U.S. patent number 3,860,243 [Application Number 05/391,624] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-14 for putting aid device for use on putters.
Invention is credited to Anthony J. Prisco, Sr..
United States Patent |
3,860,243 |
Prisco, Sr. |
January 14, 1975 |
PUTTING AID DEVICE FOR USE ON PUTTERS
Abstract
A putting aid device for a putter is disclosed which is an
elongated member having, means attaching the member to any given
location on the shaft of the putter and in alignment with the
longitudinal line of the putting shaft, and a finger pressure
receiving surface at the lower end of the elongated member provides
means to apply a directional force for guiding the putting head of
the putter during use thereof. The elongated member may be found in
the shape of a segment or arc of a circle with a concave underside
section to facilitate fitting the putting aid device to the side of
the shaft or it may be a tubular or circumferential element which
fits about the entire circumference of the shaft. Attaching means
for the various forms of the putting aid device are illustrated.
Additionally, a putter is described having a shaft with a putting
head at one end and a gripping section at the end remote therefrom,
wherein the putting head is provided with a putting face lying in a
plane parallel to the longitudinal line of the putter, the gripping
section inwardly of the end adjacent to the putting head is
provided with a putting aid device in the longitudinal line of
putting shaft. The putting aid device has a finger pressure
receiving surface which is transverse to the longitudinal line of
the putter on the side of the gripping section remote from the
plane of the putting face.
Inventors: |
Prisco, Sr.; Anthony J.
(Woodcliff Lake, NJ) |
Family
ID: |
23547329 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/391,624 |
Filed: |
August 27, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/3685 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/36 (20060101); A63b 053/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/73J,75,81.4,81.6,165,166,193R,194R,163A,54B,183D |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
322,512 |
|
Dec 1929 |
|
GB |
|
407,270 |
|
Mar 1934 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Apley; Richard J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bobis; Daniel H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A putting aid device to be attached to the gripping section of a
putter on the side thereof remote from the putting face of the
putter to aid in controlling the position of the putting face
comprising:
a. an elongated member having a length in the range from one half
to three inches, and widest at a point medially of the ends of said
elongated member,
b. said elongated member having a raised section on the outer face
proximate said widest section and forming a concave inner face from
side to side,
c. attaching means connected to said concave inner face for
affixing the putting aid device in assembled position on the
putter,
d. the outer face of said elongated member having a first portion
extending from said raised portion to the front end of the putting
aid device, and a second portion extending from said raised portion
to the rear end of said putting aid device,
e. said first portion having a concave shape from side to side at
the raised portion concentric to the concave inner face of the
elongated member and generally streamlined along the longitudinal
line of the putting aid device and tapered from side to side
towards the front end to a minimum thickness and width,
f. said second portion forming at least one force receiving surface
normal to the longitudinal line of the putting aid device and at an
angle thereto in a range from 45.degree. to 60.degree., and
g. the rear end of the putting aid device adjacent the force
receiving surface having a width so that in assembled position the
force receiving surface will be sized to permit engagement thereof
by at least the index finger of the lowermost hand of the player
utilizing the putter.
2. In the putting aid device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
force receiving surface has,
a. first arcuate contour from side to side, and
b. a second arcuate contour from raised section to the rear end of
the putting aid device.
3. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first
portion of the outer surface is narrowed to a point in the
longitudinal line of the putting aid device to aid alignment
thereof with the longitudinal line of the putter.
4. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2, wherein;
a. the attaching means has a width at least equal to the length of
the elongated sized member and is connected to the concave inner
face thereon,
b. said attaching means extending on either side of the elongated
sized member to provide an overall length sufficient to connect the
putting aid device in assembled position on the gripping section of
the putter, and
c. means to affix the attaching means so that the concave inner
face of the elongated sized member fits snugly in assembled
position normal to the longitudinal line of the gripping section of
the putter.
5. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 4 wherein,
a. the elongated member is a solid, and
b. the attaching means is a band having adhesive means on the
extended section for fastening the attaching band in assembled
position.
6. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 4 wherein,
a. the elongated member is a hollow member, and
b. the attaching means is a band having adhesive means on the
extended section thereon for fastening the attaching band into
assembled position.
7. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
attaching means comprises:
a. an elasticized sleeve, and
b. adhesive means at the upper and lower ends of the elasticized
sleeve for fastening the same to the gripping section of the
putter.
8. In combination with a putter having, a shaft with a gripping
section at one end and a putting head at the other end, said
putting head having a putting face in a plane normal to the
longitudinal line of the shaft; of a putting aid device affixed to
the lower end of the gripping section in alignment with the
longitudinal line of the shaft but on the side opposite from said
putting face, said putting aid device comprising;
a. an elongated member having a length in the range from one half
to three inches and widest at a point medially of the ends of said
elongated member,
b. said elongated member having a raised section on the outer face
proximate said widest section and forming a concave inner face from
side to side,
c. attaching means connected to said concave inner face for
affixing the putting aid device in assembled position on the
putter,
d. the outer face of said elongated member having a first portion
extending from said raised portion to the front end of the putting
aid device, and a second portion extending from said raised portion
to the rear end of said putting aid device,
e. said first portion having a concave shape from side to side at
the raised portion concentric to the concave inner face of the
elongated member and generally streamlined along the longitudinal
line of the putting aid device and tapered from side to side
towards the front end to a minimum thickness and width,
f. said second portion forming at least one force receiving surface
normal to the longitudinal line of the putting aid device and at an
angle thereto in a range from 45.degree. to 60.degree. and,
g. the rear end of the putting aid device adjacent the force
receiving surface having a width so that in assembled position the
force receiving surface will be sized to permit engagement thereof
by at least the index finger of the lowermost hand of the player
utilizing the putter.
9. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said force
receiving surface has,
a. a first arcuate contour from side to side, and
b. a second arcuate contour from the raised section to the rear end
of the putting aid device.
10. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first
portion of the outer surfaces is narrowed to a point in the
longitudinal line of the putting aid device to aid in alignment
thereof with the longitudinal line of the putter.
11. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein;
a. the attaching means has a width at least equal to the length of
the elongated sized member and is connected to the concave inner
face thereon,
b. said attaching means extending on either side of the elongated
sized member to provide an overall length sufficient to connect the
putting aid device in assembled position on the gripping section of
the putter, and
c. means to affix the attaching means so that the concave inner
face of the elongated sized member fits snugly in assembled
position normal to the longitudinal line of the gripping section of
the putter.
12. In the combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein,
a. the elongated member is a solid, and
b. the attaching means is a band having adhesive means on the
extended section for fastening the attaching band in assembled
position.
13. In the combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein,
a. the elongated member is a hollow member, and
b. the attaching means is a band having adhesive means on the
extended section thereon for fastening the attachiing band into
assembled position.
14. In the combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the attaching
means comprises,
a. an elasticized sleeve, and
b. adhesive means at the upper and lower ends of the elasticized
sleeve for fastening the same to the gripping section of the
putter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to putters and more particularly
to a putting aid device for attachment to or to be formed with the
gripping section of a putter so as to provide a means for securing
better control during the putting stroke of the movement of the
putting face on the putting head of the putter.
It is well known that small variations of the position of the
putting face during the putting stroke will tend to cause the
putting face to push or pull the ball being stroked so that it
deviates from the intended putting line. These variations produce
an inaccurate putting stroke and add undesirable additional strokes
to a player's score.
It is recognized in the golfing art that the game is won or lost as
a function of the accuracy of a player's putting. While the reasons
for a faulty putting stroke are obscure, one major factor is the
manner in which the player's putting grip applies the forces
directing the putting head and putting face into contact with the
balls being stroked.
Various prior art putting aid devices have been tried to correct
faulty execution of the putting stroke by a player as is shown in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,126,208, 1,506,523, 1,603,850, 1,618,640 and
2,223,437, and of course various gripping aid devices for clubs
other than putters are also known in the prior art as is shown in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 715,225; 1,530,596; 1,822,212; 1,997,634 and
2,308,779.
It has been found that prior art devices do not permit the golfer
to control the direction and alignment of the putting face. This
occurs because stroking of the ball during putting utilizes the
upper hand in conventional putting technique. If you stroke with
the upper hand, you are not using the hand with which you normally
control efficiently. For example, a right handed person controls
better with his right hand and similarly a left handed person will
control better with his left hand which in conventional gripping of
the club are the respective lower hands.
Since putting depends essentially on judgment and a reasonably
sensitive feel, the present invention is designed to enable the
normally right handed or normally left handed person to utilize his
lower hand to apply force so as to point the ball or conversely
direct the force through the putting face so as to align the ball
with the hole. If sufficient stroking force has been applied, the
ball when so aligned will drop into the hole as it reaches that
point.
