Abstract:
A training device used by a golfer to visually analyze their body position during their golf swing. The device generally includes a base with a first indicator, and a front plate with a second indicator. In use, the device is positioned in front of the golfer with the first and second indicators being visually aligned. The golfer visually watches the relative positions of the indicators during the course of the swing. By observing the degree of sway in real time, the golfer can limit sway in the back swing and control it on the downswing enabling the golfer to stay behind the ball thus making proper impact possible. Some sway during the golf swing is inevitable. The device enables the golfer to have awareness of the degree and direction of sway and the dynamic timing of sway position at impact.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present application is directed to a device for practicing a golf swing and, more particularly, to a device for real-time visual feedback for maintaining proper body position during a golf swing. 
         [0002]    Proper body position is important during a golf swing. The body position will determine the position of the club as it moves through the swing and makes contact with the golf ball. Even small improper movements of the body during the swing may result in a poor golf shot. 
         [0003]    One key aspect of a good golf swing is for the golfer&#39;s center of gravity to remain relatively stationary as remainder of the body moves during the swing. Limiting sway provides for the golfer to be at a proper position when the ball is struck by the club. The golfer&#39;s body will be out of position if their center of gravity is either too far back from the moment of impact or too far forward. This usually results in a poor golf swing in which the golfer is forced to compensate with other parts of their body in an attempt to have the club in proper position when the ball is struck. 
         [0004]    A large number of devices have been developed throughout the years to help train a golfer how to have a proper golf swing. Many of these devices are complicated machinery with numerous moving parts that interact together when the device is being used by the golfer. These devices are complicated, expensive, take up a large amount of space, and require a great deal of adjustment and maintenance. Other devices require an assistant who operates the device while the golfer makes their golf swing. Some devices do not provide real-time feedback to the golfer during the golf swing. By way of example, some training aids use video recording equipment that records the golfer&#39;s swing. The video may then be played back at a later time to evaluate the swing and make any necessary adjustments. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a straightforward device that can be used by the golfer to determine whether the proper form is being used during their golf swing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present application is directed to a training device to train a golfer on having the proper body position during their golf swing. In one embodiment, the device includes a base with a top side and an opposing bottom side. The top side includes a first section with a first visual appearance and a second section with a second visual appearance. A first indicator is formed on the top side of the base at the boundary of the first and second sections. A plate is operatively connected to the base, with the plate including a transparent section. A second indicator is positioned on the transparent section of the plate. The plate and the base are positioned in an overlapping arrangement when viewed by the user with the top side of the base being visible through the transparent section of the plate to visually align the first and second indicators. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the training device includes a base with a top side and an opposing bottom side. A first alignment line extends across the top side. A plate is operatively connected to the base and includes a transparent section. A second alignment line extends across the transparent section. The base and plate are connected together with each of the first and second alignment lines positioned in a plane perpendicular to the golf swing. The plate and the base are aligned in a visually overlapping arrangement when viewed by the user when making the golf swing with the first alignment line being visible through the transparent section of the plate for visual alignment relative to the second alignment line. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of the training device includes a base with a first visual section and a second visual section. A first alignment line is positioned at a boundary of the first and second visual sections. The base is to be placed on the ground with the first alignment line being disposed in a reference plane that extends perpendicular to the golf swing. A plate is operatively connected to the base, with the plate including a transparent section. A second alignment line extends across the transparent section of the plate and is disposed in the reference plane. The plate is positioned relative to the base with the second alignment line positioned in front of the first alignment line when viewed by the user making the golf swing. 
         [0009]    The various aspects of the various embodiments may be used alone or in any combination, as is desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf swing training device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of base with an indicator. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of base with an indicator. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of plate with an indicator. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a device with a base and a plate movably connected together. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a device from a first visual position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 6  from a second visual position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 6  from a third visual position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The present application is directed to a training device for use by a golfer to maintain their body in a proper position during their golf swing. The device basically includes a base and a plate that the golfer can visually observer during their golf swing. Each of the base and plate include indicators that are visually aligned relative to each other prior to the golf swing. The golfer observes the device during the course of the swing. The indicators remain visually aligned when the golfer maintains their body sway relative to a line perpendicular to the ball flight line. The indicators become visually misaligned when the golfer moves their body during the golf swing. The device provides a straight-forward mechanism for a golfer to visually determine the position of their body and therefore the resultant body position during their golf swing. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the device  10  used for the golfer to visually analyze their body position during their golf swing. The device  10  generally includes a base  20  with a first indicator  21 , and a front plate  30  with a second indicator  31 . In use, the device  10  is positioned in front of the golfer with the first and second indicators  21 ,  31  being visually aligned. The golfer visually watches the relative positions of the indicators  21 ,  31  during the course of the swing. The golfer maintains the proper body position when the indicators  21 ,  31  remain aligned during the course of the swing. The golfer has improper position when the indicators  21 ,  31  become misaligned during the course of the swing. 
         [0020]    The base  20  includes a top side  22  that faces upwards when in use, and an opposing bottom side  23 . The base  20  further includes a first end  24  that faces towards the golfer when the device  10  is in use, and an opposing second end  25 . The base  20  may include various shapes and sizes depending upon the context of use. In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the base  20  includes a generally rectangular shape. 
         [0021]    The first indicator  21  is positioned along the top side  22  for visual alignment by the golfer. The indicator  21  extends from the first end  24  towards the second end  25 . The indicator  21  may extend the entire length of the base  20  between the first and second ends  24 ,  25  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or may extend just a limited portion of the length. The indicator  21  may be evenly positioned along the width of the base  20  (i.e., equi-distant from each lateral side) as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or may be positioned in closer proximity to one of the lateral sides. 
         [0022]    The indicator  21  is positioned along the top side  22  forming a first section  27  on a first lateral side and a second section  28  on a second lateral side. The first and second sections  27 ,  28  include visually different appearances. The different visual appearances may be caused by but are not limited to different colors, patterns, textures, and combinations thereof. In one specific embodiment, the first section  27  includes a first color, and the second section  28  includes a different second color. 
         [0023]    The indicator  21  may include a variety of different aspects. In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the indicator  21  is formed by the boundary of the two sections  27 ,  28 . In another embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the indicator  21  is a line that is visually distinct from either of the two sections  27 ,  28 . In one embodiment, the line includes a first color (e.g., black), and the two sections  27 ,  28  are each different colors. The indicator  21  may also have different shapes. In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the indicator  21  is straight. In another embodiment, the indicator  21  includes a non-linear shape.  FIG. 3  includes the indicator  21  with a series of straight segments connected at various angles. Other embodiments may include a curved shape or segments, or various combinations of segments with different shapes. Further, additional embodiments may include two or more separate indicators  21 . In one specific embodiment, each of the separate indicators  21  includes a common shape. In the various embodiments, the width of the indicators may be constant along the length, or may vary. 
         [0024]    The indicators  21  may include lines that extend along a portion or entirety of the base  20 . The indicators  21  may also include various other shapes, such as a circle, rectangle, design, picture, etc. 
         [0025]    The plate  30  is positioned in front of the base  20  when viewed by the golfer. The plate  30  may include a first end  33  and an opposing second end  34 . The plate  30  is operatively connected to the base  20  with the first end  33  in proximity to the first end  24  of the base  20 . The plate  30  may include a variety of different shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, the size and shape of the plate  30  are substantially the same as the base  20 . 
         [0026]    The plate  30  includes a transparent section  32  that allows the user to visually see the base  20  through the plate  30 . The transparent section  32  may include the entirety of the plate  30 , or a limited section.  FIG. 1  includes the entire plate  30  forming the transparent section  32 . The transparent section  32  may be constructed from various materials, including but not limited to glass, plexi-glass, and Lucite. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the plate  30  includes a transparent section  32  and an opaque section  35 . In one embodiment, a coating is applied to a surface of the transparent section  32  to form the opaque section  35 . 
         [0028]    An indicator  31  extends across a portion or an entirety of the transparent section  32  of the plate  30 . The indicator  31  extends in a lengthwise direction of the plate  30  between the first and second ends  33 ,  34 . The indicator  31  may extend across an entirety of the length, or along just a limited section of the length.  FIG. 1  includes an embodiment with the indicator  31  extend across the entire length. 
         [0029]    The indicator  31  may include various shapes and sizes. In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the indicator  31  is a substantially straight line with a constant thickness. Other embodiments include the indicator  31  with a non-linear shape, such as a series of straight segments connected at various angles, an overall curved shape or curved segments, and various combinations of segments with different shapes. Further, additional embodiments may include two or more separate indicators  31 . In one specific embodiment, each of the separate indicators  31  includes a common shape. In the various embodiments, the width of the indicators may be constant along the length, or may vary. 
         [0030]    The indicators  31  may include lines that extend along a portion or entirety of the plate  30 . The indicators  31  may also include various other shapes, such as a circle, rectangle, design, picture, etc. The indicators  31  may be the same or different than the indicators  21 . 
         [0031]    A hinge  40  may connect the base  20  with the plate  30 . The hinge  40  may include a first section  41  that is connected to the base  20  and a second section  42  that is connected to the plate  30 . The hinge  40  provides for adjusting an angular position α of the plate  30  relative to the base  20 . The hinge  40  provides for selectively positioning the device  10  between a closed orientation and an open orientation. The close orientation occurs when the device  10  is not in use and is in a folded arrangement that occupies a minimum of space. In one embodiment, the plate  30  and base  20  are in an overlapping arrangement with the plate  30  being substantially parallel with the base  20 . The open orientation positions the plate  30  relative to the base for the golfer to visually align the indicators  26 ,  31 . This may include the plate  30  positioned at an angle α within a range of between about 10-90 degrees relative to the base  20 . This angle may vary depending upon a variety of variables, such as but not limited to the height of the golfer, the distance the golfer stands from the device  10 , the topography of the surface that the golfer is using. In some embodiments, the plate  30  is positioned at an angle greater than 90 relative to the base  20  when in use. 
         [0032]    The hinge  40  provides for relative movement between the base  20  and plate  30 . In one embodiment, the indicators  21 ,  31  of the base  20  and plate  30  remain within a common plane at the various angular positions. 
         [0033]    In use, the device  10  is placed in an open position with the base  20  and plate  30  positioned at the desired angular position for the golfer to visually observe the indicators  21 ,  31 . The device  10  is positioned in front of the golfer. In one embodiment, the device  10  is positioned with the indicators  21 ,  31  positioned perpendicular to the swing of the golfer. The device  10  is positioned with the indicators  21 ,  31  being aligned when the golfer is at their set position with the club aligned with the golf ball and prior to starting their golf swing. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates the view of the device  10  from the golfer in this set position. The device  10  is aligned with the indicators  21 ,  31  aligned and in a visually overlapping arrangement. In this embodiment, the indicator  31  is a straight line that is positioned over the indicator  21  formed at the boundary of the sections  27 ,  28  of the base  20 . 
         [0035]    The golfer watches the device  10  during the course of their golf swing. As the golfer&#39;s body sways away from the ball during the back swing, the golfer observes that the indicators  21 ,  31  become misaligned. The degree of misalignment is directly proportional to the amount of sway occurring in the swing. Allowing the golfer to minimize sway away from the ball during the back swing causes a tighter, rounder coil of the body. The indicators also enable the golfer to know how far forward their body has moved during the downswing. 
         [0036]    When the golfer moves their body during the golf swing, the indicators  21 ,  31  will become visually misaligned.  FIG. 7  illustrates the golfer&#39;s view of the device  10  when the golfer moves their body backwards during the golf swing. The movement results in the golfer observing the device  10  from an angle with the indicator  31  moving forward relative to the indicator  21  and into the first section  27 . This visually confirms to the golfer that their body has moved backwards during the golf swing. 
         [0037]    Similarly,  FIG. 8  illustrates the golfer&#39;s view of the device  10  when the golfer&#39;s body moves forward during the golf swing. The movement causes the golfer to observe the device  10  at an angle with the indicator  31  visually moving behind the indicator  21 . This visually confirms that the golfer has moved forward during the golf swing. 
         [0038]    The device  10  provides for real-time feedback to the golfer while they are making their golf swing. The golfer is then able to focus on working on keeping their body aligned during their golf swing. 
         [0039]    Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description. 
         [0040]    As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0041]    The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.