U.S. patent application number 10/637368 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for adjustable golf putting feedback learning apparatus.
Invention is credited to Rango, Joseph F..
Application Number | 20050032580 10/637368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34116607 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050032580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rango, Joseph F. |
February 10, 2005 |
Adjustable golf putting feedback learning apparatus
Abstract
A putting practice apparatus and method includes placing an
approximately right rectangular body with plural vertically
oriented surfaces on a putting surface. One of the vertical
surfaces has a depression of a selected width. A pair of opposing
spaced-apart fixed arms are extended from another of the surfaces.
A positionable third arm is positioned at a selected location
between the pair of fixed arms. A rubber band is peripherally
engaging around the body in contact with the one of the surfaces
thereby bridging the depression therein and further bridging
between the pair of fixed arms and the movable arm. The method
further includes putting a golf ball on the putting surface to
contact the rubber band centrally relative to the depression or
centrally between one of the fixed arms and the movable arm so as
to receive visual feedback as to targeting error in movement of the
golf ball.
Inventors: |
Rango, Joseph F.; (Palm
Desert, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENE SCOTT; PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP
3140 RED HILL AVENUE
SUITE 150
COSTA MESA
CA
92626-3440
US
|
Family ID: |
34116607 |
Appl. No.: |
10/637368 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/164 ;
473/180; 473/182; 473/185; 473/186; 473/187; 473/188; 473/189 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/40 20151001;
A63B 69/3676 20130101; A63B 57/357 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/164 ;
473/180; 473/182; 473/185; 473/186; 473/187; 473/188; 473/189 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A putting practice apparatus comprising: an approximately right
rectangular body having a top and an opposing bottom horizontal
surfaces, and contiguous with the top and bottom surfaces, plural
vertically oriented surfaces, including: a left side surface, a
right side surface, a front surface and a rear surface, the front
surface providing a centrally positioned depression of a selected
width; the rear surface providing, extending outwardly therefrom, a
pair of opposing spaced-apart fixed arms, and between the fixed
arms, a receiver slot; a third arm movably engaged within the
receiver slot and selectively positionable in the receiver slot at
alternate positions between the pair of opposing spaced-apart arms;
and a rubber band engaged peripherally around the body in contact
with the front surface excluding the depression therein, the left
and right side surfaces and the pair of fixed arms and the movable
arm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rubber band is positioned
medially between the top and bottom surfaces.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface provides a
means for engaging a supporting surface whereas the body is
prevented from moving when a golf ball strikes one of the vertical
surfaces.
4. A putting practice apparatus comprising: a body having at least
one vertically oriented surfaces, the body supported on a putting
surface; at least one of the vertically oriented surfaces providing
an unsupported portion of a means for resilience positioned
medially on a golf ball rolling on the putting surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the unsupported portion of the
resilience means spans a depression in the at least one vertically
oriented surfaces.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the unsupported portion of the
resilience means spans between two fixed and spaced apart arms
extending from the at least one vertically oriented surfaces.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the unsupported portion of the
resilience means spans between a fixed and a movable arms, the arms
extending from the at least one vertically oriented surfaces, the
space between the arms being selectively adjustable.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the body provides a means for
engaging the putting surface whereas the body is prevented from
moving when a golf ball strikes one of the surfaces.
9. A putting practice method comprising the steps of: placing a
body with plural vertically oriented surfaces on a putting surface;
placing a depression of a selected width in one of the surfaces;
engaging a rubber band peripherally around the body in contact with
the one of the surfaces and bridging the depression therein; and
putting a golf ball on the putting surface to contact the rubber
band centrally to the depression.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:
extending a pair of opposing spaced-apart fixed arms from another
of the surfaces; positioning a positionable third extending arm at
a selected position between the pair of opposing spaced-apart fixed
arms; and putting the golf ball to strike the rubber band centrally
with respect to one of the fixed arms and the movable arm.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of adhering
the bottom surface to the putting surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE: Applicant(s) hereby incorporate
herein by reference, any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent
applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or
referred to in this application.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to golf balls, and more
particularly to a golf ball construction containing metallic
flakes.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0006] Rango, U.S. U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,594 describes a golf putter
especially adapted to provide training and practice in developing
an accurate and precise swing and accuracy in engaging a golf ball
by means of a putter head having a spherical contour on one face
for putting training and in addition providing a flat putting
surface on the opposite face of the club for practice and/or normal
use. At the same time the putter is designed to be interchangeable
for left or right hand use by providing a downward taper at each
side of the club head. The flat putting surface may be formed with
a transparent material to permit the insertion of informational
matter.
[0007] Stark, U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,420 describes a golf putting
practice device having a foundation frame, including a cantilevered
support bracket. It has upper and lower optical position lines
carried on transparent portions of plate members that are mounted
on the cantilevered support bracket so that the plate members are
parallel to each other and the optical position lines extend in the
direction of a proper putting stroke. A ball-centering sight, as
well as a head mirror, are also mounted on the support bracket. An
angled mirror is also provided. A golfer using the device can
observe problems with head movement during a putting stroke, as
well as the exact posture of the ball, the putter head, and putter
head movement during a putting stroke. The correct putting stroke
is absolutely perfectly along the optical position lines.
[0008] Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,852 describes an apparatus, which
provides improved means for perfecting the art of putting of a golf
ball by a golfer. It allows for refining a golfer's putting skill
by making the starting and ending points of the putting stroke easy
to evaluate. The apparatus is a rectangular frame, which is placed
on the ground with the head of the putter inside the frame and
perpendicular to the long sides of the frame. A golf ball is placed
on the ground roughly in the center of the frame. The putter is
drawn back a given distance to the edge of an adjustable backstop.
At the end of the stroke the putter just contacts a flexible rod
whose position along the frame can be adjusted. The frame has both
fixed and adjustable markings to allow the golfer to judge the
beginning of the putting stroke and the follow through.
[0009] Fontes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,039 describes a golf aid putting
device including a conventional golf club putter having a handle
portion, a shaft portion and a putter head. A keel member is
releasably secured to a bottom surface of the putter head for
engagement with a track portion of the putting device for teaching
the correct putting technique. The track portion of the putting
device may be positioned on any horizontal supporting surface. The
track portion includes a base member and a guide plate member
having a curved top edge, said guide plate extending upwardly from
the base member in perpendicular relation thereto wherein the keel
member engages against the outside surface of the guide plate
member and the curved top edge thereof to determine the path of
movement of the putter during its back and forward swings.
[0010] Tate, U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,903 describes at least one, and
preferably a pair, of golf ball markers with magnets incorporated
therein that are employed in combination with a golf putter as a
putting training aid. The golf ball markers may be placed a short
distance apart on the ball-impact impact face of the putter for a
golfer to practice putting. If the golfer correctly brings the
putter face into contact with the ball, the ball will be impacted
by the center of the face directly between the two magnetized ball
markers. If the golfer's putting stroke is not correct, one or the
other of the ball markers will strike the ball, thereby creating a
tactile sensation transmitted through the putter shaft that informs
the golfer of the error in execution of the putting stroke.
Magnetic golf ball markers may also be used in combination with a
putter in other ways to develop a putting stroke that is
consistently correct. The golfer places two of the golf ball
markers with magnets incorporated therein on a golf putting
practice surface. One of these markers is placed directly in front
of the golf ball and one directly behind it. On the backswing, the
magnetic golf ball marker behind the golf ball will spring up onto
the sole of the putter head with an audible click if the putter
head remains near the golf putting practice surface during the
backstroke. As the putting stroke is executed, and with a proper
follow through, the ball marker in front of the golf ball will be
magnetically attracted to the sole of the putter head if the putter
head remains near the golf putting practice surface.
[0011] Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,246 describes a device for
putt-practice. This device has a first casing opened at its
opposite ends, with a speed sensor provided at each end of the
first casing and a ball inlet formed at one end of the first
casing. A second casing, opened at its opposite ends, is axially
connected to an end of the first casing, with a transparent window
provided at the upper portion of the second casing for guiding a
backstroke movement of a putter during an act of putting. This
second casing also has a displaying means for displaying a target
putting distance preset by a user, a practical backstroke distance
of the putter, and putting results after the act of putting.
[0012] Riddell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,247 describes a golf putting
practice apparatus for improving one's stroke and accuracy in
putting a golf ball with a putter, comprising: two cord positioning
and holding members, each member having an inner face portion, and
adapted to hold portions of the length of cord in spaced parallel
linear alignment between the members; and, a length of cord
extending between the two inner face portions of the cord holding
and positioning members. The golf ball may be initially positioned
and subsequently putted between the parallel portions of the cord;
thereby enabling one to better judge the linearity of the stroke of
the putter and the accuracy of the putt by reference to the
portions of the cord held in parallel and spaced alignment on each
side of the ball. A method of using the above apparatus is
disclosed which includes the step of applying two strips of colored
tape to top portions of the putter in a position which vertically
corresponds to the position of the cord therebelow. The strips of
tape facilitate judging the linearity of a putting stroke.
[0013] Schaum, U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,099 describes a golf-training
device, which clamps onto the shaft of a standard golf club. The
device has a holding block, which holds a laser pointing in a
downward direction. A hinged mirror at the light-emitting end of
the laser causes the laser light to be reflected at roughly a
ninety-degree angle and thereby run parallel to the ground. An
alignment strip and separate target helps the user calibrate the
training device so that the laser beam is perpendicular to the flat
head striking area of the golf club. The alignment strip can then
be removed allowing the user to move the target to any reasonable
distance. In this way a golfer can learn the proper alignment of
club head to hole thereby improving his or her ability to
accurately putt a golf ball towards and into the hole. The hinged
mirror on the training device of the present invention can also be
swung down so that the laser light is pointing straight down. In
this orientation a user can swing a golf club in a practice room
and observe the swing path of the club as the laser light forms a
line as it strikes the floor, wall and ceiling. The training device
of the present invention is easily attached and removed and is
compact enough to be carried in ones pocket.
[0014] Pelz, U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,152 describes a putting trainer
including a substantially flat plate upon which a golfer may place
and strike a golf ball. The plate includes a first end having a
recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving a golf ball and
maintaining the golf ball in position adjacent the first end until
such a time that the golfer strikes the golf ball toward a second
end of the plate. The plate further includes a central alignment
groove extending from the recess toward the second end of the
plate. The putting trainer also includes a plurality of obstacles
respectively and selectively positioned within a plurality of
indents formed within the plate. The indents are positioned on
opposite sides of the central alignment groove to define a
passageway through which a golf ball is desirably struck.
[0015] Chough, U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,672 describes a practice putter
for improving a golfer's putting game having a conventional grip
attached to a conventional shaft. The shaft is connected to a head
having a concave bottom surface of a predetermined radius. One or
more balls are mounted in the bottom surface on an axle, and each
ball revolves freely only in the direction of the axle. Each ball
is positioned adjacent opposed sides of the concave middle portion.
Each ball is mounted on an axle having a shock system that allows
the ball to be pushed inward towards the head with the application
of a predetermined force thereon. The length of the shaft is
adjustable, and the angle determined by the top surface of the head
and the shaft is also adjustable. In proper use, each ball is made
to contact the putting surface as the head is moved in a straight
line guided by the rolling balls.
[0016] Weidlich, U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,123 describes a putting
training system for practicing putting outdoors on a putting green
or indoors on a carpeted surface comprising of a circular toroid
putting target which by design has the ability to distinguish
between a correctly or incorrectly struck putt with the rule that
all putts should be struck hard enough force to leave the golf ball
approximately seventeen inches past the hole if the hole was not
there. The training aid target is a visually realistic, 360-degree,
three-dimensional depiction of a real hole on a putting green. This
is accomplished by distinguishing the color of the outer half of
the target from the inner half of the target. By coloring the outer
half of the training aid target green and the inner half of the
target black, one sees relatively the same view as a real hole when
viewed from a distance.
[0017] Consiglio, U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,620 describes a
putter-training device for judging a speed of impact of a golf club
head upon a golf ball and including an elongated structure with a
first guide wall and a second spaced apart and substantially
parallel extending guide wall. A golf ball placement position is
located at a first interconnecting end of the spaced apart guide
walls. An adjustable and cross wise extending passageway with
pivoting flaps is located proximate a second interconnecting end
and determines a selected width for allowing passage therethrough
of a golf ball which is struck at said placement portion and
travels along the elongated structure between the first and second
guide walls. A sensor circuit includes first and second pairs of
spaced apart sensors mounted in opposing fashion and at spaced
apart locations to the first and second guide walls. A counter
assembly including a logic circuit interfaces with the sensor
circuit to signal start and stop positions of the sensor circuit
dependent upon first and second travel positions of the golf ball.
A digital to analog converter is communicable with the logic
circuit and converting an incremented output from the sensors for
subsequent presentation on a display circuit. A power supply
communicates with the sensor circuit, counter assembly, digital to
analog converter and display circuit for supplying an electrical
power input.
[0018] Hamilton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,920 describes a golf-putting
guide that is placed on the ground between a golfer and a golf
ball. It has a vertical front surface facing the ball that is part
of the elliptical vertical projection of a desired swing circle of
the club head. The heel of the club head slides along the front
surface of the guide in putting practice, guiding the club head in
a planar swing circle that is centered between the golfer's
shoulders. The top surface of the guide is marked with a series of
club-face alignment lines extending backward from the top front
edge of the guide. Each of these lines is perpendicular to a line
tangent to the elliptical top front edge of the guide. These lines
visually guide the alignment of the club head as it moves along the
front surface of the guide so the club rotates only on a single
axis.
[0019] Our prior art search with abstracts described above teaches
a putting guide, a golf stroke training device and method, a golf
putter training device incorporating a processor and counter
mechanism, a plurality of golf putter practice devices of various
types and a golf putting target; but does not teach a golf putting
practice providing visual feedback and with quickly adjustable
target area. The present invention fulfills these needs and
provides further related advantages as described in the following
summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0021] The present invention teaches a putting practice apparatus
and method including placing an approximately right rectangular
body with plural vertically oriented surfaces on a putting surface.
One of the vertical surfaces has a depression of a selected width.
A pair of opposing spaced-apart fixed arms are extended from
another of the surfaces. A positionable third arm is positioned at
a selected location between the pair of fixed arms. A rubber band
is peripherally engaging around the body in contact with the one of
the surfaces thereby bridging the depression therein and further
bridging between the pair of fixed arms and the movable arm. The
method further includes putting a golf ball on the putting surface
to contact the rubber band centrally relative to the depression or
centrally between one of the fixed arms and the movable arm so as
to receive visual feedback as to targeting error in movement of the
golf ball.
[0022] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides
advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0023] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of
visual feedback as to errors in golf ball putting trajectory.
[0024] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of adjusting a target size.
[0025] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of deflecting a golf ball so as to discriminate between
left and right ball travel error.
[0026] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of distinguishing the magnitude of golf ball travel error
in a visual feedback to the golfer.
[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 2-2;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof showing a correctly
striking golf ball with a large target area of an adjustable target
area of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 showing a small target area;
[0033] FIG. 5 a front perspective view thereof;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof showing a correctly
striking golf ball targeting a depression of the invention; and
[0035] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 showing an incorrectly targeted
golf ball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention
in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further
defined in detail in the following description.
[0037] The present invention is a putting practice apparatus
preferably having an approximately right rectangular body 10 with a
top 12 and an opposing bottom 14 horizontal surfaces, and
contiguous with the top and bottom surfaces 12, 14, a set of plural
vertically oriented surfaces, including: a left side surface 16, a
right side surface 18, a front surface 20 and a rear surface 22.
The front surface 20 provides a centrally positioned depression 21
of a selected width "W" as shown in FIG. 5. The rear surface 22
provides, extending outwardly therefrom, a pair of opposing
spaced-apart fixed arms 30, 30', and between the fixed arms, a
receiver slot 40 (means for receiving a movable arm). A third arm
30" is movably engaged within the receiver slot 40 and may be
selectively positioned in the receiver slot 40 at alternate
positions between the pair of opposing fixed arms 30, 30'. A rubber
band 50 (means for resilience) is engaged peripherally around the
body 10 in contact with the front surface 20 excluding the
depression 21, i.e., the rubber band 50 bridges the depression 21.
The rubber band 50 also is in contact with the left and right side
surfaces 16, 18 and the pair of fixed arms 30, 30' and the movable
arm 30" but is spaced apart from the rear surface 22 bridging this
surface. This is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.
[0038] The rubber band 50 is preferably positioned medially between
the top 12 and bottom 14 surfaces and is preferably centered at an
elevation medial to a golf ball 5. Preferably, the bottom surface
14 provides a means for engaging 60 a supporting putting surface 8
whereas the body 10 is twarted from moving when the golf ball 5
strikes one of the vertical surfaces. The engaging means 60 may be
Velcro.RTM. or other adhesive devices as is well known in the prior
art.
[0039] The above described apparatus is used in a putting practice
method comprising the steps of: placing the rectangular body 10 on
a putting surface 8, placing the depression 21 of a selected width
"W" in one of the surfaces 20, extending the pair of opposing
spaced-apart fixed arms 30, 30' from another of the surfaces 22,
positioning a movable third arm 30" at a selected position between
the pair of opposing spaced-apart fixed arms 30, 30', engaging a
rubber band 50 peripherally around the body 10 in contact with the
one of the surfaces 20 and bridging the depression 21 therein and
bridging further between the pair of fixed arms 30, 30' and the
movable arm 30", and putting a golf ball 5 on the putting surface 8
to contact the rubber band 50. Preferably, the golf ball 5 is
putted to strike the rubber band 50 centrally with respect to the
depression 21, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or alternately, the golf
ball 5 is putted to strike the rubber band 50 centrally between one
of the fixed arms 30, 30' and the movable arm 30", as is shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, the method further includes the step of
using a means for adherence of the body 10 to the putting surface
8.
[0040] As is shown in FIG. 6, when the golf ball 5 strikes the
rubber band 50 centrally, with respect to the depression 21, it
tends to rebound back along its original path, as shown by the
arrow. However, when the ball 5 strikes the rubber band 50 off
center, as shown in FIG. 7, it is rebounded along a path different
from its incoming path, as shown by the arrows in the figure. This
differential in ball path is a visual indicator of the magnitude of
error in targeting of the ball by the player striking the ball and
provides visual feedback so as to allow the player to clearly
understand how to correct his/her swing. This visual correction
provides feedback as to both the direction of error and the
magnitude of error.
[0041] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the third arm 30" may be positioned
so as to provide a larger target, as shown in FIG. 3 where the
unsupported portion of rubber band 50 spans a greater distance,
and, may alternately be positioned so as to provide a smaller
target, as shown in FIG. 4 where the unsupported portion of rubber
band 50 spans a lesser distance. In both instances the golf ball 5
is targeted to strike the rubber band 50 centrally between the
movable arm 30" and the fixed arm 30'. Thus, the movable arm 30"
may be positioned for a larger target area for a novice golfer, and
may be positioned for a smaller target area for a more expert
golfer, thus providing a useful device for a wide range golfer
skill, and the ability to be adapted for a single golfer as his/her
skill improves. Not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is that the golf ball
5, when striking the rubber band 50 off center, is deflected back
toward the golfer with the same visual feedback as described above
with respect to FIG. 7.
[0042] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the
invention.
* * * * *