Golf putt training device

Abstract

A training device for putting a golf ball includes a pair of spaced guides. The guides are biased toward a retracted position, but can be anchored in an outstretched, extended position using anchors that are mounted between both the proximal ends and the distal ends of the guides. Stakes are connected to each of the anchors. The stakes are inserted into the surface upon which the device is placed and overcome the bias of the guides toward the retracted position, thereby maintaining the guides properly aligned in the extended position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A training device for putting a golf ball comprising; 
 at least one housing,    a pair of spaced guides having a proximal end and a distal end moveable between a retracted position in said housing and an extended position and biased toward said retracted position in said housing, and    a first anchor interconnecting said distal ends of the guides and and at least one stake connected to said first anchor for penetrating the surface to retain said guides outstretched in said extended position against the bias toward said retracted position.    
     
     
         2 . A training device according to  claim 1  and including a pair of housings, each of said housings receiving one of said guides therein when said guide is in said retracted position.  
     
     
         3 . A training device according to  claim 2  and including a second anchor interconnecting said housings and at least one stake connected to said second anchor for penetrating the surface and cooperating with said stake on said first anchor to retain said guides outstretched in said extended position against the bias toward said retracted position.  
     
     
         4 . A training device according to  claim 1  wherein said first anchor includes a first rod having a first end and a second end, said first rod rotatably supported between said guides by said first and second ends for rotational movement between an anchor position wherein said stake is transverse to said guides for anchoring said device in said extended position and a release position wherein said stake is parallel to said guides for releasing said guides from the extended position to permit said guides to return to said retracted position.  
     
     
         5 . A training device according to  claim 3  wherein said second anchor includes a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod rotatably supported between said housings by said first and second ends for rotational movement between an anchor position wherein said stake is transverse to said guides for anchoring said device in said extended position and a release position wherein said stake is parallel to said guides for releasing said guides from the extended position to permit said guides to return to said retracted position.  
     
     
         6 . A training device according to  claim 5  wherein each of said first and second ends of said first rod defines a hole, a mounting pin connected to each of said housings and disposed in said hole, thereby rotatably mounting said anchor between said housings.  
     
     
         7 . A training device according to  claim 5  including an end cap carried by each of said distal ends and defining a first hole, a second hole defined in each of said first and second ends of said second rod, and a mounting pin disposed in each of a pair of said first and second holes, thereby rotatably mounting said anchor between said distal ends.  
     
     
         8 . A training device according to  claim 1  wherein each of said guides includes a strip having opposing faces extending in a plane generally parallel to the surface for inhibiting lateral movement of said guide relative to the surface when said guide is in said extended position.  
     
     
         9 . A training device according to  claim 4  wherein said stake is integrally formed with said first rod.  
     
     
         10 . A training device according to  claim 5  wherein said stake is integrally formed with said second rod.  
     
     
         11 . A training device according to  claim 4  wherein said stake extends transversely away from said first rod at a perpendicular angle thereto.  
     
     
         12 . A training device according to  claim 5  wherein said stake extends transversely away from said second rod at a perpendicular angle thereto.  
     
     
         13 . A training device according to  claim 3  wherein said first and second anchors are identically shaped.  
     
     
         14 . A training device according to  claim 2  wherein each of said housings includes a lock assembly carried by said housing and movable between a locked position to releasably lock said guide in said extended position and an unlocked position to allow movement of said guide relative to said housing.  
     
     
         15 . A training device for putting a golf ball on a surface comprising; 
 a pair of spaced housings,    a pair of retractable tapes having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end biased to a retracted position coiled in said housings and uncoiled to an extended position in spaced parallel relationship to one another wherein said tapes lie within the same plane,    a first rod interconnecting said housings and rotatable relative thereto for movement between an anchor position and a release position,    a first pair of spaced stakes extending radially from said first rod for movement between said anchor position to anchor said first rod to the surface and said release position for permitting said tapes to recoil into said housings,    a pair of spaced end caps carried by said distal end of said pair of tapes,    a second rod interconnecting said end caps and rotatable relative thereto for movement between an anchor position and a release position, and    a second pair of spaced stakes extending radially from said second rod for movement between said anchor position to anchor said second rod to the surface and said release position for permitting said tapes to recoil into said housings.