Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-12-11
Young, Lee (Department: 3729)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
C473S287000, C473S289000, C473S292000, C473S409000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328660
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems and methods for fitting a golfer with one or more golf clubs, and more particularly to a system and method that entails measuring one or more swing characteristics of a golfer and utilizing those swing characteristics to select one or more golf clubs with a natural frequency that is determined to be an optimum frequency for the golfer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For many years now, there have been attempts at fitting a golfer with a golf club or set of golf clubs with the idea that golf clubs of a certain characteristic are more suitable for a particular golfer than others. A number of factors have been considered in fitting a golfer with golf clubs. One factor that has been used and considered in this process is the stiffness of the golf club. It has been recognized that the stiffness of a golf club should vary depending upon a number of factors peculiar to the golfer. For example, it is widely accepted that a more flexible shaft is appropriate for a golfer that generates a relatively low club head speed. By the same token, it is appreciated that a stiffer club would under ordinary conditions be more appropriate for a person that generates a relatively high club head speed.
Even with those guidelines, it has still been difficult for retailers, pro shops, and professionals in the golf industry to appropriately fit golfers with golf clubs. One of the problems has been the lack of any standardization in the industry that scientifically and with precision provides guidance in fitting a golfer with a particular set of golf clubs. While the stiffness or the flexibility of a golf club is important in the fitting process, the lack of a stiffness or flexibility standardization has hampered professionals from being very effective in fitting golf clubs with precision. For example, in the golf industry the stiffness of the shaft is generally seen as following within one of five categories: extra stiff, stiff, regular, seniors, and ladies. However, these categories do not align or correlate between different manufacturers. That is, a stiff club produced by one manufacturer may be equivalent to a regular club produced by a second manufacturer. Therefore, by simply determining that a “stiff” or “regular” club would be appropriate for a golfer can be rather meaningless.
It is known to provide more scientific principles in the actual manufacturing of golf clubs, as opposed to fitting golf clubs to a particular golfer. In the case of manufacturing golf clubs, it has been known to provide for various degrees of stiffness based on a range of swing characteristics or conditions. For example, see the disclosures found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,122,593; 4,070,022; and 4,736,093.
While there have been attempts at devising systems and processes for fitting a golfer with golf clubs, the past approaches have been imprecise, difficult to effectively use, and in the end, have failed to properly match golfers with golf clubs based on sound rational and scientific principles. Thus, there is and continues to be a need for such a system and process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention entails a system and method for fitting a golfer with one or more golf clubs that is based on sound and rational principles. Accordingly, the present invention entails measuring one or more swing characteristics of a golfer and utilizing that measured swing characteristic to arrive at a swing coefficient for the golfer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the swing characteristics measured and analyzed include club head speed and/or club head load which happens to be the load placed on the golf club head at the conclusion of the back swing and just prior to the golfer moving downwardly through his or her swing. The swing coefficients are correlated to a range of golf club natural frequencies and club lengths for golf clubs. Given that a golfer is seeking a club of a particular length, for example an 8-iron or a 9-iron, then by looking at the correlation between swing coefficient and natural frequency, one can select a golf club with a natural frequency that is deemed appropriate or suitable for the golfer.
Once a natural frequency has been determined for a particular golf club, then premanufactured clubs can be tested for natural frequency to determine a specific club that is appropriate for the golfer. In addition, golf clubs can be custom manufactured or retro-fitted to yield the ideal or targeted natural frequency. In any event, the golfer is fitted with one or more golf clubs that yield or possess a natural frequency that correlates to the swing coefficient of a particular golfer for any given club.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system or method for fitting a golfer with golf clubs that is based on objective standards.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for fitting a golfer with golf clubs wherein the method or process is based on scientific criteria that identifies golf clubs that are appropriately suited for a specific golfer and which at least approximates an optimum club or set of clubs for the golfer.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4375887 (1983-03-01), Lynch
patent: 5040279 (1991-08-01), Braly
patent: 5163681 (1992-11-01), Hodgetts
patent: 5351951 (1994-10-01), Hodgetts
patent: 5351952 (1994-10-01), Hackman
patent: 5379641 (1995-01-01), Paasivaara
patent: 5441256 (1995-08-01), Hackman
patent: 5478073 (1995-12-01), Hackman
patent: 5591091 (1997-01-01), Hackman
patent: 5722899 (1998-03-01), Cheng
patent: 5772522 (1998-06-01), Nesbit
patent: 5792000 (1998-08-01), Webber
patent: 5821417 (1998-10-01), Naruo
Coates & Bennett, P.L.L.C.
Kim Paul D
Young Lee
LandOfFree
Method for club fitting does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for club fitting, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for club fitting will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2573487