U.S. patent application number 09/877433 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for body attached golf aim alignment device ane method for use.
Invention is credited to Rosselli, Matteo J..
Application Number | 20010041623 09/877433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25369951 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010041623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosselli, Matteo J. |
November 15, 2001 |
Body attached golf aim alignment device ane method for use
Abstract
An external reference system, which allows a golfer to aim and
control his body and swing alignment. The preferred embodiment of
the present invention includes a self contained, independent device
that may be removably affixed to the golfer at various points of
his body, the particular location corresponding to the area the
golfer wishes to focus on with respect to proper alignment, such as
the golfer's feet, legs or back. The external referencing system,
generated by an emitted laser beam, allows the golfer to achieve
proper body alignment with reference to a target.
Inventors: |
Rosselli, Matteo J.;
(Jupiter, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth L. Sherman
Sherman & Sherman
Seventeenth Floor
2029 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Family ID: |
25369951 |
Appl. No.: |
09/877433 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3614 20130101;
A63B 69/3608 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/207 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golf laser aid device comprising: a housing having a laser;
and a means for affixing the housing to a location on a golfer's
body, wherein the laser emits a laser beam for providing the golfer
with a swing alignment reference separate from the golfer's
body.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a
movable member.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the movable member comprises a
swiveling member.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the swiveling member further
comprises a means to adjust swiveling member from an unfixed to a
fixed position.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for affixing is a
fastening means for removably attaching a housing to different
locations on the golfer's body.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises an
adjustable velcro strap.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein said fastening means comprises a
belt clip.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for affixing is an
article of clothing worn by the golfer.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the location is the golfer's left
ankle.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the location is the golfer's
waist.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the reference is a laser beam
pointing in a line directly to a target.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the reference is a point of
reference directly on the ground in between the golfer's feet.
13. A golfer's aid, comprising: a means for providing an active
comparison with an external reference, the external reference being
separated from a golfer's body; and an affixing means for affixing
the means for providing to the golfer's body; wherein the active
comparison provides the golfer with information regarding how his
swing is aligned before, during or after a golf swing.
14. The aid of claim 13, wherein the means for providing provides a
laser beam.
15. The aid of claim 14, wherein the laser beam provides a visual
reference to the golfer.
16. The aid of claim 13, wherein the information is a visual
reference.
17. The aid of claim 13, wherein the information is a sound signal
indicating proper stance.
18. A method for achieving proper body alignment when swinging a
golf club by using a laser alignment device, said method comprising
the steps of: A Fastening said laser alignment device to a location
on a golfer's body, said device facing a selected target; B Placing
a mat with a grid on the floor surrounding said golfer; C Stepping
on said mat so that said golfer can take his usual golf stance; D
Activating said laser alignment device so that said device emits a
laser beam; E Moving said device until said laser beam is pointing
to said target, said movement of said device being achieved by
moving said golfer's body, and placing said device into a locked
position once said laser beam is pointing at said target; F
Examining said golfer's stance in relation to said laser beam as
reflected in said grid and adjusting said golfer's stance to
correspond to said laser beam; G Swinging said golf club once said
golfer's stance is aligned with said laser beam.
19. A method for achieving proper body alignment when swinging a
golf club by using at least one laser alignment device, said method
comprising the steps of: A Fastening a first laser alignment device
to a first location on a golfer's body, said first device facing a
first target; B Fastening a second laser alignment device to a
second location of a golfer's body, said second device facing a
second target; C Placing a mat with a grid on the floor surrounding
said golfer; D Stepping on said mat so that said golfer can take
his usual golf stance; E Activating said first and second laser
alignment devices so that said devices emit a first and second
laser beam; F Moving said first and second devices until said first
and second laser beams are pointing to their respective first and
second targets, said movement of said first and second devices
being achieved by moving said golfer's body and once said first and
second laser beams are pointing at their respective first and
second targets, placing said first and second devices into locked
positions; G Examining said golfer's stance in relation to said
first and second laser beams as reflected in said grid and
adjusting said golfer's stance to correspond to said first and
second laser beams; H Driving said golf ball once said golfer's
stance is aligned with said first and second laser beams.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second targets
are the same.
