Golf Swing Posture Training Shirt

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/707,081 for “Golf Swing Posture Training Shirt” filed on Oct. 14, 2024, and currently co-pending, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to the field of golf training equipment. More particularly, the present invention provides a shirt with attachable pads. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a wearable golf swing posture training apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Historically, there have been many innovations in the field of golf training equipment for the purpose of increasing one's golf skill and attaining better scores when playing. Proper golf swing posture and motion is on the top of the list of ways to improve one's proficiency in the sport. One of the ways to ensure a proper swing motion is to keep the inner biceps tucked to the torso while swinging the golf club. A common example of this is the “towel drill” in which a player or learner holds a towel under both arms; the object is to squeeze the arms and avoid letting the towel drop during the swing.

In the towel drill, the muscle memory needed to maintain the elbows tucked in at the torso is attained by placing a towel or towels within the armpits of the player so that if the towel falls out during a swing, the player will know that the proper posture and form was not maintained during the swing. However, there are not always spare towels around during a golfing session. Moreover, if during a swing the pressure to hold the towel is inadvertently released as happens during swing training, the towel falls away, and the golfer must retrieve it before continuing.

Existing shirt-based wearable swing training devices fail to simulate the feeling of having a towel placed underneath the user's armpits, nor do they focus in particular on the elbow-tucking aspect of the swing motion.

In view of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a wearable swing-training device that mimics the sensation of a towel beneath a wearer's arms. It would be further advantageous to provide a swing-training device that can be used discreetly with minimal visibility or effect on the user's appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a shirt with a built-in elbow-tucking training device. The shirt has interior locations adjacent to each armpit that have size-adjustable pads affixed by hook-and-loop fasteners, thus allowing one to maintain proper golf swing posture during their swing by way of tactile reinforcement.

In an alternative embodiment, insert pouches are used, with removable pads as inserts. The removable pads or inserts that are placed inside of the insert pouches may be different sized, and may either be textile based, or an inflatable bladder. Like the previously discussed pads, the insert pouch is attached to the inside of the shirt by hook-and-loop fasteners, such as those sold under the VELCRO brand. This will provide the player with the tactile sensation of having a towel underneath the armpit, simulating the classic training method for keeping one's elbows tucked, and result in greater proficiency in the sport. Therefore, the player will have a shirt or shirts at the ready to train the proper golf swing posture and motion at all golf sessions.

A preferred embodiment provides a discreet golf training garment to train the player's posture and motion of their golf swing by using a golf shirt with removable pads or removable, size-adjustable insert pouches that may be affixed to the interior part of the shirt adjacent to the armpits.

Preferred embodiments of the shirt have the pads or insert pouches held to the inside of the shirt by way of hook and loop fasteners, where the hooks portions are part of the insert pouches, and the loop portion is part of the shirt. A soft type of loop, such as mole hair, is used in preferred embodiments for the player's comfort when the pads or insert pouches are not attached.

In preferred embodiments, the insert pouches are capable of housing inserts of different thickness to accommodate users that would need either a thinner or thicker insert to produce the desired tactile sensation during their swing motion.

Preferred embodiments of the insert pouches have an opening to place the inserts, and the opening may be secured by way of hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or a zipper. In an alternate preferred embodiment, an insert pouch may be integral to the garment, and may hold the inserts in a permanent manner, with no opening to remove or replace the insert. Alternatively, the insert pouches may be integral to the garment, but the inserts themselves can be easily inserted or removed.

Some preferred embodiments of the inserts are made of textiles, and an alternative preferred embodiment is made of an inflatable bladder.

When the pads or insert pouches are not attached to the shirt, the shirt may be used as a regular golf shirt because the loop part of the shirt is not abrasive to the player.

An alternative preferred embodiment is in the form of an undergarment, such as a bra, a tank top, or another form of undershirt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a golf swing posture training shirt showing the location at which pads are placed;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf swing posture training shirt showing the location of the loop end of the hook-and-loop fasteners when the pads are not attached;

FIG. 3 is a close-up diagram of a pad and a portion of the golf swing posture training shirt that shows detail of the hook-and-loop fasteners;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a pad, showing the cloth cover and stitching;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a pad, illustrating the interior filling and the hook portion of the hook-and-loop fasteners;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an insert pouch used in place of the pads in some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the insert pouch that shows the insert;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an alternate embodiment of an inflatable insert for the insert pouch;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the golf swing posture shirt in use by the wearer;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a golf swing posture training garment in the form of a shortened tank-top undergarment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the golf swing posture training tank-top undergarment positioned under a shirt in an in-use configuration;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the golf swing posture training shirt of the present invention as applied to the exterior of a golf shirt;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the golf swing posture training shirt of the present invention and the configuration of a full-sized muscle t-shirt, or tank top; and

FIG. 14 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the golf swing posture training shirt of the present invention having interior pouches sized to receive pads for the easy insertion of the pads for practice, and removal of the pads when not in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a front view of a preferred embodiment of a golf swing posture training shirt is shown and generally designated 100.

Shirt 100 has a fabric body 102, sleeves 104, and collar 106. On the inside 102A of shirt 100, pads 108 are removably attached to the fabric body 102 or sleeve 104 adjacent to the armpit area with hook-and-loop fasteners 110. A preferred embodiment supports up to two pads 108 adjacent each armpit; one attached to the bottom of the sleeve 104 next to where it joins the body 102, and the other to the side of body 102 next to where it is joined by the sleeve 104. A wearer can attach one, both or neither of the pads 108 on each side as desired.

Referring now to FIG. 2, pads 108 (shown in FIG. 1) are removable from shirt 100, leaving only the loop portions 110A of hook-and-loop fasteners 110 (shown in FIG. 1) inside shirt 100, where loop portions 110A are stitched adjacent to the armpit area. In a preferred embodiment, soft loops are used for loop portions 110A to minimize perceptibility by the wearer, thereby improving comfort when pads 108 are not attached. Additionally, while a preferred embodiment includes loop portions 110A being stitched to pad 108, it is to be appreciated that any other method of attachment, including but not limited to heat set adhesives, standard adhesives and adhesive tape, are fully contemplated in the present invention.

Although a preferred embodiment includes loop portions 110A placed to receive pads 108 on the sleeve 104 portion and the body 102 portion on each side of shirt 100, some alternative embodiments include loop portions 110A only on the sleeve 104 portion or only on the body 102 portion of shirt 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a close-up view of pad 108 being attached to the inside 102A of body 102 of shirt 100 is illustrated, showing loop portion 110A and hook portion 110B of hook-and-loop fastener 110. Loop portion 110A is attached, such as with stitching, to the inside surface 102A of body 102 of shirt 100, and hook portion 110B is attached, such as with stitching, to pad 108, allowing pad 108 to be removably attached on the inside of body 102 near the wearer's armpit. Loop portions 110A on the inside of each sleeve 104 are also attached by stitching and function in the same manner.

Referring now to FIG. 4, pad 108 has a cloth cover 120 with stitching 122 on or near the perimeter. In one embodiment, an overlock stitch along the edges is used. However, embodiments using other stitches known in the art, and combinations of stitches, are fully contemplated herein. Pad 108, in preferred embodiments, is square or roughly square in shape with a length 124 on each side of approximately six (6) inches. Embodiments of other shapes are fully contemplated herein, such as ellipsoidal pads, an exemplary embodiment of which has a major axis of approximately six (6) inches in the front view opposite the hook portion 110B.

In a preferred embodiment, the cloth cover 120 is made from a breathable fabric to prevent excessive dampness and promote air flow throughout the pouch, and that also simulates the feeling of a sock's fabric.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 illustrates the external and internal structure of preferred embodiments of pad 108. Cloth cover 120 is stitched at the edges 121 in order to retain the contents, or filling 126, of pad 108, giving pad 108 its distinctive shape, and particularly its thickness 128 that provides tactile feedback to the wearer.

Pads 108 are provided in varied thicknesses 128 in preferred embodiments, allowing the wearer to attach pads 108 of the desired thickness 128 for training. Some preferred embodiments provide pads 108 in three thicknesses 128, including a medium thickness, a lesser thickness that is less thick than the medium thickness, and a greater thickness that is thicker than the medium thickness. For example, an exemplary embodiment provides pads 108 with thickness 128 of three (3) inches, pads 108 with thickness 128 of two (2) inches, and pads 108 with thickness 128 of one (1) inch; all having a length 124 of approximately six (6) inches.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, shirt 100 (see FIG. 1) is used with insert pouches 208 instead of pads 108 (shown in FIG. 3). Insert pouches 108 have a hook portion 110B (shown in FIG. 7) substantially similar to that shown in conjunction with pads 108 in FIG. 3 in order to attach to shirt 100 (shown in FIG. 1). Cloth cover 220 is illustrated for an ellipsoidal insert pouch 208, but other embodiments have other shapes, including square-shaped embodiments. Length 224, corresponding to the length of a side of a square-shaped embodiment, or the major axis of the illustrated ellipse, is approximately six (6) inches in preferred embodiments.

Fastener 230 allows insert pouch 208 to be opened in order to insert or remove an insert 225 (shown in FIG. 7). A preferred embodiment of fastener 230 is a zipper. Other preferred embodiments of fastener 230 as known in the art include but are not limited to hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, and other fasteners.

To adjust the golf swing posture training shirt assembly 100 to provide the tactile feedback desired, the wearer engages the fastener 230 of insert pouch 208 to open the insert pouch 208, removes the insert 225, if present, inserts an insert 225 of the desired size and type, and engages the fastener 230 to close pouch 208. For convenience in changing insert 225, insert pouch 208 can be removed from shirt 100 (shown in FIG. 1) while insert 225 is being changed, and replaced in shirt 102 when the desired insert 110 has been placed in pouch 104.

As with pads 108 (shown in FIG. 5), inserts 225 are provided in various thicknesses 228 in preferred embodiments. For example, an exemplary embodiment provides inserts 225 with thickness 228 of three (3) inches, pads 108 with thickness 228 of two (2) inches, and pads 108 with thickness 228 of one (1) inch. The shape of insert 225 corresponds to the shape of the insert pouch 208 it is intended for, and insert 225 has a length approximately matching length 224 (see FIG. 6) in order to substantially fill insert pouch 208.

A preferred embodiment of insert 225 is structurally similar to pad 108 (see FIG. 5), with a cloth covering 227 holding contents or filling 226. Preferred embodiments include stitching (not illustrated) substantially similar to the stitching 122 of pad 108, as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a side view of an alternative embodiment of insert 225A for placement in pouch 208 (shown in FIG. 7) is illustrated. In this embodiment, insert 225A is an inflatable bladder pad with rubber, silicone, or latex, instead of cloth for cover 227, and its material has sufficient durability so that it does not lose its shape or thickness due to continuous changes in heat, pressure, and moisture. Air provides filling 226. Accordingly, insert 225A has a variable thickness depending on how much air is blown into the inflatable bladder pad insert 225A through the air valve opening 240. Its size corresponds to the size, and particularly length 224, of insert pouch 208 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Air is blown into the inflatable bladder pad insert 225A through the air valve opening 240. If insert 225A is filled with too much air, the air valve opening 240 may be squeezed to release air and lower the thickness of insert 225A. When the wearer's desired thickness is achieved, then the air valve stopper 242 is rotated in direction 243 and plugged into the air valve opening 240 and pressed into the inflatable bladder insert 225A to make the air valve stopper 242 flush with the surface of insert 225A.

Referring to FIG. 9, shirt 100 is illustrated as worn by an exemplary wearer 300. After swinging a golf club (not shown), the elbows 302 of wearer 300 should be tucked against the torso, with pads 108 attached to shirt 100 adjacent to and nestled under the armpits 304 of wearer 300. Pads 108 are kept in place by way of hook and loop fasteners 110 with loops 110A integrated into the inside of the shirt 100, and the hooks 110B integrated onto the pad 108. The pads 108 of the preferred thickness of wearer 300 are used. The wearer 300 does not experience any abrasive contact between their body and the pad 108 of the shirt 100, but rather experiences the tactile reinforcement needed to maintain the proper swing motion and posture.

The use of shirt 100 is substantially similar when insert pouches 208 are used instead of pads 108. Rather than selecting a size of pad 108, the wearer 300 selects inserts 225 of the desired size, or, when inflatable inserts 225A are used, inflates the inserts 225A to the desired size.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment in the form of a golf swing posture training undergarment is illustrated and generally designated 400. In the illustrated embodiment, undergarment 400 is a sports bra 404 with pads 408 positioned so that they would be under the arms of the wearer, near the armpits.

In a preferred embodiment, pads 408 function in the same manner as pads 108 (see FIG. 3). That is, pads 408 are removably attached to bra 404 with hook-and-loop fasteners. A user can then remove pads 408 for comfort when not practicing golf, or swap pads 408 with other pads 408 of a different size, as needed or desired. However, embodiments in which pads 408 are directly and permanently stitched onto bra 404 or otherwise permanently attached to bra 404 are fully contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 11, undergarment 400 is shown in an in-use configuration under shirt 420. Worn under shirt 420, undergarment 400 provides a discreet training apparatus for a wearer practicing golf swing motion and posture.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show alternative embodiments of a golf swing posture training undergarment.

FIG. 12 illustrates golf swing posture training undergarment 440 that includes a T-shirt-style undershirt 444 with pads 448 positioned under the sleeves at the armpit area. As with previously described embodiments, in a preferred embodiment, pads 448 are removably attached to undershirt 444 with hook-and-loop fasteners, and can be removed or replaced with other sized pads 448. However, embodiments with permanently attached pads 448, for example, pads 448 stitched directly to undershirt 444, are fully contemplated. Undergarment 440 is typically worn under another shirt as a discreet practice tool.

FIG. 13 illustrates golf swing posture training undergarment 480 that includes a sleeveless undershirt 484, such as a muscle-shirt, with pads 488 positioned under the arm openings at the armpit area. As with previously described embodiments, in a preferred embodiment, pads 488 are removably attached to undershirt 484 with hook-and-loop fasteners, and can be removed or replaced with other sized pads 488. However, embodiments with permanently attached pads 488, for example, pads 488 stitched directly to undershirt 484, are fully contemplated. Like undergarment 440 (shown in FIG. 12) and undergarment 400 (shown in FIG. 10), undergarment 480 is typically worn under another shirt as a discreet practice tool.

Although a few exemplary undergarment embodiments of a golf swing posture training garment are illustrated in FIGS. 10-13, variants using other styles of undershirts and other garments worn around the torso that are known in the art are fully contemplated herein.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of golf swing posture training shirt 460 of the present invention that includes a pair of pad-receiving pouches 462 formed on the interior 102A of the shirt 460 sized to receive pads 448 so that pads 448 are easily removably from the shirt 460 simply by removing the pad in direction 464 to insert the pad 448 into the pouch 462 for use. This facilitates the use of the present invention by allowing a golfer to simply position the pads 448 in use and remove them after use. Pouch 462, in a preferred embodiment, is made from the same material as shirt 460 so that the user has no perception of the presence of any pouch 462.

While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.