Rotary Clip Head and Angle Plate with Putting Green Slope Reading Tool

Abstract

The combination set of tools comprising a slope reading tool and rotary clip head and angle plate is designed to build putting confidence and shave strokes off every golfer's game. The slope reading tool is a high accuracy "bubble level" device that provides actual slope angle around the golf cup to give golfer a quick and accurate reading of the green's contours. The set of rotary clip head and angle plate which is attached to the putter shaft can be rotated to the angle indicated on the slope reading tool to make the adjustment to achieve a more accurate putting. This combination set is intended to help golfers on putts with subtle or confusing breaks and works best on putts within 12 feet of the hole.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/690,215 filed on Jun. 21, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to golf putting on the putting green, and relates more particularly to the tools to read the slope around the golf hole on the green and the attached rotary clip head with angle plate that can be rotated to a desired angle to improve accuracy of the putting stroke.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Putting is an important stroke in a golf game. There is a saying "Drive is for the show, putt is for the dough". This can tell how important putting is for the game of golf. However, putting is not an easy stroke due to uneven level around the golf hole on the putting green. It is difficult to read the slope with the naked eyes and golfers would always miss the putt due to misreading the break or by just guessing the break without actual measurement. In addition, if the hole is not the target, it is very difficult to line up the putter head with the "virtual" target. Therefore tools that could read the slope correctly, and a rotary clip head with angle plate is clipped on the putter shaft that could be rotated to make necessary adjustment accordingly on the putting stroke angle would be helpful to improve the scores.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a combination set of tools for improving accuracy of the putting stroke.

[0007] The combination set of tools comprising a slope reading tool and rotary clip head with angle plate is designed to build putting confidence and shave strokes off every golfer's game. The slope reading tool is a high accuracy "bubble level" device that provides actual slope angle around the golf cup to give golfer a quick and accurate reading of the green's contours. The rotary clip head with angle plate which is attached to the putter shaft can be rotated to the angle indicated on the slope reading tool to make the adjustment to achieve a more accurate putting. This combination set is intended to help golfers on putts with subtle or confusing breaks and works best on putts within 12 feet of the hole.

[0008] Using the rotary clip head with angle plate alone can also improve the putting accuracy since there is an actual target for the putting. Even without using the slope reading tool, the rotary clip head with angle plate can be rotated to an angle that would produce the best putting direction after using the rotary clip head with angle plate over time.

[0009] The combination set can be used as follows:

[0010] 1. Place the slope reading tool (a bubble level) in front of the hole on line with putt. When the bubble level is placed horizontal to the hole, it measure the break left to right or right to left depending on the bubble position with respect to the zero degree line. When the bubble level is placed perpendicular to the hole, it measures whether it is uphill or downhill to the hole dependent on the bubble position with respect to the zero degree line.

[0011] 2. When placing the bubble level horizontal to the hole, if the bubble lies in a position left to the zero degree line, it indicates the break is from left to the right. If the bubble lies in a position right to the zero degree line, it indicates the break is from right to left. The number on the bubble level represents the severity of the break, larger the number, the more severe is the break and vice versa. When placing the bubble perpendicular to the hole, if the bubble lies above the zero degree line, it indicates it is uphill to the hole. If the bubble lies below the zero degree line, it indicates it is downhill to the hole. The number on the bubble level represents the severity of the uphill or downhill slope.

[0012] 3. When using the rotary clip head with angle plate that is attached to the shaft of a regular putter, rotate the clip head to make the angle plate aligned with the degree of the break indicated on the bubble level and make the putt in this direction.

[0013] The details of instructions will be described in the other section. After just a few holes, golfers will learn to rely on this combination set of slope reading tool and rotary clip head with angle plate to make their putts. Using the slope reading tool will also speed up play as players spend less time circling the hole or crouching behind their ball to read their line.

[0014] The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

[0015] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0017] The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top view of a Bubble Level type of Slope Reading Tool;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of the slope reading tool of FIG. 1 wherein the bubble stays at 0 degree line indicating no break;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the slope reading tool of FIG. 1 wherein the bubble stays at 2 degree line on the left of zero degree line indicating breaking from left to right;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of the slope reading tool of FIG. 1 wherein the bubble stays at 2 degree line on the right of zero degree line indicating breaking from right to left;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view (in transparency) of the rotary clip head and angle plate which is detached from the clip head;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a top view (in transparency) of the rotary clip head and angle plate which is removably attached or permanently attached to the clip head;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of a clip head and angle plate on putter shaft;

[0026] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a clip head according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 9A and 9B are top views of an angle plate according to a few embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 10A and 10B is a side view and isometric view of the clip head clipped to a shaft right above the putter head;

