PUTTING AID DEVICE FOR USE ON PUTTERS
United States Patent 3860243
A putting aid device for a putter is disclosed which is an elongated member having, means attaching the member to any given location on the shaft of the putter and in alignment with the longitudinal line of the putting shaft, and a finger pressure receiving surface at the lower end of the elongated member provides means to apply a directional force for guiding the putting head of the putter during use thereof. The elongated member may be found in the shape of a segment or arc of a circle with a concave underside section to facilitate fitting the putting aid device to the side of the shaft or it may be a tubular or circumferential element which fits about the entire circumference of the shaft. Attaching means for the various forms of the putting aid device are illustrated. Additionally, a putter is described having a shaft with a putting head at one end and a gripping section at the end remote therefrom, wherein the putting head is provided with a putting face lying in a plane parallel to the longitudinal line of the putter, the gripping section inwardly of the end adjacent to the putting head is provided with a putting aid device in the longitudinal line of putting shaft. The putting aid device has a finger pressure receiving surface which is transverse to the longitudinal line of the putter on the side of the gripping section remote from the plane of the putting face.
US Patent References:
/1071344.html
Provan - August 1913 - 1071344
/1075054.html
Morley - October 1913 - 1075054
Range finder for golf clubs
Dye - March 1925 - 1530596
Hand grip sleeve and method of making same
Griffiths - September 1931 - 1822212
Fly rod handle
Sturgis - October 1933 - 1931303
/1071344.html
Provan - August 1913 - 1071344
/1075054.html
Morley - October 1913 - 1075054
Range finder for golf clubs
Dye - March 1925 - 1530596
Hand grip sleeve and method of making same
Griffiths - September 1931 - 1822212
Fly rod handle
Sturgis - October 1933 - 1931303
Application Number:
05/391624
Publication Date:
01/14/1975
Filing Date:
08/27/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A63B69/36; A63B53/14
Field of Search:
273/73J,75,81.4,81.6,165,166,193R,194R,163A,54B,183D
US Patent References:
| 2046191 | Grip for golf clubs and method of applying the same | June 1936 | Smith | |
| 2481778 | Grip attachment for golf putters | September 1949 | Pearson | |
| 2484762 | Golf club grip finder | October 1949 | Strazza | |
| 2628100 | Golf grip device | February 1953 | Beebe | |
| 2690338 | Golf club grip | September 1954 | DeBrocke | |
| 2962288 | Golf putter grip | November 1960 | Lowden | |
| 3036836 | Adjustable hand grip locator | May 1962 | Mason | |
| 3084938 | Safety handgrip | April 1963 | Kapanowski | |
| 3256023 | Removable grip positioner for golf clubs | June 1966 | Frazelle | |
| 3817521 | TENNIS RACKET HAND POSITIONING STRUCTURE | June 1974 | Wright |
Primary Examiner:
Apley, Richard J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Bobis, Daniel H.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A putting aid device to be attached to the gripping section of a putter on the side thereof remote from the putting face of the putter to aid in controlling the position of the putting face comprising:
2. In the putting aid device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said force receiving surface has,
3. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first portion of the outer surface is narrowed to a point in the longitudinal line of the putting aid device to aid alignment thereof with the longitudinal line of the putter.
4. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2, wherein;
5. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 4 wherein,
6. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 4 wherein,
7. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attaching means comprises:
8. In combination with a putter having, a shaft with a gripping section at one end and a putting head at the other end, said putting head having a putting face in a plane normal to the longitudinal line of the shaft; of a putting aid device affixed to the lower end of the gripping section in alignment with the longitudinal line of the shaft but on the side opposite from said putting face, said putting aid device comprising;
9. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said force receiving surface has,
10. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first portion of the outer surfaces is narrowed to a point in the longitudinal line of the putting aid device to aid in alignment thereof with the longitudinal line of the putter.
11. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein;
12. In the combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein,
13. In the combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein,
14. In the combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the attaching means comprises,
1. A putting aid device to be attached to the gripping section of a putter on the side thereof remote from the putting face of the putter to aid in controlling the position of the putting face comprising:
2. In the putting aid device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said force receiving surface has,
3. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first portion of the outer surface is narrowed to a point in the longitudinal line of the putting aid device to aid alignment thereof with the longitudinal line of the putter.
4. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2, wherein;
5. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 4 wherein,
6. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 4 wherein,
7. In a putting aid device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attaching means comprises:
8. In combination with a putter having, a shaft with a gripping section at one end and a putting head at the other end, said putting head having a putting face in a plane normal to the longitudinal line of the shaft; of a putting aid device affixed to the lower end of the gripping section in alignment with the longitudinal line of the shaft but on the side opposite from said putting face, said putting aid device comprising;
9. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said force receiving surface has,
10. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first portion of the outer surfaces is narrowed to a point in the longitudinal line of the putting aid device to aid in alignment thereof with the longitudinal line of the putter.
11. In the combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein;
12. In the combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein,
13. In the combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein,
14. In the combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the attaching means comprises,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to putters and more particularly to a putting aid device for attachment to or to be formed with the gripping section of a putter so as to provide a means for securing better control during the putting stroke of the movement of the putting face on the putting head of the putter.
It is well known that small variations of the position of the putting face during the putting stroke will tend to cause the putting face to push or pull the ball being stroked so that it deviates from the intended putting line. These variations produce an inaccurate putting stroke and add undesirable additional strokes to a player's score.
It is recognized in the golfing art that the game is won or lost as a function of the accuracy of a player's putting. While the reasons for a faulty putting stroke are obscure, one major factor is the manner in which the player's putting grip applies the forces directing the putting head and putting face into contact with the balls being stroked.
Various prior art putting aid devices have been tried to correct faulty execution of the putting stroke by a player as is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,126,208, 1,506,523, 1,603,850, 1,618,640 and 2,223,437, and of course various gripping aid devices for clubs other than putters are also known in the prior art as is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 715,225; 1,530,596; 1,822,212; 1,997,634 and 2,308,779.
It has been found that prior art devices do not permit the golfer to control the direction and alignment of the putting face. This occurs because stroking of the ball during putting utilizes the upper hand in conventional putting technique. If you stroke with the upper hand, you are not using the hand with which you normally control efficiently. For example, a right handed person controls better with his right hand and similarly a left handed person will control better with his left hand which in conventional gripping of the club are the respective lower hands.
Since putting depends essentially on judgment and a reasonably sensitive feel, the present invention is designed to enable the normally right handed or normally left handed person to utilize his lower hand to apply force so as to point the ball or conversely direct the force through the putting face so as to align the ball with the hole. If sufficient stroking force has been applied, the ball when so aligned will drop into the hole as it reaches that point.
Thus, the present device is designed to permit the lower hand to control the movement of the putting face of the club which is opposite from the normal gripping and controlling procedures utilized in prior art devices.
Additionally, with the present device, the right hand during stroking will tend to get behind the ball and apply rolling as distinguished from sliding motion causing the ball to have sufficient top spin so that when it reaches the hole it will drop in automatically.
The putting aid device in accordance with the present invention is designed to overcome these various prior art problems and faults and when attached to the putting shaft of the putter will provide a force directing means which will overcome faulty execution of the putting stroke and thus reduce inaccurate stroking or the tendency to cause the ball stroked to deviate from the intended putting line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A putting aid device operatively connected to the shaft of a putter includes, a sized member shaped to fit snugly along a given section of the shaft of the putter and in alignment therealong, at least one force receiving surface is formed on the sized member transverse to the longitudinal line of said putter and disposed at a point to permit engagement thereof by at least the index finger of the lowermost hand of the player utilizing the putter.
Additionally, the putting aid device as above described with means for attaching the sized member to the gripping section of the shaft of the putter.
Further objects will be apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a putter having one form of putting aid device in accordance with the present invention mounted thereon.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the gripping section of the putter shown in FIG. 1 with the putting aid device thereon in plan view.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken through the gripping section of FIG. 2 at line 4--4 so as to show the forward or upper alignment end of the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken through the gripping section of FIG. 2 at line 5--5 showing the rear or lower force receiving end of the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the putting aid device shown on the putter in FIG. 1 partly broken away.
FIG. 7 is a frong view of the gripping section of the putter with the putting aid device thereon of FIG. 1 showing the manner in which the player grips the putter and engages the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a putting aid device similar to that shown in FIG. 1 with a different type attaching means.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the front or upper alignment end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rear or lower end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is an underside plan view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken on line 12--12 of FIG. 8 with an enlargement of a portion of the attaching band.
FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken on line 13--13 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 15 is a cross-section taken on line 15--15 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 1 with a still further type of attaching means.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a top view of the upper alignment end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 16 taken at line 18--18 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the lower end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 16 taken at line 19--19 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken on line 20--20 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 21 is a cross-section taken on line 21--21 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 22 is a plan view of another form of putting aid device in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 is a cross-section taken at line 24--24 of FIG. 22.
FIG. 25 is a cross-section taken at line 25--25 of FIG. 22.
FIG. 26 is a side view of a molded gripping section for a putter having a putting aid device thereon in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 27 is a plan view of the molded gripping sections showing the putting aid device shown in FIG. 26.
FIG. 28 is a cross-section taken on line 28--28 of FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is a bottom view showing the putting aid device on the molded gripping section taken at line 29--29 of FIG. 26.
FIG. 30 is a plan view of a modified form molded gripping section having a putting aid device in accordance with the invention for meeting the regulations of the Professional Golfers Association.
FIG. 31 is a cross-section taken on line 31--31 of FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a cross-section taken on line 32--32 of FIG. 30.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a putter generally designated P.
The putter P conventionally includes any suitable elongated shaft 1 having a putting head 2 at one end which as is well known will have a variety of shapes and sizes but will always include a putting face 3 the surface of which is parallel to the plane of the longitudinal or center line of the putting shaft 1.
At the end of the shaft remote from the putting head a gripping section generally designated 4 will be formed on the shaft and similar to the putting head the gripping section may take a variety of forms but generally includes a wound covering of material which may be leather or vinyl or other suitable natural or synthetic plastic material adapted for this purpose or it may be an elasticized sleeve which is fixed in position by any suitable means such as an adhesive.
The making of gripping sections for putters and other golf clubs is well known so that further description thereof for the purposes of the present application is not necessary as the construction of such gripping sections will be understood by those skilled in the art.
In FIGS. 1 to 5 the gripping section is shown with a putting aid device generally designated 10 in accordance with the present invention affixed at the lower end of the gripping section that is the end which is closer to the putting head end of the shaft for reasons which will be more fully described in connection with the description below of the use and operation of the putting aid device.
While the putting aid device 10 is shown as preferably attached to the gripping section of the putter it is thought obvious that the putting aid device can be attached at any point along the shaft where the hand or hands can grip the putter when it is in use.
Further, it will be noted from FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings that the putting aid device 10 is disposed on the gripping section of the putter in alignment with the longitudinal or center line of the shaft 1 but on the side of the gripping section 4 remote from the plane of the putting face 3 of the putting head. More specifically the center plane through the putting aid device 10 will be disposed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal line of the putting shaft so that when force is exerted on the putting aid device as hereinafter described it will tend to move the putting face in a line perpendicular to the putting line for the ball to be stroked by the putting face 3 of the putter P.
Putting aid device 10 is a generally elongated member and may be made of any suitable plastic, wood, metal, glass or other durable material that can withstand the usage and handling that can be expected during the carrying and use of the putter by the golfer.
The elongated member 11 of the putting aid device 10 will have a length in an approximate range from one-half inch to three inches depending on the material the shape and the method of attaching the putting aid device to the gripping section of the putter. However, the shape must at all times include at least one force receiving surface as hereinafter described which will be engaged manually by at least one digit of the lowermost hand gripping the putter.
Further, the putting aid device must at all times be so located on the shaft so that the forces exerted manually on the force receiving surface or surfaces will be directed along and perpendicular to the longitudinal or center line of the shaft of the putter and the plane of the putting face and parallel to the putting line for stroking the ball.
Thus, it will be understood that the putting aid devices which are herein illustrated are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and that the length, size and shape of the putting aid device will vary depending on the material and the preferred location of the putting aid device on either the gripping section or other positions on the shaft.
In the illustrated embodiment for FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings the elongated member 11 has an arcuate underside or attaching surface 12 to which any suitable type of adhesive means 13 can be applied. Adhesive means 13 can consist of a member or tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on each side thereof, one side of which will permit the adhesive means to be applied to the arcuate attaching surface 12 and the other side of which can have a removable paper or like covering 14 which can be removed when the putting aid device 10 is to be applied to the gripping section or shaft of the putter, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings.
Adhesive tapes or materials with pressure sensitive adhesives on both sides thereof and non-sticking paper coverings are well known and easily purchasable on the open market such as the tapes sold under the trademark "ARNO" by the Arno Manufacturing Co. of Michigan City, Ind., the tapes sold under the trademark "CONTACT" etc.
Alternatively, the adhesive may be coated on the attaching surface 12 and a non-sticking cover applied to the outer face of the adhesive which can be removed when the putting aid device is to be affixed to the gripping section or the shaft of the putter.
Elongated member 11 may be substantially pointed at one end as shown at 15 and will have a rounded or contoured side 16 remote from the attaching surface 12 for continuity with the gripping section 4 so as to provide a smooth surface when the putting aid device 10 is applied to the gripping section or to the shaft of the putter P. An indexing line 17 is shown in the longitudinal or center line of the pointed end 15. Line 17 will facilitate setting of the elongated member 11 in the longitudinal or center line of the putting shaft 1 when the putting aid device is affixed to the gripping section of the shaft as shown in FIG. 2.
When the putting aid device 10 is affixed to the shaft or gripping section, as the case may be, the pointed end 15 of the top of the elongated member is disposed to extend upwardly or in a direction away from putting head 2.
At the end of the elongated member remote from the alignment end that is the bottom or lower end of the elongated member 11 when it is in assembled position is a force receiving surface 19. The force receiving surface 19 will be engaged by the index finger of the player's lower hand when the hands grip the putter preparatory to striking the ball during the putting stroke as is shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.
By reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7 the force receiving surface 19 is shown to be generally transverse to the longitudinal or center line of the shaft at an approximate angle between 45° to 60°. Force receiving surface 19 will have a first arcuate contour from side to side and a second arcuate contour from the attaching surface 12 to the streamline surface 16 which arcuate contour will be sized to comfortably receive the ball of the index finger when the putter is gripped for stroking the ball during the putting stroke.
While only one force receiving surface is illustrated on this form of the invention it will be understood that more than one force receiving surface could be provided for more than one finger without departing from the scope of the present invention, provided that care is taken to so design the same that rotative forces are not introduced when pressure is manually exerted against the force receiving surface.
By reference to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the use of the putting aid device is illustrated wherein the hands of a right handed golfer are shown gripping the club so as to permit the index finger of the lower or right controlling hand to engage the putting aid device 10.
