Putter assembly having an image sensor and display associated therewith

Abstract

A putter assembly, configured to facilitate improved alignment by enabling the face angle of the putter to be properly aligned with the hole, including: (a) an elongated shaft; (b) a putter head; (c) a grip; (d) an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is associated with at least one of the putter head and the elongated shaft; (e) a display, wherein the display is in communication with the image sensor; and (f) an energy source, wherein the energy source is in electrical communication with the image sensor and the display.

1 . A putter assembly, configured to facilitate improved alignment by enabling the face angle of the putter to be properly aligned with the hole, comprising:
 an elongated shaft;   a putter head;   a grip;   an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is associated with at least one of the putter head and the elongated shaft;   a display, wherein the display is in communication with the image sensor; and   an energy source, wherein the energy source is in electrical communication with the image sensor and the display.   
     
     
         2 . The putter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is associated with the putter head. 
     
     
         3 . The putter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is associated with the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The putter assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . A putter assembly, configured to facilitate improved alignment by enabling the face angle of the putter to be properly aligned with the hole, comprising:
 an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a length, a proximal end, and a distal end;   a putter head, wherein the putter head includes a toe, a heel, a face, a sole, and a top surface, and wherein the putter head is associated with the distal end of the elongated shaft;   a grip, wherein the grip is associated with the proximal end;   an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is associated with at least one of the putter head and the elongated shaft;   a display, wherein the display is in communication with the image sensor; and   an energy source, wherein the energy source is in electrical communication with the image sensor and the display.   
     
     
         6 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the putter head comprises a blade, a half-mallet, and/or a mallet. 
     
     
         7 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the image sensor is secured to the top surface of the putter head. 
     
     
         8 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the image sensor is secured to the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the image sensor is secured to and/or forms part of the face of the putter head. 
     
     
         10 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the image sensor comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the image sensor comprises a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display is associated with the putter head. 
     
     
         13 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display provides distance to the target. 
     
     
         14 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display provides STIMP conditions proximate the putter head. 
     
     
         15 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display provides a linear graphical overlay that emanates perpendicular to the face of the putter head. 
     
     
         16 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display provides a linear graphical overlay that emanates perpendicular to the face of the putter head and is adjusted for left/right break along the path to the intended target. 
     
     
         17 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display provides a linear graphical overlay that emanates perpendicular to the face of the putter head and is adjusted for slope along the path to the intended target. 
     
     
         18 . The putter assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the display provides a linear graphical overlay that emanates perpendicular to the face of the putter head and is adjusted for slope and left/right break along the path to the intended target. 
     
     
         19 . The putter assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the energy source comprises and primary and/or secondary electrochemical cell.