3861 results about "Sports equipment" patented technology

Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.

Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and / or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.

An instrumented sports apparatus includes a closely spaced array of discrete sensor elements coupled to a contact surface thereof for converting a contact force between the contact surface and an object into a plurality of discrete output signals. The signals are processed and information based thereon generated, which is representative of one or more parameters of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, as instrumented golf club displays information such as club head speed, club head angle, and club head elevation upon impact with a golf ball, permitting the golfer to adjust his swing on the next stroke. Since the instrumentation and display are entirely self-contained in the club, a golfer is not constrained in the use of the club and may enjoy the benefits thereof during play on a golf course.

An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.

A real-ball interactive sports entertainment and training system combines real-time motion sensing of real world sports equipment to create simulated interactions with amateur or professional sports figures on-screen, optionally including in-game advertising. The interactive sports entertainment and training experience extends to the internet, where users can view their statistics and highlights and compare notes and simulated sports stories with other users, or “cyberjocks.” The system implements methods that include embedding a plurality of three-axis motion sensors within a single piece of user sports equipment, wherein each of the plurality of sensors provides a continuous stream of relative motion data for each axis; disposing the plurality of three-axis motion sensors so that none of the axes are aligned; connecting the disposed motion sensors to a processor, and powering the sensors and the processor so that the processor receives the relative motion data; converting the relative motion data into a six or more axis representation of the motion of the single piece of sports equipment; and communicating the six or more axis representation to a multimedia facility.

Athletic activity may be tracked and monitored while providing encouragement and maintaining an individual's interest in continuing to perform athletic activity. For example, a themed workout plan may be implemented to motivate the individual and maintain the individual's interest. The theme may include geographic locations, food items, technology, sports and the like and may include multiple categories or groupings of goals. For example, the categories may correspond to geographic locations. In each category, multiple goals may be defined. The goals may further be represented by real-world objects such as buildings, food items, technology products, sports equipment and the like. A user may progress through each category by completing each of the goals within that category. Other individuals (e.g., friends) may also be displayed on an interface through which a user's progress is tracked. This may allow the user to also view the other individuals' progress in the same workout plan.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining the magnitude of linear and rotational acceleration of an impact to a body part. The apparatus can be used with protective sports equipment, such as a sports helmet, wherein the apparatus includes a battery, a number of accelerometers positioned proximate to the outer surface of the head, and an electronic device with a processor and a transmitter to transmit data received from the accelerometers. To maximize the battery life and minimize power consumption by the electronic device, the apparatus includes a power management system with a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly sends a first signal to the electronic device to initiate operation when the sensor assembly detects the presence of an object within the helmet, and a second signal to the electronic device to cease operation when the sensor assembly detects the absence of the object. The sensor assembly may be a proximity sensor, more specifically an inductive, capacitive, or ultrasonic sensor.

A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.

Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and / or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site. Recommended activities to be performed or a recommended time to perform an activity may be determined based on a user's schedule, weather or conditions forecasts, or a location of the user or the potential activity.

Mobile communication devices are interfaced with sports equipment that include at least one embedded sensor. The sensor may be a variety of different sensors, including, but not limited to: 3D acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors; humidity sensors; wind speed sensors; pressure sensors; and the like. Data that relates to the sensor measurements are transmitted wirelessly from the sports equipment to another device that may analyze the data. This device may be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, or a wired device, such as a desktop computer. The data may be transmitted through one or more networks.

A wireless motion monitoring device adaptive to incorporate an equipment control module of an exercise equipment is provided to detect the motion signal of a user. The wireless motion monitoring device includes a motion signal receiving module electrically coupling to a circuit board of the equipment control module. A wireless motion signal detecting module is able to detect the motion signal of the user. The motion signal is transmitted by a wireless transmitter which is arranged in the wireless motion signal detecting module. A wireless receiver is arranged in the motion signal receiving module for receiving the motion signal transmitted by the motion signal detecting module. After the motion signal receiving module receives the motion signal transmitted from the motion signal detecting module, the motion signal is transmitted to the equipment control module of the exercise equipment and displayed on a display unit of the equipment control module.

Method and apparatus for encouraging significant exercise by a user of an exercise machine, by utilizing an interactive game that can be networked. The game controller is integrated into the exercise machine along with one or more sensors that supply interactive game inputs to the controller and also with one or more actuators that provide interactive game feedback output by the controller. For example, the sensors sense one or more of: an exercise rate, force, frequency, and repetition count; a button click, trigger squeeze, and joystick movement; a force on a steering wheel, handlebar, and flight stick; a tilting force; a key press, touch screen touch, and switch activation; sound, heat, smell, and moisture. For example, the actuators output from the controller game-related feedback including one or more of: vibration, impact force, movement, heat, cold, moving air, sound, visual effects, changes of exercise resistance and rate, scent and moisture.

Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and / or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.

Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and / or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.

An exercise machine has a universal holder that is adapted to facilitate communication between the machine and a variety of portable electronic device configurations. The universal holder can be formed of a material that is generally transparent to infrared signals, but that is generally optically opaque.

The invention is a device for exercising a pet. One embodiment of the invention is a combination of a treadmill and control configured to motivate a pet to use the treadmill responsive to motivation provided to the pet in the form of visual, audio, aromatic, and / or food rewards. Another embodiment of the invention is a device having a motivation control system configured to be secured to and / or adjacent to a separate treadmill, with the device controlling operation of the treadmill and the motivational control system providing appropriate motivation to the pet to use the treadmill.

An exercise apparatus includes a frame for supporting all the components of the apparatus and a multi-directional resistance means for providing a user of the apparatus the ability to duplicate actual athletic procedures. The apparatus includes a treadmill for the user to operate with the multidirectional resistance means and at least two connection means between the user legs the multi-directional resistance means. A front bar is mounted on the frame for the user to hold onto while duplicating an athletic procedure. Finally, there is a controlling means to adjust the multi-directional resistance means for changing the effect of the users' workout.

A self-adhesive bandage for prevention and treatment of skin breakdown by relief of friction and shear forces. The bandage includes a pair of thin film membranes, one of which is a portion of a dome and is free to move a limited distance with respect to the other. The dome is located on a skin contact layer that can be adhered to one's skin. A method of making such a bandage includes forming a dome in a flexible film and adhesively attaching a skirt surrounding the dome to a skin contact layer. Similar friction reducing devices may be incorporated in shoes, other clothing, or sports equipment.

A system for detecting and displaying force data relating to impacts received on an item of athletic equipment includes two or more items of athletic equipment each having a force sensor, logic and a wireless transmitter therein, a receiver adapted to receiver signals from each of the transmitters, and a processor for formatting the data for display. The force sensor may be a capacitive force sensor. The logic may have an operating mode and a sleep mode, with an inertial sensor providing a signal to cause the logic to switch from sleep mode to operating mode. The logic identifies and stores signals exceeding a threshold for transmission. Transmissions are repeated, and the receiver is adapted to distinguish and discard corrupted and repeated transmissions. The display provides an indication of force and number of recorded hits in association with the names of the competitors. The athletic equipment may be boxing gloves, and the force and number of hit data may be provided simultaneously with images and commentary for a boxing match. The data may be displayed as a standalone graphic or superimposed over an image of a match.

The present invention relates to a novel blend composition suitable for use in sports equipment in general and in particular for use in golf ball manufacture. The composition is the reaction product of; A) a polymer of ethylene and / or one or more alpha olefins, and an acid, ester, or anhydride (“Component (A)”); and B) a compound comprising both an amine and a carboxylic acid in the same molecule which may be present in either a neutral or ionic or zwitterionic form (“Component (B)”); and C) a basic metal ion salt, capable of neutralizing the acid groups of Component (A) and / or Component (B). The metal ions including Li+, Na+, K+, Zn+, Co2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Mg2+, with Li+, Na+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ being preferred, and their salts include those of, for example, formic acid, acetic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, bicarbonic acid, as well as the metal oxides, hydroxides, and alkoxides (“Component (C)”). The present invention is also embodied in a blend composition including the reaction product of one or more ionomers and Component (B) which is a compound having a general formula (R2N)m—R′—(X(O)nORy)m, where R is either hydrogen, one or more C1-C20 aliphatic systems, one or more cycloaliphatic systems, one or more aromatic systems, or a combination of these. Also R′ is a bridging group comprising one or more unsubstituted C1-C20 straight chain or branched aliphatic or alicyclic groups, or one or more substituted straight chain or branched aliphatic or alicyclic groups, or one or more aromatic groups, one or more oligomers each containing up to 12 repeating units, and when X is C or S or P, m is 1-3. Also when X=C, n=1 and y=1, and when X=S, n=2 and y=1, and when X=P, n=2 and y=2. The present invention also resides in a golf ball including a core, an outer cover layer; and from 0 to 5 intermediate layers, wherein one or more of said core, outer cover, and / or intermediate layers, if present, includes the aforementioned blend compositions. Finally, the present invention is also embodied in sports equipment items comprising the aforementioned blend compositions.

A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.

Exercise equipment includes a stationary dock and a user support frame engaging the dock in docking relation, including application as a weight training rack and bench including a weight rack frame and a bench frame releasably lockable to the weight rack frame at a plurality of selectable locking locations therealong. A pair of collapsible spotter platforms are mounted to respective upstanding support posts.

A handle for an exercise device, the handle attached to an actuating arm of the exercise device and including a connection structure that allows the handle to rotate with respect to the arm, as well as pivot in at least two directions orthogonal to the rotation axis.

A universal system for monitoring activities and motions during exercise and controlling the resistance provided to a user of exercise equipment during the motions. The system having at least one sensor to detect at least one of physical parameter of the exercisers activity such as force, acceleration, and / or direction of user movements. The resistance mechanism provides an adjustable and variable resistance and a dampened response to an exerciser while the sensors monitor the forces and resulting movement of the user interface. The system provides an adjustable resistance system for exercising parts of the body having complex movements over a full range of motion such as the arms, legs, neck, wrist, ankle, and torso. The present invention is also adaptable to existing fitness equipment. The system can also provide effective resistance and damping over the range of motion in free space. The force exerted by the user on the user interface can be measured over the entire range of motion using force and position sensors.