Golf practice apparatus

• US 4,971,325 A
• Filed: 03/06/1990
• Issued: 11/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John D. Lipps
• Original Assignee: John D. Lipps
• Inventors: Lipps, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/493,579
• Time in Patent Office: 259 Days
• Field of Search: 273/183 R, 273/186 A, 273/183 A, 273/183 D, 273/193 R, 273/310
• US Class Current: 473/209
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3667 Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet

Abstract

An apparatus for the practicing of golf swings utilizing a beam from the forehead of the user coordinated with the swing of an actual golf club in contact with a golf ball, or simulated golf club in contact with a simulated golf ball. In the case of the simulated unit which may be used indoors, details of club head registry, swing, follow through, and distance the ball travels are displayed and recorded.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the practicing of golf swings, comprising:

means to be worn on the head of the user for projecting a beam of radiation from the forehead of the user as the user swings a golf club;

a first detector means for detecting said beam of radiation, said first detector means including a visual display which will be actuated when said beam of radiation is detected by said detector means as the user swings a golf club.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said beam of radiation is a light beam.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said beam of radiation is a radio frequency beam.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a visual display which is lit when said beam of radiation is detected by said detector means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said visual display includes an audio portion which will be actuated when said beam of radiation is detected by said first detector means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition thereto:

an elongate member to be swung by a user in simulation of the swinging of a golf club;

said elongate member comprising a simulated golf club and being shorter than a conventional golf club but having approximately the same weight thereof,

a source of conventional light and a source of infrared radiation contained within said elongate member,

a beam of conventional light and two beams of infrared radiation extending from one end of said elongate member in an axial direction;

said conventional light beam displaying the outline of a simulated golf club head, one of said infrared beams positioned adjacent the heel of said simulated golf club head and the other of said infrared beams positioned adjacent the toe of said simulated golf club head,

a simulated golf ball,

a plurality of sensor means adjacent said simulated golf ball and responsive to said infrared radiation and disposed in a predetermined array for producing sensor signals in response to the passage of said infrared beams over said array during the swinging of said elongate member,

said sensor signals lighting lights immediately adjacent thereto so as to provide a visual representation of the position of said simulated golf club head upon impact with said simulated golf ball, as well as the speed and direction of follow through of said golf club head.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein means are included visually to display whether or not said first detector means is actuated before or after said simulated golf club head engages said simulated golf ball.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 which includes a visual display which is lit when said beam of radiation is detected by said first detector means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said visual display includes an audio portion which will be actuated when said beam of radiation is detected by said first detector means.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said beam of radiation from the forehead of said user is a light beam.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 which includes a visual display which is lit when said beam of radiation is detected by said first detector means.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said visual display includes an audio portion which will be actuated when said beam of radiation is detected by said first detector means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition thereto:

second detector means connected to said apparatus for detecting when a golf ball is hit by a golf club,

means for comparing whether or not said first detector means is activated before or after said second detector means is activated,

means for visually displaying the results of said comparison.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second detector means is connected to a golf tee.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said visual display includes an audio portion for announcing the results of said comparison.