Detachable training system for golf clubs

• US 5,800,279 A
• Filed: 06/20/1997
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ICIT Company Limited
• Original Assignee: ICIT Company Limited
• Inventors: Densberger, John A., Decker, Derek E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US08/879,339
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 473/220, 473/240, 473/253, 473/254, 473/223, 473/224, 473/226, 473/228, 473/231, 473/233, 473/234, 473/238, 473/250
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown 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 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence

Abstract

A detachable training system for golf clubs includes a golf club head having a top portion and a face portion. The system includes a removable training device with a base, the base formed to fit in a receiver on the club head. The system also includes a first removable plate formed to fit in the receiver on the club head when the removable training device is removed. In use, the removable training device is installed on the club during practice and is removed during actual golf rounds. The removable plate is installed on the club during golf rounds to provide similar weight, use and feel of the club head so the golfer can accurately replicate the strokes perfected during practice.

Claims

1. A golf training kit for use with a golf club head having an open architecture, said club head having a top portion and a face portion, the kit comprising:

a removable training device having a base, said base formed to fit in a receiver formed in said club head; and

a first removable plate formed to fit in said receiver when said removable training device is removed.

2. The training kit of claim 1, wherein said removable training device further includes means for securing to said club head.

3. The training kit of claim 1, wherein said removable training device is a parallax correction device.

4. The training kit of claim 1, wherein said training aid is a pointing device.

5. The training kit of claim 1, wherein said removable training aid is a view locator, comprising:

comprising;

an imaging system; and

a position grid;

said imaging system positioned a distance above said position grid to provide multi-dimensional position information to a user of said golf club.

6. The training kit of claim 1, further comprising at least a second removable plate, said first and second removable plates formed to have different masses selected to provide a selected swing weight for said club.

7. A golf club training system, the system comprising:

a golf club head having a top portion and a face portion;

an attachment location formed in said top portion of said golf club head;

at least a first removable training aid having an insert portion adapted to securely mate in said attachment location of said golf club head; and

at least a first removable plate having an insert portion adapted to securely mate in said attachment location of said golf club head.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said at least first removable training aid is a parallax alignment device.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said at least first removable training aid is a pointing device creating a beam, said beam having a shape selected from the group consisting of a point, line, pattern, or plane.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said parallax alignment device comprises:

a body member having a reflective layer, a transparent layer, and at least a first positioning line formed on a top surface of said transparent layer, said at least first positioning line formed to create at least a first image line substantially co-linear with said first positioning line when said face portion of said golf club head is properly aligned.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said parallax alignment device comprises:

a body member having a reflective layer, a transparent layer, and a moire interferometry pattern formed on a top surface of said transparent layer, said moire interferometry pattern formed to create a discernable reflected pattern when said face portion of said golf club head is properly aligned.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said parallax alignment device comprises:

a receiver in said insert portion having a multi-reflective cross section;

said receiver having a reflective surface;

a transparent fill layer deported in said receiver; and

at least a first positioning line formed on a top surface of said transparent fill layer;

wherein said reflective surface causes at least a first image line to be formed substantially aligned with said at least first positioning line when said golf club head is properly aligned.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein said attachment location is an add-in retrofit piece adapted to couple to an existing golf club head.

14. The system of claim 7 further including at least a second removable plate having an insert portion adapted to securely mate in said attachment location of said golf club head, said first and second removable plates each having a different mass selected to alter a swing weight of said golf club head.

15. The system of claim 7 wherein said attachment location of said golf club head further includes a fastener device.

16. The system of claim 7 wherein said attachment location of said golf club head further includes a recess formed to receive a golf tee for removal of said removable plate and said removable training aid.

17. A removable device for aligning a face of a golf club with a target, said removable device comprising:

a base adapted to removably mate with said golf club;

a positioning device coupled to said base, said positioning device having a reflective layer and a substantially clear layer disposed above said reflective layer, said substantially clear layer having a thickness;

at least a first positioning line, positioned on a face surface of said substantially clear layer and spaced apart from said reflective layer by said thickness, said first positioning line reflecting from said reflective layer to form a first reflected line;

wherein said first positioning line and said first reflective line are substantially co-linear when parallax is eliminated.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said device further comprises at least a second positioning line, positioned parallel to and apart from said first positioning line on said face surface of said substantially clear layer.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said device further comprises a third positioning line, positioned parallel to and apart from said first and second positioning lines on said face surface of said substantially clear layer.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein said base is secured to said golf club with a removable attachment means.