Patent Publication Number: US-6709343-B1

Title: Golf putt training apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a training apparatus for use by a golfer to practice a putting stroke and, in particular, an apparatus which provides the golfer with immediate feedback in the event that their putting stroke is off the target line. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As has been recognized by golfers for many years, one of the main aspects of a good golf game is what is commonly referred to as a strong short game. In particular, a sound putting game upon reaching the target green is of paramount importance. Essentially, there are two key aspects to developing a sound putting game as part of a round of golf namely, the ability to effectively judge how hard to strike the golf ball and the ability to identify and strike the ball along the intended target line. Often times, golfers have significant difficulty in maintaining the putter head along the intended target line, thus, causing the ball to be misdirected resulting in an ineffective putt. Absent the use of a golf putt training aid, it is extremely difficult for a golfer, particularly a novice or high handicapper, to identify the point at which the putter head departed from the intended target line. 
     Numerous golf putt training aids have been proposed to assist golfers in practicing their putting stroke and particularly for helping a golfer maintain the putter head along an intended target line. While many golf putt training aids assist in teaching a golfer how to strike the ball along an intended target line, very few assist the golfer in identifying the point at which the putter head departed from the preferred target line. 
     One golf putt training aid which appears to have been intended to at least provide a golfer with some feedback as to when the putter head departs the intended target line is demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,720 by Edward T. Berg. According to this patent, the apparatus comprises a generally U-shaped channel including sidewalls having a plurality of spaced apart flexible flaps projecting towards each other. When a golfer attempts to putt a golf ball within the channel, the putter head must stay free of the opposed flaps on either side of the U-shaped channel to accomplish an effective stroke. If the putter head engages one or more of the flexible flaps, the golfer is able to sense that the putting stroke is off the intended target line. 
     While the above described golf putt training aid may be helpful in learning to stroke a putt along an intended target line, because the flaps are flexible, the putter head would tend to advance through at least two or three flaps if the putter head is sufficiently off line. While the golfer would recognize that the putter head is off line, it is difficult for the golfer to tell exactly where the putter head went off line. Thus, there is a need for a golf putt training apparatus which provides the golfer with instantaneous feedback when the putter goes off the intended target line during a putting, stroke. There is also a need for a golf putt training aid which can be adjusted to accommodate different putter heads. Further, there is a need for a golf putt training apparatus which is easily transported and can be used both indoors and outdoors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A training apparatus for use by a golfer to practice a putting stroke along a target line is provided which comprises a pair of mutually opposing elongated guide rails which are spaced apart at least the length of a putter head. The guide rails include a substantially hollow body including base, a plurality of sidewalls extending from said base and a top wall traversing the sidewalls. Projecting from a side wall in the direction of said opposing guide rail are a plurality of longitudinally spaced substantially rigid teeth whereby upon advancing a putter head between said guide rails the putter head is stopped by the teeth if the putting stroke is sufficiently off the target line. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putt training apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view demonstrating a golf putter head in phantom going off the intended target line and engaging the apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of one of two guide rails which comprise the apparatus; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 6 is an enhanced view of a section  6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is an enhanced view of a section  7  of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown in the perspective view a golf putt training apparatus  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As previously noted, the training apparatus is designed to assist a golfer in developing the habit of maintaining the putter head along an intended golf putt stroke target line. Further, the golf putt training apparatus also provides a golfer with immediate feedback when the putter head departs from the intended target line by engaging one of a plurality of spaced apart teeth provided along one of the guide rails. 
     As demonstrated with particular reference to FIGS. 3-7, the golf putt training apparatus to include a pair of mutually opposing elongated guide rails  12 ,  12 A which should be spaced apart at least the length of the putter head during use as illustrated by FIG.  1 . 
     Each guide rail  12 ,  12 A includes a substantially hollow body  14  typically formed from injection molded plastic to include a plurality of side walls  16   a - 16   d  which extend from the base  18 . Traversing the side walls is a top wall  20  generally parallel to the substrate (not shown) upon which the apparatus is positioned for use. Preferably, the top wall of each guide rail includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures  26  for receiving an anchoring fastener  28  as shown in FIG.  4 . While the anchoring fasteners can be of many forms, conveniently the apertures are sized for receiving a golf tee which can be used as the anchoring fastener. Alternatively, or in addition to the anchoring fasteners  28 , studs  30  can be provided along the base of each guide rail to assist in securing the guide rail to the desired substrate. Thus, it is envisioned that the studs can penetrate a carpeted surface, for example, in the event that the golf putt training apparatus is being utilized indoors. 
     A key aspect to the present invention is the plurality of longitudinally spaced substantially rigid teeth  22  provided along side wall  16   d  of each of the guide rails. By providing such teeth along one of the longitudinal side walls of each of the guide rails, the teeth can be positioned such that they project in the direction of the opposing guide rail as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The teeth  22  are generally equidistantly spaced apart from between about 1.0 to 3.0 inches along the side wall  16   d.  If the space between adjacent teeth is smaller than about 1.0 inch, the putter head may not sufficiently engage a tooth  22  and may continue to advance beyond the point of initial contact. Additionally, if the teeth are spaced more than about 3.0 inches between successive teeth, the putter head may be well enough off the target line prior to contacting a tooth then meaningful feedback is not provided. Preferably, the teeth  22  are trapezoidal in shape with a wider base portion  32  and a narrower top portion  34 . For ease in molding, it is also preferred that the face  36  be angled rearwardly from the base to the top which assists evacuation of the part from a mold. 
     The teeth  22  are also designed to include walls  38 ,  38   a  extending between the sidewall  16   d  and face  36 . As shown in FIG. 2, the putter head, shown in phantom, engages a wall  38  or  38   a  when the putter head is advanced sufficiently off the target line  40 . The height of the teeth should be at least about 1.0 inch and preferably about 1.5 inches to accommodate different sized putter heads. 
     Preferably, the plastic body of the guide rails  12 ,  12 A are provided with an overmolded elastomeric covering  42  which along the sidewalls  16   a-d  and top wall  20 . For enhanced adherence, the covering should envelop the base  18  as shown in FIGS. 5-7 and fill cavities  46  provided along the guide rails  12 ,  12 A. The elastomeric cover, which preferably is an EPDM material, should have a thickness of at least 1.5 mils to provide a certain amount of damping as the putter engaged one of the teeth. A commercially available elextomer known as SANTOPRENE® is considered to provide this damping characteristic. 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.