Attachable sensor for putting stroke path and plane detection

• US 7,331,875 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2003
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audio Coach Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Audio Coach Pty Limited
• Inventors: Sherman, Robyn Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Legesse; Nini F.
• Application Number:
  US10/529,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20060084517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 473/213, 473219-224, 473/226, 473/231, 473232-234
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence

Abstract

A putter trainer device for detecting inaccuracies in a golf puffing stroke. The puffing trainer device of the present invention is releasably (2) attached to a shaft of a golf putter and comprises two guided ramps (19A, 19B) with each ramp having an active position and a neutral position. In one embodiment, a free rolling disc magnet (20A, 20B) is located upon each guided ramp and each free rolling disc magnet is biased towards the neutral position (23A, 23B) on its respective ramp. The movement of either free rolling magnet from the neutral position to the active position is detected by magnetic reed switches (25A, 25B) located adjacent each ramp. A speaker is activated when the magnetic reed switches detect that either free rolling magnet has moved from the neutral position to the active position.

Claims

1. A putter trainer device comprising:

a first track having a first neutral position and a first active position;

a first component located on said first track, said first component being movable along said first track between said first neutral position and said first active position, said first component being biased to said first neutral position on said first track;

a first detector operable by said first component moving to said first active position of said first track;

a second track having a second neutral position and a second active position;

a second component located on said second track, said second component being moveable along said second track between said second neutral position and said second active position, said second component being biased to said second neutral position on said second track;

a second detector operable by said second component moving to said second active position of said second track; and

an indicator in electrical communication with said first detector and said second detector;

wherein, said indicator issues an alert when said first detector is operated by said first component moving to said first active position on said first track or said second component moving to said second active position on said second track;

wherein said first component is a disc magnet.

2. The putting trainer device of claim 1, wherein said first track is a guided ramp inclined from said first neutral position to said first active position.

3. The putting trainer device of claim 2, wherein said first detector is an electrical conductor located on said guided ramp at said first active position.

4. The putting trainer device of claim 1, wherein said electrical communication is by means of a printed circuit board.

5. The putting trainer device of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises at least one of a speaker, a light, and a vibration device.

6. The putting trainer device of claim 1, wherein said first track and said second track are orientated substantially perpendicular to each other.

7. The putting trainer device of claim 1, wherein said first track has a centrally disposed linear first axis extending along the length thereof and said second track has a centrally disposed linear second axis extending along the length thereof, said first axis and said second axis intersecting to form an inside angle that is less than 180°

.

8. A putter trainer device comprising:

a first track having a first neutral position and a first active position;

a first component located on said first track, said first component being movable along said first track between said first neutral position and said first active position, said first component being biased to said first neutral position on said first track;

a first detector operable by said first component moving to said first active position of said first track;

a second track having a second neutral position and a second active position;

a second component located on said second track, said second component being moveable along said second track between said second neutral position and said second active position, said second component being biased to said second neutral position on said second track;

a second detector operable by said second component moving to said second active position of said second track; and

an indicator in electrical communication with said first detector and said second detector;

wherein, said indicator issues an alert when said first detector is operated by said first component moving to said first active position on said first track or said second component moving to said second active position on said second track;

wherein said first track is a guided ramp inclined from said first neutral position to said first active position; and

wherein said first detector is a magnetic reed switch located adjacent said guided ramp and aligned substantially parallel to said guided ramp.

9. A putter trainer device comprising:

a first track having a first neutral position and a first active position;

a first component located on said first track, said first component being movable along said first track between said first neutral position and said first active position, said first component being biased to said first neutral position on said first track;

a first detector operable by said first component moving to said first active position of said first track;

a second track having a second neutral position and a second active position;

a second component located on said second track, said second component being moveable along said second track between said second neutral position and said second active position, said second component being biased to said second neutral position on said second track;

a second detector operable by said second component moving to said second active position of said second track; and

an indicator in electrical communication with said first detector and said second detector;

wherein, said indicator issues an alert when said first detector is operated by said first component moving to said first active position on said first track or said second component moving to said second active position on said second track;

wherein said first track is a guided ramp inclined from said first neutral position to said first active position; and

wherein said guided ramp is attached to a housing surface so as to form an inside angle therebetween, and wherein said guided ramp is movable between a first ramp position and a second ramp position so as to adjust said inside angle such that a level of inclination from said first neutral position to said first active position on said guided ramp is adjusted.

10. The putting trainer device of claim 9, further comprising an adjustment screw threaded into said guided ramp, wherein the angle between said guided ramp and said housing is changed by rotating said adjustment screw.

11. A putter trainer device comprising:

a first track having a first neutral position and a first active position;

a first component located on said first track, said first component being movable along said first track between said first neutral position and said first active position, said first component being biased to said first neutral position on said first track;

a first detector operable by said first component moving to said first active position of said first track;

a second track having a second neutral position and a second active position;

a second component located on said second track, said second component being moveable along said second track between said second neutral position and said second active position, said second component being biased to said second neutral position on said second track;

a second detector operable by said second component moving to said second active position of said second track; and

an indicator in electrical communication with said first detector and said second detector;

wherein, said indicator issues an alert when said first detector is operated by said first component moving to said first active position on said first track or said second component moving to said second active position on said second track; and

further comprising a leveling pendulum disposed therein.