Focused beam emitting golf ball like device for putter aim testing and training

Abstract

A laser or other focused beam is mounted in a device with the appearance from above of a golf ball which device can either rest on the ground in contact with a putterface or be attached to a putterhead or other clubhead such that the focused beam is at a 90 degree angle to the putterface. After the device user is satisfied that the club is properly aimed or aligned at a target, the laser beam is activated via a wired foot, or finger, or wireless switch such that the actual aim can be compared on a visible or blind screen behind the target with the intended target. The device can be used with any putter for putter training, putter club fitting, and putter aim testing and selection.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device with the appearance of a golf ball, or similarly sized white or light colored circle or disc, when viewed from above with a stable mounting or integral base underneath with an embedded focused beam of light or other energy source which device can be placed attached or unattached in front of the face of a golf putter or other club such that the focused beam is at right angles to such clubface for purposes of determining the actual orientation, aim, or alignment of such clubface relative to an intended target when such light source is activated.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  where the focused beam is a laser or other visible light source.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  where the focused beam is an infrared or other non-visible source.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  where the focused beam is a radio frequency or electro-magnetic source.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  where the mounting-base is set on the ground or a floor unattached to the clubhead and in flush contact with a clubface such that the focused beam is at a normal angle to such clubface.  
     
     
         6 . The device in  claim 1  where the mounting base is rigidly or flexibly attachable to a putterhead, or clubhead face, or sole via pressure sensitive adhesives, suction cups, straps, mechanical clips or other means such that the focused beam is at a normal angle to such clubface.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  provided with interchangeable bases per  claim 5  and  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  having a mechanical means in the mounting base such as mating curved groves and ridges, slotted holes or the like for adjusting the height of the focused beam relative to the ground or a floor while maintaining the beam at right angles to the clubface or the mounting base member contacting said clubface.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  having the mounting base of  claim 6  with a flexible hinge, tape strip, or other suitable means allowing the focus beam of the device to maintain its height or attitude relative to the floor or ground when the user moves the club shaft fore or aft.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  with mounting base where the device with mounting base and/or the floor activation button is weighted above 50 grams to prevent movement of either while the user is aligning the clubhead.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  with the mounting base where the device with mounting base and/or floor activation button has a soft flat elastomer bottom with multiple small projections or feet to firmly grasp both flat hard slippery floor surfaces and textured grass or carpeted surfaces without unintended movement during use.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  where activation of the beam is via a foot push button or switch connected to the device via wires.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  where activation of the beam is via a finger operated push button or switch detachably connected to the club grip or upper club shaft in such position as to not disturb the users normal grasp of the club, such push, button or switch connected to the focused beam device via wires.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  where activation of the focus beam is via a button or switch on the device or its mounting base, or club attachment means activated by a forward, downward or upward movement of the putterhead relative to the base or device by the user.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wirelessly connected to a focus beam activation button or switch.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  where the battery or other energy source is located remotely from the device.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  with a vertically oriented optional user shielded backs top screen which can be placed behind the intended target and approximately normal to its focused beam to show and/or sense such focused beam and its position relative to an intended target on or in front of such screen.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  with backstop screen of  claim 17  with multiple photo or RF/EM/IR sensitive sensors connected to a dedicated or computer display showing actual clubhead orientations when the focused beam is activated relative to the intended target.