Abstract:
A device ( 10 ) for training a sequence of movements for ball hitting implements ( 18 ), especially golf clubs and baseball bats, permits monitoring the observance of the correct sequence of movements. The monitoring device acts upon the implement ( 18 ) and the user. The device permits the individual user to be in a position to check whether a sequence of movement is being correctly performed, while he or she is executing the sequence of movements and to correct it if necessary.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for training a sequence of movements for ball-hitting implements, especially golf clubs or baseball bats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In sports in which ball-hitting implements are used, for example golf, generally a complex sequence of movements will be encountered in using these implements. Learning, practicing and monitoring these sequences of movements poses problems for beginners. By incorrect execution of the corresponding movements and inadequate correction of these errors, rapid progress and the associated sense of achievement remain elusive for beginners. Even in players who play these sports professionally, the pertinent monitoring of sequences of movements is regarded as an indispensable prerequisite for good play. 
     In the past, for checking the sequence of his movements, a player had to enlist another individual to watch and correct him, or to use complex video technology allowing him to examine the execution of his movements subsequently. These measures, whether time with a coach or use of video cameras, is expensive for the player and, if at all, is not always available to him at the desired time. It is furthermore disadvantageous, that when subsequently viewing the recorded video material, the respective player does not have the opportunity to directly correct errors in the sequence of his movements and in particular he does not receive any feedback (biofeedback) about his errors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,901 discloses a golf training device which can be fixed to the upper body of the user by a chest harness. The device itself has two telescoping sleeve parts which are held to be able to travel lengthwise into one another. One telescoping part engages the chest harness. The other telescoping part engages the grip of the golf club. As a result of the rigid arrangement of these telescoping parts which can travel lengthwise into one another and as a result of fixing the training device by the indicated chest harness, the golf-playing user is also greatly hampered in his play during training so that the approach is less feasible for practical applications. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,688 and 5,108,103 disclose golf training devices with acoustic feedback. The training device is attached especially to the wrist of the golfer and to the golf club itself in the vicinity of the grip. An elastic resettable connecting part between the wrist and the golf club monitors the centrifugal force situation during the sequence of movements. When the sequence is not ideal, the golfer receives a corresponding error or correction report via an acoustic signal. Since with these devices essentially only correct monitoring of the hand position during the course of the stroke, mispositioning of other body parts, especially with regard to arm posture during the golf stroke, remains ignored. Accordingly, these known devices do not ensure that the entire sequence of movements during the golf swing is practiced correctly to master the entire sequence of movements in this way. 
     GB-A-988 796 and GB-A-2 336 787 disclose establishing a connection between a golf glove or the club grip and the shoulder or the upper arm of a golfer of bands and loops. The bands and loops are designed to capture the centrifugal forces during the swing and deliver feedback about the correct sequence of movements to the user. In the golf training device of GB-A-2 336 787, only one-hand training motion is possible, with the other hand being kept stationary by the user on the upper body. The training device touches the shoulder of GB-A-988 796. By a resettable force means, another band is placed under the opposite shoulder of the other arm of the user. During the stroke motion, the shoulder band cannot unintentionally slip down. With the known training device, the user can carry a golf bag or the like supported by the shoulders of the user. In particular, this mitigates tiresome carrying on longer golf courses. The training effect with these known devices is likewise rather small. If only one hand or one arm is correctly trained for a sequence of movements, this training does not apply to the sequence of movements with the two stroking hands of a user, as experience indicates. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,926 discloses a golf training device which engages between the wrist and the upper arm of the user. Fixing possibilities in this regard are closing bands between which extend two telescoping sleeve parts. The parts fit into one another with a lengthwise travel capacity on their facing ends. The telescoping part facing the wrist has a slotted guide. The other telescoping part on its outside periphery has a fixing aid with a movable chain. This arrangement permits monitoring the bending motion of the arms during the stroke such that overbending cannot occur. An unintentional motion is intercepted by the chain of one telescoping part which then fits into the slotted part of the other telescoping part in an obstructing manner. A certain pattern of movement can only be partially monitored, specifically any overbending of the arm posture during the sequence of movements so that the entire sequence of movements during a golf swing cannot be properly monitored and trained in this way. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Objects of the present invention are to provide a player with a simple and economical aid for directly noting and correcting errors in the sequence of his movements when hitting the ball, without being reliant on the assistance of third parties or on complex video recording technology. 
