Abstract:
FIG.  1,  the Golf Ball and Club Alignment Kit, has two separate but necessary integral fixtures consisting of an indoor/outdoor carpet with a surface to simulate the ball action on a putting green, but laid out with a grid of contrasting color FIG.  2,  the grid lines are laid out to be contiguous with any additional FIG.  2 &#39;s forming a larger practice area, each square may match the size of a regulation golf hole making it multi-directional and multi-purpose, however, size of squares is not essential to its operation as a ball conveyor. A two-mode surface attaching non-diverting vertically or laterally for accurately putted balls receptacle FIG.  3,  can be placed anywhere on or off the FIG.  2,  along with any selected teeing spot known as a “tee box”.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS 
       [0001]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Documents 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1328963 
                 May 1920 
                 Rolfe 
               
               
                 1528056 
                 March 1925 
                 Herbert 
               
               
                 1738265 
                 December 1929 
                 Scanlan 
               
               
                 1823487 
                 September 1931 
                 Clear 
               
               
                 1475763 
                 July 1949 
                 Vandal 
               
               
                 2635879 
                 April 1953 
                 Rath 
               
               
                 3048405 
                 August 1962 
                 McCaul 
               
               
                 3342495 
                 September 1967 
                 Wasley 
               
               
                 3512262 
                 May 1970 
                 Smyk et al. 
               
               
                 3578333 
                 May 1971 
                 Elesh 
               
               
                 3649029 
                 March 1972 
                 Worrell 
               
               
                 3735988 
                 May 1973 
                 Palmer et al. 
               
               
                 3843136 
                 October 1974 
                 Buenzle 
               
               
                 3880432 
                 April 1975 
                 Coffey et al. 
               
               
                 3934874 
                 January 1976 
                 Henderson 
               
               
                 4017084 
                 April 1977 
                 Jeffrey 
               
               
                 4108440 
                 August 1978 
                 Delaplaine 
               
               
                 4114889 
                 September 1978 
                 Midana 
               
               
                 4294450 
                 October 1981 
                 Gallic 
               
               
                 4368888 
                 January 1983 
                 Ren 
               
               
                 4429882 
                 February 1984 
                 Stanton 
               
               
                 4805912 
                 February 1989 
                 Hickman 
               
               
                 4826174 
                 May 1989 
                 Hoyt, Jr. 
               
               
                 5100147 
                 March 1992 
                 Mull 
               
               
                 4209172 
                 June 1980 
                 Yamamoto 
               
               
                 4284276 
                 August 1981 
                 Worst 
               
               
                 4441716 
                 April 1984 
                 Chen 
               
               
                 4962931 
                 October 1990 
                 Jazdzyk, Jr. 
               
               
                 4966370 
                 October 1990 
                 Morris 
               
               
                 5004243 
                 April 1991 
                 Dlouhy 
               
               
                 5131659 
                 July 1992 
                 Lindberg. Jr. 
               
               
                 5205559 
                 April 1993 
                 Plopper 
               
               
                 5261670 
                 November 1993 
                 Mull 
               
               
                 5294124 
                 March 1994 
                 Florian 
               
               
                 5319548 
                 June 1994 
                 Germain 
               
               
                 5356133 
                 October 1994 
                 Bellagamba 
               
               
                 5429368 
                 July 1995 
                 Adams 
               
               
                 5443870 
                 August 1995 
                 Lurie et al. 
               
               
                 5476258 
                 December 1995 
                 Frisone 
               
               
                 5478071 
                 December 1995 
                 Barrs et al. 
               
               
                 5529299 
                 June 1996 
                 Bellagamba 
               
               
                 5542680 
                 August 1996 
                 Proudfit et al. 
               
               
                 5630719 
                 May 1997 
                 Franklin 
               
               
                 5630763 
                 May 1997 
                 Li-Tsan 
               
               
                 6110053 
                 August 2000 
                 Sjoblom 
               
               
                 6196929 
                 March 2001 
                 Erodes et al. 
               
               
                 6338682 
                 January 2002 
                 Torchia et al. 
               
               
                 6386995 
                 May 2002 
                 Jastram 
               
               
                 6422949 
                 July 2002 
                 Byrne et al. 
               
               
                 6450903 
                 September 2002 
                 Tate 
               
               
                 6638173 
                 October 2003 
                 Robinson 
               
               
                 6739980 
                 May 2004 
                 Scott et al. 
               
               
                 6981921 
                 January 2006 
                 Scott et al. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Current U.S. Class 
                 Current International Class 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 473/262; 473/257; 473/270; 
                 A63B 53/06 (20060101); A63B 53/16 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (20060101); 
               
               
                   
                 473/182; 473/164; 473/280; 
                 A63B 69/36 (20060101); A63B 63/00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (20060101) 
               
               
                   
                 473/200; 473/205; 473/351; 
                 A63B 43/00 (20060101); A63B 37/00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (200660101) 
               
               
                   
                 473/251; 473/252; 
                 A63B 57/00 (20060101) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Field of Search: 
       [0002]    473/161,200,201,205,236,238,251,252,257,261,262,265,266,267,268,270,278,280,285,313,35 1,378,406,407,176, 
       DESCRIPTION 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention is directed toward the field of devices, which golfers, of differing abilities, can with practice using regular clubs and golf balls, or air balls, and of varying swings and stroke skills, both indoors or outdoors with the  FIG. 1 , without the ball having any vertical or horizontal diverting influence on  FIG. 2  between the teeing area and the hole  FIG. 3 , for any club, tending to force total concentration. The  FIG. 2  alignment theory can be easily be recognized by taking a putter, standing over a squared patterned linoleum or tile, and moving the putter backwards and forwards over it. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    As is well recognized, the inconsistencies of the short game, which includes wedges through putter, is where most strokes are dropped by the average golfer, due to poor alignment of club face and sweet-spot, along with poor swing technique. Golfers have resorted to many different devices to enhance their games. Most devices use a target, with a base over which the ball has to travel, which collects, and may return such ball to the golfer, if it makes it this far, but does not offer a true sized target, nor can collect and return an acutely breaking ball, or provide a true target width on a level plane, thus it is not a meaningful way to improve any golf stroke, such as to Stanton U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,882, February 1984. 
         [0007]    The mat or surface used for allowing a ball to move from tee box to “hole” is usually of a soft sponge-like foam or felt material which doesn&#39;t lend itself to outdoor use nor to being rolled up, stored or transported, and used immediately after it is unrolled as per Wasley U.S. Pat No. 3,342,495, September 1967. It is generally a vertical sloping, ball returning hole, sometimes directly attached to the surface mat leading from tee to hole. Many of these ball-returning “holes” cannot do so if the surface mat is at a side angle as it too can slide sideways, also they are not truly representative of an actual golf hole size. 
         [0008]    Other types of “holes” require a strong shaped wall at the rear of the hole to return the ball as per U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,670 to Mull, November 1993. 
         [0009]    Others cannot give a real indication as to the distance the ball would have traveled, if it has to climb a hill or bump over a base to reach it. A golfer has enough to remember with the art of swinging a club in a given direction and distance, along with a side and back, and every other spin with differing winds. This is why things go bad near the green and in sand traps. Many surface mats are covered with arrows, numbers, arcs and lines at varying distances requiring a fixed tee box as per U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,921 to Scott, January 2006, as this can greatly add to the confusion and frustration of a golfer. 
         [0010]    Some inventors presume to tell how different strokes are made and what conditions to make them, which should be left to the local teaching professional, as conditions vary from course to course and State to State. It is difficult enough to understand the fundamentals of golf, not as per U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,980 to Scott, May 2004. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is a known fact that the leading edge of an iron can be open closed or perpendicular to the line to the hole therefore it simpler to describe the putting stroke to give some semblance of order when describing the advantages of this invention. 
         [0012]    For ease of explanation of  FIG. 1 , a putter will be used. With the striped ball having one line directly in-line with any line leading directly to the hole  FIG. 3  the perpendicular line set such that both it and any crossing line on the  FIG. 2  can be seen parallel to each other. The putter can be stroked through either in a straight or curved line, ensuring the putter face stays parallel and perpendicular to the pre-selected crossing line while in contact with the ball, noting the length of “take-away” to distance of ball travel through the  FIG. 3  in the tunnel mode, on a level and flat “tee to hole” surface, at one square deep it will house four balls, a three square deep tunnel will allow up to twelve balls be easily housed within it and so on, if the regulation entrance was followed by some wider shape, many more balls could be housed within, proving depth is arbitrary. It also has a ball stop mode but in either mode it has the same width as a regulation hole. 
         [0013]    Both  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 2  can each be placed at different angles to each other to simulate a breaking ball, thumbtacks can also be used to mark a teeing area, a hole opening, and/or a ball path, forcing the golfer to study and note break angles and distances. The  FIG. 2  may be lightly sprayed with water to slow ball action down. Dry it first, then it can be rolled-up for transportation or storage, unrolled, laid-down flat, to be used immediately. Any hitting mat may be placed in front of or on top of it to utilize all its alignment benefits. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  includes an indoor/outdoor High UV-Stabilized, continuous, filament olefin with Dura-Flex Marine backing or Polypropylene or similar carpet  FIG. 2  to simulate a golf green even to the point of the pile offering more resistance in one direction than the other as would the grain of grass on a green, is marked with a squared grid pattern the squares being of a width equal to or different from than the diameter of a regulation golf hole, the contiguous lines set to allow other FIG.  2 &#39;s to be added to either edges or ends, thumb tacks can be stuck into it to show swing arcs, ball directions, tee box or to mark an imagined hole, the grid will allow the measuring of back and forward swings, alignment of indicia and faces of a club. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  weighs less than two kilograms, is easily moved and re-attached. It is made of six pieces of clear acrylic plastic although other materials may be used, to form a backless reversible direction tunnel with a line running through the top from front to rear in one mode and a ball stopping stop mode with a removable rear sliding door ball stop in the other, which can be detached, but has a wire tie or lock and chain through its finger hole and the hole and locking notch in the top, to avoid loss, offering an opening equivalent to a regulation diameter golf hole, it is attached to  FIG. 2  by pressing it firmly down along with screwing down the four adjustable spikes, the two outside skirts taking up a total of two squares, having their undersides profiled to resist lateral movement in any direction, and holes for four duplex nails for easy attachment, or removal on grass or other surfaces, which will also aerate, adding weight on the top should not be a necessity. When finished practicing, return spikes to the up positions, then brush lightly on  FIG. 2  to smooth it out. 
         [0016]    With  FIG. 3  in the tunnel mode and the sliding door stop open, so that its entrance center is at a grid crossing, the outsides of the skirts will be at grid lines, select a spot away from it to putt from on the  FIG. 2  but before placing a ball down, make several practice strokes with a putter to observe and adjust both the backward and forward movement for alignment and expected ball travel distance. Place a ball on the  FIG. 2  such that two crossing lines, grid crossing, and the two perpendicular lines on a ball are aligned with the perpendicular line of the ball is in front of the one on the  FIG. 2  for observation of parallelism, a putter with its face and indicia are aligned can be then be moved in a backward then forward direction through the ball, waiting until the ball is well clear of the putter head before eyeing the line directional line on the ball to ensure there is no wobble caused by spin from the putting stroke. Move both the  FIG. 3  and tee box with the ball to a place between the lines leading from the tee box to the  FIG. 3  so that it would appear as though there is an avenue leading from one to the other, this will make the hole appear so much larger being directly in front of the ball 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  makes up a kit showing a ball and a putter in a position on a carpet,  FIG. 2  and a  FIG. 3  of different sizes so long as it will house a minimum of four balls, any size within reason,  FIG. 3  can placed anywhere on  FIG. 2  as there are no set positions for a hole or tee box. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  being an indoor/outdoor carpet permanently marked with contiguous lines forming a grid to allow for more FIG.  2 &#39;s to be added on the sides or length, to be of a contrasting color and size similar to a standard golf hole diameter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a surface mounting golf hole fixture whose entrance has the same width as a standard golf hole. It is made up of  6  pieces of clear acrylic plastic, two sides  FIG. 3-B  and  FIG. 3-C , two identical skirts  FIG. 3-E , and one top  FIG. 3-D , all of which can be glued, and/or screwed using twelve of ten-twenty four by 1.6 cm machine screws, in tapped holes ( 11 - 22 ), and one up/down sliding ball stop door  FIG. 3-A .  FIG. 3-D  has a locking notch ( 29 ) and a hole ( 24 ) along with the sliding door hole ( 23 ) for a wire tie or lock and chain to prevent losing ( 23 ), It also has an alignment line ( 30 ) through its center for use on a regular green. The hole in the sliding door ( 23 ) is large enough for a finger to easily move it. The skirts ( 2 )  FIG. 3-E  each having two mounting holes ( 25 - 28 ) for 16 d of 7.62 cm long duplex nails for use as hold downs on greens, and two #4 of 1.28 cm long number four sheet metal screws with two number four flat washers under each screw ( 31 - 34 ), their undersides being profiled to impress upon  FIG. 2  and prevent lateral movement. All edges are relieved except the profiled ones, and corners cut on the two sides and skirts to reduced profile offered to a struck ball. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    When using the  FIG. 2  putting practice should start on a reasonably flat and level surface, close to the  FIG. 3  using several say three or four balls, requiring the successful putting of all balls, and gradually moving away, as many short putts are missed by experts, or if any are missed, go back to the preceding spot to do it all again. When the ball and  FIG. 3  are placed between the lines, the hole will appear to be directly in front of the ball, concentration becomes prime. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows the complete golf ball and club alignment kit, is made up rugged and inexpensive components which includes the first embodiment  FIG. 2  of Indoor/Outdoor carpet meeting all the manufacturers specifications, having an appropriately measured, permanently impressed, contiguously lined grid, so more FIG.  2 &#39;s can be laid alongside and/or end to end, having every square a similar width to, but not necessarily so, a regulation hole, for a golf ball to land on and roll in any direction, additionally it may be gently watered to provide some additional resistance found on some putting surfaces. It can also be dried then properly rolled up for easy transportation or storage, immediately after which, it can be unrolled and will lay totally flat. 
         [0022]    The second embodiment target  FIG. 3  has the equivalent width of a normal golf hole, and may be attached to the  FIG. 2  using either its through tunnel or ball-stop mode, is attached by pressing firmly down on it then its own weight, less than two kilograms, to maintain its position, because of the underside profiling, four adjustable spikes, or use up to four duplex nails for any putting green. The  FIG. 3  offers no additional resistance to golf balls when entering inside its four inch opening than would be received from any regular golf hole as it offers no base or hill to slow or obstruct a ball in the tunnel mode, slide door up or out, so that distance traveled past the hole can be measured, there is a line marked through the center of the tunnel for convenience, on a putting green. The second mode is the ball stopping one with the slide door down, getting many balls to stay inside for counting, to remove them simply lift it up. 
         [0023]    To use  FIG. 1 , place a striped ball with the two stripes passing over the center of the ball perpendicular to each other for the purpose and ease of alignment, ball striping is desirable but not essential. Thumbtacks may be placed temporarily anywhere on the  FIG. 2  to show swing arcs of both the club and the ball or a temporary hole or tee box. A  FIG. 3  does not need to be used here, as the four-inch square squares are indicators, being the equivalent of a hole on the  FIG. 2 , making the hole appear to be close. 
         [0024]    Tee box and  FIG. 3  can be located anywhere on  FIG. 2  on or between lines, at any flat or side hill angle to the line of play, using any club, if the club is a putter, it will force the golfer to walk to the  FIG. 3  to select the angle to place it to accept a ball. The ball may be placed Three centimeters from the edge and  FIG. 3  placed at the same side on or just off the edge, with any reasonable length of  FIG. 2  between them, a break of one and a half times the width of  FIG. 2 , could be holed out. Using the driver or other clubs that may take a divot, a driving mat should be placed either in front of, or on top of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  allows for arbitrary attachments and positions on both  FIG. 2  and greens. In the stop or tunnel mode, an electronic signaling device could possibly be attached, but not supplied, for counting or notify the player of holing-out a putt, the travel of a putted ball should not be observed until well after it leaves the putter, the brain should have recorded the distance and direction when lining up the putt.  FIG. 3  can be manufactured using different methods and materials in this case clear acrylic plastic is preferred which will allow light to pass through it to any natural surface beneath. The top has a locking notch and a hole along with a finger hole in the sliding door stop for the purpose of passing a wire tie, or the equivalent of, through them to maybe preventing misplacing the door. More FIG.  2 &#39;s can be added to sideways and lengthways inexpensively, is simple and exciting to use, requiring concentration and the desire to improve in all areas of play. 
         [0026]    The  FIG. 2  could be sold or rented to golfers, replacing putting in some practice areas on and around driving ranges and golf courses, making it a profitable operation. Some practice greens could be replaced with concrete strips, set at various angles. Maintenance could be reduced to near zero and profit is increased to a maximum, as nothing was being charged before. 
         [0027]    The  FIG. 3  could be sold or rented for use on a normal putting green, using up to four duplex nails or spikes to retain its position, these will help with aeration, never needing a dug hole and have its position moved. When tournaments are being played many golfers are using the only practice putting green, and there is never enough space for all, using the set-up holes. 
         [0028]    Competitions could be started of local, national or even of international levels, with singles, two man or four man teams being held using a given number of balls in a large  FIG. 3  in the stop mode. In the tunnel mode a fun game can be had, for if players were positioned at opposite ends of and using one or two FIG.  2 &#39;s end to end with the same  FIG. 3  at the junction, taking turns to putt a different a given number of colored balls into it, all of which can be counted without lifting up the transparent  FIG. 3 , the one having the most balls housed inside would be the winner. Handicapping could be applied with players putting from different distances by moving  FIG. 3  or tee boxes, this also tends to enforce total concentration by the players, like lawn bowling or curling, recognizing that if a ball is more than 50% inside the entrance, or less than thirty centimeters past the entrance to  FIG. 3  and did not rattle around to get in, it should be regarded as “in the hole”. Putting distance is more important than direction, players do not need to be able to drive a ball 300 meters or have a handicap, age will not matter, even “not so good” eyesight need not be a big factor, just learning the art of putting chipping or pitching a golf ball.