US1940033A - Golf practice and game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

F. VON SCHLE'GELL" 1,940,033

GOLF PRACTICE AND GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JQ .g

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IN V EN TOR.

1933- F. VON SCHLEGELL 1,940,033

GOLF PRACTICE AND GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JIIHII INVENTOR.

bf 65 5 fwd Patented Dec. 19, I933 I r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 1,940,033 V GOLF PRACTICE AND AME APPARATUS Frederick 'von Schlegell, Pasadena, Calif. ApplicationJanu'ary 14, 1931. Serial No. 508,635

23 Claims. (01. 273-32) My invention has reference to apparatus by In carrying out my invention, I provide a suit- Which a golf player is enabled to practice drivable support S for supporting the entire appaing and other strokes in golf within a. restricted ratus (except the game board) in elevated poarea in order to permit its use either indoorsor sition with,respect to the floor or. ground upon 6 outdoors, and it also involves the adaptation of which the support rests, the support being struc- 60 such an apparatus as a scoring medium in the turally characterized by its ability to effectively playing of a game where the skill of the player support the apparatus in a manner to allow the both in respect to distance and direction deterunhampered striking of the captive ball with a mines the scoring ability or the player. golf club, and the unrestricted movement of the 10 It is a purpose of my'inventio'n to provide a ball within its intended range of movement. It 65 golf practice apparatus which is operable by is also true that the support allows the complete striking a captive golf ball to visibly demonreversal in position of the apparatus to permit strate the distance of a golf shot as well as the, its use by a left hand player as well as a right direction and straightness thereof. hand one.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide 'In .the present instance, the support includes a golf practice apparatusof the character above base 15 rising from which is a forwardly curved described and a suitable gameboard therefor, standard 16. Extended through and secured in the apparatus being operable to indicate simulthe upperendof the standard is'an axle 17 vertaneously both distance and direction, and with. tically disposed and upon which is rotatable a respectto the gameboard to indicate thereon radially extending frame 18. Fixedly secured to 75 the result of these two factors in a determinathe axle and standard beneath and clear of the, tion of the ultimate distance'of a golf shot to be frame is a disk 19. I used in the scoring of points in a game. On top of the frame 18 is secured an indicat- I will describe only one form of golf practice ing element E in the form of an elongated arm and game apparatus "embodying my I invention, or boom, and this element is thus movable about and will thenpcint out the novel features therethe vertical-axis l7 and in either direction from of in claims. I I the medial ornormal position shown in Figure In the accompanying drawings: 8. -A major part of the element E extends to the Figure 1 is a View showing in front elevation left of the axis 17, as when viewed in Figure 8, 30 one form. of golf practice and game apparatus that part of the element extending to the right 85 embodying my invention with the parts thereof of its axisproviding a mounting for sheaves,.

in normal or startingposition. II as will be described hereinafter.

Figures 2 and 3 are vertical transverse sec- The outer or free end of the frame 18 is tional vi ws taken on the lines 2--2 and 3--3, reformed with an extension 20 to which is secured spectively, of Figure 1. a' U-shaped hanger 21 carrying an axle 21 con- 90 igure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary planview stituting the top of a yoke Kand on which latshowing the clutch for one of the pulleys of the ter are pivoted the upper ends of a. pair of bars apparatus shown in the preceding views. 22 constitutingthe sides of the yoke. A trans- Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken verse plate 23 rigidly connects the bars adjacent on the line 5-5 of Figure 4. -the hanger 21, and through this plate a stud-24 95 Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view loosely extends with its shouldered .end secured taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3. I in the frame '18 by a nut 25, as best illustrated in Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional View taken Figures. The opposite end of the stud has a on the line 7-7 of Figure 3. nut 26 which forms an abutment for the plate 23. Figure 8 is a view-showing the apparatus in. The aforedescribed mounting of the yoke K top plan. permits rocking movement thereof about the Figure'9 is a fragmentary View similar to Figaxle as a center, but by means of the stud the are 1 but showing the parts of theapparatus in yoke is limitedin its rocking movement outpcsiticns which they assume as a result of the wardly from the frame, a result necessary to the ball being struck and rotated. proper operation of the apparatus.

Figure 10 is plan and semi-diagrammatic The inward swinging movement of the yoke view of the apparatus for the purpose of illus-" from its normal perpendicular position is comtrating the extreme positions which the indipletely restrained by a shoe 27 of rubber or other eating arm thereof occupies for indicating disuitable material secured to the yokeand having rection offlight'of the ball. I abutting relation to the periphery of the disk 110 19. For the purpose of preventing movement of the yoke circumferentially of the axis 17 when the shoe is in engagement with the disk, the periphery of the latter is knurled or otherwise roughened so as to have biting engagement with the shoe.

As best illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5, a shaft T is journaled in the lower ends of the bars 22, and this shaft is formed with a noncircular intermediate portion 28, preferably square, and provided with a slot 29, one side face of which is formed with a rack 30. Slidable lengthwise on the shaft portion 28 is a correspondingly shaped sleeve 31, ball bearings 32 being interposed between'the two in the manner illustrated in Figure 6.

A pintle 33 extends through the slot 29 and is journaled in the sleeve 31, and' this pintle is formed with a bearing 34 to abut'the underside of the sleeve, and with a threaded upper end for receiving a nut 35 to confine an upper bearing 36 on the pintle and to secure the pintle against displacement from the sleeve. The bearings 34 and 36 may be of any suitable type to freely support the pintle and its appurtenant parts for rotational movement in the sleeve. A pinion 3'7is fixed to the pintle so as'to constantly mesh with the rack 30, and as the pintle is mounted in the sleeve and movable laterally in the slot, rotation of the pintle will cause the rack to act through the pinion in sliding the sleeve lengthwise on the shaft T in one direction'or the other according as the pintle is retated in one direction or the other.

To the lower end of the pintle 33 is connected the upper end of a stiff and coiled spring 38 by means of a universal joint 39, the lower end of thespring being connected to the upper end of a rod, strip, or wire 40 made of spring steel to give it the requisite flexibility and yet prevent it from collapsing upon itself under its own weight and that of a ball 41. This ball is preferably a golf ball, and it is fixed to the lower end of the rod 40 so as to be rotatable therewith by means of a stud 42 extended into the ball and secured to the rod.

From the preceding description it will be clear that the pintle 33, joint 39, spring 38, rod 40, and stud 42 constitute in effect a single shaft designated at F upon which the ball is fixed,

and that rotation of the shaft F about its own.

axis will'cause it to shift lengthwise on the shaft T in one direction or the other'depending upon the direction in which the pintlev is. rotated. Irrespective of the position of the pintle longitudinally on the shaft T, an operative connection between the two is maintained so that when the ball is rotated about the shaft T as a center such motion will drive the latter.

Driving of the shaft T in this manner is utilized to actuate an indicator D on the arm E and so as to move the indicator outwardly on the arm as will be clear from a consideration of Figures 1 and 9. This indicator D comprises a frame 43 suspended from the arm 16 by groovedcollars 44 soas to be freely movable longitudinally on the arm. The frame is connected to the lower stretch of an endless cord 45, the latter being trained about a sheave 46 on the end of the arm E and a second sheave 47 on a shaft 48 journaled in uprights 49 secured to the frame 18.

The shaft 48 isoperatively connected to the shaft T by a sheave 50. and an endless cord 51. This cord is also trained about the shaft T, and

a groove 52 is formed in the shaft for confining the cord against longitudinal displacement on the shaft.

Thus it will be seen'that rotation of the shaft T actuates the cord 51 to rotate the shaft 48, and the latter in turn operates the cord 45 to move the indicator 1) outward on the'arm E, that is, assuming of course that the sheave 47 is fixed to the shaft 48. The sheave 47 is connected to the shaft 48 for rotation by the latter to actuate the cord 45 by the provision of a one way clutch C. This clutch may be of any conventional form and, in the present instance, it comprises a ratchet pinion 53 having a collared hub 56 keyed to the shaft 48, and upon which hub the sheave 47 is loose. By means of a spring pawl 55 secured to a semi-circular collar 54 on the sheave 47, the latter is operatively connected to the pinion when the latter is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as when viewed in Figure 5.

Thus by means of the clutch C, the indicator D can be restored to its normal or starting position on the arm E without rotating the shafts 48 and T, .for when manually pulling on the cord 45, the sheave 47 will rotate freely on the shaft 48.

As an aid in overcoming friction of the parts the mechanism connecting the indicator D with the shaft D, I provide a weight 5'? secured to the end of a cord 58 trained over a sheave 59 and under a sheave 60, both sheaves being mounted on the arm E. From the sheave 6 3, the cord 5S'is extended forward and tied to the upper stretch of the endless cord 45, all as clearly shown in Figure l. tendency of the weight Site to move the indicator D outward on the arm E, but it cannot rotate the shaft T because of the resistance offered by'the ball 41 and the shaft F. However, when the shaft T is rotated by causing the ball 41 and the shaft F to revolve, it allows the weight to move the indicator D.

The operation of my invention a golf practice apparatus is as follows:

-The normal positions of the parts of the apparatus are shown in Figures 1 and 3, and it will be noted that the shaft F together with the ball 41 is in the same vertical plane as the frame 1?; and the element or arm E. The indicater D occupies a position adjacent the shaft 43, and which position is the starting point of the indicator in respect to its forward movement from this position.

Theplayer takes his stance in front of the apparatus with his club addressed to the ball 41 so that by swinging his club in the same manner as when performing the regular golf stroke, the ball struck and thus caused to revolve in a clockwise direction about the shaft ner the force with which the ball is driven by the player is meas red, and hence, the distance of the stroke performed.

As long as the ball is struck to produce no rotation thereof about its own axis or that axis defined by the shaft F, the shaft F remains in tion of the ball is shifted laterally in respect to the vertical plane defined by the axis 1'7 and the transverse axis of the shaft T, and thus the force exerted by the rotating ball no longer acts in this original plane.

Irrespective of the vertical plane of rotation of the ball, the force exertedby ,the ball inits rotative movement tends to oscillate the yoke K about the axis 21 as a center, but through the medium of the shoe 27 andthe disk 19 movement of the yoke to the right from the position shown in Figure 1, is checked, while movement of the yoke in the other direction from this position is limited by the stud 24 but not completely checked. Its degree of movement in this direction is such as to move the shoe 2'? free of the disk 19 so that if the force exerted by the rotating ball is oil center with respect to the arm E, the arm E can respond to such force'an-d be thus moved laterally about the axis 1'7 as a center.

The ball is only active to impart a turning movement to the E during one half of each revolution about the axis T, for it will be understood from a consideration of Figure 1 that the ball in its swinging movement to the right side of the yoke K exerts a force which tends to swing the yoke toward the disk, while the ball, in the other half of its movement, exerts a force which tends to swing the yoke in the opposite direction. Were the yoke free to respond to these equal and opposite forces exerted by the rotating ballgalthough the plane of rotation of .the ball maybe off center with respect to, the

arm E or the shaft T, they would merely impart an oscillating movement to the arm. However, by checkingrmovement' of the yoke toward the disk, only that force generated by the ball in its swinging movement to'the left side of the yoke ,is permitted to act upon the yoke and arm, and,

as a consequence, the arm E is caused to turn in a step by step movement about its axis 17.

Let it be assumedthat the ball is revolving in the plane illustrated in solid lines. in Figure 10. The resultant force-exerted by the ball acts to move the arm E in a clockwise direction about the axis 17,- and it will be understood that the extent of this force and the consequent. turning movement of the arm is dependent upon the degree to which the vertical plane of rotation of the ball is shifted from the plane of the arm..

Conversely, with the ball and its mounting shifted to the opposite side of the arm E, as

illustrated in dash lines in Figure.10,'the force exerted by the ball about the axis 17 will move the arm E in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated in dash lines, and likewise the extent of this movement is dependent upon the degree to which the ball has shifted its plane of. rotation from that plane coinciding with the arm E.

It will be surmised that the afore-described' movements of the arm E, in consequence of the lateral shifting of the vertical plane of rotation of the ball 41, are utilized to visibly indicate the extent to which the ball has been sliced or hooked, for it will'be understood that as the ball is rotated in one direction or'the other about its own axis, the consequent shiftingoi the plane of rotation of the ball will cause the arm to swing in one direction or the other from its normal position, thus indicating a hook or slice as determined by its direction of movement from its central position, and the extent of the hook or slice by the degree of movement.

As long as the ball is struck so that it revolves in a plane coincident with the axis. 17 and the center or transverse axis of the shaft T, and with no turning or spinning movement of the ball about its own axis, no lateral or turning movement of. the arm E from its normal or straight-forward position occurs, and hence, it is indicative of the fact that the golf shot is a perfect one in point of direction. 7

As will be understood by golf players, one, in actual play, often unintentionally executes a golf shot in which the ball ,is neither hooked nor sliced, but is inaccurate in point of direction with respect to the green or to the objective. Such a shotis known in golf as a pulled shot or pushed shot, depending upon whether the ball travels to the left or right of the line of play. Retaining in mind that a straight shot executed on my apparatus isindicated by the arm E failed to move from its straight-forward posi tion, let it be that a practicing player strikes the ball so that its plane of bodily rotation is no longer coincident with the transverse axis of the shaft T and the axis 17, but is at an angle thereto and with no spin of the ball about its own axis. Under such a condition the forceexerted by the ball revolving in this angular plane operates to move the arm E to the right or. left from its normal position depending result is'efiected by reason of the fact that the force of the revolving ball at point spaced from the axis 17. Thus the arm E visibly demonstrates the'direction of the shot and its straightness with respect to the intended or proper line of play.

Now let us assume a condition in which the ballis struck to produce a shot which is not only pulled or pushed, but, in addition, is hooked or sliced. In *the event of a pulled and'sliced shot, the ball will, as a result of pulling the shot, revolve in plane angular with respect to the arm E and the 1'7, and under the spinning movement of the ball about its own axis as a result of slicing the bail, this angular plane of rotation will, shift to the left, as when viewed in Figure 8. The resultant action on the arm E ismto first move the latter to the left from its normal position, and then, under the slicing action of the shot, to cause the arm to gradually move to theright. Conversely, in the instance of a pushed and hooked shot, the arm E moves first to the right and then gradually'to the left, to'simulate the ball movements of a corresponding shot in golf. Thus the arm mover rents are a visible demonstration of the hook and pull or the slice and push characteristics or" a shot play his shot in such a direction with respect to the objective as to compensate for such a fault, with the object in view of the arm occupy ing its normal straightdarward position when it finally comes to rest and to thereby visibly demonstrate to the player that the ball has reachedits objective, or is in the proper line of play with respect to the objective whenv it finally reaches the end of its travel.

In providing a flexible rod 40 and a spring 38, the possibility is precluded of the rod being bent should it be accidentally struck with a golf club, while the spring serves as a yieldable connection between the rod and universal joint to prevent damage of the latter and breaking of the rod should the ball be struck about its horizontal center. Also, the yieldable connection permits the ball to yield when struck above center to lessen the force of impact so that the resultant number of revolutions of the shaft T will be less than when the ball is struck along its horizontal center, and hence the distance traveled by the indicator D is correspondingly shortened to penalize the player for such an imperfect or topped shot. Further, the universal joint 39 permits a break in'the shaft F when the ball is hit below its horizontal center which, likewise, reduces the number of ball revolutions and in consequence, the distance traveled by the indicator to penalize a player when making an undercut shot.

In the adaptation of my apparatus for the playing of a game, I employ a game board B which is laid on the floor or ground beneath the arm 16 so that the indicator D and the arm can be utilized to'designate on the board, points 'of diiferent value in scoring. However, in order to obtain a true result in scoring when considering the two factors of distance and direction involved in every shot in golf, I combine the movements of the indicator D and the indicating element E into a single and resultant action.

This is attained by the provision of apointer P which is suspended. from the frame 43, so as to overlie the board B and to be movable lengthwise of the board by the frame 43 and transversely of the board by the arm E.

The surface of the board B can be divided into spaces in any manner suited to the longitudinal and transverse movements of the pointer, and likewise suitable scoring symbols can be employed and arranged in the surface divisions in point of scoring value so that the position of the pointer resultant of golf shots of various degrees of distance and direction will designate symbols of corresponding scoring value in keeping with the perfection of the golf shot.

The afore-described arrangement of the syme hole is illustrated in'Figure 8 and, as will be noted, I have employed letters and numerals corresponding to the symbols of a deck of cards. These symbols are arranged about a relatively large surface division 61 which designates a green, and it will be noted that the free ex-. tremity of-the arm 16 is normally positioned to overlie this division so that when a golf shot of maximum distance and direction is executed, the

pointer in its movement along the arm will come to rest within this division. As the arm is moved to the right or left from its normal position, as indicated by the dot and dash lines in Figure l, the pointer will be caused to travel in a corresponding path and come to rest in the smaller divisions to point to symbols of lesser value as a penalty for hooking or slicing.

By reason of the fact that the arm E is mounted to swing about the axis 1'7, and that all moving parts of the apparatus are carried by the arm, it will be clear that the arm can be moved to a position diametrically opposed to that illustrated in Figure 8 to render the apparatus operable by a left hand golf player as distinguished from a right hand golf player using the apparatus in the position illustrated. To adapt the pointer P to use for both left and right hand players, it is made of T-form as bestillustrated in Figure 2, and itsupstanding portion is connected to the frame 43 by a friction hinge 62 so as to allow the pointer to be swung from its position shown in Figure 2 and held in an opposite position in respect to the arm E. The lateral portions of thepointer are curved and terminate in knobs 63 so that in either extreme position of the pointer either one knob or the other is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the board. This construction of the pointer permits it to be suspended from the arm E and positioned as described without being disposed in the path of ball 41 or the club of the player so that the player has the requisite freedom of action in swinging the club incident to the performance of a golf shot.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of golf practice and game apparatus embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made'therein Without departing from the t of the invention and the spirit and Cl the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A goif practice apparatus comprising a ball mounted for rotation about an axis thercthrough and for bodily rotation about another and means responsi e to rotation of the ball about the first mentioned axis for shifting the ball bodily along the other axis from a medial posin thereon and in either direction therefrom riding upon the direction of rotation of the bail about first mentioned axis.

2. A golf practice apparatus comprising a ball mounted for rotation about an therethrough and for bodily rotation about another axis, and means responsive to rotation of the ball about the first mentioned axis for shifting the ball bodily along the other axis from a medial position thereon and in either direction therefrom depending upon the direction of rotation of the ball about said first mentioned axis, and for a distance depending upon the degree of rotation of the ball about said first mentioned axis.

3. A golf practice apparatus comprising a ball mounted for rotation about an axis therethrough and for bodily rotation about another axis, means responsive to rotation of the ball about the first mentioned axis forshifting the ball bodily along the other axis from a medial position thereon and in either direction therefrom depending upon the direction of rotation of the bail about said first mentioned axis, and for a distance depending upon the degree of rotation of the ball about said first mentioned axis, and an indicating member movable and so connected to the first means as to register the opposite direction and degree of bodily shifting of the ball.

4. A golf practice apparatus comprising a ball mounted for rotation about an axis therethrough and for bodily rotation about another axis, and means responsive to rotation of the ball about said first mentioned axis for shifting the ball bodily along the other axis in either direction according as the ball is rotated about said first mentioned axis in one direction or the other.

5. A golf practice apparatus comprising a ball mounted for rotation about an axis therethrough and for bodily rotation about an axis at right angles to said first mentioned axis, means for indicating the movement of the ball about said first mentioned axis and the direction of such movement, and means for indicating the movement of the ball bodily about .the second mentioned axis, the last means being movable longi-v between said means and the member for causig the ball to move lengthwise of the member in one direction or theother according as the ball rotates about said axis in one direction or the other.

7. A golf practice-apparatus comprising a ball, a. horizontally positioned member, means for mounting the ball for rotation bodily about the member as a center and ,for rotation about an axis therethrough, an operative connection between said means and the member for causing the ball to move lengthwise on the member and in one direction or the other according as, the ball rotates about said axis in one direction or the other, whereby the vertical plane of rotation. of the ball is varied accordingly, an indicating element movable about a vertical axis disposed,

in a plane intersecting the h rixontal plane of the member, and means operatively connecting the member and element for causing theelement to move to the right or left from a central position according as the plane of rotation of the ball. is to the left or right of the vertical plane of the element.

8. A golf practice apparatus comprising an indicatingelement mounted. for movement about a vertical axis, a ball mounted on. the element for rotation about an axis therethrough and bodily about a horizontal axis to which the first axis is radial, means for causing the ball to shift its plane of rotation bodily on the horizontal-axis in one direction or the other len thwise of said axis according as the ball rotates in one direction or the other about the ball. axis, and means for utilizing the force exerted by the ball to move the indicating element in a direction corresponding to the direction of flight ofa golf ball having the same rotative movement about the same axis therethrough.

9. A golf practice apparatus comprising dicating element mounted for movement'about a vertical axis, a ball, means for mounting the ball for rotation about an axis therethrough, m ans for mounting the first means for rotation bodily about a horizontal to which the ball axis is radial, means for causin the ball to shift its lane of rotation bodily on the horizontal axis on direction or the other lengthwise of said axis according as the ball rotates in one direction or the other about the same axis therethrough'means for utilizing the force exerted by the ball to more the indicating element in a direction correspond ing to the direction of flight of a golf ball having the same rotative movement about its own axis, and means mounted on the indicating element and operatively connected to the second mentioned means for registering rotative movements of the ball bodily about the horizontal axis.

10. A golf game apparatus comprising a game board, a pointer movable in two directions over the game board, a ball, means operatively connecting the ball to the pointer so as to move the latter in one direction over the board when the ball is rotated about an axis therethrough and simultaneously rotated bodily about another axis,

a about said a and means so correlated to the first means asto move the pointer in the other direction only when the ball is rotated bodily about said other axis.

"11. A golf game apparatus comprising an elongated game board, a pointer movable longitudinally and transversely in either direction over the game board, a ball, means operatively connecting the call to the pointer for moving the pointer longi udinally of theboard when the ball is rotated bodily about an axis therethrough, and means so correlated to the first means as to move the pointer transversely of the board in direction or the other when and according as the. ball rotated in one direction or the other about and simultaneously rotated bodily about said axis.

12. A golf practice apparatus comprising an mounted to swing about a vertical axis, a ball'mounted torotate bodily about a horizontal axis and to rotate about an axis therethrough, and mean operativeiy connected to the ball and arm for. swi ging the arm in one direction or other in sense to and according as the bali rotated in one 'eetion or the other about the s id therethrough and simultaneously rotated bodily about the horizontal axis.

13. A golf practice apparatus compri ing an arm mounted to swing about a vertical axis, a ball mounted to rotate bodily about a horizontal and to about an therethrough, means op ative]? connected to the ball and arm for s\ nging the arm in one direction or other in response to and according as the ball is rotate. a one d rection or the other therethrough and simultaneously bodi y about the horizontal axis, registering means movable on the and means connect ng the reg stering means with a part of the means moving the registering in accordance with the revolutions of the ball bodily about the horizontal axis.

14. A golf practice apparatus comprising an .icating arm mounted to swing about a vertical axis in either iirection from a medial position, a horizontally pivoted on the arm at one side or" the vertical of latter, a b ii mounted on the yoke to rotation about an to which the ball is radial, means for on the horizontal in one direction se of axis from a ding with the mediaipositicn ofthe indicating arm and according as the the sa d axis ti" straining nent of the yoke in one direction under rotation of the ball bodily so that the force of the ball uti zed to move the indicating from its medial position in on di ection or the other depending upon to w a of the vertical axis of the arm the ball has has moved.

15. A golf practice apparatus comprising a ball, a horizontally disposed shaft, means .for mounting the ball for rotation bodily on the shaft for rotation about an'axis therean operative connection between said means and the shaft causine the ball to move lengthwise on the shaft and in one direction or the other according as the ball rotates about said axis therethrough in one direction or the other whereby, the vertical plane of rotation of the ball is varied accordingly, an indithrou therethrough and bod'ly about a horizontal 1g the ball to shift its plane of rotation.

by its rotation is eating arm movable about a vertical axis situated at one side of the shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft and arm for causing the arm to move to the right or left from a central position according as the plane of rotation of the ball is to the left or right of the vertical plane of the arm, and an indicator movable along the arm and operatively connected to the shaft for indicating the revolutions of the shaft by the distance traveled on the arm.

16. A golf practice apparatus comprising a support, an arm movable on the support about a vertical axis, a yoke depending from the arm at a point spaced from its axis and horizontally pivoted thereon to swing radially of the arm axis, a member fixed to the support, a second member fixed to the yoke and coacting with the other member to restrain the yoke against swinging movement toward the axis of the arm in any circumferential position of the yokein respect to the arm axis, a ball, means for mounting the ball on the yoke for rotation bodily about a horizontal axis tangent to a circle having the arm axis as a center to impart swinging movementto the yoke, and for rotation about an axis therethrough, means for causing the ball to shift its plane of rotation bodily on the horizontal axis in one direction or the other lengthwise of said axis according as the ball rotates in one direction or the other about the axis therethrough whereby, when the plane of rotation of the ball is shifted in one direction or the other from that coinciding with the plane of the arm, the force exerted by the ball in its 'j bodily rotation will act through the yoke to move the arm in one direction or the other from a central position. a

17. In a golf practice apparatus, a yoke supported for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, a member positioned horizontally in the yoke, a horizontally disposed rack on the member, a shaft rotatable in and extending radially from the member, a pinion on the shaft meshing with the rack, and a ball fixed on the shaft.

18. In a golf practice apparatus, a yoke, a shaft journaled in the yoke and having a noncircular part provided with a slot, a rack on one wall of the slot, a non-circular sleeve movable lengthwise on the non-circular shaft part, a second shaft journaled in the sleeve and having a pinion meshing with saidrack, and a ball fixed to the second shaft.

19. A golf practice apparatus comprising a ball, a horizontally disposed shaft, means for mounting the ball for rotation bodily on the shaft and for rotation about an axis therethrough, an operative connection between said means and the shaft for causing the ball to move lengthwise on the shaft and in one direction or the other according as the ball rotates about said axis therethrough in one direction or the other whereby, the vertical plane of rotation of the ball is varied accordingly, an indicating arm movable about a vertical axis situated at one side of the shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft and arm. for causing the arm to move to the right or left from a central position according as the plane of rotation of, the ball is to the left or. right of'the vertical plane of the arm, an indicator movable along the arm, and a pulley and cord connection between the indicator and said shaft to move the indicator on the arm in accordance with the revolutions of. the shaft;

20. A golf game apparatus comprising a support, an arm mounted on the support to swing about a vertical axis, a game board beneath the arm, a pointer movable along the arm and over the game board, a ball mounted on the arm to rotate bodily about one axis and for rotation about an axis therethrough, means correlated to the ball and arm for moving the arm in one direction or the other when the ball is rotated in one direction or the other about said axis therethrough and bodily about the other axis, and means correlated to the ball pointer for moving the pointer along the arm in accordance with and in response to rotation of the ball bodily about said axis.

21. A golf game apparatus as embodied in claim 20 wherein the arm, and game board are reversible in position with respect to the support and the pointer reversible in position on the arm for allowing either a right or left hand player to strike the ball and thus operate both of said means.

22. A golf game apparatus as embodied in claim 20 wherein the game board has symbols thereon of different scoring value, said symbols being arranged on the board according to the scoring value thereof in respect to the normal position of the arm and the starting position of the pointer in such manner that symbols of increasing scoring value are designated by the pointer as the latter travels outwardly on the arm from its starting position While symbols of decreasing value are designated as the pointer is moved by the arm in either direction from a normal position.

23. A golf practice apparatus comprising an arm supported for movement about a vertical axis and in either direction from a normal position, a ball, means for mounting the ball on the arm for revolving movement about a horizontal axis which is spaced laterally from the arm axis, and means for supporting the ball on said mounting means for rotation about an axis therethrough and so that the supporting means can move lengthwise in either direction along the mounting means to change its vertical plane of revolving movement according as the ball is rotated about said axis therethrough in one FREDERICK VON SCI-ILEGELL.

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