Correct stance indication device

Details Correct stance indication device Correct stance indication device

2000-09-22

2003-09-09

Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3711)

Games using tangible projectile

Golf

Foot positioning aid and indicator associated with swingable...

C036S144000, C036S091000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06616544

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an indication device that finds particular application in various sports and hobbies. For example, the mechanism in a preferred form is adapted for interacting with one or both feet of a golfer during a golf swing to provide a tactile indication to the golfer that either or both feet are maintaining recommended positions. The mechanism in another form can be used by a snow-skier in a ski-boot to ensure that body weight is forward in the boot. The invention will be described primarily with reference to its use in golf and snowskiing, but it should be appreciated that the invention may also find applications in other sports where correct stances are required and/or where predetermined weight transfer is necessary (e.g., during a tennis serve, during a hockey swing, during a baseball swing, etc).
BACKGROUND ART
It is known in the game of golf that the correct transfer of body weight between the front and back feet during a golf swing is important in generating power and accuracy, and hence the distance travelled of the struck golf ball resulting from the golf swing.
Golf requires a correct grip of the golf club, the correct posture at the commencement of the swing, and the correct alignment of the body relative to the target line.
It is generally agreed that another important aspect of a successful golf swing is the manner in which weight is transferred between the front and back feet during the back swing, forward swing and follow through of the swing.
Devices, apparatus and systems are known which generally constrain or orient one or both feet of a golfer in predetermined orientations during the swing. However, these devices are often uncomfortable, cumbersome, non-portable, expensive, and/or unnatural to use. Also, many of the existing methods, devices and apparatus are corrective devices rather than being instructional.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,226 shows a training apparatus for a golfer which assists the golfer to hold the golfer's head steady during the swing. Two thin flexible rods project outwardly from a stand and are positionable against opposing sides of the golfer's head. GB 2,305,130 discloses a golfer's wrist pronation indicator, being a watch-like device which is fitted to a golfer's wrist and monitors undesirable movements of the wrist during the playing of a golf shot.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,989 discloses a sport's training device particularly intended for use by golfers. The device comprises a pair of shoe inserts which are inserted into the heel area of the golfer's shoe. The upper surface of each insert has a tactile indicating member positioned in the heel area and disposed towards the inner edge of the insert. A major problem with this type of insert is that it provides a permanent tactile indication, and thus the golfer's feet become desensitized to the device, often after a very short period of time. Thus, the device fails to provide the necessary tactile indication to instruct the golfer that the swing has deviated from accepted norms.
In the sport of snowskiing, it is widely accepted that for optimum performance and control of the skis, a human user's centre of gravity should be centred over the skis. Modern snowskis include bindings that are positioned in the back half of each ski (i.e., offset rearwardly from the centre of gravity of each ski). A user's ski boots are then fastened in those bindings.
In use, the user's centre of gravity only becomes centered over his/her skis when they lean forward in their boots (i.e., so that each shin presses against the inside front portion (tongue) of the ski-boots). This forward leaning is in part required due to the offset of the bindings and is further facilitated by the user bending his/her legs at the knees and at the ankles.
Optimum ski performance during either traversing or when skiing forwardly down a slope is further enhanced by ensuring that the skier's body weight is directly over the inside edge of the most downhill ski.
Optimum positioning during skiing ensures proper “edging” of the skis and greater precision and performance in general. By way of contrast, when users lean back in their boots, they become less controlled, travel at more erratic speeds and become more prone to accidents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an indication device for instructing a predetermined golf swing action, the device being adapted and located for interacting with the feet of a golfer such that during the golf swing it provides a tactile indication to the golfer's feet to assist in maintaining the predetermined golf swing action, but such that when not swinging it provides no such tactile indication to the golfer's feet.
Such device is to be contrasted with the tactile indicating member 40 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,989 which provides a tactile sensation to the golfer during all actions, including actions other than swinging, such as walking. Thus, the user's feet quickly become desensitized to the member 40 and the device becomes ineffectual.
The tactile indication provided during the swing in accordance with the present invention may either be provided when the user's feet assume a correct stance and/or assume an incorrect stance. However, it is most preferred that a tactile indication is provided to a user when a correct stance is assumed to psychologically reinforce this stance to the user.
When the terminology “predetermined golf swing” is used in the present specification, for a right-handed golfer (left-handed being the opposite), it typically refers to a configuration wherein during the back swing at least the right foot/shoe of the golfer remains substantially flat with respect to the ground; and/or a configuration wherein during the swing follow through the right toes of the golfer point generally towards the ground, and/or the outside portion of the left foot has rolled over laterally and outwardly.
Of course, where the device is used for other sports/activities then the predetermined stance would be different according to the sport/activity.
Preferably the device includes one or more inserts adapted for placement in specific locations in relation to the user's feet. Thus, the inserts can be provided in:
the or each shoe of a user; and/or in
the or each sock of a user.
The inserts can be one or more parts of a hook and loop fastening system (such as manufactured under the trade mark Velcro®).
Alternatively the inserts can be formed from a deformable polymeric material. In either case, the inserts need to be capable of being sensed tactilely by the or each foot of the user during the swing.
Typically the inserts are located and adapted to provide a psychologically positive tactile indication to the user that the feet have generally maintained a predetermined stance during swinging. The expression “psychologically positive tactile indication” hereinafter refers to the mental acknowledgment induced in the user that the feet have generally maintained the predetermined stance. Thus the inserts are located and/or adapted to be generally passive when not in use (e.g., when the user is not swinging).
In an ideal golf swing, the only points of pressure that a user should experience are those in the user's feet. The applicant has through rigorous experimentation identified four points of pressure in a golfer's feet during correct weight transfer. Two of these points are realized during the back swing and forward swing through to the point of ball impact, and two of these are realized during the swing follow-through.
Preferably for a right-handed golfer (whereas the opposite applies for a left-handed user), on the right foot:
(a) an insert is positioned to be located under the right foot in the arch and immediately in front of the heal pad of the foot; and/or
(b) an insert is positioned to be located at the lateral side of the right big toe to extend to and also be located in front of the tip of the big toe; and on the left foot:
(c) an insert i

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