Sport apparatus with impact sensing and display

Abstract

A velocity indication system is comprised of a force measurement sensor shielded by a protective covering that measures the level of force at the point of impact of the sensor with an object, and transmits the measurement, via a transmission carrier, to a computing unit that calculates the force measurement into a velocity measurement and projects that information on a display. A system carrier has an impact and a holding area. The invention is designed for use in sports such as hockey, tennis, baseball, cricket, golf, and the like; generally a sport with a racquet or stick.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sport apparatus comprising: a force measuring means engaged within an impact portion of the sport apparatus; a computing and displaying means engaged within a hand-held portion of the sport apparatus; and a signal transmitting means joining the force measuring means and the computing and displaying means for carrying information from the force measuring means to the computing and displaying means; the computing and displaying means providing means for converting the signal from the force measuring means into a velocity and for displaying said velocity.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computing and displaying means provides functional buttons for selecting power status, clearing a display screen of the computing and displaying means, selecting units of the velocity values displayed on the display screen, and averaging plural of the displayed values.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the sport apparatus is formed of two mating halves, wherein at least one of the halves provides a recess for accepting the force measuring means, the computing and displaying means and the signal transmitting means in tight-fitting engagement.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computing and displaying means provides means for initializing, initiating a low power consumption mode, identification of button selection, averaging plural measurements, and producing readings on the display related to the force sensed, and therefrom converting to a velocity.