Abstract:
A club stroke alignment tool is used to evaluate and modify a club stroke. The club stroke alignment tool includes a contact plate that is rotatably coupled to a base that is movable on a surface. When hit with a club, the club stroke alignment tool provides data about an amount of rotation of a clubface, discrepancy from a center strike, and swing trajectory. The data is compared to a predetermined standards to find one or more discrepancies. If discrepancies exist, the stoke is modified to reduce the discrepancies on the next impact between the club and the club stroke alignment tool.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    Implementations are generally directed to a club stroke alignment tool and methods using the club stroke alignment tool, particularly a club stroke alignment tool for improving a player&#39;s precision club and ball sport performance. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Precision club and ball sports such as golf, polo, baseball, and hockey involve complex motions. As used herein, a ball is an object the player wishes to hit with the club, such as a golf ball, a hockey puck, a softball, baseball, or a cricket ball. There are many parameters that affect a player&#39;s success at the game. The environmental parameters include, for example, the strength and direction of the wind, the temperature, humidity, and the level of friction on the ground (e.g., the type of grass on the fairway). The stroke parameters that determine a direction of trajectory of the ball include the clubface orientation, impact force direction, and club swing. An error in the club hold or swing dwarfs the player&#39;s skills and may cause physical injury. 
         [0003]    Amateurs and athletes alike often find it challenging to develop the skill of having a proper stroke. Accordingly, it would be an advantage to provide a club stroke alignment tool to help players develop their skills in having a proper club hold, orientation, aim and swing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In some embodiments, a golf stroke alignment tool comprises a contact segment, a base, and an indicator. The contact segment has a contact body with a proximal end configured to contact at least a portion of a golf club head of a golf club upon impact of the golf club head with the proximal end. The base is rotatably coupled to the contact body. The indicator is coupled to the contact body, wherein the indicator is configured to provide information about a rotation of the contact segment relative to the base. 
         [0005]    In yet another implementation, a method for aligning a stroke for a desired ball trajectory includes receiving data about a golf stroke from a club stroke alignment tool. The club stroke alignment tool includes a contact segment, an indicator, and a base. The contact segment has a proximal end configured to engage at least a portion of a club head. The base is rotatably coupled to the contact segment. The indicator is coupled to the contact segment and is configured to provide information about a rotation of the contact segment relative to the base. The method further includes comparing the data about the club stroke to a predetermined standard to find a match. When there is a discrepancy between the data about the club stroke and the predetermined standard, a modification is determined for the club stroke to reduce the discrepancy for a subsequent club stroke. 
         [0006]    In yet another implementation, a club stroke alignment tool includes a contact segment, an indicator, and abase that is rotatably coupled to the contact segment. The indicator is coupled to the contact segment and configured to provide information about an orientation of a clubface of a respective club upon impact of the clubface with the contact segment. The base is configured to provide information about a direction of a swing of the respective club upon the impact of the clubface with the contact segment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Implementations will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of a golf club; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a close up side view of a golf club head and a trajectory of a ball upon impact; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are each a schematic illustrating an effect of a rotated club head on a trajectory of a ball; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A-3B and 4  are each a schematic illustrating the effect of a stroke force direction on a ball; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are each a schematic illustrating respective club swings; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a club stroke alignment tool; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of the club stroke alignment tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the club stroke alignment tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7C  is a back view of the club stroke alignment tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic of an articulated club stroke alignment tool; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are each a schematic illustrating respective club strokes using a club stroke alignment tool; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of a method for aligning a golf stroke using a golf stroke alignment tool. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an implementation,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0021]    The described features, structures, or characteristics of the technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the technology may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the technology. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a club, shown as golf club  100 , includes a grip  104 , a shaft  106 , and a club head  108 . Although  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a golf club, any club used in a precision club and ball sport is applicable; for example, a club with a flat clubface, such as a hockey club, is applicable. The shaft  106  is illustrated with a shaft coordinate system  112  having an shaft origin at  110 , a shaft x-axis  114 , a shaft y-axis  116 , and a shaft z-axis  118 . The shaft coordinate system  112  is rotated relative to a ball coordinate system  122 , which has its own ball origin  120 , ball x-axis  124 , ball y-axis  126 , and ball z-axis  128 . The translational and rotational relationship between the shaft and ball coordinate systems is mathematically determinable through coordinate transformation equations. 
