Golfer's swing tracer

Details Golfer's swing tracer Golfer's swing tracer

2000-07-27

2002-03-26

Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)

Games using tangible projectile

Golf

Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...

C473S326000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06361449

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for correcting and improving a golfer's swing of the club.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Golfer's, whether amateurs or professionals, are continually striving to improve their swings so as to be more consistent in hitting the ball straighter and farther. Some golfers take lessons, many read books and magazines, and many regularly practice on the golf course and driving range. Almost all active golfers persevere in making studious efforts to correct whatever faults might be present in their swings that are perceived to cause erratic behavior of the golf ball.
A great many devices have been invented, patented, and offered on the market to aid golfers in improving their swings. While it is likely that some of these have been and are of value, they have significant problems. Cited for references are a few of the many such patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,306—by Chedister and Ruocco provides a container to confine a marking substance, such as powder; the container has a small outlet hole near the bottom and is attached to the shaft of a golf club; the marking substance is to issue forth from the outlet hole and mark the grass when the club is swung. Within the container there is an inertia operated valve member to open and close the outlet hole and to agitate the marking substance. However, the use of a marking substance that is colored to contrast with the grass will no doubt result in being thrown fore and aft and being deposited on any nearby objects including persons. Also, the “fine and relatively long outlet hole” would be subject to clogging with powder. And refilling the container with powder would be an awkward operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,037,777—by Chedister and Chedister provides a reservoir chamber and a delivery chamber for a marking substance, such as a powder or a somewhat viscous liquid; the marking substance is to issue forth from a small orifice onto the grass when the golf club is swung; the chambers are attached to the shaft of the golf club and there is a wind vane operated valve to open the orifice. However, the same problems apply here in a similar manner as to 2,804,306. Also, the wind vane mechanism appears to be an undue complication requiring experimental adjustment to achieve a desired result.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,037,778—by Chedister and Chedister provides a pressurized container-dispenser for a colored fluid marking material; the marking material is to be forced out through an outlet duct onto the grass when the golf club is swung; the container-dispenser is attached to the shaft of a golf club and there is an adjustable wind vane to open a valve to release the colored fluid marking material. However, the use of a colored marking material is objectionable since it is liable to leave colored markings on persons and objects unintentionally. And, the wind vane mechanism is a complication requiring experimental adjustment to accommodate different swing rates. Further, when the pressure in the container-dispenser is exhausted it will be necessary to replace it with a fresh pressurized container of marking material, entailing some disassembly and re-assembly.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,649,028 and 3,649,029—both by Worrell provide means for observing the path of a golf club head during a swing with respect to certain guidelines. The use of luminescent material in an environment substantially devoid of light is required, and an ultra-violet lamp or a special chemical is required.
The path of the club swing is not recorded for subsequent examination and correction.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,459—by Swords provides colored scribers to be attached to a golf club for making marks on an underlying sheet of paper so that the club's path may be observed. However, the scribers must make physical contact with the paper, which contact would likely be annoying to the golfer, especially if he is trying to hit a golf ball. And, the paper must be changed frequently.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,555—by Hagaman provides a framework apparatus fitted with photoelectric units, electronic circuitry and signaling devices designed to notify a golfer of errors in his swing. The equipment requires special adjustment for each golfer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,130—by Cornelison and Turner provides a photographic record of a golf swing using mirrors, a special camera and electronic circuitry in combination with a special golf club fitted with fiber optic illumination.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,133—by Adorney and Davis provides a photographic record of a golf swing using plurality of electronic eyes in combination with a special camera mounted on an instrument panel, all enclosed in a stall where the golfer takes his stance and swings his club.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,450—by Rabold provides a means for observing the path of a golf club head during a swing with respect to certain guidelines. A special foreshortened club fitted with lights is required and it is best used in a darkened room. The path of the club is not recorded for subsequent examination and correction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,071—by Hsu provides a liquid receiving chamber shaped to fit on the back of a golf club iron, fastened with a plurality of bands. The liquid chamber has a filling opening at the top and a small emitting orifice on the bottom. This arrangement allows a thin stream of liquid to be released, forming a track on the surface of the earth when the golf club is swung. However, the liquid chamber, shaped like the head of a golf club iron, would not likely fit snugly with the wide variety of golf club iron or wood or metal-wood heads in common use. And, it would be awkward to attach the liquid chamber onto the iron head using a plurality of band chambers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,376—by Hsu provides a liquid receiving chamber with a small orifice which, when clamped to a golf club shaft, will create a liquid track on the surface of the earth owing to centrifugal force and inertia when the golf club is swung in a normal manner. However, the liquid track will be offset from the actual path of the club “sweet spot”. Refilling the liquid chamber would be an awkward operation. The orifice end of the liquid chamber is close to the ground at the heel of the club head and is in danger of hitting the ground, causing breakage. The clamp will, in all probability, scratch or mar the finish on the golfer's club shaft.
What is needed is a simple, inexpensive device which will clearly and instantly show the golfer the path of his golf club head, following the club head's passage through the golf ball. Then, when the golfer sees the visual trace of his clubs head's path after passing through the ball location he can discern how his swing is at variance from the ideal and he can then use this evidence to make corrections. Such a device could be used outdoors or indoors, in bright daylight or ordinary room lighting; at a driving range, in any yard or park, in a garage, room or basement. And it could be used either with a standard golf ball, a practice ball or with no ball.
Specifically what is needed is an actual, functional golf club of customary design which has an enclosed water dispensing swing tracer which will immediately show the path of the golfer's swing on an underlying mat having a blotter-like surface. A thin stream of water will be projected onto the mat by centrifugal and inertial forces as a result of the golfer's swing, leaving a visible trace.
Enclosing the water dispensing swing tracer unit within a hole through the golf club head serves to align the tracer of water with the club's “sweet spot”, to protect the tracer unit from damage, and to avoid the use of external attachments. This device will require no adjustments and will be ready to use time after time, needing only to be refilled with a small amount of water after numerous swings of the golf club.
Further, the mat will show the water trace indoors or outdoors and in any kind of lighting. Also, the water traces will readily evaporate, obviating any need to erase them. The mat will have imprinted thereon a center

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