Abstract:
A golf swing training apparatus, for creating proper head-to-body alignment, assists a user thereof in acquiring muscle memory of a correct golf swing, while remaining substantially out of the user&#39;s field of vision. The training apparatus provides a support section and an engagement arm movably connected to the support section. The engagement arm terminates at an adjustably positionable pad, provided for comfortable contact with a dorsal surface of the user&#39;s neck during the process of swinging a golf club. The apparatus provides for accurate feedback of the correctness of the user&#39;s swing, while affording the user the freedom of movement, substantially without restriction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a training aid or apparatus for use in improving a golf swing, and to a method of using the apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a training tool for improving a golfer&#39;s swing by monitoring the user&#39;s head-to-body alignment throughout a golf swing.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Background Art  
           [0004]    Training tools of many different types are widely used in the sport of golf. In particular, golf-training tools often focus on alignment of the head, in relation to the body, during the golf swing. Several variants of golf training tools focusing on head movement are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,770,280; 4,302,014; and, 4,513,972.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,770,280, issued to Straus, and entitled, “Golf Training and Practice Device,” discloses a device which controls a user&#39;s head movement through use of an adjustable headband, which fits about a user&#39;s head, and which is electro-magnetically attached to an adjustable outwardly extending arm of the device. The adjustable outwardly extending arm of the Straus device is pivotally mounted to a pole extending upwardly from the platform portion of the device. Operation of the Strauss device is such that the components of the device are facing the user during operation.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,014, issued to Shull, and entitled, “Golf Training Device,” discloses a device that controls head movement of a user, by means of the user wearing an adjustable headband which is rotatably mounted to an outwardly extending tube. This outwardly extending tube is pivotally mounted to the device&#39;s telescopically adjustable anchoring pole. Operation of the Shull invention is such that the components of the invention face the user during operation.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,972, issued to Empie, and entitled, “Golfer&#39;s Head Movement Restraining Device,” employs a helmet-style apparatus, with an adjustable chinstrap, to control the user&#39;s head movement. The helmet-style apparatus, as worn by the user, is rotatably mounted to an outwardly extending tube and pivotally attached to a telescopically adjustable anchoring pole. Operation of the Empie invention is such that the components of the invention face the user during operation.  
           [0008]    In response to the common problem of head movement during a golf swing, the above referenced inventions offer devices for improving/creating muscle memory of proper head-to-body alignment during a golf swing. However, these devices have some limitations and disadvantages associated therewith. For example, the necessity for a portion of the device to be secured to the user&#39;s head is uncomfortable and unduly restricting to natural motions. Further, no single one of the devices offers a golfer the ability to readily utilize the invention on virtually any surface, either indoors or out of doors. Still further, each of the aforementioned inventions remains prominently within the user&#39;s field of vision during operation, and thus is a significant distraction.  
           [0009]    As a result, a need still exists in the art for a simple and inexpensive apparatus that effectively monitors the user&#39;s head-to-body alignment during a golf swing, without being physically attached to the golfer, that minimally restricts the golfer&#39;s natural motions, and that is capable of use on any flat surface. Ideally, such a training apparatus could be adapted to remain out of the user&#39;s field of vision during use. In particular, there is a need for an adjustable and collapsible golf swing aid which permits a user to easily practice the control-alignment of his/her head and body throughout an entire golf swing, and to create muscle memory of correct head-to-body alignment for a proper golf swing, and yet which is minimally restrictive to a golfer&#39;s natural motions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention has been developed to overcome the foregoing limitations and disadvantages of known golf swing improvement tools, and to generally fulfill the discussed needs in the art.  
           [0011]    A golf swing training apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, includes a support section that supports the apparatus on a substrate, and an adjustable arm, outwardly extending from an upper end of the support section. The adjustable arm includes an engagement member at a free end thereof, for contacting a dorsal surface of a user.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a golf swing training apparatus for contacting a dorsal surface of a user, to provide the user with an unobstructed field of vision during operation. As a result of the dorsal placement of the apparatus, the apparatus is substantially invisible to the user. Therefore, the user is not obstructed, hindered, or distracted by any portion of the apparatus while swinging a golf club, affording the user a more natural or unassisted feeling, for increased muscle memory over a shorter period of time.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an engagement member, which affords the user accurate feedback as to the correctness of a swing, without confining the user directly to the invention, or requiring the user to wear some part of the invention. Through the provision of a small pad, for continually contacting with a lower back portion of the user&#39;s neck during operation, the user is made aware of an improper golf swing if his/her neck is no longer in contact with the apparatus. Additionally, this manner of engagement offers the user freedom to function independently of the invention when desired, and to return to receiving the assistance of the invention when convenient.  
