GB2120105A

GB2120105A - Golf practice apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2120105A
Application number: GB08310493A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Branspeth Milburn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-20
Filing date: 1983-04-19
Publication date: 1983-11-30
Also published as: GB8310493D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a rotor 2 of balanced construction carrying a plurality of equi-spaced balls 9 and a recording device 7 for indicating the probable distance to travel of the struck ball.The rotor may rotate in a vertical plane in a housing 3, which is secured adjustably to a mounting platform ion which the player stands, or alternatively may be arranged to rotate horizontally. The recording device may be a rev counter or computerised electronic device with a separate visual display unit and may be calibrated directly in terms of distance. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf practice apparatus The present invention relates to golf practice apparatus.

British Patent Specifications Nos. 687402, 1169623 and 1263269 describe golf practice apparatus in which a ball is suspended by means of a cable or rod from an arm in such a way that, when the ball is struck by a playerswinging a golfciub,the ball issetinto rotary motion about axis ofthe arm. G.B. 687402 has a mechanical mechanism for recording the number of revolutions of ball around the axis the arm.

Apparatus ofthe above type has the disadvantage that the supportforthe ball obscuresthe ball, and this makes it more difficult to hit accurately or forces the playerto adopt an unusual stance. Furthermore, the provision of a single ball on the end of a pivotable cord or rod gives rise to unbalanced forces on rotation of the ball aboutthe arm axis and this impedes free rotation ofthe ball.

British Patent Specification No. 1514092 describes a golf practice apparatus in which a ball is mounted on the end of an arm which is arranged to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane when struck by a golf club. Rotation occurs against the resistance of a resilient element as a cord is wound on a shaft rotated bythe moving arm. A marker is moved by displacement ofthe resilient element. This apparatus has the disadvantagethatthe resilientelement imposes an unnatural resistance on movement of the ball when struck. Furthermore, the increasing force exerted by the resilient element on extension thereof gives rise to only smail changes in position ofthe marker and this gives rise to difficulty in comparing the efficiency of successive strokes. In addition, unbalanced forces are generated on rotation of the arm.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide golf practice apparatus which is of simple construction and which overcomestheabovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided golf practice apparatus comprising a housing, a rotor journalled for rotation in the housing and carrying a plurality of equi-spaced captive balls, and a recording device driven directly or indirectly from the rotor to give a reading in proportion to the rotation ofthe rotor.

The reading gives an indication ofthe distance which a free ball would travel.

The rotor is set in motion by striking one ofthe balls carried bythe rotor with a golf club. Thus, the efficiency with which the ball is struck can be gauged from the indication given by the recording device.

In one embodiment, the rotor is arranged to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane. In the preferred embodimentthe rotor rotates in a vertical plane and the rotorpreferrablycarriesthree balls such that underthe action of gravity one ball is presented uppermost readyforstriking. Thus, the player has a clearviewofthe ball andthe rotor is balanced construction which gives a smoother rotation.

Each ball may be secured to the hub ofthe rotor by a radially extending spoke, but in the preferred construction the ball is secured by means of web which attaches along a leading portion ofthe ball so that the rear and undersideofthe ball is not obstructed. The web interconnects the three balls to the hub ofthe rotor. It is preferredthatthe balls, web and hub ofthe rotor be formed as an integral plastics moulding.

In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the housing mounting the rotor is secured to a mouting platform on which the player stands. The housing is preferably adjustably positioned with respect to the mounting platform.

The present invention will now be described further, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of golf practice apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a left hand side elevation of Fig. 1, Fig.3 is a plan view of 1, Fig. 4 is a detailed elevation ofthe rotor assembly of Fig. 1 with the platform omitted, Fig.5 is a side view of Fig.4 including part of the platform, Fig. 6 is a half plan view of another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 is a partial section on A-A of Fig.6, Fig. 8 is an elevation of a modified form of rotor, Fig. 9 is a section on B-B of Fig.8, Fig.1 0 is a rear elevation ofthe housing forthe rotor of Fig.8,and Fig. 11 is a side elevation of Fig. 10.

Referring nowto the drawings of Figs. 1 to Sthere is shown a first embodiment ofthe invention comprising a mounting platform 1, having support legs la, disposed atthefourcorners ofthe platform. A generally U-shaped housing or bearing pedestal 3 is secured to the mounting by a pair of horizontal guide bars 4which are slideably received in supports 5. A fixing screw 6 or a respective fixing screw for each bar enables the guide bars to be locked in a preferred position relative to the mounting platform 1. The housing 3 carries a rotor or golf ball assembly wheel 2, shown in greater detail in Figs. 4 and 5. The rotor has a hub which is journalled in bearings 8 located in the housing 3.Three equal weight balls 9, which represent golf balls, are fixed to the hub by respective radial spokes 10. The balls are preferably screwed onto the spokes 10, a screwed bush 11 being providedforthis purpose. The hub and spokes are preferably made from a strong but light material. For example, a plastics material such as 6/6 Nylon with glass fibre reinforcement. The balls may be golf balls, suitably bushed, or more preferably a plastics material provid ing similarweightandfeelto a golf bail.

In use, the platform rests on the ground, the player stands on the mounting platform and, having adjusted the distance of the rotor r fro m the ofthe rotorfromtheplatform,strikesthe ball carried by the rotor. Thethree ball construction ensures that, one ball is always disposed uppermost under the influence of gravity.

It is envisaged that the golf ball wheel assembly including housing may be used without the mounting platform, butthis is less preferred. A separate platform for the player to stand on is then preferably used and means such as spikes or screws are provided to holdthe housing down to the ground.

