Abstract:
The present invention discloses a golf club having a bend between a straight shaft and a straight club grip wherein the club grip is sufficient in size to accommodate both hands of the golfer. The bend of the golf club is in the direction of the user and allows the user to maintain a natural grip in order to produce pendulum-like swing. The golf club reduces the strain and stress on the wrists and hands of the user in order to reduce the user&#39;s distraction level and enhance the user&#39;s performance in the game of golf.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to a sporting product and more specifically to a golf club having a bend such that the handle is angled toward the user in such a way as to allow both hands to be placed on the straight handle.  
           [0002]    Modifications to the traditional shape and structure of the average golf club to accomplish various results have been attempted previously. The hopeful result of each modification is the enhanced performance of the user on the golf course. Several references disclosing golf clubs with bent handles include U.S. Pat. No. 148,805 to Liolich et al; U.S. Pat. No. 256,824 to Ward et al; U.S. Pat. No. 1,201,728 to Henry &amp; Wells; U.S. Pat. No. 1,979,174 to Robertson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,132,219 to Pirie; U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,651 to Sanderson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,949,304 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,412 to Hughes; U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,965 to Mullins; U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,650 to Schneller; U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,064 to Barber; U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,891 to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,564 to Kronogård; U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,385 to Jablonski; U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,087 to Bothwell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,661 to Murphy; U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,002 to Bothwell; U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,266 to Pamias. The golf clubs disclosed in these patents are bent awkwardly and/or require the user&#39;s hands be placed in the awkward positions.  
           [0003]    Within the current state of the art, there appears to be a lack of appreciation for the preference of the golfer to be in a proper position to swing the club and do so comfortably. What is needed then is a structural modification to the traditional golf club which allows a golfer to avoid uncomfortable positioning of the wrists and hands.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention is generally related to the game of golf. With regard to putting in the game of golf, a very common putting stance requires that the golfer position himself/herself such that his or her eyes are over the golf ball. Such a putting stance promotes a more consistent putting stroke due to the visibility provided by such stance. Having one&#39;s eye over the ball is a must if the golfer is going to see the line of the putt clearly. Otherwise, he/she is looking at the line of the putt from an odd angle, which will distort the golfer&#39;s perception and lead to missed putts. The traditional straight putters, currently available today, may prevent a golfer from maintaining this putting stance for reasons such as posture, limberness, arthritis, or other medical conditions. It is additionally possible that golfers may attain such a putting stance but find it to be very uncomfortable. The result is that such discomfort and awkwardness leads to distraction which may result in missed putts, or other poor golf shots.  
           [0005]    This golf club is designed in such a way so as to allow the golfer to use the same grip that he or she would use on a conventional shaft-straight grip golf club, except that with this invention, there are certain advantages including comfort and the ability to have one&#39;s eyes over the ball when using the golf club to strike the golf ball.  
           [0006]    The present invention provides a golf club having a club grip, or handle, which is sufficient in size to accommodate the placement of both of the hands of the golfer. The golf club is bent so that the club grip is positioned in the direction of the golfer. The shape of the present golf club is intended to allow the golfer to enter a golf stance in which his eyes are directly above the ball. In such a conventional golfing stance, the axis of the shaft must differ from the axis of the club grip. By bending the club grip toward the golfer, the golfer can maintain the conventional golf stance while also maintaining comfortable positioning of his/her arms and hands. As described herein, the axis of the club grip as well as the length of the shaft may be modified to fit the personal preferences of the golfer.  
           [0007]    In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a golf club having a club head, shaft, and a straight handle, or club grip. The handle may have a length of from about 10 inches to about 22 inches. The handle, or club grip is bent, or offset, in the direction of the user at an angle of from about five degrees to about 60 degrees. In certain embodiments, the angle is from about thirty degrees to about sixty degrees. In certain embodiments, the golf club may be a putter. In other embodiments, a shaft, having different segments, may be bent toward the golfer to provide the handle, or club grip, to be grasped by the golfer. The present invention allows a golfer to use all of the conventional golf club grips or natural grips used on a standard golf club. Although the handle of the golf club is bent toward the golfer, the golf club is not bent or angled in a lateral direction.  
