Abstract:
The invention features a golf swing improvement device meant to improve a golf player&#39;s game. The device includes a first and second member connected with each other by way of a hinge portion. Extrusions extending from an outer wall of the first member protect the device from being hit by a player&#39;s club during play, practice or while putting. The device also contemplates a configuration to enable use of golf alignment devices and/or sticks.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to a device for improving a golf player&#39;s swinging ability. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As many golf players can attest, one of the most challenging aspects of the game of golf is the perfection of a player&#39;s swinging ability. With a better swing, players are able to drive their golf balls in the direction and to the desired distance during their game. In addition, players also need a device that would aid them during practice or as a putting aide on any practice green. The device, as contemplated in the present invention, seeks to address these concerns/needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a portable golf swing aide designed to guide a golf player&#39;s proper swing plane when practicing his/her golf swing at a golf driving range during normal practice or before playing a round of golf. 
         [0004]    Advantages of the device as contemplated in the present invention include the reinforcement of golf instructions given by a golf professional. This aids new players during and after their golf game learning sessions. 
         [0005]    Another advantage of the device contemplated in the present invention is that it eliminates out-of-plane swings which cause slices. In addition, the device, as contemplated in the present invention, eliminates over the top swings. 
         [0006]    A player using the device would improve their ball striking by approaching the impact zone from the inside. Closed clubfaces, which cause shanks are also eliminated. 
         [0007]    The device, as contemplated in the present invention, also puts a player on the right track to achieving straighter shots as the device provides a proper guide for swings. 
         [0008]    Use of the device also tends to lower a player&#39;s handicap and provides the player with greater confidence in their game. 
         [0009]    An aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides a golf swing improvement device having a first member, a second member and a hinge. In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the first member may have inner and outer walls, where the outer wall faces a golf player&#39;s golf swing. In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the second member may have a top surface, a bottom surface and multiple side surfaces. The hinge portion, according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, may have one arm mounted on the inner wall of the first member and its second arm mounted on the top surface of the second member, thereby connecting the first and second members. The hinge&#39;s second arm may be perpendicularly adjacent to one of the multiple side surfaces of the second member. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface of the second member may have an alignment trough configured to be used with an alignment device or alignment sticks. 
         [0011]    The golf swing improvement device, in another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, may also include a plurality of extrusions which may extend perpendicularly from the outer wall of the first member. In one aspect, these extrusions protect the outer wall of the first member from the golf player&#39;s club when striking a golf ball. In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the extrusions may be pliable, thereby allowing them to bend and return to their original position and/or shape in case the player&#39;s golf club makes contact with them during practice or play. 
         [0012]    The hinge of the golf swing improvement device, in yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, may, when fully opened, enable a portion of the inner wall of the first member to be perpendicularly flush with one of the multiple side surfaces of the second member. This may be made possible, in one aspect, by properly positioning the hinge&#39;s arms. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, either or both of the first and second members may be rectangular in shape. 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second members may be equal in some or all physical dimensions. 
         [0015]    Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a back view of the golf swing improvement device according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the opened golf swing improvement device according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the golf swing improvement device according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the golf swing improvement device according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the closed golf swing improvement device according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , back, front, bottom and side views of golf swing improvement device  100 , according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, are shown. Golf swing improvement device  100  is shown with first member  102  which is connected with second member  104  by way of hinge  106 . First member  102  has top and bottom edges  102 A &amp;  102 B, side edges  102 C &amp;  102 D ( FIG. 2 ). First member  102  also has outer and inner walls  102 E ( FIG. 2) &amp; 102F . Second member  104  also has top and bottom edges  104 A &amp;  104 B, side edges  104 C &amp;  104 D ( FIG. 3 ). Second member  104  may also have top and bottom surfaces  104 E &amp;  104 F ( FIG. 3 ). Hinge  106  may, in one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, connect first and second members  102  and  104  by way of first and second arms  106 A and  106 B of hinge  106  as shown. Hinge  106  may be so connected with first and second members  102  and  104  by methods or means to known in the art. For the golf player to use golf swing improvement device  100 , he/she would have to open the device as shown having the hinge side opposite to the player&#39;s swing. 
         [0022]    Referring specifically now to  FIG. 2 , a front view of the opened golf swing improvement device  100  according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Here, multiple extrusions  108  are shown to extend from the outer wall  102 E of first member  102 . In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, extrusions  108  may extend perpendicularly from the face of outer wall  102 E. Extrusions  108  are positioned along outer wall  102 E such that they cover the surface of outer wall  102 E. Each extrusion  108   a  has a small space  110  between them keeping them uniformly positioned along outer wall  102 E. In another aspect, they may be pliable thereby enabling them to bend and return to their original position when hit by the player&#39;s golf club during practice or play. Extrusions  108  also help to protect the club from damage if it strikes the extrusions. 
         [0023]    Referring specifically now to  FIG. 3 , a bottom view of the golf swing improvement device  100  according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Here, bottom surface  104 F of second member  104  is shown with an alignment trough  112 . In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, alignment trough  112  may be a rectangular channel within second member  104  which may run the length of bottom surface  104 F of second member  104 . In another aspect, alignment trough may be centrally located within the length of second member  104 . Alignment trough  112  may be configured to be used with an alignment device or alignment sticks (not shown) to align golf swing improvement device  100  during play, putting or practice. 
         [0024]    Referring specifically now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the golf swing improvement device  100  according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Here, outer wall  102 E of first member is shown flush with side edge  104 D of second member  104 . This may be made possible by properly positioning arms  106 A and  106 B of hinge  106  whereby, in one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, arm  106 B may be positioned perpendicularly adjacent to side edge  104 D of second member  104 . Also in this figure, alignment trough  112  is shown beginning from top edge  104 A to bottom edge  104 B of second member  104 , thereby extending through, in one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the length of second member  104 . In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, alignment trough  112  may not run the entire length of second member  104  but may rather have a shorter length. In yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there may be more than one alignment trough each separated from each other by portions of second member  104 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a front view of the closed golf swing improvement device  100  according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Here, the length of side edge  104 D of second member  104  is shown along with the spine  106 C of hinge  106  and first member  102 . In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, first and second members  102  and  104  of golf swing improvement device  100  may be equally dimensioned. Their dimensions, in another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, may also be, depending on application, differently dimensioned. 
         [0025]    A player using golf swing improvement device  100  may position the golf ball on the same side as the player&#39;s swing i.e. at a position parallel and close to the outer wall of first member  102 . By opening golf swing improvement apparatus  100  to the maximum possible position i.e. when outer wall  102 E of first member  102  is perpendicularly flush with side edge  104 D of second member  104 , the player may use device  100  as a visual guide in determining how close or how high to swing his/her club in hitting the ball. The player may also be able to train his/her swing to properly swing his/her club to effectively hit the ball in order to achieve a desired direction and distance. Where the player swings too close to device  100 , the club may then hit or graze extrusions  108  which extend from outer wall  102 E of first member  102 . These extrusions, being pliable in one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, may subsequently return to their original shape and position. If the player&#39;s swing is too close to outer wall  102   e , the wall  102   e  will rotate around the hinge  106  and move from its original perpendicular position. The player can manually reposition the wall  102   e  to its original position. Also, the player can identify the accuracy of the swing based on the movement of the outer wall  102   e.    
         [0026]    A player seeking to use alignment devices such as alignment sticks or rails may do so with golf swing improvement device  100  whereby alignment trough  112  is specifically designed to fit or connect with such alignment devices. 
         [0027]    Once the player is done playing or practicing, he/she may then fold golf swing improvement device  100  (made possible by hinge  106 C) and easily transport improvement device  100 . 
         [0028]    Although this present invention has been disclosed with reference to specific forms and embodiments, it will be evident that a great number of variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically disclosed and certain features of the present invention may be used independently of other features—all without departing from the present invention as defined in the appended claims