Patent Publication Number: US-2010130299-A1

Title: Visual Aid

Description:
This invention relates to a visual aid for use in ball games and more particularly, but not exclusively to a visual aid for use in the game of golf. 
     It is known that a person&#39;s vision can be changed from a general view of an object to a concentrated or targeted form of vision. It is found that the expert players in any ball game are able without visual assistance to adopt this concentrated or targeted visual mode and exclude or minimise their peripheral vision. 
     The object of this invention is to provide a visual aid which facilitates the adoption of such a targeted or concentrated visual mode by a player. 
     According to the invention, a visual aid for use in a ball game comprises an article provided with markings adapted to facilitate the adoption by a player of a targeted mode of vision, wherein the markings include a cross-hair feature. 
     Preferably, the cross-hair feature is arranged to facilitate the alignment of the direction in which the ball in a ball game is to be propelled by the player. 
     Preferably, also, the article comprises a sphere which is provided with the markings. 
     The markings are, preferably, adapted to enable a player of the ball game to consistently position his eyes in a repeatable fixed position relative to the sphere. 
     Preferably, the markings on the sphere are used in combination with the periphery of the sphere to position the players eyes relative to the sphere. 
     Preferably, also, the markings are applied to the surface of the sphere. 
     Alternatively, the markings may be projected onto the surface of the sphere from the exterior or interior of the sphere. 
     Preferably, the sphere is a golf ball. 
     Preferably, also, the markings on the golf ball enable a golfer to adopt a stance with his eyes directly above the centre of the golf ball. 
     The markings on the golf ball are, preferably, capable of being aligned so that the markings are equi-distant from the periphery of the golf ball when viewed from directly above thereby giving a uniform eclipse effect. 
     Preferably, the markings include a shape adapted to be positioned so that the distance between the periphery of the shape and the periphery of the golf ball can be positioned by adjustment of the golfers eyes over the ball to be equi-distant to give the eclipse effect when the golfers eyes are correctly positioned. 
     Preferably, also, the shape is a circle of smaller diameter than the golf ball. 
     Alternatively, the shape may be a geometrical shape other than a circle. 
     Preferably, the shape is formed of a block of a contrasting colour to the colour of the golf ball. 
     Preferably, also, the shape is provided with linear openings to provide the cross-hair feature. 
     Alternatively, the visual aid article may be a disc which is provided with the markings on which a golf ball is centrally positioned. 
     Preferably, the markings on the disc are adapted to enable a player to consistently position his eyes in a repeatable fixed position relative to the golf ball. 
     Preferably, also, the markings on the disc are used in combination with the periphery of the golf ball to position the players eyes relative to the golf ball. 
     When the visual aid is to be used in executing a putting stroke, the markings on the disc, preferably, enable a golfer to adopt a stance with his eyes directly above the centre of the golf ball. 
     Preferably, the markings on the disc are capable of being aligned so that the markings are equi-distant from the periphery of the golf ball when viewed from directly above thereby giving a uniform eclipse effect. 
     Preferably, also, the markings on the disc include a shape adapted to be positioned so that the distance between the periphery of the shape and the periphery of the golf ball can be positioned by adjustment of the golfers eyes over the ball to be equi-distant to give the eclipse effect when the golfers eyes are correctly positioned. 
     The shape on the disc is, preferably, a circle of equal or greater diameter than the golf ball. 
     Alternatively, the shape on the disc may be a geometrical shape other than a circle. 
     Preferably, the shape on the disc is formed of a block of a contrasting colour to the colour of the golf ball. 
     Preferably, also, the shape on the disc is provided with linear openings to provide the cross-hair feature. 
     The disc is, preferably, provided with a central hole adapted to receive a golf ball tee to secure the disc in desired position and on which the golf ball is placed. 
     Preferably, also, a plurality of equi-angularly spaced-apart sets of cross-hair features are provided. 
    
    
     
       Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic plan view of a visual aid in the form of a golf ball; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified visual aid in the form of a golf ball; 
         FIGS. 2A  to E are plan views showing different orientations of the golf balls of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic plan view of an alternative visual aid in the form of a disc for use in combination with a golf ball; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic side view of the disc with the golf ball disposed on a golf tee combined therewith and; 
         FIG. 4A  is a plan view and  FIGS. 4B to 4D  are side views of alternative shapes of the disc shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     
    
    
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a visual aid in the form of a golf ball provided with markings is indicated generally at  10  and comprises a conventional ball  12  which is positioned so as to be struck by a putter head  14 . The golf ball  12  is provided with a circular marking  16  of smaller diameter than the golf ball  12 . The circular marking  16  is placed in position with the centre of the circular marking  16  vertically aligned with the centre of the ball  12  before the golfer addresses the ball  12 . The ball  12  is also provided with a set of cross-hairs  18  whose centre is again aligned when positioning the ball  12  with the centre of the ball  12  and consequently with the centre of the circular marking  16 . One line  20  of the cross-hairs  18  is discontinuous. 
     In operation, the visual aid is used to assist in the execution of a putting stroke or a full golf swing both in practice and in a competitive round of golf. It will be appreciated that the visual aid can only be used to assist in the execution of a full golf swing in a competitive round of golf when the aid in the form of the golf ball  12  can be adjusted in position, ie. when teeing-off or when prepared lies are allowed on the fairway. When a putting stroke is to be executed the ball  12  is placed in position with the discontinuous line  20  directed towards the golf hole (not shown). The centre of the circular marking  16  is vertically aligned with the centre of the ball  12  as described above and the golfer adopts his stance so that the edges of the circular marking  16  are equi-distant from the periphery of the golf ball  12  thereby giving an eclipse effect once the golfers eyes are vertically above the centre of the ball  12 . The putter head  14  is then aligned to be parallel with the line of the cross-hairs  18  extending perpendicular to the line  20  thereby ensuring that the line of the ball  12  when the putting stroke is carried out follows the line  20 . When the ball  12  is correctly struck the ball  12  rolls along the line denoted by the line  20  of the cross-hairs  18  and gives the golfer a visional processional effect when watching the putt. 
     It is found that the use of marking in the form of the cross-hairs  18  changes the golfers type of vision from a general to a targeted form of vision reducing the distracting effect of the golfer&#39;s peripheral vision. In addition, the marking can be used to determine the golfer&#39;s dominant eye and also to obtain an indication of the strength of the dominant eye relevant to the non-dominant eye by noting the change in position of the circular marking  16  during the conventional test for determining the dominant eye ie. the closure of each eye in turn. 
     When the direction of the golf shot is being aligned by standing behind the ball  12 , the golfer will see the cross-hairs as a T-shape which facilitates the alignment of the golf shot. 
     In a modification, a plurality of sets of cross-hairs  18  are provided each being equi-angularly disposed about the same centre and the same centre of the circular marking  16  for use in aligning a putt on an inclined surface. In this case of a breaking putt, the ball  12  is positioned as previously described for a putt on a flat surface with the line  20  of the cross hairs pointing to the hole and the golfer then stands behind the ball and using the putter of as a plumb bob determines by a simple trigonometrical calculation the expected break and then using the appropriate one of the sets of cross-hairs aligns the putter head at right angles to the desired line  20  on which the ball is to be struck. 
     When a full golf swing is to be executed, with woods, or irons, the golf ball  12  is angled towards the golfer so that at address position the centre of the circular marking  16  is disposed on a line connecting the centre of the golf ball  12  and the golfers eye line so that the circular marking  16  as viewed by the golfer is in the centre of the peripheral edge of the golf ball  12 . The flight path of the golf shot to be executed with a full swing of the golf club can be adjusted by rotating the golf ball  12  slightly forwards or backwards to vary the flight path the of the required golf shot and/or rotating the golf ball  12  slightly sideways to produce a draw or a fade. In addition, it is found that these alignments to the position of the golf ball  12  also affects the movement patterns of the golfer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 2A to 2F  of the drawings, a modified visual aid in the form of a golf ball provided with markings is indicated generally at  30  and comprises a golf ball  32  which is positioned so as to be struck by a putter head  34 . The golf ball  32  is provided with a substantially circular marking  36  of smaller diameter than the golf ball  32 . When the ball  32  is placed in position, the centre of the circular marking  36  is vertically aligned with the centre of the ball  32 . The marking  36  is formed with linear openings  38  which form mutually perpendicular cross-hairs  40  and  42  whose centre is again aligned when positioning the ball  32  with the centre of the ball  32  and consequently with the centre of the circular marking  36 . The marking  36  is formed in a contrasting colour to that of the golf ball  32 , such as black on a white golf ball. It is found that this particular colouring combination which is the reverse of the usual colouring, that is to say where the cross hairs are white and the majority of the ball is black, is extremely effective in changing the golfer&#39;s vision into the targeted form. The marking  36  can be applied utilising a heat activated liquid which only becomes visible when activated by holding the golf ball  32  in a golfers hand to heat the golf ball  32  and when the golf ball  32  cools the marking  36  becomes invisible. This is particularly useful when the golf ball  32  has to be located in the rough as the golf ball  32  reverts to its original white colour. 
     In operation, when a putt is to be executed the ball  32  is placed in position with the cross-hair  40  directed towards the golf hole (not shown). The centre of the circular marking  36  is vertically aligned with the centre of the ball  32  as described above and the golfer adopts his stance so that the edges of the circular marking  36  are equi-distant from the periphery of the golf ball  32  thereby giving a uniform eclipse effect once the golfers eyes are vertically above the centre of the ball  32 . The putter head  34  is then aligned to be parallel with the cross-hair  42  extending perpendicular to the line  40  thereby ensuring that the line of the ball  32  when the putting stroke is carried out follows the cross-hair  40 . When the ball  32  is correctly struck the ball  32  rolls along the line of the cross-hairs  40  and gives the golfer a visual processional effect like a tracer line of the cross-hair  40  when watching the putt. The marking  36  also enables the determination of and the strength of the golfer&#39;s dominant eye to be ascertained and also for the execution and shaping of the golf shot when a full swing is utilised as hereinbefore described. 
     Here again as described above a plurality of sets of cross-hairs are provided each being equi-angularly disposed about the same centre and the same centre of the circular marking  36  for use in aligning a breaking putt. 
     In another modification, instead of the markings being applied directly to the surface of the golf balls  12  and  32 , they can be applied to a marking member such as a film of material which is attachable to the surface of the golf balls  12  and  32  and left in position during the execution of the golf stroke. 
     In a further modification, the marking member can be substantially hemi-spherical and be a snap-fit on the golf balls  12  and  32 . The marking member may also be provided with a protractor type of fin or fins having angular markings lines to facilitate accurately positioning the markings on the golf ball in an “X” and/or “Y” axis and also the golfer&#39;s eyes in said axes. The marking member can also be formed as a template having openings therein corresponding to the markings  16  and  36  to enable the markings to be applied to the surfaces of the golf balls  12  and  32  therethrough. 
     In yet a further modification, the shape of the circular markings  16  and  36  can be replaced by any other suitable geometrical shape such as an oval, star shape, square, hexagon or the like which again are of a contrasting colour to the colour of the golf balls  12  and  32 . 
