JP2004275737A - Golf practice foot stand - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a golf practice foot stand which can detects unsuitable balance or sway during a swing. <P>SOLUTION: A golf practice device includes a base having a substantially flat forward portion upon which the user stands, a rearward portion and a raised platform protruding upwardly from the rearward portion. The raised platform includes a foot rest inclined generally forwardly and upwardly. The user supports one foot upon the elevated foot rest during a practice swing in order to allow him or her to detect improper balance or sway during the practice swing. The elevated foot rest can receive either the left or right foot of either a right-handed or left-handed user. The practice device can also be used in either a forward-facing stance or a side-facing stance, with either the right or the left foot elevated and is further usable with a large number of other golf related or non-golf related exercises. In one preferred form, the foot rest's height or inclination angle, or both, are adjustable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to exercise or practice devices and, more particularly, to a device on which a user can stand while performing a golf practice or performing other exercises.

  It is well known that golf sports are often difficult to master, especially considering the numerous golf swing techniques that must be performed accurately to hit the ball. Most people who begin golfing find it intractable to concentrate on all of these various techniques while swinging the club. In fact, golf has been characterized as one of the few sports in which the player's most feared enemy is the player himself. Thus, if a golfer can change the exact implementation of one technique to a less concentrated habit, he or she can then concentrate on other techniques.

  One of these important techniques for accurately performing a golf swing is to maintain the person's balance and not to excessively sway left and right during the course of the swing. However, it is sometimes difficult for a golfer to find out if he or she is overly swayed or otherwise not maintaining proper balance during a golf swing.

  Thus, the present invention provides a practice device that helps a golfer maintain his or her balance and develop the muscular skill, strength, and coordination needed to find the wrong left and right sway. A golf swing practice or other exercise device according to the present invention preferably includes a base having a front portion, a rear portion, and a rising or rising platform generally projecting upwardly from the rear portion where a golfer or other user can stand. .

  A preferred stand-up platform includes a height-adjustable foot rest on its upper or raised portion, at least a portion of which is preferably adjustably inclined to generally face forward and upward. ing. The user may then place one foot on the front during the practice swing and the other foot on the raised foot rest during the practice swing to allow him or her to find the wrong balance or undesired sway during swing practice or other exercises. Can be placed. As mentioned above, this also helps the user develop his or her muscles and coordination to a level where he or she can better control his or her balance as a matter of habit. Preferably, the lifting platform is adapted to receive either the user's left foot or right foot, regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. Also, either right-handed or left-handed users can alternately raise their right or left foot during a practice swing or other exercise.

  In addition, the training device according to the present invention may be used for any use of the right or left foot raised by either a right-handed or left-handed user positioned in either a forward stance or a full or partial side stance. Fit for Such a lateral stance is particularly advantageous for practicing the golf swing encountered when a golfer's ball is on an inclined surface. Finally, the present invention is also useful for many other exercises performed with holding exercise weights or other exercise equipment.

  Additional objects, advantages, applications and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise or exercise device according to the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a semi-transverse perspective view of the exercise or exercise device of FIG. 1, further showing any hinges shown in dashed lines.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise or exercise apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the user's right foot supported on a tilted and raised footrest.

  FIG. 4 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 3, but showing the user's left foot supported on an inclined and raised footrest.

  FIG. 5 is similar to the perspective view of FIG. 3, except that the user holds his weight (or other athletic device) with his or her right foot supported on an inclined and raised footrest. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 5, except that the user has supported his or her left foot on an inclined and raised footrest.

  FIG. 7 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 3 or 4, but with the user shown in a sideways stance.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variation of the exercise or exercise device of FIGS. 1-7, wherein either or both the height and angle of the footrest are adjustable.

  FIG. 9 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 8, but showing yet another embodiment of an adjustable footrest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 through 9 show a preferred embodiment of an exercise device, shown for illustrative purposes only, for use in practicing a golf swing or performing other exercises according to the present invention. Is shown. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the exemplary exercise devices shown in the figures can have a wide variety of other exercise or exercise applications, and that these exercise or exercise activities are in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It will be appreciated that can be implemented using a different exercise or exercise device than the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

  Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exercise or exercise device 10 according to the present invention includes a base 12 having a generally flat front base portion 14 and a rear base portion 16. A stand-up or elevating platform device 20 is disposed on the rear portion 16 and includes a footrest 24 supported by a lower support member 26 and an upper support member 28. Footrest 24 is preferably generally inclined in forward and upward directions.

