Golf trainer

Abstract

A golf trainer (1) has a ground-engaging base (2) supporting a rail assembly (3) and a carriage (50) for guiding a golf club (typically a putter). Foot guides (12, 13) are of thin planar construction, having curved front edges and are configured and located to both indicate a good playing stance and provide support for the trainer (1) while the fronts of the player's feet are on them. The rail assembly (3) comprises a central post (25), and left and right side posts (26, 27). The base (2) comprises a central socket (30) for the central post (25), a left pair of sockets (31) for the post (26), and a right pair of sockets (32) for the post (27). The rail assembly (3) is secured to the base (2) by inserting the central post (25) in the socket (30), and simultaneously inserting the left post (26) in one of the sockets (31), and inserting the right post (27) in one of the sockets (32). By choice of socket, the user can secure the assembly (3) so that the stiffening web (21) is in a vertical plane, or has a configuration which is generally cylindrical about a vertical axis. A club carriage (50) comprises an elastomer grip (51) and a and a wheel (55) for rotation on the axle (54). The elastomer grip (51) comprises a central through-hole (56) for gripping the shafr, and the shape of the gripping element and of a connector (52) allow self-tightening in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to golf trainers, particularly for training of players for putts or other short swing shots. PRIOR ART DISCUSSION [0002] Putting is one of the most important strokes in the game of golf. It is a simple stroke, requiring the player to strike the ball in a smooth continuous arc with good “follow through”. It is also important that the player strike the ball ‘squarely’, with the putter face at right angles to the. direction of movement. The -player should be able to replicate consistently a good putting stroke in order to score well. [0003] US Patent Specification No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,131 (Vella et al) describes a putting trainer having an arc-shaped rail supported on a support structure. The rail is supported at each end by a mechanism having a wing nut pressing against a component for changing the orientation of the rail. Adjustment of the radius of the rail's arc is achieved by adjusting the tension applied by a wing nut to a li...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a golf trainer that includes a base, a guide rail, and a carriage for gripping a golf club and running on the rail. The rail has a non-uniform construction in cross-section with different stiffness characteristics in different directions. The carriage has a gripping element that can be placed on a shaft and grip it tightly using its resilient properties. The gripping element can be made of an elastomer material and has a tapered shape. The guide is a wheel or a non-rotating low-friction surface. The base has foot guides to match a player's feet and a carrying handle. The rail can be adjusted in its orientation using a retainer or a spindle. The technical effects of the invention include improved training for golfers and better simulation of the game."

Problems solved by technology

It appears that the Vella et al trainer would not be particularly reliable or easy to use as large forces are required to lever the end of the rail, and it would be difficult for the player to achieve a consistent orientation of the rail throughout its length.

However these trainers appear to be quite complex and bulky.

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