Patent Application
20240325846
The present disclosure relates generally to golf training methods, systems, and apparatuses, and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to golf training methods, systems, and apparatuses related to providing feedback on which portion of a golf club face contacts a golf ball.
Golfers spend many hours hitting golf balls on golf courses and at driving ranges across the country trying to improve their golf scores. A golfer's swing has many aspects, each of which impact their ability to play and enjoy the game of golf. Swing aspects include but are not limited to golf ball address, back swing, down swing, impact, and follow through. Each aspect of the golf swing effects the golf balls flight, distance, and accuracy. Golfer are looking for training methods and devices that help them improve the different aspects of their swing so they can consistently shoot better scores.
Golf training aids and methods focused on improving and providing feedback related to golfers' swing paths have developed over time. However, in addition to a desirable swing path, golfers need to hit the golf ball with the center of their golf club face. No matter how good a golfer's swing path is, they cannot consistently hit good golf shots if they are not consistently hitting the golf ball with the center of the golf club face. Golf training aids and methods that are practical and enable golfers to improve their ability to consistently hit the golf ball with the center of the golf club face do not exist.
Golfers can purchase handheld sprays to apply to their club face to provide feedback on which portion of the club face contacted the golf ball following a swing. After a golf swing, the golf ball leaves an impression in the spray showing which portion of the golf club contacted the golf ball. With these handheld sprays, before any swing the golfer wants feedback on, the golfer must pick up the spray, position the club face such that it can receive the spray, spray the club face, place the spray down, and make a golf swing. This approach is distracting, time consuming, and difficult to do without spraying ones hand with the substance intended for the club face.
The current approach to obtain feedback on which portion of a golf club face contacts a golf ball after every shot is not compatible for golfers hitting many golf balls at the driving range or playing a golf round. A golf shot takes intense focus, and golfers want the feedback without sacrificing their focus when practicing and playing. The many steps required to obtain feedback on which portion of the club face contacts the golf ball are inconvenient and impact a golfer's focus. Additionally, the current steps for obtaining feedback on which portion of the club face contacts a golf ball takes too much time and is messy. Golfer often hit many golf balls at a driving range but only have a limited time to do so. Golfers cannot stop between every swing to take off their golf glove and pick up a spray can to receive feedback related to golf ball impact. The constant bending over to pick up a spray can is also exhausting and wastes a golfer's energy. Further, pace of play (e.g., how fast a golfer can play 18 holes) is increasingly becoming a point of focus for golfers. The current steps required to obtain feedback on which portion of the club face contacts a golf ball are not compatible with an appropriate pace of play since it requires extra time to be ready to hit a shot. Thus, the majority of golfers elect not to pursue the critical data corresponding to which portion of their golf club face contacts the golf ball on any given swing. Golfers need a useable training method and apparatus that is quick and effortless for receiving feedback on which portion of the golf club face contacted the golf ball after each swing.
Aspects of the present disclosure are related to systems, methods, and apparatuses that support different aspects of golf play and practice. For example, the present disclosure may enable quick, effortless, and clean application of a substance to a golf club by providing an approach for initiating application of a substance to a golf club without requiring a golfer's hands to directly contact the substance or a container including the substance. The substance may provide golfers with feedback as to which portion of their golf club contacts any golf ball they hit.
The present disclosure may include a first component configured to receive a golf club and an actuator configured to initiate application of a substance to a surface of the golf club. The first component may be configured to be moved by the golf club that a golfer wants to apply to the substance to. Moving the first component may move the actuator. The actuator moving may initiate the application of the substance to the surface of the golf club.
Additionally or alternatively, the present disclosure may include a component configured to receive a foot. The component may be configured to be moved by the foot. Moving the component may move the actuator which may initiate application of a substance to a surface of a golf club.
The present disclosure may include an actuator configured to move relative to a base. The base may sit on the ground such that the base does not move relative to the ground, which allows the user to move the actuator relative to the base, without the base moving, with a force exerted through the golf club or a foot. Additionally or alternatively, the base may be configured to be fixed to a golf cart or other devices used to get around a golf course such that the base does not move relative to the golf cart or other device, which allows the user to move the actuator relative to the base with a force exerted through the golf club or a foot.
The present disclosure may include an actuator configured to initiate application of a substance to a surface of a golf club when the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position via an external force. The actuator may be biased towards the first position. The application of the substance to the surface of the golf club may not be taking place when the actuator is in the first position. By biasing the actuator towards the first position, the actuator may receive an external force that causes the actuator to move from the first position, and the biasing force may return the actuator to the first position once the external force is removed. The biasing forces enables the initiation of the application of the substance to be repeated over and over by returning the actuator to the position that stops the application of the substance when the external force is not applied.
The present disclosure may be configured such that a substance is applied to a surface of a golf club through a nozzle or another component configured to disperse the substance across the golf club face. Additionally or alternatively, the substance may be configured to be applied to the surface of a golf club via a brush or another component configured to receive a substance and apply the substance to the golf club face. After a golf club including the substance strikes a golf ball, an imprint of the golf ball may be visible on the club.
The present disclosure provides golfers with a quick, clean, and mindless manner for determining which portion of their golf club contacts a golf ball they hit after every swing. The present disclosure enables a golfer easily initiate application of a substance designed to provide feedback on golf club impact to their golf club. The golfer can initiate application of the substance with their golf club. The present disclosure enables initiation of the application of the substance without requiring the golfer to pick up and put down the substance or a container including the substance before and after every shot. The present disclosure also enables initiation of the application of the substance without the need for the golfer to directly contact the substance or a container including the substance with their hands.
The present disclosure may be designed to sit on the ground or be attached to a golf cart or other device golfer's use to get around a golf course. When a golfer's club is in the golfer's hand, an end of the golf club is closer to the ground or the portion of the golf cart the present disclosure may be designed to attach to. By enabling a golfer to initiate application of the substance with a golf club, golfer's do not have to bend over a significant amount to obtain the impact feedback they desire. Additionally or alternatively, the present disclosure enables a golfer to initiate application of the substance with their foot which is closer to the ground or the portion of the golf cart the present disclosure may be designed to attach to. Enabling a golfer to initiate application of the substance with the golfer's foot may be an alternative manner for providing the impact feedback the golfer requires without the golfer having to bend over a significant impact to obtain that feedback.
The hands free aspect of the present disclosure allows golfers to keep their hands free and clear of the substance applied to the golf club. Thus, the present disclosure allows golfers to obtain the desired information without getting the substance on or near either their hands or clothes. By initiating application of the substance without a golfer's hands and keeping the golfer's hands and clothes clean, the golfer can be ready to hit their next golf shot immediately after applying the substance to the club.
