Patent Publication Number: US-2006019763-A1

Title: Golf swing aid tool

Description:
Purpose and Functionality  
      The purpose of the Golf Swing Aid Tool is to create a situation for the golfer—primarily the new golfer—that will enable him to teach himself the proper standing position in relation to the ball, and the proper position of his feet when he is placing the club on the ground. This tool is designed to give the golfer the ability to adjust his position for different golf clubs. In having this adjustment ability, the golfer will always duplicate his stance in relation to his feet, the club, and the location of the ball. The Golf Swing Aid Tool is also designed for the convenience of the golfer in that he is able to keep it folded and is able to carry it in his golf bag. This fold-up feature, time allowing, permits the golfer to take the Swing Aid tool out of the bag and use it to check and/or correct himself in the process of playing golf. (These last two sentences were added) A very important function of the Golf Swing Aid Tool is that it is designed on the idea that in golf everything is talked about in “Ball Distance” when teaching an individual The Aid Tool is designed so the golfer will make all his adjustments to the different clubs in relation to the balls that are numbered on the main body of the Golf Swine Aid Tool. No other patent uses the ball design to designate the club to be used.  
      The Golf Swing Aid Tool is made of a synthetic material allowing it to last and be able to withstand continual adjustments. The synthetic material will also allow the tool aid to withstand the outdoor environment that the tool will be used in. It is important that the tool withstand the adjustments and the elements, since the golfer will have to put the tool aid through numerous adjustments in the process of teaching himself the correct swing using different clubs. In adjusting the tool for various clubs, the golfer needs only to loosen a wing nut and slide the rail to obtain the correct position of his feet to the golf club that will be used. When this is done, he tightens the wing nut to a snug position. He needs to do the same for the positioning of the ball in relation to the club being used. The simplicity of the tool and its ease of use allow the golfer to use the Golf Swing Aid Tool without it being a focus of simply how to use the tool. This allows him to have a tool that will help teach him to improve his golfing and not be a hindrance in its usage. The numbers on the Golf Swing Aid Tool defines the position for the golfer, allowing him not to have to remember where the position of the feet locator or the ball locator needs to be.  
      The Golf Swing Aid Tool has also a Putting Aid Tool to assist the golfer in having a consistent swing, so he will be able to learn how to consistently approach the ball when putting. This will enable the golfer to maintain consistency in putting and during his game it will allow him to concentrate on the lay of the green and not so much on his technique, since the tool has assisted him in being consistent.  
      Operating the Golf Swing Aid Tool  
      The Golf Swing Aid Tool (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is designed to be folded and is shown in the folded stage. In this folded stage, the Golf Swing Aid Tool can be stored and transported in any golf bag. This design makes it convenient for the golfer to use the Aid Tool at his or her convenience. As shown in ( FIG. 1 ), the Feet Positioning Arms in ( FIG. 2 , Item  1  and  2 ) are folded under the Golf Swing Tool Aid main body (Item  3 ), as is the Golf Ball Extension Arm ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ; Item  4 ) which is shown folded and then retracted.  
      To open the Golf Swing Aid Tool, the wing nuts ( FIG. 3 ; Item  5  and  FIG. 4 ; Item  10 ) are loosened until there is a clearance as indicated in ( FIG. 3 -A; Item  6 ). Turn the wing nuts in a counter-clockwise manner and then the Feet Positioning Arms are extended to a 90-degree position (FIGS.  4  &amp;  4 -A; Items  1 ). It is important that the wing nut is not loosened so that the Nut ( FIG. 3 -A &amp;  FIG. 6 -A; Item  7 ) falls out of the slots in the Feet Extension Arms. The Legs are designed so they wills stop when extended out to 90-degrees. At that time the wing nuts ( FIG. 7  Item  10 ) are tightened up by rotating them clockwise. Both of the Feet Positioning Arms ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ; Item  1  &amp;  2 ) are moved and positioned in the same manner. ( FIG. 2 ) shows the position and the appearance after the Golf Ball Positioning Arms have been tightened. As shown, the Feet Extension Arms and the Ball Extension Arm have slots in them so as to be able to slide them in and out depending on the golfer&#39;s stance, whether he or she is tall or short, or wants to be positioned differently in relation to the ball.  
      To extend the Golf Ball Positioning Arm ( FIG. 5 ; Item  4 ) (shown extended in  FIG. 2 ; Item  4 ), the Wing Nut ( FIG. 5 ; Item  5 ) is loosened by tuning it counter-clockwise. The Golf Ball Extension Arm is then pivoted to a 90-degree position until the dowel pin hole ( FIG. 7 ; Item  8 ) is directly over the Dowel Pin ( FIG. 7 ; Item  9 ). The Wing Nut ( FIG. 7 ; Item  10 ) is then tightened up snugly by turning the Wing Nut clockwise. As with the Feet Positioning Arms, the Golf Ball Positioning Arm is adjustable depending on which club is being used.  
      The uniqueness of the Golf Swing Aid Tool is that it gives the golfer the ability to teach herself or himself how to align his feet to the golf club, align the ball the golf club, and align the ball to both the golfer&#39;s feet and the club that is chosen. To use the Golf Swing Aid Tool, the golfer needs to do the following: 
          a. Having the Aid Tool fully extended ( FIG. 6 ), the golfer sets the Feet Positioning Arms ( FIG. 6 ; Item  1  &amp;  2 ) to the width of his shoulders, or in conjunction with the club he is going to practice with, he will match up the number on the golf ball simulators with the golf club he is going to use. For example, if he is going to use a #3 club he then puts the Feet Positioning Arms ( FIG. 6 ; Item  1  &amp;  2 ) on the number 3 on the right and left side of the Golf Swing Aid Tool. Many golfers may prefer to use the Feet Positioning Arms at shoulder width, since many golfers use that position for all clubs. What the tool will do then is teach them a consistent stance for all their clubs.     b. After (a.) is done, the golfer chooses the club he is to use. He then places the Golf Ball Extension Arm on the number corresponding with the club he is using. For example: The numbers on the golf ball representations ( FIG. 5 ; Items  11  and  12 ) and other numbers on the golf ball representations on (Item  4 ) have to be positioned over the corresponding number on the (Main Body Item  3 ). This will place the ball in the proper position for the different clubs being used by the golfer. ( FIG. 5 -A) shows the illustration from the side view.     c. He then places the ball ( FIG. 7 ; Item  13 ) at the tip of the Golf Ball Locator ( FIG. 6 ; Item  17 ) which is flexible and is allowed to move as the club passes by.     d. In completing (a, b, and c), the golfer has the tool set for him to approach the tool to take his swing. As he approaches the Golf Swing Aid Tool the golfer places his feet ( FIG. 6 ; Item  15 ) at the tip of the Feet Positioning Arms ( FIG. 6 ; Item  1  &amp;  2 ).     e. He now places his club ( FIG. 6 ; Item  16 ), such as in this example the number 3 club, in the center of the ball.        

