Patent Publication Number: US-2013244804-A1

Title: Golf Swing Training Device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to golf training devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf training device that allows a user to repeatedly make a proper swinging motion including the backswing motion and a downswing motion. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The most fundamental aspect to becoming a good golfer is obtaining and maintaining a golf swing that remains in one plane from backswing to follow-through. This plane is generally called the “swing plane”. Slicing, hooking, and generally mis-hitting the ball result from not maintaining the swing plane throughout the entire golf swing. 
     During the backswing, the golfer&#39;s hands move in a circle about a point approximately in the upper part of the chest. At the top of the backswing, this point moves from the golfer&#39;s right to his left. Accordingly, the golfer&#39;s hands describe one near circle arc on the backswing and a different near circle arc during the downswing. Due to this hand movement, a golf swing training device must reproduce the two different arcs the hands track during the backswing with the same natural movement found when swinging a golf club. 
     Obtaining and maintaining a proper golf swing takes practice. Most golfers do not have time to travel to a golf course and practice/play golf every day. Furthermore, without proper coaching or feedback, repeatedly swinging a golf club does not assure the golfer is maintaining proper hand movement and swing motion. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a device that may effectively and conveniently allow a golfer to practice a proper swing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article. 
     In one aspect, a golf swing training device is provided. The device may comprise a rack providing support for the device. A swing motion track may be attached to the rack. The swing motion track may guide a motion of a golf club in a proper swing motion, in particular, the swing motion track may guide proper motion of a user&#39;s hands holding the club during a golf swing. The track may have a backswing motion portion, and a downswing motion portion different from the backswing motion portion. A club assembly may attach the golf club to the swing motion track. The assembly may be movable along the swing motion track at a distal end, and may be attached to a head portion of the golf club at a proximal end. 
     In another aspect, a golf swing training method is provided. The method may comprise the step of grasping a golf club grip by a user, a head of the golf club being attached to a golf swing training device. The user may draw the golf club back in a backswing motion guided by a swing motion track of the golf swing training device. The user may then swing the golf club forward in a downswing motion again guided by the swing motion track. The track is configured to allow hands of a user to have a different backswing motion and downswing motion. 
     In yet another aspect, a golf swing training device is provided. The device may comprise a rack providing support for the device. A swing motion track may be attached to the rack. The swing motion track may guide a motion of a user&#39;s hands holding a golf club in a proper swing motion. The track may have a backswing motion portion, and a downswing motion portion different from the backswing motion portion. A club assembly may attach the golf club to the swing motion track. The assembly may be movable along the swing motion track at a distal end, and may be attached to a head portion of the golf club at a proximal end. A horizontal movement device may also be attached to the rack and the club assembly. The horizontal movement device facilitates and guides horizontal motion of the golf club head, allowing the club to move away from and closer to a body of the user. A vertical movement device may be attached to the club assembly. The vertical movement device facilitates and guides vertical motion of the golf club head, allowing the club head to move up and down. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  provides a rack of the present invention is shown with the club movement elements removed. 
         FIG. 2  provides an embodiment of a horizontal movement device. 
         FIG. 3  provides a detail view of the base of the horizontal movement device. 
         FIG. 4  provides a side view of a vertical movement device and part of the golf club assembly. 
         FIG. 5  provides a front view of another embodiment of the vertical movement device and part of the golf club assembly. 
         FIG. 6  provides a side view of one embodiment of a golf club assembly. 
         FIG. 7  provides a detail view of an embodiment of the swing motion track. 
         FIG. 8  provides a side view of an embodiment of the golf swing training apparatus. 
         FIG. 9  provides a side view of an embodiment of the golf club assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. 
     Generally, the present invention concerns a golf swing training device. The device comprises a rack which provides support for the components of the device. Further, the device may comprise a swing motion track to guide a motion of a user&#39;s hands during a golf swing. The device may also comprise a horizontal movement device, a vertical movement device, and/or combinations thereof to allow various movements of a simulated club head. In one embodiment, the device may guide a user&#39;s hands in a proper swing motion. In another embodiment, both the user&#39;s hands and the club head may be guided in proper swing motions, the motions being different from each other. In addition the device may provide a series of pivots and hinges to allow rotation and adjustability to the device. A standing platform may guide proper foot placement, ball location and/or club alignment. Optical devices or other sensors may be utilized to ensure proper starting position, finish position, ball contact positioning and the like during the swing. The device may be easily adjustable to provide proper swing motion for golfers of all sizes and skill levels. 
     The rack of the device may be any structure capable of supporting the components of the device. In one embodiment, all of the components of the device may be connected either directly or indirectly to the rack. In one embodiment, the rack is approximately seven feet in height and comprised of a plurality of support bars. In a further embodiment, some of these support bars may be adjustable to change various angles and heights of the components of the rack. 
     A swing motion track may be attached to the rack. The swing motion track is constructed to guide a user&#39;s hands during the golf swing motion in two different motions. A first motion for the backswing, and a second motion for the downswing. 
     The dual motions made possible by the swing motion track may allow repeated practice of a proper golf swing because to achieve a proper golf swing, hand motion in the backswing must be different from the downswing. 
     In one embodiment, the swing motion track provides a broadly arced backswing, and provides a downswing shifted forward from the backswing. Further, the swing motion track may provide proper swing motion in all three dimensions, left-right, forward-back, and up-down. 
     In one embodiment the swing motion track may be constructed and arranged to receive a distal end of a golf club assembly. In another embodiment a wheel is attached to the distal end of the golf club assembly and rollably secured in the swing motion track. In this embodiment, the golf club assembly may slideably move along the swing motion track and thereby guide the user in a proper swing motion. 
     In one embodiment, during the backswing, the golf club assembly may slide along a backswing portion. Once the proper backswing hand position has been reached, the golf club assembly may fall, slide, or otherwise move, via the transition portion, into a downswing portion of the track which guides the golf swing assembly, and a user&#39;s hands, in proper downswing motion. In a further embodiment, during the follow-through, the golf swing assembly may be guided by a follow-through portion of the track that allows the hands of a user to be brought in towards the body, thereby pulling the club head towards the body of the user. 
     In one embodiment, an angle of the swing motion track may be adjusted. In many embodiments, the angle of the swing motion track may be at a different angle from the angle of the club shaft to allow proper swing technique and hand motion. 
     In one embodiment of operation, as a user moves the club to the right (for a right handed golfer) his hands will follow the path of the swing motion track. On the backswing, the path is an outside track. Also, in embodiments wherein the swing motion track is at a steeper angle than the club assembly, as the club is guided upward by the motion of the track, the track pulls the club head up and closer to the rack. This allows the hands to move at a steeper angle than the angle of the club on the backswing. About half way up the backswing the user may naturally change the angle of the club by moving the handle toward the track, which will put the club on the proper plane for the remainder of the swing up to the top of the follow-through. The user&#39;s hands will continue to rise at a steeper angle than the club shaft and the club will continue to move around the user until reaching the top of the backswing. At the top of the backswing the track will direct the club motion along the downswing portion, putting a user&#39;s hands inside of where they were on the backswing. Also, in embodiments wherein the track is at a steeper angle than the club assembly, the user&#39;s hands will drop back down to impact at the same angle that they rose to on the backswing. 
     A horizontal movement device may be attached to the rack and may facilitate horizontal movement (front-back movement relative to the body) of the club head. In one embodiment, the horizontal movement device may be positioned at an upper rear of the rack, however any positioning may be used. In one embodiment, the horizontal movement device may be secured to a track and slideably mounted within the track. In a further embodiment, this track may be a four sided track to receive a horizontal movement device with a rectangular cross section. 
     A shaft may be rotatably attached to the device allowing axial rotation of the shaft, but being secured from passing laterally through the device. The shaft may in turn be connected, directly or indirectly, to the golf club. As such, during a swing, the shaft may allow for club rotation, and the front-back motion during the swing may be facilitated by the horizontal movement device&#39;s travel through the track. 
     In one embodiment, a wheel or plurality of wheels may be attached to the horizontal movement device, the wheels may then be disposed to engage with the track. In another embodiment a spring or similar device may provide a force drawing the horizontal movement device away from the user, and in turn draw the golf club head, away from the body of the user. In most embodiments, this guiding force must operate within the travel permitted by the track. 
     The horizontal movement device may serve to smooth the movement of the golf club swing, providing a better and more natural swing. Moreover, the horizontal movement device may lower the stresses on the device to enhance durability and product life. Finally the horizontal movement device may guide proper club head motion with respect to hand motion. 
     A vertical movement device may be utilized to facilitate vertical movement (up-down movement relative to the user&#39;s body) of the club head. In one embodiment, the vertical movement device may be attached to the club assembly. In a further embodiment, the vertical movement device may be positioned at a front of the rack. In still a further embodiment the vertical movement device may be attached to the shaft that is rotatably mounted to the horizontal movement device. 
     In one embodiment, the vertical movement device may be constructed as a hollow bar with a smaller bar disposed within it. A plurality of wheels may allow rolling attachment between the two bars, allowing each bar to slide relative to the other. In a further embodiment, the vertical movement device may be held in place vertically by a shaft securely attached to its exterior. In one embodiment, the shaft may be rotatably attached to the rack. In another embodiment, the shaft may be rotatably attached to a horizontal movement device. In most embodiments, the vertical guiding provided by the vertical movement device must operate within the travel permitted by the two shafts. 
     The vertical movement device may serve to smooth the movement of the golf club swing, providing a better and more natural swing. Moreover, the vertical movement device may lower the stresses on the device to enhance durability and product life. Finally the vertical movement device may guide proper club head motion with respect to hand motion. 
     A golf club assembly attaches a golf club or golf club simulator to the rack and/or movement components attached to the rack. It should be understood that the term golf club used herein may refer to an actual club or a simulated club attached to the device, the terms “golf club” and “golf club simulator” may be used interchangeably for the purposes of this disclosure. The golf club assembly may be any structure that may allow the club to attach to the rack, swing motion track and/or any other movement device. In one embodiment, the club assembly may be comprised of a plurality of bars mounted at 90 degree angles from each other providing a stair-step. In a further embodiment, the golf club assembly may comprise three bars attached at 90 degree angles, a first horizontal bar, a vertical bar, and a second horizontal bar. A golf club or golf club simulator may be attached to the second vertical bar of the golf club assembly. The club assembly may attach at its bottom proximal end to a head portion of the golf club. In one embodiment, the head portion of the golf club may be hingedly attached to the club assembly. The hinged connection of the club head to the club assembly may allow for varying club angles, and may facilitate proper club shaft position, hand movement, and club swing motion. 
     The club assembly may be attached to the swing motion track at a distal end of the club assembly. In one embodiment the distal end of the club assembly may be attached to a wheel rotatably mounted within the swing motion track. The wheel may allow a smooth sliding of the golf club assembly along the swing motion track. 
     A plurality of pivots and rotational connections may be disposed throughout the device at various pivot points. For example, in one embodiment, the handle of the golf club shaft may be rotatably attached to the head to replicate proper golf swing axial rotation. In a further embodiment, the handle may be limited in rotation to 180 degrees, allowing 90 degree rotation in each direction from a centered position. In another embodiment, the club assembly may be rotatably mounted to a wheel of the swing motion track. These pivots and rotational connections may be disposed at any point along the device where rotation is desired to allow proper swing motion, to provide flexibility to reduce stress on the device components, and/or to provide ideal swing “feel.” 
     A base of the device may provide a platform for a user to stand on and may support the rack. The platform may comprise a series of markers to guide a user&#39;s placement of body, feet, and club. For example, a foot placement marker may identify appropriate foot position. Further, a ball marker may be used to identify where a ball would be, aiding a user in positioning for address. 
     The swing training device may have a sensor system that may provide feedback based on swing motion. Sensors contemplated herein may include but are not limited to magnetic sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, mechanical sensors, and the like. In one embodiment, a sensor may track club position at the impact point of a hypothetical ball. In this embodiment, a feedback may be provided based on the effectiveness of the hypothetical contact. For example, if the club head is too open, a negative feedback may be provided. Alternatively, if the club head is correctly positioned, a positive feedback may be provided. Sensors may be used to track proper positioning of a plurality of different swing features. For example, a sensor may also be used to track proper club address position (club face pointing at target), user head positioning and movement, proper follow-through, proper body placement, and the like. 
     In another embodiment, the sensor may be configured mechanically wherein a “bump” is provided on the swing motion track to inform a user when the club head would hit the ball. Further, in this embodiment, a mechanical “bump” may be positioned on a pivot that allows the club handle to rotate. This bump may allow a user to feel when the club head is square. This embodiment allows a user to feel both when the club face is square to the ball and also when the club would hit the ball. Ideally the user would feel these two forms of feedback at the same time. 
     The rack may be provided with a plurality of adjustment points and adjustable connections marked with numbered adjustable positions. The goal of this configuration is to standardize the devices to allow users to record their “number.” The number may allow a user to be able to move from machine to machine and easily configure the proper sizing and configuration to suit their needs. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a rack of the present invention is shown with the club movement elements removed. The rack  10  provides support for the device and components. A track  13  is formed in two of the supports to allow movement along the track of a club movement device. The angle of the track  13  may be adjustable which in turn may adjust an angle of the horizontal movement device (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 ), allowing a user to set different plane angles for the horizontal movement device. A base  11  provides a platform for a user to stand and a central support of the rack  10 . Foot placement guides  12  are positioned on the base to direct proper foot positioning. 
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a horizontal movement device. The horizontal movement device comprises a support structure  21  which attaches to the rack (not shown) and to which the other elements are attached. A base  23  forms a central aperture  22  through which a shaft of a club assembly (not shown) may pass, the shaft being rotatably mounted within the aperture but prevented from sliding laterally through the aperture  22 . Horizontal movement of the shaft is facilitated by wheels  24  slideable along a track  25 . During swing motions, the horizontal movement of a club head is thus guided by movement of the base  23  along the track  25  via the wheels  24 , which in turn allows the shaft to move, the shaft being eventually connected to a golf club assembly (not shown). Finally, wheels  20  may be attached to the support structure  21  to allow vertical movement of the shaft mounted in the aperture  22 . In this embodiment the wheels  20  allow the entire horizontal movement device to track up and down. The wheels  20  may be mounted in the track  13  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a detail view of the base of the horizontal movement device. The base  23  is substantially block shaped. An aperture  22  passes through at least part of the length of the base  23  and may secure a shaft (not shown) therein. Wheels  24  mounted to the sides of the base  23  allow movement along a track (not shown). 
       FIG. 4  provides a side view of a vertical movement device and part of the golf club assembly. A shaft  45  extends away from the vertical movement device  47  and is secured to the horizontal movement device noted above. The vertical movement device  47  comprises a plurality of wheels  48 . A shaft  46  extends through the vertical movement device  47 , the wheels  48  rollable along the shaft  46  and guiding movement thereof. The shaft is connected to a club assembly (not shown). A roller  49  is attached to the shaft  46  by an extension  51 . The roller  49  is rotatable with respect to the extension via a rotatable connection  50 . The roller may be set in a swing motion track (not shown) to guide a swing motion of a user. 
       FIG. 5  provides a front view of another embodiment of the vertical movement device and part of the golf club assembly. The vertical movement device  47  and  57  comprises a plurality of wheels  48  and  58 . Shafts  46  and  56  extend through the vertical movement device  47  and  57 , the wheels  48  rollable along the shafts  46  and  56  and guiding movement thereof. A roller  49  is attached to a crossbar joining the shafts  46  and  56  by an extension  51 . The roller  49  is rotatable with respect to the extension via a rotatable connection  50 . The roller may be set in a swing motion track (not shown) to guide a swing motion of a user. 
