Patent Publication Number: US-6656056-B1

Title: Wrist locking golf training device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a wrist locking golf training device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a device which attaches onto a golf club handle such that as the golfer grasps the handle, the leading forearm is effectively engaged to lock both wrists, forcing the golfer to learn to execute the putting stroke using the shoulders. 
     It is often said that golf is simultaneously the most enjoyable and most frustrating game. To maximize the enjoyment and minimize the frustration, golfers seek to improve their skill by any means necessary. Accordingly, numerous teaching techniques and devices have been devised which seek to improve the skills of the fledgling golfer. In particular, many of the these focus particularly on the golf swing. 
     Most pros agree that one of the most critical factors in being successful in the game of golf is maintaining proper form. However, “proper form” often requires that the body act contrary to its prior conditioning, and even contrary to common sense. Accordingly, to achieve proper form, the body must be trained to act in a certain way, through repetition, concentration, and consistent correction. Since training which reinforces a poor habit is clearly counterproductive, it is desirable to correct the golfers form continuously throughout any golf training exercises. 
     Golf coaches will continuously correct the form of even a pro golfer while observing them practicing. However, not all bad habits are noticed by the coach, and can even occur to quickly to be seen at all. For these habits, it is desirable to use training aids which seek to ensure the golfer&#39;s compliance with proper form. 
     Over the years, numerous devices have been promulgated by various inventors as an attempt to overcome that inventor&#39;s concept of the biggest problem facing a golfer. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,221 to Thornhill discloses a device which has a pair of arms which extend from the center of a putter, and which lightly contact the outside if the forearms to provide feedback to the golfer regarding the swing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,922 to Elliot, Jr. discloses a golf training aid which includes a sleeve which fully encloses the forearm and wrist in an attempt to immobilize the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,685 to Thomas discloses a golf swing improvement device. In particular, the device has a pair of wrist encircling members which seek to maintain the relative positioning of the wrists. U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,464 Dablo discloses a golf swing forearm/wrist positioner. Dablo seeks to immobilize both forearms by providing a V-shaped device which extends between and against both forearms. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,523 to Sheftic discloses a golf training device which includes a body contacting arm which extends from the proximal end of the golf club. The body contacting arm then contacting arm then extends toward the hip of the golfer. When the ball is properly addressed, the contacting arm moves adjacent to, but does not contact the hip of the golfer. Accordingly, Sheftic seeks to train the golfer to lock the leading arm—making Sheftic perhaps useful for training a golfer in driving, but not suitable for training a golfer to maintain proper form while putting 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,392 to Foresi et al. discloses a golf training device for teaching a pendulum-type putting swing. In particular, Foresi includes a rigid elongated member which attaches to the shaft of the golf club below the grip. The elongated member includes a bend to avoid contact with the hands of the user and then extends upwards all the way to the armpit of the golfer. 
     The present invention seeks to improve the golfer&#39;s swing by engaging the wrist whenever the club is grasped, to train the golfer to use his/her shoulders when putting. The system is particularly suited for use with a putter, and with training the proper form for putting. Accordingly, while these other units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to produce a golf training device that effectively trains a golfer to swing a putter using the shoulders by preventing the golfer from moving the wrists. Accordingly, the system engages the leading forearm and prevents the golfer from varying an angle of the leading forearm by immobilizing the leading wrist. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a golf training device that prevents the golf club from pivoting the club between either the leading or trailing wrists. Accordingly, the device employs a stop arm which engages and immobilizes the leading forearm. Unexpectedly by locking the relative angle between the leading forearm and the golf club, the golfer cannot even “break” (pivot) the trailing wrist. Accordingly, the putting stroke only be swung by using the shoulders. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a golf training device that is adjustable for different golfers, having different hand positioning preferences, wrist flexibility, and right or left handed preferences. Accordingly, the device is positionable at any height desired on the club handgrip, is adjustable in maximum upward angle so as to effectively yet comfortably lock the wrist, and can be simply rotated around the handgrip to accommodate either a right handed or a left handed golfer. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a golf training device that is comfortable for use. Accordingly, the stop arm is contoured to match the curvature or contours of the golfer&#39;s forearm inner surface, so as to engage the leading forearm with maximum surface area whereas the immobilizing force of the stop arm is effectively and comfortably distributed on the leading forearm of the golfer. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention that the device is suitable for use during everyday play. Accordingly, the device flips downward for storage so that it can remain attached on the handgrip of the club even when the club is inserted in the golf bag. A downward locking mechanism can prevent the stop arm from inadvertently flipping upward as the club is withdrawn from the golf bag, or from becoming snagged on other clubs. 
     The invention is a golf training system for training a golfer to swing a golf club using his/her shoulders rather than wrists, by using a device having a sleeve for attaching onto the golf club and a stop arm pivotally attached to and extending from the sleeve. The golf club has a handgrip and the sleeve has a sleeve bore for extending over the handgrip and tightening thereon. A stop arm has a maximum upward angle which is adjustable with an adjustment mechanism. When the golfer grasps the golf club with a leading arm, the leading arm wrist is prevented from moving by the stop arm engaging the leading arm forearm. When the golf club is grasped with the hand of the trailing arm, the trailing arm wrist is also prevented from pivoting. Accordingly, the golfer has no choice but to use his/her shoulders to execute a swing. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, illustrating the golf training device installed on the handgrip of a golf club. FIG. 1 further illustrates the stop arm adjusted such that the maximum upward angle is a high angle. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, except wherein the stop arm has been adjusted so that the maximum upward angle is a low angle, and further illustrating the pivotability of the stop arm. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, wherein the stop arm is in the downward, storage position. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view, illustrating the removability and attachability of the training device onto the handgrip of the golf club. 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of just the golf training device, illustrating internal details which facilitate the attachment onto the golf club, securement onto the golf club, and adjustment of the stop arm. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of just the stop arm. 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view, illustrating a golfer grasping the club having the training device mounted thereon, wherein the leading arm is engaged by the stop arm. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a golf training device  10  attached onto a golf club  12 . The golf club  12  has a proximal end  12 P and a distal end fully opposite therefrom, having a golf club head (not shown). The golf club  12  includes a shaft  14 , which is generally made of metal or a composite material, and a handgrip  16  which extends over the shaft  14  near the proximal end  12 P. The handgrip  16  has a handgrip top  16 T, a handgrip bottom  16 B, and a handgrip sidewall  16 S. The golf club  12  as defined herein is typically a putter, as the present invention is best suited for training proper form during putting. However, the “golf club”  12  as defined herein need not be limited to a putter. 
     As seen in FIG.  1  and FIG. 5, the training device  10  includes a sleeve  20 , a stop arm  22  pivotally mounted to the sleeve  20  and a tightening mechanism  24 . The sleeve  20  has a sleeve top  20 T, a sleeve bottom  20 B, a sleeve first side  201  and a sleeve second side  202 . The sleeve  20  further has a substantially cylindrical sleeve bore  26  which allows the handgrip to extend through the sleeve  20  to facilitate attachment of the device  10  onto the handgrip  16 . The sleeve bore  26  is generously sized, having a diameter which allows the sleeve  20  to be inserted onto handgrips  16  of varying sizes to accordingly allow the device  10  to be used on golf clubs. Because of the generous sizing of the sleeve  20 , the tightening mechanism  24  is adjustable to extend within the sleeve bore  26  and engage the handgrip  16  and tighten thereagainst. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the tightening mechanism  24 . According to this embodiment, the tightening mechanism  24  includes a tightening bore  30  extending transversely through the sleeve second side  202  into the sleeve bore  26 , a tightening screw  32  extending through the tightening bore  30 , and a tightening handle  34  pivotally attached to the tightening screw  32 . The tightening handle  34  may be used to cause the tightening screw  32  to rotate axially so that the tightening screw  32  advances into the tightening bore  30  and further into the sleeve bore  26 , thus engaging and tightening against the handgrip side wall  16 S, to secure the device  10  to the handgrip. The tightening handle  34  may be pivoted upward or downward as illustrated in FIG. 5 to that it is kept out of the way during usage of the device  10  and the golf club  12  upon which it is mounted. 
     However, the tightening mechanism can be configured in numerous other ways beyond the scope of the present discussion as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art of the invention. For example, the sleeve  20  may have a vertical split creating a gap fully through the sleeve second side  202  into the sleeve bore  26 . Accordingly, the sleeve bore  26  and thus the sleeve  20  could flex, opening or closing the gap to accommodate various diameter handgrips. The tightening mechanism could then comprise a pair of clamping plates on either side of the split with a transverse screw extending between such plates which can be tightened to selectively narrow or expand the vertical split to suitably tighten the bore  26  against the handgrip. 
     Note that in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the device  10  is positioned near the handgrip top  16 T. However, the device  10  may be positioned anywhere along the handgrip  16 , between the handgrip top  16 T and handgrip bottom  16 B, as desired by the user. In this regard, the device  10  is positioned slightly lower on the handgrip  16  in FIG.  7 . 
     Now that the training device  10  has been suitably positioned on the golf club  12 , further description of the structure and functionality of the stop arm  22  is warranted. In particular, the stop-arm  22  is a rigid structure which is pivotally attached at a hinge axis  35 , located at the sleeve first side  201  near the sleeve bottom  20 B. Such pivotal attachment allows the stop arm  22  to pivot between a position wherein it extends vertically upward from and almost parallel to the shaft  14  of the club  12  and a downward position wherein the stop arm  22  extends substantially downward along the handgrip side wall  16 S and shaft  14  toward the distal end  12 D of the club  12  as seen in FIG.  3 . Note however, certain structure of the device  10 , including that of both the stop arm  22  and the sleeve  20  provide practical limits to the range of motion of the stop arm  22 , such that it has a maximum upward angle shown in FIG. 1,  2 ,  4 , or  5 . The maximum upward angle is adjustable to accommodate the particular user of the golf training device  10 . 
     In particular, an angle setting mechanism  40  (FIG. 3) limits the upward pivoting and thus the maximum upward or high angle positioning of the stop arm  22 . The angle setting mechanism  40  allows the maximum upward angle to be set according to the preference of the user to facilitate the accomplishment of the training purposes which are disclosed in further detail hereinbelow. In the embodiment illustrated, the angle setting mechanism  40  comprises a simple set screw  42  which extends transversely through the sleeve  20  at the sleeve first side  201 , just above the hinge axis  35 . As seen in FIG. 5, the set screw  42  includes a contact point  44 . The stop arm  22  includes a contact bar  46  which extends transversely across the stop arm  22  near the hinge axis  35 . When the stop arm  22  is in its maximum upward position, its contact bar  46  engages the contact point  44  of the set screw  42 . Accordingly, the more the set screw  42  protrudes from the sleeve  20 , the more readily the contact point  44  thereof prevents the upward movement of the stop arm  22 . Thus, referring to FIG. 2, where the set screw  42  extends significantly outward from the sleeve first side  201  of the sleeve  22 , the maximum upward angle is a relatively low angle. However, when the set screw  42  is fully withdrawn or retracted into the sleeve  22 , the contact point  44  presents little interference with the stop arm  22  achieving a high maximum upward angle, as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates just the stop arm  22 , having a pivot bar  50  which engages the sleeve  20  and pivots thereat. Fully opposite from the pivot bar  50  is a stop arm end  52 . By the preferred structure illustrated in FIG. 6, the stop arm  22  comprises rod-like side rails  54 , which are connected by a plurality of concave cross bars  56 . Referring momentarily to FIG. 7, a golfer  70  has a leading arm  80  having a leading arm forearm  82  having a leading arm forearm inner surface  84 , having a curved contour. As seen in FIG. 7, the side rails  54  and concave cross bars  56  are positioned so as to meet the curved contour of the leading arm forearm inner surface  84 . In this regard the stop arm is generally constructed of rigid yet soft materials, or is padded to maximize the comfort of the user. The stop arm  22  may also be made of a continuous unitary piece, having a generally elongated configuration, with a longitudinal concave hollow (perhaps resembling a shoe horn) which comfortably accommodates the leading arm forearm inner surface  84 . The general longitudinal concave hollow also facilitates storage of the club with the device  10  attached thereon. Referring to FIG. 3, the stop arm  22  has been pivoted fully downward, wherein it is nearly parallel to the club. The longitudinal concave hollow of the stop arm  22  helps the stop arm  22  conform relatively closely to the shaft  14  of the club  12 . With regard to storage of the club, it is contemplated that a downward locking mechanism be provided to help maintain the stop arm  22  in the downward position when it is being stored, to prevent it from being inadvertently “flipped upward” when it is withdrawn from a golf bag and wedging therein, and to also prevent it from snagging on other clubs as they are withdrawn from the golf bag. Such a downward locking mechanism may be configured in numerous ways, and is accordingly beyond the scope of the present discussion. 
     Still referring to FIG. 6, the stop arm  22  may be configured wherein the side rails  54  are made both made of one continuous piece of a rod-like material, bent at the stop arm end  52  to form a curved return  58 . In addition, as each of the concave cross bars  56  would naturally have a peak  57  (which might also be considered a “valley”), a reinforcement bar  60  can connect the peaks  57  of all of the concave cross bars  56 , extending parallel to the side rails  54  and centered therebetween, extending from the stop arm end  52  to the contact bar  46 . The pivot bar  50  may simply comprise a pair of facing right angle bends in the side rails  54 , fully opposite from the stop arm end  52 , which engage a pair of simple coaxial holes on opposite sides of the sleeve  20  at the hinge axis  35 . 
     Now that the structure of the training device  10  has been established, both in a broad sense and with specific details which should be regarded as exemplative of the numerous variations possible, discussion of the functionality of the device in furtherance of the goals of the invention is now appropriate. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates the golfer  70  grasping the golf club  12 . In addition to the leading arm  80 , the golfer has a trailing arm  90 . The leading arm  80  has a leading arm hand  85  and a leading arm wrist  86 . The trailing arm  90  has a trailing arm hand  92  and a trailing arm wrist  94 . In typical putting style, the golfer  12  is grasping the golf club  12  with the leading arm hand  85  grasping the handgrip  16  above the trailing arm hand  92 . The leading arm hand  85  is located just below the sleeve  20   
     In accordance with the present invention, the leading arm forearm  82  is pressing upward against the stop bar  22 , urging it against the angle setting mechanism  40  which establishes the maximum upward angle of the stop bar  22 . With no further “play” in the stop bar  22 , as long as the hand is positioned around the club  12 , the stop bar  22  thereby prevents the leading hand wrist  86  from moving. However, unexpectedly, with the leading arm  80 , leading arm forearm  82 , and leading arm wrist  86  prevented from movement, the trailing arm wrist  94  cannot bend either! Accordingly, the natural tendency to swing the club by the wrists is prevented. This can best be illustrated by viewing the arrangement between the golf club, the stop arm  22 , and the leading arm forearm  82 . As this arrangement essential fixes the pivotal position of the golf club  12  with respect to the leading arm  80  and locks the leading arm wrist  86 , and since the trailing arm hand  92  is grasping the same golf club  12  in a contrary position, the leading arm  80  acts to prevent the trailing arm wrist  94  from bending as well. 
     Thus, by engaging the leading arm forearm  82  with the stop bar  22 , the golfer  70  is forced to keep both his leading arm  80  and trailing arm  70  substantially in the positions shown in FIG. 7, and the golfer is forced to use his or her shoulders to swing the golf club  12 . Accordingly, the golfer is prevented from incorrectly using his/her wrists to swing the club  12 . 
     To ensure that the wrists are locked, the angle adjustment mechanism  40  is employed to ensure that the maximum upward angle is selective which is low enough to ensure that the user does not have sufficient wrist flexibility to pivot the club by the wrist at that maximum upward angle. Accordingly, such adjustment must be made according to the particular user, to accommodate the golfer&#39;s own degree of wrist flexibility. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a system which attaches onto the grip of a golf club and engages the forearm of the leading arm to prevent both wrists from pivoting to swing the club. The system effectively trains a golfer to swing a golf club using his/her shoulders as opposed to pivoting the wrists. The invention is illustrated by example in the accompanying drawings figures. However, it should be appreciated that numerous variations are possible while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.