Abstract:
An apparatus for providing a laser alignment golf training aid uses a single-pivot mounting clamp for easy installation and improved accuracy. A support bar is pivotally mounted directly to the single-pivot mounting clamp and a unitary element is used to clamp a laser aiming device to the support bar. There are no interfaces or fasteners between the support bar interface and the aiming device interface of the unitary element to further eliminate sources of inaccuracy. The device uses a hollow support bar and alloy fastening elements to reduce weight.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is drawn to an apparatus for providing a laser alignment golf training aid. More particularly, it is drawn to laser alignment golf training aid that can be easily installed and aligned on a variety of putters or other clubs to provide club alignment feedback. The use of the golf training aid of the present invention promotes keeping the club face square to the ball and target line regardless of the putting distance. The design and assembly method provides a more accurate and affordable device.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Numerous golf putting aids using laser devices have been developed in recent years.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,972 discloses a putting aid that uses a laser device mounted on a lower portion of a putter to point to a target so as to align a putt. The laser device is mounted above the putter sweet spot perpendicular to the club head&#39;s face on a rear bracket that is in parallel to the putter head&#39;s longitudinal axis. The rear bracket is attached to the putter&#39;s shaft through a series of brackets. The laser device is “centered” over the sweet spot by sliding the laser along the rear bracket. Other adjustments allow minor rotation of the laser beam so the laser beam may be projected to a target. Mounting the device at different heights on the putter shaft provides for larger vertical adjustments. The golfer practices putting by aligning the putter so the laser beam to appears at the target. The golfer modifies his stroke to compensate for deviations from the projected path and actual path of the golf ball. The primary disadvantages of this design is that alignment over the sweet spot of the club must be “eyeballed,” multiple fasteners must be operated to install and remove the device, and the extensive cantilevers of the device are subject to vibration.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,331 discloses a laser device built into the putter head or assembled to the putter head by use of a kit. The laser device is mounted on top of the head so that the laser beam will clear the golf ball and describe a sighting line to the target. The laser is vertically adjustable so that the position the sighting line touches the putting surface will vary. The golfer uses the sighting line described by the laser to practice his putting stroke. The primary disadvantage of this design is that it is permanently mounted to the club, thereby requiring the purchase of a separate club and eliminating the use of the practice club for tournament play. The inability to remove the device from a club also subjects the unit to damage if stored in a golf bag.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,266 discloses a laser putting aid that is mounted on the putter shaft pointing downward. A hinged mirror mounted near the bottom of the club shaft and above the club head may be adjusted to reflect the laser beam on a horizontal path. The laser beam projects to a target on a putting practice surface above the ball&#39;s target. This allows the golfer to learn alignment positioning in a practice environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,266 also discloses that the hinged mirror can be positioned vertically so as not to reflect the laser. The laser beam then traces the golf club head&#39;s path during a practice swing through impact with the golf ball thus reinforcing hitting the ball with the putter face&#39;s sweet spot. The primary disadvantage of this design is that it positions the laser a fixed distance from the shaft and does not necessarily align it with the sweet spot.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,204 discloses a radiant energy generator (preferred embodiment being a laser) mounted at the upper end of a putter shaft and rotated to mark multiple interim targets, one at a time, between the putter face and the target hole. This design requires that the putter be held in place as the golfer rotates the light generator through multiple, discrete positions. Putter blade alignment is adjusted so that spots sighted between the putter face and the hole appear to be correct. The primary disadvantages of this design are the complexity of the adjustments and that the upper location of the laser provides less putting line feedback than a lower-mounted location during a putting stroke.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,440 discloses a laser guided golf club putter where the laser is mounted inside the club shaft near the top of the club. The light source is pointed down where the laser beam is reflected from a mirror mounted near the bottom of the shaft and exits an aperture. The angle of the mirror and hence the location the laser strikes the putting surface is adjustable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,440 discloses a second embodiment where there is a splitting of the light source and the light source is emitted from apertures near the bottom of the shaft, one beam at approximately in a horizontal plane, a second beam pointed downward behind the ball. The primary disadvantage of this design is that it is permanently mounted inside the club, thereby requiring the purchase of a separate club and eliminating the use of the practice club for tournament play.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,439 discloses mounting a bracket on the face of a golf club by using a magnet. A laser aiming device is mounted on the bracket and positioned above the face, perpendicular to the face plane. Lateral adjustment rings allow the laser aperture to be position over the putter face&#39;s center (i.e., the sweet spot). The laser head is rotated so that the laser beam points to a desired target that may be the ball, the hole or some spot in between. The primary disadvantage of this design is the inability to easily switch between clubs, such as when trying out a new putter prior to purchase, due to the need for a permanent mounting bracket on the face of the club.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,588 discloses a ‘Putter training method’ that uses a laser device to reinforce correct swing mechanics. The laser is mounted high on the putter shaft pointed downward so that a laser spot is viewed on the floor between the golfer&#39;s feet and the heel of the putter. As the golfer swings the club, a laser trace is projected on the floor. The objective is to maintain laser line traces that are parallel to the club head through repetitive swings, thus reinforcing proper stroke mechanics. Alternative disclosures position and align the laser to describe different laser beam paths thus reinforcing swing mechanics relating to impacting a golf ball with the sweet spot of the putter. Although useful for improving swing mechanics, it is less useful for promoting keeping the club face square to the ball and target line regardless of the putting distance.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,230 to Hooker, ‘Methods for training golf putting skills,’ discloses methods of training putting mechanics using a laser light source as feedback. Much of what is disclosed is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,588. The method of positioning the laser over the sweet spot and requiring the golfer to maintain the laser spot behind the golf ball so that impact of the ball occurs with the sweet spot is emphasized. No feedback with respect to distant targets is provided.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,531 to Hooker, ‘Method for training golf putting skills,’ discloses much of what is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,230 with the added emphasis of keeping the laser spot on the golf ball after impact and until the ball reaches the target. This method reinforces the mechanics of maintaining follow through toward the target. No target alignment training is provided.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,537 to Hooker, ‘Methods for training golf putting skills,’ discloses much of what is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,531. The emphasis is in the method where the practicing golfer maintains a straight laser line on follow through. The primary disadvantage of this design and its associated methods is that it is limited to a body alignment and follow-through tool, without providing target aim feedback  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,944 discloses a putter training method that uses a laser mounted on the putter shaft to trace the paths of practice putting swings. The training objective is to maintain the laser spots in a straight path parallel to a guide that has been placed on the putting surface. The exercise is repetitively done to reinforce the mechanics of a straight swing. The primary disadvantages of this design is that it has limited sweet spot alignment capabilities and only provides swing line feedback, not target aim feedback.  
           [0014]    What would be truly useful is a laser alignment golf training aid that (i) provides accurate target aim feedback; (ii) attaches and detatches easily from a club; (iii) requires no permanent modifications to the club; and (iv) aligns with the sweet spot quickly and accurately.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    The present invention provides a golf training aid that incorporates laser alignment. It can be easily installed and aligned on a variety of putters or other clubs to provide club alignment feedback. The use of the golf training aid of the present invention promotes keeping the club face square to the ball and target line regardless of the putting distance. The assembly method provides a more accurate and affordable device.  
           [0016]    It is an object of the invention to provide a golf training aid that is easy to mount and accurately align on a golf club.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the invention provide a golf training aid that provides improved target alignment feedback due improved alignment positioning and reduced vibration in use.  
           [0018]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide method of making a golf alignment aid that improves its accuracy in use. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the present invention in preparation for alignment.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the present invention in preparation for alignment.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the present invention in a use position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the present invention in preparation for alignment of the support bar.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the present invention in preparation for alignment relative to the sweet spot of a golf club.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the present invention showing the transition between an alignment position and a target aiming position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 illustrates use of the present invention for target alignment feedback. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    As illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3 , the training aid device  100  of the present invention includes a clamp  110  that is dimensioned to attached to the lower portion of a golf club shaft S.  
         [0027]    The clamp  110  can be manufactured from lightweight alloy in various sizes to fit different shaft diameters and can include a split plastic bushing (i.e., a plastic sleeve or shim) P to protect the shaft finish and adjust for slight differences in shaft diameters. It is also possible to attach an equivalent structure to the clamp  110  itself. The clamp  110  is of a single-pivot type. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp  110  has main section  120  and a single pivoting section  130  having a pivot means therebetween, such as a hinge pivot  122 . The pivoting section  130  engages the pivot  122  at a first end  132  and further includes a shaft engaging mid-portion  134  and means for securing the pivoting section  130  at the second end  136 .  
         [0028]    The main section  120  of the clamp  110  includes a shaft-engaging mid-portion  124 . A preferred means for securing the pivoting portion  130  of the clamp  110  to the main portion  120  is by use of a threaded fastener  150  that engages an internally-threaded hole (not shown) in said main section  120 . The threaded fastener is secured with a hand-operated means, such as a large knurled alloy knob  140 . The knob  140  or other means should have an effective diameter that is preferably greater than 15 mm to enable enough torque to provide sufficient hand-tightening of the clamp  110 . The use of the single-pivot clamp allows for easy installation and removal of the training aid from a club yet provides a secure attachment so as to reduce vibration that would be noticeable when using the device.  
         [0029]    In addition to pivoting section  130 , the clamp  110  includes at least one flange member  160  integrated with the main portion  120 . The at least one flange member  160  extends in a plane parallel to the pivot  122 . The at least one flange member  160  includes a means, such as a hole or threaded hole (not shown) to accept a threaded fastener used to pivotally secure a support shaft  170 .  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the main portion  120  of the clamp  110  includes a pair of spaced flanges  160  having aligned holes. The support shaft  170  includes a flange  172  dimensioned to fit between the spaced flanges  160 . The shaft flange  172  includes a hole (not shown) for aligning with the holes in that spaced flanges  160  so as to accept a threaded fastener to form a pivoting connection for the support shaft  170  relative to the clamp  110 .  
         [0031]    The threaded fastener includes at last one hand-engagable member, such as a knurled knob  162  or a wing nut  164  to allow the position of the support shaft  170  to be adjusted by hand. Although illustrated with both, it is clear that knob  162  could be replaced with other means, such as a locking fastener head and that the wing-nut  164  could be replaced with other means, such as a threaded hole in one clamp flange  160 , without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0032]    The support shaft  170  is preferably steel or a lightweight alloy and includes the above-mentioned flange portion  172  and a sufficient length of a circular cross-section portion  174  for mounting an aiming assembly  180 . A significant portion of this circular cross-section portion  174  is hollow for weight savings.  
         [0033]    The aiming assembly  180  includes a clamping assembly  190  and an aiming device  182  for projecting an optical aiming beam. Although a laser is preferred as the aiming device  182 , it is also possible to use focused visible and infrared light beams (although infrared beam would require a detector at the target).  
         [0034]    The clamping assembly  190  preferably includes a body  191  formed from a single piece of lightweight alloy as a unitary element and includes an aiming device retention clamp  192  and securing means  194  for securing the aiming device  182  and a support bar clamp  196  and hand-operable fastener  197  with a knurled knob  198  for adjustably securing the aiming assembly  180  to the support shaft  170 . The respective clamps are perpendicular to each other and securing means for said perpendicular clamps are preferably attached outboard of said support bar and said optical beam-emitting device so as to form a rigid structure that minimizes vibrations.  
         [0035]    To use the device of the present invention, the clamp  110  is opened (see FIG. 1) and secured to a lower portion of a golf club shaft S, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The support shaft  170  is aligned to be parallel with the club face C and sole B (so as to be parallel with the putting surface), as illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0036]    The aiming assembly  180  is then positioned on the support bar  170  at a location in line with the sweet spot X of the club face C by turning on the optical beam O and aligning the assembly  180  so as to have the beam O point at the sweet spot or a marker representative thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0037]    As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the aiming assembly  180  is then rotated so as to aim the beam O at a desired golf target T. The user can then practice golf shots, such as putting or chipping, and receive club alignment feedback via the emitted beam O.  
         [0038]    The fabrication of the device in accordance with the disclosed design reduces “slop” and vibration to produce a more accurate device by eliminating major sources of these problems. The use of a single-pivot clamp with an integral pair of flanges to attach the support bar eliminates the error caused by pivot and attachment tolerances. The positioning and assembly of the securing means for said perpendicular clamps of the aiming assembly in an outboard location (eliminating any fasteners or interfaces between said support bar and said optical beam-emitting device) forms a rigid structure that minimizes vibrations. The hollow support bar and alloy fastener knobs reduce the weight and vibration associated therewith.  
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the training aid device is less than three ounces so as to minimize vibration of the device and minimize the influence/feel of the device on the user&#39;s golf stroke. To minimize the weight, hardware such as the knurled knobs should preferably be formed from lightweight allows such as aluminum. A preferred aiming device is a battery-powered Class IIIA laser device that conforms to 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11.  
         [0040]    Although disclosed with respect to a preferred embodiment, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.