Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02300735 2000-02-25 ,.-
The Multiple Adjusting Angle Bracket
The laser generator unit: The laser generator unit is self contained-inclusive
of power
supply, activating switch and mounting; interface. The laser generator unit
incorporates a semi
reflective lens to A first beam of 25% intensity adjustably projects near
linear to the shaft and
forward of the clubface to contact the ball or the ground at a point
perpendicular to the sweet
spot on the clubface. A second ~reflecte~d beam of 75% intensity projects
angular to the club
shaft and contacts the intended target or ground at a point perpendicular to
the clubface. The
second and reflected beam is affixed at 4.5 feet in lead of the clubface. The
removable laser
generating unit projects forward of the club relative to the direction of
swing. This postioning is
visible less obstructive. Secondly, this arrangement allows for use of the
laser generating unit
on left-handed or right-handed clubs with no modifications to the appliance.
Laser light emitting diode: The laser light emitting diode is a compact,
lightweight, and low-
cost visible light source that has adequ;~te intensity and does not defuse in
daylight. The energy
beam created by the laser light emitting; diode is split into two trajectories
of prescribed
intensities. The first beam is directed out the bottom of the unit housing
after passing through
the semi reflective mirror. The first beam travels in a line fifteen degrees
angular to the plane of
CA 02300735 2000-02-25
the mounting interface: The first beam creates an illuminated dot 6 inches
ahead of the clubface
and perpendicular the sweet spot or idf;al point of contact with the ball.
Seventy-five percent of
energy from the laser light emitting diode is redirected as it passes through
the semi transparent
mirror. The second energy beam is strong enough to remain visible at a
distance of twelve feet
(720cm.) in direct sunlight conditions. The semi reflective mirror is mounted
to the unit housing
in linE; with the energy beam. The angle of contact that the energy beams make
with semi
reflective surface is 15 degrees. The forward angular light beam moves towards
the intended
target as the golfer strokes the hall. Duxing the backstroke the (rear) light
beam passes over the
ball to ensure the golfer makes a pendulum swing needed for a straight putt.
As the rear beam is
moved behind the ball on the b;ackstrolce, the forward beam has now moved down
the
perpendicular plane to replace the rear beam thus both beams work together to
ensure a
perpendicular swing and straight follow through towards the intended target.
Your swing path
can now be easily adjusted as tile two energy beams show the exact path the
ball will follow
when it is stroked.
Semi reflective mirror: The sf;mi reflective mirror is used to split a single
laser light source
into t~NO separate energy beams. of different intensities. The energy beam is
directed at the semi
reflective mirror. Twenty-five percent of the energy beam passes through the
medium
unobstructed while seventy-five percent of the energy is reflected to produce
a second beam
directed angular to the first. The first beam of twenty-five percent intensity
is strong enough to
be visible near the clubface in direct sunlight conditions. The second and
reflected beam of
seventy-five percent intensity is strong; enough to remain visible at a
distance of twelve feet
(720cm.) in direct sunlight conditions. The angle of contact that the energy
beam makes with
the semi reflective surface of the mirror is affixed at fifteen degrees. The
mirror affixed at
fifteen degrees, is positioned to teach the golfer consistency. As he works
with each club, the
energy beams act as a visual aid to assist the golfer to repeat the perfect
swing. As he becomes
more consistent by seeing his swing path, his muscle memory is enhanced and
his game
significantly improves.
Power supply: The power supply includes a series of electronic components that
generate
electric energy in a usable form for the. laser light emitting diode to
produce an effective visible
light beam. A small battery pill; of higlh energy density such as those used
in the camera
industry is used. Solid-state electronic components modify the do current
produced by the
battery pile. A latching toggle switch is located externally on the unit
housing to function as an
ON/OFF switch.
Activating switch: A latching toggle switch is located externally on the unit
housing to
function as an ON/OFF switch. This switch is conveniently located so that the
golfer can easily
turn an or off the device while mounting or removing it from the desired club.
CA 02300735 2000-02-25
The I'vlultiple Adjusting Angle Bracket: The detachable laser generator unit
is easily
detachable from the multiple adjusting angle bracket without the use of any
tools. The bracket is
formed in two pieces that are placed around the club shaft near to the handle.
Each piece of the
multiple adjusting mounting bracket is provided with a semi-circular channel
for the club shaft
to occ;upy. The semi-circular channel is tapered to match the taper of a
standard or average club
shaft, the lower end being morf; slender. The channel can be made smaller as
required by using
sleevE;s or reducers bushings to match the diameters of smaller club shafts.
The multiple
adjusting angle bracket is secured around the club shaft with fastening screws
that pass through
holes provided in one piece while threading into the second half to provide
compression upon
the club shaft. Exact height along the club shaft is determined by adjusting
the first laser beam
to focus on a point six inches forward of the clubface and beam to focus on a
point four and a
half feet in lead of the clubface. The mmltiple adjusting mounting bracket can
also be rotated
axially about the club shaft to perform adjustments of the beam prior to
tightening the mounting
screws. A third means of adjustment is provided at the mounting interface
between the
detachable laser generating unit and the multiple adjusting mounting bracket.
The detachable
laser ;generating unit can be displaced ;angular relative to the club shaft
along the plane
descriibed by the mounting interface. T'he adjustment is performed by changing
the relation
betwE;en the laser generating unit and detachable member that mates with the
multiple adjusting
mounting bracket. The detachable member is pivotally secured to the laser
generating unit with
a fastener. A second fastener passes through a slot in the detachable member
and threads
securely into the laser generating unit )housing. The slot is long enough to
allow required
angular displacement of the laser generating unit to provide useful adjustment
in both left-
handed and right-handed swim; applications. This adjustment is performed in
several steps:
remo~~ing the detachable laser l;enerating unit from the multiple adjusting
bracket, loosening the
fastener that intersects the slotted hole to a point where rotation of the
detachable member is
possible with substantial resistance, re~,placing the laser generating unit,
aligning the laser beams
as de sired, removing again the laser generating unit and securely tighten the
fastener. The plane
described by the mounting interface is linear to the axis of the club shaft.
The plane described
by thf; mounting interface is aligned parallel to the clubface so that the
removable laser
generating unit projects forward of the club relative to the direction of
swing. This positioning
is visibly less obstructive. Secondly, this arrangement allows for use of the
laser generating unit
on left-handed or right-handed clubs with no modifications to the appliance.
The detachable
member of the laser generating unit ha.s grooves that interlock with meshing
grooves affixed to
the multiple adjusting angle bracket. T'he laser generating unit easily locks
into place with
accurate and repeatable alignment. The laser generating unit is easily removed
from the club
and stored between holes, rounds, or games. The laser generating unit is
compact enough to fit
into tlhe golfer's pocket. The golf club is slender enough to fit into a
regular golf bag with the
multiple adjusting bracket affi~;ed. ThE; multiple adjusting bracket is smooth
and angular enough
to slide unobstructed off other clubs and obstacles without being hindered.
