EP0176515B1 - Games stroke practising apparatus - Google Patents
Games stroke practising apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0176515B1 EP0176515B1 EP84902773A EP84902773A EP0176515B1 EP 0176515 B1 EP0176515 B1 EP 0176515B1 EP 84902773 A EP84902773 A EP 84902773A EP 84902773 A EP84902773 A EP 84902773A EP 0176515 B1 EP0176515 B1 EP 0176515B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- guide
- axis
- assembly
- crank arm
- golf
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3608—Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0057—Means for physically limiting movements of body parts
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0057—Means for physically limiting movements of body parts
- A63B69/0062—Leg restraining devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3621—Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing
- A63B69/36211—Mechanical guides guiding the club head end during the complete swing, e.g. rails
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3621—Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing
- A63B69/36211—Mechanical guides guiding the club head end during the complete swing, e.g. rails
- A63B69/36213—Mechanical guides guiding the club head end during the complete swing, e.g. rails with arm or rod fixed on the club and rotating around a fixed supporting point
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3623—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for driving
- A63B69/3632—Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
- A63B69/3667—Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
- A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
- A63B2071/026—Supports, e.g. poles stabilised by weight
- A63B2071/027—Supports, e.g. poles stabilised by weight using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
- A63B2225/09—Adjustable dimensions
Definitions
- This invention relates to games stroke practising apparatus, in general.
- a typical prior art device used for guiding players is shown (see GB ⁇ A ⁇ 27103) in the form of a practice apparatus including a support, an elevated crank arm mounted by the support for pivotal movement about a supposed golf stroke swing axis located by the support means to pass through the upper body, neck and head of the user in a golf swing stance and substantially within the plane of symmetry of the user's upper body, and a shoulder guide supported by the crank arm assembly, which has a cranked portion spaced above the swing axis.
- the crank arm extends solely between its pivotal mount on the support and the shoulder region of the user.
- the shoulder guide is provided by way of straps attached to the free end of the crank arm and passing over the shoulders of a player and under his armpits, whereby the user is constrained for an unnatural movement as the golf swing stroke is performed.
- a shoulder guide supported by the support means is formed by a harness joined to a platform through a hook and eye connection.
- This harness is connected with a shaft of a golf club by a shoulder bar and an arced member.
- the harness constrains the user's houlders for movement in fixed relationship to the club shaft by the shoulder bar and the arced member, without the user's shoulders being able to pivot about any defined axis, so that there is no possibility of controlling the body for the correct golf swing movement, either.
- This invention aims to alleviate the disadvantages associated with such prior art devices and to provide practising apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use and will, in particular, guide the user's body in a predetermined way for pivotal movement about a golf stroke swing axis.
- this invention in one aspect resides broadly in practice apparatus for positioning a user in a golf stance and for guiding the user's body through a golf stroke, which practice apparatus includes support means; an elevated crank arm assembly supported by the support means for pivotal movement about a golf stroke swing axis located by the support means to pass through the upper body, neck and head of the user in a golf swing stance and substantially within the plane of symmetry of the user's body; and a shoulder guide supported by said crank arm assembly, said crank arm assembly having a cranked portion spaced above the swing axis; and is characterized in that a pivot mounting is arranged on the cranked portion; said shoulder guide is mounted on the pivot mounting for pivotal movement relative to the cranked portion about a shoulder guide pivot axis which intersects and is inclined to the swing axis; and the shoulder guide extends beneath the cranked portion for engagement with the shoulders of a user disposed in a golf swing stance
- the shoulder guide will pivot relative to the crank
- the apparatus may include a hand guide assembly supported thereby for guiding movement of a player's hand in a selected motion.
- the support means may be supported on a base stand assembly whereby it may be disposed to restrain a players body for movement in a selected manner.
- the support means may be associated with a harness adapted to be secured about the players body so as to support the hand guide assembly in a suitable manner.
- the support means is adapted for selective connection to a stand or to a body harness whereby it can be used indoors in association with the stand to enable the player to practice strokes or connected to the body harness for outdoor practice.
- separate practising devices could be used for both indoor and outdoor practice.
- the support stand may be height adjustable to suit different players and it may include an adjustable mounting for the support means whereby the latter can be supported at various inclinations.
- the inclination of the swing plane varies with the length of the various club used such that a golfer stands more upright when driving, compared to putting using a relatively short club.
- the hand guide assembly may be a frame fixed to the support means and adapted to provide a guide path in the swing plane along which the players hand may move when practising strokes with a club or bat or the like or it may be in the form of hand restraining means pivotally secured to the support means for movement with the hands in the desired motion.
- the hand guide assembly may be in the form of a club or bat portion supported for pivotal motion in the desired manner and adapted to be grasped by the player.
- the hand guide assembly may include sensors adapted to provide an alarm or indication when the players hands move incorrectly.
