US3508757A - Golf swing practice device - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1970 c. c. RHODES 3,503,757

GOLF SWING PRACTICE DEVICE Filed Dec. 2. 1966 C'ec (261970485 TOR/V5 V5 United States Patent 3,508,757 GOLF SWING PRACTICE DEVICE Cecil C. Rhodes, P.O. Box 3315, St. Andrews Branch, Charleston, S.C. 29407 Filed Dec. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 598,753 Int. Cl. A63b 69/36 US. Cl. 273-190 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A compact, portable training device for use when practicing a golf swing comprising a rigid, elongated member having outwardly opening cup-like portions at each end with rubber edgings, one of the edgings serving to cushion the head of the user and the other edging frictionally engaging a vertical surface against which the device is placed when being used.

The present invention generally relates to an inexpensive device useful in training a golfer to keep his head still while practicing his swing.

Briefly, the device comprises a rigid elongated member having rigid cuplike portions at each end wherein the cup-like portions are provided with rubber edgings one of which contacts the users head and the other contacts a wall surface to prevent movement of the device relative to the wall.

One object of the invention is to provide a compact device which is readily portable and can be used either indoors or outdoors wherever a smooth, vertical surface is available.

Another object of the present invention resides in the ease with which the device can be placed on any wall or re-positioned on a wall to permit several golfers of varying heights to readily use the device.

A further object is that no club need be used to practice, permitting the use of the device in places of very limited space.

A still further object is to provide a practice device having no moving parts which greatly reduces the cost of manufacture and the need for repair.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating the manner in which the training device is used;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the invention showing one end contacting a wall surface;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the preferred cross section of the elongated member; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2 showing the preferred manner of mounting the rubber edging on the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 generally designates the golf swing training device of the present invention, which, in the preferred form, is substantially symmetrical in configuration about the transverse center line of the device and is approximately 18 to 20 inches in length. The device includes a hollow elongated member 2 and is provided at each end with cup-like portions 5, 5' having rubber edgings 6, 6 attached thereto.

The elongated member 2 is circular in cross section with a waisted mid-portion 2. From this mid-portion 2', the member 2 flares outwardly toward its extremities to form at each end thereof a cup-like portion 5 and 5'.

The elongated member 2, though preferably circular in cross section, may be of any suitable cross sectional configuration which lends stability to the training device 3,508,757 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 1. For instance, the cross sectional shape of member 2 may be of various geometrical configurations such as triangular, rectangular or pentagonal, and portion 2 need not be hollow but may be formed as a solid member depending on the materials used.

In the preferred form, cup-like portions 5 and 5' are of substantially the same size with respect to one another and are provided with soft rubber edgings 6 and 6, such as sponge rubber, having like cross sectional configurations. Thus, due to the symmetrical configuration of the device, the ends may be used inter-changeably for contacting either the users head or the wall. However, for illustrative purposes, as shown in FIGURE 3, surface 9' of soft rubber edging 6 is frictionally engaged with wall 10 while surface 9 of edging 6 serves as a cushioned surface to contact the users head.

Referring to FIGURE 5, it is to be understood that the description of cup-like portion 5 and rubber edging 6 applies also to complementary cup-like portions 5' and rubber edging 6. Rubber edging 6 is provided with a groove 7 and cup portion 5 is provided with the peripheral edge 8. The groove 7 fits over and frictionally engages the peripheral edge 8 of the cup-like portion to hold the edging 6 securely in place. Surface 9 of the edging is the contact surface of the device which cooperates with the users head or frictionally engages the wall. While FIGURE 5 illustrates the preferred form of the invention, it is contemplated that rubber edgings 6, 6' may be of any cross sectional configuration having an appropriate contact or gripping surface and that the edgings may be secured to the cup-like portions in other ways such as by rivets or adhesives.

The elongated member in the preferred form is narrowest at the waisted mid-portion and flares outwardly toward the cup-like portions with, for example, the waisted portion being approximately 1 /2 inches in diameter and the cup-like portions 4 inches in diameter at their peripheral edges. It is contemplated the device would be made from plastic, paper fiber or other suitable rigid materials and although the elongated member and cuplike portions are shown having a unitary structure, the device can be manufactured in sections. Also, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the training device with cup-like portions and edgings which differ from each other in size and configuration respectfully, should such a modification be desired.

In use, the invention may be placed against any fairly flat vertical surface 10 with the user placing one of the cup-like portions against the surface and placing his head against the other cup-like portion as shown in FIGURE 1. Due to the rubber edgings '6, 6', only a slight pressure exerted by the head of the user is necessary to prevent the device 1 from slipping along the surface while in use. The gripping action of the rubber edging along with the rigid structure of the cup-like portions and elongated member serve to prevent any lateral movement and permit little or no vertical movement of the head while the user practices his golf swing. Of course, the rubber edgings also enable the cup-like portions to conform more nearly to the contour of the users head, adding to the users comfort.

While the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A compact, portable training device to be used in conjunction with a vertical surface for permitting a person to practice a golf swing, comprising:

a rigid, elongated member having a waisted mid-por tion, said rigid elongated member being symmetrical about said waisted midportion, said rigid, elongated member being approximately eighteen to twenty inches in length, and said rigid, elongated member having rigid, outwardly-opening, cup-like end portions joined by said waisted midportion;

said rigid, outwardly-opening, cut-like end portions each having an outwardly-facing annular edge, said rigid, outwardly-opening, cup-like end portions being References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS approximately four inches in diameter at said an- 2167 992 8/1939 Olsen 273 95 mar edgesand 10 3,104,877 9/1963 Gross 273 9s,1 an annular soft rubber edging means secured to and encompassing each of said outwardly-facing annular FOREIGN PATENTS edges, said annular soft rubber edging means being 21203 1907 Great Britain less rigid than said rigid, outwardly-opening, cuplike portions of said rigid, elongated member, one 15 GEORGE J M ARLO, p i Examiner of said edging means contacting the head of the

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