Patent Publication Number: US-8529366-B2

Title: Putting aid

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to golf and is concerned with an aid for practicing putting. 
     Among the many challenges faced by a golfer is that of being able to putt accurately and consistently. Many golf competitions have been won or lost on a putting green. 
     The prior art is replete with devices for helping a golfer to achieve competency in putting. Typical prior art documents are the specifications of the following U.S. Pat. Nos. and patent applications: 4,913,440, 4,732,390, 6,769,995, 6,019,685, 6,840,870, 2009227388 and 20080227561. 
     In a general sense the prior art devices are used to define a path for a swinging golf club. Some of the devices are designed for indoor use. Variations include the use of a mirror or markings to assist a user to position himself correctly relative to a ball and to ensure that a putter is correctly orientated. 
     The applicant has observed that a golfer may display a reasonable degree of competency when using a putting aid, but is not necessarily capable of producing the same level of skill, in an effective manner, when the putting aid is not available. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a putting aid which is adjustable by a user to take account of a change in the user&#39;s skill level during training sessions. Additionally, the invention is concerned with a putting aid which facilitates a transition for a user from a practice mode, in which the aid is used, to a play mode in which the aid is dispensed with. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention provides a putting aid which includes a first ground-engaging base plate, at least first and second guide rails, which are attached to the first base plate, a first surface on the first guide rail, a second surface on the second guide rail, the first surface opposing the second surface, the first and second surfaces being spaced apart by a selected width to form at least part of a guide passage for a putting stroke of a putter, the first and second guide rails being relatively movable to adjust said selected width, at least a first marker engaged with the first guide rail and at least a second marker engaged with the second guide rail, each marker including a respective ground-engaging formation which is engageable with the ground at a respective defined position and wherein the first base plate, and the guide rails, are then movable leaving said markers at said respective defined positions. 
     The guide rails may be movable simultaneously or independently to adjust the selected width. Each guide rail may, in plan, follow a defined path which may be straight or curved. The last-mentioned feature allows an “inside to square” putting stroke to be practiced. 
     The guide rails may be movable together with the first base plate, or independently thereof, to leave the markers at the defined positions. 
     The feature that the width of the passage can be adjusted allows for a change in the skill of a user. An unskilled user may have the guide rails positioned relatively far apart so that a putting stroke, which is not necessarily accurately executed, will not be impeded by the guide rails. A more skilled user, however, would have the guide rails positioned closer to each other—an arrangement which calls for a greater degree of competency in completing a putting stroke so that a putter head does not contact either guide rail. Successful repetitions of a putting stroke in which the head of a putter passes through the passage, defined by the opposing first and second surface, which are preferably substantially vertical and which may be straight or curved (viewed in plan), help to create “muscle memory” in the user. 
     The first base plate preferably includes a formation to receive a golf ball which is positioned so that a putter head is required to travel a distance between the guide rails before making contact with the golf ball. The formation, e.g. a recess, is preferably such that the golf ball can contact the ground and not a surface of the putting aid. This is to ensure that the golf ball reacts in a way which is not dependent on the nature of the material of the first base plate. 
     Components of the putting aid are progressively removable from the ground, according to choice. This allows a user to practice a putting technique with the putting aid on a surface which is similar to one that the user is likely to encounter on a golf course. 
     If the first base plate is used to ensure that the markers are correctly positioned then the base plate can be removed so that the user can practice a putting stroke with the assistance, only, of the guide rails and the markers and, thereafter, with the assistance, only, of the markers. The number of markers which are used can also be varied. 
     The putting aid may include a second base plate which is engageable with the first base plate in a predetermined configuration. The second base plate may include at least one guide structure which is usable in a manner which is similar to that in which a guide rail is used with the first base plate. 
     The second base plate may include a formation to receive a golf ball which is positioned so that a putter head is required to travel a distance between the guide rails before making contact with the golf ball. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, the putting aid includes a second ground-engaging base plate which is engageable with the first base plate in a predetermined configuration, and at least third and fourth markers engaged with the second base plate, each said third and fourth marker including a ground-engaging formation which is engageable with the ground at a defined position and wherein the second base plate is movable leaving said third and fourth markers at said defined positions. 
     “Ground” as used herein includes an underlying surface e.g. of earth, grass, a mat, a carpet or the like. It is further envisaged that, in one embodiment, the underlying surface of the ground may include a metallic support or a support which exhibits magnetic properties. “Ground-engaging” is also given a wide meaning in that the marker is engageable with the ground in a fairly secure way, and so that it is unlikely that the marker can be moved inadvertently. 
     The putting aid may be used in combination with a device such as an underlying mat e.g. of a foam material, wherein the ground-engaging formation of each marker is ground-penetrating so that, once moved relative to the first or second base plate, the formation can penetrate the surface of the underlying mat at a respective defined position. 
