A hitting sound generating device for a golf putter and a golf putter equipped with the hitting sound generating device.

Abstract

To provide a hitting sound generating device for a golf putter, which relieves the mental tension felt by a golf player when putting, brings about a relaxing effect, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. [Solution] The device has a structure that can be attached to the putter head of a golf putter, and comprises a striking section 3 attached to a spring-like elastic body 31, multiple acoustic members 5a-5d, and a housing section 10 that houses these. When the housing section receives an external impact, the striking section vibrates and strikes the acoustic members in sequence, generating striking sounds of different scales. The acoustic members are designed to play a pentatonic scale or chords, and have a simple and compact structure that can be easily attached to a golf putter. This generates a pleasant melody when putting, relieving the player's mental tension and providing a relaxing effect.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf putter impact sound generating device that generates impact sounds when a golf ball is hit with the golf putter, and a golf putter equipped with the golf putter impact sound generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] According to an article in the business information website Diamond Online entitled "200 Deaths Per Year! Five Tips to Avoid Sudden Death While Playing Golf Early in the Morning (August 5, 2014)", it is estimated that approximately 200 sudden deaths occur each year while playing golf, with many of the cases occurring when players collapse while putting on the green. The main causes of these sudden deaths are cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. At first glance, golf does not seem to involve strenuous exercise, but when making a shot or putting, the entire body is used in an instant, which can cause a sudden rise in heart rate and blood pressure. Putting on the green in particular requires a high level of concentration and increases the sense of tension, which can place a great strain on the heart and blood vessels. In addition, looking at the age group of the golf player population, People in their 60s and 70s accounted for 50% of the total, and the high risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in this age group is thought to be a factor in the large number of such cases.

[0003] However, if there was a system that allowed players to listen to pleasant music or tones while putting, they would be able to continue playing in a relaxed state on the green where tension and pressure are high, and the sudden death described above should be prevented to some extent. One way to achieve this would be if the golf putter could play a beautiful sound or melody at the moment of putting.

[0004] Putters that produce good sounds have been invented for a long time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a putter head with gaps around the ball-striking surface to reduce the parts that restrict the vibration of the ball-striking surface and produce a beautiful hitting sound. Patent Document 2 discloses a golf club with no slits on the ball-striking surface, which makes it easier for the surface to vibrate when hit with a ball, resulting in a louder, longer-lasting hitting sound.

[0005] However, all of these prior arts attempt to change the impact sound by processing the putter head or club head itself. In other words, they relate to the design of the putter head or club head structure itself. In general, the presence or absence and position of slits in a putter head are factors that determine the center of gravity and rigidity of the putter, and changing the structure to improve the impact sound will affect other performance. In addition, even if the structure of the putter head itself is changed, it is limited to one type of impact sound and it is not possible to produce multiple tones. Furthermore, if such a mechanical change is made to a familiar putter, there is a possibility that it will not be able to exhibit the previous performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Practical application 61-136767 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 53-29830 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] This invention is intended to solve the problems mentioned above, by producing a beautiful hitting sound without modifying the putter head itself, allowing the player to listen to pleasant music or tones while putting, and allowing the player to continue playing in a relaxed state on the green where tension and pressure are high. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The impact sound generating device for golf putters according to this invention comprises a striking part attached to a spring-like elastic body, an acoustic member, and a housing part that houses the striking part and the acoustic member. When the housing part receives an external impact, the striking part vibrates and strikes the acoustic member, thereby producing an impact sound.

[0009] The acoustic members may be multiple, each of which produces a striking sound of a different scale.

[0010] In addition, the multiple acoustic members are arranged on both sides of the striking portion so as to sandwich the striking portion, so that when the striking portion vibrates left and right, the acoustic members on both sides are struck alternately.

[0011] In addition, each of the multiple acoustic members is plate-shaped and has a surface perpendicular to its longitudinal direction curved in a semicircular shape. The multiple acoustic members are attached in parallel to one side of the inner wall of the housing with steps that become successively higher in proportion to the distance from the striking part in the height direction of the housing so that when the striking part receives an external impact and vibrates, it strikes each of the multiple acoustic members in turn. The striking part moves along the semicircularly curved surface of the acoustic member to strike the acoustic member, thereby making it possible to continuously produce striking sounds of a multiple scale.

[0012] The plate-like acoustic members are each made to have a different length, so that striking sounds of different scales are generated.

[0013] The striking sounds of the plurality of scales are a combination of a pentatonic scale or a chord.

[0014] The striking portion is a metal ball, the elastic body is a spring rod, and the acoustic member is a metallophone.

[0015] Further, a hole or a slit is provided on the side surface of the housing for transmitting the hitting sound to the outside of the housing.

[0016] The housing is provided with a mounting means capable of mounting the putter head of a golf putter, the mounting means being of the screw type, clip type or double-sided adhesive tape type.

[0017] Furthermore, the golf putter according to the present invention is configured such that any one of the above-mentioned hitting sound generating devices for golf putters is mounted on the putter head of the golf putter. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The impact sound generating device for golf putters of the present invention has a striking part attached to a spring-like elastic body that uses external impact to strike an acoustic member and generate an impact sound. This makes it possible to generate effective sounds with a simple structure, and by providing a tension-relieving and relaxing effect to players on the green, is expected to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

[0019] In addition, since there are multiple acoustic members and each acoustic member can emit striking sounds of a different scale, it is possible to play beautiful melodies.

[0020] In addition, multiple acoustic members are arranged on either side of the striking part, so that when the striking part vibrates left and right, the acoustic members on both sides are struck alternately. This has the effect of producing a two-tone chime-like melody and simplifying the structure of the device, making it possible to make it smaller.

[0021] In addition, each of the multiple acoustic members is plate-shaped, with the surface perpendicular to its longitudinal direction curved in a semicircular shape, and each acoustic member is attached in parallel to one side of the inner wall of the housing unit with steps provided so that they are at different heights in the height direction of the housing unit.As a result, when the striking section receives an impact from the outside and vibrates, each of the multiple acoustic members is struck in turn, making it possible to play complex melodies with a simple structure.

[0022] Furthermore, since the multiple plate-like acoustic members are each made to have a different length, it is possible to produce striking sounds of different scales with a simple structure.

[0023] In addition, the striking sounds of the multiple scales are a combination of pentatonic scales or chords, so that a pleasant melody is played, which has the effect of relaxing the player's mind.

[0024] In addition, the striking part is a metal ball, the elastic body is a spring rod, and the sound member is a glockenspiel, so that a melody can be produced with a simple structure.

[0025] In addition, holes or slits for transmitting striking sounds to the outside of the housing are provided on the side of the housing, which has the effect that striking sounds reverberating inside the housing can be easily transmitted to the outside of the housing.

[0026] In addition, the housing is provided with a mounting means for mounting the golf putter head to the golf putter, which can be a screw type, a clip type, or a double-sided adhesive tape type, so that the golf putter impact sound generating device can be mounted to the golf putter securely and easily. Furthermore, since the golf putter impact sound generating device is mounted on the putter head of the golf putter, the effort of attaching the golf putter impact sound generating device is eliminated and the appearance is neat. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a hitting sound generating device for a golf putter according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are a top perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the impact sound generating device for a golf putter according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are a top perspective view and a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of generating hitting sounds in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are a top perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of another embodiment of a hitting sound generating device for a golf putter according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are a top perspective view and a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of generating hitting sounds in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1 is an external view showing an example of a putter equipped with a hitting sound generating device of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an external view showing a putter equipped with the hitting sound generating device of the present invention in use.

[0028] A first embodiment for carrying out this invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters of this invention. In the completed state, the opening at the top of the housing 10 is closed with a lid as shown in Fig. 6. The surface of the lid can be decorated (not shown) to give it artistic value.

[0029] 1, 10 denotes a housing that houses the components described below, and its size is about the same as a thin matchbox that can be mounted on the putter head of a golf putter, with dimensions of, for example, about 4 to 6 cm in width, 2 to 4 cm in depth, and 0.5 to 1.5 cm in thickness. In addition, the material used for the housing is lightweight and has both impact resistance and resonance when putting, and metals such as titanium alloys and aluminum alloys can be used.

[0030] As materials other than metal, resins such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), polycarbonate, and acrylic resin can also be used. Furthermore, composite materials of metal and resin, ceramics, etc. can also be used. However, since the standard weight of a golf putter head is thought to be about 300 to 500 g, it is desirable to keep the weight of this golf putter impact sound generating device 1 to about several tens of grams, taking into account the balance of the entire putter.

[0031] The housing 10 has holes 11, 12, and 13 on one side of the side wall to transmit the striking sound generated inside the housing 10 and resonating within the housing 10 to the outside. The number of holes is not limited to three, and may be more or less. Furthermore, one or more gaps such as slits may be provided. The above holes or slits can be freely designed in consideration of the strength and acoustic effect of the housing 10.

