GB2460655A

GB2460655A - Golf club with level indicator along the shaft axis

Info

Publication number: GB2460655A
Application number: GB0810120A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seok Ki Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-03
Filing date: 2008-06-03
Publication date: 2009-12-09
Also published as: US20090298606A1; GB0810120D0

Abstract

A golf club, e.g. putter 10, includes a spirit level 14, 14a provided along the shaft axis. The spirit level may be viewable from the side of the club (e.g. in the direction of arrow 17). The spirit level 14, 14a may be incorporated within the handle 13, shaft 11, or head 12 of the club. The spirit level 14, 14a may have two or more spaced markings 18 indicative of increasing slope away from true horizontal and an indicator bubble 19, and the markings may be provided either side of the central bubble position which indicates horizontal. The spirit level 14, 14a may have a cover, e.g. a sliding cover (not shown). In use, the slope of the green is indicated or read by laying club 10 on the ground 15 supported by the handle 13 and the head 12 such that the position of bubble 19 in the spirit level 14, 14a may be observed, e.g. in the direction indicated by arrow 17. The club 10 may include a grip ring 16 at the end of the handle which maximises the distance between the points 16, 12 at which the club contacts the ground 15.

Description

Golf Club with Level Indicator The present invention relates to a golf club having a level indicator incorporated therein.

Many golfers have difficulty reading' a green so as to putt the golf ball to the pin with the correct speed and direction. In particular it may be difficult to assess the slope of the green, especially if the slope is slight or changes direction.

What is required is a simple means of determining green slope (if any) so as to allow a novice golfer to improve his game, and to learn to read' a green. Such a device would be particularly useful as a training aid.

According to the invention there is provided a golf club incorporating a spirit level along the shaft axis thereof. The spirit level is preferably within the shaft envelope.

The spirit level is preferably marked to indicate discrete angles away from true horizontal, and preferably is so marked on either side of the mean (horizontal) condition.

The advantage of placing the spirit level along the shaft axis is that when laid upon the green, the length of the golf club contributes to a more accurate indication of average slope.

In a preferred embodiment, the golf club is adapted to touch the ground substantially at either end, i.e. at head and handle, so as to make two points of contact with the ground. This is preferable to having a line contact where slight protrusions of the ground may cause the golf club to rock.

Preferably the golf club is adapted to lie naturally upon the ground, for example on one side, and the spirit level is aligned facing upwardly so that it is easily viewed by the player.

The spirit level may be placed at any convenient point along the length of the golf club, and preferably at a location where bending of the golf club shaft in use will not affect the stability thereof.

It will be appreciated that in normal use the spirit level should not interfere with the playing qualities of the golf club, and in such circumstances should be imperceptible to the golfer.

Preferably the spirit level is incorporated within a putter. The advantage of a putter is that the shaft is not subjected to significant bending stress, as in a driver or an iron, so that freedom to place the spirit level at any location along the shaft is preserved.

The spirit level may include a cover, for example a slidable door or sleeve, to protect the face thereof from weather and dirt.

The spirit level may conveniently be incorporated within one component of the golf club, for example the handle, shaft or head, so as to facilitate manufacture and assembly.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig. 1 shows a somewhat schematic putter in side elevation; and Fig. 2 shows the putter of Figure 1 in rear elevation.

With reference to the drawings a putter 10 consists of a shaft 11 to which is attached a head 12, which may be of any suitable shape. The head 12 illustrated in Figs. I and 2 is representative, and the shape thereof forms no part of the present invention.

A handle 13 is attached or formed about the shaft, and is of a diameter and profile to suit the grip of the intended user.

Within the handle is incorporated a spirit level 14, preferably located in a position where least interference with the users grip will occur, and facing generally upwardly when the putter is laid upon the ground 15 (represented in dotted line).

It will be appreciated that by virtue of the offset of the relatively heavy head, the putter will lie naturally on its side, so that the spirit level can face upwardly. An alternative location 14a is also illustrated.

As illustrated the putter contacts the ground at two widely spaced points, represented by the wide putter head, and the grip ring 16 at the end of the handle. Thus the putter can lie flat upon the ground, without rocking.

In use the golfer lays the putter on the green between the ball and the pin, and can read the slope of the green or an analogue thereof from a scale of the spirit level. In this respect it is noted that a normal spirit level has only a single marking indicating horizontal.

Fig. 3 illustrates the spirit level 14 when viewed in the direction of arrow 17. The level includes line markings 18 indicative of slope on either side of the horizontal, and the usual bubble 19.

The spirit level tube may be arched in order to better show non-level conditions whilst maintaining a stable bubble position.

A sliding cover or sleeve (not shown), which may be spring loaded, may be provided to cover the spirit level when not in use.

The spirit level casing may be of glass, but is preferably of plastic to improve the robustness thereof. Setting screws may be included to allow the horizontal to be accurately indicated in relation to a reference horizontal surface.

In use the golfer may take several sightings between ball and pin, and also measure transverse slopes by suitable putter positioning.

Claims

Claims 1. A golf club incorporating a spirit level along the shaft axis thereof.
2. A club according to claim I wherein said level is viewable from the side of the club.
3. A club according to claim I or claim 2 wherein said level is incorporated within the handle of the golf club.
4. A club according to claim 3 wherein said level is positioned opposite the palm position of the lower hand grip.
5. A club according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said level is incorporated within the shaft of the golf club.
6. A club according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said level is incorporated within the head of the golf club.
7. A club according to any preceding claim wherein said level has two or more spaced markings indicative of increasing slope away from true horizontal.
8. A club according to claim 7 having said markings on either side of horizontal.
9. A club according to any preceding claim and adapted to have two widely spaced ground contacting features.
10. A club according to claim 9 wherein said features comprise the club handle and the club head.
11 A club according to any preceding claim and further including a cover for said spirit level.
12. A golf club substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.