U.S. patent application number 12/302383 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-01 for swing alignment device.
Invention is credited to Lindsay H. Hinton, Stuart McPhie.
Application Number | 20100167830 12/302383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38778018 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100167830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hinton; Lindsay H. ; et
al. |
July 1, 2010 |
SWING ALIGNMENT DEVICE
Abstract
A swing alignment device (1) for assisting or training a golfer
to swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising: a
rod-like member (2); and a mounting member (3) for mounting to a
shaft (5) of a golf club (6), the mounting member providing a
support means (7) which supports the rod-like member on the
mounting member such that the rod-like member (2) extends
substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member
to slide relative to the support means (7). The mounting member (3)
is suitably adapted for mounting to the grip portion (4) on the
shaft of the golf club (6) and includes a grip engagement formation
(10) for placing against the grip portion of the shaft (5). The
support means for the rod-like member comprise at least one sleeve
through which the rod-like member (2) passes, whereby the rod-like
member is supported with its longitudinal axis closely laterally
spaced from the axis of the golf club shaft (5).
Inventors: |
Hinton; Lindsay H.;
(Queensland, AU) ; McPhie; Stuart; (Queensland,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALLEN, DYER, DOPPELT, MILBRATH & GILCHRIST P.A.
1401 CITRUS CENTER 255 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE, P.O. BOX 3791
ORLANDO
FL
32802-3791
US
|
Family ID: |
38778018 |
Appl. No.: |
12/302383 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
May 30, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU07/00753 |
371 Date: |
November 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/239 ;
473/238; 473/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2210/58 20130101;
A63B 69/3632 20130101; A63B 69/3685 20130101; A63B 2225/09
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/239 ;
473/238; 473/409 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2006 |
AU |
2006902954 |
Claims
1. A swing alignment device for assisting a golfer to swing with
the correct golf swing, the device comprising: a rod-like member;
and a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of a golf club, the
mounting member providing a support means which supports the
rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like
member extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the
rod-like member to slide relative to the support means.
2. The swing alignment device of claim 1, wherein the mounting
member is adapted for mounting to the grip portion on the shaft of
the golf club and includes a grip engagement formation for placing
against the grip portion of the shaft.
3. The swing alignment device of claim 2, wherein the grip
engagement formation enables a golfer to hold the mounting member,
and thereby the swing alignment device on the grip portion, when
the club is gripped in the normal way
4. The swing alignment device of claim 1 wherein the support means
for the rod-like member comprise at least one sleeve through which
the rod-like member passes, whereby the rod-like member is
supported with its longitudinal axis closely laterally spaced from
the axis of the golf club shaft.
5. The swing alignment device of claim 4 wherein the support means
may the rod-like member is slidingly received within the sleeve
with a minimal or only a small amount of clearance whereby the
rod-like member is free to slide relative to the sleeve.
6. The swing alignment device of claim 5 wherein the clearance for
and mass of the rod-like member are arranged such that, in use, the
rod-like member is permitted to slide when the club is correctly
elevated on a back swing.
7. The swing alignment device of claim 1 wherein the mounting
member further includes at least one bridging formation extending
between the rod-like member support means and the grip engagement
formation.
8. The swing alignment device of claim 7 wherein the mounting
member includes two bridging formations extending between the
support means for the rod-like member and the grip engagement
formation, wherein a first bridging formation is located towards
one end of the grip engaging element and a second bridging
formation is located towards an opposed end of the grip engagement
formation.
9. The swing alignment device of claim 8 wherein the mounting
member includes further grip engagement formations associated with
respective cross bridging formations; one grip engagement formation
comprises a notch or recess within which the shaft of the club can
be located or loosely received and a second grip engagement
formation comprising a cup shaped recess or socket within which an
upper end of the shaft of a club can be received.
10. The swing alignment device of claim 1 wherein the rod-like
member further includes stop formations towards each end thereof
for resisting the rod-like member from sliding off the mounting
means when it slides to and fro relative to the mounting means,
between first and second fully extended positions.
11. The swing alignment device of claim 10 wherein the rod-like
member has an impact absorbing element at one or both ends thereof
for cushioning the contact of the stop formation with the sleeve
when the rod-like member slides into either fully extended position
relative to the mounting means.
12. The swing alignment device of claim 1 wherein the rod-like
member may have a length greater than one half of the length of the
golf club, preferably comparable to that of the shaft of a golf
club.
13. The swing alignment device of claim 1 further including
retaining means for releasably retaining the rod-like member in a
desired longitudinal position relative to the mounting member and
associated club.
14. The swing alignment device of claim 13 wherein the retaining
means comprises locking means that can be used to lock the rod-like
member in one or more desired longitudinal positions relative to
the club.
15. The swing alignment device of claim 14 wherein the sleeve and
the rod-like member are provided in the form of inner and outer
telescoping elements that can slide relative to each other in one
orientation and, when rotated relative to each other, can be
releasably locked in said one or more desired positions.
16. A golf swing training device for assisting a golfer to swing
with the correct golf swing, the training device comprising: a
rod-like member; and a mounting member comprising a support member
and a sleeve for the rod-like member; said support member including
a grip engagement element that complements part of the
circumference of a grip portion of a golf club for mounting on the
club; said sleeve mounted on the support member and spaced from the
grip engagement element for supporting the rod-like member such
that, when mounted on the club, the rod-like member extends
substantially parallel to the shaft of the golf club, wherein the
sleeve is sized to permit the rod-like member to slide freely
relative to the support member; and said support member further
including at least two spaced bridging formations extending between
the sleeve and the grip engagement element for holding them in
lateral spaced relation to each other.
17. An assembly of a golf club and a swing alignment device for
practicing golf swings, said assembly comprising: a swing alignment
device for assisting a golfer with a golf swing and including a
rod-like member, and a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of a
golf club; and a golf club having a shaft comprising a grip portion
and an exposed shaft portion; wherein the mounting member of the
swing alignment device is mounted on the shaft of the golf club
such that the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the
shaft, and permits the rod-like member to slide relative thereto
with the axis of the rod-like member spaced a small distance away
from the axis of the shaft.
18. The assembly of club and device of claim 17 wherein the
mounting member is mounted on the grip portion of the golf club
shaft.
19. A method of practicing a golf swing, said method comprising:
mounting a swing alignment device to a golf club, the swing
alignment device including a rod-like member and a mounting member
for mounting to a shaft of the golf club, the mounting member
providing a support which supports the rod-like member on the
mounting member such that the rod-like member extends substantially
parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member to slide
relative to the support; swinging the assembly of golf club and
device to perform at least part of a normal golf swing; and
checking visually whether the rod-like member is pointed at a
desired line of the ball.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Australian Provisional
Application No. 2006902954 filed 31 May 2006, the content of which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a swing alignment device, and
relates particularly but not exclusively to a swing alignment
device that is a golf swing trainer to assist a golfer to swing a
golf club on the correct plane to hit the golf ball correctly.
[0004] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention
with reference to this example application. However at the same
time it is to be clearly understood that the invention is capable
of broader application. For example it could conceivably be used
for sports other than golf.
[0005] 2. Discussion of the Background Art
[0006] Golf is a very popular game played by male and females of
all ages around the world. The game requires a player known as a
golfer to hit a small ball known as a golf ball a number of times
to advance it from a tee to a green and then sink the golf ball in
a hole on the green.
[0007] In advancing the ball each time the golfer uses a golf club
to hit the ball to advance each time. In advancing the ball the
golfer performs a golf swing with the club which is a fairly
complicated movement of various parts of the body. These movements
need to be carried out in a co-ordinated fashion to even hit the
ball, far less hit the ball well (for a desired distance in a
direction toward the hole).
[0008] It will readily be appreciated therefore that golfers often
spend a lot of time working on improving and/or perfecting their
golf swing. It is not easy for a golfer to critically evaluate
their own swing while they themselves are swinging the club. Often
a golfer would enlist the help of a golf teacher to look at their
swing action and provide comments on how it could be improved.
While this way of improving one's golf swing is useful, it can be
very expensive. Also a golf teacher or golf professional ("pro") is
not always available to provide this comment.
[0009] Clearly therefore it would be advantageous if a training
device could be devised that could be used by a golfer to help them
swing on the correct plane. Such a device would be useful for
beginners to help them develop the correct technique in the first
place. The training device would also be useful for established
players, including highly skilled players, to assist them to check
their swing to make sure that it had not moved out of plane.
[0010] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of
suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common
general knowledge in Australia or any other country.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Object of the Invention
[0011] An object of the invention is to provide a swing alignment
device which is a useful tool for golfers around the world to use
to improve their golf game and/or keep it at a high level.
Preferably, the device would take the form of a golf swing training
device, which is relatively simple in use and thus beneficial to
both novices and seasoned golfers alike.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0012] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided
a swing alignment device for assisting a golfer to swing with the
correct golf swing, the device comprising:
[0013] a rod-like member; and
[0014] a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of a golf club,
the mounting member providing a support means which supports the
rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like
member extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the
rod-like member to slide relative to the support means.
[0015] The shaft of golf clubs generally comprise an exposed shaft
portion and a grip portion (or grip), and accordingly the mounting
member may be adapted for mounting to the grip portion of the golf
club.
[0016] The support means for the rod-like member may comprise at
least one sleeve through which the rod-like member passes. The
support means may comprise a sleeve within which the rod-like
member is slidingly received with a minimal or only a small amount
of clearance. Suitably, the sleeve assists in guiding the sliding
displacement of the rod-like member relative to the support means
whereby, when the swing alignment device is orientated in such a
way that gravity would tend to cause the rod-like member to slide
relative to the sleeve, it will be free to slide relative to the
sleeve.
[0017] Alternatively the support means for the rod-like member may
comprise two or more longitudinally spaced sleeves or rings or eye
formations through which the rod-like member is passed with a small
amount of clearance.
[0018] The rod-like member support means, for example the sleeve or
spaced eye formations, may support the rod-like member with its
longitudinal axis closely laterally spaced from the axis of the
golf club shaft. The lateral spacing between the rod-like member
and the shaft may be less than 200 mm, preferably less than 100
mm.
[0019] The mounting member may further include, in addition to the
support means for the rod-like member, a grip engagement formation
for placing against the grip portion of the shaft. The grip
engagement formation is configured to enable a golfer to hold the
mounting member and thereby the swing alignment device on the grip
portion when the hands of the golfer are passed around the grip
portion and the club gripped in the normal way.
[0020] The grip engagement formation may include an element shaped
to complement a portion of the grip portion which it engages in
use, so as to resemble the surface of the grip formation to a
golfer gripping the club. For example the complementary element may
be a strip curved so as to mimic the curve on the grip portion
against which it will lie.
[0021] The mounting member may yet further include at least one
bridging formation extending between the rod-like member support
means and the grip engagement formation, e.g. for holding the
support means and the grip engagement formation in fixed spatial
relation to one another.
[0022] The mounting member may include two bridging formations
extending between the support means for the rod-like member and the
grip engagement formation formed by the complementary element, e.g.
the curved strip element.
[0023] Preferably one bridging formation is located towards one end
of the grip engaging element, suitably positioned at a proximate or
upper end of the grip portion, and another bridging formation is
preferably located towards an opposed end of the grip engagement
formation, suitably positioned at a distal or lower end of the grip
portion.
[0024] Thus, in use, the swing alignment device may suitably be
held against the grip portion of a golf club by a golfer when they
grip the club in the normal way. The complementary element of the
grip engagement formation can lie against the grip portion and be
covered by the hands of a user as the user grips the club. The
rod-like member is desirably laterally spaced away from the grip
portion by the at least one bridging formation to provide hand
clearance. As the golfer takes up their stance, the rod-like member
extends parallel to the shaft and in said spaced relation with the
shaft.
[0025] When the golfer takes the club back on the back swing
portion of their swing the head of the club is raised above the
level of the grip portion and the rod-like member is permitted to
slide down relative to the sleeve towards the ground. Thus the
rod-like member is no longer is positioned alongside the shaft of
the club. Rather the rod-like member slides through the support
means and extends longitudinally from the grip portion away from
the shaft, pointing towards the ground much like a pointer.
[0026] If the rod-like member points at an imaginary line along
which the ball is desired to travel, then the golfer has the club
on a correct swing plane. If however the rod-like member points
either at a point outward of the ball on the ground or at the
golfer's feet, the club is on an incorrect swing plane. The user or
golfer is swinging either too upright or too flat, and the swing
alignment device indicates how they need to change the angle of
their swing plane. In this way the device can be used by a golfer
to swing correctly so that the swing plane of the club is always
pointing towards the ball.
[0027] The rod-like member support means, e.g. the sleeve(s), may
support the rod-like member such that it permits the rod-like
member to slide freely relative thereto if the swing alignment is
elevated, e.g. on a backswing. Typically this might be done by
providing the sleeve(s) with a small clearance for the rod-like
member and/or by avoiding using materials generating high friction
between the sleeve and the rod-like member. Most preferably the
clearance for and mass of the rod-like member are arranged such
that, in use, the rod-like member is permitted to slide when the
club is correctly elevated on a back swing.
[0028] The mounting member may include further grip engagement
formations in addition to the complementary element. There may be
two such further grip engagement formations, associated with
respective cross bridging formations. One grip engagement formation
may comprise a notch or recess within which the shaft of the club
can be located or loosely received. Another grip engagement
formation may comprise a cup shaped recess or socket within which
an upper end of the shaft of a club is received.
[0029] The further grip engagement formations may be attached to
the club at respectively the upper end of the grip portion and
towards the lower end of the grip.
[0030] The rod-like member may further include stop formations
towards each end thereof for resisting the rod-like member from
sliding off the mounting means when it slides to and fro relative
to the mounting means, between first and second fully extended
positions.
[0031] The rod-like member may have an impact absorbing element,
e.g. a washer made of soft material, at one or both ends thereof
for cushioning the contact of the stop formation with the
associated end of the sleeve when the rod-like member slides into a
fully extended position relative to the mounting means.
[0032] The rod-like member may have a length greater than one half
of the length of the golf club. The length of the rod-like member
may be comparable to that of the shaft of a golf club.
[0033] The rod-like member may be made of a light material. In one
form the rod-like member is made of a hollow tubular metallic
material, e.g. aluminium. Alternatively, the rod-like member may be
made of a plastics material, e.g. plastics suitable for use in
injection moulding. It is desirable that the device not be too
heavy in comparison with the typical weight of a normal golf club,
so as not to interfere with feel of a golf swing with the club.
[0034] The device may further include means for releasably
retaining the rod-like member in a desired longitudinal position
relative to the mounting member and associated club. Preferably the
retaining means comprises locking means that can be used to lock
the rod-like member in any desired position relative to the
club.
[0035] The releasable retaining means may comprise a clamp, e.g. a
clamping formation displaced by a screw threaded shaft, passing
through the sleeve that can be rotated to bring the clamping
formation into engagement with the rod-like member.
[0036] The releasable retaining means may also include providing
the sleeve and the rod-like member in the form of inner and outer
telescoping elements that can slide relative to each other in one
orientation and then when rotated relative to each other can be
releasably locked in a desired position.
[0037] Further, in an alternative rudimentary form, the retaining
means may comprise a cut in the sleeve and a groove in the rod-like
member and a pin that passes through both the cut and groove to
hold the sleeve and groove locked together. In a still further
alternative, the stop formations may be arranged, e.g. by using
chamfered portions, to wedge the rod-like member during slight
over-extension to retain the rod-like member in either of the first
or second fully extended positions.
[0038] In one particularly preferred form the impact absorbing
elements may also function to resiliently hold the rod-like member
in either of the first and second fully extended positions, e.g. by
using washers which are moveable along the rod-like member and can
resiliently grip said member. However a limitation of these
alternative forms of retaining means is that the rod-like member
and sleeve can only be locked in one or perhaps two positions
relative to each other.
[0039] The releasable retraining means can optionally be used to
modify a golf club that is a putter to resemble a belly putter.
This can be used to improve a golfer's putting technique.
[0040] According to another aspect of this invention there is
provided a golf swing training device for assisting a golfer to
swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising:
[0041] a rod-like member; and
[0042] a mounting member comprising a support member and a sleeve
for the rod-like member; [0043] said support member including a
grip engagement element that complements part of the circumference
of a grip portion of a golf club for mounting on the club; [0044]
said sleeve mounted on the support member and spaced from the grip
engagement element for supporting the rod-like member such that,
when mounted on the club, the rod-like member extends substantially
parallel to the shaft of the golf club, wherein the sleeve is sized
to permit the rod-like member to slide freely relative to the
support member; and [0045] said support member further including at
least two spaced bridging formations extending between the sleeve
and the grip engagement element for holding them in lateral spaced
relation to each other.
[0046] According to yet another aspect of this invention there is
provided an assembly of a golf club and a swing alignment device
comprising:
[0047] a swing alignment device according to the first aspect of
the invention described above; and
[0048] a golf club having a shaft comprising a grip portion and an
exposed shaft portion;
[0049] wherein the mounting member of the swing alignment device is
mounted on the shaft of the golf club such that the rod-like member
extends substantially parallel to the shaft, with the axis of the
rod-like member spaced a small distance away from the axis of the
shaft.
[0050] Preferably the mounting member is mounted on the grip
portion of the golf club shaft.
[0051] The swing alignment device may further comprise one or more
of the preferred features thereof described above with respect to
the first aspect of the invention.
[0052] The invention also extends to a method of practising a golf
swing comprising the steps of:
[0053] mounting a swing alignment device according to the first
aspect of the invention above to a golf club;
[0054] swinging the assembly golf club and device to perform at
least part of a normal golf swing; and
[0055] checking visually whether the rod-like member is pointed at
a desired line of the ball.
[0056] The golf club may be a long iron, a middle iron or a short
iron. The golf club may also be a wood, e.g. a driver. The golf
club may further be a putter.
[0057] The expression "substantially parallel" is herein intended
to cover angles of up to approximately 5 degrees from the
parallel.
BRIEF DETAILS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] A swing alignment device or a golf swing trainer in
accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of
forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter provide a detailed
description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0059] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of a swing alignment
device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0060] FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of the swing alignment
device of FIG. 1 mounted on a golf club that is a golf iron;
[0061] FIG. 3 is a three dimensional view of a backswing of a
golfer swinging an iron in a correct plane, with the alignment
device of FIG. 1 mounted thereto;
[0062] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of the follow through of
the swing of FIG. 3;
[0063] FIG. 5 is a three dimensional view of a backswing of a
golfer swinging an iron in a plane that is too flat, with the
alignment device of FIG. 1 mounted thereto;
[0064] FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of the follow through of
the swing in FIG. 5 again showing that the swing is too flat;
[0065] FIG. 7 is a three dimensional view of a backswing of a
golfer swinging an iron with a backswing in a plane that is too
steep, with the alignment device of FIG. 1 mounted thereto;
[0066] FIG. 8 is a three dimensional view of the follow through of
the swing in FIG. 7 again showing that the swing is too steep;
[0067] FIG. 9 is a three dimensional view of an initial take away
from the set up position or stance, showing the golfer's wrists
being cocked to open the club face;
[0068] FIG. 10 is a three dimensional view of an initial take away
from the set up position, showing how the club cannot be taken away
properly if the wrists are not cocked to open the club face;
[0069] FIG. 11 is a three dimensional view showing the golfer
taking up a setup position or stance ready to perform a chip
shot;
[0070] FIG. 12 shows the golfer performing the chip shot setup in
FIG. 11, shortly after impact with the ball;
[0071] FIG. 13 shows the follow through after the golfer has
performed the chip shot of FIGS. 11 and 12;
[0072] FIG. 14 is a three dimensional view of the swing alignment
device mounted to a conventional putter gripped by a golfer, to
mimic a belly putter showing the back swing of the putting
stroke;
[0073] FIG. 15 is a three dimensional view showing the follow
through of the putting stroke shown in FIG. 14;
[0074] FIG. 16 is an oblique view of a mounting member of a golf
swing training device in accordance with a second embodiment;
[0075] FIG. 17 is a side view of the mounting member of the golf
swing training device of FIG. 16; and
[0076] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the mounting member of the golf
swing training device of FIG. 16.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0077] The purpose of providing this detailed description is to
instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the
invention how to put the invention into practice. It is to be
clearly understood however that the specific nature of this
detailed description does not supersede the generality of the
preceding statements disclosing the invention.
[0078] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a swing alignment device that is a
golf swing trainer for golfers in accordance with an embodiment of
this invention. In the drawings reference numeral 1 refers
generally to the swing alignment device.
[0079] The swing alignment device 1 comprises a rod-like member 2
and a mounting member 3 for mounting to the grip 4 of a club 6. The
mounting member 3 includes a rod member support means in the form
of a sleeve 7 for supporting the rod-like member 2. The sleeve 7
does this with the rod-like member 2 extending substantially
parallel to the shaft 5 of the club 6. The sleeve 7 is sized to
receive the rod-like member 2 therethrough with a small amount of
clearance to permit the rod-like member 2 to slide down freely
relative to the support member 3 when the device is lifted up.
[0080] The rod-like member 2 is slim and elongate in configuration,
and approximates the length of a golf club shaft as shown in FIG.
2. The rod-like member 2 should be reasonably light weight and
conveniently can have a hollow tubular configuration and be made of
a metallic material, such as aluminium. The mounting member 3 also
includes a grip engagement element 10 in the form of a sheet of
material with a slightly curved shape. The inside surface of the
engagement element 10 is concave to fit snugly over the rounded
grip portion 4 of the golf club 6. The outside surface of the sheet
has a complementary convex formation that mimics the shape of the
outer surface of the handle or grip portion 4. A golfer's hands can
thus pass over this outer surface as they grip the club 6. The
element 10 of the embodiment has a length of about 200-300 mm and
extends substantially along the length of the grip 4 of the golf
club 6.
[0081] The mounting member 3 further includes two bridging
formations 14, 15 extending between the sleeve 7 and the grip
engagement element 10. These support the sleeve 7 in the
appropriate spatial position relative to the element 10, thereby
providing necessary space for the golfer's hands.
[0082] The mounting member 3 yet further includes further grip
engagement formations towards each end of the element 10. One such
further grip engagement formation comprises a socket 20 which
receives an upper end of the grip portion 4 of the golf club 6
therein. The other formation comprises a recess or notch 21 within
which the grip portion 4 is received towards its lower end. The
socket and notch 20, 21 may be formed by extensions of the bridging
formations 14 and 15.
[0083] The rod-like member 2 has stop formations 26 and 28 at each
end thereof that are sized larger than the sleeve 7 and that stop
the rod-like member 2 from falling off the sleeve 7. They limit
movement of the rod-like member 2 relative to the mounting member 3
between a first fully extended position shown in FIG. 2 and a
second fully extended position shown in FIG. 3, as described in
more detail below. The stop formations 26, 28 may further include
washers of soft material 34 to cushion the contact between the stop
formations 26 and 28 and the sleeve 7 and reduce the attendant
noise.
[0084] The swing alignment device 1 further includes a retaining
means, here in the form of a clamp 22, for releasably locking the
rod-like member 2 in a certain position relative to the mounting
member 3 for use in the manner that will be described hereinafter
below. In the illustrated embodiment this clamp is located on
bridging formation 15 and comprises a cut (not shown) in the sleeve
7 which surrounds the rod-like member 2. It also comprises a groove
or recess (not visible) in the rod-like member 2 and a pin or clip
23 which can be passed through the slit and the groove at the same
time to lock the rod-like member 2 in position relative to the
sleeve 7.
[0085] The mounting member 3 including the grip engagement element
10, the bridging formations 14, 15 and the sleeve 7 are suitably
made of a metallic material. Conveniently this material may be mild
steel or aluminium.
[0086] FIG. 2 shows the swing alignment device mounted on a golf
club 6 that is a middle iron. The mounting member 3 is placed over
the grip 4 of the golf club 6 and the rod-like member 2 is spaced
away from the grip 4, but otherwise extends parallel to the grip 4
and associated golf club shaft 5. The mounting member 3 is disposed
"underneath" the club, wherein the bridging formations 14, 15
extend in an opposite direction to that of the club head.
[0087] As is shown in the drawings the upper or free end of the
grip portion 4 is received within the socket 20 on the first
bridging formation 14. Further the grip portion 4 is located in the
recess 21 on the second bridging formation 15 towards the lower end
of the grip. The mounting member 3 is positioned, in this example
on the middle iron, such that the rod-like member 2 is laterally
spaced from the shaft 5 in a direction generally opposite to that
in which the club head 8 extends from the shaft 5 of the club.
[0088] The rod-like member 2 is shown extending along the length of
the club shaft 5 in a first fully extended position. It is
important to appreciate that the rod-like member is free to move
relative to the grip 4 and mounting member 3. This movement will
happen when the swing alignment device 1 is lifted up with the club
6 elevated.
[0089] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the swing alignment device 1 in use by a
golfer for practising a part of their golf swing, in this instance
a back swing portion and a follow through portion with the iron
club 6, wherein the golfers arms rise no higher than broadly
parallel with the ground on either portions of the swing. FIG. 3
shows the position of the club 6 and attached device 1 at or near
the top of the back swing portion of the golfer's practice swing.
In this raised position the rod-like member 2 has slid from the
first fully extended position (shown in FIG. 2) to a second fully
extended position, where the rod-like member 2 extends out beyond
the first bridging formation 14 and the free or upper end of the
grip portion 4. The rod-like member in the second fully extended
position thus forms a notional extension of the support member 3
and the golf club shaft 5. Further, the golfer can check whether
the rod-like member 2 is substantially parallel with the ground at
the top of their back swing.
[0090] FIG. 3 shows the rod-like member 2 pointing towards a golf
ball 30 on the ground and the line 32 along which the golf ball 30
is to travel. In the drawing, the rod-like member 2 points directly
at this line 32 and this is a sign that the swing plane and club
positioning is correct.
[0091] Similarly FIG. 4 shows the follow through portion of the
golfer's practice swing. Even though the position of the club has
moved forward of the body the rod-like member 2 has moved to a
second fully extended position and still points at the line 32 of
the ball as with FIG. 3.
[0092] FIG. 5 shows a backswing where the golfer has positioned the
club 6 in the incorrect swing plane. The swing plane is too flat,
the club head is insufficiently elevated and the rod-like member 2
has, as a result, has failed to slide from the first fully extended
position down through the sleeve 7. This failure together with the
fact that the rod-like member 2 points above or outwardly of the
ball shows the golfer that their swing is incorrect.
[0093] FIG. 6 shows the follow through portion of the same golf
swing shown in FIG. 5. Again the rod-like member 2 has failed to
slide down through the sleeve 7 like it is meant to do as shown in
FIG. 4. The swing plane is too flat and is incorrect.
[0094] FIG. 7 shows another example of a backswing where the golfer
is swinging the club incorrectly. In this case the rod-like member
2 has slid down relative to support member 3 like it is meant to
do. However the golfer's swing plane is too upright and
consequently the rod-like member 2 points down near to the feet of
the golfer. It does not point at the ball 30 and the desired line
of the ball 32 like it is meant to do.
[0095] FIG. 8, which shows the follow through from the swing of
FIG. 7, similarly shows the rod-like member 2 extended to the
second fully extended position, but pointing inwardly of the ball
down near to feet of the golfer instead of the line of the
ball.
[0096] FIGS. 9 and 10 show how the swing alignment device 1 can be
used to train a golfer to break or cock their wrists at the take
away of the back swing. In this use, the mounting member 3 is
positioned on the grip 4 of the club 6 such that the rod-like
member 2 is laterally spaced from the shaft 5 in generally the same
direction as the head 8 extends. This positioning of the swing
training device 1 on the topside of the grip means that cocking of
the golfer's wrists is the only way they can get the club back and
up to the top of the backswing when the device 1 is mounted on the
club 6.
[0097] FIG. 9 shows the golfer cocking their wrists to open the
face of club head 8 and this moves the upper end of the device,
including the sleeve 7 and bridging formation 14 out of the way of
the golfer's arms. This permits the golfer to take the club 6 up to
the top of the backswing. Thus the practice swing illustrated in
FIG. 9 shows a golfer how cocking or opening their wrists on the
back swing permits the club to be taken back correctly.
[0098] By contrast in FIG. 10, the golfer has not cocked their
wrists and the face of the club head 8 is still closed. If the
wrists are not opened the top of the swing training device 1 bears
up against the inside of the left arm of the user. Thus the golfer
cannot take the club 6 back because the mounting member 3 gets in
the way of the golfer's outside arm. This way the device or trainer
trains a golfer to cock their wrists and open the club face at the
take away.
[0099] FIGS. 11 to 13 show the swing alignment device of FIG. 1
being used as a trainer by a golfer to practise the chipping shot.
For this exercise the rod-like member 2 is extended relative to the
support member to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is then
locked in this position. This is done with the clamp 22 mentioned
above, which here comprises a screw threaded shaft passing through
the sleeve 3 that can be rotated to bring a clamping formation (not
visible) into engagement with the rod-like member 2. This
notionally adds to the length of the club 6, instead of
substantially overlapping the length of the shaft 5 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0100] With the rod-like member 2 extended and passing across the
front thigh and side of the golfer, the golfer is encouraged to
adopt the correct stance for chipping a golf ball 30. That is the
golfer's hands in the correct stance should adopt a forward
position relative to the ball. The rod-like member assists the
golfer to maintain their wrists substantially locked while
performing the follow through, since the member 2 engages the
golfer's side if the wrists are unlocked.
[0101] FIG. 11 shows the rod-like member 2 up against the outer
thigh portion of the golfer's leg when addressing the ball with the
club head 8. FIG. 12 shows the golfer at or shortly after impact
with the ball 30, and FIG. 13 shows the follow through portion of
the swing. During the follow through, the golfer should not break
their wrists and keep their hands well forward of the body.
[0102] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the swing alignment device 1 in use
mounted on a conventional putter 36 to mimic a belly putter. The
mounting member 3 is mounted to the grip 4 of a putter in the same
way as described above with reference to the iron club of FIG. 2,
except that the mounting member is arranged on the top side of the
club, i.e. extending outwardly in the direction of the club
head.
[0103] The rod-like member 2 is then extended up from the mounting
member 3 a certain distance until its upper end brushes against the
belly of the golfer. It is then releasably clamped in this position
using the clamp 22 described above with reference to FIG. 1. The
putter 36 can then be used as a belly putter by the golfer while
they practise their putting. FIG. 15 shows the follow through
portion of the swing after the ball 30 has been struck by the
putter 36.
[0104] It is widely acknowledged amongst golf coaches that a belly
putter is the easiest style of putter with which to putt
accurately. It is able to reproduce an accurate pendulum like
swinging motion better than other types of putters which are more
dependent on a disciplined movement of the hands together with the
putter without any wrist movement.
[0105] Thus with this device a golfer can practise their putting
with the assistance of the belly putter feature and groove their
putting stroke. Then when they get onto the golf course to play a
round, the golfer can reproduce the putting stroke produced by the
belly putter with their normal putter.
[0106] A mounting member 40 of a swing alignment device in
accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18. The mounting member includes a sleeve 44
for telescopically supporting a rod-like member 42 therein (as
shown partially in FIG. 16) and bridge formations 46, 48 at
respective ends of the sleeve 44. The sleeve has an internal
diameter of about 13 mm, whilst the rod-like member has an outside
diameter of about 12 mm, to provide the desired free sliding
engagement therebetween.
[0107] The bridge formations 46, 48 extend between the sleeve 44
and a grip engagement element 50, which element is curved to mimic
the shape of the grip portion of a golf club. A first bridge
formation 46 further includes a grip engagement formation in the
form of a recess 52 shaped in a "U" to loosely receive a distal end
of the grip portion. A second bridge formation 48 further includes
a grip engagement formation in the form of a socket 54, within
which a proximate or free end of the grip portion of the golf club
shaft is received. The bridge and grip engagement formations are
configured to locate the rod-like member 42 substantially parallel
to the shaft of a golf club and spaced a distance of about 100 mm
from the shaft.
[0108] A soft rubber washer 34 mounted on the rod-like member 42
can resiliently grip the member and be manually moveable therealong
to a desired position. Thus it will be appreciated that the washer
can resiliently hold the rod-like member in either of the first and
second fully extended positions, as described above.
[0109] The mounting member 40 of the second embodiment is composed
of plastics material, suitably fibre reinforced synthetic polymers
such as 30% glass fibre filled nylon 6-6, by way of injection
moulding. It has been found that the moulded component is more
easily released or separated from the mould if the socket 54
includes cut-out sections 56, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.
Stiffener ribs 58 have been added to the inside face of each of the
bridge formations 46, 48 to ameliorate distortion found to occur
with the plastics construction of the mounting member, especially
when the rod-member 42 moves between its first and second fully
extended positions.
[0110] An advantage of a golf swing trainer of the embodiments, as
described above with reference to the drawings, is that it can be
used by any golfer to help them swing the golf club on the correct
plane. If their swing plane is too upright the trainer will tell
them this by having the rod-like member pointing inwardly of the
ball nearer to the golfer's feet. Similarly if their swing plane is
too flat the rod-like member will point at a spot on the ground
outwardly of the desired line of the ball. Further the rod-like
member might not even slide down out of the sleeve towards the
ground.
[0111] In this way the golfer can use the trainer to check their
swing plane while they are practising on their own. They don't need
another person to look at their swing in order to analyse and
report on their form. The applicant believes that this feature in
particular offers considerable benefits to users of the
trainer.
[0112] A further advantage of the trainer described above is that
it is mechanically simple and can be produced at low cost. It is
not reliant on complex computers, electronics or any electrical
supply. On the contrary it is a simple mechanical device with few
moving parts. Thus it will be able to be supplied to the market at
reasonable cost and be affordable to all golfers.
[0113] A still further advantage of the trainer is that it can be
used for a number of different exercises. It has utility in helping
a golfer to perform a full swing on the correct swing plane. This
covers a swing with a wood, a swing with a long iron and a swing
with a short iron. While the golf swing is basically the same for
all these clubs the applicant makes the point that a single trainer
can be used on all of these clubs. It can be fitted to all these
clubs and finds utility on all these clubs.
[0114] Yet further the trainer can be used to train a golfer to
chip the ball correctly. It trains them to keep the hands forward
of the body during the swing and particularly the follow through.
In addition the trainer can be fitted to a regular putter to make
it mimic a belly putter. Then the golfer can practice putting with
a pure pendulum swing that is encouraged and fostered by the belly
putter.
[0115] It will of course be realised that the above has been given
only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all
such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to
persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad
scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth and defined in
the claims which follow.
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