US20060293112A1

US20060293112A1 - Golf club head including level and alignment indicators

Info

Publication number: US20060293112A1
Application number: US11/168,975
Authority: US
Inventors: Kyong Yi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-27
Filing date: 2005-06-27
Publication date: 2006-12-28

Abstract

A spirit level is added to the club head of a golf club, such as a golf club driver, and observation of the level indicator bubble in the spirit level tells the golfer the level alignment of the golf club head, in the direction of the intended golf ball flight, when the golf club is in position to drive the golf ball. When the golf club head is level in this direction, the golf club face is in the proper position for striking the golf ball. The spirit level is constructed to withstand the speed of the golf club head as it is swung towards the ball, as well as the impact in striking the ball. The spirit level also functions as a golf club sight alignment indicator as pointing to and being aligned with the proper position at the center of the golf club face that should come in contact with the golf ball. The alignment indication aspect of the spirit level may also be enhanced by alignment indication markings on the top of golf club head for indicating the proper position for alignment of the golf club.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in golf clubs, and particularly golf club heads, and more particularly the head of a golf club driver.
The present invention further concerns golf club heads incorporating a spirit level so that when the golfer addresses the golf ball with the golf club prior to driving or hitting the ball, with its spirit level in alignment with the direction of golf ball travel towards the hole, then the spirit level will indicate the proper levelness of the golf club with respect to the face of the golf club. The spirit level indicates the levelness of the golf club head in a direction transverse to the direction of the plane of the golf club face. When the golf club head is properly level in this manner, the face of the golf club head is in the proper orientation to the ball such that the angle of inclination of the face of golf club head will define the flight trajectory of the golf ball. The invention also relates to a golf club head having a spirit level that indicates the center of the golf club face, and sight-alignment indicia formed on the top surface of the golf club head as an integral part thereof to improve one's swing and to enable a person to become more proficient at the game of golf. The spirit level may form part of the sight-alignment indicia
2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, spirit levels or sight-alignment indicia attachments have been incorporated in a golf club, and particularly in the head of a putter, in order to indicate the levelness of the golf club head in the direction of the face of the club to indicate the inclination of the golf green when the putter is placed on the golf green. The spirit level serves to indicate slope relative to geophysical flat. These prior art devices are essentially limited to indicate when the golf club is horizontally level along an axis perpendicular to the direction of ball travel.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,922 to Skelly for a GOLF CLUB shows a golf putter incorporating a liquid level indicator in the putter head. The usage of such liquid level is taught as permitting the golf club head to be held in a horizontally level position during a putting stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,923,552 to Sundberg for a GULF PUTTING COORDINATOR DEVICE shows a spirit level much in the manner of Skelly. The spirit level is preferably in the shape of a shallow U-shape tube, and is magnetically affixed to the rear side of a golf club head, particularly a putter head, for indicating horizontal levelness
U.S. Pat. No. 2,976,046 to McCullough, Jr. for a GOLF CLUB is also directed to a permanent spirit level formed integrally with a head of a golf club or a putter. The base of the club head is flat in order to permit the spirit level to give an accurate indication of inclination when the club head is positioned along the line of a perspective putting stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,995,375 to Bukovey for a GOLF CLUB likewise shows a golf putter head incorporating a spirit level. By observation of the level indications the slope of the green in several directions may be determined.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,576 to Ikeda for a GOLF CLUB HAVING LEVEL INDICATING MEANS AND WEIGHT MEANS shows a putter head having both a level and a dead weight. The level indicates club head orientation in a horizontal direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,004 to Vella for a PUTTER HAVING CIRCULAR LEVEL shows and describes a putter with a two dimensional spirit level. By observation of the level, the orientation of the shaft relative both to horizontal, and to vertical, may be observed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,286 to La Breche for a DIRECTION AND SLOPE INDICATING PUTTER HEAD shows a putter head with a spirit level and a scale for assistance in putting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,142 to Marshall for a GULF PUTTING TRAINING DEVICE shows a gulf club having both a spirit level and a number of angularly disposed pockets into which a small contained ball will role during the putting stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,114 to Catalano for an GULF PUTTER WITH SLOPE INDICATING MEANS THEREIN discloses a golf club incorporating a particular level which, when a club is placed on the green prior to a putting stroke, operates as a pendulum, or plumb bob, in order to determine, and to indicate, the angle of the putting green from horizontal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,470 for a GOLF GREEN SLOPE READING LEVEL shows a golf club head incorporating a spirit level which may be viewed by retracting a sliding window. The spirit level is positionable, with the help of indicia marked on the club head, in order to assess the slope of the green.
U.S. Patent No. 5,707,299 for a LEVEL INDICATING GOLF PUTTER shows a golf club putter having a spirit level indicator positioned transversely to the direction of ball travel and placed on two protuberances extending rearward from the golf club head.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be seen to possess a distinct form which supports its functional purposes. There is no suggestion in the prior art of the use of such a form in combination with a spirit level, nor for the purposes to which such form is put by Applicant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved golf club with a level indicating device therein.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved golf club with a head with a level indicating device therein which indicates the levelness of the golf club head in the direction of the golf ball travel, and transverse to the face of the golf club head.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved golf club head with a level indicating device that can withstand the speed of the golf club head and the impact when striking the golf ball.
A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved golf club head with a level indicating device that also indicates the center of the golf cub face for striking the ball.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved golf club head with a level indicating device and sight alignment indicators.
Other objects of this invention will become apparent from time to time throughout the specification and claims hereinafter related.
The foregoing objects and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a golf club head, particularly a driver head, having a substantially vertically oriented striking surface for striking a golf ball on swinging movement of the golf club, and a second upper surface, defining the top of the golf club head, at substantially a right angle to the striking first surface. An elongate spirit level is supported in the second upper surface for indicating the levelness of the club head in a “front-to-back” orientation. That is, the elongated spirit level is positioned so that one end of the level is directed toward the face of the golf club head and the opposite end is directed toward the back of the club head, so that the spirit level itself points in the direction of intended travel of the golf ball. Being oriented in this manner, the spirit level indicates levelness of the club head, not in the horizontal direction parallel to the club face as in the prior art putter applications, but in a horizontal orientation transverse to the club head, that is from front to back or from the club face to the back of the golf club head. When the golf club head is level is in this orientation, the face of the golf club is in the proper position so that the pre-set angle of the club face will define the intended flight trajectory of the ball, resulting in more consistent flight of the ball with the particular club.
The spirit level itself is positioned in a groove or channel in the upper surface of the golf club head, and is constructed as a clear tube of a resilient material such as plastic, for viewing by the golfer. The level tube is elongated, and its cross-sectional shape can take on a variety of forms such as round, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal or other shapes. The top of the tube can be arcuate to provide a magnification of the level indicating means inside the tube. The fluid in the spirit level can be any of known spirits commonly used for such purpose. The level indicating means inside the tube can be an air bubble or float or other means. However, it is preferred that the level indicating means be mercury, in that mercury is considered to have certain advantages over other materials, for example, being able to withstand very cold or very hot weather. Towards the end of the tube is placed a resilient, spongy material capable of absorbing the energy of the mercury both during the golf swing and at the time of impact with the club head and the ball. The resilient material can be made of, for example, silicone, rubber, foam rubber or plastic. The material may be clear so that is blends in with the material of the tube.
The spirit level is also located substantially in the center of the golf club head so that the forward end of the spirit level directs the golfer's eyes to the center of the golf club face, which is the proper position on the golf club face for striking the ball. Thus, the spirit level becomes a sight alignment indicator on the upper surface of the golf club head. This sight alignment indicator may also be enhanced by the addition of markings on the upper surface, such as the visual extension of the spirit level with a line or lines, arrows or other similar types or markings.
The golf club head of this invention may, in particular, replicate the substantial form of almost all the diverse kinds of golf club heads, including putters. Further in particular, the body of the golf club head need not have any of (i) a sole or sole plate, (ii) a heel portion and/or a toe portion, (ii) a top portion and/or a bottom portion, and/or (iii) a rear portion and/or even a face portion that are any of (1) planar, (2) straight, and/or (3) aligned perpendicular with the axis of the elongate spirit level. Veritably any shape head will suffice. The head may be, for example and as an extreme example, substantially in the shape of an ellipsoid, or perhaps an ellipsoid with a small flat surface for striking the golf ball.
In operational use, the club body is tilted, normally by a human golfer holding and manipulating the handle of a golf club to which the club body is affixed, so that the club head comes to rest momentarily behind the golf ball. When the golf club head is tilted properly, the bubble level indicates levelness in the direction of golf ball flight. Also the spirit level and alignment markings show when the ball is in position at the center of the golf club face When this proper position is attained, the golfer may begin his backswing and then bring the golf club head into proper contact with the golf ball.
The spirit level is preferably co-extensive in length with a longest, front to back, length of the golf club head. In this manner the level is optimally sensitive to the smallest angles of tilt and inclination, and these small angles may also be made clearly visible.
These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention will become increasingly clear upon reference to the following drawings and accompanying specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the head of a level-indicating golf club in accordance with the present invention in operational use to indicate the angular orientation of the golf club head in a front to back direction;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the head of a level-indicating golf driver in accordance with the present invention previously seen in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the head of a level-indicating golf putter in accordance with the present invention previously seen in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spirit level and showing several cross-sectional embodiments; and
FIG. 5 is a top view of the spirit level itself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIG3. 1-3 a golf club 1 having a golf club head 10, particularly that of the preferred embodiment of a golf club driver head, having a substantially vertically oriented striking surface 11 for striking a golf ball on the swinging movement of the golf club. A second upper surface 12, defining the top of the golf club head, at substantially a right angle 33 to the striking first surface 11. An elongated spirit level 13 is supported in the second upper surface 12 for indicating the levelness of the club head in a “front-to-back” orientation, indicated by arrows 14. That is, the elongated spirit level 13 is positioned so that one end of the level 15 is directed toward the striking surface 11 of the golf club head and a second, opposite end of the spirit level 16 is directed toward the back of the club head 17, so that the spirit level 13 itself points in the direction of intended travel of the golf ball. Being oriented in this manner, the spirit level indicates horizontal levelness of the club head in the direction transverse to the club head striking surface 11, that is from front to back or from the striking surface 11 to the back of the golf club head 17. Level indicator markings 19 direct the golfer's to when the level indicating means 27 is in the center of the spirit level, indicating horizontal levelness. When the golf club head is level is in this orientation, the striking surface 11 of the golf club is in the proper position so that the pre-set angle of the club face will define the intended flight trajectory of the ball, resulting in more consistent flight of the ball with the particular club.
The spirit level 13 itself is positioned in a groove or channel 18 in the upper surface 12 of the golf club head, and is constructed as a clear tube of a resilient material such as plastic, for viewing by the golfer. Referring to FIG. 4. the spirit level tube 20 is elongated, and its cross-sectional shape can take on a variety of forms such as round 21, oval, triangular 22, square 23, hexagonal 24 or other shapes. The spirit level tube can be straight or curved to reflect the upper surface of the particular golf club head. The top of the tube can be arcuate 25 to provide a magnification of the level indicating means inside the tube. The spirit level tube 20 itself comprises a cylindrical opening 26 running the length of the tube which may contain a fluid medium and a level indicating means 27. The fluid in the spirit level can be any of known fluids commonly used for such purpose. The level indicating means 27 inside the tube 26 can be an air bubble, float or other similar means. However, it is preferred that the level indicating means 27 be mercury, in that mercury is considered to have certain advantages over other materials, for example, being able to withstand very cold or hot weather. Referring to FIG. 5, at the ends of the tube 20 are placed a resilient, spongy material 30 capable of absorbing the energy of the mercury both during the golf swing and at the time of impact with the club head and the ball. The resilient material 30 can be made of, for example, silicone, rubber, foam rubber or plastic, and is also clear so that is blends in with the material of the tube.
The spirit level is also located substantially in the center of the golf club head so that the forward end directs the golfer's eyes to the center 40 of the golf club striking surface, which is the proper position on the golf club face for striking the ball. Thus, the spirit level becomes a sight alignment indicator on the upper surface of the golf club head. This sight alignment indicator may also be enhanced by the addition of markings 45 on the upper surface, such as the visual extension of the spirit level with a line or lines, arrows or other similar types or markings.
With this invention as exemplified by the preferred embodiment, the golfer will address the ball and align the center of the striking surface of golf club head with the golf ball using the sight alignment indicators on the upper surface of the golf club head. Then, before beginning the backswing, the golfer will orient the club head such that the spirit level indicates the proper levelness position and hold this position during the swing in striking the golf ball.
While this invention has been described fully and completely with special emphasis upon a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a body member having and defining

an elongate flat planar face for contacting a golf ball, said planar face having a midpoint defining the proper position on the planar face for contacting the golf ball

a sole that lies in a curved surface everywhere perpendicular to the plane of the face

an upper curved surface that is everywhere substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face

an outer free end disposed opposite an inner end configured to receive a golf club shaft

a bore extending inwardly from the midpoint of the flat planar surface and disposed along an imaginary axis perpendicular to the outer free end, on the upper curved surface, said bore having an aperture therein

an elongated spirit level positioned in said bore and aperture to be viewed by the golfer, said spirit level having an internal level-indicating means and an external level-indicating means

wherein at such times as the golf club head is aligned properly with the golf ball being at the midpoint of the planar face and the golf club head is angled correctly, the spirit level indicates that the golf club head is in the proper attitude for striking the golf ball.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising alignment indicator markings on said upper curved surface for indicating the midpoint of said flat, planar face.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said alignment indicator markings are arranged parallel to said spirit level, and are in the form of lines or arrows.

4. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein shock-absorbent material is located within the aperture of said bore at each end of the elongated spirit level, for cushioning the spirit level when the golf club is swung and when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.

5. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, or plastic.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the internal level indicating means is selected from the group of an air bubble, a float or mercury.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the external level indicating means is a mark on said upper curved surface that indicates the midpoint of the spirit level.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the spirit level comprises an arcuate upper surface wherein the internal level indicating means becomes magnified when viewed by the golfer.

9. A golf club head comprising:

a body member having and defining

an elongated spirit level positioned in said bore and aperture to be viewed by the golfer, said spirit level having an internal level-indicating means and an external level-indicating means; said spirit level comprising an elongated plastic tube and having an arcuate upper surface, and

alignment indicator markings on said upper curved surface for indicating the alignment of the midpoint of said flat planar face with a golf ball,

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the spirit level has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of round, oval, ellipsoid, triangular, square, pentagonal or hexagonal.

11. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein said elongated spirit level is made of plastic or similar transparent, resilient material.

12. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein shock-absorbent material is located at each end of the elongated spirit level, for cushioning the spirit level when the golf club is swung and when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.

13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, or plastic.

14. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein said alignment indicator markings are arranged parallel to said spirit level, and are in the form of lines or arrows.

15. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein said alignment indicator markings also consists of said elongated spirit level.