U.S. patent application number 11/454764 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for integrated putting training and green speed measuring apparatus and method of use thereof.
Invention is credited to Albert R. Penner, Peter A. Walsh, William G. Weller.
Application Number | 20060287119 11/454764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37574121 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060287119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Penner; Albert R. ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Integrated putting training and green speed measuring apparatus and
method of use thereof
Abstract
An integrated stimp-putt meter for use with a golf ball, putter
and distance measure, for assessing golf ball speed along a given
path is provided. The stimp-putt meter comprises: at least two
transmitter/receiver pairs, for transmission and reception of an
electromagnetic beam; a microcontroller in electronic communication
with the transmitter/receiver pairs; a display in electronic
communication with the microcontroller; and a housing. The
transmitter/receiver pairs are located along a given path, and the
transmitter and receiver of each pair are separated by a
predetermined distance sufficient for a golf ball to pass through
and positioned such that each beam is interrupted by the passage of
a golf ball.
Inventors: |
Penner; Albert R.; (Nanaimo,
CA) ; Weller; William G.; (Nanaimo, CA) ;
Walsh; Peter A.; (Victoria, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLARQUIST SPARKMAN, LLP
121 SW SALMON STREET
SUITE 1600
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
37574121 |
Appl. No.: |
11/454764 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60691639 |
Jun 17, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2024/0034 20130101;
A63B 69/3676 20130101; A63B 2220/805 20130101; A63B 24/0021
20130101; A63B 69/3658 20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B
2024/0037 20130101; A63B 69/3614 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/131 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. An integrated stimp-putt meter for use with a golf ball, putter
and distance measure, for assessing golf ball speed along a given
path, said stimp-putt meter comprising: at least two
transmitter/receiver pairs, for transmission and reception of an
electromagnetic beam, said pairs located along a given path, the
transmitter and receiver of each pair separated by a predetermined
distance sufficient for a golf ball to pass through and positioned
such that said beam of each pair is interrupted by the passage of
the golf ball; a microcontroller in electronic communication with
said transmitter/receiver pairs; a display in electronic
communication with said microcontroller; and a housing.
2. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 1 wherein said
transmitter/receiver pairs are photo transmitters/sensors.
3. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 2 wherein said
microcontroller comprises a calculator to calculate golf ball speed
and projected ball roll distance.
4. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 3 wherein said housing
comprises a top and two sides.
5. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 4 wherein said
transmitter/receiver pairs are approximately 6 inches apart along
the given path.
6. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 5 further comprising a
set of switches, said switches in communication with said
microcontroller and said display, to permit switching from one mode
to another mode.
7. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 6 wherein one of said
modes is a calculation and display of a projected ball roll
distance mode.
8. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 7, wherein one of said
modes is a green speed selection mode, to permit preselection of a
stimpmeter reading of a green.
9. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 7, wherein one of said
modes is a floor speed selection mode, to permit preselection of a
stimpmeter reading of a surface.
10. The integrated stimp-putt meter of claim 7, wherein one of said
modes is a preselected hole distance mode.
11. A method of determining a stimpmeter reading of a given
surface, said method comprising: propelling a golf ball through a
series of at least two pairs of electromagnetic radiation
transmitter/receivers aligned along a given path; calculating the
speed of said golf ball based on the difference in time between the
interruption of one beam and the interruption of at least one other
beam; calculating a projected ball roll distance; measuring an
actual ball roll distance; calculating a stimpmeter reading for the
given surface; and displaying said stimpmeter reading for the given
surface.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said transmitter/receiver pairs
are photo transmitters/sensors.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said transmitter/receiver pairs
are approximately 6 inches apart along the given path.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising switching a
microcontroller from one mode to another mode.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein one of said modes is a
calculation and display of projected ball roll distance mode.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein one of said modes is a green
speed selection mode, to permit preselection of a stimpmeter
reading of a green.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein one of said modes is a floor
speed selection mode, to permit preselection of a stimpmeter
reading of a surface.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein one of said modes is a
preselected hole distance mode.
