Putting stroke training system

• US 8,727,903 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2013
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norman Douglas Bittner
• Original Assignee: Norman Douglas Bittner
• Inventors: Bittner, Norman Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGESSE, NINI F
• Application Number:
  US14/045,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20140031136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 229 Days
• Field of Search: 473219-226, 473/237, 473/257, 473/278, 473265-268, 473/279
• US Class Current: 473/265
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• 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 69/3661 Mats for golf practice, e.g. mats having a simulated turf, a practice tee or a green area
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

A putting stroke training system identifies a preferred putting stroke and facilitates training for a golfer to repeat the preferred putting stroke. The training system includes a grid box with a fixed side wall and a movable side wall. The movable side wall is positionable relative to the fixed side wall into alignment with the preferred putting stroke. The training system also includes an alignment sensor attachable to a putter head. In some embodiments, the alignment sensor signals when the putter head deviates from the preferred stroke.

Claims

1. A grid box for training a golfer to putt along a preferred putting stroke, the grid box comprising:

a putting stroke area including space for a putter head to make a putting stroke;

a fixed side wall positioned on one side of the putting stroke area; and

a movable side wall positioned adjacent the fixed side wall on said one side of the putting stroke area, the fixed side wall and the moveable side wall substantially extending along a length of the putting stroke area, wherein the movable side wall is formed of a flexible material, and wherein the movable side wall is positionable by flexibly bending the movable side wall relative to the fixed side wall into alignment with the preferred putting stroke.

2. A grid box according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom wall including a graphical illustration of the preferred putting stroke.

3. A grid box according to claim 2, wherein the graphical illustration is provided by reflective tape on the bottom wall.

4. A grid box according to claim 2, wherein the bottom wall is formed of a transparent material.

5. A putting stroke training system for training a golfer to putt along a preferred putting stroke, the training system comprising:

a grid box including a fixed side wall and a movable side wall, wherein the movable side wall is flexibly positionable relative to the fixed side wall and curved into alignment with the preferred putting stroke; and

an alignment sensor attachable to a putter head, wherein the grid box includes a bottom wall having a graphical illustration on the preferred putting stroke, and wherein the graphical illustration is provided by reflective tape on the bottom wall, the alignment sensor including a reflective sensor that detects a position of the putter head relative to the preferred putting stroke, and a signal source that emits a signal depending on the position of the putter head relative to the preferred putting stroke.

6. A putter training tool for training a golfer to putt, the putter training tool comprising:

a bottom wall defining a putting surface;

an upstanding side wall co-operable with the bottom wall, wherein a ball strike point is positioned on the bottom wall toward a front end of the upstanding side wall, wherein the upstanding side wall is positioned at least partly adjacent a stroke path for a putter head such that a majority of the side wall is positioned rearward of the ball strike point, and wherein the side wall is selectively positionable relative to the bottom wall to define the stroke path for the putter head;

wherein a fixed side wall is positioned on a same side of the stroke path as the upstanding side wall, wherein the bottom wall comprises a portable training component that is separable from the putter training tool, and wherein the portable training component comprises an alignment line that corresponds to the stroke path for the putter head.

7. A putter training tool according to claim 6, wherein the bottom wall comprises an alignment line to provide aiming assistance.

8. A putter training tool according to claim 6, wherein the upstanding side wall is positionable using a plurality of connectors.

9. A putter training tool according to claim 8, wherein the connectors comprise set screws cooperable with the upstanding side wall.

10. A putter training tool according to claim 6, wherein a width of the putter training tool is defined by the bottom wall and the upstanding side wall, and wherein the width of the putter training tool is narrower at the front end of the bottom wall than at a rear end of the bottom wall.

11. A putter training tool according to claim 7, wherein the bottom wall comprises an opening therein for receiving the portable training component

12. A putter training tool according to claim 11, wherein the portable training component is transparent.

13. A putter training tool according to claim 12, wherein the portable training component is formed of plexiglass or acrylic.

14. A putter training system according to claim 6, wherein the bottom wall comprises a graphical illustration of a preferred putting stroke.

15. A putter training system according to claim 14, wherein the graphical illustration is provided by reflective tape on the bottom wall.