U.S. patent application number 10/454480 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for golf swing aid.
Invention is credited to Curkovic, Joseph A., Marini, Conrad M., Mazzotta, Paul.
Application Number | 20040121849 10/454480 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32514067 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040121849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Curkovic, Joseph A. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2004 |
Golf swing aid
Abstract
The golf swing aid is worn by a golfer and senses improper
movement of the hip joint of the golfer during a golf swing. The
aid produces a user perceptible signal when the movement has
exceeded a set threshold. The aid is suitable as a practice aid or
as a teaching aid for an instruction lesson.
Inventors: |
Curkovic, Joseph A.;
(Etobicoke, CA) ; Marini, Conrad M.; (Woodbridge,
CA) ; Mazzotta, Paul; (Woodbridge, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNISON ASSOCIATES
133 RICHMOND STREET WEST
SUITE 301
TORONTO
ON
M5H 2L7
CA
|
Family ID: |
32514067 |
Appl. No.: |
10/454480 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/277 ;
473/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0625 20130101;
A63B 2071/0627 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 69/3608
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/277 ;
473/215 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2002 |
CA |
2.414.639 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive prpoperty or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A golf swing aid to be worn by a user comprising a first
attachment arrangement for securing of the aid about the waist of a
user such that aid hangs downwardly over the hip of the user, a
second attachment arrangement for securement to the leg of the
user. a lever arrangement secured between said attachments and
including an electronic sensor positionable adjacent a user's hip
joint for sensing undesirable movement of said hip joint, said
sensor producing a user perceptible signal when the undesired
movement of said hip joint exceeds a preset threshold.
2. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said preset
threshold is adjustable.
3. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 2 wherein said user
perceptible signal is selected from the group of vibratory signal
visual signal and audible signal.
4. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said user
perceptible signal is selectable by the user.
5. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 4 wherein said user
perceptible signal is an audible or visual signal.
6. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 1 including a foam body
secured to one side of said lever arrangement, said foam body
having an outer peripheral edge surrounding a sensor receiving
cavity, said sensor being located in said cavity in a recessed
manner.
7. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sensor
includes a large circular actuator movable against a spring
bias.
8. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lever
arrangement is an elongate plastic housing containing said
actuator, electrical circuit means for said actuator, a user
perceptible signal generator and a battery.
9. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 8 wherein said foam body is
secured to one side of said plastic housing.
10. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 9 wherein said foam body
is molded onto said plastic housing.
11. A golf swing aid as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plastic
housing includes a slide member for adjusting the position of said
actuator within said cavity.
12. A golf aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic sensor
includes an outer connecting portion for receiving at least one
extender to alter the activation response of said golf aid.
13. A golf aid as claimed in claim 12 wherein said at least one
extender is a plurality of extenders, with each extender
connectable with said outer connecting portion of said sensor.
14. A golf aid as claimed in claim 13 wherein said plurality of
extenders are connectable to each other.
15. A method of detecting excessive movement associated with the
hip joint during a golf swing comprising placing an electrical
sensing arrangement over the hip joint for actuation by the hip
during such excessive movement, securing the sensing arrangement to
the user above and below the hip, and producing a user perceptible
signal when excessive movement of the hip has been detected.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 including the step of adjusting
said electrical sensing arrangement to provide a user set tolerance
of the amount of excessive movement of the hip that is permitted
before producing said user perceptible signal.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 including the step of selecting
the user perceptible signal from a plurality of user perceptible
signals.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17 used to detect at least
excessive lateral slide of the hips during a golf swing.
19. A method as claimed in claim 16 used to detect during a golf
swing excessive lateral slide of the hips or excessive angling of
the hips or a combination of these movements.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to golf aids and in particular
relates to a golf swing aid which senses improper hip and leg
movement during a golf swing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are a host of prior art golf aids designed to assist a
golfer in performing on a consistent basis an effective golf swing.
These prior art golf aids can basically be divided between golf
aids which are fixed or require part thereof fixed relative to the
ground which limit or monitor the golfers movement and a second
group of golf aids which are worn by the user and generally tend to
sense momentum. Some golf aids used as support which senses
movement of two parts either side of a joint. U.S. Pat. No.