21. A method for achieving proper body alignment when swinging a
golf club, the method comprising the steps of: A choosing an
external reference for desired interaction with a golfer's stance
or swing, the external reference being separated from a golfer's
body; B attaching a means for providing to the golfer's body, the
means for providing an active comparison with the external
reference; D swinging the golf club; and C providing information to
the golfer indicative of the active comparison with the external
reference before, during and after the swing.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the means for providing is a
laser means providing a laser beam directed at the external
reference.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This present invention relates to a golf aid, and more
particularly, to a device for improving a person's body and golf
swing alignment for a stroke through a golf ball.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Golfers continuously strive to lower their scores by
increased practice time and by purchasing various accessories to
give them advantageous results over competing players. One obvious
way to affect a golf stroke is to properly control the club's
direction and aim.
[0003] Alternatively, the present invention also recognizes that
golf swing and body misalignment can have a major effect on a
golfer's performance when driving or putting a golf ball. Following
the swing, and once a golfer strokes through the golf ball and
misses the target, a golfer has no way of knowing whether his body
and golf swing were properly aligned or misaligned. Even if the
golfer knew that his body was misaligned, he has no way of knowing
what aspect of his stance or swing he needed to correct in order to
achieve proper body or swing alignment.
[0004] Many golfers say that the key to aiming the ball directly to
the target starts with the golfer's stance. As such, golfers have
tried to test and check their golfer's stance through various
techniques by reviewing their own body. One system is set forth in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,614 to Goldstein ('614 patent).
[0005] The '614 patent describes a pair of golf shoes which aid a
golfer in establishing relative positioning of his or her feet with
respect to the ball and with respect to each other so that an
optimal stance may be obtained to improve the golfer's aim during
driving and iron shots. The alignment means on the golf shoes
includes a series of lines which are lined up to each other to show
proper foot placement. However, in the system described in the '614
patent, as in all other stance alignment systems, the points of
reference which are used to check the proper stance and body
alignment are on the body itself. For instance, in the system
described in the '614 patent, the reference points consist of
visual guide lines that are shown on the golfer's shoes. These
alignment systems are quite limited because the golfer has a very
narrow point of reference to work with (i.e. only the lateral
distance from his body to his shoes). With such a limited point of
reference, it is almost impossible to accurately change and
calibrate alignment, stance and swing.
[0006] As discussed above, in addition to fixing their golf stance,
golfers have attempted to improve their score and their aim by
attaching guidance and aiming systems to the golf clubs themselves.
This technique must be distinguished from training of the body and
swing alignment, since it addresses only the club head direction
and not the underlying technique of the user's swing and body
alignment.
[0007] Previous attempts to provide a golf training device by
incorporating laser guidance systems into the club itself are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,562 to Stock et al. ('562 patent);
U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,609 to Carney ('609); U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,674
to Falossi et al. ('674 patent); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,393 to
Molinaroli et al. ('393 patent).
[0008] The '562 patent describes a golf club having a laser
generating diode and a laser reflecting prism mounted in the golf
club's hosel for emitting a laser beam perpendicular to the shaft
of the club. The laser beam emitted from the hosel demonstrates the
direction in which the club face is aligned.
[0009] The '609 patent describes a laser device that includes a
laser housing having a bore in which a laser module is mounted such
that the laser module emits a laser beam through an opening in the
bore coincident with the axis of the bore. The device is removably
affixed to a putter.
[0010] The '674 patent describes a golf club laser positioning
system comprising a golf club which has a pair of light emitters
mounted within the head portion of the club and will permit the
golfer to adjust the light beams depending on the distance desired
and the angulation of the terrain. The laser positioning system
allows the golfer to precisely select the correct angle and
position of the head portion in relation to the desired path.
[0011] The '393 patent describes a golf club putter with a laser
system for practicing putting.
[0012] In each of these golf club designs, a laser aiming device is
attached to a golf club. None of the devices discussed above
describe a golf laser alignment device that is attached to the
golfer's body to provide a reference system for the golfer to
control and train his stance and swing. For instance, the '393,
'562 and '674 patents each describe a golf club with a laser
device. Although the '609 patent describes a self-contained laser
device, it is affixable only to a golf apparatus, i.e., the golf
club.
[0013] Moreover, by using the devices described in the '393, '562,
and '674 patents, the golfer is only able to correct the alignment
of the club with the target as opposed to correcting his entire
stance and/or body alignment with respect to the target. As such,
none of the devices described above provide a golf laser device
that may be used to correct or improve various aspects of a
golfer's stance or body position, such as his feet, legs and back.
Each of the prior devices only address how the golfer holds and
aims his club.
[0014] Thus, there is a need in the art for a golf aid device that
can be used to allow a golfer to pin point and correct particular
elements contained in a golfer's stance, body alignment and aim
prior to, during and after a swing.
[0015] There is also a need in the art for a golf aid device that
is portable, lightweight and easy to use.
[0016] There is also a need in the art for a golf aid device that
may be used in combination with another golf laser device for
purposes of improving the golfer's all around body position.
[0017] There is yet even a further need to provide an external
referencing system that provides a golfer with a pre-swing, during
swing and after swing reference to help train body and swing
alignment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0018] An object of the present invention is to provide a golfer
with an easy to use golf laser device for achieving proper body
alignment for driving a golf ball.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf
laser device that is self contained and can be used in combination
with other golf laser devices.
[0020] Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a golf laser device that can be used to perfect a golfer's
feet, leg or back position when swinging a golf club.
[0021] Yet still even a further object of the present invention is
to provide an external referencing system that provides a golfer
with a pre-swing, and during swing and post swing reference to help
train body and swing alignment.
[0022] These, together with other objects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The above and other objects are achieved in the present
invention by providing an interactive system and methodology for
coordinating a golfer's aiming and control of his body and swing
alignment with an external reference separated from his body. In
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a self
contained, independent device may be removably affixed to the
golfer's body at various points. The particular location of
affixation corresponds to the area on his body the golfer wishes to
focus on with respect to proper alignment, such as the golfer's
feet, legs or back.
[0024] In the preferred golf laser alignment embodiment of the
present invention, a housing with a laser system has a movable
member affixed to the housing, the movable member has a fastening
means for removably affixing the housing to a golfer at a location
of the golfer's body, which location is selected for consideration
for alignment. The housing emits a laser beam to provide the golfer
with an external line of reference pointing directly to a target.
This external referencing system allows the golfer to achieve
proper body alignment with reference to the target.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of
the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished,
will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description of the present invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate
preferred and exemplary embodiments, and wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1A is a side view of the golf laser alignment device of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, designated
generally as 10 including a belt clip.
[0027] FIG. 1B is a back view of the golf laser alignment device of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention including a belt
clip.
[0028] FIG. 2A is a side view of the golf laser alignment device of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention including a slot
for a velcro strap.
[0029] FIG. 2B is a back view of the golf laser alignment device of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention including a slot
for a velcro strap.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view of the golf laser alignment device of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention as attached to
the left ankle of the golfer including a reference line to target
T.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a top view of a mat M that may be used in
conjunction with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] The following description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the
best modes presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out
this invention. Various modifications however, will remain readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles
of the present invention have been completely defined.
[0033] Turning now to the drawings, wherein FIGS. 1A and 2B show a
golf laser alignment device, designated generally as 10, which
includes a housing 20 with a laser system 30 and a movable member
40 affixed to the housing 20. The movable member 40 includes a
fastening means 50 for removably affixing the device 10 to a golfer
G, at a location on the golfer's body.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 20 emits a laser beam 32 for
providing the golfer G with a line of reference pointing directly
to the target T. By using and controlling where the laser beam 32
points, the golfer G is able to achieve proper body alignment in
reference to the target T.
[0035] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
laser system 30 comprises elements that are well known in the laser
generating art, for proper generation of a thin, highly directional
and highly visible beam of light. For instance, the laser system 30
emits a laser beam 32 that is a thin beam of light and is in the
visible spectrum of light. The preferred embodiment of the laser
beam will be in the shape of an arrow, the pointing end facing the
target. The sources of the laser can be any of those that are
obvious to one or ordinary skill in the art.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the movable member 40 comprises a
swiveling member 43 having a means to adjust 42 the swiveling
member 43 from an unfixed to a fixed position. The means to adjust
42 the swiveling member 43 from an unfixed to a fixed position can
be in the form of a screw, that when tightened, secures said
swiveling member into a fixed position. The use of a screw provides
the golfer with an easy structure in which to secure the device
from an unfixed to a fixed position, or vice versa, once he has
aligned the laser beam 32 with the target T. This will become more
apparent in the ensuing discussion.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the fastening means 50
may include an adjustable velcro strap 52, a belt clip 54 or any
other similar fastening means that is adjustable. The fastening
means 50 is removably affixable to the device, which makes it
interchangeable as well. As such, a user may interchange fastening
means from a velcro strap 52 to a belt and vice versa, the
fastening means which is used can be selected dependent upon the
location to which the device 10 is to be attached. The fastening
means 50 is removably affixable to the device by way of a slot 53
or loop hole that is located at one end of the movable member 40,
such that the velcro strap can fit in the loop 53 and a belt clip
can be attached to the movable member 40 via the slot 53. Other
similar fastening means can also be employed with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, a mat M with a grid G should be used in
conjunction with the device 10. Using a mat M with a grid G will
provide the golfer with a simple way of examining his stance in
relation to the target T in order to properly align the laser beam
32, and thus, the golfer's stance.
[0039] The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as
described above, provides a golfer with a point of reference that
corresponds to various points of the golfer's body, such points
corresponding to the area the golfer seeks to improve with respect
to his body alignment.
[0040] While the preferred embodiment described above serves to
provide a golfer with proper alignment towards a target T, use of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention can also aid the
golfer in assuring that he does not tilt or sway backward when
swinging the golf club, which is an added cause of poor
performance. Many times, a golfer may have a proper stance, but may
lose the proper form when swinging the golf club because the
golfer's back tends to tilt in a backward direction. Use of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention can serve to correct
that problem, or better yet, ensure that it does not happen.
[0041] For instance, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention may be affixed to a location on a golfer's body, wherein
the a laser beam is directed to a point directly on the ground
below the golfer and in front of the golfer's feet. In this way, a
point of reference is provided enabling the golfer to avoid swaying
backward when swinging the golf club and the golfer will be able to
keep his eye on the point of reference while swinging so that he
may determine whether his body is tilting backwards during his
swing. It may be beneficial for the golfer to use the mat M when
employing the device 10 in this way, in order to aid the golfer to
determine the direction the point of reference is moving.
[0042] It is very easy to use the device 10 of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The golfer simply fastens the
device 10 to a particular location on his body L, such as his left
ankle, by using the fastening means 50 provided with the device 10
(i.e. a Velcro strap).
[0043] Next, the golfer places the mat M with the grid G on the
ground in front of him. Once the device 10 is securely fastened to
the golfer's ankle, the golfer can step on the mat M and take his
usual golf stance towards the target T where the golfer is
aiming.
[0044] The golfer then activates the device 10 and a laser beam 32
is emitted. Using the movable member 40, the golfer can adjust the
device 10 and the laser beam 32 to point directly to the target
T.
[0045] Once the laser beam 32 is pointing directly to the target T,
the golfer can secure the movable member M into its fixed position,
thereby fixing the laser beam 32 so it is pointing directly to the
target T. The golfer can then compare his stance to the properly
aligned laser beam 32, as reflected on the grid G, and adjust his
feet and body accordingly. Once the golfer has aligned his feet and
body in accordance with the properly aligned laser beam 32, he is
ready to swing through the golf ball.
[0046] An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is that the golfer can use the device 10 as an aid each
time he is ready to take a swing. Repetition of the above process
should lead the golfer to perfecting his body alignment in relation
to the target T.
[0047] In accordance with the above, a preferred method for using
the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed for
aiding a golfer to achieve proper body alignment with respect to a
target T, as follows: A golfer's method for achieving proper body
alignment when driving a golf ball by using a laser alignment
device 10, said method comprising the steps of: (i) fastening the
laser alignment device 10 to a location of a golfer's body, the
device 10 facing a target T; (ii) placing a mat M with a grid 6 on
the floor surrounding the golfer; (iii) stepping on the mat M so
that the golfer can take his usual golf stance; (iv) activating the
laser alignment device 10 so that the device 10 emits a laser beam
32; (v) moving the device 10 until the laser beam 32 is pointing to
the target T, the movement of device 10 being achieved by moving
the golfer's body and once the laser beam 32 is pointing at the
target T, placing the device 10 into a locked position; (vi)
examining the golfer's stance in relation to the laser beam 32 as
reflected in the grid 6 and adjusting the golfer's stance to
correspond to the laser beam 32; and (vii) driving the golf ball
once the golfer's stance is aligned with the laser beam 32.
[0048] Moreover, another advantage of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention is that a golfer can use one or more golf
laser devices 10 simultaneously. By attaching the device 10 to
various points of his body, a golfer can improve his specific body
alignment with respect to where a device 10 is attached. For
instance, the golfer can use the device 10 on his left ankle and
upper left leg, thus providing himself with two laser beams 32 that
are directed towards the target T and that serve as a guide to
achieving proper alignment of his feet and legs with respect to the
target T. In this case, once the emitted laser beams 32 point in
the same direction (and are parallel to each other in direction)
towards the target, the golfer's body alignment should be uniform
with the target. It is envisioned that multiple laser beams 32
having different colors or frequencies can be used so that the
devices 10, and in turn the specific body parts can be easily
alienated from each other.
[0049] Accordingly, another method is disclosed for aiding a golfer
to achieve proper body alignment with respect to a target T. A
golfer's method for achieving proper body alignment when driving a
golf ball by using at least one laser alignment device 10, the
method comprising the steps of: (i) fastening a first laser
alignment device 10 to a first location of a golfer's body, the
first device 10 to be facing a target T; (ii) fastening a second
first laser alignment device 10 to a second location of a golfer's
body, the second device to be facing the target T; (iii) placing a
mat M with a grid G on the floor surrounding the golfer; (iv)
stepping on the mat M so that the golfer can take his usual golf
stance; (v) activating the first and second laser alignment devices
10 so that the devices emit a first and second laser beam 32; (vi)
moving the first and second devices 10 until the first and second
laser beams 32 are pointing to the target T, the movement of the
first and second devices 10 being achieved by moving the golfer's
body and once the first and second laser beams 32 are pointing at
the target T, placing the first and second devices 10 into a locked
position; (vii) examining the golfer's stance in relation to the
first and second laser beams 32 as reflected in the grid G and
adjusting the golfer's stance to correspond to the first and second
laser beams 32; and (viii) driving the golf ball once the golfer's
stance is aligned with the first and second laser beams 32.
[0050] Further embodiments of the present invention are also
envisioned. For example, it is envisioned that the laser alignment
device discussed above can be included directly into the golfer's
clothes so that the proper placement on the golfer's body is
ensured. Furthermore, other forces such as magnetics or sound may
be used within the scope of the presently claimed invention which
allow a golfer to interactively coordinate his swing and stance
with an external reference system. Additionally, the preferred
embodiment of the present invention can be modified to provide an
automated sound or light signal to describe when the point of
reference is in or out of alignment.
[0051] Accordingly, it will be understood that the preferred
embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed by way of
example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the appended claims.
[0052] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various
adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred
embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that,
within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be
practiced other than as specifically described herein.
* * * * *