WO2006033533A1

WO2006033533A1 - Mat for golf swing training

Info

Publication number: WO2006033533A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003036
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heung Goo Kim
Original assignee: Heung Goo Kim
Priority date: 2004-09-21
Filing date: 2005-09-14
Publication date: 2006-03-30

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a mat for golf swing training, having inclination adjustment means (20) to adjust an inclination of a mat body (10), and a hitting revolution member (30) to cause a golf ball hit by an external force to revolve around a support shaft (31), thus allowing the golf ball to be repetitively hit at various angles. The mat body (10) is divided into mat parts. A rail (40) is installed on a lower surface of each of the mat parts to form a continuous course. A support bar (50) is provided so that an end thereof moves in the rail (40) to vary a spacing distance between the mat parts. Thereby, an interval between the mat parts is adjusted, while the mat parts are coupled by the support bar (50) and ends of the mat parts are supported by the support bar.

Description

MAT FOR GOLF SWING TRAINING

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a mat for golf swing training and, more particularly, to a mat for golf swing training, having an inclination adjustment means to adjust the inclination of the mat and a hitting revolution member to revolve a golf ball within a predetermined radius when the ball is hit, in which the mat is divided into mat parts, and the mat parts are coupled to each other by a support bar that moves along a rail mounted to the lower surface of each mat part, thus allowing the golf ball to be repetitively hit at various angles, and enabling an interval between the mat parts to be adjusted according to length of a golf club, therefore allowing a person to practice golf using all golf clubs. Background Art

[2] Generally, beginners who are just starting to learn golf must acquire the basics of swinging or putting before playing on a course. In consideration of cost, travel distance, and others, a person learns the basics of swinging or putting in a golf practice facility, and then he or she goes to a course to play golf. Swinging practice is usually carried out by appropriately positioning a golf ball and hitting the golf ball. In order to aid the swinging practice, various golf practice devices have been developed.

[3] For example, a conventional golf practice device disclosed in Korean U.M. Reg¬ istration No. 332266 will be described below in brief.

[4] The golf practice device includes an inclination adjustment member which has the shape of a plate, with a base plate provided on the upper surface of the inclination adjustment member. The golf practice device also includes a rectangular base member having inclination support parts and vertical support parts. The inclination support parts protrude from the lower surface of the inclination adjustment member in such a way as to be inclined outwards, and face each other. The vertical support parts are provided between the inclination support parts in such a way as to face each other. Further, four leg supports each having a 'U' shape are provided near inner corners of th e base member, with a rotating shaft provided to couple both sides of each leg support. The golf practice device also includes a plurality of straight line-shaped leg members. The leg members are received in each leg support and are arranged to be adjacent to each other. The leg members are sequentially arranged such that the shortest leg member is located at the innermost position and the longest leg member is located at the outermost position. One end of each leg member is coaxially coupled to the rotating shaft of each leg support in such a way as to be rotatable. [5] The golf practice device is constructed to variously and precisely adjust the in¬ clination of the inclination adjustment member and the position of a hitting revolution member to which a golf ball is coupled, thus allowing swinging practice to be repeatedly conducted under variously inclined conditions. However, in the con¬ ventional golf practice device, the technology regarding division of a mat part to support a user's load and a mat part on which a light golf ball is mounted is not mentioned. The conventional golf practice device is problematic in that, even though the mat is divided into the mat parts, the inclination of the mat parts must be in¬ dividually adjusted, so that it is difficult to form a continuous inclination. The con¬ ventional golf practice device has another problem in that a complete set of inclination adjustment members must be installed on respective mat parts, thus incurring high product costs, and increasing the weight of the product, thereby it is inconvenient to store and carry. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mat for golf swing training, which is divided into a mat part on which a golf ball is mounted and a mat part which directly supports a user's load, and which adjusts the interval between the divided mat parts to form a continuous inclination, thus allowing a person to practice golf at various hit intervals.

[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mat for golf swing training, in which divided mat parts are coupled to each other so that they are adjusted simul¬ taneously when the inclination of the mat is adjusted, thus requiring only one set of in¬ clination adjustment means, therefore reducing the cost and weight of a product. Thereby, it is easy to store and carry. Technical Solution

[8] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a mat for golf swing training, having inclination adjustment means (20) to adjust an inclination of a mat body (10), and a hitting revolution member (30) to cause a golf ball hit by an external force to revolve around a support shaft (31), thus allowing the golf ball to be repetitively hit at various angles, wherein the mat body (10) is divided into mat parts, a rail (40) is installed on a lower surface of each of the mat parts to form a continuous course; and a support bar (50) is provided so that an end thereof moves in the rail (40) to vary a spacing distance between the mat parts, whereby an interval between the mat parts is adjusted, while the mat parts are coupled by the support bar (50) and ends of the mat parts are supported by the support bar. [9] Further, the inclination adjustment means (20) includes a plurality of leg members

(21) having different lengths, and coupled to a rotating shaft which is secured to a lower surface of the mat body (10); and a support member (22) having a support end to limit rotation of each of the leg members (21), and secured to the lower surface of the mat body (10). Preferably, a plurality of leg members and support members are installed on the spaced mat parts.

