Golf training apparatus

A device that helps a golfer improve their swing by providing a track over which to swing the club, a strike plate which swivels to keep contact with the club as long as possible and a resistance to movement over the strike plate in the track so the player understands the weight transfer required in a golf swing. An embodiment includes a sled sliding on at least one rail with front and rear strike plates and a center resistance mechanism that provides adjustable resistance to the swing using pads to contact the rails. The user can set different ranges of resistance.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/037,776 filed Aug. 15, 2014. Application 62/037,776 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sports training devices and more particularly to a golf training apparatus that helps a golfer feel and understand the movement through impact and thus improve their swing.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Golfers typically need improvement in their consistency on the course. This means improving their accuracy and distance control. There are disparate devices that purport to do this by improving alignment, swinging a weighted or contrived club, or mechanically contorting the golfer into supposedly correct positions during the swing. It would be advantageous to have a device that combines alignment with proper swing mechanics of the take-away, hinging, and backswing turn, thus demonstrating proper club-ball contact in the down-swing, all the while promoting a proper weight shift that is critical to a successful golf swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device that helps a golfer improve their swing by providing a track over which to swing the club, a strike plate which swivels to keep contact with the club as long as possible and a resistance to movement over the strike plate in the track so the player understands the weight transfer required in a golf swing. An embodiment includes a sled sliding one or more rails with a front and rear strike plate and a resistance mechanism that provides adjustable resistance to the swing using at least one pad attached to the sled to contact the rail. The user can set different ranges of resistance as training proceeds. A golfer using the invention encounters one of the strike plates on the backswing and another of the strike plates on a foreswing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus includes a frame and a sliding sled section with two raised plates. The device is secured to a base (which can be further secured to a floor), and the golfer stands next to it. He engages the first plate on the backswing and the second plate on the foreswing. The plates and sliding sled section slide during the swing providing an adjustable resistance. The plates swivel about a vertical axis for about 10 to 20 degrees total to help maintain maximum contact with the club.

FIGS. 2-4show the start, backswing and foreswing positions of the sliding sled section and the posts. The golfer moves the sled backward against resistance by contacting the rear strike plate during the backswing before the club rises above the device. On the foreswing, the club encounters the forward strike plate and moves forward against resistance until once again the club rises above the apparatus.

InFIG. 2, the golfer aligns himself or herself with the device and places the club against the rear strike plate. InFIG. 3, he next completes the backswing. This causes the sled and strike plates to move in a rearward direction against resistance. The golfer then completes the backswing raising the club off of the apparatus and begins the foreswing as shown inFIG. 4. The club encounters the forward strike plate and moves it forward along with the rails with the sled again against resistance. The golfer then completes the foreswing raising the club off of the apparatus. The exercise requires accuracy, and because the movement of the strike plates is against an adjustable resistance, the strength of the swing is increased.

FIG. 5shows the embodiment from a different angle.

FIG. 6shows different parts of the assembly. A sled1is attached to a rear strike plate2and a front strike plate3. The strike plate assembles can swivel through a predetermined angle of from approximately 5 degrees on each side of center to approximately 10 degrees each side of center to allow maximum contact with a golf club. A variable resistance center section4moves with the sled1and causes an adjustable amount of resistance. The sled slides on rails5that are attached to the main base6. Each end has a sled stop7that prevents the sled1from leaving the rails5.

FIG. 7shows the base6, rails5and the sled1in different positions. The preferred length of the rails is approximately 56 inches with approximately 40 inches of travel on either side of center. These preferred dimensions are given for example only. Numerous other dimensions are within the scope of the present invention.

Adjustable resistance is provided by one or more resistance pads that slide and create friction against the rails as shown inFIG. 8. The resistance pads are spring biased so that Increasing spring tension increases resistance. The resistance mechanism4can also include a set of rollers that bias the sled to the opposite side causing the rollers to ride against the outer rails. Bottom rollers30can be seen inFIG. 8. There are also side rollers32on the side opposite to the resistance pads24. The rails5can be seen.

FIG. 9shows a broken-away view of the resistance pads24. A knob21or other control is used to adjust resistance by moving a bar22or other member against the springs23forcing the pads24more tightly against the rail. There can also be an optional pad cover31.

FIG. 10shows a detail of the pad assembly. The pad24is attached to a push rod25by a dowel pin26. The push rod25is driven by the spring23. The resistance pad24can be removed and is replaceable.

FIG. 11shows an optional force range selection switch27. This sliding switch presets a bias into the springs effectively shifting the range of the knob21. An optional indicator28shows the level of resistance chosen.

FIG. 12shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment only has a single rail. The sled1slides on the single rail5that is secured to the base6. The rear2and front3strike plates can be seen in FIG.12. Each end of the rail5has a stop or bumper7that prevents the sled1from leaving the rail. The resistance mechanism4can be seen on the side of the sled1between the strike plates.

FIG. 13shows a detail of the modified resistance mechanism4of the embodiment ofFIG. 12. The pad24, spring23and bar22can be seen. A resistance adjustment knob21is also visible.

FIG. 14shows details of the rear2or front3strike plates in the embodiment ofFIG. 12. The plates are attached to a clamp40by a pin42that passes through a flange44. The plate engages two springs43on the front of the clamp40. The front of the clamp40slants away in two directions allowing the plate2,3to swivel around the pin42through the predetermined angle.

FIG. 15shows a detail of the clamp40in this embodiment. A knob41with a screw holds the clamp40to a base44which can be screwed to the sled. The faces of the clamp40slant at an angle and each receives a spring43. This allows the plate2,3to swivel about the pin42.

The present invention provides an economical golf training tool that simultaneously increases swing length, swing coil, swing accuracy, and increases swing strength.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.