EP1303335B1 - Device for golf training practice and related method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for golf training practice comprising: a) a stand supporting a ball hanging from a cable at the end of the horizontal branch of the stand, said cable being connected to a first end of a stem with horizontal axis via movement transmission means adapted to: drive the stem in natural rotation by the rotation of the ball along the horizontal axis; to drive the stem in translation along the horizontal axis by the offsetting movement of the ball relative to a plane orthogonal to the horizontal axis; b) means for measuring the number of revolutions and of axial displacement produced by the stem and means for analysing the measurement data to calculate the distance covered by the shot and its angular offset relative to a reference trajectory. The invention is characterised in that said device comprises measuring means including: at least a revolution-counting magnetic sensor co-operating with a revolution counting metal bar arranged on the periphery of the stem so that it passes at each revolution of the stem opposite the counting sensor; at least a lateral magnetic sensor co-operating with at least two lateral metal markers placed at different sites of the periphery of the stem; a device sensing the axial displacement of the stem for measuring its axial position when the bars pass opposite the lateral sensor. The invention also concerns a calculating method, based on specific parameters, for programming a microprocessor and for obtaining the display, on a display screen, the result of a shot, that is the angular offset and the distance on the basis of the club used and the player's usual level, capable of being implemented by the device.

Description

The present invention relates first of all to a practice device for golf practice. It also relates to a method adapted to be implemented by the device according to the invention, and allows the calculation of the length of a shot and its angular offset with respect to a reference trajectory.

The invention will find application in the field of training in the practice of golf, whether in a club or in an individual setting, in an individual.

The invention essentially makes it possible for the user wishing to train to obtain from the machine an analysis of the shot he has just made. In particular, the device and the calculation method according to the invention will enable it to determine the length of its shot as well as its angular offset with respect to a reference trajectory. He can thus estimate very precisely the theoretical point of impact of the bullet.

• d'une potence dont l'extrémité libre de la branche horizontale est équipée d'un câble suspendu de manière rotative et à l'extrémité inférieure duquel est fixée et suspendue la balle de golf au niveau du sol, lorsque le dispositif est au repos, la branche contient un axe principal mobile en rotation et en translation, selon la distance et l'angle de tir
• d'un moyen de liaison assurant la liaison entre l'extrémité supérieure du câble et l'axe principal caractérisé par le fait que le moyen de liaison est une came coopérant avec l'axe principal mobile en rotation et en translation de manière à ce que tout déplacement dudit moyen de liaison dans son plan, lors de la mise en rotation de l'ensemble, entraîne un déplacement en translation dudit axe principal mobile en rotation et en translation, ledit moyen de liaison transmet de manière proportionnelle audit axe principal mobile la vitesse de rotation de la balle autour dudit axe et son angle de tir, et qu'un ou plusieurs capteurs transmettent des données à des moyens qui analysent la vitesse de rotation de l'axe pour déterminer la distance du tir et le déplacement transversal dudit axe mobile pour déterminer l'angle de tir et/ou la distance entre le point de chute de la balle et la trajectoire de référence.

In this field, document EP-A-0,682,958 discloses a golfer training device for measuring and analyzing the striking of a ball, said device is of the type consisting of:

• a stem whose free end of the horizontal leg is equipped with a cable which is rotatably suspended and at the lower end of which is fixed and suspended the golf ball at ground level, when the device is at rest, branch contains a main axis movable in rotation and in translation, according to the distance and the angle of fire
• a connecting means providing the connection between the upper end of the cable and the main axis, characterized in that the connecting means is a cam cooperating with the main axis which is movable in rotation and in translation so that any displacement of said connecting means in its plane, during the rotation of the assembly, causes a displacement in translation of said main axis movable in rotation and in translation, said connecting means transmits proportionally to said main axis moving the speed rotating the ball about said axis and its firing angle, and one or more sensors transmitting data to means that analyze the speed of rotation of the axis to determine the firing distance and the transverse displacement of said moving axis to determine the firing angle and / or the distance between the point of fall of the bullet and the reference trajectory.

