Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
  • A63B47/002—Devices for dispensing balls, e.g. from a reservoir

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a golf training device, that is to say an apparatus allowing golfers to train in the practice of certain golf gestures.
• the present invention relates to a possibly easily transportable device, of small size, generally comprising a ball reservoir and means making it possible to bring the golf balls automatically one by one. a determined point on the apparatus, as and when the user's training shots are fired.
• US patent No. 2,939,705 discloses a mechanism for distributing basketballs.
• This mechanism includes supply means adapted to bring the ball to a collection point.
• these means include:
• a "release" pawl comprising at each of its ends a retaining lug.
• This pawl is pivotally mounted in the fixed ramp around a first axis transverse to the latter. This pawl is deliberately unbalanced so that, when no force is exerted on the downstream part of the latter, the upstream part of the pawl pivots down due to the distribution of the masses,
• the arrangement of the mechanism deserves to be simplified: the return spring of the pivoting ramp and the interaction between the ramp and the release pawl make the structure complicated and expensive, both from the manufacturing point of view than that of maintenance.
• the change of scale in size and weight, between a golf ball and a basketball means that the spring to be mounted is caused to have a fragile and delicate structure in the case of 45 g golf balls. , and a fortiori, even more in the case of training balls of 2 g.
• a golf training apparatus comprising means for supplying golf balls, adapted to bring each ball to a determined point called "shooting point", these means of 'supply comprising a fixed supply ramp in which is pivotally mounted along a first axis transverval to the ramp, a pawl called “release”, this pawl having a predetermined balancing with respect to the first axis and comprising, at its upstream end , a retaining lug, the supply means comprising, pivotally mounted around a second axis transverse to the supply ramp, a pivoting ramp having a predetermined balancing with respect to the second axis and, at its upstream end a stop, the downstream end of the fixed ramp and the second axis being arranged in relative positions such as a golf ball emerging from the fixed ramp, intercepts the ramp pivoted nte downstream of the second axis.
• the golfer who trains with the apparatus according to the invention, no longer has to waste time in positioning his ball before shooting it.
• it will shoot twice as many balls as with the traditional system of the bucket of balls.
• the apparatus is characterized in that the balancing of the pawl is such that the equilibrium of the latter around the first is axis is indifferent and in that the balancing of the movable ramp is such that the latter has a stable equilibrium position in which at least a portion of this ramp is horizontal.
• the apparatus according to the invention can be used both on a training ground covered with 2 g balls and outdoors with 45 g balls. No adjustment is necessary to switch from one type of ball to another.
• the device is characterized in that it comprises.
• a * bale reservoir with a distribution track helical comprising several standard stackable reservoir modules, each of these comprising a portion of helical track, so that by assembling said modules appropriately, said helical track is formed, this track ending in a module called "base" , which on the one hand, is adapted to carry said tank modules and, on the other hand, comprises said supply means.
• the modular nature of the tank allows in certain cases to limit the size of the device and to adapt its structure in order to be able to move it easily, the user having to position it on the ground in different situations (working on inclined slopes , approach work ).
• an upper module is advantageously provided comprising a funnel facilitating the pouring of the balls into the tank.
• said basic module is mounted on a support comprising a so-called “wear” mat comprising at least one housing for a portion of the mobile ramp, when the latter is in a so-called “position”.
• firing " the housing being delimited on its sides, by two guide edges of the bullet advantageously bevelled, and having at its opposite end, to said base module, a stop portion.
• the ball is guided towards and automatically positioned at the end of the housing comprising the abutment portion, that is to say at the shooting point and the golfer can practice repeatedly on the same gesture.
• the wear mat helps cushion, if necessary, the club's shocks in the event of errors by the golfer.
• the present invention also solves another problem which the applicant has been confronted with.
• the wear mat has a certain extension; on the other hand, it is desirable to be able to use the same device with right and left handed players while minimizing the surface of the wear mat.
• the means for fixing the base module to the support are suitable for positioning the base module in at least two positions, these positions being angularly distant, in a preferred embodiment, by approximately 60 °. and each corresponding to a housing of the mobile ramp in said wear mat.
• each of the two housings is arranged in the vicinity of one end of the mat and the apparatus can be adjusted so that the balls are supplied on one or the other of said housings.
• the device according to the invention also allows the golfer to correct his position, in particular a possible non-fixity of the head during the execution of the swing movement. Indeed, it is well known that the head must be stationary during the swing but not blocked.
• the device is provided with a telescopic articulated rod adaptable in the body of the device and having a fulcrum for the player's head so that the latter remains fixed during the execution of the swing movement.
• FIG. 1 is a view in elevation-section along the line I-I in FIG. 2 of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a top view along line II-II of FIG. 1 of this same device
• Figures 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views illustrating the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 in two configurations and assembly of a tank module
• Figure 5 is a top view of a support plate of the device illustrated in the previous figures
• FIG. 6 is a top view of a so-called “basic” module of this same device
• FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate the mounting of the basic module on the support plate in two configurations
• FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic detailed views in partial section of the supply means that the basic module comprises according to the present invention, these means being illustrated in two successive phases of their operation and,
• FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a correction rod associated with the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8.
• the embodiment chosen to be shown and described below relates to an easily transportable device, which is not intended, a priori, although this would be possible, to be used at a fixed station.
• the apparatus comprises on the one hand, a reservoir of golf balls 11 and, on the other hand, means for supply adapted to bring a golf ball to a determined point.
• These means are generally referenced in 12 and will be described in particular with the support of Figures 8a and 8b.
• Golf balls are referenced at 13, while said determined point, which is also called shooting point, is generally referenced at 14.
• the reservoir 11 includes a track 15 for distributing helical shaped golf balls.
• the reservoir 11 comprises a plurality of standard modules 16, three of the latter being illustrated in position in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. These modules are stackable and, in this embodiment, of overall shape cylindrical and snap into each other by means of latching lugs 17.
• Each of the lugs 17 has a latching portion 18 adapted to be locked in a latching groove 19 which each of the modules 16 has above the lugs latching 17.
• each of the modules which is made of plastic, has three sets of lug 17 - groove 19 of latching, regularly distributed around its circumference, ie at 120 °.
• each of the modules has a portion 20 of helical track and that by making the upper 21 and lower ends 22 of the portions of helical track 20 coincide, the helical track 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 is therefore formed.
• an upper module 16a has a funnel shape and does not include a portion of helical track. It is snapped onto a standard module 16 by means of snap lugs 17 as explained above.
• the reservoir modules 16 are stacked on a base module 23 which also also includes a portion of helical track
• portion 24 similar to the portion 20 of the reservoir modules 16.
• the portion 24 opens onto a conduit 25 comprising the supply means 12 which will now be described with the support of FIGS. 1, 3, 8a, 8b.
• FIG. 25 is shown therein in longitudinal section. It is in fact a cylindrical conduit whose diameter is substantially greater than that of golf balls 13.
• the lower surface of this conduit, referenced at 26, forms within the meaning of the present invention, a fixed supply ramp .
• a part 29, hereinafter called movable or “release” pawl, is rotatably mounted, by appropriate means, around an axis 30 (called “first axis”), disposed in the upstream part of the ramp 26 and oriented transversely to the axis of the conduit 25, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of Figures 8a, 8b.
• the pawl 29, which is shown in the two positions which it is capable of taking in FIGS. 8a and 8b, comprises a retaining lug 31 here comprising an upstream face 32 substantially curved and of shape, roughly at least, complementary to that of 'a golf ball.
• the pawl 29 has a predetermined balancing with respect to the axis 30.
• the pawl 29 has an indifferent balance around the axis 30.
• the pawl 29 has a substantially reduced width and that it is movable in an opening 32 of substantially rectangular shape and of barely greater width formed in the lower side of the duct 25, that is to say say in the supply ramp 26.
• the supply means 12 also comprise a pivoting ramp 34.
• This ramp essentially comprises a track 35 at the upstream end of which is arranged a stopper 36.
• Two mounting tabs 37, 37 ' allow the mounting of the movable ramp on the conduit 25, so that the latter is movable about an axis 39 (also called second axis) transverse to the plane of FIGS. 8a and 8b.
• axis 39 also called second axis
• the means for mounting the pawl 29 around the axis 30 and the pivoting ramp 34 around the axis 39 are not shown in the figures. In practice, these axes are materialized by pins from molding, but any other solution within the reach of those skilled in the art remains possible.
• the pivoting ramp 34 has a predetermined balancing.
• the pivoting ramp 34 has a stable equilibrium position in which the track 35 is horizontal.
• ballast 41 arranged, here, below the stop 36 and serving to support the latter.
