Swing exerciser

Details Swing exerciser Swing exerciser

2000-02-17

2001-05-01

Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)

Exercise devices

User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...

Utilizing resilient force resistance

C482S130000, C482S092000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06224522

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable exercise machine. More specifically, the invention relates to an exerciser for teaching balance, building muscle and developing muscle memory for all sports involving equipment used to create a swing path, including golf, baseball, tennis, hockey, squash and racquetball.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are literally hundreds of inventions relating to golf, some of which are over a hundred years old. Various implements have been devised for swing training, typically employing harnesses with loops and tethers to physically constrain one or more body movements. Many of these assemblies are complicated and difficult to set up and/or use.
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,909 is a knock-down golf-swing training for use indoors and outdoors. A main frame is formed of tubular components including a large area base assembly, and a vertically adjustable upright post mounted medially of the rear edge of the base assembly, outriggers for the base assembly, a safety harness, and a plurality of belt loops adapted for assembly loosely about either or both ends of the player's torso while practicing golf swings.
The golf-swing training device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,909 employs an elastic loop worn around the neck, chest and hips, with most of the loop resting over the chest, abdomen and shoulders. The player swings against an upward pull exerted by tension in the elastic loop to produce improved control of the golfer's arms. The device emphasizes left hand and left arm movements for right-handed players, and does not appear to meet a wider variety of goals in swing and exercise conditioning.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,575, discloses a harness which restricts a golfer's arm and hand movements while making practice swings. A tether is attached to a point on the shaft of the golf club just above the club head, and extends to a point on the golfer's forearm where it is adjustably fastened. Again, the apparatus appears to be limited in terms of range of motion and other factors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,690 uses two interconnected elastic arm cuffs that fit over a golfer's arms to bias them towards one another other during a golf swing. An elastic hip strap is connected to the cuff holding the trailing swing arm. The device is somewhat complex, and the physical constraints imposed by the apparatus may not improve muscle memory training. An even more complex golf-swing training apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,948. The device employs a system of articulated arms force a golfer to maintain one swing plane. In addition to swing element, a swing-plane adjuster element, and an upright post-and-base element to support the movable elements from the floor, the device features an adjustable counterbalance to vary loading.
The golf training device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,927 includes an elastic cord having one end attached to a belt worn by the user and the opposite end is attached to a foot-receiving stirrup. The configuration is intended to create a rotational torque at the hips to assists the player in maintaining a proper body stance associated with a well-executed swing. In the golf training aid of U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,074 a flexible cord extends from a waist belt to a stake in the ground. The cord is designed to stretch during the user's backswing and retract during follow-through.
The golf-swing training device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,037 includes a base for receiving a golfer's front foot, at least one pivot arm having a first end pivotally mounted to the base, and biasing means for biasing the pivot arm to a first position with respect to vertical. An engagement member disposed on the opposite end of the pivot arm is used for engaging the golfer's hip area when positioned to address a golf ball. Engagement of the member displaces the pivot arm to a second position with respect to vertical so as to create a constant pressure force against the golfer's hip area. This supposedly causes the golfer to remember the proper pace and body position for performing a golf swing.
Despite these and other training aids, none are entirely adequate in terms of simplicity, exercise training, and applicability to other sports. Existing devices are either so complex that they will not be used often enough to provide rapid benefit or, if the device is simple, is limited in terms of muscular or memory development for a particular sport or swing pattern.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention resides in a simple and economical yet effective training and exercising device for sports such as golf, wherein an implement is moved along a swing path. A device according to the invention features an elongated handle having a proximal end with a hand grip and a distal end with a weighted body. In the preferred embodiment, the weighted body resembles a piece of sports equipment such as a golf club, golf ball, hockey stick, or racquet, and these pieces are preferably attachable to the distal end of the handle through a quick-disconnect connector.
At least one foot plate sized to receive the foot of a user, includes one or more connection features, preferably rigidly secured, inverted-U-shaped hooks. A stretchable tether is provided having a first end tied at a point between the proximal and distal ends of the handle and a second end tied to a connection point on the foot plate. The connection point on the handle is preferably an inverted U-shaped hook which doubles as a wrist indicator. A guard proximate the grip may optionally be provided to prevent the tether from contacting the user. The connector on the handle is preferably removably attachable so that it may be attached to a standard piece of sports equipment.
The length of the tether is adjustable so as to resist upward movement of the handle when swung by the user to promote training and exercise with respect to a given sport. The foot plate has inside and outside edges and, in the preferred embodiment, each edge includes one or more connection points to practice a back swing and a forward swing.
Multiple tethers may also be used, each having a first end secured at the point between the proximal and distal ends of the handle. For example, two tethers may be used, with the second end of one being secured to an outer connection point of the foot plate, and the second end of the other tether being secured to an inner connection point of the foot plate.
The preferred embodiment also further comprises a rocker plate defining an area large enough to receive at least one foot plate and the user's other foot, whether or not a second foot plate is used. The rocker plate optionally further includes one or more movable, rotatable foot positioning plates to assist in stabilizing the user's feet to achieve a proper stance. Each movable, rotatable plate may preferably be locked into place along a rail feature.
The invention swing exerciser may be used for many other sports besides golf such as tennis, hockey, and so forth. In each case, a user can practice both the forehand and backhand swings with the tensioned tether and foot plate placed under the corresponding foot. Like the practice golf swing, the exerciser promotes proper foot planting during the practice forehand or backhand while increasing muscle strength and memory.


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