US5042814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instructional ball hitting device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-09-17
•
Granted: 1991-08-27
•
Expires: 2010-09-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to an instructional ball hitting device which is designed to actively train the golfer to properly execute portions of his swing. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a ball support in the form of a golf tee is arranged in electrical communication with an indicator and a timer. When the golfer strikes the support with his club, a signal is transmitted from the support member to activate the indicator. According to this embodiment, the timer deactivates the indicator after a predetermined time period. The indicator is designed to train the golfer to keep his head down and his eyes formed on or near the ball support until the indicator has been deactivated. According to another embodiment, the speed of the golfer's backswing is measured by measuring the time period between contact of the clubhead and the two detectors. Various indicators are useful to indicate to the golfer whether his backswing is being executed at a proper speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:46
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3623; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An instructional ball hitting device comprising: a moveable switch element; a power supply; an indicator having an activated mode and a non-activated mode; a timer arranged in electrical communication with said switch element, said power supply, and said indicator whereby said indicator is activated for a predetermined time period in response to movement of said switch element in response to the movement of an athletic implement during execution of a swing by an athlete.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An instructional ball hitting device comprising: a moveable switch element; a power supply; an indicator having an activated mode and a non-activated mode; a timer arranged in electrical communication with said switch element, said power supply, and said indicator whereby said indicator is activated for a predetermined time period in response to movement of said switch element in response to the movement of an athletic implement during execution of a swing by an athlete.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 2 comprises a light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 3 wherein said light blinks when in said activated mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 1 wherein said switch element, said indicator, said timer, and said power supply are arranged in a unitary mat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 1 further comprising a forward detector and a rearward detector; said forward detector and rearward detector arranged in electrical communication with said power supply, said timer, and said indicator; said forward detector providing a first signal to said timer in response to contact of a clubhead with said forward detector; said rearward detector providing a second signal to said timer in response to contact of a clubhead with said rearward detector; and whereby said timer measures the time between said first signal and said second signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 7 wherein said timer activates said indicator if the time period between said first signal and said second signal is greater than a predetermined time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 8 wherein said switch element, said indicator, said timer, and said power supply are arranged in a unitary mat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instructional ball hitting device according to claim 9 further comprising means for broadcasting information from a pre-recorded information storage device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
An instructional golf device comprising: a power supply; a timer; an indicator having an activated mode and a non-activated mode; a forward detector and a rearward detector; said forward detector and rearward detector arranged in electrical communication with said power supply, said timer, and said indicator; said forward detector providing a first signal to said timer in response to contact of a clubhead with said forward detector; said rearward detector providing a second signal to said timer in response to contact of a clubhead with said rearward detector; means for enabling said timer to measure the time between said first signal and said second signal; and means to actuate said indicator in response to a signal from said timer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
An instructional golf device comprising: a power supply; a timer; an indicator having an activated mode and a non-activated mode; a forward detector and a rearward detector; said forward detector and rearward detector arranged in electrical communication with said power supply, said timer, and said indicator; said forward detector providing a first signal to said timer in response to contact of a clubhead with said forward detector; said rearward detector providing a second signal to said timer in response to contact of a clubhead with said rearward detector; means for enabling said timer to measure the time between said first signal and said second signal; and means to actuate said indicator in response to a signal from said timer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instructional golf device according to claim 11 wherein said timer activates said indicator if the time period between said first signal and said second signal is greater than a predetermined time period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instructional golf device according to claim 12 wherein said switch element, said indicator, said timer, and said power supply are arranged in a unitary mat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An instructional golf mat according to claim 11 wherein said ball support comprises a moveable switch element; and wherein said indicator is activated for a predetermined time period in response to movement of said switch element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instructional golf device according to claim 11 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
An instructional golf device according to claim 15 comprises a light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instructional golf device according to claim 16 wherein said light blinks when in said activated mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instructional golf device according to claim 11 further comprising an information play back device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |