Golf club

• US 5,482,283 A
• Filed: 05/08/1995
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wall, David A.
• Original Assignee: Wall, David A.
• Inventors: Wall, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US08/436,749
• Time in Patent Office: 246 Days
• Field of Search: 273/186.3, 273/186.2, 273/187.4, 273/187.5, 273/187.6, 273/194 R, 273/194 A, 273/194 B
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club

Abstract

A golf club having a shaft, a head secured to one end of the shaft and a grip handle secured to the other end of the shaft. A light generator and an energy source positioned in operative connection to generate a plurality of light beams emanating from the club head hitting surface on opposite sides of a centrally located "sweet spot," respectively. The light beams converging toward and intersecting an imaginary line extending from the "sweet spot" generally perpendicularly to the surface and through the center of the golf ball to be hit by the club.

Claims

1. A golf club comprising a shaft, said shaft having a head end and a shaft end, a club head secured to said shaft end, said club head having a club face hitting surface, a grip handle secured to the shaft end, a light generator and an energy source operatively connected to each other and mounted within said club to generate a plurality of light beams, said light beams emanating from said head hitting surface on opposite sides of a centrally located sweet spot, respectively, said beams converging to and intersecting an imaginary line extending from the center of said head surface generally perpendicular to said head surface, whereby said light beams are visually discernible by the golfer to align the club head with the ball to be struck during both the back stroke and the forward stroke of the golf club.

2. The golf club of claim 1 wherein said grip handle has a switch means operatively connected to said light generator and energy source, whereby said light generator may be turned on and off by actuating said switch means.

3. The golf club of claim 2 wherein said switch means is actuated by the position of said club, said switch means being in an off position when said club head is elevated above said grip, said switch means being in an on position when said club head is located beneath said grip.

4. The golf club of claim 3 wherein said switch means is a mercury switch.

5. The golf club of claim 2 wherein said switch means is actuated by squeezing said grip handle.

6. The golf club of claim 1 further comprising a timer means operatively connected to said energy source and light generator, said timer means turning said light generator off after the elapse of a set time period.

7. The golf club of claim 1 wherein an impact gravity meter is operatively connected between said light generator and said energy source, said impact gravity meter including means for registering the inertia of the golf swing and for being reset to zero between swings.

8. The golf club of claim 1 wherein said energy source is positioned within said club head and operatively connected by an electrical conductor extending between said switch and said light generator.

9. The golf club of claim 1 wherein said light generator is a laser.

10. The golf club of claim 9 wherein said light generator is positioned within said club head and operatively connected by an electrical conductor extending the length of said shaft between said light generator and said switch.

11. The golf club of claim 9 wherein said laser and said energy source are both positioned within said club head.

12. The golf club of claim 1, further comprising an indicator, said indicator being on when said light generator is on, and said indicator being off when said light generator is off.

13. The golf club of claim, 12 wherein said indicator is an LED.

14. A golf club comprising a shaft, said shaft having a head end and a shaft end, a club head secured to the head end of the shaft, said head having a club face hitting surface, a grip handle secured to the shaft end of the shaft, three light generators mounted in said head surface, one of said light generators being centrally located in said club face hitting surface and generating a light beam extending from said club head hitting surface generally perpendicular thereto at a height from the bottom of said club head generally equal to a radius of a conventional golf ball so as to project said light beam at the center of a golf ball when addressed by the club head, two remote light generators being located in said head surface spaced apart from said centrally located light generator on opposite sides thereof, respectively, at the same height from the bottom of said club head as said centrally located light generator, said remote light generators each generating a light beam angularly disposed to said hitting surface and intersecting said light beam from said centrally located light generator at a point remote from said club head hitting surface, whereby said light beams are visually discernible by the golfer during both the back swing and the forward swing to assist the golfer in aligning the club head with the ball to be struck.

15. The golf club of claim 14 wherein each light generator includes a lens system mounted in an aperture in the club head, a laser diode mounted in said club head behind said lens system, a laser diode circuit board mounted in said club head and operatively connected to said laser diode, and a focus mechanism mounted between said lens system and said laser diode for focusing said laser.

16. The golf club of claim 14 further comprising contact indicators adjacent the toe and the heel of said club head, respectively, said contact indicators each having an impact switch connected thereto and an indicator which is activated upon the closing of said switch, said switch being closed upon impact by said club head toe and foot, respectively, with a golf ball.

17. The golf club of claim 14 further comprising a force meter, said force meter being operatively connected to said energy source to measure the inertial force of said club head when swung, a readout device secured to said club head, said gravity meter being operatively connected to said readout device, whereby the inertial force of said club head during a swing is recorded on said force meter and displayed upon said readout device.

18. The golf club of claim 14, wherein said centrally located and remote light generators are combined into one light generator which generates said centrally located light beam and said remote light generators, said compound light generator being centrally located in said head hitting surface.