IE83602B1 - A Golf Putting Trainer - Google Patents

Description

A golf putting trainer INTRODUCTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to golf putting trainers.

Prior Art Discussion As is well known, putting is probably the most important stroke in the game of golf.

It is also a simple stroke, requiring the player to strike the ball in a smooth continuous arc with good “follow through”. It is also important that the player strike the ball at the correct part of the putter head. The player should be able to replicate consistently a good putting stroke in order to score well.

United States Patent Specification No. US4634l3l (Vella er al) describes a putting trainer having an arc-shaped rail supported on a support structure. The rail is supported at each end by a mechanism having a wing nut pressing against a quadrant-shaped component for changing the orientation of the rail. Also, a loop and circle arrangement grips the rail at each end. Adjustment of the radius of the rail’s arc is achieved by “adjusting the tension applied by the wing nut 4 to link 9 which in turn levers the end of the guide rail within aperture 6, at both ends of guide rail 2, so as to produce a bow in guide rail 2 between two supports of rigid frame 5”.

It appears to the inventors that the Vella er al trainer would not be particularly reliable or easy to use. This is because it appears that very large forces are required to lever the end of the rail a short distance beyond the support fulcrum at each end.

It also appears that it would be difficult for the player to achieve a consistent orientation of the rail throughout its length. It also appears that this prior trainer does not accommodate different standards of player, but instead imposes only one uniform putting guide action. Another aspect of this prior art is that the guide which runs on the rail is quite complex, with a number of wheels on the rail. It is not clear how this would accommodate to different rail curvatures. Also, it appears that it would be diffiCU.lt to engage it with the rail.

The invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved putting trainer to achieve some or all of the following: (a) simpler and more robust rail curvature adjustment, (b) simpler and more robust rail inclination plane adjustment, with provision for more consistency in inclination along the length of the rail, (C) adaptability so that it can be optimised for use by players of differing standards, and (d) simpler and more effective coupling of a guide with the rail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided at putting trainer comprising a ground- engaging base, end supports, a rail supported by and extending between the end supports, a club shaft guide for gripping a club shaft and running on the rail, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting curvature of the rail, characterised in that, (a) the trainer comprises a central support supporting the rail at a central location between the end supports; (b) the end supports apply forces to the rail which are in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the forces applied by the central support; and (c) the adjustment mechanism is incorporated in at least one of the supports.

In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is incorporated in the central support.

In another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises male and female threaded elements, and means for manually operating an element to push or pull the rail.

In a further embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is mounted between the base and the rail.

In one embodiment, the rail is curved when un-stressed by the supports.

In another embodiment, the trainer further comprises means for adjusting the plane of inclination of the rail.

In a further embodiment, the inclination adjustment means comprises a rail support fixed to the rail, and means for changing inclination of the support.

In one embodiment, the rail support is the central support.

In another embodiment, the inclination changing means comprises a curved slot, an arm extending through the slot, the slot or the arm being fixed with respect to the base, and a fastener for locking the arm at a selected position in the slot.

In a further embodiment, the slot is in a support fixed to the base.

In one embodiment, the rail is connected to the end supports by a connector associated with each support, each connector extending away from the rail on its convex side so that it does not interfere with movement of the guide along the rail.

In another embodiment, each connector comprises a pivot pin engaging a socket in a support.

In a further embodiment, the guide comprises a wheel and means for adjusting width of a wheel groove for engaging the rail.

In one embodiment, the groove width adjusting means comprises two wheel flanges and means of setting a desired axial spacing of the wheel flanges.

In another embodiment, the setting means comprises a locknut on a bolt for retaining an axially-movable wheel flange at a desired position.

In a further embodiment, the wheel comprises rail-engaging tapered sides.

In one embodiment, the degree of taper is between 5° and 15°.

In another embodiment, the guide comprises a single wheel configured for rolling on the concave side of the rail.

In a further embodiment, the guide further comprises a guide member mounted for sliding Contact with rail.

In one embodiment, the end supports are collapsible by folding to lie flat on the base.

In another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises means for moving the rail to a position close to the base for storage.

In a further embodiment, the base comprises left and right recesses for accommodating a players feet with a correct stance.

In one embodiment, the base comprises apertures for receiving golf tees to secure the trainer to the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:— Fig. l is a perspective view of a putting trainer of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the trainer; Fig. 3 is a front View of the trainer; Fig. 4 is a side view of the trainer; Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a rail adjustment mechanism, and Fig. is a view of the mechanism in a different adjustment position; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a putter guide, and Fig. 8 is a plan view of the guide; Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) are perspective views of the guide at different configurations to suit players of different standards; and Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan View showing part of an alternative trainer having an alignment guide.

Description of the Embodiments Referring initially to Figs. 1 to 4 a putting trainer 1 of the invention comprises a base 2 to which are secured left and right end supports 3 and 4 respectively. The supports 3 and 4 support a rail 5, and the rail 5 is also directly connected at its centre to the base 2 by an adjustment mechanism 6. The rail 5 is naturally (when unstressed) curved to a standard curvature. At each end, the rail 5 comprises, on its convex side, a spaced-apart pin 7 engaging a socket 8 in the relevant end support 3 or 4. Thus, the manner of connection of the rail 5 to the end supports 3 and 4 does not limit the effective length of the rail 5 which can be used by the player. In this embodiment the rail 5 has an effective length extending a short distance beyond the supports 3 and 4, however it may in an alternative embodiment extend much more beyond these supports.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the base 2 comprises left and right foot recesses 10 and ll respectively to allow the player to stand in comfort with guidance for the correct feet positions for a good playing stance. The base 2 also comprises apertures l2 to allow the trainer 1 to be secured in place on the ground using golf ICCS.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, each of the end supports 3 and 4 is connected by a pivot pin 13 to the base 2. Thus, the trainer 1 can be collapsed for storage or transport by simply pulling the pins 7 from the sockets 8, rotating the end supports 3 and 4 downwardly to lie flat on the base 2, and rotating the rail 5 rearwardly and downwardly using the mechanism 6 as will be apparent from the description below.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 the adjustment mechanism 6 comprises a pair of parallel spaced—apart upright base plates 20 having corresponding curved slots 21 extending downwardly and forwardly (with respect to the stance of a player having the fronts of his or her feet in the recesses 10 and 11).

A cranked support arm 22 extends at an inner end through the slots 21, and this end is connected to a fastening bolt 23 for securing the arm at a particular position along the length of the slots 21. At an outer end the arm 22 comprises a sleeve 24 extending perpendicularly to the arm. A threaded bolt 25 is non-rotatably fixed to the rail 5 at its underside, and the bolt 25 extends through the sleeve 24. A hand- operable nut 26 is engaged with the bolt 25 at its lower end.

The mechanism 6 allows adjustment of the rail 5 in two different manners, as follows. (a) By loosening the bolt 23 the player can slide the arm 22 along the length of the slots 21 to adjust the angle of inclination of the rail 5. The bolt 23 is simply tightened at the desired location. Fig. 5 shows a position close to vertical, whereas Fig. 6 shows an inclination slanted more rearwardly. (b) By rotating the nut 26 the player can pull or push the rail 5 at its centre to a desired extent to set the desired curvature of the rail 5 to suit his or her size.

Referring now to Figs. 7, 8, and 9 a putter guide 40 is illustrated. The guide 40 comprises a putter shaft grip 41 and a wheel 42 for running on the rail 5. The grip 41 comprises a curved surround 45 and a bolt having a shank 46 and a hand-operated head 47. The bolt grips a putter shaft by pressing it against the opposed side of the surround 45 i.e. the shaft is gripped between the end of the shank 46 and the opposing inner surface of the surround 45. The surround 45 has an opening 48 for insertion of the shaft.

The wheel 42 has an adjustable-width groove between two wheel flanges 50 and 51.

The (outer) flange 50 is not movable axially. However, the (inner) flange 51 is movable axially on an axle 54 after rotation of a locknut 53 inwardly on a bolt 53.

The flanges 50 and 51 are tapered inwardly and are operable to prevent the direction of the wheel axis deviating from a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rail axis. This is because the distance between the flanges 50 and 51 is such that the rail is engaged by both flanges.

It has been found that the flanges are preferably at least 10mm deep and the taper is preferably 5° and 15°.

Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) show a narrow configuration being changed to a wide configuration by rotation of the locknut 52 followed by rotation of the flange 51 on the spindle 53. The wheel 42 operates by the spindle 53, the flanges 50, 51, and the locknut 52 all rotating together with respect to the grip surround 45. Thus the spindle 53 has a bearing within the surround 45. Wheel groove width adjustment is simply achieved by rotating the flange 51 like a nut on the spindle 53 and then rotating the locknut 52 to prevent further widening of the groove by inadvertent rotation of the flange 51.

In an alternative embodiment, flange are rotatable about a spindle which does not rotate, the width being set by a locknut or other fastener which prevents further widening. In this embodiment the movable flange may be spring biased to a wider groove position.

In an alternative embodiment, the guide may also comprise one or more guide members mounted adjacent to the wheel and to be in sliding Contact with the rail as the wheel runs on the rail. The or each guide member makes sliding contact with one or both sides of the rail to ensure that the putter head is kept “square” during the stroke. In this arrangement, the contact surface of the or each guide member preferably lies substantially in a plane of Contact of the wheel with the rail.

It will be appreciated that the trainer l allows simple and robust rail curvature adjustment because there is only one mechanism (the mechanism 6) to be operated by the player, and because the mechanism 6 operates on the centre of the rail 5. The forces with this arrangement are at a minimum. Also, the mechanism 6 is very easy to operate for curvature adjustment as it requires the player to turn only one “knob”.

Also, because forces are at a minimum, even children would have sufficient strength to perform adjustment.

It will also be appreciated that the mechanism 6 allows consistent inclination adjustment exactly half way down between the supports 3 and 4. There is no danger of the rail having a twisted or warped plane, which would arise if it had a separate adjustment at each end.

Another major advantage of the trainer 1 is that, by varying width of the groove in the wheel 42, it may be optimised to suit the standard of the player. Typically, a player would start with a wide groove so that the wheel straddles the rail 5 to the maximum extent for most comprehensive stroke constraint. As the player progresses, the groove may be narrowed to reduce the area of contact with the rail 5 thereby requiring the player to use more skill to keep the stroke on the correct path in Contact with the rail.

Regarding the rail being curved when unstressed and the support arrangement, the following advantages arise.

- For a given rail modulus, it eliminates the force required to get it from a straight condition to the commencement of the range, i.e. the largest radius of the range.

- For a given rail modulus, it reduces the force required to traverse the full range of radii, because it starts from a mid position.

— The reduction in force can be used to provide simpler player operation, or to reduce the size and cost of the adjustment mechanism.

- Alternatively, the reduction in force required for a given modulus, can be used to provide a rail with a greater modulus that would otherwise be possible, thereby allowing use of a stronger and more rigid rail.

- The reduction in deformation to achieve the required range of radii, also reduces the possibility that the final arc will not be a true are of a circle.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, the adjustment mechanism may vary in detail such as by providing a threaded socket on the rail and a bolt which is rotatable by the player.

Also, the trainer may comprise an arm pivotally connected to the base for rotation in a horizontal plane to a position extending perpendicular to the correct line of impact between the putter and the ball. This position may be set by a stop on the base 2.

Thus, the player can align the face of the putter with this arm so that it is “squared” correctly. Also, the arm may be moved to an off-square position so that the negative effect of the putter face being off-square can be demonstrated. The arm is moved back to the retracted position when the player has adjusted the grip 41 so that the putter is correctly orientated. Fig. l0 shows such an arrangement in diagrammatic form. A trainer 60 has a base 61 to which an arm 62 is pivotally connected at a hinge 63. The outer position is set by a stop 64 as illustrated. This diagram shows a putter P aligned with the arm 62. The retracted position is shown by interrupted lines.

While the trainer has been described for putting training, it may also be used for training of chipping or other golf shots.

In a further embodiment, the trainer may have an adjustment mechanism incorporated in one or both end supports 3 and 4. In this embodiment the rail may be supported centrally by a Fixed support or by an adjustment mechanism. In common with the illustrated embodiment the rail is supported at its centre, and so forces applied centrally or at the end supports are much lower than required in the prior art. Also in common with the illustrated embodiment the forces applied by the end supports will be substantially opposite to that applied by the central support.

Thus, in both embodiments the adjustment mechanism(s) is/ are operable to decrease the rails radius by applying opposing forces away from each other between the central and end supports, and to increase its radius by applying opposing forces towards each other between the central and end supports.

Also, the rail may have a cross-section with a lower modulus of elasticity in the direction of the radius of the curvature. This may be achieved by having a dimension parallel to the radius being less than a dimension perpendicular to it.

Further, the illustrated embodiment comprises the cranked arm 22 connected by the fastener 23 to the curved slot 2l. However, in another embodiment, the member is arranged to provide more strength and rigidity than is possible with a cantilever and fastener connection. For example, the connection may be replaced by a relatively strong elongate guide running in a relatively strong curved track. The orientation of the curve of the guide and track is similar to that shown for the curved slot 21 in the figures. A manually operated screw clamp or fastener may be provided to lock the guide and track together when the correct angle of inclination is achieved. When locked in position, the contact area between the guide and track is substantial and is resistant to bending or relative movement. The fastener holds the guide and track together by friction, and does not directly form part of the connection. The track is rigidly fixed to the base and may project a small distance beyond its front, but not such as to interfere with the movement of the putter.

Claims (1)

1. Claims A putting trainer comprising a ground-engaging base (2), end supports (3, 4), a rail (5) supported by and extending between the end supports (3, 4), a club shaft guide (40) for gripping a club shaft and running on the rail (5), and an adjustment mechanism (6) for adjusting curvature of the rail (5), characterised in that, (a) the trainer comprises a central support (6) supporting the rail at a central location between the end supports (3, 4); (b) the end supports (3, 4) apply forces to the rail (5) which are in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the forces applied by the central support (6); and (c) the adjustment mechanism is incorporated in at least one of the supports (3, 4, 6). A putting trainer as claimed in claim l, wherein the adjustment mechanism (6) is incorporated in the central support. A putting trainer as claimed in claims l or 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism (6) comprises male and female threaded elements (25, 26), and means for manually operating an element (26) to push or pull the rail. A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mechanism (6) is mounted between the base (2) and the rail (5). A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rail is curved when un-stressed by the supports. A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the trainer (1) further comprises means for adjusting the plane of inclination of the rail. A putting trainer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inclination adjustment means comprises a rail support (22, 25) fixed to the rail, and means (20, 21, 23) for changing inclination of the support (22, 25). A putting trainer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rail support (22, 25) is the central support (6). A putting trainer as claimed in claims 7 or 8, wherein the inclination changing means comprises a curved slot (21), an arm (22) extending through the slot, the slot or the arm being fixed with respect to the base, and a fastener (23) for locking the arm at a selected position in the slot. A putting trainer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the slot (21) is in a support (20) fixed to the base (2). A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rail (5) is connected to the end supports (3, 4) by a connector associated with each support (3, 4), each connector (7) extending away from the rail (5) on its convex side so that it does not interfere with movement of the guide (40) along the rail. A putting trainer as claimed in claim 11, wherein each connector comprises a pivot pin (7) engaging a socket (8) in a support (3, 4). A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide (40) comprises a wheel (42) and means (50, 51, 52) for adjusting width of a wheel groove for engaging the rail (5). A putting trainer as claimed in claim 13, wherein the groove width adjusting means comprises two wheel flanges (50, 51) and means of setting a desired axial spacing of the wheel flanges. A putting trainer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the setting means comprises a locknut (52) on a bolt for retaining an axially-movable wheel flange (51) at a desired position. A putting trainer as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the wheel comprises rai1—engaging tapered sides. A putting trainer as claimed in claim 16, wherein the degree of taper is between 5° and 15°. A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide (40) comprises a single wheel (42) configured for rolling on the concave side of the rail. A putting trainer as claimed in claim 18, wherein the guide further comprises a guide member mounted for sliding contact with rail. A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end supports (3, 4) are collapsible by folding to lie flat on the base (2). A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mechanism (6) comprises means for moving the rail (5) to a position close to the base for storage. A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base (2) comprises left and right recesses (10, ll) for accommodating a players feet with a correct stance. A putting trainer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base (2) comprises apertures (12) for receiving golf tees to secure the trainer (1) to the ground. A golf putting trainer substantially as described with reference to the drawings.