           [0008]    Use of the present invention does not require the golfer to adjust his/her hands and wrists into awkward positions in order to bring the putter head below their eyes in the normal putting stance. The present invention allows a golfer to maintain the putting stance without drastically changing the posture while putting. When the golfer is comfortable within the putting stance, he/she has a greater probability of executing a pendulum-like stroke and making the putt. Again, the present invention promotes the natural angle to the wrist while gripping the club.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a golf club which allows a user to maintain a conventional golf stance without distraction due to lack of comfort.  
           [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club which is bent toward a user, in order to present a club grip sufficient in size to accommodate both hands of a user.  
           [0011]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a golf club which significantly enhances the comfort of the user and allows a better performance on the golf course.  
           [0012]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club which removes the awkward positions of the hands and wrists of the user which result when the user places his/her eyes above the golf ball which will be hit.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club which allows a user a more comfortable grip according to the natural positioning of the hands and wrists.  
           [0014]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a club handle that allows the user&#39;s hands to be substantially along the same plane. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a drawing of a user  10  holding a traditional golf club  12  with a natural grip, while positioned with his eyes above the golf ball  14 . The club head  18  is not in position to strike the golf ball  14 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a drawing of a user  10  holding a golf club  16  of the present invention with a natural grip, while positioned with his eyes above the golf ball  14 . The club head  18  is properly positioned to strike the golf ball  14 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 shows a side-view of an embodiment of the present invention, a golf club  16 . The hatched lines represent the axes of the club grip  22  and the shaft  20 . The angle Z represents the angle between the axis of the shaft  20  and the axis of the club grip  22 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a rear-view of an embodiment of the present invention in which the vertical axes of the shaft  20  and the club grip  22  are perpendicular to the axis of the path of the club head  18 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a method of producing a bend in the present invention between the shaft  20  and the club grip  22  by using a shaft adapter  24 .  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the shaft  20  is directly connected to the club grip  22  by methods of adhesion commonly known in the art.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a drawing of a user  10  holding a golf club  16  of the present invention with a natural grip, while positioned with his eyes above the golf ball  14 . The angle between the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  is approximately sixty degrees. The club head  18  is properly positioned to strike the golf ball  14 . The hatched lines represent the axes of the club grip  22  and the shaft  20 . The angle X represents the angle between the true vertical axis  26  and the axis of the club grip  22 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a drawing of a user  10  holding a golf club  16  of the present invention with a natural grip, while positioned with his eyes above the golf ball  14 . The angle between the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  is approximately forty degrees. The club head  18  is properly positioned to strike the golf ball  14 . The hatched lines represent the axes of the club grip  22  and the shaft  20 . The angle X represents the angle between the true vertical axis  26  and the axis of the club grip  22 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a drawing of a user  10  holding a golf club  16  of the present invention with a natural grip, while positioned with his eyes above the golf ball  14 . The angle between the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  is approximately twenty degrees. The club head  18  is properly positioned to strike the golf ball  14 . The hatched lines represent the axes of the club grip  22  and the shaft  20 . The angle X represents the angle between the true vertical axis  26  and the axis of the club grip  22 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a drawing of a user  10  holding a golf club  16  of the present invention in which the club grip  22  is extended in length. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    The present invention is a golf club having a grip which allows a user to comfortably hold and maneuver the golf club while maintaining a proper golf stance in which the eyes of the user are located directly above the golf ball. As further described herein, the invention provides the advantages of enhanced comfort for the user and enhancement of control of the golf club which results in improved golf scores.  