In a further alternative em bodiment the housing accommodating the golf ball wheel assemblyfor rotation n a vertical plane, and preferably carrying three balls, is adapted to be buried in the ground so that in use the ball to be struck projects above the ground surface at tee height. The parts of the apparatus are made from corrosion resistant material or accommodated in a waterproof casing.

A rev-counting recording device is provided to measure and record the rotation ofthe rotor The recording device may be a mechanical gear system, rotating cable, electric, or computerised electronic device with separate visual display unit. The output of the recording device is either calibrated in terms of revolutions ofthe rotor, which can be equated to distance, or directly in terms of distance. By calculating the average distance a free ball travels when hit with certain effort, and then applying the same effort to the apparatus ofthe present invention, the device can be calibrated. Preferably a mechanical testing machine is employed to ensurethatthefree ball is struckwith the same force as the captive ball.A chart or automatic conversion display may be compiled giving the relationship between the number of revolutions of the rotor and the probable distance of travel of a golf ball had it been free of the assemblywheel.

Referring nowtofigures 6 and 7 there is illustrated another embodiment ofthe invention in which the rotor covering the golf balls 9 is arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane. In the illustrated embodimentthe rotor carries four equally spaced balls 9 and is supported for rotation on a bearing 13. A revcounter is mounted at 14 and conveniently is actuated by a lever 14a moved bythe spokes 12. Bn use, the housing is positioned on the ground surface and may be located thereto by spikes or the like. A window 15 is provided to displaythe reading ofthe recording device. A remotely positioned recording device may be employed. The rotor may carrytwo or more balls, equally spaced apart to ensure that the rotor is balanced.

Referring to the drawings of Figs. 8to 11 there is shown a preferred embodiment of rotor and housing, which may be used in place of the rotor and housing described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5. Conveniently, the rotor 30 is formed as a one piece plastics moulding, for example from a 33% Glass reinforced 616 Nylon. The rotor 30 has a hub 32 which is turned down at opposite ends so as to be received in housing journals. The housing comprises a general U-shaped frame 34, and a pair of bearing caps 36 by means of which the rotor is located for rotation in the housing.

The housing assembly is preferrably made from a plastics material,forexamplethe same material asthe rotor. If necessary bearings may be interposed between the hub and the housing, but this is believed to be unnecessary where a suitable plastics material is employed.

The rotor30 isformed with a web 38 whose edges are provided with a reinforcing flange 40 disposed perpendicular thereto.

In the preferred arrangement illustrated the web has three curved arms which carry attheir ends a respective ball 42. It will be seen that the web joins the ball over an arc of approximately 120 , on a forward facing part. Thus, the supporting web does not intrude on that part ofthe ball which is to be struck by the club head. The rotor is preferably formed as a one piece moulding. The web is radiused where it merges with the balls, flanges and hub. One arm 44 ofthe housing has a braket46securedtheretowhich is adapted to receive the recording device 7. A square hoie 48 orthe like isformed in the end ofthe hub 32 and serves as a driving connection for the recording device.

Whilst it is feasable for the rotor to be provided with any number of balls more than two, the most economical construction is that with three balls, and in addition the three ball construction has the particular advantage that one ball is presented in an uppermost position underthe influence of gravity readyto be struck bythe golf club.

Where the ball is sliced or pulled when struck, the shoulders 48,50 will engagewith the housing, so imposing additional friction loading on the rotor which cause it to slow down more quickly than would be the case if it were hit squarely. It is envisaged that friction washers may be placed between the shoulders 48,50 and the housing where a greater slowing effect is desired in such conditions. The arrangement of friction washers in this manner does not impose a restriction onthefree running of the rotor at the time of impact.

A brake may be employed to stop the rotorfrom turning.

The use of golf practice apparatus according to the invention enables the golferto practice his swing an unlimited number of times without having to retrieve or set up the ball and to gain an indication of howfar the ball might have travelled if it were afree ball. It is possibleto play a theoretical round of golf by noting the distance of each shot in relation to any particular hole length. The distance and number of shots can be recorded and if desired linked upto a visible display unit. Recordings of each individual strike may be added or cancelled as desired. The apparatus of the present invention can be used as an indoor or outdoor gameforone or more persons, orasatoy.

Claims

1. Golf practice apparatus comprising a housing, a rotorjournalled for rotation in the housing and carrying a plurality of equi-spaced captive balls, and a recording device driven directly or indirectly from the rotorto give a reading in proportion to the rotation of the rotor.

2. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the rotor carries three balls.

3. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the bails are secu red to the rotor by means of a web which extends between each of the balls.

4. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the web merges with pleading portion of each ball.

5. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 in which each ofthe balls is attached to a hub ofthe rotor by a respective radial spoke.

6. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the rotor is formed as a one piece moulding from a plastics material.

7. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the ball engagesthreadinglywith the spoke.

8. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a mounting plat form adapted forthe player to stand on and to which the housing is secured.

9. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the housing is adjustably secured to the mounting platform.

10. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the adjustable mounting comprises a pair of guide bars attached to the housing and slidably locatably received injournalscarried by the mounting platform.

11. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in claims 8, 9 or 10 in which the housing is secured reversablyto the mounting platform to accommodate left and right hand players.

12. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the rotor is mounted to be rotatable in a vertical plane.

13. Golf practice apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which the rotor is mounted to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane.

14. Golf practice apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of Fig. 1 to 5.

15. Golf practice apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of Figs. 6 and 7.

16. Golf practice apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of Figs. to 11.