Thus, the present device is designed to permit the lower hand to
control the movement of the putting face of the club which is
opposite from the normal gripping and controlling procedures
utilized in prior art devices.
Additionally, with the present device, the right hand during
stroking will tend to get behind the ball and apply rolling as
distinguished from sliding motion causing the ball to have
sufficient top spin so that when it reaches the hole it will drop
in automatically.
The putting aid device in accordance with the present invention is
designed to overcome these various prior art problems and faults
and when attached to the putting shaft of the putter will provide a
force directing means which will overcome faulty execution of the
putting stroke and thus reduce inaccurate stroking or the tendency
to cause the ball stroked to deviate from the intended putting
line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A putting aid device operatively connected to the shaft of a putter
includes, a sized member shaped to fit snugly along a given section
of the shaft of the putter and in alignment therealong, at least
one force receiving surface is formed on the sized member
transverse to the longitudinal line of said putter and disposed at
a point to permit engagement thereof by at least the index finger
of the lowermost hand of the player utilizing the putter.
Additionally, the putting aid device as above described with means
for attaching the sized member to the gripping section of the shaft
of the putter.
Further objects will be apparent from the following description
when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a putter having one form of putting
aid device in accordance with the present invention mounted
thereon.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the gripping section of
the putter shown in FIG. 1 with the putting aid device thereon in
plan view.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken through the gripping section of
FIG. 2 at line 4--4 so as to show the forward or upper alignment
end of the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken through the gripping section of
FIG. 2 at line 5--5 showing the rear or lower force receiving end
of the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the putting aid device shown on the
putter in FIG. 1 partly broken away.
FIG. 7 is a frong view of the gripping section of the putter with
the putting aid device thereon of FIG. 1 showing the manner in
which the player grips the putter and engages the putting aid
device thereon.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a putting aid device similar to that shown
in FIG. 1 with a different type attaching means.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the front or upper alignment end of the
putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rear or lower end of the putting
aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is an underside plan view of the putting aid device shown
in FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken on line 12--12 of FIG. 8 with an
enlargement of a portion of the attaching band.
FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken on line 13--13 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 15 is a cross-section taken on line 15--15 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 1
with a still further type of attaching means.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the putting aid device shown in FIG.
16.
FIG. 18 is a top view of the upper alignment end of the putting aid
device shown in FIG. 16 taken at line 18--18 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the lower end of the putting aid device
shown in FIG. 16 taken at line 19--19 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken on line 20--20 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 21 is a cross-section taken on line 21--21 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 22 is a plan view of another form of putting aid device in
accordance with the invention.
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the putting aid device shown in FIG.
22.
FIG. 24 is a cross-section taken at line 24--24 of FIG. 22.
FIG. 25 is a cross-section taken at line 25--25 of FIG. 22.
FIG. 26 is a side view of a molded gripping section for a putter
having a putting aid device thereon in accordance with the
invention.
FIG. 27 is a plan view of the molded gripping sections showing the
putting aid device shown in FIG. 26.
FIG. 28 is a cross-section taken on line 28--28 of FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is a bottom view showing the putting aid device on the
molded gripping section taken at line 29--29 of FIG. 26.
FIG. 30 is a plan view of a modified form molded gripping section
having a putting aid device in accordance with the invention for
meeting the regulations of the Professional Golfers
Association.
FIG. 31 is a cross-section taken on line 31--31 of FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a cross-section taken on line 32--32 of FIG. 30.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a putter generally
designated P.
The putter P conventionally includes any suitable elongated shaft 1
having a putting head 2 at one end which as is well known will have
a variety of shapes and sizes but will always include a putting
face 3 the surface of which is parallel to the plane of the
longitudinal or center line of the putting shaft 1.
At the end of the shaft remote from the putting head a gripping
section generally designated 4 will be formed on the shaft and
similar to the putting head the gripping section may take a variety
of forms but generally includes a wound covering of material which
may be leather or vinyl or other suitable natural or synthetic
plastic material adapted for this purpose or it may be an
elasticized sleeve which is fixed in position by any suitable means
such as an adhesive.
The making of gripping sections for putters and other golf clubs is
well known so that further description thereof for the purposes of
the present application is not necessary as the construction of
such gripping sections will be understood by those skilled in the
art.
