Patent ID: 6361448
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling and stabilizing the swing of a golfer comprising:an upper support member for engaging a portion of a golfer's leg above the golfer's knee; a lower support member for engaging a portion of a golfer's leg below the golfer's knee; a first hinge assembly; a second hinge assembly; a first upper strut operably connected to said upper support member at one position along its length and operably connected to the first hinge assembly at another position along its length; a second upper strut operably connected to said upper support member at one position along its length and operably connected to the second hinge assembly at another position along its length; a first lower strut operably connected to said lower support member at one position along its length and operably connected to the first hinge assembly at another position along its length; a second lower strut operably connected to said lower support member at one position along its length and operably connected to the second hinge assembly at another position along its length; said first and second hinge assemblies further comprise a first hinge structure having an inner bearing surface and a second hinge structure configured to be received within the inner bearing surface of the first hinge structure, said first and second hinge structures configured to rotate with respect to one another; wherein said first and second hinge assemblies are configured to position and lock the upper support member at an angle with respect to the lower support member; at least one of the first and second hinge assemblies including flexion angle markings that indicate the angular position at which the upper support member is positioned and locked with respect to said lower support member; a locking pin operably engageable with said first hinge structure and said second hinge structure, said locking pin operable between a first position and a second position such that when said locking pin is in said first position, said first and second hinge structures are free to rotate with respect to each other and when said locking pin is in said second position, said first and second hinge structures are not free to rotate with respect to each other; and wherein said second hinge structure is provided with a slot operable to receive said locking pin and said apparatus further comprising a spring that is secured at one end to said locking pin and at the other end to a pin positioned at a respective center of the first and second hinge structures.