Patent Publication Number: US-8118685-B2

Title: Golf swing practice device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
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     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 
     Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     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&#39;s convenience. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a golf swing practicing device with at least one golf ball wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a golf swing practicing device without at least one golf ball wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the invention, illustrating a golf swing practicing device without at least one golf ball wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means is in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view from an angle of the invention, illustrating a golf swing practicing device with at least one golf ball wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a top side view of the invention, illustrating a golf swing practicing device with at least one golf ball wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means is in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a user standing on a part of a golf swing practicing device and putting at least one golf ball by a golf club. 
         FIG. 7  is an operational flow chart of the invention, illustrating a method for practicing golf swing by a user. 
     
    
    
     The following numerals are represented in  FIGS. 1 through 7 :
           10  . . . A golf swing practicing device     12  . . . Closed configuration of a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means of the golf swing practicing device     14  . . . At least one hard board     16  . . . A plurality of holes on the at least one hard board     18  . . . At least one hinge means     20  . . . A plurality of wedges     22  . . . At least one hanger bolt     24  . . . At least one extension spring     26  . . . A plurality of pads     28  . . . A plurality of pads     30  . . . At least one golf ball     32  . . . A top end of the hanger bolt     34  . . . 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 means     38  . . . A plurality of holes on the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means     40  . . . A second hinge arm of the at least one hinge means     42  . . . A pivot arm of the at least one hinge means     44  . . . A fastening means     46  . . . A proximal end of the at least one extension spring     48  . . . A distal end of the at least one extension spring     50  . . . A plurality of supporting pads     52  . . . A first end of the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means     54  . . . A second end of the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means     56  . . . An inner surface of the first hinge arm of the at least one hinge means     58  . . . A user     60  . . . A carpet     62  . . . A golf club     70  . . . A method for practicing golf swing     72  . . . Providing a golf swing practicing device     74  . . . Placing a carpet over the golf swing practicing device     76  . . . User standing on at least one hard board     78  . . . Putting the at least one golf ball by a golf club     80  . . . 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 device  10  is illustrated from  FIGS. 1 to 6 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show perspective views of the golf swing practicing device  10  with at least one golf ball  30  wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means  36  is in a closed configuration  12 . The golf swing practicing device  10  comprises of at least one hard board  14  having a plurality of holes  16 , at least one hinge means  18 , a plurality of wedges  20  mounted to the at least one hard board  14 , at least one hanger bolt  22 , at least one extension spring  24 , a set of plurality of pads  26  fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate to at least one hinge means  18  and a plurality of pads  28  fixed to the at least one hard board  14  and at least one golf ball  30  can be positioned at a top end of the at least one hanger bolt  32 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of a golf swing practicing device  10  without at least one golf ball  30  wherein a first hinge arm of at least one hinge means  36  is in an open configuration  34 . A plurality of holes on at least one hard board  16  receives at least one hinge means  18  having a first hinge arm  36  with a plurality of holes  38 , a second hinge arm  40  and a pivot arm  42 , a plurality of wedges  20  and at least one extension spring  24  by a fastening means  44 . The fastening means  44  can be a screw, bolt and washer. The pivot arm  42  of the at least one hinge means  18  is adapted to accommodate at least one hanger bolt  22 . The plurality of wedges  20  is mounted to at least one hard board  14  by 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 means  18 . The plurality of wedges  20  is configured to receive the at least one hinge means  18  thus reducing the size of the at least one hinge means  18 . A cut (not shown) on at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate the at least one hinge means  18  is adapted to receive a set of plurality of pads  26 . The at least one extension spring  24  includes a proximal end  46  and a distal end  48 . The proximal end  46  and the distal end  48  of the at least one extension spring  24  is secured to the at least one of the plurality of holes on the first hinge arm  38  and to the at least one of the plurality of holes on the hard board  16  respectively. 
     As in  FIG. 4 , at least one golf ball  30  can be positioned by adding glue to a hole (not shown) in the at least one golf ball  30  and is screwed to a top end of at least one hanger bolt  32 .  FIG. 5  shows a front perspective view of a golf swing practicing device  10  with at least one golf ball  30 . A plurality of pads  28  fixed to at least one hard board  14  functions as an artificial golf turf pad and reduces the noise of the impact when the at least one golf ball  30  hits the at least one hard board  14 . The golf swing practicing device  10  is further comprised of a plurality of supporting pads  50  attached to opposing first end  52  and second end  54  of an inner surface of a first hinge arm  56  and a set of plurality of pads  26  fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate at least one hinge means  18 . The plurality of supporting pads  50  and the set of plurality of pads  28  cushion the return of the first hinge arm  36  when the first hinge arm  36  and the at least one golf ball  30  returns to its original position, after the at least one golf ball  30  is hit. The set of plurality of pads  26  fixed to the at least one end of the plurality of wedges (not shown) proximate the at least one hinge means  18 , the plurality of pads  28  fixed to the at least one hard board  14  and the plurality of supporting pads  50  attached to the first end  52  and the second end  54  of an inner surface of a first hinge arm  56  can be made of flip-flop sandals. Thickness of at least one hanger bolt  22  helps to endure the impact of a full swing of the at least one golf ball  30 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a golf swing practicing device  10  being used by a user  58 . A carpet  60  can be partially placed over the golf swing practicing device  10  to render an appearance of a green grass thereby giving a natural image of at least one golf ball  30  lying on grass. The carpet  60  includes a hole (not shown) adapted to receive a golf swing practicing device  10 . The user  58  can practice the stance and swing by standing on at least one hard board  14 . As the user  58  is standing on the at least one hard board  14  for putting the at least one golf ball  30  by a golf club  62  the weight of the user  58  anchors the golf swing practicing device  10  in place keeping the device  10  stationary after the at least one golf ball  30  being 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 ball  30  upon 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 carpet  60  from 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 ball  30  is struck. 
       FIG. 7  shows an operational flowchart of a method for practicing golf swing  70  by a user. A golf swing practicing device is provided as indicated at block  72 . Further, a carpet is placed partially over the golf swing practicing device as indicated at block  74 . The user stands on the at least one hard board as indicated at block  76  for putting the at least one golf ball by a golf club as indicated at block  78  and then awaiting for the at least one golf ball to return to the original position as indicated at block  80 . The at least one extension spring facilitates the returning of the at least one golf ball to the original position. 
     All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.