Velvet Roll Board for Putter Launch Angle Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the launch angle of a golf ball after being struck by a putter are cumbersome, expensive, and lack instant feedback, affecting the accuracy of roll performance, as they rely on high-speed video equipment and do not account for individual golfer preferences or varying green conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a flat board with a dense, high-quality velvet surface to analyze the roll performance of a golf ball, where the velvet shows frictional contact until the ball achieves true end-over-end roll, allowing for adjustments to the putter face angle or stroke to optimize launch angle, and is portable for use on any flat surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-speed video equipment is used to analyze launch angle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex high-speed video equipment with a simple, inexpensive roll board covered in velvet or velour material. This disposable-like solution provides sufficient measurement capability for launch angle analysis without requiring sophisticated technology, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for golf putting analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/optical measurement system (video equipment, lighting, cameras) with a passive mechanical surface (velvet-covered roll board) that naturally records ball motion through friction and deformation. This replacement eliminates complex electronic systems while providing visual feedback on ball roll characteristics and launch angle.
2Measurement precision
If high-speed video equipment is used to analyze launch angle, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The velvet surface on the roll board is prepared in advance to capture ball motion characteristics. The material is positioned and ready before each putt, allowing immediate recording of launch angle and roll information without requiring setup of cameras, lighting, or video equipment. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the time-consuming steps of video recording, playback, and analysis by using a passive velvet surface that provides immediate visual feedback. The golfer can observe the ball's interaction with the velvet right after impact, skipping the intermediate steps of digital recording and playback, thereby dramatically reducing the time cycle from putt to analysis.
3Reliability
If conventional putter face technology with 4-6 degrees of loft is used, then the ball is lifted out of depression, but too much loft causes backward rotation and skipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the velvet surface to detect and analyze the effects of both insufficient and excessive loft. By observing the ball's interaction with the velvet - including any backward rotation, skipping, or abnormal roll patterns - the golfer can identify when loft exceeds the optimal range. This allows adjustment to achieve the partial action needed: just enough lift to clear the depression without excessive loft that causes skipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The velvet surface provides immediate visual feedback on the effects of different loft settings and putting strokes. By examining the ball's path, rotation, and interaction with the velvet, the golfer can determine whether the loft is causing backward rotation and skipping. This feedback loop enables adjustment of putter face angle or stroke to optimize the balance between lifting the ball and maintaining accurate roll.
4Ease of operation
If not enough loft is used on putter face, then roll accuracy is maintained, but ball drives into surface causing uncontrolled bounce
Solution Approach 1:
The velvet surface allows the golfer to identify the minimum amount of loft needed to prevent the ball from driving into the surface. By observing whether the ball bounces uncontrollably or skips on the velvet, the golfer can determine if loft is insufficient. This enables finding the partial action threshold: the minimum loft required to achieve reliable distance control while maintaining accurate roll.
Solution Approach 2:
The velvet provides visual feedback on whether the ball is driving into the surface and bouncing uncontrollably. By examining the ball's interaction pattern with the velvet, the golfer can determine if insufficient loft is causing distance control problems. This feedback enables adjustment of loft or stroke to achieve the optimal balance between roll accuracy and distance control reliability.
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
Enables quick, cost-effective determination of optimal launch angle and roll characteristics, allowing golfers to choose the correct putter and stroke for improved accuracy and adaptability to different green speeds, providing instant feedback and personalized fitting.
Implementation Method 1
the velvet shows frictional contact until the ball achieves true end-over-end roll
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining the launch angle of a putter by evaluating the roll performance of a golf ball after being struck by a golf putter during the execution a putting stroke. The golf ball is placed on a flat testing platform having a nap upper surface and a putting stroke is made by a golfer causing the golf ball to move forward along said platform. As the ball moves along the nap surface, the ball creates skid and roll marks on the nap surface. These marks are compared against a series of known marks to determine the precise launch angle of the putter face of the golf putter being used to execute the stroke.