Abstract:
A golf swing formation aid has a resilient cushion sandwiched between two additional resilient cushions, with sleeves to receive the arms of a golfer holding a golf club to provide between the arms a predetermined spacing during a swing of the golf club by the golfer. A differential in the resilience of the cushions allows for accommodation of the movement of the arms during the swing while maintaining the predetermined spacing. The cushions have different degrees of resilience.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the art of golf, and more particularly to the art of golf club swinging and instructional aids and methods for improving a golfer&#39;s golf club swing. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art: 
         [0004]    In the past, it has been known to provide various implements to assist golfers in improving their play. Some of such implements are designed to be used while the golfer actually plays, while other implements are designed to be used during practice sessions to assist or to help the golfer learn to play the game. It is believed that the movements of the golfer are instrumental to the end result of the movement of the golf ball. Of the various movements of the golfer during play, the gold club swing is thought to be very important. Consequently, many implements have been designed to assist a golfer in his swing. Some of such implements can be used during actual play. Other implements are practical only in practice or learning sessions prior to play. 
         [0005]    Essentially, the game of golf is the art of propelling a golf ball, one of the smallest balls in the field of sports, a relatively long distance, oftentimes being hundreds of yards, into a hole only slightly larger than the ball itself. The propulsion is accomplished by swinging a selection of golf clubs having a head at one end with which to strike the ball. To a certain extent, the club is an extension of the arms of the golfer, allowing the golfer to stand relatively erect while striking the ball which is normally on the ground. 
         [0006]    While there is limited selection of golf clubs from which a golfer may choose, the sizes and shapes of golfers is as unlimited as the human species itself. Many golf aids have been devised to help a golfer play or learn during putting, that is to say, during the play that is close or proximal to the hole, such as, for examples, U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,284 to Yoshimura and U.S. Pat. Application No. 2008/002665 of Kelley. Because of the varying sizes and shapes of golfers, many of such devices provide for various articulated adjustments in order for the device to accommodate the particular golfer&#39;s unique shape, as shown, for one example, in U.S. Pat No. 7,033,284, cited above. 
         [0007]    Other golf swing aids are designed to assist a golfer to improve his ability to hit the ball greater distances. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,199 to Wyatt, Jr., et al. Again, as seen in that reference, the devices generally are elaborate and provide for articulation. Of necessity, many of such devices require such articulation in order that the device may accommodate the unique shape and/or size of the golfer. Moreover, as seen in that reference, many of the golf swing aids provide intricate designs for not only controlling the arms of the golfer, but also for controlling the legs, as well. Many of such prior art devices are designed to rigidly control the position of the arms to the body, and to control the position of the arms to the legs, and the legs to each other. 
         [0008]    While many of such devices known in the art will provide benefit to a golfer learning or adjusting his or her strokes during practice sessions, such devices generally would be awkward if one attempted to use them on the golf course itself during actual play. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf swing formation aid that does not require adjustment of articulated parts in order to accommodate the golfer in the aid. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf swing formation or instructional aid that will accommodate a wide range of golfers&#39; sizes and shapes. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a golf swing practice aid that can be donned easily and quickly, yet used repeatedly. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a golf swing instructional and formation aid that can be used not only during off-play practice sessions, but may be used during play on the golf course without unnecessarily impeding the play or wasting the time of other players on the golf course. 
         [0010]    Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a golf swing instructional or formation aid that assists a golfer in spacing his arms during and throughout the full swing of a golf club. Even a further object of the present invention is to provide a golf swing aid that is not so rigid as to impede the natural varying positions of the arms relative to each other during a full or even a limited golf club swing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In brief, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at least two cushions are formed together in a generally inverse trapezoidal shape to be positioned between the arms of a golfer holding a golf club. The cushions have a sleeve on each side to receive the corresponding left or right arm of the golfer. At least one of the cushions has a degree of resilience more stiff than the other. In one aspect of the invention, a central cushion is sandwiched between two additional cushions, where the degree of resilience of the two sandwiching cushions is more stiff than the resilience of the central cushion. A cover for the cushions contains sleeves which allow for the swift and comfortable reception of the arms of the golfer. An optional or retractable plastic stiffening sheet provides for additional restraint for novice or powerful golfers. 
         [0012]    These and other novel aspects of the present invention, together with other aspects thereof, can be better understood by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are designed to be read in conjunction and together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the golf swing aid of the present invention shown in use by a golfer; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the golf swing aid of the present invention, having portions thereof removed to show interior aspects thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a golfer using one embodiment of the present invention during the up-stroke or back-stroke of the golf swing, showing the position of arms within sleeves in broken lines for ease of understanding; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a golfer using one aspect of the present invention during the full follow-through of a golf swing, showing the position of arms within sleeves in broken lines for ease of understanding; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an insert element for the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, having portions of the front fabric cover cut away for clarity in viewing components within the fabric cover; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention having elements of this embodiment separated for clarity in describing one aspect of this alternative embodiment; and, 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7  showing the separated elements joined 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    A golfer  10  is shown, reference being had initially to  FIG. 1  of the accompanying drawings wherein reference numerals refer to like numerals used in this specification. The golfer  10  is shown holding a golf club  12  with his hands  14 . The golfer&#39;s right arm  16  and his left arm  18  are spaced apart by a cushion assembly  22  of the golf swing formation or instructional aid  20 , which cushion assembly  22  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2  of the accompanying drawings. 
         [0022]    The golf swing aid  20  has a cover  24  for holding the cushion assembly  22 . A right sleeve  26  is positioned along the right side  27  of the cushion assembly  22 . A left sleeve  28  is positioned along the left side  29  of the cushion assembly  22 . The golfer&#39;s right arm  16  is inserted in sleeve  26 , and his left arm  18  is inserted in the left sleeve  28  of the swing aid  20 . The cover  24  has a face or front  30 , a top  32  and a bottom  34 . A plurality of straps, cords or like holding devices may be provided in lieu of a sleeve  26 ,  28 , so long as the holding devices keep the corresponding arm  16 ,  18  in close proximity to the corresponding side of the cushion assembly, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Hereinafter in this specification and accompanying claims, whenever reference is made to a sleeve or to sleeve means, it is to be understood that such terms mean, and reference is being made to, such holding devices. 
         [0023]    The cushion assembly  22  comprises a first or front cushion  36  which is made of a resilient material. The cushion assembly  22  also comprises a second or back cushion  38  having substantially the same composition as the front cushion  36 . A third cushion  40  is fixed to and between the front cushion  36  and the second or back cushion  38  to form the assembly  22 , which comprises a sandwich of the three cushions  36 ,  38 ,  40 . The degree of resilience of the cushion  40  is less stiff than that of the front cushion  36  and that of back cushion  38 . 
         [0024]    The length  42  of the bottom  34  is shorter than the length  44  of the top  32  of the cushion assembly  22 , resulting in a generally inverse trapezoidal shape for the swing aid  20 . The shape thus forces the swing aid  20  to position arms  16 ,  18  held by the corresponding sleeves  26 ,  28  spaced apart yet in a generally “V” relationship with each other. This relationship is the relationship desired when holding a golf club, and is generally close to the position desired during the golf club swing. 
         [0025]    In operation, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the accompanying drawings, the golfer  10  pulls back on the golf club  12  in the up-stroke or back-stroke of a golf club swing, better seen shown particularly in  FIG. 3 . The relationship of the arms  16 ,  18  to each other changes somewhat in this up-stroke  46 , but the resilience of the cushion  40  easily accommodates this variable change by slight compression and by a torsional movement as well. Complete freedom for the arms  16 ,  18  is restricted or opposed by the more stiff resilience of the front cushion  36  and the back cushion  38 . Front cushion  36  and back cushion  38  are composed of substantially the same material. The from cushion  36  and the back cushion  38  do not compress as readily as the core cushion  40 , but rather slightly bow outward, as shown in  FIG. 3 , so that there is a constant pressure against or opposing the arms  16 ,  18  from coming closer together too much. Importantly, the arms  16 ,  18 , especially at their elbows are urged to maintain their initial space or distance apart as when the golf swing initially began, as in the position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    As the golfer  10  follows through with the swing, as indicated by the arrow  48  in  FIG. 4 , the center cushion  40 , as well as the sandwiching cushions  36 ,  38  expand and compress as the club  12  proceeds to hit a golf ball. Further, the cushions  36 ,  38 ,  40  during the golf club swing and follow-through  48  have torsional movement in the opposite direction from the torsional movement during the up- or back-stroke  46 . Still, the resilience of the cushions  36 ,  38 ,  40  urges and helps the golfer to maintain the proper spacing between his arms  16 ,  18  the proper distance and the proper relationship with the other arm. 
         [0027]    It may be appreciated that each of the arms  16 ,  18  are easily inserted into, and retrieved from its corresponding sleeve  26 ,  28 . The swing aid  20  can be compressed for carrying around, and can be quickly and efficiently donned for use, whether during practice sessions or during actual play. There are no articulated inter-connected component parts that require careful adjustments, tightening or assembly. The swing aid can be donned and removed without delay of the game for others, and only minimally for the golfer  10  himself. 
         [0028]    While in this description of a preferred embodiment a cushion assembly  22  comprised of three cushions  36 ,  38 ,  40  fixed together in a sandwich has been shown, those skilled in the art may readily appreciate that other configurations of cushions may be perceived that will provide the swing aid of this present invention. Thus, for example, substantially beneficial results can be obtained with only two cushions, where one cushion has a degree of resilience more stiff than the other, where one cushion will compress more readily while the other cushion tends to bow rather than tending to compress. Further, the sleeves means could comprise bands or straps which can be fastened around the corresponding arms  16 ,  18 . Still further, the cushion assembly  22  can be formed integrally with the sleeve mens  26 ,  28 , and the cover  20  may be eliminated. 
         [0029]    In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternative embodiment of the golf swing instructional aid or swing formation aid  50  of the present invention is shown. The golf swing formation aid  50  has a fabric or cloth cover  52 . The swing formation aid  50  has a right sleeve  56  and a left sleeve  58 , similar to the sleeves  26 ,  28  of the embodiment as described above in the preferred embodiment. A sheet insert  54  comprising a relatively thin sheet of plastic or material having plastic characteristics is formed. 
         [0030]    The cover  52  has a top portion or top  60  and a front portion or front  62 . The top  60  and the front  62  of the cover  52  are joined together by a linear retractable fastening means  64 . Such a linear fastening means could be a Zipper  64 , as shown, but in all events should be capable of being opened and re-closed at the discretion of the golfer. 
         [0031]    The swing formation aid  50  has internally resilient cushions sandwiched generally as shown for the preferred embodiment, including a front resilient cushion  66  corresponding to front cushion  36  of the swing formation aid  20  of the preferred embodiment. The thin sheet insert  54  has an inverse trapezoidal shape which is complemental to the shape of the swing formation aid  50 , but having dimensions similar to but slightly less than that of the front  62  of the cover  52 , so that the sheet insert  54  can be inserted inside the cover  52  between the front resilient cushion  66  and the front  62  within the cover  52 . 
         [0032]    In operation, the linear retractable fastening means  64  is opened and the thin sheet insert  54  is inserted within the fabric cover  52  and positioned between the front resilient cushion  66  and the inside of the front  62  of the cover  52 . The retractable fastening means  64  is then closed. The generally inverse trapezoidal shape of the front resilient cushion  66  and the front  62  of the cover  52  the sheet insert  54  in place by the generally inverse trapezoidal shape of the insert  54 . 
         [0033]    The benefits of this alternative embodiment are best realized by the novice golfer and by the more powerful golfer, each of whom has a tendency to bring the back swing to a point where the hands of the golfer move towards and often touch the shoulder. The material of the sheet insert  54  should be substantially less resilient, that is to say, more stiff by bending in sheet form, as opposed to compressing and twisting as in the likes of cushions and cushion-like material as in the resilient cushions  66 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  described here and above. Later, as the golf swing of the golfer improves or becomes more instinctive and natural to the golfer, the more stiff sheet insert  54  can be removed by opening the retractable fastener  64 , gripping the sheet insert  54  and pulling it out. The golfer can then continuing obtaining the benefits of the swing formation aid  50  by using it without the stiffness that the insert  54  previously provided, but still feeling the resilience of the cushions  66  and other cushions within the cover  52 . 
         [0034]    In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , yet another, second alternative embodiment to the preferred embodiment is shown in which a golf swing formation aid  70  has a cover  72 , a right sleeve  74  and a left sleeve  76 , similar to the aids of the preferred embodiment. The cover  72  includes a front portion or front  78 , having the generally inverse trapezoidal shape of the aid  70 . 
         [0035]    In this second alternative embodiment, a relatively thin, stiff but bendable sheet  80  will provide the relative stiffness sometimes needed to prevent the golfer&#39;s hands and. wrists from moving towards and sometimes touching his shoulder. In particular, the front  78  of the cover  72  has positioned near its four corners one part of a fastening material  82   a ,  82 ,  b ,  82   c ,  82   d , such as, for example, the hook portion of Velcro strips. On one side of the sheet  80  are positioned strips  84   a ,  84   b ,  84   c ,  84   d  of the complemental portion of the fastening material, such as, for example, the matt portion of Velcro strips. 
         [0036]    In operation, the sheet  80  is moved in the direction of arrow  86 , best seen in  FIG. 7 , to be joined to the front  78  of the cover  72  of the swing formation aid  70 . The fastening strip  84   a  is aligned with the fastening strip  82   a . The fastening strip  84   b  is aligned with the fastening strip  82   b . The fastening strip  84   c  is aligned with the fastening strip  82   c . The fastening strip  84   d  is aligned with the fastening strip  82   d . The sheet  80  is then fastened to the front  78  of the swing aid  70 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 . The golfer can then use the swing aid  70  in much the same way and manner as the golf swing formation aids of the previously described embodiments. When the golfer&#39;s swing improves to the point where he does not have a tendency to move his hands  14  or wrists close to or touching his shoulder, he can easily remove the sheet  80  from the front  78  of the swing formation aid  70 , and continue using the swing formation aid  70  as before but without the stiff restraint inherent in the sheet  80 . If later the golfer prefers to have the relative stiff restraint provided by the sheet  80 , the sheet  80  can easily re-fastened to the front  78  of the aid  70 . 
         [0037]    The foregoing detailed description of my invention and of preferred embodiments as to products, compositions and processes, is illustrative of specific embodiments only. It is to be understood, however, that additional embodiments may be perceived by those skilled in the art. The embodiments described herein, together with those additional embodiments, are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.