GB2533355A

GB2533355A - Golf training Device

Info

Publication number: GB2533355A
Application number: GB1422527.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Webster Alan; Thomas Webster Clive
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-17
Publication date: 2016-06-22

Abstract

A golf training device 10 comprising an upright support 16 to which a head 20 is adjustably attached, which may be adjustable in height. A ball 27 is supported by a support member extending between the ball and the head, the ball support means being rotatably mounted to the head to allow rotation about a substantially horizontal axis when hit by the user. The ball may be tethered to the support means. The head may be detachable from the support to allow the device to be collapsed. The device may be mounted on a plate 13, the upright support being attached via screws. The device may further comprise a transversely extending mat (11 fig. 2) comprising means to engage with the plate.

Description

Golf Training Device The present invention relates to a device for golf training.

A number of golf training devices are known that provide means for practising a golf swing, whilst limiting the displacement of the ball, for example so that a golfer can practice indoors. A feature of golf is the variation in the height of the tees used when taking a T-shot, and, as such, it is useful when practicing to simulate this.

Golf training devices are well known. GB1124581 (Edwards), US4861035 (Page), US3194557 (Holley) and US5989129 (O'Neill) disclose one kind of golf training device in which comprise a ball affixed to one end of a flexible cord, the other end of the cord being fixed to an arm which is mounted to a support. Typically, with such devices, once the ball is hit, the energy supplied by the imparted force dissipates through the cord, either through a coupling to the support mechanism via the arm, or through variance in tension within the cord and the motion of the ball. Since the cord is flexible, it is easily re-settable after each shot. A feature of further devices is a retractable cord, which allows the user to set the ball at different heights, to simulate different T-shots. However, a problem with such devices it that the cords may break under the intense impact of each shot, which is potentially dangerous. This problem is particularly pertinent to retractable cords because the retraction mechanism may break when the length of the exposed cord is reduced.

Alternative devices are known which comprise rigid arms in place of the cord, examples of which can be seen in US5577964 (Cheng), US2011306433 (Brantingham) and US2007155521 (Hauk). Such devices comprise a rotatable head to connect the rigid member and the arm as a mechanism to dissipate energy.

However, such devices do not allow for the user to simulate different T-shots.

The present invention aims to provide a golf training device which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a golf training device, the device comprising an upstanding support having a lower end for engaging the ground and an upper end, a head adjustably mounted to the upper end of the support, a ball and ball support means extending between the ball and the head, the ball support means being rotatably mounted to the head for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the head will be adjusted to the required height and the ball will be hit by the user. The ball and ball support means will rotate about the head such that the energy supplied to the ball dissipates into the head rather than into retraction mechanism. It is therefore possible to simulate a range of heights of T-shots whilst constraining the movement of the ball such that the user may safely practice indoors.

One advantage of the present invention is that the height adjusting means is disposed between the head and the support, such that the shot height may be varied without adjusting the length of the ball support means. Thus, any problems associated with the above-mentioned devices are avoided.

It will be appreciated that, generally, the weakest structural point of such a device is the adjustable portion, and, as such it is beneficial to reduce the tensional strain applied thereto. In the present invention, the rotating portion is sufficiently laterally disposed from the height adjusting means, such that the focal point of the centripetal force exerted to the device during rotation does not directly couple to said height adjusting means.

Preferably, the means for adjusting the height of the head portion comprises an arm and a clamp for engaging the arm to mount the head in the desired position.

Preferably the head is detachable from the support in order that the device can be collapsed for storage or transportation.

Preferably, the head is displaceable in a generally vertical axis relative to the support.

Preferably means are provided for limiting the displacement of the head relative to the support.

Preferably, the adjustable member is elongate and is provided on the head portion, the member being slidably mounted in a passageway on the support. Alternatively, the adjustable member is elongate and is provided on the support, the member being slidably mounted in a passageway on the head portion.

In one embodiment, the ball support means comprises an element which is rotatably mounted to the head and a tether extending between the element and the ball.

In an alternative embodiment, the ball support means comprises an element which is mounted to the head and a tether extending between the element and the ball, the tether being rotatably mounted to the element.

Preferably, the lower end of the support is detachably connected to a sheet member, preferably by means of a plurality of bolts.

Preferably the lower end of the support is connected to a plate which preferably connects to the sheet member. Preferably the support is detachably connected to the plate.

Preferably, the sheet member comprises a transversely extending mat comprising means to engage with the plate. In use the golfer stands on the mat when hitting the ball Preferably the mat comprises a first and second portion with pivoting means connecting therebetween.

Preferably, the first portion comprises means for connecting to the base.

Preferably, the first portion comprises a layer disposed under the ball comprising shock absorbing material.

Preferably the second portion comprises a protective layer.

Preferably, the mat may be put into a stored position wherein the first and second portions are disposed in face-to-face registration.

It will be appreciated that in use, the user will stand on the protective layer of the second mat portion when hitting the ball. The shock absorbing layer of the first mat portion is designed to protect the ground surface should the user hit it during use.

Preferably, the device is made from sufficiently strong material that it is not damaged by repeated use.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a golf training device; Figure 2 is a view along the lateral (iii) axis of the of the golf training device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view along the longitudinal (ii) axis of the of the golf training device of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a view along the vertical (iv) axis of the golf training device of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a golf training device comprising elongate flat base 11 having forward and rearward portions 11a, llb which are interconnected by a transversely-extending hinge 12. The forward portion 11a of the base 11 comprises a metal plate 13, which is secured to a base substrate sheet 14 by fastenings 15.

An inclined metal support arm 16 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the plate 13, the arm being detachably fixed to the plate by a square flange and screws (not shown). The upper end of the arm 16 is provided with a formation 17, which defines a vertically-extending passageway 18. A thumb screw 19 mounted to an upper end of the arm 16 comprises a distal end which extends into the passageway 18.

A head portion 20 comprises an elongate screw 21 on which a sleeve 22 is mounted. The head portion 20 is mounted to the lower end of an elongate arm 23, which is slidingly received in the passageway 18. A bolt 24 is fixed to the upper end of the arm 23, the bolt 24 and head 20 together serving as respective ends stops to limit the vertical movement of the arm 23 in the passageway 18. Following use, the bolt 24 can be removed to enable the arm 23 to be detached from the support arm 16 for storage.

A wheel 25 is rotatably mounted on the distal end of the screw 21 between the head thereof and the sleeve 22. The centre of the wheel 25 preferably comprises a bearing, for example formed of nylon. The wheel 25 comprises a circumferentially-extending slot around its periphery.

An elongate tether 26 extends between the wheel 25 and a ball 27. The upper end of the tether 26 is wrapped around the circumferentially-extending slot in the wheel 25 and is secured in-situ by a pair of clamps 28 which comprise a first clamp 28A to affix one end of the tether 26 to another portion thereof, and a second clamp 28B located between the first clamp 28B and the wheel 25 in order to further remove slack from the portion of the tether 26 which extends around the wheel 25. In use, the first clamp 28A prevents the second clamp 28B from sliding along the tether 26 and further prevents the tether from fraying. The second clamp 28B may be a cable tie. A sleeve 29 extends along the central portion of the tether 26.

In use, the height of the ball 27 can be adjusted by loosening the thumb screw 19 and sliding the arm 23 upwardly or downwardly in the passageway 18 to bring the ball 27 to the desired height. The height of the ball 27 can then be locked by tightening the thumb screw 19 to clamp against the arm 23. The user then hits the ball 27 transversely of the base 11: this causes the ball 27, the tether 26 and the wheel 25 to rotate about the screw 21. It will be appreciated that the considerable radial forces generated by the rotating ball 27 are simply applied to the head 20 independently of the ball height adjusting mechanism.

When not in use, the device can be disassembled and, in particular, the support arm 16 can be detached from the plate 13 and the plate 13 can be detached from the base 11 in order to make the device as compact as possible for storage.

A golf training device in accordance with the present invention is simple in construction, yet provides a safe and secure way of practicing indoors.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A golf training device, the device comprising an upstanding support having a lower end for engaging the ground and an upper end, a head adjustably mounted to the upper end of the support, a ball and ball support means extending between the ball and the head, the ball support means being rotatably mounted to the head for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.
2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the head is height adjustable to enable the ball to be hit by a user.
3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the height adjustment is enabled by height adjusting means disposed between the head and the support.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the rotation of the ball support means is enabled by a rotating portion laterally disposed relative to the height adjusting means.
5. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the height adjusting means comprises O an arm and a clamp for engaging the arm to mount the head in the desired position.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the head is detachable from the support to enable the device to be collapsed.
7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the head is displaceable in a generally vertical axis relative to the support.
8. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising an elongate adjustable member provided on the head portion.
9. A device according to Claim 8 wherein the adjustable member is slidably mounted in a passageway on the support.
10. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising an elongate adjustable member is provided on the support.
11. A device according to Claim 10 wherein the adjustable member is slidably mounted in a passageway on the head portion.
12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the ball support means comprises an element rotatably mounted to the head and a tether extending between the element and the ball.
13. A device according to Claim 12 wherein the tether is rotatably mounted to the element. 10
14. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the lower end of the support is detachably connected to a sheet member.
15. A device according to Claim 14 wherein the lower end of the support is detachably connected to the sheet member by means of a plurality of bolts.
16. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the lower end of the support is connected to a plate.a) 20
17. A device according to Claim 16 wherein the plate is connected to the sheet member.
18. A device according to Claim 16 wherein the support is detachably connected to the plate. 25
19. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising a transversely extending mat comprising means to engage with the plate.
20. A device according to Claim 19 wherein the mat comprises first and second pivotally connected portions.
21. A device according to Claim 20 wherein the first portion comprises means for connecting to the base.
22. A device according to Claim 20 wherein the first portion comprises a layer disposed under the ball comprising shock absorbing material.
23. A device according to Claim 20 wherein the second portion comprises a protective layer.
24. A device according to Claim 20 wherein the first and second portions are movable into face-to-face registration. ooO