     Alternatively, the ground-engaging formation may include a magnet such that the formation will engage with an underlying mat formed of or including a material susceptible to magnetic interaction, e.g. steel. The marker may then be kept at a respective defined position through the interaction of the magnet with the metallic mat. Alternatively the mat (ground) may be formed of a material exhibiting magnetic properties such that a marker, which includes a metallic material susceptible to magnetic interaction, is held on the surface at a respective defined position by the interaction of the magnetic marker with the surface. 
     Each guide rail may include one or more formations, preferably on an undersurface, which are engageable with complementary formations on an upper surface of the first base plate, to help in positioning the guide rail at a desired location on the first base plate. In one form of the invention each guide rail includes, e.g. on an undersurface, at least one magnet and the first base plate includes at least one metallic strip with which the magnet is engageable with the guide rail at a selected position on the first base plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view in perspective of a putting aid according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are views of the putting aid of  FIG. 1 , in an assembled arrangement, with the putting aid in different training configurations; 
         FIG. 4  shows the putting aid of  FIG. 3  during a practice stroke; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a situation which results when base plates of the putting aid are removed; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 6  but illustrating how the putting aid can be used to allow for a curved putting stroke; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view in perspective, similar to  FIG. 1 , illustrating a version of the putting aid in which multiple guide rails may be utilised; 
         FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are respective views of the putting aid according to  FIG. 9 , in an assembled arrangement, in different training configurations; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a guide rail, and a marker in a rest position; and 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of a guide rail, and a marker in an activated position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  of the accompanying drawings illustrates, in an exploded configuration, a putting aid  10  according to one form of the invention. 
     The putting aid includes a first ground-engaging base plate  12 , a second ground-engaging base plate  14 , first and second guide rails  16  and  18  respectively, various markers  20  to  30  which are usable together with the first and second guide rails, guiding flanges  32  and  34  respectively, guide members  36  and  38  respectively, and additional markers  40  and  42 . 
     Each base plate is made from any suitable material e.g. a plastic material which may be over-moulded, coloured, patterned, or carry distinctive markings which assist in golf strokes, according to requirement. 
     The first base plate  12  has a curved V-shaped formation  46  on one side, and spaced-apart substantially parallel abutments  50  and  52  respectively along opposed longitudinal edges of the base plate. The base plate has three elongate slots  56 ,  58  and  60  respectively which extend generally parallel to one another from the abutment  50  in a direction towards the abutment  52 . The slots  58  and  60  are flanked by arrays (each designated  66 ) of alternating rib and slot sequences. The slot  56  has a single array designed  66 A on one side. 
     The opposing side of the base plate, i.e. adjacent the abutment  52 , has a similar construction to that provided adjacent the abutment  50 . 
     The guide rails  16  and  18  are mirror images of each other. Each guide rail is made from a suitable, slightly resilient and deformable, plastics material. Each guide rail has three guide formations  70 A,  70 B and  70 C respectively which are spaced from each other and which provide a substantially flat surface  72  which, in use, is vertically orientated. 
     Optionally, though, each guide rail is made from at least one flexible component within which one or more relatively rigid elements are at least partly embedded. This provides a good compromise between strength (rigidity) and flexibility. 
     An insert drawing in  FIG. 1  illustrates on an enlarged scale and in cross-section a lower side of the guide rail  16  taken on a line  1 A- 1 A. The guide rail has an undersurface  76  which is formed with at least one projection  78 . 
     The second ground-engaging base plate  14  is made from a similar material to the first base plate  12 . The base plate  14  has a formation  84  which is of complementary shape to the V-shaped formation  46 . The formation  84  has a flange  86  which fits over a receiving receptacle  88  of complementary shape to the flange located on the base plate  12 . 
     The guide members  36  and  38  can be engaged with apertures  96  and  98  respectively which are formed in the second base plate and which are of complementary shape to formations provided on respective stabilising bases  36 A and  38 A of the guide members. These guide members have guide formations  100  which are similar to the guide formations  70 A,  70 B and  70 C. 
     The markers  20  to  30 , and  40  and  42 , are similar in shape and form to one another. Each marker has a relatively large body  104  which, in cross-section, has the shape of an elongate oval, and a downwardly extending tapered section  106  which terminates in a ground-engaging formation which, in this case, is in the form of a ground-penetrating point  108 . The markers  40  and  42  may be different in size to the markers  20  to  30 . 
       FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  show the putting aid of  FIG. 1  in an assembled mode. The projections  78  on the underside of each guide rail can be placed at selected locations into engagement with the respective rib and slot arrays  66  and  66 A. The various markers are lightly engaged with the respective guide formations  70 A to  70 C, and  100 . At least one guiding flange  32  or  34  (both shown) is coupled to the second base plate and the formation  84  on the second base plate is snugly engaged with the V-shaped formation  46  on the first base plate. The base plates are accurately and securely kept in engagement with each other by means of the flange  86  and receptacle  88  which, as noted, slip into complementary recesses. The guide rails  16  and  18  have respective surfaces  72  which are generally vertically orientated and which oppose each other. A guide passage  110  is defined between the opposing surfaces. The passage has a variable width  112  which is determined by the positions at which the guide rails are connected to the respective arrays  66  and  66 A. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the putting aid  10 , in the  FIG. 3  mode, during a practice putting stroke. A putter  120  which is held by a user, not shown, has a putting head  122 . A golf ball  124  is positioned accurately at a narrow end  126  of the V-shaped formation  46 . The user can then practice a putting stroke with the putter head moving along the guide passage. The putter head, viewed in plan, should be at a right angle to the direction of movement along the passage so that the golf ball  124  can pass through a relatively narrow gap  130  formed between the markers  40  and  42 . 
     The putting aid  10  is adjustable in various respects to cater for particular situations and to allow the aid to be used even though a golfer might be improving progressively in putting capability. 
     For example, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , the width  112  of the passage defined between the opposing surfaces  72  of the guide rails can be adjusted so that in a limiting position the putter head  122  can move with minimal clearance between the surfaces, provided of course that the golfer has sufficient skill. Secondly, the markers can be engaged with the ground. In this embodiment the markers are driven into the ground through the slots  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  96 ,  98  respectively. The guide rails are generally vertically orientated, and so are the guide formations. Consequently the markers are also vertical, when driven into the ground. The guide rails and the first base plate can then be removed leaving the markers embedded in the ground. If required the guide rails can be re-engaged with the markers i.e. in the absence of the first base plate. This helps to promote user-confidence in the execution of a putting stroke. In this configuration the second base plate is uplifted leaving the markers  40  and  42  in position, and the golf ball  124  is placed on the ground for a putting stroke 
       FIGS. 5 and 7  show the markers in perspective and in plan respectively with the base plates and the guide rails removed. 
     Another adjustment which can be effected is to reduce the number of markers from the group  20  to  30  gradually; initially, say to four, and then to two. 
     A further feature of the putting aid of the invention is its ability to cater for a golfer who does not have a linear putting stroke but who executes a putting stroke with a curved motion. As the guide rails are slightly flexible it is possible, as is shown in  FIG. 8 , for one or both of the guide rails to be bent slightly and to follow slightly curved paths, although the guide rails still remain generally parallel to each other.  FIG. 8  illustrates a configuration for a left-handed golfer but, if the guide rails are bent in an opposite direction, the resulting curved configuration would be suitable for a right-handed golfer. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates in perspective the putting aid  10 . The guiding flanges  32  and  34  have downwardly extending projections  90  which can be inserted with a tight fit into complementary slots  92  so that the flanges are fixed to the base plate  14  in vertically extending orientations. An alternative arrangement of the guide rails  16  and  18  is shown in which the guide rails  16  and  18  are segmented. Each segment ( 16 A . . .  16 N;  18 A . . .  18 N) can hold at least one marker, or can be used without a marker. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the putting aid, wherein the passage created between the guide rails, which are segmented, is broad for a first time user. In  FIG. 11  the width of the passage has been reduced, for an experienced user. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of a guide rail in which the respective marker  20  to  30 , or  40  and  42 , is held above the ground  120 , and wherein the respective ground-engaging base plate  12  or  14 , as the case may be, rests on the ground. 
       FIG. 13  shows a marker  20  being moved, relative to a guide rail and to a ground-engaging base plate, as a result of a downward force applied manually to the marker in the direction of an arrow  130 . The marker is caused to penetrate the ground  120  and then remains in this position. This feature allows for the removal of the ground-engaging base plates and guide rails, with the option of then being able to re-engage the guide rails with the markers, if desired, i.e. in the absence of the base plate. 
     The use of a ground-penetrating formation on a marker is preferred, but is not essential. Depending on the nature of the “ground” other ground-engaging techniques can be used e.g. the markers could be magnetically engaged with the ground, or they could be fixed to the ground using fasteners which include hook and eye material such as Velcro™. 
     It is advantageous to embed in the first base plate (at least) thin parallel pairs of metallic strips  130 ,  132 , which flank each respective slot  56 ,  58  and  60  (see  FIG. 12 ). Small magnets  134 ,  136  respectively are embedded in an underside of the guide rail  16 ,  18  or the segments of each guide rail. The magnets are spaced to be aligned with the strips  130 ,  132 . This feature, which is used in place of, or in addition to, the projections  78  and the rib and slot arrays ( 66 ,  66 A), is surprisingly useful for it allows the positions of the guide rails to be adjusted easily and rapidly. 
     Another variation is to replace the guiding flanges  32 ,  34  with raised sections which are integrally formed with the second base plate. This reduces the component count in the putting aid, and helps to stiffen the second base plate. 
     Preferably the second base plate has a small, precisely positioned hole  140  (or the first base plate has a similar hole  142 ) which allows a user to mark the underlying ground. If this is done then, when the base plates are removed, the user has an indication of the position on the ground at which a golf ball should be located.