Golf green reader

Abstract

A Golf Green Reader is disclosed. The device is available in two versions—one that is elongated, is sized similar to the length of a golf umbrella and allows the user to site the putt line while standing, and a second version that is handheld. The device includes optics to provide the user with the ability to site along a laser-pointer line and focus, zoom and obtain a wide-angle view of the cup from the ball location. The device further overlays an image that aids the user in holding the device in a level position while siting along the putt line. The image overlay includes symbology that indicates current spacial orientation of the device, the desired spacial device orientation and the direction to correct the device orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to games and sporting equipment and, more specifically, to a Golf Green Reader.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Golf is one of the most popular sport in the world today. Of the different shots or skills used in golf, the “short game,” or putting is probably the hardest to master. In addition to the need to develop the skills necessary to strike the ball straight and with the correct force, there are many additional variables related to the putting green itself that add substantially difficulty to the putting game.[0005]Putting greens, being natural surfaces, have one or more slope, each of which can change over the extent of the ball's desired path to the cup. Also, the grass on the green will have a “grain” to it (the direction of its growth) that also adds complexity. Finally, changing lighting conditions and glare from the sun can also make a successful putting experience more...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a Golf Green Reader that can be used in two versions: elongated and handheld. The device has optics to help the user site along a laser-pointer line and focus on the cup from the ball location. It also has an image overlay that helps the user hold the device in a level position while siting along the putt line. The image overlay includes symbology that indicates the current spacial orientation of the device, the desired spacial device orientation, and the direction to correct the device orientation."

Problems solved by technology

Of the different shots or skills used in golf, the “short game,” or putting is probably the hardest to master.

In addition to the need to develop the skills necessary to strike the ball straight and with the correct force, there are many additional variables related to the putting green itself that add substantially difficulty to the putting game.

Also, the grass on the green will have a “grain” to it (the direction of its growth) that also adds complexity.

Finally, changing lighting conditions and glare from the sun can also make a successful putting experience more difficult.

Logsden, U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,968 seeks to aid the golfer with his or her putting game, but it does not provide a plumb line, laser level, magnification, zoom lens, glare reduction, wide angle lens, or enable the user to sight the cup while standing up.

Winslow, U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,285 also provides a putter alignment device, but also does not allow the golfer to sight the cup from a standing position, nor does it give a good indication of horizontal and vertical.

Similarly, Nelson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,034; Dar, U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,117; Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,403; Cates, U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,813; Burch, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,641 and Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,535 all fail to provide vertical and horizontal plumb lines, fail to allow the golfer to sight the cup from a standing position, do not provide filtration or accentuation of the incident light to improve visibility, nor give the ability to zoom in on the cup.

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