MULTI-FUNCTION SQUARE ALIGNMENT GOLF TRAINING AID

Abstract

This document relates to a multi-function golf training aid for square alignment. An apparatus for golf comprising: a base with a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface is substantially planar and having a length and a width, the lower surface includes a groove, in a tunnel shape, across the width to allow a golf alignment stick to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface; an adjustable vertical member with a near end and a distal end, the near end is affixed to the upper surface of the base and the adjustable vertical member rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base, and a holder affixed to the adjustable vertical member at a lower surface of the holder, wherein an upper surface of the holder is configured to hold a line laser.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/360,699, filed on Oct. 20, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document is directed generally to a golf training aid, and more particularly to a multi-function golf training aid for square alignment.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a highly popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of skill. It is a sport played by hitting a ball with a golf club from a tee into a hole and the object in golf is to get the ball in the hole with the least number of swings or strokes of the club. Hitting the golf ball with power and accuracy can help achieve the objective.

Golfers are always looking for ways to improve their skills and there are numerous training aids available to help golfers. Having proper alignment is one of the areas golfers are constantly looking to adjust and improve. It is commonly known that alignment sticks are used by golfers as a teaching aid. There are currently no training aids available that specifically works with alignment stick.

SUMMARY

Golfers consistently practice improving their skills. With the help of golf training aids, beginners, intermediates, or professional golfers can better their swing, refine the target area, and improve their game. This document provides a multi-function golf training aid with a specific focus on the square alignment training for golfers.

In one example aspect, an apparatus for golf is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a base defined by a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface is substantially planar and having a length and a width, wherein the lower surface includes a groove across the width, the groove being tunnel shaped to allow a golf alignment stick to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface; an adjustable vertical member having a near end and a distal end, wherein the near end is affixed to the upper surface of the base and the adjustable vertical member rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base, and a holder affixed to the adjustable vertical member at a lower surface of the holder, wherein an upper surface of the holder away from the base is configured to hold a line laser.

In another example aspect, a method for fabricating the golf apparatus is disclosed. The method includes: providing a base defined by a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface is substantially planar and having a length and a width, wherein the lower surface includes a groove across the width, the groove being tunnel shaped to allow a golf alignment stick to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface; providing an adjustable vertical member having a near end and a distal end; connecting the near end of the adjustable vertical member to the upper surface of the base, wherein the adjustable vertical member rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base; providing a holder; and connecting the distal end of the adjustable vertical member to the holder, wherein an upper surface of the holder away from the base is configured to hold a line laser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-1D show an example of the parts of the multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative example of a multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative example of a solid base of a multi-function square alignment training aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description sets forth exemplary embodiments of a multi-function square alignment training aid according to the present document. It is to be understood, however, that these examples are provided by way of illustration and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention.

Golf is a highly popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of skill. It is a sport played by hitting a ball with a club from a tee into a hole and the object in golf is to get the ball in the hole with the least number of swings or strokes of the club. Hitting the golf ball with power and accuracy can help achieve the objective.

Some driving ranges have practice mats. Some mats at the golf courses have white lines indicating proper distance at address, as well as ball positions for beginner. Golfers stand in parallel with the white line with squared shoulders, hips, and feet to practice. Golfers often use alignment sticks to improve their alignment to the target. To properly use an alignment stick, golfers would lay the stick down so that it's pointing in the direction where they want to hit the ball.

This document discloses a multi-function square alignment training aid that works with a universal alignment stick. Suitably, the multi-function square alignment training aid may be used by beginners, intermediates, or professional golfers to better their swing and putting, refine the target area of their swing, and improve their overall golf skills, experiences, and games.

The disclosed multi-function square alignment training aid will help golfers to have the correct angles needed to improve his/her golf game.

The multi-function square alignment training aid begins with a solid base, an adjustable vertical member, and a holder that holds a line laser. The multi-function square alignment training aid can be used indoor or outdoor.

The lower surface of the solid base has a tunnel shaped groove across the width, which allows a golf alignment stick to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface. The alignment stick lays flat on the ground, parallel to golfer's feet or toes, and pointing to the direction of the target. The standard alignment stick is approximately ⅜″ round, which works the best with the multi-function square alignment training aid. The base of the multi-function square alignment training aid is in perpendicular position to the alignment stick.

The base can be in any shape suitable to lay flat on the ground, such as in a rectangular brick shape, and can be in any solid material, such as steel, aluminum, or the like that has appropriate weight. The tunnel shaped groove can be anywhere at the lower face of the solid base.

The adjustable vertical member having connecting mechanism on the ends for coupling to the base and the holder. The connecting mechanism can be, for example, threaded on the ends for coupling to the base and the holder. The connecting mechanism can also be in the forms of screw on, clip on, slide on, twist on, or the like coupling to the base and the holder. The connecting mechanism securely locks the base and the holder.

The adjustable vertical member can be made of flexible material that cause the holder to tilt towards the base by applying force to the vertical member.

The adjustable vertical member can also be made of solid material that pre-fix the holder to tilt towards the base.

The holder is place on the upper end of the adjustable vertical member. The holder may be a small shallow platform configured for attachment of a line laser.

The holder can be in any form of material, such as plastic, metal, or the like that is suitable to hold the line laser.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, this is a multi-function square alignment training aid.

As shown in FIG. 1A-1D, the multi-function square alignment training aid comprising four components: a line laser (1A); a holder (1B), an adjustable vertical member (1C) and a base (1D).

The adjustable vertical member (1C) has a near end that can be connected to the base (1D) and a distal end that can be connected to the holder (1B). The adjustable vertical member can be in various length and shape, for example a 6″ adjustable goose neck with screw ends.

The base (1D) can be in any shape suitable to lay flat on the ground, such as in a rectangular brick shape. The lower surface of the base has a tunnel shaped groove (100) across the width of the base. The tunnel shaped groove fits over an alignment stick. The diameter of the groove across the width of the lower surface of the base can be, for examples, 5/16″ in diameter.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a fully assembled multi-function square alignment training aid.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of how the multi-function square alignment training aid is assembled. A base (330) in a rectangular brick shape with an upper (332) and a lower (331) surface. The lower surface (331) of the base is a flat surface that has a tunnel shaped groove (300) across the width of the base, wherein a golf alignment stick fits within the groove. The upper surface (332) of the base (330) can be connected to the adjustable vertical member (320) by screwing the two components tougher (333, 321). The adjustable vertical member (320) has a distal end (322) that can screw the lower surface (311) of the holder (310) together.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a fully assembled multi-function square alignment training aid. The holder (400) is configured to tilt towards the base upon application of a tilting force to the vertical member. The line laser (410) is place in the holder (400). The line laser points downward to the golf ball and generates a clear red line perpendicular to the alignment stick. The line laser provides a visual indication of where the golfer should hit the ball. This allows the golfer to adjust his/her position accordingly in order to obtain accurate instant visual feedback.

Another benefit of having the line laser points perpendicular to the alignment stick is to refine target area from 1½″, the white lines on the practicing mats indicating proper distance, to ⅛″, the fine laser line, allowing the golfer to dial in the sweet spot of where the golfer needs to strike the ball. This further helps golfer with slicing and hooking of the golf ball.

Having the line laser pointing at the golf ball does three things: ball position, address setup, path direction.

When using it for ball position, the golf ball is place between two feet, the line laser would point right between golfer's feet. The golfer then squares the golf club to the laser and swing the club at the golf ball. The golfer gets instant visual feedback. All clubs can be used.

When using it to address setup, the golfer can use it to setup for different practices, such as putting, ball position, and path direction.

When using it for path direction, the golfer can clearly see the exact path when the line laser points to the golf ball. Having the line laser makes it easy for the golfer to see the path direction when swinging the club.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a fully assembled multi-function square alignment training aid with a golf alignment stick (500) to fit within the groove.

FIG. 6 is an alternative example of a multi-function square alignment training aid where two vertical members are used. The two vertical members are uneven in height. A holder can be placed on top of the uneven adjustable vertical members to tilt towards the base without application of a tilting force. The two vertical members are placed near the center of the base.

FIG. 7 is an alternative example of a solid base of a multi-function square alignment training aid. The edges of the base can be rounded, and the tunnel shaped groove can be in the middle of the lower face of the solid base.

Accordingly, some preferred embodiments may use the following solutions.

1. An apparatus for golf, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a base (330) defined by a lower surface (331) and an upper surface (332), wherein the lower surface (331) is substantially planar and having a length and a width, wherein the lower surface (331) includes a groove (300) across the width, the groove (300) being tunnel shaped to allow a golf alignment stick, to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface; an adjustable vertical member (320) having a near end (321) and a distal end (322), wherein the near end (321) is affixed to the upper surface (332) of the base and the adjustable vertical member (320) rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base (330), and a holder (310) affixed to the adjustable vertical member (320) at a lower surface of the holder, wherein an upper surface of the holder away from the base is configured to hold a line laser.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the holder is configured to tilt towards the base upon application of a tilting force to the vertical member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the holder comprises a latch mechanism to securely attach a line laser pen to the upper surface of the holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the holder is a U-shaped groove to hold the line laser pen.

5. The apparatus of claims 1-2, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a flexible material that cause the holder to tilt towards the base by flexing upon application of the tilting force to the vertical member.

6. The apparatus of above claims, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a first rigid portion near the base and a second rigid portion near the holder, wherein the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion are coupled to each other through a rotatable joint.

7. A method for fabricating a golf apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 5 & 7, including: providing a base (330) defined by a lower surface (331) and an upper surface (332), wherein the lower surface (331) is substantially planar and having a length and a width, wherein the lower surface (331) includes a groove (300) across the width, the groove being tunnel shaped to allow a golf alignment stick (500) to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface; providing an adjustable vertical member (320) having a near end (321) and a distal end (322); connecting the near end (321) of the adjustable vertical member to the upper surface (332) of the base (330), wherein the adjustable vertical member (320) rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base; providing a holder (310); and connecting the distal end (322) of the adjustable vertical member to the holder (310), wherein an upper surface of the holder away from the base is configured to hold a line laser.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the diameter of the groove across the width of the lower surface of the base is 5/16″.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the adjustable vertical member is approximately 6 to 7 inches long.

10. The method of claim 7, the holder is configured to tilt towards the base upon application of a tilting force to the vertical member.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the upper surface of the holder comprises a latch mechanism to securely attach a line laser pen to the upper surface of the holder.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the upper surface of the holder is a U-shaped groove to hold the line laser pen.

13. The method of claims 7 and 10, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a flexible material that cause the tiltable end of the holder to tilt towards the base by flexing upon application of the tilting force to the vertical member.

14. The method of above claims, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a first rigid portion near the base and a second rigid portion near the holder, wherein the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion are coupled to each other through a rotatable joint.

This document discloses a multi-function square alignment training aid that works with a universally used alignment stick. The multi-function square alignment training aid may be used by beginners, intermediates, or professional golfers to better their swing and putting, refine the target area of their swing, and improve their overall golf skills, experiences, and games.

Claims

1. An apparatus for golf, comprising:

a base defined by a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface is substantially planar and having a length and a width, wherein the lower surface includes a groove across the width, the groove being tunnel shaped with a diameter approximately 5/16″ in width configured to allow a golf alignment stick to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface;

an adjustable vertical member configured to be approximately 6 to 7 inches long having a near end and a distal end, wherein the near end is affixed to the upper surface of the base and the adjustable vertical member rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base; and

a holder affixed to the adjustable vertical member at a lower surface of the holder, wherein an upper surface of the holder away from the base is a U-shaped groove configured to hold a line laser.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the holder is configured to tilt towards the base upon application of a tilting force to the vertical member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the holder comprises a latch mechanism to securely attach a line laser pen to the upper surface of the holder.

4. (canceled)

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a flexible material that cause the holder to tilt towards the base by flexing upon application of the tilting force to the vertical member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a first rigid portion near the base and a second rigid portion near the holder, wherein the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion are each coupled with a rotatable joint.

7. A method for fabricating a golf apparatus, comprising:

providing a base defined by a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface is substantially planar and having a length and a width, wherein the lower surface includes a groove across the width, the groove being tunnel shaped to allow a golf alignment stick to fit within the groove while remaining part of the lower surface is resting on a golfing surface; wherein the diameter of the groove across the width of the lower surface of the base is approximately 5/16″;

providing an adjustable vertical member having a near end and a distal end; wherein the adjustable vertical member is configured to be approximately 6 to 7 inches long;

connecting the near end of the adjustable vertical member to the upper surface of the base, wherein the adjustable vertical member rises in an upward direction away from the lower surface of the base;

providing a holder; and

connecting the distal end of the adjustable vertical member to the holder, wherein an upper surface of the holder away from the base is a U-shaped groove configured to hold a line laser.

8-9. (canceled)

10. The method of claim 7, the holder is configured to tilt towards the base upon application of a tilting force to the vertical member.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the upper surface of the holder comprises a latch mechanism to securely attach a line laser pen to the upper surface of the holder.

12. (canceled)

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a flexible material that cause a tiltable end of the holder to tilt towards the base by flexing upon application of the tilting force to the vertical member.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the adjustable vertical member comprises a first rigid portion near the base and a second rigid portion near the holder, wherein the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion are each coupled with a rotatable joint.