WO2002078797A1

WO2002078797A1 - Golf training device

Info

Publication number: WO2002078797A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung Gon Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-02
Filing date: 2001-04-02
Publication date: 2002-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2003-10-02

Abstract

Provided is a portable golf training machine. The portable golf training machine includes a cord to bind a golf ball, a reel around which the cord is wound, a motor for driving the reel to rotate to wind the cord around the reel, a battery supplying power to the motor, and a guide for guiding the cord.

Description

GOLF TRAINING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a golf training device, and more particularly, to a portable golf training machine by which a flight distance of golf-ball can be observed just like actually playing golf at an outdoor golf course. Background Art

In general, golf training is typically done at an indoor golf driving range. However, a golf ball is not allowed to travel fully due to a limited space of a net so that a golf trainee cannot have the feel of a properly executed golf swing. Also, since golf is a costly game, it is economically burdensome to go to a golf driving range or an outdoor golf course quite often. There are some portable golf training devices that allow a user to practice golf putt using a portable golf net. In this case, however, it is difficult to observe the flight distance and direction of a golf ball, being obstructed by the net and resulting in imperfect golf training.

Disclosure of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable golf training device which allows the users to have a perfect golf training at an open site such as the beach, riverside or playground and to observe the golf-ball's flight distance and direction just like actually playing golf in an outdoor golf course.

To accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a portable golf training machine including a cord to bind a golf ball, a reel around which the cord is wound, a motor for driving the reel to rotate to wind the cord around the reel, a battery supplying power to the motor, and a guide for guiding the cord.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a switch for controlling the motor is connected through a long cord to be turned on or off by pressing the same by hand or foot. In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable golf training machine further includes a turning guide for turning the direction of the cord when the cord is wound around or unwound from the reel.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the portable golf training machine further includes a handle by which the cord is manually wound around the reel.

In still further embodiment of the present invention, the turning guide includes an electromagnet installed such that when the cord is wound by driving the motor while actuating the switch, the cord is switched in a position in which it is wound around the reel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portable golf training machine according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show states in which the golf training machine according to the present invention is packed in a case;

FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary state in which a reel and a motor are connected to each other;

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the golf training machine according to the present invention is used; and FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of another example of portable golf training machine according to the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the Invention

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portable golf training machine according to the present invention, in which a reel 103, e.g., a fishing reel, around which a lightweight cord such as a fishing line is wound, is disposed to bind a golf ball 101 , and a motor 104 for driving the reel 103 is connected to the reel 103. Known reels for fishing rods are used as the reel 103. The reel 103 includes a reel gear box 105 connected to the motor 104. Power for the motor 104 is supplied from a battery 106.

A switch 107 for controlling the motor 104 is connected to the motor 104. During training golf, after a ball connected by a long cord is hit, the switch 107 is conveniently turned on or off by pressing the same by foot or hand, thereby withdrawing the ball. The switch 107 can be replaced with a wireless, remotely controlled switch or an audio switch.

Also, the reel 103 includes a turning guide 108 for guiding the cord 102 to be unwound in a direction in which friction or resistance becomes minimized or guiding the cord 102 to be wound around the reel 103 properly. When winding or unwinding the cord 102, the direction of the turning guide 108 can be switched by hand. Alternatively, the turning guide 108 may be connected electrically to the switch 107 such that when the cord 102 is wound by driving the motor 104 while turning the switch 107 on, the cord 102 is switched in a position in which it is wound around the reel 103. In other words, use of a spring and an electromagnet allows the turning guide 108 to lie down when the cord 102 is unwound and to stand when the switch 107 is turned on.

A guide 109 for guiding the cord 102 when the cord 102 is unwound or wound is installed, and is preferably extendable like an antenna or fishing rod so as to be minimized in length. The guide 109 guides the cord 102 to be unwound well when a golf ball is hit and serves to absorb the abruptly increasing tension when the cord 102 is wound.

A handle 110 used for manually winding the cord 102 when the motor 104 is not available due to discharge of batteries is installed at the side of the reel gear box 105. The handle 110 may be installed oppositely, that is, at the side of the motor 104.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show states in which the golf training machine according to the present invention is packed in a case 111 , in which the reel 103 is completely incorporated inside the case 111. However, a cord-wound portion of the reel 103 may be installed outside the case 111 , thereby making the case 111 compact.

The portable golf training machine according to the present invention is configured so as to be easily carried using a carrier handle 112 of the case 111. For convenient conveyance, wheels may be installed at the bottom of the golf training machine like in a traveler's bag and an extendible handle may be installed.

Also, the turning guide 109, the reel 103 and the motor 104 may be detachably installed. By doing so, when the golf ball encounters obstacle, these elements are separated from the case 111 and the cord

102 is then wound manually by turning the handle 110.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary state in which a reel and a motor are connected to each other, in which the motor 104 for driving the reel 103 and a decelerating gear 120 are connected between the reel 103 and the handle 110 for winding the motor 104. In FIG. 3, the cord-wound portion of the reel 103 is installed outside the case 111 and the reel gear box 105 is installed inside the case 111 , thereby miniaturizing the case 111.

The shown reel gear box 105 is constructed of the same type as that generally used for fishing. As the motor 104 is driven, a cup-shaped gear 122 is rotated and a helical gear 124 connected thereto rotates the cord-wound portion of the reel 103. A battery 106 for operating the motor 104 is installed, and a switch 107 connected to the motor 104 and the battery 106 are installed. When a golf ball is to be withdrawn after it is hit, the switch 107 is pressed by foot or hand to actuate the motor 104, thereby turning the reel 103 to withdraw the ball.

Like in a fishing reel in which a turning guide for guiding the direction of a cord when the cord is unwound from or wound around the reel, is manually turned, if necessary, the turning guide 108 may be manually turned also in the golf training machine. However, since this work is burdensome, the turning guide 108 is configured to be electrically turned using the battery 106 and the switch 107, by electrically operating a turning guide mounting portion 130 where the turning guide 108 is installed using an electromagnet.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the golf training machine according to the present invention is used. The golf training machine is disposed at a training place and the guide 109 is pulled to hit the golf ball 1. Then, the cord 102 is unwound without a hitch so that the golf ball 1 flies away to an open space. A trainee can perform golf training while observing the golf ball's flight distance and direction. When the golf ball is to be withdrawn, the switch 107 is pressed by foot to drive the motor 104, thereby winding the cord.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of another portable golf training machine according to the present invention, in which the golf training machine is mounted on a case 131 such as a wheeled traveler's bag for convenient conveyance and keeping. The guide 109, the reel 103, and the motor and battery 106 for driving the reel 103 are mounted inside the case 131. The case 131 including wheels 131 can be conveniently carried by being pulled by hand.

These elements are also supported by a foldable support 133. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the golf training machine is in use, the case 131 is opened and the support 133 is then raised to position the golf training machine at an appropriate angle. Alternatively, only the guide 109, the reel 103 and the motor 104 may be detachably constructed so as to be separated from the main body of the machine.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the golf training machine according to the present invention can be conveniently carried and allows a trainee to perform golf training while observing a golf ball's flight distance and direction at the beach, riverside, lake or playground. In particular, the trainee can practice golf just like in an actual state while checking the effect of the wind. That is to say, the trainee can perform realistic golf training just like in actually playing golf at an outdoor golf course.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable golf training machine comprising: a cord to bind a golf ball; a reel around which the cord is wound; a motor for driving the reel to rotate to wind the cord around the reel; a battery supplying power to the motor; and a guide for guiding the cord.

2. The portable golf training machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a switch for actuating the motor, the switch connected through the cord to be turned on or off by pressing the same by hand or foot.

3. The portable golf training machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a turning guide for turning the direction of the cord when the cord is wound around or unwound from the reel.

4. The portable golf training machine according to claim 1 , wherein the turning guide includes an electromagnet installed such that when the cord is wound by driving the motor while actuating the switch, the cord is switched in a direction in which it is wound around the reel.

5. The portable golf training machine according to any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the portable golf training machine is mounted in a case.

6. The portable golf training machine according to claim 5, wherein the reel, the motor and the turning guide are detachably installed.

7. The portable golf training machine according to claim 5, wherein the case includes wheels for conveyance.

8. The portable golf training machine according to any one of claims 1 through 4, further comprising a handle by which the reel can be manually rotated.