SQUARE UP SWING TRAINER

Abstract

An apparatus for and method of training a user's swing for sports. The user grasps a main shaft and positions the main shaft adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a golf stance or batter's stance. The user supports a shape structure mounted to the main shaft in an orientation wherein the shape structure is facing upwards for golf swing training and faces downwards for baseball or softball swing training. The shape structure may be square in shape. The shape structure and main shaft have a center of mass that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the main shaft. The main shaft may have a segment of reduced diameter, e.g., a proximal shaft segment and a segment of shape diameter, e.g. a distal shaft segment. The proximal shaft segment may define grip features. The main shaft may be of solid construction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention of the application relates to sports training equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to a swing trainer for sports such as golf, baseball and softball and a method of use of the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Analysis of any athletic swing, such as a golf swing, a baseball or softball swing, can be broken down into several components which must be properly coordinated at the point of impact of the striking or propelling instrument with the projectile. These swing components generally include the swing plane, axial rotation and contact point speed of a club or bat when making contact with a ball.

Axial rotation of the club or bat must be coordinated within the swing such that the club or bat is squared up to the ball, e.g., such that the club face is in a normal orientation to the path of the swing at the point of impact.

It is desirable to be able to train the muscle memory of a user to ensure that the club or bat is squared up to the ball at the point of impact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The swing trainer of the invention is a device for training an optimal swing for sports such as baseball, softball, and golf. The swing trainer includes a bar that is preferably solid. The bar may be round, square, hexagonal, or another shape in cross-section. The bar is bent or formed in such a way that the bar creates a shape, e.g., a square, that extends away from a main shaft. The square shape may be made by doubling back the bar on its original straight shaft for creating a shape that extends away from the main shaft, i.e., that has a center of mass that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the main shaft.

The purpose of the swing trainer is to create ideal bat or club head rotation for a user's swing. Bat or club head rotation is a vital key to delivering the bat or club head squarely to the ball for the ideal contact. The swing trainer of the invention trains that motion due to the design and weight of the device.

In use, e.g., for a golf swing, the swing trainer is used by grasping the device and taking the appropriate stance for a golf swing with the shape portion, e.g., square shape, of the swing trainer facing up and then executing a golf swing. The weighted shape begins to rotate immediately as the swing is commenced. The swing trainer fully rotates to the top of the back swing, then unwinds immediately to start the down swing such that the shape squares up at impact and then continues to rotate through to the completion of the swing. Through repetitions, the added weight of the device creates a muscle memory, so that when a golfer swings their own golf club, the same motion is easily repeated, thereby improving the golfer's shots on the course.

For a baseball/softball swing, the swing trainer is used by grasping the device and taking the appropriate stance for a baseball/softball swing with the shape portion of the swing trainer facing down over the shoulder of the batter. As the batter begins to make their swing, the swing trainer begins to rotate immediately and squares up at impact or directly over home plate, thereby delivering the trainer in the ideal position squarely over home plate. The user then swings through to the completion of the swing. Through repetitions, the added weight of the device creates a muscle memory, so that when the batter swings their own bat, the same motion is easily repeated, thereby improving the batter's ability to hit the baseball squarely to get more hits.

With the center of mass being offset from the handle and positioned a distance away from the top edge of the shaft, the trainer provides a rotational movement as it is initially swung and continues to rotate throughout the back swing. This same property of the device does the identical thing in the through swing whereby the trainer begins rotating immediately as it is swung from the location of impact through to the finish.

An example proportion of handle weight to shape weight that produces a desirable effect is the ratio of 3:5, handle weight to shape weight. A smaller proportion of shape weight can be used, but as the ratio approaches 1:1, the shape weight has a greatly diminished effect on the rotational effect of the trainer. Therefore, it is believed that a ratio of between 2:5 and 1:1 is best to achieve the desired effect.

As the center of mass changes in relation to the handle axis, varying results take place. If the center of mass is too far away from the handle axis, the device becomes inoperable due to the unbalanced nature of having an unstable object further and further away from the handle axis, i.e., from the longitudinal axis of the handle. An effective distance is believed to be from 5 inches to 20 inches from the handle to the center of mass. A distance of 20 inches seems to begin to reach the outer limits from the handle axis to the center of mass. A distance of less than 5 inches seems to negate the ability of the center of mass to be unstable enough to generate the needed rotation.

In greater detail, the apparatus of the invention includes a shape structure that has a center of mass that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the main shaft. In one embodiment, the center of mass is between 5 and 20 inches from the longitudinal axis of the handle. The shape structure may be square shaped or may be of another shape.

The main shaft may have a segment of reduced diameter, e.g., a proximal shaft segment and a segment of shape diameter, e.g. a distal shaft segment. The proximal shaft segment may define grip features. The main shaft may be of solid construction, e.g., of steel or of another material. In one embodiment, a proportion of a weight of the main shaft to the shape structure is between 2:5 and 1:1, e.g., 3:5.

In one application, i.e., in a method of training a golf swing of a user for sports, the user grasps the main shaft, the main shaft having a proximal shaft end, a distal shaft end and defining a longitudinal axis. The user positions the main shaft adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a golf stance. The user supports the shape structure mounted to the main shaft in an orientation wherein the shape structure is facing upwards, such that the swing trainer has a center of mass that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the main shaft. The user swings the main shaft as if swinging a golf club wherein the shape structure is rotated during a swing to be in a squared up orientation at the location of impact.

In another application, i.e., a method of training a baseball or softball swing of a user for sports, a user grasps a main shaft, the main shaft having a proximal shaft end, a distal shaft end and defining a longitudinal axis. The user positions the main shaft adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a batting stance. The user supports the shape structure that is mounted to the main shaft in an orientation wherein the shape structure is facing downwards, and wherein the swing trainer has a center of mass that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the main shaft. The user swings the main shaft as if swinging a bat, wherein the shape structure is rotated during a swing to be in a squared up orientation at the location of impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the swing trainer of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the swing trainer of FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the swing trainer of FIG. 1 taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the swing trainer of FIG. 1 taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the swing trainer of FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the swing trainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of narrow handle swing trainer embodiment of the swing trainer of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the narrow handle swing trainer embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the narrow handle swing trainer embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the narrow handle swing trainer embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 an elevation view of the narrow handle swing trainer embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the narrow handle swing trainer embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a shaped handle embodiment of the swing trainer of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a user swinging the swing trainer for golf club swing training;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a user swinging the swing trainer for baseball or softball batting training.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, shown is a swing trainer designated generally 10. In one embodiment, the swing trainer 10 includes main shaft 20 having proximal shaft end 22 and distal shaft end 24. Main shaft 20 defines longitudinal axis 26. In one embodiment, main shaft 20 has a segment of reduced diameter 28 and a segment of shape diameter 30 (FIGS. 7, 10-13). In one embodiment, main shaft 20 has a proximal shaft segment 32 and a distal shaft segment 34 (FIGS. 7, 10, 12, 13). In one embodiment, proximal shaft segment 32 defines grip features 36 (FIG. 13). In one embodiment, proximal shaft segment 32 has a reduced diameter. In a preferred embodiment, main shaft 20 is solid.

Shape structure designated generally 40 is mounted to main shaft 20. Shaped structure 40 protrudes from one side of main shaft 20 so that swing trainer 10 has a center of mass 42 (FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 12) that is offset from longitudinal axis 26 of main shaft 20. In one embodiment, shape structure 40 defines a shape that is approximately square 44. However, other shapes may be utilized for shape structure 40, including triangle, circle, hexagon, octagon, etc. In an embodiment wherein shape structure 40 is square 44, shape structure 40 includes proximal shape member 50, distal shape member 60, and offset parallel shape member 70. Offset parallel shape member 70 defines maximum offset 72 from longitudinal axis 26.

Proximal shape member 50 is connected to main shaft 20 with proximal shape interface 52. Offset parallel shape member 70 is connected to proximal shape member 50 with proximal offset shape interface 74. Offset parallel shape member 70 is connected to distal shape member 60 with distal offset shape interface 62. Distal shape member 60 is connected to main shaft 20 with distal shape interface 64. Distal shape interface 64 engages distal shaft end 24 of main shaft 20. In a preferred embodiment, proximal shape member 50, distal shape member 60, and offset parallel shape member 70 of shape structure 40 are constructed of solid members.

Referring now to FIG. 15, in use, e.g., in a method of training a golf swing of a user, the user grasps main shaft 20, main shaft 20 having a proximal shaft end 22, distal shaft end 24 and defining longitudinal axis 26. The user positions main shaft 20 adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a golf stance. The user supports shape structure 40 mounted to main shaft 20 in an orientation wherein shape structure 40 is facing upwards, such that swing trainer 10 has center of mass 42 that is offset from longitudinal axis 26 of main shaft 20. The user swings main shaft 20 as if swinging a golf club, wherein shape structure 40 is rotated during a swing to be in a squared up orientation, i.e., normal to the path of the swing, at the location of impact.

Referring now to FIG. 16, in another application, i.e., in a method of training a baseball or softball swing of a user, a user grasps main shaft 20, main shaft 20 having proximal shaft end 22, distal shaft end 24 and defining longitudinal axis 26. The user positions main shaft 20 adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a batting stance. The user supports shape structure 40 that is mounted to main shaft 20 in an orientation wherein shape structure 40 is facing downwards, wherein swing trainer 10 has center of mass 42 that is offset from longitudinal axis 26 of main shaft 20. The user swings main shaft 20 as if swinging a bat wherein shape structure 40 is rotated during a swing to be in a squared up orientation, i.e., normal to the path of the swing, at the location of impact.

Although particular embodiments have been described herein, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto and that many modifications and additions thereto may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, various combinations of the features of the following dependent claims can be made with the features of the independent claims without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%.

When, in this document, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded.

It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility).

Further, it should be noted that terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) are to be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise herein. Absent a specific definition within this disclosure, and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be plus or minus 10% of the base value.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A swing trainer comprising: a main shaft having a proximal shaft end, a distal shaft end and defining a longitudinal axis;a shape structure mounted to said main shaft and extending away from said main shaft such that a center of mass of the swing trainer is offset from said longitudinal axis of said main shaft.

2. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: said main shaft has a segment of reduced diameter and a segment of shape diameter.

3. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: said main shaft has a proximal shaft segment and a distal shaft segment.

4. The swing trainer according to claim 3 wherein: said proximal shaft segment defines grip features.

5. The swing trainer according to claim 3 wherein: said proximal shaft segment has a smaller diameter than said distal shaft segment.

6. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: said main shaft is solid.

7. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: wherein said shape structure defines a shape approximating a shape of a square.

8. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: said shape structure comprises a proximal shape member, a distal shape member, and an offset parallel shape member.

9. The swing trainer according to claim 8 wherein: said offset parallel shape member defines a maximum offset from said main shaft.

10. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: said shape structure and said main shaft define a center of mass;wherein said center of mass is between 5 and 20 inches from said longitudinal axis of said main shaft.

11. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: a proportion of a weight of said main shaft to said shape structure is approximately 3:5.

12. The swing trainer according to claim 1 wherein: a proportion of a weight of said main shaft to said shape structure is between 2:5 and 1:1.

13. A method of training a golf swing of a user comprising steps of: grasping a main shaft, said main shaft having a proximal shaft end, a distal shaft end and defining a longitudinal axis;positioning said main shaft adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a golf stance;supporting a shape structure mounted to said main shaft in an orientation wherein said shape structure is facing upwards, said shape structure and said main shaft having a center of mass that is offset from said longitudinal axis of said main shaft;swinging said main shaft as if swinging a golf club, wherein said shape structure is rotated during a swing to be in a squared up orientation at a location of impact.

14. A method of training a baseball or softball swing of a user comprising: grasping a main shaft, said main shaft having a proximal shaft end, a distal shaft end and defining a longitudinal axis;positioning said main shaft adjacent to a back shoulder when assuming a batting stance;supporting a shape structure mounted to said main shaft in an orientation wherein said shape structure is facing downwards, said shape structure and said main shaft having a center of mass that is offset from said longitudinal axis of said main shaft;swinging said main shaft as if swinging a bat, wherein said shape structure is rotated during a swing to be in a squared up orientation at a location of impact.