U.S. patent application number 11/478947 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for customizable golf club alignment system.
Invention is credited to Thomas Bryant Harrison.
Application Number | 20070004524 11/478947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37590336 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070004524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harrison; Thomas Bryant |
January 4, 2007 |
Customizable golf club alignment system
Abstract
A plurality of pressure-sensitive adhesive labels on a single
sheet, having a blank surface, a solid colored surface, or an
imprinted design adapted to help align a golf club while targeting
when one or a plurality of the labels are attached to any variety
of golf club head. The labels comprise circular and semi-circular
shapes, are between 1/8 inch and 2 inches in diameter, and are
removable without damaging the golf club head. The imprinted
designs comprise a single line, two parallel, crossed lines, or a
plurality of dots, triangles, squares, rectangles, or other
geometric shapes, colored to contrast with a background color so
that they are clearly visible and facilitate the alignment of the
golf club.
Inventors: |
Harrison; Thomas Bryant;
(Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWIN TARVER
16830 Ventura Blvd.
SUITE 360
Encino
CA
91436
US
|
Family ID: |
37590336 |
Appl. No.: |
11/478947 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60695169 |
Jun 29, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/238 ;
473/242; 473/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0441 20200801;
A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/0487 20130101;
A63B 69/3685 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/238 ;
473/242; 473/251 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 53/06 20060101 A63B053/06 |
Claims
1. A device for improving the alignment of a golf club relative to
its target comprising a plurality of pressure-sensitive labels
having an adhesive first side, and a second blank, solid color or
patterned side adapted to assist in aligning the golf club while
targeting, wherein; the labels comprise circular or semi-circular
shapes of between 1/8 inch and 2 inches, so that at least one or a
plurality of the labels are adapted to fit on the top surface of a
variety of golf club heads; and, the second side comprises a blank
white surface, a solid color surface, a single line contrasting
against a solid background, two parallel or crossed lines
contrasting against a solid background, or a triangle, squares,
rectangles, or other geometric shape contained within the borders
of the second side, and contrasting against a solid background so
that they are clearly visible and facilitate the alignment of the
golf club when at least one of the labels is attached to the golf
club head.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the labels are comprised of
circular and semi-circular stickers between 1/8 inch and 2 inch in
diameter, and multiple labels are adhered to a single club
head.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the labels are applied to a
variety of golf club heads, including putters.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the labels are made of vinyl,
plastic, or other printable and durable materials.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the geometric shapes applied to
the second side of the labels comprise colors contrasting with the
background color of the label.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein a white stripe is applied across
the diameter of a black label.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein a black stripe is applied across
the diameter of a white label.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein a white cross is applied across
the diameter of a black label.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein a black cross is applied across
the diameter of a white label.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein two parallel white lines are
applied across the diameter of a black label.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein two parallel black lines are
applied across the diameter of a white label.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the lines comprise three and
four parallel white lines on a black background.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the lines comprise three and
four parallel black lines on a white background.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein multiple geometric shapes are
contained in on a single label.
15. A method of improving the alignment of a golf club relative to
its target, comprising the steps of; adhering an adhesive backed
marker, or a series of adhesive backed markers to the top surface
of any variety of golf club in a manner which enhances the user's
visualization of the angle of swing; focusing on the arc of the
marker or markers as a swing or a practice swing is made; and
adjusting the arc of the swing as necessary to improve the accuracy
of the swing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPPLICATION
[0001] This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/695,169 filed on Jun. 29,
2005.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
[0004] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves
all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0005] The present invention relates in general to devices for
enhancing golf game play, and more particularly to devices for
improving and customizing the alignment of golf clubs.
[0006] Aligning the center of a golf club head to a golf ball is
critical for a successful golf strike. Visualizing the correct
swing path of the club head through the ball toward the target is
critical to achieve desired results. Frequently, novice players
have difficulty properly aligning the golf club and dedicated
practice is required to achieve perfection. In order to help
improve the alignment procedure, some golf clubs and putters are
provided with permanently affixed indicia. These indicia are
generally located on the golf club head. A golfer can therefore
compare the position of the golf ball with respect to these indicia
for proper alignment.
[0007] Several alignment systems for golf clubs have been developed
in art. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 20050176520 to Henry discloses a
golf ball putter including golf ball alignment indicia. The indicia
are disposed on the top surface of the golf putter head and define
at least a C-shaped configuration. A golf ball is visually aligned
to center the ball on the striking face. The indicia may further
include at least one line segment disposed coincidentally to the
initial direction of travel of the golf ball.
[0008] U.S. Pub. No. 20050202895 to Hueber discloses a golf putter
having visual indicia to correct for misalignment. The indicia are
generally D- shaped with the back line linear portion parallel to
the clubface and the arc portion facing forward toward the
clubface. A linear alignment line is disposed within the arc and
back line. The alignment line is angled a slight amount away from
perpendicular. U.S. Pat. No.'s 7,037,211, 6,767,292, and 5,234,217
also disclose golf clubs/putters having alignment indicia. However,
the alignment indicia of the above golf clubs/putters are integral
to the golf club/putter heads, and therefore not customizable.
