GB2436071A

GB2436071A - Golf club head with lenticular lens

Info

Publication number: GB2436071A
Application number: GB0605156A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Fitzpatrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-14
Filing date: 2006-03-14
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Also published as: GB0605156D0

Abstract

A golf club head 12 comprising a body 15 having a face 16 designed to be used to strike a golf ball in use along an intended target line and an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens 1; ```wherein the lenticular lens incorporates at least three phases capable of displaying at least first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; ```wherein the lenticular lens is orientated relative to the face of the golf club so as to display the first alignment image when the face is correctly aligned within predetermined tolerances with the intended target line and or the face has a correct degree of loft within predetermined tolerances; ```and wherein the lenticular lens displays the second and third alignment images when the face moves out of alignment with the intended target line and or has an incorrect degree of loft.

Description

IMPROVENTS IN OR RELATING TO GOLF' CLUBS The present invention relates

to improvements in or relating to golf clubs and in particular provides an improved golf club head and golf club that allows for improved alignment of a golf club in use. A method of aligning a golf club is also provided.

An essential requirement in playing the game of golf is exercising control over the alignment and movement of the golf club during the action of swinging the golf club to hit a golf ball. In order to correctly hit the golf ball, a golfer must align the head of the golf club correctly relative to the position of the ball and the intended target line and also control the alignment of the golf club head during the backswing, forward swing, impact with the golf ball and follow through. The initial direction of movement of the golf ball is determined by the direction of motion and momentum imparted to the ball. Therefore, to consistently direct the golf ball at the correct speed and in the correct direction at the moment of contact three requirements are necessary. Firstly, the club face of the golf club head must be square (at 90 to) the intended target line when impact occurs. Secondly, the loft of the golf club head (which for a putter is usually set at 4 ) must be returned to the intended angle of loft at the point of impacting the club face with the golf ball in order to achieve a repeatable direction and speed of movement of the golf ball. Thirdly, the golf club head itself must be travelling at the correct speed to impart sufficient momentum to the golf ball.

The requirement to align the golf club head with the golf ball and the intended target line applies for all types of golf clubs ranging from putters through to irons and woods. However, it has been found that golfers can have particular trouble in aligning the golf club head correctly with the golf ball when using putters. In particular, it has been found that golfers can have a tendency during the backswing and forward swing to incorrectly alter the angle of the face of the golf club head relative to the intended target line and/or the angle of loft of the golf club head by too great a magnitude. In the past attempts have been made to provide golf clubs and golf club heads with alignment devices in order to try and improve a golfer's alignment, backswing and forward swing. US6679781 teaches a golf club which has a head having a set of reflective elements or lenses which are mounted on the upper surface of the club head for example by an adhesive. Preferably, the elements are lenticular lenses. The lenses are aligned to provide an image to the user when the head of the user is positioned directly over the club head. When the user looks down at the club head three images from the three lenses are in view. As the club head is stroked, all three images remain in view if the club is stroked along the proper path through the ball. It has been found that the golf club head taught in US6679781 is deficient in that it is too inaccurate for aligning an article such as a golf club head, especially where the golf club is a putter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf club head, golf club and method of aligning a golf club which provides a more accurate means of alignment.

The applicant has discovered that an important requirement in ensuring a consistent arid correct swing action is to help a golfer limit the change in angle of the club face to the intended target line and limit the change in loft to within an acceptable limit. For a putter this has been found to equate to a maximum angular deviation, either in loft or in squareness' of the club face of approximately 16 degrees.

According to the present invention there is provided a golf club head comprising a body having a face designed to be used to strike a golf ball in use along an intended target line and an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens; wherein the lenticular lens incorporates at least three phases capable of displaying at least first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; wherein the lenticular lens is orientated relative to the face of the golf club so as to display the first alignment image when the face is correctly aligned within predetermined tolerances with the intended target line and or the face has a correct degree of loft within predetermined tolerances; and wherein the lenticular lens displays the second and third alignment images when the face moves out of alignment with the intended target line and or has an incorrect degree of loft.

The lenticular lens preferably comprises a plurality of lens or lens elements.

Preferably the lenticular lens is formed with between and 130 lenses per inch (lpi) . More preferably the lenticular lens is formed with between 60 and 90 lenses per inch (lpi) . In one embodiment the lenticular lens is formed with 75 lenses per inch (lpi) and the lenticular lens incorporates three phases.

The lens may have a gauge thickness of approximately 1.8 mm.

Preferably the first, second and third alignment images are distinguishable from each other by means of shape, colour, or tone.

The lenticular lens may be bonded, adhered or otherwise fixed to an uppermost surface of the golf club head body.

Alternatively, the lenticular lens may be removeably attachable to the golf club head body.

The head may be a putter head.

There is also provided a golf club incorporating such a golf club head. The club may be a putter.

The invention further provides a method of aligning a golf club in use comprising the steps of: providing a body of a golf club head of the golf club with an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens incorporating at least three phases orientated relative to a face of the golf club head, the lenticular lens being of a type to display first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to an intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; aligning the face of the golf club head with the intended target line and or adjusting the degree of loft of the face so as to display the first alignment image; swinging the golf club so as to maintain display of the first alignment image throughout a backswing, ball impact and through swing of the golf club.

Preferably rotating the face of the golf club in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line or the loft of the face is altered by greater than an angle A causes the second alignment image to be displayed and rotatihg the face of the golf club in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line or the loft of the face is altered by greater than an angle B causes the third alignment image to be displayed wherein angle B is greater than angle A. In one embodiment angle A is less than or equal to 16.3 degrees and angle B is less than or equal to 32.7 degrees.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that a single lenticular lens is used to provide guidance advice to a golfer on both the squareness of the club head face to the intended target line and the loft of the club head face.

Of course, the invention also extends to a lenticular lens that provides guidance for only one or other of squareness to the intended target line and loft.

Lenticular lenses are characteristic in that they have the capability to display a change of image when viewed at different viewing angles. Such lenticular lenses are known as phase change lenticular lenses. A typical lenticular lens comprises two components. The first component comprises a plastic (or glass) sheet incorporating a series of parallel lens elements. The second component is a printed (or otherwise) image which is attached to the back of the plastic sheet. The lens elements act to magnify portions of the printed image. The printed image is known as an interlaced image in that it comprises alternating slices of two or more distinct images. The slices are interlaced so that when viewed from one angle the lens elements focus the viewers' sight on a first image but when viewed from another angle a different image is displayed to the viewer. Figure 2 illustrates schematically a two-phase lenticular lens 1. The plastic sheet 2 has a curved surface 3 formed on the viewing side defining the separate lens elements 4 which redirects and refocuses the viewer's line of vision on to one of the two image slices 5, 6 printed on the printed image 7. The viewed image changes when a shifted viewing angle brings different interlaced stripes 5, 6 of the image into focus which are magnified by the lens to fill the width of the lens elements 4.

The lenticular lenses currently available range between and 300 lenses (or lenticules) per inch (lpi) The lpi has a direct correspondence with the necessary thickness (or gauge) of the lens sheet. For example, a lenticular lens with an ipi of 20 will typically have a gauge of 8.5 mm.

Each lenticular lens has a set viewing angle' over which images are clearly visible to the viewer. The radius of the convex lens elements making up the lenticular lens and also the gauge of the material used affect this viewing angle as they alter the physical dimensions of the lenticles and the optical paths available from the printed image, through the lens elements and to the observers eye position.

Table 1 sets out the viewing angles for a number of ipis.

Table 1

ipi Viewing Angle 6 46 47 25 -34 [ _________________________ In a large format lenticular lens sheet, the further away from the image that the sheet is observed, the more either the image or the observer must move in order to achieve a perceived change of image. The distance away from the lens and the viewing angle affects the speed of change of the perceived image from one phase to another.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf club including a golf club head, both according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a

prior art lenticular lens;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a portion of a lenticular lens according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a view of the golf club head of the golf club of Figure 1 as seen by the golfer when the club face is correctly aligned and the loft angle is correct; Figure 5 is a view of the golf club head of Figure 4 with the club face of the golf club head incorrectly aligned to a first degree; and Figure 6 is a view of the golf club head of Figure 4 with the club face of the golf club head incorrectly aligned to a second degree.

As shown in Figure 1, the golf club 10 comprises a golf club head 12, a shaft 13 and grip 14. The shaft 13 and grip 14 are conventional and do not specifically form part of the present invention and will not be described any further.

The golf club head 12 comprises a body 15 having a club face 16 and an upper surface 17. Affixed to the upper surface 17 is a lenticular lens 1.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged portion of the lenticular lens in more detail. The lenticular lens is similar to that shown in Figure 2 and comprises a number of lens elements 4 formed in a plastic sheet 2, with a curved surface 3 formed on the viewing side defining the separate lens elements 4 which redirects and refocuses the viewer's line of vision.

In the lenticular lens as used in the present embodiment three image slices 21, 22, 23 are formed in the printed image 7 to thereby form a three-phase lenticular lens.

The lenticular lens 1 displays a centrally-located correct alignment indicator 32 which may be, for example, a green circle when the club head 12 is correctly aligned in both rotation and loft as shown in Figure 4. As the alignment of the club head 12 moves sufficiently out of correct alignment two first-stage incorrect alignment indicators 33 on either side of the correct alignment indicator 32 are displayed which may be, for example, yellow circles as shown in Figure 5. Finally if the alignment becomes worse two second-stage incorrect alignment indicators 34 in the form of red circles are displayed on either side of the correct alignment indicator 32 as shown in Figure 6.

The indicators 31, 32 and 33 are printed in the lenticular lens in the form of the three interlaced image slices 21, 22, 23.

The lenticular lens 1 is fixed to the upper surface 17 of the golf club head 12 by any suitable means such as adhesive.

The lenticular lens is approximately 6cm by 3cm in size, has a gauge thickness of 1.8 mm and an ipi of 75.

As can be seen from Table 1 above, the lenticular lens 1 has a standard viewing angle of 49 degrees. As the lens has three interlaced images the viewing angle delta required to display sequential images is 16.3 degrees -since the viewing angle of 49 degrees encompasses the three image slices. Therefore, in use as the squareness of the club head to the intended target line or the loft of the club head diverges from the correct alignment by more than 16.3 degrees the yellow indicator circles are displayed. If the alignment diverges by more than 32.7 degrees the red indicator circles are displayed.

It is important to realise that the club face angle relative to the intended target line and the loft do change during the backswing as a natural consequence of the club head moving through an arc-like motion. However, the magnitude of this angular change must be constrained if a consistent stroke is to be achieved. For a putter stroke the maximum magnitude of angular change should be no more than 16 degrees. The device of the present invention acts to warn if an angular deviation of more than the accepLable maximum magnitude has taken place. For a putter this would be 16.3 degrees as described above. It should also be noted that even where a poor swing causes the club face or loft to alter by more than, say, 16.3 degrees at some point during the backswing some of the misalignment may be recovered during the forward swing such that the misalignment is less than 16.3 degrees at the point of impact. Without the use of an alignment device a golfer may, mistakenly, believe that their swing is correctly aligned throughout the striking motion if they happen to recovei all or substantially all of the misalignment during the forward stroke. An advantage of the present device is that it reveals to the golfer whether the alignment is deviating incorrectly at any point of the swing -perhaps due to the golfer breaking' their wrists near the rearmost point of the swing. Poor technique such as this can lead to inconsistent putting results in particular.

-10 -Correct alignment throughout the swing as aided by the present device helps lead to a more consistent stroke.

The present embodiment has been described using a three phase lenticular lens. It will be appreciated that more than three phases may be incorporated in the lens if desired.

This would result in the use of more than three indicator images being used. The present invention finds particular application to a putter head or putter but may be utilised for other golf clubs. In particular short irons where the club head remains potentially visible to the golfer throughout the swing.

Claims

-11 -Claims: 1. A golf club head comprising a body having a face

designed to be used to strike a golf ball in use along an intended target line and an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens; wherein the lenticular lens incorporates at least three phases capable of displaying at least first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; wherein the lenticular lens is orientated relative to the face of the golf club so as to display the first alignment image when the face is correctly aligned within predetermined tolerances with the intended target line and or the face has a correct degree of loft within predetermined tolerances; and wherein the lenticular lens displays the second and third alignment images when the face moves out of alignment with the intended target line and or has an incorrect degree of loft.
2. A golf club head as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lenticular lens comprises a plurality of lens or lens elements.
3. A golf club head as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lenticular lens is formed with between 50 and lenses per inch (ipi) -12 -
4. A golf club head as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lenticular lens is formed with between 60 and 90 lenses per inch (lpi).
5. A golf club head as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lenticular lens is formed with 75 lenses per inch (lpi)
6. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lenticular lens incorporates three phases.

6. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim having a gauge thickness of approximately 1.8 mm.
7. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first, second and third alignment images are distinguishable from each other by means of shape, colour, or tone.
8. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lenticular lens is bonded, adhered or otherwise fixed to an uppermost surface of the golf club head body.
9. A golf club head as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the lenticular lens is removeably attachable to the golf club head body.
10. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the head is a putter head.
11. A golf club comprising a golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim.

-13 -
12. A golf club as claimed in claim 11 wherein the club is a putter.
13. A method of aligning a golf club in use comprising the steps of: providing a body of a golf club head of the golf club with an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens incorporating at least three phases orientated relative to a face of the golf club head, the lenticular lens being of a type to display at least first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to an intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; aligning the face of the golf club head with the intended target line and or adjusting the degree of loft of the face so as to display the first alignment image; swinging the golf club so as to maintain display of the first alignment image throughout a backswing, ball impact and through swing of the golf club.
14. A method of aligning a golf club as claimed in claim 13 wherein rotating the face of the golf club in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line or the loft of the face is altered by greater than an angle A causes the second alignment image to be displayed and rotating the face of the golf club in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line or the loft of the face is altered by greater than an angle B causes the third alignment image to be displayed wherein angle B is greater than angle A. -14 -
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein angle A is less than or equal to 16.3 degrees.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein angle B is less than or equal to 32.7 degrees. iS

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims: 1. A golf club head comprising a body having a face designed to be used to strike a golf ball in use along an intended target line and an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens; wherein the lenticular lens incorporates at least three phases capable of displaying at least first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; wherein the lenticular lens is orientated relative to the face of the golf club so as to display the first alignment image when the face is correctly aligned within predetermined tolerances with the intended target line and or the face has a correct degree of loft within predetermined tolerances; and wherein the lenticular lens displays the second and * third alignment images when the face moves out of alignment with the intended target line and or has an incorrect degree of loft.

2. A golf club head as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lenticular lens comprises a plurality of lens or lens elements.

3. A golf club head as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lenticular lens is formed with between 50 and lenses per inch (lpi) (1.97 and 5.12 lens per mm).

4. A golf club head as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lenticular lens is formed with between 60 and 90 lenses per inch (ipi) (2.35 and 3.54 lens per mm) 5. A golf club head as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lenticular lens is formed with 75 lenses per inch (lpi) (2.95 lens per mm).

6. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lenticular lens incorporates three phases.

7. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim having a gauge thickness of approximately 1.8 mm.

8. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first, second and third alignment images are distinguishable from each other by means of shape, colour, or tone. * * * . S

9. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lenticular lens is bonded, adhered or otherwise fixed to an uppermost surface of the golf club head body.

10. A golf club head as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the lenticular lens is removeably attachable to the golf club head body.

11. A golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the head is a putter head.

12. A golf club comprising a golf club head as claimed in any preceding claim.

13. A golf club as claimed in claim 12 wherein the club is a putter.

14. A method of aligning a golf club in use comprising the steps of: providing a body of a golf club head of the golf club with an alignment device in the form of a lenticular lens incorporating at least three phases orientated relative to a face of the golf club head, the lenticular lens being of a type to display at least first, second and third alignment images as the face of the golf club head is rotated in a substantially horizontal plane relative to an intended target line and or the loft of the face is altered; aligning the face of the golf club head with the intended target line and or adjusting the degree of loft of the face so as to display the first alignment image; swinging the golf club so as to maintain display of the first alignment image throughout a backswing, ball impact and through swing of the golf club.

15. A method of aligning a golf club as claimed in claim 14 wherein rotating the face of the golf club in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line or the loft of the face is altered by greater than an angle A causes the second alignment image to be displayed and rotating the face of the golf club in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the intended target line or the loft of the face is altered by greater than an angle B causes the third alignment image to be displayed wherein angle B is greater than angle A.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein angle A is less than or equal to 16.3 degrees.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein angle B is less than or equal to 32.7 degrees.