Patent Application
20240157214
A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to a portable golf training device. In particular, it relates to a portable golf training device that limits head movement and body sway during a golf swing.
The movement of the head and the body sway it causes during a golf swing is known to be a contributing factor to an improper golf swing. Keeping the head and body steady during a golf swing is an important route to an improved swing. Thus, reducing head movement and body sway is one essential part of improving a golfer's swing. Accordingly, there has been time and effort put into training new golfers the proper mental and physical aspects of head and body control during the golf swing.
There are three different types of devices that are currently being used to aid in keeping a user's head still while learning to properly swing a golf club. The first device seeks to control head movement by use of a physical constraint to movement. The second device rests against the golfer's head so that the movement of the head can be felt, and the third device generates a sound or light that notifies the user of their head movement. The problem with these approaches is the distraction caused by being physically or audibly nudged during the golf swing. A golfer requires the least amount of distraction in order to accomplish a good golf swing.
Furthermore, disagreement exists in determining the best approach to mounting the present devices (i.e., a device that can be affixed to the ground or a portable device useful in the grass, on the driving range, or on a hard surface).
The present invention relates to a device that overcomes the problems of the prior art described above. Specifically, the present invention relates to a portable head training device that attaches to the brim of a golfer's cap and can be utilized on different ground surfaces (e.g., sand and grass), at a driving range, various hard surfaces (e.g., pavement), by laying the base under a golf mat, and the like.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a portable golf training device for training a golfer wearing a brimmed cap to keep a proper head position and limit body sway during a golf swing comprising:
While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.
The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.
Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, the term “portable golf training device” refers to a training device for use by a golfer practicing their swing. In particular, the device is designed to attach to the brim of a golfer's cap for the purpose of training to promote appropriate rotation and technique of swinging a golf club by training the golfer's head to remain still to address associated body sway. The device has interchangeable bases, each of which is portable. The present device can be utilized on the ground, in sand, on driving range surfaces, on a hard surface (e.g., cement), or with the base under a golf mat, and the like, by changing the base of the present invention. The present device comprises a portable base in which a first upright pole can be removably inserted, and a second angled pole which has an adjustable angle attached to a second end of the upright pole and has a clamp for attaching to the brim of a golfer's cap at an opposite end of the angled attachment. The present device is entirely portable, so it can be utilized at any location desired using the interchangeable bases, then packed up, transported, and used at another location. In one embodiment, the device can be folded as shown in the Figures.
As used herein, the term “brimmed cap” or “brim of a golfer's cap” refers to the wide part of a cap that extends away from the cap and is positioned at the bottom of the cap. It is usually designed to keep sun and glare out of the eyes of the wearer of the cap. Golfer's caps, as shown in the Figures, are a typical type of a cap with a brim.
As used herein, the term “proper head position during a golf swing” refers to the head of the golfer not moving during the swing. This promotes proper rotation of the golfer's body during the swing by holding the golfer's head still, with the present invention, via the brim of their cap while striking the ball. It limits unnecessary body movement (body sway), which affects the swing.
As used herein, the term “upright adjustable length pole” refers to a pole that is positioned essentially vertical. Because golfers are different heights, the pole length is made to be adjustable in length (height). In one embodiment, the pole is adjustable via a friction twist design, but any adjustable mechanism is contemplated. The present invention has a first end designed to be inserted into a portable base. Its second end has an angled adjustable connection to the angled adjustable length pole. The pole can be made of any rigid material, (e.g., wood, metal, plastic, or the like). Choice of the diameter of the pole is within the skill in the art.
As used herein, the term “angled adjustable length pole” refers to a pole that is made to be length adjustable. In one embodiment, the pole is adjustable via a friction twist design, but any adjustable mechanism is contemplated. The present invention has a first end of the angled adjustable length pole designed to be connected by an angled adjustable connection to the upright adjustable length pole. Its second end has a clamp designed to attach to a golfer's cap brim. The pole can be made of any rigid material, (e.g., wood, metal, plastic, or the like). Choice of the diameter of the pole is within the skill in the art.
As used herein, the term “designed to be removable” refers to the upright adjustable length pole being positioned in a holder on the portable base. The upright adjustable length pole can be easily removed from the portable base (i.e., no permanent attachment to the portable base). In one embodiment, the pole is placed in a receiving tube of a slightly larger diameter (see Figures) than the upright adjustable length pole. The pole can be held in place by gravity and the friction of the larger receiving tube. The receiving tube may have one or more devices to hold the upright pole in place such as a set screw, and the like.
As used herein, the term “portable base” refers to a base comprising a receiving tube with a larger diameter to receive the upright pole that is light enough to carry from place to place and is not permanently installed at the place of use (e.g., not bolted to a cement slab). The base selected is designed to be utilized on a particular ground surface (i.e., alternate shaped base designs may work better on different terrains). In one embodiment, the base comprises ground stakes to use in grass, or the like. In another embodiment, the base has a triangular stand for use on a hard surface. In yet another embodiment, the base is collapsible.
As used herein, the term “clamp” refers to a device mounted to the angled adjustable length pole's second end that is capable of attaching to the brim of the golfer's cap. In one embodiment, a spring clamp, or the like, is used, but anything that can attach, hold, and be removed from the brim of the cap is contemplated.
As used herein, the term “removably accept” refers to the receiving tube, which is connected to the portable base, being able to accept and easily remove the upright adjustable length pole. In one embodiment, a tube slightly larger than the upright adjustable length pole diameter is contemplated. In one embodiment, the receiving tube may have one or more devices to hold the upright pole in place such as a set screw, Velcro®, or the like.
As used herein, the term “one of more swivel points” refers to the connection between the angled pole and the clamp having one or more swivel connections to adjust the position of the clamp relative to the angled pole.
Now referring to the drawings,
Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.
