U.S. patent application number 10/670444 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-01 for golf practice and exercise device.
Invention is credited to Shioda, Yoshihiko.
Application Number | 20040063509 10/670444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23763590 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040063509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shioda, Yoshihiko |
April 1, 2004 |
Golf practice and exercise device
Abstract
A golf practice and exercise device having a frame with a
horizontally projecting arm spaced from a base or from the ground
and from which is suspended a member such as a resilient flat
strip. The suspended member is positioned with a clubhead impact
surface in position for striking by the clubhead of a golf club.
The impact surface is sufficiently large that a golfer need not
concentrate on striking a small target as is required when swinging
at a golf ball. The member is formed to provide substantial
resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose muscle strain on
the golfer for muscle development, while being limited in
resistance to allow the head of the golf club to move the member
sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass under the
member and allow the golfer to complete the follow-through of the
golf swing.
Inventors: |
Shioda, Yoshihiko;
(Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNEDY COVINGTON LOBDELL & HICKMAN, LLP
214 N. TRYON STREET
HEARST TOWER, 47TH FLOOR
CHARLOTTE
NC
28202
US
|
Family ID: |
23763590 |
Appl. No.: |
10/670444 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10670444 |
Sep 25, 2003 |
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09444120 |
Nov 19, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0079 20130101;
A63B 15/00 20130101; A63B 69/0091 20130101; A63B 69/3655 20130101;
A63B 69/3623 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/139 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A golf practice and exercise device for use with a golf club,
comprising a frame member having a base portion for supporting the
device on a floor or ground, said frame member extending upwardly
from the base portion and having an outwardly extending mounting
arm extending above an impact position of a golf club when swung by
a golfer standing beyond the outer extent of said mounting arm, and
a moveable member suspended from said mounting arm to the impact
position to be struck by a golf clubhead during a normal swing of a
golf club, said moveable member having a surface at the impact
position of a size at least that of the corresponding surface of a
softball to provide a large target so that the golfer can swing a
golf club freely without concentration on striking the small target
of a golf ball, said moveable member providing sufficient
resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose muscular strain
on the golfer for muscle development while allowing the head of the
golf club to move the moveable member sufficiently for the golf
clubhead to ultimately pass thereunder and allow the golfer to
complete the follow-through of the golf swing.
2. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 1 and
further comprising said moveable member being swingably suspended
from said mounting arm and having an object formed thereon at the
impact position, said object being of a mass at least that of a
softball to provide substantial resistance to impact of a golf club
to impose muscular strain on the golfer for muscle development
while being limited in mass to allow the head of a golf club to
swing the object sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately
pass under the object and allow the golfer to complete the
follow-through of the golf swing.
3. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 2 and
further comprising said object being generally spherical and
approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
4. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 3 and
further comprising said object weighing approximately 4 to 12
ounces.
5. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 3 and
further comprising said object weighing approximately 6 to 7
ounces.
6. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 2 and
further comprising said mounting member includes a flexible cord
attached to said mounting arm and suspending said object
therefrom.
7. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 6 and
further comprising said mounting arm being approximately 11/2 to 5
feet above the ground or floor.
8. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 1 and
further comprising said arm being approximately 3 feet above the
ground or floor.
9. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 6 and
further comprising said cord being attached to a ring freely
rotatably mounted on said arm for rotation of said ring, cord and
object about a generally horizontal axis.
10. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 6 and
further comprising said object being alternatively attachable to
said base for restraining said object against movement for
alternative use of said object as a stop for the golf club in an
impact position.
11. A golf practice and exercise device for use with a golf club,
comprising a frame member having a base portion for supporting the
device on a floor or ground, said frame member extending upwardly
from the base portion and having an outwardly extending mounting
arm extending above an impact position of a golf club when swung by
a golfer standing beyond the outer extent of said mounting arm, a
resilient member having an end secured to said mounting arm and
suspended from said mounting arm to the impact position to be
struck by a golf clubhead during a normal swing of a golf club,
said resilient member having a surface at the impact position of a
size at least that of a corresponding surface of a softball to
provide a large target so that the golfer can swing a golf club
freely without concentration on striking the small target of a golf
ball, said resilient member providing sufficient resistance to the
impact of a golf club to impose muscular strain on the golfer for
muscle development while allowing the head of a golf club to move
the resilient member sufficiently for the golf clubhead to
ultimately pass thereunder and allow the golfer to complete the
follow-through of the golf swing.
12. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 11 and
further comprising said resilient member being in the form of a
flat strip having a flat surface facing the impact position of the
clubhead and having a width at the impact position at least that of
the diameter of a softball.
13. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 11 and
further comprising said resilient member being in the form of a
plurality of flat strips secured contiguously in said mounting arm
and having flat surfaces facing the impact position of the clubhead
and having a width at the impact position of a size at least that
of the diameter of the corresponding surface of a softball.
14. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 13 and
further comprising said plurality of flat strips comprises three
flat strips.
15. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 11 and
further comprising said resilient member having an end at said
impact position, which end is in the form of an object having a
golf clubhead impact surface at the impact position of a size at
least that or the corresponding surface of a softball and of a mass
at least that of a softball.
16. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 15 and
further comprising said resilient member being in the form of a
coil spring to the end of which is attached said object.
17. A golf practice and exercise device for use with a golf club,
comprising a frame member having a base portion for supporting the
device on a floor or ground, said frame member extending upwardly
from the base portion and having an outwardly extending mounting
arm extending above an impact position of a golf club when swung by
a golfer standing beyond the outer extent of said mounting arm, a
resilient flat strip having an end secured to said mounting arm and
suspended from said mounting arm to the impact position and having
a flat surface facing the impact position of a golf clubhead to be
struck by a golf clubhead during a normal swing of a golf club,
said resilient strip providing sufficient resistance to the impact
of a golf club to impose muscular strain on the golfer for muscle
development while allowing the head of a golf club to move the
strip sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass
thereunder and allow the golfer to complete the follow-through of
the golf swing.
18. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 17 and
further comprising said plurality of flat strips secured
contiguously in said mounting arm and having flat surfaces facing
the impact position of the clubhead.
19. A golf practice and exercise device according to claim 18 and
further comprising said plurality of flat strips being three flat
strips.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/444,120, filed Nov. 19,
1999.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to golf practice and exercise
devices that improve the user's golf swing and develops the muscles
used in a golf swing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are many prior devices that have been developed for
golfers to practice to improve their swing. One type suspends a
golf ball-sized object from the end of a cord in a position for
being struck by the head of a golf club being practice swung by a
golfer. Such devices allow a golfer to practice his swing and
improve the technique and path of a swing in a confined space
instead of having to use a driving range. However, the object being
struck is a golf ball or the size of a golf ball and, therefore,
provides little muscle-building resistance.
[0004] Another type of practice device is a relatively large bag
known as an Impact Bag that is intended to be filled with soft
material, such as towels, and is placed against a stationary object
that prevents displacement of the bag. Such a device is intended to
be used to stop a practice swing at the point of impact so that the
golfer can evaluate the club's and his body's positions at impact.
It does not allow the golfer to complete the follow-through of a
golf swing and to perform a muscle building exercise by overcoming
the resistance of a weight as the club moves through impact into
the follow-through.
[0005] In contrast, the present invention provides a combination of
practicing techniques as well as building the muscles used in
swinging a golf club.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly described, the golf practice and exercise device of
the present invention includes a frame member having a base portion
for supporting the device on a floor or on the ground. The frame
member extends upwardly from the base member and has an outwardly
extending mounting arm extending above an impact position of a golf
club when swung by a golfer standing beyond the outer extent of
said mounting arm, and a moveable member suspended from the
mounting arm to the impact position to be struck by a golf club
during a normal swing of a golf club. The moveable member provides
sufficient resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose
muscular strain on the golfer for muscle development while allowing
the head of the golf club to move the moveable member sufficiently
for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass thereunder and allow the
golfer to complete the follow-through of the swing.
[0007] In a first preferred embodiment, the moveable member has a
surface at the impact position of a size at least that of the
corresponding surface of a softball to provide a large target so
that the golfer can swing a golf club freely without concentration
on striking the small target of the golf ball.
[0008] The moveable member may be substantially the same as a
standard softball and be approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter
and weigh approximately 4 to 12 ounces, preferably 6 to 7
ounces.
[0009] The mounting arm may be positioned 11/2 feet to 5 feet above
the ground or floor, preferably 3 feet, and in one form the object
is suspended from the mounting arm by a cord attached to the object
and attached to a ring that is freely rotatably mounted on the arm
for rotation of the ring, cord and object about a generally
horizontal axis. The object may be alternatively attachable to the
base, as well as to the mounting arm, for restraining the object
against movement for alternative use of the object as a stop of the
golf club in an impact position.
[0010] In a second preferred embodiment the moveable member is a
resilient member having a surface at the impact position of a size
at least that of a corresponding surface of a softball and
providing sufficient resistance to the impact of a golf club to
impose muscular strain on the golfer for muscle development while
allowing the head of a golf ball to move the resilient member
sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass thereunder
and allow the golfer to complete the follow-through of said golf
swing.
[0011] In a variation of the second preferred embodiment, a
resilient flat strip has an end secured to the mounting arm and
suspended from the mounting arm to the impact position. This strip
has a flat surface facing the impact position of a golf clubhead to
be struck by a golf clubhead during a normal swing of the golf
club. The resilient strip provides sufficient resistance to the
impact of a golf club to impose muscular strain on the golfer for
muscle development while allowing the head of a golf club to move
the strip sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass
thereunder and allow the golfer to complete the follow-through of
the golf swing. There may be a plurality, such as three, of flat
strips secured contiguously in the mounting member and having flat
surfaces facing the impact position of the clubhead.
[0012] The flat strip or strips preferably have a surface at the
impact position of a size at least that of a corresponding surface
of a softball to provide a large target so that the golfer can
swing a golf club freely without concentration on striking the
small target of a golf ball.
[0013] It should be understood that the present invention could be
adapted to other shapes and sizes that provide a large enough
striking surface that the practicing golfer need not concentrate on
the precise location of striking, which a golfer must do with a
small object, such as a golf ball, and provides muscle building
resistance yet can be displaced by a practice swing so that the
golfer is able to complete the follow-through of the swing for the
feel and practice of a complete swing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf practice and exercise
device according to one of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, illustrating a golfer with a golf club in the striking
position;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the device of FIG. 1
illustrating the impact position of a golf clubhead in dotted
lines;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the object
of the device of the invention being displaced as a golf clubhead
advances past the initial impact position and showing the position
of a golf clubhead after it has passed under the object during
follow-through;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the device
of the present invention with an alternate form of the object;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the device
of the present invention with an object that is capable of
alternative use as a swinging object and as a stationary
object;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf practice and exercise
device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating a golfer with a golf club in the striking
position;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the device of FIG. 6
illustrating the impact position of a golf clubhead in dotted
lines;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the resilient
member in the form of a plurality of three flat strips;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf practice and exercise
device according to a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 6,
illustrating a golfer with a golf club in the striking position;
and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the device of FIG. 9
illustrating the impact position of a golf clubhead in dotted
lines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] A first preferred embodiment of the golf practice and
exercise device of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.
1-5. This device 10 includes a frame 11 having a flat base portion
12 formed for seating on the ground 13 or the floor. Extending
upwardly from the base portion 12 is an upright portion 14. At the
upper extent of the upright portion 14 a mounting arm 15 projects
outwardly over a portion of the base portion 12. At the outer end
16 of the mounting arm 15, a moveable member in the form of an
object 17 to be struck by a golfer 22 is suspended by a flexible
cord 18 so that the object 17 has a golf clubhead impact surface 19
in position relative to the base portion 12 for striking by a golf
clubhead swung by a golfer 22. To simulate the ground and to
prevent damage to a club 24 being swung, a conventional mat 20 is
secured to the top of the base portion 12 under the object 17.
[0025] The size of the golf clubhead impact surface is at least the
size of the corresponding surface of a softball to provide a large
target so that the golfer can swing freely without concentration on
striking a small target as is the case when swinging at a golf
ball. The object may be a softball and, in any event, provides
sufficient resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose
muscular strain on the golfer for muscle development while allowing
the head of the golf club to move the object sufficiently for the
golf clubhead to ultimately pass thereunder and allow the golfer to
complete the follow-through of the golf swing.
[0026] The flexible cord 18 is attached to a ring 21 that is freely
rotatably mounted at the outer end 16 of the arm 15 for rotation of
the ring, cord and object about a generally horizontal access. With
this arrangement, the object 17 will swing like a pendulum when it
is struck. If the object is of small enough mass and the clubhead
23 strikes with sufficient force, the object 17 may be caused to
swing totally around the arm 15. On the other hand, the weight of
the object 17 and the force of the swing may only be sufficient to
cause a pendulum-like oscillation of the object 17.
[0027] In the form illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the object 17
may be substantially the same as a teardrop-shaped punching bag
used by boxers when training, having a similar mass that imposes
muscular strain on the golfer when struck for muscle development
but being limited in mass to allow the head of the golf club to
swing the object sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately
pass under the object and allow the golfer to complete the
follow-through of the golf swing. Typically, the object 17 will be
4 to 5 inches in diameter and weigh approximately 4 to 12 ounces,
preferably 6 to 7 ounces. The mass may be provided by a core of
tightly wound yarn or string or a sawdust or similar composted
filler or yarn or string wound around a core or a sand filler.
Various other materials can be used that provide the desired
results.
[0028] When a golfer 22 uses the device 10 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, he
positions himself in an address position with the clubhead 23 of
his club 24 at or contacting the striking surface 19 of the object
17. The golfer 22 then takes a normal back swing and then a down
swing with the clubhead 23 striking the impact surface 19 of the
object 17. Because of the size of the impact surface 19 of the
object 17, the golfer 22 need not be concerned or concentrate on
the specific location of the clubhead 23 at the striking surface 19
as he is when practicing with a golf ball. Also, due to the mass of
the object 17, the golfer will swing hard at the object 17,
considerably harder than the golfer would normally think about when
striking a small light golf ball. This action in swinging at the
object 17 somewhat resembles the effort and position of striking an
object with a sledgehammer, knowing the resistance that will meet
the impact. This facilitates the golfer utilizing his body to
provide maximum force, which, as illustrated in FIG. 1, results in
him obtaining a proper body turn and positioning at the point of
impact. This not only trains the golfer to arrive at a proper ball
striking position, but places the golfer in position for continuing
through the swing against the resistance of the object 17, thereby
providing for practicing of technique as well as building strong
muscles that are used in the golf swing.
[0029] Because of the mass of the object 17, the golfer knows that
he must continue exerting force against the object 17 sufficient to
swing it past the impact position so that the clubhead 23 can
ultimately move under the object 17 and through completion of the
follow-through of the swing. This movement of the object 17 by the
clubhead 23 is illustrated at 25 in FIG. 3 and the position of the
clubhead after displacing the object 17 and moving under and away
therefrom is illustrated at 26 in FIG. 3.
[0030] The mounting arm 15 is approximately 11/2 to 5 feet above
the ground, preferably 3 feet above the ground, for an optimum
swing path of the object 17 in relation to the swing path of the
clubhead 23.
[0031] In the variation illustrated in FIG. 4, the object 27 is a
spherical object that is substantially the same size and weight as
a conventional softball. It may be approximately 4 to 5 inches in
diameter and weigh approximately 4 to 12 ounces, preferably 6 to 7
ounces. Otherwise, this variation is identical to the embodiment of
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an object 29 in a form substantially the
same as a cylindrical body punching bag used by boxers in training.
It may be approximately 3 to 12 inches in diameter, preferably 6 to
10 inches in diameter, and may weigh approximately 1 to 12 pounds,
preferably approximately 6 pounds. It may be approximately 10 to 18
inches in height.
[0033] This device of FIG. 5, includes fastening means in the form
of a hook 30 secured and extending upwardly from the base portion
12 and an eyelet 31 secured to and extending downwardly from the
object 29 for connection with the hook 30. This fastening means
allows the object 17 to be selectively used to restrain the object
29 against movement for alternative use of the object 29 as a stop
of the golf club in an impact position, should the golfer desire to
use the device in this manner. Preferably, the hook 30 and eyelet
31 would be attached to the base portion 12 and the object 29,
respectively, in at least a partially retracted position when not
engaged so as not to interfere with or damage the clubhead when the
object 29 is used as a moving object as described above. If
desired, the object 29 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 can be
permanently secured in the stationary position described, or two
objects can be used selectively, one for swing and one for
stationary use.
[0034] The objects 17, 27, 29 of FIGS. 1-5 may be suspended from
the outer end 16 of the mounting arm 15 by a thin rigid rod, rather
than a flexible cord 18, with the rod being pivoted similarly by
attachment to the ring 21 for rotation of the rod and object about
the mounting arm 15 when struck by a golf club.
[0035] The object may be suspended from the limb of a tree with the
ground serving as the base, the tree trunk as the upright portion
and the limb as the mounting arm.
[0036] Another alternative to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is the
use of a rod or rods extending rigidly downwardly from the upright
portion for insertion in the ground to hold the frame in the
upright position. The ground would then serve as the base portion
and a mat would be placed on the ground with the object to be
struck being suspended from an arm portion projecting from the
upright portion.
[0037] While specific shapes of the object of the golf practice and
exercise devices illustrated and described with reference to FIGS.
1-5, it should be understood that other shapes are within the scope
of the present invention. Basically, regardless of the shape, the
object should have a golf clubhead impact surface approaching the
size of or greater than the corresponding surface of a baseball to
provide a large target so that the golfer can swing freely without
concentration on striking a small target, and the object should
have a mass approaching that of or exceeding that of a baseball to
provide substantial resistance to the impact of a golf club to
impose muscular strain on the golfer for muscle development, but
being limited in mass to allow the head of the golf club to swing
the object sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass
under the object and allow the golfer to complete the
follow-through of the golf swing. In the spherical form of the
object, it is approximately 3 to 8 inches in diameter, preferably 3
inches in diameter, and weighs 3 to 12 ounces, preferably 5 ounces.
A filler may be inserted in the object to obtain the desired
mass.
[0038] In any of the forms of the object, it may include a cover,
such as a pouch or similar covering, made of a relatively soft
material, such as a textile fabric of any desired thickness to
provide a softening of the impact of the clubhead against the
object.
[0039] It should be noted that the mass of the object of any of the
above forms may be large enough to allow a golfer to swing easy and
have the object stop the clubhead in the impact position while the
mass allows a golfer to take a full swing that causes movement of
the object for completion of the follow-through of the golf swing.
Alternatively, the device can be provided with objects of two
different masses, one large enough to serve as an impact bag to
stop the clubhead at the point of impact and the other being light
enough within the parameters described above, to allow movement of
the object for completion of the follow-through of the golf
swing.
[0040] In the second preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS.
6-10, the device 10 has a frame 32 with a base portion 33 supported
in the ground 34. An upright portion 35 is secured to and extends
upwardly from the base portion 33. The base portion 33 and upright
portion 35 are the same as the corresponding portions of the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.
[0041] A mounting arm 36 is secured to and extends horizontally
from the top of the upright portion 35 above an impact position of
a golf club 38 when swung by a golfer 39 standing beyond the outer
extent of the mounting arm 36. The mounting arm 36 has a downwardly
facing slot 40 in which is secured the enlarged upper end 41 of a
moveable member in the form of a resilient flat strip 42 that is
suspended from the mounting arm 36 to the impact position 37. The
strip 42 has a flat surface 43 facing the impact position 37 of a
golf clubhead 44. The resilient strip provides sufficient
resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose muscular strain
on the golfer for muscle development while allowing the head of a
golf club to move the strip sufficiently for the golf clubhead to
ultimately pass thereunder and allow the golfer to complete the
follow-through of the golf swing. The movement of the resilient
strip 42 is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 7.
[0042] Preferably, the flat surface 43 of the strip 42 at the
impact position 37 is of a size at least that of the corresponding
surface of a softball to provide a large target so that the golfer
can swing a golf club freely without concentration on striking the
small target of a golf ball. A suitable example of a strip 42 is a
rectangular sheet of synthetic rubber having a vertical dimension
of 10 inches, a horizontal extent of 7 inches and a thickness of
1/2 inch. The composition, dimensions and resiliency of the strip
may be varied and selected to provide the resiliency and stiffness
desired for the intended use of the golfer.
[0043] In assembling the strip 42 in the mounting arm 36, the
enlarged upper end 41 of the strip is slid horizontally into the
slot 40 of the mounting arm 36. The slot 40 is formed with flat
vertical sides 45 that retain the upper end 41 of the strip 42
against movement. As a result, the movement of the strip 42 is a
result of the resilience of the strip rather than a swinging
connection as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.
[0044] To simulate actual playing conditions, a synthetic grass mat
46 is secured on the base portion 33 at the impact position 37
below the bottom edge of the strip 42.
[0045] A variation of the second embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein the device 10 has a
frame member with the same base portion 33 and upright portion 35
as the device of FIGS. 6 and 7. The frame member differs, however,
in that the mounting arm 47 is formed with a slot 48 of sufficient
width to retain three strips 49, the upper ends 50 of which are
secured in the slot 48 by a nut 51 and bolt 52 connection that
pinches the upper ends 50 of the strips 49 in the slot 48. The flat
strips 49 are secured contiguously in the slot 48 and all have flat
surfaces 49 facing the impact position 37. With this arrangement,
the number of strips 53 may be varied to provide characteristics
desired by the golfer.
[0046] In the embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the strip or strips
may be of any suitable size, preferably of a height in the range of
41/2 to 20 inches, a width in the range of 5 to 16 inches and a
thickness in the range of 1/2 to 5 inches. The material may be any
suitable resilient material that is strong enough to sustain
numerous strikes by a clubhead yet sufficiently soft and flexible
to avoid hurting the hands of the user. Synthetic rubber, vinyl and
other plastic or synthetic material are non-limiting examples of
material that can be used.
[0047] A further variation of the second embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 wherein the device 10
has the same frame member 32 base portion 33 and upright portion 35
as in the previously described devices, with the base portion 33
similarly supported on the ground 34 with a similar mat 46 on the
base portion 33 at the impact position 37.
[0048] In the variation of FIGS. 9 and 10, the moveable resilient
member is in the form of a large coil spring 55 that has a bent top
coil 56 that is secured by a nut 57 and bolt 58 connection in the
mounting arm 59. The spring 55 seats against a flat undersurface 60
of the mounting arm 59 so that displacement of the spring 55
results from the resiliency of the spring, not any pivoting of the
spring 55 with respect to the mounting arm 59.
[0049] Secured to the lower end 61 of the coil spring 55 is a
spherical object 62 similar to the spherical object 27 in the
variation of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. This
object is preferably substantially the same size and weight as a
conventional softball. The characteristics of the coil spring 55
and the spherical object 62 may be varied to provide desired
results.
[0050] While in the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 9 and 10 the objects 27
and 62 are illustrated as being the size and mass of a softball, it
should be understood that larger objects and objects of varying
configurations can be used, such as, for example, the objects 17
and 29 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.
[0051] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons
skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of
broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of
the present invention other than those herein described, as well as
many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be
apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and
the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the
substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the
present invention has been described herein in detail in relation
to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this
disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present
invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and
enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is
not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *