GB2134304A - Teaching model of a golf player - Google Patents

Abstract

The model represents a golf player in position at the moment of strike and has a bust part formed of two separate portions 2a,2b, the upper of which is pivoted eccentrically to the lower by means of a pin 7 housed for rotation within a seat 8 provided in the lower portion, the separation plane of the two portions being inclined so that gravity causes the upper portion to rotate with respect to the lower portion when effecting a strike. A shoulder of the model may have a ledge, concavity or knurling 10 to facilitate actuation by a user. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFiCATION Teaching model of a golf player The object of this invention is a teaching model of a golf player.

The model in question enables one or more users to practice at home a game which in its basic characteristics reproduces the real game of golf. In particular the model according to the invention, not only enables learning the rules of this sport, but also a user to study and improve the various modes in which striking the ball with the club is effected, since the model reproduces the movements of a real golf player.

The characteristics of the model according to the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of the model according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the same with parts broken away; and Figure 3 shows in an enlarged scale a detail of the model.

With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2 the model according to this invention reproduces the figure of a golf player in the position taken up just before striking the ball. As shown particularly in Figure 2 the model has the knees 1 slightly bent and the bust 2 slightly curved forward. Its hands 3 grip the end of a small club 4.

Referring now also to Figure 3, in accordance with one of the characteristics of the model according to the invention, the bust 2 of the player consists of two parts i.e. an upper part 2a and a lower part 2b which are linked together in the manner described in the following.

As can be seen particularly in Figure 2 the plane along which the bust 2 has been cut into two parts is not perpendicular to the bust itself, but is inclined at an angle which renders it effectively parallel to the arms 5 of the user and to the club 4. In this way the rotary movement of the upper part 2a of the bust 2 and therefore that of the club or stick 4 take place on a given plane, which is such that when the blade 6 of the club 4 skims over the ground on striking the ball, it will be at the right distance from the feet of the player as really happens in this sport. Of course, if one has several models, the above-mentioned angle could be varied to simulate different conditions of play.

Rotation of the upper portion 2a of the bust 2 with respect to the lower portion 2b which is stationary, is obtained because, as shown in detail in Figure 3, the upper portion 2a is eccentrically pivoted to the lower portion 2b.

For this purpose the upper portion 2a is provided, at the side of the player's left arm, with a small pivot 7 adapted to be introduced into a corresponding seat 8 in the lower portion 2b. In the seat 8 as mentioned there is fixed a small bush 9 which similarly to the pivot 7 is made of a material different from that of the model, such as a material capable of reducing to a minimum the rotation friction of pivot 7 inside the bush 9. The latter is slightly protruding from the seat 8 with a ring element 9a, which is therefore in relief with respect to the upper plane of portion 2b of the bust. This ensures keeping slightly away from each other the opposite faces of portions 2a and 2b of the bust, thus reducing to a minimum the friction between these parts to facilitate the rotary move ment described above.

Now referring in particular to Figures 1 and 2 the left shoulder of the player is provided with a small knurled ledge 10 to aid the action of the user when bringing the model to the-start position before striking, this action being effected in the direction of the arrow F in Figure 1. Of course this ledge 10 could be replaced by a concave zone or simple knurling or by any device enabling the user to impart a sufficient pressure on the shoulder of the player-model without any slipping.

The model of this invention is utilized in the following way.

Referring to Figure 1 it is first brought into the position indicated by a continuous line, which is an unstable position because almost the entire weight of the upper portion 2a of the trunk 2 is eccentrically pivoted to the lower portion 2b and, due to the inclination of the plane, separating these two parts of the bust, the upper portion tends to move downwards due to the gravity. At this point it is sufficient to release the upper portion 2a of the bust and hold firmly the lower part of the player's body, thus enabling the upper portion 2a of the bust to turn, moving from the position indicated by the continuous line to that shown by the broken line in the direction of the arrows G in Figure 1. In this manner the club 4 effects a movement just as in the reality by striking the ball to the desired distance.

It is evident that the force of the model's throw can be varied by an appropriate regulation of the starting position of the upper portion 2a of the bust 2. The force of strike may be light, for which purpose the starting rotation (clockwise in Figure 1) of portion 2a of the bust 2 will be small, or may be stronger in which case this rotation will be increased accordingly.

It is evident from the above description that the user will learn each time and gradually to adjust the throwing force of his model to be increased or decreased in relation to the goal he wishes to reach, which will simulate any given real conditions of play.

He will therefore be able to arrange in his house, on a table or on the floor, appropriate signs for simulating the route of a real goal course in order to play this game in miniature form.

It is clear that variations and/or modifications can be made to the model according to this invention without thereby going beyond the limits of protection of the invention itself.

In particular the dimensions may be any and however of a size being appropriate to the performances required of the model. This could for example be about 10 cm in height.

It is also evident that the degree of eccentricity by which the upper portion 2a of the bust is pivoted with respect to the lower portion 2b could be modified thus obtaining for example, by means of a reduced eccentricity, a lighter force of the player's strike.

In its broadest sense the invention is defined in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. Teaching model of a glof player characterized by the fact of representing the figure of the player when in the position assumed at the moment of striking, the bust of the player consisting of two parts, i.e. an upper portion eccentrically pivoted to a lower portion, the plane separating these two parts being inclined so that the upper portion, in order to effect the strike, turns by gravity with respect to the lower portion.

2. Model of golf player in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the upper portion of the bust has a pivot housed for rotation within a seat in the lower portion of the bust.

3. Model of golf player in accordance with claim 2, characterized by the fact that between the pivot and the seat there is provided a bush, both pivot and bush being made of a material different from that of the model, such as a material capable of reducing to a minimum the friction caused by rotation.

4. Model of golf player in accordance with claim 3, characterized by the fact that the bush protrudes from the seat by means of a ring element thus enabling to keep slightly spaced from each otherthe opposite faces of the upper portion and lower portion of the bust.

5. Model of golf player in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the plane separating the upper portion of the bust from the lower portion is substantially parallel to the plane on which are lying the arms of the model and the club.

6. Model of golf player in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one shoulder thereof is provided with a ledge or the like for its actuation by the user.

7. Model of golf player in accordance to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one shoulder is provided with a zone having a recess or knurling or the like to facilitate its gripping by the user.

8. Model of golf player substantially as described above and as shown in the attached Figures.