GB2230460A

GB2230460A - Golf practice device

Info

Publication number: GB2230460A
Application number: GB8908966A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Thomas Machin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-20
Filing date: 1989-04-20
Publication date: 1990-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-20
Also published as: GB8908966D0; GB2230460B

Abstract

An apparatus to allow practice of a game such as golf in a confined space. The apparatus including arms 26 with target balls 28 attached therein, the arms 26 being arranged to rotate on application of a force to these target balls 28 whereby the balls move in a wide arc with a significant element substantially parallel to a ground surface. The arms 26 may be made of golf club shaft material. <IMAGE>

Description

Game Practice Apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for practising games/ sports where there is involved the hitting of an article over a distance, for example golf.

It is particularly useful in golf to be able to practice hitting of a golf ball in a confined space, for example indoors. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can enable practising of such a game in a confined space.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for practising a game, the apparatus comprising a base, at least one target, and means for rotat'ably mounting the or each target on the base, the relationship between the mounting means and the base being such that, in use, the or each target can be presented at a suitable location for striking by a user.

Preferably the apparatus includes means for recording the number of revolutions of the target between the user striking the target and the target coming to rest.

Preferably also, the target mounting means comprises at least one arm, on a free end of which is mounted the target.

Desirably a pair of longitudinally aligned arms are provided, each extending radially outwardly from a central support, and each mounting the respective target on a free end thereof, whereby the arms counterbalance one another. The revolution recording means comprises a counter mounted on the base and activated once in every revolution by a trip projection mounted on one of the arms. Alternatively the revolution recording means may comprise an electrically operated, noncontact sensor for sensing each revolution.

The or each target may comprise a golf ball and the or each arm may be formed of a material utilised to construct a conventional shaft of a golf club.

The target mounting means may be located,on a face of the base which is angled relative to the ground or a fixture surface on which the base is to be located. Further, means may be provided for securing the base to the ground or fixture surface, and the securing means may be adjustable whereby to be able to raise the base relative to the ground or fixture surface. In addition, the base may be at least partly hollow to enable entry thereto of a material to lend stability to the base.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a practice apparatus according to the invention.

An apparatus for practising golf comprises a supporting base 10 formed of a suitable material, preferably metal for stability, and having a triangular cross section in side elevation. The base 10 has a bottom wall (not shown), opposed side walls 12 of triangular configuration, and front and rear walls 14,16 respectively which provide upper faces angled with respect to the ground or a supporting fixture on which the bottom wall rests. At a lower edge, each of the walls 14,16 is formed with a flange 18 provided with through holes 20, through which any suitable form of securing means can be inserted to fix the base 10 to the ground or supporting fixture.

Substantially centrally on the front wall 14 there is provided a bearing assembly (not shown) for rotatably mounting therein a shaft defined by a central leg of a T-piece 22.

The shaft extends through a cap 24 which is retained captive on a mounting for the bearing assembly by any suitable means such as a screw, in order to provide for safe retention'of the bearing assembly on the base 10.

From each arm of the T-piece 22 there extends a mounting arm 26 on the free end of which is secured a golf ball 28. Each of the arms 26 can be formed from a material designed to resist bending, on the application of force to the golf ball 28 in a direction substantially tangential to the axis of the arm 26. Preferably each of the arms 26 is formed of a material from which a conventional golf club shaft is formed and may, for added strength, comprise three tube lengths of such a material located one within the other. Each golf ball 28 may have a hole formed diametrically therethrough whereby to enable force fitting of the ball 28 on the respective arm 26.

For added safety, a wire or other suitable line may extend through the aligned arms 26 and be provided with a clamp on either end external to the respective golf ball 28. The overall length of the arms 26 is preferably one yard.

On the outer face of the front wall 14 there is mounted a trip counter 30 provided with a trip lever 32 extending upwardly from the wall 14. The trip lever 32 is activated once in every revolution of the arms 26 by a trip projection 34 mounted on one of the arms 26. The counter 30 is rotatably mounted on the wall 14 whereby to enable the lever 32 to be operated in either direction, so that it is immaterial whether the user of the apparatus is left- or right-handed.

The counter 30 can be re-set to zero when necessary.

The base 10 has a closable opening (not shown) through which the hollow of the base 10 can be filled with sand or the like to provide additional stability. With the trip meter 30 set to zero, a golf club can be used to strike one of the target golf balls 28 whereupon the arms 26 rotate rapidly, with the number of revolutions being displayed on the trip counter 30. The number of revolutions is a measure of the length of a normal golf shot which would have been achieved by the strike. It will be seen that the best stroke occurs if the golf club meets the respective ball 28 tangentially to the arm 26. If the stroke is poor, then the number of revolutions will be correspondingly low, indicating that the ball has been, for example, sliced.It is envisaged that the apparatus could form part of a game, details of length of various golf holes being provided, the object being to equate the total number of revolutions for a given number of strokes to the distance of a hole, and so a representative game of golf may be played indoors.

In a modification, the arrangement for counting revolutions may comprise an non-contact, electrically operated sensor with a suitable digital display. The sensor may be operated from a suitable battery housed within the base. The latter may have, for example, the rear wall hinged in order to enable access to the battery. Such a non-contact sensor avoids resistance between the trip lever and the projection on the arm, which otherwise has an effect on the rotation of the arms.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the base may be fixed to the ground or supporting fixture through springs or the like, the tension of which can be adjusted by the securing fixings, to enable adjustment of the height of the base above the ground. This can provide the effect of the golf ball being on a tee. Also, for additional security, the rotatable shaft may extend inwardly beyond the Front wall and have a split pin extending therethrough to further prevent any inadvertent release of the shaft.

While the apparatus is principally intended for the practising of golf, it is envisaged that the apparatus could be larger and have footballs at the end of the arms, with the balls being kicked rather than struck with a golf club. Also the apparatus may be designed to accommodate other games involving balls.

Claims

Claims:

1. Apparatus for practising a game, the apparatus comprising a base, at least one target, and means for rotatably mounting the or each target on the base, the relationship between the mounting means and the base being such that, in use, the or each target can be presented at a suitable location for striking by a user.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, including means for recording the number of revolutions of the target between the user striking the target and the target coming to rest.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the target mounting means comprises at least one arm, on a free end of which is mounted the target.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein a pair of longitudinally aligned arms are provided, each extending radially outwardly from a central support, and each mounting the respective target on a free end thereof, whereby the arms counterbalance one another.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the or each arm is formed of a material utilised to construct a conventional shaft of a golf club.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4, or Claim 5 when dependent on Claim 4, wherein the revolution recording means comprises a counter mounted on the base and activated once in every revolution by a trip projection mounted on one of the arms.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 2, or any of Claims 3 to 5 when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the revolution recording means comprises an electrically operated, non-contact sensor for sensing each revolution.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each target comprises a golf ball.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the target supporting means is located on a face of the base which is angled relative to the ground or a fixture surface on which the base is to be located.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein means is provided for securing the base to the ground or fixture surface.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the securing means is adjustable whereby to be able to raise the base relative to the ground or fixture surface.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the base is at least partly hollow to enable entry thereto of a material to lend stability to the base.

13. Apparatus for practising a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

14. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.