Golf training aid

A foldable, air-resistance golf training includes an elongated flexible hub of rubber or similar material being stretchable between a rectangular configuration for transport and storage and a generally cylindrical, stretched configuration wrapping around a golf club shaft. The flexible hub in the cylindrical configuration has parallel, paddle-shaped vanes spaced around and extending radially outward from the hub along the substantial length thereof. The flexible hub assumes the rectangular folded configuration at rest with the vanes parallel to each other. The vanes are inserted into spaced, parallel retaining slots cut lengthwise through the outer surface of the hub, spaced between the parallel sides and extending inward toward the inner side of the hub Extension paddles may be attached to the vanes to be rotated from a closed position and an open position extending outward and upward from the vane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sports training aids. More particularly, the present invention relates to golf training aids attachable to a golf club shaft which add air resistance to the swing.

2. Description of the Related Art

The game of golf is a popular and growing sport requiring considerable skill to play well. Also, better results are achieved when hitting the golf ball for distance if the muscles used during the swing are strengthened and trained. Many devices are available to aid in practicing a swing in order to keep the swing in the desired line. An important aspect of the swing is the “release” point where the energy stored in the backswing and the cocking of the wrists is released during the process of hitting the ball with the club. The “release” point, i.e., the breaking or uncocking of the wrists should occur just before ball contact with the club in order to obtain maximum club head speed and creating maximum power for long ball hitting. The proper release point is also important in the process of hitting the ball correctly to avoid hook, slice, and other miss-hits of the ball with the club head.

It has been discovered that adding air resistance to a club along its shaft accentuates the effort exerted at the release point of the swing, allowing the golfer to more easily recognize the release point of his swing and adjust it accordingly. The repeated swinging of the club with the added air resistance helps train the golfer to release at the appropriate point of his swing. The effect of repeated swinging is to strengthen and teach the lead side muscles and promote “muscle memory” for the release point. Also, the weight of the unit, when removed, would make the club feel lighter, resulting in the golfer feeling more confident in executing his swing for long hitting. It would be desirable to provide a golf training device which may easily be mounted, dismounted and carried during a round of golf which provides wind resistance and weight as described above, allowing the golfer to practice swings with particular clubs used during the round. The training device would also have varying degrees of wind resistance for various skill levels and different clubs. The training device should be capable of secure mounting to avoid turning on the shaft while avoiding damage to the shaft through undue compression, allowing the shaft to flex naturally during the swing.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D441,043 S, issued Apr. 24, 2001, to Barnette, depicts a golf club shaft-attachable air-resistance device having a plurality of vanes extending lengthwise of the shaft.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,188, issued May 10, 1994, to Hernberg, describes a golf club swing alignment device having finned members that is secured along the shaft of a conventional golf club adjacent the head. The fins provide wind resistance during the swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,048, issued Nov. 5, 1996, to Kenney, describes a golf swing practice device having a plurality of plastic rigid airfoil wings which are attached to a golf shaft just above the head. The wings provide air resistance during the swinging of the golf club while training the user in proper rotation of the club during the swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,299 B1, issued May 29, 2001, to Barnette describes a golf training air resistance device which attaches along the length of a golf club and describes how it is manipulated to fit all standard shaft diameters.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a golf training aid solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foldable, air-resistance golf training aid of the present invention includes an elongated flexible hub of rubber or similar material being stretchable between a rectangular configuration for transport and storage and a generally cylindrical configuration wrapping around a golf club shaft. The flexible hub in the cylindrical wrapped configuration has a plurality of parallel, paddle-shaped vanes spaced around and extending radially outward from the hub along the substantial length thereof. The flexible hub assumes the rectangular folded configuration at rest with the vanes parallel to each other to form a compact unit for carrying and storage in a golf bag during a round of golf. The hub in the rectangular configuration has upper and lower ends and parallel sides.

