Abstract:
A golf training apparatus which aids golfers in perfecting their swing and associated body movements comprises a cushion and posts mounted to a frame which restricts a golfer&#39;s movement while in a golf stance and during a golf swing in order to develop a proper golf swing technique. A set of bars help the user to feel the proper rotation of their hips during a swing while avoiding unwanted lateral movement. The apparatus also comprises adjustable rods which extend sideways and forwardly from the frame to help a golfer to practice their swing path by keeping the swing within the rods. A golf ball alignment bar is located at a middle location at the base of the frame to help the golfer to consistently place the ball in the proper position prior to the golf swing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a training aid to assist golfers in perfecting their golf swings and, more particularly, to said training aid comprising a frame to teach proper stance orientation to guide proper hip rotation, to calibrate swing path, and to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One (1) of the basic skills required to succeed in the game of golf is the ability to keep one&#39;s body in the correct position throughout the entire swing. The torso and waist of many golfers moves about haphazardly during a swing. This movement then causes the rest of the body to compensate, thus resulting in haphazard swings that are inconsistent. Accordingly, there is a continual need for new and innovative golf training equipment that will help to improve a golfer&#39;s swinging technique. The development of the apparatus herein fulfills this need. 
     There have been several attempts in the past to invent training aids to improve a golfer&#39;s swing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,106 issued to Herbet discloses a posture correcting tool for golf swings that incorporates a series of bars to align the golfer&#39;s buttocks, hips, and head. This patent does not disclose any means to calibrate swing path or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,734 issued to Mazzone discloses a golf swing aid that uses one (1) or more “L”-shaped members to position and guide a golfer&#39;s hips in order to prevent lateral movement. This patent does not disclose any means to calibrate swing path or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,730 issued to Bellagamba discloses a golf training apparatus that assists with positioning a golfer&#39;s head, back, and knees. This patent does not disclose any means to calibrate swing path or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,844 issued to Gray discloses a golf stance and movement training device that assists with positioning a golfer&#39;s back and knees in order to promote balance on the balls of the golfer&#39;s feet. This patent does not disclose any means to calibrate swing path or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,037 issued to Hill discloses a golf training device and method that applies pressure to a golfer&#39;s hip and includes a base for receiving a golfer&#39;s foot. This patent does not disclose any back support, any means to calibrate swing path, or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,079 issued to Hudson discloses a stance and movement swing training apparatus for golf and other sports that assist in positioning a golfer&#39;s buttocks, hips, and knee. This patent does not disclose any means to calibrate swing path or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,300 issued to May discloses a golf swing training apparatus that utilizes a series of rods to position a golfer&#39;s knees and hips. This patent does not disclose any back support, any means to calibrate swing path, or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,858 issued to Bellagamba discloses a golf training apparatus that aids in positioning a golfer&#39;s head, knees, and feet and further provides a series of mirrors to allow a golfer to examine their stance. This patent does not disclose any back support, any means to calibrate swing path, or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,074 issued to Scheurer discloses a golfer&#39;s hip turn restrictor training aid that incorporates a hook-shaped device to position a golfer&#39;s hip. This patent does not disclose any back support, any means to calibrate swing path, or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,569 issued to Rilling discloses a golf stance trainer that monitors the position of a golfer&#39;s buttocks, hips, and knees and alerts the golfer when their stance is incorrect. This patent does not disclose any means to calibrate swing path or any means to assist with consistent ball placement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,733 issued to Cavanaugh discloses a posture correcting tool for golf swings by utilizing a body cage member to guide a golfer&#39;s hips and a hitting track for proper ball placement. This patent does not disclose any back support or any means to calibrate swing path. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffers from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which an apparatus can aid a golfer in learning proper lower body movement that avoids early extension of the back or lateral movement in the hips while also assisting the golfer with learning proper swing paths and consistent ball placement. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need of a training aid to assist golfers in perfecting their golf swing and associated body movements. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a golf training apparatus to assist golfer&#39;s in perfecting their golf swings by teaching proper back orientation, hip rotation, swing path, and consistent ball placement. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus comprising a hurdle-shaped frame portion further comprising a top-mounted back cushion, opposing “T”-shaped foot portions, and a plurality of protruding post portions. 
