An impact target

Abstract

An impact target for a sports simulator, the impact target comprising: a plate comprising a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface comprising an opening; and a vibration sensor fixedly positioned within the opening, the vibration sensor configured to detect an impact of a sports projectile with the impact target.

1 . An impact target for a sports simulator, the impact target comprising:
 a plate comprising a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface comprising an opening; and   a vibration sensor fixedly positioned within the opening, the vibration sensor configured to detect an impact of a sports projectile with the impact target.   
     
     
         2 . The impact target of  claim 1 , wherein the opening extends through a thickness of the plate from the rear surface to the front surface. 
     
     
         3 . The impact target of  claim 2 , further comprising a cover plate overlying the opening on the front surface. 
     
     
         4 . The impact target of  claim 3 , wherein the cover plate comprises one or more perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The impact target of  claim 2 , further comprising a cover sheet overlying the front surface of the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The impact target of  claim 5 , comprising an air gap between the cover sheet and the front surface. 
     
     
         7 . The impact target of  claim 6 , comprising a compressible seal arranged to separate the cover sheet from the front surface to provide the air gap. 
     
     
         8 . The impact target of  claim 1  wherein the vibration sensor is mechanically mounted on a mount plate and the mount plate is mechanically fixed to the rear surface of the plate. 
     
     
         9 . The impact target of  claim 8  when dependent on  claim 3  or any claim dependent therefrom, wherein the mount plate is mechanically coupled to the cover plate. 
     
     
         10 . The impact target of  claim 8 , further comprising a second compressible seal between the mount plate and the rear surface. 
     
     
         11 . The impact target of  claim 1 , wherein the opening extends partially through a thickness of the plate from the rear surface towards the front surface. 
     
     
         12 . The impact target of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the plate between the front surface and the opening is perforated. 
     
     
         13 . The impact target of  claim 11  or  claim 12 , further comprising a cover sheet overlying the front surface of the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The impact target of  claim 13  comprising an air gap between the cover sheet and the front surface. 
     
     
         15 . The impact target of  claim 14  comprising a compressible seal arranged to separate the cover sheet from the front surface to provide the air gap. 
     
     
         16 . The impact target of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the opening is adapted to conform to a cross-section of the vibration sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The impact target of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor comprises a piezo sensor or an accelerometer. 
     
     
         18 . The impact target of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rear surface further comprises one or more further openings; and   the impact target further comprises one or more further vibration sensors respectively positioned in the one or more further openings.   
     
     
         19 . The impact target of  claim 1  further comprising a damper for isolating the vibration sensor from ambient vibrations. 
     
     
         20 . A sports simulator comprising an impact target according to  claim 1 .