Practice device for hitting golf balls off ground

Abstract

A practice device for hitting a golf ball (1) off a cushioned golf mat (16), whereby golf ball is connected to a swing arm apparatus (1-12) attached to a structure (17) at a fixed height above ground, whereby swing arm apparatus will rotate about axis (9) after golf ball is hit. Structure (17) is attached to a mat platform (19) secured to ground when outdoors, or secured to extension of platform golfer stands on if indoors. An upper stopper (14) prevents the swing arm apparatus from going past a vertical orientation after ball is struck. A lower stopper (15) stops the ball on way back down after being hit, and supports swing arm apparatus at resting position with ball just touching cushioned golf mat. A flexible stick (20) is attached to structure visually informing golfer when club strikes the cushioned golf mat prior to striking golf ball.

Claims

1. A golf practice device comprising: a. a golf ball sufficiently similar to those used for playing golf, b. a first element for attachment of said golf ball to a trimmer line, c. a second element for attachment keeping both strands of said trimmer line close together, d. a third element for attachment of said trimmer line to a rubber tube, e. an extension spring, f. a fourth element for attachment of said extension spring to said rubber tube, g. a rigid cylinder loosely encompassing approximately top half of said rubber tube, h. a fifth element for restricting movement between said rubber tube and said rigid cylinder, in only a linear direction with respect to one another, i. a cushioned golf mat, on which said golf ball will rest between hits, j. a mat platform positioned underneath said cushioned golf mat, k. a sixth element for attachment of said cushioned golf mat to said mat platform, l. a structure composed of a plurality of PVC pipes cemented together, m. a seventh element for attachment of said structure to said mat platform, n. a housing consisting of a half-pipe cut from a PVC pipe, of sufficiently larger diameter, and of approximately the same length, as said rigid cylinder, o. an eighth element for attachment of said housing, said rigid cylinder and said extension spring to said structure, p. a ninth element for attachment to said housing for support of said rigid cylinder while said golf ball is at rest, q. a tenth element for attachment to said housing for stopping, prior to reaching a vertical orientation, said rigid cylinder rotating about said hex bolt axle after said golf ball is hit, r. a flexible stick of sufficient durable properties capable of withstanding repeated direct hits by full swings of a golf club, s. an eleventh element for attachment of said flexible stick to said structure, adjustably adjacent to said golf ball.

2. The golf practice device of claim 1 wherein said first element for attachment is a hole through said golf ball whereby said trimmer line is passed half way through.

3. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said second element for attachment is a clear vinyl tube keeping the two ends of said trimmer line together.

4. The golf practice device of claim 1 wherein said third element for attachment is a first ferrule used to crimp together the two ends of said trimmer line, whereby a hole is drilled through said first ferrule and inserted into one end of said rubber tube, whereby a first mechanical screw and wing nut are used to secure said first ferrule to said rubber tube.

5. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said fourth element for attachment whereby said extension spring is inserted into remaining unaltered end of said rubber tube, whereby a second mechanical screw guide is passed perpendicularly through the walls of said rubber tube while catching one loop of said extension spring inside said rubber tube, whereby other loop of said extension spring remains outside said rubber tube.

6. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said fifth element is a slot that is cut out of the entire length of said rigid cylinder, wherein said second mechanical screw guide protrudes through said slot sufficiently far enough outside circumference of said rigid cylinder, thereby ensuring said rubber tube can travel in only a linear direction along said slot of said rigid cylinder.

7. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said sixth element for attachment consists of stapling said cushioned golf mat to said mat platform.

8. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said seventh element for attachment are two carriage bolts and knobs used to secure said structure to said platform.

9. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said eighth element for attachment is hex bolt axle passed through holes in said housing, said rigid cylinder, protruding hook of said extension spring, and said structure and secured with a lock nut.

10. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said ninth element for attachment is a hex bolt lower stopper attached centrally and sufficiently near the bottom of said housing, thereby providing precise resting position for said rigid cylinder, whereby said golf ball is in contact with said cushioned golf mat.

11. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said tenth element for attachment is a hex bolt upper stopper attached centrally and sufficiently near the top of said housing, thereby stopping rotational travel of said rigid cylinder, prior to reaching vertical orientation, after said golf ball is hit.

12. The golf practice device of claim 1, wherein said eleventh element for attachment is a second ferrule crimped together to one end of said flexible stick, whereby said second ferrule is thereby bolted onto said structure with a carriage bolt and knob.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 Shows one embodiment of device in side view.

(2) FIG. 2 Shows one embodiment of device in front view.

(3) FIG. 3 Depicts operation of device in side view.

(4) FIG. 4 Illustrates a golfer using one embodiment configured for indoor use, where the golfer stands on a platform attached to the device thereby holding it place after each hit of the ball.

(5) FIG. 5 Depicts operation of flexible stick in side view.

(6) FIG. 6 Shows a clear line of sight to the golf ball from the perspective of the golfer standing at address, prepared to hit the golf ball.

(7) FIG. 7 Illustrates a custom molded prefabricated piece for the swing arm apparatus {1-12}. The structure (17) consists of a one piece prefabricated PVC pipe. The hex bolt upper stopper (14) and hex bolt lower stopper (15) are replaced by custom fabricated components attached directly onto the structure without employing a housing. In this embodiment, an infrared sensor with audible sound is used to inform the golfer of a lower than ideal swing path when the golfer strikes the cushioned golf mat prior to the golf ball, an undesirable result.

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

(8) 1 golf ball 2 hole through golf ball 3 trimmer line 4 clear vinyl tube 5 first ferrule 6 rubber tube 7 first mechanical screw & wing nut 8 rigid cylinder 9 first hex bolt axle 9a. second hex bolt support 10 extension spring 11 second mechanical screw guide 12 slot {1-12} swing arm apparatus 13 housing 14 hex bolt upper stopper 15 hex bolt lower stopper 16 cushioned golf mat 17 structure 18 carriage bolts & knobs 19 mat platform 20 flexible stick and second ferrule 21 infrared sensor with audible sound

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2, 3First Embodiment

(9) One embodiment of the device is illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. We begin with a standard regulation golf ball 1, as defined by one sufficiently similar to those used for play in PGA Tour events, and thereby has satisfactory characteristics of stiffness, compression when hit sufficiently hard, and resilience to rapidly return to original resting characteristics. A hole through golf ball 2 is drilled through the diameter, and where the hole will be situated to generally coincide with the rotational axis of the golf ball after being hit FIG. 3 (B). Made from an extremely durable plastic, a trimmer line 3 is threaded precisely half way in the hole through golf ball. In one embodiment, the strongest trimmer line I found is a 0.155 (3.9 mm) of Best durability by Jarden Applied Materials, Columbia, S.C. However, the trimmer line can consist of any other material that can withstand the forces applied repeatedly by full swings of a 3 wood to the golf ball, without fracturing prior to the golf ball fracturing.

(10) The ends of the trimmer line are inserted into a clear vinyl tube 4, ensuring trimmer lines extend beyond the end of the clear vinyl tube, where the two ends of are inserted fully inside a first ferrule 5, which is then hit with a hammer a sufficient number of times to crimp the trimmer lines to the first ferrule. A hole is drilled perpendicularly through the first ferrule. Then inserted inside one end of a rubber tube 6, making sure the curve bias of the trimmer line curves downward, while the curve bias of the rubber tube curves upwards. This allows the golf ball to hang vertically keeping the trimmer line clear of the path of the golf club.

(11) A first hole is drilled perpendicularly through the rubber tube, where a first mechanical screw 7 and wing nut are used to secure the first ferrule inside the rubber tube.

(12) On the unaltered end of the rubber tube, a second hole is drilled perpendicularly through the rubber tube. An extension spring 10, is inserted into the rubber tube where a a second mechanical screw guide 11, is passed through a second hole in walls of the rubber tube while ensuring to catch the hook of the extension spring. The remaining hook of the extension spring remains outside the rubber tube.

(13) In this embodiment a rigid cylinder 8, comprises a first PVC pipe of 2 diameter and 9 in length. A slot 12 that is sufficiently wider than the second mechanical screw guide, is cut out of rigid cylinder along its entire longitudinal length. A hole wide enough for a first hex bolt axle 9 to pass through is drilled perpendicularly through the diameter of the rigid cylinder nearest possible to one end, leaving two holes, equidistant to the slot. The rubber tube is then inserted into the rigid cylinder making sure the second mechanical screw guide 11, being sufficiently long to remain outside diameter of the rigid cylinder, is placed inside the slot 12 cut out of the rigid cylinder. The two components together can travel freely in linear opposite directions to one another. This results in eliminating unwanted rotational travel of the rubber tube inside the rigid cylinder thereby helping return the golf ball to the same resting position every time. The outside hook of extension spring 10 is aligned with the two holes of the rigid cylinder, then first hex bolt axle 9 is passed through all three, thereby serving as the axis of rotation for the swing arm apparatus {1-12}.

(14) For this particular embodiment, the structure 17 comprises three sections of PVC pipe held together with PVC cement. One section is a 45 degree elbow with holes drilled near top portion for first hex bolt axle 9, and second hex bolt support 9a, to pass through. A 90 degree elbow is inserted into the flare end of the 45 degree elbow, and secured with PVC cement. Serving as the base of the structure, a straight length PVC pipe is inserted into the flare end of the 90 degree elbow, and secured with PVC cement. The angle for first hex bolt axle 9, FIG. 2 is closer to horizontal than vertical, the angle helping to keep components that are above the golf ball from blocking the line-of-sight to the golf ball, FIG. 6. The structure is attached to the mat platform 19, with carriage bolts & knobs 18, consisting of two carriage bolts, two lock washers, and two multiple lobe knobs.

