WO2003059469A1

WO2003059469A1 - Golf training platform

Info

Publication number: WO2003059469A1
Application number: PCT/NO2002/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pål Andersen
Original assignee: Variogolf As
Priority date: 2002-01-21
Filing date: 2002-01-21
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Also published as: AU2002233833A1

Abstract

Golf training platform comprising a deck (1) and at least three, preferably four legs (2, 3), said platform legs (2, 3) being rigidly secured to the deck (1), in a fixed inclination as said legs having two different lengths, the deck with the legs (2, 3) being adapted to be lifted from the ground and rotated around a vertical center axis to position the platform in another angle in relation to the desired ball path thereby providing a change in the angle of the deck surface.

Description

81454-SS

Golf training platform

The present invention is related to a golf training platform. It is essential for golf players to have the possibility of training from a bevelled surface which on mainly golf courses is the normal fairway surface.

It therefore exist several different ideas for golf training platforms where it is possible to amend the inclination of the platform in correspondence with the training program. The following publications describe such tiltable platforms EP 0 396 836, FR 2 703 914, GB 2 234 911, US 5 527 042, US 5 470 074, 5 460 379, US 5 683 306, US

5 820 478, US 4 875 684.

Most of the known platforms are comprehensive structures partly involving hydraulics or other means to provide the desired change in inclination.

With the platform according to the present invention, a tiltable platform is provided which has a very simple structure, consists of rather few parts and nevertheless is easy to adjust and stable to use as a training platform. The platform according to the present invention is defined by the features stated in the claims.

The drawing discloses in figure 1 a side view of one embodiment of the present invention, in an elevated position, figure 2 discloses the platform in figure 1 resting on the ground, ready for use, figure 3 discloses schematically a simple lifting mechanism in the^" embodiment disclosed in figure 1, figure 4 discloses schematically a side view of a second embodiment, figure 5 discloses schematically the lifting mechanism in the platform according to figure 4, and figure 6 discloses the principle for the platform disclosed in figure 4. A preferably square deck or floor 1 of a platform according to the present invention preferably comprises four fixed legs, of which two are smaller legs 2 and two are larger legs 3, thereby establishing a golf training platform having a fixed inclination.

According to the present invention the golf training platform as such is rotated around a vertical centre axis to establish a desired surface angle in relation to a fixed desirable ball path.

The drawing discloses two different embodiments respectively in figures 1-3 and 4-6 both of which based on the principle that the platform floor 1 including the legs 2 and 3 are liftet to simplify rotation of the platform. Upon rotation the platform is lowered to a stable position in a new angle in relation to the fixed desired ball path. The lifting of the platform is preferred to ensure the stability of the platform when resting on the ground and in use and also ensure that rotation of the platform is easy and may be performed by anybody.

The embodiment disclosed in figures 1-3 comprises a lever 4 adapted for operation by a foot. When pressing the lever 4 down in figure 2, the lever 4 lifts the surface 1 from the ground so much that the platform as such can.be rotated around the vertical centre axis until the desired position is achieved, where after the lever is released. The rotation is enabled by a slide type bearing 5 resting on the lever 4 and in which a pipe 6 connected with the surface 1 is running in a corresponding groove. The lever 4 easily may be locked in the position disclosed in figure 1 thereby to enabling easy rotation of the platform.

The embodiment disclosed in figures 4-6 comprises a circular track 7 resting on the ground, the track comprising a vertical flange 8. The smaller and larger legs 2 and 3 rest on horizontal flanges 9 of the track 7, when in use, which means that a person is standing on the platform and pressing the legs 2 and 3 down on to the track flanges 9.

When the person is leaving the platform, biased pulleys 10 in the lower end of the legs 2 and 3 lift the legs from the horizontal flanges 9 of the track 7 where after the platform as such very easily may be rotated to the desired position. Springs 11 bias the pulleys 10 to lift the platform up from the ground if no person or load press down the platform to the flange 9 or the ground. Slide bearings may be used instead of pulleys 10. The embodiment disclosed in figures 4-6 may have other mechanisms to lift the platform from the track 7, thereby enabling rotation of the platform to a desired position. Furthermore the platform may rest on another type of a base, such as a cylinder or wall corresponding with the track 7. With the golf training platform according to the present invention it is possible to simulate stand angles of the surface in fairway as well as in other parts of a golf course. The angle may be adjusted in relation to all three coordinate axis, namely down hill, up hill, declining or inclining towards the target in the ball path, as well as any combination thereof, however based on the fixed angle of the specific platform. Platforms with different desired angles may, however, be available.

Claims

81454-SSP a t e n t C l a i m s

1. Golf training platform comprising a deck (1) resting on the ground, characterized in said deck (1) having a fixed angle of inclination to the ground, the deck being adapted to be lifted from the ground thereby allowing rotation around a vertical center axis to position the platform in another angle in relation to t 4he desired ball path thereby providing a change in the angle of the deck surface and thereby in the stance.

2. Golf training platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in the deck (1) resting on a base such as at least three, preferably four legs (2, 3), said platform legs (2, 3) being rigidly secured to the deck (1), in a fixed angle of inclination said legs thereby having two different lengths, the deck with the legs (2, 3) being adapted to be lifted from the ground to be rotated.

3. Golf training platform according to the preceding claim, characterized in a hollow cylinder or pipe (6) being secured to the under side of the deck (1), said pipe (6) being received by a slide type bearing (5) being liftable to lift the platform to easily enabling rotation of the platform to a desired position.

4. Golf training platform according to the preceding claims, characterized in the bearing (5) being liftable by a lever (4) operable from outside the platform.

5. Golf training platform according to claim 1, characterized in each leg (2, 3) being received in or on a track (7) having a circular shape and resting on the ground, the legs (2, 3) thereby resting on the ground or on the track (7) during practising, the legs (2,3 ) resting on a vertical rail or flange (8) with pulleys, wheels (10) or slide bearings to allow rotation of the platform around a vertical centre axis.

6. Golf training platform according to claim 5, characterized in the wheels (10) in the lower ends of the legs (2, 3) being biased in such a way that the weight of a person will press the platform down to place the legs (2, 3) on the ground, without such weight the platform will be liftet by springs (11) in the lower ends of the legs (2, 3).