Telescoping Putting Alignment Tool with Bubble Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the slope of a putting green are inaccurate as golfers must hold a putter on one side of the ball, making it difficult to align the golf ball with the cup effectively.
Innovation Solution
A putting alignment tool featuring a pair of weighted, extendable arms with a horizontal bubble level and a hingedly attached divot-repair fork, which includes a magnetic ball marker, allowing golfers to verify vertical orientation and frame the ball and cup for an optimal putting path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a putter is used as a plumb bob to determine green slope, then the golfer can have a simple tool available, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates because the putter must be held on one side of the ball
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is divided into two separate weighted arms that can be positioned independently on either side of the golf ball. This segmentation allows each arm to function as an independent plumb line, eliminating the need to hold the tool on one side only and enabling accurate centering over the ball for precise slope measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
A bubble level is introduced as an intermediary component between the two weighted arms. The bubble level provides a visual reference to verify that both arms are perfectly vertical and symmetrically positioned, serving as a mediator that ensures measurement accuracy while maintaining the simplicity of using gravity-based plumb lines.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a golfer holds a putter vertically to plumb bob, then no additional equipment is needed, but the alignment accuracy with the cup deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single putter is segmented into two separate weighted arms that can be positioned symmetrically on either side of the ball. This allows the golfer to frame both the ball and the cup within the arms, creating accurate alignment references at both the starting point and the target, thereby improving alignment precision while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment method transitions from a single-point vertical reference to a two-dimensional framework by positioning weighted arms at both sides of the ball and aligning with the cup. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous verification of vertical orientation and horizontal alignment, greatly improving overall alignment accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a single weighted arm is used as a plumb line, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to frame ball and cup for alignment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single arm is segmented into two separate weighted arms connected by a bubble level. This segmentation provides the necessary framework to simultaneously reference both the ball position and the cup position, enabling proper alignment framing while keeping the overall device structure simple and easy to understand.
Solution Approach 2:
Two weighted arms and a bubble level are merged into a single integrated alignment tool. The bubble level serves as a connecting element that ties the two arms together, allowing them to function as a unified framing system that provides both vertical reference and horizontal alignment capabilities in one device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool provides a more accurate method for determining the slope of a putting green and aligning the golf ball with the cup, enhancing the golfer's ability to determine the optimum putting path.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontal bubble level having a divot-repair fork hingedly attached thereto
Implementation Method 2
The bubble level allows the golfer to verify that the weighted arms are indeed vertical
Implementation Method 3
Magnetically attached to the divot-repair fork is a ball marker
Implementation Method 4
The lower ends of the arms are joined with a weighted ball that maintains the arms in a vertical orientation when the tool is suspended
Data Source
AI summary
A putting alignment tool includes a pair of spaced, telescoping arms each having an upper end and a lower end. The upper ends are joined with a horizontal bubble level having a divot-repair fork hingedly attached thereto. Magnetically attached to the divot-repair fork is a ball marker. The lower ends of the arms are joined with a weighted ball that maintains the tool in a vertical orientation when the tool is suspended. Accordingly, a golfer extends the arms to a desired length and suspends the tool by grasping the upper end. The bubble level allows the golfer to verify that the weighted arms are indeed vertical. Then, the ball and cup are framed between the two arms to determine the optimum putting path.