U.S. patent application number 10/722940 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for golf shot practice apparatus.
Invention is credited to Kim, Sung Tae.
Application Number | 20050113182 10/722940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34592115 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050113182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Sung Tae |
May 26, 2005 |
Golf shot practice apparatus
Abstract
A golf practice apparatus is provided, which comprises: a stance
platform including an upper portion adapted to provide a standing
place for a golfer; a ball platform having a golf ball positioning
location thereon; a platform actuator operably coupled with the
stance platform and the ball platform for providing vertical
movement of the respective platform; and, a controller associated
with the platform actuator for selectively providing a vertical
displacement or tilting movement of the stance platform and the
ball platform.
Inventors: |
Kim, Sung Tae; (Busan,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC
986 BEDFORD STREET
STAMFORD
CT
06905-5619
US
|
Family ID: |
34592115 |
Appl. No.: |
10/722940 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3652 20130101;
A63B 69/3673 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/279 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golf practice apparatus comprising: a stance platform
including an upper portion adapted to provide a standing place for
a golfer; at least one stance platform actuator operably coupled
with the stance platform and configured to provide a vertical
displacement to at least a portion of the stance platform; a ball
platform having a golf ball positioning area thereon; at least one
ball platform actuator operably coupled with the ball platform and
configured to provide a vertical displacement to at least a portion
of the ball platform; and a controller associated with the stance
platform actuator and the ball platform actuator for selectively
providing a vertical displacement or tilting movement of the
respective stance platform and ball platform to various directions
and degrees adjustable by the golfer.
2. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the
stance platform actuator and the ball platform actuator include
four lifts disposed at four quadrangular locations of the
respective stance platform and ball platform.
3. The golf practice apparatus of claim 2, wherein the four lifts
of the respective platform actuator are respectively a motor-driven
screw lift.
4. The golf practice apparatus of claim 3, wherein the respective
motor-driven screw lift includes at least a set of four links
connected in a parallelogram form to a driving motor.
5. The golf practice apparatus of claim 4, wherein the respective
motor-driven screw lift further includes a first bracket connected
to the links of the screw lift, and a second bracket connected to
the respective platform.
6. The golf practice apparatus of claim 5, wherein the respective
motor-driven screw lift further includes a spring disposed between
the first and second brackets thereof.
7. The golf practice apparatus of claim 2, wherein the four lifts
are respectively a fluid-actuating lift.
8. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stance
platform and the ball platform respectively include a base member
and an upper member, and the stance platform actuator and the ball
platform actuator are respectively disposed between the base member
and the upper member.
9. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the respective
platform defines a supporting area configured to support the weight
of the golfer standing thereon.
10. The golf practice apparatus of claim 9, wherein the respective
platform further defines a mat thereon.
11. The golf practice apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mat of the
respective platform includes an artificial grass.
12. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stance
platform defines at least one hole thereon for delivery of a golf
ball.
13. The golf practice apparatus of claim 12, wherein the hole
defined in the stance platform is designed for golf putting
practice.
14. The golf practice apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stance
platform further includes a ball delivery channel connected to the
golf ball delivery hole.
15. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the golf ball
positioning area of the ball platform includes a groove configured
to place a golf practice ball thereon.
16. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the golf ball
positioning area of the ball platform includes a tee member
configured to place a golf practice ball thereon.
17. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1 further including a golf
ball placement device configured to place or deliver a golf ball at
a predetermined location of the golf practice apparatus.
18. The golf practice apparatus of claim 17, wherein the golf ball
placement device is connected to the ball platform.
19. The golf practice apparatus of claim 17, wherein the golf ball
placement device is associated with the controller.
20. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller
includes a user interface for enabling a golfer to control the
movement of the stance platform and the ball platform.
21. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user
interface of the controller includes a plurality of movement
control buttons for controlling the movement of the stance platform
and the ball platform.
22. The golf practice apparatus of claim 21, wherein the user
interface enables a selection from a stance platform movement mode
and a ball platform movement mode.
23. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user
interface includes a reset selection for enabling the respective
platform to return its initial state.
24. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller
further includes a control module.
25. The golf practice apparatus of claim 24, wherein the control
module is received within a box configured to use as a step to
facilitate the golfer to access to the respective platform.
26. A golf practice apparatus comprising: a stance platform
including an upper portion adapted to provide a standing place for
a golfer; a ball platform having a golf ball positioning location
thereon; a platform actuator operably coupled with the stance
platform and the ball platform for providing vertical movement of
the respective platform; and a controller associated with the
platform actuator for selectively providing a vertical displacement
or tilting movement of the stance platform and the ball platform.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a golf practice apparatus, and
more particularly, to a golf practice apparatus having a tiltable
platform, the tilt direction and degree of which is adjustable by
the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional golf practice apparatus typically have a
horizontal upper plate or platform with a rubber plate and
artificial grass attached thereto for placing golf balls to hit for
practice. Golfers utilizing such practice apparatus can practice
their shots and strokes merely at a flat and horizontal surface
which is different from a real golf course having a lot of lies and
hills in a variety of changing directions. For example, in the golf
course, the golfer may encounter a variety of different down hills,
up hills, and side hills. Also, he or she may often be standing on
a lie which is different from that on which the ball is positioned.
Thus, even if they have practiced for an extended period of time,
it's hard for them to easily adjust to real golf course terrains
and improve their golf skills or scores.
[0003] As such, even though it's ideal for a golfer to practice at
real golf courses, it's expensive and time consuming to practice in
the actual golf course. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a golf
shot practice apparatus resembling a real golf course environment
with varying slopes and lies often encountered by golfers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
golf practice apparatus is provided, which comprises: a stance
platform including an upper portion adapted to provide a standing
place for a golfer; a ball platform having a golf ball positioning
location thereon; a platform actuator operably coupled with the
stance platform and the ball platform for providing vertical
movement of the respective platform; and, a controller associated
with the platform actuator for selectively providing a vertical
displacement or tilting movement of the stance platform and the
ball platform.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a golf practice apparatus is provided, which comprises: a stance
platform including an upper portion adapted to provide a standing
place for a golfer; at least one stance platform actuator operably
coupled with the stance platform and configured to provide a
vertical displacement to at least a portion of the stance platform;
a ball platform having a golf ball positioning area thereon; at
least one ball platform actuator operably coupled with the ball
platform and configured to provide a vertical displacement to at
least a portion of the ball platform; and, a controller associated
with the stance platform actuator and the ball platform actuator
for selectively providing a vertical displacement or tilting
movement of the respective stance platform and ball platform to
various directions and degrees adjustable by the golfer.
[0006] Each of the stance platform actuator and the ball platform
actuator preferably include four lifts disposed at four
quadrangular locations of the respective stance platform and ball
platform. Each of the stance platform and the ball platform
preferably include a base member and an upper member, and the
stance platform actuator and the ball platform actuator are
respectively disposed between the base member and the upper member.
The controller includes a user interface for enabling a golfer to
control the movement of the stance platform and the ball platform.
The golf ball positioning area of the ball platform preferably
includes a groove configured to place a golf practice ball thereon.
The golf practice apparatus of the invention may further include a
golf ball placement device configured to place or deliver a golf
ball at a predetermined location of the golf practice apparatus.
The golf ball placement device is preferably attached to the ball
platform.
[0007] The above and other features and objectives of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description considered with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall
construction of a golf practice apparatus according to the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one preferred
embodiment of a golf practice apparatus constructed according to
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portion (A) of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of portion (B) of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating one adjusted
configuration of the stance platform according to the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another adjusted
configuration of the stance platform according to the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating one adjusted
configuration of the ball platform of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another adjusted
configuration of the ball platform of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 9a is a perspective view illustrating one adjusted
configuration of the stance and ball platforms of the invention, in
which the stance platform lies downhill and the ball platform lies
uphill.
[0017] FIG. 9b is a perspective view illustrating another adjusted
configuration of the stance and ball platforms of the invention, in
which the stance platform lies uphill and the ball platform lies
downhill.
[0018] FIG. 9c is a perspective view illustrating another adjusted
configuration of the stance and ball platforms of the invention, in
which the stance platform and the ball platform both lie
downhill.
[0019] FIG. 9d is a perspective view illustrating still another
adjusted configuration of the stance and ball platforms of the
invention, in which the stance platform and the ball platform both
lie uphill.
