US2934347A - Golf stick indicia - Google Patents

Description

April 26, 1960 P. SINISCALCHI 2,934,347

GOLF STICK INDICIA Filed Aug. 5, 1955 INVENTOR PATRICK SINISCALGH! ATTORNEY GOLF STICK INDICIA Patrick Siniscalchi, Glen Cove, NY.

Application August 5, 1955, Serial No. 526,626 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-164) This invention relates to indicia for golf sticks, more particularly it relates to a specific indicium on the head of a wood to enable the golfer to control and perfect his stroke.

It is an object of this invention to provide an indicium on the head of a golf stick which will present a differing visual image depending upon the accuracy with which the stroke follows the true are of swing. 7

It is an object of this invention to position an indicium on a golf club in the apparent correct arc of stroke of the golf stick head.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an indicium that it may be optically observed during the actual strike of the ball so the golfer may know whether or not the golf stick is swinging in the proper arc for a correct stroke.

It is a further object of this invention to devise an indicium which will correctly guide the golfer on are in addressing the ball.

It is a further object of the invention to devise an indicium on the head of a golf stick which will present a varying visual image to the golfer during a portion of the stroke substantially eighteen inches before and after the striking of the ball.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation my be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a preferred form of the invention on a golf wood;

Fig. 2 shows the relation of the indicium to the arc of swing at the moment of contacting the ball;

Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically the dynamic visual impression of the indicium moving correctly on are;

Fig. 4 illustrates the lines of measurement for estab lishing the indicium in practising the invention; and

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the invention.

The indicia and 10 are drawn on an angle which substantially coincides with the desired arc of the head of the golf club when viewed from the eye of the golfer. This angulation immeasurably aids the golfer in addressing the ball. Additionally, however, the angulation of my indicium provides a variable optical effect changing the apparently intensity of the streak produced by the colored indicium during the stroke and apparently depending on retinal memory.

.With reference to Fig. 1, I show a golf club having on it an indicium made in accordance with my invention. It will be noted that the triangular wing-like indicium 10 on the head of the golf wood 12 is angled so that the apex or tip 14 of the indicium is inclined toward the heel 16 of the club, that is, the triangular indicium 10 is not a true isosceles but has a long side 18 and a short side 20. Moreover, the sides 18 and 20 are curved downwardly in the preferred embodiment as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3 from left to right. Base 22 of the triangle corresponds to the usual insert 23 on the face of the head. Insert 23 is conventional in golf sticks and its surface 25 contacts the ball.

With reference to Fig. 2, I show the head of a golf stick striking a ball. It will be noticed that the golf stick moves on the are indicated by the arrow 24. It will be further noticed that this are is concentric with an are 27 drawn from the center of the base 22 to the apex 14. Thus in addressing the ball, the golfer may observe the desired arc. That is, the indicium indicates the path of movement of the club head rather than the trajectory of the ball.

It is quite evident that the golf stick moves on an are. It has been further observed by high speed photography that as a matter of fact it moves in an are centered somewhere in or adjacent the throat of the golfer. During the effective striking portion of the swing, the shoulders of the golfer have been demonstrated to pivot about his vertebrae causing the head ofthe stick during this portion of the stroke to travel on a true arc centered in the throat or nape of the neck.

With reference to Fig. 3, there is shown an enlarged drawing of my indicium upon which is imposed parallel lines indicating the linear density of color. The lines of this figure are to demonstrate diagrammatically infinitely small segments of the solid colored indicium. During motion of the club head, the area within the bracket A will create an optically less dense area or band of color as indicated by the dotted lines at X than will the indicium in the portion designated B leaving the trailing lines Y. Thus, the flash of color will have a light optical effect in the area of X and a comparatively stronger color band in the area at Y. It can be readily seen that in the event of improper rotation of the club as by improper wrist rotation, to move the apex 14 in the direction R there will be an increased density of color in the area of X and a comparative decrease in the area at Y. Conversely, an improper rotation of the club to move the apex in a direction contrary to R causes a significantly wider band of color and diminution in the area at X. Thus, the indicium serves not only as a guide to the correct arc of swing in addressing the ball but further provides a guide during the stroke.

A modification of my indicium resembling an arrow 10 is shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that the indicium is at the peculiar critical angle that corresponds to the arc of swing indicated by arrow 24'.

In constructing the indicium on a club, I have for specific clubs experientially determined the location of the point 14 by trial and error, asby swinging the club in a proper arc and adjusting the indicium to the arc.

In the following numbered woods of one make L, M, N, and O in inches were found to be as follows with the indicium properly placed:

tude and need not be taken into consideration. However, since clubs are manufactured with an established shaft suitable for the man the position 14 may be accurately determined experientially with each club. I have found the 'indicium is best constructed by locating, marking it and painting it prior to the lacquering of the head of the wood.

Iclaim:

1. The combination with the head of a golf wood having a shaft, a striking face, a toe, a heel, a top and a back, of a wing-shaped visual aid indicium on the top of said head, said wing-shaped indicium having its broadest or body end on the top of the club adjacent said striking face, a curving tapering portion extending across the top toward the back of said head, said indicium being of a contrasting color to the color of said head and being constructed and arranged so a line may be drawn that bisects the indiciurn longitudinally and is aligned with the apparent arc of the head in the optical field of the player during a correct stroke whereby the linear density of color will indicate the alignment of the golf club head when it is in motion during the golf stroke.

2. The combination with the head of a golf wood having a shaft, a striking face, a toe, a heel, a top and a back, of an arrow-shaped visual aid indicium on the top of said head, said arrow-shaped indicium having its head on the top of the club adjacent said striking face, its body portion being tapered and extending across the top toward the back of said head, said indicium being of a contrasting color to the color of said head and being constructed and arranged symmetrically about a center line aligned with the apparent arc of the head in the optical held of the player during a correct stroke whereby the linear density of color will indicate the alignment of the golf club head when it is in motion during the golf stroke.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 89,332 Bartsch Oct. 30, 1930 1,546,612 Barnes July 21, 1925 1,660,126 Heeter Feb. 21, 1928 1,666,174 Holland Apr. 17, 1928 2,550,846 Milligan May 1, 1951 2,781,197 Wiley Feb. 12, 1957

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