US3337972A

US3337972A - Golf shoe attachment

Info

Publication number: US3337972A
Application number: US447156A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stollman Irving; Bert P Solomon
Original assignee: Solomon Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Solomon Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1965-04-12
Filing date: 1965-04-12
Publication date: 1967-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-29

Description

Aug. 29, 1967 sToLLMAN ETAL GOLF SHOE ATTACHMENT Filed April 12. 1965 INVENTORS N ma mw L Y. mo vm TS y mm .A V mw.

UnitedStates Patent O 3,337,972 GOLF SHOE ATTACHMENT Irving Stollman, Oak Park, Mich., and Bert P. Solomon,

17319 Westland, Southfield, Mich. 48075; said Stollman assignor to said Solomon Filed Apr. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 447,156 6 Claims. (Cl. 36-61) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A planar base member as adapted to be supported under the instep of a golfers shoe by means of an extending section disposed parallel to the base, and separated therefrom, which has an aperture which may be supported between the heel of the shoe and spikes attached to the heel. A plate is pivotably fixed to the base for motion between a retracted position, wherein it lies parallel to the base and allows normal use of the shoe, and an extending position wherein it projects normally to the instep, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, adjacent one side thereof and causes the shoe to be inclined with respect to the supporting surface. Spring means urges the plate into its retracted position and lock means retains it in its extended position. In one embodiment magnets are adapted to retain it in its retracted position.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to a device adapted to be attached to the shoe of a golfer for the purpose of positioning his foot during the club swing in order to obtain a proper body posture during the swing.

Expert golfers are in substantial agreement as to the proper body alignment and motion during the swing of the golf club. This ideal swing is considered diicult to achieve and involves a number of positional factors which must all be achieved sequentially or simultaneously. One of these factors which is generally agreed to be of primary importance is that the golfers head be maintained in direct vertical alignment above the initial position of the ball during all parts of the stroke. The vertical axis through the head and the ball then acts as a center line about which the stroke is achieved, with the club windup and follow-through constituting rotations about this axis. This vertical alignment is difficult to maintain during the vclub stroke and the tendency to move the head and body from this position, or to sway, results in directional errors and loss of stroke distance, In order to prevent swaying the golfer is advised to maintain his weight on the inner edge of the foot removed from the d1- rection in which the ball is being hit; that is, a right-handed golfer should maintain his Weight on the inner side of the right foot and the at of his left foot during the stroke. This weight placement prevents the body from swaying during the stroke and insures a proper vertical alignment.

In order to achieve this desired weight placement during the club stroke, experts often advise that the righthanded golfer place a golf ball under the instep of the right-hand side of his right foot. This forces the weight onto the inner side ofthe foot during the stroke. It has also been proposed to'provide devices which may be attached to the under side of the golf shoe during the stroke which project outwardly therefrom so as Vto raise the outer side of the shoe and force the weight onto the inner side. At least one of these devices may be permanently attached to the shoe and has two operative positions, a rst wherein it is collapsed so that the golfer may walk about the course without interference, and a second wherein it is extended so as to properly position the foot for the swing. The present invention constitutes an improvement in this latter class of devices.

3,331,912 Patented Aug. 29, 1967` A preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will subsequently be disclosed in detail, constitutes an attachment which s adapted to be supported under the sole of one of the golfers shoes in the instep area immediately abutting the forward edge of the heel. The attachrnent has a at extension which extends over the heel and is adapted to be retained thereon by tixing it under a pair of spikes which are normally found on a golf shoe. This retaining extension has such a configuration that it may be joined to almost any golfers shoe by simply removing a pair of the existing spikes and reinserting them with their inserted ends passing through an aperture in the projection.

The attachment consists `oi" a irst, base plate which is fixed to the extending section so as to lie flat against the instep area of the sole and a pivoting extending hinge plate section which is adapted to be positioned in either an extended or a retracted position with respect to the base plate. The base plate carries an elongated round hinge pin so that its intermediate section extends above the base plate and generally parallel to the axis of the golf shoe. The hinge plate is attached to this elongated pin by means of a hole in the plate which surrounds the pin. The plate is thus adapted to pivot about the pin and to be slid forwardly or rearwardly along the pin to move the hinge plate toward the front or the rear of the golf shoe. When in one of these extreme positions the hinge plate is adapted to be rotated into parallel alignment with the base plate and to be retained there by some suitable means such as a spring acting against the plate or a magnetic latch. When in this position the golfer can walk on the shoe in a normal manner and the entire device does not extend suiciently to contact the walking surface.

