Sporting equipment audible device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6733399
  • Patent Number
    6,733,399
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, April 24, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 11, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
The present invention 10 discloses a device that attaches to sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions. The device 10 is selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club 18 and tennis racquet 38, that travels through a sweeping motion. By attachment of the sound generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt increases in velocity. The device of the preferred embodiment is comprised of a sound generation element 12 such as pliable material, and may include a means of attachment element 14. The sound generation element 12 can be permanently or semi-permanently fixed to the sporting equipment. In the permanent/semi-permanent state the sound generation element is fixedly positioned by means of adhesive 40, or any other bonding means known within the art, to the sporting equipment thereby having no need for a means of an attachment element 14. The means of attachment element 14 provides for selective attachment and detachment of the sound generating device and is comprised of a snap-on collar or clip 24 and alternately of lengths of material 22 that can be twisted or tied around a portion of the sporting equipment. The clip 24 is a substantially cylindrical object having a slotted aperture 28 formed by flexible divergent arms 26 enclosing a throughbore whereby the clip can be pressed onto sporting equipment.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment and more specifically to a device that can be selectively attached to some sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions.




The sound-generating device of the present invention is attached to hand held sporting equipment that travel through a sweeping motion, such as golf clubs and tennis racquets. By attachment of the sound-generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds during predetermined velocities of the sound-generating device.




SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION




The present invention discloses a device that attaches to sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions. The device is selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club and tennis racquet, that travels through a sweeping motion. By attachment of the sound-generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt increases in velocity. The device is comprised of a sound generation element and may include a means of attachment element.




The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a sound generation element comprised of a planar sheet of polyester film having an amount of adhesive along one side of said polyester film with a peelable protective element covering the adhesive. The device is fixed to the sporting equipment by removing the adhesive protective element and placing the device in contact with the sporting equipment. The device is wrapped around the sporting equipment with the adhesive element being a fixed to a part of the planar sheet of polyester. The adhesive does not come into contact with the sporting equipment. Thereby the device is free to rotate about the sporting equipment during use.




In another embodiment of the present invention, the device incorporates a means of attachment element. The means of attachment element provides for selective attachment and detachment of the sound generating device and is comprised of a snap-on collar or clip and alternately of lengths of material that can be twisted or tied around a portion of the sporting equipment. The means for attachment element can be lengths of suitable material, such as cord or wire reinforced cord, having the sound generation element fixedly positioned thereto with sufficient free end lengths that can pass around a selected point on the sporting equipment and tied or twisted as means for securing the sound generation element to the sporting equipment. As an alternate means of securing the sound-generating element to the sporting equipment, a clip is provided. The clip is a substantially cylindrical object having a slotted aperture formed by flexible divergent arms enclosing a throughbore whereby the clip can be pressed onto sporting equipment. The flexible divergent arms aid in the removal of the device from the sporting equipment.




An additional element is provided for the sound generation element in the form of a planar somewhat rigid pliant material such as paper or plastic. That can be attached permanently or semi-permanently by any means known with the art, such as adhesively. Using a means of attachment element, such as a clip, enables selective attachment and removal of the sound generation device.




The sound generation element has a clip mating member formed on one edge. The clip mating member Is inserted into a channel or aperture within the clip. The length of the sound generation element can be adjusted by wrapping said element around the clip mating member prior to insertion in the clip.




The purpose of the sound generation device of the present invention is to provide means whereby a golfer may accurately determine whether he is accelerating the club at a proper point of the swing or during the wrong part of a swing or at the top of the back swing. If the golfer jerks the club back or hits from the top, the sound generation element will make a loud flutter sound at the point of incorrect acceleration. If the swing is correct, the sound generation element will only make the flutter sound at impact of the swing. The size of the flutter flag is inversely proportional to the speed at which is the flutter.




A primary object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that can be attached to selective sporting equipment.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that will interact with atmospheric air during a sweeping motion while attached to sporting equipment to generate sound.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that can be permanently or semi-permanently attached to sporting equipment.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device that can be selectively attached and removed from sporting equipment.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device having a sound generation element.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element that can be fixedly attached to sporting equipment by means of adhesive.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element that can be attached to sporting equipment by means of an attachment element.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device having a sound generation element and a means of attachment element.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation device comprising a sound generation element formed from a semi-rigid planar material such as, paper, Mylar or nylon or other polyester film.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation attachment element for a sound generation element comprising lengths of suitable material such as cord or wire reinforced line that can be tied or twisted about sporting equipment as means of securement.




Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment element for a sound generation element comprised of a cylindrical member having a slotted aperture that can be pressed on sporting equipment.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment element having cylindrical walls with opposing divergent arms forming a slotted aperture that can be pressed on sporting equipment.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element having a post fixedly attached to one edge of the sound generation element and forming an integral part therewith.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element having a post whereby the sound generation element can be inserted into an attachment element and selectively removed therefrom.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element and an attachment element that form a sound generation device.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generation element that can be adjustably mounted to vary the length of said sound generation element.




Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.




The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a sound generating device having a sound generation element that can be permanently/semi-permanently attached to hand held sporting equipment that will generate a sound during an accelerated sweeping motion.




The sound generation element can be formed from a semi-rigid pliant material. The aforementioned sound generation elements can be selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment by means of an attachment element.




The attachment element can form an integral part of the sound generation element, such as length of suitable material bonded to the sound generation element that can be positioned to straddle a portion of the sporting equipment and tied or twisted forming closure and attachment to the sporting equipment.




Alternately the attachment element can be a clip that can be pressed onto selective sporting equipment.




The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.




The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention having an amount of adhesive on a portion thereof.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention wrapped around a golf club shaft.





FIG. 4

is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken from

FIG. 3

as indicated.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention wrapped around a golf club shaft.





FIG. 6

is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken from

FIG. 5

as indicated.





FIG. 7

is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention.





FIG. 8

is a perspective view of the sound generation device with an attachment clip.





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of the sound generation element with an attachment clip.





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of the sound generation element with an attachment clip.





FIG. 11

is a section view of the present invention attached to a golf club shaft by a retaining clip.





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of the sound generation element wrapped around a golf shaft with a retaining clip.





FIG. 13

is a sectional view of the present invention wrapped around a golf shaft with a retaining clip.





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of the sound generation device attached to means for ties.





FIG. 15

is a perspective view of the sound generation element of the present invention attached to a tennis racquet.





FIG. 16

is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention attached to a tennis racquet.




List of Reference Numerals




With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.






10


present invention






12


sound generation element






14


sound generation attachment element






18


golf club






20


golf club shaft






22


wire reinforced line






24


clip






26


arm of clip






28


aperture






30


golfer






32


point of back swing






34


point of incorrect acceleration






36


point of flutter sound






38


tennis racquet






40


adhesive material






42


clip mating member






44


slot






46


post






48


wall






50


small clip






52


hook and loop material











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.




Turning to

FIG. 1

, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention


10


disposed on a golf club


18


having a sound generation element attached thereto whereby a golfer


30


will cause the sound generation element to emit a sound by jerking the golf club


18


during the top of the back swing. If the golfer


30


jerks the golf club


18


back at the back swing point


32


or has incorrect acceleration at point


34


, e.g., a flutter sound or other sound will be emitted at point


36


.




Turning to

FIG. 2

, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention


10


attached to the shaft


20


of a golf club. The sound generation element may be made of a stiff pliant material, such as paper or plastic or the like that is fixed to the golf club shaft


20


for the purpose of generating a sound under predetermined conditions during a sweeping motion of the golf club


18


.




Turning to

FIG. 3

, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention


10


showing the sound generation element


12


having a partial layer of adhesive material


40


on one portion thereof. The adhesive material will bond the sound generation element


12


to, e.g., a golf club shaft


20


, by being wrapped around the shaft


20


.




Turning to

FIG. 4

, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


attached to shaft


20


. The sound generation element


12


is wrapped around the shaft


20


and adhesively attached to itself. The sound generation element


12


encloses shaft


20


without being affixed thereto. Thereby the sound generation element


12


is able to freely rotate around shaft


20


. During use of the present invention the sound generation


12


will rotate around shaft


20


lagging during a sweeping motion.




Turning to

FIG. 5

, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention


10


showing the sound generation element


12


having a mating hook and loop material


52


on one end thereof. The hook and loop material is spaced apart so that a golf club shaft can be placed between said mating members whereupon said mating members will be engaged enclosing the golf club shaft therein. The sound generation element


12


having been releasably fixed to golf club shaft


20


has sufficient circumference to freely rotate about club shaft


20


.




Turning to

FIG. 6

, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


attached to a shaft


20


. The sound generation element


12


is wrapped around the shaft


20


and the mating hook and loop material


52


is attached to itself enclosing shaft


20


without being affixed thereto. Thereby the sound generation element


12


is able to freely rotate around shaft


20


. During use of the present invention the sound generation


12


will rotate around shaft


20


lagging during a sweeping motion.




Turning to

FIG. 7

, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


. The sound generation element


12


being of a semi-rigid pliant material is fixed to a post


46


which is attached to the means of attachment element being a clip


24


. The clip


24


has a slotted aperture


44


in the wall


48


thereof wherethrough the post


46


of the sound generation element can be inserted and retained thereby. The clip


24


has a slotted aperture


28


formed by divergent arms


26


whereby the clip attachment element can be pressed onto sporting equipment. The divergent arms


26


provide means for easily dismounting the sound generation element from the sporting equipment.




Turning for

FIG. 8

, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


showing the sound generation element


12


wrapped around the post


46


a selective number of times whereby the length of the sound generation element


12


can be varied. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.




Turning to

FIG. 9

, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


showing the sound generation element


12


wherein the post


46


is inserted into a slotted aperture


44


within the wall of the means of attachment element


24


. The means of attachment element


24


grips a portion of sporting equipment, such as a golf club. The means of attachment clip


24


can be rotated upon the sporting equipment through a predetermined number of degrees whereby the sound generation element


12


can be rotated to generate a sound through a sweeping motion in either of the back swing or fore swing of a golf club.




Turning to

FIG. 10

, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


. The sound generation device is comprised of a sound generation element


12


being a length of semi-rigid pliant material fixedly attached to a post


46


which forms a sound generation attachment element mating member for insertion into a small clip


50


disposed on the back of the large clip


24


opposite to arms


26


.




Turning to

FIG. 11

, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


attached to a sporting equipment shaft


20


. The sound generation device is comprised of a sound generation element


12


having a length of semi-rigid pliant material fixedly attached to a post


46


which forms a sound generation attachment element mating member for insertion into a small clip


50


on the back of the large clip


24


.




Turning to

FIG. 12

, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device partially mounted onto a sporting equipment shaft


20


. The sound generation device is comprised of a sound generation element


12


and a mounting element


24


. The sound generation element


12


can be wrapped around the sporting equipment shaft until a desired length of the sound generation element is exposed, whereupon the clip attachment element


24


is pressed onto the shaft


20


over the sound generation element movably fixedly positioning the sound generation element a desired length onto the sporting equipment shaft


20


.




Turning to

FIG. 13

, shown therein is a view of the sound generation device of the present invention


10


attached to a shaft


20


. The sound generation element


12


is wrapped around the shaft


20


until a desired length of sound generation element is exposed. The sound generation attachment element


24


holds the sound generation element


12


at the aforementioned selective positioning onto the sporting equipment shaft


20


.




Turning to

FIG. 14

, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device comprised of a sound generation element


12


and a sound generation attachment means forming an integral part therewith. The sound generation device, as shown, is a semi-rigid planar pliant material fixed to multiple lengths of a suitable tying or twisting material, such as cord or wire reinforced cord


22


. The sporting equipment is encircled by the opposing lengths of the tie material


22


positioned at each distal end. The lengths of line


22


are then tied or twisted around the portion of sporting equipment. This configuration enables the sound generation element


12


to be attached to irregular objects such as a tennis racquet. It also provides for selective attachment as need be.




Turning to

FIG. 15

, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention


10


attached to a tennis racquet


38


. The sound generation device


10


is comprised of a sound generation element detachably attached to the tennis racquet


38


by means of ties


22


forming an integral part of the sound generation element. The sound generation device will emit a sound during an accelerated jerky sweeping motion of the tennis racquet


38


as opposed to a smooth sweeping motion.




Turning to

FIG. 16

, shown therein is a perspective view of the sound generation device of the present invention comprising a sound generation element


12


and a means of attachment element


22


. The sound generation element is comprised of a semi-rigid pliant material attached to the rim of a tennis racquet


38


by ties


22


.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus comprisinga sound generation element; a first clip; wherein the first clip can be attached to a shaft of a golf club; wherein the sound generation element can be attached to the first clip to thereby attach the sound generation element to the shaft; wherein the first clip can be attached to the shaft so that the first clip can freely rotate around the shaft; and wherein the first clip further comprises a pair of flexible arms, wherein said arms can encircle the shaft so as to secure said first clip to the shaft while allowing the clip to rotate with respect to the shaft.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga post connected to the sound generation element; wherein said first clip has a vertically disposed slot therein, said slot disposed on a wall of said clip opposite to said pair of flexible arms; and wherein the post can be inserted into the vertically disposed slot of the first clip to attach the sound generation element to the first clip.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinsaid sound generation element is connected to a side of said post.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga second clip disposed on a wall of said first clip opposite to said pair of arms, wherein the second clip is smaller than the first clip; further comprising an elongated post connected to the sound generation element for insertion into said smaller second clip.
  • 5. An apparatus comprisinga sound generation element; a first clip; wherein the first clip can be attached to a shaft of a golf club, wherein the golf club includes a golf club head which is located at an end of the golf club shaft; wherein the sound generation element can be attached to the first clip to thereby attach the sound generation element to the shaft; wherein the first clip can be attached to the shaft so that the first clip can freely rotate around the shaft; and wherein the first clip can attach the Sound generation element to the shaft so that the sound generation element can freely slide down the shaft; and wherein, the first clip can attach the sound generation element to the shaft so that the golf club head prevents the sound generation element from sliding off of the shaft.
  • 6. An apparatus comprisinga sound generation element; a first clip; wherein the first clip can be attached to a shaft of a golf club wherein the golf club includes a golf club head which is located at an end of the golf shaft; wherein the sound generation element can be attached to the first clip to thereby attach the sound generation element to the shaft; wherein the first clip can be attached to the shaft so that the first clip can freely rotate around the shaft; and wherein the first clip further comprises a pair of flexible arms, and said arms can encircle the shaft so as to secure said first clip to the shaft while allowing the clip to slide with respect to the shaft; and wherein, the first clip can attach the sound generation element to the shaft so that the golf club head prevents the sound generation element from sliding off of the shaft.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprisinga post connected to the sound generation element; wherein said first clip has a vertically disposed slot therein, said slot disposed on a wall of said clip opposite to said pair of flexible arms; and wherein the post can be inserted into the vertically disposed slot of the first clip to attach the sound generation element to the first clip.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinsaid sound generation element is connected to a side of said post.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprisinga second clip disposed on a wall of said first clip opposite to said pair of arms, wherein the second clip is smaller than the first clip; further comprising an elongated post connected to the sound generation element for insertion into said smaller second clip.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present patent application is a divisional of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,215 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,370, titled “Sporting Equipment Audible Device”, filed on May 29, 2001 and claims the priority of PCT patent application, International application No. PCT/US01/26686, titled “Sporting Equipment Audible Device” filed on Aug. 28, 2001.

US Referenced Citations (39)
Number Name Date Kind
1069776 Foulis Aug 1913 A
1171699 Brown Feb 1916 A
1519052 Reach Dec 1924 A
2688303 Leander Sep 1954 A
2771678 Hansen, Sr. Nov 1956 A
2898109 Williams Aug 1959 A
3262705 Nuziato Jul 1966 A
3565444 Larocca Feb 1971 A
3715821 Hawes Feb 1973 A
3776556 McLaughlin Dec 1973 A
4204332 Gray May 1980 A
4227406 Coffey Oct 1980 A
4236271 Martino Dec 1980 A
4257607 Nedwick Mar 1981 A
4576378 Backus Mar 1986 A
4601255 Marcotti Jul 1986 A
4603652 Thibault et al. Aug 1986 A
4813369 Moreland Mar 1989 A
4875431 Dobosz Oct 1989 A
4901662 Sandeen et al. Feb 1990 A
4984379 Lee Jan 1991 A
5029854 Laskowitz et al. Jul 1991 A
5174577 Warde et al. Dec 1992 A
5184825 Ruth Feb 1993 A
5207174 Fabbrini May 1993 A
5228695 Meyer Jul 1993 A
5273278 Beeker Dec 1993 A
5310188 Hernberg May 1994 A
5335918 Rupnik et al. Aug 1994 A
5398928 Rudell et al. Mar 1995 A
5400437 Koutras Mar 1995 A
5423281 Crookham Jun 1995 A
5517941 Fisher May 1996 A
5527039 Levesque Jun 1996 A
5571048 Kenney Nov 1996 A
5658205 Bartscherer Aug 1997 A
5984799 Romano Nov 1999 A
6045364 Dugan et al. Apr 2000 A
6238299 Barnette May 2001 B1