Patent Publication Number: US-7905796-B2

Title: Device for improving a golf swing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to a device for improving a golf swing. More particularly, this invention pertains to a device for indicating the proper shift of a golfer&#39;s body weight during the down swing and follow-through of a golf swing. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many golfers, both amateur and professional, are constantly in search of a consistent and technically sound golf swing. One essential component of a technically sound golf swing is the shift of the golfer&#39;s body weight to the front foot during the golfer&#39;s down swing. As a result, a device that measures this shift of body weight to the front foot would assist in improving a golfer&#39;s swing. Many conventional devices measure this shift in body weight using various methods and measurement components and configurations. However, the complexity of these conventional devices requires cumbersome equipment, intricate set-up and operation procedures, extensive signal processing, and complicated data analysis. The cumbersome equipment limits the portability of these conventional devices and the locations at which they can be used. In fact, some conventional devices can only be moved by machine. Additionally, the intricate set-up and operation of these conventional devices limit when the devices can be used. For example, some of these conventional devices require professional instillation, set-up, and operation. The extensive signal processing performed by some of these conventional devices requires an independent computer. This further limits the location at which the devices can be used and requires the purchase of additional equipment. Additionally, the complicated data analysis displayed by some of these conventional devices is cryptic for the average golfer. As a result, one must be trained to read and understand the resulting data analysis of these conventional devices or depend on another for interpretation. Consequently, a device that intuitively indicates the proper shift of a golfer&#39;s body weight during a down swing, that is easily operated, and that is portable is desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the various features of the present invention, there is provided a portable and intuitive golf swing improvement device for indicating the proper shift of a golfer&#39;s body weight to the front foot during a technically sound down swing. The swing improvement device includes a mat, a pressure switch, an indicator, a mat securing apparatus, and a transportation apparatus. The mat is sufficiently large such that the golfer is able to take a golfer&#39;s stance on the mat. The pressure switch is disposed at the mat such that when the golfer takes a stance on the mat, the golfer&#39;s front foot is positioned on the pressure switch. The pressure switch is movable between an open position and a closed position and is biased to the open position by, for example, a spring. The force of the golfer&#39;s front foot against said pressure switch is sufficient to overcome the bias when the golfer shifts its body weight to the front foot in accordance with a technically sound down swing. Accordingly, when the pressure switch moves to the closed position, the indicator generates an indication that is perceivable by the golfer or another, such as an instructor. As a result, when the golfer performs a technically sound golf swing, the indicator generates the indication, which alerts the golfer of a proper swing. 
     The mat is capable of a portable position, such as a rolled position. The mat securing apparatus is adapted to cooperate with the mat to maintain the mat at this portable position. The transportation apparatus is secured to the mat such that the swing improvement device can be carried by way of the transportation apparatus. For example, the device can be carried over the shoulder of the golfer or attached to the golfer&#39;s bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the golf swing improvement device in accordance with the various features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a golfer performing a golf swing on the swing improvement device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the pressure switch having a dome-type housing; 
         FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the pressure switch having a flat housing; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the swing improvement device in accordance with the various features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the swing improvement device at a portable position; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the transportation apparatus of one embodiment of the swing improvement device; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another alternate embodiment of the transportation apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a portable and intuitive golf swing improvement device for indicating the proper shift of a golfer&#39;s body weight to the front foot during a technically sound down swing. More specifically, the swing improvement device measures the shift of the golfer&#39;s body weight during a golf swing and indicates when such shift is in accordance with a technically sound swing. Additionally, the swing improvement device is self-sufficient and portable such that the device is deployable almost anywhere. The swing improvement device also provides swing analysis in a manner that is immediately understandable to the golfer. One embodiment of the golf swing improvement device constructed in accordance with the various features of the present invention is illustrated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The golf swing improvement device  10  includes a mat  12 , a pressure switch  14 , and an indicator  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mat  12  is sufficiently large such that a golfer taking a golfer&#39;s stance is able to stand with both feet on the mat  12 , as is illustrated at  FIG. 2 . A golfer&#39;s stance is the stance a golfer takes when initiating the swing of a golf club. The pressure switch  14  is disposed at the mat  12  such that the golfer&#39;s front foot  18  is positioned on the pressure switch  14  when the golfer takes a stance on the mat  12 . The golfer&#39;s front foot  18  is the foot in the direction of a golf swing. More specifically, when the golfer swings right handed, as illustrated at  FIG. 2 , the front foot  18  is the golfer&#39;s left foot, and the back foot  20  is the golfer&#39;s right foot. Accordingly, when the golfer swings left handed, the front foot  18  is the golfer&#39;s right foot, and the back foot  20  is the golfer&#39;s left foot. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the pressure switch  14  in accordance with the various features of the present invention. The pressure switch  14  includes an upper housing member  22 , a pair of electrodes  24 , a biasing spring  26 , a pair of electrical contacts  28 , and a lower housing member  30 . The pressure switch  14  is capable of an open position and a closed position. When the pressure switch  14  is at the open position, the electrodes  24  and the electrical contacts  28  are not in electrical communication. Conversely, when the pressure switch  14  is at the closed position, each of the electrodes  24  is in electrical communication with a respective one of the electrical contacts  28 . The pressure switch  14  is biased to the open position by way of the biasing spring  26 . More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrodes  24  are mechanically secured to the under side of the upper housing member  22  such that the electrodes  24  extend from the upper housing member  22  in the direction of the lower housing member  30 . Accordingly, the electrical contacts  28  are mechanically secured to the upper side of the lower housing member  30  such that each electrical contact  28  is spatially aligned with a respective electrode  24 . The biasing spring  26  mechanically engages the upper housing member  22  and the lower housing member  30  such that the biasing spring  26  biases the pressure switch  14  to the open position. When the swing improvement device  10  is deployed, as illustrated at  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower housing member  30  is positioned against the ground, either directly or by way of the mat  12 . As a result, to move the pressure switch  14  to the closed position, a force must be applied to the upper housing member  22 , whereby the force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force generated by the biasing spring  26 . The biasing force generated by the biasing spring  26  is defined subsequently. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing spring  26  is a wave spring. A wave spring permits the pressure switch  14  to have a low profile such that the pressure switch  14 , despite being positioned under the golfer&#39;s front foot  18 , does not affect the golfer&#39;s swing. Additionally, a wave spring provides a more consistent and reliable biasing force against forces that are not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the biasing spring  26 . For example, when the golfer swings a club, the front foot  18  shifts laterally such that forces unparallel with the longitudinal axis of the biasing spring  26  are applied against the biasing spring  26 . However, it should be noted that the biasing spring  26  can be a spring other than a wave spring without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
     Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper side of the upper housing member  22  has a dome-type contour such that the pressure switch  14  does not restrict the movement of the golfer&#39;s front foot  18  during the course of a swing. Instead, the contour of the upper housing member  22  permits the golfer&#39;s front foot  18  to pivot in accordance with a technically sound swing. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing member  22  includes a shoulder  42  that extends beyond the perimeter of the lower housing member  30  and slopes gradually toward the lower housing member  30 . This configuration permits the pressure switch  14  to be moved to the closed position without the housing members  22  and  30  restricting such movement and provides protection against environmental elements to the components of the switch  14 . It should be noted that the upper side of the upper housing member  22  can have a contour other than a dome-type contour, such as a flat contour, as illustrated at  FIG. 4 , without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It should also be noted that the upper housing member  22  does not require the shoulder  42  to remain within the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the swing improvement device  10  in accordance with the various features of the present invention. The swing improvement device  10  includes a power source  32 , the pressure switch  14 , and the indicator  16 . The power source  32  is in electrical communication with the pressure switch  14 , which is in electrical communication with the indicator  16 . Stated differently, the power source  32  is in electrical communication with the indicator  16  by way of the pressure switch  14 . When the pressure switch  14  is at the open position, the power source  32  is not in electrical communication with the indicator  16  such that the indicator  16  is not provided with operating power. Conversely, when the pressure switch  14  is at the closed position, the circuit is complete such that the power source  32  is in electrical communication with the indicator  16 . When in electrical communication with the indicator  16 , the power source  32  provides the indicator  16  with operating power such that the indicator  16  is activated. As a result, when a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force is applied to the upper housing member  22  of the pressure switch  14 , the indicator  16  is activated. 
     When activated, the indicator  16  generates an indication that is perceivable by the golfer. For example, in one embodiment the indicator  16  generates an audible indication, such as a tone. When the indicator  16  generates an audible indication, the indicator  16  can be, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer. In one embodiment, the indicator  16  generates a visible indication, such as a flashing light. When the indicator  16  generates a visible indication, the indicator  16  can be, for example, an LED. The indicator  16  is disposed at the mat  12  such that the indication is perceivable by the golfer or at least another, such as an instructor. 
     Considering the above discussion in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , when the golfer takes a golfer&#39;s stance on the mat  12 , the golfer&#39;s front foot  18  is positioned on the upper housing member  22  of the pressure switch  14 . Prior to initiating the golf swing, the golfer&#39;s body weight is substantially evenly distributed between the front foot  18  and the back foot  20 . The biasing force of the biasing spring  26  is such that the force applied to the upper housing member  22  by the front foot  18  when the golfer is at this initial position is not sufficient to overcome the biasing force. As a result, when the golfer is at this initial position, the indicator  16  is not activated. When the golfer initiates the swing, the golfer first takes a back swing. As the golfer takes the back swing, the body weight of the golfer is shifted such that a majority of the golfer&#39;s body weight is at the back foot  20 . As a result, when the golfer is at the top of the back swing, the indicator  16  is not activated. When the golfer performs a technically sound down swing and corresponding follow-through, the majority of the golfer&#39;s body weight shifts from the back foot  20  to the front foot  18 . When this majority of body weight is shifted to the front foot  18 , the body weight then supported by the front foot  18  generates a force against the upper housing member  22  of the pressure switch  14  that is sufficient to overcome the biasing force generated by the biasing spring  26 . As discussed above, when the biasing force is overcome, the indicator  16  is activated such that it generates the indication. As a result, when the golfer&#39;s body weight shifts in accordance with a technically sound golf swing, the indicator  16  generates the indication. Stated differently, when the golfer performs a technically sound golf swing, the indicator  16  indicates such. 
     Because the body weight of one golfer can differ significantly from another, in one embodiment of the pressure switch  14 , the biasing force generated by the biasing spring  26  is adjustable. More specifically, in one embodiment, the extent to which the electrodes  24  extend from the under side of the upper housing member  22  is adjustable. The more the electrodes  24  extend from the upper housing member  22 , the less distance there is between the electrodes  24  and the electrical contacts  28  when no external force is applied against the upper housing member  22 . As a result, the force required to overcome the biasing force, that is, the force required to move the electrodes  24  into electrical communication with the electrical contacts  28 , is reduced. As a result, adjusting the position of the electrodes  24  enables the pressure switch  14  to be adjusted to accommodate golfers of various body weights. In one embodiment, the electrodes  24  are secured to the upper housing member  22  by way of cooperating threaded portions such that as each of the electrodes  24  is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the extent to which the electrode  24  extends from the upper housing member  22  is adjusted. It should be noted that the extent to which the electrodes  24  extend from the under side of the upper housing member  22  can be adjustable by ways other than the electrodes  24  having cooperating threaded portions without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
     In another embodiment, the pressure switch  14  is adapted such that the biasing spring  26  is readily replaceable. In this embodiment, multiple biasing springs  26  of various tensions are selectively used with the pressure switch  14  such that the tension of the currently employed biasing spring  26  governs the biasing force. As a result, the force required to move the pressure switch  14  to the closed position is adjustable in that it is based on the currently employed biasing spring  26 . Stated differently, replacing the biasing spring  26  adjusts the required force exerted by the golfer to move the pressure switch  14  to the closed position such that the pressure switch  14  can be adjusted to accommodate golfers of various body weights. In the illustrated embodiment, when one of the bolts  46  is removed, the spatial relationship between the upper housing member  22  and the lower housing member  30  is such that the biasing spring  26  can be removed from and inserted within the pressure switch  14 . Although, two specific embodiments of an adjustable pressure switch  14  have been discussed above, it should be noted that the biasing force generated by the biasing spring  26  can be adjustable by ways other than those discussed above without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
     In the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper housing member  22  defines at least one opening  44  adapted to receive a bolt  46  having a male threaded member. Additionally, the lower housing member  30  defines at least one nut-type structure  48  having a female threaded member adapted to cooperate with the threaded member of the bolt  46  such that the bolt  46  can be secured to the nut-type structure  48  in accordance with a conventional bolt-nut configuration. When received by the first opening  44 , the bolt  46  extends therethrough and engages with the nut-type structure  48  in accordance with the above discussion. As a result, when the bolt  46  engages the nut-type structure  48 , the bolt  46  can be tightened with respect to the nut-type structure  48  such that the bolt  46  and nut-type structure  48  overcome the biasing force and move the upper housing member  22  closer to the lower housing member  30 , partially compressing the biasing spring  26 . In doing this, the overall height of the pressure switch  14  is adjusted to accommodate, for example, the preference of the golfer or the mechanics of a given exercise. 
     Considering the above discussion, the golf swing improvement device  10  indicates a technically sound golf swing in a manner that is immediately and unambiguously recognizable to the golfer or another. Additionally, no component of the swing improvement device  10  is attached or tethered to the golfer such that the golfer is able to take a golf swing using the device  10  and then immediately step away from the device  10  and take a swing without using the device  10 . This assists the golfer is developing lower body muscle memory. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the golf swing improvement device  10  provides a portability feature. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the mat  12  is capable of being manipulated to a portable position, and the swing improvement device  10  includes a mat securing apparatus  34  and a transportation apparatus  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mat securing apparatus  34  includes a plurality of securing straps secured to a first side  38  of the mat  12 . Each securing strap  34  is adapted to be removably secured to at least a portion of the under side of the mat  12 . For example, on one embodiment, the securing strap  34  is removably secured to the under side of the mate  12  by way of a hook-and-loop fastener configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the mat  12  is manipulated to the portable position by rolling the mat  12  from a second end  40 , which is opposite the first end  38 , to the first end  38 . When the mat  12  is fully rolled, each securing strap  34  is wrapped about at least a portion of the rolled mat  12  and fastened to the under side of the mat  12 , for example, using the integral hook-and-loop fastener, securing the mat  12  at the rolled, or portable, position, as illustrated at  FIG. 6 . When the device  10  is secured at the portable position, the device  10  can be carried using the transportation apparatus  36 , which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a strap secured to the mat  12 . It should be noted that the device  10  can be manually carried using the transportation apparatus  36 , such as over the shoulder of the golfer, or can be attached to, for example, a golf bag. It should also be noted that the mat securing apparatus  34  and the transportation apparatus  36  can be apparatus other than those illustrated without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the transportation apparatus  36  in accordance with the various features of the present invention. In the alternate embodiment, the transportation apparatus  36  is removably secured to the mat  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the transportation apparatus  36  is secured to the mat  12  by way of a loop structure  44 , the loop structure  44  being secured to the mat  14  and adapted to receive the transportation apparatus  36 . When received by the loop structure  44 , the transportation apparatus  36  is removably secured to itself, defining a loop about the loop structure  44  and removably securing the transportation apparatus  36  to the mat  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the transportation apparatus  36  is removably secured to itself using a hook-and-loop fastener configuration. However, it should be noted that the transportation apparatus  36  can be removably secured to itself by ways other than a hook-and-loop fastener without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another alternate embodiment of the transportation apparatus  36  in accordance with the various features of the present invention. In this alternate embodiment, the transportation apparatus  36  includes a first transportation apparatus member  36   a  and a second transportation apparatus member  36   b . The first transportation apparatus member  36   a  is removably secured to the second transportation apparatus  36   b . In the illustrated embodiment, this is accomplished using a hook-and-loop fastener configuration. However, it should be noted that the first transportation member  36   a  can be removably secured to the second transportation apparatus member  36   b  by ways other than a hook-and-loop fastener without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The alternate embodiments of  FIGS. 7 and 8  facilitate the swing improvement device  10  being secured to certain objects, such a golf bag. 
     From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that a golf swing improvement device for indicating the proper shift of a golfer&#39;s body weight to the front foot during a down swing offering advantages over the prior art has been provided. More specifically, the swing improvement device measures the shift of the golfer&#39;s body weight during a golf swing and indicates when such shift is in accordance with a technically sound swing. Additionally, the swing improvement device is self-sufficient and portable such that the device is deployable almost anywhere. The swing improvement device also provides swing analysis in a manner that is immediately understandable to the golfer. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.