Abstract:
An apparatus and method is described for providing training and visual feedback of a preferred swing. The apparatus includes arm bands that are secured to the arms of a user and an alignment member that is attached to the arm bands. In use, the ends of the alignment member are visible to the user throughout an entire swing of a sport equipment without requiring head movement of the user. By observing the position of the ends of the alignment member relative to the body of the user, the user or trainer is able to determine whether a preferred swing is being executed by the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the filing benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/575,000 filed Aug. 12, 2011, the contents which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
     Not Applicable 
     JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     TECHNICAL HELD 
     This invention pertains generally to athletic equipment, and more particularly, to athletic equipment used in training an athlete the physical mechanics of a preferred swing of a particular sport&#39;s equipment. Although the sport equipment is described herein in the context of golf equipment the inventor contemplates that invention may be utilized in other sports requiring the swing of that sport&#39;s equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, golf enthusiasts, both amateur and professional, seek to hit the ball farther to improve their golf game and lower their golf game score. Golf teachers and TV analysts are continually giving their opinions on how to hit the ball farther by performing a proper golf swing and how to properly execute a preferred golf swing. However, even “the experts” cannot agree on a simple method and explanation for correctly swinging the golf club. 
     Over the years, to achieve greater distance and accuracy, the golf swing has changed from one that relies more on the swinging of the arms and hands around the body, to one that relies more on the rotation of the body to leverage and accelerate the arms and hands. 
     In the past, a golfer would typically rely more on the hands and arms swinging around the body. This was true primarily because the golf shafts used in drivers and irons were typically more flexible than they are today and if the golfer swung too fast, the shaft would lag behind in the downswing and stay fully flexed at impact; the shaft did not unflex at the right time to add power and distance to the golf shot. This condition reduced power and caused errant shots. Those familiar with swinging a golf club may appreciate that when relying on the hands and arms swinging around the body, timing of the contact with the ball is critical. Hence, successful golfers playing flexible shafts have previously been referred to as “swingers.” 
     As construction of golf shafts improved and became lighter and stiffer, the user was able to swing the golf club quicker without experiencing the undesirable club lag. The improved shafts would unflex quicker at the right time and golfers began achieving greater distance and accuracy. With a reduced effect of timing, stiffer shafts allow the golfer to incorporate more body rotation to increase the speed the arms and hands swing the club head. As equipment improved and swing speeds increased, golfers utilizing a greater swing speed became known as “hitters.” 
     Those familiar with golf may recognize Ben Hogan as a professional golfer who achieved many successes as a golfer. Some even refer to him as the father of the modern golf swing and arguably the originator of the modern power golf swing. His swing was not only very powerful but accurate; it has often been said that you could not hide a flagstick from Hogan. Significantly, Hogan was only 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighed just over 140 pounds. Sports announcers have analyzed and continue to analyze his swing and often reference his swing because of the many favorable aspects of his swing including a powerful, accurate, efficient and effortless swing. Hogan&#39;s swing may also be characterized as one that uses the body to effectively achieve a greater swing speed of the golf dub. 
     The United States Golf Association and Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the sport of golf&#39;s governing bodies, attempt to strictly limit the effect improvements in golf equipment has on generating greater distance when striking a golf ball. Yet, golfers continue to search for advancements in equipment and other methods to hit the ball farther. With improved technique and body control a golfer may see improvements in the distance a ball is hit without any changes to the equipment used. Hence, understanding how to use the body to swing the golf club faster to thereby generating more club head speed and accuracy provides an advantage to the golfer. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments according to aspects of the invention include an apparatus and method having a visual indicator that is entirely visible throughout the golf swing. The invention enables a golfer to establish or immediately identify and correct a proper swing plane and relationship between the body rotating with the hands and arms swinging around the body in order to increase body speed, club head speed, distance and accuracy. The golf swing trainer of the present invention both connects the golfer&#39;s arms and unifies the golfer&#39;s arms, hands and club in relation to the turning of the body to facilitate proper timing in the golf swing. The golf swing training device according to aspects of the invention is further adjustable to fit every golfer&#39;s swing and body size and fits comfortably while providing a simple system to put on and take off. 
     Also described herein is a golf training device that includes arm bands suitable for securing to arms of a user, and an alignment member coupled to the arm bands, with ends of the alignment member extending beyond the arm bands. Further described is a golf swing training device that includes first and second arm bands suitable for securing to arms of a user, an alignment member coupled to the arm bands with corresponding coupling brackets, and bushings in the coupling brackets that either reduce sliding of the alignment member through the bushing or facilitate sliding of the alignment member through the bushing. 
     Still further described is a golf swing training device that includes arm bands suitable for securing to arms of a user, a resilient member interconnecting the arm bands in a spaced but opposing relation, and an alignment member coupled to the first and second arm bands approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of each of the arm bands. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a portion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to further explain the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf swing training device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts three human forms swinging a golf club utilizing the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a front view of a series of human forms at various stages of swinging a golf dub utilizing the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front view of a series of human forms at various stages of swinging a golf dub utilizing the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a golf swing training device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the golf swing training device of the type shown in  FIG. 8  having the arm bands swiveled and expanded. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description provides detail of various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each of these embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention also cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     The training apparatus  10  includes an alignment member or indicator rod  16  that provides instant, visual feedback to the user regarding the arm position relative to the body. Many sports utilize a rotational movement of the body to apply an approximately linear force to an object. For example, a discus or ball is preferably thrown in a generally straight line by first rotating the arms about the body to deliver a linear force to the ball or discuss. Likewise, a golfer rotates the arms and golf club about the body to deliver an approximately linear force to a ball when the golf club head strikes the ball. 
     Generally, the faster the golfer swings the golf club, the greater the force that is translated to the golf ball. Synchronization of the rotation of the arms hands and body increases the speed of the golf club head. With regard to a golfer&#39;s spine angle, the more horizontally the upper body rotates, the easier it is for the rotation of the body to stay synchronized with the rotation of the arms and hands, thus, generating more speed and power. Conversely, if the upper body is unsynchronized relative to the spine, for example, shoulders tipping up and down while the hips and spine attempt to rotate, the more separated the body becomes with the rotation of the arms and hands, resulting in less speed and power that the body can generate. An increase in the rotation of the hands and arms alone cannot make up for the speed loss caused by not using the body properly. Instead, distance is lost and accuracy is sacrificed. 
     The golf swing training device  10  is designed to properly communicate to the golfer the most efficient and effortless way to make a consistent, powerful, accurate golf swing using proper rotation of the body, hands and arms. The various positions of the indicator rod  16  throughout the swing enables a golfer, while swinging, to determine whether the arms hands and body are rotating correctly and enables immediate adjustment to produce either more power, accuracy or both. 
     For example, when executing a full golf swing (for right-handed golfers), when the user positions the golf club head adjacent the golf ball, it is desirable for a left end of the indicator rod  16  to point up but parallel to the target line. As the golfer rotates the golf club up and away from the golf ball, the left side of the indicator rod  16  preferably rotates to the right, horizontally, and arrives at a position at the top or completion of the backswing that is at least 90-degrees from the target line (the preferred line or path of ball travel) while the longitudinal axis of the indicator rod  16  is preferable parallel to the ground. 
     As the user begins a downswing of the golf club, the left end of the indicator rod  16  preferably begins to point slightly up as the right end of the indicator rods drops down. As the user continues the downswing, as the golf club head impacts the golf ball, the alignment member  16  should be in a position nearly identical to the position when the user positions the golf club head adjacent to the golf ball. As the user continues to rotate the club after impact, for example follow-through, the left end of the indicator rod  16  should rotate left horizontally as it moves up before inverting or exchanging relative positions with the right end of the indicator rod with the completion of the golf swing. Stated otherwise, the desired ending position of the alignment member  16 , rotates the end of the alignment member  16  approximately 180 degrees from the position at full backswing, while the rod  16  is aligned in a plane relative to the ground similar to a plane relative to the ground at full backswing. Also, at the ending position of follow through, the right end of the indicator rod  16  should point slightly up and rotated at least 45 or more degrees toward the target from its starting position. 
     The position of the ends of the indicator rod  16  may also be utilized by the golfer to identify undesirable body or arm positions throughout a golf swing. For example: early in the backswing, if the left end of the indicator rod dips down or lowers below horizontal, the position of the rod indicates that the golfer is taking the club back closed or shut, which means the club face is not opening properly and the golfer should make significant compensations in the last part of his backswing in order to be positioned at the top of the backswing properly on-plane. Also, if a golfer&#39;s body rotates less than or more than 90-degrees in the backswing, the undesired position of the indicator rod should be readily visible to the golfer. Further, in the downswing, if the right end of the indicator rod does not rotate past impact, the golfer may surmise that the golfer has cast the club with the arms early. It has been observed that the early casting of the club actually hinders the rotation of the body and reduces power or accuracy. 
     Turning attention now to the Figures, embodiments of the golf swing training device  10  of the present invention will now be described in more detail and are generally shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The training apparatus  10  of the present invention generally includes arm bands  12  and  14  that fit at least partially around the outside portion of a user&#39;s upper arms, for example. The arm bands are preferably flexible and are constructed to bend or expand to different sized arms.  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an example of hinged expandable arm bands  32  and  34 . The arm bands  32  and  34  are partitioned and held together with a hinge  38  that allows a free end of the arm band to rotate about a pin  36  of the hinge  38 . A portion of the pin  36  includes teeth that restricts the hinge from rotating. The two-piece arm bands and pins allow the arm bands to both ratchet and lock for custom sizing. The lock mechanism or pin  36  is actuated from a first locking position (see  FIG. 8 ) to a second rotating position (see  FIG. 9 ) to allow the user to adjust the relative size of the arm band. When the lock mechanism is locked, a portion of the teeth of the pin holds the arm band in a position having the adjusted relative size of the arm band. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other adjustments, clasps, and hinges, for example, may be incorporated into the arm bands to provide an adjustable and expandable arm band. Without limitation intended, for example, the expandable arm bands may be divided but held together with a lock mechanism so that a tab portion of one section of the arm band slides in a slot of the other section. The two-piece arm bands with lock mechanism, with tabs and slots, would allow the arm bands to both increase or decrease a relative diameter of the arm band, thereby allowing for custom sizing of the arm band. Further, the inside of the arm bands  12  and  14  may be lined with felt or other padding to further provide a comfortable fit against the user&#39;s arm. 
     The alignment member  16  may be of known suitable construction, including, for example, a long, small-diameter, light-weight rod. The alignment member  16  is engaged with the arm bands through coupling brackets  18  and  20 . Each bracket is preferably provided with at least two bushings that are adapted for receiving the alignment rod, wherein the plurality of bushings provides stability to the rod  16  as it slides through the bushings. First coupling bracket  18  includes bushings  24  having apertures sized to allow the alignment member to slide through the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, the bushings  24  are constructed of a compressible rubber and the aperture has an inner diameter that is slightly less than the outer diameter of the alignment member  16 . In this manner, when the rod  16  is slid into bushing  24  the rubber compresses but provides a frictional resistance to the sliding of the rod  16  within the bushing  24 . It may be said that the bushing  24  has a high coefficient of friction because the rod  16  meets resistance when sliding in the bushing  24 . The second coupling bracket  20  includes bushings  26  having an aperture that is sized to allow the alignment member to slide through the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, the bushings  26  are constructed of a plastic nylon, polypropylene, polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) or other suitable plastic of desirable, known construction having a low coefficient of friction. The bushings  26  have an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the alignment member  16 . In this manner, when the rod  16  is slid into bushing  26  the rod  16  is met with little resistance. 
     A resilient member or band  22  interconnects the arm bands  12  and  14  in spaced relation. The band  22  may be constructed of elastic or other suitable resilient material and the length may be adjusted depending on the desired separation distance between the arm bands. As the distance between the arm bands increases and decreases the alignment member  16  slides in the bushings  26  of the coupling bracket  20 . Swivel mechanisms  28  and  30  of known suitable construction are used to couple the arm bands  12  and  14  to the coupling brackets  18  and  20 . When the golfer swings the golf club from the backswing through the follow through, the swivels  28  and  30  allow the arm bands to pivot slightly, providing additional comfort for the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  a golfer is shown holding a golf club in a backswing position  40  and  42 . The alignment member is shown with the ends of the alignment member in a preferred orientation relative to the ground and golf ball. With reference to the golfer identified as  44 , the position of the golfer&#39;s hips and shoulders are not preferred and the ends of the alignment member  16  are consequently in an undesired orientation relative to the ground and golf ball. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a front view of a sequence of preferred orientations  50 - 70  of a golfer and the corresponding position of the alignment member  16 . As the golfer first addresses the ball  50  the longitudinal axes of alignment member  16  aligns with the approximate preferred trajectory of the ball and the end of the alignment member near the ball is slightly higher than the end further away from the ball. As the golfer rotates the arms and body to move the golf club backward  52 - 56 , and as the golfer begins to swing the dub forward  58 - 60 , the longitudinal axis of the alignment member  16  should remain relatively parallel with the ground. As the golfer  62  swings the golf dub near the golf ball  62 , the position of the alignment member should return to a position similar to the position when the ball is addressed ( 50 ). As the golfer continues to swing the dub to follow through  64 - 70  the end of the alignment member, that was initially furthest from the ball, should rotate past the initial position and its finish position should point towards the approximate desired trajectory of the ball. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a side view of a sequence of preferred orientations  80 - 100  of a golfer and the corresponding position of the alignment member  16 . As the golfer first addresses the ball  80  the longitudinal axes of alignment member  16  aligns with the approximate preferred trajectory of the ball and the end of the alignment member near the ball is slightly higher than the end further away from the ball. As the golfer rotates the arms and body to move the golf dub backward  82 - 86 , and as the golfer begins to swing the club forward  88 - 90 , the longitudinal axis of the alignment member  16  should remain relatively parallel with the ground. As the golfer  92  swings the golf club near the golf ball the position of the alignment member should return to a position similar to the position when the ball is addressed ( 80 ). As the golfer continues to swing the club to follow through  94 - 100  the end of the alignment member, that was initially furthest from the ball, should rotate past the initial position of the ball and its finish position should point towards the approximate desired trajectory of the ball. As depicted in the sequence of golfing positions, the golf swing training apparatus  10  provides a visual indicator of the position of the golfer&#39;s arms and body that is visible without requiring a turn of the golfer&#39;s head. 
     These and various other aspects and features of the invention are described with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This invention has been described herein with detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically different constructions, and that various modifications, both as to the construction and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appended claims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in the open ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated may also be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing this document.