KR20040036616A - Golf practice foot stand - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A foot stand for practicing golf is provided to improve a muscle, technique, power and combination, necessary for a golfer to maintain his/her own balance and detect an improper body swaying of a side direction, and to effectively practice the golf swing when his/her ball lies on the inclined place. CONSTITUTION: The foot stand for practicing golf includes: a base(12) having a rear portion and a front portion; and a raised platform(20), projecting upward from the rear portion(16). The raised platform(20) has a rear foot rest(24). At least one part of the rear foot rest(24) is inclined toward the rear and upper part and directs to the front part at least partially. A user stands on the front base(14) with one foot, while he/she is supported on the foot rest(24) with other foot during swing practice, to maintain a proper balance without any body swaying.

Description

Golf practice foot stand {GOLF PRACTICE FOOT STAND}

The present invention generally relates to a practice apparatus, and more particularly to a practice apparatus in which a user can stand while practicing golf or other practice.

It is well known that golf sports are difficult to master, especially when considering the various golf swing techniques that must be properly performed to hit the ball. Most people who start playing golf find it cumbersome to swing the club and focus on all these different techniques at the same time. In fact, golf is characterized by one of his most fearful enemy sports. Therefore, if a golfer does not require a lot of concentration by using a technique as a habit, the golfer can concentrate on another technique.

One of these important techniques in properly performing a golf swing is to balance itself and not inappropriately sway sideways during the swing motion. However, sometimes it is difficult to detect whether a golfer is inappropriately shaking or not in proper balance during a golf swing.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a practice apparatus that assists golfers in developing their muscles, skills, strength and coordination needed to maintain their balance and detect inappropriate lateral body shaking. A golf swing practice or other practice device according to the invention preferably comprises a base having a rear portion and a front portion on which a golfer or other user can stand, and a raised platform projecting generally upwardly from the rear portion.

Preferred raised platforms include a height adjustable scaffold at its upper or raised portions, at least a portion of the scaffold being preferably tilted adjustable and generally pointing forward and upward. The user can position one foot in the front during the practice swing and the other foot on the elevated footrest, allowing the user to detect improper balance or undesirable body shaking during the practice swing or during other exercises. As mentioned above, this also helps the user develop his muscles and muscle synergy at a level at which the user can control his balance as a habit. Preferably, the elevated footrest is suitable for the user to receive the user's left or right foot, whether right or left handed. In addition, a right handed or left handed user may alternately lift the left or right foot during a practice swing or other practice.

The practice device according to the invention is also suitable for selective use by a right handed or left handed user with the right foot or left foot raised in a forward facing or fully or partially side facing stance. Such side facing stances are particularly useful for golfers to practice golf swings when his ball is inclined. Finally, the present invention is also useful for performing a variety of different exercises while holding exercise weights or other exercise devices.

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

1 is a front perspective view of a training apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 further shows an optional hinge, indicated by dashed lines, as a perspective view of another angle of the training apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 showing a state in which the user's right foot is supported on an inclined and raised foot rest. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrates a state in which the user's left foot is supported on an inclined and raised footrest.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 except that the user is holding a weight (or other exercise device) with the right foot supported on an inclined and raised footrest.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 except that the user's left foot is supported on an inclined and raised footrest.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 or 4, but showing a user standing in side-facing stance.

8 is a perspective view of a modification of the practice or practice device of FIGS. 1 to 7, in which the height or angle of the footrest or both are adjustable.

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

1 to 9 show a preferred embodiment of a practice apparatus used for golf swing practice or other practice in accordance with the present invention, which is for illustrative purposes only. However, those skilled in the art can understand that the exemplary apparatus shown in the drawings can be applied to a variety of other exercises, and that such practice operations are in accordance with the principles of the present invention, but differ from the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. It is also understood that the structure can be performed using other practice apparatus.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the training device 10 according to the invention comprises a base 12 having a generally flat front base 14 and a rear base 16. The raised platform assembly 20 is disposed on the rear base portion 16 and includes a footrest 24 supported by the lower support member 26 and the upper support member 28. The footrest 24 is preferably inclined in a generally forward and upward direction.

As shown only in FIG. 2, the base 12 may also optionally include a hinge 32 (shown in broken lines) in a generally intermediate position between the front base portion 14 and the rear base portion 16. The hinge 32 as this option allows the front base portion 14 to be rotated or folded up and back towards the generally raised platform 20, providing ease and convenience of carrying and compact storage. As another option (not shown), the front base portion 14 is directed in the opposite direction of rotation, ie, generally towards and below the rear base portion 16, firstly generally rearward downward and then rearwardly. A hinge can be provided that allows it to rotate or fold upwards, here again providing the ease and convenience of carrying and compact storage.

In addition, as shown in the figure, the front base portion 14 may optionally have a base gripping surface 18, the base landing surface comprising a high friction or non-slip surface. And may be coplanar with the rest of the front base portion 14 or recessed in the front base portion 14. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of other high friction devices may be used for this purpose and the landing surface 18 may be coplanar or piled up with the front base portion 14. Scaffolding 24 may also optionally include a similar platform landing surface 19 thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the training device 10 is used as a golf swing training device, where the user 40 places the right foot 42 or the left foot 44 on the front base 14. And the opposite foot is supported on the scaffold 24. In this position, the user can practice the golf swing and can easily detect improper body shaking or undesirable balance movements, because in this state the golfer with one foot in such a rear lifted position This is because it will be difficult to stay upright while swinging. Such exercise may be performed by a left handed or right handed golfer, and is recommended to lift the right foot 42 and the left foot 44 alternately during the practice swing, whether left or right handed.

5 and 6 illustrate the use of a foot lift as an alternative to the training device 10. In this figure, the user is simultaneously holding one or more training weights 48 or any of a variety of other known training apparatuses.

In FIG. 7, the user 40 places the right foot 42 on the inclined footrest 24, and the left foot 44 is preferably positioned on the substantially flat base portion 14. However, user 40 stands in a lateral stance with respect to practice device 10. FIG. 7 shows, by way of example, a right handed golfer 40 lifting the right foot 42 with such a lateral stance, but the exercise device may be a right foot 42 or a left foot 44 regardless of whether it is left or right handed. It can be used while standing up in various full or partial lateral stances while lifting. Moreover, this full or partial lateral stance may also be used in connection with the training weight 48 or any of a variety of training apparatuses instead of the golf club 46 shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. 7.

8 and 9 show a variation of the training device 10, in which the height of the footrest 24 or its inclination angle or both can be adjusted to suit a particular user or the intended purpose of the user. In FIG. 8, the upper support member 28 is formed of two support member portions 28a and 28b, respectively, wherein a generally vertical slot 52 is formed on one side of the upper support member portions 28a and 28b and the other side thereof. The bolt or screwed pin 54 disposed in a fixed position on the upper support member portions 28a and 28b of the housing is adjustable and slidably accommodated. This arrangement allows the height of the scaffold 24 to be adjusted generally up or down and also allows it to be secured to a predetermined height by tightening the nut 56 onto a bolt or threaded pin 540.

Thus, in FIG. 8, the user starts with a recommended start of about 5 + 1/2 inches for beginners, depending on his height, leg length, or desired comfort level, when the foot is laterally placed as shown in FIG. Starting at the test height, the vertical position of the footrest 24 can be adjusted, preferably over a height range of about 1 to about 15 inches. However, when using the present invention shown by way of example in Figures 1 or 3 with the user's legs lifted rearward, the user selects a height range of about 1 to about 20 inches, and for beginners, It is recommended to start with height. In this regard, it is recommended to adjust the footrest 24 to the most comfortable height or to gradually raise it to that highest height over time, which strengthens the user's leg muscles and is suitable for various actions such as the user's golf swing, for example. It is to develop balance and muscle memory. After such desired balance, muscle strengthening and memory goals are achieved, the user can continue to practice or practice at a lower level without shaking the body undesirably.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the height adjustment feature shown in FIG. 8 may be achieved by a variety of other known devices, rather than by the long slot 52 and the bolt or pin 54. One example of such a device is shown in FIG. 9, wherein the upper support members 28a, 28b include a series of discontinuous holes 62, the individual openings of which are adapted to adjust the height of the scaffold 24 at various heights. Pin 64 may optionally be inserted. Of course, other examples would be easily thought of to those familiar.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inclination angle of the scaffold 24 can also be made to be adjusted independently or in combination with the height adjustment capability shown in this figure. In one example of such a device, a pivot portion 72 is provided at each end of the scaffold 24. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the pivot member 72 or the upper support member portion 28b may form an arcuate slot 74 therein, wherein the bolt 76 with the bolt or screw formed therein is an arcuate slot. Adjustable and slidably received via 74 allows the inclination angle of the footrest 24 to be selectively altered to suit the user's comfort, purpose or body size or body shape and may be fixed by, for example, a nut 78. To be.

By enhancing such tilt angle adjustment capability, the present invention allows the user to accommodate his height, leg length, comfort and desired purpose during practice. In this regard, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the scaffold 24 be adjusted over a range of about 3 to about 20 degrees, with the device in the state in which most of the beginners raise the legs laterally as shown in FIG. When using (10) it is desirable to select an initial or test angle of about 8 degrees (preferably with the scaffold 24 raised to about 5 + 1/2 inches). A range of about 3 to about 60 degrees is recommended, with an initial or test angle of about 30 degrees when the user's foot is lifted back as shown in FIG. 3 (preferably with the footrest 24 about 10 inches). Lifted state} is proposed. After the user's balance, muscle memory, or skill is improved, one or both of the height and tilt angle can be lowered if necessary when performing the maintenance exercises without undesirable body shaking.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the individual openings for receiving removable pins 64 (preferably with knobs or handles at one end, as shown) to keep the assembly 24 accordingly at the selected height. It will be readily appreciated that other known height adjustment and / or angle adjustment arrangements may be used, such as the example shown in FIG. 9 in which 62 is formed in support member portion 28a or 28b. Of course, a similar arrangement with removable pins and a series of arcuately arranged holes may be used to adjust the tilt angle of the scaffold 24 instead of the arcuate slot arrangement shown in the figures.

The foregoing description merely discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention for purposes of explanation only. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

The golf swing practice device of the present invention can be used to develop the muscles, skills, strength and coordination needed for golfers to maintain their balance and detect inappropriate lateral body shaking. It also helps the user develop his muscles and muscle coordination at a level where the user can control his balance as a habit.

Claims (18)

A base having a rear portion and a front portion on which the user can stand, Raised platform protruding generally upwards from the rear part Including; The raised platform includes a rear foot rest at the top, wherein at least one portion of the rear foot is inclined rearwardly and upwardly and at least partially directed forward, on the rear footrest the user on the other foot of the base One foot can be supported on the scaffold during the practice swing standing on the front, so that the user maintains a proper balance without swinging the body during the practice swing. Golf swing practice device. The method of claim 1, And said at least one portion of said rear footrest is adapted to receive a left foot or a right foot of said user. The method of claim 2, The exercise device is a golf swing exercise device suitable for use by a right handed user or a left handed user. The method of claim 1, And the exercise device is suitable for use by the user at least partially laterally facing the rear footrest. The method of claim 3, And the exercise device is suitable for use by the user at least partially laterally facing the rear footrest. The method of claim 3, Golf swing practice apparatus wherein the front portion of the base is substantially flat. The method of claim 1, And the rear footrest is vertically adjustable to swing the height above the base. The method of claim 1, The rear footrest is a golf swing practice device capable of adjusting the angle to change the inclination angle. The method of claim 7, wherein The rear footrest is a golf swing practice device capable of adjusting the angle to change the inclination angle. A base having a rear portion and a substantially flat front portion on which the user can stand, Elevated platform projecting generally upwardly from the rear part Including; The raised platform includes an upper step portion that is inclined rearward and upward and at least partially forward, on which the user stands on the front of the base with his other foot and takes a practice swing. One foot can be supported on the upper footrest while the user is in proper balance without swinging the body during the practice swing. Practice device. The method of claim 10, The exercise device is suitable for use by the user at least partially laterally facing the upper scaffold. The method of claim 10, The inclined upper scaffolding unit is adapted to accommodate the left foot or the right foot of the user. The method of claim 12, The exercise device is suitable for use by the user at least partially laterally facing the upper scaffold. The method of claim 10, The practice apparatus is a portable practice apparatus. The method of claim 10, The base is a substantially flat practice device. The method of claim 10, And the upper scaffold is vertically adjustable to change height above the base. The method of claim 10, The upper scaffolding unit is capable of adjusting the angle to change the inclination angle. The method of claim 16, The upper scaffolding unit is capable of adjusting the angle to change the inclination angle.