U.S. patent application number 11/605860 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for golf swing apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Lawrence A. Kelly.
Application Number | 20080125236 11/605860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38657604 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080125236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelly; Lawrence A. |
May 29, 2008 |
Golf swing apparatus and method
Abstract
An apparatus and method for improving the consistency and
effectiveness of a golfer's swing. In a first aspect of the
invention, a gyroscope is mounted in the head of a gold club has a
rotor which is rotated by a small electric motor. A pair of dry
cell batteries and a push type "on/off" switch In a grip of the
golf club turn the motor on and off. The batteries are connected to
the motor with a pair of wires which extend through a tubular golf
club shaft. The rotational plane of the rotor is parallel to the
face of the golf club head which strikes a golf ball. When the
rotor is rotated, changes in the plane of rotation or spin axis of
the rotor are resisted by the angular momentum of the rotor,
thereby producing reaction torques which are sensed by a golfer.
The reaction torques inform the golfer of the release of the club
and changes in the path of travel. In a second aspect, the
invention the gyroscope is mounted directly on an end of a golf
club shaft.
Inventors: |
Kelly; Lawrence A.;
(Brighton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD, SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
38657604 |
Appl. No.: |
11/605860 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/223 ;
473/242; 473/257; 473/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3632
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/223 ;
473/242; 473/257; 473/409 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A swing training aide assembly comprising: a shaft; and a
gyroscope mounted to an end section of said shaft opposite a grip
section of said shaft.
13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a head
mounted to said shaft to at least partially surround said
gyroscope.
14. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said shaft is
hollow.
15. The assembly as recited in claim 14, further comprising at
least one battery mounted within said hollow shaft adjacent said
grip section of said shaft.
16. The assembly as recited in claim 15, further comprising an
electric motor to drive said gyroscope, said at least one battery
in electrical communication with said gyroscope to provide power
therefor.
17. The assembly as recited in claim 15, further comprising a grip
mounted over said grip section of said shaft.
18. The assembly as recited in claim 17, further comprising a
switch mounted to said grip to operatively control said electric
motor.
19. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said switch
includes an ON/OFF switch.
20. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said shaft defines
a shaft axis and said gyroscope rotatable about a gyroscope axis
generally transverse to said shaft axis.
21. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said shaft defines
a shaft axis and said gyroscope rotatable about a gyroscope axis
perpendicular to said shaft axis.
22. A golf swing training aide assembly comprising: a hollow shaft
which defines an axis; a gyroscope mounted to an end section of
said hollow shaft opposite a grip section of said shaft, said
gyroscope rotatable about a gyroscope axis non-parallel to said
shaft axis; an electric motor to power said gyroscope; and a power
supply mounted within said hollow shaft to power said electric
motor.
23. The assembly as recited in claim 22, further comprising a head
mounted to said shaft to at least partially surround said
gyroscope, said head formed from at least two separable
portions.
24. The assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said head defines
a head face
25. The assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein said gyroscope
axis is generally perpendicular to said face.
26. The assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein said head face is
operable to strike a golf ball.
27. The assembly as recited in claim 22, further comprising a grip
mounted over a portion of said grip section of said shaft opposite
said gyroscope.
28. A method of controlling a swing training aide assembly
comprising the steps of: (A) gyroscopically establishing a swing
plane of a golf swing training aide assembly with a gyroscope
mounted to an end section of said shaft opposite a grip section of
said shaft; and (B) providing feedback relative to said step (A)
which represents deviation of a face of the golf swing training
aide assembly from a perpendicular relationship with the swing
plane.
29. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said step (A) further
comprises: (a) defining a gyroscope axis of a gyroscope mounted to
the golf swing training aide, the gyroscope axis non-parallel to a
shaft axis of a shaft.
30. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said step (B) further
comprises: (a) providing the feedback in response to angular
momentum provided by a gyroscope mounted to an end section of a
shaft.
31. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said step (B) further
comprises: (b) providing the feedback in response to a release of
the golf swing training aide assembly during a downswing.
32. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for
improving a golfer's swing and more particularly to an apparatus
and method for controlling the motion and point of release of a
golf club.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Golf, once considered as a pastime of the rich, has become a
national sport for all levels of society. Methods and books for
improving golf swings are notoriously present in the art. Although
swings have been extensively analyzed and documented, as yet there
is little agreement on an apparatus or method for optimizing a golf
swing.
[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,971,328; 5,221,088; 5,249,967; 6,261,189;
and 7,097,459 are exemplary of the types of apparatus which exist
in the art for improving a golfer's swing.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,328 discloses a golf swing apparatus for
comparing a light beam emitted from a golf club head during a
golfer's swing with a guide strip on the ground. U.S. Pat. No.
5,221,088 discloses a golf swing apparatus wherein foot and grip
sensors emit audible signals, via a pair of earphones which are
indicative of the weight applied by the feet and the pressure
applied to the hand grip. The signals are compared with a specified
range of signals. U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,967 discloses a video golf
swing training apparatus for comparing live images of a golfer's
wing with self generating templates. U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,189
discloses a golf swing apparatus in which club shaft and body
movements are monitored with infra red rays and sensors. If the
rays fall out of an optimized area, an audible signal is generated.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,459 discloses a golf swing apparatus wherein
colored reference points are placed on a golf club shaft and
golfer's head and the like. A moving image is taken of the golfer's
swing, converted into a plurality of still images which are stored
in a computer. Items to be checked are expressed by numeric values
which are compared with judging data imputed into the computer.
[0005] Golf swing fall into three categories, namely putts, short
chips and full swings. Putts and chips are ideally played without
much body movement, however most other shots are variants of the
full swing. Two major areas which distinguish golfers are the
consistent results and effectiveness of the full golf swing.
[0006] A full golf swing is a complex rotation of the body for
aiming and accelerating a golf club head to a great speed. The
transfer of momentum from a golf club to a golf ball determines the
travel of the golf ball. Professional golfers can achieve a club
head speed of more than 100 M.P.H. at the bottom of a swing. Some
champion golfers have attained speeds above 100 M.P.H. For a
right-handed golfer, a swing consists of a back swing to the right,
a downswing to the left in which a golf ball is struck with a
driver club and a follow through. At the initial point in time,
referred to a "the address," a player 20 stands with his left hip
and shoulder pointing in the intended direction of ball flight,
with the ball between his feet.
[0007] The club is held with both hands with the golf head resting
on the ground behind the ball, hips and knees somewhat flexed and
the arms hanging from the shoulders. As shown in FIG. 1, the back
swing 21 is a rotation to the right, consisting of a shifting of
the player's body to the right, a turning of the pelvis and the
shoulders, a lifting of arms and flexing of elbows and wrists. At
the end of the back swing, the hands are above the right shoulder,
with the club pointing more or less in the direction of ball
flight.
[0008] During the downswing 22, the club head is accelerated
downwardly, increasing in momentum until it strikes the ball. The
follow-through stage after the ball is struck with the head face,
consists of a continued rotation to the left. The golfer's weight
has shifted almost entirely to his left foot, his body is fully
turned to the left and his hands are above the left shoulder and
the club hangs down over his back
[0009] A backspin is imparted to the ball during almost every shot
because of the golf club's loft. The spinning ball experiences an
upwards force which makes it fly higher and farther than a ball
without spin. The spinning also affects the behavior of the ball
when it strikes the ground, usually preventing the ball from
rolling at all, perhaps even backwards. Sidespin occurs when the
club face is not perpendicular with the plane of the swing when the
ball is struck, causing the ball to curve to the left, for
right-handed players referred to as a "draw" or to the right,
referred to as a fade. Accomplished golfers will sometimes use
sidespin to steer the ball around obstacles, but it is difficult to
control or to predict the amount of spin.
[0010] It has been recognized that the rotation of a golfer's wrist
and the orientation of a golfer's wrist during a golf swing
influence on the outcome of the golf swing. It has also been
recognized that two aspects of a swing substantially affect the
outcome of the full swing. One aspect is the beginning of the
rotation of the golfer's wrists, often referred to as "the
release," which occurs near the end of the downswing. As used
herein, the terms "release", "point of release", "release of a golf
club head" and "release of a golf club" refer to the rotation of a
golfer's wrists at an end portion of a downward swing. Tests have
shown that for optimum results, a release should occur shortly
before a ball is struck. An early release negatively affects the
velocity of the club head when impact occurs and hence the distance
the ball travels. Early releases, called "casting," can also
significantly affect the outcome of a swing, causing a loss of
power.
[0011] A second aspect is the orientation of the club face with
respect to the plane of club head travel (swing). Unless the golfer
intends to use sidespin, the club head face should be parallel to
the plane of travel of the club head. Although a great deal of
attention has been given to the posture of a golfer during the
"presentation" and swing. Heretofore. an effective apparatus and
method have been unavailable for controlling the motion of a golf
club head and informing a golfer of the point of release.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The two bell weathers of this invention are consistency and
effectiveness, aspects which all professional golfers work to
improve. Results have shown that the invention can significantly
improve a golfer's game. One object of the invention is to improve
the consistency and effectiveness of a golfer's swing. Another
object of the invention is to extend the driving range of a
golfer's swing. Another object is to improve the accuracy of a
golfer's swing. Another object is to provide a training aid for
improving a golfer's swing. With these objects in mind, an
apparatus and method are provided for controlling motion of a
driver golf club and informing a golfer of the point of release of
a golf club head. The invention resides in the application of a
gyroscope to a golf club swing. The law of conservation of angular
momentum requires a rapidly spinning rotor to maintain its plane of
rotation unless acted upon by an external torque. If acted upon by
an external torque, a reaction torque will occur which is sensed by
a golfer.
[0013] In a first aspect of the invention a gyroscope and a small
electric motor are mounted inside of a driver golf club head. The
small electric motor is connected to the gyroscope's rotor and
driven by batteries mounted in a grip (handle) of the golf club. An
"on/off" switch in an outer end portion of the grip actuates the
motor and hence the rotation of the rotor. The motor is connected
to the batteries by a pair of wires which are routed inside of a
tubular golf club shaft.
[0014] The rotation of the gyroscope rotor is actuated before the
swing is initiated, During a downswing of the driver golf club, the
angular momentum of the rapidly spinning rotor tends to maintain
the club head face parallel to the plane of the swing. When the
head is released to rotate the head face into a plane which is
perpendicular to the plane of the swing, and back to parallel on
the follow through, a reaction torque is produced which is sensed
by the golfer. A reaction torque, at a lesser level is also sensed
if the parallel relationship of the head face to the plane of the
golf swing is not maintained.
[0015] In a second aspect, the invention is intended to be used as
a golf swing training aid. The gyroscope is mounted at the end of
the golf club shaft. A pair of dry cell batteries and an "on/off"
switch are mounted in the grip at the opposite end of the
shaft.
[0016] In employing the teaching of the present invention, a
plurality of alternate constructions can be provided to achieve the
desired results and capabilities. In this disclosure, only a single
embodiment is presented for the purpose of disclosing my invention.
However, this embodiment is intended as an example only and should
not be considered as limiting the scope of my invention.
[0017] The foregoing features, benefits, objects and best mode of
practicing the invention and additional benefits and objects will
become apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a
preferred embodiment and the subject matter in which exclusive
property rights are claimed is set forth in the numbered claims
which are appended to the detailed description of the preferred
embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention will be better understood and further objects,
characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear
more clearly with reference to the diagrammatic drawings
illustrating a presently preferred specific embodiment of the
invention by way of non-limiting example only.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a golfer and the path of a golf swing.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a driver golf club and an
electric motor driven gyroscope according to the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional showing the interior of
the grip of the golf club.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a golf
club grip.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial bottom view of the golf club.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a driver golf club shaft
and an electric motor driven gyroscope mounted at an end of the
shaft according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 in
FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals
designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several
views, in FIGS. 2 through 4, inclusive, a driver golf club 24 and
gyroscope 25 are mounted in a golf club head 23. Except for a small
protuberance 26 on the head 23 of the club 24 and a small button 27
at the end of a grip 28 (handle), the appearance of the driver golf
club 24 is conventional. The golf club 24 is comprised of the head
24, a gyroscope 25, a pair of batteries 38, a switch 39, a hollow
shaft 29 and the grip 28.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gyroscope 25 is comprised of
a rotor 30 mounted for rotation and a fixed frame 31. A shaft 32
which drives the rotor 30 is straddle mounted in the frame 31 and
is connected to a small electric motor 33. With reference to FIG.
5, the frame 31 is mounted on a removable cover 34 which is
attached to the bottom of the head 23 with threaded fasteners 35.
The motor 33 is attached to the frame 31 with a pair of threaded
fasteners 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotational plane of the rotor
30 is parallel to the face 46 of the club head 23 which strikes a
ball.
[0028] A pair of wires 37 extend from the motor 33 through the
hollow shaft 29 to the pair of dry cell batteries 38 in the grip
28. The "on/off" switch 39 at the end of the grip 28 closes a
circuit of the batteries 38 and electric motor 33.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a golf swing training aide
40 is shown in which the golf club head is eliminated. The
gyroscope 25 and electric motor 33 are mounted in a 2-piece frame
42 which is attached to the end of a tubular drive golf club shaft
42 for use as the golf swing training aid 40. The 2-piece frame 41
is comprised of a motor mounting half 43 and a cover half 44. One
end of a tubular golf club shaft 42 is attached to the cover half
43. The motor mounting half 43 and cover half 44 are connected with
threaded fasteners 45.
[0030] The preferred manner of using the invention is as follows.
The gyroscope 25 is activated by pushing the exposed button 27 of
the "on/off" switch 39. At the initial point of the swing, referred
to a "the address", the driver club 24 is held with both hands, the
golf head 23 resting on the ground behind a ball, hips and knees
somewhat flexed and arms hanging from the shoulders. A right handed
player stands with his left hip and shoulder pointing in the
intended direction of ball flight and the ball between his feet,
the swing begins with a back swing 21 to the right, followed by a
downswing to the left 22 in which the golf ball is struck with the
head 23 of the driver club 24 and ends with a follow through.
[0031] During the back swing rotation to the right, the player's
body is shifted to the right, a turning occurs of the player's
pelvis and shoulders, his arms lifted and his elbows and wrists
twisted. At the top of the back swing 21, the downswing 22 occurs
in which the head face 46 and rotational plane of the gyroscope
rotor 30 remains substantially parallel to the plane of the swing.
The angular momentum of the rapidly spinning rotor 30 resists
deviations of the club head face 46 from being parallel to the
plane of the swing.
[0032] As the golf head 23 approaches the bottom of the downswing
22, the golfer 20 releases the golf head 23, i.e. rotates his wrist
to orient the club head face 46 perpendicular to the plane of the
swing for striking the golf ball. When the release occurs, there is
an equal and opposite reaction to the rotation of the wrist which
is felt by the golfer 20. At the end of the release, the rotational
plane of the rotor 30 has a parallel relationship with the plane of
the swing. After impact with the ball, the right handed player
follows through by a continued rotation to the left. The swing ends
with the player's weight has shifted almost entirely to his left
foot, his body is fully turned to the left and his hands above the
left shoulder and the club hanging down over his back.
[0033] Thus, a player can sense deviations of a club head face 46
from the plane of a swing and can relate the point of release to
the outcome a golf swing with my apparatus and method. Although
only two embodiments of my invention have been described, it is not
my intention to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments
since other embodiments can be developed by obvious changes by
persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit
thereof.
* * * * *