       FIG. 6  provides a side view of one embodiment of a golf club assembly. Connector  61  attaches to either a roller mounted within a swing motion track (not shown), or a vertical movement device (not shown) and is rotatable via pivot  62 . Shafts  64 ,  65  and  66  are attached at right angles from each other, forming a stair step downward. A club simulator is hingedly attached at its head end to shaft  66  via hinge  70 . The club simulator comprises a shaft  67 , adjustable pivot  68 , and handle  69 . The handle is rotatable relative to the shaft  67  via the adjustable pivot  68  to allow a user&#39;s hands to rotate through the swinging motions. It should be noted that grip  69  is at a same height as connector  61  which may optimize proper swing motion. 
       FIG. 7  provides a detail view of an embodiment of the swing motion track. The swing motion track  71  forms an aperture  72  through which a shaft as described above may pass to reach the horizontal movement device (not shown). The track forms a backswing portion  73 , a downswing portion  74  and a transition portion  75 . The backswing portion  73  and downswing portion  74  having different orientations to provide a different swing path for a user on the backswing and the downswing. 
       FIG. 8  provides a side view of an embodiment of the golf swing training apparatus. A rack  10  provides support for the device and components. A track  13  is formed in two of the supports to allow movement along the track of a horizontal movement device via wheels  20 . A base  11  provides a platform for a user to stand and a central support of the rack  10 . 
     A horizontal movement device is attached to the rack and comprises a base  23 . The base  23  of the horizontal movement device receives a shaft  45  of a club assembly, the shaft  45  being rotatably mounted to the base  23 , but prevented from sliding laterally through the base  23 . Horizontal movement of the shaft is facilitated by wheels  24  slideable along a track (not shown). During swing motions, the horizontal movement is thus guided by movement of the base  23  along the track via the wheels  24 , which in turn allows the shaft  45  to move, the shaft  45  being eventually connected to a golf club assembly. A spring  26  is attached to the base  23  of the horizontal movement device. The spring  26  is configured to draw the base  23  away from the user, and thus naturally draw a club head end of the golf club simulator  69 ,  70  up and away from the user&#39;s body. 
     A vertical movement device  47  and  57  is connected to the shaft  45  and a golf club assembly  61 - 69 . The vertical movement device comprises a plurality of wheels  48  and  58 . Shafts  46  and  56  extend through the vertical movement device  47  and  57 , the wheels  48 ,  58  being rollable along the shafts  46  and  56  and guiding movement thereof. A roller  49  is attached to a crossbar joining the shafts  46  and  56  by an extension  51 . The roller  49  is rotatable with respect to the extension via a rotatable connection  50 . The roller is set in a swing motion track  71  to guide a swing motion of a user. 
     Connector  61  attaches a golf club assembly  61 - 69  to a roller  49  mounted within a swing motion track  71 , and is rotatable via pivot  62 . Shafts  64 ,  65  and  66  are attached at right angles from each other, forming a stair step downward. A club simulator is hingedly attached to a shaft  66  via a hinge  70 . The club simulator comprises a shaft  67 , adjustable pivot  68  and handle  69 . The handle is rotatable relative to the shaft  67  via the adjustable pivot  68  to allow a user&#39;s hands to rotate through the swinging motions. It should be noted that grip  69  is at a same height as connector  61  which may optimize proper swing motion. 
     The swing motion track  71  forms an aperture  72  through which a shaft  45  may pass to reach the horizontal movement device. The track forms a backswing portion  73 , a downswing portion  74  and a transition portion  75 . The backswing portion  73  and downswing portion  74  having different orientations to provide a different swing path for a user on the backswing and the downswing. 
       FIG. 9  provides a side view of an embodiment of the golf club assembly. Connector  61  attaches, either directly or indirectly, to a roller mounted within a swing motion track (not shown), and is rotatable via pivot  62 . Shafts  64  and  65  are attached at right angles from each other. A club simulator is hingedly attached to a shaft  66  via a hinge  90 . The club simulator comprises a shaft  91 , adjustable pivot  68  and handle  69 . In this embodiment, the golf club simulator is substantially shortened from a standard club length to minimize a height of the device during the backswing motion. The handle is rotatable relative to the shaft  67  via the adjustable pivot  68  to allow a user&#39;s hands to rotate through the swinging motions. It should be noted that grip  69  is at the same height as the connector  61  which may optimize proper swing motion. 
     While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.