Device for measuring an impact force applied to an object

Abstract

A measuring device comprising pressure measuring means adapted to be fitted to a first sports implement and further adapted to record the contact pressure between the first sporting implement and a second sports implement in use, and means to communicate the pressure calculated to the user.

1 . A measuring device comprising pressure measuring means adapted to be fitted to a first sports implement and further adapted to record the contact pressure between the first sporting implement and a second sports implement in use, and means to communicate the pressure calculated to the user.  
     
     
         2 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 1  in which the measuring device is provided with processing means, which is provided with a database of potential contact pressure recordings, in which each potential contact pressure recording corresponds to a pre-determined value on a scale, and when a contact pressure recording is received in use, the corresponding pre-determined value is communicated to the user.  
     
     
         3 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 2  in which the pre-determined value is a number on a scale from 0 to 100.  
     
     
         4 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 2  in which the pre-determined value is a speed on a speed scale which substantially corresponds to the speed at which the second sports implement was travelling before and/or after it impacted the pressure measuring means.  
     
     
         5 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 4  in which the first sports implement is an object which is struck, and the second sports implement is a striking object, and the speed at which the second sports implement was travelling before it impacted the pressure measuring means is calculated.  
     
     
         6 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 5  in which the first sports implement is a baseball glove, and the second sports implement is a baseball.  
     
     
         7 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 6  in which the pressure measuring means is a transducer sensor.  
     
     
         8 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 6  in which the pressure measuring means is a layer of Quantum Tunnelling Composite material.  
     
     
         9 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 8  in which the device is adapted to be fitted to a baseball glove and comprises a base adapted to be seated in the palm of the glove at a location where a ball is conventionally caught in use, and means to hold the base in position, and in which the pressure measuring means is disposed on the base, and in which the processing means and the means to communicate the speed calculated are contained in a housing disposed at the rear of the glove, and in which the means to communicate the speed calculated is an LCD display.  
     
     
         10 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 3  in which the first sports implement is a striking object, and the second sports implement is an object which is struck and the speed at which the second sports implement was travelling after it impacted the pressure measuring means is calculated.  
     
     
         11 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 10  in which the first sports object is a boot and the second sports object is a ball.  
     
     
         12 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 11  in which the pressure measuring means is a transducer sensor.  
     
     
         13 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 11  in which the pressure measuring means is a layer of Quantum Tunnelling Composite material.  
     
     
         14 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 13  in which the device is adapted to be fitted to a soccer boot and comprises a base adapted to be seated on the upper of the boot, a foot strap and a heel strap, and in which the pressure measuring means is disposed in an off-set position on the base, which substantially corresponds to the point where a ball is traditionally struck by a boot, and in which the processing means and the means to communicate the speed calculated are contained in a housing disposed on a portion of the heel strap adjacent the opposite side of the upper to that which strikes the ball, and in which the means to communicate the speed calculated is an LCD display.  
     
     
         15 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 14  in which the foot strap and the heel strap are secured to the base by pivot joints, and the base can be disposed either way up, such that the device can be arranged for fitting to a left or a right sided boot, and in which the base is provided with a pattern which indicates the position of the pressure measuring means.  
     
     
         16 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 15  in which the means to communicate the speed calculated is provided on a second base, which is connected to the processing means by a remote signal, in which the second base is a wrist worn device.  
     
     
         17 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 10  in which the first sports object is a bat and the second sports object is a ball.  
     
     
         18 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 17  in which the pressure measuring means is a layer of Quantum Tunnelling Composite material.  
     
     
         19 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 18  in which the device is adapted to be fitted to a baseball bat, and comprises a sleeve adapted to be seated on the body of the bat, in which the QTC is carried by the sleeve, and in which the processing means and the means to communicate the speed calculated are disposed at the base of the bat, and in which the means to communicate the speed calculated is an LCD display.  
     
     
         20 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 19  in which the device is provided with at least two modes, in which each mode uses a different database, and in which the different databases correspond to different ball types being struck in use.  
     
     
         21 . A measuring device as claimed in  claim 20  in which the device is provided with at least two databases which correspond to different parts of a ball being struck, and in which the processing means is adapted to recognise from the pressure recording received which part of the ball has been struck and to refer to the correct database to calculate the speed.