U.S. patent application number 12/341369 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for golf training device.
Invention is credited to Stephen Burgess.
Application Number | 20100160059 12/341369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42226840 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100160059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burgess; Stephen |
June 24, 2010 |
GOLF TRAINING DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides a sport training device for
improving technique by providing resistance within the context of a
sporting movement. The invention comprises an arcuate frame worn on
the thigh of a user, which is secure to the user's thigh with an
adjustable belt or cuff coupled to the frame. A lever coupled to
the frame extends away from the frame in front of the user's body
and an elastic cord is anchored to the lever. An attachment means
is coupled to the other end of the elastic cord to allow the user's
arms to extend the cord, thereby providing resistance to the user's
movement. The attachment means attaches the cord to a wrist strap
or glove worn by the user or to the handle of a sport implement
such as a golf club.
Inventors: |
Burgess; Stephen; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
US
|
Family ID: |
42226840 |
Appl. No.: |
12/341369 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/207 ;
473/229; 482/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4011 20151001;
A63B 21/4019 20151001; A63B 69/3623 20130101; A63B 69/3608
20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B
23/0227 20130101; A63B 69/0071 20130101; A63B 69/36212 20200801;
A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 21/00072 20130101; A63B 23/0211
20130101; A63B 21/00061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/207 ;
473/229; 482/124 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 21/055 20060101 A63B021/055 |
Claims
1. A sport training device, comprising: (a) an arcuate frame worn
on the thigh of a user; (b) an adjustable belt or cuff coupled to
said frame that secures the frame to the user's thigh; (c) a lever
coupled to said frame, wherein the lever extends away from the
frame in front of the user's body; (d) an elastic cord anchored to
the distal end of said lever; (e) an attachment means coupled to
the other end of said elastic cord, wherein tile attachment means
allows the user's arms to extend the elastic cord, thereby
providing resistance to the user's movement.
2. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein the
length of said lever is adjustable.
3. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein said
elastic cord is replaceable with other elastic cords of differing
elastic resistance.
4. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment means couples the elastic cord to a wrist strap.
5. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment means couples the elastic cord to a glove.
6. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment means couples the elastic cord to the handle of a sport
implement.
7. The sport training device according to claim 6, wherein said
sport implement is a golf club.
8. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein the
frame and lever are made of metal.
9. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein the
frame and lever are made of plastic.
10. The sport training device according to claim 1, wherein said
lever rotates on a hinge coupled to said frame, wherein a lever
stop allows the lever to fold against the frame in one direction
and stops the lever in an extended position when the lever is
pulled in the opposite direction by the elastic cord.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates general to sports training
equipment and more specifically to an apparatus that provided
resistance to muscles within the biomechanical context of a golf
swing, thereby improving both specific strength and technique.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent years, golf has enjoyed increasing popularity
among the general public. Unfortunately, a proper golf swing is one
of the most difficult sports movements to master. Part of the
difficulty in mastering a golf swing comes from strength
deficiencies and lack of coordination between the involved muscle
groups. The golf swing is a full body movement that requires the
coordinated integration of upper body and lower body movements,
with the abdominal and lower back muscles (a.k.a. the core) acting
to transmit power between the upper and lower body while
stabilizing the spine.
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates the planes of motion of the human body.
The movement pattern of a golf swing occurs primarily in the
transverse (a.k.a. axial) plane of movement, which tends to be a
weak plane of movement even for relatively strong individuals
because most conventional strength exercises occur in the sagittal
plane and to a lesser extent in the frontal plane. While many, if
not most natural movements do have a transverse plane component to
them, these movements are rarely performed under conditions of load
and power similar to that of a golf swing. Even explosive athletic
movements with a significant transverse plane component such as
throwing a ball or swinging a tennis racquet are performed against
relative light resistance and use implements that have much shorter
lever arms than a golf club, requiring the generation of less
torque. Therefore, not only do the necessary muscles have to be
properly strengthened, they must also be able to produce force in a
coordinated way within the transverse plane.
[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have an apparatus that
not only helps to strengthen the muscles used in a golf swing but
does so in a manner that reinforces proper golf swing technique
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a sport training device for
improving technique by providing resistance within the context of a
sporting movement. The invention comprises an arcuate frame worn on
the thigh of a user, which is secure to the user's thigh with an
adjustable belt or cuff coupled to the frame. A lever coupled to
the frame extends away from the frame in front of the user's body
and an elastic cord is anchored to the lever. An attachment means
is coupled to the other end of the elastic cord to allow the user's
arms to extend the cord, thereby providing resistance to the user's
movement. The attachment means can attach the cord to a wrist strap
or glove worn by the user or it can attach the cord to the handle
of a sport implement such as a golf club. In the preferred
embodiment, the lever rotates on a hinge and locks in an extended
position when the cord is pulled across the body.
[0006] When the user pulls his arms back, such as during a golf
backswing, the elastic cord pulls the lever into the extended
position where a lever stop prevents further rotation of the lever.
Continued movement of the arm will cause the elastic cord to
stretch, providing resistance against the movement. The resistance
increases the load against the muscles involved in the movement,
both increasing their strength within the context of the movement
and reinforcing proper posture and stabilization, leading to more
efficient technique.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates the planes of motion of the human
body;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the golf training device in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the golf training device;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the golf trainer in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the alternate embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a specialized wrist strap for attaching the
distal end of the elastic resistance cord in accordance with the
present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5C show an attachment device for securing the
elastic cord to the handle of a golf club in accordance with the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6A shows a front view of the golf training device in
use in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6B shows an overhead view of a user performing a golf
backswing with the golf training device in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 6C is a side view of the golf trainer that more clearly
shows how the lever of the device extends in front of the body to
provide the proper angle of resistance during the backswing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the golf training device in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The device 200 comprises a base frame 201 that is curved to fit
over the thigh of the user. This frame is coupled to an adjustable
belt or cuff (not shown) that is used to properly adjust and secure
the device to the user's thigh. A lever 210 is mounted on the frame
201 at a hinge 212. The frame 201, hinge 212, and lever 210 of the
golf training device can be made from metal or high-strength
plastics.
[0019] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the golf training device. In
the present example, the lever 210 is collapsible against the frame
201 as indicated by arrow 220. When in the fully extended position
the lever 210 is prevented from further movement by the lever stop
211, which rests against the frame 201 and prevents further
rotation of the lever.
[0020] Attached to the distal end of the lever 210 is an elastic
cord (not shown), which can be made from surgical tubing, bungee
cord or similar elastic material. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A
and 2B, the elastic cord is tied around the ring at the end of the
lever 210.
[0021] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the golf trainer in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the alternate embodiment. This
alternate embodiment is functionally equivalent to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2, but with minor design differences. The frame 301
in this embodiment has a shorter arc and does not wrap around the
thigh of the user as much as the previous embodiment. In addition,
the elastic cord 330 is fed through a pivoting head 311 at the
distal end of the level 310. The lever head 311 pivots around axis
312 as indicated by arrow 320 in FIG. 3A. As in the previous
embodiment, the lever 310 can fold against the frame 301 by
pivoting around hinge 313. This allows for ease of storage. In this
embodiment, the proximal end 314 of the lever extends beyond the
pivot point 313 and acts as a natural stop that limits the outward
extension of the lever 310 to a roughly perpendicular position
relative to the user's thigh.
[0022] To produce resistance during the backswing, the distal end
340 of the elastic cord 330 is anchored near the base of the golf
club. In one embodiment, the elastic cord is attached to a wrist
strap or glove worn by the user. In another embodiment, the cord is
attached directly to the golf club handle.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a specialized wrist strap for attaching the
distal end of the elastic resistance cord in accordance with the
present invention. In this embodiment, the elastic cord 401 is
attached to a strap 402 that is secured around the wrist. The wrist
strap 402 in turn has elastic loops 403 that hook over the fingers
to provide additional support to the hand during loading.
