Abstract:
An improved variable tension swing training and exercising apparatus which uses a primary resistance system and an adjustable secondary resistance to accommodate a number of golfers, having a wide range of physical characteristics and strength. The resistance is connected to a rotatable swing arm permitting a golfer to simulate a golf swing while exercising the golf muscles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a golf swing training and muscle exercising apparatus which is adjustable to enable a variety of users of various heights and strengths to simulate the movements of a proper golf swing. The apparatus also exercises the muscles of a golfer when swing movements are performed.  
           [0002]    The present invention is an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,874 issued to Robert E. Fitch and U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,464 issued to George P. Lee, III et al.  
           [0003]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,464 a golf swing training and exercising apparatus is disclosed including a base platform, an upright housing having a rotating parabolic arm connected between a simulated golf grip and a resistance source mounted in the housing, which enables a golfer to execute a simulated golf swing by rotating the arm against the resistance. The structure includes a linkage which permits rotation of the swing arm in either a back swing or down swing direction against the resistance. Further, this patent discloses a limited tension adjustment apparatus in the form of a tension arm designed to be located within a series of slots. However, this adjustment is limited whereby a swing training and exercising apparatus designed for a strong man could not be used by a woman or a child or for that matter, a man with reduced strength.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides a golf swing training and exercise apparatus for simulating a proper golf swing path and for exercising the golf swing muscles and includes a base, a housing connected to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, a primary resistance system and a linkage system supported in the housing, the linkage system being operably connected to the resistance system, a swing arm having a proximal end rotatably attached to the linkage system and a grip on a distal end thereof, the linkage system being movable in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction against said primary resistance system and a secondary resistance means removably attached to said apparatus to operate in conjunction with said primary resistance system.  
           [0005]    The present invention further provides an improved variable tension swing training and exercising apparatus which provides a wide range of adjustable resistance via a primary resistance system which works in conjunction with a secondary removable resistance system to accommodate a number of golfers, having a wide range of physical characteristics and strength, including women and children as well as men having well developed muscles and superior strength associated therewith.  
           [0006]    The improvement of the present invention uses a secondary resistance which adds tension to the primary resistance for increasing the overall resistance for well developed users. Preselected resistive force bands are connected between a movable force band rod and a fixed force band rod. The fixed force band rod is connected toward a lower end of the housing and also serves as a mount for an internal spring. The movable force band rod extends through a pair of slots in the apparatus housing and is accessible outside the housing. The movable force band rod is mounted on an internal rod carriage block and is connected to the rotatable swing arm through the sprocket, chain and rod connector. Selected force bands are attached between the fixed and movable force band rods to provide a selected resistance for a particular golfer using the apparatus.  
           [0007]    In use, a golfer selects a force band having a particular resistance. The ends of the force bands are provided with suitable connectors whereby one end of the force band is placed on the fixed force band rod and the other end of the force band is placed on the movable force band rod. Once a force band resistance is selected for a particular golfer using the apparatus, it is attached between the fixed and movable force band rods. Then the golfer may use the swing training and exercising apparatus either in a simulated back swing or down swing mode by rotating the parabolic swing arm in either a back swing or down swing direction in accordance with a specific exercise being performed. Rotation of the parabolic swing arm, in turn, rotates the shaft and sprocket to extend the movable rod against the resistance.  
           [0008]    An object of the present invention is to provide a swing training and exercise apparatus using a primary resistance system and an adjustable secondary resistance to accommodate a number of golfers having a wide range of physical characteristics and strengths.  
           [0009]    It an object of the present invention to provide a swing training and exercise apparatus wherein the secondary resistance means is connected between a fixed support extending from said housing and a movable support connected to the linkage system and extending from the housing.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus wherein said secondary resistance means is mounted on the exterior of the housing.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus wherein the secondary resistance means is a resilient band having a predetermined resistance when stretched.  
           [0012]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus wherein the secondary resistance means is a plurality of resilient bands each having a predetermined resistance when stretched.  
           [0013]    Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of the subject invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is shows a side elevational view of a golf swing training apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a partial view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of FIG. 3.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the housing assembly of the invention of Figure.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the housing assembly and the resistance mechanism of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a detail of the resistance mechanism of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a partial view of the invention showing the force bands in a relaxed position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a partial view of the invention showing the force bands in an expanded position.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.  
         [0024]    This invention includes a many of the features described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,464, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0025]    With reference to the drawings, the golf swing trainer and exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention is formed of a base platform  12 , a mounting post  14  and an upright housing  16  vertically mounted on the mounting post  14  and secured thereon by means of a hand screw  17 . A parabolic swing arm  18  includes a handle  20  connected to a distal end of the swing arm  18  with a flexible linkage  22  and handle connector  24 . The opposite end of the parabolic swing arm  18  is connected to a hub  30  which in turn is connected to a hub shaft  32  rotatably mounted within a bearing (not shown) at the top of the housing  16 , whereby rotation of the parabolic swing arm  18  rotates the hub shaft  32 .  
         [0026]    The housing  16  is formed with front and rear walls  34  and  36  and side walls  38  and  40 . A fixed force band rod  42  is mounted at the lower end of the housing  16 . An elongated slot  44  is formed in each of the side walls  38  and  40 , which locates and receives a movable force band rod  46 . A secondary resistance system in the form of rubber force bands  50 , which provide selected resistance for the apparatus, are mounted between the fixed force band rod  42  and the movable force band rod  46 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate, in detail, the rubber force bands  50  used with the present invention. They are elongated, flexible, resilient, sheets  52  integrally formed with mounting hubs  54  on the ends thereof. Each hub  54  is formed with an aperture  56  sized to fit on and connect with the fixed force band rod  42  and the movable force band rod  46 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing  16  includes a mounting post chamber  58  and a tension mechanism chamber  60 . The tension mechanism includes a rotatable sprocket  62  which is fixed to the hub shaft  32  and is rotatable therewith. One end of a chain  64  is connected at a point on the circumference of the rotatable sprocket  62 . The opposite end of the chain  64  is fixed to a rod connector  66  which in turn supports the moveable force band rod  46 , see FIG. 7. The opposite end of the rod connector  66  connects with the primary resistance spring  68 , which in turn, is fixed to the fixed force band rod  42 . The rod connector  66  is integral with a movable rod carriage block  70  which slides along the inner wall surfaces  72  and  74  of the housing  16 . Preferably a carriage friction plate  76  lines the inner wall surfaces  72  and  74 , allowing the movable rod carriage block  70  to freely slide upwardly and downwardly in response to movement of the sprocket  62  and chain  64  connected to the rod connector  66 .  
         [0029]    In use, a golfer rotates the parabolic swing arm  18  either in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion to simulate a back swing or down swing movement of a golf swing. Either direction of movement rotates the sprocket  62  which in turn causes the chain  64  to wind itself around the circumference of the sprocket  62 . This winding movement pulls the rod connector  66  upwardly along with the movable rod carriage block  70  resulting in the movement of the movable force band rod  46  upwardly through the slot  44 .  
         [0030]    It will be appreciated that the movable force band rod  46  is maintained generally perpendicular to side walls  38  and  40  of the housing  16  as it is supported by the connector  66  and movable carriage block  70 . As the movable force band  46  is moved upwardly, the tension of the resistance spring  68  resists the rotatable movement of the swing arm  18 , requiring the golfer to exert a substantial force against the resistance, thereby exercising his golf swing muscles. When one or more force bands  50  are connected between the fixed force band rod  42  and the movable force band rod  46 , further resistance is added to the golfer performing the exercise.  
         [0031]    It will be appreciated that a number of force bands  50  may be used in combination depending on the strength of the golfer, the only requirement being that the force bands be mounted on the fixed force band rod  42  and movable force band rod  46  so as to be movable therewith.  
         [0032]    While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.