     Another object of the present invention is where the apparatus is made of a strong composite plastic such as PVC. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is where the hurdle-shaped frame is comprised of two (2) independent and connecting pieces that allow the apparatus to be adjustable in height. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the top-mounted back cushion is vertically adjustable to align with a golfer&#39;s waist area providing a correct front-to-back stance for the golfer. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is providing a plurality of the protruding post portions to comprise a hip post assembly to provide physical contact with the golfer&#39;s hips to indicate proper or improper hip movement during both backswing and follow-through portions of a golf swing. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is providing a plurality of the protruding post portions to comprise a restrictor post assembly extending horizontally in both directions from the apparatus to force the golfer to maintain a straight swing during both the backswing and the follow through portions of the swing to avoid contact with the restrictor post assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is providing a plurality of the protruding post portions to comprise a second restrictor post assembly designed to restrict the golfer&#39;s swing when practicing the golfer&#39;s “short game.” 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is providing opposing “T”-shaped foot portions that extend perpendicularly from the base of the hurdle-shaped frame and further comprise a plurality of caps to provide a stable foundation for the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is providing a golf ball alignment assembly to comprise a rod-shaped ball alignment pointer and a tubular ball alignment sleeve which assists the golfer in developing consistent golf ball placement. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the apparatus may be achieved by performing the following steps: assembling the upper frame to the lower frame; adjusting a relative height of the upper frame, thereby positioning the back cushion so as to contact a golfer&#39;s waist area; securing the upper frame in position; utilizing one (1) or both hip post assemblies by pivoting said hip post assemblies upward to a horizontal orientation; laterally positioning said hip post assemblies on either side of said back cushion until obtaining a desired distance from a hip portion of the golfer&#39;s body; securing said hip post assemblies to said upper frame; utilizing the ball alignment assembly by pivoting said ball alignment assembly downward in a forward direction until at a horizontal orientation; adjusting said ball alignment assembly from side-to-side so as to indicate a desired position of the golf ball; utilizing the first restrictor posts, if desired, by slidingly extending one (1) or both first restrictor posts outwardly a desired distance; and, utilizing the post features of the apparatus to provide contact-type feedback to a golfer while executing practice golf swings. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the one or both of the second restrictor post assemblies to improve a “chip-shot” swing may be achieved by performing the following steps: disassembling the upper frame from the lower frame; mounting one (1) or both of the second restrictor post assemblies onto the upper frame; positioning each second restrictor post assemblies at a desired height; securing said second restrictor post assemblies; and, utilizing the apparatus to practice a short-game golf swing using iron-type golf clubs. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the lower body golf training aid  10  depicting a deployed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lower body golf training aid  10  depicting a stowed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective environmental view of the lower body golf training aid  10  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of the lower body golf training aid  10  depicting an in-use state taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the lower body golf training aid  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the lower body golf training aid  10  depicting attachment of a pair of second restrictor post assemblies  90 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  lower body golf training aid 
                 20  lower frame 
                 22  foot 
                 24  first lower frame aperture 
                 26  cap 
                 28  second lower frame aperture 
                 40  upper frame 
                 42  back cushion 
                 44  bracket 
                 46  first upper frame aperture 
                 47  post aperture 
                 50  second upper frame aperture 
                 52  locking pin 
                 54  first restrictor post aperture 
                 60  hip post assembly 
                 62  hip post 
                 64  hip post sleeve 
                 66  hip post aperture 
                 70  first restrictor post 
                 80  ball alignment assembly 
                 82  ball alignment pointer 
                 84  ball alignment sleeve 
                 86  ball alignment aperture 
                 90  second restrictor post assembly 
                 92  second restrictor post 
                 94  second restrictor sleeve 
                 96  second restrictor aperture 
                 100  golfer 
                 102  left foot 
                 104  right foot 
                 106  golf club 
