WO2022225916A2

WO2022225916A2 - System and method of creating golf ball performance markers

Info

Publication number: WO2022225916A2
Application number: PCT/US2022/025331
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Spriegel
Original assignee: Sportzfizx, Llc
Priority date: 2021-04-19
Filing date: 2022-04-19
Publication date: 2022-10-27
Also published as: WO2022225916A3

Abstract

System and method for improving a golfer's putting performance based on putting results using a mat or artificial simulated flat putting surface. A golf ball performance marker is created using putting data, evaluation data, observational data and other proprietary factors which are processed using a proprietary algorithm. Putting evaluation lessons for a golfer can be performed virtually or in-house with an instructor. The performance markers can be made using techniques comprising, a two-half dome assembly placed over the golf ball with marker stencils formed in the half domes, an electronic rotational golf ball marking system, golf balls with factory printed markers and automated machines that apply a performance marker to the golf ball.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CREATING GOLF BALL PERFORMANCE MARKERS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119 (e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/176,850 filed April 19, 2021.

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to golf balls used in putting, and more particularly to a golf ball performance marker printed on a golf ball, wherein the performance marker act as a visual cue for a golfer. The performance markers use color psychology, shape psychology, “quiet eye” marks and other factors to improve the golfers putting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers have difficulty in putting, aligning the putter face with the ball, when the ball is stuck so that it goes in the proper direction, along a desired putting line and with the proper speed to go in the cup. Putting accounts for 43% of the score, the putter is the only club used on every hole, with few exceptions, and is critical in lowering a golfer’s score. The above description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of putting training devices now present in the prior art, the present invention is a custom, golfer specific golf ball performance marker printed on a golf ball that acts as both a training aid and a playing aid to improve a golfer’s putting.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new golf ball training and playing aid that makes use of golf ball performance markers (visual ques) printed on a golf ball that has many of the advantages over other putting devices and many novel features that result in a new playing and training aid which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction to the use of two half dome arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

An object of the present invention is to print a golfer specific custom golf ball with a golf ball performance marker that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices and improve putting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a custom-made golfer specific golf ball with a performance marker that can be used as both a playing and a training aid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system to measure and record a golfer’s putting performance and putting results, compare them to a current performance marker and create a new performance marker as needed.

A further object is to provide a golfer specific golf ball with a performance marker that can be used by a player during tournament play. The USGA recognizes the PuttTrue™ golf ball performance marker as a logo affixed to the golf ball and does not require a separate listing on the List of Conforming Golf Balls.

A further object of the invention is to create a phone app comprising; recording putting data both on and of the course, using radar, sonar, sharing data with other apps comprising, GolfLogix and USwing. Another object is to provide a golfer specific golf ball with a performance marker that allows a golfer to stroke the putter with a more comfortable and natural stroke.

Yet another object is to gather golfer specific data from an evaluation which is then entered into a proprietary algorithm to determine the golfer specific performance marker.

Another object is to provide a golfer a way to compensate for her or her own visual and physical issues that impedes their putting performance.

A further object is to provide a “quiet eye” indicator as part of the performance marker to increase a golfer’s gaze time or visual fixation on the ball, which improves putting performance.

Yet another object of the performance marker is creating a golfer speed indicator, wherein the marker is seen on a periodic basis to assist the golfer in judging putting speed.

In yet another object is to gather golfer data, comprising electroencephalography (EEG), computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, eye examination, visual acuity, depth perception and peripheral vision, with ongoing examination and periodic performance marker adjustments to be included in the putting evaluation to determine a performance marker.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are flow charts illustrating a golf ball performance marker lesson of the present invention, to gather;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the creation of a golf ball performance marker of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective outline view of the present invention with a golfer preparing to putt a ball on a mat;

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of a putting mat, showing a cup and a single ball, not to scale of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are top views of the present invention, illustrated with a possible ball path and location after stopping, with a solid line representing the intended line to the hole, for example, wherein a ball when putt long of the cup is (+Y) and putt right of the hole is (-X) of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the present invention, is a scatter of approximately 20 putt balls, of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a top view of the present invention with an outline around the scatter of balls from FIG 8 of the present invention, ignoring an outlier golf ball;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a golf ball with a performance marker (not drawn to scale), in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the present invention is an outline over the scatter of balls, where the scatter of balls has been redirected by a performance marker, and;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a golf ball, according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a first dome and a second dome, both with standoffs, that surround a ball, that release the ball according the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a first dome and a second dome separated by standoffs, according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an upper perspective view of a golf ball with an affixed performance marker per the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is an upper perspective view of an automated ultraviolet golf ball marking machine, according to the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 and 2 are functional block diagrams 100/200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a method 100/200 for gathering data to create a golf ball performance marker 1504. The golf ball performance marker 1504 improves a golfer putting. Method 100 in this embodiment is where the lesson begins at 102 with a questionnaire 104 that is answered or filled in by a golfer (402), with data entered into a device, comprising a PC, phone, phone apps, and other devices known by those of skill in the art.

The questionnaire includes such questions, comprising; “Are you right or left eye dominant?”; “Do you wear glasses and/or sunglasses when you golf?”; How does the color green make you feel?”, what is your favorite color? and other questions impacting the golfers putting. After the questionnaire is completed, the golfer 402 is given instructions at 106 to putt a number of golf balls, in this embodiment, approximately 20 using a natural stoke to hit the balls, at the same time using any ball markings the golfer 402 routinely uses, for example, alignment lines; wherein a natural stroke comprises; using a natural stance and most comfortable effective stroke with physical ailment.

A golfer 402 in this embodiment, FIG. 4 putts on a mat that is 14 ft long, for example. The golfer 402 sets up so that a ball 414 is approximately in a middle of a 1 ft. line 412, next to a first edge 410, and a second edge 412 is at the opposite end, as shown. The golfer 402 is instructed not to turn a putter face 416 open or closed, but to use the same face angle during putting.

At 108 a golfer 402 putts a given number of putts, in this embodiment approximately 20, wherein each golf ball 406 after stopping is measured both laterally and longitudinally from a cup 514. After each putt, measurements are taken for each ball and then the putted ball is moved out of the line of sight. The golfer 402 putts towards cup 414, in this case the ball 512, as shown, is short and to the right of the cup 514.

FIGS. 6 and 7 of the system 100 in these embodiments, 600 and 700 illustrate how measurements are taken and recorded during a lesson. In FIG. 6 and 7, the coordinates are defined as shown, with a golfer (not shown) looking at either cup 602 or cup 702. A ball 608, putt, on an actual line 604, as opposed to an intended line 606, to the left (FIG. 6) of a cup 602 is +X (on intended line 606) and to the right (FIG. 7) is -Y. A ball 708 that is putt on actual line 704 and is short and to the right of the cup 702 (FIG. 7) is -Y and a putt that is long is +Y (FIG. 6). The same type procedure applies in FIG. 4. During the entire lesson 110, an instructor is collecting and recording observational data. Observational data comprises, facial expressions, body language and gaze time.

FIG. 8 of system 800, illustrated in this embodiment is a top view of a scatter of measured putt locations of approximately twenty balls (not actual balls shown) on a portion of a mat. In this embodiment the golfer 402 had putted 20 putts, one at a time where each ball is picked up upon completion before putting the next ball. The 20 ball locations, the majority of which, (approximately 19 ball locations) 802 are short and to the right, with one outlier 804 to the right of and long of the cup 514. At this point in this description, this is for illustration purposes. The fact that the putts are short may be due to visual issues comprising depth perception, physical issues involving a knee replacement, arthritis and/or a hip replacement, confidence issues, temper issues when playing and other factors. It is assumed that the outlier 804 will be eliminated by the algorithm as an anomaly.

FIG. 9 of the system 900, in this embodiment, illustrates an outline 902 around a scatter of the balls 904. A single ball 906 that went to the right and long will be treated as an outlier by a proprietary algorithm. The algorithm uses statistics, geometry, high level mathematics and other proprietary factors to create a golf ball performance marker. The outline 902 makes it easier to see the pattern of ball scatter 904 and how and where the golfer’s putts are located. The outline 906 illustrates that the golf balls are short and to the right of the cup.

In FIG. 10 of the system 1000, an exemplary marker overlaid on ball 1004 is shown. A single straight line 1002 is printed on the ball with a red triangular outline 1006, shown as a thick black line is part of the performance marker, with a tip of the triangle 1010 placed on the line 1002 and the triangle is rotated 2 degrees counter-clockwise (CCW) around the triangle’s tip 1010. A golfer now can align the alignment line 1006 with a specific location 742. When the golfer hits the base of the triangle 752, with a putter face parallel to the base of the triangle 752. In this scenario, the golfer who was putting right for whatever reason is now putting left due to the rotated triangle 1006 two degrees CCW further left resulting in a better putting line. Based on putting data, a proprietary algorithm determines both a shade of color ( e.g ., a mixture of red hex number #D2042D and yellow #FFFF00), the amount of color and what shapes should be used. It should be noted that people can react to colors and shapes differently and therefore the process is iterative if necessary. A circular “Quiet Eye” mark is shown, which when taught and practiced results in greater gaze time and reduced putts.

FIG. 11 of system 1100, as shown is a scatter of balls 1106, shown in FIG. 8, however the rotated triangle’s base 1012 has allowed a golfer 402 to move the scatter of balls 1106 to the left due to the 2-degree CCW offset and the selected shade of red (e.g.,

Red Ochre #913831) which increases the distance of each putt. Therefore, the scatter of balls 1106 is moved upward and to the left so that it is the scatter 1106 is now be placed closer to or over the hole 1102, in this case with 3 ball locations positioned to drop in the hole 1106. The other balls are in closer proximity to the hole 1106 based on the performance marker 1504. It is to be noted that any color or color combinations can be use. In addition, any shape or combinations thereof, can be used in a performance marker, comprising various line weights, shading and transparencies.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view 1200 of the golf ball, according to an aspect of the present claimed invention.

