Steven M Nesbit

US Patent:

6402635, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Feb 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/386064

Inventors:

Steven M. Nesbit - Easton PA
Terry A. Hartzell - Madison WI
Anthony Shea - Wethersfield CT
Michael Tracey - Arlington VA
Lucien Webb - Rumson NJ

Assignee:

U. S. Golf Association - Far Hills NJ

International Classification:

A63B 6900

US Classification:

473269, 473131, 73763, 73488, 73862622, 73862628, 73862637

Abstract:

The force plate data acquisition system measures, processes and analyzes the vertical reaction forces and various weight shifts between the ground and a golfers feet during a swing. Plates are supported on cantilever beams through ball bearings. The beams are attached to a rigid frame and instrumented with strain gauges configured in a Wheatstone half bridge arrangement. An eight-channel strain gauge data acquisition board in a central processing unit records strain information. Data collection can be independent or controlled by a motion analysis system to provide synchronous foot force and video information. A set of BASIC programs collect strain readings from the foot plates, process the data, relate beam deflections to applied load and plots reaction force and weight shift information to the computer screen. Graphs produced are total vertical reaction force, foot-to-foot weight shift, heel-to-toe weight shift, outside-to-instep weight shift and the speeds of each. The data can be normalized for comparison purposes.

US Patent:

6983637, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Jul 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/619372

Inventors:

Steven Manuel Nesbit - Easton PA, US
Francis Thomas Schodler - Bethlehem PA, US

International Classification:

G01N 3/30
G01N 3/52

US Classification:

73 1202

Abstract:

The golf club head evaluation system provides two methods for evaluating and comparing various club head designs. Method one is a data acquisition apparatus that captures, processes, and displays the bending and torsional deflections and accelerations of a golf club shaft in response to impact loads applied to an attached golf club head. Method two provides a graphical method for comparing the inertia properties of golf club heads based upon equivalent inertia ellipsoids. The apparatus contains an instrumented shaft that is supported in a cantilevered position. Golf club heads of various configurations are attached to the end of the shaft. Their graphical images and mass properties are input to the computer. From the mass property data, an ellipsoid is created with equivalent mass properties. The club head graphical images are presented to the user with superimposed equivalent inertia ellipsoids that facilitate direct comparison of mass properties among different club heads, and for determining desired impact locations.

US Patent:

58779701, Mar 2, 1999

Filed:

Aug 11, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/514147

Inventors:

Steven M. Nesbit - Easton PA
Terry A. Hartzell - Madison WI

Assignee:

United States Golf Association - East Hanover NJ

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

364578

Abstract:

A method for the design of a golf club head includes the selection, by the designer, of dimensions which define the basic shape of the golf club head. Once the basic shape of the club head is defined, critical points on the golf club head may be located. Once the basic shape and the critical points are known, a model of the basic shape may then be displayed. In addition, the method may further include the selection of desired mass properties, types of mass constraints and back-weighting parameters, all of which are determined by the designer. These specifications, in addition to the basic shape of the club head permit the design of back-weighting of the club head. Once the back-weighting has been designed, the final solid model of the golf club head, which includes the basic shape and back-weighting, may be displayed. In achieving the final solid model, the designer may employ finite element solid modeling methods, optimization algorithms, geometric influencing, and modification of the original criteria specified by the designer. The system which is used to perform the method, includes a computer loaded with a basic shape program and a finite element solid modeling program.

US Patent:

57725225, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Nov 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/344725

Inventors:

Steven M. Nesbit - Easton PA
Terry A. Hartzell - Madison WI
Keith A. Oglesby - Farmington Hills MI
Jeff Cole - Whitehouse Station NJ
Anthony F. Radich - Somerville NJ

Assignee:

United States of Golf Association - Far Hills NJ

International Classification:

A63B 6936

US Classification:

473222

Abstract:

A method of and system for analyzing golf swings is described. A three dimensional android computer model of a human as well as a parametric dynamic computer model of a golf club are generated and combined. In addition, the three dimensional motions of a person swinging a golf club are recorded using cameras that track reflective markers placed at various locations on the person. A computer processes the marker path data to calculate three dimensional angular motions of the body segments of the person and the golf club which is then used to kinematically drive the joints of the android model to effect superposition of the recorded golf swing on the android model and golf club model. Kinetic data derived from the analysis of the model may in turn be used to dynamically drive the joints of the android model to also superimpose the recorded swing on the models. The results are used, among other things, to study the biomechanics of the golfer and the performance of the golf club.