Patent Application
20240017149
One or more embodiments of the invention relate generally to golf training systems and more particularly, for example, to systems and methods for facilitating indoor and outdoor golf swing training.
Conventional golf training systems generally fail to provide flexible yet effective golf swing training and/or to replicate realistic golf environments. Thus, there is a need for an improved methodology to provide interchangeable and omnidirectional training features for both left-hand and right-handed users, particularly in the context of golf swing training within realistic golf environments.
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide golf swing training. A golf training system may include a platform and swing inserts configured to be secured to and/or within the platform and/or recess portions formed within at least a top surface of the platform. In various embodiments, such platform may be flexible such that it can be rolled up for storage, for example, or laid over an uneven indoor or outdoor surface. The platform and each swing insert may include a top surface, for example, that may be implemented by artificial turf and/or include synthetic fibers configured to simulate realistic turf types and lengths. Each swing insert may be configured to train a particular swing characteristic, which may be different from or overlap with swing characteristics trained by other swing inserts.
In one embodiment, a golf training system may include a platform and first and second swing inserts. The platform may include a recessed portion, and the first and second swing inserts are configured to engage the recessed portion of the platform.
In another embodiment, a golf training apparatus may include a monolithic platform having a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion, the second recessed portion positioned substantially opposite from the first recessed portion, and first and second swing inserts. The first swing insert and the second swing insert include an anchor support by way of a midpoint portion and an end portion, where the end portion includes an end width greater than a midpoint width of the midpoint portion.
The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.
Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, golf swing training may be provided by a golf training system including a platform and swing inserts configured to be secured to and/or within the platform and/or recess portions formed within at least a top surface of the platform. In various embodiments, such platform may be flexible such that it can be rolled up for storage, for example, or laid over an uneven indoor or outdoor surface. The platform and each swing insert may include a top surface, for example, that may be implemented by artificial turf and/or include synthetic fibers configured to simulate realistic turf types and lengths. Each swing insert may be configured to train a particular swing characteristic, which may be different from or overlap with swing characteristics trained by other swing inserts. Positions of recesses within the platform may be chosen to facilitate use by left and/or right-hand golfers, for example, and/or to facilitate a particular type of golf swing training, as described herein.
Recesses formed in the platform may be formed partially or completely through one or more layers of the platform, for example, and be sufficiently deep so as to help prevent rotation and/or disengagement of the swing inserts therein via one or more irregular or non-polygonal features and/or varying mid and corner widths of the swing inserts and/or recesses, as described herein. Moreover, the thickness of the platform, the depth of the recesses, and the thickness of the swing inserts may be selected such that a top surface of one or more of the swing inserts is substantially flush with a top surface of the platform when a swing insert is engaged with a corresponding recess. Swing inserts may be configured to fit securely within the recesses of the platform, such that the shape of the perimeter of the swing inserts substantially matches the shape of the perimeter of the recesses.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the invention to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Notably, the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all the described or illustrated elements.
Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components will be omitted so as not to obscure the invention. As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs).
Embodiments described as being implemented in hardware should not be limited thereto, but can include embodiments implemented in software, or combinations of software and hardware, and vice-versa, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, unless otherwise specified herein. In the exemplary embodiments described herein, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting; rather, the invention is intended to encompass other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other; “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other; and “operatively coupled” means that two elements are coupled in such a way that the two elements function together. It is to be understood that two elements being “operatively coupled” does not require a direct connection or a permanent connection between them.
As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). As employed herein, the term “substantially” shall mean that the difference is negligible. Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
One or more embodiments described herein pertain to a system and apparatus for providing a golf training system. The golf training system may include an apparatus configured to provide a realistic and flexible indoor and outdoor practice experience. The apparatus may include various interchangeable elements and be configured to provide feedback on various key swing elements, including hooks/slices, fat shots, thin shots, swing path, impact position, and/or ball strike location. The systems and apparatus described herein provide a means for maximizing at home training efficiency while improving overall user experience.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 may be configured to engage with platform 102 such that the top surfaces of the swing inserts are substantially flush with top surface 107 of platform 102. Thus, system 100 may be configured to better replicate real world training environments. By contrast, conventional golf training aids include elevated striking platforms that are not the same level as a user's feet, and having the striking platform elevated above the user's feet is not a typical or realistic golfing environment. Such an uneven practice environment is not conducive to skill and performance improvements that translate to real-world environments (e.g., golf courses). For example, in conventional training devices where the striking surface is elevated above the user's feet, the user's swing is trained incorrectly because the artificial elevation is typically not present in real-world environments. When golfing in a real-world environment (e.g., on a physical golf course), the golfer will either be standing or doing their best to position themselves so as to stand at the same level as the ball and/or tee placement.
In general, platform 102 of golf training system 100 is configured to engage swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110. Swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 may each be configured for interchangeably engaging with recesses 101, 103. Each of swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 may be reversable within recesses 101, 103, for example, so as to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed golfers. In some embodiments, system 100 is configured for facilitating an improved golf training platform, which includes anchor support for swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110. Anchor support is a feature of system 100 that ensures swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 remain securely coupled to platform 102 during use, as described herein.
Referring now to
When a user of system 100 swings a golf club and strikes platform 102 and/or swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110, the golf club may impact platform 102 and/or swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 and transfer of kinetic energy from the striking club to platform 102 and/or the swing inserts in a manner that risks disengaging the swing inserts from platform 102. System 100 may include one or more anchor supports to mitigate the potential of such disengagements. In some embodiments, anchor support is achieved by reducing the compression forces where swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 include a midpoint portion and an end portion configured for anchor support. This may be achieved by having a width W of the midpoint portion be smaller than a width W′ of the end portion, as shown in
More generally, each swing insert (and corresponding recess in platform 102) may include an anchor support implemented by one or more irregular or non-polygonal features and/or varying mid and corner/end widths of the swing inserts and/or recesses, substantially as shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
In addition, as shown in
In some embodiments, swing insert 104 may include various anchor support features, similarly as described herein with respect to swing insert 108. Such anchor support features may include a midpoint portion and an end portion, wherein the end portion includes an end width greater than a midpoint width of the midpoint portion of swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110. In some embodiments, swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 include one or more arch supports for preventing disengagement of the swing inserts with platform 102. For example, arch supports are able to provide a pinching effect, which further mitigates risk of disengagement from kinetic impact. Due to the shape of the arch supports and due to the reflective forces resulting from an impact of a golf club swing, a pinching effect is realized that helps to dissipate the energy from the club impact and therefore aid in the retention of swing inserts 104, 106, 108, 110 within recesses 101, 103 of platform 102.
Referring now to
For example, directional arrows may be oriented in a direction aligned with a desired shot direction for practicing accurate golf swings (and the expected resulting shots). The directional arrows indicate the direction of a golfer's swing. After a club swing makes contact with the surface material of swing insert 106, the surface material will darken where the contact is made to indicate the trail of the swing. To ‘reset’ the material, a user can brush mat fibers of the surface material back in the opposite direction using a hand, foot or club, which will homogenize the surface to ready it for the next swing. Users may then utilize the trail/impact markings on the material to analyze their swing to make corrections to their swing, as is discussed further herein.
As shown in
In some embodiments, a golfer may utilize the directional arrows of swing insert 106 to face swing insert 106 in the proper direction for practice. The arrows should be aimed to point in the intended direction of the golfer's swing and/or resulting shot. As shown in
For right-handed golfers, a slice has an outside-in path while a hook is the opposite and has an inside-out path. Straight shots will show as a straightforward impact path. Accordingly, marker 406 corresponds to a slice shot for a right-handed golfer, while marker 410 corresponds to a hook shot. Marker 408 corresponds to a straight shot.
In some implementations, markers 412, 414, 416 correspond to fat/thin shots. Swing insert 106 can provide immediate feedback to indicate whether a shot was hit purely or fat or thin. A pure strike will be ball-first contact with the divot pattern following the ball. Fat shots correspond to club contact before the ball and thin shots with little to no club contact on the swing insert surface. Accordingly, marker 412 corresponds to a fat shot, marker 414 corresponds to a good pure shot, and marker 416 corresponds to a thin shot.
In some embodiments, markers 418, 420, 422 correspond to sweet spot shots. Swing insert 106 can provide immediate feedback to indicate whether the center of the clubface hit the ball, for example, or what portion of the club hit the ball (e.g., left, right, center; toe, heel, center). Hitting the “sweet spot” of the club is critical for good ball striking. Accordingly, marker 418 corresponds to an “off the toe” shot, while marker 422 corresponds to “off the heel” shot. Marker 420 corresponds to the sweet spot center hit on the clubface of club 404.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, swing insert 110 may be configured to provide instantaneous or contemporaneous feedback for a golfer's swing path to indicate and/or correct hooks or slices and/or to practice draws or fades. In various embodiments, swing insert 110 should be used after identifying swing tendencies via swing insert 106, as described herein. Once a user has practiced with swing insert 110, that user may reuse swing insert 104 to determine whether the user's swing path has improved. Multiple iterations between swing inserts 106 and 110 may be used to refine a user's golf swing tendencies, as described herein.
As shown in
To provide feedback of an improper swing path, pylon 502 may be configured to break free from connector 504 upon contact between pylon 502 and a golf swing. This feedback may be used to identify mistakes in a swing path and indicate how to make swing path corrections. Swing insert 110 may be reset by reattaching pylons 502 to a corresponding upright connector 504. In various embodiments, the release tension securing pylon 502 to connector 504 may be configured to allow pylon 502 to break free from connector 504 without disengaging swing insert 110 from recess 101, 103 of platform 102.
In some embodiments, pylons 502 may be rotated about connector 504 in order to alter the apparent angle between pylons, as shown in
Dimensions shown in the figures are for exemplary purposes only and are not meant to be limiting, unless specifically claimed. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.
Although the description provided above provides detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the expressly disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
Embodiments of the present disclosure can thus provide feature rich and convenient golf swing training. Such embodiments may be used to provide flexible golf swing training with visible and contemporaneous feedback to a user so as to increase training efficiency. Additionally, embodiments provide for golf swing training within relatively realistic golf environments, thereby further increasing training efficiency and overall performance.
Where applicable, the various components set forth herein can be combined into composite components and/or separated into sub-components without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Embodiments described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the following claims.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 63/388,939 filed Jul. 13, 2022 and entitled “SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AN GOLF TRAINING SYSTEM,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63388939 | Jul 2022 | US |
