Putting training aid and calibration device

• US 6,729,968 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John M. Andrews, Richard M. Port
• Original Assignee: John M. Andrews, Richard M. Port
• Inventors: Port, Richard M., Andrews, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Legesse, Nini F.
• Application Number:
  US10/160,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20030224868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 473/261, 473/258, 473/264, 473/265, 473/260, 473/257, 473/296, 473/295, 473/256, 473/238, 473/251, 473/253, 473/254
• US Class Current: 473/261
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3621 Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence

Abstract

A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an oblique face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Claims

1. A putting training aid and calibration device for use on a substantially horizontal and planar putting surface, for use in calibrating a putter having a shaft and a head, with said head having a sole and a face, with said sole and said shaft defining a lie angle and with said face, and said shaft defining a loft angle, the training aid and calibration device comprising:

an elongated rigid calibration member having a first end and a second end and supported above and parallel to the putting surface;

a first linear scale indicated on said calibration member intermediate said first end and said second end;

a second linear scale affixed to said shaft;

wherein said lie angle is determined by resting said puffer shift on said elongated rigid calibration member, in contact with said first linear scale and by parallelly placing said sole on the puffing surface; and

;

wherein said loft angle is determined by resting said puffer shaft on said elongated rigid calibration member in contact with said first linear scale, and by orthogonally aligning said head face to the putting surface.

2. A putting training aid and calibration device, as in claim 1, further comprising a calibration block, configured to rest on the putting surface in parallel alignment with said calibration member, on an intended target line, and having calibration face which is orthogonally aligned to the putting surface and to said intended target line when said block rests on the putting surface;

and

said loft angle being determined by resting said shaft on said elongated rigid calibration member in contact with said first linear scale, and by positioning said head face flush against said orthogonal calibration face.

3. A putting training aid and calibration de vice, as in claim 2, further comprising:

a pair of substantially vertical legs supporting said calibration member; and

a spacer structure fixedly positioning the location of said calibration block on the putting surface in parallel alignment with said calibration member on said intended target line.

4. A putting training aid and calibration device, as in claim 1, wherein said first linear scale has a zero point mark intermediate said first end and said second end, with sequentially marked values extending laterally toward each of said first and second ends.

5. A puffing training aid and calibration device, as in claim 1, wherein said elongated calibration member is supported at least eighteen inches above said putting surface.