US2490409A - Golf practice target element - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 6, 1949 P. H. BROWN 2,490,409

GOLF PRACTICE TARGET ELEMENT Filed Oct. 3, 1947 Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Paul H. Brown, Detroit, Mich. Application October 3, 1947, Serial No. 777,767

My invention relates to a golf practice device, and more particularly to a simulated golf ball or target for a golf club when the same is swung in a plurality of practice swings by the golfer.

It is well known that perfection in a golf swing is never achieved except by constant practice, and it is likewise well known that every practice swing should be directed at a ball or other target if the maximum good is to be derived from such practice.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved golf practice device of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved golf practice device which comprises a target which is adapted to be supported on a plurality of sup ports for indoor or outdoor use.

A further object is to provide an improved golf practice device which comprises a vertical tab of flexible material fixedly attached to a base member, and a plurality of supporting means adapted for interchangeable use with said base member for indoor and outdoor use.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, combination and arrangement of the several parts thereof, and will be readily understood by those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawings in connection with the following specification, wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of one form of the invention in use;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention showing one form of the support therefor;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3, but showing the device of the invention attached to an alternate form of support;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, showing the same in use with the support of Figure 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters have been used throughout to designate like parts, I designates generally a practice device according to the invention which comprises a base member 9 which comprises an elongated member having a substantially fiat under surface 20 and a convex upper surface H. The upper surface 2| is transversely slotted, as at 22, centrally thereof. The slot 22 comprises a seat for the lower ends 23 of a mem- 1 Claim. (Cl. 27335) her 8 of flexibl material which is formed to comprise a loop. The flexible member 8 is formed of any suitable material, such as leather, rubber, plastic, or the like, and is adapted to provide a target for a golf club H1. It is to be understood that the member 8 has sumcient rigidity to return to its upright position after being struck by the golf club in a practice swing. The under surface of the base is formed with a transverse boss 24 having a flat bottom 25 and verticallydisposed front and rear end walls 26 which extend transversely across the base inwardly of the rounded ends 21 thereof, whereby to provide a substantial overhanging portion of the flat under surface between the boss and the ends 21.

- The undersurface 25 of the boss 24 is formed with an upwardly-directed threaded socket 28 which is adapted to receive the threaded upper end 29 of a spike l5, or a'threaded stud I4, as will appear later.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1, 4, and 5, a spike [5 having a threaded upper end 29 and a pointed lower end 16 is threadedly connected' to the base I by the threaded socket 28 thereof. The spike I5 is then seated in the ground so that the long axis of the base I lies along the desired and simulated line of flight of the ball-simulating target 8. Thus, the long axis of the base 1 provides means for assisting the golfer in aligning his feet and directing his club along the proper line. If the ground is substantially hard, the under surface 25 of the boss 24 is seated flush against the ground, as the spike will be seated firmly enough in the ground to retain the device against displacement if the base member I is accidentally struck by the club. However, if the ground is substantially soft, it is desirable to press the boss 24 into the ground so that th overhanging under surfaces of the base I seat flush against the ground. With this arrangement, the vertical end walls 26 of the boss provide relatively broad ground-engaging surfaces which retard lateral movement of the device, and, at the same time, the overhanging under surfaces of the base retard digging in of the device if the base is accidentally struck by the club. Thus, the boss 24 and the under surface 20 of the base assist the spike IS in retaining the device properly supported on the ground.

Figures 2 and 3 disclose an alternative form of support for the base 1 which comprises a disc-like flat support ll having a convex upper surface 30 and a flat under surface 3|. The base II is preferably made of metal, but should comthe recess 33 and is formed to provide a recess 34 in the upper surface thereof which is complementary to the contour of the base 1. The recess 34 is formed with a central aperture or socket 35 to receive the boss- 124 of the base! and position the threaded socket 28 of such base in alignment with the upper end of the stem' of the threaded stud [4. Thus, the interengagement of the boss 24 in socket -35 prevents lateral movement of base 1 relative to support I l whereby the threads of the stud l4 and socket 28 are protected against damage in use.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that the base I is supported on the support I l by the threaded engagement of the stud Hi with the base. .The bushing 12 is preferably formed of wood, plastic, or other non-metallic material, whereby to-provide a shock absorber in theevent the base I is accidentally struck by a practice stroke; This form of the invention is adapted for use indoors, but may, of course, be used outdoors if the golfer so desires. As in the first-described form of support, the device is adapted to be positioned on the base 1 and target 8 in the event that one or 4 the other is damaged by an accidental or intentional blow from a golf club.

While I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structures shown and described, except as hereinafter claimed.

10 I claim:

A golf practice device, comprising an elongated base having upper and under surfaces and opposite ends, an upwardly-directed flexible target for a golf club fixed to said upper surface inter- 1 5 mediate said ends, a depending boss on said under surface, said boss having vertical end walls transversely of said under surface inwardly of said ends, an upwardly-extending threaded socket formed in the bottom of said boss, a substantially flat rigid-support, said'support having a convex uppersurface, said convex upper surface being formed with an upwardly directed socket, a resilent shock-absorbing bushing seated in said ,socket, said bushing being formed with an upwardly directed socket therein complementary to said base whereby to clamp said bushing to said support.

PAUL H. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Number Name Date I 0 1,191,444 Lott July 18, 1916 1,'733,767 Yaggi Oct. 29, 1929 1,784,363 Lester Dec. 9, 1930 1,979,795 Clark Nov. 6, 1934 1,999,518 Stafford Apr. 30, 1935

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