           [0014]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is highly adjustable, to be adaptable for use by users of varying height and/or golf stance styles. The invention fully adjusts through manipulation of the adjustment connectors and the micro-adjustable engagement member, to accommodate different users. Additionally, the present invention may be adjusted to enable the user to practice his/her swing with all club types (e.g. driver, iron, or putter).  
           [0015]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf swing apparatus capable of being folded for convenient storage or transporting. The adjustable engagement arm may be folded downwardly to the support section, to reduce storage space and to enable the apparatus to be easily transported.  
           [0016]    Moreover, it is another object of the present invention to provide a golf swing training apparatus which may be used on virtually any flat surface, either indoors or out-of-doors. The elongate hollow base with cross member enables the invention to be used on any substantially flat surface. The present invention affords the user the ability to reap the benefits of the device while indoors, out of doors at the driving range, on the putting green, in a sand bunker, or any other flat surface.  
           [0017]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the golf swing apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the aid being disposed in an operative position thereof, with a golfer also shown using the apparatus.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the golf swing aid of FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a exploded view showing a preferred construction of a pivotable, releasably locking connecting device of the golf swing apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the golf swing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a folded or collapsed position thereof.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a support stand section of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an adjustable engaging arm section of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an engagement member according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 6 , a golf swing training apparatus, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally at  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a support stand section  30 , which rests on the ground or any other substantially flat surface, and an engagement arm section  20 , which adjustably extends from the support section  30 .  
         [0026]    The engagement arm section  20  includes a free end having an engagement member  21  thereon, for operatively engaging a selected dorsal surface of a golfer  60  during use of the apparatus  10 , as explained further below. The selected dorsal surface of the golfer  60  may be a portion of the golfer&#39;s neck, head or back.  
         [0027]    Although the engagement member  21  may contact any dorsal surface of a golfer&#39;s body, for simplicity, the discussion below refers to its engagement with the nape or back of the golfer&#39;s neck, which is a preferred engagement surface according to the invention. It will be understood that without any structural changes, the apparatus as described herein may be adjusted to contact any part of a user&#39;s back, if the user prefers to use the apparatus in such fashion.  
       The Support Section  
       [0028]    The support section  30  includes a base  32 , for resting on the ground or other flat surface, and an upstanding portion  33  extending upwardly from the base  32 . In the depicted embodiment, the upstanding portion  33  includes first and second vertically extending elongate stabilizing members  34  and  35 , and an upper bridge member  36  connected to upper ends of the stabilizing members  34  and  35 .  
         [0029]    Alternatively, the support section  30  may optionally include only one or more than two upstanding stabilizing members.  
         [0030]    As shown, the several components of the support section  30  are all preferably tubular in construction, and may be readily assembled together for use, or disassembled for storage and transportation. For example, the components may be constructed of mild steel or other metallic tubing having a diameter of 1″-3″, with ends that are threaded (male-female) for being connected together. Alternatively, the components could be constructed of other appropriate materials such as PVC or other durable plastic tubing, could be permanently joined together through welding, adhesives, etc., and/or could be otherwise connectable together, e.g., with tapered or interference-fitting ends, that simply slide into engagement with each other. The overall height of the support section  30  will preferably be in a range of 3-4 feet.  
         [0031]    The components of the apparatus  10  could also be made from appropriate metal or plastic bar stock, as an alternative to tubing.  
         [0032]    The base  32  preferably has a wide, open shape, as shown, to provide sufficient stability for the apparatus  10  when the engagement arm section  20  is fully extended. As depicted, the base  32  includes a plurality of elongate members  31  arranged in parallel and connected at opposite ends thereof with elbows, T-fittings, and/or other engaging couplings  38  associated therewith. The engaging couplings  38  are also connected to lower ends of the first and second vertically extending elongate stabilizing members  34  and  35 , respectively.  
         [0033]    The stabilizing members  34 ,  35  are disposed at an end of the base  32  furthest away from the engagement member  21 , to provide balance and stability.  
         [0034]    The base  32  could have other configurations than that depicted, e.g., round, triangular, additional members  31 , etc., as long as it provides sufficient support and stability for the balance of the apparatus  10 . Optionally, securing stakes of appropriate shape and construction (not shown), could be provided for anchoring the base  32  to the ground for use when the apparatus is placed on grass, dirt or other material suitable for insertion of the stakes. Similarly, holes or appropriate brackets (not shown) could be provided on the base  32  to cooperate with auxiliary stakes to anchor it to the ground, where desired.  
       The Engagement Arm Section  
       [0035]    In addition to the engagement member  21 , the engagement arm section  20  includes upper and lower adjustable, releasably locking pivotal connecting devices  25  and  37 , extension arms  24 ,  26 , an engaging coupling  23 , and a fore and aft adjustment assembly  22 . The upper bridge member  36  of the support section  30  attaches to the lower adjustable connecting device  37 , which connects to the shorter extension arm  26 , which in turn, then attaches to the upper adjustable connecting device  25 .  
         [0036]    The upper adjustable connecting device  25  secures the second extension arm  24 , engaging coupling  23 , and the adjustment assembly  22  to the first extension arm  26 . The adjustment assembly  22  permits fore and aft movement of the engagement member  21  relative to the apparatus  10 , through rotation of the engagement member  21  about a threaded connection  51  (FIG. 6), thereby changing the orientation and/or the projecting length of the engagement member  21  relative to the assembly  22 . Other adjustment mechanisms known in the art, such as a telescopically sliding tube fixable with a thumbscrew, may be used.  
         [0037]    The components  22 - 24  and  26  are also all preferably tubular in construction with materials, dimensions and characteristics such as discussed above in relation to the components of the support section  30 . The components  22 - 24  and  26  may be readily assembled together for use, or disassembled for storage and transportation, together with the adjustable connecting devices  25  and  37 , the engagement member  21  and the support section  30 .  
         [0038]    The adjustable connecting devices  25  and  37  have a simple structure such as that shown in FIG. 3, which permits ready manual manipulation for adjusting the orientation of the section  30  into various extended, operative positions corresponding to the size and preferences of the user, or into a collapsed storage/transportation position, as shown in FIG. 4. Overall, the arm section  20  has a length similar to that of the support section  30  so that it can be folded adjacent the section  30  as shown in FIG. 4, but through adjustment of the apparatus  10  using devices  25  and  37 , the apparatus can be adjusted to a height appropriate for any user.  
         [0039]    Each of the adjustable connecting devices  25 ,  37  is substantially identical to one another. Accordingly, a description of the upper adjustable connecting device  25  will be sufficient here, with the understanding that the lower adjustable connecting device  37  is substantially identical.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 3, the upper adjustable connecting device  25  includes an outer tubing portion  40 , with dimensions and characteristics corresponding to the other tubing components of the engaging arm section  20 . Each of the adjustable connecting devices  25 ,  37  further includes an inner tubing portion  41  that fits telescopically inside, and extends coaxially within the outer tubing portion. Each of the adjustable connecting devices  25 ,  37  still further includes a threaded bolt  42  that extends coaxially through the inner tubing portion  41 , and a handle  43 , which has female threads formed in a shaft portion thereof, for screwing onto the threaded end of the bolt  42 . Washers  44  are also provided at appropriate locations in the adjustable connecting devices  25 ,  37 , as shown.  
         [0041]    In using either of the adjustable connecting devices  25 ,  37 , the handle  43  is rotated counterclockwise to loosen the engagement of several components of the device, after which the orientation of the arm section  30  may be adjusted by rotating the outer tubing portion  40  relative to the inner tubing portion  41  and bolt  42 . Once a desired orientation is selected, the handle  43  is rotated clockwise, and tightened down to lock all of the components in tight engagement with each other, and to fix the orientation of the engagement arm section  20 . Other appropriate locking, pivoting mechanisms could be used besides that shown in the drawings.  
         [0042]    The engagement member  21  includes a main body  50  including a soft rest pad  52  (FIG. 6) for contacting a dorsal portion of a user  60 . The rest pad  52  is preferably formed of a flexible, resilient material. Examples of materials suitable for use in forming the rest pad  52  include felt, a foamed polymer, a foamed polymer with a fabric or other flexible cover, a hollow elastomeric member, or the like. Optionally, the main body  50  of the engagement member  21  may also include a backing plate  53  to provide strength and reinforcement to the rest pad  52 . The engagement member  21  also includes a threaded coupling member  51 , attached to the main body  50 , for threadably connecting the engagement member to the adjustment assembly  22 . Such construction of the engagement member positively functions to notify the user of proper head-to-body alignment, through minimal yet noticeable contact with the user&#39;s body, in a manner which does not significantly interfere with the user&#39;s swinging motion.  
         [0043]    Additional changes may be made to the engagement member  21  while still achieving an appropriate engagement function according to the invention. For example, with reference to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of an engagement member  121  according to the invention is shown. With the exception of the engagement member  121 , all other aspects and constituent parts of the apparatus  110  of FIG. 7 are the same as those previously described in connection with the first embodiment  10 . The engagement member  121  of the second embodiment is smaller and simpler in structure than the member  21  of the first embodiment. Specifically, the member  121  includes a substantially semi-spherical, soft main body  150  formed of resiliently flexible material(s) as discussed above in connection with the pad  52 , and a threaded, tubular coupling member  151  which connects to the assembly  22 . As with the first embodiment of the engaging member  21 , the projecting length of the member  121  relative to the fore and aft adjustment assembly  22  may be simply adjusted (longer or shorter) by rotating the member  121  at the threaded coupling  151 .  
         [0044]    In FIG. 4, the golf swing apparatus  10  is shown in the folded position thereof. In order to fold the apparatus  10  into the position shown in the drawing, both of the lower adjustable connecting devices  25 ,  37  are loosened as described above. Then, one of the shorter extension arms  26  is rotated downwardly toward the first vertically extending elongate stabilizing member  34 . The longer extension arm  24 , with its attached components, is situated pointing down toward the central cross member  31  of the base  32 , as shown. The connecting devices  25 ,  37  may then be tightened to temporarily and disengagably fix the apparatus in is folded position.  
         [0045]    In FIG. 5, the support stand section  30 , and the first few components of the engagement arm section  20 , are shown in an exploded side perspective view to illustrate the several components thereof.  
         [0046]    In FIG. 6, the remaining components of the engagement arm section  20  are similarly shown in an exploded side perspective view to illustrate the several components thereof.  
       Use of the Golf Swing Training Apparatus  
       [0047]    With reference to FIG. 1, a golfer  60  uses the golf swing training apparatus  10  by disposing it in an appropriate location, e.g., at a driving range, with the base  32  resting on a flat surface, and the apparatus placed in its open and operative configuration, as shown. If used, the optional securing stakes are also secured about the base into the ground. The user then adjusts the orientation of the engaging arm section  20  according to the user&#39;s height and other preferences, if any, using the adjustable connecting devices  25  and  37 . If desired, a second person may assist with these adjustments of the apparatus. With these few manipulations the apparatus  10  is ready to use. As depicted, the apparatus  10  is disposed substantially entirely and directly behind user during use, with the engagement member  21  lightly contacting the back of the user&#39;s neck. In this orientation, the golfer&#39;s golf club will not contact with the apparatus  10  during the golfer&#39;s swing, and the apparatus  10  is substantially entirely out of the user&#39;s field of vision, will not even be seen by the golfer  60  in his/her peripheral vision. Correspondingly, the apparatus  10  will not distract the user from his/her swinging motion, or will only minimally distract the user, due to the slight contact with the engagement member  21 .  
         [0048]    Specifically, through the slight contact of the engagement member  21  on the back of the user&#39;s neck, the golfer  60  is allowed to simply position his/her head at the same position for each swing, and to maintain that same position throughout each entire swing. With practice, using the apparatus  10  over a short period of time, the user trains his/her body and muscles to follow the same, correct position and pattern more consistently with every golf swing. The user can then implement the improved swing into his/her golf game without use of the apparatus  10 .  
         [0049]    When the apparatus  10  is not being used, it can be readily manipulated into a folded or collapsed position as shown in FIG. 4, or even disassembled into separate components as shown in FIGS.  5 - 6 , for easy storage and transport thereof.  
         [0050]    Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications and variations of the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from the gist, essence or spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims. For example, the apparatus could include a pair of the engagement arm sections  20 , or could replace the base  32  of the support stand section  30  with a large stake for being inserted into the ground.