WO2007052926A1

WO2007052926A1 - Inclination - adjustable apparatus for golf practice

Info

Publication number: WO2007052926A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong-Suob Han
Original assignee: Yong-Suob Han
Priority date: 2005-11-03
Filing date: 2006-10-30
Publication date: 2007-05-10
Also published as: KR100654252B1

Abstract

An inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice includes a practicing plate for golf practice; a motor installed below the practicing plate to drive the practicing plate; a first gear installed to a drive shaft of the motor to transmit motor power such that the practicing plate moves its right/left sides to form an inclination in a right/left direction; a second gear installed to the drive shaft to transmit motor power such that the practicing plate moves its front/rear to form an inclination in a front/rear direction; and an electronic clutch installed to the gears for intercepting power transmission of the gears. The electronic clutch intercepts the power transmission of the gears in a way that the practicing plate may make an inclination in either the right/left direction or the front/rear direction. This apparatus allows golfers to exercise standing postures suitable for various inclinations by himself in a golf practice range.

Description

INCLINATION - ADJUSTABLE APPARATUS FOR GOLF

PRACTICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice, and more particularly an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice, which allows a user to exercise standing postures suitable for various inclinations by himself/ herself. Background Art

[2] Generally, in a golf practice range, a golfer exercises swinging senses and hitting postures so that the golfer may be adapted to the geographical features of a real golf field. For this purpose, various inclination adjusting devices have been developed and used in golf practice ranges so that golfers may be well fitted to various inclined regions of the field.

[3] However, such an inclination adjusting device occupies a great installation space or it is not easy to install the device. In addition, since the device cannot smoothly adjust an inclination, a golf may feel uneasiness.

[4] Meanwhile, if only the inclination adjusting device is installed, a golfer exercises the golf without making an accurate posture suitable for the inclination. In this case, the golfer should make a right standing posture and the position of a golf ball should be changed depending on the inclination. However, using the conventional device, the golfer exercises the golf with putting golf balls always at the same position.

[5] As a result, using the conventional device, a golfer may not easily learn standing postures for various inclinations, and much time and cost are required for the learning. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] The present invention is designed in consideration of the above problems, and therefore it is an object of the invention to provide an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf exercise, which allows a golfer to be acquainted with standing postures for various inclinations.

[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf exercise, which may reduce time and cost required for going to a field.

Technical Solution

[8] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice, which includes a practice plate for golf practice; a motor installed to a lower portion of the practice plate to operate the practice plate; a first gear installed to a driving shaft of the motor to transmit power of the motor to the practice plate so that a right or left side of the practice plate is vertically moved to form an inclination of a right and left direction; a second gear installed to the driving shaft of the motor to transmit power of the motor to the practice plate so that a front or rear side of the practice plate is vertically moved to form an inclination in a front and rear direction; and an electronic clutch installed to the first and second gears to disconnect power transmission of the first and second gears, wherein the electronic clutch controls power transmission by disconnecting power transmission of the first and second gears so that the practice plate makes an inclination only in a right and left direction or in a front and rear direction.

[9] In addition, the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the present invention preferably further includes a body having an open upper portion so that the practice plate is installed therein through the open upper portion; a rail allowing movement of the body in a length direction thereof; and a third gear installed to the driving shaft of the motor to transmit power of the motor to the practice plate so that the body moves along the rail in a right and left direction.

[10] Preferably, the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the present invention further includes a golf ball automatic supplier installed to a right side of an upper surface of the practice plate to automatically supply a golf ball.

[11] More preferably, the golf ball automatic supplier automatically controls a position where a golf ball is placed, in correspondence to an inclination angle of the practice plate.

[12] Meanwhile, the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the present invention may further include a foot guide lamp installed to a left side of an upper surface of the practice plate to inform a golfer of a place where the feet of the golfer are placed, in correspondence to an inclination angle of the practice plate.

[13] Preferably, the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the present invention further includes an angle sensing unit for sensing an inclination angle of the practice plate.

[14] More preferably, an upper surface of the practice plate has a hemispherical concave shape. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description, taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a practice plate and a gear unit for driving the practice plate employed in the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing that the practice plate employed in the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is not inclined;

[19] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing that the practice plate employed in the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is inclined; and

[20] FIGs. 5 to 9 show PLC programs used in the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[21] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the invention, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a practice plate and a gear unit for driving the practice plate employed in the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[23] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to the present invention includes a body 10, a rail 12 installed for movement of the body 10, a practice plate 14 allowing a golfer to exercise golf on its upper surface, a motor 20 for driving the body 10 and the practice plate 14, a gear unit 30 driven by the motor 20, and an electronic clutch 40 and an electronic brake 42 installed to the gear unit 30.

[24] The body 10 has a cubic shape with an open upper portion, and the practice plate

14, explained later, is installed in the body 10 through the open upper portion. The body 10 may move forward or backward along the rail 12, explained later. Wheels 10a are installed on the lower surface of the body 10 so as to allow forward or backward movement of the body 10. A movement direction of the body 10 is defined such that a target point toward which a golfer hits a golf ball is a forward direction, and the front, back, right and left directions are determined based on the target pint. A moving direction of the practice plate 14 and a facing direction of the practice plate 14, explained later, are also determined based on the same criterion.

[25] The rail 12 is installed below the body 10. Teeth are formed on the upper surface of the rail 12, and the teeth are engaged with a pinion gear 36b of a third gear 36, explained later, so that the body 10 may move forward or backward. Preferably, a cover 13 is installed above the rail 12 so as to hide the rail 12. More preferably, wheels 13a are installed on the lower surface of the cover 13 so that the cover 13 may move forward or backward.

[26] The practice plate 14 has a cubic shape with a flat upper surface and an open lower portion, and a golfer stands on the upper surface for golf practice. The practice plate 14 makes an inclination by the motor 20 and the gear unit 30, explained later, as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, so that a golfer may exercise golf on an inclined area. In case the practice plate 14 makes an inclination, preferably the inclination has an angle of 10 degrees.

[27] The motor 20 is installed to a lower portion of the practice plate 14 to supply power so that the body 10 moves or the practice plate 14 makes an inclination.

[28] The gear unit 30 includes a first gear 32 combined to a right side of a driving shaft

22 of the motor 20 to incline the practice plate 14 in a right and left direction, a second gear 34 installed to a front side of the driving shaft 22 of the motor 20 to incline the practice plate 14 in a front and rear direction, and a third gear 36 installed to a left side of the driving shaft 22 of the motor 20 to move the body 10 in a right and left direction. In addition, the gear unit 30 includes a direction changing unit 38 used for direction change, worm gears 32c, 34c, pinion gears 32a, 34a, 36a, and rack gears 32b, 34b, 36b.

[29] In the gear unit 30, the direction changing unit 38 is installed to a cross point of the driving shaft, which is diverged from the motor 20 toward the first gear 32, the second gear 34 and the third gear 36. The electronic clutch 40 and the electronic brake 42 are installed in order toward each end of the first, second and third gears 32, 34, 36, and the pinion gears 32a, 34a, 36a are installed at the ends of first, second and third gears 32, 34, 36. The worm gears 32c, 34c are installed at the ends of the first and second gears for the purpose of direction change. The pinion gears 32a, 34a, 36a are respectively driven in engagement with the rack gears 32b, 34b pivotally connected to the practice plate 14 and the rack gear 36b coupled to one side of the rail 12. The rack gears 32b, 34b are installed perpendicularly to the practice plate 14, and rotation balls 32d, 34d are mounted to each end of the rack gears 32b, 34b, coupled with the practice plate 14, so that the rack gears 32b, 34b are pivotally coupled with coupling members 15 of the practice plate 14.

[30] A rotating power from the motor 20 is transmitted to the first gear 32, the second gear 34 and the third gear 36 via the direction changing unit 38.

[31] The first gear 32 transmits power of the motor 20 so that a right side of the practice plate 14 may move upward or downward so as to make an inclination in a right and left direction of the practice plate 14. The second gear 34 transmits power of the motor 20 so that a rear side of the practice plate 14 moves upward or downward so as to make an inclination in a front and rear direction of the practice plate 14. The third gear 36 transmits power of the motor 20 so that the body 10 may move forward or backward along the rail 12. In case of a down hill, a hit golf ball may be collided with the ground of the golf practice range, while, in case of an up hill, a hit golf ball may be collided with the ceiling of the golf practice range. Thus, in order to protect a golfer and other persons against the golf ball bounding from the ground or ceiling, the body is moved to a front portion of the golf practice range by means of the third gear 36. In the front portion of the golf practice range, the front portion of the body 10 is relatively more opened rather than in the rear portion of the golf practice range.

[32] The electronic clutch 40 is a shaft connection device for temporarily connecting or disconnecting power of the motor 20. The electronic clutch 40 plays a role of temporarily connecting or disconnecting power transmission of the gear unit 30 so that the practice plate 14 makes only right and left movement or forward and backward movement.

[33] The electronic brake 42 uses an electromagnet to stop movement of the first, second and third gears 32, 34, 36.

[34] A golf ball automatic supplier 50 is installed to a right upper surface of the practice plate 14 to automatically supply a golf ball so that a golfer may hit the golf ball. In addition, the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball in front of a foot guide lamp 60, explained later. In case a golfer drives a golf ball, the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball onto a tee 54 of a tee height adjusting device 52.

[35] The tee height adjusting device 52 includes a tee height adjustment motor 53 and a tee 54. If a tee-up button is pressed, the tee height adjustment motor 53 of the tee height adjusting device 52 rotates to ascend the tee 54, while, if a tee-down button is pressed, the tee height adjustment motor 53 rotates in a reverse direction to descend the tee 54. Preferably, the tee height adjusting device 52 is installed to the practice plate 14 such that the tee 54 may vertically move upward or downward at any angle.

[36] The foot guide lamp 60 is installed to a left side of the upper surface of the practice plate 14 and turns on and off to inform a golfer of a place where the feet should be placed according to the inclination angle of the practice plate 14. The foot guide lamp 60 includes front lamps 62a, 62b installed at the front, second lamps 64a, 64b installed at the middle, and third lamps 66a, 66b installed at the rear. Preferably, the foot guide lamp 60 employs LED. More preferably, the foot guide lamp 60 is installed to be movable on the upper surface of the practice plate 14 so that a gap between the lamps for both feet may be changed since the gap between both feet is different depending on the figure of the golfer.

[37] In addition, an angle sensing unit 70 is installed to the lower surface of the practice plate 14 so as to sense an inclination angle of the practice plate 14.

[38] Also, a controller is connected to the motor 20, the first, second and third gears 32,

34, 36, the golf ball automatic supplier 50 and the foot guide lamp 60 so as to detect the status of the inclination-adjustable apparatus 100 for golf practice and accordingly control the inclination-adjustable apparatus 100.

[39] Now, the operations of the inclination-adjustable apparatus 100 for golf practice according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained for each mode. The operations of the inclination-adjustable apparatus may be classified into a drive mode, an uphill mode, a downhill mode, a sidehill up mode, and a sidehill down mode.

[40] The drive mode is used for hitting a golf ball to a long distance. For the drive mode, the practice plate 14 is firstly set into a horizontal status using an uphill button, a downhill button, a sidehill up button and a sidehill down button of the controller 80. If the practice plate 14 is set to a horizontal status, the controller 80 automatically recognizes the status and comes to the drive mode, and then the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the second lamps 64a, 64b at both right and left. And then, a start button is pressed so that the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball on the top of the tee 54, and then the golfer hits the golf ball.

[41] The uphill mode is used for practicing golf with virtually setting an upward inclination region near a hole green. For the uphill mode, firstly the uphill button of the controller 80 is pressed so that the front side of the practice plate 14 (a left portion of a golfer based on the address posture of a right-handed golfer) is relatively lifted up rather than the rear side to make an inclination in a front and rear direction. If the inclination of the uphill mode is formed so that the front side of the practice plate 14 is lifted up rather than the rear side, the controller 80 automatically recognizes the status and comes to the uphill mode, so the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the first lamp 62a for the left foot and the third lamp 66b for the right foot. And then, the start button is pressed so that the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball to a first point 56, and then the golfer hits the golf ball. In case of the uphill, the golf ball is curved left when flying, so the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the first lamp 62a for the left foot and the third lamp 66b for the right foot in this consideration. In addition, in order that the hit golf ball is not disturbed by the ground, the golf ball is automatically supplied to the first point 56 in consideration of a hitting point of a swinging golfer.

[42] The downhill mode is used for practicing golf with virtually setting a downward inclination region near the hole green. For the downhill mode, the downhill button of the controller 80 is firstly pressed so that the rear side of the practice plate 14 (a right portion of a golfer based on the address posture of a right-handed golfer) is lifted up to make an inclination in a front and rear direction. If the rear side of the practice plate 14 is relatively lifted up rather than the front side to make an inclination of the downhill mode, the controller 80 automatically recognizes the status and comes to the downhill mode, and the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the third lamp 66a for the left foot and the first lamp 62b for the right foot. After that, the start button is pressed so that the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball to a third point 58, and then the golfer hits the golf ball. In case of the downhill, the golf ball is curved right while flying, so the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the third lamp 66a for the left foot and the first lamp 62b for the right foot in this consideration. In addition, considering a hitting point of a swinging golfer, the golf ball is automatically supplied to the third point 58.