The mechanical operation of such a device is satisfactory. However, problems of reliability and accuracy of firing length calculations and angular offset arise by the implementation of this device.

Indeed, it has been found that the use of optical sensors, placed at the end of the shaft, able to detect transitions between a zone painted in white and a zone painted black at the end of a rotating rod, presented disadvantages. In the first place, the transition between these two painted areas of different colors causes measurement errors, particularly when the suspension cable of the ball oscillates during its rotation, oscillations due to the impossibility for the ball to turn on itself. in the direction perpendicular to the cable. Indeed, in this case, there are momentarily returns to the back of the rod, which can cause doubled detection by the optical sensor. The measurements of counting turns and angular offset are completely distorted.

Furthermore, according to the configuration proposed by EP-A-0.682.958, the rod capable of being moved in axial translation, acts as a core for a coil to determine its displacement, thereby forming an inductive sensor.

A disadvantage of this configuration is that it is relatively complex, the measuring means therein imbedded with an essential element of the mechanism.

It has also been found that the measurements of the angular offset and the firing distance were, in the context of the previous device, too dependent on the operation of the two types of measurements, which, in the event of errors of detection, to distort not only the length of the shot, but also the angular offset.

There is therefore currently a need for optimizing the measurements made during the movement of the golf ball.

The reliability and precision of the measurements are all the more important as the practice of golf requires a great regularity and a great precision in the shooting. Only a very precise device can meet the requirements of the user.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of existing devices.

It has the advantage, to do this, to avoid measurement errors due to vibrations and oscillations of the suspension cable. The doubled measurement are thus deleted.

Another advantage of the device, here presented, is that one distinguishes the regular counting of the number of turns made by the rod of the measurement of the angular offset.

In practice, we note the elimination of false measures and a high reliability of the two parameters important for the player, given that their methods of obtaining are independent.

The technical progress noted is important on the angle of offset and the length of the shot.

Other goals and advantages will become apparent from the following description, however, given for guidance only.

1. a) une potence de support d'une balle suspendue par un câble au niveau de l'extrémité de la branche horizontale de la potence, ledit câble étant raccordé à une première extrémité d'une tige d'axe horizontal par le biais de moyens de transmission de mouvement aptes à :
   • entraîner la tige en rotation propre par la rotation de la balle suivant l'axe horizontal,
   • entraîner la tige en translation suivant l'axe horizontal par le mouvement de décalage de la balle par rapport à un plan orthogonal à l'axe horizontal,
2. b) des moyens de mesure du nombre de tours et du déplacement axial effectués par la tige et des moyens d'analyse des données de mesure pour calculer la longueur du tir et son décalage angulaire par rapport à une trajectoire de référence,

caractérisé par le fait

• ■ qu'il comprend un cylindre solidaire de la seconde extrémité de la tige
• ■ que les moyens de mesure comprennent
  • au moins un capteur magnétique de compte-tours coopérant avec une barrette métallique de compte-tours placée sur la périphérie de la tige de sorte à passer à chaque tour du cylindre en regard du capteur de compte-tours ;
  • au moins un capteur de magnétique latéral coopérant avec au moins deux repères métalliques latéraux placés à des endroits différents de la périphérie du cylindre ;
  • un capteur de déplacement axial du cylindre pour la mesure de sa position axiale au passage des barrettes en regard du capteur latéral.

The present invention relates to a practice training device for golf comprising:

1. a) a support bracket for a ball suspended by a cable at the end of the horizontal branch of the bracket, said cable being connected to a first end of a horizontal axis rod by means of motion transmission suitable for:
   • drive the rod in its own rotation by rotating the ball along the horizontal axis,
   • driving the rod in translation along the horizontal axis by the movement of the bale offset with respect to a plane orthogonal to the horizontal axis,
2. b) means for measuring the number of revolutions and axial displacement effected by the rod and means for analyzing the measurement data in order to calculate the length of the shot and its angular offset with respect to a reference trajectory,

characterized by the fact

• ■ it includes a cylinder secured to the second end of the rod
• ■ the means of measurement include
  • at least one magnetic tachometer sensor cooperating with a metal tachometer bar placed on the periphery of the rod so as to pass each revolution of the cylinder facing the tachometer sensor;
  • at least one lateral magnetic sensor cooperating with at least two lateral metal markers placed at different locations of the periphery of the cylinder;
  • a sensor for axial displacement of the cylinder for measuring its axial position when passing the bars facing the lateral sensor.

• ■ il comporte deux repères métalliques latéraux espacés de 180° sur la circonférence du cylindre.
• ■ les repères métalliques latéraux sont positionnés diamétralement opposés sur le cylindre et suivant la direction verticale lorsque la balle est au repos, et le capteur latéral est placé au regard du diamètre horizontal du cylindre, pour une mesure du capteur latéral au trois quarts du premier tour et au quart du deuxième tour.
• ■ le capteur de déplacement axial est un capteur magnétique placé en vis-à-vis du cylindre et dans son axe et il coopère avec un repère axial aimanté placé sur le cylindre.
• ■ les capteurs magnétiques sont des capteurs à effet Hall.
• ■ les moyens de transmission de mouvement sont constitués par :
  • un arbre creux libre en rotation dans un palier de la potence suivant l'axe horizontal et dans lequel la tige est montée coulissante, et à l'extrémité duquel est monté pivotant un attache-câble recevant l'extrémité dudit câble,
  • une bielle montée pivotante sur l'attache-câble à un niveau différent du pivot de l'attache-câble sur l'arbre creux et solidaire d'autre part à la première extrémité de la tige.

This device can be in the variants, introduced below:

• ■ it has two lateral metal marks spaced 180 ° on the circumference of the cylinder.
• ■ the lateral metal marks are positioned diametrically opposite on the cylinder and in the vertical direction when the ball is at rest, and the lateral sensor is placed opposite the horizontal diameter of the cylinder, for a measurement of the lateral sensor to three quarters of the first turn and quarter of the second round.
• The axial displacement sensor is a magnetic sensor placed opposite the cylinder and in its axis and it cooperates with a magnetic axial mark placed on the cylinder.
• ■ Magnetic sensors are Hall effect sensors.
• The motion transmission means are constituted by:
  • a hollow shaft free in rotation in a bearing of the bracket along the horizontal axis and in which the rod is slidably mounted, and at the end of which is pivotally mounted a cable tie receiving the end of said cable,
  • a rod pivotally mounted on the cable tie at a different level of the pivot of the cable tie on the hollow shaft and secured to the other end at the first end of the rod.

• on transforme le mouvement de décalage angulaire de la balle de golf par rapport à la trajectoire de référence en un mouvement de translation d'une tige d'axe horizontal, et à un cylindre solidaire de la tige
• on transmet le mouvement de rotation d'axe horizontal de la balle au cylindre,
• on mesure le nombre de tours de rotation du cylindre et l'amplitude de son déplacement axial.

The invention also relates to a method for calculating the length of a shot and its angular offset with respect to a reference trajectory, for training in the practice of golf, adapted to be implemented by the device according to the invention, wherein:

• converting the angular displacement movement of the golf ball relative to the reference trajectory into a translation movement of a rod of horizontal axis, and to a cylinder secured to the rod
• transmitting the horizontal axis rotation movement of the bale to the cylinder,
• the number of revolutions of the cylinder and the amplitude of its axial displacement are measured.

• on détecte le passage du cylindre au trois quarts du premier tour et au quart du deuxième tour et on mesure son déplacement axial à ces instants,
• on détecte séparément l'accomplissement de chaque tour du cylindre pour les compter,
• on calcule le décalage angulaire de la balle en fonction du déplacement axial du cylindre, et la longueur du tir en fonction du nombre de tours effectués par le cylindre.