[0024] FIGS. 5A-5C show an attachment device for securing the
elastic cord to the handle of a golf club in accordance with the
present invention. FIG. 5A shows the device 500 unfolded. It is
comprised of a Velcro strap 501 fed through loops ends of a wire
502. One end of the Velcro strap 501 has a small hole 511 through
which the opposite end is fed, forming a loop as shown in FIG. 5B.
This Velcro loop is then fit over the end of a golf club handle
510, as shown in FIG. 5C. The wire loop 502 forms the attachment
point to which the elastic cord is connected.
[0025] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are merely examples.
Many configurations can be used to connect the elastic cord to
either the user's hand/wrist or the golf club handle. The essential
point is that resistance is applied close to where the hands grip
the club handle in order to provide the correct line of pull.
[0026] FIG. 6A shows a front view of the golf training device in
use in accordance with the present invention. The golf trainer 601
should be worn on the thigh that is contralateral to the backswing.
Therefore, for a right handed golfer who will swing back to the
right, the training device 601 is worn on the left thigh as shown
in FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 6A illustrates how the elastic cord 602 is pulled
across the body during a backswing. As explained above, the distal
end of the elastic cord is attached to golf club handle or to a
wrist band worn by the user. As the arms are drawn into the
backswing, the elastic cord initially pulls the lever 611 on the
golf trainer to the fully extended position where the lever stop
prevents further motion (see FIG. 6C). From this point on, the
remaining range of motion in the backswing is performed against the
increasing resistance of the elastic cord 602.
[0028] FIG. 6B shows an overhead view of a user performing a golf
backswing with the golf training device in accordance with the
present invention. As seen more clearly in this figure, the
extended lever 611 provides the proper angle of pull for the
elastic cord 602. Without this anchor point extended in front of
the user's body, the elastic cord would merely stretch around the
front of the body and restrict proper movement without applying the
proper resistance at the proper angle in the backswing. In one
embodiment of the invention, the length of the lever 611 can be
adjusted in order to customize the angle of pull according to the
height and limb length of the user.
[0029] FIG. 6C is a side view of the golf trainer that more clearly
shows how the lever 611 of the device extends in front of the body
to provide the proper angle of resistance during the backswing.
[0030] The resistance provided by the elastic cord causes increased
activation of muscles involved primarily in stabilizing the body
during the backswing, including the gluteal muscles, hamstrings,
abdominal muscles, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, and the small
paraspinal muscles that provide stability and proprioception to the
spine, among others. Without the proper activation of these muscles
and the stabilization they provide, the golfer cannot maintain
correct posture and form, resulting in the golf club not following
the proper return path to the ball during the forward swing. Lack
of muscle activation and stabilization also results in the
dissipation of potential energy stored in the muscles and tendons
during the backswing, thereby preventing that potential energy from
contributing to the power of the return swing.
[0031] The resistance provided by the elastic cord also reinforces
proper technique by providing a braking mechanism to the backswing.
The resistance exerted by an elastic cord necessarily increases in
proportion to the length the cord is stretched. Therefore, as the
user moves deeper into the backswing, the elastic cord provided
increasing resistance until it arrests the backward movement of the
club and user's arms. This aspect of the present invention is
especially important for beginners who may have problems
controlling the inertia of the golf club and are unable to stop the
club's backward movement at the proper point in the backswing. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cord can be
changed out with another in order to adjust the amount of
resistance. For example, a female golfer weighing 100 pounds would
not require the same amount of resistance as a 200 pound man, and
using too much resistance would in fact impair proper technique
rather than improve it.
[0032] While the present invention is described above primarily for
use in training a proper golf swing, it can in fact be applied to
other sporting movements as well. A close biomechanical cousin of
the golf swing is the two-hand backhand used in tennis. The
training device of the present invention provides the proper line
of pull to add resistance to the backswing of the backhand stroke.
However, due to the lighter weight and shorter lever arm of a
tennis racquet as compared to a golf club, a lighter-resistance
elastic cord would be used. The present invention also has
applications to sporting movements that do not involve a backswing,
e.g., shooting in basketball (requiring two devices for each
leg).
[0033] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous variations will be possible to the disclosed
embodiments without going outside the scope of the invention as
disclosed in the claims.
* * * * *