Abstract:
A golf club and target practice arrangement is disclosed for use in the game of golf. The golf club includes a shaft and a head attached to the shaft. A cavity is formed in the head and a removable light-producing insert is located within the cavity which, when activated, can project a beam of light from the golf club to the target. A non-light producing insert is also provided so as to be selectively received within the cavity in place of the light producing insert. The target includes a reflective surface and a plurality of light-receiving sensors for receiving the beam of light from the golf club. Further included on the target are an indicator light and a speaker for providing visual and audio feedback when the beam of light contacts the sensors. A visor and a tunnel may also be used with the target to shield outside light which may interfere with the sensors and visibility of the indicator light under certain conditions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/351,606, filed Feb. 10, 2006; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/283,488, filed Nov. 18, 2005; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/659,648, filed Sep. 10, 2003; which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/409,463, filed Sep. 10, 2002; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/447,593, filed on Feb. 14, 2003; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/457,804, filed on Mar. 26, 2003; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/471,953, filed on May 20, 2003. The subject matter disclosed in these applications is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to golf, and more particularly to a golf club and practice arrangement that facilitates development of proper club head aiming techniques.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     One element of a proper golf shot is proper orientation or aim of the club head. It is important that the club head be properly oriented relative to the golf ball and to the target during set-up of the golf shot. A proper golf swing or stroke will return the club head to the golf ball at substantially the same orientation and alignment adopted by the player during set-up. Thus, when addressing the golf ball, it is important the club head be properly oriented and aimed relative to a primary target along the desired line of ball flight or roll.  
         [0006]     The most-used club in golf is the putter. The most important and difficult task to accomplish with a putter is proper aim. To achieve proper alignment and orientation, one typically practices, without outside aid, until a proper golf swing is achieved, through a process of trial and error. Such a process is time-consuming, and with modern technologies, can be aided with the help of practice arrangements which can facilitate development of proper putting techniques.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one embodiment, the present invention facilitates the development and practice of proper putter aim, one of the fundamentals in putting and one of the most difficult to master.  
         [0008]     In certain embodiments, the present invention is intended primarily as a practice device which may be used both indoors and out. However, the golf club of the present invention may also be used in actual play on a course. This is desirable in that it eliminates the need to transfer learning from a practice device to an alternate club used in regulation play.  
         [0009]     In certain embodiments, the practice arrangement and golf club of the present invention is well-suited for both purposes—practice and regulation play—and may be used both to learn proper aim and alignment of the golf club, as well as to actually play the game of golf.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the present invention includes a golf club with a shaft, a head attached to the shaft, a light-producing insert, and a non-light-producing insert. The head has a ball-striking surface, an aperture formed in the ball-striking surface for allowing light to pass therethrough and a cavity formed in the head adjacent the aperture. The light-producing insert is configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity. The non-light-producing insert is configured so as to be selectively received within the cavity in place of the light-producing insert.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the non-light-producing insert is substantially equal in weight to the light-producing insert and, in certain embodiments, may be substantially the same size and weight, and have substantially the same weight distribution, as the light-producing insert.  
         [0012]     In certain embodiments, the ball-striking surface of the head has a translucent material disposed over the aperture. A prism, or lens, may be disposed in, or behind, the aperture for transmitting light produced by the light-producing insert. The prism columnates a light beam produced by the light-producing insert such that the light beam forms a line on a surface between the head and a target. In addition to forming a line on a surface, a portion of the light beam may be projected onto a surface of a target.  
         [0013]     In certain embodiments, the prism may be formed as part of the light-producing insert. In these or other embodiments, the aperture is located in an approximate midpoint of the ball-striking surface. A switch may be provided to allow a user to selectively activate the light-producing insert.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, the light-producing insert can include a battery-powered laser device. The non-light-producing insert may be formed of any material having an appropriate size, weight and weight distribution.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the invention includes a practice arrangement, which includes a combination of a golf club and a target. The golf club includes a shaft, a head attached to the shaft, a light-producing insert, and a non-light-producing insert. The head has a ball-striking surface, an aperture formed in the surface allowing light to pass therethrough and a cavity formed in the head adjacent the aperture. The light-producing insert is configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity. The non-light-producing insert is configured so as to be selectively received within the cavity in place of the light-producing insert.  
         [0016]     The target has both a surface for reflecting and a surface for receiving at least a portion of a light beam produced by the light-producing insert to provide an indication of the orientation of the head relative to the target. The target may have a surface which extends transversely to a target line defined by the light-producing insert. The surface may have a plurality of regularly-shaped marks thereon. A portion of the target may be configured so as to extend into a golf hole, or cup, to secure the target in position relative to the hole.  
         [0017]     The concepts disclosed are not limited to use with a golf club of the exact type illustrated in the drawings, but may be used with golf clubs of many shapes, sizes or dimensions. Additional embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent to those of skill in the relevant arts upon consideration of the following description of the illustrated embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club and target practice arrangement according to the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the golf club with a light-producing insert according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the golf club with a non-light-producing insert according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the golf club with a light-producing insert according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the golf club taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 4A  according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the golf club with a non-light-producing insert according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the golf club taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 5A  according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the golf club with a light-producing insert according to the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the golf club with no insert according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the target;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the target seen in  FIG. 8 , including a visor and light tunnel;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the embodiment of the target seen in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11A  is a top plan view of the embodiment of the target seen in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a front view of the embodiment of the target seen in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 12A  is a top plan view of the embodiment of the target seen in  FIG. 9 , including a visor and light tunnel; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 12B  is a front view of the embodiment of the target seen in  FIG. 9 , including a visor and light tunnel; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club and target practice arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention, and as used to practice alignment for a putting stroke. Golf club  10  includes a shaft  12  and a head  14  which is attached to the shaft  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the golf club head  14  is specifically designed for use in putting. The head  14  includes a ball-striking surface or face  16 . A target  22  is shown inserted into a cup  34  which may be a hole on a practice green or a regulation green, or another object in an indoor or outdoor setting. The target  22  may include an inner, generally semi-circular surface  24  having a plurality of regularly-spaced marks illustrated, for example, by marks  26  and  28  spaced thereon. The surface  24  acts as a reflective surface for a beam of light, illustrated by broken line  30 , produced by a light-producing insert  36  of club  10  and projected along broken line  30  to target  22  to be received by sensors  88 , as is further discussed below.  
         [0035]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , an aperture  18  is preferably formed in inset surface  17  formed in face  16  for allowing light to pass from the inside of head  14  through inset surface  17 . Covering aperture  18  is translucent element  20  which may be formed, by way of example, of clear plastic. The element  20  fits into the inset surface  17  and is preferably used to provide a smooth planar surface along that portion of surface  16  which makes contact with a golf ball. Element  20  further serves to protect the light-producing insert  36 .  
         [0036]     A cavity  13  (see, for example,  FIG. 7 ) is formed within the head  14  for receiving the light-producing insert  36 . Insert  36  includes a light-producing source  46 , such as a laser. Relatively small lasers of the type which may be used in this invention are generally available and are used in hand-held pointing devices, firearm aiming devices, and in other applications. Light-producing source  46  is powered by one or more batteries  38 , and produces a light beam which, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 B, is projected from a central portion  40  of insert  36  through a prism or lens  19  and aperture  18 . Weights  48  are preferably inserted into insert  36  so as to allow for insert  36  to have the same weight and weight distribution as a non-light-producing insert  50 , which will be described in more detail below.  
         [0037]     The prism  19  is located in the path of the light beam, to columnate and direct a portion of the beam of light beam produced by a light-producing insert  36  in a path following line  30  along the surface between the club  10  and the target  22 , and another portion of the beam along line  30  directly toward the target  22 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 4A  and  4 B, the prism  19  is shown as an integral portion of insert  36 , but may be separately mounted in aperture  18  in other embodiments.  
         [0038]     The insert  36  also includes a circuit board  54  to which the prism  19 , light-producing source  46 , and an activation switch  56 , is preferably mounted. A housing  58  is provided to enclose the circuit board  54 , prism  19 , light-producing source  46 , batteries  38  and switch  56 , while providing an opening for the switch  56  over which a switch button  60  is placed.  
         [0039]     A bottom access cover  64  is provided to enclose and provide for ready access to the internal cavity and to allow for easy interchange of inserts  36  and  50 . The access cover may be secured by screws  62 . In other embodiments, either one or another of the access cover  64 , the light-producing insert  36  and the non-light-producing insert  50  (or any combination thereof) may be provided with a snap fit for connection to head  14  to facilitate access to, removal of, and interchangeability of the inserts.  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  depicts the bottom face of club head  14  with access cover  64  secured thereto. The switch button  60  extends through an opening in the access cover  64 , which allows a user to selectively activate the light-producing insert  36  to selectively project a light beam along line  30  when desired by applying downward pressure upon the club, causing the switch button  60  to make contact with a surface, such as the ground below for turning on switch  56 . Alternately, a user can activate and deactivate the light-producing insert  36  by manually pressing on switch button  60 .  
         [0041]     As seen in  FIGS. 3, 5A  and  5 B, a non-light-producing insert  50  and a bottom access cover  66  may be used in place of light-producing insert  36  and bottom access cover  64 , respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, insert  50  and bottom access cover  66  are substantially the same size and weight, and have substantially the same weight distribution, as light-producing insert  36  and bottom access cover  64 . Alternatively, insert  50  may be of varying weights, so as to meet a user&#39;s desire for a lighter or heavier golf club  10  than the club  10  with the light-producing insert  36 . Use of the insert  50  and cover  66  may be desirable in instances where club  10  is used in regulation golf play, such as those tournaments or rounds requiring conformity to the Rules of Golf promulgated by the United States Golf Association, or other instances in which a user does not wish to have the light-producing insert  36  installed.  
         [0042]     This invention allows a user to become accustomed to and practiced at aiming the ball-striking surface  16  of the club  10  directly at the target  22 . The regularly-spaced markings  26 ,  28  on surface  24  of target  22 , which in some embodiments may extend laterally from cup  34  to a greater extent than shown in  FIGS. 1, 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 B, and  12 B, allow a user to aim at a target other than the center of the cup, if desired. This is often necessary to accommodate for irregular or uneven putting surfaces.  
         [0043]     As is seen in  FIG. 10 , the target  22  includes a bottom plate  90  which preferably covers a cavity  91  and may be fastened to the target  22  by a plurality of fasteners. A circuit board  80  is provided to which an activation switch  82 , an indicator light  84 , a speaker  86  and a plurality of sensors  88  are preferably attached. Along the back of the target  22 , an opening  108  is included into which a battery pack  92  connected to circuit board  80  is placed. A back cover  94  is provided to protect the battery pack  92 . Along the surface  24  of the target  22 , an opening is provided into which a translucent light pipe  78  is removably secured, preferably fitting over indicator light  84 . Another opening, a speaker hole  96 , as seen in  FIGS. 8, 11B  and  12 B, is provided in the surface  24  for sound waves from the speaker  86  to be more readily dispersed to a user of the target  22 . A separate opening  106  is provided in the surface  24  for the plurality of sensors  88  to be accessible to receive the light beams along line  30  produced by the club  10 . An insert  74  with an opening  75  and the projections  76  is placed in the opening  106 .  
         [0044]     It should be noted that bright sunlight or artificial light may cause the path of the light beam along line  30  to be obscured, or become very dim, causing the plurality of sensors to be unable to receive light beams emitted from the club  10 . This situation may also cause the light emitted from the indicator light  84  to become obscured to a user of the target  22 . In such an event, a tunnel  70  is provided, as seen in  FIGS. 9, 12A  and  12 B, with hole parts for removably fitting on to the projections  76  of the insert  74  so as to anchor the tunnel  70  within the target  22 . An opening  71  at the rear of the tunnel  70  is aligned with the opening  75  in insert  74  when the tunnel  70  is removably fitted on to the projections  76 , allowing the sensors  88  to remain accessible to receive the light beams along line  30  produced by the club  10 , but shielding the sensors  88  from sunlight or artificial light. Additionally, a visor  72  is provided to be removably fitted between a top flange  100  and a bottom flange  102 , as is seen in  FIGS. 8, 11A  and  11 B, shielding sunlight or artificial light which would otherwise obscure the light beams from the indicator light  84 , allowing the light beams from the indicator light  84  to be visible to the user.  
         [0045]     In operation and as seen in  FIG. 1 , a user places the target  22  on a surface. Such a user may prefer to place the target  22  over an actual golf cup  34 . In such a case, golf tees  104  may be placed in tee holes  98  to removably secure the target  22  in the ground around the cup  34 . If sunlight is so bright as to obstruct view of the light beams emitted from club  10  along the line  30 , the visor  72  and the tunnel  70  may be installed on target  22 . Installation of the visor  72  and the tunnel  70  may also be performed when the target is used indoors under intense artificial light conditions.  
         [0046]     A user then activates the target  22  by moving the activation switch  82  to an “on” position, in which the battery pack of the target  22  provides voltage to the sensors  88 , enabling the sensors  88  to receive light beams emitted from the light-producing source  46  of the club  10 . Voltage is also provided to the speaker  86  and the indicator light  84 .  
         [0047]     As is further seen in  FIG. 1 , a user may position the club  10 , with the light-producing insert  36  and the bottom access cover  64  installed thereon, at a distance away from the target  22 . A user then activates the light-producing source  46  in the club  10  by depressing the switch button  60 . Such movement causes the switch  56  to be moved to an “on” position, causing the batteries  38  to provide voltage to the light-producing source  46 . Beams of light are then projected outwardly through aperture  18  and through translucent element  20  along the line  30 . The target  22 , with the activation switch  82  in the “on” position, receives the beams of light along the surface  24 , which acts as a reflecting surface, and through the light-receiving sensors  88  when the club  10  is properly aligned to the target  22 . Circuitry provided by the circuit board  80  in the target  22  then causes the indicator light  84  to light and the speaker  86  to emit a tone, allowing the user to receive information both visually and aurally that the club  10  is in proper alignment with the target  22 .  
         [0048]     Although the above description refers to a particular means, materials and embodiments, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to adapt to various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.