Golf trainer

Abstract

THE INVENTION provides a golf trainer comprising a body member adapted to be positioned in the path of the swing of the head of a golf club, the body member having a proximate wall structure and a distal wall structure spaced from the proximate wall structure to define a channel for the passage of the golf club head in the execution of a golf swing.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a training apparatus for a golf swing. It is a particular object of the invention to provide training apparatus whereby the back swing and the downswing away from and towards a golf ball respectively, are controlled and/or monitored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention a golf trainer comprises a body member having a base structure adapted to be anchored at ground level in the path of the swing of the head of a golf club, the body member having a proximate wall structure and a distal wall structure spaced from the proximate wall structure to define a channel for the passage of the golf club head in the execution of a golf swing.

The channel formed between the proximate wall structure and the distal wall structure may be adapted to guide the head and lower shaft of a golf club during the back swing and downswing.

Also according to the invention the proximate wall structure will be provided with an angled inner wall surface within the channel for allowing passage of the angled shaft of the golf club.

Also according to the invention the inner wall of the distal wall structure may be linear to guide the head of a golf club linearly during a back swing. Also the extremity of the wall structures at the entrance to the channel could be angled outwardly to guide a club into the channel during a downswing.

The invention further envisages that both the proximate wall and a distal wall will be formed in segments, and that the angles of these segments relative to the longitudinal axis of the trough will be adjustable. Preferably also the transverse distance between the wall structures will be adjustable to accommodate club heads of different sizes. Thus for example, each segment of the wall structures could be secured to the base structure by means of magnets cast into the wall structures, or by nut and bolt means with such nut and bolt means being movable along slots in the base structure. In one arrangement, the wall segments will be movable on the base structure along dovetail-type grooves which are engaged by slide elements secured to the wall segments or along steel plates cast into the base.

The invention also envisages that the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure are each formed by a plurality of finger elements which are generally vertically mounted by means of magnetic force or by hinges. The finger elements may be adapted to act as indicator means for either a correct or incorrect swing path of the golf club.

Also according to the invention, it is envisaged that the channel along the path of the golf club will be lined with a suitable cushioning means such as a lining of foam, synthetic grass, bristles or the like. Likewise, the inner surfaces of the wall structures could be lined with cushioning means.

The cushioning means may be adapted to act as indicator means for either a correct or incorrect swing path.

Where the wall structures are arranged in segments, it will be understood that the channel could be angled to guide a club head in an in-out direction during a downswing and initial follow through. Alternatively, the segments of the wall structures could be arranged to guide a club head and in an out-in direction during the downswing and initial follow through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order more clearly to illustrate the invention an embodiment thereof is described hereunder purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a golf trainer in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged, schematic section of a part of the golf trainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the golf trainer in FIG. 1 in use during the back swing of a golf club with the trainer set up for a straight downswing;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the trainer in FIG. 1 in use during the downswing of a golf club set up for an “out to in” downswing; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the trainer in FIG. 1 in use during the downswing of a golf club, set up for an “in to out” downswing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view and end elevation of a different embodiment of the golf trainer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view and end elevation of a different embodiment of the golf trainer shown in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c are schematic plan views, elevations, and end elevations of three further variations of a wall of the golf trainer shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, the golf trainer 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a body member having a base structure 11, a proximate wall structure 13 mounted on the base structure 11 and a distal wall structure 14 mounted on the base structure 11 so that a channel 20 for a golf club 22 is defined between the proximate wall structure 13 and the distal wall structure 14.

The inner wall 14a of the distal wall structure 14 could be generally vertically disposed or angled relative to the horizontal, while the inner wall 13a of the proximate wall structure 13 will preferably be angled along its length, towards a player so that the angled shaft 22a of a golf club 22 can move along the proximate wall structure 13 during a golf swing.