[0009] U.S. Pub. No. 20050192114 to Zider discloses an
interchangeable alignment system for golf putters. The system
comprises a set of interchangeable top plates having alignment
indicia. The top plates are to be attached on the top surface of a
putter head. The indicia may include a series of arrows or curved
lines in alignment with one another. Although top plates are
interchangeable facilitating customization, the pressure-sensitive
adhesive labels of the present invention are different in that they
are applied directly to a golf club head, may be used with any type
of golf club head, not just putters, and multiple indicator
stickers of a variety of sizes may be used on a single golf club
head.
[0010] Since the indicia typically included as permanent markings
on golf clubs may not be easy to use and are not customizable,
golfers have difficulty using these indicia to improve their golf
game. Frequently the designs of these indicia are hard to see.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
customizable and non-permanent alignment system for golf clubs.
[0011] A further object is to provide a customizable alignment
system for golf clubs that includes a plurality of
pressure-sensitive labels of different shapes and designs to fit
over a wide variety of golf club heads.
[0012] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a customizable alignment system for golf clubs that includes a
plurality of pressure-sensitive labels with a variety of imprinted
designs to help align the golf clubs. These and other objects of
the present invention will become better understood with reference
to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention comprises a plurality of
pressure-sensitive circular or semi-circular removable adhesive
labels, the surfaces of which comprise solid colors, blank white,
or contrasting patterns for customizing the alignment of a golf
club as it pertains to the target of the club. Multiple labels are
disposed on a single sheet to allow ease of use, and to allow users
to select a variety of sizes or patterns for an individual golf
club. Each label comprises an imprinted design and at least one
label is attached to the golf club head to help align the golf club
while targeting. The imprinted designs are comprised of a single
line, two parallel or crossed lines, or a plurality of dots,
triangles, squares, or rectangles. The imprinted designs are
colored and oriented such that they are clearly visible and
facilitate the alignment of the golf clubs when the labels are
attached to the golf club heads, and they may be placed in rows of
two or more dots perpendicularly or parallel to the club face.
[0014] The visualization of the club head to target alignment
relationship is difficult for each individual depending on eye
dominance, stance, height, vision and lighting conditions. The
present invention helps facilitate brain memory for easier
perception of proper alignment and desired swing path than standard
manufacturer's marks which are subtle, or a non-customizable mark.
The present invention also provides an easy to use retrofit
modification for all types of golf clubs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate several embodiments of the
labels with a variety of imprinted designs in accordance with the
present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 8 through 11 show the labels of the present invention
adhered to a golf club head at different locations.
FIGURES--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0017] 10 . . . Label of the Present Invention [0018] 11 . . . Golf
Club Head
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the
present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8. The present
invention provides a set of adhesive labels 10 for attachment to
the golf club heads in order to help align golf clubs while
targeting. A user can customize the alignment method according to
his/her convenience and preferences by adhering a single label or
multiple labels on the golf club heads. The present invention
provides an easy to use, inexpensive, temporary or permanent
retrofit modification for any type of golf club.
[0020] One of the surfaces of the labels is covered with a
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, while the opposite surface
comprises a variety of imprinted designs or a solid background. The
labels are comprised of vinyl, plastic, and other printable and
durable materials. The imprinted designs are comprised of a single
line, two parallel lines, crossed lines, a plurality of dots,
triangles, squares, rectangles, and other geometric shapes that
facilitate easy alignment of the golf clubs. The colors of the
labels and the imprinted designs contrast to make the imprinted
designs clearly visible when the labels are adhered to the golf
club heads. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
labels are removable.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, several embodiments of the
labels 10 with a variety of imprinted designs are illustrated. The
labels 10 comprise different sizes and shapes in order to fit a
variety of golf clubs such as woods and putters. In one embodiment,
the label is circular and includes a single line passing through
its center, as shown in FIG. 1. Other embodiments shown in FIGS. 2
and 3 comprise circular labels with two parallel lines and two
perpendicular crossed lines. FIGS. 4 and 5 show circular labels
having opposite contrast compared to the labels shown in FIGS. 1
and 3, respectively. FIG. 6 shows a circular label with three
identically oriented triangles.
[0022] The labels comprise circular and semi-circular shapes, and
are between 1/8 inch and 2 inches in diameter. A variety of shapes
is disposed on a single sheet of stickers, allowing a user to
employ multiple stickers of the same and different sizes in a
variety of patterns on the golf club. A semi-circular label with a
single line passing through its center is shown in FIG. 7. In
addition, both semi-circular and circular labels are contemplated
with three lines or four, comprising a center line with two
equidistant parallel lines, or a series of parallel lines.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 8, the circular label with triangles as an
illustrative embodiment is adhered to a golf club head 11 to
facilitate alignment. Multiple labels can also be adhered to the
golf club heads, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. The labels help in
properly aligning the center of the striking face with the center
of the golf ball.
[0024] For ease of use, multiple labels are disposed on a single
sheet, so that users can easily select a number of labels at one
time, and may also replace labels as needed. By providing a
plurality of labels of different shapes and sizes having a variety
of imprinted designs, a user has an option to customize the
alignment of golf clubs by selecting labels that he/she feels will
help improve the outcome of a golf shot.
[0025] All features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0026] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means
for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a
specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step"
clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6. In
particular, the use of "step of" in the claims herein is not
intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph
6.
[0027] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions
may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present
invention has been described by way of illustration and not
limitation.
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