Golf swing practice apparatus
OwnerDavid E. Brantinghaminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A golf swing practice apparatus which includes a rotating drum having an optical sensor mounted inside the drum that is capable of swiveling in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the drum and capable of detecting a change in swivel position or swivel angle; an elongated cord including a proximal end secured to the drum and a distal end secured to a golf ball; a base member having an impact area over which a user may swing a golf club; and a frame structure secured to the base member and to the rotating drum whereby the frame structure holds the rotating drum in an elevated position above the impact area.
Claims17
A golf swing practice apparatus that provides ball trajectory information comprising:
- (a) a rotating drum comprising an optical sensor mounted inside the drum that is capable of swiveling in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the drum and capable of detecting a change in swivel position or swivel angle;
- (b) an elongated cord comprising a proximal end secured to the drum and a distal end secured to a golf ball;
- (c) a base member having an impact area over which a user may swing a golf club;
- (d) a frame structure secured to the base member and to the rotating drum whereby the frame structure holds the rotating drum in an elevated position above the impact area and provides an axis for the rotational direction;
- (e) a means for measuring rotation speed of the rotating drum;
- and
- (f) a console comprising a display screen for displaying swing data and a processor operably connected to the optical sensor and the means for measuring rotation speed to receive swivel and rotation data and for communicating the swing data to the display screen.
A drum for use in a golf swing practice apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a drum core;
- (b) a swivel ring positioned around the drum core and capable of swiveling perpendicular to a rotational direction of the drum, wherein the swivel ring comprises an optical sensor capable of detecting a change in swivel position or angle;
- (c) a tether means for tethering a golf ball to the center swivel ring;
- and
- (d) wireless or electronic circuitry to electrically transmit the change in swivel position to a receiver.
A base member for use in a golf swing practice apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an impact area at least partially detached from a surrounding golf base, wherein the impact area is switchable between two orientations, the first orientation being on a same plane as the surrounding base to provide a surface for impacting a golf club during a golf swing and the second orientation being at least partially raised above the surrounding base to stop or slow a golf ball after impact;
- and
- (b) a means for raising the impact area from the first orientation to the second orientation after impact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.