It is a special feature of the invention that one or both the wall structures 13, 14, will be formed in segments 13b, 13c, and 14b, 14c which are angularly adjustable relative to the longitudinal axis 23 of the channel 20. Preferably at least one wall structure 13, 14, will be further adjustable to vary its distance from the centre line 23 of the trough 20 so that the width of the channel 20 can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of a golf club head 22. Thus, in the example illustrated in the drawings, the distal wall structure 14 comprises two wall sections 14b and 14c which are each angularly adjustable and linearly adjustable relative to the centre line 23 of the channel 20. In the arrangement shown, each wall section 13b, 13c, is secured to the base structure 11 by means of two spaced short lever sections 24 which are each pivotally coupled to the wall section 13b, 13c at its one end and which are in turn pivotally coupled to securing bolts 25 which pass through spaced slots 26 in the base structure. The segments 14b and 14c of the distal wall structure are similarly adjustably secured to the base structure 11 and it is intended that these and the other arrangements described herein should all fall within the scope of the invention.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, both the distal wall structure 14 and proximate wall structure 13 have angled inner walls as illustrated. Such inner walls together with the exposed portion of the base structures 20 are lined with cushioning means, for example by means a carpet or synthetic grass 30.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the distal wall structure 14 and the proximate wall structure 13 are each formed by a plurality of finger elements 52 which are each provided with an embedded magnet 50 at the lower extremity thereof, the magnet 50 co-operating with a strip of steel plate 51 to hold the finger elements 50 in an upright position. With such an arrangement, the finger elements 53 will be capable of being displaced by the head 22 of a golf club and thus act as indicator means which is described in more detail below. In an alternative arrangement the finger elements could be hinged to the base structure 11 so as to be capable of being knocked down pivotally by the head 22 of a golf club. The finger elements 52 could be of generally circular cross-section with a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 50 mm.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, the wall structures 13, 14 are also adhered to the base structure by means of embedded magnets 50, as described above.

The arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate wall structures 61, 62, 63 which are variations of the wall structures described above.

In all the arrangements shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, magnets 50 are embedded within the base of the wall structures 13, 14, 52, 61, 62, 3 to permit such wall structures to be adjusted relative to the base structure 11 of the golf trainer. To permit such adjustment, a strip of steel plate 51 is embedded in the base structure 11 to underlie each of the magnets 50, as described above. The use of the magnets 50 and steel strip 51 permit an easy adjustment of the wall structures relative to the base structure 11 and permit easy realignment of the wall structures in the event that these are moved out of position in use. It will be appreciated that if a wall section, such as a section 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c, is accidentally displaced by a player, it can readily be replaced if the above magnetic system is employed.

The arrangements in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c show a single section of respective wall structures 61, 62, 63. Typically, two such sections will in each case be used to constitute a single wall structure. It will be noted that the arrangement in FIG. 7b and FIG. 7c, is rectangular in plan view, while the arrangement in FIG. 7a has one end zone which is angled. Clearly many other variations are possible.

Also, variations for securing the wall structures 13, 14, 52, 61, 62, 63 to the base structure 11 are possible. These could, for example, include dovetail-type slots (not shown) which are engageable by means of mating slide elements (not shown). Also in certain instances the slots 26 referred to above may be curved or angled relative to the centre line 23 of the channel 20 as shown at 27.

With the adjustable feature of the various wall sections described above, the trainer 10 can be set up to permit a player to practice various aspects of a golf swing. For example in FIG. 2, the distal wall structure 14 is set up to be parallel to the centre line 23 of the trough 20. With such an arrangement, the back swing of a player can be practiced to follow a straight pathway which is in line with the intended flight of the golf ball 21.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the various sections 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c of the wall structures 13, 14, are set up to cause a player to follow a downswing which is generally termed an “out to in” swing wherein the golf club approaches the ball on the outside of the centre line 23 of the trough 20 and follows an arc inside the centre line 23 of the trough 20 after striking the ball 21. Such downswing is intended to produce a slice or fade.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the sections 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c of the wall structure 13, 14, are set up to simulate an “in to out” swing wherein the golf club approaches the ball on the inside of the centre line 23 of the trough 20, and after contact follows a pathway outside such centre line 23. Such swing generally results in a hook or draw.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other configurations of the channel 20 will be possible by adjusting the various segments 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c, of the proximate wall structure 13 and the distal wall structure 14, to provide the required guide for a golf club during the back swing and downswing thereof.

As previously mentioned, the invention also envisages that the floor zone of the channel 20 along the path of the golf club 22 will be lined with a suitable cushioning 30 such as a lining of foam, a carpet or synthetic grass or the like as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Likewise, the inner surfaces of the wall structures 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c, could be lined with cushioning 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The cushioning 30 may include bristle elements 31 (FIG. 1A) which act as indicator means for either a correct or incorrect swing path. Thus, it is envisaged that the bristle elements 31 (FIG. 1A) could be displaced or otherwise disturbed when contacted by the head 22 of the golf club to indicate how the contact was made. Thus the floor zone of the channel 20 could have indicator means to indicate where the golf club struck the floor of the channel during the golf swing. The indicator means could pivot in the direction of the swing of the golf club so that these are in effect flattened when struck by the head 22 of the golf club. In order to reset the indicator means, they could, for example, be swept in a reverse direction.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the wall structures 13 and 14 are constituted by a plurality of vertically positioned finger elements 52. Each finger element 52 is provided with an embedded magnet 50 at the lower extremity thereof, which co-operates with a plate 51 embedded in the base structure 11 to hold the fingers in an upright position, as described above. With reference to FIG. 6, it will be noted that each plate 51 is housed within a recess 53 in the base structure 11. Many arrangements are possible, and the finger elements 52 could for example be arranged three deep on each plate 51 as shown to form the wall structures 13, 14. It will be appreciated that the finger elements 52 will act as indicator means in the event that a golf club strays from the trough 20 and strikes the finger elements 52. In such a case the finger elements 52 will be displaced to signal a faulty swing. Finger elements 52 which have been displaced can easily be re-arranged in the grooves 53 in the base structure 11 as shown in the drawings. In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the finger elements 52 could be hinged to the base structure 11 so as to be capable of being toppled angularly by a faulty swing.

The lining or cushion 30 for the floor zone of the channel 20 could also be marked to designate the intended line of flight of the ball 21 as shown in FIG. 1. Such lining could also be replaceable, for example by a slide attachment, (not shown), which engages in a dovetail-like groove (not shown) which runs along the centre line 23 of the trough 20, stopping short of the end thereof. In certain cases also the base structure 11 can be dispensed with and the wall structures secured directly to the ground surface by means of spikes or the like driven into the ground or other support. Such an arrangement is also included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf trainer comprising a body member adapted to be positioned in the path of the swing of the head of a golf club, the body member having a proximate wall structure and a distal wall structure spaced from the proximate wall structure to define a channel for the passage of the golf club head in the execution of a golf swing.

2. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the proximate wall structure and the distal wall structure are adapted to guide the head and lower shaft of a golf club during the back swing and downswing.

3. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the proximate wall structure is provided with an angled inner wall surface within the channel for allowing the passage of the angled shaft of the golf club.

4. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the inner wall of the distal wall structure is linear to guide the head of a golf club linearly during a back swing.

5. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the extremity of the wall structures at the entrance to the trough are angled outwardly to guide the club into the trough during a downswing.

6. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the transverse distance between the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure is adjustable to accommodate club heads of different sizes.

7. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein both the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure are formed in segments and the longitudinal angles of such segments relative to a longitudinal axis of the trough are adjustable.

8. The golf trainer according to claim 7 wherein the body member includes a base structure and the segments of the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure are movably secured to the base structure.

9. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the body member includes a base structure and the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure are movably secured to the base structure by means of magnetic force.

10. The golf trainer according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic force is provided by magnets which are embedded in the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure or the base structure, and such magnets co-operate with steel embedded in the base structure.

11. The golf trainer according to claim 9 wherein the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure are formed in segments and such segments are movably mounted on the base structure by means of magnetic force.

12. The golf trainer according to any one of claim 1 wherein the body includes a base structure and the proximate wall structure and distal wall structure are each formed by a plurality of finger elements which are generally vertically mounted on the base structure by means of magnetic force or by hinges.

13. The golf trainer according to claim 12 wherein the finger elements are adapted to act as indicator means for either a correct or incorrect swing path of the golf club.

14. The golf trainer according to claim 13 wherein the finger elements are hinged to the base structure of the trainer and in a direction wherein they are capable of being hingedly displaced by the passage of a golf club.

15. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the channel is lined with a cushioning such as a lining of foam, synthetic grass, bristles or the like.

16. The golf trainer according to claim 1 wherein the inner surfaces of the wall structures are lined with cushioning means such as a lining of foam, synthetic grass, bristles or the like.

17. The golf trainer according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the cushioning acts as indicator means for indicating a swing path of the golf club.

18. The golf trainer according to claim 17 wherein the indicator means are in the form of bristle elements.

19. The golf trainer according to claim 7 wherein the segments of the wall structures are arranged to guide a club head in an in-out direction during a downswing and the initial follow through of the golf club head.

20. The golf trainer according to claim 7 wherein the segments of the wall structures are arranged to guide a club head in an out-in direction during a downswing and initial follow through of the golf club head.