Patent Publication Number: US-6702688-B2

Title: Golf putter training system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/394,769 filed Jul. 10, 2002. The Ser. No. 60/394,769 application is currently pending. The Ser. No. 60/394,769 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to putting aides and more specifically it relates to a golf putter training system for developing a controlled putter head velocity and acceleration during a putting swing. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional putting aides are typically comprised of complex structures that are designed to assist, the golfer with their shot alignment. Many putting aides are comprised of complex mechanical structures that allegedly assist in the putter swing. Other putting aides that have an aperture within the putter head behind the face of the putter head. Additional putting aides provide attachments to an existing putter head that form an aperture behind the putter head. 
     The main problem with conventional putting aides is that they are bulky and difficult to utilize. Another problem with conventional putting aides is that they do not effectively assist in the development of a controlled putting swing. Another problem with conventional putting aides is that they sometimes are not designed for both left-handed and right-handed golfers. A further problem with conventional putting aides is that they sometimes significantly alter the balance and weight of the putter club. Another problem with conventional putting aides is that they sometimes require the usage of a putter device different from their preferred putter club. Another problem with conventional putting aides is that they do not provide feedback from an actual golf ball. Conventional putting aides also do not prevent a golfer from undesirably decelerating or improperly accelerating the putter head during the putting swing. 
     Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 0,016,212 to Middleton; U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,343 to Eckert; U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,262 to Bandiero; U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,962 to Lin; U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,259 to Opie; U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,515 to Redkey; U.S. Pat. No. 402,724 to Minami; U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,477 to Phelan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,268 to Shier; U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,332 to Bernhardt; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,422 to Fisher. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for developing a controlled putter head velocity and acceleration during a putting, swing. Conventional putting aides are complex and difficult to effectively utilize in the development of a controlled putting swing. 
     In these respects, the golf putter training system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of developing a controlled putter head velocity and acceleration during a putting swing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of putting aides now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new golf putter training system construction wherein the same can be utilized for developing a controlled putter head velocity and acceleration during a putting swing. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new golf putter training system that has many of the advantages of the putting aides mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new golf putter training system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art putting aides, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a body having a rear portion and a front portion, a main aperture within the body for receiving a conventional golf ball in a rotatable manner, a rear opening within the rear portion of the body connected to the main aperture, a plurality of brace members extending below the lower edge of the putter head, and a plurality of lower members and upper members extending from the rear portion for receiving a plurality of connector members. The connector members are attachable about the putter head thereby securing the body thereto. A plurality of apertures may be positioned within the rear portion of the body for receiving an elongate attachment member that is attachable to the shaft of the putter club. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter training system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide a golf putter training system for developing a controlled putter head velocity and acceleration during a putting swing. 
     Another object is to provide a golf putter training system that is removably attached to an existing putter club. 
     An additional object is to provide a golf putter training system that may be removably attached to a putter head in various manners. 
     A further object is to provide a golf putter training system that is attachable to various designs and sizes of putter clubs. 
     An additional object is to provide a golf putter training system that provides immediate feedback regarding their putting swing. 
     A further object is to provide a golf putter training system that indicates to the golfer when they are improperly accelerating or decelerating the putter head during a putting swing. 
     Another object is to provide a golf putter training system that allows a golfer to both aim and shoot at a target with a regulation golf ball. 
     A further object is to provide a golf putter training system that allows a golfer to swing a putter club in a pendulum manner with a ball freely rolling within. 
     Another object is to provide a golf putter training system that may be utilized by both right-handed and left-handed golfers. 
     A further object is to provide a golf putter training system that does not significantly alter the physical characteristics of a putter club. 
     Another object is to provide a golf putter training system that improves a golfer&#39;s putting swing. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front upper perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear upper perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention attached to a putter head. 
     FIG. 4 is a front upper perspective view of the present invention attached to a putter head with a golf ball positioned within. 
     FIG. 5 is a lower rear perspective view of the present invention attached to a putter head. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a side cutaway view of the present invention attached to a putter club moving forwardly from a rear position. 
     FIG. 6 b  is a side cutaway view of the present invention attached to a putter club moving forwardly from a middle position. 
     FIG. 6 c  is a side cutaway view of the present invention attached to a putter club moving forwardly from a front position. 
     FIG. 6 d  is a side cutaway view of the present invention attached to a putter club moving forwardly with the golf ball being properly released. 
     FIG. 7 is a front upper perspective view of the present invention disclosing an alternative attachment method. 
     FIG. 8 is a front upper perspective view of a second alternative attachment method. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the second alternative attachment method. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a golf putter training system  10 , which comprises a body  20  having a rear portion  22 ,  24  and a front portion  26 , a main aperture  30  within the body  20  for receiving a conventional golf ball  18  in a rotatable manner, a rear opening  32  within the rear portion  22 ,  24  of the body  20  connected to the main aperture  30 , a plurality of brace members extending below the lower edge of the putter head  16 , and a plurality of lower members and upper members extending from the rear portion  22 ,  24  for receiving a plurality of connector members. The connector members are attachable about the putter head  16  thereby, securing the body  20  thereto. A plurality of apertures may be positioned within the rear portion  22 ,  24  of the body  20  for receiving an elongate attachment member  70  that is attachable to the shaft  14  of the putter club  12 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, the body  20  is preferably is comprised of a front portion  26 , a first rear portion  22  and a second rear portion  24 . The body  20  may have various shapes and sizes that are suitable for attachment to a putter head  16 . However, the body  20  preferably has a tapered structure forming a V-shape extending toward the direction of the desired travel of the golf ball  18  as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The rear edge of the rear portion  22 ,  24  preferably has a straight and flat structure for allowing non-movably positioning adjacent the face of the putter head  16 . The front portion  26  of the body  20  preferably is tapered upwardly as shown in FIGS. 6 a-d  of the drawings to reduce engagement with a ground surface during a putter swing. The body  20  is preferably comprised of a lightweight material such as but not limited to metal, plastic, fiberglass, wood, or composite material. The body  20  may be comprised of a solid, semi-solid or hollow structure. 
     A direction indicia  28  is preferably positioned within an upper surface of the body  20  for indicating the desired direction of travel of the putter head  16 . The direction indicia  28  is preferably comprised of an arrow shaped structure or line structure, however various other indicia capable of indicating a desired direction may also be utilized. The direction indicia  28  is preferably positioned within the front portion  26  of the body  20  as further shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings, the body  20  includes a main aperture  30  within for receiving a conventional sized golf ball  18  in a loose and rotatable manner. The main aperture  30  preferably has a circular cross sectional shape, however various other shapes such as oval or square may be utilized. A circular shape for the main aperture  30  provides the desired feedback to the golfer when the golf ball  18  engages the wall of the main aperture  30 . 
     The main aperture  30  preferably has a size sufficient to loosely receive a conventional golf ball  18  as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A regulation golf ball  18  in the United States has an outer diameter no less than 1.68 inches. A regulation golf ball  18  in the United Kingdom has an outer diameter no less than 1.62 inches. The main aperture  30  preferably has a diameter or width greater than the outer diameter of the golf ball  18 . 
     The main aperture  30  preferably has a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the desired golf ball  18  plus 0.04 inches. For example, golf balls  18  having an outer diameter of 1.68 inches, the main aperture  30  would have a diameter of at least 1.72 inches. For golf balls  18  having an outer diameter of 1.62 inches, the main aperture  30  would have a diameter of at least 1.66 inches. The main aperture  30  has a diameter greater than outside diameter of the golf ball  18  by at least 0.01 inches. However, it is preferably to maintain the golf ball  18  slightly non-movably within the main aperture  30  other than rotatably to provide for increased immediate feedback to the golfer during the putter swing. 
