Patent Publication Number: US-2016220883-A1

Title: Golf Training System

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments relate to sport training systems, and more particularly to a target assembly for a sport training system of the type in which a ball is launched toward a target zone, and in particular to a golf-like game of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,458. 
     BACKGROUND 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,458, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, describes a golf game for persons starting new at golf that uses a three dimensional target positioned on a ground surface, as well as a ball and a golf club. Hook and loop material (commonly referred to as Velcro®) is attached along an outer surface of the target and mating hook and loop material is attached to the ball. The object of the game is for the player to hit the ball so that when the ball comes into contact with the three dimensional target, the ball remains in position on the three dimensional target. While the targets described in the &#39;458 patent are particularly suited for use in an indoor arena, such as a school gymnasium, it is desirable to have a target that can be used on irregular surfaces such as on a sports field and can accommodate multiple players simultaneously. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to an inflatable target assembly for a sports training system in which a ball is propelled toward a target zone, the target assembly comprising a plurality of inflatable columns configured to erect a plurality of generally vertical surfaces upon inflation of the assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, each surface is generally orthogonal to at least one other of the plurality of surfaces. A target is positioned on at least one of the plurality of surfaces within a target zone. When used in conjunction with the equipment described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,458, each of the targets is covered with hook and loop material and the balls are approximately tennis ball size and similarly covered with hook and loop material so that balls impacting on a target will adhere to the target to provide feedback to the person hitting the balls. 
     Preferably, the inflatable target assembly uses a plurality of vertical and horizontal columns to convey and to hold air for inflation. The inflated columns form a structure with a plurality of rectangular openings. Each opening is covered by a mesh sheet that is attached along top and bottom edges to horizontal columns so that the mesh sheets define target zones on which targets can be displayed. The mesh sheets are configured so that balls missing the target will not pass through the sheet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments are explained in the following description in view of the drawings that show: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a golf training system; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a second embodiment of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of arrows and markers for alignment in the golf training system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6 a    is a side view of a ball of the golf training system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6 b    is a section I-I view of the ball shown in  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a golf club of the golf training system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8 a    is a top view of a mat used in the golf training system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8 b    is a side view of the mat shown in  FIG. 8   a;    
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting a method for playing a golf game; and 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show alternative forms of targets that may be used with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a golf training system  10 . The golf training system  10  includes a target assembly  11  including an inflatable object  12  that is inflated with a pump or blower  41  that delivers a flow of air through a channel  43  to an inflatable volume within the object  12 . The inflatable portions of the target assembly  11  may be sealable so that once inflated, the assembly  11  would be sealed and not require additional air. Alternately, the assembly  11  may be of the type requiring a continuous flow of air to maintain its inflated configuration. However, the object  12  need not be inflated with pressurized air and may be inflated with any type of pressurized fluid. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , upon inflation, the object  12  includes a pair of opposing sides  13 ,  15  and an interior  17  that connects the sides  13 ,  15 . In a non-limiting example, the sides  13 ,  15  and the interior  17  form an H-shaped configuration. However, the inflatable object  12  of the golf training system  10  is not limited to any particular configuration, and the inflatable object may include any number of sides arranged in any configuration. In a non-limiting example, the sides  13 ,  15  have a length in a range of about sixteen to twenty feet and a height in a range of about seven to ten feet. In a non-limiting example, the interior  17  has a length in a range of about twenty to twenty four feet and a height in a range of about seven to ten feet. However, the embodiments of the inflatable object  12  of the golf training system  10  are not limited to any specific numerical dimensional range for the lengths and widths of the sides  13 ,  15  and the interior  17 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sides  13 ,  15  each include atop horizontally oriented inflatable column  32 , a bottom horizontally oriented inflatable column  34  and a pair of vertically oriented inflatable corner members  40  that have the appearance of small towers. The interior  17  similarly includes a top horizontally oriented column  33  and a bottom horizontally oriented column  35 , where a volume enclosed by the top column  33  is continuous with a volume enclosed by the top columns  32  of the sides  13 ,  15  such that air freely flows from within the top columns  32  to within the top column  33 . Similarly, a volume enclosed by the bottom column  35  is continuous with a volume enclosed by the bottom columns  34  of the sides  13 ,  15  such that compressed air freely flows from within the bottom columns  34  to within the bottom column  35 . The inflatable columns  32 ,  34 , and members  40  continuously enclose the inflatable volume  25  of the target assembly  11  such that air from the blower  41  freely flows from a volume enclosed by the corner inflatable members  40  to respective volumes enclosed by the top and bottom columns ( 32 ,  34 )( 33 ,  35 ), to inflate the object  12  and cause it to assume the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , upon inflation of the object  12 , a target zone or surface  14  is erected along an interior of the side  13  between the top and bottom columns  32 ,  34 . In a non-limiting example, the surface  14  is connected along an edge of each of the top and bottom columns  32 ,  34  via conventional tabs (not shown) that are affixed to the columns by stitching and/or adhesive in a manner well known in the art. Such tabs allow the surface  14  to be removed for repair or replacement. It can also be seen in  FIG. 2  that a pair of spaced apart surfaces  14  are provided and separated by the diameter of the columns  32 ,  34 . While the columns  32 ,  34  as well as columns  33 ,  35  are shown as essentially circular in cross-section, it will be appreciated that the columns could be oval or otherwise shaped to control the distance between the pair of spaced apart surfaces  14 . As will be apparent, use of two spaced apart surfaces allows targets  20  to be mounted on both sides of each of sides  13 ,  15  and  17 . Additionally, upon inflation of the object  12 , a surface  16  is erected along the interior  17  between the top and bottom columns  33 ,  35 . Additionally, upon inflation of the object  12 , a surface  18  is erected along the extent of the side  15  between the top and bottom columns  32 ,  34 . As described with regard to surface  14 , each of the surfaces  16  and  18  comprise a pair of spaced apart surfaces separated by the diameter of the columns  32 ,  34  to which they are attached. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the inflatable object  12  is configured such that each of the target zones or surfaces  14 ,  16 ,  18  are orthogonal to at least one of the other surfaces  14 ,  16 ,  18 . In a non-limiting example, the surface  14  is orthogonal to the surface  16 . In a further non-limiting example, the surface  16  is orthogonal to the surface  18 . However, embodiments of the inflatable object  12  are not limited to an arrangement in which the surfaces erected along each side of the object are orthogonal to at least one of the other surfaces. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the surface  14  erected along the interior of the side  13  is oriented in a vertical orientation along the side  13  with respect to a ground surface. However, embodiments of the inflatable object  12  are not limited to the surfaces  14 ,  16 ,  18  along the interior of the sides being erected in a vertical orientation with respect to the ground surface and may include surfaces erected at an angled orientation with respect to the ground surface. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  includes a pair of targets  20  positioned along the surface  14 . In a non-limiting example, the target  20  is a circular target, such as a bullseye target with a plurality of target indicia such as alternating color rings. In a non-limiting example, the pair of targets  20  are positioned along the surface  14 , in a spaced-apart arrangement. In another non-limiting example, three targets  20  are positioned along the surface  16 , in a spaced-apart arrangement. The spacing between the targets  20  on the surfaces  14 ,  16  may be in a range of about three to five feet or spaced sufficient to provide enough space to have a plurality of persons hitting balls simultaneously into adjacent targets in parallel lanes. The secondary surface  16  behind the visible surface  16  in  FIG. 1  also supports a plurality of targets  20  as indicated by the dashed line from reference number  20 . The secondary surfaces  14  and  18  adjacent to the surfaces  14  and facing an interior of the target assembly  11  are preferably not fitted with targets  20  in order to prevent persons from hitting balls angularly into the object  12 . A secondary target  22  is also included along the side  13  between the pair of targets  20  and includes an inflatable character with a bullseye type target that encloses a volume that is continuous with a volume enclosed by the bottom column  34 , to inflate the secondary target  22 . In a non-limiting example, the secondary target  22  may be in the shape of a caricature man with a target positioned on the surface of the body of the man. 