     In yet another modification, the markings  16  and  36  can be projected onto the external surfaces of the golf balls  12  and  32  from a remote location. Where the golf balls  12  and  32  are hollow and formed of a transparent or translucent material, the markings  16  and  36  can be projected onto the internal surfaces of the golf balls  12  and  32 . Alternatively, the markings or the edges thereof can be projected from within the golf balls  12  and  32  upwardly as diverging beams of light to facilitate the positioning of the golfer&#39;s eyes and particularly the height thereof above the golf balls or simulations thereof. Where the hollow golf balls  12  and  32  are formed wholly or partially of a transparent material, a miniature camera can be mounted therein providing a view of the position of the golfer&#39;s eyes and/or upper torso at address position and through the golfer&#39;s backswing and attack downswing into contact with the ball. This is particularly useful in the training and coaching of a golfer. In addition, the golf balls and the markings thereof can be projected in the form of a holographic image. The golfer&#39;s eye position can be determined by providing a numeric scale such as an “X” and/or “Y” axis or axes or an indication which becomes visible to the eyes of the golfer at address position to provide improved accuracy of eye positioning. The scale can also be enhanced by or replaced by colour or image changes in the holographic image. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings and to  FIGS. 4A to 4D , an alternative visual aid indicated generally at  50  for use in combination with a golf ball  52  consists of a disc  54  provided with markings on its upper surface. The disc  54  can be formed of plastics material or any other suitable material. The markings comprise a central circular marking  56  of a block of contrasting colour, to the colour of the golf ball  52 . The circular marking  56  is of the same diameter as the golf ball  52  or can be of a greater diameter so as to extend beyond the periphery of the golf ball  52  when it is disposed at the centre of the disc  54 . The marking  56  is formed with linear openings  58  which form part of mutually perpendicular cross-hairs  60  and  62 . An additional marking line  64  is provided which is a tangent to the circular marking  56  and extends parallel to the cross-hair  62 . The disc  54  has a central hole  66  through which a golf ball tee  68  can be inserted to secure the disc  54  to the ground and on which the golf ball  52  is positioned. The disc  54  can be of any diameter which is greater than the diameter of a golf ball but it is useful if it is the same diameter as a golf hole. The disc  54  can be a compact disc or a digital versatile disc carrying instructional information. 
     In operation, the disc  54  with the golf ball tee  68  and the golf ball  52  mounted thereon is placed on the teeing ground of a golf course and the cross-hair  60  is aligned with the direction in which the golf ball  52  is to be propelled with a full golf swing of a golf club (not shown). The face of the club head of the golf club is aligned with the marking line  64  to strike the golf ball  52  at impact in the required direction along the line of the cross-hair  60 . As previously described, the presence of the cross-hairs  60  and  62  in combination with the marking  56  in a contrasting colour to that of the golf ball  52  is effective in producing a targeted form of vision. 
     The disc  54  without the golf ball tee  68  can also be used to practice a putting stroke and the circular marking  56  is used in combination with the periphery of the golf ball  52  to provide a uniform eclipse effect as hereinbefore described when the golfer&#39;s eyes are positioned directly above the centre of the golf ball  52 . The disc  54  without the golf ball tee  68  can also be used to practice a full golf swing in addition to a putting stroke where the disc  54  being of the same diameter as a golf hole can be used to form a target golf hole when practising putting. 
     It will be appreciated that the above described visual aids can be mounted on a golf club head or other structure within the vision of the golfer at address position. The visual aids can also incorporate a leveling device to enable a golfer to determine the position of the marking in relation to a horizontal and/or vertical axis. 
     In a further addition to the above described visual aids enabling a golfer to position his eyes in a repeatable fixed position relative to the golf balls  12  and  32 , the golf balls  12  and  32  or the disc  50  can be placed on a mat having a series of markings to enable the golfer to determine the position of his feet at the address position relative to the golf balls  12  and  32  or the golf ball used in combination with the disc  50  thereby enabling the golfer to be able to repeat this foot position. 
     Although the above described visual aids are particularly suitable for use in a putting stroke in the game of golf, they can also be used in a full golf swing with other golf clubs, namely, with irons or woods. 
     The markings can be used as a focus for the golfer&#39;s vision and in so doing effect more accurate striking of the ball. The markings are used to effect repeatable control of hand-to-eye co-ordination or Motor Control Skills which determine the orientation and force of the club in the stroke. The markings are, also, used to effect psychological intervention when learning, training of the rehabilitation of Motor Control problems such as the yipps. The markings on the three dimensional ball in conjunction with the two dimensional disc are used to effect parallax as a means of governing directional target alignment when viewed from behind the ball as well as eye position above the ball at the point of execution. Any combination of the markings on the ball or disc can be used to provided a fixed reference for measuring the optimum length and orientation of any type of golf club or other equipment for use in the proposed task. 
     It will be appreciated the visual aids can be used in other ball games, such as snooker, croquet, association football or the like without departing from the scope of this invention.