[0029] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the angle plate attached clip head clipped to a shaft;

[0030] FIG. 12 is top view of the putter head with a rotary clip head with angle plate illustrating the angle plate attaching to the clip head with 0 degree line in perpendicular to the target line and lining up with the alignment line of the putter head;

[0031] FIG. 12A is a top view of the putter head showing that the putter head edge is used as an alignment line which lines up with the zero degree line on the angle plate;

[0032] FIG. 12B is a top view of the putter head showing a black tape adhered on the putter head as an alignment line which lines up with the zero degree line on the angle plate;

[0033] FIG. 13A is a top view of the putter head showing that the putter head edge is used as an alignment line which lines up with the desired degree line on the angle plate;

[0034] FIG. 13B is a top view of the putter head showing a black tape adhered on the putter head as an alignment line which lines up with the desired degree line on the angle plate;

[0035] FIG. 14 is top view showing the putter is placed in a position where the 0 degree line is perpendicular to the center line of the golf ball.

[0036] FIG. 14A is a top view showing the putter is placed in a position where the 0 degree line is perpendicular to the center line of the golf ball in the case that the putter face edge is used as an alignment line.

[0037] FIG. 14B is a top view showing the putter is placed in a position where the 0 degree line is perpendicular to the center line of the golf ball in the case that the black tape adhered on the putter head as an alignment line.

[0038] FIG. 15 is a top view showing the central line of the golf ball lines up with the target line of the putter head and then make the putt in this direction.

[0039] FIG. 15A is a top view showing that the putter head edge is used as an alignment line and the central line of the golf ball lines up with the target line of the putter head and then make the putt in this direction;

[0040] FIG. 15B is a top view showing a black tape adhered on the putter head as an alignment line and the central line of the golf ball lines up with the target line of the putter head and then make the putt in this direction;

[0041] FIG. 15C is a top view of the putter head with a rotary angle plate 1.5 degree lined up with the black tape alignment line on the putter head.

[0042] FIG. 16 is conceptual view of golf ball path when making the putt without making any adjustment on the putting angle;

[0043] FIG. 17 is a conceptual view of the golf ball path using the combination set of slope reading tool and rotary clip head with angle plate to execute the putting stroke;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0044] The combination set of golf tools designed to build putting confidence and shave strokes off every golfer's game according to the present invention comprises a slope reading tool and rotary clip head with angle plate.

[0045] (A) Slope Reading Tool: a Bubble Level (Spirit Level Available in the Market)

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a slope reading tool 10 which is a bubble level (spirit level in the market). However, the slope reading tool may be of other type. The bubble level has angle measuring capability as shown in FIG. 1. Each degree on the bubble level type of slope reading tool 10 is separated by a width (W). In one embodiment of the slope reading tool, each degree is separated by the width (W) of 4 mm. Each scale of 4 mm length stands for 1 degree. To measure the slope around the golf hole 400, the slope reading tool 10 is placed in front of the hole 400. When the bubble stays at zero, it indicates there is no break on the putting surface; it means the green is horizontally leveled without slope around golf hole 400 (FIG. 2). If the bubble of the bubble level slope reading tool 10 on a putting surface in front of the hole 400 stays at 2 degree on the left of zero degree line indicating a 2 degree slope breaking from left to right. (FIG. 3). On the other hand, if the bubble of the bubble level slope reading tool 10 on a putting surface in front of the hole 400 stays at 2 degree on the right of zero degree line indicating a 2 degree slope breaking from right to left. (FIG. 4).

[0047] (B) Rotary Clip Head with Angle Plate

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, there is disclosed a set of rotary clip head 21 and angle plate 27 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A rotary clip head 21 consists of a claw clip 22, and a Velcro® hook plate 23 (a Velcro® hook 24 adhered on a plastic plate 25 in FIG. 7). The angle plate 27 with the Velcro® loop 28 on the bottom can be detached from or attached to the Velcro® hook 24 on the Velcro® hook plate 23 in the clip head 21. Alternatively the angle plate can be fixed to the clip head permanently when the black tape adhered on the putter head is used as alignment line. The angle plate 27 has the degree mark lines 32 on the top of the angle plate 27. The zero degree line 33 is located in the center of the angle plate 27 for use to align with the central line of the putter head 220 (FIG. 10A). The rotary clip head 21 with angle plate 27 can be clipped to a regular putter (non-rotary head) shaft 210 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The clip head 21 can be rotated around the putter shaft 210 to a desired degree on the angle plate 27 as indicated in the slope reading tool 10. The combination set of golf tool may further comprise a tape for marking an alignment line 61 along about the midline of the putter head pointing to the center of the shaft. The target line 62 is perpendicular to the alignment line.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8 for the clip head 21 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The clip head 21 further comprise foam 26 within the plastic claw clip 22 to secure the fastening of the putter head 220.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 9A and 9B, there are disclosed a few embodiments of the angle plate 27 according to the present invention. The angle plate 27 may be made of plastic plate. It may be non-transparent 9A or transparent 9B. Moreover, there are two types of angle plate 27 with different sizes. The smaller angle plate is used for center or near center shaft putter. The large angle plate is used for heel shaft putter. The curvature of the angle plate is the curvature of a circle of 90 mm diameter. The length of the radial between two numbers is 4 mm, the same length of the length between 2 numbers in the bubble level.