FIG. 13 of system 1300, is a top perspective view of two half domes 1302 and 1303 with standoffs 1304 that enclose a golf ball 1200. The two half domes 1302 and 1304 when held together form a creating a stenciling arrow and segmented line opening 1358 that, uses a marking device 1301, for example, to create, the arrow 1310 opening 1310 and segmented line opening 1358 of a performance marker 1504.

FIG. 12 is the performance marker of FIG. imprinted on the golf ball using a material comprising FIG. 13 of system 100, is a top perspective golf ball printing machine used to print golf balls.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for creating a golf ball performance marker; wherein the system comprises a marking apparatus; wherein the marking apparatus allows printing of a custom golf ball performance maker on a golf ball for a specific golfer, wherein the marker design is derived from a golfer’s specific factors entered into and processed through an algorithm; wherein the factors comprise shapes, colors, a “quiet eye” mark, emotional data, observational data, questionnaire data, electroencephalogram data, eye pupil dilation size data, heart rate data, breathing rate data, eye tracking data and other proprietary factors.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the marking apparatus comprising; a stencil, thin metallic stenciled half domes, a dome assembly made up of two half domes, a flat plate with one or more round stenciled stampings to accept a golf ball, a laser marking system, a golf ball UV printing system, a circumferential printer, an electronic rotary marking system and a pad printer; wherein the marking apparatus is used to print the golf ball performance marker; wherein marking media comprises ink and plastic stickers.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein; the colors comprise, golfer selected colors, hex color-coded colors, color combinations, colors of varying transparency; wherein a golfer is influenced by the colors to influence emotive factors comprising; putting distance, confidence, sense of calm, increased energy level, happiness and stability.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the “quiet eye” mark comprises a triangle, a shape with varying line weight, squares, an oval, a circle and diamonds.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a golfer is influenced by color factors comprising; putting distance, confidence, sense of calm, increased energy level, happiness, stability, discipline, courage and calmness.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the markers can be used as speed indicators to assist the golfer in judging their putting speed.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the marking apparatus materials comprise steel, tin, aluminum, copper, brass, PVC, UHNW plastic, high impact polystyrene, polypropylene, PETE, HDPE, plastic adhesive films and other materials known by those of skill in the art.

8. The marking system of claim 1 , wherein the marking apparatus can be made utilizing 3D printing, injection molding, rotational molding, thermoforming and

9. The marking system of claim 1 , wherein a golfer can be fitted for a golf ball performance marker by a visual specialist comprising: administering golf related visual tests on a golfer at locations comprising: visual diagnostic center and a golf course; utilizing a visual examination; utilizing the visual examination data to derive a golf ball prescription marker.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the visual examination related to golfing is performed at a location comprising visual diagnostic center, comprising; a certified golf training center professional, an eye doctor, optician, ophthalmologists, and a certified golf training center professionals; wherein the visual professional has to go through training to understand visual factors comprising; quiet eye, color blindness and glaucoma; the balls available for purchase are balls manufactured by a company wherein the balls are under the urethan, regular unmarked balls that can be marked with markers using the marking tool.

11. A method of creating a custom golf ball performance marker for a golfer to be printed on a selected golf ball; wherein the golf ball performance marker is creation, comprises:

(a) answering the golfer questionnaire; 104

(b) instructing the golfer to execute a number of putts using a natural stroke; 106

(c) measuring each of the putts both laterally and longitudinally from a cup center and recording putt data manually or electronically; 108

(d) collecting observational data on the golfer 110;

(e) instructing the golfer on how to use quiet eye gaze behavior when putting; 112

(f) putting a selected number of putts using the quiet eye technique, wherein each of the putts are measured both laterally and longitudinally from the cup center and the data is recorded manually or electronically;

(g) instructing the golfer on a pre-putt routine; and

(h) ending instruction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein custom golf ball performance marker factors are entered into a proprietary algorithm, wherein the performance marker factors, comprise putting data, observational data, evaluation data, “quiet eye” data and visual data. wherein the algorithm generates output comprising, shapes, colors, color combinations, a “quiet eye” mark, numerical data, analysis data and intelligence.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein observational data of a golfer comprises: facial expressions, putting behavior, breathing during putt, body language, flushing face, physical impairments to putting, back pain and vision issues.

12. The method of claim 9, creating a new golfer specific golf ball performance marker comparing current lesson data and past lesson data.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein observational data of a golfer comprises: facial expressions, putting behavior, breathing during putt, body language, flushing face, physical impairments to putting, back pain and vision issues.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein evaluation data for a golfer comprises: height, what putter do they use, physical ailments, color blindness, eye dominance, putting confidence, average putts per round and two favorite colors.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising collecting data using overhead proximity sensors, electronic sensors in the mat and ultrasound; wherein the data being putting data related to putting location; wherein the sensors can be portable, located in a certified golf training center, the golf ball prescription configured to improve performance in putting.

16. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein comparing golf ball prescription data to actual performance data using a device comprising a phone app, a computer and

17. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the phone app gathering same day data; opening app, selecting golf course or practice area, selecting free or paid version, selecting hole number for golf course, entering ball data for the bal