Abstract:
A training device for use with a golf club, an elongated member enabling the device to be mounted on the grip of a golf club, the member having an inner cavity shaped to the matching surface of the grip surface. A positioner member is engaged with a post which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the elongated member, the height of the locking member being adjustable to accommodate the hand size of the golfer. A disc member is attached to the positioner member, the golfer&#39;s hand being positioned between the elongated member and the disc member. An adjustable wrap around lock is positioned at the end of the elongated member spaced from the post and is adjustable such that the training device can fit onto various sized grips and to be secured thereto.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention provides a device attached to the grip of a golf club that reduces the effect of the user&#39;s dominant hand on his/her golf swing and at the same time helps to define the correct swing path and impact timing. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is well known that one of the most important elements and a key to a successful golf swing is the golfer&#39;s grip. The art of positioning the fingers, hands and pressure applied to the grip has been described numerous times. In addition, there have been many devices invented for the purpose of teaching and achieving an improved golf grip or swing. 
     The placement of hand and fingers on grip of club is rather easily accomplished by careful observation and following instructions. But the feeling of gripping a club and the amount and placement of pressure is very difficult to describe to an individual since each interprets and feels differently. 
     As simple as gripping a club is, it is the most recognized and believed to be the leading cause of an inconsistent golf swing. For an efficient swing, the importance of placement of fingers and hands is fundamental. But knowing the fundamental alone does not cure problems in inconsistency; most problems may be cured by understanding how the sub-dominant and dominant hand work together. 
     It is known that the sub-dominant hand leads and controls the path of the golf swing. However, many golfers tend to utilize the dominant side over the sub-dominant side, consciously or unconsciously, more than necessary. This can be caused by an increase of the grip pressure, usage of wrist, turning of the hand or even the body movement. Nervousness, anxiousness, desire, lack of concentration, . . . etc. can also cause this type of problem. The actual golf swing takes a very short time from start to finish and problems can occur anytime during the swing. 
     What is required to overcome these mistakes is to provide a device that is simple to use and allows the user to practice conveniently as possible and not to interfere in anyway with the practice swing and to be able to compare one&#39;s own swing to the correct swing and be able to repeat the corrected swing consistently for trust and self confidence. 
     One of the most common and leading cause of mistake in golf is the grip. In many cases, the positioning of the hand and its pressure applied to the grip will determine the swing path and the angle of the club head, especially at the point of impact with the golf ball. A golf swing uses every part of the body sequentially and/or simultaneously in continuous motion. Therefore, when the mistake occurs during the motion, it most likely creates another mistake that leads to others. The grip connects the user&#39;s body and the club and it is one of the most important elements of the resultant golf swing. The grip has to be securely connected and at the same time, be sensitive to the club feel. 
     The following illustrates how the grip and pressure affects the golf swing. 
     A. Positioning of Fingers and Hands: 
     Strong grip, which promotes the dominant hand to be active and most likely closes club face at impact. 
     Weak grip, which promotes an open club face at impact. 
     B. Place of and Amount of Pressure Applied: 
     Excess pressure, resulting in active hands. 
     Dominant hand takes authority of movement. 
     Arm and hand dominated swing, over the top, under cutting. 
     Premature turning of upper body. 
     Decrease swing speed. 
     Balance control. 
     Reverse Pivot. 
     The device described in co-pending application Ser. No. 12/378,136 filed Feb. 12, 2009, provides an improved golf training device which enables the tip of a golfer&#39;s index finger to touch the grip thereby reducing the friction surface of the cylindrically shaped member; in addition, a quick release system is provided which provides a smooth surface for the golfer&#39;s hand while allowing a relatively easy and quick position adjustment. 
     Although the device is set forth in the &#39;136 application functions well, a device that is thinner and simpler in design is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The most common problems in having a successful golf swing is caused by an active dominant hand. 
     An effective golf swing requires that parts of the body be utilized differently than normally used for everyday life especially the dominant side of the body. The dominant hand has to be relaxed and the sub-dominant hand lead the swing. 
     The logic and theory are told and explained to the date but in reality even seasoned players occasionally make mistakes by letting the dominant hand be more active than necessary, a natural instinct of a typical golfer. 
     To overcome this instinct and the golf swing accordingly, the present invention provides a device attached to the golf club grip that is simple in design and simple to use. It is portable and can be used to compare the feeling of swing and correct an improper swing. 
     The device of the present invention provides the following advantages: 
     Able to go back and forth with device for quicker comparison and for better and faster learning. 
     Able to hit ball with device. 
     Better concentration for swing. 
     Better feel of impact zone, clearly and easy to understand body and hand position. 
     Better control of club head. 
     Better balance throughout the swing. 
     Better understanding of the timing of releasing the dominant side for power. 
     Better understanding of the role and task for the positions of the dominant hand. 
     Better understanding of where and what amount of pressure to apply on the grip. 
     Better chance to achieve, smooth and natural swing that fundamentally fits to an individual. 
     Exercise the proper use of power. 
     Exercise the feel of power transition, from leading (sub-dominant hand) to dominant hand. 
     Increase club head speed that leads to distance and spin to control the ball flight. 
     Learn role and task of sub-dominant hand. 
     Learn and understand the task of dominant hand. 
     Teaches proper movement (sequence of motion) fit to an individual&#39;s physical capabilities for the golf swing, leading to consistency and playing successful golf. 
     Understanding of position, angle of club head, and its affect. 
     The present invention will benefit all players, from beginners to advanced players. 
     A. For Beginners:
         Ease of achieving smooth swing, which fit individual&#39;s physical capabilities.   Correct premature take-back and downswing by active dominant hand.   Learn how to use hands properly.   Utilizing sub-dominant and dominant hand the correct way.   Better feel of swing.   Better balancing, smooth, and consistent swing.       

     B. For Advanced Player: 
     Better understanding of relationship between club head and hand. 
     Ease of working on shot making. 
     Ease of correcting one&#39;s problem by themselves. 
     Improvement of direction, distance and timing, and for consistent and better golf. 
     Trusting own swing for confidence. 
     The training device of the present invention comprises an elongated member that enables the device to be mounted to the grip of a golf club. The member has an inner cavity tapered to fit onto the grip surface and a cutout portion formed along a portion of the device length. 
     A positioner member is engaged with a post which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the mounting member, the height of the locking member being adjustable to accommodate the hand size of the golfer. A single locking device is positioned adjacent to the end of the elongated member opposite to the post and a disc member to better support the golfer&#39;s hand is secured to the positioner in a manner which allows the disc to be tilted to different positions. The locking member is adjustable to allow the device to be coupled to different sized grips. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2(   a ) shows an assembly view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  and 
         FIG. 2(   b ) is another view of the locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded top view of the device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( c ) shows additional details of disc  62 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  in the grip of a golfer; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  in the grip of a golfer; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate way of connecting the lock to the inner body of the device; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates how the device is secured to the golf club grip. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For the sake of brevity, the golf training device embodiments shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 12/378,136 will not be set forth herein. However, the teachings necessary for an understanding of the present invention is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The present invention provides a slimmer and simpler design than the device disclosed in the &#39;136 application, the specific details to be set forth hereinafter. In particular, the present invention provides:
         More hand contact with the grip of golf club.
           Post and center body components fit between the thumb and index finger of the dominant hand and every other finger has contact with the grip when the grip is held in the normal way. In effect, there is no interference between hand and club.   
           Better feel and direct feedback.   Attaching the device to the golf club is easier and simple;
           With the cylindrical rip reduced in size, the device will be prevented from sliding on to the grip or wiggle to fitting at the position.   
           Positioner adjustments enables the device to be used by golfers having small hands;   More grip sizes are acceptable   A single lock wraps around the grip.       

     The device structure comprises:
         Wide center body with an inner cavity that strengthens the center body to prevent bending;   Cylindrical portions of inner body covers approximately ⅓ of diameter of the grip;   Ribs placed at end of cylindrical portion which accept different size grips with even pressure;   Single wrap around lock is placed approximately 1″ from tip of front end of the center body, which allow a secure hold and prevents the device from tipping forward and minimizing the possibility that the rear end lifts up;   Adjustable spacer is placed in middle of wrap around lock;
           Accept different size grips.   Placing spacer at the center of the lock and two ribs on each end of cylindrical rip provides symmetrical pressure to the grip for better balance.   Two protrusions on back side of handle of the spacer and six dimples and two large dimples on wall of the wrap around the lock allows the spacer to be moved to one of six positions.   The spacer is pushed and snapped onto the wrap around lock.   
           The wrap around lock is snapped onto a lock holder.
           By pushing the lock upwards; when the guide column of the wrap around lock and guide channel of the lock holder meet, the lock snapping onto the lock holder of the main body in the correct position.   Unlocking the wrap around lock is accomplished by pushing the handle of the wrap around lock in the outward direction.   
           The positioner used in the present invention is identical to the one disclosed in the &#39;136 application.   A disc is added to the positioner for better hand support.
           The disc has a concave channel at its center to allow fitting onto the spherical shaped positioner, enabling the disc to rotate to different angles.   
           The device is preferably fabricated from durable plastic.       

       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device  10  of the present invention,  FIG. 2(   a ) is an assembly view of device  10  and  FIG. 2(   b ) shows a perspective view of a portion of lock  22 . Device  10  comprises main elongated main inner body  12  having an inner cavity  14  ( FIG. 4)  to prevent bending and to minimize the overall weight of device  10 . A cylindrical portion  16  of inner body  12  is sized to cover approximately ⅓ of the diameter of the golf club grip  18  (grip is illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). Ribs  20  are positioned at the end of portion  16 , the ribs engaging the outside diameter of grip  18  when lock  22  is in the locking position. 