  As shown only in FIG. 2, the base 12 may optionally include a hinge 32 (shown in dashed lines) at a substantially intermediate position between the front base portion 14 and the rear base portion 16. This optional hinge 32 allows the front base portion 14 to pivot or fold toward the generally upwardly and rearwardly raised platform 20, thus providing easy and convenient transportation and compact storage. As a further option (not shown), the hinges may alternatively move the front base portion 14 in the opposite pivoting direction, generally generally rearward and downward, and then rearwardly and upwardly, generally the rear base portion 16. Features can be provided to allow pivoting or folding to a pointed and underlying position, again providing easy and convenient transportation and compact storage.

  In addition, as shown in the drawings, the front base portion 14 can optionally have a base gripping surface 18, which can include a high friction or non-slip surface, and It can be either flush with the rest or recessed therein. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a number of other high friction devices can be used for this purpose and that the gripping surface 18 can be flush with the front base portion 14 or recessed therein. I will admit. Footrest 24 may also optionally include a similar platform grasping surface 19 thereon.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in which the training device 10 is used as a golf swing training device, the user 40 places the right foot 42 or the left foot 44 on the front base portion 14 and places the opposite foot on the footrest 24. Can be supported. In this position the user can practice his or her golf swing, and in these situations it is difficult to stay upright while performing the golf swing with one foot in such a rearward and raised position Therefore, improper sway or undesired balance shift could be easily detected. Such exercises or exercises may be performed by either left-handed or right-handed golfers, with the right and left feet 42 and 44 being alternately raised during the practice swing, regardless of whether the golfer is left-handed or right-handed. Is recommended.

  5 and 6 illustrate the alternate foot-elevation use of the exercise device 10. FIG. In these figures, the user 40 simultaneously holds one or more exercise weights 48 or any of a variety of other known exercise devices.

  In FIG. 7, the user 40 has a right foot 42 raised on a sloping footrest 24 and a left foot 44, which is preferably placed on a substantially flat front base 14. However, the user 40 is standing in a sideways stance with respect to the training device 10. FIG. 7 shows, for example, a right-handed golfer 40 with a right foot 42 raised in such a side-to-side stance, and the training device will provide either a right foot 42 or a left foot 44 regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. It should be emphasized that the raised multiple can be used either fully or partially in landscape orientation. Further, any of these full or partial sideways stances may also be used with respect to either the exercise weight 48 or a plurality of exercise devices, instead of the golf club 46 shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. be able to.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 show a variation of the exercise or exercise device 10 in which the height of the footrest 24, or its tilt angle, or both, is adapted to a particular user or the intended purpose of the user. Can be adjusted. In FIG. 8, the upper support member 28 is formed from two portions 28a and 28b, respectively, and has a generally vertical slot 52 formed in either portion 28a or 28b, which slot is the other of the portions 28a or 28b. The bolt or threaded pin 54 located in the fixed position of the boss is adjustably and slidably received. This device allows the height of the footrest 24 to be adjusted generally upward or downward and fixed at a preselected height by tightening a nut 56 on a bolt or threaded pin 54.

  Thus, in FIG. 8, the user may adjust the vertical position of footrest 24 according to his or her height, leg length, or desired level of comfort, preferably through a height range of approximately 1 inch to approximately 15 inches. It can be adjusted, suggesting a starting or trial height of approximately 51/2 inches for a beginner when the user places his foot sideways as shown in FIG. However, when using the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 or 3, for example, if the user's legs are raised rearward, the user should choose a height range of approximately 1 inch to approximately 20 inches. And suggests that the user should start at about 10 inches high if they are a beginner. In this regard, the footrest 24 strengthens the user's leg muscles and develops the highest comfort height to develop proper balance and muscle memory for various activities such as the user's golf swing. It is generally suggested that it should be adjusted or gradually raised to such higher heights over time. After such desired balance and muscle strengthening and memory goals have been achieved, the user can continue his or her exercise or exercise at a low level without undesirable body sway.

  Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the height adjustment feature shown in FIG. 8 can also be completed by a number of known devices other than by long slots 52 and bolts or pins 54. One example is shown in FIG. 9, where the upper support member portions 28a and 28b include a series of separate holes 62 through which the pins 64 allow multiple heights to adjust the height of the footrest 24. It can be selectively inserted into either. Of course, other examples will be readily apparent to such skilled technicians.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tilt angle of the footrest may also be adjustable, either alone or in combination with the height adjustment capabilities shown in these figures. In one example of such a device, a turning portion 72 is provided at each end of the footrest 24. As shown in particular in FIG. 8, either the pivot member 72 or the upper support member portion 28b can have an arcuate slot 74 formed therein, through which a bolt or threaded pin 76 is inserted for the footrest 24. Is adjustable and slidably received and secured, for example, by a nut 78, to allow the tilt angle of the camera to be selectively varied to suit the comfort, purpose or body size or type of the user.

  By providing such tilt adjustment capability, the present invention allows the user to adapt to his or her own individual height, leg length, comfort and desired purpose while practicing or performing the exercise. it can. In this regard, the angle of inclination of the footrest 24 is preferably adjusted over a range of approximately 3 degrees to approximately 20 degrees, for example, by using the device 10 by raising the user's leg sideways as shown in FIG. Sometimes most beginners should choose an initial or trial angle of approximately 8 degrees (with footrest 24 preferably raised to approximately 51/2 inches). For example, when the user's leg is raised rearward, as in FIG. 3, if an initial or trial angle of approximately 30 degrees is suggested (with footrest 24 preferably raised to approximately 10 inches), then approximately 3 degrees is achieved. A range of about 60 degrees to about 60 degrees is recommended. After the user's balance, muscle memory or skill has been improved, either or both the height and the tilt angle can be lowered if desired when performing maintenance exercises or exercises without undesirable sway.

  One skilled in the art will readily recognize that other known height and / or angle adjustment devices can also be used, such as the example shown in FIG. 9, which selects the device and therefore the footrest 24. A separate hole 62 is formed in portion 28a or 28b to receive a removable pin 64 (preferably with a knob or handle at one end as shown) to hold at a raised height or raised position. I have. Of course, similar devices with removable pins and a series of arcuately arranged holes are also used to adjust the angular tilt of the footrest 24, instead of the arcuate slot device shown in the figure. be able to.

  The foregoing description discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. Those skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, and the accompanying drawings and claims, will readily appreciate that various changes, modifications, and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. Will.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise or exercise device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a semi-transverse perspective view of the exercise or exercise device of FIG. 1, further illustrating an optional hinge shown in dashed lines. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise or exercise device of FIG. 1 showing the user's right foot supported on an inclined and raised footrest. FIG. 4 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 3 but showing the user's left foot supported on an inclined and raised footrest. FIG. 4 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 3, except that the user holds his weight (or other exercise device) with his or her right foot supported on an inclined and raised footrest. . FIG. 6 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 5, except that the user has supported his or her left foot on an inclined and raised footrest. FIG. 5 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 3 or 4, but with the user shown in a sideways stance. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variation of the exercise or exercise device of FIGS. 1-7, wherein either or both the height and angle of the footrest are adjustable. FIG. 9 is a view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 8, but showing yet another embodiment of an adjustable footrest.

Claims (18)

  A golf swing practice apparatus, comprising: a base having a front portion, a rear portion, and a rising platform generally projecting upward from the rear portion, on which a user can stand. A rear footrest, wherein at least a portion of the footrest is inclined rearwardly upward and at least partially facing forward, on which the user supports one foot during a practice swing A golf swing practice apparatus, wherein the other foot stands on the front of the base, thereby allowing the user to maintain a proper balance without swaying during the practice swing.   The golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the rear footrest is adapted to receive either a left foot or a right foot of a user.   The golf swing training device according to claim 2, wherein the training device is adapted for use by either a right-handed user or a left-handed user.   The golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein the training device is adapted for use by a user who is at least partially oriented with respect to the footrest.   4. The golf swing training device according to claim 3, wherein the training device is adapted for use by a user at least partially facing side with respect to the foot rest.   The golf swing training device according to claim 3, wherein the front portion of the base is substantially flat.   The golf swing training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footrest is vertically adjustable to change a height of the footrest on the base.   The golf swing training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footrest is angularly adjustable to change an inclination angle of the footrest.   The golf swing training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the footrest is angularly adjustable to change an inclination angle of the footrest.   An exercise device comprising a base, the base having a substantially flat front portion, a rear portion on which a user can stand, and an elevated platform generally projecting upward from the rear portion. The elevated platform includes an upper foot ramp inclined rearwardly upward and at least partially facing forward, on which the user can support one foot during a practice swing. An exercise device characterized by standing on the front of the base with the other foot, thereby allowing the user to maintain proper balance without swaying during the practice swing.   11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the exercise device is adapted for use by a user who is at least partially sideways with respect to the footrest.   The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the inclined upper step is adapted to receive either a left foot or a right foot of a user.   13. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the exercise device is adapted for use by a user at least partially facing side with respect to the footrest.   The exercise device according to claim 10, wherein the exercise device is portable.   The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the base is substantially flat.   The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the foot rest is vertically adjustable to change the height of the foot rest on the base.   The exercise device according to claim 10, wherein the footrest is angularly adjustable to change the angle of inclination of the footrest.   17. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the footrest is angularly adjustable to change an angle of inclination of the footrest.

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