U.S. patent number 3,730,531 [Application Number 05/234,264] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-01 for golf swing practice device.
Invention is credited to Frank J. Zega.
United States Patent |
3,730,531 |
Zega |
May 1, 1973 |
GOLF SWING PRACTICE DEVICE
Abstract
A mechanical instruction apparatus for guiding a golf club
during a practice swing. The apparatus has a minimum amount of
supporting structure for a pair of closely-spaced, curved rails
adapted to loosely receive and guide the lower shaft portion of a
golf club and for a guide rail adapted to guide the club on the
follow-through, and an improved carriage for supporting the upper
portions of the rails and adjusting the height and angle of said
rails to accommodate students of different height. The upper
sections of the rails are adapted to be shifted automatically
during the practice swing to a new position out of the path of the
follow-through of the practice swing, thus enabling the completion
of a proper swing, and a flexible bumper is provided to engage and
limit shifting movement of the upper sections.
Inventors: |
Zega; Frank J. (Fairfield,
CT) |
Family
ID: |
22880634 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/234,264 |
Filed: |
March 13, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/36211 (20200801); A63B 2071/0694 (20130101); A63B
2225/09 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/36 (20060101); A63b 069/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/186,183,191,192,187 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Marlo; George J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A mechanical instruction aid for guiding a golf club during a
practice swing, comprising a support, a pair of closely-spaced,
inner and outer curved rails, a lower portion of each of which is
attached to said support, said rails extending alongside each other
and arranged to loosely receive between them the lower shank
portion of the golf club, said rails extending along only a
predetermined curvilinear path adapted to form the backswing
portion of a prescribed golf-club swing; a single curved guide rail
secured to an end of said inner rail and constituting a
continuation of said rail, said single guide rail extending along a
predetermined curvilinear path adapted to form the remainder of
said prescribed golf-club swing; hinge and latch means connecting
the juxtaposed upper end portions of said pair of rails to the
remainders thereof to enable said end portions to be swung out of
said curvilinear path and thereby provide clearance for the golf
club on the follow-through of the latter; and unitary carriage
means supporting said hinge and latch means, the upper portions of
said inner and outer curved rails and the upper portion of said
guide rail and being adjustably attached to said support whereby
adjustment of the position of said unitary carriage means relative
to said support simultaneously changes the height of said rails and
the angle of said curvilinear path in order to accommodate users of
different height.
2. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 1 in which said
support and said unitary carriage means are each provided with a
multiplicity of spaced attachment means which cooperate with one
another in supporting the carriage in a number of adjusted
positions.
3. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 2 in which an
adjustment means is provided between said support and said
carriage, intermediate said spaced attachment means, for changing
the position of said carriage relative to said support.
4. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 2 in which at
least one pair of said cooperating attachment means is provided
with indicia defining a series of positions of the carriage
relative to the support.
5. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 1 in which the
said guide rail is attached to the support adjacent the point at
which the golf club will strike the golf ball during a practice
swing, and said support and said guide rail are provided with
relative indicia, the indicia on the support enabling the user to
assume a proper foot position and the indicia on the guide rail
enabling the user to assume a proper club position during the use
of the device.
6. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 5 in which a
position stand is associated with the indicia on the support and is
provided with further indicia to enable the user to position his
feet at the proper distance and angle relative to the indicia on
the guide rail.
7. A mechanical instruction aid for guiding a golf club during a
practice swing, comprising a pair of closely-spaced, curved rails
extending alongside each other and arranged to loosely receive
between them the lower shank portion of the golf club, said rails
extending along only a predetermined curvilinear path adapted to
form the backswing portion of a prescribed golf-club swing; a
single, curved guide rail secured to an end of one of said pair of
rails and constituting a continuation of said one rail, said single
guide rail extending along a predetermined curvilinear path adapted
to form the remainder of said prescribed golf-club swing, the upper
end portions of said pair of rails and single rail being attached
to a unitary adjustable carriage, the said path of said rails being
generally in the shape of a closed loop; hinge means connecting the
juxtaposed upper end portions of said pair of rails which define
the beginning of the swing to the remaining portions of the rails
to enable said end portions to be swung out of said curvilinear
path and thereby provide clearance for the golf club on the
follow-through of the latter; latch means releasably holding said
hinged upper end portions in said curvilinear path; spring-charged
means for swinging said end portions out of said path about said
hinged connection; flexible bumper means yieldably-attached to said
hinge means and closely-spaced from said end portions of said pair
of rails in order to contact said end portions during their swing
out of the curvilinear path and yieldably restrain said end
portions to a stop position; and means engaged by the golf club
when leaving said end portions, rendering inoperative said latch
means whereby the end portions are automatically swung clear of the
club and into contact with the bumper means on the follow-through
of the club.
8. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 7 in which said
flexible bumper means comprises a cushioning material mounted on a
lever spring attached to a stationary portion of said hinge means,
said cushioning material being positioned to contact a movable
portion of said hinge means attached to said end portions of said
pair of rails during their swing out of the curvilinear path.
9. A mechanical instruction aid according to claim 7 in which the
said upper end portions of said pair of rails are connected and are
provided with a protective cushion at the point of connection.
Description
The apparatus of the present invention is an improvement over the
related device of my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,721.
While the device of my aforementioned patent has enjoyed commercial
success and has been found to be an important aid to golf students
in improving their golf swing, I have found that it does have
certain disadvantages which detract from its efficiency. The
patented device has a substantial amount of structure which
supports the guide rail within the view of the student and this is
often found to be a distraction with respect to the concentration
required on the part of the student and furthermore increases the
possibility of the student hitting the structure with his club
during an incorrect swing, with resultant damage to both club and
device.
The patented device also is rather cumbersome to adjust for
students of different heights in that the guide rail is supported
by two different stanchions which must be adjusted individually and
by three different struts which also require individual
adjustment.
Finally, the patented device is provided with latch and hinge means
and a spring for shifting the upper rail sections out of the path
of the backswing and with a pad on the supporting structure to
absorb the impact of the shifted rail sections. Since the rail
sections travel some distance before impact with the pad, the
impact is rather severe and distracting and can result in premature
wear-out of the upper rail sections and/or the pad.
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an
improved mechanical instruction apparatus for guiding a golf club
during a practice swing, which apparatus has a minimum amount of
supporting structure, particularly within the view of the student
as he uses the apparatus.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved
mechanical instruction apparatus which has a single means for
adjusting the apparatus whereby the apparatus can be adjusted
quickly and accurately by means requiring no mechanical skill.
It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved
mechanical instruction apparatus having an improved means for
shifting the upper rail sections in such a way that impact, wear
and distraction are minimized.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present
disclosure, including the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the improved mechanical
instruction apparatus of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustment means, upper rail
carriage, latch means and upper rail section of the present
apparatus,
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section illustrating the adjustment
means for moving the upper rail carriage relative to the front
stanchion of the present apparatus,
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the hinge and latch means for the
swingable portions of the upper guide rails of the present
apparatus, and
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the position stand and associated portions
of the base and lower rail and its support.
The improved mechanical golf swing apparatus of the present
invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a club-guiding
means 20 which is similar in appearance to the corresponding means
of my U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,721, said means being in the form of
curved rails extending at an angle to the vertical and along a
predetermined curvilinear path which defines substantially a closed
loop and conforms to a prescribed golf club swing. However the
club-guiding means of the present invention has a substantially
improved suspension system and adjustment means.
A first portion of the guide means 20 comprises spaced upper and
lower rails 21 and 22 respectively, and the remainder of the guide
means comprises but a single curved guide rail 23 attached to and
constituting a continuation of the lower guide rail 22 of the pair.
A club-guiding means which is so constituted functions very
effectively in properly guiding the golf club during the practice
swing. During the initial portion of the swing, including the
backswing, the pair of rails 21, 22 confines the golf club fairly
closely, and prevents the club from departing appreciably from the
correct path. As the golf club reaches the lower portion of its
arc, approximately half-way through the forward swing, the second
or upper rail 21 is discontinued and only the lower rail 22 and a
single rail 23 constituting a continuation of the rail 22 is
utilized, to guide the club. During the latter portion of the swing
of the golf club, there is a tendency on the part of the person
swinging the club to direct the latter backward rather than
forward. Therefore the club will generally be maintained in contact
with the single rail 23, without the aid of any additional guide
means whatsoever.
The upper portion of the single rail 23 which guides the club
during the latter part of the swing is made substantially higher
than the upper portions of the pair of guide rails 21 and 22, and
therefore during the backswing, prior to initiation of the forward
stroke of the club, the single rail 23 will not interfere with the
club because of the shortened radius as effected by the stance of
the person using the club, the grip and positions of the arms, etc.
However, on the follow-through of the swing, the arc of movement of
the club has a larger radius, due to the stance, position of the
hands and arms, etc., and accordingly the club will be guided along
the single rail 23 even though it is higher than the rails 21 and
22, and will not shift off of the single rail or normally become
disengaged therefrom.
Referring to FIG. 2, I dispose the pair of rails 21 and 22 in a
curved path determined to be correct for the proper initial swing
of the golf club. From this Figure it will be seen that the single
guide rail 23 follows in general the path initially established by
the pair of rails 21, 22 except at the top of the swing. At this
point the single guide rail 23 crosses over the upper portions of
the pair of rails 21 and 22 from the rear toward the front at an
acute angle, and thereafter extends downward and is spaced
appreciably forward of the said pair of rails. This, I have
determined, is considered the most desirable path for the club to
follow for a natural, accurately-controlled driving swing including
the proper shoulder turn at the completion of the swing.
The guide means 20 is carried on a support comprising a base 24
having front and rear members 25 and 26 and side members 27. The
base supports upwardly-extending stanchions 28 and 29, stanchion 28
being secured to one side member 27 of the base 24 and stanchion 29
being secured to the other side member 27, both secured slightly
closer to the rear member 26 than to the front member 25. A short
angle brace bar 31 is also provided between the stanchion 28 and
the rear member 26 while stanchion 29 is braced by angle brace bar
30 provided between stanchion 29 and side member 27. The stanchions
28 and 29 are connected together adjacent their upper portions by
adjustment support bar 32.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portions of the pair of guide
rails 21 and 22 are supported by an upper rail carriage 33 which is
illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Referring
to FIG. 3, rear stanchion 29 is connected to male support member 35
which is in sliding engagement within sleeve member 34 of the rail
carriage while front stanchion 28 is connected to male support
member 37 which is in sliding engagement within sleeve member 36 of
the rail carriage. Sleeve member 34 is extended and bent to form
rail support member 38 having attached thereto rail support bars 39
which are both connected to guide rail 23. If desired, a bumper 39a
may be secured to bar 39, as shown by broken lines, in order to
protect the golf club during an improper followthrough. Rail
support member 38 is also connected to upper rail 21, as
illustrated.
An adjustment support bar 40 connects sleeve members 34 and 36
which are in cooperative telescoping association with support
members 35 and 37 attached to the stanchions 29 and 28,
respectively. The adjustment support member 32, which is a
continuation of stanchion 28, has attached thereto fixed threaded
mount 56 and adjustable threaded drive member 55, one end of which
is rotatably connected to adjustment support bar 40 of the carriage
by means of a sprocket 58, thrust washers 57 and pin 59, as more
clearly illustrated in FIG. 4. Rotation of wheel 41, connected to
threaded drive member 55, causes the entire upper rail carriage to
move a predetermined distance towards or away from stanchion bars
28 and 29, thereby lowering or raising the height of the rail
sections 21, 22 and 23 and automatically changing the angles
thereof to accommodate students of different heights. This change
in position is illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 2, while
FIG. 4 illustrates a graduated scale which is provided on male
support member 37 whereby the proper adjustment position of the
carriage relative to the stanchions is indicated in terms of the
height of the student using the device. In FIG. 4 the carriage is
illustrated in the proper position for a student having a height of
5 feet 9 inches and the position can be varied to accommodate
students of greater or less height by rotating wheel 41 to slide
the carriage 33 away from or towards fixed mount 56 to the position
on the graduated scale corresponding to the height of the
student.
As discussed supra, the rail section 21 is supported by rail
support member 38 and the rail section 23 is supported by rail
support bars 39 attached to rail support member 38. The other rail
section 22 is also supported on the carriage 33 by means of the
latch housing 42 which is connected to sleeve member 36 by means of
housing bracket 47. Thus adjustment of the position of the upper
rail carriage automatically and simultaneously changes the height
and angle of the three rail sections, as illustrated by FIG. 2. The
only points of attachment of the rail sections to the present
device, other than to the upper rail carriage, are the attachment
of the lower extremity of upper rail 21 to side extension bar 27a
and the attachment of lower rail 22 and its continuation, guide
rail 23 to lower rail support 45, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, the upper terminal portions of the
rails 21 and 22 are hingedly connected to the remainders of the
rails and are caused to automatically swing to an angularly and
rearwardly-extended position in order that the golf club during the
follow-through portion of the swing will have proper clearance. To
accomplish this, hinge and latch means is provided, secured to the
lower rail 22, as shown in detail in FIG. 5, said means including a
novel shock absorbing bumper means in order to reduce impact, wear
and distraction during the shifting of the upper rail section. The
hinge and latch means comprises a latch housing 42 having upper and
lower plates 46 securely fastened to opposite sides of the rail 22.
A hinge member 50 is carried by a pivot pin 50a between the plates
46, the member 50 being roughly of triangular shape and carrying
the uppermost portion of the rail 22, said portion being severed
from the remainder or lower portion of rail 22. The upper terminal
or end portion of the rail 22 is attached to a U-shaped connector
bumper 44, said bumper also having attached to it the upper
terminal or end portion of the rail 21. Adjacent the severance in
the rail 22, the rail 21 is provided with a pin-and-slot connection
21a, such connection enabling the uppermost portions of the rails
21 and 22 to swing backward about the pivot pin 50a, as shown by
the broken outlines in FIG. 5.
Normally the rail sections are maintained in alignment, as
indicated by the full line showing of FIG. 5, by a pivoted latch
arm 49 mounted between the plates 46 carried on a pivot 49a secured
to said plates. The latch arm 49 has an extremity 49b engageable
with the uppermost projection of the hinge member 50, and the latch
arm 49 is normally urged to and held in the locking position shown
by a lever spring 52. Automatic actuation of the latch arm 49 is
effected by a trigger 48 carried by a pivot 53 secured to one plate
46, said trigger having a finger portion engageable with a
laterally-projecting portion of the latch arm 49. The trigger 48 is
normally held in a non-releasing position as shown in FIG. 5 by a
wire coil spring 43, and may be swung counterclockwise from the
locking position, as illustrated by the golf club as it is brought
back to initiate the forward swing. As the golf club is again
brought forward, it will strike the trigger 48 and swing it
clockwise, thereby tripping the latch arm 49 and enabling the
uppermost portions of the rails 21 and 22 to swing counterclockwise
as indicated. Such movement of the rails is effected by an
extension coil spring 43, FIGS. 1 to 3, secured to the rails and to
the adjustment support bar 40 of the framework.
The improved device of the present invention provides a yieldable
rail bumper 51 which is attached to the latch housing by means of a
shock spring 51a and which is closely spaced from the shiftable
rail section. The bumper is formed of rubber or other cushioning
material and functions to contact the leading edge of hinge member
50 during the shifting of the uppermost portions of the rails 21
and 22 caused by the golf swing, as illustrated by FIG. 5. As shown
by broken lines in FIG. 5, the shock spring 51a flexes to a stress
position when the upper rail sections are released and urged out of
position by means of the lever spring 43, thereby cushioning the
stoppage of movement of the upper rail sections in a manner which
minimizes the amount of noise and the wear-and-tear on the hinge
mechanism and upper rail sections. This represents an important
improvement over prior known devices in which the upper rail
sections, when released, were caused to swing a greater distance
and were stopped by means of a fixed cushion attached to the frame
with resultant distracting noise and high impact stress on the
hinge mechanism and upper rail sections.
After the uppermost sections of the rails 21 and 22 have been
shifted backward, they may be restored to their normal positions
aligned with the remainder of the rails, by hand, the restoring
movement again permitting the latch arm 49 to lock the parts in
their operative positions.
In addition to the simplified single adjustment means which permits
the student to adjust the present practice device to the correct
height and angle for his or her size, the present device also
provides means whereby the student is permitted to take up the
proper foot and club position without any external guidance. As
illustrated by FIG. 6, the present device is provided with a
position stand 60 which is associated with the front member 25 of
the base and which is provided with a toe line 61 and heel line 62
which is in alignment with a base line 63 on the front member 25.
Also a rail line 64 is present on rail 22 adjacent the rail support
45 at a distance of about 11/2 inches from an imaginary extension
of the heel line, as illustrated in broken lines. If desired, feet
position outlines may be present on the position stand, as shown.
To take up a proper approach position, the student merely has to
position one foot on each side of the heel line, the left heel
touching the heel line, as shown, and position his toes along the
toe line. The handle of the club is held to the right of the heel
line while the shaft of the club, adjacent the head, is positioned
over the rail line 64 at the position of impact with the golf ball,
placing the club at a slight angle, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As is
evident, in the absence of the position stand aligned with the base
and rail, the student requires professional guidance in order to
properly position himself to use the present practice device in the
proper manner.
It should be pointed out that plastic coatings preferably are
provided on a number of elements of the present apparatus for a
number of reasons including reduction of friction, wear and noise.
Waxy-feeling plastics such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon),
polyethylene and polypropylene are preferred materials. The plastic
coating is preferably provided in the form of a preformed tube
which is slipped over the inner, outer and guide rails and then
heat-shrunk thereon to provide a friction-reducing coating which
reduces the amount of noise and wear caused by the movement of the
club shaft over the rails. Likewise the carriage support members 35
and 37 are provided with similar heat-shrunk plastic tube coverings
to reduce the friction between these members and cooperative sleeve
members 34 and 36, whereby adjustment of the carriage is
facilitated. Also the trigger of the latch mechanism is preferably
coated with a similar plastic in order to reduce the noise and wear
caused when the trigger is struck by the shaft of the club.
As can be readily appreciated from the foregoing description, the
novel improved device of the present invention has a simplified
structure which substantially reduces the amount of distracting
supporting structure,particularly within the view of the user.
Aside from being distracting, an excess of supporting structure
also increases the possibility that the student will strike the
structure with his club during an improper golf swing, with
resultant damage to the club and device. The present device, while
a great improvement, is not foolproof and therefore a wrap-around
cushion pad 39a is preferably mounted on rail support bar 39, as
shown by broken lines in FIG. 3, as protection against the
possibility of the user making an improper shoulder turn at the
completion of the swing and bringing the club back up inside guide
rail 23 and striking the pad 39a from the rear, and as protection
against the possibility of the user failing to keep the arms fully
extended during the follow-through and causing the club to come off
the guide rail prematurely and below the uppermost loop of the
guide rail, striking the pad 39a from the front. Similarly the
connector rail bumper 44 is preferably a cushioned bumper to
protect the user's hands and club in the event that an improper
backswing is made whereby the club is not swung back high enough to
release the latch mechanism.
Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the
claims and portions of the improvements may be used without
others.
* * * * *