TREA

Golf putter that indicates to the golfer when their eyes and head are optimally and consistently aligned to the putter-head, golf ball, and target-Line

Follow

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20250195976
  • Publication Number
    20250195976
  • Date Filed
    September 30, 2024
    a year ago
  • Date Published
    June 19, 2025
    4 months ago
  • Inventors
    • Wright; Jullus Arnette (Cartersville, GA, US)
Information
Abstract
This invention relates to the field of golf putter design. After the golfer has assumed his putting stance, the Eyelignment™ putter incorporates features that provide a golfer specific visual feedback related to whether the golfer's eyes are correctly aligned with the golf ball, the putter-head, and the intended target-line. This visual feedback is not available in current putter designs. Current putter designs may have design features that help a golfer aim and align a putter's face to the golf ball and along the intended target-line, but current designs provide no visual feedback related to whether the golf ball and putter-head are actually properly aligned, and no feedback related to the alignment of a golfer's eyes. The Eyelignment™ design provides golfers visual feedback to help golfers consistently achieve the proper alignment of their eyes to the putter-head and the target-line and does so while the golfer is taking his putting stance.
Description
FIELD

This invention relates to the field of golf club putter design.


BACKGROUND

The golf industry has seen a growing trend towards incorporating advanced materials and alternative clubhead designs in golf putter development. These trends also indicate that golf putters have the most new or updated designs of any type of golf club, only rivaled by the number of newly designed drivers. The main reason golf club makers focus on new putter designs is because this is the single most used club in a golfer's bag. There is a myriad of ways a putter's design can be changed, including:

    • Putter-head—Including the shape, type material, size, aiming, attachment to shaft, weight distribution, and putter-head markings,
    • Putter face (what strikes the golf ball)—Including what type material, etchings on face if any, and the alignment to shaft,
    • Putter shaft—Including the length, weight, diameter, and type of material; and,
    • Putter grip—Including the material it's made with, the position on the shaft, grip shape, and grip thickness.


Each of these putter design elements have been changed and modified over the years. A general summary of the putter design evolution is illustrated in FIG. 1. What is significant in the evolution of putter-head design is that putters have (1) generally been getting larger and (2) have been gradually incorporating various forms of aiming and alignment mechanisms in putter designs over the years. These aiming and alignment mechanisms are often simple lines drawn or etched into the top of the putter. Over time the aiming and alignment mechanisms have grown to include numerous design features including putter-head bodies being formed almost in the shape of arrows or putter-heads shaped with two or three parallel projections that theoretically aim and align the putter-head along the golf ball's intended target-line.


What is common among the current putter design aiming or alignment mechanisms is that they provide a golfer two basic reference points. One is a mark or line on the top of the putter-head providing a golfer a target where the putter-head should strike the ball. The second aiming or alignment reference is often a painted line in the putter-head that provides a golfer a visual reference as to how the putter should be aimed and how the putter-head should swing along the intended target-line. What is missing from the current putter-head design is any aiming or alignment designs that give feedback to the golfer, prior to the putting stroke, to help the golfer ensure that his eyes, and therefore his aim, are properly aligned with the golf ball, the putter-head, and the intended target-line. The Eyelignment™ design proposed in this patent application provides this missing design element.


Before addressing the theoretical aspects regarding a golfer's optimal head, eye, and putter-head alignment, the following terms used in this discussion are defined as follows:

    • Target-line: An imaginary line that marks the intended path of the golf ball once it is hit by the putter. This target-line is a hypothetical line from the ball to the hole and it can be straight or follow a curved path depending on how the undulations of the green will affect the golf balls rolling path. In theory, a putting stroke will follow the path of this target-line when hitting the golf ball. FIG. 5 provides an illustration of a putter hitting a golf ball along the intended target-line.
    • Eye alignment: The position of the golfer's eyes relative to the target-line, the golf ball, and the putter-head.
    • Eye alignment position: FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 provide illustrations of the basic alignment a golfers adopt with their stance, head, and eyes when they are lining up to putt the golf ball. Relating specifically to the position of a golfer's eye as it relates to the putter-head and intended target line, this paper adopts a more granular eye-positioning framework defined as X1-X2/Y (shown in FIGS. 8-14), where:
      • X1-X2: The position of a golfer's two eyes relative to the target-line. X1 indicates whether the golfer's eyes are directly over the target-line, X2 indicates whether the golfer's eyes are parallel to the target-line. The main optional target-line variations are:
        • Neutral-Neutral—Golfer's eyes are directly over and parallel to the target-line. (FIG. 8)
        • Negative-Neutral—Golfer's eyes are inside and parallel to the target-line (FIG. 9).
        • Positive-Neutral—Golfer's eyes are outside and parallel to the target-line (FIG. 10).
        • Neutral-Skewed Counterclockwise—Golfer's eyes are skewed counterclockwise and directly over the target-line (FIG. 11).
        • Neutral-Skewed Clockwise—Golfer's eyes are skewed clockwise and directly over the target-line (FIG. 12).
      • Y: The position of the eyes relative to the putter-head.
        • Neutral—Golfer's eyes are directly over the putter-head (FIG. 8),
        • Positive—Golfer's eyes are in front of the putter-head (FIG. 13(a)),
        • Negative—Golfer's eyes are behind the putter-head (FIG. 13(b), 14).


