US20140162799A1

US20140162799A1 - Golf training aid kit

Info

Publication number: US20140162799A1
Application number: US13/796,441
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Hocknull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-12
Filing date: 2013-03-12
Publication date: 2014-06-12

Abstract

A kit for use by a golfer which provides an improved training aid. The kit includes a plurality of multi-layered sighting devices and a backing sheet. The devices are preferably angular in configuration and have a tacky layer interposed between an outer layer and the backing sheet. The siding device is utilized by removing it from the backing sheet and placing it on a pair of glasses. The sighting devices are irremovably attached to the glasses and are storable on the backing sheet between uses.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/609,566, filed Mar. 12, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a kit for providing an optical sighting device which is employable with any pair of glasses worn by a golfer, for example, to aid the golfer in keeping the head of the golfer steady during a golf swing. While the disclosure is particularly directed to the game of golf, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider applicability of the hand eye coordination training provided by the disclosure to other situations and games.
A golf swing is a complicated maneuver in which the shoulders of the golfer rotate about the golfer's spinal cord. Depending on the ability of the player, some movement of the head may be acceptable, provided the golfer can maintain sight of the ball during the back swing through contact with the ball on the downswing. Nevertheless, the less movement of the head during the back swing, the easier it becomes to complete the swing properly. Many golfers do not realize how much their head moves during their swing. Although the problem is old, solutions to the problem have heretofore been deficient. The prior art reveals a number of training aids for training a golfer, for example, to maintain the proper head position during a golf swing. Among the solutions proposed which have attempted to correct the solution for the problem include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,555,563, 3,228,696, 5,444,501 and 6,513,928. While the prior art works for its intended purpose, all the proposed solutions of which Applicant is aware are all handicapped in that either special glasses or bulky attachments for the player's own glasses are required to provide the training aid.
The present disclosure describes a kit which contains a plurality of sighting devices. Each of the sighting devices includes the first surface, and a second surface separated by a material thickness. One of the first and second surfaces has a tacky layer of a suitable adhesive associated with it. In the preferred embodiment, the tacky layer is adhered to a release sheet. By removing the sighting device from the release sheet attaching the sighting device on the eye facing surface of the user's glasses, the training aid may be utilized in conjunction with any conventional pair of glasses. In addition, with conventional sunglasses, the training aid cannot be seen by third parties, so that it is not obvious that the player is using the training aid. The release sheet can serve a variety of purposes, including, for example as a record for maintaining training information for the player.
The device, denominated as the pure vision golf kine-focus focus rings, serve a single function of self-awareness. For the first time, a golfer has the ability to see and feel exactly what they are doing in real time both on the practice range and on the golf course. Improved coordination is possible through the feedback that the eyes receive while using the rings on any pair of glasses. The devices are particularly simple to use. For example:
1. In step one, the golfer simply installs the rings onto their very own glasses.
2. Step two, they then take their golf stance while focusing through the rings on a ground level target.
3. In step three the golfer makes a swing. Immediately they see their actual movement assuming that the head moves with the swing.
4. Step four, the golfer then realizes what has happened during the golf swing.
5. The golfer continues to swing the club over and over with the new found ability to improve head position. At this point the golfer is already making more technically correct swings.
The rings preferably are constructed out of a high strength malleable polymer material with an adhesive backing provided in a variety of colors and sizes. The material will not damage glasses or leave residue. The set of two can be easily applied, removed and re-applied many times without completely losing their adhesive ability. The rings can be stored on the backing sheet, and preferably the backing sheet can be in the form of a coach's card for recording progress, addition drills or other similar information. . The rings then can be removed from the card and applied to any pair of glasses, prescription, fashion or sunglasses. While a single size device is shown in the drawings, those skill in the art will recognize that a variety of sizes can be provided and utilized by the player to challenge their skill or to fine tune their ability with respective to putting, for example, versus their driving swing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a low cost kit for improving the golf swing of a player.
Another object of the invention is to provide a training device which is reusable by the player.
Another object of this invention is to provide a series of sizes for use by the player to enable the player to differentiate a putting stroke and other swings employed by the golfer.
Other features of the present invention illustratively described herein will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one illustrative view of pure vision golf kine-focus rings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is top plan view of one illustrative view in kit form of the pure vision golf kine-focus rings shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective illustrating the application of the pure vision golf kine-focus rings of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description illustrates the present disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the development which we believe to be new and unobvious, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the system, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the inventive principles described in this specification.
Referring to FIG. 3 a kit 1 or the present disclosure includes a backing sheet 3 and a plurality of sighting devices 5. In the embodiment illustrated, the sighting devices 5 are annular in shape. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other shapes are compatible with the broader aspects of the present disclosure.
Each of the sighting devices 5 includes a first outer surface 7 and a second outer surface 9. One of the first and second outer surfaces 7 and 9 is coated with a suitable adhesive layer 11. The sighting devices 5 may be constructed from any suitable material. I have found that material similar to that used in protective covering for cell phones, both in the material and adhesive used, for example, work well for the purpose of the present disclosure. Other materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art view of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, the sighting device 5 as a central opening 19 formed in it. The size, shape, and physical dimensions of the sighting device 5 may vary In other embodiments of the disclosure. I have found the annular construction shown in the drawings for the sighting device 5 works well for its intended purpose. However, other shapes and sizes may be utilized in other embodiments of the present disclosure.
A particular advantage of the sighting device 5 is that it may be used with any pair of glasses 22, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In addition, the sighting devices 5 are reusable, and may be removed from any pair of glasses 22 and transferred to another pair of glasses or stored on the backing sheet 3 for later use. No residue is left on the glasses 22 when the siding device 5 is removed or repositioned by the user during use.
The backing sheet 3 of the kit 1 may server additional purposes besides a storage option for the sighting devices 5. For example, the backing sheet may include indicia not shown for recording the progress of a user utilizing the sighting devices 5. For example, an instructor may record progress of the user. On the backing sheet 3 for later transferred to a more permanent record for the user.
Numerous variations within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Merely by way of example and not limitation, the size and shape and design of the site device 5 may be varied in other embodiments. If desired, the sighting device 5 may include various colors either to enhance the training function or to hide use of the devices in conjunction with a particular pair of the glasses 22. The opening 19 in the device 5 may be varied to assist the user in application use. These variations are merely illustrative.

Claims

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A kit for providing a training aid, comprising:

a backing sheet;

a plurality of devices formed from a reusable material, each device having a first side, a second side, and a material thickness there between each device having an axial opening through it;

a layer of adhesive material attached to one said first and second sides, the adhesive material being reusable with the device; and

a backing sheet for attaching the device, removing/mounting the device after use.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the backing sheet includes indicia for recording a player's development.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the openings in the devices have different diameters.

4. The kit of claim 3 wherein the devices are formed from a material available in a variety of colors.

5. The kit of claim 4 wherein the devices are annular.