[0032] In Fig. 1, 3 denotes a metal ball, which is attached to one surface of the inner wall of the housing 10 via a spring rod 31. With this structure, the metal ball 3 can vibrate left and right with the base of the spring rod 31 fixed to the inner wall side of the housing 10 as a fulcrum. Specifically, one end of the spring rod 31 is fixed to the metal ball 3, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 10. When an impact is applied to the housing 10 from the outside, the metal ball 3 vibrates left and right in a horizontal plane near the bottom inner wall of the housing 10. The diameter of metal ball 3 is a dimension that fits in the height direction inside housing 10, and is about 0.4 cm to 1.1 cm. The material is preferably a metal such as stainless steel or iron that produces a beautiful striking sound when struck by the metallophone, but other alloys, ceramics, and other materials may also be used.

[0033] Metallophones 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are acoustic members that generate striking sounds when struck by the metal ball 3. Metallophones 5a, 5b, and 5c each have a fixed rod 51a, 51b, and 51c, and are designed to be arranged in parallel on one side of the metal ball 3 supported by the spring rod 31. These metallophones are firmly fixed to the inner wall of the housing 10 via the fixed rod. Meanwhile, metallophone 5d also has a fixed rod 51d, and is located on the opposite side of the metal ball 3, and is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 10.

[0034] Fig. 2(a) is a schematic diagram seen from above to show in more detail the impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters described in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the metallophones 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are designed to have different lengths. Therefore, when the metal ball 3 hits each metallophone, it is possible to generate impact sounds of different scales. Specifically, the longer the length of the metallophone, the lower the pitch produced, and the shorter the length, the higher the pitch produced. The generated impact sounds resonate inside the housing 10 and are transmitted to the outside of the housing 10 through holes or slits (11, 12, and 13) formed in the inner wall of the housing 10.

[0035] FIG. 2(b) is a schematic diagram showing the AA cross section of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the metallophones 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are curved so that the surfaces that the metal ball 3 hits are arced surfaces, and are designed so that the metal ball 3 hits them efficiently and produces a uniform sound. The metallophones 5a, 5b, and 5c are designed so that the height of the fixing positions increases as they move away from the metal ball 3. The horizontal dashed lines in the figure are drawn in a schematic manner to confirm the mounting positions of each reinforcing bar in the height direction. With this arrangement, when the metal ball 3 moves to the right in the figure, it moves diagonally upward to the right while hitting the arced surfaces of the metallophones 5a, 5b, and 5c in order, and hits each metallophone in turn. Then, when the metal ball 3 returns to the left side due to the repetitive force of the spring rod 31, it hits the metallophones 5c, 5b, and 5a in that order, and then hits the metallophone 5d arranged on the opposite side.

[0036] Furthermore, when the metal ball 3 vibrates left and right due to the repetitive force of the spring rod 31, it uses the inertia in the left and right direction to strike the metallophones 5a, 5b, and 5c in order, and also strikes the metallophone 5d on the opposite side. This allows the device 1 to operate as a golf putter impact sound generator with an expanded vibration range.

[0037] 3(a) and 3(b) are a top view and an AA cross-sectional view, respectively, explaining the operation of the golf putter impact sound generating device 1 shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b). As shown in these figures, the metal ball 3 performs a pendulum motion and strikes the glockenspiels 5a, 5b, and 5c in order, causing melody sounds of different scales to resonate to the outside from the holes (11, 12, and 13) in the housing 10.

[0038] Here, by adjusting the material and length of the glockenspiels 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, it is possible to play a combination of five-tone scales such as Do, Re, Mi, and So, or chords such as Do, Mi, So, and La. The pentatonic scale is a scale often used in Japanese music and soothing music of the Orient, and is suitable for players to relieve tension on the green because it is easy to harmonize and produces a pleasant tone. In addition, using four-tone chords such as "Do, Mi, So, La" or "Re, Fa, La, Do" increases the sense of stability and can be expected to have a relaxing effect. In particular, by incorporating the constituent notes of a major chord, a bright and calm impression can be given. Of course, the number of glockenspiels may be increased or decreased as needed.

[0039] The length, width, and thickness of the bars are important factors in accurately producing the scale of a glockenspiel. The following design adjustments are required to produce different pitches with a glockenspiel. In other words, the pitch of the sound depends heavily on the length of the bars. Longer bars produce lower pitches, and shorter bars produce higher pitches. Generally, based on the relationship between overtones, the length of the bars needs to be halved to raise the pitch by one octave. However, fine adjustments with short bars are important, and a design is required to finely adjust the length of each bar to match the pitch ratio of the pentatonic scale. To achieve the appropriate scale, it is recommended to set the length within the range of 2 to 4 cm.