[0051] Clip the clip head 21 to the shaft 210 right above the putter head 220 (FIGS. 10A, B) and attach the angle plate 27 to the Velcro® hook plate 23 on the clip head 21 using the Velcro® loop 28 on the bottom of the angle plate 27 (FIG. 11). If the angle plate 27 is already attached to the clip head 21 permanently, clip the clip head 21 to the shaft 210 and align the zero degree line 33 on the angle plate to the alignment line 61 on the putter head.

[0052] (C) Method for Using the Rotary Clip Head and Angle Plate

[0053] The methods for using the rotary clip head and angle plate 20 together with a regular putter 220 are illustrated in the following sections.

[0054] In use, first, the user should align the 0 degree line 33 with the alignment line 61 or the putter head edge 222. FIGS. 12 and 12B illustrates the angle plate 27 using clip head 21 attaching to the putter shaft 210 with 0 degree line 33 on the angle plate 27 perpendicular to the target line 62 and lining up with the alignment line 61 (using a black tape or a marked line) of the putter head 220. Alternatively, the 0 degree line on the angle plate 27 can line up with the putter head edge 222 (FIG. 12 A). FIG. 12A is a top view of the putter head showing that the putter head edge 222 is used as an alignment line which lines up with the zero degree line on the angle plate. FIG. 12B is a top view of the putter head showing a black tape adhered on the putter head as a black tape made alignment line 61 which lines up with the zero degree line on the angle plate;

[0055] After measuring the slope around the hole 400 using the slope reading device 10, next, rotate the rotary clip head to the position where the degree line 32 is at the desired corresponding degree on the angle plate 27 and this desired degree line lines up with alignment line 61 of the putter head 220 as illustrated in FIG. 13B or with the putter head edge 222 lining up with the corresponding degree line 32 as indicated in FIG. 13A. FIG. 13A is a top view of the putter head 220 showing that the putter head edge 222 is used as an alignment line which lines up with the desired degree line 32 on the angle plate 27. FIG. 13B is a top view of the putter head 220 showing a black tape adhered on the putter head as an alignment line 61 which lines up with the desired degree line 32 on the angle plate 27.

[0056] Then, hold the putter 200 on the ground in a position to make 0 degree line 33 perpendicular to the center line 35 of the golf ball 401. FIG. 14 is a top view showing the putter is placed in a position where the zero degree line is perpendicular to the central line of the golf ball. FIG. 14A is a top view of the putter head 220 showing that the putter head edge 222 is used as an alignment line which lines up with the desired degree line on the angle plate 27, and then by holding the putter 200 in a position such that the zero degree line is perpendicular to the central line of the golf ball 35. FIG. 14B is a top view of the putter head 220 showing a black tape made alignment line 61 which lines up with the desired degree line 32 on the angle plate 27, and then by holding the putter 200 in a position that the zero degree line is perpendicular to the central line of the golf ball 35;

[0057] Then, Rotate the golf ball 400 so that the center line of the ball 35 lines up with the target line 62 of the putter head 220 and then make the putt in this direction. FIG. 15 is a top view showing the central line of the golf ball lines up with the target line of the putter head forming a straight line and then make the putt in this direction. FIG. 15A is a top view of the putter head showing that the putter head edge 222 is used as an alignment line and the central line of the ball 35 lines up with the black tape made alignment line 61 and then make the putt in this direction. FIG. 15B is a top view of the putter head showing the black tape made alignment line 61 and the central line of the ball 35 lines up with the target line 62 of the putter head and then make the putt in this direction. When the bubble lies between two numbers in the bubble level, e.g. between 1 and 2 as illustrated in FIG. 15C, estimate the position of the bubble center, for example, as 1.5 as indicated in the diagram, then rotate the clip head so that the 1.5 degree on the angle plate 27 aligns with the edge of putter face 222 or with the black tape 61 as shown in the diagram. FIG. 15C is a top view of the putter head 220 having a angle plate 27 with 1.5 degree line aligned with the black tape made alignment line 61 on the putter head 220.