     As further shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, a rear opening  32  extends to the main aperture  30  between the first rear portion  22  and the second rear portion  24  of the body  20 . The rear opening  32  is sufficient in width for allowing the golf ball  18  to engage the face of the putter head  16  as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. However, the rear opening  32  preferably has a width less than the diameter of the main aperture  30  as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The rear opening  32  may be comprised of a straight or tapered structure designed to preferably guide the golf ball  18  to a desired location upon the putter head  16 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, a first brace member  40  and a second brace member  42  extend from a lower edge of the first rear portion  22  and the second rear portion  24  respectively. The first brace member  40  and the second brace member  42  are preferably comprised of a flat structure that prevents upwardly movement of the body  20  with respect to the putter head  16  during operation of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a first upper member  60  and a first lower member  62  extend forwardly from the first rear portion  22 . The first upper member  60  and the first lower member  62  are comprised of an extended structure that allows for a corresponding first connector  68  to secure about the putter head  16  and connect at opposing ends thereof to the first upper member  60  and the first lower member  62  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The first connector  68  may be comprised of various elongate fastening devices such as but not limited to wire, cord, plastic straps, rubber bands, neoprene strips, elastic bands, non-elastic bands, hook and loop fastener strips and the like. The first connector  68  preferably has a looped structure wherein the distal ends of the looped structure are removably engaged about the first upper member  60  and the first lower member  62 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a second upper member  64  and a second lower member  66  extend forwardly from the second rear portion  24 . The second upper member  64  and the second lower member  66  are comprised of an extended structure that allows for a corresponding second connector  69  to secure about the putter head  16  and connect at opposing ends thereof to the second upper member  64  and the second lower member  66  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The second connector  69  may be comprised of various elongate fastening devices such as but not limited to wire, cord, plastic straps, rubber bands, neoprene strips, elastic bands, non-elastic bands, hook and loop fastener strips and the like. The second connector  69  preferably has a looped structure wherein the distal ends of the looped structure are removably engaged about the second upper member  64  and the second lower member  66 . It can be appreciated that the body  20  may be attached to the putter head  16  using other attachment devices such as but not limited to clamps, fasteners, magnets, apertures and protrusions, attachment brackets, adhesives or suction cups. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, a first aperture  50  and a second aperture  52  preferably extend into the upper surface of the first rear portion  22  and the second rear portion  24  respectively. The first aperture  50  and the second aperture  52  are preferably formed to snugly receive an elongate attachment member  70  having an upper portion  72  and a lower portion  74  as illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The lower portion  74  is preferably non-concentric with the upper portion  72 , though the lower portion  74  is preferably substantially parallel to the upper portion  72  of the attachment member  70 . A third connector  76  and a fourth connector  78  are preferably utilized to secure the attachment member  70  to the shaft  14  of the putter club  12  as further shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. It can be appreciated that only the third connector  76  may be utilized to secure the attachment member  70 . The third connector  76  and the fourth connector  78  may be comprised of various fastening devices such as but not limited to wire, cord, plastic straps, rubber bands, neoprene strips, elastic bands, non-elastic bands, hook and loop fastener strips and the like. In addition, various guides and aiming aides may be attached to the first aperture  52  and the second aperture  54 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, an alternative attachment structure may be utilized wherein a first bracket  65  and a second bracket  67  extend forwardly from the first rear portion  22  and the second rear portion  24  of the body  20 . The brackets  65 ,  67  preferably have a shaft structure with a flanged distal end as best illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. FIG. 9 further illustrates the brackets  65 ,  67  having a T-shaped structure for receiving the first connector  68  and the second connector  69  in an overlapped manner. The brackets  65 ,  67  may have various other extended structures that receive the first connector  68  and the second connector  69  for securing the body  20  to the putter head  16 . 
     In use, the user positions the rear edge of the body  20  adjacent to the face of the putter club  12  with the brace members  40 ,  42  positioned beneath the lower edge of the putter head  16 . The user then secures the body  20  to the putter head  16  using the first connector  68  and the second connector  69  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. FIG. 7 illustrates the alternative securing system for the present invention as discussed previously. The user then positions the golf ball  18  within the main aperture  30  of the body  20  and then aims the putter head  16  at a desired target. The user then preferably swings the putter club  12  in an oscillating pendulum manner as if they were engaging the golf ball  18  to perform their shot at the target as shown in FIGS. 6 a-c . During the practice swinging of the putter head  16 , the golf ball  18  is preferably free to rotate within the main aperture  30  while engaging the ground surface as shown in FIGS. 6 a-c . If the user is accelerating in an uneven manner, the golf ball  18  will engage the sides of the main aperture  30  physically indicating to the user that their swing requires adjustment. If the user is decelerating the putter head  16  toward the end of the swing, the golf ball  18  will engage the front inner side of the main aperture  30  indicating that the putter head  16  has been undesirable decelerated. The user repeats this process until a controlled putter head  16  velocity and acceleration are achieved for the putting swing. The user may then fully extend the putter head  16  forwardly and upwardly until the ball is fully released from the main aperture  30  of the body  20  rolling toward the target as shown in FIG. 6 d  of the drawings. In order to accomplish a proper release of the golf ball  18  from the main aperture  30 , the user must make a controlled, smooth and gradually accelerating pendulum-putting stroke. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.