AU2018101077A4 - Golf swing alignment device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A golf positioning/guide device that is used for aligning a golf ball to a player, the device includes two elongate members that are connected by a hinge so that they can conveniently fold on top of each other to make the device compact for carrying/storage. Each of the elongate members has an alignment end so that when in the open position the two alignment ends are perpendicular to one another and provide a reference for alignment of the golf ball so that the player can align their golf club and/or feet relative to the ball and intended direction of golf ball travel. 5 - --- ------------------------- --- ----- --------- -- .... ----------- Figure 1

Description

GOLF SWING ALIGNMENT DEVICE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a golf stance and swing alignment device that assists a golfer in adopting or training a proper stance for addressing and/or aligning their club swing with an intended target line of a golf shot. The golf stance and swing alignment device of the present invention relates to an alignment device that has a aiming features which are foldable for storage.

Background of the invention

In the process of teaching and practicing golf, is known that one of the more important fundamentals is the alignment of the body and golf club head to the intended target be it a particular location on the fairway or the hole on the green. Proper foot and body placement with respect to the intended line to the target location is considered important, and this is commonly referred to as a golfing stance.

There are number of golf stance alignment aids presently available however many of these are overly complex and considerably unwieldy to use and carry about in the normal course of play on a golf course. In addition, due to their complexity, many golf stance indicators and alignment aids are constructed in such a way that make them expensive to produce and therefore are unlikely to be purchased and used.

It is generally understood that a proper golf stance, in which the golf ball is correctly addressed, in conjunction with a good swing technique and club head alignment are important aspects to the game of golf. In order to hit the golf ball in a desired direction, which may be either along a straight line for straight shots or alternatively along a curved line for shots that fade, slice or controlled hooking, correct placement of the feet relative to the intended direction of the shot and position of the ball are important so that the golf head then impacts upon the ball in a desired path for distance and projecting the ball substantially along the intended path to the intended target area.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a golf positioning/guide device, the device including a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each of the first and second elongate members having and alignment end and a connecting end, wherein the first and second elongate members are pivotally connected to one another at the connecting ends, and wherein the alignment ends of the first and second elongate members are substantially perpendicular.

In preference, the first and second elongate members are pivotally connected to one another and are pivotally movable between an open and closed position.

In preference, in the open position, the first and second elongate members are perpendicular to one another.

In preference, the first elongate member has an alignment end with indicia located thereon.

In preference, the indicia or marking on the first elongate member is an elongated slot or symbol perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member.

In preference, the alignment end is distal to the connecting end.

In preference, the second elongate member has an alignment end with indicia located thereon.

In preference, the indicia or marking is an elongated slot on the second elongate member or symbol perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member.

In preference, when in an open orientation, the indicia or marking on the first and second elongate members are perpendicular with respect to one another.

In preference, the first and second elongate members are pivotally connected by a hinge.

In preference, the hinge includes or comprises a plurality of knuckles pivotally connected to one another by a pin.

In preference, the first and second elongate members are movably connected to one another by a hinge means.

In preference, the hinge means allows the first and second elongate members to move between the open and closed position or orientation and when in the closed position or orientation the first and second elongate members are substantially parallel to one another and substantially overlap so that the device is compact and easily stored.

In preference, the hinge has an axis that is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the indicia or marking on the first and second elongate members when the device is in an open position.

Brief description of the drawings

By way of example/illustration only, an embodiment of the invention is described more fully in with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of the alignment tool of the present invention according to a first embodiment, in an open position.

Figure 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention in a closed or folded orientation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the present invention unassembled.

Figure 4 is a top view of an elongate member of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows and embodiment of the present invention in use with a golf ball.

Description of the invention

The golf stance alignment/aiming device 5 has a first elongate member 10 and a second elongate member 20 pivotally connected to one another.

The first elongate member 10 has a body 30 with an elongate longitudinal axis 32. The body 30 has an upper surface 33, lower surface 34, front edge 35 and back edge 36. At one end of the body 30 is the alignment end 40 that includes indices and or markings 41, such as a slot or visible indicia with a longitudinal axis 30 that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32 of the body 30. Located distal to the alignment end 40 is the connecting end 45 which has a diagonal connecting end face 50, at a 45° angle relative to the longitudinal axis 32 of the body 30. Hinge knuckles 60 are, in this embodiment, formed integrally with the body 30.

The second elongate member 20 has a body 130, with an elongate longitudinal axis 132. The body 130 has an upper surface 133, lower surface 134, front edge 135 and back edge 136. At one end of the body 130 is the alignment end 140 that includes indices and or markings 141, such as a slot or visible indicia with a longitudinal axis 130 that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 132 of the body 130. Located distal to the alignment end 140 is the connecting end 145 which has a diagonal connecting end face 150, at a 45° angle relative to the longitudinal axis 132 of the body 130. Hinge knuckles 160 are, in this embodiment, formed integrally with the body 130.

The first elongate member 10 and second elongate member 20 are pivotally connected to one another by way of the hinge 200 created by insertion of the pin 210 into the knuckles 60 at the connecting end 45 of the first elongate member 10 and the knuckles 160 of the connecting end 145 of the second elongate member 20. As the knuckles 60 and 160 are diagonally aligned with respect to the longitudinal axes 32 and 132 then folding of the elongate members 10 and 30 results in the first and second elongate members moving from a position where they are perpendicular to the closed position where they are substantially parallel and in-line overlapping one another.

In this closed position the device 5 is extremely compact and readily carried about by a user during the course of playing the game of golf, either in their golf bag or on their person. The device 5 may be constructed from any suitable material, in particular metal or rigid plastic material in order to ensure the products longevity and precision. Other materials may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

The indicia and or markings 41 and 141 on the alignment ends 40 and 140 are suitably shaped to ensure ease of readability and alignment when used by a golfer in there are bright, standing stands. The indicia/markings 41 and 141 have a longitudinal axis 43 and 143 that are perpendicular to one another when the device 5 is in the open position so that when extrapolated out in directions A and B respectively they intersect at a 90° angle 290.

In use, in one embodiment, when the ball is already in play and in a static position on the playing surface, the user, a golfer, first determines the target area to which they would like the ball to the directed towards and then based on the direction of the target area then determine the target line or intended general path in which they would like the golf ball to travel by placing the device 5 in the open position and aligning the indicia/markings 41 on the alignment and 40 of the first elongate member 10 so that the longitudinal axis 30 is then substantially in line with the desired target line 300, which may be a hole in the golf green, and, in this example, the approximate centre 350 of the golf ball 320.

To assist in proper alignment, the indicia/markings 141 on the alignment end 140 of the second elongate member 20 is also brought into proper alignment with the centre 350 of the ball 320 so as to ensure that the device 5 is accurately aligned with the ball and the target line or path 300. The elongate indicia/markings 41 on the first elongate member 10 therefore provide a greatly improved citing arrangement for the golfer that provides a substantially increased line of site/vision with respect to the travelling golf club head 380 with face 385 as it passes either down towards the ball prior to striking or in an alternative arrangement, in front of the ball 320 to assist in the golfer keeping the golf club head in correct orientation after striking the ball 320 and following through.

In addition, the orientation of the second elongate member 20 with its longitudinal axis 132, then assists as a sighting aid to the golfer to ensure that their feet 310 are placed in the appropriate alignment with the intended target line 300. The axis of the hinge 200 can also be used as an additional alignment as required as its axis is 45° relative to the indicia or markings on the first and second elongate members when the device is in an open position.

Claims (10)

1. Claims

   1. A golf positioning/guide device, when used for aligning a golf ball, the device including a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each of the first and second elongate members having and alignment end and a connecting end, wherein the first and second elongate members are pivotally connected to one another at the connecting ends, and wherein the alignment ends of the first and second elongate members are substantially perpendicular when in an open position to assist in aligning the golf ball, and the first and second elongate members pivot between the open position and a closed position and when in the closed position the first and second elongate members substantially overlap one another.
2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein in the open position, the first and second elongate members are perpendicular to one another.
3. 3. The device of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the indicia or marking on the first elongate member is an elongated slot or symbol perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member.
4. 4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the alignment end is distal to the connecting end.
5. 5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the second elongate member has an alignment end with indicia located thereon.
6. 6. The device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the indicia or marking is an elongated slot on the second elongate member or symbol perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member.
7. 7. The device of any one of claims 1-6, wherein when in an open orientation, the indicia or marking on the first and second elongate members are perpendicular with respect to one another.
8. 8. The device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the first and second elongate members are pivotally connected by a hinge.
9. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the hinge includes or comprises a plurality of knuckles pivotally connected to one another by a pin.
10. 10. The device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the hinge has an axis that is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the indicia or marking on the first and second elongate members when the device is in an open position.