The vanes are preferably inserted into spaced, parallel retaining slots cut lengthwise through the outer surface of the hub, spaced between the parallel sides and extending inward about two-thirds of the hub thickness toward the inner side of the hub. The vanes are preferably of clear plastic of about {fraction (1/16)} inch thickness, having a straight edge fitting into its respective slot in the hub and a rounded form similar to the end portion of a paddle.

The hub preferably has five slots spaced at ⅛ inch intervals receiving an outer pair of vanes spaced inward, respectively, from the sides of the hub, an intermediate pair of vanes spaced inward respectively from the outer pair of vanes, and a center pair of vanes, preferably sharing a single center groove. The vanes are retained in the respective grooves by mounting with adhesive to the wall of each groove closest to the nearest sidewall, the center pair of vanes being mounted on opposite walls of the center groove, respectively. At least one fastener is attached between the outer pair of vanes, preferably a strap of loop material glued to one vane and a hook material patch on the other vane, to detachably hold the vanes together in the stored position. The hook and loop material is available under the name VELCRO.

The hub is mounted on the golf club shaft for use by wrapping it lengthwise around the shaft forming a tubular or cylindrical hub, the vanes extending radially outward from the hub. The outer pair of vanes is then adjustably attached by a fastener such as a strap. It is convenient to use a double-sided strap of loop material mounted to one of the outer pair of vanes to serve as the storage fastener and the attachment fastener, and corresponding hook material patches mounted on opposed sides of the other outer vane receiving the strap for detachable, adjustable mounting. Extension paddles may be attached to the vanes as desired by axle rivets so the paddles may be rotated from a closed position conforming with the vane and an open position extending outward and upward from the vane to provide the golf training aid with increased and variable air-resistance capability.

It is an aspect of the invention to include improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a foldable, air-resistance golf training aid having an elongated flexible hub of rubber or similar material being bendable and stretchable between a rectangular configuration for transport and storage and a generally cylindrical, wrapped configuration fitting around a golf club shaft. The flexible hub has a plurality of parallel, paddle-shaped vanes spaced around and extending radially from the hub along the substantial length thereof when in the stretched, cylindrical, wrapped configuration. The flexible hub assumes the rectangular folded configuration at rest with the vanes parallel to each other to form a compact unit for carrying and storage in a golf bag during a round of golf.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5B, the inventive golf training aid is shown in its folded configuration for carrying and storage. The golf training aid10has a generally vertically oriented hub12having an outer surface14, an inner surface16, an upper end wall18, a lower end wall20, and parallel side walls22and is generally rectangular in shape as shown in its rest configuration. Parallel vanes24extend outward from the outer surface14of hub12and one or more of the vanes24may have a logo28thereon. The vanes are preferably of a rigid, clear plastic sheet material about {fraction (1/16)}″ in thickness. A plastic having the desired properties is PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) available from K-mac Plastics, Kentwood, Mich.

There are preferably six vanes inserted into corresponding grooves cut lengthwise in the outer side of hub12and extending into the hub about two-thirds of the thickness thereof. The vanes24are of the same size and configuration and are generally shaped like the end portion of a paddle. The vanes include an outer pair26, an intermediate pair42and a center pair50. Outer vane pair26each has straight inner edges34and peripheral edges36extending therearound, and have outer sides38and inner sides40(relative to the remainder of the vanes). One each of outer vane pair26is mounted in respective outer vane slots60(seeFIG. 2) and attached by adhesive (not shown) to the outer side of the respective slot. Intermediate vane pair44is mounted in intermediate vane slots62in a manner similar to that of outer vane pair26. Inner vane pair50is mounted adjacent within a single central slot64, the vanes being attached by adhesive to respective opposed walls66of slot64. Fastening straps30are of loop material and extend between respective upper and lower sides of outer vane pair26at a point proximate their entrance into hub12.

As seen inFIG. 4, fastening straps30are made of back-to-back strips including inner loop material strap32and outer loop material strap33. The inner and outer loop material straps are fastened by adhesive over upper and lower ends of one vane of the outer vane pair26. The inner and outer loop material straps are then combined and the resulting straps extend around the respective ends of the training aid10, the inner loop strap32being removably attached to outer hook material patch86, thus holding the vanes in the closed position. A key ring31may be mounted through one of the fastening straps30at one end of the training aid10for holding items such as keys, beverage openers, and a spring clip for fastening to a golf bag or cart.

Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a fastening strap in the open position with key ring31attached thereto as fastened around one of outer vane pair26. The hook material patch86is shown in the unattached state on outer surface38of the other vane of vane pair26. A hook material patch88is mounted on the inner surface40, opposite hook material patch86for fastening the strap30with the golf training aid10in the open position with the hub12stretched into the cylindrical, wrapped position around a golf club shaft (see FIG.8). First extender paddles74, having straight edges76and peripheral edges78, and second extender paddles80, having straight edges82and peripheral edges84are attached to respective vanes of intermediate vane pair44by respective rivets70having axles72. The straight edges of the extender paddles are proximate hub outer surface14when in the folded position and may be rotated to extended positions (see FIG.9C).

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a side elevation view of the golf training aid ofFIG. 1, showing fastening straps30in the fastened position at upper end18and lower end20of the flexible hub12. The straps30are both attached as described above so as to fasten to respective outer hook material patches86to maintain the vanes26in the closed position. It is noted that in this embodiment of the invention there are no extender paddles74and80.

Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, there are shown detail views of the intermediate vane44, and the first extender paddle74, respectively. Intermediate vane44has a straight inner edge46and a peripheral edge48and an axle bore90for fitting around axle72. An extender paddle is shown in phantom lines in the folded position on vane44. First extender paddle74is shown inFIG. 5Bhaving a straight inner edge76and a peripheral edge78and rotatable around axle72.

Referring toFIGS. 6A,6B, and7, there are shown plan views of the embodiment of FIG.3and that ofFIG. 4in the open configuration with the hub12stretched and wrapped into the cylindrical configuration, and of a partially opened embodiment ofFIG. 4, respectively. As is seen inFIG. 6A, the outer pair of vanes26has been rotated around the hub12, stretching the hub into a wrapped, cylindrical configuration with inner edges of the parallel sides22touching. A fastening strap30holds the outer pair of vanes26together. In this configuration the hub12would be wrapped around the shaft of a golf club (see FIG.8). As is seen, the outer vane slots60, the intermediate vane slots62and the center slot64expand to form the outer surface of the inner cylinder formed by hub12.

The center vane pair50is spread radially and the individual vanes remain attached to the opposed walls66of slot64. The intermediate vane pair44is spread radially from respective center vanes50, the intermediate slots62expanding to form the outer surface of the inner cylinder formed by hub12. The outer vanes26are spread radially from respective intermediate vanes44, the outer slots60expanding to form the outer surface of the inner cylinder formed by hub12. First extender paddles74and second extender paddles80are mounted for rotation relative to intermediate vanes44by rivets70having axles72. The inner circumference of the hub may be adjusted to snugly fit a particular shaft so as to avoid rotation by adjusting length of fastening strap30, thereby adjusting tension on the portions of hub12bounded by sides22and outer vanes26.

Referring toFIG. 6B, the embodiment of the golf training aid10ofFIG. 4without extender paddles is shown in a similar view of that of FIG.5A. In this view the fastener strap is shown peeled away to show loop material layer33and hook material patch88of VELCRO which adjustably holds the outer vanes26in the desired spaced relationship and thus adjusts wrapping tension on hub12. The golf training aid10may be returned to the folded position as inFIG. 1by releasing the fastener straps30from hook material patches88, folding the vanes26, and fastening straps30by attaching hook material layers32to hook material pates86.

Referring toFIG. 8, there is shown an environmental perspective view of the inventive golf training aid10as mounted on a shaft S of a golf club C having a face F on head H. In the preferred position the golf training aid10is mounted on shaft S near the head H for maximum resistance to swing. The resistance to swing may be reduced, if desired, by mounting the golf training aid10higher along the shaft S, extending the distance between the aid10and the head H. The preferred mounting for aid10is illustrated with the center vane pair50leading when the club C is swung. The intermediate vanes44extend substantially across the line of the swing and outer vanes26, connected by fastening straps30, trail the club during the swing. The hub12may be moved up or down the shaft S by releasing tension on fastener strips30, allowing parallel sides22to separate, moving the hub12to the desired point on shaft S and then tightening the fastener straps so as to hold the golf swing aid10in place during a swing. This procedure also provides for attachment to stepped diameter shafts.

Referring toFIGS. 9A-9D, there are shown diagrammatic front elevation views of the inventive golf training of the embodiment ofFIG. 4as mounted on a golf club, having two pairs of extender paddles shown in differing configurations to vary air-resistance during the swing of golf club C. The center vane pairs are not shown to more clearly illustrate the intermediate vane pairs with extender paddles. As seen inFIG. 9A, the flexible hub12supports intermediate vane pairs44with the extender paddles80and74(not shown) in the closed position over the vane pairs44.

FIG. 9Bis similar toFIG. 9Awhere second extension paddles80are rotated outward around axle rivets70, respectively, with the first extender paddles74remaining in the closed ore retracted position over intermediate vane pair44.FIG. 9Cis similar toFIG. 9Bwhere second extension paddles80are fully rotated and first extension paddles74are extended outward from intermediate vane pairs44, this configuration providing the most air-resistance to the swing.FIG. 9Dis similar to that ofFIG. 9Cwith only the lower extension paddles80and74rotated outward.FIG. 9Eis similar toFIG. 9Dwith only the upper extension paddles80and74rotated outward around axle rivets70. The axle rivet70preferably holds the extension paddles80and74and intermediate vanes44together sufficiently tightly so that the paddles hold their positions as set by the golfer by friction therebetween.

FIG. 10A-10Care detail views illustrating a first extender paddle74held in the closed or retracted position, the partially extended position, and the fully rotated position, respectively, around axle rivet70relative to center vane44. Note the rivet axle70is located much closer to flexible hub12in this embodiment where only one extender paddle is used relative to the rivet axle70on the dual extender paddle embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9D, above.FIGS. 10A-10Calso show illustrate the use of detents94and detent receivers96to lock first extender paddle74in the closed or retracted position, the partially extended position and the fully rotated position, respectively. Similar detents (not shown) may be used with the embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9D, detents being used between vane44and first extender paddle74and between first extender paddle74and second extender paddle80. The flexibility of the plastic paddles and vanes allow for the relative movement of the paddles between detent positions.

Referring toFIG. 11A and 11B, there are shown front elevation views similar to those ofFIGS. 9A-9Dwhere single extension paddles74are employed with intermediate vanes44. The extension paddles74are located in the closed or retracted position and the partially extended position.

The flexible hub42is preferably made of black, ½″ thick neoprene rubber with a durometer reading of about 70, or other equivalent materials. The vanes are attached within the grooves by adhesive along their entire length so as to maintain adhesion strength when the hub is stretched around a golf club shaft. The plastic vanes and extender paddles may be in desired colors, by the transparent versions are preferred such that advertising and illustrative inserts may be placed between the vanes and seen by a prospective customer.

In a preferred version the slots are cut into the rubber hub about ⅜″ deep and {fraction (3/32)}″ wide, the rubber fingers between the slots being about ⅛″ in thickness, the thickness of the outer fingers, i.e. the outer slots and the hub parallel walls preferably being about ¼ inch to withstand the force applied when the hub is wrapped around the club shaft. The corners of the rubber hub and the vanes and extender paddles are preferably rounded off for a better appearance.