[0058] FIG. 16 is conceptual view of a golf ball path when making the putt without making any adjustment on the putting angle. The golfer would miss the putt as illustrated in the FIG. 16. FIG. 17 is a conceptual view of the golf ball path when the golfer uses the combination set of slope reading tool 10 and rotary putting head 40 to execute the putting stroke for more confident and accurate putting.

[0059] While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.

Claims

1. A combination set of golf tool for improving accurate putting, the combination set of golf tool comprising: a slope reading tool for determining a slope degree; and a rotary clip head with angle plate for removably and rotatably attaching to a golf putter shaft; and an angle plate having degree lines on its top removably or permanently attaching to the clip head; when angle plate is permanently attached to the clip head, the black tape adhered on the putter head or a straight line of any color drawn on the putter head is made as an alignment line and fastening means for securing the angle plate to the clip head; wherein the angle plate is rotated with the rotation of the clip head around the golf putter shaft.

2. The combination set of golf tool of claim 1, wherein the angle plate has a Velcro® loop at its bottom; and the clip head has a plastic clip for attaching to a golf putter shaft; a foam lining within the plastic clip; a plastic plate connected with the plastic clip; and a Velcro® hook stuck to the top of the plastic plate for receiving the Velcro® loop at the bottom of the angle plate.

3. The combination set of golf tool of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive black striping tape for marking an alignment line on the putter head to be in perpendicular to a target line on the putter head.

4. The combination set of golf tool of claim 3, wherein the slope reading tool is a bubble level which has degree lines with a distance of 4 mm between two adjacent degree lines.

5. The combination set of golf tool of claim 1, wherein the combination set comprises a bigger angle plate for use with a heel shafted putter and a smaller angle plate for use with a near heel shafted putter.

6. The combination set of golf tool of claim 5, wherein the angle plate is made from plexiglass and has a thickness of approximately 1/16 inches and a curvature of a circle of 90 mm diameter and a radial length of 4 mm between two adjacent degree lines.

7. The combination set of golf tool of claim 7, further comprising an adhesive black striping tape for marking an alignment line on the putter head to be in perpendicular to a target line on the putter head.

8. The combination set of golf tool of claim 7, wherein the slope reading tool is a bubble level which has degree lines with a distance of 4 mm between two adjacent degree lines.

9. The combination set of golf tool of claim 8, further comprising a rotary clip head and angle plate which includes: a clip head for removably and rotatably attaching to the golf putter shaft; an angle plate having degree lines on its top removably or permanently attaching to the clip head; and fastening means for securing the angle plate to the clip head.

10. The combination set of golf tool of claim 9, wherein the fastening means on the top of the plastic plate of the clip head is Velcro® hook and the fastening means at the bottom of the angle plate is Velcro® loop which matches with the Velcro® hook on the clip head.

11. A method for using the combination set of golf tool for improving accurate putting, the method comprising steps of: placing a slope reading tool in front of a golf hole to measure a slope degree around the golf hole; where the detachable angle plate is attaching to the clip head, lining up an angle plate with a putter head such that 0 degree line of the angle plate lines up with an alignment line and is in perpendicular to a target line of the putter head; where the permanently fixed angle plate is used, clipping the clip head to the shaft in the position where the 0 degree line of the angle plate lines up with an alignment line and is perpendicular to a target line of the putter head; rotating the clip head if rotary clip head where an angle plate set is used or rotating the putter head if a rotary putter head is used such that the alignment line of the putter head is lined up with the angle plate's degree line that corresponds to the slope degree determined by the slope reading device; placing the putter on the putting green in a position where the 0 degree line is perpendicular to the central line of the golf ball; when holding the putter in this position, rotating the golf ball so that it's central line is lining up the target line on the putter head forming a straight line; making a putt in this direction; wherein the alignment line is the putter head edge that is contact with a golf ball or a marked or tape made line on the putter head and which is perpendicular to the target line on the putter head.

12. The method for using the combination set of golf tool of claim 11, further comprising a step of: attaching the angle plate to the clip head such that 0 degree line of the angle plate lines up with an alignment line and is perpendicular to a target line of the putter head as a set up position before rotating the clip head according to the bubble level reading.

13. The method for using the combination set of golf tool of claim 12, further comprising steps of: following the step of rotating the clip head such that the alignment line of the putter head is lined up with the angle plate's degree line that corresponds to the slope degree determined by the slope reading device; holding the putter on the putting green in a position to make zero degree line perpendicular to a central line of a golf ball; and when holding the putter in this position, rotating the golf ball so that the central line of the ball lines up with the target line of the putter head forming a straight line before the step of making a putt.

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