     The foregoing objects are basically obtained by monitoring means having at least two component parts detachable from one another and interactable with one another by a force means. In this manner, at least at the start and end of the sequence of movements, the detachment of the component parts is obstructed or their joining takes place in an accelerated manner. The force means opposes the centrifugal force during the swinging motion with the ball-hitting implement. Both the detachment of the component parts and the later joining deliver an acoustic signal to the user to reliably indicate to him at least the start and end of the sequence of movements. At least in the preparation of the hitting phase in which the ball-hitting implement hits the ball, for a correctly maintained sequence of movements, the centrifugal forces are so great that a visible and perceptible separation of the component parts takes place after passing through the obstruction. The separation provides the user, in the sense of biofeedback or feedback, with a monitoring possibility for correctly passing through the desired movement. Especially in the critical transition area between the actual starting phase of the stroke and the later hitting phase, the monitoring means is in action and delivers the required feedback for the desired correct sequence of movements. 
     The device of the present invention is fixed on the one hand on the hitting implement, preferably in the area of the transition between the other part of the implement and the grip of the implement, and on the other on the upper arm of the user, preferably in the area above the elbow joint, for righthanders the upper left arm, and for lefthanders preferably the upper right arm. While carrying out the actual swinging motion for producing the ball-hitting force, the centrifugal forces, occurring in the system of the implement, the user and the device, are used to trigger the monitoring means. Depending on its respective system state, the monitoring means relays feedback to the user who evaluates the pertinent feedback to learn the correct sequence of movements with the ball-hitting implement. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, the monitoring means has at least two component parts which can be detached from one another and which interact with one another by a force means. At least at the start and end of the sequence of movements, the detachment of the component parts is obstructed or their joining takes place in an accelerated manner. The force means consequently opposes the centrifugal force. Both the detachment of the component parts and the later joining deliver an acoustic signal to the user to reliably indicate to him at least the start and end of the sequence of movements. At least in the preparation of the hitting phase in which the ball-hitting implement meets the ball, for a correctly maintained sequence of movements the centrifugal forces are so great that a visible and perceptible separation of the component parts takes place after passing through the obstruction to provide the user, in the sense of biofeedback or feedback, with a monitoring possibility for correctly passing through the desired sequence of movements. Especially in the critical transition area between the actual starting phase of the stroke and the later hitting phase, the monitoring means is effective and delivers the required feedback for the desired correct sequence of movements. 
     In one especially preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, the force applied by the force means tries to keep the component parts permanently in contact with one another. The amount of force can be preset by an adjustment means. The adjustment means makes it possible, within definable limits, to adapt the device to the biophysical circumstances of the respective user so that the device can be used for children, adolescents and adults, even without major changes of a structural type. 
     In another especially preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, the component parts in each of their positions relative to one another are joined to one another by a connecting means. As part of the force means, the connecting means applies a reset force to the component parts. In this way, in the area of the end phase or the so-called finish in which the hitting phase ends after hitting the ball, the monitoring means will again assume its original system state in which the component parts adjoin one another to obstruct the travel through a following sequence of movements again. The indicated reset force in the so-called finish range causes the two component parts of the monitoring means to be audibly brought together to notify the user acoustically of the end of the swinging motion. The device is then available to the user to be used again. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure: 
     FIGS. 1 a, b, c  and  d  are frontal elevational views of the position of an individual practicing with a ball-hitting implement in the form of a golf club divided in four successive phases of movement, with a device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, affixed to a golf club with a monitoring means; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the parts of the monitoring means of the device of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in section of each of the two component parts of the monitoring means of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial side elevational view in section of the component part portion within the circle designated “X” in FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded, perspective view of the fixing clamp within box “Y” in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The device of the present invention shown in the figures is to be used especially for golf clubs. This device can also be used for other types of ball-hitting implements, for example for baseball bats and tennis rackets. 
     The views of FIGS. 1 a  to  d  are in the nature of snapshots showing the execution of a ball-hitting movement with a device  10  according to the present invention. The device  10  has its two ends  12  and  14  is fixed on a body part in the form of the upper arm  16  of the user and on the club  18 , respectively. The sequence of movements shown in FIGS. 1 a  to  d  for a right-hander can, of course, also be carried out for left-handers with the corresponding requisite changes. 
     FIG. 1 a  shows the user with the club  18 , after executing the drawback phase with backswing, at the start of the so-called downswing. The pivot of the club motion is in the vicinity of the shoulder of the user. In the course of the follow through, the left arm is extended when the sequence of movements is correct. The initiation of just this movement is signaled to the user by the monitoring means. The two components pieces  22 ,  24  moving apart with an audible metallic sound as the magnetic force acting between them is overcome. 
     FIG. 1 b  shows the user with the club  18  during a superimposed second rotary motion, when within the follow through movement the hands of the user are roughly at hip height. In this rotary motion, the club  10  is moved around a pivot in the wrists of the user. The sequence of movements in this respect corresponds to what is shown in FIG. 1 c.    
     The component parts  22 ,  24  are joined by a connecting means  26  applying a reset force to the component parts  22 ,  24 , as shown in FIG. 1 d , after the user has hit the ball and followed through with the club in sequence in front of the body. The component parts are again brought together in the so-called finish (end phase). The two component parts  22 ,  24  being brought together is again linked to a perceptible metallic clicking as an acoustic signal as soon as they make contact with one another. 
     The above-described sequence of movements basically has a model-like nature in order to illustrate the fundamental relationships. Especially in professional sports, there are conventionally deviations from the described sequence of movements. However, this deviation is immaterial for the use of the training device controlled by centrifugal force, as in the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows the device  10  in its entirety fixed on the golf club  18  (shown only partially). Proceeding from the first end  12 , which is fixed on the upper arm of the user, a fixing means  28  in the form of an adhesive fastener band  30  with a rectangular eye  32  of plastic material is attached to its one end. The free end  34  of the adhesive fastener band  30  is inserted through eye  32  and returns after encompassing the upper arm. Then, free end  34  is pulled back so that the adhesive fastener means  38 , attached to the outside periphery  36  of the adhesive fastener band  30 , engage to the free end  34 . The ends of a cloth strip  40 , forming a loop, are attached to the outside periphery  36  of the adhesive fastener band  30 . A metal eye  44  is attached to another loop  42  of the cloth strip. Eye  44  is used for lengthwise adjustment of the cloth strip  40 . Strip  40  is inserted past a tongue-like cross brace  46  of the eye  44 . This arrangement prevents the strip  40  from slipping through. This adjustment enables matching of the device to the conditions of the body of the user. 
     Furthermore, the cloth strip  40  passes through and pulls on a U-shaped metal holder  48 . A spring hook  50  with a leaf spring closure  52  is pivotally supported on holder  48 . The spring hook  50  here fits through a metal clip  54  with two open ends  56  attached to the opposing points of the outside periphery of a metal truncated hollow cone  58  (FIG.  3 ). The cone can be fixed, after it has been turned over the end piece  60  of the base body  62  of the component part  22  of the monitoring means  20 , by two metal cotter pins  64 . The cotter pins are driven opposite to one another and perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the truncated hollow cone  58  through openings  66 . On the part of the base body  62 , these cotter pins  64  slide in a peripheral groove  68 , which is especially apparent in FIGS. 4 and 5. A peripheral or annular projection  70  prevents the truncated hollow cone  58  from being withdrawn or separated from the base body  62 . 
     The two component parts  22  and  24 , with base bodies  62  and  72  are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and are joined to one another by the connecting means  26  as part of a force means which is designated  73  as a whole. The force means includes an elastic cord  74  guided or extended through the cylindrical recesses  76  of the component parts  22 ,  24 . The recesses are located along the lengthwise axis of the component parts. The elastic cord is attached by fixing means  78 . A metal ring  80  is on one piece of the same cross section of the base bodies  62 ,  72 . Each base body is formed of laminated plastic, and has a cross section which tapers in the direction to its outer end. In the area of the tapering cross sections, the base bodies  62 ,  72 , recesses  82  are spaced uniformly over the periphery. The recess bottoms  84  are each spaced the same distance from the lengthwise axes  86  of the component parts. A rib structure is thereby formed which extends into the solid end pieces  60 . The rib structure yields a weight reduction which facilitates handling for the conical component parts  22 ,  24 . 
     For the component part  22 , the assigned metal ring  80  on its side facing the base body  62  has an end piece  88  with a tapering cross section, as can also be seen in FIG.  3 . An outside thread  92  is provided on the outside periphery  90  of this tapered cross section, and is used for screwing to an inside thread  96  provided in the cylindrical recess  94  in the base body  62 . A thrust piece  100  is embedded, spring-loaded in the bottom  98  of the recess. When the base body  62  is screwed with the assigned metal ring  80 , hemispherical head  102  of thrust piece  100  fits into the conical recesses  104 . Recesses  104  are provided on the side of the tapered cross section of the metal ring  80 , which side faces the bottom  98  of the recess. These recesses are located diametrically relative to the lengthwise axis  86  of the component parts by an angular amount which is the same in each case. 
     A ring magnet  106  is another primary part of the force means  73 , has the same cylinder axis, and is countersunk into the metal ring  80  attached to the base body  72  and assigned to the component part  24 . Ring magnet  106  applies an attractive force to the other metal ring  80  assigned to the component part  22 . On the component part  24 , a cylindrical plastic piece  108  projects in the direction of the other component part  22  out of the base body  72  along the lengthwise axis  86  of the component parts. Cylindrical piece  108  has a conical end piece  110 , which together with a recess  112 , provide a guide means  113 , and is partially surrounded peripherally by the metal ring  80  and the magnet  106 . The part of the plastic piece  108  projecting beyond the metal ring  80  with the magnet  106  along the lengthwise axis  86  of the component part, when the component parts  22  and  24  are brought together, then grips the cylindrical recess  112  of the other or second metal ring  80  assigned to the component part  22 . As part of the force means  73  with the first metal ring  80 , that part interacts with the ring magnet  106 . Recess  112  runs along the lengthwise axis  86  of the component part. The ring surface  114  of the conical end piece  110 , which surface faces the component part  22 , in this type of passage is in contact with the bottom  98  of the cylindrical recess  94  in the base body  62  before the outside thread  92  of the metal ring  80  engages the inside thread  96  of the base body  62 . In this manner, ring surface  114  and bottom  98  adjoin one another flat with the facing ring surfaces  116 ,  118  of the metal ring  80  or of the base body  62 . In a further screwing-in process in which the two threads  92 ,  96  are moved by twisting the base body  62  against the assigned metal ring  80 . The second base body  72  is supported on the first base body  62 . The two component parts  22 ,  24  are located against one another, spaced apart. The thrust piece  100  projects out of the recess bottom  98  into the respectively assigned conical recess  104 . In the manner of a ratchet, definable adjustment of the magnetic force holding the two component parts  22 ,  24  together is possible. The ratchet approach results in that the magnetic force, once set, does not change unintentionally during operation of the device  10 . In this way, it could adversely affect the operation of the device  10 . The device  10  can be matched to the special user conditions, especially with respect to body sizes and body forces present at the time, by way of the described magnetic force adjustment means  120 . 
     The end  14  of the component part  24  facing the club  18  likewise has, as in the component part  22 , a truncated hollow cone  58 . Cone  58  is guided on the end piece  60  by metal cotter pins  64  sliding in a peripheral groove  68 , with a metal clip  54  fixed on it. A steel ring  122  extends through metal clip  54  and extends through round openings  124 ,  126  on two clamp sheets  128 ,  130  of a fixing clamp  132 , as is shown in FIG.  6 . This fixing clamp  132  is used to fix the device  10  on the club  18 . For this purpose, the two clamp sheets  128  and  130 , with their inner base surfaces  134 , are placed on one another. A cylindrical screw piece  136  projects vertically from the inner base surface  134  of the first clamp sheet  128 , and extends with the thread through another recess  138  of the second clamp sheet  130  so that the two clamp sheets  128 ,  130  can be detachably secured on one another using a lock nut  140 , as the circular openings  124 ,  126  lie on top of one another. The side surface  142  of the clamp sheet  130  adjoins the projection  144  which projects over the side surface of the clamp sheet  128  to additionally prevent the two clamp sheets  128 ,  130  from sliding off one another. On the side of the clamp sheets  128 ,  130  facing the club  18  they are provided with equal-sided angle pieces  146 . The angle pieces project at an angle of 45° from the clamp sheets. Each angle piece includes an angle of 90° such that, when the clamp sheets  128 ,  130  lie on one another, the angle pieces enclose a cavity with a square base surface to hold a piece of the club  18 . To prevent damage or stick on the club  18 , the angle pieces  146  have rubber cushions  150  which cover their entire inner surfaces  148 . 
     For purposes of illustration, the manner of action of the device  10  from FIGS. 2 and 3 during the various phases of the sequence of movements shown in FIGS. 1 a  to  1   d  is discussed. A device  10  is fixed on the club  18  and on the upper arm  16  of a right-handed user, adapted by means of the ratchet approach to his physical conditions. In the ratchet approach, the component parts  22 ,  24  are spaced apart from one another in definable increments by the adjustment means  120 . Twisting of the base body  62  of the component part  22  against the metal ring  80 , which is assigned to it, causes a change of the distance between the metal rings  80 . The associated change of the force which acts between the component parts  22 ,  24  allows the user to adapt to his individual circumstances. 
     In FIG. 1 a  this user is in the initial phase of the sequence of movements and after the drawback motion with the club  18  executes a first type of lever motion of his arm around the left shoulder area, during which the monitoring means  20  is not triggered. 
     In FIG. 1 b  the user, with his hands roughly at hip height, in the sequence of his movements reaches the hitting phase in which the first type of lever motion is superimposed by a second type during which the club  18  is moved around the wrists of the user. The centrifugal motion triggers the monitoring means  20 , which is now tensioned tautly between the upper arm of the user and the club  18 . If the amount of force which engages the monitoring mean  20  exceeds the magnetic force which obstructs loosening of the component parts  22 ,  24 , as for example in the transition from the position which is shown in FIG. 1 a  into the position which is shown in FIG. 1 b , the component parts  22 ,  24  are separated from one another in a clearly audible manner. FIG. 1 c  shows the user still in the hitting phase of the sequence of movements with the now separated component parts of the monitoring means  20  which is attached to the club  18 . Furthermore, FIGS. 1 b  and  1   c  illustrate that separation of the component parts  22 ,  24  takes place in the visual field of the user; his exercise of monitoring is improved in addition using this optical signal. 
     After hitting the ball in the end phase of the sequence of movements, the club  18  is swung forward first in front of the body of the user and then, as shown in FIG. 1 d , is guided on the left side to behind the body. By mobilization of the reduction of the centrifugal force, the component parts  22 ,  24 , which are joined to one another during the entire sequence of movements regardless of their relative position to one another by a connecting means  26  in the form of an elastic, extended connecting element, especially an elastic cord  74 , are again caused to approach one another. By the plastic piece  108  with the conical end piece  110  fitting into the recess  112 , the guide means  113  provides for the two component parts  22 ,  24  being brought together again such that in their initial position they are located along a common lengthwise axis. After the component parts  22 ,  24  are brought visually and audibly together, the device  10  is immediately available again for execution of the sequence of movements. 
     The above described sequence of movements is of a purely model nature for a more detailed explanation of the invention. Depending on the individual circumstances, it is also possible to deviate from this model without adversely affecting the functionality of the device as claimed in the invention. 
     While one embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.