Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Practice device attachable to body
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-05-01
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Practice device attachable to body
C473S268000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224492
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical reference marker system for training golfers to maintain proper head and body position when performing a golf swing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In golf, the golf swing (as used herein to include all varieties of golf swings, i.e. putting, pitching, driving, etc.) is the most important aspect of a golfer's game. A proper golf swing allows a golfer to accurately hit a golf ball to a desired location. In order to attain a proper swing, a golfer must maintain proper head and body position.
Head position is a critical component of all types of golf swings. Proper head position during the golfer's entire swing, both the backward and forward portion of the swing, is imperative for the golfer to achieve the proper angle and position of the golf club when it strikes a ball. Proper head position is realized when a golfer's head does not move (up or down or side to side) until after the golf club has made contact with the golf ball and the golfer is in the “follow through” portion of the golf swing. At this point the golfer's head may rise to follow the ball.
Eye contact provides an effective means of maintaining proper head position. When the golfer's eyes remain fixed on a golf ball or other reference point during a swing, the head tends to remain in its proper position. A common mistake among inexperienced golfers is to loose direct eye contact with the ball during the backward and forward portions of the swing. Typically, when a golfer has lost direct eye contact with a ball, the golfer's head moves out of its proper position. This movement of the golfer's head causes the golfer's body to move out of its proper position, which in turn causes instability and small movements in the golf club. The golf club then strikes the golf ball at undesirable angles and positions, which adversely effects the golfer's accuracy and power.
Some golfers have trained themselves to maintain eye contact with the ball but have not trained themselves to keep their head in one position. These golfers move their eyes independently from their head. Thus, it is not always sufficient to keep one's eye on the ball. Golfers must be trained to keep their eye on the ball while keeping their head in one position during a swing.
Various devices have been developed for helping golfers maintain proper head and body position. U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,696 to Hull, for instance, discloses a pair of glasses or sunglasses fitted with a target sight or optical reference marker (a decal or an engraving placed on each lens) that provides a means for training golfers to maintain a desired head position. When a golfer views a golf ball or other reference point through the optical reference marker, the golfer must maintain the golfer's head in one position. If the golfer's head changes position during a swing, the golf ball will move out of the optical reference marker.
Hull, however, discloses only one optical reference marker, a circle with a clear or transparent center. It has been found that other shapes are useful to train golfers. For example, some shapes are better able to indicate how a golfer is moving his head and body and the severity of that movement. Furthermore, different golfers prefer different optical reference marker shapes.
It has also been found that golfers require a convenient means for storing and transporting the optical reference markers. If a golfer uses a removably attachable marker, the golfer needs a means for storing the marker until the golfer needs to use it. If a plurality of markers are used, golfers require a means for clearly displaying the markers so that golfers can easily select a marker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an optical reference marker system for training a golfer or assisting a golfer in the game of golf. The system comprises at least one optical reference marker and a storage member. The optical reference marker is adapted to be removably attached to a lens on a pair of glasses on the golfer's head, wherein the optical reference marker provides a reference point to maintain a desired body position during a golf swing when the optical reference marker is aligned between an eye of the golfer and an object. The storage member is adapted to hold the optical reference marker, wherein the optical reference marker may be stored on the storage member when not in use, and the optical reference marker may be removed from the storage member when the golfer desires to use the optical reference marker.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1790762 (1931-02-01), Page
patent: 3228696 (1966-01-01), Hull
patent: 3871104 (1975-03-01), Underhill, II
patent: 3953033 (1976-04-01), Kelly et al.
patent: 4251076 (1981-02-01), Krupicka
patent: 4957295 (1990-09-01), McConkey
patent: 4991849 (1991-02-01), Fabanich
patent: 5444501 (1995-08-01), Aloi et al.
patent: 5489953 (1996-02-01), Gritthith
patent: 5657869 (1997-08-01), Carroll, III
The applicant hereby discloses that the subject matter of the current application is relevant to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/861,258, filed on May 21, 1997, now abandoned.
Burns Ian F.
Wong Steven
LandOfFree
Optical reference marker system for golfers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical reference marker system for golfers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical reference marker system for golfers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2440887