Golf putting training device
A golf putting training device is described and which includes a pair of elongated rail members each having opposite ends, and defining a channel therebetween; and a bridge releasably mounted to one end of each of the rail members, and wherein the bridge defines, in part, an aperture through which a golf ball may pass.
The present invention relates to a golf putting training device, and more specifically to a golf putting training device which can be utilized on a practice golf green, or similar outdoor environment, and which further can be easily disassembled, and carried in the golf bag of a player.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt has been reported by many golf experts that a golfer will typically use his golf putter more than any other golf club in his golf bag when playing a round of golf. Many skilled golfers report that they may employ their putter from anywhere between 30% and 40% of their golf strokes in any given game. It has long been recognized by most players of the game that to improve scores, a focused concentration on putting skills is very important. For example, one of the common mistakes typically committed by many golfers is a failure to keep the face of the putter perpendicular to the line of travel of the putter through the entire stroke. Since putting can-be practiced in relatively small areas, many practice putting units and other assemblies have been developed. For example, in my U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/686,334 and which was filed on Oct. 14, 2003, and which is incorporated by reference herein, I disclose a golf putting training device having an elongated, narrowly rectangular frame having opposite ends and sides and which defines a channel therebetween. A semicircular cavity is defined by each of the opposite end portions, and which simulates in part a cup for receiving a golf ball which is putted by a golf putter. The channel defined between the elongated, narrowly rectangular frame has a width dimension which is less than about twice the length dimension of the face of the golf putter, and the sides of the elongated, narrowly rectangular frame are positioned in closely adjacent, but yet spaced relation relative to the heel and toe of the golf putter. A bridge is provided and which extends between the opposite sides of the elongated, narrowly rectangular frame. The bridge defines, in part, an aperture through which the golf ball may pass. The golfer using the golf putter may alternatively putt the golf ball at the simulated cups which are individually located at the opposite ends of the elongated, narrowly rectangular frame, and in opposite directions through the aperture defined by the bridge. This device allows a golfer to practice putts of various lengths.
Many other golf putting devices and games have been developed through the years, and which are utilized to assist the golfer in improving his game. Attention is directed to U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,827,299; 4,957,288; 1,761,039; and 1,939,819 as examples of prior art references which have been utilized, heretofore, in various ways to either on the one hand entertain, or to improve the golf game of a player. These patents are incorporated by reference herein.
While these various devices, and that assembly disclosed in my previous patent application have worked with a great deal of success, there are shortcomings in each of these devices which have detracted from their respective usefulness.
Among the chief difficulty encountered with such devices is that many of these assemblies provide an elevated hole area so the golf balls that are putted must first strike an elevated region around the hole. Still further, some of these units are bulky, and need some significant assembly to be operational. Yet further, while some of these earlier devices can operate in an outdoor environment, they are often difficult to transport and then assemble where required.
The present invention addresses many of the perceived shortcomings of the prior art devices which have been utilized heretofore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first aspect of the present invention relates to a golf putting training device which includes a pair of elongated rail members each having opposite ends, and defining a channel therebetween; and a bridge releasably mounted to one end of each of the rail members, and wherein the bridge defines, in part, an aperture through which a golf ball may pass.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a golf putting training device which includes a bridge defining an aperture through which a golf ball may be putted, and wherein the bridge has opposite first and second ends, and opposite first and second sides; an elongated first rail having a first, and an opposite second end, and wherein the first end of the first rail releasably mates with the first end of the bridge, and extends substantially normally outwardly relative to the first side; and a second elongated rail having a first, and an opposite second end, and wherein the first end of the second rail releasably mates with the second end of the bridge, and further extends substantially normally outwardly relative to the first side, and wherein a channel is defined therebetween the first and second rails and is operable to receive the head of a golf club therebetween, and wherein the respective rails are disposed in closely adjacent spaced relation relative to the golf club head when the golf club head is disposed in a substantially perpendicular relation relative to the respective rails.
Yet further, another aspect of the present invention relates to a golf putting training device for use on the surface of the earth which includes a bridge having a main body defining, at least in part, an aperture which allows the passage of a golf ball therethrough, and wherein the bridge has opposite first and second ends, and wherein a substantially vertically disposed aperture is formed in each of the first and second ends of the bridge; a first rail having opposite first and second ends is provided, and wherein a channel is formed in the first end, and which matingly cooperates with the first end of the bridge, and wherein an aperture is formed in the first end of the first rail and is disposed in substantially coaxially alignment relative to the aperture which is formed in the first end of the bridge; a first golf tee received through each of the coaxially aligned apertures of the first end of the bridge, and the first end of the first rail, and wherein the first golf tee is received in the earth; a second rail having opposite first and second ends, and wherein a channel is formed in the first end of the second rail, and which matingly cooperates with the second end of the bridge, and wherein an aperture is formed in the first end of the second rail and which is substantially coaxially aligned relative to the aperture formed in the second end of the bridge; and a second golf tee received in each of the coaxially aligned apertures of the second end of the bridge, and the first end of the second rail, and wherein the second golf tee is received in the earth, and wherein the first and second rails extend substantially normally outwardly relative to the bridge, and which define, in combination, a channel therebetween, and which is operable to receive the head of a golf club, and wherein the respective first and second rails are oriented in closely spaced relation relative to the head of the golf club head when the golf club head is located in a substantially perpendicular orientation relation relative to the respective first and second rails.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).
A golf putting training device of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in
As seen in
The golf putting training device 10 of the present invention further includes a second rail member which is generally indicated by the numeral 50. The second rail member 50 is generally a mirror image of the first rail member 30. It similarly includes a an elongated, and substantially narrowly rectangular main body 51 which has a first end 52, and an opposite second end 53. Still further, the main body 51 has a top surface 54, and a bottom surface 55 which rests on the surface of the earth 11. The main body additionally has an inwardly facing surface 60, and an outwardly facing surface 61. Similar to the first rail member 30, the second rail member 50 has a substantially vertically oriented channel 62 which is positioned adjacent to the first end 52 thereof. This vertically oriented channel has a length and width dimension. In this regard, the width of the channel 62 is measured substantially along the length dimension of the second rail member 50, and further, the length dimension is substantially transversely disposed relative thereto. A first aperture 63 is formed in the first end 52. This first aperture as well as the first aperture 43 formed in the first end of the first rail member each have an inside diametral dimension which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Still further, a second aperture 64 is formed in the second end 53 of the second rail member for the purposes which will be described in greater detail in the paragraphs below.
As best seen to reference to
Referring now to
The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.
The golf putting training device 10 of the present invention can be utilized in a remote outdoor location such as a practice putting green or the like and mounted on the surface of the earth 11 so that a golfer may use a golf club 14 to practice putts which will improve their golf game. The golf putting training device 10 is releasably mounted on the surface of the earth 11 by employing a plurality of golf tees 91-94, respectively. As seen by reference to FIGS. 1 and following, the golf putting training device 10 includes a pair of elongated rail members 30 and 50 respectively, each having opposite ends, and defining a channel 100 therebetween. In its broadest aspect, the golf putting training device 10 includes a bridge 70 which is releasably mounted to one end of each of the rail members 30 and 50, respectively. The bridge 70 defines, in part, an aperture 76 through which a golf ball 12 may pass. As seen in
The respective rail members 30 and 50 rest on the surface of the earth 11. Still further, the respective shafts of the individual golf tees 91-94 extend through the respective rails, and are received in the underlying earth 11 to releasably affix the respective rail members in a given position relative to the surface of the earth 11. As seen in the drawings, the bridge 70 has opposite first and second end portions 72 and 73. Still further, a substantially vertically disposed passageway 81 and 82 is formed in each of the opposite first and second ends of the bridge 70. Each of the passageways 43 and 63, which are formed in the first and second end portions of the respective rail members are substantially coaxially aligned with one of the passageways 81 and 82, which are formed in the opposite ends of the bridge. Still further, a golf tee 91-94 is received through the coaxially aligned apertures and is received, at least in part, in the surface of the earth 11.
As seen in
As seen in the drawings, the respective rail members 30 and 50 have opposite first and second ends, and wherein the first end of each of the respective rail members 30 and 50 cooperates with one of the first or second end portions 72 or 73 of the bridge 70. As seen by reference to
Referring again to
It is conceivable that a golfer may employ the present invention in a fashion whereby the respective rail members 30 and 50 are not releasably mounted to the opposite ends of the bridge 70. In this arrangement, not shown, the bridge would be secured to the surface of the earth with the use of golf tees 92 and 93 in the fashion as earlier disclosed. Further, the respective rail members 30 and 50 would be also secured to the surface of the earth 11 by employing an extra pair of golf tees which would be individually received in the passages 43 and 63, respectively. The respective rail 30 and 50 would, in this arrangement, be disposed in spaced relation relative to the opposite ends of the bridge. Further, the bridge would be disposed in a blocking position relative to the channel 100. This arrangement would allow the golfer to employ the invention in those situations where the head of the golf club head 15 is longer than the channel 100, or where the golfer has a preference for a channel 100 having a width which is wider than that which is afforded by the present invention.
Therefore it will be seen that the present golf putting training device provides a convenient means whereby a golfer can position a golf putting training device on various outdoor putting greens, and practice putts of various lengths in a fashion not possible heretofore. The present golf putting training device may be easily disassembled and carried in a golf club bag, and can be rapidly assembled so that a golfer may receive the benefits of the golf putting training device when utilizing it at various golf courses.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A golf putting training device, comprising:
- a pair of elongated rail members each having opposite ends, and defining a channel therebetween; and
- a bridge releasably mounted to one end of each of the rail members, and wherein the bridge defines, in part, an aperture through which a golf ball may pass.
2. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the respective rail members have a height dimension of greater than about 50% of a diametral dimension of a golf ball.
3. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the respective rail members have a length dimension of less than about 24 inches.
4. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein each rail member has a first end which is releasably mounted to the bridge, and an opposite distal second end, and wherein individual substantially vertically oriented passageways are formed in each of the opposite first and second ends, and wherein each of the passageways have a given inside diametral dimension, and wherein a shaft of a golf tee is received in each of the respective passageways.
5. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the respective rails rest on the surface of the earth, and wherein the respective shafts of the individual golf tees extend through the respective rails, and are received in the underlying earth to releasably affix the respective rails in a given position relative to the surface of the earth.
6. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the bridge has opposite first and second ends, and wherein a substantially vertically disposed passageway is formed in each of the opposite first and second ends of the bridge, and wherein each of the passageways formed in the first end of the respective rails are substantially coaxially aligned with one of the passageways formed in the opposite ends of the bridge, and wherein a golf tee is received through the coaxially aligned apertures and is received, at least in part, in the surface of the earth.
7. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the bridge has opposite sides, and wherein the respective rail members each extend substantially normally outwardly from the same side of the bridge, and define the channel therebetween.
8. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the bridge has a first and an opposite second end, and wherein each end has a height dimension, and wherein the respective rail members each have a height dimension which is greater than the height dimension of the opposite first and second ends of the bridge.
9. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the respective rail members have opposite first and second ends, and wherein the first end of each rail member matingly cooperates with one of the first or second ends of the bridge, and wherein the respective rail members extend substantially normally outwardly relative to the first and second ends of the bridge.
10. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the bridge has a length dimension which is less than about twice the length dimension of an average face of a golf putter.
11. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the respective rail members are positioned in closely spaced relation relative to a head of a golf club when it is positioned in the channel, and oriented substantially perpendicular relative to the respective rail members.
12. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 9, and wherein each of the respective first and second ends of the bridge has a width and height dimension, and wherein the first end of each of the rail members define a substantially vertically disposed channel which has a length dimension which is greater than about the width dimension of the first or second ends of bridge, and a width dimension which is greater than about the height dimension of the bridge when measured at the first or second ends thereof, and wherein at least a portion of the first and second ends of the bridge are individually received in each of the respective channels defined by the respective rail members.
13. A golf putting training device, comprising:
- a bridge defining an aperture through which a golf ball may be putted, and wherein the bridge has opposite first and second ends, and opposite first and second sides;
- an elongated first rail member having a first, and an opposite second end, and wherein the first end of the first rail member releasably mates with the first end of the bridge, and extends substantially normally outwardly relative to the first side; and
- a second elongated rail member having a first and an opposite second end, and wherein the first end of the second rail member releasably mates with the second end of the bridge, and further extends substantially normally outwardly relative to the first side, and wherein a channel is defined therebetween the first and second rail members and is operable to receive the head of a golf club therebetween, and wherein the respective rail members are disposed in closely adjacent, spaced relation relative to the golf club head when the golf club head is disposed in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the respective rail members.
14. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 13, and further comprising:
- a first golf tee which is received through each of the first end of the bridge and first end of the first rail member; and
- a second golf tee which is received through each of the second end of the bridge, and first end of the second rail member.
15. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 14, and wherein a substantially vertically disposed aperture is defined by each of the first and second ends of the bridge, and the first end of each of the first and second rail members, and wherein the apertures defined by the first end of the bridge, and the first end of the first rail member are substantially coaxially aligned, and wherein the first golf tee is received, at least in part, through the coaxially aligned apertures of the first end of the bridge, and the first end of the first rail member, and wherein the aperture formed in the second end of the bridge is substantially coaxially aligned with the aperture formed in the first end of the second rail member, and wherein the second golf tee is received, at least in part, through the coaxially aligned apertures which are defined by the second end of the bridge, and the first end of the second rail member.
16. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 15, and wherein a second substantially vertically disposed aperture is formed in the second end of each of the first and second rail members, and wherein the golf putting training device further comprises:
- a third golf tee received, at least in part, in the second aperture formed in the first rail member; and
- a fourth golf tee received, at least in part, in the second aperture formed in the second rail member.
17. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the bridge, and the first and second rail members rest on the face of the earth, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth golf tees extend, at least in part, into the surface of the earth to secure the bridge, and first and second rails, in a substantially fixed location relative to the surface of the earth.
18. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 17, and wherein a channel is formed in the first end of each of the first and second rail members, and wherein the first and second ends of the bridge are individually received, at least in part, in one of each of the respective channels.
19. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the first and second ends of the bridge, and each of the first and second rail members each have a height dimension, and wherein the height dimension of the respective rail members is greater than the height dimension of the first and second ends of the bridge.
20. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the bridge has a length dimension of less than about 8 inches, and the respective first and second rails have a length dimension of less than about 24 inches.
21. A golf putting training device for use on the surface of the earth, comprising:
- a bridge having a main body defining, at least in part, an aperture which allows the passage of a golf ball therethrough, and wherein the bridge has opposite first and second ends, and wherein a substantially vertically disposed aperture is formed in each of the first and second ends of the bridge;
- a first rail member having opposite first and second ends, and wherein a channel is formed in the first end, and which matingly cooperates with the first end of the bridge, and wherein an aperture is formed in the first end of the first rail member and is disposed in substantially coaxially alignment relative to the aperture which is formed in the first end of the bridge;
- a first golf tee received through each of the coaxially aligned apertures which are defined by the first end of the bridge, and the first end of the first rail member, and wherein the first golf tee is received in the earth;
- a second rail member having opposite first and second ends, and wherein a channel is formed in the first end of the second rail member, and which matingly cooperates with the second end of the bridge, and wherein an aperture is formed in the first end of the second rail member and which is substantially coaxially aligned relative to the aperture formed in the second end of the bridge; and
- a second golf tee received in each of the coaxially aligned apertures which are defined by the second end of the bridge, and the first end of the second rail member, and wherein the second golf tee is received in the earth, and wherein the first and second rail members extend substantially normally outwardly relative to the bridge, and further defines a channel therebetween, and which is operable to receive the head of a golf club, and wherein the respective first and second rail members are oriented in closely spaced relation relative to the head of the golf club head when the golf club head is located in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the respective first and second rail members.
22. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 21, and wherein the bridge has opposite sides, and the respective first and second rail members extend substantially normally outwardly relative to the same side.
23. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 22, and wherein an aperture is formed in the second end of each of the first and second rail members, and wherein the golf putting training device further comprises:
- a third golf tee received through the second aperture formed in the first rail member, and wherein the third golf tee is received in the earth; and
- a fourth golf tee received through the second aperture formed in the second rail member, and wherein the fourth golf tee is received in the earth.
24. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 23, and wherein the bridge has a length dimension of about 8 inches, and the respective first and second rail member have a length dimension of less than about 24 inches.
25. A golf putting training device as claimed in claim 24, and wherein the respective first and second rail member have a height dimension of greater than about 1 inch.
26. A golf putting training device, comprising:
- a pair of elongated rail members each having opposite ends, and which are each releasably attached to the surface of the earth, and which further define a channel therebetween; and
- a bridge disposed in a blocking position relative to the channel and which is disposed in spaced relation onto the ends of the respective rail member, and wherein, the bridge defines an aperture through which a golf ball may pass.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: Terry Brayton (Camano Island, WA)
Application Number: 11/061,713
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);