INDICATOR CREATION METHOD, INDICATOR CREATION SYSTEM AND GOLF CLUB

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-148306 filed Aug. 30, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-220151 filed Dec. 16, 2024, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an indicator creation method, an indicator creation system, and a golf club.

BACKGROUND ART

When holding a golf club in preparation to swing that golf club so as to hit a golf ball (hereinafter, this may on occasion be referred to simply as ‘holding a golf club’) while adopting a square stance, in order, for example, to enable that golf ball to fly in a desired direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a ‘target direction’), it is preferable that the person holding the golf club aim a club face of the golf club in the target direction. The reason for this is that if, at this time, the club face is not facing in the target direction, then at the moment of impact, the club face becomes tilted so that the golf ball does not fly straight. For this reason, golf clubs have been developed that are provided with an indicator that is used to align the club face with the target direction.

In Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a golf club having a center line that extends in the direction in which the club face is facing imprinted on an upper surface of the club head. When this center line is looked at from directly above the club head, it appears as a straight line that is orthogonal to the club face.

However, when holding a golf club such as, for example, an iron or a driver, because a user is looking down on the club head from a diagonal direction, in this case, the center line disclosed in Patent Document 1 appears to curve so as to follow the curved upper surface of the club head. As a result, the problem arises that it is difficult to align the center line with the target direction.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application (Laid-Open) No. H09-262323

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to create an indicator that makes it easy for a user who is holding a golf club to align the club face with a desired direction.

An indicator creation method for a golf club according to the present invention is characterized in having a first step in which a first light beam extending in a direction in which a club face is facing is drawn on a floor surface by light that is emitted from a first light source mounted on a golf club, and a user holds the golf club in preparation to swing that golf club in such a way that the first light beam faces in the predetermined direction, a second step in which a second light beam that is either parallel with the first light beam or is superimposed thereon is drawn on the club head by light that is emitted from a second light source disposed in front of a head portion of the user who is holding the golf club, and a third step in which an indicator is created on the club head based on the second light beam.

According to the present invention, by imprinting an indicator so that this indicator follows a second light beam that is drawn on a club head, it is possible to create an indicator that, when viewed by a user who is holding a golf club in such a way that the club face is facing in a predetermined direction, extends in a straight line in that predetermined direction. As a result, when holding the golf club in preparation to swing, simply by aligning the direction in which the indicator extends with the predetermined direction, a user is able to aim the club face in the predetermined direction.

Moreover, in a case in which an indicator is imprinted on a curved or bent surface of a club head, the attitude of the club head can be kept constant simply by keeping the indicator aligned with a predetermined direction. Because of this, a user is able to develop a habit of holding the golf club in such a way that the attitude of the club head is always the same. Furthermore, in this case, even if the club face is not facing in the predetermined direction when a user is holding the golf club in preparation for swing the club, because the indicator does not appear as a straight line, the user is able to determine intuitively whether or not the club face is facing in the predetermined direction.

In the above-described second step, for example, in a case in which a user is holding the golf club in order to strike a ball while adopting a square stance, it is generally preferable that the club face be aimed in the target direction. In contrast, in a case in which a user is holding the golf club in order to strike a ball while adopting an open stance or a square stance, in order to cause the ball to fly in the target direction, it is preferable that the club face be tilted either clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the target direction. In other words, the direction in which the club face should be aimed is determined by the stance and by the target direction.

For this reason, the aforementioned predetermined direction may be set based on the stance of the user who is holding the golf club in preparation to swing and on the target direction.

A specific embodiment of the third step is an aspect in which the indicator is imprinted either continuously or intermittently so as to form a straight line following the second light beam.

An even more specific embodiment of the third step is an aspect in which at least a portion of the indicator is imprinted along a curved or bent surface of the club head.

For example, in a case in which a target that is indicating a predetermined direction is provided on a floor surface of a room, then the first light beam can be aimed in the predetermined direction simply by aligning the first light beam with the target. However, in a case in which the target is provided at a higher position than the floor surface, such as on a wall or the like, then it is difficult to align the first light beam with the target.

For this reason, it is possible to employ a structure in which the first light source emits a light beam extending over a vertical surface when a user is holding the golf club. According to this structure, even if, for example, the target is located in a higher position than the floor surface, the light beam can still be easily projected onto the target.

A specific embodiment of the second light source is an aspect in which the second light source is disposed in front of the eyes of a user who is holding the golf club in preparation to swing and is observing the club head, and emits light in the direction of the user's observation.

An indicator creation system for a golf club according to the present invention is provided with a first light beam drawing device that is provided with a first light source that is mounted on a golf club and draws on a floor surface in front of a club face a first light beam extending in a direction in which that club face is facing, and a second light beam drawing device that is provided with a second light source that is mounted on a user and that, in a state in which the user is holding the golf club in such a way that the first light beam is pointing in a predetermined direction, draws on the club head a second light beam that is either parallel with the first light beam or is superimposed thereon.

According to the present invention, when viewed by a user who is holding a golf club such that the club face faces in a predetermined direction, it is possible to create an indicator that is formed as a straight line extending in the predetermined direction on, for example, either a curved or bent surface of the club head. As a result, when holding the golf club, the user is able to aim the club face in the predetermined direction simply by aligning the direction of extension of the indicator which is formed as a straight line with the predetermined direction.

Moreover, it is also possible for the first light beam drawing device to be further provided with a spherical main body that is mounted on the club face, and for the first light source to be mounted on this main body.

If this type of structure is employed, then the first light beam drawing device is formed in the shape of a golf ball, and a user is able to imagine they are hitting an actual golf ball when holding the golf club in preparation to strike the golf ball.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the second light beam drawing device to be further provided with a mounting mechanism that is interposed between the user and the second light source, and is used to mount the second light source in front of the eyes of the user. If this type of structure is employed, then light can be emitted along the line of sight of the user.

A golf club according to the present invention is characterized in that, when viewed by a user who is holding a golf club in such a way that a club face is facing in a predetermined direction, an indicator that is imprinted either continuously or intermittently so as to form a straight line extending in the predetermined direction is provided on the club head.

According to the present invention, by simply aligning a direction in which an indicator extends with a predetermined direction, a club face can be made to face in that predetermined direction.

Moreover, it is preferable that at least a portion of the indicator be imprinted on a curved or bent surface of the club head.

If this type of structure is employed, then if the club face is not aimed in the predetermined direction, the indicator will not appear as a straight line to the user who is holding the golf club. Accordingly, the user is able to determine intuitively that the club face is not facing in the predetermined direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an indicator that makes it easy for a user who is holding a golf club in preparation to strike a golf ball to align the club face with a predetermined direction. As a result, the user is able to develop a habit of holding the golf club in such a way that the attitude of the club head always faces in a predetermined direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a state of use of an indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a first light beam drawing device of the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a second light beam drawing device of the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing an indicator creation procedure according to the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing a club head as seen by a user who is holding the golf club in the indicator creation procedure according to the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing a club head as seen by a user who is holding the golf club in the indicator creation procedure according to the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing showing an appearance of a club head on which an indicator created using the indicator creation procedure according to the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention has been imprinted as seen by a user holding the golf club;

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing a club head as seen by a user holding the golf club in the indicator creation procedure according to the indicator creation system of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a club head on which an indicator of a variant example has been imprinted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of an indicator creation system, an indicator creation method, and a golf club according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

An indicator creation system and indicator creation method according to the present invention are employed in order to create on a golf club an indicator that is used when a user is addressing the ball in order to aim the club face in a predetermined direction. This indicator is particularly effective when a user is holding a golf club in preparation to swing that golf club in the case of a golf club in which the user looks down on the club head from a diagonally upward direction, specifically, in the case of a golf club other than a putter (i.e., a driver, a fairway wood, a utility, an iron, or a wedge), however, it may also be used in the case of a putter.

Embodiment of the Present Invention

As is shown in FIG. 1, an indicator creation system 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a first light beam drawing device 10 that is mounted on a golf club X, and a second light beam drawing device 20 that is mounted on a user A.

The first light beam drawing device 10 is provided with a first light source 11 that draws a first light beam L1 that extends in a direction in which a club face Xs of a club head X1 is facing on a floor surface S in front of that club head X1. In the present embodiment, the first light beam L1 that extends in the direction in which the club face Xs is facing is drawn on the floor surface S in front of the club face Xs. This first light source 11 emits a line of light l1 that spreads out into a fan shape. Note that the term ‘floor surface S’ includes the actual ground.

As is shown in FIG. 2, this first light beam drawing device 10 is further provided with a mounting tool 12 that is used to mount the first light source 11 on the golf club X. The mounting tool 12 of the present embodiment is used to mount the first light source 11 on the club face Xs, however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first light source 11 may be mounted in a different location than the club face Xs of the golf club X such as, for example, an upper surface Xa of the club head X1 or on the shaft.

More specifically, the mounting tool 12 of the present embodiment is provided with a spherical main body 13, and a pedestal 14 that protrudes from a surface of the main body 13. The main body 13 has the same diameter as that of an actual golf ball, and holds the first light source 11 in such a way that light is emitted from a hemisphere surface thereof on an opposite side from the hemisphere surface from which the pedestal 14 is protruding. A magnet is built into the pedestal 14 and magnetic force from this magnet enables the mounting tool 12 to be removably mounted on the club face Xs.

Note that the mounting tool 12 of the present embodiment is formed such that the main body 13 and the pedestal 14 are also able to be removably attached by means of magnetic force. In addition, an angle adjustment mechanism 15 that adjusts an angle relative to the floor surface S of the light emitted from the first light source 11 is further provided so as to be interposed between the main body 13 and the pedestal 14. More specifically, this angle adjustment mechanism 15 is provided with a protruding guide 15a that extends around the circumference of the main body 13 so as to bisect the main body 13 through the center and the light-emission aperture thereof, and with a groove 15b that is formed in the surface of the pedestal 14 that is in contact with the main body 13 and into which is inserted the guide 15a. By sliding the main body 13 over the pedestal 14 while the guide 15a is inserted into the groove 15b, the angle of the light can be adjusted.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the second light beam drawing device 20 is provided with a second light source 21 that is disposed in front of a head portion of the user A, more specifically, in front of the eyes of the user A. The second light source 21 emits light towards the front of the head portion, more specifically, towards the front of the eyes of the user A. Note that the second light source 21 also emits a line of light l2 that spreads out into a fan shape.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the second light beam drawing device 20 is further provided with a mounting mechanism 22 that is used to mount the second light source 21 on the user A. The mounting mechanism 22 of the present embodiment is formed so as to be able to mount the second light source on a brim of a hat being worn by the user A, however, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible for the second light source to be mounted on some other item worn by the user such as the spectacles or the like, or on the actual body of the user. In addition, the mounting mechanism 22 is provided with a position adjustment mechanism that matches the position of the second light source 21 to the front of the eyes of the user, and with an orientation adjustment mechanism that adjusts the orientation of the light emitted from the second light source 21.

More specifically, the mounting mechanism 22 of the present embodiment is provided with clip 23 that grips a hat brim, a cylindrical holding body 24 that holds the second light source 22, and a shaft body 25 that connects the clip 23 and the holding body 24 to each other. The shaft body 25 is provided with an inner cylinder 25a and an outer cylinder 25b. By sliding these together it is possible to adjust the position of the second light source 21. Accordingly, the shaft body 25 performs the function of a position adjustment mechanism. Furthermore, a ball joint 26 is interposed between the holding body 24 and the shaft body 25. By adjusting the orientation of the holding body 24 using this ball joint 26, it is possible to adjust the orientation of the light emitted from the second light source 21. Accordingly, the ball joint 26 performs the function of a position adjustment mechanism.

Next, a procedure to create an indicator using the indicator creation system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. 4 through FIG. 6. Note that, in the present embodiment, a case in which a user is preparing to hit the golf ball while taking a square stance is described. In this case, when holding the golf club, it is preferable that the club face Xs be aimed in the target direction.

Firstly, the first light beam drawing device 10 is mounted on the club face Xs, and the second light beam drawing device 20 is mounted on a hat being worn by the user A.

Next, the first light source 11 is turned on and, using the light emitted from the first light source 11, the user A holds the golf club X in such a way that the first light beam L1 is drawn on the floor surface S1 in front of the club face Xs extending in the direction in which the club Xs is facing, and such that the first light beam L1 is extending in the target direction (first step).

More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 4 at (a), the light beam l1 emitted from the first light source 11 is pointed at a target P disposed on a wall surface located in the target direction, and the orientation of the first light source 11 is adjusted such that the light beam l1 is irradiated onto a vertical surface. As a result, as is shown in FIG. 5, the first light beam L1 is drawn on the floor surface S in front of the club face Xs so as to extend in the target direction. Note that, at this time, using the angle adjustment mechanism 15, the angle of the light emitted from the first light source 11 is adjusted so as to draw the first light beam L1 onto the floor surface S at the same time as the light beam l1 strikes the target P.

Next, the second light source 21 is turned on and, using the light emitted from the second light source 21, a second light beam that is either parallel with the first light beam L1, or is superimposed thereon, is drawn on the club head X1 (second step).

More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 4 at (b), while gripping the golf club X in preparation to make a swing, the user A observes the club head X1 and, in this state, makes an adjustment using the position adjustment mechanism so that the second light source 21 is positioned in front of their eyes, more specifically, in front of a point between their eyes, in other words, a point between their eyebrows. Next, using the orientation adjustment mechanism, the orientation of the second light source 21 is adjusted such that the light beam l2 emitted from the second light source 21 passes through the club head X and is either parallel with, or is superimposed on, the first light beam L1. In this state, the second light source 21 is emitting light in the direction of the line of sight of the user A who is observing the club head X1. More specifically, the second light source 21 is located on a virtual line between the eyes of the user A and the club head X1, and irradiates the light beam l2 along that virtual line. As a result, as is shown in FIG. 6, a second light beam L2 is drawn so as to pass through the club head X1 either in parallel with, or superimposed on, the first light beam L1. In the present embodiment, the light beam l2 passes through the club face Xs and the upper surface Xa of the club head X1.

In addition, as is shown in FIG. 7 at (a), an indicator L in the form of a straight line that follows the second light beam L2 is imprinted on the club head X. This indicator L is imprinted along the second light beam L2 when viewed by the user A who is holding the golf club X, and may take any desired form provided that the straight line drawn by the second light beam L2 is able to be recognized. In the present embodiment, the indicator L is formed as a continuous straight line imprinted on the second light beam L2 from the club face Xs and extending across the upper surface Xa so as to pass over the curved or bent surface of the club head X1, however, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the indicator L may also take the form of a series of intermittent dots imprinted on the second light beam L2. Moreover, it is preferable that the indicator L be imprinted directly onto the club head X, and the indicator L may be inscribed thereon using, for example, ink or the like, or may be engraved thereon.

The task of drawing the indicator L on the second light beam L2 is difficult for a user to perform by themselves. The reason for this is that when the user crouches down in order to draw the indicator L, the position of the second light beam L moves. For this reason, a guideline portion 30 that serves as a guideline to enable a user to remember the position crossed by the second light beam L2 may be provided in advance on the club head X. As is shown in FIG. 8, the guideline portion 30 of the present embodiment is a coordinate sticker that is formed in a lattice pattern, and is stuck onto a surface of the club head X so as to enable coordinates to be easily remembered on that surface of the club head X. As a result, in the second step, a user is able to remember the position on the coordinate sticker where the second light beam L2 passed using the lattice pattern as a reference. By then drawing the indicator L based on their memory, the user is able to draw the indicator L even if they are by themself.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to create on a curved or bent surface of the club head X1 an indicator in the form of a straight line extending in a predetermined direction when viewed by a user who is holding the golf club X in preparation to perform a swing in such a way that the club face Xs faces in the predetermined direction. As a result, when holding the golf club, the club face can be aimed in the predetermined direction simply by aligning the direction in which the straight line forming the indicator extends with the predetermined direction.

Moreover, when the user is holding the golf club X, that user is able to ascertain intuitively whether or not the club face Xs is facing in the predetermined direction. In other words, if the indicator L is provided on the curved or bent surface of the club head X in this way, then as is shown in FIG. 7 at (b), if the club face Xs is not facing in the target direction, the indicator L will appear to be skewed when viewed by the user who is holding the golf club X. As a consequence, the user is able to ascertain intuitively whether or not the club face Xs is facing in the target direction.

Additional Embodiments

The indicator creation system and the indicator creation method according to the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment a line is used as the indicator, however, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible for dots to be used instead. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 9 at (a), the indicator L may also be in the form of three or more dots that are imprinted on a curved or bent surface of the club head X1. In a case in which the indicator L is in the form of three or more dots that are imprinted on a curved or bent surface of the club head, then it is sufficient for the user who is holding the golf club in preparation to perform a swing to aim a straight line that is formed by joining these dots together in the predetermined direction. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, a new indicator is imprinted on the club head, however, it is also possible to imprint an indicator using the structure originally provided in the club head. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 9 at (b), it is also possible to form a plurality of face lines XL on the club face Xs such that one end of each line lines up with the second light beam L2, and to use these ends of the face lines XL as a portion of the indicator L. In this case, an indicator in which one end of each face line XL is imprinted intermittently is formed. Note that the indicator L is not limited to having a portion thereof imprinted on a curved or bent surface of the club head X1, and it is also possible to employ a structure in which the entire indicator L is imprinted on a curved or bent surface of the club head X1.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, a description is given of a case in which a user adopts a square stance when holding a golf club, however, in a case in which a user adopts an open stance or a closed stance, then it is preferable that the user tilt the club face either clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the target direction in order to cause the ball to fly in the target direction. For this reason, in a case in which a user adopts a stance other than a square stance, the user only needs to aim the club face such that the first light beam L1 extends in a predetermined direction that is appropriate for that stance, and then create an indicator suitable for the respective stances following the same procedure as that described in the foregoing embodiment.

Moreover, the position adjustment mechanism and orientation adjustment mechanism of the mounting mechanism are not limited to those described in the foregoing embodiment. For example, it is also possible to employ a structure in which the clip and the holding body are linked together using an arm that is provided with a plurality of joints, and for this arm to perform the functions of the position adjustment mechanism and the attitude adjustment mechanism. Note that if ball joints are used for the plurality of joints, then the degree of freedom when adjusting the position and orientation is improved.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a structure is employed in which the first light beam drawing device is mounted on a golf club face, however, in this mode, it is not possible for a trial hit of the ball to be attempted in a state in which the first light beam drawing device is mounted on the golf club face. Therefore, it is also possible to employ a structure in which the first light beam drawing device is mounted in a position other than the club face of the golf club such as, for example, on an upper surface of a club head, or on a shaft. In this case, for example, after a light beam extending in the direction in which the club face is facing has been drawn using a light source mounted on the face surface, as in the above-described embodiment, this light beam can be used as the first light beam by drawing this light beam either in parallel with, or superimposed on, the light beam from the light source using the first light beam drawing device mounted on the shaft.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, a structure is employed in which the second light beam drawing device is provided with a mounting mechanism that is mounted on a user, however, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to employ a structure in which a stand is provided to support the second light source, and the second light source can be disposed in front of the head portion of the user by mean of this stand. In this case, the position adjustment mechanism and orientation adjustment mechanism may be mounted on this stand.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications and the like may be made thereto insofar as they do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS LIST

• • 100 Indicator Creation System
  • A User
  • X Golf Club
  • X1 Club Head
  • Xs Club Face
  • P Target
  • 10 First Light Beam Drawing device
  • 11 First Light Source
  • 12 Mounting Tool
  • 20 Second Light Beam Drawing device
  • 21 Second Light Source
  • 22 Mounting Mechanism