[43] The sidehill up mode is used when a golf ball is placed higher than the feet of the golfer. For the sidehill up mode, the sidehill up button of the controller 80 is firstly pressed so that the right side of the practice plate 14 (a front portion of a golfer based on the address posture of a right-handed golfer) is relatively lifted up rather than the left side to make an inclination in a right and left direction. If the right side of the practice plate 14 is relatively lifted up rather than the left side to make an inclination of the sidehill up mode, the controller 80 automatically recognizes the status and comes to the sidehill up mode, and the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the first lamp 62a for the left and the third lamp 66b for the right. After that, the start button is pressed so that the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball to the first point 56, and then the golfer hits the golf ball. In case of the sidehill up, the golf ball is curved left when flying, so the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the first lamp 62a for the left foot and the third lamp 66b for the right foot in this consideration, and the golf ball is automatically supplied to the first point 56 near the left foot.

[44] The sidehill down mode is used when a golf ball is placed below the feet of the golfer. For the sidehill down mode, the sidehill down button of the controller 80 is firstly pressed so that the left side of the practice plate 14 (a front portion of a golfer based on the address posture of a right-handed golfer) is relatively lifted up rather than the right side to make an inclination in a right and left direction. If the left side of the practice plate 14 is relatively lifted up rather than the right side as mentioned above to make an inclination of the sidehill down mode, the controller 80 automatically recognizes the status and comes to the sidehill down mode, and the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the third lamp 66a for the left and the first lamp 62b for the right. And then, the start button is pressed so that the golf ball automatic supplier 50 automatically supplies a golf ball to the third point 58, and then the golfer hits the golf ball. In case of the sidehill down, the golf ball is curved right when flying, so the foot guide lamp 60 turns on the third lamp 66a for the left foot and the first lamp 62b for the right foot, and the golf ball is automatically supplied to the third point 58 near the right foot.

[45] The PLC program for operating the inclination-adjustable apparatus 100 for golf practice as mentioned above is shown in FIGs. 5 to 9.

[46] Meanwhile, if the practice plate 14 is inclined in the uphill, downhill, sidehill up and sidehill down modes, a golf ball may roll toward a lower region. In order to prevent such a case, the upper surface of the practice plate 14 has a hemispherical concave shape. Preferably, the upper surface of the practice plate 14 is made of rubber material.

[47] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Industrial Applicability

[48] As described above, the inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice has the following effects.

[49] First, the apparatus of the present invention allows control of inclination similarly to the real golf field, so it is possible to shorten a time required for a golfer beginner to be adapted to the field.

[50] Second, since the apparatus of the present invention is equipped with the golf ball automatic supplier, a golf ball may be automatically supplied to a position suitable for various inclinations.

[51] Third, since the apparatus of the present invention is provided with the foot guide lamp, the foot guide lamp may turn on lamps at positions suitable for each inclination.

[52] Fourth, since the practice plate is movable in a front and rear direction, it is possible to prevent a golfer and another person from being hurt by a hit golf ball that collides with and bounds from the floor or ceiling.

[53] Fifth, since the upper surface of the practice plate has a hemispherical concave shape made of rubber material, a golf ball will not roll due to the inclination of the practice plate, and the elasticity of the rubber allows stable golf practice without giving any influence when a golfer hits a golf ball.

Claims

[1] An inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice, comprising: a practice plate for golf practice; a motor installed to a lower portion of the practice plate to operate the practice plate; a first gear installed to a driving shaft of the motor to transmit power of the motor to the practice plate so that a right or left side of the practice plate is vertically moved to form an inclination of a right and left direction; a second gear installed to the driving shaft of the motor to transmit power of the motor to the practice plate so that a front or rear side of the practice plate is vertically moved to form an inclination in a front and rear direction; and an electronic clutch installed to the first and second gears to disconnect power transmission of the first and second gears, wherein the electronic clutch controls power transmission by disconnecting power transmission of the first and second gears so that the practice plate makes an inclination only in a right and left direction or in a front and rear direction.

[2] The inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to claim 1, further comprising: a body having an open upper portion so that the practice plate is installed therein through the open upper portion; a rail allowing movement of the body in a length direction thereof; and a third gear installed to the driving shaft of the motor to transmit power of the motor to the practice plate so that the body moves along the rail in a right and left direction.

[3] The inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to claim 1, further comprising a golf ball automatic supplier installed to a right side of an upper surface of the practice plate to automatically supply a golf ball.

[4] The inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to claim 3, wherein the golf ball automatic supplier automatically controls a position where a golf ball is placed, in correspondence to an inclination angle of the practice plate.

[5] The inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to claim 1, further comprising a foot guide lamp installed to a left side of an upper surface of the practice plate to inform a golfer of a place where the feet of the golfer are placed, in correspondence to an inclination angle of the practice plate.

[6] The inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an angle sensing unit for sensing an inclination angle of the practice plate.

[7] The inclination-adjustable apparatus for golf practice according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an upper surface of the practice plate has a hemispherical concave shape.