen - New York, NY, US Inventors: Brian Francis Mooney, James Hourihan USPTO Applicaton #: 20060128489 - Class: 473139000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Anchored (e.g., Tethered, Etc.) Projectile The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060128489. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for simulating or measuring the movement characteristics of a ball which has been struck from a stationary position by a moving object. The invention relates more specifically, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for simulating or measuring the movement characteristics of a golf ball, which has been struck by a golf club in a shot which may comprise a drive shot. [0002] The game of golf is one of the most popular universal sports. As is well known, it comprises sets of shots, each set typically involving an initial long drive shot from a starting tee, followed by a series of progressively shorter shots towards a hole on a green. [0003] Most golf players, from beginners to professionals, reserve their greatest interest for the initial drive shot. It is this shot, which provides the greatest level of satisfaction when well hit and which has the most deleterious effect when badly hit. It receives far more attention and practice off the course than its relative frequency would otherwise warrant. The drive shot retains an element of intrigue for most players because its dynamic characteristics are beyond the normal range of human perception. The transfer of energy to the ball is so rapid that the ball has departed far from the tee before the player can register the impact either by feel or sight. For example, in a well hit golf drive shot the ball and club face are typically in contact for only about 0.45 ms, during which time the ball moves about 15 mm to 20 mm, and the average force between the ball and club face is around 12,000 N to 13,000 N. The ball departs from the club face at a speed of about 65 m/s. The ball also acquires significant spin motion from the driving shot, typically acquiring a back spin about a horizontal axis of around 3,500 rpm but no significant spin in the direction of travel of the ball. The ball may also acquire a side spin component about a vertical axis, which when combined with its back spin, causes a resultant spin about an axis tilted in a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the ball. The side spin component is not always present and its magnitude is typically less than a few percent of that of the back spin component on well hit drive shots. During impact, typically about 39% of the club head energy is transferred to the ball, about 8% is lost and about 53% is retained in the club head. Usually, over 99% of the ball's energy is acquired as linear kinetic energy, with spin energy accounting for less than 1%. [0004] The prior art has produced various means whereby the initial drive shot can be carried out away from the golf course to allow player practice or to permit measurement of the characteristics of the drive shot. [0005] The most common means for player practice is the dedicated driving range. In a typical arrangement, players are positioned in a row, are each supplied with a quantity of balls and drive the balls from a tee piece out across the practice range. The range is usually several hundred meters long and may be supplied with markers which indicate the distance from the driving position. Typically, the range is outdoors and the player position is under cover. [0006] Although the dedicated driving practice range is of great benefit to the player, it suffers from several disadvantages. There is usually far more noise and distraction that would occur during normal golfing play. It may be very difficult for the player to see or judge the shot or to discriminate his or her ball, since other players are simultaneously hitting balls, the balls can be very far distant and there can be many stationary balls lying on the range. Furthermore, the location of the range may be inconveniently distant from the player and there may be uncertainty as to whether space will be available when the player arrives. In addition, the range may not be playable in poor light or inclement weather. The driving practice range also has several inherent disadvantages. One inherent disadvantage is that there is no automatic method for statistically measuring performance. Another is that the player cannot maintain his or her stance between shots because of the necessity to look up and follow the progress of the ball. [0007] In another type of driving range, which occurs where space is limited, rows of players are arranged in tiers, with large numbers hitting at the same time into a large enclosure. In this instance, the player has little opportunity to distinguish his or her ball from those of the others players and there is very little feedback of information to the player other than the sound and feel of the shot. [0008] The prior art has attempted to overcome some of the disadvantages of the dedicated driving range. The most successful of these alternatives to the practice driving range appear to be those which allow the player to hit a ball into a large net or screen and which measure the speed and direction of the ball in flight using remote sensors such as electromagnetic wave emitters and receivers. Although they have overcome some of the disadvantages of the driving range, they have achieved very limited success due to several drawbacks. They are very expensive and require a large amount of space to set up. They are not readily portable and many are not suitable for outdoor use. They usually require a substantial electrical power source. They typically do not measure certain important characteristics of ball flight, such as back spin and side spin and in consequence cannot accurately predict the free flight trajectory of the ball. They usually are not compatible with ground shots such as the putting shot. [0009] The prior art has also proposed various alternatives to the practice driving range where the ball is connected or tethered to an apparatus. However, none of these alternatives appears to provide a satisfactory solution. Some simply do not adequately simulate a real practice shot. Those which have attempted to provide adequate or accurate details of the characteristics of the movement of the ball appear to be impractical and to display a failure to appreciate the mechanics of the ranges of golf shots. [0010] Rutherford et al., WO 89/00065, discloses a golf practice apparatus, which comprises a golf ball connected to a shaft. The ball is operable to rotate in a continuous fixed circular orbit in a horizontal plane about a pivot. The practice apparatus roughly estimates the single parameter of shot distance by counting the revolutions of the ball about the pivot. No explanation is given as to how the apparatus will withstand the forces from lofted or badly hit shots. Although the shaft appears to be of rigid construction, no details are given of its construction or of the ball attachment method. [0011] Barry et al., EP 0278150, discloses a golf practice apparatus, which comprises a golf ball connected to a shaft which is operable to rotate in a continuous fixed circular orbit in a slightly inclined horizontal plane about a pivot. When a shot is taken, the club is caused to pass across light detectors located in the base of the machine. These detectors directly sense the movement of the shadow of the club and an analysis of the movement is made to estimate shot distance and angle. No explanation is given as to how the apparatus will withstand the forces from lofted or badly hit shots and details of shaft construction and ball attachment appear to be impractical. [0012] Onozuka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,836, discloses a golf practice apparatus, which comprises a golf ball connected to a shaft comprised of an elastic material, which is operable to rotate in a continuous circular orbit about a pivot. The orbit can be selectively set in different fixed planes, all of which are close to a horizontal plane. When a shot is taken, the club is caused to pass across light emitters and detectors located in the base of the machine. These detectors directly sense the movement of the reflection of light from the club and an analysis of the movement is made to estimate shot distance and angle. As with the previous cited specification, no explanation is given as to how the apparatus will withstand the forces from lofted or badly hit shots and details of shaft construction and ball attachment again appear to be impractical. [0013] Russell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,405, discloses a golf practice apparatus which comprises a golf ball connected to a flexible tether which is operable to rotate in a continuous approximately circular horizontal orbit about a vertical pivot. The practice apparatus roughly estimates the single parameter of shot distance by determining the rate of rotation about the vertical pivot. [0014] Dennesen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,393, and Tortola, U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,989, both disclose a golf practice apparatus which comprises a golf ball connected to a flexible tether which is operable to rotate in a continuous approximately circular vertical orbit about a horizontal pivot. The apparatus roughly estimates the shot distance by determining the number of rotations or rate of rotation about the vertical pivot by using an electronic optical sensor, directly wired to the electronic circuitry of the apparatus. The sensor detects the interruption of a light beam passing through a slotted element on a vane attached to the pivot. The Tortola practice apparatus additionally attempts to roughly estimate the direction of the shot by determining the lateral pull at the top of the flexible tether. This estimate is made using either a pair of strain gauges or a pair of axial optical electronic sensors electrically wired to the circuitry of the apparatus. The strain gauges or axial optical sensors are arranged out of phase to each other to allow determination of the direction of axial movement. [0015] The present invention is more particularly defined in the appended claims 1 to 116 which are incorporated into this description by reference. [0016] The present invention provides a simulator or measurement apparatus, for use in a ball game where a ball is hit from a stationary position, which includes a ball, a connecting means, a base and a measurement means, where the ball is connected by the connecting means to the base. [0017] The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a simulator or measurement apparatus suited to the game of golf where a golf ball receives an impact from a golf club and the motion characteristics of the ball relate to the initial movement characteristics of the ball. The invention relates more particularly to a simulator or measurement apparatus suited to the game of golf, embracing all golf shots, including the drive shot and the putting shot. [0018] Throughout the specification, where the method or apparatus refers to the game of golf, an apparatus is described which is suited to players who strike the ball to the left, as would normally be the case for right handed golfers. A mirror image arrangement, similar in other respects, can be used for players who strike the ball to the right. [0019] The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, an embodiment of the invention which is suitable as an apparatus to measure the movement characteristics of a golf ball which has been struck by a golf club across a range of shots including the drive shot and the putting shot. [0020] In the drawings: [0021] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of the ball and connecting means of a apparatus which simulates and measures the movement characteristics of a golf ball which has been struck by a golf club, the view includes a ball spin rotation pivot, a vertical pivot, a horizontal pivot and a supplemental pivot; [0022] FIG. 2 shows an oblique view of the ball and connecting means shown in FIG. 1, but with parts, other than shafts and vanes, shown sectioned along a vertical plane through the centre of the ball and ball shaft--the view omits the supplemental pivot; [0023] FIG. 3 also shows an oblique view of the ball and connecting means shown in FIG. 1, but with parts, other than shafts and vanes, shown sectioned along a horizontal plane through the centre of the ball and ball shaft with upper parts of the horizontal pivot vane casing, and supplemental pivot and vane casing omitted to show the horizontal pivot vane and supplemental pivot vane; [0024] FIG. 4 shows an oblique view of the apparatus with the ball in the home position; the view omits a protective housing, display screen, ball retardation means and playing surface; Continue reading... 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