U.S. patent application number 10/877476 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for golf swing training device.
Invention is credited to Jackson, William G..
Application Number | 20050187027 10/877476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34864360 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050187027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson, William G. |
August 25, 2005 |
Golf swing training device
Abstract
A golf training device that mounts on a golf club and defines a
swing plane throughout the swing of the club. The device includes
inner and outer collars that interlock to retain the club, and
permit rotation of the club through the swing motion.
Inventors: |
Jackson, William G.;
(Leadore, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLENN C. BROWN, PC
777 NW WALL STREET, SUITE 308
BEND
OR
97701
US
|
Family ID: |
34864360 |
Appl. No.: |
10/877476 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60484057 |
Jun 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/226 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/36212 20200801;
A63B 21/169 20151001; A63B 2225/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/226 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club comprising: an
outer collar having a generally cylindrical inner surface; an inner
collar rotatably mounted in the outer collar, the inner collar
having an inner surface adapted to releasably engage a first
portion of a golf club; the outer collar having a first notch
having a width selected to receive a golf club shaft and to retain
the inner collar within the outer collar; the inner collar having a
second notch sized to receive a golf club shaft; and, the inner
collar rotatable between a first position within the outer shaft
wherein the first and second notches are aligned and a second
position wherein the first and second notches are offset.
2. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim
1 further comprising: an elongate member extending from the outer
collar; and, a sling having first and second spaced apart lines
attached to the elongate member and connected to a third line, the
third line having a distal end connected to a mounting apparatus,
the first and second lines having respective lengths selected so
that when the first and second lines are held taut the third line
is oriented along a line extending from the mounting apparatus to a
point between the hands of a user gripping the golf club.
3. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim
1 wherein the inner collar includes first and second end plates
having respective diameters larger than the inner diameter of the
outer collar.
4. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim
1 wherein the inner collar includes a tapered inner surface.
5. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim
1 wherein the inner collar includes a rounded tapered inner surface
that tapers from between 0.7 and 0.9 inches in diameter to between
0.6-0.87 inches in diameter.
6. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim
1 further comprising: an elongate member extending from the outer
collar; and, a sling having first and second spaced apart lines
attached to the elongate member and to a mounting apparatus, the
first and second lines having respective lengths selected so that
the first and second lines define a first axis along a line
extending from the mounting apparatus to a balance point between
the hands of a user gripping the golf club.
7. A bracket for rotatably engaging a golf club according to claim
1 further comprising the golf club rotatable at an angle of 90
degrees about an axis coincident with the third line.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/484,057, filed on Jun.
30, 2003. The priority of the prior application is expressly
claimed and its disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a golf training device, and in
particular to a portable device that can be attached to nearly any
golf club and used to develop and practice a golf swing.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,340, which is incorporated
by reference in its entirety herein, I described a golf swing
training device. A preferred embodiment described therein included
a simulated golf club having upper and lower portions connected to
a bracket or line guide assembly. The bracket includes a line
assembly that attaches to a nearby vertical surface or other
connector, and maintains the club in an optimal swing plane during
the full extent of the swing.
[0004] This invention improves on my earlier design in that it can
be readily attached to and detached from nearly any golf club, and
can be easily stored in a golf bag, and can be easily carried with
a person while traveling. While the easy attachment and detachment
of the training device from a golf club might appear to be a
trivial variation of my earlier design, in practice it is not so
simple. The bracket must easily fit onto and detach from different
clubs and grip sizes, and must do so with the grip and head of the
club in place. In addition, the bracket must permit the club to
freely rotate as the club is swung.
[0005] In addition, this improvement provides an alternate
arrangement of the lines that attach the bracket to the wall
connector.
[0006] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described
by reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the swing training device
attached to a golf club and to a wall, and being held by the
user.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bracket portion of
a preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on a golf club and
being held by a user.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective of the wall attachment portion of
the invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
2.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 2,
and showing the notches of the inner and outer members aligned for
insertion into or removal of a club from the bracket.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 2,
and showing the notches of the inner and outer members offset for
retaining a club in the bracket.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side view of the inner collar of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the inner collar
depicted in FIG. 7.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and
showing the orientation of the attachment lines relative to the
hands of the user.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of another preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged partial views of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 disclose a golf swing
training and exercising apparatus 10 embodying the invention and
comprising a golf club 11, a lanyard or sling 12 and an anchoring
13 which may include a suction cup 14. Device 10 is anchored
through anchor 13 to a post, mirror or vertically positioned wall
16 near its upper end and may comprise a suction cup 14 as shown in
FIG. 1 or a ring bolt, or any other suitable attachment mechanism
could also be utilized.
[0019] Bracket 24 further comprises an arm member 26 extending
outwardly from outer collar 28 for attaching the ends 30 and 32 of
lines 34 and 36 of sling 12 thereto, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3
and 8. Bracket 24 is preferably formed of rigid lightweight metal
or plastic so that there will be no bending or deforming of the
bracket during use. Sling 12 further comprises a first line 34
extending between bracket 24 at point 30 and anchor 13, and a
second line 36 extending between bracket 24 at point 32 and anchor
13. Line 34 is oriented along a line that if extended beyond
bracket 24 would intersect the handle of the club 16 at a point
between the hands of the user. Line 34 thereby defines an axis of
rotation of the club along line 34 as the club is rotated. The axis
defined by line 34 maintains the club in a proper swing plane
throughout the swing, and in so doing trains the user to achieve
the proper swing. Line 36 serves to define the angle of the club
relative to the ground such that at address, the club head and
shaft are properly oriented to the user. Line 36 is preferably
adjustable in length to permit ready adjustment of the device to
fit each user. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 10, 11A and
11B, lines 34 and 36 are adjustable by means of an adjuster unit
110 attached to lines 34 and 36 below anchor 13. Adjuster unit 110
includes left and right halves 112 and 114 that are bolted together
by bolts 116 and 118. The relative positions of halves 112 and 114
can be adjusted (offset) along the axis of lines 34 and 36 by
selecting one appropriate pair of holes 120 to adjust the location
of the central balance point along handle of club 16 (FIG. 11B).
Each half 112 and 114 is preferably made of aluminum (although the
invention is not limited to any particular material of
construction), and is approximately 1/2" wide and 1" long.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, bracket 24 and its attachment to
the club will now be described. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of
bracket 24, including an arm member 26, an outer collar 28, an
inner collar 30, and an end washer 31 that is welded or glued to
the end of inner collar 30 to retain it within outer collar 28.
Bracket 24 is assembled by inserting inner collar 30 into outer
collar 28 and then welding, pinning or gluing end washer 31 onto
the protruding end of inner collar 30. The inner diameter of outer
collar 28 and the outer diameter of inner collar 30 are selected to
provide a sliding fit and free rotational movement between the
inner and outer collars. Inner collar 30 has a tapered inner
surface (See FIGS. 5 and 6) that is sized to engage the tapered
lower portion of a golf club grip. In the preferred embodiment the
inner surface of inner collar 30 tapers along its length from a
diameter of 0.8 inches to 0.7 inches. In other preferred
embodiments the inner surface of inner collar 30 tapers from
between 0.7-0.9 inches on one end to 0.6-0.8 inches on the other
end, although the invention is not limited to any particular
dimensions or amount of taper. When engaged, the tacky surface of
the golf club grip prevents slippage between inner collar 30 and
the grip, fixing the bracket on the club. The club and inner collar
30 then rotate within outer collar 28 as the club is swung.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled bracket
mounted on a club along line A-A in FIG. 2. Inner collar 30
includes an open notch 51 that is sized to receive the shaft
portion of the golf club, but which is smaller than the diameter of
the handle portion of the golf club. Outer collar 28 likewise
includes a notch 55 that is also sized to receive the shaft portion
of the golf club, but which is smaller than the inner collar 30. To
insert the club into the bracket, notches 51 and 55 are aligned as
shown in FIG. 5. The shaft of the golf club is passed through
notches 51 and 55, and the golf club is then slid downward until
the grip 23 of the golf club engages the inner collar 30 with an
interference fit. The club and inner collar are then rotated
relative to outer collar 28 as shown in FIG. 6, retaining the club
in the bracket. Removing the club from bracket 24 is simply a
reversal of the steps; rotate inner collar 30 to align notches 51
and 55, tap the club on the ground to release the interference fit
between the club grip and inner collar 30, slide the club head
toward the bracket until the bracket is on club shaft, and remove
the club through aligned notches 51 and 55.