         [0023]    In the golf example illustrated in  FIG. 1B , when the bottom surface  107  of the club head  108  lies flat on the ground and the clubface  109  hits the center of the ball, the trajectory  130  of the ball is directed towards the target  132 . However, lack of a proper relationship between the shaft  106  (and thus the clubface) and the ball (e.g., the shaft coordinate system  112  and/or the ball coordinate system  122 ) results in errors in the trajectory  130  of the ball. Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2B , schematics illustrated exemplary mis-positioning of the shaft coordinate system  112  relative to the ball coordinate system  122  resulting in a missed target  132 . In  FIG. 2A , the shaft  106  (and consequently the clubface  109 ) is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft z-axis  118 , resulting in the trajectory  202  that is left of the target  132 . In  FIG. 2B , the shaft  106  (and consequently the clubface  109 ) is rotated clockwise about the shaft z-axis  118 , resulting in the trajectory  204  that is right of the target  132 . Alternatively, or in combination, similar mis-positioning of the shaft coordinate system  112  and the ball coordinate system  122  can occur due to rotations about the shaft x-axis  114  and/or the shaft y-axis  116 , resulting in missing the target  132  (not shown). 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 , a spin is produced on the ball  302  when the clubface  109  does not produce a center strike, but hits the ball  302  off center due to translation of the clubface  109  in the ball x-axis  124  direction. Such an unintentional spin on the ball  302  can result in a missed target. In  FIG. 3A , a schematic illustrates a first positioning of the club head  108  relative to the ball  302 , and consequently between the shaft coordinate system  112  and the ball coordinate system  122  (shaft x-axis  114  and ball y-axis  126  not shown for ease of illustration). Here, a swing of the club  100 , and consequently the club head  108 , produces a force  306  that is directed towards the center  304  of the ball  302  such that the ball  302  takes flight without a spin (“center strike”). Conversely, in  FIGS. 3B and 4 , a translation of the club head  108  along the ball x-axis  124  produces a spin on the ball  302  upon impact. In  FIG. 3B  a translation of the club head  108  backwards along the ball x-axis  124  produces a clockwise spin  310  on the ball  302  because the direction of force  308  is to the left of the center  304  of the ball  302 . In  FIG. 4  a translation of the club head  108  forward along the ball x-axis  124  produces a counterclockwise spin  406  on the ball  402  because the direction of force  406  is to the right of the center  304  of the ball  402 . 
         [0025]    Another parameter that affects a club stroke is the swing. Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , a plurality of respective swings are illustrated. In  FIG. 5A , a player  500  places the clubface  509  of a club  506  perpendicular to the designed path  510  between the ball  504  and a target  502 . Assuming there is no effect from elevation or wind, if the player  500  swings the club  506  from right to left along the desired path  510 , the ball  504  will follow the desired path  510  towards the target  502  upon impact. However, if the swing is misdirected, the ball  504  will miss the target  502  even if the clubface  509  is perpendicular to desired path  510  in  FIG. 5A . To illustrate, in  FIGS. 5B and 5C , the player  500  swings from right to left along the trajectories  520  and  530 , respectively, each of which are not collinear with the desired path  510 . Consequently, the balls  514  and  524  respectively follow the corresponding trajectory  520  and  530  upon impact and will miss the corresponding targets  512  and  522  even though the clubface  509  is perpendicular to the respective trajectories,  520  and  530 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C , schematics illustrate an exemplary club stroke alignment tool  600  (also referred to as a club stroke alignment apparatus). In some embodiments, the club stroke alignment tool  600  includes a contact segment coupled to each of a base  604  and an indicator  608 . In  FIG. 6 , the contact segment is shown as a substantially planar contact plate  602  having a contact body  607 , also referred to as “body of contact segment”  607  with a proximal end  603  and a distal end  617 . The club stroke alignment tool  600  has a tool coordinate system  624 . 
         [0027]    The base  604  has a base body  605 , here shown as substantially planar with a triangular shape. In certain embodiments, the base  604  includes a motion means that allows movement on a surface, such as translation of the club stroke alignment tool  600  within a tool x-axis and tool y-axis plane. For example, the base  604  includes rollers configured to allow motion on a surface when hit with a club. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C , the rollers are three wheels  614 ,  616  and  618  that are positioned into a triangular formation. The back wheels  614  and  616  are coupled to the base  604  via an axle carrier  620 . The back wheels  614  and  616  are smaller than the center wheel  618  to allow for unobstructed rotation of the contact plate  602  relative to the base  604 . Other planar motion means are also contemplated such as using spherical balls instead of wheels or a cylinder instead of back wheels  614  and  616 . 
         [0028]    Yet another example of a means for motion includes an air projection plate that sits under the club stroke alignment tool  600 . The air projection plate injects pressurized air towards the club stroke alignment tool  600  such that the club stroke alignment tool  600  floats above the plate and is capable of translation within the tool x-axis and tool y-axis plane, for example. 
         [0029]    The contact plate  602  is coupled to the base  604  in a manner that restricts translation of the contact plate  602  relative to the base  604 . In certain embodiments, the contact body  607  of the contact plate  602  is rotatably coupled to the base  604  such that tool x-axis rotation of the contact body  607  relative to the base  604  is substantially restricted and tool y-axis rotation of the contact body  607  relative to the base  604  is substantially restricted but tool z-axis rotation of the contact body  607  relative to the base  604  is not restricted. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated example, the contact plate  602  is pivotally coupled to the base  604  by a pivot  606 . For example, the pivot  606  has small bearings to allow for tool z-axis rotation while minimizing friction between the contact plate  602  and the base  604 . Other means for coupling are also contemplated such as by magnetic coupling or mechanical coupling, such as by a lubricated conical pivot. 
         [0031]    The proximal end  603  of the contact body  607  is adapted to contact or engage with at least a portion of the club head (not shown). Other configurations for the contact body  607  are also contemplated. For example, in certain embodiments, the contact body  607  has a convex shape. 
         [0032]    In certain embodiments, the contact plate  602  is coupled to an indicator, shown as indicator  608 , at the distal end  617  of the contact body  607 . In this example of  FIG. 6 , the indicator is a substantially cylindrical pointer  608 , other configurations are also contemplated. The indicator visually displays an orientation of the contact plate  602  relative to the base  604 . In  FIG. 6 , the pointer  608  is affixed to the distal end  617  of the contact body  607  of the contact plate  602  and remains stationary relative to the contact plate  602  but not stationary relative to the base  604 . Here, the long axis of the pointer  608  is aligned with the tool y-axis  622  when not rotated. When the contact plate  602  is rotated about the tool z-axis at the pivot  606 , the orientation of the indictor visually displays the rotation angle of the contact plate  602  relative to the base  604 . Other forms of indicators which measure and/or display the orientation of the contact plate  602  relative to the base  604  are also contemplated, such as a dial gauge, a digital indicator, and the like. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the club stroke alignment tool  600  includes a calibration system. For example, a magnet  622  is affixed to the base body  605  of the base  604  situated under a tip  619  of the pointer  608 . At the distal end of the pointer  608 , a metallic piece or metallic coating magnetically couples the pointer  608  to the magnet  622 . This keeps the contact plate  602  from rotating about the pivot  606  prior to impact from a club head. 
         [0034]    In certain embodiments, the contact plate  602  includes one or more impact buffers at its proximal end  603 . In  FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C , the impact buffers are illustrated as rubber bumpers  610 A and  610 B that are each adjustable. Other materials for the impact buffers are also contemplated, such as wood, plastic, metal, and the like. Although only two rubber bumpers  610 A and  610 B are illustrated, more or less rubber bumpers are also contemplated. The rubber bumpers  610 A and  610 B are removable such that they can be placed into any of a plurality of apertures  611  (e.g., holes) in order to adjust the distance  612  between the impact buffers to match the width of a club head (not shown). The halfway point  613  in the distance  612  represents the desired location of an impact force for a center strike. If the club head misses one or more of the impact points during impact (e.g., when the club head engages with the ball) of the club head with the contact plate  602 , then the club head is not positioned for a center strike. In certain embodiments, an off-center strike produces a rotation of the contact plate  602  about the tool z-axis and the pointer  608  rotates visually indicating the off-center impact. 
         [0035]    Other forms of impact buffers are also contemplated. For example, in some embodiments the impact buffers include sensors that detect a level of compression force or pressure at each sensor (e.g., strain gauges or piezoelectric sensor). A value for each of the compression forces/pressures and/or a comparison of the values is then displayed to the player, such as by an electronic display. When the compression forces/pressures are not equal between the two sensors then the club head is not positioned for a center strike. 
         [0036]    In certain embodiments, of the club stroke alignment tool  600 , such as one or more of the contact plate  602  and the base  604  is made of natural and/or synthetic material, such as metal, wood, plastic or a combination thereof. Exemplary dimensions for the components of the club stroke alignment tool  600  are as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Component description 
                 Dimension in inches 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Contact Plate 602 Proximal End 603 
                 About between 6 to 12 inches 
               
               
                 impact buffer distance 612 
               
               
                 Club stroke alignment tool 600 length 609 
                 About between 6 to 18 inches 
               
               
                 Wheel to wheel length 615 
                 About between 6 to 12 inches 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , an articulated club stroke alignment tool  800  shows the pointer  808  rotated about the tool z-axis of the tool coordinate system  824 . Here, the contact plate  802  has rotated in the counterclockwise direction relative to the base  804 . In certain embodiments, the rotation of the pointer  808  is due to at least one of: a clubface that is not oriented for a center strike, a clubface that is rotated relative to club stroke alignment tool  800  contact plate orientation, and a swing that produces a trajectory different from the desired path for the ball. 
         [0038]    In certain embodiments, the club stroke alignment tool  800  provides for parameters of a stroke, such as a center strike, clubface orientation, and swing trajectory to be, at least one of: independently discernable, evaluated/determined, and modified/corrected. Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C , a player  900  uses one or more club stroke alignment tools to improve his club stroke. To illustrate, and referring to  FIG. 9A , a player  900  has mistakenly oriented a clubface  909  of a club  908  at an angle that is different from being substantially perpendicular to a desired path  903  towards the target  902 . Moreover, the player&#39;s swing produces a trajectory  907  that is angled downward, from an upper right to a lower left, relative to the desired path  903 . Due to the swing trajectory  907 , when the club  908  engages (e.g., hits) the club stroke alignment tool  904 , the club stroke alignment tool  904  the moves in a direction  910 . Moreover, due to the clubface  909  rotated orientation, a contact plate  905  of the club stroke alignment tool  904  rotates relative to its base. An indicator  906  affixed to the contact plate  905  veers to the right, visually showing a value of the clockwise rotation. Consequently, the stroke parameters of clubface and swing are independently discernable. Here, the player  900  deduces from the travel direction  910  that his swing was angled from an upper right to a lower left relative to the desired path  903 . Moreover, the player  900  deduces from the indicator  906  clockwise rotation that his clubface  909  was rotated clockwise relative to the desired path  903 . The player  900  then modifies his stroke based on this evaluation. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 9B , the player  900  attempts a modified stroke. Here, he has orients a clubface  919  of a club  918  substantially perpendicular to a desired path  913  towards the target  912 . An indicator  916  affixed to contact plate  915  remains substantially stationary relative to the base due to the correct orientation of the clubface  929  during impact. However, in this example, the player&#39;s swing was still misdirected. His swing has a trajectory  917  that is angled downward, from an upper right to a lower left, relative to the desired path  913 . The trajectory  917  of the swing causes the club stroke alignment tool  914  to travel in a direction  920  when the club  918  engages (e.g., hits) the club stroke alignment tool  914 . Here, the player  900  deduces from the non-rotated indicator  916  that his clubface  919  was correctly oriented but his swing was angled from an upper right to a lower left relative to the desired path  913  based on the travel direction  920 . The player  900  then modifies his stroke based on this evaluation. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 9C , the player has corrected both his clubface  929  and swing trajectory  927 . Here, at impact, the clubface  929  is substantially perpendicular to the desired path  923  towards a target  922 . Consequently, the indicator  926  has not rotated. Moreover, given that the player&#39;s  900  swing trajectory  927  is colinear from the desired path  913  the club stroke alignment tool  924  travel direction  930  is also collinear with the desired path  923 . Consequently, the player&#39;s  900  stroke has been corrected and the target  922  meet. 
