Putter trainer

• US 7,850,536 B1
• Filed: 01/29/2010
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novatron Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Novatron Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: Fitzgerald, Lisa M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGESSE, NINI F
• Application Number:
  US12/696,713
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 473/219, 473/220, 473/221, 473/222, 473/223, 473/224, 473/225, 473/226, 473/257, 473/266, 473/268, 473/278
• US Class Current: 473/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• 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 69/3682 Visual means not attached to the body for aligning, positioning the trainee's head or for detecting head movement, e.g. by parallax

Abstract

A putting training device for improving consistency of body position, putter path, putter face angle, and timing during a putting stroke. A body alignment target within a putter data module helps position the golfer'"'"'s head directly over the ball for shoulder joint consistently relative to the ball. A magnet is securable to the C.G. of the putter head which is tracked by sensors within the module to help insure that the putter travels in a straight line on approach to ball strike. Optical sensors determine the putter face angle at ball impact. A metronome is also provided to practice swing timing. An end-of-swing delay indicator helps to hold the golfer'"'"'s body in the correct position until the follow-through is complete. A series of lights and tones provides feedback indicating putter path to the ball and the putter face angle at ball impact.

Claims

1. A putting training device for improving consistency of body position, putter path, putter face angle, and timing during a putting stroke comprising:

a magnet securable to the C.G. of the putter head;

a data module including;

a body alignment target within said data module for positioning a golfer'"'"'s head directly over a ball and for aligning a golfer'"'"'s shoulder consistently relative to the ball;

hall effect sensors within the module for tracking said magnet during each putting stroke to determine whether the putter travels in a straight line on approach to ball strike;

optical sensors in said module focused to determine the putter face angle at ball impact;

a metronome within said module to facilitate consistent swing timing;

an end-of-swing delay indicator in said module for holding the golfer'"'"'s body in the correct position until the follow-through of each swing is complete; and

a series of lights and tones in said module providing feedback indicating putter path to the ball and the putter face angle at ball impact.

2. A putting training device for improving consistency of body position, putter path, putter face angle, and timing during a putting stroke comprising:

a generally flat data module positionable on a flat surface;

a body alignment target within said data module viewable by a golfer for positioning the golfer'"'"'s head directly over a ball resting on a dimple formed in a top surface of said data module in close proximity to a target and for aligning the shoulder of the golfer consistently relative to the ball;

a magnet securable to the C.G. of the putter head;

hall effect sensors within the module for tracking said magnet during each putting stroke to determine whether the putter travels in a straight line on approach to ball strike;

optical sensors in said module focused to determine the putter face angle at ball impact;

a metronome within said module automatically activated at the start of each practice swing to facilitate consistent swing timing;

an end-of-swing delay indicator in said module for holding a golfer'"'"'s body in a correct position until the follow-through of each swing is complete;

a series of lights and tones in said module providing feedback indicating putter path to the ball and the putter face angle at ball impact.

3. A putting training device for improving consistency of body position, putter path, putter face angle, and timing during a putting stroke comprising:

a putter having a club head including a magnet secured at the C.G. of the putter head;

a data module including;

an optical body alignment target upwardly oriented for a golfer to position the eyes and head directly over a ball;

hall effect sensors activated by said magnet during each putting stroke to determine whether the putter travels in a straight line on approach to ball strike;

optical sensors focused to determine the putter face angle at ball impact;

a metronome automatically activated at the start of each practice swing to improve consistent swing timing;

an end-of-swing delay indicator for holding the golfer'"'"'s body in a correct position until the follow-through of each swing is complete;

a series of lights and tones providing feedback indicating putter path to the ball and the putter face angle at ball impact.