IP Library Granted Patent US 9,597,554
Granted Patent B2
US 9,597,554 · App. 14/453,837 · Granted Mar 21, 2017

Racquet hit notification

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,597,554
App. No.
14/453,837
Granted
Mar 21, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for use with a sports racquet. The apparatus including a sensor to be carried by the racquet and an indicator in communication with the sensor to output a notification based on the number of hits by the racquet based on signals from the sensor.

Claims (32)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a racquet;

a sensor carried by the racquet; and

an indicator in communication with the sensor to output a notification based on (a) the number of hits by the racquet based on signals from the sensor; and (b) at least one of an elapsed time since a last stringing of the racquet and an input skill level of a person using the racquet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises:

sensor signal analyzing electronics carried by the racquet; and

a notification output carried by the racquet to provide the notification.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the notification provided by the notification output is a visible notification comprises the visible notification comprises one of: an estimated number of hits by the racquet; a recommendation for restringing the racquet; and a combination thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the visible notification is on a handle butt of the racquet.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the notification provided by the notification output is an audible notification.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: an accelerometer; a vibro-acoustic sensor; a strain gauge; a load cell; and combinations thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises a counter carried by the racquet and in communication with the sensor, and wherein the indicator further comprises a memory carried by the racquet to store a counted number of hits by the counter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises:

sensor signal analyzing electronics carried by the racquet to produce data based on signals from the sensor; and

a transmitter carried by the racquet to output the data to electronics remote from the racquet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the transmitter comprises at least one of a wireless transmitter and a plug-in port.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator further comprises a notification output remote from the racquet to output the notification based on the data.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a portable electronic device comprising the notification output.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the notification output comprises a display of the portable electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises:

a transmitter carried by the racquet to output signals from the sensor; and

a portable electronic device remote from the racquet, the portable electronic device comprising:

a transceiver to receive the signals from the transmitter;

signal analyzing electronics to analyze signals to produce data; and

a notification output to output the notification based on the data.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the notification output comprises a display of the portable electronic device.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises:

a transmitter carried by the racquet;

a first notification output carried by the racquet;

a second notification output carried by a portable electronic device remote from the racquet; and

operational mode electronics carried by the racquet, the operational mode electronics operable in one or more of the following user selectable modes: (1) a first mode in which the notification is output on the first notification output carried by the racquet; and (2) a second mode in which the notification is output on the second notification output of the portable electronic device.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a user input and signal analyzer electronics that count the number of hits by the racquet, wherein the identification of a hit by the signal analyzer electronics varies depending upon at least one input provided using the user input, the at least one input selected from a group of inputs consisting of: an input of a player's skill level and an input string tension.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2026
From: WILMINGTON TRUST (LONDON) LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.
Reel/Frame 075170/0787 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2024
From: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST (LONDON) LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066799/0087 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2024
From: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST (LONDON) LIMITED, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066799/0119 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2014
From: THURMAN, ROBERT T; SEVERA, WILLIAM D
To: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.
Reel/Frame 033883/0504 →