Abstract:
A positioning device (A) for assisting an individual in properly positioning the club face of a golf club so that a golf ball travels a desired path when struck by the golf club. The positioning device (A) includes a hollow body ( 2 ) which is generally symmetrically disposed about the shaft ( 5 ) of a golf club. The body includes an upper section ( 4 ) and a lower section ( 6 ) and an opening ( 32 ) therebetween. The opening ( 32 ) in the body ( 2 ) receives the shaft ( 5 ) of the golf club. The upper and lower sections each have a left and a right side. The right side of the upper section is hingedly connected to the right side of the lower section. A fastener detachably connects the left side of the upper section to the left side of the lower section. The upper section ( 4 ) has a recess formed therein for receiving a tubular spirit ( 60 ). The tubular spirit ( 60 ) is curved about the axis of the shaft of the golf club. The curve of the spirit level extends in a first plane. The first plane extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft of the golf club.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is directed to a positioning device for aiding an individual in positioning a club relative to an object so that the object travels a desired path once struck by the club. More particularly, a preferred form of the present invention includes a positioning device which can be readily mounted on the shaft of a golf club to aid an individual in positioning the golf club relative to an intended line of flight of a golf ball so that the golf ball travels a desired path once struck by the golf club.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Numerous training aids have been developed in an effort to assist a golfer to consistently and accurately strike a golf ball. Such training aids focus on various aspects of the game necessary for an individual to properly strike a golf ball including grip, address, swing plane and position of the club face relative to the intended line of flight. Since the present invention concerns the proper position of the club face of the golf club relative to the intended line of flight of the ball, only these type of training aids will be discussed.  
           [0003]    Often, when striking a golf ball, an individual will take the golf club through the proper swing plane but watch dumbfounded as the golf ball travels on a path different from the intended line of flight. While several factors can be the cause of the undesired flight of the golf ball, improper position of the club face is often the cause of the golf ball straying from the intended line of flight. In order for the golf ball to travel in a straight line of flight, it is imperative that the face of the golf club be oriented perpendicular (i.e square) to the intended line of flight of the golf ball at impact. Various training aids have been developed which purport to aid the golfer in properly positioning the club face of a golf club. These include the training aids disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,079,520 and 5,509,657.  
           [0004]    The training aids disclosed in the aforementioned patents have numerous disadvantages. First these devices are dramatically asymmetrical relative to the shaft of the golf club. Such an orientation is undesirable for a number of reasons. The asymmetrical orientation adversely impacts the feel of the club during the swing. Specifically, the individual using this aid will likely develop an improper feel for a correct swing. This will likely result in the individual making poor golf swings, once the device is removed. Further, the asymmetrical orientation will significantly increase the torque on the training aid during the golf swing. Hence, the force necessary to properly clamp the training aid to the golf club will increase dramatically requiring a larger and more expensive clamping device. Finally, the asymmetrical orientation of these training aids are unsightly and likely to distract the golfer during his or her swing.  
           [0005]    Another training aid is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,155. This training aid includes a hemispherical bubble embedded in the end of the grip of the golf club. This training aid is permanently attached to the golf club. This is undesirable because each and every club must be fitted with a similar device. Further, the location of the hemispherical bubble makes viewing difficult. Moreover, this training aid does not assist the golfer in selectively opening or closing the club face to impart a desired fade or draw on a golf ball.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a significant need for a training aid which overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies of previously known training aids.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious positioning device for properly positioning the club face of a golf club so that a golf ball travels a desired flight path when struck by the golf club.  
           [0008]    Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which can be readily positioned on the shaft of a golf club such that the positioning device is oriented generally symmetrically about the shaft of the golf club.  
           [0009]    A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which can be readily mounted on and removed from the shaft of a golf club.  
           [0010]    Yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a compact and light weight positioning device which will provide a golfer with the proper orientation of the club face of a golf club.  
           [0011]    Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which when mounted on the shaft of a golf club is readily observable by the golfer.  
           [0012]    Still yet another object of the present invention is provide a positioning device which can be used in practice and in actual play.  
           [0013]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which is configured so as to minimize any distraction to the golfer during a normal swing.  
           [0014]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which includes the necessary precision but is considerably less sensitive to vertical, horizontal and other movements of the shaft of a golf club than previously known devices and thus convenient to use.  
           [0015]    A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which can be readily mounted on a wide variety of golf clubs.  
           [0016]    Yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which can be inexpensively manufactured.  
           [0017]    Still yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which will enable an individual to properly position the club face of a golf club so that the golf ball will fade, draw or travel a straight line of flight.  
           [0018]    These and other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred form of the invention and the accompanying drawings. These objects are not exhaustive and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.  
           [0019]    In summary, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a novel and unobvious positioning device for assisting an individual in properly positioning a club face of a golf club so that a golf ball travels a desired path when struck by the golf club. The positioning device includes a hollow body which is generally symmetrically disposed about the shaft of a golf club. The body includes a front surface and a rear surface and an opening extending therebetween. The opening in the body receives the shaft of a golf club. The body further includes an upper section and a lower section each having left and right sides. The right side of the upper section is hingedly connected to the right side of the lower section. A fastener detachably connects the left side of the upper section to the left side of the lower section. The upper section has a recess formed therein for receiving a tubular spirit level. The tubular spirit level is curved about the axis of the shaft of the golf club. The curve of the spirit level extends in a first plane. The first plane extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the golf shaft. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted on the shaft of a golf club.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention removed from a golf club.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention removed from a golf club.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 4.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a left side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the angle between the club shaft and the ground.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the angle between the shaft of the golf club and the club face when the club face is oriented at a ninety degree angle to the intended line of flight of the golf ball.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a golf club with the positioning device of the present invention mounted thereon with the club face oriented such that the golf ball will travel on a straight line of flight.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a golf club with the positioning device of the present invention mounted thereon with the club face oriented such that the golf ball will fade or slice.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a golf club with the positioning device of the present invention mounted thereon with the club face oriented such that the golf ball will draw or hook.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention removed from a golf club.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 is a front fragmentary elevational view of an alternative to the tubular spirit level used in the preferred embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference made to FIGS. 1 through 13.  
       FIGS.  1  Through  8   
       [0036]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the positioning device A is preferably mounted on the shaft B immediately below the grip C of golf club D (only a portion of which is shown). This position of device A is advantageous because it allows for convenient viewing by the golfer. However, it will be readily appreciated that the position of the device A may be varied to meet the needs of specific golfers. The positioning device A is generally symmetrically oriented relative to the axis of the shaft B. This orientation reduces the impact of the body  2  on the feel of the club during a normal swing. Further, the torque generated by the body  2  during a normal swing is significantly reduced thus lowering the clamping force necessary to clamp the body  2  to the shaft B. Moreover, this orientation minimizes the distraction body  2  presents to a golfer at address as well as during a normal swing.  
         [0037]    The positioning device A includes a body  2 . Preferably, the body  2  is hollow and made of a light weight material (e.g. a light weight plastic). The body  2  includes an upper section  4  and a lower section  6 . The upper section  4  includes a cover  8  and a back plate  10 , as seen in FIG. 6. A pair of screws  12  secure the cover  8  to the back plate  10 . The cover includes a front face or surface  14  and a skirt  16  which extends along the outer periphery of the front face  14 . The lower section  6  includes a cover  18  and a back plate  20 . A pair of screws  22  secure the cover  18  to the back plate  20 , as seen in FIG. 6. The cover  8  includes a front face or surface  24  and a skirt  26  which extends along the outer periphery of the front face  24 . The upper section  4  includes an arcuate portion  28 . Similarly, the lower section  6  includes an arcuate portion  30 . Arcuate portions  28  and  30  form an opening  32  extending completely through the body  2 . Opening  32  receives the shaft of a golf club.  
         [0038]    The upper section  4  and the lower section  6  each include left and right sides. The right side of the upper section  4  is hingedly connected to the right side of the lower section  6 . Fastener E detachably connects the left side of the upper section  4  to the left side of the lower section  6 . The fastener E includes a pivot arms  34  and  36 . Preferably, pivot arm  34  is formed as one-piece with cover  18  and pivot arm  36  is formed as one-piece with the back plate  20 . The pivot arms  34  and  36  permit clamping element  38  to pivot between the full line position and the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4. The fastener E further includes clamping arms  40  and  42 . Preferably, clamping arm  40  is formed as one-piece with cover  8  and clamping arm  42  is formed as one-piece with the back plate  10 . When the clamping element  38  is in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4, the body  2  may be attached to or removed from the shaft of a golf club. The clamping element  38  includes a head  44 , a shaft  46  and a cylinder  48 . It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the clamping element  38  may be designed such that the distance between the head  44  and the cylinder  48  may be varied so that the positioning device may be placed on shafts of varying diameters. When the clamping element  38  is in the full line position shown in FIG. 4, the body  2  is secured to the shaft of the golf club. It will be readily appreciated that numerous other fasteners may be used to secure the body  2  to the shaft of a golf club.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS.  4  to  6 , strips  50  and  52  of double sided tape are attached at one side to the arcuate portions  28  and  30 , respectively, and at the other side to the corresponding portion of the shaft of the golf club to prevent the positioning device A from rotating, sliding or slipping on the shaft of the golf club. While double sided tape is preferred it will be readily appreciated that various other means may be employed to ensure that the body  2  does not rotate, slip or slide relative to the shaft of a golf club.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 5, a recess  54  is formed in the cover  8  of the upper section  4 . A tubular spirit level  56  is force fit, cemented or otherwise secured in recess  54 . The spirit level  56  is curved about the axis of the golf shaft. Further, as seen in FIG. 1, the curve of the spirit level  56  extends in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft B. The spirit level  56  is a sealed tube containing a liquid and an air bubble  58 , as seen n FIGS. 1 and 4. Indicia  60  is formed above the recess  54 . Also, indicia such as an arrow in the center of the spirit level  56  may be provided below the spirit level  56 . Providing a tubular spirit level curved about the axis of the shaft reduces the sensitivity of the spirit level thus enabling a golfer to readily align the air bubble so that the golf ball travels a desired path. Usually, this can be done in one or two seconds. This is an important consideration when the device A is being used in a round of golf. Further, the orientation of the spirit level in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft B results in a relatively constant and direct movement of the air bubble upon rotation of the shaft B. This aspect is especially beneficial for more advanced players in selecting the proper position of the golf club to impart a desired fade or draw on the golf ball.  
       FIGS.  9  Through  13   
       [0041]    The use of the positioning device will now be described with reference made to FIGS. 9 through 13.  
         [0042]    The most important angular relationship in order for a golf ball to travel on a desired path is the angular relationship between the club face and the intended line of flight. This relationship is illustrated in FIGS.  11  to  13 . FIG. 11, illustrates the proper angular relationship between the club face and the intended line of flight of the golf ball so that the golf ball travels on a straight line of flight. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the club face forms a ninety degree angle with the intended line of flight. The air bubble  58  is oriented between the lines  62  and  64  when the club face is at a ninety degree angle to the intended line of flight of the golf ball Hence, a golfer can readily position the club face at a desired orientation by merely turning the club shaft until the air bubble  58  is between lines  62  and  64 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 12, illustrates the angular relationship between the club face and the intended line of flight to impart the necessary spin on the golf ball in order for the golf ball to fade. As is readily evident from FIG. 12, the angle between the club face and the intended line of flight is greater than ninety degrees. The greater the angle, the more dramatic the fade. A golfer may use the positioning device to more consistently determine the position of the club face relative to the intended line of flight of the ball to achieve the desired amount of fade on the golf ball.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 13, illustrates the angular relationship between the club face and the intended line of flight to impart the necessary spin on the golf ball in order for the golf ball to draw. As is readily evident from FIG. 13, the angle between the club face and the intended line of flight is less than ninety degrees. The less the angle, the more dramatic the draw. A golfer may use the positioning device A to more consistently determine the position of the club face relative to the intended line of flight of the ball to achieve the desired amount of draw on the golf ball.  
         [0045]    Installation is a relatively easy but important procedure to ensure maximum benefits of the present invention. Due to differences in the way golfers set up to hit a golf ball, the device must be set up specifically for the golfer who is to use the device. Such golfer uses reference marks on the ground to align the club face perpendicular to the intended line of flight. The device is then attached with the bubble centered between the reference marks  62  and  64 , as seen in FIG. 11.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 10 illustrates the position of the golf shaft when the hands of the golfer are not directly in line with the golf ball. The present invention can readily accommodate this position of the golfers hands. However, it must be kept in mind that if the position of the golfers hands relative to the golf ball is varied, the device A must be reset for each varied position. FIG. 9 illustrates the angle formed between the shaft and the ground. It is important to note that changing this angle does not affect the proper functioning of positioning device A.  
       FIG.  14   
       [0047]    [0047]FIG. 14 shows alternatives to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Flat areas  65  and  66  are added to both halves of the body to limit twisting of the device when it is secured to the shaft of a golf club. An alternative to the two-sided tape ( 50  and  52  of FIG. 6) used to prevent relative movement between the positioning device and the shaft of a golf club is to mount the positioning device on the lower part of the golf club grip and add teeth  67  and  68  on the vertical walls of the opening for the shaft.  
         [0048]    An alternative to the spirit level used in the preferred embodiment, is an indicator that uses gravity instead of floatation to determine true vertical. A sealed chamber  69  having a curved working surface and a material  70  that freely operates based on gravity against such curved working surface is substituted for the spirit level found in the preferred embodiment. A ball or fluid metal would function as the material  70 . The chamber may also contain a fluid substance to stabilize or dampen the movement of said material. Alternative indicia  71  are added on the body of the positioning device for orienting the material  70 . Given that this alternative device works based on gravity instead of floatation, as in the preferred embodiment, the orientation of the curve of the chamber is the vertical inverse of that used for the spirit level in the preferred embodiment. Wherein, the nadir of the curve is the point closest to the shaft axis of the golf club and all points on the working surface of the curve of an equal distance on either side of that nadir are an equal distance from the shaft axis. Lastly, for the same reasons as explained in the preferred embodiment, the device works best when the curve also lies on a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft of the golf club.  
         [0049]    An alternative to the traditional hinge used in the preferred embodiment is to use a slip joint hinge that requires special pin  72  (magnified  78 ) that is secured in the top half of the body. This pin  72  operates within an hourglass opening  73  in the bottom half of body. This alternative hinge has been incorporated into the design of utility pliers. It is beneficial to the present invention because it increases the number of shaft sizes the device will fit on. To adjust between the two settings you just rotate the top half of the body 90 degrees and slide it up or down depending on what setting is required.  
         [0050]    One of many alternatives to the fastening mechanism used in the preferred embodiment for securing the top and bottom halves of the body to the shaft of a golf club is the ratcheting mechanism depicted by reference numerals  74 - 77 . Material  74  extends from the back surface of the top half of the body and a buckle  75  is secured to it with rivet  76 . The buckle  75  rotates on rivet  76  with a torsion spring (not depicted) applying clockwise force. A toothed extension  77  from the bottom half of body operates in a ratcheting fashion against buckle  75  thereby providing multiple settings for securing the body of the device to various golf club shaft sizes. This alternative to the fastening mechanism used in the preferred embodiment has been used for in-line skates and ski boots.  
       FIG.  15   
       [0051]    [0051]FIG. 15 illustrates one of many possible alternatives to the curved tubular spirit level described in the preferred embodiment. It includes a sealed chamber  79  containing a fluid and a float means  80  operatively associated with said fluid for indicating true vertical  82 . The sealed chamber  79  can be any shape as long as the working surface  81  operating against float means  80  is curved. The float means  80  can be any material or gas that is less dense than the fluid contained in the chamber. Although a gas bubble is preferred, a light material such as cork or plastic would function satisfactorily. The curved surface  81  of the sealed chamber  79  is oriented about the axis  84  of the shaft  83  of a golf club received in the opening of the body of the positioning device.  
         [0052]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.