Golf Practice Device

Abstract

A plate is connected at its bottom by a hinge to a vertical support. Brackets at the top of the plate can be connected to the support in various positions to change the angle of inclination of the plate. An arm is rotatably connected to the plate for rotation about an axis normal to the plate. The frictional drag of the rotation of the arm may be adjusted. On the distal end of the arm is a simulated golf club handle. Immediately above the axis of rotation of the arm is an adjustably positioned headrest.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an exercise and training device that generates maximum development and coordination of golf muscles. The aim being to produce both a more powerful and a more accurate swing. Proper muscle training will make it possible not only to hit a longer ball but to fix the habit of a correct swing for actual play. To achieve this, the muscles must be developed in torque during all stages of the swing. The muscles must be trained for motion in an exact plane, and the hands, arms and shoulders should follow a precise circular arc. The orientation of this circular arc can be changed so as to simulate the arcs used with woods, long irons, or short irons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention include: the apparatus is readily adjustable to one's individual height and measurements; it is compact and lightweight for storage, for use in the home, for use while traveling, etc.; it has a head support to teach the immobilizing of the head while swinging; it can be used by right- or left-handed golfers; and it discourages excessive wrist break while swinging.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an individual using an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view illustrating details of the structure; and

FIG. 4 is a section as viewed at line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts, improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

The particular mounting employed for embodiments of the invention is relatively unimportant and will be chosen by the user to suit the particular requirements and available locations. An embodiment can be mounted on practically any vertical wall 10 or other mounting. The apparatus comprises a support including a base 11 having suitable provision, not shown, for attachment to wall 10. The plate 12 is connected along its bottom edge by a hinge 13 to base 11. A pair of brackets 14 are pivotally connected to plate 12 by pins 15. The other ends of brackets 14 are provided with wingbolts 16, which may be threaded into suitable pairs (each pair being holes on opposite sides) of a plurality of pairs of openings 17 in base 11.

Projecting outwardly from plate 12 at right angles thereto are a pair of dowel pins 20 between which is a bolt 21. Slipped over these in successive order are an inner abutment plate 22, a journal plate 23, and an outer abutment plate 24. A ring 25 surrounds journal plate 23 and is rotatable thereabout. A wingnut 26 on bolt 21 holds the assemblage together and fixes it on main plate 12.

An arm formed of an inner portion 27 and an outer portion 28 is secured at its proximal end to ring 25. At the distal end of the arm is a simulated golf club handle 31 pivotally attached by means of a pin 32 affixed to the arm. The arm is telescopic so that the length thereof can be adjusted to suit the user. To this end the inner portion 27 is a hollow tube which receives the outer portion 28 in telescopic fashion. A setscrew 33 is provided on the inner portion 27 for clamping the outer portion 28 in a desired position.

A mounting bracket 35 is affixed to outer abutment plate 24. A bolt 36 with a wingnut 37 are employed to affix an inner post 38 to the mounting bracket 35. Telescopically received within the inner post 38 is an outer post 39. The outer post 39 is held in place by a setscrew 40 on the inner post 38. A resilient rubber head pad 41 is secured to the outer post 39 by means of a screw 42. The outer post 39 is circular in cross section and is received in a circular opening so that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to change the angular position of the head pad 41. Also by loosening wingnut 37, the support formed by posts 38, 39 and pad 41 may be pivoted about bolt 36 so that it extends outwardly at an angle to one side or the other from the outer abutment plate 24.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates the manner of use of the embodiment. The base 11 is affixed to wall 10 at an elevation such that a person in a golf stance will have his head immediately in front of the pad 41. The length of arm 27, 28 is adjusted so as to properly position the handle 31 in the user's hands when such a golf stance is assumed. The angular position of plate 12 is set to give the arc of movement corresponding to the type of shot that the user wishes to practice. For example, if one were practicing driving, the wingbolts 16 would be inserted into the lower openings 17; if one were practicing a long iron, the wingbolts 16 would be put into the middle openings 17; and to practice a short iron, the wingbolts would be put into the upper openings 17 (as illustrated). These various positions will change the inclination of plate 12 and thus the inclination of the axis of rotation of the arm 27, 28 (that axis being represented by bolt 21). The user lightly positions his head against the pad 41. His head is immobilized by typing it to the pad 41 by cords 43. He grasps and swings the handle 31 in the manner of making a golf shot. To vary the resistance to the swing, i.e., the torque required to be applied to move the handle 31 about the axis 21, one can loosen or tighten the wingnut 26. Tightening the wingnut forces the two abutments 22 and 24 into closer engagement with ring 25, thus increasing the frictional resistance. To this end, the axial thickness of journal plate 23 is slightly smaller than the axial thickness of ring 25. Similarly, loosening wingnut 26 results in less frictional resistance. Sufficient frictional resistance should be applied so that the muscles of the individual are forced to perform a substantial amount of work in swinging the club. In time, this will substantially strengthen the muscles, while at the same time the muscles are taught to respond to a smooth curvilinear swinging motion.

The handle 31 has a resilient rubber covering. This is important in the strengthening of the hands and wrists as a result of pressure employed to squeeze the handle when executing the practice swinging motion.

Claims

I claim:

1. A golf practice device for use with an upright member such as a wall of a house or the like, said device comprising:

support means adapted to be mounted on said member;

a rotatable part mounted on said support for rotation about an axis inclined outwardly and downwardly from said support;

a rigid arm attached at its proximal end to said part for rotation therewith, said arm being inclined downwardly at a greater angle than said axis;

a simulated golf club handle affixed to the distal end of the arm; and

a head rest mounted on said support means and extending outwardly in a generally horizontal direction.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support means is adjustable so that the inclination of said axis can be changed.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support means includes means for applying resistance to the rotation of said part about its axis and for varying the amount of that resistance.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said support means includes:

a support member adapted to be rigidly mounted on said upright member in a generally vertical position;

a plate having its lower end hinged to said support member;

adjustable connecting means between the upper end of the plate and the support member for adjusting the inclination of the plate with respect to the support member; and

pivotal means connecting the part and plate for rotation of said part about said axis.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said support means includes a pair of abutments spaced from each other and positioned about said axis, a journal between said abutments, said rotatable part being between the abutments and rotatably mounted on the journal; one of said abutments being movable toward and away from the other whereby friction may be applied to the rotatable part; and means connected to said movable abutment for adjustably forcing the movable abutment toward the other abutment so as to adjust the amount of said friction.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the length of the arm between its ends may be adjusted.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said head rest comprises post means extending outwardly from the support means and adjustable as to the orientation of the post means with respect to the support means, a resilient pad at the distal end of the post means, said post means being adjustable as to length and as to the orientation of the resilient pad with respect to the longitudinal axis of the post means.

8. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support means includes:

a support member adapted to be rigidly mounted on said upright member in a generally vertical position;

a plate having its lower end hinged to said support member;

adjustable connecting means between the upper end of the plate and the support member for adjusting the inclination of the plate with respect to the support member; and

pivotal means connecting the part and plate for rotation of said part about said axis.

9. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support means includes means for applying resistance to the rotation of said part about its axis and for varying the amount of that resistance.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said support means includes a pair of abutments spaced from each other and positioned about said axis, a journal between said abutments, said rotatable part being between the abutments and rotatably mounted on the journal; one of said abutments being movable toward and away from the other whereby friction may be applied to the rotatable part; and means connected to said movable abutment for adjustably forcing the movable abutment toward the other abutment so as to adjust the amount of said friction.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said support means includes:

a support member adapted to be rigidly mounted on said upright member in a generally vertical position;

a plate having its lower end hinged to said support member;

adjustable connecting means between the upper end of the plate and the support member for adjusting the inclination of the plate with respect to the support member; and

pivotal means connecting the part and plate for rotation of said part about said axis.

12. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said head rest comprises post means extending outwardly from the support means and adjustable as to the orientation of the post means with respect to the support means, a resilient pad at the distal end of the post means, said post means being adjustable as to length and as to the orientation of the resilient pad with respect to the longitudinal axis of the post means.