COUNTERWEIGHTED SWING TRAINING WEIGHT DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE WEIGHTS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/625,236, filed Jan. 25, 2024; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to elongated sports equipment, tools and devices, and more particularly to training weight device with interchangeable weighting that can be quickly, easily, and securely affixed and removed from a proximal end of various elongated device to improve swing mechanics and swing performance.

Description of the Related Art

The present invention relates to training devices for elongated sport sticks, clubs, racquets, bats, and tools like hammers, hatchets and axes, particularly the implementation, design and manufacture of a training weight applied to the proximal end of such devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to training weights that can be affixed to any elongated sport goods and tool devices having a proximal end, such as golf clubs, lacrosse sticks, cricket bats, baseball and softball bats, hockey sticks, tennis and other racquets, hammers, hatchets, and axes.

Athletes, employees, and consumers who struggle with inadequate swing mechanics generate defects and insufficiencies throughout the entire swing motion. This results in imperfect contact or release zones, inconsistent timing, substandard impact or release points, adverse effects to muscle memory, and degenerated swing performance and intended outcome.

Weights have long been used to improve swing and stroke performance, many of which are positioned away from the proximal end and hand(s) of the device. This tends to induce deficiencies during loading the backswing, decrease lag from the start of the forward momentum of the swing, produce or increase casting to the contact or release zone, cause inconsistency at the moment of contact or point of release, and subtracts speed and power at the moment of contact or point of release, and during follow through or completing of the swing, which negatively affects stroke performance and the intended outcome. Weight in these positions alter to the moment of inertia by changing the mass distribution of the device being swung which increases the outward force created by the added weight. This changes the user's swing mechanics as well as adversely affecting muscle memory response.

SUMMARY

A training weight device is disclosed. The training weight device comprises a housing movably coupled to a carrier. The carrier comprises a plurality of fingers rotatably coupled to the carrier wherein upon actuation of the housing, the plurality of fingers is configured to open and close depending on direction of actuation. The plurality of fingers is configured to attach to a proximal end of a handle, such as sports equipment or tools. A weight subassembly is detachably coupled to the housing to provide the desired weight of the training weight device. Alternate weight configurations can be achieved with heavier weight subassembly, extensions weights, and/or external weights.

The training weight device can be quickly, easily and detachably coupled to the proximal handle end of elongated sporting goods and tools, instead of positioning a weight on the shaft or head in front of the user's hand(s) of the elongated device. The training weight device provides the desired resistance without inducing defective and insufficient effects of weights in front of the hand(s) along the shaft or head of the elongated device. By placing the training weight device on the proximal handle end, the moment of inertia of the elongated device is substantially different than an elongated device having a weight on the shaft or head. As a result, the training weight device allows users to properly warm up, practice swing, and swing to strike, contact, or advance the intended object to be struck, contacted, or advanced, without the defective and insufficient effects on body swing mechanics and muscle memory.

The cap subassembly comprises an attachment feature such as threads or cam mechanisms to attach to the top of the housing subassembly and has either a finished surface to the top or an additional attachment feature to attach additional cap subassemblies to add or subtract weight.

The cam mechanism can be constructed in innumerable manners as can be selected by those skilled in the art including radial or axial.

Clamping features can be constructed in innumerable manners as can be selected by those skilled in the art.

The thread feature can be constructed in innumerable manners as can be selected by those skilled in the art.

Varying the diameter of the subassemblies and clamping feature shape produces a training weight that can affix to any elongated proximal end.

The training weight device can be made of any material as can be selected by those skilled in the art.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a training weight device that includes interchangeable weighting which can be quickly, securely, and easily affixed and removed to the proximal end of an elongated device.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a training weight device which can be affixed to the proximal handle end adjacent to the user's hand(s) closest to the user's body of an elongated device without interfering with the contacting surface or advancing feature of the device.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a training weight which can be affixed to the proximal end of elongated devices without shifting mass to the shaft or head that produces improper swing mechanics and detrimental effect to muscle memory.

These and other more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handle portion of a sport club and a training weight device in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sport club and the training weight device after the sport club's proximal end has been inserted into the training weight device according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sport club and training weight device combination of FIG. 2 wherein the training weight device is tightened around the sport club handle according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front section view of the sport club and training weight device combination illustrated in FIG. 2 according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cutaway view of the training weight device according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the training weight device according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the various components of the training weight device according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of various possible weight configurations for the training weight device according to the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the training weight device in accordance with a second illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the training weight device shown in FIG. 9 according to the second illustrated embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the training weight device according to the second illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.

The features, components, and configurations described in connection with the various embodiments illustrated herein may be combined, interchanged, or otherwise modified in any number of ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and it is intended that the invention encompasses all such combinations, permutations, and modifications as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In one general embodiment, a training weight device configured to attach to an end of a handle is disclosed. The training weight device comprises a carrier coupled to a housing. Further coupled to the housing is a weight subassembly for adjusting weight of the training weight device. A plurality of fingers is radially disposed at the carrier. The plurality of fingers is movably coupled to the carrier wherein the plurality of fingers is configured to tighten about the end of the handle upon the carrier being moved relative to the housing.

In some embodiments, the plurality of fingers may be rotationally coupled to the carrier.

In some embodiments, the housing may be configured to rotate relative to the carrier.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of fingers further may comprise a linkage element pivotally coupled to an end of each of the plurality of couples wherein each linkage element is configured to move related to the respective finger to achieve a greater gripping area.

In some embodiments, the plurality of fingers may be slidably coupled to the carrier.

In some embodiments, the housing may be configured to move linearly relative to the carrier.

In some embodiments, the plurality of fingers may be configured to move by a radial cam.

In some embodiments, the plurality of fingers may be configured to move by an axial cam.

In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a screw motion relative to the carrier.

In some embodiments, the training weight device may further comprise an extension weight detachably coupled to both the weight subassembly and the housing. The extension weight may comprise threads at each end of the extension weight. The extension weight may be disposed between the weight subassembly and the housing. In some embodiments, the training weight device may further comprise a plurality of extensions weights wherein each of the plurality of extension weights is disposed between the weight subassembly and the housing.

In some embodiments, the weight subassembly may further comprise a closed end.

In some embodiments, the weight subassembly may further comprise a plurality of internal weights wherein each the plurality of internal weights detachably couples to a hollow interior of the weight subassembly. The hollow interior of the weight subassembly may further comprise internal threads. Each of the plurality of internal weights may further compriseexternal threads configured to engage with the internal threads of the hollow interior.

Each of the components of the training weight and related system described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled in accordance with the conventional knowledge and level of a person having skill in the art.

While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

First Illustrated Embodiment

Now turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 show a training weight device according to a first illustrated embodiment. The training weight device 100 is configured as a butt end weight for a sports or tool handle. The generally elongated handle 99 to be weighted has a proximal end 98 as shown in FIG. 1. The training weight device 100 has a plurality of fingers 103 on a lower end of the training weight device. The plurality of fingers 103 are movably attached to a carrier 102. To attach the training weight device 100 to the handle 99, the proximal end of the handle 99 is placed into a space between the plurality of fingers 103 on the lower end of the training weight device 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of fingers 103 is then tightened by moving a housing 101 relative to the carrier 102 such as by rotating about an axis roughly parallel to the axis of the handle 99. This results in the handle 99 being clamped to the training weight device 100 as shown in FIG. 3. The housing 101 enables the carrier 102 to be drawn up into a cavity of the housing when the housing is tightened. As shown, means of attachment of the carrier 102 to the housing 101 is by achieved by threads. Other means may also be utilized as can be appreciated by one having skill in the art such as a cam mechanism. The housing 101 is designed for a screw motion relative to the carrier 102. Other designs can produce alternate motions including linear motions.

A section view is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 to demonstrate in one embodiment how the training weight device 100 is configured to tighten. The carrier 102 has a facing surface 104 that contacts an outer surface 105 of the plurality of fingers 103. As the housing 101 is rotated relative to the carrier 102, the housing moves along an axis roughly parallel to the axis of the handle 99. In so doing it presses on the plurality of fingers 103 and causes them to pivot about the pins 110 and close on the handle 99 with an inward facing surface 109. As shown the inward facing surface is smooth, but it could be textured or knurled to increase the grip on the handle 99. The inward facing surface 109 could also be covered with a resilient or somewhat compliant material such as rubber to increase the grip. When the handle end 98 is inserted into the training weight device 100, the handle 99 rests on a stopping surface 124 that provides a stop for the motion of the handle in this direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopping surface 124 is shown as a shallowly dished surface, but in other embodiments the stopping surface can be a steeper indentation, stepped, or serrated to improve grip. Alternatively, if the handle 99 has an indentation in the proximal end 98, the carrier 102 may have a protuberance adapted for engaging the indentation. One having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of other means for securely attaching the carrier 102 to the handle 99.

To remove the training weight device 100, the housing 101 is simply rotated in the opposite direction as that for tightening, and the handle 99 is extracted by pulling along the approximate direction of the axis of the handle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the carrier 102 has a rubber bumper 122 that is retained by a screw 123 that serves to bias the plurality of fingers 103 outward and make it easier to load a handle 99. The weight of the training weight device 100 can be changed via a threaded portion 107 on the distal end of the housing to allow the detachable coupling of a weight subassembly 108.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of fingers 103 may comprise a linkage element pivotally coupled at an end opposite a pivoting end of the plurality of fingers 103 wherein the pivoting end is movably coupled to the carrier 102 by the pins 110. Each of the linkage elements may be disposed on or near the inward facing surface 109 of the plurality of fingers 103. The linkage elements allow the training weight device 100 to couple to various shaped and sized handles 99 by changing its angle in response to the respective handle.

One implementation for adding the weight subassembly 108 is shown in FIG. 8. The weight subassembly 108 can be exchanged with an alternate weight subassembly 113 that comprises a heavier or lighter weight. The alternate weight subassembly 113 comprises a similar structure and attachment mechanism. Like the weight subassembly 108, the alternate weight assembly 113 comprises threads 116 to detachably couple to threads 107 of the housing 101. An end opposite the threads of the weight subassembly and the alternate weight subassembly are illustrated as closed off and sealed to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the housing 101. Weight configurations may further comprise an extension weight 114 configured to be disposed between the weight subassembly 108 and the housing 101. Threads 116 of the weight subassembly 108 are configured to attached to threads 115 of the extension weight 114 disposed at a distal end of the extension weight 114. The extension weight 114 further comprises threads 116 disposed at a proximal end opposite the distal end wherein the threads 116 are configured to detachably couple to the distal end 107 of the housing 101. In some embodiments, weight configurations can include a plurality of extension weights 114 to increase weight of the training weight device 100. As an alternative there could be an external weight 117 with internal threads 120 that can attach to the threads 107, 115 on the distal end of the housing 101 or the extension weight 114. The external weight 117 comprises a hollow interior with plurality of internal weights 118, 119 configured to nest within the hollow interior using external threads 121. The external threads 121 are configured to engage with the internal threads 120 on the external weight 117. The plurality of internal weights 118, 119 can be added or excluded as necessary to vary the overall weight of the training weight deice 100. One having skill in the art will appreciate that the external weight 117 can also be interpreted as the weight subassembly 108 with the plurality of internal weight 118, 119. FIG. 8 demonstrates some of the possible weight configurations using an arrow guide for different combinations. The various weight configurations allow for precision and fast deployment during training, preparations, and warm-ups.

The outer surfaces 112 of the housing 101 as well as the additional weights of various sort can be knurled to give a better grip for tightening the attachment or for changing weights.

The various weights are shown in this implementation being attached via threads, but this invention may also include a snap, bayonet, or other means that could be used in lieu of threads as can be appreciated by one having skill in the art.

Second Illustrated Embodiment

FIGS. 9-11 show the training weight according to a second illustrated embodiment. In this embodiment the housing 201 rotates with respect to a carrier 202 without threading. Instead, the housing turns around a shoulder screw 213 and the travel of the housing 201 is stopped by the head of the screw 213. A cam surface 204 on the proximal edge of the housing pushes on a bearing surface 205 of a plurality of fingers 203 to move the plurality of fingers 203 to achieve clamping to a respective handle. The tightness of the clamping is adjusted by twisting the shoulder screw 213 in or out. The cam 204 then goes to the same axial position when it is rotated and therefore to the same tension of clamping. The plurality of fingers 203 has a slot 208 and move by sliding on pins 210 along this slot. At the other end of each finger from the slot is a pivot 211 for a finger extension 212. This finger extension can pivot as the angle of the finger changes, to better grip the handle.

The differences between this implementation and the first implementation are modular and can be mixed and matched as the designer sees fit. A cam can be used with simple fingers on a simple pivot, sliding fingers can be used without pivoting extensions, etc.