Magnetic Golf Club

Abstract

A golf club head modified to comprise magnetic inserts proximal to the striking surface is disclosed. These magnetic inserts alter the properties of the golf club head such that the striking surface imparts greater force to a golf ball when hitting the “sweet spot”. Various configurations and embodiments disclosed may further alter the properties of the golf club head striking surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of the provisional application filed Nov. 14, 2024, bearing the Ser. No. 63 / 720,182.PRIOR ART

[0002] The following prior art is disclosed and distinguished from the present invention herein.

[0003] U.S. Application No. 2008 / 0045358 discloses a combination ferromagnetic golf ball and magnetic golf club. This invention teaches away from an embodiment of the present invention. In the '358 application, a magnetorheological fluid embedded in the golf ball is attracted to a permanent magnet placed behind the “sweet spot” of a club head. See '358 Application, paragraph 0024. The design is meant to attract the golf ball to the sweet spot to reduce mis-hits. In contrast, the present application makes use of embedded magnetic inserts to increase the force imparted to a golf ball through the striking surface; a specially modified golf ball is not required.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,282 discloses a golf club head further comprising at least one magnet in the “horseshoe” configuration and a non-magnetic spacer configured to shape the flux field of the magnet, affixed to a ferromagnetic striking surface or to a ferromagnetic keeper plate affixed to the non-ferromagnetic striking surface. This invention can be distinguished in the configuration of the magnetic components, in the disclosed necessity for a nonmagnetic spacer which modifies the flux of the horseshoe magnet, and in the disclosed necessity of an added “keeper plate” in clubs without a ferromagnetic striking surface. The present invention as disclosed in its preferred embodiments lacks these limiting elements; indeed, testing of the present invention as described below was performed with a golf club comprised of titanium, a material which is not ferromagnetic.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 10,406,421 discloses a magnetic training tool for iron-type golf clubs. The invention is distinguishable from the present invention in that the present invention is not limited to iron-type golf clubs. Further, the invention is distinguishable from the present invention in that the magnetic training tool is paired with a magnetic training ball intended to attract the training ball to the “sweet spot” of the club head, while the present invention relies on no such special training ball to function.

[0006] U.S. Application No. 2023 / 0087233 discloses a putter-type golf club head having a first and second magnet embedded therein. This invention is distinguishable from the present invention, which is not limited to a putter-type golf club. This invention is further distinguishable from the present invention because the paired magnets within the club head are expressly configured to alter the weight of the club and achieve the desired effects by adjustment of the club weight; the present invention expressly functions by means not dependent on the weight of the club head.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Golf, whether enjoyed as a competitive activity or an aesthetic pursuit, always puts before the golfer the challenge of making that next stroke just a little closer to perfect. Just as a baseball player may use an aluminum bat in the cages, or a competitive marksman may invest in ever more powerful scopes, golfers enjoy a selection of new, improved clubs every season with which they may pursue a longer drive or a smoother stroke. The inventions seen in the field reflect the industry's fervent attempts to provide the aesthetic experience of that next, more perfect stroke. Even in instances where regulations prohibit the competitive use of certain materials or designs, golfers may take pleasure in using them simply for the aesthetic pursuit of longer drives.

[0008] In its most basic form, a golf club for use in striking a golf ball comprises a shaft and a head. The shaft may be solid or hollow, and may be made of various metals such as steel or titanium, plastics, carbon fiber, or even woods such as hickory. The head, attached to the shaft, may be embodied in any of thousands of various shapes comprising similar materials or hybrids thereof, balancing wind resistance, balance, weight, material flexibility and shock absorption, and angle of attack to achieve the design goals of a given club.

[0009] The golf ball comprises an inner portion, which may be further subdivided into a core and a mantle, and an outer shell. The core is typically a combination of synthetic rubbers and polymers, but other materials may be offered by manufacturers claiming greater performance—that is, a greater tendency for the ball to efficiently be carried by the kinetic energy of the stroke. Certain golf balls have been manufactured which contain magnetic elements, as disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 20080045358. Similarly, when a golf ball contains a mantle, the mantle may comprise anything from layers of rubber bands to layers of synthetic rubbers and plastics separate from the core. Finally, the golf ball cover may comprise a resin or polyurethane, though much older golf ball shells were made of wood, leather, and even dried sap.

[0010] At the instant of the strike, kinetic energy is transferred from the golf club to the golf ball. Increased efficiency in the transfer of kinetic energy results in a longer drive. The less energy is lost to the almost instantaneous, imperceptible deformation of the club head striking surface and the golf ball shell, the greater the efficiency of the transfer.

[0011] Previous inventions in the art of golf club head augmentation comprising magnets have relied on magnetic effects acting upon the golf ball. The present invention relies on no such effect, instead acting to enhance the striking surface. This configuration consequently does not require a non-regulation golf ball for its utility.

[0012] Whether playing alone or in groups, golfers desire longer drives in search of the most perfect swing. Even outside of competition, golfers seek the simple joy of a long drive and an improved personal game. New, improved golf clubs retail for hundreds of dollars, indicating a driving need for the best equipment. In short, there is a powerful need among golfers for a longer drive and a smoother stroke. The present invention seeks to provide this experience in a way not yet seen in the art.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention proposes a novel club head incorporating two or more magnetic inserts to improve the power and distance of a drive or other golf swing. While the preferred embodiment of these two or more magnetic inserts comprises rare earth magnets, other embodiments intended to be included in this disclosure and the accompanying claims may be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Such embodiments expressly include but are not limited to club heads comprising electromagnets and other magnets not primarily comprising rare earth materials. Embodiments of this design may improve drivers, irons, and putters alike.

[0014] Every golf club has a “sweet spot”. This is the colloquial term referring to that point on the striking surface of a club head which acts to maximize the accuracy and power of a stroke when that stroke connects with the golf ball directly on said sweet spot. The greater the kinetic energy that can be imbued at the instant the club head strikes the ball at the sweet spot, the more powerful the drive.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the effect of enhancing the sweet spot is achieved by an improved structure in which two or more magnetic inserts have been embedded within the club head, aft of a striking surface on the club head. These magnetic inserts, a forward magnetic insert and an anterior magnetic insert, are preferably oriented parallel to the striking surface of the club head such that the forces between each of these magnetic inserts are repulsive—that is, north to north, or south to south. These repulsive forces change the way the striking surface reacts at the moment of impact upon a golf ball. When configured in the preferred embodiment as disclosed herein, greater kinetic energy is transferred to the golf ball. The repulsive force between the magnetic inserts augments the resistance inherent to the club head's physical body to compressive forces from impact with the golf ball during a swing. Testing has determined this effect occurs even when controlling for the mass of a club head and is thus attributable to the effects of the magnets themselves.

[0016] The method of swinging a golf club is familiar to one skilled in the art of golf and is not claimed herein except as otherwise disclosed. When swinging a golf club to strike a golf ball as in the game of golf, using the improved magnetic golf club as disclosed herein, a golfer may typically intend to strike the golf ball with the sweet spot of the striking surface. At the moment of impact, the striking surface of the club head and the outer shell of the golf ball collide; the striking surface flexes and transfers stored energy to the golf ball according to well-understood kinetic principles. The present invention, incorporating the disclosed magnetic inserts, increases the force imbued by the striking surface on the golf ball beyond that inherent to the material properties of the striking surface and club head, augmented by the magnetic force of the repulsive poles of said magnetic inserts as disclosed herein.

[0017] In addition to the preferred embodiment configured to increase the force delivered by a stroke at the sweet spot, other embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims of this invention. Such embodiments comprise both further enhancements of the effects disclosed herein as well as alterations to the configuration of the magnetic inserts in order to achieve other effects as described herein. In one such disclosed instance, embedding the magnets at varying angles will act to increase or decrease the magnetic force between the magnetic inserts and the consequent force along the striking surface at a gradient. This can be configured to offset or enhance the skew of a golf ball propelled by a strike not hitting the sweet spot, acting to thereby offset or enhance a “slice”.

[0018] It is known in the art that a heavier club head can imbue greater power to a stroke. While such a simple statement belies the intricate interplay of factors which determine the efficacy of a golfer's swing, it is nevertheless apparent that the improvements offered by the present invention are derived from the magnetic forces of the components in the club head, rather than merely from any altered mass of the club head by the incorporation of rare earth metals. A prototype was tested accordingly. In these tests, the club head was secured in place with its striking surface facing upward. A golf ball was dropped directly onto the striking surface from a predetermined height, its velocity at the moment of impact being a result only of acceleration due to gravity and the height of the drop rather than any of the myriad elements in the motion of a golfer's swing. This test design eliminates the effect of the difference in mass between the prototype and a control club head not incorporating the present invention. The test was repeated from various heights. Initial testing comprised in part the act of dropping ordinary golf balls onto the striking surfaces of golf club heads as claimed herein from heights of ten feet, twenty feet, and thirty feet. Results were measured as a function of the height which the dropped golf balls rebounded upward after striking the club head. In testing, measurements indicated an increase of between twenty and twenty-five percent in the maximum height of the rebound compared to similar tests conducted on unmodified golf club heads lacking the features of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are thus shown not to be a consequence of any change in the mass of the golf club heads.

[0019] In addition to ruling out the effects of altered mass, these tests further indicate that the effects of the present invention are not achieved by magnetic attraction or repulsion of a specially-modified golf ball, nor by any change in the “feel” of the swing of the golf club. These effects instead appear in testing to be the result of a change in the properties of the striking surface of the golf club head. Indeed, these enhancements to the striking power of the club face at the sweet spot will be apparent even for a club head without any ferromagnetic properties independent of the embedded magnets, as the repulsive force of the embedded magnets acts in opposition to any inward deformation of the striking surface by contact between the repelled embedded magnets and the material of the club head itself.

[0020] Changes to the configuration of the magnetic inserts within the club head can be made to further alter the properties of the sweet spot as disclosed in the detailed description, below, or as will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

[0021] The present invention is independent of any particular model of golf club or club head. This disclosure is intended to encompass any and all club heads in which the component magnets can be embedded or otherwise attached.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1-A displays a cross-sectional side view of the club head. The striking surface is on the right from the viewer's perspective. The cross section displays the embedded magnetic inserts, oriented such that the two inserts exert repulsive force against one another. The magnetic forces are displayed for each embedded magnetic insert, denoted via “+” and “−” signs per convention in the field wherein like repels like and opposite attracts opposite. A portion of the club head is visible on top of the club head, with the shaft omitted.

[0023] FIG. 1-B displays a side view of the club head, similar to that seen in cross section in FIG. 1-A. In this view, the club is not displayed in cross section, and the magnetic inserts are consequently not visible.

[0024] FIG. 1c displays the striking surface of a club head from a perspective facing the striking surface at an angle slightly offset from straight on. A first magnetic insert, is depicted with a solid border, closest to the striking surface. A second magnetic insert, denoted “Plate 2”, is embedded deeper within the club head and is depicted with a dashed line border. The offset view allows both plates to be depicted, though in the preferred embodiment, the plates are embedded in parallel position which would not be visible in the drawing at a direct angle.

[0025] FIG. 2 displays a detail image diagraming the repulsive magnetic force between the inserts. Curved arrows display the magnetic field effect between the inserts.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts the striking surface of a club head directly. In this embodiment, marks etched on the striking surface indicate uniform units of distance across the striking surface as a visual aid to a user to calibrate the distance to the sweet spot.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a set of alternate placements of the magnetic inserts within the club head, further comprising a third magnetic insert as in an embodiment intended to increase backspin.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a club head 100 comprises a forward magnetic insert 101 and an anterior magnetic insert 102 in a planar or “plate” configuration. Said forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are embedded within the club head 100 behind and parallel to the striking surface 103 of said club head 100 proximal to the sweet spot 104 of the striking surface 103. In this preferred embodiment, the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are configured with dimensions of one inch in width, “width” being intended to refer to the direction parallel to and across the striking surface 103; one quarter inch height, “height” referring to the dimension parallel to and up and down the striking surface 103, and one-eighth inch thickness, “thickness” being depth relative to the striking surface 103. This embodiment is configured to fit within the body of a club head 100 for a driver of a style commonly used today and is illustrative of the same invention as may be applied to other club types; e.g., putters and irons. The club head 100 is connected to the shaft 200 in any configuration known in the art.

[0029] In this preferred embodiment, the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 comprise neodymium magnets coated in nickel plating. Other types of magnets, including electromagnets and other rare earth magnets, may be incorporated in alternate embodiments. It is noted that in this preferred embodiment as tested, the mass of the magnets was measured at 3.84 grams. Greater or lower masses are inherent to any alternative embodiments comprising alternative materials or sizes; mass of the magnetic inserts is an inherent material property of said magnetic inserts, and any given dimensions of magnetic inserts configured according to this disclosure is intended to be within the scope of the claims set forth herein.

[0030] It is preferred in this embodiment that the forward magnetic insert 101 be fixed within the club head close to the striking surface 103 as possible; however, the forward magnetic insert 101 may be fixed as deeply as desired, subject to the size of the club head 100, in order to reduce the total enhancement to the striking power at the sweet spot 104. It is preferred that anterior magnetic insert 102 be fixed within the club head 100 approximately one-quarter inch anterior to the forward magnetic insert 101; however, the anterior magnetic insert 102 may be fixed more closely, or as deeply as desired, subject to the size of the club head 100, in order to reduce the total enhancement to the striking power at the sweet spot 104. A closer configuration increases the magnetic force between the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102, in turn maximizing the magnetic force acting to augment the striking surface 103. The preferred embodiment is configured such that the distance of one-quarter inch separation between the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 is maintained. A nonmagnetic spacer 105 embedded between the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 to securely maintain fixture of said forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 in place, the fixed positions ensuring constant, predictable magnetic force between them. Preferably, the nonmagnetic spacer 105 is unitary with the club head 100; alternative embodiments may instead comprise a nonmagnetic spacer 105 which is a separate component from the club head 100 that is removably fixed in place within said club head 100. Varying configurations of this invention may comprise a thicker or thinner nonmagnetic spacer 105 in place of the preferred one-quarter inch described herein.

[0031] The forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are oriented such that like poles of said forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are placed proximal to one another, such that said forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are subject to repulsive force between on another.

[0032] In this preferred embodiment, the club head 100 comprises titanium. Other materials may be used as will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. The properties of the present invention as claimed herein depend from the repulsive forces of the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 on one another and the consequent kinetic force exerted directly on the physical body of the club head 100 by said forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102. Such kinetic force is not dependent on a ferromagnetic striking surface on the club head 100 and consequently may comprise other metals, wood, plastic, ceramic, and other materials known in the art.

[0033] As briefly described in the summary of the invention, above, this preferred embodiment was tested by dropping ordinary, unmodified golf balls onto the sweet spot 104 of the striking surface 103 from varying heights. The enhancement to the striking surface 103 is tested by measurement of the height the dropped golf ball bounces off of the striking surface 103 when dropped onto the sweet spot 105. This test design eliminates the effects of the mass of the golf club including the club head 100 and the power and technique of a user's golf stroke which would otherwise confound measurement of the enhancement. Any change in the height of a golf ball bounce is thereby attributable directly to the alterations in the properties of the striking surface 103 as altered from an ordinary golf club by the addition of the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102. Testing of this preferred embodiment was performed on modified Cleveland Launcher 460 titanium drivers. Testing yielded an average increase of between 20% and 25% in the rebound height from modified as opposed to unmodified golf clubs.

[0034] Other embodiments generally comprising the elements of the inventions and the properties of this embodiment may be configured to fit within a larger or smaller driver, or within the club heads of other commonly used types of golf clubs.

[0035] Further embodiments may comprise a greater or lesser distance between the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 to alter the total enhancement to the power of the striking surface.

[0036] Yet further embodiments may comprise electromagnets rather than the permanent magnets used for the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 in the preferred embodiment. Such further embodiments may further comprise an electrical power source, preferably a battery, within the club head 100. Alternatively, such further embodiments may comprise one or more electrical wires attached to or embedded within the shaft 200 to connect to a power source, preferably a battery, whether fixed to the shaft 200 or carried by a user.

[0037] In yet further embodiments, one or more additional magnetic inserts 106 may be fixed within the club head 100 anterior to and in series with the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102, further increasing magnetic forces. Alternatively, the one or more additional magnetic inserts 106 may be fixed within the club head 100 parallel to the forward magnetic insert 101 and above or below said forward magnetic insert 101.

[0038] Alternatively, in lieu of a single unitary magnetic insert, a series of smaller magnetic inserts may be embedded within the golf club head in composite layers, each layer taking the place and approximate shape of those magnetic inserts comprising the preferred “plate” configuration, such that these composite layers act to produce a net magnetic force equivalent to that of the preferred plate configuration. In this embodiment, a first composite layer and a second composite layer are embedded in the golf club head such that the magnetic poles of the first composite layer are repulsed by the magnetic poles of the second composite layer, just as in the plate configuration. The configuration of smaller magnets embedded within these first and second composite layers will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and is intended to be included within the claims herein. A further advantage of this configuration is that a similar array of two or more composite layers may be embedded within a golf ball in a nested spherical configuration, such that the magnetic force between the golf ball and the striking surface of the golf club head is repulsive, further modifying the character of the stroke when striking such a modified golf ball.

[0039] In yet further embodiments, the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102, as well as optionally any one or more additional magnetic inserts 106, may be embedded in the club head 100 at angles other than parallel to the striking surface 103. In one such configuration, forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 may be embedded in the club head 100 at angles other than parallel to the striking surface 103 while still fixed parallel to one another.

[0040] In another alternate configuration, the forward magnetic insert 101 may remain embedded parallel to the striking surface 103 of the club head 100 while the anterior magnetic insert 102 is embedded at an angle other than parallel to the forward magnetic insert 101. In this alternate configuration, the varying distance between the repulsive poles of the magnetic inserts will cause the enhancement to the striking surface 103 to be greater or lesser at varying points along said striking surface 103. Such an embodiment may further comprise markings on the striking surface 103 to indicate to a user the approximate strength of the enhancement thereto. Where the repulsive poles of the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are more proximate, the magnetic force will be greater; where the repulsive poles of the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are more distant, the magnetic force will be lesser. Configuring the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 such that the magnetic force is increased more proximally to the shaft 200 will tend to increase the enhancement to the striking surface 103 more proximal to the golfer, such that the effect will tend to offset a slice angled proximal to the golfer. Configuring the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 such that the magnetic force is increased more distal to the shaft 200 will tend to increase the enhancement on the striking surface 103 more distal to the golfer, such that the effect will tend to offset a slice angled distal to the golfer. Configuring the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 such that the magnetic force is increased toward the groundward edge of the striking surface 103 will tend to increase upward force on the golf ball, such that the effect will tend to increase backspin on a golf ball struck with the sweet spot 104, offsetting the need of the golfer to adjust his swing in order to achieve such backspin and to decrease the likelihood of a bladed shot.

[0041] In yet further embodiments, the club head 100 may be configured to further comprise an adjustment mechanism, configured such that the angle at which the forward magnetic insert 101 and anterior magnetic insert 102 are fixed relative to the striking surface 103 may be altered, along with the nonmagnetic spacer 105, according to adjustments from a user as described in the preceding alternative embodiments. While a club head 100 with moving parts of this sort is generally banned in tournament play, such an instrument remains useful as a training tool as well as a simple recreational device. Magnetic inserts modified by an adjustment mechanism as described herein permit fine-tuning of the gradient of magnetic forces acting to enhance the striking surface 103.

[0042] While the specific effect on the trajectory of a golf ball struck by the present invention will vary depending on whether said golf club is a putter, iron, or driver, the means by which the alterations and improvements to the striking surface 103 are made remain the same. Other embodiments of the present invention may be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Such embodiments are intended to be included in the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

1. An improved magnetic golf club, comprising:A golf club, said golf club further comprising a club head and a shaft, said shaft being fixed to the club head on a proximal side of said club head, and said club head further comprising a striking surface, said striking surface further comprising a sweet spot;At least two magnetic inserts, comprising a forward magnetic insert and an anterior magnetic insert, embedded within the club head, configured in series anterior to the striking surface, such that:The forward magnetic insert is embedded proximal to the striking surface and the anterior magnetic insert is embedded anterior to said forward magnetic insert and more distal to the striking surface;Between said forward magnetic insert and anterior magnetic insert, the club head further comprises a nonmagnetic spacer of a desired thickness to maintain a desired separation between said forward magnetic insert and anterior magnetic insert such that magnetic force acts between said forward magnetic insert and anterior magnetic insert;The forward magnetic insert and the anterior magnetic insert are disposed such that like magnetic poles of each magnetic insert are oriented to act as a repulsive force between said forward magnetic insert and the anterior magnetic insert; andThe first magnetic insert and second magnetic insert are fixed behind and substantially proximate to the sweet spot;Such that the force of the striking surface generally and the sweet spot in particular against a golf ball on impact is altered or increased.

2. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the forward magnetic insert is fixed substantially parallel to the striking surface and wherein the anterior magnetic insert is fixed substantially parallel to the forward magnetic insert.

3. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the nonmagnetic spacer is preferably one-quarter inch in thickness.

4. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the at least two magnetic inserts comprise permanent magnets.

5. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 4, wherein the permanent magnets are neodymium magnets.

6. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the at least two magnetic inserts comprise electromagnets, and wherein the improved magnetic golf club further comprises a power source electrically connected to said electromagnets.

7. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the at least two magnetic inserts further comprise at least one additional magnet in series with and anterior to the at least two magnetic inserts.

8. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the at least two magnetic inserts are fixed in a position not substantially parallel to the striking surface.

9. The improved magnetic golf club of claim 1, wherein the at least two magnetic inserts are movably fixed within the club head.

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