Exercise devices – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-01-16
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Miscellaneous
C482S093000, C473S276000, C434S252000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174270
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a golf training and exercise apparatus which reinforces correct stance and swing movement. In particular the present invention provides a golf training and exercise device capable of restricting a players body position and movement to follow a rotation plane variably adjustable in three axes, while exerting a lateral force against a player's upper body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous devices have been proposed to teach or correct the golf swing. Many are directed toward guiding the path of the club without controlling the movement of the player. Prior art devices which do try to control body movement are generally overly restrictive, complicated and inaccurate in the movement defined.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,402 issued to Hart discloses a stand which holds a handle for any athletic swinging movement with a linkage mechanism which controls movement of the handle. The machine provides resistance in order to assist as a strengthening exercise. The swing is not specifically for golf and the device does not control the position or movement of the player.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,546 to Chen discloses a device designed to restrict the movement of the player employing an arrangement of cross bars and straps rotationally mounted on a pivotal stand. The straps are provided to secure both the hips and shoulders of a player to the cross bars for rotation about a single axis defined by the pivotal stand. However, human mechanics do not permit the simple movement prescribed by this device. The spine does not rotate, but twists in a helix of many different axes. The hips cannot pivot about the same axis as the shoulders, and the attempt to do so would result in compensation to position and movement counter productive to the golf swing. Further, the axis for rotation of this device is not fixed, but is freely pivotal. This removes control of the motion, as the axis can change throughout the movement, and also makes it difficult for a player to use the device to return to a specific movement. Securing the player to the apparatus hinders development of the movement and supporting muscles which would occur if the player were self supported.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,000 issued to Cox discloses a mechanical device which provides more restriction to body movement. The player is effectively immobilized in a mechanical device which provides three pivotal linkages, to the head, the shoulders and the arms. However, the device is unsatisfactory because it is not possible to make the range of motion necessary for an effective swing. The players head is immobilized to rotation on a single axis, while the shoulders are allowed relatively free movement against a universal linkage without making any lateral movement. This produces a contorted position (seen in
FIG. 4
) with the head down to the side and the shoulders fully raised. The arm swing is linked by cables to the shoulder brace to force the body to twist, giving primary control to the minor muscle movement. This does not effectively guide the large body movement and requires the body to compensate for flaws caused by the swing. Again, the player is supported and moved by the apparatus, hindering development of the movement independently.
It is desired to place a players body in a correct posture for a correct swing, and to guide the body through a movement in position to make an effective swing, while preventing compensating leg movement or body tilt. It is also desired to provide a device which establishes a consistent movement to which a player may return, and against which a player may measure progress in flexibility and strength.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which can be used to control body movement specific for a golf swing, and which can be used as a training and an exercise device to extend that range of movement. The present invention confines a player to movement about a specific axis. The depending arms establish a compact position forcing the complete upper body to pivot and make a lateral shift, not accomplished in the prior art.
Accordingly the present invention provides an exercise device for guiding pivotal and lateral movement of a player's upper body comprising:
a yoke for receiving a player's shoulders having at least one depending arm at least partially surrounding a player's body for contacting a player's shoulders to exert a lateral force against the player's shoulders; a yoke head mounted to the yoke; means associated with the head for rotation of the yoke about a primary axis; means for setting a variable angular orientation of said primary axis relative to a horizontal axis;
a stand for supporting the yoke including means for adjustment to the height of said yoke; and
a positioning arm joining the head to the stand and displacing the head forwardly of the stand.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the yoke rotates relative to the head, and may be supported by an axle journalled within the head for free rotation of the yoke about the head, including a pair of pivot pins for setting angular orientation of the primary axis relative to a horizontal and a vertical axis.
In a further preferred embodiment the present invention provides an exercise device for guiding pivotal and lateral movement of a player's upper body comprising:
a support standard;
a positioning arm including means for variable height adjustment mounted to project from the standard;
a rotational axle on the positioning arm defining a primary axis of rotation having adjustment means for positioning the axle relative to two additional axes;
a yoke for receiving a players shoulders rotatively secured by the axle to said positioning arm; and
a pair of depending arms spaced apart on the yoke for confining a player against said yoke and for exerting a lateral force against a players shoulders during rotation.
In a still further preferred embodiment the present invention provides an exercise device for guiding pivotal and lateral movement of a player's upper body comprising:
a yoke for receiving a player's shoulders having at least one arm for at least partially surrounding a player's body and contacting a player's shoulders, said yoke being mounted to a yoke head; a means associated with said head for rotation of said yoke relative to said head about a primary axis substantially parallel to at least a portion of a player's spine, and including means associated with said head for setting a variable angular orientation of said primary axis relative to a horizontal axis;
a stand for supporting said yoke including means for adjustment to the height of said yoke; and
a positioning arm joining said head to said stand and displacing said head forwardly of said stand.
The yoke head preferably comprises first and second parts pivotally joined by a pivot pin. The axle which defines the first axis is journalled within the first part, and a further pivot mount joins the second part of the head to the positioning arm. The pivot mount defines the second axis of rotation. The pivot pin joining the first and second parts of the head defines a third axis. The three axes are substantially mutually perpendicular. A latch between the first and second parts of the head permits a selectively operable latch function to fix the third axis.
The motion created by the golf training and exercise device is compatible with the fill variety of teaching methods or schools. The apparatus is ambidextrous, being able to accommodate left or right swing players. Advantageously, the present invention provides a repeatable movement, so that the student or professional can return to the same specific motion from one session to the next. The device can also be used to measure and extend movement flexibility. These exercise movements can also be beneficial to other athletic activity.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4757992 (1988-07-01), Heitsch et al.
patent: 4758000 (1988-07-01), Cox
patent: 5039105 (1991-08-01), Ro
patent: 5050885 (1991-09
Crow Stephen R.
McFadden Fincham
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