Patent Application
20240058680
Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.
The present invention generally relates to sports practice apparatuses, and more specifically to golf swing practice apparatuses. Such apparatuses can include a thin strip of material that, when struck properly, produces a loud, high-pitched noise that helps a golfer identify whether or not the clubface was square to target at the precise moment of contact.
Golf is a difficult sport, requiring high precision swings that are both powerful and reliable. In light of these difficulties, several golf swing practice devices have been developed to be utilized in a confined area. Such devices include tethered golf ball trainers, laser alignment club trainers, catch nets, and sensor-driven computer simulation systems. However, these apparatuses are insufficient for reasons described herein. The golf swing apparatuses described herein overcome many of the challenges and insufficiencies of prior art devices.
The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.
In some embodiments, the training device may comprise a vertical rod, a horizontal arm, and an insert. The insert may be permanently or temporarily connected to the horizontal arm. The insert may freely rotate around the horizontal arm on a rotational axis.
In some embodiments, the training device may comprise a vertical rod, a horizontal arm, and an insert. The insert may be permanently or temporarily connected to the horizontal arm. The insert may be created from a thin or thick material that is stiff or flexible.
In some embodiments, the training device may comprise a vertical rod, a horizontal arm, and an insert. The insert may consist of multiple layers or materials that are permanently or temporarily connected.
In some embodiments, the training device may comprise a vertical rod, a horizontal arm, and an insert. The horizontal arm may utilize a coil spring to absorb impact stress. The horizontal bar may rotate so that the insert may hang at different angles to match the lofts used with different golf clubs.
In some embodiments, the training device may comprise a vertical rod, a horizontal arm, and an insert. The vertical rod may be extended upward or downward in relation to the ground in order to adjust the height of the insert in relation to the ground.
The above-mentioned aspects, as well as other features, aspects, and advantages of the present technology will now be described in connection with various embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. Not all of the elements of the drawings are to scale in relation to other drawings and the comparative size of one element relative to another element in the drawings is not necessarily indicative of the relative sizes of the elements in one or more embodiments.
The game of golf is played on a golf course, which typically has nine or eighteen holes. Each hole is a predetermined distance from a tee-box. The goal of the game is to get the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible. The hole sits within a “green” that is separated from the tee-box by a fairway. Many golf courses have hazards or out of bounds penalties on the sides of the fairway, while the middle of the fairway is proper. Thus, hitting the ball as straight as possible is ideal for shooting the lowest possible score.
A player can use one of many golf clubs to hit the ball toward the hole or target. Generally, a “driver” is used to hit the ball from the tee. In order to be successful at golf, a player must be able to swing the golf club, such as a driver from a tee, to contact the ball forcefully and accurately. Accordingly, effective golf swings generally have at least one of two traits: high power (resulting in long distance shots) and/or high control of the ball. In order to control the ball, a swing should generally cause the golf club to contact the ball with a center of the clubface prior to the club making contact with the turf. The swing should trace a swing path of the golf head moving in the direction of the target at the moment of impact. The clubface of the club should “point” toward the target at the moment of impact. A clubface “points” along a horizontal portion of a line that is normal to the center of the clubface at the moment of impact. If the clubface points in the instantaneous direction of travel of the clubface at the moment of impact, then the clubface is considered to be “square” to the target. In a golf swing, one important factor determining the direction a ball travels relative to the target is the clubface direction at contact. When a clubface is not square at impact, it is generally considered to be “open” or “closed”, depending on the orientation of the clubface. An open clubface is off-target in a direction toward a front of the golfer, while a closed clubface is off-target in a direction toward a back of the golfer.
For example, for a right-handed golfer, a ball hit 250 yards with a driver clubface four degrees open at contact and a perfectly straight swing path would fly 40 yards right of the target. Similarly, a ball hit 250 yards with a driver clubface four degrees closed at contact and a perfectly straight swing path would fly 40 yards left of target. A ball that starts to the left of the target is caused by the clubface pointing to the left when the clubface makes contact with the ball. A ball that starts right of the target is caused by the clubface pointing right of the target when the club makes contact with the ball. While other factors influence ball trajectory, perhaps the most influential factor on the direction a golf ball travels is the direction of the clubface at contact. A golfer who can repeatedly produce a clubface square to target at contact will generally hit the ball in a straight direction, regardless of what happens prior to or after that moment in the swing.
A golfer's game can be improved by practicing repeatedly hitting golf balls. While it is relatively easy to practice short-range swings (e.g., putting), it is more difficult to practice hitting longer-range golf shots, such as shots from the tee-box or the fairway. This practice of hitting such long-range shots is most frequently done at driving ranges. However, using a driving range can be time-consuming, expensive and inconvenient. Additionally, since driving ranges are located outdoors, bad weather may prevent their use. When practicing at driving ranges, the most common method for golfers to determine clubface direction at contact is through visual inspection of ball flight. After striking a golf ball, golfers look up to the ball in the air and follow the ball flight.
Golf training devices come in many shapes and forms. Some are designed to be worn, some are attached to the golf club in order to help a user identify important club positions throughout the swing, and some are designed to help a user perform swings in place without the need for a large area for the ball to fly through the air. Many golfers utilize a striking pad, upon which a golf ball sits, and a catch net situated in front of the user to hit the ball into in order to simulate practice without the need for a large open space such as a driving range. The main drawback golfers experience when hitting into a net is that there is limited feedback delivered to the golfer to identify whether a shot is on target or to the left or right of said target. When striking a golf ball, users can identify whether or not the ball was struck near the center of the clubface. For example, there may be some feedback due to the “feel” of the club in the hands of the golfer. Similarly, for similar “feel” reasons, golfers can identify if the ground was struck prior to ball contact (e.g., a “fat” shot) or if the clubface contacted only the top half of the ball leading (e.g., a “thin” shot). However, it is very difficult for a user to perceive whether the clubface is pointed directly toward the target at contact. Even a few degrees of difference between where the clubface is pointed at contact and where the target is located can result in a ball flying out of bounds.
Existing golf swing training devices help golfers identify the clubface direction at contact in various ways. Tethered trainers, sensor-driven computer simulators, and catch nets are the most common training devices used by golfers to practice hitting when not at an outdoor driving range. These and other existing training devices do not show a golfer the clubface direction at contact until after the swing is completed in a similar way to visually inspecting golf ball flight when practicing at a driving range. A common theme with golf swing training devices is that they take approximately 2 seconds after the swing is completed to provide feedback on clubface direction at contact. The golf ball is in contact with the clubface for approximately 0.0005 seconds, so providing feedback on clubface direction at contact 2 seconds after the swing has been completed is approximately 4,000 times longer than the ball is in contact with the clubface. Identifying clubface direction at contact two seconds after the swing is completed makes training clubface direction at contact nearly impossible. There are no swing training devices that help a golfer identify the direction of the clubface at the precise moment of contact, and thus it has not previously been possible to know if the clubface is square to the target at contact when practicing or playing on a golf course. Being able to receive feedback on clubface direction at the exact moment of contact can help golfers to learn how to deliver a square clubface at contact on a more consistent basis, which should lead to significantly lower (e.g., better) golf scores.
Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a new and improved home-use golf swing practice apparatus which can safely accommodate swings at club head speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour without employing large catch nets or expensive sensor driven computer simulation systems, and most importantly, help golfers to identify clubface direction at contact as opposed to the seconds after contact.
The present invention is designed to help golfers practice squaring the clubface at contact on a more frequent basis and thus improve their game. Most golfers are not able to deliver a square clubface at contact more than 1-2 times out of 10 swings. It stands to reason that they cannot do so because it has never previously been possible to practice this specific aspect of the golf swing. The present invention is designed to provide immediate and audible feedback at the precise moment of contact. This audible feedback will greatly help a golfer to consistently repeat the swing techniques that produce a clubface that is square to the ball at impact.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Elements that are described as “connected,” “engaged,” “attached,” or similarly described, shall include being directly and/or indirectly connected, engaged, attached, etc. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Descriptions of unnecessary parts or elements may be omitted for clarity and conciseness, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the drawings, the size and thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience.
Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood these drawings depict only certain embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope; the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. An apparatus, system or method according to some of the described embodiments can have several aspects, no single one of which necessarily is solely responsible for the desirable attributes of the apparatus, system or method. After considering this discussion, one will understand how illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.
The apparatuses and methods provided herein can address the shortfalls and insufficiencies identified above. For example, the embodiments described herein include providing a golf swing practice apparatus that allows a user to practice delivering a square clubface to the golf ball at contact.
The body 104 can comprise a vertical pillar that supports the impact element 112. Additionally or alternatively, the body 104 can be coupled to the ground coupling 108. The body 104 can be generally vertical relative to the ground 116. In some embodiments, the body 104 can comprise a rigid or otherwise unresilient material, such as PVC, plastic, metal, wood, glass, fiberglass, rigid rubber, and/or other material.
The body 104 can hold the impact element 112 in place. The impact element 112 may be a generally flat element, such as an insert. The impact element 112 can be shaped like a card, ovular, elongate, and/or include a combination of basic geometric shapes (e.g., rectangles and a circle). The impact element 112 can be rigid and/or resilient in its orientation. That is, the impact element 112 may return to an original (e.g., target) orientation after impact from a golf club. The impact element 112 can have an impact surface configured to be impacted by the clubface of the golf club head. The body 104 may hold the impact element 112 at a target orientation (e.g., angle) relative to vertical that will correspond to a loft angle of the clubface. The body 104 may be offset from the impact element 112 to avoid contact by a golf club. For example, if the loft angle of the clubface is 4°, then the impact element 112 can be angled at 4° as well. Additionally or alternatively, the impact element 112 can be angled depending on the loft angle of the clubface but may not be identical. For example, the angle of the impact element 112 may be a multiple of the loft angle of the clubface, or it may be related according to some other mathematical relationship. If the loft angle matches or is equal to the angle of the body 104, the impact may create a “slap” sound that has one or more unusual characteristics. For example, the slap may be significantly louder than an impact with the impact element 112 where the angles do not match. Additionally or alternatively, the timbre of the sound may be different. For example, the slap may have more low-pitch sounds in the sound profile of the impact sound, compared to an impact where the loft angle and angle of the impact element 112 do not match. The slap may be heard, for example, if multiple points of simultaneous contact between the golf club face and the impact element 112 occur, such as due to an angle of both being angularly aligned. The impact element 112 can be generally planar as described herein. In some embodiments, the impact element 112 is reversible such that after presenting a first face for golf strikes, a user can change an orientation of the impact element 112 to present a second face for further golf strikes.
In some embodiments, the impact element 112 is coupled to the body 104 via a resilient hinge. The resilient hinge may include a living hinge configured to resist exceeding an elastic limit of the impact element 112 and/or of the hinge when repeatedly stricken by a golf club face. The impact element 112 may include at least one visual marking. The visual marking may be configured to assist in golf training or positioning of the planar portion or golf club face. For example, the visual marking may include a horizontal coloring, a notch, a shape change, and/or some other visual marking.
The golf swing practice apparatus 200 shown in
The user may swing a golf club with intent to hit the impact insert 212 with the golf club perfectly parallel (e.g., where the loft angle is the same as the angle of the impact insert 212, where a lateral (left-right) dimension of the club is the same as the lateral dimension of the impact insert 212) in order to achieve a slap. The impact insert 212 may comprise PVC, polycarbonate, nylon, polypropylene, vinyl, leather, polyester, metal, plastic, or other material. The impact insert 212 may be formed through casting, extruding, welding, injection molding, sewing, or other various manufacturing techniques.
The thickness of the impact insert 212 may be between about 0.01 mm and about 4 mm, between about 0.05 mm and about 3 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 2 mm, between about 0.2 mm and about 1.5 mm, between about 0.4 mm and about 1.3 mm, between about 0.5 mm and about 2 mm, and/or fall within a range having endpoints within those values. In some embodiments, the insert receiver 214 is between about 5 mm and 2 cm thick. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous for the impact insert 212 to be very flexible. This may be accomplished using films or generally lightweight materials. In some embodiments, the impact insert 212 may include one or more composites or materials used in conjunction to provide a target slap sound at contact and/or to withstand repeated impact from a golf club. In these embodiments, multiple materials may be permanently fused together via various means, such as by gluing, sewing, and/or co-molding.
The extension member arm 336 may be coupled to (e.g., adhered, molded to, formed with, etc.) the body 304. The extension member arm 336 may extend generally horizontal and/or parallel to a ground 316. For example, the extension member arm 336 may extend toward a user (e.g., the golfer). The extension member arm 336 may comprise any material that the body 304 includes. The body 304 can have a cross section that is ovular, circular, triangular, and/or some composite of basic geometric shapes. Additionally or alternatively, the extension member arm 336 may have a cross section that is ovular, circular, triangular, and/or some composite of basic geometric shapes. The extension member arm 336 can include additional features described herein, such as one or more tunable elements and/or resilient elements.