4,222,569 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,980 disclose such an arrangement
to be placed over a wrist. It is also known to place a similar
arrangement over a hip joint for mechanically producing an audible
sound if stress limit is exceeded. This device is different to
position and is different to adjust for different body types and
different swings associated with different clubs.
[0003] One of the critical components of an effective golf swing is
proper golf posture and the torquing of the body during the back
swing by rotating the shoulders and hips using the spine as the
axis of rotation. The body is wound or torqued during the initial
back swing and is then released during the swing of the golf club.
In addition to the proper leg, hip and shoulder positions, the
movement of the arms is critical.
[0004] The present invention is directed to a device which is worn
by a golfer and allows him to develop the appropriate torquing of
the body during the back-swing and the release of this torque
during the swinging of golf club. The device senses improper
movement of the legs, hips and shoulders which result in a change
in movement of the body adjacent the user's femur and hip joint.
The device allows for sensing of the movement during the back swing
as well as during the swing of the golf club.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] A golf swing aid according to the present invention is to be
worn by the user and comprises a first attachment arrangement for
securing of the aid about the waist of user such that the aid hangs
downwardly over the hip of the user. A second attachment
arrangement secures the aid to the leg of the user. A lever
arrangement secured between the first and second attachment and
includes an electronic sensor positionable adjacent a user's hip
joint for sensing undesirable movement of the femur and/or hip
joint. The sensor electronically produces a user perceptible signal
when the undesired movement associated with the hip joint exceeds a
preset threshold.
[0006] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the golf
swing aid includes an adjustable threshold whereby the user can
select the tolerated movement associated with the hip joint before
the generation of the user perceptible signal. This arrangement is
particularly desirable in that the user can vary the amount of
movement that the device will tolerate. Furthermore, it allows the
user to customize the actuator to his body specifics. Different
body types have different shapes in the hip region and the
adjustable setting of the sensor allows the user to customize the
device for his own needs. This adjustment also allows the user to
vary the amount of movement that is tolerated before actuation.
This allows the user to adjust the device for different types of
swings. For example, when hitting a driver more movement can be
tolerated relative to the amount of movement associated with a more
limited swing such as the swing for a 9-iron or a wedge. Thus the
user can adjust the device to accommodate these different
functional requirements. The adjustable threshold also allows the
user to set the device according to the desired response of the
user. The user may initially want a greater tolerance when the
swing is not as consistent. The user as he develops a more
consistent swing can reduce the degree of tolerance to reduce
variations further.
[0007] According to a different aspect of the invention the user
perceptible signal can be varied and the device allows for
selection of the signal from a group consisting of a vibratory
signal, a visual signal and an audible signal.
[0008] In yet a further aspect of the invention the golf swing aid
allows a combination of user perceptible signals to be
generated.
[0009] According to yet another further aspect of the invention the
golf swing aid includes a resilient foam outer body secured to one
side of the lever arrangement. The foam body has an outer
peripheral edge surrounding a sensor receiving cavity. The sensor
is located in the cavity in a recessed manner.
[0010] In yet a further aspect of the invention the sensor includes
a large circular actuator which is moveable against a spring
bias.
[0011] In yet a further aspect of the invention the lever
arrangement is an elongated plastic housing. The housing contains
the actuator, electrical circuit means for the actuator and a user
perceptible generator and a battery.
[0012] In yet a further aspect of the invention the foam body is
secured to one side of the plastic housing.
[0013] In yet a further aspect of the invention the foam body is
molded onto the plastic housing.
[0014] In yet a further aspect of the invention the plastic housing
includes a slide member for adjusting and maintaining the position
of the actuator within the cavity.
[0015] A method for detecting excessive movement according to the
present invention detects excessive movement associated with the
hip joint during a golf swing. The method comprises placing an
electrical sensing arrangement adjacent the hip joint for actuation
by excessive movement of the femur during the golf swing. The
method includes securing this sensing arrangement to the user above
and below the hip joint and producing a user perceptible signal
when excessive movement of the hip joint has been detected.
[0016] According to an aspect of the invention the method includes
the step of adjusting the electrical sensing arrangement to provide
a user set tolerance of the amount of excessive movement of the hip
that is permitted before producing the user perceptible signal.
[0017] In yet a further aspect of the invention the method includes
the step of the user perceptible signal being selected from a
plurality of user perceptible signals.
[0018] In a further aspect of the invention the method is used to
detect at least excessive lateral slide of the hips during a golf
swing.
[0019] In yet a further aspect of the invention the method is used
to detect during a golf swing excessive lateral slide of the hips
or excessive angling of the hips or a combination of these
movements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above as well as other advantages and features of the
present invention will be described in greater detail according to
the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf swing aid;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the golf swing
aid;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of the golf swing side;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the golf swing
aid;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of the swing aid;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top view of the golf swing aid with the actuator
adjuster positioned to accommodate the most amount of movement
prior to actuation;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG.
6;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG.
6;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a sectional view through the center of the golf
swing aid similar to FIG. 7, however with the actuator in the
opposite extreme position to accommodate less movement prior to
actuation;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but with the actuator in
the opposite extreme position with a series of possible actuator
extenders;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the sensing arrangement in
a minimum position;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a side view of the sensing arrangement n a
minimum position;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the sensing arrangement in
a maximum position;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a side view with the actuator in a maximum
position;
[0035] FIG. 15 shows the circuit board used in association with the
large contact actuator;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram showing various electrical
components of the golf aid;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a simplified golf aid being
worn by a user during the golf swing;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a view of a golfer wearing the golf aid and
causing the golf aid to be actuated by a lateral slide movement of
the hips;
[0039] FIG. 19 shows a golfer wearing the golf aid and actuating
the golf aid by a hip tilt during a golf swing;
[0040] FIG. 20 is a partial schematic view showing the
adjustability of the actuator relative to the hip joint; and
[0041] FIG. 21 shows the additional adjustability device which can
be accomplished by loosening of the lower leg strap of the golf
aid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The golf swing aid 2 shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 has a foam
outer body 4 in combination with an elongated plastic cowl 6. The
device includes a mode control switch 8, a slide actuator 10, a
sound generator indicated as 12, upper belts ports 14 and lower
belt ports 16. The swing aid is to be worn such that the waist
engaging end 20 of the foam outer body 4 is adjacent the person's
waist. The device includes a waist belt arrangement which engages
the upper belt ports 14. In the embodiment shown a first upper belt
will be connected to one of the belt ports 14 and second upper belt
will be connected to the opposite belt port. These belts preferably
have a two piece fast release adjustable clip arrangement at the
opposite end for allowing the belts to be snugly placed about the
user's waist. Similarly, the lower belt ports will each receive and
engage a belt with these belts being securable about a users
leg.
[0043] The size of the foam body tapers towards the lower leg
engaging end 22. This defines a holster like configuration and the
foam body has a concave lower surface generally indicated as 30.
Within the concave underside of the foam body 4 is a further recess
actuator cavity 32. This recess actuator cavity provides additional
space for variable movement of the actuator within the recess
actuator cavity.
[0044] A sensor 40 is secured in the plastic housing and is
displaceable within the recess actuator cavity 32. The sensor
includes an upper housing 44 and a lower housing 46. The upper
housing includes a pivot cavity 45 which is inserted on and held by
a retaining stud 63 of the upper cowl 60. Thus the upper housing 44
of the sensor 40 is secured to the upper cowl 60 but is pivotal
about the pivot cavity 45. The lower housing 46 of the sensor 40 is
displaceable relative to the upper housing. Projections 47 on the
upper housing 44 cooperate with the slide slots 49 of the lower
housing. Movement of the slide actuator 10 of the upper housing
causes rotation of the upper housing about the pivot cavity 45. A
series of projections on the housing adjacent the actuator 10 serve
to maintain a set position of the actuator. The sensor 40
preferably has a soft flexible plastic cord.
[0045] Movement of the actuator 10 changes the position of the
projections 47 in the slots 49 and causes a displacement of the
lower housing 46 either towards or away from the upper housing.
This movement is clearly shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14.
[0046] FIG. 11 shows the sensor with the two housings in the most
compressed or telescoped state. The actuator 10 is at the left end
of the slot as shown in FIG. 6. The upper housing 44 is essentially
fully received within the lower housing 46. The lower housing 46 is
received within the lower cowl 62 and is held against rotate.
Therefore movement of the actuator 10 causes displacement of the
lower housing and the actuator within the recessed actuator cavity
32.
[0047] FIGS. 13 and 14 show the sensor 40 in the opposite extreme
position. As can be seen the upper housing 44 and the lower housing
46 have been displaced due to the movement of the actuator 10 to
the opposite end of a slot. The position of the sensor 40 as shown
in FIGS. 13 and 14 would generally correspond with the sectional
views of FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0048] FIG. 6 shows the actuator 10 in the extreme left hand
position, and as such the sensor will be in its most retracted
position corresponding to FIGS. 11 and 12. The sectional view of
FIG. 7 shows the sensor 40 fully retracted within the recessed
cavity 32.
[0049] The outer foam body 4 serves to engage or contact the user
and the cavity 32 is generally offset from the user by an outer
flange area of the foam body about and offset from the cavity 32.
The sensor 40 is moveable within the recess cavity 32 by the user
through the slide actuator 10. When the device is worn slightly
behind the hip of the user, it is sensitive to improper movement of
the hip and femur and the improper movement of the hip and femur
during the golf swing. A golf swing using improper hip movement
will cause the femur to press on the sensor 40 causing activation
thereof. It has been found that different golfers have different
body types and furthermore individual golfers will accept or prefer
different amounts of movement of the hips. With this arrangement,
the user can place the device on his rear hip to locate the
actuator slightly behind the hip. The belts top and bottom are
wrapped about the user and thus hold the golf aid in the desired
position. In addition, the slide actuator 10 can be positioned for
the particular swing. For example, the golfer is practicing his
swing for his driver the acceptable threshold before actuation of
the device may be considerably larger relative to the amount of
movement that will be tolerated for a different club such as a
5-iron or a wedge. Thus the golf aid can be adjusted by the user
for a desired tolerance with respect to the degree of movement.
[0050] FIG. 10 shows a series of sensor extenders 110, 112 and 114
of different thicknesses. The extenders each include a projecting
male portion 116 for receipt in the female portion 118 of the
sensor 40, or any of the female portions 120 of the extenders. In
this way, the user can further modify the actuation point to meet
the requirements of a particular exercise or to accommodate a wider
variety of body types. The extenders are preferably molded of a
soft resilient plastic and a slight interference fit is defined
between the male and female portions which preferably are
cylindrical.
[0051] The extenders can be used with the sensor above or in
combination with other extenders. The preferred thicknesses are 3
mm, 8 mm and 13 mm, giving an extension range of from 3 mm to 24
mm. These extenders have been found to be particularly helpful in
fine tuning the device for use on the front hip in perfecting the
position for chip slots.
[0052] The sectional view of FIGS. 7 and 8 clearly show the sensor
received within the recesses cavity 32. This position provides the
largest tolerance with respect to undesired hip movement that is
possible by adjusting of the sensor 40. As will be described in
FIGS. 20 and 21, some additional tolerance can be provided by
loosening of the straps particularly the straps associated with the
lower leg.
[0053] The sectional views of FIGS. 9 and 10 show the sensor 40 in
the opposite extreme position. As shown, the sensor has now moved
into the recessed cavity 32 and is generally at or extending
slightly out of the cavity. Thus the tolerance on the amount of
movement of the hip has been significantly reduced. As previously
described different body types can in affect the operation of the
golf aid. In particular, for some different body shapes it may be
necessary to increase the sensitivity of the unit beyond the
sensitivity adjustment possible through movement of the slide
actuator. Basically it is desired to have a golf aid where the user
can adjust the golf aid for his own particulars as well as
adjusting for different types of swings. It is possible to provide
additional disks which are adhesively secured to the sensor 40 to
increase the thickness of the sensor. For some golfers, this may be
necessary to provide them with a range of tolerance which can be
adjusted by means of the actuator 10. The golf aid has been
designed for the most common body types with a slight preference to
body types where the tolerance range is basically from the front of
the recess cavity 32 to the rear of the recess cavity 32. For some
golfers, this range of motion can be shifted towards the body
merely by the securing of extenders to the sensor 40 (see FIG.
10).
[0054] The foam outer body provides a flexible, resilient, concave
member for contacting the user. The elongated plastic cowl 6 is
spaced off the user and acts as a lever or structural reference for
the sensor 40. Is has been found that this golf aid is very
comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The golf aid is
also settable by means of mode switch 8 to produce different types
of user perceptible signals. The device can produce a vibrating
signal or it can produce an audible signal. The device also
includes a light signal which is visible through the translucent
mode actuator 8. Is has been found that the golf aid is useful with
an instructor or by the golfer on his own. The instructor can
switch the golf aid to the light mode which is not visible to the
user during the golf swing. Thus the instructor can have the
student take a number of golf swings and the golf swings are not
interrupted by the actuation of the device. However, the instructor
has immediate feedback that a certain amount of movement has been
exceeded. Preferably the light stays on for a number of seconds
after being actuated whereby the user if on his own can also check
the device to determine whether that particular swing was entirely
within the set movement tolerance.
[0055] A further feature of the golf aid is that the actuator
provides immediate feedback if desired when the user exceeds the
tolerance. For example, when the golf aid is placed in the
vibratory mode, as soon as the tolerance is exceeded a signal is
produced which is sensed by the user. Therefore the user will have
feedback throughout his golf swing. For example, if the tolerance
is exceeded during the back swing the signal will be produced
during the back swing. Whereas if the tolerance has been exceeded
during the striking of the ball or the final hip rotation the
signal is produced at that time. Therefore, whenever there is
movement which exceeds the tolerance a signal is produced.
[0056] The sensor 40 includes a large circular actuator having a
diameter in excess of 2 inches. This larger area is of benefit in
allowing more general positioning of the golf aid relative to the
hip joint and femur. Basically, any movement of the hip joint or
femur which causes this disk to be displaced toward the golf aid
will result in actuation of the sensor. FIG. 15 shows the circuit
board 80 having a large actuation area 82. Basically, the circular
actuator merely contacts a small region on area 82 and causes a
connection of the open circuit lines on the board. The circular
actuator is held off the actuation area by a silicone cover which
acts like a spring, providing a bias for maintaining the actuator
in an off position. This cover is inwardly deformable to allow
sensing of the hip movement. The large size of the actuator makes
the exact placement of the golf aid less precise. Furthermore, it
provides more tolerance for change in the size and body types of
the golfer.
[0057] FIG. 16 shows a general circuit diagram for the device. The
mode switch 8 can be repeatedly actuated to switch from light mode,
to vibratory mode, to audible mode or various combinations thereof.
The input information from the mode switch is fed to the circuit
board 100. The circuit board then appropriately controls the
actuation of the LED 102, the motor vibrator 104 or the audible
buzzer 106. This circuit is powered by the battery 108. The
momentary switch 110 is designed to deactivate the device when it
is accidentally actuated or continues to be actuated when not in
use. For example, if one presses on the mode switch 8 the device
transfers from a standby state to an active state. The momentary
switch detects the fact that the sensor 40 is being held on. This
could occur during transport of the device or during storage
thereof and would serve to drain the battery. The momentary switch
detects this condition and deactivates the device returning it to
its standby stage. Thus with the circuit as shown in FIG. 16 the
electronics are effectively always on in a standby state. The
device is transferred to the active state by actuation of the mode
switch. If desired the circuit can be modified to include an on/off
switch. Such an on/off switch can be associated with the battery to
thereby isolate the battery from the circuit.
