U.S. patent application number 11/268063 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for golfer's audio aid swing trainer.
Invention is credited to Alvin Glass.
Application Number | 20060105853 11/268063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36387116 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060105853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glass; Alvin |
May 18, 2006 |
Golfer's audio aid swing trainer
Abstract
The Golfer's Audio Aid Swing Trainer is a training device that
delivers prerecorded audio messages and signals designed to aid
golfers in their tempo timing and rhythm during full swing and
putting and also aids them in avoiding inappropriate head, shoulder
and hip movements during full swing. These audio messages and
signals can be erased by the user or their golf instructor enabling
playback of a more customized message or signal to better match
their optimal swing. The device attaches to the back strap of the
golfer's cap or belt and when predetermined movements of the user's
head, shoulder or hip occur a positional switch is activated and it
in turn actuates the recorder to emit the message or signal that
had been pre-selected via a selection switch. The device can also
be used as a training aid in sports other than golf by attaching
the audio aid to the limb of the user and have them throwing a
baseball, a football or kicking a soccer ball or football.
Inventors: |
Glass; Alvin; (Mill Valley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alvin Glass
151 Tamalpais Ave.
Mill Valley
CA
94941
US
|
Family ID: |
36387116 |
Appl. No.: |
11/268063 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60627115 |
Nov 12, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3608 20130101;
A63B 69/36 20130101; A63B 2071/0625 20130101; A63B 71/0686
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/224 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. An audio aid swing trainer comprising a case, means for
attaching said case direct or indirectly to a user's body, a swivel
connect connecting said means for attaching is a clip between said
means for attaching said case, said case containing means for for
recording and playing at least one audio message or signal, a
positional switch for activating said at least one audio message or
signal at a predetermined position, means and a selector switch for
selecting the message or signal to be activated.
2. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said means
for attaching is a clip for attaching said case to the back strap
of a golfer's cap or belt.
3. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said case
contains a clip for attaching said case to a strap wrapped around a
non-golfer user's arm or leg.
4. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said case
contains means for separately recording and playing at least one or
two audio messages and at least one to two audio signals and the
positional switch contains means for separately activating at least
three of said messages.
5. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said audio
message is a two to seven syllable name actuated via said
positional switch when the head rotates in the direction opposite
to which the ball is to be hit.
6. The audio swing trainer device of claim 1 containing said means
for emitting an audible signal wherein said signal is a beep
actuated via said positional switch when the head rotates in the
direction to which the ball is hit prior to ball strike during full
swing.
7. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said means
for attaching is a clip to a golfer's belt containing said means
for emitting an audible signal wherein said signal is a beep
actuated via said positional switch when the golfer's shoulder and
or hip dips down during full swing.
8. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said
audible signal is a metronome tick, tock sound or instead an
audible voice message comprised of numbers one, two.
9. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 and 5 wherein said
audio message is the two to seven syllable name is erased and
replaced with the golfer's or golf instructor's favorite swing
thought such as "relax" or "rip it," etc.
10. The audio aid swing trainer device of claim 1 wherein said
case, a clip for attaching said case to a strap around the upper or
lower limb of a non-golfing user emits an audible or voice message
at a pre-determined position of the limb while performing a
particular physical or athletic movement such as throwing a
baseball, a football or kicking a soccer ball or a football.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a training device that aids the
golfer's tempo timing and rhythm for their full swing and putting
strokes and in addition assists them in avoiding inappropriate
head, shoulder and hip movements during full swing.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Many golfers, particularly beginners, find it extremely
difficult to develop the correct tempo timing and rhythm that
results in an optimal golf swing. In addition they frequently have
difficulty in controlling their head movement and dropping or
dipping their shoulder and hip (rt. shoulder and hip for rt. handed
golfers and left for left handed golfers) while swinging a golf
club. Any excessive head movement, shoulder and hip drop or
dipping, as well as poor tempo timing and rhythm, usually results
in a missed or poorly hit ball. As a consequence, there has been a
plethora of golf aids developed in an attempt to address these
problems. These aids for the most part have either been too
cumbersome, too costly or simply ineffective to be acceptable to
the majority of golfers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,200 to Hines is a golf
training device that detects any undesirable head movement of the
player during his or her golf swing. It accomplishes this by having
a flexible cord wound around a reel that is attached to a head
peace worn by the golfer. The free end of the cord is secured to
the golf ball by an adhesive. Any excessive head movement prior to
ball strike results in displacement of the ball whereas in the
absence of any excessive head movement contact may be made between
the club and ball so that the ball will be released from the cord
and assume its normal flight. The reel placed on the visor of the
golfer's cap may be something of an encumbrance to some players.
However, the major disadvantage of this device is the extreme care
that must be required to make sure that the exact length and
tension of the cord attached to the ball is precisely reproduced at
each set up in order to detect any head movement prior to ball
strike. This undoubtedly increases significantly the golfer's set
up time in addressing the ball after each shot making the device
somewhat impractical for most players. U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,830 to
Hines provides an audio signal to a user indicative of the user's
head and shoulders achieving a predetermined relative orientation.
In one embodiment a sensing wire or electrode is secured to the cap
or head band of the user and when that electrode makes contact with
a shoulder supported sensing wire an audible signal is activated.
It's not likely that many golfers are going to want to wear a
vertical sensing wire attached to their shoulder at either a
driving range or golf course. An alternative embodiment utilizes a
reed switch connected to the cap or head band which activates an
audible signal when it moves past magnetic devices secured to the
user's collar or shoulder. This device does provide auditory
feedback that enables the user to perceive the relative position of
their shoulder to their head principally at the top of their back
swing and at the completion of their follow through. Though, this
is of some benefit as a training aid it fails to detect undesired
head movement that may occur during the remaining duration of their
golf swing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,166 to Emerson is a golf training
device that activates an audible alarm if the golfer's head moves
during their golf swing before the ball is struck. A microphone
which is attached to the golfer's cap and aimed at the golf ball to
be struck picks up the sound of the golf club striking the ball and
actuates an inhibitor switch which prevents the alarm from being
sounded. Though the microphone serves a critical function in this
training device it could be something of an encumbrance by being
attached to the very end of the player's visor. U.S. Pat. No.
5,253,870 to Bedney is another golf device designed to detect head
motion. It attempts to accomplish this by attaching a rigid
elongated rod to a golfer's head band. The terminal end of the rod
is bent downward thereby providing visibility of that end to the
golfer to indicate motion of his or her head when swinging the golf
club. Considering the length of the rod its likely to be too much
of an encumbrance for most golfers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,902 to
Federowicz provides the means for detecting head motion in the form
of an audible signal indicating to the golfer that their head is
beginning to rotate in the direction that the golf ball is being
hit. This device by attaching to the side of the user's ear
represents the least encumbrance of all of the patents cited thus
far. However, it does very much resemble a hearing aid and as such
may deter some golfers from using it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,084 to
Marsh utilizes infrared sensors and transmitters along with a
reflector attached to the distal end of the golf club to measure
and display tempo and club head speed. To determine tempo, a
measurement is made of the time interval between the time the club
head is drawn away from the ball to the time immediately prior to
impact with the ball. Club head speed is measured as the club head
passes between two infrared beams. Both measurements are displayed
on an LCD screen. Though these measurements are of importance to
the golfer this system does not provide simultaneous feedback to
aid the golfer in achieving his or her optimal golf swing. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,752,887 to Baldwin is a device that is worn on the
golfer's head and provides a visual guide which aids a user to
strike a golf ball in a predetermined manner. The fact that it
comprises an elongated frame that extends down from both sides of
the user's head makes it quite an encumbrance and not likely to be
acceptable to most if not all golfer's on the driving range or golf
course. U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,344 to Smith is a golf training aid
that gives the golfer a multi sensory experience by providing
sound, smell and a visual means of how the club struck the ball at
impact. This is accomplished by attaching small explosive cap
strips to the club head. The golfer can visually determine where
the ball impacted the club head by removing the strips after the
shots have been taken. The golfer also hears the explosion at the
time of impact and also experiences the olfactory response from the
cap exploding. Though, this invention provides the golfer with
multi sensory feedback it is not likely to be used on a driving
range where others nearby may not appreciate the sounds or smells
being emitted from such a device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,245 to
Mullarky is a laser beam device that is attached to the brim of the
golfer's hat and is adjusted to project the laser light onto the
golf ball. It enables the golfer to easily ascertain whether there
is unwanted head movement during the golf swing. This invention is
commendable but it only addresses one fault, unwanted head movement
whereas the invention presented in this application takes into
account tempo timing and rhythm for the full swing and putting
strokes plus shoulder and hip dipping as well as unwanted head
movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is a re-recordable audio delivery
message system related to golf as well as other sports. The device
attaches to the back strap of a golfer's cap as well as their belt
and enables the individual golfer to elicit pre-recorded embedded
audio messages or signals. It also provides the means by which a
golf instructor can erase the embedded messages and record his or
her own messages that can then be played back aiding the golfer in
eliciting their optimal full swing or putting stroke. The tempo
timer and rhythm full swing audio message favored by some golf
instructors is a multi syllable name while for putting it's just
the numerals one and two or the tick tock recording of a metronome.
Playback for either of these messages is elicited by activating a
positional switch with slight rotation of the head opposite in
direction of the target line. In addition to these two audio
messages a third message may be employed that aids the golfer in
avoiding excessive head movement during his or her swing. It can be
in the form of a recorded verbal beep or the actual sound of a
beeper. Playback for this third message is elicited by activating
the positional switch when the head rotates in the direction of the
target line before or right at ball strike. This golf aid is
comprised of batteries, an off and on switch, a positional switch,
a selection switch, a speaker, a printed circuit board and a
recorder. All of these contents are housed in a small round plastic
case. On the back of the plastic case is a clip on mount that
allows the device to be secured to the back strap of the golfer's
cap and/or their belt. The swivel connect between the case and the
plastic clip on allows for clockwise or counter clockwise rotation
as well as angular displacement of the case enabling precise
adjustments of the positional switch so that a predetermined head
movement causes it to actuate the playback recording at the most
appropriate time. In addition to golf this audio aid can be easily
adopted to be used in a number of other sports. By attaching an
adjusting the audio aid to a strap around an arm or a leg the audio
signal or message can be actuated when the limb reaches a
predetermined position that for example augments a more perfect
throw of a baseball or a football or a more perfect kick of a
soccer ball or football.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0006] Objects and advantages of the present invention are: [0007]
(a) to provide an inexpensive small, compact and unobtrusive golf
aid for the purpose of helping a golfer develop the correct tempo
timing and rhythm for their full swing. [0008] (b) to provide an
inexpensive small, compact and unobtrusive golf aid for the purpose
of helping a golfer develop the correct tempo timing and rhythm for
their putting stroke [0009] (c) to provide an inexpensive small,
compact and unobtrusive golf aid for the purpose of aiding the
golfer in avoiding inappropriate head movement during their full
swing which so often results in a miss hit ball. [0010] (d) to
provide a choice of audio messages for the tempo timing and rhythm
which enables the instructor and/or the individual golfer to record
and playback the audio message that best matches his or her optimal
golf swing. [0011] (e) to provide an audio signal that alerts the
golfer to the fact that he or she has moved their head
inappropriately either prior to or right at ball strike. [0012] (f)
to provide an audio signal that alerts the golfer to the fact that
he or she has moved their shoulder and or hip inappropriately
causing chunking which occurs when the club head strikes the ground
behind the golf ball. [0013] (g) to provide an inconspicuous golf
aid that can be easily attached and detached from the back strap of
the golfer's cap. [0014] (h) to provide a golf aid that can be
carried in the golfer's pocket or golf bag and used for practicing
in a variety of locations such as the driving range, the golf
course or one's own living room or back yard. [0015] (i) to provide
an audio training aid that can be utilized in a variety of sport
activities such as throwing a ball in baseball, throwing a pass in
football and kicking a soccer ball in soccer.
[0016] Additional objects and advantages of this small and
unobtrusive golf device will be made apparent from the ensuing
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows the golf aid attached to the back strap of a
golfer's cap
[0018] FIG. 2 is a combined frontal and side view of the golf
aid.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a combined posterior and side view of the golf
aid.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a full side view of the golf aid.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a full side view of the golf aid showing the
plastic rod swivel/tilt connect between the plastic clip-on and the
golf aid case.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an inside view of the golf aid.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a simplifide diagram of the golf aid.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the golf aid
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
[0025] 1. Golf aid case [0026] 2. Back strap of golf cap [0027] 3.
Plastic clip-on [0028] 4. Plastic speaker cover [0029] 5. a.
Plastic stop for rt. handed golfer [0030] b. Plastic stop for left
handed golfer [0031] 6. Swivel stop (clockwise for 5a; counter
clockwise for 5b) [0032] 7. Plastic rod swivel/tilt connect [0033]
8. Batteries (a,b,c,d) [0034] 9. Microphone [0035] 10. Record or
erase button [0036] 11. On/off switch for playback of recorded
message [0037] 12. Positional switch [0038] 13. Micro controller
chip [0039] 14. LED Recording light [0040] 15. Speaker [0041] 16.
Selection switch
DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1 TO 7
[0042] Referring to the drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of
the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7. FIG. 1 shows the
golf aid case 1 attached to the back strap 2 of the golfer's cap.
FIG. 2 includes the plastic clip-on 3 and the speaker cover 4. It
also shows the plastic stops 5a and 5b for the rt. handed and left
handed golfers respectively as well as the selection switch 16.
Another embodiment is the swivel connect 7 which holds the golf aid
case and the plastic clip-on piece together. FIG. 5 shows the
plastic rod swivel/tilt connect 7 between the golf aid case land
the plastic clip-on 3 that allows for fine one handed adjustments
in rotation and angular tilt of the golf case 1 while attached to
the back strap 2 of the golfer's cap. This enables the golfer to
obtain the exact amount of head rotation that they want to actuate
the positional switch 12. It is this predetermined head movement
that then elicits the prerecorded audio message or signal. The full
swing tempo timing and rhythm as well as the putting stroke audio
messages are actuated by a slight head rotation to the right (for
the rt. handed golfer and just the reverse for the left handed
golfer). The audio message for avoiding excessive head movement
during full swing is actuated by rotating the head to the left (for
the rt. handed golfer and just the reverse for the left handed
golfer). FIG. 6 reveals the following contents of the golf aid case
1; batteries 8(a,b,c,d), a microphone 9, a record or erase button
10, an on/off switch 11, a positional switch 12, a micro controller
chip 13, and an LED recording light 14. The speaker 15, micro
controller (memory) chip 13, positional switch 12 and batteries 8
are included in the diagram shown in FIG. 7.
* * * * *