Golf Swing Training Device

Abstract

A golf training device in which an impact receiving golf ball element is mounted at the lower end of a pendulum accelerated from a stationary vertical position through an arcuate path of movement by the swing of a golfer's club. Proper movement of the golfer's club following initial impact is monitored by a switch mechanism to energize solenoid devices applying driving force to the pendulum in order to balance its static weight and avoid loading of the golfer's club during the practice swing. Indicators may be provided to detect excessive movement of the pendulum laterally of an arcuate path.

Description

This invention relates to the training of golfers and more particularly to apparatus designed to improve the golf club swing of a sportsman.

Various golf swing training devices have been proposed which sometimes involve a practice golf ball element tethered so that golf swings may be practiced without replacement of the golf ball. In such training devices, the practice golf ball may be tethered by a lightweight flexible element to minimize loading imposed thereon by the tethering. However, in order to furnish any guide to the golfer, the path of movement of the practice ball must be gauged which usually requires complex analysis before the information obtained may be of any assistance to the golfer. In other golf swing training devices, restraining devices for the body of the golfer have been proposed. This arrangement is of course also unsatisfactory since the use of a body restraint would preclude practice under natural conditions. In yet other types of golf training devices, where the practice golf ball is suspended from a post or frame, the golf club is loaded during the practice swing by the suspension linkages. Thus, practice under actual conditions is not possible.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a golf swing practice device which avoids the disadvantages and drawbacks of prior devices such as aforementioned wherein a practice golf ball is permanently suspended for impact by the golf club during a practice swing.

In accordance with the present invention, a practice golf ball element is suspended by a pendulum member which undergoes arcuate movement in response to impact applied to the golf ball element by the golfer's club during a practice swing. If the impact force and direction is correct as well as the golf club followup movement, this is sensed by a switch mechanism which is operative through solenoid driving devices to balance or compensate for the static weight load of the pendulum from which the practice golf ball is suspended thereby avoiding any loading of the golf club after impact and permitting the golfer to complete his practice swing. Thus, the golfer may practice swinging under actual conditions once he has substantially mastered the proper golf swing procedure. The golf club is otherwise loaded to a varying degree if the practice swing is improper in any serious respect. The golfer may thereby physically sense the need for improvement rather than rely upon subsequent analysis of geometrical data. Further, the training device may be provided with facilities for indicating the nature of any error in the golfer's swing.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating by dotted line a golfer taking a practice swing.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view showing a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of the apparatus with the pendulum member in an upper limit position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of another form of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a partial front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a simplified electrical circuit diagram associated with the apparatus of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the golf swing training apparatus generally denoted by reference numeral 10 is supported on the ground by a base or platform 12 of a suitable size and shape. The base platform 12 is designed to support a golfer 14 as shown by dotted line in FIG. 1, for example. The golfer assumes a position on the platform base 12 in operative relation to a pendulum member generally referred to by reference numeral 16 supporting a practice golf ball element 18 located closely spaced above the top surface of the base 12 when the pendulum is in a neutral, vertical position as shown by solid line in FIG. 1. When the golfer takes a practice swing, bringing the club 19 into contact with the golf ball element 18, the impact force applied to the golf ball element is transmitted to the pendulum member 16 causing it to move upwardly to a position as shown by dotted line in FIG. 1. The pendulum member is pivotally suspended from its upper end by a vertical post 20 fixedly mounted in an adjusted position by a stand 22 which is fixed in any suitable fashion to the base 12. The post also mounts a power operated drive mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 24 which is operatively connected to the pendulum member 16 for applying a static weight balancing force to the pendulum upon impact between the golfer's club and the ball element 18 as will be hereafter explained in further detail. The drive mechanism 24 if desired, may be enclosed within a box 26 as shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 4 within which control circuitry may also be housed.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the pendulum member in one embodiment of the invention is made of a tubular construction and includes a lower end portion 28 that is generally offset from an intermediate section 30 vertically aligned in parallel spaced relation to the stationary post 20 in the neutral position of the pendulum member. An upper section 32 of the pendulum member is pivotally connected to the intermediate section by means of a pivot pin 34 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2 establishing a hinge axis between the upper and intermediate sections disposed in perpendicular spaced relation to the vertical longitudinal axis of the post 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate section includes at its upper end, a lateral extension 36 within which the upper section 32 is received, the lateral extension seating a spring 38 which bears against the upper section 32 so as to bias the intermediate section to a position with its longitudinal axis aligned with that of the upper section 32. The upper section of the pendulum member is rigidly secured to one end portion of a rocker shaft 40 pivotally mounted by the post 20.

The post 20 is of tubular construction and as more clearly shown in FIG. 2, is fixedly held in a vertically adjusted position on the stand 22 by a setscrew element 42. Thus, the post may be adjusted in order to obtain the proper location for the pivotal axis of the pendulum member which extends through the rocker shaft 40. The rocker shaft is journaled within a tubular sleeve 44 secured to the upper end portion of the post. The drive mechanism 24 is secured to the end portion of the rocker shaft 40 opposite the end to which the pendulum member 16 is connected.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive mechanism 24 includes a crank arm 46 that extends in opposite directions from the rocker shaft 40 to which connecting rods 48 and 50 are pivotally connected by pivot bolt assemblies 52. Each connecting rod is associated with one of the solenoid devices 54 and 56. The solenoid device 54 includes a solenoid winding assembly 58 secured to the upper end of a supporting sleeve 60 which is secured to a pivot bracket 62. The pivot bracket is pivotally mounted by a pivot bolt assembly 64 on a support 66 secured to and extending laterally from one side of the post. A solenoid plunger 68 is connected to the connecting rod 48 and is slidable through the solenoid assembly 58 and the supporting sleeve 60 within which it is held in a retracted position as shown by dotted line in FIG. 3.

The solenoid device 56 similarly includes a solenoid winding assembly 70, the lower end of which is secured to the pivot bracket 72 pivotally mounted by a pivot bolt assembly 74 on a support 76 secured to and extending laterally from the post 20 on a side opposite the support 66. A sleeve 78 is secured to the upper end of the solenoid winding assembly 70 within which the solenoid plunger connected to the connecting rod 50 is held retracted.

It will therefore be apparent, that upon energization of one or both of the solenoid winding assemblies 58 and 70, the associated solenoid plungers will be axially displaced relative to the solenoid winding assemblies to thereby transmit torque through the connecting rods 48 and 50, the crank arm 46 and the rocker shaft 40 to the pendulum member. The resultant torque developed by energization of the solenoid devices 54 and 56 is designed to balance the static weight of the pendulum member in order to avoid loading of the golfer's club following impact between the club and the ball element 18 carried by the lower end portion 28 of the pendulum member. Thus, energization of the solenoid devices is effected in response to impact between the golf club and the ball element 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower end portion 28 of the pendulum member 16 includes a horizontal tubular section 80 within which a monitoring switch mechanism 82 is housed. The switch mechanism includes a pair of contact arms 84 and 86 that extend toward the open end of the tubular section 80 closed by a slide bearing block 88 secured in position to the tubular section by fasteners 90. The contact elements 84 and 86 include right angle terminal portions 92 and 94 to which electrical conductors are connected within the lower end portion 28 of the pendulum member and to which access may be provided by an opening in the lower end portion closed by the plate 96. The ends of the spring contact elements 84 and 86 are adapted to be conductively bridged by an annular contact ring 98 carried on a nonconductive bar 100 connected to the end of rod 102 within the tubular section 80. The rod 102 is slidably mounted by the slide bearing block 88 and is connected at an end opposite the bar 100 to the golf ball element 18 by means of a thrust element 104 against which one end of spring 106 abuts. The spring is mounted on a tubular element 108 secured to the bearing block 88 and through which the rod 102 extends. The tubular element 108 is axially spaced from the thrust element 104 when the ball element 18 is biased to its extended position by the spring 106 reacting against the bearing block 88 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, when an impact force is applied to the ball element 18 by the golfer's club, it axially displaces the rod 102 and bar 100 inwardly against the bias of spring 106 to a limit position determined by the tubular element 108 to initially establish electrical contact between the switch elements 84 and 86 and then transmit the force to the pendulum member 16 causing it to angularly accelerate about its pivot axis through the rocker shaft 40. As long as the force of the golf club exceeds the bias of spring 106 during the upward swing of the golf club, electrical contact is maintained by the ring 98 between the contact elements 84 and 86. Electrical contact between the elements 84 and 86 causes energization of the solenoid devices 54 and 56 associated with the drive mechanism 24 in order to apply torque to the pendulum member during its angular movement under the impact force of the golf club. The torque applied to the pendulum member by the solenoid devices as hereinbefore indicated, is designed to balance the static weight of the pendulum member so that it will not load the golf club during its swing. Should the followup velocity and force transmitted by the golf club to the ball element 18 be reduced below the bias of spring 106 because of improper swing, electrical contact will be broken between the contact elements 84 and 86 causing the solenoid devices to be deenergized during upward angular movement of the pendulum member. The static weight of the pendulum member will then load the golf club so that a golfer will physically sense that his practice swing is improper.

In one form of the invention, the pendulum member is laterally displaced out of the path of the golfer's club when it reaches a horizontal position so that the pendulum member can no longer load the golfer's club at the upper end of the golf swing. Toward this end, a cam element 110 is fixed to the upper end portion of the post as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5. The upper lateral extension 36 of the intermediate section 30 of the pendulum member engages the cam element 110 to cause the intermediate section and the lower end portion of the pendulum member to pivot about the hinge axis extending through pin 34 as the pendulum member approaches a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the pendulum member at the hinge pin 34 swings laterally out of the path of the golf club to permit the golfer to complete the swing. Further, upward movement of the pendulum member is limited by a stop extension 112 on the cam element with which the pendulum member abuts to prevent further upward movement about the pivotal axis extending through the rocker shaft 40.

In another form of the invention, the hinge pin and separate upper section for the pendulum member is eliminated in favor of a limit stop 114 secured to the upper end of the post 20 for engagement with a pendulum member 16' when it reaches its upper position as shown by dotted line in FIG. 8. In this embodiment of the invention, the pendulum member is permitted to be angularly displaced to an upper limit position more than 90.degree. from the vertical neutral position as shown by solid line in FIG. 8. Further, limited lateral displacement of the pendulum member 16' is accommodated relative to an upper section 32' as more clearly seen in FIG. 9. The upper section 32' as shown in FIG. 10, has a tubular connector 116 secured thereto as by welding. A pivot pin 118 is carried by the connector 116 and extends through the upper end portion of the intermediate section 30' associated with the pendulum member 16'. Thus, the intermediate section and the lower end portion of the pendulum member may be laterally displaced about a hinge axis extending through the pivot pin 118 relative to the upper section 32' which is pivotally mounted by a rocker shaft 40' for angular displacement relative to the post 20 as hereinbefore described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 7. A switch contact arm 120 is secured to one end of the pivot pin 118 so as to engage relatively stationary contact elements 122 carried by a nonconductive mounting element 124 secured by fasteners 126 to the connector 116. The connector and the pivot pin 118 are electrically conductive so that an electrical connection may be established between the movable contact 120 and one of the two contacts 122 when the pendulum member is displaced laterally from an angular movement plane perpendicular to the pivot axis extending through the rocker shaft 40' journaled by the stationary post 20. The intermediate section 30' of the pendulum member is normally held in a position with its longitudinal axis aligned with the axis of the upper section 32' by a pair of centering springs 128 which react between the intermediate section 30' and a pair of limit stop arms 130 that depend downwardly from the connector 116 on either side of the intermediate section 30' as more clearly seen in FIG. 9. Thus, the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 will accommodate lateral deflection of the pendulum member should impact with the ball element 18 be directed to one side or the other of the angular movement plane extending centrally through the pendulum member perpendicular to the pivot axis through the rocker shaft 40'. Should the lateral deflection of the pendulum member be excessive, the switch contact 120 engages one of the contacts 122 in order to establish a signal. Electrical conductors are accordingly connected to the contacts 120 and 122 and may extend upwardly therefrom through the upper section 32' into a hollow portion of the rocker shaft 40' from which the conductors extend through the sleeve 44 into the post 20 as more clearly seen in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, the movable contact 120 when engaged with one of the contacts 122, reflecting excessive lateral deflection of the pendulum member, completes an energizing circuit through one of a pair of alerting devices including an indicator lamp 132 and an audible device such as a buzzer 134. The other pair of alerting devices similarly includes an indicator lamp 132' and a buzzer 134'. The lamps will visually indicate the direction of lateral deflection while the buzzers 134 and 134' will be provided with different tones capable of being distinguished from each other so that the golfer will be immediately aware of the direction in which his swing is laterally offcenter. In order to energize the lamps and buzzers when contact is established, a suitable voltage source is connected at input terminals 136 and 138 to the switch arm 120 and the parallel connected lamps in series with the associated buzzers. The power terminal 136 is also connected to the switch mechanism 82 hereinbefore described so that when it is closed during a correct and proper swing of the golfer, an energizing circuit is completed across relay coil 140 one terminal of which is connected to the switch mechanism 82 and the other terminal to the power terminal 138. Upon energization of the relay coil 140, the normally open relay switches 142 and 144 associated therewith, are closed to complete parallel energizing circuits through the solenoid winding assemblies 58 and 70 thereby energizing the drive mechanism 24 as hereinbefore described. If desired, the solenoid winding assembly 70 and the solenoid device 56 associated therewith may be disabled by opening of the switch 146 to thereby reduce the torque applied to the pendulum member. This mode of operation may be more suitable for beginners.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What I claim as new is as follows:

1. A golf training device comprising a base, a post fixedly mounted on the base, a pendulum member pivotally mounted by the post having a lower end portion closely spaced above the base, power operated means connected to the pendulum member for substantially balancing the static weight of the pendulum member during movement thereof through a stroke, and monitoring means mounted by the lower end portion of the pendulum member for actuating said power operated means in response to a continuous accelerating force transmitted to the pendulum member during said movement thereof.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means for limiting said stroke of the pendulum member along a path defining a plane of movement parallel to the post.

3. The combination of claim 2 including means for detecting lateral displacement of the pendulum member transversely of said plane of movement, and directional indicating means connected to said detecting means for warning of excessive lateral displacement.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said pendulum member includes an upper section, an intermediate section to which the lower end portion is rigidly connected, a rocker shaft connected to the upper section and pivotally mounted by the post about a fixed horizontal axis, and hinge means pivotally connecting the intermediate section to the upper section for accommodating lateral displacement of the intermediate section relative to the upper section.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said power operated means includes at least two solenoid devices mounted by the post and connected to the rocker shaft.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said monitoring means includes an impact receiving element movably mounted by the lower end portion of the pendulum member, force transmitting means yieldably holding the impact receiving element in an extended position relative to the lower end portion and switch means closed in response to displacement of the impact receiving element to a retracted position while transmitting force through the force transmitting means for energizing the power operated means.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes an impact receiving element movably mounted by the lower end portion of the pendulum member, force transmitting means yieldably holding the impact receiving element in an extended position relative to the lower end portion and switch means closed in response to displacement of the impact receiving element to a retracted position while transmitting force through the force transmitting means for energizing the power operated means.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said power operated means includes at least two solenoid devices mounted by the post and connected to the pendulum member, and means for selectively disabling one of the solenoid devices.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pendulum member includes an upper section, an intermediate section to which the lower end portion is rigidly connected, a rocker shaft connected to the upper section and pivotally mounted by the post about a fixed horizontal axis, and hinge means pivotally connecting the intermediate section to the upper section for accommodating lateral displacement of the intermediate section relative to the upper section.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said power operated means includes at least one solenoid device mounted by the post and connected to the rocker shaft.

11. The combination of claim 1 including means for detecting lateral displacement of the pendulum member, and directional indicating means connected to said detecting means for warning of excessive lateral displacement.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said pendulum member includes an upper section, an intermediate section to which the lower end portion is rigidly connected, a rocker shaft connected to the upper section and pivotally mounted by the post about a fixed horizontal axis, and hinge means pivotally connecting the intermediate section to the upper section for accommodating lateral displacement of the intermediate section relative to the upper section.

13. A golf training device comprising a base, a post fixedly mounted on the base, a pendulum member pivotally mounted by the post, power operated means connected to the pendulum member for maintaining movement imparted to the pendulum member, impact receiving means mounted by the pendulum member for transmitting accelerating force to the pendulum, and means responsive to continued transmission of said accelerating force upon movement of the pendulum member for energizing the power operated means.

14. The combination of claim 13 including means for limiting movement of the pendulum member through an arc exceeding 90.degree. from a neutral vertical position.

15. The combination of claim 13 including means for detecting lateral displacement of the pendulum member, and directional indicating means connected to said detecting means for warning of excessive lateral displacement.