Joint and golf training device
A flexible joint connecting a golf practice tool and club addresses the issue of insufficient training by replicating the natural swing feel, enhancing stability and correction in golf practice.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023213685
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing golf practice tools do not effectively replicate the feel and stability of a real golf swing, leading to insufficient training results.
A flexible joint connecting a golf practice tool and a golf club, with detachable ends and varying degrees of hollowing and tapering, allows for a stable swing by mimicking the natural arm-shaft angle and enabling smooth movement.
Enables a stable and corrected golf swing by maintaining the arm-shaft angle and allowing for a natural swing motion, improving training effectiveness.
Smart Images
Figure 2025097472000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a joint and a golf practice device.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes "the Tsujimura stick, which is a practice tool that promotes the important body rotation in a golf swing." [Prior Art Document] [Non-Patent Document] [Non-Patent Document 1] Internet <URL:https: / / www.g-pocket.jp / view / item / 000000001957>
Summary of the Invention
[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, a joint is provided. The joint is a flexible joint having one end and the other end, to which a practice tool for practicing a golf swing is attached at the one end, and a grip of a golf club is detachably inserted at the other end.
[0004] The joint may have a U-shaped configuration in which the portion between one end and the other end is bent.
[0005] The practice tool may be press-fitted to the one end of the joint.
[0006] The joint may be attached to the practice tool with a different bending direction.
[0007] The other end of the joint may hold the grip loosely rather than the one end holding the practice tool.
[0008] The joint may be provided with a first hole for inserting the practice tool at the one end, and a second hole shallower than the first hole for inserting the grip at the other end.
[0009] The joint may have a first hollowed-out portion connected to the first hole and a second hollowed-out portion connected to the second hole.
[0010] The joint may have a greater amount of hollowing on the other end side than on the one end side.
[0011] The joint may have a greater amount of hollowing in the second hollowed-out portion than in the first hollowed-out portion.
[0012] The inner side of the second hole of the joint may have a tapered annular wall that narrows toward the back of the hole.
[0013] The joint may be formed of the same material as the grip.
[0014] In a second aspect of the present invention, a golf practice device is provided. The golf practice device includes the joint and the practice tool.
[0015] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a golf practice device 500 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, an xyz coordinate system is shown in each figure. The y direction indicates vertically upward. In FIG. 1, the hitting direction of the golf ball is the -z direction.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the golf practice device 500 includes a joint 100 and a golf practice tool 200. The joint 100 connects the golf practice tool 200 and the golf club 300. FIG. 1 depicts a person 400 swinging the golf club 300 using the joint 100. As shown in FIG. 1, in the usage state, the golf club 300, the joint 100, and the golf practice tool 200 are connected in this order from the left. The person 400 holds the horizontal bar 202 of the golf practice tool 200 under the arm and holds the grip 301 of the golf club 300 connected by the joint 100 and swings it. Note that the joint 100 portion may be held and swung simultaneously with the grip 301. The joint 100 is formed of a flexible material, that is, a material that is easily elastically deformed.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a golf training tool 200 to which a joint 100 according to the present embodiment is attached. The golf training tool 200 has a T-shape in which a horizontal bar 202 and a vertical bar 203 are connected. Even when practicing with the golf training tool 200 alone, one can practice in a way that the swing becomes stable by sandwiching the horizontal bar 202 and gripping the tip of the vertical bar 203 to swing. However, since one swings by gripping the tip of the vertical bar 203, the feeling is different from actually gripping and swinging the grip of the golf club 300, and sufficient results cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the golf training device 500 of the present embodiment, the golf club 300 is connected to the end portion 201 of the vertical bar 203 of the golf training tool 200 via the joint 100.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection structure of the joint 100, the golf training tool 200, and the golf club 300 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the golf club 300 includes a grip 301, a head 303 having a face 302, and a shaft 304. In FIG. 3, the face 302 of the golf club 300 faces the -z direction, and the hitting direction of the golf ball is the -z direction. Note that in FIG. 3, the golf club 300 is depicted as a right-handed driver, but the golf club 300 may be another club, such as an iron or a wedge, or a left-handed club.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the joint 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the joint 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the joint 100 has one end 118 on the -x direction side and the other end 128 on the +x direction side. A golf practice tool 200 for practicing a golf swing is attached to this one end 118, and the grip 301 of the golf club 300 is detachably inserted into the other end 128. A hole 111 is formed in the one end 118, and a hole 121 is formed in the other end 128. The joint 100 has a first portion 110 and a second portion 120. In the present embodiment, the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 are connected at an angle of 20 degrees. It can also be said that the joint 100 is bent in a "く" shape. This 20-degree angle is set with reference to the preferable angle formed between the arm of the person 400 and the golf club 300 when the person 400 holds the golf club 300 and assumes an address position. This angle may be any angle in the range of, for example, 15 degrees to 25 degrees.
[0023] The vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 is press-fitted into the hole 111 of the one end 118. In FIG. 5, the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 is shown using thin hatching. The hole 111 has a practice tool insertion portion 112 as a first hole and a first cutout portion 113 provided in connection with the practice tool insertion portion 112. A tapered shape 114 is formed at the entrance portion of the hole 111, and the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 is formed into a shape that is easy to insert. The vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 is press-fitted and held in the practice tool insertion portion 112. The joint 100 is rotatable while maintaining a rotational position with respect to the golf practice tool 200. The joint 100 may be detachable with respect to the golf practice tool 200.
[0024] The practice tool insertion part 112 is a cylindrical hole and has a length of L1. The diameter of the practice tool insertion part 112 is the same as or slightly smaller than the diameter of the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200. Therefore, by utilizing the elasticity of the practice tool insertion part 112, the end part 201 of the golf practice tool 200 is inserted while slightly expanding the practice tool insertion part 112. Thereby, the end part 201 of the golf practice tool 200 is press-fitted into the practice tool insertion part 112. Further, the end part 201 of the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 abuts against the inner end face 115 of the practice tool insertion part 112 to determine the position in the depth direction. Note that the outer diameter of the L1 part is uniform.
[0025] When inserting the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 into the hole 112 of the joint 100, the bending direction of the joint 100 around the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 (that is, the rotational position in the yz plane) can be freely selected. Thereby, the vertical rod 203 of the golf practice tool 200 can be used at the intended rotational position with respect to the practice tool insertion part 112. Also, since the hole 111 has the first cutout part 113, the joint 100 can be lightened. Further, when the person 400 swings in the state shown in FIG. 1, the first cutout part 113 deforms and absorbs the distortion related to the joint 100, so that the joint 100 can swing smoothly without coming off.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the grip 301 of the golf club 300 is inserted into the hole 121 of the other end 128. In FIG. 5, the grip 301 is shown using thin hatching. The hole 121 has a club insertion part 122 as a second hole and a second cutout part 123 provided connected to the club insertion part 122.
[0027] The club insertion portion 122 is a cylindrical hole and has a length of L2. L2 is shorter than L1. Therefore, the club insertion portion 122 is a shallower hole than the training tool insertion portion 112. Also, the wall forming the training tool insertion portion 112 is thicker than the wall forming the club insertion portion 122. The grip 301 of the golf club 300 is inserted into and held by the club insertion portion 122. In this case, the end of the grip 301 abuts against the inner end face 125 of the club insertion portion 122 to determine the position in the depth direction.
[0028] In this case, it is preferable that the club insertion portion 122 holds the grip 301 more loosely than the training tool insertion portion 112 holds the end 201 of the golf training tool 200. For example, when the club insertion portion 122 and the grip 301 are press-fitted, the difference between the outer shape of the grip 301 and the inner diameter of the club insertion portion 122 may be smaller than the difference between the outer shape of the end 201 of the golf training tool 200 and the inner diameter of the training tool insertion portion 112. On the other hand, instead of press-fitting, play may be created by making the inner diameter of the club insertion portion 122 the same as or larger than the outer shape of the grip 301, and it may be held loosely. Note that the orientation of the golf club 300 with respect to the second portion 120 when inserting the grip 301 into the hole 122 of the joint 100 can be freely selected.
[0029] Inside the club insertion portion 122, a tapered annular wall 126 that narrows toward the back of the hole is formed. Note that the outer diameter of the L2 portion is uniform. The second cutout portion 123 has a greater amount of cutout than the first cutout portion 113.
[0030] The club insertion portion 122 holds the grip 301 more loosely than the practice tool insertion portion 112 holds the end 201 of the golf practice tool 200. The club insertion portion 122 is a shallower hole than the practice tool insertion portion 112, and the wall forming the practice tool insertion portion 112 is thicker than the wall forming the club insertion portion 122. Thus, individually or in combination, these make it easier to deform the grip side than the practice tool side at the joint 100, maintain the bending angle of the joint 100 itself, allow a certain degree of relative movement between the grip 301 and the joint 100 on the grip side, and make it easier to swing. The hole 121 having the second cutout portion 123 enables the weight of the joint 100 to be reduced. Further, when the person 400 swings in the state shown in FIG. 1, the second cutout portion 123 of the joint 100 deforms and the joint 100 can swing smoothly without coming off.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the first rotational position of the joint 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the basic usage of the joint 100 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the face 302 of the golf club 300 faces the -z direction, which is the direction in front of the paper surface, and the hitting direction of the golf ball is the -z direction. When connecting the joint 100, the golf club 300, and the golf practice tool 200 at the first rotational position as shown in FIG. 6, the angle formed between the shaft of the golf club 300 and the practice tool 200 is 20 degrees. Accordingly, the angle (i.e., the arm-shaft angle) formed between the shaft of the golf club 300 and the arm of the person 400 with the practice tool 200 sandwiched on the side is approximately 20 degrees. Thereby, it is possible to address with an ideal arm-shaft angle.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a second rotational position of the joint 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an applied usage of the joint 100 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, from the state of FIG. 6, the orientation of the face 302 of the golf club 300 with respect to the joint 100 has rotated 90 degrees. Similarly, the orientation of the golf training tool 200 with respect to the joint 100 has also rotated 90 degrees. In FIG. 7, the face 302 of the golf club 300 faces the -y direction, and the hitting direction of the golf ball is the -y direction. When connecting the joint 100, the golf club 300, and the golf training tool 200 at the second rotational position as shown in FIG. 7, the form of handfast can be kept at address. Since beginners are likely to have a hand rate, the joint 100 of the present embodiment can be used as a training device for correcting this to handfast.
[0033] Note that the rotational position of the joint 100 is not limited to the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, it may be any rotational position between the rotational position of FIG. 6 and the rotational position of FIG. 7.
[0034] The joint 100 according to the present embodiment is formed of a flexible material. For example, it may be formed of natural rubber, SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer), thermoplastic, or the like. Further, the joint 100 may be formed of the same material as the grip 301. Thereby, the joint 100 and the grip 301 inserted into the joint 100 can be firmly fixed.
[0035] As described above, according to the joint 100 of the present embodiment, while actually swinging the golf club 300, it is possible to acquire a stable swing with corrected habits.
[0036] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that forms with such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0037] In the claims, specification, and drawings, the execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown is not explicitly stated as "earlier" or "preceding" etc., and it should be noted that it can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, specification, and drawings, even if it is described for convenience using "first," "next," etc., it does not mean that it is essential to be implemented in this order.
Description of Reference Numerals
[0038] 100 Joint 110 First Part 111 Hole 112 Practice Tool Insertion Portion 113 First Cut-Out Portion 114 Tapered Shape 120 Second Part 121 Hole 122 Club Insertion Portion 123 Second Cut-Out Portion 126 Annular Wall 200 Golf Practice Tool 201 End 202 Cross Bar 203 Vertical Bar 300 Golf Club 301 Grip 302 Face 400 Person 500 Golf Practice Device
Claims
1. A flexible joint having one end and the other end, wherein a practice tool for practicing a golf swing is attached to the one end, and a grip of a golf club is removably inserted into the other end.
2. The joint according to claim 1, wherein the shape between the one end and the other end is a bent U-shape.
3. The joint according to claim 1, wherein the practice tool is press-fitted into the one end.
4. The joint according to claim 3, wherein the practice tool can be attached with different bending directions.
5. The joint according to claim 3, wherein the other end holds the grip more loosely than the one end holds the practice tool.
6. The joint according to claim 1, wherein a first hole for inserting the practice tool is provided at the one end, and a second hole shallower than the first hole for inserting the grip is provided at the other end.
7. The joint according to claim 6, wherein the wall forming the first hole is thicker than the wall forming the second hole.
8. The joint according to claim 6, having a first cutout portion connected to the first hole and a second cutout portion connected to the second hole.
9. The joint according to claim 8, wherein the amount of cutout of the second cutout portion is larger than the amount of cutout of the first cutout portion.
10. The joint according to claim 6, wherein the inside of the second hole has a tapered annular wall that narrows toward the back of the hole.
11. The joint according to claim 1, formed of the same material as the grip.
12. The golf practice device comprising the joint according to claim 1, and the practice tool.