Golf training aid

Abstract

A golf training aid includes a platform 1 hinged to a base 2 which has four feet 4. The feet 4 are adjustable to enable the base to be levelled. The base 2 includes a wheel 3, which wheel rotates arou

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS N / A BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of golf training aids. 2. Description of Related Art In the art of putting many golfers measure the slope of a putting green with their feet. This method involves estimating the slope to the nearest one percent, normally in the range zero to three percent left or right. Golfers practising this method often practise on a surface with a known slope. This could be on a practice green or around their apartment, house or hotel room. The problem with this is that it does not transfer to the golf course where the slope is not known. An alternative method used is to practise on a surface where the golfer does not know the slope. The golfer reads the slope with his or her feet and checks with a digital level. The problem with this is that after the first time the golfer knows the slope and has to move to another position or location otherwise, as before, the practice will not transfer to the real golf situation. After a while the golfer knows the slopes of all the positions on the practice green, around her house, apartment or hotel room and has to move to yet another location. Measuring the slope with a digital level each time is time consuming as is moving to a new location or new position. A practice device available at present is a platform that can be set to a slope of minus three, minus two, minus one, zero, plus one, plus two, or plus three percent. This has the same disadvantage as mentioned above in that the slope is already known unless a second person is present to change the slope. It also has the disadvantage that it must be used on a level surface. Therefore, what is clearly needed is a golf putting training aid that solves the problems mentioned above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. lisa perspective view of a golf putting training device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1 illustrating hinges 8, a strike plate 9, and roller bearings 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig 3 is a plan view of the bottom half of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view from the right of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1. Fig 5 is a view of the underside of the top half of the golf putting training device ,in Fig. 1. illustrating cutouts 10, in the underside of the platform 1, to accommodate the pegs 6, and clarifying the shape of the strike plate 9. Fig. 6 is a front view of the top half of the golf putting device in Fig. 5 illustrating the shape of the cutouts. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the wheel, in this embodiment, showing the values and direction of the slopes 13, in an example of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a view of the underside of the wheel in this embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the hemispherical indentations 12, that match the locations of the roller bearings 11, in the base 2. Fig.9 is the plan view of another embodiment. In this embodiment the platform 1, and the base 2, are combined into a combined platform 19. Fig. 10 is a view of a handheld remote control 22, used by the golfer in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The inventor provides a golf putting training device adapted in a preferred embodiment to enable golfers to practice efficiently the method of reading the slope of a green using their feet. The present invention is described in enabling detail which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putting training device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example the invention has a platform 1, connected to a base 2, via a hinge bar 7. The platform 1, is large enough for a golfer to stand on with space to spare all round. The combination of material and geometry of the platform 1, and the base 2, is such that it is strong enough to transfer the load of a golfer standing on it without over stressing the material and without noticeable deflection. It may be solid or hollow. In this example, the base has four adjustable feet 4, located near the comers of the base 2 to ensure stability. The feet need to stand on a rigid surface and are used to level the base with the help of a spirit level whenever the invention is used at a new position. The base is large enough to provide stability to the whole device. This embodiment has a wheel 3, rotating about a vertical spindle 5. In this example the wheel has a number of pegs 6, of varying lengths. In use the golfer puts the device on an approximately level solid surface. Standing in front of the device the golfer levels the base by screwing the feet individually up or down as necessary and checking with a spirit level. This is done once for each practice position. In another embodiment the pegs are replaced with a ring of continuously varying height such that the whole range from maximum to minimum slope is covered. In yet another embodiment the wheel is replaced by cylinder, which has pegs of different lengths , rotating around a horizontal axis. In a variation of this embodiment the cylinder is not round but has a radius varying around the circumference to provide a slope in the maximum to minimum slope range of the device. Fig. 2 is a front view of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1 illustrating hinges 8, a strike plate 9, roller bearings 11, and the differing lengths of the pegs 6, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example of the present invention the platform is connected by two hinges 8, to the hinge bar 7. In this example the wheel runs on roller bearings 11. The length of each peg 6 varies so that when the platform 1, is closed to the base 2, the slope of the platform 1, varies according to the length of the peg 6, directly under the strike plate 9. After levelling the base the golfer, standing in front of the device, lifts the platform 1, sufficiently to be able to spin the wheel but without being able to see which pin is under the strike plate when the wheel stops spinning. Fig 3 is a plan view of the bottom half of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1 illustrating the positioning of the feet 4, the location of the hinge bar 7, and the location of the wheel 3. In this embodiment the feet 4, can be screwed up or down according to the slope of the surface on which it is standing to provide a level base 2. Fig. 4 is a view from the right of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1 illustrating for this embodiment of the present invention, the relationship between the parts already identified. In this example the golfer spins the wheel, which rotates about the spindle 5, running on the rollers 11. Fig. 5 is a view of the underside of the platform 1, of the golf putting training device in Fig. 1. illustrating cutouts 10, in the underside of the platform 1, to accommodate the pegs 6, and clarifying the shape of the strike plate 9. In this embodiment of the present invention the pegs 6, protrude into the cutouts 10, when the platform is closed onto the base 2, except for the peg 6, directly under the strike plate 9. In this example of the present invention there are eight pegs 6, with lengths corresponding to three percent slope left, two percent slope left, one percent slope left, three percent slope right, two percent slope right, one percent slope right, and two pegs with lengths corresponding to zero slope. In other embodiments there could be more or fewer pegs 6, and the slope corresponding to each peg 6, could be any slope found on a golf putting green. In another embodiment there could be an infinite number of pegs 6, effectively providing a continuously varying slope between the minimum and maximum of the device. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the wheel in this embodiment, showing the pegs 6, the wheel 3, and the pivot 5 which have already been described. It additionally shows markings 13, to illustrate the direction and slope in percent terms related to each peg. After reading the slope of the platform 1, with his feet, the golfer steps off the platform 1, raises the platform and reads the slope from the markings 13. Fig. 8 is a view of the underside of the wheel in this embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the hemispherical indentations 12, that match the size and locations of the roller bearings 11, in the base 2. Fig.9 is the plan view of another embodiment. In this embodiment the platform 1, and the base 2, are combined into a combined platform 19. The combined platform 19, contains several components. The combined platform 19, is large enough for a golfer to stand on with space to spare all round. The combination of material and geometry of the combined platform 19, is such that it is strong enough to transfer the load of a golfer standing on it to the feet 4, without overstressing the material and without noticeable deflection. In this embodiment there are four feet 4, but in other embodiments there could be any number of feet or in yet another embodiment the combined platform 19, could be continuously supported. The combined platform 19, in one embodiment contains stepper motors 18, an electronic level 14, a wireless transmitter / receiver 13, a controller 20, and a rechargeable battery 16. The controller 20, contains a random number generator 21. The combined platform 19, has on its upper surface a display unit 15, and a charging port 17, on the side. Fig. 10 is a view of a handheld remote control 22, used by the golfer in an embodiment of the present invention. It has a “setup” button 23, a “display” button 24, and a “next” button 25. In another embodiment the functions of the remote control 22, could be incorporated with another device such as, for example, a mobile phone or smart watch. In yet another embodiment the actions of the buttons 23, 24 and 25 could be replaced by voice commands. In another embodiment the display 15 could be placed by a speaker which would state the slope when the golfer steps off the platform. In this embodiment the golfer places the combined platform 19, on an approximately level solid surface and while not standing on the combined platform 19, presses the “set-up” button 23, on the handset 22. Signals from the handset 22, are received by the transmitter / receiver 13, which sends a “set-up” signal to the controller 20. The controller 20, sends a signal to the electronic level 14, asking for the levelness of the combined platform 19. The controller 20, sends signals to stepper motors 18, asking for the feet 4, to be raised or lowered until the electronic level 14, indicates to the controller 20, that the combined platform 19, is level. Still standing in front of the combined platform 19, the golfer presses the “next” button 25, on the handset 22. The handset 22, sends a signal to the transmitter / receiver 13, which sends a “next” signal to the display unit 15, which in this example displays the slope of the combined platform 19, as a percentage. On receipt of the “next” signal the display unit 15, is turned off. Also on the receipt of the "next" signal the controller 20, sends a signal to the random number generator, 21, In this example the random number generator 21, generates a random number chosen from -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 and +3. This number is sent to the controller 20, which sends instructions individually to the feet 4, to raise or lower each foot according to feedback from the electronic level 14, until the electronic level 14 indicates that the slope of the combined platform 19, is equal to the value, generated by the random number generator 41, treating the value as a percent slope. When all four feet in this example stop being raised or lowered the golfer stands on the combined platform 19, and estimates the slope with his or her feet. The golfer then presses the “display” button 24, on the handset 22. The handset 22, sends a signal to the transmitter / receiver 13, which sends a signal to the controller 20, which turns on the display 15, which then displays the slope which in this example is a percentage. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the golf putting training aid of the invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A golf training device comprising:a. a platform large enough for a golfer to stand on;b. a base located under the platfom to provide stability for the platform when the base is located on a solid surface, hinged to the platform on one side;c. adjustable feet under the base located so that the platform can be supported and levelled;d. a wheel which rotates about a vertical spindle attached to the top surface of the base;e. a number of vertical pegs of different lengths attached to the top surface of the wheel near the perimeter, one of which supports the edge of the platform on the opposite side of the platform from the hinge;f. characterized in that after the base has been levelled, the edge of the platform opposite the hinge is raised, the wheel spun and when the wheel stops the platform is lowered and is supported by the peg furthest from the hinge, the resulting slope of the platform is determined by the length of that peg. which is not known to the user.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;1. A golf training device comprising:5 a. a platform large enough and strong enough for a golfer to stand on with the golfer’s feet at least shoulder width apart and with a straight side on the golfer’s left or right; b. a base located under the platform, with the same plan dimensions as the platform, having a straight side to align 10 c. with the straight side of the platform to provide stability for the platform when the base is located on a solid surface; adjustable feet fixed to the underside of the base located to provide maximum stability so that the platform can support the weight of a golfer and be manually levelled; 15 d. a wheel located between the platform and the base which can be spun about a vertical spindle which is attached to the top surface of the base; e. a hinge bar attached to the top surface of the base along the straight side to allow space between the platform and the base 20 f. for the wheel; a hinge between the hinge bar and the platform along the straight side of the platform; g- a number of vertical pegs of different lengths attached to the top surface of the wheel at regular intervals around the 25 h. perimeter, one of which supports the edge of the platform opposite the hinge according to how the pegs are located after the wheel stops spinning; a label for each peg located on the wheel close to the spindle showing the value of the slope associated with each peg and 30 oriented to be able to be read by a golfer standing in front of the device;i. characterized in that after the base has been levelled, the side of the platform opposite the hinge is raised by the golfer, standing in front of the device, sufficiently to enable the wheel to be manually spun without the golfer being able to see the pegs and when the wheel stops the golfer lowers the platform which is supported by the peg furthest from the hinge, the resulting slope of the platform being determined by the length of that particular peg, which is not known to the golfer who then stands on the platform and estimates the slope using his or her feet which he or she checks by lifting the platform and reading the slope.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the lengths of the pegs are typically those which provide slopes of +3%, +2%, +1%, 0, -1%, -2%, and -3%.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein there are roller bearings on the top side of the base matching the number of pegs and located so that when one peg is at the maximum distance from the hinge each roller bearing is directly under each peg-4. The device of claim 3 wherein there is a hemispherical indentations in the underside of the wheel directly under each peg and matching the roller bearing geometry thus causing the wheel to stop spinning with the pegs located above the roller bearings.

5. A golf training device comprising:a. a hollow platform large enough and strong enough for a golfer to stand on with the golfer’s feet at least shoulder width apart;b. electrically adjustable feet connected to the underside of the platform to provide stability for the platform when a golfer is standing on it with the ability to vary the slope left to right as seen by the golfer standing in front of the device when it is located on a solid surface;c. stepper motors inside the platform to control the vertical length of each of the feet;d. an electronic level inside the platform;e. a wireless transmitter / receiver inside the platform;f. a controller inside the platform which determines the length of each of the feet to achieve the slope generated by the random number generator;g. a display unit on the upper surface of the platform displaying the slope of the upper surface with a size such that a golfer standing with feet shoulder width apart can read the displayed slope;h. a rechargeable battery inside the platform to provide power to the stepper motors, the controller, the electronic level, the wireless transmitter / receiver and the display unit;i. a port for a plug to connect a charger to the device;j. a handheld remote control with buttons for “setup”, “next” and “display” which connects wirelessly to the controller;k. Characterized in that when a golfer standing in front of the device presses the “setup” button the device is levelled and then when the golfer presses the “next” button the device changes the slope of the top surface of the device in accordance with the next number generated by the random number generator and then the golfer stands on the top surface, estimates the slope with his or her feet and presses “display” on the handheld remote control to display the slope which the golfer compares with his or her estimate as measured by his or her feet.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the random number generator typically generates a slope value of one of -5%, -4.5%, -4%, -3.5%, -3% -2.5%, -2% -1.5%, -1%, -0.5 %, 0, +0.5% +1%, +1.5%, +2%, +2.5%, +3%, +3.5%, +4%, +4.5%, +5%.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the battery is replaced by a lead to an external power supply.CM CM8. The device of claim 5 wherein the functions of the handheld remote control are incorporated in another electronic device such as a mobile phone or a smart watch.

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