[0058] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a simplified version of the
golf aid 300 secured to a golfer adjacent the hip joint. As can be
seen, the device is preferably worn on the rear hip of the golfer
and secured to his waist and leg by means of ban attachments 120
and 122. The schematic view shows an actuator 124 with a lever 126
extending between the two belt attachments. The actuator is spaced
off the user when the user is in the neutral position of FIG.
17.
[0059] The general concept of the device is shown in the schematics
of FIGS. 18 and 19. In FIG. 18, the golfer's swing of the golf
swing has caused to the golfer to move from the neutral position of
FIG. 17 to a position where the device is actuated. This movement
is typical of a lateral hip slide which is one of the common
incorrect movements of a golfer during a golf swing. In FIG. 19, a
slightly different movement has caused the device to be actuated.
In this case, the golfer's hip joint and femur have moved due to an
improper hip tilt. This hip tilt, can be caused in a number of ways
but is often associated with a dropped shoulder. With a proper golf
swing the hip joint should have limited movement. The golf aid
allows for some movement of the hip joint while allowing actuation
during excessive movement of the hip caused by incorrect golf
technique. The adjustability of the tolerance distance is clearly
shown in FIG. 20. In this case, the user merely adjusts the
actuator to vary the distance of the sensor 40 from the hip joint.
FIG. 21 shows a further means of adjustment by loosening of the
lower belt. The plastic housing is generally rigid and certainly
rigid relative to the foam body 4. By loosening of the lower belt
additional separation of the sensor from the hip joint occurs. In
most cases, the belts will be comfortably secured about the users
leg and about his waist. Adjustment of the degree of tolerance on
the sensor or the actuation point is adjustable by means of slide
actuator 10. If additional sensitivity or effective shifting of the
actuating distance relative to the foam housing is required
adhesive foam disks may be secured to the sensor 40. It would also
be possible although it has not been found necessary, to add pads
to the peripheral edge of the foam body 4. This type of adjustment
might be necessary for certain extreme body types.
[0060] The golf aid as described herein, can be used at the
practice range and can also be used during the actual game of golf.
At the practice range, the user will continue to wear the device
with both the waist and the leg straps secured. The device can be
adjusted for the swing associated with different golf clubs and the
mode of the device can be selected by the user. To avoid
distracting other golfers the device can either be used in the
light mode alone or the light and vibratory mode. Some golfers may
find the audible noise distracting to themselves and distracting to
others. The device can obviously use a combination of these
signals.
[0061] During a golf game it may be desirable if one is walking the
course to release the leg attachment between golf strikes. A golfer
may only wish to use the device for the swing associated with this
driver or practice swings associated with his driver and at other
times would release the leg strap. This allows for a wider range of
body movement which occurs on the golf course such as crouching
down during putting as one example.
[0062] It has been found that the golf aid is of great assistance
to an individual golfer for self training and developing a
consistent swing. The device provides biofeedback when the
tolerance range is exceeded. This is accomplished by means of the
non-flexing body in combination with the recessed cavity which is
moveable within. The device is generally comfortable to wear and
tends to be form fitting. The outer periphery conforms to the
anatomy of the user and allows natural movement necessary for the
golf swing and the playing of golf. The device positions the
sensing cavity and the sensor at a critical point for measuring of
movement of the hip joint relative to the sensor.
[0063] The device is also useful with deaf golfers when using the
vibratory mode.
[0064] The golf aid is useful for different body types, different
golfing skill levels and for different swing training techniques
necessary for different golf clubs. You can practice by yourself or
with a professional and continue to receive biofeedback with
respect to the proper torquing of the body about the spine. The
device provides biofeedback on the control pivoting end or rotation
and gives feedback when the hip joint has exceeded a certain range
of motion. This improper range of motion is often associated with
hip slide, shoulder drop, improper shoulder turn, improper
straightening of the legs, improper body positioning sometimes
referred to as reverse C and changing alignment through the swing.
The device is easily adjustable by the user for his proper golf
stance by assuming his correct golf stance and then adjusting the
slide actuator until the device is about to go off. The golfer can
then back off the sensor several settings to provide a desired
degree of tolerance.
[0065] Although various preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that variations may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *