AU2021200180A1 - Golf club alignment devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a golf alignment device configured to be used with a golf club. The golf club alignment device includes a mounting member extending at an angle from a crown surface of a golf club head. The mounting member may include a reflective surface to assist a player view a pin and align the golf club with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action. Further, the pin (or flagship) may be a centre of a hole. The reflective surface may include a mirror for enabling the player to see the pin and accordingly align the golf club. The golf club alignment device further comprises an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member to suit a stance of the player. 4/4 FIGURE 4A 402 400A 104 "404 408 406 410 FIGURE 4B 406 408 400B 412 1402 404

Description

4/4 FIGURE 4A 402

400A 104

"404

408

406 410

FIGURE 4B 406 408

400B

412 1402

GOLF CLUB ALIGNMENT DEVICES

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure is related to the field of golf equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a golf club alignment device having a mounting member comprising a reflective surface for assisting a player to align the golf club with respect to a pin prior to making golf swing and putting stroke while playing golf.

Background of the invention

[0002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Golf has recently gained popularity among people. To become a good golf player, a player may need to achieve a consistent swing and putting stroke. There exist many teaching materials, books etc. That teach the players how to play golf and achieve the consistent swing and putting stroke. Though these books or teaching materials etc. only supply limited information and provide directions to the players that are based on a specific player or famous player as perceived by that player or author of the books/teaching materials. Every player have different physical build and mindset, therefore learning golf and how to be good at it by reading teaching material and books etc. That were written from other player's perspective may not work for every player and may provide limited learning.

[0004] Further, a variety of golf clubs are available in the market that help the player in the consistent swing and putting stroke. Usually, for a perfect shot in the golf it is desirable to hit a golf ball at a centre of percussion of a hitting surface or face surface of the golf club head. The greater the distance between the point of contact of the golf ball and the centre of percussion of the hitting surface of the club head, the greater will be a loss of velocity of the stroked golf ball and there will be lesser control over a direction of travel of the stroked golf ball. Thus, the transfer of energy from the golf club to the golf ball will be efficient when the ball hits closer to the centre of percussion of the hitting surface of the golf club head, the greater is the efficiency of the transfer of energy from the golf club to the golf ball. The efficient transfer of energy may result in greater distance of travel and less deviation in the direction of travel of the stroked ball. Since it is very difficult for a golf player to hit the centre of percussion, it may be desirable to use a golf club that reduces the unfavourable effects of hitting away from that centre.

[0005] Presently, some golf clubs are designed to reduce the effect of imperfect strokes and increase the transfer of energy from the golf club to the golf ball. This has been accomplished by increasing horizontally operating rotational inertia in a controlled way. In some golf clubs, a distribution of mass of the club head is selected to increase the density or weight of the club head at the heel and toe ends while reducing by an equal amount a weight or density in a mid-section so as to increase the effective hitting area. In an existing golf putter mass is disposed at the corners of the club head to increase the effective hitting area of the face of the club head.

[0006] In an existing golf putter, weights are disposed at the ends of the club head to reduce the twisting of the putter caused by contact with the ball offset from the centre of percussion of the face of the club head. In another existing golf club, weights have been employed in golf clubs. Some existing golf putters have a recessed area slightly smaller than a golf ball located in centre of the club head. Other existing golf putters have weights disposed at the centre of the club head and in some other golf putters, weights are spaced apart in the tow-heel direction.

[0007] The existing golf clubs do help in increasing the inertia of the golf club head by distributing weight in the club head in one or other way but they do not help or provide limited help in golf club alignment for a perfect shot. Further, the golf clubs do not provide any assistance to the player to assess whether they will sink the golf ball into a hole before actually taking a shot. Further, the player may have to manually look at a direction of the pin where the player is going to putt towards align with a pin for targeting a hole at the pin or flagship.

[0008] In light of above, there exists a need for improved golf clubs to assist the player in pin alignment. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate the above discussed disadvantages of the prior art, or at least offer a useful alternative.

Summary of the invention

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf club alignment device having a mounting member comprising a reflective surface for assisting a player to align the golf club with respect to a pin prior to making golf swing and putting stroke while playing golf.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf club including a golf club alignment device having a mounting member comprising a reflective surface for assisting a player to align the golf club with respect to a pin prior to making golf swing and putting stroke while playing golf.

[0011] Accordingly, in an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a golf alignment device configured to be used with a golf club. The golf club alignment device includes a mounting member extending at an angle from a crown surface of a golf club head. The mounting member may include a reflective surface to assist a player view a pin and align the golf club with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action. Further, the pin (or flagship) may be a centre of a hole.

[0012] In some embodiments, the reflective surface may include a mirror for enabling the player to see the pin and accordingly align the golf club.