By biasing an actuator towards a first position, the present disclosure can be used to initiate application of a substance to a golf club and then immediately be ready to initiate application of the substance after a golf swing. Thus, the golfer will be able to see which portion of their golf club face contacted the golf ball after any given swing, then repeat initiation of the application of the substance to their golf club. The present disclosure is so quick and convenient to use that it may be used during both golf rounds and driving range practice sessions. The easy, quick, repeatability of the initiation of the application of the substance is critical for driving range sessions where golfers make many swings and want to know which portion of their club struck the golf ball after each swing.
Golfers want to know which portion of their golf club contacts every golf ball they hit. The present disclosure provides golfers the ability to practically obtain that information immediately following every swing. Golfer's using the present disclosure to effortlessly obtain information regarding club impact location will improve their ability to consistently hit the golf ball with the center of the golf club face. Thus, golfers will improve their ability to shoot low rounds on the golf course.
In a particular aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus may include a first component configured to receive a golf club and an actuator configured to initiate application of a substance to a surface of the golf club, the surface of the golf club configured to contact a golf ball.
In some implementations, the first component many be configured to be coupled to the actuator. In some such implementations, the actuator may be configured to be in a first position when the first component is in a second position, and the actuator may be configured to be in a third position when the fist component is in a fourth position. In some such implementations, the actuator may be configured to initiate application of the substance when the actuator moves from the first position to the third position
In some implementations, the first component may be configured to receive a force from the golf club, the force configured to move the actuator from a first position to a second position. In some such implementations, the actuator may be configured to initiate application of the substance when the actuator moves from the first position to the second position.
Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may include a base configured to be coupled to each of the first component and the actuator.
In some implementations, the actuator may be configured to move from a first position to a second position, and the actuator may be configured to initiate application of the substance when the actuator moves from the first position to the second position. In some such implementations, the actuator may be biased to the first position.
In some implementations, the actuator may be configured to engage an auxiliary component, the auxiliary component including the substance.
Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may include a nozzle configured to apply the substance to the first surface of the golf club.
In some implementations, the substance may include an aerosol.
In some implementations, the actuator may include more than one component.
In some implementations, the apparatus may include a brush configured to apply the substance to the surface of the golf club when the actuator rotates the brush.
In some implementations, the actuator may be configured to move a spray nozzle of an aerosol container including the substance from a first position to a second position, the spray nozzle configured to disperse the substance from the aerosol container when the spray nozzle moves from the first position to the second position.
In some implementations, the actuator may include a second component configured to receive a foot. In some such implementations, the second component may be configured to receive a force from the foot, the force may be configured to move the actuator from a first position to a second position, and the actuator may be configured to initiate application of the substance when the actuator moves from the first position to the second position
In another particular aspect of the present disclosure, a method for applying a substance to a golf club may include receiving a golf club at a first component of an apparatus and moving an actuator of the apparatus, the actuator configured to initiate application of a substance to a first surface of the golf club when the actuator moves.
Additionally or alternatively, the method for applying a substance to a golf club may include biasing the actuator to a first position, the actuator configured to initiate application of the substance when the actuator moves from the first position to a second position.
Additionally or alternatively, the method for applying a substance to a golf club may include engaging an auxiliary component with the actuator, the auxiliary component including the substance.
As used herein, various terminology is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of implementations. For example, as used herein, an ordinal term (e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.) used to modify an element, such as a structure, a component, an operation, etc., does not by itself indicate any priority or order of the element with respect to another element, but rather merely distinguishes the element from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term). The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. Two items that are coupled may move relative to each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed implementations, the term “substantially” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of” what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 percent.
As used herein, directional terminology is used for the purpose of describing the fixtures only and is not intended to be limiting of the implementations. Directional terminology is used with respect to the figure being described. For example, if left is referred to in describing a figure, left is used to distinguish a location of the figure as demonstrated on a page. Left is not intended to be limiting and the same portion of a figure referred to as left could be referred to with different directional language if the figure showed a different orientation.
The phrase “and/or” means and or or. To illustrate, A, B, and/or C includes: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. In other words, “and/or” operates as an inclusive or. Additionally, the phrase “A, B, C, or a combination thereof” or “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” includes: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.
The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), and “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.
Any implementation of any of the systems, methods, and article of manufacture can consist of or consist essentially of—rather than comprise/have/include—any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb. Additionally, the term “wherein” may be used interchangeably with “where”. Further, a device or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described. The feature or features of one implementation may be applied to other implementations, even though not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the implementations.
Some details associated with the implementations are described above, and others are described below. Other implementations, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become apparent after review of the entire application, including the following sections: Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific aspects disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
The novel features which are disclosed herein, together with further objects and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed aspects are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed methods and apparatuses or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular aspects illustrated herein.
Referring to
The club receiver 102 may be configured to receive a golf club. A golfer may place a golf club on a top surface of the club receiver 102. A top surface of the club receiver 102 may be flat such that a golf club may rest on it. A top surface of the club receiver 102 may be shaped to match a bottom surface of a golf club head. The top surface of the club receiver 102 could be shaped to match the shape of the bottom surface of an iron, a driver, a putter, or any combination of the three. As a non-limiting example, the top surface of the club receiver 102 could include multiple impressions that match one, two, or all three of an iron, driver, and/or putter. By contouring a top surface of the club receiver 102, the club receiver 102 may be configured to align a golf club relative to the nozzle 108. The club receiver 102 may be configured to align the center of a golf club surface relative to the nozzle 108. The center of the golf club surface aligned with the nozzle 108 could be the golf club surface that contacts a golf ball on any given golf swing. The club receiver 102 may be configured to align the center of the golf club surface that contacts a golf ball such that when a substance is disbursed from the nozzle 108, it coats the entire surface of the golf club surface that contacts a golf ball.
By contouring a top surface of the club receiver 102, it may be easier for a golfer placing a golf club on the club receiver 102 to exert a force on the top surface of the club receiver 102. As a non-limiting example, a golf club placed on the top surface of the club receiver 102 countoured to match a golf club may be less likely to slip when the golf club is pushed down onto the club receiver 102.
In some implementations, the club receiver 102 could be a flexible material, such as a netting, leather, rubber, or the like. A flexible material may conform to the shape of the bottom of a golf club when the bottom of the golf club is pressed against the club receiver 102.
In some implementations, the club receiver 102 may be configured such that it couples to a single surface of the base 106.
The spring 104 may be positioned between the club receiver 102 and the base 106 such that the club receiver 102 is biased away from the surface of the base 106 that is coupled to the spring 104. The position the club receiver 102 is biased towards may correspond with a position in which the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 are arranged in a closed position such that the nozzle 108 does not disperse a substance.