     The single wrap around lock  22  is placed approximately 1 inch from the front end  24  of center body  12  which provides a secure hold on the golf grip  18 . An adjustable spacer  26  is placed in the middle of lock  22  and allows device  10  to accept different diameter grips. The spacer  26 , lock  22  and ribs  20  on each end of the cylindrical portion  16  provides symmetrical pressure on the grip which, in turn, provides a balanced hold for the device  10  on the grip  18 . Two protrusions  30  on the back side of spacer handle  32  ( FIG. 3 ) and five regular dimples  34 , a half-dimple  35 , and two large dimples  36  on the outer wall of lock  22  enables spacer  26  to rotate to one of five fixed positions and then held in place as the large dimples engage a selected position. The handle  32  of space  36  is not symmetrical and has protrusion  30  and  31  on each side. By turning handle  32  the protrusion  30  will engage with dimples  1  through  5  and the protrusion  31  will be free of friction by inside of either dimple  36 . This makes it easier to turn handle  32 , position to position. When handle  32  is rotated such that protrusion  31  is at the top in the open area, and will engage with dimple  35 . Spacer  26  snap fits between bulges  39  and  41  and the bulges will securely hold the spacer in position. Cap member  27  guides spacer  26  to be at the selected position and prevents back and forth movement. A channel  29  is an open hole that prevents spacer  26  from rubbing against wrap around lock  22 .  FIG. 4A  is a front view of spacer  26 , the arrows pointing to six different bulge sizes for adjusting the space between the device  10  and grip  18 . Spacer  26  is a separate component. 
     Lock  22  is fitted into the inner body  12  and secured thereto within pin  48  (having head  49 ) pushed through the co-diagonal openings formed in eyelet portions  44  and  46 . Referring to  FIG. 2(   b ), pushing lock  22  upwards causes guide column  50  to contact channel  52 , the lock  22  snapping onto lock holder  56  in the correct position. The lock  22  is unlocked by pushing handle  58  outwardly. An alternate way of securing lock  22  to inner body  12  and eliminating the necessity of requiring pin  48  is shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b . In particular, a rod  80  is molded onto lock  22 . Eyelet portions  44  and  46  are designed so that one portion has an opening that allows rod  80  to squeeze through and snap fit onto eyelet, or mounting sections,  44  and  46  thereby securing lock  22  to inner body  12 . 
     The rear portion of inner body  12  is indicated by reference numeral  15 , and the distance between tip  24  and the middle of lock  22  is approximately one inch. When locking device  22  is in the locked position, rear end  15  is prevented from lifting up because of the aforementioned offset. Device  10  is secured on the grip with symmetrical pressure applied by three contact points formed by ribs  20  and one of the bulges, or protrusions, on spacer  26  when the lock  22  is in the “on” grip lock position. This arrangement prevents device  10  from moving vertically or horizontally ( FIG. 9  illustrates the three contact points). 
     Positioner  60  is identical to the one shown in the aforementioned &#39;136 application and for the sake of brevity, the description thereof will not be set forth herein. However, the teachings of the &#39;136 application necessary for the understanding of the present invention is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the components that comprise device  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of device  10  with the components disassembled and shows inner cavity  14 . 
       FIG. 5(   a ) shows assembled disc  62  and Figures (b) and  FIG. 5(   c ) illustrate how disc  62  is fabricated. 
     Disc  62  is added to the positioner  60  to provide support for the golfer&#39;s hand. Disc  62  has a concave channel  64  at its center to enable it to snap fit onto the spherical shaped positioner, enabling disc  62  to be positioned at different angles for the comfort of the golfer. 
     Disc  62  comprises two separate parts  66  and  68  that snap together after an adhesive is applied to the parts in order to form a permanent bond resulting in the disc shown in  FIG. 5(   c ). When assembled together, a concave channel  64  is formed in the middle of the assembled parts. The assembled disc has the shape of a horseshoe with an opening  70 . By pushing disc  62  (opening  70 ) against post  72  of positioner  60  causes the disc  62  to snap onto post  72 . Pushing disc  62  upward against positioned  60  causes disc  62  to snap onto post  72 . To remove disc  62 , a user snaps the disc downward from positioned  60  and then snaps the disc  62  outward from post  72 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view showing a golfer gripping device  10  and  FIG. 7  is a side view showing a golfer gripping device  10 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates when lock  22  is operative (lock in the on position) and three contact points formed by ribs  20  and handle  32  providing symmetrical balance pressure to securely hold grip  18  in place. Note that main body  12  does not contact grip  18  in the area indicated by reference numeral  86 . The contact points provide the same balance for different sized grip diameters. 
     Device  10  is preferably fabricated from a durable plastic. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.