A golf optical alignment system

Abstract

A golf optical alignment system using a plurality of individual supports which are interconnected with one another and a base to support a laser alignment tool and a pointer. The laser alignment tool and pointer are aligned with one another to provide a visual cue to the user of the system, both along ground surface and at eye level, such that the user maintains their visual cue throughout their golf swing.

Description

[0001] A GOLF OPTICAL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM

[0002] Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to golfing accessories and more particularly relate to a golfing accessory to assist golfers with their alignment.

[0004] Background

[0005] Golf is a sport that requires much practise and improvement of technical skills. Technical skills, such as holding a golf club and swinging a golf club can dramatically impact, both positively and negatively, a player’s game.

[0006] Improper techniques, such as swing a golf club can decrease the accuracy of a golf swing, resulting in a “bad game”. Furthermore, “bad habits” can creep into a golfer’s swing, which can also result in a “bad game”.

[0007] There have been many ways to help assist a golfer improve their swing, including many systems to help a golfer align their swing. Many of these systems currently on the market include alignment sticks that a golfer lays on the ground to guide the golfer through their swing.

[0008] Golf alignment sticks are long, thin, flexible rods that assist golfers in aligning their bodies and clubs to the target or golf hole. The alignment sticks can be placed on the ground to provide the golfer visual cues on proper stance and aim.

[0009] However, the visual cues offered by the alignment sticks are only visible to a golfer when the golfer is looking towards the ground where the alignment sticks are placed. The current systems or alignment sticks do not provide a visual cue for golfers when the golfer’s body is directed away from the ground, such as during the follow through of a golf swing.

[0010] There is a need for a system for an optical alignment system that provides visual cues to a golfer during an entirety of a golf swing. Summary

[0011] A golf optical alignment system comprises a base, supports, a laser alignment tool, and a pointer for providing visual cues to a golfer during an entirety of a golf swing.

[0012] In a broad aspect, the golf optical alignment system comprises a laser alignment tool for projecting a laser beam onto a ground surface and providing a visual cue along the ground, a pointer positioned at a height to place it adjacent to a head of the golfer, the pointer aligned with the laser alignment tool for providing a visual cue to the golfer, supports for supporting the laser alignment tool and the pointer, and a base for supporting the golf optical alignment system on the ground surface.

[0013] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a golf optical alignment system having a base, a laser alignment tool, a rotatable mount for the laser alignment tool, a pointer, and a mount for the pointer;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the laser alignment tool in accordance to Fig. 1 ;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the pointer in accordance to Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cell phone holder;

[0018] Figure 5 is another schematic representation of the embodiment of the cell phone holder in accordance to Fig. 4;

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of the supports for the golf optical alignment system;

[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a support for the laser alignment tool in accordance to Figs.1 and 2; Description

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1 , a golf optical alignment (“GOAT”) system 10 comprises a plurality of supports 20 operatively connected to a base 30. As shown, the base 30 supports the entirety of the golf optical alignment system 10 on a ground surface, and accordingly is sufficiently heavy and wide enough to accommodate the GOAT system. The plurality of supports 20 are adapted to interconnect with one another in forming a branched support system for mounting various tools thereon. In embodiments, the plurality of supports 20 comprises individual supports 40 which can be threadably interconnected with one another, or can be interconnected with one another frictionally. In embodiments, when individual supports 40 are interconnected together, a joint 50 is created therebetween which can be rotatable to provide maximum flexibility in the alignment the GOAT can provide. In embodiments, the GOAT system is adjustable in height to accommodate golfers of all heights. In embodiments, the plurality of supports 20 can be tubular and extendable.

[0022] As shown, a laser alignment tool 60 can be supported on the base 30 by a series of individual supports 20. In embodiments, the laser alignment tool 60 can be adjustably supported onto the base 30 by supports that can be adapted to be rotatable, and extendable. Rotation between the individual supports can be accomplished by employing rotatable joints, or swivels, for example.

[0023] In embodiments, the laser alignment tool 60 projects a laser beam unto the ground surface. The projected laser beam can be adjustable so that the projected beam can be positioned in a desired position for each individual golfer. As shown, in embodiments, a pointer 70 can be mounted on top of the laser alignment tool 60 and is also adjustable so that the pointer 70 is in alignment with the direction of the beam projected onto the ground surface. As the pointer 70 is height adjustable, the pointer 70 provides a visual cue to the golfer when the golfer is not looking towards the ground, such as during the follow through of a golf swing.

[0024] While not shown, the pointer 70 can also be extendable longitudinally, so that a length thereof can be adjusted to accommodate golfers with larger shoulders.

[0025] As shown, the pointer 70 can provide visual cues to the golfer when the golfer is not looking towards the ground, while the projected beam can provide the visual cue for when the golfer is looking towards the ground, such as during the initial golf swing.

[0026] With specific reference to Fig. 2, the laser alignment tool 60 is shown. As shown, the laser alignment tool 60 can be adapted to be operably connected to the branch support system by way of a rotatable mount 80. In embodiments, the rotatable mount 80 permits the laser alignment tool 60 to be manually manipulated so allow the golfer to adjust the laser alignment tool 60 to project a laser beam onto the ground surface at a desired position and a desired direction. The projected laser beam is designed to provide alignment to the golfer (or user) and information regarding a swing path or line of vision.

[0027] Further, and as shown, the laser alignment tool 60 further comprises at least one additional mount, such as a second mount 90 for mounting the pointer 70 thereon. In embodiments, the laser alignment tool 60 can have additional mounts for mounting additional desired accessories.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the pointer 70 can be adapted to be mounted onto the laser alignment tool 60 by way of the second mount 90. In embodiments, the second mount 90 can comprise a ball and socket type mount which permits near 360 degrees adjustability of the pointer 70. The pointer 70 is adapted to be adjustable manually, such that the user can adjust a positioning (ie. height) of the pointer to be adjacent with the user’s head and at eye level of the user. In embodiments, the pointer 70 can also be adjustable to permit the user to manually position the pointer 70 to be in line with the projected laser beam. Thus, the combination of the projected laser beam along the ground surface and the pointer at eye level provides the user with visual cues of the users swing path during the swing of the golf club, without requiring the user to change their line of vision.

[0029] In embodiments, and as shown, the pointer 70 can be extendable and removable from the rotatable ball and socket mount 90. In embodiments, it can also be magnetic and / or can incorporate a laser pointer (not shown) as well. In embodiments, the magnetic pointer can be detached from the laser alignment tool 60 and attached to a surface of the golf club for further providing a visual aid of an optical flight trajectory of a golf ball. With references to Figs. 4 and 5, in an embodiment, the GOAT 10 can be adapted to operably connect to a cell phone holder 100, such as a magnetic cell phone holder. In embodiments, the user can use their personal cell phone to operate a mobile golf app for improving their game and / or making their practise more effective and efficient. In other embodiments, the golfer can use their cell phone to take selfie videos of themselves during their swing, and then use this recorded video to analyze their swing in relation to the visual cues, and more particularly, the pointer 70, the positioning of their bodies prior to the swing.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, the GOAT 10 can comprise a plurality of individual supports 20 for creating the branched support system. As shown, the system 10 can have a base 30 and have a plurality of individual supports 40. In embodiments, the individual supports 40 can be extendable, tubular, and adapted to threadably interconnect with one another. In other embodiments, the interconnection can be frictional. As shown in Fig. 7, and with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the laser alignment tool 60 can be supported on the branched support system 110 using the rotatable mount 80.

Claims

Claims:1 . A golf optical alignment system comprises: a base for supporting the golf optical alignment system on a ground surface; a laser alignment tool for projecting a laser beam onto the ground surface for providing a visual cue along the ground surface; a pointer positioned at a height adjacent to a user’s head, the pointer aligned with the laser alignment tool for providing a visual cue at eye-level of the user; and a plurality of supports for supporting the laser alignment tool and the pointer on the base.

2. The golf optical alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the laser alignment tool further comprises at least one rotatable mount for mounting the laser alignment tool on to the plurality of supports.

3. The golf optical alignment system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the laser alignment tool further comprises at least a second rotatable mount for supporting the pointer on the laser alignment tool, for ensuring that the projected laser beam and the pointer are aligned with a swing path of the user.

4. The golf optical alignment system of claim 1 , 2, or 3, wherein the at least second rotatable mount further comprises a ball and socket type mount.

5. The golf optical alignment system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of supports can be extendable and can interconnected to one another by rotatable joints for permitting each of the plurality of supports to be rotatable relative to each other.

6. The golf optical alignment system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of supports are threadably interconnected with one another.

7. The golf optical alignment system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of support are frictionally interconnected with one another.

8. The golf optical alignment system of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a cell phone holder supported on one of the plurality of supports.

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