In FIGS. 1 to 5 the gripping section is shown with a putting aid
device generally designated 10 in accordance with the present
invention affixed at the lower end of the gripping section that is
the end which is closer to the putting head end of the shaft for
reasons which will be more fully described in connection with the
description below of the use and operation of the putting aid
device.
While the putting aid device 10 is shown as preferably attached to
the gripping section of the putter it is thought obvious that the
putting aid device can be attached at any point along the shaft
where the hand or hands can grip the putter when it is in use.
Further, it will be noted from FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings that
the putting aid device 10 is disposed on the gripping section of
the putter in alignment with the longitudinal or center line of the
shaft 1 but on the side of the gripping section 4 remote from the
plane of the putting face 3 of the putting head. More specifically
the center plane through the putting aid device 10 will be disposed
in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal line of the putting
shaft so that when force is exerted on the putting aid device as
hereinafter described it will tend to move the putting face in a
line perpendicular to the putting line for the ball to be stroked
by the putting face 3 of the putter P.
Putting aid device 10 is a generally elongated member and may be
made of any suitable plastic, wood, metal, glass or other durable
material that can withstand the usage and handling that can be
expected during the carrying and use of the putter by the
golfer.
The elongated member 11 of the putting aid device 10 will have a
length in an approximate range from one-half inch to three inches
depending on the material the shape and the method of attaching the
putting aid device to the gripping section of the putter. However,
the shape must at all times include at least one force receiving
surface as hereinafter described which will be engaged manually by
at least one digit of the lowermost hand gripping the putter.
Further, the putting aid device must at all times be so located on
the shaft so that the forces exerted manually on the force
receiving surface or surfaces will be directed along and
perpendicular to the longitudinal or center line of the shaft of
the putter and the plane of the putting face and parallel to the
putting line for stroking the ball.
Thus, it will be understood that the putting aid devices which are
herein illustrated are merely preferred embodiments of the
invention and that the length, size and shape of the putting aid
device will vary depending on the material and the preferred
location of the putting aid device on either the gripping section
or other positions on the shaft.
In the illustrated embodiment for FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings the
elongated member 11 has an arcuate underside or attaching surface
12 to which any suitable type of adhesive means 13 can be applied.
Adhesive means 13 can consist of a member or tape having a pressure
sensitive adhesive on each side thereof, one side of which will
permit the adhesive means to be applied to the arcuate attaching
surface 12 and the other side of which can have a removable paper
or like covering 14 which can be removed when the putting aid
device 10 is to be applied to the gripping section or shaft of the
putter, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings.
Adhesive tapes or materials with pressure sensitive adhesives on
both sides thereof and non-sticking paper coverings are well known
and easily purchasable on the open market such as the tapes sold
under the trademark "ARNO" by the Arno Manufacturing Co. of
Michigan City, Ind., the tapes sold under the trademark "CONTACT"
etc.
Alternatively, the adhesive may be coated on the attaching surface
12 and a non-sticking cover applied to the outer face of the
adhesive which can be removed when the putting aid device is to be
affixed to the gripping section or the shaft of the putter.
Elongated member 11 may be substantially pointed at one end as
shown at 15 and will have a rounded or contoured side 16 remote
from the attaching surface 12 for continuity with the gripping
section 4 so as to provide a smooth surface when the putting aid
device 10 is applied to the gripping section or to the shaft of the
putter P. An indexing line 17 is shown in the longitudinal or
center line of the pointed end 15. Line 17 will facilitate setting
of the elongated member 11 in the longitudinal or center line of
the putting shaft 1 when the putting aid device is affixed to the
gripping section of the shaft as shown in FIG. 2.
When the putting aid device 10 is affixed to the shaft or gripping
section, as the case may be, the pointed end 15 of the top of the
elongated member is disposed to extend upwardly or in a direction
away from putting head 2.
At the end of the elongated member remote from the alignment end
that is the bottom or lower end of the elongated member 11 when it
is in assembled position is a force receiving surface 19. The force
receiving surface 19 will be engaged by the index finger of the
player's lower hand when the hands grip the putter preparatory to
striking the ball during the putting stroke as is shown in FIG. 7
of the drawings.
By reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7 the force receiving surface 19
is shown to be generally transverse to the longitudinal or center
line of the shaft at an approximate angle between 45.degree. to
60.degree.. Force receiving surface 19 will have a first arcuate
contour from side to side and a second arcuate contour from the
attaching surface 12 to the streamline surface 16 which arcuate
contour will be sized to comfortably receive the ball of the index
finger when the putter is gripped for stroking the ball during the
putting stroke.
While only one force receiving surface is illustrated on this form
of the invention it will be understood that more than one force
receiving surface could be provided for more than one finger
without departing from the scope of the present invention, provided
that care is taken to so design the same that rotative forces are
not introduced when pressure is manually exerted against the force
receiving surface.
By reference to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the use of the putting aid
device is illustrated wherein the hands of a right handed golfer
are shown gripping the club so as to permit the index finger of the
lower or right controlling hand to engage the putting aid device
10.
Since the putting aid device is on the side of the putter P remote
from the putting face 3 of the putting head 2 but in the
longitudinal or center line thereof it the golfer exerts pressure
with his index finger during the putting stroke against the force
receiving surface 19 the force exerted will be in the stroking line
of the ball and will tend to direct the ball along the stroking
line and thus avoid the possibility of misdirecting the ball during
the putting stroke.
FIG. 8 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 8 to 15 of the drawing there is shown a similar putting
aid device to that above described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing.
It differs partly in the characteristics of the elongated member
and in the attaching means for attaching the putting aid device
generally designated 10' to the shaft 1 or gripping section 4 of
the putter.
Since the putting aid device 10' is otherwise substantially
identical in construction to that above described similar character
numerals will be applied to the same parts which are present in
this form of the invention.
The elongated member 11' as shown in FIG. 13 differs in that the
member is a molded or shaped shell whereas the elongated member 11
shown in the form of the invention at FIGS. 1 to 6 was a solid
member. It will be understood therefore that the elongated member
of the putting aid device in accordance with the present invention
herein may be made in any suitable solid or shell type form without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The elongated
member 11' includes an arcuate attaching surface 12' which will be
formed on the underside thereof.
The arcuate attaching surface 12' is adhesively affixed to an
attaching band generally designated 20 by mounting the same
medially of the attaching band but transverse thereto. The
attaching band 20 is sufficiently large to extend laterally on both
sides of the putting aid device 10 so as to provide attaching ears
21 and 22 and the length on either side will also be long enough so
that the attaching ears can fit about the gripping section 4 or
about shaft 1 of the putter and overlap to a limited extent. The
attaching ears 21 and 22 will be provided with a pressure sensitive
adhesive 23 covered by a protective removable paper or like
material 24. The protective cover 24 can be removed when it is
desired to place the putting aid device on the gripping section 4
or shaft 1 of the putter, all of which is shown in FIGS. 9 to 15 of
the drawings.
In operation the putting aid device is affixed to the gripping
section at the same position as shown for the putting aid device 10
in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
This is done by removing the protective paper and then positioning
the putting aid device in the longitudinal or center line of the
shaft by affixing ear 21 to the gripping section and pulling the
same tight by affixing ear 22 over the positioned ear 21 of the
attaching means for this form of invention of the putting aid
device.
The operation of this form of the invention is identical with that
of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing
as above described.
FIG. 16 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 21 a still
further form for attaching the putting aid device 10 shown in FIGS.
1 to 6 of the drawings is illustrated.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 21 the putting
aid device 10 is affixed to or formed with an elasticized sleeve
generally designated 30.
Since the putting aid device 10 is identical to that above
described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings the same parts will be
given the same numbers. Thus the arcuate attaching surface 12 will
be connected to the elasticized sleeve 30 as by any suitable
adhesive 31 or the same can be bonded to or molded with the
sleeve.
Sleeve 30 may be of any suitable natural or synthetic rubber or may
be a woven fabric with elasticizing means thereon.
In order to anchor or fix the elasticized sleeve 30 and the putting
aid device in assembled position, adhesive means as at 32 and 33
are provided at the respective opposite ends of the sleeve 30. The
adhesive will be covered with a protective paper or like
non-sticking material. First, the elasticized sleeve is set on the
gripping section of the shaft of the putter, then the ends are
rolled back, the protective paper removed and the ends adhesively
affixed to the gripping section to anchor the putting aid device in
proper position.
The place for positioning the putting aid device and the manner in
which the device is operated or used is identical with that above
described for the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of
the drawings.
FIG. 22 FORM OF THE INVENTION
The putting aid device in the earlier forms of the invention above
described have had elongated members 11 and 11' which were segments
or arcs of a circle in cross section.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 22 to 25 the putting
aid device generally designated 40 in accordance with the invention
is a cylindrical member 11 which can be cut, formed or molded from
any suitable type of natural or synthetic rubber having sufficient
pliability to permit the cylindrical member 11 to be fitted over
the end of the shaft remote from the putting head and moved into
assembled position on the gripping section of the shaft 1 of the
putter P.
