Abstract:
The invention is a putter training device which comprises a laser, housing for the laser, with to connect the laser to a battery source, a battery source, and a trigger. The housing, incorporating the laser is affixed to the putter face, the wire is wound around the shaft of the putter and the battery source/trigger is affixed to the grip of the putter. The invention is designed to be removed and reattached easily and without need for frequent adjustment or calibration. Proper use of the invention simultaneously addresses three common problems for golfers: aim, effective loft, and inconsistent and off-center impact points. The device can be used indoors or out and with or without a ball. The Trigger and the laser can communicate using RF transmissions in an alternative embodiment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This patent claims a priority date of Provisional Patent No. 60/358,503 dated Feb. 19, 2002. 
     
    
     
       COPYRIGHT STATEMENT  
         [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    This invention relates to golf club alignment devices, in particular putting alignment devices incorporating one or more lasers. 1. Background Putting is an important part of the game of golf. Roughly 30% to 50% of strokes occur on or around the green for most golfers. Most professional golfers would, in fact, say that it is the most important part of the game. Their ability to make a relatively high percentage of fairly easy putts is critical to maintaining a competitive edge. Most highly skilled golfers devote a large portion of their practice hours at the putting green or indoor facilities. Less skilled golfers should probably devote more.  
           [0004]    Putting is a very difficult skill to perfect. It is the only shot that maintains contact with the ground over its entire distance. As a consequence, there are a number of factors that influence the result of a putt. The quality of the putting surface, the amount of break or bend in the putt, the direction of the putter face at impact, the path of the putter head at impact, the location of the impact point on the putter face, the amount of relative loft at impact, and the amount of force applied are just some of the factors involved.  
           [0005]    A lot of experimentation and analysis has been done in the field. Of all the categories above, one of the most important is that relating to the direction of the putter face at impact, “aim” in general usage. Where the putter face is aimed, at the moment of impact with the golf ball has an enormous effect upon the result of the putt. Or at least on the path the ball travels.  
           [0006]    Most putting training aids incorporating lasers attempt to assist the golfer in correctly aiming or aligning this putter. If correctly utilized, these devices will give useful feedback to the golfer whether through a point or line of light. In theory the golfer will be able to see exactly where he is aimed and, with practice, become more adept at positioning the club properly. However, these devices are generally cumbersome to use, unduly hard to calibrate, and not necessarily very accurate. There continues to exist a significant need for a laser based putting training aid that is easy to use and gives valuable, accurate feedback.  
           [0007]    2. Description of Prior Art Related patents and Noted patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,611,739, 5,165,691, 5,169,150, 5,193,812, 5,207,429, 5,213,331, 5,330,188 and 5,388,832.  
           [0008]    The need for a putter trainer that is very accurate, non-cumbersome and easy to calibrate shows that there is still room for improvement in the art.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention relates to a putter trainer that is accurate, non-cumbersome and easy to calibrate.  
           [0010]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a putter trainer that allows a user to train with accuracy. It is another object of the present invention to provide a putter trainer that is non-cumbersome to use and easy to calibrate. The invention comprises a laser, housing for the laser, with a connection of the laser to a battery source, a battery source, and a trigger. The housing, incorporating the laser is affixed to the putter face, the wire is wound around the shaft of the putter and the battery source/trigger is affixed to the grip of the putter. The invention is designed to be removed and reattached easily and without need for frequent adjustment or calibration. Proper use of the invention simultaneously addresses three common problems for golfers: aim, effective loft, and inconsistent and off-center impact points. The device can be used indoors or out and with or without a ball. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 shows the device on a putter;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 shows the components of the switch unit;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 shows the switch unit;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 shows the switch unit on a putter;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 show the swith unit with the door open;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 shows the components of the base unit;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 shows a side front view of the base unit on a putter head;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 shows a side back view of the base unit on a putter head;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 shows a side view of the base unit on a putter head;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 shows a top view of the base unit on a putter head;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 shows a front view of the base unit on a putter head;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 shows a side back view of the base unit;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 shows a side front view of the base unit; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 shows the base unit and switch unit using wireless communication. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    The following description of a putter trainer is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses.  
         [0027]    There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS.  2 - 13 , the putting guidance device  1  is composed of two main members connected via a wire  30 . The two units are described as a base unit  20  and a switch unit  50 . It should be noted here that a key concept of this design is that the design can be used with all styles of putters  60 .  
         [0029]    The switch unit  50  gets attached to the putter grip  67  portion of a conventional putter  60 . The switch base  57  part of the switch  50  has two molded in slots  58  opposite each other for allowing a Velcro band  51  to secure the switch  50  to the grip portion  67  of the putter  60 . The switch unit  50  runs parallel with the putter shaft  60  with the switch  70  on the switch unit  50  facing the top of the grip of the putter  60 . As stated, the switch portion is connected through a connection means  51 , such as Velcro, around the grip of the putter shaft  60  and the cable or wire  30  is then coiled down the shaft to where the base unit  20  is attached. The base unit  20  is attached to the face  62  of the putter  60 . The unit does not require the user to use a special putter to practice with the device  1 . The base unit  20  gets attached by an attaching means  8  such as reusable tape to the face or ball striking side of the putter head  62 . The base unit  20   62  has features such as pins  6  molded in that allow the user to easily attach and align the unit on to the face  62 .  
         [0030]    As shown in FIG. 2, the switch assembly  50  consists of seven fixed components and batteries  85 . The switch consists of a molded base  57 , top  59  and battery door  55 . The top of the switch assembly  50  has an elastomeric switch button  70 . The end where the wire  30  exits the housing  50  is contained in an elastomeric strain relief  52 . The battery door  55  is captured between the top  59  and base  57  pieces and allows access to the power source which in the preferred embodiment is batteries  85  held inside the switch assembly  50 . The batteries  85  are contained inside the plastic housing via a metal battery holder  80  and electrical contact carrier  85 . The battery carrier  85  is heat stacked to the base piece  57 . The top  59  and base piece  57  in the preferred embodiment are connect by a connecting means such as screws  5  which is screwed together capturing the battery door  55 , elastomeric switch  70  and wire strain relief  52 . The base piece  57  is an injection-molded part that has two opposing slots for an attaching means  51  which in the preferred embodiment is a Velcro strap. The Velcro strap  51  is woven through the base part for attaching the complete assembly  50  to the putter  60 . The batteries  85  are changed by the user through the battery door  55 . The battery door  55  has a hinging means about an axis that runs parallel with switch assemble  50 . The battery door  55  has a molded in detent  9  that snaps the door  55  shut. The door  55  must be deflected to bypass the snap and open the door  55 .  
         [0031]    At the base of the elastomeric switch  70  there is a small metal contact  75  that is glued to the base of the elastomeric switch  70 . The metal contact  75  serves the purpose contacting the top of the battery stack  85 , therefore closing the circuit and engaging the laser  10 . The current flows out of the switch assemble  50  via the wire  30 . The wire  30  comes out of the switch assembly  50  through the strain relief  52 .  
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment, the base  57 , top  59  and door  55  are made through an injection molding process using a strong but light weight material such as a hard plastic. The elastomeric switch and the elastomeric strain relief are molded.  
         [0033]    In the preferred embodiment, the elastomeric switch  70  on the switch unit  50  activates the laser projection unit  25  only when depressed. This gives feedback only when desired. The golfer can position the club  60  so as to aim at a target and, upon depressing the switch  70 , learn how accurate his aim is.  
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment, the elastomeric switch  70  is very sensitive. This, combined with the ability to position the switch unit  50  anywhere on the grip mean that the laser projection means  25  can be activated with very light pressure and very small finger movements. The less force required, the less putter head  62  movement and the more accurate the feedback.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 6 and FIGS.  7 - 13 , the base unit  20  is composed of seven parts. The base unit  20  uses a clamshell design to capture all components inside the base housing  23 . The main pieces are called the base bottom  21  and base top  22 . In the preferred embodiment, both the base bottom  21  and top  22  are injection-molded parts made of a durable light weight plastic. When combined the top  22  and bottom  21  become a contained housing  23  that resembles a piece of twisted ribbon in the form of an upside down “U”. This forms two base unit legs, left  26  and right  27 . The apex or tangent of the “U” is where a laser projector such as a laser diode  25  is located. In the preferred embodiment, the laser projector is a laser diode  25  which is an OEM assembly that consists of the laser diode and a small PC board. The laser diode board is 90 degrees to the axis of the beam. The diode is housed in a tubular portion  24  of the base bottom piece and is then captured by the top when screwed down. The wires from the diode PC board runs down one of the two legs of the “U” assembly to a stain relief  59  that is captured between the top  22  and bottom  21  main housing parts of the base unit  20 . The laser diode  25  can be positioned on either leg to allow for both left and right hand assemblies. The side that does not take the strain relief and wire  30  is filled with a second elastomeric part in the base assembly  23 . The clamshell assembly is contained with the use of two screws S. In the preferred embodiment, a Standard class IIIa laser warning sticker  7  conceals the screw heads.  
         [0036]    The base  20  has a connecting means to connect it to the putter face  62 , in the preferred embodiment this is a small piece of double-sided tape  8  on each of the legs that is used to adhere the unit to the face of the putter  60 . The tape  8  has a permanent side and a removable side. As an alternative, the base unit  20  could be attached to the putter face  62  through the use of Velcro. The Velcro would be placed on the putter face  62  and the Velcro mates would be on the legs  26  and  27 . The user would then remove the part by detaching the Velcro. The removable side allows the user to remove and reuse the tape as often as desired. As shown in FIGS.  6 - 13 , the shape of the base unit  20  when attached to the putter face is that of an upside down “U”, as stated, with the tangent of the “U” jetting away from the putter face. This jetting out reveals an open area between the base legs  26  and  27 . This is called the “ball viewing port”  95 . The ball viewing port  95  allows the user to see the ball  90  on or next to the putter face  62  and when the ball  90  is impacted by the putter  60 . The base unit  20  accommodates for 3 to 4 degrees of putter face  62  loft.  
         [0037]    As detailed in FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing  20 , when properly affixed to the putter face  62 , is designed so as to offset the loft on the putter face  62  and project a light beam  92  parallel to the ground  100  and perpendicular to the putter face  62 . Most putters  60  are manufactured to incorporate a small amount of loft in the design, 3 degree address is most common. The loft is intended to help the ball get up on top of the grass surface and rolling quickly and smoothly. In the preferred embodiment uses an offset of 3 degrees of loft but may well be introduced in other lofts offsets, as consumer demand requires. By neutralizing the effect of this loft the golfer is able to aim at low-height targets even over considerable distances.  
         [0038]    The projection of a beam of light  92  from a “properly” soled club  60  allows the golfer to measure the effective loft of his clubface at address. Many, but by no means all, golfers use a “forward press” to reduce the angle of the forward wrist. This device  1  allows golfers to see the effect of their forward press on the relative angle of the putter face  62 . Too much forward press and the ball  90  will tend to bounce before rolling. The point of laser light  92  traveling only a short distance before striking the ground indicates this. Too much loft and the ball  90  will jump. A point of light  92  well above parallel indicates this. Both instances increase the variability of the result and are to be avoided. As a consequence, due to its design gives the golfer valuable insight into the position of his hands and wrists and the relative loft of the putter face  62  at address. Players can then adjust to a more desired position through practice.  
         [0039]    The legs  26  and  27  of the base unit  20  will incorporate a series of markings, lines, dots, tabs or pegs in order to make accurate attachment to the putter face simple. These markings may cut into and or project slightly back from the legs  26  and  27 . To the extent that the base unit  20  must be twisted slightly on the putter face  62  to achieve maximum accuracy, the markings, lines, dots or tabs will also assist the golfer in reattaching the device consistently at later date.  
         [0040]    As stated above, the “arch” joins the legs. The arch incorporates the laser at or near its apex. The arch is curved when viewed from above and projects outward, away from the clubface when properly affixed to the putter. This curvature is very important as it creates the ball viewing port  95  through which some of the ball may be viewed, even as the invention is used. By allowing the golfer to see the majority of the ball  90 , particularly that portion of the ball  90  nearest the putter face  62 , it helps the mind of the golfer to ignore the base unit  20 , keeping his perception of the putter head  62  as unchanged as possible.  
         [0041]    The design of the base unit  20  keeps the entire housing unit  23  in front (in the direction of the target) of the putter face  62 . This is important. This allows the golfer to practice with the invention without altering his perception of the putter  60 . The housing  23  obscures no lines, angles or other visual cues provided by the putter head  62 . The golfer”s perception of the putter head  62  is critical in determining aim. A golfer presented with a variety of differently shaped putters  60  will often aim them differently due solely to the changing visual cues. Even while using this device  1 , the golfer still retains completely clear access to the visual features of his putter head  62 .  
         [0042]    In the preferred embodiment, the color of the base unit  20  is neutral, leading the golfer”s eye to ignore the base unit  20  and stay focused upon the ball  90  and the putter head  62 . Again this helps minimize any perceptual impact from using the device  1 .  
         [0043]    As covered above, the shape of the base unit  20  when viewed from above is curved. When attempting to aim a putter  60 , golfers use lines on the putter  60 , the flat surface of the face, and other angles in order to calculate a “square” position with the face of the putter at 90 degrees to the desired taget line. The curved shape of the base unit  20  when viewed from above provides no assistance here. Again, the eye of the golfer will be forced to look somewhere other than the base unit  20  for visual cues in aiming.  
         [0044]    The laser diode  25  projects a very narrow beam of light  92 . The indication of aim is represented, in the embodiment as a point of light on the surface of the target. One of the main thought processes shared by good putters is the mental narrowing of the aim to focus on a single spot, blade of grass, or edge of the cup. The iterative learning process involved here promotes this kind of concentration. The feedback is such that it becomes more meaningful the smaller the target chosen.  
         [0045]    In the preferred embodiment, the base unit  20  is made of a very lightweight material such as plastic. This allows the golfer to maintain a nearly consistent feel between a putter with the housing attached and one with it removed. The putting aid device  1  has the distribution of weight between the base unit  20 , the wiring  30  and the switch assembly  30  reduces the impact on the “swing weight” of the putter  60 . The putter  60  may be slightly lighter with the putting aid device  1  removed but it will feel much the same in the hands of the golfer.  
         [0046]    The legs  27  and  28  of the base unit  20  are spaced wide enough to allow putts to be hit near the center of the putter face  62 . The legs  27  and  28  will noticeably affect any putts hit too far away from the center of the putter face  62 . This will provide valuable feedback to golfers with an erratic pattern of impact points. It is well documented that good putters tend to hit putts consistently in the center of the putter face  62 . Use of this aid will help poor putters become more consistent in this regard.  
         [0047]    Alternative Embodiment  
         [0048]    An alternative embodiment of the putting guidance device  1  is to have the trigger assembly  50  and the base unit  20  connected through a wireless means without the use of a wire  30 . As shown in FIG. 14, this is done by having an RF (Radio Frequency) transmitter  130  in the trigger assembly. The base unit  20  would have an RF receiver  140  within the base unit. The elastomeric switch  70  would be triggered sending a signal to the RF transmitter  130  which would transmit a signal  135  to the RF receiver  140  in the base unit  20 . The base unit would also have its own power source such as batteries  185 .  
         [0049]    Operation Once the putting guidance device  1  is attached to the putter  60  the user can now practice putting and then switching on the laser projection means  25  by the elastomeric switch  70  to see how accurate the putt would be. The putting guidance device  1  also allows the user to take the putt if desired.  
         [0050]    The switch assembly  30  can be placed anywhere on the grip  67  with the use of a connecting means  51  such as a Velcro cinch or similar attachment mechanism. It is important that the golfer be able to position the trigger assembly  50  just below the bottom of his fingers as he takes his normal grip on the putter  60 .  