The various possible positions relative to a golfer's eye alignment with the target-line and putter-head include:

    • Neutral-Neutral/Neutral—FIG. 8
    • Negative-Neutral/Neutral—FIG. 9
    • Positive-Neutral/Neutral—FIG. 10
    • Neutral-Skewed Counterclockwise/Neutral—FIG. 11
    • Neutral-Skewed Clockwise/Neutral—FIG. 12
    • Neutral-Neutral/Positive—FIG. 13(a)
    • Neutral-Neutral/Negative—FIG. 13(b)
    • Negative-Neutral/Negative—FIG. 14


There have been many books and articles written about the best or most appropriate eye-alignment position when putting. While there are many differences regarding the best putting technique and stance, there is general agreement around the following principles:

    • 1. The ball should be hit in the center of the clubface at or very near the club's center of gravity.
    • 2. The clubhead should travel along a theoretical target-line towards the target.
    • 3. The putter clubface should be square to the target-line at address.
    • 4. The golfer's posture should be comfortable.
    • 5. A golfer's eyes' optimal alignment with respect to the target-line and putter-head should be positioned either:
      • (1) directly over the putter-head and both over and parallel to the target-line, defined herein as a Neutral-Neutral/Neutral position (FIG. 8),
      • (2) parallel to the target-line but slightly inside the target-line but in line with the putter-head, defined herein as a Negative-Neutral/Neutral position (FIG. 9), or
      • (3) directly over and parallel to the target-line but slightly behind the putter-head, defined herein as a Neutral-Neutral/Negative position (FIG. 13(b)).
    • 6. A golfer should attempt to be take the same head position in relationship to the ball, target-line, and putter-head for every point.


Currently, there is no simple or straightforward way, and no putter design that provides sufficient feedback for a golfer addressing a put to be sure they have achieved either points 5 or 6 listed above. The Eyelignment™ putter-head design proposed in this patent helps the golfer achieve both of these objectives: (1) a proper head/eye/putter-head/ball alignment, with eyes parallel to the target line, and (2) a consistent proper head/eye/putter-head/ball alignment.


Before discussing the actual Eyelignment™ putter-head design, one point that must be addressed is that that any proposed design of a putter conforms with the rules of golf. Rules that do limit the design characteristics of the putter-head and that could impact the Eyelignment™ putter design include the following:

    • All parts must be fixed: Rule Part 2:1.a(iii)—see: FIG. 41. However, an adjustable mechanism is allowed if it can only be adjusted using a specialized tool and not be too easy to adjust (refer to Part 2:1.b.Adjustability—see FIG. 42).
    • Dimensions of the Head: Part 2:4.b. (iii)—see FIG. 43.
    • Putter-head Shape and Alignment features: Part 2:4 (see FIG. 44)—Club must be “plain in shape.” This requirement originates from the ‘traditional and customary’ golf club design requirement found in golf rules Section 1a. Non-conforming putter-head designs are shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and non-conforming club head designs are shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Conforming putter-head designs are shown in 2c and 3c.
    • Alignment Features: Rule 4.a(5)—Permitted features in or on the main body of the head must not extend into the face of an iron or wood club. This would include alignment features on the crown for putters, alignment and other features must not extend above the top line of the face by more than 0.25 inches (Rule 4.a(6))—see FIGS. 3a and 3b. Alignment lines which have been engraved or inscribed onto an iron clubhead would generally be permitted. The Eyelignment™ putter design incorporates alignment designs that are compliant with this Rule.
    • Optical Alignment Features: Rule 4.a(8)—Clubheads which incorporate prisms, mirrors, reflective materials, light beams, metronomes or mechanical devices such as spirit levels are not permitted—see FIG. 4. The Eyelignment™ putter is not an optical device as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, nor does it incorporate an optical device.


