Abstract:
A training golf ball apparatus designed to imitate the realistic feel, weight, acoustic and flight characteristic of a real (regulation standard) golf ball, to allow a golfer to practice the sport in a realistic way safely at home, includes mechanized flights concealed within a cavity of the golf ball; a lightweight ball component and a magnetized tee. The device will perform as well as a standard golf ball; give accurate feedback on performance and promote realistic training in the home environment. The device provides the illusion that a lightweight golf ball is of standard weight when it is placed on a tee. For safety reason, the training golf ball apparatus changes aerodynamic properties once leaving the golf tee, and behaves as a lightweight, high aerodynamic drag object once airborne.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/946,977 filed Sep. 22, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,037, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/504,626 filed on Sep. 22, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/667,024 filed on Apr. 1, 2005, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to apparatus that may be used to simulate certain aspects of the game of golf in a space-restricted environment. More particularly, it relates to those apparatus, for simulating the driving or chipping of a golf ball using a conventional swing of a golf club, without endangering persons or property in a reduced space environment. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Generally, there have been a variety of approaches to making games that use projectiles safer. In golf, there are many accomplished models that address the purpose of putting, but to date, other than the apparatus described in my above-mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/946,977, there is no single device that can simulate, with great accuracy, the sound, feel and sight of being on a driving range. There are significant dangers and associated short falls of using a standard golf ball in a home setting. Space and safety are often the hindering factors that limit the practice of golf in a home or park environment. What is needed is an invention that utilizes a fraction of the space require for a driving range, but give real time analysis of playing on a course; without compromising the sight, sound, and feel of the sport. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a golf training apparatus for the purpose of more realistically practicing pitching, chipping and hitting safely in a home setting. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus that permits a determination to be made as to how far a standard golf ball would travel if hit by a golf club with the same force as used to hit a golf ball training apparatus in accordance with the invention. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a golf ball training apparatus which exhibits a non-parabolic flight and with which real time feedback on distance, trajectory and angle of hitting a ball can be experienced. 
   To address and overcome the effects of using a golf ball or golf training apparatus of low weight, the apparatus uses a magnet to interact with a tee or other surface, to simulate the effect of gravity on a golf ball. The use of magnetic materials replicates the effect of a golf club hitting a standard weight golf ball perched on a tee. 
   Further, the golf ball training apparatus may have a built in electronic device and compatible unit (not shown in drawings) that will electronically determine the distance the ball has traveled. This can be seen as a LCD display or provided by a voice synthesis system. In other words, when the golf ball training apparatus is hit by a golf club, the distance traveled can be determine by a remote device that will locate the golf ball training apparatus and calculate its distance, angle of flight, etc. 
   These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the invention with a training golf ball apparatus comprising a generally spherically shaped body; a set of flights situated within the cavity of the body so as to be movable between a closed position and open position, the flights offering greater friction to travel through air in the open position than in the concealed, closed position; and a mechanism in the apparatus for maintaining the flights in the closed position until the ball is traveling through the air. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may be used in combination with a golf tee, the apparatus and golf tee interacting so that the mechanism maintains the flights in the closed position inside the cavity of the ball. 
   The mechanism may comprise a movable magnet or metallic material, and the golf tee may comprise a magnetic material for magnetic interaction with the movable magnetic/metallic material. The golf tee may also comprise an electromagnetic for providing at least a portion of a magnet field for magnetic interaction with the movable magnetic material. 
   The mechanism may comprise a movable body formed of a magnetic material; a set of one or more flexible flights wrapped around and within a cylindrical or drum portion within the movable body, the movable body and the flights being configured so that the set of flights are closed when the movable body is in a first position inside of the sphere of the ball and the set of flights are open when the movable body is in a second position extending from the sphere; and a biasing component for interaction with the movable body, so as to bias the movable body toward the second position; the set of flights being maintained in the closed position by interaction of the magnetic material and an external magnetic material positioned externally of the apparatus, the interaction serving to maintain the movable body in the first position as long as the external magnetic material is positioned in proximity to the apparatus. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may further comprise a transmitter disposed in the apparatus. The transmitter may transmit a signal for location of the apparatus. A receiver for the signal may have a facility for determining at least one of: how far the training golf ball apparatus is from the receiver, the trajectory of the training golf ball apparatus, the speed of training golf ball apparatus during flight, and the velocity vector of the training golf ball apparatus during flight. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may be used in combination with a set of flags, the set of flags having markings for simulated distance of flight of the apparatus. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may further comprise reinforcing zones associated with the outer periphery of the spherically shaped body. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may further comprise at least one component including a magnetic material at least partially disposed within the spherically shaped body so as to be able to interact with a magnetic material external to the body, in combination with a training mat. The training mat may have a magnetic material therein, the apparatus and the mat interacting so that the apparatus is attracted to the mat. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may be used in combination with a golf tee formed of a flexible spring-like material, so that the golf tee is not fractured when the training golf ball apparatus is hit with a golf club. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may further comprise a mechanism for limiting rate at which the flights move from the closed position to the open position. The mechanism for limiting the rate may comprise a friction device acting on a moving component of the mechanism for maintaining the flight in the closed position. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a training golf ball apparatus comprises a generally spherically shaped body; and at least one component including a magnetic material at least partially disposed within the spherically shaped body so as to be able to interact with a magnetic material external to the body. This training golf ball apparatus may also be used in combination with a training mat having a magnetic material therein sized, shaped and positioned so that the apparatus and the mat interact in a manner such that the apparatus is attracted to the mat. 
   This training golf ball apparatus may also be used in combination with a golf tee, the golf tee having a magnetic material, the apparatus and golf tee interacting so that the apparatus is attracted to the tee. The combination may further comprise an electromagnet disposed so as to influence strength of a magnetic field associated with the magnetic material in the tee. The combination may yet further comprise a source of electrical current for the electromagnet; and a control circuit for controlling direction and magnitude of current from the source flowing through the electromagnet. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a golf training system comprises a training golf ball apparatus having a weight lower than that of a standard golf ball and a device for increasing aerodynamic drag when the apparatus is in flight, and a set of flags, the set of flags having markings for simulated distance of flight of the apparatus. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a training golf ball in accordance with the invention situated on top of a golf tee. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic, partial cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the flights of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  when positioned within the apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the training golf ball of  FIG. 2  in a functionally opened position with the flights being deployed. 
       FIG. 5  is a partially exploded view of the apparatus as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6 . is a partial plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the flights in their fully deployed configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a side elevational view of apparatus incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments as previously described in Provisional patent application 60/504,626. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. Also other application outside the realms of golf sports can be adapted for the usefulness of this device. For example the sport of baseball can greatly benefit from the invention. 
   In  FIG. 1 , a basic arrangement of a spherical object  10  is shown generally having a top housing portion  12 , and a bottom housing portion  14 , which are configured to mate along a circumferential line  16 . Object  10  is disposed on an apparatus  18 , which may be golf tee of a type described below and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/946,977, that has an end  19  that is forced into the ground  20 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a cylindrical drum member  22  is disposed in second housing portion  14  for limited motion with respect to second housing portion  14 . Absent any other forces acting on drum member  22 , a spring  24  acts on a lower generally planar wall  26  of drum member  22 , and causes it to move to a limited extent, so that a portion thereof extends from second housing portion  14 , but drum member  22  does not completely leave second housing portion  14 , as more fully explained below. Further, drum member  22  is constrained so that it may not rotate with respect to second housing portion  14 , also as more fully described below. 
   Upper housing portion  12  is configured with a cylindrical extension portion  28  and a central tubular extension portion  30 . Cylindrical extension portion  28  is configured with a plurality of openings  31  (preferably three openings  31 ), each opening for receiving and securing a first end of a respective flight  32 , which extends through a corresponding respective opening  33  in the cylindrical wall  34  of drum member  22 . Flights  32  have free ends with enlarged cylindrical portions  35  that are large enough so as to not fit though respective openings  33 , thus preventing the flights  32  from being drawn entirely within drum member  22 . 
   The inner wall of drum member  22 , and cylindrical extension portion  28  of first housing portion  12  define between them a storage region  36  wherein flights  32  may be stored by being wound around cylindrical extension portion  28  due to relative rotation of first housing portion  12  with respect to the combination of drum member  22  and second housing portion  14 . 
   Flights  32  are comprised of memory ribbon-like plastic materials which when wound inside of drum member  22  using a manual turning force, have a tendency to return to their unwound state, and extend fully from respective corresponding openings  33 , as more fully described below with respect to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . Flights  32  are vanes or protrusions which exhibit large amounts of friction when deployed from body  10 , and greatly slow the speed and energy of object  10  as it travels through the air after being struck by, for example, the head of a golf club. 
