U.S. patent application number 11/948517 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for alignment device for golfers.
This patent application is currently assigned to OPTI SENSOR SYSTEMS, LLC. Invention is credited to Herbert G. Ross, Jr., Alvin R. Wirthlin.
Application Number | 20090143157 11/948517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40676311 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090143157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ross, Jr.; Herbert G. ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
ALIGNMENT DEVICE FOR GOLFERS
Abstract
A golf alignment device includes an emitter assembly having an
emitter portion for emitting radiant energy and at least one lens
portion for projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with a
predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern includes an
illuminated golf ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot
alignment mark and an illuminated second foot alignment mark for
indicating placement of the golfer's feet with respect to the golf
ball. A fourth alignment mark intersects the golf ball and is in
alignment with a distant target. Different lens portions may be
provided with different projection patterns for use with different
golf clubs and/or golfer's of different heights.
Inventors: |
Ross, Jr.; Herbert G.;
(Argyle, TX) ; Wirthlin; Alvin R.; (Spanish Fork,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALVIN R. WIRTHLIN
1828 EAST 1580 SOUTH
SPANISH FORK
UT
84660
US
|
Assignee: |
OPTI SENSOR SYSTEMS, LLC
Lancaster
VA
|
Family ID: |
40676311 |
Appl. No.: |
11/948517 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/209 ;
473/218; 473/220; 473/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3676 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 69/3614 20130101; A63B 69/3623
20130101; A63B 69/3667 20130101; A63B 69/3608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/209 ;
473/218; 473/220; 473/409 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. A golf alignment device comprising: an emitter assembly having
an emitter portion for emitting radiant energy and at least one
lens portion for projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with
a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern including an
illuminated golf ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot
alignment mark and an illuminated second foot alignment mark for
indicating placement of a golfer's feet with respect to the golf
ball.
2. A golf alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the
predetermined pattern further comprises a target alignment mark
that intersects the golf ball alignment mark for aligning the golf
ball with a distant target.
3. A golf alignment device according to claim 2, wherein the target
alignment mark comprises a straight line.
4. A golf alignment device according to claim 3, wherein the first
and second foot alignment marks are spaced first and second
predetermined distances, respectively, from the target alignment
mark.
5. A golf alignment device according to claim 4, wherein the first
and second distances are substantially equal.
6. A golf alignment device according to claim 4, wherein the first
and second distances are different.
7. A golf alignment device according to claim 4, wherein the first
and second foot alignment marks are spaced third and fourth
predetermined distances, respectively, from an imaginary centerline
that intersects the golf ball alignment mark and is perpendicular
to the target alignment mark.
8. A golf alignment device according to claim 7, wherein the third
and fourth predetermined distances are substantially equal.
9. A golf alignment device according to claim 7, wherein the third
and fourth predetermined distances are different.
10. A golf alignment device according to claim 7, wherein said at
least one lens portion comprises a plurality of lens portions, each
lens portion having a pattern with at least one of the first,
second, third and fourth distances being different from at least
one of the corresponding distances of the other lens portions.
11. A golf alignment device according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one lens portion comprises a plurality of lens portions, each
lens portion having a different distance between the first and
second foot alignment marks.
12. A golf alignment device according to claim 1, and further
comprising a mounting base connected to the emitter assembly for
attaching the alignment device to the golfer.
13. A golf alignment device according to claim 12, and further
comprising a swivel connector located between the mounting base and
the emitter assembly for adjusting a position of the emitter
assembly with respect to the mounting base.
14. A golf alignment device according to claim 13, wherein the
mounting base comprises at least one resilient clip for attaching
the alignment device to a cap of a golfer.
15. A method of aligning a golfer with a golf ball, the method
comprising: projecting a first illuminated alignment mark toward a
first position representative of a golf ball location; projecting
second and third illuminated alignment marks at second and third
positions, respectively; and aligning the golfer's feet with the
second and third illuminated alignment marks.
16. A method according to claim 15, and further comprising
projecting a fourth illuminated alignment mark between the first
position and a distant target.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein a distance between the
second and third positions is dependent on a particular golf club
to be used.
18. A method according to claim 15, wherein distances between the
first, second and third positions are dependent on a particular
golf club to be used.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to golfing equipment, and
more particularly to a device to improve the golfer's stance and
aim for driving a golf ball toward a designated target.
[0002] In order to excel at the game of golf, many basic techniques
must be mastered, such as proper grip, posture, stance, alignment
and ball position relative to the golfer. There are many schools of
thought with regard to ball position for a golfer. For example,
golf students are sometimes taught to play every shot from the
center of their stance, regardless of the club being used. Other
instructors may teach the students to play every shot approximately
1 to 2 inches off their left heel (for right handed golfers). Other
instructors may advise their students to move the ball placement
from the center of the stance towards the left heel as club length
increases. Unless the student is standing in front of a mirror or
working directly with the instructor, it is often difficult for a
student to determine whether the ball is properly positioned and
aligned relative to his or her feet.
[0003] Various training devices, systems and methods have been
developed for the game of golf in an effort to improve one's skill
level. Some systems focus on proper ball position in relation to a
player's stance. Such systems may include a mat with a first set of
markings and/or lines thereon for aligning a player's feet, which
correspond with a second set of markings for aligning a golf ball.
Other devices provide a T-shaped or cross-shaped device with a
first measuring stick for aligning a player's foot and a second
perpendicular stick for aligning the ball. Yet other devices may
include an elongated aiming rod that is secured to the shoe of the
player. Such mats, measuring sticks and aiming rods are relatively
bulky and often difficult to set up and transport. In addition,
many are impractical for use on a golf course.
[0004] Other training devices provide a laser that may be attached
to the player so that the laser beam is directed to a point on the
ground in front of the golfer's feet. Some of these devices may be
clipped to the hat of the golfer so that the laser beam can be
pointed at the ball or a reference point on the ground. Such
devices attempt to aid the golfer in keeping his or her head down
throughout the swing by providing the golfer a reference point on
which to focus during the swing, but typically fail to provide a
reference line for aligning the target and fail to help a golfer
achieve or maintain proper stance or foot position with respect to
the ball and particular golf club being used.
[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide an alignment for
golfers that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the
prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a golf alignment
device includes an emitter assembly having an emitter portion for
emitting radiant energy and at least one lens portion for
projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with a predetermined
pattern. The predetermined pattern includes an illuminated golf
ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot alignment mark and
an illuminated second foot alignment mark for indicating placement
of the golfer's feet with respect to the golf ball.
[0007] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of
aligning a golfer with a golf ball includes projecting a first
illuminated alignment mark toward a first position representative
of a golf ball location; projecting second and third illuminated
alignment marks at second and third positions, respectively; and
aligning the golfer's feet with the second and third illuminated
alignment marks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like
elements throughout the drawings, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an alignment device installed on the head
of a golfer with a predefined illuminated alignment pattern
projected towards the ground for aligning a user's body with
respect to a golf ball and distant target;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the alignment device of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the alignment
device;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an isometric exploded view of the alignment
device;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an alignment device in kit
form;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an illuminated alignment
pattern for use with a putter;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an illuminated alignment
pattern for use with a wedge;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an illuminated alignment
pattern for use with a 5-iron; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of an illuminated alignment
pattern for use with a driver.
[0018] It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be
considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that
the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The invention will now
be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-4 in
particular, an alignment device 10 for golfers in accordance with
the present invention is illustrated. The alignment device 10 can
be adapted for use with one or more golf clubs 12 such as woods,
hybrid woods, irons, wedges, putters and the like, and is intended
to improve a user's stance and subsequent swing by aligning the
golfer's feet with respect to the golf ball while taking into
consideration the type of club being used, the golfer's height, and
the direction to the distant target. The alignment device 10, as
shown in FIG. 1, is preferably attached to the bill or brim 14 of a
cap 16 for projecting an illuminated alignment pattern which
preferably includes an illuminated golf ball alignment mark 18 that
surrounds a golf ball 20, an illuminated target alignment mark 22
that intersects with the first mark and the golf ball for aligning
the golf ball with a distant target such as a hole 24, an
illuminated first foot alignment mark 26 and an illuminated second
foot alignment mark 28 that indicate proper placement of the feet
30 and 32, respectively, of a user 34 a predetermined first
distance 36 from the golf ball 20 and predetermined second and
third distances 38, 40 from an imaginary centerline 42 that extends
through the golf ball and is perpendicular to the target alignment
mark 22, as will be described in greater detail below. Although it
is preferable to connect the alignment device 10 to the cap 16, it
will be understood that the alignment device can be connected to
other types of hats and/or other articles of clothing 44 or 46 for
example, and/or directly to the user 34.