      The golfer has completed setting up the Golf Swing Tool Aid and has put himself in the position of practicing his swing. As he practices, he will maintain consistency, and while playing, he is in the process of teaching himself and has learned where to stand and where to place the ball for different clubs. He will also realize that the tool will show him how to place his feet for the different clubs and that it does make a difference. Use of the Putting Tool Aid is done by ( FIGS. 8 &amp; 8A ), where there is one unit to move and unfold, which is the Golf Ball Extension Arm ( FIGS. 8 &amp; 8A ; Item  18 ). In using the Putting Tool Aid, the Golfer places the ball at the tip of the Golf Ball Extension Arm to match his height to where he is comfortable and it will teach him consistency. The Golfer also places the Golf Ball at the tip of the Ball Placement tool ( FIGS. 8 &amp; 8A ; Item  19 ). He then stands so that the Golf Ball Extension Arm is in the middle of his stance, as shown in ( FIG. 8 ), giving him the proper balance required to putt properly.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      1.  FIG. 1  illustrates what the unit looks like when the (2) Feet Extension Arms and the Golf Ball Extension Arm are folded into the main body of the Golf Swing Tool Aid. The drawing also illustrates that, when folded, it is ready for transportation in or out of the golf bag.  
      2.  FIG. 2  illustrates what the Golf Swing Tool Aid looks like when the (2) Feet Extension Arms and Golf Ball Extension Arm is opened and ready to be used by the golfer.  
      3.  FIG. 3-3A  indicates the position of the Golf Ball Extension Arm when it is turned to a 90-degree position and is ready to be locked in position for usage by the golfer. The drawing shows that it is important to loosen the wing nut to a point where the nut does not fall out of the slots in the Arm and it has to clear the locating pin.  
      4.  FIG. 4-4A  indicates the position of the Feet Extension Arms as they are turned to a 90-degree position and are ready to be locked in a position to be used by the golfer.  
      5.  FIG. 5-5A  indicates the Golf Ball Extension Arm after it has been turned and is locked into position by tightening down by the Wing Nut. The drawing also shows that the numbers on the Golf Ball Extension Arm and the Main Body of the Golf Swing Tool Aid need to be matched to teach the golfer consistency.  
      6.  FIG. 6-6A  shows the Golf Swing Tool Aid in the open position with the Golfer&#39;s feet in a position ready to swing, and the golf club and the ball in the position ready to be used. It also shows that the numbers have to be aligned for the golfer to be able to teach himself consistency.  FIG. 6 -A shows the side view of ( FIG. 6 ) which helps to show the Position of the Golf Ball Extension, which is the same position for the Feet Extension Arms. The drawing also shows the opening required to move the Golf Ball Extension Arm so that the unit does not come apart when being adjusted for different golf clubs.  
      7.  FIG. 7  Shows the side view of the Golf Swing Aid Tool with the ball placed on the end of (Item  17 ).  
      8.  FIG. 8  is solely for the Golf Club Putting Tool Aid, which shows the tool aid in position and how the golfer should be placing the ball in relation to his feet and the putter.  
      9.  FIG. 8 -A is to show the side view of the Golf Club Putting Tool Aid in relation to the ball and the head of the putter.