[0022] In the use of the golf swing training device, the upper end
of line 34 is first anchored to a vertical surface using suction
cup 14 as shown in FIG. 1. A full length mirror is an ideal surface
for such mounting because of the visual feedback it affords during
practice. The user then grips the club and assumes an address
position. When the golfer 15, shown in FIG. 1, grasps the grip 23
of the golf club 11 and assumes the position shown, lines 34 and 36
with arm member 25 form a triangle. When the lines 34 and 36 are
equally tensioned, a balance point 37 of the club occurs along line
34 (See FIG. 9) between the hands of the golfer, and which is
approximately three and one/half to five inches down from the butt
of golf club 11. By keeping lines 34 and 36 equally taut during the
swing, the golfer will create a perfect swing plane with golf club
11 centrifugally balanced throughout the golfer's entire swing. As
used here centrifugal force means the moving, proceeding, or acting
in a direction away from the center or axis of an object such as
its balance point.
[0023] The perfect golf club swing and plane occurs when lines 34
and 36 are substantially equally taut as shown in FIG. 9 during the
golfer's swing through approximately 360 degrees, i.e. from the top
of the backswing to the finish of the swing. Matching the plane
created by lines 34 and 36 and arm member 26 of the training device
with the plane created by an actual golf club through approximately
360 degree movement will create the maximum amount of energy that
the particular golfer can impart to his golf ball through its golf
club head. Thus, repeated use of the golf swing training device
will train the golfer's muscles to replicate the ideal golf club
movement in practice exactly as you would like it in your regular
golf club swing movement on a golf course. To achieve the best
results, the exercises with the training device should be done very
slowly so the golfer can sense the tension of lines 32 and 33 of
sling 12 as he swings his golf club.
[0024] The best results achieved by the training device occur when
use of a normal 4 count from addressing the ball to the top of the
back swing and then pause. Begin the down swing with the pulling of
the arms. Use the same 4 count with the downswing with 4 being the
point of impact with the ball. It is desirable that the tension in
lines 34 and 36 be balanced, not stretched at the top of the swing
of the golf club. This keeps the golf club centrifugally balanced
in its swing plane.
[0025] When device 10 is gripped by a golfer, bracket 26 extends
outwardly from the golfer and golf club so that it can rotate
relative to inner collar 30 and the golf club on a common axis with
sufficient clearance so that no part of the bracket touches the
golf club or golfer during a training exercise. The arrangement of
lines 34 and 36 forming the sling cooperate with the bracket 26 and
form an essential part of this invention. The actual method of
securing the ends of lines 34 and 36 to the line guide and suction
cup is of minor importance and it will be appreciated that any
suitable support or attachment may be used. The anchor position
should be at about the height of the head of the golfer above the
ground.
[0026] The action of device 10 in maintaining equal or balanced
tension in lines 34 and 36 during the start of a swing will force
the golfer to develop correct hand gripping action with the balance
point 37 of the training device being at a point between the hands
of the golfer as shown in FIG. 9. Assuming this position each time
the training device is used will enable the golfer to obtain the
proper sense and feeling for the proper swing of the golf club.
[0027] When lines 34 and 36 are taut with the golfer addressing the
ball as shown in FIG. 1, portion 25 of the bracket 24 will rotate
forming a plane substantially identical to the plane that the
golfer should use in addressing and hitting a golf ball on the golf
course. The hands of the golfer at this time are definitely fixed
in a predetermined angular position with the balance point of the
training device between the hands. The position of the arms and
hands of the golfer do not change during a swing of the training
device. The bracket or line guide 24 rotates relative to the golf
club to permit the golfer to equally balance the tension in lines
34 and 36. It is apparent that device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is
arranged for use by a right or left handed golfer.
[0028] The improved training device disclosed enables the golfer to
concentrate on swinging his or her hands through the proper arc and
on maintaining them in proper position while swinging, and it has
been found that once these correct swinging habits are impressed on
the muscles by practice, the muscles will remember and repeat the
correct swinging habits when the golfer transfers from this
training device to a conventional golf club.
[0029] While the invention has been described by reference to
preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the
embodiments described. Those of skill in the art will recognize
that numerous changes could be made to the embodiments described
without departing from the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *