WO2009009062A2 - Lecteur pour terrain de golf - Google Patents

Lecteur pour terrain de golf Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009009062A2
WO2009009062A2 PCT/US2008/008411 US2008008411W WO2009009062A2 WO 2009009062 A2 WO2009009062 A2 WO 2009009062A2 US 2008008411 W US2008008411 W US 2008008411W WO 2009009062 A2 WO2009009062 A2 WO 2009009062A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inlet
housing
viewing
assembly
tubular member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/008411
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009009062A3 (fr
Inventor
Ken Landry
Original Assignee
Ken Landry
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ken Landry filed Critical Ken Landry
Publication of WO2009009062A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009009062A2/fr
Publication of WO2009009062A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009009062A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3676—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for putting
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B57/00—Golfing accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
    • A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
    • A63B2071/024—Supports, e.g. poles with screws or pins in the earth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B2071/0694—Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/32—Golf
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2210/00—Space saving
    • A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/74—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B57/00—Golfing accessories
    • A63B57/10—Golf tees
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/0036—Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to games and sporting equipment and, more specifically, to a Golf Green Reader.
  • Putting greens being natural surfaces, have one or more slope, each of which can change over the extent of the ball's desired path to the cup. Also, the grass on the green will have a "grain" to it (the direction of its growth) that also adds complexity. Finally, changing lighting conditions and glare from the sun can also make a successful putting experience more difficult.
  • the device should be available in two versions - one that is elongated, is sized similar to the length of a golf umbrella and allows the user to site the putt line while standing, and a second version that is handheld.
  • the device should have optics to provide the user with the ability to site along a laser-pointer line and focus, zoom and obtain a wide-angle view of the cup from the ball location.
  • the device should further overlay an image that aids the user in holding the device in a level position while siting along the putt line.
  • the image overlay should include symbology that indicates current spacial orientation of the device, the desired spacial device orientation and the direction to correct the device orientation.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention as it might be used on a conventional golf green;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the viewing assembly of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tubular member of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inlet assembly of the device of Figure l;
  • Figure 5 is a cutaway side view of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the overall structure of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 7 depicts the sighting image provided to the user by the device of Figures 1 and 5; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a handheld version of the device of the present invention.
  • the purpose of the Green Reader is to save strokes by being able to better read the characteristics of a putting green.
  • the device provides a number of characteristics that aide the golfer in arriving at the line that the putt will take from its lie to the cup.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device 10 of the present invention as it might be used on a conventional golf green 18.
  • the green reader device 10 has three main parts; the viewing assembly 12 where the golfer looks to sight on the cup 20, the tubular member 14 for transmitting and conditioning the image, and the inlet assembly 16 that gives the golfer a low-level view of the cup, nearly at the surface of the grass.
  • the device 10 provides the user with a laser line 22.
  • the laser light When activated by the golfer, the laser light creates an image that can be seen through the green reader's lenses. This gives the golfer assistance in aiming the device to the specific point on the green towards which the ball will be hit (i.e. if there is a break to the green, the ball will not be hit on a line directly towards the cup, but rather will be hit in the direction of where the ball is expected to break or begin its curve towards the cup). If we now turn to Figure 2, we can begin to examine the device 10 in more detail.
  • FIG 2 is a perspective view of the viewing assembly 12 of the device of Figure 1.
  • the viewing assembly 12 has a housing 24 defined by a lower mouth 26 at its bottom end, and an eye cup 28 at its opposing end.
  • the lower mouth 26 is designed to interface with the tubular member that is more fully discussed below in connection with Figure 3, and pass the light traveling along the light path 38 to the view window 30.
  • the eye cup 28 is a soft rubberized cone that blocks out incident light while the user is peering into the view window 30. It is through the view window 30 that the golfer sights the putt being aligned.
  • a focus ring 32 is provided to enable the user to focus the image being viewed through the view window 30.
  • the focus ring 30 may provide mechanical focusing of the lenses located within the viewing assembly 12, or it may alternatively adjust lenses located in the tubular member (as is more fully discussed below).
  • buttons are provided on either side of the housing (in this embodiment).
  • the zoom button 34 activates a power-actuated wide angle/zoom lens.
  • Wide angle and zoom lenses are provided by the device in order to permit the golfer to read the grain of the grass from the ball's lie to the cup.
  • the golfer can determine the location of the wear edge on the cup. The wear edge being one side or another of the cup that has tended to be the location that most of the balls have dropped into the cup; this gives the golfer a hint as to the direction of the break adjacent to the cup.
  • the other side of the housing 24 has a laser button 36.
  • the user can activate and deactivate the previously-described laser pointer/aiming line by depressing or releasing the laser button 36.
  • Figure 3 provides additional detail regarding the next major component of the green reader.
  • FIG 3 is a perspective view of the tubular member 14 of the device of Figure 1.
  • the tubular member 14 transmits the incident light coming from the inlet assembly (see Figure 4) along the light path 38 and to the viewing assembly 12.
  • the tubular member has an elongate, tubular housing 40 defined by an upper end 42 and a lower end 44.
  • the central view bore 46 transmits the image along the light path and may contain lenses and other components important to create the imaging features discussed herein.
  • a level image generator 48 is contained within a protrusion located on one side of the housing 40. As will be discussed more fully below, the level image generator 48 generates an image that is superimposed on the view of the cup seen obtained by the inlet assembly (see Figure 4). The superimposed image indicates to the user whether or not the device is being held in an upright position.
  • An access cap 50 is provided to give the user access to the components within the level image generator 48, such as to clean or replace any of the items.
  • Figure 4 presents the portion of the device that obtains the image of the cup.
  • FIG 4 is a perspective view of the inlet assembly 16 of the device of Figure 1.
  • the inlet assembly 16 is associated with a housing 52 that has an upper mouth 54 for interfacing with the tubular member of Figure 3.
  • a stabilizing pin 58 extends downwardly from a closed bottom face 56 of the housing 52.
  • the stabilizing pin 58 is preferably shaped similar to a conventional golf tee, and terminates in a pointed tip 60.
  • the pin 58 is pushed into the grass of the green when the device is being used; the pin 58 will then prevent the bottom end of the device from accidentally moving during the sighting process.
  • the pin 58 is constructed from durable, corrosion- resistant material, such as stainless or other type of steel.
  • the housing 52 has an inlet aperture 62 formed in its side.
  • the aperture 62 has an inlet filter 64, which is a plastic lens for improving the quality of the incident light.
  • An amber lens may be provided as the filter 64 to bring out the detail of the green grass of the green and also to block the glare from the sun.
  • the laser sighting line discussed above is provided by a laser light 66 located such that it projects outwardly in front of the inlet aperture 62, so that it creates a laser line or dot that the user can see through the device.
  • a laser light 66 located such that it projects outwardly in front of the inlet aperture 62, so that it creates a laser line or dot that the user can see through the device.
  • Figure 5 is a cutaway side view of the device 10 of Figure 1.
  • the device 10 provides the image transformation of a periscope, meaning that it changes the direction of the incoming light so that the user can see in a direction parallel to the ground while his or her eye is directed perpendicular (i.e. down) to that direction. This change in direction is performed by reflection at mirror 68 contained within the inlet assembly 16.
  • the light path then passes through a beam splitter 76, which is located adjacent to the level image generator 48, within the tubular member 14.
  • the beam splitter takes the image (of the level condition of the device 10) and superimposes it atop the image coming from the inlet assembly 16.
  • the level image generator 48 has a light source such as the LED light 70 shown.
  • the light generated from this light source passes through a bubble level 72 to create an image of the status of the device's level condition.
  • a digital level indicator could be provided that will give the use an image as displayed in Figure 7.
  • the level image is reflected by mirror 74 to the beam splitter 76.
  • the beam splitter 76 allows the inlet assembly image 16 to pass through it, but will redirect the image coming from the level generator so that it exits the beam splitter 76 parallel to the image from the inlet assembly 16. These two images (superimposed) are viewable by the golfer through the view window 30, which is a clear lens located within the viewing assembly 12.
  • FIG 6 is a perspective view of the overall structure of the device 10 of Figure 1.
  • the outer surface of the tubular member 14 may have an upper clip 79A extending therefrom near the top of the device 10, and a lower clip 79B extending from the bottom of the tubular member 14.
  • These clips 79 A, 79B are located to cooperate with the buckles/loops on a traditional golf bag. In this way, the device 10 can be clipped to the golf bag so that it is readily accessible. Alternatively, the device 10 can be fit into the bag along with the user's clubs, essentially in any location that the umbrella can be carried. In its most desirable form, the length (height) of the device 77 is approximately thirty-six and one-half (36.5) inches tall.
  • Figure 7 depicts the image that the device presents to the user.
  • Figure 7 depicts the sighting image 80 provided to the user by the device of Figures 1 and 5.
  • a vertical plumb line 84 is provided to give the golfer assistance in determining the slope of the green's surface. Also, when aligned with the pin, the golfer will be able to tell whether the pin and cup are sloped, and if so, how much.
  • the horizontal line 82, and its intersection with the vertical sight line gives the golfer additional assistance with estimating the slope and break towards the cup.
  • An LCD or DLP see-through imaging device may be provided to give the user real-time leveling advice.
  • the device is out of level to the left. Because the device is not level, first and second level indicators 87A and 87B appear as shown. to show which way the device is out of level. Also, first and second leveling arrows 86A and 86B prompt the user as to what direction the device must be tilted in order to achieve a level condition. Other symbology may be used to aid the user in achieving a level condition; those depicted here are only exemplary.
  • FIG 8 is a perspective view of a handheld version 1OA of the device of the present invention. Because of its small profile, and its intent to be held horizontally against the user's eye, this embodiment 1OA does not bend the incident light image as does the original version 10. As can be seen, however, virtually every other feature of the aforementioned version (including the level indication) is provided here. Rather than providing lens adjustment via a focusing ring, focusing and zooming is provided via an automated lens adjustment mechanism 89.
  • the mechanism 89 here is provided by a series of gears and motors; other versions could be included.
  • the mechanism 89 is controlled disposed on a switch block 91; in this view, the control buttons protrude from the back- side of the housing 88.
  • An ergonomic hand grip may alsobe provided on the top of the device 1OA.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Telescopes (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un lecteur pour terrain de golf. Le dispositif est disponible en deux versions : une première version allongée, de dimension similaire à la longueur d'un parapluie de golf et permet à l'utilisateur de viser la ligne de putt tout en se tenant debout, et une seconde version portative. Le dispositif comprend des éléments optiques qui offrent à l'utilisateur la possibilité de viser le long d'une ligne de pointeur laser et de fixer, zoomer et obtenir une vue grand angle du trou de golf à partir de la position de la balle. Le dispositif superpose en outre une image qui aide l'utilisateur à maintenir le dispositif dans une position de niveau tout en visant le long de la ligne de putt. La superposition d'image comprend des symboles indiquant l'orientation spatiale actuelle du dispositif, l'orientation spatiale souhaitée du dispositif, et la direction pour corriger l'orientation du dispositif.
PCT/US2008/008411 2007-07-12 2008-07-09 Lecteur pour terrain de golf WO2009009062A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/827,875 2007-07-12
US11/827,875 US20090017943A1 (en) 2007-07-13 2007-07-13 Golf green reader

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009009062A2 true WO2009009062A2 (fr) 2009-01-15
WO2009009062A3 WO2009009062A3 (fr) 2009-03-12

Family

ID=40070814

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/008411 WO2009009062A2 (fr) 2007-07-12 2008-07-09 Lecteur pour terrain de golf

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20090017943A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009009062A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10584129B2 (en) 2013-06-04 2020-03-10 Janssen Pharmaceuticals Nv Substituted 6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines as negative allosteric modulators of mGluR2 receptors

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011123108A1 (fr) * 2010-03-31 2011-10-06 Smartshopper Electronics, Llc Systèmes et procédés pour l'alignement pour le putt au golf
US8499465B2 (en) * 2011-01-11 2013-08-06 Todd Kuta Optical putter system
EP2758139B1 (fr) * 2011-09-21 2015-12-09 Leslie Egan Appareil pour le golf
USD865087S1 (en) * 2015-11-20 2019-10-29 Kevin Seamus Parsons Disc golf goal adapter
US20180093157A1 (en) * 2016-10-01 2018-04-05 Michael James McNenny Laser Golf Putting Guide
USD872815S1 (en) 2017-12-12 2020-01-14 Kevin Seamus Parsons Short range target cap

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US5503393A (en) * 1994-11-03 1996-04-02 Casperson; John L. Golf putting aid and method
US5725440A (en) * 1996-04-12 1998-03-10 Finney; Mark J. Laser-guided golf club putter
EP1116979A2 (fr) * 2000-01-17 2001-07-18 Steiner-Optik GmbH Cache pour jumelles
US20040027691A1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2004-02-12 Himmele Tristam W. Sport binocular visor assembly and method
US20070014003A1 (en) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-18 Vectronix Ag Multifunctional observation device

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US5792015A (en) * 1997-07-28 1998-08-11 Hoyt; David Putting aid
US6059672A (en) * 1998-06-29 2000-05-09 Zeiner-Gundersen; Dag H. Golf training device particularly for the short game
US6095933A (en) * 1998-10-19 2000-08-01 Gary P. Chassen Simplified green slope indicator
US6663496B2 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-12-16 Acushnet Company Putter with alignment system
US20040132555A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2004-07-08 Forrest Bradley A. Laser projector for illuminating slope
US7118488B2 (en) * 2005-01-21 2006-10-10 Newtonics Spectra Inc. Training putter with laser line projecting device
US7252596B1 (en) * 2005-05-31 2007-08-07 Matousek Thomas G Putter alignment device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5275403A (en) * 1992-06-10 1994-01-04 Jones Thomas L Golf club with target viewing reflector in shaft
US5503393A (en) * 1994-11-03 1996-04-02 Casperson; John L. Golf putting aid and method
US5725440A (en) * 1996-04-12 1998-03-10 Finney; Mark J. Laser-guided golf club putter
EP1116979A2 (fr) * 2000-01-17 2001-07-18 Steiner-Optik GmbH Cache pour jumelles
US20040027691A1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2004-02-12 Himmele Tristam W. Sport binocular visor assembly and method
US20070014003A1 (en) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-18 Vectronix Ag Multifunctional observation device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10584129B2 (en) 2013-06-04 2020-03-10 Janssen Pharmaceuticals Nv Substituted 6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines as negative allosteric modulators of mGluR2 receptors

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009009062A3 (fr) 2009-03-12
US20090017943A1 (en) 2009-01-15

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