   Central tubular portion  30  of first housing portion  12  extends through an opening in lower planar wall  26  of drum member  22 , and has extending from its end a generally cylindrical magnetic material  38 , such as a steel screw, with a head  40 . Head  40  may be accessible through a hole  42  at the bottom of second housing portion  14 . 
   Magnetic material  38 , including head  40 , is magnetically attracted to a magnetic material, such as a permanent magnet  44  within tee  18 . Tee  18  may also be constructed with an internal reinforcing spring  46 , or a means to strengthen or reduce the magnetic field produced by magnet  44 , as more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/946,977. 
   As long as object  10  remains on tee  18 , that is from a time it is placed on a surface having a magnetic interaction with magnetic material  38 , until it is dislodged from the tee  18  or other surface having a magnetic material (such as by being struck with the head of a golf club), drum  22  remains entirely within second housing portion  14 , and the flights are not deployed. 
     FIG. 3  is schematically representative of flights  32  being wound around cylindrical extension portion  28  of first housing portion  12 , when the flights are stored within object  10 . While the windings are shown as cylindrical for ease of illustration, it will be recognized that in fact they would be spiral in nature. 
     FIG. 4  is a progression from  FIG. 2  illustrating the training golf ball of  FIG. 2  in a functionally opened position with the flights  32  being deployed from the storage region  36  ( FIG. 2 ). As alluded to above, drum member  22  is prevented from rotating with respect to second housing portion  14 , by a plurality of protrusions  50  (preferably three) extending into corresponding slots  52  in the inner wall of second housing portion  14 . These protrusions may be simple ribs in the external surface of drum member  22  extending for a circumferential distance just less than that of respective slots  52 , or more complex structures, as illustrated. To assist in assembly, these protrusions should be flexible enough, and of a size and shape that permits them to be “snapped into” their respective slots  52 . 
   Flights  32  are tapered at ends not received in openings  31  in cylindrical extension portion  28  of the first housing portion  12  to assist in deploying the flights  32 , as object  10  moves through the air after being struck. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , two additional features of the apparatus are illustrated. Instead of openings  33 , in drum member  22 A open-ended slots  33 A are illustrated. Assembly is simplified because flights  32  may simply be dropped into slots  33 A. In addition, although flights  32  may be sufficiently resilient and return to their unwound state with sufficient force to adequately deploy, a deployment assisting component, such as a coil spring  58  may be used to cause cylindrical extension portion  28  of first housing portion  12  to rotate with respect to drum member  22 A (or drum member  22  of  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 ), thus aiding in the deployment of flights  32 . An appropriate mechanism for controlling the speed of deployment of flights  32 , whether or whether not a deployment assisting component is utilized, is of advantage in controlling the distance of flight of object  10  after it is struck. For greater distances, slow deployment is preferred, while rapid deployment results in short travel distances of object  10  after being struck. May be a simple friction fit of tubular extension  30  of first housing portion  12  within the opening in the lower wall of drum member  22  (or  22 A) or other rotational motion damping device, as may be well known in the art. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates just the cylindrical extension  28  of first housing portion  12 , drum member  22  (or  22 A) and flights  32  when fully deployed. Full deployment of flights  22  creates very significant aerodynamic drag, thus rapidly slowing down object  10  as it travels through the air. 
   It is noted that by magnetic or by magnetically influenced, it is meant that a material is magnetized, may be magnetized, or is attracted by a magnetic field. When two such materials interact in the present invention, either one will be magnetized so that there is a magnetic force of attraction between them, or if both are magnetized, they will be positioned with respect to one another so as to be attracted to one another, so that, for example, a south magnetic pole of one magnetic faces a north magnetic pole of the other magnet (forming a bond). 
   Mode of Operation: 
   When an external force acts on the object  10 , by striking with a golf club at any point, but preferably on the lower half, a series of events occur:
         1.) The object becomes airborne obeying the laws of motion   2.)The cylindrical drum member  22  is moved upwards with respect to the lower portion or second housing portion  14 , upon breaking away from the magnetic influence of the tee  18 . By a regulatory device within the drum, the ribbon aerodynamic drag materials are released at a predetermined rate and length (depending on the distance desired or space restricting factors considered) . For instance, in order to make the object go further, the rate and length of the ribbon aerodynamic material is decreased. The opposite is done for the reverse effect.   3.) The object  10  remains airborne for a length of time based on climatic factors and the use of the deployed aerodynamic ribbons. The object will behave similar to a helicopter in flight once airborne.   4.) To reset the ball or object  10  to its original spherical shape, the top and bottom portions of the housing are held in a respective hand of the user and the top portion is given a full turn followed by a quarter turn in clockwise direction to spool the ribbons back into the cylindrical drum member  22 . Enlarged cylindrical portions  35  prevent the flights  32  from being pulled completely into the drum member  22 . Once the first action is accomplished, drum member  22  is then lowered gently into the cavity of the second housing portion  14 . The two housing portions  12  and  14  are held tightly together due to the external magnetic influence of the tee  18 .   5.) The former action is repeated to deploy the ball or object  10  once again off of the tee  18 . The process is repeated each time a user intends to play the ball.       

   Regardless of the numerous engineering possible solutions, the goal is to secure the flights  22  inside the object or golf ball when the positioned on a surface having a magnetic material. An external force may facilitate the repositioning of the flights  22  into the ball or object  10 . The flights will be deployed only when an external force acts on the object-golf ball. 
   The training golf ball apparatus may further comprise a mechanism for limiting the rate at which the flights move from the closed position to the open position as previously discussed. This mechanism may comprise a friction device acting on a moving component of the mechanism for maintaining the flights in the closed position, such as a cylindrical friction collar. 
   The outer circumference of the housing portions may be internally supplemented by thickness-increasing or reinforcing material (not shown) which may also serve as an acoustic enhancing medium to simulate the sound of impact with a golf club in addition to it primary goal of making the golf ball durable. 
   The tee  18  can be constructed of a flexible or sturdy material that is able to perform the task of supporting the object  10  in a vertical position. For the purpose of chipping practice, a flat surface version (not shown) of this described embodiment can be used to simulate pitching a ball from a level surface. 
   The object  10  may have disposed within, or located on or towards its perimeter, a transmitter for emitting a high frequency signal, which when received by a hand held receiver unit (not shown) can be used to determine the distance that the device has traveled and/or its location. In this regard, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,057, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other parameters, such as speed, velocity vector, trajectory, and force of impact (with a suitable impact sensor, not shown) can be determined in this manner. 
   One of the magnetic materials can be magnetized as a result of an electric current flowing through a wire wrapped around the material, although this may be more appropriate for a tee than for an object that will be hit, and thus must be highly mobile. When the tee is magnetized in this fashion, the strength of the magnetic field may be adjusted by changing the magnitude of a current flowing through a coil (not illustrated), thereby controlling the force required to separate the golf ball training apparatus from the tee  4  and  5 . A control unit having a battery and a current adjusting circuit may be provided for this purpose, so as to adjust both the magnitude and direction of the current. The magnitude of the current may be adjusted with a variable resistor or a rheostat operated with a knob. The direction of the current may be changed with a double pole double throw switch, having a center off position. The magnetic field generated by the electrical current may work in opposition to or in addition to a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet within the tee, thus providing a default force of attraction when no current is utilized, and providing the ability to selectively and adjustably reduce or increase the magnetic field strength, and thus the attraction between the ball training apparatus or object  10  and the tee  18 . The use of both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet may conserve battery life. 
   A tee in accordance with the invention may be constructed so as to resemble a conventional training mat found on a driving range. A planar magnetic material may be embedded is such a mat. Further, a variable height replaceable magnetic tee constructed for use with a training mat eliminates the need for embedding a tee into soil. The tee can be played from an uninterrupted flat surface. 
   Thus, it will be appreciated that in accordance with the invention, the characteristics of a standard golf ball may be simulated by an apparatus weighing less than the standard golf ball weight of 46.6 grams. This lower weight may be achieved by filler material being of relatively lower density material, or by providing hollow spaces in a somewhat denser material. Regardless of the manner in which such relatively lower weight is achieved, all of the danger and difficulties of using a standard golf ball in a home environment are overcome. A mere fraction of the space generally required to play golf is utilized, while providing the realistic sight, sound and feel of the sport. A golfer can eliminate the extra time required to travel to and from a driving range, and the expense of paying for its use, thus in effect saving up to thousands of dollars each year, while at the same time perfecting his or her driving skills in the comfort and convenience of a home environment. 
   It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.