Golf swing training device

A golf swing training device has a main housing including a first section and a second section. First and second faces of the first and second sections, respectively, each may have first and second channels. A hinge connects the first and second sections such that the first channel aligns with the second channel to form a conduit through the main housing. Removable inserts fit within the first and second channels, each removable insert having an insert channel, wherein each insert channel aligns to form a bore sized to receive the shaft of the golf club. A fastener is positioned opposite the hinge for securing the first and second sections of the main housing together around the golf club shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to golf training equipment, and more particularly to a golf swing training device that attaches to the shaft of a golf club.

Description of Related Art

In the game of golf, to maximize the effectiveness of force transfer during a swing, a player uses specific muscle groups to control the path of the club and propel it forward. A smooth, fluid transfer from inside to outside takes trained muscle memory and control. Players who lack the muscle strength to execute well-controlled swings will often hook or slice to a side of the target region. To improve their overall golf game, players will sometimes train at home by swinging clubs in an open area. Weight can be added to the training exercises to improve wrist strength beyond that which is needed to swing a standard club. The introduction of too much initial weight during training could result in in injury to the wrists or arms of a player. It is therefore desirable to have a golf club swing training device that allows a user to gradually increase the weight of the device as wrist strength improves.

Loredo (U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,116) teaches a golf club weight system for use as a training or stretching device in which the weight system is adapted for easy attachment and detachment to a golf club shaft, and permits precise weight adjustments to be made to the device to meet the individual needs of a particular golfer. The golf club weight system consists of a housing containing a first section and a second section, the first section and second section having a general planar surface and corresponding channels extending axially from top to bottom of the device. The channel of the first section aligns with the channel of the second section to form a bore for receiving a portion of the golf club shaft. The housing further contains a plurality of openings for receiving removable weights. The openings consist of internal bores that are located within the sections of the housing.

Williams (U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,609) teaches an attachable weight assembly having separable sections for attachment to a pole used in exercising. The weight assembly includes a elongated main body having a first end and a second end and a bore running through the first end, second end and elongated main body. The bore is sized to fit over a shaft. The first and second ends each have a storage area for secure storage of a molded weight. The elongated main body is separable into at least two main body sections. The main body sections are attached together using an attachment mechanism. A user attaches the weight assembly to the shaft for use during exercise.

The prior art teaches golf swing training devices having removable weights. However, the prior art does not teach a golf swing training device that attaches to the club's center of gravity and is adjustable to different golf club shafts, and further includes a fastener as described herein. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a golf swing training device for attachment to a center of gravity of a shaft of a golf club. The golf swing training device comprises a main housing having a first section with a first face, and a second section with a second face, each of the first and second faces having a top and a bottom. The first and second faces have first and second channels, respectively, the first and second channels extending from the top to the bottom of the main housing. A hinge connects the first and second sections such that the first channel aligns with the second channel to form a conduit through the main housing. Removable inserts fit within the first and second channels, each removable insert having an insert channel, wherein each insert channel aligns to form a bore sized to receive the shaft of the golf club. At least one weight may be fastened to the main housing, and a fastener is positioned opposite the hinge for securing the first and second sections of the main housing together around the golf club shaft.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a golf swing training device having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a golf swing training device that is adjustable to different golf club shafts.

A further objective is to provide a golf swing training device that includes a fastener as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a golf swing training device and method of use.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a person using the golf swing training device10according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, a main housing20of the golf swing training device10is adapted to attach to a shaft14of a golf club12at a center of gravity16of the golf club12, for adding weight to the golf club12, for warmup, stretching, and/or training purposes. A method of attaching the golf swing training device10to the shaft14, and using the golf swing training device10, is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the golf swing training device10. As shown inFIG. 2, the golf swing training device10comprises the main housing20that includes first and section sections22aand22bconnected by a hinge23, each section22aand22bhaving a removable insert30. The sections22aand22bmay be constructed of any suitable material, but in this embodiment they are formed of a rigid material such as plastic or resin.

As shown inFIG. 2, in this embodiment, the first and second sections22aand22btogether combine to form a structure, in this case one that is generally spherical shape, and include an aerodynamic outer surface25(e.g., dimpled as in a golf ball, having drag-reduction paint, etc.). However, in other embodiments, the first and second sections22aand22bmay form any other shape that may be deemed suitable for attaching to a golf club shaft14and practicing golf swings. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the first and second sections22aand22bmay not include the aerodynamic outer surface25.

The removable inserts30each have insert channels32that align to form a bore29sized to receive the shaft14of the golf club12, discussed in greater detail below. The removable inserts30in the embodiment are formed of an elastic material, such as rubber, silicone, or similar material, which are both moldable and preferably have a high coefficient of friction for best gripping the shaft of the golf club.

As shown inFIG. 2, the first and second sections22aand22bof the main housing20include a first face24a, and a second face24b, respectively, each of the first and second faces24aand24bhaving a top34aand a bottom34b. The first and second faces24aand24binclude first and second channels26, respectively, the first and second channels26extending from the top34ato the bottom34bof the main housing20. The hinge23connects the first and second sections22aand22bsuch that the first channel aligns with the second channel to form a conduit27through the main housing20. The removable inserts30fit within the first and second channels26, and the bore29formed by the insert channels32is located within the conduit27when the main housing20is in a closed position (FIG. 1).

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, the removable inserts30further include a plurality of teeth that project outwardly36a, and the first and second channels26of the main housing20further include a plurality of teeth that project inwardly36bto receive the plurality of teeth of the removable inserts30. In some embodiments, the plurality of teeth36bhas a taper that is opposite and greater than the taper of the golf club shaft14, and the plurality of teeth36ahas a taper that is approximately the same as the taper of the golf club shaft14. Due to the removability of the inserts30, this angle may be adjusted for different golf club shafts, and the diameter of the bore29may further be similarly adjusted. For example, different shafts (e.g., graphite, steel, etc.) may be different diameters, usually around 0.5 in in diameter. The removable inserts30may be constructed of an elastic material that conforms to and grips the shaft of the golf club (e.g., silicone, rubber, vinyl, a hybrid material, etc.), or any material capable of being molded to receive the shaft14of the golf club12.

The main housing20may further include at least one weight33mounted on or within the main housing20, and a fastener28for securing the first and second sections22aand22bof the main housing20together around the golf club shaft14. In this embodiment, the at least one weight33mounted on or within the main housing20includes a plurality of removable weights33. In this embodiment, the removable weights33are in the form of ½ oz weights, and may be any number of weights, being any desired size, weight (i.e., having different density per volume), or structural shape, provided the plurality of weights33are capable of attaching to and providing a generally balanced weight distribution on the first and second sections22aand22b.

In this embodiment, the main housing20further comprises a plurality of bores40formed within the first and second faces24aand24b, each for receiving one of the plurality of removable weights33. As shown inFIG. 2, in this embodiment, a centerline indicator38is formed on at least one of the first and second faces24aand24bof the main housing20, the centerline indicator38is used to locate the golf swing training device10at the a center of gravity16on the shaft14of the golf club12. The function of the centerline indicator38is explained in more detail below in the discussion of the method of use of the golf swing training device10. In some embodiments, indicia35is formed or printed on the first and/or second faces, which may include numbers for weight guidance, arrows, etc. or any other indicia desired.

In some embodiments, the plurality of bores40are in the form of pairs of bores40on either side of and equidistant from the centerline indicator38. In this embodiment, there are 4 bores40in each of the first and second faces24aand24bthat align with each other when the main housing20is in the closed position, all 8 bores40together being adapted to receive a maximum of 4 oz in ½ oz weights33. However, depending on the type and size of weight, and number and depth of the plurality of bores40, different maximum weights may be easily achieved. Furthermore, the plurality of bores40may not necessarily align, as long as it is possible for the weight to be distributed approximately evenly between the first and second sections22aand22b.

As shown inFIG. 2, in some embodiments, the plurality of bores40each include a threaded inner surface39which threadedly receives one of the removable weights33via an external threaded surface42of each of the removable weights33. However, in other embodiments, the plurality of bores40and removable weights33may not include the threaded inner surface39and external threaded surface42, and may instead be secured by friction, magnets, or any other form of mechanical fastening mechanism (e.g., pin, etc.). They may also be unsecured, as the closing to the housing20will hold them in place. Furthermore, while one example is illustrated, the removable weights33may be attached via means other than the plurality of bores40(e.g., via pegs, slots, within the removable inserts30, etc.), depending on the size and shape of the plurality of weights33.

The fastener28that secures the main housing20in the closed position is located opposite the hinge23for securing first and second sections22aand22bof the main housing20together around the golf club shaft. In this embodiment, the fastener28is in the form of a latch, further details being shown inFIG. 3and discussed below.

FIG. 3is an assembled perspective view of the golf swing training device10, illustrating the fastener28of the golf swing training device10used to fasten closed the main housing20of the golf swing training device10. As shown inFIGS. 2-3, in some embodiments, the fastener28comprises a tightening mechanism44including a hinged portion46, a latching portion48, and an adjustable portion50that adjusts a distance between the hinged portion46and the latching portion48.

In this particular embodiment, the latching portion48engages a receiver54adjacent a recess56in the first face22a. The latching portion48removably interlocks with the receiver54. The adjustable portion50may include an adjustment mechanism52(e.g., a knob, dial, etc.) on the latching portion48that rotates to adjust the distance between the latching portion48and the hinged portion46. While one example of the fastener28is illustrated, any fastener may be used according to the teachings of the present invention, i.e., a different form of fastener including an adjustment/tightening portion such as a screw and washer, etc., or a fastener that secures the first and second sections22aand22btogether without a separate adjustment mechanism, e.g., a ratchet, hook and loop strips, a plurality of adjustment slots, etc. or any other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3illustrates a method for installing and using the golf swing training device10. First, a desired number of the removable weights33may be added into the plurality of bores40to achieve the desired weight. The weights33may be added in an alternating order such that balance is maintained around the centerline indicator38. In some embodiments, the indicia35indicate the sequence that the weights33should be added.

Second, a center of gravity16of the golf club12may be determined (e.g., by horizontally balancing the golf club12on a user's finger to find the approximate center of gravity16). This is where the golf swing training device10is to be installed, so that the swing characteristics of the club are not altered. The golf club shaft14is then positioned in one of the first or second channels of the main housing20such that the centerline indicator38of the first and second faces24aand24bis aligned with the center of gravity16determined by the user.

The user may then adjust the adjustment portion, and then close the main housing20using the fastener28. A final step of the method includes performing golf swing training exercises, and repeating the last three steps to adjust the number of the plurality of weights33within the golf swing training device10as desired between exercises.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean+/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.