In some implementations, when an external force is exerted against the club receiver 102, the spring 104 may be configured to compress and the club receiver 102 may be configured to move downward with respect to the base 106. As an illustrative example, if the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 is positioned on a ground surface and a golfer is standing and holding a golf club, the golfer may push a bottom surface of a golf club in the golfer's hand into the top surface of the club receiver 102. The pushing force from the golf club may compress the spring 104 and move the club receiver 102 downward since base 106 of the apparatus 100 will not move as it is supported by the ground. Prior to the force received from the golf club, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in a closed position such that the nozzle 108 does not disperse a substance. As the club receiver 102 moves downward, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may move to be arranged in an open position such that the nozzle 108 disperses a substance. The substance dispersed from the nozzle 108 may be applied to a surface of a golf club configured to contact a golf ball.
In some implementations, when an external force is removed from the club receiver 102, the biasing force from the spring 104 may cause the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 to move to a closed position such that the nozzle 108 does not disperse a substance. The biasing force of the spring 104 may enable a golfer to push club receiver 102 down to apply a coating of a substance on their golf club and stop the application of the coating by removing the golf club from the club receiver 102. In some such implementations, after the golfer has removed their golf club from the club receiver 102, the golfer may be able to apply a second coating of the substance to their golf club by pushing the club receiver 102 down for a second time. Other than removing the force of the golf club from the club receiver 102, the golfer may not have to take any additional steps to reset the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 in order for the apparatus 100 to be in a position to apply a second coating of the substance to the golf club.
Additionally or alternatively, the base 106 of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be coupled to a golf cart or other device a golfer uses to get around a golf course. The base 106 of the apparatus 100 may be coupled to the golf cart or other device the golfer uses to get around a golf course. A golfer standing and holding a golf club may push a bottom surface of a golf club into the top surface of the club receiver 102. The pushing force from the golf club may compress the spring 104 and the club receiver 102 may move downward with respect to the base 106 as the connecting force between the golf cart and the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 will keep the base 106 from moving.
In some implementations, the arrangement of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 could be such that a golfer pulls the club receiver 102 up with a golf club to move the club receiver 102 upwards with respect to the base 106. In some such implementations, the apparatus configured to receive the golf club 100 would be anchored by a force holding the base 106 down such that the pulling force could work against the anchoring force. Such an anchoring force could be achieved by clamping a base 106 of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 to a golf cart or the like. In such an arrangement, a spring would be positioned to bias the club receiver 102 down.
In some implementations, other approaches for biasing the positioning of the club receiver 102 could be used. In some such implementations, a material such as a rubber configured to compress upon receipt of a force and return to its original position upon removal of the force could be placed between the base 106 and the club receiver 102.
In some implementations, the spring 104 could be coupled to a plate where the plate is configured to be coupled to the club receiver 102. The plate may be approximately the size of a bottom surface of the club receiver 102. The spring 104 may distribute a biasing force against the club receiver 102 more evenly with an arrangement including a plate between the club receiver 102 and the spring 104.
In some implementations, the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 could include multiple springs. The springs could be located at various positions between the base 106 and the club receiver 102
Referring to
The bell crank 110 may be coupled to the base 106 such that the bell crank 110 rotates about the portion of the base 106 it is coupled to. The base 106 may include a fixed, cylindrical extension that fits within a rotational hole of the bell crank 110. The rotational hole may be through the entirety of the bell crank 110. The bell crank 110 may rotate about the cylindrical extension of the base 106 when the cylindrical extension is placed within the rotational hole of the bell crank 110. In some implementations, a stopper may be fixed to either the bell crank 110 or the cylindrical extension of the base 106 when the bell crank 110 is coupled to the cylindrical extension such that the bell crank 110 cannot slide off the cylindrical extension of the base 106.
The bell crank 110 may include a first linkage hole and a second linkage hole, each separate from the rotational hole of the bell crank 110. The first linkage hole may be through the entirety of the bell crank 100. The first linkage hole may be positioned at an outer portion of the bell crank 110 with respect to the rotational hole of the bell crank 110 as the center of the bell crank 110. An end of the first linkage 112 may include a bell crank hole configured to align with the first linkage hole of the bell crank 110. The first linkage hole of the bell crank 110 may be aligned with the bell crank hole of the first linkage 112, and a coupling cylinder may be placed through each of the first linkage hole of the bell crank 110 and the bell crank hole of the first linkage 112 to couple the bell crank 110 to the first linkage 112. In some implementations, a stopper may be placed on opposite sides of the bell crank 110 such that the coupling cylinder will not slide out of the first linkage hole of the bell crank 110 and the bell crank hole of the first linkage 112. With the bell crank 110 coupled to the first linkage 112, the first linkage 112 may move relative to the bell crank 110. As the bell crank 110 rotates about the cylindrical extension of the base 106, the first linkage 112 may be pushed or pulled via the coupling between the bell crank 110 and the first linkage 112.
In some implementations, the apparatus 100 may include two bell cranks 110 and two first linkages 112 positioned on opposites sides of an I-portion of the base 106. In some implementations, the apparatus 100 may include one bell crank 110 and one first linkage 112 positioned on one side of the I-portion of the base 106.
The I-portion of the base 106 may include a bore configured to receive an outer insert 114 and the nozzle 108. The outer insert 114 may be shaped to fit within the bored I-portion of the base 106. The outer insert 114 may be fixed with respect to the base 106.
The pressurized insert 118 may be configured to fit within the outer insert 114. The pressurized insert 118 may include pegs on opposite sides configured to slide within slots of the base 106 and slots of the outer insert 114. The pressurized insert 118 may be configured to slide within the outer insert 114 as the pegs slide within the slots of the base 106 and the slots of the outer insert 114.
An end of the first linkage 112 opposite the bell crank hole of the first linkage 112 may include a pressurized insert hole configured to fit over a peg of the pressurized insert 118. After the peg of the pressurized insert 118 is coupled to the first linkage 112 via the pressurized insert hole, a stopper may be placed on a peg of the pressurized insert 118 such that the peg of the pressurized insert 118 will not slide out of the pressurized insert hole of the first linkage 112. With the first linkage 112 coupled to the pressurized insert 118, the pressurized insert 118 may move relative to the first linkage 112. As the bell crank 110 rotates about the rotational hole, pushing or pulling the first linkage 112, the pressurized insert may slide left and right within the slots of the base 106 and slots of the outer insert 114.
The support plate 130 may be fixed to the outer insert 114. The support plate 130 may include a hole through its entirety such that the pressurized insert 118 may slide through the support plate 130.