[0020] With particular reference to FIGS. 2-4, the alignment device
10 preferably includes a mounting base 48 for attachment to a hat
or other article of clothing, a swivel connector 50 pivotally
connected to the mounting base 48 for pivoting with respect to the
base about three mutually perpendicular axes, and an emitter
assembly 52 removably connected to the swivel connector 50. The
emitter assembly 52 preferably projects or emits radiant energy in
the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum to form the
alignment marks 18, 22, 26 and 28.
[0021] The mounting base 48 preferably includes a platform 54 and a
pair of spring clips 56 connected to a forward end 58 of the
platform. A semispherical socket 60 is formed in the platform 54
for receiving the swivel connector 50, and a threaded bore 62
extends between a side 64 of the platform 54 and the opening 60 for
receiving a set screw 66 to thereby adjust and set the swivel
connector 50 to a desired position.
[0022] Each spring clip 56 preferably includes a straight portion
68 that is mounted in an opening 70 formed in a front surface 72 of
the platform 54, a curved portion 74 extending from the straight
portion 68, a first slanted portion 76 extending upwardly and
rearwardly from the curved portion 74, and a second slanted portion
78 extending downwardly and rearwardly from the first slanted
portion 76. With this arrangement, a gap 80 (FIG. 3) is formed
between the platform 54 and the second slanted portion 78 for
receiving the brim of a hat or the like or some other article in a
direction as represented by arrow 82. The resilient nature of the
spring clips 56 ensure that the article to which the mounting base
48 is connected is firmly held between the spring clips 56 and the
platform 54. Although two separate spring clips are shown, it will
be understood that a single, continuous clip may be used. In
addition, it will be understood that the mounting base 48 may be
connected to the hat or other article through well known attachment
means such as, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners,
adhesives, sewing, clamping, threaded fasteners, and so on.
[0023] The swivel connector 50 preferably includes a ball 84
located within the socket 60, a shaft 86 extending upwardly from
the ball, and a C-shaped sleeve 88 connected to an upper end of the
shaft. The sleeve 88 is adapted to frictionally engage and hold the
emitter assembly 52 during use. If desired, the emitter assembly 52
can be removed from the swivel connector 50 during non-use or when
it is desired to use the emitter assembly for other purposes. It
will be understood that the swivel connector 50 can be eliminated
and the emitter assembly 52 can be directly connected to the
mounting base 48 and/or the hat or other article through well-known
connection means.
[0024] The emitter assembly 52 preferably includes an emitter
portion 90 that is received in the sleeve 88 and at least one lens
portion 92 that connects to the emitter portion 90. Preferably, the
emitter portion 90 includes a laser diode with associated
electronics and a replaceable or rechargeable power source (not
shown) in a well-known manner to emit a highly concentrated beam of
visible light that is directed toward the lens portion 92. A
removable cap 93 is provided at a rear end of the emitter assembly
52 for installing and replacing the power source, which is
preferably in the form of one or more batteries. Although not
shown, a manually actuable switch and a tilt switch can be provided
for energizing the laser beam when needed and automatically turning
off the emitter when the user's head is tilted upward a
predetermined amount to avoid potentially shining the laser beam
towards bystanders. It will be understood that other light sources
may be used, such as high intensity light emitting diodes,
incandescent bulbs, and so on.
[0025] A reduced diameter annular extension 94 is provided at a
forward end of the emitter portion 90 for receiving the lens
portion 92. Preferably, the lens portion 92 and extension 94 have
cooperating threads (only threads 96 shown on the extension) for
removably mounting the lens portion to the emitter portion.
However, it will be understood that the lens portion may
alternatively be removably connected to the emitter portion through
any well-known temporary connection means such as friction,
cooperating grooves and projections, magnets, hook and loop
fasteners, and so on.
[0026] With additional reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the lens portion
92 is preferably formed so that the illuminated golf ball alignment
mark 18 (shown here as a circular pattern) surrounds the golf ball
20, the illuminated target alignment mark 22 intersects the mark 18
and the golf ball 20, and the illuminated first foot alignment mark
26 and second foot alignment mark 28 project toward a user's feet
as previously described. The construction of the lens portion
itself to produce various patterns is well known and therefore will
not be further described.
[0027] During operation, the alignment device 10 is preferably
installed on the bill 14 of a hat 16 as previously described. When
used for the first time, the golfer's head is lowered to the proper
aiming position and the swivel connector 50 is adjusted so that the
golf ball alignment mark 18 is coincident with the golf ball 20 and
the proper distances between the golf ball and the golfer's feet
are obtained. The set screw 66 can then be tightened to lock the
emitter assembly 52 with respect to the mounting base 48. During
subsequent use, the golfer's head is tilted toward the aiming
position until the first illuminated mark 18 is aligned with the
golf ball 20. The user may then rotate his or her head toward the
target 24 (depending on the distance to the target) to ensure that
the second illuminated mark 22 aligns with both the golf ball and
the target. If the mark 22 does not intersect or at least appear to
intersect with the target 24, the user repositions his or her body
so that the mark 22 is in alignment with both the target 24 and the
golf ball 20. This ensures that the user will always face a
direction that is substantially perpendicular to the mark 22. The
user then positions his or her feet 30 and 32 in alignment with the
illuminated marks 26 and 28, respectively, so that a proper stance
is achieved. Depending on the height of the user as well as the
length of the user's arms, legs and the particular golf club being
used, the alignment marks 26 and 28 may greatly vary in distance
from the imaginary centerline 42 as well as the second illuminated
mark 22. To that end, and as shown in FIG. 5, a kit 98 comprising
the mounting base 48, swivel connector 50, emitter module 90 and a
number of different lens portions 92, 92A, 92B, 92C, 92D, 92E and
so on, is preferably provided. Each lens portion 92-92E is
preferably constructed to project a different pattern based on the
type of golf club used so that the golfer can achieve the proper
stance for each individual golf club. Although six lens portions
are shown, it will be understood that more or less lens portions
may be provided. If desired, the kit 98 may also include a box or
container 100 with a foam insert 102 for storing and transporting
the alignment device 10 when not in use. A lid (not shown) may also
be included for installing over the container 100 in order to cover
the various components.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, when a golf club such as a
putter is used as shown in FIG. 6, the first and second distances
38, 40 between the illuminated marks 28 and the imaginary
centerline 42 are preferably equal. Likewise, the third and fourth
distances 36, 37 between the illuminated mark 22 and the
illuminated marks 26, 28 are preferably equal. By way of example,
for a golfer having a height in the range of about 5.5 to 6 feet,
the distances 36, 37 may be approximately 5 inches while the
distances 38, 40 may be approximately 5.5 inches when using a
putter of appropriate length. Accordingly, the golfer is directed
to place the feet apart by approximately 11 inches. Likewise, as
shown in FIG. 7, when a wedge of appropriate length is used for the
same person, each distance 38, 40 may be approximately 9 inches so
that the feet are spaced from each other about 18 inches. For a
5-iron as shown in FIG. 8, the distance 38 may be different from
the distance 40. Using the previous example, the distance 38 may be
approximately 14 inches while the distance 40 may be approximately
8 inches. For a driver as shown in FIG. 9, the distance 38 may be
approximately 22 inches while the distance 40 may be approximately
4 inches. In each of the above examples, it will be understood that
any of the distances may be equal or unequal and that they may
greatly vary depending on several factors including the height of
the golfer, the golfer's reach, particular stance, the length and
type of golf club being used, and so on. It will be further
understood that the illuminated marks may have any shape including,
but not limited to, lines, circles, arcs, squares, rectangles or
other multi-sided shapes, as well as any combinations thereof.
[0029] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
each lens portion of the kit 98 may include more than one set of
foot alignment marks 26, 28 for accommodating more than one type of
golf club on a single lens portion. Other lens portions may then be
used for golfers of different heights. By way of example, one lens
portion may accommodate a plurality of different golf clubs for a
golfer having a height in the range of about 4.5-5.0 ft, a second
lens portion may accommodate a plurality of different golf clubs
for a golfer having a height in the range of about 5.0-5.5 ft., and
so on.
[0030] With the above-described arrangement, it is self-evident
that the golfer is able to consistently and accurately position
himself or herself in a proper stance with respect to the golf ball
and the distant target for different types of golf clubs and body
sizes without the aid of prior art clumsy or bulky devices that
would be difficult or impractical to implement on a golf course or
other area.
[0031] It will be understood that the term "preferably" as used
throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary
embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted
in any limiting sense. In addition, terms of orientation and/or
position as may be used throughout the specification denote
relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or positions.
[0032] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It will be
understood, therefore, that the present invention is not limited to
the particular embodiments disclosed, but also covers modifications
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *