Abstract:
A golf swing instructional device for training a golfer comprises an attachment portion having a first portion adapted to be positioned at the shaft of a golf club and a second portion adapted to be connected to two guide supporting elements. The first and second supporting elements have each a contact surface to be in contact with one or the other forearm of the practicing golfer. The two supporting elements are extending from the club contacting portion, wherein the first portion comprises a reception to accommodate the shaft of a golf club and fixation means to fix the first portion around the shaft of the club. The two guide supporting elements each comprise a first straight portion, a second straight portion and a bent connecting portion in-between.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a golf swing instructional device for training a golfer, comprising an attachment portion adapted to be held to the shaft of a golf club, wherein the attachment portion is connected to two guide supporting elements, wherein the first supporting element having a contact surface to be in contact with one forearm of the practicing golfer and wherein the second supporting element having a contact surface to be in contact with the other arm of the golfer, wherein the two supporting elements are extending from the club contacting portion. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,568 and similar U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,073 relate both to a training aid, wherein there are two diverting branches having a U-shaped reception to be in contact with the inner portion of the forearms of the player. These receptions are brackets defining the position of the arms during the play. The original older patent relates to a putter whereas the younger patent relates to a conventional golf club. It is the aim of this teaching to maintain the practicing golfer&#39;s arms in an unalterable position. The guiding rod is to be maintained by the player along the grip of the golf club shaft. 
         [0003]    The device according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,073 of these two documents comprises a contact element to be applied against the shaft and to be held against the shaft by the golfer, having a first supporting element having a contact surface to be in contact with one forearm of the practicing golfer and having a second arm with a contact surface to be in contact with the other arm of the golfer, wherein the two arms are extending from the club contacting portion. 
         [0004]    Said device is difficult to use, since the golfer has to maintain the attachment strap against the golf club during the whole swing. In other words, even if such a portion of the device is a thin curved plate, it affects the grip of the shaft and requires predetermined curvature of said attachment strap. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,640 discloses a golf swing instructional device for training a golfer. There is a club holder to be attached to a golf club. Said club holder is connected to two pairs of supporting members which are intended to support the forearms of the golfer. Each pair of branches comprises two different supporting members which are articulately movable one against the other. The advantage of the flexibility of the device to be adapted in a plurality of situations is combined with a more difficult handling, since each branch comprises two articulated elements. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,054 discloses a further golf swing training aid, wherein a single rod is attached to a golf club shaft so that it forms a laterally spaced angularly-directed bifurcation of the shaft. During practicing; there is an angle of between 1 and 10 degrees between said rod and the club shaft. The rod is guiding one of the forearms of the player. The rod is attached to the golf club with a clamp comprising two clamping cavities for receiving the club shaft and said rod. The rod may be a straight element or it may comprise a curvature. 
         [0007]    It is an aim of said prior art device to be out of contact with the forearms of the golfer during the back swing, down swing and follow through a properly executed golf swing and it will be in contact with the forearms of the golfer during an improperly executed golf swing. In other words it is not intended, that the user forearms touches the rod, which is to the contrary of the above mentioned prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,640. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,025 discloses a golf training aid having a guide member to be attached to a golf club, wherein said guide member extends away from the attachment means such that when the guide member is attached to the shaft the stem angles upwardly with respect to the shaft having two different portions with the changing angle within. The aim of this device is to provide an indication during correct use when the golf club is probably gripped with the leading hand at approximately right angles to the shaft so that the tip is positioned on the radial bone side of the leading forearm of the player. In other words the important portion of said stamp is the tip. 
         [0009]    Further devices on this field are inter alia WO 2006/093988, WO 93/22009 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,419 which show different proposals. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,024 discloses a golf swing instructional device for training a golfer, comprising an attachment portion adapted to be held to the shaft of a golf club, wherein the attachment portion is connected to two guide supporting elements, wherein the first supporting element having a contact surface to be in contact with one forearm of the practicing golfer and wherein the second supporting element having a contact surface to be in contact with the other arm of the golfer, wherein the two supporting elements are extending from the club contacting portion. The supporting elements are realized through branches ending in curved brackets extending essentially perpendicularly to the branches. The brackets are adapted to be in contact with the arms of the player. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Based on this prior art it is an aim of the invention to provide a simple to use golf instructional device which can also readily be adapted to different purposes. 
         [0012]    Based on that prior art it is a name of the invention to provide a simpler to use playing aid, which can be more easily applied to the golf club to be trained and giving a direct feedback to the user. 
         [0013]    This object is achieved with a golf swing instructional device according to the preamble of claim  1  having the features of the characterizing part of claim  1 . 
         [0014]    The golf swing instructional device for training a golfer according to the invention comprises an attachment portion having a first portion adapted to be positioned at the shaft of a golf club and a second portion adapted to be connected to two guide supporting elements. The first and second supporting elements have each a contact surface to be in contact with one or the other forearm of the practicing golfer. The two supporting elements are extending from the club contacting portion. 
         [0015]    The first supporting element is in the attached position on a golf club oriented in parallel to the grip of said golf club, essentially at a same height above the club, and the second supporting element is in the attached position on a golf club oriented perpendicular to the plane as provided by the grip of said golf club. Both the first supporting element are essentially at a same height above the club. 
         [0016]    According to a preferred embodiment the first portion comprises a reception to accommodate the shaft of a golf club and fixation means to fix the first portion around the shaft of the club. The two guide supporting elements each comprise a first straight portion, a second straight portion and a bent connecting portion in-between. The second portion comprises two further receptions to accommodate the first straight portions in an for an adjustment rotatable and then fixable manner around the longitudinal axis of the straight portions to orient the second straight portions in an angle relating to the shaft of the club. Then these portions can be positioned against the arms of the golfer. This position can be easily found and fixed for training. It can be maintained after removing and reaffixing the device to the club for further training. 
         [0017]    One advantage of the device relies on the fact that the length and position of the two supporting elements, i.e. the arms, can be changed readily to adapt the contact surfaces against the forearms, wherein the contact surfaces are no longer brackets with straps but simple round rods at that place. 
         [0018]    The teaching aid according to the invention is unique in providing the very position where the teaching aid is placed on the golf club. With the teaching aid placed on the golf club the golfer must swing the golf club continuously on the correct plane and in the correct positions, for the teaching aid to remain in contact with the golfers arms. Devices according to the prior art as U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,024 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,419 do not achieve this. At best they try to achieve one position in the golf swing. None are for the plane of the golf swing and the whole of the golf swing from beginning to the end of the golf swing. This is immediately clear when the brackets of U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,024 are studied. They abut against the arms of the player at a specific position and they cannot maintain this contact during the swing. It is the use of the branches as blocking element with their cylindrical circumference that allow the surface of the branches to remain in contact with the arms of the player. The contact surfaces of the branches are their cylindrical surfaces and not as in the case of the prior art devices brackets or other bars at the end of the branches. 
         [0019]    For the present teaching aid, it is imperative that there is a virtual point in a radial distance from the golf club, where the branches meet. Usually this is achieved with an inclined element allowing the branches to be placed in the correct way and this includes a specific predetermined height of the elements from the very center of the golf shaft. The angle of the elements is adjusted in relation to the clubface. The length of the two elements has to be sufficient that the side surfaces of the elements are adapted to touch the forearms of the player. The mounting achieves a 90° angle between the two elements which is important. 
         [0020]    The golfer must then swing the golf club in correct manor for the teaching aid to stay in contact with the golfer. This includes the backswing, the downswing, the moment of impact and also the finish of the golf swing. There is no teaching aid of the mentioned prior art that comes anywhere close to carrying out these functions which had been tested by golf professional including world&#39;s leading teaching professionals and players. 
         [0021]    A golfer can improve his swing from a driver to a sand wedge with the teaching aid according to the invention attached to the club and actually hit golf shots. 
         [0022]    The elements from the teaching aid according to the invention can and must remain in contact with the golfer&#39;s arms from the address to the finish position. This function is realized with the adapted branches wherein one is extending parallel to the golf club shaft in a predetermined distance and a second branch in a 90° angle thereto. Then the surfaces and not the end of the branches contact the players arms and can thus remain in contact over the whole swing, what cannot be reached with the playing aids according to the prior art. Since the distance of the bracket is fix and will not follow the movement of the player&#39;s arms. 
         [0023]    Further embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings, 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a partial perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, attached to a golf club in the hands of a user at the impact of the ball, 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the device according to  FIG. 1  in the hands of a user during the finish of the swing, 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the device according to  FIG. 1  during the top of the backswing of the user, 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a further perspective view of the device according to  FIG. 1  during the downswing, 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the attachment clamp of the device according the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a further perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  shows a side-view of a further embodiment of the invention attached to a golf club, and 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  shows a view from above on the device according to  FIG. 7 , attached to the golf club. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a partial perspective view of a user  10  exercising his swing with a conventional golf club  20 .  FIG. 1  shows the arms  11  and  12  of the user  10  wherein the user&#39;s hands are gripping the shaft  21  of the golf club  20  with a traditional grip position at grip  22 . The device  30  according to an embodiment of the invention is attached on the shaft  21  of the golf club  20 . The device  30  according to the invention comprises an attachment portion  31 , being represented in a perspective view in  FIG. 5 , as well as two branches  40  and  50 . The branches  40  and  50  have a free straight end  41  and  51 , respectively, being lodged in respective reception portions  32  and  33  of the attachment means  31 . 
         [0034]    The two branches or arms  40  and  50  of the device are preferably made of a light weight material as an aluminum rod, being covered by a soft textile or plastic cover, e.g. a thin foam cover (not represented in the drawings). The branches  40  and  50  are several parts of connected rods and have an outer contact surface in the portions  43  and  53  being the cylindrical shell of the rods. 
         [0035]    The first straight portion  41  of the shorter branch  40  has a length of e.g. 55 millimeter until reaching a bending portion  42 , which may have a radius of between 30 and 40 millimeter to extend into a second straight portion  43  having a length of 150 millimeter. The curvature between the two straight portions  41  and  43  is between 100 and 160, preferably between 130 and 150 and especially 140 degree. The longer branch or arm  50  may have a first straight portion  51  of 55 millimeter, a second straight portion  53  with a length of 240 millimeter and a reduced curvature of 130 to 170 and more preferably 140 to 160 and especially 150 degree. The curvature of the bending portion  52  can be identical to the first arm  40 . The lengths of the first straight portions  41  and  51  of the two branches  40  and  50 , respectively, are the same, since they are intended to be used as fixation elements within the attachment portion  31 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows the position of the two arms  40  and  50  during the impact, where it is important that the head (not shown) of the club  20  is oriented at a right angle to the ball and this plan has to be parallel to the orientation of the branch portion  53 .  FIG. 2  shows the position of the two arms  40  and  50  finishing his swing. It can clearly be seen, that the shorter arm  40  extends outside of the right forearm  12  whereas the longer arm  50  is extending between the two forearms  11  and  12 . As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the attachment portion  30  does not hinder the golfer  10  to achieve a good grip on the shaft portion of the club  20  since the attachment portion  31  does not interfere with the users hands. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows the position of the hands of the golfer above the attachment portion  31  of the device and the club  20  at the top of the backswing. Since  FIG. 3  shows the golfer  20  from the left it can be seen that the longer arm  50  is below the left arm  11  of the user wherein the shorter arm  40  is covered in said drawing by the user&#39;s right arm  12 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a different perspective view compared to  FIG. 3  wherein it can more clearly be seen that the shorter arm  40  is still in contact with the right forearm  12  from the outside. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the attachment element  31  of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the screws for closing the element  31  are not shown in the drawing. 
         [0040]    The element  31  comprises a U-shaped reception portion  35  wherein the two jaws  37  are connected by a semicircular closing semi-cylinder  34 . Within these jaws  37  two parallel receptions  32  and  33  are provided wherein the semi-cylindrical connection  34  comprises a slit over that length. Between the two receptions  32  and  33  a through bore  36  is provided to allow introduction of a closing screw perpendicular to the flat plans of the jaws  37 , so that the two branches  40  and  50  of the device, when introduced into the parallel receptions  32  and  33 , respectively, can be fixedly attached within the clamping jaws  37  of attachment means  31 . In other words, through closing the clamp  35  through screwing a screw into hole  36 , either in a thread in one of the holes  36  in the jaws  37  or with a nut, the two branches  40  and  50  can be fixedly attached in relationship to the attachment means  31  and in a specific angle of the longer straight portions  43  and  53 , respectively, one to another as well as in predefined lengths of introduction of the shorter straight portions  41  and  51 , respectively, into the attachment means  31 . The length of the jaws  37  in the direction of introduction of the rods of branches  40  and  50  is preferably such, that they can be accommodated in almost their whole length within the device  31 . 
         [0041]    Said first clamping portion  35  is connected to a second clamping portion  135  having a different longitudinal axis. The two clamping jaws  137  of said second portion  135  are intended to provide a cavity  38  to accommodate the shaft of the golf club  20 . On both sides of said cavity  38  through going bores  39  are provided so that through introduction of closing screws into said bores  39  the attachment device  31  can be a fixed to a golf club  20 . 
         [0042]    The angle between the two attachment portions  35  and  135  accommodating the arms  40  and  50  in the receptions  32  and  33  as well as the shaft of the club  20  in reception  38  is chosen to be between 110 and 150 degrees, more preferably between 120 and 140 degrees, and in the present embodiment as shown of 130 degrees. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the device wherein the two longer portions  43  and  53  of the arms  40  and  50  are forming a Y. The angle between the straight portions  43  and  53  can be chosen in the 3-dimensional space through orienting the two straight portions  43  and  53  in view of the predefined direction of the club  20  shaft through turning the branches  40  and  50  within the receptions  32  and  33  before closing the attachment portion  35 . 
         [0044]    It is well seen in  FIG. 6  that a slit  138  allows for a clamping of the branches  40  and  50  in the receptions  32  and  33 . Therefore it is possible to adjust the position of the arms  40  and  50  once for a specific user and then attach the training aid to a golf club  20 . The device  30  can then also be removed from the club  20  without losing the orientation of the branches  40  and  50 . This is due to the fact that the two fixation portions  32 ,  33  and  36  on one side and  38 ,  49  on the other side are completely independent and only connected via the jaws  37  and  137  as well as the semi-cylinder  34  and the corresponding crossing portion. 
         [0045]    The device  30  is adapted to accompany the full swing of the golfer  10 . The lead arm  11  must be positioned at a certain height from the club  20  and in complete parallel line with the middle of the shaft from the golf club  20  and at the right angle to the golf club face. The second arm  12  must also be at a certain height but is placed at an approx. 55 degrees angle to the first arm  11  of the golf club  20 . When said angles of the arm in view of the golf club  20  are correct then the positioning of the longer straight portions  43  and  53  of the teaching aid  30  are in contact with the forearms  11  and  12  of the golfer  10 . Then the golfer  10  will be able to swing the golf club  20  in a perfect golf swing plan which means that it is not too flat and not too steep. The golf club face which is predefined in view of the attachment portion  30  will remain square to the swing plan. It will not be too open or too closed. 
         [0046]    The angles within the swing needed to generate power are also maintained while there is connection with the golfer and both arms from the teaching aid doing the downswing as can be seen in  FIGS. 2 to 4 . The golfer  10  must also make the correct length of swing, which means that it is not too short or not too long. At impact of the golf club with the ball one of the arms can remain in contact with the golfer producing the perfect impact position during the through swing, when the arms are in contact with the golfer the swing will be on plan and the club  20  remains face square to the swing plan. 
         [0047]    Therefore in order to correctly use the device the golfer and/or the trainer uses the following method. The attachment portion  31  is attached to the shaft of the golf club  20  and fixed. Since the attachment portion  31  has two different clamping means separated by the intermediate arcuate portion the two branches  40  and  50  can be introduced into the receptions  32  and  33 , when the attachment portion  31  is already affixed to the golf club  20 . Then the golfer addresses the ball and at that time the longer straight portions  43  and  53  are not yet in contact with the forearms  11  and  12  of the golfer. Only when the golfer starts his swing at a certain point, the swing aid start to contact the golfer, i.e. the two arms are oriented that the longer straight portions  43  and  53  become in contact with the forearms  11  and  12  of the golfer; on the outside and in-between, respectively. Then the golfer can perform the upswing with the arms  11  and  12  remaining in contact with the straight portions  43  and  53 . The same is true during the downswing. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a further embodiment of a golf swing instructional device  130  of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows a side-view of said further embodiment of the invention attached to a golf club  20 , whereas  FIG. 8  shows this embodiment in a view from above. Identical or similar features have received identical or similar reference numerals. 
         [0049]    The more schematical views of  FIGS. 7 and 8  show preferred values for the orientation of the elements  31 ,  40  and  50  of the golf swing instructional device  130 . It can be seen that the second straight portion  53  of the longer branch  50  is oriented parallel to the grip  22  of the club  20  in distance H allowing the player to accommodate his hand in the space between grip  22 , attachment  31  and branch  50 . It can further be seen from  FIG. 8  that the second straight portion  53  of the longer branch  50  is parallel to the grip  22 . The deviation from the parallel orientation in the height H can be chosen between plus and minus 5 degrees, since it is important that the second straight portion  53  is oriented in a way that it guides the forearm of the player parallel to the grip  22  of the club  20  which is especially achieved with the in-line orientation of branch  53  over grip  22  as in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0050]    The second straight portion  43  of the shorter branch  40  is also oriented perpendicular to the grip  22  of the club  20 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8  comprises two separate branches  40  and  50  so that the free arm  43  is positioned below the corresponding free arm  53 . The difference is chosen small and in further embodiments the arms  40  and  50  can be made in one piece, providing a L-shaped guiding branch (consisting of branches  43  and  53 ) joining near wrist point  60 . Said point  60  is at height H above the grip  22  and in a distance D from the attachment point. This allows to accommodate the hands of the user in the triangular space  61 ; especially the bottom of the V-shaped connection  62  between thumb and index finger of the right hand (in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  for a right-hander) just between the metacarpals and carpals of these two fingers is located below point  60 . 
         [0051]    Height H is usually between 8 and 15 centimeters. Length D is usually between 5 and 20 centimeters; although it is only the lower length which has a minimum value to provide the accommodation space  61 . 
         [0052]    In an embodiment with lesser parts, the attachment portion  31  can be provided with one piece together with the longer branches  53  and  43  of arms  50  and  40 , respectively, when the two parallel relationships between the device and the grip  22  in a affixed position are maintained as long as the two branches  53  and  43  are at a right angle one to the other, wherein the angle of the attachment portion  31  is adapted to accommodate the hand of the user within the triangular space  61 . 
         [0053]    The arm of the player contacts the two branches  53  and  43  on their sides. Therefore the free ends of the branches  40  and  50  are long enough to extend beyond the side contact surface of the arms of the golfer. Therefore the abutment surface for the arm of the golfer is not formed at the end of the branch, e.g. as with a bracket as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,024, but provided as the major portion of the side surface of the branches  50  and  40 . Thus there is a gliding movement possible following the long of the branch  50  or  40 , respectively, when a whole swing is executed. This continuous contact is achieved providing the branches  53  and  43  from the starting point  60  in a predetermined height H from the shaft, allowing the hand of the player to be lodged in the triangle within the distance D of the attachment of the device on the club. 
         [0054]    In other embodiments, it is possible, e.g. to provide a specially adapted bunker wedge aid, which needs an open club face, to have a longer branch  53  of element  50  which is curved towards the shaft  22  beyond a predetermined length of branch  3 , i.e. beyond a distance of D from the point  60 . 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0055]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 user 
               
               
                 11 
                 left arm of the user 
               
               
                 12 
                 right arm of the user 
               
               
                 20 
                 golf club 
               
               
                 21 
                 shaft 
               
               
                 22 
                 grip 
               
               
                 30 
                 training device 
               
               
                 31 
                 attachment portion 
               
               
                 32 
                 reception 
               
               
                 33 
                 reception 
               
               
                 34 
                 semi-cylinder 
               
               
                 35 
                 reception/clamping portion 
               
               
                 36 
                 through bore 
               
               
                 37 
                 jaw 
               
               
                 38 
                 cavity for golf club shaft 
               
               
                 39 
                 through bore 
               
               
                 40 
                 shorter branch 
               
               
                 41 
                 first straight portion 
               
               
                 42 
                 bending portion 
               
               
                 43 
                 second straight portion 
               
               
                 50 
                 longer branch 
               
               
                 51 
                 first straight portion 
               
               
                 52 
                 bending portion 
               
               
                 53 
                 second straight portion 
               
               
                 60 
                 wrist point 
               
               
                 61 
                 triangular space 
               
               
                 62 
                 V-portion of a user&#39;s hand 
               
               
                 135 
                 second clamping portion 
               
               
                 137 
                 clamping jaw 
               
               
                 138 
                 slit