PENDULUM TYPE GOLF PUTTING PRACTICE DEVICE

A pendulum type golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising: a putting guide device having a light-emitting device emitting light to a putter head or a putting surface for guiding a direction and a distance of the putter; a putter sensing device for detecting the moving direction and the distance of the putter; and an alerting information device for informing about the accuracy of the detected moving direction and the distance of the putter.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a golf putting practice device and more specifically, a pendulum type golf putting practice device that guides a movement direction and distance of a putter, assisting a golfer in putting practice for more accurate putting.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

As a result of industrial development, mental labor is on the rise and can lead to physical inactivity and a lack of exercise. Therefore, to maintain physical strength is a challenge in modern times.

Due to changes in economical activity and higher income levels, the number of people who engages in sports has dramatically increased.

As a result of these changes, golf has become more popular to the general population. Since golf is not a strenuous in comparison to some other physical activities, men and women of all ages can comfortably participate and enjoy it. However, there are disadvantages. A substantial amount of time, money, and effort is required to improve the level of golf. Thus, more golfers spend time at an indoor driving range rather than the field to control costs.

In general, the indoor driving range can be used to master the fundamentals of golf such as swing, and various postures; practice of using of various types of wood or iron clubs and putter, which depends on distance. To practice the correct use of wood or iron club for sending a golf ball in a long distance, a large-scale driving range is essential. Whereas, to practice putting a ball into the hole at a short distance by putter is available in a small-scale driving range or even at home.

As mentioned above, such a putting practice may be realized in a narrow space, even at home. So, putting practice devices for exact practice have been developed and provided in large quantity.

Korean Utility Model No. 0366323 describes one of such putting practice devices. Referring to FIG. 11, this putting practice device comprises: a flat formed body (100) having a swing space for a putter (P); a slidable open cover portion (200) coupled to an upper portion of the body (100) for opening the upper portion of the body slidably; a light-emitting display portion (300) having a plurality of sequentially flickering LED indicators and being arranged in the center of the upper surface of the body; a sensor portion (400) having sensors disposed at the upper surface of the body for detecting a swing movement of the putter (P); a mode setting portion (500) formed on the cover portion for adjusting ON/OFF mode of power supply, and flickering tempo and swing width of the light-emitting display portion (300); and a control portion for calculating the average value of speed signal of each swing of the putter (P) detected by the sensor portion (400) using a built-in program and adjusting the flickering tempo of the light-emitting display portion (300) to the average value automatically.

So, according to this known putting practice device, detecting of motions of the putter by the sensor portion and flashing of the LED indicators of the light-emitting display portion help practice putting.

However, such putting practice device does not guide the direction of movement of the putter and moving distance of the putter. As such, the known putting practice device informing a user of only putting accuracy based on the moving direction and moving distance of the putter is not useful for putting training of inexperienced people.

In other words, a golf beginner needs a device that can guide correct direction and distance. However, the known putting practice device does not provide the guidance of the direction and distance of the putting. Thus, the person undergoing practical training cannot define an exact putting distance and direction, which renders exact putting training very difficult.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is to provide a putting practice device which has been developed in order to solve the disadvantages of the prior art as described above. It is an object of the disclosure to provide a putting practice device, which guides the moving direction and the distance of the putter so the person undergoing practical training can acquire the exact putting distance and direction.

In particular, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a putting practice device comprising a pendulum having a light emitting device for guiding the moving direction and the distance of the putter and informing the person undergoing practical training of whether exact putting was performed, enabling an exact putting practice.

In order to accomplish the above object, an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a light-emitting device for emitting the light to a putter head or putting surface in such a manner as to guide the moving distance and moving direction of the putter; a putter sensing device for detecting the moving direction and moving distance of the putter; and an alerting information device for informing the accuracy of the detected moving direction and distance of the putter.

In order to solve the technical problem, another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a putting guide pendulum having a light-emitting device for emitting the light to a putter head at one end in such a manner as to guide swing path and swing speed of the putter and having rotary motions around the other end; at least one sensor being installed on the putter head in such a manner as to detect the emitted light; and an alerting information device for informing an error in the event that light was not detected during guidance of the swing speed and swing path of the putter.

According to the present disclosure, the pendulum type golf putting practice device has the following advantages:

The light emitted from the light-emitting device to guide the distance and the moving direction of the putter enables an accurate putting practice.

Furthermore, effective putting practice may be realized because the putting practice device detects the distance and direction of the putter and provides a user feedback about whether the putting was correctly done according to the moving direction and distance of the putter guided by the putting guide device.

Furthermore, the swing path and swing speed of the putter may be effectively guided by adjusting the speed and angle of the putting guide pendulum having the light-emitting device.

Furthermore, whether the putting was accurately done according to the guidance of the putting guide device may be determined effectively by detecting light emitted to the putter with the sensor installed on the putter head.

Furthermore, due to the usage of sensor mounted on the putter head, the volume of the putting practice device is reduced and the putting practice device becomes more portable. Hence, even in a narrow space the practice is available; the practice is available without using a ball or a putting mat; and the problem of the limited space and time are solved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pendulum type golf putting practice device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a pendulum type golf putting practice device in which the process of putting practice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the a pendulum type golf putting practice device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view of the configuration of a putter sensing device of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a view of the configuration of a putter sensing device of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a configuration of a swing error analyzing device being installed in a control device (57), responding to the sensing device (90) shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional putting practice device.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below is a more detailed explanation on the embodiments of the present disclosure referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present embodiment is to enable a user to perform the exact putting by informing the direction and distance of the putting in advance. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to the present embodiment comprises: a putting guide pendulum (1) for guiding the moving direction and the moving distance of the putter, more exactly the moving direction and the moving distance of the putter head; a putter sensing device (2) for detecting the moving direction and moving distance of the putter; an alerting information device (3) for informing whether a correct swing has been made; a control device (4) for controlling the putting guide pendulum (1), the putter sensing device (2), or the alerting information device (4).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A putting guide pendulum (1) guides the moving direction and moving distance of the putter to users and allows to the users to practice correct putting. The moving direction of the putter includes the direction of back swing and the direction of follow swing. The moving distance of the putter means the moving distance of the putter head during back swing and follow swing, responding to the size of back swing and the size of follow swing.

The putting guide pendulum (1) comprises a light emitting device (11) installed at one end, the light emitting device for emitting light to a putting surface or a putter head and has rotary motions around the other end in a plane including the putting direction. The rotary motions of the putting guide pendulum (1) guide the moving direction and the moving distance of the putter by means of the emitted light by the light-emitting device (11). The user may identify by naked eye the moving direction and the moving distance of the light emitted by the light-emitting device to the putter head or to the putting surface and adjust the moving direction and distance of the putter accordingly.

As shown in the FIGS. 2 to 5, the putting guide pendulum (1) is coupled to a rotary shaft of a drive motor (12) and is rotated by the drive motor (12); by controlling the drive motor (12) the rotary angle is adjusted and the direction and the distance of the movement of the emitted light of the light-emitting device (11) are controlled. Because the putting guide pendulum (1) is fixed on the rotary shaft of the drive motor in such a manner as to guide the putting direction, the moving direction of the emitted light is constantly maintained and the moving distance of the emitted light is adjusted by means of the rotation angle of the putting guide pendulum (1).

A DC motor that a precise control can be easily obtained may be used as the drive motor and a gearbox and an exercise conversion device may be further provided so that the putting guide pendulum (1) does not rotate continuously but carries out the pendulum type motion.

The rotation of the drive motor (12), which operates the putting guide pendulum (1), can be controlled by means of a control device (4). A variety of light-emitting devices may be used for the light-emitting device (11) being mounted on the putting guide pendulum (1); considering the direct beam and brightness of the light, the usage of a laser or LED is preferable. In addition, it is desirable that the light-emitting device (11) is detachably installed on the putting guide pendulum (1), so that in case of the decrepitude or failure an easy replacement or repair can be available.

The control device (4) sets up the putting distance, and accordingly controls the putting guide pendulum (1). In other words, the putting distance is pre-determined based on various green conditions such as humidity, green slope, grass height, and so on, and saved in the control device, so that users can select any one of the putting conditions.

When a user performs putting based on the moving direction and distance of the putter guided by the emitted light from the light-emitting device (11) of the putting guide pendulum (1), a verifying device is needed in order to ascertain whether the exact putting was performed or not. Therefore, the pendulum type golf putting practice device according to the present embodiment further comprises the putter sensing device (2) for detecting the moving direction and distance of the putter and the alerting information device (3) for informing the accuracy of the direction and distance of the putter.

As described above, the putter sensing device (2) is to detect the putter and may be installed on the same side with the light-emitting device (11); the putter sensing device (2) may be variously configured, but proximity sensors such as a plurality of optical sensors or magnetic sensors are desirable.

The light sensor of the putter sensing device (2) detects the moving distance and the moving path of the putter by detecting light covered by the moving putter. The magnetic sensor detects the moving distance and the moving direction by detecting a change of magnetic force that is changing while the putter passes by.

As shown in FIG. 2 the putter sensing device (2) may be configured such that light sensors or proximity sensors are installed on a wall that is formed vertically to the bottom floor on the same side with the putting guide pendulum; or as shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5, the light sensors or proximity sensors may be installed at the bottom floor. However, as shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5, it is desirable that the putter sensing device (2) be disposed in the bottom floor in order to detect the exact moving direction and the distance of the putter, which moves along the putting surface.

The alerting information device (3) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure informs the user of whether the moving direction and the distance of the putter detected by the putter sensing device (2) were correct or not. The alerting information device (3) comprises at least one of a speaker and a monitor.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 the speaker (31) and the monitor (32), or both of them may be installed on the same side with putter sensing device (2); but it is desirable that the speaker (31) be installed always so that a person undergoing practice training can get alerting information immediately. If the alerting information device is only composed of speaker (31), informing both the putting direction and the putting distance may be difficult. As such the monitor (32) may be used to inform the user of the putting direction and the putting distance.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the alerting information device (3) may comprise a plurality of LED being installed on the bottom plate serially. In other words, in case of LED with multi-color RGB (Red, Green, Blue), only G light may be lit up to guide the putting direction and the putting distance and either R or B light may be lit up to inform about the result of the putting distance and direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a desired putting distance can be selected and activated by means of the control panel (4) which is activated by turning the power on (ON); then the light begins to emit from the light-emitting device (11) being mounted on the putting guide pendulum (1); and the drive motor (12) starts to operate and rotate the putting guide pendulum (1). Hence, the angle of rotation of the putting guide pendulum (1) conforms to the angle of rotation corresponding to the putting distance, which was pre-determined in the control device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a user performs a putting according to the emitted light of the putting guide pendulum (1) and moves the putter, the putter sensing device (2) detects the moving direction and moving distance of the putter and transmit this information to the control device. The control device that received the information about the moving direction and moving distance of the putter from the putter sensing device (2) determines whether the moving direction and the moving distance conforms with the direction and the distance guided by the putting guide pendulum (1). As shown in FIG. 5, based on the detected actual distance and the direction of the putter the alerting information device (3) informs the user of whether a correct putting has been made or not.

As shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5, the putting practice device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure enables a user to start putting at an initial point (PP) because the initial point (PP) of putting is marked on it.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the configuration of a pendulum type golf putting practice device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to the embodiment, the putting practice device comprises a putting guide pendulum (51) for guiding of the swing path and swing speed of a putter; a light-emitting device (52) for emitting light to the putter head; a drive motor (53) for making a rotary motion of the putting guide pendulum (51); a putter sensing device (58) for detecting whether the putter has been moved correctly according to the guidance of the putting guide pendulum; a sensor (59) mounted on the putter sensing device (58) for detecting the emitted light from the light-emitting device (52); and a control device (57) for controlling the light-emitting device (52), the putting guide pendulum (51), and the drive motor (53) and informing a user of whether the putter was correctly moved or not according to the guidance of the putting guide pendulum (51).

According to the present embodiment, the putting guide pendulum (51) instructs a user a swing path and swing speed and enables the user to perform putting in the correct direction and distance. The swing path means the moving path of the putter head. It includes the direction of back swing, the size of back swing, the direction of follow swing, and the size of follow swing. The swing speed means the moving speed of the putter head; it includes the speed of backswing and the speed of follow swing.

The putting guide pendulum (51) includes the light-emitting device (52) at one end and has a rotary motion around the other end in a plane including a guiding swing path. The rotary motion of the putting guide pendulum (51) guides the swing speed and the swing path to user in such a manner as user follow the emitted light of the light-emitting device (52). In other words, by moving the putter head in such a manner as not to deviate the putter head from the emitted light of the light-emitting device (52), a user is guided to the correct swing path and swing speed.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the pendulum type golf putting practice device of FIG. 6; the swing path and the swing speed of the putter is guided therein by means of rotary motions of the putting guide pendulum (51). Typically, putting is accomplished by a backswing and a follow swing. Referring to FIG. 7, as the putting guide pendulum (51) rotates in the direction opposite to the putting direction (A), the light-emitting device (52) guides the backswing path and backswing speed by means of the emitted light. The angle of the rotation of the putting guide pendulum (51) that rotates in the direction opposite to the putting direction determines the backswing path and the rotation speed determines the backswing speed. In addition, as the putting guide pendulum (51) rotates in the same direction with the putting direction (B) the light-emitting device (52) guides the path of follow swing and the speed of follow swing with the emitted light. The angle of the rotation of the putting guide pendulum (51) that rotates in the same direction with the putting direction determines the path of the follow swing and the rotation speed determines the speed of follow swing.

The putting guide pendulum (51) does the rotary motions by means of the drive motor (53). While not shown in FIG. 7, a precise controlled and easy-to-use DC motor may be used as the drive motor (53). The drive motor (53) further may comprise a gearbox and a motion converter device for rotating the putting guide pendulum (51) in a desired direction and speed.

The control device (57) controls the drive motor (53) and adjusts the angle of rotation and the rotation speed of the putting guide pendulum (51) in the direction opposite to the putting direction, and the angle of rotation and the rotation speed of the putting guide pendulum (51) in the same direction with the putting direction. The angle of rotation and the rotation speed of the putting guide pendulum (51) can be pre-selected according to putting conditions such as the putting distance, etc.

Apart from the putting distance, the putting conditions may include various conditions such as green slope, humidity, or other lawn conditions. The information about the size and speed of back swing, and the size and speed of follow swing that depends on the pre-determined putting target, is saved in the control device (57) and the corresponding angle of rotation and rotation speed of the putting guide pendulum (51) are also saved in the control device. For example, if the putting target is defined from 1 meter to 15 meters at an interval of 0.5 meter the size and speed of backswing, the size and speed of follow swing, and the corresponding angle of rotation and rotation speed of the putting guide pendulum (51) of each putting target are saved in the control device. Furthermore, depending on the changes of the putting conditions such as green slope, humidity, grass height and etc., an algorithm correcting the distance of the putting target is provided in the control device (57). For example, a formula correcting the distance of the putting target according to uphill or downhill slope, or a formula correcting the distance of the putting target according to humidity of the green and etc. is saved in the control device.

In addition, a key input device is provided in such a manner as to a user input the distance of the putting target or the putting conditions. If a user input the distance of the putting target and the putting conditions, the control device (57) corrects the distance of the putting target according to the putting conditions. Corresponding to the corrected distance of the putting target the size and speed of backswing, and the size and speed of follow swing are determined and the control device (57) controls the drive motor (53) in such a manner as the putting guide pendulum (51) rotate according to the corresponding rotation speed and angle. Furthermore, without inputting of the distance of the putting target and the putting conditions by a user, the distance of putting target may be changed according to the pre-determined series of the conditions. The control device (57) controls the drive motor (53) so that the putting guide pendulum (51) rotates according to the corresponding rotation angle and the rotation speed, which depends on the changes of the pre-determined condition. For example, according to a set-up of a user, the distance of the putting target may be defined from 2 to 10 meters at an interval of 0.5 meter in consecutive order and the putting guide pendulum (51) may be controlled to guide every set-up distance of the putting target.

Meanwhile, the speaker (55) mounted on the control device (57) may output a constant sequence of the signal tone in such a manner as the user start a putting action according to the guidance of the putting guide pendulum (51). For example, when the speaker (55) outputs the signal tones such as “ding”, “dong”, dang”, “dong”, the user may start the putting action in accordance with the last signal tone “dong” and the control device (57) may start to rotate the putting guide pendulum (51) in accordance with the last signal tone “dong.”

As shown in FIG. 6 the putter sensing device (58) is mounted on the top of the putter head in such a manner as to detect whether the putter was properly moved in accordance with the guidance of the putting guide pendulum (51). For this, the putter sensing device comprises a sensor (59) that detects the light emitted by the light-emitting device (52). Because the putter head is usually made of metal, the putter sensing device (58) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise magnets so that it can be easily attached to the putter head. In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, a fastening means as clip may be used to attach the putter sensing device (58) to the putter head.

The sensor (59) is an ordinary optical sensor, and it outputs an electric signal when it detects light from the light-emitting device (52) and it does not output an electric signal if it does not detect light. If during the guidance of the putting an electrical signal is output from the sensor (59), it can be seen as putting is properly accomplished according to the guidance of the putting guide pendulum (51). If during the guidance of the putting an electrical signal is not output from the sensor (59) it can be seen as the putter deviated from the guidance of the putting guide pendulum (51). “During the guidance of the putting” means a period during which the putting guide pendulum starts its motion from an initial location (location pointing to the vertical bottom) and finishes the motion through a backswing motion (A in FIG. 7) and a follow-through motion (B in FIG. 7).

The control device (57) comprises an alerting information device (54) that informs a user of the occurrence of putting error when the light was not detected by the sensor (59) being placed on the putter sensing device (58). A speaker (55) or monitor (56) may be used as the alerting information device (54). For example, during the guidance of the putting, a signal tone may be output through the speaker (55) if the light was not detected by the sensor (59) or a display may be output in the monitor (56) if the light was not detected by the sensor (59). However, it is desirable that a signal tone be output through the speaker to inform a user so that the user who is concentrating in the putting practice can recognize it easily. The alerting information device may be provided in the putter sensing device (58).

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of the putter sensing device (58) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The putter sensing device (58) includes a sensor (59), a wireless transmitting device (81) and a battery (82). A mercury battery, which has relatively small volume and can be used for a substantial amount of time, may be used for the battery (82). The wireless transmitting device (81) transmits the information on whether the light was detected by the sensor (59) or not to the control device (57). Since the putter sensing device (58) and the control device (57) should be abutting up to each other during the operation, the wireless transmitting device (81) may transfer the information by means of Bluetooth, ZigBee, or other local communication technologies such as infrared communication. The alerting information device (54) of the control device (57) can identify whether the light was detected by the sensor (59) with the transmitted information from the wireless transmitting device (81), and can determine the occurrence of error. Since the alerting information device (54) detects a putting error during the guidance of putting, the alerting information device (54) finds an occurrence of putting error when it does not receive a signal of light sensing for a period during which the putting guide pendulum starts its motion from an initial location and finishes the motion through a backswing motion (A in FIG. 7) and a follow-through motion (B in FIG. 7).

If the light detecting sensor (59) is installed on the putter head and a putting error is determined using information on whether the light was detected or not by the sensor (59), then the putter sensing device (2, 3) with such a big volume as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is not necessary. As such, due to the reduction of the volume, the putting practice device may be installed in a narrow space and portability also will be improved. In addition, because effective putting practice may be performed even without using a ball or a putting mat, the restriction of the space and time will be significantly reduced.

FIG. 9 is a configuration of a putter sensing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. If the putter sensing device (58) has only one sensor, as shown in FIG. 8, it cannot determine what type of swing error it detected; for example, whether the putting speed was fast or slow, or it was draw or fade cannot be detected. In this embodiment, since a plurality of sensor are installed in the putter sensing device (58), whether the swing was fast or slow, or it was fade or draw can be analyzed.

As shown in FIG. 9 the putter sensing device (90) comprises a plurality of vertically arranged sensors (91), a wireless transmitter (92), and a battery (93).

The plurality of sensors (91) like above-mentioned sensor (59) outputs a prescribed electrical signal if the light from the light-emitting device (52) is detected. To identify each sensor, identifiers are provided to the plurality of sensors (91); as shown in FIG. 9 the identifier of 1 to 9 is given in such a manner as to identify each sensor.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of sensors (91), for example, may be composed of nine sensors; the nine sensors (91) are arranged in putting direction and in the vertical direction to the putting direction. In this embodiment the number of sensors was given as nine, but it is not limited to that number and the number of sensors may be determined to a proper quantity for analyzing of the swing error. In addition, in this embodiment to analyze the errors in the putting direction (i.e. fast or slow swing) and the errors in the vertical direction to the putting direction (i.e. draw or fade swing) the sensors in the putting direction and in the vertical direction to the putting direction are arranged. In order to analyze only errors in the putting direction a series of arranged sensors only in the putting direction can be composed; also, in order to analyze only errors in the vertical direction to the putting direction a series of arranged sensors only in the vertical direction to the putting direction can be composed. For example, sensors can be installed only in the putting direction in the position of (4, 5, 6), or only in the position of (2, 5, 8) in the vertical direction to the putting direction.

The wireless transmitter (92) not only verifies whether the light was detected by the sensors, but also verifies which sensor detected the light, and then sends the information of identifier of the sensor detected the light to the control device (57). This information of the identifier cyclically becomes a sampling and may be sent to the control device (57). For example, if the time of the putting swing is 1.5 seconds and the sampling time is 0.05 seconds, the identifier information will be transmitted maximum of 30 times. In addition, if the light is not be detected by any sensors (91) during the sampling time, the information will not be transmitted or information that the light was not detected will be transmitted.

As described above the embodiment of the present disclosure analyzes the swing error with the sequence pattern of the sensors and informs the user of the results. FIG. 10 is a configuration of a swing error analyzing device being installed in the control device (57), responding to the putter sensing device (90) shown in FIG. 9. The swing error analyzing device comprises a sensor signal receiver (101), a swing error analyzer (102), and a swing error alerting device (103).

The sensor signal receiver (101) receives the information of the sensor's identifier from the putter sensing device (90).

The swing error analyzer (102) analyzes a swing error and determines the type of the swing error by means of the sequence pattern of the sensor's identifier transmitted through the sensor signal receiver (102). Types of the swing error are fast swing, slow swing, draw, fade and a combination of these.

For example, if the sequence of the identifiers consistently remains one pattern throughout the whole swing motion, it is determined as a correct swing was performed according to the guidance of the putting guide pendulum (51).

Swing errors in the putting direction may be determined as follows.

If, during the process of backswing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (3, 6, 9), Group of (2, 5, 8), and Group of (1, 4, 7) the backswing is determined as fast because the light passes by the putter head in the putting direction.

If, during the process of backswing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (1, 4, 7), Group of (2, 5, 8), and Group of (3, 6, 9) the backswing is determined as slow because the light passes by the putter head in the direction opposite to putting.

In addition, if, during the process of follow swing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (3, 6, 9), Group of (2, 5, 8), and Group of (1, 4, 7) the follow swing is determined as slow because the light passes by the putter head in the putting direction.

Conversely, if, during the process of follow swing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (1, 4, 7), Group of (2, 5, 8), and Group of (3, 6, 9) the follow swing is determined as fast because the light passes by the putter head in the direction opposite to putting.

Determined swing errors in the putting direction that were described above are summarized below.

TABLE 1 Sensor sequence Swing error Backswing (3, 6, 9)-(2, 5, 8)-(1, 4, 7) fast (1, 4, 7)-(2, 5, 8)-(3, 6, 9) slow Follow swing (3, 6, 9)-(2, 5, 8)-(1, 4, 7) slow (1, 4, 7)-(2, 5, 8)-(3, 6, 9) fast

The swing errors in the vertical direction to the putting direction may be determined as follows.

If, during the process of backswing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (1, 2, 3), Group of (4, 5, 6), and Group of (7, 8, 9) it means that the light passed by the putter head from the outside to inside of the body and thus it is determined that a swing error that the putter is moving away from body during the process of backswing occurred.

Conversely, if, during the process of backswing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (7, 8, 9), Group of (4, 5, 6), and Group of (1, 2, 3), it means that the light passed by the putter head from the inside to outside of the body and thus it is determined that a swing error that the putter is approaching to the body during the process of backswing occurred.

In addition, if, during the process of follow swing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (1, 2, 3), Group of (4, 5, 6), and Group of (7, 8, 9) it means that the light passed by the putter head from the outside to inside of the body, and thus it is determined that a fade that the putter is moving away from body during the process of follow swing occurred.

Conversely, if, during the process of follow swing, the sequence of identifier occurred in the order of Group of (7, 8, 9), Group of (4, 5, 6), and Group of (1, 2, 3), it means that the light passed by putter head from inside to outside of the body, and thus it is determined that a draw that the putter is approaching to the body during the process of follow swing occurred.

Determined swing errors in the vertical direction that were described above are summarized below.

TABLE 2 Sensor sequence Swing error backswing (1, 2, 3)-(4, 5, 6)-(7, 8, 9) Moving away from body (7, 8, 9)-(4, 5, 6)-(1, 2, 3) Approaching to the body Follow swing (1, 2, 3)-(4, 5, 6)-(7, 8, 9) fade (7, 8, 9)-(4, 5, 6)-(1, 2, 3) draw

The above-described examples are the relatively simple swing errors that were given in such a manner as to identify the swing errors by means of determined sequence of the sensors' (91) identifiers. Utilizing the sequence patterns of the sensor's identifier, other various swing errors, which will be understood by the person skilled in art, can be analyzed.

The swing error alerting device (103) informs a user of the swing error determined by the swing error analyzer (102). The swing error alerting device (103) informs a user of the type of the swing error by means of a speaker (55) or a monitor (56), which constitutes the control device (57). Furthermore, the swing error alerting device (103) accumulates and saves swing errors that were occurred during the putting practice and may inform the user of the accumulated results and corresponding statistical information. For example, the result of the putting throughout several times, the ratio of the swing with an error and the normal swing without any error can be calculated and provided to a user.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Particularly, the meaning and the scope of the claims and all changes or all transformed forms derived from the equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pendulum type golf putting practice device, comprising:

a putting guide device having a light-emitting device emitting light to a putter head or a putting surface for guiding a direction and a distance of a putter;
a putter sensing device for detecting the moving direction and the distance of the putter; and
an alerting information device for informing about the accuracy of the detected moving direction and the distance of the putter.

2. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 1, wherein the putting guide device comprises a putting guide pendulum having the light-emitting device at one end and having rotary motions around the other end.

3. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 2, wherein a rotating direction and rotation angle of the putting guide pendulum are adjusted by means of a motor.

4. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 1, wherein the putter sensing device comprises either a plurality of optical sensors or a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting a movement of the putter head.

5. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 1, wherein the alerting information device comprises at least one of a speaker and a monitor.

6. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 1, wherein the alerting information device comprises a LED.

7. A pendulum type golf putting practice device, comprising:

a putting guide pendulum having a light-emitting device at one end for emitting light to a putter head in such a manner as to guide a swing path and swing speed of a putter and having rotary motions around the other end;
at least one sensor being mounted on the putter head for detecting the emitted light; and
an alerting information device for informing about an occurrence of a putting error if the emitted light was not detected during guidance of the swing path and swing speed of the putter.

8. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 7, wherein the swing path of the putter includes a back swing path and a follow swing path and the putting guide pendulum guides the back swing path using a rotation angle of the direction opposite to a putting direction and guides the follow swing path using a rotation angle of the putting direction.

9. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 7, wherein the swing speed of the putter includes the speed of the backswing and the speed of the follow swing and the putting guide pendulum guides the backswing speed by using a rotation speed opposite to the putting direction and guides the follow swing speed by using a rotation speed of the putting direction.

10. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 7, further comprising:

a control device for adjusting, depending on information of a putting condition including a putting distance, at least one of the rotation speed and angle of the putting guide pendulum rotating opposite to the putting direction, and the rotation speed and angle of the putting guide pendulum rotating in the putting direction.

11. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 7, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter being installed with the at least one sensor on the putter head, the wireless transmitter for transmitting information about the sensor's detection of the emitted light to the alerting information device.

12. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 7, wherein the alerting information device is installed on the putter.

13. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor for detecting the emitted light comprises a plurality of sensors.

14. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 13, further comprising:

a swing error analyzer for analyzing swing errors using a pattern of the plurality of sensors that detect the emitted light during the movement of the putter.

15. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 14, further comprising:

a wireless transmitting device for transmitting identifiers of the plurality of sensors detecting the light during the movement of the putter to the swing error analyzer wherein an identifier is provided to each of the plurality of sensors.

16. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in the putting direction and the swing error analyzer analyses swing errors in the putting direction.

17. The pendulum type golf putting practice device according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in the vertical direction to the putting direction and the swing error analyzer analyses swing errors in the vertical direction to the putting direction.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140100047
Type: Application
Filed: May 28, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 10, 2014
Inventors: Jae Yeon NOH (Daejeon), Seung Ae AN (Daejeon)
Application Number: 13/903,589
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Lighting (e.g., Laser, Etc.) Means Attachable To Or Integral With Implement (473/220)
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);