         [0051]    The projection of a beam of light  92  parallel from the ground  100  and perpendicular to the club face  62  from a “properly” soled club  60  allows the golfer to measure the effective loft of his clubface at address. Many, but by no means all, golfers use a “forward press” to reduce the angle of the forward press on the relative angle of the putter face. Too much loft and the ball will jump. A point of light well above parallel indicates this. This increases the variability of the result and is to be avoided. As a consequence, due to its design gives the golfer valuable insight into the position of his hands and wrists and the relative loft of the putter face at address. Users can then adjust to a more desired position through practice.  
         [0052]    The invention can be used with any putter  60  with a sufficiently flat ball-striking face. This describes the vast majority of putters  60  on the market. In particular the position of the shaft in the putter head  62  has no impact on the efficiency of the invention.  
         [0053]    It can be used with either right or left-handed putters  60 . The base housing  23  can be opened and the wiring  30  switched to the opposite side.  
         [0054]    Advantages  
         [0055]    The previously described version of the present invention has many advantages, including many elements missing in all prior art.  
         [0056]    The putting guidance device  1  is intended to be used by novice to somewhat advanced golfers who are interested in improving their aim when putting. It allows the user to line up a putt, see the ball at the face of the putter and then switch on the laser to see how accurate the putt would be. This feedback allows the golfer to gain an understanding about how much deviation is in their current stroke and where to correct it. The putting guidance device  1  gives instant feedback as to where the golfer is actually aiming. A key feature about the putting guidance device  1  is the ability to use the device with the putter  60  that will be used in play. Once a golfer uses the putting guidance device  1  he/she can make small adjustments on the green based on feedback from the device. As stated before the ball viewing port allows the user to see the ball next to the putter face and when the ball is impacted by the putter.  
         [0057]    Aspects of putting improved by this design: As variously discussed above, there are many aspects of putting that are positively reinforced through using this aid. To be very clear these are:  
         [0058]    1. Aiming of the putter face. The user knows immediately whether he has aimed left or right of his target.  
         [0059]    2. Effective loft of the putter at set up. The user will get immediate information on how much forward press is involved in his set up. It may well be that, in order to achieve a better roll on his putts, the user uses the aid to either increase or decrease that press.  
         [0060]    3. Hitting the putt in the center of the putter face. If the putter face impacts the ball too far away from the center of the putter face the legs of the housing will send the ball away on a path that indicates a miss-hit.  
         [0061]    4. Achieving a narrow focus of aim. To be useful this aid has to be aimed at very specific targets. As the user gets better at the aiming process, the targets used will naturally decrease in size. This promotes the same sort of very specific targeting that is so useful on the course.  
         [0062]    5. Understanding the effects of head movement. One of the big problems many putters have is moving their head and or shoulders during the stroke. Typically this is done in order to see the result. Unfortunately this “looking” often results in head and shoulder movement during the stroke, even if the intent is to look after the stroke. Use of this aid allows the golfer to see the effect of moving his head. Unless that movement is very small and or slow (better yet if it is just the eyes), the point of light on the target will tend to shift. This awareness is critical if the golfer is to avoid this fault of “looking” too early.  
         [0063]    6. Improved stroke. The ability to hit the ball while the aid is on the putter is very useful. If the golfer verifiably knows that, at the time of initiating the putting stroke, he is aimed directly at his chosen target, any miss must be a result of some other factor. Further, if practice is done on a level and smooth surface (no break) the miss is almost certainly a result of a stroke or impact flaw. Further practice combined with the desire to “get the ball in the hole” will naturally result in a stroke that gets the ball to roll at least initially towards whatever target is chosen.  
         [0064]    7. The legs of the housing are attached to the putter face using double sided tape, magnets, glue, of some other type of adhesive that can be readily removed from and then reattached to the putter face.  
         [0065]    Although many features, functions, and advantages of the present invention have been described in this specification, together with details of the structure of specific embodiments thereof, the description as a whole is illustrative only, and substitutions may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, dimension and arrangement of elements within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the claims are expressed.  
         [0066]    Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.