[10] The inclination adjustment means (20) includes a leg member (21) open at a lower portion thereof; and a pair of coupling members (23) protruding from an upper surface of the leg member (21) and spaced apart from each other and parallelly arranged, with space (24) being defined between the coupling members (23) to receive either of the support bar (50) or the rail (40).

[11] Preferably, two or more inclination adjustment means (20) are provided to be stacked up.

[12] Further, the support shaft (31) of the hitting revolution member is coupled at a lower end thereof to an upper portion of a mounting plate (60) which is detachably fastened to an upper surface of the mat body (10) via a bolt, a lower portion of the support shaft having a shape of a conical shaft and an upper portion of the support shaft having a shape of a circular shaft such that the golf ball moves upwards while revolving, when the golf ball is hit by an external force. Preferably, the golf ball is coupled to an end of a strap which is fastened to the support shaft (31) while maintaining a clearance therefrom.

[13] Further, the rail (40) and the support bar (50) comprise rectangular pipes or circular pipes having different inner and outer diameters.

[14] Preferably, the end of the support bar (50) is removable from the rail (40), thus allowing the mat parts to be separated from each other.

Advantageous Effects

[15] As described above, the present invention allows a golf ball to be repetitively hit at various angles, and allows easy adjustment of a hit interval, thus allowing a person to practice his or her golf swing, using all golf clubs, having various lengths.

[16] According to this invention, divided mat parts are coupled to each other, so that the inclination of the mat parts is simultaneously adjusted, thus only one set of inclination adjustment means is required. Therefore, the cost and weight of a product are reduced, so that it is easy to store and carry.

[17] The present invention is suitable for hitting a golf ball which is not anchored in an open space, such as a golf practice facility, as well as a limited interior space.

[18] Furthermore, it is easy to form a planar surface having the same gradient.

Brief Description of the Drawings [19] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a mat for golf swing training, according to the present invention;

[20] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower portion of the mat for golf swing training, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[21] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the state where support bars of the mat according to the first embodiment of this invention are removed;

[22] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an inclination adjustment means, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[23] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the state where the inclination adjustment means according to the second embodiment is mounted to a mat; and

[24] Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the state where inclination adjustment means according to the second embodiment are stacked. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[25] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[26] <First embodiment

[27] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a mat for golf swing training, according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower portion of the mat for golf swing training, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the state where support bars of the mat according to the first embodiment of this invention are removed.

[28] As shown in the drawings, a mat for golf swing training according to the present invention includes a mat body 10, inclination adjustment means 20, a hitting revolution member 30, rails 40, and support bars 50. The mat body 10 is separately manufactured, according to the positions of a golf ball and a user. The rails 40 are provided on the lower surface of the mat body 10, and the support bars 50 are coupled to the cor¬ responding rails 40. Such a mat allows the user to repetitively hit the golf ball at various angles, in addition to allowing adjustment of the hit interval.

[29] In order to repetitively hit the golf ball at various angles, the present invention includes the inclination adjustment means 20 and the hitting revolution member 30. A plurality of inclination adjustment means 20 is provided on the outer portion of the lower surface of the mat body 10, and adjusts the inclination of the mat body 10 using the height difference of the inclination adjustment means 20. When the golf ball placed on the mat body 10 is hit, the hitting revolution member 30 causes the golf ball to revolve around a support shaft 31 of the hitting revolution member 30 and to return to its original position. Thus, a user can repetitively hit the golf ball at one place, without the necessity of moving to another place. [30] The mat body 10 is divided into a mat part on which the golf ball is mounted, and a mat part where the player is located. The area of each mat part is determined in con¬ sideration of the position of the golf ball, the interval between the user's feet during a hit, and the width of the rails 40, the support bars 50, and the inclination adjustment means 20. Each mat part includes a rigid main body having the shape of a flat plate and artificial grass. The rigid main body provides rigidity to support the raised load of the components provided on the upper surface of each mat part, the user, and the golf club. The artificial grass is attached to the upper surface of the rigid main body so as to afford the sensation of a fairway.

