Patent Application
20050192114
The present invention relates to golf putters.
Alignment golf putters which help a golfer improve their swing have been around for some time. Typically, such systems include a putter with markings or lights placed thereon, or with spike(s) extending from a rear face of the putter. The golfer watches the putter during the swing and the alignment marks, lights or extensions on the putter assist the golfer in determining the direction of their swing (so that they san improve their swing over time).
Examples of systems which help golfers improve their putting swing are found in U.S. patent applications 2002/0006833; 2002/0010033; 2003/0013539; 2003/027724; 2003/0186756; 2003/0176230; 2003/0162599; 2003/0144075; 2003/0144068; 2003/0134686; 2003/0060305; 2002/0103038; and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,136,877; 4,367,877; 4,741,535; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 434,094.
There are numerous problems with these various existing systems. For example, some systems tend to cause the golfer to focus so much on the visual aspects of the putter head itself that they tend to become distracted and lose focus on the overall swing. In addition, some putter alignment systems tend to be better at static alignment, but poor at dynamic alignment, (i.e.: they provide poor alignment during the swing itself). Further problems common to putter alignment systems are that they fail to account for the fact that different golfers have different dominant eyes (i.e.: left vs. right); and that different golfers have different perspectives for static vs. dynamic alignment. In addition, different golfers tend to have different planes of swing.
The present invention provides an alignment system for a golf putter, including: a shaft; a putter head; and a plurality of interchangeable top plates for the putter head, wherein each of the interchangeable top plates have differing alignment indicia thereon.
In optional preferred aspects, the indicia include a series of arrows or curved lines in alignment with one another. In various embodiments, these arrows or curved lines may either be spaced a uniform distance apart, or be spaced progressively closer together to one another across the top plate. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to any particular indicia design.
In optional preferred embodiments, the indicia comprises a series of markings of which one portion is a mirror image of another portion. Such portions may preferably be of equal size. In optional aspects, the alignment indicia on different top plates include indicia having opposite color contrasts. An advantage of the various embodiments of the indicia is that they preferably convey a visual impression of a line of swing as the putter is swung by the golfer.
In one optional embodiment, the putter head may be made from a clear material and the alignment system may also be printed onto a clear material. An advantage of this see-through embodiment of the putter head is that will appear to take on the background of the green, further highlighting the alignment indicia.
The plurality of interchangeable top plates for the putter head may optionally be slide mounted plates dimensioned to be received into the putter head; or be magnetically attached to the putter head; or simply be adhesive stickers.
The present invention provides the advantageous method of improving a golfer's putting swing by first providing a golfer with a golf putter having a plurality of interchangeable top plates for its putter head; having the golfer putt with different interchangeable top plates on the putter head; having the golfer then select a preferred top plate for their own individual use; and having the golfer continue to putt with the preferred top plate on the putter head. In optional embodiments, the golfer designs the indicia on one or more of the interchangeable top plates.
Different people have different dominant eyes, different contrast sensitivities, etc. Thus, different people may require their own individualized alignment systems. In accordance with the present invention, one or more interchangeable top plates 20 may be designed by the golfer him(her)self. For example, the various indicia 21 on interchangeable top plates 20 may be designed and then printed on magnetic sheet paper, or on adhesive label makers (similar to personal CD label makers).
Thus, an advantage of the present system is that each golfer who uses the present alignment system is able to try out each of the various plurality of interchangeable top plates 20. Thus, after practicing swinging with each of the various interchangeable top plates 20, the golfer will get a feel for whichever plate design is best suited for them. Since different golfers are expected to have different preferred top plate designs, the present system provides an alignment system that can be individually tailored to different golfers. In contrast, existing systems for improving putting swing alignment all have a “one size fits all” design.
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In optional preferred aspects, top plate 20A may be designed as two portions 22A and 23A that are mirror images of another portion. Such a design may be preferred in conveying a visual impression of the line of swing as the putter is swung by the golfer. For example, when the putter is swung, the golfer will tend to see an imaginary line separating portions 22A and 23A. This imaginary line will correspond identically to the direction of swing of the golf club. Portions 22A and 23A are preferably of equal size.
In one optional embodiment, putter head 16 is made of a clear, see-through material. In another optional embodiment, interchangeable top plate 20 is also made of a clear, see-through material.
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Although interchangeable top plates 20 may be flat thin plates that are dimensioned to be received into a recess in the top of putter head 16 (as shown), the present invention is not so limited. For example, top plates 20 may instead be designed to be slidably received into a groove in the putter head. Also, top plates 20 may instead be magnetically attached to the putter head. Alternatively, top plates 20 may instead be adhesive stickers.
The present system also includes a method of improving a golfer's putting by providing a golfer with the presently described alignment system 10; having the golfer putt with the different interchangeable top plates 20 on putter head 16; having the golfer select a preferred top plate (e.g.: 20A, 20B, 20C or 20D); and then having the golfer continue to putt with the preferred top plate (e.g.: 20A, 20B, 20C or 20D) on putter head 16.
The present invention also includes a kit including alignment system 10 and instructions for use setting forth the above described preferred method. Such instructions for use may simply be printed on the packaging in which the present invention is sold, or may be included in printed form within the packaging box. Alternatively, such instructions for use may be stored in electronic machine readable format, or provided over the internet.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/530,281, entitled An Interchangeable Alignment System For Golf Putters, filed Dec. 16, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60530281 | Dec 2003 | US |