                 108  golf ball 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 , and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a lower body golf training aid (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to help golfers  100  perfect various golf swings by controlling associated body movements. The apparatus  10  comprises a hurdle-shaped frame portion  20 ,  40  further comprising a top-mounted back cushion  42  and opposing “T”-shaped foot portions  22 . The apparatus  10  comprises a plurality of protruding post portions  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90  which provide feedback to the golfer  100  during a practice swing as to positioning of body portions as well as a swing path of the golf club  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of the apparatus  10  depicting deployed and stowed states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a two-piece hurdle-shaped hollow tubular frame envisioned to be made using a strong composite plastic such as PVC or a light-weight metal material such as aluminum. The frame further comprises lower frame  20  and an upper frame  40  portions having respective pairs of joined parallel vertical leg members. Said joined leg portions of the lower  20  and upper  40  frames are to be telescopingly joined together and subsequently affixed at a desired relative position via a plurality of equally-spaced first upper frame apertures  46  arranged along front and rear surfaces of the upper frame  40 , a respective first lower frame aperture  24  through the lower frame  20 , and respective insertable locking pins  52 , thereby providing a height adjustable means to the upper frame portion  40  as well as an attachment means to a pair of second restrictor posts  90  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The upper frame  40  comprises an inverted “U”-shaped structure further comprising an integral upper horizontal member with an intermediately mounted cushion  42  and a pair of laterally-adjustable hip post assemblies  60  positioned on each side of said back cushion  42  (see  FIG. 4 ). The upper frame  40  and back cushion  42  may be adjusted vertically in a coincidental manner via the previously described first upper frame apertures  46  so as to be aligned with a golfer&#39;s  100  waist or gluteus-maximus areas, thereby providing a correct front-to-back stance for the golfer  100 . Each hip post assembly  60  comprises a unitary plastic molding or metal weldment further comprising a hollow cylindrical-shaped hip post sleeve  64  and an integral rod-shaped hip post  62  which protrudes perpendicularly outward from said hip post sleeve  64 . Said hip post  62  is envisioned to extend horizontally forward approximately six (6) to twelve (12) inches. Said hip post sleeve  64  provides lateral sliding attachment and securement means to said upper frame  40 . In use, the hip post assemblies  60  are positioned laterally at a desired distance from a golfer&#39;s  100  waist or hip areas with the hip posts  62  extending forwardly and horizontally. Said hip post assemblies  60  are then secured to the upper frame  40  via insertion of respective locking pins  52  through a hip post aperture portion  66  of each hip post assembly  60  and through one (1) of a plurality of equally-spaced second upper frame apertures  50  being positioned along side surfaces of a horizontal portion of said upper frame  40 . Said locking pins  52  are envisioned to comprise commercially-available quick-disconnect devices such as detent ring pins, wire lock pins, or the like, enabling easy installation and removal without using tools. The proper positioning of said hip post assemblies  60  is to provide physical contact feedback to the golfer  100  during a practice swing, thereby indicating proper or improper hip movement during both backswing and follow-through portions of a golf swing. 
     The upper frame  40  further comprises a pair of first restrictor post apertures  47  located at upper opposing end portions. Said first restrictor post apertures  47  provide horizontal open end portions allowing snug insertion of respective first restrictor posts  70 . The first restrictor posts  70  comprise tubular or solid round members which provide an adjustable linear extension of the horizontal portion of the upper frame  40  in both directions, thereby acting to force a golfer  100  to maintain a straight golf swing during both the backswing and follow-through portions to avoid contact with said first restrictor posts  70 . 
     The previously described first upper frame apertures  46  also provide selective attachment of a pair of second restrictor post assemblies  90 . Said second restrictor post assemblies  90  provide a similar golf swing feedback function as the first restrictor post apertures  47 ; however, said second restrictor post assemblies  90  are designed to restrict a length of travel of a golf swing when using an iron-type golf club  106  to improve a golfer&#39;s  100  short game (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The lower frame  20  comprises a unitary “U”-shaped structure having a pair of horizontal “T”-shaped foot portions  20  which extend perpendicularly outward from bottom side portions of said lower frame  20  to provide a stable foundation to the apparatus  10  upon a floor surface. Said feet  22  further comprise protective plastic or rubber caps  26  affixed to end portions of said feet  22  via a press-fit. 
     An integral bottom horizontal member of the “U”-shaped lower frame  20  spans a distance between said feet  22  and provides an attachment means to a golf ball alignment assembly  80 . Said golf ball alignment assembly  80  provides a means to laterally position a golf ball  108  in an accurate and repeatable manner (also see  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 ). Said ball alignment assembly  80  comprises a unitary molded or welded structure further comprising a rod-shaped ball alignment pointer  82  and a tubular ball alignment sleeve  84  which provides lateral sliding attachment to the lower frame  20 . In use, said ball alignment assembly  80  is positioned laterally at a desired position along the lower frame  20  to position the ball alignment pointer  82  between left foot  102  and right foot  104  portions of the golfer  100 . Said ball alignment assembly  80  is secured to said lower frame  20  via insertion of a locking pin  52  through a ball alignment aperture portion  86  of the ball alignment sleeve  84  and one (1) of a plurality of equally-spaced second lower frame apertures  28  being positioned along side surfaces of said lower frame  20 . 
     The hip post assemblies  60  and ball alignment assemblies  80  may be positioned in a vertical or stowed orientation, as seen in  FIG. 2 , when not required for a particular practice session, or to enable more compact storage of the apparatus  10  when not being used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , perspective, side, and front environmental views of the apparatus  10  depicting in-use states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. In use, the golfer  100  would make contact with the back cushion  42  while in the golf stance. A proper stance and swing will result in uninterrupted contact between the body of the golfer  100  and the back cushion  42 . Said back cushion  42  comprises a vinyl-covered foam-padded construction being stationarily affixed along a rear surface to the horizontal portion of the upper frame  40  via at least one (1) “U”-shaped bracket  44  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The laterally-adjustable hip post assemblies  60  are then positioned at a desired distance from respective hip areas of the golfer  100 . The hip post assemblies  60  would help the golfer  100  to feel the proper rotation of their hips and avoid excessive lateral movement of hip portions to either side during the golf swing. It is understood that a golfer  100  may utilize either or both hip post assemblies  60  or just the back cushion  42  as desired. In like manner the ball alignment pointer  62  may be adjusted from side-to-side via the ball alignment assembly  80  to aid a golfer  100  while properly and accurately positioning a golf ball  108 . Finally, one (1) or both of the first restrictor posts  70  may be extended horizontally outward to permit a golfer  100  to work on their swing path by helping to keep their swing in front of said restrictor posts  70  while performing a slow motion practice swing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting attachment of a pair of second restrictor post assemblies  90 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides a means to control a golf swing while practicing a “chipping game” using iron-type golf clubs  106  via attachment of one (1) or both second restrictor post assemblies  90  to upper vertical portions of the upper frame  40 . The second restrictor post assemblies  90  are similar in construction and attachment method as the previously described hip post assemblies  60 . Each second restrictor post assembly  90  further comprises a second restrictor post  92 , a second restrictor sleeve  94 , and a second restrictor aperture  96  which allow selective attachment to the upper frame  40  at various heights using the first upper frame apertures  46  and the locking pin  52 . Said second restrictor post assemblies  90  are to be selectively positioned along said upper frame  40  at a desired height so as to extend forwardly and provide a contact means with a golf club  106  upon exceeding an acceptable amount of backswing or follow-through during a practice swing. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: assembling the upper frame  40  to the lower frame  20  by inserting the vertical tubular portions of said lower frame  20  into the vertical tubular portions of said upper frame  40 ; adjusting a relative height of the upper frame  40 , thereby positioning the back cushion  42  so as to contact a golfer&#39;s  100  waist or gluteus-maximus area; securing the upper frame  40  in position by inserting a locking pin  52  through a first upper frame aperture  46  and a first lower frame aperture  24  of the upper  40  and lower  20  frame portions, respectively; utilizing one (1) or both hip post assemblies  60  by pivoting said hip post assemblies  60  upward to a horizontal orientation; laterally positioning said hip post assemblies  60  on either side of said back cushion  42  until obtaining a desired distance from a hip portion of the golfer&#39;s body  100 ; securing said hip post assemblies  60  to said upper frame  40  by inserting a locking pin  52  through respective hip post apertures  66  and second upper frame apertures  50 ; utilizing the ball alignment assembly  80  by pivoting said ball alignment assembly downward in a forward direction until at a horizontal orientation; adjusting said ball alignment assembly  80  from side-to-side so as to indicate a desired position of the golf ball  108 ; utilizing the first restrictor posts  70 , if desired, by slidingly extending one (1) or both first restrictor posts  70  outwardly a desired distance; and, utilizing the post features  60 ,  70 ,  80  of the apparatus  10  to provide contact-type feedback to a golfer  100  while executing practice golf swings. 
     The method of installing and utilizing one (1) or both of the second restrictor post assemblies  90  to improve a “chip-shot” swing may be achieved by performing the following steps: disassembling the upper frame  40  from the lower frame  20 , if previously assembled; mounting one (1) or both of the second restrictor post assemblies  90  onto the upper frame  40  by slidingly installing respective second restrictor sleeves portions  94  upon vertical portions of the upper frame  40 ; positioning each second restrictor post assemblies  90  at a desired height; securing said second restrictor post assemblies  90  by inserting a locking pin  52  through a second restrictor aperture portion  96  and an aligned first upper frame aperture  46 ; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  to practice a short-game golf swing using iron-type golf clubs  106 . 
     It is envisioned that the hip post assemblies  60  would help the golfer  100  to feel the proper rotation of their hips and avoid excessive lateral movement of said hip portions to either side. It is also understood that a golfer  100  may utilize either or both hip post assemblies  60  or utilize just the back cushion  42 , if desired, to provide a customized practice session. In like manner the ball alignment assembly  80  may be adjusted from side-to-side to aid a golfer  100  to properly and accurately position successive golf balls  108 . If desired, one (1) or both of the first restrictor posts  70  may be extended horizontally outward to permit a golfer  100  to work on their swing path by helping to keep their swing in front of said restrictor posts  70  during a slow motion practice swing. Finally, one (1) or both second restrictor posts  90  may be mounted and utilized to improve a short game golf swing while using iron-type golf clubs  106  to provide feedback during a golf swing if the golfer  100  exceeds an acceptable amount of backswing or follow-through during a “chip-shot” practice swing. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.