Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus for a golf club and training device. The golf club may be approved for on the course play by the United States Golf Association (USGA). An embodiment of a training device for a golf club includes a handle having a grip where the handle is coupled to a golf club head. The head has an internal alignment device and may include a contact plate, a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has a first upper surface including a top alignment marking and the bottom plate has a second upper surface including a bottom alignment marking. The top plate may include an attachment aperture for attaching an external alignment device. The external alignment device may include a laser, an alignment guide, a weight, or the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/005,353, entitled “Golf Club Training Device,” filed on Dec. 4, 2007, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally related to golf club equipment, and more particularly, to golf club training devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There have been many golf-training devices developed over the years for improving a golfer&#39;s game. Particularly when putting, it is desirable to accurately control the alignment of the clubface and the direction of movement of the club head at the point of impact. In addition, since the putting stroke is normally used on each golf hole played, it is especially desirable to consistently control the putting stroke. Forty three percent (43%) of all golf shots, on average, are hit with the putter. To strike a ball successfully, a golfer must take extreme care to contact the ball with a consistent stroke in order to deliver maximum power and control to the path of the ball. 
         [0004]    In addition, there are a variety of golf club training devices that have been developed to assist the golfer in aligning the golfer&#39;s feet and club head as well as devices to help groove the proper swing path. One category of such devices includes those with one or two guide rails placed adjacent to the golf ball. The golfer can stroke the golf club along the guide rails to practice a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke. Unfortunately, the guide rails are typically not adjustable or removable. In addition, many known devices, or putters, have sight lines to assist the golfer in aiming the putter. However, these devices do not consistently ensure that the golfer&#39;s eye position is directly over the ball, in relation to the club head, and in parallel alignment to the target line. Another category of devices utilize one or more light sources emitting light from various locations on a golf club, such as the handle grip, to assist a golfer in determining the position of the club during the swing. 
         [0005]    Yet other devices that assist the golfer in the alignment of the club head have included light sources associated with the golf club indicating the direction in which the clubface is pointed. One drawback of such known devices is that the golfer cannot use the golfer&#39;s own personal putter without modification. These devices require a modification or awkward attachment to the golfer&#39;s own putter. Such devices do not accommodate the golfer&#39;s desire to practice and play with the same putter, particularly their own putter, in an unmodified fashion. 
         [0006]    In general, most golfers become comfortable with their own putter and less likely to use or feel comfortable with a putter if modified to change the appearance, shape, and/or weight distribution. In addition, most of these modified putters are not approved for on the course play by the United States Golf Association (USGA). 
         [0007]    The prior art does not provide for a golf training device with removable and interchangeable components, including, but not limited to, light source inserts, protruding guide inserts, weighted inserts, and the like. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a golf club with the capability to point to a direction where the golfer is aiming, such as by incorporating an insert with a light source (e.g., a laser), so that the golfer will have a clear path of where the golf ball will travel. It is also desirable to incorporate inserts to assist the golfer in further improving the golfer&#39;s ability to hit the sweet spot. Lastly, it is further desirable that these inserts be removable so that the golfer can easily return to using his or her club without the benefit of any insert. The present invention fulfills this need. It is easy to use, provides immediate feedback, can be customized for feel, and can be used on the golf course. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club training device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a close up perspective view of the golf club training device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates another close up perspective view of the golf club training device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close up top view of the golf club training device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a hanging post insert. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a close up perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the golf club training device with the hanging post insert. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a close up side view of the golf club training device with the hanging post insert. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a close up top view of the golf club training device with the hanging post insert. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a close up perspective view of the golf club training device with the hanging post insert. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a laser insert. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a close up perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the golf club training device with the laser insert. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates another close up perspective view of the golf club training device with the laser insert. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    A golf club having an internal and external alignment device. The golf club may include a handle having a grip at a first end and a head at a second end and a head having an internal alignment device. The head may include a contact plate, a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate may extend rearwardly from the contact plate, where the top plate has a first upper surface. The first upper surface may include a top alignment marking located along said the upper surface. The bottom plate may extend rearwardly from the contact plate and be located beneath the top plate. The bottom plate may have a second upper surface, where the second upper surface may include a bottom alignment marking. The bottom alignment marking may be located along the second upper surface. The top plate may also include at least one attachment aperture. 
         [0022]    An external alignment device may be capable of engaging the attachment aperture. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    While the invention is described herein with reference to several embodiments, it should be clear that the invention should not be limited only to the embodiments disclosed or discussed. The description of the embodiments herein is illustrative of the invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as described or claimed. 
         [0024]    As generally described herein, the present invention provides a golf club  10 , such as a putter for example, that may serve as a training aid and also as a USGA approved putter for on the course play. The putter  10  may provide a visual indication of the golfer&#39;s eye position in relation to the putter and the target line. The putter  10  may provide a visual indication of the desired target path as well as providing visual feedback to the golfer of the accuracy of the golfer&#39;s stroke immediately after that stroke. The putter  10  may assist golfers of all skill levels to properly direct a golf ball in a desired path by utilizing the putters  10  3-D multi-dimensional sighting system. 
         [0025]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , the putter  10  may include a handle  12 , a clubface  14 , a bottom portion  16 , a rear portion  18 , and a top portion  20 . The bottom portion  16  of the club  10  may include at least one marking  30  that may act as a visual aid. The bottom portion  16  may also have a bottom mid-line  17 . The bottom mid-line  17  may be located on the bottom portion  16  of the club  10  and extend from the club face  14  to the rear portion  18 . The bottom mid-line  17  may be located in the approximate center of the bottom portion  16  and may extend through the center of each marking  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c . The bottom mid-line  17  may also be substantially parallel to each side of the bottom portion  16  and the lines  22 ,  24 . The bottom mid-line  17  may be of any appropriate or desired color, but is preferably white. The marking  30  may be of any appropriate shape, but is preferably of a circular shape. The marking  30  may also be of any appropriate or desired color, but is preferably a white color. In an alternative embodiment, the putter  10  may not have any markings  30  at all on the bottom portion  16 , but may instead have apertures that pass through the entire bottom portion  16  whereby the golfer may see the ground below. 
         [0026]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the top portion  20  may include two lines  22 ,  24 , at least one aperture  26 , and a bridge  28 . The first line  22  and second line  24  may be located on the top portion  20  and extend along the edges of the bridge  28 . The lines  22 ,  24  may be substantially parallel to one another and may be located substantially perpendicular to the clubface  14 . The top portion  20  may also have a mid-line  25 . The mid-line  25  may be located on the top portion  20  of the club  10  and extend from the club face  14  to the rear portion  18 . The mid-line  25  may be located in the approximate center of the top portion  20  and may extend through the center of each aperture  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c . The mid-line  25  may also be substantially parallel to each side of the top portion  20  and the lines  22 ,  24 . The mid-line  25  may be of any appropriate or desired color, but is preferably white. The lines  22 ,  24  may be of any appropriate or desired color, but are preferably white. The bridge portion  28  may be approximately perpendicular to the clubface  14  and may extend from where the top portion  20  meets the clubface  14  towards the rear portion  18  of the putter  10 , thereby forming a large opening beneath the bridge  28  and above the bottom portion  16 . The rear portion  18  of the putter  10  may be of a solid one piece design, or may be open in the middle as shown in  FIG. 2 . As another alternative, there may not even be a rear portion  18  so that the entire back end of the club  10  is completely open. 
         [0027]    The apertures  26  of the top portion  20  may extend through the bridge  28 . The apertures  26  may be of any appropriate shape and size, but are preferably of a substantially circular shape and of a size that allows enough room for three apertures  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0028]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the number and size of apertures  26  is meant to correspond to the number and size of markings  30 . The use of the apertures  26  located in the top portion  20  and the markings  30  located on the bottom portion  16  together may provide an alignment system. In order to line up the apertures  26  with the markings  30  underneath, the golfer&#39;s eyes must be directly over the top portion  20  of the club  10  and the ball. This insures that the golfers eyes are parallel to the target line. This putter  10  allows for a consistent set up and perfect alignment every time. 
         [0029]    The visual alignment of the markings  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and apertures  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  allows the golfer to determine whether or not his eyes are directly over the ball. This alignment is an aid to help align the golfer&#39;s eyes to the aim line on a consistent basis. The golfer will be able to see when the apertures  26  are not directly aligned with the markings  30  when the golfer looks at the top portion  20  of the putter  10 , thereby allowing the golfer to achieve consistent head and eye position over the golf ball. If the golfer sees anything other than the white markings  30  located, preferably equidistantly, within the apertures  26 , the golfer will know that his or her eye position is not above the aim line. This alignment system provides the golfer with a visual tool to more consistently get his eyes over the aim line so that he may have a consistent set up. As discussed above, the same is true if the markings  30  are replaced with apertures that pass all the way through the entire bottom portion  16 , whereby the golfer may see the ground below. Thus, if the golfer were to see anything other than the ground below, such as grass, the golfer will know that his eye position is not above the aim line. The bottom mid-line  17  and mid-line  25  may also be used as an additional alignment aid for the golfer. The golfer may visually line up the mid-line  25  with the bottom mid-line  17  when viewed through the apertures  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c . If the mid-line  25  and bottom mid-line  17  do not form a single visible line, the golfer will know he or she is not lined up correctly with the golf ball. In addition, the mid-line  25  may aid the golfer in lining up the center of the golf ball with the putter. When the mid-line  25  is located in the approximate center of the golf ball, the golfer will know that he or she is hitting the ball in the club&#39;s  10  approximate sweet spot. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 1-4  also illustrate another alignment feature. The substantially parallel white lines  22 ,  24  may be spaced at a distance apart that is approximately the width of a golf ball. As the golfer prepares to putt, he or she may place the club  10  near the golf ball to align the putter  10  with the golf ball so that the lines  22 ,  24  are aligned with the edges of the ball. These lines  22 ,  24  may also be visible when an insert  40 ,  50  is used with the putter  10  to further aid in alignment. 
         [0031]    As an alternative embodiment, the putter  10  allows for different interchangeable and removable inserts  40 ,  50  to be used. It is to be understood that a wide variety of inserts may be used with the putter and the inserts  40 ,  50  described herein are for illustrative purposes only. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5-12 , each of the inserts  40 ,  50  may be placed into the top portion  20  of the putter  10  by hand. One of the inserts may be a laser insert  40  that may include a laser  38  or any other appropriate lighting means. 
         [0032]    The laser insert  40  may include a laser  38 , a body  42 , at least one marking  44 , at least one column  46 , and at least one protrusion  48 . The body  42  may be of an approximately rectangular shape, but may also be of any other appropriate shape. The body  42  may have a front side  32 , a top side  34  and a bottom side  36 . The front side  32  may include an opening  33  where the laser beam  38  may shine out through. The top side  34  may have at least one marking  44 . The top side  34  may also have a mid-line  35 . The mid-line  35  may be located on the top side  34  of the body  42  and extend from one end to the other of the body  42 . The mid-line  35  may be located in the approximate center of the body  42  and may extend through the center of each marking  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c . The mid-line  35  may also be substantially parallel each side of the body  42 . The mid-line  35  may be of any appropriate or desired color, but is preferably white. 
         [0033]    The markings  44  may be of any appropriate shape or size, but are preferably of a substantially circular shape and of a size that allows for three markings  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c  to be used. The markings  44  may also be of any appropriate color, but are preferably of a white color. The bottom side  36  of the body  42  may include at least one column  46  extending there from that is positioned approximately perpendicular to the body  42 . The columns  46  may be of any appropriate shape and size, but are preferably of a substantially circular shape and of a size that allows for three columns  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c  to extend away from the body  42 . Each column  46  may also include a protrusion  48  extending outward from and entirely around the column  46 . There is preferably one protrusion  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c  for each corresponding column  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c . Each protrusion  46  may be located near the bottom side  36  of the body  42 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 10-12 , the laser insert  40  may be positioned on top of and perpendicular to the clubface  14 . As discussed above, the laser insert  40  has columns  46  to allow the golfer to align and place the laser insert  40  into the corresponding apertures  26  of the putter  10 . The laser insert  40  allows the golfer to practice and get immediate feedback of exactly what he or she is aiming the clubface  14  at. The laser insert requires no calibration or adjustments. The insert  40  is easy to insert and remove so that the putter  10  can be used for USGA approved play. The laser insert  40  allows the golfer to practice hitting the “sweet spot” of the club  10 . The laser  38  may be positioned to cast its image over the top of the golf ball to a specific target in the distance. The laser insert  40  allows the golfer to practice aiming and hitting the ball to a specific target. The laser  38  may be positioned so that it will casts its image onto the desired location where the golf ball is to be hit. 
         [0035]    The laser insert  40  may be turned on by push button or any other appropriate means. The laser insert  40 , when turned on may cast a beam or curtain onto the golf ball allowing the golfer to achieve perfect clubface  14  alignment to the target. Not only will the golfer use the laser insert  40  for clubface  14  alignment, but the golfer will also be able to align his body (feet, shoulders, etc) perpendicular to the beam to achieve proper body alignment. When the golfer is ready to putt, the golfer will address the golf ball by aligning the laser insert  40  to the target. The golfer will then align his body perpendicular to the laser lines and putt the ball. 
         [0036]    Once the golfer can aim correctly from using the laser insert  40 , the golfer may use the hanging post insert  50  to “groove” his putting stroke and produce on center hits. As seen in  FIG. 5 , the post insert  50  may include a body  52 , at least one column  56 , at least one marking  54 , a first post  58  and a second post  60 . The body  52  may be of an approximately rectangular shape, but may also be of any other appropriate shape. The body  52  may have a top side  62  and a bottom side  64 . The top side  62  may have at least one marking  54 . The markings  54  may be of any appropriate shape or size, but are preferably of a substantially circular shape and of a size that allows for three markings  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c  to be used. The markings  54  may also be of any appropriate color, but are preferably of a white color. The top side  62  may also have a mid-line  66 . The mid-line  66  may be located on the top side  62  of the body  52  and extend from one end to the other of the body  52 . The mid-line  66  may be located in the approximate center of the body  52  and may extend through the center of each marking  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c . The mid-line  66  may also be substantially parallel each side of the body  52 . The mid-line  66  may be of any appropriate or desired color, but is preferably white. 
         [0037]    The bottom side  64  of the body  52  may include at least one column  56  extending therefrom that is positioned approximately perpendicular to the body  52 . The columns  56  may be of any appropriate shape and size, but are preferably of a substantially circular shape and of a size that allows for three columns  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c  to extend away from the body  52 . Each column  56  may also include a protrusion  68  extending outward from and entirely around the column  56 . There is preferably one protrusion  68   a ,  68   b ,  68   c  for each corresponding column  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c . Each protrusion  68  may be located near the bottom side  64  of the body  52 . 
         [0038]    The first and second posts  58 ,  60  may also be substantially perpendicular to the body  52  and extend away from the bottom side  64  of the body  52 . The posts  58 ,  60  may be of any appropriate shape, such as round for example, and size. The posts  58 ,  60  may be located towards an end of the body  52  between an end and the first column  56   a . The posts  58 ,  60  may also be located at an approximate width of slightly wider than a typical golf ball diameter so that the posts  58 ,  60  will only make contact with a golf ball if the golfer misses the sweet spot of the clubface  14 . 
         [0039]    When the columns  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c  of the hanging post insert  50  are placed into the corresponding apertures  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of the top portion  20 , the posts  58 ,  60  will hangover and protrude from the clubface  14 . If the golfer does not hit the sweet spot, the ball will strike one of the hanging posts  58 ,  60  giving immediate feedback of an off center hit. Impact on the sweet spot transfers maximum energy and eliminates rotation and wobble of the clubface  14 . When the hanging post insert  50  is used, the golfer simply practices hitting putts on the sweet spot. This will allow for better feel, more confidence, maximum transfer of energy, and elimination of “twist” or “rotation” of the clubface caused by off center hits. Face angle errors at impact transfer eighty three percent (83%) to the ball line while the putter path has a minor seventeen percent (17%) influence on the starting line direction. This being said, aim and on center hits are arguably the two most important components of good putting. 
         [0040]    The golfer also has the option to remove the laser insert  40  and the hangover post insert  50  for USGA approved play. As another alternative, the laser insert  40  may allow for the laser to be removed or slid out of the body  42  of the insert  40 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In this instance, a weighted insert (not shown) may alternately be inserted into the opening  41  and used with the golf club  10 . The weighted insert would allow the golfer to simply add various amounts of additional weight to the putter  10 . As a further alternative, the insert may be a combination of two or more inserts components or of all the insert components into one insert (not shown). In this instance, the insert may include hangover posts, a laser, and a weight, or some combination of these and additional elements known in the art. This permits the golfer to customize the weight and feel of the putter  10  to his preferred specifications. 
         [0041]    The putter  10  allows the golfer to align the clubface  14  perfectly to the intended target line. Of all the putting fundamentals, the clubface  14  alignment of the putter  10  is the most important. The largest contributor to missed putts is a putter face  14  not aligned squarely at impact to the intended line. Without proper aim, a golfer can never learn a consistent putting stroke. The putter  10  will also allow the golfer to achieve more perfect body alignment and proper technique. The key to learning is immediate, accurate, and reliable feedback. This putter offers that. This training aid  10  gives a golfer a perfect aim and immediate feedback. It is an aid for a more perfect setup. These fundamentals allow for a confident putting stroke. Most training aids change the look, feel, and functionality of the golf club. This putter  10  may be used as a training aid and may also be used on the course. 
         [0042]    The embodiments of the invention have been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.