Golf putter clubhead

• US 20090233726A1
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brian Thornes
• Original Assignee: Brian Thornes
• Inventors: Thornes, Brian
• Application Number:
  US12/381,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20090233726A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0441 with visual indicators for aligning the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/50 with through-holes A63B60/18 takes precedence; for stringing purposes A63B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf clubhead. Specifically, it relates to a golf putter clubhead comprising a body having a viewing face, and a sole; characterised in that at least one light guide is provided in the body, adapted to direct light through the body to a given location; and at least one viewing aperture is provided and arranged to visualise reflected light from the given location. The invention, in use, is intended to indicate a correct “target line”, thereby affording better aim to a user, and assist in producing a more consistent performance. It is envisaged that when a user addresses a golf ball prior to the stroke, use of the clubhead will facilitate increased putting accuracy by indicating to a user that the clubhead is at the correct position for optimal striking of the ball. Moreover, in use, the clubhead can improve aim by offering a user the opportunity to more reliably strike the ball squarely at the optimum height above the playing surface, and ultimately ensuring that the face of the clubhead is square to stance of the user (and/or the golf ball), during the stroke.

Claims

1. A golf putter clubhead comprising a body having a viewing face, and a sole;

characterised in that at least one light guide is provided in the body, adapted to direct light through the body to a given location; and

at least one viewing aperture is provided and arranged to visualize reflected light from the given location.

2. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light guide is an elongate aperture, arranged to direct light through the body to the given location.

3. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 2, wherein the at least one light guide aperture extends through the body of the clubhead, and opens at each of the sole of the body and the viewing face of the body.

4. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light guide further comprises an optical guide to direct light to the given location.

5. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein each light guide is selected from the group comprising one, both, and each light guide, and each light guide is independently arranged to direct light to the same single given location.

6. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 5, wherein each light guide is arranged to direct light to the same single given location when the clubhead is, in use, spaced a predetermined distance from the ground.

7. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

8. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein a pair of light guides is provided in the body of the clubhead, and each light guide of the pair is independently arranged to direct light to the same single given location.

9. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 8, wherein each light guide of the pair is located on opposing sides of the viewing aperture, and each light guide is arranged to direct light to the same single given location.

10. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light guide is arranged to allow passage of light through the body to the given location, and the at least one viewing aperture is arranged to allow passage of light through the body from the given location to a second location.

11. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the at least one viewing aperture extends through the body of the clubhead, and opens at each of the sole of the body and viewing face of the body.

12. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the at least one viewing aperture further comprises an optical guide to direct light from the given location.

13. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the body has a first striking face, and the longitudinal axis of each open end of the viewing aperture is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first striking face of the body.

14. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, wherein the at least one viewing aperture is arranged to be in optical communication with each light guide.

15. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 14, wherein the at least one light guide and the at least one viewing aperture are adapted to be in optical communication, whereby in a first position, light may pass from the at least one light guide to the at least one viewing aperture, and in a second position, light is impeded from passing from the at least one light guide to the at least one viewing aperture.

16. A golf putter clubhead according to claim 1, further comprising a light source arranged to direct light through the at least one light guide to the given location.

17. A method of using a golf putter clubhead, comprising the steps of:

1. taking in hand a golf putter having a shaft and a clubhead connected to the shaft, the clubhead having a body with a viewing face and a sole and at least one light guide in the body, adapted to direct light through the body to a given location, and at least one viewing aperture provided and arranged to visualize reflected light from the given location;

2. grounding the clubhead when addressing a golf ball;

3. elevating the clubhead a predetermined distance from the ground;

4. visualizing reflected light through the viewing aperture; and

5. striking the ball.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of adjusting the position of the clubhead based on the orientation of the viewing aperture prior to the striking step.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the visualizing step comprises visualizing reflected light passing from the given location, through the viewing aperture, to a second location.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm.