Alignment System and Method of Making for Golf Clubs

The embodiments generally relate to an apparatus and method for aligning a golf club, and more particularly, relates to an apparatus, attachment, and method for progressively adjusting an alignment feature located on a golf club head to aid in the proper alignment of the golf club.

A fundamental aspect of golf includes proper alignment and setup. In the course of training a player may rely on their own inherent tendencies whether they are physical, visual, optical, or psychological, which can limit a player's ability to properly align a golf club head towards an intended target. Each player may rely on one or several inherent tendencies for aligning a golf club head and these tendencies can vary significantly from player to player further complicating the process of training players. These inherent tendencies can lead to perceptual biases (e.g., visual tendencies, grip, stance, swing motion, etc.,) for the player and can often prevent a player from properly aligning a golf club to direct a golf ball along an intended target path. The resultant path may rely on a number of parameters sometimes referred to as launch conditions or ball flight parameters which quantify the shape of the shot and flight of the golf ball. Some of these parameters include trajectory, spin rate, launch angle, spin axis, swing plane, swing path, vertical/horizontal swing speed, club path, face angle, angle of attack, smash factor, speed, acceleration of golf shaft, vertical descent, and others. These parameters can determine the shape of the resultant shot and can be very difficult to control precisely and consciously, which makes it difficult to consciously control or vary the shape of a golf shot on demand. While golf club putters may not necessarily rely on all of these parameters, controlling and understanding proper golf club alignment and aim provides the foundation for players to align properly for an intended target path then develop skills for controlling ball flight.

One type of alignment aide involves use of detachable or fixed laser aiming devices installed on a golf club that is then classified as a training putter or training device. However, these training devices can be problematic as the laser aim device can inhibit a visual of a standard putting stroke and/or system. Further, laser aiming devices do not conform to the rules of play and are not allowed to be used during normal course of play. Moreover, players tend to return to their perceptual biases once the laser training aide is switched off or removed.

Other types of alignment aides rely on permanent features, markers, or indicators formed on the golf club head or permanently attached to the golf head shortly after a training session. These aides may accommodate certain initial tendencies and perceptual biases such as a player's cursory visual alignment in training sessions but often fails to account for other perceptual biases as wells as developed or better understood biases, acquired strategies, and habits for better alignment and aim. Moreover, initial tendencies and perceptual biases can vary greatly from person to person or from training session to training session and permanent features, markers, or indicators can inhibit players from adjusting the alignment aid to perfect their alignment based on their perceptual biases. For example, a player may initially focus on feet positioning for proper alignment then refer to the permanent alignment aide to guide their feet positioning and swing in initial training sessions, then in subsequent training sessions, and with a better understanding of their perceptual biases, the player may determine their need to view the alignment aide biases their upper body position and shoulder line and prevents them from focusing on an intermediate target as a strategy to aim and swing the club. Thus, the player may fall back on an alignment routine that leads to poor parameters such as poor launch angle, swing path, angle of attack, speed, and spin rate. Therefore, it would be advantageous for players to have an alignment aide that can be adjusted based on their inherent tendencies and perceptual biases to guide players in correcting golf club alignment for properly aligning the golf club head for an intended target path.

Devices and methods are described herein as associated with tactile

With reference to, one embodiment of an alignment device configured for properly aligning a golf club to direct a golf ball along an intended target path. The alignment devicemay include a top surfaceand a bottom surfaceopposite to the top surface, the bottom surfacemay be configured to be received in a golf club head. Further, the top surfacemay include one or more portionsthat may aid a golfer in aligning a golf club. The one or more portionsmay include, for example, outer portionson opposite ends of the top surface, inner portionslocated between outer portions, and one or more central portionslocated between the outer portionsand between a border. In one embodiment, the one or more central portionsmay be located between both the inner portionsand the outer portions. Further, the one or more central portionsmay include one or more surface features, for example, a shape, color, groove, recess, or any feature to provide a visual aid. In certain embodiments, one or more surface featuresmay extend along the central portionof the alignment device. In one embodiment, the central portion may include a groove extending vertically across the alignment deviceas a surface feature. In one embodiment, the outer portions, central portion, and inner portionsmay be coplanar. Similarly, the bottom surfaceof the alignment devicemay be formed of one coplanar surface. In one embodiment, the outer portions, central portion, and inner portionsmay include a stepped, angled, or non-coplanar surface, whereby each outer portion, central portion, and inner portionmay include a different surface contour from an adjacent portion, a different height from an adjacent portion, or extending or contoured at a different angle from an adjacent portion, or any combination thereof. Similarly, the bottom surfaceof the alignment devicemay be formed of one or more stepped, angled, or non-coplanar surfaces, whereby each corresponding surface area facing opposite to the outer portion, central portion, and inner portionmay include a different surface contour from an adjacent portion, a different height from an adjacent portion, or extending or contoured at a different angle from an adjacent portion, or any combination thereof.

