FR2627992A1 - Indoor golf course simulator and practice machine - allows golfer to hit ball attached to rotating shaft and displays result w.r.t. simulated course and weather - Google Patents

Abstract

A box is made from rigid material with a removable cover and is usually sunk into the ground so that just the cover shows. The cover has an anti-skid area large enough to accommodate a person standing with feet apart. In front of the area is a slot through which protrudes one leg of a ball carrier. The ball carrier has three equidistant spokes each with a golf ball attached. The ball carrier is pivoted at its centre and is fixed to a shaft which connected with an electronic measuring device. The device can have values entered into it to simulate different golf courses and weather conditions. The data is displayed on a liquid crystal display which not only show 'distance hit' but also a 'humourous' message. ADVANTAGE - Robust, silent and simple, allowing play, practice and coaching indoors.

Description

(d) FRENCH REPUBLIC (Publication No. 2,627,992 (to be used only

  for the NATIONAL INSTITUTES REPRODUCTION RULES OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY (OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY national registration: 88 03137 PARIS

Int Q4: A63 B 69/36.

APPLICATION FOR PATENT OF INVENTION A1

  () Filing date: 4 March 1988. Q Applicant (s): NINOTTA Joseph and NINOTTA Gaëtan.

-EN. ) Priority

  (Inventor (s): Joseph Ninotta, Gaëtan Ninotta.

  Date of the public availability of the

  application: BOPI "Patents" No. 36 of 8 September 1989.

  ) References to other national documents appearing

(r) Holder (s)

_ Agent (s) Cabinet Charras.

  (Training equipment for golf practice.

  (The apparatus is remarkable in that it is in the form of a base S arranged to support a player ands of B3 containing a support assembly ES for a carrier 7 2 mounted to rotate freely in accordance with a horizontal axis in said

  together and having at least one bullet 13 exceeding

  above the base to be hit by a special C butt; the rotation of the bale carrier being recorded by an electronic assembly E of visible display measurements on the base. c o, 1 </ c3 cfl || 2. Description of the Prior Art The invention relates to a training apparatus

to practice golf.

  The object of the invention is related to the technical sector of sports simulation means, in particular golf. Outside the season or in bad weather conditions, it is interesting to be able to practice golf in a closed or sheltered place, so as not to lose the gesture, or to learn the gesture or correct

a faulty gesture.

  For this, we have already thought of devices or devices for simulating the launch of a golf ball on a course. In particular, devices are mentioned according to which the ball is free and must be held by a net after its launch, which, understandably, requires a large space and a good precision to target the net on pain of loss of the ball or damage. Devices are also known o the ball held at the end of a flexible link, wraps after the strike on a pole or a suspended drum. Here again it is necessary to have a large free surface due to the trajectory of the ball. For all these achievements, it should also be noted that the player

  has no way of controlling the value of his gesture.

  Devices may also be mentioned in which the ball is mounted on a rod with an elastic hinge or not, and violently hits after launching, a fixed element intended to transmit the intensity of the shock to organs of measurement. This type of device is fragile and noisy because of the impact force and its reaction on the organs of

  measurement, and it implements complex and expensive means.

  One of the aims of the invention is to offer novices as well as novice practitioners or experienced players, a quiet, simple, therefore economical and reliable equipment, which can be integrated in a place of small -2- dimensions because the space required is limited to

  the amplitude of the movement of the stick.

  For this purpose, and according to a first characteristic, the apparatus is in the form of a pedestal arranged to support a Player and containing a support assembly for a ball carrier mounted to rotate freely along a horizontal axis in the said assembly and having at least one ball protruding above the base to be hit by the butt; the rotation of the ball carrier being recorded by a set

  electronic measurement with visible display on the base.

  Another object according to the invention is to make available to the Player a special butt which, in combination with a particular rotating ball, reproduces the particular characteristics of weight, and the effects of its

  usual stick, while ensuring a low noise.

  For this purpose, and according to another characteristic, the butt according to the invention is either a normal butt where the active part has been cut in order to fix a plate of material damping the noise, or a lighter butt whose active part is covered by a cap of sound-absorbing material, while the ball is also arranged to dampen

the noise.

  Another purpose was to allow the Player to hit the ball under the same conditions as on a natural course, that is to say according to the nature of the ground at

  start of the shot (grass, bunker, green).

  For this and according to another feature, the distance between the axis of the ball in the striking position and the top of the base or an insert is adjustable either by moving the ball carrier height, or by clearing the area surrounding the ball, allowing to hit the

ball below its axis.

  These and other features will stand out

from the rest of the description.

  To fix the object of the invention without however limiting it, in the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus comprising the base and a butt according to the invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the base according to the invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

  in particular the bale carrier according to one embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the

  adjustable mounting of the carrier shown in the low position.

  Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating another embodiment

  to hit the ball below its axis.

  In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner in

  referring to the exemplary embodiments of the figures of the drawings.

  The apparatus comprises a base (S) which can be made of any material or material such as metal, wood, plastics. In the example shown, the base is formed of a box (1) rigid and a removable cover (2). The base can be placed on the ground or by means of studs, suction cups, pads ..., or it can be

  recessed in the ground arranged for this purpose.

  The bottom of the box (1) has directly manufacturing or reported a set-support (ES)

  for mounting & free rotation along a horizontal axis (x -

  x ') of a bale carrier arranged to form at least one bale of

golf type.

  According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the support assembly (ES) comprises two transverse bearings formed of lower (3 - 4) and upper (5 - 6) demibrides enclosing between them with play the extreme cylindrical bearing surfaces (7a) of a bale carrier (7) mounted between said half-flanges, the lower half-flanges (3 - 4) being

  slidably engaged in two transverse slides (8 -

  -4- 9) integral with the bottom of the box, and are indexed firmly in at least two possible positions in height by any means such as pins passing through the slideways and the lower flanges equipped with several holes or spring balls (10) housed in the slides and cooperating with

  imprints (3a - 4a) of the lower half-flanges.

  According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the support assembly (ES) consists for example of two transverse bearings (11-12) integral with the bottom of the box 1o and whose upper face is equipped to receive and rotate freely. the bale carrier (7), for example by clipping its end cylindrical bearing surfaces (7a) into corresponding cavities (11a-12a), and it is of course possible to provide the two-part transverse bearings (11-12) as previously with the flanges for mounting

rotating the carrier.

  The carrier (7) in the nonlimiting example illustrated, is formed in one piece and comprises in addition to the extreme bearing surfaces (7a) a central hub (7b) on which extend in three equidistant directions branches (7c). ) whose ends receive by gluing or otherwise balls (13) comparable to golf balls. Alternatively, the

  Bales can be formed directly in the bale carrier.

  The horizontal axis (x - x ') is arranged at a height (h) relative to the bottom of the box calculated so that each bale (13) completely exceeds the cover (2) which has a transvesal opening (2a). ) sized for

  allow rotation of the bale carrier.

  The distance (d) between the axis of the ball with which the rudder is positioned vertically and the top of the lid, may be variable so that the Player can and will hit the ball with the butt is substantially at this axis, knows in below this axis, as it can do in a real course according to the type of soil where 1 is 3strouve (grass, sand bunker, turf ...) and the power of the

  shot to predict (distance remaining to be made).

  For this, as described above and illustrated Figures 2, 3, 4, the Player can change the height position of the carrier simply by pushing or pulling on the overflowing ball, causing the sliding of half flanges in the guides with indexing in the indentations, either after removal of the lid and the indexing pin of the half-flanges, by pushing or pulling on the ball

  overflowing and refitting the pin.

  In the case illustrated in FIG. 5, the bale carrier (7) can not be adjusted in height. The possibility of hitting the bale below its axis is obtained by a device comprising a depression (2b) of the lid at the opening (2a) for the passage of the bale carrier and the lateral edges <2c) between which is positioned a wafer

  plane (15) whose opening <(15a) allows the passage of the carrier

  balls. When the wafer (15) is in position, the Player may hit the ball substantially at its axis due to

  of his limited overflow. When he wants to hit the ball

  below its axis, it removes the plate (15) and its stock can then engage (arrow f) in the depression (2b) of the cover. In order to verify how the ball was hit, there are also provided means on the ball carrier and the particular ball as well as on the walls of the opening (2a) indicating to the display whether the ball has been struck. -above,

  below, right or left of its axis.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the rotation of the carrier caused by the butt kick given on the ball overhanging the base, is transmitted to an electronic assembly (E) of measurement housed in said base, and the opposite of the player. The transmission is effected by an axis (16) connected angularly by any appropriate means & an extreme range (7a) of the bale carrier, and whose other end cooperates by cell, probe or other similar body, with the electronic assembly . Said set (E) is arranged to record different data, for example the distance traveled by the ball in relation to the number of all of the ball carrier, the storage of values such as shots with differentiations for several players, the different steps

a simulated course.

  The display of these data and others such as humorous mentions, is performed by liquid crystals placed in a display box (B) visible on the base and further comprising buttons (B1 - B2 - B3 .. .)

  reset & zero, memory, on-off ...

  It is also possible to provide the connection of the electronic assembly with a television receiver via an independent or integrated member suitable for

transform the data into images.

  Also note that the diet of the whole

  electronic can be made by batteries or by the mains.

  In contrast to the electronic assembly, the cover (2) has a non-slip surface (17) adapted to receive the feet of the player, with a lower reinforcement by ribs (la> for example of the box (1), to support the

weight of a man.

  According to another feature, there are provided balls (13) with a core (13Sa> noise-absorbing material when striking, in combination with a butt (C)

  also provided for damping noises.

  However, we wanted the Player to have the same sensations as with his usual lacrosse, especially in the weight of the stick. For this, the usual stock is notched in its active part (C1) and a strike plate (C2) in noise-reducing material is fixed by any means on the part (Cl). Or, a lighter stock is provided and the active part of a cap (C3) is covered with

sound damping material.

  The advantages are clear from the description, we

  still underlines the simplicity, the reliability, the compactness, the multiple possibilities of blows, the measurements of the blows, the faithful reproduction of the gestures of the golf, and the silence of the apparatus according to the invention.

Claims (2)

  -1- Apparatus for training in golf practice, characterized   risé in that it is in the form of a base (S)   arranged to support a Player and containing a set-   support (ES) for a ball carrier (7) mounted for free rotation along a horizontal axis in said assembly and having at least one bale (13) protruding above the base to be   struck by a special butt (C); the rotation of the door   balls being recorded by an electronic assembly (E) of   measurements with visible display on the base.   -2- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier (7) is made in one piece having a central hub (7b) on which extend in three equidistant directions branches (7c) whose ends form balls (13); on either side of the central hub, the bale carrier is extended by cylindrical bearing surfaces (7a) constituting the horizontal axis of rotation   said carrier on the support assembly (ES).   Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bale carrier (7) mounted for free rotation along a horizontal axis is fixed at a height position with respect to the support assembly (ES) which consists of example of two transverse bearings (11 - 12) integral with the base and cooperating   with the extreme bearing surfaces (7a) of the bale carrier.   Equipment according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bale carrier (7), mounted for free rotation along a horizontal axis, is in position adjustable in height with respect to the support assembly (ES), according to at least two indexed positions corresponding to different distances (d) between the axis of the ball placed in overflow of the base and said base.   Apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 together,   characterized in that the support assembly (ES) consists of two transverse bearings formed of lower (3 - 4) and upper (5 - 6) half-flanges enclosing with each other the end bearings (7c) of the carrier. balls.   Apparatus according to claims 4 and 5 together,   characterized in that the transverse bearings constituted by the demibrides are engaged & sliding in two transverse slides (8-9) integral with the bottom of the base   with indexing following at least two positions in height.   Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the indexing according to the multiple positions of the bearings is obtained by means of the pin-type passing through the slideways and the lower flanges equipped with several holes. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the indexing according to the multiple positions of the bearings is obtained by spring balls (10) housed in the   slides and cooperate with fingerprints (3a - 4a) half lower flanges.   Apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 together,   characterized in that the extreme bearing surfaces (7c) of the bale carrier (7> are simply clipped & free rotation in cavities corresponding bearings.   -10- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (S) is composed of a box (1) rigid with reinforcing ribs (la) at the level of the support of the feet of the Player on a surface ( 17) and a removable cover (2) cut for the passage of the display members and having a transverse opening (2a) passage of the balls (13) of the carrier. - 10 -2627992   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that a depression <2b) is formed on the cover at the opening (2a), and a flat plate (15) with opening (15a) for passage of bullets is centered above this depression, in order to strike the ball substantially at its axis when said pad is in position, or to hit the ball below its axis when said pad is removed. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ball or balls (13) are fixed at the end of the or the branches of the bale carrier (7) by any means such as gluing.   with a material made of noise-absorbing material.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ball or bales (13) and the walls of the bead opening in the base are equipped with means for detecting and transmitting the impact properly.   arranged to check whether the ball was struck above,   below, to the right or to the left of its axis.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the butt (C) used is a lighter butt whose active part (C1) is covered by a cap (C3) in sound damping material.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the butt (C) used is a normal butt whose active part (Cl1) is notched and receives by any means a   strike plate (C2) of noise-damping material.   -16- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier (7) and the electronic assembly <E) are connected by an axis (16) subject to an extreme range (? A) of the carrier and to a device of the cell type, probe cooperating with the members of the electronic assembly, and - he -   than with a television receiver via an independent or integrated means of transforming data into images. -17 Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic assembly (E) is equipped to record different data such as the measurement of the distance traveled by the ball according to the number of revolutions of the carrier, the memory of the shots with differentiation for each player, the different stages of a course, humorous notes. FIG.1 c FIG. 2 3 3 4 Co Zi! v- 2 6 4E>, 7 Z66Z89Z