U.S. patent application number 10/059495 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for golf ball markings for 3-dimensional putting alignment.
Invention is credited to Yang, David.
Application Number | 20030144068 10/059495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609815 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030144068 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang, David |
July 31, 2003 |
Golf ball markings for 3-dimensional putting alignment
Abstract
Alignment markings on a golf ball for 3 dimensional putting
alignment comprise a first, second and third dimensional alignment
markings. The first dimensional alignment marking facilitates a
vertical alignment of player's eyes along the centerline of golf
ball vertical to ground. The second dimensional alignment marking
facilitates a horizontal alignment of the ball roll direction along
a ball-to-target line. The third dimensional alignment marking
facilitates a horizontal alignment of putter's striking face in a
direction perpendicular to the ball-to-target line. The first
dimensional alignment marking consists of a circumferential in a
form of a circle. The second and third dimensional alignment
markings consist of diagonal markings in a form of two diagonal
lines, intersecting each other at right angle at the centerline of
the first dimensional alignment marking. The alignment markings can
be represented by a combination of solid line, broken line, solid
areas, and imprinted letters & numbers of manufacturer brands
& data.
Inventors: |
Yang, David; (Moraga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID YANG
1020 WICKHAM DR.
MORAGA
CA
94556
US
|
Family ID: |
27609815 |
Appl. No.: |
10/059495 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/280 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3688 20130101;
A63B 43/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/280 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. Putting alignment markings on a golf ball comprise a first,
second and third dimensional alignment markings; said first
dimensional alignment marking serving for a vertical alignment of a
player's eyes-to-ball line along a centerline of said golf ball
extending upward vertically from the center of said golf ball; said
second dimensional alignment marking serving for a longitudinal
alignment of a ball-roll direction along a ball-to-target line in a
horizontal plan; said third dimensional alignment marking serving
for a parallel alignment of a putter's striking surface along a
direction perpendicular to said ball-to-target line in a horizontal
plan;
2. Putting alignment markings of claim 1, herein: said first
dimensional alignment marking defined as a circumferential marking
in a form a circle, having an alignment method consists of
positioning a centerline of said circumferential marking vertical
to ground, positioning player's eyes above said golf ball near a
centerline of said golf ball vertical to ground, and repositioning
player's eyes until a top view of said golf ball revealing two
concentric circles, one represented by said circumferential
marking, and another represented by said largest circle of said
golf ball; said second and third dimensional alignment markings
defined as a pair of diagonal markings in a form of two diagonal
lines intersecting each other at right angle at said centerline of
said circumferential marking, having an alignment method consists
of positioning said centerline of said circumferential marking
vertical to ground, positioning one of said diagonal line in a
direction along said ball-to-target line for serving said
longitudinal alignment of a ball-roll direction along said
ball-to-target line in a horizontal plan, and positioning another
of said diagonal lines in a direction perpendicular to said
ball-to-target line for serving said parallel alignment of a
putter's striking surface along the direction perpendicular to said
ball-to-target line in a horizontal plan.
3. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said second
and third dimensional alignment markings are represented by two
diagonal solid lines intersecting each other at right angle at said
centerline of said first dimensional alignment marking.
4. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said second
and third dimensional alignment markings are represented by two
diagonal broken lines intersecting each other at right angle at
said centerline of said first dimensional alignment marking.
5. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said second
and third dimensional alignment markings are represented by
distinguishable sold areas, creating an image of two diagonal lines
intersecting each other at right angle at said centerline of said
first dimensional alignment marking.
6. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said second
and third dimensional alignment markings are represented by
imprinted letters & numbers, creating an image of two diagonal
lines intersecting each other at right angle at said centerline of
said first dimensional alignment marking.
7. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said second
and third dimensional alignment markings are represented by a
combination of solid lines, broken lines, solid areas, and
imprinted letters & numbers, creating an image of two diagonal
lines intersecting each other at right angle at said centerline of
said first dimensional alignment marking.
8. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said first
dimensional alignment marking is represented by a solid line
circle.
9. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said first
dimensional alignment marking is represented by a broken line
circle.
10. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said first
dimensional alignment marking is represented by a solid area,
creating an image of a circle.
11. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said first
dimensional alignment marking is represented by imprinted letters
& numbers, creating an image of a circle.
12. The golf ball alignment marking of claim 2, wherein said first
dimensional alignment marking is represented by a combination of
solid line, broken line, solid area, and imprinted letters &
numbers, creating an image of a circle.
13. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein plural
numbers of said first, second and third dimensional alignment
markings are provided.
14. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, wherein said
second and third dimensional alignment markings are bound within
said first dimensional alignment marking.
15. The golf ball alignment markings of claim 2, Wherein said
second and third dimensional alignment markings are extended beyond
said first dimensional alignment marking.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Various styles of alignment markings on a golf ball have
been disclosed in the prior art for purpose of obtaining better
putting alignment in the direction of ball roll (i.e.,
ball-to-target line) and/or the direction of putter's striking
surface. These alignment markings can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
676,506, 1,842,944, 2,709,595, 3,420,529, 3,753,565, 4,209,172,
4,235,441, 4,258,921, 4,603,862, 5,564,707, 5,662,530, and
6,004,223.
[0002] The alignment marking on a golf ball can be useful in a golf
game because of the golf rules governed by USGA According to the
rules, a player is allowed to lift up and re-position a golf ball
on the putting green if the ball location is properly marked prior
to lifting. Therefore, a skilled player can have the opportunity to
take the following steps to complete a putt. He can first take a
good look at the direction of ball roll (or ball-to-target line)
while standing directly behind the ball. In the mean time, he can
re-position the ball so that the alignment marking on the ball can
be re-aligned in the direction of ball-to-target line. Finally, the
player can "square" the putter's face and make a putting stroke in
the direction guided by the ball's alignment marking.
[0003] However, the alignment markings disclosed in the prior art
have overlooked another important aspect of putting governed by
golf rules. According to the rules, a player is required to strike
the ball in a stand with both feet situated on the same side of
ball (or ball-to-target line). In such a stand, player can only
view the target or ball-to-target line by turning his head
laterally toward the target. Therefore, it is necessary for the
player to position his eyes directly above the ball in order to
read the ball-to-target line correctly. Up to now, all alignment
markings disclosed in the prior art can only facilitate
1-dimensional or 2-dimensional alignment in a horizontal plan. None
of disclosed prior art could facilitate a third dimensional
alignment for a vertical alignment of player's eyes precisely along
the centerline of ball. Without obtaining such vertical alignment,
player can not view the alignment markings or the ball-to-target
line correctly. Consequently, the effectiveness of alignment
markings of prior art is significantly impaired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The alignment markings on a golf ball of present invention
consist of a circumferential marking and a pair of diagonal
markings. The circumferential marking is typically in the form of a
circle slightly smaller than the largest circle of the ball. The
diagonal markings are typically in the form of two diagonal lines
intersecting each other at right angle at the centerline of the
circumferential marking.
[0005] The method of applying present invention for 3-dimensional
putting alignment consist of the following steps: First, player
must place the centerline of circumferential marking vertical to
ground. Second, player must align one of the diagonal marking in
the direction of desired ball roll (i.e. ball-to-target line), and
thus the second diagonal marking perpendicular to the first
diagonal marking is used for parallel alignment of putter's
striking surface. Third, player can then take a side-addressing
stand so that he can view and verify the top view of the
circumferential marking and the equator of the ball (i.e. the
largest circle of the ball). Finally, player needs to adjust his
stand and eye location until the two circles appear to be
concentric. These two circles will appear to be concentric only if
player's eyes are positioned directly above the ball along the
centerline of ball. The top view of these two circles will appear
to be non-concentric if player's eyes are positioned off the
centerline of ball.
[0006] The above alignment method can be better understood by
illustrating the top view of the golf ball as a clock. When the
player's eyes are off the centerline of ball with an offset toward
6 o'clock, the gap between the two circles at 6 o'clock position
will appear to be the widest gap. Such visual effect facilitates
vertical alignment of player's eyes along the centerline of
ball.
[0007] It is one of the object of the present invention to provide
the golf ball alignment marking to aid the vertical alignment of
player's eyes along the centerline of ball vertical to ground
during putting (i.e. the first dimensional alignment).
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide the
golf ball alignment marking to aid the horizontal and longitudinal
alignment of the ball roll direction along the ball-to-target line
during putting (i.e. the second dimensional alignment).
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide the golf ball alignment marking to aid the horizontal and
parallel alignment of putter's striking face in the direction
perpendicular to the ball-to-target line during putting (i.e. the
third dimensional alignment).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows the top view of the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention, as viewed directly above the ball.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows the top view of the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention, as viewed by player's eyes off the
ball-to-target line toward player's feet line.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows the top view of the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention, as viewed by player's eyes off the
ball-to-target line away from player's feet line.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows exemplary embodiments within the scope of
present invention but having variations from the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the top view of the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention, including golf ball 1, diagonal markings
2 & 3, circumferential marking 4, centerline 5 of
circumferential marking 4, and equator 6 of golf ball 1. The
diagonal markings 2 & 3 intersect each other at right angle at
the centerline 5, which is shown vertical to ground. The diagonal
markings 2 & 3 provide the directions of the desired ball roll
(i.e. ball-to-target line) and the putter's striking surface
respectively. FIG. 1 shows both circumferential marking 4 and
equator 6 as concentric circles, which represent the true top view
of golf ball 1 as viewed directly from the top of golf ball 1 along
centerline 5. Therefore, FIG. 1 represents the top view of golf
ball 1 while the golfer has obtained vertical alignment of his eyes
precisely along the centerline of ball during putting.
[0015] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show variations of the top view of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which
equator 6 and circumferential marking 4 are not concentric circles.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 represent the top views of golf ball 1 as viewed
by golfer while he has not obtained proper vertical alignment of
his eyes during putting. Line 7 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 represents the
feet line of golfer while taking a side-addressing stand during
putting. Therefore, line 7 must be parallel to ball-to-target line,
and represents the direction of ball-to-target line. FIG. 2 shows a
wider gap between equator 6 and circumferential marking 4 at the
location nearest to feet line 7, which represents the top view of
golf ball 1 as viewed by player with his eyes off the centerline of
ball with an offset toward player's feet line 7. FIG. 3 shows a
wider gap between equator 6 and circle 4 at the location far from
feet line 7, which represents the top view of golf ball 1 as viewed
by player with his eyes off the centerline of ball with an offset
away from player's feet line 7. Such variation in gap as viewed by
player becomes more significant as the offset increases, or the
size of circumferential marking 4 increases.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows some exemplary embodiments having variations
from the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, but
are considered within the scope of present invention. Such
variations include the alignment markings in various forms
represented by solid lines, broken lines, solid areas, imprinted
letters and numbers of manufacturer brand names and data, etc., or
represented by any combination of the above forms.
[0017] Although the invention has been shown and described above,
various other changes, additions and omissions in the form and
detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
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