This process is characterized by the fact that:

• the passage of the cylinder is detected at three quarters of the first lap and at the quarter of the second lap and its axial displacement is measured at these times,
• the completion of each revolution of the cylinder is separately detected in order to count them,
• the angular offset of the bale is calculated as a function of the axial displacement of the cylinder, and the length of the firing as a function of the number of revolutions made by the cylinder.

The accompanying drawings are given as indicative and non-limiting examples. They represent an embodiment. They will make it easy to understand the invention.

Figure 1 is a general sectional side view of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section at the level of the rod according to the particular embodiment of FIG. 1.

In the device 1, according to the invention, an embodiment of which is shown laterally in section in FIG. 1, a golf ball 18 is suspended from a cable 17.

To achieve the suspension of the ball 18, the device 1 will include a bracket 2, generally mounted on a plate receiving the assembly and used for the placement of the player.

Preferably, the bracket 2 has a substantially oblique portion and a horizontal branch substantially oriented in the direction of the horizontal axis 21 marked in phantom in Figure 1.

To ensure the freedom of movement of the ball 18 and the measurement of the number of revolutions as well as of the angular offset with respect to the reference trajectory, the mounting of the ball 18 takes place via a rod 19 of FIG. horizontal axis corresponding to the horizontal axis 21, by means of movement transmission means.

As known in the document EP-A-0.682.958, the motion transmission means make it possible to transform the movement of the ball 18 in view of its operation for the measurement and calculation of the desired parameters.

For this purpose, the transmission means drive the rod 19 in its own rotation by the rotation of the ball along the horizontal axis 21 when the player taps.

Furthermore, an axial drive, of the translation type along the horizontal axis 21, is also performed by the rod 19.

This axial movement is generated by the shift of the ball 18 relative to a plane orthogonal to the horizontal axis 21.

In this regard, FIG. 1 shows the bale 18 in a vertical downward and dotted upward position, corresponding to an obligatory position and systematically perpendicular to the horizontal axis 21 during the rotation of the bale 18, regardless of the axial displacement of the rod 19 and the cylinder 7 at the time of the horizontal position of the cable 17 and the ball 18 ..

As an indication, a particular embodiment of the motion transmission means is presented below.

In this context, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rod 19 is integrated in a hollow shaft 4, itself free to rotate in a bearing 3, integral with the bracket 2, and oriented substantially along the horizontal axis 21.

Inside the hollow shaft 4, the rod 19 is slidably mounted.

To connect the free end of the rod 19 and the suspension cable 17 of the ball 18, a cable tie 5 is provided, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, the cable tie 5 includes an adjustable end portion adapted to receive and hold the cable 17. The optional setting allows the player to position the ball 18 at the desired height relative to the mat.

At its other end, the cable tie 5 is pivotally mounted on the hollow shaft 4.

The axis of this pivot is shown at reference 22 in FIG.

On the other hand, the cable tie receives a connecting rod 6 pivotally mounted relative to the cable tie 5 along an axis different from the axis 22, but in the same direction.

In this way, the pivot of the cable tie 5 on the hollow shaft 4, and that of the connecting rod on the cable tie 5 are at different levels.

In this way, a crankshaft system is formed capable of transforming the rotational movement of the cable tie 5 about the axis 22 in a horizontal translational movement of the axis 21 of the rod 19.

In a preferred manner, in order to fix this assembly, the hollow shaft ends in the form of a fork for receiving the end of the cable tie 5.

In this regard, the number of turns made by the rod 19 will be essentially measured so as to deduce the firing length of the ball 18. Furthermore, the axial displacement of the rod 19 is measured to determine the angular displacement of the trajectory of the ball. ball 18 with respect to the reference trajectory.

For this purpose, particular measuring means are provided according to the invention.

The measurements are advantageously made at the other end of the rod 19 (that opposite to the connection with the cable 17).

In this context, the rod 19 advantageously comprises at this location a cylinder 7 kinematically integral with the rod 19 and of a larger diameter, preferably made of non-metallic and magnetically neutral material, the cylinder is able to receive a part of the necessary organs on measures.

It is obvious that the measurements of rotation and axial displacement at the cylinder 7 make it possible to determine the movements of the rod 19 which incorporates the cylinder 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the measurement means comprise at least one magnetic tachometer 14 cooperating with a metal bar 9 placed on the periphery of the cylinder 7 so as to pass each revolution of the cylinder 7 opposite the revolution counter sensor 14.

Furthermore, the measuring means comprise at least one lateral magnetic sensor 12 cooperating with at least two lateral metal markers 8, 8bis placed at different locations around the periphery of the cylinder 7.

In this way, the metal markers 8, 8a pass successively opposite the lateral sensor 12 at each revolution of the cylinder 7.

In addition, an axial displacement sensor identified 13 in FIG. 2 allows the measurement of the axial position of the cylinder 7 at given times.

These determined times are when the lateral magnetic sensor 12 is activated, that is to say when the metal marks 8, 8a pass vis-à-vis.

Furthermore, an axial reference mark 10 will be constituted in the horizontal axis 21 facing the axial sensor 13 to detect the translation displacement of the rod 19 and the cylinder 7.

Preferably, the measuring means comprise two lateral marks 8, 8bis spaced 180 ° on the circumference of the cylinder 7.

Detection is thus carried out at three quarters of the first lap and quarter of the second lap.

In addition, the lateral marks 8, 8bis are preferably positioned so that they define a vertical diameter of the cylinder 7, when the ball 18 is at rest.

In this context, the lateral sensor 12 will be positioned to be placed in the direction of a horizontal diameter of the cylinder 7 when the ball is at rest.

In this way, the lateral sensor 12 will detect three-quarters of the first turn and quarter of the second turn.

As regards the measurement of the axial displacement of the rod 19 and the cylinder 7, a magnetic sensor 13 will preferably be used with a magnetized axial reference 10.

Still preferably, the magnetic sensors 12, 13 and 14 will be Hall effect sensors thus inductive technology.

The sensors 12 and 14 will be coupled to magnets respectively 15 and 16 and positioned on a support 11, integral with the bracket 2.

The calculation of the length of a shot and its angular offset with respect to a reference trajectory may be operated by the implementation of the device thus described and with regard to the method presented below.

When the user strikes the ball 18, it detects the passage of the marks 8 and 8bis of the cylinder 7, three quarters of the first lap and the first quarter of the second lap. This operation is performed by a judicious positioning of the lateral sensor 12 and lateral marks 8 and 8bis.

At these times, the displacement of the rod 19 and the cylinder 7 is measured by means of the axial sensor 13.

Measuring the angular offset at these times is particularly advantageous since it is at the beginning of the movement of the ball 18 that the angular offset is maximum. In addition, it is three quarters of the first lap and the first quarter of the second lap, that we note the maximum angular offset.

In a preferentially independent and simultaneous manner, the number of turns produced by the cylinder 7 is counted.

To do this, the tachometer sensor 14 detects the passage at each turn of the metal bar 9.

Preferably, the metal strip 9 is angularly offset relative to the lateral references 8, 8a.

In this way, the detection measurements made by the sensors will not be simultaneously hampered, for example in case of malfunction or oscillation of the suspension cable of the ball 18.

Totally independent measurements are obtained.

The measurement data thus collected on the number of turns made by the cylinder 7 and its maximum angular displacement at the beginning of the shot allow the calculation of the angular offset of the ball 18 and the length of the shot.

The calculation method which is able to be implemented by the device, according to precise parameters, makes it possible to program a microprocessor and to obtain the display, on a screen, of the result of a shot, that is to say say the angular offset and the distance depending on the club used and the usual level of the player.

REFERENCES

1.

Device

2.

gallows

3.

Bearing

4.

Hollow tree

5.

Cable tie

6.

rod

7.

Cylinder

8, 8a.

Metal side markers

9.

Metallic bar

10.

Magnetic axial marker

11.

Support

12.

Lateral sensor for angular measurement

13.

Angular measuring axial sensor

14.

Tachometer sensor

15.16.

Magnet

17.

Cable

18.

Ball

19.

stem

21.

Horizontal axis

22.

Pivot shaft

Claims (7)

1. Golf training device comprising:

   a) a bracket (2) providing support (11) for a ball (18) hanging by a wire (17) at the end of the horizontal arm of bracket (2), the said wire (17) being connected to a first end of a rod (19) with horizontal axis (21) by transmission means able to:

   - cause rod (19) to rotate by rotation of ball (18) on horizontal axis (21),

   - cause rod (19) to move on horizontal axis (21) by an offsetting movement of ball (18) relative to a plane orthogonal to horizontal axis (21),

   b) means for measuring the number of rotations and axial displacement of rod (19) and the means for analysing the measurement data in order to calculate the length of the drive and its angular offset relative to a reference trajectory,

   characterised in that

   . it includes a cylinder (7) joined to the second end of rod (19)

   . the measurement means include

   - at least one magnetic rpm indicator (14) coacting with a rpm indicator metal bar (9) placed on the periphery of cylinder (7) so as to pass opposite rpm indicator sensor (14) on each rotation of cylinder (7);

   - at least one lateral magnetic sensor (12) coacting with at least two metal lateral reference marks (8, 8bis) placed at different locations on the periphery of cylinder (7);

   - an axial displacement sensor (13) for measuring the axial position of cylinder (7) on the passage of the metal lateral reference marks (8, 8bis) opposite lateral sensor (12).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that
   it has two lateral reference marks (8, 8bis), 180° apart on the circumference of cylinder (7).
3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that
   lateral reference marks (8, 8bis) are positioned in a diametrically opposite configuration on cylinder (7) and in the vertical direction when ball (18) is at rest, and lateral sensor (12) is positioned opposite the horizontal diameter of cylinder (7),
   to measure lateral sensor (12) at three quarters of the first rotation and one quarter of the second rotation.
4. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that
   axial displacement sensor (13) is a magnetic sensor placed opposite cylinder (7) and in its axis, and that it coacts with magnetic axial reference mark (10) placed on the cylinder (7),
5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that
   the magnetic sensors are Hall-effect sensors.
6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the means for transmitting the movement consist of:

   - a hollow shaft (4) free to rotate in a bearing (3) of bracket (2) along horizontal axis (21) and in which rod (19) is assembled so as to slide, and at the end of which is fitted attach-wire (5) so as to swivel and receive the end of aforesaid wire (17),

   - a connecting rod (6) fitted on attach-wire (5) so as to swivel at a level different from the pivot of attach-wire (5) on hollow shaft (4) and moreover connected to the first end of rod (19).
7. Method for calculating the length of a drive and its angular offset relative to a reference trajectory, for golf training use, that can be applied by the device according to claim 3 in combination with any of claims 4 to 6, in which:

   - the angular offset movement of golf ball (18) compared to the reference trajectory is transformed into a translatory movement of a rod (19) with horizontal axis (21), and a cylinder (7) joined to rod (19)

   - the rotation of ball (18) on horizontal axis (21) is transmitted to the cylinder (7),

   - the number of rotations of cylinder (7) and the amplitude of its axial displacement are measured,

   characterised in that:

   - the passage of cylinder (7) at three-quarters of the first rotation and quarter of the second rotation and its axial displacement is measured at these instances,

   - the completion of each rotation of cylinder (7) is detected for counting,

   - the angular shift of ball (18) is calculated based on the axial displacement of cylinder (7) and the length of the drive is calculated according to the number of rotations by cylinder (7).

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