Cylindrical member 40 is an elongated element having a generally
tapered shape in side elevation as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24. Member
40 will be cast, molded or machined so that the wall 41 defines a
shaft receiving passage 42 through which the shaft can extend as
shown in FIG. 22 of the drawings.
Wall 41 of the cylindrical member 40 will have a thickness to
provide suitable pliability to permit the cylindrical member to be
fitted over the shaft 1 of the Putter P and spaced opening as at 43
and 44 are provided for this purpose at the respective ends of the
cylindrical member.
For a relatively short length adjacent the openings 43 and 44
attaching surfaces 45 and 46 are formed for anchoring the
cylindrical member 40 in assembled position on the putter P. An
adhesive connecting means 47 and 48 with the usual removable
protective covers 49 and 50 are provided for this purpose.
The cylindrical member 40 will be provided with a circumferential
force receiving surface 51 so that in assembled position this form
of putting aid device is universally adapted for use by either a
right handed or a left handed player.
An aligning mark 52 is placed on the outer face of the wall 41 to
aid in aligning the cylindrical member 40 with the longitudinal or
center line of the shaft.
In use the cylindrical member 40 is slipped over the shaft, aligned
and properly positioned by the player. Since the wall 41 is
pliable, it is bent back at the lower end to remove the removable
protective cover 50 from the adhesive 48 and the lower attaching
means is adhesively affixed by the adhesive 48 to the shaft. This
is repeated by bending the upper end of the wall 41 back removing
protective cover 49 and affixing the adhesive 47 to the shaft.
When the cylindrical member is assembled it is gripped and used in
the same manner as was above described and shown for the form of
the invention in FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.
FIG. 26 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In the remaining figures of the drawings two forms of the putting
aid device are shown as formed integral with the gripping material
attached to the gripping section of the shaft 1 of the putter.
In FIGS. 26 to 29 the putting aid device will be similar in shape
to that of the putting aid device 10 shown and described in FIGS. 1
to 6 of the drawings.
Thus the shaft 1 is shown with the gripping material 60 affixed
thereby by adhesive 61. The gripping material will be shaped,
formed or molded in any suitable manner such as is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 1,822,212 to provide the putting aid device generally
designated 62 as an integral part of the gripping material which
will be affixed to the shaft 1 of the putter P.
As in the earlier forms of the invention above described at FIGS. 1
to 21 of the drawings the putting aid device will have an elongated
shape having a contoured alignment section 63 and a force receiving
surface 64. These sections as illustrated will be more streamlined.
The alignment section 63 can be provided with an aligning indicia
65 to facilitate assembly of the gripping material to the shaft
1.
The force receiving surface 64 can be at a lesser angle and can be
longer in slope to accommodate a wide variation in finger sizes and
lengths in view of the fixed character of the putting aid device in
this form of the invention.
The putting aid device will of course be used in the same manner
shown at FIG. 7 and above described for the form of the invention
shown at FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
FIG. 30 FORM OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 30 shows a still further form of the invention in which
similar to the putting aid device described at FIGS. 22 to 25 of
the drawings the putting aid device is formed integral with the
gripping material affixed to the shaft so that it forms a
circumferential force receiving surface.
This form of the invention is thought to meet and comply with the
regulations of the Professional Golfers Association in that no
projections or other gripping aids are formed on the handle. Only
the force receiving surface is presented for engagement if the
player elects to use it.
Thus FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 show that the shaft 1 receives the
gripping material 70 which is affixed thereby as by adhesive 71 or
other suitable means. The gripping material will be shaped, formed
molded so that the sides thereof are uniform up to the position
just adjacent the lower end where the circumferential force
receiving surface 72 is formed.
The operation of this form of the invention is the same as in the
earlier form of the invention above described. It is thought clear
that this form of the invention as in the case of the form of the
invention shown at FIGS. 22 to 25 will be universal in that a
putter having a gripping section with the circumferential force
receiving surface 72 is adapted for use by either a right handed or
a left handed player.
Although various forms of the putting aid device have been
described for purposes of illustrating the present invention, it
will be understood that changes, modifications and substitutions
may be incorporated therein without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of
the advantages thereof.
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