Golf trainer

Abstract

A golf trainer ( 1 ) has a ground-engaging base ( 2 ) supporting a rail assembly ( 3 ) and a carriage ( 50 ) for guiding a golf club (typically a putter). Foot guides ( 12, 13 ) are of thin planar construction, having curved front edges and are configured and located to both indicate a good playing stance and provide support for the trainer ( 1 ) while the fronts of the player's feet are on them. The rail assembly ( 3 ) comprises a central post ( 25 ), and left and right side posts ( 26, 27 ). The base ( 2 ) comprises a central socket ( 30 ) for the central post ( 25 ), a left pair of sockets ( 31 ) for the post ( 26 ), and a right pair of sockets ( 32 ) for the post ( 27 ). The rail assembly ( 3 ) is secured to the base ( 2 ) by inserting the central post ( 25 ) in the socket ( 30 ), and simultaneously inserting the left post ( 26 ) in one of the sockets ( 31 ), and inserting the right post ( 27 ) in one of the sockets ( 32 ). By choice of socket, the user can secure the assembly ( 3 ) so that the stiffening web ( 21 ) is in a vertical plane, or has a configuration which is generally cylindrical about a vertical axis. A club carriage ( 50 ) comprises an elastomer grip ( 51 ) and a and a wheel ( 55 ) for rotation on the axle ( 54 ). The elastomer grip ( 51 ) comprises a central through-hole ( 56 ) for gripping the shafr, and the shape of the gripping element and of a connector ( 52 ) allow self-tightening in use.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A golf trainer comprising a base, a guide rail supported on the base, and a carriage for gripping a golf club and or running on the rail.  
   
   
       35 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is of non-uniform construction in cross-section, having different stiffness characteristics in different rail radial directions.  
   
   
       36 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is of non-uniform construction in cross-section, having different stiffness characteristics in different rail radial directions; and wherein the rail comprises a flange or web extending in one direction only.  
   
   
       37 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is of non-uniform construction in cross-section, having different stiffness characteristics in different rail radial directions; and wherein the rail comprises a flange or web extending in one direction only; and wherein the web or flange extends in a general direction towards the base.  
   
   
       38 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a guide for running on the rail.  
   
   
       39 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a guide for running on the rail; and wherein the guide is a wheel.  
   
   
       40 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a guide for running on the rail; and wherein the guide is non-rotating and has a low-friction rail-contacting surface.  
   
   
       41 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a guide for running on the rail; and wherein the guide is interchangeable.  
   
   
       42 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole.  
   
   
       43 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole; and wherein the gripping element is resilient and the through-hole has a smaller cross-section than that of a golf club when unstressed so that it is deformed and its resilience causes it to grip a shaft extending through it.  
   
   
       44 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole; and wherein the gripping element is resilient and the through-hole has a smaller cross-section than that of a golf club when unstressed so that it is deformed and its resilience causes it to grip a shaft extending through it; and wherein the gripping element is of a high friction material.  
   
   
       45 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the material is an elastomer.  
   
   
       46 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole; and wherein the gripping element is tapered inwardly and downwardly, and the connector comprises a sleeve to surround and engage the gripping element whereby the gripping element and the sleeve are self-tightening in use.  
   
   
       47 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole; and wherein the gripping element is tapered inwardly and downwardly, and the connector comprises a sleeve to surround and engage the gripping element whereby the gripping element and the sleeve are self-tightening in use; and wherein the gripping element has the outer configuration of the frustum of a cone.  
   
   
       48 . The golf trainer as claimed in claims  34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole; and wherein the carriage comprises a guide for running on the rail, and a connector linking the gripping element to the guide.  
   
   
       49 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the carriage comprises a shaft gripping element having a through hole and a slot to allow it to be placed on a shaft with the shaft extending through the through-hole; and wherein the carriage comprises a guide for running on the rail, and a connector linking the gripping element to the guide wherein the guide is a wheel, the connector comprises a wheel axle, and the axle is longitudinally bifurcated to deform radially when it engages the wheel.  
   
   
       50 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means.  
   
   
       51 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means which allows connection of the rail to the base at different alignments to retain the rail at a desired orientation.  
   
   
       52 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means comprising a plurality of posts secured to the rail or the base and a greater number of sockets in the other of the base or the rail, whereby user selection of post-socket engagement sets rail orientation.  
   
   
       53 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means comprising a plurality of posts secured to the rail or the base and a greater number of sockets in the other of the base or the rail, whereby user selection of post-socket engagement sets rail orientation; and wherein the base comprises the sockets  
   
   
       54 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means comprising a plurality of posts secured to the rail or the base and a greater number of sockets in the other of the base or the rail, whereby user selection of post-socket engagement sets rail orientation; and wherein a plurality of the sockets are aligned, and there are additional sockets so that there may be rail curvature about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       55 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means comprising a plurality of posts secured to the rail or the base and a greater number of sockets in the other of the base or the rail, whereby user selection of post-socket engagement sets rail orientation; and wherein a plurality of the sockets are aligned, and there are additional sockets so that there may be rail curvature about a vertical axis; and wherein there is one socket located under a central portion of the rail and a plurality of sockets located under each end portion of the rail.  
   
   
       56 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is removable from the base, and the base comprises a retainer for securing the rail to the base in a stowed position.  
   
   
       57 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is removable from the base, and the base comprises a retainer for securing the rail to the base in a stowed position; and wherein the retainer is a snap-fitting socket.  
   
   
       58 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is removable from the base, and the base comprises a retainer for securing the rail to the base in a stowed position; and wherein the base comprises a recess for the rail.  
   
   
       59 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the base comprises thin foot guides having a curved shape to generally conform to the fronts of a players feet when standing on them.  
   
   
       60 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the base comprises thin foot guides having a curved shape to generally conform to the fronts of a players feet when standing on them; and wherein the foot guides are located for a desired golfing stance.  
   
   
       61 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the base comprises a carrying handle.  
   
   
       62 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is supported on end supports which allow rotation of the rail about its axis according to operation of the adjustment means.  
   
   
       63 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is supported on end supports which allow rotation of the rail about its axis according to operation of the adjustment means; and wherein the rail is integral with a flange engaging a recess in the end supports.  
   
   
       64 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the rail is supported on end supports which allow rotation of the rail about its axis according to operation of the adjustment means; and wherein the rail extends beyond each end support, and the end supports are configured to allow the carriage to run on the rail beyond the end supports.  
   
   
       65 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the trainer comprises a rail adjustment means comprising a spindle threaded to a bush, mutual rotation of which cause movement of part of the rail to adjust its curvature.  
   
   
       66 . The golf trainer as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein the axial direction of the spindle is adjustable to change the direction of the adjustment action.