- the support means includes an inclined pivot frame extending away from a pivotal support on the base stand and body restraining means are utilized to control pivotal movement of the upper body portion during stroking to pivotal movement about the axis of said pivotal support.
- the body restraining means may include, apart from the shoulder guide head location means.
- the axes of the crank arm and the shoulder guide may be disposed at any suitable angle to the swing plane, depending on the configuration of the stroke to be performed. If desired the shoulder guide may be universally mounted. It may be adapted to pivot freely about its mounting on the inclined crank arm or it may pivot in a controlled manner relative to pivotal movement of the crank arm.
- the latter is mounted on a bearing assembly adjustably secured to an arcuate guide frame on the base stand whereby the angle of inclination of the swing plane axis may be selectively varied and there being provided height adjustment means on the guide frame.
- the arcuate guide frame may be formed concentrically about the intersection of the central pivot axis and the inclined axis.
- the practising apparatus 10 comprises a base stand assembly 11 including a base board 11a upon which a player can stand and which supports a vertical post 12 having clamping means 13 at its upper end for adjustably securing a curved guide rail 14 integral with a stem 14a which engages telescopically in the post 12.
- An adjustable bearing mount 15 is slidable along the guide rail 14 and it is provided with lever operated eccentric clamping means 16 for securing it in any selected position along the curved guide rail 14 such that the inclination of the bearing mount may be varied.
- the inclination of an axis 19 of the bearing mount 15 may be read directly from the scale marked on the guide rail 14.
- the centre of curvature of the rail is at a point 9 on the axis 19 such that the height of this point does not vary with adjustments in the inclination of the bearing mount 15.
- the guide rail 14 could be provided with a rack engaged by a hand wheel operated pinion on the mount 15 whereby the hand wheel could be rotated to move the mount 15 along the rail 14.
- the bearing mount 15 supports a stub axle 17 on which a hub 18 is supported by suitable bearings.
- the hub 18 supports a crank arm 20 which extends away from the rail 14 to support a head cap locator 21 and an adjustable pivotal mounting 22 for a hand guide assembly 23.
- the arm 20 also provides an intermediate mounting for a fixed cross club guide bar 24 substantially in a swing plane 8 and a pivot mounting for the shoulder yoke 25.
- the latter includes a cross bar 26 having curved shoulder straps 27 at each end and adapted to rest about a players shoulder.
- Thd head locator 21 includes a cap portion 30 which is mounted on a hub 31 for reciprocation along the axis 19 against a spring bias to provide adjustment for different players.
- the hand guide assembly 23 is pivotable about an axis 32 spaced from but parallel to the axis 19 whereby a curved hand abutment bar 33 carried at the free end of the guide 23 will pivot in the swing plane 8.
- the guide 23 includes a top mounting portion 34 which may move through the releasable mounting 29 for adjustment to suit various players arm lengths.
- a supporting member 35 may be pivotally secured at 36 to the hub 31 whereby the angle of the swing plane, in which the hand guide assembly 23 moves, relative to the inclined axis 19 may be selectively varied to non-parallel positions with respect to the axis 19.
- the shoulder yoke 25 may be connected by a first pair of cables 37 extending from a respective side of the yoke 25 about guide pulleys 38 to a fixed point on the mounting 15 such that pivotal movement of the arm 20 about the stub axle 17 will cause the shoulder yoke 25 to pivot.
- a second pair of cables 39 may pass from opposite sides of the yoke 25 about pulleys 40 to the mounting 22 from the guide 23, whereby pivotal movement of the yoke 25 relative to the arm 20 will cause the hand guide 23 to pivot about its support axis 32. It will be seen that a central bar 41 of the hand guide assembly extends beyond the curved hand abutment bar 33 to provide a stop against which the players hands may be restrained.
- the cables 37 are connected to the yoke 25 in order to provide a positive guide to the pivotal co-ordination between movement of the shoulders and the body during practice.
- the cables 39 cause the hand guide assembly 23 to move in co-ordination with the shoulder yoke 25.
- This arrangement causes the yoke 25 to pivot about its inclined axis 28 in controlled manner as the players upper body portion swivels between the back swing position and the follow through position, causing the arm 20 to pivot about its support axis to opposite sides of the central position illustrated in Figure 1.
- the device can be used effectively without either or both sets of cables secured. Additionally, the distance of the points of connection of the cables on the shoulder yoke 25 may be varied to achieve the desired relative pivotal movements between the arm 20 about the inclined axis 19, the pivoting of the shoulder yoke 25 and the pivoting of the hand guide assembly 23.
- the hand abutment bar 33 may be adapted for attachment of removable extension pieces thereto. Because the abutment bar 33 moves in the swing plane, such extension pieces could be adapted to extend into the path of the club head to provide a further indication or guide for performing the stroke in the swing plane.
- the extension pieces could be of any desired shape or form to provide coincidence with the club head or shaft at desired stations along the club swing path.
- the extension pieces could be fitted to either end of the abutment bar 33. Such extension pieces could be used for example, for slow motion training.
