GB2174306A - Golf practice device - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf practice device includes a ball (8), tethered by a cord (10) to a carriage (20) which runs on a divergent track (2, 3). Movement of the carriage along the track towards the wider end thereof is opposed by a spring (22). A scale (3a) on the track enables the distance through which the carriage has been driven to be read off. The cord 10 passes between a platform 5 and a resiliently urged bar so that deviation of the ball from the intended path can be read off a scale 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An improved golf practice machine The object of the invention is to provide a machine on which to practise golf strokes, in a portable and convenient form, indoors or outdoors.

There are similar devices available for this purpose comprising a captive golf ball tied to one end of a long length of cord, the other end being pegged to the ground. The present invention also uses a captive ball, however on a much shorter length of cord, and with the added features of indicating the distance the ball would have been struck if unrestrained by the cord, and the degree of "hook" or "slice" imparted to the ball (i.e. the accidental deviation to either side of the chosen bearing of a stroke). The invention does not require pinning to the ground and may be used on any surface.

According to the present invention there is a platform on which rests the golf ball, fixed at one end of a wedge shaped track, along which may run freely a wheeled carriage. A cord joins ball and carriage so that when hit, the ball pulls the carriage along the track from its narrow towards its wide end. The carriage therefore requires progressively more force to move it along the ramp, thereby gradually decelerating the ball and avoiding any whipping back. The track lies on the fioor between the golfer's feet, and is clipped to adjustable footrests so that the weight of the player prevents any movement of the machine during a stroke.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a part view of Fig. 1 showing hidden details.

Figure 5 is a side view of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a view of Fig. 4 seen along section C-D.

Figure 7 is a side view of a component part.

Figure 8 is a plan view of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is an end view of Fig. 7.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a component part.

Figure 11 isasideviewofFig. 10.

Figure 12 is an end view of Fig. 10.

Figure 13 is a component part plan view.

Figure 14 a side view of Fig. 13.

Figure 15 is a side view of part of Fig. 6.

Figure 16 is an end view of Fig. 14.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the carriage shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 18 is a side view of Fig. 17.

Figure 19 is an end view of Fig. 17.

Figure 20 is a plan view of a foot-rest shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 21 is a side view of Fig. 20.

Figure 22 is a side view of a component shown in Fig. 20.

Figure 23 is an end view of a clamping bracket shown in Fig. 20.

Figure 24 is a side view of Fig. 23.

Figure 25 is a plan view of Fig. 24.

Figure 26 is an isometric view of the invention.

Referring to the drawings the invention comprises a track which rests upon the ground. In Figs. 1 and 26 this is formed by two angle-pieces 2 and 3 fixed to bed-plate 1, so that they diverge slightly from right to left. A carriage 20 (Figs. 1 and 17) comprises a plate 20 to one edge of which are fixed perpendicularly thereto, spindles 33 and 34, and on these are rotatably mounted wheels 30 and 31.

Lever 21 is pivotally connected to 20 by a suitable pin 36, and spindle 35 is fixed perpendicular to 21.

Wheel 32 is rotatably mounted on spindle 35. All three wheels are held on their respective spindles by suitable means (e.g. by circlips) as in Fig. 18. Wheels 30, 31 and 32 are grooved round their peripheries, and in the grooves locate the edges of members 2 and 3 of the track. Expansion spring 22 urges lever 21 in the direction of arrow A Fig. 17, thus keeping the three wheels in engagement with the track, and thus also, the carriage.

To one end of plate 1 is fixed plate 27 (Figs. 4 and 5), and mounted perpendicular to it spindle 28, upon which is rotatably mounted pulley-wheel 26. Side plates 50 and 51 arise from each edge of plate 27 and are pierced with opposing holes, in which pivotally locate the ends of cranked rod 25. Thus centre section "X" of 25 may swing through a substantially vertical arc (arrow A Fig. 6), and is consequently always parallel to the front edge of plate 25. Resilient rubber block 29 Figs. 4 and 6, is fixed between plate 27 and an arm of 25, and serves as a compression spring to urge crank 25 resiliently in the direction of arrow A Fig. 6.

A cord 10 is connected to a golf-ball 8 by means of a staple fixed in the ball, the cord then passing between rod 25 (section "X") and plate 25, around pulley 26, between track members 2 and 3, and then fastened to plate 20 of the carriage.

Cross-bar 12 has a plate 13 (with a hooked edge) fixed to it. In the hook engages one edge of track base-plate 1 (Figs. 21 and 26). Clamping bracket 16 (Figs. 1, 20, 23, 24 and 25) locates, a free fit, over screw 19. A slot in 16 loosely straddles pin 17, fixed in 12, thus preventing 16 from unwanted rotation about 19. Wing-nut 18, when screwed down onto 16, will cause 1 to be firmly clamped to 13 (Figs. 20 and 21). Slackening 18 permits 13 to be slid along 1 (arrows E and F Fig. 1) as required. By further slackening 18, the slot in 16 may be lifted from pin 17, and 16 now rotated through 90 degrees, thus allowing plate 1 to be separated from 13, for convenient storage.

Foot-pieces 14 and 15 (Figs. 10,11 and 12) have slots therein which fit comfortably over 12 (Fig. 26).

They may be slid along 12 (arrows C and D Fig. 1) to suit the stance of individual players, and may be lifted off for storage. A suitable scale (Fig. 26, 3A) is fixed to 3.

In operation a golfer stands upon foot-rests 14 and 15, having adjusted them on 12, and 12 on 1, as described above, so that he is addressing ball 8 correctly. Next he moves carriage 20 to its solid drawn position in Fig. 1. He then returns ball-rest 6 to it solid drawn position in Fig. 13, and places the ball on the hole 6A. (Fig. 16). He now plays his shot, and when the cord is tautthe energy in the ball is dissipated by drawing carriage 20 along thetrack in the direction of arrow G Fig. 1. Because rails 2 and 3 diverge they force 21 to pivot outwards,thus increasing the tension in spring 22, and progressively increasing the effort needed to pull the carriage, which will cometo rest at some pointalong the track depending on the strength of the stroke and club used.The golfer may now read off a figure on scale 3A againstthe front edge of the carriage, and refer to a chartwhich will convertthisfigure into the distance to ball would have gone, if untethered bythe cord.

As described, cord 10 is clipped lightly between the front smoothed edge of plate 5 and rod 25, underthe suitable pressure of 29. The cord is free to slide between 5 and 25, and from side to side (along virtuallythe length of section "X" Fig. 4), butwhen the cord is slack it is held captive by 25, and when seen from above, its point of exit from beneath 5 may be read offagainsta scale (9 Fig. 1) fixed along the edge of 5. In Fig. 1 a ball 8, hitdown the centre with no "hook" or "slice" will pull cord 10 taut around 26 (Fig. 4) and exitfrom the machine beneath the centre mark on the scale. When the ball comes to restthe cord will be held as described so that its position may be read off againstthe scale (in this case againstthe 0 degrees mark). Should it have been hit on an inaccurate bearing (or sliced) the cord, while taut, will slide to the position shown in Fig. 4, and be held in this new position, which may be read off againstthe scale as before. Referenceto atablewill convertthe number of degrees ofslice shown on the scale on either side ofthe centre line, to deviation in feet from that line, atso many yards distance.

Claims (15)

1. golf practice device comprising a ball, arresting meansforarresting the ball afterthe ball has been driven, a tetherfortethering the ball to the arresting means and indicating means associated with the arresting means for providing an indication representing the momentum acquired by the ball, when the ball is driven.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the arresting means comprises a track and a carriage arranged to run on the track and wherein the tether connects the ball with the carriage.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein a dimension ofthetrackvaries along the length ofthe track and the carriage is so arranged thatthe resistance to movement of the carriage along the track is dependent on the said dimension.

4. A device according to Claim 3 wherein the carriage includes spring-loaded gripping means for gripping the track.

5. Adevice according to Claim 4wherein the gripping means comprisesthree wheels that engage the track.

6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein the gripping means includes a resilient elementwhich urges one of said wheels towards a position between the othertwo of said wheels.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the tether extends around substantially one quarter ofthe periphery of a pulley between the ball and the carriage.

8. A device according to any one of Claims 2 to 7 furthercomprising one or morefoot rests so a connected with thetrackthat, in use, friction between the or each foot rest and the ground restrains movement of the track.

9. A device according to Claim 8 comprising a pair offoot rests which are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the length of the track.

10. A device according to any preceding Claim further comprising means for defining an elongated gap through which the tether passes and for impeding movement of the tether along the gap.

11. A device according to Claim 10 wherein said means for defining the gap is arranged for gripping thetetherwith a force determined buy a resilient element.

12.Adevice according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein said means for defining the gap is provided with a scale extending along the gap.

13. A device according to Claim 2 or according to any one of Claims 3 to 12, as appendantto Claim 2, wherein said indicating means includes a scale extending along the track.

14. A device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or in the accompanying drawings.