Patent Publication Number: US-2009227386-A1

Title: Golf Swing Training Device

Description:
The present invention relates to sports training devices and, in particular, to golf swing training devices. This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/034,593, filed Mar. 7, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Golf Swing 
     Golf is a very popular sport worldwide and is a sport that golfers can play throughout their life. Unlike many sports that require strong cardiovascular abilities (i.e., soccer, tennis or distance running) golf is a sport that depends primarily on learned skill. For example, a golfer who is in relatively poor physical shape but who has a very good golf swing can score better than a golfer who is an outstanding physical shape but who does not know how to properly swing a golf club. For this reason, golfers are constantly trying to improve their swing even as they age. An 80 yr old golfer can potentially be better than he was a 45 if he practices and improves his swing, even though he is not as physically strong and even though he has decreased cardiovascular ability and decreased flexibility. Or a 12-year-old golfer with a good, practiced swing can score better than a 28-year-old professional athlete with a poor or average swing even though the 12-year-old is much weaker physically. 
     The importance of a good golf swing is well recognized in the golf industry and consequently country club pros seem to always have a healthy cliental of all ages all trying to improve their swing at the driving range. In addition, golfers tend to seek out training aids that they can utilize on their own for practice and improvement. Private instruction is a preferred method of improving the golf swing because an expert can watch the golfer and give constant feedback and analysis regarding the swing. However, private instruction is very expensive and is often inconvenient because the golfer must travel to the instructor&#39;s location for his lesson. A training aid is also preferred because a good training aid will give feedback to the golfer so he can improve and adjust his swing on his own. Furthermore, once the training aid is purchased, there is usually no further significant costs required until the training aid brakes or needs replacement. 
     There are many elements of the golf swing, one of which is proper hip rotation during the downswing and through ball contact. To properly facilitate hip rotation, the back foot should pivot about the big toe joint of the foot and the back heel should rise so that any weight on the rear foot is all on the big toe joint of the foot. 
     For example  FIGS. 6-9  show different steps in a golf swing sequence. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the golfer is addressing the golf ball prior to beginning his swing. The golfer&#39;s weight is approximately evenly distributed between his right foot and left foot and both heels are down. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the golfer has completed his back swing and both heels are still down. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the golfer has swung his club and he is about to impact the ball. Just prior to completing the backswing, the golfer&#39;s weight has shifted to his front foot to facilitate an upper torso pivot around his front hip. His hips have turned toward the target, his back knee has moved toward his front knee, and his rear foot heel has raised well clear of the ground. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the golfer has completed his swing and the golfer&#39;s hips have rotated. His right heel is still up. 
     It may take only a few moments for a person of average intelligence to mentally understand the steps of a perfect golf swing. However, even after years of constant practice, only a relatively very few golfers are able to perfectly swing a golf club. A major problem for golfers is mastering the early weight shift to the front foot, which is facilitated by the hip rotation that is necessary for optimum power and control. As shown in  FIG. 8 , hip rotation occurs as a result of proper weight shift and lifting of the rear heel. 
     Prior Art Sound Actuated Switch 
     Sound actuated switches are known. A common sound actuated switch is known as a clapper or VOX (Voice Operated) switch. For example,  FIG. 1  shows latching VOX switch  1  connected to house power source  2  and to lamp  3 . A user can turn “on” lamp  3  by clapping or making a sharp sound by striking any object with another object. The sound wave caused by the clap is picked up by microphone  4  and converted into an electric signal. The electrical signal operates a relay switch that allows power from power source  2  to flow to lamp  3 . The user turns “off” lamp  3  by clapping again which causes latching clapper switch  1  to open the relay switch to remove power from the lamp. 
       FIG. 2  shows an electrical diagram of prior art sound actuated switch  5 . Switch  5  includes microphone  6 . Microphone  6  can be a dynamic microphone or an electret (ECM) microphone. If an ECM microphone is used then R 1  (shown dotted) is included. A suitable value for R 1  is between 2.2 k and 10 k ohms. Two BC109C transistors form an audio preamp, the gain of which is controlled by the 10 k preset. The output is further amplified by a BC182B transistor. To prevent instability the preamp is decoupled with a 100 u capacitor and a 1 k resistor. The audio voltage at the collector of the BC182B is rectified by the two 1N4148 diodes and a 4.7 u capacitor. The dc voltage will directly drive the BC212B transistor and operate the relay and the LED. In contrast to latching clapper switch  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , prior art sound actuated switch  5  does not “latch”. Rather, the relay and the LED operate momentarily in response to audio peaks. 
     Pressure Switch 
     Pressure switches are known. A pressure switch is an instrument that senses a change in pressure and actuates an electrical switching element when a pre-determined pressure point is reached. 
     A water level control (WLC) is an example of a prior art pressure switch commonly used in a clothes washer.  FIG. 3  shows pressure switch  9  mounted inside the control console directly behind the knob for setting it. Pressure switch  9  is a SPDT switch that is actuated by a diaphragm operated by air pressure via small tube  10  connected to the WLC&#39;s housing. The other end of this small tube attaches to air dome  11  located somewhere on the outer wash tub. 
     There are  3  connecting terminals on a pressure switch  9  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ); common contact  12  of the internal switch, one for a normally open contact  13  and one normally closed contact  14 . 
     When at rest ( FIG. 4 ), there is continuity between the common and normally closed contact terminal and no continuity between the common and normally open contact terminal. When activated by air pressure ( FIG. 5 ), the diaphragm is moved upward and causing the normally closed contact to open causing the normally open contact to close. 
     This arrangement is usually used to allow power to energize the water fill valve of a clothes washer until the internal diaphragm is activated. At that time power is disconnected from the fill and switched to the timer to allow it to advance through the rest of the cycles (wash, spin, etc.). 
     What is needed is a training device to train a golfer to properly lift his rear heel while swinging his golf club. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a golf swing training device. A warning device is connected to a foot actuated switch and a sound actuated switch. A power source provides power to the warning device via the sound actuated switch and the foot actuated switch. The warning device emits warning when it senses the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball while simultaneously the foot actuated switch senses the pressure of the golfer&#39;s back foot heel. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a battery. In a preferred embodiment the golf swing training device also includes a toggle switch that allows the golfer to bypass the sound actuated switch so that when the golfer lifts his heel the foot actuated switch allows power to flow to the warning device so that the golfer knows more precisely when he is lifting his heel. In another preferred embodiment a pneumatic bulb is connected to the foot actuated switch via tubing and the golfer activates the foot actuated switch by stepping on the pneumatic bulb with his heel. In another preferred embodiment instead of using a pneumatic bulb there is a wireless connection between a transmitting device on or near the golfer&#39;s foot and the foot actuated switch. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a prior art clapper switch. 
         FIG. 2  shows a prior art sound actuated switch. 
         FIGS. 3-5  show a prior art pressure switch. 
         FIGS. 6-9  show a prior art method of swinging a golf club. 
         FIGS. 10-12  show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 13-20  show a method of using a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23A  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23B  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26A  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26B  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 10  shows a simplified schematic of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 11  shows a simplified perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 12  shows a more detailed electrical drawing of a preferred embodiment. 
     Microphone  6  and buzzer  27  are attached to the side of box  21 . Sound actuated switch  5 , toggle switch  25 , pressure switch  9  and battery  22  are mounted inside box  21 . Sound actuated switch includes relay  24  and potentiometer  23 . Pneumatic bulb  20  is connected to pressure switch  9  via tubing  26 . 
     Operation of a Preferred Embodiment 
     Operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be explained by reference to the drawings below. By utilizing toggle switch  25  the golfer can switch between “late mode” and “practice mode”. In order for the buzzer to sound during late mode operation, toggle switch  25  must be switched to the “late mode” position ( FIG. 15 ), relay switch  24  must be closed and pressure switch  9  must have continuity between common contact  12  and normally open contact  13 . In order for the buzzer to sound during practice mode, toggle switch  25  must be in the “practice mode” position ( FIG. 17 ) and pressure switch  9  must have continuity between common contact  12  and normally closed contact  14 . 
     Late Mode 
     Late mode allows the golfer to hear a buzzing noise if he is too late to lift his rear heel. The golfer lifts his heel too late when he fails to lift it or lifts it after the club makes contact with the ball. 
     In  FIG. 13  the golfer has switched toggle switch  25  to late mode and has placed box  21  and bulb  20  on the ground next to golf ball  30 . The golfer has adjusted the sensitivity of microphone  6  by adjusting potentiometer  23 . 
     In  FIG. 14  the golfer has stepped on bulb  20  with his rear foot (see also  FIG. 20 ). Bulb  20  has compressed and has forced air into pressure sensor  9  with enough force to actuate diaphragm  40 . Continuity has broken between common contact  12  and normally closed contact  14  and continuity has been set between common contact  12  and normally open contact  13 . Relay switch  24  is open preventing the flow of electricity to buzzer  27 . 
     In  FIG. 15  the golfer has hit the ball with his golf club. The sound of the golfer hitting the ball is picked up by microphone  6  causing sound actuated switch  5  to close relay  24 . Because the golfer did not lift up his rear heal prior to the golf club hitting the ball pressure switch  9  still has continuity between common contact  12  and normally open contact  13  allowing electricity to flow from battery  22  to buzzer  27 . The golfer hears the buzzer and knows that he did not lift the heel of his rear foot in time. He can then make adjustments to improve. 
     In  FIG. 16  the golfer has again hit the ball with his golf club. The sound of the golfer hitting the ball is picked up by microphone  6  causing sound actuated switch  5  to close relay  24 . This time, however, the golfer has lifted his rear heel off of bulb  20  prior to the impact of the golf club against the golf ball. Therefore, continuity has broken between common contact  12  and normally open contact  13  and continuity has been set between common contact  12  and normally closed contact  14 . Because continuity no longer is present between common contact  12  and normally open contact  14  the flow of electricity from battery  22  to buzzer  27  cannot occur and there is no sound from the buzzer. The golfer then knows that he successfully lifted is rear heel in time. 
     Practice Mode 
     An advanced golfer probably will have mastered the task of lifting the rear heel prior to hitting the ball with the golf club. However, the advanced golfer may still be interested in knowing more precisely when in relationship to his golf swing his rear foot is being lifted. He may be lifting it too soon. Ideally he should be lifting it just prior to making contact with the ball. For example, an advanced golfer may currently be lifting his heel 0.2 seconds prior to hitting the golf ball. He may wish to adjust his swing so that he is lifting his heel 0.1 seconds prior to hitting the golf ball. By switching the present invention to “practice mode” the advanced golfer can more accurately determine when his rear heel is lifting. 
     In  FIG. 17  the golfer has moved toggle switch  25  to practice mode. As soon as toggle switch  25  has been moved to practice mode electricity is able to flow from battery  22  to buzzer  27  causing buzzer  27  to buzz for only 1 second duration. Preferably, the present invention includes a timer circuit that switches the buzzer off after 1 second even though the bulb  20  may not be compressed again. For example,  FIG. 23A  shows timer circuit  49  built into buzzer  27 . Conversely, timing circuit  49  could be built into the box  21  so that it is located prior to buzzer  27  as shown in  FIG. 23B . Or, in another preferred embodiment, the VOX relay and timing circuit will be integrated in a single circuit board. 
     In  FIG. 18  the golfer has stepped on bulb  20  with his rear foot. Bulb  20  has compressed and has forced air into pressure sensor  9  with enough force to actuate diaphragm  40 . Continuity has broken between common contact  12  and normally closed contact  14  and continuity has been set between common contact  12  and normally open contact  13 . Because there is no longer continuity between common contact  12  and normally closed contact  14  electricity can no longer flow to buzzer  27  so buzzer  27  becomes silent. 
     In  FIG. 19  the golfer has begun his down swing at the golf ball. The golfer has lifted his rear heel as he completes his backswing. As soon as his rear heel is lifted, continuity has broken between common contact  12  and normally open contact  13  and continuity has been set between common contact  12  and normally closed contact  14 . Electricity is now able to flow once again to buzzer  27  and an audible buzzing sound is made. The golfer is able to use the audible buzzing noise to determine that he is properly lifting his rear heel during his golf swing and well prior to the club striking the ball. If he hears the sound too early, then he knows that he must make adjustments in the future to properly compensate. Conversely, if he hears the sound after he strikes the ball, then he must likewise make adjustments. The goal is to hear the buzzing sound just prior to the club striking the ball. 
     Other Preferred Embodiment 
     It should be noted that although the above description of the preferred embodiments discussed utilizing the present invention to improve a golf swing, the present invention is also affective in improving a baseball batter&#39;s swing. For example,  FIG. 21  with a baseball bat and ball. As with a golf swing it is important for a baseball batter to rotate his hips prior to making contact with the ball. As with the golf swing, a precursor to proper hip rotation is lifting the rear heel prior to the bat hitting the ball. The baseball batter will follow procedures similar to those outlined above. While operating in the “late mode”, if the batter does not lift his rear heel prior to ball contact, the buzzer will sound. 
     Other Preferred Embodiment 
       FIG. 22  shows a simpler preferred embodiment of the present invention. This simpler embodiment does not include a toggle switch to switch to a “practice mode”. The simpler embodiment operates in just the “late mode”. Sound actuated switch  5  controls relay  24  to route electricity to buzzer  27  in a fashion similar to that described above in reference to the earlier described embodiment. If the golfer strikes the ball while his right heel is still on bulb  20 , buzzer  27  will make an audible noise to alert the golfer so he can make adjustments to his swing. 
     Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the above preferred embodiments discussed the use of the present invention for improving a golf swing or a baseball batter&#39;s swing, it could also be used to improve the swing for other sports where it is important to turn the hips to dynamically perform the sports activity. The turning of the hips is signaled and detected by the lifting of the back foot heel when the player swings a ball hitting device, such as: a tennis player swinging a tennis racquet to hit a tennis ball, a squash player swinging a squash racquet to hit a squash ball, a racquetball player swinging a racquetball racquet to hit a racquetball ball, etc. Also, although the above described embodiments disclosed the utilization of a WLC pressure switch, it should be recognized that other types of foot actuated switches for sensing the presence or absence of a user&#39;s heel can also be used. For example,  FIG. 24  shows the utilization of simple foot controlled on/off switch  59 . Foot controlled on/off switch  59  is actuated by spring loaded button  64  of controller  63 . Also, in other preferred embodiments it would be possible to easily reconfigure the switches so that during practice mode the buzzer would turn on after the golfer lifts his foot and then turn off after the sound actuated switch senses the sound of the golf club hitting the golf ball. A timer could also be connected to the circuit so that the golfer could read the amount of time that the buzzer was buzzing. He would then know precisely how long the duration was between the lifting of the rear heel and the hitting of the golf ball. Also, in other preferred embodiments it would be possible to combine the present invention with video, camera or sound recording equipment to further analyze the rear heel position-impact sound relationship. Also, although the above preferred embodiments showed that the foot actuated switch, the sound actuated switch and the buzzer were connected via wire, it is possible to easily configure the present invention to connect the foot actuated switch, the sound actuated switch and the buzzer via wireless means ( FIG. 25 ); such as infrared, Bluetooth or RF. Also, although the above described embodiments referred to the warning device as being an audible warning device (i.e., buzzer  27 ), the warning device could be a visual warning device (for example, visual lamp  96 , see  FIG. 26A ) or the warning device could be an audible warning device in combination with a visual warning device (for example, a buzzer in combination with a visual lamp  97 , see  FIG. 26B ). Also, it should be noted that sound actuated switch  5  could be a VOX switch, a clapper switch or an audio-actuated switch. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.