GB2416312A

GB2416312A - Putting practice device and golf ball dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2416312A
Application number: GB0416089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Heinz Peter Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-17
Filing date: 2004-07-17
Publication date: 2006-01-25
Also published as: GB0416089D0

Abstract

A putting practice device comprises simulated golf ball 7 detachably provided on an arm. The arm is pivotally attached to force sensor 2, 8 which measures the force with which simulated ball 7 is struck and outputs it on display 9. The device is calibrated by measuring the distance a real ball travels when struck with a particular force, striking simulated ball 7 with equivalent force, and inputting the distance travelled by the real ball, e.g. using controls 1. A golf ball dispenser is also disclosed (see fig. 2), comprising means for dispensing a golf ball with a particular force, means (1, fig. 2) for varying the dispensing force, and means (4, fig. 2) for measuring the distance travelled by the dispensed ball. The dispenser may be used for reading how a golf ball runs on a green. The dispenser may also be used for calibrating the putting practice device by dispensing a ball with particular force, measuring the distance travelled, removing simulated ball 7 from the practice device, positioning the dispenser beside the arm of the practice device, dispensing a ball such that the ball strikes the arm, and inputting (e.g. via controls 1) the distance which a real ball would have travelled when dispensed with that force.

Description

Description of the Invention:

Summary of Green Measure operation

The Green Measure will shoot Golf Balls once loaded with Golf Balls in (2) f g.2 at a force controlled by the Distance/Force Dial (2) fig. 1 by operating the fire button (7) fig.1

Summary of Putt Measure operation

The Putt Measure fig.4 is designed to receive a strike from a Putter and display a numeric value on it's display screen ((9) fig.4 proportional to the strength of the impact on the simulated ball (7) fig.4 Calibration of Green Measure..

The Green Measure and Putt Measure help validate the operation of each other and calibrated/confirm the operation of each system. Firstly the 'Green Measure' needs to be set to verify the 'Putt Measure'. The Green Measure is set using the distance dial (1) fig. 1 to a mid-range setting and the unit is loaded with a golf ball in the top loading feed tube (3) fig. 1. The fire button (7) fig. 1 is released to repel the ball from the exit tube (1) fig. 1 on a suitable consistent surface. The integrated tape (8) fig. 1 is then used to measure the actual length of travel by the ball.

Calibration of Putt Measure The Green Measure having now established a relationship of force to distance can be adjusted until a set distance is repeated say 3-metre's and can then be positioned next to the Putt measure fig.4 Another ball can then be fired at the measuring arm (7) fig. 4, the 3-metre value is then set in to the Display screen using Control buttons (1) fig.4 This process is repeated for 1-metre and optionally, 2- metre to account for non linearity across the measuring range.

The Putt Measure is now ready to measure directly from a Putter having detached and moved the Green Measure and positioned the Golfer with Putter next to the Putt Measure as shown with the Putter in Fig 5. The numeric value displayed will relate directly to the equivalent distance if the simulated ball was not attached to the measuring arm.

The Golfer can now repeat ably strike the simulated ball and begin to understand what technique produces the best results. The Golfer can keep position and reset the unit with the Reset lever (3) fig.4 between each shot with-out moving his or her feet, ensuring a clear focus on consistency and isolating other possible causes of variation.

Green M easure operation The Green Measure can be loaded with balls at (3) in Fig. 1, to ease repeated firing of balls with Fire-button (7) Fig. 1 The overall variation that the balls may play in the resultant distance, must be established to ensure fixed variation is kept to a minimum.

A Ball feed mechanism (4) Fig. 1 ensures just one ball at a time is fired from the exit aperture (1) fig. 1 The Distance Dial (2) fig. 1 controls the amount of energy imparted by the actuator (5) fig.1 The actua] ball rest position after firing can be measured with tape (8) fig. 1, allowing a relationship of the dial divisions (2) fig. 1 to be made to the actual distance travelled by the ball.

Stabilising feet (6) fig. 1 & (5) fig.3 ensure the Green Measure incurs minimal loses and movement when striking balls.

Once a set distance is proved to repeat with the balls being used, the unit can then be used to calibrate the Putt Measure.

Putt Measure operation When calibrated the unit will display the distance a ball would have travel, had a real ball been in place of the simulated ball (7) fig.4, however the aim is for the user to produce a consistent numeric value indicating his ability to reproduce a weighted shot with the Putter.

The simulated ball (7) fig.4 is captive to a swing arm which when hit, rotates out of the line of fire supporting the Putter follow through. The Male force transmitter (8? fig.4 after the hit by the Putter is designed to impart it's energy through an arch into the Force Sensor (2) fig.4 proportional to the strength of the shoot. The sensor output is converted to a numeric value displayed on the display screen (9) fig.4 The Display unit can incorporate some data analysis to give max. min., Mean, & Range of a predefine trial number when set to trial mode.

The design is made to facilitate repeatability, even after repeated use by dispersing the energy and causing less stress to all moving parts.

The unit is not intented for long distance measurement, a speed damping effect is incorporated in the measuring arm will protect the sensor unit (2) fig.4 from excessive force.

A reset arm (3) fig.4 will allow the measuring arm (7) fig.4 to be made ready for a repeat shot, such that the user does not need to looses position and hence focus on the weighting of his shot, eliminating other sources of variation.

The measuring arm (7) fig.4 is designed to have a similar mass and feel to a standard Golf ball.

Advantages: Both Putt & Green Measure...

1. Both units are portable and usable in confined spaces like offices and bedrooms, allowing putting practice in places not possible before.

2. Both units help validate their sensitivity and ability to measure the equivalent distance of a shot or force to produce that distance.

3. The units will be linked to each other via a connecting plate, not currently shown in the drawing to enable reproducible calibration.

The Green Measure only.. . 4. Green Keepers can measure in absolute terms how the ground is running with respect to the rolling resistance after preparing green areas for use.

5. Green users can gain knowledge of how a ball would run using a consistent ball strike force to confirm rolling resistance levels.

6. Rolling resistance can be measured and the ground preparation can be quantified in real terms.

7. The Green Keeper and Golfer will learn the effect of ground conditions on the Golf ball and where variation is present, how severe it's effect is.

The Putt Measure only....

8. Performance trials with the Putt measure can in some version include the display of Max, Min. Mean and Range of a given set of strikes. Allowing trial to trial, Golfer to Golfer comparisons and gaming potential where the scores for each scorer could be recorded.

9. Performance improvements can be measured and technique changes can be checked for there effect.

10. Additional sensors on the pivot point would measure Left/Right bias ofthe shot in addition to distance force.

11. The golfer will improve his performance when needing to weight a Putt, by virtue of an the measured force being display soon after striking the simulated ball (7) fig.4.

Drawings introduction:

Figures 1,2 & 3 illustrated the Green Measure.

Figures 4,5 & 6 the Putt Measure (P. 1/4) Green Measure Figure 1 1. Ball shoot and exit point 2. Distance/force dial 3. Ball load tube 4. Ball feed control 5. Force actuator/strike rod 6. Stabilising feet/spikes 4-off 7. Fire button 8. Integrated tape distance measure (P.2/4) Figure 2 1. Distance/Force dial 2. Ball load tube 3. Fire Button 4. Tape Measure (P.2/4) Figure 3 5. Stabilising spikes 4-off (P.3/4) Putt Measure Figure 4 1. Control buttons 2. Force Sensor energy transfer mechanism 3. Reset lever 4. Pivot point for simulated ball 5. Direction of Putt force to be measured 6. Putter 7. Simulated golf ball 8. Male force transmitter 9. Display screen (P.4/4) Figure 5.

Shows the direction of operation when using Putter, allowing uninterrupted follow through of putter action. Protective cover ensures robustness in transit.

Figure 6.

Side view of Putt Measure X 5

Claims

The Puff & Green Measure Claims 1. A Green measure calibrates and

validates the correct operation and sensitivity of the Putt Measure, by allowing a repeatable force to be applied directly to the Putt Measure.
2. The Green Measure gives proof the Putt Measure is sensitive and working to

acceptable levels.
3. In accordance with claim 1. a sheen Measure can be used to calibrate the Putt Measure. The Green Measure is designed to have a Repeatability and Accuracy comparable to an expert Golfer with regards to the distance of a golf ball resting position when used on a prepared surface comparable to a good quality Golfing Green.
4. A Green Measure can have different range values dialled in to represent the differing shots need in the course of cereal game of golf.
5. A Green Measure has an integrated tape to allow the actual distance travelled of a ball fired from the Unit.
6. A Green Measwe is Portable and suitable for carrying by hand.
7. A Putt Measwe can give instant numeric feedback to the user via a display screen (9) fig.4 of value relating to the force imparted on a simulated Golf ball and hence determine the equivalent distance the ball would have traveIled had it been a normal golf ball to be hit.
8. A Putt Measure can simply reset by pushing a reset lever to allow repeat shots to be made.
9. A Putt Measure has a Measuring arm which moves out of the line of the shoot, to support a natural feel to using the Putter when followingthrough
10. A Putt Measure will damp excessive force on the measuring arm by use of a damper to ensure no damage to the measuring sensor.
11. A Putt Measure is portable and could be used to simulate long Putting shots in confined spaces like offices and bedrooms.
12. A Putt Measwe can prove a Golfers ability at weighting a shot to travel set distances from a target position.
13. Damping in the measuring arm ensure excessive forces do not damage the Putt Measwe in particular the measuring sensor.