Since the putting aid device is on the side of the putter P remote from the putting face 3 of the putting head 2 but in the longitudinal or center line thereof it the golfer exerts pressure with his index finger during the putting stroke against the force receiving surface 19 the force exerted will be in the stroking line of the ball and will tend to direct the ball along the stroking line and thus avoid the possibility of misdirecting the ball during the putting stroke.
FIG. 8 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 8 to 15 of the drawing there is shown a similar putting aid device to that above described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing. It differs partly in the characteristics of the elongated member and in the attaching means for attaching the putting aid device generally designated 10' to the shaft 1 or gripping section 4 of the putter.
Since the putting aid device 10' is otherwise substantially identical in construction to that above described similar character numerals will be applied to the same parts which are present in this form of the invention.
The elongated member 11' as shown in FIG. 13 differs in that the member is a molded or shaped shell whereas the elongated member 11 shown in the form of the invention at FIGS. 1 to 6 was a solid member. It will be understood therefore that the elongated member of the putting aid device in accordance with the present invention herein may be made in any suitable solid or shell type form without departing from the scope of the present invention. The elongated member 11' includes an arcuate attaching surface 12' which will be formed on the underside thereof.
The arcuate attaching surface 12' is adhesively affixed to an attaching band generally designated 20 by mounting the same medially of the attaching band but transverse thereto. The attaching band 20 is sufficiently large to extend laterally on both sides of the putting aid device 10 so as to provide attaching ears 21 and 22 and the length on either side will also be long enough so that the attaching ears can fit about the gripping section 4 or about shaft 1 of the putter and overlap to a limited extent. The attaching ears 21 and 22 will be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive 23 covered by a protective removable paper or like material 24. The protective cover 24 can be removed when it is desired to place the putting aid device on the gripping section 4 or shaft 1 of the putter, all of which is shown in FIGS. 9 to 15 of the drawings.
In operation the putting aid device is affixed to the gripping section at the same position as shown for the putting aid device 10 in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings. This is done by removing the protective paper and then positioning the putting aid device in the longitudinal or center line of the shaft by affixing ear 21 to the gripping section and pulling the same tight by affixing ear 22 over the positioned ear 21 of the attaching means for this form of invention of the putting aid device.
The operation of this form of the invention is identical with that of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing as above described.
FIG. 16 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 21 a still further form for attaching the putting aid device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings is illustrated.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 21 the putting aid device 10 is affixed to or formed with an elasticized sleeve generally designated 30.
Since the putting aid device 10 is identical to that above described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings the same parts will be given the same numbers. Thus the arcuate attaching surface 12 will be connected to the elasticized sleeve 30 as by any suitable adhesive 31 or the same can be bonded to or molded with the sleeve.
Sleeve 30 may be of any suitable natural or synthetic rubber or may be a woven fabric with elasticizing means thereon.
In order to anchor or fix the elasticized sleeve 30 and the putting aid device in assembled position, adhesive means as at 32 and 33 are provided at the respective opposite ends of the sleeve 30. The adhesive will be covered with a protective paper or like non-sticking material. First, the elasticized sleeve is set on the gripping section of the shaft of the putter, then the ends are rolled back, the protective paper removed and the ends adhesively affixed to the gripping section to anchor the putting aid device in proper position.
The place for positioning the putting aid device and the manner in which the device is operated or used is identical with that above described for the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
FIG. 22 FORM OF THE INVENTION
The putting aid device in the earlier forms of the invention above described have had elongated members 11 and 11' which were segments or arcs of a circle in cross section.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 22 to 25 the putting aid device generally designated 40 in accordance with the invention is a cylindrical member 11 which can be cut, formed or molded from any suitable type of natural or synthetic rubber having sufficient pliability to permit the cylindrical member 11 to be fitted over the end of the shaft remote from the putting head and moved into assembled position on the gripping section of the shaft 1 of the putter P.
Cylindrical member 40 is an elongated element having a generally tapered shape in side elevation as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24. Member 40 will be cast, molded or machined so that the wall 41 defines a shaft receiving passage 42 through which the shaft can extend as shown in FIG. 22 of the drawings.
Wall 41 of the cylindrical member 40 will have a thickness to provide suitable pliability to permit the cylindrical member to be fitted over the shaft 1 of the Putter P and spaced opening as at 43 and 44 are provided for this purpose at the respective ends of the cylindrical member.
For a relatively short length adjacent the openings 43 and 44 attaching surfaces 45 and 46 are formed for anchoring the cylindrical member 40 in assembled position on the putter P. An adhesive connecting means 47 and 48 with the usual removable protective covers 49 and 50 are provided for this purpose.
The cylindrical member 40 will be provided with a circumferential force receiving surface 51 so that in assembled position this form of putting aid device is universally adapted for use by either a right handed or a left handed player.
An aligning mark 52 is placed on the outer face of the wall 41 to aid in aligning the cylindrical member 40 with the longitudinal or center line of the shaft.
In use the cylindrical member 40 is slipped over the shaft, aligned and properly positioned by the player. Since the wall 41 is pliable, it is bent back at the lower end to remove the removable protective cover 50 from the adhesive 48 and the lower attaching means is adhesively affixed by the adhesive 48 to the shaft. This is repeated by bending the upper end of the wall 41 back removing protective cover 49 and affixing the adhesive 47 to the shaft.
