Patent Publication Number: US-2007117642-A1

Title: Golf training apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to sporting-goods and particularly to a training device for golfers. While the invention has particular application to assisting a golfer in learning to achieve an optimum swing plane in a drive, it also has application to facilitating a golfer practicing chip shots and pitch shots. It is generally accepted that the movement of the shaft of the club through out the swing in a drive should be in a single plane that is parallel to a line from the ball to the target destination for the ball. Various devices have been suggested.  
      One such device is shown at www.superswingtrainer.com. The apparatus shown on this web site utilizes a framework to support a circular member that is intended to guide the free end of the golf club when the user is driving a golf ball. The apparatus described there is provided in medium and large sizes to accommodate golfers of different stature. This apparatus is not wholly satisfactory because it does not allow sufficient compensation for the physical characteristics of the golfer using the training device. Stated another way, two sizes do not fit all.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus that will assist the training of a golfer regardless of stature in perfecting and practicing a planar movement in a drive.  
      In addition it is also an object of the present invention is to provide apparatus that will assist a golfer in training for chip shots and pitch shots.  
      Still another object invention is to provide apparatus that can be quickly folded so that it is compact to facilitate storage and/or movement between locations.  
      Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.  
      It is now been found that these another object invention may be obtained in a golf training apparatus which includes a circular member, and a support for the circular member that includes a base having substantially coplanar parts for placement on a generally horizontal surface, the support including first and second columns extending from the base, the first and second columns each including a pivot connection at the part thereof most remote from the base that provides a pivoting connection between the circular member and the first and second columns.  
      The apparatus may further include a third column coupling the base to the circular member. The third column is substantially equidistant from the first and second columns in some embodiments. Each of the first, second, and third columns may be telescopic  
      Some embodiments of the invention have a base that is constructed of tubular material. Various embodiments of the invention have the columns connected to tubular members in the base by sleeves to permit relative pivotal moment. The telescopic columns may each include a latch to lock respective axial portions of each column in one axial position to prevent axial movement between telescoping parts thereof. The latch may include aligned holes in respective parts of the telescoping column to mention and configured for cooperation with a pin in.  
      Some embodiments of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention may further include a net dimensioned and configured for engagement with the circular member to provide apparatus for practicing chip shots and pitch shots. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
      The invention better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of one form of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention illustrating the manner of use by a golfer to practice a drive.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the manner of use by a golfer practicing a chip shot or a pitch shot.  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus illustrating in a phantom view alternative vertical elevations of a circular guide member.  
       FIG. 4  and a top view of the apparatus illustrating the folded position of the columns that permits it easy movement and storage.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the apparatus with a net installed for practicing chip shots and pitch shots.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the apparatus illustrating in a phantom view alternative inclinations of a circular guide member.  
       FIG. 7  is a more detailed view of the central vertical telescoping column that affects the inclination of the circular member.  
       FIG. 8  is a more detailed view of the upper extremity of the side columns illustrating the habit structure there off as well as the telescoping structure thereof. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8  there are shown in the apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention that includes a base  12 . The base  12  in the preferred embodiment is constructed of tubular members having a bottom side which is generally planar to support the rest of the apparatus  10  on the ground or the floor of a building (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment the base  12  is generally rectangular.  
      When the apparatus  10  is deployed for use, as shown in  FIG. 1 , first and second telescopic side arms  14 ,  16  support a circular guide member  18 . The preferred embodiment also includes a telescopic central column  20  that engages the circular guide member  18 . Thus, a user A can stand within the base  12  in practice the desired planar swing that is parallel to the target line between the initial position of the ball  22  and the destination position of the ball (not shown). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the circular member  18  will constrain movement of the club  24  through out the swing and that the golfer A will thereby learn the desired technique.  
      The telescopic central column  20  may be omitted in some embodiments of the present invention. The preferred embodiment does include this telescopic central column  20 .  
      The lower extremity of the telescopic central column  20  includes a T-shaped fitting  26  that is dimensioned and configured for free rotation about an axial portion of the tubular base  12 . The lowest extremity of each of the first and second telescopic side arms  14 ,  16  includes a T-shaped fitting  26  that is dimensioned and configured for free rotation about respective axial portions of the tubular base  12 .  
      As best seen in  FIG. 4  the circular ring  18  may be detached from the first and second telescopic side columns  14 ,  16  and the telescopic central column  20  and then columns  14 ,  16  and  20  may be folded to the position shown in  FIG. 4 . That&#39;s the assembly may be easily stored or transported to another location.  
      As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 8  the uppermost extremity of each side column  14 ,  16  includes a yoke  30  engages a generally U-shaped sleeve  32  that in terms in cages the circular member  18 . Each telescopic side column  14 ,  16  includes respective and outer sleeves. A plurality of holes  34  in the inner sleeve may be selectively aligned with a pin  36  extending through the outer sleeve whereby the inner and outer sleeves may be locked to prevent axial movement therebetween. A thumbscrew  38  extends through the yoke  30  in the U-shaped sleeve  32  to lock the yoke  30  with respect to the circular member  18 . It will be understood that the U-shaped sleeve  32  insurers that the support for the circular member does not interfere with the club  24  when the user A is utilizing the apparatus.  
      As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the central column  20  also includes a pin  46  extending through the outer sleeve portion thereof and mashing win one of a plurality of holes  44  in the inner sleeve portion thereof. The upper extremity of the central column  20  includes a U-shaped sleeve  32 . The shape of the U-shaped sleeve  32  insures that there is no contact between the club  24  and the sleeve  32 .  
      Various embodiments of the present invention include netting  50  to allow on alternative use of the apparatus for practicing chip shots and pitch shots.  
      Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompass other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C.  112 , sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”