The impact insert 312 can be coupled to the extension member arm 336. For example, the impact insert 312 can be configured to hang or drop from the extension member arm 336. This arrangement may allow a golf club head to contact the impact insert 312 without impacting the extension member arm 336, the body 304, the ground coupling 320, and/or the support member 324.
The support member 324 can support the body 304 from significant movement from the impact of the golf club on the impact insert 312. The support member connecting arm 328 may extend from the body 304 (e.g., horizontally, vertically, some combination thereof). The support member connecting arm 328 may be disposed opposite the horizontal member arm 436 and/or opposite a position of the user, such as shown in
To enhance portability, the golf swing practice apparatus 300 may include a collapsible design. In certain embodiments, the extension member arm 336 and/or the support member connecting arm 328 may be foldable, or telescopic, allowing the apparatus to be easily disassembled and stored in a compact form. The collapsible design may also facilitate transportation, making it convenient for users to carry the apparatus to different locations, such as golf courses, driving ranges, or indoor practice facilities. In some embodiments, the impact insert 312, the extension member arm 336, the body 304, the ground coupling 320, the support member connecting arm 328, and/or the support member ground coupling 332 (in any combination) may be decouplable from elements to which they may be connected.
The ground coupling 320 can secure the rest of the golf swing practice apparatus 300 to the ground. The ground coupling 320 can include a stake, a screw, suction cup, clamp, and/or other fastening mechanism. By securely fastening the golf swing practice apparatus 300 to the ground, users can enjoy enhanced stability during their swing practice. The ground coupling 320 helps ensure that the apparatus remains firmly anchored to the ground, preventing any unwanted movement or wobbling while striking the impact insert 312. This increased stability can also reduce the risk of accidents or injuries caused by an unstable golf swing practice apparatus 300 during vigorous swings.
The ground coupling 320 can further provide versatility in setting up the golf swing practice apparatus 300 in various environments. Users may be able to adjust a length of, for example, the stake or other element that penetrates the ground. This can allow for different types of ground surfaces, such as grass, soil, or even sand. The ground coupling 320 can allow fastening the golf swing practice apparatus 300 with reduced time spent on assembling the apparatus. The ground coupling 320 can further allow consistent alignment during use.
The support member connecting arm 328 may include one or more features and/or benefits of the extension member arm 336. Additionally or alternatively, the support member ground coupling 332 may include one or more features and/or benefits of the ground coupling 320. The support member connecting arm 328 can include a plurality of arms. The support member ground coupling 332 can include a plurality of couplings.
The body 404 can include a vertical rod. The body 404 can be coupled to the ground coupling 420. The ground coupling 420 may include one or more features of the ground coupling 320 described above. For example, the ground coupling 420 may include a stake 440 and/or a screw 444 that may be permanently or temporarily secured to the body 404. A support member 424 may extend outward from the body 404 to secure the vertical rod to the ground to prevent or reduce lateral movement. The support member ground coupling 432 may be a stake. The support member ground coupling 432 can secure the support member connecting arm 428 to the ground.
The horizontal member arm 436 may generally extend horizontally from the body 404. The horizontal member arm 436 can include a resilient element 452, such as a deflection spring. The horizontal member arm 436 may further include an insert tuning member 460. The insert tuning member 460 may be connected to the resilient element 452. Additionally or alternatively the insert tuning member 460 may include a receiving element 448, which may be a slot. An impact insert 412 may be permanently or temporarily connected to the insert tuning member 460 via the receiving element 448. The receiving element 448 can include a clamp, a friction fit, and/or some other feature to maintain a position of the impact insert 412. The impact insert 412 may include one or more features and/or benefits of the impact element 112, the impact insert 212, and/or the impact insert 312.
In some embodiments, the golf swing practice apparatus 400 is used by a user swinging a golf club and hitting the impact insert 412 with the clubface. In some embodiments, the impact insert 412 may absorb the impact of the golf club by temporarily deflecting before returning to a default position. In some embodiments, the impact insert 412 may absorb the impact from the golf club by rotating around the insert tuning member 460 about an axis, along which the insert tuning member 460 is arranged, before returning to its default position. The return to the pre-set angle may be prompt (e.g., within less than 1 second, within less than 0.5 seconds), thereby facilitating repeated practice swings of the golf club face. In some embodiments the resilient element 452 may absorb the impact from the golf club by deflecting to absorb energy without the member arm 120 taking a significant amount of stress. The resilient element 452 can allow a golf club to hit the impact insert 412 repeated frequently before breakdown of the horizontal member arm 436.
The horizontal member arm 436 can additionally or alternatively include a member arm base 438 extending from the body 404. The member arm base 438 can include a tunable element 456. The tunable element 456 may include a plurality of slots, teeth, and/or other feature to allow a user to tune an angle of the impact insert 412 (relative to vertical) to a pre-set angle. The pre-set angle may be permanently or temporarily fixed. The tunable element 456 may be configured to modify a loft angle of the impact insert 412. The loft angle can be within a loft angle range of between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees, between about 12 degrees and about 55 degrees, between about 15 degrees and about 50 degrees, between about 12 degrees and about 50 degrees, between about 10 degrees and about 46 degrees, or any other range within those values.
The body 404 can include a grip 464. The grip 464 can allow a user to easily rotate the body 404. Additionally or alternatively, the grip 464 may allow a user to easily couple (e.g., screw) the body 404 to and/or into the ground (not shown in
If a user hits the impact insert 412 with a clubface that is perfectly parallel, or “square” to a contact surface 468 of the impact insert 412, the impact insert 412 can generate or emit a loud, sharp, high-pitched, easily distinguishable noise (“slap”). If the clubface is open (pointing to the right for a right-handed golfer) or closed (pointing to the left) even a degree or two in relation to the impact insert 412, the clubface will produce a soft, dull auditory sound. The difference between these two sounds, one loud and high-pitched, the other quiet and dull, is easily distinguishable to the user and will inform the user whether the clubface was square to their intended target at the point of contact. For each degree of difference between the direction of the clubface and the impact insert 412, there may be a reduction in the amount of sound produced, thus a user may be able to tell if the clubface was close to parallel with the impact insert 412 or not by hearing the differences in auditory feedback. A user may use this auditory feedback to train their technique in order to deliver a square clubface to the impact insert 412 at the point of contact more consistently. Doing so may help the user improve their golf score significantly. Thus, the golf swing practice apparatus 400 can serve as an impact notification apparatus.
The impact insert 412 can include a thin strip or other shape of material. The impact insert 412 may serve as a replacement of the golf ball for the purposes of practicing the golf swing. A user swings and hits the impact insert 412 at the contact surface 468. If the clubface is open (pointing to the right) or closed (to the left), even a degree or two in relation to the contact surface 468, the clubface will produce a noticeably lower pitched sound.
The loudness, timbre, and/or other aspects of the slap sound may depend on the material, the thickness of the material, the width of the material, the swing speed of the user, and/or other factors described herein. A user's swing speed may be at least 70 miles per hour (mph) and may be above a swing speed threshold, such as about 80 mph, about 90 mph, about 95 mph, about 100 mph, about 100 mph, about 110 mph, about 115 mph, about 120 mph, or sometimes even faster. For example, a 0.003 inch PVC film (using a driver with a swing speed of between about 110-120 miles per hour) may return a loudness or decibel (dB) level of between about 75.5 dB and 80 dB without a slap. Higher dB levels may correspond to a slap. A slap may result in up to about 91.3 dB or more. The slap may be heard when the swing speed is above one of the swing speed thresholds listed above.
As another example, a 0.003″ PVC film with a 0.01″ vinyl impact sticker applied directly to the film may return a decibel level of between about 75.1 dB and about 90 dB without a slap. Higher dB levels may correspond to a slap. A slap may result in up to about 104.7 dB or more.
As another example, a 0.02″ polypropylene sheet with duct tape applied directly to the sheet may return a decibel level of between about 92.1 dB and 97.8 dB without a slap. Higher dB levels may correspond to a slap. A slap may result in up to about 101.5 dB or more.
As another example, a 0.02″ leather pouch with a 0.02″ polypropylene sheet inserted into the pouch may return a decibel level of between about 88.2 dB and 99.33 dB without a slap. Higher dB levels may correspond to a slap. A slap may result in up to about 104 dB or more.
As another example, a 0.01″ vinyl sheet with 0.01″ PVC tape applied directly to the vinyl may return a decibel level of between about 86.60 dB and 99.50 dB without a slap. Higher dB levels may correspond to a slap. A slap may result in up to about 104.20 dB or more.
As another example, a 0.01″ vinyl pouch with a 0.03″ nylon sheet inserted into the pouch may return a decibel level of between about 93.70 dB and 100.98 dB without a slap. Higher dB levels may correspond to a slap. A slap may result in up to about 106.40 dB or more.
The auditory slapping sound is caused by the displacement of air particles between and around the clubface and the material. If the clubface contacts the material at a precisely parallel angle, it creates a compression wave that travels through the air. When the wave hits the inside of the ear, it encounters the eardrum, which has a very thin membrane that acts as a barrier between the outside world and the inner ear. The sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate in a very specific way based on the sound wave hitting it, and the vibrations are then transferred to the three bones inside of the ear into a fluid-filled chamber called the cochlea. Vibrations in the cochlea are transformed into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound. Different sound waves are perceived as different (high or low) sound pitches based on each wave's frequency—the higher its frequency, the higher its pitch. Additionally or alternatively, the sound waves may have a different timbre and/or other sound characteristics based on the wave profile of the sound (e.g., distribution and concentration of different frequencies). The slap sound may be heard if the difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle are within a threshold angular difference or threshold range. For example, the threshold angular difference may be a difference of about 0 degrees, about 0.5 degrees, about 1 degree, about 2 degrees, about 3 degrees, about 4 degrees, about 5 degrees, about 7 degrees, about 8 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 12 degrees, about 15 degrees, any value therebetween, or fall within a range having endpoints therein. The threshold range can have endpoints falling within any of those values, depending on the material, thickness, and other variables described herein.
The auditory slapping sound may be accompanied by a vibration that travels through the golf club and/or may be felt in the user's hands. This direct hand-ear-brain connection at the exact moment of contact enables golfers to develop a clear understanding of whether or not the clubface is square at contact and then specifically perform practice to more consistently deliver a square clubface to the golf ball when golfing. The golf swing practice apparatus may help a user develop better technique and/or help identify whether or not the clubface is square at contact. This may help a user develop the ability to more consistently deliver a square clubface to the golf ball.
As noted above, different materials and thicknesses of material can be used for golfers of different experience levels. Thinner, more delicate materials, such as 0.003″ PVC film, 0.005″ polypropylene film, 1/64″ EPDM rubber, 0.8 mm leather, 1 mm vinyl, or other similar materials may be less forgiving to a clubface not being perfectly square at contact and may thus be more difficult to produce a slap. These materials may be preferable for a more advanced golfer with a faster swing speed and a more consistent square clubface. Thicker, more robust materials, such as 0.2″ nylon, 0.031″ UHMW, 0.05″ acetyl, 2 mm vinyl, 2 mm leather, 1/16″ rubber, or even composites of multiple materials adhered or stitched together may produce a slapping sound when the clubface is moving at slower speeds or even within a few degrees of being perfectly square. Accordingly, beginner golfers, or those unfamiliar with delivering a square clubface at contact, may prefer to practice with easier materials before practicing with more advanced materials.
In some embodiments, the golf swing practice apparatus 400 includes a sensor comprising at least one sensor configured to measure or convey a physical or sonic property of a golf club face striking the planar portion. For example, in some embodiments, the golf swing practice apparatus 400 may further comprise a sensing and feedback system to analyze and provide feedback on a user's golf swing. The sensing and feedback system may include one or more sensors integrated into the body 404, the extension member arm 446, and/or the impact insert 412. These sensors may detect various parameters such as swing speed, swing path, impact force, and/or angle of impact. The data collected by the sensors can be processed by a control unit (not shown) and/or presented to the user through a display, such as a mobile device operatively coupled to and/or included in the golf swing practice apparatus 400. Such a sensing system can help users to analyze their performance and make improvements to their swing.
This can be accomplished through the use of the impact insert 412. The impact insert 412 may include a thin strip of material that may be suspended above the ground and/or tethered to the receiving element 448 of the horizontal member arm 436. When a user swings and hits the impact insert 412, it will either make a distinct, high-pitched loud slapping sound or will make very little sound based on how the golf club makes contact with the impact insert 412. If the golf club contacts the impact insert 412 so that the face of the golf club and the impact insert 412 are perfectly parallel, a loud slapping sound will be produced, as discussed herein in detail. If the face of the golf club is not parallel with the impact insert 412, the sound will be less noticeable for every degree of variation between the angle of the direction of the clubface and the impact insert 412.
The impact insert 412 may be fused to the protective layer 484. This may be temporary or permanent and can be accomplished by taping, gluing, co-molding or any other method used for fusing or adhering objects together. One or more materials may be used to provide the ideal stiffness or flexibility to the insert. These materials may be a thin metal sheet, plastic film or other similar material. The protective layer 484 may provide the ability to withstand repeated impacts from the golf club and prevent the impact insert 412 from being destroyed. This protective layer 484 may be a sticker, rubber coating, carbon fiber sheet, or other form of protective surface. The protective layer 484 may include a plurality of thin layers stacked on one another. For example, the protective layer 484 could include a plurality of threaded layers where each layer is threaded in a different orientation from the other threaded layers.
In some embodiments, the base 516 may be made of metal, rubber, plastic, and/or various other materials. For example, a metal base 516 may be used to provide additional weight to the training apparatus so that it does not move when a user swings and hits the impact insert. In some embodiments, the practice mat 524 may be large enough that the user stands on it while practicing.
Below are some examples of embodiments described above. These are for illustrative purposes and should be not be read as limiting.
In a 1st Example, a golf swing practice apparatus includes: a body comprising a vertical rod configured to extend from a ground, the body comprising a first ground coupling comprising a first stake and screw configured to be screwed into the ground; a support member comprising: a connecting arm extending from the body; and a second ground coupling comprising a stake configured to be inserted into the ground; a horizontal member arm extending from the body opposite the connecting arm and comprising a tunable element having a resilient element; a grip configured to allow manual rotation of the body, the grip configured to provide a user a greater mechanical advantage during manual rotation of the grip than during manual rotation of the body, wherein the grip has a larger radial dimension than a greatest radial dimension of the body; and an impact insert having a thickness of less than about 0.5 cm and extending vertically from a distal end of the horizontal member arm, the impact insert comprising a core material and a layer of protective material, different from the core material, disposed on a contact surface of the impact insert, the contact surface configured to receive an impact from a swing of a golf club and to be disposed at a loft angle corresponding to an angle of a face of the golf club, relative to vertical, the tunable element configured to modify the loft angle within a loft angle range of between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees, measured relative to vertical, wherein the resilient element is configured to bias the impact insert to be at the loft angle, wherein the contact surface is configured to: generate a sound from the swing having a loudness of less than a first loudness level in response to the impact where a difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle being outside a threshold range; and generate a sound from the swing having a loudness of greater than a second loudness level greater than the first loudness level in response to the impact where the difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle being within the threshold range, wherein the first loudness level is between about 80 dB and about 95 dB, and wherein the second loudness level is between about 90 dB and about 120 dB.
In a 2nd Example, a golf swing practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a body configured to extend from a ground, the body comprising a first ground coupling configured to couple the apparatus to the ground; a support member comprising: a connecting arm extending from the body; and a second ground coupling configured to further couple the apparatus to the ground; a horizontal member arm extending from the body opposite the connecting arm; and an impact insert extending from a distal end of the horizontal member arm, the impact insert having a contact surface configured to receive an impact from a swing of a golf club, the contact surface configured to be disposed at a loft angle corresponding to an angle of a face of the golf club, relative to vertical.
In a 3rd Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of Example 2, wherein the body comprises a vertical rod.
In a 4th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-3, further comprising a grip configured to allow manual rotation of the body, the grip configured to provide a user a greater mechanical advantage during manual rotation of the grip than during manual rotation of the body.
In a 5th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of Example 4, wherein the grip has a larger radial dimension than a greatest radial dimension of the body.
In a 6th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-5, wherein the first ground coupling comprises a stake and screw configured to be screwed into the ground.
In a 7th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-6, wherein the second ground coupling comprises a stake configured to be inserted into the ground.
In an 8th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-7, wherein the horizontal member arm comprises a tunable element configured to modify the loft angle within a loft angle range.
In a 9th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of Example 8, wherein the loft angle range is between about 0 degrees and about 20 degrees, relative to vertical.
In a 10th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of Example 8, wherein the tunable element comprises a resilient element configured to bias the impact insert to be at the loft angle.
In a 11th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-10, wherein a thickness of the impact insert is less than about 0.5 cm.
In a 12th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-11, wherein the impact insert comprises a core material and a layer of protective material, different from the core material, disposed on the contact surface of the impact insert.
In a 13th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of Example 12, wherein the layer of protective material comprises a pouch and wherein the core material is configured to be removable from and insertable into the pouch.
In a 14th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of any of Examples 2-13, wherein the contact surface is configured to: generate a sound from the swing having a loudness of less than a first loudness level in response to the impact where a difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle being outside a threshold range; and generate a sound from the swing having a loudness of greater than a second loudness level greater than the first loudness level in response to the impact where the difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle being within the threshold range.
In a 15th Example, the golf swing practice apparatus of Example 14, wherein the first loudness level is between about 80 dB and about 95 dB, and wherein the second loudness level is between about 90 dB and about 120 dB.
In a 16th Example, an impact notification apparatus comprising: a body configured to extend from a ground; and an impact insert having a thickness of less than about 0.5 cm and having a contact surface configured to receive an impact from a swing of a golf club, the contact surface configured to be disposed at a loft angle corresponding to an angle of a face of the golf club, relative to vertical, and configured to: generate a sound from the swing having a loudness of less than a first loudness level in response to the impact where a difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle being outside a threshold range; and generate a sound from the swing having a loudness of greater than a second loudness level greater than the first loudness level in response to the impact where the difference between the angle of the face of the golf club and the loft angle being within the threshold range.
In a 17th Example, the impact notification apparatus of Example 16, further comprising a horizontal member arm extending from the body and comprising a tunable element configured to modify the loft angle within a loft angle range.
In an 18th Example, the impact notification apparatus of Example 17, wherein the horizontal member arm comprises a tunable element configured to bias the impact insert to be at the loft angle.
In a 19th Example, the impact notification apparatus of any of Examples 16-18, wherein the impact insert comprises a core material and a layer of protective material, different from the core material, disposed on the contact surface of the impact insert.
In a 20th Example, the impact notification apparatus of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the first loudness level is between about 80 dB and about 95 dB, and wherein the second loudness level is between about 90 dB and about 120 dB.
In a 21st Example, a golf training device comprising: a resilient planar portion configured to present a face at a pre-set angle toward an oncoming golf club face; a stand configured to hold the resilient planar portion above a ground and fix the pre-set angle for contact by the golf club face, the stand having an offset base configured to avoid contact by the golf club, wherein the planar portion is configured to receive contact by the golf club face and promptly and resiliently return to the pre-set angle, thereby facilitating repeated practice swings of the golf club face; the planar portion further configured to emit a first sound when the golf club face strikes the planar portion in an aligned manner, and to emit a second sound when the golf club face strikes the planar portion in a non-aligned manner.
In a 22nd Example, the device of Example 21, wherein the resilient planar portion comprises a thin resilient card.
In a 23rd Example, the device of Example 22, wherein the stand comprises a slot configured to hold the thin resilient card.
In a 24th Example, the device of any of Examples 21-23, wherein the first sound is louder than the second sound as a result of multiple points of simultaneous contact between the golf club face and the planar portion when they are angularly aligned.
In a 25th Example, the device of any of Examples 21-24, further comprising at least one sensor configured to measure or convey a physical or sonic property of a golf club face striking the planar portion.
In a 26th Example, the device of any of Examples 21-25, wherein the planar portion and the stand are connected in a resilient hinged manner.
In a 27th Example, the device of any of Examples 21-26, wherein the planar portion comprises a living hinge configured to resist exceeding its elastic limit when repeatedly stricken by a golf club face.
In a 28th Example, the device of any of Examples 21-27, wherein the planar portion is reversible such that after presenting a first face for golf strikes, it can change orientation to present a second face for further golf strikes.
In a 29th Example, the device of any of Examples 21-28, wherein the resilient planar portion further comprises at least one visual marking configured to assist in golf training or positioning of the planar portion or golf club face.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63371876 | Aug 2022 | US |
