Electronic golf ball putter

• US 6,461,248 B1
• Filed: 10/28/1999
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert V. Gross
• Original Assignee: Robert V. Gross
• Inventors: Gross, Robert V.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/429,138
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 473/220, 473/221, 473/222, 473/219
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic golf ball putter, adapted to indicate when the putter is aligned with a target, comprising, a golf putting iron for hitting a golf ball; a power source; a communicator; a transmitter of communications from the communicator; and an indicator capable of indicating alignment between the golf putter iron and the target in response to the transmitter.

Claims

1. An electronic golf ball putter alignment system to assist a user in properly aligning the putter putting head with a flagstaff located in a golf hole, comprising:

a golf putting iron for putting a golf ball, the iron including a putting head for striking the golf ball;

an infrared transmitter coupled to the putting iron and transmitting an infrared beam above the putting head and along a desired putting direction;

an infrared reflector coupled to the flagstaff;

an infrared sensor coupled to the putting iron adjacent the infrared transmitter, for receiving infrared light emitted from the transmitter and reflected directly back from the infrared reflector;

at least one of an indicating light and an indicating sound emitter responsive to the infrared sensor for indicating when reflected infrared light is received by the infrared sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises an indicating sound emitter, and further comprising means for emitting a sound when reflected infrared light is not received by the infrared sensor.