U.S. patent application number 09/735011 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for sport club swing trainer arrangement.
Invention is credited to Gallagher, Michael A., Hope, Michael J..
Application Number | 20020072041 09/735011 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24953973 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020072041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallagher, Michael A. ; et
al. |
June 13, 2002 |
Sport club swing trainer arrangement
Abstract
The present invention covers a swing trainer arrangement for
providing recognizable signals to the user/holder of a sports club
or racket to indicate the optimum swing and strike locations during
playing with a ball or puck. The swing trainer arrangement
comprises a first stopper and a second stopper each may be
adjustably arranged to be supported at a selected location of a
shaft or handle of the sports club or racket. At least one movable
member is arranged to be slideably disposed between the first and
second stoppers to generate a signal when they hit one another of a
stopper as to indicate certain preferred arcuate swing locations of
the shaft or handle during such play thereof, or indicate to the
user as to inaccuracies of that swing when a sound is produced
before or after the club swings through an optimum location for
hitting a ball, puck or the like.
Inventors: |
Gallagher, Michael A.;
(Wakefield, MA) ; Hope, Michael J.; (Medway,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald N. Halgren
35 Central Street
Manchester
MA
01944
US
|
Family ID: |
24953973 |
Appl. No.: |
09/735011 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0024 20130101;
A63B 2102/24 20151001; A63B 69/3638 20130101; A63B 2102/22
20151001; A63B 69/0026 20130101; A63B 15/005 20130101; A63B 69/3635
20130101; A63B 2069/0008 20130101; A63B 69/38 20130101; A63B 60/04
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/252 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A swing trainer arrangement for providing recognizable signals
to the user/holder of a sports club or racket to indicate the
optimum swing and strike locations, comprising: a first stopper and
a second stopper each arranged to be supported at a selected
location of a shaft or handle of said sports club or racket; and at
least one movable member arranged to be slideably disposed between
said first and second stoppers to generate a signal as to indicate
certain preferred locations of said shaft or handle during play
thereof.
2. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said first and second stoppers are arranged internally in said
shaft or handle of said sports racket or club.
3. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said first and second stoppers are arranged externally on said
shaft or handle of said sports racket or club.
4. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said first and second stoppers are adjustable with respect to the
longitudinal axis of said shaft or handle of said sports racket or
club.
5. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 4, wherein
said first and second stoppers are threadably adjustable to a
proper longitudinal location of said shaft or handle of said club
or racket.
6. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 4, wherein
said first and second stoppers and securably locatable at a proper
longitudinal location of said shaft or handle of said club or
racket by a locking device arranged therewith.
7. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said at least one movable member is comprised of a pair of
torroidally shaped rings.
8. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said at least one movable member is comprised of a pair of planar
washers.
9. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said at least one movable member is comprised a pair of balls.
10. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said first and second stoppers are arranged on a central rod of
shaft arranged within said shaft or handle of said club or
racket.
11. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said first and second stoppers are arranged in a bore of a tubular
member which is insertable into a shaft or handle of said club or
racket.
12. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said sports club or racket is selected from the group comprised of
a tennis racket, a golf club, a hockey stick or a baseball bat.
13. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said signal generated by said arrangement is audible.
14. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said signal generated by said arrangement is visual.
15. The swing trainer arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein
said signal by said arrangement is both audible and visual.
16. A method of indicating the proper swing location of a sports
club or racket comprising the steps of: providing a pair of
stoppers at a spaced apart locations on a handle of said sports
club or racket; placing at least one movable members between said
stoppers in a sliding relationship therewith and said handle of
said club or racket; swinging said club or racket so as to move
said at least one movable member with respect thereto; and
signaling said proper location of said club or racket by said at
least one member hitting at least one of said stoppers during its
swing.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, including the step of:
adjusting the location of at least one of said stoppers with
respect to said handle of said club or shaft.
18. A swing trainer arrangement for providing recognizable signals
to the user/holder of a sports club or racket to indicate the
optimum swing and strike locations, comprising: a first stopper and
a second stopper each arranged to be supported at a selected
location of a shaft or handle of said sports club or racket; a pair
of movable members arranged to be slideably disposed between said
first and second stoppers to generate a signal as to certain
preferred locations of said shaft or handle during play thereof;
wherein said first and second stoppers are arranged internally in
said shaft or handle of said sports racket or club; and wherein
said first and second stoppers are adjustable with respect to the
longitudinal axis of said shaft or handle of said sports racket or
club.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a swing training device for golf
clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats, or the like, which permits a
user to audibly realize the proper timing of the swing.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Popular sports such as golf, baseball, hockey and tennis
require the holding and swinging of a shaft (which may be a club,
racket or stick) to hit an object such as a ball or a puck to drive
the ball or puck in a proper desired direction. The swinging of
that club, be it a baseball bat, golf club, hockey stick or tennis
racket requires skill and a lot of practice, over a long period of
time, in order to do it properly. One of the disadvantages of
playing these particular sports is that the swing of a club or the
shaft occurs so fast, that it is almost impossible to figure out
how you did it improperly unless you watched yourself through a
slow motion camera.
[0005] There are some shaft or club training arrangements known in
the field, to help sportsmen play the game, however they may be
somewhat cumbersome and don't often teach the user the proper
timing and swing by results other than the travelling performance
of the ball or puck. The first is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,935
to Dirksing et al, which shows a ballast on the stem of a baseball
bat, which ballast is adjustable along the length of the bat.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,551 to Handy et al. shows a novelty bat
having a sound-producing slide weight within a center bore of the
bat to make a sound effect.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,209 to Mollica shows a baseball bat
training device with a weighted member which slides along the rod
of the bat, to provide a visual indication to the batter as to when
acceleration is made during the swing.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,829 to Van Cott et al. shows a
golf-swing training device in which an audible sound is produced by
an integrated circuit chip arranged within the club head. Improper
swinging of the club indicates through the electronic chip by a
particular noise and hence indicates a problem with the swing.
[0009] U.S Pat. No. 5,860,873 to Karasabas shows a golf swing
trainer arrangement with a tubular chamber running transversely to
the shaft of the club, the chamber being divided and having a
movable ball therewithin. Movement of the ball between the chambers
of the housing arranged transversely on the shaft indicates an
improper swing.
[0010] While these arrangements are somewhat novel, they are in
most cases unduly complicated and don't necessarily indicate the
proper timing of the swing for the proper impact to occur between
the club or racket and the ball or puck.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the
disadvantages of the prior art.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention, to provide
a simple and economical teaching aide for the swinging of a club or
racket to indicate both initial and vital stages of a swing
thereof.
[0013] It is still yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a series of audible or visual responses to indicate to the
user of proper swinging characteristics.
[0014] It is still yet another further object of the present
invention to provide a swing trainer device which may be adjustable
to accommodate the size or the swing conditions of the sports
player.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention comprises a swing trainer arrangement,
which is adaptable onto the shaft of a sport club such as a golf
club, a hockey stick, a tennis racket, or a baseball bat or the
like.
[0016] The swing trainer arrangement, in the first preferred
embodiment, comprises an elongated linear rod, which may be
arranged within the elongated shaft of the sport club, racket or
stick being utilized. The rod is elongated, and has a first or
lower end and a second or upper end. A stopper is preferably
adjustably secured by a set screw or the like to the first or lower
end of the rod, and a second stopper is securably arranged by a set
screw, welding or the like, on the upper or second end of the rod.
In this first preferred embodiment, a pair of rings, preferably
metal, are slideably disposed on the rod between the first and
second stoppers within the shaft of the club/racket/stick. The rod
is internal within the shaft of the club or stick or racket handle
being utilized by the player, and when the shaft is swung into its
preliminary orientation just prior to the swing to hit the ball or
puck, the two rings strike one another at the proximal or hand-held
end of the shaft. During the arcuate swinging motion of the shaft
by the player, the rings are caused to slide down the rod within
the shaft and strike one another at the point of the swing which is
optimum for striking the ball or puck, thus providing an audible
signal to the player as to where and when in the arc of the swing
that ball or puck should be hit, that is, simultaneously with the
audible sound of the rings within that shaft. It is to be noted
that if the sound occurs before the optimum location "of the hit
then the user will know that the swing of the club, bat etc. was
released to early, the sound of the movable member(s) resonating
before the optimum location was reached by tha club, bat etc. The
obverse is also true for this invention.
[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the first and second stoppers may be placed externally about the
lower and upper ends of the shaft of the club being played, so as
to permit the swing trainer arrangement to be readily adapted to a
standard shaft, game, club, or bat, and indicate to the user by
both audible and visual signals.
[0018] In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the
elongated rod is replaced by a tubular member, the tubular member
having a stopper adjustably arranged within each end thereof, and
metal blocks or balls within that bore of the tubular member to
effect the sound patterns at the beginning and at the optimum
impact at the swing of the shaft containing that tubular member. I
such sound occurs at a different time than at the point of impact
of the club, bat etc. with the ball of puck, the user may then be
able to recognize his/her inaccuracies, and adjust his/her swing
accordingly.
[0019] In yet a still further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the swing trainer arrangement may be provided in kit
form, wherein the stoppers are comprised of split rings, having a
hinge on one side thereof and a securing component on the other
diametrically opposed edge, to provide the effective adjustable
stop locations on the club or stick shaft. A pair of rings having
an inside diameter sufficient to fit over the end of the club or
stick, yet small enough to be stopped by the stoppers, may be fit
over the end of the shaft to provide the audible (and visual)
effect at the respective "swing-initiation" location and
"swing-strike" location of the club, stick, bat, or racket.
[0020] Thus there has been shown a novel swing trainer apparatus
which may be built into a golf club, tennis racket, hockey stick or
baseball bat, or added onto an existing golf club, tennis racket,
hockey stick or baseball bat or the like, to provide audible and
visible indicia of proper (or improper) timing of the swing of a
sports club to teach and thus to indicate the initial and the
optimum locations for the ball/puck "strike-zones" for that club,
stick, racket or bat.
[0021] The invention thus comprises a swing trainer arrangement for
providing recognizable signals to the user/holder of a sports club
or racket to teach the proper swing and ultimately indicate the
optimum swing and strike locations. The arrangement may comprise: a
first stopper and a second stopper each arranged to be supported at
a selected location of a shaft or handle of the sports club or
racket; and at least one movable member arranged to be slideably
disposed between the first and the second stoppers to generate a
signal as to certain preferred locations of the shaft or handle
during play thereof. The first and second stoppers may be arranged
internally in the shaft or handle of the sports racket or club. The
first and second stoppers may be arranged externally on the shaft
or handle of the sports racket or club. The first and/or second
stoppers may be adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis of
the shaft or handle of the sports racket or club. The first and
second stoppers may be threadably adjustable to a proper
longitudinal location of the shaft or handle of the club or racket.
The first and second stoppers may be securably locatable at a
proper longitudinal location of the shaft or handle of the club or
racket by a set screw arranged therewith. Each movable member may
be comprised of a torroidally shaped ring, a planar washer, or a
ball or combination thereof. The first and second stoppers may be
arranged on a central rod of shaft arranged within the shaft or
handle of the club or racket. The first and second stoppers may be
arranged in a bore of a tubular member which is insertable into a
shaft or handle of the club or racket. The sports club or racket
may be selected from the group comprised of a tennis racket, a golf
club, a hockey stick or a baseball bat. The signal may be audible.
The signal may be visual. The signal may be both audible and
visual.
[0022] The invention also may include a method of indicating the
proper swing location of a sports club or racket comprising the
steps of: providing at least one adjustable stopper at a specific
location on or in a handle of the sports club or racket; placing at
least one movable member between the stoppers in a sliding
relationship therewith and the handle of the club or racket;
swinging the club or racket so as to move a movable member with
respect thereto; and signaling the proper location of the club or
racket by the members hitting one another and/or at least one of
the stoppers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the basic components of
a swing trainer arrangement for adaptation in a club, bat racket or
stick;
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views similar to FIG. 1, showing further
embodiments of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a view of a further embodiment of the present
invention showing hollow tubular members movable therewithin;
and
[0027] FIG. 4 perspective view of the present invention shown as a
kit for retrofitting an existing baseball bat, golf club, tennis
racket or hockey stick.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to
FIG. 1, there is shown the present invention which comprises a
swing trainer arrangement 10, which is adaptable onto or within the
shaft 12 of a club "C" such as a golf club, a hockey stick, a
tennis racket, or a baseball bat or the like.
[0029] The swing trainer arrangement 10, in the first preferred
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an elongated linear rod 14
which may be arranged within the elongated shaft 12 of the sport
club, racket or stick "C" being utilized. The rod 14 is elongated,
and has a first or lower end 16 and a second or upper end 18. A
first stopper 20 is preferably adjustably secured to the first or
lower end 16 of the rod 14, and a second stopper 22 may be
similarly adjustably and securably arranged on the upper or second
end 18 of the rod 14. The adjustability may be accomplished by a
threaded arrangement with respect to the stoppers 20 and 22 and the
rod 14, or a set screw 24 or the like arranged within the stoppers
20 and 22. In this first preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1,
at least one ring 25, or alternatively a pair of rings 26 and 28,
(torroidally shaped to minimize the likelihood of jamming or
sticking), and preferably constructed of metal, are slideably
disposed on the rod 14 between the first and second stoppers 20 and
22 and within the hollow shaft 12 of the club/racket/stick "C". The
rings may be of planar configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein
the rings may be configured as washers 32 and 34. In either
embodiment, the rod 14 is thus internal within the shaft 12 of the
club or stick or racket "C" being utilized by the player. When the
shaft 12 of the club/stick/racket "C" is swung into its preliminary
orientation just prior to the swing to hit the ball or puck, the
two rings 26 and 28 strike one another at the proximal or hand-held
end 30 of the shaft 12. During the arcuate swinging motion of the
shaft 12 by the player, the rings 26 and 28 are caused to slide
down the rod 14 within the shaft 12 and strike one another at the
point of the swing which is optimum for striking the ball or puck,
thus providing an audible signal to the player as to where and when
that ball or puck should be hit by the face "F" during the swing of
the club "C", that is, simultaneously with the audible sound of the
rings 26 and 28 within that shaft 12.
[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention
as shown in FIG. 3, an axially adjustable arrangement of first and
second stoppers 40 and 42 may be placed externally about the lower
and upper ends of the shaft (handle) 44 of the club "C" being
played, so as to permit the swing trainer arrangement 10 to be
readily adapted to a standard shaft 44, handle of a club, or bat,
and indicate to the user swing strike-optimization by both audible
and visual signals. The rings 46 and 48 may readily slide "up and
down" (along) the shaft 44, making audible signals when they strike
one another or their respective stoppers 40 and 42. Such stoppers
40 and 42 may be adjustably mounted on the handle/shaft 44 of the
club/racket "C" by set screws 46 or the like.
[0031] In yet a further embodiment of the present invention as
shown in section in FIG. 4, the elongated rod is replaced with a
tubular member 50, the tubular member 50 having a pair of stoppers
52 and 54 adjustably, by set screws 59 or the like, the stoppers 52
and 54 arrangeable at end thereof, and a pair of metal blocks or
balls 56 and 58 slideably arranged within that bore 60 of the
tubular member 50 to effect the sound signals at the beginning and
at the optimum impact at the swing of the shaft "S" containing that
tubular member 50.
[0032] In yet a still further preferred embodiment of the present
invention as shown in FIG. 5, the swing trainer arrangement 10 may
be provided in kit form, wherein the stoppers are comprised of a
pair of split rings 66 and 68. The rings 66 and 68 may have a hinge
70 on one side thereof and a securing clip component 72 on the
other diametrically opposed edge, to provide the effective
adjustable stop locations on the club handle or stick shaft. The
kit swing trainer arrangement 10 preferably includes a pair of
rings 74 and 76 having an inside diameter 78 sufficient to fit over
the end of the club or stick "C", yet small enough to be stopped by
the stoppers 66 and 68, and may be fit over the end of the shaft to
provide the audible (and visual) effect at the respective
"swing-initiation" location and "swing-strike" location of the
club, stick, bat, or racket "C".
[0033] Thus there has been shown a novel swing trainer apparatus
which may be built into a golf club, tennis racket, hockey stick or
baseball bat, or added onto an existing golf club, tennis racket,
hockey stick or baseball bat or the like, to provide audible and
visible indicia of proper timing of the swing of a sports club to
indicate the initial and the optimum locations for the ball/puck
"strike-zones" for that club, stick, racket or bat.
[0034] It is to be noted that if the sound of the movable member(s)
occurs prior to the club, racket, stick or bat reaching the
understood "optimum location" of its arcuate swing, such swing was
released too early (the sound of the movable member(s) resonating
before the optimum location of the club etc. was reached. The
opposite situation is also instructive, that is, if the sound of
the movable member(s) occurs after the club, racket, stick or bat
passes through the ideal "optimum location" for striking the ball
or puck, the swing was initiated too late. Thus, by appreciating
when the "sound" should occur, the user will be able to adjust
his/her swing accordingly.
* * * * *