U.S. patent application number 11/779947 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for golf-training balance board.
Invention is credited to James Rosa.
Application Number | 20080020856 11/779947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38972101 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080020856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosa; James |
January 24, 2008 |
GOLF-TRAINING BALANCE BOARD
Abstract
In one embodiment, a method for a user to practice a golf swing.
The method includes: (a) standing on a balance board; and (b)
performing at least a portion of the golf swing while standing on
the balance board. If the user performs the portion of the golf
swing while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution within a threshold range, then the balance board
maintains a balanced orientation. If the user performs the portion
of the golf swing without maintaining the user's front-to-rear
weight distribution within the threshold range, then the balance
board tilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that
the user's front-to-rear weight distribution is outside the
threshold range. Other embodiments include balance boards for golf
training.
Inventors: |
Rosa; James; (Brigantine,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MENDELSOHN AND ASSOCIATES, P.C.
1500 JOHN F. KENNEDY BLVD., SUTIE 405
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19102
US
|
Family ID: |
38972101 |
Appl. No.: |
11/779947 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60831771 |
Jul 19, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/367 20130101;
A63B 69/3673 20130101; A63B 26/003 20130101; A63B 22/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/269 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. A balance board comprising: a body generally having length,
width, and thickness dimensions, wherein: the thickness is
substantially smaller than each of the length and the width; the
body has top and bottom surfaces at opposite ends of the thickness
of the body; the top surface has left and right portions at
opposing sides of the length of the body; and the top surface has
front and rear portions at opposing sides of the width of the body;
and one or more rockers extending from the bottom surface of the
body, wherein: the body is supported in a balanced orientation if
(a) the balance board is positioned with the one or more rockers in
contact with a substantially horizontal ground surface and (b)
force is applied (1) equally or unequally to the front and rear
portions of the body up to a force-differential threshold value and
(2) equally or unequally to the left and right portions of the
body; and the body is not supported in the balanced orientation if
(a) the balance board is placed with at least one of the one or
more rockers in contact with the substantially horizontal ground
surface and (b) force is applied (1) unequally to the front and
rear portions of the body greater than the force-differential
threshold value and (2) equally or unequally to the left and right
portions of the body.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the body is supported in the
balanced orientation if (a) the balance board is positioned with
the one or more rockers in contact with the substantially
horizontal ground surface and (b) force is applied (1) equally or
unequally to the front and rear portions of the body up to the
force-differential threshold value and (2) unequally to the left
and right portions of the body with any force differential.
3. The invention of claim 1, wherein, if the balance board is
placed with the one or more rockers in contact with the
substantially horizontal ground surface in the balanced
orientation, the one or more rockers contact the ground surface at
least two different locations along the width of the body.
4. The invention of claim 3, wherein: the at least two different
locations of contact along the width of the body define a foremost
location and a rearmost location along the width of the body; and
the width of the body extends forward beyond the foremost location
and rearward beyond the rearmost location.
5. The invention of claim 4, wherein the one or more rockers
comprise: a first rocker that, in the balanced orientation,
contacts the ground surface at the foremost location; and a second
rocker that, in the balanced orientation, contacts the ground
surface at the rearmost location.
6. The invention of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and
second rockers has a curvilinear form having a longitudinal axis
substantially parallel to the length of the body.
7. The invention of claim 4, wherein the one or more rockers
comprise a single rocker that, in the balanced orientation,
simultaneously contacts the ground surface at both the foremost
location and the rearmost location.
8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the one or more rockers
comprise first and second rockers that, in the balanced
orientation, contact the ground surface at different locations
along the width of the body.
9. The invention of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and
second rockers has a truncated cylindrical form having a
longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the length of the
body.
10. The invention of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and
second rockers comprises two or more aligned discontinuous
segments, each segment contacting the ground surface, in the
balanced orientation, at substantially the same location along the
width of the body.
11. The invention of claim 1, wherein the one or more rockers
comprise a single rocker that, in the balanced orientation,
contacts the ground surface at different locations along the width
of the body.
12. The invention of claim 1, wherein: the top surface has one or
more sets of grooves; the body has an aperture defining a carrying
handle; and the bottom surface has one or more recesses.
13. The invention of claim 1, wherein the one or more rockers
define a rectilinear region of contact with the ground surface, the
rectilinear region having a width substantially parallel to the
width of the body and smaller than the foot length of an average
human adult.
14. The invention of claim 13, wherein the rectilinear region has a
length substantially parallel to and substantially equal to the
length of the body.
15. A method for practicing a golf swing by a user, the method
comprising: (a) standing on a balance board; and (b) performing at
least a portion of the golf swing while standing on the balance
board, wherein: if the user performs the portion of the golf swing
while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distribution
within a threshold range, then the balance board maintains a
balanced orientation; and if the user performs the portion of the
golf swing without maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution within the threshold range, then the balance board
tilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that the
user's front-to-rear weight distribution is outside the threshold
range.
16. The invention of claim 15, wherein the balance board maintains
the balanced orientation independent of the user's left-to-right
weight distribution.
17. A method for teaching a golf swing to a user, the method
comprising: (a) having the user stand on a balance board; and (b)
having the user perform at least a portion of the golf swing while
standing on the balance board, wherein: if the user performs the
portion of the golf swing while maintaining the user's
front-to-rear weight distribution within a threshold range, then
the balance board maintains a balanced orientation; and if the user
performs the portion of the golf swing without maintaining the
user's front-to-rear weight distribution within the threshold
range, then the balance board tilts either forward or rearward to
indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution is outside the threshold range.
18. The invention of claim 17, wherein the balance board maintains
the balanced orientation independent of the user's left-to-right
weight distribution.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. provisional application No. 60/831,771, filed on Jul. 19,
2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the game of golf, and, in
particular, to a device for training a golfer in the correct
technique for swinging a golf club.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the game of golf, the most direct influence upon a
golfer's score is the golfer's ability to strike a golf ball with
accuracy, both in terms of distance and direction. A golfer's
ability to strike a golf ball with accuracy can be improved by
correcting the golfer's swing. An important part of mastering the
game of golf is learning how to swing the golf clubs properly. Each
swing can be described as having five phases: address, backswing,
downswing, impact, and follow-through.
[0006] Elements of a proper swing include (i) swinging the club so
that the club head travels in a proper arc during the backswing and
on the downswing and (ii) holding the club at a proper angle during
the swing. Swinging the club head in the proper swing arc causes a
struck golf ball to fly in the desired direction and path. With an
improper arc, the golfer may produce a golf shot with an
uncontrolled hook or slice, causing the ball to travel in an
unintended direction.
[0007] Watching the flight of the golf ball after striking the ball
provides visual feedback to the golfer as to whether his or her
golf swing is proper, but the feedback is not specific to a
particular element or phase of the swing. An improper flight may
result from an improper stance while striking the golf ball, from
holding the club at an improper angle, from an improper swing
plane, from an improper backswing, and/or from a number of other
causes. Without specific feedback, a golfer might not be able to
make the proper correction to his or her swing technique. Moreover,
striking a golf ball requires the golfer to focus visually on the
ball, using hand-eye coordination to direct the club at the ball.
Because the focus of the golfer is fixed exclusively on the ball,
the golfer cannot readily observe the plane of his golf swing or
the angle of his golf club while striking a golf ball.
[0008] Developing a proper swing technique requires repetitive
practice so that the golfer develops a feel for a correctly-aligned
swing. It is important that the elements of the golfer's swing be
performed correctly during practice so that the feel developed
during practice can be correlated with a proper swing, rather than
a faulty swing. The player will then seek to generate the same feel
when later playing an actual game of golf.
[0009] Many different golf-swing training devices, systems, and
methods have been proposed in the art. For example, some devices
include wrist guides or straps that are configured to be positioned
on or attached to the hand or arm of a golfer and are designed to
prevent the wrist from moving forward relative to the forearm
during the swing. Such devices often prevent the user from freely
hinging the wrist on the backswing and limit the ability for a
golfer to practice a full, correct swing.
[0010] Other training devices focus on proper ball position in
relation to a player's stance and include mats, measuring sticks,
and/or aiming rods with various alignment or guide markings and/or
lines thereon. Such devices are relatively bulky and often
difficult to set up and transport, and many are impractical for use
on a golf course. Furthermore, the markings or lines typically rely
on the user's visual acuity for alignment to set up a swing
initially and provide no feedback during or after the swing to
indicate proper compliance.
[0011] Some prior-art golf-training systems provide a series of
stripes disposed on a pair of golf shoes, whereby a golfer brings
his or her feet close together so that the stripes on the left shoe
are aligned with the stripes on the right shoe. However, the
reference lines provided on such shoes provide only an alignment
line that is as long as the width of the golfer's shoes. Thus, such
alignment markings do not provide an overly accurate or helpful
reference line for aligning the golfer with the target (e.g., the
hole), and such markings still rely on a user's own visual acuity
for alignment.
