Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Practice device attachable to body
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-03-27
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Practice device attachable to body
C473S212000, C473S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206787
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Golf is a sport that has been popular for several centuries. Today it is embraced by millions—young and old, men and women, and people from wealthy to those of very limited means. Most golfers soon develop a very high dedication to their sport. Many “duffers” are content with mediocre scores and principally enjoy the chance for an outing and the companionship of those with whom they play regularly. However, most enthusiasts work diligently to lower their scores. Often this involves repeated lessons from a professional who can observe the player on a practice course and offer suggestions as necessary to correct his or her swing.
Numerous mechanical devices have been invented that are supposed to help a golfer develop a proper swing. These range from the ridiculous to the very practical. Exemplary among the latter group might be mentioned the restraints described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,893,317 and 4,960,280 to Corder, Jr., designed to train a golfer to keep the arms in proper relationship to the torso. A somewhat more complex device is shown in Staats et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,306, intended to maintain a constant distance between the left pectoral muscle and the right forearm (assuming a right handed golfer).
Developing a smooth and consistent swing is one of the principle secrets of lowering one's score. One might imagine an imaginary axis running through the player's head and neck, down through the torso and crotch, and hitting the ground about midway between the feet. Assuming that the golfer is right handed, on the back swing the torso and hips rotate to the right around this axis while the head is essentially stationery. The feet remain in position but the weight is transferred to the right foot and the left heel is raised. On the forward swing this torso rotation is reversed. After impacting the ball, torso rotation continues to the left during the follow through. Weight is transferred to the left foot and the right heel elevates. Head position should be essentially stationary until the very end of the follow through. Both feet remain in their original location throughout. While there is necessarily some rotation of the hips, this is accompanied by maximum rotation of the spine, particularly the lumbar region.
As simple as this movement sounds, it requires precise muscle coordination akin to that of a trained dancer and is something that a surprising number of golfers fail to master. Like a dancer or competitive diver, the movement should ultimately become so well programmed and automatic that the golfer does not even think about it when hitting the ball.
Available time on golf courses tends for most people to be limited and relatively expensive. Thus anything that can be done at home or on a practice range to increase enjoyment on the course is welcome. The devices noted above are intended to serve that purpose. However, none specifically address well the matter of overall swing, particularly proper trunk rotation. The present invention is directed to that end and is a training and exercise device to assist a golfer in developing a smooth, accurate, and consistent swing. Golf professionals will also find the invention of significant value as a teaching device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a coordination training and exercise device for golfers. It is particularly useful in training body muscles of a golfer in order to have a sooth and correct swing that is consistent time after time. The device is a combination of a chest harness and position indicator bar. The chest harness is constructed in the manner of a brassiere with a chest encircling band supported in position by shoulder straps. The band will have a front closure which may be a buckle, Velcro, hooks and eyes, or functionally similar devices. The indicator bar is affixed to the back of the shoulder straps by small loops or other means so that it is in a generally horizontal position when the wearer is addressing a real or imaginary golf ball. The bar is not visible to the wearer when in the ball addressing position. However, it is of a length so that if body rotation is correct, at the height of the backswing one end appears directly in front of the wearer about waist high. If the golfer is right handed this will be the left end of the bar. At the end of a correct follow through the opposite end will be similarly positioned. The exact length of the bar is not critical but about 4 feet is generally suitable.
One of the many problems of form often experienced by beginning golfers is moving the upper arm up and away from the body during the back swing. In essence, arm movement partially replaces or does not coordinate well with trunk rotation. The golfer may be trained to correct this fault with one embodiment the present device. An auxiliary strap may be attached to the chest band so as to enclose one arm and maintain it in proper relationship to the trunk during the swing. For a right handed golfer the left arm would be so restrained. Other devices that serve this particular purpose are known, but none have heretofore been constructed so as to be used in the present manner.
One embodiment of the present training device includes adjustable light pointers to show a visible trace on the ground as the swing progresses as a further means of improving technique.
While one does not need to be in the peak of physical condition to play golf, certain muscle groups are repeatedly utilized and off-course exercises to strengthen those muscles are beneficial. Back and shoulder muscles in particular are important and poorly conditioned golfers are frequently subject to lower back complaints. The present invention in another embodiment can also serve as an exercise device to strengthen the critical muscle groups. Elastic strips or tubing can be affixed to each end of the bar. The outer or distal ends of the elastic have an anchoring means, such as a loop or an eye, that may be affixed to spaced apart locations such as opposing walls. By practicing swings with the harness and bar in place, the elastic offers resistance by which the appropriate muscle groups can be significantly strengthened.
It is an object of the invention to provide a golf training device that will help a golfer develop a correct, smooth, and consistent swing.
It is an additional object to provide a device that is useful to the golf professional as a teaching tool.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device that shows a visible light trace on the ground as a means for analyzing the golfer's swing.
It is a further object to provide an exercise device that strengthens the muscles used in golfing.
These and many other objects will become readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4892317 (1990-01-01), Corder
patent: 4960280 (1990-10-01), Corder, Jr.
patent: 5269528 (1993-12-01), McCardle
patent: 5441271 (1995-08-01), Briggs
patent: 5529306 (1996-06-01), Staats et al.
patent: 5586761 (1996-12-01), Brock et al.
patent: 5649884 (1997-07-01), Manalo
patent: 5718640 (1998-02-01), Noblin
patent: 5890968 (1999-04-01), Mingo
patent: 5951408 (1999-09-01), Inman
Gehr Keith D.
Gordon Raeann
Graham Mark S.
LandOfFree
Golf training device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Golf training device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Golf training device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2502305