Golf swing practice device

An indoor and outdoor golf swing practicing device for a user is disclosed. The device comprises at least one hard board having a plurality of holes, at least one hinge means having a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm and a pivot arm, a plurality of wedges mounted to the hard board, at least one hanger bolt, at least one extension spring, at least one golf ball, a plurality of supporting pads attached to opposing first and second ends of an inner surface of the first hinge arm, a set of plurality of pads fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges proximate the hinge means and a plurality of pads fixed to the at least one hard board. A carpet is placed partially over the device to facilitate a user to stand on the hard board to practice their swing techniques.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

BACKGROUND

Golf is fantastically a popular sport all over the world and is enjoyed by people of all age groups. The beauty of the game of golf is its simplicity wrapped with its difficulty and the requirement of skills so as to hit the ball in the proper direction and desired distance. Therefore, the players have to practice the swing action frequently so as to let the swing action become precise, accurate, fixed and permanent, ensuring that the golf ball can be hit properly in each stroke. A variety of teaching and practicing aids are available, including driving ranges, plastic practice balls, and home practice devices.

Several golf practice devices have been developed in the art. U.S. Patent Application No. 20070155526 to McFarlin, discloses a portable golf practice device that is easily transported by the golfer and simulates the response of natural turf when impacted by the club head during a golf swing. The device includes a base extension, which can be unfolded and slid under a platform on which the golfer stands, for maintaining stability during use. The device includes a simulated turf surface fitted in a tray. The tray rests on a base member. When a golf ball placed on a simulated turf surface is struck by a golf club, the tray and the simulated turf surface are driven forward. Means are provided to return the tray and simulated turf surface to their original position. In its travel configuration the device folds into its compact form similar to a slim briefcase.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,831 to Wu discloses a golf practicing device comprised of a housing, a cover rotatably mounted on the housing, a magnetic block secured on the cover and aligning with the electromagnet, and a bar mounted on the cover for rotating the cover when the bar is hit. Thus, the energized electromagnet produces a magnetic force to magnetically attract and move the magnetic block to return the bar to the original position, so that the bar can be restored to the original position automatically, thereby facilitating the user practicing the golf skill.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,830 to Chou, a golf swing practicing device is disclosed. The device includes a light comb member enclosed in a dome member, and a shaft extends through a base plate connected to the dome member and the light comb member. A mounting cap is connected to a top of the shaft extending through the dome member. A flexible rod is rotatably connected to the mounting cap. A golf ball is connected to a distal end of the flexible rod. A sensor is connected to the base plate, and the comb members of the light comb member movably engage between two lugs on the sensor. A display member is connected to the sensor so as to illustrate the information of the golf ball hit by the player.

Most of the above golf practicing devices use replica golf balls or golf ball simulating targets. These devices have an unnatural appearance. Some of the above devices need to be staked down in order for them to remain stationary. In addition, such golf practicing devices are too complex to use or too expensive to manufacture.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a golf practicing device that is simple and interesting to use and that provides a natural image of a ball lying on grass. Another object of the invention is to provide a device that allows children to practice the techniques of golf at any time and anywhere using a real golf ball. Other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to appended Summary, Description and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an indoor and outdoor golf swing practicing device for a user. The golf swing practicing device comprises at least one hard board having a plurality of holes, at least one hinge means having a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm and a pivot arm, a plurality of wedges mounted to the at least one hard board, at least one hanger bolt attached to the pivot arm of the at least one hinge means, at least one extension spring having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one golf ball positioned at a top end of the at least one hanger bolt, a plurality of supporting pads attached to opposing first and second ends of an inner surface of the first hinge arm, a set of plurality of pads fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges proximate the hinge means, and a plurality of pads that functions as an artificial golf turf pad fixed to the at least one hard board.

The plurality of holes on at least one hard board receives the at least one hinge means, the plurality of wedges, and the at least one extension spring, by a fastening means. The pivot arm of the at least one hinge means is adapted to accommodate the at least one hanger bolt. The plurality of wedges is mounted to the at least one hard board by fastening on top of the second hinge arm. A bottom end of an inner surface of the plurality of wedges can be cut to receive the at least one hinge means. The plurality of wedges is configured to receive the at least one hinge means thereby reducing the size of the at least one hinge means. A cut on at least one end of the plurality of wedges proximate the at least one hinge means is adapted to receive a set of plurality of pads. The proximal end and the distal end of the at least one extension spring is secured to the at least one of the plurality of holes of the first hinge arm and the at least one of the plurality of holes of the hard board respectively.

At least one golf ball can be positioned by adding glue to a hole in the at least one golf ball and is screwed to a top end of at least one hanger bolt. A plurality of pads fixed to at least one hard board functions as an artificial golf turf pad and reduces the noise of the impact when the at least one golf ball hits the at least one hard board. The plurality of supporting pads and the set of plurality of pads cushion the return of the first hinge arm when the first hinge arm and the at least one golf ball returns to its original position, after the at least one golf ball being hit. The set of plurality of pads fixed to the at least one end of the plurality of wedges proximate the at least one hinge means, the plurality of pads fixed to the at least one hard board and the plurality of supporting pads attached to the first end and the second end of an inner surface of a first hinge arm can be made of flip-flop sandals.

The user can practice swing by standing on at least one hard board for putting the at least one golf ball by a golf club, the weight of the user anchors the golf swing practicing device in place keeping the device stationary after the at least one golf ball being struck. The plurality of wedges helps the free back and forth movement of the at least one golf ball. The plurality of wedges further stops the at least one golf ball upon return to the original position after being struck. At least one hinge means lies between the plurality of wedges and this keeps the carpet from rubbing against a first hinge arm and also stops the return of the first hinge arm after the at least one golf ball being struck. Thus, the present invention enables a user to practice their swing techniques both indoor and outdoor and at the user's convenience.

The following numerals are represented inFIGS. 1 through 7:10. . . A golf swing practicing device12. . . Closed configuration of a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means of the golf swing practicing device14. . . At least one hard board16. . . A plurality of holes on the at least one hard board18. . . At least one hinge means20. . . A plurality of wedges22. . . At least one hanger bolt24. . . At least one extension spring26. . . A plurality of pads28. . . A plurality of pads30. . . At least one golf ball32. . . A top end of the hanger bolt34. . . An open configuration of a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means of the golf swing practicing device.36. . . A first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means38. . . A plurality of holes on the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means40. . . A second hinge arm of the at least one hinge means42. . . A pivot arm of the at least one hinge means44. . . A fastening means46. . . A proximal end of the at least one extension spring48. . . A distal end of the at least one extension spring50. . . A plurality of supporting pads52. . . A first end of the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means54. . . A second end of the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means56. . . An inner surface of the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means58. . . A user60. . . A carpet62. . . A golf club70. . . A method for practicing golf swing72. . . Providing a golf swing practicing device74. . . Placing a carpet over the golf swing practicing device76. . . User standing on at least one hard board78. . . Putting the at least one golf ball by a golf club80. . . Awaiting for the at least one golf ball to return to the original position

DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a golf swing practicing device10is illustrated fromFIGS. 1 to 6.FIGS. 1 and 2show perspective views of the golf swing practicing device10with at least one golf ball30wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means36is in a closed configuration12. The golf swing practicing device10comprises of at least one hard board14having a plurality of holes16, at least one hinge means18, a plurality of wedges20mounted to the at least one hard board14, at least one hanger bolt22, at least one extension spring24, a set of plurality of pads26fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate to at least one hinge means18and a plurality of pads28fixed to the at least one hard board14and at least one golf ball30can be positioned at a top end of the at least one hanger bolt32.

FIG. 3illustrates a rear perspective view of a golf swing practicing device10without at least one golf ball30wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means36is in an open configuration34. A plurality of holes on at least one hard board16receives at least one hinge means18having a first hinge arm36with a plurality of holes38, a second hinge arm40and a pivot arm42, a plurality of wedges20and at least one extension spring24by a fastening means44. The fastening means44can be a screw, bolt and washer. The pivot arm42of the at least one hinge means18is adapted to accommodate at least one hanger bolt22. The plurality of wedges20is mounted to at least one hard board14by fastening on top of the second hinge arm (not shown). A bottom end of an inner surface of the plurality of wedges (not shown) can be cut to receive the at least one hinge means18. The plurality of wedges20is configured to receive the at least one hinge means18thus reducing the size of the at least one hinge means18. A cut (not shown) on at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate the at least one hinge means18is adapted to receive a set of plurality of pads26. The at least one extension spring24includes a proximal end46and a distal end48. The proximal end46and the distal end48of the at least one extension spring24is secured to the at least one of the plurality of holes on the first hinge arm38and to the at least one of the plurality of holes on the hard board16respectively.

As inFIG. 4, at least one golf ball30can be positioned by adding glue to a hole (not shown) in the at least one golf ball30and is screwed to a top end of at least one hanger bolt32.FIG. 5shows a front perspective view of a golf swing practicing device10with at least one golf ball30. A plurality of pads28fixed to at least one hard board14functions as an artificial golf turf pad and reduces the noise of the impact when the at least one golf ball30hits the at least one hard board14. The golf swing practicing device10is further comprised of a plurality of supporting pads50attached to opposing first end52and second end54of an inner surface of a first hinge arm56and a set of plurality of pads26fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate at least one hinge means18. The plurality of supporting pads50and the set of plurality of pads28cushion the return of the first hinge arm36when the first hinge arm36and the at least one golf ball30returns to its original position, after the at least one golf ball30is hit. The set of plurality of pads26fixed to the at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate the at least one hinge means18, the plurality of pads28fixed to the at least one hard board14and the plurality of supporting pads50attached to the first end52and the second end54of an inner surface of a first hinge arm56can be made of flip-flop sandals. Thickness of at least one hanger bolt22helps to endure the impact of a full swing of the at least one golf ball30.

FIG. 6illustrates a golf swing practicing device10being used by a user58. A carpet60can be partially placed over the golf swing practicing device10to render an appearance of a green grass thereby giving a natural image of at least one golf ball30lying on grass. The carpet60includes a hole (not shown) adapted to receive a golf swing practicing device10. The user58can practice the stance and swing by standing on at least one hard board14. As the user58is standing on the at least one hard board14for putting the at least one golf ball30by a golf club62the weight of the user58anchors the golf swing practicing device10in place keeping the device10stationary after the at least one golf ball30being struck. The plurality of wedges helps the free back and forth movement of the at least one golf ball (not shown). The plurality of wedges (not shown) further stops the at least one golf ball30upon return to the original position after being struck. At least one hinge means (not shown) lies between the plurality of wedges (not shown) and this keeps the carpet60from rubbing against a first hinge arm (not shown) and also stops the return of the first hinge arm (not shown) after the at least one golf ball30is struck.

FIG. 7shows an operational flowchart of a method for practicing golf swing70by a user. A golf swing practicing device is provided as indicated at block72. Further, a carpet is placed partially over the golf swing practicing device as indicated at block74. The user stands on the at least one hard board as indicated at block76for putting the at least one golf ball by a golf club as indicated at block78and then awaiting for the at least one golf ball to return to the original position as indicated at block80. The at least one extension spring facilitates the returning of the at least one golf ball to the original position.