Sports Impact Point Indicator

Abstract

A sports impact point indicator of planar form has a rear surface with a contact adhesive for adhering the indicator to the face of a golf club or bat, and the indicator is sized to cover a major portion of the face of the club or bat. The indicator comprises an upper sheet and base layer which are releasably adhesive together under pressure such that they will adhere together at the impact point when the club or bat is used to strike a ball, to indicate the impact point. The indicator can be erased by wiping a user finger or thumb across it top surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/615,093, filed Dec. 22, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention comprises a sports impact point indicator particularly for use in golf but which may also be used in other sports or in training therefor, such as baseball or softball, or cricket for example.

BACKGROUND

In golf correctly hitting the ball with the club, such that the ball is impacted by the club at or near the intended point on the club face to maximise the probability that the ball will fly correctly, is very important. Devices have been proposed previously, for adhering to the face of a golf club, which are marked when the club is subsequently used to strike a ball and which thereby mark or indicate the impact point between the club face and the ball. After playing a stroke the golfer can examine the indicator on the club face to identify the impact point of the club face on the golf ball. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,033,746, 5,597,361, 5,779,556, 5,142,309 and 7,086,956 all disclose various forms of impact point indicators for use in golf. Some prior indicators can only be used once or a small number of times, because it is not possible to clear the mark indicating the impact point after each stroke, and before the next stroke is played with the golf club. On the other hand the golf club ball-impact marker of U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,746 does enable clearing of the mark indicating the impact point between shots by peeling back the top sheet of the indicator to clear the indicator, but to enable this the top sheet must be fixed along one edge only, and there is potential for the top sheet to become torn from the indicator without great difficulty on the golf course during play when a club carrying indicator is used a number of times to play a ball. The indicator may not last more than a few shots.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,539 discloses an erasable and rewritable label comprising a base layer of contrasting colour and a transparent or translucent upper sheet which can be adhered to the base layer under writing pressure and which label can be erased by wiping a users finger or thumb over the top surface of the upper sheet.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved form of sports impact point indicator.

In broad terms the invention in one aspect comprises a sports impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, the indicator being planar in form, longer than it is wide and comprising a rear surface comprising a contact adhesive for adhering the indicator to the face of a club or bat, the indicator being of a predetermined size in relation to the club or bat whereby the indicator can cover a major portion of the face of the club or bat, which upper sheet and base layer are in a first area releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when a club or bat to a face of which the indicator is adhered is used to strike a ball, to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also extending in a second area over a wipe-start region at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator in which wipe-start region the upper sheet and base layer are not adhesive together and over which wipe-start region a user's finger or thumb may be placed from which to begin said movement to separate the upper sheet from the base layer.

In broad terms the invention in another aspect comprises a sports impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, the indicator being planar in form, longer than it is wide and comprising a rear surface comprising a contact adhesive for adhering the indicator to the face of a club or bat, the indicator being of a predetermined size in relation to the club or bat whereby the indicator can cover a major portion of the face of the club or bat, which upper sheet and base layer are releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when a club or bat to a face of which the indicator is adhered is used to strike a ball, to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also comprising at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator a discontinuity in the upper sheet, the upper sheet otherwise providing a smooth and substantially wrinkle-free top surface to the indicator.

In broad terms the invention in a further aspect comprises a sports club or bat having affixed to a face thereof an impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, which upper sheet and base layer are releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when the club or bat is used to strike a ball to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also extending over a wipe-start region at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator in which the wipe-start region, the upper sheet and base layer are not adhesive together and over which wipe-start region a user's finger or thumb may be placed from which to begin said movement to separate the upper sheet from the base layer, the upper sheet also comprising windows in the upper sheet which extend longitudinally of the club or bat face and at which the upper sheet is transparent or translucent, and one or more discontinuities in the upper sheet, in the wipe start region and at or towards one end of the indicator.

In broad terms in a further aspect the invention comprises a method of indicating an impact point between a sports club or bat and a ball comprising affixing to a face of the sports club or bat an impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, which upper sheet and base layer are releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when the club or bat is used to strike a ball to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also extending over a wipe-start region at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator in which the wipe-start region, the upper sheet and base layer are not adhesive together and over which wipe-start region a user's finger or thumb may be placed from which to begin said movement to separate the upper sheet from the base layer, the upper sheet also comprising windows in the upper sheet which extend longitudinally of the club or bat face and at which the upper sheet is transparent or translucent, and one or more discontinuities in the upper sheet, in the wipe start region and at or towards one end of the indicator.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in part of’, that is to say when interrupting independent claims including that term, the features prefaced by that term in each claim will need to be present but other features can also be present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred forms of sports impact indicators of the invention are described by way of example and without intending to be limiting as to detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows one preferred form of golf impact point indicator, for a driver golf club, showing the front face thereof,

FIG. 2 shows fitting of the indicator of FIG. 1 to the face of a golf driver,

FIG. 3 shows the indicator of FIG. 1 adhered to the face of a driver, from a point directly in front of the face of the club,

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are views similar to FIG. 3, each showing the face of a driver with the indicator of FIG. 1 adhered thereto, after use of the driver to hit a golf ball, showing the point of impact between the ball and the face of the driver in each case,

FIGS. 7a to 7g schematically illustrate how the impact point mark on the indicator may be cleared after a shot has been played, for reuse of the indicator,

FIG. 8 shows another preferred form golf impact point indicator, for golf irons showing the front face thereof,

FIG. 9 shows the indicator of FIG. 8 adhered to the face of a golf iron, from directly in front of the face of the golf iron, and

FIG. 10 shows an expanded longitudinal cross-section view through a preferred form golf impact point indicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular the golf impact point indicator of the invention is a planar product 1 typically of a few millimetres thickness or less, and having a contact adhesive on a rear surface, enabling the indicator to be adhered (typically after peeling of a release sheet from the rear face of the indicator to expose the contact adhesive) to the face of a golf club 20, whether a golf driver or iron (or putter). The structure of the indicator will be further described in detail subsequently. In use the indicator is simply adhered to the face of the golf club as shown in FIG. 2, with FIG. 3 showing the indicator adhered to the front face of the golf club from directly in front of the club face.

In a preferred form the indicator includes a marking 10 which extends longitudinally of an upper sheet of the indicator, and visually longitudinally partitions the front face of the indicator as shown. In the preferred form shown the upper sheet also comprises an opaque peripheral border 11 which is printed on the upper sheet, which is otherwise formed of a translucent or transparent material. The upper sheet is thereby divided into two similarly shaped windows 15 which extend longitudinally of the upper sheet on either longitudinal side of the division line 10 (and in the preferred form are approximate mirror images of one another about the longitudinal axis of the indicator).

When a shot is played with the club, the upper sheet will adhere to the base layer at the point of impact between the club face and the ball, thereby showing the impact point in contrast to the balance of the upper sheet on the front face of the indicator. FIGS. 4 to 6 show a golf driver 20 with an indicator 1 of the invention adhered to the face thereof, after playing of shots in which the club face has impacted the ball at three different points on the club face, leaving an impact point mark indicated at 12 in each case. In FIG. 4 the impact point is towards the heel of the club. In the driver shown in FIG. 5 the impact point 12 is towards the toe of the club, and in FIG. 6 the impact point 12 is centrally on the club face.

After each shot the impact point mark may be cleared from the indicator. This is illustrated in FIGS. 7a to 7g. Like FIGS. 4 to 6, FIG. 7a shows a club 10 with an indicator 1 adhered to the front face thereof, after playing a stroke which has left a contrasting mark 12 on the indicator. To clear the indicator the user wipes his or her finger or thumb across the top surface of the upper sheet, to erase each of the two windows in the upper sheet, through which the impact point mark is visible. FIGS. 7b to 7d show a user's thumb being moved across the lower part of the indicator to erase one of the windows, while FIGS. 7e to 7g show a user's thumb being moved across the upper part of the indicator to erase the upper window. The indicator is then clear for reuse, as shown in FIG. 7g.