(15) A housing 13 is created by cutting in half longitudinally, a second PVC pipe twice the diameter of the rigid cylinder, of which only one of the two halves is used. Two holes are drilled through the remaining half, disposed opposite each other at the mid point nearest possible to the longitudinal edges where the second PVC pipe was cut. First hex bolt axle 9, passes through the holes in the housing, both holes in rigid cylinder, and the outside hook of the extension spring. Furthermore, first hex bolt axle passes through top portion of the structure 17 and secured with lock washer and hex nut, whereby a second hex bolt support 9a, with lock washer and hex nut, is used to help secure one side of the housing to the top most portion of the structure.

(16) A hex bolt upper stopper 14 is attached to housing by drilling a hole in the housing disposed centrally and nearest possible to center, and nearest the top as possible. Two lock nuts are used on either side of the housing to secure the hex bolt upper stopper 14, and finally a rubber furniture leg tip is pushed onto the hex end of the bolt creating a soft point of contact to the swing arm apparatus.

(17) A hex bolt lower stopper 15 is attached to the housing by drilling a hole in the housing disposed centrally, and nearest the bottom as possible. Two lock nuts are used on either side of the housing to secure the hex bolt lower stopper 15, and another rubber furniture leg tip is pushed onto the hex end of the bolt creating a soft point of contact to the swing arm apparatus at resting position.

(18) In this embodiment the flexible stick 20 is a weed trimmer line that is taken from stock that is not coiled, whereby the trimmer line is sufficiently straight, is thereby inserted into a second ferrule and crimped together by smashing it with a hammer a sufficient number of times, then a hole is drilled through the second ferrule, whereby it is secured to the structure with a carriage bolt and a lobe knob.

(19) A durable woven nylon turf with foam backing, is placed on top of a 1 thick mattress foam, of slightly less area than the nylon turf, creating the cushioned golf mat 16. Both are stapled in place to the mat platform 19.

(20) For use outdoors, the mat platform has four holes near each corner for four spikes to pass through to secure the mat platform to the soil. For use indoors, the mat platform is held in place with durable nylon cable ties through the two holes on the side of the golfer where they can be attached to a second mat of sufficient size and strength whereby the golfer standing on it will keep the mat platform in place after each strike of the golf ball.

(21) Operation FIGS. 3, 5

(22) The softest hit a golfer can execute, whereby the golf ball minimally bounces off the clubface, FIG. 3 (A), the trimmer line 3 will flex in the direction of the hit while providing little, to no discernable resistance felt through the golfer's hands.

(23) When a slightly more forceful hit is imparted by the golfer, in addition to the flexibility of the trimmer line, the rigid cylinder 8 freely rotates about hex bolt axle 9, FIG. 3(C).

(24) The situation whereby the most forceful hit is given by a full swing of a golf club, and a center-face hit is achieved, the golf ball will compress and stay on clubface a fraction of a second longer. While the golf ball remains compressed against the face of the club and before the ball has a chance to rebound, the golf club will continue to move forward, at which point extension spring 10 will stretch out, while the golf ball is in contact with the face of the golf club.

(25) FIG. 3 (D.sub.1), shows extension spring 10 at rest, FIG. 3 (D.sub.2) depicts the extension spring 10 after a forceful hit of the ball. Second mechanical screw guide 11 rides inside slot 12, thereby keeping the rubber tube 6 from rotating inside rigid cylinder 8. Thus the rubber tube's movement is limited to only a linear direction outwardly when hit, and also linearly back in when extension spring returns to resting position. In this embodiment, the extension spring which works sufficiently well is made by Hillman Group with dimensions 30.072.

(26) The spin rate of a golf ball that is struck well, reaches into the several thousands of revolutions per minute. The orientation of the hole through golf ball 2 is aligned with the golf ball's spin axis resulting from being struck, whereby given that the diameter of trimmer line 3 is narrower than the diameter of hole 2, some spinning of the ball will occur FIG. 3 (B). The rotation allows the golf ball to get hit in random places around its circumference thereby stretching the life of the golf ball.

(27) If the hit on the golf ball is forceful enough, the freely rotating swing arm apparatus {1-12} moves upward around hex bolt axle 9, where all remaining energy is absorbed by the collision of rigid cylinder 8 with hex bolt upper stopper 14, FIG. 3 (E). The swing arm apparatus will then fall, by the force of gravity alone, towards its resting position, where the rigid cylinder comes in contact again with the hex bolt lower stopper 15.

(28) If the golfer's swing path is too low, FIG. 5 (A), the bottom edge of the golf club will strike flexible stick 20 causing it to move back and forth several times prior to stopping. Thus visually informing the golfer that the ground was struck prior to the golf ball.

Alternative Embodiment

FIG. 7

(29) This particular embodiment illustrates a custom molded prefabricated piece for the swing arm apparatus (1-12). The upper stopper (14) and lower stopper (15) are attached directly to the structure (17), without employing a housing.

(30) Also illustrated yet another method of informing the golfer the swing path was below intended path with a precisely oriented infrared sensor that triggers an audible sound when the club head crosses its path (21).