When the cylindrical member is assembled it is gripped and used in the same manner as was above described and shown for the form of the invention in FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.
FIG. 26 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In the remaining figures of the drawings two forms of the putting aid device are shown as formed integral with the gripping material attached to the gripping section of the shaft 1 of the putter.
In FIGS. 26 to 29 the putting aid device will be similar in shape to that of the putting aid device 10 shown and described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
Thus the shaft 1 is shown with the gripping material 60 affixed thereby by adhesive 61. The gripping material will be shaped, formed or molded in any suitable manner such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,822,212 to provide the putting aid device generally designated 62 as an integral part of the gripping material which will be affixed to the shaft 1 of the putter P.
As in the earlier forms of the invention above described at FIGS. 1 to 21 of the drawings the putting aid device will have an elongated shape having a contoured alignment section 63 and a force receiving surface 64. These sections as illustrated will be more streamlined. The alignment section 63 can be provided with an aligning indicia 65 to facilitate assembly of the gripping material to the shaft 1.
The force receiving surface 64 can be at a lesser angle and can be longer in slope to accommodate a wide variation in finger sizes and lengths in view of the fixed character of the putting aid device in this form of the invention.
The putting aid device will of course be used in the same manner shown at FIG. 7 and above described for the form of the invention shown at FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
FIG. 30 FORM OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 30 shows a still further form of the invention in which similar to the putting aid device described at FIGS. 22 to 25 of the drawings the putting aid device is formed integral with the gripping material affixed to the shaft so that it forms a circumferential force receiving surface.
This form of the invention is thought to meet and comply with the regulations of the Professional Golfers Association in that no projections or other gripping aids are formed on the handle. Only the force receiving surface is presented for engagement if the player elects to use it.
Thus FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 show that the shaft 1 receives the gripping material 70 which is affixed thereby as by adhesive 71 or other suitable means. The gripping material will be shaped, formed molded so that the sides thereof are uniform up to the position just adjacent the lower end where the circumferential force receiving surface 72 is formed.
The operation of this form of the invention is the same as in the earlier form of the invention above described. It is thought clear that this form of the invention as in the case of the form of the invention shown at FIGS. 22 to 25 will be universal in that a putter having a gripping section with the circumferential force receiving surface 72 is adapted for use by either a right handed or a left handed player.
Although various forms of the putting aid device have been described for purposes of illustrating the present invention, it will be understood that changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.
This invention relates generally to putters and more particularly to a putting aid device for attachment to or to be formed with the gripping section of a putter so as to provide a means for securing better control during the putting stroke of the movement of the putting face on the putting head of the putter.
It is well known that small variations of the position of the putting face during the putting stroke will tend to cause the putting face to push or pull the ball being stroked so that it deviates from the intended putting line. These variations produce an inaccurate putting stroke and add undesirable additional strokes to a player's score.
It is recognized in the golfing art that the game is won or lost as a function of the accuracy of a player's putting. While the reasons for a faulty putting stroke are obscure, one major factor is the manner in which the player's putting grip applies the forces directing the putting head and putting face into contact with the balls being stroked.
Various prior art putting aid devices have been tried to correct faulty execution of the putting stroke by a player as is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,126,208, 1,506,523, 1,603,850, 1,618,640 and 2,223,437, and of course various gripping aid devices for clubs other than putters are also known in the prior art as is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 715,225; 1,530,596; 1,822,212; 1,997,634 and 2,308,779.
It has been found that prior art devices do not permit the golfer to control the direction and alignment of the putting face. This occurs because stroking of the ball during putting utilizes the upper hand in conventional putting technique. If you stroke with the upper hand, you are not using the hand with which you normally control efficiently. For example, a right handed person controls better with his right hand and similarly a left handed person will control better with his left hand which in conventional gripping of the club are the respective lower hands.
Since putting depends essentially on judgment and a reasonably sensitive feel, the present invention is designed to enable the normally right handed or normally left handed person to utilize his lower hand to apply force so as to point the ball or conversely direct the force through the putting face so as to align the ball with the hole. If sufficient stroking force has been applied, the ball when so aligned will drop into the hole as it reaches that point.
Thus, the present device is designed to permit the lower hand to control the movement of the putting face of the club which is opposite from the normal gripping and controlling procedures utilized in prior art devices.
Additionally, with the present device, the right hand during stroking will tend to get behind the ball and apply rolling as distinguished from sliding motion causing the ball to have sufficient top spin so that when it reaches the hole it will drop in automatically.
The putting aid device in accordance with the present invention is designed to overcome these various prior art problems and faults and when attached to the putting shaft of the putter will provide a force directing means which will overcome faulty execution of the putting stroke and thus reduce inaccurate stroking or the tendency to cause the ball stroked to deviate from the intended putting line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A putting aid device operatively connected to the shaft of a putter includes, a sized member shaped to fit snugly along a given section of the shaft of the putter and in alignment therealong, at least one force receiving surface is formed on the sized member transverse to the longitudinal line of said putter and disposed at a point to permit engagement thereof by at least the index finger of the lowermost hand of the player utilizing the putter.