       Proper Anatomical Grip  
       [0026]    The present invention provides a golf club  16  which reduces the stress, strain, and awkwardness associated with the use of a traditional golf club having a straight shaft and a straight club grip. Based upon the anatomy of the human wrist and hand, the most comfortable manner for grasping a cylindrical object, such as a golf club, is demonstrated on FIG. 1. More specifically, when a user  10  maintains the conventional putting stance in which his or his eyes are directly over the golf ball  14 , the club head  18  is not in the proper location to strike the golf ball  14 . Such a natural grip, which is proper based upon human anatomy, reduces stress and strain on the wrists and hands of the user  10 . When the stress and strain of the wrists and hands are reduced, then the distraction level of the user  10  also decreases.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a user  10  holding a traditional golf club  12 . Clearly, the natural and comfortable position of the wrists and hands results in a positioning of the traditional golf club  12  such that it is not in position to strike the golf ball  14 .  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a user  10  in a golf stance such that the eyes of the user  10  are located directly above the golf ball  14 . The user  10  is holding the present invention, a golf club  16 , which has a club head  18 , a shaft  20 , and a club grip  22 , also called a handle. The golf club  16  allows the user  10  to comfortably position his/her hands on the club grip  22  while maintaining a golf stance in which the eyes of the user are located directly above the golf ball  14 . In certain embodiments, the club grip  22  has a length of from about 10 inches to about 22 inches. In certain embodiments, the club grip  22  will be 10 to 12 inches in length. In alternate embodiments, a club grip  22  shorter than 10 inches may be applicable in smaller clubs, including children&#39;s clubs. Alternatively, it is foreseeable that longer handles would be utilized in other putter constructs including the “belly putter,” as shown in FIG. 10, and the long putter, where the golfer anchors the putter to his/her mid-section and his/her breast bone, respectively. The golf club  16  has a bend located between the shaft  20  and the club grip  22  which allows the club head  18  to be properly positioned to strike the golf ball  14 .  
         [0029]    It should be noted that all of the methods used to prepare the bend in the golf club  16  between the shaft  20  and the club grip  22  produce a club grip  22  sufficient in length to accommodate both hands of the user  10 . The club grip  22  of the present invention is intended to be used as a traditional club grip. This means that it is intended that such conventional two-handed putting grips, including, but not limited to, the interlocked grip, the over-lapped grip, the baseball grip, and the cross-handed grip should be used. Additionally, the bend between the shaft  20  and the club grip  22  may be accomplished by introducing a bend into the club grip  22 , rather than introducing the bend into the shaft  20 .  
         [0030]    It should be noted that the bend should be located at the end of the shaft  20  which is closest to the club grip  22 , as shown in FIGS. 2, 3,  5 , and  6 .  
         [0031]    In addition to angular adjustments of the bend between the shaft  20  and the club grip  22 , the length of the shaft  20  will vary depending upon the height of the user  10  to fit the personal preferences of the user  10 . Modifications to the length of the shaft  20  are accomplished as known by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
       The Proper Angle for Repositioning the Club Grip  
       [0032]    The proper angle of the axis of the club grip  22  relative to the axis of the shaft  20  will vary depending upon the angle the axis of the shaft  20  varies from the true vertical axis  26 . As the axis of the shaft  20  angles more and more away from the true vertical axis  26  and towards the golfer, the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the axis of the shaft  20  will diminish. As best seen in FIGS. 7-9, if the same axis of the club grip  22  is used with three different axes of shafts  20 , which vary in angle from the true vertical axis  26 , the relative angle of the axis for the club grip  22  to the axis of the shaft  20  will vary accordingly. The constant in FIGS. 7-9 is that the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the true vertical axis  26  remains the same. More specifically, this angle, referred to as angle X, will of course vary per individual based on their personal preference, but will remain the same regardless of the shaft.  
         [0033]    The angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the true vertical axis  26  is between about thirty degrees and sixty degrees. However, in practice, this invention should accommodate the personal preference of any golfer. Accordingly, in alternate embodiments, the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the true vertical axis  26  is between about five degrees and fifteen degrees. In still other alternate embodiments, the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the true vertical axis  26  is between about fifteen degrees and thirty degrees.  
         [0034]    If the user  10  is relatively comfortable with the conventional golf club, where there is no angle between the shaft and the grip, then a small angle between the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  from about five degrees to about thirty degrees will likely be preferred. On the other hand, medical conditions, posture, arthritis, or other conditions may prevent the user  10  from being comfortable with the conventional golf club and, therefore, may require greater angular adjustments. In such an instance, the angle between the axis of the shaft  20  and the axis of the club grip  22  may be more pronounced. In certain embodiments, angle between the axis  20  of the club grip  22  and the axis of the shaft  20  is between about thirty degrees and forty degrees. In other embodiments, the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the axis of the shaft  20  is between about forty degrees and fifty degrees. In still other embodiments, the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the axis of the shaft  20  is between about fifty degrees and sixty degrees. When such medical conditions are present, it is preferred that the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the axis of the shaft  20  is between about forty-five degrees and sixty degrees. This invention should allow for all preferences and all angles necessary to achieve a level of comfort with the golf club  16 .  
         [0035]    As best seen in FIG. 3, the club grip  22 , also called a handle, is positioned at an angle relative to the shaft  20  of the golf club  16 . The axis of the club grip  22  is represented by the hatched markings. The axis of the shaft  20  is indicated by the vertical hatched markings. The specific angle, called angle Z, at which the axis of the club grip  22  is positioned relative to the axis of the shaft  20  is dependent upon the size and comfort preferences of the user  10 . However, as mentioned above, it is also important to consider angle X, which is the angle between the axis of the club grip  22  and the true vertical axis  26 . In certain embodiments, angle Z, which represents the angle at which the club grip  22  is bent, or displaced, relative to the shaft  20  may be from about five degrees to about thirty degrees. In alternate embodiments, the angle at which the club grip  22  is bent, or displaced, relative to the shaft  20  may be from about five degrees to about ten degrees. In alternate embodiments, the angle at which the club grip  22  is bent, or displaced, relative to the shaft  20  may be from about ten degrees to about twenty degrees. In still alternate embodiments, the angle at which the club grip  22  is bent, or displaced, relative to the shaft  20  may be from about twenty degrees to about thirty degrees. In other alternate embodiments the angle Z of displacement of the club grip  22  from the axis of the shaft  20  may be from about sixty degrees to about ninety degrees. In a preferred embodiment, when the user  10  is of average height and ordinary comfort preferences, angle Z is from about thirty degrees to about sixty degrees. However, the club can be either custom made or premade at different sizes based upon the size of the user.  
         [0036]    Although the golf club  16  is bent such that the club grip  22  is positioned toward the user  10 , the club grip  22  is not moved in a lateral direction. As best seen in FIG. 4, when the golf club  16  is viewed from the rear, the club grip  22  remains aligned with an axis which is parallel to that of the face of the club head  18 . Accordingly, the vertical axis of the club grip  22  and the axis of the path of the putter face are perpendicular. Stated another way, the axis of the club grip  22  and the axis of the user&#39;s natural grip are parallel.  
       Method of Producing a Bend Between the Straight Shaft and the Straight Club Grip  
       [0037]    The bend between the shaft  20  and club grip  22  may be accomplished as described herein. It should be noted that the shaft  20  may be constructed of graphite, steel, titanium, or other material commonly used in the shaft of a golf club. Further, the club grip  22  may be constructed of materials suitable for the construction of the shaft  20 , or other materials which are commonly used in the construction of a grip on a golf club.  
         [0038]    In certain embodiments, the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  may be connected by using a shaft adapter  24 . As best seen in FIG. 5, a club grip  22  is attached to a shaft  20  by using a shaft adapter  24  for connection. The shaft adapter  24  may be attached to both the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  by any method commonly known by one of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of such attachment include, but are not limited to, screws, glues, soldering, mechanical fitting, joining by size, and other methods of friction adherence. The shaft adapter  24  may be constructed of any material which would be used for the construction of the shaft  20  or the club grip  22 , including, but not limited to, graphite, steel, and titanium. Subsequent to connection, the shaft adapter  24  may or may not be readily visible to the user.  
         [0039]    As best seen in FIG. 6 the bend between the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  may be accomplished by directly connecting the club grip  22  to the shaft  20  at an angle. The direct connection may be accomplished by using materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art of attaching golf club shafts to golf club heads or golf club grips to golf club shafts. Such means for connecting include, but are not limited to, screwing, gluing, soldering, mechanically fitting, joining by size, physical adhesion, and chemical adhesion.  
         [0040]    In still other embodiments of the present embodiments the club grip  22  may actually be an extension of the shaft  20 . Accordingly, the bend between the club grip  22  and the shaft  20  is accomplished by bending the shaft  20  in order to produce the desired angle. In such an embodiment, the shaft  20  has a first segment and a second segment. The first segment of the shaft  20  is the straight segment between the club head  18  and the bend. The second segment of the shaft  20  is the segment bent toward the user  10 . The second segment of the shaft  20  can also be called a club grip  22 , or handle. Methods of permanently bending golf club shafts are known in the art and the particular method of bending is not critical to the present invention. For example, a golf club shaft may be bent by normal aluminum and other material treatment.  
         [0041]    This patent application incorporates by reference all patents, references, and publications disclosed herein.  
         [0042]    Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Offset or Curved Golf Club, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.