Patent Application
20250205579
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a golf swing training device.
Learning how to correctly swing a golf club poses significant challenges, particularly for beginners. The golf swing requires the coordination of multiple body movements, precise timing, and adherence to specific body mechanics. Achieving the ideal swing involves a complex interplay of hands, arms, shoulders, hips, and legs. Such coordination and synchronization can be difficult to grasp for individuals who have limited experience with these movements.
Furthermore, developing muscle memory for a consistent and efficient golf swing takes time and practice. Novice players often struggle to understand and implement the proper techniques, resulting in inconsistency and frustration. The learning curve for mastering a correct golf swing is steep, and it typically requires extensive instruction, practice, and feedback to achieve proficiency, usually over the span of months or years.
Many novice golf players face challenges when it comes to dedicating sufficient time to practice and accessing golf courses or professional instructors. The constraints of time and limited availability of resources can impede their ability to acquire valuable practice time at a golf range or course.
The foregoing difficulties demonstrate a need for a device that offers users at-home or off-course opportunities to gain experience, develop proper technique, build conditioning, and enhance muscle memory.
The golf swing trainer device according to the embodiments described herein addresses the above-described difficulties associated with learning how to swing a golf club and expedites the path to proficiency. This is because the device is configured to assist the user in mimicking the position of the golf club in real life. Embodiments of the present invention disclose a golf swing trainer device, comprising an elongated body constructed of a resilient and elastic material and a pair of handles.
In one embodiment, the elongated body forms a curved U-shaped member comprising an arch and a pair of arms extending axially from respective ends of the arch. Each of the arms includes an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion. A plurality of grooves are arranged along the arch to increase flexibility of the U-shaped member.
In one embodiment, the U-shaped member comprises: (i) an arch having an apex, a first upper arm, and a second upper arm, the first and second upper arms extending axially from the apex to respective ends of the arch; and (ii) a first lower arm and a second lower arm, the first and second lower arms extending radially from the respective ends of the arch.
In one embodiment, the plurality grooves includes at least one groove located at the apex of the arch and two grooves oppositely positioned at the respective ends of the arch. The plurality of grooves are configured and sized to increase flexibility of the U-shaped member at the apex and respective ends of the arch.
In one embodiment, at least one groove is positioned at or about where the upper arm meets the lower arm.
In one embodiment, the plurality of grooves are sized and spaced apart sufficiently to enable bending of the U-shaped member into a coiled shape.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises articulating joints for pivotally connecting each of the handles to the elongated body. A first articulating joint pivotally connects the first handle to the lower end of a first lower arm and a second articulating joint pivotally connects the second handle to the lower end of a second lower arm.
In one embodiment, the first and second articulating joints are configured to rotate along one axis from straight to nearly completely folded.
In one embodiment, the articulating joints are clevis joints configured for up to 180-degree rotation along one axis. In particular, the clevis joints allow the handles to pivot or swing from an aligned position, where it is along the same axis as the elongated body, to a perpendicular position relative to the elongated body.
In one embodiment, the first articulating joint is a clevis joint comprising an axially extending first tang connected to the first lower arm of the elongated body, an axially extending first clevis connected to the first handle, and a pivot pin configured to align through associated holes in the first tang and first clevis to pivotally interconnect the first tang and first clevis. Similarly, the second articulating joint is a clevis joint comprising an axially extending second tang connected to the second lower arm of the elongated body, an axially extending second clevis connected to the second handle, and a pivot pin configured to align through associated holes in the second tang and second clevis to pivotally interconnect the second tang and second clevis.
In one embodiment, the first handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, wherein the upper connector portion is the first clevis of the first articulating joint. Similarly, the second handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, wherein the upper connector portion is the second clevis of the second articulating joint.
In one embodiment, the articulating joints are ball joints configured to rotational freedom along three axes and from about 30-degrees to 45-degrees along each axis.
In one embodiment, the first articulating joint is a ball joint comprising an axially extending first ball stud connected to the first lower arm of the elongated body, and an axially extending first socket connected to the first handle. Similarly, the second articulating joint is a ball joint comprising an axially extending second ball stud connected to the second lower arm of the elongated body, and an axially extending second socket connected to the second handle. The first ball stud is pivotally connected to the first socket, enabling rotational movement between the first ball stud and the first socket. Similarly, the second ball stud is pivotally connected to the second socket, enabling rotational movement between the second ball stud and the second socket.
In one embodiment, the first handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, wherein the upper connector portion is the first socket of the first articulating joint. Similarly, the second handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, wherein the upper connector portion is the second socket of the second articulating joint.
In one or more embodiments, additional hinges are provided for 360-degree axial rotation of the handles.
In one or more embodiments, a lower hinge is provided between the gripping portion and the upper connector portion of the handles. The lower hinge is configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the gripping portion relative to the upper connector portion.
In one or more embodiments, an upper hinge is provided between the lower end of the lower arms of the elongated body and an upper base portion of the tangs. The upper hinge is configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the upper base portion of the tangs relative to the lower end of the lower arms.
In one or more embodiments, an upper hinge is provided between a lower end of the lower arms of the elongated body lower arm and an upper end of the ball studs. The upper hinge is configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the upper end of the ball studs relative to the lower end of the lower arms.
In one embodiment, the elongated body has a length from about 30 inches to about 50 inches.
In one embodiment, the elongated body has a thickness from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches.
In one embodiment, the elongated body is at least substantially hollow. The at least substantially hollow elongated body has a generally tubular shape or other shape.
In one embodiment, the elongated body has a generally rod-like shape and is at least substantially solid.
At least one specification heading is required. Please delete this heading section if it is not applicable to your application. For more information regarding the headings of the specification, please see MPEP 608.01 (a).
The accompanying figures illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes that the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. The presentation of reference numerals within parentheses indicates that the mentioned reference numerals appears in a figure other than the figure(s) under discussion or are disclosed in an embodiment not presented in the figures.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a golf swing trainer device 10 according to one or more embodiments. Device 10 comprises an elongated body 12 and a pair of handles (i.e., a first handle 20 and a second handle 21). Elongated body 12 extends from a first end 13 to a second end 14. Throughout the figures, first end 13 corresponds to the lower end or tip of first handle 20 and second end 14 corresponds to the lower end or tip of second handle 21.
In one embodiment, as shown in each of
In one embodiment, first lower arm 12d extends axially from first upper arm 12b, and second lower arm 12e extends axially from second upper arm 12c.
While the elongated body 12 has been described as having a U-shape, elongated body 12 may also have a straight orientation or other shape, as desired. In an embodiment in which elongated body has a straight (yet bendable) shape, a midpoint corresponding to the apex described above is provided. In this embodiment, extending axially from opposite directions from the midpoint are first and second upper arms (corresponding to parts 12b and 12c). Similarly, first and second lower arms (12d, 12e) extend axially, from opposite directions, from lower ends of the first and second upper arms (12b, 12c), respectively. Other features of the other embodiments described herein (which are not inconsistent with a straight orientation of such elongated body 12) may be adopted in connection with this embodiment.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, elongated body 12 is preferably molded into a unitary structure constructed from an injection foam or plastic and having an elastic and resilient structure with grasping handles 20 and 21. The grasping handles may be molded to face inward 32, outward 34, forward 36 or backward or downward 38, or at any other angle. In this embodiment, as shown in
In the figures, three grooves or notches (19a, 19b, and 19c) are shown along the inner side 17 of elongated body 12. Groove 19a is at the apex of arch 12a. As described above, between grooves 19a and 19b is first upper arm 12b of arch 12a, and between grooves 19a and 19c is second upper arm 12c of arch 12a. Groove 19b is at (or about) the junction where first lower arm 12d extends axially from the lower end of first upper arm 12b. First lower arm 12d terminates with a T-shaped end cap 31a having an upper base portion and a lower projection or stub/tang 32a (in one embodiment, as shown in
Elongated body 12 is configured to facilitate various exercises while maintaining structural integrity through repeated bending, twisting, and coiling, without sustaining structural damage or loss of functionality. Elongated body 12 is configured to bend or twist the above-described pairs of upper and lower arms and the handle in various directions, as shown in the figures.
Elongated body 12 comprises a flexible and resilient rod, tube or other shaped structure constructed from materials, including, but not limited to, rubber, synthetic rubber, latex, silicone, resilient polymers (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)), composite materials, or alloys (e.g., spring steel), or combinations thereof. In the figures, elongated body 12 has a substantially rod-like shape, with a flattened inner curve (e.g., concave side 17) and a plurality of grooves/notches 19.
Reference herein to “substantially solid” or “substantially hollow” is intended to convey that, in addition to embodiments in which elongated body 12 is entirely solid or entirely hollow (with the exception of endpoints 31a and 31b, for instance), other embodiments are contemplated in which elongated body 12 is any of one semi-solid, made of porous materials, contains internal ribs, or has a lattice structure, or a combination thereof.
In one embodiment, a plurality of grooves 19a, 19b and 19c are provided along the length of elongated body 12 to increases its range of motion or flexibility by introducing areas of weakness or reduced stiffness. As is known in the art, when a force is applied to a flexible rod-shaped body (for instance), it tends to resist bending or deformation. These grooves create points of stress concentration, which allow elongated body 12 to bend or flex more easily at those specific locations. Specifically, this concentration of stress effectively weakens the material locally, making it more susceptible to bending or deformation compared to the surrounding areas. Strategically placing such grooves along the length of elongated body 12 provides control over the distribution and magnitude of bending or flexibility. The number, size, and spacing of the grooves determine the overall flexibility and range of motion of elongated body 12. As described above, three grooves are shown in the figures (i.e., 19a, 19b and 19c). However, the number of grooves may be increased or decreased as desired, with more grooves generally resulting in increased flexibility as compared with fewer grooves.
In one embodiment, a range of lengths is provided for elongated body 12 to accommodate varying body types of adult males and females. As would be readily understood from
In one embodiment, elongated body 12 has a thickness/diameter in the range of from about 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) to about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters).
In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, first and second handles 20 and 21 include a plurality of ribs or ridges 22, which provide enhanced grip and tactile feedback, making it easier for the user to hold and handle device 10. As is readily known in the art, these ridges are often configured to increase friction and prevent slippage during use.
In one embodiment, handles 20 and 21 include a cover sleeve having rides 22 that is secured to an inner core portion of the respective handle. In this embodiment, the sleeve is composed from the same or different material than the core portion of the handles.
In one embodiment, end cap 31a is attached to first lower arm 12d via an internal hinge (not shown). The hinge is indicated in
In one embodiment, end points 31a and 31b have a composition of metal or hard plastic, or a combination thereof. However, other suitable materials may be used in constructions of end points 31a and 31b.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, articulating joint 30b is a mirror of the aforementioned articulating joint 30a. (The phrase “is a mirror of” should be understood as meaning the configuration of articulating joint 30b is identical to the configuration of articulating joint 30a, and thus does not require repeating. Nonetheless, the following description of articulating joint 30b is provided for sake of completeness.) Accordingly, as shown in
In one embodiment, the aforementioned clevis joints 30a and 30b are configured to rotate along a back-and-forth or linear path, covering an arc of up to 180 degrees.
Reference numerals 20 and 21 each point to a “lower base portion” or “gripping portion” of their respective handle. Accordingly, there is support for reference to the “lower base portion” or “gripping portion” of the handles. However, it should be understood that numerals 20 and 21 are intended to refer to their respective handles in their entirety, unless otherwise stated.
In one embodiment, handle 20 comprises the aforementioned gripping portion and clevis 34a, which are attached via an internal hinge (not shown). The hinge is indicated in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, articulating joint 40b is a mirror of the aforementioned articulating joint 40a. (The phrase “is a mirror of” should be understood as meaning the configuration of articulating joint 40b is identical to the configuration of articulating joint 40a, and thus does not require repeating. Nonetheless, the following description of articulating joint 40b is provided for sake of completeness.) Accordingly, as shown in
The ball studs (41 and 41b) and sockets (44a and 44b) are made from any suitable materials, such as, but not limited to, metals, hard plastics, composites, or combinations thereof.
A clevis joint (e.g., 30a and 30b) generally has a greater range of rotation (or “folding”) as compared with a ball joint (e.g., 40a and 40b), which is limited to folding to the edge of the socket (44a or 44b). The above-described ball joints 40a and 40b are configured for angular movement less than 180 degrees, in various directions, including pitch, roll, and yaw axes. There are known techniques for modifying articulating joints, including both clevis joints and ball joints, so as to increase or decrease their range of rotation. It may be desirable, in one or more embodiments, to incorporate pre-formatted restrictions as to the degrees and axes of rotation in order to correctly guide novice golf players with proper holding and positioning of their body with respect to device 10.
The aforementioned clevis joints 30a and 30b and ball joints 40a and 40b are merely two examples of suitable articulating joints that may be implemented with embodiments of the present invention. However, other embodiments may utilize other known connectors, such as, but not limited to, universal joints, cardan joints, hinge joints, pivot joints, sliding joints, and gimbal joints.
In one embodiment, the aforementioned tangs (32a and 32b) are integrally formed with respective end caps 31a and 31b. Similarly, the aforementioned clevises (34a and 34b) are integrally formed with upper ends of gripping portions of respective handles 20 and 21. The upper ends of the gripping portions are represented by hinge pivot points 38a and 38b, respectively.
In one embodiment, the aforementioned ball studs (41a and 41b) are integrally formed with the ends of respective first and second lower arms (12d and 12e). Similarly, the aforementioned sockets (44a and 44b) are integrally formed with respective upper ends of the gripping portions of respective handles 20 and 21. The upper ends of the gripping portions are represented by hinge pivot points 38a and 38b, respectively.
In one embodiment, connections between tangs (32a and 32b) with respective end caps 31a and 31b, or ball studs (41a and 41b) with respective lower ends of first and second lower arms (12d and 12e) are in form of a threaded connection mechanism, a snap-fit connection mechanism, a clamping mechanism, or any other suitable means of attachment as known in the art, or combinations thereof. Similarly, connections between clevises (34a and 34b) or sockets (44a and 44b) with respective upper ends of the gripping portions of respective handles 20 and 21 are in form of a threaded connection mechanism, a snap-fit connection mechanism, a clamping mechanism, or any other suitable means of attachment as known in the art, or combinations thereof.
While the above description has referred to articulating joint 30a as referring to the above-identified tang 32a, clevis 34a, associated through holes (33 and 35), and pin 36, numeral 30a may also be understood as optionally including end cap 31a, and optionally further including hinges 37a and 38a. Similarly, while the above description has referred to articulating joint 30b as referring to the above-identified tang 32b, clevis 34b, associated through holes (33 and 35), and pin 36, numeral 30b may also be understood as optionally including end cap 31b, and optionally further including hinges 37b and 38b.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, grooves 19a, 19b and 19c are provided, which may significantly contribute to the coiling of elongated body 12 as shown in
A typical golf swing involves a backswing, downswing, and follow-through. In particular, a user rotates their wrists as they hold the club, rotating them all the way up when they're gearing up for a swing (i.e., the backswing), followed by rotating their wrists down when they are coming back from a swing (i.e., the downswing and follow-through). These actions are undertaken with the user's fists being held generally perpendicular to the user's body.
In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, handles 20 and 21 are pivotally adjustable (as described above) such that the user can decide the optimal angle of how to position their wrists on the device, such as a little higher or lower.
The following is a list of reference numerals and associated parts as used in this specification and drawings:
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parameters identified as “approximate” or “about” a specified value are intended to include both the specified value and values within 10% of the specified value, unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, it is to be understood that the drawings accompanying the present disclosure may, but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions evident in the drawings. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appended claims, as currently written or as amended or added in the future. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
