Miniature sports radar speed measuring device

A combination for measuring the speed of an object being shot from a shooting implement comprising:

• a shooting implement;
• a radar speed measuring device including:
• an RF transmitter/receiver,
• at least one RF antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver,
• a signal processor having an input in communication with the transmitter/receiver,
• an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor, and
• a source of electric power connected to the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator;
• the speed measuring device being mounted on the shooting implement such that the at least one antenna element is approximately adjacent the path of an object to be shot therefrom and is directed along the path in the direction of motion of the object.

A method of measuring the speed of a sports projectile being shot or launched from a shooting or launching implement, the method comprising:

• providing a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having a processor input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a visual display having a display input connected to the signal processor;
• positioning the at least one antenna element on the implement from which the projectile is being shot and forward thereof in close proximity to the path to be taken by the projectile in leaving the implement;
• when the projectile is shot from the implement, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the projectile leaving the implement by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the implement along the path being taken by the projectile, reflecting the RF signal from the projectile, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the projectile moving from the implement, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the implement, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the projectile leaving the implement on the display.