Spherical Projectile Attached To Tether Patents (Class 473/147)
  • Patent number: 11628345
    Abstract: A device including a golf ball that is configured to be operable for golf hitting practice. A cable assembly retains the golf ball during the golf hitting practice. A golf ball attachment eye segment engages the golf ball. A first compression sleeve is configured to join a portion of said cable assembly that is forming the golf ball attachment eye engaged with the golf ball. A cable eye segment is configured to be operable for engaging a stationary object. And a second compression sleeve is configured to join a portion of said cable assembly that is forming said cable eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Claudio Monge, Elizabeth Monge, Jessica Monge, Lisa Monge
  • Patent number: 10940383
    Abstract: A system and method for a knot game. The game includes a weight coupled to a flexible line. The flexible line has an upstream end and a downstream end which his coupled to the weight. The game includes gripping the flexible line at a position upstream from the weight. Thereafter, the weight is dropped and allowed to remove the slack in the line. Then a force is applied to create slack in the line in an attempt to tie a knot in the flexible line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Jason Starne
  • Patent number: 10547929
    Abstract: The invention is a collapsible cord wrapping device for clipping onto the cords of earbuds or similar devices when in use, which device can be unfolded for use as a cord wrapping base during earbud storage to prevent tangling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventor: Bruce R. Santhuff
  • Patent number: 9914039
    Abstract: A golf putting apparatus is presented. The apparatus includes a putter with a shaft and a club head, wherein the club head has a center section carved out to form an opening. The bottom of the opening may be defined by a connector. When used with the opening uncovered, this putter provides the golfer with immediate feedback on his/her swing, such as whether the ball would have contacted the sweet spot of the club had the opening been closed, how hard the ball was hit, and which part of the ball was hit. A club face may be attached across the opening to “close” the opening so the putter may be used in a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Jung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9802097
    Abstract: A swing training system includes a base unit having a grapple that is movable between open and closed positions. A free end of an elongated swing device, such as a golf club or a hockey stick, is secured within the grapple. The swing device is manipulated to exert a force on the grapple and a load cell, away from the base unit, for a predetermined value, such as force and/or time. Relative movement between the grapple and the base is substantially limited while the swing device is manipulated. Once the predetermined value is attained, the grapple releases the free end of the swing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy Ryan
  • Patent number: 9486682
    Abstract: A system for playing a ball game. The system includes a cable and an attachment, the attachment configured to attach the cable to a stationary object. The system also includes a ball assembly, the ball assembly configured to move along the cable. The system further includes a hitting device for moving the ball assembly along the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Daugard
  • Patent number: 9248360
    Abstract: A training device, including a ball and an anchored connecting structure that is anchored to the ball. A distal portion of the anchored connecting structure is a connector, extending from a distal portion of the ball, that is capable of connecting with a motion resisting device. A proximate portion of the anchored connecting structure extends into an inner volume of the ball, whereby resistance is provided to twisting and pulling motions between the anchored connecting structure and the ball, resulting from torsion and thrust loading during training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MARTY GILMAN, INC.
    Inventor: Neil F. Gilman
  • Publication number: 20140357390
    Abstract: A golf practicing device includes a golf ball and a ball anchoring assembly which includes a restraining cord and an elastic cord. The restraining cord, which is made of non-elastic material, has an affixing end affixed to the golf ball and an anchoring end. A maximum traveling distance of the golf ball is restrained by a maximum length of the restraining cord between the affixing end and the anchoring end. The elastic cord is provided along the restraining cord that shortens a distance between the golf ball and the anchoring end of the restraining cord. When the golf ball is hit to fly at the maximum traveling distance, the elastic cord absorbs a tension of the restraining cord and pulls the golf ball back toward its spot position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: David Ong
  • Patent number: 8801528
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf practice device comprising an upright support (12); a shaft (38) affixed to the upright support in a substantial horizontal orientation in predetermined height above a ground; a ball body (16) rotatably mounted to an outer end of the shaft; and a stopping member (14) attached to the upright support in a substantial horizontal orientation in position above the shaft. When a gold ball is struck by a golf club, it rotates about a horizontal axis and is stopped by the stopping member. The ball body is further slowed down by the unraveled cord (56) scratching the floor. After being hit with the full speed swing, the golf ball comes back into its initial quiet position in less than 5 seconds. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Ernest Dras
  • Publication number: 20140121030
    Abstract: A golf swing trainer system includes a frame formed by one or more frame elements, and a training ball that simulates or is formed from a golf ball. The training ball is attached to a static cord that is attached to and/or restrained at a first location of the frame. The training ball is further attached to a dynamic cord that is attached to and/or restrained at a second location of the frame. The opposing static and dynamic cords collectively serve to return the training ball to its initial position as a result of the tension applied to the training ball by the dynamic cord after being driven by a user, while the static cord restrains recoil of the training ball beyond the initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: RAY L. GORDER
  • Patent number: 8668594
    Abstract: A device allows a golfer to hit full swing golf shots with a real ball in a limited area while still providing the golfer with trajectory information about their shot and realistic feel of an actual golf ball. The device tethers a golf ball to the ground. When the golfer swings, the ball flies about 20 yards and drops to the ground. The device is easy to use and affordable. The device is made from two different cord materials, one being more elastic than the other, allowing the golfer to hit a ball without having the ball spring back to hit the golfer. The golf ball can be attached to the cord with a lightweight screw eye screwed into the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: John Joseph Girifalco
  • Patent number: 8562450
    Abstract: A recoiling tethered golf ball has a first hole extending through the ball center and a second hole extending at right angles to the first hole. A nail in the second hole extends beyond the first hole into the golf ball. An anchor has an elongated shaft tapering to a point for insertion into the ground. The upper end is formed into an eye. The anchor has optional threads for attachment to a board or tree. A surgical tubing tether extends from a first end to a second end. The first end is received in the golf ball first hole and is looped around the nail. The tether second end is looped around the anchor eye. A first retaining clip encircles the first end loop. A second retaining clip encircles the second end loop to secure the loop from releasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Gormley
  • Patent number: 8118685
    Abstract: An indoor and outdoor golf swing practicing device for a user is disclosed. The device comprises at least one hard board having a plurality of holes, at least one hinge means having a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm and a pivot arm, a plurality of wedges mounted to the hard board, at least one hanger bolt, at least one extension spring, at least one golf ball, a plurality of supporting pads attached to opposing first and second ends of an inner surface of the first hinge arm, a set of plurality of pads fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges proximate the hinge means and a plurality of pads fixed to the at least one hard board. A carpet is placed partially over the device to facilitate a user to stand on the hard board to practice their swing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Claudio Monge, Morena Monge
  • Publication number: 20110306433
    Abstract: A golf swing practice apparatus is provided including a rotating drum, a plurality of laser generating means mounted on the rotating drum, an elongated cord including a proximal end secured to the rotating drum and a distal end secured to a golf ball whereby the golf ball is tethered to the rotating drum, a base member having an impact area over which a user may swing a golf club, and a frame structure secured to the base member and to the rotating drum whereby the frame structure holds the rotating drum in an elevated position above the base member. The rotating drum rotates with the golf ball when the golf ball is struck by the user. At least one of the plurality of laser generating means generates a laser beam which propagates substantially along the path of the golf ball. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of laser generating means generates a laser beam which propagates parallel to a theoretical path of a fairway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: David E. Brantingham
  • Publication number: 20110281661
    Abstract: A recoiling tethered golf ball has a first hole extending through the ball center and a second hole extending at right angles to the first hole. A nail in the second hole extends beyond the first hole into the golf ball. An anchor has an elongated shaft tapering to a point for insertion into the ground. The upper end is formed into an eye. The anchor has optional threads for attachment to a board or tree. A surgical tubing tether extends from a first end to a second end. The first end is received in the golf ball first hole and is looped around the nail. The tether second end is looped around the anchor eye. A first retaining clip encircles the first end loop. A second retaining clip encircles the second end loop to secure the loop from releasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Gormley
  • Patent number: 8012032
    Abstract: A personal driving range apparatus is provided including a platform, a ball having at least one aperture that passes through the ball, at least one line having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably connected to the platform, and the at least one line is drawn through the at least one aperture of the ball so that the ball is slidably disposed on the at least one line extending from the platform. The apparatus also includes a strap disposed at the second end of the at least one line for detachably securing the at least one line to a stationary object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Francesco Biancamano
  • Publication number: 20110039628
    Abstract: A training aid comprises first and second spaced, substantially inextensible, divergent guide lines (10, 12) lying in a substantially common plane, each substantially inextensible line being fixed at a first end (14, 16) and tensioned at a second end of elastically deformable tensioning means (18, 20), a reciprocating element (22) through opposite ends of which the substantially inextensible lines pass and projectile (28) attached to the reciprocating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Graham Westmoreland
  • Publication number: 20100255920
    Abstract: A personal driving range apparatus is provided including a platform, a ball having at least one aperture that passes through the ball, at least one line having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably connected to the platform, and the at least one line is drawn through the at least one aperture of the ball so that the ball is slidably disposed on the at least one line extending from the platform. The apparatus also includes a strap disposed at the second end of the at least one line for detachably securing the at least one line to a stationary object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Francesco BIANCAMANO
  • Patent number: 7374496
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a fishing reel set fast upon a golf club with shrink wrap engaging feet of a base of the reel. An eyelet is also engaged fast upon the golf club with the shrink wrap. Fishing line extends from the reel to and through the eyelet. A golf ball is attached to the end of the fishing line via a rivet frictionally engaging an opening in the golf ball. The rivet includes a catch to keep the rivet in the golf ball and to keep the line in the rivet. The rivet further includes a head having an arced surface following the arced surface of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventors: Marlin D. Grant, Marlan D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7214137
    Abstract: The golf swing practice device has a floor pad; a hollow tee extending upward from a surface of the floor pad, a ball resting on an end of the tee; and an elastic cord attached to the ball and to the floor pad and extending through the tee. The golf swing practice device also has a socket on a lower end of the tee and a bulge on a surface of the pad. The bulge has a forward-facing slot enclosing the strike side of the elastic cord. The socket on the tee encloses the bulge. The socket and the bulge have complementary spherical shapes that are easily but fitly mounted over and into one another. In other aspects of the invention, the floor pad has a ramp on a strike side of the bulge, and a semicircular groove in its surface, on a forward side of the bulge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Louis Arsenault
  • Patent number: 6974389
    Abstract: A golf practice and exercise device having a frame with a horizontally projecting arm spaced from a base or from the ground and from which is suspended by a cord an object that may take various forms, such as similar to a standard softball, a teardrop-shaped punching bag, a body punching bag, or any other suitable form. The object is positioned with a clubhead impact surface in position for striking by the clubhead of a golf club being swung by a golfer. The impact surface is sufficiently large that a golfer need not concentrate on striking a small target as is required when swinging at a golf ball. The mass of the object is sufficient to provide substantial resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose muscle strain on the golfer for muscle development, but is limited in mass to allow the head of the golf club to swing the object sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass under the object and allow the golfer to complete the follow-through of the golf swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Shioda
  • Publication number: 20020160845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a training device for golf strokes which enables a user to practise his/her golf strokes, or warm up before a round on the golf course within a restricted area with simple means. In an embodiment of the invention, moreover, the invention can provide an indication of how far the ball would have travelled as a function of the force of the stroke and the ball's angle of departure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Carl Petter Simonsen
  • Publication number: 20020077188
    Abstract: A mobile golf practice device adapted for attachment to the bumper of a standard electric golf cart which allows a golfer to practice his or her stroke with the selected club, proximate the actual shot to be played. The device has an L shaped rigid shaft fixed attached to the cart bumper on one end and carrying a swivel on the other. A flexibly tethered golf ball is attached to the swivel such that the ball moves freely in a arc about the shaft when struck. By striking a golf ball and observing the motion of the ball as it orbits the shaft as well as the number of orbits the golfer can judge the effectiveness of the proposed shot in respect to his actual lie of the course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: RONALD R. ANZALDUA
  • Patent number: 6343996
    Abstract: The invention provides a practice device for practicing the game of golf. The practice device includes a ball, and a tether affixed to the ball for limiting the travel of the ball. The practice device also includes a reel for receiving the tether. The reel can include a lock for preventing the rotational movement of the reel. An anchor is provided for securing the practice device to a surface. The anchor has at least one leg. In an embodiment, the anchor includes two legs, each leg having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal ends of the legs are joined by a substantially perpendicular cross member, and the distal ends of the legs are receivable into the surface. The reel is rotatably secured to the anchor. The invention can also include a loop secured to the anchor for guiding the tether. The invention can additionally include deflector for preventing the ball from hitting the reel or the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Donald M. Gasseling
  • Patent number: 5989129
    Abstract: A golf practice aid is provided including a base and a ball swinging mechanism including an arm having a first end rotatable with respect to the base about a vertical axis. The ball swinging mechanism further includes a tether cord having a top end coupled to a second end of the arm and upper and lower compartments, including a central gear and a pinion gear mounted on an elastomeric friction element located in the upper compartment. A bottom end of the tether cord is equipped with a golf ball fixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: William T. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 5961391
    Abstract: A tethered golf ball return device is disclosed which includes an elongated tube member with a piston disposed therein, the front end of which piston is attached to the golf ball's tether line and a pull cord is attached to the rear of the piston such that when the golf ball is struck by a golfer, the tether line pulls the piston forward which forward movement is resisted by air pressure within the tube member and which golf ball can be returned to the vicinity of the golfer by manual pulling of the pull cord which action causes the piston to return to its original location within the tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Michael A. Priscella
  • Patent number: 5865683
    Abstract: A simplified golf practice equipment is sampled to four bare parts only which comprises a rectangular base block, an "L" shaped metal supporting plate mounted on one side of the base block by nuts, a steel cantilever shaft having one end fixed to a vertical slot of the vertical portion of the supporting plate by a nut and a ball swinging rod having a mounting socket at the top for sleeving over the free end of the cantilever shaft and retained by a nut and a washer, and a target ball at a free end of the ball swinging rod and all the nuts are simplified of uniform size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Kuan-Chou Yang
  • Patent number: 5700202
    Abstract: A golf swing training device is provided herein. A ball is connected to a line wound about a reel, and one or more weights are slidably positioned upon the line. When the ball is struck, its inertia strips line from the reel, and the line trails behind the ball in flight. Simultaneously, the weights are carried along by the line, and these weights exert a downward force on the line, thereby dampening the flight of the struck bail and forcing the ball back toward the ground. Also, when the ball's trajectory curves upward, the friction between the weight and the line increases, thus decelerating the ball. After the ball strikes the ground, the ball can be retrieved by manually rotating the reel in the preferred embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Edwin L. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5700203
    Abstract: A golf training device includes base pad on which an anchoring base is fixed. The anchoring base has a primary column and a secondary column extending upright therefrom and each defining therein a bore. An L-shaped support has a first section movably received within the bore of the primary column and a second section extending transversely from the first section to define a cantilever. A secondary support bar extends from the second section of the L-shaped support to be movably received within the bore of the secondary column. A dummy ball assembly includes a spherical member and two suspension rods having lower ends connected to and extending from the spherical member in a diverging manner to upper ends to define a V shape. A tubular member connects between the upper ends of the suspension rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Frank Shieh
  • Patent number: 5611539
    Abstract: A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, William C. Lay, John Frodsham, John C. Heath, William T. Dalebout
  • Patent number: 5599238
    Abstract: A golf practice device includes a tethered practice ball which enables the user to practice full-swing golf shots in an area as small as 25-30 feet in length and which when hit properly immediately returns the practice ball toward the user for re-hitting. The golf practice device includes a low resilient urethane foam practice ball, generally of the size of a conventional golf ball, which is attached to an elastic cord. The elastic cord is attached to a swivel element which is, in turn, attached to a non-elastic cord. The non-elastic cord is attached to a bag which is weighted down with a removable weight element, such as sand, pennies or the like. In use, the weighted bag weighs the golf practice device down, the elastic cord functions to return the ball, and the swivel element permits relative rotation of the elastic and non-elastic cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Edward J. Field
    Inventor: Anthony G. Roderick
  • Patent number: 5586940
    Abstract: Golf practice apparatus utilizing a tethered golf ball wherein the kinetic energy is dissipated when the ball is struck. Initial velocity vectors in the x, y, and z coordinates are derived by time integrating the respective forces over the period of time during which the kinetic energy is dissipated. From these derived velocity vectors is computed what the trajectory of the golf ball would have been if it had been untethered. Alternatively, two of the initial velocity vectors may be derived as described above and the third obtained mathematically after first deriving total initial velocity. Golf ball spin about a vertical axis may be obtained for correction to the trajectory by means of a reflective strip on the ground facing surface of the golf club head and two or more sensors for detecting the reflections from opposite ends of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dosch, Joseph Dosch
  • Patent number: 5544886
    Abstract: A system for enabling golf practice to be held in a limited space including:a cylindrical, PVC, pipe casing containing weight means and having a first end with an end cap fastened thereon, an eye bolt fastened to said first end cap, and a second end having an end cap fastened thereon, forming a sealed container for said weight means,a golf ball having a bore formed therethrough at the diameter, said bore countersunk at one end, anda tethering cord having a first end and a second end, said cord secured at said first end to said golf ball, said cord passing through said bore and secured therein, and shaped to conform to the outer surface of said golf ball at said first end, and said tethering cord secured at a second end to said eye bolt, said second end passing through said eye bolt, and secured to itself by a clamp, thereby forming a loop,whereby when said golf ball, said cord and said pipe casing are strung out in alignment and said ball is struck by a golf club, said ball will travel along its natural traje
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: David VanSkiver
  • Patent number: 5542661
    Abstract: A ball apparatus is provided which includes an anchoring member adapted to be anchored to a supporting surface; a guide member adapted to be held on a supporting surface spaced away from the anchoring member; a cord guide formation associated with the guide member. A cord is attached at one end to the anchoring member and passes through the cord guide formation of the guide member and is attached at its opposite end to a ball. The anchoring member may have a holding formation for holding a resilient ring in position and the cord may be attached to this ring. The ball may be a cricket ball or a baseball ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: OMNICO (PTY) Ltd
    Inventor: David C. Gregan