[0012] More-complex training systems exist, some of which monitor a
player's movement when swinging a club. For example, some systems
include a platform housing a tee manipulation mechanism which
includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting infrared
beams along predetermined paths defining a three-dimensional space
within the platform. The beams are positioned so that improper club
or body position may be sensed by the system. The information may
trigger a status light board, or it may be processed by a
microprocessor for detailed computerized analysis of the golfer's
swing. Some such systems also include a video camera for additional
analysis of the golfer's form. Other systems include a laser source
coupled to an optics system remote from a player. A line of light
is produced which is then aligned with the target path. The player
stands between the system and the target and aligns the ball and
club using the line of light. While such systems may provide
feedback for a golfer, they are complicated and expensive and
cannot be readily used on a golf course.
[0013] Some systems include devices that are removably affixed to
the player's clothes. One such device projects outwardly from the
golfer a laser beam aligned with lines marked on a mat. Other such
devices emit a laser beam toward the target. However, such devices
are often inaccurate because they fail to provide a consistent
reference line for the golfer. The orientation of the reference
will change if the device is affixed to different positions on the
golfer's clothes. Even if the device is affixed in the same
position on the golfer's clothes each time, clothing such as pants
and shirts typically move and flex as the golfer moves or due to
environmental conditions such as wind. As such, the reference line
emitted from the laser device tends to move as the golfer and his
or her clothes move. Moreover, as discussed above, systems
requiring a mat are bulky and impractical for use on a course, and
all of these laser systems still rely on a user's own visual acuity
for alignment.
[0014] Some golf-swing training systems include laser devices that
are mounted over the club head or are integral with the club head,
whereby the device projects a laser beam perpendicular to the
striking face, such that the beam is aligned with the target.
However, the beam tends to move as the club head moves. Such
devices are inaccurate not only because of the movement of the club
head, but also because, if the golfer is not properly gripping the
club, then the reference line created by the beam will not be
accurate. For example, if the club face is open, the beam will not
be correctly aligned with the target.
[0015] Other laser-based systems provide a laser device that
attaches to the player, such as on a golfer's hat, so that the
laser beam is directed to a point on the ground in front of the
golfer's feet. The beam is pointed at the ball or a reference point
on the ground. Such devices attempt to aid the golfer in keeping
his or her head down throughout the swing by providing the golfer a
reference point on which to focus during the swing. However, such
systems typically fail to provide a reference line for aligning the
target. In addition, any movement of the golfer's head will change
the position of the reference point. The golfer creates the
reference point by simply positioning his or her head or moving the
laser device. However, no guidance is provided as to whether the
correct reference point is being created, whether the golfer is
aligned with the target, or whether the golfer is maintaining a
proper stance.
[0016] Other swing-training devices attempt to direct a golf club
by means of a physical guide that actually has contact with the
golf club, and some involve only a portion of the entire golf
swing, e.g., only the follow-through, or only a bottom portion of
the downswing. Some devices concentrate on the backswing and
follow-through motions, but without providing any feedback
indicating when a swing is off-plane. In order to work correctly,
many of these devices must be set up by an instructor or other
individual very knowledgeable in the game, with a few even
requiring that stakes be driven into the ground to secure the
device.
[0017] Another disadvantage of many of the aforementioned devices
is that such devices are designed for only right-handed golfers and
cannot properly be used for left-handed golf swings.
[0018] Most disadvantageous, however, is the fact that none of the
aforementioned devices enables or assists the golfer to develop and
recognize the proper feel of a correctly-aligned swing and instead
typically rely on the golfer's own visual acuity to provide
feedback as to the correctness of the swing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A golf-training balance board consistent with embodiments of
the present invention provides a surface on which a golfer stands
and balances while swinging a club in a usual manner. The balance
board is elongated to provide sufficient longitudinal support for a
golfer bringing his or her club rearward into a correct position
for a backswing, then all the way through the downswing and
follow-through portions of the swing in a correct position. The
balance board remains stable while the golfer is correctly
balanced. If the golfer shifts his or her weight too far forward or
rearward, the board tips forward or rearward, providing instant
feedback to the golfer that indicates an unbalanced swing. When
using the balance board with a golf ball, the board can provide
feedback to the golfer regarding the leftward or rightward
direction in which the ball will travel after contacting the ball,
i.e., if the golfer is on his or her toes, the golfer will be
hitting a "fade" or "slice," and if the golfer is on his or her
heels, the golfer will be hitting a "draw" or "hook." If the golfer
remains balanced on the balance board, then the golfer will hit a
substantially straight shot.
[0020] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a balance
board including a body generally having length, width, and
thickness dimensions, and one or more rockers extending from the
bottom surface of the body. The thickness is substantially smaller
than each of the length and the width. The body has top and bottom
surfaces at opposite ends of the thickness of the body. The top
surface has left and right portions at opposing sides of the length
of the body. The top surface has front and rear portions at
opposing sides of the width of the body. The body is supported in a
balanced orientation if (a) the balance board is positioned with
the one or more rockers in contact with a substantially horizontal
ground surface and (b) force is applied (1) equally or unequally to
the front and rear portions of the body up to a force-differential
threshold value and (2) equally or unequally to the left and right
portions of the body. The body is not supported in the balanced
orientation if (a) the balance board is placed with at least one of
the one or more rockers in contact with the substantially
horizontal ground surface and (b) force is applied (1) unequally to
the front and rear portions of the body greater than the
force-differential threshold value and (2) equally or unequally to
the left and right portions of the body.
[0021] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for practicing a golf swing by a user. The method includes:
(a) standing on a balance board; and (b) performing at least a
portion of the golf swing while standing on the balance board. If
the user performs the portion of the golf swing while maintaining
the user's front-to-rear weight distribution within a threshold
range, then the balance board maintains a balanced orientation. If
the user performs the portion of the golf swing without maintaining
the user's front-to-rear weight distribution within the threshold
range, then the balance board tilts either forward or rearward to
indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution is outside the threshold range.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for teaching a golf swing to a user. The method includes (a)
having the user stand on a balance board; and (b) having the user
perform at least a portion of the golf swing while standing on the
balance board. If the user performs the portion of the golf swing
while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distribution
within a threshold range, then the balance board maintains a
balanced orientation. If the user performs the portion of the golf
swing without maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution within the threshold range, then the balance board
tilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that the
user's front-to-rear weight distribution is outside the threshold
range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying
drawings in which like reference numerals identify similar or
identical elements.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a golf-training balance
board consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 are bottom perspective views of the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the golf-training
balance board of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a user standing on the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the balance board
resting on a ground surface in a balanced position;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a user standing on the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the user beginning to
lean or otherwise shift the user's weight forward;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a user standing on the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the user continuing to
lean or otherwise shift the user's weight forward;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a user standing on the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the user leaning or
otherwise shifting the user's weight rearward;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a user using the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1 at the address phase of the
golf swing;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a user using the
golf-training balance board of FIG. 1 at the follow-through phase
of the golf swing;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a first alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a second alternative embodiment of
the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a third alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a fourth alternative embodiment of
the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a fifth alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a sixth alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a golf-training
balance board consistent with a fifth alternative embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0040] FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating weight distribution for a
golf-training balance board consistent with embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate views of an exemplary golf-training
balance board 100 consistent with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of balance board
100. As shown, balance board 100 includes a body 111 that has an
elongated, generally planar upper surface 101 adjacent to a pair of
opposing elongated parallel planar sides 102 and a pair of opposing
arcuate convex sides 103. Upper surface 101 has a modified
rectangular profile defined by the interface between (i) upper
surface 101 and (ii) both planar sides 102 and convex sides
103.
[0043] Upper surface 101 of body 111 also has a plurality of
grooves 104 formed therein, over the majority of upper surface 101,
defining a pair of non-slip regions 105 on which a user stands
while using balance board 100, with one foot in each of non-slip
regions 105. As shown, each non-slip region 105 includes two sets
of parallel grooves 104, each set of grooves 104 formed in a
different orientation. Thus, when a user stands on balance board
100 with the user's shoes contacting non-slip regions 105, grooves
104 of two different directions abut each of the user's shoes, to
provide additional non-slip functionality.
[0044] Body 111 also has an aperture defining a carrying handle 106
formed therein, near one of elongated parallel planar sides
102.
[0045] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate bottom perspective views of balance
board 100, and FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of balance board 100.
As shown, body 111 has a lower surface 107 having substantially the
same modified rectangular profile as that of upper surface 101,
since the profile of lower surface 107 is defined by the interface
between (i) lower surface 107 and (ii) both planar sides 102 and
convex sides 103. Lower surface 107 has a plurality of recesses 108
formed therein and arranged to maintain sufficient structural
support for balance board 100, while reducing the overall weight of
balance board 100 to facilitate portability and reduce
manufacturing cost. Lower surface 107 also has a pair of parallel
elongated rockers 109 formed thereon, which protrude from lower
surface 107 near a central portion thereof and are arranged to be
substantially parallel to parallel planar sides 102. Each rocker
109 has a curvilinear form, such as a truncated cylindrical form,
with a substantially semicircular cross-section.
[0046] In one embodiment, body 111 has a thickness of approximately
1.38 inches, a width of approximately 10.83 inches at the widest
portion of body 111, and a length of approximately 32.09 inches,
and each rocker 109 is approximately 29.89 inches in length,
approximately 0.86 inches in height, and approximately 2.11 inches
wide, and rockers 109 are spaced approximately 0.5 inches apart
from each other.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of balance board
100 resting on a ground surface 110 in a balanced position, such
that both rockers 109 contact ground surface 110, with a user
standing on balance board 100. The position of balance board 100
shown in FIG. 5 is the balanced position that the user should
attempt to maintain during use of balance board 100 for golf-swing
training.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates the result of the user in FIG. 5
beginning to lean or otherwise shift the user's weight forward
(i.e., towards the user's toes). As shown, balance board 100 begins
to rotate on one rocker 109 in a counter-clockwise direction, while
the other rocker 109 lifts completely off of ground surface 110,
causing balance board 100 to begin to tilt forward. At this point,
the user may be able to perceive the beginning of the
forward-pivoting motion of balance board 100 as feedback,
indicating that the user should shift the user's weight more
rearward (i.e., towards the user's heels) to return to the balanced
position shown in FIG. 5.
[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates the result of the user in FIG. 6
continuing to lean or otherwise shift the user's weight forward,
instead of returning to the balanced position shown in FIG. 5. As
shown, balance board 100 continues to rotate in a counter-clockwise
direction until lower surface 107 and/or planar side 102 contacts
ground surface 110, which stops the rotation of balance board 100.
At this point, the user is able to perceive as feedback that
balance board 100 has pivoted forward (and the user's toes might
even rise from and lose contact with balance board 100, as shown),
indicating that the user should shift the user's weight more
rearward to return to the balanced position shown in FIG. 5.
[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates the result of the user in FIG. 5 leaning
or otherwise shifting the user's weight rearward. As shown, balance
board 100 rotates on one rocker 109 in a clockwise direction, while
the other rocker 109 lifts completely off of ground surface 110,
causing balance board 100 to begin to tilt rearward, until lower
surface 107 and/or planar side 102 contacts ground surface 110,
which stops the rotation of balance board 100. At this point, the
user is able to perceive as feedback that balance board 100 has
pivoted rearward (and the user's heels might even rise from and
lose contact with balance board 100, as shown), indicating that the
user should shift the user's weight more forward to return to the
balanced position shown in FIG. 5.
[0051] During golf-swing training, balance board 100 can be used
during all five phases of the swing: address, backswing, downswing,
impact, and follow-through. To begin, the user places balance board
100 on a ground surface, such that elongated parallel planar sides
102 (and hence, rockers 109) are aligned with the target (e.g., the
hole), such that planar sides 102 are parallel to the intended
direction of travel of the ball. Although the following description
includes the use of a ball, it should be recognized that balance
board 100 can be used by a golfer to practice his or her swing
either with or without hitting a ball. If a ball is used, then the
ball can be placed either on a tee or directly on the ground.
Since, due to its thickness and the height of rockers 109, balance
board 100 may raise the height of the golfer slightly above the
ground, a golfer using balance board 100 might compensate for the
additional height, e.g., by (i) increasing the distance between the
ball and the ground during practice with balance board 100 (e.g.,
using a tee of sufficient height), (ii) decreasing the distance
between the ball and the golfer during practice with balance board
100, or (iii) recognizing the additional height during practice
with balance board 100 and compensating manually during practice
without balance board 100 or during actual game play.
[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates the use of balance board 100 at the
address phase. The user stands on balance board 100 in an ordinary
stance, with the user's club extended, to address the ball. In this
stance, the user's body weight should be evenly distributed on both
feet, and the user's knees should be relaxed or flexed to center
the user's body weight over the user's feet. If the user's body
weight is not properly centered (i.e., toe-to-heel) over the user's
feet, balance board 100 will pivot either forward or rearward to
indicate to the user that an adjustment should be made.
[0053] For a right-hand user, during the backswing (not shown), the
club is drawn back to its highest point in the swing, and, although
the user's body weight is shifted to the right foot, the user's
weight should still remain centered over the user's feet, rather
than forward or rearward, and balance board 100 will pivot either
forward or rearward to indicate to the user that an adjustment
should be made in this regard.
[0054] During the downswing (not shown), the right-handed user's
weight is shifted to the left foot, while the user's knees, hips,
and trunk all rotate together to the left. As during the address
and backswing, the user's weight should still remain centered over
the user's feet, rather than forward or rearward, and balance board
100 will pivot either forward or rearward to indicate to the user
that an adjustment should be made in this regard.
[0055] During impact with the ball, the right-handed user's wrists
and hands complete the acceleration of the club head as the club
head makes contact with the ball, and the user's wrists unhinge in
a whip-like motion as the user's right hand rotates over the left
after the ball is hit. During this process, although the user's
body weight shifts to the left, the user's weight should still
remain centered over the user's feet, rather than forward or
rearward, and balance board 100 will pivot either forward or
rearward to indicate to the user that an adjustment should be made
in this regard.
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates the use of balance board 100 during the
follow-through phase of the swing. After striking the ball, the
club gradually decelerates during the follow-through. The
right-handed user's body rotates to the left around the spine, the
user's wrists rotate about each other to create a roll-over motion
of the hands, and the user's hips and shoulders continue to rotate
until the user's body is facing the target. During this process,
the spine hyperextends, and the user's body weight completely
shifts to the left side. Once again, although the user rotates to
face the target, with the user's body weight shifting to the left,
the user's weight should still remain centered over the user's
feet, rather than forward or rearward, and balance board 100 will
pivot either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that an
adjustment should be made in this regard.
[0057] Using balance board 100, the user can choose to practice
only one phase of the swing, more than one phase, or all phases of
the swing, depending on the skill level of the user. The eventual
goal of training using balance board 100 is for balance board 100
to remain in a balanced position, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5, during
all five phases of the swing. Once the user has properly trained
using balance board 100, the user will have developed and
recognized the proper feel for a correct swing.
[0058] FIGS. 11-17 illustrate exemplary golf-training balance
boards consistent with alternative embodiments of the present
invention, which employ rockers having alternative numbers,
configurations, curvatures, and/or cross sections.
[0059] FIG. 11 shows balance board 1100, which is similar to
balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), except that only a single rocker
1109 is used. In this embodiment, maintaining a balanced position
is more difficult and may involve a higher skill level for the user
than balance board 100, because single-rocker balance board 1100 is
less stable than dual-rocker balance board 100 and does not remain
balanced as easily when resting on the ground.
[0060] FIG. 12 shows balance board 1200, which uses a single rocker
1209 and is similar to balance board 1100 (of FIG. 1), except that
maintaining a balanced position is less difficult, because, as with
balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), balance board 1200 easily remains
balanced by itself when resting on the ground, due to the flat
contour of the ground-contacting portion of rocker 1209.
[0061] FIG. 13 shows balance board 1300, which uses a single rocker
1309 and is similar to balance board 1100 (of FIG. 1). In this
embodiment, maintaining a balanced position is even more difficult,
because balance board 1300 cannot remain balanced by itself when
resting on the ground, and further, because the pivoting of balance
board 1300 is not gradual as in the cases of balance boards 100 (of
FIG. 1), 1100, and 1200 (of FIG. 12), due to the triangular
cross-section of rocker 1309.
[0062] FIG. 14 shows balance board 1400, which uses dual rockers
1409 and is similar to balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), except that
rockers 1409 have a triangular cross-section. In this embodiment,
maintaining a balanced position is of substantially the same
difficulty as with balance board 100, because the contact of both
rockers 1409 with the ground causes balance board 1400 to be
relatively stable in a balanced position. However, once the user's
weight begins to shift forward or rearward, it is more difficult
for the user to return to a balanced position, because the pivoting
of balance board 1400 is not gradual as in the cases of balance
boards 100, 1100 (of FIG. 1), and 1200 (of FIG. 12).
[0063] FIG. 15 shows balance board 1500, which uses dual rockers
1509 and is similar to balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), except that
maintaining a balanced position may be slightly less difficult,
because, balance board 1500 easily remains balanced by itself when
resting on the ground, due to the flat contour of the
ground-contacting portions of rocker 1509.
[0064] FIG. 16 shows balance board 1600, which is similar to
balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), except that balance board 1600 uses
two sets of two rockers 1609, instead of a single set of rockers
109. The arrangement of balance board 1600 reduces weight and
manufacturing cost and illustrates that it is not necessary to have
a single pair of elongated rockers or a single elongated rocker
spanning the length of a balance board.
[0065] FIG. 17 shows balance board 1700, which is similar to
balance board 1600 (of FIG. 16), except that balance board 1700
uses rockers that are generally cylindrical and peg-like in form,
with the face of the cylinders generally parallel to body 1711.
This arrangement demonstrates that the ground-contacting surfaces
of rockers in a golf-training balance board consistent with
embodiments of the present invention can have a variety of
different shapes, so long as there are four points of contact
between the rocker(s) and a ground surface when weight is evenly
distributed on the board, which points define the vertices of a
rectilinear region of contact.
[0066] In FIG. 17, the free ends of each of the four rockers 1709
contact the ground and constitute the four points of contact that
define region of contact 1750 (shown in dashed lines). In FIG. 16,
each of the four rockers 1609 has at least one point of contact
with the ground, and the four points of contact define region of
contact 1650 (although the region of contact is not shown in FIG.
14, the four rockers 1409 define a region of contact in a similar
manner to rockers 1609 of FIG. 16). In FIG. 2, each of the two
rockers 109 has at least two points of contact, one at each end
(i.e., the left and right ends) of the rocker, which define region
of contact 150 (although the region of contact is not shown in FIG.
14, the two rockers 1409 of FIG. 14 define a region of contact in a
similar manner to rockers 109 of FIG. 2, and the same is true for
rockers 1509 of FIG. 15). In FIG. 12, the single rocker 1209 has at
least four points of contact that define a rectilinear region of
contact, which is the same as the contiguous rectilinear region at
which rocker 1209 interfaces with a ground surface when in a
balanced position. It is specifically noted, however, that the term
"region of contact" does not necessarily mean a contiguous region
at which the rocker(s) contact a ground surface at all locations
within the region (as in FIG. 12) and can also include a region
bounded by only four points that actually contact the ground
surface (e.g., as in FIG. 17), two lines that actually contact the
ground surface (e.g., as in FIG. 2), and so forth.
[0067] When a user stands on a balance board consistent with
embodiments of the invention, the user's feet should overhang the
region of contact, i.e., the toe-to-heel distance is greater than
the distance between points of contact along the width of the
board. Thus, a balance board consistent with embodiments of the
present invention may be sized differently, and the rockers may be
located differently, to accommodate users of different foot
lengths. For example, children and other golfers with shorter foot
lengths may be better suited with the rockers closer together,
creating a region of contact having a reduced area.
[0068] FIG. 18 is a weight-distribution graph for a golf-training
balance board consistent with embodiments of the present invention.
The horizontal axis represents the length of the body from left to
right, and the vertical axis represents the width of the body from
front to rear. If, when a user stands on the board, weight is
distributed evenly along both axes (as represented by origin 1800
of the graph), then the board is balanced. The board is also
balanced if the user's weight is distributed front-to-rear within a
given zone of stability (represented by shaded area 1810),
regardless of how weight is distributed left-to-right. However, if
the user's weight shifts forward beyond a given forward threshold
(represented by dashed line 1820), then instability results,
causing the board to tilt forward. Likewise, if the user's weight
shifts rearward beyond a given rear threshold (represented by
dashed line 1830), then instability results, causing the board to
tilt rearward.
[0069] Thresholds 1820 and 1830 correspond with and are dependent
on the locations of the rockers on the underside of the board.
Having the rockers closer together along the width of the board
reduces the area of the zone of stability, and thresholds 1820 and
1830 will be closer together. Likewise, having the rockers farther
apart along the width of the board increases the area of the zone
of stability, and thresholds 1820 and 1830 will be farther apart.
In the balance boards of FIGS. 1 and 11-17, stability along the
length of the board, i.e., from left to right, is always
maintained, since the rockers inhibit the board from tilting left
to right. This left-to-right stability is achieved by having the
rockers disposed at or substantially near the left and right ends
of the length of the board's body (e.g., at or near convex sides
103 of FIG. 1). Thus, the board is stable enough for a golfer to
shift his or her weight from the golfer's left foot to the golfer's
right foot and vice-versa, as naturally occurs during the swinging
of a club, yet the board still permits the forward and rearward
tilting that provides feedback to the golfer if the golfer
improperly leans forward or rearward so that his or her weight is
shifted outside the zone of stability.
[0070] In other words, the body of the board is supported in a
balanced orientation if (a) the balance board is positioned with
the (one or more) rockers in contact with a substantially
horizontal ground surface and (b) force is applied (1) equally or
unequally to the front and rear portions of the body up to a
force-differential threshold value and (2) equally or unequally to
the left and right portions of the body. The body is not supported
in the balanced orientation if (a) the balance board is placed with
at least one of the (one or more) rockers in contact with the
substantially horizontal ground surface and (b) force is applied
(1) unequally to the front and rear portions of the body greater
than the force-differential threshold value and (2) equally or
unequally to the left and right portions of the body.
[0071] A balance board consistent with embodiments of the present
invention may be sized differently, and the rockers may be located
differently, to accommodate users of different weights. For
example, lighter golfers, such as some women and children, may be
better suited with the rockers closer together, creating a zone of
stability having a reduced area.
[0072] A golf-training balance board consistent with embodiments of
the present invention is desirably constructed of a rigid material
that can withstand the weight of a user and, in a preferred
embodiment, is constructed from one or more molded plastics, such
as polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), and/or polyurethane. Other suitable materials may
include, e.g., other plastics, wood, metal, ceramic, stone,
fiberglass, glass, concrete, brick, cement block, and combinations
of any of the foregoing materials.
[0073] It should be understood that a golf-training balance board
consistent with embodiments of the present invention can be used by
both left-handed and right-handed golfers alike. Such a balance
board can be used to train a golfer to align his or her golf swing
along a certain axis or plane and to assist a golfer in balancing
his or her golf swing. A golf-training balance board consistent
with embodiments of the present invention also permits a golfer to
practice his or her swing either with or without hitting a golf
ball and can be used on a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces,
including grass, artificial turf, dirt, sand, clay, wood, rubber,
and concrete. A golf-training balance board consistent with
embodiments of the present invention can also be used for balance
training with chipping, pitching, and putting clubs and is suitable
for use on a golf course, not only on the fairway and greens, but
also in sand traps and other hazard areas.
[0074] Advantageously, a golf-training balance board consistent
with embodiments of the present invention permits a golfer to
receive instant feedback based on the feel of his or her swing,
while the club is being swung. Thus, once the balance board is
placed on the ground and aligned with a target, the golfer does not
need to lift his or her head to look in any particular direction,
as in the case of prior-art devices that rely on a golfer's own
visual acuity, and can keep his or head in a proper position facing
down, fixed on the ball.
[0075] An exemplary method for practicing a golf swing consistent
with one embodiment of the present invention involves the user
standing on a balance board and performing at least a portion of
the golf swing while standing on the balance board. If the user
performs the portion of the golf swing while maintaining the user's
front-to-rear weight distribution within a threshold range, then
the balance board maintains a balanced orientation. If the user
performs the portion of the golf swing without maintaining the
user's front-to-rear weight distribution within the threshold
range, then the balance board tilts either forward or rearward to
indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution is outside the threshold range.
[0076] An exemplary method for teaching a golf swing to a user
involves having the user stand on a balance board and having the
user perform at least a portion of the golf swing while standing on
the balance board. If the user performs the portion of the golf
swing while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight
distribution within a threshold range, then the balance board
maintains a balanced orientation. If the user performs the portion
of the golf swing without maintaining the user's front-to-rear
weight distribution within the threshold range, then the balance
board tilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that
the user's front-to-rear weight distribution is outside the
threshold range.
[0077] In alternative embodiments of balance board 100, a carrying
handle could be formed near a different one of elongated parallel
planar sides 102 (or at some other location), or handles could be
formed near both of elongated parallel planar sides 102.
[0078] A balance board consistent with embodiments of the present
invention, as described herein, may have utility for applications
and physical activities other than golf, and the use of such a
balance board should not be construed as limited to golf-swing
training.
[0079] It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary
methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be
performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of
such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise,
additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps
may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various
embodiments of the present invention.
[0080] Although the elements in the following method claims are
recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling,
unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence
for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are
not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that
particular sequence.
[0081] Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at
least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the
phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are
separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive
of other embodiments. The same applies to the term
"implementation."
[0082] It should be understood that various changes in the details,
materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described
and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention
may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.
* * * * *