Referring to
The second linkage hole of the bell crank 110 may be through the entirety of the bell crank 100. The second linkage hole may be positioned at an outer portion of the bell crank 110 with respect to the rotational hole of the bell crank 110 as the center of the bell crank 110.
An end of the second linkage 120 may include a bell crank hole configured to align with the second linkage hole of the bell crank 110. The second linkage hole of the bell crank 110 may be aligned with the bell crank hole of the second linkage 120, and a coupling cylinder may be placed through the second linkage hole of the bell crank 110 and the bell crank hole of the second linkage 120 to couple the bell crank 110 to the second linkage 120. In some implementations, a stopper may be placed on opposite sides of the bell crank 110 such that the coupling cylinder will not slide out of the second linkage hole of the bell crank 110 and the bell crank hole of the second linkage 120. With the bell crank 110 coupled to the second linkage 120, the bell crank 110 may move relative to the second linkage 120. As the second linkage 120 exerts a pushing or pulling force on the bell crank 110, the bell crank 110 may rotate about its rotational hole of the bell crank 110. As the bell crank 110 rotates about the rotational hole, the first linkage 112 may be pushed or pulled. When the first linkage is pushed or pulled, the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 may slide within the slots of the outer insert 114 and the slots of the base 106.
Referring to
The club receiver 102 may include a slot on a portion of the club receiver 102 configured to face the I-portion of the base 106. The slot of the club receiver 102 may be configured such that the second linkage 120 may fit within the club receiver 102 and may slide within the club receiver 102.
The second linkage 120 may be coupled to the club receiver 102. When the second linkage 120 is coupled to the club receiver 102, the second linkage 120 may move relative to the club receiver 102. When the club receiver 102 is pushed down, the club receiver 102 may push the second linkage 120. When the club receiver 102 moves up, the club receiver 102 may pull the second linkage 120. When a force is applied to the second linkage 120 from the club receiver 102, the bell crank 110 may rotate about the rotational hole of the bell crank 110. As the bell crank 110 rotates about the rotational hole, the first linkage 112 may be pushed or pulled and the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 may slide within the slots of the outer insert 114 and the slots of the base 106.
Referring to
When the club receiver 102 moves down, the club receiver 102 may push the second linkage 120 and the bell crank 110 may rotate in a clockwise direction about the rotational hole of the bell crank 110. When the club receiver 102 moves up, the club receiver 102 may pull the second linkage 120 and the bell crank 110 may rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the rotational hole of the bell crank 110. As the bell crank 110 rotates in the clockwise direction about its rotational hole, the first linkage 112 may be pushed and the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 may slide left within the slots of the outer insert 114 and the slots of the base 106. As the bell crank 110 rotates in the counterclockwise direction about its rotational hole, the first linkage 112 may be pulled and the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 may slide right within the slots of the outer insert 114 and the slots of the base 106. When the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 are at their rightmost position, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in a closed position such that the nozzle 108 does not disperse a substance. As the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 move to the left from their rightmost position, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in an open position such that the nozzle 108 disperses a substance.
Referring to
Referring to
An end of the second linkage 120 opposite the bell crank hole of the second linkage 120 may include a sliding bar hole configured to receive a sliding bar 122. The sliding bar 122 may be placed through the sliding bar hole of the second linkage 120. The sliding bar 122 may be placed within the club receiver 102 while the sliding bar 122 is through the sliding bar hole of the second linkage 120. The second linkage 120 may be coupled to the club receiver 102 when the sliding bar 122 is through the sliding bar hole of the second linkage 120 by placing the sliding bar within a slot of the club receiver 102.
As the club receiver 102 moves down, the top of the slot of the club receiver 102 will be pushed down onto the sliding bar 122. As the club receiver 102 moves down, the sliding bar 122 will roll into the club receiver 102 until it reaches the end of where the club receiver 102 slot is cut. Once the sliding bar 122 reaches the end of where the club receiver 102 is cut to, the sliding bar 122 will be forced down as the club receiver 102 moves down. As the sliding bar 122 moves down, the sliding bar will apply a pushing force to the second linkage 120 and the bell crank 110 will rotate clockwise.
As the club receiver 102 moves up, the bottom of the slot of the club receiver 102 will pull up on the sliding bar 122. As the sliding bar 122 moves up, the sliding bar 122 may apply a pulling force to the second linkage 120 and the bell crank 110 may rotate counterclockwise. The pegs of the pressurized insert 118 may only slide so far towards the club receiver 102 such that the bell crank 110 may only rotate so far counterclockwise. Once the bell crank 110 rotates its maximum amount in the counterclockwise direction, as the club receiver 102 moves up, the sliding bar 122 will begin to move within the slot of the club receiver 102 toward the I-portion of the base 106.
The slot of the club receiver 102 may also include a portion configured to receive the second linkage 120. When the sliding bar 122 is coupled to the second linkage 120, the second linkage 120 may move within the club receiver 102 without ever touching the club receiver 102.
Referring to
When the club receiver 102 is at the top of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in a closed position such that a substance is not dispersed through the nozzle 108. When the club receiver 102 is at the top of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the sliding bar 122 may be positioned left of and away from the end of a slot cut in the club receiver 102. A golf club may be positioned on the club receiver 102 and used to push the club receiver 102 down against a biasing force of a spring 104. As the club receiver 102 moves downward, the sliding bar 122 will be forced to the right until it reaches the end of the slot cut in the club receiver 102. As the club receiver moves downward after the sliding bar 122 reaches the end of the slot of the club receiver 102, the second linkage 120 may receive a pushing force from the sliding bar 122 as the club receiver 102 moves downward.
The pushing force exerted on the second linkage 120 may cause the bell crank 110 to rotate clockwise around the rotational hole of the bell crank 110 that is coupled to the cylindrical portion of the base 106. As the bell crank 110 rotates clockwise, a pushing force may be exerted on the first linkage 112. The pushing force exerted on the first linkage 112 may be transferred to a peg of the pressurized insert 118. The pushing force exerted on the first linkage 112 and transferred to the peg of the pressurized insert 118 may cause the pressurized insert 118 to move to the left within the slots of the base 106 and the outer insert 114. When the pressurized insert 118 moves to the left, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in an open position such that the nozzle 108 disperses a substance. The substance may be applied to the surface of a golf club positioned on the club receiver 102. The surface of the golf club that receives the substance may be the surface of the golf club configured to hit a golf ball.
When the golf club is removed from the club receiver 102, thus no longer exerting a force to a top surface of the club receiver 102, the club receiver 102 will return to the top of its range of movement with respect to the base 106 based on the biasing force of a spring 104. As the club receiver 102 moves up towards the top of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the slot of the club receiver 102 will pull up on the sliding bar 122. The force from the club receiver 102 pulling up on the sliding bar 122 may be exerted on the bell crank 110 at the coupling between the second linkage 120 and the bell crank 110, which may cause the bell crank 110 to rotate counter clockwise. The rotation of the bell crank 110 in the counter clockwise direction may exert a pulling force on the first linkage 112 via the coupling between the first linkage 112 and the bell crank 110. The pulling force on the first linkage 112 may be transferred to the pressurize insert 118 through the coupling of the first linkage 112 and the pegs of the pressurized insert 118, causing the pressurized insert 118 to move to the right. When the pressurized insert is at its far right position, the components of the apparatus configured to receiver a golf club 100 may be arranged in a closed position such that a substance is not dispersed through the nozzle 108.
The pressurized insert 118 may be biased to the right such that the pressurized insert 118 is biased to its closed position at the right. The biasing force on the pressurized insert 118 may also cause the bell crank 118 to rotate counter clockwise after the force from the golf club is removed.
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By arranging components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100, when the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 is in the closed position, such that the sliding bar 122 is positioned away from the end of the slot cut in the club receiver 102 when the club receiver 102 is at the top of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the club receiver 102 may move downward some amount without rotating the bell crank 110. The apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged such that the bell crank 110 does not begin to rotate until the golf club on the club receiver 102 is at a certain height with respect to the nozzle 108. The golf club may receive the most even spray application when the opening processes of the components of the apparatus configured to receive the golf club 100 begins with the club receiver 102 at the certain height with respect to the nozzle 108. By initiating the opening process in this manner, the amount of substance applied to the golf flub may be reduced since no substance will be dispersed prior to the golf club being positioned such that it will receive the substance dispersed from the nozzle 108.
When the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 receive a force from the first linkage 112, they are guided to slide within the slots of both the outer insert 114 and the base 106. Based on the force received, the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 may slide to the left or the right. When the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 are positioned at their rightmost position, the components of the apparatus configured receive a golf club 100 may be in a closed position such that a substance is not dispersed through the nozzle 108. As the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 begin to move left, the components of the apparatus configured receive a golf club 100 may be in an open position such that a substance is dispersed through the nozzle 108.
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The club receiver 102 may include a portion that fits within cutouts of the base 106. The coupling of the club receiver 102 to the base 106 may limit the left and right movement of the club receiver 102 with respect to the base 106. The club receiver 102 may be positioned in such a position such that when a golf club is positioned on the club receiver 102, the golf club is in the ideal position to receive a coating of the substance from the nozzle 108 with respect to left and right movement. By limiting the left and right movement of the club receiver 102 such that the club receiver stays in the ideal position as it moves up and down, a golf club receiving a coating of the substance from the nozzle 108 might consistently receive a coating on substantially all of the surface configured to contact a golf ball. A full coating of the substance on the golf club may provide the golfer with better feedback after each swing.
The club receiver 102 may move up and down with respect to the base 106. The coupling of the club receiver 102 to the base 106 within the cutouts of the base 106 may also limit the up and down movement of the club receiver 102. Other components of the apparatus 100 may also limit the up and down movement of the club receiver 102. The limit of the downward movement of the club receiver 102 may be such that the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 are limited to not moving so far left that the pegs slide out of the cutouts of the outer insert 114 and the base 106. The limit of the upward movement of the club receiver 102 may be such that the club receiver 102 does not move high enough to pull the spring 104 beyond a certain position. Thus the limit of the upward movement of the club receiver 102 may be such that the spring 104 is never stretched.
The portion of the club receiver 102 configured to fit within the cutouts of the base 106 may be a bar that is a component of the club receiver 102 but separate from the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to receive a golf club. To assemble the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100, the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to receiver a golf club may be positioned within the apparatus 100, and the bar of the club receiver 102 may slide through the cutouts of the base 106, from outside the base 106, through a hole in the club receiver 102 such that the bar of the club receiver 102 and the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to receive a golf club are coupled. In some other implementations, the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to fit within the cutouts of the base 106 could be configured to retract within the club receiver 102 with a spring, or the like, such that the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to fit within the cutouts of the base 106 could be pushed within the club receiver 102 to allow the club receiver 102 to be assembled within the cutouts of the base 106. When the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to fit within the cutouts of the base 106 is aligned with the cutouts of the base 106, the spring within the club receiver 102 may force the portion of the club receiver 102 configured to fit within the cutouts of the base 106 out of the club receiver 102 and into the cutouts.
In some implementations, the cutouts of the base 106 could be cut to the top of the base 106 such that the club receiver 102 could be assembled within the base by coupling the club receiver 102 to the base 106 from the top of the base 106. A stop may be arranged within the cutouts of the base 106 after the club receiver 102 is positioned in order to limit the upward movement of the club receiver 102. In some implementations, the club receiver 102 could be coupled to the spring 104 and allowed free movement in the upward direction.
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When the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 are configured in a closed position such that a substance is not dispersed from the nozzle 108, the pressurized insert 118 will be at the right most position it can be with respect to the outer insert 114. When the pressurized insert 118 is at the right most position, the club receiver 102 may be at its highest position with respect to the base 106.
The I-portion of the base 106 may include a bore configured to receive the nozzle 108, and the outer insert 114 within the bore.
The nozzle 108 may include threads. The threads may be on an outer diameter surface of the nozzle 108 and configured to mate with threads of the base 106 such that the nozzle is secured to the base 106. The threads of the base 106 configured to mate with the nozzle 108 may be positioned on an inner diameter of the bore of the base 106.
In some implementations, the nozzle 108 may include threads on an inner diameter surface of the nozzle 108 configured to mate with threads on the outer insert 114 such that the nozzle 108 is secured to the outer insert 114. The threads on the outer insert 114 may be on an outer diameter of the outer insert 114 that matches the inner diameter of the nozzle 108.
The nozzle 108 may include a hole configured to receive a pressurized substance on the left side of the hole and disperse the pressurize substance on the right side of the hole. The hole of the nozzle 108 may be configured such that the substance is spread across an area when it is dispersed through the nozzle 108. The area of which the substance is dispersed may be large enough such that it covers a surface of a golf club configured to hit a golf ball.
The outer insert 114 may include threads configured to secure the outer insert 114 to the base 106. The threads may be positioned on an outer diameter surface of the outer insert 114 such that the threads mate with threads of the base 106 located within the bore of the base 106.
The pressurized insert 118 may include, at the left side of the pressurized insert 118, a portion configured to be coupled to a hollow tube. The hollowed tube may couple to an aerosol container including a substance intended to be applied to a golf club at an end of the hollowed tube opposite the coupling to the pressurized insert 118. The pressurized insert 118 may be coupled to the aerosol container including a substance intended to be sprayed on a face of a golf club via the hollowed tube. When the pressurized insert 118 is coupled to the aerosol including the substance, the substance may enter the inner tube of the pressurized insert 118 and remain in a pressurized state.
The pressurized insert 118 may be configured to fit within the outer insert 114 and slide left and right within the outer insert 114. The right end of the pressurized insert 118 may include a bore configured to allow the pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 to leave the pressurized insert 118. When the pressurized insert 118 is all the way to the right, the right end of the pressurized insert 118 may rest against a surface of the outer insert 114. The surface of the outer insert 114 configured to receive the right end of the pressurized insert 118 may include a material configured to form a seal with the pressurized insert 118. As a non-limiting example, the material configured to form a seal could be a rubber. When the right side of the pressurized insert 118 is positioned against the outer insert 114, pressurized substance contained within the pressurized insert 118 may not escape from the bore on the right end of the pressurized insert 118. Thus, when the pressurized insert 118 is all the way to the right with respect to the outer insert 114, a substance will not be dispersed from the nozzle 108.
The outer insert 114 may include a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion. A diameter of the first cylindrical portion may by less than a diameter of the second cylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114 may be positioned further right than the second cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114.
The pressurized insert 118 may include a circulator portion that extends from the pressurized insert 118. The extended circular portion of the pressurized insert 118 may extend such that the extended circular portion can move left and right within the second cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114 but cannot fit into the first cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114. The extended circular portion of the pressurized insert 118 may be positioned such that a spring 124 can fit around the pressurized insert 118 and up against a left surface of the extended circular portion of the pressurized insert 118.
A support plate 130 may be configured to be secured to the outer insert 114. The support plate 130 may be coupled to the outer insert 114 via threads positioned on the outer diameter surface of the support plate 130 that mate with threads on an inner diameter surface of the outer insert 114. After the pressurized insert 118, with the spring 124 around the pressurized insert 118, is inserted into the outer insert 114, the support plate 130 may be coupled to the outer insert 114. The coupling of the support plate 130 and the outer insert 114 may close the second cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114 with the spring 124 and the extended circular portion of the pressurized insert 118 within the second cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114.
The support plate 130 may include a hole configured to allow the pressurized insert 118 to slide left and right within the hole of the support plate 130. The hole of the support plate 130 may be sized such that the spring 124 around the pressurized insert 118 will not slide left past the support plate 130 when the spring 124 is within the second cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114 and the support plate 130 is coupled to the outer insert 114. The foregoing arrangement may bias the pressurized insert 118 to the right. With the pressurized insert 118 biased to the right, the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 will be configured such that a substance is not dispersed through the nozzle so long as no external forces are applied to the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100.
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When the club receiver 102 is at the bottom of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in an position such that a substance is dispersed through the nozzle 108. When the club receiver 102 is at the bottom of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the sliding bar 122 may be positioned against a right end of the slot cut in the club receiver 102. The second linkage 120 may receive a pushing force from the club receiver 102 when the sliding bar 122 is at the right end of the slot cut in the club receiver 102.
When the club receiver 102 is at the bottom of its range of movement with respect to the base 106, the pushing force exerted on the second linkage 120 may cause the bell crank 110 to be rotated to its furthest clockwise position. When the bell crank 110 is rotated to its furthest clockwise position, a pushing force exerted from the bell crank 110 on the first linkage 112 may cause the pressurized insert 118 to move to its furthest left position. With the pressurized insert 118 at its furthest left position, the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be arranged in an open position such that the nozzle 108 disperses a substance to a surface of a golf club. Since the spring 104 biases the club receiver 102 up, the club receiver 102 may be configured such that it is only at the bottom of its range of movement with respect to the base 106 when a golfer exerts a force on the club receiver 102 via a golf club.
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When the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 are positioned at their leftmost position, the components of the apparatus configured receive a golf club 100 may be in an open position such that a substance is dispersed through the nozzle 108.
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When the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 are configured in an open position such that a substance is dispersed from the nozzle 108, the pressurized insert 118 may be at the leftmost position it can be. The coupling between the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 and the first linkage 112 may limit how far left the pressurized insert 118 may move left. Other components of the apparatus 100 may also limit the left and right movement of the pressurized insert 118. The apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may disperse a substance from the nozzle 108 when the pressurized insert is located at any position left of the its furthest right position. The furthest right position of the pressurized insert 118 may be when right side of the pressurized insert rests against the outer insert 114, forming a seal between the right end of the pressurized insert 118 and outer insert 114. The seal formed may prevent pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 from exiting the bore of the pressurized insert 118. When the pressurized insert 118 is at the leftmost position, the club receiver 102 may be at its lowest position with respect to the base 106.
When the pressurized insert 118 is left of its rightmost position, the right side of the pressurized insert 118 with the bore configured to allow a pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 to leave the pressurized insert 118 will be positioned away from the outer insert 114. When the bore configured to allow the pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 to leave the pressurized insert 118 is not touching the outer insert 114, the pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 may escape through the bore on the right side of the pressurized insert 118 into an inner diameter of the outer insert 114. A first O-ring 128 may be positioned between the outer diameter of the pressurized insert 118 and the inner diameter of the outer insert 114 such that the pressurized substance cannot move left by passing through the gap between the outer diameter of the pressurized insert 118 and an inner diameter of the outer insert 114. The first O-ring 128 may be positioned such that it contacts an inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion of the outer insert 114 as the pressurized insert 118 slides within the outer insert 114.
The outer insert 114 may include one or more substance escape cuts through the entirety of the outer insert 114. The one or more substance escape cuts of the outer insert 114 may be positioned right of the first O-ring 128 such that pressurized substance exiting the bore of the pressurized insert 118 may move through the substance escape cuts of the outer insert 114 when the pressurized insert 118 is left of its rightmost position.
The pressurized substance that moves through the substance escape cuts of the outer insert 114 may move into an area defined by an inner diameter of the nozzle 108. A second O-ring 126 may be positioned between the outer diameter of the outer insert 114 and an inner diameter of the bore of the base 106 such that the pressurized substance cannot move left by passing through the gap between the outer diameter of the outer insert 114 and the inner diameter of the bore in the base 106. In some implementations, a third O-ring may be positioned between the nozzle 108 and the bore of the base 106 such that the pressurized substance cannot move right by passing around the outer diameter of the nozzle 108.