The Eyelignment™ putter technology is carefully designed to conform to all the currently applicable golf putter design rules.


SUMMARY OF THE EYELIGNMENT™ PUTTER DESIGN

The objective of the Eyelignment™ putter design is to provide golfers feedback regarding the golfer's eyes, putter-head, and target-line alignment. On a practice range, and even during a golf round, it is common to see golfers use an alignment stick or even a golf club shaft to check their foot and hip alignment as it relates to the position of the golf ball and to the intended target-line. Similarly, in putting, a golfer will use various alignment checks to ensure their foot or shoulder alignment is correct. However, when putting a golfer will also often check the position of their head and eyes while putting. The latter is usually accomplished by holding their putter near their nose while they assume their normal putting stance. If the putter hangs down directly over the golf ball, this indicates to the golfer that his eyes are in an optimal position directly over the ball, putter-head, and the target-line. The Eyelignment™ putter design automatically provides a golfer this same type of eye/golf ball/putter-head/target-line alignment feedback when the golfer is standing over his putt.


The Eyelignment™ system is rooted in rifle marksmanship aiming techniques, which aligns three separate aiming devices—the marksman's eyes, the rifle's rear sight, and the rifle's front sight-all in one line at a target. The Eyelignment™ putter design incorporates this same three point targeting system.


An Eyelignment™ putter will have two distinct target lines in the putter head. One target line is on the ‘floor’ of the putter called the secondary target alignment mechanism, and this can simply be a painted line. The other target line is called the primary target alignment mechanism, and this can be a piece of plastic or metal strip that is placed 1.0 to 2.3 inches above the secondary target alignment mechanism. These two target lines are the same width. A golfer lining up to put will take a stance that places his eyes over the putter-head looking down. If the golfer's eyes (and head) are properly positioned, the golfer should only be able to see the primary target alignment mechanism. This means in proper alignment, the primary target alignment mechanism will block from the golfer's sight any part of the secondary target alignment mechanism. If a golfer can see parts of the secondary target alignment mechanism, then that golfer's eyes (and head) are not properly aligned with the putter-head, the golf ball, or the intended target line.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions of the Eyelignment™ Putters refer to the following drawings:



FIG. 1: Schematic Evolution of Putter-Head Design



FIG. 2a: Non-conforming Putter-Head Designs per rules of golf



FIG. 2b: Non-conforming Putter-Head Designs per rules of golf



FIG. 2c: Conforming Putter-Head Designs per rules of golf



FIG. 3a: Clubhead Alignment Features That Are Non-Conforming With Golf Rules



FIG. 3b: Clubhead Alignment Features That Are Non-Conforming With Golf Rules



FIG. 3c: Clubhead Alignment Features That Are Conforming With Golf Rules



FIG. 4a: Putter-head with an Optical Alignment Device is Non-Conforming to the Golf Rules



FIG. 4b: Putter-head with a Laser Sighting Alignment Device is Non-Conforming to the Golf Rules



FIG. 5: Illustration of Putter and Golf Ball Intended Target-Line



FIG. 6: Illustration of Golfer Putting: Side-On View



FIG. 7: Illustration of Golfer Putting: Head-On View



FIG. 8: Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Neutral-Neutral/Neutral Position



FIG. 9: Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Negative-Neutral/Neutral Position



FIG. 10: Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Positive-Neutral/Neutral Position



FIG. 11: Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Neutral-Skewed Counterclockwise/Neutral Position



FIG. 12: Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Neutral-Skewed Clockwise/Neutral Position



FIG. 13(a): Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Neutral-Neutral/Positive Position



FIG. 13(b): Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Neutral-Neutral/Negative Position



FIG. 14 Illustration of Golfer's Eyes Over Putter-Head: Neutral-Negative/Negative Position



FIG. 15: Illustration of Rifle Aiming



FIG. 16: Illustration of a Properly, On-Target, Aimed Rifle



FIG. 17: Eyelignment™ Putter Basic Concept.



FIG. 18: Eyelignment™ Putter Design Showing Golfer's Eye's Focusing on Primary and Secondary Alignment Targets



FIG. 19: Illustration of Basic Eyelignment™ Design Concept When Golfer's Eyes are properly aligned with the Primary, and Secondary Targets.



FIG. 20: Illustration of Basic Eyelignment™ Design Concept When the Golfer's Eyes Are Not Properly Aligned With the Primary, and Secondary Targets



FIG. 21: Eyelignment™ Design Putter (can be either a blade type or mallet head type putter) With a Lower Primary Target Height



FIG. 22: Eyelignment™ Design Putter (can be a blade or mallet head putter), With a Higher Height Primary Target



FIG. 23: Eyelignment™ Design Putter Comparing a Lower Primary Target Height to a Higher Primary Target Height



FIG. 24: Eyelignment™ Design Putter with Either a Lower Target Height or Raised Height Primary Target and When the Golfer's Eyes are Properly Aligned



FIG. 25: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, a Golfer's Eyesight Perspective When His Eyes are Improperly Aligned Comparing a Lower Target Height to Higher Target Height



FIG. 26: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target One Piece Design



FIG. 27: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target is a One Piece Design, a Golfer's View When Primary and Secondary Targets are in Alignment



FIG. 28: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target is a One Piece Design, a Golfer's View When Primary and Secondary Targets Out of Alignment



FIG. 29: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target is a One Piece Design, Using Larger Width Primary and Secondary Targets



FIG. 30: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target One Piece, Larger Width Primary and Secondary Targets, a Golfer's View When Primary the Secondary Targets are In Alignment



FIG. 31: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target One Piece, Larger Width Primary and Secondary Targets, a Golfer's View When the Primary and Secondary Targets are Out of Alignment.



FIG. 32: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Single Plane Primary Target



FIG. 33: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target One Piece, With Vertical Front Perpendicular Target Line



FIG. 34: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Lower Target Height, One Piece Primary Target



FIG. 35: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Lower Target Height, One Piece Primary Target, With Primary and Secondary Targets In Alignment



FIG. 36: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Lower Target Height, One Piece Primary Target, With Primary and Secondary Targets Out of Alignment



FIG. 37: Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Target One Piece, No Rear Supporting Structure



FIG. 38: Riflesight™ Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Targets are Spherical Beads



FIG. 39: Riflesight™ Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Targets are Spherical Beads, With Primary and Secondary Targets In Alignment



FIG. 40: Riflesight™ Eyelignment™ Design Putter, Extended Target Height, Primary Targets are Spherical Beads, With Primary and Secondary Targets Out of Alignment



FIG. 41: FIG. 41: Golf Rule Part 2:1.a(iii)



FIG. 42: FIG. 42: Golf Rule 2:1.b.Adjustability



FIG. 43: FIG. 43: Golf Rule Part 2:4.b(iii)



FIG. 44: FIG. 44: Golf Rule Part 2:4





DETAILED DESCRIPTION of EYELIGNMENT™ PUTTER
Theory of the Eyelignment™ Putter Design

The basic theoretical premise of the Eyelignment™ system is rooted in rifle marksmanship and aiming techniques. To explain, a standard rifle aiming mechanism is based on aligning three separate aiming devices, all aimed at one target. These three aiming devices are the marksman's eyes, the rifle's rear sight, and the rifle's front sight. The basic idea in aiming a rifle is to line up the marksman's eyes with the front sight, often a small metal ball (FIG. 15C & FIG. 16C),with that ball placed directly in the middle of a V-shaped rear sight (FIG. 15B & FIG. 16B). Note in FIG. 15 the target-line to the target is labeled as “D.” In aiming the rifle, a rifle marksman will endeavor to keep his head steady and make slight movements in the rifle until the front sight (or bead, or ball, FIG. 16C) is place directly in the rear sight (see FIG. 16B) and in line with the intended target or target-line (FIG. 15D). For use in this paper, this rifle aiming design will be referred to as a “Three Point Targeting System” which simply means that proper alignment requires that three different points (the marksman's eyes, rear sight, and front sight) must be aligned in a straight line all aimed at the target line. The Eyelignment™ putter design incorporates this three point targeting system to help golfers visually align their eyes and head in the optimal eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment.


Definition of Terms Specific to Eyelignment™ Putter Design

Some of the names and features of the Eyelignment™ design are defined as:

    • Primary target alignment mechanism (FIGS. 17A & B): This is the target-line, metal strip, metal ball, or metal cylindrical pin, or some other type of sighting mechanism that is the higher, or upper, eye-focus target for a golfer.
    • Secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 17C): This is the target-line, metal strip, painted stripe, or other type of sighting mechanism that is on the “bottom” or floor of the putter, and it is the lower eye-focus target for a golfer.
    • Front perpendicular target line is a third target-line that can be added to an extended height Eyelignment™ putter as an additional eye alignment mechanism. The front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H) is the same color, usually a bright red, and width as the secondary target line (FIG. 33C) and it is the same width. When a golfer's eye alignment is correct and aligned with the target-line and the putter-head, then the primary target line (FIG. 33A) will obscure both the front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H) and the secondary target line (FIG. 33C), meaning that the golfer should only see the alignment feedback fields as shown in FIG. 33D and FIG. 33K.
    • Alignment feedback field (FIG. 17D, FIG. 33D, K): An area on the putter, often painted in a bright, contrasting color, like bright white, to the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms, which is used to provide a visual indication to the golfer when that golfer's eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment is suboptimal.


Geometric Considerations in Eyelignment™ Putter Design

There are several Eyelignment™ geometric characteristics, or design considerations, that can be adjusted in the actual design of the Eyelignment™ putter. These geometric design adjustments, similar to golfers using putters with different length shafts, can make the Eyelignment™ system easier for a particular golfer to use and are often dependent upon each golfer's height and stance. The basic idea regarding these geometric design characteristics is to make adjustments to the Eyelignment™ feedback mechanism to make the feedback more readily seen by each particular golfer. These geometric design characteristics are:

    • Eye Focus angle relative to target alignment: This is a measure of the angel of deflection, from perpendicular, necessary for identifying an incorrect eye/putter-head/target-line alignment. Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, these figures visually depict a golfer's eyes' focus line projecting down towards an Eyelignment™ putter. These figures indicate a golfer's eyes are aligned with the putter and target-line in the Neutral-Neutral/Neutral Position shown in FIG. 8. This is one of the three “optimal” eye alignment positions discussed the Background section of this paper. In this position the angle from the golfer's eyes to the target-line and putter-head is 0 degrees, meaning the golfer is essentially aligned perpendicular, or at 90 degrees, to the putter-head. In this situation, the Eyelignment™ putter design will have the primary target alignment mechanism exactly perpendicular to the secondary target alignment mechanism. If a particular golfer positions his eyes back away from the ball but still parallel to the target-line, a still optimal Neutral-Negative/Neutral Position as shown in FIG. 9, the golfer's eyes will be looking down at the putter-head from an angle. The Eyelignment™ putter design can feature a mechanism allowing the primary target alignment mechanism to be adjusted to accommodate this non-perpendicular alignment. Such an adjustment will move the primary target alignment mechanism back towards the golfer to accommodate a golfer with a FIG. 9 eye position while still aligning the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms and providing the feedback necessary for the golfer to achieve their particular optimal eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment.
    • Width and type of Eyelignment™ target mechanism: The Eyelignment™ target mechanisms can range from 1/16 inch up to 3 or more inches wide. The Eyelignment™ target mechanism width design is dependent on a golfer's eyesight capability to discern minor changes in the alignment of the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms. Because of this, it is possible that the type and width of the target alignment mechanisms can vary depending upon each golfer's preferences and visual capabilities (FIG. 21A, B, FIG. 22A, B, C, FIG. 26A, C FIG. 29A, C).
    • Height difference between the primary and secondary target alignment mechanism: When a golfer's eyesight indicates an improper alignment can depend on the height differential between the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms. A difference between the height of the primary target to the secondary target can be seen by comparing FIG. 21F to FIG. 22G. The minimum height differential between the primary and secondary target mechanisms for detection of misalignment is ¼ inch. However, more of a height difference is recommended, up to the maximum allowed under golf rules, which is 2.5 inches today. In general, the more height differential between the primary and secondary target mechanisms the easier is detection, by the golfer, that he is misaligned. This is shown in FIG. 25 which illustrates the difference in the primary and secondary targets with a lower height primary target (FIG. 25 A1) versus a higher height primary target (FIG. 25A). As these figures show, when the height differential between the primary and secondary targets is larger, this makes sub-optimal eye/putter-head alignment easier to detect.


Experiment and three dimensional drawing capabilities were both used to determine a range of potentially “acceptable” measurements related to the three geometric design considerations discussed above.


The Eyelignment™ Putter Basic Alignment Feedback Mechanism

When using an Eyelignment™ designed putter, the golfer receives visual feedback as to whether his head position is consistently the same and whether his eyes have achieved an optimal position with respect to his eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment. FIG. 17 provides an illustration of a basic Eyelignment™ putter design. This particular design has two cylindrical metal pins (FIGS. 17A & B) which are the primary target alignment mechanisms. These two metal pins are located directly above a second alignment line on the floor of the putter called the secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 17C), which is usually red in color. The primary target alignment mechanisms (FIGS. 17A & B) are the same width but a very different color, usually black, than the secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 17C). On either side of the secondary target alignment mechanism is what is termed the “floor” or the alignment feedback field (FIG. 17D) which is usually painted a bright white.


The way the Eyelignment™ design works is shown in FIG. 18. A golfer getting ready to stroke a putt will be looking down at the golf ball and along his intended target line. When the golfer's eyes are directly over the putter and aligned with the target-line (FIG. 18G), the primary target alignment mechanisms (FIGS. 18A & B) will be directly over the secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 18C) and the two alignment targets will appear as one continuous, straight line as shown in FIG. 19. If the golfer's alignment is improper the golfer will see parts of the secondary target alignment mechanism that would otherwise be hidden underneath the primary target alignment mechanisms (FIG. 20). It should be noted that many putter-head designs used today incorporate a line etched into the top of the putter which is aligned with the target-line, and which is found on many putters. This etched line (FIG. 17E) provides a golfer little alignment to the target-line feedback because its primary purpose is to indicate to the golfer where the center of the golf ball should be aligned with the putter-head and where the golf ball should be struck by the putter-head, as opposed to being a useful target-line visual reference.


A final important consideration is that a putter-head designed similar to FIG. 17, but with only the front primary target alignment point (FIG. 17A) but without the rear primary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 17B) would not provide a golfer sufficient alignment feedback and could in fact provide incorrect feedback. This incorrect feedback could make the golfer assume their putter and eyes were properly aligned, when in fact they were improperly aligned and causing missed putts. The reason is simply because a putter with only a single front primary target alignment mechanism essentially provides a much smaller feedback targeting mechanism, meaning the golfer would only notice large deviations from an optimal setup.


Alternative Eyelignment™ Putter Designs
Overview

The Eyelignment™ putter design can use, with modification, many of today's putter design features including (1) perimeter weighting, (2) a larger putter-head that is not a blade design, and (3) embedded alignment lines. There are numerous iterations of the Eyelignment™ putter design, and all are based on this Three Point Targeting System eye-focus principle


Alternative Evelignment™ Putter Design Concepts

There are several different types of Eyelignment™ design concepts that can be developed and some, like perimeter weighted putters, can use design elements found in putters today However, the overarching design principle with an Eyelignment™ design putter is that it must have the following basic design elements:

    • Each Eyelignment™ putter requires the “Three Point Targeting System” which simply means that proper alignment requires that three different points, the golfer's eyes, the primary target mechanism, and secondary target alignment mechanisms be aligned in a straight line in order for the golfer's eyes to be properly aligned to the putter face and to the target-line (as shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20).
    • Both a front and rear primary target alignment mechanism should be used, see FIG. 17A, B, (albeit it is possible that the front and rear primary target alignment mechanisms can be one continuous piece of material, see FIG. 26).
    • The width of the primary and secondary targets is the same and the width of the primary and secondary targets can vary from 1/16 to 3.5 inches, albeit the optimal width measurement for most golfers appears to be ⅛ to 1.0 inches
    • A secondary target alignment mechanism, see FIG. 17C.
    • An alignment feedback field, with a color different from the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms, see FIG. 17D.
    • There should be some separation, or height difference, between the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms, see FIG. 21F.
    • The primary target alignment mechanism may be directly above or at an angle to the secondary target alignment mechanism, such an angle being dependent on an individual golfer's eye alignment and putting stance, see FIG. 17A,B, C and FIG. 18A, B, C.
    • The primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms would generally be fixed in position, albeit a design can be produced that allows, using a specially designed tool and consistent with golf rules 1.a.(4) and 1.b, for the primary target alignment mechanisms to be adjusted to fit each particular golfer's stance.
    • A front perpendicular target line may be added to an extended height Eyelignment™ putter as an additional eye alignment mechanism (FIG. 33H).


Within these design parameters, several alternative Eyelignment™ design putters are presented below.


(1) Lower Primary Target Height, Two Piece Primary Target, (FIG. 17)





    • height difference between primary and secondary target is 0.5-1.5 inches (FIG. 21F)





(2) Lower Primary Target Height, One Piece Primary Target, (FIG. 34)





    • height difference between primary and secondary target is 0.5-1.5 inches (FIG. 21F).





(3) Extended Height Design, Two Piece Primary Target (FIG. 22),





    • height difference between primary and secondary target is 1.5 inches to maximum rules allow (currently 2.5 inches, FIG. 22G)

    • blade or mallet head design head





(4) Extended Height Design, One Piece Primary Target (FIG. 26A, FIG. 29A)





    • height difference between primary and secondary target is 1.5 inches to maximum rules allow (currently 2.5 inches)

    • blade or mallet head design head





(5) One Piece Primary Target With No Rear Brace (FIG. 37)





    • extended or standard height

    • height difference between primary and secondary target is 0.5 inches to maximum rules allow (currently 2.5 inches)

    • blade or mallet head design head





(6) Vertical Front Perpendicular Target Line, Extended Height, (FIG. 33)





    • blade or mallet head design

    • one piece primary target (FIG. 33)

    • may or may not have a rear support structure

    • when the golfer is not properly aligned, the primary target (FIG. 33A) is not directly above and in line with either the vertical front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H) or the secondary target (FIG. 31C), meaning the golfer can see parts of the secondary target (FIG. 31C) and parts of the vertical front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H),





(7) Single Plane Primary Target (FIG. 32)





    • extended or standard height

    • blade or mallet design head

    • may or may not have a rear supporting structure

    • single plane primary target (FIG. 32A) is the top edge of the single plane vertical target (FIG. 32 D2)

    • the single plane primary target (FIG. 32A) is the same color as the Alignment feedback field (FIG. 32 D1)

    • the single plane vertical target (FIG. 32 D2) is a contrasting color from the Alignment feedback field (FIG. 32 D1)

    • may or may not have a rear support structure

    • when the golfer is properly aligned the golfer cannot see any of the contrasting color single plane vertical target (FIG. 32 D2)

    • when the golfer is not properly aligned the golfer can see some of the contrasting color single plane vertical target (FIG. 32 D2).

    • the width of the primary and single plane targets can vary albeit the optimal width measurement for most golfer appears to be 1/16 to ½ inches

    • the single plane vertical target may be made adjustable to allow for each golfer's differences in eye focus angle relative to target alignment (see discussion in Section 2.3.3)





(8) Riflesight™ Eyelignment™ Mechanism (FIG. 38)





    • separated front and rear primary targets (FIG. 38A, B),

    • must have a rear support structure

    • front and rear primary targets (FIG. 38A, B) can be spherical beads with a diameter that is the same as the secondary target's width (like in a rifle's front sight)

    • instead of spherical beads the primary targets can be metal or plastic tabs whose length can vary,




Claims
  • 1. The Eyelignment™ design incorporates into the putter head design features that provides a golfer visual feedback to align both the golfer's eyes with the putter-head, the golf ball, and along the golf ball's intended target-line.
  • 2. The Eyelignment™ design uses a Three-Point Targeting System, aligning a golfer's eye with two different targets that are part of the putter-head, the primary target alignment mechanism (FIGS. 17A & B), a secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 17C), and it can (but not required) employ a Front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H) as a target line that can be added to an extended height Eyelignment™ putter as an additional eye alignment mechanism
  • 3. Define, according to claim 2, the Primary target alignment mechanism (FIGS. 17A & B) as the higher eye-focus or target-line, metal strip, metal ball, or metal cylindrical pin, or some other type of sighting mechanism that is the higher, or upper, eye-focus target used in the golfer's eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment process.
  • 4. Define, according to claim 2, the Secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 17C) as the lower eye-focus or target-line, metal strip, painted stripe, or other type of sighting mechanism that is on the “bottom” or floor of the putter, and it is the lower eye-focus line used in the golfer's eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment process.
  • 5. Define, according to claim 2, a Front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H) as a target line that can be added to an extended height Eyelignment™ putter as an additional eye alignment mechanism which is placed perpendicular to the secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 33C) and is the same color, usually a bright red and the same width, and provides a golfer an additional eye alignment focal point (FIG. 33).
  • 6. Define, according to claim 1, an Alignment feedback field (FIG. 17D) as an area on the putter, often painted in a bright, contrasting color to the primary and secondary target alignment mechanisms, usually a bright white color, which is used to provide a visual indication to the golfer when that golfer's eyes/putter-head/target-line alignment is suboptimal.
  • 7. Define, according to claim 2, an Eye Focus angle relative to target alignment as a measure of the angel of deflection, from perpendicular, between the primary and secondary target alignment mechanism necessary for identifying incorrect eye/target-line/putter-head alignment.
  • 8. According to claim 2, the width and type of Eyelignment™ target mechanism can range from as wide as 1/16 inch up to 3.5 inches wide.
  • 9. According to claim 2, the height difference between primary and secondary target alignment mechanism for detection of misalignment is at least ¼ inch, up to the maximum allowed under golf rules, which is 2.5 inches today (see FIG. 21F, FIG. 23F, FIG. 23G), where the more height differential between the primary and secondary target mechanisms the easier is detection of misalignment, (FIG. 23F, FIG. 23G).
  • 10. According to claim 2, if a particular Eyelignment™ design putter has incorporated a front perpendicular target line (FIG. 33H), when a golfer's eyes are aligned correctly this front perpendicular target line is aligned with the primary target alignment mechanisms (FIG. 33A) and secondary target alignment mechanism (FIG. 33C).
  • 11. According to claim 2, an Eyelignment™ designed putter is developed with what is termed a Lower Primary Target Height (FIG. 21) where the height difference between the primary and secondary targets is 0.5-1.5 inches (FIG. 21F), may use either a blade or mallet style putter head, may have either a separated front and rear primary targets (FIG. 21A, B) or a one piece front and rear primary target (FIG. 34A), and the width of the primary and secondary targets is the same.
  • 12. According to claim 2, an Eyelignment™ designed putter is developed with what is termed an Extended Height Design (FIG. 22) which has both a higher (or extended height) putter face height and an extended height primary target height (FIG. 22A, B), where the height difference between primary and secondary targets is 1.0 inch to the maximum putter head height allowed by the rules of golf (currently 2.5 inches), may use either a blade or mallet-head type putter head, may have a separated front and rear primary targets (FIG. 22A, B) or a one piece front and rear primary target (FIG. 26A, FIG. 29A), and the width of primary and secondary targets is the same, with the width of the primary and secondary targets varying from 01/16 to 3.5 inches.
  • 13. According to claim 2, an Eyelignment™ putter design with either a Lower Primary Target Height or an Extended Height Design is developed with no rear brace (FIG. 37) while encompassing the other design features of an Eyelignment™ putter.
  • 14. An Eyelignment™ designed putter is developed with what is termed a Vertical Front Perpendicular Target Line (FIG. 33) that can be incorporated into the Lower Primary Target Height with all of the other features of that designs.
  • 15. According to claim 14, an Eyelignment™ designed putter is developed with what is termed a Vertical Front Perpendicular Target Line (FIG. 33) that can be incorporated into the Extended Height Design with all of the other features of that design.
  • 16. According to claim 2, an Eyelignment™ designed putter is developed with what is termed a Single Plane Primary Target (FIG. 32) where this design may use an extended or standard height, it may or may not have a rear supporting structure, it has a single plane primary target (FIG. 32A) and where the putter-head may have either a blade or mallet-head design.
  • 17. According to claim 1, an Eyelignment™ designed putter is developed with what is termed a Riflesight™ Eyelignment™ Mechanism, (FIG. 38).
  • 18. According to claim 1, the Riflesight™ design may use either a blade or mallet head design, it has separated front and rear primary targets (FIG. 38A, B), it must have a rear support structure, the front and rear primary targets can be beads with a diameter that is the same as the secondary target's width (like in a rifle's front sight) or the primary targets can be metal or plastic tabs whose length can vary, where the width of primary target's bead or tab and secondary target can vary from 1/16 to 3.5 inches.
  • 19. According to claim 2, an Eyelignment™ designed putter can be designed so that the primary target position above the secondary target may be made adjustable to allow for differences in each golfer's eye focus angle relative to target alignment.