         [0041]    Similarly, an off-center strike is independently discernable, evaluated/determined, and modified/corrected in certain embodiments. Referring to  FIGS. 9C and 7A , if the player  900  misses one or more of the rubber bumpers  610 A and  610 B, the player  900  detects the off-center strike of the club stroke alignment tool  600 / 924  via the reaction force produced on the club by the club stroke alignment tool  600 / 924  due to the off-center strike. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a flow chart illustrates a method  1000  for improving a golf stroke using an exemplary club stroke alignment tool, also referred to as golf stroke alignment tool. In certain embodiments, one or more steps of method  1000  is practiced by at least one of: a player (e.g., a golfer), an instructor of the player that instructs the player accordingly, a sales person illustrating use of various golf clubs, and a computer program encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium that is processed by a processor of a computing device. 
         [0043]    At step  1002 , a golf stroke alignment tool is oriented towards a target such that the proximal end of the golf stroke alignment tool is towards a golfer&#39;s golf club and the distal end of the golf stroke alignment tool is pointed towards the target. At step  1004 , the golf club strikes the contact plate of the golf stroke alignment tool. For example, the instructor asks a golfer to swing and hit the golf stroke alignment tool. At step  1006 , a determination is made on whether the indicator, here a “pointer” has rotated such that it does not match a predetermined standard, such as a predetermined standard of a zero rotation. If there is no discrepancy, such as when the pointer has not rotated, the method  1000  moves from step  1006  to  1010 . If there is a discrepancy (e.g., the pointer is rotated), the method  1000  moves from step  1006  to step  1008 . At step  1008 , the orientation of the clubface is modified based on the degree of rotation and steps  1004  and  1006  are repeated. To illustrate, if the pointer is rotated clockwise after impact, then the pointer is indicating a discrepancy from predetermined standards such as a center strike and/or having the plane of the clubface be perpendicular to the desired path for the ball. A missed center strike problem causes a sudden rotation of the clubface at impact, which is felt by the player and thus often distinguishable from a rotation of the clubface due to an erroneous club hold. At least one of the orientation and aim of the clubface are, in turn, modified and the golfer strikes the golf stroke alignment tool again using the modification. 
         [0044]    At step  1010 , the golfer is instructed to and/or strikes the alignment tool with the correct orientation of the clubface such that the pointer does not rotate. At step  1016 , the trajectory of the golf stroke alignment tool, such as the trajectory of the base of the golf stroke alignment tool, is compared to the desired path. At step  1018 , if there is no discrepancy then the method  1000  moves to step  1022  where the swing and clubface orientation is determined to be accurate and the golf stroke aligned. If there is a discrepancy at step  1018 , then the method  1000  moves to step  1020 . At step  1020  the swing is modified based on the degree of discrepancy between the trajectory of the base and the desired path and steps  1010 ,  1016 , and  1018  are repeated. 
         [0045]    The various steps or acts in a method or process may be performed in the order shown, or may be performed in another order. Additionally, one or more process or method steps may be omitted or one or more process or method steps may be added to the methods and processes. An additional step, block, or action may be added in the beginning, end, or intervening existing elements of the methods and processes. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods for various implements. Moreover, it is understood that a functional step of described methods or processes, and combinations thereof can be implemented by computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, create means for implementing the functional steps. The instructions may be included in a non-transitory computer readable medium that can be loaded onto a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable apparatus. 
         [0046]    It is understood that the examples and implementations described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.