Sports training system and method

A sports training apparatus comprising:

• sensing means comprising first and second weight sensors to which at least a portion of a user's weight is applied, for immediately generating distinct measurement signals indicative of the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said weight sensors;
• and
• signaling means for immediately receiving said distinct measurement signals, for immediately comparing the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said first and second weight sensors with first and second predetermined criteria, and for immediately providing to the user distinct first and second sensory signals corresponding to said first and second weight sensors respectively;
• said sensor signals changing as the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said first and second weight sensors changes;
• said first sensor signal including an audio signal of a first tonal frequency which denotes a predefined relationship between weight applied to the first weight sensor and said first predetermined criteria, and said second sensor signal including a second tonal frequency which denotes a second predefined relationship between weight applied to the second weight sensor and said second predetermined criteria;
• whereby the user receives immediate sensory feedback regarding placement of the user's weight.

A sports training apparatus, comprising:

• a pair of weight sensors, insertable in a pair of shoes, which immediately generate measurement signals indicative of weight applied to each of said weight sensors;
• a calibration means for denoting a range of weight values;
• a speaker for generating audible sounds;
• and
• comparator means coupled to said pair of weight sensors, said calibration means and said speaker, for immediately comparing said measurement signals with said range of weight values and for immediately sending audio control signals to said speaker so as to immediately produce audible sounds indicative of the relationship between said measurement signals and said range of weight values;
• said comparator means sending audio control signals so as to produce distinct audible sounds for each said weight sensor indicative of whether weight applied to each weight sensor is within said range of weight values;
• whereby a user of said sports training apparatus receives immediate audible feedback regarding the user's weight distribution.

A sports training apparatus, comprising:

• a grip pressure sensor which immediately generates measurement signals indicative of grip pressure applied to the handle of a swingable object;
• signaling means for immediately receiving said measurement signals generated by said grip pressure sensor, for immediately comparing the user's grip pressure with predetermined criteria comprising a preselected value, and for immediately providing corresponding sensory signals to the user;
• said sensory signals changing as the user's grip pressure changes;
• and
• calibrations means for recording a signal indicative of the user's maximum grip pressure, for selecting a percentage value thereof, and for setting said preselected value to said selected percentage of the user's maximum grip pressure;
• whereby the user receives immediate sensory feedback regarding the user's grip pressure.

A sports training apparatus, comprising:

• a grip pressure sensor which immediately generates a measurement signal indicative of grip pressure applied to the handle of a swingable object;
• calibration means for denoting a range of pressure values;
• a speaker for generating audible sounds;
• and
• comparator means coupled to said pressure sensor, said calibration means and said speaker, for immediately comparing said measurement signal with said range of pressure values and for immediately sending audio control signals to said speaker so as to immediately produce audible sounds indicative of the relationship between said measurement signal and said range of pressure values;
• whereby a person using said sports training apparatus receives immediate audible feedback regarding maintenance of grip pressure within said range of pressure values.

A sports training apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of sensing means, said plurality of sensing means including first and second weight sensors and a grip pressure sensor;
• mode selection means for selecting one of a plurality of predefined training modes, each training mode using specified ones of said plurality of sensing means;
• and
• signaling means, coupled to said mode selection means, for immediately receiving said signals generated by said ones of said sensing means corresponding to said selected training mode, for immediately comparing the received signals with predetermined criteria, and for immediately providing corresponding sensory signals to the user;
• when a first one of said training modes is selected, said signaling means comparing the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said first and second sensors with said predetermined criteria, and providing distinct first and second corresponding sensory signals to the user;
• and
• when a second one of said training modes is selected, said signaling means comparing the user's grip pressure with predetermined criteria, and providing corresponding sensory signals to the user;
• whereby the user receives immediate sensory feedback from the specified ones of said plurality of sensing means.

A method of training a person to distribute and shift the person's weight in accordance with a prescribed weight distribution pattern, the steps of the method comprising:

• placing independent weight sensing means beneath each of the person's two feet;
• sensing the weight borne by each of said independent sensing means;
• comparing the weight borne on a first one of said independent sensing means with a first prescribed value, and providing a first corresponding sensory feedback signal to the person;
• and
• comparing the weight borne on the other one of said independent sensing means with a second prescribed value, and providing a second corresponding sensory feedback signal to the person;
• said first and second sensory signals including an audio signal of a first tonal frequency which denotes a predefined relationship between weight borne by the person's first foot and said first prescribed value, and an audio signal of a second tonal frequency which denotes a predefined relationship between weight borne by the person's other foot and said second prescribed value.

A method of training a person to maintain proper grip pressure on a swingable object, the steps of the method comprising:

• positioning a grip pressure sensor between at least one of the person's hands and a swingable object;
• calibrating a prescribed value by registering a signal indicative of the person's maximum grip pressure;
• selecting a percentage value of the person's maximum grip pressure;
• sensing the person's grip pressure on the swingable object;
• comparing said grip pressure with the selected percentage value of the person's maximum grip pressure;
• and
• providing a corresponding sensory feedback signal to the person.

A method of training a golfer to distribute the golfer's weight in accordance with a prescribed weight distribution pattern, the steps of the method comprising:

• placing weight sensing means beneath one of the golfer's feet;
• sensing the weight borne by said one of the golfer's feet;
• comparing the weight borne by said one of the golfer's feet with a preselected and adjustable range of criteria, said range of criteria being set to selected percentages of a fixed quantity, said fixed quantity being determined solely by the user's total weight;
• and
• immediately providing to the golfer sensory signals which undergo a distinct change when the weight borne by said one of the golfer's feet crosses a limit of said preselected range.

A method of training a person to maintain proper grip pressure on a swingable object, the steps of the method comprising:

• positioning a grip pressure sensor between at least one of the person's hands and the swingable object;
• continuously generating measurement signals indicative of the person's grip pressure on the swingable object;
• continuously and immediately comparing the person's grip pressure with a preselected and adjustable range of criteria;
• and
• providing to the person sensor signal which undergo an immediate and distinct change when the person's grip pressure crosses a limit of said preselected range.

A sports training apparatus comprising:

• sensing means comprising first and second weight sensors to which at least a portion of a user's weight is applied, for immediately generating distinct measurement signals indicative of the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said weight sensors;
• and
• signaling means for immediately receiving said distinct measurement signals, for immediately comparing the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said first and second weight sensors with first and second predetermined criteria, and for immediately providing to the user distinct first and second sensory signals corresponding to said first and second weight sensors respectively;
• said sensor signals changing as the amount of the user's weight applied to each of said first and second weight sensors changes;
• said first sensory signal being an audio signal directed to one of the user's ears and said second sensory signal being an audio signal directed to the other one of the user's ears;
• whereby the user receives immediate sensory feedback regarding placement of the user's weight.