Racket orientation indicator device and associated method of operation

Abstract

A device and method for determining whether or not the string face of a racket is held in a vertical plane as the racket is swung. At least one sensor is attached to a racket. The sensors detect when the string face of the racket is in a vertical plane and when the string face deviates from that vertical plane. An indicator is also attached to the racket, wherein the indicator produces a perceivable indication to the user of the racket wher activated. A logic circuit is used to connect the sensors to the indicator. When the sensors detect that the string face of the racket has wandered from the vertical plane, the indicator is activated and the player holding the racket is informed of the lapse in form. By repeatedly swinging the racket and trying to avoid activating the indicator, a player can train to have a proper level swing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A racket assembly comprising: 
 a handle;    a racket head supported by said handle;    a string face strung across said racket head, wherein said string face extends in a common plane;    at least one sensor for detecting when said common plane of said string face deviates from a vertical plane;    an indicator for providing a perceivable indication when said common plane of said string face is detected deviating from said vertical plane.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said perceivable indication is an audible indication.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one senor detects multiple degrees of deviation of said string face from said vertical plane.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said indicator provides a different indication for each of said multiple degrees of deviation detected.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor and said indicator are contained in an electronic subassembly.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said electronic subassembly is selectively detachable from said racket assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 5 , further including a neck region between said handle and said enlarged head, wherein said electronic assembly is disposed in said neck region.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including an impact sensor for detecting when said string face of said racket has contacted a ball.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said indicator is enabled only when said impact sensor senses said string face has impacted a ball.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 1  further including a disabling sensor that detects when said handle is held in a generally vertical orientation.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said indicator is deactivated when said disabling sensor detects that said handle is being held in a generally vertical orientation.  
     
     
         12 . A method of indicating when the string face of a racket is not being held in a vertical plane, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one sensor to a racket that detects when the string face of the racket is oriented outside of a vertical plane;    providing an indicator on said racket that is capable of producing a perceivable indication when activated; and    activating said indicator when said sensors detect that the string face of the racket is oriented outside the vertical plane.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said perceivable indication produced by said indicator is an audible indication.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one sensor detects degrees of deviation of said string face from the vertical plane.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said indicator provides a different perceivable indication for each of said degrees of deviation detected.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , further including the step of detecting when the string face of the racket has contacted a ball.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of enabling said indicator only after it has been detected that the string face of the racket has contacted a ball.  
     
     
         18 . A tennis training assembly that attaches to a tennis racket having a string face, said assembly including: 
 at least one sensor for detecting when said string face deviates from a vertical plane; and    an indicator for providing a perceivable indication when said string face is detected deviating from said vertical plane.    
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one senor detects multiple degrees of deviation of said string face from said vertical plane.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein said indicator provides a different indication for each of said multiple degrees of deviation detected.