[31] In the first embodiment of Fig. 2, the inclination adjustment means 20 includes a plurality of leg members 21 and a support member 22. The leg members 21 having various lengths are fastened to one rotating shaft which is secured to the lower surface of the mat body 10. The support member 22 is secured to the lower surface of the mat body 10, and is disposed outside the leg members 21 to limit the rotation of the leg members 21 which rotate about the rotating shaft.

[32] Among the leg members 21 of the inclination adjustment means 20 having different lengths, a user selects a leg member 21 having a length suitable to form a desired inclination angle in the state where the leg members 21 are secured to the support member 22, comparing the height of another inclination adjustment means 20. By rotating a free end of the leg member 21 from an initial position where the leg member 21 contacts the lower surface of the mat body 10, a designated inclination angle is easily formed. While a user practices his or her golf swing on the mat body 10, the leg members 21 are supported by the support members 22. Thereby, a downward acting load is stably supported.

[33] The rails 40 are mounted on the lower surface of each of the divided mat parts, and form a continuous linear course between the mat parts. One straight line-shaped support bar 50 is coupled between the rails 40 forming the continuous course in such a way as to move along the rails 40.

[34] When an interval between the mat parts is formed, the rails 40 are coupled to the corresponding support bars 50 and are moved along with the mat body 10. Thus, each support bar 50 moves along the rails 40 while opposite ends of the support bar 50 are inserted into the rails 40 mounted on the divided mat parts.

[35] In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, each rail 40 has the shape of a rectangular pipe. Each rail 40 is fastened to the lower surface of the mat body 10 such that the outside end of the rail 40 is blocked by a bolt or the like and the inside end thereof is open. Each support bar 50 has the shape of a bar or pipe having a rectangular cross- section, and is fitted into corresponding rails 40.

[36] The support bars 50 couple the divided mat parts to each other such that the mat parts form a flat plate having the same gradient, and adjust the interval between the mat parts. When the mat body 10 forms various angles and is positioned in space, the support bars 50 serve to support the end of the mat body 10. Further, the support bars 50 function to distribute the load from the mat part where a user is located to the mat part on which the golf ball is seated, because the load concentratedly acts on the mat part where the user is located.

[37] The present invention allows adjustment of the distance between the golf ball and the striking position, which must vary according to the length of a golf club, by adjusting the distance between the divided mat parts. According to this invention, continuous angles are formed while maintaining the coupling of the mat part where the golf ball is seated with the mat part where a user is located. Thus, it is unnecessary to increase the area of the mat part where a user is located so as to provide various hit distances. Further, the mat part where the user is located does not move independently of the mat part where the golf ball is seated. Thus, it is unnecessary to separately adjust the inclination of the mat parts. Therefore, the volume and weight of the mat are minimized, and it is possible to easily adjust a hit distance according to the length of various golf clubs. Further, the angle of the mat is easily adjusted as a user desires.

[38] While the mat parts are coupled and supported by the support bars 50, the in¬ clination of the mat body 10 is adjusted. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the inclination adjustment means 20 may be formed as one set throughout the mat part where the golf ball is seated and the mat part where the user is located, thus reducing the weight cor¬ responding to the inclination adjustment means 20, therefore being easy to store and carry, in addition to reducing the costs of a product.

[39] The lower portion of the hitting revolution member 30 has the shape of a conical shaft, and the support shaft 31 having the shape of a circular shaft is continuously provided above the conical shaft. Further, a strap coupled at an end thereof to the golf ball is fastened to the support shaft 31 while maintaining a specific clearance, and a stop disc is provided on the upper end of the support shaft 31 so as to prevent the strap from becoming disengaged from the support shaft 31. Such a construction allows the golf ball to move upwards while revolving when the golf ball is hit.

[40] The hitting revolution member 30 is mounted to the upper portion of a mounting plate 60 which is detachably fastened to the upper surface of the mat body 10 using a bolt. Thus, when a user desires to use the mat in a limited space, the mounting plate 60 is mounted to the upper surface of the mat body 10, so that the user may practice golf using the golf ball fastened to the hitting revolution member 30. Meanwhile, when the user desires to use the mat in an open space, such as a golf practice facility, the mounting plate 60 is detached from the mat body, so that the user may practice golf using a plurality of golf balls which are not fastened to the hitting revolution member. [41] When ends of each support bar 50 are constrained by the interior of the rails 40, the divided mat parts are stably coupled and supported. As shown in Fig. 3, when the mat is manufactured such that ends of the support bars 50 are not constrained by the interior of the rails 40 but are removable from the rails 40, the mat parts may be completely separated from each other such that they may be independently moved. Thus, the relative position between the mat part where the golf ball is seated and the mat body where a user is located may be variously adjusted. Further, the mat parts may form another inclination. When the mat is stored or carried, the mat parts may overlap, thus effectively reducing the volume of the mat, therefore allowing the mat to be easily used.

[42] <Second Embodiment

[43] Since the second embodiment of this invention is equal to the first embodiment except for an inclination adjustment means, other components will not be described, and only the inclination adjustment means will be described below.

[44] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an inclination adjustment means according to the second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the state where the inclination adjustment means according to the second embodiment is mounted to a mat, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the state where inclination adjustment means according to the second embodiment are stacked.

[45] As shown in the drawings, the inclination adjustment means 20 includes a leg member 21 and coupling members 23, and is secured to each support bar 50 or rail 40 which are provided on the lower surface of the mat body 10, thus adjusting the in¬ clination of the mat body 10.

[46] The leg member 21 has the shape of a box which is open at a bottom thereof. The lower end of the leg member 21 usually contacts the ground or the like.

[47] Further, a pair of coupling members 23 is laterally provided on the upper surface of the leg member 21 in such a way as to protrude upwards from the leg member 21. The coupling members 23 are parallel and spaced apart from each other, so that space 24 is defined between the coupling members 23.

[48] As the support bar 50 or rail 40 is inserted into the space 24 defined between the coupling members 23, the mat body 10 is coupled to the inclination adjustment means 20. Simultaneously, part of the mat body 10 coupled to the inclination adjustment means 20 is heightened corresponding to the height of the leg member 21, so that the mat body 10 is naturally inclined.

[49] Further, a plurality of inclination adjustment means 20 may be stacked and coupled to the mat body 10, thus precisely adjusting the inclination of the mat body 10.

[50] As shown in FIG. 6, the inclination adjustment means 20 are stacked in the manner of inserting the coupling members 23 of a lower inclination adjustment means 20a into the lower opening of an upper inclination adjustment means 20b. [51] Thus, the inclination adjustment means 20 are stacked and coupled to the mat body

10, thus allowing the inclination of the mat body 10 to be precisely adjusted. [52] Herein, the inclination adjustment means according to two embodiments of this invention have been described. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Industrial Applicability [53] As described above, the present invention provides a mat for golf swing training, which is conveniently used by expert golfers as well as beginners, indoors or in a golf practice facility, thus being practical and applicable to the golf industry.

Claims

[1] A mat for golf swing training, having inclination adjustment means (20) to adjust an inclination of a mat body (10), and a hitting revolution member (30) to cause a golf ball hit by an external force to revolve around a support shaft (31), thus allowing the golf ball to be repetitively hit at various angles, wherein the mat body (10) is divided into mat parts, a rail (40) is installed on a lower surface of each of the mat parts to form a continuous course; and a support bar (50) is provided so that an end thereof moves in the rail (40) to vary a spacing distance between the mat parts, whereby an interval between the mat parts is adjusted, while the mat parts are coupled by the support bar (50) and ends of the mat parts are supported by the support bar.

[2] The mat according to claim 1, wherein the inclination adjustment means (20) comprises: a plurality of leg members (21) having different lengths, and coupled to a rotating shaft which is secured to a lower surface of the mat body (10); and a support member (22) having a support end to limit rotation of each of the leg members (21), and secured to the lower surface of the mat body (10), a plurality of leg members and support members being installed on the spaced mat parts.

[3] The mat according to claim 1, wherein the inclination adjustment means (20) comprises: a leg member (21) open at a lower portion thereof; and a pair of coupling members (23) protruding from an upper surface of the leg member (21), and spaced apart from each other and parallelly arranged, with space (24) being defined between the coupling members (23) to receive either of the support bar (50) or the rail (40).

[4] The mat according to claim 3, wherein two or more inclination adjustment means

(20) are provided to be stacked up.

[5] The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support shaft (31) of the hitting revolution member is coupled at a lower end thereof to an upper portion of a mounting plate (60) which is detachably fastened to an upper surface of the mat body (10) via a bolt, a lower portion of the support shaft having a shape of a conical shaft and an upper portion of the support shaft having a shape of a circular shaft such that the golf ball moves upwards while revolving, when the golf ball is hit by an external force, the golf ball being coupled to an end of a strap which is fastened to the support shaft (31) while maintaining a clearance therefrom. [6] The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rail (40) and the support bar (50) comprise rectangular pipes or circular pipes having different inner and outer diameters. [7] The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end of the support bar

(50) is removable from the rail (40), thus allowing the mat parts to be separated from each other.