- the practising apparatus 10 also provides a leg guide bar 42 having a hooked outer end portion 43 which extends about the appropriate leg to ensure the correct stance, as illustrated.
- the bar 42 may be supported adjustably at either side of the post 12 for use by left or right hand players.
- the cross club guide bar 24 provides a guide or stop for the club shaft in the backswing and follow-through positions.
- the bearing mount 15 along the guide rail 14 will vary the inclination of the guide plane but it will not vary the height of the point of intersection 9 of the axes 19 and 28 which will remain a fixed position reference for the players body.
- the radius of the guide rail 14 may be varied from that illustrated.
- the radius of the rail or the form of its curve may be arranged whereby the shoulder yoke 25 is elevated as the apparatus is adjusted for use with longer clubs.
- the player When practising, the player first adopts a stance position as illustrated in Figure 1. The player then pivots to the backswing position as shown in Figure 2 with the hands held against the hand abutment bar 33 and the extension of the central bar 41 and with the club shaft abutting the club guide bar 24. The player then performs a stroke whereby the body pivots to the opposite side as shown in Figures 3 and 4 with the club shaft abutting the opposite portion of the club guide bar 24. During this action the upper body portion is restrained for pivotal movement about the swing plane axis 19, the shoulders pivot about a fixed axis 28 relative to the swing plane axis 19 and the hands move in the swing plane 8.
- the players hands and shoulders are controlled for movement about a fixed swing axis 19 and by practising strokes guided by the apparatus 10 a player will learn to swing accurately in a controlled manner about a single swing axis such that the player may concentrate on placement of the ball, club choice and angle of strike to achieve the desired stroke.
- the base board 11 a may provide indications 44 for feet placement, so that the players feet are correctly placed relative to the ball target.
- the device can be used with a target ball such as squash ball or without a target ball if desired. The latter could be associated with sensing apparatus to provide an indication of the distance and/or direction of the probable ball motion resulting from a practice stroke.
- shoulder yoke assembly 25 could be interconnected with either or both the bearing mount 15 and the hand guide assembly 23 by suitable mechanical linkages or with gear linkages in lieu of the cable linkages illustrated.
- the apparatus is generally similar to the previously described embodiment except that the swing plane swing assembly 50 comprises a rigid frame having a top rail 51 fixed to the pivot arm 20 and which acts as a club shaft guide bar, and a curved guide rail 52 integral with the rail 51 and along which the players hands may move for guided movement in the swing plane.
- the mounting 53 for securing the rail 51 to the pivot arm 20 is adjustable for pivotal movement about the rail 51 whereby the inclination of the swing plane relative to the upper body pivot axis 19 may be varied as well as for movement along the arm 20.
- An intermediate rail 54 is provided for forearm guidance. In use, the players hands move in abutting relationship along the curved rail 52 for motion in the swing plane.
- the practising apparatus described in the above embodiments may be used for right and left hand golfers.
- the leg guide is swapped to the opposite side of the stem so as to hold the left leg in the correct attitude.
- the leg bar 42 is fully adjustable as illustrated.
- the club is held freely by the player.
- the swing plane guide assembly 60 supports a golf club handle simulator 61 for movement in the desired swing plane. This is achieved by forming the guide assembly 60 in two parts which are pivotally connected together at 62. One end of the assembly 60 connects pivotally at 63 to the inclined arm 64 while the opposite end connects pivotally to the handle 61. These pivotal connections are arranged for pivotal movement about parallel axes whereby the handle 61 is restrained for movement in the desired swing plane.
- the inclined arm 64 is supported fixedly by an adjustable pivot mounting 65 and that a shoulder yoke assembly 66 and the head locator can pivot about an axes parallel to the pivot axes of the swing plane guide assembly.
- Height adjustment of the shoulder yoke 66 is adjustable independently of the pivot mounting 65 by relative movement of the two part adjustor 67 mounted between the pivot mounting 65 and the yoke 66.
- Figure 7 illustrates an arm restraint assembly 70 which may be attached to either side of the shoulder yoke 25, as shown in dotted outline in Figure 1, for movement therewith and adapted to prevent lifting of the elbow of the rear arm when the latter is moved to the backswing position and to guide movement of the arm through the stroke.
- the restraint assembly includes.a slotted mounting bracket 71 which may be secured to the cross bar 26 by engagement of a slot 72 about studs 73 fixed to the cross bar 26.
- the bracket 71 may be clamped in the selected position by tightening finger nuts 74 when the bracket 71 is positioned to suit the user.
- the bracket 71 includes an arm 75 which is cranked forwardly and downwardly to provide a pivotal mounting for the guide assembly 76.
- the guide assembly 76 includes a central support strut 77 and a curved arm saddle 78 which in use engages about the upper portion of the player's arm.
- the guide assembly 76 is pivotable about the axis 79 which extends parallel to the shoulders whereby in use the upper arm portion including the elbow is restrained for movement in a plane at right angles to the shoulders.
- the upper end of the support strut 77 is provided with an adjustable stop 80 adapted to limit rearward movement of the guide assembly 76.
- a counterweight may be fitted to the opposite end of the shoulder yoke 25 to balance the weight of the restraint assembly 70.
- Apertures 81 in the cross bar 26 provide alternate mountings for the cables 37 and 39 whereby the relative pivotal movement between the support stand, the shoulder yoke 25 and the hand guide assembly 23 may be varied to suit individual requirements.
- the support means is supported by a universal joint so that it can pivot and rotate freely to follow the players movements and sensing means are provided to monitor the movements.
- the shoulder yoke may also pivot freely and be provided with monitoring means.
- the univesal joint may be provided with locking means to enable the practising apparatus to be used as described above, or after a player has gained confidence in his stance and swing he may unlock the universal joint and other constraints, switch on the monitoring apparatus and play some strokes.
- the apparatus will not guide the player but the monitoring apparatus will show up variations from the ideal stroke thus a player may use the apparatus to correct faults in play.
- the monitoring apparatus may be electronic or mechanical as appropriate.
- the practising apparatus described above may also incorporate guide means for the lower body portion.
- This could be in the form of a hip yoke or rest mounted for adjustment to suit various players and pivotable about both horizontal and vertical axis so that the hip yoke is guided for the desired movement.
- the pivotal mountings for the hip yoke may be formed by linkages to enable preselected movement, other than circular, to be achieved by the hip yoke.
- Such pivot assemblies could also be used elsewhere in the apparatus to achieve any desired guiding motion.
- the hip yoke could be supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis at the upper end of an arm pivotally secured to the base for movement about an upwardly extending axis.
- the practising apparatus may also be used to assist golfers to determine correct club lengths when purchasing new clubs since.
- the club lengths may be arranged so as to maintain the stance dictated by the practising apparatus.
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Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to games stroke practising apparatus, in general.
- Particular reference will be made hereinafter to practising golf strokes, but apparatus according to this invention could be used for practising other types of games strokes, such as cricket strokes or baseball strokes.
- In the past many devices have been provided for practising golf. The general aim of such devices is to enable a player to perfect the stance for addressing the ball and the swing. It is generally considered that the correct swing is performed in a single plane, called the swing plane and to date all sorts of rules for stance and body alignment have been formulated to enable a golfer to achieve the correct swing. For example those who have become successful golfers have attempted to define arbitrary rules by reference to their own body positions and feelings.
- During a game of golf many different strokes are performed, often under less than ideal conditions and of course the greater the number of variables, the less the chance of performing consistently. It follows that if a constant swing can be mastered and used for all strokes, the number of variables are greatly reduced and more consistent results can be obtained. Different strokes may be played according to the situation by selecting the correct ball position relative to the player, i.e. to be hit upon the down stroke, at the bottom of the swing or on the up stroke, the correct club and the correct angle of the striking face of the club relative to the swing plane. This angle may be selectively varied to produce inswingers or out- swingers.
- A typical prior art device used for guiding players is shown (see GB―A―27103) in the form of a practice apparatus including a support, an elevated crank arm mounted by the support for pivotal movement about a supposed golf stroke swing axis located by the support means to pass through the upper body, neck and head of the user in a golf swing stance and substantially within the plane of symmetry of the user's upper body, and a shoulder guide supported by the crank arm assembly, which has a cranked portion spaced above the swing axis. In this known device, the crank arm extends solely between its pivotal mount on the support and the shoulder region of the user. The shoulder guide is provided by way of straps attached to the free end of the crank arm and passing over the shoulders of a player and under his armpits, whereby the user is constrained for an unnatural movement as the golf swing stroke is performed. By this form of device, the complexity of the body movement as outlined above cannot be taken into account.
- In another known practice apparatus (US-A-3 595 583) including support means adapted to be associated with the user, a shoulder guide supported by the support means is formed by a harness joined to a platform through a hook and eye connection. This harness is connected with a shaft of a golf club by a shoulder bar and an arced member. In this known device, too, the harness constrains the user's houlders for movement in fixed relationship to the club shaft by the shoulder bar and the arced member, without the user's shoulders being able to pivot about any defined axis, so that there is no possibility of controlling the body for the correct golf swing movement, either.
- This invention aims to alleviate the disadvantages associated with such prior art devices and to provide practising apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use and will, in particular, guide the user's body in a predetermined way for pivotal movement about a golf stroke swing axis.