A hole positioned on the right side of the nozzle 108 will allow pressurized substance within the area defined by an inner diameter of the nozzle 108 to exit through the hole. The hole may be designed such that as the substance passes through the hole from left to right, it is dispersed across an area wider than that of the hole of the nozzle 108. The area across which the substance is dispersed may be sized such that it is large enough to cover the surface of a golf club configured to hit a golf ball.
The pressurized insert 118 may slide through the support plate 130. As the pressurized insert 118 moves left from its rightmost position, the spring 124 may compress. The force from the spring 124 may bias the pressurized insert 118 to the right. With the pressurized insert 118 biased to the right, the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 may be configured such that a pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 is only dispersed through the nozzle 108 when an external forces is applied to the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100. The external force may be supplied by a golfer pushing down on the club receiver 102 which in turn rotates the bell crank 110 clockwise, pushes the pegs of the pressurized insert 118 left, and moves the pressurized insert 118 left such that the pressurized substance may exit the bore on the right side of the pressurized insert 118.
When the external force from the club is removed, the biasing force of the spring 124 may force the pressurized insert 118 to the right such that the bore on the right side of the pressurized insert 118 rests against the outer insert 114, forming a seal. The force of the spring 124 may help create a seal between the mating surfaces of the right side of the pressurized insert 118 and the outer insert 114 such that pressurized substance within the pressurized insert 118 does not exit through the bore on the right side of the pressurized insert 118 when no external force is applied to the apparatus 100.
When the external force from the club is removed, the biasing force of the spring 104 will force the club receiver 102 up such that the bell crank 110 rotates counterclockwise, removing any force exerted on the pegs of the pressurized insert 118.
In some implementations, the apparatus 100 may be configured to receive an aerosol container including a substance configured to be applied to a surface of a golf club configured to hit a golf ball. The apparatus may be configured to secure the aerosol container to the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 may include a battery and be configured to move the aerosol container while it is coupled to the apparatus 100 such that the aerosol container is shaken from time to time to prime the substance to be dispersed from the aerosol container, into the pressurized insert 118, and out the nozzle 108.
The components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 could be configured such that once an aerosol including a pressurized substance is coupled to the apparatus 100, a nozzle 108 disperses a substance when the club receiver 102 is pressed down with a golf club. The substance dispersed from the nozzle 108 could be configured to coat a surface of a golf club designed to contact a golf ball when the club receiver 102 is pressed down. The biasing force of the spring 104 could reset the components of the apparatus configured to receive a golf club 100 to a closed position such that the nozzle 108 does not disperse a substance when the force from the golf club is removed. A golfer could make a swing with the substance dispersed from the nozzle 108 on the surface of the golf designed to contact a golf ball. After a golfer makes the golf swing, the surface of the golf club that contacts the golf ball may have a first impression of the golf ball in the substance that was coated on the surface of the golf club. The golfer would be able to tell which portion of the golf club surface they struck the golf ball with.
After the initial swing, a golfer could repeat the step of pressing down on the club receiver 102 with a golf club such that a second coating of aerosol is applied to the surface of the golf club designed to contact a golf ball. The second coating would cover the first impression such that when the golfer makes a second swing, the golfer would be able to tell which portion of the surface of the golf club contacts the golf ball on the second swing via an impression in the second coating of the substance applied to the golf club surface that contacts the golf ball.
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While the above implementation describes the first linkage 112 configured to move a pressurized insert 118, in alternative implementations, the first linkage 112 may be configured to move a gate valve of a gate valve arrangement up and down. The gate valve arrangement could be positioned between the nozzle 108 and the I-portion of the base 106 configured to be opposite the nozzle 108. A hollow tube could couple a right side of the gate valve arrangement to the nozzle 108. A second hollow tube could couple the left side of the gate valve arrangement to a container including the substance configured to be dispersed through the nozzle 108 onto a golf club surface. When the gate valve is down, it may be closed and the substance may not pass through the gate valve arrangement to be dispersed through the nozzle 108. When the gate valve is up, it may be open and the substance may pass through the gate valve arrangement such that the substance is dispersed through the nozzle 108.
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The second club receiver 702 may include a portion configured to compress a spray nozzle of an aerosol can 710 when the second club receiver 702 moves downward. The components of the second example of the apparatus 700 may be arranged such that the portion configured to compress the spray nozzle is not compressing the spray nozzle when the second club receiver 702 is at its highest position. As the second club receiver 702 moves downward, the portion of the second club receiver 702 configured to compress the spray nozzle may move downward and compress the spray nozzle. When the spray nozzle is compressed, a substance configured to be applied to a golf club may be dispersed from the spray nozzle of the aerosol can 710 onto a golf club positioned on the second club receiver 702. A golfer may move the club receiver 702 downward by placing the golf club on the second club receiver 702 and pushing down on the second club receiver 702. When a golfer makes a swing with the golf club after it is coated in the substance from an aerosol can 710, the golf ball hit may make an impression in the substance such that the golfer can tell which portion of his golf club contacted the golf ball.
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The brush 908 may extend from a cylinder that is coupled to opposite side of the third base 906. The brush 908 may rotate as the cylinder which the brush extends from rotates. The brush 908 may scrape against a chalk 910 as it rotates. The ends of the brush 908 that scrape the chalk 910 may be coated in the chalk 910 as the ends brush against the chalk 910. In some alternative implementations, the material the brush 908 scrapes against could be material other than a chalk. The material could be any substance that would coat a brush as it scrapes against the material.
The third club receiver 902 may be configured to receive a golf club with the surface of the golf club configured to hit a golf ball facing left. As the ends of the brush 908 coated in chalk rotate, the ends of the brush 908 coated in chalk may brush against the surface of a golf club configured to contact a golf ball. The chalk material on the ends of the brush 908 may be applied to the surface of the golf club as the ends of the brush 908 scape against the golf club. When a golfer makes a swing with the golf club after it is coated in the chalk, the golf ball hit may make an impression in the chalk such that the golfer can tell which portion of his golf club contacted the golf ball.
In some implementations, a component configured to move the chalk left and right 912 may be configured to enable a golfer to slide the chalk 910 right as the chalk 910 wears down from being scraped off by the brush 908. The component configured to move the chalk left and right 912 may include threads that match threads of a component configured to hold the chalk 910. As the component configured to move the chalk left and right 912 is rotated, the chalk 910 may be moved left or right.
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The second club receiver may include a second gear that extends to engage with the first gear 914. As the third club receiver 902 moves downward, the gear engagement may cause the cylinder about which the brush 908 rotates to rotate, which may cause the brush 908 to rotate.
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The fourth club receiver 1002 may be configured to receive a golf club. The fourth club receiver 1002 may be stationary with respect to the fourth base 1006. The foot receiver 1004 may be configured to move downwards when a golfer applies a force to the foot receiver 1004 with his foot. When a golf club is positioned on the fourth club receiver 1002 and the foot receiver 1004 is pressed down, a substance may be configured to be dispersed from the fourth nozzle 1008 onto a surface of the golf club configured to contact a golf ball.
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The fourth club receiver 1002 may be a component of the fourth base 1006.
The valve 1010 may sit in a valve seat. The base 1006 may include a hose coupling 1014 configured to couple the fourth base 1006 to an aerosol can including a substance configured to be applied to a golf club via a hollow tube. When the valve seat is coupled to the aerosol can, a pressurized substance may enter the area defined by the bottom surface of the valve 1010 and the valve seat. The valve 1010 may form a seal with the valve seat when the valve is positioned against the valve seat. An O-ring in the valve seat may prevent the pressurized substance from escaping between the valve stem and the valve seat. The valve 1010 may be biased against the valve seat such that a seal between the valve 1010 and the vale seat is formed when no external forces are applied to the fourth apparatus 1000.
As the foot receiver 1004 moves downward, the valve 1010 may be configured to lift off of the valve seat. When the valve 1010 is not touching the valve seat, no seal may be formed and the pressurized substance within the valve seat may pass by the valve 1010 and through the fourth nozzle 1008 onto a surface of the golf club configured to contact a golf ball.
The fourth spring 1012 may bias the foot receiver 1004 upwards such that when no external force is applied to the fourth apparatus 1000, the valve 1010 forms a seal with the valve seat and no substance is dispersed through the fourth nozzle 1010.
The various examples of an apparatus configured to receive a golf club described above are used as non-limiting examples of the present disclosure.
In an illustrative implementation, an apparatus may include a club receiver 102 configured to receive a golf club and a second linkage 120 configured to initiate application of a substance to a first surface of the golf club, the first surface configured to contact a golf ball.
In some implementations, the club receiver 102 may be coupled to the second linkage 120. In some implementations, the second linkage 120 may be configured to be in a first position when the club receiver 102 is in a second position, and the second linkage 120 may be configured to be in a third position when the club receiver 102 is in a fourth position. In some implementations, the second linkage 120 is configured to initiate application of a substance when the second linkage 120 moves from the first position to the third position.
In some implementations the apparatus may include a bell crank 110 and a first linkage 112 configured to initiate application of the substance to the first surface of a golf club. In some implementations, the apparatus may include a pressurized insert 118, an outer insert 114, and a support plate 130 configured to initiate application of the substance to the first surface of a golf club.
In some implementations, the club receiver 102 may be configured to receive a force from a golf club, the force configured to move the second linkage 120 from a first position to a second position.
In some implementations, the second linkage 120 may be biased by a spring 104 towards a first position.
In yet another illustrative example, an apparatus may include a second club receiver 702 configured to receive a golf club and the second club receiver 702 may include a portion configured to compress a spray nozzle configured to initiate application of a substance to a first surface of the golf club, the first surface configured to contact a golf ball.
In yet another illustrative example, an apparatus may include a third club receiver 902 configured to receive a golf club and the third club receiver 902 may include a gear configured to initiate application of a substance to a first surface of the golf club, the first surface configured to contact a golf ball.
In yet another illustrative example, an apparatus may include a fourth club receiver 1002 configured to receive a golf club and a foot receiver 1004 configured to initiate application of a substance to a first surface of the golf club, the first surface configured to contact a golf ball.
Various implementations of the present disclosure provide golfers with a quick, clean, and mindless manner for determining which portion of their golf club contacts a golf ball they hit after every swing. The present disclosure may allow a golfer to run through a cycle of coating a golf club with a substance, swinging, and observing golf ball impact location on the golf club over and over.
In some implementations, the golfer may be enable to easily initiate application of a substance designed to provide feedback on golf club impact to their golf club. In some implementations, the golfer can initiate application of the substance with their golf club. By enabling a golfer to initiate application of the substance with a golf club, golfer's do not have to bend over a significant amount to obtain the impact feedback they desire and do not have to touch the substance or a container containing the substance each time the golfer desires to obtain impact feedback.
In some implementations of the present disclosure, a golfer may initiate application of a substance to the surface of their golf club that contacts a golf ball with their foot. A golfer's foot is closer to the ground or the portion of the golf cart the present disclosure may be designed to attach to. Enabling a golfer to initiate application of the substance with the golfer's foot may be an alternative manner for enabling golfers to obtain the impact feedback they desire without having to bend over a significant amount and without having to touch the substance or a container containing the substance each time the golfer desires to obtain impact feedback.
The hands free aspect of some implementations of the present disclosure allows golfers to keep their hands free and clear of the substance applied to the golf club. Thus, some implementations allow golfers to obtain the desired impact feedback without getting a substance on or near either their hands or clothes. By initiating application of the substance without a golfer's hands and keeping the golfer's hands and clothes clean, the golfer can be ready to hit their next golf shot immediately after applying the substance to the club.
In some implementations, the present disclosure can be used to initiate application of a substance to a golf club and the implementation of the present disclosure can immediately be ready to initiate application of the substance after a golf swing. The golfer will be able to see which portion of their golf club face contacted the golf ball after any given swing, then repeat initiation of the application of the substance to their golf club. The present disclosure is so quick and convenient to use that it may be used during both golf rounds and driving range practice sessions.
The easy, quick, repeatability of the initiation of the application of the substance is critical for driving range sessions where golfers make many swings and want to know which portion of their club struck the golf ball after each swing. Golfers often have a limited amount of time at a driving range, so the quick process of applying a substance to the golf club is critical to granting golfer's access to the desired impact feedback for every golf ball the golfer hits.
Golfer's using the various implementations of the present disclosure to effortlessly obtain information regarding golf club impact location will improve their ability to consistently hit the golf ball with the center of the golf club face. Thus, golfers will improve their ability to shoot low rounds on the golf course.
Although aspects of the present application and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular implementations of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the above disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding implementations described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
The above specification provides a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative configurations. Although certain configurations have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual configurations, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed configurations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As such, the various illustrative configurations of the methods and systems are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and configurations other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted configurations. For example, elements may be omitted or combined as a unitary structure, connections may be substituted, or both. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and/or functions, and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one configuration or may relate to several configurations. Accordingly, no single implementation described herein should be construed as limiting and implementations of the disclosure may be suitably combined without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.
The previous description of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed implementations. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and novel features as defined by the following claims. The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.