• the base module 23 has three latching tabs 17 spaced at 120 °, FIG. 6.
• the base module 23 also has three latching grooves 1 arranged above the tabs 17, and in which fit into the snap-fastening portions 18 of the reservoir module 16 disposed above the base module.
• the basic module is mounted on a support plate 43 which will now be described.
• This plate essentially comprises on the one hand, support means generally referenced at 44, adapted to receive by snap-fastening the base module, and made of plastic, and, on the other hand, a wear mat carrying the general reference 45 in the figures.
• the support means 44 essentially comprise a cylindrical cup 47 of diameter identical to that of the modules 16-23 carrying snap grooves 18a, 18b.
• the snap grooves 18a are regularly distributed around the circumference of the cup 47 and are three in number, spaced 120 ° apart. It is the same for the grooves 18b which are interposed symmetrically between the grooves 18a. It appears from this arrangement that the basic module can, according to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the present invention, be mounted in two positions.
• the supply means are offset in each of the 60 ° positions, as illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b.
• FIG. 7a the basic module, illustrated in FIG. 6, is snapped into the grooves 18a while in FIG. 7b, the basic module 23 is snapped into the grooves 18b.
• the arrangement of Figure 7a, which corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 3, is a position intended for right-handed golfer while the arrangement of Figure 7b, which corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 4, is a provision intended to make the device according to the invention usable by a left-handed golfer.
• the reservoir modules 16 snap onto each other above the base module 23 as previously described.
• the apparatus 10 can be used with a telescopic rod 50 for driving.
• This rod has a vertical orientation portion 51 and a portion oblique 52, articulated at 53 on the vertical portion 51.
• the vertical 51 and oblique 52 portions are telescopic.
• the cap 54 For mounting the drive rod 50, the cap 54 has an axial guide opening 56 corresponding to the diameter of the rod. 'The rod 50 passes axially through the modules 16 and 23 in the free cylinder space 63, Figure 1. In the same figure, there is illustrated at the second reservoir module 16, through the hatch 57 of the central portion of In this figure, an annular cast iron ballast and itself having an axial passage corresponding to the diameter of the drive rod 50. It can be seen that this ballast is carried by a part similar to the cap 54.
• the vertical portion 51 of the cane 50 comprises, at its end opposite to the joint 53, a point making it possible to plant this cane in the ground as illustrated in the figure.
• the assembly of the device is particularly simple and emerges from the description which has been given.
• the basic module 23 snaps into place as explained in support of FIGS. 7a, 7b in the grooves 18a, in which case the device takes a configuration for right-handed, FIGS. 3 and 7a, or in the grooves 18b, in which case the device takes a configuration for left-handed, Figures 4 and 7b.
• All of the modules being made of relatively rigid plastic, the snap fastening of the tabs 17a is rigid.
• the basic module 23 mounted on the support 43 thus forms a rigid whole on which various reservoir modules 16 can be snapped on, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3. By positioning the modules 16 appropriately, the helical track 15 is located incorporated.
• This helical track serves as a reservoir for golf balls 13 and leads, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to a stop 61 in the basic module 23 so that, by gravity, golf balls 13 are admitted into the means supply 12, (more precisely in the fixed supply ramp 26 of the conduit 25, Figures 1, 8a, 8b).
• FIGS. 1, 8a, 8b illustrate three stages in the operation of the supply means 12.
• a ball 13a (illustrated in black) is about to be fired 14, waiting to be fired by the golfer, it acts, by its weight, on the pivoting ramp 34.
• the mass of this counterweight 41 is such that, account given the position of the hinge pin 39, the pivoting ramp 34 is balanced so that the track 35 is, naturally, in a generally horizontal position. Therefore, whether the ball 13a has a mass of 2 g or has a mass of 45 g, the track 35 naturally retains the horizontal position illustrated in FIG. 1.
• a ball 13b illustrated in white is in the first waiting position. This bullet is stopped by the stop 36 of the pivoting ramp 34 which prevents it from rolling down, in this case towards the shooting position. It is observed that the ball 13b maintains by its weight the pawl 29 in a position where it is practically parallel to the surface of the fixed supply ramp 26. This has the effect of projecting the stop 31 of the pawl 29, which allows to block, in the second standby position, a ball 13c illustrated in black as well as all the other balls stored in the tank.
• the ball 13b in the first waiting position exerts on the pawl 29 a torque around the axis 30 substantially higher than that exerted by the ball 13c in the second waiting position which is less distant from the axis 30 than the ball 13b.
• the ball 13c cannot, by its own weight, cause the lug 31 which retains it to retract.
• the balls upstream of that (13c) in the second waiting position do not exert thrust against said ball 13c: the thrust due to the weight of the other balls is exerted against a vertical portion stop 61 of the conduit 25, FIG. 2: the mass of the balls upstream of the ball 13c therefore exerts no force against the lug 31.
• the downstream end of the fixed ramp, the second axis 39 of the pivoting ramp 34 are in a relative position such that when the ball 13b emerges from the downstream end of the fixed ramp 26, it intercepts the pivoting ramp downstream from the second axis 39, FIGS. 8a and 8b.
• the second axis 39 is disposed above the downstream end of the fixed ramp 26, at the outlet of the conduit 25.
• the ball 13b which was in the first waiting position rolls concomitantly on runway 35.
• this track is arranged in a rectangular recess in the form of a groove formed in the thickness of the wear mat 45.
• the wear mat 45 comprises two of these housings respectively referenced at 71a and 71b corresponding to the two positions of FIGS. 7a, 7b.
• These housings 71a, 71b are delimited by edges 72 which also have the function of guiding the bullet 13a while it is rolling towards the firing point 14a (14b).
• the edges 72 are substantially bevelled, as visible in FIGS. 3 and 4. It can be seen that the end 14a (or 14b) of the groove 71a (or 71b), opposite the outlet of the duct 25, is rounded and forms a stop for the ball 13, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 8a, 8b.
• the device can take either the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 (right-handed), or that illustrated in FIG. 4 (left-handed). It will be observed that in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the entire wear mat 45 is located upstream from the firing point 14a, relative to the movement of the swing illustrated by the arrow 80a. On the other hand, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the whole of the wear mat 45 is located upstream of the firing point 14b for left-handed with respect to the direction of the swing illustrated by the arrow 80b.
• the wear mat only finds its usefulness upstream of the shooting point, its function being to absorb the shocks of the club when the golfer misses his shot.
• the apparatus according to the present invention can be advantageously used by a golfer to correct a lack of non-fixity of the head during the swing movement.
• the training rod 50 is used which is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 9. The golfer first adjusts the rod in height by acting on the telescopic element 51, then away from it vis-à-vis ball screw by acting on the telescopic element 52 which can also pivot around the hinge pin 53 if necessary. This triple adjustment allows to take into account the size of the practitioner and the place where he wishes to position the reference point 59 so as not to be hampered during his movement.
• the constituent elements of the apparatus 10 do not have a sufficient mass, it is possible either to interpose inside the reservoir modules 16 masses of steel or lead such as those illustrated at 57 in FIG. 1 or fix the foot 43 to the ground (FIG. 2) using a known fixing system (stakes, bolts, etc.) using the two holes 55 provided for this purpose.
• the stability of the assembly will thus be ensured and there is no risk of the apparatus overturning if the golfer comes to strike the mat brutally during his training.
• the supply means 12 here employ a pawl 29 and a mobile ramp 34 having the balance characteristics described: indifferent balance for the pawl 29 and stable balance so that the track 35 is horizontal for the mobile ramp 34.
• These provisions allow in particular the use of the apparatus with training balls 2 g. Note also that the same device can be used with 45 g bullets.
• the resistant torque exerted by the mass of the pawl must be such that it can easily be overcome by a ball coming from the second standby position and exerting a push on the pawl 29 downstream of the level of the axis 30 (a little after the position of the ball 13c illustrated in FIG. 8a).
• the mobile ramp may, in turn, have a slight imbalance (downstream portion of the second axis 39 heavier) so that the downstream end of the track 35 comes to bear against the bottom of the groove 71a or 71b.
• the imbalance should not be such that the ball in the first waiting position cannot, with its own weight, retract the stop 36 as illustrated in FIG. 8a.
• Such an arrangement could moreover be advantageous for apparatuses in accordance with the invention brought to be used in slopes.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Golf Clubs (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 1987
  • 1987-06-18 FR FR8708529A patent/FR2616673B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1988
  • 1988-06-17 JP JP63505724A patent/JPH01503608A/ja active Pending
  • 1988-06-17 WO PCT/FR1988/000322 patent/WO1988010137A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1988-06-17 EP EP19880905873 patent/EP0321534A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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