A successful sports swing (including golf or baseball) requires a combination of strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, weight shift, rhythmic timing, repeatability, and confidence—all delivered in the short period of time it takes to make the swing. The swing utilizes the entire body to accomplish peak hitting speed and square ball impact to maximize power and direct the ball to its intended target. Repeatability of the successful sports swing requires trained muscle memory to start, execute, and finish the sports swing. The sports swing can be successfully executed when the athlete has confidence to swing without the need to think about swing mechanics, thus performing the swing with subconscious support to maximize physical skill and intuitive mental abilities in support of successful shot completion. Keeping the motion simple and confident can help increase sports swing performance, leading to improved ball striking performance and play improvement.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a sports swing muscle memory development device may comprise a plurality of attachment components, wherein the plurality of attachment components is configured to circumferentially secure a plurality of enclosed regions of a user's body; a plurality of connection components, wherein each of the plurality of connection components is coupleable to one or more of the plurality of attachment components; and a plurality of resistance components, wherein each of the plurality of resistance components is coupleable to one or more of the plurality of connection components.
In another embodiment of the disclosure, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's hips, torso, shoulders, back, arms, hands, feet, legs, and hips may comprise attaching a sports swing muscle memory development device to the user's body; allowing slow to moderate speed motion of the user's body with focus on the muscles of the feet, legs, and hips as would occur in the sports swing; allowing slow to moderate speed motion of the user's body with focus on the muscles of the hips, torso, shoulders, back, arms and hands as would occur in the sports swing; shifting the weight front and back to further develop one or more of the muscles and gain awareness of how the muscles are used in the sports swing; and letting one or more of the muscles move naturally when shifting weight as would occur in the sports swing, developing balance and properly initiating of the sports swing.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed material belongs. The following terms are defined below.
“coupleable” in this context refers to being able to be mechanically joined via force(s) generated by adhesion, cohesion, friction, fastening, magnetism, tension, etc.
“fastener” in this context refers to is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together, generally used to create non-permanent joints (e.g., releasable or lockable), including anchor bolts, battens, bolts (including screws), brass fasteners, buckles, buttons, cable ties, captive fasteners, clamps (or cramps, including hose clamps), clasps (including lobster clasps), clekos, clips (including circlips, hairpin clips, paper clips, and terry clips), clutches, drawing pins (thumbtack), flanges, frogs, grommets, hook-and-eye closures, hook and loop fasteners (including Velcro), latches, nails, pegs (including clothespins and tent pegs), PEM nuts, pins (including bowtie cotter pins, circle cotters, clevis fasteners, cotters, dowels, linchpins, R-clips, split pins, spring pins, and tapered pins), retaining rings (including circlips and e-rings), rivets, rock bolts, rubber bands (or bands of other materials), screw anchors, snap fasteners, staples, stitches, straps, threaded fasteners (including captive threaded fasteners, nuts, screws, washers, threaded inserts, and threaded rods), ties, toggle bolts, treasury tags, twist ties, wedge anchors, and zippers.
The sports swing is a complex movement that is best accomplished by the interaction of the alternating contraction and relaxation of opposing muscle groups. Because this movement occurs in less than two seconds and must be coordinated to the millisecond, it cannot be controlled by conscious thought. It must be trained in harmony with the subconscious mind. Thus while in training, it is desirable that athletes have continuous information and feedback throughout the entire movement that they are maintaining the correct relationship between the feet, legs, hips, torso, arms, neck, and head when making the sports swing, all of which are tied to the body core trained by the device. One facet of the uniqueness of this training device and system is that it works all of the needed muscle groups from the bottom up based on specifically placed connection points and configuration of resistance components attached to the each of the arms and legs to create not just the correct swing, but also to develop muscle memory, strength, and flexibility in the swing to enhance coordination and power, as well as to provide rehabilitative training.
Embodiments disclosed herein comprise a device configured to utilize 360 degrees of resistance combined with core and other muscle attachment placement and release mechanisms to develop core and other muscle memory, strength, and flexibility. The device further supports weight shift and turn coordination to improve swing efficiency and unleash core and other muscle power into the sports swing. The device enhances the athlete's ability to train muscle memory and achieve a swing that is repeatable, thus increasing confidence and ball striking performance. The device enables the player to train in partial swing and full swing modes, can be custom fitted with variable sizing and resistance levels, and can be utilized indoors and outdoors. The device may comprise a catch and release device configured to attach to the overall device system. The device may be modular such that the catch and release device and its attachment component can be utilized with the entire swing system training device, or separately for full swing use, for specific muscle memory development and swing training from actually striking balls.
This device focuses on improved method training of the core and other muscles used in making the sports swing, in particular, the muscles associated with the feet, legs, torso, back, shoulders, arms, and hands. As shown in
By using the device to practice the sports swing in a controlled and slow motion manner, the athlete is able to train strength, flexibility, coordination, weight shift, rhythmic timing, repeatability, and confidence. Once core and other muscle memory strength is developed and the athlete achieves improved flexibility and strength, swing speed can be varied with swing drills to further enhance swing improvement and further embed muscle memory. Use of the catch and release device enables the athlete to swing in a slower and more controlled manner with single arm follow through, and to achieve higher swing speeds with full swing capability.
The device may comprise a plurality of attachment and resistance components that work together to train the sports swing from the core and facilitate improved placement of the legs, torso, arms, neck, and head in making the proper sports swing through the specific placement of the attachment components and use of the resistance components. Placement of the attachment components may enable successful operation of the device. To assist with attachments placement understanding, terms will be used as follows: (1) the follow arm is the right arm for a right handed athlete and left arm for a left handed athlete; (2) the lead arm is the left arm for a right handed athlete and right arm for a left handed athlete; (3) the follow leg is the right leg for a right handed athlete and left leg for a left handed athlete; (4) the lead a leg is the left leg for a right handed athlete and right leg for a left handed athlete; (5) follow torso means the right side of the torso for a right handed athlete, and left side of the torso for a left handed athlete; and (6) lead torso means the left side of the torso for a right handed athlete, and right side of the torso for a left handed athlete.
Referring to
The placement of each component (listed above) affects the ability of the device 100 to achieve its purpose and operate effectively for the athlete, and to facilitate improved strength, flexibility, coordination, weight shift, rhythmic timing, repeatability, and confidence training in the sports swing.
The leading arm 132, the trailing arm 134, the torso 136, the leading leg 138, and the trailing leg 140 may be the enclosed regions to be secured by the first attachment component 102, the second attachment component 104, the third attachment component 106, the fourth attachment component 108, and the fifth attachment component 110, and may define a swing relationship. The first attachment component 102, the second attachment component 104, the third attachment component 106, the fourth attachment component 108, and the fifth attachment component 110 may have a hollow cylindrical shape with an outer circumference and an inner circumference, such that as they are secured, or adjusted, the inner circumference conforms to the contour of the trailing arm 134, leading arm 132, the torso 136, the trailing leg 140, and the leading leg 138, respectively.
The first attachment component 102 may be secured to the trailing arm 134 just above the elbow to ensure stable position and proper resistance during the sports swing to facilitate training of the trailing arm 134 in the sports swing.
The second attachment component 104 may be secured to the leading arm 132 just above the elbow to ensure stable position and proper resistance during the sports swing to facilitate training of the leading arm 132 in the sports swing.
The third attachment component 106 may be secured to the torso 136 of the body to ensure stable position and resistance during the sports swing to provide connection to the torso 136 and primary body core with the leading arm 132, the trailing arm 134, the leading leg 138, and the trailing leg 140 to facilitate training of the torso 136 in the sports swing. The third attachment component 106 may be secured circumferentially around the waist portion of the torso 136 (e.g., between the hips and the ribcage).
The fourth attachment component 108 may be secured to the trailing leg 140 just above the knee to ensure stable position and resistance during the sports swing to provide the connection of the trailing leg 140 to the torso 136 and primary body core with specific resistance tension to the trailing leg 140 to facilitate training of the trailing leg 140 in the sports swing.
The fifth attachment component 110 may be secured to the leading leg 138 just below the knee ensure stable position during the sports swing to provide the connection of the leading leg 138 to the torso 136 and primary body core with specific resistance tension to the leading leg 138 to facilitate training of the leading leg 138 in the sports swing.
The first connection component 112 may be coupled to the first attachment component 102 and may be positioned on the inside of the trailing arm 134 (i.e., lateral leading position) to ensure stable position and resistance during the sports swing. The first connection component 112 may ensure that the elbow on the trailing arm 134 remains in proximity to the torso 136 when making the sports swing, and may provide connection to the third attachment component 106 via the first resistance component 124 and the third connection component 116.
The second connection component 114 may be coupled to the second attachment component 104 and may be positioned on the inside of the leading arm 132 (i.e., lateral trailing position) to ensure stable position and resistance during the sports swing. The second connection component 114 may ensure that the elbow on the leading arm 132 remains in proximity to the torso 136 when making the sports swing, and may provide connection to the third attachment component 106 via the second resistance component 126 and the fourth connection component 118.
The third connection component 116 may be coupled to the third attachment component 106 and may be positioned on the follow portion of the torso 136 (i.e., lateral trailing position) to ensure stable position and resistance during the sports swing. The third connection component 116 may ensure that the torso 136 is trained in connection with the trailing arm 134 and the leading leg 138 to drive the sports swing to enable efficient power when making the sports swing, and may provide connection to the first attachment component 102 (with catch and release capability, see further description below) via the first resistance component 124 and the first connection component 112 and the fifth attachment component 110 via the third resistance component 128 and the sixth connection component 122. In some embodiments, the third connection component 116 may be a catch and release device 200, as described in
The fourth connection component 118 may be coupled to the third attachment component 106 and may be positioned on the lead portion of the torso 136 (i.e., lateral leading position) to ensure stable position and resistance during the sports swing. The fourth connection component 118 may ensure that the torso 136 is trained in connection with the leading arm 132 and the trailing leg 140 to drive the sports swing to enable efficient power when making the sports swing. The fourth connection component 118 may provide connection to the second attachment component 104 via the second resistance component 126 and the second connection component 114 and may provide connection to the fourth attachment component 108 via the fourth resistance component 130 and the fifth connection component 120.
The fifth connection component 120 may be coupled to the fourth attachment component 108 and may be positioned on the inside of the trailing leg 140 (i.e., lateral leading position) just above the knee to ensure stable position, resistance, and lift during the sports swing. The fifth connection component 120 may ensure that the trailing leg 140 is trained in connection with the lead portion of the torso 136 to drive the sports swing to enable efficient power when making the sports swing, and may provide connection to the third attachment component 106 via the fourth resistance component 130 and the fourth connection component 118.
The sixth connection component 122 may be coupled to the fifth attachment component 110 and may be positioned on the outside of the leading leg 138 (i.e., lateral leading position) just below the knee to ensure stable position, resistance, and turn tension during the sports swing. The sixth connection component 112 may ensure that the leading leg 138 is trained in connection with the follow portion of the torso 136 to drive the sports swing to enable efficient power when making the sports swing, and may provide connection to the third attachment component 106 via the third resistance component 128 and the third connection component 116.
The first resistance component 124 may be located between the first attachment component 102 and the third attachment component 106 to ensure proper resistance during the sports swing, by connection of the trailing arm 134 to the follow portion of the torso 136, to drive the sports swing to enable efficient power when making the sports swing. The first resistance component 124 may have its length and tension altered by adjusting the coupling to the first connection component 112 and the third connection component 116.
The second resistance component 126 may be located between the second attachment component 104 and the third attachment component 106 to ensure proper resistance during the sports swing, by connection of the leading arm 132 to the lead portion of the torso 136, to drive the sports swing to unleash efficient power when making the sports swing. The second resistance component 126 may have its length and tension altered by adjusting the coupling to the second connection component 114 and the fourth connection component 118.
The third resistance component 128 may be located between the fifth attachment component 110 and the third attachment component 106 to ensure proper resistance during the sports swing, by connection of the leading leg 138 to the follow portion of the torso 136, to drive the sports swing to unleash efficient power when making the sports swing. The third resistance component 128 may have its length and tension altered by adjusting the coupling to the third connection component 116 and the sixth connection component 122.
The fourth resistance component 130 may be located between the fourth attachment component 108 and the third attachment component 106 to ensure proper resistance during the sports swing, by connection of the trailing leg 140 to the lead portion of the torso 136, to drive the sports swing to unleash efficient power when making the sports swing. The fourth resistance component 130 may have its length and tension altered by adjusting the coupling to the fourth connection component 118 and the fifth connection component 120.
In some embodiments, the third resistance component 128 may overlap the fourth resistance component 130, where the third resistance component 128 may be located further from the frontal plane of the body (as depicted in
In some embodiments, the first resistance component 124, the second resistance component 126, the third resistance component 128, and the fourth resistance component 130 may comprise materials such as bungee cords, elastomer devices, resistance bands, and/or other similar materials comprising elastic characteristics. The material used may be interchanged and each resistance component may be the same material or a different material. Each interchanged material utilized as a resistance component may have a same or different length and tension. The resistance components may have an elliptical or polygonal cross-section.