[0020] FIGS. 10a-10d are perspective views illustrating different
arrangements of the stance and ball platforms of the invention with
a variety of different lie directions.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of
the control board of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an overall
construction of a golf practice apparatus of the present invention.
The golf practice apparatus 100 of the present invention is
composed essentially of a stance platform 200, a ball platform 300,
at least one actuator 400 (not shown but hidden within cover(s) 41
of the platforms 200 and 300), and a controller 500. The stance
platform 200 provides an upper standing place for a golfer to
practice golf shots or strokes thereon. The ball platform 300
provides a golf ball positioning area thereon.
[0023] Actuator 400 (not shown) is operatively connected to the
stance platform 200 and ball platform 300 to enable vertical
displacement, and/or tilting of the platforms 200 and 300. Actuator
400 may be one actuator system (not shown) having multiple
actuating elements for providing such movement of the respective
platform, or it can alternately be a plurality of separate
actuators (such as shown in FIGS. 2-10dwhich will be discussed
later). Controller 500 is operably coupled with the actuator(s) 400
to control such movement of the platforms 200 and 300. Other
features of the golf practice apparatus of the invention will be
described herein-after.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 2-4, one preferred embodiment of the
invention is described herein in details. In this embodiment,
stance platform 200 and ball platform 300 of golf practice
apparatus 100' have a similar structure to the golf practice
apparatus 100 described above except several features to be
described herein.
[0025] The stance platform 200 includes a base member 1, an upper
member 10, and a supporting plate 14. The ball platform 300
similarly includes a base member 2, an upper member 11, and a
supporting plate 16. The base member 1, upper member 10, and
supporting member 14 of the stance platform 200 have generally
similar structures to that of the base member 2, upper member 11,
and supporting member 16 of the ball platform 300, respectively.
The base members 1 and 2 and upper members 10 and 11 of the
platforms 200 and 300 are respectively in a form of a networked
frame as shown. However, they may have a different configuration
such as a planar member. Also, in a certain embodiment, the base
members 1 and 2 of the platforms 200 and 300 may be omitted, and
the actuators 400 (to be described later) can be placed or
installed directly on the ground.
[0026] The supporting plates 14 and 16, respectively having a top
mat (preferably, a green mat) 13 and 15, are attached onto the
upper members or frames 10 and 11, respectively. The mat 13 and 15
preferably include artificial grass in resemblance to a real golf
course condition. The supporting plate 14 provides a standing area
for a golfer to practice thereon, and has a suitable strength for
that. In addition, at least one ball delivery hole 32' or 33 may be
provided thereon. In this embodiment, the delivery hole 33 is
designed for practicing golf putting, simulating a hole in the
green of a real course, and the hole 32' is for drawing out the
golf ball which is received into the hole 33. For this, a ball
distribution member 31 may be provided under the supporting plate
14. The ball distribution member 31 includes a delivery channel or
duct 31', and a delivery hole 32 that is connected to the hole 32'
for extracting of the ball as discussed above. Alternatively, the
delivery duct 31' may be further extended and connected to a
location other than the hole 32', for example, to discharge the
holed-in ball at a desired location outside of the golf practice
apparatus or to deliver the ball back to a golf ball placement
device (to be discussed later). With such an alternative design,
the delivery hole 32' on the supporting plate 14 is not
required.
[0027] On the other hand, the other supporting plate 16 of the ball
platform 300 provides an area adapted for positioning of a golf
practice ball to practice golf shots by iron and driver clubs, and
preferably includes at least one groove 17 at a suitable location.
Upon provision of a suitably-configured groove 17 thereon, the ball
positioned on the plate 16 can be maintained its desired location
to hit by the golfer without falling down there-from. This is
useful particularly when the ball platform 300 is tilted as will be
described later in connection with operation of the apparatus.
Artificial grass having a plurality of groove patterns specially
designed to hold the balls upon tilting, may be placed on the
region 17. In addition to the groove region 17 (or instead of
providing such a groove region 17), the supporting plate 16 of the
ball platform 300 may include a tee member (not shown) suitably
configured and positioned at an appropriate location thereof. A
flexible and durable practice tee known in the art may be utilized
for that. However, it is noted that an upper ball-contact area of
the tee must provide a wider seating surface to prevent the ball
from falling-off the tee when the ball platform 300 is tilted as
described herein after.
[0028] It is further noted that the supporting plates 14 and 16 can
be unitarily formed with the respective upper members 10 and 11
when an additional device such as the ball distribution member 31
is not provided between the supporting plates 14 and 16 and the
upper members 10 and 11.
[0029] In the present embodiment, four actuators 3, 3', 4 and 4',
and four similar actuators 5, 5', 6 and 6' are respectively mounted
on the base members 1 and 2 about the four corners thereof as shown
in the FIG. 2. Such actuators are preferably in the form of a screw
lift driven by a motor 60 (details shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Other
types of known actuators such as pneumatic/hydraulic cylinders or
electric actuators may alternatively used for the four actuators.
In a certain other embodiment, such four actuators can be replaced
with two actuators, each having two actuating arms particularly
designed to support and move two corners of the respective
platform.
[0030] With reference still to FIGS. 2-4, each of the screw lifts
includes an elongated screw 61, and at least one set of four link
arms 62 operably connected to the motor 60 and screw 61. As shown,
it is preferable to have a pair of (i.e., two sets of) four links
62, each set forming a parallelogram shape, and being in parallel
disposition to one another and laterally connected by a suitable
structure. As shown, two gears 29 can be provided in engagement
with each other at two lower links 62 for facilitating vertical
movement of the screw lift. Each of the actuators (e.g., screw
lifts) includes a bracket plate 8 affixed to a bracket member 7
which is in turn mounted to the link structure 62. The bracket
plate 8 and bracket member 7 can alternatively be formed unitarily.
Each screw lift further includes a separate bracket 12 which is to
be attached to the upper frame 10 or 11 of the respective platform.
The bracket 8 and 12 respectively include a central groove at
opposing inner faces, and a spring 9 is inserted within the grooves
of the bracket plates 8 and 12. The spring 9 has a suitable size
and strength to fit within the grooves and sufficiently support and
oppose the two bracket plates 8 and 12 under a loaded condition in
actual use of the golf practice apparatus.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the controller 500 is
provided, which is connected by a cable 42 to the respective stance
and ball platform actuators (such as 3, 3', 4, 4', 5, 5', 6, 6') to
control movement of the respective platforms 200 and 300 of the
golf practice apparatus of the invention. The controller 500
includes a tilt/displacement controller 20 with a user interface
panel 19 to operate the golf practice apparatus.
[0032] One illustrative embodiment of the user interface panel 19
is described with reference to FIG. 11, which includes a plurality
of control buttons for controlling movement of the respective
platforms 200 and 300. Power button 22 is to turn the apparatus 100
on or off. A ball platform selection button 23 is to select
operation of the ball platform 300, and a stance platform selection
button 23 is to select operation of the stance platform 200. A
plurality of movement buttons 25 are also provided to provide
vertical displacement and/or tilting movements of the respective
platform 200 and/or 300. In this embodiment, movement buttons 25-1
and 25'-1 are for operating two left actuators (3 and 3', or 5 and
5') up and down, respectively, which result in the left side of the
respective platform 200 or 300 moving up and down, respectively.
The terms of "left", "right", "front", and "rear" used in this
invention description in connection with the direction of the
platforms 200 and 300, and their associated actuators, are meant to
be the particular directions perceived by the golfer who is
standing on the platform in a proper alignment to hit a golf ball
thereon, i.e., facing toward of the ball area 17. Movement buttons
25-2 and 25'-2 are for operating two front actuators (3' and 4', or
5' and 6') up and down, respectively, which result in the front
side of the respective platform 200 or 300 moving up and down,
respectively. Likewise, movement buttons 25-3 and 25'-3 are for
operating two right actuators (4 and 4', or 6 and 6') up and down,
respectively, which result in the right side of the respective
platform 200 or 300 moving up and down, respectively. Likewise,
movement buttons 254 and 25'-4 are for operating two rear actuators
(3 and 4, or 5 and 6) up and down, respectively, which result in
the rear side of the respective platform 200 or 300 moving up and
down, respectively. A reset button 26 is also provided to make the
respective platform 200 or 300 return to the initial horizontal
state. Other suitable configurations of the user interface panel
may be contemplated. For example, instead of assigning two
actuators to a particular movement button as discussed above,
respective one actuator may be assigned to one corresponding
movement button. In this arrangement, pressing one button causes
movement of its corresponding one actuator, and thus, it requires
pressing of two buttons at the same time in order to move a side of
the respective platform. Further control elements may also be
included in the interface panel 19 for adequate operation of the
golf practice apparatus of the invention.
[0033] The controller 500 may further include or couple with a golf
ball placement equipment 18 to hold a multitude of golf practice
balls therein and automatically place the balls, one at a time, at
an appropriate location on the mat 15 (or mat 13) of the golf
practice apparatus. A conventional golf ball placement device may
be modified and combined with the controller 500. The golf ball
placement equipment 18 includes, among other known mechanisms, an
extended oscillator arm (not shown) which picks up a ball stored
within the equipment, and travels back and forth through a
horizontal slot 18a for placing at a predetermined location,
preferably, on the groove 17. As shown in FIG. 1, a suitable pedal
or activation button 43 is provided at a convenient location either
on the ball platform 300 or the stance platform 200 to activate
placement of the balls by the ball placement equipment 18. The
golfer can press the activation button 43 either by a foot or a
golf club held by the person. The activation button 43 is connected
to the controller 500 for the operation.
[0034] As shown, it is preferred to have the controller 500 (which
is combined with the ball placement equipment 18) attached at a
distal end side of the ball platform 300. This design is intended
to provide a convenient access to the controller 500 and also for
precise positioning of the ball on a particular location in the mat
15.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 2, the apparatus of the invention may
optionally include a control module 21 which is connected to the
controller 500 via a cable 42. The module 21 preferably includes a
plurality of indicators and/or adjusting elements for the operation
control of the golf practice apparatus. It is advantageous to
provide a step member 30 (FIG. 1) having a suitable size and shape
to facilitate the golf to step on and access onto the standing area
of the platforms 200 and 300. The module 21 may be received within
the enclosure of the step 30.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 2-8, and 11, operation of the golf
practice apparatus of the present invention is described herein.
Here, the golf practice apparatus 100' which has four actuators at
four corners of the respective platforms 200 and 300 (i.e., that
shown in FIG. 2), is particularly used for description herein for
purposes of simplicity and clarity. However, the operation methods
of the invention are not intended to be limited thereto, and a golf
practice apparatus with different structures (such as that having
different actuators described above in this invention disclosure)
may be used.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the stance platform 200 and the ball
platform 300 of the golf practice apparatus 100' are initially set
to maintain a horizontally balanced configuration. Golfers may from
time to time practice golf with the apparatus 100 set in this
state. When the golfer wants to move or adjust the orientation of
the particular platform(s) 200 and/or 300, the person may raise or
lower at least a portion of the selected platform by manipulating
the user interface panel 19 of the controller 500.
[0038] As illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 11, the
user interface panel 19 basically includes a plurality of control
elements or buttons, for example, power button 22, ball platform
operation selection button 23, stance platform operation selection
button 24, movement buttons 25, and reset button 26. For the
operation, these buttons can be pressed in series either by a hand,
a foot, or a golf club of the golfer.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 11, illustrative operation of
the stance platform 200 is described herein. The power button 22 is
first turned on. Then, the stance platform selection button 24 is
pressed to make the controller 500 ready to control the desired
operation of the stance platform 200.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 5 (in association with FIG. 2), in order to
move the left side of the stance platform 200 up, the movement
button 25-1 is pressed. This causes two left actuators 3 and 3' to
operate upwards (as described before) and the left side of the
stance platform 200 moves up. The golfer stops pressing the button
25-1 when the desired tilting degree is reached. It is preferred
that the apparatus 100 further includes at its appropriate location
an indicator (not shown) for displaying the adjusted tilt
directions and degrees. Contrarily, in order to move the left side
of the stance platform 200 back to downwards, the movement button
25'-1 is pressed.
[0041] As described before, each of the actuators preferably
includes spring 9 received within opposing central grooves of two
corresponding bracket members 8 and 12 (as shown FIG. 3). These
(four) springs 9 can support the weight of the respective platform
200 or 300 and the golfer while providing a small gap between
respective two opposing faces of the bracket members 8 and 12. When
only one side of the respective platform is moved up or down (i.e.,
tilted) as described herein, each of the four springs 9 is bent or
twisted between the bracket members 8 and 12 (as shown in FIGS.
9a-9d), and the four springs 9 can still support the weight of the
respective platform 200 or 300 and the golfer, while the gap
between the respective two opposing faces of the bracket members 8
and 12 is changed to a wedge-like shape for adapting to the tilted
platforms. This spring-bracket combination structure of the
invention is advantageous because it facilitate the respective
platforms to be in a balanced and secured state even after they are
tilted.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, in order to move the right side of the
stance platform 200 up, the movement button 25-3 is pressed. This
causes two right actuators 4 and 4' to operate upwards (as
described before) and the right side of the stance platform 200
moves up. The golfer stops pressing the button 25-1 when the
desired tilting degree is reached, preferable with the aid of the
tilt indicator as described above. Contrarily, in order to move the
right side of the stance platform 200 back to downwards, the
movement button 25'-3 is pressed.
[0043] Likewise, other tilt orientations (e.g., front side up or
down, rear side up or down, etc.) of the stance platform 200 can be
conveniently obtained by appropriate manipulation of the movement
buttons 25. In order to change a different tilt orientation from
the current one, it is sometimes useful to return the prior
adjusted configuration to the initial (i.e., horizontal) state by
pressing the reset button 26. Whenever the golfer wants to make the
selected platform into the horizontal state, the reset button 26
can be pressed.
[0044] With reference now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 11, illustrative
operation of the ball platform 300 is described herein. First the
power button 22 must be in the on position. Then, the ball platform
selection button 23 is pressed to make the controller 500 ready to
control the desired operation of the ball platform 300.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 7 (in association with FIG. 2), in order to
move the left side of the ball platform 300 up, the movement button
25-1 is pressed. This causes two left actuators 5 and 5' to operate
upwards (as described before) and the left side of the ball
platform 300 moves up. The golfer stops pressing the button 25-1
when the desired tilting degree is reached, preferable with the aid
of the tilt indicator as described above. Contrarily, in order to
move the left side of the ball platform 300 back to downwards, the
movement button 25'-1 is pressed.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 8 (in association with FIG. 2), in order to
move the right side of the ball platform 300 up, the movement
button 25-3 is pressed. This causes two right actuators 6 and 6' to
operate upwards (as described before) and the right side of the
ball platform 300 moves up. The golfer stops pressing the button
25-3 when the desired tilting degree is reached, preferable with
the aid of the tilt indicator as described above. Contrarily, in
order to move the right side of the ball platform 300 back to
downwards, the movement button 25'-3 is pressed.
[0047] Accordingly, the above mentioned and other tilt orientations
(e.g., front side up or down, rear side up or down, etc.) of the
selected platform 200 or 300 can be easily obtained by appropriate
manipulation of the movement buttons 25. Also, the reset button 26
can be pressed when it is desired to make the respective platform
200 or 300 into the horizontal state. It is further noted that the
respective platform 200 and/or 300 can be elevated and lowered
while maintaining its horizontal state by pressing appropriate
buttons. For example, two movement buttons 25-1 and 25-3 (or, 25-2
and 25-4) can be pressed to elevate the height of the selected
platform 200 or 300.
[0048] FIGS. 9a-9d show various, exemplary tilt configurations of
the golf practice apparatus adjusted in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. FIGS. 10a-10d show further
tilt configurations of the stance and ball platforms 200 and 300 of
the golf practice apparatus according to the present invention.
[0049] As such, each of the stance and ball platforms 200 and 300
can be adjusted to a variety of different configurations by
manipulation of the buttons 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. Now, when the
golfer presses the ball placement button 43 (FIG. 1), the golf ball
placement equipment 18 automatically pick up one practice ball 28
(FIGS. 7-8) and place on the groove 17 of the ball platform 300 or
on a predetermined location of the apparatus 100 for enabling the
golfer to practice thereon. As described above, having the golf
ball placement equipment 18 affixed at the front side of the ball
platform 300, the ball 28 can be positioned at a precise location
even the ball platform 300 is tilted.
[0050] Accordingly, golfers can repeatedly practice golf shots with
the golf practice apparatus of the invention in various different
lie conditions resembling to the real golf course terrains. In
addition, utilizing the holes 32' and 33 on the stance platform
200, the golf can also practice golf putting skills thereon.
[0051] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form, structures, methods, mechanisms and details may be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *