Racquet sport training device and method thereof

Abstract

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.

1 . A racquet sport training device, comprising:
 a housing including:
 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; 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, wherein:
 the vibration sensor is arranged to detect a vibration at the exterior surface; 
 the computer is arranged to record each occurrence of the vibration. 
 the sensor assembly includes a location sensor; 
 the user interface includes an audio device; and, 
 when the attachment portion is disengaged from the plurality of strings, the location sensor transmits a signal to the computer and the computer is arranged to operate the audio device to transmit an audible signal. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is arranged to record said each occurrence of the vibration only for a vibration above a threshold level. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing includes first and second oppositely facing end walls;   the attachment portion includes first and second slots formed in the first and second end walls, respectively; and,   the first and second slots are arranged to receive the plurality of strings.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second slots are arranged to receive the plurality of strings in compressive engagement. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the housing includes a bottom surface connecting the first and second end walls; and,   the bottom surface is arranged to contact the at least one string.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom surface includes at least one slot arranged to receive the at least one string. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the housing includes a side wall connecting the first and second end walls;   the attachment portion includes a third slot formed in the side wall; and,   the third slot is arranged to receive a string from the plurality of strings.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the computer includes a memory element;   the computer is arranged to store, in the memory element, a record of said each occurrence of the vibration; and,   the computer is arranged to transmit, using the user interface, information regarding said each occurrence of the vibration.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the information includes:
 a cumulative number of said each occurrence;   a cumulative number of said each occurrence and a predetermined number; or,   attainment of a predetermined number of said each occurrence.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 ,
 wherein:
 the user interface includes an audio device; and, 
 when the cumulative number or the attainment is reached, the computer is arranged to operate the audio device to transmit an audible signal; or, 
   wherein:
 the user interface includes a screen; and, 
 the computer is arranged to operate the screen to display:
 the cumulative number of said each occurrence; 
 the cumulative number of said each occurrence and the predetermined number; or, 
 the attainment of the predetermined number of said each occurrence. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . 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 location sensor and 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 and including an audio device, the method comprising:
 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;   recording, using the computer, each occurrence of the vibration   detecting, using the location sensor, when the attachment portion is disengaged from the plurality of strings;   transmitting a signal from the location sensor to the computer; and,   operating, using the computer, the audio device to transmit an audible signal.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein recording each occurrence includes recording said each occurrence only for a vibration above a threshold level. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the housing includes first and second oppositely facing end walls;   the attachment portion includes first and second slots formed in the first and second end walls, respectively; and,   engaging the plurality of strings includes disposing the plurality of strings in the first and second slots.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein disposing the plurality of strings in the first and second slots includes compressively engaging the housing with the plurality of strings. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 wherein:
 the housing includes a bottom surface connecting the first and second end walls, the method further comprising contacting the bottom surface with the at least one string; and, 
 detecting the vibration includes detecting the vibration on the bottom surface; or, 
   wherein:
 the housing includes a bottom surface connecting the first and second end walls; and, 
 the bottom surface includes at least one slot, the method further comprising disposing the at least one string in the at least one slot, wherein detecting the vibration includes detecting the vibration on the bottom surface. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the housing includes a side wall connecting the first and second end walls;   the attachment portion includes a third slot formed in the side wall; and,   engaging the plurality of strings includes disposing a string from the plurality of strings in the third slot.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the computer includes a memory element, the method further comprising:
 storing, in the memory element, a record of each occurrence of the vibration; and,   displaying, using the computer and the user interface, information regarding said each occurrence of the vibration, the information including:
 a cumulative number of said each occurrence; 
 a cumulative number of said each occurrence and a predetermined number; or, 
 attainment of a predetermined number of said each occurrence. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 ,
 wherein the user interface includes an audio device, the method further comprising when the cumulative number or the attainment is reached, operating, using the computer, the audio device to transmit an audible signal; or,   wherein the user interface includes a screen, the method further comprising operating, using the computer, the screen to display:
 the cumulative number of said each occurrence; 
 the cumulative number of said each occurrence and the predetermined number; or, 
 the attainment of the predetermined number of said each occurrence. 
   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A racquet sport training device, comprising:
 a housing including:
 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; 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 including a memory element; and, 
 a user interface electrically connected to the computer, wherein: 
   the vibration sensor is arranged to detect a vibration at the exterior surface;   the computer is arranged to:
 record each occurrence of the vibration; and, 
 transmit, using the user interface, information regarding said each occurrence of the vibration; and, 
   the information includes:
 a cumulative number of said each occurrence compared to a predetermined number; or, 
 attainment of a predetermined number of said each occurrence.