In some embodiments, one or more of the resistance components 124, 126, 128, and 130 may be permanently attached to one or more of the connection components 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122. In some embodiments, one or more of the resistance components 124, 126, 128, and 130 may be removably attached to one or more of the connection components 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122, such that a user may attach or detach the resistance components 124, 126, 128, and 130 to and from the connection components 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122. In some embodiments, one or more of the connection components 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122 may be permanently attached to one or more of the attachment components 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110. In some embodiments, one or more of the connection components 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122 may be removably attached to one or more of the attachment components 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110, such that a user may attach or detach the connection components 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122 to or from the attachment components 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110. In some embodiments, one or more of the attachment components 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 may be removably attached to the user's (or athlete's) body, by attaching directly to the user's body and/or via a suit worn by the user. In some embodiments, one or more of the attachment components 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 may be permanently attached to a suit or garment(s) worn by the user.
During a sports swing, the tension and the length of the resistance components may be altered via forces exerted via the leading arm 132, the trailing arm 134, the torso 136, the leading leg 138, and the trailing leg 140, and the resistance components may provide resistance to the leading arm 132, the trailing arm 134, the torso 136, the leading leg 138, and the trailing leg 140 as a result. Each of the resistance components may be released from their coupling to enable the exchange of materials or to alter the swing relationship by not providing resistance to one or more of the he leading arm 132, the trailing arm 134, the torso 136, the leading leg 138, and the trailing leg 140.
The device 100 described in
The catch and release device 200 may be an embodiment of the third connection component 116 (described in
Referring to
In the unlocked position shown in
The belt bracket 202 may be fixed to a training belt (such as third attachment component 106, described in
The belt insert slot 204 may be attached to the third attachment component 106 and/or may comprise a loop configured to slide along the third attachment component 106 to have its relative position along the third attachment component 106. The belt insert slot 204 may comprise a mechanism to allow release from the third attachment component 106.
The slide release slot 206 may be a void space of the swing trainer catch and release device body 208. The slide release slot 206 may allow a device, such as the first resistance component 124 and/or the catching object 224 of the first resistance component 124, to be inserted and be slideably coupled. The position of the first resistance component 124 and/or the catching object 224 in the slide release slot 206 may be based on the forces exerted from the body through the attachment devices.
Referring to
Referring now to
The insert locking pin 210 may be inserted into a designated space in the swing trainer catch and release device body 208, such as the insert locking pin locking slot 212 or the insert locking pin storage slot 214. The insert locking pin 210 may be a screw, spring loaded, snap, bolt or other insert affixation. As shown in
The insert locking pin locking slot 212 and the insert locking pin storage slot 214 may house the insert locking pin 210, the location of the insert locking pin 210 determining the machine state of the catch and release device 200.
The catch and release device 200 may allow the sports swing muscle memory development device 100 to be utilized in partial swing training (i.e., locked position, or first machine state), or full swing training (i.e., unlocked position, or second machine state). The catch and release device 200 may be permanently affixed to the training belt, or if not permanently affixed, used with any belt via the belt insert slot 204.
As shown in
Referring to
The third attachment component 106 may secure to the torso of a body lower or higher on the torso depending on the sports swing being trained. The third attachment component 106 comprises the first coupling location 602, the second coupling location 604, and/or third coupling location 606. The first coupling location 602, the second coupling location 604, and/or the third coupling location 606 may be located in a permanent position along the third attachment component 106, or may be configured to have their position along the third attachment component 106 altered. For example, the first coupling location 602, the second coupling location 604, and/or the third coupling location 606 may be able to slide along a component of the third attachment component 106, such as a loop, and maintain a temporary position via a clamp or similar device. As depicted, the first coupling location 602, the second coupling location 604, and the third coupling location 606 are located in a lateral leading position, a posterior-lateral leading position, and a posterior position, respectively. Further coupling locations may be located in a lateral trailing position or a posterior-lateral trailing position.
The first coupling location 602, the second coupling location 604, and/or the third coupling location 606 may couple the fourth connection component 118 (described in
Referring to
In some embodiments, the sports swing muscle memory development device 700 may be directly incorporated into clothing that may be worn by the user (athlete). For example, the first attachment component 702 may be incorporated into a sleeve of a garment that may be worn by the athlete, the second attachment component 704 may be incorporated into another sleeve of a garment that may be worn by the athlete, the third attachment component 706 may be incorporated into a pant leg of a garment that may be worn by the athlete, and the fourth attachment component 708 may be incorporated into another pant leg of a garment that may be worn by the athlete. The garment may comprise a shirt, shorts, pants, a jacket, coveralls, a jumpsuit, or any other garment that may be worn by the athlete.
As an example,
The sports swing muscle memory development device 800 may comprise a first attachment component 802 (which may be similar to the first attachment component 102), a second attachment component 804 (which may be similar to the second attachment component 104), a third attachment component 806 (which may be similar to the third attachment component 106), a fourth attachment component 808 (which may be similar to the fourth attachment component 108), a fifth attachment component 810 (which may be similar to the fifth attachment component 110), a first connection component 812 (which may be similar to the first connection component 112), a second connection component 814 (which may be similar to the second connection component 114), a third connection component 816 (which may be similar to the third connection component 116), a fourth connection component 818 (which may be similar to the fourth connection component 118), a fifth connection component 820 (which may be similar to the fifth connection component 120), a sixth connection component 822 (which may be similar to the sixth connection component 122), a first resistance component 824 (which may be similar to the first resistance component 124), a second resistance component 826 (which may be similar to the second resistance component 126), a third resistance component 828 (which may be similar to the third resistance component 128), and a fourth resistance component 830 (which may be similar to the fourth resistance component 130).
A sports swing muscle memory development device (which may also be known as a sports swing trainer), as disclosed herein, can be used in conjunction with various methods for training a user's sports swing related movements. For example, in an embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's feet, legs, and hips comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer with focus on the feet, legs, and hips as would occur in the sports swing with focus on the specific feet muscles, then shifting the weight front and back to further develop the feet muscles and gain awareness of how the feet and toes are used in the sports swing to balance and deliver power, with ultimate goal of training the feet to be a natural and coordinated part of the swing, and letting the legs and hips move naturally with the feet when shifting weight as would occur in the sports swing, critical to balance and properly initiating the sports swing.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's hips, torso, shoulders, back, arms and hands comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the sports swing motion with focus on the hips, torso, shoulders, back, arms and hands to further develop the hips, torso, shoulders, back, arms and hands muscles, with ultimate goal of training the hips, torso, shoulders, back, arms and hands to be a natural and coordinated part of the swing, and letting the feet, legs and hips move naturally with the feet when shifting weight as would occur in the sports swing.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's initial golf backswing comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the initial backswing to the hips level with the wrists not breaking and the hands rotating naturally. For a baseball backswing, the method comprises slow to moderate speed motion to the batter stance with the hands just above shoulder level, in each case with focus on the initial backswing movement to train initial backswing muscles.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's upper golf backswing comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the upper backswing above the hips level with the wrists breaking and the torso turning to the top of the golf swing position, with focus on the upper backswing movement to train upper backswing muscles.
In another embodiment, a method for training a sport swing user to hold the top of a sports swing or backswing comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer to achieve the top of the sports swing and hold it to further develop the backswing muscles and to achieve a balanced and comfortable top of the swing position, critical for initiation of the down or forward motion of the sports swing.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's initial forward swing (a/k/a downswing) comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the initial forward swing by starting with the feet, legs, and hips turning the torso only with the hands moving to the waist area but without releasing from the shoulders or unhinging the wrists, critical to swing plane and setting up the sports swing for a natural and coordinated release into the impact area.
In another embodiment, a method for training a sport swing user to hold the impact of a sports swing comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer to achieve the impact area of the sports swing and hold it to further develop the impact area muscles and to achieve a balanced and comfortable impact area of the swing position, critical to swing plane, square impact, hit direction, and power.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's initial position of swing follow through comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the sports swing follow through, critical to swing plane, hit direction, and power release in the impact area and training the follow through muscles.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's swing follow through with a catch and release device locked comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the sports swing follow through past the initial follow through position with the lead arm only, critical to swing plane, hit direction, and power release through the impact area and training the follow through muscles.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's swing follow through with a catch and release device unlocked comprises slow, moderate, and faster speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the sports swing follow through past the initial follow through position with both arms, critical to swing plane, hit direction, and power release through the impact area and training the follow through muscles.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's swing follow through to a swing finish position comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer of the sports swing follow through to this finish position with the lead arm only if catch and release device is locked, or with both arms if catch and release device is unlocked, critical to swing plane, hit direction, power release, and swing finish training the follow through finish muscles.
In another embodiment, a method for training a sport swing user to hold a swing finish position comprises slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer to achieve the swing finish position of the sports swing and hold it to further develop the swing finish muscles and to achieve a natural, balanced and comfortable finish of the sports swing, critical to balance and completing the sports swing.
In another embodiment, a method for training movement of a sport swing user's swing comprises combining the other methods disclosed herein in slow to moderate speed motion with the sports swing trainer to achieve the sports swing, critical to natural, balanced, and comfortable sports swing success.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/921,140 entitled “A System, Method, and Device for Developing Muscle Memory and a Balanced Swing”, and filed Mar. 14, 2018, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/472,779 entitled “A System, Method, and Device for Developing Muscle Memory and a Balanced Swing”, and filed Mar. 17, 2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62472779 | Mar 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15921140 | Mar 2018 | US |
Child | 17859216 | US |