WO1988010137A1

WO1988010137A1 - Golf training device

Info

Publication number: WO1988010137A1
Application number: PCT/FR1988/000322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Claude Pruvost
Original assignee: Pruvost Jean Claude
Priority date: 1987-06-18
Filing date: 1988-06-17
Publication date: 1988-12-29
Also published as: FR2616673A1; FR2616673B1; JPH01503608A; EP0321534A1

Abstract

A golf training device comprises means (12) for supplying golf balls, adapted so as to bring each ball (13) to a given point (14) called the ''shooting point'', said means comprising a fixed supply ram (26) in which a catch (29) for so-called ''release'', is privotally mounted on a first axis (30) transversal to the ramp, said catch having a predetermined balancing with respect to the first axis and having, at its upstream end, a retaining spigot (31). The supply means comprise a pivoting ramp pivotally mounted on a second axis (39) transversal to the supply ramp (26) and having a predetermined balancing with respect to the second axis (39), said pivoting ramp having a stop (36) at its upper end. The lower end of the fixed ramp (26) and the second axis (39) are arranged in relative positions such that a golf ball (13) leaving the fixed ramp intercepts the pivoting ramp below the second axis (39).

Description

GOLF TRAINING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a golf training device, that is to say an apparatus allowing golfers to train in the practice of certain golf gestures. To this end, the present invention relates to a possibly easily transportable device, of small size, generally comprising a ball reservoir and means making it possible to bring the golf balls automatically one by one. a determined point on the apparatus, as and when the user's training shots are fired.

To the knowledge of the applicant, there is no such device on the market that is both adapted to the requirements of the golfer's training (in particular the movement commonly called "swing"), of a small size and, of a in general, practical use and a low cost price.

There are, of course, on the market for training equipment. However the latter are too bulky, impractical to use, fragile, with the major drawback of always imposing on the golfer the control of the placement of the ball by mechanical or electrical means. In addition, their cost price is high. All this explains the lack of attractiveness currently encountered by these devices with interested circles.

The specifications for the ideal device are, in fact, quite strict. In addition to the automatic delivery, without the golfer's intervention, of the ball at a determined point, such a device must be able, in certain cases, to be moved manually by the user so that the latter trains in different situations (work on an incline, approach work, etc.). But, on the other hand, such a device must be able to be installed in a fixed position (for example in certain training grounds called "practices"). In the latter case, the capacity of the golf ball tank must be large.

In addition, for both economic and practical reasons, it is desirable that, under certain hypotheses, the same apparatus can be used with 2 g training balls and with normal 45 g balls. The closest "closest" prior art to the invention in fact belongs to a fairly distant field.

US patent No. 2,939,705 discloses a mechanism for distributing basketballs. This mechanism includes supply means adapted to bring the ball to a collection point. To this end, these means include:

- a fixed supply ramp,

- a "release" pawl comprising at each of its ends a retaining lug. This pawl is pivotally mounted in the fixed ramp around a first axis transverse to the latter. This pawl is deliberately unbalanced so that, when no force is exerted on the downstream part of the latter, the upstream part of the pawl pivots down due to the distribution of the masses,

- A pivoting ramp around a second axis transverse to the fixed ramp, this pivoting ramp being returned to the horizontal position by a spring and pivoted downwards by the weight of the balloon. In addition, the upstream end of the pivoting ramp includes means acting on the downstream end of the pawl to pivot the latter towards the horizontal. The above mechanism poses, in the event of an adaptation to the distribution of golf balls, various technical problems.

First, the arrangement of the mechanism deserves to be simplified: the return spring of the pivoting ramp and the interaction between the ramp and the release pawl make the structure complicated and expensive, both from the manufacturing point of view than that of maintenance.

In addition, the change of scale in size and weight, between a golf ball and a basketball means that the spring to be mounted is caused to have a fragile and delicate structure in the case of 45 g golf balls. , and a fortiori, even more in the case of training balls of 2 g.

Finally, in the event that the same device is intended to be used either with 2 g or 45 g bullets, its structure can in no case be modeled on that described in the aforementioned US patent. Indeed, the return spring must be adjusted to allow the swivel ramp to pivot down under the effect of the weight of a 2g ball. However, the same spring must be used with 45 g bales, which risks damaging said spring or imposing at least a different adjustment, if not a change of spring.

It can therefore be seen that several obstacles stand in the way of adapting the mechanism described in the aforementioned US patent as it is and that several technical problems must be resolved in order to obtain a mechanism for supplying golf balls, which is both simple, efficient and in accordance with the specifications mentioned above.

It is in particular the object of the present invention which relates to a golf training apparatus comprising means for supplying golf balls, adapted to bring each ball to a determined point called "shooting point", these means of 'supply comprising a fixed supply ramp in which is pivotally mounted along a first axis transverval to the ramp, a pawl called "release", this pawl having a predetermined balancing with respect to the first axis and comprising, at its upstream end , a retaining lug, the supply means comprising, pivotally mounted around a second axis transverse to the supply ramp, a pivoting ramp having a predetermined balancing with respect to the second axis and, at its upstream end a stop, the downstream end of the fixed ramp and the second axis being arranged in relative positions such as a golf ball emerging from the fixed ramp, intercepts the ramp pivoted nte downstream of the second axis.

Thanks to these provisions, the golfer, who trains with the apparatus according to the invention, no longer has to waste time in positioning his ball before shooting it. Thus for a given time spent on the training ground (or practice), it will shoot twice as many balls as with the traditional system of the bucket of balls.

Another not insignificant advantage stems from this observation: by allowing rapid training, the practices will see their capacity increased accordingly and, as a result, improved profitability.

We also observe that the structure of the device is simplified compared to the prior art mechanism analyzed above: in particular, the return spring is eliminated.

In a particularly advantageous preferred embodiment, the apparatus is characterized in that the balancing of the pawl is such that the equilibrium of the latter around the first is axis is indifferent and in that the balancing of the movable ramp is such that the latter has a stable equilibrium position in which at least a portion of this ramp is horizontal.

Thanks to these provisions, the apparatus according to the invention can be used both on a training ground covered with 2 g balls and outdoors with 45 g balls. No adjustment is necessary to switch from one type of ball to another.

According to another aspect of the invention, particularly intended to make the training device conform to the specifications briefly recalled above, the device is characterized in that it comprises. A ^* bale reservoir with a distribution track helical, comprising several standard stackable reservoir modules, each of these comprising a portion of helical track, so that by assembling said modules appropriately, said helical track is formed, this track ending in a module called "base" , which on the one hand, is adapted to carry said tank modules and, on the other hand, comprises said supply means.

The modular nature of the tank allows in certain cases to limit the size of the device and to adapt its structure in order to be able to move it easily, the user having to position it on the ground in different situations (working on inclined slopes , approach work ...).

On the other hand, ^f s acting of a device to be installed in a fixed position, it is sometimes desirable to have such a large ball container as possible. In such a case, in addition to several standard modules, an upper module is advantageously provided comprising a funnel facilitating the pouring of the balls into the tank.

In terms of cost price, it is possible to provide customers with devices corresponding to the use they intend to make and the budget available to them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said basic module is mounted on a support comprising a so-called "wear" mat comprising at least one housing for a portion of the mobile ramp, when the latter is in a so-called "position". firing ", the housing being delimited on its sides, by two guide edges of the bullet advantageously bevelled, and having at its opposite end, to said base module, a stop portion.

Thanks to these provisions, the ball is guided towards and automatically positioned at the end of the housing comprising the abutment portion, that is to say at the shooting point and the golfer can practice repeatedly on the same gesture. In addition, the wear mat helps cushion, if necessary, the club's shocks in the event of errors by the golfer. The present invention also solves another problem which the applicant has been confronted with.

Indeed, it is desirable that, upstream of the firing point, relative to the movement of the club, the wear mat has a certain extension; on the other hand, it is desirable to be able to use the same device with right and left handed players while minimizing the surface of the wear mat.

This problem is solved by the fact that the means for fixing the base module to the support are suitable for positioning the base module in at least two positions, these positions being angularly distant, in a preferred embodiment, by approximately 60 °. and each corresponding to a housing of the mobile ramp in said wear mat.

Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to use the same device with right-handed players and left-handed players, while 6 minimizing the surface of the wear mat: each of the two housings is arranged in the vicinity of one end of the mat and the apparatus can be adjusted so that the balls are supplied on one or the other of said housings. The device according to the invention also allows the golfer to correct his position, in particular a possible non-fixity of the head during the execution of the swing movement. Indeed, it is well known that the head must be stationary during the swing but not blocked.

In particular, golfers must absolutely avoid any lateral movement of the head when the club hits the ball.

To this end, according to another characteristic of the invention, the device is provided with a telescopic articulated rod adaptable in the body of the device and having a fulcrum for the player's head so that the latter remains fixed during the execution of the swing movement.

Golfers will appreciate this characteristic which will allow them to correct a defect of non-fixity of the head which is particularly common in many of them. The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation-section along the line I-I in FIG. 2 of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a top view along line II-II of FIG. 1 of this same device,

- Figures 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views illustrating the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 in two configurations and assembly of a tank module, Figure 5 is a top view of a support plate of the device illustrated in the previous figures,

FIG. 6 is a top view of a so-called "basic" module of this same device, FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate the mounting of the basic module on the support plate in two configurations,

FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic detailed views in partial section of the supply means that the basic module comprises according to the present invention, these means being illustrated in two successive phases of their operation and,

. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a correction rod associated with the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8.

The embodiment chosen to be shown and described below relates to an easily transportable device, which is not intended, a priori, although this would be possible, to be used at a fixed station.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, the apparatus, generally referenced at 10, comprises on the one hand, a reservoir of golf balls 11 and, on the other hand, means for supply adapted to bring a golf ball to a determined point. These means are generally referenced in 12 and will be described in particular with the support of Figures 8a and 8b. Golf balls are referenced at 13, while said determined point, which is also called shooting point, is generally referenced at 14.

In general, the reservoir 11 includes a track 15 for distributing helical shaped golf balls.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the reservoir 11 comprises a plurality of standard modules 16, three of the latter being illustrated in position in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. These modules are stackable and, in this embodiment, of overall shape cylindrical and snap into each other by means of latching lugs 17. Each of the lugs 17 has a latching portion 18 adapted to be locked in a latching groove 19 which each of the modules 16 has above the lugs latching 17. In the embodiment chosen and shown, each of the modules, which is made of plastic, has three sets of lug 17 - groove 19 of latching, regularly distributed around its circumference, ie at 120 °. It can be seen that each of the modules has a portion 20 of helical track and that by making the upper 21 and lower ends 22 of the portions of helical track 20 coincide, the helical track 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 is therefore formed. embodiment chosen and shown, an upper module 16a has a funnel shape and does not include a portion of helical track. It is snapped onto a standard module 16 by means of snap lugs 17 as explained above.

It is also observed that a cap 54 closes the cylindrical space 63 left free in the center of the modules.

The reservoir modules 16 are stacked on a base module 23 which also also includes a portion of helical track

24 similar to the portion 20 of the reservoir modules 16. The portion 24 opens onto a conduit 25 comprising the supply means 12 which will now be described with the support of FIGS. 1, 3, 8a, 8b.

Referring first to Figures 8a, 8b, the conduit

25 is shown therein in longitudinal section. It is in fact a cylindrical conduit whose diameter is substantially greater than that of golf balls 13. The lower surface of this conduit, referenced at 26, forms within the meaning of the present invention, a fixed supply ramp . A part 29, hereinafter called movable or "release" pawl, is rotatably mounted, by appropriate means, around an axis 30 (called "first axis"), disposed in the upstream part of the ramp 26 and oriented transversely to the axis of the conduit 25, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of Figures 8a, 8b.

The pawl 29, which is shown in the two positions which it is capable of taking in FIGS. 8a and 8b, comprises a retaining lug 31 here comprising an upstream face 32 substantially curved and of shape, roughly at least, complementary to that of 'a golf ball.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the pawl 29 has a predetermined balancing with respect to the axis 30. In this embodiment the pawl 29 has an indifferent balance around the axis 30.

It can be seen, in FIG. 2, that the pawl 29 has a substantially reduced width and that it is movable in an opening 32 of substantially rectangular shape and of barely greater width formed in the lower side of the duct 25, that is to say say in the supply ramp 26.

5 According to the invention, the supply means 12 also comprise a pivoting ramp 34. This ramp essentially comprises a track 35 at the upstream end of which is arranged a stopper 36. Two mounting tabs 37, 37 ', allow the mounting of the movable ramp on the conduit 25, so that the latter is movable about an axis 39 (also called second axis) transverse to the plane of FIGS. 8a and 8b. In order to simplify the drawing, the means for mounting the pawl 29 around the axis 30 and the pivoting ramp 34 around the axis 39 are not shown in the figures. In practice, these axes are materialized by pins from molding, but any other solution within the reach of those skilled in the art remains possible.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the pivoting ramp 34 has a predetermined balancing. In the embodiment shown, the pivoting ramp 34 has a stable equilibrium position in which the track 35 is horizontal.

To allow balancing, it comprises, at its upstream end, a ballast 41 arranged, here, below the stop 36 and serving to support the latter.

Like the reservoir modules 16, the base module 23 has three latching tabs 17 spaced at 120 °, FIG. 6. The base module 23 also has three latching grooves ¹ arranged above the tabs 17, and in which fit into the snap-fastening portions 18 of the reservoir module 16 disposed above the base module. In the embodiment chosen and shown, the basic module is mounted on a support plate 43 which will now be described. This plate essentially comprises on the one hand, support means generally referenced at 44, adapted to receive by snap-fastening the base module, and made of plastic, and, on the other hand, a wear mat carrying the general reference 45 in the figures.

The support means 44 essentially comprise a cylindrical cup 47 of diameter identical to that of the modules 16-23 carrying snap grooves 18a, 18b. The snap grooves 18a are regularly distributed around the circumference of the cup 47 and are three in number, spaced 120 ° apart. It is the same for the grooves 18b which are interposed symmetrically between the grooves 18a. It appears from this arrangement that the basic module can, according to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the present invention, be mounted in two positions. In this embodiment, the supply means are offset in each of the 60 ° positions, as illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b.

In fact in FIG. 7a, the basic module, illustrated in FIG. 6, is snapped into the grooves 18a while in FIG. 7b, the basic module 23 is snapped into the grooves 18b. The arrangement of Figure 7a, which corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 3, is a position intended for right-handed golfer while the arrangement of Figure 7b, which corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 4, is a provision intended to make the device according to the invention usable by a left-handed golfer.

In both cases, the reservoir modules 16 snap onto each other above the base module 23 as previously described.

Of course, it is possible to use other means of mounting the base module so that the latter can be mounted at will in the two configurations of FIGS. 7a and 7b.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus 10 can be used with a telescopic rod 50 for driving. This rod has a vertical orientation portion 51 and a portion oblique 52, articulated at 53 on the vertical portion 51. In the embodiment shown, the vertical 51 and oblique 52 portions are telescopic.

For mounting the drive rod 50, the cap 54 has an axial guide opening 56 corresponding to the diameter of the rod. ^'The rod 50 passes axially through the modules 16 and 23 in the free cylinder space 63, Figure 1. In the same figure, there is illustrated at the second reservoir module 16, through the hatch 57 of the central portion of In this figure, an annular cast iron ballast and itself having an axial passage corresponding to the diameter of the drive rod 50. It can be seen that this ballast is carried by a part similar to the cap 54.

It can be seen, in FIG. 9, that the vertical portion 51 of the cane 50 comprises, at its end opposite to the joint 53, a point making it possible to plant this cane in the ground as illustrated in the figure.

We will now describe the operation of the device illustrated and described in support of Figures 1 to 9.

The assembly of the device is particularly simple and emerges from the description which has been given. The basic module 23 snaps into place as explained in support of FIGS. 7a, 7b in the grooves 18a, in which case the device takes a configuration for right-handed, FIGS. 3 and 7a, or in the grooves 18b, in which case the device takes a configuration for left-handed, Figures 4 and 7b. All of the modules being made of relatively rigid plastic, the snap fastening of the tabs 17a is rigid. The basic module 23 mounted on the support 43 thus forms a rigid whole on which various reservoir modules 16 can be snapped on, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3. By positioning the modules 16 appropriately, the helical track 15 is located incorporated. This helical track serves as a reservoir for golf balls 13 and leads, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to a stop 61 in the basic module 23 so that, by gravity, golf balls 13 are admitted into the means supply 12, (more precisely in the fixed supply ramp 26 of the conduit 25, Figures 1, 8a, 8b).

FIGS. 1, 8a, 8b illustrate three stages in the operation of the supply means 12. When a ball 13a (illustrated in black) is about to be fired 14, waiting to be fired by the golfer, it acts, by its weight, on the pivoting ramp 34. In fact, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it rests at one end 62 of the track 35, opposite the counterweight 41. As explained previously, the mass of this counterweight 41 is such that, account given the position of the hinge pin 39, the pivoting ramp 34 is balanced so that the track 35 is, naturally, in a generally horizontal position. Therefore, whether the ball 13a has a mass of 2 g or has a mass of 45 g, the track 35 naturally retains the horizontal position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Inside the duct 25 a ball 13b illustrated in white is in the first waiting position. This bullet is stopped by the stop 36 of the pivoting ramp 34 which prevents it from rolling down, in this case towards the shooting position. It is observed that the ball 13b maintains by its weight the pawl 29 in a position where it is practically parallel to the surface of the fixed supply ramp 26. This has the effect of projecting the stop 31 of the pawl 29, which allows to block, in the second standby position, a ball 13c illustrated in black as well as all the other balls stored in the tank.

Indeed, in this embodiment, the ball 13b in the first waiting position exerts on the pawl 29 a torque around the axis 30 substantially higher than that exerted by the ball 13c in the second waiting position which is less distant from the axis 30 than the ball 13b. As a result, the ball 13c cannot, by its own weight, cause the lug 31 which retains it to retract. In addition, it is observed that the balls upstream of that (13c) in the second waiting position, do not exert thrust against said ball 13c: the thrust due to the weight of the other balls is exerted against a vertical portion stop 61 of the conduit 25, FIG. 2: the mass of the balls upstream of the ball 13c therefore exerts no force against the lug 31.

As soon as the ball 13a is pulled by the golfer, the mechanism comes into a position illustrated in FIG. 8a.

Indeed, the pivoting ramp 34 (balanced on either side of the second axis 39 as explained above switches over under the thrust of the ball 13b which is exerted on the stop 36 (Figures 1 and 8a). The ball then rolls on the end of the fixed ramp.

It is observed that according to a characteristic of the invention, the downstream end of the fixed ramp, the second axis 39 of the pivoting ramp 34 are in a relative position such that when the ball 13b emerges from the downstream end of the fixed ramp 26, it intercepts the pivoting ramp downstream from the second axis 39, FIGS. 8a and 8b.

In the embodiment chosen and shown, the second axis 39 is disposed above the downstream end of the fixed ramp 26, at the outlet of the conduit 25.

As the pivoting ramp 34 is in stable equilibrium so that the track 35 is horizontal, as soon as the ball 13 no longer exerts pressure on the stop 36, the track 35 returns to a substantially horizontal position, FIG. 8b. This movement is moreover accelerated by the fact that the ball intercepts the track 35 downstream of the second axis 39. The return of the pivoting ramp 34 in its stable equilibrium position brings the stop 36 protruding.

However, the departure of the ball 13b in the first waiting position simultaneously releases the downstream end of the pawl 29. The weight of the ball in the second waiting position 13c then pushes against the lug 31, which causes the pawl 29, thereby retracting the lug 31, Figure 8a.

It will be observed that the pawl 29 having here an indifferent equilibrium around the first axis 30, the displacement of the ball 13c has the effect of making the pawl 29 switch back to its initial position, thereby making the lug 31 protrude again. which comes to block a ball 13d coming to occupy the second waiting position. The ball 13c is in turn blocked by the stop 36 carried by the pivoting ramp 34, the track 35 thereof having returned to a horizontal position.

The ball 13b which was in the first waiting position rolls concomitantly on runway 35.

It is observed that this track is arranged in a rectangular recess in the form of a groove formed in the thickness of the wear mat 45. In the embodiment chosen and shown, the wear mat 45 comprises two of these housings respectively referenced at 71a and 71b corresponding to the two positions of FIGS. 7a, 7b. These housings 71a, 71b are delimited by edges 72 which also have the function of guiding the bullet 13a while it is rolling towards the firing point 14a (14b). To this end, in this embodiment the edges 72 are substantially bevelled, as visible in FIGS. 3 and 4. It can be seen that the end 14a (or 14b) of the groove 71a (or 71b), opposite the outlet of the duct 25, is rounded and forms a stop for the ball 13, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 8a, 8b.

In summary, thanks to these provisions, as long as the bullet in the shooting position 14 remains present at this shooting point, the bullets in the first and second waiting positions are respectively blocked by the stop 36 and the lug 31. This it is only when the bullet 13a has left the firing position that the supply process can begin, a single bullet being then admitted into the firing position. . Thus, all of the arrangements which have just been described therefore make it possible, without fail, to bring the bullet from the reservoir 11 to the firing point 14a or 14b and to position this ball very precisely on this firing point.

As explained above, it is possible to position the base element 43 on the cup in the two positions illustrated in FIGS. 7a, 7b. The result is that the device can take either the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 (right-handed), or that illustrated in FIG. 4 (left-handed). It will be observed that in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the entire wear mat 45 is located upstream from the firing point 14a, relative to the movement of the swing illustrated by the arrow 80a. On the other hand, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the whole of the wear mat 45 is located upstream of the firing point 14b for left-handed with respect to the direction of the swing illustrated by the arrow 80b.

It is therefore possible to use the same device with a right-handed player and a left-handed player while minimizing the area of wear mat. Indeed, the wear mat only finds its usefulness upstream of the shooting point, its function being to absorb the shocks of the club when the golfer misses his shot.

Furthermore, as explained above, the apparatus according to the present invention can be advantageously used by a golfer to correct a lack of non-fixity of the head during the swing movement. For this purpose, the training rod 50 is used which is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 9. The golfer first adjusts the rod in height by acting on the telescopic element 51, then away from it vis-à-vis ball screw by acting on the telescopic element 52 which can also pivot around the hinge pin 53 if necessary. This triple adjustment allows to take into account the size of the practitioner and the place where he wishes to position the reference point 59 so as not to be hampered during his movement.

If the constituent elements of the apparatus 10 do not have a sufficient mass, it is possible either to interpose inside the reservoir modules 16 masses of steel or lead such as those illustrated at 57 in FIG. 1 or fix the foot 43 to the ground (FIG. 2) using a known fixing system (stakes, bolts, etc.) using the two holes 55 provided for this purpose. The stability of the assembly will thus be ensured and there is no risk of the apparatus overturning if the golfer comes to strike the mat brutally during his training.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses, on the contrary, all variants within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

As described and shown, the supply means 12 here employ a pawl 29 and a mobile ramp 34 having the balance characteristics described: indifferent balance for the pawl 29 and stable balance so that the track 35 is horizontal for the mobile ramp 34. These provisions allow in particular the use of the apparatus with training balls 2 g. Note also that the same device can be used with 45 g bullets.

However, for certain applications of the device, especially outdoors, the latter will only be used with heavier bales (45 g in general). For such a device (but also for an indoor device operating with 2 g balls), it is possible to "predetermine" the balancing of the pawl 29 and the pivoting ramp 34 differently.

Thus, for example, it may be advantageous to balance the pawl 29 stably so that the latter automatically takes a horizontal position. In the latter case, the resistant torque exerted by the mass of the pawl must be such that it can easily be overcome by a ball coming from the second standby position and exerting a push on the pawl 29 downstream of the level of the axis 30 (a little after the position of the ball 13c illustrated in FIG. 8a).

The mobile ramp may, in turn, have a slight imbalance (downstream portion of the second axis 39 heavier) so that the downstream end of the track 35 comes to bear against the bottom of the groove 71a or 71b. However, in such a case, the imbalance should not be such that the ball in the first waiting position cannot, with its own weight, retract the stop 36 as illustrated in FIG. 8a. Such an arrangement could moreover be advantageous for apparatuses in accordance with the invention brought to be used in slopes.

In general, other "predetermined balances" may be provided to the extent that they allow, taking into account the forces involved, a sequential retraction of a retaining lug and a stopper, as illustrated and described, by way of example, in support of FIGS. 1, 8a and 8b. Furthermore, the devices according to the invention intended to be installed in a fixed position may not include the characteristic allowing their use by right-handers and left-handers.

Indeed, the Applicant has found that in most training grounds, nine out of ten training stations are equipped for right-handers. With the apparatus according to the invention, it will probably be the same. In addition, in these training stations, the minimization of the wear mat is no longer necessary. Thus these stations can be provided with a large wear mat in the middle of which the device according to the invention will be installed.

Claims

1. Golf training apparatus comprising means for supplying (12) golf balls, adapted to bring each ball (13) to a determined point (14) known as a "shooting point", these supply means comprising a fixed supply ramp (26) in which is pivotally mounted along a first axis (30) transverval to the ramp, a pawl (29) called "release", this pawl having a predetermined balancing with respect to the first axis and comprising, at its upstream end, a retaining lug (31), the supply means comprising, pivotally mounted around a second axis (39) transverse to the supply ramp (26), a pivoting ramp having a predetermined balancing with respect to the second axis (39) and, at its upstream end has a stop (36), the downstream end of the fixed ramp (26) and the second axis (39) being arranged in relative positions such as a golf ball (13) emerging from the fixed rail, intercepts the pivoting ramp downstream of the second axis (39).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the balancing of the pawl (29) is such that the balance of the latter around the first axis (30) is indifferent.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the balancing of the pawl (29) is such that the latter has a stable equilibrium position in which it is horizontal.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the balancing of the mobile ramp (34) is such that the latter has a stable equilibrium position in which at least a portion (35) of this ramp (34) is horizontal.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the balancing of the mobile ramp is such that the downstream portion ^" of the latter relative to the second axis is substantially heavier than the upstream portion. - •

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a reservoir (11) of balls with a helical distribution track comprising several stackable reservoir modules (16), each of these comprising a portion of helical track (20), so that by suitably assembling said modules, said helical track (15) is formed, this track leading to a so-called "base" module (23), which on the one hand is suitable for carrying said tank modules (16), and, on the other hand, comprises said supply means (12).

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said basic module (23) is mounted on a support (43) comprising a carpet (45) called "wear" comprising at least one housing (71a, 71b) for a portion of the mobile ramp (34), when the latter is in a so-called "firing" position, the housing being delimited on its sides, by two ridges (72) for guiding the ball ( 13), and having at its opposite end, to said base module, a stop portion (14a, 14b).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the edges (72) are bevelled.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, 3, characterized in that the fixing means (17, 18a, 18b) of the base module (23) on the support (43) are adapted to position the module basic in at least two positions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the two positions of the base module (23) are spaced by about 60 ° while the wear mat (45) has a housing (71a, 71b) associated with each of these positions.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it also includes a telescopic rod (50) having a fulcrum (59) for the head of the golfer.