- With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in practice apparatus for positioning a user in a golf stance and for guiding the user's body through a golf stroke, which practice apparatus includes support means; an elevated crank arm assembly supported by the support means for pivotal movement about a golf stroke swing axis located by the support means to pass through the upper body, neck and head of the user in a golf swing stance and substantially within the plane of symmetry of the user's body; and a shoulder guide supported by said crank arm assembly, said crank arm assembly having a cranked portion spaced above the swing axis; and is characterized in that a pivot mounting is arranged on the cranked portion; said shoulder guide is mounted on the pivot mounting for pivotal movement relative to the cranked portion about a shoulder guide pivot axis which intersects and is inclined to the swing axis; and the shoulder guide extends beneath the cranked portion for engagement with the shoulders of a user disposed in a golf swing stance In such apparatus, the shoulder guide will pivot relative to the crank arm assembly, which defines the natural golf swing axis, so that there is a proper control of the user's upper body for the correct golf swing movement as a whole, the pivotal arrangement of the shoulder guide thus enabling a player to perform a natural action- guided swing which may be repeated for consistency after practising with the apparatus.
- There are various possibilities of realizing the apparatus according to the invention, which have been set out in the subclaims and are described in the following by way of detailed features:
- Advantageously, the apparatus may include a hand guide assembly supported thereby for guiding movement of a player's hand in a selected motion.
- The support means may be supported on a base stand assembly whereby it may be disposed to restrain a players body for movement in a selected manner. Alternatively, the support means may be associated with a harness adapted to be secured about the players body so as to support the hand guide assembly in a suitable manner. In one form, the support means is adapted for selective connection to a stand or to a body harness whereby it can be used indoors in association with the stand to enable the player to practice strokes or connected to the body harness for outdoor practice. Of course separate practising devices could be used for both indoor and outdoor practice.
- The support stand may be height adjustable to suit different players and it may include an adjustable mounting for the support means whereby the latter can be supported at various inclinations. In this respect it will be appreciated that in in the game of golf, the inclination of the swing plane varies with the length of the various club used such that a golfer stands more upright when driving, compared to putting using a relatively short club.
- The hand guide assembly may be a frame fixed to the support means and adapted to provide a guide path in the swing plane along which the players hand may move when practising strokes with a club or bat or the like or it may be in the form of hand restraining means pivotally secured to the support means for movement with the hands in the desired motion. Alternatively the hand guide assembly may be in the form of a club or bat portion supported for pivotal motion in the desired manner and adapted to be grasped by the player. If desired the hand guide assembly may include sensors adapted to provide an alarm or indication when the players hands move incorrectly.
- In a preferred form the support means includes an inclined pivot frame extending away from a pivotal support on the base stand and body restraining means are utilized to control pivotal movement of the upper body portion during stroking to pivotal movement about the axis of said pivotal support. The body restraining means may include, apart from the shoulder guide head location means. The axes of the crank arm and the shoulder guide may be disposed at any suitable angle to the swing plane, depending on the configuration of the stroke to be performed. If desired the shoulder guide may be universally mounted. It may be adapted to pivot freely about its mounting on the inclined crank arm or it may pivot in a controlled manner relative to pivotal movement of the crank arm. Preferably the latter is mounted on a bearing assembly adjustably secured to an arcuate guide frame on the base stand whereby the angle of inclination of the swing plane axis may be selectively varied and there being provided height adjustment means on the guide frame. If desired the arcuate guide frame may be formed concentrically about the intersection of the central pivot axis and the inclined axis.
- In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein:-
- Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred form of practising apparatus made according to one aspect of the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a corresponding view illustrating the apparatus with the player in the backswing position;
- Figure 3 is a view of the apparatus from the opposite side and illustrated with the player in the follow through position;
- Figure 4 is a rear view of the apparatus with the player in the follow through position;
- Figure 5 is a front view of an alternate form of the invention, and
- Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating an arm restraint mechanism for use with the various embodiments of this invention.
- Referring to Figures 1 to 4 it will be seen that the practising
apparatus 10 comprises abase stand assembly 11 including abase board 11a upon which a player can stand and which supports avertical post 12 having clamping means 13 at its upper end for adjustably securing acurved guide rail 14 integral with a stem 14a which engages telescopically in thepost 12. Anadjustable bearing mount 15 is slidable along theguide rail 14 and it is provided with lever operated eccentric clamping means 16 for securing it in any selected position along thecurved guide rail 14 such that the inclination of the bearing mount may be varied. The inclination of anaxis 19 of thebearing mount 15 may be read directly from the scale marked on theguide rail 14. Furthermore the centre of curvature of the rail is at a point 9 on theaxis 19 such that the height of this point does not vary with adjustments in the inclination of thebearing mount 15. If desired theguide rail 14 could be provided with a rack engaged by a hand wheel operated pinion on themount 15 whereby the hand wheel could be rotated to move themount 15 along therail 14. - The
bearing mount 15 supports astub axle 17 on which ahub 18 is supported by suitable bearings. Thehub 18 supports acrank arm 20 which extends away from therail 14 to support ahead cap locator 21 and an adjustablepivotal mounting 22 for ahand guide assembly 23. Thearm 20 also provides an intermediate mounting for a fixed crossclub guide bar 24 substantially in aswing plane 8 and a pivot mounting for theshoulder yoke 25. The latter includes across bar 26 havingcurved shoulder straps 27 at each end and adapted to rest about a players shoulder. It will be seen that thehand guide assembly 23 maintains the hands in theswing plane 8 disposed at right angles to thepivot axis 19 and that anaxis 28 of the shoulder yoke pivot mounting 29 intersects theaxis 19 at the point 9, being the point of intersection between theinclined axis 19 and theswing plane 8.Thd head locator 21 includes acap portion 30 which is mounted on ahub 31 for reciprocation along theaxis 19 against a spring bias to provide adjustment for different players. - The
hand guide assembly 23 is pivotable about anaxis 32 spaced from but parallel to theaxis 19 whereby a curvedhand abutment bar 33 carried at the free end of theguide 23 will pivot in theswing plane 8. Theguide 23 includes atop mounting portion 34 which may move through thereleasable mounting 29 for adjustment to suit various players arm lengths. Also if desired a supportingmember 35 may be pivotally secured at 36 to thehub 31 whereby the angle of the swing plane, in which thehand guide assembly 23 moves, relative to theinclined axis 19 may be selectively varied to non-parallel positions with respect to theaxis 19. - The
shoulder yoke 25 may be connected by a first pair ofcables 37 extending from a respective side of theyoke 25 aboutguide pulleys 38 to a fixed point on themounting 15 such that pivotal movement of thearm 20 about thestub axle 17 will cause theshoulder yoke 25 to pivot. A second pair of cables 39 may pass from opposite sides of theyoke 25 about pulleys 40 to themounting 22 from theguide 23, whereby pivotal movement of theyoke 25 relative to thearm 20 will cause thehand guide 23 to pivot about itssupport axis 32. It will be seen that acentral bar 41 of the hand guide assembly extends beyond the curvedhand abutment bar 33 to provide a stop against which the players hands may be restrained. During initial practice, thecables 37 are connected to theyoke 25 in order to provide a positive guide to the pivotal co-ordination between movement of the shoulders and the body during practice. At the same time the cables 39 cause thehand guide assembly 23 to move in co-ordination with theshoulder yoke 25. This arrangement causes theyoke 25 to pivot about itsinclined axis 28 in controlled manner as the players upper body portion swivels between the back swing position and the follow through position, causing thearm 20 to pivot about its support axis to opposite sides of the central position illustrated in Figure 1. - If desired the device can be used effectively without either or both sets of cables secured. Additionally, the distance of the points of connection of the cables on the
shoulder yoke 25 may be varied to achieve the desired relative pivotal movements between thearm 20 about theinclined axis 19, the pivoting of theshoulder yoke 25 and the pivoting of thehand guide assembly 23. Thehand abutment bar 33 may be adapted for attachment of removable extension pieces thereto. Because theabutment bar 33 moves in the swing plane, such extension pieces could be adapted to extend into the path of the club head to provide a further indication or guide for performing the stroke in the swing plane. The extension pieces could be of any desired shape or form to provide coincidence with the club head or shaft at desired stations along the club swing path. The extension pieces could be fitted to either end of theabutment bar 33. Such extension pieces could be used for example, for slow motion training. - The practising
apparatus 10 also provides aleg guide bar 42 having a hookedouter end portion 43 which extends about the appropriate leg to ensure the correct stance, as illustrated. Thebar 42 may be supported adjustably at either side of thepost 12 for use by left or right hand players. As will be seen in Figures 2 to 4 the crossclub guide bar 24 provides a guide or stop for the club shaft in the backswing and follow-through positions. - In use, adjustment of the bearing
mount 15 along theguide rail 14 will vary the inclination of the guide plane but it will not vary the height of the point of intersection 9 of theaxes guide rail 14 may be varied from that illustrated. For example the radius of the rail or the form of its curve may be arranged whereby theshoulder yoke 25 is elevated as the apparatus is adjusted for use with longer clubs. - When practising, the player first adopts a stance position as illustrated in Figure 1. The player then pivots to the backswing position as shown in Figure 2 with the hands held against the
hand abutment bar 33 and the extension of thecentral bar 41 and with the club shaft abutting theclub guide bar 24. The player then performs a stroke whereby the body pivots to the opposite side as shown in Figures 3 and 4 with the club shaft abutting the opposite portion of theclub guide bar 24. During this action the upper body portion is restrained for pivotal movement about theswing plane axis 19, the shoulders pivot about a fixedaxis 28 relative to theswing plane axis 19 and the hands move in theswing plane 8. Accordingly, it will be seen that the players hands and shoulders are controlled for movement about a fixedswing axis 19 and by practising strokes guided by the apparatus 10 a player will learn to swing accurately in a controlled manner about a single swing axis such that the player may concentrate on placement of the ball, club choice and angle of strike to achieve the desired stroke. Also if desired thebase board 11 a may provideindications 44 for feet placement, so that the players feet are correctly placed relative to the ball target. The device can be used with a target ball such as squash ball or without a target ball if desired. The latter could be associated with sensing apparatus to provide an indication of the distance and/or direction of the probable ball motion resulting from a practice stroke. - If desired the
shoulder yoke assembly 25 could be interconnected with either or both thebearing mount 15 and thehand guide assembly 23 by suitable mechanical linkages or with gear linkages in lieu of the cable linkages illustrated. - Referring to Figure 5 it will be seen that the apparatus is generally similar to the previously described embodiment except that the swing
plane swing assembly 50 comprises a rigid frame having atop rail 51 fixed to thepivot arm 20 and which acts as a club shaft guide bar, and acurved guide rail 52 integral with therail 51 and along which the players hands may move for guided movement in the swing plane. For this purpose the mounting 53 for securing therail 51 to thepivot arm 20 is adjustable for pivotal movement about therail 51 whereby the inclination of the swing plane relative to the upperbody pivot axis 19 may be varied as well as for movement along thearm 20. An intermediate rail 54 is provided for forearm guidance. In use, the players hands move in abutting relationship along thecurved rail 52 for motion in the swing plane. - The practising apparatus described in the above embodiments may be used for right and left hand golfers. In order to convert the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 for left hand practice the leg guide is swapped to the opposite side of the stem so as to hold the left leg in the correct attitude. The
leg bar 42 is fully adjustable as illustrated. - In both the above described embodiments the club is held freely by the player. However in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the swing
plane guide assembly 60 supports a golfclub handle simulator 61 for movement in the desired swing plane. This is achieved by forming theguide assembly 60 in two parts which are pivotally connected together at 62. One end of theassembly 60 connects pivotally at 63 to theinclined arm 64 while the opposite end connects pivotally to thehandle 61. These pivotal connections are arranged for pivotal movement about parallel axes whereby thehandle 61 is restrained for movement in the desired swing plane. Furthermore, it will be seen that theinclined arm 64 is supported fixedly by an adjustable pivot mounting 65 and that ashoulder yoke assembly 66 and the head locator can pivot about an axes parallel to the pivot axes of the swing plane guide assembly. Height adjustment of theshoulder yoke 66 is adjustable independently of the pivot mounting 65 by relative movement of the twopart adjustor 67 mounted between the pivot mounting 65 and theyoke 66. - Figure 7 illustrates an
arm restraint assembly 70 which may be attached to either side of theshoulder yoke 25, as shown in dotted outline in Figure 1, for movement therewith and adapted to prevent lifting of the elbow of the rear arm when the latter is moved to the backswing position and to guide movement of the arm through the stroke. For this purpose the restraint assembly includes.a slotted mountingbracket 71 which may be secured to thecross bar 26 by engagement of aslot 72 aboutstuds 73 fixed to thecross bar 26. Thebracket 71 may be clamped in the selected position by tighteningfinger nuts 74 when thebracket 71 is positioned to suit the user. Thebracket 71 includes anarm 75 which is cranked forwardly and downwardly to provide a pivotal mounting for theguide assembly 76. - As illustrated, the
guide assembly 76 includes acentral support strut 77 and acurved arm saddle 78 which in use engages about the upper portion of the player's arm. Theguide assembly 76 is pivotable about theaxis 79 which extends parallel to the shoulders whereby in use the upper arm portion including the elbow is restrained for movement in a plane at right angles to the shoulders. The upper end of thesupport strut 77 is provided with anadjustable stop 80 adapted to limit rearward movement of theguide assembly 76. If desired a counterweight may be fitted to the opposite end of theshoulder yoke 25 to balance the weight of therestraint assembly 70.Apertures 81 in thecross bar 26 provide alternate mountings for thecables 37 and 39 whereby the relative pivotal movement between the support stand, theshoulder yoke 25 and thehand guide assembly 23 may be varied to suit individual requirements. - In a further aspect of this invention the support means is supported by a universal joint so that it can pivot and rotate freely to follow the players movements and sensing means are provided to monitor the movements. The shoulder yoke may also pivot freely and be provided with monitoring means. The univesal joint may be provided with locking means to enable the practising apparatus to be used as described above, or after a player has gained confidence in his stance and swing he may unlock the universal joint and other constraints, switch on the monitoring apparatus and play some strokes. The apparatus will not guide the player but the monitoring apparatus will show up variations from the ideal stroke thus a player may use the apparatus to correct faults in play. The monitoring apparatus may be electronic or mechanical as appropriate.
- The practising apparatus described above may also incorporate guide means for the lower body portion. This could be in the form of a hip yoke or rest mounted for adjustment to suit various players and pivotable about both horizontal and vertical axis so that the hip yoke is guided for the desired movement. The pivotal mountings for the hip yoke may be formed by linkages to enable preselected movement, other than circular, to be achieved by the hip yoke. Such pivot assemblies could also be used elsewhere in the apparatus to achieve any desired guiding motion. In a simple form the hip yoke could be supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis at the upper end of an arm pivotally secured to the base for movement about an upwardly extending axis.
- The practising apparatus may also be used to assist golfers to determine correct club lengths when purchasing new clubs since. the club lengths may be arranged so as to maintain the stance dictated by the practising apparatus.
- It will of course be understood that the above has been given by way of illustrated example only and all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (10)
characterized in that a pivot mounting (29; 53; 63) is arranged on the cranked portion (20a);
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT84902773T ATE57307T1 (en) | 1983-07-21 | 1984-07-16 | RACKET GAME PRACTICE DEVICE. |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPG039583 | 1983-07-21 | ||
AU395/83 | 1983-07-21 | ||
AUPG291683 | 1983-12-20 | ||
AU2916/83 | 1983-12-20 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0176515A1 EP0176515A1 (en) | 1986-04-09 |
EP0176515A4 EP0176515A4 (en) | 1987-03-05 |
EP0176515B1 true EP0176515B1 (en) | 1990-10-10 |
Family
ID=25642680
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP84902773A Expired - Lifetime EP0176515B1 (en) | 1983-07-21 | 1984-07-16 | Games stroke practising apparatus |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0176515B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE57307T1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR8407325A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1235715A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3483395D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES534844A0 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ208844A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1985000529A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102005050648A1 (en) * | 2005-10-20 | 2007-04-26 | Roggatz, Dirk | Golf training appliance to produce guided movements has shoulder guide to guide shoulders along pivot axis, upper arm guide to guide upper arm along upper arm axis vertical to shoulder pivot axis; method to produce golf swing |
DE112012005814B4 (en) | 2012-02-02 | 2022-03-03 | Hanwei Li | Golf full swing exercise device |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4758001A (en) * | 1987-07-30 | 1988-07-19 | Otting Billy J | Golf practice aids |
DE19630820C2 (en) * | 1996-07-31 | 2000-09-28 | Norbert Blank | Device for training the posture and body movement of a golfer |
GB9701182D0 (en) | 1997-01-21 | 1997-03-12 | Kingston K B | Apparatus for teaching golf or the like |
GB9920630D0 (en) * | 1999-09-02 | 1999-11-03 | Swash Harold | Golf training apparatus |
AU2003901136A0 (en) | 2003-03-13 | 2003-03-27 | Keith Reginald Lloyd | Golf swing training device |
WO2007110682A1 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-04 | Grant, Sybil | Swing cage |
WO2015021495A1 (en) * | 2013-08-12 | 2015-02-19 | Williams John Albert | Sports practice assembly |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2737432A (en) * | 1949-01-28 | 1956-03-06 | Jenks George M Troutman | Golf practice apparatus |
US2626151A (en) * | 1949-01-28 | 1953-01-20 | Jenks George M Troutman | Golf practicing apparatus |
US2690911A (en) * | 1951-01-25 | 1954-10-05 | Arvid E Newgren | Training device for golfers |
US3397892A (en) * | 1965-07-02 | 1968-08-20 | Walter A. Stahl | Golf training aid |
US3595583A (en) * | 1968-09-03 | 1971-07-27 | Jess Oppenheimer | Training device |
US3876212A (en) * | 1973-10-01 | 1975-04-08 | Jess Oppenheimer | Swing-accommodation apparatus |
US4326718A (en) * | 1980-08-18 | 1982-04-27 | Kiehl Arthur H | Golf swing training and exercising device |
-
1984
- 1984-07-10 NZ NZ208844A patent/NZ208844A/en unknown
- 1984-07-11 CA CA000458619A patent/CA1235715A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-07-16 DE DE8484902773T patent/DE3483395D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1984-07-16 BR BR8407325A patent/BR8407325A/en unknown
- 1984-07-16 AT AT84902773T patent/ATE57307T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-07-16 EP EP84902773A patent/EP0176515B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1984-07-16 WO PCT/AU1984/000138 patent/WO1985000529A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1984-07-20 ES ES534844A patent/ES534844A0/en active Granted
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102005050648A1 (en) * | 2005-10-20 | 2007-04-26 | Roggatz, Dirk | Golf training appliance to produce guided movements has shoulder guide to guide shoulders along pivot axis, upper arm guide to guide upper arm along upper arm axis vertical to shoulder pivot axis; method to produce golf swing |
DE112012005814B4 (en) | 2012-02-02 | 2022-03-03 | Hanwei Li | Golf full swing exercise device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0176515A4 (en) | 1987-03-05 |
ES8600698A1 (en) | 1985-10-16 |
NZ208844A (en) | 1987-03-31 |
BR8407325A (en) | 1986-09-23 |
EP0176515A1 (en) | 1986-04-09 |
WO1985000529A1 (en) | 1985-02-14 |
ES534844A0 (en) | 1985-10-16 |
CA1235715A (en) | 1988-04-26 |
ATE57307T1 (en) | 1990-10-15 |
DE3483395D1 (en) | 1990-11-15 |
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