WO2003041818A2 - Appareil d'entrainement au putting - Google Patents

Appareil d'entrainement au putting Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003041818A2
WO2003041818A2 PCT/IE2002/000159 IE0200159W WO03041818A2 WO 2003041818 A2 WO2003041818 A2 WO 2003041818A2 IE 0200159 W IE0200159 W IE 0200159W WO 03041818 A2 WO03041818 A2 WO 03041818A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rail
putting trainer
trainer
putting
base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IE2002/000159
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2003041818A3 (fr
Inventor
James Hourihan
Francis Moloney
Original Assignee
James Hourihan
Francis Moloney
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by James Hourihan, Francis Moloney filed Critical James Hourihan
Priority to AU2002343187A priority Critical patent/AU2002343187A1/en
Priority to GB0410874A priority patent/GB2397773A/en
Publication of WO2003041818A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003041818A2/fr
Publication of WO2003041818A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003041818A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3621—Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3676—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for putting
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
    • A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
    • A63B2071/024—Supports, e.g. poles with screws or pins in the earth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B2071/0694—Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
    • A63B2208/12—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/09—Adjustable dimensions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/09—Adjustable dimensions
    • A63B2225/093—Height

Definitions

  • the invention relates to golf putting trainers.
  • putting is probably the most important stroke in the game of golf. It is also a simple stroke, requiring the player to strike the ball in a smooth continuous arc with good "follow through”. It is also important that the player strike the ball at the correct part of the putter head. The player should be able to replicate consistently a good putting stroke in order to score well.
  • United States Patent Specification No. US4634131 (Nella et al) describes a putting trainer having an arc-shaped rail supported on a support structure.
  • the rail is supported at each end by a mechanism having a wing nut pressing against a quadrant-shaped component for changing the orientation of the rail.
  • a loop and circle arrangement grips the rail at each end. Adjustment of the radius of the rail's arc is achieved by "adjusting the tension applied by the wing nut 4 to link 9 which in turn levers the end of the guide rail within aperture 6, at both ends of guide rail 2, so as to produce a bow in guide rail 2 between two supports of rigid frame 5". It appears to the inventors that the Nella et al trainer would not be particularly reliable or easy to use.
  • the invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved putting trainer to achieve some or all of the following:
  • a putting trainer comprising a ground- engaging base, end supports, a rail supported by and extending between the end supports, a club shaft guide for gripping a club shaft and running on the rail, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting curvature of the rail,
  • the trainer comprises a central support supporting the rail at a central location between the end supports;
  • the end supports apply forces to the rail which are in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the forces applied by the central support; and (c) the adjustment mechanism is incorporated in at least one of the supports.
  • the adjustment mechanism is incorporated in the central support.
  • the adjustment mechanism comprises male and female threaded elements, and means for manually operating an element to push or pull the rail.
  • the adjustment mechanism is mounted between the base and the rail.
  • the rail is curved when un-stressed by the supports.
  • the trainer further comprises means for adjusting the plane of inclination of the rail.
  • the inclination adjustment means comprises a rail support fixed to the rail, and means for changing inclination of the support.
  • the rail support is the central support.
  • the inclination changing means comprises a curved slot, an arm extending through the slot, the slot or the arm being fixed with respect to the base, and a fastener for locking the arm at a selected position in the slot.
  • the slot is in a support fixed to the base.
  • the rail is connected to the end supports by a connector associated with each support, each connector extending away from the rail on its convex side so that it does not interfere with movement of the guide along the rail.
  • each connector comprises a pivot pin engaging a socket in a support.
  • the guide comprises a wheel and means for adjusting width of a wheel groove for engaging the rail.
  • the groove width adjusting means comprises two wheel flanges and means of setting a desired axial spacing of the wheel flanges.
  • the setting means comprises a locknut on a bolt for retaining an axially-movable wheel flange at a desired position.
  • the wheel comprises rail-engaging tapered sides.
  • the degree of taper is between 5° and 15°.
  • the guide comprises a single wheel configured for rolling on the concave side of the rail.
  • the guide further comprises a guide member mounted for sliding contact with rail.
  • the end supports are collapsible by folding to lie flat on the base.
  • the adjustment mechanism comprises means for moving the rail to a position close to the base for storage.
  • the base comprises left and right recesses for accommodating a players feet with a correct stance.
  • the base comprises apertures for receiving golf tees to secure the trainer to the ground.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a putting trainer of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the trainer
  • Fig. 3 is a front view of the trainer
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the trainer
  • Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a rail adjustment mechanism
  • Fig. 6 is a view of the mechanism in a different adjustment position
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a putter guide
  • Fig. 8 is a plan view of the guide
  • Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) are perspective views of the guide at different configurations to suit players of different standards
  • Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view showing part of an alternative trainer having an alignment guide .
  • a putting trainer 1 of the invention comprises a base 2 to which are secured left and right end supports 3 and 4 respectively.
  • the supports 3 and 4 support a rail 5, and the rail 5 is also directly connected at its centre to the base 2 by an adjustment mechanism 6.
  • the rail 5 is naturally (when unstressed) curved to a standard curvature.
  • the rail 5 comprises, on its convex side, a spaced-apart pin 7 engaging a socket 8 in the relevant end support 3 or 4.
  • the manner of connection of the rail 5 to the end supports 3 and 4 does not limit the effective length of the rail 5 which can be used by the player.
  • the rail 5 has an effective length extending a short distance beyond the supports 3 and 4, however it may in an alternative embodiment extend much more beyond these supports.
  • the base 2 comprises left and right foot recesses 10 and 11 respectively to allow the player to stand in comfort with guidance for the correct feet positions for a good playing stance.
  • the base 2 also comprises apertures 12 to allow the trainer 1 to be secured in place on the ground using golf tees.
  • each of the end supports 3 and 4 is connected by a pivot pin 13 to the base 2.
  • the trainer 1 can be collapsed for storage or transport by simply pulling the pins 7 from the sockets 8, rotating the end supports 3 and 4 downwardly to lie flat on the base 2, and rotating the rail 5 rearwardly and downwardly using the mechanism 6 as will be apparent from the description below.
  • the adjustment mechanism 6 comprises a pair of parallel spaced-apart upright base plates 20 having corresponding curved slots 21 extending downwardly and forwardly (with respect to the stance of a player having the fronts of his or her feet in the recesses 10 and 11).
  • a cranked support arm 22 extends at an inner end through the slots 21, and this end is connected to a fastening bolt 23 for securing the arm at a particular position along the length of the slots 21.
  • the arm 22 At an outer end the arm 22 comprises a sleeve 24 extending perpendicularly to the arm.
  • a threaded bolt 25 is non-rotatably fixed to the rail 5 at its underside, and the bolt 25 extends through the sleeve 24.
  • a hand- operable nut 26 is engaged with the bolt 25 at its lower end.
  • the mechanism 6 allows adjustment of the rail 5 in two different manners, as follows.
  • the guide 40 comprises a putter shaft grip 41 and a wheel 42 for running on the rail 5.
  • the grip 41 comprises a curved surround 45 and a bolt having a shank 46 and a hand-operated head 47.
  • the bolt grips a putter shaft by pressing it against the opposed side of the surround 45 i.e. the shaft is gripped between the end of the shank 46 and the opposing inner surface of the surround 45.
  • the surround 45 has an opening 48 for insertion of the shaft.
  • the wheel 42 has an adjustable-width groove between two wheel flanges 50 and 51.
  • the (outer) flange 50 is not movable axially.
  • the (inner) flange 51 is movable axially on an axle 54 after rotation of a locknut 53 inwardly on a bolt 53.
  • the flanges 50 and 51 are tapered inwardly and are operable to prevent the direction of the wheel axis deviating from a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rail axis. This is because the distance between the flanges 50 and 51 is such that the rail is engaged by both flanges .
  • the flanges are preferably at least 10mm deep and the taper is preferably 5° and 15°.
  • Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) show a narrow configuration being changed to a wide configuration by rotation of the locknut 52 followed by rotation of the flange 51 on the spindle 53.
  • the wheel 42 operates by the spindle 53, the flanges 50, 51, and the locknut 52 all rotating together with respect to the grip surround 45.
  • the spindle 53 has a bearing within the surround 45.
  • Wheel groove width adjustment is simply achieved by rotating the flange 51 like a nut on the spindle 53 and then rotating the locknut 52 to prevent further widening of the groove by inadvertent rotation of the flange 51.
  • flange are rotatable about a spindle which does not rotate, the width being set by a locknut or other fastener which prevents further widening.
  • the movable flange may be spring biased to a wider groove position.
  • the guide may also comprise one or more guide members mounted adjacent to the wheel and to be in sliding contact with the rail as the wheel runs on the rail.
  • the or each guide member makes sliding contact with one or both sides of the rail to ensure that the putter head is kept “square" during the stroke.
  • the contact surface of the or each guide member preferably lies substantially in a plane of contact of the wheel with the rail.
  • the trainer 1 allows simple and robust rail curvature adjustment because there is only one mechanism (the mechanism 6) to be operated by the player, and because the mechanism 6 operates on the centre of the rail 5.
  • the forces with this arrangement are at a minimum.
  • the mechanism 6 is very easy to operate for curvature adjustment as it requires the player to turn only one "knob”. Also, because forces are at a minimum, even children would have sufficient strength to perform adjustment.
  • the mechanism 6 allows consistent inclination adjustment exactly half way down between the supports 3 and 4. There is no danger of the rail having a twisted or warped plane, which would arise if it had a separate adjustment at each end.
  • Another major advantage of the trainer 1 is that, by varying width of the groove in the wheel 42, it may be optimised to suit the standard of the player. Typically, a player would start with a wide groove so that the wheel straddles the rail 5 to the maximum extent for most comprehensive stroke constraint. As the player progresses, the groove may be narrowed to reduce the area of contact with the rail 5 thereby requiring the player to use more skill to keep the stroke on the correct path in contact with the rail.
  • the reduction in force can be used to provide simpler player operation, or to reduce the size and cost of the adjustment mechanism.
  • the reduction in force required for a given modulus can be used to provide a rail with a greater modulus that would otherwise be possible, thereby allowing use of a stronger and more rigid rail.
  • the adjustment mechanism may vary in detail such as by providing a threaded socket on the rail and a bolt which is rotatable by the player.
  • the trainer may comprise an arm pivotally connected to the base for rotation in a horizontal plane to a position extending perpendicular to the correct line of impact between the putter and the ball. This position may be set by a stop on the base 2.
  • the player can align the face of the putter with this arm so that it is "squared" correctly.
  • the arm may be moved to an off-square position so that the negative effect of the putter face being off-square can be demonstrated. The arm is moved back to the retracted position when the player has adjusted the grip 41 so that the putter is correctly orientated.
  • Fig. 10 shows such an arrangement in diagrammatic form.
  • a trainer 60 has a base 61 to which an arm 62 is pivotally connected at a hinge 63.
  • the outer position is set by a stop 64 as illustrated.
  • This diagram shows a putter P aligned with the arm 62.
  • the retracted position is shown by interrupted lines.
  • the trainer may have an adjustment mechanism incorporated in one or both end supports 3 and 4.
  • the rail may be supported centrally by a fixed support or by an adjustment mechanism.
  • the rail is supported at its centre, and so forces applied centrally or at the end supports are much lower than required in the prior art.
  • the forces applied by the end supports will be substantially opposite to that applied by the central support.
  • the adjustment mechanism(s) is/are operable to decrease the rail's radius by applying opposing forces away from each other between the central and end supports, and to increase its radius by applying opposing forces towards each other between the central and end supports.
  • the rail may have a cross-section with a lower modulus of elasticity in the direction of the radius of the curvature. This may be achieved by having a dimension parallel to the radius being less than a dimension perpendicular to it.
  • the illustrated embodiment comprises the cranked arm 22 connected by the fastener 23 to the curved slot 21.
  • the member is arranged to provide more strength and rigidity than is possible with a cantilever and fastener connection.
  • the connection may be replaced by a relatively strong elongate guide running in a relatively strong curved track.
  • the orientation of the curve of the guide and track is similar to that shown for the curved slot 21 in the figures.
  • a manually operated screw clamp or fastener may be provided to lock the guide and track together when the correct angle of inclination is achieved. When locked in position, the contact area between the guide and track is substantial and is resistant to bending or relative movement.
  • the fastener holds the guide and track together by friction, and does not directly form part of the connection.
  • the track is rigidly fixed to the base and may project a small distance beyond its front, but not such as to interfere with the movement of the putter.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Machines For Laying And Maintaining Railways (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un appareil d'entraînement au putting (1) comportant une base (2) et des supports latéraux (3, 4). Une glissière (5) vient se monter dans les supports latéraux supports (3, 4) au moyen de goupilles (7) espacées l'une de l'autre de telle sorte que la longueur effective n'est pas limitée par le raccordement sur les supports. Un mécanisme de réglage unique (6) permet de régler à la fois la courbure par rotation d'un écrou (26) et l'inclinaison dans le plan par déplacement d'un bras (22) dans une découpe (21) sur la position recherchée. Comme le mécanisme (6) agit sur le centre du rail (5) les forces appliquées sont minimes, le réglage peut être effectué par un seul joueur et le plan est toujours uniforme sur toute la longueur du rail.
PCT/IE2002/000159 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Appareil d'entrainement au putting WO2003041818A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002343187A AU2002343187A1 (en) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 A golf putting trainer
GB0410874A GB2397773A (en) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 A golf putting trainer

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE20010991 2001-11-15
IE2001/0991 2001-11-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003041818A2 true WO2003041818A2 (fr) 2003-05-22
WO2003041818A3 WO2003041818A3 (fr) 2004-02-12

Family

ID=11042860

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IE2002/000159 WO2003041818A2 (fr) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Appareil d'entrainement au putting

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002343187A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2397773A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003041818A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004101083A3 (fr) * 2003-05-13 2005-06-02 James Hourihan Appareil d'entrainement pour le golf
WO2009130514A1 (fr) * 2008-04-24 2009-10-29 The Easyway Golf Company Limited Appareil d’entraînement au putting de golf

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0812336D0 (en) 2008-07-04 2008-08-13 Willis Stuart Golf training device
GB2479006A (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-28 Yung-Shen Chen A golf swing training device with a track to guide a clubs swing path

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4634131A (en) 1983-04-18 1987-01-06 Vella Claude J Golf putting trainer

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB227725A (en) * 1924-06-25 1925-01-22 Ronald Grant Macnaughton An improved apparatus for practising golf and like games
US1960787A (en) * 1932-01-16 1934-05-29 Francis B Macstocker Precision golf instructor
US2653025A (en) * 1951-04-23 1953-09-22 Zega Frank Mechanical golf instruction aid
US2807472A (en) * 1956-12-03 1957-09-24 Verne J Hatfield Golf swing trainer
US4280701A (en) * 1980-07-11 1981-07-28 John Beckish Golf swing training device
GB8724226D0 (en) * 1987-10-15 1987-11-18 Higginson N Golf training apparatus
US5332211A (en) * 1993-03-22 1994-07-26 Rife Guerin D Device for practicing putting and chipping strokes
JP3408412B2 (ja) * 1997-10-28 2003-05-19 株式会社日立トラストパック ゴルフパター練習装置

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4634131A (en) 1983-04-18 1987-01-06 Vella Claude J Golf putting trainer

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004101083A3 (fr) * 2003-05-13 2005-06-02 James Hourihan Appareil d'entrainement pour le golf
WO2009130514A1 (fr) * 2008-04-24 2009-10-29 The Easyway Golf Company Limited Appareil d’entraînement au putting de golf

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IE20020881A1 (en) 2003-06-11
GB2397773A (en) 2004-08-04
GB0410874D0 (en) 2004-06-16
GB2397773A9 (en) 2004-09-22
WO2003041818A3 (fr) 2004-02-12
AU2002343187A1 (en) 2003-05-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11980789B2 (en) Exercise machine with adjustable handles
US8992393B2 (en) Change of direction machine and method of training therefor
US8663075B2 (en) Change of direction machine and method of training therefor
US20060128492A1 (en) Golf trainer
US6482139B1 (en) Exercise apparatus
US5527243A (en) Adjustable horse-riding type exerciser
US20110281692A1 (en) Treadmill apparatus
US7014569B1 (en) Golf club with replaceable heads
US20040092341A1 (en) Portable basketball system
EP1679101A1 (fr) skateboard
US7074134B2 (en) Putting trainer
EP1195180A2 (fr) Patin à glace articulé
WO2003041818A2 (fr) Appareil d'entrainement au putting
US6224086B1 (en) Apparatus for gliding over snow
EP0063131A4 (fr) Dispositif d'entrainement de swing.
IE83602B1 (en) A Golf Putting Trainer
KR101212883B1 (ko) 골프 타격 연습기
EP3177374B1 (fr) Activateur central de planche à rame
US20060063602A1 (en) Golf swing training apparatus
KR20100118410A (ko) 골프스윙연습기
KR101499931B1 (ko) 로프트 각도 조절이 가능한 퍼터
KR100412931B1 (ko) 아이언클럽의 헤드 로프트각 조절장치
US20240115901A1 (en) Exercise device
IE20040333A1 (en) A golf trainer
WO2011090501A1 (fr) Accessoire de golf ajustable

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 0410874

Country of ref document: GB

Kind code of ref document: A

Free format text: PCT FILING DATE = 20021115

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP