This disclosure relates to athletics. More specifically, this disclosure relates to sporting equipment.
In the game of golf, alignment is an important aspect of play. Players of the game can execute perfect motions to perform a golf swing, but if those players are not properly aligned then the resulting shots will not be propelled toward the desired target. Many times, players can be unaware of improper alignment.
In one aspect of the current disclosure, an alignment aid includes a central section, the central section being linear; and an attachment mechanism connected to the central section.
In another aspect, an alignment aid includes a joint section; a first central section connected to the joint section, the first central section being hollow and defining a first linear channel; a second central section connected to the joint section, the second central section being hollow and defining a second linear channel; a first rider movably arranged within the first linear channel, the first rider connected to a first attachment mechanism; a second rider movably arranged within the second linear channel, the second rider connected to a second attachment mechanism; a first end section connected to the first central section; and a second end section connected to the second central section, wherein the joint section comprises a hinge.
In another aspect of the current disclosure, a method of using an alignment aid for aligning a golfer's body—the golfer wearing clothing—the method includes: obtaining an alignment aid, the alignment aid comprising: a joint section; a first central section connected to the joint section, the first central section being hollow and defining a first linear channel; a second central section connected to the joint section, the second central section being hollow and defining a second linear channel; a first rider movably arranged within the first linear channel, the first rider connected to a first attachment mechanism; and a second rider movably arranged within the second linear channel, the second rider connected to a second attachment mechanism; connecting the first attachment mechanism to a first portion of the golfer's clothing; connecting the second attachment mechanism to a second portion of the golfer's clothing; and, aligning the alignment aid toward a target.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
Disclosed is an alignment aid and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The alignment aid includes various features to ensure its accuracy, ease of use, and portability among other features and design elements. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
One embodiment of an alignment aid 1000 is disclosed and described in
The alignment aid 1000 can be of an array of materials. In the current aspect, the alignment aid 1000 can be formed of aluminum construction. In varying aspects, the alignment aid 1000 can be formed of steel, copper, brass, or composite. In varying aspects, the alignment aid 1000 can be formed of varying plastics, including but not limited to nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), graphite, glass fiber, varying natural and synthetic rubbers, and varying other materials known to one of skill in the art. In varying aspects, the alignment aid 1000 can include multiple materials as appropriate for applications described herein.
The alignment aid 1000 can include multiple sections. The alignment aid 1000 can include at least one end section. In the current aspect, the alignment aid 1000 can include a first end section 1100 and a second end section 1200. In the current aspect, the alignment aid 1000 can include a central joint section 1300. In varying aspects, the central joint section 1300 can be omitted. In the current aspect, the alignment aid 1000 can include a first central section 1400 and a second central section 1500. The arrangement of the alignment aid 1000 can include the first end section 1100 connected to the first central section 1400, the first central section 1400 connected to the central joint section 1300, the central joint section 1300 connected to the second central section 1500, and the second central section 1500 connected to the second end section 1200. Although the current aspect can include the aforementioned sections (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500), no particular arrangement of sections (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) should be considered limiting on the scope of the current disclosure. Additionally, various sections (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) can be omitted in various aspects of the current disclosure.
When arranged in an opened arrangement as seen in
In the current aspect, each end section 1100, 1200 can be hollow to accommodate an end element 1102, 1202. In the current aspect, each end element 1102, 1202 can be telescoping. Each end section 1100, 1200 can comprise a pole clamp 1104, 1204. In various aspects, each pole clamp 1104, 1204 can be of varying arrangements known to one of skill in the art. Each pole clamp 1104, 1204 can be a mast clamp. Each pole clamp 1104, 1204 can be a truss clamp. Each pole clamp 1104, 1204 can be a ring clamp. In the current aspect, each pole clamp 1104, 1204 can be a threaded compression clamp. Various aspects of pole clamps can be utilized to connect each end element 1102, 1202 in moveably fixable relation to one end section 1100, 1200. In various aspects, a tip 1105, 1205 can be attached to each end element 1102, 1202. In various aspects, the tip 1105, 1205 can be rubber, plastic, metal, cork, wood, or various other materials.
As seen with reference to
With returning reference to
A rider 1410, 1510 can be aligned within each linear channel 1405, 1505. In the current aspect, the rider 1410, 1510 can be arranged to move linearly along the axis of one central section 1400, 1500 within one linear channel 1405, 1505. In varying aspects, the rider 1410, 1510 can be omitted. In varying aspects, other mechanisms can be utilized to perform the function of a movable rider, including magnets, Velcro, elastic, key/fit arrangements, and various other mechanical approaches known to one of skill in the art. No specific arrangement of adjustability should be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosure. In aspects in which the joint 1310 is omitted from the design, a single linear channel can be defined in various aspects. In various aspects, multiple linear channels can be defined in the central sections 1400, 1500 even if the joint 1310 is omitted. In various aspects, more than one rider 1405, 1505 can be arranged within a single linear channel 1405, 1505. In various aspects including only a single linear channel, a single rider 1410, 1510 or multiple riders 1410, 1510 can be arranged within the single linear channel. In various aspects, the riders 1410, 1510 can be clamps that can be releasably fixed in locations along the channel 1410, 1510.
An attachment mechanism 1420, 1520 can be connected to each rider 1410, 1510. In the current aspect, each attachment mechanism 1420, 1520 is a spring clamp—or in varying terms, a banana clamp. Various attachment mechanisms are considered within the scope of the current disclosure, including Velcro, glues, magnets, pins, safety pins lanyards, hooks, hinges, elastic, and varying other approaches known to one of skill in the art. The arrangement of the linear channels 1405, 1505, the riders 1410, 1510, and the attachment mechanisms 1420, 1520 can allow adjustable attachment of the alignment aid 1000 with an object, as will be discussed in more detail further in this disclosure.
With reference to
Although linear channels 1405, 1505 and riders 1410, 1510 are described in the current aspect, one of skill in art would understand that multiple arrangements of adjustable connection would be included within the scope of the current disclosure. For example, in various aspects, attachment mechanisms 1420, 1520 can be connected to buttons or female snaps for connection to button holes or male snaps, respectively. In various aspects, attachment mechanisms 1420, 1520 can be connected to zippers, sliders, spring buttons, or other mechanical configurations to allow movable arrangement of the attachment mechanisms 1420, 1520.
With returning reference to
As seen with reference to
As seen with reference to
As seen with reference to
The alignment aid 1000 can first be arranged in the opened arrangement of
Because the riders 1410, 1510 can be movable within the linear channels 1405, 1505, the alignment aid 1000 can accommodate varying sizes of golfers 2000 and varying locations on the body. For example, the golfer's 2000 knees are typically set wider than the golfer's 2000 shoulders, and the attachment mechanisms 1420, 1520 can be set at any width along the linear channels 1405, 1505 to accommodate the variance in width. Additionally, if the golfer 2000 desires a more extended view of the alignment to a target, the end elements 1102, 1202 can be extended out of the end sections 1100, 1200 to provide a further view of the golfer's 2000 alignment.
Finally, when usage is complete, the alignment aid 1000 can be placed into the collapsed arrangement of
As such, the alignment aid 1000 allows a simple and consistent alignment reference that can be used at multiple points along the golfer's 2000 body without the need for additional elements—such as added tape, glue, or pins. Additionally, the golfer 2000 can check many different alignment elements at once, a feature not possible with prior alignment sticks or methods used of checking alignment. Further, the alignment aid 1000 can be easily transported and easily reconfigured from an opened arrangement to a collapsed arrangement with only a few easy steps, thereby making it simple to set up, simple to use, and simple to transport between uses.
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation of an application for United States patent filed Jul. 20, 2022, bearing application Ser. No. 17/869,668, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 17869668 | Jul 2022 | US |
Child | 18372725 | US |