With reference to, one embodiment of an alignment device positioned on an example golf club head and configured for properly aligning the golf club head to direct a golf ball along an intended target path. As an example, the golf club headmay include one or more upper surfaces, each upper surface may include an outward facing surface. Each outward facing surfaceand/or upper surfacemay be formed of one or more stepped, angled, or non-coplanar surfaces, whereby each outward facing surfaceand/or upper surfacemay include a different surface contour from an adjacent portion, a different height from an adjacent portion, or extending or contoured at a different angle from an adjacent portion, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the alignment devicemay be positioned on or over the outward facing surface. In one embodiment, the alignment devicemay be positioned between one or more outward facing surfaces. In some embodiments, the golf club headmay include one contoured upper surfacewhereby the alignment devicemay be configured to have a matching surface top surfaceas the contoured upper surfaceand secures into a recess formed within the golf club headthrough a bottom surfaceconfigured for being housed within the recess of the gold club head. The dimensions of the alignment devicemay further be configured for covering a visible regionof the golf club head, for example, the alignment devicemay be tapered at one end. The alignment devicemay include three bands as the surface featurethat extend laterally across the top surfaceof the alignment device. The bands of the alignment devicemay allow player to disregard certain inherent tendencies and instead focus on their stance, golf club position, and golf club head alignment with the golf ball. Further, the bands may provide a visual assistance to the player to allow them to visually coordinate their golf swing such that the center of the contact surfacealigns with the center of the golf ball. In some embodiments, the

With reference to, one embodiment of an alignment device positioned on an example golf club head and configured for properly aligning the golf club head to direct a golf ball along an intended target path. In one embodiment, the alignment devicemay include a plurality of grooved surface featurespositioned on the upper surfaceof the golf headand between one or more outward facing surfaces. As an example, groove surface featuresmay provide a better visual of the golf club orientation and head alignment in sunny conditions. Further, players may find grooved surface featuresprovide clearer visual alignment in highly reflective or sunny conditions.

With reference to, various surface feature embodiments of an alignment device configured for properly aligning a golf club to direct a golf ball along an intended target path are described. The alignment devicemay include various surface featuressuch as geometric shapes, polygonsand, and other shapes. As shown in, the alignment markmay positioned laterally on the golf club head. In one embodiment, the alignment markmay include beveled cross hairsthat may provide players with alternative visual indication on the orientation and position of the golf club head. Various sizes, shapes, graphics, line art, drawings, text, characters, or any design may be used as needed to aid the player in disregarding inherent tendencies and/or perceptions to thereby adjust their stance, position, golf club, and golf club head positioning to properly align the golf club head for an intended target path.

With reference to, various embodiments of a golf club head configured to receive and secure an example adjustable alignment device are described. The upper surfaceof the golf club headmay include an attachment regionand attachment pointsand/or attachment featuresfor receiving a securing an alignment device. Referring to, the alignment devicemay include one or more attachment means, for example, any one or more protrusions, hooks, screws, magnets, clips, or the like, and any combination thereof for securing the alignment deviceto the golf club head. In one embodiment, the attachment pointsmay include one or more holes or openings for receiving attachment pieces. The attachment piecesmay be located on the top surfaceof the attachment device. In one embodiment, the attachment regionof the upper surfacemay include one or more openings or recesses for receiving the alignment device. In certain embodiments, the attachment regionrecess or opening may be sufficient to allow the alignment deviceto be housed and flush with the upper surfaceand/or the outward facing surfacesadjacent to the attachment region. Moreover, the bottom surfacemay be sufficiently thick enough for forming one or more recesses into the upper surfacewithout affecting the launch conditions or ball flight parameters of the golf club.

In, as an example, the alignment devicemay include one or more guides,that may be used to adjust the alignment devicevertically or horizontally along the golf club heador rotated to align with the golf club headat a desired angle. In one embodiment, each attachment piecemay have one or more corresponding guides,for moving the alignment devicevertically, horizontally, and/or for rotating the alignment device. Once the desire angle, horizontal, or vertically positioning is selected the attachment piecemay be tightened into the attachment pointto secure the desired alignment and/or orientation of the alignment device. Numerous types of mechanical means may be contemplated and easily implemented to secure the alignment deviceto the golf club head, for example, the attachment piecemay be a screw that tightens into the attachment point.

As another example, the attachment piecemay be a toolless pin that may be rotated and/or pressed into the attachment point. In certain embodiments, the attachment piecemay comprise of pins that are received into the attachment point and when pressed inwards unlock each pin from the attachment point. Thus, each guide,of the alignment devicemay be adjusted once the attachment pieceis released from the attachment point. Moreover, the attachment pieceand attachment pointenable players to easily swap out alignment devicesto fine tune their alignment devicebased on their golf skill allowing them to further develop better posture, stance, alignment and aim for their golf club. Further, the surface featureand central portionmay serve as an orientation/alignment direction to visually aid players in slight adjustments which can result in much better aim, golf club swing, and golf club head alignment.

Referring to, the alignment devicemay include one or more attachment surfacesthat may be received and secured into a corresponding attachment feature. In one embodiment, the upper surfacemay include one or more recessed for receiving the alignment device. The attachment surfacemay be received into and snapped or locked into the attachment feature. As an example, the attachment featuresmay include an opening for receiving an attachment surface, the attachment surfacemay slide into the opening and hook/lock into place. In one embodiment, the attachment surfacemay include one or more magnetic surfaces and the attachment featuresmay include one or more magnetic strips or blocks for receiving and securing the attachment device. In one embodiment, the attachment featuresmay protrude from the attachment region. In certain embodiments, the attachment regionmay be flush with the upper surfaceand the attachment surfacemay include thin protruding surfaces, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm thick. The attachment featuresand attachment surfacemay both be made of a permanent magnetic material, for example, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), alnico, or ceramic.

Adjustable Alignment Device with Training Device Embodiment

With reference to, one embodiment of a golf club head configured with a rearward facing alignment device and a fixed and adjustable training device is described. As an example, a golf clubmay include a shaftwith a gripand a hoselwith ferrule attached to a golf club head. The golf club headmay include a face or contact surface, upper surface, and one or more outward facing surfacesformed on the upper surface. As show in, the training devicemay include an adjustable laser pointing device installed onto the golf club headand wired into the shaftof the golf clubfor aligning the golf club headand contact surfaceto strike a golf club towards an intended target path. Referring to, the training devicemay include an adjustment mechanismfor changing the angle of the intended target path. In one embodiment, the training devicemay be installed in front of the alignment device. With the aid of the training device, the alignment devicemay be adjusted as needed to encourage the player to rely on the alignment deviceas a guide for correct golf club head alignment. As described above, various alignment devicesmay be received into the upper surfaceof the golf club headand any combination of attachment points, attachment features, alignment pieces, and attachment surfacesmay be used to adjust the alignment devicewith the training device. The coupling of the alignment devicewith the aiming mechanism of the training devicemay allow the player to select and configure an alignment devicefor an intended target path, fix the alignment device, and then readjust or recalibrate the alignment deviceas needed upon receiving immediate feedback from the path travelled by the golf ball as determined by the training device. Thus, the alignment devicemay allow players to align the intended target path with the path traveled by the golf ball based on immediate feedback from the training device. The player may then rely on the alignment deviceto direct a golf ball along an intended target path based on their experience using the training devicewith the alignment device.

With reference to, one embodiment of a golf club head configured with a forward-facing alignment device and a portable training device is described. As an example, the golf club headmay include a portable training devicepositioned behind an alignment device. The training devicemay direct the intended target pathacross the central portionand/or surface feature. Further, the alignment devicemay be a visible regionthat is in the direct line of sight of the player and the intended target path. This may allow a player to initial develop a sense of their intended target pathand golf club head alignment. Upon further training, the player may transition to the golf club ofwith the alignment devicespace from the intended target pathto allow the player to develop their perception and coordination skills. As an example, the player may use the golf club ofand focus on the alignment deviceto hone their perception of the target path with the intended target path, relying more on the alignment deviceto determine the intended target path. Alternatively, as shown in, the player may rotate the training deviceaway from or shut-off the training device and rely solely on the alignment deviceto align the golf club headto direct the golf ball along the intended target path. In one embodiment, the training devicemay be embedded in the golf club headbut blind or unviewable from the playing position. In certain embodiments, the training devicemay be affixed to the head and blind or unviewable from the playing position. In one embodiment, as shown in, the training devicemay be embedded in one or more parts of the golf club. For example, a laser training device,,may be embedded in the shaft, the hosel, or the golf club head, respectively, and may be configured to be blind or unviewable from the playing position. Further, the training devices,,,may be configured to be disabled during play. In one embodiment, a covermay be included or formed in manufacturing of the golf clubto disable the training device,,, or.

illustrates one embodiment of a golf club head configured with an alignment device and an external training device. As an example of variability in the alignment devicesurfaces and contours is described. In one embodiment, a golf club headmay include an alignment devicewith a top surfacehaving multiple contours that align with the upper surfaceand outward facing surfacesof the golf club head. For example, the surface contours at a first end of the outer portions, the central portion, and the inner portionsnear the contact surfaceof the golf club headmay be coplanar, while at a second end of the outer portions, central portion, and inner portionsextending away from the contact surfacethe surface contours may be tapered and follow different surface contours of the golf club head. In this embodiment, the alignment devicemay be configured to cover, in part or in whole, the surface contours of the golf club headthat includes upper surfacesand outward facing surfaces. Further, the inner portionsmay be beveled and steeply angled inwards toward the central portion, and the outer portionsmay be flat or at a slight angle extending away from the inner portionsto give the player a visual focus on the surface features of the alignment device.

The external training devicemay provide an intended target pathwhereby the player may practice aligning the surface feature of the alignment deviceto become comfortable in an a properly aligned golf club head. For example, the alignment devicemay be adjusted as described herein to account for a player's inherent tendencies and perceptions, here instead of focus on perception the player may focus on aligning the golf club head, in a clinical way, such that the intended target pathand the alignment deviceare aligned. In this way, the player may receive immediate feedback on proper stance and proper alignment of the golf club to strike a ball towards the intended target path. Moreover, additional visual guidesmay be positioned at a distance that correspond to alignment pieces, such that the player can understand how adjustments in the alignment devicemay affect the direction of the golf ball. For example, a “1” setting on the alignment piecemay direct the ball at a “1” angle from the intended target path.

In some embodiments, the training devicemay be attached and fixed to the golf club head, for example, mechanically attached and fastened to the golf club headusing bolts, screws, pins, or the like. In one embodiment, the training devicemay be embedded in the golf club headbut blind or unviewable from the playing position. Moreover, the training devicemay include a plurality of laser devices for displaying more than one target path.

illustrates one embodiment of a method for making a golf club with the alignment system described infor golf club head positioning to properly align the golf head for an intended target path. Each block shown inmay represent one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, carried out in the exemplary method. For explanatory purposes, methodwill be described with reference towhich shows example embodiments of carrying out the method offor golf club head positioning to properly align the golf head for an intended target path. Methodmay be used independently or in combination with other methods or processes for making a golf club and/or golf club head with the alignment system described herein for properly aligning the golf head for an intended target path.

Methodbegins at block, forming a handle having a grip at a first end and a head at a second end. In block, the method includes forming a head having: a contact surface, a top surface extending away from the contact surface, and a bottom surface extending away from the contact surface and located beneath the top surface, the bottom surface facing opposite to the top surface. In block, the method includes configuring a visible region of the top surface for receiving and securing an adjustable alignment device. The alignment device may provide a visual aid for properly aligning the head along a target path. In block, the method includes forming, in the top surface, one or more upper facing surfaces configured for receiving and securing the alignment device. In one embodiment, the one or more upper facing surfaces may form the visible region of the top surface.

In block, the method includes configuring the second end of the handle or the head for receiving a training device and configuring the training device to visually aid in adjusting the alignment device. In one embodiment, the training device may be configured to include at least one of a permanent, fixed, detachable, or movable laser device. In block, the method includes configuring the alignment device to permanently lock into place on the top surface after adjustment. In one embodiment, the alignment device formed may be an adjustable plate, appendage, medallion, or milled feature, and the alignment device may be configured to further include one or more alignment features selected from at least one of: lines, shapes, colors, indicators, and markers to allow a player to focus on the alignment device. In block, the method includes securing the alignment device to the head or the top surface. In block, the method includes configuring a visible region of the top surface for receiving and securing an adjustable alignment device comprises of forming a recess in the head for receiving and securing the alignment device. In block, the method includes forming a second recess for receiving and securing a second alignment device.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of the device, orthodontic hardware and instruments and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the preferred invention, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally the same or similar, as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustrated methodologies in the figures are shown and described as a series of blocks of an algorithm, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks. Some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be used to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple actions/components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional actions that are not illustrated in blocks. The methods described herein are limited to statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the definitions.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may.

An “operable connection”, or a connection by which entities are “operably connected”, is one in which signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and/or a data interface. An operable connection may include differing combinations of interfaces and/or connections sufficient to allow operable control. For example, two entities can be operably connected to communicate signals to each other directly or through one or more intermediate entities (e.g., processor, operating system, logic, non-transitory computer-readable medium). Logical and/or physical communication channels can be used to create an operable connection.

While the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the various aspects of the subject matter. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the specific details or the illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this disclosure is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims, which satisfy the statutory subject matter requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 101.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

To the extent that the term “or” is used in the detailed description or claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the phrase “only A or B but not both” will be used. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use.