FIG. 8 shows a preferred form indicator 1 of the invention for a golf iron, and FIG. 9 shows the club head 20 of an iron with the indicator 1 of FIG. 8 adhered to the face thereof. The indicator is used in the same way as described previously.

The preferred form indicator shown in FIG. 1 for golf drivers has a width which is greatest intermediate of the length of the indicator and in particular generally midway of the length of the indicator (length in the direction of the division line 10). The indicator is of a size whereby the indicator covers a major part of the face of the golf club when adhered thereto. In the preferred form shown the indicator also has an oval shape, but the indicator could be formed of any other shape such that when the indicator is adhered to the face of a driver it will occupy a major part of the area of the club face. The indicator shown in FIG. 8 for golf irons has a width which is greatest at or adjacent one longitudinal end of the indicator as shown, and is least at the opposite end.

In both cases it is preferred to provide a line 13 transversely across the length of the indicator, on the upper sheet intermediate of the length of the indicator, as a reference line, and which will be about midway of the length of the indicator, or of a club face when the indicator is adhered thereto. The indicator may also comprise other markings 14 on the upper sheet, for indicating for example the optimum impact point.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-section view through a preferred form indicator. The indicator comprises a base layer 2 and an upper sheet 3 extending over the base layer. The base layer 2 comprises a layer of wax or similar synthetic material which will releasably adhere with the upper sheet 3. The base layer 2 is coated onto a backing sheet 5. The base layer is coloured or appears coloured for example dark blue, or alternatively any other desired colour or combination of colours in different regions.

Suitable materials for forming the base layer include waxes such a paraffin wax, blends of paraffin wax with other waxes, blends of other waxes, and other substances such as synthetic wax like substances having a waxy consistency, which can be applied as a thin layer and will adhere with the upper layer. Some base layers such as some synthetic wax-like base layers may be coloured by having a dye added, or alternatively the base layer may be made to appear coloured by printing a colour on a substance and then applying a clear or near clear wax or similar material over the coloured surface to form a coloured base layer. The base layer may comprise any other suitable material than wax, which will adhere with the upper sheet 3 and which also allows the base layer and top sheet to be subsequently separated to erase the label. It is possible that the material of the backing sheet 5 could form the base layer so that the base layer 2 and backing sheet 5 are one and the same.

The upper sheet 3 is preferably translucent and may comprise a translucent plastic film, but may alternatively be transparent. A clear plastic film may be given qualities of translucence by etching, texturing or calendaring the film and particularly the bottom surface of the film, for example. This may also assist the upper sheet to adhere with the base layer in use. A clear film may also be made translucent by printing the film with a translucent ink or a layer of conventional opaque ink which is thick enough to make the film appear translucent. The upper sheet may also be tinted with a different colour relative to the colour of the base layer, so that the indicator normally appears to have the colour of the upper sheet when cleared, and indicates a point of impact in the colour of the base layer, or in a colour resulting from a combination of the base layer and upper sheet colours.

In the preferred forms regions of the upper sheet other than the windows 15, such as the opaque border 11, may carry permanently printed media such as advertising or branding media. Most preferred for forming the upper sheet are polyester films or similar materials preferably having a glossy or substantially glossy surface. The opaque peripheral border 11 and division line 10, where provided, may be printed on the top side or under side of the upper sheet.

Adjacent the base layer 2 may be provided a wipe-start region 2a. The wipe-start region may be formed as shown in FIG. 10 by applying no material of the base layer ie, no waxy or similar material, to the backing sheet 5 beneath the upper sheet 3 in the wipe-start region 2a. The region 2a may be the same width across the indicator as the base layer 2. The upper sheet and the base layer may be made non-adhesive together in the wipe-start region by not applying material comprising the base layer beneath the upper sheet in the wipe-start region, or a coating may be applied to the under surface of the upper sheet 3 in the wipe-start region 2a, which will make the upper sheet non-adhesive to the material of the base layer 2. Another variation is that such a coating is applied to the material of the base layer 2 in the wipe-start region 2a, instead of applying the coating to the undersurface of the upper sheet 3. This has the same effect, of making the upper sheet 3 and base layer 2 non-adhesive together in the wipe-start region 2a.

One or more discontinuities may be formed in the upper sheet 3, between the part of the upper sheet extending over the wipe-start area 2a and the balance of the upper sheet which extends smoothly over the base layer 2. In the preferred form shown each discontinuity is an upwardly domed region 4 in the upper sheet 3. A domed region 4 in the upper sheet 3 is provided at a longitudinal end of each of the windows 15 in the preferred forms of indicators shown in the drawings. Each dome or discontinuity 4 is upwardly convex, and will trap beneath it a small amount of air, between the upper sheet at that point and the base layer 2 and/or backing sheet 5, which when a user's finger or thumb is moved from one side of the indicator to the other across the discontinuity 4, will tend to be caught in front of the user's finger or thumb as it moves, and pushed across the indicator in front of the user's finger between the upper sheet and base layer 2 to facilitate separation of same and clearing of the indicator.

The domed region 4 may be formed by stamping or embossing the top sheet, for example to form a continuous oval crease line in the top sheet around the periphery of and defining each discontinuity 4. In alternative forms a single larger convex raised shape in the upper sheet may extend transversely across the indicator at one end, having a transverse dimension approximately equal to the full width of the indicator adjacent the ends of both windows 15. Alternatively the discontinuity may comprise approximately parallel crease lines spaced a few millimetres from one another extending transversely across the indicator. Alternatively the discontinuity 4 may be a downward or reverse crease or wrinkle rather than an upward formation as shown.

As referred to previously, when a shot is played with a club to which an indicator has been affixed, this will cause the upper sheet 3 to adhere to the base layer 2 at the point of impact so that the colour of the base layer is then clearly visible through the upper sheet 3, to mark the impact point. To subsequently clear the indicator a users finger or thumb is placed on the wipe-start region 2a and wiped across the top surface of the upper sheet 3 from the wipe-start region 2a including over the discontinuity 4. This will separate the upper sheet 3 and the base layer 2 as the user's finger moves clearing the indicator of any prior impact point mark(s).

Sports impact point indicators of the invention are preferably formed as a sealed unit thereby preventing the ingress of contaminates and improving mechanical robustness and structural integrity of the indicator. However, small air vents may be provided in the form of one or more slits and/or pinholes near the periphery of product such as at either end for example, which can assist in easy clearing of the indicator.

The preferred embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are impact point indicators for use in golf. Impact point indicators of the invention may be made in shapes and configurations suitable for use in other sports such as baseball, softball or cricket for example. For example, a longer impact point marker in strip form comprising a number of longitudinally extending parallel windows may be adhered to the curved end of a baseball or softball bat, or to the face and/or edges of a cricket bat.

The foregoing describes the sports impact point indicator or the invention and preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications and combinations of features not specifically described as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A sports impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, the indicator being planar in form, longer than it is wide, and comprising a rear surface comprising a contact adhesive for adhering the indicator to the face of a club or bat, the indicator being of a predetermined size in relation to the club or bat whereby the indicator can cover a major portion of the face of the club or bat, which upper sheet and base layer are in a first area releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when a club or bat to a face of which the indicator is adhered is used to strike a ball, to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also extending in a second area over a wipe-start region at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator in which wipe-start region the upper sheet and base layer are not adhesive together and over which wipe-start region a user's finger or thumb may be placed from which to begin said movement to separate the upper sheet from the base layer.

2. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the upper sheet comprises a marking which extends longitudinally of the upper sheet and visually partitions the upper sheet longitudinally.

3. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the upper sheet comprises two windows in the upper sheet which extend longitudinally of the upper sheet and in which the upper sheet is transparent or translucent.

4. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the upper sheet comprises an opaque peripheral border and a division line which extends longitudinally of the upper sheet and visually partitions the upper sheet longitudinally.

5. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the indicator has a width which is greatest intermediate of the length of the indicator.

6. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the indicator has a width which is greatest generally midway of the length of the indicator.

7. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 6 wherein the indicator has an approximately oval shape.

8. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 6 wherein the indicator is of a size whereby the indicator can cover a major part of the face of a driver golf club when adhered thereto.

9. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the indicator has a width which is greatest at or adjacent one longitudinal end of the indicator.

10. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 9 wherein the indicator is of a size whereby the indicator can cover a major portion of the face of an iron golf club when adhered thereto.

11. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 comprising a visually apparent line extending transversely of the length of the indicator across the upper sheet of the indicator intermediate of the length of the indicator.

12. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 including markings for indicating an optimum impact point approximately centrally on the upper sheet.

13. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 1 wherein the upper sheet comprises a one or more discontinuities in the upper sheet extending across the upper sheet in the wipe-start region, the upper sheet otherwise providing a smooth and substantially wrinkle-free top surface to the indicator.

14. A sports impact point indicator according to claim 2 wherein the upper sheet comprises two discontinuities in the upper sheet, in the wipe-start region and at or towards one end of the indicator, one discontinuity on either longitudinal side of the upper sheet defined by said marking which extends longitudinally of the upper sheet and visually partitions the upper sheet, the upper sheet otherwise providing a smooth and otherwise substantially wrinkle-free top surface to the indicator.

15. A sports impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, the indicator being planar in form, longer than it is wide and comprising a rear surface comprising a contact adhesive for adhering the indicator to the face of a club or bat, the indicator being of a predetermined size in relation to the club or bat whereby the indicator can cover a major portion of the face of the club or bat, which upper sheet and base layer are releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when a club or bat to a face of which the indicator is adhered is used to strike a ball, to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also comprising at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator a discontinuity in the upper sheet, the upper sheet otherwise providing a smooth and substantially wrinkle-free top surface to the indicator.

16. A sports impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, and a rear surface comprising a contact adhesive for adhering the indicator to the face of a club or bat, the indicator being of a predetermined size in relation to the club or bat whereby the indicator can cover a major portion of the face of the club or bat, which upper sheet and base layer are releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when a club or bat to a face of which the indicator is adhered is used to strike a ball, to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also comprising two discontinuities in the upper sheet, at or towards one end of the indicator, one discontinuity on either longitudinal side of the upper sheet defined by a marking which extends longitudinally of the upper sheet and visually partitions the upper sheet, the upper sheet otherwise providing a smooth and otherwise substantially wrinkle-free top surface to the product.

17. A sports club or bat having affixed to a face thereof an impact point indicator comprising a base layer, an upper sheet extending over the base layer and having a periphery fixed in relation to the base layer, which upper sheet and base layer are releasably adhesive together under pressure on the upper sheet such that the upper sheet and the base layer will adhere together when the club or bat is used to strike a ball to indicate through the upper sheet the impact point between the ball and the club or bat face, but allow the upper sheet to move sufficiently relative to the base layer to separate the upper sheet from the base layer when a user's finger or thumb is wiped across a top surface of the upper sheet, the upper sheet also extending over a wipe-start region at or towards a longitudinal end of the indicator in which the wipe-start region, the upper sheet and base layer are not adhesive together and over which wipe-start region a user's finger or thumb may be placed from which to begin said movement to separate the upper sheet from the base layer, the upper sheet also comprising windows in the upper sheet which extend longitudinally of the club or bat face and at which the upper sheet is transparent or translucent, and one or more discontinuities in the upper sheet, in the wipe start region and at or towards one end of the indicator.

18. A club or bat according to claim 17 wherein the upper sheet comprises an opaque peripheral border and a division line which extends longitudinally of the upper sheet, which border and division line define said windows.

19. A club or bat according to claim 17 which is a golf driver or iron and wherein the indicator covers a major part of the face of a golf club.

20. A club or bat according to claim 17 which is a baseball bat.