WO2002078798A1

WO2002078798A1 - Golf practice device

Info

Publication number: WO2002078798A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/000711
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tord Pettersson
Original assignee: Tord Pettersson
Priority date: 2001-04-02
Filing date: 2001-04-02
Publication date: 2002-10-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for golf practice, said device having a longitudinal direction (L) and a width direction(B) and being intended to be used together with a golf club, said device comprising a base (1) that is intended to be located on a ground, means (5) provided on the base (1) to simulate a piece of a golf course and indication means (7, 13, 14, 16, 17, 7'/10', 13, 13', 14, 14', 16, 16', 17, 17')to determine the quality of the golf shot performed by the golf club, said indication means assuming on one hand an upright position and on the other hand a knocked down position. Significant for the device according to the present invention is that indication means (7, 13, 14, 7', 10', 13, 13', 14, 14', 25') are arranged side by side in the width direction(B) of the device, and that a central indication means (7) or a part (25') of a central indication means (7', 10', 25') has a smaller height than the rest of the indication means.

Description

GOLF PRACTICE DEVICE

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for golf practice, said device being intended to be used together with a golf club. The device comprises a base that is intended to be located on a ground and indication means to determine the quality of the golf shot performed by the golf club. In this connection it should be pointed out that the device according to the present invention preferably is intended for training the so-called golf swing.

Prior Art

From GB 2 256 148 a device for golf practice is previously known, said device comprising a base and an insert. The device has five pivotable elements that are upright in their starting positions, said elements serving as indication means to determine the quality of the golf shot. The elements are distributed on a rectangular surface in such a way that four elements are arranged in the area of the corners of the rectangle while the fifth element is arranged in the area of the centre of the rectangle. The device functions in such a way that the head of a golf club hits one or more indication means that may be designed in such a way that either they automatically return to their upright position or they maintain in a lowered position. In the latter case the user may in peace and quiet study which indication means that have been affected. In this connection it should be pointed out that the indication means are stationary as regards their location on the base.

From GB 2 232 357 a device for golf practice is previously known, said device comprising a number of upright indication means in the shape of fingers that may be brought to assume a folded position when there are hit by the head of a golf club. Due to the fact that the fingers are arranged relatively close to each other, both in lateral and longitudinal direction, the fingers that are folded down in connection with a shot may indicate the direction of the golf shot. The fingers are preferably returned to their upright positions by "brushing" the device in the opposite direction compared to the direction of the golf shot.

Objects and Features of the Invention A primary object of the present invention is to present a device for golf practice of the type defined above, where indication is given for a number of parameters of the golf shot, e.g. the centering relative to the ball, the distance from the ground and if the surface of the club head that hits the ball is perpendicular relative to the direction of the shot .

A further object of the present invention is that the device may be used by both right-hand and left-hand players, either by a simpler modification of the device or without modification of the device.

At least the primary object of the present invention is realised by means of the device that has being given the features of the appending independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below an embodiment of the device according to the present invention will be described, reference being made to the company drawings , where :

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the present invention, said device being equipped with a golf ball; Figure 2 shows a corresponding perspective view as in figure 1, where the golf ball is removed;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device according to figure 1, where a golf club is about to complete a golf shot; Figure 4 shows a top view of the device according to figure 1, subsequent to the performance of a perfect golf shot;

Figure 5 shows a top view of the device according to figure 1, subsequent to the performance of a not perfect golf shot ; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention; and Figure 7 shows a top view of the device according to figure 6, subsequent to the performance of a perfect golf shot.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention

The device disclosed in figure 1 has a longitudinal direction L and a width direction B, said directions being marked in figure 1 by two perpendicular lines. When training by means of the device according to the present invention the club head moves essentially along the longitudinal direction L of the device .

The device according to the present invention comprises a base 1 that normally is manufactured from stainless sheet metal . Along certain of its edges the base 1 has sides 3 that are folded upwards. The base 1 supports a piece 5 of artificial turf, on which the above mentioned lines L and B are attached. Said artificial turf is intended to simulate a piece of a golf course, preferably a piece of a fairway. In the artificial turf piece 5 cuts are provided and indication means according to the present invention are located in these cuts. A first cut 6 is provided at the front edge in figure 1 and a first indication means 7 is provided in said first cut 6. According to the shown the embodiment the first indication means 7 is provided with an upwards open, U-shaped recess 9, see figure 2, in a which a golf ball 10 may be placed, see figure 1. In figure 1-5 the first indication means 7 is in the shape of a disc shaped flap that is pivotally attached to the base 1 at the end facing away from the recess 9. The pivotal attachment is effected by means of a first yoke 11 that likewise preferably is manufactured from stainless sheet metal, and first pins 12 or the like that extend through holes in both the first yoke 11 and in the indication means 7. The first yoke 11 is pivotally attached to the base in a direction parallel to the main plane of the base 1, said pivoting function being achieved by having the yoke 11 to pivote around a hinge 8 that has an extension perpendicular to the main plane of the base 1. By this arrangement the first indication means 7 is pivotable around the hinge 8.

The device according to figures 1-5 also comprises a second indication means 13 and a third indication means 14, both being in the shape of a first pair of upwardly tapering fingers , said second and third fingers 13 and 14 being upright in their starting positions. Also these indication means 13, 14 are located in the first cut 6. The second and third indication means 13 and 14 are in a similar way as the first indication means 7 pivotally attached to the base 1 in the area of the end facing towards the base 1. In this case the pivotal attachment is effected by means of a first pair of fastening lugs 15 that preferably are manufactured from stainless sheet metal, and a second pin extending through holes both in the fastening lugs 15 and in the second and third fingers 13, 14. As is evident from figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 the second and third fingers 13 and 14 are arranged at a certain mutual distance in the width direction B of the device. In a corresponding way fourth and fifth fingers, i.e. a fourth indication means 16 and a fifth indication means 17, are provided on the base 1. These fourth and fifth fingers 16, 17 are also pivotally attached to the base 1 in a corresponding way as the second and third fingers 13 and 14, i.e. by means of a second pair of fastening lugs 18 and a third, through-going pin 19. As is evident from figures 1-5 the fourth and fifth fingers 16, 17 are provided in the second cut 20 in the artificial turf piece 5. The fourth and fifth fingers 16 and 17 are, in a corresponding way as the second and third fingers 13 and 14, arranged at a certain mutual distance in the width direction B of the device.

The first finger 7 has a smaller height than the second, third, fourth and fifth fingers 13-17. When a golf ball 10 is placed in the recess 9 the highest point of the golf ball 10 should be at about the same level as the free ends of the second, third, fourth and fifth fingers 13-17 when said fingers assume an upright position.

As is evident from figures 1-5 a corresponding pair of third fastening lugs 21 (only one is visible) is arranged mirror-inverted, compared to the first pair of fastening lugs 15, in relation to the central, first indication means 7. Via a pin these third pair of fastening lugs 21 may be brought to support a pair of fingers that correspond to the second and third fingers 13, 14, i.e. in practice the second and third fingers 13, 14 are moved. Such a modification of the device is effected in case a left-hand player, i.e. a person shooting the ball to the right, is to use the device according to the present invention. The device shown in figures 1-5 is intended to be used by a right-hand player. A third cut is provided in the artificial turf piece 5, said third cut being mirror-inverted compared to the second cut 20 in relation to the longitudinal line L. In this third cut a fourth pair of fastening lugs (not visible) are provided. By means of a pin said fourth pair of fastening lugs may be brought to support a pair of fingers, i.e. in practice the fourth and fifth fingers 16, 17 are moved to the third cut. Such a modification of the device is effected in case a left-hand player, i.e. a person shooting the ball to the right, is to use the device according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown in figures 1-5 a smaller piece 22 of artificial turf is provided in the third cut.

The use of the device according to figures 1-5 is illustrated in figure 3 , where it also is evident that the shown embodiment of the device is equipped with a carrying strap 23 that is attached to the side edge of the device that is opposite the side edge where the first, second and third indication means 7, 13, 14 are provided.

When training the golf swing by using the device according to the invention a club head 24 will move in the longitudinal direction L towards the first, second and third indication means 7, 13, 14. In such a case the club head 24 will bypass the fourth and fifth indication means, i.e. the fourth and fifth fingers 16, 17. If the direction of the shot is perfect the club head 24 should move parallel to the longitudinal direction L and also knock down the fourth finger 16 that is located closest to the line L that represents the longitudinal direction. This has been effected in the situation shown in figure 3. The hit moment illustrated in figure 3 shows when the club head 24 has reached the first, second and third indication means, i.e. the first finger 7, possibly supporting a golf ball 10, and the second and third fingers 13, 14. If the direction of the shot is perfect the club head 24 will knock down the second finger 13 that is located closest to the first flap 7. If the elevation of the shot, i.e. the distance between the lower edge of the club head 24 and the artificial turf piece 5, is perfect the club head 24 will knock down the first flap 7. If said first flap 7 carries a golf ball 10 said golf ball 10 will go away. If the distance between the lower edge of the club head 24 and the artificial turf peace 5 is too large the lower edge of the club head 24 will pass above the upper edge of the first flap 7, i.e. the first flap 7 is not knocked down but remains in upright position. If the first flap 7 carries a golf ball 10 it might occur that an upper part of this golf ball 10 is hit by the club head 24 even if the club head 24 not hits the first flap 7. In this connection it should be pointed out that the device according to figures 1-5 also can be used without a ball, e.g. when indoor training is performed. In such a case only the first flap 7 is knocked down in connection with a perfect shot. If the distance between the club head 24 and the artificial turf piece 5 is too large it might occur that the lower edge of the club head 24 passes above all the indication means. The device according to the present invention also indicates if the surface of the golf head 24 that will hit the ball is correctly oriented, i.e. that said surface extends in the width direction B of the device. From figure 4 it is evident that the first flap 7 has been transferred to a knocked down position and that said flap 7 has not been pivoted around the hinge 8 in connection with the knocking down. This indicates that the surface in question of the club head 24 had an extension in the width direction B of the device. If this is not to case, i.e. if the surface of the club head 24 that hits the first flap 7/the ball 10 forms an angle with the width direction B, the first flap 7 will pivote around the hinge 8 in connection with the knocking down of the first flap 7. This is illustrated in figure 5 where the indication means are shown subsequent to a golf shot where the surface of the club head 24 that is to hit the first flap 7/the ball 10 not had an extension in the width direction B of the device.

When a golf shot has been performed the knocked down indication means are returned to their upright positions. To sum up, when a perfect golf shot is performed the first flap 7, the second finger 13 and the fourth finger 16 are knocked down and if the first flap 7 carries a golf ball 10, said golf ball 10 is shot away. The first flap 7 must not pivote around the hinge 8. Figure 4 shows the indication means subsequent to a perfect golf shot. In this connection it should be pointed out that if the device according to the invention is used indoors it is suitable that a light golf ball out of celluloid is used since such a ball does not absorb equal much kinetic energy as an ordinary golf ball for outdoor play.

In the alternative embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7 the first indication means primarily has an alternative design. In principle, the first flap 7' and the "golf ball" 10 are integrated with each other, i.e. they are manufactured in one piece. In this case the "golf ball" 10' is flat, i.e. its thickness is in principle equal to the thickness of the first flap 7 ' . The first indication means also comprises a sixth centre finger 25' that is received in a recess in the first indication means l ' /10 ' . Said the first indication means 7'/10' is together with the sixth centre finger 25' also pivotally attached to the base 1' of the device according to figures 6 and 7, i.e. the first indication means 7'/l0'/25' is pivotable around a hinge (not shown) that has an extension perpendicular to the main plane of the base 1 ' . In the position shown in figure 6 both the first flap/the golf ball 7'/10' and the sixth centre finger 25' are in upright positions. As is evident from for instance figure 6 the centre finger 25' has an essentially smaller height than the first flap/the golf ball 7'/l0'. A further difference of the device according to figures

6-7, compared to the device according to figures 1-5, is that the device according to figures 6-7 is equipped with eight fingers 13, 14, 13', 14', 16, 17, 16', 17' located on both sides of the longitudinal line L. This means that the pair of fingers do not need to be moved if a right-hand player and a left-hand player is to use the device according to figures 6- 7. It is suitable that the first indication means 7'/10' has a corresponding height as the sidewards located fingers 13 , 14, 13' , 14' , 16, 17, 16 ' , 17 ' .

In figure 6 the device is shown in starting position for a right-hand player, i.e. a player that shoots the ball to the left. In this case the second, third, fourth and fifth indication means 13, 14, 15, 16 are in upright active position, said indication means being located on one side of the longitudinal direction L, while the corresponding indication means 13', 14', 15', 16' on the opposite side of the longitudinal direction L are folded down since the are inactive when a right-hand player, i.e. a player that shoots the ball to the left, is to use the device according to figures 6 and 7. In this connection it should be pointed out that if a left-hand player, i.e. a player that shoots the ball to the right, is to use the device according to figures 6 and 7 the opposite is pertinent regarding which indication means that are active and inactive respectively.

In figure 7 a top view is shown of the alternative embodiment. In the shown position a part 7', 10' of the first indication means 1 ' , 10', 25', the second indication means 13 and the fourth indication means 16 are folded down and the first indication means 7', 10', 25' has not pivoted around its hinge attachment in connection with the knocking down. This means that the shot was perfect as regards the centering of the shot and that the surface of the club head that hits the ball had an extension in the width direction B. Since the centre finger 25' has remained in upright position it is indicated that the elevation of the shot was not perfect, i.e. the distance between the lower edge of the club head and the artificial turf was too large.

In order to facilitate the "interpretation" of the device subsequent to a performed golf shot the adjacent fingers 13, 14 and 16, 17 respectively may be of a different colour. Feasible Modifications of the Invention

It has been mentioned above that the base 1 is manufactured from sheet metal. However, within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that the base 1 is manufactured from an alternative material. In exemplifying and non-limiting purpose plastic may be mentioned.

Claims

1. Device for golf practice, said device having a longitudinal direction (L) and a width direction (B) and being intended to be used together with a golf club, said device comprising a base (1 ' >) that is intended to be located on a ground, means (5) provided on the base (1 ' ) to simulate a piece of a golf course, and indication means (7, 13, 14, 16, 17; 7'/l0', 13, 13', 14, 14', 16, 16', 17, 17') to determine the quality of the golf shot performed by the golf club, said indication means assuming on one hand an upright position and on the other hand a knocked down position, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that indication means (7, 13, 14; 7', 10', 13, 13', 14, 14', 25') are arranged side by side in the width direction (B) of the device, and that a central indication means (7) or a part (25') of a central indication means (7', 10', 25') has a smaller height than the rest of the indication means.

2. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the device comprises further indication means (16, 17) besides the indication means (7, 13, 14; 7', 10', 13, 13', 14, 14', 25') arranged side by side, and that the further indication means (16, 17) are displaced in the longitudinal direction (L) of the device compared to the indication means (7, 13, 14; 7', 10', 13, 13', 14, 14', 25') arranged side by side.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the indication means comprises two pairs of foldable fingers (13, 14, 16, 17; 13, 13', 14, 14', 16, 16', 17, 17') that are located at the same distance from the longitudinal direction (L) .

4. Device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the central indication means (7; 7', 10', 25') is pivotable around a hinge (8) that is perpendicular to the main plane of the base (1; 1') .

5. Device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the central indication means (7) is designed to carry a golf ball (10) .

6. Device according to any of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the central indication means (7', 10', 25') comprises a simulated golf ball (10') that is manufactured integral with a part of the central indication means (7', 10', 25').

7. Device according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the part having a smaller height than the rest of the indication means (7', 10', 13, 13', 14, 14', 16, 16', 17, 17') constitutes a finger (25') suppressed in the central indication means (7', 10', 25').

8. Device according to any of the claims 1-4 and 6-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises two further pair of foldable fingers (13', 14', 16', 17').