US3443811A - Practice device for golfers - Google Patents

Description

y 3, 1969 E. J. BROOKS 3,443,811

PRACTICE DEVICE FOR GOLFERS Filed April 14, 1966 vzwwe ERNEST J. BROOKS United States Patent 3,443,811 PRACTICE DEVICE FOR GOLFERS Ernest J. Brooks, 2635 Wark St., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Filed Apr. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 542,498 Int. Cl. A63b 69/36 US. Cl. 273-183 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A flexible feeler element, which engages a golfers forehead during a golf swing, is removably clamped to one end of a rigid arm which has its other end adjustably secured to the upper end of a vertical supporting post.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in practice devices for golfers.

It is well known that, in order for the golf club to strike the ball correctly, it is desirable that the head of the golfer does not deviate either vertically or laterally during the backswing and during the major portion of the downswing including the portion of the downswing during which the ball is struck.

In fact, the head should not deviate or pivot until the downward swing is practically finished and the club is above the horizontal whereupon the turn of the shoulders pulls the head around in the direction of the flight of the ball.

This particular fault is one of the most common in golfing and many attempts have been made to correct same.

There are devices that have been designed which are presumed to assist in the correction of this fault, but all of them employ a helmet type device which engages the head of the golfer, particularly the top and rear of the head.

These devices have the effect of restraining movement, but it is doubtful that permanent improvement can be accomplished as obviously it is not possible to carry such devices during a round of golf.

Furthermore, the helmet or clamp type devices While restraining the head from moving, also restrict the desired turn of the head at the end of the downstroke.

Another disadvantage of conventional devices is the fact that the user is fully aware that his head is embraced or restrained by a helmet or clamp type device and this detracts from the concentration required in order to make a correct stroke.

The present device overcomes all of the these disadvantages inasmuch as there is no clamping or embracing effect. The present device does not attempt to restrain the golfers head from movement, but only indicates to the golfer that his head does in fact move either vertically or horizontally and also indicates the amount of such deviation.

The principal object and essence of the invention is therefore to provide a device of the character herewithin described which enables a golfer to assess the deviation or lack of deviation of his head during the stroke, either vertically or horizontally.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which provides the minimum amount of distraction to the golfer while In use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which can be used either indoors or outdoors for practice purposes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and

3,443,811 Patented May 13, 1969 'ice otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing in view, and all those objects, purposes or advantages which may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept embodied in the construction as herein particularly exemplified in specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of my device shown in use.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view of the lower end of the device showing alternative supporting means.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partially sectional view of the upper end of the arm.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view along the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, it consists of a ground engaging support member 10 preferably made of tubular steel or the like and, in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, being provided with a lower sharpened end 11 so that it can be inserted into the ground.

An element carrying arm 12 is provided and is secured by the lower end 13 thereof to the upper end 14 of the support member 10.

FIGURE 4 shows one method of the junction between the support 10 and the arm 12. A pair of lugs 15 are provided upon the end 14 of the arm 10 and a single lug 16 is provided upon the end 13 of the arm 12. These lugs are apertured and the lug 16 engages between the lugs 15 and may be held in position by means of a wing nut and clamp bolt assembly 17 so that the angulation of the arm 12 may 'be adjustably varied with respect to the substantially vertical member 10.

Upon the upper end 18 of the arm 12 I have provided a chuck collectively designated 19, said chuck consisting of a tapered screw-threaded portion 20 having slots 21 and an internally screw-threaded clamping sleeve 22 engageable over the screw threads so that as the sleeve is tightened downwardly, the portions 23' between the slots 21 are compressed thus clamping same together.

A lightweight flexible element 24 is insertable within the chuck and can be clamped in position by the chuck 19 and this element is preferably made from a lightweight flexible material such as relatively thin plastic and when in position within the chuck, it forms an extension of the longitudinal axis of the arm 12 as clearly shown.

The distal end 25 of the flexible element 24 is rounded or smoothed as it is this distal end 25 which is positioned so that it contacts the golfers forehead 26 [when he is in the position to commence his golf stroke as shown in FIGURE 1. It should be stressed that this contact between the flexible element 24 and the forehead 26 is a brush contact so that the golfer is aware immediately if any vertical or horizontal deviation of the head occurs yet at the same time, the brush contact does not restrict the normal turn of the head at the completion of the stroke.

The flexible element 2 4 can, of course, be manufactured of any material, its principal characteristic being extreme flexibility and lightweight.

As an example, a feather could be utilized advantageously or a strip of relatively stiff paper or cardboard.

However, a relatively thin flexible strip of plastic is believed to be satisfactory and is easily replaceable if damaged.

FIGURE 2 shows an alternative support for the support member 10 taking the form of tripod legs 26 secured 3 to the lower end 27 of the support member 10 thus enabling same to be used indoors if desired.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is described herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodimnet thereof, but that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

What is claimed to be the present invention is:

1. A device for enabling a golfer to detect movement of his head while swinging a golf club, said device consisting essentially of a vertical supporting post, an elongated and substantially straight rigid extension arm adjustably secured at one end thereof to the upper end of said post and extending laterally outwardly and upwardly therefrom, clamp means provided at the outer end of said arm, and an elongated substantially straight flexible feeler element having one end portion thereof removably secured in said clamp means, the longitudinal axis of said feeler element being in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said arm 'whereby said arm and feeler element define one continuous substantially straight detection member, the outer end of said feeler element being adapted to be engaged and displaced by a golfers forehead While executing a club swing, the length of said feeler element and the length of said arm being such that the outer end of said feeler element is spaced laterally outwardly from the vertical supporting post by a distance suflicient to provide clearance for swinging of a golf club under said arm while the outer end of said feeler element engages the golfers forehead.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,197,209 7/1965 Arena.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE I. MARLO, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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