Apparatus and method for measurement of position and velocity

An apparatus for determining position and velocity of an object at impact, comprising:

• a) a frame having a plurality of holes and an outer edge;
• b) a plurality of sensor modules attached to the outer edge of the frame;
• c) a plurality of output drums, wherein at least one of the plurality of output drums is rotatably attached to a sensor module and having an upper spindle, a lower spindle and an axis;
• d) a plurality of take up drums, wherein at least one of the plurality of take up drums is attached to the lower spindle by a spring attached at a first end to the lower spindle and having a second end wound around the at least one of the plurality of take up drums, wherein the spring biases the at least one of the plurality of output drums to a rest state;
• e) a means for generating a voltage having a shaft, wherein the shaft is attached to the axis of the at least one of the plurality of output drums, and the means for generating a voltage generates a voltage signal proportional to a rate of rotation;
• f) means for capturing an object wherein the means for capturing an object is located within the frame and attached to the plurality of output drums by a plurality of cords, wherein each end of each of the plurality of cords passes through one of the plurality of holes and is wound around the at least one output drum;
• and
• g) a controller attached to receive voltage signals from the plurality of sensor units, whereby the controller determines a position and a velocity of impact using the voltage signals.

A method for determining position and velocity of impact comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a target unit having a net;
• b) providing a plurality of sensors disposed along a predetermined set of axis, each of the plurality of sensors extendably attached to the net by a cord;
• c) generating a plurality of voltage signals from the plurality of sensors, wherein each one of the plurality of sensors generates a voltage signal proportional to a force directed against a portion of the net attached to a respective one of the plurality of sensors;
• and
• d) determining a velocity and a location from the plurality of sensors.

A apparatus for determining position and velocity of an object at impact, comprising:

• a) a frame having a plurality of holes and an outer edge;
• b) a plurality of sensor modules attached to the outer edge of the frame;
• c) a plurality of voltage generators having an axis, wherein one of the plurality of voltage generators is located within each of the plurality of sensor modules, and each of the plurality of voltage generators generates a voltage in proportion to rotation of the axis;
• and
• d) means for capturing an object wherein the means for capturing an object is located within the frame and attached to the plurality of sensor modules by a plurality of cords, wherein each end of each of the plurality of cords passes through one of the plurality of holes and is wound around the axis to cause rotation of the axis when capturing an object.