GOLF SWING TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to Patent Application No. 63/623,111 filed on Jan. 19, 2024 which is incorporated herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a system configured to attach an article (e.g., ball) to a golfer at different locations (e.g., arms, legs, etc.) during a golf swing thereby training the golfer to learn certain golf swing techniques.

BACKGROUND

Golf is an extremely popular game played by more than 30 million people in the U.S. The number of golfers worldwide is significantly higher. A good golf swing is one key to playing golf well. Unfortunately, a good golf swing is made up of many, many facets and most people are not born with a good golf swing.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to develop a new, easy-to-use system for training a golfer to practice and learn a good golf swing. More particularly, the system disclosed herein teaches a golfer proper techniques to learn a good golf swing.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system broadly comprising a spherical member and means for attaching the same to various locations on a golfer's body. In one embodiment, the spherical member is an inflatable ball and the means for attachment to the golfer is a body strap including a clip receiver removably engageable with a clip joined to the spherical member. In this manner, the body strap, with the ball disengaged from the body strap, can be moved to a new body location, where the ball can be re-attached via the engagement of the clip to the clip receiver. In one embodiment, the clip is attached to one or more ball-retaining straps wrapped about the ball. In another embodiment, the ball is solid or semi-solid rather than inflatable.

Depending on the desired swing technique to be taught, the spherical member may be connected to the golfer's arms, wrists, hips, waist, etc. When not in use, the spherical member may be attached to a golfer's belt or other article of clothing, golf bag, or the like by using the clip.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a spherical member associated with a golf swing training system according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a body strap associated with the golf swing training system according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side views of a clip receiver associated with the golf swing training system according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a rear view of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member attached to the golfer's bicep according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate a rear view of a first instance of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member attached to the golfer's trail wrist according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6D illustrate a rear view of a second instance of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member attached to the golfer's trail wrist according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate a rear view of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member attached to the golfer's trail hip area according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate a rear view of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member attached to the golfer's lead hip area according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9A to 9D illustrate a rear view of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member attached to the golfer's trail bicep according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the components detailed below can be fabricated of suitable materials including plastics, composites, metals, alloys, fabrics, glasses, polymers and the like as well as combinations thereof. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the components detailed below can be fabricated using suitable methods including injection molding, machining, additive processes, casting and the like as well as combinations thereof.

Applicant incorporates herein by reference U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,957 entitled Golf Swing Training Apparatus For Maintaining Arms in Proper Position Throughout a Golf Swing and Method of Using the Same.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the embodiments of the present invention broadly comprise an inflated ball 100, retaining straps 110-1, 110-2, clip support 120, clip 130, body strap 140 and clip receiver 150. In one embodiment, the clip 130 comprises a belt or spring clip with an integral pair of spaced stops 131 affixed thereto. In one embodiment, the clip 130 is connected to the clip support 120 which is attached to the retaining straps 110-1, 110-2. In one embodiment, the clip 130 is connected to the clip support 120 with a pair of rivets which further serve as the spaced stops 131. Other types of connectors may be used to connect the clip 130 to the clip support 120. In an alternative embodiment, the connectors and spaced stops are independent members. In another embodiment, the clip 130 may be attached directly to the retaining straps 110-1, 110-2 or inflated ball 100 without a clip support 120.

The clip support 120 may be attached to the retaining strap 110 using any suitable means including adhesives, pins, nuts and bolts, clevis and pin fasteners, etc. As shown, in one embodiment, the clip support 120 is formed of plastic or similar rigid material to which the clip 130 may be attached. The clip support 120 also serves to hold the retaining straps 110-1, 110-2 together about the inflated ball 100.

Now referring to FIG. 2, the body strap 140 comprises a band 141, body 142 and the clip receiver 150. Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, the clip receiver 150 includes a series of openings 151-1 through 151-3. The openings 151-1 through 151-3 receive the spaced stops 131 of the clip 130 when the clip 130 is slid into the clip receiver 150. The interaction of the spaced stops 131 and openings 151-1 through 151-3 maintain the inflatable ball 100 attached to the clip receiver 150 of the body strap 140. The attachment of the inflatable ball 100 to the clip receiver 150 is strong enough to resist separation of the inflatable ball 100 from the clip receiver 150 during a golf swing while not too strong to prevent easy separation of the inflatable ball 100 to the clip receiver 150 by the golfer when desired.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show several, although not all, possible uses for the system detailed herein. In practice, the golfer can move the body strap 140 to different parts of the body, attach the inflated ball 100 and practice golf swings dedicated to improving certain golf swing techniques as disclosed in more detail below. Tactile and spatial awareness associated with the inflated ball 100 teach certain proper swing techniques and associated muscle memory.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the body strap 140 attached to a golfer's lead bicep with the inflated ball 100 attached to the body strap 140. In this position, the inflated ball 100 serves to aid golfers with one or more of: (i) completing a full shoulder turn during the backswing; (ii) moving golf ball below face/chin and (iii) completing a full golf swing follow through.

FIG. 4A shows the general position of the inflated ball 100 during a golfer's set up. As shown in FIG. 4A, the inflated ball 100 extends outward from the golfer's bicep generally parallel to the home position of the golf club at set up. As shown in FIG. 4B, during a proper backswing, the inflated ball 100 should contact the golfer's ear and/or check at the top of the backswing. As shown in FIG. 4C, during the down swing at impact, the inflated ball 100 is generally beneath the golfer's chin. As shown in FIG. 4D, at the apex of the follow through of the golf swing, the inflated ball 100 should contact an underside of the golfer's trail forearm and/or wrist and contact the lead forearm provided an approximate 90° angle is formed by the lead arm bicep and forearm.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the body strap 140 attached to a golfer's trail wrist with the inflated ball 100 attached to the body strap 140. In this position, the inflated ball 100 serves to aid golfers with the proper position of their wrist and hand during a golf swing.

FIG. 5A shows the general position of the inflated ball 100 during a golfer's set up. As shown in FIG. 5A, the inflated ball 100 extends outward from the golfer's trail wrist proximate to the back of the golfer's trail hand. As shown in FIG. 5B, during a proper backswing, the inflated ball 100 should contact the back of the golfer's trail hand as the trail hand flexes about the corresponding trail wrist at the top of the backswing. As shown in FIG. 5C, during the down swing prior to impact, the inflated ball 100 should continue to contact the back of the golfer's trail hand as the trail hand flexes about the corresponding trail wrist until about impact. After impact, the trail hand should return to a non-flexed position. As shown in FIG. 5D, at the apex of the follow through of the golf swing, the inflated ball 100 should once again contact the back of the golfer's trail hand as the trail hand flexes about the corresponding trail wrist at the top of the backswing.

FIGS. 6A and 6B again show the body strap 140 attached to a golfer's trail wrist with the inflated ball 100 attached to the body strap 140. FIGS. 6A and 6B show how the trail hand should flex about the corresponding trail wrist during certain positions during the backswing such that contact is made by the inflated ball 100 against a back of the golfer's trail hand. FIG. 6C shows a close-up view of the golfer's trail hand at the top of the back swing where contact is made by the inflated ball 100 against a back of the golfer's trail hand. FIG. 6D shows a close-up view of the golfer's trail hand during the down swing where contact continues between the inflated ball 100 against a back of the golfer's trail hand.

FIGS. 7A through D show the inflated ball 100 attached to the golfer's trail hip. In this embodiment, the inflated ball 100 is attached to the golfer's belt using the clip 130 thus eliminating the need for the body strap 140. The clip 130 may also be attached to the golfer's pants or shorts if no belt is available or any other article of clothing, or accessory thereto, as desired. In such an embodiment, the inflated ball 100 may be used to maintain the golfer's trail arm in the proper position through the down swing as seen best in FIG. 7C. In other words, if the inflated ball 100 interferes with the down swing, the down swing is not proper.

FIGS. 8A through 8D show the inflated ball 100 attached to the golfer's lead hip. In this embodiment, the inflated ball 100 is again attached to the golfer's belt, or other article of clothing or accessory thereto, using the clip 130 thus eliminating the need for the body strap 140. In such an embodiment, the inflated ball 100 may be used to maintain the golfer's front side in the proper position through impact to the follow through as seen in FIGS. 8C and 8D.

FIG. 9A to 9D show a rear view of a golfer progressing through a golf swing with the spherical member inflated ball 100 attached to the lower portion of the golfer's trail bicep according to the embodiments of the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 9B, at the top of the backswing, the tactile feel of the inflated ball “squishing” between the trail bicep and forearm provides the golfer with feedback that the trail arm has bent approximately 90° as desired. As best shown in FIG. 9D, at the top of the follow through, the inflated ball 100 should be generally next to the golfer's cheek/ear but with little or no contact with the golfer's cheek/ear. Significant contact between the inflated ball 100 and the golfer's cheek/ear is indicative of an improper follow through.

While a spherical inflated ball 100 is described above, the inflated ball 100 may take on shapes other than spherical, such as elliptical, polygonal, etc. As used herein, ball refers to any article able to perform the functions of the inflated ball 100 detailed herein. Moreover, the inflated ball 100 may be replaced with a solid or semi-solid ball. While a clip 130 and clip receiver 150 are described above, other connector types may be used such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or magnets to attach the ball to the body strap 140.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention.