Golf swing training aid

Details Golf swing training aid Golf swing training aid

1999-11-29

2001-12-25

Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)

Games using tangible projectile

Golf

Practice device attachable to body

C473S215000, C473S409000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06332845

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
THIS INVENTION relates to a golf swing training aid.
The invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, a swing training aid for sports such as golf, baseball, softball, tennis and the like.
Throughout the specification, the term “golf” shall be used to include the other sports hereinbefore described.
(2) Prior Art
Most golf training aids, designed to aid or improve a player's swing, are directed to the movement of the upper body and/or the arms. However, little attention has been given to the stability of the lower body during the different phases of the swing.
Ideally, the lower body (ie., hips down) will remain substantially immobile during the back swing and on the forward swing until the club/bat moves to, or past, the centre line of the body.
It has been known to use a bucket tied between the knees as an aid to stabilise the lower body.
However, such an arrangement holds the knees apart during the final phase of the forward portion of the swing and results in an unnatural swing.
Examples which have been proposed to control the movement of the player's legs during the swing are disclosed in GB 2,284,556 (BUCKINGHAM); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,016,885 (QUIGLEY); 4,706,957 (JACKSON) and 4,088,326 (BIFULCO).
The latter three documents disclose aids where the player's knees (or lower legs) are bound together at a fixed spacing. In GB 2,284,556 (BUCKINGHAM), the golf training device is fitted between both knees below the knee joints, with side supports, secured by releasable straps, where a plastic swivel bar with a centre pivot interconnects the side supports and allows some controlled movement between the legs. While some movement between the knees can occur during the swing, both knees must be fastened to the device, generating an unnatural movement.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a training aid which holds the knees substantially stabilised for approximately the first half of the swing, while allowing the knees to move as the swing is completed.
It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide such an aid where the knees will be released when the arms are approximately aligned with the centre line of the body.
It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide such a training aid which can be releasably secured at, or adjacent, one of the player's knees, and be releasably engageable with the other of his/her knees.
It is a still further preferred object of the present invention to provide such an aid which can accommodate a range of spacings between the player's knees, eg., to accommodate players of different height and/or stances.
Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
In a broad aspect, the present invention resides in a swing training aid for golf or other sports, including:
an elongate body having respective first and second end portions engageable with a player's legs at, or adjacent, the player's knees; and
a releasable securement means at or adjacent one of the end portions to releasably secure the body to the adjacent one of the player's legs; so arranged that:
on a back swing and during at least a portion of a forward swing, the player's knees are maintained in a substantially fixed or stable relationship, the other end of the body being releasable from the player's legs to allow the player's knees to move during the completion of the forward swing.
Preferably, the body is variable in length and may have components which are telescopically interconnected. A releasable lock, clip, bolt, pawl or like means may be provided to enable the length of the body to be selectively set.
In one preferred embodiment, a pair of box-like members are telescopically inter-engaged; while in the second preferred embodiment, a pair of knee-engagement cups or yoke-like members are provided at the ends of a pair of telescopically inter-engaged tubes.
Preferably, the securement means is a strap, rope, thong or the like releasably securable about one of the player's legs.
Preferably, the adjacent end portion has a pad or tapered nose which provides a pivotal axis for the body when the other end is released from the player's other leg.
Preferably, the other end portion has an inclined face, preferably curved in plan view, so arranged that during the completion portion of the swing, the player's adjacent knee will tend to force that end portion of the body downwardly to release the aid from that knee.
Preferably, the body will be released from the player's other knee, when the arms, on the forward swing, are just in advance or pass, the centre of gravity of the aid, ie., approximately in alignment with the centre line of the player's body.
Preferably, for a right-handed golfer or batter, the aid will be secured to the left leg at, or above, the left knee, and the aid will releasably engage at or above the right knee of the player's right leg. For left-handed players, the arrangement will be reversed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4045033 (1977-08-01), Schuman
patent: 4088326 (1978-05-01), Bifulco
patent: 5016885 (1991-05-01), Quigley
patent: 2284556 A (1995-06-01), None

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