Patent Publication Number: US-2023142575-A1

Title: Core trainer

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to exercise and training devices, and more particularly, to a training device for building core strength and muscle memory to improve the power and mechanics of the golf club swing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The most difficult thing for aspiring golfers to realize is that club head speed is dependent on the speed and power of the axis of rotation of the body, namely the core. However, human evolution and development have produced the condition “physiological hand dominance” in which our upper extremities (hands and arms) are naturally and physically dominant in most daily activities, as well as in most athletic activities. Unfortunately, this does not facilitate the development of a biomechanically advantaged golf swing. 
     The hand has the most complex motor activities of any part of our body, and those complex activities are reflected in the brain. The neurons dedicated to the function of the hand occupies the largest proportion of the motor and sensory cortices of the brain. Varying images of anatomy that are derived from the primary motor cortex of the brain show the dominance of the hand compared to core and lower extremities. This is true for both motor and sensory cortices. 
     This natural tendency is recognized by professionals and they are able to overcome upper extremity dominance. Renown swing coach Butch Harmon believes the typical golfer “tries to do too much with his hands” thereby diminishing his swing speed. He notes that his former pupil, Tiger Woods, focused on keeping his hands passive through the downswing. The most important aspect of hand motion, Harmon says, is to synchronize the movements of your hands with rotation of your body. Tiger Woods says he generates club head speed on the downswing “from the ground up” with hand movement occurring last. Golfers can generate more club head speed by rotating their core, and allowing their body&#39;s centrifugal force to release their hands naturally. It is the rotation of the core that produces club shaft “lag” that accelerates the club head through the ball. 
     Thus, the core&#39;s rotation in the golf swing is the key to club head speed. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a training device that is designed to increase the rotary power and muscle memory of the core structures while leaving the hands and arms relatively passive in the training motion. While the embodiments described herein are specifically directed to a training device for building core strength and muscle memory for a golf club swing, one skilled in the art would understand that the apparatus could be a training device for building core strength and muscle memory in other sports such as baseball. This device can be used in the home environment using elastic tethers, or a pulley weight system, or adapted for use in gyms using a pulleys/weight system for resistance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an overhead schematic view of a training apparatus in a first position. 
         FIG.  2    is an overhead schematic view of the training apparatus of  FIG.  1    in a second position. 
         FIG.  3    is an overhead schematic view of the training apparatus of  FIG.  1    in a third position. 
         FIG.  4    is top plan view of a first embodiment of a training apparatus. 
         FIG.  5    is a side plan view of the first embodiment of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an end portion of the first embodiment of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an end portion of a second embodiment of a training apparatus. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of an end portion of a third embodiment of a training apparatus. 
         FIG.  9    is a side plan view of an embodiment of a pulley/weight system implemented as a resistance member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A training device for a golf swing is described. The training device is designed to be used as a regular exercise to increase the rotary power and muscle memory of the user&#39;s core structures. Doing so increases the power, speed and participation of the core in the golf swing, while leaving the hands and arms relatively passive in the training motion. The core is the axis of rotation of the golf swing and the key to club head speed. The golf swing training device trains the muscles and joints of the core, thereby increasing their involvement in the golf swing. 
       FIGS.  1 - 3    are schematic overhead representations of a golf training apparatus  10  in three different use positions as the apparatus is rotated back and forth with the user&#39;s shoulders through a turn of approximately 180 degrees by the user standing in a fixed position at the center of rotation C. In use of the apparatus  10 , the shoulders and the hips rotate while the feet remain in a fixed golf stance position substantially as shown in dotted lines while the user&#39;s core rotates with the apparatus. 
     The apparatus  10  is simple in construction. A semicircular portion  20  is coupled at end points A and B with a support portion  40 . More detailed embodiments are described with reference to additional figures below. The support portion  40  is constructed to conform generally to the shoulders and neck of the user in order to provide comfortable support for the semicircular portion  20 , which is held out in front of the user chest high and rotated in use with the user&#39;s shoulders. Handles  80  may be provided on each end of the support portion  40 , for example, at points A and B, or at some other ergonomically advantageous position, to assist the user with operating the apparatus  10  properly. 
     A resistance member  60  of varying resistance,  60  is connected to point A of the apparatus  10  and also to a fixed point D separate and apart from the apparatus, for example, wedged into a door jam at the chest height of the user. While  FIGS.  1 - 3    illustrate the use of a flexible tether as the resistance member  60 , a pulley/weight system as illustrated in  FIG.  9    below can also be used to create resistance. To use the apparatus  10  with the elastic tether, the user moves away from the door and stands in a ball-striking position turned 90 degrees from the door, as shown in  FIG.  2   , where the user&#39;s spinal column is the center point C for rotation of the semicircular portion, and the tether  60  is at a comfortable tension and wraps around the semicircular portion  20 . The user rotates the shoulders and apparatus  10  away from the point of fixation in the door through 180 degrees of rotation while keeping the feet firmly planted on the ground, thus experiencing increasing tension on the tether  60  and working the user&#39;s rotatory core muscles to build strength and muscle memory to increase the speed of the golf club. As the user rotates the apparatus  10  and shoulders about center point C, the tether  60  follows its connection at point A and tracks around the semicircular portion  20 . This motion is repeated to gain strength and muscle memory. The tethers are of varying resistance and are chosen depending on the strength and experience of the user. The weight pulley system has the advantage of producing consistent resistance throughout the rotational exercise 
     In  FIG.  1   , the elastic tether  60  is at a minimum to moderate tension, depending on the users conditioning, between point A and point D, and the apparatus  10  coupled with user&#39;s shoulders is rotated approximately 90 degrees to the fully clockwise position while the user&#39;s legs and feet remain fixed. 
     In  FIG.  2   , the user has rotated shoulders and apparatus  10  counterclockwise approximately 90 degrees thus pulling and wrapping the tether  60  affixed at point A around the semicircular portion  20  to provide increased tension on the tether. In this position, the user&#39;s shoulders are facing front and aligned with the legs and feet in a normal golf stance. 
     In  FIG.  3   , the user has rotated shoulders and apparatus counterclockwise another 90 degrees thus pulling and wrapping the tether  60  affixed at point A further around the semicircular portion  20  to provide maximum tension on the tether. 
     The user exercises the core by repeating the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations in reasonable repetitions and sets. The views and directional references of  FIGS.  1 - 3    would of course be reversed in orientation for a left-handed ball striker (or to provide a symmetrical core workout), for example, by affixing the tether to point B of the training apparatus instead of point A and the user turning around to face the other direction. 
     Also, varying the user&#39;s position in relation to the fixed point D will produce varying degrees of resistance for use of the apparatus  10 . For example, as the user is positioned further away from point D, the resistance on the tether  60  will be greater. Since the apparatus  10  creates resistance to a rotary movement that involves muscles, joints and ligaments of the core, from the shoulders to the floor, it is recommended that one should start slowly and with a small resistance through the tether  60 . Any exercise that places a new stress on a previously unrestrained motion should be initiated progressively, with caution. 
     The training apparatus should preferably be lightweight and can be made from a variety of readily available materials, such as plastics, lightweight metal alloys, composite materials such as carbon fiber, etc. For example, a simple embodiment was made with lengths of ¾ inch Schedule 40 rigid PVC pipe and connectors, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 - 5   . The apparatus  110  includes a first length of PVC pipe  122  having an opening  124  (see  FIG.  5   ) formed along the entire length of its outward-facing surface  126 , i.e., facing away from the user. In this specific embodiment, the cutaway opening  124  is made over approximately 45% of the outward-facing half of the first pipe  122 . The length of the first pipe  122  should be adequate to form a complete or near-complete half circle with rotation clearance about the user; for example, a first length of approximately 30 inches is adequate for most adults. The first pipe  122  is bent to form the semicircular arc such that the cutaway portion  124  is exposed on the outward-facing surface  126  and forms an open pathway to guide the travel of the tether (not shown) during use. 
     A second length of PVC pipe  128  is coupled at each end by standard PVC connectors  139  to the first pipe  122 . The second pipe  128  has been cut in half and symmetrical curves  129  formed with each half, then connected back together again with a standard connector. A neck cushion  130 , such as a hollow cylindrical tube made of plastic foam or similar, is attached where the half pipes  128  connect to cover the connector and provide some additional comfort for the user. 
     Handles  132  are provided at each end of the apparatus, for example, and are coupled to extend downward from the end points A and B by connector  139 , a three-way connector that also couples the first pipe  122  and second pipe  128 . In this embodiment, each of the handles  132  is formed with a first straight piece  133  coupled to connector  139  on the apparatus  110 ; then extending into a elbow connector  138 ; then to a second straight piece  134  which acts as the handle grip; and terminating with an end cap  135 . Grasping and using the handles to hold the apparatus in the horizontal plane of the user&#39;s shoulders facilitates a good core workout. 
     In use, a tether may be secured to either point A or point B on the apparatus  110 , for example, by tying the tether in a knot around the corner connector  139  or similar location on the apparatus. Alternatively, a connection point may be affixed on the apparatus  110 , for example, with an eye hook, eye bolt or other known mechanical attachment means affixed into one of the pipes or connectors symmetrically on the apparatus. 
     The tether may be, for example, a silicone band, silicone tubing, a rubber band, rubber tubing, or similar materials with an elastic characteristic suitable for resistance exercises. The elastic tether can be replaced by attaching the device to an adjustable pulley/weight system adjustably secured to a wall or other exercise device commonly used at gyms and other fitness centers. 
     In an implementation of the above embodiment, the apparatus  110  could be formed as a single molded piece with a neck support cushion added to the molded product. The tether may be included with the apparatus or attached separately. 
     In fact, implementing a guide path for the travel of the tether along the semicircular arc could be accomplished in a number of different ways without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In general, the guide path can be provided through an internal pathway of an arc portion structural member or an external pathway on the outward-facing surface of the structural member. 
     For example, another implementation is illustrated in  FIG.  7   , showing one end of the cylindrical apparatus  210  where the first portion  222  forming the semicircular arc is coupled at connector  239  to the second portion  228  and the handle  232 . However, in this embodiment, the arc portion does not have an opening along the full length of the outward-facing surface, but instead is a mostly solid external surface with a hollow interior—as in standard PVC pipe or similar—with small cutouts  224  formed at each end on the outward-facing surface for receiving the tether  260  through the hollow tube with adequate length to conduct the exercise as described. Alternatively, with the tether fixed at the leading end of the semicircular arc portion, a single cutout could be provided at the following end for the tether to ride in and out through the guide path. 
     The tether  260  may also be affixed with a mechanical stopper  225  at each end to limit travel of the tether, or a simple knot tied in the tether may be adequate. The cutouts  224  may also be fitted with a grommet or similar mechanical hardware to facilitate the tether having a smooth entry to and exit from the tube at the cutouts. 
     In yet another implementation, as shown in  FIG.  8   , the apparatus  310  is not made from a hollow pipe or tubing, but instead is a rigid member  322 , such as a composite material or metal alloy, forming the semicircular arc portion and having a substantially flat outward-facing surface  323  along the arc. The support member  340  and the handles  332  can be formed of the same material and coupled at point A in known manner for the material chosen. A number of rings  325  are affixed on outward-facing surface  323  of the arc member  322  to provide a guide path for travel of the tether  330 . An eyebolt  327  or some other attachments means is provided at each end of the rigid arc member  322  for securing the tether in preparation for exercise. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an embodiment of the resistance member implemented as a pulley/weight system  400  attached to a wall  402 . The pulley/weight system  400  may use a pulley  404  or other cylindrical device rotatably secured by a L bracket  406  that is secured to the wall  402  by a wall plate  408  that enables the height of the L bracket from the floor to be adjusted. The height h of the L bracket  406  from the floor  409  may be adjusted upward or downward on the wall plate  408  depending upon the height of the user. The pulley  404  may have a channel or other mechanism for slidably receiving a rope  410  that is secured to the attachment point of the semicircular portion  20  of the training device at one end and one of more weights  412  at the other end that serve as a counterweight. As known to those skilled in the art, the number of weights  412  may be adjusted by the user to increase or decrease the resistance provided by the pulley/weight system  400 . Rope  410  may be a synthetic rope or wire rope such as a cable. 
     The foregoing written description is intended to enable one of ordinary skill to make and use the techniques described herein, but those of ordinary skill will understand that the description is not limiting and will also appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples described herein.