Golfers utilize a variety of training techniques and training tools to improve their golf game. A common form of golf training involves the repetitive driving of golf balls at a driving range, which enables golfers to practice their golf swing. Some training techniques and training tools may enable training off the golf course or outside the context of a driving range, such as in the comfort of a person's home, office, gym, or backyard.
A golf swing trainer is disclosed for use by a golfer in training a golf swing. As one example, a golf swing trainer system includes a frame formed by one or more frame elements. The frame includes a base member that rests on a ground surface when the golf swing trainer system is assembled and/or in use, a hanger arm projecting at an angled orientation from a first end of the base member and upward from the ground surface, and a target portion projecting from a second end of the base member and upward from the ground surface. The golf swing trainer system further includes a training ball that simulates or is formed from a regulation 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. As one example, the dynamic cord passes through an eyelet located at or near a distal end of the hanger arm, and the static cord is attached to the frame at or near the target region toward which the golfer drives the training ball. 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. Claimed subject matter, however, is not limited by this summary as other implementations and examples are disclosed by the following written description and associated drawings.
A golf swing trainer is disclosed for use by a golfer in training a golf swing. As previously discussed in the Summary section and within the Detailed Description, an example golf swing trainer system includes a frame formed by one or more frame elements. The frame may include one or more of a base member that rests on a ground surface when the golf swing trainer system is assembled and/or in use (e.g., supports or otherwise provides a foundation for other frame elements), a hanger arm that projects at an angled orientation from a first end of the base member and upward from the ground surface, and a target portion that projects from a second end of the base member and upward from the ground surface. The golf swing trainer system may further include or may be used in combination with a training ball that simulates or is formed from a regulation golf ball. The training ball may be attached or attachable to a static cord (e.g., a substantially non-stretchable string, line, rope, band, cable, etc.) that is attached to and/or restrained at a first location of the frame. The training ball may further be attached to or attachable to a dynamic cord (e.g., a stretchable string, line, rope, band, cable, etc.) that is attached to and/or restrained at a second location of the frame. As one example, the dynamic cord may pass through an eyelet located at or near a distal end of the hanger arm, and the static cord may be attached to the frame at or near the target region toward which the golfer drives the training ball. The opposing static and dynamic cords collectively serve the function of returning 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.
Trainer system 100 includes a frame 110 formed from one or more rigid frame elements that collectively define one or more subsystems of trainer system 100. For example, a first subsystem of trainer system 100 includes a hanger arm 112 that projects upward from a floor or ground surface upon which trainer system 100 rests. A second subsystem of trainer system 100 includes a vertical or upright target portion 114 toward which training ball 102 may be driven. A third subsystem of trainer system 100 includes a base member 116 that stabilizes and/or joins hanger arm 112 and target portion 114.
Any suitable quantity and combination of frame elements may be used to form frame 110 and its various subsystems.
Frame elements forming frame 110 may include hollow tubular members and/or solid members having circular, ovular, or square cross-sections, or other suitable cross-sections. Frame elements may be formed from steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitable material or combination of materials. Individual frame elements may be joined or otherwise coupled to each other in a manner that enables the frame elements to be disassembled for storage or shipment. For example, individual frame elements may be secured to each other with bolts, screws, clamps, press-fits, or other suitable hardware. Alternatively or additional, some or all of the individual frame elements may be permanently joined (e.g., sufficiently permanent to preclude or deter disassembly of the joined portions) or otherwise coupled to each other, such as by welds, press-fits, or other suitable approach. In at least some implementations, target portion 114 or frame element portions thereof may be omitted. For example, frame 110 may include hanger arm 112, base member 116, and a straight frame element 126 to which base member 116 is attached (to provide lateral stability), while other frame elements or components of target portion 114 may be omitted.
In the context of trainer system 100, training ball 102 may be secured to frame 110 by a first cord 130 and a second cord 132. Cords 130 and 132 may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. As one example, cords 130 and/or 132 may be formed from a braided nylon, and may include a nylon sheath.
In at least some implementations of trainer system 100, first cord 130 is less dynamic or elastic than second cord 132. For example, first cord 130 may take the form of a static line, and second cord 132 may take the form of a dynamic line. As another example, first cord 130 and second cord 132 may take the form of dynamic lines in which first cord 130 exhibits lesser displacement (e.g., stretch) along a unit length per unit force as compared to second cord 132. As yet another example, first cord 130 and second cord 132 may take the form of dynamic lines in which first cord 130 exhibits lesser displacement (e.g., stretch) along its entire length per unit force as compared to second cord 132.
First cord 130 and second cord 132, in combination with and/or in opposition to each other, enable training ball 102 to be driven toward target portion 114 such that second cord 132 stretches as the training ball moves away from its initial position and the user; thereafter retracts training ball 102 toward the initial position and the user, and away from target portion 114 as a result of the tension (e.g., spring force) applied to training ball 102 by the stretched second cord 132; and after retracting training ball 102 to the initial position or near the initial position, first cord 130 arrests or otherwise impedes the training ball from being retracted beyond the initial position or substantially beyond the initial position, to thereby avoid striking the user. Hence, second cord 132, as a result of its dynamic property, serves to return the training ball to its initial position, while first cord 130 retrains the recoil of the training ball as a result of its static or less dynamic property.
While the example of
Target portion 114 of trainer system 100 may be formed from one or more frame elements to support a net 162 and/or net frame 160 of target portion 114. Net 162 and/or net frame 160 may be secured to frame elements by bungee cords 166 or other suitable strap, cord, band, string, or fastener. Target portion 114 may further support a banner 164 that is located behind or in front of net 162. Banner 164 may include a scene of a golf course or driving range, for example. Trainer system 100 may further include an eyelet 168 or other suitable interface for securing an end of first cord 130. For example, in
Trainer system 100 may further include a mat 104 and/or a tee (not depicted in
Trainer system 100 which is depicted in assembled form in
Example interfaces depicted at 422, 424, and 426 may take the form of a knot between cords, a swage, or other suitable hardware for securing cords to each other and/or to the training ball. As another example, first and second cords may be formed from a single cord having two separate portions that contain materials that have different dynamic properties or when assembled (e.g., braided and/or sheathed) have different dynamic properties. One or more of these example interfaces may be used in combination with each other to secure or otherwise attach first and second cords to the training ball. For example, first cord 430 may be attached to the training ball rather than to second cord 432 at a first interface, such as indicated at 422 or other suitable location, and second cord 432 may be attached to the training ball at a second interface, such as indicated at 426 or other suitable location.
Training ball, first cord 430, and second cord 432 collectively form a training ball system for training a golf swing. In the example of
Continuing with this non-limiting example, a vertical portion of the frame structure (e.g., forming target portion 114) may be formed from of 8 pieces of 1.0625″ OD steel tubing, such as, for example, four (4) 25″ angled corner pieces, two (2) 43″ side frame pieces, one (1) 29.5″ base frame piece, one (1) 42″ top frame piece. The four, angled corner pieces exhibit two tapered (purged) ends, each of which slide inside either the side frame pieces or the top and bottom frame pieces as depicted, for example, in
The horizontal portion of the frame structure (e.g., base member 116 and hanger arm 112 in combination), hereinafter referred to as the ‘arm,’ may be formed of 3 pieces of 1.0625″ OD steel tubing, specifically: one (1) 46″ ball height adjustment arm piece (e.g., as depicted in
As depicted in
A non-limiting example of the function of ‘My Driving Range’ is hereinafter described. In this example, the user stands beside the hanging golf ball as if he or she were lining up for a regular golf shot. The user then executes a ‘full swing’ and strikes the golf ball, moving it from its original position in a forward trajectory. In response to the ball-strike, the dynamic line stretches to capacity and recoils, returning the ball to its original position over the synthetic grass mat. Without needing to move, the user is able to strike the golf ball over and over again to practice his or her swing.
As a non-limiting example, the advantages of the golf swing trainer system may include, without limitation:
(1) The user can safely practice his or her golf swing, both indoors and outdoors, while striking a real/regulation or simulated golf ball.
(2) The golf ball returns to its original position after being struck, without necessarily requiring manipulation by the user or requiring the user to bend over to readjust the ball.
(3) The ball height is completely adjustable for each user's preferences as well as to accommodate different clubs (e.g., including the ability to vary the proximity of the ball relative to the mat, tee, floor, or ground surface).
However, different advantages and/or additional advantages may be obtained by the golf swing trainer system, beyond those described herein.
The disclosed subject matter addresses the difficulty of practicing a golf swing in a location where the result of striking a golf ball would be detrimental to persons or property in the immediate vicinity, such as an urban area or inside a dwelling. The disclosed golf swing trainer system, including the example product referred to as My Driving Range, provides a safe and effective indoor/outdoor golf swing trainer that automatically or without necessarily requires human intervention, returns the golf ball to a position that is adjustable and pre-determined by the user. For example, the golf ball attached to an adjustable length dynamic cord, hangs at the user's predetermined height. The golf ball height is determined by increasing the tension of the dynamic cord to which it is attached, and may be varied by an adjustable hook location or other suitable connection to the frame. When struck, the golf ball travels in a forward trajectory toward the target region, and is returned to its starting position by the dynamic cord to which it is attached. The static cord attached to the golf ball and/or a net located at the target region provide an additional safety measure should the dynamic cord fail or become detached.
It should be understood that the embodiments, implementations, examples, and scenarios described herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention or inventions is defined by the appended claims, now or later presented, rather than by the description preceding them. All changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
The present application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/720,107, titled MY DRIVING RANGE, filed Oct. 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61720107 | Oct 2012 | US |