Patent GB-500571-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for practising golf strokes
IPC: A63B69/36
Filed: 1937-08-12
Abstract: 500,571. Golf - practising appliances. ANDERSON, J. M., and HARDY, F. H. Aug. 12, 1937, No. 22168. [Class 132 (ii)] An apparatus for registering the effective force applied to an anchored ball or the like comprises a panel with a visible element movable progressively along a predetermined track on the panel to indicate the effective driving force, a spring motor for mechanically feeding the movable element, a tension applying member adapted to transmit the driving force to the motor spring and to move a displaceable stop element of the motor to set the motor for operation over a period determined by the extent of displacement of the stop element, the driving spring of the motor yieldingly opposing the displacement of the stop element. As shown, a golf ball 1, Fig. 1, is tethered by a cord 10 to the centre of a transverse cord 11 secured to triangular screens 12, 13 joined at the centre 15 to a tension cord passing round, and secured to, a drum 19, Fig. 7. The rotation of the drum is opposed by a second cord 22 connected to a spring 21. When the ball is driven, the drum rotates freely on its shaft 25 against the resistance of the spring 21, but during its return movement under the action of the spring the drum rotates its shaft through a spring clutch, and the shaft winds up a clockwork motor spring 30 in a barrel 29. A stop finger 31 fixed on the' shaft is at the same time. moved away from a stop 32 pressed up from the barrel. The motor spring now slowly drives the barrel until the stops 31, 32, re-engage. The rotating barrel, controlled by a governor 37 drives a belt 40, Fig. 8, which in turn drives an endless cord 8 carrying a ball-simulating disc 3 movable round the track 4, Fig. 1, in the panel 5. The disc 3 is thus advanced along the track a distance depending upon the effective strength of the stroke applied to the ball 1, until at the end of the track (indicated by a flag 6) the arm carrying the disc 3 trips a trigger 48, Fig. 8, and permits a spring to open a clutch 43, 44 to disconnect the disc 3 from the clockwork motor. The clutch is coupled up for further play by a handle 53. In a modification, Fig. 12 (riot shown) wherein the clutch is dispensed with, the disc 3 may be disconnected from the driving motor and be returned to its starting point by the manual operation of bevel-gearing. When the apparatus is intended for a competitive game where the tethered ball is driven alternately by competing players, two ballsimulating discs 3 each on an endless cord arc' moved along the track 4 in different planes by driving connections with sprockets 39, 39a, Fig. 7, geared to the barrel 29. Either ballsimulating disc may be brought into. operation by a hand-operated control. The trigger situated at the finishing flag 6 is arranged, when operated, to disconnect both discs from the clockwork motor, manual means being provided for resetting the discs. Cam-operated mechanism, Fig. 14 (not shown), may be provided for resetting the trigger and coupling the ball-simulating discs to the driving motor. The screens 12, 13, Fig. 1, are carried by tubular metal side frames 62, 63 adjustably conconnected to the cabinet 2 by clamps 68. A screen 78 protects the panel 5.