Abstract:
The putting practice aid mounts on the front face of the putter head and provides a horizontal arm extending in the opposite direction of the intended initial trajectory of the putted golf ball and a second arm perpendicular to the intended trajectory. When these arms are maintained parallel to the putting surface it assures that the golfer has positioned the shaft at the correct angle relative to the putting surface and that the golfer has correctly aimed the club. The putting practice aid may also comprise an observable coating on the surface of the indicator side of the attachment tab which facilitates establishment of a proper angle between the surface of the face of the putter head and the putting surface. The design of the putting aid allows for use with commercially available putters of varying loft and accommodates handedness preferences. The concepts included in the putting practice aid may be directly incorporated into a putter, which itself then becomes a putting training device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claim priority to the provisional U.S. patent application No. 61/653,469 entitled “Right Angle Putting Practice Aid,” filed May 31, 2012. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A  “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows the top view of the potting practice aid. This view illustrates that the attachment side of the attachment tab is tapered, whereas the forward or indicator side is flat. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows another view of the putting practice aid, this time from the top and side, illustrating that the forward or indicator surface of the putting practice aid is flat. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows the putting practice aid attached to the face of a putter from a top and side perspective. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the putting practice aid from a perspective perpendicular to the trajectory of the putted golf ball. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4A  shows a side view of the putter head. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of the attachment tab. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the putting practice aid from a perspective directly in the trajectory path of a putted golf ball.  FIG. 5  illustrates the relative perspective of the lie leveling/aiming arm to the ground surface when the putter is in the correct position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the putter practice aid as attached to a standard shafted putter. 
       
    
    
     PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         Aiming/loft leveling arm  1   
         Lie leveling/aiming arm  2   
         Attachment tab  3   
         Attachment side of attachment tab  4   
         Indicator side of attachment tab  5   
         Aiming tab extension  6   
         Shim  7   
         Aiming center line  8   
         Perpendicular line  9   
         Putter face  10   
         Putting surface  11   
         Loft angle  12   
         Attachment side angle  13   
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for the purpose of improving putting technique by identifying correct putter loft, lie and alignment. The putting practice aid provides indications that the putter is being held by a golfer in correct position, meaning that with a correct loft, lie, and alignment. 
         [0026]    The forward surface of the putter, which is used to strike the golf ball, is referred to as the putter face. Putter faces are often tapered so that the bottom of the putter face extends outward and the top of the putter face contracts inwards, making a small angle with a plane perpendicular to the ground; this angle is referred to as the “loft” of a particular putter. One of the objectives of the putting technique training device described herein, is to train an individual to hold the putter so the putter face actually forms the angle with the ground, according to its rated loft. The putting practice aid assists the individual in obtaining the objective of holding the putter correctly by maintaining various elements either parallel or perpendicular to the ground. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the putting practice aid has two arms, an aiming/loft leveling arm  1  and a lie leveling/aiming arm  2 . The two arms, falling in the same plane, are perpendicular to each other with the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  extending in the opposite direction of the trajectory of the golf ball and the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  extending in a direction that is perpendicular to the desired initial trajectory of the golf ball. When properly installed, the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  points directly at the center of the putter face, which is the desired location to strike the golf ball. An attachment tab  3  is connected to the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  and is substantially perpendicular to the two arms. In this embodiment, the attachment tab  3  is positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  via an aiming tab extension  6 . In an alternate embodiment, the putting aid practice does not have an aiming tab extension  6 . 
         [0028]    In this embodiment, the attachment side of the attachment tab  4 , beginning at the aiming extension tab  6 , is tapered, i.e., the angle formed between the plane that encompasses the two perpendicular arms and the plane containing the surface on the attachment side of the attachment tab  4  ranges from 87 degrees to 99 degrees. In this embodiment, the surface of the attachment side of the attachment tab  4  above and below the aiming extension tab  6  are similarly tapered. 
         [0029]    The attachment side of the attachment tab  4  is tapered so as to facilitate connection with the face of the putter, which is also tapered. For example, in one embodiment, a putter with a 3 degree loft (i.e., forms an angle of 87 degrees with the putting surface) could be mated-up with a putting practice aid with an attachment side of attachment tab  4  that has a 93 degree angle. Embodiments of the pulling practice aid are selected so that the sum of the angles of the putter face  10  and the attachment side of the attachment tab  4  is substantially equal to 180 degrees. 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, the attachment sides of the attachment tab  4 , above and below the plane that encompasses the two perpendicular arms, are tapered. Since each of the attachment sides of the attachment tab  4  are tapered, it is possible to attach the putting practice aid to left-handed and right handed putters by rotating the putting practice aid so that the top side of the two arms becomes the bottom side when attached to a putter with the opposite handedness. 
         [0031]    In the embodiment illustrated, in  FIG. 1 , an aiming center line  8  is imposed substantially down the center of the rectangular shaped aiming/loft leveling arm  1 . In one embodiment, the aiming center line  8  may be coated with an observable coating to facilitate easy observation. Such observable coatings may be reflective or of a color and or texture that presents sufficient contrast to the putting surface to be visible by the ordinary user when attempting to use the putting aid. In one example, the observable coating is white, providing good contrast against the color of the putting surface  11  which is usually green. In another embodiment the aiming center line  8  may be grooved. In yet another embodiment, the aiming center line  8  may be a raised surface. 
         [0032]    In the embodiment Illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a perpendicular line  9  is imposed substantially in the center of the rectangular shaped lie leveling/aiming arm  2 . In one embodiment, the perpendicular line  9  may be coated with an observable coating to facilitate easy observation. Such observable coatings may be reflective or of a color and or texture that presents sufficient contrast to the putting surface to be visible by the ordinary user when attempting to use the putting aid. In one example, the observable coating is white, providing good contrast against the color of the putting surface  11  which is usually green. In another embodiment the perpendicular line  9  may be grooved. In yet another embodiment, the perpendicular line  9  may be a raised surface. 
         [0033]    The putting practice aid may be formed as a single continuous unit or may be constructed such that the two arms and attachment tab snap together to form the unit. Embodiments that include multiple pieces that snap together may be joined by pegs and holes or snug fitting protrusions and receivers. 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , the putting practice aid is presented from a different angle. In addition to showing the features described above as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , this illustration includes details that illustrates that the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is not tapered and instead is substantially flat. The indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is perpendicular to the plane that encompasses the two perpendicular arms. When the putting practice aid is attached to a putter and is held in the correct position, the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is perpendicular to the putting surface. In one embodiment the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is coated with an observable coating to facilitate easy observation, or lack therein, of the surface of the indicator side of the attachment tab  5 . Such observable coatings may be reflective or of a color and or texture that presents sufficient contrast to the putting surface  11 . In one example, the observable coating is white, providing good contrast against the color of a typically green putting surface. 
         [0035]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the putting practice aid is attached to a putter. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, a portion of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  rests upon the top surface of the putter. Embodiments of this device may utilize this contact surface for attaching the putting practice aid to the putter, although other embodiments need not rely on attaching the surface of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  to the upper surface of the putter. Attachment may be accomplished with adhesives or magnetic surfaces. The aiming/loft leveling arm  1  is perpendicular to the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  and extends in the opposition direction of the intended initial trajectory of the putted ball. When properly installed, both the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  and the aiming center line  8  point to the middle of the putter face  10 . When the putting practice aid is attached to a putter and is held in the correct position, both the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  and the perpendicular line  9  are perpendicular to the planned initial trajectory of the golf ball. 
         [0036]    The attachment tab  3  is removably attached to the approximately vertical face of the putter. Placement of the attachment tab  3  on the putter face  10  allows for a full moment connection to support the cantilevered aiming/loft leveling arm  1 . In one embodiment, the putting practice aid is removably connected to the putter face  10  via the attachment tab  3  with adhesives. In another embodiment, the attachment tab may be magnetic or contain a magnetic coating which would removably attach to a metal club face. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  also shows the relative placement of the attachment tab  3 , relative to the horizontal length of the putter face  10 . In this embodiment, the attachment tab  3  is attached to the putter toward the end of the putter face  10 , so as to avoid the (horizontal) center of the putter face  10 , as the putter is intended to strike the ball at the center of the putter face  10 . The embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is consistent with a standard shafted putter. In this embodiment, the attachment tab  3  is located toward the center of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2 . Such arrangement would be consistent for standard shafted putters, i.e., shaft extends from the end of the putter head. In another embodiment, the attachment tab  3  is placed closer to the intersection of the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  and the lie leveling/aiming arm  2 . That embodiment is consistent with an attachment to a heel or center shafted putter. Other embodiments may include an attachment tab  3  that is located anywhere from the end of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  that is closest to the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  to about two-thirds the length of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  in the other direction. 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , the putting practice aid is attached to a putter.  FIG. 4  illustrates the relative position of the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  and the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  to the putting surface  11 . The aiming/loft leveling arm  1  is parallel to the putting surface  11 ; the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is perpendicular to the putting surface  11 . Maintaining these relative positions are indicators that the putter is being held in a correct position. 
         [0039]    The putter face  10  head slants inward, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; the amount of angle deviation from vertical is known as the loft angle  12 . Correct putter loft is obtained when the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  is parallel with the ground and the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is perpendicular to the putting surface  11 . When correct putter loft position is obtained, the actual angle of the deviation from vertical is consistent with the loft rating of the golf club. When improper putter loft position is obtained, the actual deviation from vertical is an angle different than the rating of the golf club. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  also demonstrates use of a shim  7 . Shims are used when the angle of loft for a specific putter exceeds the required angle of the attachment side of the attachment tab  4  to facilitate parallel and perpendicular indicators as discussed previously. For example, when connecting a putting practice aid with a attachment side angle  13  of 93 degree (relative to a plane horizontal to the putting surface  11 ) to a putter with a loft angle  12  of 5 degrees (which has a face that makes an 85 degree angle with reference to the putting surface), it is necessary to insert a shim  7  with a 2 degree angle (relative to the vertical plane). The shim may come as an angled adhesive, i.e., that is a shim of a desired angle that has adhesive material on both sides, or may be magnetic. The shim may also be made of plastic, cellulosic, or metal, requiring the addition of an adhesive material on each side to mount it in place. 
         [0041]    Now referring to  FIG. 4A , the putter face  10  makes an angle in reference to the putting surface  11  ranging from 81 degrees to 93 degrees. Putter faces are often tapered so that the bottom of the putter face extends outward and the top of the putter face contracts inwards, making a small angle with a plane perpendicular to the ground; this angle is referred to as the loft angle  12  of a particular putter. For example, a particular putter may have a loft angle  12  of 3 degrees. A putter face  10  with a loft angle  12  of 3 degrees will form an angle with the putting surface II of 87 degrees. 
         [0042]    Now referring to  FIG. 4B , the angle of the tapered attachment side the attachment tab  4  is herein referred to as the attachment side angle  13 , which may vary, but is usually between 87 degrees and 99 degrees when comparing the horizontal plane containing the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  and the attachment side of the attachment tab  4 . Multiple embodiments of the putting practice aid may be produced with fixed attachment side angles  13  ranging from 87 degrees to 99 degrees; for example embodiments could be at 87 degrees, 93 degrees, up to 99 degrees, including any angle in between. In an alternative embodiment, the putting practice device is produced with a single angle and fitted with shims  7  of varying small angles to make up the differences. 
         [0043]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , the putting practice aid is attached to a putter.  FIG. 5  illustrates the relative perspective of the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  to the putting surface  11 . The shaft of a golf club rises diagonally as it leaves the putter head; the angle between the shaft and the ground is called the “lie.” Correct putting position is obtained, and the angle of rise matches the rated lie, when the top surface of the putter head is parallel to the putting surface  11 . Correct putter lie position is obtained when the aim leveling arm  2  is parallel with the ground. When the aim leveling arm  2  is parallel to the putting surface  11 , the upper surface of the putter head is also parallel to the ground. 
         [0044]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , which presents a top view of the putting practice aid, attached to the top side of a standard shafted putter. This diagram illustrates the use of the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  to line up the golf ball to assure that the actual original trajectory of the golf ball, alter striking the ball, is lined up with the Intended trajectory.  FIG. 6  also illustrates that when the putter is maintained in the correct position, that the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is no longer visible to an individual (such as the golfer holding the putter) that is standing directly above the putter. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the putting practice aid may be used on both left-handed and right handed putters. Both the surface of the attachment side of the attachment tab  4 , above and below the plane that encompasses the two perpendicular arms are tapered to form an alternate angle with the putter face  10 . Since both sides are tapered, it is possible to attach the putting practice aid to left-handed and right handed putters by rotating the putting practice aid so that the top side of the two arms (initially facing upward) becomes the bottom (subsequently facing the putting surface  11 ) side when attached to a putter with the opposite handedness. In another embodiment, the putting practice aid may have only one taper attachment tab below the plane that encompasses the two perpendicular arms. Under such circumstances, the resulting putting practice aid will be either a left-handed or right handed device, depending on the configuration. 
         [0046]    Multiple embodiments of the putting practice aid will allow for use with putters having varying lofts. As described above, the putting practice aid may have a fixed angle to match-up conveniently with specific commercially available putters. For example, a putting practice aid with an attachment side angle  13  of 93 degrees would be appropriate to match up with a putter with a 3 degree loft. Otherwise, the effective loft of a fixed angle putting practice aid may be altered by adding shims as previously described to increase the angle to the angle desired. 
         [0047]    As discussed above, one result of correct putter loft position is that the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  is perpendicular to the ground. As a result of this relative position of the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  in reference to the ground, said indicator side “disappears” from the view of the golfer. Although such may also happen in the event that the golfer over rotates the club by forward pressing the putter head too much, the golfer may appropriately determine proper alignment by maintaining a position where said front surface has just disappeared from the golfers sight. 
         [0048]    Features of different embodiments can be combined in one device even if discussed separately in the application. For example, a flat panel or putting aid tab, similar in shape to the attachment tab  3 , could be attached on the upper surface of a putter head. In this embodiment, a putting aid tab, similar to the indicator side of the attachment tab  5  would be attached to the top surface of the putter so that the putting aid tab is perpendicular to the ground when the putter was held in the correct position, with the actual loft (in reference to the putting surface  11 ) matching the loft angle  12  of the putter. This putting aid tab could be permanently attached to the putter, or could be temporarily attached to the upper surface of the putter via temporary connections, such as a peg and hole arrangement. Under such circumstance, one could produce a standard or tournament approved putter that has receivers (e.g., holes) in the upper surface, to accept the indicator tab connectors (e.g. pegs). Also, since the backside of the putting aid tab is not used for attachment, one or both sides of the indicator tab may be coated with an observable coating, and may be used to assure that the putter is placed in the correct position to achieve the desired actual loft. Such observable coatings may be reflective or of a color and or texture that presents sufficient contrast to the putting surface  11  to be visible by the ordinary user when attempting to use the putting aid. In one example, the observable coating is white, providing good contrast against the color of the putting surface  11  which is usually green. 
         [0049]    Considering the above, the various parts of the practice putting aid have different but related purposes. For example, the attachment tab  3  has at least two functions: attachment of the device to the putter head and indication of correct loft. As discussed previously, the attachment side of the attachment tab  4  is removably attached to the putter face  10 . When properly used, the indicator side of the attachment tab functions as an indicator that the relative angle of the putter face  10  to the putting surface  11  is correct; that is consistent with the rating of the putter loft. 
         [0050]    The aiming/loft leveling arm  1  has multiple purposes. When properly installed, this arm points directly at the center of the putter face  10 , which is the desired location to strike the golf ball. When properly used, the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  also functions as an indicator that the relative angle of the putter face  10  to the putting surface  11  is correct; that is consistent with the rating of the putter loft. The aiming/loft leveling arm  1  also aids in establishing correct alignment of the golfers feet; perpendicular to the aiming/loft leveling arm  1 , with the tip of the shoes (or toes) forming a line that is parallel to the line formed by the aiming/loft leveling arm  1 . Finally, the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  functions by providing an indication of the initial path of the ball off the face of the putter head, allowing for improved aim. 
         [0051]    The lie leveling/aiming arm  2  has multiple functions. First the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  extends the putter face  10  for more accurate perpendicular alignment to the intended putting line. Second, the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  improves the aiming of the putter face  10  by setting it perpendicular to the intended putter face. Finally, the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  provides an indication that the putter face  10  is level, resulting in a putter position that is consistent with the rated value of the putter, which is the angle between the shaft and the ground, known as the lie angle. 
         [0052]    Use of the putting practice aid facilitates correct body position and holding of the putter by the golfer by providing indication of achieving the desired and correct loft, lie, and alignment of the putter. Correct position means that 1) the actual loft angle  12  is consistent with the putters rating, the shaft of the putter is maintained at the correct lie angle, resulting is a top surface of the putter head maintaining a position that is parallel with the putting surface, and the putter face is aligned in the direction of intended trajectory. A golfer maintains correct position of the putter though use of the putting practice aid by maintaining the aiming/loft leveling arm  1  and the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  parallel to putting surface  11 , the indicator side of the attachment tab in a position that is perpendicular to the putting surface  11 , and the lie leveling/aiming arm  2  is pointing in the direction of initial trajectory.