Golf swing training club and method

Abstract

A golf clubhead having a pair of light lasers disposed within the blade and oriented to emit a pair of spaced-apart linear beams of visible light through the sole, centered around the sweet spot, and spaced apart about a diameter of a golf ball. The pair of spaced-apart linear beams lie within a light beam plane that is parallel with a plane of the ball-striking face. Also, the blade has a cavity opposite the golf ball-striking surface, and a power and control module is secured within the cavity, to provide power and control to the heel and toe light lasers. The power and control module has a rechargeable battery, a charging port, and a controller.

Description

Golf Swing Training Club and MethodFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to golf clubs for swing training.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One of the goals of a good golf swing is to strike the golfball on the sweet spot. The sweet spot on a golf club iron is the precise point on the clubface where maximum energy is transferred to the golfball upon impact. The sweet spot is typically located near the center of the clubface, slightly above the sole, and aligned with the club's center of gravity. Striking the ball on the sweet spot assists a clean, solid shot with optimal distance, accuracy, and feel.Developing a golf swing that consistently finds the sweet spot can lead to more reliable and effective golf shots, and better scoring,

[0003] Another goal in a good golf swing is to swing the club head along a path through a shaft swing plane. The shaft swing plane refers to the path or angle at which the shaft and clubhead move during the swing, relative to the body and the ground, starting from the address position, through the backswing, the downswing, and follow-through of the swing. The swing plane is generally influenced by factors like the angle of your spine and how you rotate your arms and body. The shaft plane forms an angle in relation to the ground during the backswing and downswing. A correct swing plane improves the consistency, accuracy and power of the clubhead striking the ball, while reducing the risk of back injury.

[0004] There are various techniques and practice tools for improving the accuracy and reproducibility of swinging on-plane and striking the ball on the sweet spot. One technique is to place a laser light at either the swing end or the grip end of a golf club. US Patent 6,227,982 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes a golf swing training device that has a grip mounted on a grip end of a shortened shaft, and a head fixed to the swing end of the club. The head has a laser light that projects a beam of light from the bottom end of the head along the central axis of the shaft. The head is configured to prevent use golf swing training device as a club for striking a golfball. US Patent 6,254,493 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes a similar golf swing training device that has a head having a pair of spaced-apart laser lights that pro ject from the bottom end of the head in a common plane with the central axis of the shaft. The head is configured to prevent useof the golf swing training device as a club for striking a golfball. The golf swing training devices allow the golfer to take a golf swing while observing the one or pair of light lasers projecting one or a pair of laser light beams on the ground along the swing plane during the golf swing.

[0005] Other publications pertaining to golf swing training clubs include the following, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties: Japanese Patent Publication H02-99079A; GB Patent Publication 2509527; US Patents 5,082,282, 5,544,888, 5,848,941, 5,924,934, 8,696,482, 8,961,328, and 11,241,607; and US Patent Publications 2006-0040758 and 2016-0287966.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a clubhead for a gold club having one or more light beam sources for emitting one or more light beams, the one or more light beam sources positioned and secured within the clubhead, that allow a golfer or other observer to visualize the path swing path of the one or more of light beams during a golf swing, while making a practice swing or while striking the golfball with the clubhead.

[0007] In preferred embodiments, the clubhead is an “iron-type” clubhead.

[0008] In an aspect of the invention, the clubhead comprises a blade comprising one, two or more light beam sources for emitting a single, two or more light beams from the clubhead. A single light beam source can be placed and aligned within the blade of the clubhead to project the single light beam through a single opening in an outer surface of the blade. Two or more light beam sources can be placed and aligned within the blade of the clubhead to project the two or more light beams, each through an opening in an outer surface of the blade.

[0009] In various embodiments of the aforementioned aspect of the invention, the single light beam source is oriented and aligned for emitting a single light beam from the blade along a beam line that lies in a vertical plane that passes through a sweet spot of a ball-striking clubface of the blade, and that is perpendicular to a groove of a plurality of grooves in the ball-striking clubface.

[0010] In an aspect of the invention, the one or more light beam sources includes a pair (two) or more light beam sources for emitting a pair or more light beams. The pair or more light beam sources can be placed and each aligned within the blade to project the pair or more light beams through a single opening, or two or more openings, in an outer surface of the blade.

[0011] In various embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, a pair of light beam sources is oriented and aligned for emitting a pair of light beams from the clubhead along a pair of beam lines that respectively lie in a pair of vertical planes that pass through the ball-striking clubface equidistantly from and on opposite sides of the sweet spot, and that are both perpendicular to a plurality of groove lines in the clubface.

[0012] In various aspects of the invention, the single light beam source can be placed and aligned within a sole of the blade to project the single light beam through the respective single opening in an outer surface of the sole of the blade.

[0013] In various aspects of the invention, the two or more light beam sources can be placed and aligned within a sole of the blade to project the two or more light beams through the respective two or more openings in an outer surface of the sole of the blade.

[0014] In various aspects of the invention, the single light beam source can be oriented within the sole of the blade to project the single light beam through the respective opening in the outer surface of the sole of the blade, along a single light beam that extends in a beam line that is parallel with a plane of the clubface of the blade.

[0015] In various aspects of the invention, the two or more light beam sources can be oriented within the sole of the blade to project the pair or more light beams through the respective two or more openings in the outer surface of the sole of the blade, along a pair or more light beams that extend in parallel and in a common beam plane that is parallel with a plane of the clubface of the blade.

[0016] In embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, a single light beam that extends in a light beam line is perpendicular to a groove line of a plurality of groove lines formed into the clubface of the blade.

[0017] In embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, each of a pair or more light beams that extend in parallel light beam lines is perpendicular to a groove line of a plurality of groove lines formed into the clubface of the blade.

[0018] In various aspects of the invention, the single light beam source can be oriented within the sole of the blade to project the single light beams through the respective opening in an outer surface of the sole of the blade, along a single light beam line that extends in a beam line that is angled away from a plane of the clubface, and in some embodiments, angled parallel with a centerline of a hosel of the clubhead.

[0019] In various aspects of the invention, the two or more light beam sources can be oriented within the sole of the blade to project the pair or more light beams through the respective two or more openings in an outer surface of the sole of the blade, along a pair or more light beam lines that extend in a beam plane that are angled away from a plane of the clubface, and in some embodiments, angled parallel with a centerline of a hosel of the clubhead.

[0020] In embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, a single light beam that extends in a light beam line is perpendicular to a groove line of a plurality of groove lines formed into the club face of the blade.

[0021] In embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, each of a pair or more light beams that extend in parallel light beam lines is perpendicular to a groove line of a plurality of groove lines formed into the clubface of the blade.

[0022] In various aspects of the invention, a single light beam that extends in a light beam line may be parallel with a centerline of the hosel.

[0023] In various aspects of the invention, a pair or more light beam that extend in parallel light beam lines may be parallel with a centerline of the hosel.

[0024] In embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the pair of light beams through the pair of vertical planes through the clubface of the blade pass at approximately the outer periphery of the footprint of the golfball on the ground during the swing. The user can visualize that the club head contacts the golfball on the sweet spot of the clubface when neither of the two laser light beams follow a light path that intersects with the footprint of the golfball.

[0025] In various embodiments, the spaced-apart distance of the parallel light beam sources, and consequently of the pair of light beams, is about 0.8 inches to about 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the spaced-apart distance is slightly more than the diameter (1.68 inches) of a golfball, for example from 1.69 inches to 1.84 inches, or from about 1.8 inches to about 1.9 inches. The larger spacing distances allow for some small though acceptable misalignment of the sweet spot of the clubface upon contact of the golfball during a downswing. In some embodiments, the spaced-apart distance is less than the diameter of a golfball, for example from about 0.8 inches to about 1.65 inches. The smaller spacing distances allow the user to see the two distinct light beams and their path back along the target line during the backswing and downswing along the swing path.

[0026] In embodiments of a clubhead having a single light beam source, the single light beam source, and consequently of the single light beam, is aligned vertically through the center of the clubface, through the sweet spot. Thereby, the single light beam through the clubface of the blade passes at approximately the centerpoint of the footprint of the golfball on the ground during the swing. The user can visualize that the club head contacts the golfball on the sweet spot of the clubface when the single laser light beam follows a light path that intersects with the center of the golfball.

[0027] In any of the various aspects and embodiments described herein, a light beam source can include a light laser (or “laser”) or a light emitting diode (LED) light. A suitable laser can include a 100milliwatt (mW) to 1000 mW line laser (for example, from Larson Electronics) that emits in red, green, blue, white, yellow, and other colors. The light beam source typically includes a light emitter and a lens for collimating or focusing the emitted light into a light beam.

[0028] The color of the light of the light beam can be any visible wavelength, typically those in wavelengths that illuminate in a shade or hue of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet or white. In preferred embodiments, the color of the light of the light beam is green, typically in wavelength range from 500 to 565 nanometers (nm), preferably about 510 nm to about 535 nm.

[0029] The clubhead further includes a means for storing electrical power for powering one, two or more light beam source(s), and a means for controlling the delivery of electrical power to the light beam source(s).

[0030] The means for storing electrical power for powering the light beam source(s) can comprise a battery system. In some embodiments, the battery system comprises a storage battery.

[0031] In some embodiments, the battery system comprises a replaceable battery The battery system can further comprise a means for controllably delivering the electrical power from the replaceable battery to the light beam source(s). The replaceable battery can be an alkaline cell battery, a lithium cell battery, or coin-type battery(ies).

[0032] In some embodiments, the battery system comprises a rechargeable battery. The battery system can further comprise a means for recharging the rechargeable battery, and a means for controllably delivering the electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the light beam source(s).

[0033] In various embodiments, the rechargeable battery can be selected from a lithium-ion (Li-ion), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), and lithium polymer (LiPo), preferably LiPo.

[0034] A typical though non-limiting power capacity of the replaceable or rechargeable battery is about 150 - 1500 milliamp-hours (mAh), more or less depending upon the duration of operation (for example, at least 30 to 60 minutes) and space availability. In some embodiments, the power capacity is about 150 - 500 mAh, for example about 250 mAh to about 400 mAh. A typical though non-limiting voltage output of the storage battery is about 3.7 volts.

[0035] A preferred recharging system includes a USB-C port or connector in combination with a cell charger that controls recharge current delivery to the storage battery and charging indicators, such as a “low-level” indicator, a “charging”, and a “full charged” indicator.

[0036] The means for controlled delivery of the electrical power from the storage battery to the light beam source can be an electrical or magnetic switch that delivers power to the light beam source(s) from the battery and the charging port. The switch can be a manual switch such as a toggle or push-button switch. In a preferred embodiment, the switch is a hall-effect switch that uses magnetic fields to detect switch movement.

[0037] In some embodiments, the switch can include an automatic activation features that turns on and off depending upon the orientation of the golf club shaft relative to vertical, such as a tilt switch, or an accelerometer that activates upon achieving a minimum angular or tangential speed of the clubhead during a golf swing.

[0038] In various embodiments, the power and control system includes a power and control module. The power and control module includes a housing or enclosure that contains and encloses the means for storing electrical power and a means for controlling the delivery of electrical power to the light beam source(s) for activating the light beam source(s).

[0039] In some embodiments, the light beam source(s) are also enclosed at least partially within the housing of the power and control module, and in some embodiments, the light beam source(s) are fixed partially or securely to a structure of the power and control system, such as to the PCB or the housing.

[0040] In various embodiments, the power and control module is inserted and secured within a cavity or slot of the blade, in the back of the blade behind the clubface and above thesole. The cavity or slot can be formed into the blade of a conventional clubhead, or can be formed by removing metal from, or by additive manufacturing of metal material into, a clubhead.

[0041] In various embodiments, the power and control module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) secured within the housing of the module by conventional means. Mounted in electrical and electronic communication are a power controller that regulates the voltage and current from the power source (battery) to the one or more light beam source(s), a recharging port for accepting an external power supply, typically a low voltage direct current (DC), a power cell charger in communication between and with the recharging port and the rechargeable battery, and a switch for connecting the power from the power controller to the one or more light beam source(s).

[0042] In some embodiments, a light beam source can comprise a light laser that can be provided with a small PCB attached directly to the distal end (opposite the light-emitting end) of the cylindrical body of the laser light. The directly-attached PCB includes a controller and circuitry for regulating the power to the light laser.

[0043] In some embodiments, the circuitry on the PCB can include a laser potentiometer ("pot") with a tiny screw that can be adjusted with a small screwdriver to modify the laser diode’s power output.

[0044] In some embodiments, the power and control module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) secured within the housing of the module by conventional means. Mounted by circuitry in electrical and electronic communication are the power controller, the recharging port, the power cell charger in communication between and with the recharging port and the rechargeable battery, and the switch for activating power to the one or more light beam source(s).

[0045] In some embodiments, the battery is preferably a rechargeable battery mounted within the cavity of slot of the blade, with power wiring that connects to junctions on the PCB. and the PCB board is encased within the modular insert with a recharging port accessible above the outer surface of the molded polymer.

[0046] In various embodiments, the power and control module is secured in place within the cavity or slot of the blade with a moldable polymer, such as an epoxy or thermoplastic material.

[0047] In some embodiments, the power and control module is secured in place within the cavity or slot of the blade by engaging a first securing element on the outer surface of thehousing of the module with a corresponding second securing element of the blade, to provide a “snap-in” fit and securement. The securing element on the module can be an engaging element such as a ridge or a tab on an outer surface of an edge of the housing, which is configured to frictionally engage and capture a corresponding receiving elements on a surface of the blade, such as a groove, slot, or depression, that registers with the engaging element of the housing.

[0048] Typically a corresponding receiving element of the blade is formed within an upper interior wall of the cavity or slot of the blade, and the engaging element is formed on the upper outer sidewall of the housing. The lower outer sidewall of the housing is typically positioned within and down into a well of the cavity or slot, adjacent the sole and between the back flange of the sole, and the clubface. Typically the lower outer sidewall of the housing includes a flange that extends downward into the well of the cavity. With the lower side of the housing positioned down within the well of the cavity or slot, the upper side of the housing can be pivoted and pressed into the upper portion of the cavity, to force the engaging element on the upper outer sidewall of the housing into engagement with the receiving element in an upper interior wall of the cavity or slot of the blade.

[0049] Alternatively, the first securing element can be formed on or into the blade, and the corresponding second securing element can be formed on or into the outer surface of the housing of the module.

[0050] Optionally, the module secured into the cavity or slot can also be secured in position using a second securing means, such as an adhesive, such as an epoxy, thermoplastic adhesive, or other suitable chemical adhesive, or by mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, or rivets.

[0051] In preferred embodiments, the adhesive can contain metal particulate, such as aluminum, to improve the heat transfer properties to assist in transferring heat away from the light beam sources and / or the PCB.

[0052] Alternatively, the modular insert can be secured only using an adhesive or mechanical fastenersBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053] Figure 1 shows a golf club having a golf grip, a shaft, and a clubhead of the present invention attached to a swing end of the shaft.

[0054] Figure 2 shows the ball striking clubface of the clubhead, showing a sweet spot marked with an “X”, and the outline of a golf ball striking the sweet spot.

[0055] Figure 3 show s a transverse cross-sectional view through the clubhead of Figure 2, through a heel portion and the light beam source in the heel of the clubhead, taken through line 3-3 of Figure 2.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a transverse cross-sectional view' through the clubhead of Figure 2, through a toe portion and the light beam source in the toe end of the clubhead, taken through line 4-4 of Figure 2.

[0057] Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the clubhead with the power and control module separated from the clubhead, the battery and the pair of light beam sources.

[0058] Figure 6 shows an elevation view taken from line 6-6 of Figure 5 showing the PCB affixed to the housing of the power and control module.

[0059] Figure 7 shows an exploded view' of the power and control module with PCB and associated electronic units separated from the housing.

[0060] Figures 8A through 8D show' a sequence of illustrations of a club head swinging towards and striking a golfball, showing the path and the positions of the pair of light beams.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONDefinitions:

[0061] As used herein, “sweet spot” is a precise position on the clubface of a golf club where maximum energy is transferred to a golfball upon impact. The sweet spot is typically located near the center of the clubface, slightly above the sole, and aligned with the clubhead's center of gravity.

[0062] In the description that follows, the invention is described with a pair of the laser lights. It can be understood that similar features and techniques for forming the pair of laser lights can apply to a single laser light formed into the sole of the club head.

[0063] An embodiment of the invention provides a golf club 1 shown in Figure 1 that includes a clubhead 10 that can strike a golfball with a traditional golf swing, while providing training for a proper and improved swing along a swing plane. The golf club includes a golf grip 2 on a grip end of a shaft 3, and the clubhead 10 attached to the swing end 4 of the shaft 3 through a hosel 12. A sole 15 of a blade 9 of the clubhead 10 includes a heel opening 23 in theouter surface of the sole 15, into a heel bore 21, and a toe opening 33 in the outer surface of the sole 15, into a toe bore 31, with the toe opening 33 spaced apart along the sole 15 from the heel opening 23.

[0064] Figure 2 shows the front surface or ball-striking clubface 17 of the club head 10, showing a sweet spot illustrate with an “X”, and the outline G of a golfball that would strike the sweet spot, and a series of parallel groove lines 11 in the clubface 17. The plurality of groove lines 11 extend in parallel to one another, and generally parallel with a flat surface on which the clubhead rests when the blade is positioned at a ball-address position of a golfer’s swing. The lengths of the parallel groove lines 11 is typically about 3 to 3.5 inches, and not more than 5 inches.

[0065] A clubhead described herein is typically made of a metal material, non-limiting examples being stainless steel, carbon steel, tungsten, beryllium copper, or an alloy of one or more metals. Clubheads may be cast or forged, or formed by one or more additive manufacturing techniques, and further machined as needed.

[0066] Figure 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view through a heel portion 13 of the club head 10 and through the heel light beam source 22. Figure 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional view through a toe portion 14 of the club head 10 and through the toe light beam source 32. The heel and toe light beam sources 22,32 can be a laser light beam source that emits a narrow beam of focused light. Preferred is a green-colored light, though other light colors and wavelengths can be used. An example of a green-dot light laser is a Class 1, 2 or 3 A laser with a wavelength range of 510 nm to about 535 nm. A non-limiting example is a green-colored light laser models VLM-520-60 and VLM-520-21, manufactured by Quarton Inc. of Taiwan. Laser lights of other colors are available.

[0067] Each laser 22,32 is positioned within the respective bore 21,31 formed into the bottom surface of the sole 15. Bores 21,31 are circular in cross-section and extend into the sole 15 along the axes 102,103, respectively. In various embodiments, the axes 102,103 are parallel to one another, and extend within a plane that is parallel to a plane of the clubface 17 of the clubhead 10.

[0068] To ensure that the light beam sources and the emitted light beams are properly oriented, the bores must be drilled at the precise angles to ensure proper alignment of the lightbeams, and to the precise dimensions to ensure a perfect fit of the light lasers so that the alignment of the light lasers do not change.

[0069] The light lasers 22,32 are preferably cylindrical in cross section and can be positioned within the bores 21,31 with a slip-fit clearance or a slight interference fit, and the fit can be secured within the respective bores 21, 31 using an adhesive affixment, such as a silicon or thermoplastic adhesive, and preferably an adhesive having enhanced thermal transfer properties, or a mechanical securement. Positioning the light lasers 22,32 with the bores 21,31 in close proximity of the body of the sole 15 of the clubhead 10 provides a heat sink that improves heat transfer from the light beam sources (light lasers) into the body of the sole 15 of the clubhead 10.

[0070] The empty space within the back cavity 19 above the inserted light lasers 22,32 provides space for routing of the power wiring 24,34 from the upper ends respectively of the light lasers 22,32 to a power and control module 50. The bores 21,31, also preferably have empty space below the inserted light lasers 22,32 to ensure the light lasers 22,32 are sufficiently recessed within the bores 21,31 to avoid damaging the light lasers when the sole 15 of the clubhead strikes the ground during a swing.

[0071] As shown by the section lines 3-3 and 4-4 in Figure 2, the pair of laser bores 21,31 are formed in parallel, each perpendicular to the plurality of grooves lines 11, and on opposite lateral sides of the sweet spot, and preferably are separated by approximately (he diameter of a golfball G. Consequently, the pair of laser lights 22,32 are positioned with their respective bores 21,31 with the axes of their body and their emitted light beam lines aligned in parallel, and each perpendicular to the plurality of grooves lines 11, and on opposite lateral sides of the sweet spot, preferably separated by approximately the diameter of a golfball G.

[0072] In various embodiments, the light lasers (light beam sources) 22,32 can be positioned with the bores 21,31 with a light-emitted ends of the light lasers positioned as proximate to the outer openings 23,33 as possible, without extending through the openings. Any dirt or debris that may accumulate in the opening 23,33 and cover the pathway of the light beams can be washed or wiped away from within the distal end of the bore(s) 21,31.

[0073] Optionally, a transparent window 27 can be placed within either or both opening(s) 23,33 of the bore(s) 21,31 in the sole 15 of the blade 9, preferably with the outerfacing surface flush with the bottom surface of the sole 15. The window' 27 prevents soil anddebris from entering the distal end of the bore and obscuring the laser light beam. The transparent window 27 can be easily wiped clean of any soil or debris that accumulates after the sole 15 of the clubhead contacts the ground during a golf swing. The transparent seal can be adhesively bonded and / or frictionally press-fitted in the opening(s) 23,33 to the bore(s) 22,32. Preferably the transparent window 27 is made of a quartz glass or thermoplastic material that is breakage-proof and scratch-resistant.

[0074] Figures 3 and 4 also illustrates the placement of a housing 52 for a power and control module, described herein. The housing 52 includes an outer wall 53, and a peripheral sidewall that forms an enclosed space for the electrical power and control units. The peripheral sidewall includes an upper sidewall 68 that is inserted into the cavity 19 to engage the back wall 20, and a lower sidewall 69 that includes a lower flange that inserts down into a well 16 of the cavity 19. The electrical power and control units contained within the enclosed space of the housing 52 have not been illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 to better illustrate the heel and toe bores and the positioning and orientation of the heel and toe light lasers, and the fitting of the housing 52 within the back cavity 19.<power and control module>

[0075] Figures 5-8 illustrate a power and control module 50 that can be placed and secured within the back cavity 19 in the rear of the blade 9 of the clubhead 10. A battery 54, preferably a rechargeable battery, is placed within the cavity 19, with the lower edge of the battery 53 positioned within the well 16 of the cavity adjacent to the sole 15, and positioned between back flange 18 of the sole 15 and the lower end of the clubface 17. The battery 54 can be secured to the back wall 20 of the blade using an adhesive material that can be, by nonlimiting example, a silicone adhesive or a thermoplastic adhesive, or a mechanical fastener.

[0076] The power and control module 50 is self-contained and delivers and controls electrical power from the battery 54 and / or the recharging port 56 to the light lasers 22,32. A printed circuit board (PCB) 62 is positioned and secured within the inside space of the housing 52, secured with fasteners, such as screws. A cell charger unit affixed to the PCB and connected via circuitry directs and controls the recharging current from the recharging port 56 to the rechargeable battery 54. A power controller affixed to the PCB and connected via circuitry directs and controls the activation (light-emitting) power from the battery 54 to the light laser22,32, and / or the current from the recharging port 56, to the rechargeable battery 54 and / or to the light lasers 22,32.

[0077] A switch 58 is secured to the PCB and is connected via circuitry to control the delivery of the electrical power from the rechargeable battery and / or the recharging port to the light lasers 22,32. A preferred switch is a hall-effect switch 58 that has a manipulator knob 60 that extends through a slot opening 160 in the outer wall 53 of the housing 52. A power indicating lamp can also be provided to indicate when the power controller is sending electrical power to the heel and toe light lasers 22,32 via the wiring 24,34.

[0078] The housing 52 provides an enclosure for the PCB and associated electrical units, and is configured to be inserted into and secured within the cavity 19 in the back of the blade 9. The material of construction of the housing can be a molded thermoplastic material, by nonlimiting example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, or acrylic material.

[0079] The housing 52 has an upper sidewall 68 that inserts into an upper portion of the cavity 19, and a lower sidewall with flange 59 that inserts into a lower well 16 of the cavity 19, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, each extending from the heel 13 to the toe 14 of the blade 9.

[0080] Figure 6 illustrates an elevation view of the interior space of the housing 52 of the module 50, showing the PCB 62 secured with fasteners (screws) into the housing 52. The housing 52 also includes a pair of light laser support brackets 65,66 that are configured to retain, hold and / or stabilize the upper end of the cylindrical light lasers 22,32 in position within the bores 21,31.

[0081] The circuit board 62 is configured to provide optimal illumination of the light lasers to both extend battery life and avoid over-heating the light lasers.

[0082] The power cell charger controls the rate and extent of charge that is applied to the batteries to optimize charging time, run time of the light lasers, preserve battery life, to reduce the risk of damage to the battery or other circuitry, and to reduce the risk of injury to the user. In some embodiments, the recharging port can also include a multicolor indicator light to indicate the power is ‘on’ and battery is adequately charged, the power is ‘on’ but the battery is not adequately charged, the battery is charging properly, the battery is not charging correctly, or other default conditions exist.

[0083] The activation switch 58 and recharging port 56 are configured and designed to reduce damage from moisture and impact.

[0084] The battery should be of ample capacity to enable continuous use of the laser lights through a typical training session, and preferably not less than 30 minutes, and mpre preferably not less than 60 minutes.

[0085] Figures 8 A through 8D show a sequence of illustrations of a swinging of the clubhead 10 towards and striking a golfball G, showing the path of the positions of the pair of laser light beams. Each of Figures 8A through 8D show a clubhead 10 during a golf swing at a golfball G. Figures 8A and 8B illustrate the club head approaching the golfball in a downswing. Figure 8C shows the club head at the point of impact with the golfball. Figure 8D illustrates the clubhead after striking the ball in the follow-through of the swing. Line 105 passing through the center of golfball G represents a chosen target line of the golfer.

[0086] Each position of the downswing and follow-through illustrates a position on the ground of the heel laser light beam 71 and heel laser light beam 72 being emitted by the clubhead 10.

[0087] Figures 8 A and 8B illustrate that as the clubhead 10 advances in the downswing toward the golfball, the clubface 17 of the clubhead is in an open-faced position relative to the target line 105. This is illustrated by the positions of the heel laser beam dot 71 and the toe laser beam dot 72, as described earlier, from a pair of light lasers that emit a pair of parallel light beams within an emitting plane that is parallel with the plane of the clubface 17 of the clubhead 10. A line drawn through the two dots 71,72 would represent the angle of the plane of the clubface relative to a line P perpendicular to the target line 105. As the club approaches the golf ball, the clubface “closes”, and the clubface angle illustrated by the two dots 71, 72 in Figure 8B lessens. At the point of ball impact shown in Figure 8C, the clubface is shown as “square” (perpendicular) with the target line 105.

[0088] The dash lines 106 and 107 represent streaks or lines of light, preferably a green light, that the human eye would see on the ground as the club head 10 is swung. In Figure 8G, the heel and toe laser beam dots 71,72 would not be visible because they are projecting nearly straight down vertically into the ground, and the club is at or into the turf behind the golfball G.

[0089] Figure 8D illustrates that as the club head 10 is swung in the follow-through, the clubface 17 begins to close, which is illustrated by the position of the heel and toe laser beam dots 71,72.

[0090] The figures also illustrate that an on-plane golf swing will show the pair of laser light dots 71,72 as streaks of light 106,107, respectively, traveling along and on opposite sides of the target line 105 in the downswing, ball contact, and follow-through positions. The keen eye would also observe that as the open face of club head advances in the downswing, the streaks of light 106,107 from the pair of light lasers 22,32 diverge on opposite sides of the target line 105, and as the squared face of club head at impact then advances in the follow through, the streaks of light 106,107 converge on opposite sides toward the target line 105.

[0091] These laser lights project light beams parallel to each other and within a light beam plane that is parallel to the clubface of the clubhead to ensure that any deviations in the swing or swing path are detected in the visual orientation of the lights to each other. In a drill to practice wrist hinge and forearm rotation, the light dots extend along the target line 105 through the back swing, downswing and impact to the ball, when the wrists are properly hinged and the forearms are properly rotated. Any deviation to the proper movement would be either visible in the orientation of the lights or the deviation of the light dots from the target line 105. Any deviation in the orientation of the lights would not provide the visual alignment to the intended ball path.

Claims

KOD-001M-PCTWe claim:

1. A golf clubhead comprising:a) a blade comprising a clubface, a sole, and a club back having a back cavity, b) a hosel that connects the blade to a swing end of a shaft,c) a heel light beam source disposed within the sole in the heel portion of the blade, and a toe light beam source disposed within the sole in the toe portion of the blade, and oriented to emit a pair of spaced-apart linear beams of visible light through respective openings in the sole, wherein the spaced-apart linear beams of the heel light beam source and the toe light beam source are substantially parallel, are perpendicular to the plurality of groove lines, andd) a battery in electrical communication with the heel light beam source and the toe light beam source.

2. The golf clubhead according to Claim 1, wherein the pair of spaced-apart linear beams are positioned on opposite side of the sweet spot and spaced apart about 0.8 inches to about 2.5 inches.

3. The golf clubhead of Claim 1, wherein the spaced-apart linear beams of the heel light beam source and the toe light beam source lie within a light beam plane that is parallel with a plane of the clubface.

4. The golf clubhead of Claim 1, further including a power and control module configured for secured placement into a back cavity of the blade, to provide power and control of an electrical power source to the heel light beam source and the toe light beam source.

5. A golf clubhead configured to attach to a swing end of a shaft, the golf clubhead comprising:a. a blade and a hosel that connects the clubhead to the swing end of the shaft, the blade including a sole, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a clubface having a sweet spot, the sole of the blade having a heel bore having an axis within the heel portion and a toe bore having an axis within the toe portion and spaced apart from and parallel to the axis of theKOD-001M-PCTheel bore, and having a toe opening in the sole in light transfer communication with the toe bore and a heel opening in the sole in light transfer communication with the heel bore, b. a heel light laser and a toe light laser disposed respectively in the heel bore and the toe bore and positioned to emit respective linear beam of visible light through the respective toe opening and heel opening.

6. The golf clubhead according to Claim 5, wherein the pair of spaced-apart linear beams are positioned on opposite side of the sweet spot and spaced apart about 0.8 inches to about 2.5 inches.

7. The golf clubhead according to Claim 5, wherein the spaced-apart linear beams of the heel light beam source and the toe light beam source lie within a light beam plane that is parallel with a plane of the clubface.

8. The golf clubhead according to Claim 5, further including a power and control module configured for secured placement into a back cavity of the blade to provide power and control of an electrical power source to the heel light laser and the toe light laser.

9. A golf clubhead comprising:a. a blade comprising a clubface comprising a plurality of groove lines, a sole, and a club back having a back cavity,b. a hosel that connects the blade to a swing end of a shaft, andc. one, two or more light beam source disposed within the sole of the blade, and oriented to emit a one, pair, or more linear beams of visible light through an opening or openings in the sole, wherein the one, pair, or more linear beams are perpendicular to the plurality of groove lines, and parallel to a plane along the clubface.

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