Additionally, the putting aid device as above described with means for attaching the sized member to the gripping section of the shaft of the putter.
Further objects will be apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a putter having one form of putting aid device in accordance with the present invention mounted thereon.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the gripping section of the putter shown in FIG. 1 with the putting aid device thereon in plan view.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken through the gripping section of FIG. 2 at line 4--4 so as to show the forward or upper alignment end of the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken through the gripping section of FIG. 2 at line 5--5 showing the rear or lower force receiving end of the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the putting aid device shown on the putter in FIG. 1 partly broken away.
FIG. 7 is a frong view of the gripping section of the putter with the putting aid device thereon of FIG. 1 showing the manner in which the player grips the putter and engages the putting aid device thereon.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a putting aid device similar to that shown in FIG. 1 with a different type attaching means.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the front or upper alignment end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rear or lower end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is an underside plan view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken on line 12--12 of FIG. 8 with an enlargement of a portion of the attaching band.
FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken on line 13--13 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 15 is a cross-section taken on line 15--15 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 1 with a still further type of attaching means.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a top view of the upper alignment end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 16 taken at line 18--18 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the lower end of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 16 taken at line 19--19 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken on line 20--20 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 21 is a cross-section taken on line 21--21 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 22 is a plan view of another form of putting aid device in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the putting aid device shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 is a cross-section taken at line 24--24 of FIG. 22.
FIG. 25 is a cross-section taken at line 25--25 of FIG. 22.
FIG. 26 is a side view of a molded gripping section for a putter having a putting aid device thereon in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 27 is a plan view of the molded gripping sections showing the putting aid device shown in FIG. 26.
FIG. 28 is a cross-section taken on line 28--28 of FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is a bottom view showing the putting aid device on the molded gripping section taken at line 29--29 of FIG. 26.
FIG. 30 is a plan view of a modified form molded gripping section having a putting aid device in accordance with the invention for meeting the regulations of the Professional Golfers Association.
FIG. 31 is a cross-section taken on line 31--31 of FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a cross-section taken on line 32--32 of FIG. 30.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a putter generally designated P.
The putter P conventionally includes any suitable elongated shaft 1 having a putting head 2 at one end which as is well known will have a variety of shapes and sizes but will always include a putting face 3 the surface of which is parallel to the plane of the longitudinal or center line of the putting shaft 1.
At the end of the shaft remote from the putting head a gripping section generally designated 4 will be formed on the shaft and similar to the putting head the gripping section may take a variety of forms but generally includes a wound covering of material which may be leather or vinyl or other suitable natural or synthetic plastic material adapted for this purpose or it may be an elasticized sleeve which is fixed in position by any suitable means such as an adhesive.
The making of gripping sections for putters and other golf clubs is well known so that further description thereof for the purposes of the present application is not necessary as the construction of such gripping sections will be understood by those skilled in the art.
In FIGS. 1 to 5 the gripping section is shown with a putting aid device generally designated 10 in accordance with the present invention affixed at the lower end of the gripping section that is the end which is closer to the putting head end of the shaft for reasons which will be more fully described in connection with the description below of the use and operation of the putting aid device.
While the putting aid device 10 is shown as preferably attached to the gripping section of the putter it is thought obvious that the putting aid device can be attached at any point along the shaft where the hand or hands can grip the putter when it is in use.
Further, it will be noted from FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings that the putting aid device 10 is disposed on the gripping section of the putter in alignment with the longitudinal or center line of the shaft 1 but on the side of the gripping section 4 remote from the plane of the putting face 3 of the putting head. More specifically the center plane through the putting aid device 10 will be disposed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal line of the putting shaft so that when force is exerted on the putting aid device as hereinafter described it will tend to move the putting face in a line perpendicular to the putting line for the ball to be stroked by the putting face 3 of the putter P.
Putting aid device 10 is a generally elongated member and may be made of any suitable plastic, wood, metal, glass or other durable material that can withstand the usage and handling that can be expected during the carrying and use of the putter by the golfer.
The elongated member 11 of the putting aid device 10 will have a length in an approximate range from one-half inch to three inches depending on the material the shape and the method of attaching the putting aid device to the gripping section of the putter. However, the shape must at all times include at least one force receiving surface as hereinafter described which will be engaged manually by at least one digit of the lowermost hand gripping the putter.
Further, the putting aid device must at all times be so located on the shaft so that the forces exerted manually on the force receiving surface or surfaces will be directed along and perpendicular to the longitudinal or center line of the shaft of the putter and the plane of the putting face and parallel to the putting line for stroking the ball.
Thus, it will be understood that the putting aid devices which are herein illustrated are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and that the length, size and shape of the putting aid device will vary depending on the material and the preferred location of the putting aid device on either the gripping section or other positions on the shaft.
In the illustrated embodiment for FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings the elongated member 11 has an arcuate underside or attaching surface 12 to which any suitable type of adhesive means 13 can be applied. Adhesive means 13 can consist of a member or tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on each side thereof, one side of which will permit the adhesive means to be applied to the arcuate attaching surface 12 and the other side of which can have a removable paper or like covering 14 which can be removed when the putting aid device 10 is to be applied to the gripping section or shaft of the putter, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings.
Adhesive tapes or materials with pressure sensitive adhesives on both sides thereof and non-sticking paper coverings are well known and easily purchasable on the open market such as the tapes sold under the trademark "ARNO" by the Arno Manufacturing Co. of Michigan City, Ind., the tapes sold under the trademark "CONTACT" etc.
Alternatively, the adhesive may be coated on the attaching surface 12 and a non-sticking cover applied to the outer face of the adhesive which can be removed when the putting aid device is to be affixed to the gripping section or the shaft of the putter.
Elongated member 11 may be substantially pointed at one end as shown at 15 and will have a rounded or contoured side 16 remote from the attaching surface 12 for continuity with the gripping section 4 so as to provide a smooth surface when the putting aid device 10 is applied to the gripping section or to the shaft of the putter P. An indexing line 17 is shown in the longitudinal or center line of the pointed end 15. Line 17 will facilitate setting of the elongated member 11 in the longitudinal or center line of the putting shaft 1 when the putting aid device is affixed to the gripping section of the shaft as shown in FIG. 2.
When the putting aid device 10 is affixed to the shaft or gripping section, as the case may be, the pointed end 15 of the top of the elongated member is disposed to extend upwardly or in a direction away from putting head 2.
At the end of the elongated member remote from the alignment end that is the bottom or lower end of the elongated member 11 when it is in assembled position is a force receiving surface 19. The force receiving surface 19 will be engaged by the index finger of the player's lower hand when the hands grip the putter preparatory to striking the ball during the putting stroke as is shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.
By reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7 the force receiving surface 19 is shown to be generally transverse to the longitudinal or center line of the shaft at an approximate angle between 45° to 60°. Force receiving surface 19 will have a first arcuate contour from side to side and a second arcuate contour from the attaching surface 12 to the streamline surface 16 which arcuate contour will be sized to comfortably receive the ball of the index finger when the putter is gripped for stroking the ball during the putting stroke.
While only one force receiving surface is illustrated on this form of the invention it will be understood that more than one force receiving surface could be provided for more than one finger without departing from the scope of the present invention, provided that care is taken to so design the same that rotative forces are not introduced when pressure is manually exerted against the force receiving surface.
By reference to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the use of the putting aid device is illustrated wherein the hands of a right handed golfer are shown gripping the club so as to permit the index finger of the lower or right controlling hand to engage the putting aid device 10.
Since the putting aid device is on the side of the putter P remote from the putting face 3 of the putting head 2 but in the longitudinal or center line thereof it the golfer exerts pressure with his index finger during the putting stroke against the force receiving surface 19 the force exerted will be in the stroking line of the ball and will tend to direct the ball along the stroking line and thus avoid the possibility of misdirecting the ball during the putting stroke.
FIG. 8 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 8 to 15 of the drawing there is shown a similar putting aid device to that above described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing. It differs partly in the characteristics of the elongated member and in the attaching means for attaching the putting aid device generally designated 10' to the shaft 1 or gripping section 4 of the putter.
Since the putting aid device 10' is otherwise substantially identical in construction to that above described similar character numerals will be applied to the same parts which are present in this form of the invention.
The elongated member 11' as shown in FIG. 13 differs in that the member is a molded or shaped shell whereas the elongated member 11 shown in the form of the invention at FIGS. 1 to 6 was a solid member. It will be understood therefore that the elongated member of the putting aid device in accordance with the present invention herein may be made in any suitable solid or shell type form without departing from the scope of the present invention. The elongated member 11' includes an arcuate attaching surface 12' which will be formed on the underside thereof.
The arcuate attaching surface 12' is adhesively affixed to an attaching band generally designated 20 by mounting the same medially of the attaching band but transverse thereto. The attaching band 20 is sufficiently large to extend laterally on both sides of the putting aid device 10 so as to provide attaching ears 21 and 22 and the length on either side will also be long enough so that the attaching ears can fit about the gripping section 4 or about shaft 1 of the putter and overlap to a limited extent. The attaching ears 21 and 22 will be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive 23 covered by a protective removable paper or like material 24. The protective cover 24 can be removed when it is desired to place the putting aid device on the gripping section 4 or shaft 1 of the putter, all of which is shown in FIGS. 9 to 15 of the drawings.
In operation the putting aid device is affixed to the gripping section at the same position as shown for the putting aid device 10 in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings. This is done by removing the protective paper and then positioning the putting aid device in the longitudinal or center line of the shaft by affixing ear 21 to the gripping section and pulling the same tight by affixing ear 22 over the positioned ear 21 of the attaching means for this form of invention of the putting aid device.
The operation of this form of the invention is identical with that of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawing as above described.
FIG. 16 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 21 a still further form for attaching the putting aid device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings is illustrated.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 21 the putting aid device 10 is affixed to or formed with an elasticized sleeve generally designated 30.
Since the putting aid device 10 is identical to that above described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings the same parts will be given the same numbers. Thus the arcuate attaching surface 12 will be connected to the elasticized sleeve 30 as by any suitable adhesive 31 or the same can be bonded to or molded with the sleeve.
Sleeve 30 may be of any suitable natural or synthetic rubber or may be a woven fabric with elasticizing means thereon.
In order to anchor or fix the elasticized sleeve 30 and the putting aid device in assembled position, adhesive means as at 32 and 33 are provided at the respective opposite ends of the sleeve 30. The adhesive will be covered with a protective paper or like non-sticking material. First, the elasticized sleeve is set on the gripping section of the shaft of the putter, then the ends are rolled back, the protective paper removed and the ends adhesively affixed to the gripping section to anchor the putting aid device in proper position.
The place for positioning the putting aid device and the manner in which the device is operated or used is identical with that above described for the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
FIG. 22 FORM OF THE INVENTION
The putting aid device in the earlier forms of the invention above described have had elongated members 11 and 11' which were segments or arcs of a circle in cross section.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 22 to 25 the putting aid device generally designated 40 in accordance with the invention is a cylindrical member 11 which can be cut, formed or molded from any suitable type of natural or synthetic rubber having sufficient pliability to permit the cylindrical member 11 to be fitted over the end of the shaft remote from the putting head and moved into assembled position on the gripping section of the shaft 1 of the putter P.
Cylindrical member 40 is an elongated element having a generally tapered shape in side elevation as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24. Member 40 will be cast, molded or machined so that the wall 41 defines a shaft receiving passage 42 through which the shaft can extend as shown in FIG. 22 of the drawings.
Wall 41 of the cylindrical member 40 will have a thickness to provide suitable pliability to permit the cylindrical member to be fitted over the shaft 1 of the Putter P and spaced opening as at 43 and 44 are provided for this purpose at the respective ends of the cylindrical member.
For a relatively short length adjacent the openings 43 and 44 attaching surfaces 45 and 46 are formed for anchoring the cylindrical member 40 in assembled position on the putter P. An adhesive connecting means 47 and 48 with the usual removable protective covers 49 and 50 are provided for this purpose.
The cylindrical member 40 will be provided with a circumferential force receiving surface 51 so that in assembled position this form of putting aid device is universally adapted for use by either a right handed or a left handed player.
An aligning mark 52 is placed on the outer face of the wall 41 to aid in aligning the cylindrical member 40 with the longitudinal or center line of the shaft.
In use the cylindrical member 40 is slipped over the shaft, aligned and properly positioned by the player. Since the wall 41 is pliable, it is bent back at the lower end to remove the removable protective cover 50 from the adhesive 48 and the lower attaching means is adhesively affixed by the adhesive 48 to the shaft. This is repeated by bending the upper end of the wall 41 back removing protective cover 49 and affixing the adhesive 47 to the shaft.
When the cylindrical member is assembled it is gripped and used in the same manner as was above described and shown for the form of the invention in FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.
FIG. 26 FORM OF THE INVENTION
In the remaining figures of the drawings two forms of the putting aid device are shown as formed integral with the gripping material attached to the gripping section of the shaft 1 of the putter.
In FIGS. 26 to 29 the putting aid device will be similar in shape to that of the putting aid device 10 shown and described in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
Thus the shaft 1 is shown with the gripping material 60 affixed thereby by adhesive 61. The gripping material will be shaped, formed or molded in any suitable manner such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,822,212 to provide the putting aid device generally designated 62 as an integral part of the gripping material which will be affixed to the shaft 1 of the putter P.
As in the earlier forms of the invention above described at FIGS. 1 to 21 of the drawings the putting aid device will have an elongated shape having a contoured alignment section 63 and a force receiving surface 64. These sections as illustrated will be more streamlined. The alignment section 63 can be provided with an aligning indicia 65 to facilitate assembly of the gripping material to the shaft 1.
The force receiving surface 64 can be at a lesser angle and can be longer in slope to accommodate a wide variation in finger sizes and lengths in view of the fixed character of the putting aid device in this form of the invention.
The putting aid device will of course be used in the same manner shown at FIG. 7 and above described for the form of the invention shown at FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
FIG. 30 FORM OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 30 shows a still further form of the invention in which similar to the putting aid device described at FIGS. 22 to 25 of the drawings the putting aid device is formed integral with the gripping material affixed to the shaft so that it forms a circumferential force receiving surface.
This form of the invention is thought to meet and comply with the regulations of the Professional Golfers Association in that no projections or other gripping aids are formed on the handle. Only the force receiving surface is presented for engagement if the player elects to use it.
Thus FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 show that the shaft 1 receives the gripping material 70 which is affixed thereby as by adhesive 71 or other suitable means. The gripping material will be shaped, formed molded so that the sides thereof are uniform up to the position just adjacent the lower end where the circumferential force receiving surface 72 is formed.
The operation of this form of the invention is the same as in the earlier form of the invention above described. It is thought clear that this form of the invention as in the case of the form of the invention shown at FIGS. 22 to 25 will be universal in that a putter having a gripping section with the circumferential force receiving surface 72 is adapted for use by either a right handed or a left handed player.
Although various forms of the putting aid device have been described for purposes of illustrating the present invention, it will be understood that changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.