     Additionally,  FIG. 1  illustrates that the golf training system  10  includes a golf club  30  that is used for engaging a ball  26 . Upon engaging the ball  26  with golf club  30 , the ball  26  is propelled towards one of the targets  20 , as described in further detail below. In the non-limiting example of the inflatable object  12  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the surfaces  14 ,  16 ,  18  include a total of seven targets  20 , so that seven users can simultaneously use the training system  10  for practice or competition. Although the non-limiting example of the system  10  in  FIG. 1  shows seven targets  20 , the embodiments are not limited to any specific number of targets and less or more than the number of targets depicted in  FIG. 1  may be used in an embodiment of the golf training system  10 . 
     As is apparent from the illustrative drawings, the surfaces  14 ,  16  and  18  are preferably formed of a mesh or netting material, typically a nylon netting. Such netting can be made with different size openings for preventing passage therethrough of different size balls. If the training system  10  is to be used with the aforementioned game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,458,then the openings and the netting may be similar to that used in a conventional tennis net. If the system is to be used with conventional golf balls, then the netting would be woven with smaller openings through which a golf ball of standard size and weight will not pass. One advantage of using such netting is that various targets may be hung at myriad different locations on the netting using conventional wire hooks or by tying a target in position. It is also possible to construct the surfaces  14 , 16  and  18  of solid vinyl sheeting but such structure is undesirable due to the extra weight that it would add to the system since one feature of the system is the ability to deflate and move to different physical locations. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the top column  32  and the bottom column  34  continuously encloses the inflatable volume  25  within the object  12 . In one embodiment, the target  20  is removably attached to the surface  14 , such as with a metal or plastic hook coupled to the netting forming the surface  14 . However, if the surface is solid such as by using a vinyl sheet, hook and loop material  27  could be used to attach the target to the surface. In a non-limiting example, the hook and loop material  27  is Velcro®. Additionally, target attachment material  24  is provided along an outer surface of the target  20 , which is configured to stick to a ball attachment material on the ball  26 , as discussed in greater detail below. In a non-limiting example, the target attachment material  24  is Velcro®. However, embodiments of the system  10  are not limited to any specific type of hook and loop material. In a non-limiting example, the target  20  has a diameter  21  of about three feet. In another non-limiting example, the target  20  is positioned on the surface  14  with the center of the target  20  positioned at a height  23  of about two feet above the ground surface, As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the height  23  may be adjusted, based on whether the golf training system  10  is used for target practice of a chip shot or a pitch shot. In a non-limiting example, the height  23  is adjusted to a lower height for the chip shot than the pitch shot. In a further non-limiting example, different targets  20  of the golf training system  10  may be adjusted to different heights  23 , so that multiple users can simultaneously engage in target practice for multiple types of golf shots. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the surface  14  is separate from the top and bottom columns  32 ,  34  enclosing the inflatable volume  25  of the inflatable object  12 , such that the surface  14  does not enclose the inflatable volume  25  of the inflatable object  12 . The top inflatable column  32  is attached along a top edge  36  of the surface  14  and the bottom inflatable column  34  is attached along a bottom edge  38  of the surface  14 . The cross-sectional view along the interior  17  and the side  15  of the inflatable object  12  is similar to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  shows an additional cross-sectional view of the inflatable object  12 , taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a second embodiment of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 , in which the target  20 ′ is integral to the surface  14 ′ and thus is not removably attached to the surface  14 ′ with hooks or a hook and loop material. Additionally, the surface  14 ′ is an inflatable surface that continuously encloses the inflatable volume  25 ′ of the inflatable object  12 ′. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the volume enclosed by the surface  14 ′ is continuous with the volume enclosed by the top and bottom inflatable columns  32 ′,  34 ′. Additionally, the target  20 ′ is an inflatable surface that continuously encloses the inflatable volume  25 ′ of the inflatable object  12 ′. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the volume enclosed by the target  20 ′ is continuous with the volume enclosed by the top and bottom inflatable columns  32 ′,  34 ′. Thus, upon inflation of the object  12 ′, the target  20 ′ is erected in the vertical orientation depicted in  FIG. 3 , without the use of the hook and loop material  27 . As with the target  20  of  FIG. 2 , the target  20 ′ depicted in  FIG. 3  is provided with target attachment material  24  along an outer surface of the target  20 ′, which is configured to stick to a ball attachment material  28  on the ball  26 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of arrows and markers that are used for alignment in the golf training system  10  of  FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting example, the golf training system  10  is used for target practice of a pitch shot. However, the golf training system  10  is not limited to target practice of a pitch shot and may also be used for target practice of a chip shot, a flop shot or a full swing shot. The pitch shot is preferably a lofted golf shot in which the ball carries relatively far in the air and travels very little when it lands. For purposes of description, reference will be made to use of the embodiments in the golf training system  10  to the golf like game of SNAG® golf. However, the golf training system  10  is not limited to golf games such as SNAG® golf. The SNAG ball  26  has an outer surface that has ball attachment material  28  that is similar to the hook and loop material used for hook and loop fasteners and has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a tennis ball. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the ball  26  is placed on a Launch Pad™  50  that is essentially a mat that provides a convenient flat surface for supporting the ball  26 . The pad  50  includes a directional arrow  55  to assist the golfer in aligning for a golf swing. Additional arrows  57  are placed in front of and behind the Launch Pad  50  with the arrows pointing towards the target  20  on the surface  14  of the inflatable object  12 , such as the illustrative bullseye type target having alternating colored rings. As previously discussed, the target  20  is faced with target attachment material  24 , such as hook and loop material so that the ball  26  will stick to the target  20  on impact. In a non-limiting example, the practice setup for the pitch shot may also include alignment markers  61  that are used to position the golfer in the preferred orientation for the pitch shot. Spot markers  62  align with the markers  61  so that the ball  26  can be consistently positioned on the pad  50 . Note that the pad  50  can be moved to different positions as suggested by the additional markers  61 A and  62 A. As stated above, the object is to train the eyes on the exact track the ball  26  needs to travel which stimulates the muscles to move the club head  44  on the intended track. The large arrows  57  in front and behind define the exact direction for ball flight. Although  FIG. 5  depicts that the golf training system  10  can include the launch pad  50  and the arrows  55 ,  57  and markers  61 ,  62  to assist the golfer during the use of the system  10 , the embodiments of the system  10  need not include the launch pad  50  and arrows/markers  55 ,  57 ,  61 ,  62 . In a non-limiting example, the ball  26  is positioned on a ground surface without the use of the launch pad  50 . 
       FIG. 6 a    is a side view of the ball  26  used in the golf training system  10  of  FIG. 1 . Additionally,  FIG. 6 b    is a section I-I view of the ball  26  shown in  FIG. 6 a   . Looking at  FIG. 6 a   , the ball  26  of the golf training system  10  is typically slightly smaller than a conventional tennis ball (approximately 2.5 inches in diameter), although the size can be varied according to the choice of the player. Looking at  FIG. 6 b   , the ball  26  is a rubber sphere  31  having a ball attachment material  28  affixed to the outside surface of the sphere  31 . The sphere  31  encompasses a hollow area  37  which allows the ball  26  to be compressed when forces are applied to the outside surface of the ball  26 . Additionally, the approximate weight of the ball  26  is two ounces. However, the golf training system  10  is not limited to the particular features of the ball  26  discussed above and may be employed with a conventional golf ball. The ball attachment material  28  creates an engaging surface, and is the other element of the hook and loop material not used as the target attachment material  24 . The ball attachment material  28  is chosen such that it will interact with the target attachment material  24 . In a non-limiting example, if the target attachment material  24  includes the hooks, then the ball attachment material  28  will include the loops that interact with the hooks to secure the ball  26  to the target  20  on the surface  14 . Therefore, when the ball  26  comes in contact with the target  20  on the surface  14 , the ball  26  will stay affixed to the target  20  contacted. Although the target  20  on the surface  14  is discussed above, the same description applies to any target  20  on any of the surfaces  14 ,  16 ,  18  of the inflatable object  12 . Additionally, the system  10  need not be used with a target  20  and a ball  26  where the ball  26  affixes to the target  20  upon contact, and may instead be used with a target and a conventional golf ball propelled toward the target. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a golf club  30  of the golf training system  10  of  FIG. 1 . The golf club  30  is used to engage the golf ball  26  on the ground surface or on the pad  50  and to propel the ball  26  toward the target  20  on the surface  14  of the inflatable object  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the golf club  30  has a shaft  42  (typically made of fiberglass) connected to a head  44  and a rubber grip  46  surrounding a portion of the shaft  42 . The player thereby holds the club  30  by the rubber grip  46  attached to the shaft  42  to hit the ball  26  with the head  44 . The head  44  is typically made of a hard and smooth material such that it can contact the ball  26  and ball attachment material  28  without forming a bond with the ball attachment material  28  surrounding the ball  26 . In a non-limiting example, the golf training system  10  includes the club  30  with the angled head  44  that is configured to engage the ball  26  to lift and propel the ball  26  into the air so that it will travel a long distance towards the target  20 . In a non-limiting example, the club  30  and the angled head  44  are configured for a pitch shot towards the target  20 , in which the ball  26  is lifted and propelled through the air for a longer distance. In another non-limiting example, the club  30  and the angled head  44  are configured for a chip shot towards the target  20 , in which the ball  26  is lifted and propelled through the air for a shorter distance. The height  23  of the target  20  ( FIG. 2 ) can be adjusted on the surface  14 , based on whether the pitch shot or the chip shot is being practiced during the use of the golf training system  10 . However, the embodiments of the golf training system  10  are not limited to the golf club  30  discussed above, and may feature a conventional golf club that is used to propel a conventional golf ball towards a target. 
       FIG. 8 a    is a top view of the pad  50  of  FIG. 5  used in the golf training system  10 .  FIG. 8 b    is a side view of the pad  50  shown in  FIG. 8 a   . Looking at  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   , the pad  50  includes a non-skid surface  52  and a turf layer  54 . In a non-limiting example, the non-skid surface  52  is typically made of rubber, and the turf layer  54  is made of an artificial turf material. The turf layer  54  is attached to the top of the non-skid surface  52  so that the player can stand on the pad  50  to hit the ball  26 . Additionally, a tee hole  56  is located in the turf layer  54  through which a tee  58  is positioned. The tee  58  (which is typically made of rubber) is designed so that the ball  26  can be placed on it. The ball  26  can then be hit from the tee  58  or directly from the turf layer  54  of the pad  50  and toward the target  20 . Furthermore, a handle  60  is an integrated part of pad  50 . The handle  60  aids the player in transporting the pad  50  as needed. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart depicting a method  100  for playing a golf game. The method  100  begins at  101  by inflating  102  the object  12 . As previously discussed, the inflating  102  step involves using the blower  41  to deliver pressurized air through the channel  43  and into the inflatable volume  25  of the object  12 . The method  100  further includes erecting  104  a surface  14  with a target  20 , based on the inflating of the object  12 . The method  100  further includes propelling  106  the ball  26  toward the target  20  with a club  30 . The method  100  further includes affixing  108  the ball  26  to the target  20  based on ball attachment material  28  of the ball  26  sticking to target attachment material  24  of the target  20 , before the method  100  ends at  109 . 
     Although the present invention is described generally for use with the equipment used in the golf training system associated with SNAG® golf, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited. For example, each of the targets  20 ,  22  could be substituted by a different target for practicing a different game.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate two possible targets that could be attached to the surfaces  14 ,  16  in lieu of the illustrated targets  20 ,  22 . The target of  FIG. 10A  could be used for practicing throwing or hitting of a baseball while the target of  FIG. 10B  could be used for practicing kicking or heading of a soccer ball. 
     While various embodiments have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the embodiments herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the embodiments be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.