19. A method of practicing putting for a selected green, said
method comprising: propelling a golf ball through a series of at
least two pairs of electromagnetic radiation transmitter/receivers
aligned along a given path on a selected green; measuring the speed
of said golf ball based on the difference in time between the
interruption of one beam and the interruption of at least one other
beam; calculating a projected ball roll distance; measuring an
actual ball roll distance; calculating a stimpmeter reading for the
selected green; displaying said stimpmeter reading for the selected
green; moving to a selected surface; putting a golf ball through a
series of at least two pairs of electromagnetic radiation
transmitter/receivers aligned along a given path on the selected
surface; measuring the speed of the golf ball on the selected
surface based on the difference in time between the interruption of
one beam and the interruption of at least one other beam;
calculating a first stimpmeter reading for the selected surface;
displaying the first stimpmeter reading for the selected surface;
putting a golf ball through the series of at least two pairs of
electromagnetic radiation transmitter/receivers aligned along a
given path on the selected surface; measuring the speed of the golf
ball based on the selected surface on the difference in time
between the interruption of one beam and the interruption of at
least one other beam; calculating a second stimpmeter reading for
the selected surface; displaying the second stimpmeter reading for
the selected surface; comparing at least one of the first and
second stimpmeter readings for the selected surface with the
stimpmeter reading for the selected green; determining the distance
that the golf ball would have traveled on the selected green; and
displaying the distance that the golf ball would have traveled on
the selected green.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein the integrated stimp-putt meter
of claim 1 is employed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/691,639, entitled INTEGRATED PUTTING
TRAINING AND GREEN SPEED MEASURING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE
THEREOF, filed Jun. 17, 2005, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for golfers
to practice putting and to assess the speed of a green. More
specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and
method of using the apparatus that allows golfers to practice
control of putting distance on a variety of surfaces as well as
allowing for the determination of the speed of a green.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In order to improve putting performance, golfers need to
improve both aim and distance control. The distance a ball travels
is, of course, controlled both by the golfer, and the green speed.
When practicing indoors golfers will normally be putting on
surfaces that have completely different speeds than found on golf
greens. The golfer therefore cannot accurately practice distance
control on such surfaces.
[0004] Several putting training devices have been patented that
relate to practicing distance control. Some assess the movement of
the putter club head in the absence of a target. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,788,583 discloses the use of optical sensors to
determine the speed of the putter club head. This value is then
used to determine the distance a ball would have rolled had it been
struck. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,270 uses sensors to
determine the speed and orientation of the putter club head during
the stroke. As putter club heads come in a range of different
masses a given club head speed does not translate directly to a
given ball roll distance.
[0005] Other devices have been developed that are supposed to
indicate the distance that a golf ball would roll on a real green.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,283 discloses a device where the golfer strikes
a putting target that is free to rotate about an axis. The force
that the putter strikes the target is measured and this value along
with the input stimpmeter reading is used to calculate the distance
that the ball would have traveled. While this device can readily be
used in locations such as an office or at home, and is readily
portable, it suffers from the fact that is does not provide the
look and feel obtained with putting a real golf ball. Consequently,
whereas a ball can bounce and spin differently when struck by a
club head, for example, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,283 does
not account for this.
[0006] Both the green speed and the interaction between the club
and the ball are taken into consideration in U.S. Pat. No.
5,586,941. Disclosed is the use of an inclined track of length 6 to
7 feet that can be adjusted for height to simulate various golf
distances. Further, the surface of the track can be altered to
simulate putting on a dry and a wet green. The golfer putts a golf
ball down the track and determines the distance that the ball
travels. This device is relatively bulky and is not very accurate
in that it does not allow for the range of various green speeds
found on real golf courses.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,687 uses photogates to determine the
ball speed and allows the user to input stimpmeter reading.
However, as the device has the user putting the ball from an
attached flexible surface and the ball is stopped at the back of
the unit, the device cannot be used by the golfer to determine
green speed on various greens of interest and then practice using
those settings.
[0008] Knowledge of the green speed is crucial with any training
device if golfers are to be able to practice distance control when
putting. The stimpmeter, invented in 1937 by Mr. Edward Stimpson,
is the standard instrument used in determining green speed.
[0009] The stimpmeter is a long V-shaped aluminum bar with a notch
at one end. The bar is laid flat on the ground with a ball placed
in the notch. The stimpmeter is then raised and when it reaches an
angle of 20.degree. the ball rolls out of the notch and down the
trough and onto the putting surface. The distance the ball rolls is
referred to as the stimpmeter reading of the green. This value can
range from 5 feet for a very slow green to 12 feet for a very fast
green.
[0010] The design of the stimpmeter often produces a number of
inaccuracies in green-speed measurement. The release height of a
golf ball placed in the notch in the V-shaped channel depends upon
the dimple configuration and exact placement position of the golf
ball relative to the edge of the notch. This causes errors in the
initial speed of release of balls onto the green surface, which in
turn, cause direct errors in green-speed measurements. Operator
error, such as lifting or raising the bar in a jerky motion or not
holding the bar steady as the ball rolls during a test may also
cause a relatively large variation in roll distance. Further,
because balls impact the green surface at the lower end of the
stimpmeter at a 20-degree angle, they may bounce, thereby creating
further variables in roll distance.
[0011] A number of approaches have been developed to overcome the
deficiencies in the stimpmeter. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,749,527 discloses a collapsible, portable green-speed meter that
differs from the original stimpmeter in that it is more stable. The
angle is about 30 degrees incline for the ball route while the
original stimpmeter is 20 degrees. This apparatus would be fraught
with all the deficiencies noted above, with the exception that it
is portable and arguably more stable.
[0012] The green-speed measuring apparatus of U.S. Pat. No.
6,860,139 includes a three-track ramp for rolling three golf balls
along parallel, but distinct tracks over the surface of a green
being tested. The ramp is raised above the putting surface to a
precise 20.2-degree angle relative to the local horizontal using a
preconfigured angled level-vial and an adjustable-length leg
structure that mechanically supports the upper start end of the
ramp at a fixed position. The local horizontal is defined as a
plane perpendicular to the local gravitational vertical vector.
Each golf ball sits in a radiused rolling groove against a radiused
ball stop and is held in a pre-release starting position by a
release trigger holding plate, which is also radiused to hold golf
balls in a repeatable position, regardless of ball surface dimple
location or size. The ramp has three ball-radiused rolling grooves
that reduce golf ball chatter when a dimpled surface ball rolls
down the grooves. The end of the ramp is curved in order to release
golf balls horizontally so as to be essentially parallel to the
putting green surface thereby minimizing or totally eliminating
ball bounce as the ball impacts the surface of the green. This
apparatus does overcome some of the deficiencies noted in the
original stimpmeter, but it is relatively bulky.
[0013] Regardless of the stimpmeter design, stimpmeters only
provide information on green speed. They are not used to determine
putting performance.
[0014] There is a need for a compact integrated device that will
allow golfers to practice control of putting distance on any
surface and that can accurately assess green speed. It is an object
of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies in the prior
art.
SUMMARY
[0015] In one disclosed embodiment, an integrated stimp-putt meter
for use with a golf ball, putter and distance measure, for
assessing golf ball speed along a given path is provided. The
stimp-putt meter comprises: at least two transmitter/receiver
pairs, for transmission and reception of an electromagnetic beam; a
microcontroller in electronic communication with the
transmitter/receiver pairs; a display in electronic communication
with the microcontroller; and a housing. The transmitter/receiver
pairs are located along a given path, and the transmitter and
receiver of each pair are separated by a predetermined distance
sufficient for a golf ball to pass through and positioned such that
the beam is interrupted by the passage of a golf ball.
[0016] In another aspect, the transmitter/receiver pairs are photo
transmitters/sensors.
[0017] In another aspect, the microcontroller comprises a
calculator to calculate golf ball speed and projected ball roll
distance.
[0018] In another aspect, the housing comprises a top and two
sides.
[0019] In another aspect, the transmitter/receiver pairs are
approximately 6 inches apart along a given path.
[0020] In another aspect, the integrated stimp-putt meter further
comprises a set of switches, and the switches are in communication
with the microcontroller and the display, to permit switching from
one mode to another mode.
[0021] In another aspect, the mode is a calculation and display of
a projected ball roll distance mode.
[0022] In another aspect, the mode is a green speed selection mode,
to permit preselection of a stimpmeter reading of a green.
[0023] In another aspect, the mode is a floor speed selection mode,
to permit preselection of a stimpmeter reading of a surface.
[0024] In another aspect, the mode is a preselected hole distance
mode.
[0025] In another embodiment, a method of determining a stimpmeter
reading of a given surface is provided. The method comprises:
[0026] propelling a golf ball through a series of at least two
pairs of electromagnetic radiation transmitter/receivers aligned
along a given path; [0027] calculating the speed of the golf ball
based on the difference in time between the interruption of one
beam and the interruption of at least one other beam; [0028]
calculating a projected ball roll distance; [0029] measuring an
actual ball roll distance; [0030] calculating a stimpmeter reading
for the given surface; and [0031] displaying the stimpmeter reading
for the given surface.
[0032] In another aspect of the method, the transmitter/receiver
pairs are photo transmitters/sensors.
[0033] In another aspect of the method, the transmitter/receiver
pairs are approximately 6 inches apart along a given path.
[0034] In another aspect, the method further comprises switching a
microcontroller from one mode to another mode.
[0035] In another aspect of the method, the mode is a calculation
and display of projected ball roll distance mode.
[0036] In another aspect of the method, the mode is a green speed
selection mode, to permit preselection of a stimpmeter reading of a
green.
[0037] In another aspect of the method, the mode is a floor speed
selection mode, to permit preselection of a stimpmeter reading of a
surface.
[0038] In another aspect of the method, the mode is a preselected
hole distance mode.
[0039] In another embodiment, a method of practicing putting for a
selected green is provided. The method comprises: [0040] propelling
a golf ball through a series of at least two pairs of
electromagnetic radiation transmitter/receivers aligned along a
given path on a selected green; [0041] measuring the speed of the
golf ball based on the difference in time between the interruption
of one beam and the interruption of at least one other beam; [0042]
calculating a projected ball roll distance; [0043] measuring an
actual ball roll distance; [0044] calculating a stimpmeter reading
for the selected green; [0045] displaying the stimpmeter reading
for the selected green; [0046] moving to a selected surface; [0047]
putting a golf ball through a series of at least two pairs of
electromagnetic radiation transmitter/receivers aligned along a
given path on the selected surface; [0048] measuring the speed of
the golf ball on the selected surface based on the difference in
time between the interruption of one beam and the interruption of
at least one other beam; [0049] calculating a first stimpmeter
reading for the selected surface; [0050] displaying the first
stimpmeter reading for the selected surface; [0051] putting a golf
ball through the series of at least two pairs of electromagnetic
radiation transmitter/receivers aligned along a given path on the
selected surface; [0052] measuring the speed of the golf ball on
the selected surface based on the difference in time between the
interruption of one beam and the interruption of at least one other
beam; [0053] calculating a second stimpmeter reading for the
selected surface; [0054] displaying the second stimpmeter reading
for the selected surface; [0055] comparing at least one of the
first and second stimpmeter readings for the selected surface with
the stimpmeter reading for the selected green; [0056] determining
the distance that the golf ball would have traveled on the selected
green; and [0057] displaying the distance that the golf ball would
have traveled on the selected green.
[0058] In another aspect of the method, an integrated stimp-putt
meter of an embodiment of the invention is employed.
[0059] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages
will become more apparent from the following detailed description,
which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the stimp-putt meter in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, shown with the electronic
controls removed for clarity.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a side view of the stimp-putt meter of FIG. 1.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a front view of the stimp-putt meter of FIG.
1.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a top view of the stimp-putt meter similar to FIG.
1, but showing the electronic controls mounted on the upper surface
of the meter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0064] A stimp-putt meter, generally referred to as 12 is shown in
FIG. 1. The stimp-putt meter 12 has two open-bottomed sides 14, and
a top 15. Two pairs of photo-sensor transmitter/receivers, a first
transmitter/receiver pair 16 and a second transmitter/receiver pair
18 are positioned 6 inches apart on the sides 14 and at a level
that allows a passing ball to intercept the beams. The user stands
a predetermined distance, for example 3 feet, in front of the
stimp-putt meter 12 and putts a golf ball G between the open-bottom
sides 14 of the stimp-putt meter 12. The output voltage of the two
transmitter/receivers 16, 18 is fed to a microcontroller 20. The
microcontroller 20 monitors the voltage and when it changes by a
set level at the first transmitter/receiver 16 it measures the time
until the voltage changes by a set level at the second
transmitter/receiver 18. From this time delay the microcontroller
20 can calculate the ball speed and can determine the distance that
the ball G would have rolled on a real green of given stimpmeter
setting. This value can then be visually displayed on a display
module 22.
[0065] The stimp-putt meter 12 can be used on any surface. As the
ball rolls through the stimp-putt meter 12 users are allowed to use
any target they wish or simply place a towel or cushion in the way
to stop the ball. The stimp-putt meter 12 will also allow the user
to simultaneously use one of the many track devices on the market
that train the putting stroke.
[0066] In particular embodiments, the stimp-putt meter 12 has 5
modes. The first or calibration mode allows a golfer to determine
the stimpmeter reading of a green or a surface such as a floor. The
golfer stands a set distance in front of the stimp-putt meter 12
and putts the ball through the stimp-putt meter 12. The actual
distance that the ball travels is measured then the user finds the
displayed distance that is closest to the actual distance by
pressing an up button 24 or a down button 26. The user then
switches, by means of a mode button 28, to floor mode and the
stimpmeter reading of the surface is displayed. Not only does this
allow the user to assess green speed, it allows the golfer to
calibrate the stimp-putt meter 12 accurately to match the local
golf course greens, when used on a floor in the home or at the
office. The stimp-putt meter 12 allows the golfer to practice putts
of up to many feet in length over a range of green speeds.
[0067] The second or green mode allows the golfer to input by means
of an up button 24 or a down button 26 the speed of the green that
they want to practice on. The green speed is input as a stimpmeter
reading, the traditional way of specifying green speed. For a
typical golf course the stimpmeter reading of the greens range from
5 ft to 12 ft with values normally given to the nearest 1/2
foot.
[0068] The third or floor mode is for the user to input by means of
an up button 24 or a down button 26 the speed of the floor the
stimp-putt meter 12 is being used on. Again this is input as a
stimpmeter reading. This compensates for the distance that the ball
travels before passing through the stimp-putt meter 12.
[0069] After the green speed and floor setting have been input the
user switches the stimp-putt meter 12 to the fourth or distance
mode. The golfer then stands the set distance in front of the
stimp-putt meter 12 and putts the ball through the stimp-putt
meter. The stimp-putt meter 12 then compares the stimpmeter reading
of the floor (or other surface on which the stimp-putt meter 12 is
being used) with the stimpmeter reading of a green and determines
the distance the ball would have traveled on the green. The
distance the ball would have traveled on the green of the set
stimpmeter reading can be displayed on display module 22. With the
stimp-putt meter 12 a golfer can practice putts over a wide range
of distances, and at least up to 99' in length over a wide range of
green speeds.
[0070] The user can use the stimp-putt meter 12 in basic distance
mode and practice putts of any distance or can select the fifth or
challenge mode. In this mode the stimp-putt meter 12 displays a
series of hole distances and the number of successive putts
required. The user then tries to putt the required number of
successive putts the given distance within a certain tolerance. If
successful the device subsequently displays different hole
distances and the user then attempts these putts. The user can
change the number of successive putts required by means of an up
button 24 or a down button 26.
[0071] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the
principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be
recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred
examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the
scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is
defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our
invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these
claims.
* * * * *