DE20108933U1 - Footplate for training golf practice shots - Google Patents

Description

Applicant:

Mister

John Wilkinson

Am Steineberg 5a 86459 Gessertshausen / DE

Representative:

Patent attorneys
Dipl.-Ing. H.-D. Ernicke Dipl.-Ing;. Klaus Ernicke Schwibbogenplatz 2b 86153 Augsburg / DE

Date:

File:

28.05.2001
500-264 ern/he

DESCRIPTION Footplate for practicing golf practice shots

The invention relates to a footplate for training golf practice shots, in particular approach shots (chips).

Well-known mats are made of coconut material, plastic and the like, which are generally used in the practice area of golf clubs, primarily under roofs. In the area of such mats there is also a support for golf balls. The golfer has the option of setting up his position on the mat as he wishes. The support for the golf ball is usually in the middle in front of the golfer positioned on the mat.

It is not advisable to practice approach shots with such familiar floor mats because the technique for these approach shots requires a completely different foot position in relation to the golf ball.

The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a footplate for training golf practice shots, which enables and forces the player to adopt the correct body posture in relation to the position of the golf ball.
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According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the foot plate has centering means for the correct position of the feet as well as intersecting orientation aids for the placement of the golf ball and for the alignment of the shoulder, wherein the longitudinal axis of the centering means running through the individual foot is at an acute angle to the orientation aid

for the placement of the golf ball,

Normally, golfers position their shoulders, body and feet parallel to the desired direction of the golf ball. However, this posture is inappropriate when it comes to making approach shots to the target. In this case, the feet must be positioned so-called open, while the shoulder and the swing plane of the golf club must be positioned in the direction of the target or parallel to it at the moment of impact with the golf ball. Beginners consider this position to be unnatural and tend to repeatedly adopt a position parallel to the desired direction of flight of the golf ball, which causes significant errors.

The footplate according to the invention is intended to force the golfer to adopt the correct posture.

Although various devices for practicing golf shots are known, they do not achieve the success that the invention provides. For example, the device according to US 2,790,642 can only indicate the correct putting line in relation to the position of the feet or show the swing plane for an approach shot. In order to then be able to execute the shot, the device is a hindrance and must be removed. Similar devices are known from US 4,146,231 and 4,647,048 as well as EU-A 0 250 643.

In one embodiment of the invention, the centering means for the correct positioning of the feet or shoes are designed as depressions in the foot plate, the size of which should correspond to the largest possible shoe size. Smaller shoes can still be correctly aligned in the depression because they

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only need to lean on the inner edges of the recesses.

Alternatively, brackets, stops or the like can be arranged on the plate surface as centering means for guiding the shoes.

It is essential that the centring devices allow the shoes to be easily removed from them, because the golf swing to be trained often leads to an imbalance of the body and therefore injuries are excluded.

Therefore, the recesses in the base plate are preferable because they do not bring any disadvantages.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the orientation aids are designed as arrow-like and strip-shaped plate attachments. They therefore form a physical unit with the base plate and have the advantage of particularly good optical recognition. In practice, these orientation aids are formed by punching out the plate and protrude beyond it.

If one does not wish to use these approaches, the orientation aid within the meaning of the invention can also be designed by raised or recessed markings applied in strips on the plate surface or as printing or posters.

In principle, it is advisable to provide the plate attachment or marking intended for the alignment of the shoulder with arrowheads pointing in opposite directions in order to highlight the swing plane for the golf club particularly clearly. In the middle area of this plate attachment or marking, there should be an arrowhead of a shorter length running at a right angle to it, which should indicate the direction in which the golf ball should be placed on the ground.

In any case, it is recommended that the acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the centering device and the orientation aid intended for placing the golf ball is around 30° or slightly less. This angle is optimal for bringing the golf club towards the target and the golf ball. Depending on the golfer's disposition, this acute angle can be changed within a certain range.

If one assumes a footplate for right-handed people, then the longitudinal axis of the centering means should be approximately in the eleven o'clock position, in relation to the orientation aid ; aligned in the twelve o'clock position.

-For left-handed people, a mirror-image arrangement is required.

In practical use, the centering devices should be in the central area and the orientation aid in one of the front corner areas of the base plate. In most cases, the base plates are designed for right-handed people. However, the centering devices and orientation aids can also be arranged in such a way that the base plate can be turned around to make it playable for left-handed people.

Finally, it is recommended that the base plate has hole-like openings in two or more corner areas for the passage of pin-like fastening devices (tees). It is also advantageous if the base plate has a hole to form a grip slot.

having. . . ·

Details of the invention are shown schematically and by way of example in the drawings. They show:

Figure 1: a top view of a base plate with . . centering devices and orientation aid,

Figure 2: a cross section through the foot plate

according to Figure 1 along the line II-II,

Figure 3: a top view of an alternative

Base plate according to Figure 1 and

Figure 4: a cross section through a base plate with

recesses arranged on both sides.

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In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the foot plate (1) according to the invention has depressions (5) which are adapted to the maximum size of shoes. These depressions (5) are centering means (4) for ■ recording the correct stance of the golfer on the foot plate (1), whereby the correct stance is characterized in that the depressions (5) for receiving the shoes (2, 3) are arranged parallel to one another and are spaced apart (18) from one another approximately in the width of a shoe.

Also connected to the footplate (1) are orientation aids (6) which are designed to guide the golfer's upper body in the correct direction with respect to the placement of a golf ball (10) and in the swing plane when hitting the golf ball.

In the example in Figure 1, these orientation aids (6) are designed as "plate attachments (7,8) with arrowheads (9). These form a physical unit with the base plate (1), for example by punching out a larger

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• · · ϕ

- 6 plate.

The long plate attachments (7) are intended to determine the parallel position of the golfer's shoulders. The swing plane for the golf club during the moment of impact ^with the golf ball should also be aligned parallel to these long plate attachments (7).

The shorter plate attachment (8) with the arrowhead (9) should mark a line in the extension in which the golf ball (10) should be placed on the ground, depending on the height of the golfer.

In this way, a seemingly unrealistic posture of the golfer in relation to the desired swing plane is forced.

If you place the longitudinal axis (11) through the recesses (5) for the left shoe (2) and the right shoe (3) or parallel to this in comparison to the longitudinal axis through the short plate attachment (8), then an angle (12) of the order of 30° or slightly less should form. For right-handers, '·■■■■-,

- it can be assumed that the guidance (6,7,8) ■

in relation to the position of the shoes (2,3) in the right front corner of the foot plate (1). For left-handed people this is.

reversed, after which the orientation aid (6) in the left front corner of the floor mat

(1) is located.
. ■ ' .

It is recommended to use the plate attachment (7) to determine

- the shoulder adjustment is to be longer than the plate attachment (8) for the placement of the golf ball (10). In one embodiment of the invention, the individual leg of the long plate attachment (7) is about 20 cm and the short leg of the plate attachment (8) is about 10 cm, whereas the edge dimensions of the foot plate (1) in the

Square should be about 4 5 cm.

In practice, the golfer takes a stance according to the specified centering device (4) and places the golf ball

(10) in the extension of the short plate attachment (8) onto the ground. In this position, the golfer's feet, legs and hips are in a different position than the upper body. This creates a bend in the hip area. The golfer is now encouraged to move his hands and club parallel to the long plate attachments (7), while the lower body remains in the position forced by the centering means (4). Experience has shown that this forces a more perfect approach shot.

The features of the invention according to Figure 1 can be varied in various ways. For example, it is possible to use brackets, stops or the like (17) as centering means (4), which are arranged raised on the foot plate (1). The golfer adjusts his shoes (2, 3) on these brackets and the like (17) in the same way as a skier, for example, engages his ski boots in the binding of a ski. However, the brackets or the like (17) should be designed in such a way that a golfer, when he

loses balance, his feet easily come free from the supports or the like (17). . .

In the same embodiment of Figure 3 it is shown that the orientation aids (6) can also be formed by raised or recessed markings (15, 16), printing, posters or the like on the surface of the base plate (1). In this case, however, it is expedient to arrange the shorter marking (16) for the placement of the golf ball (10) not from the middle of the longer marking (15), but offset to the side in order to reduce the area of the .

· ·
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To make optimal use of the foot plate (1).

Finally, Figure 4, like Figure 2, shows the arrangement of pin-like fastening means (14) (tees) which are guided through hole-like openings (13) according to Figures 1 and 3 and connected to the ground. This makes it possible to fix the base plate

(1) to be fixed to the ground without affecting the golfer’s stance.

In the example in Figure 1, a golf ball (10) is shown in the correct position as an extension of the short plate attachment (8). The distance of the golf ball (10) from the tip (9) of the short plate distance depends individually on the body size and the choice of golf club.

Parallel to the long plate projections (70) extends the imaginary line according to arrow (19) from the golf ball (10) to the target (20), along which the golf ball should fly.

The material of the golf plate (1) does not need to be rigid. It can be made of flexible plastic, e.g. PVC, to enable it to be rolled up for storage. It is important that the golf plate (1) is in a flat position when placed on the ground...'.'.

The use of other materials remains at the discretion of the specialist.

It is also recommended to provide a hole (21) near one edge of the plate to form a grip slot to facilitate handling of the plate (1).

PARTS LIST

1 foot plate

2 left shoe

3 right shoe

4 Centering devices

5 Deepening

6 Orientation aid .

7 long plate attachment 8 short plate attachment

9 Arrow

10 golf balls

11 - Longitudinal axis

12 angles

13 hole-like passage opening

14 pin-like fastener

15 raised or recessed marking, printing or the like

16 raised or recessed marking, printing or the like

17 Bracket, stop or similar

18 foot spacing

19 Arrow

20 Target - _ 21 . Breakthrough

Claims (11)

1. Foot plate for training golf practice shots, in particular approach shots (chips), characterized in that the foot plate ( 1 ) has centering means ( 4 ) for the correct position of the feet ( 2 , 3 ) and intersecting orientation aids ( 6 ) for the placement of the golf ball ( 10 ) and for the alignment of the shoulder, wherein the longitudinal axis ( 11 ) of the centering means ( 4 ) running through the individual foot ( 2 , 3 ) runs at an acute angle to the orientation aid ( 6 ) for the placement of the golf ball ( 10 ). 2. Foot plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering means ( 4 ) are designed as recesses ( 5 ) for the largest possible shoe size. 3. Foot plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering means ( 4 ) are designed as holders, stops or the like ( 17 ) attached to the plate surface for guiding the shoes ( 2 , 3 ). 4. Foot plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation aid ( 6 ) is designed as arrow-like and strip-shaped plate projections ( 7 , 8 ). 5. Foot plate according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate attachment ( 7 ) intended for the alignment of the shoulder has arrowheads ( 9 ) pointing in opposite directions and, in its central region, an arrowhead ( 8 , 9 ) of shorter length running at right angles thereto. 6. Base plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation aid ( 6 ) is designed as raised or recessed markings ( 15 , 16 ) applied in strip-like manner in the plate surface or as printing or postering. 7. Foot plate according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the acute angle ( 12 ) between the longitudinal axis ( 11 ) of the centering means ( 4 ) and the orientation aid ( 8 , 9 , 16 ) intended for the placement of the golf ball ( 10 ) is approximately 30° or less. 8. Foot plate according to claim 1, characterized in that for right-handed people the longitudinal axis ( 11 ) of the centering means ( 4 ) lies approximately in the eleven o'clock position, relative to the orientation aid ( 8 , 9 , 16 ) aligned in the twelve o'clock position. 9. Footplate according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the centering means ( 4 ) are located in the central region and the orientation aid ( 6 ) is located in one of the front corner regions of the footplate ( 1 ). 10. Base plate according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that it has hole-like through-openings ( 13 ) in two or more corner regions for the passage of pin-like fastening means ( 14 ) (tees). 11. Foot plate according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that it has an opening ( 21 ) located at one edge to form a grip slot.