Swing training jacket

The present invention provides a jacket for swing training for a sport requiring swinging of a sports implement. The jacket comprises a body, a first arm and a second arm extending on either side of the body, a front, a back, an interior and an exterior. A first body band encircles the interior portion of the jacket by encircling the body and the interior of the first and second arms. A first wing portion extends from the first arm on the exterior of the jacket, the first wing portion being connected at one end to the first arm and at another end to the exterior of the jacket so that the first wing portion limits the movement of the first arm during a swing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a swing training device, and more particularly, to a jacket for aiding in training arm movement in order to correct faulty swing mechanics.

BACKGROUND

Although many swing training methods and devices are known in the prior art, no known method or device is fully effective in improving athletic performance.

In golf, existing methods often overcomplicate the function as to the swing plane and preferred club positioning, while underestimating the importance of proper setup and how it affects swing mechanics. In fact, many of these existing methods simply reinforce poor mechanics because they fail to properly train all of the parts of the body that are involved in the swing. Trainees who have tried to improve their swings have often given up, commenting that their feel is compromised by the distraction of bearing in mind the many technical points needed to make the adjustments required to correct the faults in their swing.

There have been previous attempts to use external restraints to control movement of the golf swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,317 issued to Corder, Jr. on Jan. 9, 1990, claims a releasable golf swing training connector that includes a chest strap that encircles a the chest of a golfer and a separate arm strap that encircles an upper arm of the golfer. A separate connector strap connects the chest and arm straps to hold the arm close to the body and properly restrict the arm during the back and forward swings of a golf stroke. The patent teaches against a rigid connection between the chest and arm straps because the patent states that such a rigid connection renders the training of the swing ineffective.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,554 issued to Poscente on Oct. 3, 2000, claims a swing training device which constrains both arms of an individual to follow a predetermined swing path. The device includes a member for securing about the torso of an individual and arm bands for securing about the arms of the individual. The arm bands are mounted on guide rails mounted on the torso member through connectors which permit the arm bands to slide along the length of the rails. The arm rails are formed of a rigid material which is resistant to bending out of position.

Several other patents teach various uses of straps to aid in control of the swing movement. However, none of the known prior art teaches a use of straps which not only contains arm movement but provides adequate elasticity to allow a smooth movement but providing a sufficient tightness to control that movement. Moreover, none of the known prior art teaches a training device which can be worn during regular golf outings outside of training.

Therefore there still exists a need for a training device which is simple, compact and provides a combination of control and elasticity to allow a smooth, controlled golf swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a jacket for swing training for a sport requiring swinging of a sports implement. The jacket comprises a body, a first arm and a second arm extending on either side of the body, a front, a back, an interior and an exterior. A first body band encircles the interior portion of the jacket by encircling the body and the interior of the first and second arms. A first wing portion extends from the first arm on the exterior of the jacket, the first wing portion being connected at one end to the first arm and at another end to the exterior of the jacket so that the first wing portion limits the movement of the first arm during a swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention depicts a jacket10for swing training for a sport requiring swinging of a sports implement. Specifically, the jacket10is useful for training a golf swing, although other sports are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. In golf, a proper back swing and down swing involve a combination of shoulder rotation and the action of the arms to bring the club in the right plane. Specifically, it is essential that the swing motion is smooth so that while the shoulders rotate back during the back swing, the arms are close to the body and the golf club is carried gradually back, using only the upper torso. The movement of the arms and the golf club should create an imaginary arc, with the head of the club remaining close to the ground until the shoulder rotation naturally cause the arms to begin moving backward and upward. The movement should be very controlled so that the arms are kept close to the body during the entire motion. However, many golfers lift the arms without rotating the shoulder and tilt the wrist when attempting the back swing. Moreover, many golfers raise the golf club too soon in the back swing, causing an erratic motion and affecting the resulting down swing. During the down swing, many golfers rush down too fast so that the arms separate from the body. Such errors in shoulder rotation and arm and club alignment and movement are leading causes of poor golf swing technique. Moreover, straps and various other devices taught in the prior art not only are not completely effective in controlling all of the components involved in a golf swing, but can only be used in limited circumstances while training. The present invention provides a jacket10that can be worn for a golfer of any skill level. Turning toFIG. 1, the jacket10can be used for swing training for a sport requiring swinging of a sports implement, such as a golf club. The jacket10comprises a body12, a first arm14and a second arm16extending on either side of the body12. The jacket10further comprises a front18, a back20, an interior22and an exterior24. A first body band26encircles the interior22of the jacket10by encircling the body12and the interior of the first and second arms14,16, respectively. The first body band26is preferably made of a stretch material so that the first body band26provided restraint on both arms of the golfer during a swing motion to keep the arms close to the body.

A first wing portion28extends from the first arm14on the exterior24of the jacket10. The first wing portion28is connected at one end to the first arm14and at another end to the exterior24of the jacket10so that the first wing portion28limits the movement of the first arm14during a swing. In particular, to avoid a swing that is too rapid or wide, the first body band26restrains the arms while the first wing portion28keeps the elbows in line, thereby keeping the golfer's body and elbows pointed towards the ground during the swing. The first body band26and the first wing portion28provide the novel feature of providing the right amount of restraint with elasticity to allow a smooth motion during the swing. It should be noted that the first wing portion28may be of various other shapes as contemplated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The first body band26and the first wing portion28are preferably constructed of a material that is firm but provides room for stretch, such as fabric with elastic.

The jacket10further comprises a second body band30that encircles the front18of the exterior24. The second body band30further comprises of a left strap32and a right strap34that connect at a center of the jacket10. The second body band30is a preferable alternative embodiment to provide additional support during swing motion. The second body band30may be connected in any means contemplated to be within the ordinary skill in the art.

The jacket10further comprises a second wing portion36, whereby the second wing portion36extends from the first arm14on the exterior24of the jacket10, the second wing portion36being connection at one end to the first arm14and at another end to the exterior24of the jacket10so that the second wing portion36limits the movement of the first arm14during a swing. Again, to avoid a swing that is too rapid or wide, the first body band26restrains the arms while the first wing portion28in conjunction with the second wing portion36keep the elbows in line, thereby keeping the golfer's body and elbows pointed towards the ground during the swing. The first body band26, the first wing portion28and the second wing portion36provide the novel feature of providing the proper amount of restraint with elasticity to allow a smooth motion during the swing. It should be noted that the second wing portion36may be of various other shapes as contemplated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The second wing portion36is preferably constructed of a material that is firm but provides room for stretch, such as fabric with elastic.

A preferred measurement for the jacket10is provided below in Chart A.

The present invention therefore provides a training tool that restrains the body to create proper positioning during a swing while providing adequate elasticity to create a smooth motion. Moreover, the present invention is uniquely hidden within a jacket to be worn for golfers of all skill levels during any type of play.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.