U.S. patent application number 09/959113 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-31 for training device for golf strokes.
Invention is credited to Simonsen, Carl Petter.
Application Number | 20020160845 09/959113 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19910888 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020160845 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simonsen, Carl Petter |
October 31, 2002 |
Training device for golf strokes
Abstract
The present invention relates to a training device for golf
strokes which enables a user to practise his/her golf strokes, or
warm up before a round on the golf course within a restricted area
with simple means. In an embodiment of the invention, moreover, the
invention can provide an indication of how far the ball would have
travelled as a function of the force of the stroke and the ball's
angle of departure.
Inventors: |
Simonsen, Carl Petter;
(Oslo, NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
19910888 |
Appl. No.: |
09/959113 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2001 |
PCT Filed: |
March 15, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO01/00111 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/139 ;
473/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0694 20130101;
A63B 2024/0031 20130101; A63B 69/3623 20130101; A63B 69/3658
20130101; A63B 69/0079 20130101; A63B 24/0021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/139 ;
473/147 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2000 |
NO |
20001391 |
Claims
1. A training device for golf, which device consists of an elongate
device with an upper and a lower part (3, 4), which device is
mounted substantially vertically, and where the lower part (4) of
the training device forms a base for holding the training device in
the correct position during use, characterized in that on an
attachment device (1) on the upper part (3) there is attached a
flexible body (7) connecting a golf ball (6) with the training
device, where the flexible body (7) is also attached to the golf
ball.
2. A training device according to claim 1, characterized in that
the lower part (4) is in the form of an earth spike or other
conical/elongate body which is inserted into the ground to the
desired depth when the device is in use.
3. A training device according to claim 1, characterized in that
the lower part (4) is in the form of a plate-shaped body.
4. A training device according to claims 1-3, characterized in that
at the upper part (3) there is provided a seat (5) for holding the
ball (6) and that the ball's (6) seat (5) is designed in such a
manner that it surrounds parts of the ball's lower sphere.
5. A training device according to claims 1-4, characterized in that
in the ball's (6) seat (5) there is provided a groove (8) for the
flexible body (7) connecting the ball (6) with the training
device.
6. A training device according to claims 1-5, characterized in that
the attachment device (1) for the flexible body (7) in the training
device is rotatable about the training device's longitudinal
axis.
7. A training device for golf, which device consists of an elongate
device with an upper and a lower part (3, 4), which device is
mounted substantially vertically, and where the lower part (4) of
the training device forms a base for holding the training device in
the correct position during use, characterized in that on an
attachment device (1) on the upper part (3) there is attached a
flexible body (7) connecting a golf ball (6) with the training
device, where the flexible body (7) is also attached to the golf
ball (6), where the attachment device (1) for the flexible body (7)
is rotatably mounted about the training device's upper part
(3).
8. A training device according to claim 7, characterized in that
the flexible body (7) connecting the training device and the ball
(6) is attached to a bearing device (1) which is rotatable about
the training device's longitudinal axis at the training device's
upper part (3).
9. A training device according to claim 8, characterized in that
the bearing device (1) which rotatably connects the ball (6) with
the training device's upper part (3) via the flexible body (7) can
move freely in the training device's longitudinal direction over a
lower limiting device (2).
10. A training device according to claim 9, characterized in that
the upper part (3) of the training device, above the lower limiting
device (2) for the bearing device's (1) substantially vertical
movement along the training device is slightly conically shaped
with tapering diameter towards the upper end of the upper part (3)
in order to assist the bearing device's (1) movement in the
vertical direction.
11. A training device according to claims 7-10, characterized in
that the lower part (4) is in the form of an earth spike or other
conical/elongate body which is inserted into the ground to the
desired depth when the device is in use.
12. A training device according to claims 7-10, characterized in
that the lower part (4) is in the form of plate-shaped body.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a training device for golf
strokes which enables a user to practise his/her golf strokes, or
warm up before a round on the golf course within a restricted area
with simple means. In an embodiment of the invention, moreover, the
invention can provide an indication of how far the stroke would
have travelled as a function of the force of the stroke and the
ball's angle of departure. The training device may further be
employed with all types of clubs, preferably with the exception of
putters.
[0002] When playing golf, it is a known fact that there are often
periods of inactivity during play on the course, while there also
may often be a waiting period prior to the actual play because the
course is busy etc., and for this reason it may be desirable to use
a training device to practise strokes, particularly strokes with
the "driver", with a view to polishing up one's swing and loosening
up one's musculature before moving on to the course, or also during
the course of the game. A training device of this kind, however,
must be easy and light to carry while at the same time being of
such a nature that it does not bother other people in the vicinity,
and should be easy to move. Furthermore this should be combined
with a very solid foundation for the training device, since after
all substantial forces are involved when the ball is struck. The
training device must therefore be easily "secured" to the ground
and easily released from the ground when moving. Furthermore, it is
desirable that such a training device should provide a natural
stroke and the ball must therefore be able to move freely from the
point of departure from, for example, a "tee" and must be able to
move unchecked for a short distance in such a manner that the
counter force on the club and the ball's departure motion are as
natural as possible.
[0003] Moreover, it is naturally desirable to obtain an evaluation
of how good the stroke is, for example by means of an indication of
how far the ball would have travelled under normal circumstances,
thus enabling the individual strokes to be evaluated against one
another for subsequent polishing of one's stroke technique and
swing, thereby improving one's proficiency at the game. Such an
indication may be provided as a function of inter alia angle of
departure, strike point and striking power.
[0004] With this in mind, it is desirable to provide a training
device for golf strokes which to a great extent provides a natural
stroke within a restricted area, and where the training device is
so designed that it is light to carry and easy to fix in the ground
as well as being easy to move when the user wishes to move. Such a
training device is provided according to the present invention and
it is an object of the training device that it will also appear in
at least one embodiment where an indication is given of the force
of the stroke, and possibly an indication of how far the ball would
have travelled under natural conditions.
[0005] From previously known solutions we refer inter alia to U.S.
Pat. No. 5,121,923 which describes a golf training device which is
designed to meet a number of the objectives stated above in
connection with the present invention. The device consists of a
golf ball which via a rope or the like is connected to a bearing
which rotates about a horizontally located shaft which in turn is
connected to a stand or a frame. In its normal position the ball
will be suspended at a desired distance above the base with the
string or rope in a substantially vertical position from the
bearing, and when the ball is struck by a golf club the ball
rotates with the rope about the horizontal axis. The training
device further comprises a device which can read and present the
rotational velocity of the bearing connecting the ball and the rope
with the horizontal shaft. This in turn offers the possibility of
reading the force and angle of the stroke and it is also possible
to present information concerning the direction of the ball as a
result of the player's failure to strike the ball correctly,
thereby producing a "slice" or "hook". In order to restrict the
ball's rotation about the horizontal axis, on each side of the rope
connecting the ball with the bearing there are provided brake discs
which together form a groove where the rope rotates when the ball
is struck by the player's club.
[0006] Moreover, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,225 a training stand is
described where a golf ball is suspended in a rope or the like from
a horizontally located shaft, and is preferably connected with the
shaft via a simple bearing device or the like. It is further stated
that the horizontal shaft is a part of a stand which is arranged on
a base plate which in turn can be placed in the ground with a
"spike" or the like which is driven into the ground and keeps the
base plate with the training stand in a suitable arrangement at a
specific distance above the ground.
[0007] Moreover, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,026 a training device for
golf balls is described which can be used in connection with, for
example, a basketball hoop. The training device is arranged on the
top of the basketball hoop's upper ring and from this device there
is freely downwardly suspended a device with a rope and a golf
ball. The distance between the device which is placed above the
basketball hoop and the ground may be adjusted so that the golf
ball assumes the desired position at a specific distance above the
ground.
[0008] The prior art solutions which are described in the
above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,923 and 5,366,225 relate to
training devices where the golf ball rotates about a horizontal
axis via a rope or the like. In many cases this may have obvious
drawbacks with regard to the attachment of the training device to
the ground where a torque is created about the attachment point in
the ground as a result of the horizontal distance between the
torque for the rope and the vertical axis over the attachment
point(s). This torque may cause the training device to become
unstable in its attachment in the ground, which in turn will result
in a variation of the ball's distance above the ground from stroke
to stroke, while at the same time leading to a direct risk of
injury if the training stand works loose from the ground during or
immediately following a stroke. Furthermore, any readings of the
ball's angle and velocity will depend on whether the fulcrum about
the horizontal axis extends about a correct, stable horizontal axis
and if the training apparatus assumes an oblique position relative
to the desired horizontal axis, the angular reading of the
direction of the stroke will be wrong while the ball's velocity
(rotation velocity) is affected by the oblique attachment. In
addition, even while it is being struck, the ball will be
restricted by the suspension device, thus restricting the "genuine"
feeling of hitting the ball.
[0009] In order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of
previously known technical solutions, in addition to providing a
training device for golf which meets the above-mentioned objects,
according to the present invention a training device is provided
according to the introduction to the following independent claim 1,
with characterising features as indicated in the characterising
part of the following claim 1. Further embodiments are indicated in
claims 2 to 6 and in claim 7 a particularly suitable embodiment is
indicated with characterising features as indicated in the
characterising part of claim 7. Alternative embodiments associated
with claim 7 are indicated in claims 8 to 12.
[0010] Thus a training device for golf is described, which device
consists of an elongate body with an upper and a lower part, which
device is mounted substantially vertically and where the lower part
of the training device forms a base for keeping the training device
in a correct position during use. This base may, for example, be
composed of a lower part in the form of an earth spike or other
conical, elongate body which is inserted into the ground when the
device is in use. Alternatively, the base may be composed of a
plate or the like with substantial weight in order that the
training device should remain stationary even when the ball is
struck. According to the present invention, in one embodiment the
upper part of the training device is provided with a seat for
holding the golf ball and on the lower edge of the ball's seat
there is attached a flexible body connecting the golf ball with the
training device, the flexible body also being attached to the golf
ball. This flexible body may be a rope or a wire, and the length
may be varied according to requirements in such a manner that the
ball does not strike surrounding objects or people, while at the
same time the flexible body is sufficiently long to enable the ball
to receive a natural direction of departure when struck. The ball's
seat may be designed in such a manner that it surrounds parts of
the ball's lower sphere in order to facilitate the transport of the
training device. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment there is
provided in the ball's seat a groove in which the flexible body may
be located during transport. In the preferred embodiment, moreover,
the attachment point for the flexible body in the training device
is rotatable about the training device's longitudinal axis.
[0011] The rotatable attachment for the flexible body may be
composed of a bearing device such as a ring or the like which
rotates about the training device's vertical body and longitudinal
axis. When the user strikes the ball with the golf club, after
moving some distance in free flight, the ball will thereby be
restrained by the flexible body, and the ball then rotates about
the training device's longitudinal axis. The ball is placed at a
distance from the training device, for example on an ordinary
"tee", and when the user strikes the ball in a stroke, the ball
will immediately (after having stretched the flexible body) rotate
around the training device's longitudinal axis. In a further
embodiment the upper part of the training device is designed in
such a manner that the bearing device, which is rotatable about the
training device's longitudinal axis and upper part, can move freely
along the training device in its longitudinal direction. This may
be implemented, for example, by the training device being slightly
conically tapering towards the upper end. In this connection in the
preferred embodiment there may be provided a lower limiting device
where the bearing device has its departure position, for example by
resting on a plate or the like mounted round the training device's
elongate body. The motion of the bearing device in the training
device's longitudinal direction may further be implemented along a
scale which indicates how far the ball would have travelled under
normal, free conditions. The bearing device's motion in the
training device's longitudinal direction will thus be a function of
the stroke's angle of departure and force (the ball's outgoing
velocity) which will assist in pulling the bearing device up along
the training device's upper part. If, for example, an iron with a
high number or the like (pitch) is used, the angle will be greater,
but the force (departure velocity) will be lower and the stroke
will not necessarily be long even though the angle of departure is
greater. In this regard the scale is adapted in relation to the
weight of the bearing device which provides the rotatable
connection about the training device, the length of the flexible
connection, etc.
[0012] In the attached figures there are further exemplified
embodiments of the present invention, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a sectional view from the side of the training
device with an upper seat for the ball;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view from the side of an embodiment where
the flexible body is rotatably mounted about the training device's
upper part, and can move in the device's longitudinal
direction.
[0015] In FIG. 1 the training device's elongate body is illustrated
with an upper part 3 and a lower part 4 where a golf ball 6 is
placed at the upper part. The golf ball is connected to an
attachment device 1 via a flexible body 7. In the preferred
embodiment the attachment device 1 is rotatably mounted about the
upper part 3 of the elongate body. The ball 6 can be transported in
a seat 5 where there is provided a groove 8 where the flexible body
7 is located. Furthermore, the lower part 4 of the training device
is in the form of an earth spike or the like, thus permitting the
training device to be embedded in the ground.
[0016] Alternatively, the training device may be mounted on a
relatively heavy plate or other plate-shaped body which can be
attached to a base by means of suction cups or the like.
[0017] Furthermore, in FIG. 2 an embodiment of the training device
is illustrated where the attachment 1 for the flexible body 7
connecting the golf ball 6 with the training device is rotatably
mounted about the upper part 3 of the training device. Moreover,
the upper part 3 is marked with a scale, for example from 0 to 300
metres (or yards), where there is also provided a lower limiting
device 2 for the rotatable body 1, thus enabling the body 1 to
rotate about the upper part 3 of the training device above the
limiting device 2, while at the same time the body 1 can move along
the training device's longitudinal axis as a function of the ball's
angle of departure and velocity as the result of a stroke. In this
embodiment too the lower part of the training device 4 is in the
form of an earth spike or the like which is inserted into the
ground, securing the training devices for use. Alternatively, the
training device in this embodiment can also be mounted on a
relatively heavy plate or other plate-shaped body which can be
attached to a base by means of suction cups or the like.
[0018] The figures and the description presented herein indicate
only embodiments of the invention and the inventive concept is set
forth in the following patent claims.
* * * * *