The hinge plate may also be rotated from this position through about degrees into a position where it extends approximately perpendicular to the sole of the shoe and extends beyond the projecting spikes. When rotated into this extending position the hinge plate may be slid along the hinge pin, preferably, but not necessarily, in a rearward direction, so as to lock with respect to the base plate so that it maintains the extending position independently of rotational forces exerted upon it. When in this position the extending device projects outwardly from the outer side of the foot and forces the golfer to maintain all of the weight placed on this on the inner edge. In this position it would not be possible for the golfer to comfortably walk with the shoe. After the completion of the stroke thc hinge plate is simply slid along the hinge pin to its release position and rerotated and latched to the base plate. l It is'therefore seen to be a primary object of the present inventlon to provide a sway preventing device for golfers which is permanently attached to the instep area of the lower side of the sole of a golf shoe and has a iirst retracted position wherein it is folded in the instep area so as to not project into contact with the walking surface and a second extended position wherein it projects downwardly from the outer edge of the shoe so as to force the golfer to put all of the weight exerted on that foot on the inner edge of this shoe.

Another object is to provide such a device which has a retaining plate that extends over the under side of the heel and is adapted to be secured to the heel by placement under golf shoe spikes.

Another object is to provide such a device consisting primarily of a base plate and a hinge plate wherein the hinge plate may be locked either to the base plate in the retracted position or extending outwardly from the base plate in an operative position.

A still further object is to provide such a device wherein a spring means is provided for locking the extendingplate against the base plate in the retracted position and for securing it into locking contact with the base plate in the extending position.

Another object is to provide such a device wherein the extending section comprises a hinge plate which may be rotated about or slid along a hinge pin fixed to the base section.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments of the invention. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a golfer wearing a golf shoe equipped with an embodiment of the present invention, the golfer being positioned in the back swing;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the heel section of a golf shoe equipped with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the heel and instep portion of the golf shoe of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a rear sectional view through the heel of the golf shoe of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is another sectional view -through the attachment itself which constiutes a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the attachment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View through a second embodiment of the attachment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURE l illustrates the body position of a golfer, generally indicated at 10, during the back swing of his club 12, while one of his shoes 14 is equipped with an embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated at 16. It will be noted that the golfers head is positioned directly over the golf ball 18 and it is the function of the device of the present invention to force a golfer into that stance and to prevent him from swaying his head and body during the stroke so that it is no longer in vertical alignment with the ball position.

A first embodiment to the invention is disclosed in FIGURES 2-6. The shoe 14 is yof the normal type worn by golfers having a heel 20 and a sole 22 which join at an instep area 24. The heel of a golf shoe is normally equipped with four spikes 26 which are positioned on the heel, as are similar spikes 28 on the sole, to project downwardly ltherefrom and securely engage the golfers foot with the surface of the course both in walking and during his strokes. Each spike has a fiat disc-like head 30, an extending section 32 which projects downwardly from the center of the head, and a screw portion 34 which projects upwardly from the other side of the head and is adapted to be threaded into the heel or sole of the shoe.

The device of the present invent-ion has an extending heel section 36 which consists of a fiat elongated plate having a central elongated slot 38 formed therein. The slot has a width which is slightly smaller than the average Width of the heads of golf shoe spikes. This slot 38 has a length which exceeds the average maximum spacing between a pair of longitudinally aligned spikes formed on the heel of the shoe. The device of the present invention is adapted to be retained to the shoe by removing a pair of longitudinally aligned spikes formed on the heel of the shoe, and reinserting the spikes with their screw sections 34 projecting through the aperture 38 in the heel section 36.

The heel extending section 36 is formed integrally with an instep base section 40 which is generally rectangular in outline. The base section 40' has a ridge formed on three of its rectangular sides, the ridge consisting of the elements 42 on the side adjacent to the heel section 36, the side 44 and the side 46. The sides 44 and 46 are formed with normally disposed end walls 48 and 50 respectively. On their inner edges the sides 42, 44 and 46 are also bounded by normally extending walls 52, 54 and 56 respectively, which define a central depression or well 58. The well 58 is bounded by a base plate section 60 which is off-setv from the level -of the sections 42, 44 and 46 by the respective widths of the walls 52, 54 and 56. The plate 60 is disposed in close alignment with the shoe instep.

The base plate section 60 is'skewed with respect to the level of the surfaces 42, 44 and 46 because of a taper in the width of the wall 54 from its side adjacent to the section 42 to its side adjacent to the section 46. Accordingly, the wall 56 is somewhat narrower than the wall 52. The maximum thickness occurs at the heel and tapers outwardly. The plate 60 is also slightly curved across its width so that the upper surface is convex as is best seen in FIGURE 5. This is so the plate'Vwill conform to the normally rounded contour of the instep of ythe average shoe.

As may best be seen in FIGURE 5 the ridges defined by the walls 50 and 56 and the edge 46 and by the edge 44 and the wall 54 are not solid but are rather formed of thin hollow sections. The entire base plate member and the heel section, as heretofore described, is preferably formed in a molding or casting process, or by stamping from sheet. The sections could alternatively be formed with solid walls.

The well 58 formed by the walls 52, 54 Vand 56 is open on its fourth side and a circular steel hinge pin has its ends journalled in the wall S2 and the wall 56 and extends across that open side. The pin may also extend through the ridge defined by the walls 46, 50 and 56 so that one extreme end is journalled in the wall 50. The pin extends from the walls 56 and 52 nearthe level of the surfaces 42 and 46.

A hinge plate, generally indicated at 72 is supported on the pin 70. The hinge plate 72 is also preferably formed by molding, casting or stamping and has relatively vthin sections. Its main surface 74 is bounded by three generally rectangular surfaces which extend normally to it: 76, 78 and 80. The surfaces 76 and 80 are connected with an indented edge 82 which extends from the surface 76 and the side between the end of the indented section 82 and the surface is notched inwardly at 84 and a thin latch section 86 extends outwardly from the corner of the notch. The edge 80 has a 90 degree upward extension 90 which completes the configuration of the hinge plate 72.

The hinge plate 74 has a central hole 91 formed adjacent to the edge 90. 'The hinge pin 70 passes through this hole and in this manner retains the entire hinge plate. The width of the hinge plate at the hole is considerably less than the distance between the wall 52 and 56 and the I'it between the pin and the hole is such that the hinge plate can slide along the pin. It can also rotate through 90 degrees between the two positions indicated in FIG'- URE 5. In one position one edge of the corner 90 is in abutment with the surface of the plate 60 and the hinge plate extends normally to the surface 60 in the manner shown in full lines in FIGURE 5 and also in FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 6. In the other position the plate 72 has been rotated through 90 degrees to the position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 5 wherein it lies Within the well 58 with its surface generally hush with the Walls ofthe well.

The hinge plate 72 may also slide along the pin 70 between the two positions indicated in full and phantom lines in FIGURE 2. When in the retracted position shown in phantom lines therein, with the surface 78 in relatively close proximity of the wall 56 of the'well 58, the plate is free to rotate between its extended and retracted positions. When in the locked position with the notch 84 in close proximity to the wall 52 of the well 58 94 which abuts the forward face 96 of the ridge formed by the edges 46, `50 and 5'6. The other end of the spring 98 extends along the surface of the hinge plate 74 immediately adjacent to the extending edge 90. The spring is so formed as to urge the hinge plate 74 to a position wherein it is in abutment with the wall 52 of the well 58.

The spring 92 is formed so as to urge the hinge plate 72 ltoward the wall 52 of the well 58 and thus into a locked position with respect to the upright member 87 and 89. It also urges the hinge plate 72 to rotate into its retraced position wherein it is disposed within the well 58.

Thus, in use, the hinge plate 72 may -be disposed in either of an extended locked position orthe retracted position and the spring 92 acts to retain it in both of these positions in the absence of the proper manually exerted forces. ln order to move the shingle plate yfrom the extended position shoWn in FIGURE 6 it is necessary to rst slide it along the pin against the spring until the latch section is withdrawn from the uprights 87 and 89 and then allow the spring to rotate it into the retracted position where it is retained by the pressure of the spring coil. It may be reinserted into the extended position by rotating it against the spring coil and then allowing it to slide forward into the locked position.

The golfer normally maintains the hinge plate in the retracted position when he is walking about the course b'etween strokes. When positioned for a club stroke (except putting) the golfer moves the hinge plate to an extended position so as to properly orient his feet.

FIGURE 7 discloses an alternative embodiment of my invention wherein the spring retaining means is not employed but rather a magnetic latch is used. This latch may be used whenever the base plate is formed of a non-magnetic material. It simply consists of a round magnet section 110 which is attached to the center of the-underside ofthe plate 72. A steel insert 112 is formed on the surface of the center of the well 58 in a position contiguous to the magnet section when the hinge plate 72 is in a retracted position. This insert 112 might `be formed of a section of magnetic tape joined to the surface 60 with an adhesive. This magnetic pair acts to retain the hinge plate 72 in retracted position when not in use. The magnetic attraction may easily overcome by manual forces to move the plate into its extended position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An attachment for a golfers shoe having a heel and a sole joining one another in an instep section, comprising: a base plate adapte-d to -be supported adjacent to the sole in said instep section; a plate member; a hinge joining the plate member to the base member so that the plate member may be moved between an extending position wherein it projects approximately 90 degrees with respect to the instep surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, and adjacent -to one side thereof and prevents the normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface, and a -retracted position wherein it is in abutment with the base plate and allows the normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface; and lock means for releasably retaining said plate in its extended position.

2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said Ilocking means consists of a magnet adapted to attract the plate .to

one of its two positions anda latch means operative to retain it in the other position.

3. The attachment of claim 1 wherein a spring means is supported on the base member and is adapted to bea-1 against the plate member so as to urge the plate member into its retracted position.

4. An attachment for a golfers shoe having a heel and a sole joining one another in an instep section, comprising: a base member adapted to vbe supported adjacent to the sole in said instep section; lan elongated pin supported in said base member; a plate member having a hole ltherein which surrounds said pin so that said plate member is rotatable about said pin and slidable along said pin, said pin supporting said plate member so that it may be moved between an extending position wherein it projects approximately degrees with respect to the instep surface parallel to .the longitudinal axis of the shoe and adjacent to one side thereof and prevents normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface, and a retracted position wherein it is in abutment with the base and allows a normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface, the plate member being slidable along the pin, while in its extended position, between a position wherein it may be rotated Ibetween its extended and retracted positions, and a position wherein it is locked against rotation; and spring means for normally urging the plate toward its retracted position.

5. An attachment for a golfers shoe having a heel and a sole joining one another in an instep section, comprising: a base plate having a relatively tlat instep section adapted to 'be disposed adjacent to the sole in said instep section, and a heel section attached to said instep section and disposed parallel to and separated from said instep section and having apertures therein which are adapted to be `disposed between the heads of spikes fitted in the heel and the surface of the heel so as to retain the instep section in place; a plate member, supported on the instep section and adapted to be disposed in either a retracted position wherein it is in abutment with the instep section and allows the normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface, or an extending position wherein it projects normally with respect to the instep surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe and along one side thereof, and prevents the normal placement of the shoe on :a supporting surface; and spring means normally urging the plate toward its retracted position.

6. The attachment of claim 5 wherein the instep section and the heel section are joined by a connecting section which extends -generally normally to each and connects their adjacent edges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 192,057 6 1'877 Dewey et a-l. 36-61 1,206,653 11/1916 Beard 36-'61 2,482,930 9/ 1949 Norwood 36-1 2,968,878 1/1961 King 36--61 3,218,734 11/ 1965 OBrien 36-25 FOREIGN PATENTS 667,936 5/ 1937 Germany.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR A GOLFER''S SHOE HAVING A HEEL AND A SOLE JOINING ONE ANOTHER IN AN INSTEP SECTION, COMPRISING: A BASE PLATE ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED ADJACENT TO THE SOLE IN SAID INSTEP SECTION; A PLATE MEMBER; A HINGE JOINING THE PLATE MEMBER TO THE BASE MEMBER SO THAT THE PLATE MEMBER MAY BE MOVED BETWEEN AN EXTENDING POSITION WHEREIN IT PROJECTS APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES WITH RESPECT TO THE INSTEP SURFACE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE SHOE, AND ADJACENT TO ONE SIDE THEREOF AND PREVENTS THE NORMAL PLACEMENT OF THE SHOE ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE, AND A RETRACTED POSITION WHEREIN IT IS IN ABUTMENT WITH THE BASE PLATE AND ALLOWS THE NORMAL PLACEMENT OF THE SHOE ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE; AND LOCK MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID PLATE IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION.