US3244421A

US3244421A - Laterally and longitudinally adjustabl feet positioning device for golfers

Info

Publication number: US3244421A
Application number: US278911A
Authority: US
Inventors: William M Hanna
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-08
Filing date: 1963-05-08
Publication date: 1966-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 1983-04-05

Description

w. M. HANNA April 5, 1966 3,244,421 LATERALLY AND LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTABLE FEET POSITIONING DEVICE FOR GOLFERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1965 William M. Hanna IN VENTOK.

cu WW Em April 5, 1965 w. M. HANNA 3,244,421

LATERALLY AND LONGIIUDINALLY ADJUSTABLE FEET POSITIONING DEVICE FOR GOLFERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1963 William M. Hanna INVENTOR. 4015: BY flan United States Patent Office 3,244,421 Patented Apr. 5, 1966 a 3,244 421 LATERALLY AND LONG ITUDINALLY ADJUSTA- B LE FEET POSITIGNING DEVICE FOR GOLFERS William M. Hanna, 2344 Sycamore St, Terre Haute, Ind. Filed May 8, 1963, Ser. No. 278,911

11 Claims. (Cl. 273-187) The present invention is generally concerned with the game of golf, and more particularly relates to a novel device for correcting the stance of a golfer, a proper stance being one of the basic requirements if the golf ball is to be properly driven.

In the game of golf, the flight path of the golf ball is governed by the angle of the club face when it strikes the ball, this angle being determined by a combination of the players grip on the club, swing and stance. It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a devicewhereby a players stance can be corrected or made to complement his swing whereby a straight driving of the ball is effected.

It is another significant object of the instant invention to provide an apparatus whereby a player can determine, with a great degree of accuracy,'the stance which he must assume so as to effect a deliberate hook or slice as might be desired in avoiding obstacles.

An additional object of the instant invention is to provide a stance correcting device wherein means are provided so as to restrict the movement of the players feet during the swinging of the club, and so as to also make the player instantly aware of Whether or not he has properly followed through on his swing.

Likewise, it is an object of the instant invention to immediately advise the user of the stance corrector of the proper location of the ball relative to the player for each different club. 7

Furthermore, it is considered to be a significant object of the instant invention to provide a stance corrector which will be of considerable assistance in clearly demonstrating the. proper stance for each individual player regardless of his proficiency at the game. For those possessing a high degree of skill, the stance corrector of the instant invention will be possibly of more assistance in illustrating the proper stances for difiicult obstacle avoidingdrives not normally attempted by the less skilled players.

In achieving the above objects, it is intended that the device of the instant invention be relatively simple in construction and operation yet extremely effective for guiding the user into proper golfing techniques.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the device comprising the present invention, the lateral and longitudinal adjustment being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 2- 2 in FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG- URE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a composite schematic view illustrating the use of the device.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate=the stance corrector comprising the present invention. This stance corrector 10 consists of a pair of foot plates 12 and 14 adjustably interconnected so as to vary both the longitudinal and lateral distance therebetween.

Each of the foot plates 12 and 14 is of a size so as to comfortably receive the foot of a user, positioning the feet in a predetermined arrangement in accordance with the objectives sought. In addition to the basic foot plates 12 and 14, resilient toe cushions 16 can also be provided I thus tending to shift the weight of the user to his heels as is desired in assuming a proper golfing stance. Also, it is contemplated that rubber straps 17 be used at the option of the user of the device, these straps encircling the toe and toe portion of the foot plates so as to provide additional stability while allowing for the accepted forward rocking movement.

While the initial stance assumed by the golfer is of prime importance in the proper swinging of the golf club, it is also essential that the initial orientation of the feet be maintained throughout the entire swing including the follow-through. Accordingly,

brackets

18 and 20 are provided on each of the plates 12 and 14, these

brackets

18 and 20 functioning so as to, while retaining the feet in substantially their original relative position, also allowing for the normal movement of the feet upon a proper shifting of the weight during the swinging of a club. With reference to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the bracket 20 provided on the rear foot plate, assuming a right-handed golfer, is provided with a beveled edge 22 thus allowing ,for a pivotal movement of the rear foot while at the same time preventing a lifting of the foot, this pivotal movement of the rear foot corresponding with accepted golfing practices.

In addition to the

brackets

18 and 20 functioning so as to forcibly retain the feet in the proper orientation, it is also intended that these brackets be utilized so as to make the user of the device immediately aware of whether or not he has properly followed through or com pleted his swing. That is, if the swing has not been correctly completed, the feet will not in all probability engage against the brackets, the

brackets

18 and 20 being located so as to be engaged by the feet, during the swing, upon the completion ofthe follow-through, the brackets at this point limiting any further movement of the feet. As such, if no pressure from. the brackets is felt on the users feet, he will immediately be aware of an error on his part.

The means interconnecting the foot plates 12 and 14 for longitudinal adjustment relative to each other consist of a first downwardly opening channel member 24 welded to, through an angle member 26, the inner side of the forward foot plate 12, the foot plate 12 including a vertically extending lip 28 at this point, the channel member 24 having a vertically extending bore 3% therethrough adjacentits rear end. A second channel member 32, slightly smaller than the channel ,member 24, is telescopically received therein and capable of being fixed thereto in a plurality of longitudinally adjustable positions by means of a releasable bolt and nut fastener 34 extending through the aperture 30 in ,the member 24 and through any one of a plurality of apertures 35 provided at equally spaced points along the member 32.

The second or rear foot plate 14 is rigidly aflixed, as by welding, to a flat bar 36 extending parallel to the for: ward edge-thereof, this bar 36 including a longitudinal slot 38 therein so as to enable a lateral adjustment of the bar 36 and foot plate 14 relative to the

channel members

32 and 24, this lateral adjustment being effected by a. releasable nut and bolt fastener 49 extending through the rearmost aperture 35 in the member 32 and through the slot 38 in the bar as, the bar 36 overlapping the outer end of the member 32.

In using the stance corrector 10, the golfer first positions the foot plates 12 and 14 so as to enable him to assume a square stance as indicated by reference numeral 42, the feet in this square stance being in lateral alignment with each other, the longitudinal adjustment afforded by the

members

24 and 32 allowing the accommodation of the device to the individual golfer regardless of the width of the stance normally assumed. After the square stance has been assumed, the user of the device 10 proceeds to drive a golf ball. If the ball, for a righthanded golfer, assumes the path indicated by reference numeral 44, the rear foot plate 14 is moved forward a predetermined distance, the bar 36 being provided with indicia 46 so as to provide a means for quickly regulating the rear foot plate 14. In this position, the golfers stance has been opened, this opening of the stance tending to result in a slicing of the golf ball so as to overcome the natural hook, indicated by reference numeral 44, of the golfer in a square stance, this opening of the stance, indicated by reference numeral 48, being regulated until the golf ball consistently assumes a straight path 50, this being accomplished solely by regulating the stance and without changing the basic normal swing of the golfer.

By the same token, if the golfers normal swing in a square stance results in a slicing of the ball as indicated by reference numeral 52, the rearward plate 14 is adjusted so as to be positioned slightly to the lateral rear of the front plate thus closing the golfers stance as indicated by reference numeral 54 and consequently tending to result in a hooking of the ball. .This closing of the stance, as was the case in the opening of the stance, being varied, with the aid of the reference numerals 46, until the normal swing of the golfer results in a straight projection of the ball as indicated by reference numeral 56.

In using the device 10 in this manner, a golfer, regardless of his proficiency, can be assisted in properly relating his stance to his swing thus attaining his maximum efficiency.

While the device has been particularly described as a means for enabling the avoidance of either a hook or slice, it should also be appreciated that the device will also be of assistance, especially in regard to the more proficient golfers, in deliberately causing the ball to assume a flight path other than the normally desired straight flight path so as to avoid various obstacles. This is effected by using the device to either open or close the golfers stance a specific distance as determined by the reference numbers 46 thus making the golfer aware as to what path the ball will take for each particular arrange ment so as to allow an adaptation of his stance to the particular situation involved.

In order to stabilize the stance correcting device 10 during the use thereof, earth penetrating stabilizing pins 58 are provided so as to project downwardly from each of the foot plates 12 and 14. Further, as will be appreciated from FIGURE 3, the lower edges of the

channel members

24 and 32 are pointed as at 60 so as to easily penetrate the earth thus also preventing any movement of the device during its use.

In conjunction with properly orientating the feet of a golfer relative to each other, the device 10 of the instant invention provides means for insuring a proper location of the ball, this being done by guide lines 62 on the upper surface of the channel member 24, these reference lines 62 indicating the proper rearward location of the golf ball from the front foot for each particular golf club, whether a wood or an iron.

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that a novel golf stance correcting device has been defined, this device quickly and effectively enabling a golfer to correspond his stance to his golf swing so as to direct the golf ball along a desired flight path, whether this be straight or curved so as to avoid an obstacle. The particular advantages obtained from the device of the instant invention result from the manner in which the device can both laterally and longitudinally adjust the space between the golfers feet, as well as the ability of the device to both limit the movement of the golfers feet and simultaneously advise the golfer as to whether or not his swing has been successfully completed, a proper follow-through bringing the golfers feet into engagement with the retaining brackets. While the stance corrector has been specifically illustrated and described as being used by a right-handed golfer, it will of course be recognized that such a device is equally adaptable for lefthanded golfers, this adaptation of the device for lefthanded golfers requiring only a reversal of the parts.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A golf stance corrector consisting of a first front foot plate, a first elongated member rigidly fixed to and projecting laterally from said foot plate, a second elongated member telescopically associated with the first elongated member and being longitudinally adjustable relative thereto, means for releasably fixing the second member to the first member in a plurality of longitudinally adjusted positions, a second rear foot plate, and laterally adjustable mounting means releasably fixing the second foot plate to the outer end of the second elongated member at any one of a plurality of laterally spaced positions relative to said outer end.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned adjustable means consists of a third elongated member positioned perpendicularly across the outer end of the second member for lateral adjustment relative thereto, and means releasably fixing the third elongated member to the second elongated member in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions, said second foot plate being rigidly secured to the third elongated member for adjustment therewith.

3. The device of claim 2 including a bracket on each foot plate, each bracket including a portion in spaced generally parallel relation above its corresponding foot plate so as to receive the forward portion of a foot therebeneath for limiting the movement of the feet in accordance with accepted practices during the swing of a golf club.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein each bracket portion extends inwardly over the foot plate from the forward edge thereof and terminates in a free end over approximately the center of the foot plate, the free end on the bracket of the rear foot plate being beveled so as to allow for an upward and rearward pivoting of a foot positioned on the rear foot plate during swinging of a golf club.

5. The device of claim 2 including ground-penetrating stabilizer pins projecting downwardly from the bottom of each foot plate.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the first and second elongated members consist of downwardly opening channel-bars nested within each other and provided with ground-penetrating lower edges.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein the first and second elongated members consist of downwardly opening channel-bars, the second member being smaller than and nested within the first member.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the first and second members are provided with sharpened ground-penetrating lower edges.

9. The device of claim 2 including a raised toe cushion on each foot plate.

10. The device of claim 9 including a resilient strap positioned on the toe portion of each foot plate for engagement over the toes of a user of the device.

11. A golf stance corrector comprising a first foot plate, a first elongated member rigidly fixed to the first foot plate and projecting laterally therefrom, a second elongated member telescopically associated with said first member and being longitudinally extensible relative thereto, means for locking said second member to said first member in any one of a plurality of longitudinally adjusted positions, a third elongated member slid ably positioned transversely across the outer end of said second member for transverse adjustment relative thereto, means for locking said third member to said second member in any one of a plurality of transversely adjusted positions, and a second foot plate fixed to said third member for transverse adjustment with the third member and longitudinal adjustment with the second member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Marguardt.

Paulsen 273-187 Israel.

Robinson.

Cr-ossot 273187 Rolfe 273-487 Smith et a1 273-187 Great Britain.

15 DELBERT B, LOWE, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A GOLF STANCE CORRECTOR CONSISTING OF A FIRST FRONT FOOT PLATE, A FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER RIGIDLY FIXED TO AND PROJECTING LATERALLY SAID FOOT PLATE, A SECOND ELONGATED MEMBER TELESCOPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER AND BEING LONGITUDINALL ADJUSTABLE RELATIVE THERETO, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY FIXING THE SECOND MEMBER TO THE FIRST MEMBER IN A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTED POSITION, A SECOND REAR FOOT PLATE, AND LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING MEANS RELEASABLY FIXING THE SECOND FOOT PLATE EO THE OUTER END OF THE SECOND ELONGATED MEMBER AT ANY ONE OF A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY SPACED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID OUTER END.