Abstract:
A golf training aid device that has an elongated plane arm, a pivot device coupled to the plane arm and a base member coupled to the pivot device. The base member is configured to stably support the pivot device and the plane arm in a desired swing plane. The pivot device and plane arm are configured in combination to provide for movement of the plane arm at an angle relative to the base member. The pivot device locks the plane arm in a locked position at an angle to establish the desired swing plane.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/058,515, entitled “GOLF SWING TRAINING DEVICE,” filed on Jun. 3, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a golf swing training aid, and in particular, to a golf swing training aid for teaching a golfer the proper swing plane for executing a golf swing. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    Many golfers suffer from an inherent difficulty in swinging a golf club in a proper swing plane. In addition, simply being aware that the club is not being properly swung by the golfer does not always enable a golfer to make the necessary corrections to improve their golf swing. Rather, repetitive practice of a proper golf swing in the proper golf plane is extremely helpful for many to ensure that a good golf swing is consistently made. Providing a golfer with verbal instructions, such as by an instructor or a coach, or visually by a video system, and the like, does not necessarily result in the training needed by golfers to reprogram their muscular systems. For this reason, a number of teaching devices for providing feedback to the golfer during a golf swing have been developed, used and sold. 
         [0006]    However, such teaching devices suffer from many deficiencies, which by way of example only include being large in size, heavy in weight, lacking in portability and versatility, lacking in ease of use, limited by not being able to hit balls while practicing one&#39;s golf swing with the teaching device, and a lack of repeatability of the swing plane training device to be constantly setup in the same configuration. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved swing plane device for allowing a golfer to observe the mechanics of his or her golf swing, and improve upon any of the deficiencies of the prior art swing plane devices. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a golf swing training aid for teaching a golfer the proper swing plane by providing feedback to the golfer to ensure consistent, repetitive golf swings. The device provides immediate feedback to the golfer, since the golf club contacts the training device during the execution of the golf swing if the golf swing is not in the proper swing plane, thereby helping to ensure the proper placement of the golf club during the swing process. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the training device, an elongated plane arm is coupled to a pivot device, which is coupled to a base device, and the combination is configured so that the plane arm can be set at an angle relative to the golfer using the training device. In use of one preferred embodiment, the base device is inserted into the ground and the plane arm is adjusted at an angle with respect to the base device by the pivot device to provide a proper angle of a normal swing executed by a golfer. The plane arm is adjusted in order to be positioned so that during the down swing by the golfer, the golfer swings under the plane arm if the golfer is swinging in the proper swing plane, or strikes the plane arm if the golfer is not swinging in the proper swing plane. 
         [0009]    Among some of the advantages of the swing aid training device of the present invention are: that the swing training aid device provides for a proper swing plane feedback immediately to the golfer as the golf club is swung by the golfer; the swing training aid allows the golfer to strike a golf ball while practicing swinging of the club in the proper swing plane; and that the swing training aid device is light weight, simple in design, inexpensive, and portable. The swing aid training device can be folded up to a compact size so that it can be carried in the golfer&#39;s bag, and can repeatedly be setup by the golfer quickly and easily in any location. 
         [0010]    These and other advantages of the swing training aid of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be apparent from the description. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention. In addition, it is to be appreciated that the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, are illustrative of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principals thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of the golf swing training device of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the pivot device and base device of the golf swing training device of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the pivot device and the base device of the golf training device of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrates the three primary components of the golf swing training device of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the golf swing training device illustrating its use when used for target line alignment training; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the golf swing training device illustrating its use when used for takeaway training. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    This swing training aid device of invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The swing training aid device of invention is capable of other embodiments and of being manufactured, used and sold in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing”, “involving”, and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a golf swing training device  10  of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the golf swing training device  10  is shown in combination with a golf club, which when swung in the proper swing plane will pass by the golf swing training device  10  in the orientation shown without striking the golf swing training device  10 . Thus the golf swing training device when configured appropriately provides a training aid so that the golfer will either swing in the proper swing plane, or otherwise strike the golf swing training device. The golf swing training device  10  includes an elongated arm  12 , including a lower arm section  14  that is coupled to a pivot device  16 . The pivot device  16  is also coupled to a base device  18  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ), which provides for supporting the golf swing training device in an upright position. In one embodiment, the base device is a ground spike that allows for insertion into the ground as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, it is also to be appreciated that the base device can comprise any device that supports that pivot device and the plane arm for use as described herein. Such a device could be a stand that would allow the golf swing training device to be used on a hard surface or a surface where a ground spike is not usable. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4C  illustrates one embodiment of a ground spike, which includes a half inch diameter cylindrical spike having a pointed end, with a total length of about three inches from a top of the spike to an end of the pointed end of the spike. In one embodiment, the spike is a lightweight PVC material. However, it is to be appreciated that the ground spike can be any material, such as a lightweight aluminum, a metal, or any other material that is suitable for insertion into a ground, and for supporting the weight and use of the golf swing training device. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  illustrates one embodiment of the plane arm, which includes as a single piece cylindrical arm of a length of about 32 inches, having a diameter of ½ an inch. The arm can be a tubular type arm made of a PVC type material. However, it is to be appreciated that the arm need not be a single piece and can be for example, a telescoping arm of at least two pieces that would allow for adjustability of its length for different height golfers. In addition, it is to be appreciated that the arm need not be made of a PVC material and can be made of any material such as a lightweight aluminum, metal, or any other material suitable for use in the golf swing training device. Preferably, the material would be suitable for being struck by a golf club without damage or fracture, and without causing injury or pain to the golfer. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2-3  and  FIG. 4C  illustrate a side view, a perspective view, and a mechanical drawing of a pivot device according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively. In this embodiment, the pivot device includes a frictional hinge  22 , which should be self-locking. It is to be appreciated that the self-locking hinge  22  can be loosened up by spinning the locking nut  20  in a counter-clockwise direction so as to loosen up the components of the frictional hinge  22 . The locking nut can be tightened in a clock-wise direction so as to secure the plane arm coupled to the frictional hinge in a proper angle for a swing plane of a golfer. As discussed above, it is to be appreciated that the frictional hinge can be made of any materials for use as a golf swing training aid and one embodiment is made of PVC material. However, any or all of the components of the frictional hinge can also be made of any other material such as aluminum, a metal, or any other material that is suitable for use in a golf swing training device. 
         [0023]    The golf swing training device can be configured with markings to illustrate an angle of the plane arm with respect to the base, and in particular with respect to perpendicular to ground. Once a golfer has determined the appropriate angle for their proper swing plane he is able to repeatedly configure the plane arm to a same angle 
         [0024]    It is to be appreciated that the plane arm, the pivot device, and the base device together provide a golf swing training device that is portable because it can be folded up into a compact form, is small in size, is light weight, and is versatile. For example, it can be used by either a left-handed or right-handed golfer by simply adjusting the angle of the plane arm with respect to the ground spike by the pivot device. It is also easy to use and allows for a golfer to strike golf balls while practicing their proper swing plane swing. 
         [0025]    It is also to be appreciated that the golf swing training device allows a golfer to strike the plane arm of the swing device without injury to the golfer and without breaking the swing training device. For example, if a golfer strikes the plane arm, the plane arm and pivot device can easily pivot about the ground spike as the ground spike turns in the ground, creating little resistance to the golf club as it is swung by the golfer and thus very little chance of injury to the golfer or breaking of the swing plane device. 
         [0026]    In one exemplary use of the device, a golfer can take the folded up golf swing training device out of his or her golf bag, use the retaining knob of the base device to loosen up the frictional hinge and adjust the plane arm to a position that is at an angle of 90° to the base assembly. The user would then tighten the retaining knob so that the plane arm is retained at the 90° and push the ground spike into the ground with the plane arm pointing in the direction of the target line of the golfer. The golfer would then rotate the plane arm to a point in a direction perpendicular to the target line, and make sure the plane arm is parallel to the ground. If the plane arm remains parallel to the ground, the golfer adjusts an angle of the plane arm with respect to the ground spike to be in a proper swing plane for the golfer. The setup is then complete and the device is ready for use. 
         [0027]    It is to be appreciated that the golf swing training device as set forth herein can be used in a manner to provide feedback to the golfer during the execution of a practice swing, and also during the execution of a swing to strike a golf ball. It is also to be appreciated that although the golf swing training device has been illustrated with particular shaped and sized components of particular materials, that any of the shape, size, and materials can be modified and that the device can be suitably modified. 
         [0028]    It is to be appreciated that the device may be used by a golfer for other training purposes. For example, at setup, the golf swing training device can be used to display the target line and insure proper alignment of the player&#39;s feet, hips and shoulders.  FIG. 5  shows this configuration. To accomplish this, the golfer can set up the golf swing training device so that the plane arm points in the direction of the target line. The golfer then simply stands with his or her feet, hips and shoulders on a line parallel with the plane arm. The device may also be set along the target line behind the ball as a guide for the club head during takeaway and in front of the ball as a guide for the path of the club head immediately after impact. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows another example. The golfer can use the golf swing training device to prevent an inside takeaway of the golf club by configuring the golf swing training device vertically approximately a club length behind the ball and slightly inside the target line. With this configuration, the golfer will use the golf swing training device during the takeaway of the golf club to make sure the club head passes outside the golf swing training device. For this arrangement, the golf club head should pass inside the golf swing training device on the down swing. 
         [0030]    As a further example, the golfer can set up the golf swing training device approximately one club length in front of the ball and slightly inside the target line. On the follow through of the swing, the golf club head should pass outside this position. Thus, it is to be appreciated that the golf swing training device can be used to provide feedback to the golfer at a variety of different golf swing positions 
         [0031]    Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.