[0013] In some embodiments, the golf club alignment device further comprising an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member to suit a stance of the player.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mounting member further includes an attachment unit configured to removably attach the mounting member to a shaft of the golf club.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting member is configured to be detached from the crown surface of the golf club head.

[0016] In alternative embodiments, the mounting member forms a unitary structure with the crown surface of the golf club head.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one of the shaft and the golf cub head may include at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin. The mobile electronic device is configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin. A non-limiting example of the mobile electronic device includes a mobile phone. A non-limiting example of the reflective device may include a mirror. The reflective device, i.e. The mirror, or the mobile electronic device may be mounted on the shaft and/or the golf club head.

[0018] Accordingly, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a golf club comprising a shaft, and a golf club head having a crown surface and a hitting surface. The golf club also includes a golf club alignment device including a mounting member extending at an angle from the crown surface. The mounting member may include a reflective surface to assist player view a pin in the reflective surface and align the golf club without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action. The pin may be a centre of a hole.

[0019] In some embodiments, the golf club alignment device of the golf club further includes an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member with respect to the hitting surface to suit a stance of the player, wherein the angle of the mirror dictates where the player has to hold his/her head.

[0020] In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a mirror for enabling the player to see the pin and accordingly align the golf club and assess whether the golf ball will sink in the hole at the pin prior to actually making the putting action.

[0021] In some embodiments, the golf club also includes an attachment unit configured to removably attach the mounting member to the shaft of the golf club.

[0022] In some embodiments, the golf club alignment device is configured to removably attach to the crown surface of the golf club head.

[0023] In some embodiments, the golf club alignment device forms a unitary structure with the crown surface of the golf club head.

[0024] In such embodiments, at least one of the shaft and the golf cub head includes at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real time image or video of the pin.

[0025] Accordingly, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a golf club alignment device including a mounting member extending at an angle from a crown surface of a golf club head. The mounting member may include a reflective surface to assist a player view a pin and align a golf club with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action, wherein the pin is a centre of a hole. Further, the golf club alignment device includes an attachment unit configured to removably attach the mounting member to a shaft of the golf club. Furthermore, the golf club alignment device includes an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member with respect to the hitting surface to suit a stance of the player. The angle of the mirror may dictate where the player has to hold his/her head.

[0026] In such embodiments, wherein at least one of the shaft and the golf cub head comprises at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin.

. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following detailed description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The detailed description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the invention in any way.

[0028] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art where a player aligns the golf club by using his/her intuition and looking in a direction of a pin;

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary golf club, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3A illustrates an enlarged perspective view of another exemplary golf club including an adjustment clasp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of another exemplary golf club including a different type of adjustment clasp, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4A illustrates a player using a golf club including a golf club alignment device while playing golf, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] Figure 4B illustrates a top view of the golf club from the player's perspective when the player is using the golf club including a golf club alignment device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Referring to the Figure 1, a player 102 aligns a golf club 104 (prior art) by using his/her intuition and looking in a direction of a pin 108 as the golf club 104 includes no means for assisting the player 102 for alignment of the golf club 104 according to the pin. Therefore, for making a good putting action, the player 102 may have look at the pin 108 and at a golf club head 110 multiple times to align the golf club before actually hitting a ball 106. It may be time consuming and inconvenient for the player 102, and also not an efficient way of aligning the golf club 102. Hence, there is a need for better golf clubs or golf club alignment devices for use with the golf clubs that can assist the player 102 in golf club alignment for improving a golf swing or a putting action.

[0036] Turning now to the Figure 2, an enlarged perspective view 200 of an exemplary golf club 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The golf club 202 includes a shaft 204, and a golf club head 206 including a crown surface 208 and a hitting surface 210. The golf club 202 also includes a golf club alignment device 212 including a mounting member 214. In some embodiments, the mounting member 214 may removably attach to the crown surface 208 of the golf club head 206. The mounting member 214 may extend at an angle from the crown surface 208 of the golf club head 206.

[0037] In alternative embodiments, the mounting member 214 may form a unitary structure with the crown surface 208 of the golf club head 206. Further, the mounting member 214 includes a reflective surface 216 for assisting a player to view a pin in the reflective surface 216 and align the golf club 202 without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action. The pin may be a centre of a hole. A non-limiting example of the reflective surface 216 may include a mirror that may enable the player to see the pin and accordingly align the golf club 202 and assess whether a golf ball 218 will sink in the hole at the pin prior to actually making the putting action. In an embodiment, the reflective surface

216 may include a coating of a suitable reflective material such as, but not limited to, silver, copper, etc. The reflective surface 216 may further assist the player to view a pin and align the golf club 202 with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action.

[0038] In some embodiments, the golf club 202 may include at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device mounted on at least one of the shaft 204 and the golf club head 206. The reflective device may be a mirror and so forth. The mobile electronic device may be configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin. Non-limiting example of the mobile electronic device may include a mobile phone comprising a mobile application for displaying a mirror or reflective surface.

[0039] In some embodiments, the golf club alignment device 212 may include an adjustment clasp as discussed in detail in the Figures 3A-3B.

[0040] Figure 3A illustrates an enlarged perspective view 300A of another exemplary golf club 302A including an adjustment clasp 308A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The golf club 302A includes a golf club alignment device including a mounting member 304A having a reflective surface 306A so as to assist a player to view a pin and align the golf club 302A with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action. In some embodiments, the reflective surface 306A may be a mirror. The player may be a golf player and the pin may be a centre of a hole. The mounting member 304A may extend at an angle from a crown surface 312A of the golf club head of the golf club 302A. The adjustment clasp 308A may enable the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member 304A with respect to a hitting surface 314A to suit a stance of the player. The angle of the mounting member 304A including the reflective surface 306A may dictate where the player has to hold his/her head. Various variations of the adjustment clasp 308A may be possible depending on the golf club size and shape. In such embodiments, the angle of the mirror may dictate where the player has to hold his/her head.

[0041] As shown, the golf club 302A may include an attachment unit 310A configured to removably attach the golf club alignment device 308A to at least one of a shaft 316A or the crown surface 312A. Alternatively, the golf club alignment device

302A may include the attachment unit 310A to removably attach the mounting member 304A to the shaft 316A of the golf club 302A as shown in the Figure 3A.

[0042] Referring to the Figure 3B, an enlarged perspective view 300B of another exemplary golf club 302B including a different type of adjustment clasp 308B according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The golf club 302B includes a golf club alignment device including a mounting member 304B having a reflective surface 306B so as to assist a player to view a pin and align the golf club 302B with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action. The player may be a golf player and the pin may be a centre of a hole. The mounting member 304B may extend at an angle from a crown surface 312B of the golf club head of the golf club 302B. The adjustment clasp 308B may enable the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member 304B with respect to a hitting surface 314B to suit a stance of the player. The angle of the mounting member 304B including the reflective surface 306B may dictate where the player has to hold his/her head. In some embodiments, the reflective surface 306B may be a mirror. In such embodiments, the angle of the mirror may dictate where the player has to hold his/her head.

[0043] As shown, the golf club 302B may include an attachment unit 310B configured to removably attach the golf club alignment device to at least one of the crown surface 312B and the shaft 316B. In alternative embodiments, the golf club alignment device includes the attachment unit 310B configured to removably attach the mounting member 304B to the crown surface 312B of the golf club 302B as shown in the Figure 3B.

[0044] In some embodiments, the adjustment clasps 308A-308B may allow the player for rotational adjustment of an angle or orientation of the mounting member 304A 304B, respectively.

[0045] Turning now to the Figure 4A, a player 402 is using a golf club 404 including a golf club alignment device 406 while playing golf, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The golf club alignment device 406 includes a mounting member including a reflective surface 408 like a mirror to assist the player 402 to view a pin 410 as shown by a line of sight 10 of the player. The player 402 can see the flagstick at the pin 410 in the reflective surface 408 and align the golf club 404 with respect to the pin 410 without looking in a direction of the pin 410 prior to making a putting action or hitting a ball 412. The pin 410 may be a centre of a hole. In some embodiments, the reflective surface 408 may be an inbuilt mirror in the mounting member.

[0046] A top view 400B of the golf club 404 from the player's perspective is shown in the Figure 4B when the player 402 is using the golf club 404 including a golf club alignment device 406 for aligning according to the pin. The player 402 can conveniently view the pin 410 (or an image of the pin 410) in the reflective surface 408 of the golf club alignment device 406 and align the golf club 404 according to the pin without a need of looking at the pin 410. Hence, the player 402 may not have to look at the pin and the golf club head multiple times for golf club aligning prior to making a putting action.

[0047] The present disclosure provides a golf club alignment device that can be used with any of the existing golf club or with any future developed golf clubs. The golf club alignment device may include a mounting member comprising a reflective surface for assisting a player in making a good golf swing or targeting a pin while playing golf. In some embodiments, the mounting member may extend at an angle from a crown surface of a golf club head to form a unitary structure with the golf club head. Alternatively, the mounting member may be removably attached to the golf club head. The golf club head including the reflective surface may allow a player to view the pin or flagstick in the reflective surface and align the golf putter head according to the pin or flagstick. In some embodiments, the reflective surface is a mirror.

[0048] In alternative embodiments, the golf club alignment device or the mounting member is a removable device and can be removably attached to any suitable golf club head of currently existing golf clubs and future developed golf clubs. Further, in some embodiments, the mounting member may include one or more slots to receive a mobile electronic device configured to display a reflective surface. For example, the mobile electronic device may be a smart phone having a software module or application configured to display a mirror or reflective surface or a live image of the pin.

[0049] In some embodiments, the reflective surface shows the pin to enable the player to line the pin up in the reflective surface prior to making a putting action.

[0050] In some embodiments, the mounting member further comprises at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin. For example, a smart phone having a reflective surface module or mobile application to display a reflective surface or a camera for displaying the pin can be slotted in the at least one slot.

[0051] The disclosed golf club and the golf club alignment device including a reflective surface may help the players in improving the putting action. Further, the disclosed golf club and golf club alignment device may be used for training the players for golf.

[0052] The disclosed golf club including the golf club alignment device may be used for training purposes by players. The golf club includes a golf club alignment device including a reflective surface or mirror to help the player to assess prior to taking a shot whether the player will sink the ball or not. The player may not require to actually look at the direction the player is going to putt forwards, the player may look straight down at the reflective surface that is aimed at the pin.

[0053] The disclosed golf club alignment device including a reflective surface may be used or attached to shaft and/or golf club head of any suitable golf club (including existing or any future developed golf clubs). The golf club alignment device may enable the player to view the pin in the reflective surface like a mirror mounted on the club head and align the golf club according to the pin without looking in the direction of the pin. This may also help the player in improving the putting action.

[0054] The disclosed golf club alignment device may assist the player to maintain a level approach of the golf club or golf club putter over a certain distance prior to hitting the ball, while hitting the ball and over a certain distance in a follow through. Further, the reflective surface may display the pin (like an image of the pin) to indicate an orientation of player's stroke regardless of the way the player stands, the angle of the golf club, the style of player's swing, or regardless of physique of the player. Therefore, by the using the disclosed golf club or the golf club alignment device, each and every player can improve their resulting putting action.

[0055] The disclosed golf club alignment device may assist the player to aim the pin with precision and correctly align each shot i.e. from tee to cup. The golf club alignment device may help the player to line up the clubface to the target i.e. the pin with accuracy.

[0056] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of' is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[0057] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

[0058] Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A golf club alignment device configured to be used with a golf club, comprising:

a mounting member extending at an angle from a crown surface of a golf club head, wherein the mounting member comprises a reflective surface to assist a player view a pin and align the golf club with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action, wherein the pin is a centre of a hole.

2. The golf club alignment device of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises a mirror for enabling the player to see the pin and accordingly align the golf club.

3. The golf club alignment device of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member to suit a stance of the player.

4. The golf club alignment device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member further comprises an attachment unit configured to removably attach the golf club alignment device to at least one of a shaft of the golf club and the crown surface.

5. The golf club alignment device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to be detached from the crown surface of the golf club head.

6. The golf club alignment device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member forms a unitary structure with the crown surface of the golf club head.

7. The golf club alignment device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shaft and the golf cub head comprises at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin.

8. A golf club comprising:

a shaft;

a golf club head comprising a crown surface and a hitting surface; and

a golf club alignment device comprising a mounting member extending at an angle from the crown surface, wherein the mounting member comprises a reflective surface to assist player view a pin in the reflective surface and align the golf club without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action, wherein the pin is a centre of a hole.

9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the golf club alignment device further comprises an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member with respect to the hitting surface to suit a stance of the player, wherein the angle of the mounting member including the reflective surface dictates where the player has to hold his/her head.

1O.The golf club of claim 8, wherein the reflective surface comprises a mirror for enabling the player to see the pin and accordingly align the golf club and assess whether a golf ball will sink in the hole at the pin prior to making the putting action.

11.The golf club of claim 8, wherein the golf club alignment device is configured to removably attach to at least one of the shaft and the crown surface of the golf club head.

12.The golf club of claim 8, wherein golf club alignment device forms a unitary structure with the crown surface of the golf club head.

13.The golf club of claim 8 further comprising an attachment unit configured to removably attach the golf club alignment device to at least one of the shaft and the crown surface.

14.The golf club of claim 8, wherein at least one of the shaft and the golf cub head comprises at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin.

15.A golf club alignment device comprising:

a mounting member extending at an angle from a crown surface of a golf club head, wherein the mounting member comprises a reflective surface to assist a player to view a pin and align a golf club with respect to the pin without looking in a direction of the pin prior to making a putting action, wherein the pin is a centre of a hole;

an attachment unit configured to removably attach the mounting member to at least one of a shaft of the golf club and the crown surface; and an adjustment clasp for enabling the player to adjust the angle of the mounting member with respect to the hitting surface to suit a stance of the player, wherein the angle of the mounting member including the reflective surface dictates where the player has to hold his/her head.

16. The golf club alignment device of claim 15, wherein the mounting member further comprises at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin.

17.The golf club alignment device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the shaft and the golf cub head comprises at least one slot configured to receive at least one of a reflective device and a mobile electronic device configured to display at least one of a reflective surface, a real-time image or video of the pin.