[0040] Additionally, the width of the sound bar is a factor that affects sound quality. Wider sound bars produce a thicker, softer sound, while narrower sound bars tend to produce a slightly sharper tone. By making the width consistent, it becomes easier to achieve a sense of unity in the sound. If you are aiming for a soothing tone, it is desirable to set the width to around 2-3cm to soften the contours of the sound. This width setting makes it easier to stabilize the sound's resonance.

[0041] The thickness of the sound bars affects both pitch and timbre. Thick bars tend to produce higher tones, while thinner bars tend to produce lower tones. When adjusting the pitch of a short sound bar, changing the thickness is also effective. However, changing the thickness can affect the sound quality, so it is important to keep the overall thickness constant or to only make fine adjustments in order to maintain a balanced sound. A design that keeps the thickness consistent at around 1.5mm to 2mm is recommended.

[0042] The above acoustic design values ​​can be appropriately selected based on the dimensions and weight of the entire device, as well as the dimensions and weight of the entire putter to be mounted. For example, the width, depth, and thickness of the housing can be finely adjusted according to the shape and internal structure of the putter head, and the size and material of the metal ball and glockenspiel can also be set within a range that does not impair the balance of the entire putter. In particular, considering that the weight of the entire putter head is about 300 to 500 g, it is important to keep the weight of the device to about several tens of grams. Therefore, lightweight and impact-resistant titanium alloys and aluminum alloys are suitable for the material of the housing, and lightweight stainless steel and alloys are recommended for the material of the glockenspiel and metal ball. Furthermore, with regard to acoustic characteristics, it is desirable to appropriately design the length, width, and thickness of the glockenspiel to maximize the resonance characteristics. At this time, in order to effectively utilize the internal space of the entire device and prevent vibration interference and deterioration of the acoustic characteristics, it is necessary to precisely adjust the vibration range of the metal ball and the installation position of the spring bar. As described above, the design of the entire device can be configured to optimize acoustic performance and durability while maintaining the shape and weight that are suitable for the putter head.

[0043] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the golf putter impact sound generating device 1 of the present invention, seen from above. This embodiment is simplified in structure and reduced in weight compared to embodiment 1. Specifically, two metallophones 5e and 5f are arranged on the left and right of the metal ball 3, reducing the number of metallophones. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4(a). As shown in FIG. 4(b), the cross sections of the metallophones 5e and 5f are both flat and not curved. This makes it easier to manufacture the metallophone, simplifies the overall structure, and contributes to reducing the weight of the entire device.

[0044] 5(a) and 5(b) are a top view and an AA cross-sectional view, respectively, explaining the operation of the golf putter impact sound generating device 1 according to this embodiment shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b). As shown in these figures, the metal ball 3 performs a simple left-right pendulum motion, and strikes the glockenspiels 5e and 5f, which are provided with fixed rods 51e and 51f, alternately. The sound generated by this striking resonates with the housing 10, and is transmitted to the outside through the holes (101, 102, 103) in the housing 10. In this embodiment, the striking sound is simple, with only two tones, but the simple structure allows for a lightweight structure and makes it possible to produce striking sounds with the minimum number of elements required. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the glockenspiel to produce a single tone with only one piece, in which case further weight and size reduction can be achieved.

[0045] However, it is also possible to achieve a relaxing effect with a combination of two notes. Below, we will explain the scale and its effect. For example, the perfect fifth is one of the most stable intervals in music. This interval is composed of C and G, and creates a sense of harmonious stability. The perfect fifth gives a relaxed impression without any sense of tension. The major third is a bright and warm interval. This interval is composed of C and E, and has the effect of promoting a sense of happiness and mental freedom. It is suitable for situations where you want a relaxed yet bright impression. Other scale combinations include the minor third. Of course, a relaxing effect can also be obtained with a perfect fourth or an octave. Each of the above scales has a different relaxing effect. With this device, the optimal scale can be selected according to the acoustic characteristics of the device and the installation environment, and it is desirable to select the scale with the most beautiful sound based on the resonance characteristics of the device and the tone of the glockenspiel.

[0046] FIG. 6(a) is an external view showing the state in which the impact sound generating device for golf putters 1 according to the present invention is attached to a putter. A putter head 21 and a putter shaft 22 are shown. In this embodiment 3, the impact sound generating device for golf putters 1 is disposed in a recessed portion formed on the opposite side of the striking surface (the side that hits the golf ball) of the putter head 21, and is attached so that the side on which the holes (11, 12, 31) for transmitting impact sounds to the outside are provided faces outward. The connection between the impact sound generating device for golf putters 1 and the putter head 21 can be easily realized, for example, by bonding the upper surface of the putter head 21 and the lower surface of the impact sound generating device for golf putters 1 together with an adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape. For the double-sided adhesive tape type, for example, a peelable type with a thickness of about 2 mm made of a transparent acrylic material is suitable. This tape has a feature that the impact sound generating device for golf putters 1 can be easily attached and detached without damaging the putter head 21.

[0047] 6(b), a method can also be adopted in which a screw hole is provided penetrating from the top to the bottom of the golf putter impact sound generating device 1, and the device is fixed to the top surface of the putter head 21 using a screw 30. With this method, the golf putter impact sound generating device 1 is securely fixed to the putter head 21, and the golf putter impact sound generating device 1 can be prevented from shifting position even if a strong impact is applied to the putter head 21.

[0048] 6(c), a configuration is also possible in which a plurality of metal fittings 32 (clips) having fixing pieces with elastic bodies are attached to opposing side edges of the upper surface of the impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters, and these are hooked and fixed to the left and right side walls of the recessed portion of the putter head 21. By adopting this configuration, the impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters can be easily attached without processing the putter head 21 itself, and it is also advantageous in that it can be easily removed. Note that, in the above embodiment, the impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters is mounted on the upper surface of the putter head 21, but it is not limited to the upper surface, and it may be mounted on a place other than the ball-hitting surface of the putter head 21, such as the back or side.

[0049] 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a right-handed golfer is using a putter equipped with the golf putter impact sound generating device 1, as observed from behind the golfer. In this diagram, when the golfer is in a stance, the golf putter impact sound generating device 1 is installed on the back of the putter head 21, so that the entire device can be seen from this viewpoint.

[0050] The putter head 21 shown in the above Example 3 is an example of application to a cavity-back type putter head having a large recess on the back, but there are various other types of putter heads. The impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters according to the present invention can be applied to any type of putter head. However, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the size of the housing part and the connection method according to each type. In addition, for custom-made putters, it is also possible to design the impact sound generating device 1 for golf putters so that it is incorporated into the putter head from the beginning, or to design it so that it is embedded in the putter head. [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The golf putter impact sound generator and the golf putter equipped with the golf putter impact sound generator of this invention produce beautiful impact sounds when putting, easing tension on the green and allowing the player to relax. This has the effect of reducing sudden deaths due to circulatory system diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, and can become an essential golf tool especially for elderly players in the super-aging society of the future. It can also be used for recreational golf that emphasizes sound effects and as golf equipment for improving mental health. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Golf putter impact sound generator 3 Metal ball (striking part) 5a~5f Metallophone (acoustic components) 10 Housing 11, 12, 13 Holes or slits in the housing (for sound transmission) 21 Putter Head 22 Putter shaft 31 Spring rod (elastic body) 51a~51f Metallophone fixing rod

Claims

1. An impact sound generating device for a golf putter, comprising a striking part attached to a spring-like elastic body, an acoustic member, and a housing part that houses the striking part and the acoustic member, wherein when the housing part receives an external impact, the striking part vibrates to strike the acoustic member and generate an impact sound.

2. 2. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic members are a plurality of acoustic members, each of which emits an impact sound of a different scale.

3. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter as described in claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of the acoustic members are arranged on both sides of the striking part so as to sandwich the striking part, and when the striking part vibrates from side to side, the acoustic members on both sides are struck alternately.

4. The multiple acoustic members are each plate-shaped, with a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction curved in a semicircular shape, and the multiple acoustic members are attached in parallel to one side of the inner wall of the housing with steps that become successively higher in proportion to the distance from the striking unit in the height direction of the housing so that when the striking unit receives an external impact and vibrates, it strikes each of the multiple acoustic members in turn, and the striking unit moves along the semicircularly curved surface of the acoustic member to strike the acoustic member, thereby making it possible to continuously generate striking sounds of a multiple scale.

5. 5. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of plate-shaped acoustic members are each made to have a different length, thereby generating impact sounds of different musical scales.

6. 6. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter according to claim 5, wherein the impact sounds of the plurality of scales are a combination of a pentatonic scale or a chord.

7. 2. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter according to claim 1, wherein the impact part is a metal ball, the elastic body is a spring rod, and the acoustic member is a metallophone.

8. 2. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter according to claim 1, wherein a hole or a slit is provided on a side surface of the housing for transmitting the impact sound to the outside of the housing.

9. 9. The impact sound generating device for a golf putter as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the housing portion is provided with a mounting means for mounting to a putter head of a golf putter, the mounting means being one of a screw type, a clip type, or a double-sided adhesive tape type.

10. 9. A golf putter, comprising: a putter head of the golf putter, the putter head including a hitting sound generating device for a golf putter according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images