Many golf driving/practice ranges utilize artificial turf that requires less maintenance. However, artificial surfaces are less forgiving on the elbows and backs of gofers. Elbow support orthotics provide shock absorption to dampen the forces resulting from repetitive striking on the artificial surfaces and assist individuals who have tendinitis of the elbow. They act to dampen and absorb the forces from continual ground impact during the swing process. A posture corrector/back support helps encourage proper posture during a golf swing as well as providing additional back support during the swing. The posture corrector/back support is designed to gently pull your shoulders back for better alignment, which relieves pressure on taxed back muscles and provides better body alignment for an improved swing.
There are numerous past devices designed to aid golfers in developing more accurate and consistent golf swings. However, none of the previously available devices use orthotics to correctly align the arms, hips, back and the shoulders of a golfer while also enhancing a golfer’s swing.
The golf swing training aid of the present invention connects a golfer’s forearms and positions the dominant arm to their side thus ensuring a one piece takeaway that keeps the swing path and club on plane for a repeatable consistent golf swing. Connecting the elbow of a golfer’s dominant arm to the golfer’s side prevents straightening of the arm and therefor prevents casting of the club which is a power drain on the swing. It also prevent the arm from forming a “chicken wing” The term “chicken wing” refers to the appearance of the lead arm on players, which, after impact bends outward and resembles the wing of a chicken. A “chicken wing” promotes coming over the top resulting in a slice or the dreaded double cross pull hook. Thus, keeping the elbow connected to the side helps a golfer to retain the V in the dominant elbow which promotes lag and leverage through the strike. Lag and leverage in a swing requires less energy to produce a powerful swing and also allows the golfer to maintain a consistent and controlled swing path. Thus, the present invention prevents two major and common swing flaws which are coming over the top and casting the golf club. Both common flaws are fatal moves in the golf swing.
Additionally, the golf swing training aid of the present invention is also an excellent short game tool. By connecting both elbow supports 20, 35 to the hip connections on the back/posture support 100 and connecting both elbow supports by the elastic band 60, a stable chipping platform is established. By simply turning the shoulders with the connected device a repeatable chipping motion can be established. Distance is simply controlled by the amount of shoulder turn during the chipping motion. This motion creates the foundation for a solid, repeatable, and consistent chipping motion.
The present invention utilizes a combination of three orthotic support devices (20, 35, and 100) and at least two elastic bands (50, 55, and 60) to assist in the instruction of the golf swing. This device ensures the proper positioning of a golfers arms, hips, back and shoulders during the golf club swing, thereby enhancing the golfer’s ability to make accurate golf shots and prevent injury.
When the three orthotics devices (i.e., two elbow supports 20, 35 and a back/posture support 100) are connected by the at least two elastic bands (50, 55, 60) the device is a golf swing training aid. When the bands (50, 55, and 60) are not attached, the orthotic support devices (20, 35, and 100) are allowable during a round of golf.
Thus, the present invention allows players to wear approved orthotics during play. The attachment of the first (50) and second elastic bands (55 and/or 60)) to the orthotic supports (20, 35, 100) allows a golfer to keep the golf swing connected throughout the swing.
Elbow braces and supports are well known in the art. See, for example, US8979783B2; US5154690A; US4632106A; US4150442A; JP9285587A; JP2003286606A; US3322118 and US8118765B2. Typical elbow braces are made from stretch type fabric and are worn on the arm near the elbow joint for reducing pain in the elbow joint associated with conditions such as tennis elbow. They help improve the stability of the elbow joint, thereby reducing strain on the elbow joint and also reducing load on the biceps brachii tendon. If the motion of fully extending the elbow joint is repeated in a sports motion or the like, pain often occurs in the vicinity of the olecranon (the rear of the elbow joint). Inflammation of the joint capsule is often regarded as a factor of the pain. Further, a main motion muscle to bend the elbow joint is the biceps brachii muscle. In the biceps brachii muscle, if a flexion motion of the elbow joint due is excessively repeatedly performed, inflammation occurs in the biceps brachii tendon extending in front of the shoulder joint, thereby causing a pain. In particular, a load in an extension direction of the elbow joint (the eccentric contraction of the biceps brachii tendon) becomes an overload.
An elbow brace typically includes a tubular supporter main body which covers at least the upper and lower sides of the elbow joint of the arm of a wearer. Elbow braces typically also cover at least portions of at least one of the following muscles: biceps brachii muscle, the triceps brachii muscle, the brachioradial muscle, the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle, the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle, the flexor carpi radialis muscle and the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. Typically, an elbow brace extends about 2-6 inches above the fold of the elbow and from about 2 to 6 inches below the fold of the elbow.
Elbow supports (or brace) typically include a tubular sleeve of stretch fabric. Many contain an opening around the Olecranon. Some elbow supports include an adjustable tensioning strap and securing its end in place. Some elbow supports wrap around the elbow region and are fastened with closure means such as hook and loop. The tubular devices are typically a tubular sleeve of flexible material adapted to be slipped onto the arm over the hand and the sleeve is positioned in over the elbow joint. It is often difficult to maneuver the compressive elastic devices over the elbow joint. Thus, in a preferred embodiment the elbow support has a zipper type closure (21, 38) at one end so that the brace can easily slide over the arm and once zipped fits snugly to provide slight compression. See, for example,
The term “elbow support” as used herein means a device which is configured to generally conform to the elbow. The support snugly supports and encircles the arm either around the elbow or a device which snugly supports and encircles the arm around the elbow with an opening for the Olegranon. The elbow support acts in a slight compressive manner on the tendons and muscles supporting and surrounding the elbow. The elbow support covers at least portions at least one of the following muscles: biceps brachii muscle, the triceps brachii muscle, the brachioradial muscle, the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle, the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle, the flexor carpi radialis muscle and the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. The elbow support may be tubular or wrap around. The elbow support may be slightly bent to accommodate the folding of the elbow joint. Preferably the device is flexible. Preferably the device is neoprene or an elastic material.
Good posture requires the proper alignment of the spine. For example, when a person has good posture, his or her spine may be aligned into a gentle s-shaped curve. This curved shape distributes forces throughout the body and avoids excessive stress on any particular muscle, joint, or tendon. Proper posture and body alignment is an important factor in achieving a good golf swing. Back/posture supports are well known in the art. See, for example, US9456919. They are designed to provide back and shoulder support. The human spine is a vertebral column consisting of 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae. As shown in
By dominant “lead” elbow is meant the elbow on the side of the body which is in the direction of the target. By lead hip is meant the hip on the side of the body which is in the direction of the target. For left handed player this would typically be the right side elbow and the right hip and for right handed players this would typically be the left side elbow and the left hip. Thus, a right handed player would typically attach the strap from the left elbow support to the left hip such as seen in
When the second elastic band (55) is connected from the attachment point on the elbow support worn on the lead elbow to one of the side waist attachment points (16, 18) on the hip area on the lead side of the waist strap it restricts the elbow from rising too high to allow the club to come over the top or to be casted and ensures the “V” is maintained in the elbow to create the proper descending blow to the ball. The connection does not allow the club to be lifted and promotes the proper turning and rotation of the body to keep the club on plane for a more consistent swing and path to the ball.
The connection of the first elastic band (50) further connects the swing to promote a one piece takeaway. When the first elastic band is used in conjunction with at least one second elastic band (55 or 60) attached to at least one elbow brace, the two connections together work in tandem to promote a very consistent swing that stays on plane and eliminates inconsistencies that could possibly cause injury during the swing process.
A golfer may use the device 100 which is shown in
Attachment means may take the form of d-rings, ladder locks, tri-glides, buckles, or Velcro. Other adjustment mechanisms may also be used, and such alternatives will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means are d-rings such as, for example, elements 31 and 36 depicted in
In a preferred device the first elastic band (50) is 1 to 4 feet in length. Preferably the first elastic band (50) is 2 to 3 feet long and most preferably the first elastic band (50) is 3 feet in length. Preferably, the first elastic band (50) is from ½ to 3 inches wide. Preferably, the first elastic band (50) is 1 to 2 inches wide and most preferred is 1.5 inches wide. In a preferred device the waist strap (14) is about 3 to 8 inches wide. Most preferably, the waist strap (14) is about is 4 to 6 inches wide. In a preferred device the spinal support (5) is 3-8 inches wide and most preferred is 4-6 inches wide. In a preferred device the shoulder strap (10, 12) are from 1-3 inches wide. Most preferably the shoulder straps are 1-1.5 inches wide. In a preferred device the back/posture support can be adjusted in the front or back. Most preferably, the back/posture support is adjustable at the shoulder area for ease of adjustments.
The preferred elbow support is 7-11 inches long. Most preferred length is 8.5 to 9.5 inches long. Preferably, the elbow zipper (if present) is positioned on the top portion of the elbow support which is the widest portion of the elbow support to accommodate the biceps/triceps.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2021/047104 | 8/23/2021 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63070524 | Aug 2020 | US |